Monroe Misfit Makeup | Beauty Blog: March 2018

March 26, 2018

Refresh your Spring Routine & Wardrobe with Suzanne Organics

This post is in partnership with PRIMP Network. Products have been provided by Suzanne Somers. All opinions are my own. 

Once the clock moves forward I am all about revamping for Spring. That means everything, beauty, hair, skin, fashion -all of it gets a refresh. Suzanne Organics was introduced to me last Summer and I have been a fan of the line ever since. Suzanne Somers beauty products are made with natural botanical extracts, enzymes, skin-nurturing anti-oxidants, organic fruits and vegetables. From nourishing skin-care to flawless make-up, these products were designed to help you glow. We all want that sought after all-over Spring glow and Suzanne Organics is here to help!


I am a firm believer that beauty starts from the inside. RestoreLife Formula's Hair, Skin, and Nails Renew is a unique, orally ingested formula packed with clinically studied nutrients that promote collagen and keratin health. These proteins keep hair, skin, and nails looking youthful, healthy, and vibrant. Ingredients such as Cynatine® HNS Plus, VERISOL® Bioactive Collagen Peptides®, and silicon and biotin will help restore beautiful hair, radiant skin, and healthy nails.

I notice a huge difference from when I am supplementing to when I am not. My hair grows faster and my brittle nails stop peeling and breaking. Biotin is awesome at strengthening hair and nails. I have been taking RestoreLife for two weeks now so it is too early to see the full results. I am however noticing my nails feeling stronger and my skin has been staying clear. That's enough for me to remember to take my vitamins every day.


SUZANNE™ Organics Cosmetics is made with skin-nurturing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba, aloe, argan oil, grape seed oil, bamboo powder, tapioca, rich mineral powders, raspberries, oranges, Vitamin E and more. This amazing tri-fecta targets fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful, glowing complexion. I first tried this set last Summer and it has been my go-to for the warmer months ever since. The products are lightweight yet effective, which can be a hard to find combination when it comes to anti-aging skincare.


The remarkable Ageless Serum plumps, firms and restores elasticity to aging skin. If you imagine an old, brittle rubberband, you can see how dry and aging, skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag. When it’s young, that rubberband bounces back, just like youthful skin keeps us looking taut. This light serum hydrates and looks great under makeup.

Liquid Oxygen Facial Serum is like an expensive Oxygen Facial Treatment in a bottle! Give your skin the breath of life with nature’s gift of Liquid Oxygen Therapy. This luxurious elixir helps to reverse the visible signs of aging while providing soothing properties to the skin. Liquid Oxygen Serum feels refreshing and keeps my skin looking clear and hydrated. If you have ever had an Oxygen Facial you know what I mean. It is like a breath of fresh air for the skin.


The Bioactive Moisturizer is loaded with natural, botanical active ingredients, like CoQ10, Argan Oil, and Sea Buckthorn Berry, for youthful, ageless skin. I like using this as my night time moisturizer. I wake up with hydrated plumped up skin and it's the perfect amount of moisture for my combination skin. I recently added Retinol to my nightly regimen and this moisturizer has helped combat the dryness.


The Suzanne Organics 3-Piece Complete Hair Care Set will transform your hair naturally and enjoy renewed vitality and lots of body. This money-saving set is the perfect combination and free of all toxins, sulfates, and chemicals!

Suzanne Organics Hair care uses Cocoa Butter Cleansers for mild lather to gently and thoroughly clean the hair with no residue. Most conventional shampoos use harsh sulfates, detergents, and foam boosters to create luxurious feeling lather that actually strips hair of natural moisture and leaves it dry and lifeless. Lifeless hair is something I deal with constantly having fine, thin hair. Once I started using sulfate-free products to cleanse my hair I forgot all about the suds. This shampoo works beautifully on my fine hair leaving it soft and with much more body.


High performance superfoods in Suzanne Organics conditioners strengthen the hair shaft while enhancing elasticity for shiny, stronger, hydrated, more luscious hair. High shine is achieved using a combination of three oils from broccoli, argan, and sweet almond. This lightweight conditioner works wonderfully to condition my dry ends while not weighing my fine hair down. I don't use gel too much myself but Suzanne's uses nature's ingredients to provide soft control for shiny, manageable hair. No crunchy hold! I absolutely will be re-purchasing the Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner in the salon size. They have worked just as well if not better than high-end salon brands for my fine color-treated hair.


The wild orange vanilla scent of the hair care products smells so good! I can only compare it to what an Orange Julius tastes like. I have gotten so many compliments on the perfume I'm wearing. I don't wear perfume because I have allergies, it's this set! It has the most alluring fresh, softly sweet citrrus scent. I enjoyed it so much I went back and purchased the Rescue Hair Mask to give my hair even more TLC.


True Brazilian Activating Serum and Finishing Gloss Combo is my secret to smooth, shiny locks. I have fine, frizzy, naturally wavy hair that when moisture hits it I look like I have stuck my finger in a light socket. There is nothing I fear more than being caught out in a Seattle rainstorm!

True Brazilian Activating Serum features Meadowfoam Seed Oil, which has excellent conditioning and moisturizing properties and helps strengthen hair. The Finishing Gloss contains Argan oil to help hydrate and nourish the hair in a natural way. It helps control the curliness and roughness of hair.


True Brazilian provides an at-home salon-style, anti-frizz treatment… with no harmful added chemicals like Traditional Brazilian straightening treatments can have! I love being able to do my own at home Brazilian salon-like treatment at home! It's way less expensive and the results are impressive. 

I use one pump of the Activating Serum from mid-shaft down, blow dry, and seal in with a flat iron. Next, I lightly smooth a pump of the Finishing Gloss on to my ends. On high humidity days my hair is much less frizzy. I almost can't believe how well this works! Both serums are lightweight and don't have leave the greasy feel that traditional serums can have. It has helped keep my hair silky smooth and tamed.


The 3Way Poncho is the perfect top for Spring! It comes in both Black and Mocha with sizes Missy or Plus. I love this type of top because it is so versatile! You can wear it off the shoulder, as a hoodie, cowl, or even as a dress if you are on the shorter side.

Pair it with leggings or jeans for a casual look, or a skirt and heels and you’re ready for the office or a night on the town! The ultra-lightweight fabric is so soft and comfortable, it feels like wearing pajamas!

 I loved the color of the Mocha. I am not a beige girl normally but this color is a lovely flattering nude. Because I am on the busty side I liked wearing this Poncho as a cowl neck top best.


The Black Poncho is also super chic and comfy. I paired it with leather leggings and wore it as a cowl and off one shoulder. It truly works for every body! I have a curvier body type and the Missy worked for me at a size large and also for my Mom who is on the petite side. They also carry it in Plus for size 15 and up. Gotta love multi-functional clothing!


Last but not least, I always give my nails a fresh coat of color come Spring. While most nail polishes rely on dangerous toxins and unhealthy chemicals for their vibrant colors and luxurious coverage, SUZANNE 10-Toxin Free Nail Polish is made with the highest quality vegan products to produce the safest 10-toxin free nail polish available.

Sea Salt is a dreamy muted pastel greyed baby blue. Two coats gives completely opaque richly pigmented color. I am typically a brights kind of girl so this was a nice change from the norm. With the added Quick Dry Top Coat your manicure will last for days with out chipping.  It dries so quickly! I could do my nails in under 5 minutes. There are many pretty colors in the Suzanne nail polish range. I would recommend trying out the 5-pc Nail Polish Set, it's a great deal!


Suzanne Somers has developed beauty and health products that are pure and clean, easy and fun! They are the perfect way to refresh your Spring beauty and style! Check out what my fellow Bloggers Carli at Everything Pretty & Taneja's Bride  are loving for Spring from Suzanne Organics!

Get 20% Off your entire order at Suzanne Organics with code PRIMP20

March 16, 2018

Urban Decay BackTalk Palette Review & Swatches


When the Urban Decay BackTalk Palette hit SEPHORA last week I ran (okay, more like I immediately clicked the buy button) to grab it up. Backtalk is one of my absolute favorite Vice lipstick shades. The creamy mauve pink is flattering on everyone, it's no wonder this is the No. 1 selling, cult-favorite Vice Lipstick shade! Having a palette created around your favorite pink lip color? DREAMS. As excited as I was for this palette, and still am, it turned out to be quite surprising!



Like two palettes in one, this travel-ready case holds eight nude-mauve, soft berry and muted rose Eyeshadow shades on one side and four coordinating shades of blush and highlighter on the other. The casing is cardboard and flip turn style with a removable magnetic mirror dividing the two. I appreciate the sleek, somewhat non-bulky design but the mirror has a tendency to fall out and the palette does not stay closed with out it inside. It's not the most practical design but it is something I haven't seen done before.


Many, myself included, thought this palette was going to be Urban Decay's answer to a NAKED 3 Basics Palette. It is not at all, but that is not a bad thing! Despite appearing a pink toned berries palette oddly enough it is on the warm side.


The eyeshadow's swatch and wear with much more orange/red based warmth for being inspired by a cool-toned mauve lipstick. The rosy berries have a Fall/Winter feel to them while the soft peachy pink's nod to Spring. I think the color range in this palette is going to please both cool-toned and warm-toned eyeshadow fans alike because there is something in here for both.


Every shade features proprietary Pigment Infusion System™ for velvety pigments that blend easily, stay rich and last for hours. While these shades all swatched pigmented they had a drier feeling to them than what I'm used to from Urban Decay palettes. I had to go over them with my brush multiple times to build color on my eyes. Normally with UD eyeshadow's one or two passes gives me even, pigmented color. It seems the quality has been knocked down a notch from the NAKED Palette's, more to a Too Faced level. I always feel palette's suffer a little when more bang for your buck is packed in to them. These are very hard pressed so they will require a bit more work to build color.

The first four shades are more of what I was expecting from this palette. 3 Sheets is a soft matte light pink highlight shade. Bare and Curve are very similar to each other being shimmering champagnes. A little too similar but I love these type of shades on the lid so I don't mind. Backtalk is just what I was picturing for the eyeshadow shade match to the VICE Lipstick in the pan. It applies more of a warm dusty rose than a cool mauve though.

Here is where the shades in Backtalk really start to warm up. Attitude, WTF, and 180 all have underlying reddish orange tones. I could easily see these in the NAKED Heat Palette. Pretty colors, just not the expected cool-berries.

 (swatched over no primer)
3 SHEETS (pale pink-nude matte) BARE (light pinky-peach satin)CURVE (metallic rose shimmer with silver micro-glitter) BACKTALK (soft rosy mauve matte) SHADE (deep fuchsia satin) ATTITUDE (metallic red-copper) WTF (reddish brown matte) 180 (metallic brown-red)


Not a part of Backtalk, but I wanted to share some 24/7 Liners that I thought would pair well with  looks created with this palette. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils are the best pencil liners ever. Gliding on smooth, pigmented, to set and stay in place for hours. Distortion is a shade I have been wearing a lot lately. The smoky brown is a softer alternative to Black. If you want a serious, true sooty black though Zero is your girl.

It's hard to believe but I have never tried Urban Decay Blushes before. That is half of the reason I was so keen on Backtalk. I wish these were more cool-toned blushes, but I need to get over it! This isn't a cool-toned palette. If they had just called this a Spring palette I probably wouldn't be pouting over it right now, but my heart was set on completely cool-toned palette because we never get any.


The softer shades Low Key and Party Rock are more like highlighters than blushes and don't have a lot of pigment, just shimmer. I think they should have noted that this is a blush AND highlight palette. I don't care for Cheap Shot and Double Take on my very cool-toned skin. They have too much "rudiness" to them. I do like how Low Key and Party Foul look as highlighters, they have a soft gorgeous glow. Each blush allow you to create pretty monochromatic looks when paired with the eyeshadows. Just be prepared for more of a sheer wash of color than a highly pigmented blush.


CHEAP SHOT (medium pink-nude)DOUBLE TAKE (rich mauve with slight shimmer) LOW KEY (pink-peach) PARTY FOUL (light pink-nude shimmer).

When the Backtalk palette was decidedly warmer I was slightly disappointed. I really wanted to see a completely cool-toned palette in the slew of warm ones out these days. Except, I really like the colors! They are flattering to my green eyes and I love the all-in-one palette concept of coordinating eye and cheek colors. It wasn't the palette I was expecting, but one I unexpectedly still liked. I do hope Urban Decay gives us cool-toned eyeshadow fans something really to talk about (like a truly cool mauvey taupey berry Naked 3 Basics!).


*purchased *sample *affiliate links

March 13, 2018

BOXYCHARM Baecation MARCH Subscription Box


BOXYCHARM is giving us all the Spring vibes in the Baecation themed box this month! For 21/mo Boxycharm gives you 4-5 Full Size Beauty products each month and Free Shipping. It is the only beauty box still work subscribing to in 2018 and the value is always incredible. So lets take a look at what we will be packing with us for Spring Break!

PUR The Eyeshadow Palette ($36)
This transitional palette can be used now, or later, to bring vibrancy back in to your look. Pur's signature silky smooth ultra-mattes are paired with pretty pins and vibrant blue to lighten the mood. I love a good BoxyCharm palette. I reach for them all the time. PUR is one of my fav brands, but I have never tried their eye shadow's.

These are nice! Pretty decently pigmented, not chalky, and opening this palette was like bringing life back to the eyes. I have been all about neutrals these days, but I'm thinking about experimenting with some color again. This eyeshadow palette looks to be the way to do it. Plus those peachy colors up top? So Spring! I am happy they went with something more vibrant for their palette this time around. I love a neutral palette, but they were starting to become repetitive.


Butter London Oh My, How high! Lengthening Mascara ($20)
Lengthen and curl! This curved nylon brush evenly coats every lash for panoramic length. I'm a volumizing mascara kind of girl but will be layering this on top for length. I only think of Butter London for nails so I will be curious to try this out! The brush has a cool curvature tip that looks promising.

South Mane Beauty Under Eye Gels ($10)
These under eye gels are great for an easy mask without the clean up. They soften and moisturize to ensure that you look rested and refreshed. Who doesn't need an eye mask? My dark circles and fine lines from this Winter weather and dry indoor air sure do. I'm looking forward to trying these, if I could find something less expensive to rotate with my Patchology ones that would be awesome.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Smokey Eye Makeup Brush Set ($23.15)
This brush trio set will enable you to create a stunning smokey eye. Really though, these are just basic eye brushes but I always appreciate getting these in my BoxyCharm. Easy to travel with and no worry about losing my good brushes. How cute are the little sayings on the brushes?


Pretty Vulgar Make Them Blush ($26)
Make Them Blush powder blush awakens your complexion and provides natural, glowy flush to your cheeks. Can we just talk about this color? HOLY WOW. Prim Vixen is the most bright, vivid, cool-toned matte pink. This blush is super pigmented. It's like Hi NARS. BYE Nars. This blush is poppin, I can not wait to wear this! I really need to look more in to Pretty Vulgar. I have loved everything I have gotten from this line and the packaging is so retro glam.

Thank you BoxyCharm for injecting a dose of color back in to my dull Winter makeup routine. Remember, if you order the box in the same calender month you can still get this same box. Once again this  box was full of awesome!#BoxyCharm

BoxyCharm Subscription Box ($21 mo) is available at BoxyCharm.com

*sample *affiliate links

March 06, 2018

Urban Decay Disco Queen Collection Highlight Review & Swatches


Leave it to Urban Decay to up the anty on the highlighter game this Spring with anything but your average highlight. Taking it up a notch with the Disco Queen Collection's Holographic Disco Stick & Holographic Highlight Powder. Both Holographic highlighters create an iridescent, multidimensional sheen that looks amazing on any skin tone. With Holographic Disco Stick & Powder, shimmer goes straight-up psychedelic.

We laced this holographic highlighter with traveling pigments that seem to change color before your eyes. Create a hyper-dimensional glow—for a luminous effect that’s almost otherworldly. Our silky, lightweight formula glides on, flashes down and has an airy finish (so it won’t interfere with your complexion makeup).  Use a little for a subtly ethereal shimmer, or keep layering for an intensely holographic highlight.

Holographic Disco Stick ($26) is perfect for when you want just a hit of holographic highlight. Because the base is sheer, this formula creates a translucent sparkle that still allows your skin to show through. If you’re looking for a more intense effect, pair Holographic Disco Stick with Disco Queen Holographic Highlight Powder (sold separately); use the stick first, then layer the powder on top.

This highlight stick is very different from any stick highlight I have seen before. It has a lavender-grey base that has you thinking what in the heck is this going to look like. The base is sheer so you don't get any color once applied. Instead it applies a smattering of iridescent blue and pink micro-glitter. This isn't glowy, but more of a noticeably glittery finish with reflects of lavender pink. It does take a few passes to get the sparkle built up evenly. Having a bit of tacky finish Disco Stick works as a perfect base for powder highlighters.


Holographic Disco Stick is a cool alternative to your typical shades of pearl, gold, and champagne. It is more of a fine shimmer/glitter than a highlight. For me, it was just okay on its own but really shined with the hologprahic powder on top. Try it on the eyes! So pretty! The glitter refelcts reminded me of my favorite Manic Panic holographic loose micro-glitter that I wore everyday when I was 16. Plus, who isn't a fan of micro-glitter with out the mess?


Holographic Highlight Powder ($29)
Take your glow into the next dimension with Disco Queen Holographic Highlight Powder. This lightweight, insanely pretty powder comes in a translucent, iridescent lavender shade that creates a luminous, holographic sheen. Tip: Use a little for a more subtle glow, or build and layer to achieve a high-watt highlight. We infused this velvety formula with lustrous pearl pigments. There’s never any white cast—just a really pretty, luminous glow. And because this formula isn’t pressed, the feel is ultra lightweight.

Holographic everything is big for Spring and with purple being the color of the year this highlight is right on trend. Purple can start to resemble a bruise if not careful, but this is a very faintly pigmented powder that deposits just a touch of color. The powder is sheer with a soft, iridescent violet glow and flashes of holographic blue sparkle. The formula is somewhat dry with not a lot of pigment being picked up with a brush. It is definitely more of a trendy shade that hops on that whole Unicorn highlight/instagram bandwagon. I am so glad they didn't call this the Unicorn Collection.

The highlight is actually quite wearable. One layer gives a subtle violet sheen with unexpected flashes of duo chrome sparkle. Even on my pale skin this looked pretty, but it would look even more amazing on darker complexions. I would pair the Holographic Highlight Powder with purple shades Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in AC/DC and Asphyxia VICE Lipstick.


If you want a more intense effect, layer Disco Queen Holographic Highlight Powder with Holographic Disco Stick. Use the stick first, then layer the powder on top. I loved how these highlights worked together and would recommend buying both if you want to live your best Disco Queen life. They really come together for a beautiful violet-blue-pink high shine finish. The highlight becomes more intense than what you will get from each of them alone. I am banking this will double as a gorgeous duo-chrome eyeshadow too. Between the two, get the Powder over the stick. Tip: Apply the powder with your fingers or a mini beauty blender, a brush doesn't pick up the full color and duo-chrome shine as well.


Disco Queen highlighters are not going to be every ones taste but they are fun! Like Disco! I prefer more classic makeup these days over following trends, but I think this is a fresh interesting way of wearing color other than on the eyes and lips. The results look oddly enough quite natural -for a lavender sparkly blue duo chrome unnatural highlight!  It has a futuristic modern feel. I am still longing for the day where we all wear sy-fy minimalist makeup on the daily and these hint at that.


*sample *affiliate links