The Clunkster

contour

Fenty Beauty's Match Stix Contour Skin Sticks

Beauty, Beauty Review, Cruelty-FreeKristenComment

A couple months back, I went on a journey to find some new contour products. I’d been using Too Faced’s Cocoa Contour Palette for years now, and there’s nothing wrong with it, but I was getting tired of using the powder. I had seen so many videos on Instagram of people using liquid or cream formulas for their contour. It looked so much easier than powder, and I figured it was time for a change. 

Since I fell head over heels in love with Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Foundation, I figured Fenty would be a good place to start. Most of the videos I had seen used Fenty, and I trusted them. I was between the Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer, Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer, and Match Stix Contour Skin Sticks.

The Match Stix seemed like the “just right” amongst all of them, but my next hurdle was that I had no clue which shades I needed. Going off the Instagram videos I had seen, I knew I had to go a couple shades down and up, but I didn’t know how by how much. I bought these during the height of the pandemic, so I wasn’t able to go to Sephora and swatch the actual shades. Thankfully, Fenty had a Match Stix Trio available on their website. I could have purchased the trio with shades I picked, but because I was so confused, I decided to go with the Light 100 pack. It seemed to be the best match for my skin tone.

Though these shades work for me, they could be a lot better. Linen, the light shade, is basically my exact skin color, so it doesn’t make a good concealer. Amber, the dark shade, is a bit too dark for me. And Starstruck, the highlighter, just doesn’t complement my face. 

Aside from the shades, I wasn’t super thrilled about the formula. From what I had seen on Instagram, it should have been as simple as swiping the sticks on the desired areas of my face and blending with a makeup sponge. I thought it would be a little softer and easier to blend, but I had a really tough time. I had to pull the sponge across my face to really make a difference.

Next, I tried a buffer brush, which made things a little easier. I was still disappointed with the look of the harsh lines. I knew that it would look a little sharper, which I wanted, but not so sharp it looked like I didn’t know how to blend. But the more I use the sticks, the more easily manipulated the formula is. I’ve seen some people rub it on the back of their hand before they use it, which I also tried, but I didn’t see much of a difference. 

I’m really on the fence about these. They get the job done, but not in the way I want. I purchased Fenty’s Match Stix because I thought they were high quality and convenient. I wouldn’t say they’re low quality, but definitely not what I expected from Fenty

But it’s also important for me to point out my own naivete with watching those videos. Obviously, makeup artists put a ton of time and work into the looks they share on social media, and that includes editing. There’s a lot missing from those fifteen seconds you see on your phone. Just because it took them two seconds to get a snatched face with contour sticks doesn’t mean it was actually that easy. 

So unfortunately, I’m not sure if I’m leaving you with a recommendation, dear reader. All I can say is, don’t believe everything you see on Instagram, and if you’re buying a shade-specific product, just go to the store in person.

have a gay day!

Outfit of the Day, StyleKristenComment

jacket. tank (similar). shorts. sneakers. sunglasses (get 25% off your order with my code CLUNKSTER25!). perfume.

Hello, cutie patooties of all genders and sexualities! Happy last week of Pride Month! This year was the first time I attended a Gay Pride Parade, and I had SO much fun.

For the most part, I kept my outfit pretty basic. I wore my jean shorts and denim jacket (love a good Canadian tuxedo) with a basic black tank and Converse. I really went ham with my makeup! I’m bisexual, so I decorated my face with the colors of our flag. I used pink eyeshadow on my lids, lined my eyes with purple eyeshadow, and wore bright blue lipstick. I wore my hair in two half-up-half-down pigtails, which looked hella cute, but gave me a nasty scalp sunburn!

I know Pride is a time for us to run through the streets and be proud of who we are, but let’s not forget the people who fought to get us to where we are today, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and the people whose lives have been taken because we haven’t come far enough yet. Go for it, hug your gay friends, but take some time to educate yourself on our history today. 

Did you do anything fun for Pride? Let me know in the comments!

formalities

KristenComment
formallooktheclunkster.jpg
dress (no longer being sold by Camille La Vie). shoes (I don't remember I'm sorry!). eyeshadow palette. lip crayon. perfume.

dress (no longer being sold by Camille La Vie). shoes (I don't remember I'm sorry!). eyeshadow palette. lip crayon. perfume.

Happy Monday! It’s a brand new week, which means a week full of new opportunities! I know I keep saying it, but I’m seriously so happy it’s summer. Life is so much more fun when the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and everyone has a bit less on their plates.

A couple weeks ago, my sorority had their Spring Formal! I love Formal because everyone gets extra gorgeous and it honestly makes me cry. This year’s theme was Old Hollywood, so everyone was looking so classically beautiful.

As soon as I got word of the theme, I thought of this dress. I saw it in the Prom issue of Seventeen a couple years back and fell in love. I bought it immediately, even though the only one left was two sizes too big and unable to be altered or returned! I ended up wearing it to my Junior Prom, even though it was a little big, and wore it again for my cousin’s wedding a couple years ago. Now that I’ve gained some weight and height, the dress fits me perfectly! I’m so happy I got to wear it again. I genuinely feel like a princess in this dress.

My shoes are also another blast from the past! I wore these to two Proms with a different dress. I loved them as soon as I saw them because they’re beautiful, classy, and dressy, but they’re not heels! I have knee problems, and heels really irritate them, so I try to go for classier flats. These are super comfy, and I don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort.

I kept my hair simple, just straightening it (it looked better before Formal, I took this pic after I got home!), and my makeup relatively simple, but glamorous. I contoured a lot more than usual, took extra time on my sparkly eye shadow, and bought a new lip crayon that I’ll post about soon! Spoiler alert: I’m obsessed.

Overall, the night was amazing! I had such a great time from beginning to end. This was the first year I was able to bring my boyfriend instead of just a date! He’s amazing and made the night twenty times better. Have you been to any ~fancy~ events recently? Let me know in the comments!

hogwarts party

KristenComment

top & skirt (no longer being sold by Mystique Boutique NYC). sandals (no longer being sold by Payless). perfume

Happy Monday! It’s finally summer for me, and I’m having a blast taking a breath before life starts to settle in again. For now, I’m enjoying sleeping in and not worrying about assignments I need to turn in.

A couple weeks ago, my roommates and I threw a Hogwarts Yule Ball themed party, so everyone dressed up! This is one of my favorite fancy outfits, and I wear is as often as I can. I bought it to wear to Celebrity Night my senior year of high school :’) The skirt is so flouncy and flirty, and it goes perfectly with this top. It’s super bright, but that’s what makes it so unique. I love the slit in the chest. I posted the gold version of these sandals a couple days ago! I love them because they’re fancy, but the heels aren’t too high, so my feet don’t hurt.

And now for my favorite part, my ponytail! I love working my hair into a high, tight, slicked-back ponytail. This outfit definitely calls for one. I don’t think I’ve ever worn this outfit with my hair not in a ponytail. Maybe I’ll make a blog post about how to make the perfect pony soon ;) I also had a lot of fun with my makeup! I contoured and highlighted more than usual and got fancy with lots of gold eyeshadow.

This is one of my all-time favorite outfits! It makes me feel great. The party was amazing, and I got tons of compliments on my outfit and the Hogwarts House-themed cupcakes i made. I’m a Hufflepuff! Let me know what house you are in the comments!

makeup monday: cocoa contour palette

Cruelty-Free, Beauty, Beauty ReviewKristenComment

Contouring always scared me. I was so intimidated when I first saw Kim Kardashian and beauty tutorialistas beating their faces to perfection. This semester, my beauty guru friend started contouring me with Too Faced's Cocoa Contour Palette, and I kind of fell in love. I asked for it for Christmas, and my wonderful parents blessed me with the gift of a chiseled face. Like I said, contouring really scared me until I realized that it was basically like coloring your face! This particular palette comes with a little brochure thing with three basic contouring looks - Instant Cheekbones, Skinny Sculpt, and Celebrity Contour. I started with the first, Instant Cheekbones, which is pretty basic. I also love highlighting my defined cheekbones (thanks Mom!!!) It just works really well with my face and the rest of the makeup I wear. I've tried the others on occasion, and they were great too. 

I also really love how simple this palette is! I always expect contour palettes to be weird and big and complicated. This one only has four shades, Light Cocoa, Medium Cocoa, Dark Cocoa, and Pop of Light, so I wasn't super overwhelmed when I first opened it. And it even comes with a lil angled kabuki blending brush that's insanely soft! 

As most people know, the Cocoa Contour Palette smells like chocolate! you all know how much I love things that smell good. Like the Origins primer I just reviewed, the yummy scent is such a great addition to my morning beauty routine. 

Overall. I 100,000% recommend this palette to anyone, but especially to people who have never contoured before or people who are just starting out! If you’re interested in going cruelty-free, check out PETA’s Searchable Database and Cruelty-Free Kitty’s alphabetized list of cruelty-free brands. If you have any cruelty-free recommendations, please comment them below!