Thanks so much to all those who entered and a special thanks to Cocotique. 

Today I'm sharing with you all this amazing makeup that I have been loving lately. I actually wear this look to school, and I though that it would be great for any holiday festivities. While I am Muslim, I don't celebrate Christmas. But my lovely readers and viewers might, so I hope you all enjoy this look. Tell me how you like it. P.S You should go enter my giveaway... 

 -Face

Iman BB Cream in 'Earth Deep' - HERE

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in '05 Deep' - HERE

La Femme Blush in 'Russet' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in 'Starlight Bronze' - HERE

 -Eyes

E.l.f Eyelid Primer - HERE

E.l.f Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow in 'Gala' - HERE

E.l.f 32 Piece Geometric Eyeshadow Palette - HERE

Nicka K Eyeliner Pen - HERE

Red Cherry Lashes in 'Demi Wispies (DW)' - HERE

 -Lips

Nicka K Lip Liner in 'Nude' - HERE

NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss in 'Natural & Perfect' - HERE

*some links contain affiliate links, read my disclaimer policy regarding this here*

Hello everyone. Now we have all heard of beauty box subscriptions. I agree that they are a great way to try out great products. But while there are many out and about, there aren't many that carry brands for the Women of Color. Most popular beauty boxes don't have the option of customizing the boxes to your skin color and hair type. Today I am sharing with you my video review of a Cocotique box. Cocotique is a beauty box subscription service that supplies samples and full size products based around Women of Color. At only $20 per month you can have amazing products at your doorstep. I had the opportunity of reviewing their November box and I am completely impressed. My video review shows you all that I think of the box and if you watch towards the end I give you a chance to win the Limited Edition December Cocotique Box. I greatly encourage you to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a great box for yourself, or even a friend or family member. 
I have a great 10% coupon code below, if you want to try Cocotique.

_______________________________________________________

• Follow @LoveCocotique on Twitter
• Follow @Cocotique on Instagram
• Like Cocotique on Facebook
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel
• Leave a comment on the giveaway video telling me what videos you would like to see from me

I'm changing up my video style, I want to put up more professional, quick and informative videos for you all. My first new video is my updated everyday face makeup. I have also changed how I wear makeup. Gone are the days that I wear 1 to 2 pumps of foundation, I now use a half to 1 pump. I think it works better for my skin and makes it look better. I break everything down from my foundation to mascara and my lips. Tell me how you like this new video, and makeup. Until next time...

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in 'Cocoa' - HERE

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in 'Deep' - HERE

La Femme Blush in 'Russet' - HERE

Cailyn Gel Eyeliner in 'Black' - HERE

Benefit They're Real Mascara - HERE

Nicka K Lip Pencil in 'Nude' - HERE

NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss in 'Natural' & 'Perfect' - HERE

*some links contain affiliate links, read my disclaimer policy regarding this here*

I know that my last favorites video/post was exactly one year ago, October 2012, but maybe favorites can be a yearly thing for me. Just kidding! I never gain a love for new products every month, it's just not realistic for me. If I were to put up monthly favorites, know that something is wrong with me. Well today, I am sharing with you my beauty favorites of this path month or so. The products mentioned are truly things that have been relying on through thick and thin. I will attach the adjoining video but I also wanted to talk about each product in specifics here. I hope that's okay with you though...So let us get started!

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in 'Natural' 

After buying into the hype regarding these glosses I picked up two of them. I love 'Natural', it is the perfect nude lip gloss I have tried. I love the pigmentation and the formulation of it. It is not sticky or tacky, which you usually get with a drugstore lip gloss. I also love the price! I got mine for around $4-5 on Amazon which is a great steal for a high quality lipgloss. 

La Femme Blush in 'Russet' 

I cannot even describe the quality and goodness that this blush gives. The color is perfect for a woman of color such as myself. I have 5 La Femme blushes and they all have great pigmentation and are not chalky. This color Russet is a great shade for fall for any skin tonte. I am wearing this blush in the video, you can see the healthy, warm tone it gives my face. I recommend this blush to anyone and everyone! Did I mention that each of these blushes cost a mere $2.50?

E.l.f Small Stipple Brush 

I have been wearing less and less foundation lately, just enough to cover up discoloration. I use this brush to buff in that small amount of foundation all over my face and it does an excellent job. I initially wanted to purchase the Mac 130 brush but you and I both know, ain't nobody got time for paying $30 on ONE makeup brush. So, I bought this  for only $3 and I love it dearly. The next time I make an order at E.l.f I will get another one of these just to have an extra!

Beyonce Heat Perfume 

There's not much I can sit here and type about this fragrance besides...

1. I love Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter. 2. I love this perfume, the scent is mature, sexy, and inviting. It draws people to you and gives you that extra kick of confidence, without being to obnoxious. I think Beyonce, being all about empowering women, created this fragrance with that in mind. Also this fragrance comes in bigger sizes, the one I have is the smallest.

DooGro Mega Thick Growth Oil 

I use this oil to add moisture to my dry scalp and to the mid-shafts and ends of my hair. I like that it gives a healthy sheen and adds moisture without weighing my hair down. I have used this as a hot oil treatment and it gave my hair a great sheen and added strength. I love this hair oil as it adds up to the more expensive types. 

E.l.f Nail Polishes in 'Skinny Jeans' and 'Green Machine' 

I love the fun colors of these nail polishes, especially Skinny Jeans. It's exciting and fun. Green Machine is a great fall shade without being too boring. These polishes are $2 at E.l.f. and while they don't have the best staying power (to me being 7 days or more) are great for a fun boost to your look. I also love that they don't contain the harmful and cloying ingredients that most nail polishes do.

Have you tried any products here? What are your favorites?

I have a new fall makeup tutorial for you guys! I did a green smokey eye perfect for the fall months! I really love green eyeshadow on dark skin so tell me how this one works out for you. I hope you all enjoy this one as much as I loved creating it for you. Don't forget to link-comment-subscribe! 

Here's what I used...

It has definitely been a while since I've but up a makeup tutorial! Well I'm here today to share with you a fabulous makeup tutorial to help you get through the fall months. I created this berry and gold eye look with some of my favorite products. I had fun creating this look for you and I hope you like it. If you did like the video, please like-comment-subscribe! All products that I used will be down below! 

What I used...

Eyes

E.l.f Eyelid Primer - HERE

E.l.f Essential Eyeshadow Pencil in 'Turkish Coffee' - HERE

E.l.f 100 Eyeshadow Palette - HERE

La Femme Blush in 'Bordeux' - HERE

E.l.f Essential Flawless Eyeshadow Palette in 'Golden Goddess' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio Palette in 'Silent Treatment' - HERE

Nicka K Eye Pencil in 'Hazel' - HERE

Nicka K Eye Pencil in 'Black' - HERE

Cailyn Gel Liner in 'Black' - HERE
Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Mascara - HERE

Benefit They're Real Mascara - HERE

Face

La Femme Blush in 'Bordeux' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Mega Glo Illumination Powder in 'Starlight Bronze' - HERE

Lips

Nicka K Lip Pencil in 'Nude' - HERE

NYX Megashine Lip Gloss in 'Perfect' - HERE

*some here links contain affiliate links, read my disclaimer policy regarding this here*

Today I will be sharing with you, my methods on how I remove gel nail Polish. On my youtube channel, I have had a few successful gel manicure how-to videos, and I wanted to accompany them with how to remove the gel polish. Now the gel that I use on my nails, is a UV/Led activated gel and it is a soak-off gel. That means it can be easily removed with acetone. I use the EZ Flow TruGel Gel Top Coat. When I run out of acetone, I can file off my gel polish. In the video below I show you how I soak off and file off the polish. The filing method is great for gel polish that is not the soak off variety. I used my Nail Drill that I purchased on Amazon (link below) for filing, but a regular nail file can be used though it would take a much longer time. So I hope you all find the video helpful! All products that I used can be found below the video.

What I used...

Nail Soakers - HERE

Pure Acetone - HERE

Nail Drill - HERE

*amazon links are affiliate links*

A new brush has landed at E.l.f Cosmetics. A smaller version of their Stipple Brush. I purchased the new E.l.f Small Stipple Brush* because I have always wanted to try out a densely packed brush to cover the hard-to-reach areas on my face. This brush retails for $3 at E.l.f and is from their Studio Line. My makeup brush collection consists of all Studio Line brushes for face brushes and Essential Line brushes for eye brushes. I feel like the synthetic bristles are better for cream products and the natural hair bristles are best for powders. So lets gets into what I feel about this brush.

Simple, inexpensive way to do LED Gel nails at home! 

What I used...

-Nailtek Foundation 2 Base Coat -HERE

-Revlon Nail Polish in 'Vixen' - HERE

-EZ Flow UV Gel Top Coat - HERE

-USpicy 7W LED Lamp - HERE

-Pump Dispenser Bottle - HERE

-Rubbing Alcohol - HERE

Products Used

So this is my final hair tutorial (for now) in my Hair Tutorial Series. I did this fun curly style for you all who wanted to see something other than my usually straight hair. I used a half inch curling wand from Red by Kiss. All that I used will definitely be down below. I hope you all enjoy this really fun tutorial.

What I Used

- 1/2 inch Red by Kiss Curling Wand - HERE

Something that has really had a huge impact on my makeup collection has been highlighters. I have so many in my collection! I recently purchased the E.l.f Gotta Glow "Blush". The reason being, I have always wanted to try out the Nars Albatross Highlighter, but I just bear paying $30 for one product. So I got the most talked about dupe on the market. The E.l.f Gotta Glow Blush is $3 from the E.l.f Studio line. So with haveing tried out this product a couple of times lets see what I think of it. 

In my second hair tutorial, I will be showing you all how to create this fun sock bun and bangs hair style. This is a look that I would wear on a gym day,or a bad hair day. I hope you all enjoy this one. My third and last hair tutorial will go up next week and I think you all are going to like it!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I have created a Keek for my daily vlogs. I've always wanted to put up vlogs on my Youtube channel but I don't have the means to film them. As some of you know, I I film all of my videos with my iPhone because I cant afford a proper camera at the moment. So to share with you guys my daily adventures, I made a Keek. I love using Keek to keep up with my favorite celelbs and fellow beauty gurus! 

 If you are interested in watching my vlogs, then you create a free account with keek by download their app. My Keek username is "MariamRenee". Make sure to subscribe to my Keeks to always be in the know when I put up a new video! Thanks guys! 

Can anyone guess what new palette this is? See if you can guess what this product is! Can you get the brand name, product type, product name correct? If you can, you’re officially a makeup maven! Click the link below to see if you were correct! Review coming soon...

Click To Reveal The Answer !

-Mariam .x

Continuing my partial coverage on E.l.f's new essential line makeup, I picked up the new Flawless Eyeshadow Palette. This palette comes in 7 different shades, and I picked up the shade "Golden Goddess". I picked this specific palette because I saw it as a great fall palette with all it's bronze shades. This palette retails for $2 on the E.l.f Cosmetics website. Let's see what I think about this eyeshadow palette. 

Today is my first day of my "Hair Tutorial" series. Over the course of the next 4 weeks I will be uploading new hair tutorials every week. I will be doing many tutorials mainly based on relaxed hair! I hate that there aren't many tutorials online for us textured girls! This week I started off with a simple flat iron tutorial. If you all here on my blog didn't know, I cut my bangs about a week ago and I'm excited to learn with you all on how to style them. I hope you all enjoy this tutorial and I hope you stick around for the rest of my hair tutorials!

Another one of E.l.f's new line of makeup is the Jumbo Eyeshadow Stick. Now if you are the least bit into makeup & beauty, these might look a little familiar. NYX carries a similar jumbo eyeshadow pencil that works really well and coms in a variety of shades. This eyeshadow stick by E.l.f comes in 10 shades, ranging from nudes to deep night-time shades. I only purchased one shade "Turkish Coffee" because of the very poor selection at Kmart. This product retails for $2 and can be found at E.l.f's website and drugstores near you. So let's see what I think about this Eyeshadow Stick!

Hey everyone! I thought it was time for me to do a new foundation routine as I haven't done one in a while. In the video below I show how I do my foundation, concealer, blush and highlight. Sorry! No eye makeup or lips in this video! This is what I do when I'm going to a party, or a special event. This is a little too heavy for everyday, like when I'm in school. I hope you all enjoy the video!

Products Used

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - HERE

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation in 'Cocoa Dark 3' - HERE

     -E.l.f Powder Brush - HERE

E.l.f Complete Coverage Concealer in 'Dark' - HERE

     -E.l.f Pointed Foundation Brush - HERE

E.l.f Clarifying Pressed Powder in 'Toffee' - HERE

     -E.l.f Blush Brush - HERE 

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in 'Deep' - HERE

     -E.l.f Complexion Brush - HERE

NYX Powder Blush in 'Mocha' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Illuminating Face Powder in 'Starlight Bronze' - HERE

     -E.l.f Angled Blush Brush - HERE

Today I have a new makeup tutorial to share with all of you. I did this green smokey eye and I am now in love with using green eyeshadows! I hope you all enjoy this tutorial as much as I loved creating it!

Products used

Eyes

E.l.f Eyelid Primer - HERE

Cailyn Gel Eyeliner in 'Black' - HERE

E.l.f 100 Eyeshadow Palette - HERE

E.l.f Eyeshadow Quad in 'Ivy' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio Palette in 'Silent Treatment' - HERE

E.l.f Eye Kohl - HERE

Benefit They're Real Mascara - HERE

Face

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation in 'Cocoa' - HERE

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in 'Deep' - HERE

E.l.f Single Eyeshadow in 'Sunset' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in 'Starlight Bronze' - HERE

Lips

Nicka K Lip Pencil in 'Nude' - HERE

E.l.f Glossy Gloss in 'Ballet Slippers' - HERE

Brushes Used - HERE

Some of the "here" links contain affiliate links

Today I have a brand new makeup tutorial for you all. This one is a talk through, brown smokey eye tutorial. I already have a dark smokey eye tutorial, but that one is more for night time. This look can be worn in the day time. I hope you all enjoy this tutorial as much as I enjoyed creating it for all of you.

Eyes

E.l.f Eyelid Primer - HERE

Cailyn Gel Eyeliner in '01 Black' - HERE

E.l.f 100 Eyeshadow Palette - HERE

E.l.f Matte Eyeshadow in 'Charcoal' - HERE 

E.l.f Eyeshadow Quad in 'Day 2 Night' - HERE

E.l.f Eye Kohl - HERE

Benefit They're Real Mascara - HERE

Face

E.l.f Tone Correcting Concealer in 'Toffee' - HERE

E.l.f Clarifying Pressed Powder in 'Dark' - HERE

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in 'Deep' - HERE

E.l.f Studio Blush in 'Blushing Rose' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in 'Starlight Bronze' - HERE 

Lips 

Nicka K Lip Pencil in 'Nude' - HERE

E.l.f Glossy Gloss in 'Ballet Slippers' - HERE

Brushes Used - HERE

Some "HERE" links are affiliate links

If you live under a rock, or you just have no access to the internet you you probably don't know that Google Reader is shutting down. What does this mean, it means that you will not be able to subscribe to your favorite blogs (like ReneeBeautyGroupe.com) through Google. Before this 'update', you could subscribe for free to blogs and receive their updates. 

I know I haven't been blogging as much lately. I have no excuse besides the fact that I have been studying non-stop for my final exams as well as getting everything organized for my trip to Ghana next week. Last week I found time to film this tutorial for you all. It's a full face, summer makeup tutorial. I used really simple products on my face because during those hot summer days, we really don't want to be bothered! I hope you all enjoy the tutorial and send me some love in the comments! 

Products Used

E.l.f Face Primer - HERE

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation in 'Cocoa' - HERE

E.l.f Complete Coverage Concealer in 'Dark' - HERE

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in 'Deep - HERE

Benefit Watts Up Highlighter - HERE

Manna Kadar Blush in 'High Five' - HERE

Swagger Cosmetics Powder Highlighter - HERE

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder in 'Starlight Bronze' - HERE

Brushed Used - HERE

Hi everyone! Today I come to you with a nail tutorial. I recently purchased a uv gel lamp and a uv gel top coat. I gave my self a gel manicure using my new items and I was so pleased, I decides to show you all the process. Now I decided to use a UV gel top coat over regular nail polish for 2 reasons. One reason being the price of a gel manicure is ridiculous. I've seen kits starting from $30. I am not ready to shell out that much money for 3 bottles of nail polish. The next reason is the UV exposure that comes with a full gel manicure. When you use a gel base coat, polish, and top coat you have to go under the uv multiple times for more than 3 minutes at a time. I am a bit iffy about using the uv light for more than 4 minutes on each hand in fear of uv exposure, which could lead to skin cancer. So I hope that this tutorial is helpful to you any of you who want the quality of a gel mani, without the hassle!

What I used...

Hey everyone! Today i will be reviewing a makeup box from Wantable.co They are a fairly new brand that offer a monthly makeup or jewelry box. If you aren't familiar with boxes like these, they are a box filled with 5-6 makeup or jewelry full size samples. for a fee you can receive the boxes to your door every month! I received the April makeup box and I am here to share with you all my thoughts on the box!

This week's makeup tutorial is a look for pre-teens. I did this look on my sister Ayesha because this is perfect for her age group. Girls, if they wear makeup, should only wear a minimal amount of makeup. So I only used a few products and I did a very subtle look! I hope you all enjoy!

Products used

E.l.f Eyelid Primer - HERE

E.l.f Cream Eyeshadow in 'Bronzed' - HERE

E.l.f Single Eyeshadow in 'Raspberry Truffle' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Trio Palette in 'Silent Treatment' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Cream Eyeliner in 'Black' - HERE

Maybeline The Colossal Mascara in 'Black' - HERE

E.l.f Tone Correcting Concealer in 'Toffee' - HERE

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in '05 Deep' - HERE

E.l.f HD Studio Blush in 'Showstopper' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in 'Spotlight Peach' - HERE

Nicka Lip Pencil in 'Nude' - HERE

E.l.f Luscious Liquid Lipstick in 'Strawberry' - HERE

Brushes Used - HERE

"HERE" links contain affiliate links

Today I am reviewing the Benefit Watts Up Highlighter that I reciveved in my birthday duo gift from Sephora. I used it a few times this week, and I have a pretty good catch on what it does for me.

Hi everyone! If you didn't know, last week on April 7th was the day I turned 16! As a Sephora Beauty Insider member I receive a free gift on my birthday. Every year the prize would change depending on what company wants to sponsor Sephora. The prize is usually a sample size of a product that is widely popular. This year I received a sample size of Benefit's They're Real Mascara as well as a sample of the Watts Up Highlighter. I'm really excited to have a chance to try out these products as I've heard a lot about them. Today I will be reviewing the They're Real Mascara and then on another day I will review the Watts Up highlighter. So lets get into the review!

Hello all! Today I went to my local beauty supply store and purchased some Argan Oil. Now while I have never tried Argan Oil, I have read a lot of great things about it's benefits. While purchasing this, I made sure that it was 100% so that I could get the purest form possible. I have found MANY ways to use this versatile oil, and I thought I would share!

Hi ladies! Today I am reviewing the Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder! I read about Black Opal on other beauty blogs and I heard great things about their face powders. With that I yearned to have one myself! I miraculously found a Black Opal display in my local Rite-Aid and picked up this powder in a color best for me. If you would like to know how I feel about this powder, keep on reading!

Hey everyone, today I come to you with a new makeup tutorial! After getting a few request to do more looks with the E.l.f 100 Eyeshadow Palette, I created this purple smokey eye. I had a lot of fun as I don't wear purple eyeshadow a lot. I even wore this look on my birthday! So I hope you all enjoy!

Products Used...

Eyes

E.l.f Eyelid Primer - HERE

Nicka K Pencil Eyeliner in 'Black' - HERE

E.l.f 100 Eyeshadow Palette - HERE

E.l.f Matte Eyeshadow in 'Charcoal' - HERE

E.l.f Liquid Eyeliner in 'Black' - HERE

Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Mascara - HERE

Face

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation in 'Cocoa' - HERE

Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in 'Deep' - HERE

Wet n' Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in 'Starlight Bronze' - HERE

E.l.f Studio Blush in 'Berry Merry' - HERE

Lips

Nicka K Lip Pencil in 'A19 Nude' - HERE

(Alternative) E.l.f Glossy Gloss in 'Ballet Slippers' - HERE

Brushes Used - HERE