Is This $2 TikTok Trending Lip Liner A KKW Dupe?

Never thought we’d find a lip liner for $2… But here we are. Say hello to TikTok’s latest obsession: Italia Deluxe’s UltraFine Lip Liner, $2, AKA the lip liner creamier than butter but cheaper than your daily latte. Here’s why four million TikTokers (and us) cannot stop talking about it. 

The TikTok-Trending Lip Liner: Italia Deluxe UltraFine Lip Liner, $2

What it is: An easy-to-use pencil lip liner that glides effortlessly with minimal effort and zero tugging. Oh, and it’s available in 31 saturated shades.

The hype: Although humbly priced at $2, these pencils rival some of the best-selling formulas in the lip liner bizz (but more on that later). @loveashleyzenith says she’d still buy them even if they were x5 more expensive – if that doesn’t explain the hype, we don’t know what will.

@lovezenith_

I’ll still buy them even if they go up to $5 😂 #fypシ #foryou

♬ original sound – TheScarletWitchSecretaryᗢ

Wanna buy 12 at once? Take notes from @kativoryia and shop their 12-pack on Amazon for just $9. #Beautybargains!

This is for anyone gutted that KKW Beauty’s lip liners were taken off the shelves – you’re in luck! Shade Light Brown of the Italia Deluxe lip liners is considered a near-perfect formula dupe of the discontinued Shade 2.5, a gorgeous golden brown. Plus, it’s MUCH cheaper. Fair warning, there’s a difference in the packaging (one’s a twist-up), but for that price point? We’ll take it.

@kahayaaa

Tw: Fake Body. Lip tut!💗 Products: italia lip liners from Amazon💗 Qibest liquid lips from Amazon💗 ilysm stay safe tonight babes and have so much fun!

♬ Stand Still – Sabrina Claudio

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a shade that doesn’t grab your attention. From coffee browns to burgundies, bold reds to berry mauves, there’s something for everyone. For a gorgeous nude shade, try Terra Cotta on fair complexions and Chocolate and Cabaret for a divine look on rich to deep skin tones.

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What we liked: Discovering drugstore formulas is always exciting, but a $2 formula that performs better than its Spenny counterparts? That’s rare. It’s impossible to ignore how it delivers a shot of color with a single swipe – shook. Makeup newbies will adore its buttery texture, especially since it blends out in seconds, making it so much easier to line, sculpt, and define pouts.

FYI: Size matters with lip liners, and thankfully, these are longer than most, translating to increased product and value for the $2 bucks you spent. *Cue the squeals*

@krissleos

Replying to @beautiful.nightmare.yt #greenscreenvideo @italiadeluxemakeup are the best lipliners that last and recommend to everyone!! #italialipliner #liplinerhack #liplinertutorial #makeuphacks #makeuptipforbeginners #affordablemakeup #dollarmakeup

♬ original sound – Kriss&Esme

What we didn’t like: Cream lip liners – like this one – can be more likely to smudge, so don’t forget to re-examine your lip look every few hours. On the downside, regular top-offs also mean that pencils’ sharp tips are bound to become blunt after a few weeks. If only they included a built-in sharpener… But we’re just nit-picking here. 

The bottom line: STOCK UP! This pigmented lip collection is (undoubtedly) the drugstore steal of the century, with $2 lip liners in 31 colors. While we’re obsessed with the price tag and the shade range, we have to admit that our fave feature is that it blends like butttahhh – #love.

BTW, here are six ways to line, elevate, and plump your pout with lip liners.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.

TikTok Taught Me: 6 Easy Hacks to Elevate Any Outfit

The best way to describe my TikTok FYP would be chaotic. The lucky girls’ syndrome debate and the Selena Gomez and Hailey drama have taken over my feed. But one thing TikTok is useful for, if not distracting us from everyday life? Practical—dare I say brilliantfashion hacks.

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Content creators have tricks up their sleeves that leave me taking notes several times a day. Tying basic shirts in ways that make them feel new, layering up pieces to completely transform an outfit; you’ll wonder how you didn’t think of them yourself and will thank the TikTok powers that be for bringing them to your feed. These six TikTok hacks will effortlessly elevate your next OOTD—so much so, you might just film a TikTok to show it off. Ready to go viral?

Hack 1: The three-color rule

For a cohesive, “she’s so put-together” look, pretend you’re an art major and follow this rule of color theory: no more than three colors in an outfit. And yes, that includes neutrals. When you’re feeling something playful like a pop of pink, be intentional by incorporating it in multiple ways, like with a handbag, hair accessory, or an oversized blazer

Hack 2: The sophisticated turtleneck

I have an entire drawer dedicated to my turtleneck collection, but it took a 2 a.m. TikTok scroll to become enlightened: for extra polish, roll the neck inside versus out. As this fashion entrepreneur eloquently states, it makes for a cleaner neckline, which is perfect if you’re layering a necklace on top. It’s giving luxe Gossip Girl vibes, and we’re obsessed.

Hack 3: The tie-front top

@alisonsspot

Replying to @dellilaz Another style hacks video! In this video, I share a clothing hack for tying a knot in your shirt/blouse so it lays flat ❤️ I remade my old version of this video since it’s now lost in the feed. More fashion hacks here and in my “style hacks” playlist! @alisonsspot @alisonsspot #knothacks #clothinghacktop #clothinghack #stylehacksfromyourbestie #stylehacksforwomen #stylehacks #fashionhacksgirls #fashionhacks #blouseoutfit #blouseoutfitidea #alisonsspot #fashioncreator #fashioncreators #fashioncontentcreators #stylecreator #stylecreators

♬ original sound – Alison | Fashion Creator 👗

Think you have to tie a button-down mastered? Guess again. With a subtle change, this tying trick makes them look way chic and seamless. Save this video just in case you have to watch it five more times to get it right—no shame here.

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Hack 4: The subtle white tee

@hersimplesole

Easy outfit styling – from basic to interesting ✨ tshirt and jeans edition. A classic outfit, spruced up a little. Taking out my beloved sweater vest as a great spring layering option. I love how a simple swap of the tshirt for one with longer sleeves creates better balance to the overall look.#springoutfitideas #tshirtandjeans #casualoutfitideas #intentionalcloset #wardrobeessentials

♬ Honest – Justin Bieber

Who knew that a simple two-second decision could transform an entire outfit? Take your casual sweater-and-jeans combo up a notch by layering a white T-shirt underneath. As this TikToker notes, you’ll be creating visual interest, making your overall ensemble that much trendier.

Hack 5: The cool-girl cardigan

@meka.monroe

Cardigan hack I was looking for a bolero everywhere. Now I didn’t have to even spend any extra money 😂👌🏾 #midsizetryonhaul #amazontryonhahul #2023outfitideas #size14tryon #curvehaul #2023springoutfitinspo #midsizespringoutfit #clothinghacks

♬ original sound – audios!

Cardigans: they seem straightforward enough. You button it up; you leave it open. Right? Well, not according to TikTok. You learn something new every day, and this time, it’s the idea of buttoning the last buttons of your cardigan behind your back for an elegant, undone look.

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Hack 6: The undone outfit

You know that moment when you get dressed, and something is just… off? It may be because there isn’t enough contrast in the pieces you’ve chosen. How to fix it? By adding an “undone” element to an otherwise put together ’fit. Whether it’s sneakers, joggers, or a baseball cap, that casual accessory could be just what you need to strike a balance between effortless and unexpected.

Vision Boards: Creating the Life of Your Dreams

Do you find yourself struggling to find the motivation to achieve your goals? Do you want to create the life of your dreams? Constructing a personalized vision board might be the answer to your problems. 

WTF is a vision board?

A vision board is a collection of photos and text that can help you approach the future with hope. Instead of focusing on what habits you should be stopping, focus on the possibilities of the next year. “From a scientific perspective, vision boards do what we call ‘priming,’ which essentially is when exposure to a certain stimulus affects how you act towards whatever comes next,” said Elizabeth Mateer, a licensed mental health counselor associate. A vision board can also help you be specific about the goals you want to manifest. “A vision board is an opportunity to focus on the reality you want to create, a prediction of your possible future, and a connection to hope and a life that feels aligned,” Elspeth Robertson, a registered clinical counselor and professional art therapist said.

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There are two ways to create a vision board: digitally and physically. If you are someone who likes to do hands-on activities, you may want to create a physical vision board. However, if you are someone who prefers digital activities, you may want to create a digital vision board. The choice is yours.

If you’re not sure where to start, try looking for images that inspire you or reflect your goals. You can also use quotes or affirmations that resonate with you. Once you have a few items collected, start arranging them on a bulletin board or piece of poster board. Then add any additional details that will help bring your vision to life.

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HOW TO CREATE A DIGITAL VISION BOARD

Step 1: Gather digital photos from any website of your choice. I find that Pinterest is one of the best platforms to utilize for vision boards.

Step 2: Decide where you would like to create the vision board. If you are unsure where to beginCanva has great templates.

Step 3: Place and move your images around until you are satisfied with the final look.

Step 4: Make sure to save your final copy, and just like that, you are one step closer to achieving your goals.

Feel free to make your final creation your lock screen—this way you will be looking at your goals daily.

HOW TO CREATE A PHYSICAL VISION BOARD

Step 1: Order a vision board book or cut out images from your favorite magazine that pertain to your goals and dreams. Cut out images from magazines or print out pictures from the internet that represents you (skin color, hair, nationality, etc). If you need a suggestion, Amazon has a wide selection of vision board books.

Step 2: Get a poster board, cork board, or some paper and play with the placing of the images until you are content with the look.

Step 3: Glue or tape your images to the board or paper.

Step 4: Decide whether you want to hang your vision board up, or if you want to put it somewhere else that is visible to you.

Now that you have your personalized vision board, go reach your goals.

BENEFITS OF CREATING A VISION BOARD

Now that we know how to create a vision board, let’s look at what neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart has to say.

“The science behind why it’s helpful is that we’re bombarded with so much information all the time,” she explains. “There’s a natural process in the brain to selectively filter what’s important to our survival and selectively put attention on what’s important for us to thrive.”

Dr. Swart also mentions value tagging, which is an additional system in the brain that pieces together the information in order of importance. “There is a logical element and an emotional element to that,” she adds.

“If you create imagery that represents how you want your life to be, then you’re more likely to notice and grasp opportunities to make that a reality,” she emphasizes, “it’s priming your brain to remember what’s important.”

You’ve heard it from a professional, so what are you waiting for? Go make a vision board!

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What makes a successful vision board?

It’s all about setting your intention. What do you want to manifest in your life? When you have a clear vision, it’s easier to select images that represent that goal. Creating a board that is both visually pleasing and spiritually in alignment will help you to stay focused on your goals.

A vision board is a tool that can help you clarify your goals and bring them into focus. It can also help you identify what steps you need to take to achieve your goals. By looking at your vision board regularly, you can keep your goals at the forefront of your mind and stay motivated to achieve them.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Oftentimes I would find myself setting goals for myself and forgetting about them. I had a picture-perfect life that I wanted to achieve, but I was not motivated to go and get it.

It was the summer of twenty twenty-two when I was offered the great advice of creating a vision board. This was something I’ve always wanted to do, but never got around to doing it. I started with a physical one and eventually decided to create a virtual one, so I could look at it each time I opened my phone.

I find that my vision boards motivate me to create the life that I’ve formed on paper. I continue to strive to achieve these goals, and it makes me feel good knowing I am one step closer to becoming the person I want to be.

Will you be creating a vision board? Leave a comment below.

Just Because, I’m Telling You the $74 Designer Perfume Ulta Shoppers Love

At one time or another, a fragrance lover will come across a perfume that defines a moment in their life. One spritz of said fragrance can be enough to restore their happiest and most confident selves (or at least transport them to a place where they can be at their best). According to hundreds of glowing reviews across major beauty retailers, including Ulta, that fragrance for many people is Wonderlust by Michael Kors. 

Created by perfumers Aurelien Guichard and Honorine Blanc and launched in 2016, Wonderlust has remained the brand’s best-selling fragrance and, judging by several retailers, can hardly stay on the shelf thanks to its continued popularity. If you, like me, are a fan of Michael Kors’s most popular fragrance, keep reading to discover 12 other perfumes by the brand you’ll be just as obsessed with.

MICHAEL KORS Wonderlust Eau de Parfum $74

Keynotes: Almond milk, dianthus, sandalwood

Without a doubt, Michael Kors’s Wonderlust is the brand’s best-seller when it comes to fragrances. Capturing the desire for discovery, this enigmatic perfume mixes almond milk, dianthus, and smooth sandalwood for an amber gourmand scent we’re obsessed with.

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More Michael Kors Fragrances

MICHAEL KORS Sexy Amber Eau de Parfum $116

Keynotes: Amber, sandalwood, jasmine

Sensual and chic, this Michael Kors perfume offers warm notes of amber delightfully blended with creamy sandalwood and white flowers for an irresistible and seductive fragrance worth obsessing over.

MICHAEL KORS Gorgeous Eau de Parfum $122

Keynotes: Floral bouquet, tobacco accord, comforting woods

Another one of the brand’s best-selling fragrances, Gorgeous boasts a lively floral bouquet as a celebration of women. It features classic white florals enhanced by layers of smoky tobacco accord and sheer woods that ooze confidence and ease.

MICHAEL KORS Glam Jasmine Eau de Parfum $59

Key notes: Jasmine, sandalwood, cassis

This floral fragrance boasts glamour and classic femininity with a fresh and fruity aroma that smells as gorgeous as it looks. At its heart is an irresistible combination of jasmine and white flower against warm sandalwood and cassis.

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MICHAEL KORS Coral Eau de Parfum $54

Key notes: Pink grapefruit, orange blossom, pepper

Launched by Michael Kors in 2015, Coral is composed of lively and bright notes including pink grapefruit, lemon, and mandarin. In other words, it smells exactly like summer feels.

MICHAEL KORS Sexy Ruby Eau de Parfum $64

Keynotes: Mandarin orange, jasmine, white musk

Spritz Sexy Ruby when you require added glitz and glamour. Perfect for day-to-night activities, this perfume brilliantly combines notes of tangy apricot, smooth jasmine sambac, and cashmere for an effortlessly cool finish.

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MICHAEL KORS by Michael Kors Eau de Parfum $175

Keynotes: Tuberose, freesia, cashmere wood

Tuberose and freesia are the keynotes that capture my heart in this sensual fragrance. In addition to its creamy florals, this perfume also includes brilliant notes of exotic spices and Moroccan incense.

MICHAEL KORS Gold Luxe Eau de Parfum $74

Keynotes: Mirabelle plum, Casablanca lily, musk

Michael Kors’s Gold Luxe is inspired by refined luxury and the eye-catching brilliance of gold. Mixing notes of hyacinth, gardenia, and sandalwood, this luxurious and fresh fragrance is one of my top choices for life’s biggest occasions.

MICHAEL KORS White Eau de Parfum $71

Keynotes: Tuberose, sweet freesia, musk

Timeless elegance in a bottle, this perfume has all the right notes for its wearer to have an olfactory experience like no other. With a bright burst of tuberose, sweet freesia, and cozy musk, this perfume is easily one of the brand’s most wearable.

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MICHAEL KORS Sparkling Blush Eau de Parfum $68

Key notes: Bergamot, pink frangipani, vanilla notes

Described on the brand’s website as “a scent with as many facts as a women’s spirit,” Michael Kors Sparkling Blush Eau de Parfum is a sultry woody floral amber fragrance crafted from bursts of bright pink pepper, rose petals, and rich vanilla.

MICHAEL KORS Sexy Blossom Eau de Parfum $55

Key notes: Rose petals, pink orchid, sandalwood

Launched in 2016, Sexy Blossom is composed of a mix of vibrant florals and dewy leaves, as well as the warm, earthy notes of ambrox, sandalwood, and musk housed in a super-chic glass bottle.

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MICHAEL KORS Glam Ruby Eau de Parfum $67

Keynotes: Calabrian bergamot, geranium, amber

This woody perfume is the result of a bold and sexy combination of Italian lemon, Calabrian bergamot, amber, and sweet florals. It also happens to be at the top of my list of fragrances that work perfectly for a night out on the town.

MICHAEL KORS Very Hollywood Eau de Parfum $130

Keynotes: Raspberry, ylang-ylang, oakmoss

Have you ever wondered what the stars of Hollywood’s golden era smelled like? This perfume may have come out long after Hollywood’s heyday, but if the biggest names in the business could time travel, we’re sure this fruity floral fragrance would be their top pick.