Ipsy: October 2014

1.Epice Purfying Exfoliant - Epice is a brand that is new to me. I had never heard of it before this Ipsy bag. This is an exfoliant with very fine microbeads. I only had one ounce to try and it was very nice. I used it as a mask and it left my skin feeling smooth and refreshed. The full-size of this product is $32! 

2. Ayres Body Butter - This stuff smells amazing- very medical, but I like it! I am always on the look out for new body butters- the thicker the better. I really liked this one, but I wish it was bigger than 1 oz. The full-size jar (6.75 oz) is $28.00.

3. MICA Beauty Cosmetics - This glitter powder is certainly not my style or color (forest green), but the fact that it is $14.95 normally and full-size it's a heck of a deal. This is very comparable to my MAC pigments- just not as high of quality. 

4. iEnvy by Kiss Lashes - I'll be brutally honest. These are drugstore - nothing special. They are about $5 at Walgreens. Not super high quality, but not complete garbage either. They are just your run-of-the-mill lashes.  

5. Starlooks Lip Gloss- This is a pretty typical nude/pink lip gloss. This brand was new to me and I am pretty picky on lip glosses, since I hate when they are sticky. This is a deluxe sample size, but just enough for me. This size is great for travel, work and your purse. This retails for $13!    

Total retail value: is about $38 plus the bag is a super cute bonus! :o)

Ipsy: September 2014

1.Hikari Lipstick - This lipstick is in the shade cabernet and it is just beautiful for fall. I am so excited about this lipstick. This is sold on Hikari's website for $13.00! 

2. Briogeo: Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Hair Mask - This stuff smells amazing! It's a mix of avocado, almonds and rosehips (my favorite!) I am always on the look out for a new hair mark and I am really liking this so far after one use. The full-size bottle of this at Sephora.com is $26.00.

3. Crown Brush - The deluxe infinity shadow and crease brush is a really nice brush and the fact that it is double sided is a bonus! I found this brush on the Crown Brush website for $10.50.

4. Pacifica Eyeliner - Before I started getting Ipsy I hadn't heard of the brand Pacifica, but now that I have a few items of theirs I am falling in love. This is a chocolate velvet color that glides right on. This is a deluxe sample size, but he full size is $11 at Target. 

5. NYX Eyeshadow Pod- Nyx is probably my favorite drugstore line, particularly their lipgloss line. This was my first time trying one of their eyeshadows and I really like it. I prefer the color (a deep sliver purple) a little more than their formula, as I am really partial to Urban Decay and Mac eyeshadows. Again, I do like this though. If you're looking for a drugstore brand you can pick up anywhere, I think NYX is the way to go. You can find this at Ulta for $5!  

Total retail value: is $65.50 for the full-sized products. Since three are full-sized and the other two deluxe samples I will value this bag conservatively at $35'ish dollars. I really, REALLY like this bag this month. Not to mention the silver bag that it all came in is really cute too. Perfect for fall and winter! 

Ipsy: July & August 2014

1. Tint & Sass by Elizabeth Mott - This is very similar to Benefit Lollitint, but at a much lower price. It can be used on either lips, cheeks or both. This is sold on Amazon.com for $15.99.

2. Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil - This dark tanning oil is great. I used it in Las Vegas and it's very similar to Hawaiian Tropics tanning oil. The full-size bottle of this on Drugstore.com is $11.99.

3. Nailtini Nail Polish - I haven't used this yet, as the color is not my cup of tea, but it retails for $13.99 on Amazon. WOW!  

4. Clear Clinic Spot Treatment - I have tried this a few times on a few small blemishes, but I haven't noticed any difference. You can buy this on Amazon for $35. 

5. Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB Cream Eyeshadow - This stuff is really awesome. It doesn't crease or flake. You can find this at Ulta for $18, but I probably won't repurchase it.  

Total retail value: is $95 for the full-sized products. Since two are full-sized and the other two samples I will value this bag conservatively at $35'ish dollars. Not my favorite bag, but not too bad either.   

1. Klorane Dry Shampoo - I am pretty picky on my dry shampoos, but this stuff is alright. I am really partial to my tinted dry shampoo since it doesn't leave my hair looking gray or white. If this was tinted I would really love it. The quality is great. If you have light colored hair you'll love it.  This is sold on Amazon.com for $16.99.

2. Mongongo Lip Balm - I am really, REALLY partial to my EOS lip balm, but this stuff is pretty good. It has a light scent and seems to last quite awhile. You can purchase this at www.jerseyshoresun.com for $5.50.

3. Urban Decay Perversion Mascara- This stuff is good. WOW! I am in love with my L'Oreal mascara and rarely like anything else, but this stuff is great. This is my new travel mascara. You can purchase this at Ulta for $22!  

4. Costal Scents Forever Blush - Eh. Thumbs down. This is a very small sample size of an already cheap blush. I haven't used it, but I think it's way too small to be considered for this Ipsy bag. The regular retail price of this blush is $7.95.

5. Lord & Berry - This is a really small sample (again) of an eyeliner that I have never heard of. Apparently, the retail price on this is $16.95. I honestly haven't used it, but I am just not impressed with this size. 

Total retail value: is $69 for the full-sized products. Since only 1 is a full-sized item and the other four samples I will value this bag conservatively at $15'ish dollars. Not my favorite bag by any means. It was hardly worth my $10, but I guess you win some and you lose some!   

Here is my Ipsy link if you're interested: http://www.ipsy.com/r/78vf

XoXo

Fabs & Flops

It's been a little long while since my last post. This has been a crazy busy summer and blogging about make-up, or wearing make-up in general has not been a priority. I will try to get better about posting, but with the school yer starting and me being back in school chances are I won't be posting as much as I'd like to. Alright, I have picked up a few new products over the summer that I wanted to share with you. Some are fabulous and others I wish I wouldn't have purchased. 

Here we go . . . 

Fabs ♥

Mally Beauty - Poreless Face Defender
I purchased this after hearing such great things about it, but it's expensive - $40 (at Ulta) to be exact. It was a splurge for me, but I am glad I did. My face tends to get really shiney around 2pm each day and it's a pain to apply powder in the middle of the day to combat the shine. It doesn't leave me powdery or cakey either, it's just perfect. I have never used a silicone product on my face, so I was really unsure about how I would like this. If you have oily skin and the extra money to spend, I say give this stuff a try!

Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Shampoo & Conditioner
Once I started coloring my hair on the regular, I needed to find a much better shampoo and conditioner that would combat the dry frizzy ends. This shampoo/conditioner combo has worked a miracle on my hair. I am not coloring it anymore, but this is still helping to repair the damage all the bleach caused over all those months. It's a little pricey- about $15 a bottle at Ulta, but so worth it! I can get away with washing my hair about 3 times a week and using dry shampoo in between washes. It smells great and makes my hair look healthy and gives it shine 

Rimmel Stay Matte Presses Powder
I picked up this powder at Ulta (shocker!) along with it's matching foundation (you will hear about that on the flop section). As I am still transitioning out of Mary Kay I am looking for replacement items. I actually really like this as a finishing powder to combat shine. It gives a great finished looked and the price ($4.99) is hard to beat!  

Urban Decay Chill Make-up Setting Spray
This stuff is amazing!! I needed a new finishing spray since my Mary Kay setting spray ran out. I had heard great things about this Urban Decay spray, so I thought I would give it a try. It's a little pricey ($30 for 4oz), but SO worth it. This spray keeps my face looking so fresh and my make-up still looks good at bedtime with absolutely no touch ups during the day. This is my new must have!   

Benefit Hoola Bronzer
This has to be the best bronzer I have ever used! This works so perfect for contouring or just all around bronzer. It is the perfect shade of brown and the brush that comes with it is awesome for contouring! Also, it lasts all day and blends very easily. It has no shimmer, which is important since I often contour with it. A little bit of product goes a long way- I am not even half way through my box and I bought it in early spring. I picked this up at Ulta for $28! This is a hold grail, FOR SURE! 

L'Oreal True Match Foundation
This is BY FAR the best drugstore make-up I have ever used. I have used some really cheap and some really expensive foundations and nothing compares to this. This foundation is $9.99 at Ulta and is usually on sale by one get one free or 50% off, so it's really cheap. The formula blends into your skin so easily. It doesn't matter if I am tan or more on the white side because this foundation blends into every skin tone effortlessly. This is a MUST have!

Flops 

Boots No 7 Beautifully Matte Foundation
I was given this foundation from a sales rep at Target after overhearing that I had my own beauty blog. She compared this foundation to the likes of Giorgio Armani foundation which is about $62 at Nordstrom. I have to strongly disagree. This foundation is awful. It slips and slides on your skin and has no lasting power. I believe the price on this is about $15 at Target- exclusively. Maybe if you're someone with dry skin this foundation might suite you better. I just couldn't get over the fact of it sliding around on my face.
  

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation
Okay, for $4.99 (Ulta) I just had to give this a try. Unknowingly, this is a mousse foundation- the first I have ever tried and I am not impressed. I absolutely hate the texture. This foundation is very thick, I feel like I am wearing a pound of make-up on my face when I am wearing it and I do not like that feeling. Also, it is not very matte, or at least it's not matte for long. I was getting breakthrough shine after about two hours.   

Miss Jessie's Pilloe Soft Curls
I picked this up after seeing a review for it online. I got it at Target and it was around $22. It's kind of a blue'ish cream that smells like Downey laundry softener. Everywhere you look you'll find great reviews on this product. Here is the key . . . I think it's meant for people with naturally curly hair, not straight hair like myself. IF, I curl my hair one day and then put this in it at night and sleep with it, I will wake up with great curls on day two. For me it's kinda fabulous (on day two), but kind of a flop overall since it's not made for someone with stick straight heavy hair.

  

Benefit Lollitint
I got this as a free sample with the purchase of my Hoola bronzer. It's a liquid lip and/or cheek stain.I still do not know how to actually use this product. I can not put it on without looking like a clown. It's just an interesting product. I think I will stick to normal lip and cheek products from now on. This product is $30 at Ulta and Sephora and soooo not worth it in my opinion.






 

Bucket List

Bucket Worthy

Experience Child Birth

Be in 2 Places at Once

Have My Portrait Painted

Be a Member in the Audience of a TV Show

Learn not to Say YES When I Really Mean NO

Shower in a Waterfall

Be Kissed in the Rain

Look Into My Child's Eyes, See Myself, and Smile

Travel to all 50 States

Ride a Mechanical Bull

Spend New Years Eve in New York City With Katie

Learn to Be Good at Playing the Piano Once Again

Ride in a Helicopter

See the Hollywood Sign in Person

Go to the Super Bowl 

Learn Conversational Spanish (I'm SO close!!)

Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Travel to Maui, Hawaii

Take up Photography

Have "High Tea" at the Plaza Hotel in New York

Go to the Kentucky Derby and Attend the Barnstable-Brown Ball, Watch the race from the Turf Terrace,Bet on my favorite horse, Have a Mint Julep (the traditional beverage of the Kentucky Derby. It's an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and sugar,) Wear a great hat at the race and Stay at the famous Galt House Hotel

Party in Cancun

Celebrate my birthday in Las Vegas (2015!!)

Watch fire works from inside an airplane

Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain in Rome

Kiss my love on the big screen at a sports game

Meet my other half

Meet Tim Tebow (my other half? maybe??) 

Spend Christmas at Disney World

Spend New Years in Paris

See the Eiffel Tower

Be given a puppy for a present

Have a "usual" somewhere

Have fireworks at my wedding

Stay up all night on Christmas Eve

Date a celebrity

Go on a vacation by myself

Jump into a pool fully clothed

And, lastly........

COMPLETE my Bucketlist.... Haha

Review: NEW Katy Perry & COVERGIRL #instaGLAM Collection

I kept seeing this advertised in various magazines, so of course, I had to find it! It wasn't an easy process. I checked Ulta, Target, Walmart and finally found it at the second Walgreens I looked at! 

  

The collection, concealer, powder foundation, nail polish, lip crayons, makeup remover wipes and eye liners. I just wanted to try the foundation and concealer. 

The day I bought them they were on sale and they were buy one, get one half price. I believe I paid around $10 for a foundation and the concealer. 



The display was set up really well and it was easy to color match and find what I needed. The really cool thing is that the foundation and concealers correlate with each other, so that was really easy to match. 
The foundation wears really well! It lasts all day and it builds really easily, which is really nice because I like to wear a pretty full-coverage foundation. I really like the concealer. The color is a little bit light, so if I purchase this again I will go one shade lighter. It's working really well as a highlighter for me right now!  

Lush

Have you been to Lush on 23rd Street in Portland? If you haven't, I recommend that you do. Soon! You know you are getting close to the store because you can smell it a block away.



Lush prides themselves on being a cruelty-free company that uses all natural products.

 Everything at Lush is homemade! Amazing. Lush is famous for their bath bombs. They have a whole array of homemade bath bombs that range in price from $5-8 dollars a piece. In my opinion, that is a lot for one bath, but I just had to try!

Here are the two that I recently picked up. I think I paid about $12 for the two of them. Let me tell you . . . they smell A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! My whole bedroom and bathroom smelled like the Lush store. Now here is the sad part. I am highly unimpressed with the bomb that I tried. I used the smaller one because I just love the pretty rose one and didn't want to use it quite yet.

Pros: 

Smells good. Subtle, but good 

Pretty water

Left my skin soft

Cons: 

No bubbles

Left a slight pink ring in the tub

Price

Would I buy another Lush bomb? Maybe. The verdict is still out! 

XoXo

Ipsy: June 2014

1.Mark Anthony Beach Spray - This spray is suppose to take stick straight hair and make beachy waves. The full-size of this product is $8.99 at Ulta.This is a 1.5oz travel size.
2. Be a Bombshell Lash Out Mascara - I looooove mascara! I have never tried Bombshells' mascara, but I know their eye shadows are great, so I can't wait to give this a try. The retail price of this is $15.00.
3. Nicka K Shimmer Eyeliner in Green - The eye liner is perfect! I love the color and it went on really well! I love using green eye products with my blue eyes. This retails for $4.99.
4. NYX Butter Gloss- This stuff is pretty great. It is my ultimate favorite lip product and this color is beautiful! I was really excited to see this in my bag this month. :) These retail for $4.99.
5. DermaDoctor DD Cream - I think I have said before that I am not really into BB/CC/DD creams, but I am always up for trying something new! The retail on this is $38.00 for the full-sized and can be purchased at Sephora.

Total retail value: is $25 for the three FULL-SIZED items I got and then I would say probably at least another $5- for the two deluxe sample sizes! So I retail this this Ipsy bag at $30'ish or so, not including the bag! LOVE IT! 

Here is my Ipsy link if you're interested: http://www.ipsy.com/r/78vf

XoXo

Sigma Beauty Highlighting Pencil

This makeup review is about the Sigma Beauty Highlighting Pencil. This came in my very first order from Sigma. If you didn't know, you can only purchase Sigma products online, so it's always a treat when I get to order something. This is a dual-ended pencil that focuses on subtle and more noticeable highlighting around the eyebrow area. If you want to accentuate your brow bone and define your eyebrows then this is a must have. One side (marked as the matte side) of the highlighting pencil gives a softer matte highlight while the other side of the pencil (marked as the shimmer side) gives a more shimmer effect. 

Pros

• very pigmented
• sleek & sturdy packaging
• very soft texture
• blend-able
• matte side
• shimmer side (can be used as a highlighter on the skin)

Cons

• availability (Internet only)

Buy: www.sigmabeauty.com - $12

XoXo

Holy Grail: MAC Oil Control Lotion

      I've found it. I have finally found it!! MAC Oil Control Lotion is my new must have, holy grail item. As I have mentioned before I get really shiny in the middle of the day in my T-Zone and have been searching for the perfect item (lotion? powder?) to combat that shine. Well, folks, I have found it! It does say oil control lotion, but I will warn you the consistency is very watery and not thick like a lotion. A little bit of this goes a very long way. I expect that this small 1 oz bottle will last me a couple of months.
      Oh, and if you are wondering why I only have the 1 oz tube vs. the regular size bottle (1.7 oz), here is why: #1 I wanted to try it before I invested the money, so I went with the travel size and #2 this lotion costs $10 for 1 oz and $32 for the 1.7 oz bottle. Uh, that's a no-brainer. I could buy three travel size tubes at 1 oz each for $30 and I would get more and save money than if I bought the 1.7 oz bottle for $32. The pricing on this is just bizarre, but otherwise this item is a hit! I will definitely be sticking with this lotion for the long haul!

XoXo     

Fabs & Flops

I am back again with a little Fabs & Flops post! I think my most favorite part of this little blogging endeavor is the so-called freedom I feel to buy things, so I can blog about it! :) I have loved the opportunity to try things I normally would have never tried and to buy things I would have never thought of buying before. After nearly 15 years of using exclusively Mary Kay makeup, I automatically assumed I would just jump right into high-end makeup because I had never used any drugstore products before, but I cannot begin to tell you just how many drugstore products I have fallen in love with recently. ♥  Not only can I sometimes buy five items for the price of one high-end item, but often times it's just as good or better!
Alright, now here is what I have picked up recently and some that I wish I hadn't . . .   

Fabs:

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner - Ulta $15
I got this in a Mally Beauty gift set from Ulta. The main thing I purchased was a Mally Poreless Defender (that post will come one of these days) and I got a whole bunch of full-sized goodies. This eyeliner is black and glides on beautifully. $15 is pretty reasonably priced for a good quality eyeliner. I will probably repurchase this in black and buy other colors in the future. 

Mally Beauty Liquid Lipstick - Ulta $20
This is a another goodie that came in the Mally set. All I knew about Mally Beauty was that it is sold heavily on QVC, but it never crossed my mind to try it until I saw it for sale at Ulta. This is a liquid lipstick in a really pretty color and it goes on nicely. It has a paint brush type applicator on the end. The lasting power is not great, but the pigment is nice!  

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick - Ulta $25
Okay, this eyeshadow stick is amazing. I just love it. It glides on perfectly, with a wet feel, but drys right away and lasts all day. I use it with an eyeshadow primer, so it never creases! I am not sure if I will pay $25 to replace it when it runs out, but I do like it. I forgot to swatch it, but this is in a chocolate/gold color. 

This cream shadow from Laura Gellar as an Ulta sample
freebie. By the way, always, ALWAYS ask for
free samples at Ulta. The whole long cupboard behind
the checkouts are full of things that they just give away if you
ask! This is a pretty good size sample and will last me quite

   a while this is a rose gold color and it has become my neutral,

 day-to-day eye color. I use it with my Urban Decay primer and

it works beautifully! These retail for $19 and I will probably

buy this when it runs out because I am OBSESSED!! 

These are my go to wipes for mornings when
I don't want to bring out the Clairsonic and do
an intense face wash. Prior to trying these I had
only used Mary Kay wipes, which are not
pre-moistened, so these are quite the upgrade. I got
these at Ulta for $6.99 plus coupons! 

Flops:

Mary Kay Lash & Brow Building Serum - Marykay.com $38
This is Mary Kay's knock off version of Latisse. Ya know, the stuff that is suppose to make your eyelashes grow? Well, Mary Kay's version is suppose to not change your eye color like Latisse is know to do, so I figured I would give it a try. I used it for a while. Religiously. I honestly did not see any difference. I think it was a waste of money. I did see that this product was featured in a beauty magazine not long ago and the reviews were great, but it's just not for me.   

NYX Lip Liner Pencil - Ulta $3.49
You know I am a fan, a BIG fan of the NYX Butter Glosses. They are by far my most favorite lip gloss of LIFE, but these liners just don't do it for me. I am not a huge fan of lip liner to begin with, but I do try because it does make a difference. I am glad I didn't pay much for these. I bought four of them and they were BOGO 50% off, plus I had a coupons, so they were about $7 for all four off them. They do not sharpen well, nor do they glide on very well at all. I will not be purchase these again. 

So I was going through my makeup and throwing things out when I came across this lip plumper I  bought a couple years ago (I know, gross, don't judge)....used it again and it still sucks. It is just a thick, sticky gloss in a large silver twist up tube. It is also outrageously expensive (I think it was $18 a long time ago when I got it).  Sure it tingles, but it doesn't make my lips look any fuller than my $5 crystal clear NYX gloss. I have done a lot of research on skin care/cosmetics over the last couple of years and really the "tingling" sensation in the plumping glosses is some kind of mint oil irritating the heck out of your lips, that's why they "plump" (which is actually swelling from irritation). Needless to say this one went in the trash. It is a product I regret buying.

Physician's Formula Va Va Voom Mascara - Ulta $10
This is my least favorite mascara. I do not like brush, it flakes
and it just doesn't coat my lashes like I expect. Luckily,
I got this for FREE with coupons at Ulta, so it's not much of
a loss, but I will never try a Physician's Formula mascara
again. I actually got a BB and a CC cream from PF and
I don't think I like either, but I need to try them a few more
times to be sure. I am sure that will on another Fabs & Flops post
in the near future!  

First, let me start by saying I am not a BB/CC cream
kind of person. I got this at an Ulta freebie (see, always ask for those free samples!) so I figured I would give it a try. It just isn't full-coverage enough for me. I like full, FULL coverage and this just doesn't give it. Plus, I did not feel like it was very build-able, so that was another downside. This travel size retails for $10 and the full-size is $34. I really like the Laura Gellar cream eyechadow, so I will probably try more of her items in the future, but not this one!  

XoXo

$20 Challenge

Sometimes I feel the urge to shop, (okay, I actually have this urge quite often) but don't want to spend any much money. That is where my $20 Challenge comes in. I take a $20 out of my wallet, stick some coupons in my pocket and head to the store! I have done this a few times and it's really fun! Check out some of my goodies from my latest endeavor . . .

Stop #1: Bath and Body Works
3 Mini Jar Candles on sale 3/$10 (normally $4.50 ea)
1 Mason Jar Candle $12.50

Coupon: any item FREE with $10.00 purchase (-$12.50)

Total Paid: $10.84  (with tax) 
Total Saved: $17.34

Stop #2: Ulta
1 Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation $4.99
1 Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed  $2.49 (Rimmel was BOGO 50% off)
1 OPI Glitter Polish (clearance) $2.49
2 Elegant Touch Nail Polish Removers (clearance) $1.09 each

Coupon: $3.50 off any $10 purchase (-$3.50) & 20% off any item (-.98 off the foundation)

Total Paid: $8.31 (with tax)
Total Saved: $ 20.89

Total spent on this shopping trip: $19.15 (.85 to spare!)

A savings of over $38.00!!

XoXo

Ipsy: May 2014

Here it is! 

My most favorite piece of mail! I wait all month for my Ipsy bag. I stalk their website . . . I stalk their Instagram . . .  I'm obsessed! It's the best $10 I spend all month!

1.Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask - This hair mask is AMAZING! My hair is super damaged from all the beach, so I am always looking for something that is going to repair damage and make my hair soft. The full-size of this product is $14.99 at Ulta.
2. Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF 50 - I don't use sunscreen, so I was not excited about getting this in my bag. I'm sure it's great with it being 50 SPF and all. The retail price of the full-size is $12.99.
3. Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo - The eyeshadow duo is perfect! I love the colors, they have just the right amount of shimmer and they last all day! This small duo retails for $11.00.
4. Boo-Boo Cover Up Medium Concealer - This stuff is pretty great. It is marketed to cover up: acne, bug bites, stretch marks, tattoos, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. It's advertised as more of a medical item, rather than a make-up item. This is actually a full-sized tube and it retails for $19.99.
5. SWISSCO Electroplated Eyelash Curler - I love my Tarte eyelash curler, so I will probably be giving this one way. It looks nice though! The retail on this is $5.00.

Total retail value: is $35 for the three FULL-SIZED items I got and then I would say probably at least another $5-10 for the two deluxe sample sizes! So I retail this this Ipsy bag at $40-45! LOVE IT! 

If you didn't read my post about my March/April post about Ipsy you can find it here:
http://kristinaschiltz.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-new-obsession-ipsy.html

XoXo

☼ Lashes ☼

I literally have a notepad list of all the blog posts I am planning on doing for you, but life has just been so crazy busy! I am hoping to get a few done this week. I hope! 

Soooooo . . . fake eyelashes, falsies or whatever you want to call them are something that I totally love to dabble with, but don't wear on a regular basis. I would like to, but that would require getting up extra early in the morning! That's not happening. I own quite a bit of Ardell lashes and this is what I would recommend, unless you want to spend big money about $35 per pair and in that case I would recommend Velour Lashes, which can be found at https://www.velourlashes.com/. The Ardell lashes ($6 Ulta) are a good place to start and they are really affordable! I like the Katy Perry lashes for dressing up and going out. The other few I have are from Such a Tease and e.l.f which were free gifts and/or Ipsy items!

  

My lash glue of choice is called Duo and can be found at both Ulta and Sephora for $7. It comes in both white and dark brown. I have heard lots of good things about Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive, which comes in a tube and with a little brush, but I have not yet tried it. This little case to the right can be found at www.houseoflashes.com for $6 and it great for storing your used lashes for future use.  

Application: 

Before I apply false lashes I always start with a think band of eyeliner on my lash line, I curl my lashes and apply a coat of mascara to my natural lashes. Once I remove a new pair I set them on my natural lashes to measure for size. I usually have to trim off a little bit to make it the most natural fit. Be sure to always trim the outside vs the inside, as the inside lashes are naturally shorter. Next, I apply lash glue (not too much - a little bit goes a long way) to the band of the lashes and let it "dry" for about 30-45 seconds until it is tacky before pressing it into my natural lash line. I use my fingers to apply lashes, but I know a lot of people use tweezers - either one works! I take a minute or so to press them together to make them look natural and that's it! You can add mascara if you want, but since I reuse my lashes several times, I do not add extra mascara.   

Removal: 

I start on the inside and pull gently to the outside for removal. I then peel off any excess glue that is still on the lashes and put them in the case for the next use. I put a little bit of my Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover from Mary Kay (www.MaryKay.com -$15) on a cotton swab and rub it into my eye to break-up and remover any leftover glue. I continue with my normal skincare routine which can be found here if you missed that post!   

XoXo  

 

Brushes

I will give you a run down of my top 10 brushes, the brand and what I use them each for!

1. Beauty Blender (Sephora or Beauty Blender website ($19.99) I use my Beauty Blender to apply both my foundation and my concealer. The Beauty Blender applies foundation flawlessly with a dewy finish (I prefer a matte finish, so I apply powder afterwards, but if you like dewy this is your method). It truly gives an airbrushed finish with coverage that lasts all day!
2. Sigma  Flat Kabuki F80 Brush - ($20 Sigmabeauty.com) This brush is my holy grail brush. It's amazing. Period. Sigma is the best of the best in the world of make-up- even better than MAC and Nars. Yes, I just said that. I have had my eyes on this brush, and several others from Sigma, for awhile, but Sigma can only be ordered online. Sigma is about half the price of MAC or Nars and just as good or even better! I plan to order more brushes when that perfect free shipping and promo code offer presents itself. You know me! ;) This brush applies foundations remarkably well. The bristles are soft, yet dense and the coverage is flawless! This is my must-have brush about all others!
3. Bare Minerals Precision Face Brush - ($32 at Ulta) I use this brush to apply my powder foundation and finishing powders. I have had this brush for quite awhile and it's amazing. I use it all over to give my face a final once over before I put on a finishing spray.  
4. Hot Pink Angled Blush Brush - (BH Cosmetics Pop Art Collection Set $20.95) I bought this set on a whim after hearing great reviews and for the price, it did not disappoint. This was a 10 piece set; I use 5 of the brushes everyday and two or three of them occasionally. I usually do not buy brush sets because it seems wasteful, as I never seem to use them all, but for this price I couldn't pass it up. I use this brush to apply my blush. The angle makes for easy application!
5. Light Pink Powder Brush - (BH Cosmetics Pop Art Collection Set $20.95) I use this as my blending brush to make sure there are no harsh lines from my bronzer, powder, foundation or blush! It's fluffy, soft and does a great job blending out lines!
6. Yellow Complexion Blending Brush - (BH Cosmetics Pop Art Collection Set $20.95) Since I do not own a true couture brush, I use this instead and, for now, it is doing the trick. I have my heart set on a Nars Ita Kabuki brush ($55 yikes!) but they have been sold out forever! I use this nifty little brush to contour my forehead, nose and cheeks. Then, I go in with the BH Cosmetics Powder Brush to blend everything out.
7. Blue Tapered Eyeshoadow Blending Brush - (BH Cosmetics Pop Art Collection Set $20.95) I use this brush for two purposes: 1. an all over the lid eyeshadow brush and/or to blend out all lines in my eyeshadow. Honestly, there are probably better brushes out there for eye shadow, but I think it's more about the quality of the eyeshadow. One of my more favorite eyeshadow application tools is my finger! It does the trick too!  
8. Green Fluffy Angled Eyeshadow Brush - (BH Cosmetics Pop Art Collection Set $20.95) This is my go-to brush for eyeshadow application all over the lid. There seems to be very little fallout with the shadow when using this brush. Again, this brush collection is super soft and I have lost no bristles after months of months of use.
9. Purple Real Techniques Shading Brush - (Kohl's, Ulta, Target etc. $6.00) Real Techniques brushes have a great reputation for being a good brush that is super affordable for everyone. I use this brush to pack on eyeshadow, especially in the creases.
10. MAC 208 Angled Eye Liner Brush - (Nordstrom $20) This brush was a great purchase for me! I can finally apply my most favorite gel eye liner with a steady hand and get that perfect "wing" I have always wanted! It's pretty spendy for such a small brush, but I truly can't do the liner without it!



Alright, so now that I told you about my top 10 brushes, let me tell you how I clean and take care of them!

I have used the MAC brush cleaner for a very long time and I like it. I really do. Here is the downside- it's $15 a bottle and I go through about 1 bottle per month, as I clean my Beauty Blender daily and my other brushes 1-3 times a week. It just became too expensive.




After some research I saw that many people just use Dawn dish soap to clean their brushes, so I tried it and I have never been happier!

The Dawn cuts through the oil on the brushes and the anti-bacterial agent assures that the brushes are clean and bacteria-free. I mix the Dawn with a little bit of Pert shampoo and conditioner in one. That gives it some softness and also makes the brushes smell really good! This shampoo and Dawn was under $4 and should last me a year. You can't beat that! Anyone else clean their brushes with something similar?  













XoXo

Couponing

Couponing is my thing it always has been and probably always will be. I figure, why pay full price for something? I rarely, RARELY buy anything that is full price. I always watch for sales, but coupons on top of sales (or clearance) is the ultimate thrill!

Before a shopping trip I usually look online to see what types of coupons I can find. Remember, you can always combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon! I wanted to stock pile some Clean & Clear products since I am really loving their stuff again. Do I smell another skin care post coming up!?

It took me about 3 minutes to find these coupons and here is what I purchased with them . . .

The retail on these five products was $29.95  ($5.99 each). That fifth bottle was picked up at Fred Meyer for FREE with other coupons that I forgot to snap a picture of . . . oops! I broke these into two purchases to maximize the savings and used each set of coupons (pictured above).

Example of purchase:
2 bottles (or 2 packs of wipes) total $11.98 and I am able to use 2 coupons on each product because they are different coupons with different barcodes. So, now I can take $1.50 off and $1.00 off each bottle. Now my total is down to $6.98 and THEN, I use my Ulta $3.50 off coupon and it brings my total down to $3.48 for two items!! I did this purchase two times, over two days.

My grand total was $6.96 for all four items from Ulta, plus the free one from Fred Meyer. By the way, it was free because they were originally $5.99. but on sale for $4.49 - there was a $1.50 off Fred Meyer coupon hanging by the display and then I had a $3.00 off ANY Morning Burst Clean & Clear product (this was sent to my house directly by Clean & Clear - not exactly sure how I got it, but those high value coupons are almost unheard of!).

With a grand total of $6.96 I saved $22.99 which is over 75% off that purchase!!

*You really need to know your coupons - know what you can and cannot combine. I would say probably about 3 out of 10 checkers know coupon policies and will let you combine without question and others will not want to accept it without some prompting ;) Yes, it takes a little time and effort of your part to get such savings, but I think it's worth it! I am set on cleaners for a long time! 

XoXo  

Candles ♥

If I am not off shopping for make-up you can probably find me at Bath and Body Works stocking up on my candle obsession! Although, I use Scentsy to keep the house smelling super clean and fresh, I still love the ambiance of candles burning. I usually burn one in the kitchen, on the stove, and sometimes one upstairs in my room. I think that the Bath and Body Works candles burn wonderfully. I even like them more than Yankee Candles and I use to be OBSESSED, with Yankee, so that says a lot! Of course, Bath and Body Works is known for their awesome coupons, so I can always score an awesome deal on my candles! 

Here is my latest haul . . . .

Regular price: $113.50

Sale price: $67

Final price (after all coupons): $47.75!!!

The small jars were on sale for $10 each, plus I had a free item coupon! I actually paid $20 for all three!

The large jar candles were on sale 2 for $22, plus the Mother's Day candle and stand was a $15 gift with purchase. Then, I had a 25% off my purchase coupon which made it $27.75! 

Not my best couponing trip, but still a good deal nonetheless! This should hold me over through summer!

XoXo

Fabs & Flops

I thought I would start a little blog segment and call it Fabs & Flops where I talk about some items I love and some that I was really disappointed with. For this post I am going to post about NYX Butter Gloss' and the Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner Pen.

Fabs:

1.Peach Cobbler
2. Sugar Cookie
3. Cupcake
4. Peaches & Cream

1.Peach Cobbler
2. Sugar Cookie
3. Cupcake
4. Peaches & Cream

My fabs for the week are the NYX Butter Gloss'! I don't know where these have been all my life, but wow!! I picked them up at Ulta this past week because they were on sale buy one, get one 50% off! I was able to pick up for of them for $15- plus my $3.50 off coupon, which made them under $3 each!!







Flops:

As I posted on an earlier post, I have a hard time using liquid eyeliner, BUT I love the look of it! I heard rave reviews about the Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner Pen, so I decided to try it out. It was hard to find, but I finally did at Walgreens and to my surprise it was only $2.99! Well, let me tell you . . . this stuff is like a Sharpie marker. It's a really strange black color and the tip is really hard! It hurts to put it on! I would not buy this again, in fact, I am going to throw it out! I looked it up again and saw that it has 5 out of 5 stars. I just don't get it! That's my flop of the week. It's just not for me!

 

XoXo