Winter Cleaning

This Holiday season has been one of the most trying for me. The holidays are always a hectic time, full of stress and running around. However, this year, my family endured some hardships that were completely unforeseen.

My boyfriend lost his job, leaving me to pay most of the bills, but since I work for a school district, I have two weeks off, unpaid. We decided that the only thing we could do in order to pay the bills was to return our gifts for one another. So, last Thursday, I came home and we unwrapped our gifts to each other and that following Monday, we went to all the stores we bought gifts from and returned everything.

My boyfriend was irate over the fact that I wouldn't be getting the Samsung Tablet he had picked out for me. He said that he felt like a failure and he told me that I deserve so much more than the situation had granted us. I told him that they are just things and that what matters to me during the holidays is being with the people that we care about and spending time with them, eating and making memories.

I know that this post is random and has little to do with makeup, but I started thinking about everything earlier when I was cleaning my room. See I am a goo-hoarder. I have way too much makeup for my own good. I will NEVER use all of what I have and yet I continue to buy more unnecessarily. I want the new and hottest makeup because I truly enjoy trying new things and seeing how they work. That is precisely the reason I started this blog. Makeup is fun, but I started to realize that I spend a lot of money on things that aren't important.

I think for 2014 I want to start making the most of the time that I have with those that matter most to me. Instead of being the introvert that I normally am and focusing on myself, I want to start spending time with the people that truly love and understand me.

Things can make you happy, but that happiness never lasts, we just move on to what is shiny and new. People caring and supporting one another because they thoroughly enjoy being in that person's presence and understand how important and special that person is makes it all worth it. All the stress and anxiety, anger and sadness we suffer through as humans is worth it when you have people you can turn to in those times, and people you can have fun with after the hard times have passed.

Life is full of give and take, but make the best of both with the people that matter most.

Covergirl "Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation"

 

I have been eyeing this product for a while now. It has been out since the summer, and I have seen several reviews already. ALL of the reviews have been extremely positive. It retails around $8-10 depending on where you go. I got mine at Target because they had it on sale for $7. I have combination skin and it is difficult to keep foundation on all day without it sliding off on my forehead and nose area but I have been trying it out for about a week now, and I am pretty impressed with this product.

 

 

 

Above is a picture of what the foundation looked like on first thing in the morning, which is about 7:30 am. I used Physician's Formula "Youth Boosting Powder in Translucent" to set everything. It has a shimmer to it, which is why my skin doesn't look matte (I like some dimension to my face)

Above is the picture I took around 6:00 pm that same day. I think that I look a little bit more oily which is normal for me, but I never had to retouch during the day. Normally the oil is so out of control I have to blot a few times in the work day. The thing I was most impressed by was how well my blushed stayed on over the foundation. Normally I would give credit to the blush, but I wasn't wearing anything that had particularly good staying power, and I had worn it before and at the end of the day, my highlight looked more like oil and the color was faded.

 

 

My main complaint about this foundation is that I think I got a color that was a shade too light, but that is more my fault than the product.

 

The pros are the coverage, the fact that it has a pump, and the consistency. It is so easy to apply. Most fuller coverage foundations dry very quickly which causes you to pay more attention and take time while doing make up in the morning (ain't nobody got time for that lol). This is simple, dot on the face, blend in with a brush, done. You could even use your fingers if you wanted.

 

Final verdict: If you have oily skin and you struggle with finding a matte foundation at the drugstore that lives up to its claims, look no further. If you have dry skin, I would probably steer clear, and try something like Loreal Lumi.

     

Lorac Pro Set at ULTA!!!!!!

 

Yes, I broke down and bought this... but only because it was a great deal.... and my curiosity got the best of me.

 

If you don't know, this is the LORAC Pro Palette. It has 16 shadows with the top row all being completely matte, and bottom is shimmers.

 

The palette alone normally retails for $42, but I was at ULTA last weekend, and I saw this. You get the palette, a primer, and a full sized eyeliner, all for $39, so I had to grab it. It is an exclusive set from ULTA and is available in a limited quantity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to do a rusted coppery look today at work, and I LOVE THIS PALETTE and its shadows. They are so creamy and so buttery. I want to play with it a little more before I do an in-depth review, but I am so happy I purchased this. I think I have swatched/ used all of the shadows except for the gray color, "Slate". I have tried the primer, and it works wonderfully for keeping eye shadows on ALL day.

 

The eyeliner in this set is AMAZING. It is a similar applicator to my Physician's Formula Eye Booster, but it is so much blacker and smoother, not to mention a bit more precise.

 

I can't wait to play with this set a little more and possibly post a look using it.

 

Let me know if you are interested in a full review of this set including swatches of everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*This is just a reminder: I purchase everything you see her with my own money. I am not sponsored by any third party, and all thoughts or opinions about a product are my own.



Current Favorite: Mascara

 

I already have an extensive review of one of these products, but I have been pairing it with another mascara lately, and absolutely loving the combo.

 

In the picture above, we have Physician's Formula "Fake-Out" Mascara on the left, and on the right is NYX's "Pin-Up Tease" Mascara.

 

"Fake Out" is a perfect dry-ish formula which doesn't clump lashes together. I apply this mascara first and top it with the "Pin-Up Tease" mascara which is a little more wet, but it helps curl the lashes as well as give a little more volume.

 

The picture above illustrates the layering method I described earlier. I don't even have to curl my lashes to get this kind of lift! It separates, lifts and gives volume wonderfully. The "Pin-up Tease" works well on its own, but I really like the combo of the two.

I purchased the NYX mascara from Target because they are finally carrying the brand... yay! I think it was around $7 which is an average to low price for drugstore mascara.

 

I definitely recommend that you try it out if you have issues with droopy lashes, or mascara running or smudging throughout the day. I have neither of these issues, but I realized that even though the NYX mascara is not waterproof, it is very long lasting which helps when it comes to keeping curl.

 

Let me know your thoughts if you decide to try this product!

Review: Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer

 

 

 

This is a new eye shadow primer  from Rimmel. I currently use NYX's HD Primer, but I was running low, and had a coupon, so I decided to try out Rimmel's primer. The claims of this primer are as follows:

1) Allows shadow to wear up to 7 hours

2) Instantly smoothes and preps lids

3) Makes your color smudge-proof

 

I decided to compare the Rimmel and NYX primers. On my right eye (your left), I have Rimmel and on my left eye (your right) I have NYX.

The picture below was taken at 7:00 am.

 

 

The picture above was taken the same day, at 5:00 pm.

 

 

So which one do I prefer?

The price of the primers are about the same around $6-$7 depending on where you go.

I think that both primers did a good job helping the shadows pop more, as well as helped keep them on the eye. I typically use a primer and a base when applying shadows, but I wanted to just use the primer, and I think that both performed well. I was wearing a $2 trio from e.l.f. and the shadows themselves are not the greatest quality, but I think both primers help them look great.

 

As far as which I can recommend it depends on your preference. The NYX goes on more wet and helps the eye shadow stick a bit better. Whereas the Rimmel primer is a silicone based primer and therefore has a very smooth texture. It is also white, where as the NYX is more of a cream color.

 

Final Verdict:

In person, I thought that the NYX side looked smoother and the shadow applied more evenly, but in pictures, both sides look the same. Both did well as far as lasting for a long time. I was very impressed by the Rimmel, but I think that I like the texture of the NYX primer.

 

If you have tried either of these out, let me know your thoughts!

Sorry

I know I have been away for a while. I have been caught up with school and a new job, but I will hopefully be posting two reviews on some new products I have been trying out.

Someone also suggested that I do a review on some BB Creams, which I will also do a quick post for.


See you soon!

WnW "Nude Awakening" Tutorial

I recently posted a review of the LE Spring eye shadow palettes from Wet n' Wild. Along with the review, I posted looks for each palette and someone requested that I do a walk through of the look from the "Nude Awakening" palette.

The picture tutorial is from completely bare eye, to complete with mascara and eyeliner.

 

 

 

 

It is always important to apply a primer to the lid. I use NYX HD primer and then I applied a base using Urban Decay shadow pencil in Sin, but a cheaper alternative would be a Milani Shadow Eyez pencil in "Champagne Toast", or for a matte option, "Almond Cream".



On the left you will see what primer and base looks like on the lid.

 

 

 

  I put this warm brown in to the crease as a transition color. 

 

 

I mixed the colors above and applied them in the crease and blended it out.

I then reapplied the warm brown in the crease to further blend everything together.

I also reapplied the lid color in order to make sure it was nice a metallic.

 

I applied the matte cream on the brow bone and a cream colored eyeliner to the waterline in order to make the eyes look brighter.

 

I took the brow bone and eyelid shadows on the right and applied it on the lash line with an angled brush.

 

I then applied a black liquid eyeliner and winged it out.

 

After applying the liner to both eyes, the last step was applying mascara.

 

 

And the final look (excuse the wet hair, I had just stepped out of the shower).

Review: Wet n' Wild LE "Spring Foward" Collection

 

"Nude Awakening" (L) "Going in the Wild" (R)

 

"Going in the Wild"

"Nude Awakening"


These two palettes came out around April/May. I had looked everywhere for them, but never had any luck. At the beginning of July, I decided to search my local Rite Aid for some deal that they had going on. While I was there I almost jumped for joy when I saw that they had both of these palettes! Apparently, they have re-released these. I am not sure how long they will be available in stores, but I would definitely recommend checking them out.

                               

"Nude Awakening" on lids

"Nude Awakening" with flash

"Nude Awakening" without flash

 

 

"Nude Awakening" is probably my favorite of the two palettes. The colors are more wearable, not to mention the pigmentation is better than "Going in the Wild". Most of the shades are shimmery but all of them look gorgeous on the lid. I got several compliments on the look above.

"Going in the Wild" without flash



 

 

Again, most of these are shimmery, but they are not as pigmented as the other palette. The colors look beautiful in the pan, and even swatched, but when applied, you have to really pack on the color. I think that the colors are fun, but had I known about pigmentation, I think I would have passed.

 

"Going in the Wild" with flash

 

"Going in the Wild" on the lids


Both of these palettes have some hits and misses, but "Nude Awakening" has way more hits than misses, the same cannot be said for "Going in the Wild" unfortunately.

Be sure to check your local Rite Aid for these LE shadows and buy the one you feel suits you the best.

I LOVE WnW LE anything, so I knew I had to have these, are you the same way?