Ulta & Bed Bath and Beyond Haul!

I guess you could call me an obsessive shopper..

A brand new Ulta opened up close to me, how could I not go?!

Benefit - The Sizzlin' Six - $27
This is a set of six travel sized very popular Benefit products that I personally have always wanted to try. I thought this would be a great set to try before committing to full sized products.

Dandelion: Brightening Face Powder 
Before I start, can I say that all Benefit products smell AMAZING but aren't too overpowering. This is a light pink slightly satin powder that can be used as a blush or a highlighter. This is a gorgeous powder that I adore and may have to splurge on the full size if this one runs out too quickly.  

Dandelion: Ultra Plush Lip Gloss
 Normally lip glosses aren't my favorite, but the texture of this is really different form many others  that I have tried. This is smooth, not sticky and looks amazing on.  

Benetint: Rose-Tinted Lip and Cheek Stain
I have wanted this SO badly and for SO long but I had wanted test how good it really was first. This really is a cool and different product for me so I really enjoyed playing around with it, but it came in such a tiny package which was really disappointing. 
Bad Gal Lash: MascaraThis mascara has a very large bristle wand which is good for defining lashes, but doesn't do a great deal of volumizing. This gives you a really natural look. This mascara, though is really great for layering with others, which is what I normally do anyway. 

Girl Meets Pearl: Liquid Pearl for Face
This liquid highlighter is pink toned with gold shimmers and when used correctly, can really brighten up your face. This is perfect for cheekbones, noses, or mixing a little bit with your foundation. 

the Porefessional: Pro Balm to Minimize the Appearance of Pores
Along with the Benetint this is a product I have been really wanting so I was SO excited to get it. This is such a creamy consistency but goes onto a powder finish once rubbed into the face. This really does fill in pores, so its perfect for a quick fix.

Dermalogica - Clear Start Toner All Over Toner - $19
I ran out of my other Dermalogica toner and I missed it too much. I needed to replenish. This doesn't seem to be making a huge difference, but it does make my skin less dry after washing so that is a definite plus. I am really looking into getting the whole line because I am obsessed with it.

Paul Mitchell - Smoothing Super Skinny Serum - $5.75
This was a quick impulse buy at the register (those always get me). This is an oil serum for calming down frizzy hair and I need all the help I can get. This is for when your hair is dry and a little too fluffy at the ends. I haven't really gotten a chance to play around with this too much because more often than not, I style my hair when it's wet.

Maybelline - Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Tinted Lip Balm - 40 Pink Me Up & 50 Soothing Sorbet - $2.99

I decided to pop into Bed Bath really quickly today with the sole purpose of checking these out. When I saw them on display right toward the front of the store I grabbed them, browsed around for a minute and I was on my way.
I'm actually in love with these. They feel minty and tingly on your lips, but it's not overpowering. The color is pretty sheer, but its still there which is perfect for constant reapplication. These are also perfect for super chapped lips thought out the cold fall and winter times.

How to Incorporate POPS of Color into Your Eye Look

The more that I play with makeup, the more I want to experiment with color and step out of my comfort zone. Because I would still feel a little bit weird walking out of the house with a neon color from lashline to browbone, I incorporate small, but noticeable pops of color into my look.

The first method to adding some color on your eyes is using a bright shadow or liner on your upper lashline. Before doing this, I used a matte brown shadow about a shade darker than my skin tone. For this look, I would recommend using colors that bring out your eyes. If you have brown eyes, blues and purples will to the trick. I used Stila's "Impulse" from the "In the Moment" palette which is a gorgeous light pink/purple color with a good amount of shimmer and Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Blue on Bye" which was a limited edition shade from last year, but it is a gorgeous royal blue color. This color pop also helps your eyes pop so its a win win. 

The next way to add a little burst of color is to use a lighter or brighter colored base under other shadows for a more subtle pop of color. I applied Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in "Inked in Pink" as an eyeshadow base and put a matte cream colored shadow on the top so it wasn't and overdose of shimmer. This look is especially good for the first step of using color. 

This look is a little bit more edgy, and isn't appropriate for every outing, but it is fun and cute. This mascara is a royal blue color by Tokidoki which was purchased a while ago and is no longer available. However, you can find Rimmel's limited edition colored mascaras at Walgreens and it will give you the same effect. You can apply this on its own or over clear mascara, but I wouldn't reccomend using this over black mascara. The reasons for this are that the colors can mix and the colors wont show true against the black. 

Apologies for not posting for a while. I'll make it up to you, I promise! More exciting posts to come! xx

Eyes of the Day

Although I have nowhere to be, I decided to do a more personal post today. Naturally, I decided to play with my makeup. 

This look is very wearable and a tiny step away from my usual neutrals but still very subtle and pretty. 

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me 

Base: Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal 24HR in Inked in Pink 

Lid: Urban Decay in Walk of Shame 

Crease: Stila in Sunset and Coastal Scents in Spiceberry 

Highlights: Urban Decay in Venus

Mascara: Mally Volumizing and Covergirl Clump Crusher 

Drugstore Dupe: Stila Smudge Pot & Maybelline Color Tattoo

When shopping for makeup, some people think, "The more expensive, the better it is, right?" 

Not necessarily! Despite what people may believe, you can find some real gems at the drugstore. 

        Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten & Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige                                                    

$20 - Stila                                 $5.94 - Target

Let's take a closer look at these two  cream eyeshadows. The packaging is the same, with different labels, placed in thick glass jars with black lids. They have the same amount of product in each jar (.14 oz/ 4g). Both are also made in the USA. When touched and swatched, both have a creamy, easy glide on formulation. The Stila Smudge Pot feels more densely packed and the Maybelline color tattoo, more plush. 

When swatched, the two look very similar. The Maybelline Color Tattoo is more glowy and shiny, but the Stila smudge pot is more sparkly. Because of the slightly different formulation, the Maybelline Color Tattoo applies a little thicker. I left the swatches on my hand for the rest of the day, and they have the exact same staying power.

The Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige is a great dupe for the Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten. The packaging, color, and formulation are very similar, and is almost as good of quality.

Disclaimer: These are in fact my pictures, I recently changed the name of my blog.

Top 5 Lip Balms and Moisturizers

When your lips are dry, chapped, and in need of some severe assistance, these are five of my go to lip products that will help you out. 

#5: Maybelline - Baby Lips
These lip balms give your lips the hydrated feel that they crave. If you're looking for a tinted lip balm, or a clear glossy stick, both of those are accomplished with this line. The sweet, fresh smell and sheer wash of color are the perfect combination, along with soft lips.
Pictured: Cherry Me, Peppermint (spf 20), Grapevine, Quenched (spf 20), Peach Kiss, Pink Punch
$2.99 - Target 

#4: Sun Bum - SPF 30 Lip Balm
Besides the fact that these are SPF 30, which is always a plus for the warmer months, these ultra moisturizing balms smell and taste amazing. This may just be me, but I hate the taste of lip balms with sunscreen in them and although they have a very high spf they have no traces of sunscreen taste.
Pictured: Mango and Coconut
$3.99 - Sunbum

#3: EOS - Smooth Sphere Lip Balm
One of the reasons so many people love these is their packaging, but that is definitely not all that you are getting from the cute lip balms. The smooth formula, easy application and incredible moisture forces you to buy every flavor.
Pictured- Summer Fruit, Medicated Tangerine, Lemon Drop (spf 15) , Passion Fruit, Strawberry Sorbet
$2.99 - Target

#2: Nivea - Lip Butter
Not knowing much about the brand, I was reluctant to purchase this, but I'm so happy that the curiosity dragged me in. The creamy formula actually does feel like what its called... butter. This is amazing for chapped lips or overnight repair. If the idea of smooth lips alone won't get you to use this, the smell and taste of it will.
Pictured: Caramel Cream Kiss
$3.99- CVS

#1: MAC - Lip Conditioner
This product may be considered a bit of a splurge for some, but it is worth is without a doubt. The product smells sweet and gets its job done quickly. With a non greasy petroleum based formula, this glides on and sinks into the lips leaving them feeling supple and silky.
$15- MAC

Back to School Makeup Starter Kit

With the school year right around the corner (or it being already here), you're going to need some makeup to help you stay pretty from Fall to Spring.

Here's your starting lineup:

Bare Escentuals - BareMinerals Original spf 15 Powder FoundationThis lightweight but buildable powder foundation is perfect for all skin types. This can be used as a setting powder or as a natural, full coverage foundation on its own. This is formulated without any parabens or other harmful chemicals that can break you out and clog your pores.
$27- Bare Escentuals

Maybelline - Fit Me Concealer
This amazing and affordable concealer can be found at any drugstore near you. This is as great a product for covering dark under eye circles as it is for concealing blemishes and dark spots. This would be a medium to heavy coverage concealer and it blends in to fit your skin tone very nicely.
$5.49- Target

Urban Decay - Naked Basics Palette
This all matte eyeshadow palette contains six highly pigmented shadows that are meant to be combined with other shadows to start off any eye look. There are countless eye looks that can be created with the six gorgeous colors in this palette alone. Although this product seems to be a bit of an investment, each individual shadow comes out to be $4.50 each, and that isn't a bad price at all.
$27- Urban Decay

Maybelline - Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara
Each end of this mascara wand was created to specialize in each set of lashes, upper and lower. The wand for upper lashes curls, lengthens, separates,and volumizes without clumping up or creating spidery looking lashes. The lower lash wand defines, darkens, and lengthens lower lashes just the right amount.
$6.94- Walmart   

Maybelline - Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow
These pigmented cream shadows are super creamy and blendable. These are amazing for lazier days and can be worn alone on the lid. Or, for more statement looks, they can be used as a base for under other shadows.
Pictured: Bad to the Bronze and Barely Branded
$5.94- Target 

Stila - Smudge Crayon / Smudge Stick Eye Liner
These liners glide on so smoothly without tugging on your eyelid or waterline. They are very pigmented and the formula is sure to last you all day. And if you're looking for a more smokey line, they blend with ease.
Pictured: Smoke, Umber, and Black
$20 each- Stila

EOS - Smooth Sphere Lip Balm
These all natural lip balms are meant to moisturize both lips with one swipe. These adorable lip balms smell and taste amazing while keeping your lips soft and refreshed.
Pictured: Strawberry Sorbet and Passion Fruit  
$2.99- Target

Maybelline - Color Whisper by Color Sensational

These moisturizing lip products are the combination of a lipstick and tinted lip balm, with the perfect amount of glossy color. You can build up the color payoff from sheer to almost opaque. With Twenty colors, you'll be sure to find one you like. 

Pictured: Petal Rebel and Cherry on Top

$5.94 - Target