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.

Drugstore Pick 3 & Reviews: August

I thought it would be nice to try out a fun little series on my blog, and what's more fun than makeup shopping? For this post, I went to the drugstore, not knowing exactly what to get, picked up three products and reviewed them. I'm thinking of doing these once a month. 

Rimmel- Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in #11
$5.49 - CVS
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I've recently been looking at the Kate Moss lipsticks for a while, never being able  to find a color I particularly liked. When I saw this color at a quick run to the drugstore a few days ago, I was very drawn to it.

When looking at the actual lipstick, it looks like a dark red/ burgundy color which I really enjoy for the fall season. When swatted, it remains pretty true to the actual color. The color in the picture is a little off (It's actually much darker). The finish is shiny and glossy and the lipstick glides on very smoothly. The color is pretty buildable; when worn over a balm, it comes out pretty sheer but with enough swipes of this, you can get a really dark and pretty burgundy color. Its also pretty moisturizing, but I would still recommend wearing a bit of lip balm underneath it so your lips don't dry out.

One more thing... as soon as I opened this I noticed that this lipstick had a particular scent, which smells pretty strongly like artificial berries and a little bit like medicine, which is gross. The smell ruined a great possible product for me. Because of this, I will not use this lipstick. I'm not sure I can get past this. By the way, I asked other people to smell it, so its not just me.

Besides the smell, this is a pretty good product. I would definitely recommend smelling it in the store before spending your money on this.

Hi again! I'm trying this lipstick on the next day, and it doesn't smell bad once you put it on. Still berry sweet, but no medicine. I'm raising it to three stars because it really is a gorgeous cool toned red velvet color. Another downside to this is that is gets everywhere! It some how managed to make its way onto my hands and computer screen. I probably will end up giving this another shot.
~xo   

NYC- Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny
$2.79 - CVS
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I had been looking for a good bronzer for a contour and decided on this one after my last drugstore bronzer which was a huge failure. I had heard many good things about this bronzer prior to buying it today.

This bronzer is completely matte and is amazing to contour. When I first opened, looked, and swatched it I was really upset because I thought it would be too light on my olivey skin tone. When I attempted to swatch this on my hand, it blended right in to my skin, hence the lack of swatch. When I took my brush and contoured my face with this, it was subtle, but looked amazing! I am so impressed with this. This bronzer would work for olive skin and anything lighter. You can use this as an allover tan or as a contour. Especially for the fall time, I tend to shy away from shimmer on the face and go for a more matte look, so this is great for that. 

This is a great product for the fall time, or any time you need a little bronzing. I will get a lot of use out of this product for sure, and the price is great. 

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara
$8.79 - Target
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One of the reasons I picked up this product was because Physician's Formula is not normally a brand that I search if I'm popping into the drugstore. The other is that there was a great deal on it. If you happen to be at CVS, all Physician's Formula is buy $10 and get $6 extrabucks. You're welcome ;) This product is a bit more on the expensive side, which is why I was never really looking to get it but since I was getting something out of it, I thought, "Why not?" 

This mascara is organic as it says in the name. It helps if you have easily irritated eyes or skin. This mascara will probably be my go to during Spring allergy season. This mascara is  worked really well from the first application. It lengthened and curled my lashes adding volume and definition. i had to comb them out a little, but that didn't bother me too much. I think this mascara would be great for layering with others because it doesn't make your lashes crispy and hard. 

Overall, I really like this product because it applies beautifully and gives my lashes an amazing affect and doesn't make them clumpy. 

Luxury Fashion Brands take their turn in the Beauty World

Many popular and luxurious fashion labels have decided to take a few steps down a different path than usual. Brands such as Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs have recently launched their very own makeup lines.

Marc Jacobs

Image Courtesy Marc Jacobs Instagram

Sold at Sephora, this line is exactly what you would call luxurious. With a price range from $18 to $78, these cosmetics aren't exactly affordable. Considering the prices, these makeup items are extremely good quality, and in this situation, you get what you're paying for. This line is reviewed very highly and is not all hype. There are many products in this line including nail polish, eyeshadow palettes, blush, lip lacquer, brushes, and foundation. The packaging is a very modern, ovular, and super chic, adding to the expensive feel of the line.
Pictured: Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Shadow in "The Starlet", Genius Super Charged Gel Foundation, Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl- Full, Lash Lifter Gel Volume, Remedy Concealer Pen 
$18-$78 - Sephora

Michael Kors

Image Credit Allure
This beauty line, although much smaller, is just as expensive and high end as the prior. Macy's has been carrying this exclusive line since the middle of this summer. I haven't actually heard much about it, or any reviews, but I'm sure people will come across it while browsing the popular department store. After collaborating with Estée Lauder in the past, Kors decided to branch off and create a small line of its own.
Pictured: Bronze Powder, Nail Lacquer, Lip Lacquer, and Lip Luster
$18-$50 - Macy's


Tory Burch

Image Credit WWD

Very recently, Tory Burch has announced that the launch of her new makeup line is coming soon. Not releasing many pictures, the designer gave people an idea, but they are going to have to keep guessing until a later date.... September 26 to be exact. Burch is keeping her classy approach with gold packaging, but adding orange and a modern geometric design. Along with the makeup, a new fragrance and bath and body line are coming along. Her line is very family oriented, being inspired by both of her parents. The fragrance will be exclusive to places such as Bloomingdale's, Holt Renfrew, Tory Burch stores, and of course on her website. 

Coming September 26 - Tory Burch