A 42 Day Spending Ban!

Thanks to my friend Courtney, an RL friend who also runs the tumblr blog lifeaftertheib, she made me enact a spending ban. For those of you who may or may not know, my Project 10 Pan did not go as well as hoped... I have purchased so many products since enacting it (on the bright side though, I have hit pan on all but those three products)!

So, you may wonder, what would this spending ban entail? I am not allowed to buy anything for myself for the next 42 days. Why 42 days you may ask? Cause Courtney as a thing for Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (and I unfortunately do not get this reference because I haven't read the book). This will include makeup, clothes, skincare, and hair care. As such, the spending ban will go until March 6, 2014. It's not a long spending ban, but I am hoping that it will be an effective one. Adding clothes into the mixture makes it harder for me, so it will be a challenge.

I only have two exceptions to this spending ban. The first one is any presents for friends and family are not included in this. The second exception is that the any spending for the future makeup swap with Vanessa over at Citronandguavaberry doesn't count (and it's starting to look like a crazy amount!)

Have your spending bans been successful? Let me know in the comment section below!

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An Impulse Buy Haul!

Hey guys! I hope you guys are had a great Martin Luther King day (I spent mine volunteering at Feeding America Foodbank)! Today I have an impulse haul to share with you today. I went to the Dollar Tree and the Mac Counter and picked up a little bit here and there, none of which I anticipated on picking up! I'm hoping to get some good use out of it and hopefully I won't regret making these purchases!

Elf Essentials Brightening Eye Color in Butternut
This tiny quad was only a buck, and while I didn't necessarily need the eye shadows to add into my collection I figured it would be nice to test and see how the application and pigmentation goes. I attempted to make a video using this, but that failed rather epicly so I think it'll be a review instead!

Elf Essentials Lengthening and Defining Mascara in Black
I've been in need of newer mascaras for awhile now, the ones I have currently are a bit on the older side of things, so I had to give this one a try once I saw this at the dollar tree!

Mac Lip Pencil in Vino
I was so talked into buying this once I saw how beautiful this looked with Viva Glam I.This will be my first Mac Lip Pencil purchase, and I have high hopes for it! I haven't had much luck with the Jordana ones, I never saw a difference in my lip product being prolonged. Hopefully this works out!

Mac Matte Lipstick in Viva Glam I
So the search for a perfect red lipstick never ends, in my opinion. This is the one that I liked the most when swatching at the Mac counter. Fingers crossed this will end the hunt for the perfect red lip stick!

Mac Pro Longwear Concealer in NC25
Boy have I been hounded by my friends to get this stuff. I may have not thought this out thoroughly, but I've heard amazing things about this concealer so I knew I had to try! Plus, with my other concealers slowly hitting pan and being used up, I thought this would be the perfect addition to my collection!

Rimmel Eyeshadow Quad in Sweet Smolder
What really attracted me to this eye shadow quad was the bright pink. I found this over at the Dollar Tree and I was intrigued to see how powerful the pink was (it was also a bonus that I got a silver and a charcoal gray because I don't have many of those)!


What products have you purchased lately? After this haul I personally think I might end up going on a spending ban!

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Get Ready With Me: Dramatic Winged Liner & Muted Red Lips

Hey guys! So today I will be showing you how I created the look! It's definitely a lot more dramatic eyeliner than what I normally wear, (which was actually done by accident and was accidentally cut from the camera) with a muted red lip (Revlon JBKBS in Smitten could be easily built up to be extremely pigmented though!) The camera was cooperating more, but for some reason the camera decided to focus on the chair rather than my face! I decided to put this one up anyways, just in case it was useful to anyone...but needless to say I think I've gotten to know my camera enough to where this won't happen again (yay for taking a photography class and learning the ins and outs of your camera!) Hope you guys enjoy the video!

Products Used:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel
Benefit Watts Up Highlighter
CoverFX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment
DiorShow Waterproof Mascara in Black
Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond
Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil in Black Point
Jordana FabuBrow Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe
Lancome Blush Subtil in Amour Rose
Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation in Buff 6W
Maybelline Baby Lips in Peppermint
Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer in Radiant
Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent
Urban Decay Deslick Setting Spray
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (Busted, Foxy, Tease, YDK)

 

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Review: Studio Gear CC Cream in Natural SPF 20

Claims: Micro encapsulated pigments deliver a fresh dose of color that adapts to your own skin tone creating the most natural looking coverage. This lightweight, oil free cream is infused with Hydra-Extend technology that provides up to 72 hours of continuous hydration. Skin nourishing and brightening ingredients help to correct and maintain a youthful complexion.

Helps to brighten skin. Creates a truly flawless invisible finish without buildup. Lightweight formula nourishes and hydrates skin for up to 72 hours. Helps to smooth skin and even the appearance of imperfect skin for a more youthful appearing complexion. Helps to blur and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Looks fresh for hours. Oil-Free. Paraben free preservative system.
Price: $34
Shades: 3 (Linen, Natural, and Wheat)
Size: Full size (1.1 fl oz/ 33 mL)
Where to Buy: Studiogear.com, Ulta

Hey guys! So today I will be doing a review of the the Studio Gear CC Cream SPF 20. I received this deluxe sample (containing .5 oz/14.2 g) from Brandbacker, a website that gives to free samples in exchange for reviews! I did not receive any compensation for this review and as always, my review is formed by my honest opinion. The main purpose of a CC cream is that it would for color correcting, so let's see if this product cancels out the redness in my skin!

The CC Cream is dispensed by a tube, which ensures that the product remains hygenic throughout the course of its lifetime. I am a fan of this packaging, because it is easy to use and pretty much travel proof, you do not have to worry about the product spilling and getting all over the place.

When the product is first dispensed out, it has a grayish, purply color. However, when the product is rubbed and blended out on the skin, it "adjusts" to the color you see in the second picture. The shade they gave me is pretty close to my natural color, as you can see in the picture above.

(don't you love these glamourous pictures I take for you guys? Oh what I do for my readers and viewers!)

As you guys can see, this product can give me up to full coverage (using about a nickel size amount). I still need to use some concealer on my hyper pigmentation and the redness underneath my nose. For those of you with flawless complexions, this may be a good alternative for you because it does offer light coverage (when using a dime size amount), and it is quite easily buildable. This product cancels out the majority of discoloration from my face, which allows me to use less concealer. I tend to use this product with my hands and it blends easily.

This product lasts me for about five hours without any setting powder (in the cold climate). By the eighth hour without setting powder, the redness in my face starts to show through. With setting powder, the CC cream has lasted me for 12 hours. For me, I know that this product is more ideal towards the winter months because it is hydrating. However, I do not anticipate me using this product past March because of how humid the weather can get in Florida. When it is the 80s, this product broke down on me within 4 hours with setting powder. As such, I recommend this product for those of you with oily skin, this product is best suited for normal to dry skin.

My final verdict on this is mixed. While I do like this product for the winter, I know that I won't get much use out of it because I live in Florida and the climate isn't compatible with the makeup (it isn't called the sunshine state without a reason!). I can honestly see this product sitting in my drawers for a good couple of years before I realize it exists and decide to use it. As such, I won't be repurchasing when I'm finished with this.

For those of you who are interested in purchasing the product, I was given a 10% coupon code for my readers (this code can be used on any Studio Gear product). Just enter SGCC in the checkout in the StudioGear website. The code does not expire, and is not an affiliate code (I do not get any money if you decide to buy from Studio Gear).

What do you guys think? Have you tried this product and had success? Let me know in the comment section below!

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FOTD: Featuring Mac Eyeshadows in Humid and Saddle

Hey guys! Today I will be showing you the makeup look I did for work the other day! It's a pretty simple look, and I got a couple of compliments on it, so I decided to do a post on it! This is a more out of the box look for me, I normally don't use green eyeshadow but I have to say, I think I really like how this came together!

Products Used:

Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer in Light

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in Medium Beige - Review

Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil in Black Point
Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond - Review

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara in Black
Jordana FabuBrow Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe

Jordana Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Honey Love

Mac Eyeshadows in Humid and Saddle

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Tarte 24Hr Amazonian Clay Blush in Stellar

Wet n Wild Coloricon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana

Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Product Application:

1) I applied CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in Medium Beige all over my face with my hands. I then applied the CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer in Light on my underye circles. 

2) Used Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond as an eyeshadow base. I then applied Mac Eyeshadow in Humid on the inner two thirds of my eyes. I then used Mac Eyeshadow in Saddle in my crease and blended it thoroughly. I then used Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Eyeliner in Black on my upper lash line and Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner in Black Point on my tightline and waterline. Then, I applied my Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara in Black on my lashes and Jordana FabuBrow Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe. 

3) I highlighted my cheekbones and my brow bone using Wet n Wild Coloricon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana and applied Tarte 24Hr Amazonian Clay Blush in Stellar. Lastly, I set my makeup using Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent.

What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below!

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November and December Empties!

Hello everyone! Today I am showcasing the products I've used up for November and December. Not as much products as last time around, but it is still a sizeable portion. For 2014, I will be doing my Empties related video/post every 3 months, so you can expect to see these 4 times a year. The main reason for that is beauty products do take awhile to use up, and sometimes two months I won't use up a lot of products to show my viewers! As such, I will be doing the videos in that manner. I hope you guys enjoy the video!

Products Mentioned:
Almay Makeup Remover
Bath and Body Works Island Margarita Hand Sanitizer
Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris for Combination/Oily Skin
Complete Multi-Purpose Contact Solution
Lancome Hypnose Drama
Mac Lipstick in Brave
Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss
Olay Reginerist Anti-Aging Cleansing Cloths
Preferred Nail Polish Remover
Sephora Eyeshadow Primer (discontinued)
Stila Lip Glaze in Grape Fruit and Kaleidoscope
Studio 35 Beauty Nourishing Nail Polish Remover
St. Ives' Apricot Scrub for Sensitive Skin
Tree Hut Body Scrub in Tropical Mango

What products have you guys used up? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Review: Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

Claims: Poreless Smooth Skin Perfection! One second to smooth, poreless skin. Get mistake- proof, poreless smooth skin with Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer. Why you'll love Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer: Poreless smooth skin perfection, One one second to smooth poreless skin, Visibly pore blurring smooth skin
Price: $5-10
Size: 20 mL/.67 fl oz
Where to Find: Drugstores

Hey guys! Every since I've purchased this product, I've gotten a lot of requests to do a review of this product! After two and a half weeks of trying this product, I have finally figured out what I think about it!

The packaging of this product is very adorable! I love how light and compact this feels! I love the light blue color and the cuteness of the font! The product is dispensed by squeezing, so the product will always be clean and sanitary whenever I use it. However, with the squeeze tube, I have to be careful with how much I squeeze cause there have been times when I've gotten too much product.

The product itself has a gel like consistency. It blends very well into my skin! I don't detect an odor that is completely unappealing, but it does have a slight scent to it. I am currently using this product like a primer, before my foundation application but after my moisturizer!

My initial impression of this product is not a good one, I initially thought this product was useless and didn't work. Turns out, I was wrong. The way to get the maximum application out of this product is by pushing it into your skin-- simply rubbing this into your skin will not suffice. If used properly, you can get the majority of your pores filled in and making your foundation application a lot smoother. I personally use it mainly on my cheeks and on my nose. I initially was rubbing this into my skin and it did not work to the same degree as pushing the product into my skin.

While I do enjoy this product as a "pore eraser", I do have a couple of drawbacks to mention. There is no oil controlling properties of this product (luckily for me, Florida's weather has been so erratic that I was able to test both sides of the extreme). As a girl with oily skin, having a primer that does have oil controlling properties would be beneficial, but I find that a setting powder or setting spray would suffice. This product will not prolong the longevity of your foundation, so a setting powder and/or spray is essential. As such, this product is probably best suited (if you aren't inclined to using a setting powder and/or spray) for those with Normal skin and if you don't live in a particularly hot and humid climate.

My final verdict? I recommend this product to my viewers! I wish I have tried other pore erasing primers so I could compare with you guys, but unfortunately this is the first one I have used! (UPDATE: I did a review of the Benefit Porefessional here, and I have to say I like it better than this). I have used this pore eraser in a Get Ready With Me Video here as well as a Holiday Makeup look Gold Eyes and Bold Red Lip and Duo Chrome Eye and Pink Lips.

What do you guys think? Will you guys pick it up anytime soon? Let me know in the comment section below. I hope you guys are staying safe with the crazy weather that's been going around D:

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My Makeup Collection!

Hello everyone! So awhile back, the Small Beauty Blogger Facebook Page had a topic where we wanted to share our makeup collections! Eventually, I knew I would do this post but I was waiting until my makeup collection was stored prettily. However, I decided to just bite the bullet and post this!

So before pictures will be viewed, I will do a disclaimer. I don't have the biggest collection in the world, but I know what I have isn't really reasonable either. I do use the majority of my collection on a regular basis...I'm saying like 70% of it? However, there aren't that many products I want to get rid of... maybe 10ish in total? Which honestly isn't that much. I am not bragging nor showing off my collection, the only reason why I post this is because I've had a good amount of questions from viewers to when I will be doing this post! And this collection is even more reasonable cause these products are constantly being used and shared by my sister and my mom.

So yea! I hope you guys enjoy viewing what I have in here. Let me know if there are any products here that you want me to do a review on and I will gladly add to the review check list to do!

These drawers I got from Wal-Mart, and the cup holders were from Target. The baskets you see me using are from Staples! I know, its probably an ugly storage method, but it works and I'd rather spend money buying makeup then buying storage components! My majority of my makeup takes up the first four drawers of the first picture and the first drawer in the second picture. 

Pink cup stores drugstore eye products, green and blue cup stores high end eye products. As you can see, I have lots of eyeliners and jumbo eyeshadow pencils, and very few mascaras. I'm also missing my Jordana Best Lash Extreme Voluminous Mascara (which is currently in my purse) and L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara (which is unfortunately MIA). I need more mascaras in my life for sure, a girl can never have too many options!

My liquid face stuff! Here I have my variety of moisturizers/sunscreens that I am currently using, setting sprays, liquid foundations, and the odd mineral foundation that doesn't fit nicely in my cabinet.

 

My lip drawer! It is supposed to be divided into lip liner and glosses (in the left), and lipsticks (in the right)....but as you can see its a bit of a mess! Favorites include (but aren't limited too): Jordana Easy Liner in Tawny, Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Peony, Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Celestial, Mac Satin Lipstick in Brave, Maybelline Baby Lips (Cherry Me is currently MIA), Lancome Cream Lipstick in Love It,and Jordana Twist and Shine Balm Stain in Cranberry Crush.

Welcome to the high end eye products that are in pot form! Highlights include my: Lancome eyeshadow palettes (I now have 4, all purchased at the outlets!), Inglot eyeshadows, Urban Decay Naked 2, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo, Inglot Pigments, Mac Eyeshadows!

Say hello to my drugstore eye products! Highlights here include the huge amount of Wet n Wild eyeshadows I own, some Elf Baked Eyeshadows, and Physician Formula Shimmer Strips.

My face products that don't add color to my face! All my primers, concealers, highlighters, and powders are in this drawer. The products not pictured here is my Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup in 116 (which is currently in my purse) and Lancome Dual Finish Powder in Matte Nu II (which is currently being used by my sister). I love the majority of the products in here! So if I were to tell highlights, I'd only leave out like 4? Anyone want to guess which aren't favs in here?

Last makeup drawer! Here I have blushes and bronzers (and the odd Urban Decay Anarachy Face Case that is now on sale and is going to be given to my sister for her 19th birthday!) Everything in here is a favorite (and yes, I'm ignoring Laguna and Orgasm here from the Nars Guy Bourdin One Night Stand Palette).

Welcome to my brushes! I mainly have Elf Studio and Essential brushes and Real Techniques here. I'm quite content with my face brushes (at least I am for now) but I need to expand more on eye brushes, particularly blending brushes. I can't seem to make the splurge on Sigma and Mac brushes... anyone have good, relatively decent priced suggestions? I've survived so far with my fingers, sponge tipped applicators, and the odd brush here and there.



What products do we have in common in our collection? Let me know in the comment section below! Also, if you've either done a post or video about your collection link it to me! I'd love to see it!

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Get Ready With Me: Rose Gold Eyes featuring Inglot 353, 07, 09, 12

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5 Blogging Goals for 2014!

Happy new year everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years!



1) Connecting with more bloggers!
I would love to connect with more bloggers in 2014. I love meeting new people and so it would be great connecting with other bloggers! Had a blast with everyone who I've talked to this year and I can't wait to meet more of you!

2) Getting a posting schedule down...and sticking to it!
This one has been difficult for me this past year...mainly because school keeps getting crazy and I'm not writing in advance. I'm hoping to guarantee three posts a week, and them being a day apart from one another and at least one Youtube video a week! We'll see how this works out!

3) Staying up to date on the latest product/beauty trends!
I've been pretty decent about this, but not the best. For a newer blogger, I will have to say this is extremely difficult especially since my funds aren't stellar (college student here)! Hopefully though, I will be able to give more insight on the latest products and trends more in the Beauty World!

4) Creating more quality blog posts!
If you see my posts from June to now, you can see that there has been a huge difference in quality of pictures and writing! I hope that this trend will continue and that I will be able to create more quality posts for you guys!

5) Having more variety with my blog
I want to try to incorporate other things into my blog beside makeup and beauty. Maybe a resurgence of Fantastic Fridays so I can keep in touch with my readers? Or maybe book reviews and food reviews since I eat and read a lot :B


What are your blogging goals for 2014? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Makeup Favorites for 2013

Hey guys! I hope you had a wonderful New Years celebration, where ever you are in the world! Today I posted a video on my Youtube channel detailing what products were my favorite for 2013! I hope you guys enjoy this video! I haven't decided whether or not to do a separate blog post for my favorite haircare or skincare yet, but if there will be one then it will be up by the end of next week at the latest!

Products Mentioned:

CoverGirl OutLast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in Medium Beige - Review

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant

Tarte Blush in Stellar

Nars Guy Bourdin One Night Stand Cheek Palette - Review

Elf Studio High Definition Powder in Sheer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo - Review

Wet n Wild Fergie Take the Day Eyeshadow Primer - Review

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara

Wet n Wild MegaLast Eyeliner in Black

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner in Black

Nyx Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk

Jordana 12 Hr Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond - Review

Wet n Wild ColorIcon Trio in Silent Treatment

Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Celestial - Review

Mac Satin Lipstick in Brave

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

Jordana Twist and Shine Lip Balm in Cranberry Crush

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