“What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful.”-Scott Westerfeld

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Collective Haul- ULTA, H&M, Ross and Sally's Beauty

Collective Haul! It's been a while since my last haul post and I wanted to share some recent purchases I've made. These are a few items I bought here and there over the last couple of days:


From Ross Dress For Less- My fiancé and I originally went to by a mattress pad, which we did indeed find and purchase, but while we were in search for said pad I stumbled upon this yoga mat and I couldn't resist!
I'm so glad I found this mat, after all I did need a new one! This one happens to be super thick and was only $6.99. :)

From ULTA- It was that time of the year to redeem my reward points, I happened to have 4 points and a 20% off one item coupon, so I made a little trip to my local Ulta store and ended up with a few extra things:

I'll start with my reward item, I ended up with the Olivia Garden 2" Ceramic + Ion Tourmaline Brush. I'm actually really excited about this brush because I needed a new round brush for blow-drying my hair :). This brush retails for $18.95; I just love free stuff, I mean who doesn't!
Then I needed a new L'OREAL Hydrafresh Toner. This is probably one of my favorite skin items. Its 99% alcohol free and leaves my skin feeling refreshed. I use this once in the morning and evening after washing my face and before moisturizing. I definitely recommend this toner. I also needed a new eos lip balm in my favorite flavor-Lemon Drop. On my way out I noticed that NYX was buy 1 get 1 50% off so I ended up with an Eyeshadow Shaper and HD Photogenic Concealer in Light. I love concealer so I hope I end up liking this one!

From Sally Beauty Supply- This is another situation where I originally went for one thing and ended leaving with a few more things.

I needed nail polish remover and ended up purchasing one from Beauty Secrets. I really like this line of nail polish removers, I was running low on the Non Acetone and the Pure Acetone is really harsh on my skin so I usually only use it when removing glitter. Today I purchased the Acetone version (my main incentive being it was on sale) I got a 16FL. OZ. bottle for only $2.79! While there I noticed that they had a deal(ends 5/31 unfortunately) that if you purchased two Ardell Lashes get one China Glaze nail polish for free! I definitely couldn't resist that. I needed new false eyelashes and ended up picking these two:
I don't usually wear false lashes, but when I do I like them to be as natural as possible and out of the selection I had to choose from I ended up with the 101 Demi and 110s. As for the free nail polish I ended up with this really pretty coral shade:
China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Coral Star. I'm really looking forward to painting my nails with this polish! I also found some inexpensive makeup sponges that I'll end up using for my nails!

From H&M- These are probably my favorite purchases from this haul! I had two 35% off one item coupons and I couldn't help treating myself! (keep in mind that the coupons are only valid one item per customer per transaction so I went back two days in a row to use the coupons) The first trip I found this gorgeous dress:
I absolutely adore this turquoise patterned, sleeveless, Hi-Low dress. It retails for $34.95 and I got it for $22.72!
Finally I purchased this adorable skirt:
Love this coral, laced skirt with gold zipper detailing. Comfortable and extremely flattering! It retails for $29.95 and I got it for $21.05


Overall I'm really happy with the items I purchased. Hopefully this entry is helpful to those looking/shopping around for similar items :)


Monday, May 28, 2012

Current Nail Polish

What's on my nails





On the left hand (alternating top colors on middle fingers only): AVON Nailwear Pro in Venus underneath with REVLON Nail Enamel in Make Mine Mango on top!
On the right hand: AVON Nailwear Pro in Venus underneath with REVLON Nail Enamel in Electric Pink on top!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Makeup of the Day!

Happy Friday! What's on my face today?


Products used (Face): 1. I applied a small amount of Garnier Skin Renew B.B. Cream in Light/Medium all over face.
2. Then with a MAC 190 foundation brush, I applied ULTA Double Duty Primer & Foundation in Light Ivory.
3. With a Real Techniques Crease Brush I concealed any blemishes with Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette Hidden Agenda-07 (my favorite concealer of the moment).
4. Then using an e.l.f. flat top Powder Brush, I set the foundation and concealer with NYX stay matte but not flat Powder Foundation in Nude.

For the eyes I used four eyeshadows from the Mediation Retreat palette from the Sephora Collection Color Diary:


Products used (Eyes): 1. As usual I fill in my eyebrows with the Coastal Scents Brow Tones palette.
2. Prime the eyelids up to the brow and underneath the lower lash line with a small amount of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin.
3. Using a Real Technique shadow brush I swept the gold shimmer shade (2nd row, right) all over the lid.
4. For the crease I used a blending brush and swept the bronze-brown shimmer shadow (2nd row, left) in a 'windshield wiper' motion, blending the color out toward the brow leaving the highlight area clean. Blend, blend, blend.
5. Using a shadow brush take the copper shimmer shadow (1st row, right) and pack the color on the outer half of the lid on top of the first shadow. Blend lightly.
6. With a clean blending brush, apply a small amount of Prestige skin loving minerals sunbaked mineral bronzing powder in Pure Shimmer-03 in the highlight area under the brow and in the tear duct.
7. Then with a small angled eyeshadow brush take the green shimmer (1st row, left) and line underneath the lower lash line stopping just before the tear duct shade.
8. I then lined the water line with ULTA Automatic Eye Liner in Bronze, winging slightly at the outer corner of the eye.
9. Curl eyelashes and apply a generous amount of black mascara, I used Maybelline Define-A-Lash mascara in Very Black.



Products used (Cheeks): 1. With a BH cosmetics Duo Fiber brush I applied Hoola by Benefit across the cheeks, temples and a little down the nose.
2. Then with a Real Technique Blush brush I applied the really pretty orange blush from the Mediation Retreat palette.

Products used (Lips): 1. For the lips I used the Sephora lip gloss also from the previous palette (Gold Shimmer).


Here's to a beautiful weekend :)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Makeup of the Day!

What's on my face today?


Products used (Face): 1. Using a Real Technique Stippling Brush I applied Revlon Colorstay Normal/Dry Skin in 150 Buff.
2. Covered any blemishes and redness with Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette Hidden Agenda-07
3. Set foundation and concealer with NYX stay matte but not flat powder foundation in Nude-02

For the eyes I used three eyeshadows from the Must Get New Shoes palette from the Sephora Collection Color Diary:

Products used (Eyes): 1. With a small angled brush, I filled in my eyebrows using the Coastal Scents Brow Tones palette.
2. Prime the eyes evenly with a small amount of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in orignial.
3. With a flat shader brush take the top right shadow (burgundy shimmer) and apply across the entire lid.
4. Using a blending brush take the top left shadow (warm brown-purple) and sweep across the crease in a 'windshield wiper' motion, blending the shadow towards the brow. Clean the brush and blend out any harsh edges.
5. Using a small angled eyeshadow brush, take the right shadow from the middle row (blue-purple) and apply a thin underneath the lower lash line, leaving the tear duct area clean.
6. Line lower water line with NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in yogurt.
7. With a clean blending brush, apply NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in yogurt to highlight the brow and tear duct area.
8. Thinly line the upper lash line with ULTA Automatic Eye Liner in Chocolate, wing at the corner.
9. Curl eyelashes and apply a Deep Brown mascara, I used Bad Gal Brown by Benefit.


Products used (Cheeks): 1. Apply Hoola Benefit Bronzer across cheekbones.
2. Take the blush from the same Sephora palette and apply to the apples of the cheeks.

Products used (Lips): 1. Apply a coat of the lipgloss also from the previous palette (hot pink).






I really love the Sephora Collection Color Diary and highly recommend it to any makeup lover!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Makeup of the Day!

What's on my face today?


Products Used (Face):
1. I applied Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance all over the face (avoiding eyes).
2. Using a Real Techniques Stippling Brush I applied MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW15.
3. Then with the Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette Hidden Agena-07 I covered all blemishes and redness around the nose.

Next I move on to the eyes! I'll be using three eyeshadows and a bronzing powder for the highlight:



Products Used (Eyes):
1. I usually always start my eye makeup by filling in my brows. As usual I am using the Coastal Scents Brow Tones palette and a small angled eyeshadow brush.
2. First things first, primer! Using a small amount of the Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer (not pictured) apply evenly across the lid, up to the brow and below the lower lash line.
3. Apply Covergirl Eye Enhancer in Champagne (shimmer pale gold) across the lid and inner tear duct area.
4. For the crease, I used the shadow Buck (matte warm brown) from the Urban Decay Naked Palette with a MAC 217 blending brush sweeping in a 'windshield wiper' motion. Blend the outer corners and lightly upwards towards the brow area.
5. With a clean blending brush, gently apply a small amount of Prestige Skin Loving Minerals Sunbaked Bronzing Powder in Pure Shimmer to highlight underneath the brow.
6. Underneath the lower lash line, apply a thick line of Smog (shimmer bronze) also from the Urban Decay Naked Palette, leaving Pure Shimmer showing in the tear duct.
7. Line the upper and lower water line with ULTA Kohl Eye Liner in Deep Brown.
8. With an angled liner brush apply a thin line of Maybelline EyeStudio gel liner in Blackest Black 'winging' at the outer corner of the eye towards the brow.
9. Curl eyelashes and apply a generous amount of black mascara, I used L'oreal Waterproof Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara.
10. Finally conceal any fall-out underneath the eyes, I used Almay Line Smoothing concealer in Light.


Products Used (Cheeks):

1. I contour my cheeks with NARS Laguna
2. On the apples of my cheeks I used a peach blush from the Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette


3. For the highlight (tops of my cheeks) I applied Prestige Skin Loving Minerals Sunbaked Mineral Bronzing Powder in Pure Shimmer (03)
4. To set my face makeup, I use e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Powder in clear.
Products Used (Lips):

1. Lightly line and fill in lips with L'oreal Colour Riche Lip Liner in Au Natural.
2. Apply an even coat of ULTA Lipstick in Baby Doll Pink(234)[Sheer baby pink].
3. Finally, apply a small amount of lip gloss (optional) I used Smashbox lip gloss in Luster (Sheer shimmer).



Current Nail Polish





I am wearing AVON Nailwear Pro in Luxe Lavender(N238) with REVLON Nail Enamel in Stunning(340) <3 This color combo!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Current Nail Polish





I am wearing China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Lemon Fizz with Martha Stewart fine glitter in Green Agate on the ring fingers

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Makeup of the Day/ e.l.f mineral eyeshadows

What's on my face today?




Products used (Face): Garnier Skin Renew B.B. Cream in Light/Medium
e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation in Porcelain
Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette hidden agenda-07
NYX stay matte but not flat powder foundation in Nude




(Cheeks): Hoola by Benefit Cosmetics- bronzer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Redhead as blush/highlight





For the eyes I used these e.l.f. Mineral eyeshadows

(Eyes): 1. Prime the entire eyelid with the e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer in Sheer
2. Using the e.l.f. All-over Eyeshadow Brush apply Elegant (champagne, shimmer) on the inner half of the eyelid, concentrating most of the color in the inner 1/4 of the lid
3. Using the same brush, apply Dreamy (really pretty blue, shimmer) on 3/4 of the eyelid carefully avoiding the inner 1/4 of the lid (so Elegant remains seen mainly in the tear duct area)
4. Then using e.l.f. Blending Eye Brush, blend out any harsh lines. With the Blending Brush, pick up a small amount of Enchanting (taupe-brown, matte) and sweep above Dreamy avoiding the highlight area underneath the brow. So this shadow becomes the transition shade between Dreamy and the highlight
5. Then with a clean blending brush sweep Innocent (ivory, matte) underneath the brow as the highlight.
6. With the e.l.f. Smudge Brush take Confident (bronze, shimmer) underneath the lower lash line, making a 'wing' on the outer lower lash line towards the brow
7. Apply Elegant to the lower inner lash line/ tear duct area
8. Line lower waterline with NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk
9. Curl lashes and apply ULTA Voluptuous Volume Mascara in Jet Black
10. Finally fill in brows with the Coastal Scents Brow Tones palette

(Lips): NYX Matte Lipstick in Nude
MAC Lusterglass in Flusterose



"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."- Confucius