September 2013 Favorites

l'oreal evercreme shampoo & conditioner // l'oreal telescopic mascara // katy perry 'meow' perfume // brazil nut body scrub // e.l.f. face primer // wet n wild coloricon trio in 'silent treatment'

L'oreal Evercreme Intense Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner

THIS STUFF! I'd used the Everpure range for about a year & I really liked it but wished it provided more moisture for my curly & color treated hair (the driest combo--oops) so I picked these up at the beginning of the month & have been loving them! They smell rather sweet- sort of a caramel scent so if that's not you cup of tea, definitely smell them before purchasing. I like the shampoo because it makes my hair feel soft but really clean & the conditioner is super thick and creamy and makes my hair so so soft and manageable. The range is made without sulfates and harsh salts so it's good for your hair & prevents product build up. Plus it's affordable! Often time if you time it right you can get BOGO 50% off at CVS or Walgreens. And they put coupons in the newspaper fairly regularly.Definitely try these out if you have the chance!

L'oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black

I was couponing at CVS & bought this on a whim because I had a CVS coupon for Loreal & a manufacturers coupon so I got this essentially for free. I normally go for a very different kind of wand-- I like my mascara wands big and bristly and my mascara formulas on the drier side. This is neither of those things, the formula is rather wet and the wand is thing with little teeth that catch each eyelash. It doesn't do much for volume really (which I need) but wowza does it make your eyelashes look long and flared out. It's not clumpy and you really only need a coat or two for the desired effect. I recommend this for girls with lots of lashes that want more length. I probably won't repurchase it since I want more volume, but I've enjoyed using it and I think it's a really nice mascara.

Katy Perry 'meow' Perfume

Normally I'm not one for celebrity scents but I really liked the smell of this so when I saw it on sale in TJMaxx I snatched it up. I didn't get the full size since I wasn't sure if I would wear it much...BUT I wore it most of September & can see myself wearing it again next spring so it was a good buy. Now, this is a very sugary perfume; it reminds me of cotton candy & a bit of coconut. I really like it but if you're not one for sweet scents, it might put you off especially since it can come across as a scent for younger girls-- but I like it since it's quite different from most of the other perfumes I own. Sometimes you just wanna smell like cotton candy, man.

The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Scrub

I'm a huge fan of the brazil nut body butter from The Body Shop but after trying the body scrub from the shea butter range, I realized I'd never tried the brazil nut body scrub. What a travesty, am I right? Well, now I'm obsessed. The shea body scrub made my skin feel great and exfoliated and soft but a little greasy (which I personally can't stand) so I was hoping that the brazil nut version would be a little less greasy & I was right! My skin feels smooth and soft and exfoliated without feeling like I'm all greased up. And it smells great! It's got a subtle warm nut scent with a bit of sweetness that makes it so pleasant to catch a whiff of. I love the way the whole brazil nut line smells though so I guess I'm biased? I'm super excited to use this as the weather gets cold and dry because I always need a little extra moisture & this makes shaving my legs a breeze!

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer

I've bought and tried lots of different face primers in my time & this is by far the most affordable. It's also really similar to all of the ones I've previously used. It smoothed over my skin & made my makeup go on smoother and blend better--only difference is it cost $6 as opposed to $30 or $40. It comes out as a clear gel & has a pump which is MUCH preferred to a pot you have to stick your finger or a spatula into. I've only been using it a few weeks but so far I haven't had any acne flare-ups from it or anything so I'm giving it my seal of approval. If you're looking for a budget friendly primer--definitely check this one out!

wet n wild Coloricon trio in 'Silent Treatment'

I don't really wear much eyeshadow but when I saw this in my local CVS I knew I needed it. I mostly wanted it for the greyish-purple lilac color at the bottom of the trio. I've worn it out a few times and I feel like it's a great way to add some color into my routine without going overboard or overwhelming myself. I normally wear very neutral eyeshadow if any so wearing anything this purple is way out of my comfort zone. I think it looks really really pretty with my grey-blue eyes but I'm sure it would look pretty on anyone. wet n wild eyeshadows are always super buttery and pigmented, the only issue I have with them is they tend to have a bit of fall-out but for 2.99 I can't really complain.
 

Sorry I've been pretty much MIA on my blog this summer. My interest in makeup really waned when Ryan moved out. I just got into a slump where I was just wearing the bare minimum and stopped purchasing makeup because I was sort of depressed and didn't really enjoy talking about it or wearing it or anything. I was more focused on trying to make sure I ate and slept enough and made it to work on time. I'm feeling much better as I've started a new medicine and Ryan is living with me again so things should slowly get back to normal. I've already taken a bunch of photos and started writing posts so expect new content soon!

-Becca

April 2013 Favorites

Well, it's May & my birthday is approximately 8 days away (the ninth). The thought of turning 25 is terrifying and sort of depressing. I felt the same way about turning 20 and it turned out ok in the end. I have work the day of so I'll be pretty well distracted & the weekend afterwards I'm planning on making ice cream & having a girls night.

Enough about my fear of aging, let's get on to my favorites for the month!

MAKEUP

top row (left to right) : nars 'douceur' blush // revlon 'peach parfait' lip butter // mac 'pure zen' lipstick // body shop 'mango' lip butter
bottom row (left to right): body shop 'coconut' body butter // hard candy 'tiki' so baked bronzer // nars sheer glow foundation 'mont blanc'

NARS 'DOUCEUR' BLUSH
As much as I normally like a little color in my cheeks, I've been favoring this blush above all others because the weather has been so unpredictable this spring. It's 84 one day and then drops into the 30's for three days. It's not winter, it's not spring. So instead of wearing corals and sweet pinks like it's spring or my berry and rose hues like it's winter, I've been opting for good old 'Douceur'. Read more about it in my review of it here.

REVLON 'PEACH PARFAIT' LIP BUTTER
I received a sample of this color in some Target beauty sample bag I got last year and I instantly fell in love with the sheer shimmery peach shade. Normally I'm not one for any sort of ~*sparkle*~ on my lips but since purchasing this shade I've really changed my tune about them. Wear -time is pretty standard. Since it's moisturizing and a little more sheer, you have to re-apply fairly often but you don't need a mirror or anything to apply it. It's just easy and pretty and if you want a better review of the Revlon Lip Butters, I recommend looking on youtube or googling it because these are fairly commonly reviewed. Bloggers freaked out about these when they first came out.

MAC 'PURE ZEN' LIPSTICK
I've been wearing this lipstick a lot when I'm not wearing 'Peach Parfait'. This is my lipstick I wear if I'm wearing a loud outfit or a lot of white. It's simple and when I first bought it I really didn't think I was going to get ANY use out of it. Nude lipsticks are not something I typically gravitate towards. But I bought because I thought it would be a bit darker & it was the only shade from the MAC Marilyn collection that looked like something I could wear. I don't wear red shades & that was predominantly what the collection was since it was Marilyn Monroe themed. But this shade is actually just the right amount of paleness and peach and pigment that when swiped over my fairly pigmented lips, it just tones them down and gives them a pale peach sheen. I really recommend this nude lipstick for anyone who's scared to try a nude lip. If I can do it, you can. Pinky swear.

THE BODY SHOP 'MANGO' LIP BUTTER
THIS. Ahh this smells so good. It smells like an orange dreamsicle. The only other thing I've bought that smelled this good was Bed Head's Self Absorbed Conditioner. I could smell that stuff all day. Anyways, this is the lip balm I have on my nightstand to use before I go to bed. I like that it doesn't have a taste so it doesn't mix with the taste of your toothpaste after just brushing your teeth. It's not the most moisturizing thing I've ever used but I like it pretty well and I added it to my basket to reach a certain price to use a voucher online. I've just been using it a lot and it smells AMAZING.

THE BODY SHOP 'COCONUT' BODY BUTTER
I never thought I would ever ever EVER use anything coconut scented but this honestly doesn't even really smell that coconut-y to me. Maybe it smells like sugary toasted coconut. I don't know. All I know is it smells good and it has the same intense hydrating & softening properties as my beloved Brazil Nut Body Butter. Both are made by The Body Shop so I guess I shouldn't be surprised-- but now that the Brazil Nut scent has been discontinued and the formula will be changed or something (I don't know) at least I have an alternative that I like.

HARD CANDY SO BAKED BRONZER IN 'TIKI'
I recently reviewed this "bronzer" (here), but the short of it is that it's more of a highlighter. And hot-dog, it is pretty. Super subtle sheen & it's supposedly a $9 dupe for Dior's Amber Diamond. I've basically used this everyday I've worn makeup since I bought it. My poor sweet NARS Albatross feels so unloved and looked-over I'm sure.

NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION IN 'MONT BLANC'
I have both a full review (here) & a mini vs review (here) of this marvelous foundation up. I originally thought I would be happier with NARS Sheer Matte foundation since my skin is combination-oily & normally matte foundations just last longer on my skin. But it turns out that Sheer Glow is easier to blend and doesn't come across super 'dewy' like I was worried it would. I just swipe a bit of powder over it and it's a bit more matte. I wear the shade 'Mont Blanc' which is perfect for anyone super pale with pink/cool undertones. This is the closest foundation match to my skin that I've ever come across. I love this foundation. I'm glad I got it during Sephora's Chicweek 15% off deal they had going on. I only paid $35 & I know it'll last me for quite a while!


MISC.

After seeing this cell phone dock on Anthropologie, I decided I needed it since I have a really strong dislike of exposed cords (looks like a hot mess) and it's practical and uhhh it's precious.

But no way in hell am I gonna pay $60 for a book with a cord in it. So I looked on pinterest for a DIY & found this tutorial. I bought my vintage Nancy Drew book on etsy for around $4(here here or here) but you could really use any book you think is pretty or matches your decor. Then I asked my dad if he could lend me his exacto blade (never mind I'm an artist and I probably have one somewhere in my apartment) while I was visiting & he offered to make it for me! Win win I say.

So now I have this awesome phone dock & conversation piece! I'm already trying to decide on a book to use for the next charger for our living room. Hmmm...

-Becca

March 2013 Favorites

Welp, I'm going to start trying to do a monthly favorites since it'll force me to post more often. Plus, favorites posts and videos are by far my favorite things to watch and look at. I've found loads of new stuff I've incorporated into my daily routine simply from watching favorites videos. Hopefully this won't be boring as hell for you to read though.


SKINCARE 
left to right: Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask // GLAMGLOW Super-Mud Clearing Mask // Chloe Mini // Melvita Rose Floral Water

Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask
I bought this after hearing a lot about tea tree oil being good for drying up blemishes. I've never used this all over my face since it's BRIGHT green and it just doesn't seem necessary I guess. I normally just use it as spot treatment. I'll clean my face, spray my toner and apply little bits of this mask to my blemishes making sure to rub it in so it dries a bit, and then I go to sleep with it on. The directions say to just wear it for 15-20 minutes and wash it off but I'm a rebel and I tried that and it did diddly squat for my blemishes so I pretty much just do what I want.


GLAMGLOW Super-Mud Clearing Mask
I have a full review of this coming up soon on my blog so definitely keep an eye out if you've been thinking about purchasing.trying this mud mask. I love it and while it's expensive, it's possible to find it for less if you look hard!


Chloé Eau de Parfum (Deluxe Mini)
I bought this on a whim during Christmas since it was on sale and in the section by the checkout line at Sephora. I have such a love/hate relationship with that section because I always find something I really like and the price doesn't seem unreasonable. It's JUST ten more dollars!! Sigh, I guess I'm just a fool. A fool with a debit card. Anyways, I really like it and it'll be perfect for spring and summer since it's such a light and floral scent. It's just really classy and feminine smelling without having that whole overwhelming "grandma" floral perfume smell.


Melvita Floral Water in Rose (sample size) I received this in a birchbox nearly a year ago and I tried it a few times as something to cool me off during the summer and then it sat unused in my "samples to try" box until this month. I pulled it out again after reading a few reviews mention using it as a toner & setting spray. I wish I had known that a year ago! I/ve started using it as a daily toner for after I wash my face in the morning and after I take off my makeup at night. It's made my face stop over-producing oil at night and I've had fewer breakouts because of it. I'm almost out of my sample and then I'm definitely going to purchase the full size.


MAKEUP 
left to right: NARS 'Albatross'  // CR Beauty Blender // Essie 'Secret Story' // Seche Vite Top-Coat // MAC Veluxe Brow Liner "Strawberry Blonde"

NARS Blush/Highlighter 'Albatross'
I've been favoring this highlighter lately even over my beloved NARS 'Copacabana' which is really saying stuff. It's mostly because it's easier to blend out in a hurry with a brush since it's a powder rather than a liquid. Either way I love it. I'm really glad I bought it.


Cynthia Rowley Beauty Blender
I avoided beauty blenders for the longest time because I figured they were just fancy sponges and nothing could replace my beloved Real Techniques buffing brush. But alas, I was wrong. I picked this up at TJMaxx while out shopping with my mom over Spring Break and I've been using it ever since. I feel like it gives such a nice and natural finish to my Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. It was only 5.99 so I wonder if the more expensive beauty blenders work any better, but I'm happy with what I have so meh.


Essie 'Secret Story' Nail Lacquer
This is SUCH a pretty, spring-y color. I've been watching A LOT of Mindy Project lately and I've been getting more into bright fuchsia and orange and kelly green. Her wardrobe & apartment are so inspirational and beautiful. Also incredibly expensive, but definitely imitatable. This is my way of having the color without having to buy a completely new wardrobe.


Seche Vite Top Coat
So I know this is something most people have used forever but I hesitated buying it for the longest time because I doubted how well it could work. I'm pretty rough on my nails so I just sort of assumed nothing could make my nail polish last more than a few days. I was, once again, so wrong. It makes my naisl so shiny and glossy and my polish (even the cheap one) last close to a week. Often times I change my nail polish BEFORE it chips because I just get bored of the color. Plus, it's only like 7 bucks.


MAC Veluxe Brow Liner in 'Strawberry Blonde'

For the longest time I used exclusively powder to fill in my brows and it worked really well. But the powder I used just didn't match my hair color very well. It looked great when my hair wasn't dyed, but now that my hair is red (and has been for about a year, I was looking to find something a little more closer to my shade. I tried a different brow pencil from MAC before this one and it was too dark and too red and I can only use it the first week or so (with a light hand) after I dye my hair. So when I tried this and it was the perfect lightness and amount of red, I was hooked! It leaves a really natural finish and after I apply a bit of clear brow gel it lasts all day. Plus, it has a spooly brush on the other side. The only thing that could make it better is if it didn't need to be sharpened and was something I could use for the 'back to MAC' program. Oh well.



MISC 
Kate Spade Enamel Locket

Kate Spade Enamel Locket
My dad bought this for me at the Kate Spade outlet in Houston since it was 50% off and matches the pink Kate Spade earrings Taylor bought me for Christmas. It's so pretty and looks so cute with any sort of black/white outfit. It's perfect for adding a pop of color to an outfit.

Let me know if this was even sort of interesting. I always like seeing what people are using and trying on a month to month basis so hopefully I can keep up with this!

-Becca

A Few of My Favorite Things

Brazil Nut Body Butter, $18 via The Body Shop

"A Few of My Favorite Things" will (hopefully) be a bi-monthly review of products I love. It will range from beauty products to food to art supplies to whatever else I think is worthy of telling you about in over-enthusiastic detail.



Let me preface this by saying I used to hate lotion. Scratch that, I still pretty much hate lotion. When I was young I couldn't even stand watching other people put it on. All of this meaning I am INCREDIBLY picky about what lotion I even consider purchasing, let alone trying. So without further ado...

The Body Shop's Brazil Nut Body Butter (for dry skin)

Why I started using it:
My mom has been using it since before I can really remember. Back then it was just called "Nut Butter". I tried it because she told me that it wasn't greasy. Plus, I'd been looking for something more moisturizing since North Texas is incredibly dry in comparison to Houston (where I'm originally from). Before that I had only been using Aveeno's basic scentless body lotion because it wasn't oil based or greasy and it dried relatively quickly (also inexpensive for a large bottle). So I halfheartedly gave the body butter a chance and after a week I was completely hooked.

Why I love it:
I have super sensitive skin and I get razor burn like nobody's business. Part of this is probably because I shave my legs every day (if I don't, the razor burn is 20 times worse). After switching from the Aveeno to the Body Butter I realized very quickly that my razor burn was due largely in part to my lotion being inadequate. After a few weeks my razor burn was gone and I haven't had any problems since as long as I'm using the body butter.
Besides having razor-burn healing properties I also just really love the way it smells and feels on my skin. It's not greasy at all and it blends into your skin really easily. It has a light nutty smell with a very very very faint hint of caramel. The scent doesn't last all day normally but the moisturizing effects last at least 24 hours.

The Catch:
The only drawback of this lotion is that it's $18 a pop. Normally I wait until The Body Shop has one of their semi-annual sales where they'll do 50% off or buy 3 get 2 free and I just stock up (yes, I have bought upwards of 10 at a time). The Brazil Nut scent is a little less likely to go on sale regularly but I've tried the Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Cherry, and Aloe body butter and they're all nice. Most aren't as moisturizing as the Brazil Nut but that's because it's for dry skin and some of the others are for normal skin types.



If you'd like to try it but you don't want to spend $18 on something you're curious about, go to your local Body Shop and test samples in the store. If you don't have one near you, their website normally carries mini sizes of all of the Body Butters for $6.

If anyone tries it, definitely let me know what you think. Love it, hate it, whatever!

-Becca