Ulta/Target Haul!!!!

Hi guys,
So I know I went on a no makeup buying thing buttttt I got a new job and celebrated with a small makeup/tool shopping. I have no regrets about it though so its fine lol.

I only got a few actual makeup products, mostly eye products.

Here they are:

Maybelline Dream Fresh B.B. Cream- haven't really tried this one yet at all... was waiting for my Ulta order with my new brushes.

Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara- So far I've been LOVING this mascara along with the rest of the makeup world... another win for CG.

Rimmel Stay Matte Transparent- I've used the coverage version of this before and was looking for something transparent and reallly light and heard great things about the transparent version of this. Haven't tried it yet.

I bought some new NYX eye shadows, all in really neutral shades.
Aloha, which is a pinky taupe color with a pearl finish.
Silk, a light beige highlight color which also has a pearl finish.
And a trio from the "Love in Rio" line called Amazonian Babes; which has a taupe, a pink, and a deep brown.





I got 2 single neutral Covergirl eye shadows.
French Vanilla, a mostly matte white which is actually a little more harshly white than I had hoped.
Tapestry Taupe, which I've heard great things about and is truly beautiful.

I bought two new Prestige Total Intesnsity Eye Liners in Black... best waterline liner I've tried.







Tools:
I finally bought some Real Techniques brushes!! I've been hearing about them for so long I just had to do it when I had some money.  I bought the eye starter set and the expert face brush.

I bought the Sonia Kashuk crease brush I've been looking at at Target for forever.

I also grabbed the Custom Coverage Buffing Brush by Ecotools, which reminds me of a slightly smaller version of the ELF powder brush.

No Buy Makeup Challenge Update-Week #1

As I said in my last post, I began a "No Buy Challenge" on January 1st and plan on going until March 31st... I know seems like forever.  I have really been looking at my life from a new perspective lately, for a lot of reasons I think, including how poor my finances have been and I've really been trying to cut back on excessive spending.  Well, while looking at this I have realized just how much money I have spent on makeup over the past year... and if I were to give it a rough guess I would probably guess around $1000. A $1000 dollars. There is no justification for that.  Now, that's not to say that I regret my purchases or that I am not in love with  my makeup, but rather I just cannot be okay with spending money like that on makeup when I'm in default on my student loans and am living with my parents... it's unacceptable.  Another thing I realized whilst surveying my life and specifically my makeup collection. I have so many products that I rarely ever use.... nice products that just get lost in the shuffle as well as products I spent good money on but didn't really love.

And so, all things considered,  I decided that I'm going to commit to not purchasing any make up products for 3 whole months. Last year I attempted a 10 pan challenge and failed epic-ly, it seemed daunting and scary to have to pick products to completely finish.  I also realized that I was rushing through, using more product than I normally would and was reaching for the same products every single day, which is not the point of the challenge that I'm doing this time. This time I want to work on appreciating the things that I have so that I don't find the need to constantly buy more.  I want to experiment with things that I haven't used much of in the past and try out some of the palettes that have been neglected due to having smaller more compact options. I want to really savor the "art" of using all the makeup I've purchased and make it worth it. Who knows, maybe I'll end up continuing it on for longer than 3 months.  But I'm not thinking that way yet.  Just want to be greatful for what I have now.

This week wasn't too hard actually, very surprising since I was in more than one Drugstore in the past 3 days and each time ended up with something in my hands.  But it was pretty easy to talk myself down from there and remember my goals.  I did buy my first Sigma brush, the E25 Blending Brush, with a gift card I recieved from my brother for Christmas.  Considering it wasn't my money, nor was it an actual "makeup product" I didn't feel too guilty, I've been needing to replenish a few of my brushes, my ELF Studio Brushes, though I love them they are starting to fall apart and so I'm slowly going to work on building up my set again but for now it was just that one 10 dollar splurge. Let's see what all the hype is about I guess lol.

Well I hope you are all having a wonderful and blessed 2013 so far!
And if any of you have completed a challenge similar to this one please comment with your tips!
Talk to you soon!
Colie   

It's a Wrap - 2012

Hey all,
So this year has been pretty big for me and I wanted to find a way to kind of wrap it up (hence the title) without just doing one of those "Best Products" tags that seem pretty generic. So instead I came up, with the help of a few questions from those tags, my own tag/questionaire about the year and made it pretty all inclusive rather than only doing it about beauty. I'm mostly doing this for myself to look back and reflect on but I hope that you all think about your own experiences in 2012 and maybe take some tips or suggestions from my experiences. Thanks for reading and Happy New Year

Personal:
Best book you read in 2012? 
I read the Hunger Games in the early spring of this year and fell in love with the trilogy, the movie was good but nothing compared to the books, the best writing I've read in a long time. 

What was your best month? Worst month?
My family went on our first real, week long vacation in August of this year, and it was overall just a great month.  I left my job that I had been hating and it was just a good month, but then we had to drop my brother off in Kentucky for college and that was rough on us.  So it was kind of the best and the worst wrapped into one. 

What’s something you learned about yourself?
I learned that I'm really great at working with kids who are a little rough around the edges.  I also learned that I have a serious problem with spending money and need to marry rich or curb this problem. 

What is one thing you regret from this year?
I regret not going back to school. It's one of the things that is really holding me back in life, so it's on my to do list for this year. 

Did you have to go to the hospital? 
I actually don't think I went to the hospital at all in 2012, but I was there yesterday if that counts.

How did you earn your keep?
I spent the first 8 months of the year working at a home for kids who had expereienced severe trauma/neglect.  That was an amazing experience, I worked there for 2 years and it was a great place to grow and learn but they way it was run was  pretty ridiculous and I ended up exhausted and worn out.  When I left there I decided to take a hiatus and decide what I want to do in the end.  I have been nannying since September, which is a weird experience but the money is good and I'm learning a lot. I will probably stick with nannying until the end of the school year and work on getting back to school and finding a job as a teaching assistant/paraprofessional. 

What was your favorite movie?
I must say my favorite movie of 2012 was probably the Hobbit, although there were a few great ones, including Trouble with the Curve, Breaking Dawn (P. 2), Brave, The Campaign and the Hunger Games. 

What was your favorite song?
Favorite songs are always hard for me to pinpoint.  I loved Taylor Swift's new Album, Red. And my favorite song off of it was All Too Well. I also loved Gary Allan's Every Storm Runs Out of Rain. 

What was your proudest moment?
I paid off most of my credit card debt that I'd accrued over the years so that was pretty exciting for me. 

Beauty Related:

What was your favorite drugstore brand/product of 2012?

I think Maybelline took the drugstore by storm this year.  Between their variety of great mascaras, babylips and my all time favorite Color Tattoos, I seriously don't know what I would do without them.  My favorite product was definitely my Color Tattoo's. I love the white one most but also love the new pink and the long time bronze. 

What was your favorite fragrance of 2012?

I'm still in love with my Taylor Swift Wonderstruck fragrance. I also love Secret Wonderland and Forever Red from Bath and Body Works.

Most used beauty products of 2012? 

I must say that if I had to narrow it down to just a few items I used constantly in 2012 they would be the following: Babylips Lip Balm, my ELF Powder Brush, my Aussie Split End Cream and My Sonia Kashuk small powder brush.

5 best eye products of 2012?

Maybelline Color Tattoos

Prestige Total Intensity Eye Liner in Black

My ELF 32 pan palette in Warm

Revlon Carbon Black Collogen Mascara

Urban Decay Primer Potion

5 best face products of 2012?

This one is probably the hardest question, because I really don't use much face makeup. But here it goes. 

Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser 

Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer.  

ELF high definition face powder

ELF mineral blush in Joy

Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream

My 2013 Bucket List:

Complete a "No Buy Challenge" from now until March 30, 2013.  This is bound to be a challenge for me buttttt I need to use the products I have and save money.

Work on budgeting myself, save a few thousand before the end of summer. I need to get on track to being an adult, meaning less going out, more saving and making more safe and conscious choices. 

Go on a trip, somewhere I've never been. This has long been a goal of mine but it's really seeming like this might be there to do it.  I'm considering becoming and overseas Au Pair for a few months or just taking a trip somewhere with friends.

Get back to school.

Find a job in the education field. I really need to start  moving forward in my career, so this and going back to school go hand in hand, as I need the field experience and the classroom experience to become a certified teacher in MA.

Keep up with the blog!

December Favorites

Hi All,
So first off I need to apologize for the 5 month disappearance! My life got really really hectic and my computer has been out of commission.  I got a new laptop for Christmas (Thanks Mom!) so I'm hoping to keep up with my blog among other things now that I have a working computer. So I hope I still have people reading but if not I'll kinda be acting like this is a brand new blog, posting it out. I hope you all will share this too!

1. Primer - So I have finally fallen into the Urban Decay primer potion trend. I have tried so hard not to fall into high end trends for so long buttttt I got a sample of this in a palette I got on Hautelook in early fall.  I rarely use the palette but fell in love with the primer.  It's like now that I've tried something this good I can't go back.  Now ELF's primer that I had loved for forever feels gross and greasy and nothing really holds it own anymore. Now I have to find more because it's almost empty =(.   I have also been using the ELF mineral infused face primer to prime my face, although I'm working as a nanny now so I am rarely doing full face makeup.

2. Eye Shadow - This month I have been sticking to some very neutral eye looks, between the holidays and work I have tried to be natural and just perfect the blending of the eyes more than add too much color. I have been loving the Covergirl Shimmering Sands trio that I got last year during a sale at CVS. I'm really close to hitting pan on at least 2 of the colors, the lighter and the medium colors. I have also been using the Maybelline color tattoo's as base colors and I love them so much.

3. Eye Liner - This month I have continued to love my Prestige Total Intensity eye liner in black for my water line and a few of the Sephora Nano eye liners for my top lash line.

4. Foundation -  I haven't really been doing much foundation this month but have been loving my Loreal Frutis BB Cream in light/fair as well as my ELF mineral foundation in porceline.

5. Concealer - I am still in love with the Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer.  It is so creamy and thick enough that it really does cover dark circles.  I literally use it ever single day.  I also have been loving the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser.  It literally ERASES my dark circles without being cakey or too thick.

6. Blush- I  haven't loved any blushes this month really, but I have beem reaching for my ELF mineral Blush in Joy, which is a mauvey/pink shade, which isn't too shimmery.

7. Palette -This month I didn't really use any stand out palettes.

8. Face Applicator - this month I found myself reaching for the E.L.F. Powder Brush for EVERYTHING!

9. Eye Applicator - This month I've still been using my Sonia Kashuk Small Powder Brush. This brush will be a forever forever favorite.

10. Hair Product - I've been loving Argan Oil for the last few months, and along with my mom have gone through about 3 bottles in 3 months.

11. Perfume - Last month, when I went out black Friday shopping, I picked up a sample of the new Bath and Body Works scent in Forever Red and literally not gone a day without it. Got a larger roll on sample size for Christmas that I'm super excited for since I just finished my little sample. 

12. Mascara - This month a friend of mine got me the Loreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara in Black, which she had been suggesting for months but I never bought it because I liked the mascaras I'd been using.... man was I missing out!

13. Moisturizer - This month I have loved the Bath and Body Works triple moisture body cream in the scent Secret Wonderland.

14. Lip Products- This month, with such dry, cold weather, my main goal with my lips has been to keep them from being dry and cracky.  I have loved my Nivea Lip Balm in Honey and Milk, as well as their kiss of Shimmer lip balm.  I have also been loving my Baby Lips from Maybelline. I have two of those, the grape colored one and the shimmery peach color, both which work wonders for me.  And lastly I have been loving my Sugar Fresh Sugar Plum tinted lip treatment, which I have been loving for months now.  It is a beautiful color and provides so much moisture.

So those are my favorites and most used products of December.

May Favorites... a little late!

1. Primer - This month I have been using the Sephora Glitter Eye Shadow in the small tub for my eyes and Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer for my face, though I haven't been doing much with my face this month.



2. Eye Shadow -This month I have been sticking with very neutral eye shadows.  I have been sticking with Covergirl Eyenhancers Trio in the color Shimmering Sands and  the NYX Trio in the color In The Woods. The colors in both of these trios blend together very well, though both groups are very different.  They are both shimmery but help keep me create a professional and casual look that is easy to apply daily. I have also used the Wet N Wild Color Icon single shadow in Nutty.

3. Eye Liner - This month I have been constantly using Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Trios.  I have been using the smokey eyes, nude and hazel trios primarily.  These colors are great because they glide on easily and stay on all day.  I have loved using the NYX Baby Blue Eye Pencil as a pop of color.

4. Foundation -  I havent used foundation this month at all.  I have been using different

5. Concealer - I am still in love with the Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer and use it constantly, as does my mom.  She is constantly stealing it from me.  I also have been using the Instant Age Rewind Eraser for Dark Circles. I have also been sealing both of these with the ELF High Definition Undereye Setting Powder.

6. Blush - This month I loved the Milani Baked Blush in Luminouso, I love the glow it give my cheeks and how peachy it is without being overly orange.










7. Lip Products- This month I have loved 3 different lip products. I loved the Baby Lips in Peach Kiss, Wet  n Wild Lip Sticks in 502A. And the Bare Escentuals ID lip stick in the color Yumi.  I love all of these colors and used them constantly.













8. Hair Product - I have been loving the Aussie Split End Protectant this month.  I think it has been

9. Perfume/Lotion -This month I have loved Taylor Swifts Wonderstruck, it's strong but not overpowering and is floral enough that it is summery.  I have also loved the Ulta Freshwater Mist Fragrance Spray. 

10. Mascara - This month I have continued to use my Covergirl Lash Exact Highlights mascara for hazel eyes and then I have discovered the Ulta Bountiful Lash Fortifying Mascara in Soft Black












11. Moisturiser -I have loved the Clean and Clear Finishes pore refining moisturiser.

12. Non Beauty- This month I have been loving my new Kindle Fire.


So those are my favorites and most used products of  May. Have a great night!

My Favorite Lip Balms

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment- I originally received this as a birthday gift from Sephora and was hesitant about it because my friend who had it was not a huge fan.  Well Idk why she didn't love it but I sure did.  This lip balm that comes in six different colors, five of them are tinted and one is clear.  The tints are not overpowering, but very lightly pigmented and leave a thick layer of moisture that lasts for quite a long time, hours.

Baby Lips-These lightly tinted lip balms from Maybelline are one of my favorite products, period.  I love these. The color is very light, just a sheen but the sheen is beautiful.  The moisture that these balms I love this so much, desipte the childish packaging. There are 6 shades that all range between $3-4 and smell/taste amazing.




EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm- I love this as a constant moisture renewing lip balm.  I love the egg shaped packaging and the flavors/smells are fantastic.  There are 5 fruity flavors and 1 minty one.  My favorites are the Strawberries and Cream and the Sweet Mint.  I always have one of these on my person and they are so fun to use and talk about.




Carmex- I had to include Carmex in this list as it is such a consistent and reliable brand of lipbalms.  These are great for when your lips are legitimately chapped and need some medicated treatment. These come in many different flavors and both stick and jar balms.  I prefer the stick balms as they tend to be more travel friendly, cheaper and more convenient. 

April 2012 Favorites

1. Primer - This month I have been using the Sephora Glitter Eye Shadow in the small tub.

2. Eye Shadow - I haven't really been using any individual eye shadows lately but if I were to choose one it would be I the Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze

3. Eye Liner - Physicians Formula Brown Eyes Shimmer Strips Cream Liner is awesome as is the prestige total intensity black eyeliner.

4. Foundation -  I have been trying to give my skin a break this month and have been using the Garnier BB Cream and Elf Mineral Powder Foundation.

5. Concealer - I am still in love with the Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Concealer.

6. Blush - This month I loved the Milani Baked Blush in Luminouso

7. Palette - this month I loved using the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips for Hazel Eyes, Eye Candy edition.  I love the selection and variety that this palette offers.

8. Face Applicator - this month I pretty much primarily used my Soho Beauty Sponge for all my face application and then used my ELF Complexion Brush to apply my powder and blush.

9. Eye Applicator - This month I have been loving the Ulta Eyeliner brush that I recieved for Easter and have been using it all month long.

10. Hair Product - I have been loving the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner this month and have been using it about 2 times a week to help my hair stay healthy and shiny.

11. Perfume/Lotion - I bought a PINK Body Butter in Fresh Vanilla, Feel Flirty and have loved it all month long. 

12. Mascara - This month I have fallen back in love with my Covergirl Lash Exact Highlights mascara for hazel eyes.

13. Moisturiser - Just like last month and the one before., I have been using Bio Oil  constantly and love it!

14. Nail Care Product - Burts Bees Lemon Oil Cuticle Cream.

15. Non Beauty- This month I have been loving braids in my hair.


So those are my favorites and most used products of February. Have a great night!