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   

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. 

My Top 5 Favorite Mascaras

Mascara, the most flattering of all makeup and my personal everyday necessity.  I have tried dozens of different mascaras in my time wearing makeup and here are my top five mascaras. 

Follow Me on Instagram- Life4Eva07

CoverGirl Lash Blast Length - $6.97 at Target
This has been a long time favorite of mine and I have rebought this mascara multiple times.  This mascara is great at separating  and pulling out each individual lash. If you are looking for something to make your lashes look more long this is the one but do not expect any volumizing effect from this. I usually use this with the Lash Blast Volume overtop of it.

Urban Decay Super Curling Mascara- $20.00 at Sephora
I received a sample size of this mascara in the Book of Shadows IV Palette that I bought off of HauteLook a few months ago and to be honest this has been my favorite thing about the palette.  This mascara give a great hold and really does curl the lashes. This wand is curled and reaches every lash from the inner to outter corner and is housed inside the most beautiful mascara packaging I've ever seen.

L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes-$7.00 at Target

I have been using this mascara regularly over the last month or so after hearing about it from a friend and I do love it.  It does the work of both a lengthening and volumizing mascara and it also separates and pulls out lashes, naturally making your lashes look fuller and longer.

Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Black Sequins- $7.00 on Amazon.com

This mascara has the most unique wand I have ever seen and the formula is lightweight, dry and includes small flecks of shimmer. I have tried a lot of the different shimmering mascaras and have always loved the effect they give to the color of my eyes but this is my alltime favorite because aside from adding sparkle to the lashes, which accents your eye color and creates a fuller look.

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume- $6.97 at Target

My go to volumizing mascara, this makes your lashes look so full, long and priceless.  I love this stuff so much.  I have used all the of different kinds of the Lash Blast line mascaras, the luxe, the fusion, the length and the volume. All of these formulas are great but this one is my favorite, it the most dramatic of all the others in my top 5.  I use this primarily overtop lengthening mascaras or ones that need some extra fullness. the brush is big and chunky when allows it to coat every lash and it is just overall great for the price.

Facts: Get to Know Me

So I know this tag has been going on a lot on youtube and similar ones have been on facebook and whatnot and decided I really wanted to let you guys get to know me a little better.  So here are as many things about me as I could remember off the top of my head.

• My favorite color is purple. 
• I drink water, tea and coffee... and that is all. 
• My laundry is never completely done. 
• I think there should be a screening process for parenting. 
• Makeup is my way of building my confidence, drawing away from my weight and other imperfections.
• I love ER, SVU, Make it or Break it and Crossing Jordan. 
• I was horribly bullied all my life, creating illusions about myself that I am constantly trying to not reinforce. 
• I was an extremely competitive rower from the ages 12-18 when I hurt my shoulder. 
• I have one tattoo on my back, a rose for my grandfather
• Depression has been a battle I have been fighting for years but I haven't relapsed into the dark in 2 years and I know it won't happen any time soon. 
• I spend money like it is going out of style.
• I am a residential counselor at a home for kids with behavioral problems. 
• ELF is my favorite brand of makeup.
• Eyeliner makes me look alive. 
• I like mascara that smells funny.
• Taylor Swift is my favorite musician.
• Skillet is my favorite band. 
• I love my family. 
• I bite my nails to a stub whenever I'm stressed or upset or am in a movie theater.
• Gymnastics is my favorite sport to watch.
• I have a skin condition that's really embarrassing. 
• My hair is always in a pony tail but that doesn't mean I dont take great care of it. 
• I didn't own any makeup until I was 20. 
• My sign is a Gemini.
• I cannot wait to be a mother someday. 
• School cost me $30,000 in loans and won't let me finish my last 3 classes. 
• I've been in the hospital for over a week due to depression. 
• My life goal is to change a child's life for the better. 



View from the boardwalk at Castle Island

• Castle Island is my favorite place in Boston. 

My 10 Favorite ELF Products

Hey ALL,
So as you know, I am obsessed with ELF products, which in case you don't know where to purchase these products you can find the entire line on eyeslipsface.com and select items can be found at Target and Dollar Tree stores.  ELF is an incredibly inexpensive line of makeups with items ranging from 1-8 dollars and most of them are on the lower end of the line.  The line is broken into three different categories; essential ($1), studio ($3/6) and mineral ($5/8).  Honestly, I feel that the quality of these items are so much better than many drugstore brand items and their brushes are better than most I have ever tried.

So here are my 10 favorites in no particular order.

• Studio Powder Brush- I use this brush for everything, my foundation, my powder, my blush and my bronzer.  $3
• Studion "C" Brush- This brush is so perfect for patting color onto the lid.  $3
• Eye Brightener Pencil in White-This is an awesome inner corner brightener and waterline color $1
• Cream Eyeliner in Teal- This color makes your eye POP so well and stays put all day! $3
• Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black- I have had this liner for 5 months, it hasn't dried out and this pen is beautiful, you can make the most precise line that does not budge. $1
• Contouring Blush and Bronzer Duo- dupes for Nars Laguna and Orgasm, this due has probably had the most success at creating a name for itself.  Both are incredibly pigmented and never chalky.  Both of these colors are incredibly buildable.  $3
• Mineral All Over Eye Brush- This is my everyday makeup brush for all over the lid, incredibly soft and easily cleaned.  It is also made of recyclable material and does it's job in the best way possibly. love love love. $5
• Eyeshadown Primer in Sheer- Primers play a vital role in creating makeup looks that both pop and last all day and this primer does it's job with ease and staying power.  The doe foot applicatior and smooth serum help to make this products one of the best.  $1
• Conditioning Lip Balm SPF 15- These lipbalms, which come in many colors, are very pigmented and nourishing.  The only complaint I have about them is the enormous waste of product they use in the packaging, they need to either go green or fill up the package.  $3
• Makeup Remover Pen- last but not least this pen is great at removing smudge lines when your lower lash makeup smudges or when your still wet with mascara lashes touch the upper lid.  Overall great product.  $3

Review Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush and Bronzer

Blush and Bronzer Compact

In my last post I gave ya'll my opinions on the new PF pH Matchmaker lipgloss. Well in the last week I have most definitely failed at my project pan and purchased both the blush and bronzer from CVS at 40% off and each product had a 3 dollar off coupon on top of the sale. Well these products are most definitely worth breaking my project pan promise. Both of these products have the same packaging which is super cute.  The only complaint I have is that it is really bulky and gives the impression of there being a lot more product than actually comes in the product.  The bronzer has more product than the blush does which is sad for me because I only use a tiny bit of bronzer but the blush is SO pigmented that I am sure it will last quite a while

Brush and Bronzer with mirror
and my silly face!!!

Brush and Bronzer Swatches
after 60 seconds.

I love these colors. The blush starts as a very light pink and brightens on my skin to a very bright pink fun color blush that actually looks very natural on the apples of my cheeks when blended out.  The bronzer is a little dark for me but I know I'll be darker during the summer... well my freckles will connect during the summer, creating an illusion of darkness. I don't notice the bronzer changing color on my skin but it is a nice glow to being with. There is a little more shimmer in both products than I love but that is okay. 

Blush and Bronzer without glare or my face!

Overall I love both of these products, they are super cute and very pigmented and I love them so much.  

The amount of Blush in the container

Hope this review was helpful and please follow, comment and come back!!! 

The amount of Bronzer in the container. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Colors of the Rainbow Tag

I decided to do this tag after reading http://makeup4myage.blogspot.com's blog today.

Now the way this one works is you have to name one favourite beauty product in your collection representing each colour of the rainbow.  One of each of the following:

White

  I have two white products I could not live without. 

1. Sephora Jumbo Waterproof Eye Liner

2. ELF Mineral Eyeshadow in Angelic

Red

Revlon Lip Butter in Candied Apple

Yellow

ELF Cover Everything Concealer in Corrective Yellow has been my dark circles life saver this month. I love it so much. 

Green

Wet N Wild Juicy Lip Balm SPF 15 in Watermelon Pasteque, not the best lipbalm I have ever had but its the best green product.

Blue

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow in Beachy is the most vibrant shimmery blue ever!

Indigo

  The top right corner of the ELF Brightening Eye Shadow in Ocean Dreams is the most perfect Indigo color ever.

Violet

The second darkest shade in the NYC IndividualEyes for Green Eyes is such a beautiful violet maroon color. I use this color at least 4 times a week.

So yeah thats my makeup rainbow lol!

Consider yourself tagged!!

My Project 10 Pan

Hey All! So I realized I have been really gluttonous about my makeup collection in the past month and need to pull in the reigns. So I decided to start my own "Project 10 Pan".  I am so nervous about this project because I am literally addicted to makeup but I love these products that I have picked so I am not worried about this because the last few months I have definitely been hoarding makeup.  I have bought everything in sight without thinking about how much I was spending.  So here it goes! For those of you who don't know a "Project Pan" is when you go on a makeup/beauty product buying strike until you finish "X" amount of products.  I will be hitting pan on 10 products.


As of tonight the following rules apply:

• To add a product to my finished "Pan" list, I have to use up the entire thing. Like as in throwing it in the trash barrel kind of finished. Dead.
• I may slip up if I find something limited edition, one of a kind, and a product that I know I will regret passing up. I will probably just keep it in the box until I'm done with this project. Then it will be like a little reward for finishing! 
• Building off of the previous rule, if I see something on a major sale or if ELF has a major deal I will buy the product but it will remain in it's packaging until the product pan is over.  I will also let all of my readers know if this happens so I can be kept accountable. 
• If I receive any giftcards or CVS extrabucks I will use them.  The point of this is to spend less money, not downsize.

Here are my products:

• E.L.F. Complexion Perfection Powder- I love this product so much and use it constantly.  It's only $3 dollars from eyeslipsface.com and I will be starting a brand new one for this product.
• Sephora Mineral Matte Touch Up Powder- I just bought this product last week and it's a great setting powder. So smooth!!
• Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Nude Palette-  The colors in the palette are beautiful and I use them all the time.  It is very versitile and the shadows are all beautifully creamy.
• Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes- This is my everyday mascara and this is a fairly new product so finishing it will take a while. 
• Sephora Jumbo 12hr Waterproof Liner in White- I use this everyday for innercorner brightening but I have a whole bunch of innercorner pencils so I would like to continue with this one. 
• E.L.F Mineral Eye Liner in Black- Again I use this pencil almost every day.  It is a great waterline color and the pigmentation and staying power are amazing!
• MAC PaintPot in Rubenesque- This will be my most difficult product to hit pan on because I only use a tiny bit per use.
• E.L.F. Cover Everything Concealer in Corrective Yellow- This is a great undereye concealer.
• Hard Candy Sheer Envy Illuminating Primer-  This stuff is great but I have the regular one that I prefer so this is the only product I am trying to Pan to get rid of rather than just throwing out my money. 
• E.L.F Minty Lip Gloss in Seattle- Clear, shimmery, minty, GOODNESS!

Yep so that's it! If anyone has every done a product pan or a makeup diet please let me know any tips you used for curbing the desire to buy buy buy. LOL. Thanks for reading and Ill be back soon!

Seven Deadly Sins of Beauty- TAG

Hey all!
I have never done a tag before but really wanted to do this one because I get to talk about my favorite things!!


TAG QUESTIONS


1. GREED: What is your most inexpensive beauty item? What is your most expensive?
My most inexpensive items are all my E.L.F. Essential products that are only a dollar- my favorites are the shimmer sticks (shimmery liners that have built in sharpeners in the cover) and the waterproof eyeliner pens which come in a range of colors and leave a beautifully precise line every time. Love both of those products. 


As for the most expensive item I own, that has to be my Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV.  I got this for $35 dollars from Hautelook and love it so much. 


2. WRATH: What beauty products do you have a love/hate relationship with? What product has been the hardest to get?
I have a love hate relationship with any loose eyeshadows and pigments.  They are beautiful but they are SOOOO messy! I also have a love hate relationship with really dark eyeshadows because I usually like the end effect but they are so dramatic that I have a hard time integrating them into my day to day. 


3. GLUTTONY: What are your most delicious beauty products?
My Physicians Formula Happy Boosters products both have the most amazing scent!


4. SLOTH: What beauty product do you neglect, due to laziness?
I tend to neglect doing my hair because it takes soooo long and it ends up on top of my head in 15 minutes of my punching in at work.


5. PRIDE: What beauty product gives you the most self confidence?
Good eye makeup! Like when you get that perfect blend and it all comes together it's amazing!!!!


6. LUST: What products do you think you could never live without?
I could never live without mascara.  I rarely leave the house without it.  My favorite kind is Lash Stilletos. 


7. ENVY: What items would you most like to receive as a gift?
Either of the Naked Palettes would be amazing.  But I usually just ask for gift cards. 


I tag you all! Just leave a link below

Review: E.L.F. Eye Transformer Palette

Hello All!,
So today I am going to give a review/tutorial on the E.L.F. Eye Transformer Palette.  This is a $3 product available on eyeslipsface.com  Just to give you all some background information about how I ended up with this product and what it is.  A month or two ago I placed a E.L.F order and had a coupon code for a whole bunch of extra products and one of them was this product. I will include pictures and swatches below but this is essentially a small black pallet with 4 rectangular powders, a small brush and a rectangular mirror.  I never really understood what it was for because the colors were all very similar, very shimmery and all very light pastels.  Then one day I was watching a n E.L.F. Haul video by xoemilygracexo on youtube and in the related videos sidebar there was a video about this product and I finally figured out how fabulous this product really is!

So here is how you use it:

1. You apply your eye makeup as you would normally. 
2. Apply your eyeliner; pencil, gel or liquid in a neutral tone- black, white and brown
3. Use a precision shadow brush or liner brush to apply any 1 of the 4 tones of the Eye Transformer
4. Watch your normal colored eye liner turn to a beautiful shimmery toned liner

So yes I am in love with this amazing product and suggest everyone goes to the E.L.F. site and buys themselves one of these products because the outcome is astounding!

Here are the pictures//swatches... ENJOY!!!:

This is what the palette looks like. The colors are from left to right-  green, copper, pink and  purple
The green was broken when I received it but it was free so its ok!
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Swatches after Transformer

White Eye Liner Swatches- Before Eye Transformer

Swatches after Transformer

Black Eye Liner Swatches- Before Eye Transformer