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   

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

March 2012 Favorites

1. Primer - This month I have been loving the ELF sheer eyelid primer so much.  Not gonna lie, my makeup has creased a few times but for $1 it does it's job.

2. Eye Shadow - I have been loving the Victorias Secret Beauty Rush in the color God rush, super shimmery and so many ways to use this, both as a base all over color and a light inner corner and browbone color depending on the look I am going for.

3. Eye Liner - Physicians Formula Nude Eyes Shimmer Strips Liner Trio is amazing, specifically the middle mauvey color.

4. Foundation -  I have been using a combination of Revlon ColorStay and Rimmel Clean finish all month and like how sheer the coverage is for this combination, the tone of the Rimmel is fairly dark brown undertones and the ColorStay is very pinky undertoned.

5. Concealer - I am 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 use this stuff every night.

6. Blush - pH MatchMaker Blush in pink.  This is the best blush I have ever had.  It's super bright pink and so soft and blendable, it's so awesome!

7. Palette - this month I loved using the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips for
Green Eyes in the collection POP! These colors are so fun, pigmented, blend able and versatile. There are many combinations you can creat with this tiny palette.

8. Face Applicator - this month I found myself reaching for the E.L.F. Powder Brush for EVERYTHING! I use this brush everyday for powder, blush, bronzer and often use it for liquid foundation as well.

9. Eye Applicator - This month I found the best blending brush, the Sonia Kashuk Small Powder Brush.  This brush is a little bigger than the Mac 224 and is sooooo much softer and blends so nicely!!

10. Hair Product - John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Shock Glosser has been my go to product forever and I have used it a ton lately. I actually cut the tube open and put it in a pot which has made it so much easier to use and remember I have lol.

11. Perfume - Victoria's Secret PINK With a Splash Body spray in the scent Warm&Cozy has been my go to scent all month long.  I got the sample size one and when my secret rewards card can be used I plan to go back and get the large size.  This scent is so light and great for work, as it's not overpowering at all and has undertones of "warm peony and toasted vanilla".

12. Mascara - This month I have fallen in love with the Loreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara, it seperates and volumizes all of my lashes without clumping! Love, so much Love.

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

14. Nail Care Product - Barille No Chip Speed Dry Top Coat has worked wonders for me this month, check it out!

15. Movie - The Descendants was by far the best movie of last year and I was so happy to see it come out on dvd and watch it again.  The themes in it are so well played and the acting is just amazing, go see it if you havent yet!

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