Sephora Friends & Family Sale Haul

Here are the items I picked up during the recent Sephora Friends & Family Sale. I resisted the urge to splurge, hauling only three "must have" products and one that I have been lusting after for a few months.

The "must have" products are:

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer

I adore Tarte's Amazonian Clay products, and read a bit of hype on this product, which is supposedly more like a light to medium coverage foundation than a tinted moisturizer. My oily prone skin has actually been, dare I say, more normal and balanced lately, and I have looking to branch out from matte finish, full-coverage foundations to let my well-behaving skin show through. I am so excited to see if this fits the bill.  I bought the shade Agent 004, which is deigned for light skin with neutral undertones.

NARS Copacabana Illuminator

I had a deluxe sample of the Orgasm Illuminator, and I found it to be a great multipurpose product. However, I wasn't wild about the shade.  Copacabana is a pearly pinked beige, and I plan on mixing this in with my foundation and using it as a highlight.

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

My makeup life changed when I discovered eyeshadow primer, and I recently ran out of the various mini versions I had of the Urban Decay ones. I selected Eden, a matte tawny beige primer, to also help conceal discoloration on my lids.

My nonessential treat:

Illamasqua Blush in Katie

I have been lemming for this blush for months after seeing it featured on various blogs, namely Golden Glow and Getting Cheeky. Katie, a matte milky pink, is not a shade I typically gravitate towards but there is something about this pale, creamy color that I found irresistible.

Did you haul anything during the Sephora Friends & Family Sale?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Haul , Illamasqua , NARS , Sephora , Tarte , Urban Decay

Basic Essentials Haul

You may have noticed that I haven't been hauling a lot lately. While I am certainly not on a no-buy, I have somehow managed to rein in my impulse to spontaneously splurge. Now, I thoroughly research cosmetics before I open my pocket book and focus on using and appreciating what is currently in my collection. However, this lack of hauling means that I am using up products, makeup and otherswise, like a mad woman. The other day I discovered that my stock of everyday skincare and cosmetics essentials was depleted! Here is what I broght home from a quick trip to Target- no unessesary buys jumped into my basket either!

Up & Up Eye Makeup Remover

This stuff is cheap but it gets the job done. After I finished up my last bottle of this I started using coconut oil to remove my eye makeup, but I ran out of that, too!

St. Ives Skin Renew Collagen Elastin Lotion

I started buying this product way back when it was sold in tubs as a face cream. It appears that the formula is still the same, though it is now marketed as a body lotion. This body lotion is not fragranced, sinks into the skin lightening fast, is incredibly hydrating, and is slightly firming. I feel like my skin is in good condition when I use this stuff, and I use it on both face and body. Bonus: it is very affordable, and my partner loves it, too!

Yes to Tomatoes Perfect Balance Facial Set

 This is my second time buying this set, though I have also bought sever of the items included individually. My main love from this kit is the Yes to Tomatoes facial lotion- oily and combo skinned babes, you need this in your life. The whole kit, which also includes a facial wash, mask, and headband, was on clearance for $13 (each product is usually around $10) so in the cart it went.

Goody Ouchless Hairties

Basic necessity for long haired ladies.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

I have been reading rave reviews about this product for ages, so once I used up all of my setting powders I made sure to pick one up. A full review is coming soon, but as of now it is living up to reputation! 

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara

This past month I also finished up a tube of clear mascara, which I use to set my brows. My rationale in picking Great Lash was simply that it was the cheapest clear mascara I could find at Target. However, I am really glad I got this one because the wand is very small- perfect for sorting out my wild brows. 

Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush

My previous eyeliner brush was legit crap- but what can we expect for a no name $2 cheapo from the grocery store? I have now repurposed it as a nail art brush to make way for this Sonia Kashuk Bent Liner Brush. This has been working beautifully with cream liners for me, and makes winged liner effortless.

Despite this essentials haul, I am still on the market for a few basics! I am on the market for a good primer, tinted moisturizer, and foundation as well.

High end or low end, what are your suggestions?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Bath/Shower , Goody , Hair Care , Haul , Maybelline , Skin Care , Sonia Kaschuk , St. Ives , Yes to Tomatoes

Jewelry Haul

I always have a really difficult time finding jewelry that I like. My style leans towards more antique and edgier looking pieces that are not as easily found in the stores near me. A few days ago I went to a local art festival and found a few affordable one of a kind pieces, as well as some fun old necklaces from a second hand vendor. Here are the gems I picked up. Look forward to seeing them in future OOTDs!

 

A gorgeous feather bib necklace made by a local artist.

A matching feather hair clip.

Black suede fringe choker. 

 Mother of pearl ornate cross on gold chain necklace. 

Gold ball and tassel necklace.  Love this one!

Gold cross necklace. Very Gaga a la Madonna.

Gold chain link necklace.

Where do you find your jewelry?

Any good finds recently?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Haul , Jewelry

Mini Haul: MAC Semi-Precious Collection (MSF in Pearl & Lipstick in Musky Amethyst)

*Don't forget to enter my 100 Followers Giveaway!*

 I am a bit of a MAC newbie and a beauty junkie on a budget, so I only hauled two items from the recent Semi-Precious collection. Overall, not much from the collection appealed to me; in my opinion, most of the lipsticks were not terribly unique and I don't typically love mineralized shadows. However, the lipstick in Musky Amethyst and Mineralized Skin Finish in Pearl needed to be mine mine mine! I haven't used these products enough to offer my thoughts and opinions on their performance, but sweet goddess they are pretty to look at!

I love that the MSFs in this collection are like three shades in one: outer rim, inner marbled circle, and the inner and outer colors mixed together.

Swatches of MSF in Pearl, from L to R: Outer rim, Inner marbled circle, Inner and Outer colors mixed together

Swatch of Musky Amethyst

 Did you grab anything from this collection?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Haul , MAC

CVS Haul- 90% Off Sale!

Today I stopped by my local CVS to pick up some items for my upcoming giveaway (only 10 followers to go!), and spotted two huge bins by the register marked "90% Off." I peered into the bins, and they were overflowing with deeply discounted makeup goodies! Be still my makeup junkie heart! No, for real....the adrenaline of sales can give you some serious heart palpitations!

A lot of the products were ruined or had broken packaging, but you best believe that I spent a good hour there carefully combing through the stash for treasures. Many of the items were being discontinued, but others must have just been overstock. Despite the slight mania that a sale can induce in my brain, I tried to be reasonable and only pick out things that I knew were quality products and I would actually use. But stuff was so flippin' cheap that I couldn't help risking it on a few things.

In the end, most of my purchases were under $1. The only items I paid full price for were the new Wet n' Wild eyeshadow trio and bronzer. On top of that, I had a $7.50 ExtraBucks coupon. So my total was....wait for it.....$8.73. Woah Baby!!! My receipt says I saved a whopping $75.72!!!!!

I don't know if this is happening everywhere, but I would stop by or at least call your local CVS to see if they have a similar deal going on!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Haul

Thrift Store Fashion Finds

Recently I have been following more fashion blogs and am always awed by the bloggers' sweet thrift store finds. I never really had much luck at thrifts stores; after hours of sifting through unwashed, outdated, and stained garments, I might find one nice piece that didn't fit me anyways. However, the new blogs I have been following have persuaded me to give second hand shops another go in hopes of finding unique pieces on the cheap. On a recent trip to my local thrift store, I found these pieces (that actually fit!) for a grand total of $15. Success, indeed.

My favorite score is this leopard print oxford long sleeved shirt. It has slightly billowy sleeves, and the image of a tiger, lion, cheetah, and zebra on the side. It is probably the ugliest and strangest 1970's mess of a shirt I have ever laid eyes on, yet I am totally obsessed with it. It has no tag, so I don't know who designed this little gem. I am picturing this  over some black leggings and cinched with a skinny belt, or tied up at the bottom and paired with a high waisted skirt.

I also bough this black and white polka dotted high waited  skirt. It looks brand new, and is a fun piece that I can imagine dressing up or down. It has a sassy retro, pin-up vibe that I'm loving.

Thirdly, I picked up this denim skirt by Converse. Nothing too special here, just a basic, versatile denim skirt. I do love the braided denim detailing on the back pockets. 

Lastly, I snagged this awesome silk scarf. Orange, lime green, and lavender is an unlikely color palette, but I was really drawn to it. I plan to tie this into a headband or as a triangle bandana around my neck.

Do you shop at Thrift stores? Do you have any tips on how to navigate the chaos and find the perfect piece?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Haul , Thrift Store

Mini Stila Haul and Bargain Alert!

Hello lovelies! Last week I popped over to my local Nordstrom Rack to see if they had a sideways cross necklace and cute sundresses, but no such luck. However, to my surprise they did have a small but totally exciting cosmetics section. I had never even thought to look there for discounted high end make up.  I browsed through some Smashbox, DuWop, and Palladio goodies, and resisted the urge to throw the OPI polishes I don't have from the Katy Perry collection into my cart.  In the end, I opted for just two Stila products that were pretty deeply discounted. Their Stila stand was actually pretty impressive, with an array of kajal eyeliners, tinted moisturizers, eyeshadows, and so forth. My Nordstrom Rack also had some high end hair care and styling products, as well as some fragrances. Although the shade selection was limited and their stock store to store varies, I definitely think it is worth checking out if there is a Nordstrom Rack near you!

I snagged Stila's Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer and Eye Shadow in Ray.

I bought the eye shadow, which typically retails for $18, for a little under $7. The bronzing tinted moisturizer is being sold on the Stila site for $32 and I bought it for less that $10. This bargain diva is very happy!

Stila's Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer comes in only one shade, but luckily for me it suits my light-medium skin tone. I have worn this alone and also mixed it with a dab of foundation for a subtle glow. This had a hint of shimmer in it, but it doesn't make me look like a disco ball. So far I am happy with the dewy tanned look it gives me. I wore it in a recent FOTD- check it out here.

Swatch of Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer

Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer blended in.

Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer blended in.

Stila's Eye Shadow in Ray is a shimmery burnt orange bronze shade. I have only used it one, but like Jade (which I received in my May Birchbox), it is buttery smooth, pigmented, and easy to blend. It might just become my summer go-to crease color for a warm bronzed look.

Where do you go to find bargain deals on makeup products? Any unexpected finds?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Haul , Stila

Haul: Wet n Wild Color Icon, Sinful Colors Nail Art, & Seche Vite

With Project 10 Pan behind me, I celebrated the end of my no-buy with a few drug store picks that I have had my eye on. I don't think any of these products are new, but they are new to me :)

I love Urban Decay eye shadows, but not their price tag. Their palettes are generally a steal, but I would have to really be obsessed with a shade to spend $17 on a single shadow. However, more affordable drug store brands can be really hit or miss. I had always assumed that because Wet n Wild is dirt cheap that their products would be crap. But the online beauty community has been buzzin' about their shadows, so I picked up a few and am so glad I did. Just from swatching, I can tell they are crazy pigmented, very smooth, and there are a few really unique colors.

I bought the Color Icon collection in Comfort Zone, and Color Icon trios in Spoiled Brat, Silent Treatment, Sweet as Candy, and I'm Getting Sunburned. I intend to do individual looks and reviews on these, so keep an eye out.

I also picked up four Sinful Colors Nail Art polishes in Sunny Day, Me First, Sour Grapes, and Orange Alert. Can you even handle these?!?! These neon babies are going to make some stellar summer manicures, and at $1.99 each I couldn't pass these up.

I might be the last nail polish lover on the planet to pick this up. I usually only have time to do my nails in the evening, and often times I go to bed with what I believe to be dry nails and wake up with a manicure ruined by fabric marks and dents. Hopefully this Seche Vite will cut down my drying time.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Haul , Nail Art , Nail Polish , Seche Vite , Sinful Colors , Wet n Wild