January Favorites!

How is January already over!? I felt like January flew by so fast, which is scary because we're already coming up on the second month of 2014! January was a pretty great month for me. I did a lot of fun things and it was just a great start for the year.

Anyways, here's my January favorites =)

Benefit World famous Neutrals-Most Glamorous Nudes Ever

Review

Versace Bright Crystal perfume. This was gifted to me for Christmas and I all can say is it smells amazing!

Cake Dry Shampoo. It soaks up oil really well, has a nice scent, and doesn't leave a residue or color behind.

Raspberry & Blackberry lotion and Body Shop Vanilla Body Butter. 

Both very moisturizing.

MAC 187 duo fiber stippling brush and Benefit Coralista blush.

A great combo and the blush smells surprisingly good!

Baby Lips Dr.Rescue, Soothing Sorbet. NYX round lipstick, Tea Rose

The Baby Lips is super moisturizing with great color payoff and the lipstick is really creamy and has a beautiful color!

The Rocket mascara and Annabelle Mojito eyeliner.

The mascara has lots of volume and the eyeliner adds a nice subtle pop of color.

I tried to not ramble about the products for a change so I hope you liked it!

BYE =)

Makeup shopping tips! (Avoid impulse buys!)

I often go to the drugstore with nothing in mind, and come out with tons of stuff I don't need, and will never use. I've recently used my own advice and to stop impulse buying, and start spending my money on things I actually want.  Here are my 8 tips for makeup shopping! I hope these help save you a little bit of money and make better decisions. 

1. Don't be afraid to do some research before you head out!

I usually like to do my research before I purchase a product. I like to make sure I'm not buying something I'm not going to like, or something that won't work for me. Sometimes foundations work for certain skin types, or lip colors compliment certain skin tones. Read some reviews before you buy.  

2. Don't buy doubles

If you already have a red lipstick that you like, don't buy another red lipstick! If a brand has come out with a new formula or collection that you "must try", try to choose colors that you don't already have at home.

3. Take some time to think before you add things to your cart 

Ask yourself if you'll be happy you bought it this time next week. Think about if you will really use it.

4. Find coupons!

You don't have to be an extreme coupon-er to use coupons. Cut out or print some coupons that you could use and don't be embarrassed to use them!

5. Compare Brands!

Check out your weekly flyers and see which brand has the best offer. Whether it's 20% off or buy 1 get 1 free, you decide what the best deal is. 

6. Take advantage of testers!

If you're lucky enough to find a drugstore that offers testers of the products, use them! Test them out for color matching, formula, and application. This is a great way to sample the product before you buy. 

7. Don't let a sales associate talk you into something you don't want

It's their job to get you to buy their products, it won't hurt their feelings if you say no. If you don't want to buy the item they've suggested, just politely decline. 

8. Only bring the amount of $$$ you're willing to spend

Don't bring your credit card, or savings in cash. Just pull aside the amount of money you're willing to send, and only bring that! That way it's impossible to go over budget. 

I hope those 8 tips helped! Good luck shopping =)

Bye!

Benefit World Famous Neutrals-Most Glamorous Nudes Ever

Hey! So today I'm doing a review on one of my new favorite things, the Benefit World Famous Neutrals set!
I've been using it for about a month now and I've really been loving it. It's really convenient in the sense that you can create numerous eye looks with one palette! I'm really like it and I'd love to try the others shades!

It's quite a bulky palette which takes up a lot of extra space, although I think the packaging is really cute.

It comes with 4, 0.04 oz long-wearing powder shadows is call my buff, kiss me, i'm tipsy, it's complicated, and gilt-y pleasure, as well as 2, 0.11 oz creaseless cream shadows in birthday suit and my two cents.

It also has a good sized mirror and 2 tutorials.

I was SO impressed with the quality of these shadows. I had never tried Benefit's shadows before and I was so surprised when I first swatched them. The cream shadows went on so smoothly and felt so velvety! The pigmentation was also amazing! The cream shadows lasted all day with absolutely no creasing, which is saying something because ALL of my eyeshadows crease on me.
As for the powder shadows, I fell in love with those too. They went on really smooth and had great pigmentation. They blend so effortlessly to create a gorgeous look. I can't say enough good things about them. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this product other than the bulkiness of the packaging which I can deal with.
I would definitely try out more Benefit eyeshadows in the future. I'm so thankful for receiving this as a gift on Christmas!
I really hope this helped, bye!

Nails of the Day! (NYX "Paris")

Hey guys! Due to my schedule of posting every 3 days, I wasn't set up to post on Monday so instead of a Mani monday, I'm just doing a Nails of the Day! Anyways, today I'm wearing the color Paris by NYX which is a gorgeous blue toned pink! I really like the formula, it was really creamy and opaque. the brush was really big and a little difficult to work with but it ended up ok.

Hope you enjoyed :) 

Bye!

NYX Matte Lip Cream Review! (Give a Little Love 3 Piece Set)

Hey there!
NYX is one of my favorite makeup brands, and I'm constantly buying more products. A few weeks ago, I found this trio of matte lip creams at Target! It was the last one of the shelf and the price was unmarked. I've had my eye on it since before Christmas, but I was holding out for it to go on sale from $15. When I priced checked it, it was only $7.50! I was super happy and I've been trying them out for a while now.

Antwerp: Orange coral
Addis Ababa: Bright Fushia
Tokyo: Pale creamy pink

Above: With Flash
Below: No Flash
Left to right: Antwerp, Addis Ababa, Tokyo

It's a bit smaller than an average lip gloss tube. It has a matte black top which is a nice touch, and an opaque bottle showing the color of the product.
The NYX site says: "Neither lipstick nor lip gloss, this matte lip cream is a new kind of lip color that goes on silky smooth and sets to a matte finish. Soft Matte Lip Cream is surprisingly durable and, unlike some matte lipstick formulas, also moisturizing."
These retail for around $6-10 depending on where you go.
I have mixed opinions on them. The color payoff is great! It's 100% opaque and matte. they glide on smoothly and are really easy to apply.
I don't like the fact that they are a bit drying after about 5 minutes and they settle into the lines of my lips. They also transfer very easily. These are pretty long-wearing, which is great if that's what you're lookis for but these jsut weren't for me.
I'll continue to use them, but I don't think I'll buy anymore.
Hope this helps! BYE =)

Easy Organization!

Hey Guys!

I'm in love with organizing! I'm constantly re-organizing my bedroom and bathroom and playing around with the set up and storage of everything.  I wouldn't call these "DIY' but they are very inexpensive. Most of these things can be found at the dollar store, and places like Walmart and Target or even at home!

After endless searching on Pinterest, I came across many photos of organizing with cupcake trays and thought it was a great idea. I picked up a 3 tier metal cupcake tray from a home store and it looks great. I didn't choose the most practical tray, due to the bottom of each tier not being flat, but it works fairly well. I use this to store perfumes, lotions, hand sanitizers and a few other little things. 

I love this idea for storing earrings! I picked up an ice cube tray from the dollar store and it works perfectly. I put 1 or 2 pairs of studs in each section and it really helps me to find the pair I'm looking for.

 I find it really convenient to keep chargers and headphones in this little sundae-type bowl just from a grocery store. It's just super easy to grab and go and it keeps the mess contained.

I love this ring organizer from Target! It's really cute and it was only $1.

And lastly, I keep my bobby pins in a little candy tray from Target, also only $1! Again, super easy to grab and go :)

I hope this helped and maybe gave your some inspiration for organizing, Bye!

My Hair Care Routine! (Most used hair products)

Hey there!

Today I'm going to be showing you my hair care routine! My hair is fairly long and, I love keeping it healthy and strong. I usually try to avoid heat, but I do use it every now and then.

This may seem like A TON of products, but I honestly find myself using each one pretty much every week. Obviously I don't use heat protector if I don't use heat, and I always switch up my shampoo, but these are basically the products I currently reach for most often!

First off, my shower and post-shower related products!
Lately I've been using the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth shampoo and conditioner. I haven't had time to completely try out the shampoo but I've really been liking the conditioner.

After my shower, I use the RUSK cream detangler nearly every night! It gets out every tangle and I personally think it work way better than a spray. I often reach for the Marc Anthony oil of morocco when I'm looking for a soft hair result. I actually have a review on this which I did last year, check it out!

I'm not really sure what to call this category, but I thought the products kind of went together.

My absolute favorite hairspray it the L'OREAL Elnett Satin hairs[ray. I have the unscented version and it works amazing. Most hairsprays leave my hair crunchy and dry but this makes you feel like you aren't even wearing any! It is on the pricey side, but I think it would be worth it.

When I do find myself using heat, I protect my hair with the TRESemmé heat tamer spray.

And for split end control, I use Aussie anti-breakage spray which I picked up from a clearance rack at Walmart for only $1!

The last "category" is sort of a finishing product category. First, the cake dry shampoo powder. I'm still getting used to this since it stains my roots a bit, but I should have a more detailed review on the cake products in the future. I also use the cake dry shampoo spray, it works really well and adds a lot of volume. And finally, I am in love with the John Frieda frizz-ease finishing creme. A little goes a long way and eliminates all of your frizz!
That's pretty much my most used hair products! I hope it wasn't too long.
Bye!

Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box Review!

I'm finally doing a review on my first Urban Decay makeup product!

I know I post mostly on drugstore products, but  wanted to step out a bit and share my opinions on some higher-end products as well! 

I actually showed this in my boxing day haul, check it out here!

Anyways, I got this at Sephora for only $12! I had never heard of it before, but I think it retails for $38 normally so I got it for a third of the price! 

The colors really caught my eye, there are some really unique colors in there. Most of them are colorful and fun, but the bottom row is full of neutrals perfect for everyday wear!

The packaging is extremely gorgeous, Definitely a 10/10 on that one! It has a purple velvet looking border, with a very unique silver, textured material on the front which catches the light beautifully.

It also comes with a mini primer potion which I've been wanted to try for ages!

It's not huge, but it's definitely enough to try it out to see if I want to buy the full size.

The palette has a fairly large mirror, which is useful when applying eyeshadow. It includes 9 shimmery eyeshadows and 2 sponge-tip applicators.

The 6 top colors are mostly fun, colorful shades, but you also get 3 fairly neutral colors down at the bottom.  You can create endless looks with this palette, although I didn't create any for this review today.

I could not seem to get a good swatch photo. The sun has been going down so early, I barely have any natural lighting to work with, so the photo isn't focused very well. :(

A few individual swatches.

I expected more pigmentation coming from Urban Decay. I've heard great things about their shadows and I was a little disappointed.  Some of the shades such as Peace, Honey, and Zero have great pigmentation, while other shades like Fishnet, Graffiti and Scratch aren't as great.

Some of the colors are a little difficult to see from the photo so I'll try my best to describe them:

Fishnet: A purple/pink with blue shimmer

Honey: A very unique golden yellow with gold shimmer

Ransom: Another unique color, almost an Indigo color with purple shimmer

Graffiti: Emerald green with lighter green shimmer

Zero: Looks black, appears charcoal-y, a black with specks of silver shimmer

Peace: A bright blue with lighter blue shimmer (one of my faves!)

Shag: A golden brown with gold shimmer

Scratch: A beautiful rose gold shadow with golden shimmer

Underground: A medium brown with brown and gold shimmer

Overall I think this palette IS worth it. Yes some of the shadows are not extremely pigmented, but the ones that are and the price make up for that!

I would definitely recommend this anyone who can get their hands on this, especially if you'd like to try Urban Decay for a little cheaper! ;)

I hope this helped, Bye!