November Empties | #32

I used up a crap ton of things this past month - to the point where my bag was nearly overflowing. Dang, it feels good to get through my backstock of stuff! Can anyone else relate?!

I love empties posts because they're a super efficient way of knocking out a ton of mini reviews all at once, and heck - once you've used the ENTIRE product, it's safe to say you know whether or not you'd buy it again and why. So, read below for a speed dating style review of everything I finished up in November.

• Dr. Clear Magic Toner (would repurchase) - I got this ages ago in a MEMEBOX, and it was decent. It wasn't anything magical. It's supposed to balance the skin and help combat oil. I don't have really oily skin, but I do think it helped managed the spots that do produce more oil on my face.

• Origins Modern Friction (would not repurchase) - I hated this face scrub. It's creamy and has little scrubby balls in it that just aren't scrubby enough. It burned every time the tiniest bit got on the very outer part of the inside of my nose, and my skin had some weird reaction to it that made my neck itchy for a few minutes after I was out of the shower. Not worth the price. It might work for you, but it is not a face scrub that works for me. 

• Epice Purifying Exfoliant (would repurchase) - On the other side, I adored this face scrub. It had very fine, almost sand-like, exfoliant in it and it made my skin feel so soft and clean after using it. I have no idea if this is mega expensive or not, but I would consider buying a full size in the future. 

• DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew (would repurchase) - I love this moisturizer. It's light but moisturizing and it doesn't break me out. If I'm remembering correctly, a full size of this is stupidly expensive, but I would consider buying it in the future. 

• Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Hand Cream in Be Joyful (would repurchase) - This is such a luxurious hand cream, I'd love to have a big size - especially for winter. The Be Joyful scent was pleasant and not too overpowering. Overall, super nice and worth the couple extra bucks for the brand name.

• Gold Bond Healing Aloe Lotion (would not repurchase) - Wasn't a big fan of this. I used it for my hands and it just felt like it created a layer of lotion on my skin that didn't really do anything. 

• Laura Mercier Body Souffle in Tarte Au Citron (would repurchase) - These body souffles are so decadent and mega-scented. You can't wear perfume over them, which might be a perk if you want to smell good but don't want to layer lotion and perfume. If you like sweet bakery scents, this would be up your alley. It moisturizes really well and left my skin feeling silky smooth. A full size jar ain't cheap though, so keep that in mind if you're watching your wallet. 

Can you tell I'm trying to get through my endless amount of samples?

• Garnier Balancing Daily Exfoliator (would repurchase) - I didn't expect to like this all that much, but it surprised me and I really enjoyed using it. My skin looked brighter and felt really clean after using it. I'd definitely considering purchasing this at some point.
• Biore Charcoal Pore Strips (would not repurchase) - These are shit. They leave sticky black crap all over your nose when you take the strip off. And let's be real - these are actually damaging to your skin. Combat blackheads and clogged pores a different way than Biore strips, people. Not worth it. 

• Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask (would repurchase) - This was a nice mask. It looked like I was inappropriately trying to pull of blackface makeup, but aside from that it felt nice and made my skin feel clean. 

• Yves Rocher Elixer 7.9 (would not repurchase) - Fairly certain this day cream broke me out. Yves Rocher products are really cheap, and I'm sure the cheap ingredients didn't do anything good for my skin.

• Arbonne Sheer Glow Highlighter (would repurchase) - This was a super pretty cream highlighter that gave a natural glow. It looked amazing in both low light and sun light. I'm not usually one to use cream highlighters, but this made me consider changing that about myself. 

• Matrix Play Back Dry Shampoo (would not repurchase) - I did a blog post on this line from Matrix this summer, and while this was OK, I wouldn't bother getting it again. I have others I like better for less money. 

• Redken Extreme Anti-Snap (would not repurchase) - I like the idea of a product like this - one that helps prevent hair breakage and split ends, but unfortunately it just didn't do anything for me. 

• Pantene Ultimate 10 BB Conditioner (would not repurchase) - I'm not 100% sure, but I think this product weighed my hair down. I only put conditioner in my hair from my ears down, and yet, it seemed like my hair got greasy really fast and was limp and flat when I used this. It's cheap, and you really get what you pay for here. 

• Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Repair Treatment (would repurchase) - This was a nice deep conditioner. I don't have color-treated hair, but I can still use the nourishment that products like this provide. It smelled nice and made my hair feel good. Full review here.

• Sunstar Gum Mint Waxed Floss (would not repurchase) - I keep these little minis from the dentist in my desk at work for desperate flossing needs. This stuff is fine, but it's not the best floss. I wouldn't buy it in a full size.

• Lush Creme Anglaise (would repurchase) - This is my favorite Lush lotion of all time and it's discontinued. I've been nursing this little sample for way too long while I wait for it to someday pop up on the Lush Kitchen site and I can buy a few tubs of it. RIP Creme Anglaise, the most decadent, deliciously-scented, soft-skin-inducing lotion of life. 

• Prada Candy (would not purchase) - This is kind of a cult scent, but it's nothing special and definitely not something I need a full size of. It's very sweet with hints of musk, so it's actually quite mature despite how sweet it is. It doesn't smell bad, but I prefer more unique scents than this. I don't like to smell like every other woman, and this is kind of one of those perfumes.

• Bella Organics Vanilla Mint Deodorant Creme (would repurchase) - Long long ago, Bella Organics sent me a sample of their deodorant to test and review. I absolutely adored it (I wasn't paid to say that either!) I bought a 3 pack on Zulily and this was my last of them. This is a natural deodorant that really does mesh well with my body type, keeping me smelling good even on hot and humid days. It is annoying you have to dig it out and apply it with your hands, but it works so well that I'm over that already. The Vanilla Mint is my favorite scent that I've tried. Full review here. 

• Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion (would not repurchase) - Hello old packaging! Can you tell it's time to get rid of this? I did use most of it, but it's time to say goodbye. I know people rant and rave over this stuff, but it's not one of my favorite eyeshadow primers. I've found way better than this, especially for oily eyelids. 

• Pacifica Alight BB Cream (would not repurchase) - This stuff is way too shimmery and light for my taste. I ended up mixing this in with foundation for a glow and it was OK for that purpose, but I most certainly don't need a full size of this.

• Up & Up Latex-Free Foam Wedges (would repurchase) - Let's be real, these are the original BeautyBlender. I still love using these with certain foundations and I always have some on backup. I always get latex-free so I don't smell like a doctor office.

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - You already know I love these. I use them for toner, eye makeup remover, cleaning my brushes, nail polish remover... you name it. I buy them in bulk from Costco so I'm never without a pack when I use a sleeve up. 

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture (would not repurchase) - This is such a throwback product. I used to use this in high school, but have strayed away from it. I just don't like it anymore. It smells like sunscreen and I think it breaks my skin out. 

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner (would repurchase) - This has been a long time favorite of mine, but Wet n Wild went and reformulated and repackaged this product and it just isn't the same, I'm told. I bought a bunch when they got clearanced off the shelves and I'm sadly working my way through them now. 

• Milani Brow Shaping Clear Gel (would repurchase) - This is an awesome drug store brow gel. It has a small brush and applies easily. It'll hold brows in place without making them feel crunchy. I find it comparable to the beloved Anatasia Brow Gel. 

• Dior Diorshow Mascara (would not repurchase) - This was a pretty good little sample. It made my lashes look long and full, and the mascara itself actually smells good (weird, I know) but it's expensive and there was just something about it that I didn't love but I can't put my finger on it.  I wouldn't buy a full size tube.

• Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer in Citron-Eucalyptus (would repurchase) - I like these, especially in spring and summer when I do a lot of walking and I want to give my feet a good scrub. I didn't like this scent as much as their lavender one, but it worked fine and you get way more than 12 washes like it states. 

• Q-Tips Precision Tips (would repurchase) - I always have these in my vanity drawer. The precision point is nice because you can easily remove stray makeup, an oops with eyeliner, or what have you. 

• Deep Steep Apple Spice Hand Wash (would repurchase) - I love me some Deep Steep hand washes. They're natural and they typically release some good seasonal scents like this one. The Apple Spice scent was perfect for fall. 

• Mrs. Meyers Apple Cider Hand Soap (would repurchase) - I loved this seasonal Mrs. Meyers soap. I also loved the fall colored packaging. I hope they release this again next fall. 

• B&BW Wasabi Apple candle (would repurchase) - This is an older B&BW scent from a couple years back, but it smelled delicious. Let's be clear - I hate wasabi in my food, but the B&BW version mixed with apple was heavenly! 

What have you used up this month? Let me know in the comments! 

Face of the Day | Simple everyday look

My apologies if the picture above is completely blinding you with my whiteness! Pale is my middle name... hello - I'm a redhead living in the frozen tundra known as Minnesota. But let's be real - I simply blend in with everyone else in the frozen tundra... I'm still just as white come July. (Praise be to the spray tan gods!) 

It's been quite a while since I've done a "FOTD" post, so I thought I'd show you an easy everyday look that's totally appropriate for the office, or a night out with friends, and it won't take you very long either!

I decided to break out my Coastal Scents shadows to achieve this look. It uses just 4 colors, but could easily use less or more if you wish. From top to bottom, L to R, I used Kokomo Cafe, Southern Wood, and Deep Merlot - each are Coastal Scents hot pots. The three shades are starred on the photo below.

The eyes are simple. Prime them first to get the best staying power as well as color pop (I used MAC's Soft Ochre paint pot), and then take Kokomo Cafe on a fluffy blending brush and sweep it along the crease of your eye. You don't have to be super precise, this will just help the shadows blend in to each other and keep your eye look from having sharp lines. 

Next take Deep Merlot on an eyeshadow brush and put that in to the outer corner of your eye and blend it inwards towards your tear duct. Blend, blend, blend! Then grab Southern Wood, and dab that on the outer corner and blend it through, not taking it quite as far as you did Deep Merlot. This will deepen the look just slightly. Grab your clean, fluffy blending brush and blend all the colors together. No harsh lines is the goal!

I did pop a bit of Wet n Wild's Creme Brulee in the middle of my eyelid to make the browns pop, and then used Sigma's eye shadow base in Strike along my lower lash line as it matched the shirt I wore that day. I then lined my eyes with Wet n Wild's Mega Liner liquid eyeliner in black (and it didn't apply as nicely as I wanted to, so if it looks wonky to you... it looks wonky to me, too), and applied a couple coats of Calvin Klein CK One Color mascara in True Black. 

The rest of the look (and really ANY of it) can be modified to fit your skin type and preferences. I used my favorite Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation (review here) set with the Essence All About Matt powder and the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch concealer under my eyes, set with the Tarte Smooth Operator powder.

I filled in my eyebrows with NYX's eyeshadow in True Taupe (can you tell I love it - I hit MAJOR pan on it!), touched up with the Wet n Wild eyebrow pencil in Taupe, all set with Maybelline Great Lash in clear. 

On my cheeks I used Benefit's Rockateaur blush (not pictured - it's part of a big set), contoured with Pixi's Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched and Victoria's Secret Illuminating Face Powder in Impassioned as a highlight. I dabbed a touch of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve on my lips, and voila! Look complete!

You could totally up your game and throw some lipstick on to look extra glam, but I was keeping this look a bit played down. See what I mean - super easy! You don't have to have the exact colors I featured - use what you have that's similar. That's the fun and creative part of makeup application.



What is your go-to eye eyeshadow? What lip would you pair with this look? 

Top 14 Products of 2014 | Year in Review

Happy New Year, lovelies!! It's time we say au revoir to 2014 and HELLO to 2015! While I'm not one for making resolutions or getting too starry-eyed about the new year, I do like the thought of a fresh start and all the possibilities that a new year holds. 

Long story short.... in 2014 I traveled around the country to Las Vegas and Orlando, I saw good friends and family members get married, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd year of marriage and one year in our home, and we got a brand new puppy that has really become our spoiled little baby. It was a fabulous year! I hope you all had a great one, too!

The end of a year marks a great time to look back at all the fabulous products that were staples in my beauty routine. I've picked out 14 of the things that I reached for more than all the others in 2014.

When my skin needed a detox, I couldn't help but reach for the Barefaced Mud Mask. It has a really nice herbal scent and makes my skin feel soft and clean. I think this is a nice option for those of you who like the GlamGlow mask but don't want to shell out the ridiculous amount of money for it. It's not an exact dupe, but it's close! Read my full review on the Barefaced Mud Mask here. 

After washing my hair, I typically need a little something to help combat frizz, and this year that product was Josie Maran's Argan Oil Hair Serum. This magical product tames frizz, makes my hair super soft, and never weighs it down. Plus, this little sample bottle has lasted me a long time. 

I always get asked how to make eye shadow last all day without creasing. The answer? A good primer. And nothing works like MAC paint pots. I have the shade Soft Ochre which is a yellow-toned nude. I can get 10+ hours of wear out of my eyeshadow without creasing. This has trumped last year's favorite - theBalm's Put a Lid on It.

Two eyeliners rocked my world in 2014. I still very much love the Wet n Wild Liquid Liner, but these two were pleasant additions to my top 5 favorite eyeliners mental list. The first is Essence's Liquid Eyeliner. I picked this up on a complete whim and I absolutely love it. It has great pigmentation and it's really easy to draw a perfect line with. The second is Wet n Wild's Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner in black. As you'd expect from the name, this eyeliner is really creamy and super easy to work with. It has good color payoff and lasts all day. It's not quite the same consistency as a gel liner, as it will smudge, but it doesn't claim to be waterproof or smudge-proof.

If you read this blog often, you surely aren't surprised that the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation made this year's list. I wear this pretty much every day and I rave about it to everyone I know (and constantly on this blog, too). This is a full coverage foundation that never looks cakey, and is super long-wearing. I fell in love with it when I had bad acne as it reduced the amount of concealer I needed, and even now, with a clear face, this foundation ranks as queen in my book. See a full review on this foundation here. 

2014 was the year of Jo Malone for me. I searched and searched in the beginning of the year for a Jo Malone scent I loved, and after months of sniffing, I ended up purchasing two scents towards the end of the year. Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir is a scent I could not resist purchasing and I have been wearing it nonstop throughout the winter months. It's a really sexy fragrance that's fruity yet musky and could be classified as unisex. I now know why everyone raves about this perfume. Go smell it if you haven't!

I feel bad even including this as was discontinued this year (fingers crossed for a comeback!), but Lush's Creme Anglaise hand and body lotion really was a highlight of the year. My husband calls it "that stuff that makes you smell like baby powder", but in all actuality it's a super luxurious body lotion with notes of vanilla, saffron (I read somewhere once that it takes around 150-170 handpicked saffron flowers to make just one gram of this lotion), almond and cocoa butter. I have never used a lotion quite like this - it makes my skin softer than any lotion I have ever used, and it's exceptionally amazing for just-shaved legs. If Lush ever re-releases this, you can bet I'll be stocking up - and you should, too!

For a girl who likes to go a few days between hair washes, Batiste dry shampoo is my savior! I've tried many many many different kinds of dry shampo, but I always come back around to Batiste. I especially love the Wild scent, which I can smell in my hair for most of the day after I spray it in my roots. It smells like a luxurious perfume and I absolutely love it. If you want to go 2-3 days between hair washes and are prone to oily hair, pick up a bottle of Batiste and your hair will look clean and oil-free! It's a wondrous thing. 

Another perfume that rocked my world in 2014 was Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black. This perfume is a Sephora exclusive and was created by Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen. This smells amazing - it's dark and sexy with notes of violet, sandalwood and vanilla ... definitely a night time scent that's warm and alluring. The packaging also definitely deserves recognition as it's so unique and modern! 

Praise be to the amazing lipstick that is MAC's Viva Glam Rihanna. This was limited edition, too - sorry, don't hate me! I lusted after this after seeing it on a million blogs and my amazing bestie got it for me for my birthday! It's the perfect blue-toned red that has the slightest hint of shimmer, but isn't overwhelming. Take it from a girl who doesn't like shimmer on her lips, this is just right. It's extremely long wearing and it looks AMAZING on us pale girls. I never want this lipstick to end!

An oldie but a goodie, Benefit's Coralista blush is still absolutely amazing to me, and I reached for it over and over in 2014. See swatches of it here. This is a beautiful, shimmery coral blush that adds just the right amount of flush. It's perfect to grab if you're sporting dramatic eyeshadow and just need to look alive but not overdone. This will forever be a favorite of mine.

A completely underrated blush that I get compliments on nearly every time I wear it is the Covergirl Trublend Minerals blush in Shimmering Sands. This is more of a pinky-gold highlighter but I brush it all over my cheeks and then pop a brighter pink on the apples of my cheeks and BAM. It's the most beautiful flush to the face ever. Guaranteed. I have this fear Covergirl is going to discontinue this product, so I really should grab a back up of this when I get a chance. See it in action here and GO TRY IT! 

I did not expect at all that I would fall in love with NYC's Smooth Skin Pressed Powder. I had an old compact of this sitting in my stash, so I pulled it out to use and completely fell in love. I've now gone through 2 or 3 this year and I will definitely keep on buying it. This is a finely-milled powder that does an excellent job of setting foundation without making you look like a ghost, or cakey, or too dry, or all the bad things that can happen when you use a bad powder. The best part? This costs less than $5! Wooo! See it on my face here.




*BIG SIGH*.... wow! That's a wrap on my top 14 products of 2014! I'd love to know what YOU loved this year - let me know in the comments! Happy New Year!!!!

October Favorites

I'm sad to see October go! October is one of my all-time favorite months and I absolutely love Halloween and the beautiful autumn weather that typically graces the month of October. But it's a bittersweet end, because the end of this month means Thanksgiving and (more importantly) CHRISTMAS are on the way! So sadly and happily, I say SAYONARA to October. And the end of the month means only one thing - faves time!!

Here's what I loved this month:

• AuraCacia Pillow Potion - This is a pillow mist made out of a blend of essential oils and water. I have to say, I'm getting more and more in to essential oils, and I REALLY like the smell of this mix. Each night before bed I spritz a few sprays of this Pillow Potion across my pillow and blanket, and I find it to be really relaxing and it helps me sleep. I purchase this off of VitaCost.com (also a favorite this month!) for a great price - all their stuff is sold cheaper than I can find it in stores. Click here to sign up for VitaCost and receive a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $30 or more!

• Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner - I've professed my love for the Wet n Wild Mega Liner liquid eyeliner many a time on this blog, but I also love the waterproof version. I feel like I need to say that I don't love it as much as it's non-waterproof counterpart, but it is pretty darn good. It has a tiny bit of shine, which I don't love, but this stuff does not budge. It's amazing. If you're in need of a waterproof liquid eyeliner for a day you plan to get a little misty (weddings, sappy movie date, etc.) this is the one for you. It costs under $5, too - oh yeah!

• Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne - I did a full review of this here so I'll keep it short and sweet. This is the quintessential fall perfume. It's sexy and earthy, and it could work for women or men. 

• Bath & Body Works Comfort Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Triple Moisture Body Cream - You might remember this from my fall B&BW haul, and I speculated that this might be too sweet to use frequently. BOY WAS I WRONG. This stuff is amazing. The part of me that prefers to use natural skincare hates the part of me that loves B&BW's Triple Moisture Body Creams, but dayum... they're just great. This one smells really nice and spicy on the skin, and leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated. Highly recommend this scent if you're a fall scent lover.

• Covergirl TruBlend Minerals in Shimmering Sands - This is a totally old product that I'm absolutely in love with. (see it in use here) This is a light shimmery pinky-gold powder that I use on my cheekbones, prior to going in with a pink blush on the apples of my cheeks. It adds that dewy look to the cheeks without looking like a disco ball, and the end result is stunning. I don't even know if this stuff is still for sale, but when I run out someday I will be running out to get this again wherever I can.

What did you love in October? Let me know!

Summer Lovin' - FOTD

It FINALLY feels like summer here in Minnesota - kind of sad, considering it's July 21... but we've just been graced with some 80+ degree weather for the last few days and I am absolutely loving it. All this sunshine and warm weather had me feeling so good that I decided to sport some dressed up eyes just for the heck of it. Here's how you get the look:

On my face, I began by moisturizing. See my current skincare routine for the products I use to do just that. For foundation, I used a cosmetic sponge to apply the Revlon ColorStay foundation; I'm the lightest shade, #110 Ivory. I set it using my go-to Rimmel Stay Matte powder. For a pop of color on my cheeks, I used a blush that's been featured many times on this blog, Physician's Formula Multi-Colored Blush in Blushing Nude. 

I filled in and set my eyebrows using the Wet n Wild eyebrow pencil in Taupe and the Maybelline Great Lash in clear. On my lips I'm wearing a NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in the shade Nude Peach Fuzz, an awesome pigmented cream that is more like a liquid lipstick. Because this look is more dramatic for me than normal, a nude lip color is a nice choice so the attention stays on the eyes.

For my eyes, I started by using the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin, a shimmering champagne color. To define the crease, I used my all-time favorite NYX single in True Taupe with a fluffy blending brush. Any matte brown that is just a couple shades darker than your skin tone will do. 

I then pulled out my Sephora Primal Instincts palette seen above to do the real work. Using the lighter shimmery purple shade called Tea Rose (top, right) I filled in the outside of my crease and then pulled it in along my lid. To really define the outside of the crease, I then used the jewel-toned shimmery purple called Plum. I pulled this slightly around the top of the lid for a bit of definition. To brighten up the middle and inner corner of my lid, I used a rosy champagne color (top, left) called Apricot. And wa-lah! That's all for the eyeshadow.

Because my eyes always need a pop of eyeliner to look complete, I used a brown liquid Covergirl liner (unnamed) and went over it with the Sigma eyeshadow base in Strike, a shimmery burgundy brick color. To complete the look I used a couple coats of Eyeko's Black Magic mascara. 


This look is super easy to replicate, and you definitely don't need to use the exact same colors I did to achieve something awfully similar. If you recreate this look, send me a link! I'd love to see!

Empties | #5

Wowza, I just did one of these posts a month ago but my bag of empties filled up quite quickly in that time so here we are again! Are you ready for this? Here we go...

• Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Mask - I love this stuff. Seriously, holy grail status. It's an expensive little mask, retailing for $30, but it's worth every penny. I'll definitely buy it again. 

• Aveda Invati Shampoo & Conditioner - I bought this stuff because I had been on some medication which totally dried my hair out, and made it feel thin and disgusting. My hair wasn't actually thinning, but I wanted to bulk it up and add some life to it. I didn't really notice any difference, and while this smelled really nice, I wouldn't buy it again.

• John Frieda Luxurious Volume Volume Refresher (dry shampoo) - This made my February favorites because it rocks. If it wasn't discontinued, I'd totally repurchase it again. See my review here. 

• Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturizer - I bought this on a whim quite a while ago and finally used it up. This had a very strong smell that didn't linger on the skin, but certainly is enough that it may turn some off. I didn't notice any major wrinkle reducing properties, but it did a decent job moisturizing. I dont' think I'd buy this again, however.

• Simple Soothing Facial Toner - This was really nice. It never made my face sting or burn, but it removed any excess makeup that lingered on my face post-cleaning. I'd buy this again.

• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser - I got this in last summer's Allure Beauty Box. It's been marketed as a better alternative to Cetaphil, which I've also used before, and I have to say I did like this better. It didn't break me out and did a good job of washing my makeup off. I'd repurchase this.

• Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover - This wasn't anything special, but it did remove my eye makeup easily and efficiently. It was fairly cheap, too. I would buy this again.

• OPI Avojuice in Jasmine - Avojuice's are one of my favorite lotions, and I especially love the jasmine scented version.This lotion was really hydrating, but it never left my skin feeling greasy. I've got plenty of other lotions to use first, but I'd repurchase this in the future.

• Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Body Cream in P.S. I Love You - This isn't completely gone, but it just doesn't smell the same anymore... a tell-tale sign that a product is expired. This was one of my favorite B&BW scents, but sadly it's discontinued. These triple body moisture creams are awesome and really hydrating. If it ever gets brought back, I'd buy this again.

• Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel - You may recall seeing this in my recent Lush haul. This is a cult favorite body wash that comes out at Christmas, and this was my first time trying it. To be quite honest, I didn't like the scent much at all. It's super sickly sweet and just not my taste. I have one more bottle of it (I got sent another because this bottle leaked during shipping) which I'll use, but I wouldn't buy it again.

• Hello Anticavity Toothpaste in Supermint - This is a fairly new brand as far as I know, and I picked this up just out of curiosity. I do like natural toothpastes quite a bit, and this was really nice. My only complaint was the packaging made it quite difficult to get anything out once it started to run out. Because of the packaging, I wouldn't buy it again.

• Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer - I got this in a past Birchbox, and this deluxe sample size lasted me over a month! I really liked this, but the full-size is a bit spendy and I've got comparable drugstore alternatives I'd use instead of spending the money. If I did find it for a good deal, I would buy it.

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner in Black - Ya'll know I love this. I've bought it time and time again, and will continue to. 

• Benefit They're Real Mascara - I got this little sample in my Sephora birthday pack from last year. I know everyone raves about this mascara, but I really didn't enjoy using this sample. The brush was sharp and it tended to clump on me. I've heard that these little samples aren't the best way to judge this mascara, but I can't say I'd buy the full size any time soon.

• ChapStick Overnight Lip Treatment - This was nice. I used it every night before bed, and it left my lips feeling really soft and hydrated. I'd buy this again.

• Bath & Body Works PocketBac in Wildberry Freesia - You already know, I use these every time before I do my makeup. I liked it, this was a nice scent, but I'd probably try a new scent before buying this one again.

• ChapStick in Strawberry - Everyone knows these are just fine. I kept it in my desk at work and it did the trick of moisturizing my lips when I needed it. I've got plenty more of these, so I won't need to repurchase this any time soon. 

• Givenchy Very Irresistable Perfume sample - This smelled nice, but I don't think I like it enough to get a full-size. I'm not the greatest at describing scents, but it was floral and fresh. Not bad, but just not anything I absolutely need.

• The Country Corn Crib Soy Candle in Pomegranate Spice - These candles are made in Minnesota, and can often be found at craft shows in this area. This scent smelled SO good and had really great scent-throw. You can find them online here. 

• Soy Candle in Exotic Woods - You can read more about this candle in my February Favorites. I really liked it, and would purchase it again if it gets re-released. 

• Bath & Body Works Candle in Black Pepper Bergamot - I really love this scent, but these little candles are just silly. They don't burn very long, and don't put off much scent at all. I'd buy this in a bigger size, but not in this teeny tiny version again.

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

FOTD | Brunch

This past Sunday, a friend of mine invited a couple girls over for a brunch at her house. It was a really fun morning full of delicious food and great company. We dined on a pepper and artichoke frittata, apple cinnamon muffins and breakfast cookies. And of course, mimosas. What brunch would be complete without mimosas? 

I wanted a really fresh, simple look for this brunch and I thought I'd share with you what I used to achieve just that. 

• Face: I moisturized with Neutrogena Oil-Free moisturizer (not pictured) and followed up with Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer on areas of my face where my pores are larger than other areas. I then used Revlon's Nearly Naked foundation in shade 110 Ivory and applied it all over the face using my Sigma F80 flat-top kabuki brush. For blush, I used a Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Plum Wine, which adds a really natural flush to the cheeks. To set my foundation, and even over-top of my blush, I used the NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder in Transluscent. This isn't my favorite powder, but it's been in my collection for too long so I'm trying to use it up. 

• Eyes: I primed my eyelids first using Urban Decay's eye primer in Eden (not pictured - I have an icky sample packet I'm using). I then used the matte taupe color in the picture above called Like a Virgin (from the Too Faced Naked Eye Palette) to define my crease. On the rest of my eyelid, I used an Ulta eyeshadow in Seashell. This is the pinky gold color you see catching the light in the images above. For eyeliner, I use my tried and true favorite liquid eyeliner, Wet n Wild's Mega Liner in Black. For mascara, I applied one coat of Ulta Plush Drama mascara in Jet Black, followed by a coat of Pixi's Large Lash Mascara in Best Brown. 

• Eyebrows: To fill in my eyebrows, I used the NYX eyeshadow single in True Taupe. I love using this shadow for my brows because of the natural, full look it gives. To set them, I used Maybelline Great Lash clear gel. 

• Lips: With all the cold, dreary weather we've been having, I was craving a bright bold pink lip. I used a lipstick by Besame Cosmetics in the shade Exotic Pink (remember that lipstick?). Is that packaging amazing or what?!

What is your go-to brunch look?

February Favorites 2014

It's been months since I've done a favorites post, and it's about dang time I did a new one! It just so happens that this month, I have some awesome things to share with you. Here are my absolute favorites for the month of February...

Lush Sikkim Girls Body Lotion - Look familiar? I got this in January in my Lush haul! I really battled with the idea of including this in my favorites, as it can't be purchased anymore - but I love it THAT much! (you can buy the perfume, but not the body lotion) I have to be honest, when I first put this on, I couldn't tell if I smelled really amazing and earthy or if I smelled like an old lady. Either way, I rocked this all month. It is so strongly scented of frangipani, tuberose, jasmine and vanilla that it will stay on your skin literally all day. I apply it after I shower and I can still smell it 12+ hours later. It's exotic, sexy and dark... I love love love it.

Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment - I got this in my Yes To haul, and I am in love. This claims to reduce the appearance of fine lines in just 7 days, and I actually did see an improvement in my undereye area! This mega-hydrating formula works wonders. I apply it in the morning, and it's great under makeup without being too heavy. 

Exotic Woods Soy Candle - This candle is from Target and it smells heavenly. I love woodsy, dark fragrances (obvi) and this smelled amazing. I think my husband and I actually got this for our wedding and when I saw it in my pile of candles I thought "EEK! We better burn this!" ... especially considering we've been married nearly a year and a half. What can I say, I'm a candle hoarder! I hope Target releases this scent again!

Wet n Wild Gel Eyeliner in Black - This is only the second gel eyeliner I've purchased and it was such an upgrade from the other that I own that I have been using it nonstop. It's super black (my requirement for any eyeliner) and soft. It glides on so easily and lasts all day. It smudges a tiny bit, but I don't even mind. 

NYX Eyeshadow in Flamingo - This is one of my favorite eyeshadows that I own. It goes so well with my fair skin tone. It gives my eyelids a pinky gold sheen that is almost unnoticeable until I'm in the right light. It's perfect for a shimmery neutral eye, or even as a one color wash on the lids. Beautiful and cheap - could it get any better?

Chloe Eau de Parfum rollerball - I have long wanted this perfume in my hands, and I finally went to Sephora and snatched up this amazing perfume. Chloe is an iconic feminine scent that smells strongly of rose and amber. It is the epitome of class and I can not get enough. I'm going to have to splurge on a full-size of this perfume once I run out of the rollerball. 

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Volume Refresher (dry shampoo) - Oh my gosh, just break my heart - I just found out this is discontinued! Go figure, as I picked it up at Big Lots a while ago... and we all know why makeup is at Big Lots. I LOVED this. It didn't leave a white cast in my hair, it smelled nice, and it actually did give my hair volume. I so wish this would make a comeback!

What did you love this month? Let me know!

FOTD | Justin Timberlake Concert

My friend Paul  + I!

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of seeing Justin Timberlake in concert. I've been a huge JT fan through his whole career, and when I heard he was going to be in my neck of the woods for the first time in 7 years, I could not miss out. 

One of my best friends (Paul) and I go to many concerts together, and have seen nearly all of our favorite bands, and both of us agree, this Justin Timberlake concert was *the* best concert we have ever seen. What really made the night special was during the second half of the show; The front part of the stage broke off and rolled right in front of our seats! It was stunning! JT sang 4-5 songs right in great view! Amazing!

I thought I'd show you what makeup I was wearing, as I always like to sport something bold in some way when I see a show. For JT, I went bold lips all the way! 

To achieve this look, I used (my favorite!) Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation in Ivory. To conceal any darkness under my eyes and brighten the under-eye area, I used the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless eye concealer in shade 205. On the cheeks, I used one of the new NYX baked blushes. This one is in the color Chiffon, a bronzey mauve color. (more on these blushes coming later!) 

On my eyes, I primed with my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Nude Pink that I forgot to put in the picture - oops! (see my review on this product here) and then used the starred matte brown color from my Crown Brush Neutral Smokey Eye palette and used that in the crease and outer V of my eye. I then used the starred pink-white color in the middle and inner corner of my eye to brighten things up. I lined my eyes with my favorite Wet n Wild Mega Liner, and lined the waterline with the Rimmel ScandalEyes liner in Nude to make my eyes appear bigger and more awake. For mascara, I used this little mini Benefit They're Real!

I used the Wet n Wild Kohl Brow/Eyeliner pencil in Taupe to fill in my eyebrows, followed by a coat of Maybelline Great Lash in clear to set them.

For the bold pop of color, I lined my lips and filled them in with the NYX retractable lip liner in Fruit Punch before going in with one hell of a red lipstick: L'Oreal's Colour Riche La Lacque lipstick in Lacque-onic. (read more about these lipsticks here) I loved the bold pop against my very fair skin. I always love an excuse to go mega-bold with my lips and this was just the right night for it!

Just for fun, here's a clip from the show!

Product Empties II!

It's been a couple months since my last empties post, and this isn't the biggest group of products, but my husband I are moving in a bit here and you can bet I will NOT be bringing my trash with me! Time to get this stuff off my hands, tell you what I loved and what I didn't. Ready to see my trash?... 

• Nature's Beauty(works) Sensitive Skin Cleansing & Makeup Remover Towelettes  - These cleansing towelettes were okay. The one thing I do like about them is that they're made with organic and all natural products. Each product is either plant, sugar or naturally derived. I used them to wipe off my makeup at the end of each day, which they did, but they just weren't wet enough for my taste. They are pretty heavily scented with the smell of chamomile, which I enjoy. I know this scent won't be for everyone, though. I found mine on sale at Trade Secret, but you can find them on drugstore.com for $5.99 (click link above to purchase). I would purchase these again.

• Olay Fresh Effects (S'wipe Out!) Makeup Removal Cloths - I didn't like these. If I swiped too close to my eyes, my eyes would burn like crazy. You only get 20 wipes per package, which I think is a rip-off considering they retail for $5.99. (You may have noticed the Nature's Beauty(works) wipes came with 30!) I think for your money's worth you can get a better wipe for cheaper at the drugstore. I will not repurchase these.

• Vidal Sassoon Restoring Repair One Minute Mask - I didn't love this hair mask and I didn't hate it. I grabbed it on sale at Target, and figured I'd give it a shot. I didn't notice my hair feeling much more hydrated than it is from a normal conditioner, even when leaving it in longer than the one minute it suggests. You can find this product at most drugstores for around $5. I probably won't buy this again because I've used better hair masks.

• Finesse ReVitality Hydrate & Recover Conditioner - I really enjoyed this conditioner. My hair felt noticeably more hydrated and healthy after using it, and it felt especially soft and silky. This had a fruity scent that I liked as well. I found this at Big Lots, but you can find it on drugstore.com (click link) or Amazon for around $5. I would definitely repurchase this.

• L'Oreal Vive Pro Hydra Gloss Moisturizing Conditioner - This lovely conditioner made an appearance in my August favorites and I loved it the whole bottle through. This stuff was great for hydrating my very dry hair. You can find it at most drugstores for around $5. I would definitely repurchase this. 

• Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara - I got this little sample in a Sephora order, I believe and I enjoyed it. Would I spend the $28 to get a full-size? Hell to the no. (See my previous product empties for which high-end mascara I would shell out $$$ for) It added a good bit of volume (with a tendency to get a bit clumpy) and I found it worked best after the product started to dry out a litte (after 15+ uses or so). You can get this mascara at Sephora. 

• e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen - First and foremost, this definitely wasn't waterproof. It wiped off with the tiniest amount of water, disappointingly. Aside from that, I really liked the size of the tip (click here for a picture) and it went on well and was very black. For $2 you really can't beat it. You can find these at Target or online at eyeslipsface.com. I would repurchase this in the future.

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquied Eyeliner in Black - Go figure! Another of these used up. Do I ever shut up about this eyeliner? I love this stuff, always have. My only complaint is it runs very easily when your eyes water, but it dries so matte, and SO black and has such a precise brush that I will continue to repurchase it for ages to come because I haven't found anything quite like it. On top of all that, it costs just $2.99. You can find these at Walgreens and most other drug stores.
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• Salon Sciences Instant Artificials - I got this base coat at Sally Beauty a couple years ago and slowly worked my way through it. I really liked it. It's 3-free (re: it doesn't have bad chemicals in it) and really did make my nails feel stronger. It retails for $8.49. I would repurchase this. 

• Barielle Hydrating Ridge Filler - I went through this base coat pretty quickly, and I did enjoy it, but I kind of think it made my nails weaker over time. I used both this and the Salon Sciences base coat off and on, and when I used this one I noticed that my nails were more prone to peeling. I can't pin it to this polish with 100% certainty, but I've got a hunch it was this product. I found mine at TJ Maxx for around$8, but this typically sells for $16 and you can find it at barielle.com. Click the link to purchase.

• Tom's of Maine Whole Care Flouride Toothpaste in Peppermint - I really liked this toothpaste. It's all natural but it still has fluoride (important for strong, healthy teeth!) which many natural toothpastes leave out. It tastes nice and fresh and made my teeth squeaky clean. I got mine at Target for about $5, and I'd definitely buy it again.

• Bath & Body Works PocketBac Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel in Lemon Daisy - I always like these little PocketBacs. I use them prior to applying my makeup to make sure my hands are bacteria-free when I'm touching my face. This one had a nice daisy scent that I didn't love or hate. You can often find these on sale at B&BW, 5 for $5. I won't repurchase this scent because I've got a whole bunch of others to get through.

• Dial Skin Therapy Replenishing Body Wash in Himalayan Pink Salt & Water Lily - I bought this because I really loved the scent. It has that typical water lily smell, but there's something more to the fragrance that I can't quite put my finger on. Unfortunately  it didn't do much for moisturizing my skin, and the scent didn't stick around very long after showering, so I don't think I'd repurchase it. You can find this at most drug stores for about $6.

• Boots Extracts Mango Body Wash - I loved this body wash! It has a subtle mango scent with a vague hint of coconut too (although it's not supposed to). It smelled like I was spreading real mango all over me.  Another thing I loved is that this body wash is made with organic mango extract that is sustainably sourced and fairtrade. Boots is a UK brand, but you can get it at Target. I would definitely purchase this again.

• Bath & Body Works Sensual Jasmine Vanilla Body Wash - This body wash smells really musky, which I love for the cooler months. It was a decent wash, but I didn't think it was anything special. I was glad to have a travel bottle, because it was all I really needed before getting sick of the smell. You can get this at Bath & Body Works. I don't think I'd repurchase this.

• Chapstick Medicated Lip Balm - I really like this Chapstick. I've mentioned in other posts that I'm currently on a medication which dries my lips out like crazy, and sometimes that can make them very sore and irritated; this chapstick is the perfect remedy. It has a nice tingly feeling once you apply it because it has menthol in it. It also has camphor in it to help soothe irritated lips. You can find this at most drug stores for around $2. I've already repurchased another one.

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in Ivory - I won't go in to depth on this product as I've already given a lengthy review here, but I will say I freakin' love it. It's full coverage and it lasts all day long. You can find this at most drugstores for around $10, and I've already repurchased this product.

• Clinique Happy Perfume - This is nothing new to you guys. Happy has been Clinique's most popular scent since forever. As you can see, I still have some left, but this little sample has gone rancid as I've had it for quite some time. I've never been the biggest fan of Happy, which is a citrusy floral scent, hence why it sat basically unused on my vanity. You can get this at Clinique counters. I will not repurchase this.