May 2013 Favorites!

It's time for another favorites post, and I really can't believe how fast the year is going by! I know everyone says that but seriously, we're already almost half way through the year! Plus, there's only four more months until I'm married. Eeekk! Anyways, enough of my ramblings, and onto my favorites!

My first favorite this past month has been the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Cleanser. I've been using this in the morning, obviously, and I like how it actually seems to be controlling the oiliness I get throughout my day. It's not a miracle cleanser by any means, but it makes my skin feel clean and shine free, but not dried out.

My next favorite has been my Sigma P88 Precision Flat Angled Brush. I feel like I've raved about this too much already and I did a full review here if you wanted to read it. Since I already did a review on it, I won't go into much detail here as it may take up this whole post!

Next up is the Aussie Split-End Protector. I've been using this as a leave-in conditioner just on the last 4 to 5 inches of my hair. I did recently get a haircut and I colored it myself, so I'm trying to take care of it the best I can. I hate split ends and as my hair gets longer, it always gets worse whether I get a haircut or not. I've only been using this for about two weeks now and so far it's been awesome! I love how it smells and it makes my hair alot easier to comb and brush through.

Inked in Pink (top) Seashore Frosts (bottom)

My next two favorites have been Maybelline Color Tattoos in the colors Inked in Pink and the coveted Seashore Frosts. I love Inked in Pink when I don't want to put alot of fuss into my look, but still want a nice wash of color on my lids. This color is great underneath a shimmery, champagne colored shadow as well. 

Seashore Frosts. Oh boy have I heard some amazing things about this Color Tattoo! When I read a bunch of rave reviews on this, I knew I had to have it. I went to three different stores looking for it and finally found the last two of this color at Rite Aid mixed in with the regular line. This color for some reason wasn't in the limited edition display. When I saw two of these bad boys hiding, I grabbed them so quick and squealed a little, that's how excited I was. My fiance looked at me like I was nuts, and I probably am! Like I said, I bought the last two they had and I'm not sure what I'll do with the unopened one I have yet.

This next favorite I'm a little happy/sad about. I'm happy I found the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer because it's truly an amazing concealer for the dark circles I have under my eyes. I'm sad because I've heard too many times that this is getting discontinued. I should've known when I saw that this was discounted at 50% off at Walgreen's. I heard alot of amazing things about this concealer through Youtube and figured I'd give it a try. I found the last one of the lightest shade and it's perfect for me.

Color Whisper (left) Lip Butter (right)

My last two favorites are lip products. The first one is the Maybelline Color Whisper in the color Cherry on Top, and the second is a Revlon Lip Butter in the color Sorbet. I love pink lip products whether they be glosses or balms. I'm not the biggest fan of lipsticks, which is why I love these. Both are very moisturizing and have a balmy texture to them. The colors look very similar but Sorbet is a bit deeper. I also love how you can wear these sheer or layer them on your lips to make the color pop more.

NOTD: China Glaze Love's A Beach & Nailtini Millionaire

It's been ages since I've done a Nail of the Day post, and I'm pretty sure I only have one other post showing off my nail polish! I figured I'd do another one because I actually like how my nails turned out this time. I think I'm rubbish at painting my nails but usually after a couple days, it starts looking nice. 

I first put down a base coat, then used two coats of China Glaze's Love's A Beach, which is a beautiful neon pink color with a hint of coral to it. When I put on the first coat, I was pretty shocked when it turned out matte. I looked up other reviews online as well, and for some reason the color here looks nothing like the other reviews, so I don't know what's up with that. Anyways, I love how fast this dried. Right after I put on the first coat, it was completely dry. Amazing! I purchased this at Sally Beauty when there was a sale on their nail polishes for buy 2, get one free. 

I felt like doing a little something extra with my nails and added Nailtini's Millionaire on my ring finger as an accent. I got this glittery nail polish in a previous Ipsy bag and I actually really like it! I love all the gold, green and blue glitter pieces in it and I feel that it makes this look pop a bit. I'm not used to doing much with my nails, so this was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I really ended up liking it. Since I wasn't a fan of the matte look with the China Glaze polish, I did use a shiny top coat afterwards that helped a little bit, but my nails do still look matte. 

Hope you guys like this look!

Review: Sigma P88 Precision Flat Angled Brush

Hey everyone! So when I posted my April Favorites, my first favorite was this brush, and for good reason! I'm very excited to be doing this review, now that I've had a chance to really test it out. So lets get started!

The description I got from the Sigma website says:

Unique Feature: Small, dense and flat angled head
Function: Precise contouring
Recommended Use: Use for precise application of concealer products anywhere on the face. Works particularly well around the eyes and nose
Bristle Type: Synthetic Sigmax

This brush costs $16, but you can usually find a 10% off code on a beauty guru's Youtube channel who's affiliated with Sigma. Also, it says USA on the handle, which I had assumed it was made in the USA, when really it's not. I've read that they're designed in the US, manufactured in China, then distributed by Sigma. Sigma is based in the US. It's not too big of a deal, but they shouldn't put USA on the handle when they're not made here. 

I have to say that I'm in love with this brush! I love that it's angled and that I can get into the corners of my eyes really well. It's also one of the softest brushes I own which is especially nice for use around the eyes. Once in a while if I used a little too much concealer around my eyes, I'll take a little bit around my nose and have no issues with blending. I do wash this brush with baby shampoo after every use since I don't want bacteria getting in my eyeballs or anything. I haven't noticed any shedding or bleeding of color from the bristles either. If you enlarge the picture, you can see there's a little stray bristle at the back of the brush, which I may cut off, but it doesn't bother application. 

I really do love this brush so much. I'm actually thinking of buying a backup of this just to have, but I'm not sure yet. I did buy two other Sigma brushes that I also love, and if you want a review on them, let me know. This is definitely my favorite brush out of the three I bought. 

Have any of you tried Sigma Brushes?

Sunday Social

 

 Today's Sunday Social is all about Summer!

1. Best Summer memory as a kid?
I always liked when my great-grandparents took my younger brother and I to the beach. We usually went to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. I remember one time when we were on the boardwalk getting these frozen slushie treats and I looked out into the ocean and I saw a bunch of dolphins jumping. It was pretty cool to see as a kid.

2. Favorite Summer drink?
Probably a pina colada or a strawberry daiquiri :)

3. Favorite Summer TV show?
I don't have one. I don't watch much TV anymore.

4. Best outdoor Summer activity?
I'm gonna go with going to the shore. I don't get many weekends off from work, but if I do have a weekend off, hopefully I can go for a day!

5. Summer vacation essentials?
Definitely lots of sunblock! I can't really think of anything else right now. I usually make a list of what I'll need depending on where I'm going.

My First and Last Experience With Hautelook

I have a rant today guys. I placed my very first order with Hautelook on May 3rd, and my package just came today. I had ordered this Nude'tude Eyeshadow palette from theBalm, which I was really excited for. I also ordered a blush from theBalm in the color Downboy, which I was also very excited to try. Like I said, my package just came today, so I've been waiting for quite a while. I open up the box all happy and whatnot, and they never sent the blush! I got pretty upset about that and thought maybe I got an email or something saying they had too many orders and I wasn't getting one and would get a refund. That would be all fine and dandy but I got no email, no nothing and my credit card was charged for the full amount. 

After getting upset about not receiving my blush, I open up the palette because I had heard so many amazing things about this. After I open it up, I notice little prints of something on most of the colors. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture, but in person the colors Sassy, Selfish, Sophisticated, Sexy, Serious, Sultry, Seductive, Silly and Sleek all look tampered with. I don't know if it's finger prints or what, but I'm not a happy camper right now. 

I would call customer service, but they're not available on weekends, so I sent an email hoping to get things straightened out. I know I probably won't get an answer til at least Monday, but I'm hoping they'll at least refund me for the blush. My receipt says final sale and that everything is non-returnable, which I understand, but it's a bit upsetting because I was so excited to try both items, when one never came, and the other looks used. It's pretty safe to say I won't be ordering anything from Hautelook again. Ever.

Have you had any good or bad experiences with Hautelook? 

Review: Yes to Tomatoes Acne Daily Pore Scrub

Hey guys! Today I'm going to be reviewing a face scrub that I've been testing out, and it's the Yes to Tomatoes Acne Daily Pore Scrub. I've been trying to be really good about exfoliating my skin because it's getting way warmer here and I'm turning into a big greaseball, which means I tend to break out more. I always have to make sure my pores are as clear as possible so I don't break out, which is why I like scrubs like these!

My first gripe about this is that it says it's a DAILY pore scrub, but I find it way too harsh to be used everyday! Seriously, this contains little bits of bamboo stem as the exfoliator which to my skin it pretty harsh. I've only been able to use this once or twice a week at most. My second and last gripe about this is that it's a bit hard to rinse off. It leaves a bit of a film on your skin if you don't rinse it off very well, but I always follow up with a toner after using this, and that helps quite a bit. 

Now onto some positives! This contains 2% salicylic acid, which helps to clear your pores and fight acne. Also, there is tomato extract in it, and the lycopene in the tomatoes helps block pore clogging impurities, which is a big plus! I've read reviews that people don't like the smell, and I'm no different. Come on though, it's made of tomatoes. Tomatoes smell awful in their normal form! I can't stand how they taste either, but that's beside the point. Overall, it just doesn't smell great. 

Has this product helped my skin? In all honesty, no. I'm still very oily, I'm actually going through a few nasty breakouts right now and I don't really notice this clearing out my pores. I do, however, notice that my skin feels a bit softer after I use this, but that's about it. I don't really like that it leaves a film on my skin either. I'm not super sad about this not working because I bought it at Walmart and I had a $2 off coupon for it, so it only cost me a little under $5. No big deal. I'd love to try out more products from the Yes to line, but I definitely won't be repurchasing this scrub.

Have you tried this scrub before?

Seven Deadly Sins Beauty Tag!

Hey guys! So the lovely Meesha over at Strawberry Hearts Chocolate Darts tagged me to do this! I've been seeing it go around the Youtube beauty community and now it's taking over the beauty blogging world. So here are the questions and my answers!

-GREED: What is your most expensive beauty item?
Probably my Clarisonic. My mom actually bought it for me as a birthday gift a few years ago from QVC and it came with a bunch of other things as well like cleansers and replacement brush heads for it. I'm not really sure how much it cost, but I'm sure it wasn't cheap!

-WRATH: Which beauty item do you have a love-hate relationship with?
Foundation for sure! I love when I first apply it because it looks nice and even and my skin isn't shiny. As my day goes on, my skin gets oily and it basically looks like I have a mask on my face. I try everything I can to make my skin less shiny.

-GLUTTONY: What brand takes up the biggest chunk of your makeup collection?
It's probably a tie between Bare Escentuals and Urban Decay. I've been a bareMinerals girl since I was a teenager and barely into makeup, but I have about a million and one eyeshadows from them, I'm obsessed with their Flawless Definition Mascara and I have a few brushes as well. Urban Decay came later on in life for me as I got more into makeup. I have so many of their eyeshadow palettes, it's a bit ridiculous. I also bought a ton of their single eyeshadows when they went on clearance before they released the new formula of them. Their Eyeshadow Primer Potion is probably my all-time favorite eye primer (but it's expensive!). 

-SLOTH: What product do you neglect to use due to laziness?
Usually eyeliner. For some reason I just don't like how it looks on me but I do try to put it on once in a while. I also don't necessarily think it's due to laziness, but I'm not very good at eyeliner either, which is why I usually skip it.

-PRIDE: Which beauty product gives you the most confidence?
Eyeshadow or lip gloss. I love doing different looks with my eyes, and I have nice, full lips so I love using lip gloss to accentuate them.

-LUST: Which item is at the top of your beauty wishlist?
I honestly don't really have one at the moment. I usually like something for a little bit, but if I end up not buying it, it doesn't really bother me. As I'm out doing errands, if I see something I want I typically just buy it if it's not too expensive. I've been getting more into drugstore makeup lately which is probably why I don't want anything right now.

-ENVY: Which makeup product or look looks great on others, but not yourself?
I'm going with my answer to Sloth and saying eyeliner. So many people make eyeliner look so nice. I see people do the cat eye looks and they do straight lines perfectly and I just suck at it. I probably just need to practice more, but really, I suck.

People I'm tagging
-Beauty and Fashion on a College Budget
-Beauty Guide 101
-Blushing Antics
-Mandy Jean Chic
-MishMreow
-Natalie Loves Beauty
-RosyChicc