Mini-Haul

I actually got to go out shopping for a couple of hours all by myself a couple of weeks ago!! It was awesome!  I set out to buy the items I previously mentioned (and a couple more things).  Some make up - and some not.  Thought I'd just put together a haul post.  I waited a little bit to write about my haul as I wanted to have ample time to test and give a true review.

I bought both of the MAC eyeliners I set out to purchase; Buried Treasure and Rich Experience.  I love them both for different occasions.

Rich Experience is a deep brown/black and is exactly what I was looking for.  I'm a pale skinned red head, so black eyeliner tends to look too harsh on me.  I prefer to use black only for evening looks and dark smokey eye looks.  These two eyeliners are perfect for every day looks.  My eyelashes are very blonde, so I wear eyeliner every day to create a base for my lashes.  Buried Treasure is also a very dark brown/black, except is has flecks of gold in it. It's not overly sparkly, but has just enough to create a difference in these two eyeliners.

The formulas of each of these are a little different.  Rich Experience is Pro Longwear which on the MAC website states: Pro Longwear's long-lasting eye liner delivers creamy, dense colour that glides on smoothly. 12-hour waterproof formula stays put and smudge-free. Retail price is $19.50 and can be purchased here.  Buried Treasure is Powerpoint which the MAC website states: Waterproof. Longwearing. Metallic, shimmer and matte finishes. Smooth to apply. Won't transfer, smudge, or budge... Draws the line: powers your eyes. Makes its point. Lasts. Retail price is $15.00 and can be purchased here.  I don't find that either of these really last all day.  I think I have super oily lids that defy any product that touts "staying power".  I think if cosmetic companies really want to attempt to test the longevity of an eye product, they should test on me!  

My next purchase at the MAC counter at my local Nordstrom's was unexpected.  I began to swoon over a dark green eyeshadow named Greensmoke. The MAC color description says it's "tarnished olive (lustre)".  It is a deep olive with a dark grey undertone and flecks of gold shimmer.  It goes on a little greener than I thought it would, but I still love it.  It retails for $15.00 and can be purchased here.  I had to get a new MAC sharpener.  Here's a photo of the MAC mini-haul:

Next, I went to Ulta to try a few items that were on another bloggers 2012 Favorites List (and an unexpected purchase - but a bargain!).

 

Pictured above is the Rimmel Stay Matte Power, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze and a set of Stila make up brushes.

Rimmel Stay Matte Power is a great setting powder. I am using the color 003 Natural and it's just about perfect.  I have been using Make Up For Ever HD foundation and I really like how my make up looks with these two together.  Since I'm oily, there isn't a make up on the planet that will last me all day.  When I say all day, I mean from when I put my make up on at 7:00 am until I get home at 6:00 pm.  To me, that is all day.  Since mine never lasts that long, I can make it through lunch until about 2:00 before I feel like I need to touch up, so I'm content with that.  I like the way the powder goes on and it doesn't seem to settle into my wrinkles (not that I admit to having any).  The only thing I don't like about this powder is the packaging.  The container doesn't close tightly and since I wag around my make up with me where ever I go, I have a rubber band around it so that it doesn't come apart.  There is also no applicator for this, so you will need to purchase a brush, sponge or puff applicator to use with this powder.

I love the Bad to the Bronze color of Maybelline Color Tattoo.  It's a deep bronze, more on the brown side, but it has great shimmer.  It also has good staying power.  It doesn't seem to settle in the crease of my eyelid, but it does seem to fade a little throughout the day.  Take that with a grain of salt, because I have over-active oil glands.  Overall, great product and I may try another color or two of this shadow.  The only con to this cream shadow is the application.  I don't like using my fingers to apply the shadow.  I know I can use a q-tip, however I'm just not good with those as make up applicators.  Just a personal preference.

The Stila brush set was a great find.  I have been looking for a new foundation brush.  I had an Ulta rewards certificate good for an Ulta professional brush, however they were out of stock.  This particular brush set was on the Christmas clearance table and was only $16.  Yes, that's right, $16!  I was prepared to pay twice that for just a foundation brush, but for the price I thought I'd give this a try.  So far, so good.  No loose bristles (pet peeve of mine with make up brushes).  It came with a foundation brush, concealer brush, powder brush, shadow brush and eyeliner brush.  The bristles of the eyeliner brush are not as tight as I think they should be, but other than that, I am completely please with the purchase.

Next, I went on a quest to find a new bag for work.  Each day, I haul several things to work in my work bag:  make up bag, Filofax, notebook and iPad.  There is occasionally some miscellaneous papers in there as well, but the four items listed above are in the bag daily.  My old work bag was falling apart.  I've carried it daily for almost four years, so it was time for a new one.  The only requisite was that it fit all the the every day items as well as my computer occasionally.  I went to Marshall's first.  They didn't have anything I liked, but I did find a yoga mat on clearance for $7.

I don't do a lot of yoga, but I 'm ready for when I do!  LOL!!

My next stop was Ross, and that's where I found my work bag!

It's more of a teal color than it looks in the picture.  It's structured and holds plenty of stuff.  I originally picked up the black bag with white stitching, but liked the teal bag better.

Then I decided to buy myself something I've wanted for a while.  A pair of Tom's shoes.  I don't know why I have wanted them so badly, probably just because they are for a good cause and are just simple, comfy shoes.  I had a hard time finding my size and what color/style I wanted.  I finally settled with the red ones and I just love them.  They are more comfortable that I thought they were, so again, I'm very happy with my purchase.

That was plenty of damage for one day of shopping!  I would always like to shop more, but that will do!

Hopefully next week, I will review a teeth whitening treatment.  I have an appointment with a spa to do 40 minute LED teeth whitening.  It was a Groupon for three 40-minute sessions. I can't wait to see how awesome it is (fingers crossed!!).

Much Love!
L

February Favorites & Reviews

I'm a little late with this, so I'll jump right in.
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By far, my favorite purchase for the month is my Clarisonic Mia 2.  I love the way my skin feels and looks after a couple of weeks of use.  I use it morning and night and couldn't be happier.  I have also noticed that I am less oily than normal.  The true test is coming in the summer months when I produce more oil in my t-zone than some off-shore oil rigs!

My second favorite for the month is the Make Up For Ever HD foundation and powder.  I bought it a couple of weeks ago at Sephora and the color chosen for me (by the sales associate) #120 Soft Sand.  I bought the kit for $79 which included the Microfinish Powder, application brush and High Definition Primer.  I was unsure about switching to a liquid foundation from my all time favorite MAC Studio Fix.  I am impressed with the coverage and the look of my skin with the HD foundation.  My face also photographs much better in this foundation.  I do have to reapply in the middle of the day, but that isn't unusual at all for me.  I've given the primer a shot but I don't think it's that great.  I'm going to try it with my Smashbox Antishine to see if there is a difference.

Much Love!
L

Clarisonic & Birchbox!

What an exciting week!!  So much to talk about!  Valentines Day, my birthday, AND I finally got a Clarisonic Mia 2 AND the wait is finally over for me at Birchbox!

Let's talk about the Clarisonic Mia 2 (I'll try to post pics).  I looked at the regular Clarisonic Mia and the Mia 2.  I decided to go with the Mia 2 for two reasons:  First, I liked the dual speeds.  For my really oily skin and large pores, I wanted to be able to concentrate more on those areas at a higher speed.  Secondly, the protective travel case that comes with the Mia 2.  Sure, I could just travel with it in it's own bag or with my other cosmetics, but I really like the extra protection the case provides. 

I picked it up my Clarisonic Mia 3 in pink at ULTA on Wednesday evening. I came straight home to plug it in to charge enough to use it right away.  The first use, I was a little sloppy with it.  I used too much water and too much facial cleanser.  There was water everywhere!  It even got in my eyes!  I should have known better, but oh well.  I have used it Wednesday evening, Thursday morning and evening and this morning.  I can honestly say that already, my pores on my nose look cleaner and smaller.  The pores on my cheeks and chin are cleaner and smaller as well - but for me, my nose area is the most noticeable.  On Wednesday, I awoke to a large cyst-like zit coming up on my chin.  I went over that area with the Clarisonic each day, and today,  it is almost gone (without breaking the skin).  I don't know if this is a coincidence or not, but I'm going to say no!  It's probably a little of the magic of the Clarisonic. To say that I love the Clarisonic Mia 2 is an understatement!  Clarisonic has a steep price tag, at $119 for the Mia, $149 for the Mia 2, $195 for the standard size and $225 for the one one with the body brush head.  Either way you go, it's a great investment  for your skin!!  (as a side note:  I've read a couple of reviews about the Clarisonic Mia actually reducing the look of wrinkles - so I'm going to be on the lookout for that - especially on my forehead as those wrinkles are starting to bother me a lot).

Clarisonic recommends that you change out the brush heads every three months or so.  I'm not certain if this is with daily use or with a couple of times a week, but I'll need to gauge that as I go.  So far, I am very happy with the product!  (I also have the Sonicare toothbrush - made by the same company - and I love that too!  My teeth feel great all the time - recommend that highly as well!).

On to other good news this week - my Birchbox wait is over!!  I got the wonderful news via email on Wednesday, and I signed up almost immediately.  My first box will probably be in March.  I haven't decided if I'm going to do a video review, or just write reviews.  I'm not all that technically savvy, but I'm willing to give it a try.  I can't wait to get my first box!

I have ventured away from my MAC Studio Fix foundation and I bought Make Up For Ever HD Foundation.  I was almost out, so I wanted to branch out a little bit and try something new.  I bought the starter kit (very pricey at $79) but it included the setting powder, brush and primer.  Today is my first day wearing it, so I'm not going to write a review just yet.  I'm going to give it a week or two of daily use to write an effective review of the product.

That's all for now!
Much Love!
L