Nov 29, 2012

My Newest Winter Makeup Love!

My most recent articles have been very DIY-oriented and I think it is about time I get back on the review train.  I know I have previously mentioned that I am trying to stay away from spending money at Sephora and department store makeup counters until after Christmas, but only a few weeks ago I found myself at the MAC counter and I couldn't resist the urge to splurge!  Luckily enough for me, the product I bought has turned out to be a really great investment.  Let me introduce you all to MAC Fix+!




This may seem like glorified fragranced water masquerading as a makeup setting spray in a pretty bottle and, well, that's exactly what it is!  A DIY Fix+ would be extremely simple to make, but as with any DIY product, I think it's always a little more fun to try the real thing first.  It's better for comparisons that way!  The main ingredients are water and glycerin, which is what makes this formula so easy to mimic.  However, MAC's Fix+ does contain a few more skin-loving ingredients that would be a little harder to come by, such as panthenol (vitamin B5), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), and arginine (an amino acid).  I've used this both before and after I apply my makeup, and I prefer to use it before.  The name is a little bit deceptive as it doesn't really make your makeup last any longer, but it is a fabulous primer.  I titled this article "My Newest Winter Makeup Love!" because the moisturizing ingredients work wonders on flaky patches around my nose and chin that seem to come from nowhere this time of year.  I spray this on my face right after getting out of the shower and let it dry.  I hardly need any moisturizer after using it, which is a miracle in itself; but then it also creates a pretty great base for other products I use that day.  My skin is still a bit oily so using it after I have applied my makeup creates a dewy look that I'm not a huge fan of.  However, to those of you who have dry skin, this would look beautiful on top of your makeup!  Additionally, I have also sprayed it on my eyeshadow brush before applying my eye makeup and it increases the color payoff quite a bit, as you can see below!


The swatch on the left was made with a dry eyeshadow brush,
whereas the swatch on the right was made with a brush sprayed with MAC Fix+

One word of warning to those of you with sensitive skin is that MAC Fix+ does contain butylene glycol.  This ingredient is cosmetically safe  (read more about it here), but may cause minor irritation if you have very reactive skin.  But until you have actually tried it, I wouldn't count this product out just yet!


  

Nov 27, 2012

Cyber Tuesday, Anyone? Bobbi Brown Has Extended Offers!

Just when you think Cyber Monday is over, Bobbi Brown is extending her offer until today! Any online order will receive 5 free samples and free shipping. She has some AMAZING holiday palettes out at the moment which would make great Christmas gifts!  Plus, no code is necessary to receive these perks! Check it out: Bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Nov 26, 2012

ATTN: Last Minute Cyber Monday Shoppers!

Hello! This is pretty last minute but for those of you who are participating in Cyber Monday, Google NARS Cyber Monday 2012. The code you find should get you 20% off and free shipping! You already know I've bought a few things! Happy Shopping!

Nov 25, 2012

Weekend Ramblings: Broken Makeup? No Problem!

It happens to everyone: you're headed out the door and you carelessly toss your favorite powder or pressed eyeshadow into your purse.  Upon your arrival to wherever your destination may be, you open up the product only to realize it has shattered, its contents often covering the inside of your bag.  You may think your makeup is ruined, but think again!  I picked up this amazing trick on the internet somewhere and it is such a lifesaver that I've got to share it.  I did not realize how handy this trick would be until the day when I broke one of my favorite eye shadows, which I think was one by Maybelline that I bought at the drugstore for no more than $5.  Sure, this particular eyeshadow was easily replaceable, but what was the point if I could fix it for FREE?  This trick works for any type of pressed powder makeup whether it be bronzer, eyeshadow, blush, or blotting powder.  Here's the instructions:

What You Need
Rubbing Alcohol
A cup for mixing
Either an old, empty makeup container or the container that the product was originally in (I used an old Merle Norman container)

What to Do
1.  Dump all of the broken makeup into the cup for mixing and pour in some rubbing alcohol.  The amount of alcohol you need will vary according to how much broken powder you have. 
2. Mix the rubbing alcohol and the powder together until the mixture is a little thicker than the consistency of toothpaste and there are no chunks of powder left.
3.  Once the mixture is of the right consistency, pour it into the makeup container that you have chosen.  Smooth the alcohol-powder mixture out so it evenly fills the container.
4.  Allow the mixture to sit for a couple hours.  By then, the powder should have dried and look good as new!(Note: the powder will be solid, though it may not always be as smooth as it originally was;  this all depends on how well you smooth the makeup over before you allow it to dry)



Not perfectly smooth, but the eyeshadow works good as new!


I'd love to hear feedback if any of you all try this.  Let me know how it works for you!



Nov 23, 2012

Weekend Ramblings: The Black Friday Recovery

If you all are like me, you are just now getting out of your post-Black-Friday daze.  My mom, three sisters, and I left our house around 12:00 am and got back around 4:00 this morning.  Needless to say, I am totally wiped out.  The deals weren't as great as I had expected, but I did manage to make it out of Ulta with a nice little haul.  Unfortunately, everything I bought there is a Christmas gift for someone else, so I can't post about it on here just yet.  But, let's move on!  If you're anything like me, staying up all night wreaks havoc on your skin.  Thanks to the all night shopping extravaganza I've got undereye circles like none other complimented by some blotchy red areas.  Unfortunately, I left my favorite face mask (reviewed here) at school, so my typical all-nighter recovery routine is already off to a bad start.  However, it's been a loooong time since I've experimented with a DIY face mask so I figured I would give it a go tonight!  I didn't get this recipe from anywhere specific, I just mixed together a few random ingredients that are known to have skin-improving properties.  Here's the recipe!


2 Tbsp. Oats
1 Tbsp. Honey
The juice of 1 small lemon wedge
A little water (to make the mask more paste-like)



Directions:  Mix all the ingredients together in a little bowl.  Once the mixture is like a paste, spread it over your face using either your fingers or a makeup brush (like this one).  Honestly, how you apply the mask doesn't really matter, it's just about preference.   Put some cucumbers on your eyes for a spa-like effect.  Leave the mask on for about 10-15 minutes then use warm water and a wash cloth to wipe it off.  Your skin should feel super soft and look a little less aggravated.


In case you were wondering what the significance of each ingredient is, here it goes: the oats are for calming redness, honey is for cleansing and moisturizing, and lemon juice is for lightening scars.  Now, like I said, it's been a long time since I've made my own face mask, so I can't promise that this recipe will be good for everyone.  I will update this post if I experience any adverse effects, such as breakouts.   But for now, I must say that my skin feels pretty good!

Nov 21, 2012

Think Thanksgiving: Things I am Thankful For

Alright, ladies and gentlemen!  Today is Thanksgiving, one of the best holidays of the year (at least in my opinion).  We are all probably going to eat way more than we anticipated and some of us may feel bad about it afterwards, but I honestly will not.  This whole week has been a giant Thanksgiving pre-game at my house.  My grandma has cooked us multiple meals and I've eaten everything.  This day only comes around once a year, so we have to just lose our inhibitions and enjoy the food.  I know holiday posts are cliché, but I think that Thanksgiving day is the perfect opportunity to talk about a few of the products and miscellaneous beauty items I am especially thankful for.  I might even throw in some people I am thankful for, for good measure.


Dickinson's Witch Hazel:  This stuff is so cheap (about $5 here) and has been with me through thick and thin.  It makes a great toner as well as a wonderful makeup setting spray.  I've decanted some from the original 16 oz. bottle into a small spray bottle, pictured below, which I keep in my purse.  It comes in handy whenever I feel the need to freshen up.  I have to warn you, however, that it does smell a little strange, but the smell wears off in less than a couple of minutes.   


Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips:  I've already reviewed this product here, but I am in love with it.  I have found that while being amazing as a lip protectant, it's also perfect for the end of your nose after a week of over zealous tissue use due to the sniffles.  Multi-tasking products are the best!

Chapstick Vanilla Mint:  Who doesn't love Chapstick?  I am sure there are maybe a couple people  out there who don't, but I think the general population would agree that this is THE go-to lip product for those of us with tight budgets and chapped lips.  Vanilla Mint is probably one of my favorite flavors, aside from the classic cherry, of course.  It's minty without being too harsh and I love that! 

Bath & Body Works Twilight Woods Shower Gel:  This is possibly the only fragranced shower gel I have repurchased multiple times from BBW.  It is lovely and warm, and has a scent that lingers for a while after you get out of the shower.  It reminds me so much of fall.

Voluspa Makassar Ebony and Peach:  I have mentioned Voluspa's Suede Blanc in a previous post and this is another of their candles which I have fallen in love with.  This particular scent is very sweet, but not overpowering.  It smells a lot like a cup of Bigelow's Perfect Peach Tea.

Victoria's Secret Honey Suckle and White Patchouli Candles:  Unfortunately, this scent has been discontinued, but I still have two small candles left that are about 1/4 full.  I light them only when I need some serious relaxation and they just smell ah-mazing.






Vera Bradley Cosmetic Bag:  I love Vera Bradley's patterns... always have, always will.  They are so bright and classy.  This case was a gift and I love it!  It is perfect for girls like me who do not pack lightly, especially in regards to their cosmetics.  It fits just about everything I need no matter where I am going.  This case makes the perfect travel companion. 


While cosmetics are obviously very important to me, I would be crazy not to say how thankful I am for my wonderful family, friends, and boyfriend.  They are always there for me whenever I need them and they encourage me to pursue my ever-changing dreams!  I am so blessed and cannot wait to celebrate this wonderful day with them.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Nov 20, 2012

You Might Be a Skincare Nerd When...






















You are so excited for the arrival of your konjac sponge!  Let's just get the first obvious question out of the way: what the heck is a konjac sponge? Konjac is a type of potato grown in Asia, therefore a konjac sponge is made from the material of the konjac plant. Women in Asia have apparently been using this potato for years due to its gentle exfoliating and cleansing properties. Honestly, I had no idea what this would really do when I was placing my order on Amazon; but let's be real, the majority of Asian women have great skin, so I will buy whatever they're selling. These sponges come in a few different varieties, including French Green Clay, French Red Clay, Charcoal, and Pure.  Each type of sponge addresses a certain skin issue.  I chose the Charcoal one as it is recommended for oily, problem-prone skin.  Many different companies manufacture these, but I purchased mine here for about $6 not including shipping.  I don't know that it is much more than a glorified facial sponge, but it's something exciting and new to try!  I am hoping that the activated charcoal it contains will help to keep spots away, but only time will tell.  When the sponge first arrived, it was pretty small and hard, but after allowing it to soak up some warm water it grew to the size of my palm and became very soft and spongy.  I think it is much softer than a washcloth and perhaps even gentler than a muslin cloth.  In order to use this I just wash my face with my typical cleanser, then buff the sponge over my skin, and finally, I rinse everything off.  My skin feels super soft after.  For now I think I will consider this random purchase to be a success!

Nov 18, 2012

The Best Lipgloss Ever and a French Press

French press...is that supposed to be one word?  Well, regardless of how you spell it, mine is broken.  I am a caffeine addict and caffeine addicts need good, strong coffee.  While the coffee in the sorority house is strong, it is often burnt, simply because it is made early in the morning then left on the burner for hours.  After one too many cups of burnt coffee, I caved and brought my French press back from home... or at least tried to.  As soon as I got back to Lexington, I was unloading my weekend bags from the backseat and out tumbled my little coffee press, and the glass shattered everywhere.  I suppose this means back to burnt coffee, or selling my soul to Starbucks, until I can find some replacement glass.  I'm fine with it, but ugh, what luck!























  Anyways, enough coffee talk, let's get to the lipgloss.  I almost always opt for a more natural lip, as I usually find bright colors to be overwhelming on my small lips;  however, during this particular trip to Sephora, I decided to step outside of the box.  I am so glad I did!  This is a Sephora brand gloss in The Red- Shiny.  I bought this right before a trip to Ohio with some girlfriends and this lipgloss got some serious mileage.  Everyone loved the color and I let everyone borrow it , which may gross some people out, but at least I know these people.  One girl affectionately referred to it as "The Senator's Wife Red".  She has a thing for politicians, and her own tube of this lipgloss, now.  With one application, this goes on as a sheer hot pink, but layered, it becomes a gorgeous bright red.  The staying power is not better or worse than your average lipgloss, but with the curvy, lip-contour shaped wand, re-applying is no problem at all.  I hardly rave about lipgloss, but this particular product deserves it.  As an added bonus, it only set me back about $14.  Everyone should have this lipgloss, in my opinion!

Nov 17, 2012

Weekend Ramblings: Saturday Afternoon Glow

In the past year I have become addicted to shimmer.  First of all, let me emphasize the word "shimmer".  I am not talking glitter, people.  I am referring to the shimmer that gives you back that glow you seem to have misplaced last night when you were trying to hail a cab to get back to your sorority house at 2:00 a.m.  I always thought that shimmery, glowy products were only for ladies with perfect complexions, and that they would only accentuate my bad areas.  I am happy to admit that I was very wrong.  When placed on the correct areas of the face, these following products will work wonders!  I am sad to say I haven't really learned how to contour using makeup, so I just put the product where I think it looks right and it works just fine.
   This addiction started with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Warm Soul, which was given to me by a friend, and I haven't looked back since.  This blush is perfect for looking as though you've just spent some time in the sun.  It's a lovely combination of a bronzer and a dusted rose blush.  I've found it to be flattering on every occasion, whether I'm going on a date or to class.  



















  
   Recently, I've also had my eye on the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks, but as you know, I am currently on a spending ban.  This ban only applies to Sephora and the counters in Macy's an Dillard's, however, so everything in Target is fair game.  This is how I cam across the Physician's Formula's Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls in Beige.  They looked so similar to the Bobbi Brown Shimmer bricks (not to mention they were half the price), so of course I had to buy one.  This powder is amazing.  I wet a makeup sponge and dab it on the powder, then swipe it over my cheek bones and the bridge of my nose.  It looks gorgeous and gives a very subtle glow.  Whether you had a rough night or just want to look a little bit more alive, a product with a little shimmer could be just what you are looking for! 





Nov 15, 2012

Shea-dy Deep Conditioner



Do you ever have a product that you bought on a whim and hated it from the first try, but you hate to throw it away and just cannot seem to use it up?  That is how I am feeling about the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque right now.  Out of all the deep conditioners on Target's shelves, I had to choose this one.  What it was about this masque that was so appealing, I really don't know.  Sure it has a lot of natural ingredients and no parabens, etc., but parabens and chemicals have never really bothered me.  I mean, you've gotta die from something, right? It might as well be beauty products.  Maybe I liked the simple packaging? Anyways, back to the actual product...  It is a really strange, lotion-y formula.  It never seemed to soak into my hair, but instead it just sat on top of it.  I think this may be for coarser textured hair, so that is probably my main problem.  I've finally resorted to using it as shaving cream and it does a decent job with that.  The oils -sea kelp and argan- and lack of alcohols and detergents make this great for your skin, but I just don't think it did what is was supposed to do for my hair.  Its effectiveness probably differs from person to person, but I will not be repurchasing.






Nov 13, 2012

Today My Skin is Just Blah...What Next?





















I got an amazing night of sleep.  So why in the whole wide world did I wake up with skin that was dull and sleepy looking?  Unfortunately,  I don't know the answer to that question and I doubt you do either.  What I do know is how to remedy this little "blah" skin issue.  I met my favorite face mask about a year ago and it was love at first application.  It's called the Anti-blemish Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask by Clinique.  This mask is kaolin based.  Kaolin is a white clay with absorbent properties and works wonders for those of us with oily complexions.  Additionally, this mask contains one percent salicylic acid for chemical exfoliation that kills acne forming bacteria.  Many would think that a mask meant to absorb oil would just suck all of the joy right out of your face, but I totally disagree.  I've found that when my face looks tired, a clay mask is about the only thing that turns it around.  However,  it is true that this particular mask can be a little drying.  Therefore, after I've rinsed it off completely using only warm water and my hands,  I layer on my Cerave moisturizer, let it soak in for a few minutes, then use tissue to dab off the excess.  This leaves your skin glowing.  This trick can be tried after any mask application, not just clay ones.  Try it out!

Nov 12, 2012

When the Going Gets Rough, Exfoliate EVERYTHING


Today is one of those days that almost requires you to curl up in your bed with a cup of tea, a book, and Sex and the City reruns and just shudder at the thought of even attempting to go outside.  However, being the good student I am, I woke up this morning and went to EVERY SINGLE ONE of my classes (hear that, Mom?!).  I've never felt more proud or exhausted.  Anyways,  just because I went to my classes doesn't mean that I did anything to improve my appearance before doing so.  I didn't even use baby powder in my hair and that's rock bottom for me.  I mean what's the point?  It's forty-five degrees, rainy, and no one can honestly recognize me with my rain coat hood cinched tightly around my face anyways.  Needless to say, after spending a while outside walking between classes, I really felt gross.  Nothing can get rid of that dreary, rainy-day appearance quite like exfoliation.  And I mean a lot of exfoliation.  Below are three of my favorite exfoliants for lips, face and body.


It's kind of hard to see what this is in the picture above, but it is the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish.  I got this as a gift and originally thought it was pointless, but it has been perfect for my chapped lips during cold weather.  I just put a little on the tip of my finger and rub it across my lips then wipe it off with a wash cloth.  It makes lipgloss and lipstick application go a lot smoother.  Love it!


This Sephora brand body scrub is just your average body scrub, but it smells like vanilla and was only $10.  I do love that it's in a tube.  I've always found that body scrubs in jars are kind of miserable to use and often run out faster.  It's perfect to use before shaving or if you just want a little in-shower pick-me-up.  Though this isn't the most exclusive or luxurious of body scrub options, it works really well and smells amazing.


I have a love/hate relationship with drugstore facial scrubs.  I usually just opt for a washcloth with my normal cleanser or this little silicone scrublet I bought for $5 at Sephora, but when I saw St. Ives Green Tea Scrub, I was intrigued.  I'm almost to the end of the tube with this one and I really like it.  It's packed with tiny little scrubbing particles that remove dead skin effectively without being too harsh.  It also contains one percent salicylic acid for a little extra chemical exfoliation.  I would recommend using this no more than three times a week, especially to those of you with sensitive skin.  Over exfoliation can cause premature aging, or so I've heard.  Better safe than sorry!

Enjoy this rainy day and use it as time to pamper yourself.  That's what I will be doing!



Nov 11, 2012

Great Bagel and Great Lipstick


Bagels are one of my favorite breakfast foods, so when I woke up early yesterday morning, I had to go to Great Bagel.  Great Bagel is my favorite breakfast place in Lexington, with its eclectic clientele ranging from hungover shackers to church-goers.  When you're there it's almost impossible to feel awkward or under dressed.  However, going there means I will almost definitely run into someone I know and for this reason, I try to do a little something to make sure I don't look like death. Enter MAC's Cremesheen lipstick in Peach Blossom.  As you can see, it's a little more pink toned than peachy, but beautiful nonetheless.  It is absolutely perfect when you want your lips to stand out without looking too done up.  This lipstick has a little shine to it and it's not as drying as many other formulas.  In a pinch, this lipstick also works great as a blush.  Give each cheek a swipe and blend it in for a simple, pretty look.  I would not recommend this for those of you with sensitive or acne prone skin as some of the oils may aggravate your skin.  Otherwise, it's a nice, quick trick for those of you with only a little time on your hands to get ready.  Just putting lipstick on makes me feel tons more elegant and mature.  That's probably just me, though. 









Nov 9, 2012

Don't Get Mad, Get... A Better Hand Cream!


Many great things are starting to happen around this time of year.  Starbucks is bringing out the Christmas cups, they're finally starting to play Christmas music on the radio again, and (drumroll!) holiday cosmetic collections are being introduced!  I have my heart set on Laura Mercier's Colour-to-Go Portable Palette for Eyes, Cheeks & Lips in Warm Neutrals.  However, with all of these good things happening, there has got to be a downside, right? Right.  And that downside is dry, wintery hands.  I have found two Burt's Bees products that have really been helping me a lot with this as of late.  Neither product is really Holy Grail in my opinion, but they are both doing a decent job at making sure my hands don't look I've been playing with chalk.  

Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme...where do I start?  Well, I love anything that smells like almonds so that was my main reason for buying this.  It is very rich and moisturizing.  I actually love it when I have ten minutes to sit around and let it soak in, but that's just not realistic.  It's so thick and errs on the side of greasy.  I can't carry it around in my purse and apply it whenever I want because everything I touch ends up with little grease smudges all over it.  That's just gross in my opinion.  As for the Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, I'm in love with it.  No, I do not think it has reached Holy Grail status simply because this is the first cuticle cream I've used on a regular basis.  I bite my nails, especially when I'm stressed, so they always look a little bit rough. I keep this cream on my nightstand and apply it around my nails before bed.  With consistent application (once or twice a day) my cuticles and nail bed look visibly healthier within a week.  I've found that when it comes to dry skin during the winter the best thing you can do is keep some lotion handy (no pun intended) and apply it as often as possible.  Now go get yourself a White Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks and get on with that Christmas shopping!



Nov 8, 2012

Saving Money for Christmas Gifts Means NO MORE SEPHORA...

  But of course I had to stock up before I start this self-imposed spending ban!  Pictured above is my last Sephora mini haul for a while.  I got a few things I actually needed and then a couple of things out of curiosity.  I'd say that's enough of an intro.  Let's see the products up close!


Benefit's Cream Shadowliner in Birthday Suit:  In my "Totally Taupe in Stats Class" article,  I mentioned that Tough as Taupe was too matte on its own.  Well,  I have found its much more fun, adventurous twin sister named Birthday Suit!  The texture of this product is surprisingly light.  It's creamy when applied, but dries down to a light powdery finish.  It wears wonderfully on its own or it can be applied over Tough as Taupe for a little more oomph!  It's such a natural shimmer.  It's very hard to over do it with this one!



Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes:  This item was actually one of my 100 point perks!  I have yet to try it honestly, but I love the regular Lancome Hypnose so I imagine this mascara is probably pretty nice as well.  I do like how the brush is tapered with a smaller end for the smaller lashes.  Perhaps that will make a difference!  I'll get back to you all with a review for this one!
*Update: Not honestly a huge fan.  It doesn't smudge so that is a plus, but it's definitely for people who are looking more for length than thickness.  My lashes are pretty long so I usually opt for a thickening mascara.  In my opinion, even if you are just looking for length, there are better, cheaper mascaras out there.  



Dr. Lipp's Original Nipple Balm for Lips:  Yep, you read that right.  This was once recommended for nursing mothers, but has been repackaged and is now sold as a lip balm!  I am absolutely thrilled with this product.  I picked this up out of curiosity on my way up to the register.  Honestly, I love multi-use products, especially ones that have been used for while by particular consumers, such as picky new mothers.  It is 100% medical grade lanolin and a real treat for your lips.  I have found that the balm itself is not super moisturizing, but meant to be more of a protectant.  I usually apply a different, light lip balm underneath, then apply this over top.  It protects my lips from the cold fall air for hours and the shine lasts just as long!





Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in 08 Brown:  This is a pretty basic waterproof eyeliner. It's very richly pigmented and has a little shimmer in it which I love, of course.  This particular shade of brown is really warm in my opinion.  It looks good on brown eyes, if I do say so myself!







NARS Concealer in Custard:  I am a concealer junkie.  There, I admitted it.  However, this is the first stick concealer I've ever used.  It is great for covering up discoloration.  As far as undereye concealers go,  I think I would be better of with a liquid as this often looks cakey if not blended properly.  The color is nice, though, and it really does wonders for the redness on my cheeks and around my nose.  I will for sure keep using this stick, but I'm not quite sure if I will repurchase or not!








Sephora PRO Shader 18:  For a self-proclaimed makeup addict, I have a really shoddy collection of brushes.  Most makeup artists and beauty experts claim good makeup brushes make a world of difference, but when I am forced to choose between a $30 brush or a $30 eyeshadow, I will almost definitely choose the eyeshadow.  I am trying to expand my brush horizons, however, so when I was in Sephora the other day I told myself I would buy one new brush.  This particular brush is meant for eyeshadow, I believe.  I have actually been using it to blend my new NARS concealer and I think it works really well for that!


These are some great products so I hope they can last me until the end of my Sephora spending ban after December 25th!  We shall see!






Nov 7, 2012

How to Pretend You Took a Shower

Today I have two exams to take, one in Stats and one in Geology.  As we all know, Stats is not my strong suit and then there's Geology which I find interesting, but can't focus in either (ADD much?). So basically I studied until 12:30 am then woke up at 5:30 am to continue my studies.  All of this procrastinating left me with no time to shower, therefore I had to bring out some secret weapons that help me trick people into thinking I've showered.



1.  The "I Haven't Showered, but Look Like It Holy Grail": Baby Powder.  Many people think the baby powder trick is only for blondes.  This is not true at all, as long as you blend it in well enough.  I flip my hair and sprinkle it in there, then blend it in with my fingers, and brush my hair. Voila, my hair is de-greased!  Many have a problem with the smell of baby powder as it reminds them of babies (duh).  I prefer the lavender and chamomile.  You may still smell kind of like a baby, but a sophisticated baby.

  

2.  The Bun:  Sometimes baby powder just isn't enough and you must resort to The Bun.  That picture above is my hair today.  It's not as polished as I would like it to be, but unfortunately I just don't have time for that.  The Bun is perfect for all occasions, whether it be class or a meeting.    

3.  Baby Wipes (Not Pictured Above):  This is for armpits and personal areas.  Work from top to bottom.  It's pretty self-explanatory. 

4.  Perfume...not a lot, just a spritz or two.

5.  Wash your face and actually do your makeup! Many people think that not showering excuses them from putting on any form of face makeup.  I am guilty of this (and quite often, because I am a lazy college student).  Putting on some eyeliner and mascara will brighten your eyes instantly, and throwing some under eye concealer into the mix will really do wonders.  Maybe add a little blush to make yourself seem perkier to the outside world that doesn't know you were up studying at all hours of the morning.  

Hope this helps all of you lazy ladies out there!  What are some tricks you use to make people think you're cleaner than you really are?

Nov 6, 2012

Studying is for the Birds!

I'm having the hardest time focusing tonight and I don't know why!  I went up to my room to grab a candle which is now burning next to my computer.  I was inspired to light a candle after watching Essie Button's "I Heart Fall TAG" on YouTube.  I honestly couldn't tell you if this is doing anything for my focus, but my kitchen now smells like a clean man thanks to Voluspa's Suede Blanc.  It has a relaxing scent that won't make you sleepy.  It also smells clean.  Not in the fresh laundry way, but more like a "man who just showered and is now sitting in his new sports car with leather interior" smell.  I loooove it!

Nov 5, 2012

Presidential Perfection: Products That Have My Vote!

In lieu of the Presidential Election taking place tomorrow I figured I could talk a little politics... cosmetic politics!  Out of all the beauty product contenders vying for my support only a few have made the cut, and thus have become an integral part of my beauty routine.  Here are the lucky elected members of my beauty cabinet (sorry for the bad puns, but I cannot resist)!

1. Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily
-This product has all but reached cult classic status in the North American beauty world and I could not resist but to try it out about a year ago.  For a girl who samples a new foundation once a month, the fact that this product has stuck around for a whole year really says something! It keeps the oilies away, is college-student-budget friendly, and doesn't break me out... what more could a girl want?

2. Johnson's Baby Head-to-Toe Wash
- I was appalled to discover the Purpose face wash I had been faithfully using for years had almost identical ingredients to a product that costs half as much and smells better (something like childhood)... Good ol' Johnson's.

3. Merle Norman Age Defying Eyeliner in Coffee Bean
- My grandmother introduced me to this eyeliner a while back and I was pleasantly surprised.  I'm not sure how much "age defying" it actually does, I suppose we will know within the next twenty years; however, its dark brown, almost black color matches everything and wears steadily for hours!

4. Lancome Hypnose
-This is a fairly new arrival into my beauty routine.  I have been a faithful user of Maybelline Great Big Lash mascara for a few years, but finally decided I would try out a big girl mascara... something a little more expensive with a sexy tube (sucker for packaging right here).  This stays on perfectly for hours and does an awesome job of thickening your lashes without clumping.   Sorry for the cliche mascara description, but it is actually true for this one.

5. Cerave Moisturizing Lotion
-I stole this from my mom a fews years back and have been hooked ever since.  This bottle is pretty old as you can tell.  Plus, I use it in the shower so the logo is a little worn.  It's perfect for face AND body.  Who doesn't love a product that can multi-task?

6. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Shimmer Bronzer
- I am honestly a sucker for a little shimmer and this bronzer gives me exactly what I want.  It's the perfect balance of color and shimmer without being overbearing!

7.  Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo
-This shampoo is another great little multi-tasker.  It cleans all of the product residue out of your hair and will do the same thing for your makeup brushes.  Mix this shampoo in a cup with warm water, swirl the brushes in it, rinse, and repeat until the water from the brushes runs clear.  Then lay them on a towel to dry.  Your skin will thank you for the clean brushes later!

8.  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Warm Soul (Not Pictured Above)
This blush...I could rave about this blush for days.  I'll keep it short and sweet, though.  It is glowy, not glittery, with coloring similar to that which you might have after walking out into the cold.  It is perfect and the glow is surprisingly natural looking.  Everyone should own this blush!