Body Honee All Natural Hair Removal Wax Kit Review

March 8, 2013, 7:38 am

≫ Next: L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Review and Swatches- Jumbo Eye Pencil, Little Black Book, Color Spark Palette, Little Black Book

≪ Previous: Vancouver Fashion Week March 19th-24th

In the wintertime, it's easy to get lazy about hair removal- I know I am! But I'm home from work today, since we just got a ton of snow here in Connecticut, (plus the hubby and I are taking our babymoon to Florida next week), so hair removal has jumped to the top of my to-do list.

It was perfect timing when I received my Body Honee all natural waxing kit in the mail earlier this week! Body Honee is 100% natural and made from 3 ingredients- sugar, salt and lemon- how awesome is that? The kit comes complete with a 9oz. jar of wax, waxing strips, wooden spatulas, and an instruction booklet that gives really detailed instructions on how to use it- everything you need to get started.

Here are some shots of the box:

Body Honee needs to be used on clean, dry skin. It's a really simple process- I just popped the jar in the microwave for 30 seconds until the wax was warm, and a bit thinner in consistency (just like honey). Then I applied it according to the directions, and viola! My legs were super smooth and hair-free! They also felt soft and non-irritated.

There are so many great things about this kit:

-Only 3 ingredients, all natural

- Easy to use, with clear directions

- Wax stayed warm the entire time I was using it- I never had to put it back in the microwave.

-Leftover wax on the skin removes easily with water- no scrubbing necessary.

-Results last for weeks

I'm really impressed with Body Honee- it's the best waxing kit I've used hands down. To order the kit for $14.99, please visit BodyHonee.com.

***Disclosure-The products featured in this review included products sent for consideration by a company or PR agency. This in no way influenced my experience with the product- all opinions are my own, and I was not paid to write this review. ***

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L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Review and Swatches- Jumbo Eye Pencil, Little Black Book, Color Spark Palette, Little Black Book

March 8, 2013, 7:37 pm

≫ Next: Maybelline Summer 2013 Collection- Bronzers and New Color Tattoo Shades!

≪ Previous: Body Honee All Natural Hair Removal Wax Kit Review

These days, I'm loving L.A. Colors for their bold, pigmented makeup and super low price points. Last week, I reviewed some nail polishes from the L.A. Girl line, so this week, I wanted to review some of the eyeshadows from the L.A. Colors line.

First up is the Jumbo Eye Pencil. This creamy crayon comes in 24 shades and is a total dupe for NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil, for a fraction of the price. This one costs $1.75, so it's easy to stock up on a ton of colors without shelling out a lot of money.

This shade is called Bikini Time and is a really pretty iridescent purple. This pencil works on its own as a cream eyeshadow, as an eyeliner, or as an eyeshadow base. To minimize creasing, I recommend using it over a primer, but even without primer, this didn't crease too much on me. Here's a swatch of Bikini Time:

To purchase the Jumbo Eye Pencil, click here.

Next up is the Color Spark Palette in Electric. This palette comes in 3 different color combos- this one has lots of blues and purples.

At only $3 for 10 shades, this palette is such a steal! Plus, the complimentary colors can be blended together to create different looks.

Here are the swatches in the same order as the palette- top row left to right followed by the bottom row left to right:

To purchase the Color Spark palette, click here.

Next is the Little Black Book Palette in Natural (also available in Glam or Smoky). This little book is so small, it fits in the palm of your hand- perfect for travel! It comes with 15 shades and is only $2. Inside the front cover is instructions on creating a natural eye look.

The swatches are left to right, top to bottom:

To purchase the Little Black Book, click here.

Last up is the eyeshadow pot, which comes in 24 shades. At $1.20

each, these are such a bargain! This pot is a large size, so you're really getting a lot for your money, plus these are just as pigmented as eyeshadows that cost many times this much.

To purchase the Eyeshadow Pot, click here.

Have you tried L.A. Colors yet? What are your favorite products?

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Maybelline Summer 2013 Collection- Bronzers and New Color Tattoo Shades!

April 10, 2013, 6:35 pm

≫ Next: Scunci Hair Chalk Review and Giveaway

≪ Previous: L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Review and Swatches- Jumbo Eye Pencil, Little Black Book, Color Spark Palette, Little Black Book

The other day, I spotted some new Maybelline products for the Summer 2013 collection. There are new powder bronzers, as well as liquid bronzer, and six new Color Tattoo shades, which are gorgeous! They are all pastel and have an iridescence about them.

So what do you think? I'm loving the golden shade, mint green and lavender. What shades are your favorites?

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Scunci Hair Chalk Review and Giveaway

April 16, 2013, 6:04 pm

≫ Next: Check it out! BBB Featured by new SnipSnap App

≪ Previous: Maybelline Summer 2013 Collection- Bronzers and New Color Tattoo Shades!

If you've ever wanted to try out some funky streaks in your hair a la Katy Perry, but didn't want the commitment, you'll love Scunci's new Hair Chalk!

I had the opportunity to try it this week, and it's such a fun product, and super easy to use! Retailing for $7.99 at Walgreens, Walmart and CVS, these come in packs of 2 shades. I got to try the pink/turquoise shades.

Here are some product shots, including the instructions:

Basically, you use this just like you would a straightening iron, and it gives you a lot of control. You can smooth it over skinny pieces of hair, or create thicker stripes on a wide piece of hair. You can color just the ends of the hair, or do full streaks from root to tip. I ended up trying full streaks that were medium width. For a darker color/intensity, you can keep running the chalk over the same spot until you get the desired shade. The packaging also says that using hairspray on the section of hair beforehand can also make the color more intense.

Then it just rinses out completely in the shower!

Here's my before and afters. It came out a little darker pink than it looks in the pictures:

So who wants to win a free Scunci hair chalk kit?

We're giving one away to one (1) lucky winner who will be selected at random! Good luck to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Check it out! BBB Featured by new SnipSnap App

May 1, 2013, 6:29 pm

≫ Next: Spotted in Stores! Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation

≪ Previous: Scunci Hair Chalk Review and Giveaway

The Budget Beauty Blog was featured on mobile app Snip Snap's Mo Money blog as one of five beauty bloggers to follow!
Check out the story HERE.

SnipSnap is the first app to scan, save, and redeem printed coupons on your mobile phone! It's such a cool money-saving tool for all us frugal gals- I highly recommend checking them out! This short video explains how it works, and shows a girl shopping at Old Navy pull up a 40% off coupon right in the store to use at the register- so cool!

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Spotted in Stores! Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation

June 4, 2013, 8:09 pm

≫ Next: Henry's Birth Story

≪ Previous: Check it out! BBB Featured by new SnipSnap App

I was in my local Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday and spotted a bunch of new products, including L'Oreal's Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundations, selling for $10.49.

Packaged in glass bottles with no pump (just pour into your hand), these intrigued me once I looked at the ingredients. Since I have dry skin, anything that says, "powder" tends to turn me off, but this is a silicone/oil based formula made without water, which makes me think that it could possibly be a dupe for Armani's Maestro foundation!

I'll post a full review in the next day or so with photos and ingredients, but just to give you a little preview, I'll tell you my experience using it today...

The formula is very thin and light, and since there is no pump on the bottle, I just poured a little into my hand. The label says to use your fingers, rather than a sponge or a brush, so that's what I did. It also says to shake it well before use.

So far, I am in love with this stuff! It melts into the skin in a super-thin, almost undetectable layer (sort of like a light oil would), yet it covers imperfections and makes skin look airbrushed! It also did not sink into lines and wrinkles at all which was something I was concerned about due to the word "powder" in the name. It dries to a satin finish- I wouldn't say it's completely matte/flat.

This is unlike anything I've used before, and I can't wait to keep playing with it!

I'll keep you guys posted. Sorry I've been bad about updating lately, but at 9 mos. pregnant, things have been a little crazy. :)

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Henry's Birth Story

September 9, 2013, 12:21 pm

≫ Next: IPSY September 2013 Glam Bag Reveal!

≪ Previous: Spotted in Stores! Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation

Me the day before Henry was born- 9 months pregnant.

So it finally happened...I'm a mom! Henry Xavier was born on June 21, 2013- on the Summer Solstice. He was a little over a week early, and luckily I had taken the day off of work that day because I had a doctor's appointment. As I was getting ready after my shower, my water broke. It wasn't a big gush, like you see in the movies, but just a little bit. So I told my husband to pack his bag, just in case, and we left for my appointment. When my doctor confirmed that my water had indeed broken, we checked into the hospital, which was in the same building.
My doc told me that if I didn't start labor by the next morning, they would induce me. I had planned on a totally natural birth, so this scared the crap out of me! I wanted nothing to do with Pitocin, and every book I read said that it makes contractions unbearable. But she scared me when she said that if he didn't come out in 24 hours there was a risk of infection and she said that since I was already 2cm dilated, I would only need a "whiff" of Pitocin. Yeah, right.

So at 7am the next day, they started the Pitocin drip. I ate a little toast and then those evil contractions started in. I was so anti-epidural for many reasons, but since that "whiff" of Pitocin wasn't working and they kept cranking it up, the pain became unbearable. So I got the epidural and some relief, at least for a little while.

When I was dilated to about a 9, the epi wasn't doing anything anymore and I was in absolute hell. I ended up pushing for 3 hours, and I'll spare you the details, but Henry's shoulder was stuck, so it was a bit traumatic. As in, I had nightmares for a few weeks and pretty much decided that childbirth is not for me! :)

It just goes to show you that the best laid plans don't always work out. I read every natural childbirth book out there, did the entire Hypnobabies course, and was firmly against any interventions. But when the time comes, so many emotions come into play, and you get scared and everything goes out the window. You just want your baby to be ok.
So it could have been a lot worse. We were lucky that he didn't break a shoulder, due to the way he was positioned. But he does have torticollis, which is a stiff neck muscle that causes him to look only to the right when lying down. He's going to physical therapy to relax it, because we don't want him to get a flat head on one side.
He was born 8lb, 5oz, and 20 inches long. At his 2 month checkup, he was over 16lbs. and 24 inches long! Did I mention he loves to eat? LOL
Life with a newborn was quite an adjustment, but Eric and I are getting the hang of things!

Here are a few pictures of the little guy:

Coming home from the Hospital:

One Week Old

Two Months Old:

11 Weeks Old:

And my personal favorite, flipping me off for not getting his bottle ready fast enough. Just kidding, but it looks hilarious!

If anyone has a birth story they'd like to share, or a baby with Torticollis, leave a comment- I'd love to hear from you! :)

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IPSY September 2013 Glam Bag Reveal!

September 12, 2013, 11:37 am

≫ Next: Forever 21 Early Fall September 2013 Haul

≪ Previous: Henry's Birth Story

I got my IPSY September 2013 Glam Bag last night and I'm super excited to show you what's in it, because this month's bag is fantastic!

First of all, if you've never heard of IPSY, it's a monthly beauty sample subscription that's $10. But the thing I love about IPSY is that most of the time, they aren't giving just samples, but a few full sized products in every bag! Totally worth the $10 IMO.

There's been a lot of speculation in the blogosphere as to what's in this month's bag, and everyone pretty much got all the clues right, so it wasn't too much of a surprise to me. Anyway...without further ado, here it is!

There are 4 full sized products in this one and I love the blue patterned makeup bag this month!

First is NYX's Single Eyeshadow (Full Size- Worth $4.50). I got one in Morocco, which is a beautiful dark violet.

Next, is Cailyn's Tinted Lip Balm (full size- worth $19). I had never heard of this brand before, and I love the packaging! Even though this is a balm, it packs a serious pigmentation punch! It's created with something called 3D Smart Film, which allows the pigments to stay put all day without smudging or needing to be retouched. I swatched this on my hand, and it didn't even come off when I washed my hands! The only thing I'm disappointed about was the color they gave me (Big Apple) as I'm not a fan of red lip products. But I'm seriously considering shelling out $19 for a lighter shade, since this product is awesome!

Next is Elizabeth Mott's It's So Big Mascara (sample size). This is another brand I had never heard of, but I will do a review on this and add it to the Wall of Mascara so you can see the results. Even though this is a sample size, it's still pretty big, and I can't wait to try it! The full size retails for $19.99

Next is Victoria Jackson's Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe (Full Size- Worth $14.95). The color is perfect for me, thanks to IPSY's beauty quiz. This pencil seems creamy and easy to use, with a built-in sharpener.

Next is StarLooks Kohl Eye Pencil (Full Size- Worth $12). I got mine in Obsidian, which is a matte black. This pencil had some great glide, and smudged nicely when I swatched it on my hand. I can always use a black eye pencil, since that's what I use most of the time, so this was a nice addition to the bag.

Finally, I got a card with some samples of Michelle Phan's new line em.

All told, this month's Glam Bag, "Classic Beauty" was a huge hit for me, and the products add up to a value of about $60, which is why I love IPSY so much! You really get a lot for your $10 a month.

What did you get in your Glam bag this month? Was it the same as mine, or did you get different products?
To sign up for IPSY, click HERE.

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Forever 21 Early Fall September 2013 Haul

September 16, 2013, 8:13 am

≫ Next: Score! J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer

≪ Previous: IPSY September 2013 Glam Bag Reveal!

Happy Monday everyone! I thought I'd talk about clothing today, as opposed to beauty products, because I just got some great stuff at Forever 21! Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom full time, it's even more important to watch the budget in all aspects of my life, not just beauty products. No more Michael Kors for me (well, maybe once in a while).

So here's what I got, and how I plan to wear it! I ended up with some transitional pieces that would take me from the end of summer through the fall.

The Essentials line is one of my favorites, because all of the pieces are so wearable. This cardigan has become one of my favorite things because it's super lightweight, drapes nicely, and is casual. The problem I usually have with cardigans is that they sometimes look like something I should be wearing to work, and this one is so not like that! It goes with shorts, jeans or dresses/skirts with ease!
Essential Heathered Cardigan $22.80

Next, I got this black dress with crochet details. It's super comfy cotton jersey material and comes with a skinny brown belt. It's a flattering fit for those with hips, since the skirt flares out a bit. It's also not too short or too long- it's just the right length. I've been wearing this with sandals, but plan to pair it with a cardi or jacket in the cooler weather with tights and boots/booties.

Crocheted Dress w/Belt- $19.80

Next up is this Tribal Print dress that is from the Love 21 Line. It's olive green and black and comes with a removable sash that you can replace with a belt. It also has faux leather detail at the collar. I'm going to pair this with black tights and boots and a cute jacket for fall!

Tribal Print Georgette Dress w/sash- $24.80

This next item is a tank top, but is great for layering. I just loved the detail at the neckline, because it makes it more interesting than just a plain black tank. I've gotten lots of compliments on it. I've been wearing it with shorts, but it'll look great with my gray jeans!
Crocheted Yoke Top- $12.80

And finally, I was inspired by Olivia Palermo's look below with the white mesh baseball tee from Express ($34.90),

and while hers isn't that expensive, I found this one at F21 that I love because it's a sweater, so it'll make the transition into fall easily. I love it- it looks so great with jeans!

Open Knit Sweater, $19.80.

What are your favorite stores for saving money without sacrificing style?

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Score! J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer

September 16, 2013, 8:45 am

≫ Next: Birchbox September 2013 Unboxing

≪ Previous: Forever 21 Early Fall September 2013 Haul

I've been wanting one of J.Crew's schoolboy blazers for a while now, but I never wanted to spend the almost $200 to get one. Last fall, they came out with a light grey herringbone one that I was thisclose to buying, but ended up buying a cheaper version that I don't even wear (and now I regret it!).
Now that fall is almost upon us, I've been thinking about investing in one again. Blazers are something that is so versatile, and can be worn with so many things, that I decided I would probably wear it enough to warrant the cost.

But when we went to J. Crew, I found that my beloved Schoolboy has been redesigned! They've added an inch in length to it, and when I tried it on, it looked less casual and more like something I would wear to work (which was not the look I was going for).

Anyway, last weekend, my husband and I left Henry with his grandparents for the day and decided to do a little shopping. Since it was such a gorgeous day, we didn't want to spend it in the mall, and went to the Tanger outlets on Long Island. When I saw J.Crew, I thought that there was a good chance that the original schoolboy would be there since they're phasing it out, and sure enough, they were- and they were marked down! Not only that, but they were 40% off, so I ended up getting this houndstooth one for about $100!

It looks so good with jeans, a simple white tee, chunky necklace and ballet flats. They have this on the J.Crew factory website, but it's still $188, so if you're interested in picking up a Schoolboy blazer, I suggest heading to your local J.Crew outlet before they're gone! Incidentally, the regular Schoolboy's are on sale on the J.Crew Factory website for $148.

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Birchbox September 2013 Unboxing

September 17, 2013, 7:24 am

≫ Next: Forever 21 and Carters Baby Mini Haul

≪ Previous: Score! J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer

My September Birchbox came the other day (it tends to arrive the same day as my IPSY bag, making for an exciting trip to the mailbox!), and Henry was sick with his first-ever cold and then an ear infection, so I didn't get a chance to talk about both.

So today, since the little one is feeling better and sleeping better, I'm going to do this while I can!

So lets take a closer look at each item!

First, is Benefit's Sugarbomb Lip Gloss. This color is a gorgeous pinky-nude that would look good on anyone! This is a cute little oversized sample tube that will likely last me quite a while.

Next up is Mereadesso's All In One Moisturizer. This is exclusive to Birchbox right now, and doesn't come cheap at $120 a tube. It's supposed to be a day/night moisturizer, eye cream, toner and makeup primer in one for all skin types! It'll be fun to try this, and this sample packet is not only huge, but it has a resealable valve on the back, which is genius! I hate when I rip open a sample pack, use it once and the rest goes to waste. All samples should totally have this type of packaging!

Next is Yes To Grapefruit CC Cream in two shades- light and light-medium.

Next is Yes To Blueberries Cleansing wipes. This is a convenient travel pack that'll be great to use when we go to Long Island for the weekend to visit my in-laws. There are 8 of them, which will really give me the opportunity to try them out.

And finally, Ruffian's Nail Lacquer in Fox Hunt, which is a really cool orange-red shade. Love it- it's perfect for fall!

So what did you think of this month's Birchbox?

To sign up for Birchbox Click Here! It's $10 a month and totally worth it to get the chance to try the newest beauty products! I look forward to it every month and have discovered some new brands that I had never heard of before.

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Forever 21 and Carters Baby Mini Haul

September 17, 2013, 12:10 pm

≫ Next: If you love magazines, you need this app now!

≪ Previous: Birchbox September 2013 Unboxing

My husband Eric needed to get a haircut last night before his business trip so we took Henry to the mall for the first time. It was nerve-wracking but he was such an angel and didn't fuss while I pushed him in the stroller.

So while Eric got his hair cut, I did some shopping! Here's what I picked up...

I've been wanting a pair of black stacked heel booties but every pair I liked were over $100. While in F21 I spotted these for $39.80 and they are super comfortable and not that tall! I don't usually buy shoes at Forever 21 but these were the right style and price so I couldn't pass them up. They also come in brown and I kind of want those too!

Standout Buckle Booties $39.80

Next I saw this cute dress in the Love 21 section. I'm going to wear this with black tights/leggings and my new booties!

Free Spirit Ikat Dress $27.80

Next I went to Carters. They have the most adorable baby clothes and the prices are amazing. Henry has been living in their cute sleep and plays and they're like $8 a piece.

Even if you don't have kids, Carters is a great place to find baby gifts without breaking the bank.

Now that he's getting a little bigger I want to start putting him in real clothes, since we actually leave the house now. Not to mention that he's growing so fast nothing fits him anymore (he's wearing size 6 months at 3 months old!). Here's what I found for fall...

This set has a microfleece vest, bodysuit with bears on it, and cute little corduroys. I love it...so adorable!

3 Piece Microfleece Vest Set $28.50

Next I got him this overall set. I love the orange striped thermal body suit, and the little bear overalls are darling!

2 Piece Overall Set $22.50

Next I got this one piece microfleece jumpsuit. It's super warm and cozy and I love the moose on the front and the bright color.

Moose Microfleece Jumper $9

And last but not least, I got him this adorable ski cardigan sweater that can be layered over almost anything. It's nice and heavy, perfect for the cold weather.

Sweater Knit Cardigan $22.50

So I have to admit that I thought it would be more fun to shop for girl's clothes but I was wrong! Carters has the cutest stuff and it is so well made and reasonably priced!

Have you scored any cool pieces for fall, either for yourself or your kids? I'd love to hear about it, so drop a comment! :)

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If you love magazines, you need this app now!

September 19, 2013, 9:34 am

≫ Next: Tarte Beauty Without Boundaries 8pc Special today on QVC!

≪ Previous: Forever 21 and Carters Baby Mini Haul

I am crazy about magazines. Just ask my former co-workers who used to make fun of the leaning tower of CosmoGlamourLuckySelf on the back corner of my desk, or my husband who was constantly looking at the piles on the coffee table and asking me,"are you done reading these? Can I throw them out?"
I had a few subscriptions, but mostly bought them on the newsstand- talk about expensive! Plus it's a giant waste of paper. So when my husband surprised me with the Samsung Galaxy tablet I had been wanting, I figured I'd save paper and money by getting some online subscriptions. Not to mention the convenience factor since I have a new baby. That's when I stumbled upon the NextIssue app.

Better than paying for individual subscriptions, this app gives you over 90 magazines for $10 a month! Yup...pretty amazing huh?
I did the 30 day free trial and was hooked! It sends you an email when each new issue comes out, or you can just open the app and it's there!

Right now, I'm getting Cosmo, Glamour, Lucky, Allure, InStyle, Marie Claire, People Style Watch, Vogue, Elle, Fitness, Self, and Health. Plus my husband got some of his car and science-nerd magazines to read.
Also, you have access to all the back issues of each magazine too! For example, look below at People Style Watch-

To find out more, or to sign up, go to nextissue.com. I promise you'll never go buy magazines again!

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Tarte Beauty Without Boundaries 8pc Special today on QVC!

September 24, 2013, 7:48 am

≫ Next: Spotted! Revlon Shadowlinks, Revlon Colorburst Crayon, Revlon Parfumerie, and L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly

≪ Previous: If you love magazines, you need this app now!

I'm a huge fan of Tarte Cosmetics, going back to my days working at Sephora 8 years ago, but it's usually out of my price range. This morning I grabbed a bagel while Henry was napping and flipped through the channels. I don't usually watch QVC, but Tarte was on, so I stopped and watched for bit.
Today's special value is an amazing deal so I figured I'd pass it on to you guys!
It's the Beauty Without Boundaries collection and it's a $120 value for $59.96. Here's what you get:

1-oz BB tinted treatment primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
0.08-oz BB tinted undereye corrector--exclusive to QVC until 11/30/13!
0.31-oz Lights, Camera, Flashes! mascara in black
0.009-oz Lights, Camera, Lashes! waterproof inner rim liner in black
0.04-oz LipSurgence power pigment in Awakening, a rose pink--exclusive to QVC until 11/30/13!
Special edition complexion brush--exclusive to QVC until 11/30/13!
Undereye brush
Makeup bag
Fair: receive primer in fair and undereye corrector in fair-light
Light: receive primer in light and undereye corrector in fair-light
Medium: receive primer in medium and undereye corrector in medium-tan
Tan: receive primer in tan and undereye corrector in medium-tan
Deep: receive primer in tan and undereye corrector in deep

I'm totally picking this one up. I've been dying to try their BB cream and Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara since the original is one of my all-time faves!

Click here to order or for more info!

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Spotted! Revlon Shadowlinks, Revlon Colorburst Crayon, Revlon Parfumerie, and L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly

October 2, 2013, 7:45 am

≫ Next: Spotted! Maybelline Liquid Color Balm and Gilded in Gold Collection Fall 2013 Drugstore makeup

≪ Previous: Tarte Beauty Without Boundaries 8pc Special today on QVC!

Yesterday, I went out to Harmon's, and as usual, they had some new products well before they hit the drugstores. Three are from Revlon and one is from L'Oreal, so take a look!

First, is Revlon Colorstay Shadowlinks. These are single shadows that can be linked together to form your perfect palette. This is so great because unlike an empty palette you can fill, which we've all seen before, you're not limited to a certain number, like 4. You can link 3, 5, or however many you want! I know I have several palettes that I only use one or two shades in, so this is such a great concept!

Next is Revlon's Colorburst Lip Crayon. As the name suggests, these are balms in crayon form that come in two finishes, Lacquer or Matte. From the photos with Emma Stone, it looks like these are quite pigmented, so I'm excited to try these out!

Next, is Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Polishes. Rather than the usual fruity scents these polishes have perfume-like scents when dry in three categories: Fresh, Sweets & Spices, and Fruits & Florals. I'm not a big fan of scented nails, but it's interesting...I wonder what the scents are like!

Last but not least is L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara. This says it gives "Incredible Fanned Out Volume". Sounds good to me! I can't wait to try this!

So which ones are you excited to try?

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Spotted! Maybelline Liquid Color Balm and Gilded in Gold Collection Fall 2013 Drugstore makeup

October 2, 2013, 1:41 pm

≫ Next: New Maybelline Color Tattoo Shades in Nude Pink, Just Beige and Matte Brown Swatches

≪ Previous: Spotted! Revlon Shadowlinks, Revlon Colorburst Crayon, Revlon Parfumerie, and L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly

At Harmon's today, I found some more new products that have just come out from Maybelline.

First is the new Liquid Color Balm. I'm guessing this is similar to the Almay one that came out earlier this year.
It comes in tons of shades!

Also, the new Gilded in Gold collection is out, featuring new blushes, lipsticks, nail polishes and my favorite...Color Tattoo shades.

From the picture below it looks like there are 2 new Color Tattoo shades, but really there are 3. The one on the left is a mushroom pink color, and on the right is a matte beige with a hint of yellow, which makes me think that it could be a possible dupe for Benefit's Lemon Aid. The one in the middle was sold out, but it's supposed to be a matte brown. I'm so sad that I can't get it yet, because I've been waiting for them to come out with a matte brown! Oh well, I'll keep checking.
Also, the blushes come in plum, pink and bronze shades and have shimmer in them.

Two new lipstick shades are Pink Grandeur and Refined Red.

And finally, there are two nail polish shades that have tons of glitter in red and silver.

I bought the two Color Tattoo shades as well as the liquid balm, so I'll be posting reviews on those soon!

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New Maybelline Color Tattoo Shades in Nude Pink, Just Beige and Matte Brown Swatches

October 3, 2013, 7:30 pm

≫ Next: Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask Scrub Review

≪ Previous: Spotted! Maybelline Liquid Color Balm and Gilded in Gold Collection Fall 2013 Drugstore makeup

The other day I spotted new Limited Edition Color Tattoo shades at the Harmon Discount shop inside Bed, Bath and Beyond, but they only had two of the three colors. Luckily, my area has two BB&B stores about 10 miles apart (why, I'll never know), but I took my very patient 3 month old on another outing today and found the third shade at the other store.
So I'd love to share some close-ups and swatches with you!
These are all matte shades and have amazing pigment. Last year when they launched a brown shade it was a bit streaky, but not this one! It's beautiful and has amazing staying power.

Nude Pink almost blends with my skin tone, since I have pink undertones. I feel like the Just Beige shade borders on yellow, making it a dupe for Benefit's Lemon Aid.
A word of caution...if you see these and want them, I would buy them right away. They are limited editions and are selling out fast in stores, especially Matte Brown. Once they're gone, they probably won't be back!

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Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask Scrub Review

October 7, 2013, 2:55 pm

≫ Next: A Great Food Blog to Check Out!

≪ Previous: New Maybelline Color Tattoo Shades in Nude Pink, Just Beige and Matte Brown Swatches

I haven't used a face mask since high school. My favorite one used to be the Freeman Cucumber peel-off mask. When you put in on and it dried, your face looked like it was made of plastic. It was fun to peel off, except I would inevitably always miss spots and end up still peeling the next morning.
Well, that was 15 years ago, and I guess I stopped seeing the benefit in masks. Sure, your skin looks nice the day you use it, but I wanted products that would make my skin look good long-term.
The other day, I was in Bed, Bath and Beyond, and I saw the Freeman Cucumber mask I used to use, along with a bunch of new ones. They were only $4.50 for a large tube, and several of them caught my eye, particularly the Charcoal and Black Sugar one, since it is a scrub and a mask in one!

I had just recently learned about black sugar, and how it can purify the skin because it contains lots of vitamins and minerals. I'm also familiar with activated charcoal, or carbon, since it's the main ingredient in Colic Calm, which is a homeopathic remedy to help babies get rid of their gas pains. My son loves it, and the charcoal attaches itself to the gas and toxins and whisks it right out of the body without being absorbed. I thought it was a great idea to put it in a skincare product, because it will get rid of the toxins that land on your skin from the environment.

Anyway, this is one of the best scrubs I have ever, ever used! A quick search on it brought me to Makeup Alley, where it scored a 4.5 and everyone raved about it, so I'm not alone in loving this. I just wish it wasn't so hard to find!
Here are some packaging shots:

This scrub has a very grainy texture, but it's gentle since it's sugar and not salt. The instructions say to spread it on and leave it as a mask for 5-7 minutes. It doesn't spread easily, since it crumbles, so I found it easier to pat it on. It also has a really nice refreshing cucumber scent.

I applied it before my shower and at the end, I added a little water and massaged it into my skin, as per the instructions.

It rinsed away clean, and didn't feel heavy or oily. I was amazed at how bright and refreshed my skin looked and how smooth it felt! My makeup just glided on afterwards, and having dry skin, that's not an easy thing to accomplish.

Now I'm thinking I have to try some of Freeman's other masks! I love how cheap they are, and the tube will last such a long time. Have you tried any of Freeman's masks? Which are your favorites?

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A Great Food Blog to Check Out!

October 7, 2013, 3:14 pm

≫ Next: Dupe List on Pinterest

≪ Previous: Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask Scrub Review

If you like to read food blogs, or if you just like to cook/bake, I'd love to share my sister Jess's blog with you.
It's called A Pinch Here, a Dash There, and she comes up with the cutest and most delicious recipes that often have a seasonal theme, or even movie/TV themes (Check out her Breaking Bad- themed Walter's White Cupcakes!)

Recent fall entries include Vlad's Vampire Bites cookies, and Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt. Everything is made from scratch and is totally delicious (and I'm not saying that just because she's my sister!) :)

So I thought you might enjoy some food inspiration DIY, and wanted to share A Pinch Here, A Dash There with you! Head on over if you'd like to check it out. www.apinchadash.com

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Dupe List on Pinterest

October 8, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Easy DIY Fall Wreath

≪ Previous: A Great Food Blog to Check Out!

I've started a dupe board on Pinterest, and I'll be adding to it constantly, so please come back and visit it often! It's amazing how many drugstore colors are spot-on!
Here's a sneak preview...

Check it out HERE

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