{My Faves}: October 2013

October Favorites!

Well, apparently I'm just going to be consistently late posting favorites at the end of each month, so I will go ahead and apologize ONCE AGAIN!

MAKE-UP

MAC Lipstick in Rebel {MAC}

I know that is by no means a new product, but I only recently decided to pick it up.  I love the color.  Every time I wear it, several people ask me what kind it is.  The only downfall of the lipstick is that it bleeds a bit and it’s not overly long lasting.  It does stain the lips, so if it has worn off, you will still have some color, but I recommend using a lip liner to keep it in place. 

HAIR

Ion Repair Solutions Reconstructor Conditioner (red lettering on bottle) {Sally Beauty}

I LOVE this conditioner.  I started buying it in the deluxe sample packets for my monthly glaze that I add to my hair.  It is not a conditioner for daily use, but if you try to skip a few days between washing your hair, it is good to use it a few times a week.  It is similar to a mask – you wash your hair with shampoo, and then leave it in for 2-5 minutes after washing.  It adds a lot of shine and repairs split ends and the “dead” parts of my hair towards the ends.  The longer my hair gets, the sadder that part of my hair seems to look.  This conditioner brings me back to life every time I use it.  After purchasing the small packets for a while, I decided to purchase the larger size which has a pump.  It is a great price {around $8 at Sally Beauty} and is worth every penny.  It also smells nice, too.

COSMETICS

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser {drugstores}

I switched to this product after I finished a bottle of my Aloette cream cleanser.  I got lazy and forgot to order another and was in need of a cleanser that same day.  I was also starting to get breakouts in the form of small groups of tiny bumps on my forehead and temple areas due to excessive sweating in this southern summer heat.  Although it is cooling down now, I’ve really seen a difference in my skin since switching to this and I actually repurchased a larger sized bottle this week.  It is for normal to oily skin and claims to not over dry and it really does a great job – I don’t feel dry/tight after washing my face. It also does a great job at removing excess makeup leftover from my cleansing wipes that I use prior to washing my face. 

Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizer {Clinique, department stores}                        

I’ve had this product for quite a while and I only use it when I’m overly dry, which happens a lot during the winter months.  I have a super oily T-zone, but I also have a lot of dryness on my nose.  This moisturizer is perfect for spot treating dry areas.  I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who is consistently oily, as it does add a lot of moisture.  

'Til next time, Pretties!

{Fall Picks} BOOTS for Gals with Larger Calves!!!!!

I am so freaking excited!!!!  I found boots!! 

 

Now, before you go and say, "Um, Jen, there are boots at every store that offers shoes," let me say that I have monster man calves.  As in, I can NEVER find boots that don't make my lower leg look like I'm smuggling a small infant in them.  I played softball for almost my entire life {from age 4 to 19}, thus, I developed some pretty muscular legs.  Considering I was meant to be a heavier or "big boned" girl, the fatty parts of my legs turned man muscle.  I try to embrace it and be thankful of the fact that they could just be fat legs instead of massively muscular, but fall/winter always makes me sad because I can never find boots that fit them.  ALAS... I have found the holy grail!  I was shopping Sunday and I decided to stop in Maurice's in the mall.  I really like Maurice's clothes, but usually only shop there when I have a coupon or they are running some kind of deal.  Their clothes are nice, but the quality doesn't necessarily match the price.  I went in to get a black jacket because I like the fit/cut of their jackets.  While I was perusing, I noticed their boot wall.  As I do at every boot display, I sighed and walked away.  While commencing to shop, I couldn't get the boot idea out of my head and finally, to make the sad thoughts in my head disappear, I decided just to try a pair for giggles.  I grabbed a half size larger than my usual shoe choice {I wear an 8 1/2} and sat down on one of their ottomans.  I put my foot in and immediately started to take them off because I just felt like they weren't going to fit, then I decided to zip.... I kept zipping... and zipping and they zipped with no force.  I was so ecstatic I almost jumped off of the ottoman.  Then, doubtful me, I figured when I looked in the mirror they still wouldn't look quite right.  Although they fit, I was then concerned that the eye would be drawn directly to the widest section of my leg - which I don't want.  I stood in front of one of those short shoe mirrors and was in awe.  I FINALLY FOUND BOOTS!

Now, here's the best part - they are $39 a pair BUT BOGO 1/2 off {I'm not sure if they offer the BOGO offer online}!  That's right, for less than $60, you, too, can get two pairs of fall/winter boots.  Because I'm a savvy shopper {aka a broke chick with a passion for fashion}, I got them even cheaper.  If you join their text club, you get a 50% off one single item at regular price.  This does disqualify you for the BOGO, but if you're like me, you'll find the 20% off coupon on their site and get the second pair for cheap as well.  Because I shop there semi-frequently, I also had a $10 off coupon.  So, to break it down, I got a black pair of boots for 50% off at $21 and some change.  Then, I got a brown pair for around $22 with the $10 off coupon and the 20% off chip.  I got two pairs for under $50.  I'm loving it.

I'm wearing the brown ones today {they are SO comfortable that I'm shocked} with this dress from Forever 21, black leggings from Old Navy, and a black cropped cardigan I've had for a while from Kohl's. 

Have a pretty day, y'all!

{My Faves}: September 2013

September Favorites!

It’s October, y’all {and I’m behind, I know}!  It’s also officially FALL.  The weather here in Mississippi has turned a little cooler, but we aren’t out of the clear of the sweltering weather days just yet.  Here are my favorites from September!

HAIR

Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo

I’ve been using the Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo for a while and I like it a lot.  I went to get a new bottle at my Wal-Mart at the beginning of the month and they were sold out of it but had the Keratin Infusion kind.  I grabbed it and figured it would do.  I like it SO much more than the original kind.  It smells better.  The original has a fruity scent, which I do like, but the Keratin kind has a more “professional salon product” scent that I can’t explain, but it smells great.  It also seems to spray on less powdery which I like due to having dark hair.  They are both $2.99 at my Wal-Mart which is a steal!

MAKE-UP

e.l.f. Liquid Liner in Black

This stuff is great.  I generally use the Wet n Wild liquid liner, but this e.l.f. one has a longer applicator which helps me get that perfect winged look.  It also has great staying power.  The best part is that it is $1!!!  It also comes in brown.

M.A.C. Prep and Prime Highlighter in Light Boost

I love this highlighter!  It has a click applicator which distributes the product out of a built in brush at the end.  It goes on super creamy and blends perfectly.  My under eye area has stayed bright and fine line free since I started using it.  It is a bit pricey for a highlighter, but it’s M.A.C. and the payoff is worth it if you are going for that bright-eyed look.  It comes in other shades, but this one I found to be the best for eye brightening.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil in Brunette

I know I’ve discussed this product several times over the last few weeks, but it has seriously changed my life.  It is so easy to make it look so natural and my brows look so put together now.  I will never just use a shadow to shape them again {as long as they keep this product for me to purchase}.  It is also easy to wipe away mistakes, while still having staying power in the areas I want it to be.  I’ve gotten tons of compliments since I started using it and I couple it with WhiteningLightening’s Brow Bar to Go, however, on days when I’m pressed for time, I just use this pencil and my brows still look great.  I really recommend it if you’re trying to grow out over-plucked brows… it really does change the overall look of your face!

BEAUTY

St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub

I went through about a three week spell where I was having a lot of tiny heat-bump like breakouts on my forehead as well as a lot of black heads.  I blame it on the sweltering Mississippi summer heat, however, I also felt that my usual skin routine and products were just not strong enough anymore.  I do have sensitive skin and for the longest time, I’ve used Aloette products because they are very gentle and enriched with aloe vera.  I still love them, but I wanted a change.  I grabbed the St. Ives Green Tea Scrub on a whim at CVS one night and figured I probably would use it a few times and forget it on the shelf – that wasn’t the case.  I think it has greatly cleared up those “heat bumps” as well as cleared out a lot of the pores around my nose where I was having black head issues.  I use it every other day and usually at night.  It is very gentle for a scrub and the exfoliators are extremely fine, so it does not feel harsh at all.  I also like the scent – green tea!  It is also a good price at under $4.  I have not felt that it has over dried my skin either, which is usually the issue I have with exfoliators. 

Studio 35 Alpha Hydroxy Crème

I’ll admit it, I stalked the crap out of the folks at the Walgreen’s stores in my town to find this {Studio 35 is the Walgreen's brand}.  I heard about it on YouTube and saw a blue million comments about how great it worked.  I HAD to have it, but it wasn’t anywhere to be found in my stores.  One of the beauty reps at one of the stores told me that they usually get a few in every month or so and they sell out quick.  I opted to just order it online at Walgreens.com, but to my surprise, it was sold out there, too!  After stalking for almost two weeks, I finally found one tub of it and I have been so impressed with it since.  I am usually very lazy about my skin care {I know, slap my hand, I’ll regret it later on if I don’t start taking care of it}, but over the past month or so, I’ve made a conscious effort to wash my face every morning and night and use products for anti-aging.  This cream is really amazing.  It smells awful {like glue}, but once you get it on your face, the smell fades and it’s not even noticeable any more.  Alpha Hydroxy is a chemical exfoliant.  So, just like the green tea scrub I use which I exfoliate with manually, this cream does its magic on its own.  I apply it after I’ve washed my face and used an astringent at night before I go to bed.  It does leave a sort of sticky-ish/oily residue on the skin, but why does that matter if I’m sleeping in it?  It also should be cleansed off after use, as it eliminates dead skin and impurities.  When I wake up in the morning, I cleanse with Cetaphil and I’m good to go.  This cream is also around $8 which is WAYYYYY cheaper than most night creams.  It improves the overall appearance of the skin and rejuvenates it while you sleep.  I recommend it for all skin types – it really does make the skin feel softer and smoother.

I hope these recommendations are helpful to you!  Have a pretty weekend, y'all!

{Review}: Special Edition Tarte 2013 Beauty Without Boundaries Set

With much regret, I must say that the Tarte 2013 Beauty Without Boundaries set was a very big let down.  There are a few products I enjoy, but most of it I really could have lived without. 

I ordered the medium shade because my skin tone is quite olive-ish. 

I was super excited about trying the BB tinted treatment primer most, and it was the most disappointing of all of the products in the set.  

Check out my initial post which includes photos and a link to purchase the 

Tarte set here: {Beauty and the Belle: Tarte 2013 Set }

Flops:

• BB Tinted Treatment Primer:  I moisturize A LOT and twice a day.  The reason for this is the fact that I have combination skin and I tend to get super dry in my T-zone in the am and then get super oily in that area throughout the day.  The BB primer went on SUPER dry and cakey.  I don’t even know how anyone could use it as a primer, because it seriously left my skin looking dry and gross.  I was really looking forward to trying it as a light coverage foundation, and I ended up having to wash my face and re apply my moisturizer before starting over with my everyday foundation {L’Oreal Magic Powder}.
• BB Tinted Undereye Corrector: This product isn’t terrible, but I didn’t really like it much either.  I’ll probably put it in my drawer of products I save for when I’ve run out of something for use.  It is just odd to me that it is a dark color.  I don’t necessarily have dark circles under my eyes, so it wasn’t a product I was overly excited about, but I definitely wasn’t wowed.
• LipSurgence Power Pigment in Awakening: This one isn’t necessarily a flop, but I put it on the flop list because I’m not crazy about the shade.  It looks like it would be a nice rosy pink color, but on, it looks more orange.  I’m not big on lip products, so I’ve only tried it two or three times, but I always end up putting something on top of it because the shade isn’t one I really like alone.

Fabs:

• Lights, Camera, Flashes! Mascara in Black: LOVE this… I will most likely repurchase it when I run out.  It makes my lashes super long.  It also dries pretty quickly.
• Lights, Camera, Flashes! Waterproof Inner Rim Liner in Black: I really like this liner because it glides on effortlessly…. like butter.  It also has great staying power.  The only thing I dislike about it is that it does smudge under my eyes after a few hours of wear.  I find myself constantly checking my mirror to see if I need to remedy that issue.  It doesn’t happen every time I wear it, and it is allergy season, which means itchy and watery eyes – I’m going to keep using it into the fall and see if that issue has just been caused because of the weather.  The pigment is great and it does stay super black for a long period of time.
• Complexion Brush and Undereye Brush: these are great brushes.  Even though I’m not using the BB Tinted Undereye Corrector, I have been using one side of the eye Undereye Brush to apply my banana powder to set my concealer.  The Complexion Brush is nice and fluffy and it can be used all over the face for powder or contouring.  I also like the chevron print on the brushes.
• Makeup Bag: great size and print – Its large, so I plan to use it for overnight toiletries when I go out of town.  It’s a little too big to use as a travel makeup bag for me because I try to condense my products when packing and it is so large that I feel I would be compelled to over pack.  It also doesn’t have any folds, pockets, or inserts to organize makeup and brushes, which I like to do in order to protect my brushes when traveling.

I hope this review helped you decide if the Tarte set is right for you.  As I mentioned in my first post about it, the brushes alone are worth more than the entire kit and I was happy with the mascara and liner as well.  All in all, I don't regret the purchase, I just hoped that the BB primer would wow me.

Have a pretty day!