YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Glossy Balm

Happy Thursday! Just one more day till the weekend starts and it’s going to be much needed.  I wanted to share with you my one big splurges I did at Christmas. I had a few Sephora gift cards and had been wanting to purchas a Yves Saint Laurent lipstick.  I decided to get a Glossy Balm since I couldn’t get to store to test out the other colors they had.  I bought Mouthwatering Berry, which I thought would be a great inbetween color that wasn’t to pink or way to dark.

It’s kind of crazy how differen the color looks with and with out the flash.  I will say that flas does give more of it’s true color.

As you can see by the swatch without the flash, it is definately sheer. With the flash you can indeed see the glossy part. So the name of the lipstick does not give you a false advertisement (which bugs me when it does!)

So my verdict here, I really like the glossiness of the lipstick, it’s nice and smooth.  You do have to give it a few go arounds on the lip to get it a good consistancy, as you can see it does show the lines in your lips if you don’t exfoliate (mine were chapped that day).  At least from far away you don’t really notice it.   What I dislike about it:  The price $34 (yes this was a HUGE SPLURGE) and the scent. It’s got a weird plastic grapefruit smell. It doesn’t linger but when you open it up you can get a wiff of it.

Would I buy another again? No, just for the price alone and I can purchase Revlon Satin line for 3/4 the price.  At least I can say I have a YSL lipstick. I’ll be using the hell out of it to get my money’s worth.

Advice:  Unless you have a disposable income or gift cards, skip it.  Go with someting from Urban Decay, they have a Naked Lip Gloss line now and a girl friend of mine already purchased two and said they are amazing and hydrating. When I get paid I’m going to get some!

But if your insterested click here to go to Sephora and see the other colors they have in this line

So have you all purchased any YSL? Or a splurge like this?

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Mini Review: Aveeno Postitively Radient Deep Cleansing Pads

Happy Monday.  Back to a full work schedule till I have a day off on 20 Jan. That three day weekend can’t come quick enough.

I wanted to share my reactions to the Aveeno Cleansing Pads I purchased the other day from Rite Aid.  The pads are the size of the bottom of a mug. They have two sides, one is soft for the sensitive areas around your eyes and lips, the other an exfoliant side.

I really enjoyed this product. It’s already wet and ready to later up on your damp face. I couldn’t believe everything that it picked up, considering I hadn’t put on make up for a bit over a whole day.  The exfoliant side isn’t super abrasive but enough that you can tell it’s doing what it’s suppose to.  The scent is very light and it suds up very nicely.

Once washed off my skin looked a litte red since I did a nice scrub on it. Once it settled down it was so soft and radient looking. I’m excited to say this is a good review and would highly recommend this for anyone. It cleared my my little dry patch that likes to settle right between my eybrows.  It cost me $8.

Help Me Choose Some New Lip Products! Discuss With Me!

Happy Thursday!  I can’t believe the new year came in so fast, the holidays were such a blur.

So while I’m sitting here at work (which is nice and quiet right now!) I was looking at Sephora wanting to buy some new lipsticks/gloss. I have a bunch of gift cards and I’m itching to use them.

I’m wanting to try something new asides from my go to Urban Decay Revolutionary Lipstick.  So I’m looking to you all to help me out with some suggestions.

I have no real preference on type of lip product, I like to try bold colors as well a neautral. I’m fair skinned if that helps any. I’m excited to see your suggestions!

Discuss away!

13 Best Beauty Discoveries of 2013

Happy New  Years Everyone! I hope 2014 is going to treat everyone well.  Our little community on Facebook called Blogging Shares  (click the link to join!)decided to do this blog hop for all of you to see what our top fave discoveries we found this past year and to introduce you to some new sites!  I hope you enjoy and find some new bloggers to follow, they are all lovely ladies!

*These are in no particular order and the link on each name is to the websites if your interested in subscribing or ordering*

1. Ipsy Monthly Makeup Subscription

Ipsy is a $10 monthly subscription bag.  Each month you get a great little bag filled with 5 products.  I have not been disappointed thus far.  Each month my bag is guaranteed with some type of lip product, eye product and nail polish, the other two are up in the air.  If your interested in starting up a subscription this would be my top pick over them all.  Also if you review each product you received you get 10 glam points. Once you reach 1000 points you are eligible for a free gift. Also another plus is you get great discounts from each brand name they are using that month. Check out my review for my December bag.

2. Mox Botanical Lip Butter

This was a Birchbox purchase in November.  I am normally not a make up pot type of person, but there is something special about this one.  First the packaging, it’s a heavy material, at first look you think it’s a thick plastic but it’s really made of glass that protects it from the elements.  Secondly, the product melts nicely on your finger and doesn’t get under your nails.  It goes on smooth….like a butter and smells amazing. The pomegranate and fig is an exclusive to Birchbox.  You can check out my review here.

3. Urban Decay B6 Vitamin Infused Complexion Spray

I never in a million years would have thought I would have bought into any of these sprays. I’ve eyeballed them many time but would not pay for them since they were over $30.  Thou my best friends at Sephora put a nice 500 VIB point gift together from Urban Decay and this product was included in it.  The product at the Sephora site says its a soothing prep spray that features the first stabilized form of vitamin B6, which absorbs oil, minimizes pores, and reduces redness.What I really love is that it makes my skin super soft and when I use my moisturizer my face seems to absorb it better and makes my makeup site on my face so much better.  All I can say is that I’m really hooked and when this tester runs out I will be purchasing a full bottle. A plus is that this tiny bottle has lasted me over a month, since I use only 3 small spritz I do not use so much.  Check out my review here.

4. Julep’s Freedom Polymer Top Coat

I use to be a subscriber as a Julep Maven,  it’s $19.99 a month and you receive several different polishes according to your quiz results.  They also have some great box deals.  The only reason I unsubscribed is that I was running out of room for all my polishes.  You can usually do a google search for promo codes to get a discount on your first box. Now this particular item I did no purchase on my own. I received it in my Popsugar box, you can purchase it on the Julep site thou.  This top coat is AH-MAY-ZING!  If you love a shiny gel like finish and a quick dry time this product for you. As a bonus I didn’t see any chipping till maybe 4-5 days later and that was minimal.  I’ve used several top coats in my time but this one, hands (nails) down is my fave. It cost $18 if your not a member but it’s well worth the price.  To read some more on it, check out my review here.

5.Kat Von D Spellbinding Eye Shadow Book

Sadly this one isn’t available anymore.  I am happy that I splurged and purchased it when I did.  I didn’t eve know it was limited and is no longer showing up on the Sephora website.  This one cost me $50, but the perk was there were several shades that were new to her line, and I am not sure they have been brought out full yet.  What is fun is that she gives you the pairings already and suggest to put the darker shade on top of the lighter one, if you do it the other way around to give it a color shifting look.

You can check out my review here.

6. Walgreen’s Studio 35 Eczema Lotion

Your probably wondering why I am including this, right?  Well not all lotions are created equally and sometimes the least expected works the best.  My step kid has terrible eczema in the winter and we were looking for cheaper options then Aveno since it’s a bit more expensive, and honestly not all cracked up to be for a lotion.  So one day I was sitting at home noticing how cracked my feet were and this lotion was in arms reach, so why not try it?  The heavens opened and the angels sung, because the next day my feet were 50% softer and had less noticeable cracks.  Three days of using it straight my heel was healed up and not as tough that comes with the roughness.  This also works great on sand paper like elbows.  It’s worth the drive to Walgreen’s.  Check out my review here.

7.  Buxom Serial Kisser Lipsticks

Ok this one was another holiday packaging that isn’t available but majority of the colors you can find seperatly at Sephora for $21 each. Buxom has some of the best glosses and lipsticks. They are all buttery and smooth and does not dry out you lips. I’ve never used their lipstick products before but they are amazing. I have a friend who went back and bought another one of these sets because she loved them so much.  The pigment is bright and bold and last for sometime.  You can check out my review here.

8. 12 Benefits Healthy Hair Treatment

I have baby fine hair, and I can’t do much to it except add copious amounts of hairspray to it, and by the end of the day it’s crispy looking…..until now.  In one of my Birchbox subscription I received a sample of this product.  The most amazing results I got out this product was that my hair became softer, shiner, smooth, grew faster, and looked overall more healthier.  Also when I went to see my stylist (that I didn’t see for 2 months) she asked me if I got my hair cut somewhere else because my ends looked healthy and very little bit on the split side.  I think that says a lot.  Amazon has the best deals on it, but you can purchase it too on Birchbox.  You can check out my review here.

9. The Wet Brush

Keeping with the hair thing, this is hands down the best brush you will ever own. EVER!  I have trouble with tangles, and they are virtually nonresistant with this brush.  If you do have a tangle it works it out with ease and no pain at all.  I don’t think I have to say more, except it works on all hair types.  Amazon has it on sale right now around $7. Check out my review here.

10. Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

I am a long time fan of The Body Shop, I’ve been using their Vitamin E moisturizer for years. What’s amazing about this is that they are always running a huge sale online.  I was curious one day when  I hit their 50% site wide sale and decided to try so more of their Vitamin E line.  I fell in love with this mask. It’s not your ordinary one. It goes on thick and stays on the surface. You let it soak in and remove it by sometime of paper towel.  My skin was amazingly super soft for a week.  Check out my review here.

11. Zoya Nail Polish

Zoya is one of the best nail polish brands you can ever purchase.  They are exclusively online, unless you go to a nail salon and possibly purchase it there.  They mainly run $8 unless you get their Pixiedust (and you should it’s sparkles and hardly chips) for $9. The polish is free of the harsh chemicals that you get in most.  I’m a life long fan, I hope you will all try it at least one. Check out my review here.

12. Urban Decay Lip Revolution Lip Line

Perhaps my favorite purchase of the year.  These lipsticks have the best color saturation and never dries your lips out.  They are a bit of a splurge at $22 but so worth it. I own 4, and plan to own the whole collection. Honestly I never was a lipstick person but this made me a lipstick obsessor.  Check out my review here that also includes swatches.

13. Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette

I wanted to put Urban Decay Naked 3 palette on here, but I haven’t reviewed it or used much of it as much as love it. So this is my favorite palette  of the year.  I love the bright pop of color with the gold and the hot pink. Really it’s so fun and punk, right down to the packaging.  It’s $46, and worth it.  The colors last forever, longer with an eye primer.  Check out my review here.

**Well there you go, I wish you all a beautiful 2014 and hope you found something new that you want to try on this list. HAPPY NEW YEAR!**

If for some reason you can’t get to the links, visit these lovely ladies to check out their list

Vivienne at Jolie Pagaille – http://www.JoliePagaille.com

Michelle at Pretty in the East- http://www.prettyintheeast.wordpress.com

Jen at Dragonfly Reviews – http://dragonflybeautyreviews.wordpress.com/

Kristina at The Feminine Files- http://thefemininefiles.com

Christine at Simply Stine- http://www.simplystine.com

Cheryl Hawley – http://theskinnyonbeauty.com/

Angela Watkins at The Makeup Whisperer http://wp.me/p3Wf8e-fu

Nancy Taylor (Smokey) – http://jumpingmouse9.blogspot.com/

December Ipsy Bag

Well I’m sorry for such a blurry picture, I couldn’t tell to much on my phone.  I’ll just call this abstract December Ipsy bag.  Let’s break it down with each goody!

This perhaps is my favorite out of them all. I’ve been wanting to try some falsies but never would buy them because I couldn’t justify the purchase. Thou now I can finally try them and try them I will!  New Years is coming up and I will be wearing these bad boys!

NYX Lipstick in Celine.  I love lipstick but this wouldn’t be one I would have bought off the shelf. I think this one would look fantastic on a darker skin if worn alone.  I’m to pale to pull this off by itself so I think this will add a nice sparkle or contrast to a bright colored lipstick.  The formula thou for this is soft and smooth.

Swatch for the lipstick is on the bottom, the Bombshell all over stick is at the top

This is the Be A Bombshell all over stick in a very nice rosey pink. It’s very light.  I think I would use it more of a lip color and maybe try it out as a blush, but I am so use to my NARS Orgasm color.

Nicka K  nail polish.  I’m not sure what the color name is but it’s a nice brown neutral color. And. It. Is. AMAZING!  Tomorrow I’ll show you how pretty it is once I clean up my manicure.  If I had one complaint it’s that it’s  a thinner formula, so two coats is a must.  I also love the bottle design, it’s so cute!

Finally Pop Naturally Bare eye shadow. These are great every day wear shadows.  I haven’t used any Pop eye shadows before, just a lip color, so I’m curious. But this one will be great for traveling and when I want to go light (haha, like that will happen!)

What were your dislikes and loves of your Ipsy bag this month?

Which Is Better-Brush Or Sponge Applicator For Eyeshadows? Discuss with me!

Happy Tuesday!  I haven’t done a post for a few days, but some of you who are on the Facebook page Blogging Shares (click here to join if you want to join the group to share your blog) already know my craziness that is going on. Those who don’t, not only is Christmas is next week (eek!) I put in an application to adopt a 9 week old dachshund.   I will know Thursday if we were approved, cross your fingers for us, we’ve been looking for several months now and it just seemed like the right time.

So now onto the question.  I’ve been doing my makeup for years now and I always went back and forth from using the sponge applicator to using a brush.  What I always go back to is the sponge.  For some reason I find that I get more color on it then I do with a brush.  I feel like I have to go over it and over to get the saturation of color that I want. With a sponge maybe two swipes and I am there.  I do go back with a brush sometime to blend when needed.

I feel like I get this with a sponge

This with a brush

So my question is what do you like to use? What do you think is better? Or do you use something completely different or both?  Discuss!

What’s Your Beauty Tips and Tricks? Discuss With Me!

I had fun with my last discuss me on mascara and thought I would do another one.  Everyone has some type of trick they do in their make up routine.  Some might be something we have already heard or something you discovered yourself.  I want to find out your tips and tricks to every day make up appliance or routines.

For instance, I’m sure you all do this, but I apply my nail polish right before I take a shower. So instead of going back with a some nail polish remover and accidentally take off some good polish on my nail, I’m able to scrape away the messy edges in the shower and my manicure looks perfect.

Another trick I do is instead of buy the liquid eyeshadow that can clump easily, I use high gloss lipstick/gloss on my lids.  It sees unorthodox but it works, and I also have a lipstick, so bonus multiuse!

So tell me what do you do? I can’t wait to hear from you!!

What Do You Look Fo In A Mascara? Discuss With Me!

 

As  I was applying my makeup today I was noticing how many mascaras I have.  It occurred to me that I don’t have a rhyme and reason to what I look for in a mascara. I know one word I usually look for is volumizing.  I’ve used so many that I don’t even pay attention to the brush anymore.  Do they really work?  Have they worked for you?

I also tend to layer several different mascaras to get the expectation that I’m looking for, which is long and not to clump.  But yet all these combinations I haven’t found the one mascara that is the mascara of them all.

So my question to you is, what do you use? Do you use one? Or more? And what do you look for to find the right one for you?

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Happy Hump Day!  Last night I did a little review on the Urban Decay B6 spray, this was the companion spray I got in my my 500 point gift.

Best 500 points ever.  So this was another one I was skeptical on, I never really thought these would do the job.  I quickly learned to not judge Urban Decay.  Again, this one didn’t disappoint.  I tested this one twice.  The first time I used it I had some light natural make up on, and noticed that it looked fresh by the end of the evening. What was even more impressive was that the next day, I used heavier brighter makeup, and there was not smudges or basic wear to my face.  I am instantly in love.  It has helped made a difference in my face.  I’m not sure because it locks in all the product, including the moisturizer that my face is softer.

To use you make sure you spray a few inches away from your face, once in an X motion, and once in a T motion.  It has a slight scent, but nothing major, it goes away instantly.  You can purchase this on Sephora in a 1 oz for $14 or a 4 oz for $29.  I personally think if your not going to use this every day, and you use very little the 1 oz would be great.I know after Christmas I’ll be purchasing a bottle of this with the B6.

Here is a description on Sephoras site:

What it is:
A weightless setting spray that keeps makeup looking just-applied for up to 16 hours.

What it does:
Is makeup meltdown ruining your midnight mojo? Mist on this weightless spray to give your makeup serious staying power. Developed in an exclusive partnership with SKINDINÄVIA, this groundbreaking, clinically tested formula is suitable for all skin types and features patented Temperature Control Technology. It actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep foundation, eyeshadow, blush, and concealer in place—even in hot and humid or cold and windy conditions. The result? Smoother-looking skin and vibrant makeup that lasts all day (or night) without melting, cracking, fading, or settling into fine lines.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Phthalates

What else you need to know:
Unlike similar products on the market that feel sticky or tight on your skin, the sprayer delivers a microfine mist that goes on so light, you’ll hardly feel it—and once you’ve applied it, you won’t even know it’s there.

Research results:
In a 7-day clinical study of All Nighter:
– 78% of participants said All Nighter helped their makeup last for 16 hours
– Over 80% said their makeup not only looked better, it stayed on better (even in the T-zone) without settling into fine lines
– Whether they had combination, oily, or dry skin, 88% or more said All Nighter was the best product to help their makeup last

Sephora Black Friday Deals

Sephora just put up on their pinterest their amazing $10 Black Friday only deals. I’ll be definitely staying up till midnight to bag some of these items. Click here to see the full list of deals on pinterest

The biggest deal I see is their 12 oz Purity Made simple.  $10 I’m sure it will see out quickly. There is also a lot of Stila and Tarte deals.  What are you most excited for?