Happy Wednesday! Almost over the hump, and we can all enjoy the weekend, and THE SUPER BOWL! Who are you rooting for?! I was babysitting on Monday night, and it amazes me how much a 6 year old boy knows about football. He was throwing out all kinds of statistics and teams, and I was amazed. I am pretty sure it is an innate thing in boys to love football! Also, has anyone else been jamming to the song, "Let it Go," from the movie Frozen? I listened to it around 50 times driving the kids around on Monday, and it has been stuck in my head ever since. If you haven't listened to it, check out the clip below!
Anyways, I had a coupon from Target for 5 dollars off of a 20 dollar purchase from the makeup line, Pixi. I have never tried anything from this line before, but have heard wonderful things about their eyeliners and that they are comparable to the ever favorite Urban Decay eyeliners. I saw this eyeliner kit that contains 5 different eyeliners, and thought this would be perfect to try!
This kit even comes with its own sharpener! How nifty!
This kit contains 5 different colors that I believe would look good on any skin tone. When I first opened this kit, I immediately noticed how similar these eyeliners were to the Urban Decay eyeliners. The formulations, packaging, and textures are almost identical!
I swatched these colors on my hand and the colors are (from right to left); Oyster Glow, Sage Gold, Black Noir, Black Cocoa, and Deep Plum
I am SUPER impressed with these eyeliners, and very happy with this purchase! I have used the Deep Plum and Black Cocoa colors, and they both look great! These eyeliners glide seamlessly on the eye, and the staying power is great! Even though the eyeliners are a creamy formulation, the liner did not smudge throughout the day (which I love!). These eyeliners have a faint shimmer, but not so much that it looks like you have a lot of sparkle and glitter on your eyes. I would definitely recommend these eyeliners, and they are a FANTASTIC dupe to the Urban Decay eyeliners.
I hope that everyone is enjoying the snow and staying warm!!
Happy Saturday! I hope everyone had a fabulous week! Can you believe that January is almost over?
I recently purchased two Z palettes (link here!) so that I could take all of my single eye shadows and small palette eyeshadows and put them all in one place! I own a lot of single MAC shadows, and a lot of single drugstore eyeshadows and I wanted to be able to make them into their own palette. I decided to share with you all how to 'depot' your eyeshadows, in case you want to make your own Z palette!
What you need:
Wax paper
Straightener
Tweezers or knife
Eyeshadow
Z-palette
Step 1:
Take your single MAC eyeshadows and tweezers and remove the eyeshadow from the actual pot. This is a little hard to explain via text, but you can see the line where the shadow sits in the pot. Just put your tweezers in there and the eyeshadow should pop right out. The bottom picture shows the separated eye shadow and pot.
Step 2:
Using your straightener (I am actually using an old straightener that I don't use anymore), apply a sheet of wax paper onto the straightener and then place the eyeshadow pan onto the wax paper. Your goal is to melt the back of the eyeshadow pan and the glue that is holding the eyeshadow into the pan. I left this eyeshadow on the hot iron for about 3 minutes.
Step 3:
After you have left your eyeshadow on the hot iron for a few minutes, the back should create an indentation in the center where the plastic has melted. Using your tweezers, begin to poke and push the center hole until the eyeshadow begins to fall out. Make sure you don't touch the metal part of the eyeshadow that has fallen out, because it will be hot!
Separated eyeshadow.
Step 4:
Instead of using the wax paper for the next eyeshadows, I began to just stick the eyeshadows onto the hot iron. I wouldn't suggest this unless you are using an old iron that you no longer use on your hair because some of the plastic can rub off onto the iron.
Step 5:
Z palettes supply magnets that you attach to the back on the depotted eyeshadows and then place them in the Z palette.
Step 6:
After depotting my single MAC eyeshadows, I used the same technique on different eyeshadows I have from drugstores and random places. I love that now I can just grab my Z palette and all of my single eyeshadows are in one place. This also helps to de-clutter in my makeup collection!
Happy Sunday! I hope everyone has had a great weekend. Another new product that I recently picked up at the drugstore is Maybelline's Master Glaze blush. If you have read some of my previous posts, such as my December favorites post, you know that I love to use stick blushes, especially the NYX blush sticks. Maybelline has come out with a new line of stick blushes that you can now pick up at your local drugstore. These blushes retail for $8.99 and come in 7 different shades.
I tend to gravitate towards peach tone blushes, and so I picked up the color, "Just Pinched Pink."
The formulation of this blush product is very similar to other Maybelline cream blush products such as the Dream Bouncy Blushes. I am very impressed with the formulations of these blushes. They are SUPER pigmented (as seen from the hand swatch below), and very blend-able.
I apply these blushes the same way I apply all of my cream/stick blushes. I apply dots onto my cheeks and then blend the blush in with one of my favorite brushes, the ELF small stippling brush.
This blush gives a flawless finish to the cheeks without screaming that you are wearing a lot of blush! I am one of those people who used to skip blush altogether because I just was not a fan, but now I think that it can give my cheeks a nice, healthy glow. You can apply as little or as much as this blush as you want. This blush is very build-able, so you could apply an extra layer to make your cheeks look a little rosier.
I have used this blush product every day since I purchased it, and want to pick up a few more colors to try soon!
On another note, the Golden Globes are on tonight, and I can't wait to see all of the fashion, makeup, and hairstyles! I love watching the red carpet for every awards show, and of course I will make a post of my favorite looks of the night! Also, I can't wait to watch Tina Fey and Amy Poehler host again.. they are SO funny! Last March, I stayed at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel with my parents, and got to take a sneak peek at the ballroom where the Golden Globes are held. Obviously, I was SUPER excited to see it!
Outside of the International Ballroom where the Golden Globes are held.
It doesn't look that glamorous now, but will tonight with all of the fancy decor, and fabulous celebrities.
One of this things I love about the new year is all of the new drug store products that come out. I love to try out new products, especially ones from the drugstore, because the products are inexpensive and can be great quality. I have heard a couple of reviews on these two mascaras, and decided to try both of them out.
First things first, you want to make sure you curl your lashes! This makes a huge difference in what your mascara will look like. I use a Revlon mascara curler that you can pick up at your local drugstore.
I tried Loreal's Lash Out Butterfly mascara first. Loreal says that this mascara will, "stretch and extend your lashes like wings." This mascara retails for $8.99.
One of the most intriguing things about this mascara is the shape of the wand. It is different on each side. It has one side that has a normal barrel to help with volume, and the other side has longer bristles to help with the lengthening.
One of the first things I noticed about this mascara is that it has a slight smell to it, but not as much at the Covergirl mascara. The formulation of this mascara is very wet, and so it can speck off a little on your eye, but it is VERY good at adding volume and lenghtening your lashes. I have been using this mascara every day since I bought it, and it might be one of my new favorites. I have been a huge fan of Beneftit's They're Real Mascara, but it is more expensive, retailing for $23.00. I think that this mascara gives the same effect.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take a before lash picture, but this is the photo of my lashes after applying a couple of coats of mascara. I use the rounded side of the wand first, and then finish my lashes off with the long bristle side to really lengthen them.
This mascara creates AMAZING length!
The next mascara I tried was Covergirl's Bombshell Volume Mascara. This mascara contains two wands on both sides. The Step 1 side contains a wand that is suppose to give your lashes volume, and the Step 2 side is suppose to seal the volume and color of your lashes. This mascara retails for $11.99.
I did take a before photo of my lashes before applying this mascara.
First I started with the Step 1 side. This wand reminds me of the normal Cover Girl mascaras, such as Clump Crusher and Lash Blast mascaras. It is a fat wand with shorter bristles. This mascara formulation is a little more drying, and that was one of the things I liked about this mascara.
After applying Step 1.
Step 2's wand was different and contains thickening bristles compared to Step 1.
After applying Step 2.
I didn't see too much of a difference after applying Step 2 to my lashes. One of the things that I did not like about this mascara was the smell of it. Butterfly contains a smell, but this mascara has a very strong scent from the minute it is opened.
Cover Girl's Bombshell on the left, and Loreal's Butterfly on the right. As you can see from the photo below, there is not too much difference in the way the mascaras look on the eyes.
Even though I think both mascaras are GREAT drugstore mascaras, I would definitely recommend Loreal's Butterfly mascara over Covergirl's Bombshell. I have implemented this mascara into my daily make up routine, and have really been loving it. If you are looking for a dupe for Benefit's They're Real Mascara, definitely try this one! Loreal is known for good mascaras, and the Loreal Voluminous mascara will always be one of my favorites. But, it was definitely time to try something new from Loreal, and I am very satisfied with this product.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend! Until next time,
December has come and gone, and it is time for a new year and new month! Below are some of the things that rocked my December. I hope everyone had a safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hello 2014!
Beauty Favorites:
1. Too Faced Pretty Rebel Eyeshadow Palette:
I got this palette a few days before Christmas, but considered it a Christmas present. This is a fairly new product from the cosmetic line, Too Faced. I love the mixture of colors that it contains. It has some neutral shades (featured on the left), and then it crosses over into some fun shades with the pink, navy, silver, and sparkle black. I have been using this palette often, and used it to create some blog post looks, including my New Years Eve look. All of the colors contain very nice pigment, and apply to the eye very nicely.
2. E.L.F eye shadow jumbo sticks:
I have been using these shadow sticks as an eye primer before I apply my eye shadow. My favorite shade to use is the gold shade, and it creates a solid background and a little tackiness so that my eyeshadow can have long lasting power. These are available at Target and online.
3. Christian Dior Creme De Rose Lip Balm:
I have heard multiple rave reviews about this lip product and received it for Christmas. This is just a lip balm (no color stain), and I have been using it to keep my lips moisturized. During the cold winter months, my skin gets SO dry, so this has been a fabulous thing to apply to my lips. It also has a very amazing rose scent, and I have very much enjoyed this product.
4. Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C brightening sleeping facial:
Another product I have heard rave reviews about is this sleeping facial. I have a lot of hyper-pigmentation on my face and vitamin C is suppose to be great to help reduce dark spots. This product also smells like you are rubbing roses all over your face, and I use it at night before I go to bed and I have noticed that my skin feels refreshed and soft in the morning.
5. NYX Blush sticks:
Oh. Em. Gee. Why haven't I used these blush products before? For a while, I have been the E.L.F blush train because they offer fantastic colors for a very low price. But, my mom actually picked one of these up somewhere one day and told me about them. So, the next ULTA coupon that I received, I ran to ULTA and picked up a variety of colors. These retail for $5.99, and if you go on ULTA.com they usually have coupons for 20% off items and such. I love to apply these blush sticks with my E.L.F stipple brush.
6. NYX Butter Gloss
Another NYX product that I picked up was one of their butter lip glosses. I picked up the color, Creme Brulee, and feel in love! I don't know if all of the butter glosses smell like frosting, but this one does and I am obsessed! NYX is releasing a new butter lipstick product and I am excited to try these soon.
Non-Beauty Favorites:
Movies:
I have seen a ton of movies this past December, and loved all of them!
1. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
At first, I was not really keen on seeing this movie with my family on Christmas Day. The previews looked a little blah, but I decided to go because I like both Ben Stiller and Kirsten Wiig. The beginning of the movie started off a little slow, but after the first 30 minutes, I really really enjoyed it!! It was a really sweet story, and some of the film was shot in Iceland and Greenland and I love movies that take me to locations that I have never seen before. This is a light, family, fun movie so if you are looking for something to do on an evening or afternoon, I would recommend this!
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
If you are okay with ALOT of nudity, strippers, hard core drug use, sex, foul language, and LEO DICAPRIO, then go see this film!! OH, and it is also over 3 hours, so be prepared for that! OH, and it directed by Martin Scorsese. SO, you already know it will be good! Although this movie has VERY VERY adult content, it was fantastic. If this is how Wall Street really is, then I will stay far far away. Leo Dicaprio is STELLAR in this film, and so is Jonah Hill.
3. Captain Phillips
Holy cow! My target heart rate was up this entire film. AND, can we say Oscar for Tom Hanks? I mean, anything with Tom Hanks is really good, but he is exceptional in this film. This film is based on a true story about a ship captain that was taken hostage by Somalian pirates. The film is intense from the get go, and a really really good story! GO SEE IT!!
4. Saving Mr. Banks
Another fabulous Tom Hanks film.. AND who knew Colin Farrell was in this movie?! NOT ME! This movie is about the writing of the film, Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins was written by author, P.L Travers (played by Emma Thompson who was outstanding), and this film follows her journey to Los Angeles to meet with Walt Disney (played by Tom Hanks), and all the trials and tribulations that went into making this film. I don't want to give too much away, soo just go see it! This is definitely a family film!
On my list to still see:
-Anchorman 2
-American Hustle
-Frozen
-The Book Thief
-Mandela
Can I just be a movie and tv critic? I think I missed my calling!
Music:
1. She's Not Afraid --One Direction
Make fun of me if you want, but I love this band. I mean who doesn't love CUTE British boys in tight pants that sing?
How amazing is this cover of Teenage Dirtbag by 1D. Yes, I did watch the movie. No, you shouldn't judge me!
2. Chillin' It -- Cole Swindell
3. Let Her Go-- Passenger
4. Let It Be- The Voice Rendition featuring Adam Levine and TessAnne Chin
5. Walking on Air-- Katy Perry
Random:
1. One Line a Day Memory Book:
If you are like me, and always want to journal before bed, but then start to journal and your hand gets all tired and cramped, and so you just say forget it, THEN this book is for you! I picked this up just before the start of the new year and it is a five year memory book where you right just a couple of lines for that particular day. I am only on day 4 of it, but I have been jotting down little things of significance that happened to me that day, and it lets me reflect on the day before I go to bed, without going to bed with a ink stained (left handers problems), cramped hand.
2. Archer Farm's Peppermint Syrup
I really love peppermint in my coffee and have told you all about my addiction to peppermint mochas at Starbucks before. I decided to pick up this coffee syrup to put into my morning coffee with a little bit of milk, and have already gone through an entire bottle! This adds a hint of sweetness and peppermint flavor to any coffee, and it is amazing.
3. iPhone 5S:
I FINALLY JOINED THE FUTURE AND GOT AN iPHONE!!!!!!!!! Ya'll, it might have been one of the best days of my life! I have been a Droid girl up until now, and was SO FED UP with my droid and all of its problems. My upgrade finally came on December 21, and so I got the gold iPhone 5s, and it is my most prized possession.
Books:
1. Brain of Fire
This is the only book that I had time to read this December, and it is FABULOUS. If you are a fan of mystery diagnosis, or like to read medical type books, this is for you! It is written by Susannah Cahalan, and she goes through this mysterious disease and everything that happened to her. It is a little hard to explain the synopsis without giving anything away, but you won't regret reading it.
Bloggers/Youtubers:
So, during the month of December, many bloggers, Youtubers, and Vloggers would have "Vlogmas," where they would tape fun things in their lives happening during the month of December. My mornings started to consist of coffee (DUH!), and watching the all of these vlogs! I loved them! Not only do these girls vlog, but they are fabulous beauty bloggers/vloggers, so you should definitely check them out of Youtube!
1. FleurDeForce
I am so obsessed with her and her husband! They are both from England, but spent their holiday in the states. Fleur has a Youtube Channel, and also a blog that you can check out here. And check out her Youtube channel here!
2. MissGlamorazzi aka Ingrid
Ingrid is a beauty vlogger from California. She has great DIY projects that she features, and also great tutorials. I always love watching her videos. Check her out here!
3. TalkbeckyTalk
Becky was feature in many of Fleur's Vlogmaz videos, and this is how I discovered her. She is so funny, and also a Youtuber out of England. I want a British accent!! She is currently hosting a Youtube series called, Glamuary, so that is what I have been watching with my morning coffee this month. Check her out here!
Well, that wraps up my December favorites! Also, can I just say how excited I am that all of my shows will be starting back soon? Teen Wolf, Pretty Little Liars, Ravenswood, the Bachelor! If you watch those shows too, let's twitter talk during them! Tweet me at @acsmith20. I hope everyone is off to a great start for the month of January! Until next time!
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