Products Regret Buying

Most of the time I swatch things and really think about it before I purchase it- and then sometimes I am in the mood to make a dent in my bank account from home and make online purchases. Most of these were online and never swatched-- and some of them just suck even after a swatch.

MAC Crew highlighting powder- this came out for the Summer 2012 Mac Hey Sailor collection. The packaging of this collection really won me over and made me purchase more than I would have usually. I'm a sucker for nautical. The way this looks in the pan is AMAZING, but I don't understand this product. The white shimmer is an overlay and will be dusted off, leaving the pink, orange, and purple. The colors are so muted that even when I attempt to use it as a blush, it barely shows up; and the lasting power sucks. So, I pretty much have no use for this, except to look at it and think its pretty- definitely not worth $30.

MAC Bronzing powder in Soft Sand- looks pretty- even swatches pretty. Except when I pick up a brush and put it on-- it's nonexistent!!! I could pile this on my face and you still can't see it. The color is great-- if only you could see it.

MAC mineralized eyeshadow in Love connection- ok swatched color is a BEAUTIFUL gold and champagne-- again with the brush-- the pigmentation sucks-- AND the fallout is terrible!! more of this ends up on my cheek than on my eye. I know you can use this wet or dry, and I have tried wetting my brush first, which now just makes it impossible to blend-- so either way-- I hate this.

Nars eyeshadow in Emmanuelle  - OK, don't get me wrong I LOVE Nars shadows, and I do LOVE the texture of this, and I do love the color in the pan and when I swatch it. But, unfortunately, I can't figure out a way of using this without it looking like I am extremely sick! The color is a burgundy red with some iridescent shimmer. It is beautiful! So if anyone can find a tutorial or something using this color, definitely let me know!!!

Stila one step bronzing- this is supposed to be a primer, brightener, bronzing, and evens out skin tone. I would say it bronzes and leaves your skin looking greasy, not dewy, greasy. I think it sucks as a primer and haven't noticed any brightening. Not impressed at all by this.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tenacious Teal- I bought this thinking I would be adventurous and wear it on my lower lash line as an accent color. I have yet to even open the container. I don't know why I thought I would wear it.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Precious- I have 5 of these and this one is by far my least favorite- these are great to keep in your purse. The stains do last a while (even though they do darken throughout the day and dry out your lips a little bit) The balm is not great and doesn't really do much for my lips. But the worst part of this one is the COLOR, or lack there of. This "nude" does NOTHING! There is no color pay off- and without that it makes this product useless.

Nyx round lipsticks- I have 2 different colors (chic and gala) these are so dry- the texture is terrible. They give me the dead look and accentuate every little dry spot on my lip. I know nyx has decent lip products, these are not them!!!

Most Worn Things- Summer 2012

1. Most worn Nail polish- Essie cute as a button - perfect pinky coral color

2. Most worn hair product- dry shampoo- helps to keep the grease at a minimum- I use Batiste and this Suave-- the Suave smells better

3. Most worn foundation- Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, perfect for summer- lightweight and just evens out my skin tone perfectly

4. Most worn Bronzer- Nars Laguna, I have been using this but it is not my favorite favorite bronzer- it can sometimes look a little orange and muddy on my skin

5. Most worn Blush- Nars gaeity- amazing summer blush bright baby pink and gives you the perfect flush

6. Most worn mascara- Benefit they're real- it curls, lengthens, volumes-- everything-- love this.

7. Most worn lip product- Buxom lip cream in Cremecicle- such a pretty pink lip gloss with a pretty opaque color- beware it is plumping -- so it does tingle.

8. Most worn eyeshadow- Chanel emerveille- cream shadow in this champagne pink color- the texture is like a mousse and goes on so smooth. Perfect eyeshadow to throw on in the morning to brighten up your face.

9. Most worn fragrance- Prada Candy--- pretty sure this is going to be perfect year round. no doubt.

10. Most worn shoe- Jessica Simpson turquoise sandals- wore these ALL the time- dressed up or dressed down. Unfortunately this past weekend I had to walk more than I thought I would and they gave me some pretty big blisters on the bottom of my feet. So that sucked, but other than that they have been great all summer.

11. Most worn accessory- Michael Kors runway rose gold watch -- this was summer number 3 with this watch and I still absolutely LOVE it.

12. Rebbecca Minkoff mini mac bag- great bag for summer- forces me to take out all the crap that I hoard around with me all year. I have had to change bags now that I started classes again, but this was awesome for summer

13. Most worn clothing item- Maxi dresses... this has been a long time obsession... I have a LOT! they are the easiest thing to throw on in the summer time to dress yourself up without putting in too much effort, or having to shave your legs. let's be real- that's the main reason.
from left to right: Rebbecca Taylor, BCBG, Rachel Roy

August Glossybox

I will begin with saying that this month's glossybox is the best beauty box I have ever received. HANDS DOWN! amazeballs!

1. Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment- This is a hair oil that should bring back shine and get rid of dry and dull hair. I have been using this (not so regularly-oops) on the ends of my hair. It doesn't weigh my hair down, which I like, I haven't noticed a HUGE difference yet. But I will keep trying it and see if it is something that I might buy- but I have had my eyes on the Caudalie Divine Oil-- which comes in a spray and can be used for skin, hair, nails

2. Ellis Faas Ellis Lips- we got the full size product which is 35.00!! the texture and packaging are amazing!!! however the color is TERRIBLE ... it's a dark brown that looks absolutely ridiculous on me... so that sucks... a lot.

3. Illamasqua nail varnish- well this makes up for it... a full size nail polish ($14.00)... I  got the color purity, which is like a cremecicle orange color. I love it. amazing application, I needed 2 coats and it was completely opaque. The lasting power is amazing... I have had it on for about a week... NO CHIPS!!! I will definitely be getting more Illamasqua polishes FOR SURE!

4. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum- obsessed! i LOVE the ole Henriksen line, it's one of my faves. I have used this stuff- its amazing- sinks in so quick! the full size is 1 oz. and we got .5oz ... sooooo good definitely large enough sample that I will be able to tell if it works or not.

5. Touch in Sol Feel like Honey Moon Skin Base- So this is a face primer before you put on makeup. I have used this a few times and I like this- not LOVE- but it works good.

this box's theme was pure luxury-- and they definitely came through- this box was worth over $80.00... and even if you take out the ugly lipstick... it is still pretty amazing.

Cinco de drinko

A Summer Night with no air conditioning?? let's draaaank! and what better way then a margarita... i'm in!It didn't take much to sell me on this, and I may or may not(may!) have added more tequila and less water... but who is to say... boozey drink deliciousness!

Pink Lemonade Margarita 

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 (12 oz) can of frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

-3 (12 oz) cans of cold water 

-1 (12 oz) can of tequila

- 1/2 (6 oz) can of Grand Marnier 

optional: salt rim, lime wedge

Chill in the fridge and serve over ice. ENJOY!

**I was thinking of adding Prosecco or Champagne next time for some carbonation/booze**

July 2012 Favorites

I don't really like much makeup for the summer, so these are the products that I have been grabbing the most throughout July.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

My holy grail foundation. I'm not pretending like I wear makeup everyday, most days it's just a little concealer, but when I do- it's always this. I always get compliments on my skin when I wear it. Perfect lightweight coverage and makes your skin look dewy and flawless. 

Benefit creaseless cream shadow in Birthday Suit

This is a perfect base for shadows, but most of the time for daytime I just use this by itself. Really pretty color, and definitely doesn't crease. 

Tarte emphaseyes brightener

Brightening eyeliner for your waterline- skin toned color that takes away the redness and makes your eyes look bigger. I do like this- but I think I like the Paula Dorf doll eyes better.

Benefit They're Real Mascara

This does it all... volume. separation. length. Makes my lashes look amazing.

YSL Rouge Volupte in #30 Faumburg Peach

Nothing beats the creaminess of these lipsticks, so luxurious. Lasting power sucks- but it looks so pretty when you reapply so who cares. This color is the perfect peachy color for summer. 

Dior Addict Ultragloss in Sari Pink

Perfect bright pink color- not sticky- great paired with lipsticks or worn alone-- I paired this with MAC cut a caper and it looked really pretty.

Nars Joie de Vivre Palette

A Nordstrom exclusive that came out with their anniversary sale this month!! AMAZEBALLS! i like it much better than the Danmari palette. It has Laguna Bronzer, Albatross Highlight, Orgasm blush, Gaeity blush, Luster blush, and Angelika blush. So nice to have all of these in one place-- again for that vacation I'm never taking this on (Debbi Downer).

MAC mineralized Skinfinish in Light Year

This just came out with the Heavenly Creatures Collection- such a pretty pink and gold highlight and can also be worn alone as a blush.

Sephora cream blush in Coral Flush

I have been wearing this as a base for other blushes and on it's own. LOVE THE COLOR! perfect coral with gold shimmer- so pretty- very blendable. First purchase by the Sephora brand, and I really love this product.

and 2 non-beauty favorites...

My two new kittens!!! Introducing the extremely dapper Hookah and Falafel.

HAULuhhhhhh

I made an online order from Sephora last week. Unfortunately only half of it came, however they have been really good about it and have already shipped the other half (arriving Tuesday). 

Buxom Samantha's Smoky Eye kit

SUCH a good deal, all of these full size products for $20!!! You get a Buxom Smoky Eye Stick in Pistol, dark black, great pigmentation. A Buxom Smoky eye brush- good quality- smudged out the liner well. Buxom mascara- haven't tried it yet, but have heard good things on it. and Buxom lipgloss in Samantha- a true nude gloss- really pretty. 

And the rest of this I got for free! I have been wanting to try a sample of the new Lancome Hypnose Star mascara, that was a 100 point perk. The Fresh sugar balms was a birthday gift from Sephora. And with an online code I got a full size Benefit creaseless cream shadow in Silver Spoon- a true silver. Always check the weekly specials for great deals!

And then I made a trip to the mall...

Lush Whoosh

They know how to suck me in--I was complaining about my lack of a soakable bathtub and then the clerk swoops in about having fun in the shower (awwwwkward). So then she demonstrated the Whoosh on my arm-- OH MAN! I had seen this product and was turned off by it - not sure why. The smell is amazing- fresh and citrusy. It has a VERY cooling feeling on the skin, lathers up well, and leaves your skin feeling super soft. SOLD! I got the smaller container for $5.95, and can't wait to use it! 

Nordstrom:

                              

Nars Cactus Flower

Nars is by far my favorite blush/eyeshadow products, but I had never tried a cream blush. This blush is an amazing color- a bright coral with gold flecks. Blends out really well and staying power is great. 

Nars Galapagos

Like I said I love Nars eyeshadows, great pigmentation, little fall out, and great staying power-- super soft and buttery. This is a true chocolate brown with finely milled gold flecks that don't show up glittery at all. Perfect crease color. 

Bobbi Brown desert twilight palette

I have been lusting over this since it came out. Such beautiful colors and colors that I would use more than my NAKED palette. There is a good variation between matte and shimmery colors- although the shimmery colors are not as soft as the matte colors. And I love the sleek packaging- a great palette. 

Macy's:

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

Amazing my lips but better color- with a glossy finish. I'm obsessed. This is the best daytime color I have- love it!

Sephora:

because sephora.com was sold out of this... 

Buxom lip cream in White Russian

The perfect pinky nude color. Beware this is a "plumper". I don't notice that these really plump my lips, but there is definitely a cooling sensation. I forgot to warn my boyfriend before sharing a drink, and he thought he was having an allergic reaction. (HA!) 

I also got a Rachel Roy dress for my birthday--possible pictures to come?

July 2012 Glossybox US

Glossybox has just been introduced to the US- this is my 3rd box so far. It is a monthly service that brings you about 5 beauty samples (and some full size products) to try out every month. It is around $21.00/month. Compared to Birchbox ($10.00/month), it is definitely more money, but I have been MUCH happier with the products and sizes of samples with Glossybox and every box has been well over the $21.00 price tag.

Allessandro International Pedix Heel Rescue Balm

I have been using last month's shea terra organics on my feet, would use it on my hands, but the smell is white chocolate (hated it). So once I use that up I will switch over, I was happy about getting this product.

Ofra Universal Eyebrow Pencil

Claiming to be a universal color to all shades of hair, I have tried it once, and it was right for my hair, but I have very dark brown/black hair- and the color of pencil is quite dark. Not sure how this would work for blonde hair. 

Sebastian color ignite shampoo and conditioner

I love the size of the samples, and its great that it is supposed to help your color last longer and nourish hair. I  always save big samples of shampoo and conditioner for that imaginary vacation that I think I might go on in the future. My stockpile is getting fairly large, and I have still YET to go anywhere. 

Senna Double Dose lip lacquer

The colors shown on the website are really pretty and perfect for summer, however I got one pretty color and one more fallish brown color- not that thrilled about getting this product, but we will see. 

Caswell-Massey Almond and Aloe Hand and Body Emulsion

We got 2 packets of this, but I do hate getting packets of product, it's a pain to use/store. There wasn't as much product in this as I thought, nor does it go a very long way. I used an entire packet after the shower as a body cream. It was OK, but don't think I would be able to judge the product after 2 uses. So this was ehhh. 

All in all the box was OK, it wasn't my favorite so far, I will use the products but I wasn't loving any of the samples. Still pretty happy with my glossybox subscription, especially with the packaging, under my bathroom sink has never looked prettier! 

SPOILER ALERT!!! for August's box they announced a red Illamasqua nail polish... YES PLEASE!