Early Christmas Gift!!!

So the other day a friend of mine gave me my Christmas gift early cause she's leaving on vaca for the next month to Italy (so jealous!). I know, not really a haul, but I thought I'd share anyway!

Here's what she got me:

Urban Decay Glitter Eyeliner in Groupie
Sephora Brand Cream Liner in Made in Manhattan
Sephora Brand Bronzer in Bahamas

I've kinda been wanting to try these, especially the two liners, so I was really happy. I'll be posting reviews soon! Especially on the liner!

Review: Mac Smoky Thrillseekers Pigments

First review from my Black Friday hauls!!! I got Mac's Smoky Thrillseekers mini pigment set. I have to say that these are stunning! You get five mini pigments for $32.50, definitely a value!


L to R: Jigs & Jive, Blue Brown, Naked, Reflects Blackened Red (glitter), Dark Soul.

Some swatches (sorry for blur):

Top to Bottom: Reflects Blackened Red, Dark Soul, Blue Brown, Jigs & Jive, Naked.


L to R: Naked, Jigs & Jive, Blue Brown, Dark Soul, Reflects Blackened Red.


L to R:Naked, Jigs & Jive, Blue Brown, Dark Soul, Reflects Blackened Red.

First off, one def plus for these is versatility. Included are shades that you can use for an everyday look or a going out look. I know a lot of people are concerned about Blue Brown looking too strange, but although it is duochrome, the teal shimmer is very understated when you blend. I've been using Naked all over the lid and brow and then putting a bit of Blue Brown into the crease. You can't really see the blue until I move my head and catch the light. I'm very fair, so if I works for me (pretty much casper, lol!) it should work for someone with a darker complexion. I've actually been getting a lot of compliments and a lot of people have asked what I've got on my eyes, which is always nice! My favorite of the bunch is the Reflects Blackened Red. It's gorgeous!!! I don't have anything like this in my collection. I wore it out to a party the other night just over a smudged black shadow stick (from NYX) and it was so glittery and shiny. My eyes looked wet/sequined! And it makes my blue eyes pop! I highly recommend this set. My only complaints are the small vials --very difficult to get product out sometimes when I'm in a hurry, and the fact that except for Jigs & Jive, all of the colors are permanent. If you already have some of these, it may not be worth buying this set. If you're new to pigments though, I highly recommend!!! And this is one of the Mac holiday releases that actually saves you money!!!

Info:

Price: $32.50

Ingredients: Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. Pigment may contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Carmine, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Chromium Oxide Green, Chromium Hydroxide Greens, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Manganese Violet, Ultramarines, Bismuth Oxychloride, Red 7.

Disclosure: The products featured in this post were bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

The Body Shop Holiday 2010 Deals!

I posted by Black Friday Body Shop haul earlier and I figured I'd also post some more of their holiday 2010 specials for those of you that are interested!

This is the special I bought with my 3 for $30. My pic below wasn't so great, but the one above shows everything very well! The $25 special was for only Black Friday, and only if you spent $30 or more, but when I went back later they had the same bag for $50. I don't know if there's a minimum amount you need to spend to get the stuff for $50, if it's a nation wide event, or if they've even got any more left, but it's worth checking out in my opinion.

Smaller specials:



I know there are more, so check out there website if you're interested (clicky here)!
Let me know if any of you checked out the Body Shop on Black Friday!!!

HUGE COLLECTIVE HAUL!!!

I know I've been away for a while now. I've been busy with school. As the semester winds down there is just so much that has to be done, so many tests. I'm almost out for the winter holiday break, but I promise to update as much as possible, especially since I do so much hauling over the holiday season. I have three hauls to share with you, all done on Black Friday. I though I'd share! Individual reviews are coming soon!

First up: MAC

I got the Smoky Thrillseekers pigment set and the 219 brush. I don't have pics yet, but I'll be posing a review for these tomorrow!

Next up, the Body Shop. Prepare yourselves cause this one's gonna be BIG!!!

The Body Shop had a 3 for $30 sale. You could pick three full size items (excluding gift sets) and each would only cost you $10.

I got:
Body Butter in Satsuma (sooooo delicious!!!!) ($20)
Tea Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash ($13)
Nature's Mineral's SPF 25 Mineral Foundation ($25)

Just these three items should have cost me $58, but I got them for only $30!!! In addition, they had a special, where you get a silver purse filled with a lot of full size and sample size (but mostly full size!!!) products for only $25! I don't see it listed online, but I know that they still have it in stores, but now it'll cost you $50 instead of $25.

Here's what's included:
Body Butter in Jolly Orange (Full Size, $20)
Carrot Moisture Cream (Full Size, $8.99)
Body Scrub in Jolly Orange (Full Size, $20)
Lip Balm in Jolly Orange (Full Size, $8)
Soap in Jolly Orange (Full Size, $5)
Bath & Shower Gel in Jolly Orange (Full Size, $13)
Peppermint Intense Foot Rescue Cream (Full Size, $18)
Hemp Hand Protector Cream (Full Size, $10)
Home Fragrance Oil in Jolly Orange (Full Size, $7.50)
Nail Buffer ($3)
Nail File ($3)
Bath Lily ($3)
Bath Brush (Large, $9)
Body Butter in Shimmer Coconut (Sample, .35 oz, $?)
Vitmin E Moisture Serum (Sample, .06 oz, $?)
Christmas Ornament ($?)
Purse ($?)

The ad claims that you're getting a $175 value for $25, but the products add up to $128.49. I suppose they included the cost of the samples, the purse, and the ornaments, to get their figure of $175, but they're pretty cheap. Either way, you still save a TON of money, even if you purchase it now for $50 and I highly recommend you do!!!

And finally, a small haul a Target:

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation in 100 Ivory
Maybelline Color Sensational Gloss in Sugared Honey
L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in 745 Sugar Plum

That's all for now! Of the three, the only one I actually saved on was the Body Shop haul, but it more than made up for everything else I bought!

Updated Foundation Routine

In the past few months my skin has been horrible, especially around the side of my face, the cheek area, where I have never ever broken out :'( I've really tried to go back to a stable routine, using only a few products on my face and as little base foundation or concealer as possible. I don't know what caused the massive breakout, but I'm just beginning to get it under control and I thought I'd share with you what I've been doing.

First off, to treat the acne I went back to my cleansing routine. I was using those makeup remover/moisturizer all in one cloths at the end of the night to remove my makeup instead of actually going and washing my face out fully, which definitely contributed to the acne. It just felt like too much hassle after a long day of work, classes, studying..try to fit a social life in and somethings gotto go. I've been using my Queen Helen Mint Jelep Mask and my Acne Free Terminator which have helped a lot! I've also been using a very basic moisturizer: aloe very. Now, I only use this during the day. I'll wear it under my makeup or I'll dilute my foundation with it to make a tinted moisturizer.


To make the tinted moisturizer I simply mix them on the back of my hand, usually half and half. If I need more coverage, I add more foundation, if not, less. It won't work well with all foundations, but works very well with my Clinique Even Better or Maybelline Mineral Liquid.


Simply mix and apply. It gives me sheer coverage and covers up my redness without looking like a mask. This way I only use my Smashbox HD Liquid Concealer only where I absolutely need it. I've been setting with my NYC translucent powder which I will review soon!

I like aloe during the day because mys kin is very oily and sometimes using a regular moisturizer, even my Clinique DD Gel is too much. I don't know what it is about aloe vera gel, but it sens somehow and makes my makeup last longer. Be careful what type of aloe vera gel you use if you do try this. I'm using Jason Natural Cosmetics Aloe Vera Super Gel. It's very affordable, around $10-$13 for 16 oz bottle (depending on where you buy) and it's 98% pure aloe vera. I use it everywhere: after shaving or waxing, being out in the sun, etc. It's a great multi-tasker. I highly recommend trying this stuff out if you need a very light moisturizer during the day. It won't work if your skin starts to dry out in the winter, but as I use a heavier moisturizer at night, it's not really an issue for me. If you try it, let me know how it goes!

EDIT: I put the aloe vera gel into a smaller container from a used up moisturizer because lets face it, 16 0z is affordable but crazy big and inconvenient when doing my makeup in the morn, lol!

EOTD: Parisienne Chic With Laura Mercier

So I was at a conference this weekend that I had to dress business casual to, so I decided to do a smoky-ish not too over the top sophisticated look inspired by French makeup. All of the color products used are from Laura Mercier. I used my custom palette (reviewed here) so it was very compact and convenient!





Products Used:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Laura Mercier Blush in Rose Bloog (crease)
Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Vanilla Nuts
Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Rose
Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Deep Night
Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Black Plum
Lancome Difinicils Mascara in Black

HAUL!!!

Ok, so not a huge haul, but a haul none the less. I stopped by Target, Sephora, a salon, Marshall's, and the dollar store, picking up these goodies!!!

What I got:
NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent
OPI Nail Polish in Meet Me On The Star Ferry (Hong Kong Collection)
OPI Nail Polish in Extra-Va-Vanganza (Burlesque Collection)
OPI Nail Polish in Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous (Switzerland Collection)
Sephora Empty Sifter
Jordana Glitterama Eye Liner in Black Bash
Jordana 5 1/2 Eyeliner Pencil in Bloom
Jordana 5 1/2 Eyeliner Pencil in Navy
Bath and Body Works Tutti Dolci Gloss in Tiramisu Venezliano
Rimmel Precision Eyeliner in Navy Blue
Maybelline Mineral Power Blush in Fresh Plum

NOT PICTURED: My birthday was in October so I stopped by Sephora and got my free gift, which I will share and review later!!! Reviews are coming!

LOTD: Rimmel 126 Metallic Seduction

Just a quick Lip Of The Day for today! I was a flapper this year for Halloween, so I went out and bought a plummy dark lipstick. This one from Rimmel, is 126, Metallic Seduction. Like the name suggests, it's a metallic finish on a dark, plummy/burgundy lipstick. What I've really been liking about this lipstick is that it's very moisturizing. I'm not too keen on the smell, which is kinda like coco butter. The only other thing is that it does apply a bit sheer and does feel a bit grainy (because of the glitter/shimmer in the metallic finish), but my love of this color makes me more apt to disregard these annoyances. And the sheerness can be a good thing too. I've been dabbing it on my lips with my finger for a berry kissed look, kinda like a lip stain. It's perfect for fall!

Just a regular swatch:

More to come!