Haul: 09/19/2011

Hey Guys~!

Super long time no talk! It's been almost a month.. That's too long a break so here I am and what better way to come back then with a haul?

First I stopped at Wal-mart (the university students paradise) and picked up a few makeup items on my wishlist plus a surprise!

So starting with the surprise, I was walking through the makeup aisle and I spotted..... Dun dunnnn... The wet n wild 8 color palettes! I couldn't believe my eyes! The two Wal-mart's in town have the wet n wild lines but were always missing the 8 color palettes! They were pretty picked over but I managed to find the Comfort Zone palette which was the most neutral of the palettes that were left. This palette has pigmented, creamy colors that can create a neutral or smokey eye.

Then I picked up a Rimmel blush in berry and a Covergirl single eyeshadow in Tapestry Taupe which I thought would be excellent colors for fall.

Then the most exiting purchase of the day comes courtesy of Urban Decay....

The Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette.. I've been waiting to get this one forever! It has 15 limited edition shades that are mostly neutral (with I love) with a few bright colors. The shadows are pigmented, buttery and long lasting.

Have you guys tried any of these products? If so, what do you think of them?

So this is my mini haul! I hope you guys enjoyed and there will be more posts to come soon!

xox

Ash

August Favorites~!

Hey Guys,

I can't believe it's favorites time again.. where does the time go? It feels like summer just started yesterday. I really don't want summer to be over.. I love the sun and warmth but I've only just started seeing the sun since I've been home. The weather where I go to school was terrible..Good excuse to go shopping hey?

I bought lost of new stuff this month so i have lots of new favorites and a couple of oldies so enough with the rambling.. Let's get started~!

1) Covergirl Natureluxe Foundation in 215- I love this stuff in the summertime.. It almost feels like a tinted moisturizer but gives enough coverage for bad skin days.

2) Stila illuminating moisturizer in light- I mix this with my Covergirl Natureluxe to give my face some extra glow and take away the tiniest bit of heaviness my foundation had.

3) MAC Minerlize Skinfinish in light- This sets my foundation and controls any oils. It also evens out my skin tone on days when I don't feel like wearing moisturizer.

4) Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse blush in rose petal- This blush feels super creamy, blends really well on your cheeks and dries to a powder finish. I don't bother to set it with a powder blush because it has pretty good staying power.

5) Stila Convertible Color in petunia- This is an excellent bright summery color that can be used on cheeks or lips.

6) Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal- I bought this a while back but I just started using this month. I love swiping this on my lips for a tint of color but it can also double as a cheek stain.

7) MAC Paint Pot in Painterly- I love wearing this when I'm too lazy to put on shadows. It really brightens my eyes.

8) Lush Blackberry bath bomb- This smelled so good and make my skin feel super soft.

9) B&BW's Sweet Pea body cream and body spray- I can see why this is a cult favorite because it is the perfect sweet and fun smelling fragrance.

10) Lush's Cupcake face mask- This gets all the dirt and oil out of my pores without leaving my skin feeling tight and dry.... and it smells like chocolate.. what more could a girl ask for?

11) MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 with Revlon Coral Reef lip gloss- Perfect summer combo!

12) China Glaze- Pool Party, Essie- Turquoise and Caicos, Essie- Brazilliant - These have been part of my manicures and pedicures all summer.

TV Show- Pretty Little Liars: I'm all caught up to the new episodes now so I can start watching it on t.v! Yay! I wasn't obsessed over this show at first but the second season is so exciting!

Songs- Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People- I found this song a few days ago so it really shouldn't be in this favorites, but I can't stop listening to it!

Rain Over Me- Mark Anthony and Pitbull- Is it weird that I find Mark Anthony very attractive in this song? I've always found him kinda creepy but I have a bit of a crush on him now.. that's odd.

Stereo Hearts- Adam Levine Ft. Gym Class Heroes- Catchy, happy tune.

Lifeline- Papa Roach- I'm a sucker for songs like this.

So Far Away- Staind- and a suck for songs like this. I have a thing for rocker dudes.. uhh..Minus Mark Anthony.

This picture does not do the neon-ness any justice but this is China Glaze Pool Party. I love it~!

So what's your favorites for this month? Lemme know in the comments below~!

xox

Ash

My Foundation Routine

Hey Guys,

I don't normally wear a full foundation face but I thought it may be interesting to let you guys know what I wear (when I actually muster up the energy to put on makeup) and I'd like to hear what you guys wear.

My main foundations are Revlon Colorstay in Nude 200 for Combination/Oily Skin and Covergirl Natureluxe in 315. Since it's currently summertime, I like to mix these foundations with a dab of my Stila tinted moisturizer so make the foundation feel super light on my face. The Stila tinted moisturizer also adds a nice glow to my face.

The next step varies depending on the condition of my skin that day (ughh to breakouts!). On a not so good skin day, I use my Benefit Booing concealor from my Confessions of a Concelaholic kit to cover up any hyperpigmentaion. If my face is uber broken out, I'll use a dab of Erase Paste on the pimple and then put some Booing concealor on top of that.

After all this going on's, I use either my Rimmel Stay Matte powder, Maybelline Dream Matte powder or Urban Decay Mattifying powder. Right now I've been reaching for my Maybelline powder a lot. Make sure to spot powder your blemishes first, then dust the powder on your face wherever you get oily.

Which products do you use in your foundation routine? Let use know below~!

xox

Ash

Lush Ocean Salt Review

Hey Guys,

I am a self proclaimed Lush lover. I really would not be able to control myself if there was a store anything near where I live. I would be there everyday and be extremely broke so I have to buy online every once in a while or wait til I go on holidays and have a little spree.. and then you guys would see a haul. Fun right!

So last time my dad went on a business trip, I begged him to make a stop into Lush and pick up a few things on my list and Ocean Salt was one of them. I only heard of the smaller sized Ocean Salt through Youtube and wasn't aware there was a larger size so when my dad comes home with a tub of Ocean Salt with the $30 price tag on the side I almost pass out. I felt so bad so it's a good thing I ended up....keep reading to find out ;)

According to the Lush website Ocean Salt has lime extracted into sea salt which is good because the antibacterial effects of lime and the trace of alcohol in the product is ideal for blocked pores, blackheads or blemishes. The minerals in sea salt soften as the salt scrubs away dirt and blockages.

Ocean Salt can be used on your face or body but I only use it on my face.

When I use Ocean Salt, my face feels super clean but doesn't feel tight like when I use other exfoliator. My skin looks radiant, glowy and I don't break out when I'm using this product!

The only problem I have with this is the smell. Most people say it smells like the ocean but I find it smells like a cheap cologne many old men in my town wear called "Gravity".. so to me, Ocean Salt smells like old men. Another thing is, after I use Ocean Salt I can taste salt in my mouth? Does it absorb through my skin because I swear I don't get it in my mouth! I brush my teeth right after I use it because it's just weird.

I would give this product a 4 1/2 out of 5.. the only thing that brings it down is the smell.

Hope this helped!

xox

Ash

P.s.- I would like to thank Aleexandraaxo for putting my picture in her Subscriber Spotlight video. If you guys haven't seen it, please check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW-mnYt304k&feature=feedu <3

NOTD: 07/20/2011

Hey Guys,

I have been feeling kinda un-inspired with nail polish this week (I know.. me?). I couldn't settle on a color. I have painted my nails 4 times in the past 2 days and I finally settled on Revlon's Ocean Spray. This color is so pretty and reminds me of the blue foil nails that was in style last summer. Ocean Spray looks similar to OPI's Catch Me In Your Net so if you missed out on that color from OPI's collection last summer, then I think Ocean Spray might fill the void.

Ocean Spray is a scented nail polish and when dry I find it smells like Glade air freshener. This smell gets annoying on my fingers after the second day. Even with a top coat on I can still smell the scent coming through but I definitely wouldn't mind if it was something fruity!

                                  

                                         Revlon's Ocean Spray, 2 coats

Revlon has excellent quality nail polish and I like how they offered something different to consumers. They have a brand new summer 2011 collection of scented nail polish out right now and I think I'm going to pick some of them up!

Did you guys try any of Revlon's scented polishes? Which ones and did you like them?

xox

Ash

Sally Hansen Crackle Topcoat Review

When I saw that other companies are coming out with their own versions of crackle nail-polish to compete with OPI's Shatter collection I was excited; not because I'm against OPI  but was looking for cheaper alternatives.

During a trip to Wal-Mart today I stumbled across picked through remains of a Sally Hansen Crackle display. Previous shoppers had left slim pickings with only two out of the eight shades available. I went with "Antiqued Gold" and immediately went home to try it out.

I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtream Wear in "White On" cause I thought the gold would look really nice against it. The directions say to apply a thin layer and boy do they mean thin. I almost had to get every speck of extra polish of the brush or the stuff wouldn't crackle like it was supposed to. The brush also didn't spread the polish very well so I'd sometime end up with odd blobs instead of an even coat. This also meant that some of the crackled chunks looked streaky and uneven.

I liked the color but not the crackle. It didn't have the same shattered look that OPI's collection has. I wouldn't bother buying another bottle.

Below are some pictures I took of the nail-polish after it dried. Please don't judge too harshly as I am awful at painting my nails when I rush so I flooded my nail-bed and I have to go take this off now :P

Rebecca

My thumb came out alright...

...but most of them ended up a hot mess like this.

Nail Polish Summer Trends

Hi Folks,


I just want to start off by saying words cannot describe my love for nail polish. Nail polish is at the top of the list with Disney movies, caramel frappucinos and watching Jimmy Two Shoes.. and yes I am 20.. i swear.

There's a few staple summer colors and trends like nudes, baby blues and the ombre effect nail which look very pretty. There's also colors that help add to your trendy summer fashions like nautical nail colors and bright neon colors. Here are a few of my favorites and a few that I think will be sporting a lot this summer.


Glitters: OPI I Lily Love You (I don't have this yet, but I need it).. yes..need
OPI Teenage Dream
OPI Bring on the Bling
Wet and Wild Party of 5


Nautical Trend: China Glaze Hey Sailor
Metallic: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Celeb City
Orly Rage

Neon- China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy
China Glaze Sun Worshiper
Baby Blues: Revlon Blue Lagoon
OPI What's With The Cattitude


Nudes: OPI San Tan-Tonio


Light Pink: OPI Steady As She Rose
OPI Pinking of You
Sally Hansen First Kiss


Brights: Essie Braziliant
Essie Turquoise and Caicos
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Yellow Kitty
China Glaze- Sugar High

Do you guys have any summer favorites? Comment down below and let us know..

xox

Ash

Mini Haul: 07/4/2011

Hey Guys!

I just had a mini shopping trip and I thought I'd share what I bought..

I made a trip to Shoppers Drug Mart because I've been wanting to pick up Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh and I decided to get the fragrance sampler. The fragrance sampler comes with eight 50ml-75ml perfume samples and a gift certificate for a perfume up to $89. The perfume samples that come with the box set are

1) Tommy Hilfiger Loud
2) Lacoste Joy of Pink
3) Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh
4) PAco Rabanne lack XS For Her
5) Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue
6) Givenchy Play For Her
7) Vera Wang Princess
8) Calvin Klein Euphoria
9) Kate Spade Twirl
10) Calvin Klein Beauty

So apparently I can't count.. ten perfume samples.. sweet!

This was a good choice for me because I paid $75 dollars for this perfume sampler kit and I'm already pretty sure I want Daisy. Daisy is $85 to buy just the perfume so I'm saving $10 plus I get ten perfume samples. On top of that since I bought it today(this offer goes on until tomorrow) Shoppers Drug Mart has an Optimum points bonus on where if you spend $75 or more you get 18500 optimum points which is a $25 value. Pretty good eh!

Then I bought the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Miami Strip which can be used as a blush, bronzer and eye shadow. It was on sale for $17.59 and I used a $10 gift card that I received as a bonus a couple of weeks ago from Shoppers so I got the shimmer strips for $7.59. Yay! I just swatched them though and they don't seem as pigmented as I thought they were so I'll see how this turns out.

So this was my little haul.... Do you guys have any of the perfumes from the kit? and what do you think of Physicians Formula? Have you tried the shimmer strips?

xox
Ash

Daily Dose of Cuteness

Mini Haul!: 07/25/2011 + NOTD

Hey Guys,

First off I'd like to say I'm glad to see there's actually people out in this Bloggerverse!! Second is I went shopping today and picked up a couple of things I'm excited about.

First I stopped at Lawton's Drugs and bought a Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creme in Milan. I love this color, the product goes on silky while still being easy to control and hasn't dried out my lips.. so far. I definitely want to go and pick up a few more colors.

Then I went to American Eagle where they had a sale.. I bought a color blocked tank top that was originally $20 for $10.. Jewelry was buy one get one free so I bought a wrap bracelet for $20 and I got the wrap watch for free! Yay! I love free stuff.. I still brag to people that I got free chocolate Cheerios a couple of days ago with my coupon! If you guys are fans of AE like me, I'd go down and check out all the good deals!

Then I went down to Winners and browsed the beauty section which is amazing. You never know what you'll find when you head to Winners. I managed to do a bit of rummaging and I found the Stila Trendsetting in Tokyo palette which was only $7.99! Yay Winners!



My nail of the day is something I learned from MissJenFabulous on youtube! She is one of my favs to watch and these are from her feather nails tutorial. In the picture they look like crackle nail polish but pinky promise they're feathers. I picked up some feathers from Michael's and used China Glaze's Sea Spray. I like the look but the feathers shed off so it gets slightly annoying after a day.

Are you guys gonna check out some sales this weekend? If so, which ones? And what do you think of feather nails?

P.s: Have you guys heard Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn? I'm addicted and I love the total simplicity of the video. Her dancing seems very '80's.. It's awesome.

xox

Ashlee

Pucker Up

This is a first for me, a beauty product review. I’m going to go list a few of my favorite lip care products that I believe everyone should know about.

1.     Sweet Lips Lip Scrub by Lush.

Exfoliating is important for you lips too, especially when the summer heat can easily leave them dry and cracked. Sweet lips has a brown sugar taste which I love but it also comes in two other flavors, bubblegum and mint julip. The exfoliating crystals are not overly hard so they shouldn’t leave you in any pain as long as you remember to follow the directions and gently rub it on your lips. 

2.  Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

After using Burt’s Bees two years ago from the suggestion of a friend, I refuse to use any other type of lip balm. It’s made from natural products and it really works. No matter how chapped my lips may get this stuff clears it up in half the time of other products I’ve used. It’s not sticky and once applied your lips will instantly feel smoother and moisturized.

3.     Sexy Mother Pucker

Honestly, with a clever name like that who wouldn’t wanna try this stuff out? Upon application one may experience some harmless tingling as this gloss boasts to plump up your lips for a sexy puckered look. Personally I’ve never noticed too much of a lip size difference but there is some and I love the color and shine from this product. It is available in the colors plum, peach, nude, and clear. I’m a big fan of plum and peach but the nude is not my favorite. A note of interest though, if you go a little crazy with the application it can feel like a lot on your lips, a little goes a long way with this stuff. Also, this stuff can get sticky so I wouldn’t wear it on a windy day with your hair down. I’ve found that if you apply a little lip balm (like Burt’s Bees) before applying the gloss, it helps with the sticky factor. Some may argue that defeats the purpose of wearing lip gloss but that’s their opinion.

Well those are a few of my favorite lip care products, until next time,

Rebecca

Haul: Shoppers Drug Mart

Hey Guys!,

I went to Shoppers Drug Mart today because they had a secret 20x the points event. I picked up a few things that I have been eyeing for a while that I can't wait to try out and one repurchase

First thing I was super excited about is Benefit's High Beam. I have been wanting this forever! It is perfect for highlighting your cheekbones, cupids bow, eyebrows or use it all over your cheeks for a pretty glow.

Then I picked up the Maybelline Falsies Flared.. I loved the original Maybelline falsies and I love the look of flared lashes so I can't wait to take it one a test run.

Then I bought the EOS shave cream on sale for $3.99.. I've heard you can use this stuff on wet or dry legs.. I bought mine in pomegranate raspberry and it smells great.

I also picked up L'oreal color juice in tuitti fruitti because they were on sale for $4.59.. I was gonna pick it up at Wal-Mart yesterday for $9.59 and I'm glad I didn't.. It's a really pretty pink color and smells super good.

Then I picked up my Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Leave in Conditioner which was also on sale.. I.love.this.stuff.

The kind lady also gave me some samples of Vichy Capital Soleil ultra light lotion SPF 50 and La Roche toner for sensitive skin.

That's all for now~!

xox

Ashlee