Tuesday, May 28, 2013

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO LOOK NATURAL

I have over my lifetime searched and searched for the natural no make-up, make-up look, I have gone as far as wearing no make-up for that effect and still could not find my natural holly grail.  Enter BB Creams!!  Now several have come along and I can say I've tried about 4 of them including the ones pictured above.  Yes I realize two are the exact same brand (just in different shades).  My first attempts at a BB Cream was Garnier Skin Renew and though I loved it, once I learned that applying it with a brush was a must, the shine it brought on, was less than desirable.  During the winter months, I must admit that it actually helped my skin from drying out too much, so I still definitely intend on going back to it when winter returns.  I also tried an Asian brand BB Cream, that I do not recommend at all!  Wish I remembered the name as it is hiding at the bottom of my make-up barrel.  In any case, imagine my glee when I saw a commercial for Garnier Oil Control BB Cream, I literally darted over to my local drugstore!  I initially bought the light/medium color, but that was entirely too light for my skin tone so I made a second trip and purchased the medium.  I don't know why I didn't exchange it, but that worked out for me in the end.  The medium shade was a perfect match to my skin, though it left me looking a little muddy, I then used the lighter shade to brighten up my eye area and it was absolute perfection!

And again I must say this is not the end of my search, but after years and years It's nice to feel I'm that much closer in my quest.  Though my make-up requires no touch up during the day, I do take a Kleenex to my face and pat around to reset. 

I too have oily lids and have found that smashbox shadow liners do not move once set, so I do not worry about my shadow moving whatsoever! This particular shade is perfectly pigmented that I don't feel the need to add liner.

My other go to product for a natural affect are tinted lip stains.  These were a problem for me at first as the application was quite foreign to me, I could never get them on right.  I have since learned to apply them thinly, letting it dry completely and re-apply (if a deeper shade is desired) , then quickly blend with my pinky.  I also recommend wearing them under a lipstick, this ensures a perfectly colored pout through out the day even after meals.

Now eyelashes are my finishing touch, though I was intimidated by them for a long time, finishing my look with a great pair of wispy lashes adds the perfect hint of pretty to the whole look.

Let me know if you have any advice for no make-up, make-up looks as my quest continues.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

There is one sure thing that will absolutely drive me crazy....... OVER PAYING for something I can get cheaper.  It's best to clarify that I am first and foremost a brand whore, though not something to be proud of, the truth will set you free (they say)!  However often times I have obsessed with buying a brand name item only to later find something completely similar in a non "brand" name, that is equally fierce!!!  Have this happen to you time and time again, one must finally learn.  But I never seem too.

A few weeks ago I was obsessively hunting down the Jeffrey Campbell Puffer sandals in Gold and I must say I was proud of myself because I found them and paid less than full price for them along with free shipping!  But later I found out Forever 21 had an extremely similar version for $29.99 (sadly now sold out.......sigh), I know with some shoe variations you think well I'm paying leather vs pleather/pvc so it's worth the extra money, but in this case we are talking about plastic ladies.  Now I intended to purchase the puffer sandals in black as well because I absolutely love my gold puffers, but in researching I found a variation of the puffer at Charlotte Russe http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/entity/233329.uts for $38.50 which is a definite steal!  They are offering a buy one get one at half price so I bought two for less than what I paid for my 1 Jeffrey Campbell Puffer, feeling a bit like Charlie Sheen WINNER!

So if anyone out there is anything like me, get your puff on!!!

Monday, May 13, 2013



Hi guys!!  I'm back!!  Takes me forever to post, mental note, must get better!! Today I wanted to share my new favorite nail kit.  Most people that know me, know I love to shop, however it's easy for people to think I just spend money with no regards (perhaps at one time, but that is not the case any more).  I'm a reformed shopaholic (got tired of being broke all the time).  A few years back I completely stopped getting my hair and nails done (too much work, time and money + I hate waiting)  and I needed to free up cash for shoes and bags (my no.1 love) but I still wanted my nails and hair to look fairly decent.  So I went on youtube and learned A LOT!  It's crazy to see all the stuff that is out now for do it yourself'ers.  Enter Sensationail!!  Now the kit is pricey, about the cost of one mani/pedi and since I don't get my nails done, I still thought too much at around 49.99-59.99.  And like a true reformed shopaholic, I cyber stalked the product for about 6 months  and eventually my patience paid off as I found it on EBAY for $38 bucks + FREE SHIPPING .....SCORE!!!! I'm sure at one point in time I would have just bought it at the higher price and then later found it  cheaper.....enter self loathing LOL.  So I bought two LOL one for me and one for my mom.  I have now used the product and couldn't be happier!!  15 minutes and I was ready to go.  Granted I will be buying additional colors at about $10 per bottle, but again I went to Ebay and found 5 colors for $27.  It's amazing what happens when you decide to not give your money away and again this frees up cash, enough to rid me of the guilt of over spending on an amazing handbag!