The Weekend & a Haul

June 9, 20151 Comment

Ello Poppets!

Why I am talking in pirate, I do not know.

I do however, know how to rock Kelly Kapowski hair, as evidenced above.

So last weekend I bought some sh*t and per usual, I thought I’d share!

Let me also congratulate the Huz on taking the CFA no.3 – it is no easy feat these GD tests and I for one, am glad it’s over! Saturday night we popped a little champs and I gussied up REAL NICE.

I decided to put on falsies because I’m so fancy (you already know).

The next day we wandered around Mississippi and HOW have I not been on that street before!? I wore polka dot shorts and my new shoes from target!

And thennnn I went shopping. For BEAUTY PRODUCTS.

I decided to finally try the Fake Bake Flawless after much deliberation. I determined that for the price ($26) and the fact that it’s a high-end product, I ought to give ‘er a go.

I went into Mac with the intention of being a good girl and just looking. A new collection came out so I just felt like swatchin’ up my arm. And then I realized I need more Fixed+ and the girl convinced me I needed Warm Soul. So I broke down.

This color doesn’t look like much but it is beeeautiful on the cheeks and I can’t wait to smother this all over when I have a bit of tan happening.

And lastly, I went to Ulta. Where I decided it was ludacris I didn’t own the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush. And thennnn they were Buy One Get One 50% Off, so I also got a little shading brush.

And maybe the most exciting thing ever happened, but first a little background. My little sister Amy is getting married in September and I am bridesmaid. They have instructed us to get long, gray dresses and I thought I had found one from a gal at my work but it turns out that my mom cannot alter it so I was on the hunt again. I reallllly didn’t want to go the David’s Bridal route but was pretty sure that was my only option. Well folks, I found this little number hanging in the sale section at The Rack for $109 – my size – AND Monique Lhullier!

PLEASE NOTE: To anyone that thinks I walk this earth sporting a full face of makeup everyday, I encourage you to take a long gander at my mug below. Evidence, people. I do not.

Anyweeeez that was my weekend! Til’ next time, I remain your humble, mascara-obsessed internet friend.

Assorted Haul

May 29, 2015Leave a comment

Hello kittens!

Today I bring you another haul of a few things I have picked up whilst out and about.

The beauty section at T.J Maxx can be quite treacherous. It’s like everytime I go in there, I feel like I’m swimming in a sea of unknown brands, well-known brands and wondering “why is this Clarins face serum only $19.99?!”. It can be a scary, deep, dark place and navigating around isn’t easy. I find that I can usually tread water fairly well, picking up a random Joico K-Pak conditioner for $7.99 or a bangin’ Essie polish for $3. But other times, I drown. I just do.

My friends, this time I may have plummeted to the ocean floor, with all the muck and bottom-feeders.

Sugar Baby Golden Glamour Instant Self Tan Spray

When I saw this product, I was immediately attracted to the packaging because yes – I am a basic white girl. Throw a pin-up girl on just about anything and us basics go weak in the knees. It was only $8, so I quickly googled the brand and saw decent reviews and high price tags – SCORE! I brought ‘er home to realize two depressing facts:

1.) It was NOT a sunless tanner, instead a spray-on temporary tan (like Airbrush Legs) which wasn’t the end of the world, I just thought I was buying a self tan.

2.) It doesn’t work. The directions recommend laying a towel down under you to protect your floors and surfaces so I just went outside on our ~~dirty~~ balcony and went to town. It literally came out basically SHEER with a subtle brownish-gray tint.

DO NOT BUY THIS.

Shiseido Pureness Foaming Cleansing Fluid

So. I was very hesitant to buy this because there HAS to be a reason a department store brand like Shiseido is at T.J Maxx for $12.99, versus the $30+ this would cost at Nordys. But, I rolled the dice and thought, “Meh, if it’s a little expired I’m sure it’s fine.” And at first I thought it was making me break out. Not like gross cystic whiteheads but those little skin-colored bumps around my hairline. But I persevered and kept using it only to discover that you have to rinse it SUPER well or else it will leave a little film on your skin which is probably what gave me a weird texture.

All in all, it’s fairly good for $12.99 and it also removes makeup.

Justin Bieber Someday Perfume

Y’all are laughing I KNOW, but I could give two sh*ts because I LOVE this perfume. I get compliments on it allll the time and I never tell people what it is. Muaahahahaaa. “Oh this? It’s just m’Biebs.” Can you imagine?

New Tanning Mitts

I recently purchased both the Ulta brand tanning mitt and the St. Tropez one for $1.50 more and guess what?! I like the Ulta brand better. I think normally these are around the same price ($6.50), which is ludicrous that a cheap piece of foam is more than 75 cents AMIRIGHT!?

Bodycology Runaway Heart Sugar Scrub

Self tanning also denotes the official commencement exfoliation season. I really should exfoliate all year, but dead skin + self tanner mixes together about as well as orange juice and toothpaste. I bought this scrub at Target because it was the cheapest one and guess what? I am in loooove with it! Srsly go to Target right now and get yerself a whiff of this because your might change. I need the body spray NOW.

THIS Makeup Bag

OF COURSE I BOUGHT THIS, WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR?

Nordstrom Makeup Haul

April 17, 20153 Comments

Hieeeee!

Hat tip to m’pal Dann for sending me emails with this nauseatingly wonderful subject line.

Today I bring you a haul more exciting than the season finale of Rupaul’s Drag Race which y’all really must watch. My inner drag queen (who goes by Summer Clearance, btw) gets pretty jealous of those broads.

I was at the Washington Square Nordstrom the other day, otherwise known as the cool place to push around $1,500 strollers in Tory Burch flats…and I picked up a few bits and pieces which I am just tickled over.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

FINALLY right!? This is liquid gorgeousness. It is the essence of all things majesty and splendorous, bottled up and sold to unicorns like me and you. I went with Light 5 – in Fiji and I’m honestly a bit iffy on the shade. I might be going back for Medium 1 in Punjab because this girl is planning on gettin’ her tan on!! However, do not be fooled. My winter shade in this foundation would definitely be the lightest.

Anastasia Brow Whiz in Soft Brown

Don’t be jealous of m’sexy jammies ok?

FINALLY AGAIN!! I have wanted Brow Whiz ever since it came out like 74 years ago. I have had the good ol’ original pencil in ash blonde from Anastasia for srsly like 22 years and I fiiiiinalllly ran out a couple weeks ago. And you guys, can I get some props for working through that entire godforsaken thing!? It was an accomplishment.

Mac Powder Blush in Melba

This blush comes highly recommended by Jaclyn Hill, one of my fave YouTubers. It has zero sparkle but the color is simply gorgeous. I love wearing it with an absolute sh*tload of highlighter. You know.

And that’s all she wrote!

French Pharmacy Haul

April 9, 2015April 9, 20153 Comments

Bonjour my little bon-bons!

I know y’all are just pining to see the French Pharmacy Finds I recently procured whilst traveling in Chamonix, France. Read about the whole trip here!

I did an astounding amount of reaching in preparation for the French pharmacy not only to discover what those sprightly french gals are usin’, but also to enjoin myself from buying a bunch of crap that is cheaper in the U.S

My research indicated there were in fact a few brands that are produced in France and therefore, a better deal over there. Such brands include Bioderma, Vichy, La Roche Posay, Klorane and Caudalie. A fact I discerned to be true was that cosmetic brands that seem French, like Dior, Chanel and Clinique are actually MORE expensive to buy over there.

Furthermore, did y’all know that all cosmetic brands are usually owned by larger companies? For example L’Oreal owns YSL, Georgio Armani, Lancome, Kiehls, Urban Decay, Essie and The Body Shop. Shocking, I know.

Anywee, here is what I picked up at the Pharmacies in Chamonix:

1. Klorane Dry Shampoo

Hat tip to my pal Nicole for this recommendation! This dry shampoo cost about €10 and is formulated with Oat Milk. I got the version for all hair types because the other option was for dark hair only. Interesting they don’t make a blonde option…#hairscrimination.

2. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

If you read my recent post about our trip to Whistler, you’ll know I finally found Bioderma! I paid $20 for the bottle and have been using it non-stop. To be honest, there is nothing totally spectacular about this stuff. What I appreciate about it is the simplicity. It has no smell, is great for sensitive skin and removes makeup nicely.

I picked up the giant 500 ml bottle of this in France because it was only €14!

3. NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm

This product is on EVERY french person’s pharmacy favorite list. The brand actually had a few things I considered buying, like the body oil. I decided not to get that because I’m not really that big on body oils and honestly, our suitcase had like 1 millimeter of space left.

4. Caudalie Beauty Elixir

I have wanted to get this from Sephora sooo many times but it’s $50. It smells like a spa and is very luxurious. I have used this a few times since we’ve been home and I can confirm: it is HEAVEN. It works amazing as a makeup setting spray and I just loooove it after I wash my face and before serum and moisturizer. I paid €29 for the big bottle!

5. Fletagex

This product used to be known as Avibon and Gwyneth regarded it as a miracle product for keeping wrinkles at bay. When I inquired about Avibon, the gal at the pharmacy went into the back and produced this stuff, saying “It eez the same.” DONE. The packaging reminds me of hemerroid cream but whatevs if it works. Also, it was €7 so the price was right too!

And that’s all I bought! I KNOW you guys. I could have filled a suitcase but given the fact that we packed our own skis and ski boots, there was srsly no room in our luggage for 44 ounce jars of face cream.

*Side note about clothes shopping in France:

All the clothing shops in Cham were filled with mountain stuff. Alot of Burton, North Face and ski stuff I don’t care about. The few non-outdoor apparel stores I went in were fascinating for one reason…the men’s section was in the front of the store.

In the US, most clothing stores that carry both mens and womens apparel smartly put the women’s section front and center. We spend the money. We like our stuff right up front. In most places, I find that the men’s section is either off to the side, in the back or just really tiny. Well NOT IN FRANCE. In most stores, like Superdry and Quicksilver the women’s sections were not only in the back but UPSTAIRS. I pointed this out to Bryan (who is the LAST person on earth who would notice a clothing store’s layout) and he was all, “that’s awesome!”. Ew.

My opinion? GO AMERICA!

Sephora Haul

March 5, 20153 Comments

HEY YO.

Like the new shirt? I mean, I WISH it were true. But for me, it’s more like “Leftover donuts, Crystal Light & Merona” HAHaaaaaa.

Here’s a startling fact for you: 95% of the time I go into a Sephora I don’t buy anything. Makeup addiction is very real and very serious. It is my drug. So for me, a trip to Sephora is more than just a store with shelves, it is cathartic. I go around, picking things up, inspecting them, and gently setting them down. I swatch. I spritz. I dig my finger into sparkly eye shadows on accident and quickly walk away. But I rarely buy. WHY? You may ask. Because I’m not an idiot, that’s why.

For starters, I own a lot of drugstore and I WELL AWARE of what items I can get away with and what I cannot. For example, I go through 1 tube of mascara practically every month, so no, I am NOT shelling out $30 a tube. But for things like foundation, certain skincare items and face powder (the ‘jeans’ of your makeup bag if you will) I’ll do what I need to do.

For this trip, I desperately needed 2 of the items and the third item I admittedly have been lusting after for EVER. So here’s what I got:

Shiseido Eyelash Curler

Suprisingly, Sephora stores only carry a handful of lash curlers. The Sephora brand almost had me, due to the bright colored ones but I asked a Sephora girl and she told me the Shiseido was her fave. I usually do not rely (and neither should you) on the girls (and boys) at Sephora. I ALWAYS do my homework on these things and will spend lots of time hunting down the best for the cheapest, but this time, I just need a GD eyelash curler so I went with the recommendation. I’ve only had this for a few days and while it is a little difficult to maneuver and I end up pinching my eyelid a lot, the curl is ON FLEEK! Like, I can point ‘em to the sky if I want and yes, I do curl the absolute bejesus out of them.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream

I love that this is called a “sleeping cream”. When I put it on I’m like, “Okay, self! Time to go to sleep!”. Last month, I purchased a random hydrating product from a (new to me) brand called Hada Labo Tokyo. I read about it in Allure, and it won some award and the gals in China buy like 15 tubes and basically bathe in it. It says “Super Hylaronic Acid” (which is AMAZING for your skin) and it was $18, so….I bought it. And it’s aight. The only issue I have with it is that the product itself is a clear liquid, and I was expecting a cream. So after I put it on, my skin doesn’t feel super hydrated. Anyways, let me END this saga for you. I bought the sleeping cream for $38 and so far – it is realllly nice!

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

Boy, I have wanted this concealer forever. Except then I bought Bye Bye Undereye from It Cosmetics, which I still like, but it is quite heavy. So when I ran out of the Mac Pro- Long Wear (which is AMAZING) I decided to finally give the Nars a shot. And you guys – it is just wonderful. It is not as much coverage as Mac, but it lays beautifully under the eyes and it ten times faster to apply. With the Mac or the Bye Bye, I have to use a beauty blender, but with the Nars, all I do is apply it directly to my eye and pat it out with my ring finger. It is SO fast and SO pretty. I still set with translucent powder and the staying power is really nice.

All for now kitties! What things should I try from Sephora next!? Let me know!

Another Day, Another Haul

February 11, 20152 Comments

Amiright!?

Today I bring you a haul consisting largely of hurr curr. As you’ll see I am definitely NOT brand-loyal in the least and basically, I just want the stuff that will up my on fleek game. And WE ALL know homegirl has some dry, damaged locks. So anything that promises to “mend split ends” (which is physically impossible) or “increase shine” I’m like:

I’ve also recently noticed that all my nail polishes are getting to that old, goopy stage. When you know you could buy nail polish thinner but instead you try to make it work and paint your nails, but it’s so thick that it never dries and you spend 3 hours not touching anything and then you accidentally bump your nail on the side of the counter and then end up taking it all off anyway, throwing the bottle out and cursing…

So now that we’re all on the same page let’s get to it.

Kenra Platinum Silkening Mist

In college I used to use the Bed Head shine spray religiously. You know the style – chunky highlights and Rachel-esque layers which I straightened the bejesus out of. A sparkly Abercrombie shirt and Von Dutch trucker hat and I was out the door man! But now, I find that when I wear my hair straight I miss that little spritz a’shine spray from back in the day. I went with Kenra this time because the whole line smells amaaaazing and gets great reviews.

Redken Extreme Anti-Snap

This is a Redken cult fave and many a hairstylist has used this stuff on me. I really did like my Pureology 21 Benefits Leave-In (mentioned here) but I’m always down for mixing things up, so I got this. I know, I am so crazy you guys! It does the same kinds of things that most leave-ins do, but it has a pump, rather than a sprayer and I do notice a difference when I use a high-end treatment before blow drying.

The “Wet” Brush

I am an idiot to have not picked one of these up sooner. I usually use my good ol’ wide-toothed comb on my wet hair but this puppy is specifically MADE for wet hair. It doesn’t break your hair off and I find it so much faster than my comb. I hear this is great for kids too, less ouchy. I got the mini one because our bathroom drawers are tiny and it is so darn cute. Go get you one!

OPI Nail Polishes in Never too Much Confetti and I saw it on Teal-evision

I foud this set at T.J Maxx for $7.99 and was like YESsssss. The teal reminds me of Essie Trophy Wife, which is a favorite of mine and I mean, duh – multi colored confetti sparkle? Yes please.

OPI Cajun Shrimp

Its true. I have never owned this color before. A shocker, I know!! This is one of the most popular colors from OPI and I just kept putting it off and putting it off. Then the other day I was just like,”FINE OPI.” The color is so bright and pretty, it truly is in a category all it’s own. I just despise the name, though – a shrimp entrée for a nail color? Ew.

Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes Mascara

I actually got this mascara in an Allure Beauty Box! I was really excited to try it because tons of people love it, like Kristin Gehm, but it’s just aight for me. The brush is a good size, not too big and not too small – but the formula does nothing to hold a curl, or at least, not on me. I am researching a new lash curler at the mome and I will keep y’all posted on that!

And that’s all I got for right now. Stay lovely!!

Honeymoon Haul + Wedding Bits

June 24, 20144 Comments

As some of you may or may not know, Bryan and I are going to Bali for our honeymoon. We leave on a red eye basically 24 hours after we say “I DO” and could not be more excited.

Source

We figured since we’re putting ourselves through that crazy red-eye, Hep A shots (which were a little B, btw), typhoid vaccinations, and the possibility of Bali Belly, we deserved a few odds and ends to make our stay a little more comfortable and yes, stylish.

Bry hit the mother-load at the Rack, procuring himself swim trunks, a few tee shirts and maybe the odd tank top. My trousseau shall be filled with travel-friendly (read: comfortable) and fun (read: cheap) vacation-wear. In addition was the SAS at Victoria’s Secret and a pair of falsies spotted at Sephora that I just HAD to try.

Here are the goods!

From Target:

I chose this bikini for two reasons. One, the top is push-up and two, the bottoms ARE NOT string-tie. Why doesn’t target have a 30 years + swim section?

I am usually not a fan of maxi skirts (ON ME) because I always end up feeling like they are a bit too short and I don’t think it is appropriate to “sag” your maxi skirt. This one however, I am excited to wear with, wait for it…CROP TOPS. Yes, m’friends. I shall don a crop top and bare my upper tum-tum to the world!

I decided to grab this little white pocket crop-top to pair not only with the tulip skirt but also with a pair of shorts to wear possibly over a swim suit. We shall see how I feel about it.

From T.J Maxx

There is the classiest T.J Maxx downtown Portland. You wouldn’t think it, but every time I go, I am treated to perfectly arranged clothing racks, sparkling dressing rooms and a well-stocked candle section. A + downtown T.J. A+.

Boring navy tank. I SWEAR this brand from T.J Maxx makes the softest tees and tank tops. They are always under $7.99 and I mean, you just CANNOT beat that.

Shorts like these were all over the store. And being the true Maxxinista that I am, I had to partake. Dare I say, they look a bit like pajamas but I feel like Bali will welcome this look. Plus, they have a stretchy waist band. YES please!

They had a TON of makeup brushes this time around. Some off-brands that I had never heard of, but also ones by Borghese and Models Own. I decided to grab this little blending brush because it was $2.99 and it looked decent.

Sephora & Victoria’s Secret

I spotted these at Sephora a few weeks ago and was all, “yeah right”, they cannot be real mink. Well, jury’s still out. I haven’t the slightest idea of what they are truly made of, but really, I don’t care. Just look at that crazy lash action. I think these might be a wedding-day contender, and at $10, they didn’t break the bank.

I spent a mere $13 on ALL of these goodies (gotta love that SAS). A VS Heavenly (my FAVE VS scent) body wash, Lip Plumper in Baby Pink, purse-sized Heavenly Body Mist and a nail polish in String Bikini. Don’t mind if I do!

And that’s it for my haul – check back soon for a re-cap of our awesome weekend!