Drugstore Find: L'Oréal Visible Lift CC Eye Concealer

Can we talk about the Loreal Visible Lift CC Eye Concealer for a second? And by "talk," I mean "type"? And by "we," I mean "me"?

Red Hot: Revlon Super-Lustrous Lipstick in Cherry Blossom

Finding the perfect red lip is a journey that rarely results in success. It could take years to find the perfect red that suits your undertones, doesn't make your teeth look horribly yellow, and doesn't break the bank. Okay, maybe years is an exaggeration. Regardless, shopping for your perfect red is definitely a significant undertaking.

I've Made a Huge Mistake - Products I Regret Buying

Hello, friends!

I talk a lot about products I love on here and of all the different ways that I like to use them, but let's be real: makeup isn't always made of rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, you just don't like things you thought you would love. It happens to the best of us. So, I decided that today I would put together a list of products that I regret buying. Maybe you and I are on the same page about some of them?

A Tale of Lost Love: TheBalm's Mary Lou-Manizer

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago... I went to Marshall's. (And by a "long, long time," I mean maybe a year and a half ago, tops.) 

As I perused the beauty section, not expecting to find anything even remotely interesting among the smashed-up boxes and grubby messes that people tend to make, I saw a makeup kit with some really, really cute art on it. And that's when I first fell in love with TheBalm. 

August 2013 Birchbox Unboxing + First impressions/Review!

Hello, everyone! I got my August Birchbox in the mail a little earlier today. I always love seeing other blog posts and videos about monthly Birchboxes, so I figured I'd share mine too!

This month's theme was Finishing School. (This is hitting a little too close to home, since I've got my last year of undergrad starting this month... )

Here's what came in my box this month!

Under the Sea: Ariel Storylook Palette by Sephora

A couple of weeks ago, I got a package in the mail from Sephora. It wasn't one that I was expecting, but I was expecting a birthday package from my boyfriend. FROM SEPHORA? He knows me way too well. But what could he have gotten me? I don't remember telling him anything about wanting something specific from there. And the box was way too big for a gift card.

Anyway, I was astonished to find the Ariel Storylook Palette when I opened it! As it turns out, he actually read my blog and saw the Wishlist Wednesday post I made about it. I - just - wow. Major boyfriend points there. I mean, there was definitely some arm-flapping and odd noises made when I saw what it was. It was embarrassing. Good thing my whole family was there to see it.

Indie Perfume Oils by Haus of Gloi! | review

When you're as bath and beauty obsessed as I am, there's something so refreshing about stumbling across a brand that you've never heard of. That's exactly how I felt when I discovered Haus of Gloi, a small vegan bath and beauty company. I'm not vegan myself, but I think vegan-anything is fascinating. While browsing through Haus of Gloi's website, I caught myself drooling over their luscious fragrances, intricate bars of soap, and other luxurious products (I'm looking at you, body emulsions!). 

Perfume oil samples! L-R: Zazz, Satyr, Beguiled, The Brier Path, and Elevenses. 

As I mentioned in my post about my favorite Etsy finds, I really like ordering from small businesses not only because of the new products to try, but also because of the personal connection. For this reason, I didn't hesitate--I ordered a handful of perfume oil samples in hopes that I could wrap my head around what kind of fragrances they made before I jumped into buying any of their more luxurious items. The  Satyr, Beguiled, The Brier Path, and Elevenses. The owners, Matt and Britton, also threw in a sample of Zazz, just because. (At least I hope it was just because... if it was a mistake, I'd feel bad about it.)

Is this any good? BH Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner Pen

I am a big believer in the fact that the search for the perfect liquid eyeliner is a long road filled with broken dreams. Well, not really. I've been wearing liquid eyeliner for quite a long time and still can't find the perfect one!

I recently picked up a Liquid Eyeliner Pen from BH Cosmetics (~$6) in my last Little Black Bag purchase (read my blog post about it here!) in hopes that something that is so low in cost would be my next favorite. However, I was a little disappointed with the results. 

Picture-heavy, so read more below!

Little Black Bag Unboxing!

I was inspired by the lovely Elle Fowler (of Dreaming in Blush) to make an order from Little Black Bag, a flash sale/social shopping fashion website, ever since she posted her What's In My Little Black Bag? Summer Edition video. I was excited to receive my order, but I was a little less than impressed with the condition that some of the things arrived in. 

Getting a Pop of Color: Lorac GloGetter Eyeshadow Palette

A week or so ago, I was out shopping with my mom for the day. We ran a few errands in the same general area that Ulta is in. I didn't recall having a need to go to Ulta, but I remember that I had recently tried to buy the GloGetter palette online after eyeing it for so long that the limited edition palette was no longer available. I thought that I might try my chances looking in the store itself for any stragglers.

Boy, was I lucky. I quite literally picked up the last GloGetter palette that was in the entire store. Score!

After going crazy with my Lorac Pro palette, I leapt at the chance to have another quality Lorac product in my collection (and at a steal for $20!). This is a colorful collection of ten shades that feature a good mix of brights as well as neutrals to pair them with. 

Its packaging is sleeker than that of the Pro palette, being made of hard plastic. Although this is better than how the Pro's packaging smudges easily, it can be pretty slippery. It also shows scratches very easily.

Though this is being marketed as a palette of brights, this is surprisingly accessible to those who are more comfortable with neutrals (like myself!). My favorite of these include the shimmery peach, the warm matte mid-toned brown, and the satin-finished navy blue. These wear really well, and as with all Lorac shadows, application is a dream. The shadows are buttery and last for a long time on the lid (with primer, of course.)

Swatches, without primer. 

I reach for this palette more often than I thought I would. Maybe this is just the nudge in the right direction I needed to play with color!

Anyone else get to snag this palette when it was available? Which colors are your favorites?

Also, don't forget to...

:)

TheBalm's What's Your Type? Body Builder Mascara

TheBalm's The Body Builder mascara certainly has a lot to live up to. Supposedly formulated with Vitamin E and Bamboo, this is supposed to strengthen and condition your lashes. 

The real question is, does this mascara live up to its claims?

HEY, STELLA: a NYX Round Lipstick review

I'm not new to NYX's like of Round Lipsticks. In fact, I have several of them in the old packaging that I still love--including Doll, Tea Rose, and Louisiana. So, when I received a NYX.com gift card code from NYX, I chose this lipstick.

Read more and see more pictures under the cut!

Drugstore Skincare Haul + Review!

I recently picked up a couple of items from the drugstore for my face. Here's what I got!

Freeman's Avocado and Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask. I got this because I've been breaking out like crazy lately, and so far I love it. This is the first clay mask that I've ever used. It leaves my skin really soft, and after only two uses I can already see an improvement in my skin. 

Freeman's Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask. I actually ordered this long before my skin broke out as badly as it did. My only problem was tired, dull-looking skin and hyperpigmentation. This mask has AHAs, which I've read are a great, gentle exfoliant and can improve the quality of the skin. I will do a review with my findings, if anyone's interested!

Ocean Potion Face Sunscreen SPF 45. I've read that moisturizers with SPF don't give the greatest protection from the sun, so I've been looking for a good sunscreen. I've been using this in addition to my moisturizer without SPF in the mornings before putting on the rest of my makeup. It doesn't get greasy at all, and my makeup layers nicely with it. I'm looking forward to using the rest of this up! The only downside is that it's in a jar, which is a little inconvenient for daily use, but it's not terrible. 

Pond's Cold Cream. I got this because I'm running out of my eye makeup remover and was looking for a cleanser. I've used this before, but I'm not too fond of the reformulation. It's much greasier than I remember. However, I still feel really glamorous in a 1940s sort of way when I sit down at my vanity to take my makeup off before going into the bathroom to wipe if off my face with a warm wash cloth (and put on a mask!). It's a nice, luxurious way to get ready for bed that I quite enjoy.

Anyway, that's what I've gotten recently! Add anything new to your skincare routine recently?

Sweet as Candy: Pocket-Sized Favorite

Sundays are one of my favorite days of the week. Even though it's been tainted in my youth by dreading going to classes the next day, I've learned to love them as I've gotten older. Maybe it's because this semester the only thing I had on Mondays was Chorus and a voice lesson. Who knows?

I'd like to introduce a new little series to my blog: Rave of the Week. I love reading posts about monthly favorites, but I am horribly impatient when it comes to waiting for the month to pass before finding out what people have been digging recently. So, I decided that on Sundays I would post about things I've been loving over the past week! I'd like to kick off the series with my newest baby: the Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart. 

More photos and swatches under the cut!