Mini Urban Decay Haul

If you can call it that!

Urban Decay is expensive which prevents me from going to crazy. A couple weeks ago they were having the Urban Decay Friends and Family even and you got 15% off so I had to order. 

I love Urban Decay but I've only tried their eyeshadows and a few samples here and there. I wanted to branch out which is why I ended up picking up two lipsticks. That and I really wanted the Urban Decay Pulp Fiction lipstick- Mrs Mia Wallace.

So I got that lipstick-although I think the color is easily dupable. My NXY Chaos lipstick is very similar-maybe a tinge brighter. Both are beautiful reds. 

Then I picked up the lipstick in the shade bang. A gorgeous super pigmented orange shade. 

Takes my breath away!!

And I picked up the super curling mascara. I had a mini of it and just LOVED it-so I figured I would pick up a full size!

Stay tuned for reviews!!

Yankee Candle Beach Walk Tart

Reviewing summer scents in winter! That's me. I actually burned this in the summer but am just now getting around to writing the review. 

Yankee Candle claims:

Refreshing salt water and sea musk warmed with sunny notes of tangerine and orange blossom.

As usual, water scents don't really tickle my fancy. But I still like buying them. In theory I would love to like watery scents and I'm looking for that one scent that changes my mind.

The smell is similar to a lot of other Yankee Candle scents that have the word beach in them. It smells like an gentle perfum-y water scent. 

Don't get me wrong-it isn't a bad scent. It just smells very average and doesn't amaze me in any way. 

I could be more forgiving if the actual tart was great quality and had a great scent throw or stuck around a while but Yankee has had declining quality the past couple years. Which is why I only have a few more reviews of Yankee left anyway. 

Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash

If there is one thing I could use more of in my life-it's stress relief. Full time classes and working really kicks your butt! Which was the main reason I picked this up. 

Aveeno claims:

This soothing body wash has a calming effect to help you relax in the shower while cleansing and moisturizing, so your skin feels soft and smooth all day long. Its unique formula combines ACTIVE NATURALS® Colloidal Oatmeal—long known for its skin-soothing benefits—with scents of lavender, essential chamomile and ylang-ylang oils, which are known for their calming benefits. It's soap free and dye free so it's gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.

Right off the bat I can tell you I'm not a fan of lavender (unless it's mixed with vanilla) or chamomile. But I sometimes scents can mix and become magic. 

Unfortunately, this didn't for me.

I really don't like the scent. It smells-odd. I can't describe it any other way except it smells like old stuffy lavender thats been mixed with dust. I don't detect chamomile but I think it's because the lavender overpowers it. And I don't really know what Ylang Ylang smells like so I can't comment on that. The scent is not overpowering at all and I don't notice it lingering. I think it's a scent most people would enjoy though. 

But oddly enough- I think it does calm me, if a scent you don't enjoy CAN calm you.

It could be a placebo effect though.

As for moisturizing- I don't find it moisturizing and I don't find it drying. 

The actual cleanser is a cream/gel that lathers decently.

I just checked out the website and this is one of the formulas touted to have ground up oatmeal which is supposed to be really good for your skin. I don't notice any benefits but I do like the fact that it has oatmeal in it. Although not in a large quantity.

Some of the ingredients are good. Others not so good. Better than a lot of other body washes you find in the drugstore.

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Oat Kernel Flour (Avena Sativa), Glycol Stearate, Sodium Lauroampho PG Acetate Phosphate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, PEG 150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Tetrasodium EDTA, PEG 6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Fragrance, Quaternium 15, May Contain (+/-):, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid

Its an OK product with a scent I'm not a fan of. I noticed it does come in a lotion form but I doubt I'll be rushing to try that out. 

Now back to my real stress relief- watching The Walking Dead! I just started Season 1 and am loving it so far. Can't believe I waited so long to watch it.

Debra Laws-Very Special

Music time!!

This was another song that I heard sampled before I heard the original. It was that J-Lo and LL Cool J song "All I Have".

Back when I liked her music still. I can't figure out why for the life of me now. She can't sing a lick. Poor Girl.

Anyway, I love this song and am bummed I could't find a live clip. 

This will have to do though! Such a sweet song....

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

It's officially winter. It is so cold outside...but I remain in denial because I refuse to wear my coat. Like that's going to make it warmer outside...I really shouldn't complain because the weather has been pretty nice up until today which is odd for October. Anyway, let's talk Real Techniques.

Real Techniques claims:

Ultra firm and broad for application and blending of cream or liquid foundation:

• look pixel-perfect even in harsh light
• ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 
  100% cruelty-free
• self-standing for easy storage
• extended aluminum handle is light and easy to use

I really love my Real Techniques brushes-for the most part. I think they are ugly but the price is great and some of the brushes are AMAZING.

Some, not all.

This one is pretty amazing. When I first saw this brush I didn't really think it was any different than the buffing brush. They looked really simulate from what I could tell but they are different.

They have a different shape and the expert face brush is way denser than the buffing brush. It takes less time and buffing to get the foundation on your skin. Plus I think the shape makes it a little more versatile, you can use it to contour with the right product. 

It works well with liquids and cream stick foundations.

Like I said, I don't really like the design of the brush but for the cost it's sturdy and will last a long time. That's all that really matters. And for those that are interested-the brush stands on it's own. Personally I don't stand my brushes up anyway so thats an extra feature thats lost on me.

Ive heard them compared to the sigma foundation brushes but I still refuse to buy those although I have been curious about the synthetic line. Plus these are more readily available.

I don't really have much else to say about this brush except- I LOVE IT!

 Totally worth buying even if you already have the buffing brush.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar: Milk Chocolate+ Gilded Ganache

Today I played with my Chocolate Bar.

Haha.

I use it, but I tend to use the same shades and not try and of the other colors. I'm not too sure why I keep doing that but I'm trying to branch out. I was actually trying to do the look on the little piece of paper it comes with but-I didn't use the fudge color as a liner. Instead i used Gilded Ganache which I was never too excited for but I discovered if you wet that color it looks gorgeous. Which is my next look. 

I never use eye shadow as liner but today I did and I love it. I wouldn't do this look with these shadows though-I think the color would have popped more against another color so I'll be trying that again too.

I also tested out the NARS Sheer Matte which I'm not very impressed with. It doesn't wear throughout the day nicely on my skin. It looks so oily. For a forty+ dollar foundation you can color me disappointed. However I shall keep trying to make it work. 

I had it on a couple hours in the photo. 

You can see a whole lot of blemished peaking through on my chin-not thrilled with that either. 

Balsamic Peaches

Sounds fancy huh?

Theres nothing I love more than fruit. In particular...ripe Peaches in the summertime!! When you bite in and the juice dribbles down your chin and you lick it all up because you don't want to waste one drop. 

I miss summer now.

I actually made these in the summer...too top on the salad and ice-cream. 

But to be honest I thought these were going to be amazing and they were just "aight". It could be that I used flat peaches and not the traditional peach. 

I may have to try it again that way. For now I was just glad I ate a whole spinach salad that was super healthy for me....and sounded fancy doing it.

I got the recipe from Budget Bytes. Click here to check it out. 

In the post you will find the link to the ice-cream and the salad.

I can't find the picture where I topped it with ice-cream....My pics have disappeared from my phone! Bummer...it looked cute though-slot better than the salad. 

I meant to use frozen yoghurt but couldn't find any and I was too lazy to make my own. Next time!!

Holiday Palettes 2014

I was looking for a list compiling all the holiday palettes that have come out. Couldn't find any so I thought I would make my own. Yay! 

I'm taking a break from movie night to compile this list. I watched Pulp Fiction- Never seen it before but after I saw Urban Decay did a collection based on Mia Wallace look I figured I should watch it. I LOVED it. Now I want the lipstick. And I watched a movie called Unbreakable. It was a superhero movie so of course I loved it. That whole "Mr. Glass" thing freaked me out. That is a horrible disease to have.

Anyway-back to the topic on hand.

1. Urban Decay Vice Palette- Of course I'll start with the palette I actually bought. I love this palette so far. Anything Urban Decay makes me happy. It has some gorgeous berry/pink/red shades. It retails for $59.

2. Lorac Mega Pro- I own nothing LORAC unfortunately. This palette has 32 shades and retails for $60. I thought about snagging it but the amount of neutral light shades doesn't appeal to me.

3. Tarte Bon Voyage-This set comes with ALOT. I kind of want it just because I have nothing by Tarte. They shades don't look very special but I need a closer look or swatches. It retails for $59.

4. Too Faced Everything Nice- I've seen a couple reviews on this. It comes with a lot also. Three of those shades are really calling my name---This will cost you $56

5. Make Up Forever Studio Case- I want this-ever since Make Up Forever reformulated their shadows to the "gel" formula I have been dying to try it. And this has some pretty colors in it. It costs $59.50

6. KAT Von D Star Studded Eyeshadow Book- I haven't heard great things about this palette. A couple years ago I swatched some of her shadows and wasn't very impressed so I wrote the brand off but lately I've heard such good things about her foundation and those liquid lip colors I want to try those. This palette will cost you $55.

Of course this is not an all inclusive list. Just a couple I thought were interesting. What palette will you be snagging for the the holidays? Have you already picked one up?

I would love to hear about it!!

Bed Head Colour Goddess Leave-In Conditioner

Yay! My first bed head product review! I couple weeks ago I did a haul on some of the products I got for GREAT prices because I believe they are discontinuing a few things. I couldn't find this on the website anywhere.

Bed Head claims:

Tigi Bedhead Colour Combat Colour Goddess Leave In Conditioner is a rich leave in treatment which locks in colour and adds softness to colour treated hair.

Formulated using Tigi’s revolutionary Colour Lockdown Technology, Colour Combat Colour Goddess Leave In Conditioner helps to prevent premature colour fading and protects against thermal damage. Glycerin helps to balance moisture levels and improve humidity resistance whilst Cetrimonium Chloride acts as an anti-static agent to guard the hair from frizz and flyaways.

Perfect for those looking to maintain hair colour at the ‘just coloured’ phase, this best-selling leave in conditioner dares your hair colour to go a little deeper and is the perfect therapy for racy red heads and bodacious brunettes.

Colour Combat Colour Goddess Leave In Conditioner smoothes the cuticle to reduce frizz and adds shine and softness to the hair. Essential for colour treated hair, Colour Combat Colour Goddess Leave In Conditioner leaves the hair with renewed strength and an added boost of colour radiance and shine.

The main purpose of the product seems to extend the color of brunettes. I don't have any color in my hair-unless you count the henna I did months ago. But it's a leave-in so I figured it should be conditioning for whatever hair types.

It may be just my imagination but I thought my hair looked to be more vibrantly brown when I straightened it not that long ago. But I'm not entirely sure this wasn't just something that was in my head. 

As for softening, de-frizzing, conditioning- didn't notice any of that. 

What I did notice-the scent. It's heavenly. Like decadent caramel, butterscotch, desert yumminess. 

I seriously want to eat my hair when I use this in it. 

And it lingers...

I would buy it just for the scent, it's like hair perfume. But like I said didn't really do much else for my hair. 

The packaging is kind of average. Bed Head makes much more attractive packaging then this. It's your typical spray bottle with a bed head label on it.

Oh yeah- the ingredients are meh. Some good stuff, a lot of bad stuff.

Have you tried any Bed Head products? What was your favorite?

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua/Eau), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Dimethiconol, PVP/VA Copolymer, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Polyquaternium-55, Dimethiconol/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Laureth-23, PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, Isopropylparaben, Methylisothiazolinone, Isobutylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Butylparaben, Magnesium Nitrate, Polyquaternium-6, Cetrimonium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Coumarin.

Have you tried any Bed Head products? What was your favorite?

Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion

I haven't used a Vaseline product since high school.  It's not that I don't like the brand-it just seems so...average. Anyway, I found a coupon for it and winter is coming so I needed something to keep the dry, flaky, scaly skin under control (just kidding, my skin never get's that dry!). I chose this one because I love Cocoa Butter lotions. I've tried a ton- Queen Helene, Palmers, The Body Shop, and Black & Beautiful. 

Vaseline claims:

With cocoa butter & vitamin E

When our skin is healthy, light reflects off the rich color below the surface, enabling it to literally glow.  But when skin is dry, its surface becomes uneven and rough, leaving it looking dull.

Cocoa Butter deep conditioning lotion penetrates deeply to smooth away roughness and the appearance of dark spots, igniting skin's natural glow at the source.

• rich cocoa butter - helps to even skin tone 
• conditioning moisturizers - leave skin smooth and supple.

So I'll be honest-this stuff is VERY similar to Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter lotion. It smells the same and has a runny texture like that lotion. It smells beachy-coconutty and sun tan lotion like. I like the scent. It's different than most other cocoa butter lotion scents (except for the Queen Helene).

And like I said-it's very runny. Those that love a thick lotion beware. The good news it it absorbs quickly and is non-greasy. 

As far as it working-sometimes I feel it does and other times I feel it doesn't. It just depends on the day. Some lotions you may go back and feel your skin and be like "Oooh so soft". With this one I never go back and do this. Especially on my elbows. It's probably best suited for summer and here I am trying to use it in the winter but it does say "Intensive Care".

I like the packaging. It comes in two sizes-a smaller bottle and a larger size with the pump. It's always cheaper per ounce to buy the larger size so that's what I did. Plus I like having a pump on my lotions. Makes it quicker especially since I'm always short on time in the morning.

The ingredients aren't great. It has some good and some bad. There are definitely more natural alternatives out there for those that like a more natural  option. 

Ingredients:

Water, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycol Stearate, Dimethicone, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter (Cocoa), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil or Glycine Soja Oil (Sunflower, Soybean), Glycine Soja Sterol (Soybean), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) (Vitamin E Acetate), Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A) (Vitamin A Palmitate), Sodium Stearoyl 2 Lactylate, Collagen Amino Acids, Urea, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Carbomer, Lecithin, Mineral Water, Sodium PCA, Potassium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Fragrance, Stearamide AMP, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, Caramel, Titanium Dioxide (CI 7789

Like I said earlier on this reminds me a lot of the Queen Helene one. Queen Helene is always cheaper though and in my opinion the better of the two. I would recommend that and almost every other Cocoa Butter lotion I have tried over this. Sorry Vaseline!

And it looks like my American Horror Story has finished loading....I'm so excited!

Yankee Candle Lemon Lavender Tart

I'm impatiently waiting on the the first show of the new season of American Horror Story to load and I thought while I was waiting I would write a couple blog posts instead of staring and waiting. 

Long sentence. Sorry.

Anway, let's stop talking about the best show ever and talk about my latest candle burn. Actually I burned it in spring but I'm just now doing the review.

I bought this years ago when they had these for nineteen cents at my local store. So I bought a ton. I'm not a big fan of lavender scents and I've never come across a true lemon scented candle so I didn't have high hopes for this combination but OMG.  Something about mixing the two creates magic.

Yankee Candle claims:

oothing and sweet lavender comes together with tangy lemon citrus to create a powdery fresh blend that's clean and inviting. The combination of two classic fragrances offers lavender lovers the opportunity to enjoy the flower's coveted scent in a fresh, new way. The candle's soft purple color tones also offer up new opportunities for freshening up your home décor.

I can't discern the two scents I just know when they mix it creates a super fresh springtime smell that I can't get enough of.

I found the quality of the tart varies. Sometimes I got one with a super strong throw, other times it was meh.

I really love the scent-but hate the quality control. 

I would buy again if it was on sale but...probably not full price. It's too much of a gamble. 

Definitely one to check out if you like fresh spring-y scents.

Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette

As soon as I saw that Urban Decay had realeased this palette-I knew I would be buying it. I LOVE the Vice 2 palette that I got for Christmas last year from my sister. And then I saw this one with some colors I don't own- and I was just plotting when I would buy this one. 

I got a$50 gift card from opening a credit card and decided I would use it to buy this. So I paid $10. Can't beat that!!

Anyway-these are just my first impressions. I plan on doing a review (one day-I still haven't reviewed Vice 2).

The pictures of the packaging don't do it justice. It has some of the prettiest packaging I have ever seen. I like it a lot better than last years. Plus the case is slimmer and there is a cute bag that would be perfect to store the palette or other makeup. 

A++++ for packaging.

The grouping of the shades is a lot different than last years. And they included a lot more neutrals. I'm not thrilled about that. Neutrals bore me. I need exciting different colors. Not a million different shades of beige. But that's just me. It makes most people happy to see the neutrals.

Anywho, one thing I noticed is these shades are a lot more powdery than previous one's I own by Urban Decay. At least the first row is. It kicks up a LOT of dust. I don't really like that. The shades are still pigmented though so that's good. But....

I've used three shades so far. I LOVE Sonic. Not feeling Heroine. But I've never seen a navy blue that impresses me. Heroine isn't pigmented and kind of dry. Bummer. 

I took some quick swatches. 

Truth, Undone, Downfall, DTF

Dragon, Free, Heroine, Brokedown

Vanity, Lucky, Reign, Bobby Dazzle

Alien (not impressed so far), Alchemy, Bondage, Sonic

Last Sin, Angel, Defy, Revolver

Sigh, I love it. 

Now I'm just waiting for Spring so they can release Electrics 2.

Deborah Cox

From about 5-6th grade, Deborah was my favorite singer. I could listen to "Nobodys Supposed to Be Here" a million times and never get sick of it. I also sing along-and try to hit those notes. I also fail miserably but I have a lot of fun trying. 

No one hits notes like Deborah. 

For a long time I thought One Wish was her first album. She actually had one before it-but to honest it's nothing special. Not like One Wish.

The second album was OK.

And everything after that...meh. I really don't like the dance songs she likes to put out.

But I still love that VOICE. You bettah sang girl!!

A couple other songs by her I love are:

Thy Will Be Done-From Kingdom Come-the movie is one of the best movies ever!!

Up &Down-My Song-Nuff' Said

Play Your Part-

Hurt So Much

September

We Can't Be Friends-My 2nd Fave by her!! I have good memories of road trips with this one.

Same Script, Different Cast-Whitney vs Deborah- 

I miss real music....

NARS ITA, MAC 168, And PINK/PURPLE EYE SHADOW

So.

I finally got the NARS Ita brush. And it's been sitting pretty because I don't have any contour powder.

So I ordered MAC Shadowy sculpting powder. But that's going to take a minute to get here. 

So then..I realized I can use EYESHDOW to contour (MAC Mystery). It's annoying to dip the brush in it...but it will do in the meantime. 

So that's what I did. Contoured with my brush. I'm liking it so far. The brush is too cool. 

But that's not the only brush I'm loving. I got the MAC 138. And I LOVE it. Works great for powder, blush, and bronzer. 

These brushes are quite expensive but I got them both $25 off. I'm a thrifty shopper ya know.

Of course, if you contour you have to add other stuff to the face. So I added some shadow.

I was playing with the electric palette some and came up with this. Pink and purple. The pink shade is so powdery. I think my Makeup Forever neon pink wins but it still is very pretty. Maybe I should have used a white base underneath. Speaking of bases, I wanted to order MAC Painterly Paint Pot but I'm not sure....I shall see.

I should have filled my eyebrows in and added false lashes but I got lazy. Story of my life.

Vegetable and Baked Frittata

It's been a minute since I cooked anything.... I really feel like baking something complicated. Like a Snickers cheesecake. But do I need all those calories. Probably not. 

Anyway, I have a healthy recipe from one of my favorite magazines. A vegetable frittata. Which is another way of saying an omelet. I like frittata better. Sound fancy.

Anyway, this is frigate healthified. Lot's of protein and veggies to start the day out. Honestly I thought this would be nasty. But it was actually really good. Just a lot more effort than I am used to putting into breakfast. 

I couldn't find cremini mushrooms so I just picked up some other brown ones I found in the store. I added a ton of asparagus because it's good for you. And normally I hate dill but it did nicely here (listen to me talking like i know spices..mmhmm.) And the peas were unexpected but actually really good. 

I used full fat feta...and regular turkey bacon. 

Yum.

Even though it looks gross.

I would add a photo but...it seems I deleted it. Oops.

Next post will have a photo. Promise.

Lush The Sacred Truth Fresh Face Mask

I've been stressed. So I'm blogging as a way to relieve that stress because grad school sucks.

Anyway, on to happier thoughts. 

Mask Time.

I have gone through five lush masks and kept the containers. I was supposed to redeem those for my free one but...I forgot-of course. Next one will be free because I will remember. Anyway,  I really wanted to buy the cupcake one but they were all out. Bummer. So I picked this one up. 

Lush claims:

Revive your complexion with ginseng and ginkgo leaf to boost blood circulation, whilst honey, yoghurt and free range eggs leave skin soft and moisturised. Wheatgrass is full of nutrients to feed your skin, whilst the enzymes in fresh papaya will strip away dead skin, helping to give you a gorgeous glow. Smoothe a generous layer of this mask onto your face and leave for 10 to 15 minutes and let the ingredients get to work before washing off gently with warm water.

The first thing I want to talk about is the color. I love green face masks. I just feel like thats what color they all should be. Anyway, this one is pale green. I dig it.

Out of all the Lush masks I have tried so far, this has the best texture. It feel silky. And whipped. Actually it may be the best texture in a face mask that I have tried...ever.

So it goes on like your typical mask (all smooth like) and dries pretty tightly. 

It rinses easily. 

After my face is a teeny bit dry but feels smooth. Especially my nose area where I get blackheads. And my skin feels really soft after also.

Now the smell of it is..bleh. It smells natural for sure. It's nothing too bad but there are definitely better smelling face masks. 

Overall, I really like it but I probably wouldn't buy it again. 

Worst Foundations I Have Tried

A couple weeks ago I did a post of my favorite foundations...so I thought I would go ahead and do a post with the worst foundations I have tried. 

I'm by no means an expert but I thought I would give my opinions anyway....

So let's get started.

1. Maybelline Shine Free Stick Foundation

I was all excited to try a stick foundation-especially a shine free one as I do tend to get oil. This doesn't control anything. I look like any oily beast. Then it has the nerve to not even last a month. And the shade selection sucks. Sorry Maybelline. This is a fail. 

2.Clinique Superbalanced Makeup

I was all types of excited for this foundation. Having combination/oily skin is a challenge. You have to find a foundation that controls the oily parts of your face while moisturizing the dry parts. Clinique Superbalanced is supposed to excel at that but actually it fails spectacularly. It's not a bad foundation, if you don't read the claims and don't have any expectation.  I remember "liking" it at the time...back when I didn't know any better.

It did match at least though.

3. Bare Minerals Original Foundation

This is the one on the list I hate the least. If you used the right brush and really loaded it on, it's decent. I just hate the fact that it takes so much work, makes a mess, and made my face itch. The color selection is awesome though.

That was a pretty short list actually. Hopefully by the end of the year I can add on to it. I picked up NARS Sheer Glow and Smashbox Studio Skin so I'll be reviewing those sometime in the future. 

Stay tuned!!