I've been a horrible blogger for the past few months, so in an effort to get back on track, I've got an onslaught of posts coming! Today's is a catch-up of all the latest products I've been trying out. I attempted to make a YouTube video last night, but I'm still not completely happy with the quality... so as soon as I figure out all the nuts and bolts of recording with my Canon camera, I will be re-opening my YT channel...stay tuned!
So on with my latest finds...
Sparkling Blackberry Woods from Bath & Body Works
I sampled this while shopping during the Christmas season and was immediately hooked! Regrettably, I didn't purchase it (since I was supposed to be shopping for others!). Last weekend I checked the B&BW website since they're having the huge semi-annual sale (which ends today by the way!) - and lo and behold, the Sparkling Blackberry Woods was available and super cheap! I had a 20% off coupon and ended up getting the spray, lotion, and shower gel for around $4 each!
Signature Vanillas in Lemon from Bath & Body Works
I've blogged about this scent before, and I was ecstatic to also find it on the website last weekend. At $4 each I couldn't pass these up! If you buy nothing else from Bath & Body Works, get THESE!
Prada Candy Perfume
This was at the top of my Christmas wish list this year, and my dear husband didn't disappoint! I was kind of shocked he bought it (the price tag is a little hefty by his standards - around $60 for the small bottle). But this perfume is incredible! I tested it at Ulta a while back and had to have it! It's officially described as white musks, noble benzoin with a modern caramel accord. In Layman's terms, it's a really light, sexy scent and every woman needs it in her collection!
OPI Nail Polish in Manicurist of Seville
I just picked up this polish a couple nights ago at Ulta after seeing it in a video from
MissJenFABULOUS. It's a gorgeous wine-colored shade and such a nice change from all the dark polishes I've been wearing lately. (It looks more red in this picture than it is.)
Revlon Colorburst Lip Glosses in Sunbaked and Glittering Garnet
I'm a little obsessed with the Revlon Colorburst glosses! They have the most beautiful shades, perfect shine, and they are really light and not sticky at all! I picked up these two shades before Christmas, and Bellini is next on my to-buy list.
Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched
If you don't own a tube of Baby Lips yet, be sure to grab one on your next visit to the drug store. I've said it a million times - my lips are terrible during the winter months, but this balm really helps! I also have the Baby Lips balm in Peach, but when I heard there was a lemon version, you know I was rushing out the door to get it! I skimmed over the Quenched tube a million times before, because I had no idea it was lemon scented. It's definitely my new favorite. It doesn't have any tint to it, so it's perfect for layering underneath lipstick which is what I do. Some of the other Baby Lips do have some tint to them, which is great if you aren't a big gloss or lipstick fan.
Wet 'n Wild Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil
I don't like to pay a whole lot for my bronzers, but it's hard to find a good one under $5. I usually get the one from Rimmel, but this time I opted for the one from Wet 'n Wild. I was really surprised how much I like this one! It gives a nice bronze tone to my cheekbones and is great for contouring. Plus, the one I bought has SPF 15 so it will be great to use during the summer too!
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Light/Medium
Have to admit, I was kind of out of the loop when it came to BB creams. I wasn't quite sure what all the hype was about. After reading up on them, I found that they are basically a combination of skincare and makeup. They Maybelline BB is said to blurs imperfection, brighten & even skin tone, smooth skin, hydrate, enhance, and protect with SPF 30. I haven't used mine enough to give an honest opinion, but I will say so far I haven't been too impressed.
Mary Kay Timewise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation
I'm a long-time user of Mary Kay foundations. They are one of the only brands that give me the coverage I like and don't have any scent or cause breakouts for me. I've always used their regular, medium-coverage liquid foundation and rarely strayed from that. My cousin is a Rep now, so she suggested that I try the Luminous-Wear foundation instead. It gives a more dewy finish, so it's not recommended for oily skin. My skin varies - it tends to be dry in the winter and combination in the summer. So, I gave this foundation a shot and I really, really love it! Especially during the winter, I feel like it gives my skin a glow whereas it normally looked sort of dull since it was so dry and my foundation was matte. A 1 oz. tube is $20, but it's really worth the money and just a little goes a long way!
Benefit Pore-fessional Primer
I'm forever on the hunt for a great primer, and I think I've finally found my holy grail of primers. Pore-fessional from Benefit is absolutely amazing. My skin is far from perfect, but this primer really helps give the illusion that it is! It's a really light and silky formula that minimizes the appearance of pores & fine lines and helps makeup stay put. It's $30 for a .75 oz tube, but again, totally worth it! If you don't believe me, check out this
YouTube video.
Anew Clinical Eye Lift Pro Dual Eye System
I'm nearing the 30-year-old mark, so skincare is becoming more and more important to me. My lovely Avon Rep helped me choose the Anew Dual Eye System, which I've been using for the past few months. It comes with an upper eye/brow bone gel and an under eye cream. I apply it nightly after washing my face and I feel confident it will help keep my eyes looking young and wrinkle-free! It's priced at $30, but I can't emphasize enough that it will last you a LONG time. You just need barely a dab at a time, so this isn't something you'd have to repurchase often. It's available
here.
NYC High Definition Liquid Eyeliner in Extra Black
Okay, I've tested just about every liquid eyeliner out there, in search of the perfect one. I've found that the felt tip liquid eyeliners work best for me, because I'm really horrible with a brush. To my surprise, one of the less expensive brands has become my "go-to" liner. It's from NYC, so it runs around $3 and can be found at any drug store or Walmart/Kmart. It glides on perfectly and I can easily get the "cat eye" look using it. The Loreal Lineur Intense felt tip liner is a close 2nd, but I've had better luck with the one from NYC.
Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palettes
I should feel embarrassed, as a beauty blogger, to say that I did not own either of these palettes until November. I just couldn't justify paying $50 for eyeshadow. I tend to be a little frugal with makeup, especially eyeshadows but the Naked palettes have completely changed that. I received the first palette for my birthday in November and immediately wanted the Naked 2 palette as well. My husband got me the 2nd one for Christmas and I haven't used any other shadows since. You just don't really understand how amazing these shades are until you use them. I don't like a lot of crazy color on my face, so I wear a lot of neutral shades, which makes the Naked palettes perfect for me.
From the original Naked palette, my favorites are Sin, Half Baked, Toasted, Hustle and Creep. From the Naked 2 palette, my favorites seem to shift, but right now it's Bootycall, Pistol, and Busted. All of the shades are nicely pigmented, stay on all day, and give my eyes such an extra "pop".
I also received a free
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (sample size) with the first palette. I've used it a couple times, but didn't really notice a huge difference in my shadow.
With the 2nd palette, I received a free
Urban Decay Lush Lash Mascara (also in a sample size). This mascara is FABULOUS! The brush is really different than any other I've used, and it really does an amazing job of lengthening and volumizing my lashes. I will probably be purchasing this in full-size very soon!
That's it - for now :) I hope you all have a wonderful week! As always, thanks for reading!
