NYX Haul!!

First of all, may I start off with the fact that I hate the word haul.  Its just some stuff I have but people don't love things titled- "stuff I have".  Anyway....with that aside- NYX!  I know a lot of people are still in the dark about NYX cosmetics.  Time to see the light and get to an Ulta near you.  NYX is awesome.  You really do get high end results with mass market prices.  Today I picked up some NYX stuff and I thought I would share witcha-

I picked up another Cream Blush in Hot Pink (I hit the pan in my last one- time for a refill!), another Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk and a Boudoir  Mascara in Pin Up Tease.  I LOVE their Cream Blushes!  They are AWESOME and SO pigmented!  The Hot Pink is universally flattering and my favorite.  It gives you the most AMAZING flush- "I just got done working out"- look.  take a peek

I also picked up ANOTHER Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk.  These are on my HOLY GRAIL list.  You know- beauty products that you just cant live without?!  Yeah, these have achieved that status.  I use them as an eye shadow base when using really vibrant colors.  They make the colors POP!  They are also awesome for inner tear duct work- to open the eye.  I'm sure I will post some pictures to come with it featured.  LOVE them.  

The only thing that I was worried about is this mascara.  I got it because it was on for 1/2 off and I have heard great things about NYX mascaras.  I opened it up and right away noticed how globby it is.  Not good.  I put it on OVER my go to L'Oreal Million Lash.  It actually looked good and was pretty easy to work with.  We will have to see what it does on virgin lashes- I will have to let you know what I think down the road.

Have YOU tried NYX?  What are your faves?  

L'Oreal goodies!

A little while back I posted that I really wanted to try out the L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine.  I saw it swatched online and it is BEAUTIFUL.  I LOVES me some gold...REALLY loves me some gold.  I love the shimmer, the metallic finish- everything- so when I saw this shade I knew it was meant to be mine.  The L'Oreal Infallible shadows are almost IDENTICAL to the Armani Eyes to Kill.  The packaging is the same, the product is the same, the finish is the same- but the price is definitely not the same.  The Armani version runs $32 and the L'Oreal version runs $7.  Here are pictures so you can see-

Armani Eyes to Kill

It is the most BEAUTIFUL finish.  They are velvety and easy to blend, metallic and pigmented.  It is basically a pressed pigment shadow which means it can have some fall out (where you have little pieces all over your face after).  I would suggest using a damp brush and mushing it in the cap until you have a really emulsified texture before you put it on your eye.  These are AWESOME- definitely something I would pick up another 4 or 5 colors...hee hee.  

The other thing that I picked up from L'Oreal was their Color Riche Lip Balm.  There is a new trend right now for you lippies out there.  It's the pigmented lip balms.  I love this idea- especially for spring.  We are all out and about, hiking, swiming, BBQing, and you dont want to wear a heavy lip stick.  The colored lip balms are light, hydrating and protective like a lip balm but they are tinted or pigmented like a gloss or a lip stick.  Best of both worlds!  I love them because you dont have the horrible lip stick lip peelage problem.  You know what I'm talking about- two hours after you put lipstick on, your lips are dry and peeling.  Not with these.  

Caring Coral

Swatched- its very sheer

As you can see- this one isnt super pigmented- I would say its closer to a gloss.  I put it on though- and it is NICE on the lips.  This is one for the purse FOR SURE.  Have you tried any of these fun L'Oreal products?  Which ones did you get? Did you love them or leave them?

Ulta Haulage!

I get giddy when a box arrives from Ulta!  It's like a box full of magic!  With spring approaching, there are so many new fun things that I had to give a try and I picked up some oldies but goodies too.  Ulta is awesome because they have awesome sales, coupons to boot and free shipping over $25.  Let's take a look, shall we?

From L'Oreal I got the Infallible Shadow in Eternal Sunshine and Color Riche Lip Balm in Caring Coral.  From NYX, I got a Cream Blush in Hot Pink, a Jumbo Eye shadow Pencil in Milk and Boudoir Mascara in Pin Up Tease.  From Revlon I got Photo Ready Powder in Fair/Light and Photo Ready Makeup in Shell.  From Maybelline I got a Superstay 24 in Infinite Petal and Superstay 10 Stain Gloss in Cool Coral.  I also picked up my favorite Moisturizer from Olay- the Total Effects for Mature Skin and Ulta always gives you fun new samples with your order.  This time I got the Exuviance Restorative Cream sampler, the  AHAVA Extreme Eye Cream sampler and the Benefit Porefessional sampler.  Phew....I got through it.


So many things to photograph, swatch and review!  I cant wait!  What are you the most curious about?  I am really interested in the Revlon Photo Ready makeup- it is getting PHENOM reviews and being compared to Make Up For Ever HD Makeup that runs over $40!  I'm also interested in the Maybelline lip goodies...I'm a mommy- I don't have time to worry about how my lips are holding up.  I kiss and love them and they hate it when they wear my red lips all over their faces- so we shall see how these work out!


Let me know if there is anything that you are interested in trying out that I can review for you!  I may already have it :)  Have a sunny Monday full of bubbles and smiles!

Yes To Cucumber Wipes? Trial Review...

I received a box of trial sized goodies in the mail the other day.  It had a mini Suave Flexible hold Hairspray and a mini dry shampoo (which I own the big ones of and I LOVE the minis for my purse!), some L'Oreal Ever Smooth Shampoo, Conditioner and leave in, 2 Axe products- one hair pomade and one body spray, a trial of the new L'Oreal Facial Primer and a  Yes To Cucumbers Makeup removing wipes.  I was actually excited to try these wipes.  I used to pack them in my Pro case because they are handy for little messes but I have never removed all my face makeup with them before.  

I just LOVE my Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover, and I love my Clairsonic that I use to cleanse with.  I wear waterproof eyeliner a lot of the time and usually two coats of mascara, so if a wipe could remove my eye makeup effectively and not irritate- I'm all over that!  It usually takes me three cotton balls to completely get all the black off my eyes.  So I used one side of the wipe to do my eye makeup and then the other side to remove the face makeup.  After that, I used a cotton ball with my eye makeup remover to see how well everything came off.  If you are sqeemish- don't look.  :)

Eye makeup removed

Eye makeup close up

Face makeup removed

All the extra after the fact...

Well it didn't take all my eye makeup off- but it wasn't horrible.  My skin felt refreshed but not necessarily clean.  I think these are awesome for travel, purse use and touch ups but as for nightly cleaning- I will stick to my traditional eye makeup remover and cotton ball. 

Most Versatile Everyday Beauty Look

I get lots of requests for ways to look naturally beautiful for any occasion.  I had to really rack my brain for universally flattering colors, combinations, skin tones and something for every level of expertise.  So- I came up with this look.  Isnt it effortless?  Isnt it easy?  Bridal, school photos, going to Walmart, the DMV- everything.  You can just wake up and go this way.  The ease of application is unparalleled.  What do you think?

HAHA!!  JUST KIDDING!!  APRIL FOOLS!!

Photography compliments of my six year old- Sophia.