Monday, December 24, 2012

Announcing the 2013 Color of the Year: Emerald Green!

Beautysets - Emerald Green - 2013 Color of the Year

As a green-eyed lady, I'm loving this choice!  What do you think of the announcement of Emerald Green as the color of the year?  Have any opinions on the products above?  Let me know in the comments!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Influenster's Holiday Voxbox 2012!

Beautysets - Influenster Holiday Voxbox

I just got this bad boy in the mail yesterday, and I couldn't be more excited!  For those of you who aren't familiar with Influenster, they send out VoxBoxes full of free goodies for Influential members to test and review. There are a few new products in this VoxBox that I can't wait to test out, as well as a few old favorites.  The Kiss Nail Dress that I got this time around is absolutely beautiful, and will look wonderful at a New Year's Eve party!  The Goody Quick Style Paddle Brush actually made me laugh out loud... It looks so goofy, but I bet it works, and I can't wait to test it out!  I didn't even know that the Quaker Real Medleys oatmeal existed, but as an oatmeal lover, I cannot wait to taste it!  I have tried Eboost before when it came in my Naturals VoxBox earlier this year, but didn't like the flavor.  This time around I got a different one, so hopefully they will be able to redeem themselves!  NYC New York Color's Liquid Lipshine is one of my all-time favorite lip products, so getting another one was an absolute delight.  Finally, the Sole Society Coupon, worth $25, will undoubtedly feed my shoe addiction!

As my way of wishing everyone a merry christmas, I'll share the $25 Sole Society code with you -- it's INFLUENSTER25, and is good towards your first purchase!  Enjoy!

Have any of you received this VoxBox or tested out any of the products?  Let me know in the comments!

NOTE: I still have several Influenster invites left!  Leave a comment if you'd like one, and I'll be in touch!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas Wishes


Beauty Wishlist 2012


We all have them:  those beauty items that you covet all year long, but just can't bring yourself to buy because of how dang expensive they are.  These are the items that make up my holiday wish list.  Here's a little insight into what I'm wishing for this year!

  1. Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in-1 Mascara, $19 I'm usually not a big spender when it comes to mascaras, sticking to Maybelline to make my lashes pop.  Maybe that's why I've been so dissatisfied.  I've heard rave reviews of this mascara, and hope I'll be able to try it out for myself!
  2. NARS Orgasm Blush, $28 The mother of all blushes, according to the beauty blogosphere.  I own a supposed dupe for it (Elf's Candid Coral, check out my post here), but I've heard that nothing beats the real thing.  With a hefty price tag, it's not something I would normally buy for myself... but hopefully Santa will deliver!
  3. Julep Nail Polish, $14  I don't even care what shade it is. This luxury nail color brand is all over Pinterest and even made the list of Oprah's favorite things 2012.  I want it all over my nails.
  4. MAC 286 Brush, $31  I really need a good blending brush.  Mine just ain't cuttin' it.  I've heard that MAC brushes are wonderful, and I'd love something that would last me a long time!
  5. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, $43  The most expensive on the list.  I'm not a big foundation wearer--I've always had fairly clear skin, so I just like a bit of sheer coverage for color control.  Tinted Moisturizer is my go-to, and I've heard this is just about as good as it gets.
  6. Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $19  This is one of my tried-and-true products.  It's the only liquid eyeliner that has ever had a brush I've been able to work with, it stays all day, and WOW is it ever pigmented!  I'm running out of my supply and need to get my hands on more... And I'd love to try out a few other shades from their rainbow supply of colors!
  7. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, $13  I really do love this stuff.  It's super moisturizing, and lasts a really long time.  I have it in "Honey" and "Romantic."  I use "Honey" almost every day, but would love to expand my collection for more options!

So that's my Christmas Beauty List for this year... What's yours?  Any comments on the products I'm just dying to get ahold of?  Let me know in the comments!



Friday, December 14, 2012

Review: Spoiled by Wet n Wild Nail Color


Shades from Left to Right:  Pick Your Poison, Shrimp on the Barbie, Toad-Ally Amazing, Pumping Gas


OVERALL RATING: 9/10

PROS:  Long-wearing, large color selection, opaque, large brush for complete coverage, colors are true to the bottle

CONS:  Some brushes have frayed bristles


My obsession du jour has recently been nail polish. In the past several months alone, I've more than doubled my collection.  I blame Pinterest.

However, I've managed to expand my collection without breaking the bank.  I've fallen in love with a drugstore line!

Wet n Wild, known for their extremely inexpensive yet relatively high-quality cosmetics, has released a new line of professional-quality nail polishes available exclusively at CVS.  The line is called Spoiled, and the polishes cost only $2 a piece!

The polishes themselves are very true to the color of the bottle.  I have only used "Pick Your Poison" and "Pumping Gas" so far out of the four I own, because those are the more fall/winter appropriate colors.  Both colors look exactly the same dry on my nails as they do in the bottle.

The brushes that come with the polish are very wide, so it's easy to cover almost the whole nail at once.  The colors are also very opaque, so you're usually good to go after just one coat.  The only issue that I have experienced with this line is that some of the brush bristles are a little frayed out, which can be problematic when working with precise paint application!  This is not the case for all of the bottles, though, and the brushes that don't have this problem are fantastic.

I have had these polishes last up to two weeks without any chipping, which is remarkable considering how much I use my hands!  Other polishes usually chip within the first few days for me.

Overall, I would highly recommend these polishes to someone who can't afford more expensive brands like OPI, Essie, or Zoya.  These get the job done just as well, and with so many colors to choose from,  there's no need to splurge when you can save!

Have you used any of the Spoiled polishes?  Which shade is your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Instant Relaxation Made Possible

Top:  Dr. Teal's Foaming Milk Bath with Milk and Honey - $6
Bottom:  Bath and Body Works Luxe Bath in Sleep; Warm Milk and Honey - $17

For those of you who are not yet in college, don't remember college, or are in denial about college, let me tell you: finals suck.  I was carrying so much stress and tension in my body after finishing my finals today that my muscles actually began to hurt.  Not to mention that my skin has been acting up because of the dry winter weather.  Ugh.

The nice thing about finishing finals, though, is that I'm able to come home from school.  Home, for me, means comfort, family, and a big-ass jacuzzi bathtub. 

After hearing about my stress, tension, and dry skin, my incredible mother went out and got be a few things to help me unwind.  One of them was Dr. Teal's Foaming Milk Bath with Milk and Honey, which is incredibly affordable and is supposed to soothe dry, irritated skin.  The other was from Bath and Body Works' aromatherapy line; their Sleep: Warm Milk and Honey Luxe Bath.  Apparently she'd had that one stashed away somewhere for a while, because as far as I know, it's now discontinued.

I put a generous amount of both in the tub, let the water run until it was steaming, and soaked for a good 45 minutes.  Let me tell you, I have never been more relaxed in my life.  Not only did the milk bath moisturize my skin and repair some of the dry, cracked areas, but the scent was enough to send me straight to heaven and back while allowing me to unwind.

Both of these products are a must for anyone with dry winter skin or someone who just struggles with stress and needs a little relaxation.  The Luxe Bath from B&BW has been discontinued in that particular scent, but I have a feeling that their new bath soak in Honey Vanilla will substitute nicely.

Have any of you used either of these products before?  Have a relaxing bath time story to share?  Let me know in the comments!

Sweet dreams!



Monday, December 10, 2012

Newest Beauty Buy: elf Studio Blush in Candid Coral

While shopping at Target the other day for something completely unrelated, I once again found myself in the cosmetics section of the store.  I was thrilled to find that they had an elf display--they seem to be hard to find where I'm from!

I had been reading a lot about elf's Studio Blushes, particularly a shade called "Candid Coral."  According to the blogosphere, Candid Coral is a close dupe for the ever-coveted NARS Orgasm shade.  Well, it was only $3 compared to the $26 I would have to shell out for an Orgasm compact, so I snatched it up!

I've only used it a few times, but I have to say that I'm super impressed!  The product is silky soft, and is a perfectly flattering shade for my skin tone.  It gives me a subtle flush that looks natural, but with the slightest bit of gold shimmer.  I don't own NARS Orgasm blush, but I imagine that this comes pretty close!

Also, the packaging for this product is unreal for only $3.  It's a hard, sleek black plastic that is sturdy and reliable.

For such an unbelievably low price, this is my new go-to blush!  I plan on picking up a few more shades to test out as well, and may deliver a full review with swatches when I have some more!


Have you used elf Studio Blush?  What do you think?  Which shade is your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!