Cosmetics Company Store Mini Haul!

I went to a Cosmetics Company Store for the first time ever and I was beyond excited.  I tried to keep it under control because I could have easily walked away with half of the store and an empty bank account...  I let myself buy three things and here they are!

The first think I picked up was the Estee Lauder Raisins eyeshadow duo.  I have been wanting this for a while now thanks to Tanya Burr and Zoella... Every time they used it I was so intrigued by it and I had to have it.  Luckily I came across it in the store because I have heard that it is difficult to find recently.  Anyway, I absolutely love it.  The lighter color is a shimmery light pink champagne color and the darker color is a slightly shimmery deep burgundy color.  Until the Naked 3 palette I would have been nervous to use these colors myself, but I am loving this palette so far.  Not to mention the packaging is amazing!

This is a light swatch of each color.  The shadows are very pigmented and blend nicely.

Next is also thanks to Tanya Burr... She has spoken about the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and when I saw it in the store at a discounted price, I had to have it.  They had quite a few shades so I was really able to play around with them to find my perfect match.  I chose 1W1 Bone 17.  I'm not sure what the numbers correspond to but I thought I would include them anyway just in case.  I am very happy with this foundation.  It is nice to apply, and of course I use my beloved beauty blender.  It does not look too cakey on my skin and it really does stay in place.  I have noticed that it can feel a bit tacky on the skin, but as it sets, most of the stickiness goes away.  The color works very well for me and I am very impressed with the formulation of the product.  If only I had tried this sooner!

It is more of a yellow based shade, and it blends nicely to match my skin.  It is not too think but it does have a consistency that goes along with a long wearing foundation.

The last item that I picked up was definitely an impulse buy.  It is a MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Centre of Attention.  I have never owned a MAC Mineralize Skinfinish and this one just caught my eye.  This product is highly pigmented and very shimmery.  I do use a very light hand with it, and for me there are no chunks of glitter or anything crazy, but there is a lot of shimmer.  I find myself straying away from the gold portion on its own because it is a very true gold.  However, the gold and the pink can be mixed for a nice highlight, and the gold can come in handy with certain looks.  The pink is much easier to wear, and it transfers onto the skin as a very light pearly pale pink.  When blended out I do not see the pink shade, but the shimmer does stay.

The top swatch is the pink on its own, the middle is the gold and pink together, and the bottom is the gold on its own.

I am very excited to have finally made it to a Cosmetics Company Store, and I know that I will need to visit one again in the near future...  It is definitely Disneyland for makeup addicts!

Sephora, Bath and Body Works, & Target Haul!

Because who doesn't like shopping?!?!  I picked up some random goodies and wanted to share them with you.  I hope you enjoy!  :)

Products mentioned:
Beauty Blender http://bit.ly/1kwqWjb
Benefit They're Real Mascara http://bit.ly/1uefgbx
BBW Hand Soap Provence Garden http://bit.ly/1uefz6k
BBW Hand Soap Wildberry Freesia http://bit.ly/ShIfNv
BBW Hand Soap Island White Pineapple http://bit.ly/RbXQwR
BBW Hand Soap Wild Poppies http://bit.ly/1krI5th
Method Pure Naked Moisturizing Body Wash (I couldn't find the exact scent online... sorry!) http://tgt.biz/1hkuEu8
St Ives Collagen Elastin Body Lotion http://tgt.biz/1krJ8t5
Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Refreshing Toner http://tgt.biz/1hkv0kv
Conair Ceramic Wood Natural Shine Booster Round Brush http://tgt.biz/1nQt3Ug
Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil http://tgt.biz/1iLIKEr

Recent Haul!

I recently took advantage of the Ulta 20% off members only sale.  I did try to hold back a little bit but I did pick up a few things.  I also have a couple of items from other stores included as well.  I hope you enjoy the video! (I thought the thumbnail was too funny to change... we will see if I keep it)

Links to products mentioned:
Clarisonic Luxe Facial Brush head: http://tinyurl.com/l5abchg
Ulta Super Blender Sponge: http://tinyurl.com/mhoycks
NYX Dark Circle Concealer: http://tinyurl.com/k5xvq73
Revlon Colorstay Foundation: http://tinyurl.com/nqkp5ur
NARS Sheerglow Foundation: http://tinyurl.com/ma9xzbm
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: http://tinyurl.com/kk8kjar
Herbal Essences Naked Cleansing Conditioner: http://tinyurl.com/mrg3hzl

Another new blog post will be up shortly so keep an eye out!  :)

Mini Hair Care Haul!

I have never been one to splurge on hair products, as I am very lucky to have naturally blonde, long, stick-straight hair.  I have never really had to be a slave to a certain product, because generally all products give me the same result.  Recently however, I have been feeling bored with my hair.  I know that it is the length that makes it difficult to work with, but I can't bring myself to cut it!  Lately I have been trying nearly anything to give it a little bit more life.

I was in need of a new heat protectant spray, and while wandering thorough Target I came across the L'Oreal Boost It Blow Out Heatspray.  It claims that it gives "lasting volume."  I have used this for a couple of weeks and I will say that I do not notice any more volume than I would usually have using a non-volumizing product.  However, I do like it so far, it does the job as a heat protectant spray, and it smells great.

I have heard about Joico shampoo before, but nothing too specific.  I saw their Body Luxe Shampoo "for fullness and volume," and decided to give it a try.  I have only used it once, and I felt like it left my hair feeling comfortably clean (not like crazy squeaky-clean) but I did not notice any additional volume.  However, I have never really been a believer in "volumizing" shampoos, because I just do not see how a shampoo could really do much in that department.

I have been using a Dove conditioner that I love, but then I found the TIGI S Factor Smoothing Conditioner.  I have heard good things about this, and have always been curious about it.  It smells absolutely amazing!  I have only used it once, but it dispersed well through my hair and it has a nice, thick consistency.  I usually use a wide-toothed comb to gently comb my conditioner through my hair in the shower, and it combed through easily.  It rinsed well and my hair felt soft when it dried.  I will also admit that I can't stop sniffing it!  Seriously if you see anything from the S Factor line just smell it.  SO GOOD!

Last but not least, I have ALWAYS been curious about Big Sexy Hair products.  I have never really tried any of them before, but I saw the Root Pump spray and decided to finally give in.  It sprays out like a thin mousse if that makes sense, and I sprayed it into the roots of my damp hair and massaged it around before I blow dried it.  Unlike the rest of the products I have mentioned, I am not too crazy about the scent of this.  It is nice, but it kind of smells chemically and aerosol-y to me.  I can't put my finger on it, but it kind of reminds me of the Tresemme Dry Shampoo, which I really did not like.  Regardless of this, it's not horrible and it definitely would not keep me from using it.  I have not used this enough to say whether it makes a huge difference, but I do notice a little bit more lift and texture, which is always welcome in my opinion.  It does not really leave any residue in my hair, and I have not noticed any additional weight to my hair either.

Overall, I am very excited to have some new hair products to try out, and hopefully I will be able to form some stronger opinions about them once I have had the chance to use them more.