Mani Mondays | Revlon Minted

Good morning! I decided to change my posts, "NOTW", to "Mani Mondays". The reason being because 1) I usually post my nail polish of the week on Mondays, and 2) I think it sounds cute! Regardless of the name, it is the polish that is on my nails for the week! 

First, I primed my nails with a base coat, Orly Bonder. As my base, I used Revlon Minted. I thought it would be perfect for spring! For an accent nail design, I went for a simple flower. All you do is add 5 dots in a circle/flower shape, and then the center dot of the flower. You can choose whatever colors you like. For the white petals I used a white polish from Wet 'n Wild. Finally, for the accented middle dot, I used Essie Beyond Cozy. I used a dotting tool, but if you don't have that, you can also use a toothpick or the tip of a bobby pin; they both work great. Don't forget to seal your nails with a top coat!

April Favorites 2013

I haven't posted a favorite items post since February. I did not really use any products in March that stood out to me to be considered favorites. But this month, I have a few items!

• Murad Oil-Control Mattifier - I have enjoyed this product this month. It mattifies my face while providing sun protection and some hydration throughout the day. For an in depth review, click here. 
• C.O. Bigelow - Although this shaving cream is advertised for men and shaving their beards, I started using it after my boyfriend raved about it. It works just like any other shaving cream/foam. The only difference is the scent. It has a minty unisex scent to it, and makes my shaving experience a little more refreshing.
• Dove Dry Shampoo - Some one recommended that I try Dove's dry shampoo since I did not like the one Tresemme offered. I definitely prefer the scent and the action of the Dove better.
• Tarte Amazonian clay blush in Dollface - I love Tarte's blushes, and although this one is a mini delux size, the quality is still present. It has great pigmentation, lasts all day, and gives the perfect pink shade.

What did you enjoy this month?

FOTD and To Cut or Not to Cut?

I know its a duck face, but whatevers! I don't mind them hehe. Here is what is on my face:

-Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Ecru

- Tarte Smooth Operator Concealer in Fair

- Maybelline Shine Control Loose Powder

- Tarte Amazonian clay blush in Dollface

- Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Brown Smolder (eyebrows)

- Anastasia Clear Eyebrow Gel

- Tarte Call of the Wild Eye Palette: Wild, Call, and Instinct

- Rimmel Scandal Eyes eyeliner in Black

- Eyeko Skinny Brush mascara

- Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle

I have been thinking about cutting my hair about an inch or two for the summer months and to give my ends new beginnings. Also, I have a love hate relationship with my bangs. Usually, they style easily no matter how long or short they are. But I guess they are in an awkward stage where they don't look good. I want to grow them out, but at the same time, I can't stand this awkward stage.

To cut or not to cut, that is the question.

Instagram!

Yay! I am now on Instagram! I have finally decided to use this as a social networking. So go ahead and look me up and follow me! @simplecharmbeauty

Don't forget to also follow me on these other networks:

Twitter: @SimpleCharmBeau
Bloglovin: Simple Charm Beauty

theBalm Meet Matt(e) Nude

theBalm Meet Matt(e) Nude is an eyeshadow palette that I received from a giveaway I won from Jennifer at There's Always Time For Lipstick. This palette comes with 9 huge matte eyeshadows that are .9 oz each! The retail value is $42 and can be found at theBalm. 

I love the packaging of this palette! It is thin and can be easily stored somewhere. The palette closes with a magnet and also has a good sized mirror. There is a wide range of color choices in this palette and leans to the warmer side. They apply buttery smooth and I have not experienced any fall out. 

Many of these shadows appear to be on the dark side for me, so I don't wear it on a normal basis. I think this would be nice for someone who is looking to wear nude colors for an evening. Overall, it is a nice palette =)

L-R: Matt Johnson, Matt Garcia, Matt Malloy

L-R: Matt Rosen, Matt Wood, Matt Singh 

L-R: Matt Abdul, Matt Lombardi, Matt Hung

April Wish-list!

Woo-hoo! I'm done with finals, and done with this semester! It is such a relief to know that nothing else is due! So now begins my summer =) I'm sorry I have been a bit MIA, but it is because I wanted to finish this semester and focus on that. So here I am, back again!

I have several items on my wishlist today. I may not purchase them all, or it may take a while to get them, but I would really like to try these!

1. Beauty Blender - This looks so cool and I have tried a "dupe" for it, but I just didn't get the concept. My best friend told me she loves hers and is worth the investment. So one day I will save for this to try it out.

2. MAC Frankly Scarlet - I want to try a red blush. I know they look crazy in the pan, but they give a pretty "snow-white" glow to you. There are a few options out there, but thought it would be cool to try a MAC blush instead of getting Tarte or Nars. What do you think?

3. Tarte Amazonian clay waterproof liner in black - I saw a YouTube video about this liner and it looked so smooth and buttery. The brush looks cute and so does the packaging! 

4. Stila All Day Waterproof Eyeliner - I have tried a different pen before, but didn't like it. I heard from several reviews that this one is a great, long-lasting, smudge-proof pen! 

5. Stila Convertible Color in Petunia - I had originally wanted Lilium or Gerbana, but thought they were pretty similar to other blushes I have. Petunia looks like a nice bright pink/corally color which is lovely!

What is on your wishlist?

Where Am I?

Hello lovelies! I know I have been somewhat MIA lately, but this upcoming week is my last week of the semester so I am busy studying and preparing for the finals. So don't worry! Just haven't really blogged due to all that is going on. I want to finish the semester strong and focus on that, so I will be back to normal schedule right after this week! See you then! <3

Pantene Ultimate 10 BB Créme

Its Monday! The start of a new week! This week is my last week of classes for the semester and the following week are my finals! Summer is just around the corner! 

Speaking of summer, since I am planning on being out in the sun often and swimming, my hair will probably be unhealthy and dry. So I have been on the search for finding items that can help provide extra moisture and also keep my hair healthy. 

Lately I have been using a shampoo and conditioner and I am not too thrilled about it. Supposedly, the conditioner has argon oil in it, but it has done absolutely nothing for my hair which disappoints me. My hair is lacking the moisture and silkiness that it use to have. I was in the market looking for something that would make my hair frizz free, soft and silky, conditioned, and healthy looking. I saw a commercial on TV about this new product...Pantene Ultimate 10 BB Créme.

"Inspired by skincare's BB phenomenon, this leave-in formula gives hair a healthy look while preparing it for enhanced styling control and a silky, smooth finish." It can be found at drugstores for about $6.

This is what it does:

1. Repair for rough hair

2. Strength against damage

3. Silky softness

4. Brilliant shine

5. Smoothing

6. Moisture

7. Frizz control

8. Heat protection

9. Manageability

10. Tamed fly-aways

I have had a 10 in 1 hair product before that did live up to some of its claims, so I wanted to see how well this one would hold up. First off, my hair is not rough, so I do not know how well it does that. Since I need to get a hair trim, I have split ends right now, so I am not sure how well it provides strength against damage. My hair does tend to get silky with this, but not as silky as I have had with other products. Next, I am looking for the perfect product that will give me the beautiful shine in my hair, but this one does an okay job at it. It does smooth my hair and provides a little of the extra moisture that I have not been receiving from my conditioner. It does not control all of my frizz or tame my fly aways. This disappoints me because I live in a humid climate and when it rains, my hair poofs out and looks like a mess. I usually never pay any attention to the heat protection claims because I use a separate heat protectant anyways. 

Would I repurchase? No, this product is just okay. It makes a lot of claims, and doesn't fulfill all of them for me. It may be different for you, but it just wasn't the miracle product I have been searching for. I guess the hunt must continue!

If you have any suggestions for your miracle hair products, let me know in a comment!

100+ Followers!

Yay! I've reached 100+ followers! Thank you so much for supporting me and leaving comments. It means so much to me and it does encourage me to write more posts and I love getting your feedback! I truly enjoy doing this and have found it to be my hobby!

Now I have a question for you! I know there are times that I have writer's block and I have to come up with something! It may be sad that I have only been doing this for four months and get writer's block but with school and everything, I just need some time to think it through to write a nice post, instead of a quick pointless one! What kind of posts would you like to see on my blog?

Brightside Beauty Blog Hop - Cohost!

Hey lovelies! I got a chance to be a co-host on Meet Me on the Bright Side's Brightside Beauty Blog Hop! Read below to find out more information!

<center> <a href="http://meetmeonthebrightside.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Meet Me on the Brightside" src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/kaquino21/Blohhopbutton.jpg"/></a></center>

Happy Friday Bloggers! The weekend is just about here! Come link up to my Brightside Beauty Blog Hop for a chance to gain new followers and find amazing new reads. Linky list will be open now until this Monday night 11:59 pm, Ohio time. There are only a few guidelines , so read, follow, and let the fun begin. Don't forget to come back every Friday to join the blog hop and enter future giveaways :) The blog this weekend with the most views will win a co-host spot on next weekend's hop so get your network on :)

Rimmel ScandalEYES

Rimmel ScandalEYES Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner is a longlasting liner that is "waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, heat-proof, humidity-proof, and scandal-proof". (Wow that is a lot of "proofs" to live up too!) The two shades I bought were Black and Nude.  They are around $4-5 at a drugstore. I got mine in a Buy 1 get 1 50% off. These applied very smoothly and are very pigmented. I don't think I've ever had a black eyeliner so black! Since they do apply smoothly, they are on the soft side and after about two days, I need to sharpen them. 

 <--------- Here is my eye makeup in the morning.
And below is my makeup 6 hours later. There was some traveling and it did run into the inner corners and almost gave me "raccoon"eyes on the bottom.

(L-R: water on Black, normal Black, smudged Black----smudged Nude, normal Nude, water on Nude)

So how about those claims we read earlier? Well, it is water proof to an extent. It won't rub off when water is applied. However, in my water line, it does end up washing away a bit. I live in a hot climate were there is heat, humidity, and of course that brings about sweat. As far as smudge proof, it failed for me. I don't like when my eye liner smudges and runs all over my eyes. So since it smudges, I really don't know if it is heat-proof, humidity-proof, or sweat-proof.

Would I repurchase? No. I've been looking for an eyeliner that won't budge throughout the day, and sadly this was not the one.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments are "a hydrating lip product that nourishes, protects, and plumps lips." Ingredients: sugar, a blend of nourishing oils (meadowfoam seed, black currant, seed avocado, and jojoba), grapeseed polyphenols, avobenzone and octinoxate. The sugar prevents moisture loss, the oils deeply moisturize dry areas, grapeseed polyphenols protect, smooth, and soften, and the avobenzone and octinoxate provide SPF 15 sun protection.

Fresh has 7 tinted lip treatments and one clear lip treatment for a total of eight choices, each at $22.50.

I received this Beauty Insiders mini set as my Sephora birthday gift. It came with a mini size "Sugar" and "Rose" lip treatment. It is pretty much a lip balm, one is clear and the other is a rosy pink tinted lip balm.

They are very nourishing and my lips do feel soft and smooth after use. Honestly, this is not my first choice for when my lips are dry. I prefer to use a lip butter or rose salve. I use these lip treatments when my lips are normal, but could use a little moisture boost. I did not notice any lip plumping properties when it was applied.

I absolutely love the packaging! The lip balms come in a metal case that can twist the product up. It feels so classy and is pretty neat. Apart from Sugar, all the tinted balms come in a case with the color it corresponds too. Sugar comes in a brown case, although the balm is clear.

All of them have a sweet lemony scent. It makes sense for the clear balm, but I guess I expected a rose scent for the Rose tinted balm. The lemon scent does indeed make my lips feel "fresh". 

Rose swatches like a nice rosy pink, but barely shows a hint of color on my lips. Obviously Sugar will appear clear. 

Would I repurchase? No, I don't think I can justify paying $22.50 for a lip balm. There are plenty other lip products out there that are similar or even better then these. However, it is always nice to have a "high end" looking lip balm.

Murad Oil-Control Mattifier

I have combination skin (oily t-zone, normal cheeks). For the past seven months, I used Estée Lauder Oil Free Creme as my morning moisturizer before I apply my makeup. However, my face would look very shiny within the first couple of hours of having makeup on. I got tired of having a shiny oily face and decided I needed a way to change this.

One day, as I was browsing sephora.com, I saw the Murad Oil-Control Mattifier and clicked on it for more info. Here is what it said:

"A three-in-one moisturizer that mattifies immediately, controls oil for up to 8 hours, and effectively reduces breakouts."

Murad is known for their skin clearing products and they have a good reputation for it. I also read that the mattifier was not only a moisturizer that controlled oil, but that it also had an SPF, perfect! I went to Sephora as soon as I could to get a sample of it. I loved it so much, that I bought the full size! 

The mattifier is $39.50 and comes in a 1.7 oz tube. The SPF is 15, which is a little lower than most daily moisturizers, but it works fine. It also has Willow Bark Extract that helps manage breakouts and clear the skin of impurities. Lastly, it contains Argan Extract that is suppose to reveal softer, smoother skin.

My Experience:

I was a little thrown off by the smell at first. To me, the mattifier smelt like Elmer's Glue. (child hood memories!)

But after a few days of using it, I was use to it. I figured that it smelt like that because of the willow bark, but am not sure. It is not an offensive smell, but I didn't expect it to be a scent for a skin care product!

Since it is a mattifier, it is a little difficult to spread across the face. It is not as creamy as a lotion, but still hydrates the face. It takes some effort to cover your face since it won't glide on. I only use a pea-sized amount, and is a good amount for me. My makeup blends fine on top of it, and it helps my makeup feel and look fresh all day!

I have been using the mattifier for about a month now and I have seen a reduction of breakouts. Of course I will still have the occasional hormonal breakout, but overall I have seen improvement. My skin has also been smoother and softer, although I think this has been due to other factors as well.

Would I repurchase? Yes I would! It works great and does exactly what it says!

NOTW: China Glaze Light As Air

China Glaze Light As Air is a dusty lavender shade. The nail polish is from the Up & Away collection. Application was smooth and surprisingly the polish dried quickly! I did not observe any streakiness and the polish evenly covered my nail in one coat. I added a second coat because I usually do that!

Look at these lovely flowers! They opened beautifully. I gave them to my mom for her birthday over the weekend.

EOTD - Every Day

I have recently started wearing eye shadow on a normal basis. I like to keep things subtle and natural, and sometimes eye shadow can give a little "oopmh" to help eyes stand out! I used the Tarte Call of the Wild palette for today's look. This is what I normally do everyday.

1. Apply an eyelid primer

2. Use "Call" to cover eyelid from lash to brow

3. Apply "Jungle" in the crease

4. Highlight underneath the brow with "Instinct"

5. Line the waterline and upper lashes with a black eye liner

6. Apply mascara

Simple enough =)

April Showers Bring May Flowers

It is now April, and where I live, it rains very often during the spring and summer months. It has its positive and negative sides. Positive because I can be cozy at home, cuddled up and reading a book or watching a movie (or I could be sleeping haha!) But rain has its negatives because I want to go to the beach or just soak up some sun rays. Regardless, rain is needed to make things grow!

For the past few years, one of my hobbies has been to plant a garden every spring. Unfortunately, I am starting a little late this year! But that is okay because it has been cold lately and plants don't do well in the cold and waterless season.

These are the seeds that I will be planting this year! I have Pansies, Verbenas, Sweet Williams, Moss Roses, Petunias, and African Daisies. They look so pretty! I am super excited and wanted to show you all one of my other hobbies =) I can't wait to see them in bloom!

This or That Tag!

This or That Tag

Jessie @ jessielalaland.blogspot.se tagged me and I thought it would be another fun post to let you guys know a little more about me!

There is no rules really, but I tag 10 lovely, lovely bloggers, the list is at the end of this post :)

MAKEUP:

Blush or bronzer?

It has to be blush! I look sickly and lifeless without it!

Lip gloss or lipstick?

Oh man, that is tough because there are some lip glosses that I love; I just recently got into lipsticks…but I guess I would have to say lipstick.

Eye liner or mascara?

Um…both?! I suppose mascara because I can make the mascara look like eyeliner as well.

Foundation or concealer?

Definitely foundation.

Neutral or color eye shadow?

Neutral!

Pressed or loose eye shadows?

Pressed

Brushes or sponges?

Brushes

NAILS:

OPI or china glaze?

OPI

Long or short?

Short

Acrylic or natural?

Natural

Brights or darks?

Both, but depends on the season. So since it is Spring/Summer than brights!

Flower or no flower? 

Depends on my mood, but mostly no flower.

BODY:

Perfume or body splash?

Perfume

Lotion or body butter?

Lotion.

Body wash or soap?

Wash

Lush or other bath company?

I’ve never tried Lush, but I like Bath and Body Works.

FASHION:

Jeans or sweat pants?

Jeans

Long sleeve or short?

Short

Dresses or skirts?

Dresses

Stripes or plaid?

Plaid

Flip flops or sandals?

Sandals

Scarves or hats?

Scarves, even though I don’t wear either.

Studs or dangly earrings?

I love studs! =)

Necklaces or bracelets?

Definitely necklaces.

Heels or flats?

I love both but I mostly wear flats, although heels make me feel pretty and girly ;)

Cowboy boots or riding boots?

Cowboy boots

Jacket or hoodie?

Hoodies are so comfy!

Forever 21 or charlotte russe?

Forever 21

Abercombie or Hollister?

They are pretty much both the same.

Saks 5th or nordstrom?

Um? Nordstrom I guess.

HAIR:

Curly or straight?

Curly, it looks so pretty

Bun or ponytail?

Ponytail, just because it takes me forever to get a perfect bun

Bobby pins or butterfly clips

Bobby pins

Hair spray or gel?

Spray.

Long or short?

I love both haha.

Light or dark?

Light

Side sweep bangs or full bangs?

Side swept bangs

Up or down?

Down

RANDOM:

Rain or shine?

Shine! =)

Summer or winter?

My mood changes every time! Sometimes I like summer more, and other times I like winter

Fall or spring?

Fall for sure

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate

East coast or west coast?

East coast. Never been to the west coast

I tag:

OPI Addict @ Addicted to OPI

Christine @ Little Red Bow

Doctor Pretty @ Paging Doctor Pretty

RosyChicc @ RosyChicc

Meesha @ Strawberry Hearts Chocolate Darts

Jennifer @ There's Always Time for Lipstick

RachaelCatherine @ Little Purple Orchid

Jess @ Let's Play Makeup

Annick @ thesmallthingsinlife 

A N D Y S T Y L E @ A N D Y S T Y L E