Products I Regret Buying

Do you ever have those moments that you buy something, and after you use it, you realize it was totally not worth it? I have, and I'm pretty sure you have as well. 

This was honestly one of the few times that I have regretted products. I usually do research before hand, but didn't really with these items.

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser

After I finished my Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover, I bought the Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser at Target for a decent price, $4.99. Pond's has a good reputation and I have never tried any of their products. I chose the Cold Cream Cleanser which is meant to remove makeup and moisturize the skin. Well, I did as the directions said, and I still had makeup left on my face. I do not like seeing makeup on the cotton ball I use after applying witch hazel.

I only used this about 5x, and will have to throw it away.

Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes *Waterproof* Mascara

I was looking for a waterproof mascara to use during the summer. I loved the original Maybelline Colossal mascara when I was younger as it gave great volume, and decided to try the cat eye one that is waterproof. This totally sank in my book. Although the waterproof aspect was nice, this did not add any bit of volume to my eyes. 

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss

Oh the hypes of makeup! Whenever we see a hyped up product, we become attracted to it like flies. Some of us may like it, while others won't. This was one of those hyped items that I did not like. While I do enjoy the scent, the product itself did not moisturize my lips as I had heard or hoped. I will stick to the Nivea A Kiss of Moisture lip balm stick. It works wonders, and will repurchase it when mine runs out.

Thank goodness none of the products I regret buying were high end. I definitely do my research on those, and should do research for drugstore items as well, as they can quickly add up in cost.

School is Back In Session!

Image from Google

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let y'all know that today I began my 3rd year of university! It is exciting starting another semester of classes.

 ***Since I have a very busy semester ahead of me with all the classes I am taking, I would like to let you know that I will post as often as I possibly can! I really love writing and sharing posts with all of you, and I want to keep that going.*** =)

For all of you that are in school now, best of luck to you!

Much love,

L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black mascara | Demo

This is my second installment of mascara demo-ing. I previously demoed the CoverGirl Clump Crusher mascara and really enjoyed that one. The L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black mascara is around $7 at the drugstore and is marketed for lengthening. 

Although the mascara did apply some length, I don't think it is the best lengthening mascara that is out there. I have seen and used other mascaras that provide much more length. 

My New Hair | Ombre

Before/After

For the longest time, I had been debating whether or not to do ombré on my hair. Earlier this week, I bought another Revlon Frost & Glow highlighting kit again, (but this time in Blonde), and attempted to balayage/ombré my hair. It actually turned out well, but was still not as light as I wanted.

Yesterday, I got up the courage to go to the salon and get my hair ombréd by a hair stylist instead of me messing up and damaging my hair attempting to go blonder. I told the stylist that I wanted a color similar to Emma Stone's blonde, but not so yellow.

Image from Google

I was so scared to see the results. Why? Becuase 1) I have never colored my hair at a salon before, 2) I have never dyed my hair blonde, and 3) I never thought blonde would suit me. Well, I LOVED the result of my hair. Not going to lie, it took a bit to get use too since I found it so blonde, but overall I am completely satisfied with my hair color. 

What really helped was that I kept my brown roots on half of my head. If I had gone completely blonde, I don't know if I would have liked it as much. My hairstylist also added a few highlights on my bangs to brighten me up a bit.

I really do believe that there is a blonde that can suit anyone, you just have to find the right one! And of course, right now I need to be using hydrating masks for my hair to be softer and healthier looking once again.

From the back

Mani Mondays | Essie Cute As a Button

I've done such a horrible job keeping up with all the Mani Monday posts, but I am trying to do better. Like mentioned before, I like having my nails painted so hopefully it will motivate me again!

I picked up Essie Cute As a Button at Target because I thought it was a beautiful color. It is almost a pinkish coral shade. I figured it would be the perfect transition shade between summer and autumn.

 The application was a bit different than other Essie nail polishes I have used. For Cute As a Button, it was a bit thicker and goopey, but that can be fixed with some nail polish thinner. 

Look at the new ring I picked up at Charming Charlie's! It is a kind of infinity ring in silver with pretty white jewels around it, and I find it beautiful. 

Ipsy Glam Bag | August 2013

This past Thursday, I received my Ipsy bag in the mail. I am always excited when I see that shiny pink bag in the mailbox. This month's theme is "Glamour Academy". It is very fitting since school is starting up again.

This month, the bag was a purple zipper bag with "gold" emblems to imitate an Ipsy academy crest (very clever). In the bag, I got 5 items, and one of them was a full size.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay just came out with new lipsticks, and they are available in 20 different shades.

The shade I got was Anarchy which is a bright fuchsia color. The "Pigment Infusion System delivers insane color payoff with creamy shine, Maxi-Lip plumps and nourishing oils leave lips cushiony soft." After applying it, I noticed it had high pigmentation and it glided on smoothly. 

Full size: 0.09 oz, $22

Sample size: 0.03 oz, approximately $7.33

Coupon Code: IPSY, for free shipping with any lipstick purchase at urbandecay.com

MICA Beauty Cosmetics

I have never heard of this brand before, and was pretty interested in this product that I received in the bag. It is a Shimmer Powder in 17 Bronze. The shimmer powders are loose eyeshadows that are free of preservatives, chemicals, dyes, oils, and other fillers. The unique formula gives smooth eyeshadow and does not crease or pull delicate eye area.

This was the only full size item in the bag. I read somewhere that it was close to Urban Decay's Chopper. I am not too sure of it as I have not seen them side by side, but it is a gorgeous shade. The color is a shimmery bronze powder with some yellow gold in it. 

Full size: 0.1 oz, $14.95

Coupon Code: IPSY25, for 25% off any purchase at micabeauty.com

Michael Todd True Organics Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub

This is another brand I have never heard of. This product is a "unique facial scrub formulated with jojoba wax beads and Activated Charcoal to effectively remove dead skin, impurities, and toxins." It says it refines texture and encourages skin renewal, leaving skin smooth and refreshed. This scrub is 70% organic and is certified as vegan.

I am actually looking forward to using this product. It looks very interesting.

Full size: 3.4 fl oz, $18.00

Sample size: 1 fl. oz, approximately $5.29

Coupon Code: AUGIPSY, for 30% off any purchase at michaeltoddtrueorganics.com

Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream

This BB cream "hyrdates, primes, illuminates, and perfects leaving a sheer bare skin finish." It even has specialized mineral pigments that instantly adjust to different kinds of skin shades (although I am unsure of how true that can be). This BB cream has "high performance anti-aging botanical ingredients that revive and remineralize skin for a natural, dewy glow."

Full size: 1 fl. oz, $16

Sample size: 0.34 fl oz, $5.44

Coupon Code: IPSY20, for 20% off any purchase at pacificaperfume.com

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

I always love to try deluxe samples of mascaras before I go out to buy them.

Online, it says that this mascara gives lashes a "push-up" effect that lasts all day and that the brush coats each lash evenly for smudge-free, waterproof lash and eye definition. 

Full size: $17.00

Coupon Code: PIXI+IPSY, for 20% off any purchase at pixibeauty.com

 Swatches

L-R: UD Anarchy, MICA Bronze, Pacific BB Cream, and BB cream blended out

Overall, the approximate value of this bag was $33-37, which is pretty good. I have seen better bags with better value, but I was excited about this one. I can not wait to try the Michael Todd facial scrub, the Mica eyeshadow, and the Urban Decay lipstick.

Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here: http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hegnncwyvbh511ba 

Best Friend Tag!

This past weekend, my best friend came back home to visit. Yay!! We had a great time together and we were finally able to make the best friend tag video! It was so much fun as I got to learn more about her and remember many things throughout our friendship. 

I know the video is a bit long, but it was a lot of fun to make. Enjoy!

CoverGirl Clump Crusher

I have seen this mascara in many different videos on YouTube, and wanted to test it out myself. I drove down to the drugstore and picked up this mascara for $6. 

It claims to provide volume with zero clumps on application.

The packaging is a cute green tube. The brush has plastic bristles separated evenly to promote separation and volume. The brush has a scoop kind of shape.

Upon application, there were no clumps on the brush. On my lashes, it gives good separation and volumizes well. I did not see any lengthening properties, but that was not listed on the packaging.

This is two coats of the mascara.

Overall, I do like the volume that this mascara gives me without all the clumps. Definitely a keeper!

Tarte Blush Collection

I love my Tarte blushes. They have amazing pigmentation, long wearability, and have a beautiful range of colors in their collection.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour blushes are a very hyped up product all around the world, but unfortunately are only sold in the USA. Tarte features Amazonian clay in majority of their products, which is suppose to help both oily skin and dry skin. For oily skin, it minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin tone and keep the product in place. Those with dry skin benefit from this clay because of its nourishing and hydrating properties. Finally, those with combination skin get the best of both worlds. 

These blushes retail for $26 and have 0.2 oz of product. 

The packaging is really cute. Each blush has its corresponding color on the outside, that way it is easier finding which blush you want to use. The full size blushes have a mirror on the inside, and the blush pan can easily be depotted as it is a "loose" magnetic hold. (Although it is "loose", the blush is secure in the packaging.)

I have four different Tarte blushes: two full size, and two deluxe sample size. The two deluxe sample blushes were each part of a set. Splendor came in the Sephora "In The Glow" kit and was limited edition. Dollface was part of the Tarte "Blush and Bronze To Go" kit and is available in the full size.

*Two full size*

- Tarte Blissful - a warm peach (matte)

- Tarte Blushing Bride - a plumy rose (shimmery)

*Two deluxe sample size*

- Tarte Splendor - a peachy pink with chunky gold glitter 

         and peachy golden sheen

- Tarte Dollface - a light pink (matte)

L-R: Blissful, Blushing Bride, Splendor, Dollface

I would have to say these are my most favorite blushes on the market. Even though I may have other good blushes, these last the longest on me. If you can get your hands on one of these babies, do it!

Have you tried any Tarte blushes? If so, which one?

Back To School: Makeup

Everyone starts school on different days this year. Some may have already started, while others will start in the days to come. I thought it would be great to make a video of makeup that is great for back to school.
I do realize that not everyone likes to use liquid eyeliner on a daily basis, but this is how I do my makeup for school.
All the beauty products that I used are in My Monthly Makeup Bag for August. I have combo/oily skin and this makeup lasts for a good amount of hours without me getting shiny from the oil.

My Monthly Makeup Bag | August

August is here, and is one step closer to the fall. I am so excited! In about 3 weeks, I start my third year at university. 

Since it is back to school, I have chosen makeup that would be perfect. Half of it is drugstore, which saves money, and the other half is higher end products.

Face

- Smashbox Photofinish Oil-Free Primer

- CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in 810 Classic Ivory

- Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque

- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent 001

- NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder in Sunny

- Stila Convertible Color in Petunia

Eyes

- e.l.f. Eyelid Primer

- Maybelline 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Tough as Taupe and Barely Branded

- CoverGirl Eye Enhancers in Brown Smolder

- Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Clear

- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black

- Stila Smudge Stick Eyeliner in Stingray

- Stila MAJOR Major Lash Mascara in Black

Lips

- Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Celestial