The Vanity Calamity

A Sinfully Shimmery French Manicure.....

2009-12-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

With some extra time on my hands, I decided to do one of my all time fav nail looks....the french manicure. But sometimes old habits need a kick in the rear to spice them up a bit! So I used strictly shimmer polishes. I picked up Sinful's Tokyo Pearl and Glass Pink at Walgreens for less than $2!!! I applied Tokyo Pearl to the tips, and then did a coat of Glass Pink over....finished with a topping of NYC Instant Dry topcoat, I was set to go in less than 15 minutes!

Yes, yes, I know the lines aren't perfect, but it was all done free-handed without any guides. Plus I was distracted watching the movie 'Up' for the first time.....btw, what a freakin' cute movie....

Thanks for a-lookin'

Review: NYX 'Pinky' Blush

2009-11-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

Oh my, I surely love this bubblegum-pink blush! I was on the hunt for a perfect pink blush and I found it with NYX 'Pinky'. I was actually going to get a $25 Nars blush before I found this at my local HEB for only $5usd, its really a fantastic deal!! The quality, consistency, pigmentation, and application is comparible to that of high-end brands. Applied with my cheapie elf blush brush, I now have instantly bubblegum-pink cheeks in an instant. It goes perfect with my work uniform! but thats another story...lol!

And with the $20 I saved buying this NYX blush, I can get 20 dollar-menu items at McDonalds. Ah yes....good times.

Review: Lancome Power Oscillation Primer

2009-11-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

I had this sitting in my makeup drawer for months. I recieved this as a gift and it just sat there, never getting any attention. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, when I have excess time on my hands before going to work. I decided to give it a spin and wow~what have I been missing out on?!

This eyelash primer makes my lashes so much fuller and volumous, so much so that after I apply my normal mascara (Rimmell Glam Eyes), my lashes look kinda fake! But in a good way. Yeah, I already have thick, dark lashes, but this just makes them live up to their fullest potential, if that makes any sense.

Packaging is interesting, to say the least. The vibrating effect probably isn't necessary, really....come on...But it's a big selling point with Lancome lately. Hear about their new vibrating foundation? lol....anyways, application is a breeze, I just apply it on my lashes. It coats the lashes with its white formula and I let it 'set' for about a minute before applying my regular mascara. All in all, a 4.5 rating. The price point, of course, brings the rating down. But at around $40usd, you'll be pleasantly suprised with how transformed your lashes will appear!

Cheap thrill: Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray

2009-07-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

I flat iron my hair almost daily now during this intensely hot summer here in Texas. I am big on the sleek and low ponytail look lately. I needed a product to protect my strands from the intense heat of my ceramic flat iron. I picked up Tresseme Heat Tamer Spray at Target for under $4 bucks. What a great purchase!!! I simply spray this non-sticky product onto my hair, mainly on the ends, brush through, and flat-iron away. I am left with silky soft strands without any crunchy, yucky residue that many products leave behind. The scent is moderate and it actually smells kinda like bananas to me. lol. Enriched with vitamins, I feel alot better knowing that I am not hideously damaging my fragile strands anymore since using this product, but rather nourishing them. 5/5 stars!

Cheap Thrill: Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

2009-04-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

For $9.99 at Target, I picked up SK's new Blending Sponge, a dupe of the Beauty Blender which sells for twice the price. I haven't tried it yet, but was compelled to let the masses know what I did with my spare Target giftcard today. I wasn't planning on getting it, but hey~it was there. I am looking forward to using this with my neglected liquid foundations I have. I know, I know~ I am a mineral girl, but I'm up for a change. That's what its all about! I hear the Blending Sponge gives a flawless, airbrushed appearance in a fraction of the time it takes to use a brush, fingers, or conventional makeup sponge. I'm looking forward to putting Ol' Bluey to use!

Review: Pur Minerals Pressed Mineral Foundation

2009-04-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

This is a great medium to heavy coverage foundation for acne-prone skin!

I purchased this Pur Minerals starter kit before Christmas time for a steal~about $10 at Dillard's. This set includes the full-sized foundation, Chisel Brush, Mascara, and some makeup removing wipes. Not bad, eh? Well, I never got around to even opening the box until earlier this week. Yes, I know.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a devout mineral foundation user. Never look at liquid foundations anymore! And, I look for a foundation that gives me medium coverage in a natural finish. My skin is combination/acne-prone and occasionally dry in all the stubborn places~around the nose, mouth, and sometimes cheek area. I had been using L'Oreal Bare Naturale foundation daily, and to a pleasant reception, but I just like to keep my options open in regards to foundation choices.

Now, back to Pur Minerals foundation. I'm glad I opted for the 'Light' kit which definitley was the right choice for me. I've gotten to the point where I can just look at a foundation and see if it is gonna work for me. The 'Light' shade has the yellow/beige undertones which is what I need, rather than the rosy/pink undertones. After a few trial and error test runs with Pur Minerals Pressed Foundation, I have found a perfect way to achieve a natural and ideal finish on my delicate skin!

First, I wash with my daily cleanser, apply my toner, and proceed to moisturize with my daily spf lotion. After 5 minutes or so, I use a couple spritzes of MAC Fix+, to give my skin an extra boost of moisture. This step also helps allow the mineral foundation a smooth, hydrated canvas to begin. Yes, the chisel brush is great! I swirl the chisel brush into the foundation, tap off the excess into the lid, and apply in short circular motions on my skin. Boy, this covers acne, redness, and uneven skintones in an instant! Sure, a touch of concealer is needed afterwards sometimes on those stubborn zits that defy all logic and sanity. After applying the foundation all-over, I spritz my MAC Fix+ a couple of times. This sets everything together, and helps give that 'dewy' finish.

I haven't had any irritation or breakouts from using this foundation. You know how sometimes mineral foundations tend to make skin itch? Think Bare Escentuals...Not Pur Minerals! It feels silky and light on my skin. Plus it has SPF 15 and doesn't contain talc, harsh chemicals, or preservatives. I am completely excited about the possibilities with this foundation. I know it's only been a few days, but I feel an extra boost of confidence regarding my skin. I am happy as a clam.

Orly Polo Princess

2009-03-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

well, I fell in love with this shade....

Bobbi Brown 25% entire site!

2009-03-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hurry and stock up on your favorite Bobbi Brown cosmetics while you can! It's 25% off her entire site, with free standard shipping, when you enter code INSTANT at checkout.

What to get..what to get, is the question remaining....I will say that I am loving her Pot Rouges. 'Pink Raspberry' is the most gorgeous shade of raspberry. You can blot it on lips and cheeks for a perfect flush of pink.

Click here to get shopping!

Ulta deals 3/15

2009-03-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a few deals at Ulta stores worth mentioning, in my opinion. Remember, you can stack manufacturer coupons along with the Ulta 3.50 off 10 coupon that came in todays Sunday paper!

All Ulta brand, Maybelline, L'Oreal, Cover Girl, and Max Factor Eye products (eyeliner, mascara, and eyeshadows) are BoGo Free

OPI Nail Lacquers are BoGo 50% off

Revlon Face and Lip cosmetics (foundation, powder, concealer, blush, and lip products) are BoGo Free

Scenario:

(2) L'Oreal HiP eyeshadow duos- $7.99 BoGo
(2) Cover Girl Eye Enhancers single eyeshadows- $3.29
Subtotal: $11.28
-3.50 Ulta
-2.00 L'Oreal HiP MQ
-2.00 L'Oreal HiP MQ
-1.00 Cover Girl MQ
-1.00 Cover Girl MQ

=$1.78 for 4 eyeshadows...not bad

I've been eyeing some of these HiP duos for a while. I have been pleasantly suprised by the HiP line from L'Oreal. Their shadows definitley have some serious pigment and lasting ability. Their color choices are great, too! They are contenders with MAC, in my opinion as far as their eyeshadows go.

As for the Cover Girl eye enhancers on sale, I will pick up 'Mink' and 'Champagne', which are hands-down my favorite highlighters to use!

I also want to take advantage of the OPI BoGo 50% off deal, as well. I've been meaning to pick up a few polishes from their South Beach collection. After the Ulta 3.50 coupon and BoGo 50% off sale, I should be able to snag 2 polishes for about $8.50...a good deal!!!

Free Brow Wax at Bliss Spas 3/13!

2009-03-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

If you are one of the first 25 lucky people to make it to your nearest Bliss Spa tommorow 3/13, you will score a free brow wax! Just bring this printout, and say hello to a polished new look. And don't feel bad if you aren't one of those 25, you will still get $10 off your brow wax with the printout!

I could certainly use this, ahem...but unfortunately there are no Bliss Spas near me! But click here to find out if a Bliss Spa is near you!

Notd: glitzy vampie

2009-03-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

It was dreadfully rainy and chilly outside today! I only had to run to the post office and well, that was about it. So, to kill the time, I tidied up the house and began to organize my closet and makeup/nail polish collection.

Of course, I have to constantly rotate my nail polish collection to allow equal wear time, so I picked out a neglected vampie shade and topped it off with an equally abandoned glitter topcoat. I normally wear darker shades on shorter nails, but seeing as I worked my butt off to get my nails strong and to a desired length, I wasn't about to trim them just to be politically nail-correct!

Orly Nail Armor Base coat: 1 coat
Sinful Rich in Heart: 2 coats
Sinful UFO: 1 coat
Revlon Colorstay Topcoat: 1 coat

Review: Benefit Benetint

2009-03-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

I think that I have come to realize something. I am a real sucker for any lip or cheek stains. It's because I love the concept of a lip stain (read reviews below). The numerous reviews and accolades from top magazines and fellow beauty bloggers made me jump the gun and purchase Benefit's Benetint at Sephora for $28. So I tried it for the first time, and honestly, wasn't blown away or floored by it's 'amazing' qualities. I mean, it applies well, gives a slight rosy tint to the cheeks, but it doesn't really stand out or give me that 'just-came-in from-a-day-of-skiing' look...So, I tried it on the lips and was pleasantly happier with the dewy, slightly rosy tint that it gave...but this quickly faded away into oblivion....

The formula is very watery. I wish it were more of a gel-based stain. This would equate to more pigment. The scent? A pleasant floral rose. And yes, the packaging is cute. The glass jar looks retro, but the nail polish style brush is a bit unique in terms of applicators for a lip stain. No, it doesn't seem very sanitary dipping the brush into the jar and onto the skin and lips constantly.

Honestly, I prefer my Revlon lip stains over Benefit's Benetint. Especially Revlon's Cherry Tart. FYI~ Revlon's stains work great as a liquid blush too. And as a lip stain? Their amazing. Definitley more pigmented than Benetint. But, overall, I will keep Benetint for those casual days where I prefer the more natural look.

Rating: 3/5

cleaning brushes

2009-03-09T16:57:00.001-07:00

Almost daily, during my makeup routine, I use at least 4-5 makeup brushes on my face. There's the foundation brush, the eyeshadow brush, eyeliner brush, the concealer brush, and the blush/bronzer brush. And that's on days when I don't do my eyeshadow to the fullest extent. Then, I would use another blending and contouring brush for detail. Needless to say, I have the need to wash my brushes weekly to prevent any bacteria or grime from building up on the bristles. The great thing about taking great care of your brushes, is that it's not time consuming. All you need is a few minutes and some water and baby shampoo and you got yourself an easy and inexpensive way to keep your brushes looking and working their best.

What you'll need:

Baby shampoo ( I use J&J Baby Shampoo in Original scent)
Warm Water
Towel

What to do:

1. Dampen brush bristles with warm water and apply 1/2 tsp of shampoo.
2. Work into a rich later and rinse.
3. Repeat step 2 until water runs clear after each wash. This is the part where all the excess makeup residue gets off your bristles! You can see it in your sink....
4. Gently pat dry with towel enough so that bristles aren't dripping with water.
5. Lay flat on towel overnight or until dry. Make sure not to allow the brushes to dry upright or the water will run downward and collect in the ferrule (the metal encasing the base of the bristles) and loosen them over time....not good!

With these steps, I have helped prevent bacteria and grime from residing in my brushes. I evict them weekly with this easy, inexpensive, and effective cleaning!

everyone's talking about going green.....

2009-03-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

But I actually did something about it.....

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

2009-03-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

I've been using this on and off since I was in middle school and began to deal with pesky acne breakouts. It seems as though everyone in my family has used, or is using, QHMJM in their skincare routines. This masque comes in two formats; a tube or tub. In my opinion, the tube is a lot more efficient and sanitary than the tub. It's just that the tub dries up like crazy, and wastes product more often than not. Plus, you don't have to dig your fingers around the tube and get all the product under fingernails, you just squeeze the needed amount out of the tube. Anyways, tis mask promises on its packaging 'to dry up acne pimples and rinse away blackheads'. Well, regarding the first part of that 'promise'--this mask does well in controlling stubborn acne flareups before they get too crazy. If I feel a zit coming along (stress-related, usually), I slather some of this over my washed and pat-dried face, leave on for about 15 minutes, and rinse it away with some nice warm water. Sometimes, I just fall asleep with it on, and rinse away in the morning, no problems with this route. Now, regarding the promise of rinsing away blackhead'...I don't really see this happening. Well, at least for me. What this masque does it help open the pores and allow for extraction if necessary. QHMJM does make my face feel smooth, and my pores are noticeably smaller after only one use. The only thing that does bother me with this masque is the smell. It seems to leave a musky psuedo-minty smell that tends to linger afterwards that drives me batty sometimes. No biggie, though. A good toner will help ease any remaining scent or residue. Overall, QHMJM is a staple for my skincare routine. You can purchase QHMJM at mass retailers, beauty supply stores, and the such for usually less than $3USD for a tube or tub.

Overall rating: 4.6/5

DIY Colored Nail Tips

2009-02-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

I love the classic French manicure. The iconic white and pink shades work with virtually every outfit/look possible, and it's a fool-proof way to make your hands seem 100 times more graceful. And, I always do them myself. I never have gone to a salon to get artificial nails. It's two things for me: a) fake nails means you need to get glue and acrylic, no thanks! and b) it's friggin' expensive to maintain! So, when I want to make my nails look classic, elegant, and polished, I turn to the classic French mani. But sometimes I put a twist on the classic French and use different colors for the tips of my nails. It's a fun variation from the standard French and really catches eyes.

What I used:

How I did it:

I applied Really Rosy on the tips of my nails in a side-swiping motion. Many tutorials and nail artists rely on nail strips to align the polish evenly, so I recommend this for beginners. It makes the polish apply evenly and is basically foolproof. I have gotten the hang of doing my own nails without a strip. I then let the polish dry, and applied 3 coats of Orly Sealon topcoat, letting each application dry between layers.

*Viola* A perfect for spring manicure!

Look it! Look it!

2009-02-25T13:36:00.000-08:00

Look what I found the other day at my local HEB....

.......OPI Rainforest!!

The most gorgeous deep emerald green, Rainforest is truly a unique shade of nail lacquer. Limited availability has made this shade a target for nail polish enthusiasts, making it a highly collectable OPI shade.

Nail Whitening DIY

2009-02-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

I love pampering my nails. It's definitley a hobby of mine. Every aspect of it is entertaining and relaxing for me. I love the choosing of the polish, preping the nails, and spending time decorating them with the lacquers and the tools of the trade. But there is a dark side to this hobby *insert ominous music here*.....the inevitable and gradual nail yellowing that comes with the constant nail polish usage.

Even using a base coat under a polish won't always protect your nails from staining and yellowing. This is why, every now and then I treat them with a simple mixture of household ingredients to help whiten and refresh them and help them look their best even when they are erm, naked.....you know, sans polish!

What you'll need:

(2 1/2 Tbsp.) Baking soda
(1 Tbsp.) Hydrogen Peroxide (3% formula)
Lemon or Lime wedge
Plastic mixing dish
Cotton Swabs or paint brush

Step 1: Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together in plastic dish until it becomes a paste-like consistency.

Step 2: Squeeze the juice from the lemon or lime wedge into paste.

Step 3: Apply paste to nail tips using cotton swab or brush. Make sure to push mixture underneath the nail as well.

Step 4: Leave on for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse with warm water.

Step 6: Rub nails with remaing lemon or lime wedge to help brighten and refresh nails.

This is a very easy and inexpensive way to give new life to your nails with simple, everyday items you probably have lying around your house!

MAC Hello Kitty

2009-02-18T18:18:00.001-08:00

Oh MAC...what a name in the cosmetic world. Known best for their rich pigments and shade selections, MAC has a continual revolving series of collections each season. Barbie, BBR, Heatherette, Fafi, and on and on and then on some more... But their latest collection has me intrigued. It's the damn packaging, though. Yes, Hello Kitty is nostalgic to many 22 year olds. Gosh, as far back as I can remember, I was a huge Sanrio fan. Especially growing up in Hawaii! It was everywhere! To this day, my sister and I still have a bag of erasers and pogs with the designs of Hello Kitty, Pochacco (my fav), and Keroppi! Just writing this brings a flood of memories. The excitement of being 4 and 5 and heading to the PX and picking out a new eraser or pencil with any one of these characters and being so proud to carry them around. So, I have decided to pick up a few of the HK collection and spend moderately rather than lose obscene amounts of moolah just for an items adorable packaging!

Mini-Haul Plan:
Lipglass in Sweet Strawberry
Blush in Fun & Games
Lipstick in Strayin'

News Flash....

2009-02-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

I have some incredibly important information for anyone in search of a great nude toned lipstick. I have recently discovered how perfect Maybelline's Moisture Extreme in Nude Blush really is. This is the perfect lipstick to bring together any look. It really brings that polished, yet subtle finish! It's perfect to wear along with a smokey eye look, as it never overpowers the face. This shade is so fool-proof that you can easily apply it without a mirror and achieve fabulous results.

Breakdown:

Coloring: Medium Pinky-Beige

Packaging: Standard plastic two-piece style

Price: Around $6usd at drugstores

Application: Very moisturizing cream formula

Scent: Highly fragranced. Melon-Cucumberish

Lasting: Standard. Re-application needed hourly.

Overall rating: 4.8/5

Would I buy again: Yes

Review: Hard Candy Fragrance

2009-02-14T18:26:00.000-08:00

First things first, fragrances are all about personal preferences...That said, Hard Candy is an absolutely delicious and flirty scent in my book! I had a sample from Sephora that I kept in my vanity for about 6 months before actually trying it out. Oh my, I fell in love with it at first spritz! And then, here's the great news...I was able to purchase a full-sized 1.7 oz bottle for only $10 through their website. It was a super clearance event. Apparently Hard Candy is reorganizing their company.

Anyhow, Hard Candy reminds me of a trip to a carnival. It's reminisint of caramel popcorn and vanilla cotton candy on a warm summer evening. I would consider this a muskier scent that lingers throughout the day. It dries down on a heavier vanilla note, which I happen to love in a fragrance.

Sure, Hard Candy really caters to the younger population, but I can really see this fragrance on anyone who wants to exude fun, flirty, carefree, yet a hint of mysterious-ness....well, as far as a fragrance can allow. I recieve many compliments on this fragrance, but it never overpowers any situation~very silky and smooth notes. It's even perfect for the autumn/winter months. It's really a quick pick-me-up in a bottle. Hey, even the bottle rocks. It looks great on my vanity fragrance tray! I only wish that it would never run out....9.5/10

Get Ye Butts to Walgreens.....

2009-02-12T19:14:00.002-08:00

I wanted to let you all know that there is 2 more days remaining to get on over to your nearest Walgreens drugstore to get the new Revlon Matte Collection items for really cheap! It is advertised this week as $3 off any Revlon item. Okay...this means that the new Revlon Matte eyeshadow singles which are originally $4.99, are now $1.99! Yippee!

I am in the process of doing a full review on all the shades, but had to let y'all know about this killer deal before it ends on Saturday at midnight! To make this deal even sweeter, you can pair it with manufacturer coupons, to easily score these shadows for less than a buck each. Nice.

So check back in the next couple of days for reviews, swatches, and more about the Revlon Matte Eyeshadow collection!

I am also thinking about trying out some of those matte lipsticks, also.....

Review: Covergirl Lipstain in Everbloom Kiss

2009-02-07T06:30:00.000-08:00

Not too bad, Covergirl. Not too bad....

I was truly and pleasantly suprised with this drugstore lipstain! The quality and value you get for the money is great! This easily earns marks higher than the Vincent Longo, Urban Decay, Bliss, Laura Mercier, and other higher end names lipstains out there, all of which I have tried to no success. Covergirl has made a fantastic lipstain for the budget beauty diva to get her hands on easily especially in these tighter economic times.

Let me begin by saying that a lipstain is my favorite lip product medium. A stain, ideally, infuses your lips with a long lasting, semi-permanant color that stays put for longer than lipsticks, glosses, or balms. This format is great for me. It diminishes the needs for touchups and reapplications throughout the day.

Everbloom Kiss is a lovely, darker flushed raspberry pink that applies quite opaque, but soft on the lips. It never overpowers a finished look. Yes, packaging is different. It's like sharpie marker. You can't mess up with this format~it's fool-proof! I can quickly apply this on my lips and it distributes the color evenly. After an hour or more, I don't have that dreaded line around the edge of my lips that are routine with many, many other lipstains out there.

My only complaint would be not knowing how much product is in the tube itself, or how much is remaining! It's basically a wait and see. A window would be helpful to view the product. But overall, a great buy at less than $8 at any local drugstore or grocer!

Pardon the delays

2009-02-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

I am one of those people that have a hard time multi tasking. With a school schedule filling my week, assignments left and right, numerous family affairs to handle, and deciding on all the components of building a new home (this is crazy difficult, fyi), I am feeling the pressure to keep a handle on my blogs. So sorry for any delays between posting and continual updates. I am working hard on outlining a schedule that will help free up some time that will strictly be dedicated to my blogging ventures.

OPI South Beach

2009-02-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard, the new Spring OPI Nail Lacquer collection is out in stores! OPI is one of my top 3 favorite nail polish brands out there. I always get excited when they launch a new collection. The last collection I practically camped out for was the France collex. (fyi, Parlez-vous OPI? is one of my all time favorite polishes). Anyhow, the lineup for the SB launch is as follows:

Over Exposed in South Beach: Deep Raspberry shimmer

Done Out in Deco: Lilac Shimmer

Suzi & the Lifeguard: A Light pink shimmer

OPI on Collins Ave.: Deep pink-red creme

Party in My Cabana: a darker creme pink

Paint My Moji-Toes Red: a dark orange pink creme

Bronzed to Perfection: bronze shimmer

Conga-Line Coral: medium red/orange coral shimmer

Clubbing Til Sunrise: light gold orange shimmer

Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot: medium pink creme

Miami Beet: deep raspberry/purple creme

Sand in My Suit: frost light pink

These are only quick descriptions off the top of my head. I really am eyeing the Paint my Moji-Toes Red, Miami Beet, and OPI on Collins Ave. I am probably going to use my Ulta coupon that came in the mail to snag a couple of these for around $13.50. Not the greatest deal, but well worth it if you are an OPI junkie like me! Another option I may opt to do is ordering thru 8ty8beauty. Low prices on OPI's compared to retail. Yes, shipping bites, but well worth it if you order multiple polishes!

skincare update 1.0

2009-01-27T17:44:00.000-08:00

Well, the skincare routine I had outlined a few posts down hasn't been to great. Well, frankly, it has made my skin worse! I don't know if its the actual products itself, stress, diet, or hormones, but either way, I need to figure out what is going on. I have read that you should give yourself 2-3 weeks into a new skincare regime to see results, and determine if you want to continue or make some changes~or in my case, an overhaul. So, I'll continue using this combination of products, but I have a feeling that this may not be in my best interest!

Not Pedeggerific

2009-01-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

I totally bought into the hype of the Ped Egg. And I wish I hadn't. The Ped Egg did nothing for me. In fact, you could say it made my heels worse off! Granted, my feet are nowhere near what they exaggerate in the advertisments. You know, how the foot is all calloused and crusty and looking like something on a prehistoric animal...But yes, the skin on my heels tends to get harder and somewhat rough on the heels from just everyday wear and outdoor exposure. Plus, I live in South Texas, where the weather is a seemingly constant 75 degrees in the winter. I practically live in a combination of either sandals, flip flops, and flats year round. I need to keep my footsies pretty, right?!

So, on to the review. I really wanted the Ped Egg for one big reason: convenience. Yes, the packaging is cute, it easily fits in the palm of the hand, and the greatest selling point is its ability to contain the foot 'shavings' for easy clean up. Nice, right? I mean, nobody likes having to buff a foot precariously over a trash can! After I purchased the Ped Egg (the LE Pink one, to be specific) at Walgreens for about $10, I was excited to give it a test run. So, I followed the instructions and used it. Here's how the transcript would read: Buff, buff, buff, ow, buff, buff, ow, ow, buff. And so on. It only made my heels sore and rough with torn areas of dry skin! Unsightly and painful. After trying the Ped Egg on several different occasions, unsucessfully, I have decided no longer to invest my time and effort into the Ped Egg.

What works best is the cheapie LA Cross foot board I own, and a slather of BBW C.O Bigelow Mentha foot cream. Viola. You'll get smooth and sandal-ready feet in an instant.

You know, what I expected from the Ped Egg was really for it to be a foot product revolution. What I got was something you'd expect to get from a late night infomercial. At least Billy Mays wasn't selling it. Thank God.

Success!

2009-01-19T16:43:00.000-08:00

I made my first ever bath of bath fizzies yesterday, and I must say- I did pretty darn good! I was totally expecting to have a disaster. But, I did lots of research before setting forth and embarking on this fun endeavor. I read and read and read a bit more about what ingredients to use and of course, how to use them effectively. It takes some learning, I must say. But I decided that 2009 is the year that I will begin making my own bath and body products. And with this goal in mind, I won't half-ass it like I sometimes tend to do on projects.

No, they weren't perfect by any means, but they mean something more. I actually did something from start to finish, and although it didn't turn out perfect, I feel proud and delighted that an idea conjured up in my head was eventually created with my own two hands. I'm definitley hooked, and the possibilities are flooding my brain with ideas and plans for making more soaps and bath products.

mini haul

2009-01-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

Hopped on over to my lovely CVS today and took advantage of the little Covergirl deal that is going on this week. It's when you buy $10 of CG products, you get $3 Extra Bucks. Extra Bucks (EB's) are just like cash, only you can use it at CVS. You can use EB's on anything throughout the store, except to purchase gift cards, alcohol and tobacco.

I bought the CG Everbloom Kiss lipstain (~8.50) and a CG Eye Enhancer in Indigo Impact (~3.50), used a $2.50/2 coupon. I payed 9.50 out of pocket and recieved $3 EB's. So, basically I got these two products for about $6.50! Yay!

I had really been wanting to try out one of these new lipstains from Covergirl. Ever since I first saw the ad on TV for them with Drew Barrymore, I was seriously drooling over them. A Lipstain is my absolute favorite lip medium. I love the matte look, staying power, and finish of a lipstain. I can apply it in the morning and not have to worry about constant touch-ups throughout the day.

Excited to try this out, I ripped open the packaging and tested this baby out. This lipstain is in a marker format. It is just like a sharpie! Gotta love it. First impressions: It applies very smoothly and with high pigmentation. The color glides on the lips and dries fairly quickly. It is easy to go overboard though, so blotting the color with a tissue will help disperse the color in a softer, more natural way. After 2 hours, I still have a lovely, natural pinky/plum lip coloring. I can add a shine inducing lip gloss to add a kick of reflection, but I prefer the matte look (look 2 posts below).

For reference, I have tried Revlon, Vincent Longo, Liplicious, and Bliss lipstains, and have found that they all are great, but it just takes practice to get the application right. Exfoliation is the key. Simply massaging the lips gently with a soft toothbrush, or washcloth before application will assure a smooth and desirable finish. Believe me, it is very easy for lipstains to apply unevenly especially on dry and chapped lips.

As for the eyeshadow, it reminds me of Urban Decay's Deluxe Eyeshadow in 'Adore', which I recently aquired. I should have remembered this before purchasing, as I am not too much of a 'blue' girl. But this was the shade that really caught my eye. It is a bright, almost electric blue. Unlike most CG Eye Enhancers, this shade has a lot of pigment, and can easily be applied for a soft finish, or layered for a more dramatic look. Not bad for $3.50!

ChG Blue Sparrow

2009-01-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

This shade was really a tough one to get right. I first fell in love with Blue Sparrow when I spotted it among the 2008 ChG Ink collection. It was really the standout shade. In the bottle, Blue Sparrow is a sunny aqua blue with silver micro shimmer throughout.

Now, Blue Sparrow was a PITA. It dried bumpy and uneven. Not what I wanted to achieve. For starters, its a matte polish. Mattes and I don't really mix. It's like we're rivals in the nail polish world. I'm more of a creme, shine, and jelly-formula finish gal.

Blue Sparrow is so eyecatching in the bottle, but that darn matte finish only diminished and underscored the effect of the shimmer quality. So it took a good serving of a base coat (Orly Nail Armor), 2 coats of Blue Sparrow, and 3 coats of a shine topcoat (Revlon Colorstay). Yep, lots of steps but I was able to get achieve a shiny and smooth finish that really gave Blue Sparrow its best showing. I even applied another topcoat after 2 days of wear to add more glaze and shine. Lasted a good week before I moved on to another mani.

Retails for about $6.50-$9 at select beauty retailers, or be a saavy girl and get a Sally's Beauty Discount card to get a bottle for $3 and some change.

Rating: 4/5.

Revlon Matte Collection

2009-01-14T18:21:00.000-08:00

There is another new drugstore brand collection out there on the shelves at your local drugstore. Yes, there are tons of new sub-lines that come out every season, but this new collection offers something fresh. The Revlon Matte Collection promises to give a matte and contemporary finish for a soft, yet modern look.

Now friends, here's a deal thats too good to pass up, especially if you are in need of a new blush!Walgreens is currently offering you your choice of a Revlon Matte Collection blush FREE up to $10, after mail in rebate! Horray! So, all you need to do to get in on this awesome offer is:

1-Walk on in to your nearest Walgreens and purchase any shade of Matte Collection blush

2- log online to their website and enter your reciept information along with your personal info

3-pick your choice of payment to get either a check for the item amount, or a Walgreens giftcard to get the item amount plus 10% mailed to you asap!

Psst...to make this deal sweeter, you can use a mfg. coupon when you buy the blush and spend even less than what you'd be getting back (they don't deduct coupons on rebates)...Yay!

I am gonna either pick up Barely Buff or Rose Rapture (pictured). Apparently word around is that Revlon's Barely Buff is a dupe of Chanel's Joues Contrast in Nude! Nice

and so it begins...

2009-01-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

A new semester, that is. This only means I am going to enter a bad skin phase, complete with breakouts and all...thank you stress! But in all seriousness, I decided to revamp my daily routine in regards to facial treatments. You can call it a mini-experiment. Since my face is sensitive, combination, and prone to breakouts, I have decided on a facial cleanser that will address my concerns, as well as remove makeup effectivly. These are the products I have chosen to be in my daily routine:

~Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Cleansing Effects Gentle Foaming Cleanser (2x day)
~Noxema Anti-Blemish Astringent (using sparingly)
~Skin Simple Eye Priority Eye Creme (both day and night)
~Cetaphil Daily SPF 15 Moisturizer (1x day)

Occasional treatments with Masques (Queen Helene Mint Julep) and Aspirin Masques. I will describe in detail the greatness of an aspirin masque in another post soon.

So far, I have used this routine for 2 days now, and I am loving the cleanser. It really lathers well and removes my mineral makeup easily. It smells, a bit, ermm...organic because it has no fragrance, but thats good! Fragrance and facial skin aren't best friends and eventually lead to breakouts! The Skin Simple eye priority is such a great eye creme! This little tub, less than $4, has been the best moisturizer for my eye area that I've ever tried. Cliniques All About Eyes was such an epic fail. That formula irritated my sensitive eye area and cause me some problems. Skin Simple is made by the same company that develops and manufactures Elizabeth Arden. So you're gonna get the high quality ingredients at a fraction of the cost. Yup, its all about the packaging sometimes.

I'll update once a week as to how this routine is working out. For now, take care....

Hard Candy Sale

2009-01-09T15:01:00.000-08:00

This is old news to me, but online at Hard Candy's website, all items are half off! This includes everything! I know they have sold out of a lot by now, but there are still lots of great beauty goodies remaining. A few months back, the site was all 75% off, and I was able to get some of their fragrance (LOVE this) and a couple makeup items for really cheap! Hard Candy is Urban Decay's little sister, so to say. I would recommend:

Super Shine Lipgloss in Pixie: the perfect bubble gum pink lipgloss with staying power! And it smells like cake batter...yum

Super Slim Eye Penci in Vibe: Great for adding a vibrant splash of color to the waterline. A bright purple shade

So, go check out www.hardcandy.com and you're bound to find some great beauty goodies at an equally great price!

BBW mini-haul

2009-01-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

So, I wandered aimlessly into a flagship Bath and Body Works the other day, and walked out with some super deals. I am proud of myself.... I actually limited what I bought! But man, was I tempted by all the great deals going on during their semi-annual sale. I am learning to practice self-control when it comes to bath and body product shopping!!

What I need to do is use what I already have in my collection. Just because it's all on sale, doesn't mean I always need it. Or do I? hmmm... Anyhow, this is what I got:

Tropical Passionfruit Body Butter 75%off

Frozen Daquiri body lotion 75% off

Orange Freeze body lotion 75% off

Frosted Orange Creme antibacterial hand soap 75% off

Look at the texture of this body butter~so rich and creamy! This smells so dreamy!

Oh, and how could I not buy this cutie lip butter, in a yummy orange scent? I was *this* close to getting the pink lemonade, as well!

And my bloggie friends, my grand total? Under $11 *cheers*

I absolutely love the Orange Freeze Temptation line at BBW. Last year they said they were discontinuing it, so I was really down when I only had 1/2 bottle left of this lotion...and then I found another...and at 75% off!!! It smells just like a tart, and sweet orange cremesicle...yum! Perfect for those chilly winter days when you want to escape to a summer vacation...

(mis)adventures in mineral foundations

2009-01-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

I remember the days when I wore liquid foundation. And I cringe at the thought. Hey, I know there are some great liquid foundations out there, but almost ALL of them have not worked in my best interest. They are harder to apply, usually difficult to blend in, easily allows that dreaded 'mask' effect, and clog my pores instantaneously. My face can't breathe in a liquid or creme foundation. Throughout most of my high school career, I wore this one particular Cover Girl foundation that was entirely too wrong for me. It washed me out in all my photos and never failed to cast a grey shadow as it oxidized on my face throughout the day. Whenever I look at my sophomore year dance team photograph, I shriek at the eerie ghost that showed its face in my photo that day...oh wait, that's moi.

I just don't do liquid foundation anymore. Sure, I pick some up every now and then to try them out, but nope, never works out. That said, I LOVE MINERAL FOUNDATION. LOVE IT. My skin type is a pain in the butt, but also typical of the average young adult. This being a combination skin type and prone to breakouts. Sucks, right? Yeah, but I have found that mineral makeup works best with my skin type.

Okay, on to mineral foundations that I have tried in the past and my two cents. (In no chronological order):

Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Foundation: NO THANK YOU. This foundation made me look like a miner. Mining silver ore. Cast a grey sheen on my face almost instantly along with some shimmer. this foundation made me itch!! It was the bismuth in it, I can betcha. Known to cause breakouts, itching, and rashes. No thanks...Color selection is very limited and very pricy, as well. Returned kit promptly. Used $$ to buy sandwich at Charley's Grilled Subs. yum

Philosophy the supernatural mineral Foundation: The packaging was just really bad on this foundation. It was a glass jar with a puff applicator. The foundation itself wasn't so bad (some shimmer, though). The puff was really hard to work with, and made coverage unreliable. Color selection, like BE was limited.

Covergirl TruBlend Pressed Minerals Foundation: Not so shabby, Covergirl. I actually liked this foundation! It came in a (cheap) flip top plastic packaging along with a brush. Might as well throw away this brush instantly because it is lousy. I used a soft, dense brush to apply the foundation. Coverage was light/medium. The only reason I don't rebuy is the ridiculous color selection~couldn't get the right shade without bringing back the 'ghost'. 6 shades, come on!!! People aren't: pale, not so much pale, dark, a bit darker, super dark, darkest ever....

Maybelline Mineral powder foundation: A commendable effort on Maybellines behalf. I found the packaging great. The screw top container with the sifter was reminisent of BE. The mini-'buki brush it came with was horrible. It was like a 5 y/o's play makeup brush. The coverage was hard to work with and tended to dry out my skin and feel heavy. It either applied too dense or light, even with patience and practice. Color selection was pretty diverse.

L'Oreal Bare Naturale mineral foundation: The best foundation I have tried. Continually go back to Bare Naturale. They actually have a great variety of colors available for most complexions, and even my perfect shade 'light ivory'. It really is a great foundation. Coverage is buildable. Easily covers any redness and breakouts. I have had no adverse reactions/breakouts directly from its usage. I can put this foundation on in less than a minute, and without a mirror! Only qualm is the packaging, I don't exactly like the kabuki they put on the lid, as it sheds its bristles during application occasionally.

Milani Minerals Compact Makeup: I've only tried this a couple times, but each time am more and more impressed. Milani didn't use talc in their formula for this foundation. This means it won't irritate most sensitive skin users or oxidize throughout wear. This foundation easily neutralizes redness. Consistency is silky smooth. Puff included is useless. Use a nice dense brush for application for best results. Just writing about this makes me want to try again! Found at CVS for less than $8.

Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation: And the winner of the losers goes to Revlon. Wow, this foundation was as useless as a hat on a car. No coverage, lousy packaging, and chalky formula.

Okay, I am sure I have tried others, but these are just the ones that pop into memory at this time. Mineral foundation has really changed my beauty routine. And for the good. I love how my foundation doesn't accentuate dryness or uneven tones like liquid foundations have perpetually done in the past. It really is trial and error, though in figuring out what works best for your skin and skin background.

Vanitizing on the cheap!

2009-01-04T15:18:00.001-08:00

On my other blog, I detailed how I made my own makeup vanity for under $80! Check it out....

http://theparsimoniouspursuer.blogspot.com/2009/01/creating-vanity-for-less.html

Hello New Year, and Hello Ulta Deals!

2009-01-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

I'm a big fan of Ulta. A lot more so than Sephora. Whenever I walk into Sephora, I feel overwhelmed by all the choices, and cosmetic lines to choose from. But the most intimidating factor shopping at Sephora, are their prices. Seriously. I mean, sure, I've forked out $18 for an eyeshadow many times before at their store, but in these shaky economic times, it seems a bit overkill when I can get nearly the same comparable item for a fraction of the price at a discount retailer. Ulta offers a lot of the same high end cosmetic names as Sephora, but also has a huge collection drugstore cosmetic brands. I can easily compare a $16 Too Faced eye shadow to a $6 Revlon eye shadow in the same place and decide wether or not to spend the extra cash on the h/e brand.

Ulta offers a membership program that accrues points whenever you use their card at checkout. Each quarter, you can redeem these points for free and discounted merchandise. Sephora offers a similar card, but at a steeper price to recieve goodies and promotions. Like $100 later to get a crummy bodywash worth $5.

At Ulta, you can combine store coupons with manufacturer coupons to maximize the savings. After registering for an Ulta loyalty card, they will begin sending you catalogs that frequently have $3.50 off a $10 purchase, or 20% one item....nice. There are restrictions that limit the coupons use to mostly drugstore brands, but ocassionally they loosen up and allow coupon usage on brand names such as Bare Escentuals, Urban Decay, and others.

Anyways, from Jan 4-17, Ulta offers a selection of great deals and offers for an economic beauty junkie, like moi. Here's a sneak at some of the better deals:

~L'Oreal cosmetics/skincare is buy one, get one free
~Almay Pure Blends is buy 2, get 2 free
~Sally Hansen Nail Care is buy 2, get 2 free
~Physicians Formula is buy 2, get 2 free
~Neutrogena, Max Factor, and Cover Girl are all buy 1, get 1 half off

These are only some of the deals going on at Ulta for drugstore names. You can check out the ad scan in your area here: http://ulta.shoplocal.com/ulta/Default.aspx?action=entry&pretailerid=-99892&siteid=168&storeID=2361647

Here is a scenario that I will be doing for to maximize the savings! Since I need some (more so, want) more neutral eyeshadows at the moment, I am going to do the Almay Pure Blends deal, which is Buy 2, get 2 free:

4 Almay Pure Blends eyeshadow singles @ 5.79 each

Subtotal: 23.16

-Ulta B2G2 sale (-11.58)
-Ulta in-store coupon (-3.50)
-(4) Almay $1 off/1 Manufacturer coupons (-4.00)

Total: 4.08+tax for 4 eyeshadows! That's four for less than the price of one!

I also may do the L'Oreal deal and pick up those new HiP Kohl Liners. I can use another Ulta store coupon and combine it with manufacturer coupons that came out in todays sunday paper. I can easily score two of the liners for under $7 or so....

Juicy goodness...

2008-12-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

I was so excited this Christmas when I tore open a gift from my mother and cast my eyes upon the greatness that is Juicy Couture's Viva la Juicy. This really is a beautiful and uplifting fragrance, unlike any I have in my collection. It doesn't resemble Juicy Couture edp. The original was a lot more powerful and could easily be overwhelming if applied too heavily. Viva la Juicy is definitley lighter...with notes of jasmine, mandarin, wild berry, and honeysuckle, this is definitley a pick-me up scent for those rainy and cloudy days. It even has a hint of praline on the dry down, which I absolutely love in a body product (when done right). This edp works very well with my body's chemistry! The body lotion and shower gel are lovely as well, and will be saved for those extra special days where I want to be wrapped in sweet Viva la Juicy goodness for as long as possible. Certainly a winner by Juicy Couture, and a definitley a keeper in my book!

Fixing a Torn Nail

2008-12-26T18:26:00.000-08:00

The bane of my nail exsistence is a torn nail episode. It seemingly always happens every two months or so, when my nails are clearly revolting against the lack of adequate moisturization, or from the too-much chemical exposure from cleaning products. Now, it's seems to always be my right thumb nail that cracks on the side. Here's a pic for reference: Yikes! And excuse the remaining holiday mani polish!

Yes, I know I should have been taking my biotin and using my cuticle cream daily, but sometimes with a busy life, it takes a back seat. But regardless of all the preventative measure that I put in place, breaks happen. So, I have mastered a technique that I found through some light online research and practice on how to fix a torn nail. I've slightly modified it to make it work best for me. So, I hope this mini tutorial can help you in the future to save that nail before you resort to clipping and filing!

What you'll need:

Tea packet or tissue

Nail glue

Acetone Nail polish remover

Orange stick

Tweezers

Step One: First, remove all (if any) nail polish and wash and dry hands/nails. Do not moisturize.

Step Two: Carefully cut out a tiny square from the tea bag or tissue. Just enough to cover the tear!

Step Three: Pick up the cut out square with tweezer and apply a dab of nail glue to the tissue. Apply the square to nail tear, covering it completley. Hold down for 5-10 seconds.

Step Four: Dip the orange stick into the acetone polish and clean up any glue from under the nail or the skin surrounding the nail. This is great for getting rid of any nail/skin contact from under the nail when the glue seeps through the crack.

Step Five: Lightly buff the nail to a smooth(er) finish, if desired. Polish if you like!

Here's my repaired nail. Now I only need to buff and file! Viola!

This technique works like a charm until my nail grows out long enough to either trim to an acceptable length or I'll just re-do the repair until all is grown out!

How to prevent nail tears:

MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, and then MOISTURIZE some more. Just an everyday lotion will do the trick. A heavier hand cream works even better. Cuticle oils are best used before bed each night, (and with gloves to prevent staining!)

Use a nail strenghtener daily, even under nail polishes. I love Orly's Nail Armor base coat.

Wear latex gloves when using household chemicals and cleaning products.

Taking a mulit-vitamin helps with overall hair and nail health. Biotin is most frequently recommended by nail-aholics and esteticians for maintianing the health and integrity of nails.

Konad...a new obsession

2008-12-25T15:04:00.000-08:00

I love pampering my tips and toes. With hundreds of nail polish and nail art in my personal collection, I am head over heels in love with it all. Seriously. And, recently I stumbled upon the fairly new art of nail stamping. What a genius idea! Who doesn't want flowers, kitty cats, and horses on their nails without the hassle of cheap-looking stickers or expensive salon prices? Well, I do! So, after doing my share researching, I got my hands on Konad's Nail Art and Image Plates. You can only get these online (at least in my area), but if you go to Konad.com, or wowsocool.com, you can find and order all the Konad products to your hearts desire and locate retailers near you. Right now, I only have the starter set, with one image plate, but man~this is soooo cool! What you need to stamp (successfully, that is): nail image plate, special nail polish, image plate scraper, image stamper. It is important to use the specially formulated nail polishes, because they are thicker and dry immediatley upon contact with the nail. I have the french tip image plate, and tried it out. I found that the whole process is really easy! It does take a bit of practice to align the french manicure tips just right on my natural nail, but once I got the hang of it, *viola*, perfect french tips without the hassle of being hand-painted!

tis the season...

2008-12-25T14:56:00.001-08:00

...for posing and photographing annoyed doggies with a holiday theme....

Merry Christmas!

Estee Lauder Giveaway

2008-12-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

Another blogger is offering a great prize to one lucky winner this holiday season: A set that includes a whole bunch of Estee Lauder goodies, including a 3.4oz Beautiful Sheer edp. Nice....That alone is worth the entry to win. But theres lots more where that comes from. The retail value for this prize is over $100usd easy. Go check it out for yourself at http://nickels-n-dimes.blogspot.com/2008/12/giveaway-7-estee-lauder.html

Good Luck!

Under Construction

2008-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, this bloggie is currently undergoing a hiatus as well as the parsimonious pursuer until I finish my finals this week! Man, these 16 weeks flew by fast this semester. Only 2 more years of school left until my B.S...lol...Sorry for the delay in entries, but hey~a girl's gotta do well in Government, right? Just hang on a few more days or so. For now, enjoy some holiday cheer and give yourself a holiday manicure with candy canes or snowflakes......you know you want to!

Essie Pama Arrived!

2008-12-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

So, a while back http://www.pamaliqueur.com/ was offering a free, yes, free bottle of Essie nail polish for people who signed up. Of course, being a crazy nail polish fanatic, I jumped on this oppurtunity. Luckily, I was one of the first 1000 or so to do it, and finally after 4-6 weeks, a lovely white box appeared on my front steps. I have actually never tried an Essie polish before. I am more of an OPI and China Glaze gal, so trying a $9 bottle of Essie for free is beyond awesome! And... Essie Pama is georgeous!!! It is a deep crimson red with a beautiful jelly finish. I will upload some pics in the coming days.

An Introduction

2008-11-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog! I am in the process of creating/finding an attractive template, gathering useful information, and basically deciding what I will blog frequently about...Too many choices out there! I plan on giving my 2 cents on topics such as beauty and bath & body products (my specialty!). I am a huge nail polish junkie, so expect some of this. Also, giving some great tips and feedback on some of these products. For now~take care and see you soon!