September Ipsy Bag

Hi guys! So this month's Ipsy bag arrived right on time! Last month was a nightmare lol, but I still liked all my products.  Anywho, this month's Ipsy package arrived in a blue and navy makeup bag.  Super cute and sleek.  This bag is a good size to keep in your purse for makeup (if you only carry a little during the day) but even better for personables lol. 

This month's Ipsy bag, for me, came with 5 items.  This month's full sized item was the Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter, which retails for $18.  I'm super excited I got this one too, because I had been wanting to try the Anastasia or Benefit brow highlighter, and since I have one, I don't have to spend the funds now.  Plus, this Chella highlighter has really good reviews, and I'm sure it will add that much needed pop to my eyes.  

This month's products:

• Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil, full sized, retail value of $18
• NYX single eyeshadow, ES103 Hollywood, retail value of $4.50
• Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil,I think this is full sized too, retail value of $12
• Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm, Ipsy sample size, retail value (for full size) $19
• Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara, sample size, retail value (for full size) $19.99

Check out the pics below!!!

Left to right: Eyeliner pencil, highlighter pencil, NYX shadow, lip balm.

Swatches, flash.

Yesterday's Haul-Rite Aid (Maybelline) and Ulta (NYX)

Yesterday, unintentionally, I picked out a few things while out and about.  I picked up two of NYX's butter glosses from Ulta that I did not have, as well as some mascara from Rite Aid. The mascara is Maybelline's Great Lash mascara, in the new limited edition colors.  There are six colors in total, I picked up four.  I was thinking about getting the other two, but they are similar to the ones I picked, so I'm not sure.  These retail for $5.39 at Rite Aid and were buy one get one 50% off.  The colors I picked out are: Teal Appeal, Wink of Pink, Vision in Violet, and I See Blue.  The two I left behind are: Very Berry and Go Go Green.  I will do swatches of them and post those up later.  Check out the haul pic below.

Birthday Face

Hey y'all!! So here's my birthday face. On my eyes I have the original Naked palette, MAC's fluidline in blacktrack, and Nars org*** on my cheeks.  On my lips I have on Rihanna's Heaux in one pic and in the other Up the Amp with a touch of Lavender Whip in the center. Excuse my awkward poses lol.

Nordstrom-Buy Two Get One Free Mascara, Today ONLY!

WHY, WHY, WHY do I subscribe to emails from all these companies? I am FLAT BROKE lol. I have California this upcoming weekend and I've spent every penny preparing for the trip and everything. UGH. But seriously? Buy two get one free mascara?? ANY BRAND? MIX OR MATCH? Come on now, that's a good idea. And you can never have too many mascaras, ever! And it's a great opportunity to try new ones you've wanted to.  I'm going to resist the urge...but I'm letting you gals know if you're interested.

Okay, I just have to update this to say that if I could pick three mascara IF I WERE GOING TO ORDER THEM WHICH I AM NOT, they would be: 1. Burberry "Effortless Mascara" 2. Guerlain "Le 2 de Guerlain" Mascara 3. any of the Lancome mascaras

Nordstrom Mini Haul (with FREE samples!)

Last week when I was doing some Mother's Day shopping I stopped at the MAC counter and was informed that the following weekend (today) they were having an event.  With the event they were giving away gift bags/boxes with free samples with a purchase.  For MAC I don't think there was a minimum purchase amount, so I just got 2 lipsticks and a lipglass I had been eyeing.  I prepaid and all I had to do was pick it up today.  Glad I did because it was a zoo.  Makeup chairs everywhere in the beauty department, so many people. Ugh.  I like to shop in peace and quiet, when I can have an associate's undivided attention.  

So the box the samples came in is pretty cool, a super sturdy matte black box.  I'm actually glad I got this over a bag because for my trip to Cali, I could put my travel makeup in the box and not be super worried that it will be damaged at the airport.  It is really really tough. I listed the samples below, and I got a few Gucci Guilty because they know it's my current fave and I'm not ready to shell out a ton of money on perfume when I don't wear it too often.  

The items I picked up were MAC lipstick in Viva Glam II (satin finish-a light brownish purplish color) and Creme Cup (a cremesheen finish--a soft, light pink) and a lipglass in Viva Glam V.  There are sample pics below.

Free samples from my gift box:

• Thierry Mugler Alien eau de parfum
• Gucci Guilty eau de toilette
• Diptyque Eau Rose eau de toilette
• MAC Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (super excited to try this--heard good things)
• MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara
• MAC Tan and Rose Pigment

Dior's Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

Let me tell you! This mascara is the BOMB dot com!  When it comes to mascara, I've tried all types, many different brands over the past ten years.  At the end of the day, my go to mascara is Covergirl's LashBlast.  It's affordable, and for me gave me beautiful dark lashes.  I find high end mascaras to very rarely be worth the extra money, at least in my experience.  I know everyone is different.  But while I was at Sephora one day, I saw the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara and decided to give it a try.  I was pleased with Dior's lash primer, so I wanted to check out the Dior mascara.  From the very first time I put on the first coat, I could instantly tell the difference.  It coated my lashes beautifully and gave me length and curl.  I also found that it didn't take as much product to get the effect I wanted as with my Covergirl LashBlast.  Regardless, I am in loveeeeeeee with this mascara right now.  By far my favorite.  

I'm not a huge fan of false eyelashes (primarily because I absolutely suck at applying them lol) so a good mascara is very important to me.  My natural lashes aren't bad, they're just not as thick or full as I'd like them to be.  If I had to really think hard about it and find a flaw with the mascara, I would say that if you tried to apply multiple coats, it can get clumpy/too thick, as it dries very quickly.  Still, I'd recommend this mascara to anyone out there, and my Covergirl for people who aren't looking for high end, but something nearly as good.  

Below i have some before and after swatches. I used Dior on one eye and Covergirl on the other.  As you can see, they are both close, but the Dior is blacker, more striking, and again used less product.  I know these pics aren't that great and really don't do the mascara any justice, but I'll post them anyway.  Dior on the left Covergirl on the right. 

FYI I purchased this product at Sephora during their Beauty Chic week (15% off).  I think it might be exclusive to Sephora only.  Sephora has a great return policy, so if you aren't satisfied with a purchase, even if you've used it, you can still return it for a full refund.