Ultra Haul: Bare Minerals

Hi guys! I've been meaning to post this for a few days now.  I went to Ulta Saturday and their "steal of the day" was Bare Minerals blush and all over face color.  These normally retail at $19, but for the "steal" were priced at $10.  I went in and swatched a few, as I've never owned or used any Bare Minerals blush or face color. Anywho, the only blush that stood out as something I did not own was secret.  It's a really pretty, soft baby pink.  And everyone needs a baby pink blush.  My former MAC baby pink blush is in crumbles somewhere, so this was a good time to replace it.  Next, I picked up Vintage Peach.  It's a really pretty soft peach with some shimmer.  I almost did not get it because it does seem super similar to some blushes I already own, since I'm more of a peachy blush kind of girl. After going back and forth, I decided to get it.  Arguably, it's not much more $$ than a drugstore blush, and I did like how "soft" it felt.  Lastly, I picked up True, an all over face color.  The all over face color can be used anywhere, eyes, cheek, nose, chin, etc.  Again, this was a color I debated about because it was soooooo shimmery/glittery, I could not fathom using it as a blush.  The only thing that kept me thinking about purchasing was the fact that it has this iridescent element to it, that the pictures don't quite pick up.  I think this could be used over your eyeshadow, no matter what color, for greater emphasis and pop.  I also think it will be great as a highlight.  So I caved and got this one too, lol.  My only complaint (not having actually used these items) is that it seems that these loose powder blushes are a bit wasteful.  For example, you have to open it, tap it, etc, to get the product out.  It is a bit more work than using a compact powder blush, and I would imagine application takes a bit more attention to detail as well, to get even and flawless color.  Anywho, I'm going to try these out this weekend!!

Urban Decay's Holiday Lineup (Fall 2013)

Urban Decay announced it's Holiday lineup today! The collection is available online now, but it looks like a couple of items are not yet available (the highlight powder and the anarchy palette).  The collection will be sold in stores in the next few weeks or so, but for now you can only purchase online.  I have not actually seen the collection yet, but once I do I will update with more details on each item as well as swatches. For now, my info was compiled from Urban Decay.  If you want a full scoop of all the details plus amazing swatches, check out Christine's amazing post at Temptalia.  Also, check out the pics below. 

The set includes two eyeliner pencil sets (Black Market and Ocho Loco 2), a Vice 2 eyeshadow palette, two face palettes (Anarchy and Shattered), Heavy Metal eyeliner glitters, and a Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder.

Photo Credit: Temptalia

Photo: Urban Decay

Photo: Urban Decay

Photo: Urban Decay

Photo: Urban Decay

Photo Credit: Temptalia

Photo Credit: Temptalia

Photo Credit: Temptalia

Mini Ulta Haul

I stopped into Ulta last night because they are currently running their 21 days of beauty, and there are some great deals in there.  I went for the Too Faced Shadow Insurance (eyelid primer) which was half off, so $10 instead of $20 for a full sized bottle.  That was a good deal IMO.  While there I also picked up this Natural Rebel set by Too Faced, which is exclusive to Ulta.  The set comes with Too Faced's Natural at Night eyeshadow set (gorgeous browns), a full sized Eyeliner pencil in Espresso, and a quad of lip gloss and creams.  I think it's a great value, considering the palette alone retails for $36.   So it's like you got the pencil and lip quad free!  Oh, and it comes with a free gift, which makes it a better value! Deluxe sized samples of Too Faced's shadow insurance and lip injection plumper.  Awesome.I can't wait to do looks using this baby soon.  I promise!

Ulta Haul

Picked up a couple of items from Ulta today. Check out the pics below!  Orly nail polish is on sale for $4.99 and there were a ton of adorable colors! I wonder if Orly has "revamped" their polish line because I know the older bottles all have the signature silver top with the white base around the handle.  These have the black handles and they have some sort of grip on them.  Really nice.  Ulta has NYX buy one get one 50% off.  I recommend that if you ever plan on buying a few NYX items (which you should because they're great), to hold off for the buy one get one 50% off sale.  They have it regularly at Ulta. The Stila lip gloss trios are on sale for $7.99 and were strategically placed by the register lol!! They eyeshadow base and milk pencil are for a friend, I have my own stash lol!

Nail Polish L to R: Gumdrop, Artificial Sweetener and Cotton Candy

Stila Lip Trio: Blue (Chic Cobalt Collection-orchard/hibiscus/kitten)/Green (Elegant Emerald Collection-pout/kaleidoscope/apricot)

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk and Cottage Cheese, Butter Gloss in Strawberry Parfait and Merengue, Gel Eyeliner in Teal.

NYX Butter Glosses in Creme Brulee and Maple Blondie

Part of my haul from Tuesday's post were these two NYX butter glosses (from Ulta).  These are quickly becoming my preferred lip gloss.  First, have I ever raved about how much I love NYX? If I haven't, let me take a moment to do so.  If I have, forgive me.  Anywho, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE NYX.  I think it's a great brand, and many of its products can compete with higher end brands.  Additionally, it is made with the average girl and even the makeup artist in mind, so it blends affordability and quality in one.  Some of my go to makeup items are NYX products, like the eyeshadow base and jumbo eye pencils.  Adore them!!! 

The butter glosses are great worn alone or on top of lipstick.  They are creamy and have good color, without drying the lip or being sticky.  No one likes sticky lip gloss.  They retail for $4.99, and Ulta always has them buy one get one 50% off at least once every six weeks or so.  They're a great value and they're super awesome in my book.  Check out the pic of the Creme Brulee and Maple Blondie below!

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.

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12 Hour Lipstick

I've been eyeing these lippies for a while now. Today, while in Ulta I decided to swatch them all. Big mistake. There was one color I was originally dying over, but now I want them alllll! Maybe they'll magically fall out of the sky one day lol. Anywho, the colors are swatched below. Left to right: Pure, Inspired, Playful, Fierce, Wild, Bold, Whimsy, Foxy, Graceful and Enlightened. Oh, these babies were also super creamy and smooth.  These retail at $26 and are available at Ulta, Sephora, and Tarte online.  Check them out here from Sephora.

If I had to pick one, Inspired is the one I've been in love with for ages!

Ulta Online Haul

I ordered some things from Ulta that came in the mail last night.  The Eco Tools and Real Techniques brushes were all buy one get one 50% off, and I also used the 20% off coupon.  The Eco Tools brushes were Detailed Lip brush and the Sharpen and Smudge Duo (1275 and 1245).  The Real Techniques brushes are the blush brush and powder brush. I'm super excited about these because my former brushes were Target brand brushes and of course, they sucked.  I find the Real Technique brushes to be a good value for the price!  The Ulta products were all buy one get one free, so I picked up an eyeliner brush and an eyeliner gel pencil in Peacock.  The nail polishes were $6 each. Overall I think I got a really good deal!! Oh yea, check out those free samples in the back (next to the bread) lol! Didn't open the pack, not sure what they are, but I will update...because you know I love my free samples!!

Maybelline Baby Lips--Electro Collection

I stopped in Ulta today and saw the newer Maybelline Baby Lips from the Electro Collection.  There are six in total, and I picked up four colors that I liked.  The colors I picked were: Strike a Rose, Pink Shock, Oh Orange, and Berry Bomb.  Two pinks, and orange and a purple.  They apply sheer, with light color, definitely something fun and cute for the summer.  These would look great over some of your lipsticks, or you can wear them along as well.  These babies are made with shea butter and vitamin E, and are "proven" to moisturize lips leaving them smoother and suppler (so says the packaging).  

FYI there are two more colors in the collection, I just did not pick them up.  They were available at Ulta, but I had previously seen swatches and the colors barely show up at all.  Plus, even if they did show up, the likelihood of me wearing yellow (Fierce N Tangy) or green (Minty Sheer) anything on my lips is slim to none. 

As a side note, if you are interested in picking these up, I'd recommend going to Wal-Mart or Target.  They retail for $2.99 as opposed to $3.99 at Ulta.  The only reason I picked them up at Ulta was because they were there, on an endcap I passed and I figured I might as well get them while I was out and I had a coupon. All of the Baby Lips are cheaper at Target or Wal-Mart. 

I find the Baby Lips to be "okay".  I know most of the beauty community would think otherwise, but again, this is just my opinion.  There are folks who have tons of them, and collect them.  I only own (besides the four neon ones) 3 in total.  I personally prefer my lip balms to be balms only, with no color.  I think when you add color it makes application trickier, and for me I usually apply a ton of lip balm so then I'm sitting there with super thick and uneven color.  My all time favorite lip balm will always be EOS lip balm.  It is moisturizing, not too heavy and not too light, and doesn't make you want to apply it every hour like other chapsticks.  

Check out the pics below!

Ulta Mini-Haul

I stopped at Ulta yesterday because I had a coupon that expired soon and I needed makeup remover wipes. I picked up a couple other things while I was in there. They had a decent clearance on some Maybelline products so those lip stains I got were only $2.29. NYX was also buy one get one 50 percent off so I picked up an illuminater and matte bronzer that I can't wait to try. I'm not good at highlighting and contouring so hopefully these powders will make it easier for me!  I also got a travel kabuki brush for powder and blush application and NYX's Jumbo Eye Liner pencil in Milk. 

These Maybelline colors were only $2 after my coupon.  I swatched them on my wrist.  The colors were okay, the Fresh Fuschia was definitely prettier than the Plum...which had a lot of brown undertones.  These definitely live up to their title of "Super Stay"...after I washed them off they left behind a nice, dark stain.

When it comes to makeup....ALWAYS ask the sales associate for help!

I decided to write this post after having a conversation with a good friend of mine.  I used to feel the same way too actually, so I decided to share.  If you are "new" to makeup and have questions or want to try new products, go to a department store/Sephora/Ulta and ask for help!! I know getting into makeup can be daunting, but at the end of the day these people are PAID to help you! Accordingly, you're more than welcome to stop in, ask questions, get product recommendations and SAMPLES of foundations to work with.  

Some stores are better than others, and of course you get better service on certain days/certain times when the sales person/makeup artist has more time to spend with you.  So I'd recommend avoiding weekends at least.  Also, Nordstrom and Saks are very helpful, but don't feel compelled to purchase because your sales person may be pushy.  Ask questions, get samples, go home and try them out for a few days.  You may get a sample and get home only to realize that in the light the color is too light or too dark, or that you just don't like the "type" of foundation (too streaky, too cakey, not enough coverage, too much coverage, etc).  No one expects you to waste hundreds of dollars on foundation and not be pleased.  Sephora, Nordstom, and Saks all offer samples, so do not hesitate to ask for one.  

If you're not initially comfortable with "bothering" a sales person, then I'd recommend doing some online research and having in mind certain types of foundations you would like to try.  Then, you could just go into the store and strictly ask for a sample of that product in a shade that looks to you to be best for your skin.  Either way, feel comfortable and explore different brands and colors, until you find your fit.  

I know that for me personally, matching my foundation has become the world's hardest task.  Kinda like calculus.  For years MAC's NC 42 was perfect for me.  All of a sudden over the past year its too light and too yellow.  So then I began the task of foundation hunting.  I currently use Lancome, which works best for me, but I'm still not going to call it my "go to perfect best foundation ever".  So in the meantime I've got a bunch of samples that I'm trying out over time, to see if I find one that performs well and lives up to my expectations.  You should do the same!

I know it gets expensive and depressing buying a foundation (especially a high end one) that matched in the store, or that you were 'pressured' into buying...and then to get home and have it not work or not match your skin tone is super annoying.  That's why I recommend never purchasing a foundation on the day you go to look at it or get matched up.  Just try the sample and if you get home and like it, then consider going back to purchase. 

Matter of fact, I went to Sephora today and got two samples of Tarte's BB cream, because I hear good things about it.  Unfortunately, I'm probably going to have to mix shades since neither really worked for my skin.  Sigh.  

If you're looking for a person who is super informed about makeup I'd recommend going to a department store.  In my experience, personally, I've found they have done better jobs of color match ups for me than the employees at Sephora, and tend to spend more time with you.  But again, to each his own.  And i'm not sure if Ulta does samples or not, but either way, I haven't found their staff to be uber helpful.  Just my opinion.

I'm going to attach  a pic to this post in a few minutes so you guys can see the "sample" stash I've acquired over the past few months.  FYI out of all these samples, there are two that I'm still 'considering'. The rest were not close at all. 

I also view getting samples as being less wasteful as well. Sephora and Nordstrom both have great return policies. Even if you use the item, if you're not satisfied you can still return it. Personally, I'd much rather get a sample than waste a whole jar even if they refund my money. 

OPI's Matte Top Coat

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. I know i'm probably late in the game with the whole "matte polish phase" but I haven't been able to find a matte topcoat.  Until today.  When I wasn't even looking.  I went to Ulta to pick up the liquid sand bond girl in Jinx (which they didn't have...boooooo) and I saw one lone matte top coat sitting in with the other polishes.  So I grabbed it and ran to the register.   Anywho, in my previous post I discussed the Loreal polishes I picked up from Target today.  I then realized that I had the matte top coat and decided to try it out.  Below is a picture of the results (as per my prior post--don't judge my nail polish job).  I LOVE this top coat.  I can just imagine all the fun things and designs you could do with it!! Can't wait to try them all out.  I mean, once I find my polish remover.  Sigh.

First is a picture pre-matte top coat. Second are pictures with the matte top coat, flash and no flash.

Target and Ulta Haul

Took the day off to spend time with my daughter.  We had a great time and we mostly ran errands, bought some toys, and came home for play time.  Days like today make me miss staying at home with her, wishing I had more time to spend together.  :(.  Sidenote, we made a trip to Target for a couple things and I browsed the makeup section. They had some nice things marked down so I picked up a couple of items I've never tried (shown below). I'm excited to swatch and try these out later on!

Also I stopped in Ulta to pick up the mirror that was in this week's sale ad. Only $14.99, and it was eligible for the 3.50 off of 10.00 purchase coupon! I also got my hands on the OPI matte topcoat which I can't wait to try out!! EOS lip balms were also 2/6$ so I picked a couple extra up. They make great stocking and gift stuffers too.