Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance Lipstick in Inspired

This weekend was the BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!!!  Not only did I get a weekend away in Maryland to visit my beautiful godbaby, but my godbaby and her parents got me (for my bday) Tarte's Glamazon Pure Performance Lipstick in INSPIRED!!!! Now y'all know I have been eyeing this baby for ages! And now I have it in my possession.  All is right with the world.  It seriously brought tears to my eyes.  This was the best bday year ever!!  And now I have my beautiful dusty pink lipstick to match! Love it! Check out the pics below, while I sit here and admire it in person, lol! 

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DIY Lip Scrub

I know a few posts back I reviewed Fresh's Sugar Lip Polish, which is a great lip scrub, and super convenient.  It's convenient because you don't have to make it, it lasts forever, and it gets the job done.  Tonight I made my own lip scrub, so I decided to share it with you guys.  While I like Fresh's I do find that when I use my own lip scrub its wayyyyy more moisturizing.  Some pics are below, but the recipe is pretty simple.  I've always played with mine here and there, and you can def substitute ingredients or use less or more to your liking. 

Tonight I used: 

1 tbsp honey

2 tbsp white granulated sugar

1/2 tsp oil to start with--add more if needed (combined olive oil and jojoba oil)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and store.  That's it. So simple! Once done, just rub some of the scrub into your lips for a minute or so, then remove with a warm damp towel (cloth or paper). Like I've said, there are so many different ways you could make this lip scrub your own! I usually love to use almond oil, its so super yummy and great smelling, but I couldn't find it so I used a combination of olive and jojoba.  The reason why I put 1-2 tsp oil is that you have to start off with 1-2 tsp and then add more as you go.  I always find that I prefer a dryer scrub, like no residual oil just hanging out in my jar.  I mixed all the ingredients in a bowl, then transferred to this super cool small 1 ounce jar.  The jars were in a package of 2, for $1.  I found them in WalMart's travel section...they make great storage containers for these scrubs or homemade lip balms. The recipe is enough to fill two containers, so give one to a friend! And what does this recipe cost to make? Could it even be more than $1? Lol! Awesome...and be sure to follow up with Vaseline when you're done.  Or some lip balm to moisturize after, and you're all set with gorgeous lips.

Check out the pics below1 

Sorry I've Been MIA!

This week has been super duper busy at work, and I'm going out of town for the weekend.  I promise I'll be back Tuesday (if not sooner) with some cool posts, new information on more fall makeup collection, and tutorials!! 

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.

Make-Up Removal

Makeup removal is super important for your skin, we all know that. Even more importantly, proper makeup removal is key to good (or better) skin. Using quality makeup removal tools and methods save time and stress to your skin.  If you wear makeup regularly then you might have a specific routine for makeup removal. For those who my wear makeup regularly you may not have a method, and maybe this article can help you.  The best thing to do to remove makeup is to take it off as soon as you're done for the day/night. Never sleep with makeup on if you can avoid it!!! If you feel yourself getting tired wash your face as soon as possible. I'm a firm believer in letting  your skin breathe.  Eye makeup is the hardest makeup to remove generally. Prior to washing your face you should remove all eye makeup. Then wash your face and follow up with your regular skin routine.  Otherwise you will wash your face and still look like you have raccoon eyes when you are done. My personal go to remover is Lancôme's Bi-Facil remover. Love it, got a deluxe sample and I still use it. I also use face wipes, they're just not my go to because they always make my skin feel weird or sticky  after, and I still have to wash thoroughly.  They're great for swatching or on the go removal. When I wear heavy or stay put mascara or eyeliner I may, sometimes, try and break up the makeup using Vaseline or oil. I find them great, affordable, moisturizing, and they work!! Far better than pulling and tugging and re-wiping your eyes to get the makeup off. You just apply, rub in, and wipe off.  A lot of your makeup is gone and you can just finish with your night skin care routine.  Either way, I recommend removing eye makeup then washing your face. It results in less pull and tug with your skin. 

To make your own eye remover you can use your preferred oil of choice and a carrier (water or a carrier oil).  Everyone has a preference of oil: jojoba, olive, almond, or grape seed. Mixing it with water helps it be less greasy. Just swipe it on a cotton pad and wipe. You may have to work it in if you've got waterproof eye makeup. Still, cheap and natural so that's a bonus!!

NARS Fall Collection 2013

NARS Fall Collection 2013 is available now.  It's a nice collection, featuring warm pretty colors, but I'm not sure if it's cohesive (in my mind).  There are some standout items, but I'm not sure if the entire collection, for me personally, blends.  Or works together completely.  Sometimes collections seem random, or seem that not all the colors in a collection work well with each other.  And I kind of get that impression from this one.  Again, just my opinion.  Check out the details below.

This collection features:

• Pure Matte Lipstick-$26
• La Paz (Deep, orchid purple)
• Peloponnese (Ginger pink)
• Velvet Lip Pencil-$25
• Mysterious Red (Deep, crimson red)
• Paimpol (Pink Chiffon)
• Nail Polish (Opaque)-$19
• Fury (Regal Purple)
• Galathee' (Dove Grey)
• Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner-$24
• Las Rambas (Yellow Gold)
• Via De' Martelli (Chocolate)
• Eyeshadow-$24
• Bavaria (Shimmer-Deep sea blue)
• Yamal (Matte-Maple sugar)
• Namibia (Matte-Grey moon)
• Kamchatka (Matte-Navy smoke)

This collection is available now at Nars Cosmetics (online), and Nordstrom. These are some pics of the products from the website. Nothing fancy, just off my iPhone, sorry.

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!