Merry Christmas Eve! "Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month."
I know favorites posts are usually due at the end of the month/first of the following month. But I was afraid I would list all my new Christmas items as my favorites just because they were new and in the spotlight. So to be fair, I'm doing this a little early...
Bath & Body Works - Aromatherapy Sleep - Lavender & Chamomile - I mentioned the pillow mist awhile back, I purchased the lotion and a candle this month. I'm becoming obsessed with the line. I know the two scents are relaxing, but I need to do some research and see if this product really works. Maybe it's all mental, either way, I'm sleeping like a baby, and plan to purchase the rest of the line. (*Fingers crossed* for the Semi-Annual sale having some deals!)
LUSH Christmas Eve Bubble Bar - (not pictured, all crumbled up in Tupperware, already.) Another relaxing scent, it's pretty girly though (Jasmine) that gives mountains of bubbles. I wish this was a permanent scent (or just more products!); I only purchased 3, I should probably go get some more to last me the rest of the year.
MAC Bare Study Paint Pot - With my tan, I was loving Indianwood, (I'm getting paler by the minute...no, for the first time in six years I am not tanning. So it's an excuse to buy lighter shades of makeup.) this is such a pretty color to wear under any eyeshadow or alone.
MAC Bisque Eyeshadow - Another pale shade, I wanted a matte color because I'm tired of a shimmer overload, I've been wearing this every day. (see previous FOTD the post here.)
iPhone Case - I ditched my Otterbox for a clear case that cracked a million times; I randomly came across this one on eBay for dirt cheap, it looks pretty sleek, it's a keeper.
For the holidays, I've been loving glitter polishes. My only complaint is staying power is awful! No matter what base coat, top coat, or normal polish that is combined with these next two polishes didn't help. At least two nails would peel off the following day. Most people can't get glitter polish off; I can't get it to stay on! Any suggestions?
OPI Bring on the Bling - I'd say this was the star of the collection, it was always sold out at my Ulta so I ended up swapping for it on Makeupalley. There are plenty of reviews and raves on this already!
Nicole by OPI Spark my Mistletoe - I was disappointed by one thing about the burlesque collection.... there wasn't a red glitter! Luckily, I bumped into this instead. Over Sephora by OPI Sample Sale, I feel extra Christmas-y!
UPDATES: Room Makeover
Out of boredom, birthday money burning a hole in my pocket, and realizing I will not be moving out until next fall, I decided it was time for a room makeover. I have had the same bedroom theme and decor for almost six years.. (middle school, 7th grade.) A change has been long overdue. I went from a cluttered and busy yellow and pink theme to a clean and relaxing red and black one. I spent a little over a hundred dollars total (my walls and furniture are white so they can go with anything.) A new bedding set and curtains were the "big money" items. A few things just needed to be covered with fabric or black spray paint. Then, I ran to local dollar stores and raided my craft box. I failed to take before and after pictures. Here is a stock photo of the new bedding...
Also, here are my DIY items I am most proud of... they all came from a dollar store yet they do not look like it with some ribbon and jewels. Storage Bins and Makeup Holders. TIP: Use rice instead of bead-filler in your makeup holder.
Embracing Paleness
I have been "fake baking" for the past six years, usually every October-March (sometimes longer.) I have to decided to give my skin a rest. Seeing a pale reflection and pictures is taking some getting used to!
FOTD: using a few of this month's favorites*: MAC Eyeshadow Honesty & Bronze, MAC Technakohl Graphblack Eyeliner, L'Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic Mascara*, NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Nude Pigment*, Clinique Blush in Big, Wet'n'Wild Lipstick in Smokin' Hot Pink*.
Watching a New Show
Everyone always raved about One Tree Hill (season 8 is now airing) but I did not want to dive into it without watching them. I watched the first few episodes (season 1) one Saturday morning on Soap Net about a month ago and decided it was worth a watch. Luckily, I got to borrow them from someone local. I am only on season 4 now, it is a good show, but I am not hooked. (Gossip Girl Season 1: i stayed up for 48 hours and watched the entire box.) I am sure One Tree Hill will get better with time. I like it, but has not made my top 4 TV shows (yet?)
October Favorites
"Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month."
I recently realized I sold all of my larger purses on eBay, leaving me only with hipsters/cross-body bags. For school, I like larger bags, so I splurged a bit and got my second Coach Purse. (Coach OP Art Chainlink Maggie #14420) I love it! It is pretty bag and has tons of compartments, so I can easily find anything I need.
Because of the room makeover and new purse, I stayed away from shopping for beauty products. Most of these are rediscovered items.
Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep Pillow Mist in Lavender and Camille - I had problems sleeping, my mind just would not shut off at night. I was taking some over-the-counter "natural" sleep enhancements, not a good idea, led to breakouts and vivid dreams. I was looking for a healthier option and found this. I can not decide if it is a mental thing or it really does work, either way, I sleep like a baby now and want to check out the other items from this line.
Moroccan Oil Hair Oil - This has been on my want list for some odd number of months. There are plenty of positive reviews out there, I agree with them. It is a bit pricey, yes. (The bigger bottle is a better deal.) I have a head full of long, thick, hair and only need less than a dime size. I have used it every 3-5 days this month and have only used 1/8 of it. Immediately after applying (to dry hair) I can tell a difference.. more shine, less frizz. It smells good, too.
OPI Black Onyx - Just a creamy, somewhat shiny, black. I don't know if I was in the Halloween, rock chick mode, or what, but I kept reapplying this all month.
Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer - I received a sample of this forever ago. I was looking for a good corrector concealer palette, then settled for this instead. I hate concealer and foundation all together and usually, I do not wear it unless I have to. It is getting colder, that means redness around my nose, it kind of gets chapped I guess. (I am not sure, I will have to do some research on it!) Anyway, instead of layering on the concealer, using a corrector is a really good idea.
Wet 'n' Wild Smokin' Hot Pink (905DP) Lipstick - I am loving the Fuschia lip trend. (Not that I can pull it off.) I picked this up for .99 cents, not the greatest formula... it definitely needs a primer before. It is a really pretty color.
LUSH Christmas Eve Bubble Bar - it's back!! I purchased it as soon as it was at my counter and have been letting it smell up my room. This is definitely my favorite Christmas product, maybe even it all time (it ties with sex bomb!) The scent is really girly: jasmine and ying-yang.,, quite floral-y and perfumey. It is a relaxing scent as well. (Which is the point of the bubble bar.. to make little kids fall asleep on Christmas Eve.) Here is a demo... (starting at 1:15) However, I would suggest crumbling half of it under running water instead.
L'Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic Mascara - I have always been into high-end mascaras, for whatever reason I picked this one up awhile back, rediscovered it and it is all ever grab anymore. (2 coats)
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania - Nude Pigment (001) - (Repotted in the picture, the original jar is way too tiny.) A perfect highlight (under brow on cheeks) now that I am a bit paler...
First off, let me inform you all, LUSH Holiday Collection 2010 is here. LUSH put the items up for sale on October 1 (on the website.) I am not positive when the line hits stores. I did my online shopping, got to check out and realized 80% of the items had an M (for may melt) beside them, so I decided to wait until I can safely purchase the items at the store!
My LUSH stash was running low, in the mean time I picked up all of these... This looks pretty massive, but technically I didn't spend too much. I share a bathroom with my sisters, so they often get their hands on all of this too. A few Saturdays ago LUSH was having a promotion party to come see all of the "new" bath bombs. (The 4 that were released in the UK midsummer, obviously they're not new after I've been admiring them through UK blogs.) If you RSVP'ed you received a Free Vanilla Fountain Bath Bomb, and with a purchase of $35 or more, you also got a free Sex Bomb Bath Bomb. Plus, I had 5 empty pots, so I got to pick up a free face mask too! I really racked up on the free stuff this trip to LUSH.
Purchases
The Comforter Bubble Bar (2) - This and Christmas Eve ties for my favorite Bubble Bar, this is definitely my sisters too. One will last anywhere between 4-8 baths. We purchased two last Christmas and just now had to restock. Flothy Gritter Bubble Bar - This is the only new one I have used and can actually review so far, I was always so turned off by this product... I thought it was just a glitter bomb, I would take a bath in it, then take a shower to get all the glitter off. That is definitely not the case. Keep it Fluffy Bath Bomb Twilight Bath Bomb Mrs. Whippy Bath Bomb
Freebies
BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask Fair Foot Trade Lotion Sample (2) Sex Bomb Bath Bomb - One of my favorite LUSH items, I'm obsessed with the scent. I have this just sitting in my room, for the time being Vanilla Fountain Bath Bomb
Review: BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask
I finally finished my cleansers and had enough empty pots. (If you bring back 5 empty containers to LUSH, you get a free fresh face mask.) I did not know which mask I wanted, they're not online so I wasn't even positive what all was offered. Right before I headed to LUSH, I read some reviews on makeupalley.com and BB Seaweed seemed to be the favorite, so I went with that. I used Aquamarina Cleanser before and liked it, so I figured it may be somewhat similar with Seaweed being a key ingredient in both.
I put the mask on, waited about 15 minutes, and it dried almost completely clear, there were huge chunks of seaweed that I had to scrub off. After finally getting the mask off my skin felt more aggravated from the seaweed than soothed and relaxed.
I have normal skin, a pimple here and there about once a month. The morning after using this mask I had quite a few pimples. I'm not sure if my skin was too aggravated or the mask is pulling all the imperfections out. I still have a few blemishes now.
Overall, I'm not impressed with this one.What mask do you recommend?
At least my sister enjoyed it!
My local LUSH store has a Facebook, I entered a contest on the discussion, and actually won! I received the 4 "new" bath bombs, 2 of these I purchased a week before. I wanted to try out the other two, but I did not love the smell enough.
I cut all of these (except for Mrs. whippy) open because they're pretty big and could make two baths. I didn't realize all of these were like a two-in-one deal, they all have another bath bomb color and scent both inside of them. Twilight has the best and strongest smell. Fizzbanger smells like Pez candy. The other two are just okay. Dragon's Egg had a gold treasure chest inside of it. too cute! hah. Thanks, LUSH Oak Court!
We all get so wrapped up in the high-end cosmetics, there's some at your local drugstore too. Plus, not everyone can afford to go Sephora or to the counters at department stores. I went through my makeup drawer and pulled out all of the drugstore cosmetics. Sadly, this is all I own. (With the exception of some NYX products, but I don't think they're that wonderful for everyday use.) I've tried plenty of others, but I've swapped them on makeupalley.com or gave them to my little sister. These are the only ones I've kept around and repurchased...
Prices obviously vary depending on where you purchase them; target usually sells at the cheapest. The prices are kind of a guess (my memory and google) If I'm in the wrong ballpark, let me know!
Clean and Clear Morning Glow Eye Brightening Cream
$6 (Discontinued?)
This was discontinued, but it's not back on the clean and clear website in different packaging, so maybe it's back! If not, try amazon.com or ebay.com. I purchased my current tube on eBay. I love all of the morning glow/burst products, I've tried them all. These are the only two I repurchase when I run out. This is the only eye brightening cream I've noticed that makes my green eyes even brighter. (I've only tried high-end samples.) It doesn't irritate my eyes either.
Clean and Clear Morning Glow Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15
$6-$8
I love all of the morning glow/burst products, I've tried them all. These are the only two I repurchase when I run out. The smell is great, the formula is nice, oil-free, plus sunscreen!
ELF All Over Color Stick in Toasted
$1
I cannot tell you how many ELF products I've purchased, I've only kept about 10 (most are brushes) out of the 100. I do like this for the days I'm looking a little pale.. just swipe on your cheeks and blend with your fingertips.
ELF Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black
$1
I doubt this is waterline safe, I used it once and it hurt pretty bad. I do like this for going over False Lashes and filling in the lines/evening out gel liner.
Lip Smackers Lip Frosting in Birthday $3
I'm obsessed with lipgloss. It's the only drugstore one I've repurchased over and over again. It's a nice shimmery pink color. But the scent, it's like having a birthday cake on your lips. (For the record, lick it, it tastes like nothing.)
Loreal Bare Natural All Over Mineral Glow in Nude Glow
$10-$14
I use this all over; mainly on my shoulders to catch the light for important events.
Loreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara
$7-$10
This is my Second Favorite Mascara! (Clinique High Definition comes in first place.) This does beat a lot of high-end mascaras in my book. I've been wearing this for the past month. Just two swipes for school or you can really layer it up for a night time look.
NYX Ultra Pearl Mania in Nude
$2
This is the only NYX product I love and use daily. Plus it's the only pigment/loose eyeshadow I use often as well. It's great for a highlight anywhere on your face.
Revlon Skinlights Loose Powder Illuminator in Warm Light
$10 (Discontinued)
This was the first bronzer I ever owned years ago. It took me a good year or two to finish it. I recently repurchased on amazon.com. It gives a nice sweep of color with some shimmer. Great for night-outs!
Wet 'n' Wild Ultimate Expressions Eyeshadow Palette in Sand Castle
$5 (Discontinued)
Why this was discontinued, I have no clue. Why I shoved this to the back of my makeup drawer and started using only MAC eyeshadows, again, I have no clue. This was my daily palette until I felt the need to spend all of my money on MAC eyeshadows. (8 colors for $5 or 1 color for 14.50? What is wrong with me? lol.) These wet 'n' wild colors are just as pigmented and blend-able as MACs. Get your hands on this palette if you can! I wish I picked up more colors!
A look with all of the products mentioned above (plus MAC concealer and some eyebrow tools) I can't say it's completely drugstore only...
FOTD:
Almost Drugstore Only
I feel weird without blush,,,
Gemma, a lovely girl who lives in London asked me to do a swap! Follow her: Twitter and Blog. We emailed back and forth requesting items and giving each other updates.
I actually got my package a few days ago, thinking I'd do a blog after I tested/used them so I could actually review them, but I may just do a separate post later if any of you want an American opinion on UK goodies!
For whatever reason, UK will accept nail polishes, but they rejected the package to leave the UK since it contained nail polishes. Have any of you ever had this problem? I know nail polish swaps are pretty common for most people I follow. So, I'll have a package of nail polishes to talk about in about 5 weeks. They're coming by sea mail instead of air mail. On to the goodies I have now!
I loved how Gemma wrapped everything separately! So much time went into that, plus me and my little sister had fun unwrapping it!
The Eyeko, BarryM, and Retro LUSH items were all requested since they're basically impossible to find in the US. I asked for the TopShop temporary bracelets tattoos, too.
Everything else was picked out by Gemma!
BarryM
Lime Dazzledust
Strawberry Lip Balm
Eyeko
3 in 1 Cream
Mascara (Black)
Gosh
134 Darling Lipstick
LUSH
Summer Pudding Soap
Curly Wurly Shampoo Sample
Tuca Tuca Fragrance
The Wheel of Misfortune Biofuel Soap
LUSH Retro
Absolute Delight Ballistic
Happy Bubble Bar
Happy Birthday Bubble Bar
Ice Hotel Bubble Bar
Playdoze Bubble Bar
I know BarryM 3 in 1 Crystal Clear Nail Paint (recommended by Hannah) I'm really looking for a good top coat! & Mushroom Nail Paint are on the way, along with a few other surprise nail polishes as well!
I love everything! Except I'm a little unsure of the Playdoze Bubble Bar. I guess I was expecting the lovely smell of play-dough? hah. I requested it for my little sister, she's 6, and LOVES LUSH! But even she didn't like the smell! hah. Have any of you tried this? Is it better in the bath?
My favorites right away were the Floral Wayfarers! (I lost my wayfarers in the lake! yay. a better replacement!) The Eyeko products, and the LUSH Happy Birthday Bubble Bar - I almost ordered a few of these many times just to have an easy, last minute birthday gift laying around the house. But I didn't want the smell to be awful. I really like it. I will repurchase more of these!
The chocolate was a complete gooey sticky mess and smelt like LUSH on the outside. :/ Hopefully, I'll still get the real UK taste, regardless of its shape. hah.
Click the picture below to see what American goodies I picked up for Gemma!
"Favorites" posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) "rediscovered" items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month."
Color Club Magic Attraction
I saw many bloggers post NOTD's with this. I eventually just bought it on eBay. I'm not sure where you can buy this brand... anyone know? It takes 4-5 coats to get the color of the bottle. But I LOVE it, it's holographic glitter than just glistens in the sun. It almost looks like MAC's 3D glitter on your nails.
LUSH Aqua MarinaCleanser
Purchased this without doing any research. I love ocean salt, but I only use it in the shower, I wanted an everyday cleanser. I just bought it out my counter, the LUSH girl told me how to use it. I drove home, and then smelt it.. ick. It reminds me of Sushi. Remind sushi on your face. ick. It's just a seaweed roll. You have to make a paste to use it. The smell eventually grew on me, it started smelling more clean. I use it at night, my face felt so good in the morning. This is supposed to be for sensitive skin. I have normal skin, so I'm not sure about its claim.
MAC Creations Hue: Turquatic
I was tired of my old perfume (Stella) so I purchased this. It's just a clean-cologne smell. It only last a few hours, which is annoying. If it had better staying power, I'd love it.
Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator
You're supposed to just put this in dry hair and let it set. I've only that once. I've just been using this as a conditioner. It fixed my pool, lake, and ocean hair. Great for summer!
OPI Elephantastic Pink
I've found this being my go-to pedicure color. It's a barbie hot pink.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter
I hate the smell. I hate product food scents. This smells like I'm rubbing a Hershey's chocolate bar on my skin. I was extremely sunburned from the ocean. (for the first time in my life I was peeling, flaky skin. ew.) I was slathering the peeling with aloe vera and baby oil enriched with aloe vera. After a week and a half, I did some research and found out that aloe vera just hydrates your skin, making it feel better, but not healing it. Cocoa butter moisturizes it. So after 2-3 days of using cocoa butter, peeling was gone, and my skin discoloration was gone.
Ms. Manicure Mini Emery Boards
I purchased these forever ago and just threw them in my makeup bag. I find myself needing a nail file all the time lately. They're perfect just to throw in your purse.
MAC Thrills Frost Lipstick
I can't pull off red lipstick. This is just a light, wearable red. I've found myself reaching for this every day.
Maybelline Define-A-Brow
I've been using eyeshadow to fill in my over-waxed, uneven eyebrows. I read reviews on this, and how it was a dupe for MAC's eyebrow pencil. So I went to Wal*Greens and picked it up. I got Light Brown, thinking it was the lightest shade, next time I repurchased I'll get Dark Blonde. The pencil is super dark, you can't press hard at all, but it's a little easier than eyebrow powder or eyeshadow.
Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion
This is an HG for me. I had to repurchase it this month, so I felt like I should mention it in this favorite. I've been using it since Christmas. It's a really good primer to make your mascara stay all day.
MAC 239 Eve Shader Brush
I finally forked out the money for my third MAC brush. This should've been the first one I purchased. It can do everything for your eyeshadow, (all over lid color, crease, blend) you just have to clean it multiple times while switching colors.
EOS Lip Balm
I purchased this awhile back. I wasn't sure about it. I like the scent, I don't love it. Summer Fruit. I want to purchase the lemon one if I can ever find it. It has SPF 15, which we all really need for summer. I keep this in my purse and I've been reaching for it quite often. I love the reactions you get while applying it in public, too. haha.
I really like LUSH. It is either a hit of miss for most people. Some stuff is overpriced, I'll admit. No bath is worth dropping an $11 item into. But I usually divide everything possible into 2-4 uses, just so I feel like I got my money worth. I discovered LUSH in November and have been into trying new things ever since. I've been coming across a lot of 'what should I purchase from LUSH' blogs lately. So I thought I'd tell you about my favorite products so maybe you'll want to pick some of these up next time you go.
Most people's favorites are yummy yummy yummy, rockstar soap, and honey I washed the kids soap. I don't care much for food scents. So I've never tried these just because I wasn't attracted to the smell. Most LOVE these, so I wanted to mention them.
Overall, if you're new to LUSH, I'd say pick up a few bubble bars first, those are what impresses me the most, and you can get plenty of uses out of them. I'll never go back to Mr. Bubbles or any type of liquid bubble bath again. :)
