Smashbox Spring Collection: In Bloom

I was lucky enough to come across this collection today! Smashbox makes some amazing products and I wanted to see if this collection compares to their other products. I have some mixed emotions about the collection.

The Eyeshadow Palette ($48) is amazing. Ten beautiful spring inspired shades that are soft and subtle. It remind us why we love spring so much! There are 5 matte shades and 5 shimmer shades. The quality of these eyeshadows do not disappoint. There are a lot of fun looks that will be achieved from these palettes!

The Creamy Cheek Duo ($26) is also an A. It's got a great texture and beautiful pigments. The only downside is the funky smell.

The Limitless Long Wearing Lip Gloss ($21) shades are beautiful, but can you say sticky mess!? I am going to pass on these lip glosses because I want the spring breezes to ruffle my hair and not worry about my hair getting stuck to my lips!

The Artifical Light Powder  ($20) is a nice highlighter, it's a little pricey for the size. The applicator is a foam tip, so you can easily apply it where you like and blend. It adds a wonderful glow and can be used to highlight cheek bones, underneath the brow and even your cupid's bow.

I have mixed feelings about the Soft Focus Powder Eye Liner ($22). It's in a liquid bottle, but it's a powder. The foam tip applicator is a little longer than one that would be used for liquid. It's also more flexible. The powders are very soft and beautiful shades, but I found it challenging to make a thin line. They are very smudgable, but a little complicated to use. I like their thinking and would like to spend a little more time with this product before I fully make up my mind!

All and all this collection made me excited for spring and all the beautiful colors and makeup looks that come with it!

New Foundations

Yesterday I saw an ad for the new Covergirl NatureLuxe line. I went to Covergirl's website to see what they have. The line only has foundation and lip balm. I hope they will eventually add more products to the line.

The website is really easy to navigate and even suggests colors for you based on your skin tone, eye color, and hair color. I was a pink dot. I decided that I would test out the recommendations.

I headed over to Target to check it out. Going to Target on Saturday is always a disaster. Ugh. Anyways, I found the Natureluxe and they were out of the recommended color. Lame. I checked out the lip balms, but to my surprise Covergirl didn't put any protective packaging on lip products! I was unable to find a balm that didn't look like it had been used. Covergirl WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?

So I ended up leaving Target without NatureLuxe, but I was able to find the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation. They have a whole line of foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer and blush. It's impressive. They have many shades to choose from. I'm testing out my foundation now. I got the shade 120. I have seen some reviews of the oxidizing on the skin and giving off an orange sheen.

Everyday Look

Some might think that my philosophy for everyday makeup is backward, but I think it makes sense, especially for my wallet! My everyday products are cheap, with the exception of my foundation. If I'm going to go through a product, like my everyday eyeshadow, every month or two I don't want my eyeshadow to be $20 a pop. I'm content with drugstore and inexpensive finds.

This look was inspired by my cheapness frugality.

ELF makes some really great products. Some can be hit and miss, but I ordered 18 products for $36 dollars and like most of them. Their mineral line is pretty impressive for the price. Most of the ingredients are nonirritating and natural. I would say this line is much more impressive than some more expensive lines. They also make some really great brushes and most are about a buck! AH! I love it!

I don't use the Blush and Contouring powder for highlighting and contouring, just as a bronzer and blush! The Brownstone quad is beautiful. The colors are soft and make your eyes pop. I've used this quad for multiple occasions because I feel that it is appropriate for lots of different occasions! The Nicely Nude lipstick is a soft, but bright color that adds a pop of color to your lips without making you feel like you're wearing a ton of lipstick. I don't normally wear lipstick on a daily basis, just gloss, but sometimes this lipstick just calls my name!

Yes, I was German Beer Girl for Halloween. The costume was in the 50% off pile! That made up my mind for me! :)

Check It Out!

CLICK ME!!!!!

Urban Decay Day-to-Night

So we all have those jam packed days where we're up early for work and as soon as work is over you've still got other things to do. Those are exhausting days, but we still want to look our best. With this tutorial it's easy to look like a million bucks no matter what the time of day!

I've been wearing this look alot. Sometime it's just not appropriate to put on evening makeup in the morning before work, or you just don't have the energy. This is a pretty conservative look for during the day (except for the glitter) and with a few brush strokes you can turn it into an amazing evening look!

I'm using the Urban Decay Shadows Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Twice Baked, and Black Dog from the Black Palette. Black Dog cannot be purchased separately, but UD does make a matte black called Perversion. I also used the 24/7 Glide On Eyepencil in Zero. This comes with the Black Palette or can be purchased separately. And don't forget the Primer Potion!

I also used a NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk to highlight my browbone and the inner corner of the eye. The mascaras I used are Maybelline's Lash Discovery and Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition.

Sally Hansen Real Nail Polish Strips

Ah! I'm was so excited when I saw these at Rite Aid! I had been wanted to get my hands on Minx or Sephora Nail strips, but they are so expensive! Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips are about $10.

There are a few things that make me think that these nails are better than Minx or Sephora. They aren't on a huge strip. You can actually hold them up to your nail with the back still on them and see if they fit correctly. You can also use either side against your cuticle. You don't have that choice with other brands.

I'm going to test them out and let you know how long they last and if I would buy them again. They are a little expensive when you compare them to a bottle of nail polish that has lots of uses, but these are definitely worth a shot!

Pros:

Easy to apply - Everything you need comes in the kit with the exception of Acetone. There is no mess and no risk of ruining your nails if you move suddenly. It's also easy to see which strip will fit on your nail.
Price - A lot cheaper than Minx or Sephora.
Long Lasting - These have lasted way longer for me than regular nail polish. Regular nail polish lasts about 24 hours for me, if I don't ruin them when they are drying. I went 3 days without any chips, and I believe that that the only reason they did chip is because my nails have been pretty weak lately!

Cons:

Messy - The little things you peel off the strip can get everywhere.
Buying the kit every time - Once I've purchased the kit, I don't want to buy the orangewood stick and buffer again. I think that my tools are better quality.

Have you tried these!? Let me know!

New Year Blues?

Starting a new year can mean hope, excitement and well, new beginnings. But after the excitement wears off, you can easily find yourself in the same slump you were in at the end of last year.

We've all been there. What better way to make yourself feel better, than to listen to some music to make you feel like the awesome woman you are!

Some of the songs I'm going to share with you are a little cheesy, but what the hell!? If it makes you feel better, who cares. Now turn up the volume and sing along.

Katy Perry - Firework - So I think that this song is targeted toward younger kids and "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?" Uh, okay. But the chorus is very catchy and makes you want to get up and start something! Oh and the video... LOL. The lady is giving birth and fireworks are igniting on her belly! Come on!

Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me - This song isn't really as cheesy as Perry's! It's a great song, the video is amazing! Her makeup artist did a great job showing the different sides of a person. The song is all about how people try to take everything that they can from you, but at the end of the you will have your voice and don't let anyone take that away from you!

Pink - Raise Your Glass - "Wrong in all the right way?" I'll drink to that! Remember just because you're weird, snort when you laugh, fart on the dance floor, you're still awesome! I love Pink, I think she's just so entertaining and believes smart, strong, independent women!

Go get 'em tiger! :)

Products to Try This Year

Eye Shadow by M·A·C
Face Bronzer by Physicians Formula

The ELF Mineral Line - ($3 - $20) The ELF Mineral line has a lot to offer, Everything from foundation to brushes. It's an affordable line of mineral makeup! Yay!

Tarte Smooth Operator - ($36) Tarte's tinted moisturizer has an SPF of 20 and is free of all the icky stuff we don't want on our skin! It also has antioxidants and hyaluronic acid.

Kiss My Face Organic Lip Balm -($3.50)This is a mostly organic lip balm with all kinds of goodies. Cranberry Orange is my favorite flavor. No more boring mint. It has an SPF of 15 and the main ingredient is Canola Oil. I love that Canola Oil is something that I eat and great for my lips!

Physician's Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzer and Shimmery Powder - ($12) This powder will add color to even the most pasty skin. The extra shimmer will help reflect light to make you look more awake! Yes, please!

MAC Mineralized Eyeshadow - ($19.50) While $20 might seem a little pricey for one eyeshadow, you're really getting two shades in one! This shadows and extra dimension and soft shimmer to any look!

Products I'm Loving Right Now!

In an effort to save money (We all know I'm looking for a job and I'm broke! :(), I've been rediscovering products in my current collection. Today I had to get ready really quickly, as I didn't time morning right.

I've been wearing Prime Time and Bare Minerals Foundation in Fair everyday. I find that I like this foundation better in the winter because it's not quite as drying as Jane Iredale. I do think that using a primer makes a difference as far as holding in moisture, but I don't think it makes it last longer. I do find that by the middle of day, I need to reapply. Maybe it's wishful thinking that a foundation will last me all day, but a girl can wish right!?

I've been using lots of different things on my eyes. I'm trying to find something that's an easy everyday look that's effortless. Some of my favorites so far are classics in my book.

Covergirl Shimmering Sands has been a staple in my life forever. It's probably the first eyeshadow I ever bought, and I've continued to buy it for years! I still use it and love it, but I've wanted to explore other options!

Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy Rides Again is quite a mouthful and packs a punch! It has a beautiful base color and glitter to add an interesting and fun dimension. Be careful of fallout with this shadow because the glitter can get really messy!

I'm really loving the ELF Brightening EyeColor Quad in Brownstone. The pigments are very subtle with these shadows and can take a couple of layers to get the desired color. The quad only costs $1 but the looks you can create with it are worth much more. I'm planning on doing a tutorial to show you how to achieve a beautiful, sophisticated look. It's inexpensive, but not cheap! This is also a great shadow for anyone of any age!

Beauty Categories Tag

Happy New Year everyone!

I wanted to make a tag and hopefully it will pick up some steam. It's a great way to share your faves from 2010 or even your monthly faves. I don't know how some people can use new products every month, because I get stuck in makeup ruts a lot. I find myself playing with makeup in the evenings, not in the mornings.... Okay, I'm kind of rambling.

So, what's new with me? Where have I been? I finished school and I'm not searching for the perfect job. I'm also interviewing with Big Brothers Big Sisters next week to see if I would be a good fit for one of their Littles. Wish me luck! I'm also looking at some options so I can finish my college degree. That's something I put on the backburner because I was burned out. 4 years of college is a lot, and I just couldn't make it. Maybe if I was studying something I really loved, I would have done okay, but I wasn't. I did get pretty good grades, but the semester I entered the College of Business was a really long, long, long semester. I made it through, but I didn't think I could stand another semester. Don't get me wrong, I didn't just give up because it was hard, but everyday was a struggle. It's hard to go to class and not care what they are saying. Anyways, I'm exploring all my options and hopefully I will find the perfect fit and be one my way to chasing my dreams and big bucks!

Love, Kimberly