June Beauty Empties (& LWIG linkup!)

 

I go through a lot of beauty products. My face is fairly heavily spackled everyday.  But sometimes many times I just buy beauty products and play around with them, never getting to the bottom of the package.  However, there are those select products that I use and use and use....and then scrape the last little bit out of the bottom.  The it comes time to re-buy...or try something new.

1. Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm ($34):  This is hands down the best BB cream I have ever used. I've talked about it several times on the blog (here and here). It's by far the best BB cream I am ever used for pale skin.  It's moisturizing, yet provides full coverage.  It's truly a BB cream and not just a moisturizer in sheep's clothing.  And don't let the price tag scare you.  You really don't need much of this.  I use it everyday adn I get between 2 and 3 months out of one tube!

Rebuy!  (In fact, I already have a shiny new tube).

2. Mary Kay Nourishine Lip Gloss in Fancy Nancy ($15):  I love love love the color of this gloss.  It's the perfect amount of pink and shine. And it's super hydrating for your lips.  My only complaint is that it's not that long-lasting.  Therefore, I am going to try something new. 

3. Nars Blush in Orgasm ($39):  I don't  know if I can say anything about this blush that hasn't already been said by every other blogger in the universe.  This blush is an instant wake up for your face.  And it looks good on just about every skin tone.  It's pinkish-peach with an almost reflective shine.  So, it really changes color depending on your skin tone. Obviously (because I am a band wagoner), I chose to rebuy this).

4. Julep Blank Canvas Mattifying Eye Primer ($22):  My greasy eyelids need primer if my eyeshadow is going to stay in place for more than an hour.  So, I always have to keep a healthy stock of it.  I loved that this wasn't too wet or too dry.  I don't like to wait 10 minutes for my primer to dry nor do I like to have to apply it with a putty knife.  This was like a weird dry liquid.  However, the one downside is that it only comes in one shade.  The shade was right for me (i.e. super pale), but might not be for many ladies. Additionally, I wasn't a fan of the applicator.  It felt like a cheap eye shadow sponge.  I used my own brush for application.  So, in the end, I chose to try something new.

5. Mary Kay Cream Blush in Sheer Bliss (no longer available).  I love cream blush.  I prefer it to powder most of the time.  This one went on really smooth, was long-lasting, and provided just the right amount of pigment.  And now I can't find it anymore.

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1. follow your hosts

Tara @ Penniless Socialite

Sharon @ The Tiny Heart

2. grab a button
Or link back to one of your hosts, and help us promote Look What I Got!

3. link up!
Link up your post on what you got (for cheap)!
(Please don't link up your entire blog or any posts that are not "Look What I Got"! )

We love having you link up and we will be reading all your posts! So, if you don't follow the rules and link back you'll be put in time out (i.e. we'll delete your link).

4. mix and mingle
Visit some other blogs and let them know you found them through the link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Gift Guide for the Beauty Obsessed

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1. Benefit Pret-a-Party Full Face Makeup Kit 2. Nars Steven Klein Cheek Palette 3. Deborah Lippmann Rock n' Roll Mini Set 4. Sephora Glitter Brush Set 5. Lola & Gilbert Makeup Bag

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Look What I Got: The Gift Guide for the Fashionista

2014 Fashionista Holiday Gift Guide by veggielawyer

The holiday season is upon us!  And I think I will provide you with some gift guides for the people in your life over the next week or so.  I figured I should put my internet browsing to good use.  And first up is a gift guide for the fashionista in your life (aka pretty much my personal wishlist).

Click on the links below to shop the post!

Cause a Stir Mini Pendant: Kate Spade $48 (25% off with code WHATFUN)

Jewelry Tray: J. Crew Factory $11.50 (on sale for a limited time!)

Hello Gorgeous Print: PrintDesignStudio $18

Fashion Takes Flight Watch: Modcloth $120

Sparkle Plaid Skirt: PreppyPinkShop $50 (Skirts are handmade and turnaround time is 3-4 weeks...ORDER NOW!)

Lilly Pulitzer Clutch: PreppyPinkShop $24-$40 (several styles available!)

YSL Glossy Stain: Sephora $35

Sequin Hanger: Pearls & Pastries $16

Fireburst Necklace: J. Crew $128

Pop Art Rose Tee: J. Crew $35 (on sale plus extra 30% off with code HOLIDAYTREAT)

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1. follow your hosts

Tara @ Penniless Socialite

Sharon @ The Tiny Heart

2. grab a button
Or link back to one of your hosts, and help us promote Look What I Got!

3. link up!
Link up your post on what you got (for cheap)!
(Please don't link up your entire blog or any posts that are not "Look What I Got"! )

We love having you link up and we will be reading all your posts! So, if you don't follow the rules and link back you'll be put in time out (i.e. we'll delete your link).

4. mix and mingle
Visit some other blogs and let them know you found them through the link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

BB Cream Showdown and $30 Sephora Giveaway!

I am a BB cream addict.  I love being able to throw on this magical cream and have fairly flawless skin.  I am still looking for the holy grail of BB creams, though.  I found some good ones, but I am still on the search for the perfect one.  Here's the beginning of my journey.

BB Cream Showdown 1 by veggielawyer

Stila HD Illuminating Beauty Balm: This cream has really no coverage and I didn't really notice much of a difference in my complexion.  I think this qualifies more as a tinted moisturizer.

Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm: This cream is very pigmented.  You don't need to use too much to get full coverage.  It's not oily at all, but it has absolutely no shine control.  Because of it's great pigmentation, I would love to be able to use this cream by itself for a casual makeup look.  However, you absolutely need a shine control powder on top of it.  

Boscia BB Cream: I really wanted to like this cream.  It's like and fluffy and has the best shine control of the group.  However, it's a self-adjusting shade and turned my skin a little orangey.  I think this cream might work better on those with darker complixeions.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream:  When I put this on my makeup sponge, it seemed really watery; however, this cream had the best coverage of the bunch.  Unfortunately, it had absolutely no shine control.  

Dr. Jart BB Cream: This cream was the full package,  It had great coverage, was light and went on smoothly.  And it had pretty good shine control.  None of the other creams even compared.  The only downside is that it's a little pricey at $39.

So, the clear winner of the group is Dr. Jart BB Cream, but honorable mention goes to Smashbox for best coverage and Boscia for best shine control.

And now, you can get your perfect BB cream courtesy of my sponsors with a $30 Sephora gift card!  Enter to win below.

Verdana Lane | Hearts & Stuff Blog | Penniless Socialite

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Sephora Wishlist and a $45 Sephora and iTunes Giveaway!

I have a Sephora gift card burning a hole in my pocket, so I decided to make a little wishlist.

1. Naked Skin Beauty Balm.  I am a big fan of BB Cream.  I've been using Garnier BB cream for awhile now, but I think I am ready to upgrade to something a little better.

2. Naked Skin Weightless Foundation.  I don't often wear foundation, but when I do, I don't want to feel like I am wearing a mask.  This is the lightest liquid foundation I have ever tried out.

3. Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner.  I've been using E.L.F. gel eyeliner for awhile.  It's $3 and it's pretty good.  This Bobbi Brown liner is just a lot better.  However, I need to make a decision as to whether it's $26 better.

4. Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss.  I am a self-proclaimed lipgloss addict.  I am also a huge fan of Urban Decay's Naked line (obviously).  So, this seems like a no-brainer.

5. Naked Skin Ultra Defining Loose Finishing Powder.  Urban Decay's Razor Sharp finishing powder is pretty much the best thing ever.  However, it comes in package with a super annoying, attached foam poof.  That's the only thing stopping me from buying it.  But, now it looks like there a similar version without the annoyance.

6. Sephora Air Brush Foundation.  Ever since Mac discontinued its aerosol foundation.  It was so light and went on evenly and smoothly.  I haven't seen another one on the market...other than a $60 Dior one.

7. L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream.  I carry a little travel sized version of this in my purse.  It's the best hand cream ever.  I decided I should upgrade to a big boy version.

Amy Fashion Blog | Lilies & Silk | Ruffled Paper | Penniless Socialite

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In the Caboodle: Lip Tar

Lip Tar by veggielawyer 

One of my newest obsessions is Lip Tar.  It's a mixture between a lip gloss and a lip stick.  The name is apt because this stuff puts quite a coating on your lips.  I've worn it for 6 hours without reapplying (with eating and drinking).  Yeah, it's that amazing.  I do have a few recommendations for application stemming from my experiences.   1. Use a lip primer!  Seriously, this stuff will stain your lips.  I use Pixi's lip primer.  However, chapstick works just as well.
2. Use sparingly.  One or two small dots on each lip.  A very little goes a long way with this stuff.  It's worth the $18!
3. Apply with a small brush.  Invest in a nice little lip brush.  I like this one from Sephora.  Every tube of Tar also comes with a little brush that does the job.  But, seriously, use the smallest brush possible.  You are going to want to make sure you don't color outside the lines with this stuff.  You will have a tinted face.
4. Remove completely before going to bed.  You will wake up with some on your pillow case and bits of it still clinging to your lips.  I recommend olive oil to remove it.  Well, actually, the lady in Sephora recommended olive oil.  I'm just passing the tip along to you.
So, will you be using Lip Tar?  If not, what's your choice for a long lasting lip color?
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In the Caboodle: Cream Eyeliner Tips

Enter my February Group Giveaway!

Cream Eyeliner Tips by veggielawyer

A friend asked me this weekend, "What's that pot of black stuff that came in my Ipsy bag this month?"  It's cream eyeliner.  When I first discovered cream eyeliners a few years ago, I never looked back to my past life of pencil eyeliners, however, I realize not everyone is a convert or even realizes that there's this whole other world of eyeliners.  Personally, I think I have more control over the width of the line with cream liners and I get a crisper line.  Contact wearers like myself have to be careful about what liners they use and you shouldn't use liquid liner.  I think gel and cream liners give you a look more comparable to liquid liner.  It does take a little getting used to, so here are a few of my tips.

1. Get yourself a slanted brush.  The straight brushes just don't work as well.   You can't glide smoothly enough across your lid.

2. Make sure whatever liner you choose, it's smooth and creamy.  Some of the cream liners out there have a sticky texture (i.e. Stila) and I have found them to be difficult to put on.  My personal favorite is E.L.F., but I know others that swear by Tarte.

3. After you swipe the brush through the liner, wipe off extra on the inside of the jar.  Clumps of liner on the brush will give you an uneven line.

4. Clean your brush often.  If you let liner build up on the brush for a few days the brush won't glide across the lid and you'll get a thicker and thicker line as more liner accumulates on the brush.

5. Use a primer.  Ok, this is just general good advice for applying all eye makeup.

6.  Set the liner with a little matte black eye shadow.  I've found that when I do this my liner lasts all day and night.  I have woken up with perfect eyeliner after some late nights.

So any one going to try out cream liners?  Or do you already use them?

Linking up to the Instagram Blog Hop and Totally Linked In Tuesdays.

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In the Caboodle: Stuff I Put on My Face

The post title pays homage to the cartooning and makeup mastermind that is Natalie Dee.  I'm not as funny or creative as her.  Whatever Natalie puts on her face, I pretty much will put on mine.

Now that I put it up there...holy crap I smear a lot of gunk on my face!  It's no wonder I had to upgrade from the Caboodle into a rolly cart.  If my bosses ever find my blog (please, dear every religion's god, don't let that happen), they will question why I only look like a human being when I am 5-10 minutes late to work.  And now I also see why I have an embarassing amount of Sephora VIB points...and why the sales people get those cartoon money sign eyes when I walk in the door.

Prime
Porefessional - I've already talked about this stuff, but it's my blog and I'll do what I want to.  This stuff will change your life.  Ok, maybe I am exaggerating.  But it will make your pores look a lot smaller, which is important to someone like me that has pores in which small children could fall into.
Murad Primer - I didn't use primer until six months ago.  I know...craziness.  I like Murad's dewy finish primer because I can wear it without makeup and it does help my foundation last a little longer.  I sometimes switch it up and use Arbonne's Primer, but I have to put foundation on over that one.
Erase Paste - I have gross dark circles...which I have already told you about.  So far it's the best I've found, but it's still not great.  It covers my dark circles, but creases before the end of the day.  I'm open to suggestions.
Stila Prime Pot - I know a lot of your will call me a heathen for believing this, but Stila's Prime Pot blows Urban Decay's Primer Potion out of the water.  My eye shadow last all day (and sometimes all night if I drink too many beers and fall asleep on the couch).

Face
Sonia Kushak Blending Sponge - Yeah, that blue thing is a blending sponge, you bunch of pervs.  It's the best and gets your foundation into all the nooks and crannies.  And it's $2 cheaper than Sephora's.
Revlon Photoready Airbrush Mousse - After MAC discontinued it's spray foundation, I had a small freak out.  I tried probably close to 20 different foundations and I was not about to pay $62 for the Dior foundation.  Then, I found a regular old grocery store foundation that fit most of my needs.  It's not spray...it is actually mousse.  It's super light weight and lasts all day with a primer.  I think you can skimp on the quality of your foundation if you have a good primer.  I know that Sephora now has their own spray foundation and I may give it a try.
Benefit HighBeam - I don't know how I lived my life before discovering highlighters a few months ago.  I apply it right above the apples of my cheeks and under my brows...amazing.  It gives youa dewy glow and makes your face really pop in photos.

Eyes
E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner - I normally do not advocate going cheap on your eyeliner because cheap eyeliners don't usually go on smooth.  However, this is the smoothest applying cream liner EVER!  I've tried the expensive ones from Stila and Benefit and came back to this $3 beauty.
Maybelline Collosal Mascara - I like to think of myself as a mascara purest and have never gone too fancy with my mascaras.  I always go back to the classic Maybelline.
Naked 2 Palette - I don't need to preach about Urban Decay to the choir.  I have thrown away all other day time eye shadows after getting this palette.

Cheeks
Nars Blush in Orgasm - Put all other blush in the dumpster and get this stuff.  It looks good on everyone and has the right amount of shine for day or night.

Lips
Buxom Lip Shine in Dani - This was a hard one to pick.  I am a lip gloss addict, but I do think I turn to Buxom more often than any other.  It has great color and shine...and has a bit of that minty tingle.

So, now I have answered everyone's burning questions about my makeup routine.  Ok, nobody asked, I just really wanted to do this post.

I'm taking part in a giveaway over at The Sapphire Bee...go enter!!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway from my feature sponsor to win some ad space!!

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Weekend Update: Big Mail Day and Cinnamon Buns

I really could not come up with a creative title.  And I have no outfit photos from the weekend because it rained at any point that I had time to take a photo.  I know, my life is sooo difficult.

So, this is what my Friday alone in the apartment looked like.  The Scot had to work and I had some wrapping and beer drinking to get to.  The Scot and I made a decision as a couple to wrap all of our gifts in Justin Bieber paper.  I think we made the right choice.  I can't wait until my family gets their presents on Christmas morning.

Friday night alone also let me dig into some packages that came in the mail.  I got my first shipment from Stitch Fix.  It's like a styling service that sends 5 items to you based on your style profile and then you decide what to keep and what to send back.  I'll post more about it another day.  Go here to read more and sign up" http://stitchfix.com/users/signup/?referrer_id=3034786 

It was a doubly great mail day because my Naked 2 palette came in the mail!  A clerk at Sephora told me I'd have to get on a waiting list to get one from the store.  But, I jumped online and it was on my doorstep in a few days.  I also had a coupon for $20 off a $50 purchase from being a VIB at Sephora, so I got the palette for $30!

And just to prove that I don't just sit around drinking beer and online shopping...I made some breakfast Saturday morning.  Yes, they did come out of that cardboard can, but I still crammed them in that dish and then into the oven.
I did spend a good portion of the weekend drinking beer with friends and watching football.

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Stuff I Bought: Sephora Haul

1. Benefit Erase Paste ($26): I was in the market for a new under eye concealer and had heard good things about this one.  It's good, but not as good as I thought it should be for $26.  It goes on smooth, but creases by the end of the day and I don't think it provides enough coverage.  However, I have intense under eye circles.  INTENSE.  My under eye circles must be the result of a genetic mutation.  There is no other explanation.  Can any one recommend a good under eye concealer that provides an insane amount of coverage?

2. Benefit The Porefessional ($30): In addition to raccoon-like circles under my eyes, I also have HUGE pores.  Gaping pools dotted all over my face.  I know, I am gorgeous.  Anyway, this gunk is supposed to minimize the appearance of pores.  I have tried every thing to reduce the size of my face craters.  AND THIS IS THE FIRST THING THAT HAS EVER WORKED.  This stuff is magical.  It makes my face feel so smooth.  I can't even compare it to any thing because my face has never been this smooth.  I don't know what sort of fairy dust is in here. 

Ok, two items is by no means a haul.  However, take a gander at what I got FOR FREE!!!!

I received a coupon via email to get this bag o' goodies with any purchase.  The email was only sent to V.I.B.'s (Sephora's designation for suckers that spend way too much money on beauty products).

1.  Stella Perfume: It's perfume.  It smells pretty.  I will use it to cover up my stink.

2. Sephora Face Primer: Nothing to write home about.  It's a run of the mill primer.  It's anti-shine, which makes no sense to me because aren't you supposed to put foundation and powder on top of it?

3. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer:  Another primer, but I think this one feels a but smoother and lighter than the Sephora version.

4. Sephora Instant Moisturizer: Sephora, please stop giving me samples of this crap.  It sucks.  I'm not even providing a link to it out of hatred.

5. Murad Essential C Moisturizer: I like any thing by Murad.  I'm a Murad groupie.  This stuff is awesome and smells like oranges.  It's also supposed to protect my face from free radicals, which, according to every beauty product, are a threat to national security at this point.

6. Algensit Overnight Restorative Cream:  I already have some anti-wrinkle stuff I'm testing so this one has to wait.  It's supposed to restore radiance to my skin when worn overnight.  Good, because I lose most of my radiance in my sleep.  2 oz of this stuff is $90, so this 0.5 oz sample is worth $22.50.  This stuff better make $20 bills shoot out of my huge pores for that price.  

7. Lancome Mascara:  I used up another sample of this stuff.  It's amazing...like a good bra.  It lifts and separates.

8. L'Occtiance Shea Butter Hand Cream: Just as I was saying I needed a new hand cream for my purse, Sephora delivers this one to me.  It's really nice, but smells a little medicated.  At least I have new perfume to cover up the smell.

Thanks to this bag of stuff (and my Glam Bag), my face will be primed and wrinkle free.  I'm going to be so smooth and younger looking that people are going to start wondering why I'm posting so many photos of a teen girl.  And then I'll get put on a list...maybe I should stop using all this face crap.

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