Running on Empty

I saw this concept on another blog and I thought "What a great idea!" because I just end up throwing out things as they run out.  Some things I replace or I have a backup of (if I really love it) and some are things that I would not repurchase. And-I feel that these entries are so much more informative than "haul" entries because you have actually used these products for a while so you can give your honest thoughts and opinions on them!  *Genius*  Just wish I would have thought of it first so that I could give myself the credit. :D

So...here are the things that I ran out of this month:

First up, Mink eyeshadow single from CoverGirl.  Okay-so this is a picture of my new shadow single and not an empty one but I had already thrown out the empty one before I had come across the other blog... ^_^ 

 CG eye shadow single in Mink

So to make a long story short, I have been using this color since high school and I have just never parted ways with it.  It is a staple in my makeup case for those days that I am in a hurry.  I just sweep it all over the lid and add a matte white highlight color and I'm good, baby.  Love this color and I usually buy backups when CoverGirl is on sale or I have good coupons.

Next up is Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous mascara in Very Black.  I have had this particular tube for a long time, maybe 6 months?--anyways, longer than I'm supposed to for sanitary reasons but I just love this mascara.  I love the brush that comes with this tube because it is small and stiff and just gets down and dirty with my lashes.  This stuff does not mess around.  I am very sad that I have to throw it out this month because it is rather dried up and cakey. 

 Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous

I did buy a backup of the Lash Stiletto but in the black tube.  I couldn't find my red tube at the particular drugstore that I was at so I settled on this one.  One thing that I noticed about this black tube was the weird funky smell that it had, 'cause my red tube didn't have a scent at all.  Weird.  

Here is my Maybelline Dream Mouse concealer in Cream Light.  I had purchased this at Big Lots for some ridiculously low price, fell in love with it and ran back to get a backup.  I have gone through this entire jar and am now on my backup jar.  I also saved this jar so that I could find another use for it because it is very hefty.

 Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer in Cream Light

I am so very sad that Maybelline has discontinued this particular product.  I went back to Big Lots earlier this month, but I couldn't find anymore of these so I guess I have to find something else to love pretty soon.  I love the coverage that these concealers offer.  I place it under my eyes to cover up dark circles and to cover up acne scars and marks.  These really do cover like a dream.  *sigh* 

This isn't really a beauty product per-say, but I thought I would include it anyways.  A trail size bottle of Johnson's baby shampoo.  

I use this to deep clean my make up brushes.  It smells so good and leaves my brushes soft and clean.  I will be purchasing a full size bottle soon.  It's cheaper than many makeup brush cleansers out there anyways.
 
Next up, Pantene conditioner.  I go through shampoo and conditioner like crazy.  I am not really brand loyal either, I just buy what's on sale and what I have coupons for. 

I bought this conditioner in conjunction with a shampoo, but the conditioner ran out first because I alternate my shampoos every other day.  This conditioner leaves my hair soft and silky which is very important because I have been using heat products on my hair a lot lately.  I only apply conditioner to the ends of my hair when I am in the shower because I have oily roots.

What did you run out of this last month?

 Love,

Revlon Scented Polish-Mad About Mango

Here is another scented polish from Revlon, Mad About Mango.  This is yet another creme orange/coral color that I have been really drawn to this season.  

  Revlon Scented Polish-Mad About Mango

Pictured here is four coats.  Revlon nail polish- why must you hate me so?  I had such a hard time with this polish.  It was an uneven, streaky hot mess, complete with bald spots.  That is why I had to do four coats.  Seriously, Revlon...Seche Vite can't come to the rescue every time.  *sigh*  Even then, the scent is not something to jump for joy over.  It smells nice but kind of the same as the cherry one.  

I was contemplating doing a pedi with this color but I'm glad that I didn't.  Mostly because I didn't want to be caught sniffing my feet to see if I like the mango scent. lol.  

Overall,  love the color but application is just too much work.  Revlon needs to step it up when it comes to their polishes.

Mad love,
 

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Foundation Review

Hello dolls!  Remember when I blogged about the EOS sale at Wags?  Here is what I used my $4 Register Rewards for:

CoverGirl products were buy one get one half off at Wags, so I took my coupon for $5 off any two CG Natureluxe foundations and stacked it with the sale along with my two $4 register rewards.  I literally paid next to nothing for these!  Was especially curious about these because cutie-patootie Taylor Swift is the spokesmodel for this brand.

left: #340 Maple, right #350 Oak

I have found it easier to buy two different shades when products are on sale and custom mix my own shade than try to match myself. lol.  These come in a squeeze bottle with a twist off cap and are infused with jojoba, rose hips and cucumber extract.  I don't really pick up a scent from it when I used it- it just smells clean.  Not bothersome to me.

Anyways, I wore this foundation yesterday for the first time and I have mixed feelings.  The foundation itself is very creamy and consistent.  I used my Elf stipple brush to apply this instead of a sponge.  This foundation only offered me medium coverage.  I could still see some acne marks and scars so I went back in with my concealer and touched up those areas.  Also did a light dusting with my translucent powder from Rimmel to set everything.

Here I am, wearing CoverGirl NatureLuxe foundation in #350, Oak.  Originally thought that this might be too dark but I have gotten some sun and the shade now works for me. 

So what did I not like?  How it actually felt on my face- slick, tacky to the touch, and greasy.  A couple of hours into the wear, I noticed oil accentuation around my t-zone.  I applied another light dusting of the translucent powder to counter this and blotted with 2 oil sheets.  But, much to my dismay, I noticed another greasy t-zone while shopping later that day.  I hate that.  :/

I find that most liquid foundations don't do anything for me and I am very sad that these were a miss as well.  These would probably work better for someone who is looking for fair to medium coverage and doesn't have problematic skin, i.e. scars, acne and/or oiliness.  Not for me.

Love,

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro- Hot Chocolate

I'm back home!  We cut our trip short one day earlier because the weather was just not cooperating.  I am not complaining though.  It was fun but I am just exhausted.


Anyways, this is the other nail polish color that I picked out with my buy one get one free coupon that I blogged about earlier in August.

Rimmel London's Lasting Finish Pro in Hot Chocolate.

This color is a nude pinky-brown in a creme finish.  I think that perhaps this color would be work and interview appropriate.  Also a nice color for fall.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro in Hot Chocolate

Pictured here is two coats of Hot Chocolate.  Quick drying and no problems with this bottle.  I layered on one coat of Seche Vite over the top.

Doesn't really remind me of hot chocolate though.  Too pink for that.  What do you think?   Have you picked up any colors for fall yet?

Exhausted but home,

A Camping We Will Go...

Hey everyone!  I will be off camping during my holiday weekend so there will be a lack of posts from me for the next couple of days.  I will miss blogging terribly.  :(  Here is what I have packed already for our camping trip!

 My two bags, extra blankets and E's suitcase

 The air mattress kit that I made the hub go buy for us...

I refuse to sleep on the cold, lumpy ground.  :/

The tent that we had to get just for this trip

Also, I am having such a dilemma...  I still don't know what to pack for makeup- especially for outdoor camping?!  I was leaning towards tinted moisturizers or my BB creams, but I fear that it will all end up melting off of my face by the end of the day because of how oily I am.   Should I just stick with my tried and true mineral foundation and sunscreen?

I should also mention that there are NO showers where we are going-so that means I might be prone to break outs too if I bring along any liquid foundation.  I do plan on bringing my Elf makeup remover wipes and a toner to help me take off all the gunk.  

No showers also means- I have to take along dry shampoo.  I have never tried dry shampoo before just because I have to wash my hair every day.  If I don't wash it, it gets super greasy at the roots and it looks like I just combed lard into my hair.  Sorry for the mental picture, but I'm trying to make a point mmm-kay?  lol.  Anyways,  I didn't want to spend a fortune on dry shampoo that I was only going to use a couple of times, so I decided on these two drugstore brands:  Suave and Tresseme dry shampoos.  I spent under $3 for both of these and will do a thorough review when I get back on both of them for you.

 Suave Dry Shampoo

 Tresemme Dry Shampoo

And lastly, a sneak peek at my duffel bag...

 Liz Claiborn duffel bag

As you can see, I can hardly fit anything else into it.  Lots of sweatshirts and sweat pants for the chilly nights.  Do you think I am over packing?  I have always been an over packer.  I just can't help it.  There are too many what if's in life.  lol.  I will just be the girl that is prepared for them all. 

Btw- remember when I blogged about the Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV?  It's officially launched.  Yay!  $64 for this baby- and remember, it's limited edition!  I will place an order when I get back.   
Enjoy your weekend!

Kisses,

A Jelly Sandwich!

Hello loves!  This is my current mani- a pink, glitter jelly sandwich!  

 Jelly Sandwich on nails

I used my Sinful Colors polish in Scandal, a pink jelly polish!  Picked this up during the Wag's 99 cent sale.  I was surprised when I used it because I was expecting a creme color, but a jelly is heavenly too!  I didn't even know Sinful Colors had jellys in their collection.   Anyways, I thought it would be perfect to do my first jelly sandwich!  ...Yes, I am a jelly sandwich virgin.  ^_^ 

 Wet 'n Wild polish in Scandal

I paired my Wet 'n Wild polish in Kaleidoscope with this first but thought that the glitter was too small after two layers.  I went fishing in my stash and found this Covergirl polish in Disco Dazzle that I had hauled in August.  I thought that Disco Dazzle's larger holo hex glitter would show up better in between the layers of jelly.  But, it was a pain to apply because the hex glitter was sparse and few in-between on the nail.  Had to do some glitter spot treatment with this before I was fully satisfied.   I also layered on one coat of Seche Vite to seal the deal. 

Breaking it down:

1 coat of SF

1 coat of WnW

1 coat of SF

1 coat of WnW

*not happy w/glitter @ this point

1 coat of SF

1 coat of CG

1 coat of SF

1 coat of SV

omg!  8 coats!?!  That's a record for me.  But not bad for a virgin, eh?  There's always a learning curve.  ^_^

Dazzlin' nails,

Back 2 School Cool

E started second grade today.  *sniff*  I can't believe how quiet the house is going to be without the tv blaring and the pitter patter of his feet running back and forth to see what I am doing.  :(

 E, waiting for the bus...

 Still waiting...

and waiting...

He was being camera shy and wouldn't let me take any pictures of him so I had to be the paparazzi and snap photos from my balcony. lol.  So, here we go, back into the fall routine and early bedtimes.  Homework and reading & writing and newly sharpened yellow, number 2 pencils...

I start school the day after Labor Day too, so I couldn't resist picking up these cute notebooks for myself while I was back to school shopping for E.

 Hello Kitty mini notebook

Harajuku Lovers 5 subject notebook 

And I found this Hello Kitty tin pencil case for only $3.  This is a little bit bigger than this one that I found in China Town while I was in Chicago.

This will also hold brushes and various knick-knacks while I am traveling.  I bought all of these at Target.  What are your must-haves for back to school?

Love notes on Hello Kitty paper,