Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Nail Art with Nicole by OPI-Kim Konfidential

Hi dolls.  Here is my feeble attempt at getting back into nail art:
I've been into the mix and match kind of nails lately, so this is what I came up with when I sat down that day.  I used black acrylic paint for the nail art and Nicole by OPI Kim Konfidential as the base.  
I've finally mastered leopard print, so I have been going a little overboard with the leopard accent nails.  Don't be surprised to see more that soon!

Love,

Monday, July 29, 2013

Bond Falls, MI

Hi dolls.  I'm back!  I know that I was gone for a long time.  Summer school and summer camp has definitely kicked my butt.  I have been so busy and today was finally my day to sleep in and do nothing.  It felt so good!

I actually have to get to work on some of the regular posts that I have every month, so those will be up soon.  I actually haven't bought any new polishes in quite some time, but I did pick up a few things makeup wise.


Today, I just wanted to share with you pictures that I took of a waterfall up in Michigan that I went to a week ago.  It was beautiful!
This was so beautiful, and I was awestruck when I first saw it.  If you are ever in Upper Michigan, definitely check out this waterfall.  It's called Bond Falls and it's a sight to see. 

I should be back to regular posting soon.  Thanks for sticking around!

xoxo

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Pieces of Me

Pieces of Me:
1-4.  July 4th weekend
5.  Cupcakes 
6.  HK Iphone case
7. Me
8. & 9.  Nails
10.  Still Running
11.  Statement pieces
12.  Red Velvet
13.  JLo Stilletos
14.  Bronzing
15.  Meow
16.  Catching Rays
17.  UD Naked
18.  Studded

Always,

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

June-Running on Empty


Hey dolls.  Welcome to June's edition of Running on Empty.  I actually did pretty good this month with going through products. 
I have 17 products in all, but some of them are travel sized goodies too.   Let's get started! 

Shampoos:

Pantene Relaxed & Natural Conditioner
I bought this on clearance from Target, and had coupons for it, so I picked it up even though it is geared towards African American women in general.   Conditioner is conditioner to me.  

Repurchase? Probably not.  Did not notice a significant difference.


Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo
This is one my favorites from the Organix line.  It smells heavenly.  I keep a bottle of this in my shower and alternate shampoos pretty regularly.  This will no doubt be repurchased.

Repurchase?  Already have two backups in place.  :)


Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner (travel sized)


This was also in my travel bag, and there was only a little bit left so I pulled it out and used it up so that I could make room for more in my bag.  

Repurchase?  Sure.  It's nothing special though so I don't think that I would purchase a full size of this brand, but it's worthy of a travel sized repurchase if necessary.

BBW Warm Vanilla Sugar Shampoo
Got this as a present over the holidays from my Secret Santa.  I am not a fan of it though.  I tried it as a shampoo and I didn't like how it stripped my hair, so I just used it up as a body wash instead. 

Purchase?  No.
Pure Silk Shaving Cream
I prefer shaving cream that foams up like this brand does when it comes to shaving in the shower.  This is cheap and it does the job as well as lasts quite a while too.

Repurchase?  Yes, from my Dollar Tree haul in June.


St. Ive's Apricot Scrub
I used this each night to wash my face in the shower.  I love how it works and exfoliates my skin.  Some people might find it a little bit too harsh for them.  My skin isn't bothered by it.  It's a great product overall.


I also ran out of my travel sized one, which I keep in my travel bag.  It's a necessity for me when I travel as well.

Repurchase?  Yes. 

Makeup:

Wet 'n Wild Mega Glo in Catwalk Pink
I have literally had this for forever.  It's a great highlight color, with great pigmentation.  I just have so many other higlighting products that I need to get to, I just can justify purchasing another one.

Repurchase?  No.

 Revlon Spa Age Defying Concealer


I have had this concealer for a long time too, but pulled it back out in an effort to use it up.  I found that the more I used it, the more that I ended up liking it.  But that's too bad because I am pretty sure that this product is now discontinued.  

Repurchase?  No.  I did purchase the Maybelline Dream Lumi concealer, so we'll see how that one compares.


Elf Blotting Sheets
 I got these blotting sheets in a three pack over the holidays.  I carry them around with me in purse, but I don't use them as often as I should.  Most of the time, whenever I pop into the women's bathroom and check out my makeup, I will just blog with the regular brown paper towels.  Those have been working just fine for me too, plus they're free.  ;)

Repurchase?  Maybe, but just to keep in the car for when I'm on the go.


Mac Foundation Sample
I don't own any Mac foundations, and I don't know if I ever will.  I had stopped into a Mac store about two years ago, and had them match me, but never wrote down the color or type of foundation that they matched me to.  Horrible, I know.  

Anyways, I found this sample jar when I was cleaning through my stash, and decided to use it up so that I could keep the container for other things.  

I liked it well enough, but not as much as my CoverGirl 3 in 1.  

Purchase?  Maybe.  When I have time to get to a Mac counter, I will try to get matched and purchase a foundation to try out for a longer period of time because I am curious about their foundations.

Rimmel Stay Matte Clarifying Foundation
Purchased this a long time ago, and it doesn't do what it claims.  Well, for me anyways.  It doesn't stay matte.  It leaves me very greasy within the hour and it just slides all over the place.  I will try it out for a day or two and then put it back in my drawer and forget about it.  I finally just decided to get rid of it. 

Repurchase?  No.  Don't like it. 

Skincare:

Proactive Green Tea Moisturizer
I got this as a free sample from one of my Proactive purchases.  I loved this moisturizer.  I would apply this in the mornings, before my makeup and after washing my face.  It doesn't feel greasy or makes my makeup cake up and my skin absorbs it very quickly.  I loved what it did for my skin.  

Repurchase?  If I could purchase it separately from Proactive, I would!  

Proactive Cleanser
I kept this in my shower, thus all of the stains.  I alternate between this cleanser and my St. Ive's Apricot scrub.  I like it enough, but not so much to use it faithfully.  

Repurchase?  I stopped ordering from Proactive because I found that it really wasn't doing anything for the bout of cystic acne that I was having a few months back.

Epielle Makeup Wipes

Opti-Free Contact Lens Solution (travel sized)
Anyone who wears contacts knows that solution is a must when traveling.  This is a brand that I have been using for years and years.

Repurchase?  Yes. 

 BBW Vanilla Berry Sorbet Antibacterial Gel
I kept this in my lunch bag for when I bring lunch to work.  It smells good and it's great for on the go.

Repurchase?  Yes, as a mom and a teacher, hand sanitizer is a necessity!

That's what I ran out of in June.  Did you have any empties this last month?  Let me know!




Tuesday, July 2, 2013

June-Currently Obsessed With...

Hey dolls.  I know this post is kind of late, but better late than never right?

Here is what I was obsessed with in June:

St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse
This is what I have been using almost exclusively since trying a couple of drugstore self tanners.  I watched a bunch of reviews online before purchasing, and I'm so glad that I did.  It's a great self tanner-and very buildable.  

The mousse formula is great to work with, especially because it dries a bit quicker than a lotion would.  I also use the mitt and it makes the process a whole lot quicker.
The pump is also great because it dispenses just the right amount of product.  You just have to shake the bottle really well first, before pumping.

L'Oreal Total Repair Damage Erasing Balm
I picked this up from Target after hearing several beauty gurus go on and on about it.  I had to try it.  And, it was very affordable to boot.  I even used a coupon to snag it for just around $5.  

It claims to repair up to one year of hair damage in just one use.  Sounds too good to be true right?  It's not.
It's very creamy and thick in texture, which means it stays well in your hair.  I just worked this through my ends instead of my regular conditioner and left it in for a couple of minutes before rinsing it out.  

The next morning, I could instantly tell that my hair was so much softer and it even felt silkier.  Needless to say, I was hooked. 

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub
I picked this up from Ulta this month, because I needed a body exfoliater, especially with all of the self tanner that I have been using.

This smells, ah-mazing you guys.  I love how it smells!  It's like a little piece of heaven every time I open this up.
I find that this works well.  The sugar dissolves well and the other ingredients leave my skin feeling soft and well moisturized after use.  

I also picked up the lime coconut one too, but this one is my favorite.

Mac Matte Lipstick in Candy Yum Yum
If you haven't heard about this lipstick yet, you have been living under a rock.  Everyone has been talking about this lipstick this spring season, and for good reason.  It's beautiful and the color is right on trend. 

If you like bold lips, then this lipstick is a must for you.  Grab it, order it, find it, get it.  

 Black Leather Studded Purse
I got this bag from TJ Maxx, and this has replaced my previous bag from my "What's in my bag?" post last month.  I love it.  It was only $40, but it looks more expensive.  It's very roomy and well made.  I can still fit all of my things from my previous purse into this one.  And it comes with a shoulder strap too, so if you want to wear it as a crossbody bag, you can do that too.  Love it!  

What have you been obsessed with this last month?  Do tell!

Love,