Favorite Beauty YouTubers

I'm subscribed to quite a few people on YouTube. I need to unsubscribe from a lot of them. Here are some that I pretty much watch faithfully and I like their personalities. They keep me wanting to watch their videos and they know what they are talking about. How fitting that I picked 8 YouTubers :D

Crystalis007

Ummm this is no surprise right? Since I have mentioned her blog and channel a BUNCH of times. Lol! Crystal mainly does hauls and product reviews which are great. But she mixes it up and keeps it interesting. Plus she's a fool and a half. She also has a vlog channel where she takes you shopping with her.  She shows new products in store and what the displays look like. There is also food series on her vlog channel featuring her husband.

Jennifer Wan (formerly fashionismycrush)

Jennifer does reviews and hauls as well. She has various series on her channel like Drugstore Diaries and Brushabilities. Her videos are very informative. So if you're looking for in depth product reviews then Jennifer is your girl.

Emilynoel83

I think everyone knows who Emily is. She a very popular YouTuber. She does a mix of things on her main channel. She has 2 other channels (vlog and product reviews). I love that even though she has a bunch of followers, she interacts with everyone like if she only had a 100. Some of these bigger YouTubers....don't get me started. Lemme hush. Plus she has a pink makeup room. I mean come on, how can you not love her for that! Teehee!

ArielHopeMakeup

I like Ariel's channel because she does tutorials. She also works a Bare Minerals and uses/shows a lot of their products. And if you haven't guessed by now, Bare Minerals is one of my favorite makeup brands.

1PurpleEyeDiamond1 

I love her channel because she's another one that actually does tutorials. I also love her Instagram because she posts her daily looks and swatches of products. She's also a makeup artist and knows her craft.

farahdhukai 

I like Farah's tutorials. They are simple yet very pretty. I also like her DIY skincare videos.

Jaclyn Hill

Jaclyn is another that I like for tutorials. She's quirky and fun to watch. She's also a makeup artist. A real one, not like some of these girls that just play in makeup claiming to be makeup artists. Let me hush and stop "hating". She is very knowledgeable on products and what works for various skin types and skin tones.

Nicole Guerrero

Nicole is another quirky YouTuber that I like. I like her favorites videos and her tutorials.

Who are your  favorite beauty YouTubers?

Book Lovin: Attachment to Books

I think I stumbled across this blog post via Twitter (Breaking The Sentimental Attachment to Books). I was like how fitting since I am currently going through the process of purging my books. I didn't think it would this hard but it so is! It has been HARD! Some books I was able to go through and put them into the "to go" pile instantly without any issues. Other books not so much. Some I won via giveaways, some I got from the authors personally and they signed the book(s) for me...I could go on. It got to the point I got so frustrated with this process that I stopped. But then I got mad because I'm tired of looking at all these books. Also this process is taking me away from the enjoyment of reading.

I did follow some points from the post. I did get rid of most of the multiple copies of books. Keyword being most. I didn't "write down" my thoughts on each book, that would take forever. For the "questionable" books they did get some extra thought to help me decide if it was a keeper or it was going. This last batch of books I showed no mercy. Also I do realize that this is a process. I plan to go through stuff again, do another drop off and then do a "final" purge for the year around Thanksgiving. Then I'm just going to leave it alone for a while and see what I actually read. I'll revisit everything again in 2014. If I keep this current process up I'll go bonkers.

I found this on Instagram and this pretty much sums up my dilemma.

I just have to realize that, no I can't read everything by everybody. I have some identified favorites authors and heck try keep trying to keep up with them is a task within itself. I need to figure out a way to keep track of books that I just want to read but not necessarily buy. My library does let you borrow ebooks and have borrowed a few. So that's a potential route.

I'm far from becoming a book minimalist. I don't think I could get down to only 20 books like the author of the blog post. But then again I don't want to end up like this lol!!

The struggle continues...

Tech Lovin: Email Overload

Can I just say that I am sick of email!!? I only have 3 emails well technically 4 but the last one is a temporary email that we be gone by the end of the year. I have 2 personal email addresses (Yahoo and Gmail) and of course my work email. I have had my Yahoo email since undergrad...many moons ago lol. My Gmail is more recent, but I really don't use it that much. I said I was going to use it more so for personal communication since my Yahoo email has so much tied to it with other stuff and is all over the place. If Gmail had folders I might use it more. Then I toyed around with slowly getting rid of my Yahoo email BUT that would be a nightmare.

Gmail has over 5,000 "conversations". My work email may be a little less. I'm not even going to say what my Yahoo email has with emails and folders*head palm*. I said I was going to devote some time to clean my inboxes out. But still haven't gotten around to it. I'll get into a mode where I'll delete a bunch of emails and unsubscribe from various lists and such, but I feel like no progress has been made. How you handle email overload?

Book Lovin: So We Throw Away Books Now?

At the halfway mark woohoo!!! Remind me never to do this again!

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

I stumbled across this article from The Washington Post on Twitter (Fairfax County library revamps system, discards books, reduces librarians). Needless to say I was shocked and appalled! Especially since it involves my county AND I have been going through my books and donating them to the library! I showed this article to my boss and she was shocked as well. She has also been donating books recently. A cousin of hers has worked within the library system in another Virginia county. She asked her about it and she said that this is typical process called weeding that all libraries do. She all said that the public has no idea what libraries do with books that are not circulated. Typical of what we truly don't know what goes on in our various levels of government, public agencies, etc.

Again I was shocked. With all the natural disasters that have occurred here in the US, and the schools and libraries that lost all their resources...hell even school systems and other programs that are struggling with limited funding and resources, y'all are just going to throw books away! Wasting taxpayers money too!!? I know that they can't hold on to books forever, but there has to be a more responsible way to purge books and not just throwing them in the damn trash. I heard that a town hall style meeting was held and that this issue among others highlighted in the article were addressed. There was a high turnout. I'm glad that residents showed up and showed out!

Just sickening. Makes me leery to keep donating books that I'm purging from my collection. I have three bags sitting in my trunk now. I will take those but I may look into organizations that actually have a NEED and will  DO something with the books that I donate! Plus as someone who have utilized the library in my county since middle school, I am not pleased with all these yo-yo changes. Then to read this article...smh.

Tech Lovin - Kindle Fire vs Samsung Galaxy Tab

My tech toy senses are tingling!

(Courtesy of Samsung)

Sooooooo my tech lovin eye wants a tablet of some sort. I'm lightweight anti-Apple, so I don't see myself getting an iPad. BUT my eye has spied the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3! I read the reviews on the Galaxy Tab 2 prior to the 3 launching. The reviews for the most part were very good.

(Courtesy of Amazon)

Then I've been thinking about the Kindle Fire. I'm an Amazon Prime member and other than the free shipping I don't take advantage of the other benefits. I know you can download the Amazon app if you have a tablet but I'm not sure about the instant videos and other Prime benefits. Something I need to look into.

(Courtesy of Amazon)

Also the new Kindle Paperwhite has caught my eye too. So many tech toys, so little time.

My laptop is cool and all but it's big, heavy and hard to maneuver if I just want to lay down and watch YouTube videos and such. It's also not fun to travel with on work trips. So an alternative would be nice. But even my laptop is starting to pluck my nerves. I don't even want to think about it. Now here is where I miiigggght consider an Apple laptop. Keyword might! Hmph!

Anyone own either one? Thoughts?

Princess Tag!! (Favorite Luxury Beauty Products)

Another tag. I love watching these on YouTube. Some of the items I'll mention may be more of mid-range vs high end. And of course there may be two products mentioned in a particular category. Also I was kind of lazy for this post when it came to pictures. Some items I've mentioned/shown before in previous posts and some you will see in about a week or so (hint hint).  Plus I've linked the products either to the brand's site or Sephora. They'll have better pics than what I could take. Also Google is your friend :) Here we go!

Share your all time favorite high-end products in each category (If you don't own a luxury item in every category talk about a product you are wanting to try & why you're attracted to it) ; D

- FOUNDATION
Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Foundation was my favorite foundation before Bare Minerals. I was HOT when I found out that it was being discontinued. I was going to purchase at least one more bottle before it went away but I waited too long.

- CONCEALER
Bare Minerals Stroke of Light isn't really a concealer. It's an eye brighter that does provide coverage. Well enough coverage for me. For the face I like Bobbi Brown Touch Up Stick that I have but cannot find which is odd and annoys me to no end! So I see a purchase in my future.

- POWDER
I gushed over Bare Mineral Bronzing Mineral Veil in yesterday's post which is more mid range in price. I also really like Bobbi Brown's Sheer Finish Loose Powder.

- BRONZER
My favorite Bronzer hands down is Bobbi Brown's Bronzing Powder. I purchase Deep Chocolate which she released some additional shades in a previous Fall collection. I didn't know at the time that this shade was limited edition. Had I known, I would have purchase a backup. I hit pan on it last year. The pan has gotten bigger but I still have a lot of product left. I use this every day!

- BLUSH
I have two for this one. Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes are pricey but amazing!  I have eight of them and there at least two more shades that have caught my eye along with the holiday blush palette. I also have to mention Bobbi Brown's Blushes. Some of her newer shades have caught my eye. Blushes from both brands apply smoothly, are pigmented but not to the point that you'll look like a clown and aren't powdery.

- HIGHLIGHTER
I don't really have any "high end" highlighters. I have quite a few Radiance powders that can be used as highlighters from Bare Minerals. I consider those mid-range. On that is on my wish list is Laura Mercier's Spellbound. If I can get my hands on it. It's selling out pretty fast. Crytalis007 showed this in a video and I swear I gasped when I saw it.

- EYESHADOW
Oh gosh...lol. Ummm....I'm going to go with Bobbi Brown's eyeshadows. They are smooth, easy to blend and long lasting.

- EYELINER
If we're are talking pencil liners then my favorite is Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils. If we're talking gel liners then Bobbi Brown's gel liner are my stizzle. If we're talking liquid liners then LORAC's Front of the Line PRO liquid liner is my favorite.

- MASCARA
This is an easy one....Lancome's Definicils Precious Cells mascara. I love everything about this mascara (the brush, the formula, how my lashes look, how my lashes feel, how it removes easily...I could go on). I don't have a tube on hand and was debating on picking up another one. But I may have found a drugstore alternative. Stay tuned...

- LIP LINER
Smashbox's Nude Lip Liner in Dark. I've talked about this lip liner multiple times. Before I discovered the NYX lip liner in Expresso, this was my go to lip liner that I used every day.

- LIPSTICK
I don't really have a favorite high end lipstick that's a favorite. I do want to try YSL's Rouge Volupte lipsticks. I also want to try Bare Minerals Moxie lipsticks and Urban Decay's new Revolution lipsticks. I have heard good thing about all 3. Especially from Bare Minerals and Urban Decay.

- LIP GLOSS
At first I was like I don't have a favorite and then I remembered my Buxom lipglosses and lip creams! How could I forget about those??!! Duh! *head palm*

- BROW PRODUCT
I don't have any high end brow products. I do want to try Bare Minerals Brow pencil since they now are a dark shade. I like that it's a retractable pencil that you don't have to sharpen and the pencils part looks like it will be good for filling in and defining your brows vs a traditional pencil.

- MISC... (CANDLE, BATH GOODIE, TOOL ETC)
Philosophy Shower Gels. I love the gels that match back to their fragrances and the "fun" shower gels that range from fresh scents to fruit and food scents. My favorite of these kinds is Cinnamon Buns. My favorite of their fragrance shower gels is Amazing Grace.

- NAIL POLISH
Chanel's Black Pearl nail polish (link to Temptalia's blog post). It's unique shade that I haven't seen from any other brand be in high end or drugstore.

Backup Products In My Stash

Ok at first I didn't think I had a lot of backup products in my stash until I started digging through drawers and what not. Sheesh!!! Most of the backup items I have are limited edition or are no longer available for purchase. One was an accidental purchase and one was a just because purchase. Quite a few are from being on auto delivery with various beauty Today Special Values (TSV) from QVC. Here we go.

Mally Volumizing Mascara 
I got several of these tubes through her TSV sets she brought to QVC. I given some away and I still have this many on hand. Good think it's one of my favorites.

Bare Minerals Mascara (Flawless Definition and Curl & Lengthen) 
I got these via Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty when they were half off. If you like their mascaras then this a good time to stock up on them. I picked up the Volumizing one as well but decided that I don't care for it. So the back up tube I have has gone into my gift giving basket.

Maybelline Gold Shimmer Color Tattoo 
This was part of Maybelle's Fall collection last year. I liked it so much I got a backup. Do I really "need" it? No. So it may end up in someone's Christmas bag. We shall see.

Maybelline's Touch of Light 
This is a cream highlight that I love. I wasn't a big fan of highlighting products. I've gotten more into highlighting within the last year or so. This one is my favorite. I got my back up via my beauty pusha.

Mally Poreless Face Defender
I had originally ordered this as a single shipment then I wanted to get on auto delivery for it. So now I have two. One stays home and the other is in my purse. I hadn't been using it a lot but recently I have been using it a lot more for touch ups. I've hit pan on the one that's in my purse.

Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Midnight 
This is her black eyeliner. Again more than likely got this from two different sets since this in the liner that she includes in a lot of her sets. It's not my favorite black pencil liner but I do like it.

Bare Minerals Big & Bright Eyeliner in Black Coffee
This is my FAVORITE pencil liner. I got this in two different sets from QVC. I used the last bit of the one I was using the other day. So I will be cracking open my back up. I have found sellers on eBay selling this liner. I will be getting another backup or two.

MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass 
This was part of the bloggers collection that MAC did. Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog created this lipglass. It is the perfect pink. When I don't know what lip to do, most of the time I throw this on. It goes with just about everything.

MAC Call My Bluff Lipstick
This is one of my favorite nude lipsticks. I lucked up and found another via a blog sale at a decent price. Some folks are lightweight crazy with the prices that they charge.

MAC Heroine Lipstick
This is hands down my FAVORITE purple lipstick. Like I could wear it every day favorite. I was kicking myself for not get a backup when MAC released it. When they re-released in a collection another lipstick was in order.

Revlon Mink Lipstick
This was an accidental backup situation. This is called you are in the drugstore too doggone much and you don't remember what you've purchased. I think I purchased one from Ulta and then ended up purchasing the another one from Walgreens. This made me start keeping lists on my phone of certain products so that I don't make this mistake again. It's another favorite nude so I wasn't too upset. I keep one in my purse.

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipgloss in Mirrored Plum
I love these glosses and Mirrored Plum is an amazing purple gloss. So of course I "had" to get another one. If it was a part of the regular line then I wouldn't have gotten a backup. This whole limited edition mess at the drugstore really grates my nerves. Plus going from store to store trying to FIND these items. Don't get me started.

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipgloss in Lavender Lavish
I gushed over this gloss and in my September favorites. So no surprise that I got another one.

Bare Minerals Original Foundation in Gold Deep
I prefer the matte version of the foundation. I ended up with these due to sets I ordered from QVC. They never include the matte foundation in any of their sets which is very annoying. I had one of the in my "at work" makeup stash but wasn't really using it. I use the original version more so in the fall/winter.

Bare Minerals Bisque in Deep
Again ended up with multiples of this via QVC sets.

Bare Minerals Perfect Light Mineral Veil
Right now I have 3 of these with another on the way via a QVC auto delivery. This is my second favorite mineral veil. But at least one of these is going on my gift giving basket.

Bare Mineral Bronzing Mineral Veil
This mineral veil right here is MY FAVORITE! Yes Gawd! When I use this you can't tell me my face isn't beat OK!!! Of all the mineral veils, this one is the most brown girl friendly in my opinion. I never really cared for the tinted mineral veil. I have the regular size with the blue lid that launched with the spring collection. Then QVC brought back the super size of it. So I picked that up as well. I didn't purchase it when it first aired I think in 2011. It's still available and I'm tempted to get another. I am dead serious. It is not a game on how much I love this product and I don't want to be without it.

Wet n' Wild Sugar Plum Fairy Lipstick 908C (not pictured above...whoops)
Now this lipstick isn't limited edition. But it is hard to find in stores. So when I saw it one day when I was out and about, I scooped up another one. This is my one of my favorites for fall/winter but heck I wear when I want.

I think that's it. I may have forgotten a gloss and something else. Not that many backups but then again....I had a backup of Wet n' Wild's Vanity palette and Bare Mineral loose eyeshadow in Drama. I was like you really don't "need" these, so I passed them on to other makeup lovers. They now have good homes lol!!!!