January 2016 Top 5 & More!

So I'm sticking with five products again this year.  I'll also include any surprise products, fails and other randomness for the month. Sound good?

Here weeeeeeee gooo!

Top 5

Maybelline Superstay Better Sin Concealer + Corrector

This was a random Target purchase. Ckey Beauty has raved about this concealer. When I first saw the Deep shade in person, I was kinda doubtful. When I applied it, I was like oh no. But I blended it out and continued with the rest of my face routine and said, ok not bad. As I continued using it, I noticed that I haven't had any creasing/it doesn't it caught up in the fine lines under my eyes. I was kinda shocked. Usually after I do my face I take a Q-tip to get any extra product that gets caught in my fine lines. I haven't had to use a Q-tip with this concealer. Now when the warmer weather hits and I get a tad darker, I think this shade will be too light for me. We shall see.

Black Radiance True Complexion Soft Focus Finishing Powder

I know you're probably like, ok she just mentioned this in my 2015 Top Ten post. Now she's mentioning it again?!! LOL! I am but I'm raving about a different shade. With the cooler temps and losing a bit of color from the summer, for giggles I decided to give the Creamy Bronze Finish a whirl and I have really been enjoying it with the Covergirl All Day Flawless foundation. I thought it would be too light but it's a good shade for me during the winter time. During the warmer months, I have used it under my eyes from time to time with my under eye concealer.

Signature Cafe Tuscan Tomato & Basil Bisque

I haven't mentioned a food favorite in a while. This soup is from Safeway and I love their Signature Cafe soups. When the colder temperatures set in, these soups are one of my go to lunch items. When I was sick earlier this month, I was wanting this something terrible. It's smooth, creamy and has a little kick to it.

Rhonda Sheer Fleece-Lined Leggings

I stumbled across these leggings on HSN in a two pack. I've never worn leggings other than bumming around the house. I had purchased a fleece lined pair from Avenue. I liked them but their starting to come a part boo! I saw the reviews on these and said why not. I ordered them in black and LOVED them. I went back and ordered the black/charcoal pack and just recently ordered the black/chocolate pack. These leggings are so comfortable and fit the body nicely. I typically wear them with a tunic, long cardigan and knee boots. I have been living in these leggings. They are the first leggings I have felt comfortable wearing outside of the house.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

I was going to recap this in my February shopping my stash post. But since this turned out as a favorite for the month, here you go! I really enjoy using this palette for the month. I never got bored with or had trouble figuring out what eye look to do with it. The shadows are pigmented and easy to blend. I did not have to reach for any other eyeshadows to complete an eye look. This would be a good palette to travel with. I definitely have my eye on the Bons Bons palette and another warm toned palette they have coming out this summer.

Yays!

Philosophy Total Matteness Pore-minimizing & Mattifying Cleanser + Mask

This is another outlet purchase from Philosophy's website. If you're a philosophy girl or curious about the brand, check out the outlet section. It's their sale sections and I've scored some good deals. I remember when this line came out but never really paid attention to it. This was on sale for have off, so I decided to give it a go. I used it as mask first and was blown away! You only leave it on 3-5 which I appreciate. Once I rinsed it off my skin was so smooth and just look really nice. The next morning some breakouts I have were just about gone! Then I used it as a cleanser and it do feel it helped keep my oils at bay. I'm curious on how this will work for me during the warmer months. So far I'm really impressed with this cleanser/mask.

Boos!

Milani Prime Shield Face Primer (Mattifying + Pore-Minimizing)

I picked this up from CVS. When I picked up the tube out of the display, it felt empty. I picked up another on and the same thing. There is only 0.68oz of product. Most primers be it drugstore or high end that I've seen, you get 1oz of product. This primer is $10 and change at CVS. I had coupons when I got it. There are cheaper primers at the drugstore that perform better than this one for me. The primers that I have been loving have more of a lotion feel to them. This one looks and feels like silicone and I feel like it doesn't fully absorb into my skin. It did not keep me matte. So this is a definite no go for me during the warmer months. I'll continue using it since it's winter time. Definitely do not plan on repurchasing this one.

Passion Planner

Ok I don't hate this planner but I'm just not wowed by like others seems to be. It's a nice planner and it can get/keep you organized. If you have some goals that you really want to work on then this a good planner. I mainly got it for work because I wanted something all in one. Last year, I had a planner and then a separate note book for to do lists, reminders and such. I do like that there is a space for to do lists and there is ample space for note taking and such. I don't like the daily view with the times. It's good if you're someone that has a hard time grasping time or you need to "force" yourself to do something at specifics times. Luckily I've never had that problem. Also I prefer month tabs, so that you can easily flip to a particular month. This a definitely a "hype" item that I bought into. Oh well. You live and you learn as they say.

Heidi Swapp Memory Planner

Again I don't hate this planner but just not wowed by it. This is my personal planner. It's super cute and it came with stickers and everything to set it up. This joker was a PAIN to setup. Now mind you, you don't have to use the stickers provided but since it was my first time using it, I wanted to use the items in the kit. The stickers for the months are SUPER SMALL and hard to place. The daily date stickers were bigger but they were hard to peel off. I do like that there isn't a lot of space on the days. My problem is I'll list way too many things to get done in a day and then be annoyed when I didn't get something done. So it's made me really focus on the two or three things that I want to get done today. The month view is small, so there isn't a lot of space to write a lot of items. I'm glad I got it on sale lol.

I think that's it. Let's see what February brings.

Buyer's Remorse - Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale

*insert sigh*

Soooooooo I made an online order and visited two stores during the recent Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale. The online order was supposed to me my only purchase and it was a "focused" purchase, getting what I wanted and not a bunch of random stuff. I ended up forgetting to get some hand soaps. So I went in store. The first store I went to didn't have much but I got a few things. Then one day, I go the random urge to check out the store in the mall. Their selection was better. I ended up with a TON of stuff (what's pictured above). As I slowly started putting stuff away, I said to myself why did you get all of this? Yes, it was on sale but still!!

I did get scents that I like. I do like "layering" scents using the same body wash, body lotion/cream and fragrance. But it's not really "necessary".  I prefer their body creams vs. their body lotions. I did get a couple of body lotions during another trip before the sale since these particular scents didn't have the body creams. The body creams work well for me for the most part. During the winter time when it's really cold and the air is dry, I need something a little more moisturizing.

2015 was supposed to the year that I decided on a body wash, lotion, and scrub to use. I wanted something that didn't really have a scent or something really light that I could use no mater what fragrance I wear. This could be Philosophy's Fresh Cream for me. It's a light enough scent that it doesn't interfere with whatever fragrance that I decide to wear and I just love the scent. I ended up getting the philosophy a year of seasonal shower gels set from QVC on auto delivery. There is also a single shipment available. With the auto delivery, you'll get new scents for each season (a total of four shipments). I love philosophy shower gels and it's a good deal. The scents really don't linger on your body. You experience them in the shower and then can use whatever fragrance you'd like. For body lotion/cream there are several from Nivea (Extended Moisture Body Lotion and Essentially Enriched Body Lotion) that I really like. They're not travel friendly though. I also like Johnson's Baby Oil Gel in Shea & Cocoa Butter. I recently got a huge jar of the Nivea Creme (400 ml) for less than $10 at CVS. I use the small tin as a hand cream and love it. I have some other items on my radar to try at some point based off of recommendations or have seen on HSN/QVC. So this year is going to be the year for selecting a body lotion/cream to use, instead of having a bunch of different ones.

Upside is that I got everything on sale and I had coupons on top of the sale prices. So I don't feel too bad and some of it will get used.  Plus I have some stuff to reach for if I need a gift for someone. Also I'm sure my mom or cousin will gladly take some of this off my hands lol!!! So lesson learned. It's time that I leave Bath & Body Works alone. I do like their scents but I have noticed that I get tired of them quickly. I'll just stick to purchasing their hand soaps since I do really like them and they don't dry out my hands.

See I'm evolving lol!

Stay tuned for more revelations!

Bag of the Moment - Snob Essentials Embossed Tote with Tassel

I got this bag from HSN on sale and with free shipping. I got it in gray which is still available. It's also available in blue. I also wanted the pink croco but it's sold out. This is a nice everyday bag. It's lightweight to start out with which is always nice. There's a lot of room on the inside but it's not big and bulky like some totes can be. I may travel with this bag this year. I like that the chain detail is silver. I'm typically turned off by gray bags with gold hardware. The Drew tote which is similar is also available on sale with free shipping. I'm tempted to pick up this on up in brown. We shall see. *shifty eyes* Check out the video presentations for more details!

2015 Top 10

This post *insert long deep sigh*. I didn't know how I wanted to go about doing this post then I was sick and THEN this doggone massive snow storm decided to show up! I had wanted to get this up earlier in the month.

I started thinking about this post back in November. At first I wasn't going to this with the categories like I did in 2013 and 2014. I thought about doing a Top 10 post for 2015 to keep in with the theme for 2015. I started my post with the categories and just wasn't feeling it. I had some standout favorites in some of the categories. In some of the others, I was listing something kinda for the sake of having something in that particular category.

So I left that post and started this post. I just started listing items that I constantly reached for, enjoyed using and were just hands down awesome products that I "obsessed" over. Plus I'll throw in a couple of brand mentions towards the end. Sound good?

So here we go!

L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray

I picked this up as a potential alternative to Urban Decay's DeSlick. It's pricey for drugstore but you can always catch a deal, use coupons, reward dollars, etc. I lucked up got two when I ordered two Target Beauty boxes and there were only $5 each. This sets my makeup, takes anyway the powdery look and helps my makeup stay in place all day. Even with everyday use, it lasts a long time.

Philosophy The Present

When I first got this I liked it. I thought it was good but I was kinda nonchalant about it and had no intentions on repurchasing it. The more I used it with or without makeup, the more I really, REALLY liked it! I got it on sale via Philosophy's website. It went on sale again and I missed out on it. This product is witchy magic. It smooths and mattifies the skin. It just makes your skin look good. I've worn this a bunch of times alone over my moisturizer. Using this as a primer for foundation *pauses* it's so doggone good. I'm hoping I can catch another deal but regardless, I plan on picking up another tube.

MAC Raizin Blush

Every time I reach for the blush, it's all I want to use. It looks good on and it goes with just about makeup look. Whenever I use it, I have to force myself to put it away. If for some reason, something happened to all of my blushes and I had to rebuild my blush stash, Raizin would be the first one I repurchase. This definitely is in my top 3 for blushes.

Covergirl Queen All Day Flawless Foundation in Mocha Q835

I've raved about this doggone foundation since I think March of last year. I never thought I would find a drugstore foundation that I would enjoy. Better yet, that would work for my skin tone! I can't get enough of this foundation. I've traveled with it for work, used it on days when I needed something to last on my all day, just whenever I want my foundation application to look GOOD! I originally picked up at Walgreens. After that purchase, I ordered it online from Target and I order two bottles at a time. It blends nicely into skin, has good coverage and staying power. What more can you ask from a foundation? Lol!

Black Radiance Soft Focus True Complexion Soft Focus Finishing Powder

Just like with the Covergirl foundation, I never thought I would find a face powder that I could use at the drugstore. I ended up getting all three shades. My favorite is the Milk Chocolate Finish, It pairs beautifully with the Covergirl foundation. It evens everything out and just makes my foundation application flawless.

Eyeko Visual Eyes Liquid Eyeliner

I don't know what it is about this liquid liner. Of the ones I've tried, it's super easy to use, gives you a nice dark line and it lasts all day. You can do a thin line, a thick line or a cat eye with ease. I have three shades in Ebony, Mocha and Marine. Mocha is my absolute favorite. I have a backup of it on hand. I'm hoping there's another Hautelook sale, so that I can scoop up a couple more. It's the perfect dark brown shade.

Colour Pop Lip Liners

If you've been following me along, then you know that I pretty much have stuck to a brown lip liner only. I've looked and purchased some other colors from various brands. I feel that they were never deep enough to give the definition I like when I use a brown lip liner. I had look at some from MAC and was going to get some but then I stumbled on to Colour Pop. Their lip liners are $5, pigmented, smooth and last all day. I have 5 (Pitch, Ellarie, Leather, BFF3 and Nevermind). My absolute favorite and most used is Ellarie (blackened violet) which should be surprising since I like berry and darker red lippies. It pairs with those shades nicely. I'll need to purchase another one soon.

Wen 613 Eau de Toilette

I got this fragrance in June and I wore it non-stop. I even took it with me on my work trip to Philly. The notes of vanilla, rosemary and lemon blend well together. It's not too strong of a fragrance but it's not a wimpy one either. It lasts on me all day. This is another product that I kept using and had to make myself put it away. If you saw my fragrance stash then you would know why lol.

Formula X Polish in Beyond

I don't know what is it with this polish. I got it at Sephora in JcPenney and was stuck on it. It was hands down my most used polish of the year. It's a d ark teal shade but it's not too dark that you couldn't wear it in the spring/summer. It's a pretty year round shade. I love formula. You can get an opaque application in one coat.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple

I've used Purity off and on for years. This year I got reacquainted with it and really enjoyed using it. I remember someone saying in a video that it's gentle to the point of being boring, I was like what? It's gentle yes, but I don't think it's boring. It does was a cleanser is supposed to do. It cleans your face without stripping it. It removes makeup nicely and my skin feel so soft after using. So yea not boring at all. A definite keeper in my skincare arsenal.

So you know I would somehow go over 10 right? And since this isn't a beauty product, it's totally acceptable LOL!

My favorite handbag for 2015 was Aimee Kestenberg's Leather Soho Satchel. I picked this up on Gold Distressed when it was a Today's Special Value on QVC. I carried this bag for a while and didn't want to switch it out. It's a good everyday bag that holds all my stuff. I love the long strap that turns into a shoulder bag. I like that on me it came to my hip with the long strap. Some complained that it wasn't long enough to crossbody but I'm fine with it. This isn't the kind of bag I think make a good crossbody bag since it's larger. I would like it in another color *shifty eyes*

Now for some brand favorites!

I purposely didn't mention a palette because I knew I would kind of cheat lol. I've mentioned before that Urban Decay is one of my favorite brands when it comes to eyeshadows. I purchased 3 palettes from them in 2015 (Naked Smoky, Vice 4 and Gwen Stefani) and I love all three and they were my favorites for the year. I also tried out their new blushes in 2015 and they are awesome. I tried some samples of thier lipsticks and they were nice and the one gloss I picked up was nice too. So Urban Decay was tops for me in 2015.

Tarte has been another brand that has impressed me in 2015. The items I've picked up this year have been from sets available from QVC and they have just been awesome. Tarte is another brand that's a eyeshadow and blush favorite. I played around more with their lip products this year and they are really nice. I purchased two of their matte lipsurgence from Ulta. Their lipsurgence gloss in Exquisite was a go to shade for me in 2015.

And there you have it! I tried to keep it short and sweet. Let's see what 2016 brings. I already have some ideas for my 2016 favorites post *insert evil laugh*

Stay tuned...

What Do I Want?

I stumbled across this on Facebook.

You probably know to ask yourself, “What do I want?” Here’s a way better question

This is so spot on! We all want a lot of things. But you have to delve deeper. Are you really willing to deal with the good and the bad of what you truly want? Sometimes we can't look beyond the "fantasy" of what we want.

This part of the article had me going YESSSSSSS!!!!

"Everybody wants something. And everybody wants something enough. They just aren’t aware of what it is they want, or rather, what they want “enough.”

Because if you want the benefits of something in life, you have to also want the costs."

Just something to think about.

Be easy good people.

#ManicureMonday Butter London Violet's Revenge & OPI Polka.com

Finally, I get to the last polish in the Allure & Butter London set. Jeez!

Awkward hand poses much? o_O

Today I'm wearing Violet's Revenge which is described as a blue-purple creme. OPI's Polka.com which is a blue, teal and fuchsia glitter in a clear base.

I've enjoyed playing around with all four polishes in the Allure & Butter London set. If it's still available, pick it up ;)

I'll continue with these posts in 2016. They may not be every Monday. If the nail spirits move me then you'll see a post.

TTFN - ta ta for now!

January 2016 Shop My Stash

When I was doing my October 2015 Product Play post, I decided to change the name of these posts to Shop My Stash since this is the true essence of these posts. Plus this year I am going to try to buy less, truly shop my stash and replenish the necessities.

This past fall, my feelings towards "new" beauty was sort of blah. Nothing was really unique and stuff started looking the same to me. This is similar to how I felt back in 2011. I had serious buyer's remorse on some items I picked up and returned things here and there. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy all things beauty and will still probably try things here and there. I just want to be smarter with my purchases and not fall for the "hype" products that get shoved in our faces via YouTube, Instagram, blogs, etc. It's just not realistic to buy everything I "want". That's true for anybody. I don't care how much you "love" makeup/beauty. I looked at my stash off and on and I have gotten rid of stuff. When I tried getting rid of more, it was hard but I do truly like what I have on hand now even though it is a lot.

Ok enough rambling! Here's what I'm play around with for the month!

Palette Play

Last year, I rotated between two palettes each month (more or less). This year I debated on doing something crazy and use one palette for the month. Now it doesn't mean I won't reach for something else if the makeup spirit moves me or if I pick something new up. What I may do is pull the questionable palettes and use those. Again we shall see. So the palette that I going to play around with this month is the Too Face Chocolate Bar palette. I haven't used this much since I got it. So I need to see if I want to keep it or pass it on. I'll check back in on the final verdict.

A little twist...I am going to have a "companion palette" that I keep on hand for the year. That palette will be Anastasia Beverly Hills Maya Mia palette. I like the mix of neutrals in this palette and there are a couple pops of color.

Polish Play

This will still be the same as before. I'm going to play around with China Glaze and Spa Ritual this month. I may list the shades that I actually use later on.

Out of My Face

I'm only listing the products that I actually use up or items that get tossed/given away from my stash. I always have products in mind that I want to use up. But then I felt"weird" when an item stays on my list too long. Silly I know.

Here's what I used up in December:

• Wen Fall Apple Spice Cleansing Conditioner 16oz
• Wen Summer Coconut Lime Verbena Replenishing Treatment Mist
• Wen Fig & Sweet Orange Treatment Oil
• L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate
• Christie Brinkley Recapture Day + IR Defense Cream
• Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
• Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
• Mane 'n Tail Hoofmaker Hand & Nail Therapy
• NYC In a Minute Grand Central Station - this actually started turning goopy on me halfway through the bottle. I'm sticking with Duri Miracote from now on as my top coat. It's holy grail status for me.
• Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Cupcake candle (small size)
• Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Renewal System Hair Masque
• Carmex Lip Balm
• Andrew Lessman Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamin 720 count

Phew! And there you have it!

December 2015 Top 5

Happy New Year!

I've been sick the first few days into the New Year boo! I wanted to get my December Top 5 to you along with what I'll be playing around with in January. So two posts today! Woohoo!

Let's get to it!

UD Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

I'm glad I didn't listen to the naysayers and scooped up this palette. I got mine from Sephora. It is so pretty and versatile. I was never "stuck" on what to do with it. The three darkest shades create a BOMB smoky eye! *swoons*. The colors are pigmented, smooth and easy to blend. If you're curious about this palette, take a look at it while you're out and about. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Lipsticks are supposed to be launching this Spring. Some samples came with the palette and the colors are beautiful.

Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette

Yep another Urban Decay palette. This is the only Vice palette that I own. I wanted to get the Vice 3 palette but I passed on it. This one for some reason I could not stop looking at. I grabbed it during the Sephora VIB sale and I'm glad I did. The colors are super pretty. There isn't anything too crazy in the palette. Slap two colors together and you have an eye look that looks like it took a lot of effort. I enjoyed using this palette in December. Currently this is on sale for $39. I did a quick search and I don't see it on Sephora's site any more. I did see it on beauty.com (free shipping). I'm not sure if it's on sale in stores. So grab it if it has been on your wish list! I highly recommend it.

Zoya Renee

I got this shade in the 2015 Zoya Cyber Monday Mystery Bag. The bag was awesome! Everything accept two items were full sized products. All for $20 and free shipping. I'm definitely ordering again this year. I got stuck on this polish after doing my holiday festive nail post. I couldn't get over how this is the perfect red shade. It's not too bright. It's not too dark. It doesn't run orange. It doesn't run berry. It's from the Redbook Collection where Zoya teamed up with Redbook and special everyday ladies were nominated to have this own nail polish shade. It is described as "the plush classic Christmas Santa red."

Qtica Intense Overnight Lip Repair Balm 

This is another item from the Zoya Cyber Monday Mystery Bag. I slapped this on my lips one night, not really expecting much. It comes out white and it's somewhat thick. I didn't think it would blend into my lips easily but it did. Once I got it on my lips I was like oooohhh. It has a slight tingling sensation that doesn't last long. It feels so nice on the lips. The next morning, my lip were soft, smooth and hydrated. I have not used a lip scrub since using this product. It's a level up from Carmex. This is a $12 product but I would consider purchasing it. Now I'm curious about other products in this line. *shifty eyes*

GILI Roma 2 Tote

I switched to this bag after my work trip earlier in November and I'm still carrying it. A couple of times I was going to swap it out for another bag but I just didn't want to. This bag is an easy bag to carry (for me it is). It's a larger bag but I love larger bags. I do carry a separate "work bag"during the week, but sometimes it's annoying to carry two bags. So it was nice to be able to throw everything I needed for the day into one bag and keep it moving. I have also traveled with this bag. I was in Ulta one day and a lady complimented me on it. I wish I got it black. My cousin has it in black and it looks really nice. I may see if I can find a new one on eBay. When I saw my grandpa, he called my bag luggage LOL!!!!

And a quick bonus...

My brother graduated from college! Woohoo! A lot of ups and downs but he did it! It was fun weekend.

I'm not sure if I'll stick with 5 items or go back to categories. Or do something completely different.

Stay tuned!