October 2017 Top 5

Oh boy this is hella late. But I still wanted to talk about my favorites from October. So let just get to it!

OPI This Color's Making Waves

I was looking for a dark green color and grabbed this. However this is not a dark green. It is described as a shimmery, lagoon blue on OPI's website. This color really grew on me and I wore it multiple times during the month. I think it's the perfect year round nail polish. It's not too bright or too dark. I also layered it over top of a black nail polish and it was really pretty. I'll try to get a post up of it on my nails.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub

A friend passed this on to me. Years ago I used to use the Tea Tree skin care line at The Body Shop and I did like it. The Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub was new to me and I LOVE IT! When I first used it, I used it after washing my face in the evening. I wasn't sure if it was a scrub that would also cleanse the skin but it is since it does foam but it does not dry out my skin. After that I have been using it in the morning. It is very refreshing and my face feels smooth and soft after using it. It is not an abrasive scrub. And of course I love the scent. If you have oilier skin and are prone to breakouts then check this scrub out! I definitely will repurchase this when I run out. I may travel with it for my next work trip.

Serious Skincare A Primer

This primer came in a set of Vitamin A products I purchased a while ago. I tried it when I first got it but wasn't wowed by it. I said let me try it again to see if I like or not. This time around I do like it. From HSN's website this primer is described as a "oil-free primer glides over the skin to temporarily fill in lines, wrinkles and pores. Its helps your skin feel and look polished and luminous." It does just that. Out of the tube it has pearl like finish which worried me at first. I said ok instant oil slick! This was not the case. It does give the skin the nice healthy looking glow. My foundation goes on nicely and holds up during the day.

Serious Skincare Creamerum Body Treatment

This is another Serious Skincare item I got in a set of items a while ago. I was curious to try it since I enjoy the serum and eye cream. From HSN's website:

"Pamper the exposed skin of your body with this sumptuous beauty treatment. It combines the ingredients of a serum with the luxurious hydration of a cream to help improve the suppleness and softness of your skin."

This is not your typical body lotion. As the name states, it is a treatment. It glides and absorbs into the skin nicely. It is not greasy and has a light scent but you can still put on a perfume or fragrance and it will not interfere with the scent. I use this from the chest down and I really enjoy it. I said I may grab another tube when it's on sale or I have a coupon. This is another product that would be great for travel.

Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Sarina

I took this lip polish with me on my last work trip to Florida. When I travel on a plane, I always use a Buxom lippie on my lips for a hint of color and to hydrate and protect my lips. I wore this lip polish a lot while I was in Florida and I've continued using it since I've been back too. It is describes as a chocolate sparkle. The Buxom line of glosses are hands down my favorite lip glosses. They have been for years. I'm getting the urge to do another clear of my makeup stash. I could potentially get rid of all the lip glosses I have except the one I have from Buxom and be content. We shall see if that happens.

There you have it short and sweet! I'm not going to even say what post will be next lol. So I'll see you in the next post!

#ManicureMonday Butter London Caramel Cafe

Hey there!

Happy Monday to ya! I am SO EXCITED that this is a short work week for me. Should have taken the week off but oh well. I am taking some extra days around the days I have off. So it's all good!

I owe y'all some nail posts. In my Top 5 - Travel Edition (Denver) post, I mentioned the three Butter London + Pantone Color Of The Year Nail Lacquers that I picked up. I also said I'd get some posts up on these polishes *insert strong side eye*. Well better late than never :D

So today I am wearing Caramel Cafe. It is described as a warm caramel brown and it is still available on Butter London's website and you may be able find them elsewhere. This is a shade I know I have more of in my nail polish stash but I do really like it. I am wearing two coats but could have gotten away with one. During my last work trip I tried to decide on a few nail polishes to keep with my travel stuff so that I have one less thing to remember to pack. I ended up picking way too many nail polishes and scratched the idea. I've been thinking about it again and I think Caramel Cafe may be a candidate. It's a very flattering and wearable shade. Once I make my final selections, I may do a post.

I'm not sure if I'll get another post up before Thursday, so I'll go ahead and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! If you don't celebrate it then I hope that you have a fantabulous day nonetheless!

TTFN - ta ta for now!

November/December 2017 Shop My Stash

Hey. Hey there. How ya doin?

I'm coming off a recent work trip, had a ton of laundry to do, just basically getting back to real life. Plus Daylight Savings Time has been a real downer. It's dark at like 5 o'clock and I don't want to jack! So I'm trying to shake the funk off.

Since we're heading into mid-November (yikes!) and into the holiday season, I am going to combine my play post for November and December.

So here we go!

Shadow Play

I picked up two new palettes from Ulta. I got the Persona Cosmetics Identity Palette and the tarte Tartlette Toast palette. I've done a few looks with the Identity palette already and I'm really enjoying it. I think it will be fantastic for travel. I also wanted to play around with some Bare Minerals eyeshadows. I was moved to grab the Women of B.E. Collection. If you'v been with me a while then you know this is an oldie but goody from QVC!

Polish Play

For nail polish, I grabbed a bunch of Zoya nail polishes along with two reds from OPI. I also need to find my Sephora by OPI polish in Good Tidings We Bling. That's a staple every holiday season! It's the perfect red and green glitter nail polish that I pretty much talk about every year. Every now and then Sephora has brought it back for the holidays. If you see it, grab it!

Zoya Emilia, Kelly, Nimue. Ibiza, Neve

Zoya Storm, Marjorie, Finley, Merida, Aurora, Dream

OPI Big Apple Red, Amore at the Grand Canal

Fragrance Play

For fragrance, Lancome is on deck! I have three Lancome fragrances. La Vie Est Belle, Tresor and La Nuit Tresor.

And a bonus item...

I picked up the tarte Blush Bliss palette from Ulta when it was on sale. I think this will be a good travel blush palette. I purged all of my Tarte blushes from my stash and now I kinda regret it. I saw this and said why not. Sephora has a larger blush palette that's part of tarte holiday collection. I'm tempted to get it during the VIB sale or when they do the $20 off $50 offer.

I think this a good mix of item to take me through the end of the year. As always, thanks for following me along. Especially since I haven't been a consistent as I would have liked this year. We'll see what holds for 2018.

Next up will be my October Top 5 post. Stay tuned!

September 2017 Top 5

Hello. Hey. How ya doing? No rambling let's just get to it!

MAC Girls Mischief Minx Palette

A friend of mine mentioned picking this palette up from Ulta and I was curious. So of course I had to look it up. I liked what I saw and decided to give it a go. Well I ended up really liking it. The value of the palette is really good, there are a nice selection of shades and the highlighter is the palette is stunning. I've looked up the other MAC Girls palettes and I have ordered another one.

Fromm Diane Wide Tooth Shampoo Comb

Along with the MAC palette, my friend picked up two combs and she said they were good. I'm always on the lookout for a good comb for this thick hair of mine. This comb is a good one and it's inexpensive at Ulta. I used it on my dry hair only. I have another comb I use when my hair is wet. It glided through my hair and I didn't have a lot of hair stuck in the comb after combing my hair. So score! I may grab another one.

Mally Shadow Sticks

As I've been going through my makeup, I have been paying extra attention to what I'm actually reaching for. When it comes to shadows sticks, Mally's are the ones for me. She has a wide variety of colors, they last on my oily lids and they hold up nicely including the packaging. I have some other in similar packaging and the caps have cracked. So I'm more than likely going to toss the other shadow sticks and pencils I have unless the color is something I don't have from Mally and stick to purchasing hers from here on out.

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner

I have been without a black liquid liner for a while now. I've tried some inexpensive ones that were terrible! Then I ordered two of the LORAC ones during Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty. While I was waiting on my order, I reached of my Bobbi Brown Black Ink Gel Liner. I forgot how much I like look of gel liner and how easy Bobbi Brown Gel Liners are to apply. Also it lasts all day and I mean ALL DAY! I've had this jar for a while. So I know I'm due for a new one which I will pick up soon. It's always fun rediscovering old favorites.

tarte Tartelette Palette

I've had this palette for while but hadn't reached for it lately. So it was time to decide if it was staying in my stash or if it was going. Well I can say it's staying. It's a fantastic matte eyeshadow palette. It's good on it's own and a good companion palette if you need some other matte eyeshadows to complete a look. I may travel with this later on this month. I keep saying I need to designate my travel makeup, so that when it's time to pack I grab those items and keep it moving. Now I'm really leaning towards getting the Tartlette in Bloom palette and there's supposed to be another palette called Toast with warmer shades coming out soon. Oye vey lol!!!

Now for a surprise palette and a random bonus.

Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette

I was going through some empty makeup bags I had set aside for gift giving. I got tired of looking at them and they were not being used for gift giving. So they needed to go. I picked up one and something was in it. Inside was the Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette!!!!!! I had put it aside to give to someone since I really hadn't used it. I had thought out about this palette recently due to the packaging being special with a black girl on it. I was bummed I didn't have it anymore and then I find it! I started using it and said to myself why did I want to give this away again? It has nice neutral shades including Darkhorse which is one of my favorite Urban Decay eyeshadows and a pop of pink. The pink scared me when I first got this palette. I used it with a pink/purple eyeshadow stick and the look was so pretty! So finding this what a good surprise for the month!

And a random bonus that keeps with my minty things obsessions and doesn't really need an explanation....

ALTOIDS!!!!! I've been eating these thangs two at a time!

And there you have it. September was a simple month. Let's see what October brings.

August/September 2017 Out of My Face

Ok I lied. Next up is empties! I thought this one was for September and October. Here's what I used up in August and September!

• Wen Summer Tropical Paradise Treatment Oil
• Wen Summer Tropical Paradise Replenishing Treatment Mist
• Wen Nourishing Mousse in Fig
• Wen Tea Tree Replenishing Treatment Mist
• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Deep
• One 'n Only Argan Oil Treatment
• Skinfix Hand Repair Cream
• Urban Skin Rx Super C Brightening Serum
• Serious Skincare Pure Pep Fading Fluid
• Serious Skincare A Force XR
• philosophy Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel in Pure Grace 32oz
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Chocolate
• Andrew Lessman Cranberry Benefits 120 count
• Skincare Cosmetics Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream
• Covergirl Queen All Day Flawless Foundation in Mocha
• philosophy Honey and Cream Glazed Body Souffle 16oz
• Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Mint Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
• Serious Skincare Mega Force Liquid Exfoliant
• Serious Skincare Pure Pep Fading Fluid
• Ashea Shea Butter Pomade
• Nail-Aid 1 Second Spray Away Nail Polish Remover
• Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray
• Garnier 5 Second Blur
• Nene's Secret Gorgeous Gro
• Naturelle Luxe Majestic Oil

I think the only new to the list to take about is the Skincare Cosmetics Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream. I ordered this from Sally Beauty. I'm always on the hunt for a good hand cream and it has Retinol in it. You know I'm all about Retinol these days. Sad to say I wasn't wowed by this. It wasn't moisturizing enough for me. I would add a couple drops of the Botanics Nourishing Face Oil to it. I saw them mention adding a few drops of their oil to your hand cream Instagram. It helped me use it up. I won't be repurchasing this one.

I used up a lot of stuff huh?

For the next post I'm going to combine October, November and December! Let's see what I can use up for the next three months!

Stay tuned!!

September/October 2017 Shop My Stash

Since it's already September is just about over *head palm*, I'm going to combine September and October. I'll also mention what I've been reaching using for the most part for September so far.

I had been thinking about what I wanted to play around with since towards the end of August for the month of September. Toyed around with a few things but nothing stuck with me. The main thing I wanted to start doing this month is tackle my nail polishes. I've gone through my makeup quite a few times but hadn't really touched my nail polishes. For eyes I randomly reached for two past MAC favorites and I did pick up the Butter London palette I mention in my Denver Top 5 post. For fragrance I have one that I want to try to use up this month if possible.

So here we go!

Shadow Play

I picked up the  Butter London + Pantone Color of the Year Eyeshadow palette on sale from Ulta. I have not used it yet. So we shall see if I like it or now. I've also pulled out my two MAC Extra Dimension eyeshadows that are past favorites (Havana and Rich Core). I also pulled out my tarte Tarlette palette. Trying to decided if I'm going to pick up the Tarte in Bloom palette and I wanted to see how it compare to the new all matte Milani eyeshadow palette that recently came out. Then there's supposed to another tarte palette I think it's called Toast due out. I've seen sneak peeks on Instagram and it's pretty. I've also be on a Mally eyeshadow stick quick. They're nice to pair with powder shadows but they are so awesome on their own. My Juvia's place palettes may make an appearance as well.

Polish Play

I was going to tackle my nail polishes by brand. I was going to start with Essie and I did take a bunch of Essie nail polishes out. I've worn three and now I'm like meh. This basket has all my Essie nail polished and most of my OPI nail polishes. The above picture is an old picture of the basket. I've had it for a while now and it's coming apart. This is what started my whole "let's go through my nail polishes and get rid of some". So for now I'm just going to randomly reach in here and pick nail polishes to use to see if they are keepers.

Fragrance Play

I have some Bath and Body Works scents that I want to try and use up (Beautiful Day, Amber Blush and Be Joyful) along with philosophy's Amazing Grace Whipped Body Creme and Spray Fragrance.

Kinda boring *shrugs*.

For 2018, I'm thinking about switching this post to towards the end of the month and talking about what I actually reach for during the month. I think that may be better since I'm losing steam on picking out select items and using them for the month. We shall see.

Next up should be my Top 5 for September!

Current Music Musings

Haven't talked about music in a while. These are some songs (new and not so new) that get turned up real loud in the car or I seek out and listen to with my headphones on.

The Weeknd - I Feel It Comimg

I have an on and off again feelings for The Weeknd lol! The video is kind of weird but I do really like this song. It has a nice groove that I can't help by vibe to.

DJ Khaled - Wild Thoughts ft. Rihanna, Bryson Tiller

Santana's Maria Maria was my ish back in the day. When I heard this, I was like ooooh!

Linkin Park ft Jay-Z - Numb/Encore

When I heard that  Chester Bennington committed suicide I was heartbroken. I've always been a fan of Linkin Park. I randomly grabbed an old mix CD (yes CD) that I had the Encore mashup. I played it loudly and on repeat in my car.

Jazmine Sullivan x Bryson Tiller - Insecure

I heard this on the radio and I said wayment that's Jazmine Sullivan! I LOVE me some Jazmine Sullivan! When I got to work I took to YouTube and have been listening to this since.

What have you been listening to lately?