The Saturday Seven (A Little Late) 1/28/13

1. Mood: Since I am writing this on Monday, I would have to say exhausted. It is always somewhat tiring returning to work after the weekend. Even though I know the start of another workweek is approaching, it's still quite draining when it actually gets here and I realize there's four more days to go. :(
2. Substitute question: Plans for this evening? Nothing too exciting...I have to make dinner and finish some laundry. I would like to film a YT video or two and maybe get some cleaning done. Whatever I end up doing, I have to stop at 9pm for The Following.
3. Product(s) I'm adding to my wish list: The new shades of the Revlon Lip Butters! I just read about them this morning and will be on the lookout the next few weeks.
4. Most used product of the week: The Lorac Pro Palette...this due to Weekly Beauty Challenge #2.
5. Scent of the week: Pink Sugar by Aqualina, Gold by Kim Kardashian, Lola by Marc Jacobs...I alternated between scents a lot last week,
6. Favorite song of the moment: My Life-50 Cent feat. Eminem & Adam Levine

7. A sprinkle of randomness: If I could, I would wear slippers and sweats my whole life (with the exception of special occasions). I love comfy sweatpants and hoodies. My grandparents gave me these fabulous Betseyville slippers for the holidays and can't wait to get home to put them on. How's that for random? Lol!

Hope you had a great weekend 

& 

have an awesome week! :)

Weekly Beauty Challenge Mini Series: Challenge #2

For this week's beauty challenge, I decided on a palette challenge. I can only use one eyeshadow palette for the week with no exceptions. The palette I chose for this week is the Lorac Pro palette. Some may view this not as a challenge at all because the palette has been described as quite versatile. I, on the other hand, was underwhelmed by this palette and just never reach for it. So in my efforts to break out of my beauty rut and stretch to find ways to make products work for me, I am accepting challenge #2, the palette challenge! Check back here in a week for my update. :)

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Update: It has been a little over a week since the palette challenge. Even though I did stick with the challenge, it feels somewhat unsuccessful. 

I work a full five day workweek. So my makeup needs to be work appropriate. I stayed more to the left side of the palette, using the creams, pinks and golds. I used Deep Purple with an angled brush and Mac's Fix+ as a liner for one look. Other than that, I didn't really venture over to the right side of the palette much. This palette will quietly go back into my collection where it will wait for me to try it again or just hold a place among other eyeshadow palettes.

The Saturday Seven 1/19/13

1. Mood: Tired. I've got my coffee though! No rest for the weary, right?
2. Substitute question: What are your Saturday plans? I have a bunch of cleaning and laundry to do. I am also planning to jump on the elliptical and hopefully film a video or two. I have to plan out meals for the upcoming week and make grocery/Target shopping lists. Nothing super exciting but it is the weekend. So I can't complain! :)
3. Product(s) I'm adding to my wish list: The Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids lipstick in Vibrant Mandarin. It looks like a beautiful color and something different from my normal lipsticks. Plus they're fairly affordable since it is a drugstore item.
4. Most used product of the week: NYX Slide On, Glide On eyeliner in Jet Black
5. Scent of the week: Pink Sugar by Aqualina
6. Favorite song of the moment: Rest of My Life~Ludacris, Usher & David Guetta   All I can say is put on your insanely expensive designer sneakers, grab your oversized sunglasses, pick out a diamond chain and get ready to dance! :) Hehe

"I'm stuck in this moment, freeze the hands of time. 'Cause I feel inner peace when I'm outta my mind. And you can call me crazy, but I like to roll the dice. So I'm willing to bet that Imma be crazy for the rest of my life."

7. A sprinkle of randomness: Did anyone see the commercial for the new movie Mama? I get totally freaked out whenever it comes on tv but I kinda want to see it...but then I'm worried I might not be able to sleep which I don't really sleep anyway. Lol! Can't get more random than that!

Woohoo for the weekend! Hope you have a great one!!!

WTF is a Walking Pharmacy???

So what the frick is a walking pharmacy??? It is a bag of essential items that you can carry with you in case of a problem, ailment or minor emergency. It's a walking pharmacy not a walking hospital. Lol! I discovered this concept from the YouTube channel OrganizedLikeJen.

I first started watching Jen's MyHousewifeLife channel on YouTube and then subscribed to her other channels as well. She has several channels including OrganizedLikeJen and TheBusyBeeBuzz, and recently launched a blog called Organized Jen. She is extremely organized (obviously!) and takes many creative approaches to organization. 

Here is my walking pharmacy:

I chose this leopard print cosmetic bag that I received from Target (the most recent beauty bag). I like that the print matches both black and brown handbags.

FOTD: Thursday, 1/17/13

Face Of The Day
Products Used:

-Benefit's How to Look the Best at Everything Flawless Complexion Makeup Kit in Medium
(The Porefessional primer, Hello Flawless foundation in "I'm So Money Honey", & Hello Flawless powder in "I'm Cute as a Bunny Honey")
-Carmex
-Mac's Sweet Heat eyeshadow
-Benefit's They're Real Mascara
-NYX Slide on, Glide on eyeliner in Jet Black
-Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
-Nars blush in Madly

Weekly Beauty Challenge Mini Series: Challenge #1

Lately I feel like I am stuck in a rut of using the same beauty products/brushes. Like most people, I get used to things that work for me but tend to neglect other products/brushes in my collection. In an attempt to break out of this rut, I had the idea of doing a mini series of beauty challenges on my blog. Hopefully these challenges will help me to explore other makeup items/brushes and find ways to make products work for me that have not in the past.

Weekly Beauty Challenge #1: Brush Set Challenge

For this week, I am challenging myself to use only the Kirkland Signature 8 Piece Luxury Collection brush set when applying my makeup. Challenge accepted! (Any How I Met Your Mother Fans out there?)  My hubby gave me this set as a holiday gift. The set is comprised of a powder brush, a finishing brush, angled cheek brush, foundation brush, allover eye brush, all-purpose eye brush, crease brush, and a dual ended angled liner/spoolie.

I did make an exception by adding two additional brushes, an e.l.f. Angled Bronzing Brush which I use for contouring and a retractable brush that I use for blending. I think this is fair because contouring is a vital part of my routine and blending is essential to any makeup look/application process. The Kirkland set does not have, in my opinion, brushes that serve either of these functions.

At the end of the week, I will post an update to let you know how the challenge went. So check back! :) I'd love suggestions on future challenges as well! Please leave a comment below. 

Update: It's been a week of using the Kirkland brush set and I think it went pretty well. It was definitely challenging not to reach for other brushes but I found some real standouts in this set.

 The All Purpose Eye brush was a dream and slightly larger and fluffier than the e.l.f. eyeshadow brush. It packed on shadow with the same ease and was ok to start the blending process. The Angled Liner/Spoolie was great for gel liner and tidying up my brows. The Dual Fiber Crease brush was intimidating at first but worked really great to create a defined crease which with my eyes is tricky! The All Over Eye brush was too large to use for my smaller eyes but I ended up using it to highlight and set smaller areas with powder. I really loved using the Angled Cheek brush to apply blush. I only reached for my e.l.f. Angled Bronzing Brush once to contour with.

The Finishing brush which can be used with liquid or powder foundation was such a disappointment. I was hoping it would be a dupe for the UD Good Karma brush which retails for $24. WRONG! The bristles are too loosely packed and the hairs shed. I never even used the Foundation brush because I'm simply not a huge fan of paddle shaped foundation brushes. The Powder brush was mediocre at best and I much prefer my other powder brushes to the one found in the set. 

I do like this brush set and I think it has a brush for almost (It lacks a good blending brush.) every makeup need. Plus there are a few multipurpose brushes and a sleek travel/storage case. For the price, I think it is nice quality and is a great set for beginners or as an add on set for more established makeup mavens. 

The Saturday Seven 1/12/13

1. Mood: Determined. I have a lot of stuff to get done (as usual) today and over the weekend. My plan is to get everything done and cross it off my To Do list! Yay!
2. Substitute question: Here's $500. What are you going to do with it? If I was randomly given $500, I would put half into my savings account and put some serious thought into what I would spend the other half on. A new handbag? High-end makeup? New camera? Weekend trip?
3. Product(s) I'm adding to my wish list: Too Faced Air Buffed BB Cream. Surprise surprise! Yet another product from the foundation category. The packaging is super cutesy and I believe the bow on the lid houses a brush for application. It's described as a mousse like texture and I love the Revlon Colorstay Whipped foundation which is similar in texture. Possible future purchase? Of course!
4. Most used product of the week: Mary Kay Oil Mattifier...I use this as a primer before my foundation. I apply it mainly to my t-zone and any other areas of my face that tend to get oily throughout the day. Then I let it set for a few minutes before applying foundation. Letting it set is the key to this product working. It's definitely one of my HG products!
5. Scent of the week: Pink Sugar by Aqualina
6. Favorite song of the moment: Catch My Breath by Kelly Clarkson...I can't say I'm a Kelly Clarkson fan but I don't dislike her music. I think her songs have positive messages and girlie anthem feels, if that makes sense. *Warning: There's a lot of hair flinging in this video. Lol!

7. A sprinkle of randomness: I'm catching up on some YouTube videos today. I watch them on my iPad when I'm on the elliptical but I'm still so behind. I'm looking forward to watching LisaLisaD1's Friday Haul and itsjudytime's review on the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation. Have you watched my December 2012 Favorites, Fails & Empties yet??? Check it out!

Have a great weekend!!! :)

The (Late) Saturday Seven 1/7/13

1. Mood: Motivated. With the arrival of the new year, I have big plans of grandeur to revamp my life...we'll see how long this lasts. Lol! I am only human!
2. Substitute question: What is/are your new year's resolution(s)? Of course to be healthier...so that includes exercising more, eating better, drinking more water, and getting more sleep. I also would like to be more organized and put myself on a schedule for blog posts and YouTube videos. Those are just a few of my resolutions!
3. Product(s) I'm adding to my wish list:The new MUFE foundation that can be used as a powder or applied damp. I am a foundation whore! I will try any and all foundations within my budget that are made for my skin type. 
4. Most used product of the week: Blistex Moisture Melt
5. Scent of the week: TokyoMilk Dark Tainted Love
6. Favorite song of the moment:Diamonds (Remix) by Rihanna featuring Kayne West

7. A sprinkle of randomness: I know I am late with yet another Saturday Seven. My apologies! I am going to try to post more consistently on my blog. Promise!

Have a great week! :)