Quickie Review : Claire's makeup removing wipes

Let's be honest. There's nothing like having a makeup wipe that can take off everything. Well I found one that I am loving right now.  It's Claire's brand makeup removing wipes. At  $4.40/30 it's not the best deal unless it's BOGO, but its still not a bad deal. These wipes clean all the makeup off my face and I feel fresh.

They are super moist and go pretty dang far for getting product off my face. For me that's everything when I am too lazy to actually get up and wash my face.

Verdict? Get off your butt and go get some. Lol.

Dollar Tree Haul

Who doesn't love looking at a haul? I know that I do. I tend to get tons of ideas of what I want to get for myself by reading and watching them. But, when you go to your local Dollar Tree (or two), you tend to find hidden gems. Brands like ELF, Milani, Physicians Formula and Maybelline.

I guess you can say that I went a little bit wild getting some of these wonderful gems. Who says you can't build up a makeup collection on the super cheap? Plus, if you have coupons, you can get some of these items just for the cost of sales tax!

I've already been playing with some of it, and I am so glad that I do have these items to add to my collection. Not that my collection is huge or anything. It's really not. By most people's standard, it is large, but by people who LOVE makeup? It's really small.

Now, I found a happy mixture of everything, and all of it, I will use. I'm not getting it to just have a large collection. I'm getting it because I know I will use it. I will have pictures so you can see what I got. If you are wanting reviews, please let me know. Will try to incorporate swatches too.

Polish Swatches

I'm lucky because I got 12 polishes that are beautiful. Some great for Spring, some for Summer and the rest for Fall/Winter!

My wonderful, fun polishes are in a great variety of colors and name brand no less!

 Two face washes, a foot scrub and a lotion from Whit Rain. Will be trying these soon.

 ELF, Maybelline, Almay, L'Oreal, Milani......and Physicians Formula! Even some NYC glosses! Not too bad for a mini haul at the Dollar Tree!

So go take a look at your local Dollar Tree and share what you have found!

Acne Proned Skin

Me in my ugly mask by Freeman

As I sit here in my ugly mask as it dries, I feel my acne. At 33, I am proned to some of the most hurtful, ugly, scaring acne there is. Cystic Acne. If I do not take care of it the way I usually do, I break out like crazy. And this last week? I didn't do my job for my skin. So I naturally broke out.

While I did drink a ton of water, I didn't wash and moisturize everyday like I normally do. I always wear a mask about 1-2 times a week. I have my face wash with Benzoyl Peroxide for in the mornings and my purifying cream cleanser for at night when I'm taking my makeup off. Then, of course, I have my moisturizer with Salicylic Acid in it.

I don't go to a dermatologist for my facial cleansers and moisturizers. I actually use the Neutrogena line. I use their Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer, the Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser and Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Cream Cleanser. Then add my mask I use, I usually stay zit free.

My face BFF's.

For a month of facial cleansers and moisturizers, I spend less than $20. I have never used any of the more expensive brands, but I am looking into them. But, there's the fear that my skin will once again rebel and break out and cause my whole face to just hurt. Does anyone have any great recommendations? Let me know, please! LOL.

Macy's Impulse Beauty Artistry Palette

Ah, Macy's. I love going there. Rarely do I ever buy anything. But, for once, I did. I got the Macy's Impulse Beauty Artistry Palette- a Macy's exclusive, of course. For $39.00, I got 77 assorted eye shadows in matte and shimmer, 3 eyeshadow trios, 8 blush/bronzers and 7 lip colors! The makeup lover in me is in LOVE! They are pigments, easily blendable and many colors to do just about any eye look that you are wanting. The hard case I love too. I love the quilted pattern on it and the shiny dark grey? Love it.

This in a way reminds me of the Smashbox Masterclass palette, but way more sleek. But, a lot bigger. But I like that I can open it up and see everything so easily and not have to lift a lid like in the Masterclass palette.





This would be something that anyone just learning makeup or just loves to do makeup on everyone else would love to have.

Random Eyeshadow Swatches

Random Blush Swatches

Lip gloss Swatches

The swatches are wonderful and just so buttery! I actually decided that I'm going to wear this palette tomorrow and surprise my husband who's coming home tomorrow!

Urban Decay Naked Palette VS. Crown Brush Unexposed Palette

Two palettes that are so similar in color, packaging and depending where you go, price. Urban Decay Naked palette is $54 at Sephora, Ulta and the Urban Decay website. Crown Brush Unexposed palette is around $22-$55 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU BUY IT. I got mine for $16 with a discount code from www.crownbrush.us. I was comparing them side by side and even though it seems some of the colors are off, they actually match up in swatches extraordinarily well. While I haven't actually WORN the Unexposed palette yet, the shadows are soft and buttery like the UD Naked Palette.

I do like that there is a cheaper option for the Naked palette, but there are many dupes out there. More recently, the LA Palette by L'Oreal. But, that's another post. I do feel though, that the Unexposed palette from Crown Brush is by far the best dupe out there.

I did notice that the Unexposed palette tends to be more powdery than the Naked palette if you are not careful. But, with a light hand, it's a very workable palette. As you can see from swatches, the colors are so close that it's uncanny.






To the left are the swatches and if you are like me, you will be amazed at the closeness of each swatch.







I was in no way paid to do this review. I spent my own money to do this review.

Lauren Brooke's Cosmetiques Review

     I got sent some samples from Lauren Brooke's Cosmetiques and I felt so honored to have tried them. I really like everything they sent me except the liquid foundation. To me it had a funny smell to it, but, it did hold up well, especially when working outside.

They sent me samples of Three different kinds of foundations, powder, Two eyeshadows and three different kinds of lip glosses.  Now, the color system for the foundations do remind me of MAC. I was sent Cool No. 10, 20 and 30. Now, #20 and #30 were close to my skin tone, so all I did was mix a bit of the two to get my skin tone. Other than the smell, which did go away after about 30 minutes, the wear lasted 9 hours on me. This is with working outside, doing errands, even taking a nap with the baby! I was pretty dang impressed! These retail for $27 for the creme foundation and $17.50 for the powder foundations on their website.

They eye shadows I was sent are Sandalwood and Toffee. These are suppose to be pressed powders, but I got loose form. I don't mind at all, but for me, loose powder shadows are tricky for me to work with. These blended very nicely and evenly. I like how they worked perfectly together and they last though sweat, baby puke, dog slobber, and basically anything else that challenged you throughout the day! These retail for $12 for the duos. Not bad at all if you ask me.


The glosses are very nice. Very creamy and moisturizing. I received the colors Apricot, which is like a light peach/coral color, Mauvelous, a pretty mid-tone pink, and Winterberry, which is a gorgeous berry red, perfect for the fall. These didn't last as long as the eye shadows and founations, but they were really nice to wear. For $8.50, I would use these all the time over a matte lipstick just because they feel so nice!

I do recommend these to everyone. I really believe you will like how they feel on you, and

honestly? I didn't get any clogged pores from this or a blemish, which I love! You can get all of this at http://www.laurenbrookecosmetiques.com/.

Would love to hear what you think of this brand in your own opinions, and hope to hear from you soon! Enjoy!


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Milani Bella Eye Shadows

Milani. When I think about the brand, I see pretty gold packaging and not much else really. Well, then they came out with the Bella Eye Shadows. They have polishes too, but they don't have them here that I've found yet. I admit, I really like the ones that I bought. I only bought 4 of them, and I do plan on buying more.

When I heard that these were out, I stalked my Walgreens. I got 4 of them to just try out to see if I would like them. Oh, boy, do I! I got 4 neutral colors simply because I wanted to be sure that I would like them. I always figure go for the neutral colors before the racier colors to test. Well, I have to say, they are wonderful! They truly remind me a lot of Urban Decay or Lorac. More Lorac than Urban Decay though. True pigmitation and wonderful color payoff. I didn't see a single fall-out while using them!

New Milani Bella Eyeshadows

While I do love the packaging, I really wish that Milani would have just put these into palettes, cause singles can take up a lot of room. But, packaging isn't really my concern. It's the products inside that I'm most fascinated with. Ivory is a color I have been using the most with any eye shadow I have lately. I blends beautifully and a perfect compliment to any color.

Espresso is a rich dark brown that reminds me of the drink. A nice rich coffee to brighten your eyes. Pink was a bit harder to work. While it didn't go with the browns that well in my opinion, it worked well with Ivory and other pink shades. Champagne is such a beautiful bronze color that blended so well. You didn't need much of it to achieve a beautiful, amazing glow with it. Works wonders with green eyes.

Swatches

I will say these are some buttery shadows. They blend easily and are heavenly feeling. You don't want to miss out on these that's for sure! These are on sale I believe at Walgreens for $4.99. Not bad at all and if you have points, you can knock the price even lower!  This is a perfect product for those starting out in make-up to the most advanced in make-up. I do believe this is part of the permanent line, so they will be around, but prices may go up, so get them while you can!

So head to your nearest Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, anywhere that carries these and grab them. You won't be sorry!

Another MAC collection? A Novel Romance Collection

I'll be honest. I was not sent this collection, but I did get an email telling me all about it and I saw it on Facebook, of course. I MUST HAVE THIS COLLECTION. It's coming out next month, and I think I want it for my birthday, lol. Hint hint darling! But, seriously, I am in love with this collection. And yeah, I like some of the lipsticks and glasses, but it's the eyeliners and eye shadows that I want! Anyone ever feel like that? I normally don't get on the hypes from the MAC collections, but this one hits me and describes me perfectly. I love romance novels. I love to curl up on the couch and just read.

Well, for fall, I'm going to be my own romance novel. I'm going to get me this collection, cause it's calling my name! I may spend more money than it's worth, but it'll be worth it to me! I'm currently looking for pictures and swatches to add to this, but you may have to wait until I buy it, lol. Sorry. Mac didn't deem me special enough to send me the collection to try, lol. I wish they did though! It would be fun to try something before anyone else! Maybe next time!

As soon as I get pictures and such, I will post ASAP. I promise!!!!

Meanwhile, if you need to see the collection before I get it, go check this lovely lady out on her blog:
http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-a-novel-romance-collection-review/

Karen is a talented and lucky blogger who I heard about this collection from first!

Search for "Unicorn Piss", the search for Past Collection Cosmetics PT. 3

That's right, I finally found a website that isn't EBAY or AMAZON to get cosmetics from the past. It's http://www.allcosmeticswholesale.com . I love this site! Granted, the website does have current cosmetics, but the Unicorn Piss that I've been looking for? They had it. At a REASONABLE price no less! From this website, I've found limited or discontinued edition cosmetics way below what you would expect to pay for it. I found current items that were 5-10 dollars CHEAPER than in store! Now that's my kind of store!

Now, on my quest to find my "Unicorn Piss" cosmetics, I've found many, many, many websites that offered fake brand name stuff, such as Urban Decay, MAC and so forth. But this site write a guarantee that everything you receive or that they advertise is 100% authentic. Seeing something like that makes me at least want to try the site out, to see if it's true. Well.....I took the plunge. I tried out their products, and I took them to Ulta, Sephora and MAC to be sure that they are 100% authentic as ACW (All Cosmetics Wholesale) claimed that they were. I was so sure that at least half of it would be fake, that if anything, I got some cool stuff, right? Nope. It was all real.

I do have to say, as I looked over the website, and started looking at prices, I will once again state, had some amazing prices and some of the prices were over priced to MY taste on some of it, and right on target to the department store prices. Now, I do get that their harder to find products will have a bit higher prices, so I wasn't bothered by that at all. I didn't have a problem with any of the prices actually. I was content to see the prices and know that with those prices comes great customer service, fast shipping and exceptional products.

Yes, I of course have pictures of the site and of the products that I've received.