Mary Kay Botanical Effects Skin Care Review

Courtesy of Mary Kay Website

Ok, this last Saturday I went and did a "Free" makeover and of course, being a blogger, I ordered some Mary Kay products. My representative is Athena Cook from here in the valley. She was really knowledgeable and helped me out pretty well. Saturday I had gotten my skin care product line, Friday I will be getting the makeup products.

So far, to be honest, I am only liking the mask and the freshen spray, which is much like the Mario Bedescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. BUT, I don't like the hydrating lotion and the face wash. Within a couple of days, I started breaking out. So immediately, I stopped using the face wash and lotion. With a history of massive acne breakouts, I was not going to be chancing anything.

While the face was is really nice, it's for normal/sensitive skin. Not oily/combination skin. The only thing I didn't realize when I got them. I bought what was recommended to me. Lesson number one in buying Mary Kay. Make sure it's for your skin type.

The face lotion is nice too, but.....it's too oily for my skin. Wanna talk about pore clogging city, this is where this product is from. Something that is completely NOT for me. It would be great for those that are not acne prone and don't have oily/combo skin.

The mask, though, completely is the redemption of this line. I LOVE IT! You can use this 2-3 times a week and only for 10 minutes or less! I love it. When I take it off, my skin feels softer and so much tighter afterwards!  When I think of masks, I always think of those ones that you feel like you have to leave on for 30 minutes or so. With this, you don't have to. It's 10 minutes or less. With being a mom, time is of essence when you are trying to do skin care with all little feet running around.

The freshen spray is another redeeming factor. You spray a little bit on a cotton ball and gently wipe it all over your face. I use it twice a day, in the morning to wake me up and at night to help me relax before bed. Tell you what. I will continue to be using this spray. I really enjoy it.

So overall thoughts? While I do enjoy a couple of the products, there are other's that I wish I hadn't had gotten. But, I will pass them on to my foster daughter because it works for her skin. But, I will continue to use the mask and the freshen spray.

If you are interested in getting Mary Kay and you live in the Boise Valley, Idaho, you can contact Athena Cook at 208-409-1305. She is a wonderful representative that will help you get what you need and is a wealth of information. You can also check out her website at : www.marykay.com/athenacook1.

For business inquiries, please email: Beautylearningwithlaura@centurylink.net

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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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