Really???? July????

I didn't realize my last post was in July!!!  That was not my intention, I think i just got caught up with life, and the holidays, I kept thinking.....I'll do one next week, and then the next week.....

I have tons of new products to talk about, and with the weather being in the negative chill factor, I think now is the time to get back into blogging :-).  Stay tuned.......I should have a new post up by the weekend..

Plump it Up!!

Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with some fat Angelina Jolie lips so anytime I see a lip plumper, I have to check it out.  I think at first I was expecting to slap some gloss on, and have instant success and see a huge difference.  That's not what happens with lip plumpers.  What they do though is plump out the lines in your lips, giving the appearance of bigger lips.  Some of them tingle, some actually sting, and some just feel minty.  Also, some have "enhancers" in them, like extra shimmer, which can give the "illusion" of plumper lips. Regardless, I do feel like my lips look a bit bigger in some of them, so that's good enough for me.  And also, most lip plumpers come in lighter colors.....light = bigger, where as dark colors make your lips appear smaller then what they are.  All lip plumpers should be applied on dry bare lips, or you won't get the full effect.  If you want the effect, but want to wear a lipstick and not the gloss, put the plumper on while you apply your other makeup, then wipe it off and apply the lipstick.  Here is a short run-down of the ones I have tried:

Buxom Lip Creme:  This one is my favorite.  It has a slight tingle, nothing at all uncomfortable. Comes in a variety of colors and runs about $18.  It has a nice feel to it, moisturizing and just feels good on.  You can purchase this online, at Sephora or Ulta.

Lip Fusion:  I think this one works also, and it's moisturizing for my lips.  This one is a little more tingly then the Buxom and uses marine collagen microspheres to plump the lips.  Comes in a variety of shades, and also comes in an XL version (which means extra strength, not extra large).  This one is quite expensive, $38.  Purchase online, or at Ulta.

The Balm, Plump Pout Pucker:  I found this one in a kit of 3 at Marshalls.  I think it was around $20 bucks, which is a great deal.  I like this one also, not tingly at all on me.  You can find them at Marshalls, TJ Maxx or The Balm website.

Hard Candy:  This runs about $8 which is a great price.  I have two of these, and I really enjoy them.  I like the colors I have, this light pink one really helps with the illusion factor.  No tingle, and can be purchased at Walmart or where ever Hard Candy is sold.

Duwop Lip Venum:  This stuff is pretty darn tingly, and I don't really like the consistency too much, it's a bit thick, and it has a brush instead of a doe foot applicator.  I don't like lip products that use brushes.  I don't think they apply evenly.  I honestly don't think this one does much for me.  Pretty expensive also, at $16 considering how tiny the bottle is!

Studio M:  This one I got at Meijer.  I believe it's one of their brands, doesn't do anything and has an off putting smell.  I think it was about $7.

I have one more from NYX (not pictured), called plump it up lip plumber.  This one is the most tingly, some people may even say it stings.  It is pretty potent, but I really like it, it does the job and lasts a long time on the lips.  I think it may be a bit drying though, so be careful.  This one runs about $ 

Jack Black Lip Balm

So I'm just going to throw it right out there........this stuff is awesome!  I had wanted to pick it up for a while now, but at $7.50 for .25 oz it was a little hard to part with that much money for such a tiny tube.  But I'm so glad I did.  I am what you might call a lip balm connoisseur.  Or to be less fancy, an obsessed fanatic.  I'm pretty sure I've tried every balm out there, except the high-high end stuff like La Mer. (But I'm working up to that, trust me).  This JB balm feels really good, it's nice and thick, but not sticky or waxy. It's got an SPF of 25 which is great for keeping lips protected. It's full of good stuff like shea butter and avocado oil and it make my lips feel really soft.  I usually brush my teeth at night (well duh), rub my toothbrush across my lips and put this stuff on, and like magic, all soft in the morning. It comes in a few different flavors, mine is natural mint & shea butter.  I got mine at Ulta (it's a men's line, so check out the men's products to find it), but I've seen it at Sephora too, and anywhere else Jack Black products are sold. 

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadows

I bought one Bronzed Taupe when they first came out and really liked it.  Great staying power, and I loved the color.  I'm not sure why I waited so long to buy more....but when I saw this new collection of colors (I'm assuming for the fall), I grabbed two at my local Rite Aid with a buy one get half off one deal.  The two I picked up are Smoldering Plum and Bottomless Java.  These shadows are a cross between a pressed and a loose version.  I'm not sure what they are even advertised as, because they come with these little "stoppers" which you have to keep on them to keep them "packed".  I'm not thrilled with the Smoldering Plum, I expected it to be a tiny bit little lighter, it's very dark and kind of hard to tell it's purple once it's on, so you have to use that one sparingly.  I usually just add a little to the crease and use it to line my bottom lashes.  The Bronzed Taupe is beautiful, and goes well with my eyes, which are blue-grey.  The Bottomless Java is also a nice color, a brown with flecks of gold.  They are all pretty, but frankly look better in the container.  Once you blend them on the eyes, they look like a lot of other products I already have.  I always use a lid primer, so I don't know if they crease or not, but they do stay all day and look fairly fresh when I remove my make up (a full day is 630-1030).  I would like to try one of the lighter shades to see how they are.  They run about $8 and you can purchase at any drug store or dept store.  (Taking pics of these was not fun.....couldn't get the true color very well, I tried with and without flash.  I posted the ones as close as I could get).

Smoldering Plum, 556, w/flash

Bottomless Java, 800, w/flash

Bronzed Taupe, 890, w/o flash

I Splurged :-)

I received a $25 gift card to Sephora as a gift from a friend a while ago, and have been hanging on to it, trying to decide what to get.  I've been wanting to try the YSL Volupte Lipsticks for a long time, but just could not justify spending $35 for a lipstick.  My daughter and boyfriend and I went to one of our local malls and talked me into getting this one.  And when I say "talk me into", I mean, I asked....."should I get this?" and as they were turning their heads to listen to me, I ran up to the register and paid for it.  What?  I take other people's advice, what's wrong with that"?  ;-).  Anywho, I picked the Volupte Sheer Candy, and I cannot remember what color it is called.  It's not written on the bottom, as far as I can tell, but I'll include a pic if you are interested.  This luxurious lipstick is more of a balm, it feels soooo good on, it's creamy and buttery and moisturizing.  It's a sheer pink (duh), and smells delicious!  Like grapefruit, or melon, I can't tell which.  It doesn't have all day lasting power, especially when you drink diet coke and spicy peanuts for breakfast at work, when you drink water all day.  All I know is I love it.  It was around $33 with tax, so yeah, it's expensive....but to quote my girl L'Oreal, "I'm worth it".  And you are too!  Treat yourself every once in a while!

Heavy swatch

How I Prevent a Meltdown....

As is the rest of the country, the heat around here has been BRUTAL.  We have been in the 100s, which is breaking records from what I hear.  It's so hot, last week I left for work at 7:00 am, got in my car and it said 88.  Are you freaking kidding me???  I HATE hot weather.  I'm not a "lay out in the sun, get my tan on, go to the beach kind of girl".  Never have been and never will be.  I don't even care about self tanners.  I'm pale, that's what color I was born with, and frankly I'm happy with.  Mainly because it keeps the wrinkles, blotchy peely skin, and skin cancer away.  Over the years, I've been trying different concoctions of products to help with my oily skin.  Which in this heat would be OILY skin.  I've found a combination that works really well for me.  Maybe it will work for you, or at least show you some products that you can combine with some of your favorites.  First up is my summer moisturizer:

Now why a moisturizer when the weather is so hot?  Its not really a moisturizer, it's a Shine Control Lotion, by Boots, which you can purchase at Target, or anywhere Boots is sold.  It's specially formulated to deliver oil free hydration with instant matte results.  (got that directly from the bottle lol).  All I know is it works.  I use half a pump, rub it in and on to the next...

Foundation.

sorry about the blur....i'm definitely no photographer

It's the Revlon ColorStay in 110 Ivory.  I accidentally bought the normal/dry skin one, so I'm sure it would be even better if you got one for oily skin.  This is apparently a dupe for Estee Lauder Double Wear, which I may try, although why pay $35 when this stuff is around $10.  It's got great coverage and doesn't feel like I'm wearing a mask.  Although I almost always wear foundation (I did purchase a great BB creme that I'll review another time), so I may not be the one to ask.....It lasts all day, doesn't turn colors after 8 hours and doesn't run, and doesn't break me out.  What more can you ask for in a foundation?

Setting Powder.

After I apply the rest of my make up, I use Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 004 Sandstorm.  This stuff is AWESOME!  I got it as a gift from my daughter in a little beauty bag she does for me now and then and I love it!.  I use a powder brush from EcoTools to put it on and it makes my skin very matte which I like.  It also helps to cover up my pesky large pores and it's very lightweight.  This is a must have, and I believe it's around $5-$6.

Setting Spray.

When I first heard about these, I thought...."so after I put all my products on to keep myself from being oily, you want me to spray something wet on it?"  I thought for sure it was going to make me look cakey, but that is far from the truth.  I'm currently using Urban Decay's All Nighter.  Let me tell you, this stuff works.  And works well!  When I'm done with everything, and ready to close down my make up station lol, I spritz it twice on my face and walk away.  And it sets everything and keeps it looking great!  I've also used the E.L.F. one and that one is nice too.  I believe the E.L.F one is $3-$6, and this one is $15 for a tiny bottle (this one is as long as my index finger.  They have a larger size also), so if budget is a factor, buy the E.L.F. one.  If you can splurge, get the Urban Decay.

Blotting Papers.

Normally I would be going through a pack of these a week, I kid you not.  With my new routine, I use maybe 2 at work and that's it.  These Neutrogena Shine Control Blotting Sheets are my favorites.  They work like they are supposed to, not a whole lot to say about them, but if you are oily, they are worth the money.  They run about $5, although I got mine for less then a $1 at Big Lots.  Score!!

And last, my M.A.C. Blotting Powder in Medium.  LOVE this.  Works well at getting rid of the shine and has virtually no color.  This goes everywhere with me.  Even when I downsize to a small clutch or over the shoulder bag for mall walking or festivals, this, along with the blotting papers go with me.  Can't leave home without em :-)

So there is my little "oil control" routine.  If you have any suggestions on anything you use to control oil, please leave it in the comments.  Thanks for reading, and have a great week everyone!

Product Reviews coming up

Well I've been a terrible blogger lately.  Real life has just snuck up on me and taken over.  I've bought lots of new products and have reviews coming up.......stay tuned.....