National Lipstick Day

Since today is National Lipstick Day, I wanted to share one of my favorite lip products + a dupe that I discovered recently.

Dior Lip Glow

Dior is luxury. And while I try not to spend too much money on beauty products if I can help it, I am a Dior Addict.

I especially love their new It-Lash Mascara and their Lip Glow.

At $26 the mascara cost right around what most other non-drugstore brand mascaras cost. However, the Lip Glow is a little more pricey at $32. Not too bad, but I use it a ton, so it starts to add up.

Color Reveal Balm

I the other day I attended a Sephora event, and they almost always have a little gift that they give out at the end. This time it was a sample size of their new Color Reveal Balm. It’s only $13 and works just like the Lip Glow. I will say that I still prefer the Lip Glow, the Color Reveal Balm has a slight weird taste/smell to it, but I’ve been using the sample and am considering buying the full size.

When searching for the Color Reveal online I found a Color Adapt Gloss and since I prefer glosses, I plan to snag one of those for sure.

Henna Lipstick

Looking to go a tad more bold? The Man Repeller wrote about Henna Lips on her blog, the effect is similar, but with a little more punch.

Left to right: Dior Lip Glow, Sephora Collection Color Adapt Gloss, Magic Moroccan henna lipstick.
Left to right: Dior Lip Glow, Sephora Collection Color Adapt Gloss, Magic Moroccan henna lipstick.

Color adjusting lip products may not be your thing, but I like them for a soft, natural look. Don’t forget to share your lipstick looks on Instagram and hashtag #nationallipstickday.

Smooches, y’all!

xx
Bet

Random, but One Direction…

Yes, One Direction. You know…The boy band.

And just in case you don’t…

They’re having a pretty major giveaway. You have a chance to win tickets to the 1D “Where We Are” Tour Concert next month at Gillette Stadium + their makeup before it hits stores!

For more details, check out the Facebook page.

There’s only 2 days left so enter, like, now!

That’s right they’re coming out with a makeup line! I won’t lie and pretend to be a huge Directioner. But I like their songs, and I’m pretty pumped about the makeup line.

One Direction The Looks Collection

But more on that later…

Stay tuned!

xx
Bet

This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.

july julep maven box

I fully intended to skip my Julep Maven Box this month. Not because I don’t love it, but because I have A LOT of nail polish + not so much money. That being said, I am SO glad that I didn’t!

The Bombshell colors were just to die for…

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And a while back I got the Beach Tonic, loved the scent, loved the product, HATED the bottle. I couldn’t get it to spray consistently without have to pull the nozzle up after EVERY. SINGLE. SPRAY.

So, even though it was probably just a bad bottle (I also got the Sea Salt Hair Spray, in the same style bottle and it worked just fine), I didn’t use it nearly as much as I would have liked to.  This month the featured item was the Bare Body Milk, that smelled just like the Beach Tonic, but in lotion form. I die.

Beach Tonic

Now I get to rock the scent that I enjoyed with the hassle. Plus, it works really well!

I am one happy chica.

xx
Bet

5 Products I Heart + Their Minis

While science isn’t a subject that I fully grasp (don’t get me wrong, I get the basics), experimenting with beauty products is a completely different story. Trying new things is seriously SO much fun!

This month (so far) I tried a ton of different new products + here are five that I absolutely love:

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Bioré has been featured on so many blog recently, so after getting a sample in a magazine, I rushed out to get the full size. Later while perusing the aisles at CVS I found a deluxe sample and since summer is all about traveling (well, at least mine is) I grabbed it to add to my to-go products. Also try their heated masks!

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I first learned about Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Push-up Liner from Birchbox. They offered the chance to win a sample in your June Birchbox. The catch? You wouldn’t know until you got your box if you would be receiving it or not.

Patience is not my virtue.

So, I bought the full size liner off Benefit the second I could. And. Let. Me. Tell. You. This liner makes up for the fact that they don’t have a Big Easy shade for my complexion! I mean I love black eyeliner. I love gel liner. It is legit struggle city for me to apply gel liner, so I ofter opt to forgo the intensity and settle for pencil instead. But NO MAS! Now thanks to the geniuses at Benefit I can have my cake and look hot too!

The mini? I actually ended up not getting it from Birchbox (hey, you win some, you lose some) + got an offer from Sephora that I took advantage of instead (it really does pay to be VIB Rouge).

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For my June Julep Maven box, I decided to add-on. I wanted to start trying out different top coats and read some good reviews for the Freedom Top Coat, I got both the full-size and the mini as a set. I gifted the mini, but use the top coat every time I paint my nails. I cannot get over the shine + it’s pretty quick drying. I still want to find something that is more like gel (without the light), so if you have any suggestions please throw them my way!

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The Target dollar bins section KILLS ME! I mean live in Vermont, so whenever I go to another state that has a Target, I suffer from serious fomo (fear of missing out).

I want it ALL.

Not too long ago I picked up a bunch of travel sized littles and one of the was Dove deordorant. I usually wear men’s. I sweat. A lot. Especially when I’m cold. I have considered getting those botox injections in my pits to handle some of the perspiration but would rather buy shoes than pay for that. I have tried clinical strength and that was a waste of money for me because I still sweat like crazy. Then, I learn that the PR girl for Oscar de la Renta used Old Spice and gave it a try, it worked better than anything else I’ve tried, so I converted. I’d even keep a mini in my purse at all times. I saw the Dove mini and wanted to try the scent and I was in the dollar bins section so really I didn’t need a reason, I was going to buy it regardless. I not only liked the scent but it worked! 48-hour protection was my answer. I don’t expect it to work 48 hours but all I need is to get through the day. I blew through the mini and picked up a 2-pack of the full-size and keep one in my bag and the other in my bathroom. Perf.

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So, I don’t have mini of the eos shave cream, but I know it exists, because I saw it. At Target. In the dollar bins. But I didn’t buy it. Hear me out! I am pretty hairy chick, so shaving isn’t something I can just sample, I need a lot. Running out mid-shave is not an option. So I didn’t get it. I will say that this is the only shaving cream I will ever buy again. It claims, as many other shaving creams/gels do, that you can dry shave with it. I tried and yes, yes you can! I HATE dry shaving and only do it if it is my last resort. I hate how itchy and dry my legs feel after so I avoid it at costs. Remember when I said I must be a cat? Well, my curiosity got the best of me, and I tried it. I am telling you, you can dry shave with this stuff! That being said, I still prefer to shave in the shower, I enjoy it…

BeautyCon Swag Bag

As promised, here’s the BeautyCon swag I scored while attending BeautyCon NYC 2014! BeautyCon swag bag

BeautyCon Sunnies

The tote + these sunglasses + a shirt were the only things thatI knew for sure I would be getting. I knew the tote would be filled with products, but didn’t know brands, or quantities, or anything like that.

Primer

Contrary to lip products, I am not very adventurous when it comes to primer. I never really understood the different types. bareMinerals changed that. (There was also a bareMinerals booth and they gave out products + pointers. I didn’t get any additional products but the pointers were very useful. Also, I was not upset about missing out on the extra products because I had already splurged on all things bareSkin, their new liquid foundation…but more on that later, maybe.)

Maybelline

Maybelline was the first brand of mascara I’ve ever tried, and I still use it to this day. Why? Because it’s good. As is this lip color!

NYX + OPI

This NYX eyeshadow in Psychedelic is the perfect dupe for Urban Decay’s Thrash + I am a little too excited for fall to start rocking the heck out of this OPI is just perfect.

YouTube Mirror

Given that I have started to dabble in video, this was a nice little surprise from YouTube.
StyleHaul Sunnies

I collect sunglasses/shades/sunnies/whatever you call them. Thank you StyleHaul for the extra pair!

Bronze Booster

Really impressed by all the benefits of Bronze Booster!

Too Faced

You can never have enough bronzer! I use bronzer that’s a little too light for me as an illuminator. Too Faced in Chocolate Soleil

Snack

Who doesn’t love kettle corn?! So good + the bag is super cute!
Drink

I don’t like diet soda. I should not have expected to like this zero calorie soda. But I did. And I did not like it. I gave it to my mom to finish, she liked it. Then again, she likes diet soda.

Coupon

Thursday Friday designed the BeautyCon swag bag tote, so this coupon made perfect sense.

Me Undies

Me Undies tee shirts are my favorite! And while I don’t think they were at Beautycon, it was still cool to see a gift card from an upcoming brand that I love in the swag bag!

Elle Magazine

Elle was a major partner for BeautyCon NYC, and as an Elle Magazine subscriber,  I found this cover to be utterly flawless (I’m still not over the Jennifer Aniston + Brad Pitt breakup, but I can’t hate Angelina…She has ageless beauty and is an amazing actress)!

Three of these will be included in my next giveaway! Which three do you hope they are?

BeautyCon NYC 2014

I was very fortunate to be able to hit up NYC for BeautyCon!

BeautyCon Taxi

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but after reading up on it, I wanted in.

And, thanks to the manfriend, I was able to snag a PRO ticket + some BeautyCon swag, along with my two besties.

BFFs

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BeautyCon NYC Makeup Application

What is Beautycon? Well, put frankly, it’s a beauty convention.

BeautyCon NYC Dance Floor

BeautyCon NYC Makeover Challenge

What does that mean? It means you get to stand in a lot of long lines to get to try makeup and beauty products from various companies, if you are 21+ you get free drinks, and you get to hear panelists speak on various topics such as social media and being a diva, as well as meet some of your favorite makeup and hair gurus, bloggers, vlogger, etc.

In other words, it is EVERYTHING!

BeautyCon NYC Beauty Store Line

BeautyCon NYC Stack Wine

BeautyCon NYC Cheers

BeautyCon NYC Panel

Was BeautyCon NYC worth it? I would say so!

Johnny Wujek selected me as one of his choices for the walk off contest! While I didn’t win, I werked it.

Not only did we have an absolute blast, but we are already looking forward to #BeautyConNYC 2015!

My next blog post will be all about my BeautyCon swag, so may sure you don’t miss it and subscribe!

may birchbox

I always look forward to getting my monthly Birchbox. I especially love it when I get a new product that exceeds my expectations, even if some of the other products don’t. My May Birchbox included a few products that had me freewheeling!

May Birchbox Contents

Birchbox bases the products you get in your box off of a profile that you fill out. My profile mentions that I have color treated hair so I often find myself getting color care hair products. What I found surprising about the shampoo + conditioner set I got this time, is that there was also a hair primer, which you apply before washing your hair. I was happy with the results, but hope that my next box does not include any color care hair anything.

Nexxus Color Assure

My favorite product in my box this month, was the PIXI Beauty Shea Butter Lip Balm. I majorly heart  getting full sized products especially lip products. As much as I swear that I adore eye makeup over all, I own way more lip products. What can I say? I have big lips and they need the extra TLC…

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm

The color was much bolder than I expected for a lip balm, nothing too shocking, but I was pleased that the color was visibly detectable.

CoTZ Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40

The other product that surprised me was the CōTZ Face Tinted Natural Skin Tone SPF 40. After I posted about my huge disappointment with Benefit’s Big Easy, I was very skeptical about trying anything tinted that didn’t say for dark skin. However, this wasn’t so bad. I mean it was light, but rubbed in and didn’t leave me looking ghostly. That being said, less is more. Even though I do not plan to buy this, I didn’t hate it.

BEFORE:CoTZ Before

AFTER:CoTZ After

This month’s box even included a $25 off coupon to Kate Spade Saturday + if you subscribe  to the Kate Spade Saturday emails you get 15% off your next purchase!

Kate Spade Saturday Coupon

Enjoy my Birchbox posts + want in? Click here to sign up + give Birchbox a try!

may julep maven box

May Julep Maven Box

Like many makeup and beauty hoarders, I have a lot of nail polish.Name just about any color or finish and I’m pretty sure own it.

And yet, I still find that I do not have enough.Talk about first world problems…

I need my nail polish fix!

Bombshell Julep Maven

If you’re anything like me, then Julep is the answer. By becoming a Julep Maven, you get a monthly mani in a box.

Julep Add-Ons

Unlike some other subscription boxes, with the Julep Maven Box you have the option to not only skip a month if you need (which I do from time to time, because, well, shopping happens + I got bills to pay), but also the option to  gift your box to a friend.

May Bombshell Julep Maven Box

What makes the May box so special, is that it included the new Julep Plié Wand. This wand take the theory of writing with a pen or pencil and applies it to the mani, giving you more steady control as you paint your nails. This goes against my logic for leg shaving, but I can attest that it works. And well. Very well. I dig it.

Plie Wand

Plie Wand

Right handed and not at all ambidextrous? Not a problem! After attaching the magnetic wand to your nail polish and paint your left hand, the plié wand twists to rest on your hand so you can stably paint your right hand.

Plie Wand Right Hand

Plie Wand Left Hand

Believe it or not, my right hand actually came out better than my left for once!

spring fling voxbox

I joined Influenster not too long ago, and recently got my first VoxBox. I am always saying that I like to try new things, and VoxBox allows me to do just that + share my opinion on the products I try.

Spring Fling VoxBox

The theme of this particular VoxBox was Spring Fling, and had products to help you get ready for spring.

Spring Fling Vox Box

Spring Fling VoxBox

My Spring Fling VoxBox contained:

Peach Pie Car Freshener from the Labor Day Movie $21.24

Labor Day Pie Air Freshener Front

Labor Day Pie Air Freshener Back

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara $5.47

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara

NIVEA Skin Firming Hydration Lotion $5.97 for 6.8oz

Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion

Playtex Sport Fresh Balance available in Walmart stores  $3.99 – $4.99

Playtex Sport   Playtex Sport

Kiss Everlasting French Nails $7.79

Kiss Everlasting French Nails

Kiss Everlasting French Nails

Kiss Everlasting French Nails

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These products were received complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

two amazing little products

In an earlier post I basically said that waiting in line is the devil. Maybe not in so many words, but it is where 98% of my impulse buys are picked up.

This weekend I got to explore Albany and pretty much went buck wild crazy. Especially at Charlotte Russe. So many cute dresses and skirts! And the shoes…

Well on my way to check out I spotted two majorly amazing little products that I just HAD to snag.

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I know I swear by Travel Lite, but I also use Say Yes To. I also discovered my now favorite eos flavor! Raspberry Pomegranate.

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Can’t wait to share some of my other purchases, stay tuned!