Walmart Beauty Box!

     Friday's mail brought another beauty box delivery and I could barely wait to share it with you! After I opened this box and showed my husband the contents,  he couldn't believe that a company would send so much stuff for only $5. Read on on to see more!

In my pocket.

     Holly-Pockets...It's a nickname at work. Mostly due to the fact that I carry way more in my pockets than one should ever carry. On any given day, not only do I have my cell phone, bobby-pins, at least 2 of my favorite pens (usually 3), change for the vending machine, pieces of candy or mints, a notebook, extra pens for my boss and post-it notes all crammed into my pockets. And then of course there are the lip products. There are at least 2 lip products on my person at all times as it is, but at work there are at least 3, sometimes 4.

     So to ease my conscious and in hopes I'm not the only one, here are the items I have been clinging to all week. 

Primer showdown!

     For the past few weeks I've been trying out a few different primers. I used e.l.f.'s Hydrating primer in the past but due to my combination skin, I started to react to it. So, I've been on the hunt for a new one!! I've tried 3 so far and I think I found one that both suits my skin and my budget.  For more on my new favorite read on!!

Target Beauty Box Unboxing!

          I was feeling pretty stressed this morning, so when I saw my Target Box was out for delivery I practically skipped out to the mailbox to get it. The mailman had just arrived and hadn't even finished distributing the mail. But he had already left my box!! I left everything else there and ran inside to open it. And now here it is!

     Target started doing beauty boxes just this year with a spring box. I missed it but everyone else seemed to love it. When I heard they had a fall box I ordered it right away. It was $7 and while I heard some people had to pay shipping, mine came up with a shipping discount. Guess I got lucky! 

Let's open it shall we?

October Ipsy Glam Bag Review!

Wednesday's are hard. That mid-week slump can be so trying! What made this Wednesday better was that I got my Ipsy Glam Bag today!! I've been really excited for this one and I'll show you why, after I tell you a bit about the Ipsy service.

Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that sends you products and samples based on your reviews and profile. I've had my subscription for about 11 (?) months and I've been very satisfied. I know a lot of people have had complaints about the products they've received in their bags but I try to remind myself it's a sample service. They can't always give everyone exactly what they want and you can always trade with someone or gift your extra items. If you don't have Ipsy, you can sign up here. 

Makeup tutorial- Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Eye Shadow Palette!!

     I LOVE a good smoky eye. I also love cat-eye looks. So of course, my favorite eye look is a combination of the two, and I just had to share it with you. I apologize in advance for the unruly eyebrows, the poor lighting and the fact that my face is a bit asymmetrical. I can't really change that last one but I will work on the rest.

     Last year I purchased the Revealed Palette from Coastal Scents. The colors were a combination of neutrals, and I couldn't resist getting it. I was amazed at how great the shadows were and how inexpensive it was. When I found out Coastal Scents had released a Revealed 2 palette, I had to get it as well. I've been using it for a few weeks now, and this look has been my go-to most days. The eye shadow colors I used for this look are listed at the bottom of the post. 

BEST ever DIY Lip Balm!

Today I have something extra special for you!!! 

     I know there are tons of recipes like this on the web right now, but seriously, this one is the best. How do I know? Because I tried it of course. I also had my friends and co-workers and families try it. I've adjusted and readjusted the recipe until I came up with the perfect lip balm.

And I'm super picky about my lip balm.

It's smooth, moisturizing, long-lasting and actually helps your lips heal and moisturize themselves. Plus, it's extra shiny. Like, wear over your lipstick, lip gloss shiny. I would say that it's non-addicting, but if you love the way it feels on your lips as much as I do, you won't want to stop using it. And most of the ingredients you can find locally. And because I'm nice and love you all so much, I'm going to share the recipe with you!!

Mary Poppins' Carpet Bag

My husband hates to get things out of my purse. He calls it the Mary Poppins bag or my Hermione bag.

    Either way, there's a lot more in it than there should be, and just like my makeup bag I'm trying to streamline, but it's just not easy. Who knows if I want  purple or brown or black eyeliner today? Maybe I want liquid eyeliner, or do I want to use a pencil or a brush, or just shadow? Umm.... what? There are so many options! And that's just the eyeliner. Let's not discuss the plethora of eye shadows and palettes in my bag. In fact, I got a new bag just to fit more in it! It's a dilemma. 

    I read somewhere that to streamline your morning routine, you should only keep the basics, those products that you know you will use, in one makeup bag and everything else separate. That way, you don't have a lot of choices and decisions to make when you're rushed. If really pressed for time, you can just grab that bag and know you're covered. It really does make a lot of sense, but I haven't found the willpower to try it yet.

Anyway, here is what's in my bag right now. Subject to change of course. 

The bag itself is from Ikea. I drooled over my friend's so much she bought me one last week. I'll pay her back of course, probably in coffee. 

 I have 3 different primers I'm trying out:

-Almay's Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer

-Benefit's the POREfessional and

-Garnier's 5 Sec Blur

I love the POREfessional, but as it's fairly pricey, I'm trying to find suitable alternatives. I tried buying one that appeared to be a brand name POREfessional primer that was only $15. While the packaging seems legit, the formula seems off. It's not as silky as the sample I have, and the staying power seems shorter. The Almay primer is nice, but I haven't used it enough yet to give a true comparison. I am really liking Garnier's 5 sec Blur. It's quite to close the POREfessional sample I have, and like most silicone primers, it appears to be just as silky. For the past two days it has lasted through my entire work day. My dry skin is hard to prime since most products appear to be geared towards women with oily skin. My skin will start out glowing and luminous, but by the end of the day my cheeks are dull and the makeup has cracked and shifted. Of these three primers the Garnier seems to have solved this problem for me. Time will tell.

    Tucked away in my bag I also have 8 different eyeshadow palettes,  Revlon Lash Potion mascara, Revlon Nearly Naked foundation, Revlon Photo Ready concealer, NYX yellow HD concealer, e.l.f. Glitter Primer, Maskcara liquid blush in Princess Peach and e.l.f. Makeup mist and set.

I haven't tried many Revlon products in the past but I decided to stock up as they were on sale recently. Last week at Ulta all Revlon products were 40% off and you could combine that with a $3.50 off $10 coupon. I may have made a few trips there to try them out. So far I've been very happy with my purchases. 

All that talk earlier about eyeliner and it's not even in my bag. It's in a separate place. Because there's too much of it. See, it's a problem.

What do you think? What are your favorites? Things I should try, leave out? Best primer for dry skin? 

What's your favorite way to store your makeup?

Introductions....

If you're reading this far back, hopes are you have probably seen some brilliantly shot product photos and some clever but honest reviews and maybe even some cute DIY projects. No? Oh.

Well. I guess I have more work to do! But first, a little bit about me.

I am *about* 30 years old and 4 years into marriage with the best guy I know. We don't have any kids, (yet.) And no pets, as much as I want one. (Does this blog count?) I love seeing beauty in the everyday and creating as much beauty as I can. I'm not perfect and often I don't do things right the first time around. I'm learning to be patient with others and myself. I love Paris and the Eiffel tower, French macarons and Audrey Hepburn.

And traveling anywhere.

And I love to make things.

So, why am I writing a blog? I've never felt particular special, just kind of ordinary, nothing that unusual. But as I've gotten older, I've come to know myself more. I realize, everyone's a bit unusual. Everyone has something to say. Not everyone will like everything I say and someone may think I'm boring or that what I share just doesn't interest them.

But it might interest you.

And since you are reading this, you are who I'm writing to. So here's me. Kind of short, awkward me. Constantly running into the door jam and tripping over my husband's computer cable- me. I am a little bit of a control freak and other times I really just don't care. I am NOT a morning person. But I am passionate about people and my hobbies and I hope you find some enjoyment out of my little contributions.