Frugal Friday: Simple Skin Care Facial Wipes Review

Here are your Frugal Friday deals for this week:

Old Navy: Saturday ONLY, girls' and women's basic cardis (reg. $15-$19.94) will be on sale for $8. Offer only valid in stores.

StyleMint: Today ONLY, get a free gift with every StyleMint purchase. At least one JewelMint piece will be included with your order. Other gifts could include StyleMint tees or a StyleMint totebag.

Sephora: VIBs and Beauty Insiders get 15% off through April 6th. Check your email for coupon and code.

You know how I tried the Olay Total Effects facial wipes, then quickly repented and vowed never to abandon my beloved Neutrogena wipes again? Well, that was before their price, at least at my grocery store, skyrocketed. Oops. (Actually, all the prices at my grocery store have inflated. A change may be in order, methinks.)

Photo Credit: simple.co.uk

So...seeing as I could no longer afford the freaking face wipes, I needed to find a less expensive alternative. Enter Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes. I was out. I was desperate. These were cheap and claimed to remove even waterproof mascara. Why the heck not?

Why the heck not, indeed! They work! I've used these for about two weeks, now, and my skin is clear and actually looks younger and healthier. The first time I tried the wipe, I was blown away at how quickly it removed my eye makeup, and I've only become more impressed as time wears on. This even removed my Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencils, which aren't supposed to budge for any reason. The aqua blue was a little stubborn, but generally speaking, makeup whisks off. Even better, my skin doesn't feel greasy or look super-shiny, like it did with the Neutrogena wipes, and the fragrance is so light, I don't even notice it. At just $5.99 for 25 wipes, this is a bargain, and one I'll be sticking with for a while. 10 out of 10.

***Drugstore.com has an instant online coupon to save $2 on Simple Skin Care. Get your wipes for only $3.99! (not an ad, just a fact)***

Cheap Tricks: E.L.F. Haul, Review, and Spring Tutorial

Spring has sprung on its merry little way, leaving us in the throws of Summer down here in the Deep South. Sure, we've only just bid farewell to the leprechauns, and the Easter Bunny won't hop into town for another week, but already flip-flops and shorts are costume de rigueur. Just don't dare pull out your white sandals till after a week from Sunday. We have standards.

Ah, heck, it's too hot to have standards. These days, I dress like a cross between Dr. Livingston and a GAP ad: khaki cargo capris and whatever white shirt is clean. It's really just too hot to wear anything more than that. Today, I have on a black sundress, and I feel like I'm about to die. God help us when we hit August.

Anyhoo, because it's too darn hot to wear real makeup, I pulled out my Bare Escentuals mineral foundation a few weeks ago. There's no danger of it melting off, and it won't clog my steamed-open-by-the-humidity pores. Unfortunately, there wasn't much left in the container, so I needed to re-order, but I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to. I like the foundation, and it's the perfect shade (Fairly Light), but it's a little shimmery, and it feels weird to powder over powder. I wasn't super keen on spending $26 on something I didn't absolutely love. There had to be another option.

Well, there was. I remembered that a few years back I'd tried E.L.F.'s mineral foundation, and that it had been pretty good, but not my shade. I decided, what the heck, it's only $5, let's give it a shot. First, though, I emailed customer service for a little shade advice. Amazingly, they replied almost immediately with their recommendation for a BE Fairly Light dupe: Warm. Um...really? Well, why not? They should know, right? I added Warm to my cart, and tossed in a couple of other items to complete my haul.

I ordered:
Mineral Foundation in Warm ($5)
Eyebrow Treat & Tame in Deep ($3)
Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint SPF 8 in Blush ($3)
Essentials Glitter Eyeshadow in Flirt ($2)

All in all, a decent amount of stuff for a very small amount of money. Plus, I had free shipping.

Yeah, that's me. On a cellphone.
In the dark. With the crazy eyes.

So, this morning, I decided to try everything out and do a Springy look to hopefully trick my brain into thinking it's cooler outside than it actually is. I applied the Warm foundation with a Real Techniques buffing brush, then added concealer (Benefit Bo-ing) with a RT deluxe crease brush. Using a RT blush brush, I swept bronzer (Benefit Hoola) onto cheek bones, bridge of nose, forehead, temples, and chin, then down throat and decolletage. I filled in the eyebrows with E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium, then tamed the brows with the Tame part of the Treat & Tame. Urban Decay Primer Potion went on each eyelid, up to the brows. On the lid, I applied E.L.F. Glitter Eyeshadow in Flirt up to the crease, then used UD Verve (from the Rollergirl palette) from crease to brow. UD 24/7 Eyeliner in Whiskey went on the top lash line, and UD shadow in Darkhorse (from the Rollergirl palette) was applied to the bottom lash line with a RT accent brush. Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes mascara went on top and bottom, and Stila blush (from the Urban Outfitters Pocket Palette, that apparently is no longer available. So...bubblegum pink along the cheekbone, with rose pink on the apples. Sorry about that) applied with a RT blush brush. I finished the look by swiping the E.L.F. Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint in Blush across my lips.

Now, the big question: how did everything work?

I'm going to start by saying that I was pleasantly surprised with how well the overall look turned out, and also with how well all of the inexpensive E.L.F. products worked by themselves, and in conjunction with the higher end brands. Individually:

Mineral Foundation: I'm really happy with this product, so far. It's a good bit thicker than the Bare Minerals, but the coverage is still sheer and light. Amazingly, Warm was the perfect shade for my skin tone, so when in doubt, ask the experts. I never would have picked that for myself, going off the online swatches. The finish is not matte, but it's nowhere near as shiny as the Bare Minerals, and I haven't had to blot at all in the several hours I've been wearing it. My only issue is the size of the container. It's much smaller than it used to be, and I could barely get my brush into it. Still, for $5, it's a steal. I may just transfer it to a larger container. 8 out of 10.

Eyebrow Treat & Tame: This scared me. I'd been warned that dark wouldn't be dark enough on my brows, so I went with the deep, but it's almost black! This is not for filling in sparse areas, so I still needed to use my brow kit for that, and paired with the Tame, I ended up with extremely dark brows. The thing is, it's not unattractive. This just does its job and does it well. The brush is firm and easy to use, and the formula did a great job of making my brows look groomed without making them too stiff. I'm not sold, but it's growing on me. 7 out of 10.

Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint: It's okay. That's pretty much all I can say. It's a nice color, but there's no moisturizing going on. The packaging is gorgeous, but aside from that, you'd be better off with Burt's Bees, MAC lip conditioner, or my favorite, Buxom Big & Healthy lip balm. 3 out of 10.

Flirt is on the lid, and UD is above.
Told you I'd get my brows done!

Essentials Glitter Eyeshadow: First of all, I'm not a fan of the Essentials line, usually. There are a couple of items I dig, but I'm more of a Studio girl. However, the word glitter was used, so I had to give it a go. This seems to be striving to copy Urban Decay's Stardust collection, and it's not bad. I mean, it's surprisingly not bad. The pigmentation is very good, and the glitter content--while not up to Stardust standards--is fairly high. The major selling point, though? Very little fallout. Just a little sparkle right under my eyes, and that's not necessarily unwelcome. The packaging is pretty awful, but what's in it is a find. 8 out of 10.

So, that's my haul, look, tutorial, and review. If you have any ideas for reviews, tutorials, or whathaveyou, let me know in the comments below. Just bear in mind that I'm not a makeup artist, just an enthusiast. I have very definite limitations, but I do love a challenge.

I Want My Coffee So Strong It Doesn't Need A Cup

It's Wednesday. I'm exhausted. This shirt may become a necessary expenditure:

Photo Credit: Teefury. Artist: Obvian.

Thanks, Genna, for sharing that with me!

P.S. Teefury shirts change daily, and are only available for 24 hours. If you like this one, you'd better do just what I did with Thomas--snap it up before it can get away!

Hunger Games Nail Polish: High Maintenance Heaven

Photo Credit: Sally Beauty Supply

Greetings, from one of the two people on the planet who didn't see Hunger Games this weekend! You know, it's not that I didn't want to, either. Life just got in the way, and I didn't have the opportunity. It's okay, though, because while I might not have made the movie, I did get to try some of the nail polish. I assure you, that's even less exciting than it sounds.

So, I made a trip to Sally's Beauty Supply Friday, and took a gander at the Hunger Games line of China Glaze polishes. Two of the colors on my wish list were in stock, so I snapped them up and gave "Stone Cold" ($5.99) a shot over the weekend. Sadly, the odds aren't always in its favor.

The color is gorgeous. It's a beautiful slate gray that echoes dark wash denim. The polish is infused with silver micro-glitter, and has a (surprise!) nearly matte finish. It's effortlessly edgy, and my pedicure looks fantastic with blue jeans. Of course, my mother did ask me when I'd gone "Goth" on her, so it's not for everyone.

Photo Credit: Nails and Noms

Unfortunately, the stunning color and cool finish is about all this polish has going for it. It's not the easiest polish in the world to apply. Because it's matte, it's a fast dryer, so you have to work quickly and carefully. The thick polish doesn't like to stay in the lines, so to speak, and mistakes are difficult to clean up. Also, because the major appeal of this polish is the matte finish, you don't want to spoil it with a topcoat. That means this polish chips at a practically supersonic speed. My Friday night manicure needed Saturday afternoon touch-ups.

However, if you are willing to put up with the idiosyncracies, it's a really phenomenal look, and one of my favorites for this no-man's land we like to call "Early Spring". My advice: save this for a professional mani-pedi, and carry the bottle in your purse for on-the-go touch-ups. It is a spectacularly fast drying polish, so you'll be good to go in seconds.

Next time: Riveting.

Frugal Friday: Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette Review

Seriously, this is all I could find this week. How sad is that?:

E.L.F.: $1.99 shipping on any order $15 or over with code 199SHIP. Exp. 3/26.
Too Faced: Free deluxe Chocolate Soleil Bronzer with any purchase from the new Summer Royalty collection. No code necessary. Exp. 3/31.

Today's Frugal Friday tip/trick is very simple: Don't forget about brand websites.

You see, I have gotten so dependent upon Sephora and Ulta for all my cosmetic needs, that I sometimes forget that my favorite brands have websites, as well. If there's something I want, I check either Sephora or Ulta, and if they don't have it...well, I guess I didn't need it. Except that sometimes I really do need it, like when my favorite foundation was discontinued. Or, I didn't realize I needed it at the time it was available, and now that I've seen umpteen-thousand reviews on it, my life will not be complete without it, like the Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette. When I checked the specialty stores, I was completely out of luck. However, when I surfed on down to the brand sites, and clicked on their pretty, shiny, SALE icons, I found exactly what I needed, and for much lower prices than I normally would have found. In fact, I saved so much on the Rollergirl Palette, that I was able to pick up a set of insanely-reduced 24/7 Shadow Pencils, too, so...SCORE!

(Actually, in all honesty, the foundation was still a no-go. The brand site did still carry it, though, just not in my shade. That said, the shades that hadn't sold out were marked down to a third of their original price. That's crazy.)

The moral of the story is: Always check the brand websites sale sections. You never know what you're going to find, or how cheap it'll be.

Photo Credit: Urban Decay

Now, with that, how 'bout a review of the Rollergirl Palette? I know, I'm a little (okay, a lot) late to the party on this one, since it's been around for a year; but the pricing hasn't been this good up until now, and I'm not made of money. If you're like me, you've held off on purchasing this, and now that it's only (*gasp*) $13.00 (reg. $32), you're seriously considering it. This review is for you. Personally. I hope you feel all nice and special now.

Okay, first off, I'm a palette junkie. I love having everything neatly organized for me in something I can toss in a purse or travel case. Plus, with palettes, you generally get a lot of product for not a lot of money (comparatively speaking, of course). In this case, the combined retail price of each individual item would have been $73.85 (thank you, Temptalia, for doing all that math for me). Even at $32, that's a deep discount.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. What might those individual items be? Glad you asked! You get four full-sized shadows (okay, so a smidgen less because they're square and not round, but it's a negligible difference. It's the same as the Midnight Emergency palette.), a two-thirds-sized 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey, and a deluxe sample-sized tube of Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Crush.

Packaging: The palette is economically-sized to hold just what it needs to and not take up any extra real estate. There is a small and, unfortunately, fairly useless mirror on the inside of the hinged lid. I guess it's better than nothing, but if they'd skipped it entirely, I wouldn't feel any worse off. The four shadows are lined up inside, with the liner nestled in an crevice underneath. The lip gloss is separate, and can not be enclosed in the palette. The palette, itself, is constructed of an extremely heavy cardboard, opens on a hinge, and closes magnetically. I would not feel safe carrying this in my purse, because at worst it could fall open and the contents could be damaged. At best, the dust from the eyeshadow could coat everything else floating around in my purse. I do think it would be okay in a well-organized travel case, though. The cardboard edges could get dinged up a bit, but the products, themselves, should be fine. The entire palette is decorated in disco-worth metallics, florals, and photos of some bodacious babe in a bikini. She is wearing roller skates, if that helps. 6 out of 10.

Eyeshadows: The products are where the palette pays off. Starting with the eyeshadows, you get: Darkhorse (deep chocolate brown with bronze shimmer), Suspect (bronze shimmer), palette exclusive Verve (shimmering mushroom), and Woodstock (shocking pink shimmer). That's the surprise inside, folks. One of these things is not like the others, and that's Woodstock. I thought there was no way on God's green Earth I could pull that off, but the other colors were so gorgeous that I figured I could deal with one clunker, and maybe it would come in handy on occasion. Guys, that's my new favorite color to wear. It's beyond amazing, and completely wearable, but more on that in a minute. The shadows are, as per usual for UD, wonderfully pigmented and smooth to apply. I am loving that these are shimmers and not glitters, because hot pink fallout is not a good look on anyone, and there's none of that with this. They're just darn fine shadows. Of course, if you already have the Naked Palette or Book of Shadows Vol. III, you really don't need this, as they contain Darkhorse and Suspect (respectively), and Woodstock is part of the permanent collection. If you don't, though, or just like having coordinating shades packaged together, this is fabulous. 8 out of 10.

Eyeliner: I'm in love. More often than not, I opt for brown liner over black, anyway, so I was tickled to see this shade included. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find a pencil liner that applied easily...until this one. It's like butter, y'all. Better still, after several hours of wear in uncomfortably humid weather, it hasn't budged. At all. I'm sold. 10 out of 10.

Lip Gloss: This was another product I was originally concerned about. I've been burned by hot pink lip gloss before, but figured, "what the hey?" Afterall, it was the shadows I was after, anyway. This was just bonus, and I supposed I could let Mom give it a shot if it didn't work out on me.

Sorry, Mom.

In the tube, the gloss is a scarily bright pink. To quote Temptalia, "It’s almost like magenta met bubblegum pink, and then they had a lovechild." When you apply it, though, it's so sheer that you just get a wash of color. It's not a natural flush, but it's not too far off. This is part of the permanent Lip Junkie collection, so you can grab it without getting the rest of the palette. What's funny, though, is it'll cost more that way. Not too sticky, minty, feels smooth and moisturizing, and it plumps lips. This is a really nice gloss. 9 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 8.2 out of 10. Well worth the $13, even if you just want one item out of the group.

Now, I promised that the pink was wearable, didn't I? Well, here's how I did it:

1. Apply Woodstock from lash to crease.

2. Sweep Verve on browbone to highlight.

3. Shade crease and outer corner with Darkhorse for definition.
4. Layer Suspect over Darkhorse and blend outward.
5. Line lower lashes with Darkhorse, and upper lashline with Whiskey.
6. Brush mascara onto upper and lower lashes.

Behold, the cruddiest snapshot ever!!!

Closer for detail:

Please forgive my brows. They have a shaping coming, I promise!

Hope this helps! Have a great weekend!

Already On My "Best of 2012" List: Real Techniques Brush Collection Review

Here it is, folks! The long-awaited Real Techniques brush review!

In case you're just joining us, a few months back I ran across an absolutely addictive set of youtube videos by Pixiwoo--two cute-as-pie Brit sisters who just so happen to be in-demand makeup artists. Their tutorials are intricate enough for the professional set, but accessible enough that even a lowly amateur (such as myself) can, at least, pull something of use from the experience. Plus, these ladies are so personable and charming that you almost feel like you're in a conversation with them, instead of just staring at a video on the computer or phone.

Anyway, one thing I kept noticing was their use of something called a Real Techniques deluxe crease brush to apply concealer. The concealer brush I had been using wasn't quite doing it for me, and this brush appeared to just glide over the skin, leaving everything smooth in its wake. I coveted that brush, for crying out loud. I had to have it, so I did some digging (okay, Googling), and found out not only where to find such a wondrous brush, but also that Pixiwoo co-founder, herself, Samantha Chapman, had designed it, along with an entire line of to-die-for tools! And that's when I started stalking Ulta.

See, my Ulta couldn't keep the blasted things on the shelves, so I'd stop by once every couple of weeks, or so, and snap up what little stock they had. Eventually, they started to recognize me. One or two may have even feared me. It took a few months, but I managed to acquire all of the brushes that I needed. In other words, the entire line, save for two tools and the travel set. Here's how they fared:

Photo Credit: Real Techniques

Packaging: The individual brushes come in an easy-to-open, stylishly decorated plastic box. This box is disposable, though the plastic is high enough quality that I'm sure some of you crafty people could repurpose them. The collections are also housed in the plastic boxes, but also come with what may be the niftiest brush holder I've seen, yet. Basically, it's a fabric-covered hard-board book, with little elastics inside to hold the brushes, and a velcro closure. Simple. However, once you open the book, you can bend the top part backwards and down to form a display stand, which is held in place with a ball and string mechnism. I can't express how much I love this stand. It takes up minimal space on my counter, allows for easy access to my brushes, and aids in drying because I don't have to lay everything out on a towel, or risk closing up wet brushes in a roll, causing mildew. 10 out of 10.

Brushes (Quality): Easy-to-grip aluminum handles--labeled and color-coded according to eyes, foundation, or finishing; flat, rubberized bottoms, to allow larger brushes to stand up on their own; hand-cut, cruelty-free Taklon bristles that feel like feathers on your skin...these are ridiculously high-quality brushes, especially when you consider how inexpensive they are. 10 out of 10.

Brushes (Usefulness): These brushes do what they're supposed to, and they do it extremely well. The stippling brush makes my creamier foundations look airbrushed; the buffing brush works better on my mineral powders than my Bare Mineral kubuki brush could ever have hoped to; the angled foundation brush applies my beauty balms and tinted moisturizes with ease and zero streaking. I utterly adore the eyeshadow brushes, too. The shading brush picks up pigments like a magnet; the base shadow brush gently disperses my highlighters, and the deluxe crease brush...oh, the deluxe crease brush...if it's possible to have a crush on an inanimate object, I have one on this brush. It's heaven both on shadows and concealer. The accent and liner brushes are both effective, yet gentle on the delicate under-eye area. The blush brush is domed, so you can either place color precisely, or you can use it as a fluffy multi-tasker (I use mine for bronzer as well as blush, and it's a dream). The powder brush is so plush and soft, and practically buffs the product into your skin, and the contour brush is so precise, yet also allows you to blend the color beautifully. These brushes are amazing. The only brush I have not used is the brow brush, and only because my wax came with a really good one that I've been reluctant to let go of. My only complaints are that the detailer brush works well for applying lipstick, but not as a liner, and the pointed foundation brush is entirely too small for an entire face. It does work really well around the eyes, though, and is great for clean up.

In fairness, I should mention that a kubuki brush, lash/brow groomer, and travel set are also available. I have never been a fan of kubuki brushes, and I prefer to use a clean mascara brush to separate lashes, so I skipped out on those two brushes. I also just bought a nice travel brush set, so I didn't see the need in replacing it just yet. Those are not part of this section of the review, and my score will not reflect them. 9.3 out of 10.

Price: Individual brushes run $6-$10, and sets are a flat $18. You can't beat that with a stick. E.L.F.'s Studio line of brushes are decent quality, run $3-$8, and up until now have been my recommendation for inexpensive brushes, but they don't even begin to compare with the level of quality and sophistication of design found in Real Techniques. These aren't just good cheap brushes; they're just good brushes. 10 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 9.8 out of 10. Get these brushes. Get them now. Oh, and check out Pixiwoo, while you're at it.

In Case of Zombie Uprising...Oh, Just Shoot Me.

So...I would not fare well in a zombie apocalypse. Nope.

Seriously.

Let me just fill you in on my day, thus far. Last night, my darling, adorable, precious, angel of a puppy decided that sleep was for the weak and kept us up all night crying. Why was he crying, you ask? Was he sick? Was he in pain? Did he have to go to the bathroom? No, to all of those. He cried because after Thomas tucked him into his little memory foam bed in his specially-designed pup tent, and wrapped him in his very own fleece blankie, and put his most favoritest stuffed dinosaur next to him so they could cuddle, as they are wont to do...the blankie fell off. This made him slightly less comfortable than he had been, therefore, rather than burrow back down under the blankie, as he's done a million times, he decided to cry...and cry...and cry...until someone (Thomas) put the blankie back on him.

Then it fell off again. Lather, rinse, repeat. All. Night. Long.

I am sleepy.

My coffee pot, thankfully, decided to work this morning, so at least I was able to force a little caffeine down my throat while I got ready to head off to the doctor's office for my yearly checkup. I stumbled around, had difficulty standing, and basically felt and acted like I'd already turned into a "walker", but still managed to curl my hair, fix my face, and throw together a halfway decent outfit. Heck, my shoes matched each other, if not the rest of the ensemble. I takes my victories where I can gets 'em.

Anyhoo, I got the dog situated for the day, took care of the parakeet, and somehow managed to arrive at the doc's office early. Not just "on time", but actually a few minutes ahead of schedule. However, I picked a busy morning in the middle of flu season, so I didn't get to see the doc for quite a while. No matter. I didn't let it bother me in the least. I calmly contacted my office to let them know I'd be a little late, and when the doc (God bless her, she's slammed and still the sweetest lady ever) took my blood pressure, I was A-OK.

When I left the office, I decided to grab lunch at my favorite little deli (which is in my building), so I headed straight to work. I was cool. I was calm. I was collected. I was the walrus (coo-coo-kachoo)...

...then I nearly wrecked the car because I saw a spider crawl on the window. For about a mile and a half, I drove with both feet together for fear the evil spider might get me. Each time he popped out of his hiding place, I jumped, forcing both feet onto the pedal, and causing the wheel to jerk in whichever direction my body spasmed. It's a freaking miracle of Biblical proportions I didn't hit anyone. I ended up pulling over into a gas station and scouring the car for that little multi-legged so-and-so. I never did find him. He's still there, and I have to get home somehow. I'm hoping the heat from the inside of the car will fry him.

So, yeah. I can handle sleep deprivation, scheduling, stress, and all kinds of pressure, but the eensy-weensy spider scares the bejeesus out of me. In the event of a zombie uprising, do us all a favor and put me down. That is all.

Oh--no, it's not! Thomas found these, so for your viewing pleasure, here is a collection of some of the web's very best The Walking Dead memes. Please note: the language is on the salty side, so it may not be totally safe for work. They are pretty darn funny, though.

We Did the Monster Mash!

Last night, Thomas and I took a drive over to Pensacola to see the touring company of Young Frankenstein, so I was M.I.A. on the blog, and for that, I apologize. My absence also means it's time for another installment of...

WHILE I WAS OUT!

Obviously, I saw the show, which was really cute. Young Frankenstein is pretty high up on my list of favorite movies, and I've been a fan of the soundtrack for a couple of years--ever since I ran across an album at a local con.

(True story: Thomas and I, along with some other Fighting Owl Films folks, were guests on a panel at the con. On this one day, I chased a baby duck through the parking lot of my city-based apartment complex, rode around with a body in the trunk of Thomas' car, had my cameral "pillaged" by a "pirate", and heard one terrified hotel employee exclaim, "GEEKS!" as she ran out of the building. OH! And the one picture we were able to recover has me looking flat-out stoned (I wasn't), and Thomas looking like he's about to eat a DVD box. All in all, I'd call it a success.)

Anyway, the show was precious, and my only real complaint was the sound system. They had some major problems with the microphones, which made jokes difficult to catch, and left a performer or two hung out to dry. Even so, it was an enjoyable show, and a good time was had by all. Well, all except maybe those one or two performers...bless 'em.

Of course, to get ready for a night at the theatre, I gave embellishing my nails another shot. This time, I think I may have finally figured it out.



Here, I have O.P.I. Brisbane Bronze as a base, and O.P.I. for Sephora Traffic Stopper Copper as the highlight. I think the colors are similar enough that the singled-out nail isn't jarring, but the glitter is chunky enough that you can tell that one nail is embellished. I've been digging it.



Photo Credit: Forever21



I also gave an old dress in my closet a quickie makeover, leaving me with a really cute skirt for the occasion. See, last year, I orderded a dress from Forever 21, but when it arrived, I realized that it was too short-waisted for me. I couldn't return it, so it hung in the closet forever. Yesterday, I decided enough was enough, cut off the top with a pair of scissors, folded under the excess fabric, and voila, I had a new skirt. I paired it with a tank that actually fit, some Steve Madden platform pumps I practically stole from Ross, and had a brand new outfit for absolutely nothing. Woohoo!



At the theatre, I was seated next to a lovely young lady who was wearing one of the coolest dresses I've ever seen! She was sweet enough to tell me where she got it. The brand is Paper Doll Productions, and in case you can't tell from the photo, the fabric is a collage of different Universal monster movie posters. It's pretty darn nifty in the picture, but so much more awesome in person.



Photo Credit: Angry Young and Poor



There's also another shop, found on Etsy, that carries a dress with the same print, but in a different sillhouette that might be more flattering on curvier body types (like mine). Now, if only I could come up with the seventy bucks to make this happen in my closet...

Photo Credit: Etsy

So, that's what I've been up to. Not much, actually. Mostly drooling over pretty prints and painting my nails. Wow. I feel like a slug. I blame my broken coffee pot, but that's another post entirely...



Frugal Friday: The Saving O' the Green!

Happy Friday before St. Paddy's Day!! There were a few nice deals this week, so let's hit those first:

Sally Beauty Supply: Save 20% on any purchase $50 or more with code 555117. Exp. 3/19.
E.L.F.: Get an 11-pc. Studio Brush Set for $3 with any purchase of $25 or more with code SPRING. Exp. 3/19.
Smashbox: Save $10 on any $50 purchase with code SAVENOW. Exp. 3/18.
Kohl's: Save 20% on any purchase with code FF20MAR. Exp. 3/18.

In honor of the holiday (and because I'm already too drunk to type--I kid!! I'm never too drunk to type), I thought I'd let makeup maven Madison show you a festive tutorial. Take it away, Maddy!


Video Credit: YouTube

Love her shirt? You can get it for your own little leprechaun for only $5.99 here.

Photo Credit: Target

Now, go stomp on some snakes, or eat some cabbage, or something. Me? I'll have another round, barkeep! *hic*

Dear Easter Bunny, I'd Like Psychic Abilities and a Tan



Photo Credit: Superdrug

 So...a couple of weeks back, if you remember, I posted about Too Faced's Beauty Balm. I said that it was awesome and I loved it, and that its price was really reasonable, especially when you took into consideration the fact that there wasn't a drugstore beauty balm on the market.

The next day, Garnier announced their new beauty balm. I kid thee not. Like to have spewed my coffee all over the television screen.

The nice people over at word-of-mouth marketing agency, BzzAgent, must have somehow psychically sensed my predicament, because my email immediately dinged with a campaign invitation. They sent me a full-size bottle to test, saving me the $12.99 I would have, otherwise, felt compelled to spend after telling all you lovely folks that such a thing didn't exist. I swear, I have got to invest in a crystal ball.

So, how does the drugstore brand fare? Well, let's break it down:

Packaging: The tube is nothing special. It's simple in style, but neat and clean, and a lovely pale bronze. I especially like the inverted, hygeinic design, and that it holds a generous 2.5 oz. 9 out of 10.

Application: I squeezed a little onto the back of my hand, and noticed right away that the balm had a very thick texture--almost as rich as my heavy-duty foundation-plus-primer formula. However, the product applied very smoothly with a foundation brush, sinking into the skin quickly. 10 out of 10.

Appearance: Now, this is where things get a little dicey. Shade aside, the balm's finish was sheer and slightly dewy, and very, very pretty. My skin looked clear and even, but not made up, which is perfect for Spring and Summer. There's even a hint of caffeine in the balm, which wakes up the skin for a subtle glow. The problem comes in when you take the shade into account: it didn't match. The shade I was given was "Light/Medium", and was about a shade too dark, and just a tinge too yellow for my fair skin. Unfortunately, my only other shade option in the Garnier line is "Medium/Deep", which would be entirely too dark for me. That's it. Two shades. If you fall somewhere in that limited spectrum, you could buy both and mix them together for a custom color, but if you fall on either outer end of the range, you're pretty much S.O.L. I'm hoping that over the course of the Summer, as I gain more color, I might eventually be able to wear this. We'll see. 6 out of 10.

Photo Credit: BzzAgent

Wear: I popped a little powder over the top, just to tone down the shine a bit. One mid-afternoon blotting and an early evening powder touch-up, and this looked beautiful all day. In other words, it performed as well as my much pricier luxury brand balm. That kind of hurts my soul... 9 out of 10.

Price: Okay, this depends on how you look at it. Yes, you do get 2.5 oz (one full ounce extra than my almost any other brand), but if you are not an exact match to one of the two shades available, you have to buy both shades to custom blend your own. And yes, each shade is considerably less expensive than any other brand on the market, but if you have to buy two...well, that eats into the savings, now doesn't it? 5 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 7.8 out of 10. The range of shades is beyond disappointing, but if you can wear it, there's not a better deal out there.

The Ballad of the Third-Life Crisis: Olay Total Effects 7 Cleansing Cloth Review

Photo Credit: Drugstore.com

You know how I said, last week, that I was switching to Olay Total Effects 7 Cleansing Cloths? Yeah...well, forget about that. I'm going back to my beloved Neutrogena, and apologizing for ever doubting it.

Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up: They kinda suck.

My skin, here lately, has been looking a little rough. I have moisturized. I have exfoliated. I have used retinol and vitamin C, and pretty much any other sh--um, crud you could think of. In retrospect, it's probably just this diet I've been on, and the fact that I have lost some weight in my face (yay!), coupled with gas heat and Winter dryness. However, at the time I noticed my skin's dullness, I was in the throws of, well, what you might call a "third-life crisis". I'll be 32 in a few months, my baby brother starts high school in the Fall, and what have I done with my life? (Actually, way more than I've had any right to, and I'm grateful for all of it. Unfortunately, in the midst of a third-life crisis, temporary amnesia sets in. Who knew?) Why, I'm gonna be forty! Someday! Yes, I was being completely stupid, but at the time, all I could think was, "I'm so old! I must have anti-aging products...STAT!"

So, out with the Neutrogena wipes, in with the Olay.

The first night I used the Olay, I had barely any makeup on. I'd done an at-home facial, and wanted to let my skin breathe, so I used a light mineral foundation and not much else. When I looked down at the used wipe, there wasn't much in the way of removed makeup on it, but why would there be? I slathered on some moisturizer and eye cream and went to bed.

The next morning, my skin looked gorgeous. Everything was even and glowing, and I looked like I was wearing makeup! I just brushed on a little mineral foundation and hopped out the door. These wipes were the bomb!

That night, I noticed two sides to the Olay wipe. One side was smooth, for removing makeup, and the other was textured for a deeper clean and mild exfoliation. Could these wipes get any better?! Again, there wasn't much on the used cloth, but I'd only worn a little makeup. There wasn't much to remove to begin with, and my skin looked utterly amazing...

...until the next morning, when I noticed some teeny tiny breakouts. Well, they were probably from the facial. That's to be expected when you draw out the bad stuff, right? I had to sing a couple of weddings that day, so I used a heavier foundation for extra camouflage. The thing was, that night, when I used the Olay wipe, I noticed that there still wasn't much on the wipe--not even on the textured side. Oh, Dear God...

That's when I realized that my skin hadn't been glowing from the anti-aging benefits of the cleansing cloths. Nope. I looked like I was wearing makeup because I was wearing makeup! By this time, the eensy-weensy breakouts were looking more and more like full-on blackheads and cystic acne. Not to gross you out, but my cheek had a blackhead so large and dark that it looked like I'd drawn it on with a felt-tip pen. I quickly grabbed a Neutrogena wipe and ran it over my face. To my horror, it became completely coated in makeup. Holy Hand Grenade, Batman!

The good news is that I figured out the problem quickly, and through thorough cleansing, exfoliation, and some awesome salicylic acid, my skin has almost completely recovered. Luckily, I only used the cloths at night, and scrubbed my face with a "real" face wash and brush during my morning showers. Otherwise, who knows how much damage would have been done.

Final Verdict: 0 out of 10. Don't even use these to clean your countertops.

One Of These Nails Is Not Like the Others...

Alrighty! So, here's the deal with yesterday. A while back, I came across this article on TotalBeauty about nail art after thirty. Seeing how I am *cough, cough* in my *cough* thirties *cough*, it seemed like something I should check out. Of course, this is the one that caught my attention:

Photo Credit: TotalBeauty

Besides the obvious glitter attraction, this look was also one of the easiest looks in the article. How hard could it be to just glitter one or two nails? I had a concert performance coming up, so I thought I'd try a little subtle sparkle for the occasion. The article mentioned highlighting your texting fingers, so I painted all of my nails a creamy nude, then topped off my pointer fingers and thumbs with gold micro-glitter. In theory, a lovely combination. In practice...well...



Yeah...it just looks like I got bored and stopped glittering halfway through...



It's a little too subtle methinks. Plus, by painting two adjacent nails, the look is less "highlighted" and more "did you forget to do the rest?" It's not bad, and I wasn't embarrassed to wear the polish for a few days. In fact, if you're interested in the colors I used, they're Finger Paints' Natural Talent (nude cream) and Clear Top Coat, with Sephora by O.P.I. in Wild About Shimmer as the highlight.

 

As I said, not terrible. Also, I am not a hand model.

I might add that I'm not a fan of the Finger Paints polishes. Natural Talent streaked like crazy and required several coats to even out, and the clear top coat was so liquid that I had almost zero control over it.

Left to Right: Finger Paints Clear Top Coat, Finger Paints Natural Talent, and Sephora by O.P.I. Wild About Shimmer

So, after a few days, I decided that I could do better. This time, I went in the complete opposite direction, and opted for a bright, chunky glitter to accent pale, barely there nails. I also picked only one nail per hand to highlight--in this case, the fingers that usually play host to jewelry: my left ring finger and my right index.

Don't you love my new throw pillow? It makes such a lovely backdrop for cruddy cellphone pictures.

The polishes I chose this time around were Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in Champagne Toast as the base, with Sephora by O.P.I. in It's Bouquet With Me (sheer violet with chunky silver and holographic glitter) to highlight, and the same Finger Paints Clear Top Coat to finish.

Beige throw pillow is the new barn wood. Left to Right: Finger Paints Clear Top Coat, Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in Champagne Toast, and Sephora by O.P.I. in It's Bouquet With Me.

I'm kind of digging this attempt, though now the colors are a little too different. I think this would work well with a violet cream on the non-glittered nails. Next time I try this, I'm going to try a nice beige (like O.P.I. Cozu-melted in the Sun) and top off the chosen nails with a copper glitter (like Sephora by O.P.I. Traffic Stopper Copper).

I keep seeing a blacked-out tooth here. Is it just me?

This is a deceptively simple nail trend. Sure, anyone can glitter just one nail, but it takes an artist's eye for color or a lot of trial and error to figure out exactly which polishes to use. Still, it's a fun trend to play with, and definitely one worth trying out. Good luck, and let me know how it goes in the comments!

So, What Had Happened Wuz...

Hi Guys!

Just so you know, I'm working on a post that is going to require a couple of days to put together. I thought I'd try out a new nail trend for y'all, and realized that there are some do's and don't's to pulling off this look. Right now, I'm sporting the "don't", and I'd like to have some "do" photos for you before I publish this to the interwebs for all the world to make fun of.

(Actually, the "don't" isn't all that bad. It could just be soooo much better...)

Thanks for your patience!
Erin

Frugal Friday: I Wanna Look Like Katniss!

Photo Credit: E.L.F. Cosmetics

Well, this sucks. I have absolutely no deals or discounts for you guys today. It's just a dead Friday, I guess. What I did find, though, that kind of fits into the "frugal" part of "Frugal Friday", is a Hunger Games makeup tutorial, courtesy of discount-makeup titan, E.L.F.

What I love about this tutorial is that, while it is based on a movie character, this is actually a really nice, wearable, "no-makeup" look. It's something that would easily fit in at a casual beach wedding, Saturday outlet shopping trip, or just relaxing outdoors. Nothing about this screams, "I love Hunger Games and want to be Katniss when I grow up!!!" It's just a nice, normal, carefree look.

Now, obviously, they used E.L.F. products exclusively, but you don't have to go that route. If you already have similar products in your kit, go with those. For example: I don't happen to own their brand of tinted moisturizer, but I do have a Too Faced Beauty Balm. In fact, I'm just going to go through their tutorial and add in the products I would recommend as dupes. That way, you can dig through your kits and see what you already have before placing any unnecessary online orders. I'll mark all my edits with ***. 

1. Start out by applying our Studio Tinted Moisturizer in the shade that best suites you.
***Any tinted moisturizer would work. Just go with what works best for you.

2. Contour the cheekbones, temples of the forehead, and sides of the nose with our Essentials Bronzer with Brush for that sun kissed look. 
***Benefit Hoola is great for contouring because of its matte finish. However, if you like a dewier look, try Too Faced Sun Bunny for a light shimmer. Sun Bunny is also fantastic on porcelain lasses, such as myself.

3. Highlight the center of the face with our Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in 'Luminance' for a lit from within glow.
***As far as highlighters go, I'm a fan of Too Faced Snow Bunny, but LORAC Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight is pretty darn wonderful, too. Honestly, though, I'm always wary of putting shimmer in my T-zone. If you want to try a different route, I'd suggest MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (in whatever color matches your skin tone) for a soft, airbrushed, matte finish that still makes you appear to glow. It's gorgeous.

4. Brush brows into place with our Eyebrow Treat & Tame.
***Clear mascara works well for this. I'm also a fan of E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit.

5. Line the eyes with a brown eyeliner and smudge with a Q-Tip or blending brush. Try our Brightening Eyeliner in Coffee.
***Ulta Automatic Eyeliner in Deep Brown is a staple in my kit. A dark brown shadow would work well, too, since you're smudging it anyway. Urban Decay Twice Baked has always worked well for me.

6. Coat lashes with a few swipes of waterproof brown mascara.
***It's not brown, but I love Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes for a natural look. If you really want brown, though, CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion is a really nice one, and inexpensive to boot.

7. Coat lips with a swipe of our Lip Balm SPF 15 in 'Clear'.
***Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine should be in everyone's kit. It's a basic, clear gloss with no shimmer, and the minty flavor helps freshen your breath. If you need a color, though (and I would), Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Balms are a great way to go, and Bora Bora (sheer cherry) would be my pick. A less expensive version (and one that stays in my purse at all times) is CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Muscat. Both give you a pop of color that still looks natural.

I'm also going to suggest popping a little peachy blush on the cheeks (Benefit Coralista is a fave. There's no shimmer, but a very fine sheen that looks extremely natural), and a bronze shadow on the eyes (Buxom Stay-There in Mutt or Stila's Sparkle), just to complete the look. May the odds be in your favor!

I Hear the Gray Stuff Is Delicious!

Today, the Disney Parks Blog posted a sneak-peek video that gives a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the newest restaurant in Disney World's Fantasyland.

Big whoop, right?

WRONG!! This is the Be Our Guest restaurant, and the crown jewel of the lavish Fantasyland restoration! I am so excited I could burst. Now, I've never been one that just had to eat in the parks. I'm perfectly fine taking a little break and finding the nearest McDonald's, or even heading back to the hotel and fixing a sandwich there. When we do eat in the parks, it's generally quick-service between rides. Disney dining just hasn't been a huge priority...with a few notable exceptions.

If you're in Disneyland, you have to (have to) grab an order of beignets at Cafe Orleans. It's across from Pirates of the Caribbean, and worth every penny of the didn't-even-bother-to-put-it-on-the-menu price. And don't even think about sharing. You're going to want all of yours, and probably everybody else's, too. They're amazing, and this is coming from a Southern girl raised on the original Cafe du Monde. Also, I don't know what's in that vanilla dipping sauce, but I suspect crack, since I've been dreaming of it since our trip in September. Just go.

In Epcot, in the World Showcase, hie yourself to Italy and visit Via Napoli for, hands down, the best pizza you'll taste. I swear, I've never seen my picky husband so happy, and one "medium" pizza fed my entire family of five--including my, at the time, thirteen year-old garbage disposal of a brother--with everyone full to the point of slightly miserable. Best of all, the prices are almost affordable by park standards. It's on my must-eat list for future trips.

And now, I must add the Be Our Guest restaurant to the list. I have absolutely no idea what's on the menu, but I'm afraid the atmosphere is what's going to bring in the crowds, anyway. Beauty & the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie, and the fact that I got to fall in love with a beast every day for a few months (in a non-Disney version of the musical, but still!) has only caused the story to burrow deeper into my heart. I don't know when they open, but first chance I get, I'll be their guest.

Video courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog:

Chalk One Up For DIY Hair Color

This is brilliant.

My friend, Genna, sent this to me, and I am dying to try it out. Have you ever had something really cool to go to, like a concert or party, and wanted to try some funky colors in your hair? Well, you could try to track down some faux pieces, or (gawdluvya) ACTUALLY dye your own hair...or you could try chalking.


Photo Credit: kandeej.com

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. You use chalk to color your hair. Basically, you spray your hair with water, then rub non-oil-based chalk onto the strands. Set the color with a curling iron or flat iron. The color will wash out the next time you shampoo. Again, I haven't tried this, but if anyone has and wants to share pictures or experiences, let me know in the comments.

Also....

WHILE I WAS OUT

Okay, so I haven't really gone anywhere. Still...I'm never really all here...

My latest blog post is up at Paranormal Pop Culture. If you've ever been curious about the Jersey Devil or indie filmmaking, check it out. It's fun. :)

I've been a big fan of Neutrogena makeup remover wipes for some time now. However, I've recently switched to Olay Total Effects wipes. Look for a review sometime in the near future. Also, I'm still on the hunt for one more Real Techniques brush, then I can review the set. Unfortunately, we only have one Ulta in town, and I don't feel like paying shipping for one. flipping. brush.

Lastly, I received some promo codes from the Mints (JewelMint, ShoeMint, etc). If you are looking to join any of those groups--note: this is for first-time purchases only--leave me a message in the comments. I may be able to hook you up with a discount. Of course, this is while supplies last, only.

They're Not Radioactive...Right?

I hadn't intended on having a theme this week, but it appears superheroes are the "in" thing. Who'd've thunk it?

With the new Spiderman movie (sequel? Reboot? Unnecessary retread?) due out this Summer, the nice folks over at O.P.I. have unveiled a new collection of nail polishes, inspired by the webslinger, himself.

Photo Credit: Geeky Hostess

The line consists of six shades: "Your Web or Mine?", a flirty bubblegum pink; "Into the Night", a metallic midnight blue; "Call Me Gwen-ever", a bubbly, bright tangerine; an edgy yellow-green metallic, "Just Spotted the Lizard"; a true white, "My Boyfriend Scales Walls"; and "Number One Nemesis", a pretty pewter.

"Your Web or Mine?" and "Number One Nemesis" are calling my name. The collection launches in May, 2012, just in time for bright, shiny Summer nail trends. I can just see "My Boyfriend Scales Walls" showcased on flip-flop wearing toes. Nicely done, O.P.I. Now, if only they came with superpowers...

He's a Chihuahua/Spiderman Mix.



Photo Credit (All): PetSmart



I have a new puppy; a lolling, sweet, angelic, loving and affectionate little furball, who, for some reason, licks the backs of my calves and melts my heart.

Thomas has a new toy.

The two boys wrestle with Zebra and Rex (respectively, a once-stuffed zebra which now resembles an old sock, and a growling plush dinosaur), chase the laser pointer, and fight over who gets to snuggle with me on the couch (I like that game). Thomas calls Ronnie "Little Dude", and they are the bestest buddies ever.

So, of course, pup-pup is spoiled rotten. As he should be.

On our most recent trip to PetSmart (minus Little Dude. We have a budget. Bringing him would kill it), we stumbled upon a new collection of doggie products...from Marvel.

Oh. Dear. God.

There were chew toys, pull toys, stuffed toys, frisbees, bandannas, t-shirts...the works, and all emblazoned with superheroes. Thank Heavens none of the shirts in stock were Ronnie's size, because we'd be broke. I did consider bringing home a Spiderman pull toy, but it seemed too big for his mouth. Actually, I'd say that, in general, the toys seemed to be better suited for larger dogs. The stuffed animals were okay for smaller pets, but most of the other items seemed too large for our little fella to comfortable hold on to.

The prices were also a little steep, but that's to be expected for a limited-time, licensed line. Frisbees start at $3. Tennis balls run $5, with other toys in the $8-$10 range. Bandannas are $8, and a t-shirt will set you back $15. They do run sales, though, and one appears to be going on now. Some items are in-store only.

We ended up settling for a 99-cent store-brand frisbee and a sale sweatshirt (he gets cold...who knew, with all that fur?), but, for a larger dog, this line sure is super-adorable.