Sitting Pretty In Express Check-In

Summer Vacation! Sign me up! Right now, all I want to do is put on a swimsuit (and a cover up! Dear God!), slather on some sunscreen, grab a margarita and listen to crashing waves. Honestly, I can't think of anything in the world I'd rather do than just that. Lucky for me, I live 45 minutes from a gorgeous beach, so all I have to do is toss a cooler and towel in the trunk of my car and drive off into the sunshine. However, I know that's not the case for everyone. Some of you might even have to *gasp* brave air travel to get your beach on. Since Memorial Day is around the corner, and no one wants to have to check a bag if they can avoid it, here are my top purse-sized makeup palette choices to get you through the long weekend with no muss, no fuss, and hopefully, no strip searches*.

Okay, I picked five palettes that will not only take care of all of your color needs, but will also fit neatly inside your purse or beach bag for touch-ups. The only other things you might want to toss in your quart-sized Ziploc are a Garnier BB Cream (super-cheap and works great!), a waterproof mascara (, and maybe a liner (I like Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Rehab for a natural, beachy look. Milani also has a drugstore dupe that's almost spot on). I don't even think I'd bother with powder, considering the humidity. Seriously, what would even be the point? But, of course, that's up to you. To keep your money handy for souveniers and mai tais, these are all under $30.
 

Photo Credit: Twilight Beauty



The teeniest of the bunch is the itty-bitty Luna Twilight (yes, that Twilight) Color Palette in Rosalie. It's, literally, the size of a credit card. Ultra-thin and lightweight, you'd never guess that it has two shadows (peachy champagne and a soft almost-tangerine), a peach lipstick, apricot gloss, and a good-sized blusher that rivals Benefit Coralista. I haven't reviewed this palette, for some odd reason, but I've played with it for a little while now, and think it makes one of the most beautiful, natural-looking makeups I've ever worn. The colors melt into your skin, making it seem as if you just naturally look this gorgeous. I'll be 32 in about three weeks, and, I swear, this makes me look more like I'll be 22. Can't say enough good about it. My only complaint: I wish you could buy the colors in larger sizes, as well. $28, and other characters are available. If that's a little steep for you, click this link to go to a discount site. It's only $12.99 there, and not a knock-off or anything shady like that. 

Photo Credit: Kaboodle



The next one is also $12.99, but that's its regular price. NYX Natural Look Kit in Nude On Nude contains nine neutral shadows and two pink-toned glosses, which could also double for cheek color (that's me talking, not NYX). I have not had the opportunity to test the kit out, but from my experience and research, this is a great deal on some quality products. There are several variations of this kit out there, but this bronzey-brown kit is my pick to look like a golden goddess over Memorial weekend.

Photo Credit: Musings of a Muse

Stila puts out some fantastic travel kits, and they're all very reasonably priced. Not So Nude may be the best-looking one they've had, to date. I say best-looking because I (again) haven't gotten to personally play with it, but if it's anything like their other kits, it's a winner. For only $20, you get six shadows (and I adore Stila shadows. They're like shimmery butter), an all-over highlight in cult-fave Kitten, and a convertible color for cheeks and lips in Lily. Again, it's perfect for a natural, carefree look.

Photo Credit: Sephora

This Sephora Collection Mini-Bag Makeup Palette is too adorable for words! I have seen this little $15 wonder up-close, and it's just darling. You get nine high-quality shadows in a range similar to the original UD Naked palette, four pretty glosses that range from nude to deep berry, and a lovely blush that reminds me of Avon Classic Aura (one of my favorites). When closed, the kit resembles a Sephora shopping bag, complete with logo and a little red handle.

Photo Credit: TooFaced

Lastly, and my favorite of the group, the TooFaced Glamour To Go Palette. This $22 pack of awesomeness comes with eight creamy shadows, a good-sized bronzer and blush duo, and a lovely transluscent pink gloss. The kit is also just as cute as can be, and closes down to about the size of a smartphone, give or take. Out of the five, this would be my pick, if only because of the included bronzer. You can do a lot with a good bronzer, and TooFaced makes some of the best, in my opinion.

Happy Trails, and bring me back a daiquiri!

*Please check all TSA Rules before packing any liquids or gels in your carry-on. Rules can change, and I don't want anyone to get in trouble. Thanks!

Frugal Friday: How Glossy Is Your Box?

...wait...that doesn't sound right...

Hey! There's actually STUFF this Friday!! Check out these deals!

E.L.F.: $1.98 shipping on orders $15 and over. Use code 198SHIP by 5/12/12.

BeautyMint: Get $15 off, plus free blotting papers with your first order. Use code BMBLOT15. Today only.

TooFaced: Friends and Family Sale! Take 20% off your purchase with code FFSPRING12. (Fine print says "select items" but email says "everything". I say, pick what you want and give it a shot.)

And a head's up: Stila sale on Hautelook Monday!! Starts at 10AM CT, and the good stuff will go quickly! Good luck!

Photo Credit: Glossybox

If you're a sample junkie like me, have I got an early Christmas present for you! Glossybox, the sampling program popular in over fifteen countries, has finally made it to the US! I'm not talking those little packet samples that get tossed in with your Sephora purchases, either. These are deluxe mini, travel, and sometimes FULL sized products.

The way it works: Place your order ($21/month, $115/6 months, $220/12 months), and Glossybox will send you five (or possibly more, from what I've seen online) products to play with. Cancel at any time. You'll also fill out a Beauty Profile, which asks about hair and skin, and stuff like that.

I've never used the service before, obviously, but I have signed up for the very first edition as an early birthday present to myself, and will happily share all the details of my experience with you. I can already tell you that this won't be a monthly thing for me, since it's not exactly pocket change, but it might be a nice way to stock up on minis before a vacation. This month's box supposedly holds products from C.O. Bigelow (love them!), O.P.I. (yay!), and Kryolan (oooh! That's stage pro stuff! I can use that!), among others.

Have any of you used a sample service before? Birchbox? Test Tube? How'd it go? Leave your experiences in the comments below. Thanks!

It's Over! It's Finally Over!

Photo Credit: Someecards.com

Today is a wonderful, amazing, brilliant holiday. It marks nine months and eight days until we have to deal with another round of those God-awful jewelry commercials! Seriously, if I have to hear that, "Every Kiss Begins With Kay" (Yay! You can spell!), or that, "he went to Jared" (which we don't even have within a driveable distance), or see Jane Seymour's wonky Z-shaped heart-butt abomination one more time, I may have to pelt their offices with rotten Edible Arrangements, or have FTD deliver some dead roses.

I'm so sick of these materialistic commercials. For me, Valentine's is about showing appreciation for all the loves in your life--not about going into debt trying to quantify your affection. My Valentine's plans? A home-cooked dinner, a fancy homemade dessert, and some snuggling on the couch. It's about being together; not about diamonds, roses, or reservations.

So, to celebrate this blessed occasion, here are some fun deals on goodies for all my lovely little valentines out there. I adore you all! Have a fantastic day!

Old Navy: Save 14% off anything today with the code ONLOVE.

Dressbarn: Free Shipping today on orders $14 and over. No code needed.

Smashbox: Free Precision Liner with any purchase until 5pm ET. $20 value, and no code needed.

E.L.F.: Free Shipping on orders $14 and over with the code FSLOVE.

BeautyMint: Get $20 off a 4-piece system with the code VAL20. (exp. 2/15)

Aeropostale: Take 14% off anything (except clearance and fragrance) with the code 14VDAY.

DuWop: Save 14% sitewide. No code needed. (exp. 2/19)

TooFaced: Take 15% off your entire purchase with the code VDAYLOVE12.