Drugstore loves :)

I wanted to share a few of my favorite drugstore items right now.  I have been using these for about 2 months and use them every day.

1.  Maybelline Fit Me Concealor: Medium 25: 6.50

I love the consistency of this and it stays all day long.  It keeps my under eye area looking great and takes the redness out of my nose area.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2225214&productId=xlsImpprod2980149&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80024#sku2225217


2. Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer: Radiant: 8.00

This is fantastic for an under the eye highlighter.  I put this on last and it gives me such a nice finish.  It's gel based so it doesn't dry out on my under eye area.



http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2239671&productId=xlsImpprod4070009&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80024#sku2239672

3. Revlon Color Stay Smoky Shadow Stick: Torch: 9.00

This has changed the look of my eyeshadow.  I love the pink color on my lid and the darker color on my outer corner.  I then apply my eyeshadow right over top and love the outcome.



http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2246970&productId=xlsImpprod4410259&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat940003#sku2246970

4.  Covergirl eye enhancer: Shimmering Sands: 5.00

This is a great eyeshadow set.  They have great pigment and blend really well together.  Looks great over the Shadow Stick



http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2108263&productId=xlsImpprod641115&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat940003#sku2108262

5.  St Ives Timeless Skin: Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer: 6.00



http://www.drugstore.com/st-ives-timeless-skin-collagen-elastin-facial-moisturizer/qxp194030?catid=182947

I have used moisturizers that cost 80 dollars a jar and some that cost 5.  I saw that Dr Oz recommended this one from St Ives.  I went out and got a jar because my old one was done and I didn't want to pay 40 dollars again.  I am trying to be a little better with my money this year.  I have a post coming soon for one of my bucket items that I finally saved up for :).  Back to the moisturizer, I love this stuff.  I have very dry skin and this does the trick for me.  My face doesn't feel dry or tight. 


Do you have any drugstore fav's you liked to share :)  Please link below.

Ulta Shopping Coupon

Ulta is having a 20 % off your entire store purchase at this time.  It's a great deal.  It's even off of fragrance and makeup.   I am going to stock up on some items myself for an early Christams.  The new naked shadows by Urban Decay have caught my eye :)

Cream Blush Loves

I am a big fan of cream blush.  I love it in the winter because my skin is so dry.  I love it in the summer because it gives me that sunkissed glowy finish I like.  I apply my normal bronzer then apply these to the apples of my cheeks only.  Today I am going to share some of my favorite ones. 

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush (7.99): Rose Petal
The revolutionary powder-gel formula is lightweight like a powder, yet it melts seamlessly into skin like a cream, for a sheer wash of bouncy-fresh color that lasts!
This blush applies very easily.  I use a stippling brush to apply mine.  One word is that you will need a light hand when applying because it goes on so easily. BTW: ulta is having 20% off right now so check out the site.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2239661&productId=xlsImpprod4070007&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=23springcolor2012




Stila Convertable Color (25.00): Lillium

This versatile favorite brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. Tap onto cheeks and press onto lips. The sheer tint adds an inherent glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. Our two-in-one compact holds the key to easy, monochromatic makeup. A must-have in every stila girl's kit.
For this blush I use an angled blush and apply to apples of my cheeks and sweep backwards as well.  I can use a heavier hand with this one.  I haven't tried it on my lips, but do love it on my cheeks.  I got his one because of it's great reviews and the number of times it has won the In Style Beauty Buys.


http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2153896&productId=VP12620&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=19instylebbb2009

What are some of your favorite cream blushes???

On the Hunt for April

I am going to try to make this a new post each month.  These are items that I am on the hunt for.  Last month I would say I was on the hunt for some white jeans and summer skirts.  My husband and I had to take an overnight trip which placed us next to an outlet mall.  I have a discover card that lets you save up your rewards for gift cards.  I save mine for the GAP because I can use it at GAP, Banana, and Old Navy.  Remember I am on a purchasing freeze this year unless it's with gifted money or gift cards.  Before we left I cashed in my reward for a gift card.  I hit up Banana and they had the whole store 40% off and I had a coupon for 15% off as well.  One tip I can give you if you go to outlets is to google search for coupons.  The outlets malls also have coupons online you can print and take with you.  I hit my wishlist at our first stop.  I found white jeans (30.00), white, gray and black skirt for (12.00) each.  I got all that for less than 75.00.  Here is my list for this month.

Item One:  Jean Capris
I stumbled on these on pinterest and love them.  However I cannot figure out the brand to see where to buy them.  I love the look of them.  Know any good places??


Item Two:  New Blow Dryer
I have a 20% off coupon to Ulta and a gift card from Christmas that I can spend as well.  I am looking for a lightweight dryer that dries my hair pretty quickly.  Suggestions appreciated.

Eye Shadow Primer

I thougth I would share my favorite go to shadow primers.  The purpose of these is to help with creasing and make your shadow last much much longer.  Here are a few that I love

Too Faced Shadow Insurance (18.00) is a full-coverage policy against flaking, creasing and fading eye shadows. This silicone based primer creates a tight bond between your skin and shadow, so you can rest easy that your eye shadow is taken care of.  I have been using this one just about everyday for about 3 months now.  I really like it.  It evens out my lid color.  I like this one much better than Urban Decay Primer Potion.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2154464&productId=prod360018&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=1toofacedhollywood&categoryId=cat40006



Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Shadow Pencil (20.00):  Sin
Urban Decay's Shadow Pencils deliver incredible color payout, but feel lightweight. The new fat shape allows you to cover large areas more quickly. Use the thin tip as eyeliner, or the side of the tip as a generous swipe of eyeshadow. Luscious drop-dead shades make you feel every inch the creative type, as you blend shimmer, cream and sparkle finishes. Skip the powder shadow brushes and water - Urban Decay's pencils make it easier than ever to get vibrant eyeshadow looks on the go. Experiment with multiple shades layered together, then blend away for an unbelievable effect that sets and stays put. All shades are paraffin, mineral oil, and paraben-free. 

I have really loved this color. It looks great under all my eyeshadows.  I think I will really like it this summer as I think I will wear it by itself.



http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2226385&productId=xlsImpprod3000301&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=2lovewhatsnew2010&categoryId=cat940003%20cat80042#sku2226393

A very close match to this is the NYX Jumbo Shadow Pencil. These only cost 4.50 per pencil.  I have only ever found them at Ulta.  The color yogurt and Urban Decays Sin are very very close. 

NYX Top Selling eye pencil:

Combines an eye shadow and eye liner all-in-one

Features a creamy formula that glides on smoothly like silk and is easy to blend

Does not crease or dry out

Is available in an astounding array of shades that work both day and night

Lasts all day

Does not crease or dry out eyes

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2221058&productId=xlsImpprod2150066&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=38140offnyxwk3210&categoryId=cat940003#sku2139579

The last one that I have liked a lot are the MAC Paint Pots.  These do at times dry out on my eyes and make my eye shadow kind of flaky. Not all the time, and I think this happens more when my skin is drier.  I like the color
 MAC Painterly Paint Pot (17.50)
A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners.



These are a few that I use.  I have been using the Too Faced and the Urban Decay one in heavy rotation lately and have really liked the look they give.   What are some of your favorites?

A new lip gloss

I stopped by Ulta today to pick up my husbands hairspray he likes by Crew.  I know I can buy that stuff just about anywhere, but if it's a product that Ulta carries then I go there to pick it up so I can get my Ulta points (Got that free curling iron last time).  Well I watched a review the other day on the Lip Glosses by Butter London that go with their nail polish.   Yummy Mummy is one of  my favorites.  I love very neutral and nude like colors both on my lips and on my fingers.  I just thought I will stop and check them out.  I bet you can guess where that lead me to next :)  I swatched the Yummy Mummy on my hand first, and decided I liked the look of it and tried it on my lips.  I wore it around the store for a few minutes.  I have always noticed that lip products seem to change colors on me the longer I wear them.  I like to give them a few minutes before I make a decision.  Well after a few minutes I still really really liked it.  Did I need a new gloss??? No, but did I want it  YES:)  I am not really a gloss wearer, but this one seems to be very long lasting and has some staying power.  I put it on about 2 hours ago and it is still going strong.  I will say it is of the very sticky family of glosses, but it does not come off on everything.  I really like it and love the color.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2243780&productId=xlsImpprod4190165&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=1butterlondonwk0712&categoryId=cat80060#sku2243784

Butter London Lippy: Yummy Mummy (17.00) medium beige color is a true nude
Lippy is a range of long-wearing, lacquer like lip glosses in shades to match Butter London's famous nail lacquers.

Extending my hair color

I try to get my hair done about every 8 - 10 weeks and sometimes I even go up to 12 weeks.  I have the great pleasure of being very gray headed.  If I were to completely let it go I would be about 80% gray.  PS I am not even 35 yet!!  This means I have to stay on top of my hair color and also be budget friendly.  I start to need a touch up at about 4 weeks.  If I am going really long between I will use the root touch up and if it's going to be more towards the 10 -12 weeks than I use the root touch up at 4 weeks  followed by the whole head kit at around 8-9 weeks.

Root Touch Up: L'Oreal Root Rescue:  Dark Brown (7.00)

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2219022&productId=xlsImpprod2360101&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat120040



Whole Head: L'Oreal Healthy Look Creme Gloss (9.00): Medium Brown Truffle
I like this one because it only takes 10 minutes.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2215731&productId=xlsImpprod2300077&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat120040



Good Housekeeping gave this hair color great reviews for brunettes.  I am going to give it a try next time and see how it does.  Here is the link to this article.  It breaks it down by best color for hair shades.  Just in case your not a brunette.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/beauty-products/hair-dye-reviews/best-home-hair-color#slide-1

Revlon Colorsilk (4.00): Dark Brown



Do you dye your hair at home to extend your time between appointments? What do you use?

Why I love Ulta

Got my favorite coupon in the mail from ulta this week.  My ulta points rewards were in :)  I made it to level 6 this time.  My husband will not be giving an award for this status at any time.  This level means that I earned a free hot tools curling iron.  I made the switch from the standard conair/revlon curling iron this summer when I really started to wear my hair curly.  I am sort of lucky in that I can let me hair air dry and it's wavy.  Not the victoria secrets straight from the runway good wavy, but the straight on top and really curly underneath.  So if I wear my hair curly I have to use the curling iron on the top part.  My hair texture does hold curl really well so I can curl it at 6:30 am and it's still going strong when I go to bed at night.  I purchased the one inch iron from hot tools and was completely sold on this investment!!  It really made a difference in my curl shape and even in the health of my hair.  I did invest in some hair products made for curling my hair, and that helped too.  If you looked at my very first post, I did mention that one purchase for me can lead to many others.  Again my husband will not be handing out awards for this trait. 

You may be asking how did you get a level 6.  Since I got the card I have made an effort to make more purchases at Ulta.  I get my hair color, all hair products, make up wipes, makeup brands that I use from there,  skin care products, fragerance, and just about any other product I can purchase from there. 

Hot Tools 1 1/4 inch (my hair about 1 inch below my shoulders). 
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1080008#sku6501778




What will you use your Ulta rewards to get???

Recommended Moisturizers

My skin type is fairly dry.  I don't have problems with blemishes because of this.  Although it is nice to not have to deal with that I do have to deal with dry flaky skin in the winter.  The temps have finally dropped her in KY and my face can really feel it.  It was time to swith to my winter moisturizer routines.  I have moisturizers that I use in the summer and ones that I use in the winter. 

Winter Face Care :)
I have tried this moisture cream this year and loved it.  I will list my all time fave below, but it is very pricey.  I did try a drug store brand, but didn't think it had the effect that I like so I tried this one by Benefit.  I went through the drugstore brand much faster than I do the name brand ones.   

Here is the current one I like:
Benefit B Right Cream (38.00 at Ulta)  Watch for Ulta coupons and you can get 20% off of this product which is what I did.  In the winter I really like a moisture cream from a jar because it seems to be a lot more richer than from a tube.  This one has a great smell and really makes my makeup look flawless underneath.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2229452&productId=xlsImpprod3200007&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=4benefitwk8&categoryId=cat80174

Drugstore: I used the Olay Definty Intense Hydrating Cream (27.00), but it was discontinued in 2012 to become this item.  I haven't tried it buy Oil of Olay recommends trying this one:

http://search.ulta.com/search?p=Q&userid=bckycrr@yahoo.com&w=Regenerist+Micro-Sculpting+Cream&x=16&y=9

High End Moisturizer:  I would buy this one all year round, but really cannot afford it.  It goes on great, has great benefits, and I really love how it works under my makeup. 
Bliss: Youth as We Know it (75.00).  You can watch for the Friends and Family from Sephora if you are a Beauty Insider.  They also have some other coupons that run throughout the year.


http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P178802&categoryId=RPYMAL&shouldPaginate=

Summer Skin Care:  I don't need quite the moisture for my skin in the summer as I do in the winter. Some days in the winter I feel like I can feel my skin sucking up the moisture cream as soon as I put it on.  I would also recommend to try to put your moisturizer on as soon as you get out of the shower.  I do mine right after I put my contacts in.  I try to get all my body lotion and face lotions on within 5 minutes of getting out of the shower.  I read somewhere that if it's longer than your it will just sit on top of your skin and not absorb. 

I love this moisturizer for summer by Origins.  It has a little bit of color with it so if I don't feel like putting foundation or powder on I still get some color.  I have lots of red in my skin tone so I feel like I do need a little something to even it all out.

Origins VitaZing: 35.00 (again I use my coupons to buy these)



http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P297521&categoryId=C24736

Eye Creams:  Since I have hit my 30's I noticed I need a little more around the eyes.  Some people can probably skip this, but I have noticed on improvement around my eyes in the fine lines and even the under eye area. 
Winter: 32.00



Origins Eye Doctor Moisture Care for Around Eyes (32.00)



High End: Bliss: Youth as we Know it (75.00)

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P201422&categoryId=B70

It will take me a year to use these creams.  When you divide out the cost over the year, because you only need a little bit it is usually cheaper.  As I mentioned before I did have to use a lot more of the drugstore brand than I do of these name brand ones.  I would also suggest using stores like Ulta and Sephora.  At ulta you get points and earn free items.  I got a free Essie Nail Polish the last time.  They are always sending me 20% off coupons.  When I need something I wait till I get one of those to get the full benefit of it.  At Sephora I am a Beauty Insider.  You have to spend so much to become one, but you get deluxe size samples, and coupons from them as well.  I try to make my large purchases from there when I know they will have that coupon. Usually in November.  I hope this helps and feel free to share how you balance the seasons with skincare :)