Hairspiration

I am getting my hair done this week.  It's been about 12 weeks this time.  I have been searching for some inspiration.  Here are a few of the photos I am taking with me to the appointment this week.  I am still on the fence if I want to get some highlights or not.  I am also trying a new salon this week. 



Like this color.  I am not ready for bangs.  I made a promise to myself that no matter how bad I want them I will not cut them.  I curse myself when I do because I cannot get all my hair out of my face.

This is my hair goal.  I have been growing my hair out for 2 years now and have finally reached about an inch and half below my shoulders.  I still have a ways to go but this picture keeps me going.  Do you have a hair goal????

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.

Make-up Brushes by Sigma

Two years ago I invested in makeup brushes.  I used my Christmas money to purchase them.  They have good coupons around Christmas and seems I am always getting free shipping ones in my email.   I am very glad that I did.  It makes my makeup application so much better.  Who knew :)  I have the original Sigma Professional Kit (90.00).  They have since changed the numbers and what goes in the kit.  I am going to recommend my favorite ones that I use daily.

The Eyes Kit (52.00)

I use these brushes each day.  I have really small eye lids and don't feel like they are overwhelmed with these.  Sometimes makeup brushes just don't work for me.


The synthetic brushes below are on my next purchase list.  I purchased the synthetic for the face and have really liked how they put on my makeup. 

Synthetic Precision Kit (49.00)




Synthetic Kabuki Kit (56.00)
If I had known these were coming out I would have waited on my professional kit purchase and just bought these.  I don't use any of the other face brushes that much but two which I will list below as well.  My kit only came with the flat top and the angled brush when I purchased mine, but I bet these other 2 are just as good. 



Small Contour: 14.00
Love this brush for using to apply my bronzer.  It works so well with making it look very flawless.



Angled Blush Brush: 14.00
Love this brush for applying just the right amount of blush to my cheeks.  It does great with powder and with cream blushes.



I have had my brushes for about 2 and 1/2 years and can say they have held up really well.  They haven't lost many bristles.  I do wash them with baby shampoo and use the brush holder thing they came in so they can retain their shape.  I try to wash them every couple of weeks.  I keep on old washcloth in my make up drawer so I can wipe them off as I use them in between washes.  What kind of brushes do you love???

Guest Post

I have a guest post at The New Modern Momma this week :)  She chose me to post I am so pleased.  Head over to check it out and add her to your reading list.  She has some good posts.

Target Purchases

I have some gift money from Valentines day so I cruised over to Target the other day.  I purchased 2 Target cardigans this week.  Not on the same day.  I purchased the gray one and loved it so much went back for the blue.  I go the blue for March Madness so I can root on my Kentucky Wildcats with some style LOL.  These run about 23.00.  A good trick is to check Target’s coupons before you go to see if they have any for fashion.  I just learned Target has a coupon section the other day and have started checking that before I go and have found that I can use a coupon just about every time I go.  

Mossimo Women Ultrasoft Cocoon Sweater: Gray and Blue (23.00)

I purchased these in medium.  I wear them over tanks.  They are very soft and light weight so perfect for spring.  I have washed them both and they appear to hold up well and maintain shape and look.

 

http://www.target.com/p/Mossimo-Womens-Ultrasoft-Cocoon-Sweater-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13797938

 

Nude Lipsticks:

As you can tell from my previous post on nail polish that nude colors are big for me.  I really like the classic and simple look.

I am going to share a few of my favorite nude shades.

Number 1:

Lady Gaga Viva Glam II: 14.50: Light neutral Beige with an amplified finish

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/7220/Viva-Glam-Gaga/index.tmpl

My all-time number one shade if from MAC and it’s the Viva Glam Lady Gaga II.  I am not a Lady Gaga fan but she made a great nude lipstick.  I even like the lip-gloss that goes with it.  The kicker that I just found out last week was that this is not part of the permanent line and is only limited edition.   That means that if you think you might want it call around to your MAC counters and see if it’s available.  I actually purchased 3 tubes of it online from MAC.  I like MAC lipsticks a lot.  I also like they have the back 2 MAC products that when you turn in 6 empty containers you can pick a free lipstick.

Number 2:

Crème D’nude: Pale muted peach beige Cremesheen: 14.50

http://www.maccosmetics.com/products/spp/shaded.tmplCATEGORY_ID=CAT168&PRODUCT_ID=PROD310&SKU_ID=SKU9524

This is another great one.  It is part of the permanent collection so should be available at any MAC counter.  This color looks really great in spring and summer but I wear it all year round.  The sheen finish can be worn with and without lip-gloss.  I am not a big fan of gloss as my hair ALWAYS sticks in it the second I step foot out the door. 

Drugstore Option: Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick: Nude Attitude (7.00)

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jspskuId=2167477&productId=xlsImpprod1020032&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=17holiday09under10&categoryId=cat80058

Creamy formula glides onto lips for kissably soft, matte-finish lips. Matte Lipstick by Revlon features conditioners that protect your lips from over-drying.

I have purchased this lipstick and did use the whole tube.  I like the finish and feel of the MAC lipsticks, but do think this is a great nude option.   This did dry a little on my lips but if I applied with chapstick it was fine.  I also needed a gloss to wear with this one if I reapplied throughout the day.

Option 2:

Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter: Crème Brulee (7.50)

Color Burst Lip Butter by Revlon is a buttery balm with beautiful shiny color to give you baby soft, healthy glowing lips 94% of women felt lips were softer, smoother, and instantly hydrated.  This was a new purchase for myself.  I have put it in my purse for heavy rotation throughout the day.  I have been reaching for it over my MAC lipsticks lately.  I love how it makes my lips feel.  I have been kinda dry as of late and this seems to help.  It’s one of those lipstick/balms that really makes your lips soft.  It has just a slight hint of color. 

I love my MAC lipsticks and have repurchased these multiple times.  I will continue to use my back to MAC to replenish my stash.  Ulta has a special of buy 1 get one 50% off right now for Revlon products.   What are some of your favorite shades?