HAPPY End-of-March/April!!!!
I'm pretty sure everyone is feeling this, but...Seriously?!?! Is it really April??? A few of my friends got married last April and the fact that they will be celebrating their first anniversary is CRAY because it literally felt like yesterday!!!
Well, before we jump too far into April, let's celebrate March with some of this months favorites (and a couple UN-favorites)!
Make Up
it Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Matte Palette
* Can we talk for a few on this?...Ummm...this palette blew...me...away!!! When I first saw this in the Ulta catalog, I thought to myself "No, Jennifer. You don't need this. 1) You have quite a collection of shadows that you use very sparingly...AND 2) You own the Naked 3 palette and this is too much like it." Well, do I ever listen to the reason within me??? I saw Makeup by Tiffany D talk about this. (Sidenote: Check out this lady's blog and YouTube channel, please!!! She is SO awesome!) And, with the very little arm-twisting required, I was SOLD! I ran out to Ulta, grabbed me one of these bad gals, and I don't regret it one...bit! Don't get me wrong...Naked 3...AMAZING, but this it Cosmetics palette is something else...The formulation is smooth. The colors are easy to wear...The finish is a beautiful satin matte. This palette is like a grown-up Naked 3 palette, and...dare I say more versatile than the N3. Oh, yeah...and it's a few dollars less at $44 vs. $52.
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MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC30
* This product is very near and dear to my heart. Years ago, I was under some circumstances where this product essentially came in handy....and let's just say it was a life saver. I was using this concealer on-and-off for a long time (check out the bottom right picture showing you how much the poor label has endured), but it wasn't until this month that I truly dedicated myself to pull this back out to try to finish what was left. For only $18 (not a bad price for concealer of a nicer brand), the product will last you forever. The formulation is perfect to use under the eyes, on blemishes, to conceal discoloration (not too tacky...not too dry) and it has longevity to it's wear on your face. Most importantly, it won't crease or turn into a crusty dry patch----at least on my skin. MAC products, of course, come in a wide array of shades, so finding a match isn't a huge struggle. What can I say...I love it so much that I repurchased!
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Jouer Matte Moisture Tint SPF 15 in Nude
* Oil-Free...Matte...Great Coverage (Buildable light to medium)...Costs less than Hourglass Immaculate Liquid to Powder Foundation (Ergo, great alternative @ $38). Need I say more? I am so happy to have tried and love this foundation. Perfect for the warmer weather that we are starting to receive.
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Bare Minerals READY Pressed Powder Foundation in R310 (Medium Tan)
* I featured this in my Ulta haul and again, I want to express how happy I am with this product. Quick, easy, great coverage, perfect for my skin type in the warmer climate, great longevity. The only thing to be cautious of is finding the right match. Make sure you get color-matched if you aren't sure what works best for your skin tone. I LURV!
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Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Stick in Get Ready
* I featured this product in my Birchbox vs. Ipsy post, and this was one of the few products that I was over-the-moon excited about!!! I received a sample size in my Ipsy bag that I eventually gave to my mom. This one pictured is the full-size. If you didn't see my recent post on this, check it out. I just rave about how great the color is! On top of that, packaging is pretty bad-@SS!!!! I don't even know how to properly describe the way it works...You slide the chrome dot and the tube pops out...like a BOSS! I want to buy more of these BM lipsticks simply because the packaging is just that cool.
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Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss in Hot Shot (left) and Rebel (right)
* The Marvelous Moxie glosses were featured on my Ulta haul, as well. I just can't get enough of this stuff. Neutral and easy to throw on in a pinch. I keep this in my beauty bag in my purse and I can easy make my lips look glossy, full, and pretty in seconds.
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Care Items
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Tropical Mango
* I picked this up in those "death-trap" checkout line bins while waiting to pay at Ulta. Sometimes I end up with items that are not worth a darn, but I'm glad I took a chance on this. The smell is intoxicating...like a fruity tropical vacation! As a scrub, it's fantastic. The granules of sugar are not too abrasive on the skin, but they are effective enough to really get your skin smooth. In my Ulta haul, I showed the Coconut Lime scent. Equally as wonderful.
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Nivea A Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon Lip Balm
* Another Ulta haul item!!! Just a really great lip balm that's hydrating and not overly flavored. I like the scented/flavorful lip balms, but most of the time, I throw on lip balm before I start putting on make-up...which most of the time, that's at 6 in the morning during the week while getting ready for work. At that moment, I have not drank anything or eaten breakfast. I'm not really in the mood to have the taste of pomegranate or tropical fruit lingering on my taste buds, competing with my minty breath. This Nivea balm is perfect. The scent (and taste if any) is so subtle that it doesn't bother me..and it makes my lips feel nourished =)
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Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
* My new secret to nourished hair! Coconut oil has gained so much popularity recently. You can cook with it, moisturize with it,...even make it a very natural and simple hair mask. I massage it in my hair- mid-shaft to ends - throw my hair in a high bun, and leave it in overnight. When I wake up, all I have to do is rinse it out (Be sure to rinse this out well, though) , and BAM! Soft hair!
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Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer and Pore Treatment
* I've been using these 2 products every other night for the last month and a half and have been very pleased with the results even though they are both a little pricey. I have noticed my pores have tightened and shrank, which makes my skin look more smooth and flawless. The pore minimizer is used like a toner over your pore-heavy areas. (P.S. The scent reminds me of Fabuloso...) Then, I follow over the same area with the pore treatment.
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Beauty Tools
Tarte Kabuki Brush
* Soft flat top kabuki brush that is PERFECT for applying powder foundation. The short dense bristles really help pack on the product evenly so to allow for a fuller application and coverage. I like to use this with my Bare Minerals Pressed Powder or the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Founation.
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Sephora Pro Angled Blush Brush #49
* I love this brush for contouring. The angled top allows smooth and easy application to the hollows of your cheeks. The flatter shapes allows for more control to ensure that your contour doesn't get too wide and out of hand.
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Vidal Sassoon XL Elastics for Thick Hair
* These gems are quickly rising to one of my most prized possessions. I never knew these existed until I stumbled across them at Bed, Bath, & Beyond! Girls with thick hair can speak to this...I think I have broken or over stretched more hair ties than I can count the ones that actually survive. In fact, normal hair ties are so uncomfortable and inconvenient to me that I rather just leave my hair down. However, these extra-large hair ties are PERFECTION! A couple brands had tried to make ties for thick hair, but they have been unsuccessful. Vidal Sassoon hit the nail on the head, though. The elastic is thick, but not too thick that you end up suffocating your pony tail. Due to the large circumference, you can get a very comfortable 3-4 wraps around the pony tail- easy to work with...AND...very importantly...after wearing a pony tail with these elastics all day, I don't get a headache or have neck aches from trying to support a head of hair that feels about 20lbs after a long 10 hours at work.
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Others
Book: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
* Such a great book, and I can't wait to watch the movie. I love how this is a young adult book that handles a subject matter that is so delicate with a level of trust from the author. Given the audiences are basically teenagers, the contents, emotions, and series of events are quite sophisticated and mature. I don't want to spoil a great story that I will not ever be able to review and do justice. All I can say is that if you are looking for a good book...this is a great option. Keep in mind that this is not a sunshine and rainbows book...So don't expect...sunshine and rainbows.
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Costco
* I recently got a Costco membership!!! My husband and I had a Sam's membership a couple years ago, and that was not really useful for just the two of us. I mean, you can only buy so much paper towels and toilet paper...But, when a Costco opened up near my house AND Living Social was running a deal, I thought I would give it a shot. I'm glad I gave it a chance!!! My household still does not have a need for bulk purchases, but what I really love about Costco is the quality of it's products. You can find wholesome fruits and veggies, healthy snacks and meal options, and a better catalog of brands, especially if you are all about the healthy, natural products. Some of my faves @ Costco: Mama Chia squeeze pouches, Honest baby shampoo/body wash (No, I don't buy this, but I appreciate that it is carried), and Hello Panda Chocolate Filled Snacks (#Asiansnacks).
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West Elm Leather Zippered Pouches
* Anyone that knows me know that 1) I like to carry a purse bigger than what I really actually need 2) my purse is always CRAY! Not anymore!!! I was at West Elm one day and stumbled across these really cute zippered pouches. They come in numerous different sizes, colors, and patterns, but the taupe with white polka dots and the blue caught my eye! Now I use one for my personal items like lip balm, mirror, hand sanitizer,...ahem lady products, and I use the other one for my check book, store coupons, and business cards. It has kept my bag organized and clutter-free!
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Photo Editing Apps
* When I first started this blog, I was looking for a quick way to edit the photos I took on my phone. Little did I know the great (and some FREE!) apps that exist! My absolute favories are Color Cap, Aviary, and A Beautiful Mess. I am thankful for these apps for allowing me to do the crazy editing that I do for the photos that are posted on this blog. I even confessed to my husband that I rather take pictures on my phone than use the camera he gave me for my birthday...BUT I'm not giving up yet =)
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YouTube Channel(s) Philip DeFranco and his SourceFed Channels and Crew
* Phil DeFranco is actually a rediscovered favorite, and I am glad I started watching him and SourceFed again! I used to catch his daily posts on YouTube periodically. He basically started in a low budget manner reporting on news headlines while providing his "editorial" opinions on these stories. Well, years later, he has a FEW (which translates to quite an achievement) channels, a full staff, a facility where all of this magic takes place, a huge following...ALL culminating to this awesomeness called SourceFed. Some of my favorite videos they post are #TableTalk, when they play Cards Against Humanity, and the dream trio of hosts...Joe Bereta, Lee Newton, and Steve Zaragoza! My explanations can't do this justice, so just go check them out. You won't regret it! SO FUNNY!
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Splurge!: Chloe Marcie Large Shoulder Bag
* Such a splurge!!! I absolutely love this bag! It's roomy, it's classic and simple, but absolutely GORG! This was something that I told myself I would use my bonus to reward myself for all the hard work I put into 2013. I had a very challenging few months with my job during the summer and at many moments, doubted whether I was capable to do what I do. It was a rude awakening that there are people (...eh...my manager) out there that will do anything to cover their butts, whether right or wrong, even if it involves throwing your team in the crossfire. When the year ended and I received my review and bonus, I was SO proud that I overcame, put my nose to the grind, and succeeded. So, this purchase was well deserved if I say so myself!
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Unfavorites
Turbie Twists
* I wanted to LOVE this SOOOOOOOOO bad!!!! It is great in concept because it is light weight, absorbant, and does not flatten your hair (like a regular bath towel does). So many people have raved about this product that I was just beyond excited to try. However, it just didn't work out for me. My hair is very long, and I have a lot of hair. Simply put, I couldn't make it work no matter how hard I tried.
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Sephora Pro Domed Stippling Brush
* It might just be that I haven't given this brush enough chances...so I should probably do so. However, can I just say that this brush is not that soft?! When I used it for the first time to apply foundation, I felt like it was poking my face. It didn't really blend the foundation in all that well. I just felt "Eh" about it. I don't know. With everything I buy, I want to love it. Unfortunately, this doesn't compare to my other foundation brushes. We'll see. I'm not giving up yet.
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Well, my Peeps, I hope you enjoyed my FIRST ever favorites post. Sorry it took so long, and that I have been M.I.A. (ugh! Life!)
Please let me know below what favorites (or unfavorites) you had in the month of March, or if you have any ideas for posts that you would like be to do.
Have a great evening, Y'all!
- Jen
