Experimental Beauty

Review: Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks

2012-02-22T17:45:00.001-05:00

Awhile ago, I had blogged about wanting these Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks. Shortly after posting that, I took the plunge and went out and bought them. I've used them several times since then and now I'm ready to review!

What They Are: These are basically cotton swabs that are pre-loaded with Almay's oil-free eye makeup remover. You snap off the end with the colored ring and the makeup remover rushes into the swab on the other end. Then you can just wipe the makeup onto the cotton swab.

Company Claims from Almay's website: "Perfect for effortlessly erasing mistakes during application without disturbing the rest of your makeup. these easy to use soft cotton tip swabs are individually filled with the best selling almay® oil free eye makeup remover formula."

These were also an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner for 2011.

My Thoughts on Their Claims: Personally, I don't use these during makeup application but I guess you could. I definitely agree that they are easy to use.

Other Information: I use these to clean up any areas around my eyes. In particular, I generally shower at night (and remove my makeup) but sometimes in the morning if I've worn a lot of eyeliner or if I've worn waterproof mascara the day before, I might wake up with some residue around my eye area. I use these to clean that up.

Cons: 1. Cost. The package of 24 sticks will set you back around $5 - $6. I paid around $5 for mine, which makes each stick cost around $0.21. Per use, that is kind of expensive, especially when you consider that you really only can use one end of the swab to remove makeup and the other gets snapped (mostly) off so it can really only be used to dry off excess makeup remover.

Pros: 1. Convenience. It can be a bit of a pain to try to take a regular cotton swab, soak it in eye makeup remover, then fix those smudges. This is much quicker and easier. 2. Travel-friendly. These are much easier and less messy to pack for a trip than taking a bottle of eye makeup remover. 3. Non-irritating. I wear contact lenses most days and some eye makeup removers can irritate my eyes when they touch my contacts or sensitive eye areas like the waterline. I have used these all over my eyes with no irritation to my eyes or spots left on my contacts.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Would I Purchase Again: Definitely. For me, the convenience outweighs the price. I don't use these every day so they last me quite a while. They are also awesome for travel and since I travel at least every six months, if not more, I will absolutely keep them around for that. I also really like them for when I'm in a hurry in the morning, like every morning. Overall, they are quick and easy and in my opinion, not that expensive.

Conclusion:

Another Small Haul

2012-02-21T19:36:00.002-05:00

I hauled a few things this weekend that are worth sharing and talking about a bit.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product: This is my Holy Grail hair product. It does 10 different things, which I've discussed before but the reason that I can't live without this is because it makes a great heat protectant. (Yes, I've tried Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray and it did nothing to keep away split ends for me.) I have purchased and repurchased this product many times and will continue to repurchase. I am currently almost finished with my other bottle so this was a replacement for me.

Tresemme (Smooth Line) Salon Silk Anti-Frizz Serum: While getting my hair cut yesterday, the I was asking the stylist what I could do to control my extremely frizzy, fly-away ridden hair. (I am currently using Aussie's Anti-Frizz Cream but it doesn't seem to do a darn thing for me and I am almost out anyways and didn't want to repurchase.) She suggested that I try the It's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum. That was just too expensive for me, considering I was already paying over $30 for a shampoo/haircut/blowdry and about $30 more for a replacement bottle of It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product. She explained that the cream I was currently using was not oil based and I needed something with oils to hydrate my frizz. (She also explained that we live in Florida and frizz is just a southern issue we have to deal with! lol) Since I didn't want to buck up for the salon brand, I went over to the grocery store and picked up a new product from Tresemme. Apparently, this is so new it's not even on their website, because I couldn't find the link to share with you. Anyway, it includes the currently famous Argan Oil so I thought I'd try it out. I have tried and liked other serums in the past so I thought it might work for me. I've only used it once so I'm not sure yet how I'll like it.

I also purchased two lip products, which are not really replacements but just something fun that I've been wanting. Sadly, they were both a disappointment, which is frustrating because I did my research on these items and everything and I still ended up with two more items I don't really like.

Wet N Wild Mega Shield Lip Color in Within These Adobe Walls: (top swatch) I had watched and read several reviews about these lip products raving about their combination of hydration and pigmented color. I stalked swatches on multiple different blogs to help me choose a color I would like. Yet none of those things helped because to be honest, I just don't really like this product. The color was much more peach than pink, although in the swatches I saw, it looked like a soft peachy pink. In my opinion, it comes off on me like a more orangey-peach. Not the most flattering shade on me. Also, I feel like the hydration wears off within about five minutes and then leaves my lips drier than before. I don't want to say for sure that I don't like this yet because I need to try it longer to decide for sure. But my first impression is disappointment. :(

Jordana New Matte Lipstick in Lillyrose: (bottom swatch) Again, I read reviews on this and looked at swatches. I particularly remember one review saying that the person was surprised by how hydrating this was for a matte lipstick and that it even came off more as a cream shade than a matte. Oh, so very false in my opinion. First of all, it is very drying, as most matte lipsticks are. Second, the shade is described on the website as "lavender creme", which I agree with but it swatched much darker than it looked in the tube. This isn't a terrible lipstick. I'm just not really a big fan of this particular shade. Now I'm wishing I had tried Pink Flair or Simply Natural. However, with the drying formula on this one, I won't be trying any other shades.

Hair Cut: Before & After Pics

2012-02-20T16:35:00.000-05:00

I finally got my hair cut and it's about time too! The last time I had a trim was in October of 2011, about four months ago. I don't ever mean to go so long without getting my hair trimmed but it's one of those things that always ends up being on the bottom of my priority list. I definitely needed it this time, as I had some pretty heinous split ends and to be honest, my hair was getting so long that I was getting pretty annoyed with it and it was becoming a pain to manage. So I had about a good two inches chopped off, even though I kept the same style. To be honest, I don't think you can really tell that much, which I'm okay with. For your enjoyment, here are some before and after pictures.

Insecure Me: Acne Struggles

2012-02-19T20:27:00.000-05:00

Of course, the moment that I post an update about how my skin is the best it's been in months, I then end up with a series of pimples worse than before I started my new skin care routine. *Sigh* This is exactly what the struggle with acne is about. I'm being honest here... my skin is bad right now. To the point where I don't even want to leave the house this weekend and even my concealer isn't strong enough to cover my spots.

Friday morning I woke up to a patch of several large, painful pimples on one area of my chin. By Friday night, they were swollen and even worse. In my frustration, I did one of those acne no-nos and I picked and poked and squeezed at them. Of course, this made them even worse.

However, I'm not losing hope and I'm not going to let this get me down. I went back to the acne.org website and reread all the steps to see where I had gone wrong and it all started making sense. First, I hadn't been being nearly as gentle while applying the benzoyl peroxide as I should have been. Second and most importantly, I had been applying my moisturizer very roughly in that particular area of my chin because I was having some really dry skin there and wanted to really work in the moisturizer there. Now I realize that the extra rubbing probably irritated my skin, leading to the breakout.

So I'm going to let the acne take its course and I am now following the acne.org Regimen to the letter, exactly as it is recommended, using only the products that are recommended. More importantly, I am going to treat my pretty face with the kindness and gentleness that it deserves and hope that it shows its appreciation by clearing up and looking lovely again.

Review: Cover Girl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder Makeup

2012-02-19T20:01:00.007-05:00

Company Claims from the Cover Girl Website:

“Get the beauty of a liquid, a powder, and concealer in one makeup! Ultimate Finish glides on effortlessly to cover and conceal where you need it, then dries to the soft finish of a powder. For an ultimate natural look, it's all you need – all in one!”

· - The beauty of a liquid, a powder, and concealer in one

· - Oil- and fragrance-free

· - Dermatologically tested

My thoughts on their claims: More of a powder and concealer in one, not so much a liquid. Does not glide on easily. Definitely conceals but does not give a natural look at all. I feel that you still need to set it with a powder to last as long as possible.

Other Information: My skin: Most days, my skin is pretty clear. Occassionally, I get some breakouts, usually on my chin. Currently, I am having some issues with some pretty bad acne on my chin, as well as some dry skin in certain areas like my temples and between my eyebrows.

Cons: 1.This is a very full coverage foundation. It’s a bit too much coverage for my preference most of the time. 2. Blending can be an issue with this foundation. Streaks can be an problem if you don’t blend completely. 3. This foundation can feel and look cakey and heavy on the skin. In my hands, it literally feels like modeling clay; not the best texture for a foundation. 4. If you have any areas of dry skin, this foundation will settle into those areas and make it even more obvious.

Pros: 1. If you need some serious coverage, this foundation is definitely going to do that. I would recommend this if you have really bad acne that you want to cover or other serious discolorations or skin issues.

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Would I Purchase Again: Not unless I was having a bout of extremely bad skin.

Conclusion: This foundation is more coverage than what I would usually want. It’s heavy and gives really heavy coverage. The nice thing about that is if you’re having some really bad breakouts (like I am right now) and you’re having trouble covering it with concealer, this will absolutely be enough on its own to cover it. However, you’ll have to be careful to blend it in well and be sure to keep it away from any dry areas. Also, I find that it applies best with the fingers so the heat from your hands can help to melt it a bit and blend into your skin.

Skincare: Generic or Brand Name?

2012-02-16T18:50:00.001-05:00

I was getting ready for bed last night and as I went through my usual skincare routine, I realized that almost all of the products that I use are generic versions of name brand items. I have generic Cetaphil, generic ProActiv, generic OXY, and generic Olay. I am one of those people who believe that generic skincare items are just as good as brand name. I get the results I want and save some money.

Then I looked at my husband's skincare products are realized that he is a stickler for name brand. He swears there is a difference between the generics and his tried and true brand names, even at the drugstore.

Of course, there is no right or wrong answer to this question but I was curious about other people's opinion on the subject. What about you? When it comes to skincare, do you go for generic items or stick to brand name products?

Shopping My Stash Video

2012-02-15T17:46:00.002-05:00

I just posted a video on YouTube sharing some items from my stash that I want to get more use out of over the next few weeks. To see what items I picked, click the video below!

Insecure Me: Acne Update

2012-02-14T17:44:00.000-05:00

About three weeks ago, I published my first post about my struggle with acne (Click here to read that post if you missed it.) I wrote about how I had found acne.org and was starting a new acne regimen. I wanted to update you on how things have gone with my skin since then. At first, my skin was very clear but extremely dry and flaking. Then I had a few breakouts but I noticed they were smaller than in the past and healed faster. Currently my skin is continuing to clear and the spots from old acne are still there but they are fading and no new acne seems to be forming. The dryness has almost completely subsided except for a few patches around my temples, chin, and in between my eyebrows. I'm really happy with the results I've seen so far and they seem to match up exactly with what the website tells you to expect if you have mild acne, like me (click here to see for yourself).

So far, I am really pleased with the results. I had just about given up hope of ever having clear skin again but this Regimen with acne.org is really working for me. I also really like that it has saved me money on products and it saves me a ton of time. I used to use six different skin care products, all of which were from Proactiv and were very expensive. Now, I only use four and they are all available at the drugstore. I no longer have to buy face sponges and cotton rounds. The skin care routine is simplified, inexpensive, and it's working. I am cautiously optimistic and really hopeful. But don't worry, I plan on updating again in a few weeks to let you know how it's going.

Has anyone else tried acne.org? How did it work for you?

Review: Bodycology Coconut Lime Body Cream

2012-02-13T17:48:00.001-05:00

My Use For This Product: I used this product for several years as a hand lotion and have used it for several weeks as a body lotion for my legs.

Product Claims: "lasting moisture with a light fragrance"

Other Information: The company's website says, "Advanced Beauty Systems, Inc. does not test the finished products on animals." However, this does not mean that they are a cruelty-free company. They are not listed as cruelty-free on PETA's or Leaping Bunny's websites. This tells me that this product is not completely cruelty-free so if that's something that upsets you, you may want to research the topic further.

Cons: This lotion is a bit on the thick side for the hands. It also takes quite a bit of massaging to work it into the skin.

Pros: Where to even begin? The fragrance is just as described, light. It smells lovely yet doesn't overpower other fragrances you might be wearing. The moisture is definitely lasting and it is very moisturizing. It has a rather thick but creamy formula (hence why it is called a body cream) and while it isn't what I would call greasy, you will still feel that your skin is a bit slick even a few hours after applying. This is why I really like it for areas like the legs. My hair grows very fast and I have to shave my legs every other day to keep the fur at bay. In the winter, this can cause me to have dry skin on my legs and this lotion does an amazing job of restoring hydration and keeping my skin hydrated over time.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Would I purchase again? Yes

Conclusion: While I hate the thought that this company might have some fishy animal testing activity going on, this is a great and affordable body lotion. You can purchase it at Walmart for around $4.00 and you get a lot of product for the price. This tube has lasted me for several years and I really enjoy the scent as well as the moisture.

FOTD: Project 10 Pan Video

2012-02-12T16:35:00.000-05:00

I finally did it! I finished my Project 10 Pan/5 Bottle! To see what items I used and what I'm still working on, check out the video. If you want to know what makeup I have on in the video, then just keep reading!

FACE:

- Hard Candy Sheer Envy Face Primer

- CoverGirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder Makeup in Ivory

- e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer (prime undereye)

- Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach

- Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Light

- Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation in Translucent Light

- Hard Candy Baked Bronzer in Hula Hula

- N.Y.C. Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (contour)

- Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Citrus Bloom

- Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil in Brown

- e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set (set makeup)

EYES:

- Too Faced Shadow Insurance

- Sally Girl Eyeshadow Single in Champagne(inner corner, inner ½ of lid)

- Ulta Eyeshadow in Truffle (outer ½ of lid)

- Ulta Eyeshadow in Molten (crease)

- Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Nude Eyes Eyeliner (Champagne on lower lash line)

- e.l.f. Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil (Gray shade on top lashline)

- Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Almost Famous (waterline)

LIPS:

- Milani Lipstick in Beloved

- Hard Candy Plumping Serum Volumizing Lipgloss in Uptown Girl

Insecure Me: Back Acne

2012-02-11T17:48:00.000-05:00

The Problem

I have been battling acne on my shoulders and back ever since puberty. Luckily, after about a year, I had figured out how to get it under control. Every now and then, I would get a spot here or there but it was pretty much controlled. In high school, I would apply a layer of 10% benzoyl peroxide at night. In the morning, I would use a Stridex pad and that kept my acne at bay. The only bad thing was the dry skin it would cause in the winter but I was happy to deal with the dry skin if I could just keep away the acne. As an adult, it seemed like my back acne had pretty much gone away so I had stopped using the benzoyl peroxide and just started using the Stridex pads after showering at night. It was pretty much under control until I changed birth control last spring. I went from taking pills to the shot and all of a sudden, the acne on my back started to pop up again but it wasn’t really that bad.

In December 2011, Brian and I went back to Pittsburgh for the holidays. Stridex pads are not exactly the most travel friendly acne product, as the liquid tends to run out of the tub and into everything you pack around it. I learned this the hard way the last time we traveled so this time, I brought some AcneFree Sport 3-in-1 Sport Wipes. Like Stridex pads, they have 2% Salicylic Acid as an acne fighting ingredient. Little did I know the skin havoc this decision would create.

Within twenty-four hours, the skin on my back had begun to break out. Within forty-eight hours, the acne on my back was as bad as it was when I was fourteen. I was completely broken out again. I'm not sure what was in the wipes that caused me to break out or if it was just the change in my normal routine. I do know that from now on, I will never use those things again.

The Solution (I Hope)

When I got home from my trip, I went right back to using my Stridex pads. I know that acne can take several weeks to clear up but after four weeks, I saw no difference in my skin and I was still continuing to get new break outs. Then I found the information on acne.org about how to clear back acne. For light to moderate back acne, the website suggests trying 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to clear acne on the back and shoulders. Since I already had this product around for use on my face, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try. I noticed that the smaller acne spots cleared up pretty quickly but after two weeks, my skin was dry and peeling but I was still getting some large pimples on my back. Yesterday I decided it was time to go back to the same solution that worked for me in high school: 10% benzoyl peroxide at night and 2% Salicylic Acid pads in the morning. To combat the dryness, I’ve been using my Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. I guess only time will tell if this will work but I’m guessing it should, as it worked for me in the past.

The Insecurity

To be honest, I would rather have acne on my back than on my face. It’s much less noticeable and far easier to hide. The bad part about it is that it can be rather painful and things like purse straps, bra straps, and people touching you can make it even worse. While being less obvious than facial acne, it is still one of those things that can make a person feel insecure. Who wants to wear cute little tops or a bathing suit or even just take off their shirt when you have back acne? It’s uncomfortable. I know when my back acne was at its worst right after Christmas, I felt dirty and gross, even after showering. For me, my acne is clearing up right now but the red spots still remain long after the acne has healed. Hopefully within a few weeks my skin will be clear again and back to normal.

My Touch Up Bag

2012-02-09T18:44:00.000-05:00

I carry a small touch up bag in my purse that I use when I need a little refresher for my makeup. As a teacher, I have no time during the day to touch up my makeup so I mostly use this if I am going out somewhere directly after work. Usually, as my hubby is driving us to dinner, I would be touching up my makeup in the car's vanity mirror. These are my touch up essentials and the uses I have for each product.

1. The Bag - I carry my small supply of items in a Modella makeup bag that I bought for a very affordable price at Walmart. I don't remember exactly how much it was but I know it wasn't much.
2. Bobby Pins - The black and red tin carries a small supply of high quality bobby pins that are great in a bind. They never stretch out and have a great ability to hold. I purchased the tin with the bobby pins in it at Sally Beauty Supply and they are Sally brand bobby pins.
3. Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer - I am so sad this product was discontinued because I really think this is the best touch up concealer ever. It is creamy and smooth and does a great job of concealing undereye circles as well as blemishes. It feels very light so you can feel confident that if you are reapplying after a long day, it won't look like you've caked on several layers of makeup.
4. Face Secrets Oil Blotting Sheets - This is another great product from Sally Beauty Supply. They are super inexpensive and come in a handy and adorable purple plastic container that holds and protects the delicate sheets. I always prefer to blot away oil, rather than cake on more powder.
5. Q-tips - these are great for removing makeup that has strayed, blending makeup, or smudging makeup. An all-purpose, must-have tool.
6. ULTA Mini Eyeliner Pencils in Black and Brown - The two colors I used most. I keep these to touch up eyeliner or brows in a pinch.
7. Retractable Powder Brush - Just in case I need a light dusting of powder or want to set undereye concealer with some powder.
8. Fingernail Clippers and Nail File - For repairing those darn broken nails! Also, the clippers come in real handy when you need to cut something open or off (like the tag on the new sweater/shoes/purse you just bought!).
9. Palladio Herbal Concealer - Sometimes with blemishes, I need a little extra coverage so I'll put this on then dab a bit of the Dream Mousse over it.
10. N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder - I am not at all a fan of this powder but I rarely use it. When I do use it, it's usually just to set concealer so I don't care that much what powder I use. This is a really economical choice at less than $3.00 so if it breaks or gets ruined, I wouldn't be upset.

My Wish List

2012-02-08T18:59:00.002-05:00

I have technically finished my Project 10 Pan/5 Bottle and will be filming an update video later this week. However, I've decided that in an effort to save some money and use the items I already have, I'm going to keep going with the project for awhile longer. When I finally do decide to buy some things again, I want to make sure to do my best to research and find items that I will (hopefully) like. I've made up a wish list of some items I want to look into further and today I'll be sharing the list with you.

1. Jordana Matte Lipstick in Simply Natural
2. Bodycology Body Cream in Vanilla Cupcake
3. Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish in Underwater
4. Black Radiance 8 Pan Palette in Downtown Browns
5. NYX HD Eyeshadow Primer
6. Pure Ice Nail Polish in Twinkle
7. Almay Brow Defining Pencil in Brunette
8. China Glaze Nail Polish in Pelican Gray
9. Jordana Nail Polish in Bunny

If you would like to see some pictures of these items, check out my Pinterest account here.

FOTD: Lazy

2012-02-07T19:08:00.001-05:00

This was the makeup I wore this weekend on a lazy day. I started out with great intentions of doing something fun and different with my makeup this weekend and then I just got sleepy halfway through. It turned out with a pretty nice natural look. Here's what I'm wearing.

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are Project 10 Pan/5 Bottle Items

FACE:

- CoverGirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder Makeup in Ivory*

- e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer (prime undereye)*

- Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach*

- Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Light

- Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation in Translucent Light*

- Maybelline FIT me Bronzer in Sunlight*

- N.Y.C. Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (contour)*

- e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher in Shy*

- Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil in Brown*

EYES:

- Too Faced Shadow Insurance

- Sally Girl Single Shadow in Champagne (lashline to browbone)

- NYX Single Shadow in Golden Dune (crease and lower lashline)

- Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Almost Famous*

- Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeliner Trio in Nude Eyes (Pewter shade on the top lashline)

- Almay Get Up & Grow Waterproof Mascara in Black

LIPS:

- Carmex Lip Balm

Manicure Monday: Bavarian Flag

2012-02-06T18:54:00.004-05:00

My husband has been trying to persuade me to do this manicure since June so I finally broke down and tried it. You see, in June we went on a tour of Austira, Switzerland, and Germany, including Munich, which is located in Bavaria. Brian purchased a Bavarian flag while there and loved the design. He thought it would make a perfect manicure look and I agreed. The only reason I've been delaying this look is my worry over the use of full nail stamps.

The Bavarian flag that I copied is compiled of white over blue with a lozenge design. After applying a layer of Sally Hansen Insta-Grip, I painted on two coats of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blue Me Away. As with all polishes in this line, application was a dream and I only needed two coats. After this was fully dried, I used Konad Special Polish in White to stamp on the lozenge design from Bundle Monster plate BM16. I followed with a coat of Seche Vite.

While the overall idea of this manicure was adorable, my suspicion was correct. The Bundle Monster plate was too small for my thumb nails (by a lot!) and hard to center on some of the other larger nails. In the middle photo, you can see the line on the outer edge of my nail. My photographing hand (my left) looks a lot better than my right hand, since I am right handed but I would still consider this manicure a success, mostly because Brian loves it and it reminds me of such good times with him in Germany this summer. Wish I was there now!

Project 10 Pan Update

2012-02-05T16:44:00.001-05:00

I was going to film an update on my Project 10 Pan today, but then I realized just how close I am to finishing so I thought I would save the video until I do finish and just update on my blog instead.

Let's start with the Project 10 Pan items I've already finished. From left to right.

1. Covergirl Aqua Smooth Foundation in Ivory

2. Softlips Lip Balm in Vanilla

3. Wet N Wild Clinical Mascara

4. e.l.f. Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Perfect Pink

5. N.Y.C. Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Mink

6. Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Washable in Classic Black

7. Cover Girl Lash Blast Waterproof in Very Black

8. Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Chocolate

Total Items Used: 8

Items Remaining: 2

And now for the Project 5 Bottle Item's I've already finished. Left to right.

1. Victoria's Secret Eau de Toilette in Amber Romance

2. Redken Align 12

3. Garnier Fructis Flexible Hold Hair Spray

4. Johnson's Baby Lotion

5. Warm Sugar Cookie Body Butter

Total Items Used: 5

Items Remaining: 0

So I've finished the 5 Bottle portion of this project. I estimate that I am only a few days from finishing the 10 Pan portion as well. While I continue to work towards my goal, I have some items to share with you. I only included items that you could really see the progress that I'm making.

Some Project 10 Pan Items I'm still working on:

1. Covergirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder Makeup in Ivory

2. Pixi Brightening Peach Correction Concentrate

3. Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof in Glam Black (This will probably be finished by Monday or Tuesday. When it's gone, I'll replace it with a Wet N Wild Clinical Mascara that I already have but haven't opened yet.)

4. Essence Eyebrow Designer in Brown

5. Sally Girl Eyeshadow Single in Champagne

I'm also working on a powder, blush, and bronzer but there was so little left in the pans that I depotted them into a travel size pill container. (See here for the post on the pill container.) On the top of each container, I used permanent marker to write what was inside.

More 10 Pan Items:

1. e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher in Shy

2. Physician's Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation in Translucent Light

3. Maybelline Fit Me Bronzer in Sunlight

(I'm also almost finished with my N.Y.C. Liquid Lip Shine in Sungold Pink, but I forgot it at work on Friday so it isn't pictured.)

Now I can get use of every last bit of product. You can see I only have about another day or two left on that bronzer. I really think I'll be finished with my project by the end of the week!

Finally, here are some items I'm working on for my 5 Bottle portion.

1. e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set

2. Body Essence Cucumber Melon Hand Lotion

3. Bodycology Body Cream in Coconut Lime

And there you have it! Lots of things I've finished but lots that I'm still working on too. I think after I finish this project, I'm going to continue to stay on a no buy but I'll try to just use what I already have in my collection. Which means some episodes of Shopping My Stash may be coming in the near future. I've already got some items I've been missing that I want to use!

January Empties

2012-02-05T10:16:00.002-05:00

If you're wondering what products I used up during the month of January, then check out this video! Haircare, skincare, makeup and more!

Small Haul

2012-02-04T13:29:00.003-05:00

Over the last couple of weeks, I've picked up an item here or there and I thought I would share them with you and tell you a little about each product.

From left to right, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist, Equate Gentle Skin Cleanser and in the front we have Almay Get Up & Grow Waterproof Mascara in Black.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion: Since I've started the acne.org Regimen, my skin has been excessively dry, peeling, and overall disgusting. My skin has never been so dry in my life. Dan Kern of acne.org recommends this product as a good moisturizer for acne prone skin. I've been using it for about a week now and I can tell you for sure that this product works. I immediately noticed a huge difference in the appearance of the dry spots on my face and the itching went away as well. Within two days almost all of the dry patches were completely gone. I'm not sure if this product will break me out because a few days after using it, I did develop several pimples but I haven't used it long enough to tell if it was from the lotion or not but I also know that pimples usually develop two to three weeks before they noticeably appear on the surface of the skin. In other words, it was probably a coincidence but I may review this product in the future so more research is needed. I like that you get a lot for your money and it is gentle enough to use on the face or all over the body.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner: This is a tried and true product that I have repurchased many times over the last ten or more years. I'm almost out of my current bottle and needed a replacement. Smells like coconuts!

Equate Gentle Skin Cleanser: This is another product recommended by acne.org. Well acutally, the Cetaphil equivalent is recommended but this was a lot cheaper from Walmart. This can be used to wash your face or even your body. It feels very gentle on the skin but has a texture similar to runny snot (yuck) so it may not be for everyone. So far, I really like it and feel that it gets my skin clean without irritating it like some more harsh face washes do.

Almay Get Up & Grow Waterproof Mascara: When I started my Project 10 Pan/5 Bottle, I had two waterproof mascaras and two washable mascaras. I did not think I would use them all up before I finished the project but I'm pretty sure the two I have left (Cover Girl Lash Blast Waterproof and Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Washable) are both pretty much completely empty. I think they'll only last me a few more days, at best. So I purchased this mascara to replace the waterproof. I have a back up washable mascara that I haven't opened yet but no other waterproof. Almay is a cruelty-free company and I think I'll like the brush on this mascara so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Do you have any new items that you're loving? Or hating? I'd love it if you would share them in the comments!

FOTD: January Favorites Video

2012-02-03T17:28:00.000-05:00

This is a list of all of the makeup that I'm wearing in my January Favorites video. If you haven't checked out my favorites yet, I've linked the video below.

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are Project 10 Pan/5 Bottle Items

FACE:

- Hard Candy Sheer Envy Face Primer

- CoverGirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder Makeup in Ivory*

- e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer (prime undereye)*

- Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach*

- Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Light

- Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation in Translucent Light*

- Maybelline FIT me Bronzer in Sunlight*

- N.Y.C. Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (contour)*

- e.l.f. Natural Radiance Blusher in Shy*

- Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer*

- Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil in Brown*

- e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set (set makeup)*

EYES:

- Too Faced Shadow Insurance

- Hard Candy Kal-Eye-Descope Baked Eyeshadow Duo in Peace (light shade from lashline to brow, dark shade in crease and on lower lashline)

- Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Almost Famous*

- Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate (top lashline)*

- Cover Girl Lashblast Waterproof Mascara in Very Black*

LIPS:

- Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Dreamy

- N.Y.C. Liquid Lip Shine in Sungold Pink*

NAILS:

- L.A. Colors in Topaz

Finally a Nail Polish Hit!

2012-02-02T10:15:00.004-05:00

If you have kept up with my nail polish posts lately, you probably know that the past several manicures and pedicures I've done have not really made me very happy. Well this look was a hit and not a miss!

I was trying to decide what I wanted to do to fix my awful pedicure. I really wanted to use my China Glaze Crackle in Crushed Candy, since I fell in love with it and then bought it six months ago and never used it once. I had always really wanted to use it but could never picture in my head something that would look good under it. Then I remembered about having seen the picture on the display. I really liked the way the crackles looked under black. I didn't want to use a straight black creme so I went for something more fun.

I started with two coats of Sinful Colors in Secret Admirer, which is a black with lots of silver shimmer, making it look almost like a deep gray. It's really pretty but not something I would wear alone. It made a perfect base for Crushed Candy and I love the way this looks! Kind of like concrete with peeling graffiti.

Close up, you can see the shimmer in Secret Admirer. I think the pair look really great together!

Insecure Me: That One Thing, Part 2

2012-02-01T20:43:00.000-05:00

So What Do You Do?

What do you do when your biggest insecurity has been highlighted? I cannot cover my smile with makeup or camouflage it with clothes. I cannot make it go away with exercise or better eating habits. I am stuck just watching the calendar and waiting until the day when my teeth will descend and my braces will finally be removed.

Missing my two canines

The hardest time in this journey of my life came about six months ago. The orthodontist looked at my X-rays and I knew by her mannerisms that something was wrong. It turned out that the canine tooth on my right side had not moved at all after three months of treatment. It was a hard blow. Now, not only was I stuck in these stupid braces, with two missing teeth, but one of them was not even moving. That put my treatment behind schedule and put me into a bit of a depression. It is pretty difficult right now to look in the mirror and see this beautiful person and then smile and see all of that disappear. All I can see when I smile is the two gaping holes where my teeth are gone and these bulky goofy braces. I was in a hard place for awhile but I refused to give up and I kept hoping and believing that the tooth would move. There were days that I looked in the mirror or at pictures of me smiling (see above) and hated what I saw and there were days where it nearly made me cry, but I refused to give in to the negative emotions and I refused to shed a tear over something that in all honesty, is so trivial. Am I a worse person because of braces? No. Have I hurt anyone else by not having two teeth? No. But I certainly have learned a lot about myself and I have found my own inner strength and that matters so much more than teeth.

After realizing that the tooth was not moving, the orthodontist changed the way my braces were anchored and used stronger (but more painful) wires to attach the chain and the braces. At my next X-ray appointment, we saw that the tooth was slowly but surely moving at last. It gave me hope to keep believing.

If you look really closely, you can see the tip of the left canine.

At my appointment in December, the orthodontist assistant did the next round of bite wing X-rays and found that the left canine was right at the surface. Just a few days later, it made its first appearance in the world and you can currently see the tip of it with the naked eye! The right one is still far from the surface, but at last it is moving and I received a jolt of faith to keep going with the process just when I needed it most. While I still do not like the look of my smile right now, I know it is getting better and when I go to my appointment on Thursday (tomorrow!), I will be excited to show them my progress and find out what the next adjustment will bring.

Insecure Me: That One Thing, Part 1

2012-01-31T18:12:00.000-05:00

That One Thing

Everyone has things that they are insecure about. Some insecurities might upset us more than others but everyone also has that one thing that really bothers them about the way they look. It might be their weight, their nose, the size of their bust, thighs, arm flab, et cetera. The list goes on for pages. For the past twelve years, the one thing that has really made me the most insecure is my smile. That really hurts, because I am a very happy and smiley person.

My smile before braces

It started when I was sixteen and I went to the dentist. I had not been there in a few years (Thanks, Mom and Dad) and the dentist was shocked when he saw two baby teeth still in my X-rays. He referred me to the orthodontist, who informed me that my adult canine teeth were impacted and I would have to have the baby teeth surgically removed and would need at least two years of braces followed by two years of retainers to correct the problem. Sadly, my family did not have the money to pay for the braces I needed and I certainly did not want to be walking around for most of high school in braces or retainers. So I did not get the braces and I spent the next twelve years avoiding the dentist, terrified that they would try to convince me to be an adult with two missing front teeth and braces. Yet I also spent the next twelve years feeling ashamed and absolutely hating my smile.

Have you ever had an experience where someone pointed out something about you that was flawed that you had never even noticed before? I had no idea that I did not have a great smile until that day at the orthodontist but ever since that day, it has been my biggest insecurity. I always notice when someone else has a lovely smile and straight, white teeth and I am so jealous of those people. Why couldn’t I be one of them? And then I thought, ‘Maybe I could…’.

Last year, I finally decided that I could not hide from the dentist or the orthodontist anymore and I got up the courage to get the braces that I need. I was tired of hating my smile and was finally ready to take the plunge to fix it. After all, two years is pretty short when you are an adult, right?

My smile with two missing teeth

A month later, I had the surgery to remove the baby canine teeth and bond the impacted adult teeth. I am currently missing my two front canine teeth and I have never felt worse about the way I look in my entire life. When you take something about yourself that you are already insecure about and make it even more obvious, it can be rather soul crushing.

Manicure Monday: Topaz

2012-01-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

What have I done to anger the Polish Gods so?? My last pedicure was a huge failure and when I painted my nails here, it looked horrible too so this manicure should not be a surprise. It seems nothing I paint works out lately.

This was two coats of L.A. Colors Nail Lacquer Hardener in Topaz. I picked this up at Dollar General for $1.00. This picture was taken just a few hours after painting my nails, and as you can see, the polish was already wearing at the tips rather badly. Also, the application was streaky and uneven. The color looked much prettier and more opaque in the bottle but was actually much more sheer and much more orange in person than in the bottle. Disappointment all over. Needless to say, this manicure didn't even stay on for twenty-four hours.

I am officially done trying this line of polishes from L.A. Colors. I like a lot of other products from this company, but two fails out of two polishes is enough for me. I'll stick to my Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes, which I love, and only cost $2.50. Xtreme Wear is much better quality in my opinion.

A Giant Pedicure Fail

2012-01-29T16:06:00.001-05:00

I have been feeling pretty uninspired lately with my fingernail and toenail polishing. Short winter days have made me lazy and it seems that lately all I want to do is snuggle under the blankets on the couch in my sweats. Six weeks had gone by without repainting my toes, they were looking pretty rough, and I was feeling pretty blah about painting them. I quickly picked out a pretty color of polish and a glitter topcoat and tried to get that polishing over with. I should have known better. What I created turned out to be a giant pedicure fail.

I quickly trimmed all the nails down to a manageable length (since I hadn't trimmed or filed in six weeks either, ew) but didn't bother to even file them so I ended up with a lovely pointed big toe nail. Creepy. Then after a base coat, I slapped on two coats of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Going Green. I've never tried one of the Xtreme Wear polishes and not loved it, and this one was no exception. Great formula, great dry time, and a beautiful color. This is a really pretty kelly green creme with just the most subtle hint of shimmer, which you can see in the bottle shot below. It is honestly a pretty color but on my pasty white feet it came off looking like alien nails. Not attractive. I think I'll stick to using this color on my fingers.

Then I used Jordana's Pink Hearts glitter polish. This is basically a clear base with some fine multicolored glitter and large pink glitter hearts. Let's just say I'll be putting this polish in my treasure box for some sweet eleven year old girl to take home. Kids would love it but for me, it's crap. The fine glitter barely showed up and the hearts were just about impossible to get out of the bottle. I literally had to use the brush to scoop one out and plop it and a pile of clear polish onto my nails. I put three hearts on each of my big toes. Disaster. I should just stick to stamping on hearts or heart stickers because they would be so much easier and look so much better.

I pretty much hate the way this turned out on me and I will definitely be changing it again soon, especially considering that in my haste of polishing I missed half of my pinky toe. *Sigh.* At least it isn't sandal season.

New video! 2011 Favorites: Lips and More

2012-01-29T14:04:00.003-05:00

This is the final video in my 2011 Favorites. It includes favorite lip products, tools, skin care, and hair care items. Enjoy!