Fabulously Thrifty

Pacifica Haul

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 14:47:00 +0000

The more cruelty free vloggers and bloggers I follow, the more and more I hear about Pacifica. I've seen some of their yummy scents around my local Harmon and Mrs. Greens, but have never really seen their skin care or make up products around.

A week or so ago, they held a sale with 20% off some of their most popular products and I decided to do a bit of online retail therapy. Here is what I got!

*Enlightened Gloss in Opal*

I have heard so much about this gloss from several cruelty free vloggers. It always comes off as a super shimmery, baby pink gloss that is perfect to top other colors with. Also, the packaging is to die for.

*Island Vanilla Perfume Roll On*

I love vanilla scents and was looking for a cruelty free replacement to my Bath and Body Works vanilla scent. This is a winner! It smells so good without smelling sickeningly sweet. It's also nice to have the rollerball to just throw in my purse.

*Dreanlight Under Eye Brightener*

I've been looking for a salmon-y toned under eye brightener and this one received great reviews. It's a bit pinker in real life, but I can't wait to play around with it and see how it works.

*Dreamy Youth Day & Night Face Cream*

I wasn't particularly attached to my last daytime facial moisturizer, so I wanted to try a new one. Again the reviews for this were quite positive, so when I run out of my current moisturizer I will be giving this one a try.

*Purity Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes*

I have been having trouble hunting down my Yes to Cucumbers face wipes in my area, so I decided to give these a try. I am hoping I don't love these though as they are a bit pricey, but anything coconut I'm usually a sucker for!

*Under Eye Brightener*

*Opal Gloss*

Have you ever ordered from Pacifica before?

I would love to try more products, and want to know what to try next!

September Beauty Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:36:00 +0000

I can not believe that the summer is over. Even though I've already finished up setting up my classroom and my students arrive tomorrow, I am still in complete denial that my summer vacation is over.

However, September does mean that fall is soon upon us. Fall is my absolute favorite season. Between the cooler weather, the beautiful foliage and FOOTBALL, it is by far my favorite season.

Ok, I went off topic! Here are the beauty products I was reaching for during the sweaty and sticky month of August.

*Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss in Luxe*

This lipgloss is the perfect nude lip! It's more of a brownie nude and it works on almost every skin tone. It's not goopy and it has a cute little mirror on the side of it- what could be better?

*Younique Splurge Cream Shadow in Noble*

Every month Younique releases a new cream shadow shade, and every month that shade becomes my favorite. Noble was August's shade and it is a gorgeous, deep, shimmery purple. This is perfect for a night out and especially great to help bring out the green in your eyes.

*Hard Candy Glamoflauge Foundation*

I've had great success with the Glamoflauge concealer's and even better success with the foundation. This stuff is full coverage, but feels like nothing on my face! I still get pooling around my glasses line when it's really hot out, but for the rest of my face it stays put. If you are looking for a drugstore foundation, I would give this baby a try.

*My clip-in hair extensions*

A few weeks ago my best friend and I went down to the Bronx to a beauty supply store where they do custom clip in extensions. I of course had to buy like 10 pounds of hair since my hair is so thick but I am so obsessed! I can see how people can wear these all of the time, because they are amazing! I felt like a new person with them on!

Swatches:

Luxe lipgloss, Noble Cream Shadow, Glamoflauge Foundation

***

Interested in the Luxe lipgloss or Noble shadow? Click here!

Vitacost Haul!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:09:00 +0000

I live down the street from Mrs. Green's, which is basically like a Whole Foods. I can go in there and walk out with a small plastic bag full of a few things that cost me like $50! That's not usually the case when it comes to my Vitacost Hauls.

Vitacost is an online retailer specializing in natural and organic products. I tend to buy a lot of my more natural based beauty products from them and since moving out I like to purchase my cruelty free cleaning products from there as well!

Here is my recent Vitacost haul!

First, let's take a look at the packaging! It's awesome. Everything is individually wrapped in packing paper and plastic bags to cut down on leakage!

Cleaning Supplies

*Ecover Natural Rinse Aid for Dishwashers*

My dishwasher has not been making its keep lately and it's relatively new! I am hoping that a rinse aid will help fix that problem.

*Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Free and Clear*

I have been trying out a few cruelty free detergents and Seventh Generation home products tend to get awesome reviews! These tend to be more expensive than drugstore detergents, but better for you.

*Ecover Natural Stain Remover x2*

For some cheaper products on Vitacost you are required to purchase multiples. That was the case with this product. I am trying to transition all of my cleansers to cruelty free products so I am hoping this stain remover will work!

Beauty Products

*Alba Bonatica Natural Even Advanced Sea Plus Renewal Night Cream*

This product is a repurchase. I love this as a night cream as it is nourishing and hydrating yet simple enough for my super sensitive skin. If you are looking for a great and affordable night cream, try this baby!

*Desert Essence Hair Defrizzer and Heat Protector in Coconut*

This product is supposedly the creme de la creme of cruelty free heat protectants. I am running out of my non-cruelty free heat protectant so I am hoping this one works. If it doesn't, it smells amazing so I will find some use for it!

Vitamins

*Natrol Omega-3 Fish Oil*

As school gets closer, my anxiety begins to increase and my migraines begin to get more frequently. This supplement is recommended to prevent migraines so I decided to add it to my daily vitamin routine.

*Vitacost Vitamin B2*

This is another vitamin recommended for migraine prevention.

Baking

*Organic Traditions Coconut Palm Sugar*

*Bob's Red Mill Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour*

After discovering With Peanut Butter On Top, I want to bake everything and these are 2 main ingredients in a lot of the baking recipes and they were a lot cheaper here than at Mrs. Greens or Whole Foods.

Have you purchased from Vitacost before? If so, what are your must haves?

If not, get $10 off your first order by clicking here!

Product Rave: Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes +

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 00:35:00 +0000

As some of you may know, my "side hustle" is selling Younique makeup. During the middle of June there were rumors of a big Younique announcement. My sponsor and I assumed it would be some sort of pay increase. We were a bit disappointed when we found out it was just an improvement to our already awesome fiber mascara.

I ordered the mascara as soon as it went on sale, but still didn't understand what the big deal was. Then I received the mascara and I began to understand the hype.

If you aren't familiar with Younique's previous 3D Mascara you can see my review here. Basically, it is a sandwich process of applying a base layer of mascara, fibers to enhance, lengthen and thicken lashes and a final layer of mascara to seal it in.

The fibers cling to the base and top layer and it really did give the impression of falsies. As someone who is horrible at falsies, this was a great invention for me! It's actually what led me to becoming a distributor.

The process is still the same with the new mascara, but the results are a bit more dramatic. I compare this newer version to about 3 coats of the older version.

Let's look at some pictures!

My left eye is bare sad lashes and my right eye is one coat of the new 3D+!

This pictures shows both eyes done. You can see that my lashes seem to have doubled! They not only seem to have doubled in amount, but in thickness and length!

Pros:

❤ easy to apply

❤ easy to remove

❤ gives the impression of falsies without the hassle

❤ cruelty free

❤ naturally based

❤ one of the ingredients is Younique's Uplift Eye Serum so the mascara helps nourish lashes

Cons:

❤ the base layer is a bit goopier than the previous version- take your time applying the base layer and wipe off the wand on the side of the tube

Price:

❤ $29

Where to purchase?:

❤ https://www.youniqueproducts.com/FabulouslyLashy/products/landing

Would I repurchase?

❤ Hells yes!

The Do's and Don'ts of Online Dating According to Melissa

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:15:00 +0000

This summer I have found myself single yet again. Since I am not a bar going out type person I rely heavily on online dating websites and apps to boost my dating life. My preferred method would obviously be a meet cute of some sort or a matchmaking from a friend, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

I am currently using a few different websites/apps. The websites I use are Match.com and Pof.com and the apps I use are Hinge and Tinder. While my 2 serious post-college relationships are both compliments of online dating websites, I am still not their biggest proponents. However, I find myself using them a lot and I've been on quite a few dates where I feel like I can share my personal tips and tricks.

* Only post pictures of yourself*

If you have a picture that you are obsessed with and your 3 best friends are in it, crop them out. I can't tell you how many times I see a profile with the first few pictures being a group picture only to find out the profile does not belong to the guy you found attractive in the picture.

* Post your best pictures, but realistic ones*

I am obviously not going to post pictures of me looking a hot mess, but by only posting pictures of me at a wedding or gala I am showing my best self, but not my every day self. I always include pictures of me wearing my glasses as I wear them on most days and with neutral make up.

* Don't write a life story*

Write a brief description of your likes, dislikes and that's it. No one wants to read a novel. You need something to discuss on the first date anyway.

* Don't give out your phone number too soon*

I can't tell you how many messages, initial, introductory, first messages with a guys phone number in it. I do not know anything about you I am not going to text you right off the bat. Message back and forth a few times before giving out your digits.

* Once you do exchange numbers, don't wait too long to make the first date*

You don't want to waste your time sending out tons of flirty texts if you the flintiness isn't felt in real life. I can't tell you how many times I've felt chemistry with someone through text only to find they had no personality in real life.

* Always, ALWAYS tell someone where you're going and give them the guys name and number*

I can't stress this enough. Even if you have talked for a while and feel like you know someone, you are still meeting a stranger. Give this information to a friend or relative.

* Try to keep a first date short and simple*

I've made the mistake of having a grand first date and while there were a few times it did work out, more often than not it dragged. If you stick to coffee, drinks or lunch it gives both parties an out if there isn't chemistry, but also the ability to prolong the date if it's going well.

* Pay attention to your gut instinct*

I do truly believe women have an extra sense. If your gut is telling you something is off, don't worry about coming off rude, just get yourself out of there or block the person.

* Most importantly - have fun!*

Whether it's an amazing first date, or a disaster that you and your friends can laugh about. Just enjoy it!

One of my favorite messages that I actually saved:

ELF Haul

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 14:47:00 +0000

It has been quite a while since I've placed a big order with ELF. Mainly because I always go to order the contour brush and contour palette and they are out of stock! When earlier this week I received an email about 40% off and those items were in stock..it was time to shop!

The code worked on the whole site with the exception of new arrivals (which included the contour items), but I didn't care. I still got some awesome deals!

Total before coupon code: $46

Overall total including shipping and tax: $38.84

Not terrible for 14 items

Brushes

*Contour Brush- $6

*2 Blending Eye Brushes- $1.20 total

*Studio Powder Brush- $1.80

I couldn't wait to get the contour brush and try it out! I have heard great things. I purchased the blending brushes because I have heard people use them to contour the nose. If you haven't tried the Powder Brush for applying liquid foundation yet, I don't know what you are waiting for!

Face

*Contour Palette- $6.00

*Hydrating Under eye Primer- $1.80

*HD Lifting Concealer- $1.80

*Studio Pressed Powder- $1.80

I can't wait to play with this contour palette! I have also heard really good things about the HD lifting concealer for under the eye area.

*Studio Cream Eyeliner in Black- $1.80

Instant Lift Brow Pencil in Taupe- $2.00

I am determined to master cream liner and heard this is a great one! I have also heard Emily Noel rave about this eyebrow pencil so I had to pick it up.

*Illuminating Eye Cream- $10

*Shimmering Facial Whip in Spotlight- $.60

*Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal- $.60

Ok, I'll be honest. I didn't realize that the 40% did not come off of the eye cream. Regardless, $10 is not too bad to spend on an eye cream. I just need something light to moisturize with in the morning. And the shimmering facial whip in spotlight? Hello, STROBING!

Lips

*Studio Lip Balm in Nude

I basically purchased this because I needed a balm with SPF for Disney.

Pressed Powder in Sand (nearly impossible to see)

Cream liner

Contour Palette Swatches- the grey undertones of the deepest contour shade is perfection!

*HD Lifting Concealer

*Lip Balm

*Brow Pencil

Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal

Shimmering Facial Whip in Spotlight

Overall, I am really happy with my haul and can't wait to play with all of these new products!

Have you made any Elf purchases recently?

July Random Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 14:37:00 +0000

I don't know how, but my random favorites usually excite me more than my beauty favorites. Perhaps it's because I am such a random person?

My breakfast nook center piece

I painted my kitchen Tiffany blue and I have slowly made my kitchen the girliest room in my house. I found this beautiful bowl at Home Goods and thought it would be the perfect display space for my small collection of Tiffany boxes. This has become one of my favorite little decor elements in my apartment.

Polka Dot Corkboards

I bought these two polka dot cork boards at Michaels for only $3 each. They add a cute little retro pop to my desk area and give me an area to display mementos and reminders.

Rebecca Minkoff Mac Crossbody Bag

I have been lusting after a Rebecca Minkoff bag for a while. When I saw this bag on sale at Nordstrom Rack for $169, I had to snatch it up! I consider this my "surviving first year of teaching present" to myself. This is a bit smaller than what I am used to, but for summer it's so easy to throw on and head out.

The Standout Sports Bra by Victoria's Secret

I hate buying sports bras. Whatever sports bra I purchase I still have to wear a regular bra underneath to keep the girls from flying around. That was, until I purchased this bra. I got 2 of these babies on super sale for less than $20 and my girls DO NOT BUDGE. Whether I am running, or at Zumba, kickboxing, anything..they do not move. When I first put this on it is a bit uncomfortable, but that quickly fades as it adjusts to my body. If you are larger chested and have a problem finding legit sports bras, get to VS now and check this out!

July Beauty Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 13:40:00 +0000

Why July?? Whyyyyyy?? Why did you go so fast? My summer vacation is now half over and I am already beginning to get back to school anxiety. Ok, rant over.

July did bring me some new hot weather products that had me reaching for them almost daily. Here they are:

*Hard Candy Fast and Fabulous Makeup Setting Spray*

This stuff is amazing!! Apply this under and over your makeup and your makeup will not budge, no matter how high the humidity is. My only problem with this product is the spray bottle itself. I may try to transfer it into a bottle with a finer mist.

*Younique 3d+ Fiber Lash Mascara*

I had already been obsessed with my Younique mascara and they go and improve it and make me more obsessed with it. This mascara gives me the equivalent of about 3 coats of the old formula without the spidery lashes. This is a bit goopier than the old formula though so take your time with it to get optimal results!

*Younique Splurge Cream Shadow in Dreamy*

Every month Younique releases a new shade of their cream shadow and every month the new shade becomes my new favorite. This to me is one of the more opaque shades and the silver is amazing! I love it during the summer, but I can't wait to use it in shimmery looks around wintertime.

*Dollar Tree Spin Pin*

I was at a Dollar Tree a few weeks ago with my mom and we saw this bun making kit which came with hair ties, bobby pins and spin pins. I haven't seen my spin pins in years so I decided to pick this up. While these don't feel as hefty as the Goody spin pins, they still work! If they can work for my super thick hair, they can definitely work for most hair types. I just have to use a few extra bobby pins to keep my layers in check.

Dreamy

What beauty products were you reaching for this past month??

Summer Beauty Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:21:00 +0000

While technically summer is half over, I feel as if it's just beginning. I (stupidly) decided to teach a summer enrichment program and while the pay was great, as were the kids, I really feel like I didn't even start my summer vacation yet. However, don't feel too bad. I've already had a few road trips and a couple visits to the pool.

Here are the summer beauty essentials I have been reaching for lately in between lesson plans and workshops:

Why so many foundations????

*GloNaturals BB Cream in Light*

GloNaturals is the Vitacost house brand and I have to say, this is a decent BB cream. I mix this with a facial sunscreen and this becomes my go to product for the beach or pool. I'm not yet confident enough in my skin to go fresh faced at the beach.

*Younique BB Flawless in Bisque*

Another BB Cream? Yes! This has been my day to day BB cream while at work. This really evens out my skin and lets any tan I may have shine through. This is perfect for not super sweaty days or my air conditioned summer school.

*Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous Makeup Setting Spray*

This stuff is awesome! I spray this on my face before applying my makeup and after. It really helps to keep everything stay put. I don't love the spray bottle itself as it sucks at giving an even spray, but this stuff really helps makeup stay put and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.

*It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation SPF 50*

This is the first powder foundation I feel comfortable wearing on it's own. This is perfect for those super hot, humid days or for any time I know I'm going to be out on the town and don't want my foundation pooling around my nose. It's not full coverage like it claims, but it definitely is medium coverage.

*Tarte Park Avenue Princess Waterproof Bronzer*

I tend to get very sweaty in the summer and this waterproof bronzer really does stay put. It's warm enough to look like a legit tan, but not muddy.

*Younique Splurge Cream Shadow in Charming*

I love this mermaidy color. It looks so beautiful on tanned skin and really does give a shimmering, mermaid like effect to eyes. This, some liner and mascara and bam, I'm ready to go.

*Younique Lucrative Lipgloss in Lovesick*

I love a bright, cherry popsicle type lip color for summer. This gloss fits that bill perfectly. It doesn't get too goopy, which I can't stand, especially in the summer, and it reflects the sun so nicely with it's sparkles.

*Lovesick Gloss*

*Charming Shadow*

Those are my summer beauty essentials. I am still on the hunt for a cruelty free, preferably more natural, facial sunscreen so if anyone has any recommendations please comment below!!

To purchase the Lovesick Gloss, Charming Cream Shadow, or any other Younique products, click here!!!

Cruelty Free Drugstore Starter Kit

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 23:47:00 +0000

When I first decided to go cruelty free with my cosmetics and personal care items, I had to determine whether I was going to just throw away all of my non-cruelty free items and start from scratch or just use up the non-cruelty free items I had and refuse to purchase them anymore. Due to financial reasons, I decided upon the second option.

However, while beginning my cruelty free research I realized I could create a pretty great basic cruelty free starter kit from the drugstore for a very reasonable price!

Here we goooooo…..

Face

Primer

*ELF Studio Blemish Control Primer*

I really love this Elf primer. It has a bit of a silicone feel and glides on the skin very nicely. It definitely helps to fill in my pores and provide a smooth surface. I don't really notice it helping with staying power, but not a lot of primers do help with that for me.

Foundation

*Wet and Wild Coverall Foundation*

This foundation is absolutely amaze balls. It's very thick, so I would work with it quickly and in small sections, but it provides a beautiful coverage and finish. To get a near full coverage finish from the drugstore is beyond amazing to me.

Under eye Concealer

*Physician's Formula Nude Wear Touch of Glow Concealer*

Now this is not a full coverage under eye concealer and it's not what I reach for for special events or going out type of looks, but for day to day wear this stuff is perfect! It conceals while highlighting and blends nicely.

Concealer

*Hard Candy Glamoflauge Light Duo*

This concealer has a yellow concealer (I use it under my eyes prior to applying the product above) and a regular concealer. I love the convenience of this product and the precise application with the pencil like method. It blends beautifully and provides amazing coverage without feeling as thick as cakey as the original.

Cheeks

*Bronzer/Blush*

Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer

This is the only product you need to pack for bronzer and cheek color. If you are very pale (as I am in the winter) this bronzer may be too dark for you, but for summer time this duo is perfection.

Eyes

*Eyebrows*

Elf Studio Eyebrow Kit

I don't know how I went so long without using this kit again. This makes sure my eyebrows are always on fleeeeeek. It may take a bit longer than an eye pencil, but I think it gives a more defined look and really helps my sparse brows look fuller than they are.

*Eye Primer*

Wet and Wild Fergie Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer*

I really think you won't feel the need to purchase anymore expensive eye shadow primers after purchasing this one. It performs just as well as my Urban Decay Primer potion and is literally a fraction of the price.

*Eyeliner*

Milani Easy Eye Retractable Pencil Liner

I really like Milani's liners. Although they don't always stay put on me (very little does) it actually looks beautiful a bit smudged and goes on so creamy. If you are looking for a super precise lined look though, I am not sure if this is your best bet.

*Eyeshadow*

Wet and Wild Trios

I LOVE Wet and Wild's eyeshadow trios. I also like the quality of the shadows in their 8 pan shadows, but I don't find myself reaching for them as frequently as I do my trios. This particular one, Sweet as Candy, is a great neutral favorite and creates such a soft and feminine look.

Unfortunately, I can't do a drugstore lip category as I'm just a gloss girl and I have yet to find a cruelty free, drugstore gloss I have gone bananas over.

Any recommendations?

As you can see, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to be cruelty free and look like your most gorgeous self!

Summer 2015 Bucket List

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 00:53:00 +0000

Every season I find it so fun to create a bucket list. Summer bucket lists are always especially entertaining since there's so much more time to do things. Here are the activities I'm hoping to cross off of my summer 2015 bucket list!

1. Make s'mores

I don't care if these are by fireside, one of those little s'more makers or in the damn microwave. I will make these delicious goodies this summer!

2. Go to a summer concert

This is one I can already cross off my list as I attended Taylor Swift's 1989 Tour on Friday night. It was a blast! She put on some show and I haven't stopped singing her songs since.

3. Have drinks waterside

New York is full of water front bars and bistros and I need to attend one ASAP.

4. Beach day with friends

I'm not a big beach girl and I love sleeping in on the weekends so I usually skip out on beach days. This summer I am setting an alarm and forcing myself to go out and spend a day at the beach.

5. Make popsicles

I've seen so many awesome recipes for homemade popsicles and even some adult versions. I can't wait to hit up a dollar store to find the molds and get creating.

6. Have a picnic

I tend to dislike eating outside a lot as I can't stand bugs. However, summer time is the perfect time to have a picnic so why not wrap up a sandwich, pack a blanket and make a go of it.

7. Complete a DIY project

I have SO many DIY project videos saved on Youtube or pinned on Pinterest. My apartment is still a bit bare so it's time I get to creating.

8. Have an impromptu photo shoot

I loved the episode of Gossip Girl where Blair and Serena took dresses from Blair's mom and had a fun impromptu photo shoot in Central Park. I need to grab my friends and do the same thing.

9. Take a boat ride

To me nothing says summer more than a boat ride. Whether it be a cruise around the city, a row boat in Central Park or a paddle boat on the lake, I need to get on a boat this summer.

10. Take a stroll around Central Park

I love Central Park. It's just so quintessential New York City. Central Park has so many beautiful areas to explore and I'm ready to do some more exploring this summer.

11. Bake on a rainy day

While I live for outdoor walks and pool days with my best friend there's something so romantic about a summer rainy day. I have so many recipes pinned that it's time I use some of my new kitchen gadgets to bake something delicious on a rainy day.

12. Go heat free with my hair for a week

I've grown so accustomed to flat ironing my hair every day that even when I know I am going to have it up all day. I've been dealing with more frizz than I am used to having so I plan on getting a keratin treatment done next week so I can begin to rock my natural wave regularly.

13. Wear bright eye liner

Summer is the time to wear bright, bold colors so why not take that trend and apply it to eyeliner? I think I want to go with teal or lavender.

14. Keep a summer scrapbook

I'm already going to use one of my old SmashBooks to keep a summer scrapbook, but I would love to have all of my summer 2015 memories in one place to look back at over the colder months.

What's on your summer 2015 bucket list? I'm always looking to add more things!

My Favorite Essential Oils and Their Uses

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 19:08:00 +0000

A few months back I purchased a premium starter kit from Young Living Essential Oils. My friend Jeanne, who is uber healthy and natural and organic, kept talking about oils in passing and I finally picked her brain about it. She uses essential oils in almost every area of her life, personal care, health and wellness, in her home, everything. She became a Young Living distributor so I decided to order a big kit from her, since I really didn't know where to start with oils.

The kit I purchased came with a nice variety of oils ( 11 in total) of the highest quality in a variety of scents. It came with some information on these oils, but I found this blog post most helpful in using the oils that came with my kit. I was blown away with how many uses there were for each of the oils in this kit. I was also surprised at how little of each oil was needed to be effective. This was awesome information for me as these oils were not cheap!!

Now I have had the kit for a few months, but I haven't played around with them as much as I would like. I purchased a few rollerballs to create some blends for ailments such as cramps, headaches, anxiety,etc.

However, I have played around with some of the oils and especially my diffusers and here are my favorites so far!

My full Young Living Essential Oils Collection (stored in my spice cabinet)

*Lavender*

My favorite uses are:

…diffusing it while going to bed…deepest sleep ever!

..rubbing it on my feet prior to wearing flats- really helps cut down on flat funk

*Combination of lemon, lavender and peppermint*

This trio is called the allergy bomb and it's amazing! I diffuse 3 drops of each of these and it really helps to eliminate the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

*Peppermint*

My favorite uses are…

..inhaling this when I have a headache or migraine

…rubbing it on my stomach when I am suffering from indigestion or a stomachache

*Purification*

My favorite uses are…

..diffusing this in my kitchen whenever it gets a bit stinky

..applying to a mosquito bite to cut down on the itching

*Thieves*

My favorite use is…

..this thieves antibacterial spray..this thing cleans/deodorizes anything

*Stress Away*

My favorite use is…

…inhaling from the bottle

..diffusing for stress relief purposes

I feel as if I'm still using these oils in the most basic ways, and I plan on utilizing these more in my daily life and also playing around with the rest of the oils in the kit.

If you are interested in purchasing any Young Living Essential oils please contact me at

Fabulouslythrifty@gmail.com.

June Random Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 16:03:00 +0000

For the month of June I was actually a bit more excited about my random favorites, than my beauty favorites. They have proved to be some great discoveries for me!

Prosecco

Prosecco has become my favorite adult beverage of the summer. This sparkling white wine is amazing with a few fresh strawberries thrown in the glass and the carbonation helps to keep it from going down too quickly. I haven't found a particular brand I'm more fond of than others, but I love this LaMarca one simply because it tastes good and matches my kitchen!

Young Living Oil Diffuser

A few months back I ordered a starter kit from Young Living Essential Oils. My friend at work swore by essential oils and used them for basically everything. I'm really trying to use more natural products instead of relying on chemicals or traditional medications so I ordered this some what expensive starter kit and have been using this diffuser almost daily whether it's for allergy purposes, migraine purposes or getting the funky smell out of my kitchen. Stay tuned for a blog post all about my oils collection!

Saturday Farmers Market

I am lucky enough to be within walking distance of a farmers market every Saturday. My Saturday ritual consists of waking up, walking down to the farmers market for my produce for the week, picking up an applesauce muffin and Starbucks for breakfast and just enjoying my weekend. I've been picking up mainly cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, white potatoes, and zucchini for my zucchini pasta.

The Chalene Show Podcast

Tammy told me about The Chalene Show podcast a few months ago and I didn't think anything of it. One day I got so sick of hearing the same damn music on the radio every time I drove to work that I decided to listen to a podcast. I instantly became hooked. Chalene's shows are so interesting and vary in topic from things like organization, social media, personal branding, fitness, weight loss, etc. Her topics and guests are always very interesting and I have learned quite a few things from her.

Netflix and Gossip Girl

When I bought my place I also bought a massive tv for my living room. I have never used a Smart Tv before and I became quickly addicted to it when I realized I could watch Netflix and Youtube so easily. My dad shared his Netflix log in with me and I quickly added Gossip Girl to my queue. I remember watching the first season of Gossip Girl and being obsessed and I don't know why I stopped. I've been watching an episode almost daily for the whole month of June.

Oh and PS..HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

June Beauty Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:00:00 +0000

I know people say this every month, but I honestly can not believe that the month of June is over. June was a very up and down month for me. I found out I was getting moved from the school that I felt so comfortable and happy in, only later to find out the principal I grew to adore was getting moved to another school. I'm still slowly getting my apartment together and it's honestly taking a bit longer than I thought.

On top of that my skin has been going bananas. I went to the dermatologist a few weeks ago and was told I had seb dermatitis. It's gross, but it's basically dandruff of the face. I have been applying a prescription cream and it seems to be at bay, but I have to be very careful with products now which is really no fun!

Other than that I actually made a great discovery. My super sweaty summer skin loves powder foundations! When my classroom was reaching temperatures upwards of 107 degrees, I no longer experienced foundation pooling around my eyeglasses line. I am very, very happy with this!

*Captain Blankenship Mermaid Mane Sea Salt Spray*

I think I received this in my Vegan Cuts Beauty Box and it's really amazing. It doesn't give my hair any sort of oily or greasy feeling and really helps to bring out any natural texture I have. I've used it on damp and dry hair and it doesn't feel like it builds up. However, I always experience a lot of frizz when I use any beach spray so I am trying to find a good product to combat that.

*It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation in Light*

I got this in a QVC It Cosmetics kit and I am so glad I did! I never really thought of myself as a powder foundation girl, but this stuff is awesome. It's described as full coverage, but I find it to be medium coverage which is what I want anyway. It doesn't settle into my pores and doesn't run off of my sweaty face. It's really a summer stand out for me.

*Younique Mineral Touch Cream Foundation in Organza*

Since I've been experiencing so many skin problems as of late, I wasn't comfortable with just the coverage of the powder foundation. I used this around my dermatitis breakouts prior to applying my foundation and it works amazingly. I also use this to cover up any bruises on my legs (I bruise like a peach) and while it doesn't cover them up completely it definitely makes them WAY less noticeable.

*Younique Moodstruck Minerals Pigment in Sassy*

I am not a fan of the color pink at all. However, a Younique presenter posted a picture of her wearing just a pink pigment and I thought it looked so beautiful. I've been pairing this with the product below and it gives the prettiest, most feminine look. Pair this with some black liner and 3D Lashes and it's a perfect girly look.

*Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Pink Evermore*

I rarely wear a single shadow color without a cream base and this pink color provides the perfect base for the Sassy pigment. If you aren't a fan of sparkle though, this product and this combination is not for you.

*Ofra Professional Makeup Brush #20*

I have been using this to apply the Mineral Touch Cream Foundation around my breakouts and it works beautifully. I don't typically like a paddle type foundation/concealer brush, but for applying a product that is just going to be covered up by foundation anyway, this works beautifully.

Pink Evermore with Sassy Pigment

What products were you reaching for this past month?

To purchase the Mineral Touch Cream Foundation, Sassy Pigment, or any other amazing Younique product, click here!!

Love With Food Box Review

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:59:00 +0000

A month or so ago I saw an Amazon Local deal for the food subscription service, Love With Food. The deal was $7 plus shipping for a $15 value box. However, since I have purchased that deal the price has gone done to $8 a month including shipping. What I really like about this particular subscription is that they donate food to a child in need for every box purchased and that is kind of amazing.

The box itself is so cute and sturdy. I bought the Tasting Box, which is the smallest size box. Let's see what I got!

*Crazy Hot Pop Chips*

Ok, I love Popchips, but I dislike spicy. These went right to a friend of mine.

*Stonefire Naan Crisps*

Ok, these are SO good. I'm a huge fan of naan and this tastes like it in cracker form. This with an individual sized serving of hummus is a perfect portion controlled snack.

*Sheila G Chocolate Chip Brownie Brittle*

OH MY GAHHH…this stuff is so delicious!!! It reminds me a bit of the 100 calorie sized serving of Oreos, those little chocolate crackers, only a 1000 times better. This bag is 120 calories and this treat was so rich that I don't think I would sit there and go through a whole package of these individual bags in one sitting. I will DEFINITELY be ordering this.

*Everything Bar by Sheffa*

This is a snack bar that's basically the flavor of an everything bagel. I can't stand sesame seeds so this also went to a friend.

*Choo Choo Cherry Flavored Dried Cranberries*

Ok a cherry flavored cranberry seems a bit odd to me. I'm not a big fan of cranberries or cherries, but I left this in my cupboard to possibly try it one time.

*Emily's Northwest Trail Mix*

I love me a good trail mix, and love them even more when they are portioned control because these can get calorie laden. This was a very good one, but not good enough for me to try to hunt it down to repurchase.

*Kutoa Peanut Butter and Jelly Bar*

This was another pass for me as I am not a fan of cherries, although the macros on this product was pretty good.

*Classic Iced Tea Candies*

These I have to admit were pretty good. They taste like a sweet tea and it's just a nice, small way to satisfy a sweet tooth.

When I read back over the products I've received, it seems like a lot. Perhaps this may be a great box for someone is a bit less picky with their food than I am, but I just feel like a subscription box like this won't work for me as I won't get my money's worth.

What healthy food subscription boxes have you tried?

Summer Fashion Wish List

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 00:15:00 +0000

A few days back I posted my summer beauty wish list. Well, a beat face only does so much if your outfit isn't on point. Here's some of the clothes and accessories that I want to make mine for summer 2015.

I am just SO in love with this ombre maxi skirt. I have seen it all over Pinterest and Instagram. I hunted it down and it is available on Sammydress.com. I have never ordered from this site and I'm not sure I completely believe it, but I loooove this skirt. Has anyone ever ordered from here?

I love the look of a pair of slouchy, pajama like shorts with cute heels and a tank. It's super comfy and super chic at the same time. Much more unexpected than a summer dress. I like this ones from Express and as they frequently run sales I am sure I will be purchasing a pair or two soon.

My friend Ally came to work with this Express shirt on a few weeks ago and the second I saw it, I knew I needed it. I love a top that can be great for work, but done up a bit (or unzipped a bit in this case) can be a great going out shirt. This top definitely fits the bill!

I personally feel like rompers are the best "going out" outfit for the summer. It's one piece so no need to coordinate a top and bottom and since it's shorts as opposed to a dress or skirt there's no worrying about twerking too hard. This romper from Shop Tobi is just so gorgeous. Shop Tobi is another website I have never ordered from before, but their pieces just look gorgeous.

This bathing suit is SO not practical, and will be SO unflattering on my back, but I can't help but be obsessed with it. I also like the scalloped cut of the bathing suit bottom. It's something fun and out of my comfort zone.

Every bathing suit needs a coverup, and I really like this knotted tank from VS. I have a couple of knotted tees from Express and they are surprisingly flattering. I think this white one looks crisp and is sheer enough to have the bathing suit show through which I really like.

In terms of shoes I want every sparkly, flat, super bad for my feet, pair of sandals out there. I'm sick of rotating between the same few and since these get wrecked so easily anyway, I plan on going to Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe and stocking up.

What fashion items are on your summer wish list this year?

Please post links below!

Summer Beauty Wishlist

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 19:43:00 +0000

The weather has been a little bi-polar lately in New York. Two weeks ago it was in the high 80's and last week it barely made it out of the 50s. However, as we look into the long range forecast it appears that summer is here to stay.

With the temperatures climbing it reminds me that summer is actually near and it's time for my seasonal wish list. I love doing wish lists at the beginning of every season and even though I usually end up getting pretty much nothing on the list, it's nice to dream.

Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold-Self Tanning Oil

I saw this pop up on Sephora's website and was instantly intrigued by it. I've loved every Josie Maran product I have tried. I love the idea of a tanning oil and the reviews on Sephora for this product are very good. When I run out of my St. Tropez tanner, this will be on top of my list for sure.

Becca Beach Ting Shimmer Souffle

To tell you the truth, don't even know what these exactly are, but they look SO gorgeous that I just have to give them a try. In all seriousness, this looks like the perfect product to slap on my cheeks and eyes for a beach or pool day. As much as I want to be someone who can go bare faced to the beach, it just doesn't happen.

Joppa Minerals Full Coverage Foundation

I have heard so much about Joppa Minerals foundation and I have been looking to try a legit mineral foundation for a while. I am having problems with any liquid/cream foundation rubbing off my nose and sort of pooling up, so I may try to switch to powder foundation during the humid months.

Indian Coconut Nectar Take Me There Set

I have been DYING to try more Pacifica products and have been on the hunt for a cruelty free fragrance. This Indian Coconut Nectar set which contains a body butter, roll on scent and moisture lip tint sounds like a perfect way to find my new summer scent.

ELF Contouring Brush

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have an obsession with cheekbones. You think my obsession with cheekbones would lead me to practice contouring more, but it doesn't. I really want to get this brush in hopes that it'll at least get me experimenting with contouring and hopefully learning it.

I'm keeping my summer beauty wish list short and sweet in hopes that I can actually ascertain all of these products!

What items are on your summer beauty wish list?

Top 5 Under $5- Quality Makeup Products on the Cheap!

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:32:00 +0000

I've been looking at my makeup collection lately and the products that I find myself reaching for often. What I realized is that so many of these products are super affordable! It's been SUCH a long time since I've posted my top 5 products under $5 that I decided it's time for a new one.
Quality makeup doesn't have to be pricey!

From L to R:

*Wet and Wild Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer- $4.99*

This primer is from the Fergie Collection and I was actually really surprised at how well this works. It only slightly punches up the opacity of the color, but it really helps shadows stay put and remain crease free. If you are looking for a budget eye primer, I would definitely pick this up next time you are at Walgreens.

*Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer in St. Lucia- $3.00*

This duo has long been compared to the Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm and Laguna. Now I have never tried the regular Orgasm blush or the Laguna bronzer so I can't speak to that comparison. However, I can tell you these products are HIGHLY pigmented and blend beautifully. I can only use this on my summer skin as I am too pale in the winter. This is the perfect duo to travel with as it is so lightweight and easy.

*Wet and Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Sweet as Candy- $2.99*

The price of this trio breaks down to $1 a shadow and that is mind blowing. The pigmentation of this trio is amazing and it really is a great everyday trio. The pink color adds a bit of a surprise to a neutral daily look. This is also great to travel with as it has everything you need for a simple daytime eye look.

*ELF Eyebrow Kit in Medium- $3.00*

Thanks to Tammy for sending me this as I forgot how amazing it truly is! I haven't used an eyebrow pencil since I've gotten this and it provides such a beautiful and natural brow look. The tinted wax/cream really helps keep everything in place and even with the super high humidity in New York lately, my brows haven't budged. If you are interested in something a bit more than a brow pencil I would really try this out.

*Bonne Bell Liplites in Strawberry Parfait- $3.50*

I was reading about this product and specific color on makeup blogs for years. Supposedly this is a dupe for the Nars lip gloss in Turkish Delight, which is the perfect milky pink. I found this at my local Harmon's about a year ago and it really is a beautiful pink color. I have seen swatches of the Turkish Delight and do not think this is a dupe for that, but I find that to be a good thing. This is a bit more wearable for a daily look and less milky. I didn't think I would be a 30 year old woman raving about a Bonne Bell product, but if you ever see this at your local Harmon's or Walmart (supposedly the only places they can be found in store) I would highly recommend picking this up.

Elf St. Lucia Blush/Bronzer

Wet and Wild Sweet as Candy Trio

ELF Eyebrow Kit in Medium

These products, along with a multitude of others, prove that quality makeup doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.

My favorite cheap/high quality makeup brands are:

*ELF

*Wet and Wild

*Jordana

*Bonne Bell

Do you have any low cost/high quality products in your collection that you recommend?

Spring 2015 Fab Fit Fun Box

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:13:00 +0000

So I have been seeing great coupon codes for the Fab Fit Fun (FFF) Box for quite some time. I almost ordered one on Black Friday when I believe it was only going to cost $20. However, when I was debating which subscription box I wanted to try next I came across a deal for the FFF Box that I couldn't refuse. I found a coupon code for a full size of the Juice Beauty Sensitive Skin Peel. I have been really wanting to try this product for some time, and considering this product alone costs $39 (the cost of the box is $39.95) I knew I had to snatch up the spring box.

For anyone who doesn't know, the Fab Fit Fun Box is a beauty/fitness/lifestyle box and comes out 4 times a year, seasonally. It was started by Giulana Rancic and from the reviews I've seen, it's one of the highest value boxes out there.

The box came wrapped up so nicely and I have to admit, I was quite excited to see this box in front of my door. However, anyone who knows me well knows the pink was too much for me!

When I opened the box I was so excited! Look at how full it is.

From L to R:

*Cosmos Creation Salted Caramel Puffed Corn- $1.49

This is considered a healthy junk food snack, but unfortunately I am NOT a caramel fan so this went to my mom.

*Sprout It Miracle Grow Gro-Able Seed Pod in Watermelon- $1.49

How cute is this little guy? This is great for anyone with land, as all you have to do is take off the lid and pop this whole guy in the ground. This will be going to a friend of mine who enjoys gardening.

*Jules Smith Scarf- $42

This scarf is LOVE! The colors are so beautiful and it's so lightweight that it's perfect for spring days. I love summer weight scarves so this will play heavily into my accessory rotation.

*Rifle Paper Co. Cities Coasters Set- $16

This may be one of my favorite items in the box. The coasters are so gorgeous and sine there's 8 of them I split them up between my breakfast nook and my dining table.

From L to R:

*Merrithew 2 DVD Set Intense Body Blast and $25 gift card- $61

I LOVE a good fitness DVD and the description of this one sounds excellent. The workout sounds like it's a combination of HIIT training and pilates moves. As soon as I remember to grab my mat from my mom's house I will definitely be trying this!

*Yasi Metallic Flash Tattoos- $36

I don't know if these are considered last season or not, but I am SO excited to get these. I couldn't justify spending so much on these, and all of the cheap imitation ones were really tacky. I will be trying these out this weekend.

*Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive- $39

This product is described as an exfoliator to help reduce breakouts and fine lines, while hydrating. I was so excited to try it. I've used it twice already and while my face experiences some redness afterwards, it quickly goes away and my skin is SO insanely soft.

From L to R:

*Palmetto Derma Collagen Booster and Restoration Serum- $48

This serum is supposed to keep skin safe from the daily elements, while increasing collagen growth, slowing down the aging process, filling fine lines and minimizing wrinkles. I have been looking to incorporate a serum into my skin care routine and I'm hoping this one will be it.

*Orly Nail BB Creme- $15

Do they have BB creams for everything now? This BB cream for nails is said to give the look of a natural manicure while smooth, moisturizing and brightening natural nails. I can't wait to try this out as I have always had a problem with my nails.

*Orly Polish in Cake Pop- $8.50

This pretty pink looks like the perfect ballerina/milky pink. This will also be going on my nails during my next at home manicure.

*OFRA Cosmetics Eyeshadow Brush Duo- $49.50

These brushes mean business. One is a shadow/shader brush while the other is really more of a small foundation brush/ larger concealer brush. I can't wait to see how they perform as they are beautifully made.

Overall, the total of this box was $317.98!!!!! For a subscription box that costs $39.99 that's an amazing value. What's better is there are no filler items in this box and with the exception of the snack and seed pod, I will be using or trying every single product in this box.

If you are looking for a good subscription box to try out or to give as a gift, this one is AMAZING!

Have you ever tried the Fab Fit Fun Box?

This box may have turned me on to the pricier subscription services.

May Random Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 00:55:00 +0000

My May random favorites are just a few items around the house. Every item though makes me smile or makes my life WAY easier.

HP Envy 4500

Wireless printing..where have you been all of my life? I can be in bed and think of something I want to print out for school the next day and do it without releasing the dent in my pillow. This printer also hooks up to the HP Instant Ink feature which is basically a subscription service for ink cartridges and WAY cheaper than the actual ink cartridges. For a teacher who prints out EVERYTHING, this has been such a money saver.

Disney Pot Holder

Cinderella saying "I Don't Do Dishes" hanging in my Tiffany themed kitchen. Can I be anymore of a girl?

Gold Canyon Pink Sugar Cookie Candle

I went to a friend's candle party a few months ago and I have to admit was turned off a bit by the price of the candles as I'm used to Marshall's candles prices or getting great coupons from Yankee Candle. However, I love to supper my fellow direct sellers so I purchased this candle as some of the proceeds go towards Breast Cancer charities. I am SO glad I did as the candle smells amazing! It is by far the best "sweet" themed candle I have ever had. I may actually have to repurchase this.

Fresh Direct

For someone who lives on the 4th floor and doesn't have an elevator Fresh Direct is like a gift from God. The quality of the food that I get from Fresh Direct is amazing and the delivery is great and always neat and well organized. It is a bit pricer than some of the other grocery delivery services but I really prefer their higher quality meat and produce. If you have kids, or a super busy schedule or live up high without an elevator like me than I highly recommend Fresh Direct!

May Beauty Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Sat, 30 May 2015 19:27:00 +0000

Oh my word! Am I actually getting a post up on time? Yay me! May turned out to be quite a bumpier month than I had expected. I broke up with my boyfriend of a few months, found out I would be switching schools and STILL can not get my damn apartment the way I want it. However, as I sit here typing this I am waiting to go get my hair done and then go to one of my best friends' birthday parties. I'm feeling good about the luck that June will bring me!

Here are the beauty products that I really found myself reaching for in the month of May!

*Hard Candy Glamoflauge Light Blendable Concealer Duo*

So I actually made a mistake purchasing this product. I saw the light side and thought great, I'll buy this one to use as an under eye concealer and brighten stuff up. I didn't realize it was more of a yellow based corrector. However, I use the yellow side under my under eye concealer and it does actually help brighten things up. The other side I use to spot conceal prior to putting on my BB cream. I am really liking this dual purpose product.

*ELF Eyebrow Kit in Medium*

This is a product that I owned a few years ago and really liked. I don't know why I stopped using this. When Tammy sent me this I started using it again and I'm obsessed! It requires a bit more time than a typical brow pencil, but I'm really liking the precise results and it really lasts through the heat.

*Tarte Park Avenue Princess Matt Waterproof Bronzer*

The last 2 weeks have been mighty hot in the NY area which means my classroom has temperatures in the 90s! This waterproof bronzer is legit and stays put! It only works on me if I've been doing a bit of self tanning, but it's a really natural bronze color and looks especially great blended into the hairline.

*Younique BB Flawless Complexion Enhancer in Bisque*

This became my daily foundation this month (on the not super humid days) and I love it! It applies beautifully and is the perfect match for me when I have a bit of color on my face. It's pretty full coverage for a BB cream so I do find it a bit much for the super humid days, but if you apply with a damp sponge sparingly it could fit the bill for those 90+ days.

Swatches

*Top to bottom*

"Yellow" end of Glamoflauge Light

Concealer End of Glamoflauge Light

2 eye brow swatches (nearly impossible to see!)

Tarte Bronzer

BB Cream

So I guess my favorites were pretty dull this month, but these are all high performing products that provide a great canvas for fun eye or lip looks. Maybe June's favorites will include a bit more color.

***

Purchase your BB Flawless Complexion Enhancer or any other fabulous Younique product here!

Current Empties

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:45:00 +0000

For a while I feel like I was doing empties posts almost monthly. Now I'm lucky if I get a blog post or 2 out a month. Due to my recent hectic schedule I haven't been go through products as quickly as I once did, because I haven't been using them up. These products have probably been gathering dust since March.

*Physician's Formula CC + Cream*

Once upon a time this was my favorite daily foundation. Then my skin just began not liking it and it would sort of grease up on my nose (badly) even during my super dry spells. I may try a different BB/CC cream from Physician's Formula though because I did hear a lot of good things.

*Wet and Wild Coverall Foundation*

This has replaced the above mentioned product as my favorite daily foundation. It's definitely a bit more full coverage than a CC or BB cream, but I apply it lightly and it creates the perfect canvas. If you are looking for a great drugstore foundation I would give this a try!

*Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream*

This product I got in a Glossybox quite a few years ago. I still have a lot of product in it, but I figured it's time to toss it. I used to use this as a primer, as it was too grey toned to use as a foundation. It worked quite nicely as a primer, but there are so many other BB Creams and primers out there I want to try that I won't be repurchasing.

*Korres Antiageing Foundation in Light Sand*

This is another product where I have a lot left, but it was time for it to go. This worked quite nicely, but it wasn't anything special. Korres goes on Hautelook a lot, so if you are interested in trying any of their products I would wait for them to go on sale there.

*Yaby Natural Finish Foundation in Buff*

I received this in an Ipsy bag quite some time ago and I don't know why I just never tried it. I haven't subscribed to Ipsy in well over a year so it's time for this baby to go.

*Elf Mineral Face Primer in Tone Correcting Green*

I really like this product, so much I have already repurchased. I can't say I notice any of the tone correcting effects, but it smooths out my pores and helps my foundation stay a bit longer. For the price it can't be beat.

*Physician's Formula Super BB Beauty Balm Concealer*

This was another product I was quite happy with. It didn't cover my moderate dark circles completely, but for everyday use it did a nice job of covering and brightening. I wanted to try some other under eye products out though so I haven't repurchased in a while.

*Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer*

This is one of those products that looks and feels so beautiful, but performed just ok. Don't get me wrong I really liked the way this product performed, but for the price I would weather go with the Elf Primer.

*NYC Brow Pencil*

This taupe-y shade was pretty good for my brows, but it wasn't an exact match. I won't be repurchasing.

*Wet and Wild Mega Volume Mascara*

This is bad, I haven't used this mascara in so long I don't even remember what I thought of it! I'm assuming I wasn't blown away by it though as I didn't repurchase.

*Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara*

This has to be my favorite drugstore mascara. It volumizes and slightly thickens and lengthens. It's a great daily and natural looking mascara and frequently goes on sale.

*Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara*

So this stuff is crack. I fell for this stuff so hard that I became a Younique representative. See my review on this here!

*Laura Mercier Lip Glacee in Opal*

I forgot which subscription box I received this in, but it was probably one of my most used products. This is such a nice warm lip tint. It was a bit sticky and definitely overpriced and not cruelty free so I won't be repurchasing.

*Jordana Lip Gloss in Carmelo*

My friend gave me this gloss quite a while ago and it was my everyday kind of color. It was a warm tint with a bit of a sparkle. I may look into repurchasing this as it was a great color to keep in my purse and top other lip colors with.

*Rimmel Stay Glossy in Infinitely Pretty*

This was actually in my Maid of Honor gift bag from my best friend's wedding 3 years ago! It is super sparkly and girly and I really loved it, but it started to smell a bit funky. I found a great natural replacement from the All Natural Face.

*Victoria's Secret Breathless Body Lotion*

I received this as a gift from one of my students last year and I really liked it. It was moisturizing without being greasy and the scent was quite nice as well. However VS is no longer cruelty free (SADS) so I won't be repurchasing.

*St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse*

This stuff is really fantastic. It applies nicely (especially with the mitt) and since it has a nice color guide it's easy to see where it applies. For my super pale self it provides a great natural looking color. However, I haven't been able to get this to work nicely on my face.

*Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens*

I got this in a Boscia kit a few Black Friday's again and while I really enjoyed them, they work just as well as the cheapo ones from Elf.

*Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Pocket Bac*

I love any vanilla scent and this one was no exception. However, I have SO many antibacterials from Fortune Cookie Soap that I will not be repurchasing any for quite a while.

So glad to finally throw away all of this garbage and start a new!

***

To purchase the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara or any other Younique product, click here!

Jamberry Nails Initial Review

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Wed, 20 May 2015 01:15:00 +0000

About a month or so ago my work family and I attended a ladies' shopping night out. It was at this event that I purchased some Jamberry Nail Wraps. I purchased the set called Champagne Toast. Out of this one set you can expect to get about 4 mani/pedis. I never purchased from Jamberry before because I was under the impression that the $15 set was only one manicure. When I learned that I could get a few applications out of one set, I decided to purchase some sets to test out.

If you don't know what Jamberry is/are, they are essentially nail wraps that can be applied directly to the nail and worn in lieu of polish. I've heard different opinions on how long these nail wraps are expected to last on our fingers. The woman who sold it to me said 7-10 days, but most reviews state anywhere from 5-7 days.

I did have a "sample" nail applied at the shopping event and it lasted 7 days while still looking nice. I unfortunately did not apply these as well as the vendor did.

I have to admit the application process is quite easy. HOWEVER, I suck at anything nail related so I had a bit more trouble filing off some of the excess nail product and cutting the wraps to the proper size/shape. I also did not have a cuticle stick to help to get these babies to stick and I used the end of a nail file instead.

As you can see the design is GORGEOUS! As you can also see, I sucked at the application. I just couldn't get the wraps on as smooth as I wanted and also think I didn't size them correctly around my cuticle. However, as my first time applying and again I suck at anything nail related I didn't do as horrible a job as I would expect.

I applied these on a Saturday afternoon and by that Wednesday afternoon I had to rip these things off. They looked as good as the day I applied them, but every time I would run my fingers through my hair, my hair would get caught in it or caught under it. I do think this was due to my poor application.

Here is how they looked on Wednesday.

The removal involved me just peeling them off. Again, I think if I applied them correctly this wouldn't have been my removal process. They did leave a little residue, almost looking like polish, behind on my nails and I was able to remove that with a cotton ball soaked in coconut oil and then some scrubbing with a nail brush.

The reason why I am calling this an initial review, is because I have another set where I want my friend to help in the application process to see if I have a better look and longer lasting effects.

Have you ever tried Jamberry? Any tips or tricks?

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box: April

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 01:12:00 +0000

So I have finally continued my little blogger plan of trying out a different cruelty free/naturalish beauty box each month. This month's box is the Vegan Cuts Beauty Box. Vegan Cuts is a brand I see frequently featured on a lot of natural/organic beauty vlogger so I decided to give it a try.

So the Vegan Cuts Beauty Box costs $19.95 per month and typically contains between 4-7 products with a variety of full size and sample size products. All products are 100% cruelty free and most products are organic and natural.

I received the April Beauty Box and I must admit, I wasn't blown away by it. I know it's not fair to judge a subscription box as a whole by only one month, but considering I am basing my review on one month and whether or not I want to subscribe to something based on one box, this one was a bummer. Also, they don't include the prices on their information sheet (which annoys me) so my prices will be based on a general web search.

Here is what I received:

*Goddess Garden Organic Sunscreen ($3.99)*

I love the idea of an organic sunscreen as I know most sunscreens are full of chemicals. I will be trying this out as soon as the weather decides to become spring like.

*Emani Organic Lip Shine in Blush ($16.00)*

I was very happy to see a full sized product. While the packaging of this lipgloss is bulky, I actually really like the color. I haven't tried it on the lips yet, but judging from the swatch it's a bit goopy, which I don't mind.

*Petal Fresh Tea Tree Oil Conditioner ($8.50 for full size)*

I love tea tree oil and I love experimenting with tea tree oil shampoos for dandruff treatment. I must admit I have never heard of tea tree oil conditioner, but I am quite excited to give this a try.

*Captain Blankenship Sea Salt Hair Spray ($22 for full size)*

I love a good sea salt spray, and anything that has Mermaid in the title must mean it works right? I tend to only use salt spray during the summer when I am washing or at least rinsing my hair more frequently as sea salt sprays tend to irritate my scalp. I haven't played around with different hair textures since my hair has been this in between length so I'm excited to try this.

*Wellinhand Action Remedies Vanilla Rosemary Bug-a-boo Bug Repellent*

Last summer I discovered that I was big fan of the Honest Company's Insect Repellent, but I love this sample size one to try and throw into a beach bag or bag for a hike. I DO NOT do well with bugs.

Swatch of Emani Blush Gloss

So I must admit, after typing this up and looking at each product, I realized that I don't think this is as much of a dud of a box as I originally thought. I plan on using or at least sampling every product. I would estimate the total value of this box at around $40 so it's almost worth the double the cost of the box.

In terms of cruelty free/natural boxes, Petit Vour is still my favorite, but this one is definitely worth a shot as well.

Which one will I be trying next??

Co-Op Chronicles: Ladybug Repellent

noreply@blogger.com (Fabulously Thrifty) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 20:30:00 +0000

So I've changed the name of my little housewarming series of posts to Co-op Chronicles, simply because I like the name better.

This post is about an incredibly boring topic: insect repellent. When I moved in to my place I realized there seemed to be quite a collection of ladybugs on my living room and bedroom windows. Ladybugs are not necessarily a pest or something for me to be scared of, but I hate bugs, any bugs so these ladybugs had to go.

I started googling natural ways to repel ladybugs and came across Camphor Oil. Camphor oil has a multitude of uses and benefits including:
-facilitating digestion and blood circulation
-relieving spasms/cramps
-curing gas trouble
-relieving congestion
-disinfectant
-germicide
-insecticide
-reduces nervous disorders
-boosts libido
-cures erectile dysfunction
……and repels ladybugs!

I saw several different ways to use Camphor Oil to get rid of ladybugs and I decided to soak a few cotton pads with about 20-25 drops of oil and stick them in the corners of my window frames. I wore gloves to do this, just in case. I'm just beginning to learn about essential oils and I'm not sure which need to be used with carrier oils or are dangerous to to the touch or whatever.

I have 4 windows where I have spotted a ladybug or 2, and to test this out I put the cotton pads in 3 of my 4 windows. I knew this weekend would be a great weekend to test this out, as it was going to be very warm, and the warmth attracts ladybugs.

Since I have put my 2 Camphor Oil pads in each window, I have not seen a single ladybug. In the window where I didn't put the pads, I saw 3 this weekend. So far, this has been a great success.

Camphor oil is pretty cheap ($3-$6) for a hefty sized jar, so if you have a ladybug problem (or according to my research other pests as well) give Camphor Oil a try.

This oil has completely peaked my interest in essential oils. I ended up ordering an introductory type kit from Young Living as my friend is always talking about all the different way she uses her oils. I can't wait to get my kit and try them all out.