The Reasonable Blog

Sonia Kashuk Eye On Neutral Palette Swatches & Review

2013-05-14T21:42:00.002-04:00

Recently, I've heard some rave reviews about the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral palette, which is sold at Target. Some beauty bloggers and YouTubers seem to have similar taste to me, and I typically like what they recommend. However, some gals seem to recommend things that never ever work for me. Seriously. I'm not exactly sure why I still follow them. Is this one of those duds? Click below to find out!

This palette includes 12 matte neutral shades in a slim packaging for $19.99. No mirror is included, and although the back information sticker states that there are instructional cards included in a hidden compartment, the newer version of this palette (which this one is) does not actually include those instructions. You can visit the Sonia Kashuk website for that information, but they make zero apologies for advertising that feature and then not including it.

The shades range from warmer to cooler tones - all neutral, all matte. They're soft and a bit on the dry side. I actually find these to be a little bit too dry (to the point of crumbly), and some are not as pigmented as I typically like. You can see around the packaging that I've been using this palette, and the colors are sort of getting everywhere, yet I have only used it a handful of times. I have not traveled with it, so I cannot attest to how well it holds up in transit.

As you can see by the swatches, some of the colors blend right into the skin, which can be good for nearly-naked looks. I had to really pack on the color for these swatches and it took me some effort to get an even distribution of color. The dry formula makes it difficult to not get patchy application of color! Some shades in this palette are actually really unflattering, looking more yellow and gross, which few ladies (if any) can actually pull off without looking like they're diseased or malnourished. I always use a shadow primer, but did not find that these shadows lasted particularly well. They weren't bad... just weren't as great as the YouTuber made them out to be (which seems to be common with that girl...).

I give this palette a thumbs down and don't recommend it.

If you are looking for a good matte palette, I recommend theBalm's Meet Matte palette or the Lorac Pro Palette. If you're looking for good neutrals, spend the extra $$ and get the icon: Urban Decay. The Naked Palette and Naked2 are top notch, and if you're into mattes, Naked Basics is 7 dollars more than this palette, and although it has fewer colors, it has better pigmentation, softer, creamier texture, and colors that flatter us all and last all day.

Sigma Brushes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2013-04-15T23:11:00.000-04:00

We've all seen the blog posts. The YouTube videos. The pictures on Instagram. Sigma brushes are everywhere. A company has gone from being a virtual unknown to a cosmetic powerhouse in a matter of months. Even I have posted praise for their brushes! And they are good... but are they worthy of the hype as of late?

One honest [virtually unknown] beauty blogger's opinion ahead...

We've all seen it. The sudden onslaught of endorsements for Sigma. Two years ago, most "beauty gurus" on YouTube were talking about Mac 217s, Eco-Tools face brushes, saving money with ELF brushes, and the excitement around Samantha Chapman's line. Nowadays, it seems like they're all using the same brand... Sigma.

I admit it - I have two jars full of Sigma brushes. And I use them. And like them. But I have been biting my tongue for too long on the marketing tactics taken by the company. Their approach is basically this: Send free goodies to beauty bloggers/vloggers, offer commission, and sit back and let word of mouth rake in the business. While this is pretty intelligent on their part, it requires some critical thinking of the consumer. It's important to take some of these endorsements with a grain of salt - there are some pretty strong incentives to promote these brushes that can lead to dishonest reviews and unhappy customers.

That said, many of them are truly good products. I myself am an affiliate (however, I am not using affiliate links here). All brushes and accessories mentioned here were purchased by me, for me, and are in my bathroom. I've used them all for several months at the very least, most over a year. These opinions are 100% honest.

The Good

Sigma's Sigmax collection is, in one word, amazing. (Review of the F80 here.) Densely-packed synthetic bristles, these four brushes are amazing for flawless foundation application. One is a flat-top kabuki, one is a rounded kabuki, one is an angled kabuki, and the last is a dome-shaped brush. I really truly recommend the three kabuki brushes. They apply foundation so smoothly and flawlessly, hold up despite repeated use and frequent washing, and stay soft and comfortable to use. Links (non-affiliate): F80 | F82 | F84

Another fantastic product (and believe me, I hate gimmicky products) was actually a surprise to me. I took a chance and tried out Sigma's Dry N Shape to help my brushes dry overnight. With the more densely packed brushes, I was finding that they weren't drying overnight all the way after a good thorough shampooing. I actually LOVE this thing. I have a review on it here.

The Bad

The F40! This is a terrible blush brush - it splays, which makes it hard to pick up product, and even harder to get precise application. I've tried everything to reshape it... it splays, it sheds, it's completely useless. I have better luck with a cheap-o brush from Target.

The F30 large powder brush has caused me more heartache than any other makeup brush or product. It bleeds and sheds every. single. use. I contacted Sigma to complain, and to their credit, they did send me a replacement right away. And guess what? The replacement brush did the exact same thing! I have a similar brush from MAC... no problems. I am now using a similar brush from Sedona Lace... no problems. The fault, indeed, lies with the Sigma brush. And of course, no beauty YouTubers speak of this problem, but I know others are experiencing it too. They've told me.

The Ugly
I've mentioned this already, but I want to emphasize this again - watch out who you listen to! Many affiliates truly love their Sigma brushes (I am one of them), but do keep in mind that beauty bloggers and vloggers are getting commissions from those links they give you. Keep in mind that many of them receive the items for free. Many of them. To the point that it's really annoying how they all get freebies. Like whole collections. Then they post their pictures and rave reviews, and you buy it. And guess what? Those girls get paid every time one of you buys something they received for free.

This doesn't mean that those reviews aren't always dishonest... many beauty bloggers are very honest. However, it does mean that you need to read with a critical eye, ask questions, and keep in mind that not all reviews are truthful and some reviews may be different if the full purchase price was actually paid. Let's face it - the same product at 10 dollars would get a lot more praise from me than at 50 dollars!

Glitter Polish Dupe? Sally Hansen's Mermaid's Tale vs. Deborah Lippmann's Across the Universe

2013-03-30T16:47:00.000-04:00

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in #560 Mermaid's Tale

Spring nail polish lines are coming out! Among the lilacs, mint greens, and pale pinks, Sally Hansen's aquatic-themed spring line is bold and fun. I picked up this little number today at my local Walgreen's. Full price is $7.99 but there are coupons out for 2 dollars off.

Mermaid's Tale is a glitter polish with a dark royal blue (almost navy-ish) base, blue microglitter, and blue and green chunky round glitter.

Click below to see swatches and more!

I have heard that this polish is suspected of being a dupe for Deborah Lippmann's Across the Universe. We all know DL polishes are expennnnnsive, so I personally don't own any. I pulled a picture from LippmannCollection.com:

Photo courtesy of LippmannCollection.com

Judging by this picture, the two are REALLY close. Mermaid's Tale does seem to have more microglitter and a little less chunky glitter, but that may just be due to the photo. The colors are too similar to justify owning both, that's for sure!

Onto the swatches!

I wasn't sure how opaque this would be, so I tried one coat and two. The first swatch above (pinky finger) is just a plain, no-color base and two coats of Mermaid's Tale. The second (ring finger) has Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Blue Me Away! (a bright aqua blue color) and one coat of Mermaid's Tale. The third swatch (middle finger) is a white base with one coat of Mermaid's Tale. The last swatch (my index finger) is a black base with one coat of Mermaid's Tale.

I think the richest results come from either a black base coat or no color base coat and two or more coats of Mermaid's Tale. The formula isn't too thick or goopy - it's easy to work with, dries well, and the glitter is sufficient, not too sparse, not too abundant.

If you've tried this polish, let me know what you think in the comments down below! I've had good luck with other polishes from the Complete Salon Manicure line, but I do find they can chip a little more easily than some other polishes. What do you all think?

I purchased Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Mermaid's Tale myself (as well as the other colors shown as bases in the swatch photo) and am not affiliated with Sally Hansen in any way. All opinions are my own.

2013 Spring Sample Challenge Post 1: John Masters Organics

2013-03-03T13:48:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm back with an interesting little self-challenge I thought I'd share with you all. We have all heard the term, "Spring Cleaning," right? Well, sometimes that means more than just our closets, pantries, and the fridge. It's a good idea to take a look at your beauty products too!

I have a box where I've been throwing all my beauty samples that come in beauty subscription services, Sephora orders, etc. Some things get used right away, but others have been tossed aside for whatever reason, and the collection has been growing for quite some time now.

This spring, I thought I'd go through and start using these products. Who knows? Maybe a future holy grail product is laying in there, just waiting to be used?! I'll take pictures and blog about the products. If you all have tried some of these, comment - let's chat!

Onto my first review!

The first samples I used in the challenge were from John Masters Organics. I can't remember where I got these (most likely from a beauty subscription service), but I've heard good things about "blood orange" scented body wash, so I thought these would be fun to try out!

The bigger packet in the picture above is the Blood Orange & Vanilla body wash. I used this after a grueling session at the gym lifting weights. I was looking forward to showering off and relaxing. The body wash is a clear, orange-tinted color, so it is not creamy. I have found that creamier washes tend to be more moisturizing. My skin is pretty dry, especially in the winter, so I look for products that, at the very least, don't aggravate that.

The body wash smells like a cocktail. I'm not a big fan of rum and rum-based drinks, and that's precisely what it reminded me of. It lathered well, didn't leave a weird film, and I don't recall a scent remaining on my skin. However, I didn't find the fragrance particularly pleasing, so I probably will not purchase this body wash. I'm glad I got a sample and actually tried it out because I hear a lot of girls raving about blood orange scented products. It's good to know that this one isn't for me.

The other product, the smaller packet above, is the John Masters Jojoba & Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser. This is also a one-time use amount. I used it in the morning in place of my regular in-shower face wash, Clean & Clear Morning Burst Cleanser.

The exfoliating beads are very nice and not harsh at all. Although the packet says this cleanser is for all skin types, the information on the back indicate that this is ideal for people with combination and oily skin. Since my skin is dry, I wasn't sure how much I would like it. The scent reminds me of food and/or other face products (that's the ginseng - I didn't really love it) and its creamy texture with gentle beads was really pleasant on my skin. I didn't experience excessive drying, or tightening or anything unpleasant. The cleanser rinsed very easily and completely off my face. The product claims to help with fine lines, so I was surprised it did not leave my face feeling tight and painful. I liked it! However, at its price point, it's a little too rich for my blood right now.

A full size bottle of body wash is $18.00 (US) and is available on johnmasters.com. The face cleanser retails for $28.00.

Bottom line: Body wash is a no-go. Face cleanser is great, but isn't really an option right now. Maybe in the future.

Review: Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick

2013-02-04T18:08:00.003-05:00

I don't know about you, but my lids need a primer for eyeshadow. For years, I avoided wearing shadow because it always creased. Every day at work, I'd go to the ladies' room mid-morning and stare in horror at my face. It looked awful. Long story short, I discovered shadow primer, and life has been peaches ever since.

There seems to be a recent surge in cream shadows and sticks on the market. I know the NYX jumbo pencils have been out a long time, but lately it seems like a lot of drugstore brands have caught on to the craze. A few months ago, I picked up two of the Revlon Smoky Shadow sticks (in Flare, light and dark purple, and Atomic, gold and green). They work okay as shadows, but I didn't love them. Then I heard about another color: Torch.

Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch

Although the Smoky Shadow Sticks make mediocre shadows, it turns out, they make excellent shadow primers. The lighter color is a lovely skintone shade, which is perfect for any number of shadow colors. I haven't used the darker shade, but I think it would be helpful in smoky eye looks, and will smudge a little easier than some liners.

You can see that I've been using this lighter shade a lot! Haha.

This shade would be nice as a darker base, or blended out for a smoky, sultry look.

I have seen online that people don't love these sticks, but I think as bases, they are fantastic! You don't need a separate primer, and I have experienced NO creasing at all. A great addition to your makeup collection at a much lower cost than most decent primers out there today.

L'Oreal Infallible Shadows Review

2013-01-28T05:05:00.000-05:00

After hearing a few very positive reviews on the L'Oreal Infallible Shadows, I finally caved and picked a couple up for my business trip. I was across the country for a week for work, and I wanted to pack some shadows for versatile eye looks without packing whole palettes. I thought these might be a nice option.

The two colors that I got are Smoldering Plum and Liquid Diamond. I was eyeing Infinite Java, but it's a warm, goldfish brown color, and I worried that it would wash me out, so I put it back.

Packaging

Smoldering Plum (left) and Liquid Diamond (right)

These single shadows are packaged very nicely! They're soft with an almost cream shadow texture (except they're not cream shadows), so they're packaged so that they don't break and spill all over the place.

They come with little protectors under the lid to keep the shadow packed in, nice and neat. It's probably best to keep these in the shadow, especially when traveling with these shadows, so that they're protected as much as possible.

These colors are beautiful! I wanted something with some "oomph" to it, but not overly bright. I can't even describe the consistency. Wet powder? If you've ever foiled your loose pigment shadows (i.e., Bare Escentuals shadows with a wet brush), this is reminiscent of that. Pigmented, soft, needs to be patted on the lid with a flat shadow brush. They are blendable.

Liquid Diamond is a very pretty cool silver that's great on the lid, especially on the inner half. It brightens without looking too blue or too "Tin Man" like. Smoldering Plum goes on very warm, almost like chocolate with a feminine purple tone. It's great in the outer corner and blended into the crease.

I wear these two colors together and they look great. The brightness of Liquid Diamond balances well with the gentle warmth of Smoldering Plum. I find that this combination is pretty flattering for blue eyes as well.

Have any of you tried these shadows? Which ones? I'm thinking about picking up some more soon, and I'd love some suggestions!

xoxo,
Kelly

Up and Coming Beauty Bloggers Update!

2013-01-26T14:37:00.002-05:00

Lola of Lola's Secret Beauty Blog reviews Le Metier de Beaute Empress Lip Kaleidoscope.

Harriet at Little Miss Student Beauty has reviewed her Crown Brush set!

Olivia of The Unknown Beauty Blog shows us how she "flosses between the pans" and depots without using heat!

Missed your chance to snag Sally Hansen's iconic blue shade Pacific Blue? Kelly over at The Reasonable Blonde has found an alternative that is nearly identical. Check it out here, and happy polishing!

Rola at Rola's Fountain of Youth shares her Current Favorite Winter Facial Moisturizers and she is now on Instagram!

Jeneille of Beauti by Jinjer spills the details of another photoshoot she worked on.

Lindsay at The Beauty Think Tank reviews the shades she thinks stands out from the rest in the Colorglide Lipstick range offerred at The Body Shop.

If you would like to be featured in a future Up & Coming Beauty Bloggers Weekly Report, please e-mail Lindsay at beautythinktank(at)gmail(dot)com.

Clarisonic Mia

2013-01-26T14:02:00.002-05:00

I don't have acne. Breakouts are rare. When my rosacea is kept under control, I don't typically have any problems. I'm a pretty lucky lady when it comes to my skin and acne. But I am starting to age. And I'm getting tired of red, uneven skin. And dry skin in the winter makes me uncomfortable.

In the last 2 years, I've started wearing a lot more makeup than I used to wear. Although I don't cake it on and I still prefer a pretty natural look, I am growing increasingly frustrated at my rough, red, uneven skin. I am a healthy lady... I want my skin to show it! So, after some debating back and forth, I decided to just bite the bullet and order the Clarisonic Mia... and I'm really glad I did!

At first, I did not use the Mia every night, but now I have put it into my regular nightly routine. The Mia comes with the gentle brush head, and that's the one I use. So this is what I do each night:

Remove makeup with a makeup cleansing cloth. I like to use the generic Target brand wipes in the purple pack - it's supposed to be gentle and soothing at night.
Remove eye makeup using a cotton round and a micellar solution such as Bioderma Crealine H2O Micelle Solution. I find placing the round over your closed eye and holding it for a few seconds helps remove eyeliner and mascara without as much pulling and tugging.
Run warm water and hold Mia, brush-side down, and get it wet, swirling the brush head in the palm of my hand. Then I use a gentle cleanser (for now, the Clarisonic face cleanser, but when that's done, I'll use my green tea cleanser from Vivant), putting a dime-sized amount in the palm of my hand, then dabbing it on the brush head. Turn the Mia on, then wash away!
The Mia rotates for a minute per power cycle. I spend the subscribed 20 seconds on my forehead, 20 seconds on my nose and chin, especially around the jawline, and 10 seconds on each cheek.
Rinse the Mia in the palm of my hand, laying on its side to dry, and rinse my face. Pat dry.
Complete my routine with a generous slathering of Lush's Celestial face cream.
Ahhhhhh!

Immediate results were that my face was softer and a little smoother. In the past month, I have gotten used to the feeling of truly clean skin and look forward to using the Mia. It felt a little rough at first, but you do get used to it. My skin is so much smoother and softer, and tone is started to even out. I have noticed that my liquid foundation is applying more smoothly and evenly, and I'm not seeing rough terrain that made my skin look old and cakey. I have had one minor blemish, but it's easily covered with concealer and smoothed out. That's something I wasn't expecting - normally blemishes sort of stick out like craters on my face, but now my skin is being cleaned and exfoliated properly, so they're much easier to cover up.

I am starting to see commercials for other products that are similar... Olay and Pro-active have both put out their own versions of this cleaner. I haven't tried them, but I imagine anything is better than nothing at all. It's so nice getting all your makeup off your face at the end of the day! And it's nice that you don't have to tug and pull on your skin to do it.

Do any of you have the Mia or something like it? What do you think?

Holiday Weekend Haul!

2013-01-21T22:03:00.001-05:00

My husband and I had to run errands today and I was out of my favorite nighttime face cream, so we did a little shopping. I thought y'all might enjoy a little haul post to share what I picked up!

J. Crew Outlet

At the J.Crew outlet, I was looking for a bubble necklace. I've seen them around and wanted to get one, but they only had two colors: royal blue and coral. I wasn't wild about either color, but I was going to get the coral one until I saw the price. $88. Yikes. Even with the 30% discount, it was still too expensive for what it is. So, I kept looking. And these are what I ended up purchasing:

I really like this necklace. It's similar to the bubble necklace, but it's smaller, and actually a little more understated, if that makes sense. I like the color and it should look cute with several different color tops.

The other item I picked up was this gold chain bracelet. I have really small wrists and this fit me pretty well. The above pic doesn't use flash, so it's a little yellowed out, but you get the idea. Some rings have texture which gives off a little more sparkle and makes it look more feminine and fun. This bracelet feels really high quality too.

C. Wonder

Sorry the picture above is a little off, but you get the idea. This was my first time visiting C. Wonder and they have some really cute stuff! I didn't try on any of their clothes, but the jewelry immediately caught my eye. Again, I have small wrists, so their bracelets appealed to me.

The first bracelet is a gold bangle with heart studs all over it. The hearts are attached at different angles, giving the bracelet a really unique look. It's really sturdy and good quality.

The second bracelet is also a gold bangle, with black fabric and gold studs. I think these two bracelets look really nice together. I added the J.Crew chain bracelet for a fun look. See my Instagram (reasnableblonde) for pictures!

The final picture didn't come out so well, but I also picked up gold knot studs with crystal embellishments. Now that my hair is super short, some dangly earrings don't work as well, so I wanted to get some prettier stud earrings.

Spritz Fragrance

I wanted to try a new perfume and I've heard good things about Escada. I tend to gravitate towards fruity or spicy scents, as opposed to floral, and my favorites are Katy Perry Purr (I know, I know), Aqualina Pink Sugar, and Vera Wang Lovestruck. I smelled a few different kinds, but my husband liked this one, Sexy Graffiti, best. I agree... it has a fruity tone to it, but it's warm and spicy too. I like how it "cooked" on my skin. Very winter to spring appropriate!

And finally...

Lush

I ran out of night cream for my face (Celestial), so that was what I was looking for, first and foremost. I picked up a jar of Celestial, plus my first Lush face mask - Cosmetic Warrior. It's supposed to soothe skin and clean off the grime from makeup and the environment. It's made with garlic, and you can smell it in there a little bit. However, it's not overpowering. I'll update you all on how it works, if you're interested.

I also picked up a Twilight bath bomb, which scents and softens bath water.

My favorite bubble bar - The Comforter! This particular chunk can broken up and can probably make 2-3 bubble baths. It smells SO nice and makes the water hot pink but does not stain my tub.

This is the Golden Slumbers bath bomb, which helps relax you for a sound night's sleep.

And, finally, the Creamy Candy Bubble Bar... a perennial favorite. This could technically makes 2 bubble baths, but I might just make one REALLY bubbly bath. I love the smell!

Okay, that's everything I picked up today. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,
Kelly

Nail Polish Dupe Alert: Sally Hansen Pacific Blue

2013-01-18T19:21:00.000-05:00

Here's a heads up for you gals who couldn't get their hands on Sally Hansen's Pacific Blue. There's another polish currently out that is an almost exact match - Essie's Butler, Please. Here are the pictures to show you.

Sally Hansen Pacific Blue and Essie Butler, Please

Pacific Blue on left, Butler, Please on right

The two colors are nearly identical. Formulation is a little different, with Pacific Blue being a little less streak-inclined. I find a lot of Essie polishes can look streaky, but the end result is what matters. If you're disappointed you couldn't get your hands on Pacific Blue, try Butler, Please.

xoxo,
Kelly

Up and Coming Beauty Bloggers Report

2013-01-12T19:09:00.003-05:00

Lola from Lola's Secret Beauty Blog reviews Chanel's Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Merveille.

Olivia of The Unknown Beauty Blog shows us how to turn bronzing into a beauty with Manna Kadar Bronze Beauty!

Check out Rola's picks for Best of 2012 Roundup
- Makeup at Rola's
Fountain of Youth!

Kelly at The Reasonable Blonde loves clothes but hates the crazy crowds at the
mall. So she joined a new fashion subscription service to keep her on trend and
in-season. Check out her first Le Tote bag here!

Jeneille of Beauti by Jinjer gives us the scoop on the Odini Southerland Photoshoot being featured in the next issue of the Vincy E-zine!

Lindsay at The Beauty Think Tank has a Holiday Hangover with the Tarte Baby It's Bold Outside giftset from Holiday 2012.

Want to ring in the New Year with a great feature on the Up & Coming Beauty Bloggers Weekly Report? E-mail Lindsay at beautythinktank(at)gmail(dot)com to get details on how your blog can be showcased with these great bloggers!

Le Tote Review and First Impressions

2013-01-07T23:18:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Lately I've been struggling with fashion options and choices. I don't know about you all, but more and more frequently, I have been walking through the mall and am just unimpressed. Certain fashion trends won't work for me. I mean, flowered print leggings? Really? And a lot of times, stores cater to teenagers and older women, but not women my age. A lot of my friends and peers are shopping in the maternity section, but that doesn't quite work for me either. So, despite my best efforts, I've been wearing some pretty boring outfits.

Over Christmas I was lamenting my fashion troubles to my sister-in-law, who works in fashion design. That's when she told me about a new service called Le Tote. It's like a beauty subscription service, except instead of getting a box of beauty samples to try, you get a tote bag with 3 garments and 2 accessories to borrow, wear as you please, then return for another tote. You don't even have to clean them - they're cleaned for you! This would allow me the opportunity to keep staple pieces in my wardrobe, then rotate more seasonable, on-trend pieces throughout. I'd have 2-3 new outfits every 10 days or so! I don't have to fight crowds at the mall, and I don't have to go through racks and racks of clothes trying to find something to fit me. I signed up immediately.

When you sign up, you give the stylists at Le Tote your measurements, and take a style profile to let them know the kinds of clothing you wear. I tend to lean more towards the preppy, classic style. You can add on an optional insurance to cover damage to the clothes for 5 dollars, which I did. Then, sit back and wait for your tote to arrive. Mine arrived within a week, despite holidays.

Everything was wrapped in tissue paper with a notecard explaining the instructions on returning. Inside the tote was 3 garments, two accessories, a pre-paid return envelope, and a handwritten note welcoming me to the service and letting me know they appreciate any comments or suggestions I may have.

So let's get to the garments!

First up is this satin-y sleeveless top. The colors are perfect for fall and winter, and the style works well for me to wear to work. The fit was very nice, albeit a little big. However, it looks very nice on, and I felt very comfortable in it.

The detailing along the neckline was also very interesting, and I liked how it was different without being over the top. It was actually quite flattering.

The next shirt was a sheer, long-sleeved shirt with a slightly draped front.

The color is sort of a taupe, "greige" shade, and it was ever so slightly sheer. I actually paired the two shirts together because it's winter here in the Northeast and it's far too cold to be wearing anything sleeveless. Because the two shirts were loose and flowy, I glammed them up a little with black skinny jeggings from American Eagle and nude flats from Nine West. Here's another picture of some of the detail of the shirt, which even had pockets.

The final garment was the best piece of all... a long-sleeved, softer than soft, green hi-lo sweater dress with brown belt and shoulder accents.

I actually snapped a picture of this dress on, showing how I styled it.

This dress reminded me of my dancer days, so I styled it with brown tights, dark brown suede wedge boots that give my legs a little something extra, and a sock-bun on the top of my head. Makeup was kept simple, and I wore my FitBit, of course. I got more compliments on this outfit than I have in as far as I can remember. It was flattering, comfortable, and very pretty. I was sad to send this one back!

Finally, we have the two accessories:

I paired the necklace with the green dress for a little pop of fun color, and the earrings with the other shirts, along with a simple long gold Jewelmint necklace I received from my Glossybox in December.

After I wore both outfits, I packed them back up in the envelope included in my tote, and shipped them back to Le Tote to be cleaned and shared with some other lucky subscriber. I'm anxiously awaiting my next tote!

I haven't subscribed long enough to give a real idea on turn around times, but I have to say that I'm very pleased so far with the quality of the items and the service. I liked my first tote very much and I'm looking forward to getting more things to try and keeping my wardrobe constantly refreshed with bits and pieces that are in-season, in-trend, and chosen just for me.

I recommend using a reference link, not because I get credit (even though I do), but because it supposedly helps you get priority off the waitlist. My link is here: http://lnc.hr/iRB2. It seems that the waitlist is currently about 2 weeks, but I imagine it will grow longer as news spreads about Le Tote!

If you try it out, let me know what you get and how it works for you!!

xoxo,
Kelly

Disclaimer: My subscription was paid for entirely by me. I did not receive a discount and was not asked to review Le Tote. I chose to do so because I think it's great and other people might like it too. No sketchiness here.

Makeup Storage: UPDATED

2012-12-28T16:29:00.002-05:00

Well, my new makeup storage wasn't so great. Again, this blogger learns that you get what you pay for. And this was what I got.

As you can see, things weren't so good...

I have been looking at the Hayworth lingerie chest at Pier 1 Imports for over a year, and although it's on sale right now, I still cannot justify that cost. Not for a bathroom organization tool. My husband even said he supported buying it, but again... just couldn't fork over the money. There was one other option that I had seen and liked - an option was much more economical. So off to Ikea we went!

Here's what I ended up with! Ikea's Alex drawer unit, which retails for $115. It's more than the previous unit, but it's sturdy, comes highly recommended, and looks great in our master bath. Another bonus is it looks like I don't have near as much makeup as I do, LOL. I also added the beautiful new mirror on top. Ikea, 10 dollars.

Drawer 1 - single eyeshadows (most MAC, plus Urban Decay, Nars, Sigma, Wet N Wild, Stila), some quads/trios, my eyelash curler & tweezers, and eyelash serum. The clear organizer tray is the Godmorgan line from Ikea. It comes with three pieces - the other two are in different drawers.

Drawer 2 - Palettes. Naked 1, Naked 2, Naked Basics, Lorac Pro, TheBalm's Meet Matte & Nude 'Tude palettes, some Wet N Wild palettes, Bobbi Brown quad, MAC quad, and my hand mirror.

Drawer 3 isn't pictured. Oops! It's eye primers, brow products, brighteners... and it's practically empty because I don't have very many.

Drawer 4 - Bronzers, blushes, concealer. (Tarte, Benefit, MAC, NYC, TheBalm, Tarina Tarantino, NYX, Rimmel, Physician's Formula, etc.)

Drawer 5 - Foundations and powders

Drawer 6 - The clear organizer (acrylic) is also the Godmorgan line from Ikea (retails for $17.99). This drawer holds eyeliners, mascaras, lip products. The part holding liners and mascaras leans up and there is extra storage underneath. I keep extra supplies (new mascara, new liner) in there.

Drawer 7 - Other palettes that don't get used as much. Cinderella palette by Sephora, Tarte Starlet (which I don't recommend), Urban Decay Smoked Palette, Urban Decay hearts NYC palette, Smashbox Mega Palette, and the brush holder that my Sigma Make Me Cool kit came in.

Drawer 8 - Face cleaning products and lip moisturizers. It looks like I have a ton, but it's really a lot of samples I'm supposed to try out. I need to start cleaning through these, but for now, they're all in this drawer.

Drawer 9 - Spare things, contact lenses, etc.

And that's the new system! Let's hope this one lasts a lot longer than a month!

DIY Lash Serum: Recipe and Review

2012-12-18T18:57:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I saw a video by Marlena on MakeupGeekTV (love her!) talking about a recipe for a lash serum that you can make yourself using three simple ingredients. There are clinical serums you can get prescriptions for, but those cost a ton of money and have been known to actually cause changes to your eye color, and there are products in the drugstore by makeup brands that make big claims but don't seem to really stack up. So when she shared a recipe for something I could make at home, I was all

ears.

The Recipe

1 part aloe
1 part castor oil
2 parts vitamin E oil

Mix these three ingredients together and apply using a spoolie (or mascara brush... did you know it had a name? Yup, learn something new every day.) before going to bed at night. The result is supposed to be longer, fuller lashes.

I mixed my serum in a little travel pot I picked up at Target in the travel-sized aisle of the Beauty/Health department, and used a spoolie from an old mascara (cleaned, of course). The result is a liquid-gel hybrid serum that applies clear and not thick or goopy. There is no fragrance and my eyes do not get irritated.

My Experience
I've used this serum somewhat regularly. I did have a little bit of a cold that I was fending off and I did not use it then because I just didn't feel like putting anything extra on my eyes when my sinuses had plenty going on already. It hasn't stained my pillowcases or bothered my eyes in any way.

Each night after removing all my makeup, I dip the spoolie into the serum and mix it all up. Then I brush the spoolie on the edge of the jar (like you would with nail polish before applying to your nail), then apply directly to lashes like I would mascara. I do make a point to get all the way to the base of the lashes. Because it's clear, I don't mind getting it on my eyelids. I've even gotten a smidge in my eye before, but because I wear contacts during the day, every day, my eyes are pretty used to it and weren't bothered at all.

My Results
I wish my lashes photographed (they're very blonde) so I could better document the results. My lashes do look longer, but not super dramatic or anything. I don't notice that lashes themselves are thicker, but overall they are fuller and softer, to a noticeable degree.

Overall Opinion
I don't view this as much of a "lash growth" serum, but more like a lash conditioner. My lashes are fuller because they're not as dry. They're not falling out or breaking as much. I have dry skin and my hair gets dry pretty easily, so it's no surprise that my lashes get dry too, especially given the fact that I wear mascara almost every single day and I use makeup remover every night. This brings some moisture and softness back to my lashes, which allows them to grow longer and fuller, feel better (not near as itchy as normal), and hold mascara better.

I love the results of this serum and am planning to continue to use it. I'm hoping over time that I see a more noticeable difference in length. If any of you try it, let me know how it works for you!

Upcoming Posts

2012-12-14T21:01:00.002-05:00

Things have been pretty crazy here, but I've definitely been thinking of you all! I'm planning some exciting posts soon... including:

Draw the Line eyeliner set from Sephora
Clarisonic Mia
DIY lash serum
Naked Basics palette

So check back soon. Fun things are on the way!

Mascaras That Make You Go "Meh." - L'Oreal Power Volume Collagen

2012-12-02T22:46:00.000-05:00

Have you ever opened up a brand new makeup product, tried it out for the first time, and then just thought "meh"? No real reaction either way... you don't love it. It doesn't lengthen your lashes to epic proportions. It doesn't even thicken them. It just puts black color on them. And you don't hate it. I mean, it doesn't rip your lashes out, cause blindness, or have a terrible smell. It's just... mascara.

Well, that's what L'Oreal's Power Volume Collagen is for me. I bought it, used it a couple of times, and just set it aside with a mental "no thanks."

The wand is pretty standard for a volumizing product. In my search for the perfect mascara, I have found that those that lengthen (actually lengthen, not just claim to do so) are oftentimes more sparse with smaller shorter bristles. Volumizing mascaras usually have more bristles that are thicker, almost like they're more lush. This may just be how my lashes work with mascara, but I'm guessing this helps in getting product on lashes.

I hadn't heard anything about this product when I picked it up at my local Target for 8-9 dollars, but because one of my favorite drugstore mascaras is L'Oreal's Voluminous (in the gold tube, but NOT the shiny one), I thought I'd give this one a shot. Ugh, there was a reason I hadn't heard anything about this mascara!

When I Google searched this product, I found beauty bloggers who claim to really like it, but I have to admit their pictures make me wonder why. I'm afraid their lashes don't look thicker and fuller... they just look like they're covered in multiple coats of mascara. It sort of gives the impression that you put on this morning's makeup without taking off last night's, know what I mean?

I haven't said much about my personal experience with this mascara (how wet is the formula, does it flake off, etc.) because frankly, I can't say much about the wearability. The formula went on so thick and goopy on my lashes that it didn't stay on long. In fact, one instance, I immediately got out the makeup remover and took it off. Another time, I left it on but shook my head every time I caught myself in the mirror and saw the atrocity that was my eyelashes.

So, those are my thoughts. You won't be hearing much about this mascara because it just isn't great. If you're in the market for drugstore mascara and the L'Oreal section catches your eye, pick up Voluminous, and stay away from Power Volume Collagen. It's just a waste of money in this blogger's opinion.

Beauty Bloggers Roundup!

2012-12-01T13:23:00.001-05:00

Lola of Lola's Secret Beauty Blog brings us an exclusive look at Susan Thompson Cosmetics Limited Edition Holiday Sets!

Jeneille of the Vincy Beauti Blog shows us how to get awesome Red Lips, her fave!

Rachel from Rachel's Makeup and Skincare finds a fairy godmother who bestows Guerlain Meteorites on her.

Olivia of The Unknown Beauty Blog shows us how to bring some shimmer into our holidays using Manna Kadar's Sheer Glow.

Emily at Southern Gorgeous waxes poetic about OPI's You Only Live Twice Nail Polish.

Kelly over at The Reasonable Blonde shares her thoughts on the new Revlon nail polish Midnight Sparkle. And check out her bathroom makeup storage for gals on a budget!

Harriet at Little Miss Student Beauty shows you how to make your own natural skincare products!

Lindsay at The Beauty Think Tank shares her current beauty product lemmings, complete with ridiculous exposition!

If you would like to be featured in a future Up & Coming Beauty Bloggers Weekly Report, please e-mail Lindsay at beautythinktank(at)gmail(dot)com.

NOTD: Revlon Midnight Sparkle

2012-11-26T20:41:00.001-05:00

Last week, I decided to paint my nails a fun sparkly color for the holidays, so I picked up Revlon's new color Midnight Sparkle for something a little different.

The polish is very opaque, and can be worn with only one coat. The base is a deep dark blue with chunky glitter and microglitter in a couple different shades of blue. This polish is beautiful in the bottle, but unfortunately doesn't translate well to the nail.

Application is thick and awkward, which means only one coat is necessary, but more than that causes major "gooping" on the nail. The polish doesn't sparkle on the nail as much as in the bottle. From a distance, it's almost like a crackle or just uneven application. Despite two healthy applications of a good quality clear coat (Seche Vite, which is a thicker, smoother formula), my nails were never smooth or shiny.

I wore the polish for one day, then immediately removed it. Typical of a glitter polish, removal was quite the chore! I replaced it with a light baby pink: Teddy Girl by Butter London, which is smooth, shiny, and has great staying power without being thick and gross.

I recommend finding a nice, pretty navy blue polish and then using your glitter top coat of choice, because Revlon's Midnight Sparkle gets a thumbs down from me.

Xoxo,
Kelly

Return to an old favorite: Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Powder No.5

2012-11-21T22:30:00.002-05:00

After re-organizing my makeup collection (see previous post), I got a good glimpse at the products in my personal inventory and started going back to older items that I once loved but somehow forgot along the way...

The first product I want to show you is the Dollskin face powder from Tarina Tarantino in shade number 5. These pictures were taken nearly a year ago, and for whatever reason, I never blogged about this powder. It's probably because newer and more exciting things came along, and I never got around to posting about a very reliable and trustworthy product. Well, now here I am, giving it the spotlight it deserves!

Front of compact - pink and girly!

I purchased this powder after getting a consultation from a makeup artist at Sephora in my old neighborhood in New York City. I have to say - she matched me perfectly. I've tried numerous face powders from the drugstore, but I'm not sure any of them match my skin tone better than No. 5. I don't recall the price of the powder, but I imagine it's more than Maybelline, less than Dior. From what I've read online, it's no longer available at Sephora, and can only be purchased on the Tarina Tarantino website directly.

The color match is very good - and the formula is light and soft!

One thing I like about this product, besides the ultra-cute girly packaging that actually feels nice and substantial (i.e., not cheap and crappy), is that the formula is very soft and natural. It doesn't cake on my face - the powder granules (is that the right word?) are very, very small and fine, so it doesn't sit super heavy on my face, aging my skin and making me look like a clown. Instead, it goes very lightly and is virtually undetectable, except for the pretty matte finish it leaves on my skin, reducing shine.

I've had this powder for a while, but have yet to hit pan. In fact, this was one of my first big purchases when I got back into higher-end makeup (and not just Bare Minerals) after discovering I was doing it wrong for many, many years. Seriously, it was awful. I was doing it really, REALLY wrong. I have pictures. Well, had pictures.

Other things to note about this powder: no overwhelming fragrance. No oxidizing on my face throughout the day, no caking (I already said that). It's a great powder, and a nice higher end alternative to the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind powder, which is the closest thing I've tried to this. My MAC Studio Fix powder is much heavier than this, and don't get me started on Bare Minerals! I like the fact that it's very neutral (comes off a little yellow in the picture than it is in reality - blame it on me not knowing proper lighting and settings on my camera at that time) and lightweight. I've been wearing it every day over my Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation or Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation, and it works like a charm. I like the pretty, airbrushed look I can achieve with the right tools (I use my Sigma Large Powder brush or my Real Techniques blush brush), but my favorite part about this product is the fact that you can't tell it's there!

I think once this product is out, I will be re-purchasing from the Tarina Tarantino website directly. I have another product that accompanies this one (a blush in the shade Charm) that I may not repurchase, but this one is definitely a winner in my book, and I'm glad I rediscovered it. Sometimes if it ain't broke, don't replace it!

New Makeup Storage

2012-11-16T04:00:00.000-05:00

I finally re-organized our master bathroom and organized my makeup!

Before and after pictures ahead (NO JUDGMENT!)

Our master bath has Jack and Jill sinks, a bathtub, and then a separate shower and commode (not shown here... you're welcome). You can see my sink above... it's not pretty. Now, granted, I have cabinet space for some of those products and my hairbrush, etc., but I was finding that my storage solution was so tight, I oftentimes ended up leaving products out until it got unbearable.

My sink was getting overrun with products. It was really annoying!

All of my makeup was crammed into this little plastic drawer container... and it was awful. Things were all over the place, drawers were smashed full. It wasn't pretty.

So I decided to find an inexpensive lingerie chest to hold my makeup. One popular chest is from the Hayworth collection at Pier 1 Imports, but that thing costs 495 dollars. I like pretty things, but I'm not made of money, so... that wasn't exactly an option.

I don't need something that's going to hold up forever and ever, so I decided to look for something pretty cheap. I found an inexpensive lingerie chest at KMart that was normally $59.99, on sale in the stores for $49.99. However, if you ordered online, it was $40.99. So, I went through Ebates and got an additional 8% cash back (woohoo!), ordered and paid for the chest, and selected "In-store pickup" for later that day.

We brought it home (in a box) and I immediately set out to piece it together. It's cheap particle board, so one drawer did splinter when I drilled the screws in, but the rest came out fine. Here's the finished result!

My sink is all cleared and clutter-free, and all makeup products are put away in their chest.

The chest came with normal black knobs, but I picked up pink acrylic decorative knobs from Target ($14.99) and put them on instead, and put a hot pink woven placement ($2.50) on top. The pack of knobs only included 4, and I didn't want to buy another one, so the bottom drawer has a flower appliqué on it (from Michael's). Incidentally, that drawer is the one that split (on the side), so it needs repair. For now, it holds surplus supplies and won't be used very much anyway.

The seasonal home decor section of Target had these candle holders ($7.50 or $7.99, can't remember) that I thought were perfect for my Sigma brushes. I filled them with crystal vase filler (3 bucks, craft store) to hold my brushes secure.

The first drawer (with little plastic containers as dividers) holds makeup palettes, trios, and quads in front, then mascaras and eye liners, cream shadows (and jumbo pencils), eye primers, and eye shadows left to right.

The second drawer holds foundations and primers in front, then blushes, face powders and bronzers, lipsticks, and glosses left to right.

The third drawer has face cleaning supplies and lip conditioners.

The fourth drawer holds bigger palettes (you can see my Cinderella palette and my Smashbox Photo Op Mega Palette. Underneath is my UD hearts NYC palette, etc. The fifth drawer (not shown) just holds extra supplies like q-tips, contact lenses, etc.

So what do you think? Do you like it?

Nighttime Routine: Makeup Removal

2012-11-13T05:03:00.000-05:00

I have a new item in my nighttime makeup removal routine!

My routine is now the following:

Makeup removal using Neutrogena Makeup Removal cloths (the purple nighttime calming pack)
Bioderma on a cotton ball, swiped all over face
Wash face using Neutrogena Naturals
Tone using Lush's Breath of Fresh Air (sometimes)
Lash serum (homemade) application - be sure to check back at the Reasonable Blog for a post about this!
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

I have found that Bioderma, which I purchased online from Amazon, has been a very helpful tool in my skincare routine. I've mentioned time and time again here that my lashes are super duper blonde... like clear. So I can see all the eye makeup that remains on my face after using the remover wipes. I was getting tired of rubbing my eyes excessively in order to get as much mascara off as I could... and I don't even wear waterproof mascara! When I heard that Bioderma was a great way to gently remove makeup without killing your face, I thought I'd give it a try.

It has no odor, doesn't have alcohol in it, and it's gentle. I even used it to remove crazy amounts of makeup on myself and my husband on Halloween. It's a great addition to my routine that hasn't dried out my skin or flared up my rosacea at all.

Have you tried Bioderma or any other cleansing waters? What did you think?

xoxo,
Kelly

NYX Beauty To Go Box

2012-11-11T18:58:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, I took advantage of NYX deals on Hautelook, and one of the things I ordered was the NYX Beauty to Go box. On the site, it looked like a smorgasbord of beautiful NYX products, all packaged nicely in a neat box for on-the-go. What actually arrived was... well... a little disappointing.

When I hear "Beauty to go" I think of products that travel well. Something I can take with me in suitcases or overnight bags that can withstand a little bit of a beating. What I got was an acrylic box that could never go on a plane unless it was wrapped tightly with several layers of bubble wrap. And to make matters worse, this acrylic box was already broken.

The lid's hinge is broken so that it does not stay on properly... so not only would I not travel with this box because it would break, but now I would not travel with it because the lid's already broken. The products inside don't stand a chance!

The concept of this box is great. It has everything you need! Face color, eye colors, lip colors, glosses, liners, mascara, etc. Let's peek inside, shall we?

When you open up the lid, you see a large mirror inside, and the first layer of NYX shadows and face colors.

A closer look of the colors shows a nice rainbow of neutral-y eye colors, plus 4 face colors. For whatever reason, NYX says that some of the shadows are actually face colors, but they're strange colors (like the bright blue), so I'm a little confused about what they mean. So, I'm just calling all the skinny colors eye shadows.

Pull aside the first layer and you see layer #2:

These are some interesting eye colors! But, the whole point was to get some variety and allow for some creativity! So, it's nice to have something to play with.

Pull aside the second layer and you see Layer #3:

Layer 3 gives you 6 potted lip glosses, two lip liners, a black pencil eyeliner, a liquid liner, a disposable-type makeup brush (applicator) and a black mascara. The mascara is dried out and the wand is PUNY (think cheap dollar store makeup brush meant for little kids) and the liquid eyeliner is one of those cheap floppy paintbrush applicators that's all bent up so I can't use it. The glosses are all that I can use here, unfortunately.

The final layer is a pull out drawer I didn't discover until I'd owned the box several days:

This layer has concealers, gel eye colors, and lip colors, plus several spongetip applicators that I usually just throw away.

The overall verdict

I haven't written to a company in a long time, but I feel very compelled to write NYX. This isn't like them. Their products are always amazing. Seriously - I've never been disappointed in their products and this one just seems FULL of FAIL. The shadows aren't even as pigmented as normal.

They're all pretty dry and chalky. Also, in being laid out this way, they're hard to get a shadow brush in there and get a decent amount of product. Guess that's why this box was on discount... but I'm going to write them anyway. This isn't right.

If you see the opportunity to purchase this, even at discount, I recommend that you pass. The money could be better spent on some nice trios of shadows and some single lip colors. Sometimes when you try to get a nice variety and a little bit of everything, you end up getting a whole lot of nothing!

Have you ever written to a cosmetics company about a disappointing product? How did it go?

Until next time,

Kelly

October Glossybox First Glance

2012-10-29T12:59:00.000-04:00

My October Glossybox arrived about a week ago (before shipment notification was emailed... which was a little funny), and I thought I'd give you all a little peak at some of the products I'll be trying out in the next few weeks!

This month's theme: Spa Luxe!

First up is the Luminous Shine Mist from Alterna's Bamboo line. I recently tried Alterna's Bamboo shampoo and Caviar conditioner and I have to say... they're grossly overpriced for what they are. I'll give this shine spray a try because I hear such good things about these products, including styling products, but I'm not really holding my breath to be blown away. A full size of this is 4 ounces, which costs $22. This sample is 0.85 ounces.

Next we have exfoliating loofah soap from Heartland Fragrances. This normally retails for $8 for a full size 6 ounce bar. I don't see a size on this, but it looks like it's full size. A lot of times, I open packages containing glycerin soap and the scent damn near knocks me over - this didn't do that at all. I think the scent is called "Secret Garden"- it's sweet, a little floral. I want to say I smell freesia or plumeria or something. Either way, it's an extremely light fragrance. I'm anxious to try this out and see how well the soap holds up in my shower. Glycerin soaps tend to dry out quickly for me. We'll see how this goes!

Then we have the product I'm most excited about in this box - Carol's Daughter Shea Souffle moisturizer for dry skin. The scent is Ecstasy (I guess?) and it smells very nice. Again, this fragrance is light and feminine, and the cream isn't greasy at all! I'm looking forward to using this after the exfoliating soap!

The container is completely full... this is 4 ounces. A full size is 8 ounces, which retails for $20.

It seems like every month has one makeup item, while the rest are for skin, hair, etc. This month's makeup item is from ModelCo - a duo lipstick and lipgloss. The packaging even includes a little mirror! This retails for $39... and I believe this is full sized.

The lipstick shade I got is Dusk. It's a warmer shade of mauve. Although most women will be able to wear this, I'm not sure I will be able to. It just seems too warm. But, we'll see!

The shade of gloss I got is Striptease. The gloss is very sheer, but one thing that struck me about it right away is that it's not super sticky. I HATE sticky glosses with such a fiery passion! This might be a nice product to include in my routine.

Here are swatches of the two lip colors. You can see that the lipstick may have too much warmth in it for my tone, but perhaps a good cool-toned gloss over it will make it more flattering on me? What do you think?

Last but not least...

This is a Nastassja Skin Enzyme Facial Peel. A full size of this is 2 ounces, which retails for $40. Because I haven't tried this out, I don't know if a little goes a long way, so that price may be more or less reasonable depending on how many uses you get. This is the smallest item in the box, the only little sample this month, but it's definitely intriguing! I have tried some cream exfoliators in the past that are mega-expensive retail that I could never comfortably purchase from other beauty subscription services (*cough* BeautyArmy *cough*), so it's nice to see something UNDER 100 dollars full-sized. I'm excited to try this out and see what happens.

Looks like it's about 1-2 uses in here, huh? It wouldn't be something you'd use more than once or twice a week anyway, but I'm gonna check it out. A smooth face is always so nice, and with seasons changing, I need a little help in that department, haha.

That's this month's Glossybox! What did you get in yours? Share below in the comments!

xoxo,

Kelly

Clean out challenge

2012-10-23T21:16:00.001-04:00

I have decided that I have entirely too much clutter in my bathroom. I have a cabinet FULL of products I do not use. Things I purchased on a whim or got in a beauty sample subscription box, used once, and promptly set aside for an indefinite future.

Therefore, I'm instituting a Clean Out Challenge (TM). Each week, I'm going to attempt to either use up or throw out 1-3 beauty product items. If I haven't used it, I'll try it. If it sucks, it's going in the trash. If I have used it and it works fine, I'm going to keep using it until it's done, then it's going in the trash.

Who's with me?

[Discounted] Designers - yes or no?

2012-10-21T20:23:00.000-04:00

Photo source here

How do you feel about wearing designers?

For years I coveted Louis Vuitton. As I wrote before, I scoured the internet for information and deals before I finally landed my Speedy 25. I carry it proudly, knowing I didn't pay full price.

Others don't know that.

Lately I have been scouring fashion blogs. I love the pulled-together, feminine, classic styles. One thing I've noticed about most of the looks I like is that they're generally pieced together using one or more designer pieces. Even if it's just a pair of Christian Louboutin heels (the tell-tale red soles give them away), the look is so classy and stylish that I have to sigh.

I can't exactly afford to run out and buy high designer clothes, and oftentimes I am able to imitate the look with something much more affordable, but that doesn't stop me from admiring the real thing. I've joined a few discount sites to try to snag some designer duds at discounted prices, and the latest one seems to be a pretty nice little gem - more on it in a minute - but I have to wonder... even if I buy them on discount, will I be judged for wearing designer brands?

What do you think?

Alright, onto some great places to get good deals... should designer deals be what you're looking for!

Hautelook (OAT-look) (link | referral link)
Hautelook is a daily flash sale site, where you can get women's fashion and accessories, men's clothing, shoes, home goods, and even beauty items at a discount. I've purchased makeup by theBalm, jeans, a winter coat, jewelry from Amrita Singh, and makeup from NYX. Their site is reliable, customer service is adequate (albeit sometimes frustrating), and they tend to keep variety circulating. I have received several things that were broken, which is really frustrating, but they're responsive to complaints. So feel free to buy away - sales start at 11 am EST and you have 15 minutes to check out once you put something in your cart. On your mark, get set...

Rue La La (link | referral link)
Rue La La is just like Hautelook, but the site is a little different. There aren't as many items in stock - many times I suspect they only have one or two in obscure sizes, so it can be very frustrating (I say this after logging into the site immediately after receiving the email only to find that all jeans in any size near mine are already sold out)! Like Hautelook, Rue La La sales start at 11 am EST, but I have found that the site crashes repeatedly during decent sales. Also, if you put anything in your cart that is high demand, it can and will be sold out from under you if you take time to look at other items. I've repeatedly tried to purchase items from designers like Lily Pulitzer, but to no avail. Maybe you'll have better luck than me!

Gilt (link | referral link)
Gilt is the original designer discount flash sale website, in my opinion. I joined a couple years ago, and have purchased handbags, jeans, etc. Their customer service is very responsive, and I've actually enjoyed my shopping experiences. In fact, the jeans I purchased (Paige, great price) are my favorite jeans. Gilt sales start at noon EST and are probably the least frantic of the those mentioned so far.

And the newest site I've joined...

The RealReal (link)
This last site has the highest end brands of them all. Rather than a flash sales site, it's a high-end consignment site. Prices aren't super low, but you can definitely find some nice deals! I have only perused as of yet, so I cannot comment on the quality of the sale interaction, but it seems like a nice site. Take a look around and see what you think!

Are there other sites that you recommend? Do you wear designer duds, or stick to budget fashion? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
Kelly