Butterfly-inspired Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone!  I did my partying last night, which turned out to be so much fun.  The party I went to didn't require a costume, but my friend and I still wanted to do something creative and pretty.  I remembered seeing Nee from Kitty Loves Makeup's butterfly masquerade makeup tutorial and loving it- so I tried to create my own version of it.  Mine turned out to be pretty darn similar in the basic design of the butterfly, but I used different colors and mediums to get the effects I wanted.  Although it didn't turn out perfect, I hope you guys like it!

I'll try to remember everything I used!

-Almay Bright Eyes eye base+concealer

-Annabelle kohl eyeliner in black

-ELF professional liquid eyeliner in black (I wouldn't recommend this, but I didn't want to buy something more expensive when I never use black liquid eyeliner)

-Purples from the Coastal Scents 88 Matte palette

-Bright purple, shimmery white, shimmery black from ELF Bright Eyes beauty book

-Matte purple from the Wet 'n' Wild Lust palette

-Milani Liquif'eye eyeliner in silver

-Physicians Formula gel/cream liner for green eyes, the purple shade

-Ardell false lashes

-L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen mascara in black

For my foundation I just used my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind (the eraser) foundation, along with the contouring shade from my ELF Studio Contouring Blush+Bronzer (I've decided bronzer is a must have for me, especially in the winter.  I look pale and lifeless without it).

Thanks for reading guys, I appreciate it!  And thank you Kitty Loves Makeup for the fabulous idea!

Stay tuned: Upcoming CSN Stores review

Hey guys!  First off, I want to apologize again for the lack of updates recently.  I feel like I'm constantly doing homework, studying, or going somewhere with friends, so my "down time" has been reduced significantly.  When I am able to just relax, usually my roommate is here.  I really appreciate your bearing with me, like always, despite the inconsistency.  You all are amazing!

Today I have a little something exciting to share with you.  I was contacted again by Kate from CSN Stores to do a review of one of their products.  Of course, I jumped at the opportunity!  I had a great experience hosting a giveaway with them, so I thought this time it'd be fun to do a review.
I've never purchased anything from any of their 200+ stores, but I'm certainly interested in what they have to offer.  Whether you're looking for fashion accessories or something for your home, like accent chairs or barstools, CSN Stores probably has it.

I've been in need for awhile of a small wallet/purse that I can keep all my school-related cards in (school ID, residence ID, laundry card, library card, bus pass, etc).  After browsing different CSN Stores websites for awhile, I figured this would be a great chance to get one!

With that said, stay tuned for my upcoming review.  If their product quality is anything like the customer service I've received, I'm sure it will be a good one!

Super casual, AKA my life as of late! (OOTD, FOTD, HOTD)

The last few weeks I haven't done much that requires getting dressed up.  There have been a few parties, but they were all very low-key.  Hence my title- super casual!  That includes both my outfits and makeup.  I've been doing neutral makeup every day, whether it's browns, taupes, cranberries, or champagnes.  

I love bright, fun looks, but I think I'm in a rut where I feel like they just don't look good on me.  I'm going to have to slowly transition back into color.  Maybe I'll start with muted purples or greens, since those are pretty safe for me?  Anyone have any suggestions?

Anyway, this is my outfit today along with my hair and makeup.  I wasn't even planning a post like this, but my suitemates (the girls who live on the other side of our bathroom) both said they thought I looked pretty.  Their comments totally made my day!

Tank top to layer: BP from Nordstrom

Ruffle top: Forever 21

Cardigan: American Eagle

Jeans: American Eagle

Flats: Urban Outfitters

I need to get back into accessories.  This could have been a lot cuter with a necklace or something, I just wasn't sure which one to wear!

This has been my go-to hairstyle for awhile now.  I get so lazy with it, especially when I shower in the morning (Which is a rare occurrence!), so it ends up in a high, messy-but-not-crazy bun with a few pieces around my ears pulled out.

Blogger is making my pictures look terrible right now, but as you can see my eye makeup is really neutral and light.  This is kind of the reason for my heavy mascara- I always seem to pile it on when I don't do much for shadows.

(This was before I decided on the messy bun, FYI)

Face:

-Foundation: L'Oreal Feel Naturale makeup in Pale 228

-Powder: NYC Translucent mosaic powder

-Bronzer: Revlon Beyond Natural blush/bronzer in Pink, the bronzer side

-Blush: MAC On A Mission beauty powder

-Highlight: ELF Studio Golden bronzer, the light cream square

Eyes:

-Primer: VS Pro eyeshadow primer

-Highlight/inner corner: Coastal Scents 88 palette, light cream shade

-Lid/crease: MAC Retrospeck

-Outer corner/on top of eyeliner: Coastal Scents 88 palette, cool medium brown shade 

-Liner: Rimmel Spark It Up! in Tiger's Eye

-Mascara: Maybelline Full 'n' Soft in Very Black

Lips:

EOS lip balm

Thanks for reading everyone, have a great day!  I'm seeing the Lion King tonight.  I'm so excited!

<3

Quick stop at ULTA to use my coupon!

Hey guys!  I finally bought some makeup today (Does that sound crazy or what?)- I've had this $5/$10 coupon to ULTA sitting in my wallet for over a week now and I've been dying to use it.  I did buy the mascara and lipstick last week, but it was out of pure necessity.  This trip was just me deciding I wanted to try out this foundation that's been on clearance for forever, and using up my coupon.  :)

I bought this L'Oreal Feel Naturale light softening one-step makeup in Pale 228, and Revlon Beyond Natural blush & bronzer in Pink.

(I'm pretty sure this foundation is discontinued, I'm sorry about that!)

L'Oreal Feel Naturale makeup, Revlon blush/bronzer

This is the lightest shade I think (Pale 228), and although it shows up very light on my finger, on my skin it seems to be a pretty close match.  I think it's too light.  >:( But anyway, it's super creamy!  The consistency reminds me a little of Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse, in that it's really pigmented and smooth.  I haven't tried it yet, though, so fingers crossed I like it (It got pretty good reviews on Makeup Alley).

I'm hoping I like this, because I want to try a different bronzer from my ELF Studio one (I keep breaking out around my temples, so I'm not sure if I'm allergic to the mica in it.  I'm thinking I'm not, though, because this is fairly recent and I've been using that bronzer for a long time).  It seems sheer enough for my liking.  I also love that you can swirl the two colors together to get a light flush.  I'm hoping this is light enough to use all over my face, so I don't have to use a separate blush and bronzer (I go through love/hate phases with blush, LOL).

(Left to right: L'Oreal foundation, Revlon blush/bronzer blended, blush alone, bronzer alone)

*Click to enlarge to see better

Oh!  And on my walk back from ULTA I stopped into Walgreens to see if they had these popsicles I recently discovered:

They had them, and priced down from $2 to only $1!  I bought two boxes, haha.  They're only 15 calories each so I just go through them like no one's business.  ;)

That's it for today.  I'm working on some posts about the new products I've gotten, so again, thanks for bearing with me in the mean time.  You guys are amazing!

<3

I've been away... and a few new things

I'm so so sorry I haven't blogged this week!  School picked up a LOT late last week, and then this weekend my boyfriend and parents came to visit me.  This week I've been feeling kind of "off" (I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong), so all of that combined led to the infrequent posting.  I hope you guys understand!
This weekend was a great time spent with my boyfriend and parents.  My boyfriend has never been to the city before, so it was a nice change of pace for him especially.  Here are a few pictures:

This was at the Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park

Looking down from the Sky Deck on the 103rd floor of Willis (Sears) Tower- I almost got sick, lol!

On a river boat tour that went out on Lake Michigan

We took a TON of pictures, but I won't spam this entire post.  I'm happy I finally got to do more tourist things!  And it was the first time I've been on the lake, so that was beautiful.

Anyway, I've inadvertently put myself on a shopping ban of every kind the last week or two.  I really didn't mean to, but there hasn't been much that isn't ridiculously out of my price range that has "spoken" to me.  Haha.  I shop by the motto that if you don't get that excited feeling when you see something, it's not for you.  

This weekend, though, I took a much-needed trip to Target.  I picked up Maybelline Full 'n' Soft mascara, and Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue gel-cream moisturizer (I had two coupons- a $2.00 and a $1.00, so in total I got it for about $4!).  Afterwards I went to Walgreens where they have select Wet 'n' Wild products 50% off.  I've been looking for darker lip color, and being $.49 I thought the Silk Finish lipstick in Dark Wine would be a good place to start.  I seriously love this color!  I'll feature this in a look sometime soon, don't worry.

(I'll also do some kind of review on the Garnier moisturizer once I've used it awhile)

I also got this cute knit hat from Forever 21 tonight... just because.  :)  I definitely don't need it or anything, just felt like buying myself something.  Hey, it's been a rough week!  ;)

Thanks for bearing with me, again- I know my blog has been ridiculously slow!  And I've fallen behind with responding to comments, but I read each and every one.  You guys are awesome.

<3

September Favorites (It's fall already?!)

I still can't get over the fact that it's October.  Doesn't it seem like summer was just here?  I remember talking about teals and blues and getting into bright colors... and now it's time to switch gears.  But that's ok because I love fall colors/trends.  Berry and gold eyes, rosy cheeks, red lips- the best!
Anyway, here are my favorite products that I used almost every day this month (I would have more, but I've been using a lot of different things every day).  I included a little of everything beauty-related.

Non-makeup:

Victoria's Secret PINK Warm & Cozy body spray:  This was one of the first body sprays I got when I first started working at VS last fall, and it's my go-to cold weather scent.  It reminds me of Christmas, I don't know why.  It has vanilla, pink peony and raspberry notes in it and it's just so warm/yummy smelling!

Victoria's Secret More Pink Please perfume:  I layer this and the PINK Warm & Cozy spray, because scents last longer when you layer!  LOL, it's in the same family as Warm & Cozy, and since body sprays last honestly 10 minutes on me, I have to layer.  This has top notes of mandarin and orchid and base notes of vanilla and amber (among others).

The Icing nail polish in Pinot Noir:  I got this on clearance back in August for like $2.25, and it's such a pretty cranberry/gold shimmer!  Perfect for fall.  I have this on my toes now.

Makeup:

(Some of these i've mentioned before, sorry!)

MAC Retrospeck eyeshadow:  I've been really into light/neutral eye looks, and this a great all over lid color.  It is a sparkly light gold with awesome pigmentation (Unlike some of my other MAC eyeshadows).

ELF Studio Golden Bronzer:  I've hit pan!  I use this daily to make myself look more alive.  I love love that cream highlight color- it makes my skin glow.  Definitely will be repurchasing this when I run into more pan.

Rimmel Spark It Up! eyeliners in Peridot and Black Gold:  Peridot is a dark shimmery blue-green, and Black Gold is a dark antiqued gold.  They are both great alternatives to standard brown or black without being at all "obvious".  I love these for giving neutral looks something extra.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector concealer/highlighter:  I'm so glad I finally got this when Maybelline was 40% at Walgreens awhile back.  Jamie, you're right, it's awesome!  I use it to cover blemishes (Fortunately I don't yet have problems with under eye circles), and it's the only concealer I've tried in a long time that hasn't caked/worn away.  It's also really pigmented so you don't need a lot.

Well, those are my favorites for this month.  Have you tried/been using any that I mentioned?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Congratulations to my giveaway winner!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my CSN Stores gift certificate giveaway.  I really appreciate you all for reading my blog, so I was beyond excited to have this opportunity.
After closing comments on the giveaway post last night I decided to just pick a winner the old-fashioned way (I failed at figuring out random.org- any help/advice is welcome!).

I added up everyone's number of entries and wrote names on individual pieces of paper.  Then I closed my eyes and picked one out....

Kelly, you won!  I just sent you an email letting you know.  If I don't hear from you within 48 hours or so, I'll redraw and select a new winner.  Thank you so much!

If you didn't win, I'm still wanting to do another giveaway in the future, so don't worry.  You are all so wonderful and I am just happy this was able to happen at all.  Have a lovely day, ladies!

NOTD: Sally Hansen Flirt+Disco Ball

ULTA has a lot of good deals on nail polish this week!  And not just Sally Hansen, however the Complete Salon Manicures are 2 for $10, Insta-Dri 2 for $6, and these Xtreme Wears are 2 for $3.  Um, I had to get some!  I really wanted a fun layering color and something dark and vampy, so I went with Disco Ball and Flirt.  I decided to layer them- I think I'm liking the effect, although I have to admit this pairing is so not me.  Vampy colors aren't even me, typically, but I forced myself out of my comfort zone.  :)

It's hard to see the true color of Flirt with the shimmery Disco Ball over it, and in my pictures it shows up almost black.  It's really a deep burgundy with the tiniest shimmers in it- you can barely tell they're there, but they keep it from being just a plain creme.  And can you see the prettiness that is Disco Ball?  The glitters in it almost show up blue/green over Flirt.  It's really fun and the clear base means you can put it over any color for a fun, sparkly manicure.  Love it!

Edit-

I completely forgot to add that this manicure is two coats of Flirt, the burgundy shade, topped with one coat of Disco Ball.  They apply just as flawlessly as my other Xtreme Wear polishes (With exception of Mystic Lilac which I found to be a little "gloppy" and thick, but still workable) and are opaque with two coats.  

Have you guys taken advantage of that great nail polish deal at ULTA?  Do you have any of these colors?

Review: L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen mascara

It occurred to me the other day that I haven't done a review of the mascara I've been using- L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen.  I purchased this awhile ago but was finishing up my L'Oreal Bare Naturale mascara, so I was able to let this one "thicken up" a bit before using it.  Now this is my daily mascara- you've seen it in my recent EOTDs and looks.

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen mascara in Black

What it claims: (From lorealparisusa.com:)

Made with hydra-collagen, it enhances the thickness of your lashes for up to 12X more impact without any clumps.  Our patented brush is 50% bigger so it builds that incredible volume fast.  Your lashes will build extra body and extra impact in just one sweep.

 So, this is basically a thickening/volumizing mascara.

Price: $8.99 at Walgreens (0.34oz)

Brush:  The brush is big, and as you can see it's not the typical "fat" kind that come with many mascaras.  It curves inwards in the middle and then tapers to a point at the end.  I don't know what this does to help thicken/volumize my lashes any, but it's fairly easy to use/get used to.  Although I would caution anyone with particularly small eyes because of the size of the brush.

Quality/performance:  Having used this for a few months now, I really like the drama it gives me.  It "gets them up there" in terms of length, and does a good job thickening/adding volume as well.  I'm surprised at the length part especially since this isn't a "lengthening" mascara.

Throughout the day, my curl holds very well.  I don't notice any flaking/smudging after a day's wear, and it's easy to take off with makeup remover.  

I definitely should stress that this gives me drama- for lack of a better word!  I wouldn't call this a natural daytime mascara at all.  The effect is dark, look-at-me lashes, not "fluttery" or neutral.

In terms of clumps, as long as you don't pile this one you won't run into problems.  I've found I even prefer just one coat for daytime, and then another for night.  

Naked lashes, curled:

One coat of Extra Volume Collagen:

Two coats:

Overall, I'd definitely repurchase this if I didn't feel the need to try something different every time.  My next mascara is actually going to be something that will (hopefully) give me more natural-looking lashes- like the effect I got with my L'Oreal Bare Naturale.  I loved that one!  Sadly, it ran out on me before I got around to doing a review, but it gave me awesome, fluttery lashes that didn't scream "MASCARA".

Pros:

- Affordable, easily available

- Dark, thick lashes

- Gives good length

- Great for dramatic or nighttime looks, and daytime too if you're like me and love dramatic lashes all the time!

- Doesn't flake or smudge, easy to remove

Cons:

- Doesn't give you natural-looking lashes

Have you tried this mascara?  What'd you think of it?  Or, what mascara are you currently using?  Any recommendations for a good natural mascara?

NOTD: Sally Hansen Mystic Lilac

I finally found it- the LE Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear nail polish display with the highly talked-about Mystic Lilac!  I also thought Purple Fiesta looked nice (from the same display), but I mustered up my willpower and went with the one I wanted most.  (Sidenote:  Mystic Lilac probably wouldn't have appealed to me from the bottle had I not heard the hype!)

Anyway, I'm happy I did end up getting this.  It's very unique!

(Please enlarge my pictures for a better shot of how the polish actually looks.  Blogger makes these look so bad!)

Mystic Lilac is like a muted purple-grey polish with green-blue micro-shimmer.  I'm terrible at describing polishes as you can tell, lol!  Sorry about that.  I'm typically not in love with these "muddy" looking colors, but this one is saved by the micro-shimmer. 

I don't totally see the hype, but I do still like the color!  It's very cool even if it doesn't enter into favorite-status for me.  And I don't have anything quite like it which is what I always look for.

See all the pretty shimmer?

Do you guys like this color?  Have you tried any of the other colors from this LE collection?  I'm hoping to snag a few more if they go on sale (if possible)- that'd be awesome!