I Only Bought Two Things from the Sephora VIB Sale, and That's Okay

Last night, I came home from work and walked right past my unopened box from Sephora. This was partially because I was really sick--I have some kind of virus and I was in the beginning stages of a migraine to boot--but it was also because I didn't think it was critical to rip the box open right away. I knew what was in there. I knew it wasn't going anywhere. And I no longer get the same "OMG PACKAGE YAY" thrill that I felt a year or so ago.

That's not to say that I dislike receiving things in the mail, or that I'm unmoved by new products. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that receiving a box of Besame PR a couple of weeks ago gave me ALL THE FEELS. But I think staying on a budget, downsizing my collection, trying to finish up products, and carefully considering my spending habits has made me less dependent on buying things to be happy. I like getting new stuff, but I don't have to get new stuff to enjoy my day.

This is especially relevant as a blogger: we feel pressured to try the newest and shiniest stuff (or at least some of it) to keep up and stay relevant. But the weird thing is that, whether I'm evaluating a product that has been reviewed to death or posting about something that doesn't seem to get a ton of buzz, people still read the blog and I still enjoy writing it. I never got in to blogging to be popular; I got in to it because it's a fun hobby and I thought I could be of some help to people. Newest releases or no, BOGL is doing just fine.

All rambling aside, my point is this: I used my last $50 gift card and paid less than a dollar out of pocket during this sale, and I don't mind. Of course, there are other things I would've liked to try, and getting them at 20% off would be preferable. But they're not necessary. I have a ton of stuff to use and to test and to write about. I mean, just look at my overflowing sample/to-try box:

Yeah, I've got a lot of work to do.

Any time VIB rolls around, I see people flooding the forums asking for suggestions on what to buy, or YouTubers posting "my VIB recommendations" videos, or panicked "BUT I ONLY WANT TWO THINGS!" Reddit posts. I'm not saying these are inherently terrible things; one of the perks of being in a "beauty community" is receiving recommendations for products you might have missed otherwise. But what always gets to me is people saying they want to buy things just because there's a sale and they feel like they have to buy. "There's nothing I want from Sephora VIB; help!"

Is that such a bad thing? Yeah, 20% off is nice if you have a few things you want to get or you spotted something new but expensive you'd like to try. I held off on buying my two products (a moisturizer and a self tanner) because I would prefer to get them at 20% off. But if I hadn't bought them? That's fine. Missing a sale is not the end of the world. Skipping a couple of new products isn't scary when you have lots of great stuff already. And there will be another sale next year. Again, it's that terrible FOMO ("fear of missing out") that sales like this capitalize on, that beauty marketing depends on, that so easily suckers us in to spending money we don't have to spend.

To be very clear: I am not ragging on people who spent a lot at this sale. I know people personally who have spent nearly $1000. The difference, I think, is that the people I know didn't purchase things for the sake of purchasing them. They actually waited several months to stock up on their staples, replace favorites, and try new things. That's fine! And it's fine if you bought a ton of stuff you legitimately want. Rather, I think we should be wary of participating in a sale and spending a lot just because we feel like we should spend-like-woah during a sale.

The 2017 VIB sale ends tomorrow. I know this. And on impulse, I went through my favorites list and added a few things to my cart. I typed in the coupon code. I looked at the final price. And I realized that I just don't want to spend the money on those things right now. I don't need more cream eye shadows. I don't need an eye cream. I don't need another candle. I might buy them eventually, and it's likely I won't have a coupon for them at that time; my VERB Leave In Mist will cost me  the full $18 instead of a slightly reduced $14.40. That's okay.

PSA: Beautified You Sample Bags

These pictures are way more potato quality than I would normally post, but I wanted to make this shout-out timely! There's been a lot of buzz on Reddit beauty subs regarding these Beautified You beauty bags, and now that I've received mine, I totally get it. These babies ship for free in the US and $10 international, and they're loaded with brand-name goodies! The above is what I got for my $15 deluxe bag, and it contains several products I can't wait to try.

I also bought two of the $5 bags in the sensitive skin and dry skin friendly varieties. Based on the types of samples included, I'm guessing the one on top is the sensitive skin bag and the one on the bottom is the dry skin option. Once again, there are several samples here I can't wait to try!

If you're at all interested in trying out these bad boys, I'd say go for it! They're available at BeautifiedYou.com. Just a few quick notes:

1. These are skincare bags. I think a couple of people have gotten a little lipgloss or a small container of face powder, but that's about it as far as color cosmetics go. Don't expect makeup.
2. The bags are random; you'll get what they have on hand at the moment. Apparently, the stock is majorly altered every 3-4 months, so you can try to order in a few months if you don't like anything you see here.
3. I get the feeling they're getting whammied because the bags blew up on Reddit, so be patient! It took me over a week to get a shipping confirmation, but when I did, it arrived very quickly.

I Got Some New Stuff

I used to do hauls several times a month when I was on YouTube. Part of that was because hauls are so popular (which makes sense--window shopping without the spending!), and part of it was because I was buying new stuff at an insane rate. I slowed down on full-fledged hauls when I moved to a mostly text-and-photo blog, and when I made the decision to maintain a more moderate collection, I just stopped doing them. My last haul post is over a year old. That's fine.

But I noticed that I managed to obtain a lot of new stuff over the past few weeks. A good bit of it came in the form of samples, gifts, or point perks, but yeah, I definitely purchased more than usual in September. So I figured, heeeey! Let's do a haul!

First up, the samples! I've been enjoying my Sephora Play! subscription (they should be accepting new members right now, by the way), and this month, I got some great stuff. Namely, I got another tube of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel (holy grail!), a Living Proof styling cream, and a mini Sephora lipstick. I also got a Kat Von D liquid liner in both my September Play! box and in a sample bag.

Next, I've been testing out the Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation for the past week or so. I was so damn excited for this launch that maybe I got a little too hyped up--thus far, the product hasn't lived up to its claims or my expectations. I'm going to fiddle with it a bit more and should have a full review available in a week or so.

Glossier announced that they were releasing serums and I started getting emails. Not a ton, mind you, but far more than I usually get when a product is about to be launched. So even though I wasn't bowled over by the ingredients list, I decided to get two full sets: one for my dry, dehydrated, and reactive skin and one for my friend with super-tough combination skin. I've asked him to take notes as he tests so I can complete a comparative review. Thank you again to everyone who has used my Glossier affiliate link; your support gave me the store credit that'll make this dual review possible.

Just a quick recommendation for anybody else who will be using these serums, because this wasn't mentioned on the Glossier website when I bought them: do not use Super Glow and Super Pure at the same time. Niacinamide and Vitamin C can cause some wonky reactions if they collide.

There are also two new NARS Audacious lipsticks in my collection! I bought Apoline, a rosy pink, from the fall collection as soon as it went live, and I finally caved and bought the lightest peachy nude in the range, Raquel, at a local Sephora just yesterday.

Last, but not least, there are some new-to-me drugstore products I'm testing out! I decided to try the Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous concealer when I saw how fair the lightest shade was. I'm trying to document the product, but frankly, I always find concealer reviews a little tough. I've also been using the L'oreal mascara primer and hope to eventually compare it to the DiorShow primer in another post.

That should be me about done for the time being. The aforementioned Sephora trip did reawaken my desire for the CoverFX Custom Enhancer Drops in Celestial, but I can hold off on those until the fall VIB sale. Beyond that, I think I'm tapped out!

What what WHAT am I doing?!

Many beauty bloggers and vloggers enjoy asking their viewers for direction. They'll say things like, "Hey, leave me a comment if you want me to do a video on that!" or "Which of these fragrances should I review next?" I normally don't do that. Obviously, I value my readers' opinions--new comments make me squeal with joy, and I love some of the email discussions I've had--but I'm just really obstinate. I like things the way I like them, and I want to do them when I want to do them.

But I seem to have gotten myself in to a bit of a pickle. Between returns, samples and point perks, blogsales, and generous gifts (♥♥♥), I've amassed quite a pile o' stuff that should be reviewed, swatched, and or/discussed. Annnnnd I have no idea where to start. O___O

So I need your help! What posts should go to the top of my list?

• GENERAL OVERVIEWS/SWATCHES: new bright lip products for summer (Bite Beauty and Stila), new highlighters (Chantecaille, Kjaer Weis, Colourpop, and Becca).
• SETS: Sephora/Marc Jacobs 500 point perk, Sephora in J.C. Penny Lash Out kit.
• GENERAL REVIEWS: Hermessence fragrances, Buxom Show Some Skin foundations, Colourpop cheek products, setting powders (MAC Select Sheer Pressed and Hourglass Ambient Lighting).
• NOT PICTURED: How to Survive a Drag Show, the "Ask Me Anything" video

HAUL: Happy Birthday to Me!

I know many of us joke about getting a bunch of stuff for a holiday or milestone that doesn't really exist, but it actually was my birthday last week! And several incredibly kind people bought me Sephora gift cards, just in time for the 15% off VIB sale. Enabling! Yay!

First up, let's take a look at the stuff I got from Sephora!

...okay, I know, it's not quite the incredible hoard that some people get during sales. But this is a lot for me!

The red tube is the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation in 001. I actually tested this product a while back and liked the formula, but decided not to purchase it because it went so dark and pink on me. I'm hoping that, now that my skin is drier and more textured, I won't experience the level of oxidization. And maybe I'll be so desperate that I won't notice it's pink instead of the cool yellow I desire.

I also got another Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eye Shadow, this time in Playa Del Pink, the lightest shade. I own a bottle of Rose Gold that I received in a set that I love. Seriously, the texture and finish of these things? Phenomenal.

The other two items are 100 point perks: Living Proof Instant Texture Mist, which I decided to try on a whim, and the Dior lash primer I love, but hate paying full price for. I'd saved up enough for a 500 point perk, but quite frankly, they haven't interested me as of late.

Also, some freebies! The NARS Sephora Beauty Insider gift was obviously given to me becaaaause...it's my birthday month! I've owned the Cruella pencil before, and I know I love the color, so I'm excited to try the satin pencil.

NEST is a new-to-me brand, but I've been enjoying their products so far (when I can find them at TJ Maxxx, that is, cause I'm cheap). Moroccan Amber is a really beautiful, warm scent, a smoother version of Bath & Body Works' Sensual Amber. I'm on the hunt for other cheap NEST stuff so I can maybe do a collective review.

Last, but not least, this Eyeko Black Magic mascara was gifted to me during a fragrance swap. I haven't had the best luck with Eyeko products, but I know this mascara is well loved, so maybe it'll change my mind!

Upcoming Fragrance Review Porn: PK Perfumes and Imaginary Authors

As promised, I'm working on a number of fragrance reviews. While you can certainly cheat and jump over to my Fragrantica profile for early versions of some of my reviews/impressions, you'll only get the full reviews, with pictures and supplemental goodness, here on BOGL!

First up, Imaginary Authors! I was initially drawn to this niche house by the sparkling reviews. Then I saw the website, and it's just an English teacher's wet dream. Not only have they created fake authors, they've come up with bios and novels for them, which are what inspire the fragrances. Brilliant! Man, I can't wait to try these.

I've also been working diligently on reviews for my PK Perfumes (Paul Kiler) discovery set. Without ruining too much, I've been really impressed by the complexity and artistry of this line. I can't wait until the full post(s?) are ready!

On a final note, I'm going to do some minor rearrangements with the tags on the right. When I'm finished, the makeup, clothing, and fragrance brand tags should all be separated. I hope this will make the blog easier to navigate!

Haus of Gloi Yule Haul

It took a while to get here, but now that it's arrived? Prepare for some heavy breathing, because I am still oh so in love with this brand.

In this post, I'm going to describe what I got and how it smells. If you want more detailed reviews on the individual product formulas, please click here.

PUMPKIN BUTTERS -- My holy grail body lotion! I got a full size of Hearth (my sweet, precious darling that I threw a fit over when it wasn't brought back last year), plus mini sizes of Satyr, Plotter's Breakfast, and Mango Sticky Rice. I've bought PB versions of Hearth and Satyr in the past, and they still smell as fabulous as ever: Hearth is like warm apple pie and cream, Satyr is a rich blood orange. I've had the Plotter's Breakfast sugar scrub before and really enjoyed it; it smells like oatmeal cooking on a wood stove to me. Luckily, the PB smells the same! The only scent that didn't work for me was Mango Sticky Rice. It smells just like the delightful Thai dessert in the jar, and on my mom's skin, but on me, it starts to smell like wax candy. :(

BODY EMULSION -- I wanted Aether, but it wasn't available (see note below), so I went with Vice instead. It's been a while since I've smelt the stuff, so this was a gamble. Luckily, it's fantastic: it smells like dark chocolate, with just a hint of graham cracker and marshmallow to sweeten it up, and some dark coffee to ground it. I notice that the fragrance oil is slightly better blended and more complex, but this is still delightful.

FRAGRANCE VIALS -- Snow Wolf was a freebie. It's not something I'd wear regularly, but I enjoy it. I decided to test out Insalata Nocturna for something different, and it really is a step away from my usual wheelhouse: bright, leafy, and herbal. I really do smell like a salad when I wear it, and I kinda like it! Plotter's Breakfast is too smokey for me to wear everyday, but for the occasional treat, paired with the pumpkin butter? Yes. And of course, I got a full vial of my beloved Hearth perfume. I can't risk it not coming back next year!

You'll notice a distinct lack of Aether (fragrance-free) products in this haul. This is not by choice; they just haven't restocked Aether in a while, and I wanted to make sure I got my Hearth stuff before it sold out. Rest assured that, if I have the money when they restock, Aether will be in my future. I get the same great moisturization, but I can layer any perfume I want on top!

Haus of Gloi products are available at HausofGloi.com.


PSSSST--you can enter to win a $5 Haus of Gloi gift card, along with several other fantastic, carefully-curated prizes!

Recent Acquisitions, Pale Foundation Swatches, and More

I took this picture and immediately scolded myself. "How, how, HOW did this happen?!" I screeched internally, wondering what possessed me to spend all of my non-existent money on this pile of stuff. Then I remember that I swapped for half of this, was gifted another chunk of it (thank you, seriously!), and got the rest on sale. Oh, and there's a ton of samples, too. That always bulks up a haul.

First, the basics: I repurchased the Paula's Choice Sheer Matte Tint in Level 1, because it's a staple. Although it's darker than my neck, it's sheer enough that I can get away with it, and it's perfect for work or I'm-in-a-rush days. The NARS Sheer Glow was an incredibly sweet gift, as are the samples in the middle and the Chanel cream blush in Fantastic. :) Bobbi Brown Skin foundation was one of my Friends & Family sale purchases; I'm testing it out right now, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it just yet. Will review it shortly.

My other F&F purchases were Shiseido cottons (a staple) and the Hourglass Opaque Rogue Liquid Lipstick in Ballet. This looks like a soft, mid-tone pink in most of the photos I see...maybe I got a dud, but this shade is definitely a berry-fuchsia on me, much darker than I expected. It's not BAD, but I'm not sure it flatters me. I'll probably send it back for one of the other shades. The Urban Decay Perversion mascara was a Sephora 100 point perk. I also bought the It Cosmetics CC Cream in Fair and Hourglass ORLL in Edition from Reddit/blogsales.

This is me wearing Bobbi Brown Skin and Hourglass Ballet. There's no denying that Skin photographs beautifully, but macro shots in my review will show that I haven't managed to wrangle it yet. I'm going to give it a third try, and if I'm not satisfied, it'll also be going back. :/ On the bright side, I received my VIB cards in the mail, so I can still get 20% off of my exchange products.

And I think you can see that Ballet looks very, very berry on me. So sad. :( I was hoping for something softer/milkier and lighter.

Also on my face: Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx01 for spot concealing, Anastasia Dipbrow in Taupe (reviewing soon, really, I am just so behind), L'oreal Miss Manga mascara, Cargo Catalina blush, MUFE Uplight #11, Wet n' Wild liquid eyeliner, and Milani Liquid Eyes pencil. I didn't wear any powder or primer because I wanted to test Bobbi Brown Skin on it's lonesome; the next time I wear it, I'm adding my sunscreens, which double as primers.

Here are some swatches of my newest foundation acquisitions. Be prepared to see this photo multiple times, because I hate reswatching a base product unless it's necessary. *lazy*

Natural light on top, flash on bottom. From left to right: Bobbi Brown Skin liquid foundation in 00 Alabaster, NARS Sheer Glow liquid foundation in Light 1 Siberia, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx02, It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream in Fair.

The first three are in the N10 range, while the It CC Cream looks more like an N15 product to me--we'll see how it looks when I apply it. NARS Siberia has strong cool yellow undertones, which bodes well for me. BB Alabaster and KA Sx02 are slightly pink.

As a final note, I've complete 25 tops! Here are all of the lipsticks I decided to purge:

1. MAC Neon Orange
2. MAC Sounds Like Noise [LE]
3. NARS Cruella
4. NARS Roman Holiday
5. Lipstick Queen Saint Berry
6. Bite Madeira
7. Beauty Cosmetics Flouron
9. Bite Pomegranate
10. Revlon Back Cherry
11. Elizabeth Arden Poppy Cream
12. MAC Impassioned
13. Laura Mercier Mulberry lip stain

Don't forget: I'm giving away a free Kevyn Aucoin lash curler!

Cheapies n' Freebies Day

There's been a marked reduction in the number of hauls I post here, partially because I'm not exactly rolling in spare cash, and partially because I've made a conscious effort to be more considerate of what's currently in my collection and how much I spend on beauty products. That being said, it's always fun to splurge, especially if you can do it on a dime.

Today I spent the day with my sister and her best friend, and between the Back 2 MAC program and some great sales, I was able to score this modest haul for less than $30 total. The two MAC lipsticks are Relentlessly Red and Sushi Kiss. I repurchased the NYX cream blush in Boho Chic in the hopes that the current formulation will not contain shimmer. And I decided to try out the NYX Butter Glosses everybody is raving about. No, I'm not a gloss gal, but these really do look and sound impressive. The shade I picked was Maple Blondie.

We also tumbled in to the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company, where we noticed a couple carrying some monstrously huge bags of bulk popcorn. When I told the couple that seeing those bags of popcorn just made my day and I'd really love a picture, they offered to let me pose with them. The kind female strange is behind me on the left, and the kind male stranger is holding up the caramel chocolate bag o' goodness in the middle. I immediately shared the photo with my family, and they all loved it. It seems silly, but this it's this sort of everyday kindness that makes me smile.

Speaking of things that make me smile: charity!

My parents were cleaning out their room, and my dad was going to pitch two old pairs of glasses. I asked if he would give them to me instead so I could clean them up and drop them in to the donation bin at our eye doctor's office. My family hopped to it, and within an hour, I ended up with these prescription eye glasses and sunglasses, including a pair of bifocals that belonged to my late grandmother. Mom is going to drop them all off on her way to the doctor's next week.

We think of donating clothes and toys as a matter of course, but a lot of us don't think our very outdated glasses will be of use, and we pitch them. However, they could be Godsend to people with poor vision who can't afford eye glasses. I mean, I honestly wouldn't be able to function without my glasses, and that's no exaggeration. If you have old glasses hanging around your house, consider donating them to an appropriate charity. :)

Recent Swap Acquisitions, February Lemmings Board, and a FOTD

Hurrah for swapping! I got plenty of great extras with my most recent swaps, including these little travel packets of Shiseido Facial Cottons (they must be from GWPs; they're adorable!) and more Anastasia Clear Brow Gel--I'm never going to run out of this stuff, now that I've received 4 mini tubes as swap extras, and I shan't complain about that! I'll try out the Givenchy foundation and get back to you with you a review.

I told my mother I'd help her pick out some prizes for my sister's wedding shower, so we spent the day roaming around town and grocery shopping. Then she was kind enough to make us French Toast with pure maple syrup. Yum! And my Hourglass liquid lipstick lasted all day...and got me some compliments from small children in the grocery store. ;)

By the way: I've recently realized that I keep forgetting to list that brow gel in my FOTD breakdowns. Believe me, it's there most of the time!

BASE: MAC Strobe Cream, MAC Face & Body foundation in N1 + White, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx02, Dolce & Gabbana powder foundation in 50 Ivory, Skindinavia Setting Spray

EYES: Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow pencil in Seal Brown, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, MAC eyeshadow in Wedge, L'oreal Voluminous mascara, Wet n' Wild eyeshadow in Brulee, Anastasia Clear Brow Gel

CHEEKS: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon

LIPS: NYX lipliner in Auburn, Hourglass Opaque Liquid Rouge in Icon

I've also decided to include this new feature: Lemmings Boards, aka, lists of things I should not buy, but really want to buy! I think this will help me with my current No/Low Buy--getting all of the porn out in the open, that is.

1. Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Skin Illuminating Lotion, $52 at Beautylish -- The only reason I got rid of my KA Candlelight powder was because it was a powder, and I really need to use liquids and gels on my skin. WELP. LOOK WHAT HAPPENED.

2. Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Zinfandel, $24 at Sephora -- One of my new favorite lipstick formulations. Clearly, my collection is missing a bright orange-coral shade. Right? Right?! (Back me up here!)

3. Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Epatant, $36 at Nordstrom -- I absolutely love this IdO shade, and how quick-and-easy these are to use if you're Eyeshadow Stupid like I am. The only thing I don't love is how quickly they dry up--in less than 2 years--which makes it a difficult product to swap for. I really should just stick with my pot of Illusoire, but Epatant? That's signature Chanel.

4. Chantecaille Future Skin foundation in Porcelain, $73 at Nordstrom -- Could I ever justify a foundation that's this expensive? Absolutely not. Does it change the fact that I wish I made boat loads of money and could afford to give it a test? Nope! I blame Holliday Grainger.

5. Kevyn Aucoin The Fleshtone Lip Pencil in Medium, $24 at Beautylish -- I get that this isn't a particularly unique shade, and it's probably a little dark for me. But it was THE lipliner of the 90s, and we all know how weak I am for Kevyn Aucoin products.

6. Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Babydoll, $30 at Sephora -- I will never be able to justify a $30 mascara, especially one with such a long, pretentious name. But yeah, it looks pretty!

Another "Haul" and a FOTD

Have I mentioned that people are awesome? Cause people are kind of awesome.

After a very stressful day full of packing, grading, and forgetting things on campus right before I leave for the airport (go me!), I came home to two unsolicited packages full of beautifulness. The packages were full of makeup I've been dying to try and office supplies (don't laugh, I'm an adjunct English instructor who loves pens).  I'm incredibly grateful for these gifts, provided by some insanely generous people, and I can't wait to return the favor. And try everything out. And do some reviews.

But that can't happen until I get back from vacation. In the meantime, here's a crappy picture of the makeup I wore to my sister's graduation ceremony.

BASE: MAC Face & Body foundation in N1 + White, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Powder Foundation in 50 Ivory

EYES: Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow pencil in Seal Brown, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Flower Beauty Zoom-In Ultimate Mascara, Clinique gel liner in Black, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Pearl

CHEEKS: Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow blush in Tansoleil, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Pearl

LIPS: Urban Decay Revolution lipstick in Naked

1.5 FOTDs and a Haul

These are actually the same exact FOTD; the only thing different in the second picture is the lipstick, which I changed after I got home from work. And I'm sorry I look so much darker and more yellow than usual in that second picture; now that it gets dark early, I'm taking a lot of my photos in artificial light. I don't think Force of Love is my most flattering bright lipstick, but I like the color in theory, so I'm still clinging to it.


BASE: Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint in Level 1, MAC Pressed Blot Powder in Light, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx02, Skindinavia setting spray

EYES: Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow pencil in Seal Brown, Benefit They're Real! mascara, Wet n' Wild Mega Liner in Black, Charlotte Ronson Liquid Eyeshadow in Sky [D/C], Benefit High Beam

CHEEKS: Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow in Isadore, Benefit High Beam

LIPS: Lipstick Queen Pink Sinner lipstick + Bobbi Brown Rich Color gloss in Tutu [D/C] in first photo; MAC Matte lipstick in Force of Love in second photo



And now...THE HAUL.

It's been a while since I've well and truly HAULED. I've been doing plenty of swaps, and I've bought a few items here and there, but I'm not exactly in the position to make large purchases the way I used to. So I started saving up $10 or $15 left over from each paycheck, and after most of the semester--and a positive teaching evaluation, yay!--I was able to afford some goodies from Nordstrom and Sephora. :) Clockwise from the top left: Dolce & Gabbana powder foundation, a huge pile o' samples, Hourglass liquid lipstick mini, Chanel Illusoire, a deluxe Korres sample, and 2 of the Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks. I also repurchased my Shiseido facial cottons, but that's boring, whatever. I also got a little giveaway prize, so stay tuned for that and a whole slew o' reviews!

Rejoice, for I have downsized further!

...ok, so I got some new stuff, too.

BUT! It all came from swaps, not my wallet. :) I've been really impressed with these Paula's Choice products so far, especially the Hydralight cream, which my lovely swap partner recommended I use as a hand cream. I've been looking for a non-greasy hand cream that has SPF and doesn't cost stupid amounts of money for 1oz of product, and this has definitely fit the bill.

Now, on to the purge!

I really only intended to do some reorganization. I wanted to revamp my makeup bag to better represent how freakishly lazy I am when I have to paint my face at work, and I felt like keeping all of my brushes, lipsticks, and blushes in a drawer just wasn't conducive to stupidly early makeup application.

But, uh...I decided I wanted the whole thing to be stream-lined. So I set out to fill my desktop organizer with a variety of products that'd be necessary if I was in a rush and trying to do an entire face of makeup, but also trying to maintain a certain number of options. And I realized that there are a number of products I don't reach for all that much even if I DO put them on my desk. Maybe they just don't flatter me, or maybe my needs have changed. For whatever reason, I realized, they have to go.

And I ended up with an old towel covered in quite a few purge-able items! Don't get me wrong: I think every single one of these items is beautiful, not least because a good number of them were gifts. But they just don't get used enough, and I have to be brutal if I ever want to move without experiencing another packing catastrophe.

Downsizing has been great for me because it keeps my stash manageable and forces me to use the beautiful, perfect-for-me products I already have. I no longer feel obligated to use a product just because I own it; if I don't like it, I don't keep it. It's been easy on my wallet, too, and that's a balm when you consider the size of my paychecks versus my expenses. All in all, I'm thrilled with my progress!

A Momentary Reprieve

Alas, for the past week has NOT been going well. Instead of writing for Curvysta Haven, continuing my Week Without Foundation challenge, and enjoying an inexplicable 5-day weekend, I've been fighting yet another sinus infection. I don't get flus or headcolds that often, so my susceptibility to sinus infections is rather puzzling.

It also looks like I'll be a bit busy over the next few weeks with work, job interviews, weddings, and a little more relaxation time for my abused nasal passages. Hence, the Week Without Foundation is going to be a bit chopped-up. Be afraid, my friends, be very afraid, for two more foundation and concealer-less looks are still set to be posted. I also need to finish my reviews for two new-ish Maybelline products--the Fit Me stick foundation and the Big Eyes mascara--before the month is out, because I want to post the reviews while those products are still...well, new-ish.

In peppier, non-mucus-related news, I received my Sephora package this morning! I finally caved and bought the Dior micellar water, which I'm hoping I love for quick morning cleansing. I also bought the Clinique cream liner because I've been sans black cream liner for a while and wanted to try a new brand. The rest of these items are free samples, 100 point perks, and coupon code add-ons.

Cheap New Shtuff!

So I managed to get a bunch of stuff for all of $30. AND I managed to cram it all in to a reusable Target bag (you know, the crazy-cool ones that fold up in to your purse all wallet-sized like a super-awesome-mega-sweet Transformer?). Seriously, I need to have one of those pay-by-the-pound/bag thrift stores open up near me. I would make that store my bitch.

I found two little makeup items I've been kinda sorta lusting after when I wandered in to Victoria's Secret for a few pairs of panties. (Hilariously, when it comes to VS, nothing BUT these particular panties fit me properly. But them panties are faaaabulous and definitely my favorites. Big-bottomed-tiny-waisted ladies, check out the cotton string bikinis!) These are the limited edition Sheer Blush Cheek Tints in Spotlight and Idolize, respectively, and they're purportedly dupes for the YSL gel blushes. SOLD! I'll keep you guys posted, but because they were LE, are now on clearance, AND cost me all of $6...I'd also suggest you head to VS ASAP if you're interested.

I scored a couple of $2 tees at Salvo. I haven't listened to Alesana's music yet, but the shirt is just. Yeah. So me! And I found another one of those crazy shirts with the goo-font letters and cartoony horror images, a la that puking eyeball shirt I love to death. Gawd, I wish I knew where those came from. >_X As with most of my creepy Salvo tees, these are going to be converted in to sleeveless shirts, cause I don't like sleeves all that much.

I also got some uber-cheap basics from Forever 21 and Goodwill, respectively: a black cami and a pair of skinny jeans.

The biggest scores came from Body Central: sleeveless, high-neck crop tops and high-waisted black shorts! Oh, I can't even handle it. <3 My sister and her friend loved the shorts and the checkered top, but did their best to talk me out of the fantastic video game-esque monstrosity on the right. And by monstrosity, I mean NEW FAVORITE SHIRT EVER. I can't wear to wear it...

...and by the way, my mom thinks it's super-cool. So NYAH!

I've also been working towards sheerer and sheerer base makeup to prep for the Week Of No Foundation Or Concealer! Here I'm wearing just a tiny dot of MAC F&B and some Clinique Airbrush concealer under my eyes. I think I'm getting used to it, but I definitely should've compensated with an extra layer of blush and highlighter!

No, I'm not dead.

Once again, I did a month-long disappearing act. BUT! I come bearing gifts!

So shortly before my boyfriend arrived for an extended visit (aka before I dropped off the face of the Earth), I hauled 3 little things from Sephora and managed to use my points, coupon codes, my recent birthday, and the usual pick-3-samples deal to pull in a surprisingly full box. I actually panicked a little when I first opened the box and sifted through it because I couldn't find the Shiseido cottons; here they were wedged between some of the packing paper. Phew!

Here's all that I hauled, minus the monstrous pack of Shi cottons (a staple for me). I already know that Becca Radiant Skin foundation runs too dark and not-neutral enough for me, but I thought I could get the free sample for swatching purposes. My other free samples were the Soap & Glory body butter and the Hourglass primer, both of which are products I've heard loads about, but have also yet to use. Oops.

I also cashed in 100 of my points for a 1/2 oz sample of the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer. I've been liking this product, but only when I mix a dot of it in with my foundation; unfortunately, it's tinted, so if I just spread it around my face willy-nilly, I look like an Oompa-Loomp. The deluxe Clinique Black Honey lipstick sample was procured with a coupon code, and because I placed this order at the start of May (a few weeks after my birthday), I was able to get the free Benefit gift. Watt's Up is too dark/golden for my super-pale skin, unfortunately, but I'm not entirely hating the They're Real Mascara.

As for stuff I purchased: again, there were the Shi cottons, and I got the NARS pencil sharpener because it would take me over $50 for free shipping and work for my NARS Matte Lip Pencils. The real star, though, has been the Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Creme de Blush in #9 Babydoll.

I was suckered in to buying this blush by Ruth Crilly, the model behind AModelRecommends.com. I'm not normally so easily swayed, but it looked so bright and beautiful and clean on her skin. Ruth also talked up the texture, saying that it was soft and light, and so easy to apply without disturbing the makeup underneath. I gave it a test...and it was instant love. The formula really is creamy, dreamy, and lighter than air.

It's also the perfect everyday blush for my super-fair face, as it doesn't contain a hint of brown and blends so smoothly in to my skin. I've worn this blush almost non-stop for a month, I kid you not; I had to force myself to try out NARS Cactus Flower instead of grabbing for the YSL. It's a definite staple in my collection.

Also, some updates on the red lipstick front! My most recent tips and tutorials for wearing red lipstick like a pro have been posted to Curvysta Haven, and my MAC Lady Danger lipstick giveaway is going on for a few more days!

No, I'm not dead...but my wallet is.

My apologies for the extended absence-o-content. I've had a crazy-weird work schedule and a nasty bout of the flu that's still lingering a smidge, so I've been spending most of my spare time sleeping and filling out job applications. But! I did manage to buy some brand new cheap goodies, finish a swap, and close my MAC Pro card with a bang.

The Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Tinted Balm has been a long-time lust of mine, and I'll do a full review of it when I get the chance. I can tell you right now, however, that I'm pretty sure it's going to be too dark for me. :( I got the NYX Black eyeshadow at the grocery store when I realized I'm lacking a matte black; I've been using it to do my winged liner from time to time, and I'm quite impressed with it! The Ben Nye Creme Color was a total impulse purchase, and now that I have it home, I think it looks very similar to the Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow in Isadore...I'll keep you posted.

I didn't plan on buying any of the limited Edition Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadows, but these were SO hyped, and they looked super-pretty when I held them up to the light. Seashore Frosts is, of course, the one everybody's talking about, and it's pretty unique from what I can tell. I also bought Lavish Lavender because it's my sort of color, and I think it might look neat with the Laura Mercier Metallic Creme eyeshadow in Alloy (which, unfortunately, I haven't been able to figure out yet; I'm pretty sure it's just not working on me).

Then I bought some pressed powders and a 209 brush from MAC, blah blah blah, nobody cares. LIPSTICKS! Obviously, I got a few brights. I Back 2 MACed for Vegas Volt about 2 years ago, then decided it wouldn't look right on me and immediately put it up as a contest prize. Now that I've relaxed a little more with regards to my bright lip colors (not everything has to be a blue-based red or hot pink, etc), I've decided to give it another shot. I also bought the limited edition Paramore lipstick, Sounds Like Noise, which I didn't get a discount on, but it's just...so WEIRD. I had to have it! And of course, the much-loved Girl About Town. I tested it out immediately and already adore it.

I also got a nude-ish color (shock!), Please Me. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this shade. I think I'll only be able to wear it on itself with very specific looks and outfits, but if I want to wear it regularly, it'll probably  need a little gloss to not look so...eh? I'll play around with it a bit.

And keep your eyes out for my other purchase--it's a contest prize. ;)

From left to right: Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense #37, MAC Vegas Volt, MAC Sounds Like Noise, MAC Girl About Town, MAC Petals and Peacocks, MAC Please Me, Lipstick Queen Pink Sinner.

Bad Outfit #20: Post-Mommy-Makeover Mall Run

My mother is a truly beautiful woman, inside and out. But for the past 5 or so years, she hasn't paid much attention to herself. She didn't wear makeup, she'd buy new clothes for herself and take them right back the next day, and she spent most of her weekends cleaning and doing favors for the rest of the family. Sunday, however, was a little different: she bought new clothes and proudly showed them off to everybody, she went to a knitting class, she didn't clean a single thing, and--to my great shock--she dumped out her small container of ancient makeup and asked me, "What do I do?"

Now that my mom has a quick 5-minute routine she can do before she goes to work in the mornings, she needs some fresh stuff and an organizer! My dad chipped in, and I got my mom this cute little acrylic stand at Wal-mart. You'll also notice a few things that were once mine in there: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy (which she just LOVED), Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes (I'll probably repurchase this for myself at some point), and--no, you're not seeing things--my Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow in Tansoleil. It just looked so pretty on her NC20-25 skin that I figured I'd just borrow it from her when I needed it. :) I also got her a brand new lash curler (a green Cynthia Rowley one, just cause green is her favorite color) and a darker, slightly more yellow shade of her Clinique foundation to sample.

But, um, since we were out, I got myself a few things...

...plus a few clothing items. All of them are black, and 3 of the 4 have skulls on them.

And for the record, I gave my mom my extra tube of Lipstick Queen Jean Queen, which she wore throughout the day and kept in her purse...seriously, guys, that lipstick is just so wonderful for so many skintones and age groups. I'm wearing it in these OOTD pictures, too! (Which, by the way, this outfit was far more flattering in real life, but we were kinda in a hurry to get some food in to our gaping maws, so we only took two pictures.) This was a rushed-but-comfortable outfit that I put together to showcase my beloved Triumph boots AND cut down on the sheer amount of black I wear. Y'know, cause there's a colorful coat. And some brown. I TRIED, OKAY?!

 .

COAT: American Eagle Outfitters plaid peacoat

SHIRT: Pink Floyd concert tee, thrifted

JEANS: Forever21 skinny jeans

BAG: Target

BOOTS: Dr. Martens 1914 Triumph

.

I also wanted to let you guys know that I'm totally, honestly working on a bunch of reviews, mostly of foundations. To be honest, I'm a little burnt out from months of hunting for a dry-skin friendly, super-pale foundation that sits nicely on my skin, so I'll probably go over those in a slew of mini-reviews. I know it's not as thorough as my usual foundation reviews, but...you guys understand, right? And I've got a few other new products that I'll probably shove together in another set of mini-reviews, like Rouge Bunny Rouge Sea of Clouds illuminator and a L'oreal liquid liner.

...yeeeeah, I've got a lot to do. Ignore my scary desk o' samples and, instead, enjoy this cute picture of my kitty re-experiencing the smells and sounds of the outside world!