November Loves

I don't post one of these every single month because I don't always fall in love with a whole post full of new products, and I'm not going to bore you by going on about the same stuff I told you about last month. So here's what I've been loving over the past couple months:

Origins A Perfect World SPF 15 Age Defense Tinted Moisturizer with White Tea (01 Light)

This has a ridiculously long name, but my skin is loving the hydration and the sheer coverage.

Origins Silk Screen Refining Powder Makeup (Oatmeal 16)

I light-handedly sweep this all over my face, using my Eco Tools duofibre brush.

Almay* Wake Up Undereye Concealer (020 Light/Medium)

This comes with a brush on applicator, which I squeeze along the inside edge of my eyes and tap to blend with my ring finger.

Milani Baked Blush (Dolce Pink)
This applies really sheer but builds to the perfect natural  just-came-in-from-the-cold rosy flush.  I can imagine this shade being really  beautiful on a lot of skintones.

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss (Juicy Peach)
This is the absolute perfect Autumn-Winter lip product, not only because glossy neutral lips are the perfect foil to dark smokey eyes but because the formula is also really moisturizing (unlike most glosses, which tend to dry out my lips).

Wet n Wild Where's the Party Eight Pan Eyeshadow Palettes

I'm kind of obsessed with the original Color Icon palettes, and these new editions definitely don't disappoint.  I've been pretty much living in Sparkle the Night Away (neutrals) and Shine Till Morning (purples and blues).

Wet n Wild Color Icon Lipliner (Brandy Wine)

I don't mind splurging a little on quality skin products, but lipliner is an item I definitely don't believe in spending much money on.  Wet n Wild liners are just as pigmented as higher end versions.  At 99 cents a pop, I'll probably be snagging a bunch more of these on my next Walgreens trip.

Taylor Swift - Begin Again

I haven't gotten ahold of the Red album in its entirety yet, but I love what I've heard so far.  Chad Sugg's cover of Begin Again makes me weak in the knees.

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

This was my favorite book for the month of October.  I don't know why I didn't read it years ago.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

I've obviously been reading a lolately.  I got through this one really fast because I couldn't bear to put it down.

Nescafe Memento

These come in delicious flavors like caramel (obv. my favorite) and mocha, magically froth up like cappuccinos and don't require cream or sugar.  They've altogether replaced Folgers as my morning instant coffee.

What do you think of my November loves?
Do you have/want any of these items?

What products have you been loving this month?

XOXO, T

FTC: The Origins tinted moisturizer and powder were both given to me by my momma.

*Update: Almay has been removed from cruelty-free lists, and I don't know what to do with my life.

Santa, Baby

First off, I'm not some spoiled, rich kid who gets a crazy ton of presents, and I certainly don't expect to get everything on my list, but I'm posting it as a kind of guideline for my family and friends who think I'm hard to shop for.  Besides, I think it's fun to see other girls' (and boys') wish lists.  That said, these are the pretty little things I'm lusting after, in descending order (beginning with I might cry if I don't get this):

1. Sugilite Yoga Bracelet
2. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh
3. Nail polish wall rack (not necessarily this exact one)
4. Henna Hand Ring Holder
5. Badz-Maru Sweater
6. Travalo Excel
7. Benefit Cosmetics She's So Jetset
8. BH Cosmetics Party Girl Palette
9. Real Techniques Starter Kit

Do you think wish list posts are boring/bratty, or do you think they're as fun as I do?
Do you have/want anything on my list?
What's on your wish list this holiday season?

XOXO, T

September Loves

I know I'm pretty late posting this, but when am I ever on time for anything?

Beauty Loves:

Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara
This gives me tons of volume and length.

Aquaphor Lip Repair + Protect
This comes as another recommendation from Liz, who I realize is pretty much my life's Yoda.

Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Moonlight Path
Fragrance often goes forgotten on my blog, but it's about time I mention this one.  Proper perfumes can be a bit heavy for me during the summer, and I've been turning to Moonlight Path pretty much every day since receiving it in an Influenster Spring Beauty voxbox.

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum
My ex-roommate and close friend Ashlee forgot her bottle of this in my guest room during her visit this past May, and my hair's been loving it all summer.  In addition to its strengthening properties, it's also great in terms of managing frizz.

Rando Loves:

Red Baron Four Cheese Super Slices
I know it's disgusting, but I've been pretty much living off of these.  The best frozen pizza in the world, it's better than a whole lot of "real" pizza.

Good Time by Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
This song is just freaking fun.  Don't judge if you see me rocking out to this in my car.

Awkward
This show is completely hilar.  I love that MTV has every episode online.  Put on your jammies and watch it all weekend.

RachhLoves
My favorite YouTuber this month is RachhLoves, who I can't believe I'd never heard of until recently.

Personal tidbit:
Last month, I mentioned that this semester I'd be writing for my college newspaper.  Well, this week I made the front page (below the fold, but still the front page).  I've included the PDF, in case anyone cares to read my article "Murdered by Makeup?" (continued on Page 2) which is about cruelty-free beauty and includes my interview with the lovely (and vegan) Tashina Combs of Logical Harmony:

Open publication - Free publishing

What do you think of my September loves?  What products did you love in September?

XOXO, T

NARS Andy Warhol Sephora Makeover

This afternoon, Bre and I went to Sephora for free NARS makeovers from her friend Jessica.  The Andy Warhol collection is absolutely beautiful, and the palettes' mirrors are cooly inscribed with Warhol quotes.  They disappointingly don't have one with my favorite Warhol quote: "Don't pay attention to what they write about you; just measure it in inches."

Of the three looks on the display, Bre chose the neutral smokey eye and I, of course, chose the crazy colorful drag look, which speaks volumes about our personalities.  I love Jessica's interpretation of the look, featuring NARS Foreplay cheek palette and Larger Than Life Lipgloss in Hollywoodlawn (over a red lip pencil.)
Although it definitely isn't something I'd wear in real life, I can see myself pairing the glossy red lips with just mascara, and I'd rock the heck out of the eye look with a nude lip.

What do you think of our makeovers?  Of the NARS Andy Warhol collection?

XOXO, T

P.S. In an exercise of enormous self control, we managed to leave Sephora without buying a single thing.

August Loves

I guess I haven't done a monthly loves post in quite some time, so these are kind of like my entire summer's worth of loves (in no particular order):

Beauty Loves

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in basically every color (Honey pictured)

I'm sure we've all seen countless raves of these, so I'm not going to spend much time on them except to say that they're fantastic and I'm basically obsessed.  Let me know if you'd like me to swatch and/or review these.

e.l.f. Essential Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara

This is great for taming my crazy eyebrows just a bit when I want to appear slightly more polished, which is the only use I'm interested in.  (Why would I ever wear clear mascara?)

Almay One Coat Get Up & Grow Mascara

If you're an o.g. Kathryn Rose follower, you might remember me being really into this mascara forever ago and then kind of forgetting about it.  So it's a rediscovered love for me, and you really can't beat it in terms of cruelty-free, clump-free volume for the price.

Wet n Wild Color Icon eyeshadow in Silent Treatment
The quality of these shadows is incredible, and this particular trio can be adapted for either daytime or nighttime.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny
This cult bronzer is every bit as good as everyone says it is.

Boots No7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion

Liz was right (per usual) about this being a dupe for Benefit High Beam, and I'm certain this pearlescent liquid highlight would be beautiful on any skintone.

Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Shampoo and Intensive Moisture Mask

Since switching to this sulfate-free line, my hair is noticeably softer and shinier with less breakage.

There's no non-awkward way to arrange these eight objects.

Fashion Loves

Jorts
I'm sure any Floridian will tell you that denim cutoffs are an absolute summer staple.  (Is this true all over the south?)  I've been especially into these white ones from American Eagle.

January Jones Versace
Who doesn't love a pair of huge sunnies?  This Betty Draper inspired retro gorgeous pair has scarcely left my face since receiving them for my birthday (May).

Random Loves

Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Skins: Favorite ever; I'm rewatching because I've seriously watched everything on Netflix.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: Can't believe I waited so long to read this; it's perfection.

Personal Update

I completed my "general" A.A. degree this summer but missed the deadline to transfer to UCF for this fall, so I'm currently taking a couple Journalism classes at SSC, just to keep my brain from falling out my ears during an unintentional semester off.  So I'll be working on the school newspaper which is kind of exciting, as I've never really been an extra-curricular kind of person.  I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but this journalism thing just might end up making sense for me.  (Watch out, Anna Wintour.)

What do you think of my August loves?  What were some of your favies this month/summer?

XOXO, T

Smokey Eye Saturday

I promise I'm not naked; my hair is hiding my straps.

I'm heading out to my friend Henry's house party, but I got ready freakishly fast so I thought I'd share my FOTN.  I didn't do anything too fancy as it's just going to be a lot of sitting around playing drinking games with the usual suspects, but since a couple of cute boys Facebook RSVP-ed I obvs want to look casually gorgeous but not like I'm wearing too much makeup.

I opted to not wear foundation (or even tinted moisturizer), as my skin is actually in pretty good shape lately but applied Revlon Colorstay Concealer only where absolutely necessary as well as Boots No7 Illuminating Lotion to the high points of my cheekbones.  For my eyes, I'm wearing Wet n Wild Color Icon eyeshadow trio in Silent Treatment and Almay Get Up & Grow Mascara in Black waterproof with e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara to set my brows. I also swept NYC Sunny Bronzer along the underside of my cheekbones and blended into my temples and around the sides of my massive forehead. I finished my look with just a touch of Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink and Burt's Bees tinted lip balm.

Wet n Wild does such a great satiny taupe.

What do you think of this look? What makeup do you typically wear to parties?

XOXO, T

P.S. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I got my conch punched on Friday the 13th, but I guess I haven't blogged since then so I made sure it's visible in the first picture.

Project 18 Pan: Real Talk

Bre recently reminded me that I'm "supposed" to be on project pan.  I think I kind of forgot about it during the blog move a few weeks back.  But excuses aside, I really need to stop blowing all my money on cosmetics, toiletries and the like because I'm obviously out of freakin' control.  So, as of today, I'm on a strict, serious beauty budget.

My Rules:

1. I will not buy any cosmetics, toiletries, or other beauty-related products until I finish the contents of every item on my list.  (Notice I said finish, not simply hit pan on.)

2. The only exception is if I finish a necessary skincare or shower product that I don't have a backup/replacement for.

My Products:

Cosmetics

1. Benefit Realness of Concealness Palette

2. Pixi Sheer Cheek Tint in Natural

3. Boots No7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion

4. NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss (1 tube, any color)

5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain (2 sticks, any color)

6. e.l.f. Studio Golden Bronzer

7. e.l.f. Studio Translucent Mattifying Powder

8. e.l.f. Studio Translucent Loose Powder

Skin Care & Shower

9. the Body Shop Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

10. the Body Shop Cucumber Water

11. Yes to Blueberries Eye Roller

12. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Facial Moisturizer (Fair to Medium)

13. Gud by Burt's Bees Body Wash

14. Up & Up Shaving Cream

Hair Products

15. Redken CurlConditioner
16. Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Shampoo

17. Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask
18. Organix Moroccan Argan Curling Perfection Defining Cream

Don't worry; this definitely doesn't mean I won't still be posting reviews, swatches and the like, as I have tons of products I've scarcely (if at all) touched, much less blogged about.

Do you adhere to a beauty budget?  Have you ever participated in project pan?

If so, do you have any advice for me?  If not, would you ever do it?

Wish me luck.

XOXO, T

P.S. Stay tuned for pictures of all the products I plan on finishing, in the next day or two.

Collective Beauty & Random Target Haul

 I typically go to Target at least 1-2 times a week.  I mean, seriously, it's out of control.  Here's the random stuff I got on my last trip to Target (clockwise from top): green Glow Necklaces (which I typically wear as headbands), a super necessary Little Miss Princess notepad, Sharpie Pens, a six pack of assorted stud earrings (which I'll probably be allergic to), a three pack of small purple baskets (for makeup storage), Krazy Straws, and a little cardboard book called Pinkie Pie Throws a Party (for my cousin's little girl, who is almost as obsessed with My Little Ponies as I was as a kid still am.)

Then we have the beauty products and toiletries I've amassed over the past few days, mostly from Target (though a couple things are from Walgreens).  I have (from left to right): Schick Hydro Silk blades (which I got for crazy cheap--printed out Target coupon + manufacturer's coupon), gud by Burt's Bees Natural Body Wash in Vanilla Flame (smells amazing), BioreTrial Pack Deep Cleansing Pore Strips,  e.l.f. Studio Small Angled Brush, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Darling, Boots No7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion (which Liz swears is a dupe for Benefit High Beam), Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Cocoa Loco, Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in Neon Melon, Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Purparazzi, NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny, and Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel in Natural.

What do you think of my haul(s)?  Do you want/have any of these items?

XOXO, T

Weekly Giveaway Round Up

1. Birchbox is giving away $200 worth of Summer Essentials from Supergoop!

2. The ladies over at Beauty Crazed in Canada are giving away a big bunch of makeup.

*Image belongs to Beauty Crazed in Canada.

Trendy Tuesday #1: Summer Brights

A lot of bright colors have cool undertones, which is part of what makes them so beautiful with a bit of a tan.  If we tried wearing neon in the winter, it would completely wash most of us out.

The key to incorporating brights into your look, whether in the form of clothing, accessories or makeup, is pairing a single pop of color with an otherwise very basic, neutral look.  The most surefire way to pull off a bright lipstick, eyeshadow or blush is by wearing almost no other makeup.

It helps to wear a white base underneath brights to help the color pop, especially on darker skintones.  For example, I typically apply NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk under bright eyeshadow or liner and a white nail polish before a bright (or dark or weird) nail polish, to keep it from staining my nails.

These are a few of my favorite bright cosmetic items:

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Lollipop and Tutti Frutti

NYX Eyeshadow Trio in Shangri La

Wet n Wild eyeshadow singles in Fuchsia and Lagoon

Milani Liquif’eye Eyeliner in Aqua

Wet n Wild Lipstick in Fuchsia with Blue Pearl

e.l.f. Studio Blush in Pink Passion

Small Ulta Haul

Six items make for a minuscule purchase, particularly when compared to the insane amount I usually pick up at Ulta.  Some of this was from the NYX bogo sale, the polish is one I've been lusting after for a while, and the rest is a result of my powerlessness against the last second check-out line displays.  On to what I purchased (clockwise from top): NYX Eye Shadow in Blue Marine, NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Beige and Nude Peach, Orly Nail Lacquer in Mysterious Curse, Benefit Realness of Concealness Mini "Fake-It" Kit, and EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint.

What do you think of my haul?  Do you have/want any of these items?  Did you pick anything up during the NYX bogo sale?

XOXO, T

Collective Drugstore Haul

In the past two days, I've spent a disgusting amount of money at Walgreens and CVS.  I think what gets me in so much trouble when drugstore shopping is that no one item is very expensive.  This leads to my dropping a million pretty, little sticks and bottles into my basket.  Next thing I know, the cashier is asking for every last penny in my purse, and I don't even understand what happened.  A few of these things I actually needed, but the vast majority of my purchases were completely frivolous nonsense.

From left to right, I got: a Soho Crease Brush, patriotic Glow Bracelets & Necklaces (8 sticks + connectors), a 3 pack of Large Mesh Bath Sponges, a Plan Ahead Journal, Essence of Beauty Facial Cleansing Sponges, a $15 iTunes gift card, 0.7 mm lead, Sinful Colors Professional nail polish in Snow Me White, RevlonRevlon Scented Nail Enamel in Strawberry Cream, Kiss Nail Dress in 2B (leopard), Milani Shadow Eyez Eyeshadow Pencil in Aquatic Style, Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss in Peony, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Cherish, and Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Coral Reef.

A close up of the fun stuff.

What do you think about my haul?

I can't be the only one who compulsively buys tons of drugstore crap.  Can you empathize with my plight?

XOXO, T

Weekly Giveaway Roundup

The lovely ladies over at Beauty Crazed in Canada are giving away a hell of a lot of bronzers.  (Two winners will be receiving 8 bronzers each.)

Lipstick Fridays is giving away £50 of Nars in her 800 Follower Giveaway.
Giveaway Scoop is giving away a 3rd Generation iPad and tons of other great prizes.

June It Girl Julep Maven Box Unboxing

I received Julep's Daylight Defense SPF 15 Lip Balm along with three bottles of their Nail Vernis in the following shades, as described by Julep:
Sasha- fresh cantaloupe melon creme
Sandra- friendly, frosted magenta
Morgan- frosty grape purple

Sasha, Sandra, Morgan, extra brushes, Daylight Defense Lip Balm

Julep Nail Vernis are three free, which means they do not contain formaldehyde, toulene or DBP.  I'd be lying if I acted like I know what most of that means, but it's supposedly yucky stuff that's bad to put on your fingernails.
Also, I'm happy to announce that Julep has reintroduced their introductory penny offer but with a new coupon code.  If you've never purchased from Julep, simply click here, take the style quiz to receive your personalized shade selections, and enter the code COLOR2012 at checkout to bring your total down to $0.01 (for realsies).

Cute, summery packaging, complete with a couple Pixy Stix

I didn't even know Pixy Stix (Seriously with the spelling?) were still in production, but I devoured them both almost immediately. #ihavezeroselfcontrol

Super secure bubble wrapping action

XOXO, T

FTC: In the spirit of full disclosure, I should let y'all know that if even two people sign up for their penny Maven Box via my referral link, I'll receive next month's polishes for free.

Skin Care Sunday #1: Schick Hydro Silk Review and Free Sample Offer

I know my Skin Care Sundays have traditionally been about facial skin care, but doesn't shaving fall under the skin care category as well?
About a month ago, I posted about this offer to receive a free Schick Hydro Silk Razor.  My free razor arrived shortly after, and I've been using/loving it ever since.

I'm always a bit wary to try any razor with tons of blades and/or some kind of moisture strip/bar thingy (Schick Intuition, anyone?), but thankfully the Hydro Silk cartridge remains compact enough that it's perfectly armpit and, um, bikini area friendly, unlike the ginormous Intuition which stood no chance of maneuvering around these smaller, more sensitive areas.

Schick was also nice enough to attach a few coupons to the back: 55¢ off any Skintimate Shave Gel and $4.00 off any Schick Hydro Silk Refill because yes, this is an actual permanent razor handle and not a crappy disposable.

Five epic curve-sensing blades and hydrating water-activated moisturizing serum awesomeness

I'm not sure if Schick is still giving out free razors, but you should definitely go see if this offer is still available because, come on, free stuff rules and so does this razor.

XOXO, T