Alba Haul!

Hello Beautiful!

We're gonna talk about Alba products.

I went a little crazy, but instead of using my actual money, I used my meal plan money.  Unfortunately my university's choice in cuisine is not the greatest.  At the end of the year, I am left with so much money.  I cannot get this money back at the end of the year and it will not roll over to the following year.  Fortunately, one of the markets on campus gives us pleasant surprises, such as the occasional massive supply of Alba products.  I have only used one Alba product before in the future and that is one of my toners.  I love the toner and so I did not think I could go wrong with any of the products I picked up.

In this picture I'm showing a cleansing facial wash made with coconut milk, two face masks, two moisturizers, eye gel, and a face scrub.  I have tried every product aside from the face masks and so far I love them!

The facial cleanser with coconut milk leaves my face feeling fresh.  I used it after the facial scrub with pineapple enzymes and the two products make a perfect cleansing duo.  My face was soft and supple, and it smelled like a tropical fruit smoothie.  I actually went the next day without washing my face in the morning (a risky thing) to see what would happen and my face remained soft and supple! 

I tried out both moisturizers, and once again I had a positive experience.  I use the even advanced moisturizer for the AM (because of the SPF 15) and I use the jar in the PM (it's oil  free and made with green tea!).  The even advanced moisturizer is said to help even out the discoloration of skin as well as keep your face from looking dull.  I have not used this product long enough to see it work, but I do appreciate the SPF.  San Francisco's sunny rays   this past week gave me a sunburnt nose.

The final product that I want to rave about is the eye gel!  It is made with green tea, aloe, cucumber, and chamomile extracts!  It is said to wake up your eyes and firm the skin surrounding them.  But instead of using the gel in the morning, I use it at night.  I have used several eye products from brands such as Yes To and Mary Kay.  Alba is one of my new favorites.  I want to compare Alba to my Yes To eye gel.  My Yes To eye gel was not a terrible product, but I ended up using it at night due to a weird residue it would leave on my eyes.  Also, there were times where the gel would sort of sting.  I am not a fan of that feeling and so I have not been using it too much.  I was afraid the Alba gel would do the same thing but not only does it smell better, it keeps my eyes feeling fresh throughout the night, it does not sting, and it does not leave a weird residue.  What I really want to do with this gel is keep it in the fridge and then use it in the morning.  Unfortunately I do not have a mini-fridge in my room.

Honestly, I love these Alba products.  I love them so much that I went back to purchase the chap sticks, an even advanced face cleanser, and a couple of body products.  I have been using these products and so I will be posting about more Alba products in the near future.

And if this post has not convinced you to try this product line out yourself, here is what the company claims about their line:

• The products are NOT tested on animals.
• There are no parabens or phthalates.
• 100% vegetarian ingredients
• Hypo-allergenic
• Ph balanced

I am hoping that I have somewhat enticed you to check out this line, because I do not think you will be displeased with the products.

If you have tried out the Alba line, tell me what you personally think! :)

Until next time!

Milani Rose Blush & L'Oreal's Miss Manga Mascara!

Hello Beautiful!

Saddly, I have been too busy to get any posts in.  But recapping from last month's post, I had a few items on my want list.  Two of them included L'Oreal's Miss Manga Mascara and Milani's limited edition rose blush!

I cannot express how excited I was to use these!  I could not find the Milani blushes anywhere and I received this mascara right before it was released in the U.S.  It's quite nice getting to try something out before its official release.

The Milani blush is huge and I'm very obsessed with the fact that it is shaped into a rose.  The shade is actually called "Tea Rose" and it's a very pigmented, matte, deep pink mauve.  You do not need a generous hand for this blush.  A little goes a very long way.  It's honestly more pigmented than a lot of high end blushes.  If you can get your pretty little hands on any of these blushes, the buy is very much worth it!

As for the mascara, the first time I ever watched a review on it was on I COVET THEE's channel.  She explained how much she loved the mascara and I was so upset that it was not yet in the U.S.  I talked about it so much for a month, so just picture how elated I was to see this in my "Easter Basket" (Oh yes, Mom and Dad like to keep my childhood alive.)  

This mascara was well worth the wait.  I highly recommend everyone to pick up a tube. My eyelashes are a pain and I can use this mascara by itself to lengthen and add volume to my lashes.  The wand is very bendy?  That's the best word that I can come up with.  I love this mascara so much that it replaces my Too Faced's "Better Than Sex" mascara. Hands down, it is one of the best drugstore mascaras out there.  The quality goes beyond the price and I want to buy another one just because I love it so much.

So keep an eye out for that beauty find, beauties.  It's well-worth your while and I'm very excited to say that it has made its arrival into the U.S.

Happy Cosmetics Shopping!

My Favorite Lip Balm Picks!

Hello Beautiful!

I hope that you are having a happy spring!  Mine has been quite busy! Only a month and a half left of this semester (ugh).  

I have been slacking on posts (what's new?) and have been wanting to actually create a schedule of when I am going to put out a post.  I am still trying to figure out what day would be best.  Since I am taking a study break today, I wanted to share a short and sweet post for you all! 

Here is something a lot of people may or may not know about me...I'm always on a hunt for the best chapstick/lip balm.  My lips are extremely sensitive and nothing peeves me more than when they are dry and chapped.  It is gross and I love applying lipstick which does not always help them.

So I exfoliate frequently but a great, hefty lip balm is always helpful.

I cannot tell you how many I own.  But they are placed everywhere, on my desk, near the bed, in my backpack, and in my beauty bag!  I always have chapstick. Always.

So out of the (probably hundreds) of chapstick that I do own, here are my top three!

Here they are! I keep one near my facial products so that I remember to apply it in the morning.  I keep one on the bedside table.  I keep the third in my backpack!

Surprisingly, I think the two cheaper balms (vaseline and alba) do a better job with keeping my lips hydrated.  I still love lip service, but I always apply it before I apply my makeup and I think the lipstick dries out my lips regardless.  However, I've been testing out my Vaseline lip therapy for a few days and  I think it keeps my lips soft and hydrated for the longest amount of time.  This only sells for a little over $2 dollars at my nearest Target (but I live in San Francisco and I found that SF city targets are more expensive than suburban based Targets! You might find this product for a cheaper price if you're in the suburbs!)

I also think that my alba chapstick keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day for a longer amount of time than lush's Lip Service.  So sometimes you're better off with the cheaper product!

In conclusion, I love all three of them! The best time for me to use lip service is post lip exfoliation! I pair it up with my lush sugar scrub that I use! They work as a duo!  However, for the cheaper balms, I am more than confident when telling you that the Vaseline lip therapy and Alba balms are spectacular for your lips!  Just take it from a person who owns too many lip balms and always wants more.

So keep your lips hydrated, beautifuls!  Nobody is a fan of dry, cracked lips! 

Birthday & Christmas Beauty Haul!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

It's been a while since I have posted.  It has been a busy couple of months!  

This post will show all of the beauty goodies I received for both my Birthday and Christmas! My birthday is very close to Christmas and so it feels like a week of gifts. I'm very blessed for that. So without further ado, let's get on with it!

First and foremost, Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette was my earliest birthday gift.  I am absolutely obsessed with this palette. I received this mid December and it's been my go-to palette ever since.  In all honesty, this palette is my favorite out of UD's Naked products.  I highly encourage anyone to purchase this palette.  It may become your favorite holy grail product too.  I have yet to find any notable cons about this palette.  It's super pigmented.  The colors are gorgeous, romantic, and sultry. The packaging is the best by far.  It's a beautiful, metal, rose gold case. My most favorite and notable shade within this palette is "Blackheart".  It is a black shade with shimmery, red glitter in it.  I do not own anything that resembles Blackheart.  Part of me really wanted this palette just because of Blackheart. It's GORGEOUS!  I have nothing but great things to say about this product.

These next products come from Sephora and MAC. 

I have tried the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer and the Better Than Sex mascara.  I have also tried my MAC plum liner.  I had to purchase the liner to put it with my Capricious lipstick since Regina wears these products in Once Upon a Time (She's my favorite!).  As for Sephora's formula X polish, I have yet to try it.  It is a gold flecks polish...it reminds me of the 14K gold polishes that I could never come across.  When I saw this polish, I knew that I needed it.  I cannot wait to put it with Essie's Ballet Slippers. The final gift is the birthday gift that Sephora gave out.  It includes the "They're Real" mascara and "Watts Up" highlighter.  I actually own a full sized Watts Up highlighter.  I really like it, so I now have a little travel size of it.  As for They're Real, I've used it a couple of times.  I had purchased a mini version of They're Real prior to this gift to see if I like it.  I do, but I have purchased some drugstore mascara that works better for me.   

Better Than Sex has been a good investment.  Would I re-purchase? I cannot give you that answer.  I'm on the fence about it.  It's a great mascara.  It makes it look like I've got a million lashes.  However, that's the only noticeable factor about it.  I really like the packaging and the bold name. But I am certain that I have mascara that does the trick at half the price of Better Than Sex.

As for Chocolate Soleil. I LOVE IT. It smells like chocolate, it blends so nicely, and I love the pigmentation.  It is perfect for my skin tone (NC30). I would highly recommend this bronzer to anyone who is looking for a more high end bronzer.  Who doesn't like the smell of chocolate? (Sorry if you don't.)

Next are my drugstore purchases as well as a gift from my best friend.  She has introduced me to the wonderful world of Forever 21 lipstick.  She bought me a rosy shade.  At first it comes onto the lips in a matte but sheer way (IDK if that even makes sense, but it does!)  It is build-able and can end up to be quite a bold and pinky shade on the lips.  I also am a sucker for the packaging.  Maybelline has also released a new line of cosmetics.  I purchased the Master Hi-Light by Face Studio as well as the Master Glaze which is a cream blush stick.  I used both and I love them!  I'm not a high fan of cream blushes, but I really love this blush stick.  I may have to purchase a new one.  As for the highlighting blush, I really love it as well.  I'm quite excited about these products! You can purchase them at CVS!  The other products I purchased were polishes.  I purchased Essie's Ballet Slippers, Maybelline's Crushed Crimson (This is LE), and Sally Hansen's Gold Roses (which I have been wanting for months, but could not find.)

The Smashbox Master Class Palette 2 is amazing. I am so in love with the shadows within this palette. I used it for my Christmas day look and I was obsessed.  This palette gives you 28 shadows, 5 blush shades, 1 bronzer shade, and 2 highlighting shades.  It also gives you 4 gel eyeliner shades.  Prior to using this palette, I heard that the pigmentation was off and that the shadows were chalky. I am going to disagree with those statements.  The shadows were not chalky to me and they did not crease all day long (I used elf primer with the NYX shadow base).  Also, the gel liners do not come off.  I swatched a shade yesterday and I had to really scrub it off of my arm.  Great staying power!  

I own the first master class palette as well and I like that palette as well.  But I absolutely love Master Class 2.  It's amazing. The only con about this is it's packaging.  It doesn't look like it fully closes and I'm trying to determine if I can depot the palette and place it into a Z palette.  For now, I'm just keeping the palette within its box.  Otherwise, I have nothing but positive words for the palette.  

The next two pictures of our my most recent purchases from my Sephora gift cards.  I am addicted to YSL lipsticks and so I purchased my third one (Fuschia in Excess).  I also purchased Philosophy's serum "when hope is not enough".  Nina Dobrev uses this product and I feel like her skin his flawless. So I had to purchase it and try it out myself.  

Finally, these are beauty products that I unwrapped within my Tinkerbell stocking. :)  I got a cute Sally Hansen nail file (neeeeded a new one), elf oil absorbing sheets, an elf shadow palette, 3 UD eyeliners, a mini UD setting spray, and Nivea cream (a great product for the handbag).  I really like UD's eyeliners aside from when they go jagged on me (the pain...).  I've used a setting spray by UD before and I believe it works (I used it for Senior Prom if that tells you anything).  I've never used the oil absorbing sheets or the Nivea cream but I'm excited for them.

There you have it.  That was my big Christmas/Birthday haul.  I'm stoked about everything as usual!

I hope you have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Victoria's Secret, "Very Sexy Now" Fragrance

I guess this is somewhat of a product review.  I have had this particular VS Very Sexy Now fragrance for some time.  When I first purchased this fragrance, I was obsessed with it.  I had to have both the lotion and the perfume.

Now, I cannot stand this fragrance.  I seriously cannot stand it.

I put it on today thinking that I had not worn it in a long time.  I figured, I would switch up my scent and throw it on as I rushed my way out of my room.  For the duration of the night, I could not exactly stand my scent.  It just did not get me the way it had initially.

Then, whilst laying in bed on YouTube, I thought I was going to be sick from the scent.  I was feeling nauseous.  I just can't stand the smell anymore.

It is way too strong.  It's almost so strong that it makes the eyes  tear up as it sets your nostrils on fire.  It is not a light, floral, and fresh scent.  I have grown to really love scents like Chance by Chanel and Daisy by Marc Jacobs...THAT may be why I cannot stand this scent.

This Very Sexy Now fragrance can be described as a white jasmine, blackberry, and amber.  I can't say that it smells like that to me.  Perhaps it's an overload of amber...and I'm not a huge fan of the amber scent, to be honest.

Now, if you are a fan of this fragrance, please do not take offense to this review.  Some scents work really well on people, this fragrance does not work well on me.  If you are a fan of Chance and Daisy, I am not sure if you would like this particular scent.

Unfortunately this is a bad review, which is rare.  I am dishing out the bad stuff first, before I get to the good stuff!