Make up · Review · Weekly Product Highlight

e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette

~Weekly Product Highlight~ e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette~

You need this in your life!  I am telling you, stop what you are doing and go get this e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette! Ok, maybe that is a little dramatic, but these blushes are really awesome!  They give the face such a beautifully pigmented glow!  I am so impressed with the quality of these blushes.

e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comThey come in two different options: light and dark.  I have the light palette, but the dark one is so beautiful, I think eventually I may get that one as well.  For only $6 you get 4 beautiful different shades of blush.

Upside…each of the pans can be popped out. So if you want to rearrange or interchange the colors of this palette with one of their other palettes you can.  It can also be interchanged with the products from the e.l.f. Total Face Palette as well.

Downside… these shades are only offered together  in this palette and not sold individually.  While they do not have the exact shades sold separately, they do have some similar shades such as the Studio Pressed Mineral Blush in Jet Setter and Cabo Cabana; or the Studio Blush in Blushing Rose or Berry Merry.  Personally, I think the blushes from the palette are much better than the ones that are sold individually, imo.

e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I am going to be honest with you, the first time I applied this blush I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so pigmented and I may have ended up looking a little bit like a clown!  That is ok, I love me some blushed cheeks, haha! Since then, I have found that applying the blush not only with a very light hand but also by applying it with a stippling brush.  This gives me a much better, more natural look.

e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

What does the e.l.f. website have to say about this …

details

This beautiful blush palette holds 4 gorgeous shades to mix and match throughout the year for a custom blended color. Great for contouring, shading, sculpting, and highlighting, these silky smooth blushes create a beautiful pigmented glow. With a mixture of complimentary matte and shimmer finishes, you can achieve a professional look every time.

how to use

Choose your preferred blush shade and apply to the cheeks or area you wish to contour or highlight and blend in.

What about you? Have you tried any of these e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette?  What do you think?  I would love to hear your opinion!

 

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PS: My sister is the one who first told me about this e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette (the same sister that told me about the oh sugar lip balms.)  I love sharing things I love with people I love?!

Health/ Fitness

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Workout

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Workout | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

1. Just do it!  You may not feel like working out, but let me tell you, you will not regret it!  You will only regret the times you skipped not the times you did it!

You'll never regret the workouts you do, only the ones you don't!

2.Be consistent!  The more often you exercise the greater impact it will have on your life.  As with many things consistency is what brings results.  Long term health is more important than short term results.

3. Have a plan!  If you are new to exercising and working out, make sure you have a plan!  Have you ever heard the saying “Fail to plan, plan to fail”? It is so true.  Having a plan will also help you to not waste your time. If you are going to take the time to work out give it your all!  Don’t take the easy way out, do your best.  Be completely present in what you are doing.  Think about the muscles you are working

4. Keep moving!  Even if you feel like you might keel over, keep moving.  Even if you have to move super slowly, keep moving.  If you are moving then you will keep going, if you stop to take a break, you might be able to convince yourself that you don’t need to continue. Anything worth doing is worth doing right!  Make the most out of your time.  Putting in an intense workout for 30 minute is worth way more than an hour long session at only a half effort .  Keep moving!

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Workout | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

5. Don’t give up!  Even if you miss a day here or there, or haven’t been consistent at all, that doesn’t mean you have to give up!  Just remember, January may be the start of the new year, but you can start a new healthy lifestyle any day you want to!  Most people give up on their New Years resolutions by February. You got this, don’t let that be you!  Don’t give up!

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Make up · Review

YouTube Made Me Buy It

Have you ever been watching a Beauty YouTube video and thought to yourself, “Wow, that sounds so great, I NEED to go get that!”? Yup, me too, I definitely have!

Sometimes these YouTube recommended items are “Winners”, and sometimes…”Not So Much”.

YouTube Made Me Buy It! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Here are a few things that YouTube Made Me Buy…

**Of course, just because some of these products didn’t work out for me doesn’t mean that they aren’t great products.  Makeup is such a personal thing, and I still take recommendations from Beauty YouTubers.**

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle

I LOVE this!  It really is a 3 minute miracle, it is awesome. I can’t quite place my finger on the scent to describe it, I don’t know, maybe a sweet citrus vanilla/orange creamsicle scent.  I don’t know if that really describes it, but I really like it.  It leaves my hair feeling super soft and healthy.  I have already repurchased this three times since I originally tried this one back in September.  

In my opinion, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle gets a rating of Winner!

maybelline lash sensational | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Beauty YouTubers rave about this mascara!  I am a big fan of Maybelline mascaras so  I thought that with all the hype surrounding this one I was bound to love it.  NOPE!  I don’t like this mascara at all, not even one little bit.  I hate the brush, I hate the formula and I hate that it smudged all over my upper lids.  The few times that I wore it I looked like a hot mess!

For me, this mascara gets a rating of “Not so much”

Coty Airspun Powder
Yup, it smells like your grandmother, but it’s been around since 1935 for a reason!

Coty Airspun powder

If you can get over the overly excessive perfume scent of this powder then you are in for a great product!  I love the way this powder applies and how it lasts.  I am very sensitive to the way things smell, and despite the  scent, I love it.  Now that I have been using it for a while, I don’t even notice the way that it smells.

Rating of  Winner!

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 

This is going way way back in my YouTube watching.  The first beauty YouTuber that I ever consistently watched was Huda Katan of Huda Beauty. (I wrote a whole post about her, she’s awesome!)  She has beautiful skin and she highly recommended this CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.  I purchased it on her recommendation and have been a believer ever since!

Rating of Winner!

Wet N Wild 503C

Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick, Will You Be With Me? 503C

Look at that color!  It is beautiful!  I think that this shade will work beautifully on so many different skin tones and shades.  So many Beauty YouTubers have talked about this shade of WnW lipstick, and for only $0.99 USD it is a real steal.  On the down side this lipstick does tend to dry out the lips, but nothing a bit of balm can’t cure.

Rating of Winner!

Lorac Pro Palette Review | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Lorac Pro Palette

I could go on and on and on about this palette.  I actually don’t think that YouTubers give enough love to the LORAC brand.  Everything from Lorac that I have ever tried has been amazing.  I LOVE my Lorac Pro Palette!  If you are planning on splurging on something special I highly recommend this absolutely wonderfully beautiful palette.  Read more about what I love about this palette by clicking HERE.

Rating of Double Extra Winner!

Maybelline Fit Me lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

NOPE!  I have given this concealer so many chances!  I don’t know if I just got a bad one, but it has never worked for me!  It is thin and watery yet it creases and just makes my under eye area look crepey.  I definitely don’t want to bring more attention to the wrinkles under my eyes!  I have heard so many YouTubers talk about how awesome this concealer is, so I am sad that it didn’t work out for me.

Rating of Not So Much.

On the other hand, that brings me to the next item that YouTube made me buy…

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer + Treatment in brightener-

I may not like the Fit Me concealer, but this  Age Rewind concealer has never let me down!  I love the smooth consistency and the easy application.  I really love the way it just melts into my skin making my under eye area look smooth and fresh. I wrote a whole post about it that you can read by clicking HERE. 

Rating of Winner!

I hate this mascara! Loreal mascara Voluminous | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Loreal  Voluminous Volume Building Mascara Blackest Black

I hate this mascara! Possibly due to the fact that I got it in waterproof, I’m not sure.  I don’t know if the regular formula is better, but considering how highly recommended this mascara is, I am guessing that must be the case.  The waterproof one is terrible!  It is clumpy and thick, it made my eyelashes look terrible!

Rating of Not So Much

Eos YouTube Made Me Buy It!  lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

eos Lip Balm in Vanilla Mint

I REALLY wanted to like this lip balm!  The packaging is so cute and I love the idea of it.  But it is just not good.  Instead of moisturizing, it actually makes my lips feel dryer and also gives my daughter a rash around her mouth.  I didn’t even finish this one, it was that bad.

Definitely a rating of Not So Much

YouTube Made Me Buy It! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

What about you?  Have you purchased things solely based on recommendations from YouTubers?  I’d love to hear what you have bought and whether or not it worked out for you!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

*I bought all of these with my own money.  As always, all the opinions are all my own.:-)

Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #11

Here’s another tip for Tip Tuesday.

This week I am going to be talking about…Multi Masking!

Tip Tuesday Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I don’t know about you, but all the parts of my face are not created equally!  It is kind of annoying!  While my forehead and cheeks are very normal my nose is dry and my chin always seems to be the place to break out.

This is where multi masking comes into play!  Using a few different types of face masks as the same time you can get what each area of your face needs.  By applying a clarifying mask to my chin and a moisturizing mask to my nose and a soothing mud mask to my cheeks and forehead area, I am giving each each part of my face what it needs all at the same time.

Tip Tuesday FORMULA 10.0.6 multi masking | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

There are so many great masks available!  I really like the Formula 10.0.6 mud masks. I’ve seen them at both Ulta and at Walgreens.com. They’re great and only around $6-7.  Added bonus they smell great and the packaging is super cute too!  I also recommend  the Queen Helene line of masks two of my favorites are the  Grape Seed Extract Peel Off Masque and especially the Mint Julep mask.  These are both less than $4.

Tip Tuesday Queen Helene multi masking | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Hope you enjoy this weeks tip!

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*This post is not sponcored. Although I wish it were ;-).

I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram Lookingjoligood and on Facebook Looking Joli Good!

 

Love and Life · Photography

Happy 10th Birthday, Tessie

Life is so much better with a Boston Terrier!

Happy 10th Birthday Tessie! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

There is no one who is happier to see me or makes me feel as unconditionally loved as this precious little dog!  She is such a source of joy and happiness in my life!  I cannot even believe that she has been around for 10 years. I hope, wish, and pray for 10 more years with her!

Happy 10th birthday to my sweet Tessie!

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Beauty Subscription · Make up · Review

How ’bout Them Samples?!

Ok, I have been trying really hard not to make any unnecessary beauty purchases.  So far, so good.  I have walked down the beauty rows several times and I have successfully left without buying anything!

So, as part of my strict no buy, I had decided to use samples that I have already received but have been neglecting.  I have so many samples that I don’t even remember where I got all of them from originally.  I know some are from ipsy bags, or Target boxes and others from Walmart beauty boxes.  Here is the first group of what I have decided to try out…

how about them samples? | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I will let you know in a few weeks what I think of each thing and if I would purchase these items based on my thoughts from these samples.

And yes, that is a nail product in the picture, I know, I know, I completely complained about it when I got it in my ipsy bag.  I am going to give it a try based on the high recommendations of Amy from The Makeup Case and Lizzie from lizzielovesbeauty.

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I would love for you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on both.  I would also love to follow you as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Beauty Subscription · Make up

Ipsy Glam Bag April 2016

This month has flown by!!! I can’t believe that I completely forgot to post what I got in my ipsy glam bag!  So, even though my May bag will be here soon, I am still going to show you all what I got because I always loving seeing what everyone else received in their bags.

(If you don’t know what ipsy is you can check out my previous post all about it by clicking HERE)

This month’s glam bag is super cute!  Orange, yellow, and blue multicolored background with a tie dyed like pattern.  I love the colors of this bag’s print, it is one of my favorites so far!  The zipper is a pretty teal and it is across the top, a feature that I really like.  The last several bags the past few moths have been great!

If you don’t already subscribe to ipsy but you are thinking about trying it out, I’d love for you to use my referral link https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=uqdkx

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you have already seen what I received.  If you don’t follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you totally should! 😉

Here’s what I got in my glam bag this month…

Ipsy Glam Bag April 2016 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

 

tarte cosmetics LipSurgence™ lip crème in wonder Weight: .05 oz
This is a great little sample.  I really enjoy these lipsurgence lip cremes.  The color is beautiful, I have already worn this several times! It has a nice peperminty scent with a slight tingly feel.  I love getting samples like this in my glam bag.

tarte cosmetics LipSurgence™ lip crème in wonder

Eco-chic, cruelty-free products full of good-for-you ingredients.

The super creamy formula is infused with their famous maracuja oil to leave lips feeling oh-so soft. And we’re beyond obsessed with the soft poppy pink shade.
STYLIST TIP:
Perfect your pout! Swipe once for a sheer wash of color, or build for more intensity.P.S. It also doubles as a cheek color! Apply to the apples of cheeks and blend for a radiant flush of color.”

REN Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream Weight: 1 ozEvercalm Global Protection Day Cream Weight: 1 oz | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
I feel like for what it is 1 oz is a decent sized sample.  It has a nice fresh scent and I really like the way this cream makes my skin feel.  My foundation applies over it well.  Supposedly it protects against free radicals and environmental aggression while combating the signs of premature aging.  Trains skin to be less sensitive.  That is a lot of claims for one product, but hey I am all for protection against environmental aggression, lol!

“WHY THIS PRODUCT IS FAB: They had us at anti-aging. Plus, the super lush formula absorbs instantly leaving your skin soft, silky and residue-free.

STYLIST TIP:
Wear alone or blend with foundation for more hydrating coverage.”

Crown Brush C427 Duo Fiber Blush Brush | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Crown Brush C427 Duo Fiber Blush Brush
I both love and hate getting brushes in my ipsy glam bags.  I have gotten some great brushes that I use daily and I have gotten some others that are just ok.  This one is nice and soft.  It gets the job done

“WHY WE ❤ THIS BRAND: Professional, champagne-quality brushes on a beer budget.

WHY THIS PRODUCT IS FAB: It multitasks as much as you do! Use with your fave foundation, blush, or highlight.

STYLIST TIP:
Get glowing in just 2 steps!

  • Using one side of the brush, apply blush to the apples of your cheeks.
  • Flip the brush and use the other side to dust highlighter above your blush on cheekbones.”

pur~lisse Beauty Blue Lotus + White Tea Sheet Mask & Blue Lotus + Seaweed Sheet Mask Weight: .74 oz

pur~lisse Beauty Blue Lotus + White Tea Sheet Mask & Blue Lotus + Seaweed Sheet Mask Weight: .74 ozI was happy that I received two of these masks, just one would have been a bit of a rip off.  Overall I am not a huge fan of sheet masks.  They tend to be a bit cumbersome and annoying and I find that they are usually sticky.  Although, despite that opinion, I did enjoy using the Blue Lotus + White Tea Sheet Mask mask, it smells delightful and my skin felt smooth afterwards.  I will probably use the  Blue Lotus + Seaweed Sheet Mask some time soon.

“WHY THIS PRODUCT IS FAB: Think of these sheet masks as your skincare storm troopers! Each individually wrapped sheet traps a powerful solution of Asian botanicals, seaweed, white tea and antioxidant rich Blue Lotus in your skin. The result? A plumper, more radiant complexion.

STYLIST TIP:
Master the art of the sheet mask! After removing the mask, don’t wash your face. Gently rub the extra serum into your skin and décollatage using upward circular motions — this helps to keep skin firmer!

ipsters who receive this product in their Glam Bag will receive two masks: Blue Lotus + White Tea Sheet Mask & Blue Lotus + Seaweed Sheet Mask.”

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Neapolitan Palette Weight: .1 oz

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Neapolitan Palette Weight: .1 oz | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comI have received several Jelly Pong Pong items from ipsy over the last year.  Some were hits and some were misses.  At first I wasn’t overly impressed with this when I first saw it, but once I swatched it I realized that the color pay off is pretty good and the shine on the golden shade is beautiful! I have worn this a few times since I received it.  Overall the color is beautiful, but the lasting power is not that great.  Who wants to have to touch up their eyeshadow through out the day, not me!

“WHY WE ❤ THIS BRAND: It’s like your quirky, fashion-forward BFF in makeup form! P.S. All products are paraben-free, hypoallergenic, and won’t clog your pores.

WHY THIS PRODUCT IS FAB: 3 coordinated shadows to shade, line and define! This petite palette takes the guesswork out of choosing which shades go together.

STYLIST TIP:
Sweep the lightest shade across entire lid up to brow bone. Apply the middle shade into crease and blend. Line upper lashline with the darkest shade to create definition.”

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Neapolitan Palette Weight: .1 oz | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
The gold really makes the vein in my hand pop! Lol! Spoken like a true IV nurse 😉

How about you?   Did you get an ipsy’s glam bag?  What did you get in yours?  Were you happy with your samples?  Do you get any other monthly subscription bags/boxes that are worth trying out?  Let me know in the comments below.

If you don’t already subscribe and would like to try out ipsy you can use my referral link by clicking HERE!  Also, if you are interested in seeing my other recent posts about ipsy click HERE

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I would love for you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on both.  I would also love to follow you as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #10

Tip Tuesday: Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Here is another tip for Tip Tuesday…

I seriously hate it when I am trying to sharpen a makeup pencil and it keeps breaking!!!  (I hate wasting the product in a sharpener!) To prevent this from happening I put it in the freezer 30 minutes before I want to sharpen it. This simple trick helps to makes the tip less likely to crumble and break. If you are going to use the liner right after sharpening just soften it up a bit by drawing a quick line or two on the back of your hand.

Tip Tuesday...| lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I tend to set aside a time to sharpen all my dull liners at the same time, so I will throw them all into the freezer at the same time and set a timer for 30 minutes and then sharpen them all at once

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Delicious Recipes

Making Smoothies Even Easier

Making Smoothies Even Easier | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Photo from PopSugar

While recently out with one of my friends, we were discussing the pros and cons of healthy eating.  While I love the way eating right makes me feel, I said that one of the things I don’t like about eating healthy is all the chewing involved.  Some times I just want to get the nutrition without having to graze on the veggies all day long.

One of the things that I love about using smoothies as a way of getting in all my veggies is that  you can throw all kinds of great things in there from kale and spinach or beans and chia seeds.  It is a great way to get in all the fiber, protein, and healhty fats you need for the day.  And with a bit of prep work smoothies can be so fast to make!  Put it into a portable cup and you’ve got a quick healthy meal on the go.

Making Smoothies Even Easier | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Blueberries are one of my favorite things to add to my smoothies!

All you need is 20 minutes of prep time once a week, and instead of 5 to 10 minutes to make a smoothie each morning, all you’ll need is about 60 seconds! Smoothie freezer packs are also such a great way to use up fruit that’s almost too ripe to eat.  (I love to wait to use my bananas until they are super ripe and sweet!)

These packs are made with just five ingredients: kale, bananas, blueberries, mango, and avocado. They add up to 243 calories, which means that you can add any extra ingredients like protein powder or almond milk. Of course, you can always make your own creative combinations as well.  I personally love to make smoothies with strawberries, pineapple,  peaches, cucumbers, and carrots.

5 Days of Smoothie Freezer Packs

INGREDIENTS

10 cups spinach or baby kale (or a mixture of both)
2 1/2 bananas
2 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2 1/2 cups mango (I used frozen)
1 1/4 ripe avocados

NUTRITION

Calories per serving 243

DIRECTIONS

  1. Grab five freezer-safe sealable plastic bags and divide the ingredients between them. Add: 2 cups of greens, 1/2 a banana (sliced), 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/4 cupmango, and 1/4 avocado.
  2. Close them up and feel free to write any notes on the bag such as the date or ingredients you want to add later, then place them in the freezer.
  3. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, empty the contents of the freezer pack into your blender, add the extra ingredients like water or coconut water, almond or soy milk, protein powder, flaxmeal, chia seeds, cinnamon, beans, tofu, or whatever you please. Blend it up and enjoy!

Source: Calorie Count

Here’s the calorie breakdown of other smoothie ingredients you might want to add to your blender:

1 cup unsweetened soy milk: 80 calories
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk: 40 calories
1 cup coconut water: 43 calories
1 serving (about 35 grams) vanilla protein powder: 110 calories
1/2 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt: 83 calories
1/2 cup vanilla soy yogurt: 105 calories
1/2 cup coconut milk yogurt: 90 calories
1/2 tablespoon chia seeds: 30 calories
1 tablespoon flaxmeal: 40 calories
1 serving soft tofu (1/5 package): 60 calories
1/4 cup cannellini beans: 50 calories
1 tablespoon almond butter: 95 calories

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