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.
I tend to set aside a time to sharpen all my dull linersat 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
I always tend to apply my foundation and concealer first and then my eye makeup. Unfortunately, this often results in fall out creating what looks like dark shadows under my eyes (not the look I am going for!)
Instead, after my foundation, I have recently been starting with eye makeup and then applying my concealer afterwards. That way, I can easily clean up any eye shadow that falls below my eyes. I also soak a cotton swab or two in makeup remover to have on hand to quickly and easily clean up any of the left over fall out. To finish, I apply my concealer under my eyes for a bright perfect under eye area.
Well, as I have recently mentioned, I have really been trying not to buy new makeup…easier said than done! I really like to browse the makeup aisles! I love to look at all the new things! I love to get great deals on makeup! I love to buy all the makeup!
Unfortunately, I don’t have a ton of space to store all the many beauty products that I buy. I have so many makeup products that I have used one or two times and completely forgotten about. I also have so many awesome products that I don’t give enough love to. I have decided that I am going to be going on a strict No Buy! I will be shopping but it will be in my own stash. Hopefully along the way I will discover some new loves and rediscover some old goodies!
I can hear all the beautiful things calling out my name!
Here are my self imposed rules to my No Buy…
I can repurchase a product if I run out of a holy grail product that I always use on a daily basis. (ie my Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara is running low and I know I am going to have to buy another one soon.)
I can purchase/repurchase hair care and skin care items as they run out and need to be replaced.
Ipsy and Walmart Beauty Subscriptions are not included since they are automatic subscriptions.
Although, Target Beauty Boxes are going to be included in this self imposed No Buy. I have so many stacked up filled with product samples that I have never used.
When I feel as if I want to buy something new I need to first stop and ask myself “Do I already own something very similar to this product?”
I need to try out and use up products and samples that I already own.
Chapstick/lip balm is a major necessity, so if I see a new one that I really want to try, I can get it…Never mind, that totally goes agains the point of what I am trying to do. No new chapsticks/lip balms. I definitely have enough already!
What about you? How do you decided when to cut back on your spending? Do you have a monthly makeup budget? If so how much do you usually spend?
Invest in a good matte taupe eye shadow like Urban Decay Buck, Bobbie Brown Taupe, The Balm Matt Patel from the Meet Matte palette, or one of my favorites Taupe from the Lorac Pro Palette. You don’t just have to use that matte taupe eye shadow in your crease or on your eyelids. You can use a matte taupe eye shadow to fill in brows, line eyes, and even blend under your cheekbones for a quick and easy contour.
PS: No affiliate links in this post, just a bunch of links to help you know what types of shadows I am talking about 😉
~Weekly Product Highlight~Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste~
I have VERY sensitive teeth. I cannot bite into an apple that is cold right out of the fridge, I cannot drink a glass of ice cold liquid without using a straw. I cannot even think about doing either of those things without my teeth hurting. So, when it comes to teeth whitening, my vanity does have its limits!!! Of course I want to have white teeth, but at what price?! I have tried all kinds of “teeth whiteners for sensitive teeth” and most have left me in serious pain! I think that overall I have a somewhat high pain tolerance, but when it comes to the pain of sensitive teeth, NOPE, I am a huge baby!
All that being said, I received my first tube of Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste in a Target Beauty box a few months ago. My teeth are so sensitive that I can usually tell after the first use of a whitening product if it is going to make my teeth hurt. This product claims to be ” formulated to be used daily and is enamel-safe. When used as directed, ColgateOptic White has not been shown to increase sensitivity in consumers” It also claims to give a noticeably whiter smile within 3 days (*best results seen after 4 weeks) So with all those claims, I figured that I would give it a try.
Did this tooth paste make my teeth hurt…
Nope! When I first started using it I didn’t have any noticeable increase in my teeth’s sensitivity. What I did notice though was when I flossed my teeth every day gums were a tiny bit tender, nothing too bad nor painful, but something that I was aware of. Also, my lips have been a bit drier while I have been using this tooth paste. I must also mention that I use this in combination with ACT Restoring Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash in Cool Mint. (I have been using ACT for years and it really does help with my teeth’s sensitivity.)
Did I have noticeably whiter teeth in 3 days…Yes! When used consistently twice a day, I did notice that my teeth looked whiter /brighter after using this toothpaste for 3 days in a row. But… to be honest, I also had a dental appointment to get my teeth cleaned on day 3, so I don’t know if it was all the toothpaste or a combination of the two.
After those initial 3 days, I have since used the entire sample 0.75 oz size tube, as well as an entire tube in the 3 oz size and have started a new tube. Now that I have consistently used this toothpaste my teeth are definitely whiter and brighter. I am hooked!
Not the most flattering of pictures. But here is an idea of what my teeth looked like before using the Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste and after using it for 3 days.
Were my teeth super yellow to start off with? No. Are my teeth super duper brighten up the entire room white after using this? No, but are they whiter and brighter than they were when I started, yes!
I have recommended this toothpaste to both my sister and my sister in law and they are both loving it as well! I love sharing products I love with people I love!
What does the Colgate Website have to say about this product…
Dazzle Without the Hassle
Express White is Colgate’s fastest teeth whitening toothpaste ever.
Breakthrough formula offers whiter teeth in 3 days* just by brushing.
Safe for daily use. Protects enamel and provides anti-cavity fluoride protection.
*For best results, use as directed for 4 weeks. **Vs Optic White® Sparkling Mint®.
“When used as directed, best results are achieved in 4 weeks, but to keep your white smile, continue to use. In addition to providing whitening results, Optic White® provides all of the benefits of standard fluoride toothpaste and can be used daily.
When using the entire Optic White® collection together, when should I use the Mouthwash? Before or after the whitening gel? Use mouthwash prior to the Optic White® Whitening Pen. To get the desired results, the gel should be the last item you use after brushing your teeth.“
I haven’t tried out any of the other optic white products, but I am interested to see if they work out as well too. If you are interested in trying out this toothpaste or any of the other Optic White products HERE is a link to a $0.75 off coupon, http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/special-offers. You know how much I love to save money!
What about you? Have you tried out the Colgate Optic White Toothpaste? What did you think? How were your results? Have you tried any of the other products in the Optic White line? I’d love to hear about it!
How long does it take to see results with exercise?
Sometimes it feels as if you are working so hard and not seeing results! You may start asking yourself “When am I going to start seeing results for all the hard work that I have been doing?!”
Even though the diet marketing people want to make us think that we can quickly lose 15-20 lbs in a week by using their products, it isn’t really likely or that easy. Also, in the small chance that the product does work, it isn’t likely that the weight loss will stick around and be permanent.
Try this, instead of only gauging your progress by what the scale says, think beyond just weight based result. You may find that you are being consistent and working so hard, but don’t have results on the scale. Don’t just look at the number on the scale. Maybe your strength and endurance have improved, you notice that your body is changing and you are feeling better and healthier and you feel happier and better all around.
So, how long does it take to see results with exercise? Remember even though you may already feel the results of a healthy lifestyle change right away, it can take between 4-6 week to see results when first starting a new workout routine.
Like I said in last weeks post about Muscle and Fat, focus on fat loss and how you feel, not just the number on the scale. When you feel good you can’t help but look good too!
Did you know that Walmart has it’s own a subscription beauty box? Yup, they do! It is a quarterly box and only costs $5 a season. Walmart technically calls it a “sample box” and says that the box itself is free and the $5 is a flat rate for shipping and handling. Either way the box costs $5 each season.
Generally the box will have around 5 samples, with 1 or 2 of them being full sized products. Also in your Walmart Beauty Box, they send 2 or 3 smaller sample beauty products and coupons.
If you are first time subscribers: Your subscription will be processed when you sign up and your credit card will be charged $5 and you will receive the current season’s box. Once you are subscribed, you won’t have to resign up, you will receive a shipping confirmation email and then your box will arrive. You’ll only be charged when your Beauty Box is shipped.
The Walmart beauty box website says “Each seasonal Beauty Box is a “limited edition” and may sell out. Note: Beauty products vary by box. Only one beauty box per email address.”
Here in the picture below is what I got in this seasons box.
Spoiler alert: I had already been working on a post about the Optic White Colgate toothpaste. I’m not going to tell you what I think, you’ll just have to wait and see.
This Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick is quite nice! The color is great, the consistency is great. It has a bit of a sweet scent to it, but overall it doesn’t bother me and I am very sensitive to scents. I have been enjoying using the Curel Rough Skin Rescue lotion. It is thick but not too greasy. I don’t really like the scent of the Dove body wash, which is too bad because I really like Dove body wash. I may have to pass this one along to someone else. I also love the concept of the Jergens wet skin moisturizer, but the floral scent is just too strong for me. I think that I am going to pass it along as well.
Over all I think that this was a great box! For $5 I find that this Walmart beauty box is generally a great deal! How about you, do you get the Walmart Beauty box? Did you get the same samples in you box? What do you think?
Have you seen that Biore recently release a Baking Soda Pore Cleanser? You don’t need to pay $7 for the benefits* that you can receive from a $0.52 box of baking soda.
Make your own baking soda pore cleanser by mixing plain old baking soda and water until it forms a paste.
Wet your face with warm water. Dip your fingers into the baking soda paste. Apply the paste to your wet face using a gentle circular motion. Cover your entire face with the paste. Avoiding the eye area. Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water. Pat your face dry with a clean towel. It is as simple as that.
You can also spruce it up by mixing it with organic coconut, olive, or grapeseed oil or with Witch Hazel.
The new boxes are NOT on sale yet, so this page currently says “Sold Out.” Don’t worry, you haven’t missed it yet!
The launch date of this beauty box hasn’t been announced yet, but I have a feeling that it will probably be on Monday, since that seems to be when they usually go live.
What do you think of the products in this months box? Will you be trying to get this moths box? I haven’t gotten the last few Target Boxes, but I think that this one looks pretty good! I love Pantene and CeraVe and Laneige. Surprisingly, I don’t own any CoverGirl lipsticks, so hopefully it is a good color.
~Weekly Product Highlight~ Garnier MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR BB CREAM and the MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR BB DAILY ANTI-ACNE~
I have been using this Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM for about 4 years now. It is hands down my go to every day base. It is very easy to blend and gives light to medium coverage. One of my favorite things about it is that as it brightens and evens out the skin it still has a very lightweight feel on the skin.
During the winter months I am super pale, so the fair/light Skin Renew shade is a great color for me right now. During the summer I use the light/medium, and even some times by the end of the summer I am even in the medium/dark shade. I also really like that the skin renew has a 15 spf in it. The light medium has more of a brown under tone, while the fair/light is more of a peach undertone.
The Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM light/medium is much lighter than the Skin Renew light/medium shade. It is so much lighter that I can wear it during the winter months even when my skin is at its palest. I prefer the finish of this one over the Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM. It seems to last longer throughout the day and gives better coverage overall.
Skin concerns, such as discoloration, dullness, blotchiness and dryness can come from a number of different sources. It’s hard to find just one product that addresses them all. Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream immediately and effectively fullfills your skincare expectations with just one multi-benefit product that combines intense moisturizing skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage for skin that looks naturally more even, radiant and smooth.
How is it different?
It’s a new idea in skincare. B.B. Cream (Beauty Balm Cream) is a hybrid formula that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage in one single beauty product.
Problem: Acne prone skin can be difficult to control and acne blemishes take time to clear up. It can be hard to find and all-in-one hydrating treatment that helps prevent new acne and corrects and conceals imperfections for a flawless finish instantly and over time.
Solution: Garnier introduces Miracle Skin Perfector Daily Anti-Acne BB Cream; an effective light-weight formula that combines advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage. It helps prevent new breakouts and clears up acne blemishes. This multi-tasking acne treatment immediately conceals imperfections and redness while diminishing the appearance of pores for a clarified, even-toned look.
How is it different?
Miracle Skin Perfector Daily Anti-Acne BB Cream is an all-in-one product designed to treat and help prevent new acne blemishes and conceal imperfections for a fresh faced, clarified complexion. This fast-absorbing, oil-free formula contains 2% Salicylic Acid to treat acne blemishes and Mineral Pigments to conceal imperfections. One product, five results: Clears acne blemishes, diminishes imperfections, helps prevent acne, minimized the appearance of redness and provides oil-free hydration.
B.B. Cream (Beauty Balm Cream) is a daily hybrid formula that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage. It combines several beauty routine steps in one single product.
*For external use only. Flammable until dry. Do not use near fire, flame or heat. When using this product skin irritation and dryness is more likely to occur if you use another topical acne medication at the same time. If irritation occurs, only use one topical acne medication at a time. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
After 1 Week: 85% saw healthy looking skin 80% saw a reduction in the appearance of redness and an improvement in skin clarity
$12.99MSRPprices may vary”
Have you ever tried either of these Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB CREAM or the Miracle Skin Perfector BB DAILY ANTI-ACNE? What do you think? Do you like it too!
All that being said, I received my first tube of Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste in a Target Beauty box a few months ago. My teeth are so sensitive that I can usually tell after the first use of a whitening product if it is going to make my teeth hurt. This product claims to be ” formulated to be used daily and is enamel-safe. When used as directed, Colgate
Looking Joli Good 