I have a major sweet tooth! Despite the fact that I have been trying to eat more healthy lately, when it comes to M&M’sChocolate Chip Cookies I cannot resist them! They are one of my very favorites. Here is one of my favorite recipes
Chocolate Chip M&M’s Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cup flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup
1 3/4 cups M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F degrees.
In a large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until well blended. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and salt together. Slowly add these ingredients into the butter mixture and stir until combined.Fold in the Chocolate Chips and M&M’s and chill the dough for 1 hour, or overnight.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a lightly greased tray, about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8- 10 minutes for chewy cookies or 12-14 for crispy cookies.
It’s that time of the month again! No, not that time of the month, but the time to receive another ipsy glam bag! I feel as if I have been getting them earlier and earlier every month!
This month’s theme is travel. “Destination Chic by ipsy” The card is a post card that is meant to be filled out and sent back, it says:
“Ready Set Adventure Whether you”re hitting the road or enjoying a staycation, we want to hear all about it! Fill out this card and send it back for a chance to be featured on ipsy social media.”
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! Instead of the usual zipper closure it has a fold over top with a center snap. Ipsters got a bag with either a blue, pink, or purple background with a icons of world travel themed pattern on it. I got a blue one. The bag itself is made of a smooth silky feeling fabric both inside and outside. The feel of it kinda reminds me of what a trench rain coat feel like.
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 be 😉 !
Here’s what I got in my glam bag this month…
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
Épicé International Hydrating Mask Weight: 1 oz
“WHY THIS PRODUCT’S FAB: With warmer weather around the corner, you’ll need to keep yourself and your skin hydrated. This refreshing mask uses Kaolin Clay to absorb oil and impurities without stripping your skin of moisture!”
HanaleiLip Treatment Weight: 5 ml
This product has Hawaii’s rare Kukui Nut, that is supposed to heal and protect against dryness. I hate having dry lips, so I am interested to see how I like this lip treatment.
“WHY THIS PRODUCT’S FAB: This rejuvenating Lip Treatment will make your chapped lips a thing of the past. Using Kukui Nut oil, antioxidants, agave and grapeseed oil, your lips will be smooth and moisturized in no time!”
INSPR Beauty Eye Fluff Brush
I can always use another eye shadow brush for blending and buffing. 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. I hope that it is a good one that gets the job done!
Hikari Cosmetics Shimmer Bronzer Weight: .25 oz
I am not s huge fan of sparkly blushes and bronzers, maybe because, even thought it kills me to say, I’m a bit closer to 40 than I am 20. I can definitely use this this bronzer as an eye shadows or highlighter.
Smashbox X-Rated Mascara Weight: .10 fl oz
I have used Smashbox Mascaras before and have always liked them. I love mascaras and always like to try out new ones. Hopefully this one is as good as the other ones I have used. This mascara’s “fiber-loaded formula” is supposed to be clump, flake and smudge-proof! Sounds like a winner, I hope it lives up to the hype!
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!
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!
When it comes to face makeup, no one wants to have a cake face!!! Let’s be honest, sometimes it happens despite the best efforts! This weeks tip can help to cut down on mid day makeup cake up.
When I want to keep my face looking fresh throughout the day I will reapply some loose face powder. To prevent the powder from becoming cakey on my face, I always blot off the excess oil first. Doing this simple step will prevent the powder from sticking and clumping to the oil and instead will give you the fresh face you are looking for.
You don’t need special blotting papers or sponges! I find that gently pressing a paper napkin or paper towel to my more oily areas does the trick perfectly. One of the best paper napkins to use for oil absorption comes from Starbucks! Those little brown paper napkins do the trick perfectly! Whenever I am there I grab a handful for my purse.
~Weekly Product Highlight~e.l.f. Eyeshadow Palette -Mad for Matte~
I had ordered this e.l.f. Eyeshadow Palette -Mad for Matte a long time ago, and it took so long to arrive that I had almost given up on it and then had I actually forgotten about it. Unfortunately, it is sold out on the elf website, but can usually be found at Target and CVS and Target.com.
I just love matte neutral shadows!
I purchased this matte palette on the recommendation of Tati from GlamLifeGuru on YouTube. She always give the best recommendations, so I knew that it was going to be a great palette.
Here is what I think about this palette…
Pros:
This 10 shade palette only cost $10!
The shadows are smooth and creamy.
They apply easily and blend like a dream.
You can easily get a complete eye look out of this one palette.
There are so many options for a great crease shade and several great transition shades.
Cons:
While there are 10 shades in this palette several of them are so similar that when used together they look like the same shade.
It can end up looking muddy if blended all together.
It is constantly “sold out” so it is not easy to get your hands on.
Yes, there are actually 10 shades swatched in this picture. I am just so ghostly pale that 3 blend right in rather than stand out!
What does the elf website have to say about the Mad for Matte Palette…
“details
Achieve both beautifully bold or subtle everyday eye looks with these perfectly curated 10 matte eyeshadow shades. This collection of hues is ideal for shading, highlighting, and defining the eyes. The satin matte shadows can be used as a liner, on the lid, and in the crease of the eye for an expertly contoured and blended look.
how to use
Apply dry all over the eyelid with a brush for a subtle wash of color or apply wet for a vibrant effect.
Start with a light color and apply the shade all over your eyelid as a base.
Next, apply a medium shade over the eyelid and the eye crease using the crease brush.
Finally, apply the darkest shade over your eyelid. ”
I love the packaging, it is so simple and sleek.
Have you tried this palette yet? What did you think? I think for an overall inexpensive brand, E.L.F. has some really great products!
I am a huge fan of the cosmetic brand Lorac. Every thing I have tried has been awesome. Here is sneak peak of the new @loraccosmetics Lorac Pro 3 palette!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on this! Should be available sometime at the beginning of the summer. (Photo credit goes to a screenshot of Tati Westbrook @glamlifeguru video today)
I cannot wait to get my hands on this gorgeous palette!
I HATE chapped lips!!! I cannot even handle when my lips are dry at all! If you want to exfoliate your lips quickly and easily without using a messy scrub you’ll love this tip…
Simply apply a thick layer of moisturizing lip balm to your lips and let is sit for a good amount of time. I will usually apply it after I brush my teeth when I first wake up and go about my morning routine. Then using a clean dry wash cloth, put your finger into the cloth making a little glove over your finger. Using circular motions rub the balm off your lips exfoliating your lips at the same time. The texture of the wash cloth will work as an exfoliator without having to use any other product. Keep in mind that the lips are a very delicate area, so be sure that you don’t rub too hard!
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.
They 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.
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.
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!
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?!
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!
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.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!
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”.
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
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 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”
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
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 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
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 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 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!
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 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
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!
*I bought all of these with my own money. As always, all the opinions are all my own.
Here is another tip for Tip Tuesdays…
Here is another tip for Tip Tuesday
They 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.
Looking Joli Good 