Make-Up Monday: Eyeliners and Mascaras

Hey Y’all!!! Sooooo about the lack of posting last week….
I was still pretty sick.  Last weekend was my birthday – I had to cancel parts of the going out because I was sick! =( BOOO!!! But I am back to like 98%; still struggling a little with my workouts but feeling loads better.  Bonus: I am not coughing all night any more! Weeeeee!!

We are back to another Monday – that’s right: Make-Up Monday!

About a week ago, I was leaving for work and realized that I hadn't put on mascara or eyeliner! EEK! I was already a good distance from home.  I decided I would just hit up a drug store and pick up something that was on sale. If I didn't like it, I could always take it back.  **Oh and FYI – if you try makeup and have a reaction to it/don’t like it, LOTS of stores will accept a return of the used product.**

I was getting ready to check out with a BOGO half off when I saw an automatic eye liner pencil and mascara at the makeup counter.  They were much cheaper than the BOGO makeup I had in my hand.  I picked it up and decided, eh why not!?

Here’s the thing – I have been a Maybelline Lash Stiletto girl for as long as the product has been out.  I have ‘converted’ my fair share of makeup users.  To this point, I haven’t found another mascara that provides me the same satisfaction.    Enter Jordana Best Last Extreme Volumizing mascara.

My girl Corin introduced me to Essence automatic eye pencil. It is really inexpensive and you can pick it up at any ulta. Well I don't really live close to an ulta.  So it is super inconvenient when I run out of eyeliner. I have tried several other types but it just doesn't go on as smooth.  While picking up the mascara, I found an auto eye pencil next to the mascara I picked up and decided to try it.  LOVE it!

The eye liner does smudge sort of easy; I definitely recommend an eye primer when using it but I LOVE the mascara and don't have any complaints about it.  The best part is the price!!  $2.99 for the mascara and $1.99 for the eye liner!  If you try it out, I would love to hear what you think!

Have you tried any new makeup lately?

Do you take risks with inexpensive makeup?

*All opinions expressed herein are solely my own.  I was not approached to do a review or post on the product.

Make-Up Monday: Mega Shine Top Coat

Hey y'all!! I hope you had amazing weekend with friends and family!
I'll get to ours a little later.

I decided this weekend that I want to do a 'makeup monday'
I try all sorts of makeup products - including different toothpastes/shampoo/etc every time we run out.  I don't know WHY I do this but I have for as long as I can remember.  Thankfully The Husband doesn't mind. =)

If absolutely nothing else, I paint my nails at LEAST once a week.
I was a chronic nail biter - like big time.  If I wasn't biting them, I was picking at them.
It was gross and I didn't like that my hands never really looked feminine.
one day I decided to paint them and see if that helped. For whatever reason, that made me stop biting!

Today's Make-up Monday item is a top coat.
In my trial and errors of nail painting I found that a base coat and top coat are extremely important.
I think a top coat is more vital to me than a base coat.
My friend recently introduced me to an amazing top coat.

Sally Hansen Mega Shine

 

It is VERY thick and has a strong scent.  One coat and your nails have a salon shine and I swear it extends the life of my manicure! I paint my nails and 7 days later, the polish is still pretty shiny and it hasn't chipped!

For real - this picture was taken today.  I painted my nails last Wednesday.  so it hasn't QUITE been a week but 5 days later and the polish is only wearing from my typing?! 

 It isn't like I pay mega bucks for manicures OR nail polish.  the last two colors I have worn have been Sinful Colors.  You can pick them up at Walgreens, Target, Walmart, etc for $2!!! We aren't talking designer here!

you can get the top coat at CVS for sure.  I'm sure it is sold wherever Sally Hansen is sold. Oh and for your reference, it is hanging on a merchandise hanger in a BOX.  Looks like this:

Do you use a top coat?
what is your favorite?

If you decide to try out this top coat, I would LOVE to hear your feedback on it.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

*All opinions expressed herein are solely my own.  I was not approached to do a review or post on the product.

DIY Makeup Organization

Hey hey!! Happy Thursday! 

So this past weekend, The Husband and I did a couple quick and easy DIY projects in an effort to make me more organized.  In his words, I have a lot of clutter.  Any girl knows that I don't have clutter - everything I have out (makeup and accessories) are tools to make me more amazing =) 

Anyhow - I saw on Pinterest that some people were up-cycling spice racks as a nail polish organizer. I think this is a great idea. The problem I found was that I couldn't find a wooden spice rack...or a wall spice rack of any kind for that matter! SO I talked to The Husband and we opted to build our own =) 

Materials:

2 - 6' 1X2 boards

chop saw/saw of some type

Nails/nail gun

6' piece of trim

spray paint

Liquid Nail

ratchet strap

OK so first thing - I wanted to mount this thing INSIDE the door on my side of the vanity. We SHOULD have measured the door but we didn't - off we went to the store. We over bought in material BUT it worked out perfectly for the second part of this post =) 

When we got home, we measured the door of the vanity.

We decided to make the shelf 14.5" tall and 9" wide. 

Then it was time to decide how many shelves - we agreed on four. 

Make sure at LEAST one shelf is tall enough to accommodate your tallest polish.

After you measure and decide on a size, make the cuts for your shelves and sides.

Nail these pieces together -- so you should have 2 long pieces for the sides and 4 shelves.

Measure and cut the lengths of the trim.  (4 pieces)

Nail the trim to the from of each shelf - this will keep your nail polish from jumping off the shelf =) 

We filled the nail holes with Spackle and waited for it to dry/set.

This is before the spray paint. I feel like you can see a little better what I am talking about in the directions.

I took this outside and spray painted it white. 

Once the paint was dry, we put liquid nail on the back side, stuck it to the shelf.  We used the ratchet strap to hold the shelf up tight against the cabinet door until the liquid nail dried.

Load with nail polish! =) I LOVE that it can see all my polish AND it is out of the way. This beats the heck out of having them in a drawer or box all piled up on one another!

So since we OVER PURCHASED on the 1X2, I decided I wanted a little more organization in my makeup drawer. Make some measurements, cut the wood, nail it in the drawer and TA-DA!

I can actually fit all my makeup in the drawer AND the more amazing thing...

I can FIND it all!! No more staring blindly into my messy make up drawer =)

Each piece has it's own designated area =) YAY!

So that's it =) These projects took all of 2 hours combined. We - well I -- was also cleaning out under my sink cabinet and getting rid of old makeup so it probably could have been done quicker =) 

Oh and speaking of under the cabinet, does anyone else think it is absolutely preposterous that they don't automatically put some sort of shelf on at least ONE side in the bathroom vanity cabinet?!

Have you done any DIY projects lately?
How do you keep your makeup and nail polish organized?

WILW - Makeup Edition

MAKE UP EDITION!!

I am always always curious to know what kind of makeup all you beautiful ladies out there are wearing.
I'm the girl that normally doesn't go back to the same brands/makeup...that was until recently. Something has changed in me and now I am finding that my skin is a lot more sensitive to a lot more things than it has ever been. So this girl has some makeup that she will likely be sticking with (at least for face products) ... and until it is discontinued.

Face Wash: Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

Lotion: Aveeno Smart Essentials

Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing Concealer

Liquid Foundation: Makeup For Ever Mat Velvet

Powder: Sephora Mineral Foundation Powder

I know that sounds like a lot of face makeup but I have learned to layer the makeup without making it look heavy. AND the MUFE liquid foundation is fairly sheer and lightweight so it doesn't look like I am caking it on

Eye Shadow Primer: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Eye Shadow:

I'm really not picky when it comes to what kind of eye shadow, but I do generally stick with neautral colors: browns/taupe -- pretty safe for me =)

Eye Liner: Pop Beauty Cat Eyes in Black Dahlia

 Mascara: Mabelline's Lash Stiletto

Lips: (right now) Bath and Body Works Plum Mint Mentha Lip

And that's my look! =)

What are some of your favorite products??

Don't Forget to link up with Jamie!!

The One Where I Was Pretty Random

I have lots going through my pretty little head right now...SO bear with me if it gets a little kerbobbled up in here =)

{One}

First things -- last night while at a new restaurant, Cariera's Cucina Italiana

having dinner with my sister, future-brother-in-law and Mommy, Lou Holtz walked into the restaurant! Seriously! Lou -Freaking-Holtz! I was pretty excited.  He and his wife were having a date.  It was so cute! We waited until after he paid his bill before walking up and talking to him.

I know there are some that couldn't care less -- but I was pretty star-struck by him.  It was awesome. AND he introduced his wife of 50 years. It was really sweet and super awesome-sauce!

{Two}

The Husband and I are going to look at homes tonight!! I am so excited!!! It isn't EXACTLY what we want to spend the rest of our lives in but they are really nice (based on the pictures) for what we want/need/afford right now. As I previously said, we accepted an offer on our house -- we are just waiting to get the next part of the process moving.

{Three}

I am very ready to donate my hair.  I have been working myself up to it for months and now I'm just READY! I have kind of had it with the length -- especially with summer approaching and it is going to be hot. I know it makes me look young, but it is for a good cause -- I'll be donating it (as I already mentioned -- geez get it together Ash!)  Here is what it looks like short...

The above pictures were taken in 2007

OR maybe something a little different, a tad more grown up -- a la Reese in Sweet Home Alabama.

I know I LOVE my long hair but really -- it is time to change it up a bit. I would totally just have to convince The Husband that this is a good idea and besides, it will grow back. PLEASE someone give me an opinion!

{Four}

I bought a new primer last weekend -- Too Faced: Primed and Poreless. If you have skin that is even a tad sensitive, stay AWAY. I love the way it feels, but after 3 days of use, it burnt my face! Like my face is sensitive to touch and feels like I have some sort of chemical burn =(  it isn't so bad that I can't cover it, but it doesn't feel good at all. Oh and it made me peel pretty badly =( I know some girls it works PERFECT, for me it didn't ... which is so sad but I'm glad the 'problem' is easily treated/fixed/covered.

Alright peeps -- I have lots more but I have to get back to work because THIS GIRL is headed to the dentist in about 2 hours. I'm not a HUGE fan of the dentist but that is mostly because I haven't found one I liked or trusted...today is a new dentist so FINGERS CROSSED!

Happy Friday Eve!

You're Beautiful

If you are like me, you now have that James Blount song stuck in your head. You're Welcome!

alright -- so I STILL can't find my little point-n-shoot Canon =/ SO I tried to do a self portrait with our big camera.  It turned out alright -- please excuse the no makeup, I was still getting ready for work. BUT this at least gives you a LITTLE peek of my new hair.  It is very similar to the way it was.  She took off about an inch and added layers and bangs.

If nothing else, I will get J to take a picture of me tonight so you can see how it is really looks. I just didn't want you to think I'm a big fat liar haha!

I want to switch shampoo products -- I was thinking about going to Redken because the salon I go to uses it and I always LOVE the way my hair feels after she washes it! What is your favorite hair product?

Tomorrow I have a half day of work! WOO! I can't believe Chrisina is getting married on Saturday! She is going to be beautiful!

We will be going to get our nails done tomorrow and I am going to try the Shellac polish:

I have heard AMAZING things about this stuff -- a couple of friends have used it. I can't wait! I am going to do a french mani and hopefully I will be blown away by it! I will definitely share my experience!

Another friend of mine had on some AMAZING lip stain this past weekend. I am going to head out at lunch to see if I can find any -- it is Revlon ColorStay in Keep Blushing

I'm really looking forward to trying this color.  It looks so great on my friend -- I hope I am as lucky =) I think it is going to be a great pink for spring/summer. Can't wait!

I'm also looking for a face primer for my foundation. I have tried the smashbox photo finish light -- I have had some luck with it but I am always looking to try something better =) And by better I also mean the most bang for my buck! I also need something that will not get oily later on...so hit me with it ladies! what do you use?!

Help a girl out =) Happy Friday Eve!