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Sunday, August 29, 2010

things lise loves: Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse



this is a product that's caught my eye many a time on YouTube, but I never really wanted to fork over the $14 for a drugstore foundation. A few weeks ago, though, this stuff came on sale at Rite Aid, so I bit the bullet and bought it.

For anywhere between $12 and $14, you get 1 fluid ounce of foundation. Now my HG foundation, the MAC Face and Body foundation is only $32 for 4 ounces, aka $8 an ounce.

Just a little fun fact- when I was in India, I saw this stuff retailed for about Rs 1000, which is more than $20 in the US. Stuff is supposed to be cheaper in India....crazy!

However, after playing around with this stuff for a bit, I discovered the major difference between these two- the MAC one is very light coverage, so you do need quite a bit of it, while this stuff is very pigmented, so a little bit goes a looooong way.

It's not quite as mousse-like as the Maybelline Dream Mousse foundations, but I do still like the texture. It's a rich, creamy foundation (that squeezes out- love! no more waste, like with the original ColorStay!), and I use it mainly under my eyes, over some concealer, and around my nose. The coverage is heavy enough that it could almost past a concealer, but light enough that it's not cakey.

This stuff stays put for a very long time (hence the ColorStay), and doesn't get all gross and melty in the summer.

Bottom line? CHECK THIS STUFF OUT!

i'm back!

but not in black :(

ahem. excuse the lame ac/dc reference.

so loooooooooong time, no see, right? well i was in india for 5 weeks, and i've kind of been getting back into my regular schedule. but expect new posts very very soon- like in 10 minutes!!

love you all so insanely much :)
lise

Saturday, July 10, 2010

eclectic summer

vintage chicFashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore
get the look:
nautical striped dress- modcloth
lucky loop flats- anthropologie
floral pearl cuff- forever 21
victorian painted rose ring- forever 21

this look is so refreshingly different. if i saw someone walking down the street like this, i would just stand there in awe. you could totally ditch the bracelet to make the outfit look much more casual, but i think the ring ties it all together. you could always add some nice earrings too :)



writer's retreat tunic- modcloth
ruston bag- anthropologie
garden party necklace- anthropologie
skinny jeans- forever 21
zipper heels- modcloth

i'm not loving the necklace with this look, so i think a long necklace would look cuter. i really like pairing loose tops with tighter bottoms, and with a heel, you legs can look uber long

2 outfits? really? i have cookies baking in the oven....consoloation?

Monday, July 5, 2010

where to find unique clothes

hey guys :) as promised, fashion post today. maybe another one later on if i get to it?

i don't know about you, but sometimes i just get sick of seeing girl after girl (or boy after boy, for that matter) plastered in a shirt that says "ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH" or "HOLLISTER". sometimes, i just want some unique-ness. so how can you find clothes that no one else will have?

my style is boho, indie, and vintage-esque. thus, the clothes will be of these types.

you've got a couple of options, actually. in this post, i'm going to focus on stores, but there's always thrift stores (and of course, you can make them yourself!).

first store might be a bit of a shocker, but...



that's right guys, forever 21! the sheer amount of clothing in a forever 21 store is enough to guarantee that your clothes will be relatively unique. while forever 21 has some adorable shirts and pants, i find that their real strength lies in their skirts in dresses. they have the cutest vintage inspired skirts and dresses there, and everyone will be shocked when you say you got it for $20 from good ol' F21!


(avantgaudy.com)

oh my god, you guys. i absolutely adore this store. what it is, is a couple of really unique pieces being sold at affordable prices online. the best part? the store has only one of each item to offer, and most of it's vintage, so what are the chances of someone else having it? this store is amazing- you need need need to check it out :)




modcloth is a vintage-inspired clothing store, and they have some amazing pieces. the stuff truly is one-of-a-kind, and you're really not likely to see anything like their stuff anywhere else. modcloth can definitely get a bit pricey, but if you want a nice staple piece, look no further!


urban outfitters is on the more hipster-side of my style, but it's still one of my favorite stores. their clothes are so cool and different, and you're sure to always get compliments on them! urban outfitters is also a bit expensive, and their quality isn't the greatest, which is why i love to hit up their sales.

SHOP RUCHE
(shopruche.com)

ruche is a cute little indie clothing boutique that's quite similar to modcloth, except that they're much much cheaper. they also have a nice "indie" section to their website, where you can find adorable accessories :)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

drugstore deals: JULY 4-10

hey lovely frugalistas :)

sales vary by area, however, for the most part, they are the same. all of this info should be true for those of you on the east.


RITE AID
remember that to get most of these deals, you need to have the Wellness+ card, which is free, and you can apply for online or in store.

+UP rewards print on the bottom of your receipt, and are essentially like a "gift card" in the specified amount. it's just like CVS ExtraBucks.

- all of the new Pantene products are on sale for 2 for $7. there have been countless coupons for the new line, so use the best one that you have lying around. there were a bunch in last week's PARADE magazine. rite aid is also offering a $2 +UP reward on your purchase of 2 Pantene items, bringing your total waaaay down.

-all CoverGirl cosmetics are buy one get one 50% off, but this isn't that great of a sale. i would wait for a bogo free.

-most Vaseline products are on sale for $4.99, with a $1 +UP reward being offered for each one you buy. this might be a good time to try out that new cocoa butter body butter that i love :)

- most Aussie and Herbal Essences products are on sale for $2.99 (which is great for HE- when was the last time they were on sale?!?!) there's a $.50 off coupon in most papers, *and* RA is offering a $1 +UP reward for a product (you can only get one per transaction). this is a great deal for both HE and Aussie!

- there are 3 RiteAid exclusive coupons in the flyer- $2 off any Clean&Clear purchase, $2 off any EcoTools body purchase, and $1.50 off any Neutrogena skin care product.

- Maybelline lip and nail cosmetics are bogo 50% off, and there is a +UP reward for all ShineSensational glosses.

-L'Oreal Everstrong products are on sale for $5.99

-most Almay face stuff is on sale for $9.99

-most Blistex and Carmex products are on sale for $.99

CVS

for most of these sales, you will need CVS' ExtraCare card, which is a free rewards card available in store and online.

ExtraBucks are similar to +UP rewards from Rite Aid.

-Pantene products are on sale for $5.99, with a $2 ExtraBucks reward (i say just get them from Rite Aid!)

-Neutrogena skincare is on sale for only $8!

-CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion is $8, various eye and lip products are $7, and Clean Makeup is $6.

-Maybelline face, and all L'Oreal cosmetics are bogo 50% off.

-Dove shampoo/conditioners are 2/$6, body washes and soap packs are $6, and deodorants are 2/$5.

WALGREENS


RegisterRewards are similar to ExtraBucks and +UP rewards

-most Dove products are 4/$15, and a purchase of $15 in participating products lands you a $5 RegisterRewards.

-most Olay, Pantene, Aussie, and Head&Shoulders large-size hair/skin products are on sale for $5.99.

-all Aussie and Herbal Essences styling products are on sale for $2.99

-Maybelline, CoverGirl, and Revlon face/lip products are bogo 50% off.

guide to mac finishes

now i'm well aware that this is supposed to be a fashion blog. when was the last time i did a fashion post?

yeah...

right now, i'm just in the makeup mood. apologies.

i used to wonder about the different mac lipstick finishes. and i could never really seem to find an answer. so here's a short little post for any of you wonderers :)

AMPLIFIED CREME- a super creamy finish (it feels great on your lips), that is definitely color-packed! very very pigmented lipsticks!

FROST- pigmented lipsticks with more of a frosty finish, but they still retain the signature MAC 'sheen'.

GLAZE- one of the least pigmented MAC lipsticks. simply glazes the lips, while adding a hint of color.

LUSTRE- a very smooth slick finish, which leaves a wet look, and has a nice lustrous finish.

MATTE- very rich color pay off with no shimmer or shine. very trendy right now.

SATIN- buildable color, with a smooth, silky finish.

CREMESHEEN- my absolute favorite. like amplified creme, but not as intense.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

mac's in the groove collection

oh my god you guys- IT'S SUMMER! YAY!

and you guys know i suck at keeping this blog updated. i can't apologize enough :(
i'm going to try and post everyday. we'll see how it goes! i'm off to india on the 15th, and won't be back until the 9th, so no posts then... :(

mac's new "in the groove" collection is set to hit counters on july 8th, and will only be around for about a month!

a quick "to the beach" update- i bought nothing! i wanted the marine life highlighting powder so badly- it was in every magazine i read, every youtube video i watched. and damn, it's gorgeous! but i just thought to myself, when am i going to use it? other than that, there wasn't much in that collection that was to die for. in my opinion.




this collection looks like so much fun!

here's what's in it :)
* denotes limited edition product

LIPSTICKS (they're all cremesheens, which are my faves!

*Call My Bluff- mid tone creamy coffee
*Jazzed- bright coral color, with some pink hints to it
Creme de Nude- pale muted peach beige
*I Like It Like That- deep blue pink
*All Styled Up- bright yellow pink
*Go For It- mid toned blue purple

CREMESHEEN GLASS

*On the Scene- light coral beige
*You've Got It- dirty silver gray
*Going Casual- sheer lilac
*Fashion Within- light beige
*Right Image- mid-toned blue pink
*Chillin'- light white blue

MINERALIZE EYESHADOW TRIO

*Love to Love- satin beige/pearly bronze/satin brown
*In The Groove- satin green/pearly burgundy/satin coral
*Making It Easy- satin red brown/pearly beige rose/satin dark beige
*Togetherness- satin lavender/pearly purple/satin grey
*Style Influencer- satin silver/pearly deep blue/satin deep mauve brown
*Soften the Mood- satin light brown/pearly rose/satin light blue
*Fresh and Easy- satin pink/pearly burgundy/satin gray
*Calm, Cool, and Collected- satin deep grey/pearly green/satin beige
*Blue My Mind- satin light blue/pearly deep teal/satin black

POWERPOINT EYE PENCIL

Stubborn Brown- deep rich brown
Permaplum- deep plum with pink shimmer
Navy Stain- royal blue with shimmer

ZOOMLASH
Rich Black- dark black

MINERALIZED SKIN FINISH

*By Candlelight- golden pink (frost)(repromote)
*Stereo Rose- coral with golden bronze shimmering nuances (frost)(repromote)
*Comfort- golden bronze (frost)(repromote)
*Petticoat- pale rose with gold and amber veining (frost)(repromote)

MINERALIZE BLUSH DUO

*Happy Together- satin caramel/pearly beige
*A Little Bit of Sunshine- satin light brown/pearly beige
*Hang Loose- satin bright pink/pearly lavender
*Band of Roses- satin blue pink/pearly plum
*New Vibe- satin deep rose/pearly bronze

BRUSHES
187 Brush- perfect for applying powders and blushes to the face.


so what do i think the must-haves from this collection are? well, first and foremost, the MSF in petticoat. it's a repromote, but i'm totally blanking on the name of the collection it first came out with. so many gurus on youtube have raved about it, and i'm convinced that i need. here's a picture:


and it doesn't take a genius to see that there's a lot of mineralized stuff in this collection. i'm crazy over mineralized eyeshadows, and these are the two that i think i'll get the most use out of.


trio in "in the groove"


trio in "love to love"

as for lipsticks, there really aren't any that i want that badly. the two pinks are pretty, but they really aren't that unique. i really like "creme de nude", but since it's in the permanent line, i'll take my own sweet time getting it.

as for lip glosses?


i really like the second one, which is "fashion whim", and the last one, which is "you've got it". "ygi" is definitely more unique, and i'll get more use out of it- it just doesn't really seem like a summer color, you know?

Sunday, June 27, 2010

drugstore sales this week

hey girls!

here are some great buys from both cvs and rite aid :)

rite aid

most john frieda hair care products- 4 for $20 with +UP reward of -$10 on 4. so you essentially are getting 4 for $10, which is a great price, since most jf products retail for about $7!

one quick note about +UP rewards- from my understanding, these work like cvs' extra bucks. they count as a "gift card" in a given amount towards your next purchase.

tressemme products are on sale for $3.99, and there's a +UP -$1 reward, so you can snag these for only $2.99! in addition, last month on rite aid's video values program, there was a $2 off coupon for *any* item from the fresh start collection, which means you can get their famous dry shampoo for $.99!

dove shampoos, conditioners, and stylers are on sale for $3, $1.50 down from their normal retail price.

all of the covergirl "exact" line products are on sale for bogo free, so if there are any products you've been itching to try from the line, now's your chance :)

revlon, nyc, and neutrogena (lip and eyes) products are on sale for bogo 50% off.

kiss nail products, and sally hansen nail polishes are also bogo 50% off.





cvs

aussie and herbal essences products are on sale for $2.50, which is a very good price. herbal essences products never seem to come on super sale at rite aid :(

all covergirl cosmetics are bogo 50% off here, so you might want to stock up on some of your favorites.

maybelline's falsies mascara is on sale for $6, and great lash is on sale for $4.

many l'oreal products are on sale, ranging from $5-$9, but i honestly can't recommend any of them.

jergens natural glow products are on sale for $7.29, and john frieda products are on sale for $5, and if you spend $10 on any of these, you get $3 extra bucks! now you have no excuse not to try safe tanning!

dove deodorant and body mists are on sale for $3.50, but i only recommend taking advantage of this sale if you have a coupon.

happy shopping!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

perhaps a new idea... (and a rather boring rant)

hello darlings :)

sorry about the lack of posts lately. i've just been kind of...frustrated. i feel like i work really hard on this blog and people don't read it, but hard work *does* pay off. i guess it just takes some time. i want to thank each and every one of you for following this blog. i wouldn't do this without you. you guys are amazing :)

sorry about that.

anyways, ever since i've started working for spending money, i've become super-stingy. i just feel like there's not much of a point wasting money on makeup i might never wear. a girl can always dream, right?

so i want to introduce a little section every sunday (beginning of the week) highlighting the week's sales in drugstores. objections?


i won't talk about sales, since it's obvious a little late for that, but coupons are always nice :)

for those of you who missed my post about rite aid video values, scroll down to read about that amazing program.

one website i really like frequenting for coupons is redplum.com. it's totally safe (no viruses or stuff, they even send a flyer out to most homes!). they currently have $1 off garnier, l'oreal, and rimmel coupons. these are great to have stashed up your sleeve when those 75% off stickers start to make an appearance :)

the final website i love is nouveaucheap.blogspot.com it's a blog about a woman who finds all the best finds of the drugstores, and is nice enough to share them with us :)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

an extreme.

hey :)

so i know right now a lot of people are trying to get fit for summer. and let's face it. we all have looked in the mirror in our bathing suits and hated ourselves.

cliched beginning, no?

well, i figured it's about time i did this post. you guys don't know this, but i've actually struggled with anorexia.

it never became anorexia- it stayed EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified). but it sure as hell could have become it.

my best friend had completely stopped eating. she did have anorexia. she was in and out of treatment, but no program seemed to be working for her.

i started to kind of get jealous of her. and before you judge me, just understand this: i've always had issues with my weight. when i was younger, i was always just a wee bit overweight. and that was really hard for me. my self esteem seriously took a hit from that.

i'd lost 15 pounds from my previous weight, so i was at a healthy weight at this point, about 103 pounds at 5'2''.

so when i saw her getting thin, i wanted to try it. it began innocently- slowly cutting back, not eating ice cream after dinner. you know, things like that.

then it became more intense. eating spinach leaves for lunch. drinking cold water to boost my metabolism.

i became obsessed with numbers, whether they were the amount of calories in my food, or the number on the scale.

and you know what? that was the most fucking miserable time of my life. my head constantly hurt, i was always tired, i blacked out when in stood up. i had absolutely no energy to do anything. i was always cold, irritable, angry.

but i kept going.

until one day, my mom looked at me and just said 'you're supposed to be enjoying your childhood'. now, granted, my mom and i are not very close, but this meant something to me. i wasting the best years of my life being consumed by stupidity.

i told myself i was too fat. my goal weight was 87 pounds. you want to try and tell me something wasn't fucked up?

i was hurting my friends. i was hurting my family. i was hurting myself.

so then i started eating. just one day. out of the blue. i ate normally. and i felt so fucking good.

but then the guilt bear paid me a visit. "what the hell do you think you're doing, eating ice cream?!" "put it down before you get fat".

with help from friends, i overcame this.

so you're most likely thinking: why do i care? well, honestly, you might not. but this is something that doesn't get proper attention. anorexia is deadly. it's a mental thing. if you know someone struggling with this, don't automatically assume their selfish: anorexia is a mental condition.

if you know someone struggling, talk to them. cliched, but true. and if this doesn't work, don't even hesitate to bring in a higher authority. because anorexia is much more treatable when caught earlier on.

and what if you're considering this kind of lifestyle? do you really think you can survive on 500 calories a day, for the rest of your life? let me answer that for you. no. there's no point subjecting yourself to that kind of torture. no point in putting yourself through that pain. no one deserves to go through that.

being thin is not beauty. that's what i've learned from this. you can be the thinnest, most gorgeous girl on the planet and some people will still not love you. that's the way this brutal world works. you know how people will love you? when you love yourself. it shows.

if you ever ever ever need to talk about this, hit me up at freddietheeighth@gmail.com

i love you all very much :)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

rite aid video values

hey :)

i have no idea how many of you know about the rite aid video values program, but honestly, it's a godsend :)

basically, you sign up for an account, and for each advertisement that you watch, you get credits, and a coupon for the product! once you collect 20 credits, you get a $5 off $20 purchase. great, right?

for example, this month, they've got a $3 off got2b products, and a $3 off of $10 wet n wild purchase. just a couple of examples.

exciting!!!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

40 questions tag

hey girlies :)
just an update- i'm going to be super busy for the next week and a half- end of school!

how many times do you wash your face daily?
usually only once, because if i wash it any more than that, it becomes a dry gross mess. after i work out, though, i always use warm water and soap.

what skin type do you have?
it changes, but for the most part, dry. every once in a while it gets kind of oily.

what is your current facial wash?
clean and clear deep action cream cleanser. love!

do you exfoliate?
yep! i save it as a treat at an end of the week if i worked out everyday :)

what brand do you use?
either the neutrogena one that comes in the orange bottle or good old sugar and baby oil

what moisturizer do you use?
cetaphil daily moisture cream, or something like that

do you have freckles?
nope

do you use eye cream?
no!

did you or do you have acne prone skin?
i used to, but this clean and clear face wash really helped turn it around!

have you ever had to use proactive?
no, thank god

what foundation do you use?
covergirl clean makeup

how about concealer?
MAC studio sculpt

do you know your undertone color?
not for sure

what do you think of fake eyelashes?
cute, sometimes

did you know you're supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
yeah, but i'm a rebel

what brand of mascara do you use?
buxom lash

sephora or mac?
veryy close, but mac wins

do you have a mac pro card?
no

what tools do you use in makeup application?
fingers, brushes, sponges

do you use makeup base/primer for your eyes?
yep! udpp!

for the face?
the l'oreal studio secrets one. you have to try it out!

what is your favorite eyeshadow?
MAC mythology

pencil or liquid liner?
pencil for casual, liquid for formal

how often do you poke yourself with eyeliner?
rarely, actually

what do you think of pigment shadows?
much to finnicky for me

do you use mineral makeup?
no, it's not friends with my dry skin

what is your favorite lipstick?
MAC viva glam v or nyc lasting lip color in lilac dream

how about lipgloss?
really not a gloss person

favorite blush to use?
almay smart shade, the one in the tube

do you buy your makeup on ebay?
no

do you like drugstore makeup?
people always give it a bad name, but i love it!

do you go to cco's?
not really

did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
no

are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
it depends on the time of day :)

name a makeup crime
drawn on eyebrows, too much eyeliner, flaky mascara, blue eyeshadow, light frosty lipsticks

colorful shades of makeup or neutral?
definitely neutral!

which celebrity always has great makeup?
shailene woodley

if you could leave the house using one makeup item, what would it be?
mascara

could you leave the house without anything on?
hmm...yes! what do you think the weekends are?!?!

do you look good without makeup on?
depends on the day

in your opinion, what is the best makeup line?
high end- MAC low end- revlon

what do you think of makeup?
fun to pass the time!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

glee recap: gaga!!



if you've been a reader of this blog for any length of time, then you know that i suck at keeping up with things that i start. but it's a lone sunday night, finals start soon, and i need something to do while procrastinating... :)

you guys, i went absolutely crazy when i found out that this episode was going to air. i could not wait for the gaga episode. at all.

so what happened, you ask? well...

my buddy figgins tells tina she can't dress goth anymore, kurt and the girls perform bad romance, while the guys preform some kiss song, rachel realizes shelby, the coach of vocal adrenaline, is her birth mom, finn moves in with kurt after their parents get together, but gets kicked out after calling kurt's things 'fugly', and then shelby and rachel perform a version of poker face. and that's what you missed on glee.

my biggest problem with this episode? there were *two* gaga songs. two. i mean, they totally could have smooshed some more in there. 'speechless', maybe? i don't know. gaga's a genius, and i just would have loved to see more of her songs in here.

that being said, this was my favorite episode all season. bad romance was effing brilliant, and the whole rachel/shelby ordeal was heartbreaking. shelby didn't know how to handle it, and i actually felt bad for rachel.

and finn? i'm kind of disgusted by him. i mean, i see why he's kind of weirded out that a boy likes him, but he doesn't have to treat kurt like a piece of shitza, now does he?

this is going absolutely nowhere. i think it's official that i'm terrible at reviews :(

<3

mac, you had me at hello



hello there gorgeouses :)

before i go off on a 'to the beach' tangent, i just wanted to tell you guys that h&m has a 20% off coupon code circulating (and you know for h&m, coupons are rare!). check couponcabin.com for the link- it expires the 6th, i think!

anyways...

here are product that you *need* from mac's to the beach collection, based off of my experience, as well as from other guru's (like pinkiecharm and xxalliecosmetics) :)

seriously you guys, you need to get to your local mac counter asap if you want anything- some of my favorite things (like the thrills lipstick) have already sold out!


mac to the beach lipstick in lazy day- $14 USD

sorry about the supersized picture :( my first choice from this collection is thrills, but you know what? lazy day comes pretty darn close. it's a beautiful pink with blue undertones, and i know what you're thinking- "i have this shade". and you probably do. but is this not the cutest packaging ever? i mean, seriously. you can get a nice, wearable lipstick that you'll get use out of, which just so happens to be the most adorable thing ever :)


mac to the beach creme bronzer- $25 USD

i *despise* orangey bronzers. they piss me off to no extent. so that's why i can't necessarily recommend weekend, the darker of the two, but beach bronze is absolutely gorgeous for those of you with fair skin. it's the kind of color that makes you look sun-kissed, and it just glides onto your skin. i really love this stuff, so i can justify the $25 price tag :)


mac to the beach lip pencil in life's a breeze- $13 USD

if you haven't picked up on it already, i'm a total sucker for pink lips :) again, this is kind of a generic color, but i honestly think that you'll get use out of it. how often are you going to use a bright orange lip pencil? and, i'm not sure how well the picture shows this, but the seaweed-esque design on the end of the pencil actually corresponds with the shade. nifty, eh?

body part to follow... pinky promise!

Friday, May 21, 2010

favorite (and least) scents from bath and body works

warning: scents are different for everyone. everyone likes different things, but these are products that i really like (or dislike). here's my 'scent profile', if you will:
like
slightly musky undertones
powdery undertones
floral tones
warm comforting smells

dislike
strong fruity smells
anything coconut
things with verbena
strong musky smells

also, if you see a picture of a product, like a shower gel, that doesn't mean i'm partial to the product. it's just the only way of finding a picture of the name of the scent. if that makes sense.


japanese cherry blossom

by far my favorite scent from bbw. it's such a complex smell, which is why i love bath and body works so much. they take seemingly simple scents and make them so...sophisticated. this one doesn't smell like plain old cherry blossom. no. it has sweet vanilla undertones, but also has a general perfume like appearance. no matter which type you buy this product in, the scent is bound to be amazing!


warm vanilla sugar

it's no secret that one of the best ways to get noticeable scent is by layering. this is especially true with warm vanilla sugar. it's a sweet, musky scent that's absolutely perfect for fall/winter. like japanese cherry blossom, it also smells a bit like a perfume, which is why i love layering it- the shower gel with the body lotion, and occasionally the body mist. it's such a warm, welcoming smell for me, and it reminds me of home.



enchanted orchid

this is definitely one of the most complex floral scents i've ever smelled. it's an obvious sweet floral, but it has a powdery undertone to it. it's kind of confusing to explain- i really urge you to try it out. i love this scent for spring, and especially in a body lotion. be warned- if you hate sweet smells, this isn't for you!


cotton blossom

so it's not bbw's most popular scent: does that mean it's terrible? no! i happen to adore this scent. i know sea fresh linen, or whatever, is very popular, but honestly, that smell has no depth to me. this is a cotton scent with powdery undertones, kind of like enchanted orchid, but 'cleaner'. i really love the body lotion in this scent- it makes you feel clean, refreshed, and uplifted.

and now... the one bath and body work's scent i


coconut lime verbena

rewind to about a year ago, or before bbw did this major reform on their products. one of my friends had a coconut lime verbena body butter, and when i smelled it, i felt like i was in heaven. i fell in love with this scent. fast forward to about a month ago. i was in bbw, and trying to find some product to make some kind of bogo deal or whatever. brainspark, let's try that coconut lime verbena stuff that smelled so good! initial reaction: bleh. final reaction: bleh. this scent honestly just makes me feel sick. to my stomach. it's overly sweet, and i just can't stand coconut undertones! to make matters worse, this kind of developed my hatrid for verbena- i now can't tolerate the dove go fresh body wash in pomegranate and lemon verbena.

<3

Thursday, May 20, 2010

new mac collection? yes yes yes!

asldhfslhdslf


being a relatively new mac-addict, new collections are always exciting. to the beach is the quintessential summer set, with fun vibrant colors perfect for the warm weather. what's in the collection?


3 gorgeous fun funky eyeshadows. shown in shimmermoss, fire cracker, and sweet and punchy. i say they're all must-haves for anyone looking to expand their collection :)





there are three pencils in this collection as well- in order from left to right, life's a breeze, float on bay, and temperature's rising. float on is obviously the eye kohl. would look great under the blueish shadow, no?

i'm sorry, this post is getting very picture heavy. as with everything i do, this has to be 2 parts, because a.) finals time! yay! (pshh) and b.) 30 rock is on :)

can't wait? check out more from the collection at:
http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2010/05/mac-to-the-beach-review-swatches-and-photos.html

photos courtesy of musings of amuse.

Monday, May 17, 2010

for the love of summer

summer. please come save me from school.

div>

UntitledFashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore

Untitled by love.is.the.movement featuring Forever21 jewelry


steal the look:
elephant ring- $4.80 at forever 21
filigree oval earrings- $4.80 at forever 21
sunglasses- $5.80 at forever 21
floral heels- $23 at forever 21
distressed denim shorts- $18 at forever 21
nautical slub top- $16 at forever 21

it's crisp, it's cool, but it still manages to have a level of chicness to it. i've really been loving the nautical look recently, and these loose kinds of shirts are great because they're super forgiving. you could accessorize this with whatever jewelry you have in your collection- that's the beauty of the look.



steal the look:
gladiator sandals- $30 at american eagle outfitters
swan ring- $4.80 at forever 21
ruffled red dress- $23 at forever 21
bangle set- $7.80 at forever 21

i've kind of fallen in love with dresses for when the weather gets warmer. they keep you cool, and they're just so different from the typical shorts that everyone wears. this is a nice play on the typical sundress, and the sandals keep it cute and casual.

two sets. pathetic, i know. i'm just sleep-deprived, tired, stressed, and waaaay to behind on homework to even begin. forgive me. please.

lots and lots of love

Friday, May 7, 2010

huge elf coupon codes!

okay darlings, i heard about this on college fashion and had to share.

enter the code EYESALLTHEWAY at checkout, and receive 10 free mineral eyeshadows with any $20 purchase (or more). ends may 31.

amazing deal, right?

you can also get 25% all makeup cases with any order of $10 or more. use the coupon code KEEPER (ends june 1)

you can get five of elf's newest nail polishes for FREE if you're willing to be a product tester (who isn't)! use coupon code EGPOLAXA. you get a gorgeous mint, nude, lavender, taupe, and a light brown.

favorite hair products

happy may :)

it's my most favorite month, after june.

recently, i've been obsessed with hair products. i've been making consistent stops to rite aid after school, and i'm consequently broke. anyways, this is more of a routine post...


aussie 3 minute miracle- about $5 at drugstores

okay, so if you've read some of my earlier posts, you're probably kind of confused. let me explain: i've learned that it takes my hair a little while to get used to new products. when i first review this stuff, it was my first time, so my hair wasn't used to it. now, though, it is, and i love it. i use it once a week as a treat, and it leaves my hair so moisturized, it's not even funny. it has a funky kind of coconut smell that's pretty strong. i'm not crazy about it, but it's not gross or anything.


dove daily therapy shampoo- about $5 in drugstores

i only use the shampoo from here, because i'm not a fan of the conditioner. it leaves your hair with a clean, soap scent, and really cleans your hair. my hair feels really soft after i use it- i'm happy with it :)


garnier fructis sleek and shine conditioning cream- about $4.50 at drugstores

my absolute favorite conditioner. it makes your hair silky, but it's a healthy kind of feeling. if you've ever used pantene, you know how smooth it makes your hair. my problem with pantene is that it's terrible for your hair- it's wax that makes your hair smooth. this conditioner has essential vitamins and oils that makes that a healthy kind of smooth. i've heard that the fructis line that doesn't work well for people with curly hair, but i can't say anything about that...


aussie hair insurance leave in conditioning spray- $5 at drugstores

this isn't so much a leave in conditioner as it is a protector. it protects your hair from any more damage- which i really need! it has that typical aussie coconut smell. i spray 3 spritzes on each side of my part, and i think it works. it has silk extracts in it, so it will do some conditioning, but like i said, it's definitely more of a protector.


herbal essences long term relationship conditioner- about $5 at drugstores

i use this stuff about once a week because it really helps with split ends. i haven't tried the shampoo though. it's a conditioner for long hair, and it helps prevent against split ends and breakage. i've heard that it's a lot like the break's over line, but i haven't tried that. this has satin extracts, so it really makes your hair soft. it's supposed to have a raspberry scent, but i think it's more sweet and floral.


garnier fructis leave in conditioning cream- about $4.50 at drugstores

hands down, my favorite leave in conditioner. like all products in the fructis line, it has fruit oils and vitamins in it, so it's healthy for your hair. it honestly makes my hair feel sooo soft. it's amazing. i really have fallen in love with garnier fructis :)


garnier fructis sleek and shine smoothing milk- about $4.50 at drugstores

i've heard mixed reviews about this on makeupalley- most people hate it, though. i think this doesn't work on curly hair. that's what i got out of those reviews...

none the less, i love this. i use it when i wear my hair down, because it disguises my split ends and breakage, and makes my hair look sleek and feel super soft. it has fruit waxes in it, so it's nice and au natural.

<3 you very very much

Saturday, May 1, 2010

best of mac

as you may (or may not) know, i don't have an extensive mac collection. that being said, i have a friend who does...:)

these shades might seem a tad darker to you if you have light skin, and that's because my skin is darker to most (indian complexion)



mac eyeshadow in mythology- $14.50

i absolutely adore this eyeshadow. no joke. it looks gorgeous, but not overdone. to find a shadow that does this for you, i really recommend visiting a mac counter. ask for a nice shadow that will accentuate your eye color. i guarantee you you'll be happy :) mythology, on the other hand, is a classy bronze color that can look great with brown, blue, or even green eyes. a nice universal shadow ;)



mac eyeshadow in banshee- $14.50

seriously. this shade is gorgeous. it looks gorgeous with complementing shadows, and on its own. it's a dirty taupe kind of color, and it's a luster. this really is a must have- it's definitely in my top 5 mac products.



mac paint pot in rubenesque- $16.50

i think that whenever people think of paint pots, they think of painterly. while painterly is gorgeous, there are a lot of others that are too :) rubenesque is a tad browner than painterly, and it really adds a nice pop to your eyes. i still like painterly for light-skin tone bases, though.

and my computer is going through a several phase of pms right now, which is why it refuses to let me add more pictures. to be continued...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

lise is going to finish this post.

oh yes she is.



too faced liquif-eye shadow collection- $35

this set honestly looks like so much fun, i can't wait to play with it. not only do you get 12 (!) fun eyeshadows, you also get too faced's shadow transformer, which sounds like a riot. some of the colors look so pretty and unique, it makes this palette an absolute must have for me. the price isn't ridiculous either, although i'm not sure how big the pans are...



stila yumberry cheek and lip stain- $24

i believe it was pinkiecharm who did a review on this, and ever since then, i've been in love. you can ask anyone who knows me well, and they will definitely tell you that i hate glossy lips. i just think they look tacky. on me, at least. that's why i love lip stains. they give you a nice matte finish, and you could put a sheerish lipstick on top for a nice finish. plus, this is such a fun color.



philosophy flirty girl gift set- $35

with this set, you get a 8 oz 3 in 1, a 8 oz body lotion, and a lip shine, all in the flirty girl scent/color. i'm not so crazy about the lip shine, so i'll end up giving it away to a friend, but i think the other 2 things are just so exciting! from the raves that i've heard about philosophy's products, i know i certainly won't be let down.



benefit's confessions of a concealaholic set- $36

with this set, you get "that gal" face primer, "boi-ing" concealer, "erase paste", "lemon aid", "eye bright", and two concealer brushes. granted they're not full size, it's still a good value. i've yet to find a good concealer, and i hope this set will help. it has products for almost any problem, and i'm excited!

wishlist (continued)



okay girlies, as promised, the rest of my wishlist :)
read the first entry so you understand that this isn't actually a wishlist- mostly stuff that i've heard raves about and want to try.



laura mercier tinted moisturizer- $42

so what's so great about this? i'm not really sure. i've heard so many raves about this, i have huge expectations. i think the reason expensive tinted moisturizers are good because they're usually better quality. and let's face it- we don't want to stuff our pores with some cheapo moisturizer, now do we? i'm not saying just because this is more expensive it's better, but that's just word on the street :)


">nars blush- $26

it's not so much the texture of this blush or anything, it's more the color. everyone and their grandmother has raved about orgasm. the blush. it looks good on so many people that wear it, which is why i too have fallen for it. on a different note, i've heard that elf's studio line blushing and bronzing powder has a blush that's almost a perfect dupe for this. just putting it out there.



">urban decay eyeshadow- $17

one of my favorite gurus, kelleeexann, has raved about this eyeshadow for a while now. she says that the shade foxy, a glittery cream color, is the best highlight on the face of this earth. so many people have told me that they really love this shadow, which is why i look forward to trying it :)

ugh, i'm never going to finish this :(

swim team. bleh. on a stick.