Budget Beauty Buys

To the dismay of my wallet, I'm all for shopping at Sephora and other luxury retailers. There is just something about luxury beauty that gets me - that hefty Guerlain lipstick bullet, that smooth Burberry plaid... I can't escape the call of those brilliant high end products. 

Surprisingly, I have gathered a few favorites from the drugstore. Aside from Real Techniques brushes, these are my drugstore beauty favorites. Read on to find out more!  

drugstore beauty favorites, budget beauty, rimmel scandaleyes liner review, covergirl lip perfection in Spellbound review, loreal infallible bronzed taupe review, maybelline color tattoo bad to the bronze review, revlon photoready bronzer review

First off, Rimmel Scandaleyes pencils are just brilliant. While I love the chunky shadow pencil too, these liners are more up my alley and come in a variety of shades. I have black, dark blue, taupe and nude, and I love them all. They're super creamy and long-lasting, and this is a waterproof formula that doesn't irritate my eyes. 

Another almost forgotten product is the lovely CoverGirl LipPerfection lipsticks. I have the shade Spellbound here, and it is the most gorgeous opaque hot pink. Not drying, and wears quite a long time - a perfect choice for those of you who don't get along with my sheer favorite, Maybelline Color Whisper.  

Now on to the eyes - of course I would pick the creamy options! Though the L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadows are actually pressed powders, in my mind they are just like creams. So soft and easy to swipe on, I have a number of shades. I think Bronzed Taupe is my favorite! On the other hand, Maybelline Color Tattoos are an affordable pick, and said to be dupes for MAC Paint Pots. I wasn't initially impressed with these, but really their neutral shades are quite good. I love Bad to the Bronze, and their LE shades Barely Beige and Rich Mahogany were definite favorites this time last year.  

Last but not least, every girl needs an affordable drugstore bronzer. I prefer mine matte, and this little Revlon Photoready Bronzer in Bronzed & Chic is a total winner. A potential dupe for the Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons bronzer (see my post here), this bronzer has a decent texture and wears quite well. It takes a bit more blending than Guerlain, but I firmly believe nothing can beat Guerlain when it comes to powder bronzer. However, Revlon lands on the top of my list for a girl on a budget!  

So there you have it, all of my drugstore favorites! Do you have any of these products or have any stellar drugstore items that I must try?  

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Get Ready with Me: Summer Bronze!

A few weeks ago, I posted an inspiration photo and my attempt at recreating the look. (Check that post here if you missed it!)  While that attempt was quite natural for everyday wear, I really wanted the look to be more like the editorial photo. 

So here is my latest attempt at the look! I think I've done a much better job this time, and I've also included a video of the steps (and products!) it took to get there.  

What do you think? How did I do on this bronzey look? Is this a look that you would wear for summer? 

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bronzemakeuplook
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I'm back in a hotel, so apologies if the lighting or backgrounds are weird. Let me know how you like it! Also, excuse my inability to speak at the beginning of this video.

Low/No Buy Recap

Some of you may know that Gummy challenged me to a no buy this past February, to extend to the end of the year. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by my stash, and really wanted to save money too, so I agreed! 

I set certain category limits and went about it with mixed expectations. In these past five months, I've learned that I'm a product hoarder and that I really just like the thrill of buying and checking things off a list. I managed to stay generally within my rules but as Gummy so appropriately reminded me, it was still quite a lot of stuff I had gathered. 

She's right of course, groan! I just like stuff! Ok, but in all seriousness, I really don't need any more stuff, unless I actually need it for real for the health of my skin or hair. Good thing Gummy is around to knock some sense into me, huh? And she's given me a challenge too, to spend the rest of the year doing a real beauty no buy unless I run out of necessities.

It just doesn't seem possible, but I really ought to try… I think even if I fail, it is worth a try, and I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes in monthly recaps! 

Read on for the list of items I've gotten my hands on! What do you think? Don't hate me pleeeeease. :) (Also, please help me stop being a hoarder/shopaholic/crazy lady. LOL)

Italicized = Acceptable products/categories
(fiance) = he got them for me as gifts!
May/June purchases = birthday
* = uh oh!
Other notes included, such as "GC" for gift cards, "credit" for store credit from returns 

Month 1: March
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Cleanser
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Holy Smokes - credit
Clinique Redness Relief Cream - gifted away
Marcelle BB Cream  - (fiance)
Maybelline Vivid Rose lipstick - credit
Maybelline Cherry on Top lipstick - credit
Real Techniques Travel Collection - credit + $8, bought before realizing brushes counted!
--> I thought this was a decent start! 

Month 2: April
Shiseido Facial Cottons
Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water (travel size) 
Living Proof Amp2 Instant Hair Texturizer 
Dior Diorshow Maximizer 
Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara
Lancome Bienfait UV SPF 50 
Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil 
Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Luxembourg - credit
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Khaki - credit
Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks - credit
Laura Mercier Luxe Color Portfolio - credit
Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer - GC
Stila Smudge Stick - returned
Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes - Came broken, returned
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment - (fiancé) gifted away
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells - (fiancé)
Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Deep Blue & Black (fiancé)
Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Guilty Grey (fiancé)
*Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Escapade
*Lancome Baume in Love
*Lancome Kohl in Love
Wakaya Ginger Powder
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Nars Light Optimizing Primer - returned
--> I started off the month strong, until the Sephora VIB sale got me. I restocked some basics, got a few things, and then got a bit splurgy when shopping with Gummy. OOPS! 

Month 3: May
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Cleanser
Chanel Glossimer in Crushed Cherry- GC
Le Metier de Beaute Cream Tint in Coral Nymph - GC
Burberry Eyeshadow in Mulberry - (fiance)
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer - (20% off) (fiancé)
REN The Fab 4 Kit - returned (fiancé) 
Clinique CC Cream - returned 
Sephora Pastel Pop Cheek Stick
Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial
Elemental Herbology Detox Oil
Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer
Oribe Fiber Groom
African Botanics Intensive Repair Balm
Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight Kit (30% off) 
Estee Lauder Stay On Shadow Paint in Chained
Hourglas N28 Lip Oil
2 Sally Hansen blue polishes - coupon for 1
Sally Hansen Top Coat 
Wet n Wild LE palette - sold
Revlon Baby Stick
2 Maybelline summer Color Tattoos 
Capri Blue Peeled Navel Orange candle
--> The few weeks leading up to my birthday were SUPER spendy. I did not adhere to the beauty budget I had in mind for my allowed birthday presents. :( 

Month 4: June
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Armani Waterproof Smooth Silk Eyeliner 
Armani Flash Lacquer
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind - coupon
Clarins Tanning set - ($25 GC)
Sephora OPI Nail Polish Remover
Sephora OPI Metro Too Chic Set
--> Same as above, except then my birthday was over and I was horrified. Except not really because I had PRETTIES!

Month 5: July
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis - (fiance), for us to share
Origins Zero Oil Cleanser -  (for fiance) 
Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Primer - returned
*Sephora Contour 12-HR Liner 
Origins Ginzing Moisturizer
*2 Essie summer shades
Hourglass Illume Blush/Bronzer Duo - credit
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Plum - credit
Dior Addict Lipstick in Diorkiss - credit
--> Not bad, not bad. EXCEPT WHY DID I BUY EYELINER?

Did you make it to the end of this? I was both relieved and horrified when I got to the end of this list. It could have been MUCH MUCH WORSE.  (As it has been in previous years...) 

What do you think? I had a splurgy birthday, and otherwise only messed up a little. I blame the pretty Tom Ford, how much I love shopping, and the whole being in California for work thing making me shop more! Please don't hate me. Come play with my pretty things!  :)

Added to the Wishlist: Rodial Dragon's Blood

A few weeks ago, I was browsing Space NK and found added a few things to my wishlist from the brand Sai Sei. (Check out that post here, in case you missed it!) During that same trip, this skincare range from Rodial caught my eye. 

Perhaps it was the summery packaging or the name, but I was really intrigued by the Dragon's Blood line. When the sales associate told me that the cleansing water was amazing, and also easy to use on the go or while traveling, I was sold. Then I spotted the hyaluronic mask and moisturizer, and both of those seemed perfect too.  

Sadly, I didn't take home any of the line, but I sure would like to. These goodies are definitely next on my wishlist once I've finished up more of my skincare and samples filling up my drawers.  

Have you tried Rodial or the Dragon's Blood line? If so, how did you like it?  

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