April 2013 Favorites

covergirl lashblast 24hr mascara

revlon photoready airbrush foundation

vs pink sweet & flirty body spray

mark color me in eye pencil mint candy

mark color me in lip pencil honey dip

OOTD: Wed April 17, 2013

I usually go with a more casual look for work, but I decided to dress up a bit today.  I threw on some Kenneth Cole flats (I've had for years!) instead of the usual Coach tennis shoes.  The flats made my outfit dressier rather than if I would have worn the sneakers. 

Top- Express

High Waisted Millennium Pants- Charlotte Russe

Shoes- Kenneth Cole 

Nail Polish- Avon

*Fashion Files: Aqua & Peplum Skirts*

Hello dolls!! I am going out of town (state technically) for the weekend to watch my little cousin perform in a high school production of Beauty & The Beast.  (She's 11 & still in elementary.  I believe she's a tea pot in the show.)  A musical is always an excuse to dress up, especially when I really get to dress up during the week (except for church on Sundays).  (Though we're not allowed to wear jeans to work, except on Fridays, we are constantly moving around & on our feet, so I usually stick of pants with dressy tennis shoes or flats.)  I love dresses & skirts, and I absolutely love the new peplum style that is all over the place this season (tops, skirts, dresses).  I also love that mint green & aqua/turquoise are especially hot this season, because they are my favorite colors & I love seeing them everywhere!
I was putting together outfit ideas on what to pack for my trip, and I put this one together.  (I still might end up in a mint green flowered tube dress from Rue21- not 100% sure yet.  This is just one of the ideas that I put together.

I got this peplum "brocade" skirt from Forever21.com.  (I haven't had an occasion to wear it yet.) My top is from Rue21 at my local mall.   (I also have that same top in navy blue with white polka dots.  I've worn the polka dotted one more than the aqua though.)

                                 I also have matching Aqua shoes from Charlotte Russe. 

Outfit of the Day: Monday April 8,2013

Mint Madness!!

Green has always been my favorite color, and I've been LOVING Mint Green lately.  I was so excited to see that Mint Green is a hot color for Spring this year!  I've been seeing this mint/turquoise green EVERYWHERE, and I've been loving it.  About 90% of my current wardrobe is green stuff right now! (I know! I know! I need to add more color to my daily wardrobe, and I've honestly been trying to mix things up!) :P

Today, I wore my new "Mesh Back Boyfriend Tank" from American Eagle in Mint ($9.03 with their recent 40% sale).  (It's more of a baby blue/green.) under a sheer button down blouse with a beaded color (the pretty collar convinced me to purchase it) from Rue 21.  My pants are the Stella Ankle Zip Leggings from Express (LOVE!), and I'm wearing my Coach sneakers that I've had for 4 years and literally feel brand new.  They are the most comfortable shoes ever & I wear them almost everyday to work.  (They were definitely worth the $ because they are comfortable and still look new! QUALITY over QUANTITY! lol).  My bracelet is from RUE 21, and I'm wearing a big Mint Green hairbow from Claires.  I got a lot of compliments on my outfit at work today.  That made me smile.  :)

My Monday was good, and the nice, warm weather made it even better! YAY! Finally!! *GOODBYE COLD!*  (Hope it stays nice! *knocks on wood*)

Hope all of you Fashionistas had a great Monday!! 

Revlon Photoready BB Cream

                                                                         1 fl oz

I picked this up on Saturday, while I was at Rite Aid.  I was actually looking to pick up the Garnier BB cream (original formula), but this caught my eye.  I'm a huge fan of Revlon products.  I really love their Photoready Airbrush Foundation.  I've repurchased that numerous times.  (That's a go-to foundation for me!)  I've also tried the Colorstay foundation in the past, and I really liked it as well.  I was debating between trying this and the Maybelline, but based off of the research that I'd done and reviews,  I thought that the Revlon would suit me better.  The Maybelline one was said to be very sheer.  Even though the Revlon cost more than the Maybelline, I've had bad luck with Maybelline face products in the past, and I didn't want to try the chance.  (Also, I didn't want to get anything with next to nothing coverage.  I like some coverage.)  This was $10.99 at Rite Aid, and $8.99 at Walmart.  However, with my Revlon coupon and 20% off that I received by using my Wellness cared, I got this for $6.54! (Huge Steal!)  (I like to purchase face products at Rite Aid because of the awesome return policy.)

I've been using this since Saturday (it's now Tuesday night), and I'm really pleased with this product.  It has good coverage.  It doesn't just even out skintone, but it covers flaw and imperfections as well.  I don't really need to conceal when I use this.  I've used this with and without a setting powder (MAC Studio Careblend & Mark Matte-nificent).  When I wore this without a powder, I didn't have to blot at all.  When I used the powders over top, I did have to blot my t-zone halfway throughout the day.  I like to set it with a powder for more coverage when I go to work.  

I love how this makes my skin feel so soft.  It's very hydrating, without feeling greasy.  This doesn't feel heavy on the skin or make it feel greasy or oily.  It doesn't give so much of a dewy finish.  It's more of demi/matte-natural finish.  I love how natural this looks- like my skin only better (more awake/polished).  My skin is very sensitive & this didn't irritate it.  My skin feels softer, smoother, and healthier in just the 4 days that I've used it. 

I'm not sure if this really has all of the skincare benefits and anti-aging properties that a true BB cream is supposed to, but sure is an amazing tinted moisturizer.  I've been looking for a more affordable dupe for my NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer, and I think I found it! 

Shades: Light, Light/Medium, Medium
The Shades run dark! I'm NC40 in MAC Studio Fix Fluid & NW40 in Studio Sculpt.  I wear Medium/Deep in Garnier tinted moisturizers.  The medium in this suits me, but it's still a tad bit dark (but it works!).  I could prob get away with a light/medium in this.  Something to consider before you purchase.  

Olay Shine,Shine Go Away Cleanser & Long Live Moisture Satin Finish Lotion Review

 

I saw these new Olay Fresh Effects products at Target, and the cute packaging caught my eye.  It's fun and youthful.  I've been loving the sample of the Clinique Foaming Rinse Off Cleanser that my aunt gave me (free gift with her Clinique purchase), but I'm almost out of the sample and didn't want to shell out $20 for a full sized tube of it.  I'm thrifty when it comes to skincare products.  I usually go with Clean & Clear, Purpose, Cetaphil, Noxema, etc (drugstore products).  The most expensive skincare products that I've tried were Benefit (which were sent to me for free) and a Boscia moisturizer (which was amazing and a gift).  I like to look for good deal when it comes to cleansers, and honestly, I don't usually moisturize.  

My skin has been combo/oily lately.  It's also sensitive (always has been).  My forehead and cheeks are dry and my t-zone has been oily.  I've had to blot sometimes several times a day in my t-zone (hate doing that).  The Shine, Shine Go Away really caught my eye because it's suppose to minimize shine.  Sometimes, the Purpose cleanser, that I often use, can dry out my skin.  This stuff is a creamy formula, as opposed to the liquid formula of Purpose, so I figured that this wouldn't be so drying.  The Shine, Shine Go Away cleanser can be used as a mask or regular cleanser.  It's foaming.  My skin feels very clean and soft when I use this, and not drying at all.  Doesn't feel greasy at all or leave a residue like some cleansers can.  I used this last night, and I only had to blot one time today.  So far I really like this cleanser.

I know I mentioned that I don't usually moisturize my face, but I know that I should.  I moisturize my body after a bath or shower, so why not moisturize my face after I wash it?! I'm not getting any younger, and I know I look younger than what I am and want to keep my skin looking soft and youthful.  I don't like heavy moisturizers.  Sometimes they can be too moisturizing or feel greasy.  This Fresh Effects moisturizer is definitely not your mother and grandmother's Olay!  I have used the original Olay Complete moisturizer and also the sensitive skin formulas.  The original Olay moisturizer (that's been around for YEARS) is a lot more moisturizing and a lot thicker than the Fresh Effects.  The Olay Complete is definitely more of a night moisturizer, and I recommend that one for dry skin.  However, since I have combo skin, I want something more lightweight.  I don't want a heavy moisturizer or something that feels greasy.  (Although, the Olay Complete never felt greasy on me; it was a lot more moisturizing than the Fresh Effects.) I really love how lightweight the Fresh Effects moisturizer is.  It reminds me of the Benefit Triple Moisture Emulsion (which I really loved when I sampled it, but didn't love the price!).  A lightweight moisturizer is just what I need for my skin type. I used this before bed after cleansing with the Shine, Shine Go Away.  This made my skin feel refreshed and moisturized, without feeling greasy.  I love it! This would be a great daytime moisturizer as well!  

I feel like this line is great for younger skin or for combo/oily skin types! It is pricer than the regular Olay products.  The Olay Complete lotion is around $7.99-$8.99.  The Fresh Effects Long Live Moisture is $12.99 at Target & $14.99 at drugstore.com (worth the splurge!), and the Shine,Shine Go Away cleanser is $5.99 at Target & $7.99 at drugstore.com.  This line also has an exfoliating cleanser and a BB Cream as well.  Definitely worth checking out! 

*My 25th Bday Out of the Day!*

My 25th birthday was on Sunday, Feb 10th, and this was my outfit of the day!

Sweater Slub Knit Side Ruched Dolman Sweater *fresh mint*- Express

Stella Brushed Sateen Legging *mint green*- Express

Boots- American Eagle 

Ring- Rue 21

Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream Oil Free Medium/Deep

MAC Giggly Blush

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Aquarius, Benefit They're Real Mascara (LOVE!)

Earrings: Charlotte Russe