Who Doesn't Love A Cupcake?

I have a confession to make...   a confession of the sweet variety, that is! I am a definite girly girl and I love sweet scents and the homeyness that they remind me of; it is definite comfort now that we are heading into fall which is my favorite season!
 I was at Target a few weeks ago and stopped by their candle section because they have such a great selection of candles. I was immediately drawn to these super cute candles by the Chesapeake Bay Candle Company. Now, anything with frosting is my favorite dessert and when I saw their candle, Vanilla Cupcake and took a sniff I knew I was in cupcake heaven! They describe the scent of their candles on the front and the Vanilla Cupcake scent is described like this:

"Moist and delicious yellow cake smoothly finished with a layer of rich, velvety vanilla frosting."

Yummy! I even picked up the pumpkin pie one they have! These retail for $9.99 at my local Target and you get 20oz. for that price. Not a bad deal in my opinion!

Than I remembered a lotion by Bodycology that I heard a beauty guru on Youtube mention as a favorite of hers that I knew I had to try. My Target did not carry that particular scent but my local Wal-Mart carried it. Yes, it is called Vanilla Cupcake, once again.
It smells like vanilla buttercream frosting when you squeeze it out of the tube and apply it to your skin. The company describes the scent like this:

"The delicious scents of buttercream and sugary vanilla provide all the decadence of dessert-without the guilt."

Now, the scent is very light after applied to the skin but subtle enough were you can still take in a whiff of it as you go about your day. I love it!

And just think, you can have your cupcakes and wear that little black dress still!

Loreal De-Crease Vs. Urban Decay Primer Potion

I have a confession to make...   I have been dying to see a beauty showdown between Loreal's De-Crease Eye Shadow Base and Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion to see who comes out the ultimate winner! I have heard Loreal De-Crease has been compared, and dare I say it a dupe, to Urban Decay's famous eyeshadow primer potion and I thought since the high end version retails for about $19.00 at Sephora I would give the cheaper drugstore version a go and see if I could save some cash in the future.

I purchased Loreal's Shadow Base at my local Walgreens for $7.99, a price that was very friendly to my pocket book, so I left the store with a smile (and a few extra goodies)! As you can see, the Loreal product comes in a lipgloss like packaging with a doe foot applicator. I find the packaging convenient since the slanted applicator ensures that you will be able to scrape the inside of the plastic tube that the product comes in.
There also was only one shade available, for all skin tones which I found to be true for my skin as it applied invisibly, much like the Urban Decay Primer Potion which is transparent. The consistency feels almost identical, very smooth like velvet. I did find I had to wait a few seconds for Loreal's base to set.
This is what Loreal claims this product is going to do for you:

"Use this unique eyeshadow base to prevent creasing or fading, and to extend wear up to 8 hours. Can be used with powder, cream or gloss shadows. One universal shade for all skin tones."

To Use:

1. Use wand to apply base to lid.

2.Using fingertip, blend base from lash line to brow.

3.Allow base to set for a few seconds and then apply shadow.

Loreal De-Crease comes with .20oz while the Urban Decay Primer Potion comes with .37oz. We can clearly see who is giving more quantity, but what about the quality of the product you say? Is Loreal really an affordable replacement for the much loved expensive higher end luxury item?
Lets find out...

These are the products I used today in my experiment

 I decided to go for a vibrant eyeshadow color today so that you and I could clearly see the color payoff that both Loreal and Urban Decay primers offer. I feel that will show us more clear any fading or creasing that could happen.
I applied the Loreal De-Crease Shadow base on my left eye and the Urban Decay Primer Potion on my right eye. This is what I came up with today!

Left eye at 11:00 in the afternoon using the Loreal product

Left eye fresh and ready to go!
Loreal used on this eye

Right eye at 11:00 in the afternoon using the Urban Decay Primer Potion

Right eye, Bright and Ready!

So, I went through my normal day, played outside in the hot summer sun with my toddler and did all of the normal day to day things...
Than, just before 8:00 p.m., almost nine hours later, I was going to wrap up my day and take off my makeup. I snapped a few quick pics to show the wear and tear, so sorry for the quality of the pictures but I had to hurry because I had to put two little boys to bed for the night, so I did my best!

Right eye after 8 1/2 hours of wear!
Using the Urban Decay Primer Potion

Right eye

Left eye, after 8 1/2 hours of wear
Using the Loreal De-Crease Shadow Base

Left eye

I know that Loreal claims that their shadow base will last for up to eight hours with out creasing and fading and I stretched that time frame out by thirty minutes, but still...the product broke down pretty badly were as the Urban Decay Primer potion stood the test of time strong!  The electric blue of the shadow was still bright with no noticeable fading and definitely no creasing. 
Sadly, the Loreal product did not even come in close to a chance. Yet, I think that a person might use this particular product for when they will be out for a limited amount of time and they need their eyeshadow to stay in place. Because, truly, how many of us with work and life are going to be out facing the world for less than eight hours?
I believe Urban Decay knew that we needed something that would be long lasting and worry free!
So, I recommend that you purchase the Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion because even though it is pricier than a drugstore primer, a little bit goes a long way so this will last you a while. And this product will not dry out to my knowledge so you don't have to worry about wasting your hard earned money. Anyways, who uses their eye primers everyday unless it is work or special occasions?
Nice effort, Loreal but Urban Decay is hands down the champion!

Have You Been Bitten Lately?

I have a confession to make...  remember when I was on my lip stain kick in the beginning of summer? Well, I thought that I would try a lip stain of a different variety than the gloss that came in the tube. I have seen many reviews and many videos (not to mention commercials with Jessica Biel) either promoting this product or giving opinions on this product. It got to the point that I figured I should check this out for myself to see if this is something worth raving about.
I picked up the Revlon Just Bitten lipstain + balm in the color Passion, a gorgeous yet daring bright berry pink color. This was at my local Target for about $7.99, crossing my fingers that this was going to be worth the almost ten dollars I laid down.

I love vibrant colors and if I am going to pay that much for a lip product I want it to show up. Fortunately Revlon has a good variety of colors in all their lines, these lip stains included.
I like how this product is packaged because it has an easy 'marker tipped' applicator that is seriously fool proof. Just draw the color onto your lips and pop the end car off the other side of the marker and you have a handy moisturizing lip balm for convenience. You don't have to worry about taking along a separate lip balm with you because it already has one for you to use.

I am not positive how long it takes until this product dries out since I only purchased mine a week ago. But I will say that this tint lasts all day on my lips with some fading, but when it begins to fade it does not look patchy or bad. Plus, this is very comfortable to wear, it does not feel heavy at all. Sometimes I even forget I am wearing it because it just sinks into the lips! The balm is moisturizing, but I have heard that it can easily fall off if not careful, so heads up on that one.
I had absolutely no transfer issue with this product, not even the slightest. I kissed my hubby, I drank my water and nothing! And even when the lip balm wore off, the color stayed true and comfy!
 I will dare to say that I like this lip stain way better than any other's I have tried in the past, even more than the very best one that I tried this summer! I will tell you, this is a definite re-purchase!

I don't think that this makes you look like you have been 'just bitten', how very silly! But they do deliver in all the important areas and give a great pop of pizazz! 
So, tell me, are you ready to get 'bitten', too (haha!)?

NYX Nude On Nude Go To Palette

I have a confession to make...    I was this close to buying the Naked palette from Urban Decay last weekend! I went to Sephora on a mission to buy a few things from Urban Decay and the saleslady there tempted me with the absolute last Naked palette they had there. She told me that a lot of people had come in that day to buy it and she showed me the last one! I seriously considered it, but I maintained willpower and refused, walking out with my intended purchases instead. 
Now, how many times have I come close to buying it? Too many to count. As I have said before, neutrals to me are boring; a must have, but boring. Do I really want to spend $48.00 on a neutral palette that comes with only two matte shadows among the twelve that are in it? Granted, yes, you now get a high quality Urban Decay brush, but I already have brushes I like.
So, I went home and the next day decided to order the NYX Nude on Nude palette that they have because I have always been a tad more interested in their version, if you will, of the Naked palette. I ordered from beautyjoint.com since they offer NYX products at the cheapest prices I have found. I purchased this product for $20.99, over half the price of the Naked palette.
When I opened it up I was in love with the range of neutrals they offered, not to mention the quantity. There are twenty shadows included, eight shadows being matte, the rest shimmery. 

eyeshadows

First section of ten

Second section of ten

While the shadows are beautiful in the pan, I wondered what the color payoff would be...

Top Row

Bottom Row

I swactched these on my bare skin, no primer and no base. Initially, these are just like any other NYX eyeshadow I have worked with; they are chalky and do have considerable fallout, but they are very build able in color. Overall, these shadows are very nice, maybe not as pigmented as Urban Decay shadows, but still very nice for a cheaper dupe of their famous palette.
What also drew me to the NYX palette was the fact that it also comes with ten lipstick shades! I love lipstick!

I like how the lipstick drawer opens up under the eyeshadow drawer separately

First five colors
Pretty Pinks!

Last five colors (the second red from the left is a gloss consistency)
Bee-U-Tiff-Ul!

When I swatched these lipsticks on my arm they came out so creamy. I noticed that some were sheer but build able in color while many are very opaque. No complaints here!

First five colors

Last five colors

This palette comes with your basic drugstore double ended sponge tip applicator and a tiny double ended lipstick brush. the lipstick brushes bristles are stiffer than I like and not my favorite to apply lipstick with, so be prepared to tote around your own fav lipstick brush if you take this palette traveling.
This is definitely a great palette worth purchasing because it is so versatile and comes with shadows and lipsticks in a variety of shades flattering for many skin tones. 
I have the NYX Nude On Nude Natural Look Kit that is teeny and fits in the palm of my hand and I love that one, too and have traveled pleasantly with it many times. Let me tell you something, this: This Nude on Nude palette is small enough to carry in your purse still! Trust me, I will travel with this one next time I am going on a trip!

Even comes with a narrow mirror for application!

Give this one a try for half the price!!!!

Pretty Polish Please!

I have a confession to make...     For awhile lately I was laid up with a running related injury and friends came by to see me and visit and one gave me a nail polish, a beautiful purple polish from OPI. She told me that when she saw it she knew that it was a 'Crystal Color'. Since I had nothing better to do than lay around all day she figured that it would give me something to do. 
And she was right!
I have always loved painting my nails and I love vibrant colors that stand out. Lately I have been watching YouTube videos and hearing that the latest nail trend for fall is right up my alley! Recall the simple, yet gorgeous white french tip nails that are so glamorous? Well, now what we are going to be seeing is french tips with some color. Hollar!
I saw my friend the other day with this trend in bright neon orange. It was to die for! So, I figured I would take it one step further and jazz it up a bit...my way.
So, I started with Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails clear coat as a base.

Then I took Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear nail color in The Real Teal (an all time favorite color for me!) and applied it all over the nail and let that dry completely. I used two coats of this polish for definite color payoff. 

After that dried I took my Kiss nail art paint in black and took my time coloring in the tips of my nails. This product dries fast so I did not have to wait long!

Then for extra sparkle I went over my nails with my ELF nail polish in Golden Goddess. 

And Wha-la! This is my take on the fall nail trend this season! Aren't they purrty!

Cover Girl's Amazing AmazeMint Wetslicks

I have a confession to make...      I bought more lipgloss! Yes, I know, it is one of my weaknesses. Who can pass up the colorful array of shiny gloss begging to be touched as you walk past them in the store? Just one peek...Well, I was at Target last weekend and I noticed that they were clearancing out a bunch of beauty items, a select few from certain brands. So, I was on the look out for those red stickers with the bargain price on them and I came across the Cover Girl Wetslicks AmazeMint lipglosses.
I figured I would give a few a go and try them out and see if they would be worth purchasing in the future at full price. I took the sticker off of these when I opened them, but after looking up the original price online, it runs around $5.00 but I purchased my mine for a tad over $2.00 each. Not bad for two lipglosses.

This is what Cover Girl promises these glosses will deliver:

"Wetslicks AmazeMint isn't just a lipgloss, it's a smile treatment! Crest Peppermint oil provides a minty-breath sensation while the gloss itself gives a dazzling high shine without all that 'sticky'."

                               With Peppermint Oil

                               Brightens Smile

                               Lasting Shine Without Being Sticky

Now, I don't think that it can brighten anyone's smile or give you a minty breath sensation, but you can really feel the peppermint oil at work when you slide on this gloss, leaving your lips feeling minty fresh! It's not an unpleasant feeling at all, more of a cool-breeze kind of feel. (Plus, when that special someone leans in for that kiss, they will be coming back for more yummy kisses!)
When they say this is not a sticky formula it's no lie! This is so lightweight and smooth it feels natural on the lips, not a bit uncomfortable. 
I purchased two of these glosses, one a nude color, "Freedom Of Peach"that looks pinky peach in the tube but comes off on my lips sheer, which is not incredibly bad; it is always nice to have that one lipgloss in your bag that you can go to that you know will never fail you.

Freedom Of Peach

The next one I purchased was more of a daring color in "Plum Crazy" and it is a beautiful fuchsia pink that turns out quite opaque for a lipgloss. I love it!

Plum Crazy

Pretty Swatches!
Freedom Of Peach and Plum Crazy

I cannot believe I was living underneath a rock for the whole time that these were in the world! I am not a huge fan of Cover Girl cosmetics but I have noticed that I have been liking a few of their lip products here and there. These Wetslicks will be something that I will have to look into purchasing more of, especially since they come in an array of colors!
Happy glosses to you!

Hello Yellow!

I have a confession to make...      I have found a yellow nail polish that for once I do not despise! I have tried a few yellow nail polishes that are streaky, gummy and just plain frustrating! For some reason, and I do not know if it is just me or what, but I have had the worst time with yellow nail polish. 
So, I was at Target this past weekend and there was a bunch of beauty items and products on clearance that I just could not pass up. When I came across this yellow nail polish from Revlon I admit that I was a little hesitant because the last yellow polish I had from Sally Hansen (a brand of polish that I normally love) I had to throw out because it was too streaky and gummy.
Well,  I thought that since this polish was on clearance I would give it a go and see if maybe Revlon made a better formula that I was in the dark about.
For one, this was a fast drying formula and I am all for fast drying formulas because between life, kids and responsibilities, who really has the time to sit perfectly still for fifteen minutes to wait until our polish is completely dry?
So, the following is a visual breakdown of application:

One Coat

After the first application, I still wasn't convinced I was going to be happy with the final finish because after it dried, which was super quick, it was still streaky and uneven. But, I kept forging ahead.

Second Coat

The color does build by the second coat, but it wasn't perfect. There was still a few obvious streaks.

Third Coat

By the third coat I was satisfied. It was opaque and a nice bright yellow, exactly what I hoped for, since the name of the nail polish is "Electric". The camera dumbs down the color a bit. In person it is more of a sunny yellow than a pale yellow. Pretty! 
By the way, please ignore the horrible paint job I did on my nails. I had a quick moment to test this product out and I did not have time to finish cleaning up the polish that got "outside the lines". 
I do love the quick dry formula of this polish and look forward to trying more colors from Revlon's Top Speed line. This product normally retails (at least in my area) for $4.99 and I was able to snag this for $3.48. 

If you are on the search for a friendly yellow polish to add to your collection, try the Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel. It will leave you with a sunny smile on your face!