Never pay more than $10 for your mascara!

Hello beautiful people!

I've been thinking about this post for a long time, and the more I think about it, the more urgency I feel to write it. Here's the deal...
I am a mascara ADDICT.
I don't know if there is a stronger word for my addiction, but if there is, I need to know. My obsession with mascara is out of control. It's my favorite beauty product of ALL TIME. You can see my current mascara collection below:

UNREAL, right? Only a crazy person would have this much mascara! (Shout out to my summer swap buddy from last summer - Puppy Mom of 3 - who sent me a ton of the mascaras that you are currently seeing! <3 you, girl!)

But here's the deal. You can have amazing fabulous lashes without spending a ton of money! For someone who loves mascara, I have tried A LOT of them, and some of the very best ones will surprise you. This is because they are from brands you see in your local stores every day.

Here's a look at Sephora's top selling mascaras at the moment...

These are definitely the most talked-about mascaras on the internets. To me, that's a lot of money for a product that you will only use for a month or two. Some people will argue that it's worth it, but I've tried all of those mascaras. I would grab my top 3 over those mascaras any day. But what if you want to try the newest mascara? You can. And you won't have to splurge. I promise.

Here are my tips on how to NEVER spend over $10 for any mascara!

1. BUY DRUGSTORE!
I was a mascara snob for a long time. The more I try a variety of beauty products, the more I am discovering my love for drugstore products. Some of them are REALLY GOOD! My very favorite mascaras are from the drugstore. Even with all of my high-end choices (Lancome and Benefit, I'm looking at you!) I constantly reach for these day-in and day-out.
THE FAVORITES:

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara ($7.99 at Target)

Maybelline The Falsies Flared (Only $4.19 at Ulta right now! Regular $6.99)

Wet n' Wild MegaLength Mascara (Less than $3 at most stores!)

Disclaimer - I usually layer this mascara over others as my last step. I don't usually use it on it's own, but I have! Just wanted to throw that in there!

 
2. Sales, sales, SALES!
Always buy on sale! There are even sales on Prestige beauty products at times - Ulta has 20% off coupons from time to time that are good on prestige beauty. They ALWAYS have half-price products during their 21 Days of Beauty events. They also frequently have a "$3.50 off $10" coupon - which you can use on drugstore products. (Like my very favorite mascaras mentioned above!) You can also get coupons for drugstore products in your Sunday paper, and on websites like coupons.com! (There are currently high-value coupons for L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Cover Girl! Just click the coupons.com link!)

3. Consider buying the sample size.

Let's be honest - it's only a matter of time until your mascara decides to dry out on you. It may be months, or it may only be weeks. But it will happen. Consider purchasing the sample/travel size of the mascara you are looking for. You will be able to switch up your mascara sooner, and if you hate it, you aren't out the full price. Win!

4. Join a beauty perks program!
Most beauty lovers are members of one or more beauty programs offered online or in stores. Ulta has a rewards program called ULTAmate Rewards where you can earn points for your purchases and get a free birthday gift. Sephora has the same type of program called Beauty Insider. These two stores also offer free samples with your online orders - and at Sephora you can pick your samples. If you keep an eye out for what they are offering, you can usually pick up a sample size of one or more mascaras. Also - keep an eye out for codes to get additional free samples added to your order! Check the Weekly Specials page often for the latest promo codes.

5. Join a sample program!
Last but not least - join a sample program! You can join many programs for $10 a month (like ipsy and Birchbox) OR you can get the Walmart Beauty Box (seasonal - samples are free, you just pay $5 shipping) or Target Beauty Box (seasonal - $5). You won't always get mascara, but when you do, it's usually full size! And, you never pay over $10!

I hope that the mascara lovers out there find this post helpful - and I hope it inspires you to always look for deals!

Fresh New Moisturizer for All Skin Types

It's finally spring time which means I FINALLY have some time for the blog! I fully intend to update as much as possible from here forward, so what better way to start back up then with a new product for you!

I got the chance to try out a new product from Neutrogena over the past few weeks - it's the Hydro Boost Water Gel! From the Neutrogena website:

Hydro Boost Water Gel instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day. The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream. It boosts skin's hydration level and locks it in all day.

Naturally found in the skin, hydrating hyaluronic acid acts as a sponge for dry skin cells, moisturizing with up to 1,000 times its weight in water, resulting in more supple and smooth skin.

• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Purified Hyaluronic acid
• Wearable under makeup 

Image taken from neutrogena.com

I was really excited to receive this product in a VoxBox - it could not have come at a better time. My skin has been unreasonably dry this winter. I've never really had dry skin before - it's always been oily. Even during the winter. But this year I just cannot get rid of the rough, dry patches on and around my nose. I also have a dry area at the top of my forehead. I was excited to see if this product could help alleviate my dry skin issues!

When I opened the product, I was surprised at how watery it was. I ended up spilling some of it all over my arm because I didn't realize it was going to be that way - so be careful when opening! Aside from it being watery, the texture feels amazingly good when you touch the product. It feels light and watery, but not overly wet. It's really something you just have to feel to understand. I loved the feel of it right away. I then applied it to my face. It felt nice going on, but it tingled a bit on my skin. Not horribly, just a slight tingle - definitely the hyaluronic acid. After a few minutes of letting it sink in, my face had a familiar feel. It was soft and felt hydrated in places, but it felt like it feels after I apply Benefit's Porefessional. Which is a good thing because it always feels smooth after that. I was a little bit bummed when it didn't work wonders on my dry patches, though. (But really, nothing helps the dry patches!)

I was a little disappointed that the ingredients include dimethicone. I know it's approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics, but I don't necessarily think that it's good for MY skin type. (You know - large, easily clogged pores, acne-prone...) I do think that if your skin is normal - not overly dry, no gigantic pores - you will definitely enjoy this product!

I played around with the best time to use this product, and now I am using it at the end of my nighttime routine after applying a heavier moisturizer. I am loving how my face feels before bed now! I think my skin just needs a bit more hydration - I may be a better candidate for the Hydro Boost Gel Cream Extra-Dry Skin.

I would definitely recommend this product because it definitely works on the "normal" areas on my face. You can buy the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel at your local pharmacy or grocery store. It retails for $18.99.

Disclaimer - I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Hydro Boost Water Gel instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day. The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream. It boosts skin's hydration level and locks it in all day. - See more at: http://www.neutrogena.com/product/hydro+boost+water+gel.do#sthash.OIWxvI2x.dpuf

Hydro Boost Water Gel instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day. The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream. It boosts skin's hydration level and locks it in all day.
- See more at: http://www.neutrogena.com/product/hydro+boost+water+gel.do#sthash.OIWxvI2x.dpuf

Hydro Boost Water Gel instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day. The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream. It boosts skin's hydration level and locks it in all day.
- See more at: http://www.neutrogena.com/product/hydro+boost+water+gel.do#sthash.OIWxvI2x.dpuf

Hydro Boost Water Gel instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day. The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream. It boosts skin's hydration level and locks it in all day.
- See more at: http://www.neutrogena.com/product/hydro+boost+water+gel.do#sthash.OIWxvI2x.dpuf

Vow VoxBox from Influenster

It's here! My first VoxBox from Influenster!

Described as the box "For the brides, bridesmaids, mothers-of-the-bride, wedding guests, and wedding crashers of Influenster Nation!" Which ends up being perfect for me, since I will be attending three different weddings this summer. On to the contents!

• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - $7.99
• Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream - $30.99
• Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream - $1.49
• EcoTools Pure Complexion Sponge - $5.99
• Tide to Go - $7.99 (for 3 pens)
• Riley and Grey 50% off code

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - I have yet to try this product, but plan to do a manicure using it this week! Stay tuned for a review once that happens!

Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream - Although I can't tell you if it actually fades dark spots in 8 weeks as it claims, I CAN tell you that this stuff makes a wonderful night cream! I have very oily skin so I stick to gel moisturizers during the daytime, but I have been using this product at night for about a month now. It has a subtle but amazing scent and has really helped control the dry patches I have been getting on my nose. (These dry spots came out of NOWHERE I tell you!) It's rich but not so rich that you wake up with in a puddle of grease. I definitely recommend this product to others who struggle with dry patches, especially for the night time!

Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream - You can read my review on this product in a previous post - right HERE!

EcoTools Pure Complexion Sponge - Below you will find my review on this sponge from the EcoTools website - in a nutshell I LOVED this product and think that it's an exceptional deal at just $5.99!

Tide To Go - What can I say, this is a tried-and-true item that has saved my butt for years! I happen to be a very messy eater, and also tend to spill a LOT of coffee! Most recently though, it saved my husband's shorts from a nasty ketchup spill on the 4th of July! Luckily I had my Tide To Go pen in my purse that day!

Riley and Grey - I didn't use my code since I didn't need to make a wedding website, but I checked out what they offered and can say that their sites look fabulous! Here is my favorite:

Riley & Grey Camillia Design

I like that you don't even have to click the buttons on the top to browse the site, you just keep scrolling down and it will go through all of the tabs at the top automatically! The price will run you $35/month or $240 for a year. I think that a website like this could actually save you money in the long run. If you have a younger crowd attending your wedding, you could publish many of your details on the site and cut down on paper that you send out with your invitations.

Overall, I really enjoyed my first VoxBox and thought it contained great products for someone like myself!

What do you guys think?

Disclaimer - I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own :)

Milani Rose Powder Blushes - $1.62 at your local Meijer!

Just a quick update to let everyone know that I found the Milani Rose Powder Blushes on clearance at Meijer for $1.62! Original price is at Meijer is $6.49...that's a 75% savings!!

These are limited edition blushes so if you find them, scan them to see if they are on clearance!

Let me know if you find these anywhere and if they are on clearance!

Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream with Aloe! #PureSilk

Hello friends!

Today I have a review of Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream in Raspberry Mist. I received this product free in my Vow VoxBox from Influenster. If you are not familiar with Influenster, it is a "social media powered product review site". You review products, complete tasks, and sometimes get lucky and receive a VoxBox! My Vow VoxBox included multiple items that I will be reviewing - so stay tuned if you would like to learn what I got!

Pure Silk shave cream claims include "special combination of ingredients creates a luxuriously rich lather that protects against nicks and cuts, leaving your skin as smooth as silk and ready for maximum exposure." I am used to using shaving gels that foam up into a cream once you lather, so this type of cream was something that I haven't used in a very long time. I have found, after multiple uses, that I actually enjoy the texture of this cream much better than the gel-to-cream formulas that other brands use. Definitely a win!

Pure Silk definitely leaves your legs feeling soft. I have very dry skin on my legs and I found that the formula left enough moisture that I didn't even have to apply lotion afterwards. Another win for Pure Silk in my book!

The fragrance of the product is also wonderful! Raspberry scented items can be hit or miss for me, but this product has a subtle scent that is enjoyable. You also can't beat the price!

Overall, I really enjoyed this product and WILL be purchasing more!

 Hooray for silky smooth legs!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own!

BzzAgent Tone Body Wash and Bath Campaign

Hello lovelies!

Since I am very busy from November to March due to working and coaching full time, I have not had a chance to participate in any BzzCampaigns for a while now. When I got an invite for the Tone Body Wash Campaign, I jumped right on it!

Tone is a brand that I have been familiar with for a long time - at least 10 years. I remember staying at a friend's house a LONGGG time ago and using the brand in the shower. It stood out in my mind because the scent was just phenomenal! I was curious to see if this brand had stayed true to that first impression I had so long ago. 

From the BzzAgent website:
"Give your skin an inspired experience

Tone^® moisturizing body washes are made with spa-inspired ingredients that transport you beyond your shower with invigorating scents, leaving you with irresistibly soft skin. You’ll fall in love with the naturally smooth feel after the first wash, while you indulge in intoxicating aromas from the whole line:

• ^New! Petal Soft with Pink Peony & Rose Oil
• Mango Splash with Cocoa Butter
• Daily Detox with White Clay & Pink Jasmine
• Soothing Oatmeal with Shea Butter
• Ocean Therapy with Deep Sea Extracts & Pearl Essence
• Fruit Peel^® with Alpha-Hydroxy Fruit Acids

Don’t let the luxurious experience stop with Tone^® Body Wash – there’s a full line of pampering Bath Bars and Foaming Hand Wash to keep your skin fully fabulous, too."

I received the body wash in Petal Soft with Pink Peony & Rose Oil. Although this would not be my first choice from the scents available, it is still a great scent. It smells like a garden in my shower each morning - which is refreshing and very pleasant! It has a nice texture, not too runny and it lathers easily. To me it feels more high-quality than other drugstore body washes I have tried. I didn't notice the scent lasting very long once I got out of the shower. It did seem to moisturize well, as promised.

Overall, I am enjoying the product! I am a person who enjoys body wash from the drug store, and next time I am in need of body wash, you can bet I will be looking for the Tone brand!

Top 5 Favorite Discoveries from IPSY!

Today I want to share with you the amazing products I have discovered through IPSY! Ipsy is a company created by Michelle Phan, who is a well-known YouTube "makeup guru". (I really hate that term!) For $10 a month, you receive 5 beauty products in a (sometimes) cute makeup bag. You get a combination of full size and sample size products. For me, ipsy is such a steal at $10 a month. Do you always get high-end makeup? No. Most of the time you don't get what matches your profile either. But again, I can't complain for $10. I didn't think that I had a lot of new favorites from ipsy, but when I sat down and made the list, I realized that I loved a lot more than I originally thought I did. So here are my five favorite ipsy discoveries!

Price: $10 a month
From their website: "Each month, subscribers will receive a beautiful Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. All for only $10 a month."

NUMBER 5 - PACIFICA ROLLER BALL PERFUME

May 2013

Ok - so ever since I have been subscribed to ipsy, they have had a ton of variations in the products that go into their bags. They used to have maybe one or 2 items that would vary between people, but now, there are tons of different variations in products. For example - this month there were twenty different products! Out of those 20, you receive five based on your profile. ANYWAY, I ended up trading this perfume (not a vanilla fan), but it is on here because it started my Pacifica obsession! I have bought solid perfumes, body wash, lotion, and soap from this company since getting it in my Glam Bag! Look for Pacifica products at your local Target or TJ Maxx!

NUMBER 4 - PIXI BRONZER in Subtly Suntouched

November 2013

When I heard we were getting this product - in NOVEMBER - I was a little peeved. First of all, I already have a bronzer that I use and love. Second, it's winter!! No one wants to look like an oompa loompa! Then I tried this bronzer. It is very very subtle on my skin but gives a very nice glow. It's actually a perfect winter bronzer. It looks more like a blush than a bronzer, but once you put it on you can see that it is more tan than pink. Definitely a great product!

NUMBER 3 - MICHAEL TODD TRUE ORGANICS JOJOBA CHARCOAL EXFOLIATING SCRUB

August 2013

One of my favorite things about ipsy is that if you get something you don't want - you can head to the trade boards over at Makeup Talk and trade someone for something you DO want! That is actually how I ended up with at least 2 of my 5 favorites! This is one of those items. I received the pumpkin mask, but after hearing that it wasn't good for sensitive skin, I traded it for the jojoba scrub. I was so happy with the scrub that I traded again for another one, so I ended up with two! I have since purchased the full size from the MT website. I love that this scrub is gentle and ok to use on sensitive and/or acne prone skin. I definitely recommend to anyone who is in need of a good scrub!

NUMBER 2 - JESSE'S GIRL WATERPROOF LIQUID EYELINER

September 2013

I have never been able to find an HG liquid eyeliner pen - but this little guy is now the winner! I did not receive this in my bag - but was able to set up a trade for it, and I am SO GLAD I did! Even though this item is pretty cheap ($6.99 at RiteAid), I still wanted to be sure I liked it before I bought it. And I LOVE IT. It has a super slim tip that applies the product without tugging at your eyelids. It's super easy to make a thin line with it. At $6.99, this product is a total steal and has since become a staple in my daily makeup routine!

NUMBER 1 - COASTAL SCENTS MEDIUM SHADOW BRUSH

October 2013

The reason why this is my number one pick is because when I got this in my Glam Bag, I was just starting to really get into shadow brushes. I only had really cheap ones before this. I know, these brushes are actually REALLY cheap, but they also work really well. I loved how if felt when I held it and when I applied my eyeshadow. I ended up ordering a whole bunch of shadow brushes shortly after receiving this one. I love them and I use them every day! I cannot recommend these brushes enough. They run from $1.95 - $5.95 each on the Coastal Scents website. I recently places a second order of brushes from them, due to arrive this week!

I think the reason that I love ipsy SO MUCH is that they always have a huge variety of products, and if you aren't happy with what you get - just trade it! I have never had a problem setting up a trade, even for the most coveted items in each month's bag. I also feel like you can't really go wrong with $10 bucks a month either. It fits my budget well and I don't plan on stopping any time soon!

If you would like to try out ipsy for $10 a month - here is my referral link: ipsy YAY!

What products have you loved from your ipsy bag?? Let me know!