Face Shop Mini Haul

I visited the Face Shop in Ward Centers today. Ward Center had a Festival of Giving event going on and TFS was having 20% off.

I purchased the following items:

1. Blackhead Out cleansing Foam - $13
2. Blackhead Out White Clay Nose Pack - $9 (I think it was that price)
3. Damage Repair Treatment - $13
4. Herb Day Cleansing Foam in Spearmint - $5
5. Clean Face Spot Corrector - $7

I haven't used any of these before, in fact, I haven't been to the Face Shop in years!

What are your favorite items from TFS? What do you love and what products weren't that great?

My all time favorite skin care brand right now is LUSH. I did a few hauls over the past month and hopefully I will be able to post my reviews of some of their AMAZING products.

xoxo

Been away way too long

Do I even remember how to blog?

I have been buying makeup randomly throughout the past few years. I currently am more concerned about skincare due to a terrible year of breakouts and 'aging' skin.

30's are not the new 20's if we're talking about the ability of our skin to heal and let's not even talk about premature wrinkles.... LOL!

What are your favorite skin care products? I'm interested in all cleaners, toners, moisturizers and serums. If there are any other items I should be aware of, fill me in!

QUICK post - Hautelook & Cherryculture.com

Hi ladies! Just a quick post to let you know that there is an Urban Decay sale on at Hautelook. This is the first time that I have made a purchase at HL but I couldn't pass up the deal.  I purchased the set of 5 UD Glide on pencils ~ you know, the one they were selling at Macys and Sephora for (I believe) $32 or $36? I had wanted it so badly, but didn't want to pay that much when I didn't know how the product worked... I have the worst luck with pencil products - such as the NYX jumbo pencils, any kohl pencils, my Milani one just smudges....  anyway here is my personal referral link http://www.hautelook.com/short/3Bz0q


I will get a $10 credit if you sign up and make a purchase! Then you can refer people to purchase from their site also! They also have UDPP for $9. It is the one with  the doe foot applicator, but it works just as good and you can also depot it.

Cherryculture.com is having a sitewide 20% off sale with the code "v20" and it is good until tomorrow. Shipping is free if you spend $40 or more. I purchased some of their (LOL) NYX slide-on pencils which are supposedly a dupe of the UD glide on pencils. Its sort of funny b/c I spent a while yesterday looking for the NYX ones, and then I found out the UD ones were on sale! I purchased 4 of the slide on ones in gun metal, platinum, azure, and pink suede.  I also purchased one of their blushes in peach. The pencils came out to $5.60 and the blush at $3.60. I picked up a few blushes for one of my friends also so that I could get free shipping. I have a ton of their lipglosses, a couple of their blushes - which I LOVE! They are fantastic the pigmentation is wonderful and they aren't too powery or chalky. However, trying to stick to my budget so I needed to stick to what I 'needed'... ok you know that I really didn't need ANY of that but I had to have some of it! So I limited myself :)

Did you shop these sales? :)

I'll try to post again possibly later on today. Any requests? I have a ton of Nars that I haven't posted about including brushes and makeup. I have Milani blushes that I picked up late last year. I can show more pics of my Yaby palettes which I love.

Have a great Tuesdasy!

The Face Shop - in Hawaii!!!

I haven't really finished my Christmas shopping so I had decided earlier this week that Sunday would be the day. I did complete some of it, but I still have a few more presents to look for. I work all week so I guess I will be one of those late night crazy people fighting for parking at the mall!

As we were driving through town today, I glanced out the window at one of the strip malls and saw a sign that said "The Face Shop". I thought I was seeing things! If you don't know what The Face Shop is, its a Korean cosmetic company that originated in 1962 manufacturing cosmetics, that turned into a retail business in 2003.  They believe is in melding nature with beauty which is epitomized via naturalism, health and purity as a lifestyle (www.thefaceshopen.com).  Some of the things that I saw were: all sorts of cosmetics, bb creams, facial cleansing products, face masks, eyelashes, some brushes and other accessories. The funny thing is I was just briefly browsing their website the other day looking at bb creams. I think I was MOST excited about seeing bb creams in person since I am sort of interested in them.

This is the first time I've been IN a Face Shop store, so I just purchased a few things including:

• Herb Day Cleansing Wipes (70 sheets - $8)
• Lovely Me: Ex Makeup Base (In purple and in green, $5 each)
• Eyelashes ($3 each)

One of the employees threw in samples of bb creams, serums, tonerss and a mask. I am excited to try out the tiny samples of bb creams to see what they are like.  I normally like medium coverage for my foundation, so I was thinking that bb creams may not be for me, until I am really confident about the condition of my skin.  My skin is not really bad per se, but I'm thinking my dark circles will not be concealed well with lighter weight face products.

Enough talk, here are a few pictures.  I'm sorry about the quality - I took them in my room when the sun was already going down and without any additional lighting :)

The sale girls told me that the face bases were for the younger girls and she pointed me to some of their Phytogenic Infinite Makeup Base - which was $21 or so. I ignored her suggestion (politely )and purchased some of the $5 base to test out the brand.

Have you tried The Face Shop? What do you like or don't like? What do you think about bb creams and which ones have you tried?

December 2011 Birchbox

At the end of last month I subscribed to Birchbox and I was so excited waiting in anticipation to find out what I would receive. I got the box today and was sooo disappointed! Unfortunately, I cancelled my subscription because based on others reviews on YT re: Birchbox, it probably wouldn't be worth the $10/month.  I made a short video and am currently trying to upload it. I think when Glambox has boxes available, I will subscribe to that instead.

3 Custom Color Specialists

A lot of people shopped online on Cyber Monday to get great deals on electronics.  Instead I found some great deals on cosmetics for brands that I normally would not try! I really wanted to shop the Eve Pearl 40-55% off deals, but their shipping to Hawaii was outrageous!! I decided to pass (*sob*) on their concealers and correctors (*double sob*).

What I did happen to stumble across was 3 Custom Color Specialists 30% off sale! I had somehow come across them prior to Cyber Monday, but wasn't ready to shell out the regular prices for their products without really knowing how their products worked and applied.

3CCS actually can custom make a shade for you or even recreate a favorite discontinued shade for your eyes, lips, cheeks or face! The best way is to send them a sample of what you are hoping for them to recreate and they work off of that.  I haven't personally done this, but isn't that so awesome??

Lets get down to what I purchased. I bought the Professional Concealer Palette which normally is $58 and their concealer/foundation in shade 4 which normally is $22.50.

 To find out which shade would best suit my skin, I emailed them a picture of myself, along with the shade of MAC foundation that I normally wear (NC25) and asked which shade of their concealer/foundation. Chad (one of the owners) emailed me back the same day with the information - which I thought was really great customer service.

All of their concealers are also foundations.  They are full coverage, but can be made into a more sheer coverage.  The concealer palette has 10 shades and includes a little concealer brush and a spatula.  The actual full sized concealer foundation is very small compared to my MAC foundations. My MAC foundations normally have 1 oz of product, where this has 3g or .10 oz.   I haven't tested out the shade yet, but it does look close to my skin tone. I will let you all know the results as soon as I test it out!  I am so excited to use this concealer palette for my professional kit.  3CCS also offers a 30% discount for industry professionals!

Have any of you tried 3CCS?

I have a ton to blog about, need to get on it!

I have a ton of new products that I want need to share with you all, but need to actually make blogging a part of my routine. I should probably use the time after my cute cupcake falls asleep, while I am still wide awake having my "me" time before bed.  I work full time as well as being a full time single mom, so usually I am just very tired! I love to keep up with all the blogs that I am subscribed too, and recently got back into watching some youtube videos for inspiration.

Some of the new products that I have include Nars, Milani, UD, Too Faced, Mac, Yaby, and Smashbox to name a few. I have brushes, blushes, eyeshadows, palettes and more!

Oh~! I forgot to mention that I took a makeup course and got certified in makeup! I am currently in the process of building my professional kit so that I can start working on my portfolio. I bought some Yaby palettes for my kit and just need to wait for them to come in.  Yaby (www.yabycosmetics.com) was having an awesome sale that ends on 12/4 for about 35% off. You can also buy some of their products at Camera Ready Cosmetics (www.camerareadycosmetics.com) for a discounted price- some of their products are 50% off right now! I REALLY need to place an order asap for their foundation palettes which I have read are full coverage cream foundations, but can be made more sheer. I am soooo excited!!

 I will try to upload some pictures as soon as possible... It is 3am here in Hawaii, so I am OFF to bed :)

xoxo talk to you all soon!

I'm alive!

So I haven't posted here in a while, but I am still checking up on everyones blogs... so I'm not totally gone! In the past year I really haven't been purchasing any makeup, except for the necessities like foundation, powder, etc.  

I recently went to Sephora last week and bought a Tarte palette, and hated it! It wasn't really pigmented and it was really powdery. I was so disappointed that I had spent $44 on a palette that I wouldn't be using.  

Today I went to Sephora to return it, since their policy is if you are not "completely satisfied", you can return your items.  

I left with the Naked Palette by Urban Decay (I know.... finally!!), Nars lipstick in "Cruising", Kat Von D Palette in Beethoven and Buxom Diamond Lips in Celeste.

This is just a short post to say hi to everyone and show you a quick pic of what I purchased. I hope to be back soon! <3

Happy New Years

Happy New Years everyone!

To a wonderful year filled with happiness, hope, joy and love!

xoxo,
Caitlin

Expiration dates

Ok maybe I'm a little SLOW but I just realized that some makeup/face products have the expiration timeframe right on the bottle or packaging! I was looking at my primer the other day and noticed it had said 6m so I guess there goes trying to skimp on product make it last as long as possible. Not that a little 1oz tube will last me very long anyways, but I swear that my SB and old english primer lasted me forever!!  So what do the other symbols stand for? I'm sure the one on the right is that the package is recyclable and the one on the left has something to do about reading the packing and/or pamphlet that comes with some of their products... any ideas?

I think I better start going through my cream products and get rid of the expired one! ^_^

Btw got the pic @ Cici does hollywood

Sephora

I went to Sephora today b/c I needed a new primer and mascara.  Picked up Korres Face Primer for $28 for 1 oz and Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara for $14.

I was previously using the Smashbox Photo Finish primer which I really liked, but it was a little pricey at $36 for a 1 oz bottle.  I purchased the Korres one since a friend of mine said she uses it & likes it.

 I have used this mascara once before. It really curls my lashes and lasts pretty much all day long.  I'm going to test out the primer and let you know how it goes! ^_^

I had to literally not "look" at anything else b/c Nars eyeshadows were calling my name....

Tagged- 8 questions

So I was tagged by Serenie. I know I haven't been posting anything recently, but like I said in my last post, just having some life issues! 

Serenie's 8 Questions:

What is something important to you in a friendship?

The most important things to me are honesty, trust, and sincerity. Without these, whats in a friendship? More like an acquaintance. I dont think I have to explain those, do I? :)

What is the one beauty product you MUST have or the world will end?

Concealer! If I can't conceal my undereyes, whats the point of any makeup ever? I'll still look like someone punched me in the eyes! lol

If you had to get a tattoo what would it be and why?

Well I have one that I got 7 years ago that I want to get removed. If I was going to get another one, I'd probably want to get something on my shoulder like a sleeve, but hidden by a teeshirt. I would get some type of flowers b/c I just like them!

What is your go-to nail color?

I love french manicures but dont do them often, esp with a toddler!

What is your favorite animal and why?

Dogs - they love you unconditionally, forgive you for your faults, cheer you up when you're sad, keep you company when you're lonely, they're always happy to see you when you come home, and they don't talk back

What is your dream car?

I'm not really into cars, but I'd love an suv b/c my car is way too small!!

What is your favorite genre of music and/or artist?

I listen to all types but my favorite singer is/has been Jewel

If you could start your own makeup company, what would the name be?

Not sure??? :)

Tagging:

Janis

Sim

Emily

Kristen

My Questions:

What are you favorite everyday e/s colors?

What are your favorite moisturizers and/or primers?

What do you have an obsession with?

If you could meet anyone famous, who would it be and why? and if you like, what would you say to them?

Tell me your biggest pet peeve.

What is your favorite store(s) to shop at?

Number 1 on your bucket list.

Must have beauty product that is good for everyone?

Me and my cutie in the car. I'll post a more recent picture soon. i got my hair did and it has reddish hilites at the moment.

I'm still here

I haven't been posting anything really, but I promise I'm still here! I've taken hiatus on shopping for makeup... I seriously have wayyyy too much. Sometimes I look through my collection and I'm like... Oh... I have that?? Oops! I haven't been playing with colors or anything either, just wearing mostly the same ol everyday look.

I have a lot of other stuff happening in my life. Things I wish were different, but they're not. Trying to realize that sometimes things just are the way they are. I guess I'm trying to face reality with some dignity. Trying to stay sane.

I am still reading peoples blogs though. 

xoxo

Smootchkiss blog giveaway

Karolina is having a giveaway on her blog, which is called Smootchkiss.com for having more than 100 followers. You can join the giveaway by being a follower of her, posting a comment, and if you want more chances of winning you can blog or tweet about it!  She is giving away some of her favorite items which includes a bunch of Mac items (including HK!), falsies, barry m dazzledust and collection 2000 items. Go check it out!  Here is a pic straight from her blog below:

Finally some pictures! :)

Ok so I finally uploaded some pictures of my MAC To the Beach haul.  I also have some pictures of some items that I picked up at NARS last week.  Our Nordstrom had a makeup event last week that I attended with Kristen. At the event they had master makeup artists who flew in and were doing makeovers. Before we go there,  there was also a fashion show. It was fun! I wish that we could have gone earlier in the day to spend a little more time there, but all in all it was great.  I got my makeup done at the NARS counter and Kristen got hers done at the MAC counter.  I have never used NARS b/c of it is a little more on the pricey side, but I loved the makeup and the look and how gorgeous their shades are.  I have a new love, move over MAC!

Can someone please let me know how to fix my photos so they are not sideways?  They are saved on my computer upright, but when i upload them they come out sideways! :(

This is just a sneak peek at my palettes.  I also have about 100+ other MAC shadows but haven't depotted any of them yet. If you want to see any of the specific colors, LMK

blush palette

my e/s palettes

Hope you have fun with some of my pictures! If you want a review of any of the products just ask

Mac - To the Beach

So I picked up a few things from this collection, but since the weather is really bad and rainy right now, I couldn't really get any good pictures showing the colors of the products.   I only wanted to get things that were limited edition and not just for the packaging.

What I picked up:

Sand & Sun e/s
Firecracker e/s
Sweet & Punchy e/s
Hipness blush
Beach Bronze creme bronzer
Float on By eye kohl

I already own the other 2 e/s in the collection, which are Shimmermoss and Humid.  They are part of the permanent collection.  There was another creme bronzer which I believe was a little lighter, but I decided to go with the darker one since the MA told me it looks more natural on my skin, and they both were actually pretty sheer.  I am one for too much bronzer or shimmeryness on my face, I like to keep the shimmer for my eyes and lips.  The other two powder bronzers are part of the permanent collection, so I skipped those.  I didn't really care for the lipsticks , lipliners or lipglosses for myself b/c they were a little too bright for my liking.  However I think overall the collection was really nice and had some great products.  I would love to see what other people think of this collection, what they picked up, and what they think of the products that I didn't pick up such as the lustredrops and bronzing body oil.

I can't wait to try out these eyeshadows, they are just so gorgeous!

Hautelook is having a sale on Urban Decay!

Ok if you don't know what Hautelook is, basically they have sales almost everyday on designer/brand name items at a fraction of the selling price.

Today they have Urban Decay sale, and their pigment e/s are $5! I had to hold back b/c I honestly have way too much makeup and ..... *sigh* I just can't...lol.

Not a part of hautelook?  Click here  to use me as a referral to sign up and have fun shopping!

xoxo

Got my hair did

"mini me" and me.... "smile!!!"

Ive been having some major stress recently so decided that I needed a "me" day and got my hair did!

Last year I highlighted my hair and put really purple streaks in it.  I had them in for about 2 weeks when I had to dye it back "normal" for work.  That over-processing really damaged my hair and it was horrible! I let my hair recover for a whole year.  I had used drugstore color about 2-3x to cover up the highlights that could you could still see, but didn't i didnt highlight at all. So on Saturday I got my hair did! I wasn't going to go light, I had wanted to keep the color dark so I wouldn't have to retouch too much.  But I told my friend to go with whatever she thought would look best b/c I trust her! I love the outcome.  She colored it and gave me some partial highlights.  I will have to touch up probably every 4 weeks, b/c my natural color is a really dark brown, but I <3 it!  Since my hair is lighter, I had to change the color of my eyebrow shade.  I used to use either MAC charcoal brown or espresso, but now I have to use cork.

Love.....

For MAC that is. I got me some greasepaint sticks and HOPEfully will be able to post some pics in a few days.

xoxo

MAC Liberty of London & Spring Colour Forecast

I haven't posted in a while but thought I'd share my small haul from the MAC Studio Talk class I went to the other week.  The focus was eyes and lips.  I bought some things from the Liberty of London collection as well as a few items from the Spring Colour Forecast collection that I didn't pick up before.

Some of the items that I already purchased included: Spring Colour Forecast Crushed Metal Pigments Stacked 1 and 2, Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach, and the Colour 4 e/s quad. Most of the items are becoming sold out so buy them now if you want them! You can still get some at MAC and some at Nordstrom or other higher end dept stores / online.

Colour 4 e/s Quad

Liberty of London Collection e/s

Spring Colour Forecast e/s

(I don't know why the picture is showing up sideways, its not saved that way!)

Liberty of London Blush - LOVE THIS ONE! It's my new fave, may have to get a backup. Love love love it!

I also bought a black traincase from Sephora the day before I went to the Studio Talk class.  This fits some of my makeup.  I still have 80-90+ MAC eyeshadows that I have to depot. This doesn't include much drug store makeup.  It basically has my fluidlines, concealers, Fix+,  some pigments, my NYX eyepencils, mascara, and palettes.  It fits a lot of palettes in the bottom section. One thing I don't like about the train case is that its hard to take out the dividers.  The inside is also made out of a foam like material and if you put the dividers in the wrong place, the foam will dent. Don't like that....

I didn't do any swatches, but let me know if you want any! I really liked the Liberty of London collection even though at first I really thought I wasn't going to like any of it.  I would definitely recommend Prim & Proper blush if you are considering anything from the collection.  I think it could complement any skin tone. I normally only like peachy type blushes, but this one is goooorgeous!