Sephora + Ulta Haul

Recently, I've bought a couple of things from Sephora and Ulta. Of course, being a broke college student, I should know better. Buuuut...obviously makeup is my weakness. And if we're being honest, I'm pretty excited about the free stuff I got as well, so I'm including that in this haul as well!

First, let's start with a couple of things I got from Ulta.

As I was scouting the drugstore aisle, I spotted this bright teal gel liner from NYX. My first thought was, "That would make my eye color pop so well!" And then I saw the name of it, which just so happened to be Danielle. Of course, I automatically assumed it was meant to be, and picked it up. It is absolutely gorgeous and wears beautifully as well.

I think I spent all spring and summer looking for the perfect muted melony coral color. I found a few, but they all just came off too orange, and most other came off way too pink. Essie's "Haute as Hello" is the perfect in between! Despite how much I've been wanting it to be fall, I have been wearing this polish as a last hurrah for the summer. Mostly since I have been looking for this exact shade all summer long!

I had heard such amazing things about the Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather collection, so I had to try it! I decided to pick up a neutral color that could be used as an all-over cream base, I picked up the color "Creamy Beige," which dries down to a satin, kind of brown, kind of taupe color, and is perfect for all over the lid!

Sephora was having an amazing sale, where select items were up to 50% off! I was in desperate need of a new body scrub, so I picked up the Soap & Glory Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em Body Buff. This scrub is normally $25, but I got it for a total steal at $15!  It isn't the classic pink scent, but very similar, with just a hint of musk.

This is probably my favorite item in this haul! Sephora was selling limited edition OCC duos, with a full sized lip tar and full sized nail polish! I picked up the set in "Black Dahlia," for only $15! This is seriously the best deal ever, considering the full size of the lip tars are normally $18, and the full size of the nail polish is normally $10! Unfortunately you can no longer purchase this set.

Of course, I also have to talk about free stuff. They had a promo code for a deluxe sample size of the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet, so of course I grabbed that. I'll probably save it for when the weather gets cold and dry, since my skin hasn't been particularly dry as of late. With my Beauty Insider points, I also grabbed a sample size of the Benefit The Porefessional, which everyone raves about but I have yet to try. 

That's it for this haul! Sorry I've been so AWOL lately, life has been so hectic! I do have a few posts planned, so keep an eye out for those!

- D. 

November Favorites!

It's time for another favorites post! I can't believe it's December already. I am so not ready for Christmas and college applications. I'm so glad it's finally cooling down here in Southern California, though, because we had hot weather for way too long this year.

Let's get started!

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer -- Very Fair. I absolutely love this concealer. Anyone who knows me has known that I have loved the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser for a very, very long time, but I have always disliked the packaging. It has always seemed extremely unsanitary to me, despite the "antimicrobial" sponge applicator. But, with this Rimmel Concealer, I don't feel like I'm applying germs and bacteria all over my face, while still getting great coverage with its fantastic, gel-like consistency. It goes on so smoothly, and I feel like it's actually quite hydrating as well. I have really dry skin around my eyes, so any kind of drying product just feels itchy and uncomfortable for my undereye area. This concealer hides any dark circles I may have, without creasing or settling, the way most heavier concealers would. I feel like it's a UK blogger favorite, and I really wish that Rimmel London would send the Wake Me Up Foundation our way! 

The next two products should come as no surprise...

 

L'Oreal Color Riche Nail Color -- Charmed, I'm Sure. I have worn this nail polish for most of the month of November. I absolutely love it, and I am so glad that now I can rock the rose gold trend! It is such an opaque color, and it lasts really well. I'm so hard on my hands, and it lasts about a week on my nails. Two coats and I'm out the door! The best part is, it's opaque without being overly thick, meaning it dries quickly!

Maybelline Color Sensational Color Elixir -- Mauve Mystique. This is the most easy-going lip color I have ever owned. I am not the biggest fan of lip glosses because I don't like the stickiness that a lot of them have, but this product is just so hydrating and smooth. I love the color because it makes my lips look natural, yet plump, and it definitely gives a "my lips but better" look. My lips always feel hydrated after taking this product off, something I rarely notice from an ordinary lip gloss. It smells like boba, too! 

Lush Fresh Face Mask -- Cosmetic Warrior. Cosmetic Warrior is my savior. I have loved this mask for a long time, but this month I discovered just how much I love it all over again. I don't typically get acne, but I have been really stressed out this month, since it's college application season and everything. And when I stress, I break out. I get a lot of cystic acne, which can be such a pain to get rid of, and it so often just makes me feel like my face is dirty, even if it is hormonal acne. This face mask is a lifesaver! It smells strongly of tea tree oil, however, it works like a charm. When I use this mask, I notice the life of my acne is significantly shorter, which makes for happy skin!

Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish. This body scrub is just so good. It really invigorates your skin, leaving it soft and smooth. It has both sea salt and sugar, meaning it gives you an amazing exfoliating experience, and it makes you feel so clean after you've used it. And of course, it has the amazing classic Soap & Glory smell that I love! It has really saved my body, since colder weather is so rarely seen in my part of the world. It feels luxurious every single time I use it, and my skin always feel amazing when I'm done! 

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap -- Fresh Pick Scarlet Pumpkin. I hate to talk about this product because Bath & Body Works no longer sells it, but I am so in love with this scent that I am going to anyways! This is a hand soap from this year's fall collection, and I really hope they bring it back next year. Bath & Body Works got it so right with all their pumpkin scents this year, and I linked all of their current pumpkin products above. It is such a beautiful, rich pumpkin smell, and I just recently put it in my bathroom, but I loved it so much I had to post about it! Sometimes, after washing my hands, I just enjoy bringing my hands up to my nose and smelling them, because that's just how good this hand soap is. I hope they bring this back next year!

- d. 

First post and October Favorites!

Hello! Sooo, as many of you may already know, I've been really into the whole beauty industry for quite some time now, and since I was 16, I have been the go-to hair and makeup artist for many of my friends, and friends' friends. When I was 18, I started in beauty school, where I primarily learned hair styling. About 6 months later, I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do with my career, and I left beauty school (insert "beauty school dropout" lyrics here). However, that has not stopped me from being passionate about the beauty industry! That's why I have decided to start posting my favorite beauty, fashion, and lifestyle favorites from month to month, just like a lot of my favorite YouTube beauty gurus. 

Let's start with a rediscovered favorite. 

L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense. This is my all-time favorite liquid liner. While I typically tend to go for cream or gel liners, Lineur Intense is perfect for just about any eyeliner look. I forgot about this liner for a while, but when I recently saw it in Target, the fire was rekindled. The sponge tip allows it to apply with ease and precision, and is different than the typical felt tip or brush applicators sometimes seen with liquid liners. It is flexible like a brush, which allows for ease of application, but thin and precise like a felt tip, which allows you to build up your liner from super fine to thick and bold. And if you're looking for a black liner, let me tell you. This one is...well, carbon black. In terms of wear time, it lasts and lasts and lasts. I have oily lids, and once this stuff is dry, it won't budge until I'm ready to take it off. But when wet, it is easy to manipulate, and if you mess up, no worries! Just take a wet cotton bud and it cleans up easily.

Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color -- Sugar Plum Fairy. This is a truly versatile lipstick. Not only is it the most gorgeous berry color, perfect for the fall, but it can easily double as a cream cheek color! This lipstick has been my favorite cheek color for October. Crazy, you say? Try it yourself! It has a semi-matte finish, with a creamy consistency, so it will not dry out your skin or make it look oily. Just rub the color between your fingers and pat it on your cheeks. Use a buffing brush or sponge to blend it, if your fingers aren't doing the job. This stuff does have a tendency to stain, so it will last! 

Maybelline The Mega Plush Volum' Express Mascara. I've never been a fan of the flaky, clumpy lash look, and I'm not blessed with super long, healthy lashes. This mascara is great for me. It definitely adds volume and length, without making your lashes look clumpy, AND it stays soft while holding a curl! To me, it's almost a "no-mascara" mascara. It feels nice on the lashes and is buildable. It is a very wet mascara when you first apply it, so if that's not your thing, skip it. I hear this mascara is typically a hit or miss, but for me, it's a hit.

Soap & Glory Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream. Some of you may already know, I am a colorguard coach. As a colorguard coach, I am very hard on my hands. And now, going into these cooler months, my hands will really begin to feel the wear and tear. However, this hand cream has been my savior! I've seen it talked about a million times and I am in love. It smells divine. The smell alone would make me want to use it. But not only does it smell good, it is so creamy and rich! And it isn't the kind of creamy and rich that lingers on your skin so you can't do anything with your hands. It soaks in quickly and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. I have the travel size that I keep in my bag. 

Essie Nail Lacquer -- Vested Interest. Anyone who has followed me for a long time will know I'm not a fan of Essie nail polishes. I am so picky about polishes. I like them to be thick, but not goopy. Essie has a tendency to be too thin to achieve the opacity I like without pushing into 3-4 coats. However, Vested Interest is a gorgeous, teal gray creme that is opaque in 2 coats. Honestly, I don't know why I love this polish so much. I tend to stay away from blue-ish polishes, but this one has been on my nails nonstop since I purchased it. It has great staying power. As I said before, I work with my hands a lot, and this polish typically stays on for 5 days before beginning to chip. Maybe my bad Essie luck has changed? 

Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candle -- Leaves. This is an autumn staple for me. Leaves is such an amazing scent. I even have the Scentportable for my car, and get compliments every single time someone new sits in my passenger seat (despite how messy my car actually is)! It is described as a "rich blend of golden nectar, red apple, and spiced berries." In the last month, I have burned it practically every night, and when B&BW had their 2 for $22 candle sale, of course I had to buy another one, as well as their Cinnamon & Clove Buds candle. I love pairing this with my Candle-lite Essential Elements Vanilla & Sandalwood candle (that's a mouthful), which I found at Rite Aid. Absolutely amazing, and it's burning as I type.

Charming Charlie Right On Rhinestone Watch -- Gunmetal. There isn't much I can say about this watch. Just a standard boyfriend watch with rhinestones in a gorgeous gunmetal color! I've been wearing this pretty much every single day since purchasing it. The cool thing about it was that I received a sizing kit with my purchase (basically a blunt thumb tack with instructions), so it fits just right for me now!

- d.