DRUGSTORE MASCARA REVIEW: L'OREAL

After much anticipation here is my second drugstore mascara review on the lovely L'oreal. I have tried a ton of drugstore mascara and I can easily say that L'oreal is my all time favorite! A great mascara to me will lengthen, volumize, and curl your lashes without flaking or requiring paint thinner to remove. Let me tell you about my lashes so you can get a better understanding of my reviews: I have long, curled, very light (almost blonde on the tips) lashes. If I don't wear mascara you can barely see my lashes and when I wear mascara people think I have false lashes on.

 L'oreal Lash Out Butterfly:
I really really like this mascara. This mascara (for me) does exactly what it says. It gave my lashes that "butterfly" effect. It gave me great length and made my lashes go up and out like a butterfly. Every time I wear this mascara I feel it makes my eyes look elongated. This also did not flake on me and I can easily wear it all day to work.

L'oreal Power Volume Black Smoke 24 Hour:
This is my holy grail mascara. I used this mascara every day for months. When I first purchased it the formula was too wet for my liking and didn't dry fast enough. I kept the lid slightly unscrewed for a day and the formula dried up just a tad and became the perfect mascara for me! This is the brush that I always look for to make my eyes look voluminous. It made my lashes look extremely long and full. It lasts all day yet it was still easy to get off at the end of the night. I also didn't have to worry about it smudging onto my upper lid throughout the day.

L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black:

This was the blackest mascara I have ever used. In the picture is the waterproof one (which I don't recommend because it smudges easily) but the original one is top on my lists of loves. In one application this mascara will give you volume and length. You can easily build this up without looking too cakey.

L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess: ($6.11)
This mascara is the only one I would not repurchase. The wand is very flimsy and large. I did like the short bristles but that was all I liked about this one. If I put more than one coat on it made my lashes look clumpy and stick together. Whenever I would try and brush them out it would still clump. I had to read reviews on this one to see if I was applying it wrong and reviews are all over the place! This mascara might work for you, remember this is just my opinion!

What drugstore mascara is your favorite?

I hope you guys enjoy this review :)

Hugs,

Tara

HOW TO QUICKLY CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES

So you know how to pick out the perfect brush for contouring or foundation but do you know how to properly clean that brush? Before I got intensely involved into the beauty world I was unsure of how often we needed to clean our brushes. I was sure if I cleaned my brushes every couple of months I was doing pretty good. Boy was I wrong! Washing your makeup brushes should be a part of your regular beauty routine. When you use your brushes, bits of makeup, oil, dirt, and bacteria can get trapped in the bristles. So while it might seem time consuming it will save your skin from clogged pores and breakouts! Makeup brushes are an expensive tool needed to apply makeup, so cleaning them daily can help save your investment :)

I have found a quick and simple way to clean your makeup brushes at home. For my everyday routine I picked up the Sephora daily brush cleaner (any daily cleaner will work). I just quickly spritz it on the ends of my brushes and wipe off on a baby wipe. This is an important step if you are working with dark colors a lot and don't want color's to transfer. Once a week it's time for a deep clean (your brushes will need time to dry, so after you apply your makeup you can do your deep clean in minutes).

Here's my tips on how to clean your brushes

What you need:
1. A shallow bowl
2. Baby shampoo or antibacterial soap
3. Olive Oil ( I used Argon Oil because I had no olive oil)
4. Your sink
5. Lint free towel

What's next:

1. Begin by running your brushes DOWNWARD under the water. Focus on the bristles and not the part of the brush that connects the bristles to the handle. If you get that area wet too much the glue will loosen over time and bristles will fall out.

2. Fill a shallow bowl with your soap and a little bit of oil. Swirl your brush around in the soap to coat the bristles.

3. Gentle rub the bristles in your hand to make a lather.

4. Run under water and repeat if bristles do not come out clean (the water should run clear).

(For my foundation brush I wait to clean that last and just swirl it in the bowl and rinse, and repeat 2-3 times until the bristles are white again)

5. Place brushes on a towel to let dry (I roll the upper part of the towel so my brushes are facing downward)

And there you go, your brushes should be clean as a whistle. I washed my brushes today and it took me 5 minutes! Hopefully this helps you guys out with cleaning yours!

What is your favorite brand of brush?

Hugs,

Tara

JANUARY MAKEUP BUDGET

Here is a run down of all the products I picked up during the month of January.

First trip was to the drugstore:
Loreal True Match- $10.99
Coupon- $2.00
Loreal True Match- $5.99 (Buy one get one 50% off)
Coupon- $2.00
Loreal Magic Lumi Primer- $12.99
Coupon- $2.00
Loreal True Match Concealer- $4.99 (Buy one get one 50% off)
Coupon- $2.00
Coupon- $5.00 (total makeup order)
_________________________________
Total: $23.38 (with tax)

Second Trip was to the drug store (again):
Rimmel Stay Matte- $5.29
Rimmel Stay Matte- $2.46 (buy one get one 50% off)
Coupon- $5.00
Loreal Butterfly Mascara- $8.99
Coupon- $2.00
Loreal Colour Riche Lip gloss- $9.49
Coupon- $1.00
_________________________________
Total: $20.14 (with tax)

The last place I went to was in our local outlet mall. We have a store called The Cosmetic Company. They deal with name brand makeup companies that have overstock.

Mac Prep + Prime- $21.00
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation- $24.50
_________________________________
Total: $48.46 (with tax)

The last place is the grocery store to grab some face wipes.

Neutrogena Face Wipes- $5.99
_________________________________
Total: $6.37 (with tax)

All together this month I spent $98.35. I'll just throw the extra money into the container for next month.

I'll give you a sneak peak of what is on my wish list for next month.

HOW TO: MAKE A MAKEUP BUDGET

A lot of people ask me how I can afford the amount of makeup I have so I thought I would let my tips and tricks be known to the world. I have been known to over spend on impulse buys a lot so I decided to make myself a budget that I would actually stick to. It makes me think a lot more about what I actually want versus what I think I want. 

Tip 1: Set yourself a budget that you can afford. I myself am able to afford $25 a week, which ends up being $100 a month on makeup. I know that this may seem like a lot to some, but like I said pick a budget that fits you.

Tip 2: Find a place to put your saved money. I find if I keep it in my bank account I will spend it.

Tip 3: Save your receipts! This was a big one with me. I would just spend and spend and have no idea how much I actually spent that month on makeup.

Tip 4: Only go on shopping sprees once a month or less. If you're constantly going into Target, Sephora, or Ulta you are more likely to over spend on impulse buys.

Tip 5: Make a list; I have a notepad on my phone and whenever I hear or see a product I really want I put it in my notes. That way it's also in order of what I've wanted the longest. It's easy to delete items once you purchase them.

Tip 6: Organize your makeup frequently and figure out what you actually need more of and what you have too much of. For me it's foundation. I am drawn to newer/better foundations wherever I go; I have one too many in my collection.

Hopefully this helps you guys out a little. I know it keeps me on track. Also, something I didn't mention is that in this budget will include all makeup, skincare, and and hair care products.

Hugs,

Tara

WOW WEDNESDAYS: JACK BLACK LIP BALM

Have you ever had a lip balm that you put on your lips and minutes later you have to reapply? Unfortunately I have had that happen to me one too many times. I finally found a lip balm that I can say that I love and highly recommend. It comes out of the tube thick but doesn't feel thick on your lips and soaks into your skin fast. After it soaks in, it feels like there is a mask over your lips protecting them from getting too dry.

It contains antioxidants and skin conditioners to provide long lasting moisture. It blocks against extreme windburn and temperatures. Also has UVA/UVB protection, which is always a plus when you live in Florida!

I give this lip balm two very BIG thumbs up!

Purchase it here!

MAC HAUL

 MAC Haul!! For Christmas I received a gift card to MAC so of course I had to purchase some of their new items they came out with. I have always been a sucker for MAC. I love everything from their blush, to foundation, to lipstick, to concealer. I have been trying to get more every day nude colors and I think I did pretty well with these new products.

 MAC Close Contact Lipstick: What made MAC so famous and there are plenty of reasons why. Their lipsticks are to die for! The perfect amount of shimmer so you can wear it any time of the day. I will purchase plenty more of their lipsticks and you should too!

 MAC Opulash: For a $15 price tag I was expecting lashes that looked almost fake. This gave me very natural looking lashes, which isn't what I want. They say that this is their most "bodacious brush yet" and I would agree that the brush looks like it will be a show stopper but it wasn't.  I was disappointed and I wouldn't repurchase. Figure out your mascaras MAC because all of your other products blow them out of the water!

Extra Dimension Skinfinish: This liquid-powder consistency is so versatile. You can use this as an all over powder for that glowing skin, as an eye shadow, or a highlighter. I really like how smooth and almost creamy it feels. I wouldn't use this as an every day powder but I will use this when I go out for that glowing skin I always want!


If you recommend any MAC items I should purchase next let me know! I am always looking for items I've never tried!

Hugs,

Tara

Beauty Favorites 2013

 2013 has been such a great year for me. I found some of the best beauty products that I've ever used. Even though I haven't been home enough to get great photos or even write a great blog post I still thought you guys should know about my awesome finds this year!!

 Not enough words can describe how much I use and love this foundation. A ton of different shades, easy to blend, and great coverage!

 SIGMA! You guys kill it when it comes to brushes! I haven't found a brush yet that I don't like. This F80 brush is the best to blend out my Loreal True Match seamlessly.

Everyday I use this. I honestly don't know what I did to my brows before I bought this. Sleek, great color pay off, and natural looking. This brow pencil is everything I've ever wanted.

 One of the best lip stains I have ever used. Revlon has always had great lip products but I love this one because it doesn't fade quickly like most other lipsticks.

 Maybelline Color Tattoo is a great base for any eye shadow. You can also wear this product alone for a quick easy makeup look.

 Perfect for an everyday lip exfoliator. Mixed with brown sugar and other exfoliants to make your lips feel extra smooth.

 I use pro longwear concealer for that extra coverage under my eyes. When I blend this out using my beauty blender it gives my under eye the perfect amount of coverage and highlight all in one.

 Milani Luminoso. If you've never tried Milani products before, you are missing out. I started using this blush about 6 months ago and I still use is daily. I actually just went out today and bought two other colors.

 I found this Sephora Outrageous Prisma Chrome on a clearance table at Sephora. Wear it dry for an all over lid shade or mix it with some MAC Fix Plus for a more shimmery effect. UGHH, I am in love. Seriously, stop what you are doing and go buy it.

 Another Sigma brush that I couldn't leave out. I use this to blend every color into my crease. It is very large, which scared me at first but it really does just blend out colors perfectly.

I've always had a sweet spot for Lorac Pro. Every time I would walk into Ulta I would have to swatch all the colors (especially Garnet). I fell in love over and over and finally I bought it for myself. The color payoff is the best out of any of my pallets. There is also 8 mattes and 8 shimmery colors to choose from which makes it easy to achieve any eye concoction.