Urban Decay Naked2 Palette

Yup, I got it.

Yup, I like it.

The internet is full of pics and reviews, so I don't think I'm going to do one.

But, let me know if you have it. What are your favorite colors or features of it?

My First My Glam Bag! (January!)

So, I ended my subscription to Birchbox last October, but I was excited when I suddenly stumbled onto the new My Glam program started by Michelle Phan from Youtube.  The two programs are nearly identical.  For $10 each month, you get to receive 4-5 deluxe beauty samples.  There's no points program, no incentive to get others to sign up, and no online shopping on their website, so in that sense it seems a little simpler.

But, let's get to the good stuff.  Here's my January Glam Bag!

The package was shiny and pink.  What girl would turn that kind of a package away?!

Right off the bat, I love that the Glam Bag actually comes with a reusable makeup bag.  It's so cute! Even if I don't use it myself, it's perfect for giving away as a gift.  This month the theme of the bag was more natural products, so the bag was made of white canvas and had very simple green detailing.

Let's look at the lovelies that were inside!

Item #1: Sheer Cover Duo Concealer in Light/Medium,

swatched below

First Impressions: I like the consistency.  I've only worn it one day so far, and I used the darker color to disguise my mild dark circles and I used the lighter color over that.  Time will tell, but I'm pretty excited to add this to my makeup collection!  It didn't seem to settle into my tiny wrinkles, so that's a plus, too.

Item #2: Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner

First Impressions: I tried this today for the first time.  I'm not a big fan of minty smells, but the texture was lovely in my hair. Again, time will tell, but I think the ends of my hair are a little less dry than they have been this winter.  Perhaps more thoughts on this later...

Item #3: Hot Ticket Nail Polish in Let's Make a Teal

by TheBalm Cosmetics

First Impressions: I have yet to try this lovely color out, but I think colors such as this one can be used just about every season of the year.  And I always gravitate towards blues and greens when it comes to nail polish--who knows why?!

And, finally,

Item #4: Freeman Facial Peel-Off Mask, Cucumber

First Impressions: I'm pretty excited to try this.  I've never had a peel-off mask experience before.  I dabbed a little of this on my hand when it first arrived, and sure enough, five minutes later, I peeled it off in the form of a very thin transparent sheet of stretchy stuff. It's hard to describe!  Sort of like peeling off dried up Elmer's glue, but it's a stronger consistency. Silly perhaps, but I can't wait to find a free minute some evening to put it on my face!

The bag came with all kinds of special offers for the products in the bag as well as an introduction to each product in the bag.  I like the special offers.  That's super handy.  One of my complaints about Birchbox was that I couldn't EVER afford to buy the full size products!  Even if I loved the product, I would never be able to enjoy it "in real life"!

The other great thing, at least about this bag, was the variety.  There's a product for hair, for skin, for nails, and makeup. Thumbs up.

Anyone else trying out My Glam Bag?  Let me know!

Do you love or hate the idea of the peel-off mask?

In Love With Laura Geller

I admit it!  I was hooked from the first Laura Geller product I ever tried--her Blush-N-Brighten in Apricot Berry.  I have no complaints.  The packaging is very sleek and convenient.  The products inside are gorgeous, both in the pan and on your face.  And the quality is top notch when it comes to color payoff, texture, and staying power.  LOVE!

So, I was excited to split the Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting Deluxe 4 pc. Gift Collection with a friend.

The product came packaged really well in a brown cardboard box.  Wrapped up in plastic bubbles was this adorable red gift box.  I love the design.

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

Sugar Glow, Honey Glow, 24K Glow, and Tahitian Glow

Upon opening the red box, however, I became a bit concerned that something was amiss.  There was product sprinkled about the box.  Initially I wasn't sure where it had come from until I looked closely at the bottom left body frosting.  24K Glow was definitely no longer in one piece.

How Sad!

I noticed the box, however, smelled lovely.  I haven't been able to pick up on any scent since opening it, but something smelled good!  The saddest part to me was that my friend had claimed 24K Glow and Honey Glow for herself.  Now, she was down to one body frosting instead of two.  Before I shipped Honey to her, I snapped a couple shots.  Please note: I did not swatch it since it wasn't mine!

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Honey Glow

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Honey Glow

Before I go any further, here's a note on the sizing of the product.  Apparently the body frosting used to come in giant containers.  That's no longer the case.  These body frostings here are the same size as the standard size of Laura Geller's blushes, bronzers, and other face products.  They are .32 oz. each.  I like the size.  Small enough to store easily, large enough that I'll probably never run out.  This is especially true considering that I'll not be using them on my body, but on my face as highlighter/bronzer instead.

Here are the two from the set that I chose:

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Sugar Glow

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Sugar Glow

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow

Left to Right:

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Sugar Glow and Tahitian Glow

Swatched Left to Right:

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in Tahitian Glow and Sugar Glow

Well, my friend and I decided that she would take the partial refund instead of returning the whole set and waiting for a new one.  So, that's the biggest downer.  On the upside, my first impressions are that I love these two products.  They're beautiful and satiny and lovely.  Couldn't be happier.

What do you like from Laura Geller's line?  Should I do a full review on all of my Laura Geller products? 

EOTD/FOTD - 7 January 2012

Face:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum

Everyday Minerals Matte Base in Ivory

Everyday Minerals Concealer in Aussie Perk Me Up

Benefit Boxed Powder in Hoola

Hard Candy Blush in Living Doll

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam

Lips:

Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Luster in Sweet

Elf Hypershine Gloss in Fairy

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay Original Naked Palette:

Sin, Half Baked, Darkhorse

It Cosmetics H2O Eyes Waterproof Eye Pencil in Brown

Benefit Cosmetics Badgal Brown Mascara

7 Jan 2012 Jesus Time

Word

Passage from the Bible:
Genesis 18:14a "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
Psalm 3:5 "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me."


Passage in my own words:
In the context of Genesis 18, where the Lord is promising that Sarah, who is in her old age, will have a son, one of the messengers asks Abraham, "Is there anything that is too difficult for God?"  In Psalm 3, King David said, "I go to sleep and I wake up because God sustains me."  This was in the midst of David being in danger.


How I will obey this:
Trust that God can handle even the big things in my life.  It is He who will provide every time because nothing is too difficult for him.

What I learned about God that I can share:
God is all-powerful.  There is nothing that somehow wins out over God.

Reflection

How I am doing today:
Encouraged. Even when what lies ahead looks daunting, I know God is opening doors.


What recent things drew me closer to God:
Our son received his visa in less than a week to travel back overseas with the rest of the family.  It took about six months for the rest of the family to get their visas, so God really must want us there sooner rather than later.

What recent things pushed me further from God:
Anxiety.  I know that's normal in the midst of an impending move overseas, but it definitely pushes me into being more emotional and less reliant on God.

What I am learning:
Chill out. Trust God.

Prayer

What I hear God saying:
"I love you.  I will care for you always.  I know the plans I have for you.  I know exactly what I am doing in your life."

People or issues I am praying for:
We need another $600 each month while we are overseas for us to be at 100% of our budget.  God is amazing.  This need is smaller than what it was even just last week.  I pray that God will provide in His way and in His time and to His glory.

Answers to past prayers:
A family actually contacted us to say they wanted to support us.  That is always encouraging to see God calling people around us toward supporting His ministry.

"December" Purchases

WARNING: Post is Pic-Heavy! Enjoy!

Also, lots of this stuff came because of special sales/coupon codes.  Christmas was super fun and I did plenty of hauling.  Let me know if you want reviews on any of these items. I'd be happy to oblidge!

Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights Duo in AM/PM

Dolce&Gabbana "The One" 

So, I wore my Smasbox blush/bronzer duo today for the first time.  Check out my FOTD to see what it looks like on.  Basic observations: (1) the blush is gorgeous! and (2) the bronzer is less orange and more rosy than Tarte's Park Avenue Princess bronzer.  Here are the swatches:

Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights Duo in AM/PM

Blush on the left, Bronzer on the right

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Dollface

 Dollface is such a lovely pink color.  It's so perfect for probably any skin-tone.  Here's the swatch:

Okay, next is my very first product I've ever bought from Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals.  I was a little turned off to them initially because I was not enjoying loose pigments.  So, I avoided the brand until... Drumroll please... The bareMinerals  READY Eye Shadow palettes were born!  They are PRESSED!

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 8.0 The Cocktail Hour

I happen to love the box, the way it opens.  So, I had to include a picture of it!

I'm not really a "gold" person, but I have to say this is lovely packaging.  It feels good in my hands!

The palette came with a little translucent cover over the shadows.

It read, "CHEERS".  How cute is that?

Left to Right:

Black Tie Optional, Ice Breaker, Swanky, Spiked

Elixer, Invite Only, Libation, Shaken Not Stirred

The brush: Not half bad compared to other palette brushes.

Swatches left to right:

Black Tie Optional, Ice Breaker, Swanky, Spiked

Elixer, Invite Only, Libation, Shaken Not Stirred

Dolce & Gabbana "The One"

I got this fragrance free with my purchase of the Smashbox Blush/Bronzer for $7.  Plus, I had a code for free shipping.  I first smelled this fragrance when it came as a free sample with another order, and I instantly loved it.  It's yummy, vanilla-y, etc.  I'm horrible at describing scents, but it's good.  My husband, however, still prefers it when I wear Twirl by Kate Spade.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Yeyo

 I feel like if you're serious about building a good makeup collection, you must have a white eye pencil of some sort.  Lots of people love NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, and I used to have that.  I wasn't a fan of those pencils though because they creased on me.  So, I splurged and picked up Yeyo in Sephora the other day, thanks to some Christmas credit.  Here's the swatch, and I'll probably do a detailed review later:

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Yeyo

Hope you enjoyed seeing my December purchases...  More to come.

Which products would you like to see me review in a more detailed way?  Let me know! 

EOTD/FOTD - 6 January 2012

Face:

Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer in Champagne

Neutrogena Healthy Skin in Ivory

Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten in Regular

Benefit Cosmetics Boxed Powder in Hula

Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights Duo in AM/PM

Elf Studio Blush in Gotta Glow

Lips:

Tarte Lipsurgence in Sweet

Napoleon Perdis Luminous Lip Veil in Opal

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Bare Essentials 8.0 READY Palette:

Icebreaker, Swanky, Invite Only, Shaken Not Stirred

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Liner in Zero

Maybelline Master Drama in Midnight Master

Revitalash Mascara

EOTD/FOTD - 5 January 2012

Eyes:

Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow in Sheepdog as a primer

Laura Geller Baked Eye Dreams Palette in Bellini

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Stray Dog

Benefit Cosmetics Gilded Tangerine Gold Highlighter in the waterline

Revitalash Mascara

Face:

Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer in Champagne

Neutrogena Healthy Skin in Ivory

Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten in Regular

Benefit Cosmetics Boxed Powder in Hula

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess

Elf Studio Blush in Fuchsia Fusion

Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Champagne

Lips:

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Cherry Tarte

Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Lipgloss