This Saturday I had a few minutes before work so I went to shop around. I had a coupon, which they seem to hand out like candy, and wanted to pick up some items I have always wanted to try but talked myself out of it. Here's a pic of all the great stuff I got!
The first thing I picked up that I have been wanting for awhile is the Benefit bronzer in Hoola. I have seen another make up artist use it and she is about the same color as me. I have been wanting a bronzer for awhile now but didn't trust that I knew how to use it and also thought I was too pale to even attempt it. But I thought it looked really good on her so I gave it a try. It was a little spendy but with my discount I figured it would be a good time to try it. And the verdict is... I LOVE IT!!!!!! I used it this morning and thought it was amazing how it added so much to the shape of my face and made my blush look even better! It is not too dark and not too shimmery so I am impressed. I have used the NYX bronzer before but did not like it at all. Mostly because it doesnt glide over my foundation very well. But this is amazing! Also a very little bit went a long way. Considering the price I am very happy with that. For anyone who is fair - light I would for sure recommend it!
The second thing I picked up, because I feel I am on a crusade to find the best foundation for the best price, was the Ulta brand foundation. I like the texture of it and liked that it went from a hard liquid to a soft powder once blended. I swatched it on my face at the store and was pretty impressed. I am on the fence about it now. After applying it to my whole face I realized it has a very distinct pink undertone to it. I am already very red and usually try my best to look as non-pink as I can. So that's on my con list. I ended up just putting my Pixi powder foundation over it to make it less pink. Which is fine because it set it and also made it more matte. I would say I wouldn't like it on it's own because it has a dewy look to it and I am all about the powdery look. I'll keep using it to see if it grows on me. The pros about it are, it lasted all day!! Even after having to rub my face in between clients to get hair off, it still stood up to smudging! I don't feel like I'm wearing any make up and don't feel greasy. So in that regard I like it.
Another offer they had was buy 2 Ulta products , get two free. I almost missed out on the deal but the lady behind the counter reminded me. Not to get off track, but I absolutely love the girl who works the register. She is the same skin tone as me and really helps me pick out foundation and different make up that she has tried and works for her. So I always get her opinion first. Gold star for her!
Any way, so I got two Ulta brushes and a blush in addition to the foundation I bought. The blush is really nice because it has a little shimmer to it and isn't too bubble gum pink but not too coral either. Love it! It looks really good when doing less dramatic eye color. The brushes on the other hand were so so. I needed new brushes because a) I accidentally threw away many of my brushes (WHAT WAS I THINKING?) and b) I didn't have many to begin with. I got the foundation brush (because it was free) and am not in love with it at all. (despite it being free). The bristles are too long and don't apply powder very well. It doesn't pick up powder or hold on to it very well. Guess I'll go back to my old brush for now, if I can keep my cat from running off with it chewing the bristles off. :( I did also get a contour brush which I actually like! It picks up powder very well and applies nicely for blush and bronzer! So that's a plus.
I picked up a pair of Ardell lashes. Just because they were on sale. They are number 111. Long, thick, and gorgeous! I can't wait to wear them for a night out! They are a little dramatic but I think I'll love them.
I also picked up three NYX eye shadows. Let me preface this with saying: I LOVE NYX! Cheap make up that is colorful and good quality! I use the jumbo eye pencils every day. And usually buy two Milk pencils every time I am at Ulta, just because I know I will use them eventually, and nothing is worse than running out of them. So I got some, what I thought were going to be, subtle colors. Ones I knew I would use on a daily basis for a quick natural look. The first is Pearl, which is very pretty pink almost like the inside of a oyster shell. I used it under my brow bone today and really liked it. I would like to try it with an all pink look maybe just on the inside of my eye. The second color is Nude Pearl which is like a light gold beige. I really like this color! I want to use it with a soft black for a more dramatic look. Very versatile neutral. I used this on the lid of my eyes today. The final color is Mink Pearl which is like a dark bronze/brown with some gold flexs. Looks like it will be a good color to pair with other browns. I used this on my crease today and it blended so well with the other gold color. The pink really brought out the brown in this color too!
The final item I picked up I have been fighting with myself whether I should really buy it or not. It is Euphoria by Calvin Klein. This is hands down my favorite perfume of all time. It isn't too floral like or too musky. I have never owned more than a little roller ball sample size but have treasured that little sample for years. Finally ran out back in the summer and have missed it ever since. So I broke down and picked up the roller ball full size. It was way more than I wanted to buy but thought I could make it last. I walk to the register thinking maybe I shouldn't spend twenty bucks on a little perfume that I will probably burn through in a few months, when she scans the package and says "hmm, that's weird. It keeps ringing up as 0 dollars. Oh well, I'll just give it to you for free" A huge smile comes over my face. I insist I pay for it and she says she can't change the price. (this is the girl that works the register that I like a lot. not because she gave me this perfume for free but still!). I was so excited walking out of the store. I was almost skipping through the parking lot! I get to work and a co-worker says "ooo! are you wearing Euphoria?" WHY YES! I said and let me tell you what just happened!!!!
All in all, this was an awesome Ulta trip (when is it not?). I am thinking in a few weeks if I can get some time off I will go back and get a facial because they have 50% off skin services until the end of the month. I'm looking for a new face regimen to help with my break outs. Sounds like they use Dermetilogica which I have not heard of or used before so I am anxious to see how I like it. Plus I would love to relax for an hour or so. So I'll post a blog about it when I get it done! For now I have just been using some cheap clean and clear cream wash that has a weird tingle to it. It is great when you wake up but is painful when you are trying to clean the make up off your eyes because that tingle feeling is not great when it is in your eyes. I got some advice from a client of mine who is an esthetician to use pure tea tree (diluted down) on my break outs. I used it last night and have already seen a difference! The breakouts that have been below the skin have lessened and my make up goes on better. It doesn't get rid of the redness, in fact if you put too much on your face will get more red. Oops! Now I'll know to dilute it a little bit more.
Ok so that was a really wordy post. Sorry!
More to come later this week! I bought new shampoo and conditioner (on sale) so once I use it a few times I will review it!
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