Tag Archive | money saving

Update-e.l.f. High Definition Undereye Setting Powder

ELF Undereye Setting Powder Packging

Update-I used a better brush today, and the results are amazing! The lines are blurred and not cakey at all. I’ve had this on since 7 am, it’s now noon, and my under eye area looks great! Never under estimate the power of a good brush!

Whose says $3.00 won’t get you anything these days? I just bought this powder yesterday at http://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-high-definition-undereye-setting-powder/-/A-14795896#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=elf+under+eye+powder, and it’s awesome. It works great to set your concealer. I just started using Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector along with Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-aging concealer by IT, (which I purchased from http://www.ulta.com) and this e.l.f. setting powder is a nice finishing touch. It’s a finely milled whitish powder that blends well. I have some serious under eye line action going on, and this helps to blur everything out. While you can still see my lines, my dark circles are gone, and I can live with that!

The brush that comes with it is a joke, but for $3 bucks, who cares! Just use a small fluffy brush to apply. Now it doesn’t completely hide my lines, I have too many! Plus I wear glasses so that helps to hide them as well. Now if I could just blur out all the other wrinkles on my face, oh wait, I really don’t have too many. That my friends is from using a daily sunscreen for the last 30 years. Sure, you can get procedures done to help look younger, but I would rather have more money in my pocket.

Physicians Formula Nude Wear Glowing Nude Blush-Review

Mar7

This new Physicians Formula Nude Wear blush is a great everyday color. The blush has Nude Wear written on it in shimmer. The shimmer quickly wears off. The price was $12.99 at Ulta, but I paid $7.54 as it was a buy one get one 50% off, and I had an Ulta store coupon.

The color I have is Natural and it’s a great peachy color. My go to color before was Clinique in New Clover. With the Physicians Formula, I barely have to sponge any off. It’s a great color for my pale complexion. It is very natural looking and fresh. It gives me just the right amount of color.

I like that there are four colors in the palette. I use all the colors together, but you could easily use each color separately. Well one of the colors is a highlighter. The blush colors are very neutral, and the packaging is adorable.

I’m really digging Physicians Formula lately, and at such a great price, I’ll be saying Buh Bye to Clinique New Clover.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6380035

Physicians Formula’s Argan Wear Glow Oil is 100% Pure Argan Oil-Review

Mar7

Let me start off by saying this product is amazing! I had tried Josie Maran’s argan oil and loved it. I got a sample of Josie’s in an IPSY bag I got a while ago. While I loved Josie’s brand, it’s a bit pricey. The Physicians Formula Argan Wear Glow oil is only $14.99 for one ounce. I bought it at Ulta, and only paid $8.69. They had a buy one get one for 50% off, and I had an Ulta store coupon.

Here is the Ulta description:

Physicians Formula’s Argan Wear Glow Oil is 100% Pure Argan Oil, known as “liquid gold” for this its rich conditioning benefits, can improve skin’s brightness, tone, texture and elasticity. Weightless multi-tasking miracle combines the benefits of a moisturizer, primer, brightener, protector & treatment in one! Use on face, body, hair, & nails. This magical ingredient from Morocco transforms skin, smoothing the appearance of fine lines, brightening dull skin and renewing suppleness, helping to enhance skin’s youthful looking glow without ever leaving a greasy feel or finish.

I’ve been using it for about a month. It is so great for my mature skin. I was trying the Mario Badescu skin care line and wasn’t really impressed. My chin had broken out, which my skin never does, so I took the Mario stuff back to Ulta. The argan oil cleared my skin up immediately. Argan oil gives you a nice glow, and seems to smooth out my skin. It softens my wrinkles and just makes my skin look better. For the price you can’t beat it.

I use it as a night time treatment. I use 4 drops for my face. I’m trying a Perricone MD Cold Plasma Sub D on my neck and will hopefully see some good results with that.

Argan oil has so many uses. I’ve been using Moroccan oil on my hair for several years, and it works great.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11861055

Physicians Formula Touch of Glow Nude Wear Foundation-Review

Feb8

This foundation is brand new and I love it. I’m always on the lookout for a great foundation. I’ve been nursing a sample of Clinique Even Better liquid, only wearing it on special occasions because I didn’t want to fork over $27 for foundation. The new Physicians Formula Nude Wear is better than the Clinique Even Better and only costs $14.99 at Ulta. There was a buy one get one 50% off sale and I used my rewards points along with an Ulta coupon and only paid $8.69.

It’s one ounce and comes with a quality brush to apply. I got Light and the color matches perfectly with my fair complexion. The coverage is light but covers well. It imparts a dewy glow that my mature skin loves. I used a little loose powder on my cheeks, and I was good to go. You only use one drop on the brush and it easily covers your entire face. The label says “weightless fluid foundation dresses skin in an illuminating veil of radiance delivering just the right amount of coverage, while remaining virtually undetectable on the skin” True, true and more true.

The foundation does not have an SPF, which is surprising for Physicians Formula. But I always wear a 30 SPF in my moisturizer anyway.

If you are looking for a great high end type liquid foundation, the Nude Wear Touch of Glow will be your skin’s new best friend.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11861033

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Hairspray-Review

Jan24

This is some kick ass hairspray! I’ve tried so many different hairsprays over the years. I paid $8.99 at Ulta. I got a sample in one of my Ipsy.com packages. It’s lightweight, but has great hold. I’ve tried alcohol free sprays, and they were awful. Very stiff and helmet head like. This spray is not only not sticky, but adds a bit of shine to your hair. You can easily comb through your hair, and it doesn’t leave any residue. It has Keratin along with Argan oil, and UV protection. It’s humidity resistant too!

My new favorite hairspray! Thanks Ipsy.com and Ulta!

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5250301

Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo-Review

Jan24

Want to tone down brassiness in your hair? This is a great, inexpensive way to accomplish that. I bought mine from Sally Beauty for $8.79 for sixteen ounces. My hair is dark blonde with highlights, but pulls red because my mom was a redhead. I also bought the matching Shimmer Lights conditioner at Sally’s for $11.79. I don’t use the conditioner because it’s too drying. I mix half Shimmer Lights shampoo with my regular shampoo and leave it on for 3 minutes. Not only does it do a great job of getting rid of the brassiness, but it refreshes my highlights. I deep condition my hair every time I shampoo. I have hard water at my house too, so that contributes to the brassiness.

I think the best thing I have noticed since using the Shimmer Lights shampoo; is that I have cut down on how often I have to color my hair. I have quite a bit of gray hair, and this is saving me a ton of money on visits to the salon.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/blonde-shampoo/CLAIRL3,default,pd.html#q=Clairol+Shimmer+Lights&start=1

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara Blonde-Review

Jan14

This a great eyebrow color if you have light eyebrows like me. I’ve tried pencils and powders in the past, but was starting to veer off into Joan Crawford land. Not a good look for a middle aged woman. My mom use to get her eyebrows dyed dark brown. They looked ridiculous as she was a red head, plus she was the neighborhood Avon lady so she should have known better.

This is a very natural looking color and stays on all day. I wear glasses so I’m fairly lazy when it comes to my brows. I should probably tweeze more, but I really don’t care. Besides I have poor vision and I can barely see to put make up on. I bought at where else- Ulta for $6.99, but I had a store coupon so it was less than $6!

Ipsy January 2015 Glam Bag Review

Jan12

Oh Ipsy.com we’ve been seeing each other for more than two years now, and you still amaze me every month. Why just yesterday I was telling a saleslady at Ulta all about you. I couldn’t believe she had never heard of you. I gave her the quick low down. GO AND SIGN UP FOR IPSY NOW! I think there may be a waiting list. I was getting a mini facial, trying out the Mario Badescu skin care line (which I loved), when I brought you up.

I was so hoping I would get my Jan. bag before my birthday, and I did. Here’s what I got this month:

All Over Shadow brush-Elizabeth Mott-value $9.99-OMG! I love it! Very soft and densely packed bristles.

(Malin+Goetz) Mojito Lip Balm- value $12- a luscious super hydrating gel, not sticky at all.

Bella Pierre Cosmetics shimmer eye shadow in Excite-value $14.99-a white pearlescent loose powder shadow.

Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut eye shadow in Treasure-I couldn’t find an individual value for this pale bronze shadow, but it’s a really pretty color.

Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream with avocado, Moroccan Argan oil, and shea butter. This is so new it doesn’t have a price on the company website. I’m anxious to try it.

The value was well over the measly $10 I paid. I so love a good deal.

If you are thinking about trying a beauty box subscription, I highly recommend Ipsy.com. If I was a crack head, this would be my crack. Kind of like Ulta is my crack. Oh I’m such a goofball. Alas, a well made up goofball.

@ipsy #ipsy #januaryglambag

www.ulta.com

http://www.ipsy.com

Conair Heat Waves Hot Rollers Review- They’re back!!!!!!!!!!!

Jan3

Happy New Year! When I say the Conair Heat Waves rollers are back, I mean hot rollers never went away, they just did for me. I myself have not used hot rollers for many years. I had no need; I just had a vast array of curling irons. My hair is naturally curly, but I straighten it. In this past year I’ve come down with the dreaded ‘menopause hair’. It sucks! Of course I’ve been in menopause for almost six years, so I guess I should consider myself lucky I didn’t get it sooner. Menopause hair is gray, wiry, frizzy, and generally uncontrollable. It especially blows for me because up until June of 2013, I had the most amazing hair I have ever had in my life. It was long, blonde, very healthy looking. You know your hair looks good when people you work with (that you know don’t like you) compliment you on your hair. Then in June of 2013, my hair was changed forever. I had gotten some low lights for my blonde hair that ended up being too dark. I went back to the salon to get it corrected, and my stylist left the bleach on my hair too long. My hair was damaged beyond repair. I had been seeing this woman for 3 years, and I always tip very well. I was crushed. My hair broke off and I had visibly thin spots on my scalp. I spent nearly $400 buying hair pieces to cover up the damage.

We as women are usually obsessed with our hair. A good hair day can make a big difference on your outlook for the day. I’m middle aged, so having awesome hair was really a treat for me. My hair finally grew back, but it’s never been the same since. Luckily for me I look okay with my hair up. But I’ve been wearing my hair up for the past eighteen months. You kind of look like an old lady when you wear your hair up all the time. I take pride in my appearance, by wearing make-up and having a stylish wardrobe.

I never did tell my former stylist how much she ruined my hair. I was afraid I might punch her if I went back. It’s ironic because she was always telling me what great condition my hair was in, and I could go for a long time between haircuts and highlight touch ups. My dermatologist told me I shouldn’t put any bleach on my hair for at least twelve months, use Moroccan oil and take biotin supplements.

I went to back to a salon I had frequented in the past, but stopped going to because they got too expensive. I was told that there really wasn’t anything they could do. The stylist told me to go on Pinterest to look for cute up dos. Are you flipping kidding me? Nothing I can do? I had spent over $300 at this salon getting partial highlights and hair cuts on several occasions. The stylist told me she felt sorry for me, but really could not do anything about my hair.

Before hair disaster

Well, I tried yet another salon. This time the stylist was older and was very knowledgeable. She was familiar with my ‘menopause’ hair and suggested hot rollers. What an angel! I always use a heat protecting product when I style my hair, but the Conair Heat Waves rollers are flocked, they also heat up in 85 seconds. What a great alternative to using a curling iron. I’m getting the same results but not damaging my hair.

I bought my Conair Heat Waves at Ulta.com for $15.99, the regular price is $33.99, but they were on sale and I had a 20% off coupon. Here is a link to Ulta.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod540578&skuId=2050458&_requestid=189261

Dollar Tree Booyah-Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish, 3N1 Nail Art Pen

Oct24

I truly love the fact that Dollar Tree is next to my local grocery store. On my visit to Dollar Tree this week I found some great Revlon nail polish. I had to dig through a lot of stuff, as the kid who worked there was putting stuff away all over the place. I picked up five Revlon Top Speed fast dry nail enamels. They are Fire #510, a true red shade, Espresso #840, a deep shade of brown, Grape #660 a dark amethyst color, Vintage #570 a lovely fuchsia color, and my favorite Varnished #360, a shimmery pewter.

I change my nail polish every few days. Last week I went to a wedding and had on twelve coats from the previous weeks. I just keep painting over the old color, and no one is the wiser. I get compliments on my nails all the time. I tried finding the colors I bought online and found out they were all discontinued. Who cares?? I got them for a buck each. I did find the polishes on Ebay and Amazon for much more. The total price elsewhere $31, I paid $5! Revlon is a good brand of polish, and stays on much better than really cheap polish like LA Colors.

The polish was repackaged, so they seem pretty darn fresh. And like the name says, they dry superfast. I do my nails before I go to bed, as I don’t want to waste any prime time I could be watching something stupid on TV. Or surfing the internet for new and exciting information. I actually do my nails in the bathroom as the lighting is good, since I don’t wear my glasses while applying. I guess I’m lucky any of it gets on my nails, as I’m blind as a bat without them. Oh wait, I’m hunched over with my eyeballs six inches away. Man, its hell getting old.

I also got a Sassy & Chic 3N1 Nail Art pen in Blueberry. I’m having all kinds of fun with nail art these days. I got a Sassy & Chic 7 Way Nail Buffer. Not a bad haul for $7, wait no $8 counting the Tootsie Rolls I got, which lasted for two whole days. A girl’s gotta have some candy while she’s doing her nails.

cornfedcontessa

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