Collective Haul - Ulta & Drugstore Purchases

Hey y'all.   Even though I've been doing my best to limit my spending, I just can't resist splurging on cosmetics!  A new lip color is the perfect pick-me up, so why not go for it?
I've been picking up some beauty products here and there, but it never seemed like enough to post.  However, I just received a shipment from Ulta, so I decided now would be the perfect time!

I'll start with my new favorite lip product.  As you know, Carrie Underwood is the latest brand ambassador for Almay Cosmetics, and I naturally feel the need to purchase everything she endorses.  So I chose to start with the Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm.  This stuff is truly marvelous.  I have shades Cantelope Cream and Pink Pout.  I usually go for peaches and neutral lip colors because I don't want the funny look of bold hues as they start to fade from ware.  But I went out on a limb and picked up that magenta pink color (they were BOGO so the risk was warranted).  Much to my surprise I love the Pink Pout the best! It is a pinky-"my lips but better".  I find it totally ties my look together regardless of what I'm wearing.  The product is long lasting, and does not leave my lips feeling chapped or dry - which is one of my lip product pet peeves!!

I also picked up one of the Revlon Color Burst Lip Butters from Target in the shade Juicy Papaya.  I've always been a fan of the product's formula, so I figured why not pick up a pretty summery shade! The color is subtle, yet has a nice tangerine hue to it on the lips.  Again, I love that it does not leave my lips chapped or dry!

Last week I was at Wal-Mart, picking up some items for my townhouse at school, and of course wandered into the cosmetic aisle.  I knew Maybelline had released new shades of the Color Tattoo product line, and was dying to try them out.  Any followers of the blog know that I am a religious user of these guys as eye-shadow bases in my make-up routine.  So, seeing as these were of a "matte" like texture, and were in neutral hues, I wanted to get my hands on these ASAP.  Thankfully they were in stock at Wal Mart, after I tried several times at Target with no luck.

I picked up shades Creamy Beige and Chocolate Suede.  I've only had the time to try out Creamy Beige.  It was a great neutral to use as a base for shimmer shadows, however if you would like to wear it on its own, you will need to build the product.  I'll let you know how I like Chocolate Suede once I use it!

I am most excited for these two items, both from It Cosmetics.  The Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Matte Luxe palette is filled with warm, suede-matte like hues that are perfect for layering.

These shades are easy to work with and can be used for both day and nighttime looks.  The palette also includes a shade called "Transforming Pearl" which is meant to be applied over any of the other shades to add a shimmer to your look.

 I also picked up the Tightline Full Lash Length Black Mascara Primer.  The super tiny brush makes it easy to grasp the base of your lashes and pull the roots upwards creating a volumized effect without clumping.  I found that the product distributes well and last for a long time! I use it alone and as a primer, both producing great effects!  I recommend this product to anyone with small lashes or small eyes because this will truly lengthen your lashes and really open up your eyes.

Coral is Calling

For some reason I have been drawn to the tropical, bright color of coral.  I've been wearing it on my nails, through my make up and of course my clothes!

Monday, I went for a striped maxi skirt from Target and made the coral pop with a solid coral tee.

Thursday, I wore this great dress from Target, it is available in plus sizes only online.

If you are a non committal kind of girl, add some coral into your beauty routine.  These are some of my favorite products.

Nail Polis OPI Toucan Do It If You Try - This is more of an orange rather than a peach.

Benefit Cosmetics Coralista Box-O-Powder

Maybelline Color Sensation Color Whisper Lip Color - Coral Ambition or Orange Attitude

This orange based hue is going to be refreshing against the neutrals we've been chained to all winter!

Winter Wind

I am back at school, and while getting back in the groove of classes and being surrounded by friends has been great... the weather not so much.  My northeast friends know exactly what I am talking about with the return of the polar vortex.  My hometown was hit with double digit snowfalls yesterday.  Yet while my school did not receive any snow, we are suffering in the form of wind.  The wind coming off the Hudson River, (the campus is literally on the Hudson) is brutally cold.  My poor lips have suffered the most from the wintry wind.  Not to mention I've been battling a cold.

However, a godsend has been LUSH's Mint Julips Lip Scrub.  I've been eyeing the product for some time and when a friend recommended it to me about a month ago, I knew it was meant to be.

My Staple Eyeliners

Today I thought I would share with you my most reached for eye liners and a few of my favorites.  Although I do love the quality of high-end products, being a college student on a budget keeps me away from spending $20+ on an eye-liner that I can pick up at Ulta or Target for $6 or $7...
 First let's talk about gel/cream eye-liners.

These types of eye-liners can be very intimidating because you have to use a brush to apply them.  However, I find that these have better staying power and pigmentation.
My most used liner is the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in brown.
Maybelline sells this product in Blackest Black, Brown, Charcoal, and Eggplant.

I love this shade because it is a dark brown that is neutral yet doesn't overwhelm my light complexion.  It enhances rather than make a bold statement.  For $9.99 check out Ulta, they always have a BOGO type deal with drugstore brands.

This next liner is the L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour in the shade Navy.  This too can be purchased at Ulta for $9.99.

I know it doesn't look too navy in the picture, however once applied there is a clear navy hue.  I was looking for a navy liner for quite some time, however everything I found was too blue.  This shade by L'Oreal is neutral enough that it adds a spark of blue but isn't in your face.

This eyeliner is Sephora's Waterproof Smokey Cream Liner in Bewitch Me, for $12.  

Bewitch Me is described as a metallic, deep violet.  My favorite part about this liner is the rich pigment it produces.  However, to get to the "deep violet" you have to go over the initial line you drew once it dries.  This shade is complementary to blue eyes, which is why I purchased it!  The Waterproof Smokey Cream Liner comes in 8 different shades ranging from neutrals to fun, brights!

Now, onto my pencil and liquid liners!

My favorite liner to create a defined, bold line (and a cat eye which I recently mastered!) is the L'Oreal Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Carbon Black. The tip of the brush is narrow and flexible enough that I can achieve a line of any thickness.

The next brush on the list is probably my most favorite eye-liners of all times.  Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil can be purchased from Urban Decay or Sephora for $19 a pencil.  While they are very expsensive, they are so worth the price.  I first purchased a 24/7 pencil from Urban Decay in 7th grade, in the shade Gunmetal which is so old its not even sold anymore.  However, I do believe the replacement shade is called "Uzi".  Anyways, these are every beauty guru's favorite pencil because of the cream texture with brilliant pigment and staying power.  Everyone is sometimes afraid to branch to the gel liners, so I would recommend the 24/7 pencils as a substitute.  

These are so popular, Urban Decay is selling The Vault, 40 full-sized pencils for a low price of $300... 

Please sense my sarcasm.  This item was released about a month ago, and is already sold out.  Catch a review on Musings of a Muse.

My final pencil is your basic black liner.  Because I don't use it often, I didn't feel the need to splurge on one from UD.  Instead I went for the $1.99 NYC Kohl Eyebrow/Eyeliner Pencil that can be purchased from any drugstore.  I think its important to have a cheap, basic liner that will always be a staple.

Eyeliners and mascaras have always been my favorite make-up products.  What are yours?