Stephanie's Hunt for the Cutest Flatiron Ends up in Success

Steph's Sephora Flatiron Review.


Love love love how adorable this straightener is. Read up kiddies. Gonna do my review on my flatiron from Helen of Troy soon. Thank you Sally Beauty Supply.

As Spring Break Comes to a Close...My Makeup Life Right Now

Hi everyone! Spring break is coming to a close (I am crying a little bit inside), and I figured I would tell you where I stand with products that I've tried while I was home, and mention what's definitely coming back to school with me and what's not.

I have told you about my mascara issue. I tried out Covergirl Lashblast Length which they swore was just the better version of the Lashblast I was using before. I don't like it. At all. I get more length with regular Lashblast, and the execution is ridiculous. The wand is way too long and bends and I get it all over my face, which is not expected for someone who has been putting on mascara almost every day since middle school! I've been using Mac ProLash temporarily--I'm still on the hunt for that perfect mascara (I may never find it!). Until then, LashBlast length is staying at home...far away from my eyelashes.

YUCK.

Okay, another thing staying home is my dark nailpolish. It's not that I don't like it. Winter is over, folks, and it's time to bring out the colors! I'm tired of deep purples and reds and blacks...it's time for lighter colors! I'm most interested in the periwinkles and peaches and light pinks of 2010! I'm also really into the nude matte nailpolish colors! Nailpolish of interest that I'm getting tomorrow: Hot&Spicy by O.P.I.

Beautiful persimmon! Really into it!

Colors coming back with me are golds and peaches and nudes--I bought a white maxi dress that I am very excited to wear--it will definitely go with those colors. I also got a bonus from Clinique with standards in it like makeup remover (although I love my Lancome one, Clinique definitely is a contender), and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (my mom is in her sixties and looks forty because she has been using that since she was thirty, my family swears by it), but it also has other cute little samples that I'll have to test for you. I'm still deciding on how I feel about the HIP shadow duo I purchased in "Gilded." I'll have to test out more looks before I get back to you.

I think it would be hot for going out...but wearing both colors would certainly not happen for during the day. As of what I have seen right now.

News: The Degree deodorant won the prize, although I am bringing both back to school.  Go buy it, I smell good, I am happy.

Still using the same face products, the same cleansing routine...going to miss my doggie terribly. Keep my warm and cozy inside, and give me new ideas. xo.

<3 kristie

Many Things to Discuss--Clinique almost powder makeup, Biore Pore Strips and the Cool Stuff I Saw in Seventeen

Spring break opens a world that I wish I could enjoy permanently. I have ample tine to search around and test products before I bring them back to school. Not to mention, I'm getting sufficient rest--my skin thanks me for that every day.

With that being said, there are a few things I am going to categorize under March Intrigue. I have found myself happy with these makeup and all-around-beauty products the first times around, and I am assuming it will continue. Included in this list are the following:

• Clinique Almost Powder Makeup SPF 15 in 02 neutral fair
• Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (I bought ULTRA)
• Crest 3D White Strips Advanced Seal (Advanced Vivid)
• göt2b smooth operator smoothing lustre lotion

The Clinique Almost Powder Makeup was a suggestion from a friend of mine (hi steph) because I consistently complain about looking too powdery if I ever want to set my tinted moisturizer. Clinique describes it as such: Antioxidants and SPF protect skin. This natural, perfecting “no-makeup” makeup is so lightweight, you’ll never even feel it. I'm going to have to agree with this one. It definitely sets your face and perfects your skin without looking like you have fourteen pounds of makeup on your face. I will probably buy eighteen of these in my lifetime. I also told all of you how important the SPF is! Yucky to wrinkles in the future. Definitely loving this one.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. Where to begin with how I feel about these. We will start with the sad case of TMI (that's "too much information" for all of you who don't speak internet talk). You know when the pores on your nose are overdosed with yuckiness, and you can feel the bumpiness as you pass your finger over it? Ew. The T-Zone of your face can be a disgusting, disgusting place. Well, these aim to counter that. The process goes like so: You wet your face, put one of the strips on your face, and then let it dry for fifteen minutes or so. When it is dry, it hardens up (the box says like Papier-mâché haha) and you are free to peel it off. I have to say, the weird gross tendencies my T-Zone has are gone, although I've seen no proof of where it has gone, gross enough to say. It doesn't really minimize to the nth degree, although I see some of that, but it definitely clears up the gunk. (for minimizing i'd suggest Dr. Brandt Pores-No-More Line) Also, peeling off the strip feels like taking a not-so-sticky band-aid off your face. Afterwards it felt good, but I was definitely scared to rip that thing off at first. I am confused--a happy confused--on this product. I will continue to use it, just like people continue to watch magic shows without ever understanding how they work.

I've noticed recently that my teeth are definitely not as white as they used to be. Perhaps it is the coffee, soda, and tea that I so often consume. I've whitened my teeth before, but it was years ago. The "technology," if you will, was very different. I found that the process for Crest 3D White Strips seems to be much easier, the bind between the strips and your teeth is much better, and I've only been using it for two days and I'm starting to see a difference. From what I've heard, the results last upwards of a year. I'm looking forward to it. Just in case it messes with my enamel, which unfortunately all teeth whitening processes do, even the ones at the dentist, I'm using an enamel protectant mouthwash. I should be covered.

I rediscovered smoothing lustre lotion by got2b this month. I left it at home when I went back to school and then completely forgot about it. I am never straightening my hair again without putting this in afterwards. It shines up your hair so well, and calms down flyaways like no other product. Pin straight hair cannot live without this product. Plus, the bottle is so cute and it smells like the most delicious bowl of fruit. (Note to the ladies: guys have mentioned that my hair smells delicious more than once when I've used this!!) How can you resist?


Some people may find it embarrassing that I still read Seventeen Magazine, but I've always enjoyed their Beauty Tips and they have certainly shown me some products that are my life's staples. (Allure wins for most suggestions, though) Anwyay I thought I'd share with you the things from Seventeen I'm interested in getting:

Tresemme FRESHSTART *foaming* dry shampoo! Do you think this is less annoying than the powder ones I've gotten that cost me an arm and a leg? Definitely getting this soon and trying it out. Take a look at the Tresemme website if you're interested, too. They have different kinds for varying types of hair.

Conair knows I like everything in mini form--I have a 4 pound Maltese and I can't get over puppies and kittens and infants. So, they enticed me with the Conair Minipro Curling Iron. This little thing is a mere five inches long, and comes with an adorable case. Easy to stash in your bag, or convenient for trips (we all know we need as much space as possible). I need this thing desperately! My curls always go flat halfway through the night. They also have a mini flatiron, for those who would be interested! Adorable! Thank you, Seventeen





 Really looking forward to the start of the warm weather with this army of great things at my neon pink finger tips. Let's pull out the tanks and the miniskirts and get on with it already.




<3 kristie

PS--deodorant battle update, looks like the cake is going to degree right now. It held up better at the gym and glides on easier. In terms of smell it's a tie though. Neither are bad, though! MIRACLE!

Battle of the Deodorants

So a few weeks ago, I decided that I hate the smell of my deodorant. It's not that I don't like it when it's in the stick form, but (hold your horses I know this sounds gross) when it mixes with ME the smell is slightly different and I don't like it anymore. It was Secret in one of the Scent Expressions (I believe it was Cocoa Butter or Coconut something or another. Gave up on that realllly quick.


So I went to CVS and purchased two new deodorants (I made sure to smell them and think about it really seriously!) The battle is officially between Degree Shower Clean and Dove Original Clean. Both are invisible solids and both come in the 2.6 oz turny thingie.

What really makes me laugh is the little sticker on the Degree stick that claims, "Extra Responsive in Emotional Moments!" All I could think of was the New York term, "I sweat him," meaning you're into that particular guy. I'm never saying it again; I've realized just HOW disgusting that sounds.

So what I'm going to do is use each of them for a few days and tell you how it goes. I'm super picky about deodorant, and I'm just about ready to buy and try every one in CVS before I find the one I like.

From the beginning, I think I like the smell of the Degree Shower Clean just ever so slightly more. However, I'm not making any judgements off of that because I liked the smell of the one I used to use, too.


Let me know if you use either of these.


<3 kristie

It's Finally Here!!--Viva Glam Lipstick, Gaga Style!

Wow. Just...wow. Lady Gaga never fails to do something wild, yet somehow seductive at the same time. Mac describes this lipstick as a cool blue-pink. I wish the pictures I am taking would show it in a better light. I wore it out last night, and I got many compliments on the color! It's wild, but not ugly.  I can't explain it.

So, as I said, I wore this out last night, because I received it in the mail yesterday (haha can you tell I was excited?). I ordered it on eBay because I could not get it anywhere--as the saleswoman at the Mac by me said, "You won't find it anywhere--everybody loves Gaga!". First things first--the little tube is so cute. I am obsessed with Gaga to begin with, and having her autograph on my lipstick made me tingle a litte bit inside. Secondly, I noticed that the lipstick smells like a bakery! Seriously, it smells like sugar cookies. I cannot get enough of it. My mindset has been changing recently about lipsticks--I thought they were only for grandma's and my first grade teacher, but I am learning that I have been wrong!

This lipstick is "high lustre" and it really does come out very glossy, which is a cool feature. You don't need to put any gloss over it, although I thought it looked slammin' with Rags to Riches over it. Definitely enjoyed how unique I looked with it on along with some sultry brown/black eyes. It's a cute pop of color. Note: this lipstick is definitely layerable, if that is even a word. It can go on quite sheer, if that is your preference.

Something that bothers me about wearing a color on my lips--maybe I need to get a primer, but lipsticks always come off almost immediately. I took a few sips from a glass, and that was it. The reason that bothers me is because I end up using so much of the product just to keep my lips pink that I feel like I'm wasting it.


Note: I had a picture, but it looks ridiculous from when I tried it on this morning. I'm going to take another tonight and put it right here :)


Long story short: super wild and cute, very excited to find new looks to use this in.

<3 kristie

Lancome Juicy Tube--Berry Bold

It is spring time, lovelies! Sorry it has been so long since I've written about something--midterms time does not allow for outside foolery. Or makeup, for that matter. It only allows bare skin and hormonal imbalances.

So of course I came back with something when I peeked into Sephora the one time I was allowed outside of my dorm room.

It is the Lancome Juicy Tube in Berry Bold! I haven't had a Juicy Tube in a long time, and I remember always enjoying Lancome products...and that was that. I wasn't planning on buying anything, but this Juicy Tube smells how I imagine heaven must smell. It is a mix of strawberries and watermelon--I want to kiss myself when I wear it. If only that were possible...life would be much easier.

It gives my lips a nice gloss without being too overwhelmingly pink. I just throw it in my bag for whenever. For example, I just got back from a physics exam. I felt a little bit like how a full garbage dump feels right after the test was over, but then I put the Juicy Tube on and I was immediately reminded that it is a beautiful pseudo-spring day and I have nothing to do the rest of the night. The smell is really that magical.

As usual, though, I don't like the stickiness of lipglosses. It's definitely not as thick and sticky as the Mac lipglasses, but it still feels a little heavy. As I've also said before, it's something I'm going to have to get used to--lipglosses that are too runny usually come off instantaneously. So, push come to shove, it is a pretty legitimate balance between the two. Yay! I love this color! Spring time is here!

The real question is why this tube costs $18. It is a lipgloss, and it is definitely not Mac and it doesn't have any sort of special ingredient (besides the drug that makes this smell) that should compel me to have it. I do have to say, I did purchase it though, and I'm pretty happy. But now I'm $20 down...I need food, too. Just saying.


Long story short: The yummiest smelling, nice standard light pink lip gloss. For a little bit too much.


I promise I'll get back to doing these. Once spring break arrives.


Good health through these trying midterm times,
kristie <3

Here it Comes--Russian Red Lip Glass!

I whipped it out and tried the Russian Red Lip Glass from Mac! I'm going to admit to you, I've always been scared of red lips because I was young, and red was just not a color a teen girl could pull off. But we're women now, and I was ready to kick it up a notch.

 

The Russian Red Lipglass was my fourth (free) investment from the sweet deal at the Mac in the Nordstrom near my house. The makeup artist convinced me it is a staple for any makeup collection, and of course I agreed with her--someday, everyone has to get a nice traditional red. I had to test it out before I went out with it, and scoured YouTube to find out how to master the perfect red lip.

After combining a lot of advice, I came up with this: I filled my lips with a lip liner from Mac (in Cherry, another collection staple), added a touch of black eyeliner to the corners for contour and blended it out. Then, with a lip brush, added Russian Red lipglass on top, and then lined the outer rim of my lips with concealer to prevent feathering.

I don't think I've ever felt this sophisticated.  If anyone wants to see more pictures, let me know! It's unbelievable how this lipglass can really substitute for a lipstick. It is sooo pigmented and beautiful! Plus, it maintains the shine of a gloss without having to carry around two different products. It also makes your teeth look whiter! As a side note, all of Mac's lipglasses, including Russian Red, are really sticky, which I have come to realize makes them last longer, but I don't like the feeling on my lips too much. It's something I'll just have to learn to live with.

Also, I have realized that the concealer outline of the lips is vital! Otherwise the liner bleeds and your lips will NOT stay nice. Yucky.

As a color, I am really impressed with this lipglass. It is much more versatile than a lipstick and you can just throw it on and go out (a college advantage! I have barely any time to throw on a dress, let alone spend an hour on my makeup!). I am excited to use this much more often. Oh, another downer--no kissing with this, or everyone will see the dirty deed! ;)

Long story short: who is taking me out so I can wear this? anyone? ;)

<3 kristie