I'm Not Dead, Just Busy Beyond Reason

Hello all, just a quick post to update a bit on things going on along with stuff to come. 

Life has been, to put it simply, insanely hectic.

I was preparing for my Certification Graduation, & I am proud to say I've accomplished that! 

However, it had completely consumed my life in order to make sure I passed my math class as I had to have that in order to graduate. It was the class I was most worried about, out of all of the classes I attempted. That left me with no choice other than putting this blog on the back burner for a good minute. Which I hated but had to go off and adult, priorities, and such.

Now, I am not back completely, I may only be able to post once a month for the next few months, but I am going to try and accomplish that. I am currently a full time student who is taking four accelerated courses this summer...because I am crazy.

Also, my husband and I are house sitting and beginning to look for our own future home, so once again I state that life is CRAZY.

I cannot believe how many people have read this blog, even with all of the downtime. Almost 1,000 viewers. Now I just need to get followers, so if you could be so kind as to follow and share if you enjoy this blog. It would be beyond appreciated.

I have been considering expanding into the world that is YouTube, however, I have found this cannot happen in any reliable form in my current living situation and so I shall wait until that is figured out.

Now a look at what is coming. 

Just a few of the things I've purchased rather recently!

I have a lot of products that have caught my eye. I also plan to blog about my purchase of a Coach handbag, it was expensive, she is my baby, and I love her! Anyway, I will be sharing my thoughts soon on some Jeffree Star, my favorite drugstore foundation for my dry skin, and Artis along with skin care products galore. I've kinda been on a skin care journey the last couple of months. This, and more will be posted here soon.

What are some suggestion on products you've been wondering about? (Please remember, college student so not insanely pricey please!!) 

Let me know in the comments below, and check back soon for new content!

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick Swatch/Review

Recently I've purchased something unlike anything I've ever used when it comes to makeup. I had seen them on a display at my local Walgreen's, but was a little turned off when it came to trying them. This was until I watched a first impression by saaammage on youtube. Once I saw her swatch the color Fuchsia Ecstasy, I just knew I had to run out and get my hands on it, which is exactly what I did.

I don't know why, but the color just completely spoke to me. Especially with spring right around the corner, it just made me think of a flower in full bloom. I got it home and immediately had to try it. Now, I will say that the first thing I noticed is that the applicator is not very forgiving or precise, which is kinda a fail for such a bold color.

However, the second it was on my lips, it felt like nothing I have ever tried before. This is due to it feeling like nothing once you have it on. All you feel is a huge boost in softness and moisture. Seriously, after putting this on and the texture of it, the weightlessness of it, I just have completely fallen in love. I plan to pick more of these up as soon as my budget allows, in more everyday, wearable colors.

The applicator is more of a paddle brush type style, long and flat. It holds quite a bit of product, but isn't the most precise when it comes to lipstick application. I really, really, wish the brush was a doe foot applicator, but after you get used to the brush it isn't the end of the world. You can also choose to line your lips, to help define a border, giving added precision in application.

Full face: Eyes - Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani (Review coming soon!), Foundation: Maybelline Dream Velvet in Soft Ivory, Powder: L'oreal True Match in C2 cool, Blush/Bronzer: Toofaced Sweethearts Duo in Ross & Rachel 

As I've been saying, I am obsessed with this formula. Maybelline has hit it out of this world with the way this product makes your lips feel. While it is not a true matte, (I recommend blotting if you want a matte finish) the finish can look like a satin finish on the lips as is. It has a very faint old lady lipstick smell to it; but you cannot smell it during application, or while wearing it, only if you go take a whiff of the applicator will you catch it.

As I said the color I purchased is Fuchsia Ecstasy, definitely one of the bolder colors in the line. However, that is the reason I decided to try the line at all. Pigment is full coverage, bold and pigmented. It wears well, but does not claim to be, nor is long lasting. It is a good idea to reapply after food or drinks. It also transfers, even after extended wear, but it also can leave a light stain on your lips, depending upon the color.

Looking forward to getting back in the groove of posting in 2016. I still have school, but my schedule this semester is far less hectic and congested.

I hope you all enjoy and find this review helpful. Let me know if there is something you would like to see me review in the comments below,

Lash Sensational - Maybelline

      Maybelline is known for their mascara. From Lash Discovery (which I absolutely swear by for my lower lashes) to Great Lash,Volum' Express, Falsies & everything in between everyone knows Maybelline for mascara. Taking my history with Maybelline and the fact that I have enjoyed many of their mascaras in the past and also currently have a few in my collection, so when I saw Maybelline's
Lash Sensational at my local Walgreen's I picked it up.

Lash Sensational Brush

No Mascara


Well mistakes were made, first of all I accidentally grabbed regular formula instead of waterproof. Not really that big of a deal, since I don't actually waterproof a lot. Then secondly I bought the mascara in brown. I'm a brunette so not the end of the world, oh well. Try something different is what I told myself. 

    Then things went from oh well, mistakes happen, to what a waste of money and this is where I start hating this product and calling it a fail. Now, I will say I do like the brush a bit. It seperates my lashes well, even my wispy bottom lashes if I use the brush just right. However, when I opened the mascara the next day and notice right off the watery formula. When I say watery, I really mean it. I put it on, just one coat, and wait a second, I blink and bam, it's all over. (I should have taken a picture, but it made me mad, so I forgot.) :/

      I have mascara not only on my lashes where I want it to be, but under my eye, on my eye makeup...so watery that it looks like I did a really shaky eye liner application and forgot some spots. I took a tissue and tried to minimize the damage, the product under my eye actually came off like it was never there with a simple swipe of the tissue. The product on my eye was another story, due to eye shadow and primer being on the lid of my eye as well. Needless to say, I was pissed. Naturally, I then had to remove my eye makeup and start over. So upon second application I wait...wait and wait some more even blowing at my eye and other sillyness to dry the mascara, lets just say it takes a good minute and a steady hand to apply this formula. I manage to put it on without it going everywhere and blink without the same issue. I have tried wearing the product over a month or so now and have the same issues with the watery formula every time. That is what makes this a FAIL product as far as I am concerned. Not only does it not live up to it's claims, but it is a huge hassle just to apply this formula.

After 2 Coats - FAIL

      After all the fussing with this product I look at myself and notice, that it doesn't do much for me. I don't have the best lashes ever, they are thin and sparse. My husband has better lashes then I could ever hope to have. Therefore, when I wear mascara, I want it to show up and make what I do have look amazing. This mascara just is not that, in every way. Upon drying the lashes look spidery and sometimes even clumpy. Just, so not impressed. I guess with Maybelline, I expect better. At $9 I want better. I noticed no increased volume and no real "fanning effect" that this product claims to provide. Nor, will I be purchasing again in the future. 

Not So Sensational

      Have you tried Maybelline's Lash Sensational? What are your thoughts on the product? Do you have a go to Maybelline mascara, let me know in the comments.
   

NYC Smooth Skin 5 In 1 BB Creme Instant Matte Review

      About a month ago I was on the lookout for an inexpensive light coverage BB creme, for those days when I don't want to do full face makeup. Those times when I just want a bit of coverage, without having to apply too many products. So one day at my local Target, I was glancing over products and saw NYC's (New York Color) - Smooth Skin 5 In 1 BB Creme Instant Matte. For the price of three bucks, I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try.

      The product benefits as claimed on NYC's page are that this product will provide a perfect and instant matte finish (I do agree, that the finish was matte, and as I girl with combination skin
I was very happy with that.) Minimize the look of fine lines and pores, smooths skin. Minimizes skin imperfections, brightens skin tone for perfect flawless finish.

      So I picked their fairest shade and left hoping to be happy with my purchase. Sadly however, I must say that so far this product has been a fail for me. Their fairest shade is somewhere in the beige family, or at least it looks to be on me. Maybe, once I get a little more sun, with warmer weather kicking in this might...might work for me.

      Also my application has been blotchy and streaky and this has been trying it with various methods, my fingers, a brush, a stippling brush, and a beauty blender. First, I tried applying with a foundation brush and my face was SO streaky. I used my fingers to get rid of the lines and streaks around my eye area and on my nose. Another time I tried it I thought maybe a stippling approach might work, and while it did look better, I noticed blotchy application straight away. To deal with this I used a beauty blender, which thankfully got rid of the blotchy, patchwork look of the product.

      This product's formula made me mad, simple as that. The coverage you get is uneven and if you have any blemishes don't even reach for NYC's BB Creme. I have a small spot at the moment on my chin, didn't cover it, nor even help reduce the redness. So I tried building coverage in just that area and all that did was remove the product from that area.

      I liked that this product dries into a powder finish, but that is the only real positive I have to say about this product. I will not repurchase and even though it was so cheap, just no, this is such a fail product in my eyes.
Have you tried this product? If you use NYC, what's your favorite product by them? Let me know what you thought of this product and if you have any recommendations on products I should try let me know in the comments below.