Brr, It's Cold Outside (And Inside)

As you may know, New England was blasted with snow on Saturday!

Where I live this is day 3 without power and I'm just typing this up on what's left of my phone battery.

Its now officially colder inside my house than it is outside!

My poor dogs are trying to burry themselves in blankets to keep warm.

Everyone around here is cancelling Halloween until next week,

but we're told it may be another 4 days until we get power back!

So because of this, I'm going to end my Sigma giveaway a day early

 (since I don't know when I'll be able to get back on to pick a winner)

Just bear with me and I'll be back as soon as possible!

Sigma F45 Buffer Brush Giveaway! *CLOSED*

 

 I just put my thoughts together on the Sigma F45 Buffer Brush which you can read here,

so I thought you guys might like to experience it for yourselves :)

To Enter:

1.  You must be a follower of my blog!

2. This is open internationally!

3. If you're under 18 then, make sure you have parents permission to give out your home address because I will be sharing it with Sigma since they are shipping the brush directly to you!

4. Leave a comment below saying anything your heart desires, but be sure to include your email!

5. Post a link in your side bar or blog about this for one extra entry (two entries total if you do both!), and please leave me a link to your blog in the comments so I can see!

6. The giveaway will end at 12:00 AM on November 1st!

7. I will notify the winner by email (but if you don't respond within 24 hours I will pick a new winner)!

  

8. The winner will be chosen by Random.org!

Good luck to everyone and thank you for all the lovely comments that you take the time out of your day to write me :)

♥

Sigma F45 Buffer Brush

Ideal to apply mineral foundation, loose or pressed powders. Also great to buff colors and obtain a soft, blended look. Natural bristles.  $19.00

Pros: This brush is INCREDIBLY soft! I actually like how the bristles are less dense and more spread out, I find it makes it easier to cover my face in a couple swipes. I love the finish the Sigma F45 Buffer Brush gives my skin whether I buff powder over my liquid foundation or I'm just using powder foundation, you won't end up with that "powder-y" look!

Cons: Even if I leave this out on my vanity for a couple hours, you can see noticeable dust collecting on the bristles of the brush. I don't know if this is just because my room is extra dusty, but this thing attracts it like no other, so I find it to be kind of a hassle to keep it inside a drawer where I store my makeup! After a few washes my F45 Buffer Brush has really opened up more, its only slightly denser than any old powder brush. Because of the this, I feel like the brush almost absorbs some of the powder when I use it, which in returns makes me have to put more powder on the brush, which results in a waste of product! I really hate how the writing is around the kabuki handle, there's no way to avoid grabbing it so eventually it's going to completely rub off. I've only had my F45 Buffer Brush for a little under two months and I already see the writing coming off (you should've put it on the bottom of the handle Sigma)! So you'll either have to do the old clear nail polish trick or suffer with an un-numbered kabuki. After you wash this brush, there's really no good way to let it dry. When you lay it on the side you'll end up with an indentation in the bristles and I find every time I dry to lay it completely upside down to dry (bristles down) it always falls over when I'm not looking. The drying time is also a little irritating, this takes about twice the normal time to dry than my other brushes. I have had some issues with this brush shedding, it was a little concerning the first time I washed it, but every time after that hasn't been anything more than a hair or two.

Overall: I think after you factor in the price of the Sigma F45 Buffer Brush and the cost of shipping, you're lookin' at a pretty penny for an average kabuki brush. The F45 is great for just setting your makeup with powder (which is only what I use it for), but I think you could find a drugstore kabuki for a lot less to do the job just as well! But if this is something that floats your boat because you love Sigma brushes so much, head over here to grab it!

These products were sent to me for review purposes. I was not compensated, and I am a Sigma affiliate. These thoughts are my own & I will always be honest :)!

Fall Nail Polish Picks!

Ahh, my favorite time of year is finally upon us :)

and with it comes my favorite nail polishes for the season!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in "350 Wined Up"

 I love this polish for fall because its your classic dark red with a bit of a twist, it has the most gorgeous red shimmer in it that looks fabulous when it hits the light.

Sephora by OPI Nail Color in "Who's Spinning Tonight?"

Just like the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polish, this one has stunning shimmer that looks great when in the light and its one of those looks-almost-black colors on your nails, so if you're afraid of brights, this is a polish for you!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in "270 Steel Grey"

I never used to think putting gray on the nails would ever look flattering, but its really subtle and looks very put together! I especially like this one because it almost has a purple hue to it.

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in "370 Black Out"

Every girl needs to paint her nails black at least once this fall, it looks great with any outfit and you just can't go wrong! The Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear one is great because it lasts for at least 5 days on my nails.

Essie "Tie The Knot"

There's always that time where I get sick of wearing all these dark colors, so when that happens I always break out my nude colors! "Tie The Knot" is great beige polish that is completely opaque after two coats, Essie is always great at making pale colors!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in "550 All Fired Up"

Nothing looks classier than a true red on your nails, and although I love to wear this polish year round, its a great staple for me in the fall when I don't know which color to choose!

NOTD: Wined Up

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color- 350 Wined Up

Seche Vite- Dry Fast Top Coat

Its Starting to Smell a lot Like Christmas...and a Little Like Halloween (Bath & Body Works Haul)

A couple of weeks ago Bath & Body Works was having a deal where all the online exclusive body care items were $5.00 each and Twisted Peppermint was added, which is my absolute favorite scent (I think that's probably because it was the first one I ever smelled from Bath & Body Works)!

So I went ahead and placed a little online order:

Twisted Peppermint Triple Moisture Body Cream

Price: $5.00

Twisted Peppermint Fragrance Mist

Price: $5.00

Twisted Peppermint Shower Gel

Price: $5.00

Twisted Peppermint Body Lotion

Price: $5.00

PocketBac Sanitizing Hand Gel 3-Pack Glow-in-the-Dark Bundle with Sour Drop, Gum Ball, and Chocolate Chew  
Price: $2.25
 

I LOVE this time of year, I especially can't wait for the holidays :)

MAC Paint Pot in "Indianwood"

A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners.

Indianwood

Metallic antique bronze (Frost) 

US$17.50

Pros: The glass jar packaging is very sleek and sturdy, it looks nice but also does a good job of protecting the product if you tend to be a little clumsy with your makeup (we all have our moments...)! I really wanted this particular paint pot because I thought it would make an easy all-over-the-lid color, but I got nervous when I saw how dark Indianwood actually is/thought it wouldn't go very well with my brown eyes. Boy was I completely wrong! Its definitely  more prominent on your lid than a typical champagne color, but still light enough to wear during the day and looks great on any eye color. The MAC website describes Indianwood as a "Metallic antique bronze (Frost)" and I think that's the perfect description so you know exactly what you're getting (MAC descriptions can sometimes be a little iffy and you end up with something completely different than what you thought). Don't let the frost finish scare you, I know when I think of a frost I imagine something gritty with low pigmentation, but that is so the opposite of Indianwood! I've tried using a couple different types of brushes with this Paint Pot, like a Sigma E55, E60, and E25 but I find that nothing quite gives you the same amount of color and coverage as your fingers. This is great if you don't have any/many brushes to chose from, and saves you the pain of washing it later!

Cons: Although it looks nice and keeps the product safe from general wear and tear, the packaging has some major downfalls. When the paint pot is stored right side up, there's no way to tell what color is it is (annoying if you have more than one) because of the black top and the sticker with the name of the paint pot is on the bottom of the jar. So if you have a couple of these paint pots, storing them upside-down is an easier way to find which one you're looking for, but know that the black tops will get scratched up over time. Yet another issue with the packaging department is the screw-off tops. Often when I'm in a hurry I forget to screw the top on all the way which results in my paint pot drying out a bit. This will happen naturally over time of course, but having packaging that closes a little tighter would pro-long the paint pot's life! I've only had Indianwood since my birthday in July and I can already notice it pulling away from the edges of the jar. Again, I don't know if that's because of my lack of screwing the top on all the way or its just happening naturally, but I would've thought it would have lasted longer before doing that. When you're working with Indianwood, I find that it dries pretty fast once you place it on the lid, so if you plan on doing any blending, you need to do it quickly! MAC paint pots are notorious for being good eyeshadow primers, some people swear by them, saying they never crease. I've found that using Indianwood alone on my eyes lasts me about 3 hours before it creases, and even with my Too Faced Shadow Insurance, it only lasts about 4-5 hours. But keep in mind that I have really oily skin, its still hot hot hot in Massachusetts, and I don't put a powder shadow on top because I usually use Indianwood when I'm in a time crunch, so it could have totally different staying power on your lids!

Overall: I can completely look past some of the flaws the MAC Paint Pot in Indianwood has because it it just such a gorgeous and unique color! Normally I would lean towards shades like the Bare Study Paint Pot but Indianwood is sunning on the eyes when I want something bolder, but it is still so neutral that I don't feel out of my comfort zone. I love that when I want to use this Paint Pot I don't need to fuss with brushes, blending, and all that jazz; I can just swipe it on with my finger and go. Indianwood was given to me by the sweetest brother in the whole word (with a little prompting from me of course ;] ) but I think it has sparked a little addiction to MAC Paint Pots!

September Favorites!

 Stila Smudge Pot in "Kitten"

For some reason I've been REALLY into cream shadows this month (it must be the MAC Posh Paradise collection with the 8 new Paint Pots, I need to get me some of those)! "Kitten" is a super neutral champagne color that is quite shimmery so it completely brightens up the eye area. I've been sweeping this across my lid pretty much every day  in September (or some days using it as a base for the Wet n Wild trio colors since their lasting power isn't strong) with the brown shade in the Wet n Wild "Walking On Eggshells" Trio in the crease. I never get any creasing with this Stila Smudge Pot when I put my Too Faced Shadow Insurance underneath, so its a complete winner in my books!

e.l.f. Studio Blush in "Peachy Keen"

I've been in quite the blush-rut this month, nothing has been striking me fancy lately (which is such a shocker since my blush collection is massive...) so I've been sticking to some lighter, shimmery colors. "Peachy Keen" barely shows up on my skin, but it does give the most gorgeous glow that looks like almost nothing is there! The staying power is not so great, but I will definitely compromise on that for the lovely sheen I get from this color!

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in "180 Sand Beige"

This is the first liquid foundation I've tried in a long, long time since I'm usually too afraid I'll get oily throughout the day, but this is a new holy grail item! I'm absolutely in love with how much coverage you can get from this Revlon ColorStay foundation, it covers everything you can imagine but can also be sheered out for those days you don't need full-coverage. As long as I set this with a powder I'm good to go for about 2 hours without the need to blot (that is massively long for me)! This will surely be a favorite for months to come.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in "Walking on Eggshells"

My absolute favorite shade from this trio is the brown, its a dream to blend and is so incredibly pigmented! I've been throwing it in my crease this entire month, while also sometimes using the shimmery white and pink-champagne color on occasions when I want to mix it up. As long as I use a base and primer with these shadows I'm good to go all day. For only $2.99 you really can't go wrong!

TOCCA Eau de Parfum "Stella"

I got this as a sample with an order I made online and it has completely replaced all my Bath & Body Works goodies! Its definitely more of a "mature" smell, nothing fruity, more floral-y and musk-y. I would love to purchase the full-size of this perfume, but everywhere I look its super expensive. If you know of anywhere I can get it for a decent price, let me know!

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Tin

Just like my recent cream eyeshadow kick, I've been loving lip tins! The Burt's Bees one is great because it has peppermint oil in it which gives your lips that tingly effect that I love! And of course, just like every other Burt's Bees lip product, its incredibly moisturizing which is what I need now that the weather is starting to get colder!

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag!

Face:

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in "180 Sand Beige"

CARGO OneBase Concealer + Foundation In One

MAC Studio Fix Powder in "N5" 

MAC Blot Powder Pressed in "Medium"

Cheeks:

e.l.f. Studio Blush in "Peachy Keen"

e.l.f. Studio Blush in"Candid Coral"

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in "Blushing Peach"

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Blush in "Rosy Glow"

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Concealer Pink Highlighter 

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

 MAC Paint Pot in "Indianwood"

 Stila Smudge Pot in "Kitten"

 COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers Trio in "Cafe Au Lait"

 Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in "Walking On Eggshells"

Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eye Liner Pencil in "Black Magic"

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara in "Soft Black"

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express in "Blackest Black"

Hi lovelies!

I just got back from spending some time visiting my dad, so I thought I'd share the makeup bag I brought with me! I kept it pretty minimal since I wasn't gone for long, and as you can see I completely skipped on all lip products (other than lip balm of course)!

So let me know what you guys keep in your travel makeup bags :)

Bath & Body Works Home Fragrance Event Haul

 On September 17th, Bath & Body Works held yet another one of their "Fragrance Events" where you can go in and vote on new scents and get a free gift with any purchase (Sorry this post has been majorly delayed)!

 This event was a little different because it was a Home Fragrance Event. There was voting on some new nut scented candles and the free gift with any home fragrance purchase was three of the new holiday mini candles.

So here's what I ended up getting!

Bath & Body Works "The All New Bake Shop Collection" Tote Bag

Price: Free (Gift with any home fragrance purchase)

Slatkin & Co. S'mores Concentrated Room Spray

Price: $5.00

Slatkin & Co. Mint Chocolate Concentrated Room Spray

Price: $5.00

 Slatkin & Co. Marshmallow Peppermint Scented Candle

Price: Free (Gift with any home fragrance purchase)

Slatkin & Co. Gingerbread Peppermint Scented Candle

Price: Free (Gift with any home fragrance purchase) 

  Slatkin & Co. Candied Sugar Plum Peppermint Scented Candle

Price: Free (Gift with any home fragrance purchase) 

New Goodies!

 eos Lip Balm in "Honeysuckle Honeydew"

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in "Sweet Nectar"

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara in "Soft Black"

Carmex Original Moisturizing Lip Balm Tube

Stila Smudge Pot in "Kitten"

Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Tin

Lip Vitamins Lip Balm in "Vanilla Bean"

Lip Vitamins Lip Balm in "Mixed Berries"

Lip Vitamins Lip Balm in "Fresh Mint"

Korres Lip Butter in "Pomegranate"

Korres Lip Butter in "Plum"

Stila Lip Glaze Trio Cool with "Grapefruit", "Seashell", and "Raisin"

Highlighter Brush (no brand?!)

Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Daily Treatment Conditioner

Revlon Pinch Me Sheer Gel Blush in "Playful Pink"

Revlon Pinch Me Sheer Gel Blush in "Peach Afterglow"

 Carmex Original Lip Tin

Pink and White Polkadot Modella Makeup Bag

Multi-Colored Polkadot Modella Makeup Bag

 ♥

NOTD: Mint Sorbet

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color- 340 Mint Sorbet

Seche Vite- Dry Fast Top Coat

Introducing Soap Hope!

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All the profits from your purchase go to provide opportunity to women in poverty. Not just a portion or a match - every single dollar.


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Shop at Soap Hope to get top quality products at low prices while you help lift up millions of women worldwide. 

When I got the chance to try out a little sample kit from Soap Hope, I jumped at it!

Any company that has such a great cause it's working towards is a winner in my books.

How can you beat getting great eco-friendly products AND helping women in poverty?!

You can get tons of cult favorite beauty products from them that if you had otherwise bought from another retailer, ALL of your money wouldn't be going towards helping women in need.

Soap Hope always has special deals going on and every order comes with 5 free samples that you can customize and choose from!

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I can't wait to break into all my little samples, if you guys want to know how anything is just ask!

The samples from Soap Hope were sent to me to try out, however that doesn't change my opinion on what a great mission these guys have :)!