Oil Cleansing Method Update

I know know, it has been way more than two weeks! BUT on the plus side, this you will actually see results. 

When the end of my two week challenge was up, my skin was worse than before I had started. I almost did not want to continue because of it. Ultimately, I decided to do some more research and found that the new breakouts I was having were not because my pores were clogged, but that my skin was purging itself of everything I've put on my face from before. About two weeks after that, my skin started improving. I know that for me, my skin takes about a month to get used to something before I start to see progress or not. 

**Keep in mind that we all have different skin types. So what works or doesn't work for me, does not necessarily mean it will or will not work for you.

   The picture that you see here is from my first cleansing post (which you can read here). As you can see, I have pretty pronounced breakouts on the contours of my cheeks, as well as some cystic acne on my chin. 

I forgot to take a picture of my chin, but so far that is the only spot that has completely cleared. Both sides of my cheeks have definitely improved, though not entirely clear. As you can see however, the progress is certainly there!

Another thing that I had noticed while doing the OCM, my super oily skin, is not so oily anymore! My skin got sooo used to me using harsh oil stripping cleansers, toners and even moisturizers, my glands had to work harder everyday and night to produce enough oil to keep up with me stripping them squeaky clean. 

They worked so much they were overproducing far more oil than my skin actually needed, causing my face to become a grease ball. Eventually, causing horrible breakouts.  The OCM  has allowed my skin to slow down on production, leading to more of a proper amount.  Now half way through the day, my skin for once does not feel like I slathered grease all over it (ironic right?) 

I am still working on the perfect ratio blend of oils but I plan on sticking with this for awhile! 

Did you take the challenge? 

What was your outcome?

Late Halloween Pictures, Update + Mini Home Tour?!

I haven't posted anything about Halloween yet, and now that we are in November, I figured better late than never! 

This is our second Halloween together (Sunshine's third!), and we really wanted to make a tradition of family costumes. I just find them so cute and fun, and a great excuse to take pictures!(;

Last year we went as the Flintstones! My mom was sweet and made our costumes for us. Awesome right? The only thing we fogot, was the big fluffy pillow for Fred Flintstones belly! Oh well, we still rocked the part, and my Sunshine made an awesome Pebbles!

Look how big my baby is now! Can you believe this is just a year difference?

This year we weren't able to spend Halloween together since my boyfriend had to work. However, Sunshine still got dressed up and ready for trick-or-treating. Mini Mouse style ofcourse! I wish I could have fixed her hair and ears better, but as you can see in the third picture, she was gaurding her head from me lol.

Last year she was still too young to understand the concept of Halloween but after going to three or four houses and she realized she was recieving candy, she started running to them all! She had such a blast, and as much as I may miss my wittle itty bitty baby, I love watching her learn and grow. Gah, I just love her so much!

Update

So, as many of you know, my family and I had found a new home and were supposed to move on the 1st of November. 

Well, unfortunately that didn't happen. 

There was still too much to be done, and so our move in date was moved to the 8th instead. Which would have been this Saturday. BUT, when we talked to them Monday, they said our new place was still not ready. 

And so our move in date got changed again. To the 15th, which is next weekend. We're hoping and praying this will be the final date so that we can finally move. Everything is packed. Literally, right down to the t.

 It has been a frustrating soon to be month and a half, but God only knows this wait is going to be SOOOO worth it! And Pinterest has given me an unhealthy amount of ideas I can't wait to put into action and share with you all!

Mini Home Tour + DIY Projects?!

When we went to check out our new home over the weekend I decided to take some pictures. Actually, some is an understatement. I took A LOT of pictures. I was thinking about going a head and making a mini home tour post, but I wanted to know if you guys would even like to see that? 

Also, since I have so many diy's on my project board on Pinterest, we have a few in mind we are definitely going to do. Most of which won't start until the Spring time so I won't freeze my butt off painting. Would you guys like to see some of our DIY Projects on here? If so let me know to both questions in the comments below!

Well, that is it for my update. I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween and enjoyed all that free candy!(;

What were you dressed up as for Halloween?

Don't forget to let me know about a home tour

and Diy Project posts!

E.l.f Review: Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream + Quick tutorial.

A few weeks ago I went on an E.l.f splurge and got some really great products. I haven't tried them all, but the few I have will definitely be a repurchase for me. So expect many more reviews to come!

I have to say though, for being such a cheap makeup brand, E.L.F has some pretty dang good hg products. Of course they have their "misses", as does every brand. But their Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream is most definitely a new hg for me! 

Now, let's get on to the review!

(E.l.f Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream in St. Lucia)

From E.l.f's Site:

Details: 

$3

"Ideal for all skin types, this dual cream bronzer and blush creates a sheer, natural wash of color on the skin. The lightweight cream-to-powder formula provides extended wear and allows you to layer for desired intensity. Sculpt eyes, cheeks, lips, body and anywhere you wish to highlight and contour with the rich cream formula."

How to:

"Apply a small amount of the Bronzer with fingers or a sponge to the hollows of the cheeks for definition and around the face line to create a healthy glow. Blush on the apples of the cheeks to create a subtle healthy glow. Blend and build coverage for ideal color."

E.l.f packaging is very similar to Nars. Expect with hard plastic versus a soft matte feel. Does that make sence? I like it though, I feel it adds a classy touch. Not like childs play makeup, considering the price. It's lightweight, without feeling cheap, and perfect for travel. Especially with a mirror as big as the compact!

Also, accoding to some others from the beauty community, the powder version of this, also in St. lucia, is said to be a dupe for Nar's Blush and Bronzing duo in Laguna & Orgasm. Since I don't own any Nars products, I can't say for myself. But from seeing online comparisons, I would believe so. Nars being more pigmented though, ofcourse.

Swatches:

As you can see, they are most certainly very VERY creamy! It feels so lovely to touch. And the colors are gorgeous!

I was really impressed with how true to color these were to what's in the pan. Don't be scared though! The bronzer blends out very beautifuly, into a nice sheer finish. And it is build-able. I know by looking at how pigmented they are, you probably think I'm crazy. But you will see what I am talking about, so stay with me!

The blush is a very pretty peachy-pink color. While the bronzer is a nice bronzy brown? Color. I'm not good at dicifering undertones, so correct me if I'm wrong. But I feel like there are no red or organgy undertones, so you won't have to worry about this making you look orange or even muddy for this with fair complexions.

Another plus, no shimmer! However, E.l.f claims this is a cream-to-powder finish, but I wouldn't say that that's entirely true. When it dries, it does SEEM matte, but in my opinion and on my skin (remember we all have different skin type, so your experience with this may or may not be different from mine), it seems more of a velvety satin finish. But still a lovely duo none the less! 

Wearability:

As you know, I have super oily skin. So depending on your skin type, that may affect how long you are able to wear this before it fades. I was able to get about 5 1/2 hours on it's own, and about 6 1/2 - 7 hours with a setting powder. For being super oily, that's really not that bad. And cream bluses do tend to last longer then pressed or powder.

Tutorial:

I decided to add a quick tutorial so you can see the full effect in action! Now, I literally only did my makeup for this, so I have no mascara or anything. So don't mind my makeup makeup-less face!

To start, I don't like to dip a brush in this product because it is cream, and I tend to always have a gaping chunch missing. Nice. So I just use my (clean) finger, and dot around my face where I would like to contour, or draw attention "away from".

I typically like to contour around my temples, forhead, the hollows of my cheeks and the sides of my nose to make it appear smaller. And whatever is left on my finger I will lightly dot the sides of my jaw line. 

To blend out the bronzer, I used my Real Techniques Contour Brush. 

 

After it's all blended, you can see that it's really not thay scary, and definitely build-able! I don't like a lot of color, so layering isn't necessary for me. In the first picture, you can better see the shadow it creates on the side of my nose.

For the blush, I do the same thing and apply with my fingers, and blend with a brush. 

⚫

And this is what the finished (or somewhat finished) face looks like!

My Overall Thoughs/Opinions:

⚫ I loved the packaging. Very classy, and sturdy. 

⚫ Great for travel, good sized mirror.

⚫ Both the blush and bronzer are rich in pigmentation, yet applies sheer enough allowing you to build up to the amount you want.

⚫ Super creamy. Seriously blends like a dream!

⚫ Last several hours on my super oily skin!

⚫ No shimmers, but (for me) does not dry to a matte finish like E.l.f claims.

⚫ I definitely would recommend to everyone to try it at least once. For $3, what can it hurt?(;

That's it for todays review, thank you for reading!

Have you tried any of the Blush & Bronzer

Duos by E.l.f? If so, which one 

and how did you like it?!

E.L.F Review: 13 Piece Face & Lip Palette

Last month I had recieved my second E.l.f Beauty Bundle, which you can read here. One of the products that was chosen for this bundle was the 13 Piece Face & Lip Palette. I was soo intrigued by this palette, because well, you all know I'm a blush girl!

The packaging is pretty plain and simple, yet different from their standard colors with the touch of purple. However, the actual palette it self is very compact and sleek with a matte finish. And of course the Eyes Lips Face name right on front.

As you can see, the prettyness doesn't stop there. The inside is simply gorgeous! You get two blushes, two bronzers, and nine lip shades. The palette also includes a lip brush and a blush/bronzer brush, either of which I probably won't use. 

SWATCHES

Blush and Bronzers:

The first two swatches on the left mirror the blush and bronzer on the left side of the palette. The first blush is a pretty peachy neutral shimmery color, while the bronzer is a light golden shimmery color. I don't typically like shimmers in my bronzers, but if you're going for more of a luminous look, this would be good to use. 

The two colors on the right are also the blush and bronzer on the right side of the palette. The second blush is a light pretty baby pink color, and the bronzer is a slightly darker color than the first one you see. Both again are shimmery. But as you can see, they are all equally and nicely pigmented! For $8, you really can't beat that!

Lip Shades:

(Posted in the order of the palette)

(Top row)

(Middle Row)

(Bottom Row)

The swatches for the lip shades were a bit patchy the first time around. Evidently, I had to go over twice to clean the patchyness, and to see the color better. For the most part (expect for the bottom row), the pictures are true to their color. The bottom row is a bit brighter but not a huge difference. 

All the shades seem to be moisturizing and not that sticky like a lipgloss. They all also have a very slight barely noticeable shimmer to them. So much that I had a hard time deciding if they did or not. 

My overall thoughts/opinion

⚫ I loved the sleek packaging and the overall look and placement of the face and lip shades.

⚫ E.l.f says this is great for on the go, but I feel the dimensions of the palette are a bit too big for me to want to carry around. Definitely won't fit in the makeup bag.

⚫ The case is very compact. I feel assured that if I did bring it with me, it won't open up in my purse. 

⚫ Even though I said I probably won't use them, I do appreciate the fact E.l.f provided a face and lip brush. Will certainly come in handy if I forget mine!

⚫ The pigmentation is very impressive. Especially the blush and bronzers!

⚫ Very inexpensive, great if you're on a budget.

⚫ If you're a lip girl, you'll love this palette. If not, I would skip it. Although I love the blushes, I know I won't wear the lip shades often.

And that is all for this quick review, I hope you all enjoyed!

Have you tried this palette yet?

Leave your thoughts and opinions below!

EOTN: Too Faced Chocolate Bar

About a month ago I got my hands on the Too Faced Chocolate Bar since I had a 20% off coupon. Knowing how expensive they are, I did my research to find a good palette I wouldn't regret. Even though I had a coupon, it would still be expensive compared to what I'm used to paying, so I really took my time reading through every bit I could find on it. The Chocolate Bar had soo many great reviews, I knew this was it. This was going to be my first Too Faced purchase! So I was really excited to see that it was still in stock.  

I've played around with this a few times, but so far I came up with one look I really liked. Over the weekend my boyfriend, daughter, and I went to UNO's in Providence, so I wanted something nice and classic, but a bit sultry at the same time. 

This really is such a gorgeous palette, I wish this phone took as good of pictures as my old one (I'm sorry you guys :( ). I promise these colors are so much prettier in person, this picture does them no justice. But they smell amazing! These shadows are made with 100% cocoa, and they seriously smell of just that!

And this is the look I came up! 

How I got this look:

⚫ I used E.l.f smudge pot in Back to Basics as my base.

Top Row:

⚫ I used the 1st Star (White Chocolate) all over my lid up to my brow bone, and in the corners of my eyes and the inner part of my lower lash line.

Middle Row:

⚫ I used the 1st Star (Salted Caramel) in my crease.

⚫ I used the 2nd Star (Marzipan) all over my lid.

⚫ I used the 3rd Star (Amaretto) on my upper lash line (to complete the look once the rest of the eye was done).

Bottom Row:

⚫ I used the 1st Star (Hazelnut) and blended it out in my crease and up and the outer part of my lower lash line.

⚫ I used the 2nd Star (Creme Brulee) and tapped it lightly on my lid over Marzipan.

For my lashes I had used my L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess. 

So that's it for today's post, I hope you all enjoyed and thank you for reading!(:

Have you tried the Chocolate Bar yet?

If so, tell me how you liked it,

I would love to know!

Big News + EOTD!

If you have read my second post, then you would know my family and I have been going through a hard time. I didn't give specific details, and I don't plan to now, more so because it is a very personal matter. However, just when I thought this horrid thunderstorm would never come to an end, sunshine had finally shed it's light!

About a week ago we were at my daughters aunt's house, and she was telling us about a home her family was looking at. Her family is a bit larger than ours, now that they have a newborn, so it turned out to not be very ideal for them. 

As I'm listening to her go on in great detail, I couldn't help but think how perfect it sounded. Since she had said they weren't taking it, I asked if she would mind giving us the number to call and check it out for ourselves. Well, once we left, I called and was told we could come right down. So of course we headed right to it, and my goodness it was beautiful and so spacious! Plus it had an extra bedroom, which is perfect for when we finally decide to have another baby. 

Well, a week later (today) we put down a down payment. And guys, WE MOVE IN THREE WEEKS!

Now that I got to share my good news with you, here is my EOTD!

Don't mind the lil mess from my mascara, and the fact I accidentally went a tad far in my crease, and that annoying hair... Other than that, here's the look I created today using the Maybelline's NUDES Palette. 

How I got this look:

*Note: I used E.l.f's smudge pot in Back to Basics all over my lid up to my brow bone.

Bottom row:

⚫ I used the 3rd X(Fifth color in) all over my lid up to my brow bone.

⚫ I used the 1st X in my crease and blended it out.

⚫ I used the 2nd X(Forth color in) I used in the outer corner and blended slightly in my crease and out.

Top row:

⚫ I used the 1stX(Forth color in) I used in my inner crease and blended 2/3 on the lid.

This was just a quick* post, but I hope you all enjoyed this look! I'm loving this palette more than I thought I would!

Have a fun and safe weekend everyone!

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara Review

Today I'll be doing a review on the Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara sample. I had recieved this in a gift set with a purchase a few weeks ago, and finally got the chance to test it out.

Isn't it cute? Everything little is always adorable looking. The packaging is nice with a pretty touch of gold accent.

Estee Lauder's Product Details 

(From the Estee Lauder website)

$26 for .21 oz

Now lift your lashes all the way to big, bold, beautiful.

With weightless volume, Sumptuous creates daringly full, sensuously curved, all-out seductive lashes.

Unprecedented Bold Volume™ formula has ultra light, lash-thickening fibers. Lifts and plumps even sparse lashes into big, lush lashes that are all lightness and flirtatious curl.

Benefits

Bold, weightless volume. Exclusive BrushComber™.

Formula Facts

• Ophthalmologist-tested

• Fragrance-free

• Suitable for contact lens wearers

What really cought my eye was the wand. As soon as I took

it out of the tube I had good vibes about this. The bristles are nicely packed, yet spaced just enough. The formula is not too wet nor too dry. I typically prefer dryer formulas personally. However, I feel like this would be perfect for those who like their mascaras to be more in between wet or dry. And I loved how the wand starts out skinny and smoothly widens to the end.

So this is what my lashes look like with no mascara on. I basically have none. (the wonders of makeup right?) Please excuse my tired eyes, this was taken waay too early in the morning. 

The top picture shows what one coat of this mascara looks like (applied 6:30am). I have to say I was really impressed. After seeing one coat, I was curious what three would look like. As you can see with two and three coats on, this mascara builds really nicely. By the third coat, my lashes did start to clump together a bit. But once I wiped off the excess mascara from the wand I was able to fix it.

This picture was taken at 3pm, after an eight hour shift of work. By this time my mascara (along with most of my makeup) would be just about gone. I work in a mill, so you can imagine how hot it can get. I was shocked to see that my lashes were still very visible and hardly any of my mascara had faded.

My overall thoughts

⚫I seriously loved this mascara. I've never owned a fiber one before and I really believe I fell in love with them after this one.

⚫ Even though this is $26 a tube, I would absolutely buy the full sized one (first thing on my list now!).

⚫ Every claim Estee Lauder stated for this mascara was more than true. It made my barely there lashes big, bold, beautiful and sensuously curved, right down to the very T!

⚫ The wand made getting each and every lash a breeze.

⚫ I had no problems with any fibers getting in my eyes.

⚫ Lasts all day.

⚫ Even though I only wear glasses, I thought it was a great plus that this is suitable for those who wear contacts. (although I'm you can wear all mascaras!?)

⚫ And lastly, this is fragrance free which is always a plus.

So that is it for this review. Thank you for reading and I hope you all have a great weekend!

Have you ever tried this mascara before? 

How did you like it? 

Also, what your favorite mascaras?

I'd love to some new ones out!(:

First High End Purchase with free gift! Estee Lauder edition

  As I said in my first post, I have never strayed away from drug store products. Solely for the fact I am a young mother, and spending money on expensive beauty related products is just not a reality for me unfortunately. However! This past weekend my bf and I had decided we had a little extra money we could splurge with, which of course, I took full advantage of!

  Fortunately enough for me, we had gone the same day they were starting their free gift which meant I didn't feel bad for spending nearly $40 on one item(yay! The foundation it self was $37, with tax $39.)

 Since I've never ventured into any higher end stores, I've never been professionally matched with a foundation that was perfect for my skintone. But since I wanted to try something new, I didn't want to waste my money on a color I "think might match"(I don't live close to any malls, returning would be too much of a hassle). Needless to say, it was a very awkward experience. 

  For one, I really don't understand the point of knowing your undertones anymore. I'm almost positive I have pink(?)/cool undertones. However, when the lady from Estee Lauder color matched me, she said she feels the cool undertone one would make me look to light, that she rather use a neutral on me. But, I know absolutely nothing when it comes to that sort of stuff. So I had no choice but to trust her. 

  She matched me with the shade Desert Beige 2N1. At first, I was really scared by the word "beige" before she even tested it on me. I have very fair skin, and every foundation I've seen in the shade beige was always for someone with tan skin. But I have to say it was a near perfect match for me! I was seriously so shocked. 

I also really enjoyed their customer service. She was so sweet and helpful, but getting up close and personal was just a lil weird for me. I mean it was just really awkward. I didn't know if I should look at her or look away lol. 

I won't be doing a review for this today, but I will say this might be my new hg foundation! 

So with the free gift, you are given a choice between either a blush or bronzer. And since shades are not optional, I decided to go with the blush. Which is fine with me considerig I'm a blush junkie! However if the bronzer wasn't so dark I would have went with that only because I don't own that many. 

Look at that color though, omgodness! Isn't it beautiful? This is in the color 02 Pink Kiss Satin. I was definitely happy with this pick, I don't know why but blushes are my favorite piece of makeup. They really bring the whole look together and really just make you feel so pretty! For me, anyways. (Lol)

It's even prettier on the skin than in the pan! 

As you can see there is slight sparkle but nothing crazy. The color pay off is awesome and the texture is so light and silky, it's simply gorgeous all the way around.

I'm sad about this next one. The gift set orginally came with two different shades of lipstick. Somehow though, I misplaced one so I only have one of the two (or atleast until I find the other one) to show you guys :( The one I still have though is in the shade 82 Pinkberry Creme. The picture really does no justice for the actual color though. In person it is a gorgeous creamy nude pink-y color. Here it looks more red and far darker than it actually is.

Again, the picture does this no justice. Ugh, how I wish I had better lighting. 

You can see how creamy it is though, it feels so nice and light on the skin. I haven't used this on my lips yet, so I'm not sure how long this lasts. According to the packaging, it claims to be long lasting. I can't wait to try it out on the weekend (when I can actually do my makeup)!

For being a free gift, I was really surpised by how many things they actually give you. This is a sample sized Sumtuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black. I do plan to do a further detailed review on this later, and let you know if I would buy the full sized one.

I really love the wand on this, so thick and full! Just by the wand I feel like this is going to be a really great mascara. I'm super excited to test this baby out!

 The consistency also seems so nice and creamy, with the perfect amount of "thickness" to it. Nothing like I've seen in regular drugstore mascaras. It amazes me the difference in the quality of makeup. Especially when you never shop high end!

Yay, we're almost to the end! This is their Modern Muse Body Lotion. The first thing I noticed was the packaging. Compared to everything else, the packaging is very blah and boring. I probably wouldn't have picked this up just for the fact (I know, I know. You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.). 

I did try this though, I wanted to see how it felt and honestly I didn't like it. I think the reason being though, I typically like thick lotions because I have really dry skin (weird right? Super oily face but dry everywhere else?). And although this does look like it may be thick in the picture, it's actually really light. Also, I don't know if this is supposed to moistuize your skin, but it did nothing for me. I can't complain though since it was free!

And finally, last but not least! Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex II. I honestly don't know much about eye creams or if they even work.

This is another one I plan to do a full review on later. Like I said, I've never used an eye cream, but since I now have one why not test it out? The consistency of this seems really nice. It's a thick-ish, transparent lightweight formula. I tested a tiny bit on my finger and it absorbs rather quickly without leaving a greasy feel/residue behind. 

All in all, I'm very happy and pleased with my first high end purchase. I'm really looking forward to doing a full review on the founation and other items mentioned! Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed putting this together for you (:

What was your first high end purchase? 

Were you happy with it? 

Let me know in the comments! (: