Sephora brushes, and great customer service!

Hello everyone!  I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday filled with fun, family, and friends!   I also hope you all cashed in on the fabulous sales after Christmas!


Today, I want to share my after Christmas shopping goodies from Sephora, and also discuss a shopping mishap in which I was pleasantly surprised regarding the outcome.


First off, lets start with the goodies I purchased:

I purchased four of their brushes.  They are less expensive than most MAC brushes, and their quality isn't bad either.  I am pleased with them.  The only negative quality about these brushes is that the handles are a bit short.  If you prefer longer brush handles, then these might not be for you.    


The first three brushes are similar to other brushes and aren't really unique.  The brush on the far right, however, I am really excited about!  The packaging it came in had a very bright little label which stated it was a specifically designed brush for glitter eye shadows. It is a silicone applicator which helps prevent fallout, and also helps the glitter eyeshadow stay on the eyelid.  I will have a review on this product soon!

After I got home from Sephora with my purchased brushes (as well as some other goodies which I will discuss in another blog soon), I looked at my receipt and discovered that I was charged an additional $16.00 for a product I did not purchase, nor was it in my bag.  Unfortunately, by the time I discovered this, the stores were closed.  I thought there wasn't much I could do anyway to prove I paid $16.00 for nothing.  But, the next morning I called and informed the store manager of the mistake.  I wasn't expecting anything, I just wanted her to know about the mistake.  Instead, she told me to come back to the store to refund my money!  No questions asked!  I was amazed!  Also for my trouble, she gave me a free sample of Smashbox lip gloss!  So what could have been a major bummer, turned out to be a fabulous experience!  Hooray for Sephora!





Christmas In and Out



In:
Relaxing watching old Christmas movies
Hot Cocoa!
Twinkly Christmas Lights
Seeing friends and family
Christmas Decorations!  :)

Out:
Crowds at the stores
Finding out the store is out of stock of the ONE item you need... Bummer.
Feeling like the Christmas season snuck up on me this year!
Paper cuts from wrapping packages... ouch!
Cleaning up after Christmas parties.


Merry Christmas Everyone!  Stay tuned!  I'll be back soon!
*HUGS*

Finals Week Fashion!

         Hi everyone !  I haven't forgotten about you!  Here is a little update on my life currently.  As you might know, I am a graduate student... and that means... Finals Week fast approaching!   My life is crazy busy with numerous papers, exams and last minute projects for my classes.  (I know... I'm a huge procrastinator!) But being stressed and having little time doesn't mean your style has to suffer.  And that means no going to class in PJ's!  There are plenty of ways to be comfortable and look great!
          Prep and plan your wardrobe a day in advance (it only takes a few minutes) that way you aren't scrambling right before you have to leave for class.  Choose comfortable clothes like a favorite pair of well worn in jeans, a cute sweater and ballet flats, or try a pair of leggings, a cute tunic and some uggs.  Your main goal is comfortable style.  You need to be focusing on your exams and not how tight your pants are ;)
         Make up doesn't have to take forever for it to look great.  Sometimes the simplest make up is very stylish.  Try this for a simple, quick and fresh face.  


Try moisturizing serum like Burts Bees serum with Royal Jelly, and then brush a quick powder foundation over that (I've been using Maybelline).    Then use you favorite shimmer eyeshadow and a quick smudge of  black eyeshadow along the lash line.  (I've been loving pop beauty's eyeshadow in black, and the light shimmer from Body Shop's pallet #06 coupled with a little MAC Star Violet).  Don't use too much of the black shadow if you've been up all night studying. It will make you look more tired. Focus on a light shimmer to brighten those tired eyes.   Finish with a quick coat of mascara and you're done.
       Good Luck Girls!  And I'll be back soon ;)

Prepare for Black Friday!

Hello all fellow shopaholics!  Tomorrow is (as we all know) Black Friday!  Here are a few tips to help you survive the crowds.
1. Look good, but be comfortable!  Wear flats, not heels and make sure to a wear comfy top and jeans.
2. Forgo the jacket unless you live in an are where it is particularly cold. You most likely wish you didn't bring it.
3. If you must bring a jacket, also bring a large pre-used or eco-friendly shopping bag, to put the coat/   jacket in once you are warmed up in the stores. It's easier to sling the bag over your arm... Nothing like  holding a bulky jacket to slow you down!
4. Bring a smaller wallet, and a downsized makeup bag.  Save room in you hand bag for a bottle of water   and breakfast bar or two.  No time to stop for breakfast!  You have sales to hit!
5. And finally...Bring some advil or other headache meds.  You just might need it!
Good Luck out there, have fun, and shop till you drop!
*HUGS*

Shimmer Cube Pallet #06

Hooray for Thanksgiving!  It's almost here.  As the holidays are fast approaching, my life becomes busier and busier.  I have to balance my time between family, work and school.  So, that means I have less time to everything else in the day.  That also means, I usually use the same quick look everyday, just to make life more convenient.  This brings us to the reason for this post.  The eyeshadow pallet I have been using almost daily for the past fewweeks is the Body Shop Shimmer Cubes Pallet #06.  


I am absolutely loving it.  The 06 Pallet is a collection of bronze and gold colors, which are perfect for fall.  They are nicely pigmented, apply easily and last through out the day without creasing.  The only negative I have about this product is the packaging.  Each individual color block is removable from the outer case.  The Body Shop says it is so that you can take one color with you instead of the whole pallet.  While this is a nice idea for some people, for me it just adds extra unnecessary packaging.  That being said, I do love the product. You can purchase the shimmer blocks online or in the store for $22.00.  

New Lush Favorite!



  A few days ago I popped into Lush to buy a few goodies for a friend's birthday.  While there, I picked up a few things for myself.

   
I purchased a sugar scrub, bath bomb, and soap (the profits from the soap go to charity).  All of them are great, but the best part is the Massage Bar (in the tin on the left).  It is a solid moisturizer bar, which melts on contact with warm skin.  I love this concept too because it doesn't seem like you can use too much (like with liquid lotions)...  and it melts right into the skin.  Especially during the cold winter weather, it seems to really help out with dry my skin.   Plus, it has a fresh sweet lemon scent which I love.  A new love. :)   

Likes and Dislikes

Likes
Finding great deals on makeup
Being dedicated enough to actually use and finish the products I buy
Discovering old favorites in the winter wardrobe
Cozying up with a book and a cup of tea
Stealing a few extra minutes of sleep on chilly mornings


Dislikes
Discovering some items in last years winter wardrobe have become a bit snug.  Darn! :(
My procrastination and laziness I can’t shake it. I need to get organized.
Rude holiday shoppers.
Feeling rushed
Catching up on doing laundry.

Fab finds for under 10 bucks!

       Hi all!  I have discovered some great products which are in stores just in time for the holiday season!  The first product I found at Target.  The elf Beauty Encyclopedia eye edition is a great value!  It's only $5.00. Although the shadows are a bit powdery, they are still really good.  You can't beat it for the price.  It also comes with one liner, and an applicator brush.  While I was at Target I also purchased one of the elf eye brushes for $1.00. I am really impressed with it! (2nd Picture... it's the brush on the top)  I've cleaned it now a few times (to test the quality) and there hasn't been much shedding to speak of.  A great value!
       The Second brush I purchased at CVS.  It is the Essence of Beauty Smokey Wide brush.  I purchased it after watching LovePeaceandLipGloss' review on your tube.  I have to agree with her.  It's a great brush!  What a great find.  I was able to purchase mine for $6.99, and I am very happy I did!

Finally, I found this great eyeshadow pallet at Ulta!  It's from Pop Beauty and I got mine for $9.99. The colors in the pallet are really pigmented, and easily blended.  I love the packaging as well.  It's compact but has enough variety of colors so it is perfect for traveling.  
 
That's all for now!  Have a beautiful day!
*HUGS*


Mini Mac and CCo Haul

I've been a busy girl lately, but I have had a bit of time to go shopping. Here are a few of the things I of got.  I went to my local CCo, and they had one of my favorite MAC blushes, True Romance.  It is a light almost doll like pink.  I love it! I was so happy :) I also made a stop at the MAC store and got Long Stem Rose Slimshine Lipstick (also a very pink but wearable color) and Shadowy Lady Eye Shadow.  I think Shadowy Lady will be a perfect winter smoky eye color.

 


Hello All!
My name is Jen. I've been following beauty and fashion blogs for a while now, and finally decided to give it a shot. More to come soon!
*HUGS*
Jen