Rules for "No Buy Month"

Even though I'm without a computer for another week, I am still goung through with my makeup fast.  All that extra money I'm saving on cosmetics will help me pay for my computer. 
Here are the rules for "No Buy Month"
1. Skin products are allowed.
2. Beauty box subscriptions are allowed.
3. No makeup whatsoever is to be bought for the next 30 days.
4. No conventional makeup products can be bought,  only b/c they have multiple uses. ie: milk of magnesia, and monistat chaffing cream.
5. Reusing of previously owned products is encouraged! Don't be afraid to try something new with a "hated" product.
6. Be creative!!

I hope that you all plan to participate in "no buy month", u can always reach out to me for support and of course new ideas.
I'll be posting a bunch of info on how to use products  already own to create something new!
I am not sure I wil post sales for the week yet, im trying to be considerate to everyone and don't want to tempt myself or other participating in the makeup fast.

Have a great weekend!! And GOOD LUCK!!

Beauty News!!

Hey everyone!! I thank u once again for reading. Unfortunately I haven't been posting b/c my computer completely died! There is no hope for it! I ordered a new one that will not be here until September, probably about a week into NO BUY MONTH. Which reminds me NO BUY MONTH IS IN 6 DAYS!!!! If you haven't yet, get in your last beauty splurge for the month.
I will try my best to get in an article or 2 before then.
I could post from my phone, like I'm doing now, but pictures are important, and it's impossible from here :(
For now I ask that you bare with me until this issue is resolved.
Thanks again!
Don't forget to following me on instagram -aprilmaykup

Beauty News!!!

HEY EVERYONE!!!
Thanks for coming back for to check out my blog. I know I don't say it enough but,
THANK YOU!!!
     I appreciate everyone reading! I apologize for my slacking, but I will soon return to my regular schedule. First I want to update you on what's happening with my blog.
I will continue to add new articles/posts to my blog all the time. However, I will be canceling the "My week in makeup" posts. WHY? Oh, well since I got my new phone I have access to Instagram and I will post my makeup looks daily! That's right, instead of waiting week, you can see my current look, ask questions and recreate ASAP. Follow ME!!: aprilmaykup
p.s. I'll follow you back :)

     Also the $1 *GEM* section has been missing for a couple weeks. I was so hoping I'd come back with a bang, but alas most $1 makeup sucks! (no surprise there) I have one last product I'm testing and I'm putting my faith in it so I can have it for you by the end of the week.

     May I say I am SO EXCITED for NO BUY MONTH!!! which happens to be in 12 days!!!! 
I'm ready! I have pics and articles all set up. I've been prepping for this since I thought of this idea. I really hope you join me. It'll be fun and cleansing. Even if you don't participate, the articles will still be great to read.

Now on to sales this week!!Walgreens
BOGO 50%- Revlon face & lip, Maybelline, Clean &Clear and Neutrogena
L'Oreal skincare and sublime bronze 20% off

CVS
BOGO 50%-Covergirl face & lip products
L'Oreal Miracle Blur $20

Rite Aid
BOGO 50%- L'Oreal, Revlon, simple and eucerin
NYC 40% off
$5.99 Maybelline color sensational, Master precise products, bb cream and clean fresh stick

Ulta and Sephora have the same specials as last week.

See you guys later!!!

Weekly Review: Oil Controllers

     Before I start I'd like to invite you guys to check out my Instagram: aprilmaykup.
I just started posting pics this afternoon, but there should be new ones everyday!
Check me out! Follow me!
     Now your review. There are so many oil controlling/ mattifying/ oil eliminating products out there, in so many different forms. I tried cleansers, masks, medicine,  moisturizer, wipes and setting spray.  I rated them based on ease of use, price and if they actual eliminate or calm the oil production on my face.
     First let me say that with all these products my nose was the first thing to get shiny. Nothing I tried really calmed the oil production there.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Long Lasting Shine Control $8 (drugstores, target. walmart)- This is a cleanser and a mask. I used to use it as a mask once a week and sometimes as a cleanser. With this product it's necessary to use for a while to get the desired shine control. When I was using it once a week, I noticed that the first morning was great control, but by then end of the week I was back to my oily self. When I used it as a mask I leave it on for 10 minutes then rinse. As I cleanser I just massage it in for about 1 minute, then rinse. Does it work? If I had to use just 1 oil control cleanser , I'd pick this. As a daily cleanser it gives you a matte base to start with, but not dry. It also contains microbeads, which provides exfoliation. For me, exfoliation helps with controlling oil.  This use to be my only form of defense against oil. I would stick with it and add it back into my routine as needed.

Lumene Matt Touch Deep Cleansing Peat Mask $12 (drugstores)- First of all this stuff smells. It looks like baby poop...SORRY just being honest. It's supposed to absorb oil and tighten pores. I like it as just a mask (once I get over the small and look of it) I didn't notice any difference with the oil on my face, but maybe it's one of those products you have to used overtime. As a mask it's great! My skin feels soft, clean and not dry. I would like to test it for a few more weeks to be absolutely sure it's not an oil controlling dud! Honestly, for the price I would rather stick with my old favorite, the Neutrogena. If I did not get this product for more than 50% off I would have never bought it. It am willing to give it more of a chance because Lumene makes some VERY AWESOME products!



Olay Fresh Effect Shine Minimizer $6 (drugstores)- I did not like this product. It is shine minimizing, which I took as a 'oil controller.' It controlled the oil from coming out on the surface, but when I got home I have so many pimples. They were small, but they had literally popped up throughout the day, trapping that gross oil underneath my skin. It was disgusting. I was still oily too! When I washed my face that night, I was doing damage control on my skin.








Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes $6 (drugstores, target, walmart)- I used these in the morning instead of washing my face as normal...and I must say WOW! I don't really know a lot about Simple. I've only used 1 cleanser 1 time. I love these though. I wasn't oily, well only in my nose area, which wasn't affected by any product I tried. These are a great quick fix! No water is needed, so you can use these anywhere/anytime. I'd buy these wipes again and again! I looked slightly dewy, but not shiny.




Bentaberry G-1 Face Cream $22 (birchbox.com)- This cream is thick and soft. It's moisturizing. It smells medicinal, but it doesn't work as a matiffying product. It immediately leaves the skin with a matte finish, but that's where it ends. In a couple hours my skin was it's normal oily self.









Urban Decay De-slick Setting Spray$14-$29 (Sephora.com)- I definitely had to read the directions a couple times to get this right. You have to spray this before and after you put your makeup on. It worked great! that's probably why it's so expensive. I wore my makeup for almost 12 hour that day and I wasn't oily until the last couple hours, when the party was over and I was on my way home. I am struggling with the price to value ratio of this product.  I do like this though...I'm only holding from saying  'love' for the price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milk of Magnesia $2.50 (family dollar, drugstores)- When I used this, I didn't think it would work. I had a TINY bit of secret faith, because I know the product dries chalky and matte. I had no idea how to apply it so I used a cotton round, which didn't work well, so I used my fingers. I let it dry, which took a couple minutes. Then I applied my makeup. I was surprised I didn't have a white face, chalky, cracked face. My skin was still soft and pliable, but matte. I was VERY surprised that this worked! I would use it again and again. I would have been using it everyday if I didn't have other products to test. This lasts about 8 hours and again on my nose, nothing worked.

 

This was an interesting challenge. I also found it informative because I need oil controlling, especially in the summer time. The round up of everything is I would use and oil controlling cleanser like the Neutrogena or the simple wipes, then a 'treatment' like the milk of magnesia...and if I had an endless supply of cash, the Urban Decay spray. Yes the Urban Decay spray is an AWESOME product, but you do need up to 8 sprays for each make up application. If you're using it everyday, the cost does add up fast. I would use the milk of magnesia everyday. You need such a tiny bit that the bottle will last a long time! Also incorporate an oil cleanser, if you're trying to really combat oil.

     It's a process to combat oily skin and over time, with the use of cleansers and treatments you would reduce the amount of oil your face produces.  

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty News!!!

     Hello again!!! I know my posting day are a little erratic, because I haven't yet adjusted to my new schedule. I plan to be back on track this week. Besides working, I just registered for classes...I'm not sure I'm all the way excited about it though. The most positive thing I can say about my schedule is that it's done and it leaves PLENTY of time for me to test and blog!
     Also I got a new phone so I can be easily accessible on Instagram and Blogger.  PLUS it takes great pics, so when I forget to take pics of my makeup in the morning I have a great backup. To piggyback off of this, I will get you my "week in makeup" soon, I have to get pics off of my old phone first.

*Ahem*
Not counting today we have 19 DAYS UNTIL NO BUY MONTH!!
Thank You

SALES!!!!
Sephora
Be sure to check the sales page as I recommend every week.
Some highlights are the Sephora Artist Color Box Set is $25
Bare Minerals Fab in a Flash Collection $14
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils $6 ( 9 color choices!)
Sephora Double ended eye brush $9
Always free shipping on orders $50 and up AND free gifts

Ulta
FREE cosmetic bag filled with samples with any purchase of $15
$20 of Ulta products with any $20 purchase of Ulta products
BOGO 50% Prestige, Khroma, Japonesque brushes and MORE

CVS
Go to the magic coupon machine before you buy anything and scan your rewards card to get $5 off an $15 purchase.
BOGO 50% - Covergirl eye & nail, ROC & Milani
Biore 2/$14.98, but get $3in rewards making final cost $11.98

Walgreens
BOGO 50%- L'Oreal & Maybelline Big Eyes, Volum Express and Color Tattoo Pure Pigments

Rite Aid
BOGO 50%- L'Oreal lip&nail, Revlon, Olay, Covergirl face, Maybelline face&lip & Rite Aid renewal products.
Rimmel 40% off
L'Oreal Miracle Blur $19.99

FREE SAMPLES from CUDERM!!!

http://www.cuderm.com/contact_form_sample_kit.php



I try my BEST to brink you free samples. Some I haven't even received in the mail yet, but if the sample is absolutely FREE and all it takes is 30 seconds of my life, I am willing to try and get it!
The link above leads you to cuderm.com where you orders samples and receive a free skin care analysis.

Review: Makeup Remover

HELLO AGAIN!!!
GREAT news this week, all 3 items in this review are under $10!!! BUT, it still makes a difference on which one you use. As you will learn by reading my blog frequently, not all deals are created equal. Here's the good and the bad.

Let's start with my old favorite...


Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover $9.50 (sephora.com) - I LOVE THIS!!! I know I have mentioned this product before and have gushed about it, but it deserves a second mention as the #1 remover! It's ophthalmologist tested. This stuff is magic in a bottle!! It didn't irritate my eyes or any part of my face. Also, it won't clog your pores and barely has a scent. At 4.2 ounces I think this product is a great deal. If you don't wear waterproof makeup everyday, this bottle should last you a while! I've had mine 6 months. I tend to use it just to get off my mascara, when a makeup wipe doesn't do the trick.




Maybelline Expert Eyes  $4 ( drugstores & beauty supply stores)- This one will probably be my new everyday use item. It's VERY gentle. Also ophthalmologist tested and oil free. It is supposed to be only for washable makeup, HOWEVER I tested it on a waterproof liner and it worked! ( It was a VERY difficult liner to get off too!)  It's super gentle and perfect for sensitive eyes. The bottle is 2.3 ounces. Comparing it to the Sephora remover price wise, it's a little bit better deal. I am not sure it will work on all waterproof makeup, like it did for my liner, but at the price it's worth a shot!





Wet n' Wild Eye Makeup Remover $2 (drugstores)- This is a bad item, I'm sad to say. There are some inexpensive items that are WONDERFUL, but this is bad as soon as you smell it. It's strong and smells like a household cleanser. It says all the nice things like " ophthalmologist tested", "oil free" and " hypoallergenic", I'm not sure if this is all true. It made my eyes water and I had to rinse my face off. It was just too strong. I'm trying to figure out what to do with it because I don't want to waste it. All in all it was a bad investment!

BEAUTY NEWS!!!

Before I go into the sales and what not. I would like to take the time to celebrate my 100th post!! (which was actually last week...but better late than never)
WOO HOO!!!! 100 posts and counting!
Don't forget 25 DAYS UNTIL NO BUY MONTH!!! 
I've been behaving myself and buying less this month. There isn't a lot of stuff I need/want anyway at the moment. There are a few things on my list , but since I waited this long I can wait a little longer :)
I'm actually excited about next month.

Sales for the week:

Ulta
NYX is BOGO 50%
Pur Minerals has some items BOGO FREE
These are just a couple sales. Check the sale page on the website for more sales

Sephora
As always check the Sephora sale page. Currently they have over 100 nail polishes for sale

Walgreens
L'Oreal and Revlon are BOGO 50%

CVS
Maybelline, L'Oreal lip, Almay, Cetaphil, Clearasil, Revlon and CVS cosmetics are BOGO 50%

Rite Aid
L'Oreal, Almay, Covergirl and St.Ives are BOGO 50%
Rite Aid brand cotton and salon products BOGO FREE
L'Oreal skincare is $4 OFF
Select Wet n' Wild Cosmetics are 69 Cents!!!

ALLURE FREEBIES FOR THE WEEK!! below is a list of items Allure will be giving away on their website. 500 people have a chance a winning each of these items!!!
Tuesday
1pm- Marc Jacobs Beauty giftbox
2pm-Neutrogena wrinkle repair moisturizer
5pm-Cetaphil cleanser
7pm-Lancome mascara
8pm-Maybelline coverstick

Wednesday
1pm- Olay Pro-X wrinkle treatment
2pm-NYC lipstain
5pm-Shiseido Foundation brush
7pm-Peter Thomas Roth Buffing Beads
8pm-Tarte lash primer

Thursday
1pm- Covergirl Flamed Out shadow pencil
2pm-Eucerin moisturizer
5pm-Kevyn Aucoin mascara and shadow brush
7pm-Shu Uemura oil cleanser

Friday
2pm-Roc Retinol night cream
4pm-Votre Vu lip balm
7pm-Stila liquid lipstick
8pm-Clearasil rapid treatment gel

My week in MAKEUP! *UPDATED*

     This weeks edition is actually 2 weeks worth of looks, since last week I didn't do a lot of makeup looks. I used different brands of eye makeup, because I was testing out products to tell all you beautiful people about the products I used.

List of products used:
Urban Decay eyeshadow & primer
Nicka K eyeshadow
Elf eyeshadow, liquid liner, cream blush, mascara and lip tint
Physicians Formula eyeliner and mascara
Sleek blush and eyeliner
NYX eye primer
Coastal Scents 252 palette
OFRA brights palette
MUD cake line
Duo Eyelash Glue
There might be more but this is the bulk of the products.

This was made using the ELF palette ($15). The look on the left was for a daytime job interview and the right was done by adding more makeup for a night/fun look.

                       This was made using LISI eyeshadows $8 a piece. Total $16

*SIDE NOTE* I really have to stop tilting my head to the side so I can get better pics of my self...I guess the tilt is my "thing" :)
Using Nicka K eyeshadow ($2) and Sleek eyeliner ($6.50)

 

                               Using Urban Decay palette ($36) & ELF liquid liner ($1)

 

 



 Using OFRA brights palette ($80), MUD cake liner ($18) & Coastal Scents palette ($30)

$1 *GEM*

This weeks *GEM* comes to my trip to 'DEALS', a discount store. It could easily be found in any discount store. Instead of using spoons, eye roller serums or any remedies, try a gel mask!
     The one I used is a plastic mask with pink gel beads inside. If it punctures, it won't make a mess or leak. It's relaxing, even though it's cold :)
It chills in the freezer in about 10 minutes (but don't leave it in there a while because it will freeze.)
I keep mine in the refrigerator so it's always cold and ready when I need it. If you have the time everyday you can use it in the morning to get rid of puffy eyes. Since I rarely have puffy eyes I use it once a week as part of my Sunday "spa day". The skin around my eyes looks tighter and smoother after it I remove the mask. I would recommend this mask because it works without adding extra chemicals to the skin. Of course I washed it with soap and water before I used it.
     ALSO it has a Velcro closure on the back, so it's hands free! and the Velcro never got caught in my hair!

Review: Foundation Brushes

     For the past few weeks I have been using different cream foundations and 6 different brushes for each one. All the brushes I used were synthetic. I am partial to synthetic brushes because, they are easy to sanitize and cruelty free. I saw a lot of similarities between the brushes. They all have their purpose and it may not necessarily be for foundation.

 LOOKNY $20 (duane reade drugstores)- I did not know Duane Reade had it's own line of professional brushes. I paid 99 cents for this brush!!! BUT it was a fluke. They cashier only gave it to me for that price, because it's didn't show up in the system and I found it in the clearance section, so I got a SERIOUS break! Later, I went to a different location and saw the brush for the whopping $20!! I WOULD NEVER pay that much for a drug store brush. Okay, enough back story! When I first used this brush I thought it was HUGE for a foundation brush. You only need a little bit of product to do your entire face, so having this big of a brush seemed excessive...until I tried a small brush. I found out I liked the fact that this brush was big. It blends foundation quickly and seamlessly, because you're able to get big strokes and cover large areas in no time. It's difficult to get under the eyes and by the corners of the nose, but you can always use a concealer brush for that. This brush doesn't create streaks. It's a heavy duty brush, with soft bristles, that are easy to clean. The brush head is about as wide as a quarter.

 

Real Techniques $8 (ulta.com)- I bought this brush in a set of 4 for $17. Of course there was a BOGO 50% sale so it was way cheaper than that! Because of the way the tip of the brush looks it's hard to believe it's synthetic. It's thin, soft and the head is about 1/2 the width of a quarter. I like this brush but, only for small spaces. it's hard to blend seamlessly with this size of a brush. Luckily I used the buffer brush in the kit to help blend my foundation together. Used with the buffer brush, this brush is great! Alone? not so much. Would make a great concealer brush though.

 

ELF Professional Foundation Brush $1 (eyeslipsface.com)- For this incredible LOW price. This brush is AWESOME! I like the weight of the bristles and it cleans VERY easily. The bristles are full but, the brush bristles are flexible and easy to maneuver. It's about 3/4 the size of a quarter. It applies the foundation well and blends easily, but I noticed streaks in my t-zone. I could not blend the streaks away with the brush, I had to use a sponge. This brush seems to be of better quality than it's counterpart that is 3 times the price.

 ELF Angled Foundation Brush $3 (eyeslipsface.com)- I never like this brush for foundation just by looking at it. The head is about as wide as a quarter. The bristles are stiff, soft but way to artificial. I think this brush is just too thick to apply foundation. I use it to apply my weekly mask.

 

Real Techniques Foundation Brush $8 (ulta.com)- This brush IMMEDIATELY reminded me of the elf brush so I was afraid. It's a dual fiber brush so while the bristles at one point look hard and artificial the ends are soft. Essentially, this brush acts as the other Real Techniques foundation brush mentioned above AND it's partner the buffer brush. You can apply the foundation using strokes and blend using the ends, which are fluffier. This brush can also be used for contouring.

 

 

 

      Alright this brush has NO NAME! All I can say is I got it at Walgreens. You know me. I rifle through the clearance section searching for items to try on the cheap. The day I got this brush was no exception. It was $2.69 and as you see, you get 2 brushes, a concealer brush and a foundation brush. I wasn't a fan of dual ended brushes, until I tried this one. The foundation part is about the size of a quarter. I believe the brush is synthetic, but it could easily be a natural hair brush (maybe boar because of the thickness and texture of the bristles) This brush is similar to the LOOKNY brush, except that is has a more rough texture. The size is about the same, but the brush is a round shape instead of tear drop. I didn't think I would switch between the 2 sides of the brush so easily. Since the bigger end doesn't do will around the eye and noes areas the smaller side is needed.  I already see wear at the smaller end of the brush...which worries me.



 

     Overall 2 of these are my "go to" brushes. I packed the LOOKNY brush in my kit and I keep the ELF ($1) brush around for my personal use. I like the LOOKNY brush for the quick, flawless finish.    

     The Real Techniques brushes would be great for someone who needs a lot of blending. For example if you need to mix 2 colors on your face or you're blending in a natural highlight. The angled foundation brush can also be used to buff out mistakes.