BEAUTY NEWS and Challenge Wrap Up!!!

     HEY THERE EVERYONE!!! Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful week! My week was fun, filled with new information, and I'm sleepy!
      This week ended our 3rd week of the "1 palette, 7 days challenge", with one last and final week, I randomly picked another palette by LA Colors, the "Iris"palette, which I also got at Family Dollar on clearance for 80 cents (regular price $1.50). With this brand we already know what we're getting. I'll need to use primer with and I can't expect rich colors. This palette is perfect though, it's a part of my $10 full face makeup tutorial, which I will be shooting this week. I wanted to shoot it last week, but I sounded like death. Maybe I'll even shoot it today. Before we get to that, let's do a recap of last week.
     I picked this palette a couple years ago because of the colors. I was going to Vegas and needed something vegas-y. (yes I'm pretty sure that's a real word) The colors are rich enough for everyday and can be easily layer to make the color brighter and richer. The silver is the richest color, even though I always use it, it barely looks touched. The black and pink did fade, but the colors did not crease with the primer.

Here are the looks
* in some looks I would have had richer colors, but I was starting a new job and didn't want to scare anyone LOL

 

1- pink on the lid, black in the crease, silver highlight

2-silver in the inner corner, pink in the middle, black in the outer corner and crease

3-silver on the lid, pink in the crease

4- "smoky eye" black near the lash line, pink in the middle, silver highlight

5-pink on the lid, black in the outer corner

6-pink on the lid, black in the crease and inner & outer corners

7-pink under on the bottom lash line, black in the outer corner

black liner was used for every look.

 

This weeks FINAL palette:

 

 

SALES!!!

I know the part we've all been waiting for!

 

Duane Reade

BOGO 50%- Revlon, Neutrogena, Cerave, Nivea, Simple

25% off- Wet n' Wild, Rimmel

 

Rite Aid

BOGO 50%- Maybelline, Revlon, Covergirl face& lip, Ponds, Noxema, Simple, NYC

40% off- Almay, Wet n' Wild

Revlon Colorstay Mascara and Liner $4.99

 

Walgreens

BOGO 50%- Revlon, Simple, Neutrogena

 

CVS

BOGO 50%- NYX, Rimmel, Covergirl, Simple, Clearasil, Cerave, Covergirl, Simple, Revlon, Olay

Buy 2 Get 1 FREE- Physicians Formula, Wet n' Wild

 

Also Hautelook has a special on NYX products, 40% off.

 

Hopefully this week I can get you a product review and a youtube video. I have LOTS of stuff to tell you, but just not enough hours and a day to do it in.

 

 



 

 

 

 

Beauty News!!!

      I'm not going to beat around the bush, I've been stressed out! it's crazy to me how school is. I killed myself last week and then this week they give me easy assignments, that take nothing to do. Forget the excuses! This is not about that! it's about beauty! So over the next 2 days I'm going to try to give you everything that I've been missing. Let's start with sales.

Rite Aid
BOGO 50% -Covergirl, Almay, Maybelline, Ecotools, L'Oreal, Eucerin, c. Booth, Simple, Noxema, St. Ives, Garnier Skincare, CVS cosmetic accessories, Revlon, Neutrogena
BOGO FREE Physicians Formula  eye products and concealer
Maybelline mascara $5.99
Wet n' Wild makeup marked $.99  will be $.69

Walgreens
BOGO 50% Covergirl, Revlon, Maybelline

CVS
BOGO 50% Covergirl, Neutrogena, Rimmel, Acnefree, Cerave

Ulta
Free gift with Urban Decay purchase
Free gift with Peter Thomas Roth purchase
Free Gift with Mario Badescu purchase
Buy 2 get 1 FREE Almay andL'oreal
BOGO 50% Revlon, Palladio, Maybelline
15% off Hair and Skincare
ALSO I just got my quarterly rewards certificate and you probably did too! I have to admit their 'rewards' aren't all they're cracked up to be and unless you're a level 6

Beauty News!!!

     I have been MIA and super busy! I've been trying to get ahead on my blog and my schoolwork. AAARGH it's frustrating, I could see me doing makeup, FOREVER...graphic design? not so much. It's practical and not as fun as I thought it would be. I'd rather stick to painting and painting my face!
     But I digress! I owe you 2 reviews, the best $10 I ever spent and a $1 *GEM*...it's coming.
I'll try to have at least 2 of those things tomorrow.
Also because of my financial situation and am on an indefinite NO BUY!
I shared a lot with you today and as we know sharing is caring!
Now for this weeks specials and there are some good ones!

     To start off there will be an event a Sephora inside JCP on March 1st , where you will receive a complimentary makeover AND a free gift. The event runs from 12pm-5pm. Check your local Sephora inside JCPenny for further details.

Ulta
15% off skincare
free gift with purchases of Philosophy, Urban Decay or Mario Badescu products

CVS
BOGO 50% - Milani, Revlon, Almay, Wet n' Wild, Nuance, Aveeno, Clean n' Clear, Simple, Roc and Lumene.

Walgreens
BOGO 50%- L'Oreal, Roc, Cetaphil, Covergirl, Neutrogena, Studio 35 skincare, Revlon, and Maybelline

Rite Aid
NYC BOGO FREE!
40% off Almay, Physicians Formula and Revlon
BOGO 50% Covergirl, Neutrogena, L'Oreal

BEAUTY NEWS!!

     It's the last week in January, which means and end to what I liked to call "Brush Month". I'll share my reviews of a few brushes I've tried. Maybe I'll do one wrap up video at the end of the month to complete this section.
     I think I'm finally organized enough to try multiple products at once. I also NEVER thought I would be using excel in my everyday life. I actually thought about blogging about parts of my life...we'll see how that works out. It'll be easier to do, but not as much fun. I'm not  a stranger to hard work (even though I do have my lazy days).  Right now I just wan to talk about sales and what's up for next week!
     Next week and throughout February I'll be talking all about skin care products. I have just sampled my last mask, from my stash. I am also trying other eye creams and moisturizers.

SALES!!!

CVS
BOGO 50%- Covergirl, Wet n' Wild, Almay, Revlon, Cetaphil, Simple, Clean & Clear, CVS, Ponds and St. Ives.

Rite Aid
BOGO 50%- Covergirl, Revlon, Maybelline, Almay, Wet n' Wild, L'Oreal
Simple cleansers and wipes $5
Physicians Formula BOGO FREE!!!

Walgreens
BOGO 50% Covergirl, Almay, L'Oreal, Olay, Ponds, Simple, Eucerin, Aquaphor
Wet n' Wild $1.49

See you all soon and don't forget about my Youtube channel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5drRFeyICQ4

BEAUTY NEWS!!!!

HELLO BEEEEEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!!
     Thanks for sticking with me through my elusiveness and such this month.  I have finals and this seasonal job and finals. The job is okay, but the BEST part is that I am entitled to a discount at the Sephora inside the store. It doesn't work with all locations or online, BUT it enables me to get a LOT of beauty products at a cheaper price. Between black Friday, the pop up show and my special discount today, I have am AWESOME supply of items! I shouldn't have to buy anything for another year, like that will stop me!
     My only regret is that I haven't really been drugstore shopping. :/
I went this Friday after not buying anything from a drug store since before "No Buy Month".
I did step into a Rite Aid because I had 3 $5 coupons for Almay products, and Almay was 40% off, so I got the lip glosses for about $1 a piece! So what kind of deals are to be had this week?

CVS
Mix and match BOGO 50% off!!!!
Covergirl
Rimmel
Maybelline
Neutrogena
Almay
Revlon

Olay Facial cloths $4.99
$2 off Simple skincare

Walgreens
BOGO 50% off
L'Oreal, Roc, Covergirl, Ponds, St. Ives, Simple, Olay, Revlon, Neutrogena Cosmetics

Rite Aid
BOGO 50% off
Revlon, , Clearasil, Aveeno, Eucerin, Aquaphor
AND Cosmetic bags

Physicians Formula & Wet n Wild  BOGO FREE!
NYC 30% off
Covergirl 25% off
Almay eye $5.99

*DON'T FORGET*  Ulta has a $5 off of $10 coupon!! Remember Ulta has a strick coupon policy and lots of brands are excluded from this deal. I use my coupons on NYX products most of the time.
I got the Smokey and Natural palettes for a total of $5.27!!!
IF you don't have a paper coupon, download the Retail Me Not app. The coupon is on their site.
Plus there is also a 20% off coupon!!!

I PROMISE to have that crown review/challenge update available Wednesday afternoon, latest!!!
In fact I'm going to start on it right now!

Weekly Review: Cleansers Part 2

Finally! Part 2 of our cleanser review is here!
      This go 'round I wasn't too fond of a few of the cleansers, but I stuck it out. Some of these weren't for me or my skin type and 1 was just BAD! I tried them all anyway, and even though they weren't terrible I doubt I'd make a future purchase of some of these products.

Just a little disclaimer: I purchase or obtained these samples myself, I did not receive and sponsorship from any of the companies in this article of any other article I've written.

Up first!

Ponds Luminous cleanser ($8)- silky, foamy, feels luxurious and moisturizing to touch. Not great for oily/combination skin. This product cleans well and leaves you skin feeling super soft.
Recommended use for dry skin (ONLY)








Suki Lemongrass Exfoliating Cleanser ($32) - Smells weird, sweet and lemony, but with an underlying chemical smell. Foams, minor exfoliation. Gets a plus for the lemon peel, but not my favorite. For an expensive product it was lacking. Left me wanting more and feeling like I had to rewash my face. After
using this. 




Juice Beauty Acne Fighting Cleanser ($22) - Similar to the Biore cleansers, but all natural.  Has a bit of an off smell. Cleanses well, and is part of an acne fighting system. My skin felt clean, but not dry.
Recommended for oily/acne proned skin






Clean and Clear Morning Burst ($7) - This product is nothing special. Another product with an "off" smell! Supposed to be morning burst and have a citrus smell, but lacked the wake up feeling. Exfoliating microbeads are seen in the cleanser, but you can't feel them, it's just not enough beads!






Simple Exfoliating Cleanser ($6)- Gentle cleanser, perfect for everyday use, doesn't foam, but still cleanses well. I like the exfoliating properties and the natural ingredients. I would only use it in the morning as my day time cleanser, but only because I need a stronger cleanser to cut the oil and cleanse my face. Does leave skin feeling dry.
Recommended for sensitive and normal skin.






Simple Refreshing Cleansing Gel ($6) - Very gentle, probably 1 step above just using water. Perfect for sensitive skin, again not something I would use on myself. If you like natural products this is perfect. It doesn't foam and it's almost like a lotion.
Recommended for normal and sensitive skin






Now time for one I REALLY did not like...

Ulta Foaming Face Wash ($9) - Lots of problems with this wash! It's pretty much a waste. It's thin and watery. It's supposed to foam, but it barely does. I thought I did something wrong, so I kept applying more and more, to no avail! I would NOT recommend this product at all.
 

Halloween look #2-Lion/Lioness

     I chose to do this look on someone else because it made the process a lot quicker. Plus, this little girl loves having her makeup done!

 

Materials:
-bronzer with shimmer (or gold eyeshadow with shimmer)
-matte shadows in burnt orange, pink, black and brown   
-shimmer shadows in copper and gold.
-cream shadows in peach and bronze
-white face paint
-white eyeshadow base or gel liner. 
Optional
Lashes
Mascara
Black gel liner  
 

 Materials I used:

-elf eyeshadow palette $10
-elf cream eyeshadow in butter pecan $1
-nyx white eyeshadow base $6
-white face paint ( came in a kit with other items) $5
-wet n' wild gel liner in black $3 
-body shop bronzer $30 ( I know, pricey ass bronzer, especially for this blog! but I got it in a kit from the body shop with a smokey palette and "lip tar"/gloss for $10 on clearance)
 

 

Step 1
I used primer all over her face. It was just to help the makeup stay on since no foundation was used. Then I applied the bronzer all over to give the face a little shine and as a base for all our other makeup.
 

Step 2
Make a white oval shape around the mouth, stopping under the nose. If it's uneven, it's ok we'll fix it later. Also take this time to cover the lips and tip of the nose. I know my niece and I knew she couldn't handle having her lips covered until the end.  Also block out the area underneath the eyes. 

 
Step 3

With the darkest brown, I used a brush to apply the shadow around her hairline and on her jaw bone. I spread the dark brown all over her jaw to contour it and make her face look more angled.

Step 4

Apply the burnt orange color around the top of her face as well, but only from cheek to cheek. Then under her eyes and around the mouth, barely covering the edge of the white we applied earlier. 
 

Step 5

For the nose I used a little cream blush set with powder, but this other method I'll have you use works the same, but cuts down on materials.
Since (ideally) the nose is already covered with eyeshadow base, apply the pink shadow. It might take a couple layers of powder to get it as pink as you like.

Step 6

Using the dark brown again make a line on the nose, right where the pink ends. Also start contouring the nose. Make a line with your shadow on each side of the nose right into the eyebrow
Once you have these lines drawn, go back in with more shadow and blend.  Add a little black to create a stronger contrast if necessary. 
Next, paint 2 small triangles right on the nostrils with black gel liner.
Highlight the bridge of the nose with the shimmery bronzer.

 

Step 7
Using our black shadow again, line the lower lash line, being sure to draw it beyond the outer corner.
I could have used a pencil liner, but my model  wouldn't have liked that.
Also add more eye base underneath if needed. Set with the white eyeshadow.

Step 8  FUR!!!

We did several layers of fur.
Using quick strokes, draw lines around the face using the dark brown shadow,  then  gold, the copper. I could not find strong enough variations in my palette
So I used the cream shadow to add in bronze darks and peach highlights.

Step 9   Lips
If you haven't already,  prime the lips with eyeshadow base. Using shadow draw a small black triangle in the middle of the bottom lip. This is what I did, but I recommend you use a cream product first like a black or very dark lipstick, the set it with a black  eyeshadow. It will last longer and pop against the white background. 

Step 10
Optional
Add mascara and/or lashes.
(My model is wearing neither )    

 Ta-Da!
 The look is complete!!








 

Beauty news

Hello again!!!
I hope everyone enjoyed their 3 day weekend!
I missed the review last week :( and it's unfortunate.  I have all my notes on my old computer, which is now DEAD. So I have to remember and write new reviews for every product I've already tried...plus it's been so long, that I now have more products to add to the mix! I PROMISE the cleanser review will be up this Wednesday...or at least 1/2 of it. There's a lot of info to digest.

Sales this week:
Ulta
Same sales as last week will be going on for the entire month.
Today I got and email offering a special!
A 5 piece bare minerals bag AND a 12 piece ulta beauty bag with purchase of $40 or more...I'm sure it's $40 but it could be 50 (don't quote me on that LOL)

Rite aid
Covergirl, Revlon, Biore, L'oreal, Maybelline bogo 50%
Loreal youthcode& revitalift 19.99
Almay foundation, powder &blush 8.99
Physicians Formula face 40% off
Simple, Oxy and Phisoderm cleansers $4.99

Walgreens
Covergirl, L'oreal, Revlon, Yes, Roc bogo 50%
L'oreal skincare 13.99-19.99

 

CVS
Maybelline, CVS brand beauty, Clearasil, Acnefree, Covergirl, Milani BOGO 50%
Neutrogena moisturizer and devices buy 2 get 1 free 

 

     So I've been thinking about our next challenge and I would like to make it all about cutting down the morning routine. I don't know about you, but I can never wake up on time in the winter time. I usually end up cutting back on my morning routine and there's only so much to cut, since I MUST smell good and brush my teeth! Bb cream will be a quicker application for me and maybe you too.

     In addition to this bb cream trial which I plan to last 2 weeks, I'd like to only use 1 eyeshadow palette, this would run for the entire month!! I have quite a few palettes and every day I'm using a new one or some of my single shadows. Again, this will cut down my prep and force me to get more creative with my looks.

    Coming up this week, I will also have another halloween look,  (this time I used a model), a review and the return of the best $10 I ever spent.

Beauty News!!!

    Hello once again beautiful people!!! I am happy that you're here, and reading, and exploring and hopefully trying things out or asking questions. PLEASE ask questions. There is never a stupid question.
So we'll cover a lot in this article today.
1.Debrief from "No Buy Month"
2.Review sales for the week
3.Halloween!!!

     "No Buy Month" was a success. I realized how much stuff I had, tried new products different ways and was able to streamline my collection of items I use daily. I also saved money and learned how to do more with less. The downside was I missed some great sales, like ULTA's 21 days of deals :(
     But, no worries! Christmas will be here soon and stores love having sales around that time, plus there will be lots of special editions! I will try a "No Buy Month" again, until I get it right.
     Next time I'd like to impose harder restrictions on myself. Like not opening or using any items from my beauty boxes for the month. Plus I have to remember to stock up on basic items before the month starts. I have about 2 inches of eyebrow pencil left, 1/2 pack of makeup wipes and a corner of waterproof eye makeup remover.
     I will be doing it again and I'll be sure to give you guys about 2 months to prepare for the next makeup fast. In the mean time, I'll be preparing for yet another challenge that I'll reveal next week! It will be exciting and of course challenging, but always fun! I am actually looking forward to it myself.

     I'll skip sales and move right into Halloween. I know some people hate it, but I LOVE it. I love dressing up. I normally have 2 costumes ready and something/ some place to go. This month I'll be posting Halloween looks with '"how to" instructions. Of course these looks will be inexpensive and easy to execute! I just did the first one tonight and it was fun. I'll have it posted on Wednesday. For the preview of the finished look you can check out my instagram-aprilmaykup.

Now SALES!!!
I love sales and how I missed them!
Ulta
NYX for 40% off
There is also a new kit available from Ulta. Since they're out of the 61 piece set that I reviewed earlier this year, they now have a 71 piece set for $25 AND its BOGO 50% off

CVS
Revlon, Covergirl and Olay are BOGO 50%

Walgreens
Simple skincare is BOGO FREE!!!! -so get on that immediately
L'Oreal, Revlon, Neutrogena, Garnier skincare, and Covergirl are BOGO 50%
On Thursday from 6pm-9pm select Walgreens will have "Beauty Nite Out" and all Wet n' Wild products from the Fergie collection will be 25% off and nail polish will be BOGO FREE!!!

     Sephora of course has no sales, but please check the sale section for products you may have missed or would like to try. Also I like the sample sizes. That way you can spend a fraction of an amount to try before you buy...kinda :/ at least before you invest A LOT of money in something.

I'll also get you Rite Aid sales ASAP!

     I'll be back later in the week with my photo "how to" and a review of products I've tried. This week it'll be cleansers!!

FREE SAMPLE OF SIMPLE SKINCARE

FREE Sample of Simple Facial Skincare!

This sample is available through Target.com.
Fill out a short form and choose between 2 cleansers or a moisturizer.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

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.