Ulta haul!

So my birthday was in the month of May, and, I don't know if you knew this, but you get a free mascara and double the membership points if you go during your birth month.  I'm such a procrastinator, I went on the last day of May, and I swear to you, the moment those doors opened, I was like a kid in a candy store.  I have to swatch everything, even though I know I'm not going to buy the $40 foundation on my minimum wage jobs.  But still, I love that store, even more than Sephora, since they have prestige and drugstore brands.  I can indulge a little bit while picking up the products I'll be needing every day.

Showing off my bag

What's in my bag?

First up is this CK One Mascara you get for your birthday.  I haven't tried this out yet, since I'm using the Makeup Forever mascara I got from my birthday from Sephora.

This is the Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer 001.  I don't hate the elf primer I was using, but I didn't feel like it prolonged my foundation use.  It mattified just fine, but it didn't really do anything in the long run.  I've been using this for a week or two now, and I like it much better.  It minimizes my pores and keeps my foundation in place all day.

Next up is Nyx Above and Beyond Full Coverage Concealer in Porcelain.  I use this to cover up blemishes as well as contour.  It works, but I don't think it's any better or worse than my elf concealer.

I needed a lighter foundation for the summer, so, on the advice of a YouTube beauty blogger, I went searching for the L'Oreal True Match foundation in Natural Ivory.  It's thinner than my old foundation, but it blends well if I need heavier coverage.  I really prefer this over my old foundation.

Nyx makes some wonderful matte lipsticks.  I already own the shade Siren, which is a dark red, so I wanted some more natural colors to wear to work.  The shades I picked up are Nude and Natural.  Natural is a bit pinker and darker.

Because I often don't wake up with enough time to shower, let my hair air-dry, and then straighten it before class, I usually blow-dry my hair straight.  To help, I picked the new got2b Rise 'n Shine Blow Dry Cream.  It has a nice, almost floral scent that makes my hair nice and shiny.  I'm utterly in love with it.

Finally, I splurged and bought the Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero Shine, which has an adorable built in brush for application.  I actually throw this in my purse and use it throughout the day for touch-ups.  It works, but I will say that it doesn't last for very long.

So that's my Ulta haul!  Stay tuned for an excellent thrift haul coming up soon.  The stila look will be up soon.  What's your favorite Ulta product?

Insomnia

In a fit of insomnia, where I'd exhausted my usual routine of websites, I went to my old standby. Yes, Pinterest, for the insomniac in all of us.

While on there, I saw a tutorial for a look using pop of neon eyeshadow. It was just what I was looking for, since I do have a class at 8 am this summer, where I want my makeup to be a little understated, but still fun enough to stand out. My only problem with this tutorial? It used exclusively high-end Urban Decay eyeshadows. They're gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but not exactly feasible for a student.

So I went out to prove you could fake this look using only an elf 96-Color Geometric Palette I got for free during a sale, and 2 hours of sleep. This is what I came up with:

This look uses one of the only high-end product I own, the Urban Decay Primer Potion and three brown shades, with the lightest color in the inner corners, the middle brown in the center, and the darkest brown in my crease. Then I used the brightest blue on my bottom lashes for just a pop of color!  Finish off with two coats of mascara and you're out the door and ready to stun everyone with your gorgeous peepers.

So there you have it, a cheap and easy high end look dupe!

My everyday face

I thought to start off I'd talk about what I wear on an everyday basis. Without fail, this is what I wear when I'm going to class or running errands. It's gotten. So that I feel naked without my Geek Chic eyeshadow!

Here are all the products I use:

Face

To start out I like to use my elf Mineral Face Primer to create a smooth canvass. To battle my face demons, I use my elf HD Lifting Concealer, which is the green bottle you see above. It helps tone down the redness of my acne. Over that green goo goes elf Maximum Coverage Concealer. I went on a little elf shopping spree, can't you tell? To contour I use that concealer and some elf Contouring Blush & Brozer in St. Lucia. To tone down the harshness of the bronzer I use Maybelline Fit Me! Foundation in 115. To set I use elf Mineral Foundation in Fair and the blush from the elf duo applied to the apples of my cheeks.

Eyes

I apply a tiny little drop of Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original. I've used other eyeshadow primers before, and this one is honestly worth the price. It keeps my eyeshadow from creasing or melting. Then I use Geek Chic Cosmetics eyeshadow in the color Sexy in Suspenders. Then I mix some of that wth some water, then apply some of that darker color to my outer v and crease. For eyeliner I use stila's stay all day waterproof liquid eye liner in intense black. This stuff stays put all day. For mascara I use the sample in the Make Up For Ever's birthday kit from Sephora in Smoky Extravagant. To finish off I tame my brows with elf Eyebrow Treat & Tame.

Lips

The easiest part of my routine! First off I treat my lips with some Carmex Heling Lip Balm, then I use the other half of the Make Up For Ever birthday kit, a lipstick in Rouge Artist Natural N9.

And that's it! I hope you enjoyed this, and stay tuned for a new look featuring stila's eyeliner!

About Me

Welcome to my blog!  I'm a college student learning to express myself visually through fashion and makeup.  I believe in piercings, tattoos, wearing black, and reading copious amounts of fantasy novels. Here you will find makeup tutorials and reviews, knitting and book reviews, all with my darker twist.  My life is aimless right now, and so is this blog.  Enjoy!