#thehunt: Wedding shopping.

We have a family friend's wedding in about two weeks so I went out this weekend in search of a dress with my sister. These were the three front runners.  It was disheartening to realize that 4 is snug but I made the best of it 😭😩

Option 1: Grecian Godess. 

$40 USD, Ross

This is sexy yet flattering. There were just a few things that annoyed me. 

-the shoulder strap was a little loose (curse my shoulder to boob ratio 😭)

- The ruching in my butt made it look that much bigger. 

- there's no way I can get away with not getting this dress altered. 

Option 2: Red Carpet

$15 USD, Ross

This dress was super flattering, appropriate for my 27 years and evening enough to not upstage bridesmaids but look nice enough not to be in danger of being voted "most casual". Two enthusiastic thumbs up. 

Option 3: traditional homecoming

$25 USD, Ross

This dress wasn't too terrible. Just picked it up as a third option. Wasn't too impressed. It reminds me of the dime a dozen homecoming dresses. I cannot see one homecoming without visualizing someone with no imagination wearing this. Meh. It looks alright but I wouldn't be able to do this without  a faja. 

Verdict: I bought dress two. Not only will it fit me at any size but has class like no other. 

#Review: Bite Vivid Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo (Violet/Palomino)

As everyone knows, I am a sucker for combos. The more bang I get for my buck, the better! 

Review

Bite 

Vivid Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo in Violet/Palomino

$12 USD, Sephora

I'm ecstatic that Sephora released more of these. The Bite Lip Duos that debuted around Black Friday/Christmas time and now have reappeared with vigor. They're only $12 USD so why not? But I was bummed because I was told they were only created for Christmas. 

I originally went into the store to get something else and lo and behold, I found two colors that I've lost and been seeking to replace. A match made in heaven. Both colors were super vibrant and looked great against my skin. The color wears for a long time. Needs to be reapplied after eating & drinking. (Like normal lipsticks). Color is quite stubborn around the edges and can last overnight if not removed. The consistency was awesome and lipstick glided on with no dragging or issues. Everything was pretty spot on. My only request would be to have a more hydrating color. It neither hydrates nor parches lips. 

Two for the price of one. 

You can wear them induvidually...

(Left) Violet, (right) Palomino

 .....Or blended together. 

It's super small so it can fit in any clutch, wristlet...

...or in your cleavage. 

Verdict: Worth the buy! Great value, almost feels like I robbed Sephora. Drugstore brands cost about $6 USD a pop anyway so it's super bang for your buck. Colors are great for most skintones. 

#Rave: Drugstore items that I swear by

Loreal 

Infallible Lipgloss in Sand, Mauve, and Barely Nude

$10 USD, CVS

This lipgloss is awesome. Even the regular shades are long lasting. The eight hour shades aren't even necessary I prefer this to many high end lipglosses. The only one I can say hold a candle to this is M.A.C.'s lipglass. 

Maybelline 

Define-A-Brow Pencil

$6 USD, CVS

This eyebrow pencil has a comb on one end and pencil on the other. Great way to groom and darken brows at the same time. 

Revlon 

ColorStay Eyeliner

This liner is like a tatoo. It literally stays on forever. 

#OOTD: All black everything.

Bought a shirt to wear out over the weekend. Didn't wear it but I wore it to work today. 

Peplum Sweater Top (Express, $10 USD), Pants (L.E.I. @ Walmart, $17), pink wedges ($19, Aldo), pink headband (1 of 4 -Charlotte Russe, $2 USD), Bracelet (Pandora, $500 & counting)

#Rave: Nose piercing

  

I carpe diemed and finally pierced my nose. I figured that I wasn't getting any younger so might as well do it ASAP so I can switch it out for even cuter nose bones. I'm ecstatic. I can't wait until is heals so I can put a small hoop when in feeling sassy. 

#5MinuteHairstyles: Two Minute Tuck

Since my hair is in a protective style right now I'm trying to switch it up because I'm bored of hair down vs simple ponytail. I'm going to start trying all the 5 minute hairstyles in the post I put up a few days ago. 

Inspiration

 

 

My version 

 

 

It was a hit at work. Everyone thought it was super cute.

#Review: SmashBox Try It Kit

Got this at Sephora a while ago and realized that I'm slipping. No review was present for this 😭. This kit was originally purchased due to the bang vs buck ratio. You get five deluxe samples and it's pretty well rounded so that you can see what most if their line offers in the way of basics. 

 

 

SmashBox Try It Kit

$19USD, Sephora

 

 

This set includes:

-Photo Finish Foundation Primer

-Photo Finish Lid Primer

-Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx

-Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black

-Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume

Reviews

Photo Finish Foundation Primer

$36USD, Sephora

This primer was super similar to MAC's matte cream. It's convenient having clear primer because you don't have to deal with the potential lightening of the foundation by a lighter colored primer. I love that it has a matte effect. A little goes a long way with this product as well. But, if I had a dollop of the following: MAC Matte Creme, SootheCare Chafing Relief Powder-Gel & Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation primer, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference & you probably couldn't either. . I've seen the SootheCare laying around in a makeup artist's bag before. 

Verdict: Save your money. SootheCare is $12USD at your local Target. And you can use it on patent shoes. 

(Left) MAC Matte Creme

$ freaking lasts For. Ev. Er.

(Right) SootheCare Chafing Relief Powder-Gel

$12USD, Target

 

Photo Finish Lid Primer

$20USD, Sephora

Chalky. The first word that pops into my head when I think of this 'special' product. It feels as if SmashBox spent no time trying to curtail this product to match all skintones- if you catch my drift. I compared this to the Eye Potion from Urban Decay- which in my opinion is one of the best, reaseasonably priced in the cosmetics market. I applied eye shadow on top of ot thinking my problem would subside but you could Still see where it was applied. I was actually infuriated using this product because it was very difficult to remove. (Which is a good thing. Unless it doesn't match your skintone) 

Verdict: If you are white, like really white, go for it- you'll have no problems with this product. If you're tanned and didn't become a Disney Princess until post 1990, opt for for Urban Decay Eye Priner Potion- it comes in several shades that you could wear without shadow at all! 

 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion comes in four colors-two shimmers, two matte. 

<http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/daily-beauty-cat/urban-decay-eyeshadow-primer-potion-tubes/>

 

 

 

Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx

$19USD Sephora

I was raving about this so much in another post, I may just go out on my lunch break and get this. This liner gets the best of both worlds. It is so bold but doesn't smudge so you can enjoy the wear until you decide to remove it. 

Verdict: I don't say this often but this is the best eyeliner I've used -to date. It his is my favorite. And I've used like 20 types. 

  

Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black

$19.5USD, Sephora

I was annoyed more than anything because this was the mascara that took the place of my beloved LashDNA.  I gave it a chance hoping that the same magic would occur but no dice. The brush was basic, the application might as well have been CoverGirl or some other drugstore brand, I used this a grand total of six times before I gave it to my sister. 

Verdict: If you want to pay $13 more for the same results as Covergirl Lash Blast, by all means, buy this. Nothing will ever hold a candle to LashDNA, SmashBox, just bring it back already!😭

 

Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume

$19USD, Sephora

This was terrible. I was probably dissapointed most by this of the five products in this package. I used this shortly after switching from MAC Lipglass. It took like five applications to get the lipgloss to where I wanted. Then it still wouldn't stay on. It was lackluster. I was struggling. Forget liking it, I was struggling to give it a chance. 

 

Verdict: Go out and buy real lipgloss. This is a sham. 

#Review: Julep Nail Color in Octavia

I had my first experience with Julep nail color. (It's weird that I have five colors from them and haven't tried any. I guess I  feel like I'm cheating on OPI or something). 

Julep Nail Color in Octavia

$14USD

http://www.julep.com/octavia.html

First of all this color is completely gorgeous. The midnight blue was something I was hesitant to try because I wast sure how it would look with my skin but since blue reds are good on my lips, I figured blues must be good for me as well. The color (at least the creme finish ones) is so concentrated! I put on one coat and was thoroughly impressed. The appearance of the laquer itself looked like it already had topcoat, since it was so glossy.  In the photo above, I still haven't had the time to put topcoat!

Update: After a few days, there have been chips here & there but nothing major. I'm attributing the chips to the lack of topcoat. 

Verdict: Julep nail color is pricey, but their creme finish colors, if anything like his one, are spot on. The Maven box   <http://julep.com> is really worth the money. It's like getting two for the price of one! I think it's worth trying. You only pay the $3USD for shipping. 

#Nailed: This month's Julep Maven box

Before I start, this is my 300th post! *Throws confetti*🎉

Okay, so I forgot to cancel my subscription to Julep's Maven Box (yeah, times are hard) and found my Amex being charged for another month. So when curiousity killed the cat, I opened up my package to see two free products so of course I did what any other person would do... I kept it. 

February Maven Box 

Came with Love Nail color & liquid eye creme in 

#Rave: BCBG Make Your Own #MYO bracelet

Okay so I've posted a personalizable charm bracelet before but this one is the one I've been wanting of a while. The concept is one I embrace- let the people do whatever they want. I love when they cut out half of the work fore by making it customizable up front. Bravo, BCBC.

Macy's and I, in all our love, just had a 5 year anniversary and they sent me a $10 gift card. I shopped around and decided to spend the money getting something that I wanted forever (sandlot voice: for ev er.  For ev er.) and realized that I truly wanted this awesome quality hematite bracelet but was unwilling to pay them $25USD for it. Since I received my golden $10 ticket I figured that I should get it while they're still in stock. I'm glad I did. This was the last one at my local Macy's. It is also no longer available on the website. I may buy the black one (seen below) as well if they ever drop the price.

Complete with hashtag (#) and handle (@),

expression will be awesome for the Hashtag Queen once more. 

 

Make it your own.  

Shown here in Black/Gold

Comes with extra, L, R, S and set of vowels. 

$25USD, Macy's

#Review: Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser & Reparative Moisturizer

I also received these from Sephora as well. I'm really trying to go through these a give a most efficient review as possible. 

Regenerating Cleanser

$75USD, Sephora

Exfoliants in this cleanser make it so pleasant to use. You feel as if your face is truly cleansed without abrasively harassing it. The product goes a long way as well. Not only is it marked as 100% natural, but it is so concentrated that I was able to use these tiny packets twice!

Verdict: My combination/oily skin wasn't left dried out after use and was left smooth and clean. But that price tag is brutal. If it ever gets severly marked down, I'd love to buy this, but I'm not at the point where I'd shell out $75 for a clean face.

Repairative Moisturizer

$100USD, Sephora

Even though this is for dry, aging skin, I'm almost 30 so this is the time to begin to investigate moisturizers and their anti aging qualities. (Actually, that ship has sailed.) As I mentioned, my skin is combination/oily so it is difficult to find moisturizer that doesn't get greasy or sit on top of my skin. This absorbed flawlessly and my skin didn't get oily for a good while after. 

Verdict: Impressed with results but not enough to hand them a Benjamin for it.