Random information: Make-Up Expiration & Organization

I was recently told about this tidbit, makeup as we all know (and would like to pretend not to know) expires.  Every single package comes with an expiration date of sorts, it's more of a general timeline. This little symbol seen on any package of make up:

for example: see the symbol with the open jar says "24M"

that indicates that after opening it, this product (which happens to be the NARS concealer duo) is good for 24 months or two years.

Around that time, you should check the product for a few key things:

-Consistency: if its still smooth, creamy, or powdery, thinks like concealer which have moisture in them don't last as long as lets say a powder.  Just check the consistency and make sure the formula's intact, especially if its going on your face.  If the formula has separated or is visibly odd looking, than the product has expired, and you should get a new one.

It also depends on what kind of product it is and the company which created it, some things last longer than others, but just check the back to be sure.

-Smell: If it smells funky, let it go.

Those are just some guidelines to go by.  I'll admit that I'm very torn with letting my makeup go, but if it prevents bacteria and infection getting on to my face or skin, its worth it.  Next time your out shopping just check and make sure what your buying will last for the price your paying.  Also go through the makeup you already have and (a bit reluctantly) get rid of the things which fall into the expired category. If its around the time of expiration and the product is fine than use your own judgement on when to get rid of it.  Items like mascara though run out quickly, so I find it easier to buy the smaller bottles or mini's because at least i know I'm going to use the entire thing by the time it expires.  Thats just my bit of advice, hope it helps!

Oh and my other topic of the day: ORGANIZATION-it seriously is so helpful!

By organizing your makeup and perfumes and whatever else, you get to see what you really have. It also reminds you to clean any dirty brushes, get rid of things you don't need, and have everything be much less messy for the future.  Plus, it looks really lovely.

My tips would be to get a small plastic drawer to hold some of your things, along with tins, bins, things of that sort.  Keep everything together by different categories, for me its: lip products, eye products, face, etc.  It really helps un-clutter everything, and makes the process of getting ready that much easier :) Btw, most supply stores, Target, Walmart, anything like that, will have little items that you can buy to organize your collection.  I found some things I thought were functional and cute:

from the top :

1. Small Countertop Drawer (6 pack) ($34.99) - Target

2. Itso Narrow Tray Purple ($3.99) - Target

3. Whitney Rectangular Drawer Organizer ($17.99) - Target

4. Sterile 6 Qt Drawers_Navy Blue (set of 12) ($36.00) - Walmart

I think that any girl can organize for optimal ease and comfort, plus cleanliness.

images property of their respective owners-this was just my opinion, i'm not endorsing any of these products.

fun reads,

bella

p.s. just sticking with Kim for the day ;)

Sorry i've been away! benefit beauty to go cosmetics set review :)

Hey guys, i've been really busy lately with a bunch of stuff in my personal life so this has gone to the wayside a little but i am back! lol i just want to thank anyone that still regularly checks this page, its greatly appreciated.  So the next item i wanna rave about is the Benefit Beauty To Go Bestsellers ($10 @ Sephora_limited time).  I actually really like this little set, and for the record it is VERY small, so please do not be shocked when you see it in person.  It's sitting in my bag right now and I've found that it does get use.  Personal favorite in whole set is the That Gal Brightening Primer ($28), this is the stuff i use when I'm feeling extremely lazy, and don't want/have the time to do my usual face routine.  I just put this on in conjunction with the Some Kinda Gorgeous ($28) and I am good to go.  My reason for liking the primer is that even though it is an alright primer it does brighten, so if the skin is feeling a bit lack luster just dab some of this on.  The foundation (some kinda gorgeous) is nice and very creamy but not full coverage, if you like sheer build-able coverage, I would recommend it.  Another item in the set is High Beam ($24) which is nicknamed supermodel in a model, i like it but i don't love it.  It is a lovely highlight, packed with shimmer, great for going out (in my opinion.) The glow is really lovely though, when it catches the lighting.  The final product included is Pose-Tint ($24), a cheek and lip stain.  I find this one to be subpar, it's a nice color, but the stain doesn't last very long at all.  It does give a very nice youthful glow though, so if your going for a very natural look this baby pink stain on the cheek might be nice.  Considering how many products you get to try out for such a cheap price, makes this kit worth it.  Another thing, you get .25 oz of the primer and the actual size only comes with .37, so you could get the full size primer amount plus a little more, if you bought two of these and still have $8 left over.  Overall i think that this set is great for travel and just for regular touchup, the packaging is adorable, and most women are guaranteed to like at least one of the products.  If you wanna try out this brand without the steep prices, this would be the way to go. (images property of their respective owners.)

fun reads,

bella

p.s. kim k is really very pretty ;)

Drugstore Deals: Sally Hansen+OPI

Daune Reade is so on top of the whole beauty scene right now! lol, so i stopped by once again, and they have a pretty large variety of nail polishes on sale.  Not the cheap stuff either, its mostly just O.P.I., Sally Hansen's Salon Line, and Essie.  Of course i was intrigued and had to buy something.  I purchased "Pat on the Black" from the Sally Hansen salon line and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with it.  I tried it on with no base coat or top coat, but just the polish itself, and within two coats, it was the color inside the bottle.  I was very happy with the overall results.  Pat on the Black is a deep rich purple with dark black undertones, it looks black in some light and then purple in others, which is a lovely touch.  I have to go back and grab some more before they're gone.  There are a variety of shades available from the Sally Hansen Pro line for $3.12. 50% off. Very fair price.  As far as OPI goes, there stuff is also fifty percent off, but the shade selection is more limited.  Getting quality nail polish for $4.25 though, is a good deal, there are select shades for half off in the Essie line as well.  Here's to happy healthy nails for the new year.  [Disclaimer: Every product I review is something that i bought myself or was given to as a gift, if anything i review was sent to me by a company, i'll definitely let my readers know of it.  But seriously, my review are based on my own personal opinions, not any company's sponsorship.]

thats "pat on the black" sorry the quality is so shoddy, i couldn't find my regular camera

ps: wow sophia loren, classic.

sales&steals. MAX FACTOR review.

So i happend to wander into duane reade one day looking for that great John Frieda luxurious volume collections shampoo and conditioner, and as i was leaving i naturally wanted to leave through the makeup isle.  Lo and behold, clearance signs, 50 to 75% off.  I was floored.  Sales. LOVE.  Max Factor, an American staple in makeup, is being pushed off of US shelves.  Yes, ladies, end of a dynasty.  So STOCK UP.  The items that caught my eye were the concealer stick, 2000 calorie mascara, clear brow gel, eyeshadow trio, lipsticks, and volume couture waterproof mascara in rich black.   It's a lot of stuff i know, but it was so cheap! I purchased the eye shadow trio and the volume couture mascara, i still need to go back there and purchase a bigger haul.  But so far I'm loving the mascara, its really amazing for around $2.  And trust me, its waterproof, i had to find eye makeup remover to get it off.  Also in the voluminous department, its pretty good, nothing exceptional.  It really just excels in the separation department.  It separated every single lash, making them look like fake lashes.  Overall, recommend it.  For the price, it wont hurt to try it.  I also got an eyeshadow trio in Ravenous.  It contained a black, gilded brown, and sunflower colors.  I actually just needed a black base which was why i got that particular one.  The pigmentation is eh, but can be built up quite nicely.  I mean if you just need some random colors, this one would be a good one to pick up, they also had a trio of blues and violets which was quite lovely.  Alright so those were my opinions on the two products, please buy max factor while you still can, its really a great buy! :)

fun reads,

bella

ps: jessica biel, what a stunner.

images property of their respective owners

Nars Blushes and the Custard and Ginger (steal!) concealer duo review and quick note about Kim K.

When I first started using NARS, I knew it would be a winner for me.  My first experience with the brand was with the famed Orgasm blush, which was unfortunately too light for me, but complemented my usual blush beautifully.  My second shot at the brand's lovely range of blushes was Amour, and trust me it was love at first sight with this one.  My Sephora Rep put it on, and I was immediately floored, it was beautiful! And with a very light hand, amour is a totally wearable shade, its actually my everyday shade, a little bit more product and it becomes a gorgeous complement to any nighttime look.  Another really gorgeous shade was Dolce Vita, which has a cult following on its own.  But my favorite blush is Amour. It's a true must try, all the blushes are beautiful, so just go over to your local Sephora or Nordstrom and check out the range, your sure to find one you like.  The price is a little steep, but your getting your moneys worth on this one, its twenty five bucks well spent.  The longevity and quality of the product itself is worth that much.  Needless to say I'm a big Nars fan, so when the Nars Concealer Duo in Custard and Ginger was on sale at Sephora for TEN dollars, opposed to its usual 30, i had to get it.  And thanks to an awesome friend, I did :) The concealer is better than expected!  Its actually very nice, the formula itself is super creamy and glides over skin, it doesn't settle into fine lines as much as other concealers.  It's pretty much what you'd expect to get for thirty dollars. The colors blend it really nicely, and when topped with a little bit of loose powder, last all day.  Your face will look nearly flawless, the concealer does its job well, covering things like small bumps to blotchiness and redness if necessary.  It's a really good buy and if you can still get your hands on it, I strongly recommend it.  One more thing about Nars, the packaging is so chic!  Its all the quality you'd expect from a high end line, and the products themselves actually deliver, making it a worthy investment.
Oh and one more thing, Kim Kardashian's fragrance has just been released exclusively to Sephora at the moment.  It's a fragrance I really want to try out, so if I can get my hands on it, I'll be sure to review it.  I love Kim on the show and her makeup is always flawless so its something to look forward too.  The perfume is supposed to be a "dark floral" scent.  More old glam than the lighter, fruiter fragrances out right now, so who knows, it might be a very welcome change, we shall see :)

fun reads,

bella

Nars Blushes: (from left to right) Orgasm, Amour, Dolce Vita

Kim K fragrance

and the lady herself, enjoy ;)

all images property of their respective owners,

Chilly weather and smashbox loves

     The weather outside is indeed frightful, but I can think of a few things that'll keep you warm.  One being a smoking hot cup of hot coco and the other the very well loved Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36). Alright i understand if this one's a little pricey, and i didn't quite understand the hype behind it either until I got a sample, and fell in absolute LOVE.  Not the kinda love where it fades out and you hate the guy, but the deep long lasting, grows more everyday kind of love.  This stuff is amazing.  It;s as smooth as silk, maybe smoother, and your complexion will seriously just eat it up.  It's great.  It applies very smoothly, and evenly, you only need to use a little bit, but afterwards, even sans foundation, your face will look flawless.  I got this with a holiday promotion so it was $39 for a travel size and the full sized, which was a steal, I believe its on sale on Nordstrom's website, but I'm not 100% sure if they have any left.  This is by far the best primer I have ever used, and I've tried a few.  Compared to the Benefit That Gal Primer, which is very nice and does brighten, this one is better, only because the texture is amazing.  So if your in the market for something that will make foundation application flawless or that you can wear on its own, i HIGHLY recommend the smashbox foundation primer. It's a cult favorite for a reason.

fun reads,

bella

p.s. sorry i've been mia for so long

heres a little something to show that i care:

Shoe Rant: Moccasins

Moccasins.  They are the epitome of comfort and are still very much in style.  I found some affordable options for optimum style appeal and level of comfort.  Here are my picks:
1. Minnetonka 'Cally' Slipper ($32.95) - Avail at Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com, these shoes have a faux fur liner and are more for around the house than outside, but they are just so damn cute.
2. Airwalk Flurry Moc ($22.99) - Very similar to number one but about ten bucks cheaper, and the lining much fluffier on these, they come in four colors, and im loving the brown with the pink trim, so adorable. Available at Payless and Payless.com.  I actually am loving these, they would be great indoors and out, especially with a cardigan and jeans, very effortless look.
3. Victoria's Secret Studded Moccasin ($25.99) - If your younger or if you just like a little bit more detailing on your shoes these are a great option, comfy and cute, the vs moccasins have a peace sign in metal stud detailing on the front and they have the whole detailing going around the shoe; these are on sale right now and come in two colors, brown and blue. They're my favorite choice if your looking for shoes to wear more outside the home.

fun reads,

bella

ps: hot tamle=camilla belle

FLIRT! cosmetics brush review :)

It's a relatively newer brand, thats available exclusively at Kohl's, and is interestingly enough owned by the same company that owns MAC.  So for all you MAC fans that are going broke, give this one a look over.  I really think they have some amazing products that are of high high high quality!
The peek-a-blush has been really well received so if your confused as to where to start with this brand, start there! My personal favorite is the brushes! The FLIRT! Every Day Brush Set (which retails for the low low low price of $12 but i got it for like $8 with a coupon lol :)) includes a powder blush, brush blush, eyeshadow brush, liner brush, and brow brush.  Each are adorably labeled and it comes in hot pink packaging!  I love them because they are super soft, the bristles glide over skin, and they don't fall apart after one application.  These are actually my everyday brushes, and are very similar to the MAC family of brushes.  For the price, they're a real steal and  if your looking for a good set of sturdy brushes, try FLIRT!.

peek a blush

brush set

fun reads,

bella

ps: aren't orlando bloom and miranda kerr flawless together?

Pick Me Ups For a Rainy Day: VS Make-up!

I'm a big makeup girl as you've probably figured out by now, and on my excursions to the mall, I came across the Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale, which btw if you haven't checked out already, GO! A lot of the deals in the store are way better than online, trust me.

So anyways i picked up two products worth mentioning:
1. Very Sexy VS LipGloss in Kiss and Tell ($12 to $3) - I love love love this color! It's just very easy and sexy.  It's a almost clear babydoll pink, with tons of shimmer.  It's not flecks of shimmer on your lips but more refined so it sparkles, and it's guy approved ;) And for the price its great!  You can wear it alone or over a nice pink lipstick for added oomph.
2. VS Makeup Heidi Klum Glitter Eyeliner in Amethyst (around $4) - a steal! This liner is actually very pretty, and its deep, rich purple.  It had small, hints of shimmer in it, and would look great alone with no shadow or paired with black eyeliner for a more dramatic look.  Plus, the gold packaging is adorable.

fun reads,

bella

ps: claudia lynx

fan favorite

                                                

Resolutions, Resolutions, Resolutions!

Most women  share this experience with me, we pick out all our bad qualities and make ourselves feel like shit in the process.  I mean hey it happens, but that doesn't mean we cant fix it! My new years resolutions are:

a) Love myself more than I do already. (narcissistic but necessary)

b) Give time back to others.

c) Find cheaper alternatives to my money wasting habits.

d) Try new things!

Going along with the last one, here's a few things definitely worth a try:

Fake Lashes! - for girls who aren't blessed with the longest lashes out there, there's really great options available. Beauty supply stores like Ulta have some great brands and choices if your looking for a way to spice up your eye look.  The Ulta brand Lash Kit (for Full Lashes) is on sale right now! For $0.99! Thats a total bargain worth trying.

L'Oreal Eye Shadow Quad in The Blue Eye ($6.99) - I love these, so cute, and a lot of great colors that blend together for a really nice finish.  The quality is up there, so no worries about that.  Color payoff is excellent as well.  Its a drugstore find to love :)

Lancome High Définicils ($24.50) - It's the splurge on this little list, but trust me, if you love a more intense look for your eyes, it'll be perfect for you, it promises a cleaner more defined look that fans out and lengthens lashes.  Definite keeper.

      

fun reads,

bella

ps: Isn't Monica Bellucci lovely?