$20 Dollar Makeup Challenge!

OK ladies this was not an easy task! But I think I got some good stuff! All the products I bought were from NYC New York Color. I purchased the Smooth skin liquid makeup foundation in 679 Soft Beige, Its not a bad product by any means. Its not sticky or tacky, its a light coverage but VERY buildable. The only thing with this product is you MUST shake it really well. If they put this in a pump bottle instead it would be much easier to get to, because it almost has a whipped consistency. I did dampen the sponge before I applied the foundation just to try and get a more full coverage. I then used the Smooth Skin bronzing face powder in 704A Warm Beige. There is NOTHING bronzing about this powder, its just a pressed face powder. I have to say this is VERY mattifying, which I look for in my powders. A little goes a long way though, because it is very powdery. For my blush I used the Cheek Glow in 656 Sutton Place Peach, I had to use the blush brush it came with since there was no way I could have picked up a blush brush and still stayed in my budget. I had to really pack it on to even show a hint of color, this might have something to do with the color of my skin and it blended to much. For my eyeshadow I purchased the HD Color Trio in 784 Late Night Latte. I used my fingers to apply the shadow and also to blend it. I used the purple color in the middle all over my eye...then the champagne color for my highlight and lastly the brown for my crease. I tried to blend as best as possible using my fingers, but NOTHING compares to a blending eyeshadow brush. That is really the BEST investment in your makeup collection...an amazing blending brush. OK back on track...I also had to use the brown for my eyebrows. It has some shimmer in it, but it didn't really pick up in my eyebrows. And I still totally prefer a pencil for my eyebrows to line them with then color them in with powder, but again that would not work in the budget. Next I used a double sided eyeliner pencil, the one side was black and the other was white. The color was 880 Mockingbird. I lined my bottom and top lash line with the black, then used the shimmer white for my bottom waterline. Now as you ALL know I love mascara, and for this budget I was unable to purchase 5 different kinds of mascara to get my desired look. But I did use Sky Rise in 842 Extreme Black, and I put on a few coats of it and it wasn't bad. I actually really like this mascara and will be adding it to my daily routine. And lastly my lips...I did not used a lip liner but I did get a great shimmery powdery pink color. It is 314 Petal, I used it alone for this look but I can definitely use it again. I can add it on top of a more vivid pink to tone it down a little. Its a great color and it isn't drying or sticky, and because my obsession with not being able to wear anything that doesn't smell good it was a winner!!

Palmolive® soft touch™

I have tried Palmolive before in the past, and never found it to be something I would recommend, then I was sent this in the mail to do a review about. My first impression was the way they designed the bottle, its nice looking and fits perfectly in your hand. The smell is AMAAAAZING...especially the cocoa butter one. It just smells like summer! So I cooked a large dinner so I had a dish full of dishes so I could really see it put to use. I put the same amount that I normally use of my Dawn dish soap so I could really do a fair comparison. The soap soaked into the sponge right away, which worried me that it was going to be very watery and not last for an entire load of dishes. Boy was I wrong!! The little bit that I put on the sponge lasted the whole time...and I could have done more! My hands were not left dry or tight feeling. I used the pink bottle with Vitamin E and really did love it! I really think that after my bottles of  Palmolive Soft Touch is out...I will be picking this up again! 

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

DIY With Coconut Oil

So as I promised I will give you step by step on how to make your own natural goodies with coconut oil. Below I put links on where you can get containers for each DIY project as well as the essential oils, beeswax and shea butter.

BUG REPELLENT
 This recipe makes about 1/2 cup or 4oz. You can easily double this depending on how much you need for you and/or your family. This makes a very soft balm which makes the application easy, if you prefer something more firm you can easily add more beeswax. I have found that 2oz jars (I have attached a link on where to get them below) are the most convenient size, they fit in any purse, backpack and even a diaper bag. But if you have an empty jar around the house feel free to use that.
INGREDIENTS:
 1/4 cup coconut oil
 1/8 cup shea butter
 4 tsp. beeswax granules 
 12 drops citronella essential oil
 8 drops rosemary essential oil
 8 drops cedar wood essential oil
 8 drops lemongrass essential oil
 8 drops eucalyptus or tee tree essential oil
TOOLS:
 Jar(s) for finished balm
 Metal Whisk
 Metal Spoon
 Double Boiler
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Bring the water in your double boiler to a boil and then lower the heat to medium-low. Now add your coconut oil and shea butter and let the two melt while whisking together. Add the beeswax and whisk in the granules in to the coconut oil and shea butter mixture, until it is completely melted.
 Remove the pan from the heat, let the liquid cool for about 5 minutes and then whisk in the essential oils. Make sure you whisk it well to ensure everything is combined. Poor the liquid into your jar(s), let cool uncovered at room temperature before putting the cap on.

LOTION BAR
 A lotion bar is not intended on being used in the shower, you can but that's not how its normally used. You just rub the bar until its warm and then apply it on your skin like a lotion. I have found keeping then in tins is convenient and also a great way to dress them up to give as gifts.
INGREDIENTS:
 Coconut Oil (1 part)
 Pure Beeswax (1 part)
 Essential Oils (optional)
TOOLS:
 Saucepan
 Lotion Mold
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Heat coconut oil and beeswax together in a saucepan over low heat. Because the beeswax takes a while to melt down it helps if you break it up into small chunks. Once the coconut oil and beeswax are melted you can add in whatever scents you prefer in the form of your essential oils. 
 Pour the melted mixture into lotion bar molds, let them sit out until cool. If you need to speed the process up a bit you can put them in the refrigerator. After they are cool you can pop out the molds and place them inside the tins, and they are ready to use.

SUNSCREEN
 This sunscreen is somewhat but not completely waterproof, so you should still reapply after swimming or even after sweating a lot. Also a VERY important note...make sure you do not inhale the Zinc Oxide
INGREDIENTS:
 1/2 cup almond oil, can also use olive oil
 1/4 cup coconut oil
 1/4 cup beeswax
 2 tbsp zinc oxide
 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
 2 tbsp shea butter (optional)
 Essential oils for fragrance (optional) 
TOOLS:
 Glass jar
 Plastic container to keep sunscreen in
 Saucepan
 Metal spoon
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Combine all ingredients except for the zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. You can use a mason jar or even an old pickle jar. Fill the saucepan with a few inches of water and place over medium heat. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place it in the saucepan filled with water. As the water heats the ingredients in the jar will start to melt, shake or stir occasionally. When all ingredients are completely melted add the zinc oxide, stir in well and then pour into whatever container you will be using. It does not pump very well in a lotion pump though. As it begins to cool make sure you really mix it up to make sure the zinc oxide is really mixed in. You use this as you would normal sunscreen, it is best if used within 6 months.


For Lotion Bar Molds Click HERE

For Lotion Bar Tins Click HERE

For Bug Repellent Jars Click HERE

For Sunscreen Tube Click HERE

Essential Oils Click HERE

Shea Butter Click HERE

Beeswax Click HERE

Summer Time With Coconut Oil

So the newest and latest thing is Coconut Oil! I really wish I new what took the world so long to realize just how amazing it is and how many different uses it really has. I'm going to list a few things that I know it can be used for, I will do another blog on how to make some of the things. With summer coming you really should go buy a jar of the infamous coconut oil because you will really find it comes in handy!

1. On the skin for lotion
2. Homemade lotion bars
3. Eye-makeup remover
4. Rub on age spots to lighten them
5. Prevents stretch marks during pregnancy
6. Sunscreen, helps avoid burning
7. Massage oil
8. Can boost metabolism
9. Tiny bit rubbed through hair will get rid of frizz
10. Intensive night time moisturizer
11. Sugar scrub for the shower
12. Natural chap stick
13. Intensive hair conditioner
14. Has been shown to sooth psoriasis and eczema
15. Rub on the inside of your nose to help allergy symptoms
16. Homemade bug repellent lotion bars
17. Can help the appearance of varicose veins
18. Speeds healing of sunburns
19. Use as a shaving cream and an after shave lotion
20. Helps resolve acne when used regularly
21. When rubbed in scalp daily it can stimulate hair growth
22. Helps nails grow when rubbed on your cuticles
23. Soothing body butter

Beauty Things I SUCK at!

OK so like EVERYONE I cant be good at it all! So here is my list of things I'm not go amazing at when it comes to beauty routines!

• GETTING MY HAIR TRIMMED. I do not go every 6 weeks to get my hair trimmed. And even worse I sometimes trim it myself with standard office scissors! AHHHHH I know!
• REMOVING MY CUTICLES. I admit it, I'm a cuticle pusher and not a trimmer! The only time I even get my cuticles cut is when I get them done by a salon! I even have the scissors and the cuticle remover...but don't EVER use them!
• GEL LINER. I can not for the life of me use gel liner!!! I am an expert with liquid liner and kohl liner, but when I use gel one eye turns out perfect and the other one with be a little thicker...so naturally I go back to the perfected side and try and even it out, but now that side is thicker! So by the end of this my entire eyelid is eyeliner! :)
• DRYING MY FACE. OK I know this is the 1st thing your mother teaches you, ALWAYS pat your face dry...NEVER rub. If I'm only washing my face in the sink I have no trouble patting dry, but after the shower is a totally different story. I don't know why I cant kick this habit...but hey that's why they make wrinkle creams right?!
• ROUND BRUSH. Can I just say AWKWARD?! I feel like I have 2 left hands when trying to round brush my hair while blow drying it. I know they say the more you do it the more comfortable you become, but between bashing my head with the blow dryer or getting my hair a tangled mess in the brush I think I'll stick to just blowing drying my hair upside down!!!

Alright so these are the things that I'm not so amazing at!! If anyone has tips on how I can excel in these 5 brutal beasts please...I'M LISTENING!!!

Carry On Makeup and Beauty Products...Lets Jet Set

So as it gets harder and harder to fly anywhere now...I mean how is a girl with some clip in weave supposed to get past those metal detectors now? Well for those ladies that like to take just a long weekend trip and don't want to have to check any bags, but cant live with out your makeup and beauty products this blog is JUST FOR YOU!

Each liquid you bring along MUST be less than 3.4 fluid ounces, which isn't hard to do when you are talking foundation. But for setting spray your either going to want to buy the travel size that they sell or you can purchase empty atomizers and pour some of your setting spray into those. Because atomizers are for perfume it keeps the mist much finer than a spray bottle. All your eye shadows and blush will be fine, but if your only bringing a carry on try to keep it to a neutral eye you wear your entire trip so your not bringing along your bulky palettes. 

Now for your shampoo and conditioner...there are a few options. You can purchase travel size of your favorite brand or simply buy cheap plastic bottles and fill with what you have at home, and this way you can simply reuse them for each time you travel. As for your hairspray, its the same as anything else, buy a travel size of your favorite brand or just pour some into an empty bottle. For shaving gel since your only going away for a short time, hence only bringing a carry on, I would just use conditioner for this one time. Although you will have to purchase a razor as they wont allow those on the plane with you. I will post websites where you can purchase the empty bottles and the atomizer below.

For the Atomizer click  Here

For the Empty Travel Bottles click Here

Fresh Spring Face

One of the best things about spring, besides the warmer weather and the beautiful flowers, is getting to bust out the brighter eyeshadows and really experiment with colors. The look I chose uses pinks, purples, and blues. I really played with the colors and even gave it my signature winged eyeliner. The eyeshadow palette is the Ultimate from E.L.F. and I always use the Urban Decay De-Slick setting spray under my foundation and then the All Nighter after I'm finished with my look. I put the beige (1) all over my eye then the pink (2) from the middle out. I blended the purple (3) in the outer corner. I always use a brown (4) in the crease just to soften the look. I used the cream (5) color as a highlight right under my brow. And last the turquoise (6) I put under my lower lash line. And for a lip I used NYC Violet Shine, if a fuchsia lip is too bright for you with this eye you can easily use a light pinky nude like MAC's Angel.