Face Mask Round-Up

 

I love a good face mask, but I have a tight budget. Here are the 5 face masks that are currently in my rotation.

1. Eclos Skin Renewal Clay Mask 

I use this one at least once a week, it's really good for making my skin feel fresh and renewed. It apparently is supposed to help reduce wrinkles, I don't have a ton of wrinkles due to a complete avoidance of sun so I cannot comment on the the reduction or not. It dries fairly quickly, comes off nicely and my skin feels good afterwards.

2. Freeman Feeling Beautiful Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Mask 

This is my least favorite of the masks I currently have. It's sticky, takes forever to dry and then the peeling off part is a pain. Now, it's like under $5 so it's incredibly budget friendly, but I don't really feel like it does anything. My skin is always red afterwards from my picking at the mask, attempting to peel it off in chunks. Now that I writing this, why do I even still have this?

3. The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask 

 This is an all-time favorite, but for whatever reason I can only link to the single-use packets on The Body Shop website. This mask clears my skin up in a wink, my skin feels brand spanking new after using this and nice and hydrated. I can't say enough great things about this mask. Plus, it's green so we call it The Hulk Mask.

4. Juara Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask 

 I got this in my December Birchbox, and only just used it last Sunday. It went on nice and smooth, dried up quickly and came off nicely. My skin was kind of breaking out during this time, and it did seem to soothe some of the angry redness that was um, all over. It didn't dry out my skin or have any negative side effects, but it's rather pricey (I feel) so I'm not sure I would actually ever purchase it outside of Birchbox.

5. The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask 

Another The Body Shop favorite that I can only link to the single use packets (so weird). This seaweed mask leaves my skin void of all impurities and clogged pores. This is another staple in my rotation, that I like to use in the summer months especially when my skin just feels...plugged up. Gross.

So there you have it, those are the face masks currently in my drawer. I do a face mask once a week (usually on Sunday) and which one I use depends on the state of my skin that particular week. Since it's winter here, I have been leaning towards more hydrating masks to try and bring some moisture back into my skin.

What are some of your favorite face masks, that are budget-friendly? 

Beauty | Lip Products

I have never much of a bright lipstick girl, but I am trying to step out of my comfort zone a little bit. So I decided to share my lip product collection with you, as of September 2014 this is what I own!

1. LAQA & CO Fat Lip Pencil in Lambchop

Full disclosure: This lipstick is waaaaay too bright for me. I wore this on 80s day to work, and it was a hit! I am very fair, light blonde hair and I look silly with super bright pink lipsticks. But minus the color, the texture and lasting of this lip pencil is super!

2. theBalm How 'Bout Them Apples in Pie

I really enjoy this color. It's a great fall lip color, it's a brighter reddish pink color, but has kind of a rhubarb undertone that makes it perfect for fall. The lasting power isn't super great, it tends to wear off in the center first so you need to touch up a few times.

3. Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss in Berry Pink

I probably wear this lip gloss the most. This color is fairly flattering on me, but it the consistency of the gloss can be a little sticky. It lasts for a decent amount of time though, plus the mirror on the gloss is super handy!

4. H&M Shimmer Lip Balm (similar)

This was an impulse buy a few years ago while in line at H&M. I enjoy it, but I have to be careful not to apply it too heavily because the color isn't a great match for me (notice a trend here?). 

5. POPBeauty ATqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuchsia

This is another brighter pink color, but it actually works for me (I think at least...). The gloss consistency isn't as sticky, it's the perfect amount of shine and it lasts. That's a win in my book!

6. The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in Coral Kiss Matte (#315)

This is my favorite! It's the perfect neutral color for my skin tone, it's matte, it lasts forever, it's moisturizing and it applies beautifully. I highly recommend the body shop colour crush lipsticks! Plus, the packaging is beautiful!

7. Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Monaco

This is a sample size, and I have had it for a few months now. It's a bit brighter than I tend to wear, but I will slap this on for a night out or a late dinner out or something. It is a smooth and creamy texture, and it has great lasting power.

8. Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Pixi Pink

I love this formula! This lip balm is super hydrating, keeping my lips nice and smooth all day long and trust me, that's a feat! The color isn't super great for my skin tone, but it's manageable!

9. Bath and Body Works Plump Glass Plumping Lip Gloss

I got this in my stocking a few Christmases ago, and I'm not sure that it actually plumps my lip up, but it's a nice clear gloss and that's always a good thing to have on hand. It is a bit sticky, but lip glosses tend to be that way so it's nothing surprising.

10. Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Balm Stain in Pinky Promise

I adore this product. It's a balm stain, so it's super hydrating and it lasts forever! I also love the color, and you can bet I will purchasing more. Especially since it's super affordable!

11. Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain in Valentine

This is another sample size, and I absolutely adore this lip stain. I think lip stains are the best because they last. The color is a really pretty light red, with a rosy undertone, and it applies super smooth. It doesn't dry out your lips, and is not sticky in the slightest.

12. mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Perfect Kiss

I use this product the most I think. It's a beautiful cinnamon color, and it's a crayon so it applies super smooth and moisturizes as well. It lasts for a few hours without any touch ups needed.

I need to work on figuring out what colors are best for my pale skin, but a lot of these are given to me so it's probably why they're not perfect matches! What colors match your skin tone the best? Any other pale people out there with advice for a lip color novice?

Life | June 2014 Favorites

Happy July! I am going to try and attempt each month to scrounge up some things that I am currently loving and using frequently. I am not going to limit myself to a category for the time being, so it is literally just going to be anything I used frequently during the previous month!

With that out of the way, let's see my June 2014 Favorites!

1. Maybelline Color Tattoo cream-gel eyeshadow in barely branded $5.99
I have always been hesitant of cream eyeshadow, because I feel I lack the skill it takes to apply it smoothly. But Essie Button raves about this brand, and says that she uses it as a base coat for her eyeshadow. Well, with that in mind, I decided to give it a whirl. I LOVE it! Barely Branded is the perfect all over the eyelid color, and it really gives my powder eyeshadow more staying power.

2. The Body Shop jumbo shower gel in Olive $15
Now, I love a good shower gel with a pump. There is something strangely satisfying about it. I was skeptical about the Olive scent, but I was in Ulta awhile back and they were having a sale PLUS I had a coupon, so I gave it a sniff and fell in love. It smells so fresh and clean, I knew I had to have it. I have been using this shower gel for all of June and will continue to do so!

3. Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle Spray $21.95
I received a sample of this in my Birchbox awhile back and I absolutely fell in love with it. I believe this is my second repurchase of this product. I use it right when I get out of the shower, with still wet hair. I spray it all over and usually let it air dry. It smells so beachy and fantastic, and my hair dries smooth and tangle free. 

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Concealer $7.99
I have been on the search for a great under eye concealer for awhile. I always look tired, even if I got 10 hours of sleep the night before. I love this concealer because of the soft tip applicator, it applies so smoothly and it doesn't get cakey. I have used this concealer sans primer many times and it works just great!

5. Diamond Dazzle Stik $7
My engagement ring has an Aquamarine as the stone, and when clean and in natural light it is a brilliant light blue color. When it has build-up (from normal day to day living) it can look kind of cloudy. I was in need for a way to clean up the stone that was quick, easy and effective. My best friend showed me her diamond dazzle stik, let me use it one night and I loved it. It lasts for a long while too. I bought mine at the beginning of the year, and clean my ring a few times a month, and it is still going strong!

So these are the products I was obsessed with in the month of June! Let me know if you like these types of post, or if there is something else you would like to hear more about! Thanks for reading!