Affordable Beauty Haul

Hello Everyone!

I'm all about budgeting. I love to coupon and find good deals on products especially beauty products which can be costly. So today I bring you my first affordable beauty haul for 2019. Last  week I mentioned that I was decluttering my makeup.
.throwing away old makeup, giving away or selling  some of my makeup. Once again please check your makeup! Old makeup can harbor a lot of bacteria, especially mascara. Incase you missed it, you can see a few of my other beauty purchases in my recent post, The Weekend Went Like This... 

Target and Ulta

I had to throw out some of my NYC Jumbo Eye Pencils that were old, so I replaced them when I went to Target. I also came across a few Pixi Products. I absolutely love the H2-0 skin drink! I already another one of these moisturizers from Christmas and it works wonders for my skin. I'm also replacing some of my older makeup brushes and I saw this Morphe M124 Brush. Morphe Brushes are so affordable and great quality!

I was hoping that Ulta had the new Morphe Foundation and Concealer, but those won't be available at my local Ulta until sometime next week. I really wanted to swatch the testers.  I needed to get a few beauty products, and I'm so happy I saw these ELF Mask Brushes. I really don't like using traditional makeup brushes to apply face masks so hopefully these brushes will work well. Since it's so cold, I thought I'd add this ELF Nourishing Night Cream from Target to my skincare routine to prevent dry skin. If you've used this night cream, let me know your thoughts in the comment section.

Victoria's Secret

I really love matte liquid lipsticks. If you didn't know Victoria's Secret started marketing their beauty again. For a couple of years I noticed they discontinued their makeup products, but I'm glad to see some of them back. I saw this Bombshell Mini Body Mist, and it smells really nice. The scent is a mixture of sweet, fresh, and floral. I see why the perfume is popular!

I had to switch up hair care products again. Hopefully Tresemmé will work for my hair.

January 2019 Posts

My 33rd Birthday/Christmas 2018

My Life in December 2018

Planning and Goals 2019 

Allergy Testing at SCENT

Winged Eyeliner and Vampy Lipstick

Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works SAS Winter 2018/2019

 I Won a Derma E Giveaway!

 The Weekend Went Like This... 

Sultry Makeup for Winter

Sultry Makeup for Winter

Hello Everyone!

You may have noticed that I've been wearing dark lipstick in my recent makeup posts. Today I have another sultry look that I recently created. Winter is my least favorite season, but I love wearing darker makeup. 

For this makeup look I didn't want to go too dark with all my makeup. For my eyes I used Low Blow from Naked Heat in my crease. Then I used a Maybelline Concealer all over my lid into the outer V. To set the concealer, I went back over my lids with Quince.

Naked Heat may have those beautiful fiery colors, but I cooled this eye makeup look to accommodate the Winter theme I was creating. I also used Milani Matte Eyeliner and Covergirl Peacock Flare Mascara

Lately my skin has been all over the place in terms of being dry and oily. On this particular day my skin decided to be oily, but I wanted to go for a dewy look. I used the Maybelline 24hr foundation, but I used a small amount. I didn't want to go with a matte foundation since my skin would pay for it later. I don't take chances in extremely cold weather since my skin can become dry. I couldn't decide between using MAC Media or Milani Matte Fearless Lipstick, so I used both.

Do you like creating sultry makeup looks during the Winter?

January 2019 Posts

My 33rd Birthday/Christmas 2018

My Life in December 2018

Planning and Goals 2019

Allergy Testing at SCENT

Winged Eyeliner and Vampy Lipstick

Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works SAS Winter 2018/2019

I Won a Derma E Giveaway!

The Weekend Went Like This...

The Weekend Went Like This...

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend! Since it's pretty cold outside I took this weekend to get some things done around the house and take pictures I needed to post from December as well.

Target Bullseye Playground 

I started getting Valentine's Day Decor in late December. I was so happy to find these planters even if it took multiple trips to different Targets. These planters make great beauty item holders etc.

Pixi by Petra 

Christmas Gifts and Pixi gifted me a few products. I've heard a lot of positive reviews about this brand.

Morphe

I used my Ulta Points and Gift Cards to get these beauties. I also used the $3.50 coupon for more savings.

Urban Decay

I've been eyeing this beauty since it's release last year. The are no words for how beautiful the Born to Run Palette looks in person!

CVS Pharmacy 

Last weekend I used some of my bonus bucks at CVS to get a few Beauty products. I can't wait to use the Loreal Mascaras!

Makeup Declutter

It's time for a makeup Declutter! I'm tossing  Some of my makeup since it's old, others makeup I'm selling in boxes, and the rest I'm donating.  Please remember, that makeup does have an expiration date. Keeping and using old makeup can cause skin irritation, breakouts, and habor bacteria.

Washing Makeup Brushes 

In speaking of harboring bacteria, it's makeup brush bath time! Once upon a time ago I liked washing my brushes. I skipped washing my brushes last month since I wasn't feeling well and I didn't wear makeup. 

Laundry

I usually save the weekend do laundry. I wash my clothes, towels, and bed linen. For as long as I can remember, I enjoy washing clothes, but folding them and putting them away is another story. I don't know why but I absolutely hate folding laundy! 

Yankee Candle Scenterpiece and Wax Melt Cup

I started using my wax warmer from Yankee Candle last week. The candles may not throw all that well, but these wax melts throw really well! I can smell the wax melt cup all throughout the apartment!

When I wash clothes I love burning candles and now using wax melts. The scent of the clothes washing and the wax melt smell really nice.

Bear Mug

Hot cocoa in my cute bear mug. This is my favorite mug right now!

Skincare Organization

Skincare Sunday. I spent part of the weekend organizing my skincare. As you can see I running out of space in my Muji Drawers. I'm thinking about getting an original beauty box for my skincare. It's bigger and I love using my Pro Box for my makeup

I accomplished getting a good bit done this weekend. Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead!

January 2019 Posts 

My 33rd Birthday/Christmas 2018

My Life in December 2018

Planning and Goals 2019  

Allergy Testing at SCENT

Winged Eyeliner and Vampy Lipstick

Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works SAS Winter 2019

I Won a Derma E Giveaway!

I Won a Derma E Giveaway!

Hello Everyone!

Last week I had a pleasant surprise waiting by the front door when I  got home, a Derma E Package! Since I'm a Derma E Ambassador, I was thinking I was being sent a few items for review. I thought the box felt unusually heavy, and to my surprise I was one of the 20 winners from a giveaway Derma E hosted in November! I'm still in shock since I rarely win giveaway! Here are the giveaway items that I received. Thank you so much Derma E for this amazinf giveaway package!

If you read my blog regularly, you know that Derma E products are some of my holy grail skincare products.  Derma E products keeps my skin healthy.  Side Note: I'm currently in the process of reorganizing my skincare products :)

I'm familiar with the Derma E Nourishing Rose Cleansing Oil and Derma E Radiant Glow Face Oil which are both great products. Click on the links if you would like to read those reviews. I haven't tried the other 3 products, but I've heard positive reviews about them. I love how the Microdermabrasion Scrub smells! The scrub has a citrus scent. I don't think I've used an overnight peel before, and I love idea of a sun protection mineral powder. Don't forget you should protect your skin agaisnt sun damage even during colder temperatures! You can expect to see reviews on the products in the near future!

January 2019 Posts

 My 33rd Birthday/Christmas 2018

 My Life in December 2018

 Planning and Goals 2019

 Allergy Testing at SCENT

 Winged Eyeliner and Vampy Lipstick

Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works SAS Winter 2018/2019

Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works SAS Winter 2018/2019

Hello Everyone!

It's that time of year again! The Semi Annual Sale for Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works! If you noticed, I don't get many items from the Winter SAS. I had a few gift cards left from my birthday, but the sales weren't all that great. I like the Summer Semi Annual Sales much better.

At one of the local Victoria's Secret

 

Victoria's Secret PINK Body Care 

Victoria's Secret Body Care 

This location had a slightly better selection of clothes, but some of the clothes weren't on sale or overpriced.

Trying another Victoria's Secret. Hopefully this one will have a better selection. Side Note this is my favorite VS, it looks so classy! 💖 

Victoria's Secret PINK Body Care Items

Perfume Display

The body care bins were much better this location

Bath & Body Works 

The SAS was not good at Bath &Body Works either. There wasn't much of a selection, so I didn't take any pictures lol.

 The sales rep gave this bag since I had an oversized tote in the bag. I attended Candle Day on December 1st, so I didn't need any candles.

A few body care items and a liquid lipstick

The only item of clothing from the SAS. The clothes were overpriced and there wasn't a good selection. I did like this shirt though. 

The back of the PINK shirt

As you can see I kept this haul small from Bath & Body Works. Boardwalk Marshmallow Clouds smells so good! It reminds me of a toasted marshmallow with hints of sweet vanilla. It's not overpowering. Pink Lily Bamboo smells pretty good too. This fragrance smells fresh with lights hints of floral. I forgot to take a picture of the tote. The tote was a promotional item last month and 40% off the items inside.

Yesterday morning I went back to another Victoria's Secret to finish using my gift card. 

As much as I love making my own Fall and Winter accessories, I do love getting store bought accessories. The scarf my Godmother gave me from Victoria's Secret for my birthday is so beautiful I was able to find two more on sale!

 I also added Very Sexy Body Oil to my collection to complete the set

Did you find any good SAS deals?

January 2019 Posts

My 33rd Birthday/Christmas 2018

My Life in December 2018

Planning and Goals 2019

Allergy Testing at SCENT

Winged Eyeliner and Vamp Lipstick

Winged Eyeliner and Vampy Lipstick

Hello Everyone!

Before I start today's post I want to everyone for their kind words on my last post! Dealing with allergies and sinus problems my whole life hasn't been isn't easy, but I'm remaining optimistic for relief. As I mention in the last post, I will keep you all posted! 

Since I was sick a good bit of December with a cold and sinus infections, I didn't wear too much makeup, but now that I'm feeling better, I've slowly started applying more of my makeup. For this look I did a simple winged liner and vampy lip.

Winged liner with glasses, and a smile

Oh how I missed wearing dark lipstick

Covergirl TruMatte Foundation is my holy grail of drugstore makeup. I'm also wearing a matte liquid eyeliner by Milani

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

January 2019 Posts

My 33rd Birthday/Christmas 2018

My Life in December 2018

Planning and Goals 2019

Allergy Testing at SCENT

Allergy Testing at SCENT

Hello Everyone!

Over the last 5 years that I've been writing on my blog, I've discussed that I suffer from sinus and allergy issues. I've dealt with these problems since I was 2 weeks old. Yes you read that right, 2 weeks old. My mom told me that I was allergic to the material of the outfit I was wearing and I developed a rash! 33 years later I still have the some of the same issues. I've been on almost every allergy medication and nasal sprays I can think of at some point, but lately nothing has been working. Countless sinus infections later, I ended up at SCENT which stands for South Carolina Ears, Nose, Throat.

November 1, 2018

Image courtesy of SCENT 

When I saw my primary doctor in early September 2018 for another sinus infection, she said it was time to see a specialist. My initial appointment at the ENT went well. I was given a solution in my nose. I wasn't to fond of that process. Let's just say I don't like Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies anymore lol. One of the nasal solutions had a weird bitter chocolate taste, and the other solution had a nasty mint taste. After telling the doctor how much I've been suffering, he wanted me to have an allergy test and a CAT Scan.

December 27, 2018

I was a little nervous about the allergy test. It wasn't too bad. The little needles looked intimidating, but the process wasn't too bad. The test was supposed to consist of three sets of little needles.

The first set of clamp needles felt a little uncomfortable to me since the set of clamp needles were pressed down on my arm, but it wasn't painful. The little needles felt like ant bites. Typically these test are done on your arms/shoulders or on your back. My allergy test was attempted on my arms/shoulders.

For preparation for allergy testing, I was given a list of medications to stop taking 5 days prior to get accurate results. If you take your allergy meds, the test will likely show you have some kind of antihistamine in your system. I couldn't take any of my allergy medications since they were all on the list. Since I didn't know how I was going to react to the allergy testing my mama came along with me.

Apparently I'm allergic to environmental factors, The environmental factors were done on right arm and food factors were done on my left arm, but I have to go back because they're not sure if I'm allergic to the other solution they injected in upper arm or my skin is just sensitive.

My right arm itched like crazy and it was swollen. This picture was taken in the car about 30 minutes after the first allergy test. My arm was swollen for a few days. I had to take benadryl for a few days to stop the excessive itching on my right arm.

January 8, 2019

I was hoping that I would finally have answers to why I've been suffering so badly from these sinus and allergy issues, but the solution needed for my allergy test was still not available. So the specialist decided that I would need a Rast Test done. A Rast Test is a type of blood test to test for allergies. Honestly I don't know why I wasn't given the Rast Test from the start when the solution used for the allergy testing was unavailable on Dec. 27th. I was frustrated because I want to feel better, but I'm being patient. If the Rast Test will get get to the bottom of my sinus and allergy issues, then it's worth the wait. I have to reschedule to get the Rast Test done...another cancellation. I'm not going to let this get to me. I also had to go another 5 days without my allergy medications so and along with the cold I had, I was feeling pretty miserable. The upside of the cancellation is that I spent the day with my mama for her birthday. She went with me again.

Update: I received a call from SCENT and once again they want to proceed with the allergy testing. Instead of the Rast Test, I'll be waiting to recieve another call to reschedule the rest of my allergy test once the solution for the needles are in the office. I'm assuming I'll have the cat scan then as well.

What's Next?

I see my primary doctor next month, and I'm definetly letting her know what's going on. My hope is that if I can't get another appointment for the allergy test before I see my primary doctor, she can give me another referral for another specialist if needed.  I'm hoping I can adjust my allergy medications this time instead of going off my medication completely. I'm optimistic that I'll have some relief for my allergy and sinus problems. I know this was a extremely long post today, but I plan on writing another post (shorter than this post lol) once I find out more.


January Posts 2019

Planning and Goals 2019

My Life in December 2018

My 33rd Birthday/Christmas 2018