His & Hers Beauty Besties CVS Haul!

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CVS Beauty Besties:

It is time for a CVS Beauty Haul! This time, there is a twist...this is a His & Hers haul! CVS is one of our go-to drugstores for beauty products, medicines, toiletries, and other daily staples. When CVS suggested that I grab a Bestie and head out to CVS for a haul, I decided to grab my husband and have some fun with some CVS shopping! Hey-we are parents for 2 kids under 4. A CVS haul feels like a mini-vacation, lol! Plus, my husband has grown to be a bit of a product-lover like me.

CVS Deals: November is the Month to Shop:

Before diving into our His & Hers Beauty Besties Haul, lets talk a bit about some of the deals that are going on at CVS this month:

CVS/pharmacy is celebrating the festive month of November with special deals storewide and online! From 11/1-11/21, shoppers can earn more than $50 ExtraBucks™ Rewards in stores and save over $35 online throughout the month by purchasing select beauty products from brands like Makeup Academy, Maybelline, L’Oréal, Nuance by Salma Hayek, and CoverGirl! Whether you’re getting an early start on your holiday shopping or restocking your beauty closet, CVS has got you covered for the best beauty deals in skincare, haircare and/or makeup!  

Deals Include:

• Makeup Academy – Spend $12, get $4 ExtraBucks Rewards in stores/$4 off online
• Maybelline (eye, face, lips)  – Buy 2, get $5 ExtraBucks Rewards in stores/$5 off online
• L’Oréal (eye, face, lips, nails) – Spend $12, get $4 ExtraBucks Rewards in stores/$4 off online
• Nuance by Salma Hayek – Spend $15, get $3 ExtraBucks Rewards in stores/$3 off online
• Sally Hansen (nails) – Spend $15, get $5 ExtraBucks Rewards in stores/$5 off online

As you know, Beauty Club membership has numerous perks (free sign-up, 10% off beauty shopping pass at enrollment, $5 ExtraBucks® Rewards for every $50 spent on qualifying beauty purchases).

How I got my Great Deals: 
Shopping tips for using CVS Extra Care card, Extra Bucks, and Coupons:

There is no question, I got some amazing deals during my CVS haul! One thing I have really noticed in my years of CVS shopping, the more you spend, the better the deals. For this haul, I got over $160 worth of products for just over $110! Amazing! So, how did I save so much money??? Here is how I got such a great deal: First, I downloaded a 25% off coupon digitally to my CVS extracare (discount card I carry on my key chain). I got the coupon in my email which is linked to my CVS extracare card number. It was as easy as reading my email on my phone and clicking "download to card". Whenever I get to CVS, I scan my card at one of their kiosks. The kiosk prints out coupon and a summary of the discounts on my card. So, when I got to CVS to shop, the kiosk print out confirmed my 25% was loaded and printed me out about 5 coupons (3 of which I used in my haul for $2 off over $10 in vitamins, $3.00 off Revlon, and $1.50 off of Batteries). Plus, my purchase earned me $7.00 in Extra Bucks (a coupon you get after purchase attached to your recipt. Extra Bucks work just like cash at CVS!). Tip: I have found that I do best when I use my Extra Bucks right away (otherwise, I risk losing them in my purse or forgetting about them). So, just when I thought I was "done" shopping, I used my $7.00 Extra Bucks coupon to buy a Revlon lipstick with my $3.00 off coupon. This saved me $10.00! So, my Revlon lipstick ended up being only $2.29 with tax! These are just some of the deals I got! I will detail more below. :) Keep reading!

Top Ten Tuesdays: Top 10 Concealers

 I Bought It  Affiliate Link Press Sample

Concealers are near and dear to my heart. As anyone with deep/dark hereditary dark undereye circles knows, concealer is a game-changer! Gone are the days of hearing the dreaded "you look tired" comments...a great concealer can banish pesky dark circles!!! So, needless to say, the main focus of my concealer search is finding good concealers for the under eye area. My criteria? I need opaque coverage and heavy pigmentation. Plus, the formula can't be too drying nor too moist. If it is too drying it can accentuate fine lines and if it is too moist it will not be long-wearing enough. Also, the shade must be right! I have uber-fair skin. So, I need porcelain shades and/or color corrective shades.

Top Ten Tuesdays:
For those of you not familiar, Top Ten Tuesdays is a blog link up series where Top Beauty Bloggers share their Top 10(ish) items in a given category. As a list lover, I love to both write these posts as well as scroll through the other Top Ten Tuesdays blogger's lists! What a great way to find out about products that Beauty Bloggers really use and love! Be sure to click through the thumbnails at the bottom of this post to see what my fellow Top Ten Tuesdays bloggers are loving for concealer! :)

So, lets jump right into this week's Top Ten Tuesday feature: My Current Top 10 Concealers!!! 

Ok, so most people probably don't even have 10 concealers in their makeup collection. Well, I am not normal when it comes to concealers, lol...plus, I am a beauty-blogger and makeup lover! Concealers are my jam. Sure, I love my blushes, I adore my palettes...but, my concealers? I can't live without em! I am constantly testing new ones in hopes that it will be "the one"!

Top 10 Concealers with IT Cosmetics, Maybelline, MAKE UP FOR EVER

Please click "read more" below to hear more details about each concealer as well as see more photos and swatches! 

Makeup Wars: Best Cream Shadows

 I Bought It  Affiliate Link

It is Makeup Wars time again! This time the Makeup Wars bloggers are sharing their favorite Cream Shadows. This includes any cream shadow type product in potted or pencil form. Choosing a favorite cream shadow product to feature for this Makeup War was so easy for me because I have such a clear favorite in this category!

I adore the ease of cream shadows. As much as I love creating more detailed eye looks, swiping on a cream shadow with my fingertips is pretty much the quickest and easiest way to do my eyes. Whenever I am in a hurry, cream shadows are what I reach for. Nothing beats a good long-wearing wash of color! What I don't love? Cream shadows that wear off quickly or crease on the lids. I need a cream shadow that holds up all day. Otherwise, what is the point?

What are the Makeup Wars?

Before diving into my selection for Best Cream Shadow, let me tell you a bit more about the Makeup Wars. The Makeup Wars Bloggers are a group of top beauty bloggers that publish coordinated bi-weekly posts. The Makeup Wars bloggers collectively pick topics to blog about (e.g., Top 10 Products, Beauty Pampering, etc). We publish our posts at precisely the same time and link up through the graphics at the top and bottom of our posts. It is always so much fun to see what products this group of top bloggers is using and loving.

Did you miss our last few Makeup Wars? Be sure to check out those posts here: Battle of the Taupes, The $20.00 Face Challenge, Battle of the Favorite Summer Lippie, the Most Expensive Face Challenge, the Best Brush, Favorite Fall Polish, Favorite Red Lipstick, Best Fall Look, Halloween Manicure,  Favorite BB Creams,  Favorite Mascara , Favorite Holiday Metallics, and Holiday 2012 Beauty Wishlist,  New Year's Beauty Resolutions, 10 Things I Repurchase Over and Over, and Beauty Pampering.  

So, are you curious as to what I selected as my hands-down favorite Cream Shadow??? Keep reading to find out!

Makeup Wars: Get the Look! Valentine's Day Eyes!!!

What are you doing this Valentine's Day? Me? I am looking forward to a cozy night in with my Hub!!! Wine, a fabulous dinner (prepared by him! He is acutally quite the chef!!!), a decadent desert, candles for atmosphere, and some good music. You get the idea! ;)

This Makeup War is all about our Valentines looks! Each Makeup Wars blogger is sharing her look and/or her products for beautiful Valentine's Day makeup. For me, my look is almost always all about the eyes. So, today I will share with you my go-to look and products for a soft neutral eye. Since we are staying in this valentines day, I am going for a natural look! I want to look like "me" only "better"! ;)

What are the Makeup Wars?

The Makeup Wars Bloggers are a group of top beauty bloggers that pick a topic every 2 weeks to mutually blog about. We blast our posts at exactly the same time. As a reader, you can hop from each blog by clicking the graphic links. I know that I always look forward to publishing as I really can't wait to see what my blog friends are loving! Be sure to check out what my fellow bloggers are doing for their Valentine's Day Makeup Looks!!! :)

Did you miss our last few Makeup Wars? Be sure to check out those posts here: Battle of the Taupes, The $20.00 Face Challenge, Battle of the Favorite Summer Lippie, the Most Expensive Face Challenge, the Best Brush, Favorite Fall Polish, Favorite Red Lipstick, Best Fall Look, Halloween Manicure,  Favorite BB Creams,  Favorite Mascara , Favorite Holiday Metallics, and Holiday 2012 Beauty Wishlist,  New Year's Beauty Resolutions, and Most Repurchased Products. 

To see my eye look and more about the products that I used, please keep reading! Also, don't forget to click on the logo graphic to visit the other' Makeup Wars bloggers to see what they choose for their V-day Makeup!!!!

Falll 2012 Beauty Favorites!

Fall 2012 Beauty Favorites!
with OPI, Shiseido, Wet 'n Wild

It is time for a favorites post! I am so excited!!! I am especially excited because I am featuring the cute graphic above from Beautysets! Have you guys had a chance to play around with Beautysets yet? So fun! I hope to create more lists there!!!

In the past, I featured Monthly Favorites. In the future, I think I will fluctuate between monthly and seasonal favorites. It seems that I went a couple months where I was literally just using the same products. So, I skipped a few months in favor of doing a seasonal Fall Favorites post instead! I just don't want to be too repetative. With that said, if ya'll really want to read favorites posts here on a monthly basis. Please let me know! I would be happy to do it monthly if ya'll really love reading these types of posts.

There are a ton of products that I am *totally loving* right now. Some products I stumbled upon recently and some of them are long-term faves. Buckle in ya'll as this is a long list! I seriously love everything mentioned here!

If you are curious to find out what my Fall Favorite items are, please keep reading!

All You's "Best Beauty Buys 2012": Giveaway and First Impressions Review

All You Magazine has finally released it's official "Best Beauty Buys 2012" list!!! Guess what? I am hosting a Giveaway for some of these items!!!

I love reading these "Best of Beauty" type magazine articles and blog posts.  I always end up taking notes and adding items to my beauty "wish list" from lists like these. Actually, I keep a running list on my notes app on my iPhone. That way I always have my list with me when at the drugstore, grocery store, or mall. :)

I am so excited that I not only got to test out and review some items from All You's "Best Beauty Buys 2012" list, but also I am able to *give away* a gift bag containing 10 items from the All You list as well!

So, do you want to know what is on the full list? 
Be sure to check out the August Issue of All You Magazine which is on sale now at your local Walmart. Or, visit All You's website!

Twenty eight products won across four categories: Makeup, Face, Body, and Hair. The team at All You tested out hundreds of products to come up with this great list. I am excited to see that many of my all-time beauty favorites made this list! Also, I found some exciting new products too! :)

All You Magazine:

All You Magazine is a magazine geared towards the value-driven consumer (me, me, me!!!). Sure, I love my beauty splurges; but, nothing beats a great bargain! The magazine is available either through subscription or you can purchase it exclusively at Walmart. The magazine has articles on health and beauty, cooking and recipe, and parenting and kids. Oh, and it contains a ton of coupons!!! As a new stay-at-home Mommy, it is just a perfect magazine for me. Actually, I am going to start subscribing! Also, there website is worth checking out too. There are tons of daily deals and coupons as well as great recipes and beauty articles.

If you are interested in entering my Giveaway as well as seeing the All You "Best Beauty Buys 2012" list (and my review of some of these items), then please keep reading after the jump! Buckle in for a LONG post; but, hang in there!!! I promise there is a Giveaway towards the end of the post. :)

Maybelline Eye Studio Cream Shadows: Review

Hello there readers! Hope you are having a great week!!! :)

This review is for the Maybelline Eye Studio shadow trio in Neutral Liasons (25).

The other morning, I woke up with very dry feeling skin. So, I thought with the dryness...what a great opportunity to try out a cream shadow! I did cream makeup on my whole face that day (well, cream blush and shadow).

I applied the cream shadows with my e.l.f. Studio concealer brush and I blended, where needed, with my fingers. The e.l.f. brush worked well with the shadows, but also I could have just as easily applied with my fingers. I used the light color in inner corner and as a brow bone highlight, the medium corner on the lid, and the deepest color in the crease and outer corner. I love the texture of the shadows and it just felt so good going on my dry lids.

The low-down:

• On my super-pale skin, these colors really didn't show up as much as I thought they would (surprising!). They applied quite sheer. I would call this a MLBB (my lids, but better) look. The colors gave my skin a nice sheen and the color in the crease gave some dimension. But, overall, the color was not very vibrant. I would say light-medium pigmentation.

• While colors are not extremely pigmented, the overall effect is nice...a very natural look. Good for a day where you really just want to look and feel natural (and not obviously look like you are wearing makeup).

• Color did not last long and it pretty much faded within a couple hours and showed some minimal creasing.

• I applied some Maybelline Studio Gel eyeliner on the lash line. This was interesting (a learning experience for me)...that faded by mid day! Granted, I have never tried applying gel liners over a cream shadow, but apparently that just doesn't work as the eyeliner melted right off! Don't get me wrong, I love Maybelline Studio Gel liner, it just doesn't wear well over cream shadow.

• While this did fade quickly, these shadows could also be touched up easily. Since they are a cream shadow in a small, cute, portable palette, you could easily toss in your purse and touch up with your fingers throughout the day.

• These shadows feel VERY good going on dry skin! It was just kinda a "treat" to put something creamy on my lids as opposed to my powder shadows. Very "fresh and natural" looking. Sometimes I like to go for a "less is more" look, so these might be the shadows that I reach for in the future on days that I want to go for that type of look.

• I love using these shadows for a "quick" look...like if I am running to the store first thing on a Sat morning and just want to swipe on some concealer, mascara, and a little cream shadow. Perfect for days like that!

• These shadows wear slightly better over UDPP (Urban Decay Primer Potion). I tested these both with and without UDPP. They also wear better if you are careful not to apply too much (which will cause the product to build up and crease).

• With a coupon plus a sale, I picked up this little trio for less than $4. Not bad!

Swatched left to right. The light color really doesn't show up. 

I applied very heavily for the swatches so you could see the colors. 

You can't really apply these colors this heavy or they will cake. 

Overall, for a natural look, I like these. But, I do wish that they would wear longer and were more pigmented. I will certainly continue to use this little trio, but likely will probably not purchase more. Ya'll know how much I love Maybelline powder shadows, so I think I will just stick to those when purchasing Maybelline shadows.

Hope you ladies enjoyed reading! I would love to hear what cream shadows you ladies like? Or any tricks for application? Tips to increase wear?

This may be my last post for the next few days (unless I post a picture of our Turkey or something?) as I am busily preparing for guests (my inlaws) for the week *and* my husband and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner as well! Our guest will arrive tomorrow and we have a busy week planned. So, If I don't get a chance to "talk" to you readers...Happy Thanksgiving!!! :)

XOXO!
Pammy

October Favorites!

October 2010 Favorites!

Hello again dear readers! With having the day off today, I just couldn't resist doing another post! Here are my favorite items from the month of October. Some of these I have mentioned in previous blog posts...and some I will be reviewing in more detail in the future! So, in no particular order...

• Maybelline "Time for Wine" quad: Love this as an "everyday" quad. Applies nicely and just gives a great "not too made up" look for a casual Saturday or work. 
• Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner: Eastend Snob: Great nudeish pink with purple undertones. I have been reaching for this frequently. Love it!
• Essence Kajal Pencil in Teddy: See my previous essence rave. This is my all time fav eyeliner pencil and I have used it almost daily this month! 
• Too Faced Glamour Gloss: Pillow Talk: LOVE this gloss. This came from my Enchanted Glamourland Kit...and was probably the best "surprise" of the kit! It is a moisturizing lip plumper (super yummy sugar-cookie type flavor) in a beautiful sparkly nude. Absolutely beautiful!!! 
• BeneFit Powderflage: I am continuing to love this! See previous review! 
• Smith's Rosebud Salve: A classic! I am reaching for this more as the weather has turned colder. I keep it out on the counter in the bathroom or on my nightstand as I am constantly applying this lovely balm. I love the light rose scent. I put it on lips, dry spots, and cuticles. 
• Proactiv Solution: Renewing Cleanser: As someone who does not frequently get breakouts anymore...I found myself not knowing what to do this month as I experienced a "hormonal" breakout. Luckily my Bestie stepped in and gave me her spare bottle! I used this 2x last week and it completely cleared up my minor breakouts. This may be a new love for me! I am certainly going to use it whenever I have "problem issues". It might be too harsh for frequent use...but, man! did it clear up my skin last week! 
• Twilight Woods Body Splash and Triple Moisture Cream: I am totally loving this for Fall. Please see my previous review! For work, I don't like wearing "heavy" perfume as there are people with migraines, etc at work...so, I keep perfume for the weekends and evenings...and scented body splash/body creams for work. I love this Twilight Woods scent (and I love *Twilight*, tee-hee!). I keep the travel sized body splash in my purse for freshening up during the workday!
• Michael Kors Perfume: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! It has a heavenly creamy gardenia type scent (I am not great at describing scents...but, love this yummy perfume!). 

Great Smokey Eye Quads: Maybelline Smokes (Total Rave!)

Maybelline Smokes Collection

All these years...who knew that Maybelline made great eye shadow! Wow! Actually, from what I have read, Maybelline reformulated their eye shadows about a year (or so) ago. The "newer" formulations are apparently much higher quality and better pigmentation. I honestly had never tried Maybelline shadows in the past, so I cant really compare. But, if you have tried Maybelline shadows in the past, and were not pleased, then now is the time to try their new formulations. And, the great news is that these shadows always seem to be on sale somewhere! I found mine all for less than $4.00 each with coupons and store discounts. That's less than $1 for each shadow in a quad! Can't beat that!!!

I seem to really be looking more and more towards drugstore makeup lately. I used to be all about the High End lines like MAC, Stila, NARS, etc...and, don't get me wrong, I still *totally love and adore* those brands, but, hey...I am on a budget and just can't always afford those brands. They are expensive! Drugstore makeup is especially great when I want to try out a "new" or bold color or makeup trend. Plus, keep an eye out for coupons and combine them with in store sales, and you can get these drugstore items for insanely inexpensive prices. I seem to save "High End" purchases for special occasions now or very unique items or collectors products (like special edition palettes) or sets that are a good value...and face makeup (why stray from what I know works for foundation/powder/concealer).

What really caught my eye, and got me into trying Maybelline shadows was seeing their "Stylish Smokes" series. What a great idea to have every shade that you need for a quick/basic smokey eye in one little palette!!! I have not tried all of them. But, I will review what I have tried. I have the "Natural Smokes", "Amethyst Smokes", and "Charcoal Smokes" quads. I believe the only one that I haven't tried that is currently available is the "Emerald Smokes".

Swatched here, from left to right: Natural Smokes, Charcoal Smokes, and Amethyst Smokes

The quads are labeled with "lid", "crease", "brow bone", and "outer corner" stamped into the shadows for fool-proof application of a smokey eye. There is also a little diagram on the back to help you beginners. Great kits for makeup beginners! Now you can apply however you like, but I usually follow their recommendations. So easy! I don't use the sponge applicators (as usual) that come with the set. I apply with my own makeup brushes.

The Natural Smokes:
This is the stand out quad in this line. My fav of the three. For me it creates a beautiful and easy smokey eye that is daytime wearable. Absolutely beautiful! I love it that it contains both matte and shimmer shades. They all blend beautifully and work very well together! My go-to shadows for a brown smokey eye!

Charcoal Smokes:
This is a great quad for a dark smokey eye. On me, this wears best as an evening/going out smokey eye. Overall, the shadows are pigmented, especially the crease shade. I do wish that the black was more pigmented. Once you blend the black, it isn't as dark as I would like. But, overall, I like this quad.

Amethyst Smokes:
This quad is worth it for the beautiful duo chrome purple lid shade alone. This is such a complex color! It is a purple with a blue sheen. Totally beautiful! This kit creates a dramatic eye that is great for evening wear/going out. Can get quite a bold look with this quad. Tip: "Foil"(Foil=apply wet) the purple...it makes it more vivid.

Overall...a big rave for these great Maybelline Quads! Great pigmentation, great price, totally love them! :)

Hope you enjoyed reading. And, I would love to hear what Maybelline shadows you guys like!

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm: Review

Have ya'll seen all the lipstains in the drugstores lately? It seems as if everyone is coming out with one: Covergirl, Maybelline, and Revlon all have lipstains in their current collections. This Revlon one drew me in over the others with it's catchy "Just Bitten" (vamp theme!) name and the dual ended product with lip balm on one end.

So, here is my review for Revlon's Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in the color Frenzy

The idea: Lipstain is a product that "stains" your lips (rather than coating your lips like a lipstick). It is transfer resistant and long-wearing.

Here are my tips and thoughts about Revlon's Just Bitten in Frenzy:

• start with clean dry lips in order to best apply the product (you don't want anything "coating" your lips like lip balm as the color needs to soak into the skin on your lips)
• the color of the stain is the exact color of the product tube
• Frenzy is a beautiful bright raspberry color (perfect for "perking up" my fair skin and complementing my complexion)
• The product is dual ended with the lipstain on one side of the tube and a lip balm on the other side (save the lip balm until after the lipstain is applied and dry)
• The lipstain has a very light berry scent. The lip balm is unscented and clear.
• The lipstain applies like a felt-tip marker and feels wet initially on your lips, but dries quickly.
• The stain is beautiful on its own, or topped with a gloss.
• Suggestion for all felt tip products(feltip eyeliners and lipstains): store tip side down so that the product goes to the tip and the tip does not dry out over time.

My wear test:

• You can reapply lip balm or gloss on top as needed.
• Lipstain does not dry out your lips like how a long-wear lipstick does. It just stains them.
• Lipstain does not transfer color. So, no worries about getting this vibrant color on your coffee mug, your teeth, or your honey (so, pucker up! :)
• Lipstain wore really well all day, but it did slowly fade over time. I wore it through coffee, water, lunch...
• Slight fading noticed within the morning hours, with more significant fading after eating. Even though the color faded, the lips were still visibly "berry" looking later in the day...but, the color was much less vibrant. So, the color will wear all day with decreased vibrancy. I purposely did not reapply as I wanted to see how long it lasted. I almost like the color better after a few hours of fade-time. I was dissapointed that by the time that I got home from work, the color had almost completely faded. BUT, that was after 8 hours of wear (with no reapplication, just reapplication of lipbalm). I think that ideally, a reapplication after lunch would give this product all day-color with just one touch up. And, I think considering how much you have to reapply regular lipstick, one touch-up is pretty good. Plus, I like the color a little better after it fades.

Overall: A big rave for Revlon's Just Bitten! Looking forward to trying more shades from Revlon and some of the other brands as well. (Revlon offers 10 shades, yes...all with vamp-themed names, how appropriate! You guys know that I will have to try Twilight!!!).

Revlon's Just Bitten lipstains retail for about $8.99. But, as you readers know, I hardly ever pay full price! Picked this up during a Revlon sale at Ulta (plus had a $1.00 off coupon), so I ended up getting this product for just a few dollars. The trick to really saving money on cosmetics is to know what ads are out (check online or your newspaper)...and to combine a manufacturers coupon with an in-store sale.

Hope you enjoyed reading!