7 Makeup Products You SHOULDN'T Splurge On

 Hey guys!  So today I'm really happy about making this article, because this is a topic I've been wanting to blog about for a LONG time and hope to write more about in the future.  Beauty on a budget.  I am a high school student, and quite frankly, I just don't have a lot of money.  But no worries if you're like me and money is a problem.   This is my top list of products that I personally don't feel you need to spend on.  

Now, keep in mind, these aren't all necessarily products you shouldn't be buying, if I meant that, I'd be in big trouble.  What I mean is that I feel you shouldn't have to spend a lot of money on them, and I will be giving you cheaper and cost-effective alternatives for each of these if you still want to get any of these products.  But who knows, maybe I'll convince you not to buy some of them at all after all!  Anyways, I really hope you enjoy this, so let's get started ;).

1. Eyelash curler: While it's true you can get these for just a dollar (E.L.F. brand), many price ranges for eyelash curlers are much higher.  And while they can be nice, especially for people with very short lashes, there's an easy way to do it just by using your fingers which I use all the time.  Let me know if you want me to share this trick with you in a future blog post.

2. Tinted Moisturizer: I'm a strong believer in purchasing foundations and bb creams, but personally I'm not much of a fan of buying tinted moisturizers separately.  You see, it's easier just to make your own at home with 2 ingredients you already have: fav foundation + fav moisturzier.  Do whatever you prefer, but this little tip works just about as well for me.

3.  Eyeshadow primer: I know many of you will disagree with me on this one, but keep in mind that I didn't say you should use it, I said it isn't something you should necessarily need to splurge on.  Elf has one for just one dollar that has great reviews, and I'd suggest trying that first.  Then can you can go ahead and complain all you want to me.

4.  Makeup setter spray: Believe it or not, even this item is something many people pay big bucks on.  But before buying, ask yourself, "Do I REALLY need this? Is this the ONLY alternative for me?"  Obviously these expensive sprays can be super great and all, but part of doing "beauty on a budget" is learning to cut back and buy only what you actually need.  I'll be posting an article soon on how I make my own makeup setter soon as part of my diy makeup series.  Or you can try elf's makeup mist + set (3$).  I just don't think this is all that necessary if you invest in a good setting powder and/or have blotting sheets.  The only exception would be a wedding or big event in my opinion.

5. Bottom lash mascara: Seriously, a separate mascare JUST for the bottom lashes? Sorry, I'm just not buying that (OMG, best pun ever!).  That was seriously an accident!  Anyway in my opinion just use regular old mascara and place an index card underneath to prevent a mess.

6. Undereye setting powder: I'm sure this is nice and all, but any translucent or brightening type of powder is just find for someone who's trying for beauty on a budget.

7. Highlighter: This is the last time I mention ELF saving the day.  No need to spend money on expensive Benefit High Beam!  There's an amazing one dollar drugstore alternative known as ELF Shimmering Facial Whip that is pretty much the same and I've seen some reviews who even say it's better.  If it's a miss, you've got nothing to lose! ;)

Thanks for reading, Katie xoxo


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Hope you liked these tips, and that they help you think before splurging on certain items.  Comment below what you think.  What items on this list do you agree don't need to be splurged on?  Are there any products you would add or take off this list?

September Makeup Faves 2013

Hey everyone!  The month of September is nearly over, and so I realized it's time for me to share my September favorites.  This is my first month of blogging, and so this will also be my first monthly favorites.  What I'm thinking my plan will be in regards to these types of things is that I'll try to post these on the last Friday of each month (but obviously I didn't do that this time).  Let me know what types of favorites you'd like me to do (for example, a different one for makeup, skincare, food, all in one, etc.) so I can decide which specific types of favorites you're interested in reading about.  Also let me know if you would find it better if I just made a video and posted it here talking about my faves.  Remember, I'm here for YOU, and I need to know what you would prefer :).  Well, let's just get started then, hope you enjoy!  Leave your comments below!

1. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation:  I've been loving this this month, the coverage and blendability is just amazing.  It's definitely the best foundation I've ever purchased, and I'll do a full review on it if you guys would like :).

2. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer:  I have this in strawberry, it's a nice simple lip balm that is really soothing and feels minty when you put it on, yet it has a nice fruity scent.  I really love it and just about anything Burt's bees.

3. Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer:  This is really good for under-eyes, which I have quite dark circles, but this really helps cover them.  Probably the best under-eye concealer I have used thus far.  

4. Elf HD Blush: I mentioned this in my last haul, and I wanted to give you the chance here to know my opinion of it.  I got it in the shade headliner, which is a nice light pink, the right shade I like for blush.  It's super easy to apply and I blend it using my elf small stipple brush, it's really a great blush and only 3 dollars!

4. Physicians Formula Happy Booster Mood-Boosting Powder: This is a really awesome powder, to read more in detail on it click here.  Anyway I've really been loving it this month so thought I'd mention it again.

5. Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer:  This concealer really is heavy-duty and covers blemishes very well.  Only problem is the shade, it looks a little cakey on my skin since it doesn't quite match, but it's still really good.

6. Elf Volume Plumping Mascara:  This mascara is pretty awesome for just 3 dollars.  I'm not one who uses mascara very much, but when I do this is the one I use.  It has a big wand which is why it creates so much volume and I've been liking it quite a bit :).

7. Garnier Skin Renew Shine-Control BB Cream: I will be doing a full review on this soon, but I have to say, this is truly amazing.  It covers SUPER AMAZINGLY for a bb cream, and it does help control my oily skin.  Only problem is that the shade is a lot darker than my skin tone, and I wish they would have a light or fair/light shade for it :(.

8. Maybelline Baby Lips: I just recently got this one, which is Cherry Me.  I like it, it's a nice flavor and I like the color too.  To see my full review on it, click here.


Hope you liked these favorites!  Please subscribe by email and also follow through google connect (link is on the right).  When I get 100 followers, I will do a giveaway so be sure to do that.  Comment your fall favorites below, as well as what you would like to be blogged about next :).

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~Remember, TRUE beauty comes from within, and cannot be achieved by any product or tip on this site.  Nothing I talk about is sponsored, these are all my own personal opinions :).~

7 Beauty Products to Get You Ready For Fall

Sad (or happy depending on your opinion of the seasons) as it is to say, summer will officially be over in just a few days.  This can not only create a change in the weather, but also a change in the way we do our makeup. There are certain special colors that match the season we are in that we can use to create specific looks.  I will be doing more posts on fall makeup/skincare, as well as my fall routine once I've chosen mine :).  But today I wanted to show you 7 products (most of which you can find in the drugstore) that I think are great for autumn.  Let me know what you think in the comments below and enjoy!

1. Covergirl 3 in 1 Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation: Now that it's fall, you can feel safe going a bit more full coverage and it's a good time to get back Into foundations (if you haven't already).  This is my current favorite foundation because it covers so well and lasts super long, so I can usually just skip the step of my routine I hate using: concealer. If you want me to do a review on this, just let me know!

2. ELF Duo Eyeshadow Cream: I forgot to mention this in my last haul, but there was one mistake in my order.  Instead of getting the eyebrow mascara, I got this in the shades butter pecan.  It's only a dollar, and it's hard to tell from the picture, but I think it's a good duo with perfect shades for fall, with a nice light brown and then darker one also.  It seems good for beginners or a basic autumn look.

3. ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Cream:  This is another product I got in my last haul.  I think the blush inside is great for fall, a nice deeper color, and the contour is a nice shade also.  Both of these colors really made me think of this season, and they are only 3 dollars, so another awesome ELF product!

4.  Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm:  This has been a long-time favorite of mine, especially during fall.  My lips tend to get quite dry and chapped around this time, and this seriously works wonders!  It also gives a nice natural color (in the flavor cherry) that's just right.  

5.  Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powder:  I have so much to say about this product, and this brand, I'll probably have to do a separate review on it.  I've had it for quite some time, and it has lasted me so long and hasn't hit the pan still!  I love this because it has so many different shades you can use, with the regular powder for all over the face, the darker parts for bronzer, and even a pink heart for blush!  This product is great for anytime, but for some reason I felt like it's awesome for fall also.  I'd definitely recommend it for beginners, since it can be multi-purpose and can work for a variety of skin tones.  I just love it!

6.  Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Stain:  I feel like berry is a good color for fall, and this lip stain is fairly long-lasting and is a really beautiful color in my opinion.  

7.  ELF Matte Lip Color:  The last product on this list is another elf one (I just love this brand) and I got it in the shade coral, which I believe is another ideal shade for fall.  It's a pretty decent color and it only cost 3 dollars, so I would definitely recommend trying it out!



What products do you like for fall?  Are there any specific posts you would like in the future on this specific season?  Comment your thoughts below!

Best Makeup Brush Ever! (ELF POWDER BRUSH)

Those of you who read my last blog post know that I just recently received my first order from elf (eyes lips face).  Well, I promised that I would do reviews on some of the products I have gotten to try, and so now will be the first of those to come.  Also, on my last poll, product reviews was what you guys wanted the most, so I decided today I'd rave about my newest favorite brush!

A little background about me and makeup brushes: I really don't have all that many.  I literally didn't have any that I purchased separately until recently.  So maybe the best makeup brush ever is a little bit too high of a standard for you.  But let's just get right into it and I will tell you why it is my favorite!

Here's what it looks like:

The Details:

-flat top brush (pretty dense)

-synthetic 

-nice soft hairs

-3 dollars

Ok keep in mind this my first review on a brush before so don't get too upset. How about I just talk about why I like this and skip that list?  So this brush on the package says it is meant for powder and blush, but also says it can be used on liquid foundation. The reason I got it was because I wanted a better brush to apply my powder with. But I've heard some people say they use it with their liquid foundation and I am thinking of trying that but so far I've only used it for my regular powder (almay hydrating powder) and my  physicians formula happy powder. 

Here's a closer view that should help you see the detailed fibers of the brush better:

Well, let me tell you: it worked amazing!!  It was definitely the softest feel I've ever felt on a brush, and it applied really smoothly!  I kinda brushed it down my face, but also stippled in certain areas.  Once again, really soft!  This brush isn't really the most well known from what I can tell, but it definitely deserves to be.  I'd definitely recommend you try it out, since even if you don't like it the price is only 3 dollars.  

Rating: 9.5/10!!!

You can find elf products at target and kmart for sure, but I haven't seen this brush in any of the stores, so your best bet is to order it online.  My tip for elf ordering: wait for a sale!

Hope you liked this review!  Let me know what you think in the comments below, but if you have anything you'd like to ask me about privately, feel free to fill out the contact form below.  

Thanks for reading,

Katie XOXO


Do you have this brush?  If so, what do you think of it and what do you use it for?

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