Makeup Haul

Hello, Beautiful!

Once a month we go on a big grocery stock-up trip. We normally go to Wal-Mart for everything except fruit, veggies, and meat. The trip is long (taking us 2 to 3 hours normally) and the bill is high, but the amount of groceries we get usually lasts us 3 to 4 weeks (with going out to eat once a week). We still have to do mini grocery trips for things that run out/expire quickly - like milk, bread, fruits, and veggies... and Red Bull :)

I'm a crazy coupon user too. I have a binder full of them - all organized by type of grocery. We usually save between $50 and $100 in coupons in one visit depending on what we're buying - which is really great and is the reason we can afford to do those extra little fun things (like going to the movies). Usually the only way I'll buy makeup in a grocery or big-box store is with a coupon. I'm just too cheap! I think running ValentineKisses.com has really spoiled me. I know what good deals are out there and I hate paying full price for anything.

In today's shopping trip I picked up a few beauty items, which I'll try out over the next few days. I'm really excited about the Rimmel nail polish. I'm in love with gray polish - especially China Glaze polish in "Recycle" - but the Rimmel gray polish looks like a lighter shade of gray that looks so pretty! I think I'll paint my nails tomorrow afternoon, after I pack up and ship out all weekend orders.


Here's the haul:

I had a $5 off $10 coupon for Wet n Wild products. It was only after I got these polishes home that I realized I already have one of them! Oh well, no biggie. I'll probably pass it onto my nieces.

Going from left to right:
* Wet n Wild Craze Nail Color in #236 Lust
* Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in #206B Undercover
* Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in #213 RedTape
* Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in #209B Candy-licious
* Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in ##208A Through the Grapevine
* Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Color in #460D Kaleidoscope


I also had a Eucerin coupon, which I needed to use because it's the best lotion to use for tattoo healing. I had a sample pack of Eucerin that I've been using, but I've been out for a few days so I picked up the small 4.2 fl oz size and used a $2 off coupon I had for it. And although I already have the L'Oreal primer, I had a $2 off coupon so I decided to stock up (since I love that primer - you can read my review on it here). I also had a coupon for the Rimmel foundation, which was $1.00 off - although I'm really unsure of the shade, the coverage, or the wear. No coupon for the Rimmel polish or Hard Candy polish.

Going from left to right in the photo above:
* Hard Candy Mini Nail Color w/ heart shaped nail file. This polish doesn't have a name listed on the bottle, but it's just a clear polish with silver chunky glitter.
* Eucerin Intensive Repair lotion.
* Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in #805 Grey Matters
* L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base (primer)
* Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in #303 True Nude


I also found these cute little bubble baths/shower gels at Wal-Mart in their holiday gift isle. I don't plan to keep these for myself; they're part of my nieces Christmas gift. They actually smell really good and they're super cute - but then again, I love cupcake shaped/themed items! I almost picked one up for me, but I know I'd never use it and it would just sit in my shower looking cute and making me hungry for cupcakes!

Besides my little Wal-Mart haul, I also placed a Sephora order. I really wanted that free clutch with samples (free with any $25 or more purchase). A year ago I ordered Cover FX cream compact foundation (that's not the exact name of it but I can't think of the exact name at the moment). I loved how full coverage it was and the finish (slightly dewy, yet still natural), but the shade wasn't right for me at all. It was too light. I exchanged it for a different foundation and brand all together, even though I wanted to try a different shade. But now that my skin is awful again I need that complete coverage so I'm going to give it another go. This time I ordered a shade darker than last time. I also ordered some nail polish there (one of the Sephora by OPI polishes and three Sephora polishes that were on sale for $1).

Swatches and reviews of all the products in the haul will come to the blog soon!

Also...

The website was not updated last night (Sunday) but it will be updated later this evening. If you order today and quality for the shopping promo that is still listed on the website you will still receive it (even though it says the offer expired yesterday). A new shopping promo is coming soon (another free gift offer).

Wet n Wild Rock Solid Nail Lacquer Review

Hello, Beautiful!

My nails needed some attention today so I decided to try out a few colors of Wet n Wild's Rock Solid Nail Lacquer. I'm very impressed!

Most nail polishes I use require two coats to really look good (with the exception of a few). These go on really pretty in just one coat, and look fantastic in two. I did try out a few colors before deciding on one. The colors I tried out are:

Quartz of Course (a shimmery berry mauve)

Magic Amethyst (a vibrant shimmery pink)

Mystic Quartz (a vibrant shimmery purple)

Amazing in Amber (a very pretty shimmering neutral)

In the end I decided on Quartz of Course, but I think tomorrow I'll change it to Magic Amethyst (I now find I can paint my nails during the time I'm waiting in the "Kiss & Go" line when picking my son up from school).

These polishes are great! Have you tried them? If so, what color(s) do you like?

These retail for $2.99 but you can purchase them on ValentineKisses.com for $1.49 each. Click here to see all the colors!

Skin Care Boot Camp

Hello, Beautiful!

Right now I'm feeling anything but beautiful. I've been very stressed the past several weeks and that is never a good thing with my Cushing's Syndrome. My hormone levels are going crazy and my skin has gone crazy too.

I have been so busy on some days that I didn't even have time to shower or wash my face. Gross, I know, but it's a fact of life. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that can skip a day (or two) of showering when they're super busy and not leaving the house. I know I'm not the only gross one out there!

My skin was improving greatly. I had limited blemishes and the new ones that were showing up were less crazy and didn't bring a whole group of them. And now back to bad-skin-city!

So now it's time to kick my skin back into shape with what I'm calling Skin Care Boot Camp. I'm using a lot of the same products as previously listed in other blog posts, but I've added some different products and when I apply them, so I figured I'd update this blog with that post.

I did take a before photo, which I don't even dare to post until there is a major improvement with an after photo. But once I do post the before and after photos you may be shocked at how awful my skin gets in such a short period of time with lack of care and too much stress (thanks a lot, health problems). I look like one of those before photos in those Proactive commercials... maybe even worse than some. It's so bad that not even makeup can make me feel good - although I still have a great routine for covering my awful skin.

Here is my Skin Care Boot Camp product list:


MORNING ROUTINE PRODUCT LIST:

• Sephora Face Complexion Brush
• Patricia Wexler Dual-Action Foaming Cleanser
• MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (2 to 3 days per week)
• Olay Refreshing Toner (only on days I'm really oily)
• Patricia Wexler Anti-Aging Acne Serum (only on days I am breaking out a lot)
• Patricia Wexler Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
• Korres Evening Primrose Eye Cream

MORNING ROUTINE REGIMEN:

First I begin by prepping my $5 Sephora Face Complexion Brush. I just run it under water to get it wet and then apply my cleanser directly to the brush head. I massage the brush head onto my skin in circular motions. There is no real rhyme or reason, I just do circles. I normally will go in one direction (such as only doing clock-wise), then rinse the brush head off and go back over the same area in the opposite direction. After I wash my entire face with the face brush (taking 20 to 30 seconds minimum per main area), I rinse off my face and the face brush. I pat my face dry (don't rub your face, especially if you have any breakouts - you can spread the bacteria or cause more skin irritation).

Every other day, or every two days, I will exfoliate my face with a good exfoliator. Currently I'm using MAC's Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. This works good to make my skin feel nice and soft, but the smoky smell is hard to deal with, but then again I'm pretty sensitive to certain smells. I apply this with my fingers to my entire face, and most times just use my fingers to gently rub it in circles to exfoliate my face. However, if it's been awhile, or if my skin just needs it, I will use my Sephora Face Complexion Brush to work in the exfoliator. Using the brush adds an extra layer of exfoliation.

Then, if my skin is oily (mostly in the summer time - not so much in the fall/winter), I will use Olay's Refreshing Toner - which I apply with a cotton ball. I apply this to my t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) but also to my cheeks, which is where a lot of my breakouts happen. This toner will help balance out your skin so it controls oil. I don't always remember to do this step, and it's not a step that will hurt or greatly benefit my skin care routine. It's just helpful.

If my skin is breaking out alot, or if I see new breakouts forming, I will apply Patricia Wexler's Anti-Aging Acne Serum to problem areas (which for me is everywhere). I don't always do this step in the morning, even if I need it. I try to because it is very helpful, but I will also use this at night if I forget to do it in the morning.

Finally, I will apply Patricia Wexler's Skin Brightening Daily Moisture SPF 30. I love this moisturizer. It's perfect and I can't really explain why. It just works. Then I'll apply my eye cream, which right now I'm using Korres Evening Primrose Eye Cream. That completes my morning routine.

TIP: I should mention that if you are applying an anti-acne treatment (like Patricia Wexler's Anti-Aging Acne Serum) you should wait 15 minutes before applying your moisturizer or anything else on top. If you don't wait you're just diluting the anti-acne formula and not getting its full benefits. This can hold true with all nighttime serums and treatments too. I like to fill that time by brushing my teeth, brushing my hair and picking out my clothes.




 
NIGHT ROUTINE PRODUCT LIST:

• Makeup Remover (usually Victoria's Secret Total Makeup Remover and Make Up For Ever Sen's Eye Makeup Remover - but I will use whatever makeup remover I have on hand)
• Sephora Face Complexion Brush
• DDF Blemish Foaming Cleanser 
• Patricia Wexler Exfoliating Cleanser
• Patricia Wexler Overnight Acne Repair Lotion
• Philosophy Help Me
• Patricia Wexler Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
• Korres Evening Primrose Eye Cream
• Philosophy Hope in a Tube

NIGHT ROUTINE REGIMEN:

First I begin by removing any makeup I may have on my face. I don't wear makeup everyday, but most days I do. Even if I don't have makeup on I will still use a makeup remover over my face just to take off any excess oil and dirt so my cleanser can really get my skin clean and not just clean off my makeup.

Next I prep my $5 Sephora Face Complexion Brush. I just run it under water to get it wet and then apply my cleanser directly to the brush head. I massage the brush head onto my skin in circular motions. There is no real rhyme or reason, I just do circles. I normally will go in one direction (such as only doing clock-wise), then rinse the brush head off and go back over the same area in the opposite direction. After I wash my entire face with the face brush (taking 20 to 30 seconds minimum per main area), I rinse off my face and the face brush. I pat my face dry (don't rub your face, especially if you have any breakouts - you can spread the bacteria or cause more skin irritation).

Then I use Patricia Wexler's Exfoliating Cleanser. This is for the treatment of acne and I love this. I can feel it working - although not so much of an exfoliator, but since I use it daily that's okay (save harsher exfoliators for 1 to 4 times per week depending on the type). I apply this cleanser onto my face with my fingers, smearing it onto each main area. Then I use my Sephora Face Complexion Brush and work it into my skin. Then I will rinse my face and pat dry.

Next I will apply Patricia Wexler's Overnight Acne Repair Lotion. I apply this to my entire face (minus the eye area) because I break out everywhere. You may only need to apply this to one or two problem areas. If I forgot to use it in the morning, or if I'm really breaking out, I'll also use Patricia Wexler's Anti-Aging Acne Serum, allowing 2 to 5 minutes in between to dry.

Then I apply Philosophy's Help Me, which helps with dark pigmentation, pores and fine lines.

Finally I can apply my moisturizer and eye cream and get to bed!



Well, that's the plan! I know it worked before, so it should work again. We shall see...

Essie Drying Drops & Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (review)

Hello, Beautiful!

While on a recent shopping trip to Target I decided to pick up a box of Essie Drying Drops. I've read plenty about them, mostly good things, but for some reason I waited this long to purchase them.

Now that I've used them, I don't think I can do another manicure without them! One of my biggest pet peeves is how my nails always get messed up every single time I paint them. It doesn't matter how thin of coats I use, or how long I wait in-between coats, they'll get messed up one way or another. Little scratches, dents, or finger prints... always!

Now I no longer need to worry! Just a drop or two of Essie Drying Drops and my nails dry within seconds... SECONDS!!! This is one of those desert island products; you know, the kind of product that is so good you don't want to live without it.

I'm in love with Essie Drying Drops! I can now paint my nails, apply the drops, and get on with my busy life. The only thing I didn't like was how messy it is. It can drip down your fingers, but it's not something that stains or looks messy. It will wipe right off and even if you don't wipe it off it disappears. It's really not something that bothers me all that much; it's just a bit messy.

The same day I purchased the Essie Drying Drops (which, by the way, cost $14.99), I also picked up Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (it was on sale at Sally's for $6.50). I've heard a lot more about this product, but I personally don't like it as much. It took longer to dry my nails (compared to Essie Drying Drops), but it still helped speed along the process. The one thing I did like was how it protected my nails. I lightly touched my nail after applying this (about 20 seconds or so after) and normally that would leave a finger print but it basically acted as a force field and no finger print was left behind.

Out of the two I will definitely repurchase the Essie Drying Drops. I don't think I'd repurchase the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, but my mind could change.


Do you own either of these drying formulas? If so, which one do you own and what do you prefer?

Halloween

Hello, Beautiful!

I'm a little sad that Halloween is over, but I'm happy to get back to work on all the great new inventory for ValentineKisses.com! If all goes as planned the new inventory will be up on the website by Wednesday night.

Halloween for us was fun! Although I'm a little disappointed with the costume contest in town tonight.... or should I say, lack thereof! On the event flyer it said there would be a costume contest, however nobody seemed to know where or when it would be. We asked the police department (who were basically running the event and had a huge set-up at the event). They had no idea when or where. They told us to ask the fire fighters, which we did and they had no idea. They told us to ask the magician at the gazebo (which was the center of the event). We asked the magician and guess what? He had no idea too and told me that nobody told him anything and the person running the event was nowhere to be found.

Another disappointment was how lazy the store owners were this year compared to previous years. You see, this event is in town on Main Street. There are stores on both sides of the street and they block off the road so kids can safely trick-or-treat. Usually they stand outside of their stores to hand out candy, making it easier for everyone to stay in a line. However this year 98% of them were inside their stores, requiring everyone to walk in. I can understand that maybe they were thinking "people will walk in and want to shop", but really the kids just want candy and no parent is going to stop to shop when their kid wants to keep trick-or-treating! Plus, people push and shove and rush people so who even has time to stop and look at anything?

My son's costume is large, heavy, and on wheels. Getting it in and out of the stores just wasn't a realistic option for us. Most of the stores only have one door to enter and exit and with how people push, shove and squeeze in and out of those stores it would never work for us. So unfortunately my son didn't get a lot of candy there (which isn't a huge deal because he has enough at home). He just loves the attention he gets with the costume :)

Below are some photos of his costume. He was a vending machine for zombies. I even went as far as making a fake company name, "Zombie Snacks". I custom made most of the snacks in the machine - like the Zombie Soda, Breakfast Fingers Cereal, and jar of Blood & Guts.

The "Thank You" flap (where you'd normally take your vending machine selection) is where people put the candy. The buttons to make the selections are made from an old computer keyboard. I just spray painted them and then drew the numbers on with a nail polish pen. I made the dollar and coin parts out of bubble wrap insulation, wood, and plastic. The entire frame is made of wood with lots of cardboard on top. The window in the vending machine is a thin piece of plexi glass. The top and back of the costume is open so there is plenty of air.



The vending selections were:

A 1: Brain

A 2: Human Head

A 3: Zombie Soda - Blood Type AB Negative

B 1: Freshly Sliced Human Hand

B 2: Breakfast fingers Cereal

B 3: Zombie Soda - Blood Type O Negative

C 1: Spider Doritos

C 2: Blood & Guts

C 3: Freshly Chopped Human Arm

My husband once again let me play around with makeup and I make him look like he was run over by a car. This was supposed to only be the trial run (meaning the first time I tried this look on him), but because I ran out of time this was how he went out tonight.

[For the tire treads I used a Wet n Wild Kohl Eyeliner in Black to draw out each shape (Wet n Wild's Kohl Eyeliner will be available on ValentineKisses.com for $0.75 each - we have several shades that will be available). Then I used Wet n Wild Fantasy Makers Enchanting Body Wand (which is a creamy pencil) in Black (this crayon/pencil will be available on ValentineKisses.com for $0.99 each). I used a brush to blend and smudge.]

[For the blood/bruises I used Wet n Wild's Fantasy Makers Enchanting Body Wand in Red and in Black (they will be available on ValentineKisses.com for $0.99 each). I just applied with a brush and blended with my fingers.]

I hope everyone had a great Halloween! I'd love to hear what you dressed up as! :)

Also...

I want to thank everyone for entering our October Daily Give-Away! We started out with a small amount of entries per contest at the beginning of the month (with around only 30 to 40 entries per contest), but as the month went on the amount of entries grew (up to 253 entries per contest)! I'm thrilled with the great response we had to our October Daily Give-Away!

Reminders about our October Daily Give-Away:

Winners will be selected and notified within the first two weeks of November.

We'll attempt to contact the potential winners up to three times. The first and second attempt will be by email; the third attempt will be by phone. We email and/or call you to the email address/phone number you provided on your contest entry form. If you entered our contest during the stage that we only accepted blog comments and email entries, we will contact you a total of three times - all by email. Please keep a look out for an email from us!

You will have 7 days from the initial contact to reply back to claim your prize. If you fail to reply back within 7 days, or if we are unable to reach you within 7 days, your prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected.

You have not officially won any contest until you submit a Prize Claim Confirmation Email (PCCE). The PCCE simply confirms all the information you submitted on your contest entry form. Once your PCCE is sent to us we will be able to process and ship your prize.

Prizes will ship out within 4 weeks from the time we receive your PCCE. Prizes may ship out via USPS Priority Mail or USPS First Class Mail. We will email you to confirm we have shipped your prize so you can look for it in the mail. We do not replace or re-send any prize that was damaged during shipment, or that is lost during shipment.