Beauty Boudoir: Makeup Cutback April Update

Beauty Boudoir: Makeup Cutback April 2012 Update: The Balm Jovi Palette

                Makeup cutback is not going as well as can be expected. Sadly, I have purchased more than one makeup item a month over the past few months, but I’m determined to get back on track. 

              I decided to make one purchase a little early for my April item this year. I purchased the Balm Jovi palette on Amazon for around $30. Again, as stated previously, I want to have quality products rather than quantity. I purchased this item based on the recommendation of Emilynoel83. She talks about this palette and the benefits of it. One of the best aspects of this palette is that is offers you a variety of eye shadows, a highlight, blush and two lip products all in one slim package. It is about the size of my Kindle Fire. The quality of the product is also amazing and pigmented. I’m quite impressed with my purchase and am not disappointed.  I feel I really got the most bang for my buck. 

                I am contemplating my next purchase for the month of May. I may allow myself a second makeup purchase or two as it is my birthday month, but I’m still debating. I’m thinking about purchasing a YSL or Chanel Lip Product or the Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation. All three types of items are much more expensive than normal, but since it is my birthday month I want to splurge just once on a product. I’m definitely going to do some research before making such a purchase. What high end items do you recommend? What items do you feel allow you to get the most bang for your buck? 

Beauty Boudoir: Makeup Cutback March 2013 Update

                I have to admit that this makeup cutback is a bit harder than I expected. Going shopping at Target, Wal-Mart, and some drugstores is not as fun as before, as I don’t get to purchase more than one item a month. Recently, I got an email from Ulta about a “1 Day Sale!” I have to admit that any company that does a one day sale on products is very smart. Vera Bradley often does this as well as other stores like BBW.

 Ulta had a one day sale on Bare Minerals eye shadow palettes. As you may remember from my makeup cutback post, I want to get quality, not quantity with regards to my only ONE purchase a month. They had their eye palettes for 50% off! The 4.0 eye shadow palettes are usually $30.00! I got one eye shadow palette (to make sure I follow my makeup cutback) at $15.  

 I will admit I slightly bent the rules and purchased it in February, but I couldn’t use it until March because it was not shipped to me until then. I figured it was such a good deal I couldn’t pass up. Of course, the hard part is that I am stuck waiting until April to purchase any more makeup. My boyfriend was joking that maybe the Easter bunny will purchase me some makeup for Easter. I hope so, but I am happy with my newest purchase. The colors are pretty and I spent half the price on a quality product.

Before I close my post, I must admit that because I am cutting back on purchasing makeup, I feel the need to purchase other things.  I am now working on only making necessary purchases. Stay tuned for an update on my purchases! How are you doing with regards to your makeup purchases? Is there anything out there that I should really purchase? I am seriously contemplating the Essie Spring 2013 set as my April purchase or a Benefit set, but I will see!

Beauty Boudoir: Makeup Cutback of 2013

                So as you can probably tell from my previous blog posts relating to beauty that I love makeup. Some people who see me daily might be surprised because I don’t wear it often. This is somewhat true because I’m not a morning person and prefer a few more minutes of sleep rather than a fully decorated face of makeup. However, I am slowly making myself put more makeup on to make myself feel better and to use my makeup products. While I love writing blog posts about makeup products I purchase, and I’m sure some of you love reading them, I have to stop purchasing makeup to the extent that I do.

I watched Pinksofoxy’s videos on makeup and while I do not have nearly as extensive collection as her, I do have a bit of makeup. She once counted all of her makeup products. I did the same and was shocked that, while I did not have as much as her, I have way too many products. So I decided to do the makeup cutback of 2013 after hearing about how she is cutting back. Pinksofoxy’s plan included purchasing only 10 makeup items a year. These do not include personal hygiene items and nail necessities. I decided to follow through with her plan with a small change and only purchase 1 beauty product of my choice a month. I plan on setting other goals for myself, like putting the money I could have spent on makeup in my savings account. I might use that towards a vacation.

I created a “contract” for myself that I have placed on the inside of my closet that I can see daily. As soon as I purchase my one item a month I will add it to the list. I’m excited to give this a try. Of course the shopaholic in me is already considering my monthly purchases for the year. I really need to consider and think about what I purchase. I am only purchasing 1 item a month. I may purchase 1 high end product for a little bit extra so that I get a quality product. I may consider purchasing a value kit so that I get a few products in a set so I get a better bang for my buck. I haven’t fully decided yet but that’s the beauty (no pun intended) of my makeup cutback of 2013. I am not depriving myself of products but I’m allowing myself to enjoy one beauty item. I definitely do not intend to purchase an item that costs more than $25 (I could never allow myself to do that). 

Have you ever had a problem you decided to fix using a contract? How did it work? Check back monthly for a post on my one beauty purchase of the month. Feel free to gently scold me if you see me post more than one beauty haul a month (or more than one item). We have to support each other!

Beauty Boudoir: Mini ELF and Neutrogena Haul

                It’s that time again, another haul! As you will soon see, I am in love with beauty products. It must be thanks to the fact that I was a tomboy as a kid and felt awkward dressing up. Nowadays, I love to wear makeup, especially on the weekends to liven up my look.

                On my way home from dinner with my boyfriend, we decided to stop at Target. I will admit that Target is my weakness. I love looking around each section, from clothing, to shoes, books, home items and makeup! I did pretty well until I got to the makeup section.

First, I looked at all of the new products and then stumbled upon the ELF products in the back. I love ELF makeup. They are very inexpensive and of good quality. I love the packaging. It kind of reminds me of NARS packaging (which I refuse to buy, too expensive). I got an ELF Eyebrow kit with a gel and a powder for your eyebrows. I have seen a lot about using products to fix your eyebrows. I got the medium kit, which may not work as I have a strawberry blonde hair color.  It comes with a mirror and double ended brush.

Next, I stumbled upon the ELF tone correcting powder. I have heard great things about it. I was a little confused as to why it had so many colors but it is meant to “brighten and neutralize the skin.” I have Rosacea, so I am always looking for ways to neutralize the redness on my skin. I am excited to give this a try. Check out the ELF website to purchase your products. They are super inexpensive and they always have coupons that you can find online.

Finally, I was able to find the Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick. To be honest, when I heard Neutrogena did makeup, I was a little apprehensive because they are known for the Neutrogena face lotion (or at least in my house growing up). However, I heard about this lip product from Emilynoel83 on YouTube and she referred to it as the “sweatpants of lipsticks.” It was a little odd of a statement, but I had to give it a try and I am so glad! Like many people, I am suffering from severe dryness on my lips due to the cold weather. I put on this lip product and it felt like butter; it is so smooth and comfortable. I think it is even better than the Revlon and Tarte products.  I really want to purchase more. I got it in the color Plum Perfect. It tastes fruity as well. All of the names have flavored names so I believe the flavor matches the name.  

                Have you purchased any new beauty products lately? I hope you give these products a try. You will not regret it!

               

Lynn's Lively Life

Hello! I am here to share more about my loves in my life.

I love beauty and nail products, reading and interior design. I have many blog posts planned from pictures of my makeup and nail polish collection, to interior design tips (such as decorating for a couple). I also plan on posting reviews on books I finish reading.

I am always looking for feedback and requests! Check back on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for new blog posts.

PS. Here is a picture of my little cat Sophie.