Life Challenge: Use It Up, Throw It Out

One of the biggest problems that I have is being able to finish things. Now I don't mean projects, or food, I mean items. For example, I have 7 different body washes. I don't need 7, but I liked all of the scents. And when you're trying to save money and pay off credit card bills, that becomes an issue. 

So I've decided to start my own "life challenge" and use up everything that I have in excess before I purchase new things. I've given myself a 1 year time frame, give or take a month. I've made a list of everything that I need to use up and I'm going to share it with you today. One of the best things to do when trying to accomplish a goal is to share it with someone. In my case, the internet. But either way, this helps keep you accountable for what you're trying to do. 

Body Wash:

Body Lotion:

Perfume:

Candles:

Makeup:
I can't even begin to take pictures of all my makeup, so here's my makeup collection video!

Hair Products:

Samples:

The only "thing" that I'm not giving up is my monthly ipsy bag. It's only $10 and it's kind of like the medicine that keeps me from running to Sephora and racking up my credit card. Handled.

Also, if you read or watched my Bath & Body Works SAS Haul, then you know that I also have a large quantity of hand soap and hand sanitizer. Seriously too many things to take pictures of. That's why I gave up at the candles and hair products and just took pictures of them where I actually have them stored. My closet and a shoe shelf, respectively. 

What do you do to keep your products organized and in control? Do you have the same problem of hoarding as I do? Let me know if you're going to embark on this life challenge with me! And then we can be "accountabili-buddies"! (To quote South park, of course!)

Ipsy Bag - July Unboxing and June Review

It's that time of the month again when I show you want I got in my ipsy bag and review last month's bag! Here it comes, the good, the bad, and the blue.

What I got in July's ipsy bag:
Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil, Tints & Sass Fabulous Lip and Cheek Stain, Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow, Pur Waterproof Big Look Mascara, and the Be Fine Food Skin Care Daily Moisturizer.

What I'm excited for:
I'm pretty excited for the lip and cheek tint, the cream eyeshadow, the mascara, and the moisturizer. I think this bag is going to be a pretty good one! Being excited for 4 out of 5 things sets the bar pretty high this month, but only time will tell.

What I'm on the fence about:
The tanning oil. I'm pale. Really pale. I don't really frequent the outdoors in a way that I would be using tanning oil. If anything, I'm reaching for the spf 100. I haven't had a tan since I was in high school. So that's over 6 years ago. I don't know, I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

NYX Butter Gloss in Eclair
I was already a huge fan of the butter glosses before I got this. So basically this was just an addition to my little collection. The consistency is so smooth and silky and the color is great. I would definitely repurchase this after I run out.

Carol's Daughter Sacred Taire Anti-Breakage & Anti-Frizzing Styling Cream
LOVE THIS! It smells so freaking good and actually does what it claims to do! My hair has felt a huge improvement since I started using this before each blow dry. Another amazing product that I would repurchase!

Nicka K New York Shimmer Eyeliner in Blue
No. Just no. I hate blue eyeliner. I couldn't even convince myself to wear it to the club.

OFR Universal Eyebrow Pencil
In my last ipsy post, I mentioned that I wasn't a huge eyebrow person. I like my eyebrow game. But this pencil does the job when I want just a little extra oomph. I liked using it at night when I would go out to dinner or out with friends. Didn't smudge and lasted quite a long time.

Realtre for Her Perfume
I need this is full size, forever and a day. I love the smell of this perfume! It's sexy, musky, refreshing, and everything you could possibly want in a perfume! I tell you now, I will have a full size bottle one day!

I hope you enjoyed my review of the June ipsy bag! Let me know what you thought of your June and July bags! Did you get what I got? Or did you get something else?

If your not an ipsy bag member, become one! It's only $10 a month! It cures your beauty fix and is well worth the cost. Each bag is worth way more than what you pay. And you get to keep the cute little bag!

Click here to sign up for your own ipsy bag!

Beauty Basics: Styling My Short Hair

So recently, maybe 2 weeks ago, I cut over 10 inches off of my hair. My hair is just around my shoulders now. It was a huge change for me, but it needed to be done. The color was horrible, the hair was dead and frizzy, it had to go. My hair stylist was so happy when I decided to cut it off. He practically said "Oh thank God, let's do it" right away. And just like that, a small furry animal was chopped off my head. I have to say though, I love it! It's so much easier to take care of and style! So today I wanted to give you a look into how I style my hair, both straight and curly/wavy. All of the products I use are linked below each picture and there is a video at the end if you want to watch! 

To Start:

TRESemmé Luxurious Moisture Shampoo

TRESemmé Luxurious Moisture Conditioner

The Tools:

Hot Tools Tourmaline IONIC Professional Dryer

Ultra CHI Dipped in Teal Flat Iron

Hot Tools 1" Gold Curling Iron

Straight Hair Products:

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Protective Spray

Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide

Garnier Fructis Anti-Frizz Serum Sleek & Shine

Curly Hair Products:

TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide

Batiste Dry Shampoo For Dark Hair

Sexy Hair Spray Clay

Watch the video here!

Beauty and Lifestyle Favorites - June 2014

June went by so quickly, I don't even know how to handle it. I was always told the older you get, the quicker the year goes by. I forget who told me, by man, they were not lying! We are already half over with 2014. Despite the month flying by so very quickly, I managed to collect a few favorites along the way that I wanted to share with you guys! Maybe you'll find something new to try in July! 

VS Pink Lip Gloss in Razz Matazz

VS Nail Polish in Backstage Pass

Bath & Body Works Body Mist in Wild Honeysuckle

Eva NYC Mane Tamer Leave-In Cream

HSI Professional Argan Oil

Klorane Soothing Eye Patches

EOS Raspberry Pomegranate Lip Balm

Calvin Klein CK One Mascara

Almay Smart Shade CC Cream in Light

Live it. Love it. Earn it. by Marianna Olszewski

Main Stay Wild Honeysuckle Candle

Blue Sky Weekly/Monthly Planner July 2014 - July 2015

What were your favorite things in June?

What's In My Beauty Bag (Summer Edition)

With each passing season, the contents of my beauty bag changes. Different types of weather call for different products! I use a bag that I was given as a present that I absolutely love! All of the products in my beauty bag can be found at your local drugstore. If it's a high-end brand, there's always a cheaper dupe! Check out below what I keep in my beauty bag for summer time!

My beauty bag! Given to me as a birthday present by one of my best friends!
How cute? Love love love owls! 

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream, Garnier Skin Renewal Dark Circle Roller, EOS Lip Balm, Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake, Fresh Sugar Lip Balm in Honey, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze and Benefit Bad Gal Lash  

Lint roller, rewetting drops, contact case with extra contacts, Bath & Body Works Stress Relief hand cream, hand sanitizer, and a little case that holds small medicine like Excedrin. Because I always get headaches.  

Tweezers, Sephora blotting papers, Ice Breakers breath mints, Emergen-C, and a small case that holds "lady time" supplies. 

I like to keep my makeup light and fresh during the summer. It's so hot down here that it's a waster to wear a full face of makeup when I'm just going to sweat it off later. I always have extra contacts with me in case I rip one of them or I want to change out of my glasses. But with that, I always have a pair of glasses with me in case my contacts start bothering me. 

I keep random little things in my beauty bag too because you never know when you're going to need something. And when you don't have, it's exactly when you need it! 

What's in your summer beauty bag? Let me know! 

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Target Beauty and Fashion Haul

Target is one of those stores that you go in for one thing, say hairspray, and you leave with shoes, sunglasses, a new bag, a shower curtain, couch pillows, some snacks, and everything from the dollar section. But we keep going back. Even though we know that the "I only need one thing" line isn't true. Anyways, here is my latest haul, including some beauty and fashion items, from Target! 

Beauty:

The Goody Hair Pins and the Goody Start Style Finish Porcupine Cushion Brush 

Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray

Bioré Deep Cleansing Pose Strips

Fashion:

Merona Leeza Flip Flop in Blue and Xhilaration Oversized Sunglasses in Black 

Merona Stone Satchel in Tan/Neutral

You know I already have my stuff in it. It holds so much! 

What did you last buy at Target? Share your haul with me on any of my social media networks!

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Beauty Army Unboxing: June 2013

I have to admit, I was pretty nervous to try out a beauty subscription service. But one of the amazing things that I really like about Beauty Army is that you get to pick 6 samples out of a group that was arranged for you. I can be really picky. So being able to pick which samples I would like to try was a huge plus for me. Beauty Army is only $12 a month! And some of the "samples" turn out to be full size. This is my first unboxing of any sort, so I was quite excited. 

I loved the box that the kit was shipped in. Nice and clean.

This is the actual "Beauty Army Box". It's hard to see, but it does say "Beauty Army" on top.

And we open the box...

Thanks for the skin safety tips! 

All of my little samples! 

Lash Card Mascara Shields, Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream, GG Gatsby Raise Volume Shampoo, Colorsmash Hair Shadow, Nailuv UV Gel Polish in Berry Sweetie, and Addiction NV Cosmetics Lip Habit Lip Glossifier in Girl's Night Out. 

I either need to invest in my own UV lamp or take this polish to a salon because it's so perfect for summer!

Swatches of the hair shadow and lip gloss. 

I decided I had to do a little test of the hair shadow!

Loved it! 

I'm planning on using these products this week and posting a full review after that! 

To check out more products from Beauty Army or to sign up for your own sample box, click here!