NYE Nails!

With flash

Natural light

For my NYE nails, I used 3 coats of "Sheer Cotton" by Revlon, which lives up to the sheer part, and then I sprinkled a gold rectangular glitter on my pointer finger!

Happy New Year!

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil~Milk, Review & Swatch

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 604, Milk

0.5 grams-Made in Taiwan-$4.49

Blistex Medicated Berry Balm, Review

My new favorite lip balm at the moment! I got this for $0.49 at Meijer with a coupon, and I must say that it's not too bad. I own another Blistex lip balm, the Raspberry Lemonade one and I hate it so I was a little apprehensive to try the other scented one.

This doesn't top my Nivea or EOS ones but it does provide really good moisture for my chapped lips, especially since the temp has significantly dropped where I live.

Worth a try!

Makeup of the Day

Eyes: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk as a base, CoverGirl Eyeshadow in Tapestry Taupe all over the lid, the dark brown "Crease" shade from the Silent Treatment trio by Wet n Wild mixed with the "Lid" shade and blended up from the lashline, and L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes as the mascara.

I didn't wear anything else because I really ran out of time(=

Makeup for Christmas!

This year, I didn't receive a lot of beauty products for Christmas because I got my totally awesome Kindle Fire! But here's what I did get and will review soon:

I got the elf Everyday Eye Palette in "Natural Eye", and a Burt's Bees "Heat to Toe" kit with the Deep Cleansing Creme that I've been dying to try! It also came with a coconut foot creme but I gave that to my mama(= To be honest, I can't stand the smell of coconut anyway!

What did you receive for Christmas?

2012 Beauty Resolutions

2012 is quickly approaching...and I must say, I have some things to (hopefully) change in the New Year!

• Deep clean my brushes every weekend. Currently, I wash my brushes once every two months, because I'm lazy. And I don't spot clean. So, yeah. Gotta change that!

• Keep my nails clean and in better care. I paint them, and leave the polish for 3 months. They officially look and feel like crap.

• Stop going to bed with a full face of makeup! This is a horrible habit of mine.

• And of course, to be better with keeping up and updating my blog(=

What are your 2012 beauty resolutions?

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes, Review

My new favorite mascara!

I received this for free in the L'Oreal giveaway on Facebook a month ago, and I have to say, it works like a miracle for me!

Now I have seen several reviews giving this mascara more hate than love, and I have to say that I think it all comes down to the type of lashes in how well this mascara will end up working. My own lashes are of medium-long length, fine, and curly.

What this mascara does for me is it separates and volumizes my lashes in one sweep. I don't need more than one coat and it literally looks like I've put on a very fine strip of false lashes.

My favorite feature of this mascara is the brush. I don't like working with larger brushes because my lashes are so incredibly fine, which this brush caters to. It has so many intricate mazes of fibers and bristles that it makes a scraping noise (it's not actually scraping anything, it just makes a noise) as I brush it through my lashes, signifying that it's really getting in between them and coating them.

There are no cons!

The Bottom Line

10/10

I really recommend this mascara to anyone with long, fine lashes that can hold a curl easily. I think I may have found my holy grail mascara!

Stay Moisturized: St. Ives Body Moisturizer, Review & Photos

So this is a part of my "Keeping Moisturized in the Winter" series that was supposed to be posted on Sunday...but school and the holidays have been kicking my butt for the past week so I apologize for the lack of posting!

So onto the review...

St. Ives Hydrating Advanced Body Moisturizer

2 fluid oz-$1.25 for the travel size

I like this particular lotion for several reasons:
-Formulated with Vitamin E
-No parabens
-No pthalates
-No smell

This isn't a completely natural lotion, but it is very close. Initially it's very smooth and creamy going onto the skin, and there's no fragrance that accompanies other lotions. But that's not to say that fragrance isn't an ingredient-because it is.

St. Ives Hydrating Body Moisturizer Ingredients

A few hours after using this lotion, my hands did feel a little bit more moisturized. I can say that I felt that this lotion was pretty average performing-it didn't perform any miracles, but it did moisturize a little.

The Bottom Line

7.5/10

It is one of the few cheaper lotions that I've found not to be formulated with parabens and pthalates, so I do think that for at least the travel size, it's worth a try!

I bought my travel-sized lotion at Target

How to Get Cheap Revlon Lip Butter @ Rite Aid!

With all the hype surrounding the newish Revlon Lip Butters, I thought I'd do a post on how to get one for fairly cheap this week at Rite Aid!

Revlon lip products are BOGO 1/2 off this week

So, to start off with...

This week, Orbit gum is one sale for $1 with a $1 +up reward, with a limit of 3.
Also, there is a December Video Values coupon available from Rite Aid for $0.25 off one Orbit gum.
The transaction would look like this:
Buy 3 Orbit Gum
Use 3 $0.25 off coupons (must create 3 separate accounts)
Pay $2.25, receive $3 in +up rewards
Essentially, a $0.75 moneymaker!

Then, you go back for a second transaction. There are three+ versions of doing this, depending on which coupons you have.

Transaction #2, version A:
Buy 1 Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick, $7.99
Buy 1 Revlon Lip Butter, $7.39
Total before coupons: $11.69
Use $3 off Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick coupon from the Rite Aid Facebook Christmas coupons (no longer available).
Use $1 off Revlon Cosmetic Product from Walmart insert in the newspaper (10/09/11)
Use $3 in +up rewards from the Orbit gum
Final total: $4.69

Or Transaction #2, version B:

Buy 1 Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick, $10.99
Buy 1 Revlon Lip Butter, $7.39
Total before coupons: $11.69
Use $2 off Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick coupon from the Dec. Video Values
Use $1 off Revlon Cosmetic Product from Walmart insert in the newspaper (10/09/11)
Use $3 in +up rewards from the Orbit gum
Final total: $8.69

Or Transaction #2, version C:
Buy 2 Revlon Lip Butters
Total before coupons: $11.09

Use 2 $1 off Revlon Cosmetic Product from Walmart insert in the newspaper (10/09/11)
Use $3 in +up rewards from the Orbit gum
Final total: $6.09, making each lip butter just $3.04!

There are even more ways to conduct these transactions, but the one that I will do is the one with the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick because I already have the coupon for it.

And the best part of this sale is, is that when you buy two Revlon lip products, you get $3 in +up rewards! So in most cases, you're getting one Revlon Lip Butter for almost no cost at all!

Will you take advantage of this sale? Which color(s) do you think you'll get? I need some recommendations! I was thinking about getting Demure in the Super Lustrous line and Pink Truffle in the Lip Butter. Thoughts?




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Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss~Peach Sorbet, Review & Swatch

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in 05, Peach Sorbet

0.38 fluid oz-Made in USA-$5

I've done a review recently on a different shade from this line of lip glosses (click here for it), and the two prove the differences and variations in the Shine Sensational line.

Peach Sorbet is a very sheer juicy orange color overall. Unless you really cancel out the color in your lips, it will look clear.

But the fact that it's a sheer gloss actually doesn't bother me. The line doesn't claim to be super pigmented, it claims to be shiny, which is exactly the effect that this shade gives. Because it's got that slightly juicy color, it makes your lips look very shiny and juicy all in one.

The formula for Peach Sorbet is no different from the last Shine Sensational lip gloss I reviewed. It's not sticky at all, and it smells just like it's name! I actually prefer this one to "Tempting Toffee" because I prefer the smell of peaches, and since it's clear, it's really easy to reapply without worrying about making a mess.

The Pros:

The smell reminds me of summer, the formula is fantastic, and it's the perfect addition to my lips for an everyday look.

The Cons:

I wish it had a bit more pigmentation. If it showed up a bit more orange and juicy, it would be unbeatable!

The Bottom Line

9/10

In short, I love this lip gloss. I can't wait to use it during summertime!

Old Revlon Quad vs. New Revlon Quad

I own one of the older versions of the Revlon Illuminance Creme Eyeshadow Quads and one of the newer ones, so I thought I'd sit down and do a little comparison between the two!

I own the newer version in Seashells and the older version in Pink Petals, which was discontinued long ago. I bought the older quad I would like to say around 8 years ago.

Beginning with the formula, there is a difference between them. In my opinion, the older version is more creamy. But the biggest downside of that is that the older shadows creased like mad on me, which doesn't happen as badly with the newer shadows. It's not that the newer shadows aren't creamy, because they are, just not as creamy to the point where it's like creased mousse on your lids.

I apologize for the messy shadows-it has been well loved!

The biggest difference is probably the packaging. On the older  packaging, the "bottom" of the compact housed the shadows, and the top part was four little see-through bubbles where you could see the colors.

On the newer shadows, the bottom part houses a large mirror, and the bubbles of color are the actual bottom of the pans of the cream shadows.

Another difference in the packaging is the overall size. In the two pictures above, the newer quad is on top of the older quad. The newer quad is smaller in depth, and is less bulky.

Overall, I definitely prefer the newer quad. The quality of the shadows has improved slightly, it doesn't crease as much, and the packaging is the biggest improvement!

Check out my review of the quad in Seashells here

Love TJ Maxx!

How much do I love TJ Maxx??

Let me give you a hint...lots and lots!

I found this little gem on clearance the other day and just about died (I am a true Bargain Hunter at heart!).

This Shiseido face protection cream has 4 1/2 starts on Sephora.com and retails for $35. And I got it for just $3! It had at least 5 clearance stickers on it.

I won't be reviewing this for a while because I want to save it for the summer time.

But can I just say...TJ Maxx is one of my favorite places to shop(:

Have you found any great deals at TJ Maxx?

Stay Moisturized in the Winter

I'm starting a new series that I will post every Sunday on products and tips on how to stay moisturized in the harsh winter months. For those who live in warmer climates...you're very lucky(:

I've already done a review on the Dial Nutriskin lotion-check it out here!

How do you stay moisturized?

Awesome Sales at Rite Aid this Week!

This week Rite Aid is the store with the best beauty sales!

-Almay cosmetics are 40% off
-Revlon Colorstay cosmetics and beauty tools are 40% off
     $1 Single Check Rebate on purchase of a beauty tool
     $3 in +up rewards when you buy 2 Colorstay Cosmetics
-NYC Color cosmetics are 40% off
     Nail polishes are usually $0.99, but with the sale they'll be $0.59!
-BOGO 1/2 off Ecotools

I will definitely be hauling some nail polish!

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Tempting Toffee, Review & Swatch

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in 55, Tempting Toffee

.38 fluid oz-Made in the USA-$5

When I was browsing this line of lip glosses at Target, I was pleasantly surprised by the selection. They have a great range of light to dark colors, cream to shimmer to frost finishes, and sheer to pigmented colors. So to begin with, that's already a plus!

All of the shades in this line smell like their names, and Temting Toffee is no exception. It makes me so hungry for chocolate everytime I put this on! So you won't have to worry about any bad cosmetic smells with these glosses.

This shade is a cream and is nicely pigmented. On me, it's a my lips but better color.

These glosses do live up to their name, as they're shiny. But then, so is almost every other lipstick. I wasn't overly wowed by the shine or anything.

Now my favorite part about this lip gloss is the formula. With out a doubt, this is one of the best I've ever tried. It's thin, but not too thin, and the best thing, it's not sticky. Other lip glosses make your lips stick together or gather in the crevices of your lips, but this formula didn't at all. Sticky lip glosses are something I cannot stand, so I really enjoy these ones.

The Pros:

The pigmentation on this shade is really good-and a perfect color for fall. It's a beautiful medium-dark berry color. The smell is not unpleasant, and it's quite affordable.

The Cons:

It could be a bit more shiny, seeing as their called "Shine Sensational"

The Bottom Line

9/10

These lip glosses might turn me into a lippie person-which I'm usually not! I really enjoy these and definitely recommend them!

Weekly Haul

Here's what I bought this week:

At Target I bought two Maybelline Shine Sensational lip glosses in Peach Sorbet and Tempting Toffee, which are $4.94 regularly but I got them for $1.94 each with coupons.

Then at Rite Aid I bought one Burt's Bees Conditioning Body Bar in Honey & Shea, which is $4.99 regularly but I had a $1.50 off coupon from Rite Aid's coupon Christmas special on Facebook. Then I got 3 Nivea hand cream tins which were on sale for 3 for $0.99!

I'll be reviewing these soon!

30% Off Cosmetics Sale @ Forever21

Forever21 is having a sale on makeup through 12/11

To give you an idea of some of the prices, nail polishes are $1.96, the Naked Palette dupe I did my last post on is $4.76, and their mascara sampler kit (back in stock!) is $7.56.

Click here to go to the sale!

What do you think? Will you be picking anything up?


I am not sponsored by or affiliated with the afore mentioned company

A Naked Palette Dupe?

I spy with my little eyes...A Naked palette dupe?

Today, Forever21 uploaded this little treat into their beauty section:

For just $6.80, you receive a neutral eyeshadow palette with 10 shadows, an eyeliner, and a sponge tip applicator.

The palette comes in two shades: "gold/taupe", which is in the picture above and is natural/neutral colors, and "multi", which are still neutral colors but with more blacks and darker shades.

As great as it looks, I don't think I'll be picking one up.

Check it out here

What do you think? Can it be a dupe?


I am not affiliate with or sponsored by the afore mentioned company.

NYX Eye/Eyebrow Pencil~Black Brown

NYX Eye/Eyebrow Pencil in 931, Black Brown

0.04 oz-Made in Germany-$3.49

This is also known as the slim eyeliner pencil, not quite sure why NYX advertises it as two different names.

To me, this was an average performing eyeliner. It doesn't wow me, but I get what I get for $3.49.

The texture of this eyeliner is moderately soft. It's a little hard when you first use it, but once it warms up it's okay. I did experience a little bit of tugging when using this.

I performed the test where you draw the liner on the back of your hand and then try to wipe it away, and with this eyeliner, I was left with a little bit of brown/black color. The line had completely erased! So I would definitely wait for it to set, or set it with a powder shadow.

The color of this liner is definitely brown/black, and it's noticeable. The brown is very warm which deeply contrasts the black.

As far as the ingredients go, the first one listed is microcrystalline wax, and there are no parabens included in the formula.

Now the real kicker on this eyeliner is the fact that it says on the pencil that it can be used on your eyebrows. I just laughed. Please, please, please, don't use this on your eyebrows! It's way too soft and smudgeable that I'm afraid if I run my hand over my face and skim my eyebrows, I'll take half the color with me! There are far better pencils to use for your brown than this.

Another side point is that this eyeliner is a no-go on the waterline. I could get hardly any color to transfer, and when it looked like I had a semi-solid line, I would blink and my waterline would be flesh colored again. Shame.

The Pros:

For under $5, I like this because it's basic eyeliner that works really well to thicken my lash line while still looking natural.

The Cons:

Can't be used on the waterline, smudges easily, advertised as two products, and claims to be used as an eyebrow pencil.

The Bottom Line

6/10

I'll probably buy some more of these slim eyeliners/eyeliners/eyebrow pencils/pencil-meant-to-be-used-near-the-eyes because they're cheap and I like to thicken my lash line. But for the serious eyeliner-user, I would try the NYX Slide on Liners instead-they have like twice the rating(:

Awesome Sales at Target this Week!

Target is the place to be at this week! Catch these deals before the week runs out(:

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm, $2.99
Use a $2 off Maybelline Lip product store coupon from Target.com
Usa a $1 off Maybelline Lip product manufacturer coupon from redplum.com
*Not all stores may have this item, and prices may vary*
Total-Free!

See my review of the Maybelline Baby Lips Lip balm in Cherry Me here!

Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream, around $5.75 (I don't have an exact price)
Use a $2 off Garnier Moisturizer store coupon from Target.com
Use a $2 off Garnier Moisturizer manufacturer coupon from redplum.com
Total-around $1.75

See my review of the Garnier Gel Moisturizer here!

Click here to go to my other blog, The Bargain Hunter, to see what other great deals I'll be grabbing this week!

Be sure to follow and like our Facebook page

I won a free L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara!

I grabbed this from my mailbox literally 15 minutes ago to show you guys!

It took me 8 tries but I finally won! I was told that delivery would take around 8 weeks and I think it's only been 3(:

I won it through facebook, and the giveaway is still going on! Here's the link.

Did you win one? Or have you already tried this mascara?


Don't forget to visit my other blog, The Bargain Hunter, for a heads up when all these giveaways are happening, and other general money saving tips!

NYX Eyeshadow~Pure Skin, Review & Swatch

NYX Eyeshadow in 83A, Pure Skin

Made in S. Korea-$4.99

The only reason that I got this was because it was on clearance for $2.49, and I don't own a good, mainly matte nude color to use as a base. Also, this is my first NYX eyeshadow.

So far, I'm really enjoying this. The texture was the first thing that I noticed-butter and creamy. It's not completely matte, there is some shimmer, but I don't really notice it.

I can't fault it for being not too pigmented because it's advertised as being a skin-colored shadow which means it's not likely to show up too much. But it is buildable.

The Pros:

The color is good to use as a base, it's pigmented, and I am in love with the texture.

The Cons:

I do think that $4.99 is a little pricey for this shadow. I would like to see it priced at $3.49.

The Bottom Line

8/10

I will definitely be buying more of these shadows to test them out when they're on sale!

Join "A Thing of Beauty" on Facebook!

If you haven't heard the news about Google Friend Connect, it will be available to only those with Google accounts beginning next spring, so to keep all of my lovely readers without Google accounts updated, I have decided to make a Facebook page for this blog!

There's a little box/badge thing right after the last post on every page, and you can click like and join that way, or you can visit the page here!

Click the like button, and if you haven't already, please follow me(:

xoxo

Makeup of the Day

Face: Sephora Loose Mineral Powder Foundation in Light 15, and CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in Rose Silk.

Eyes: Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow quad in Seashells (the last one on the right as a base), CoverGirl eyeshadow in Pink Chiffon (in the inner corner), CoverGirl eyeshadow in Shimmery Onyx (on top of the base, all over the lid), and the black liner of the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Cream Eyeliner Trio in Brown Eyes.

How did you do your makeup today?

Mini Ulta Haul!

I stopped by Ulta for the first time today (with a coupon of course!) and I thought I'd share with you what I bought!

I bought my first three NYX products: a Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil, a slim black eyeliner, and a shadow in Pure Skin.

And the best part is that it was under $10 total! I have to say that I liked Ulta much more than Sephora.

Which store do you prefer-Ulta or Sephora?