Primer Collection 2018

So, I am continuing this series until I have ran through everything that I have photographed in my collection as of January when I took all of these pictures. I have been trying not to overload my feed too much with these posts, but also I was so behind in the new year. I am at a more comfortable place with my blogging now, where I have room to diversify my content a bit. I am thinking about posting about getting back to going to college, college shopping mini haul, and how online college is. Let me know if any of you are interested in that. I will probably end up doing it anyways, because I think that would be great for others to know that you can ALWAYS go back and finish.

I am super happy to only be seeing 5 primers, four of which are deluxe sizes. I am currently trying to use up the PTR and Benefit primers. I will move on to my full size next along with Cover FX when I want a more glowy look. Once Cover FX is done, I will pull in Smashbox for when I get tired of Studio Gear, which by the way, has little shimmer particles in it. I believe it is a little glowy as well too. It was been a long time, since I have worn it though. I cannot say for sure. I am not worried about my primer stash. I am confident that by the end of the year that I will be looking for a new primer and I already have a couple on my Loves List to try out when that time comes.

I am hoping that more of my collection will become pared down like this. I know my lip products will always be CRAZY, but I am hoping for my eye makeup drawer to be less stuffed by the end of the year. I know what I like now, so I am definitely a smarter consumer than when I first started out. I got so overwhelmed being able to buy anything I wanted, because I had a job that paid well for the first time. My first “real” job. Having a kid brings you down to earth fast on what you can truly afford.

With Love,

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My Last Sephora Play! February

I cancelled my subscription tom Sephora Play! because I have a ton of makeup that I need to use up and it was sending me repetitive products two months in a row. I decided that I would rather just buy my own beauty products when I run out than keep getting samples that I might not enjoy. I feel like when I am choosing my own products, I do a ton of research and almost always love it or like it at the very least. I plan on subscribing to Audible. The first month is free and after that, $14.99 a month for any audiobook that they carry and the book is mine forever on my account. I plan on downloading the books to my computer storage, in case they ever go out of business. I plan to listen during my workouts and $15 isn’t really too much to spend a month on a book any way. I used to buy 2 books for $20 practically every month.

Sephora Collection Rouge Matte Lipstick in Rebel Chic 1g $2.33

This lipstick is currently being discontinued at Sephora since the full size is on sale for $7 now. It is a nice wine berry color that looks really good sheered out. It is actually a wearable color for me, but it takes a bit of blotting.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Let’s Go Crazy 1.8 g $20

This is 75% of a full size. I am very happy with the brand and color which is a bright pink. It is the perfect Summer color. I wish I would have gotten a lipstick and a gloss or something, instead of just two lipsticks. I will use this for sure, but probably after I finish my Kat Von D Pool Party Liquid Lipstick, that is a color that I would buy in a full size once finished. Nars has some controversy about not being cruelty free now. Not sure I would actually buy anything from them.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Rosegold 1 g $17.40

Again, this is 3/5ths of the full size. It is in a pretty shade that I will get a ton of use out of, but will not purchase as it is not CF. It is a very decent cream eye shadow and I love using it for day looks. I like simple eye looks and this takes 5 minutes for both eyes to be done. I love doing my makeup on my days off and work at home days. The only day that I do not wear any makeup is on Sundays to give my face a breather. I still wear lipstick though!

Perfume Sample: Atelier Cologne….AGAIN

Seriously this is like the fourth time this brand has been featured in my bag. I want a sprayer, not a dabber! I have to use up one of my reusable sprayers, so I can dump these dabbers into there. Some of them do smell good layered. I just hate having these sitting in my samples stash. Number one thing I hate about beauty boxes has got to be the perfume samples. If I want one, I would get one at the beauty counter.

 PTR Firm X Peeling Gel 15 ml $7.20

I think peeling gels are a gimmick, plus I got a peeling gel in January. Plus, I got a caviar stick in January in a different color. This box is SO repetitive. I really don’t care about peeling gels. I will use it to use it up, but I would not purchase one myself. I like liquid chemical exfoliates and physical ones best. I have never saw improvement in my skin when using a peeling gel. I just don’t see the hype.

Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb 5 ml $9.60

Again, in January, I got an eye cream too. This is the reason why I cancelled. I had two months in a row with the same type of products in it. I also decided to go CF and Sephora itself isn’t CF. It sends CF and non-CF products. I didn’t want to buy anymore non-CF items anymore when I can help it. Right now, I have one non-CF product in my shower right now. Most of my skin care, hair, and body care are CF. My makeup is still a mix of things, but I no longer buy non-CF. I make mistakes sometimes, because I am human. I am making a conscious effort though to be CF, a minimalist, non-consumerist, and just overall a more healthy person.

I have a LOT of changes going on in my life right now. I am going back to college, my work dynamic is changing with working from home and doing Saturdays, blogging regularly, Dean and all of his needs and challenges such as school worries, my dad’s impending foot surgery, learning how to drive by getting my permit again, and trying and failing to keep the house in order. I am in the midst of consigning a ton of clothes, because I have been exercising and losing more weight. Also, Dean’s closet got cleaned out and I have those clothes as well. I am going to be dividing the clothes into seasonal piles and try to get as many done as possible.

Also, I found a whole plastic tote filled with my old slimmer clothes. It is like finding money or getting extra makeup that you didn’t pay for in your Sephora order. I am so happy and will be trying on all these “new” clothes to see if I can add more clothes to my closet. Let’s be honest, I don’t have much that really fits me anymore and I am constantly consigning and thrifting. I love losing all of this weight and getting down to my pre-pregnancy size, but I don’t have to cash to buy much clothes replacements. Hence, where the consignment money comes in to buy new clothes. The circle of life.

With Love,

 

 

Sephora Play: April 2017

I am super excited for this month’s mostly skincare box.  I am a skin care fanatic, so I am not complaining about this box. I’d rather have more skincare than makeup any day. I know there has been people complaining about the lack of makeup, but two out of five were makeup related. I don’t think the box was too unbalanced. I recieved this box during the week. I always seem to get it on the third week of the month, which gives me less than 14 days to use my extra 50 points card. If they took the cards online, then it wouldn’t be a problem. I haven’t used the card once, because the closest Sephora is an hour away. It’s only worth it if I am going clothes shopping, which I am doing next week. Expect a huge clothing haul and another small Sephora haul next weekend.

I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of the bag. I decided to use this bags to hold little gifts for the people I work with. One might be promoted to supervisor, so I might add a couple of goodies to this bag and give it to her for congratulations.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs 1.2 ml for $3.86

I really like the scent of this perfume on me and I would consider buying a full size if I couldn’t get my hands on the Donna Karen perfume that I want. I’m not sure that the perfume is selling anymore. Just did a quick search and Macy’s still carries it. I still will consider this perfume though. I would like to have just four perfumes, one for each season. I might bend the rules and get this one though. I need to finish up a few perfumes first. If I finish 6 this year or close to it, I will buy a perfume during the November Sephora sale.

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover 25 ml for $3.75

This eye makeup remover is really affordable! If this works well and doesn’t sting my eyes, I will be repurchasing it. I am always on the hunt for a good eye makeup remover that I don’t have to really rub or tug at my eyes with. I’ve been using my Garnier micellular water, but I need something a bit more heavy duty. Hopefully, this doesn’t irritate my eyes and actually works to remove stubborn mascara.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream 7.5 ml for $8.13

So far, this is the most expensive item in the box and I am really excited for it. I love light weight moisturizers. Right now, I have a day and night cream that I don’t really like by Derma E. They are way too heavy for my skin that I only use both at night. Once I’m done with the Glam Glow illuminating moisturizer that I use all over my face and make sure to powder, I will crack open this baby and see if it is light as a cloud but very hydrating. I enjoy Peter Thomas Roth products for the most part. I just think that most of his products are overpriced and that only his masks are really worth it.

Make Up Forever Aqua XL Eye Pencil in M-10 Black for 0.01 oz for $5.25

This is a fourth of the size of the full size, which is very generous for an eye pencil. I will not be using this, so I did not swatch it. Anything I don’t like/want from my subscription box that is makeup, I will be selling to this company that I heard about through Youtube. You send them at least 10 makeup products that is on their list (mostly brands sold at Sephora) and they tell you the low to the highest that you can get for your items. You send it in a prepaid envelope and wait for the check in the mail. It is that easy. You aren’t going to get the best price for your new/gently used makeup, but at least, it’s something. I don’t need another black eye liner. I have to many and I don’t use eye liner, because I don’t have a sharpener. Really need to pick one up at the store next week. I still need to go through about 10 that I own though. I also don’t like black eye liner. I much prefer a color. I only use black in my water line.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer 0.25 fl oz for $8

I haven’t tried this primer yet, but I love silicone primers to fill in my pores. I only use primer in my t-zone, where my makeup wears off. This will last me a couple of months of use, I think. I don’t wear makeup everyday, but I love to just minimize my pores everyday. I always use a primer like this and my face looks much smoother. I enjoy trying out new stuff, but I have like three primers before this to use up. I have two illuminating ones, so I might still crack this one out earlier if I want a more matte look. I have been loving the dewy/glowy look lately. I’m surprised by how much I love the glam glow powdered down. Still won’t purchase that, but if this Smashbox doesn’t break me out, I would buy it.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate 0.25 fl oz for $12

I’ve been wanting to try something from Kate Somerville for a long time (hello goatmilk moisturizer) and I am so glad that I received this in the box. I love to use an exfoliating cleanser in the shower, so that’s where this sample will live. I only wash my hair twice a week, which is the perfect amount of times to use this product a week. It is a green cleanser that smells like green tea and mint. This is such a pampering product and the one that I am most excited for.

I really loved this month’s box and I believe that this one had more value than last month due to the focus on skincare. I hope next month has an SPF product in it. I will have to dig through my products to find some facial SPF or I will need to buy some. May is almost here and I use SPF from May to October. So, 5 months out of the year, I wear facial SPF like actual spf. Most of my products have spf in it. I want to buy and SPF spray for the face. I think that would be cool.

This box was worth $40.99. That is such an amazing value! I am happy with 4 out of 5 products, so this month only gets four stars instead of 5. It is still amazing. I am just not happy with the eye liner, if it was in a different color, I would have saved it. I am putting it in my to sell pile though.

With Love,

Buffing Beads

For Peter Thomas Roth Blemish Buffing Beads

These did not impress me, so it ended up in my shower. Anything that I do not really like cleanser-wise ends up in my shower to use up. I didn’t notice a difference in the oil production on my face. My face remained an oily mess. I also used this when my face became more normal/combination, which it is currently. I still didn’t notice a difference. It provides a light, exfoliation, but also has chemical exfoliants. The next morning, my skin is a little flaky on the drier parts o my face like my cheekbones and the bridge of skin, where my eyebrows are. I will not repurchase and I don’t recommend it.

With Love ❤

Sulfur Mask

For Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask

What it is:

An acne treatment mask.

Key Ingredients:

10% Sulfur. That’s all the information on the jar.

How it smells/feels/looks:

The mask is grayish white and feels grainy going on. It was a thin consistency and smelt of rotten eggs. Although I personally like the volcanic rock scent, it didn’t smell “rotten” to me, just to the people around me.

Why I didn’t like it:

Surprise, surprise! I didn’t like this! This dried up before I had the chance to use up all of it. My ProActive Sulfur Mask works much better and is much cheaper on Amazon. This did nothing for my skin and I had a hard time washing it off. It also left a weird film on my skin that would bother me, until I washed my skin again with cleanser. I was not impressed with this mask. I still  want to try more masks by this brand though.

With Love,

Discontinued?

For Peter Thomas Roth Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash

What it is: A gently exfoliating oil-free dye-free fragrance-free alcohol-free salicylic acid 2% medicated cleanser.

Key Ingredients: water, sodium laureth sulfate, pro vitamin B, and methylparaben.

How it feels/smells/looks: It smells like a strong acne wash or salicylic acid spot treatment. It is a watery gel formula that is easy to emulsify to form a foamy wash. It is clear in a gray tinted container.

Why I like it: I really love this face wash. It is gentle on my skin and I feel like it really helps my acne heal and go away. I would love to buy this, but I learned that it was discontinued on the PTR website and I cannot find it anywhere. Apparently, the kit that I bought was old, which was why it was half price. They should really tell you why kits and other items are discounted at Sephora. So, it might be useless to review this product, but I know that my local Sephora is still selling these kits. Maybe only this one product is discontinued? If anyone knows, let me know. 🙂

With Love,

Empties: The October Edit

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

Wow! Another month has come and gone once again. I have used up a few things, but I expect to be using up more things in November, since I am starting a new series on my blog. More details on that are soon to come. I cannot believe that I have already been at my new job for a month! It is so exciting. I have seven empties for you this month and I guess comparing to others who only post seasonal empties, I use up a lot more products. I could never say up a whole bag of empties to do a seasonal post. That is crazy! Now, onto my post.

Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel Anti-Acne, 0.5 fl oz

Biore Pore Perfection Nose Strip, 1 ct

The Body Shop Honey Bronzing Powder in Fair Matte 02, 0.39 oz

Befine Food Skin Care Daily Moisturizer With SPF 15, 1.5 fl oz

Bath & Body Works Paris Amour Shower Gel, 10 fl oz

Dr. Brandt Pores No More, 0.25 fl oz

Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer, 4.2 fl oz

[I must have accidentally erased the picture for this. I will have the picture uploaded, when I do the review.]

Those are my empties for the month of October! I’m hoping to get 10 empties in the month of October! So excited!

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

First Impressions: Peter Thomas Roth

For Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel

What it is: A fast drying clear acne fighting gel with glycolic and salicylic acid creates a barrier between pores and makeup to prevent clogged pores, while treating existing acne.

Key Ingredients: It contains the maximum strength allowed in acne products of salicylic acid, which is two percent. It also has ten percent glycolic acid complex, which is known for its anti-aging benefits.

How it feels/smells/looks: It is a clear gel texture that is fast drying with a slight chemical smell. It basically smells like any other acne product that contains salicyclic acid.

Why I like it: I really like that this product comes in a glass bottle to prevent erosion from the acid eating through the plastic. That would pollute the great qualities of an acid. If you get an acid in a plastic bottle, I would definitely return the product. That is so not safe to use anywhere, even if the bottle looks intact. I put this serum on after toner, but before my moisturizer. I love the way it makes my acne diminish in size and redness. It works really good with my skin type and I have noticed that my face is less oily, while using it. I do not know if that is due to this product or the weather, but I like it. I like it a lot. I would have bought this full sized, when I went to Sephora recently, but they did not carry it in the store. I decided to try something different instead. I would buy this online, if I am desperate for something to work on my skin. I do not like buying stuff online, when I could go to the store to pick it up. I would buy this, when shopping for sale items on the website.

September Favorites

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I know that I am late with my favorites post, but I’m even later on my Ipsy post than usual. It will be posted in the next week or so. My new job has messed with my posting schedule a bit. I’m also going to be working on my Wishlist for Christmas 2014 and I will be uploading it as part of my 25 Days of Christmas segment on my blog. I will release it piece by piece. I’m basically writing it for my family and friends, so they know what type of things that I would like to receive. It is also for myself though, so that I know what I want to buy with gift cards! I almost have enough Yappem points to purchase my 10 USD Sephora Gift Card! That is very exciting for me. After that gift card, I’ll probably purchase an Amazon one for some new books that I have my eye on. Well, I’ll stop rambling now!

Skincare:

Peter Thomas Roth:

This stuff is truly amazing! It is helping to really tame my skin. My skin is not clear. I still have my hormonal imbalance to fix in order for me to be acne free. I’m mostly dealing with red marks and rough bumpy skin from acne. I’ve never had a really bad time with acne and I believe that once I address my issues my acne will be next to nonexistent again. This line though makes white heads disappear overnight and really helps to speed up the healing process. I will be buying more items from this line to pamper my skin. This line has gotten my face to the point where I don’t have to cake on concealer and foundation anymore. I can just put a layer of BB cream and feel great about myself.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

Sephora Haul

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I just realized that today is my 2nd Anniversary for my blog! I want to take a moment to thank all of my followers (All 164 of you! I’m adding my followers on Bloglovin as well.) for following my blog, liking my posts/comments, and for reading my posts. Without all of my followers, I doubt that I would still have been blogging now. I blog, because I love it. I also blog, because I know people will read it and take it as they wish. I really want to be an author someday and this is a stepping stone to that. So, I want to thank all of you, who by following, are encouraging me to blog and chase my dreams. I hope you continue to chase yours as well.

Now that we have the mushy stuff set aside, let’s get back to the reason why you came here in the first place. I finally got to go to Sephora! It was a magical, if a bit overwhelming experience, which was very similar to my first experience at Lush. I dropped almost 75 USD in one trip! I did walk away with quite a few items though, because one package came with six products. I don’t feel bad though, since Sephora has an excellent return policy. I got a Sephora card while I was there, so I already raked up quite a few points. I cannot wait to go back and buy some more products. I bought skincare items this time around.

The Original Beauty Blender, 19.99 USD

This was a 2013 Best of Beauty Allure Award Winner and I have been wanting to try it ever since Tati from GlamLifeGuru on Youtube has been raving about her beauty blender. I have to say that I agree with Tati! The beauty blender is really life-changing. I love applying my bb cream and foundation with it. (Although, I am currently using my fingers to put on my bb cream, then pressing a damp beauty blender on top to give smoother results.) It blends completely into my skin, while covering up my imperfections. When you dampen the sponge, it puffs up to twice its size. My foundation brush and sponges are getting neglected for this one. Sponges last for six months on average, so I will get good use out of this sponge.

Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit Soap, 8.8 oz for 18 USD

Fresh smells so fresh! I love the smell of grapefruit and I cannot wait to try this soap. Hopefully, it will not cause me any irritation like most products do. If it doesn’t irritate me, I will be buying more Fresh products, even though they are pricey for an occasional treat.

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Kit, 35 USD; Actual Retail Value: 61 USD

I am so glad that I bought this! My skin has been going through a really horrible phase of acne and rough texture. This has been a face saver! It has six different products in it. I have been trying this for a couple of weeks now, so I feel like I can say a few words about each of the samples.

Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash, 2 fl oz

I really like this face wash. It is minimally foaming, which I like. Foaming cleansers are too drying for my skin anyways. I feel like it really treats my acne as well. I will be buying the full size for sure.

Blemish Buffing Beads, 1 fl oz

I like to use this every other morning after the acne wash to really free my pores of oil and to try to prevent my skin from being an oily mess. This is definitely gentle enough to use every morning, but I am rationing it until I can get my hands on the full size.

AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel, 0.5 fl oz

I use this every morning after toner but before I moisturize. I believe that this has been the biggest influence on my skin in getting it clear. I use two pumps on my whole face and it sinks right into my skin, so I an only assume that that means that my skin likes it very much. lol.

Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel, 0.25 oz

I really did not care for this at all. It is a bit crumbly and the texture is just off putting. I much rather like the Dr. Brandt Pores No More much better, plus it is slightly tinted which I like a lot. I will not be buying the full size of this product, no matter how well it works at mattifying my face.

Therapeutic Sulfur Masque, 0.5 fl oz

I like this mask and I feel like it feels to bring out the gunk in my skin. However, I do not feel like it performs better than my Proactive sulfur masks. I will not be purchasing the full size, but I will be trying another mask by Peter Thomas Roth.

Acne Spot & Area Treatment, 0.25 fl oz

This smells a bit like apple cider vinegar, but with better results for my skin. This shrinks my acne overnight. I cannot rave enough about this product and I will also be buying the full size of this product as well. I mostly loved the whole sample package.

That is all I bought! Have an nice Wednesday!

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo