I Heart Drugstore Makeup!

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I saw this tag on Gracious Luck and since I am still down a camera, I thought that I would continue the tag trend. Tags are also really fun and I enjoy doing them, so if there is a tag that you want to see me do, let me know in the comments section below. She tagged anyone who wanted to do it, so here goes nothing. Jill if you are reading this, have a great vacation and make sure to have some fun in the sun! I hope you return well-rested and you will be missed by me.

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand overall?

I really love Rimmel London, but I really want to try Physicians Formula. Most of my products are Rimmel, though and Maybelline. Honestly, I like my Rimmel products a whole lot better. I have a very small makeup collection right now. I have just gotten into being really passionate about it, so I don’t have that big of a stash yet. I really hope that changes, because I am obsessed and want everything in most stores that I look at. I can never justify spending a lot of money on makeup. Skincare on the other hand is my shopping weakness.

2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products?

My favorite face product is actually a compact bronzer by The Body Shop. It is their Honey Bronzer in Light 02. I love using it as a finishing face powder. It gives me the best sun kissed glow without making me look orange or obviously tan. My favorite cheek product would have to be my Maybelline Bouncey Blush in Mauve. It gives my cheeks the best natural looking flush and I am all about being natural. My current favorite lip product is the NYX Butter Gloss in Eclair, because it is freaking amazing! I cannot gush about it enough. If you haven’t tried this product yet, you are totally missing out big time.

3. Least favorite product / product not worth the hype?

I have to agree with Gracious Luck on this one. Baby Lips is absolutely horrible! It dries my lips out and I keep having to reapply it over and over again. Other people must have hardier lips than mine, because this stuff does not work for me.

4. What is the best makeup bargain?

Honestly, ELF is the best bargain for your money. I can buy makeup wipes for 3 USD and blush for a buck! I really find that the products are worth it on a whole, but every brand has those products that you aren’t crazy about as well.

5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)

I really love my Body Shop Blotting Papers. I feel like not a lot of people remember blotting papers when buying makeup. They make my makeup last longer and keeps the grease to a minimum. I feel like people always forget blotting papers, but they are so essential. I even use them to correct makeup mistakes.

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

Foundation is ridiculously overpriced for what it truly is: skin pigmentation. I buy it when it is on sale for a buy on get one half or free, because otherwise, it really isn’t worth the price. I couldn’t imagine buying designer foundation. I think that I would die or have aa heart attack.

7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!!

I am really bad at naming dupes! i  don’t have any for you, except that the ELF palliate that comes  with a blush and bronzer is a perfect dupe for the Nars Orgasm. Otherwise than that, I am totally clueless.

Sorry about the short responses, but I am feeling very dizzy due to my current medication. It makes me spell thing wrong as well. Please forgive me. By for now

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

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Summer Lovin’

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I have to wait until Friday to buy a new camera, unless someone I know reading this has a camera that they no longer care for and would like to give it to me? Let me know. So, until either one, I will not be uploading my Monday Mega Haul until I have a camera to take pictures of everything. I will be doing fun tags like this and other things until then. Let me know in the comments below if you have any recommendations of what I should/can do without the aid of a camera. Now, onto the tag!

1. Summer lipstick you’re loving?

Well, I don’t really wear lipstick all that often, but I have been loving Bare Minerals Moxie Lipstick in Redy, Set. My most favorite summer lip product that I am loving has been the NYX Butter Gloss in Eclair. I love the texture of how smooth and silky it makes my lips feel.

2. Summer nail polish you’re loving?

I don’t have any nail polish color favorites for summer. I love painting my nails a different color every time. There has never been a nail polish that I have used week after week after week. I’m not that loyal or loving of any certain nail polish color exclusively.

3. Bikini you’re loving this summer?

I have not even bought a swimsuit this summer. I don’t have a pool and honestly, I have had too many other things on my mind to think about picking up a bathing suit. I can always take a dip in shorts and a large tee-shirt. Next year, I will probably pick up a swimsuit to enjoy. I might even buy one at the end of the season for real cheap.

4. Favorite summer Frappuccino from Starbucks?

This one is summer duper easy as I already have a favorite that I love year round. I love the coffee frappuccino with a mocha or caramel swirl with low fat whipped cream topping. It is perfect for the summer and if I am feeling really adventurous, I’ll even add peppermint flavoring and an espresso shot. Yum!

5. Favorite fake tan?

I have not tried doing a fake tan yet. I went to Victoria’s Secret recently, but didn’t find a fake tan in my coloring that would be flattering. I might just try a gradual self tanner or a bronzing gel that just rinses off in the shower. I really want to be a little tanner though without the sun exposure.

6. Favorite summer song?

Right now, I am loving On My Way by Lea Michelle. It is so not a summer song, but I am obsessed!

7. Favorite summer accessory?

This cute delicate bracelets that I bought at Forever 21. They are going to be summer staples!

8. Favorite summer fragrance/perfume?

I love White Citrus from Bath & Body Works. I wear it every summer and it just smells so crisp and clean. I love it so much! I am almost out of it now, which is both a good and bad thing. It is a good thing, because now, I can move onto something good and the scent always had to be reapplied. It didn’t have much lasting power to be honest with you. It is a bad thing, because I really love the scent and I am sad to see it go.

9. Summer book you’re loving? 

I have read three books so far this summer, so there isn’t just one book that I am loving. I love many books, but my favorite for the summer would have to be Girl At Sea by Maureen Johnson. It is summer themed and it is a really good book that I quite enjoyed. I also really love Thirteen Little Blue Envelops and its sequel. They really are the best beach side reads. Although, I did shed a few tears over these books, they were not overly emotional.

10. What are you most excited to do this summer? 

I am most excited to visit Maine and go to the beach this summer. I am also excited to see my friends and catch up before the college year starts up yet again. I am in the process of getting my transcripts, so that next year I can attend a few classes online. That has nothing to do with summer though. I am also looking forward to receiving my Life Planner by Erin Conred.

That is it for now! What have you been loving? As always, I tag Dani to do this tag as well.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

Would You Rather Tag: The Beauty Edition

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I read all about this tag a few weeks ago on Bea’s blog and I thought that I would post that today. She did tag her readers after-all! I went shopping for hours today and my camera died while taking pictures of it all. So, while I am having technical difficulties, you guys can enjoy reading this tag. I finally figured out that my camera is actually dead after four long years together. I am hoping to pick up another camera on Friday, so until then, no pictures up on my blog. No new pictures anyway. So, all of my lovely new shiny things, won’t be so shiney and new when I show them to you on Friday.

1. Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lip glosses or lose all of your palettes and eye shadows?

Honestly? I would rather lose all of my palettes and eye shadows, because I don’t really use them all that much anyway. If I want to smoke out my eyeliner into eye shadow, it can easily be done. Most days I just put on a bit of mascara and lipstick or lip gloss. If I’m going out like today, I added on a bit of black eyeliner, neutral eye shadow base, and a pretty flush.  This wasn’t a hard choice for me. Maybe, I am not so obsessed with makeup as I thought. I still really want the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, though.

2. Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?

I have already chopped off all of my long hair into a bob once and that wasn’t really for me. I would rather never to be able to cut it again, although I really would like to trim off the dead ends. Would trims count? I mean, I might just take the plunge to cut off my hair, if that means that I can get trims and grow it long again.

3. Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?

I would much rather have a coral cheek, since I have yellow undertones. It naturally makes me look more sun-kissed. Pink cheeks don’t look good on me. I chose more mauve colors, because that complements my skin better when I want a pinker cheek. Straight up pink makes me look heated and sweaty instead of sweet and flirty. Pink looks fake on my skin, since I naturally flush more peachy than pink.

4. If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?

I cannot have both? UGH! In an ideal world, I would split it up half and half. I don’t feel like I need clothes a whole lot more than makeup. Clothes would be more practical though. I would probably spend it on makeup. I would buy skin primers, foundations, lip glosses, blushes, makeup brushes, the beauty blender, setting spray, remover, lip liners, lip sticks, and so much more. Makeup is very diverse and there quite a few skincare/makeup hybrids.

5.  Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner, or eyeliner as lipstick?

Well, a lipstick tube is way too fat to use as an eyeliner. I would use it as an eye shadow. I have on plenty an occasion. So, I would rather use an eyeliner as a lipstick like a cute purple or bright pink or even something unusual like an electric blue.

6. Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?

Definitely Sephora. I really don’t understand the MAC obsession. I want to try out the cleanse off oil, but otherwise than a couple of lipstick colors, I wouldn’t purchase anything from the store. MAC seems overrated to be quite honest with you. Sephora has a bigger collection of just about everything

7. Would you rather only use one eye shadow color or one lip color for the rest of your life?

I would rather use on eye shadow, since I am more of a lips girl. I love trying on different colors and making my lips my statement feature. I would hate to limit myself to just one color, or texture, or look. It is way too boring.

8. Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?

I would rather freeze and wear summer clothes in the winter, at least I could layer them. Winter clothes in summer just seems like asking to die of a heat stroke. At least, I can layer the summer clothes, so I won’t get hypothermia.

9.  Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

Bright nails all the way. I wear mostly brights anyway, so it isn’t much of a stretch. I only darken my color in Fall and go a little less bold in the Winter.

10. Would you rather give up your favorite lip product or your favorite eye product?

I would give up my favorite eye product, because it is probably nor getting much mileage anyway. I love lip products and I could never part with my favorite.

11. Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?

I feel like there are so many more options with a bun than with a ponytail. I will go with the bun. I could do it messy, than do it with an accent braid, throw the whole thing in a messy bun braid, or I could do a half bun half ponytail hybrid. The possibilities are endless.

12. Would your rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lip gloss?

I would never want to paint my nails again, since I hardly find time for them anyway. It is Monday again and my nails are still chipped from last week’s mani.

13.  Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday?

I’d rather have no eye brows at all. Sharpie is just plain out weird and makes you look like an expressionless psycho. Plus, when girls bleach their brows, it looks like they indeed have no eye brows and it doesn’t look bad, doesn’t look good either. At least, it doesn’t look creepy though.

14.  Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

I would rather live without nail polish. I couldn’t survive without a stick of at least lip balm! The horror!

I tag Dani from DaniWritesReviews and all of my readers to continue the tag. That’s it for now!

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

I Heart Summer Tag!

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I cannot believe that Julamorous is almost here! It is a month long event that I did last year, where I try to post every single day. It can be anything I want it to be and I am always open to suggestions. Dani wrote this tag, so I decided to copy her and do one on my blog. I have a feeling that are answers are going to be very different, since we are different people after all. I’m more into girly thing like make-up, though. Dani is obsessed with nail polish! I want to pain my nails today, but I don’t really feel it. I will probably do them later today at 6pm, when I come home from work. I have a new polish that dries really fast, so it will be a breeze to do them. Now, onto the tag post already!

1. Favorite bronzer for summer?

Well, I want to develop a favorite this summer, since I don’t really have any experience with them. I use The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in the powder compact in shade 2 medium and it gives my face a nice matte finish. It doesn’t really bronze me, though, because it is so similar to my skin color. I want to try the Victoria Secret Bronzing Gel, but I use body perfecting lotions by Hawaiian Topics and Bath & Body Works. Those formulas rinse off though and are just a bit of foundation mixed with lots of shimmer. Do they count? I want to be a bit more bronzey this summer, so we will see.

2. You’re relaxing in a hammock, on a tropical island. What are you sipping on? (Favorite summer drink)

A nonalcoholic beverage that I would be drinking in the summer is pink lemonade. It is a favorite of mine since forever. However, I have recently discovered a new flavor from Arizona called Cherry Lime Rickie that I am so loving. I also really like slushies. My alcoholic favorites are rum and coke. These flavors go great together! I have recently discovered cherry vodka and when you mix it with coke, it tastes exactly like a cherry coke! My favorite drink!!! I also really like margaritas and sour apple martinis. I don’t have just one as you can tell.

3. Favorite summer lip product?

I cannot really remember last year’s favorite. It was such a long time ago, but this year, I am loving NYX Butter Glosses. They really are as great as everyone on Youtube is claiming. I need something with SPF though for when I am at the beach. Any suggestions?

4. Pool or Beach?

I would much rather be at the beach than at the pool, mostly because I do not have a backyard anymore so it isn’t really an option. The beach is like a vacation though, rather than going over your friend’s house to use her pool. lol. If I had my own house, I would look into a pool. I am actually looking into buying a home of my own. So far with research, to get a loan on a 100,000 USD house, you need to put 10,000 USD down. That is a tenth of the price. I am hoping to get a 50,000 USD fixer uper and put down a fifth of the price. I’m hoping to save this up in 5 years if I got a full time job or in 10 years if I don’t. I intend on buying 1,000 savings bonds that would accrue a lot of interest, while I saved for the rest.

1. Summer = crazy hair! What’s your must-have styling product?

Beach spray is my savior during the summer months, because when my hair gets frizzy, it just adds to that laid back beach look. I am very into that style at the moment. My favorite beach sprays are the ones by Marc Anthony that smell like pina colattas and the one by Bath & Body Works that smells like a citrus beach. I own both of them and cannot decide which one I love more.

6. Sun bathing or fake tan?

Never sun bathing! I have had two close calls with skin cancer and had to have skin on my stomach removed before it could turn deadly. I have hereditary skin cancer, so even a little sun could turn into something deadly. I get checked by my doctor at the end of every summer to make sure that I can cancer free. So, I would much rather have a fake tan, which I am looking into this summer. I haven’t bought any products for it yet though. I definitely wouldn’t pay 20 USD for someone to see me naked and spray me with chemicals. No thanks! I’d rather do it myself and have my boyfriend get my back, which is the only spot that I cannot reach and see clearly.

7. Favorite summer nail polish?

I really love bright neon colors for summer. I’m really loving lavenders and bubble gum pink. I do not have a specific color in mind, more like a style. Bright shades and metallics are colors I will be rocking this summer.

8. Any summer traditions?

Nope! I am hoping to start some new ones though. I really want to take my dogs to Maine for the day and just hang out on the dog friendly beach.

9. Favorite summer scent?

My favorite would have to be Amber Blush by Bath & Body works. The scent lasts for ages and it smells so damn good! I am almost out of my little tube of it that Dani got me for my last birthday. It got very loved these past two months.

10. Favorite BBQ food?

Umm…Chicken? I don’t really eat food off of the grill and I have yet to barbecue this summer.

11. What’s your favorite summer-proof product?

My favorite summer-proof product is … drum roll Hawaiian Tropics Sunscreen! I am never without this stuff! I use it every morning as my daily moisturizer to protect me from everyday casual sun. I apply this like hell at the beach, like every hour on the hour.

12. Any summer vacation plans this year? No plans? Tell us about your dream summer trip!

Yes!!!! I am planning a few trips to Maine and I really want to go to Six Flags. I need someone to watch my dogs though, if I go to Six Flags. So, I would need to find a dog sitter for the day that wouldn’t mind not getting paid to watch them for me. I would treat them to a movie with me as compensation.

WEll, that is it for now! I’ll see you all when I post next! Have a fun, safe summer.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

11 Questions Tag

Heya Fellow Gurus!

I was reading this same post from http://shadowdancerx.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/11-questions-tag/ and I decided that I would answer her questions. I love doing fun tags like these, so if anyone reading this does a lot of tags, make sure you tag me. I would love to do more! I will add my own 11 questions at the end and I am specifically tagging Danielle from http://daniellec1992.wordpress.com/ to answer my questions to keep the tag moving along. Now, onto the tag!

1. What is your favorite makeup brand?

Selena: I have a few favorites in my stash, but the one brand that I keep going back to is Maybelline New York for affordable, quality makeup and The Body Shop for higher end make up. I do want to try out Mac to see what all the fuss is about, but I have yet to buy anything from them. I’m not usually a high-end makeup buyer, unless I have coupons for Clinique or if there is a sale going on.

2. What is the best gift you received?

Selena: I would have to say that the best gifts I have received was a gorgeous cat for my 11th birthday and my lovely Chihuahua for Christmas in 2008. My cat was the cheapest gift for 20 US DOLLARS, but caring for animals are always expensive. My dog was 350 at a shelter, but she had all her shots and was fixed. They are my babies in my life right now and I love them dearly.

3. What book would you recommend I read next?

Selena: I don’t really know what kinds of books you read, so I will pick a Chick Lit book that I am really loving at the moment. I am reading Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and am loving it. Dessen creates such heartwarming stories out of tragedies. I love her writing and need to read every one of her books. I think I’ve read three or four so far.

4. What is your favorite shampoo and conditioner?

Selena: Since I am on the hunt for sulfate-free shampoo and conditioners, these might not be my favorites for long. As a complete shampoo and conditioner set, I really love TRESemme and Herbal Essence. As shampoo and conditions that can be from different brands, my go to shampoo and conditioner that I am using right now is Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo With Hawaiian Ginger and Wen by Chaz Dean in Sweet Almond Mint for a conditioner.

5. Describe your favorite outfit.

Selena: Well, my favorite outfit hanging in my closet right now for the summer is a cute summer dress from Kmart from the Selena Gomez Dream Out Loud Line. It is color blocked with a grey tee-shirt and turning into a wonderful, colorful flouncy skirt on the bottom with a flower pattern. If it’s a bit colder out, I’ll pair it with a white faux leather vest with punk studs and very fitted design. I love it, because it adds a bit of edge to the girly ensemble. The vest is from Forever21. I pair this off with an oversized pink chain necklace with pink beads and fake diamonds. For shoes, I’ll wear my white and black striped zebra sneakers with a 2 inch hidden heel with blue accents and pink laces. The shoes add major edge, but playfulness to my vibe. My personal style sense is Girly Punk or Girly Edge. I like creating my own fashion sense.

6. Do you have a lot of shoes? How many shoes do you own?

Selena: Yes, I have a lot of shoes, but I feel like I need a few more pairs. I own 2 pairs of sneakers, 3 pairs of sandals, 1 pair of knockoff Uggs, 2 pairs of heels, and 4 pairs of boots. So, that is 12 pairs of shoes total. I might be missing a pair or two, but I think I might have spring cleaned them.

7. What are your favorite stores for shopping (for anything)?

Selena: Well, my favorite stores are Ocean State Job Lot for anything is counted in beauty that I know I’ll use up before the expiration date, Kmart for those necessary purchases, clothing, shoes, and makeup; Forever 21 for clothes, accessories, and the other little items they carry; The Body Shop for certain body products, Bath & Body Works for candles, Barnes & Nobles for books since I always have gift cards, Lush for soaps and cleansers, and finally, Victoria Secrets because who doesn’t like free underwear?

8. Do you have pets? If so tell me a little about them.

Selena: I live with four animals, but only own two. I have my British short-haired cat named Shadow, who is ten years old, but still acts like a kitten. I also own a dog named Serena from Gossip Girl and she is 5 years old. I bought her from a shelter, but she was originally from Puerto Rico. I rescued her at 7 months old. She’s such a cute little thing with big bulgy green eyes, but has horrid breath. I bought her with dental problems that we have been working on. I’ve been brushing her teeth for a year every day and now most of the plaque build up is gone, but there still seems like some just won’t ome off. She might need dental cleansing from the vet in a few years if it keeps up. Here are some pics to enjoy!

9. Do you prefer lipstick, lip gloss, lip stain, or lip balm?

Selena: I always have lip gloss on hand, but I really like lip balm for a treatment or to put on my lips before I go to bed. No need to worry about any color smudges, just pure moisture. I don’t really use lip stick or lip stains.

10. What is your favorite food?

Selena: My favorite food would be pancakes for breakfast, wraps for lunch, and spaghetti for dinner. Forgot dessert! Dessert would be a layered chocolate cake and for a snack corn chips with spicy salsa! YUM!

11. What do you like about wordpress?

Selena: WordPress is one of the easier blog sites to use and you can do all sorts of things on here that one cannot do on other sites. I like the option of pictures and spell check. I love adding photos and I am not the world’s greatest speller seeing that I learned English as a second language. Although, English is my first language now, because I rarely use the other in America. I sort of forgot most of it, besides the basics.

My 11 Questions are:

1. What area of beauty are you most interested in? Make-up, skincare, etc?
2. Are you a savvy spender or an impulse buyer?
3. Do you overspend in the beauty department?
4. On average, how much do you spend on beauty products in a month?
5. Would you rather watch Fashion Week or Participate in it?
6. What is your go-to beauty item?
7. What is your holy grail beauty product?
8. Describe your go-to outfit on a regular casual day.
9. Who would your dream boyfriend be and why?
10. What is your favorite thing to do?
11. Do you classify yourself as weird or different from the norm?

Those are my questions! You better get crackin’ on the answers. Please comment and put your url response, so that I can read your answers!

With Love,
Hannahxoxoxo