BH Cosmetics Brush Set

I, like most people am a SUCKER for a sale. Especially when I get the coupon code emailed straight to me. I've been looking at three different brands for new brushes. Sigma, Morphe and BH Cosmetics. As we all know Sigma is (my personal) Holy Grail of bushes, they also come with a really nice price tag, and the way my bank account is set up.... Well, it's just not in the budget at the moment. So moving on to Morphe. My bff Laci bought a set and will not stop raving about them. So I had determined that was the set I was getting....until I got that beautiful email with the 40% off code. I figured if they were terrible my daughter would just have an overpriced play brush set. However the reviews were all really really good!! I bought this set and also this stippling brush.

Reviews.

I've  been using the brush set all week and I absoutley LOVE it, the powder brush is a little softer than what I'm used to, but thats the ONLY bad thing I can say about it! (and i'm not even 100% sure thats a bad thing?) I haven't had the brushes shed and they still look amazing after my first cleaning. 

I highly recommend BH - Cosmetics, especially if you're trying to ball on a budget! Not to mention HOW cute is the case???

Moving on to the stippling brush, if you've followed me for a while you know I LIVE by my beauty blender!! This literately takes me half the time to apply my foundation! For less than $10 you cant beat that!! 

Happy WEEEEEEEKEND! 

Double Wear Foundation

Everyone knows I've been LOVING the Becca foundation, but since I've been on this acne medicine for a little over a month its made my skin a little more dry and the Becca just didn't look the best. So, I thought this was the perfect time to try a sample of the Estee Lauder Double Wear. If you keep up with Casey Holmes you know that's her go to foundation and I've been wanting to give it a try. Ya'll, it literally makes my skin look flawless. My best friend even told me my skin looked flawless!!! I wear color pebble which is soft beige with cool undertones. It takes so little and its full coverage but not thick!! I've also noticed I dont even have to use my setting spray, it literally lasts all day! I'll be sticking with this one awhile!!

Also wanting to try the new foundation by Younique in the near future!

 Happy Thanksgiving!! 

The first picture is the one where my bff said "omg your face looks flawless" no edits in either picture! 

Baking

So most of us failed at highlighting and contouring and I personally felt like strobing was not for me. So now we bake! No I'm not taking drugs or cakes I'm talking makeup baking! So cooking or "baking" your makeup is actually a really old thing that bloggers are just now talking about. Basically is just making your concealer matte to the extreme!! You put your concealer under your eyes or wherever you want to highlight, then blend it in, THEN get a setting powder, my personal fav is Ben Nye Banana Powder using your beauty blender apply it everywhere you used your concealer. Then you need to wait about 10, 15 minutes if possible for it to "bake." At this point I start on my eyes, it will take me at least 10 mins to do that! Then take a brush and just dust off the powder and then you can apply your face powder! I'm obsessed with this now!!  Here is a video just in case you dont understand my instructions. My favorite concealer of all time is Urban Decay, however I know a lot of people don't want to pay $28 on concealer so here and here are some drug store brand I use also. I'm out of my Urban Decay at the moment and need to make a serious Ulta run so I'm currently using Smashbox.

September Ulta Haul

I'm such a sucker for getting a "free gift." Spend $50 and get a free gift, OK! I mean you're almost losing money if you don't, right? So I did need some more St Tropez then add on some mascara to make $50...then I needed a few more things here and there, and oh gotta have free shipping!! Long story short, here's what I bought and what YOU NEED!!!

1. St Tropez tan express mousse $44

This was actually my first time to get the express, normally I get this and LOVE IT! It's about 8 tans, which is almost the cost of one salon tan. ( Don't get me wrong, I still love my Versa Spa tans!!)

2. Essence Lash Princess $4.99

I received this in an IPSY bag once and I've loved it!! I would put it on the same line as Tarter, they're real and better than sex mascara! #yourewelcome

3. NYM Way to grow shampoo and conditioner $5.99 each

Ok, I actually bought this in my haul before last but I wanted to wait and give reviews, I LOVE IT! I'm a huge salon professional only product girl but this stuff is legit! It smells so good! It doesn't lather well so you have to use a littler more than you think. I really think its working too!!

4. NYM Beat the heat thermal spray $5.99

Again, this is great! It smells so good and it works great!

5. NYX Matte finish setting spray $7.99

This is a staple in my everyday routine, I actually didn't need anymore but its like coffee creamer, it would be TRAGIC to run out! I get the matte over the dewy because I just feel like it goes with my oily skin better! I add it AFTER my foundation and also again after my look is done!

6.Batiste Dry Shampoo $8.99

If you follow me on insta you know how much I bragged about the "Sassy and Daring WILD" version, well I didn't see it so I got the one for blondes! I haven't actually used it yet so i'll let you know, but I have a great feeling its just as wonderful as the other ones! 

7. L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte 24 Hour Foundation $12.99

I needed to get a foundation for when I don't have my spray tan going and just didn't want to pay $50 for something I might use a week out of the month. (FYI I'm still loving my Becca foundation) I think I bought shade 104? I LOVE IT! It stays on all day and doesn't look cakey at all!

FREEEEE GIFT! It was defy worth the week long wait. (FREE delivery sucks) My personal favs from the bag are kenra fast dry spray, go blonder lighting spray, laura geller glam lash, urban decay 7 days of shadow

FYI - Make sure and head to The_lace_cactus_rep_erin for a $25 gift card giveaway! Ends tomorrow evening! 

Younique Fiber Lashes

Unless you've been living under a rock without any form of social media you've heard of Younique. I claimed I wouldn't give in and I did really well for a long time, then when they created this 3d+ I jumped on the bandwagon!...and have NO regrets!! We always see people who sell it advertising, but we hardly ever hear reviews from people who don't! So just to make that clear, I bought this with my own money, I don't sale it and I will not make anything off of this! These are my own personal reviews!!

I've only used it twice so far (i got it in the mail Saturday) and I already have a few tips!!

1. Make sure and have a lash comb so you can get off the excess fibers, it wont make it look so clumpy!! (My daughter hid mine which is why mine are a little clumpy.) 

2. Make sure your fiber brush isn't too thick or again it will be super clumpy and the fibers wont stick and that's just wasteful!! 

3. After you apply the gel i found it better to move on pretty fast to the fibers, once the gel dries obviously the fibers wont stick as well! 

I added two coats just to see the difference. I have basically no lashes due to a bad lash extension job about six years ago! I'll still def wear my falsies if I'm going out somewhere big, but for everyday or small events these are PERF! Especially if you have a little lash at all, they will be KILLER! 

BOTTOM LINE

I recommend them!! It works better than my Tarte for the same price and I will probably get about a month longer out of Younique!! However if you do want to place an order and you dont know anyone personally, my sweet friend Torri would love your business!

Link to order

One side younique, one side not 

Both Younique'd UP 

 Top is just my regular mascasra (Tarte - Lights, Camera, Flashes )
Middle Younique
Bottom Ardell Wispies

Foundation

When you have oily acne prone skin finding a foundation is HARD!! Forever I wore Mac Studio Fix but after we moved to Longview and the employees at our MAC counter were LESS than helpful I decided to move to Sephora.

Did you know you can go in Sephora tell them your skin type and they will give you samples?? They're THAT nice! So after trying several I decided on NARS! I've used it several months and I love it. When I saw Casey Holmes video on the Born this way foundation I hadddd to try it, then I also added a sample of the Becca foundation just to see what the hype was about.

If you need full coverage, BECCA is the way to go!! I almost don't even want to finish my Nars, that's how much I love Becca!! (But at $50 a bottle I will get ever single spot out of it) 

If you don't need full coverage the too faced will be great for you!

The too faced was just okay, it was as good as my nars, not terrible but I did get oily by midday!! 

Small tip ** using a setting spray personal favorite here, after your foundation and concealer, then using it again after your entire makeup is complete will really help!!

My current lash

I've been wearing lashes for six years, and I've been wearing Ardell for close to two years so i'm super unsure why I have never worn the wispies, they are seriously perfect!! With the thin line it makes it 100000 times easier to apply them and they look natural!! My bff/co-worker even said how great they look today, and she doesn't throw out compliments if she doesn't mean it ;) I can usually get a week out of a pair of Ardell, cant beat that for $4!!

Lash// Here

Side note on why I have to wear falsies - BAD eyelash extension job many years ago.

Bottom line, do your research before you go get them done!

Heart & Soul Handmade

Seriously Heart & Sould Handmade could not have sent me these items at a better time!! When I go to the pool, park or ball field I'm usually carrying around my very expensive free VS tote! So when I saw these in the mail Thursday and was asked to go swimming Sunday I HAD A TOTE!! They are all so well made and I love the southwestern style!!Tote here, snap wallet here and and makeup bag are the links to each item, you CANT beat those prices anywhere!! Check out their Instagram page!! 

XOXO - Erin

June Ipsy

Ipsy...

 is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription bag. Each month you get full size or sample-sized products, plus a small nice makeup bag. Its $10 (plus tax I think) and free shipping, they ship to the US and Canada. It will ask you at the beginning to take a quiz to "personalize" your bag, you're going to get 1/2 bags, so its really not that personalized. 

I always get the sneak peek of my bag, so when I saw I was getting the Smashbox primer I didn't care what else was in my bag!! It's my all time favorite primer and I'm out!!! I didn't care for the bag much this month but that's fine because I have too many anyways. 

Here is my bag..

Smashbox Photofinish Primer - YAY YAY YAYYYYY!! This is by far my fav primer ever, its also nearly $40 so its not something I can just run to Sephora and grab any day of the week!! 
Dr. Brandt® Skincare pores no more® vacuum cleaner - Nice mask, smells great and my face felt smooth but I didn't see my pores suck back into my skin.. haha
Pure Brazilian Miracle Leave-In Conditioner - I was SUPER excited for this also because with my blonde hair I always need a leave in! Its really nice, doesn't work as great as It's a 10, but lets face it, does anything?? Still I do recommend it!! 
Polish - I loved that I received this in a teal blue color because I needed a new one, it went on nice and dried fast but didn't seem to stay on long, I also didn't put on a top coat so maybe that's why.
Mini Shadow Crayon - I got this one in color Aspen Pine, it works nice to put in the corner of your eye for that little pop of color!!

Once again Ipsy, my bag was WELL WORTH $10.

If you want to sign up here is my link, we both get points when you use it, with points you can get small samples!!

Happy Thursday :)

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same."

XOXO - Erin

Statement Necklace

All it takes is a great statement piece to set off a tank, and if you've followed me you know my love for graphic tanks!! I've been following Quintessential for awhile and when she had her flash sale I made my first purchase! The owner is SO sweet! This is her IG and this is her FB page. I also received a little thank you bracelet that is too cute!! I also created a wish list for my neck purchase!! This, this and this!!

FYI, this tank runs small ( small is also sold out ) so if your a bit busty I would size up to a med ;)

"Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink"

Becky necklace // here

Tank // here ( code reperin at checkout for 10% off )

Jeggings // here ( on sale for $12 )
Handbag // Kate Spade 

XOXO - Erin

Drug Store Products

I always get asked, what foundation do you use? Then when I tell people the answer and the price they go bug eyed! My face is VERY oily and I have acne prone skin and need full coverage, so to find a product that meets all those specifications that doesn't break me out is hard!! That foundation story is for another post though ;) 

You can have a flawless face with lower end products!! 

I finally found a foundation that covers my imperfections, doesn't make me TOO greasy, doesn't break me out and cost less than $10!!Maybelline Fit Me ( my color is nude beige which is actually a tiny bit too light but I made it work! ) I do have to touch up my T zone after lunch but for $9, whatever!! 

I prime my face with my NYX Studio Primer Base

Use my Fit Me

Conceal with Maybelline Corrector Concealer

This is a personal pref, but I then use my NYX Setting Spray

Then I use my NYX Finishing Powder, which on my next shopping trip I'm switching to the HD powder. 

True Match Powder in Cocoa as my bronzer

Hard Candy and Hard Candy palette. 

Nyx Noir Eyeliner

Brow Drama

My mascara isn't actually "drug store" but it's $5, so basically it should be, Lash Princess

Then I give my face one more spray to totally set it!!

I tagged Ulta in all of the links just because that is normally my go to site, however you can buy the products at Walmart, Walgreens, or Target!! (NYX is not at Walmart and Hardcandy is only at select walmarts) I also love Maybelline and NYX lip sticks :)

Happy Thursday!! 

Sleek Makeup

About a month ago I decided I wanted to try the Urban Decay Electric Palette, after looking around online and YouTube I came across Sleek Makeup, all the reviews said this was a great dupe for electric. Dupe = Duplicate, in the makeup world its when you find something of equal quality for cheaper. I call BS on this being a dupe!! With that said for $13 plus $2 shipping its worth the price, but def NOT a dupe!! A little about Sleek, its a UK based company so shipping was estimated to me 7-10 business days, it took me 14 business days to get mine which is fine for less than $20!!

My review on it, the colors are VERY pretty, but they aren't as bright and pigmented as I was wanting!! If you aren't going for over the top bright or don't want to spend $50, this is for you all the way!! I love love Casey Holmes so when I saw she had a video for Electric ( here ) obvi I tried to copy!! TRIED. I'm not near as talented as her - disclaimer!! I was pleased with the outcome though!! It did last all day long, I used my Be A Bombshell Eye Base to go under it. I also bought the VI palette ( here )  

Bottom line on this, great quality, pretty color NOT a dupe for Electric!! I'll be buying more Sleek products!! :) 

Happy Tuesday.

This was my inspiration. You can see how awesome the Urban Decay is, still Sleek looks good.

Mini NYX Haul

I LOVE all things NYX, although im not a huge fan of Ulta, its so overpriced, you can also get NYX products at Target, and all ladies love Target! So these are my own personal reviews on the three items I bought. 

I will start with the Wonder Stick, because I HATED it!! It was very oily feeling and even though it said for med/tan skin it was wayyyy to light for me, and I'm not overly dark!! I ended up giving it to my friend, and by give i mean i owed her money ;) It would be awesome for a beginner in contouring, if you are more light complected. I want to say it was around $12

NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer

I couldn't find it on the target website, but I did find it on Amazon for $3 cheaper, its the same thing just in a different container?? I don't know! I really liked it!! It goes on kinda gray but covers up well, here are some of the pros..

• Fills out lines and pores really well!
• Gives a brightness. 
• Helps foundation go on smoother and more evenly.
• Helps makeup and skin retain a fresh look for a longer time.
• The price isn't bad!

I saved the best for last, NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray.

Normally I use Urban Decay Oil Control Setting Spray ( here ) I get the small travel size for like $15 ( because the large one is 30! ) but it lasts a long time, I don't LOVE it though!!! So when I saw this one ( here ) for $8 I thought well it has to be just as good as the one im getting. 

BOTTOM LINE
I LOVE ITTT!!

My makeup stays in place all day and I don't get shiny!! Plus its only $8!! I like to apply it after my primer and foundation, then add my poweders, contouring etc and then apply it again, I have combo oily/acne skin, if your skin isnt as bad just a few sprays after you apply your makeup should be fine!
Also a few other products I already have for NYX and I love are
( here )
( here )

IPSY!

What is Ipsy? Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription bag. Each month you get full size or sample-sized products, plus a small nice makeup bag. Its $10 (plus tax I think) and free shipping, they ship to the US and Canada. It will ask you at the beginning to take a quiz to "personalize" your bag, you're going to get 1/2 bags, so its really not that personalized. Also when you sign up it will put you on a waiting list, do everything it tell you to do to skip the wait and you will be off the next day! I hear a lot of people saying, "well its just not worth it." You have to remember its $10, this isn't a spend $35 at clinique and get a free gift kind of deal!! I've liked my bag every single month, some months more than others, like this month, I LOVED IT!! Below is my link if you sign up under me I get points, point let you get free gifts, so always post to fb when you get the emails, always review and always get people to sign up under your link
MY IPSY LINK

Now on to the reviews.
Nude Dude Eyeshadow "fit"
It is a shimmery copper color, it came in a super cute little container and the color was very pretty. It stayed on all day and went on smooth!! I was very pleased! I had never heard of it before but its something I would go out and buy!

Jor'el Parker Perfume 
This was a tiny perfume sample. Me personally, I have soo many perfumes that I was kind of thinking I wouldn't use it, but i'll be leaving it in my purse and using it after I tan! It has a nice smell, not too strong or cheap smelling, I liked it, I just hope I don't get many more. ;)

Starlooks Satin Finish Lip Gloss
In this gloss I received the shade cuddle, its just ok. The color inst very bright and kinda blah, it didn't stay on long. It will probably end up going to my daughter. 

Theorie Hair Serum 
This was an argan oil hair serum, i love getting products for my hair and this one wasn't a disappointment!! It made my hair soft and smooth!! I probably wouldn't use it every night or go buy it but for sure loved to try it!! 

Essence Cosmetics Princess Lash Mascara 
I haven't tried this yet because I just bought a brand new tube of tarte last weekend ;) but the container it comes in is adorable!! 

I was pretty pleased this month with my bag, not to mention the bag itself was s cute!! I will def be subscribed another month!!