MakeupGeek Blushes and Swatches

On June 15, 2014, Makeup Geek released their brand new blushes.  I had to pick up some after watching the swatch video on YouTube from Marlena, the creator of Makeup Geek. These blushes are Talc free and Cruelty Free.  They are also made here in the USA. 

 

The three I chose were, HoneyMoon, SpellBound, and Romance

 

These are packaged so nicely and come in either pan form, which I picked up, or compact form.  The pans retail for $9.99 each and the compacts are $12.99

First up is HoneyMoon, it is described as a light pink with mauve undertones with silver flecks

 

 

The back of HoneyMoon

Swatch of HoneyMoon.  It is a very pretty shade and is very smooth. 

 

Next up is SpellBound.  It is described as a Light Tan with Salmon Undertones

 Again the back of SpellBound

 

The swatch of Spellbound.  It is another very pretty shade and will look very nice on the skin.  Very smooth formula as well. It does have a matte finish, even though my camera is pulling alittle shimmer.

 

The last blush I picked up is Romance.  Romance is described as a soft rose with gold shimmer

 

The reverse side of Romance

 

Swatch of Romance.  This blush is probably my most favorite.  I just love the color and is compared to Nars Orgasm.

 

If you are interested in picking up these blushes and to check out the other shades she has please visit the MakeUpGeek Store


*these blushes were purchased with my own money.  All pictures and opinions are 100% my own

Saturday Standouts for the week of Feb. 2-8th

 

 

Its time for some Saturday Standouts that I was loving this week.

 

 

 

 

First Up is a Perfume From Victorias Secret

 

 I received a sample of this perfume from trying on a bra and fell in love with it.  My husband bought me the gift set for Christmas.  This perfume is just so lovely.  It is called Victoria and has become one of my favorite scents.

Next Up is a product from Kenra Professionals

 

 

When I got my hair cut at the Ulta Salon here, she used this product on my hair before blow drying.  It smells amazing and is suppose to Reduce blow-dry time up to 50% and provides thermal protection.  Now I have alot of hair which makes it seems thick and it can take alot of time to blow dry completely with my Chi hairdryer.  This product really does cut down on the amount of time it takes to dry my hair.  It is the Blow Dry Spray from Kenra Professionals.

 

 

These next two products blew me away at how great they are

They are from Josie Maran and are her new Pure Argan Milk along with her Argan oil light formula.  I received the argan oil from Sephora as a GWP and just tucked it away.  I have very oily skin and acne prone but dry patches as well, the thought of putting oil on my face just never appealed to me.  Then I saw her present this Argan Milk on QVC and was just intrigued that I had to give it a try. Wow it is amazing, it soaks into my skin immediately and doesn't leave it oily.  I then follow with a couple drops of Argan Light Oil and my skin just looks and feels moisturized without feeling greasy.  I have since put the Argan Milk on Auto Delivery as I don't want to be without it.

 

 

My final Saturday Standout is a product from Mally Beauty

 

This is her High Shine Liquid Lipstick in the color Orchid.  I first saw this in her recent Youtube video when she talked about colors that coincided with the Pantone Color of the year, Radiant Orchid.  It is such a pretty shade on the lips, nothing to in your face and the formula is just nice, not sticky at all and very moisturizing.  I bought this from QVC as they had reduced the price and it was just a better value. 

 

 

 

Well there you have it, my Saturday Standouts for the week.  I'm just so happy I have found some products that are working for me and fun new shade of lipstick, perfect for the upcoming season.  I thank you for you time and please leave me feedback on what you have been loving this past week.  Until next time, stay beautiful inside and out.

 









How did I do....Jan. 2014

Well as January 2014 comes to an end, I'm forced to look at the month to see how I did in compare to my goals for 2014.   Let me start off by saying I was a complete failure with my no buy for the month.  However, with failure comes the chance to redeem yourself and get back on the wagon. 

For the month of January, I added 7 items out of 15 items that I'm allowing for the year of 2014 in terms of makeup.  So I'm not off to a great start by all means and I just have alot of learning and habit breaking that needs to happen for me to reach this goal.  I am keeping track of all my purchases on a sheet of paper by my desktop.

Purchases for Jan. 2014 included:
Makeup Forever Lipstick in no 35 (Sephora)
Burberry Eyeshadow in Pale Barley (bought off Ebay)
Burberry Eyeshadow in Porcelin (Nordstrom)
Burberry Lipstick in Rosewood (Nordstrom)
Wet N Wild eyeshadow in Burlee (Walmart)
Mally TSV (QVC)
Mally Liquid lipstick in Orchid (QVC)

As you can see I broke my no buying for QVC but only two items is not bad at all, considering how much I usually would impulse buy from them.

Some items I bought that I didn't put toward my beauty list were Kenra Professionals Haircare items, Josie Maran Argan Milk and NYX Butter Lip Balms. I also purchased Its a 10 with Keratin and Jack Black Lip Balm.  The reason I didn't count these in my makeout 2014 list is because they are used to help my skin, hair and lips.  These are three areas I strive to keep nourished and healthy.

So how did you do in your monthly goals?  I am alittle disappointed that I didn't have more control to say no to the beauty items but You live and learn right?

For February, I will continue to strive to do a no buy as well as no credit card use.  My ultimate goal for Feb. 2014 is to add NO beauty items to my makeout 2014 list.   Think I can do it with my track record so far?  It will be a challenge and since Feb. only has 28 days, I'm hoping I can do it.

Day two of the new me

So far I have been tempted to purchase items but so far I have with stood the temptation.  I did however pick up two clothing items at Costco,   The first item were some yoga pants.  I bought them because they came in short.  Being only 5'2 and 3/4 I have a hard time finding yoga pants that don't trail the floor because they are 3" to long.  They were $17.99 and will get lots of wear.  The second item is a mint green sweater from Rachael Zoe.  I bought it because it was cute and stylish and living in Wisconsin, it is always nice to have nice casual sweaters for our cold and snowy days. It was $19.99.  So overall I only bought two items today, none where beauty related.

Today was also my day to pick my 5 items for. My 6 month pan project.  I actually picked 6 items to hopefully use and finish.  I will be posting them tomorrow with a couple details on each of them.  They are mostly face products and one lip product.  I did not choose any eye shadows because I usually switch between eye colors and didn't want to be tied down to just certain colors.  I always use eye shadow so it wasn't on my list to use up/hit pan on them.

As far as my QVC 12 month ban, it is going strong,   My last purchase was December 6th and it was a spinning cosmetic container from Lori Greiner.   I actually added my purchases from 2013 and it was a number than made me ill.  Today is gem day and well I can't afford anything of what they are selling.  I'm thankful I bought jewelry when it was affordable.  The days of owning nice high end gemstones is in the past.


My temptation today was a 31 utility bin to keep my empties in but with shipping and tax it would have been almost 38.00.  Just to much for me right and no available cash.  So it will be going on a list to maybe purchase when the extra money is around.  No credit card use allowed.

Well I hope you all are having an enjoyable day.  Thank you for stopping by.  Please follow me on Instagram SemperFiBeauty and on twitter @valeriegarbo

Big hugs from my screen to your's

Valerie

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!!  I hope everyone had a fun and safe night bring in 2014.  As I start 2014, I am trying to change how I go about spending money on cosmetics.  I went alittle overboard in 2013, buying the latest product and really just buying way more than I truly need.  So for 2014, I'm going to be doing a project pan as well as a makeout for the year.   Since I'm not a very disciplined person and easily tempted, this will be a large undertaking but I'm determined to make it stick.

For my project pan, I'm going to choose 5 products that I either want to be done with or hit pan by June 2014 and then the last six months of 2014 I will pick another 5 products.   My over all goal here is to use up what I have before I buy more.

For my makeout 2014, I will be limiting my purchases to 15 products for the calendar year of 2014.  Starting today, Jan 1. until Dec. 30, I will make it my goal to stick to this makeout 2014.   My over all goal with this is to once again limit my purchases and use what I have and love. 

So I ask myself, how am I going to make this happen?  Well for starters, I'm unsubscribing to all beauty company emails.  I am easily swayed by a sale.  I also will be searching/researching via the internet for dupes of items that I really like.  By doing this I hope to achieve my goal of using up my products. 

My final goal for 2014 is to not buy one single thing from QVC.  I have been so horrible about impulse buying, which is what their goal is to the consumer, that I spend money and then turn around and spend money to return it because I either didn't like it or I have buyer's remorse.  So to end this vicious cycle, I am making it my goal to not purchase a single item from QVC.  

To go along with my impulse spending issue.  I'm making it a point to not buy anything on my ipad.  If I want to order something from the internet.  I must get up and go to the desktop, use Mr. Rebates and also search for coupons.  I hope this helps to break my cycle of impulse buying by interrupting the process by moving to another area of the house.

So those are my goals for 2014 in terms of helping me curb my hoarding of makeup and impulse spending. 

What are your goals/resolutions for this New Year? 

I thank you for checking out my blog.  If you would like to keep up with me in the social word, please follow me on instagram SemperFiBeauty  and on twitter @ValerieGarbo

I wish you all a happy and exciting 2014.

IPSY Bag for August 2013

This month's theme for the bag was Glamour Academy and they sampled items from 11 Brands this month.  Here is what I received in my bag:

 

The first item is from Michael Todd, it is the Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask. It says it is suitable for all skin types except sensitive.  Full size cost $34.00 and can be purchased HERE

 

Next is the Noya Kosher Natural Lip Balm in Cherry.  It is a very moisturizing lip balm and had a great scent, not over powering.  This retails for $3.99 and can be purchased HERE

 

The third item in my bag, is from Pacifica and its their Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream All-in-one with shade matching technology.  Full size retails for $16.00 and can be purchased HERE

 

 

The BB cream has a very nice consistency and had a nice light coverage on the skin.

 

Next is the Pixi Lash Boost Mascara in No.2 Blackest Black.  The full size retails for $17.00 and can be purchased HERE

 

Final item in my bag is the MICA beauty Cosmetics shimmer powder in 17 Bronze.  This product is cruelty free and made in the USA.  Retails for $14.95 and can be purchased HERE

 

Here is the shade in the lid, to help minimize lots of product in the lid, I just punch one of the holes out and leave the rest closed off.  This helps to keep more product in the bottom and less in the upper portion. 

 

 

Well there you have it my Ipsy bag for August 2013.  The other brands sampled in this month's bag were: City Color Cosmetics, Smashbox, Nailtini, NYX, Urban Decay, and Chella.

 

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy you can do so HERE

 

Thank you for stopping by.

 

Follow me on instagram: SemperFiBeauty

Sugar 'N Spice Voxbox 2013 from Influenster

Well its that time again where I received a voxbox from Influenster.  This box is titled Sugar 'N Spice and wow does it have some awesome products. 

If you don't know what influenster is, its a website, totally free, where you sign up and participate to unlock badges and gain a score.  You can be chosen to get a voxbox just by doing this.  Influenster ships the boxes to the participants free of charge.  *please know not everyone gets a voxbox all the time.   To sign up please visit www.influenster.com

Okay onto the good stuff.....

 

Here is an overview of everything that arrived in the Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox

 

 

 

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture

$7.99 for 6.5oz can

New Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture is a continuous spray lotion that moisturizes and absorbs in seconds, and leaves skin feeling instantly soft--not sticky or greasy.  Now you wont have to wait for your lotion to absorb before pulling on those skinny jeans!

 

 

NECTRESSE

$6.99 for 5.9oz container, or $3.99 for box of 40 packets

NECTRESSE sweetener tastes like sugar but has zero calories per serving! 100% all natural, NECTRESSE is made primarily from monk fruit combined with other natural sweeteners.

 

 

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes

$5.99 for a 20-count box

Introducing Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes- The soothing blend of Witch Hazel and aloe on these facial wipes rejuvenates your skin by gently lifting dirt, oil and impurities from your pores while nourishing even the most sensitive skin. The result is a clean, refreshed and blemish-free complexion even when you're out and about.

 

 

Colgate Optic White Regimen

Toothpaste: $2.99for 4oz tube

Mouthwash: $2.99 for 8oz bottle

Toothbrush: $2.99 per brush

Three Colgate Optic White products in the new high impact formula.  Use the Optic White toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash together for whiter teeth in five days (vs. brushing with an ordinary toothpaste alone).

 

 

belVita Breakfast Biscuits

$3.69 for a box of 5 packets of 4 biscuits

belVita Breakfast Biscuits are made with delicious ingredients and carefully baked to release steady energy that lasts all morning. They are a good source of Fiber and B-vitamins, contains no high fructose corn syrup, have 18-20 grams of whole grain per 50 gram serving and taste great - perfect for on-the-go!

 

 

Well there you have it, my Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox 2013 provided by Influenster.  I'm excited to try out the new products and use the products that I'm fimilar with.  Thank you for stopping by and be sure to sign up to be an Influenster, and you could receive your very own voxbox in the future.

 

 

*all products were provided to me by Influenster and all opinions are my own.