Stila BB Creams

Today I just happened to pop into Ulta and this was their beauty steal for the day.  For $12 you get to try each variety in this awesome 3 pack.  It's always available for purchase though it's normally $24. If you end up loving these the full size retails for $38.

Whether you're looking for BB benefits with the additional of SPF 30 sunscreen, BB SPF 30 with a hint of tint or a BB SPF 30 that illuminates, Stila's try-me-trio enables you to try all three formulas and find your perfect BB. I can't wait to try these. I used the sample at the store, but that was just on my hand. I want to try these as soon as possible! It boasts that it helps reduce pore size and provides oil and blemish control while reducing redness and skin irritation. Add in the high SPF and it's got all the points I look for in my beauty balms.

* Update. As of 4/7/14 I have used 2 of the 3 varieties ( saving the bronzing one for the better weather ). I am IN LOVE with the regular bb cream ( the white bottle ). It's thicker than most bb creams, almost like a foundation. The coverage is amazing. It's water proof, so I find I have to really scrub it off my face, but it hasn't clogged my pores so that's a plus!

My Fitness Pal

Recently a couple more people have asked me what they thought had attributed to my weight loss. Of course it's hard work and dedication, but the tools I used and continue to use are instrumental to my success. My Fitness Pal is a site that holds me accountable for my calories consumed and  burned. You fill out their questionnaire with your current height, weight, activity level, goal weight, ect. It will give you a suggested amount of calories to consume daily. You will be able to "earn" more calories by exercise.  Or you can do what I ended up doing and follow the TDEE ( total daily energy expended ) method and eat up to a 30% cut from that. I've had success with both methods.

 I'm currently sitting at 515 days since I began using this tool. It was eye opening about portion sizes. I had no idea just how much I was over eating until learning through here. There are message boards you can visit for more help. You can add friends for support along your journey. The site syncs up with various things like Fit Bit, Run Keeper, Endomondo, ect. You can use it on your computer or as an app for your cellphone. You can either manually add your  food choices ( some are pre loaded because multiple people have shared the nutritional values ) or you can scan them in by using the barcodes on the boxes.

I recently redid my ticker, and this is what I'm sitting at for a loss. I originally had lost 80lbs, and I'm smaller than I ever have been before at a size 8/10. I know muscle and fat weigh the same ( because a pound is a pound ), but I think I've replaced fat with muscle so since muscle takes up less space, I can have more of it... meaning I will weigh more. I'm okay with that too. I never was a big one to focus on the scale. In fact I only weigh in once a month. I'm more of the go by how I look and feel. And of course the compliments don't hurt either.

I tell everyone about it. Of course it's only going to work for you if you utilize it properly, but it's a huge help!

Ulta Super Shiny Lip Gloss Wands

I'm not a huge fan of lip color. I tend to really do up my eyes, and play down my lips. However I am a huge fan of having something on them, whether it be chap stick or lip gloss. Ulta Super Shiny Lip Gloss is perfect for that. You can layer it so you can either have a hint of color, or really pack a punch ( or would that be lip smack? ). They have a high gloss sheen too without being sticky. They retail for $8 but usually are ALWAYS one sale for BOGO.  They also usually include one or two  of these in their kits that they put out around the holidays. The ones pictured above from top to bottom are:  Cosmo, Princess, Natural, & Flirtini.

Fruit Of The Earth Aloe Vera

I recently was turned onto drinking aloe vera. I picked up at Meijer 2 bottles of  Fruit Of The Earth Aloe Vera. One in the wild berry flavor, and one in original unflavored. Both are made from whole leaf organically grown aloe. They contain no sugars or starches or added thickening agents. This brand comes in multiple sizes. The one pictured above is 32oz and it was a little over $4.  I usually buy the huge gallons for $8.

What I do is mix 8oz of aloe vera juice with 8oz of regular juice. I've been playing with different flavors from orange juice to blueberry/cranberry/pomegranate and even lemonade. I usually try for ones that don't have any ADDED sugar, since most of these juices contain enough natural sugar to begin with. Pour the total 16oz over ice, and sip away. It actually tastes great!

Now why am I drinking this? Well let me tell you! The consumption of aloe vera juice helps encourage muscle and joint functions by inhibiting inflammation without side effects.  Aloe Vera Juice has natural, detoxifying abilities. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly improves bowel regularity and increase protein absorption, while at the same time decrease unfriendly bacteria and yeast. Aloe vera juice has also demonstrated its ability to assist in soothing heartburn and other types of digestive upset.  It also provides natural support for the immune system by including includes vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, Folic Acid and Niacin and minerals  calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese,  copper, and zinc as well as collagen & elastin which help replenish your body's essential amino acids naturally. It also helps maintain healthy dental hygiene. However, the best part in my honest opinion, is that it regulates weight and energy levels. I use this and apple  cider  vinegar ( not together but separately ). AVJ definitely tastes better than ACV and their benefits are similar. Recently I injured myself and the only thing I can think of to explain how I made such a quick recovery is that I have been trying to be as healthy as can be with my nutrition, supplements, and fitness.  

Rimmel Scandal Eyes

I got this as a reward for my participation in the Influenster voxbox challenge. Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Retro Glam mascara in jet black.  I have to say for a drug store mascara I am kind of impressed. The brush itself is the most amazing part. The bristles are thick and fibrous, not that stupid rubber plastic. They have a thin end, and a thick end with the center curved. It allows you to do different things with the wand for different looks. Also since the bristles are nice and tight it evenly coats each lash giving you the most volume. It also doesn't flake, clump, or cause me raccoon eyes so once again that's a plus for them. You can find this at any mass retailer for about $5.99.

Smashbox BB Cream

I figured it was time to review another one of the bb creams I have been using from that sampler kit. This one is Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream. Retail value $39. However I HIGHLY suggest you get to know their products in general and the best way to do that is buy their TRY IT kit. For $29 you can get sample sizes of their most popular face items: Camera Ready BB Cream, Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, Photo Finish Foundation Primer & a Baby Buki Brush. I already had the full sizes of most of these products previously, so I used ALL the items descripted above. The kit comes in 4 color varieties. The bb cream itself comes in 10 color varieties. I wear light neutral. You will use the foundation primer first ( it's a clear gel ), then apply the bb cream. Dust halo over your face with the buki brush. Then you can move onto your other make up. One of my favorite aspects of this particular brand is that it contains a high level of spf protection ( 35 ). It's also one of the only brands on the market that helps with oil control. On account of this it will feel drier than other brands, which is why you MUST use a primer beforehand.

*On a side note the lipstick I'm pictured wearing is from my Sephora birthday gift from Make Up Forever. I love that it's just a pretty pinkish neutral shade.

Clean & Clear

I just picked up the new Clean & Clear Morning Burst hydrating cleanser & gel moisturizer at Target this weekend. Retails $5.99 each. It has a nice clean scent. Smells like cucumbers. The cleanser has a rich lather and bursting micro beads to help stimulate the face. It completely removed my make up without over drying my face. My experience wasn't that of their commercials but then again my bathroom wasn't flooded with the face splashing nonsense they show. I was thoroughly impressed though.  The gel moisturizer is my favorite part. Light, and oil free. I really felt pampered applying it, even though it's inexpensive price tag.  Through out the day my face didn't get oily, and my make up didn't feel greasy going over my moisturizer.  This is definitely something that's staying in my daily regimen.

My Goodies

I've mentioned in other posts how I absolutely LOVE Sephora's Favorites collections especially when it comes to perfumes. Generally for $25-85 you can purchase kits with trial sizes and a scent certificate for a free full sized product of your choosing from the samples provided. This time I purchased the Rollerball Collection back around October 2013. Out of all those scents ( many which I love ) I decided on Viva La Juicy as my redemption. Viva la Juicy combines delicious wild berries with creamy caramelized vanilla and bright jasmine.  Normally the 1.7oz  retails for $72 but as I stated I had the free scent certificate. This is the only way I usually ever buy perfumes. Other stores have even begun doing similar promotions.

If you join Sephora's Beauty Insider club you get a free gift for your birthday ( and you really should join regardless because the more you spend the more you earn ). This year it's Make Up Forever's mini lipstick & mascara duo. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Both products have received rave reviews ( 4.25 stars ). The mascara is supposed to curl your lashes for you. Full size retails for $24. The color selection for the lipstick is natural n9 ( a pretty coppery pink ). Full size retails for $20. Make Up Forever is sold exclusively at Sephora.

Lastly I got a coupon for a free, no purchase necessary, Bath & Body Works anti bacterial pocketbac. I chose the Lucky Love scent. It smells like raspberry lemonade.  I keep these lil pocket hand sanitizers EVERYWHERE. Purse, car, house, my work station,  ect. My kids even have them attached to their backpacks. We tend to be germaphobes. I love the array of scents available. Retails $1.75 but you can usually pick them up 5 for $5.

Maybelline Baby Skin

Normally I am not a huge fan of drug store make up. I tend to like the prestige brands. However Maybelline has always been an exception. I'm pretty happy with everything I've tried from them with the exception of their mascara. I know other people rave over Great Lash and the magazines boast how it's up there with the more expensive brands but no. It's total crap. HATE GREAT LASH!!!! Horrible brush, horrible flaking clumpy mess that gives you raccoon eyes. But this isn't about that. Like I said I am thrilled with their other products.  Over the years I've used their Dream collection, Expert Wear Eyes, Shine Free collection, Baby Lips, ect. This is another one of those products to add to your collection. Baby Skin instant pore eraser. This is such a nice face primer. It goes on smooth in the form of a clear gel but dries to a nice velvet touch. You can wear it alone ( like my oldest daughter does ) or underneath your make up ( like I do ). I use a dab of this, and a dab of bb cream, dust with a loose powder and call it a day. I look like I have flawless skin. My very large pores are visibly reduced. The best part is it's available almost everywhere, and only costs $6.99.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar

I picked up Too Faced Chocolate Bar eye shadow palette at Sephora yesterday ( thank god for gift cards! ). I am so excited to try this. First and foremost my FAVORITE eye shadow primer ( Shadow Insurance in Candlelight retail $20 ) is this brand, and so is my second favorite mascara ( Better Than Sex is the name retail $23). This palette contains a sweetly tempting array of 16 matte and shimmer shadows scented with real chocolate cocoa powder. I love that the shade selection is geared towards my eye color ( green ). With the neutrals and the violets it's like this palette was created just for me!  This is a first-of-its-kind palette that combines the healing benefits of chocolate with richly pigmented, velvety smooth shadows. Chocolate has been used for centuries for its soothing properties and to protect, condition, and heal skin that has been damaged by sun and wind. Studies have shown that the scent of cocoa powder can increase memory and brain power. As always Too Faced does not use  parabens, sulfates, nor phthalates in their products. Do yourself a favor and pick this up asap. Retails for $49.