Too Faced

You may remember me reviewing the Two Faced Original Chocolate Bar back in March. Since then Too Faced has come out with their Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar. It's similar, yet different. The selection of the original is more of the violets and rose colors, where this is geared towards warmer tones. Infused with the scent of sweet chocolate, this collection features 16 antioxidant-rich, cocoa powder-infused shadows in matte and shimmer shades with warm caramels, deep mochas, bronzy chocolate, and vibrant sugared blueberry hues. These rich, high-pigment shades are perfect for any season, and it includes a signature how-to Glamour Guide to help you get started with three eye looks. Retails for $49 and available on TooFaced.com, or at Sephora, Ulta and the like. Do yourself a favor though and get Shadow Insurance ~ your full-coverage insurance policy against all fading, creasing, melting, blurring, oil slicked, and hard-to-blend eye shadow accidents. Our silicone based eye shadow primer transforms any eyeshadow into a perfectly blendable, color-drenched, intensified version of itself, then locks it down perfectly until you take it off. This soothing formula evens out the skintone on your lids and smoothes lines while securing a barrier between the oils of your skin and your makeup, so no shadow catastrophes will ever happen again. Retails for $20 and it makes a BIG difference in how your eyeshadow looks and lasts. I NEVER apply eyeshadow without using this primer first.

Colors included are: Licorice, Nougat, Truffled, Hot Fudge, Cocoa Chili, Pink Sugar, Puddin', Blueberry Swirl, Peanut Butter, Frosting, Rum Raisin, Mousse, Caramel, Bon Bon,
Butter Pecan, & Coconut Crème.

Urban Decay

So many amazing Urban Decay goodies for the holidays! I utilized every deal from Sephora VIB to Urban Decay.com clearance and free shipping promos. I love Urban Decay. It's one of my all time favorite make up lines.

First and foremost the thing that got me hooked was the 24/7 eyeliner pencils. If you haven’t tried their 24/7 formula, prepare to get addicted. It glides on effortlessly, stays creamy for about 30 seconds so you can blend it, then dries down to a budge-proof finish. They are a cross between a gel and a kohl crayon but have a velvet like look/touch ( except for the glitter pencils ). They go on so smooth, last all day long, yet still wipe off with a lil eye make up remover and a cotton ball. I have my eye on another set too since I scored myself a $10 gift card from the UD hook up holiday promotion. They retail in price from $12-49 a set. Usually you can find a 3 pack of travel ( the size pictured below ) for $12-19. A full size pencil retails for $20.

Next was Naked On The Run. I had been eyeing the Naked Palettes for awhile now, and it just seemed like this was the perfect solution to get the biggest bang for my buck. The ultimate travel kit for Naked junkies, this palette comes loaded with EVERYTHING you need for a complete Naked look: six ALL-NEW shades of Eyeshadow). Bronzer. Blush. They even included a full-size Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss and a travel-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil , plus a travel-size Perversion Mascara. The whole thing is packaged in a cute lil compact so you can take it with you wherever you go. It retails for $54 and it's worth every penny!

In one of the orders I received a sample of the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69. I was instantly hooked. I am NOT a huge lipstick fan, but this stuff was absolutely amazing. Their Pigment Infusion System™ gives Revolution Lipstick its super creamy texture, insane pigmentation, superior color dispersion and extended wear. Maxi-Lip™ defines and hydrates lips while making them look plumper and fuller. And a nourishing blend of jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter keeps lips super moisturized and cushiony soft.  The color selection is to die for too. I had no idea where to start, and then I saw the Full Frontal Lip Stash with all the minis, plus Ozone Clear Lip Liner ( glides on smoothly to prime and prevent feathering—for long-lasting lip color and clean lines. ) Retailing for $39, I really felt like this was a steal.

So there you have it, a bunch of Urban Decay which are great introductions to the line. You can find it online at UrbanDecay.com, Sephora, Ulta, & Macy's. Higher priced than it's drug store counterparts, but the quality is like no other. I get so many compliments when I'm wearing Urban Decay Cosmetics. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

Generics Up & Up Target Brand

So this month with it being the holiday season my budget is much tighter than normal. Target had a huge sale on their Up & Up brands, with Cartwheel 10% off, gift card inticements, ect. So I thought why not give it a shot? So I chose things that I have tried in the past that gave me favorable results, but again this time in the Up & Up brand.

First up Renewal Cleanser which is comparable to Olay Regenerist Cream Cleanser. This honestly is almost identical. I couldn't tell the difference at all. It has the micro beads to help scrub and resurface the skin. UP is $4.19 compared to Olay which is $6.99.

Secondly is Deep Pore Cleansing Strips which are comparable to Biore Pore Strips. I can't say I am a fan. These didn't have as much sticking power as the Biore does, so in return not as much gunk comes out of your pores. UP is $6.09 for 14 compared to Biore which is $8.49.

Third is Maximum Strength Acne Treatment with benzoyl peroxide which is comparable to Clean & Clear Persagel. I like this even more than C&C. The scent is way better, and the effects are overnight. I dab this on any lil blemish I have, and by morning it's gone. GONE! UP is $3.79 while C&C is $6.99.

Fourth is Eye Make Up Remover Liquid which is comparable to Neutrogena's Oil Free Eye Make Up Remover. I love this. Again they are pretty identical. The only  real difference is the scent, and they both have pleasing clean scents. Neither are oily, and they both are effective in removing mascara completely without damaging my eyelashes. The price difference is HUGE! This will forever keep me using this one. UP is $2.49 while Neutrogena is $6.99.

Fifth & sixth are the Daily Morning & Evening Moisturizing Treatments compared to Olay Regenerist versions of the same.  The day serum is formulated to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tones, leaving skin feeling firm and soft with a fresh glow. The formula leaves skin feeling velvety smooth. . UP Daytime Moisturizing Serum is $13.99 while Olay is $19.99. The night cream is intense moisture to help with cell renewal, wrinkle reduction, and firming skin. The Up Night Cream is $15.99 while Olay is $19.99. Once again not too much of a difference other than scent. I've been using these since November, and I keep receiving compliments on my skin.

I've been really happy with these generic purchases. Normally I'm a brand snob, so maybe it's just that I like the brand Up & Up. The savings difference total was $27.09 cheaper and that's BEFORE any discounts,  giftcards, ect.!  $42.35 vs $69.44. I ended up paying $28.xx for all that stuff ( 10% off, plus for every 3 items you bought you earned a $5 gc ). I will purchase this again, and be willing to try other Up & Up products too.