Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

I almost got through a no-buy month without a purchase but when the HSN.com was offering $20 off on the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette and a full sized Eyeshadow Insurance, both for $31.05 including free shipping, I couldn't say no.

 

I like the pink and gold outside packaging.

 

Sturdy plastic case reminiscent of a Hershey's...  :)

 

 

The size is on par with Urban Decay, Lorac Pro and theBalm, just a touch bit thicker.  The palette itself is a hard plastic case similar to UD 2 and 3 (or are those metal?).  It has a magnetic closure which isn't very strong.  You will need to pick this up from the bottom of the palette or the top will swing open.
 

 

 

The shades are of course gorgeous and there is a faint smell of chocolate! This is my first eye shadow palette, makeup product really, from Too Faced so the chocolate smell is all new to me.  :)

 (The only product from Too Faced that I own is the Shadow Insurance.)

 

I'm loving the almost equal representation of shimmer, mattes and satins.  A blue/purple, plum, green, brown, bronze, copper, gold... 

 

I'm not sure what is going on with this shadow called Cherry Cordial but it is a beautiful burgundy shade with just a touch of glitter.

This shade in Semi-Sweet (one of the chocolate smelling shades) has a little ding in it but a testament to the soft, buttery goodness these eyeshadows have.

 

This shade called Candied Violet has pink and teal glitter bits and is just a gorgeous color.  I can't wait to wear this! 

 

 

Can you tell I am super excited about this palette?  Why would I possibly need another eyeshadow palette?  The palette retails at $49, which is competitively priced with other palettes of similar quality.  But with the variety of shades and finishes, this is worth picking up.

 

 

They are already so happy together.  :)

 

Have you picked up Too Faced Chocolate Bar yet?  What are your thoughts?

Week 15: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Week 15 is upon us!  April is in full swing (birthday is in 17 days!!!).

This week I wanted to focus on products that have been kicking around for a while, products I want to use up, favorite products, products that I know work well and that I can depend on.  I've shared (extensively) about what my skincare items will be here.  I'm not going to mess around with my skin this week!

So this is what I came up with!

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix.  The old faithful.  This is in shade 52 Vanilla.  I have more than a few uses but I want to use this up before summer is in full swing.  I've had it for a couple of years (exp 12 months!).

BB Cream: Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB, SPF 25.  This feels quite empty but product keeps appearing.  Since I am nearing the end, I will concentrate on using this one up in the next couple of weeks.

SPF: Still trying to figure that out.

Primer: I like to use L'OREAL Revitalift to smooth out fine lines on the outside of my eyes.  I also have the L'OREAL Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer to give my skin a little glow (as needed).  My skin has still been quite dry lately.  And then I included my complexion perfection duo, Urban Decay b6 spray and Guerlain L'or.  One more...  Clarins Instant Smooth for my t-zone.

Eyes:  For eye cream I have Olay Regenerist regenerating eye lifting serum.  Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Corrector in 230 and 2 shades of Physician Formula Conceal Rx, natural light and fair light.  And what the heck, L'OREAL MagicLumi Highlighter in 860 fair.  I have Tarte Smooth Operator to set all these concealers.

I've been skipping LashEM, I really need to remember that.  AVON lash conditioner and primer and L'OREAL Lash Out Butterfly mascara.  It's almost time to replace Lash Out.  Great Lash clear mascara for my brows which I am trying to focus more...

Primer is Benefit Stay Don't Stray.  I will be using my mark eyeshadows this week which are housed in MAC palettes.  The look so neat and pretty in these palettes.

 

 

 

Cheeks: mark blushes this week!  Also in a MAC palette.  :) and AVON ideal luminous blush in E04 Earthen Rose for a bronzer/contour. Which looks orange in the above photo, but I can assure you, it's not!

 

Face Powder: Tarte provocateur pressed mineral powder in Light 04.  This was a sample from ages ago.  It might be a little dark (not as dark pictured) but we will see how it works out this week for me.

 

So that's everything and it's a lot but I like to have options.  :)

Week 12 Results/Weekly Favorites

What I started off with:

My favorites of the week!

This week I tried out a TIGI blush in brilliance.  This was super pigmented.  I learned quickly to dip lightly and tap off the brush before applying.  It is really pretty.  I believe that this was either a Birchbox or Glossybox sample. 

I am really enjoying Urban Decay's b6 spray.  I had a killer complexion concoction this week of the b6 spray on top of cleansed skin, followed by Indie Lee's Lavender Oil and then Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate.  My skin was perfectly prepped for foundation.  I'm out of Lavender oil so this is something I will be picking back up.

If you follow me on Instagram, I showed what the puppy did to my Real Techniques Makeup Sponge, or what is left of it (in the background of the above photo).  I broke out the old Beauty Blender and found that I really miss the Real Technique version.  It blends out my foundation a lot faster and nicer.  I still haven't made it out to Ulta!

The Sonia Kashuk Moroccan Dunes Eye Palette is just gorgeous.  It is glittery so I used a wet brush to apply the shadows and it worked like a charm.  Totally obnoxious for the day time looks I was rocking but I could care less! 

And the L'OREAL Single eyeshadow in Antique Brown is my new favorite eye shadow.  I love it. It's a dark taupe.  Perfect for the crease, all over lid, liner, by itself, eyebrow powder...  I did notice that this formula creases on me.  I tried Urban Decay Primer Potion and Jesse's Girl Eyeshadow Primer but it could have been the eye cream I used?  Buttery soft, nicely pigmented. 

I tried to use the Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation again.  It just clings to flakiness, uneven patches, makes my skin look like ick to be honest.  I can't seem to get this to go on my skin nicely.  Maybe I just don't like a matte finish anymore.  I don't want to be shiny, but this does not look flattering on my skin right now.


So those were my favorites for week 12!  What are you loving currently?

The Road to Recovery: Skin Edition

I had an allergic reaction this week.  It wasn't severe, meaning it wasn't long lasting.  But my skin flared up suddenly.  Small, red, itchy bumps, some with white centers and my face felt like it was on fire Thursday. 

I didn't use any experimental products, all products have been used before.  There are 4 products in question.  I do not want to name any at this point because I'm not sure which one, if any, were the culprit but I have used them all recently and in the past with no adverse effects. 

1.  A BB cream
2.  A high SPF product.
3.  Gradual tinting moisturizer
4.  Full size skincare product sample that I have been using for about 2 months now.

I realize it could have been a combination of a few factors...  Season changes always throw my skin for a loop.  We went from 50 to 88 degrees in 2 days. 

Another major factor to point out, we are in full blown pollen season, in the 11 count which is pretty high.  There are pollen dust storms.  Everything is covered.  Could this be just been allergies?  I don't typically have allergies.

But never have I experienced anything quite like this...

I woke up Wednesday morning with bumpy skin.  Not really red or irritated at that point, I just noticed the texture was different.  I thought my pores were just clogged from the BB cream or the gradual tinted moisturizer I wore the day before.  By Thursday things got much worse.  Because I had to leave the house and look presentable, I immediately made a mask of cinnamon and honey to hopefully calm things down.  I used cool water to rinse.  Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast worked perfectly to cover my redness.

That night I picked up some Cetaphil to cleanse with.  I didn't have a basic cleanser.  I have oil controlling, oil balancing, charcoal cleansers, etc...  I usually have a bar of Dove soap lying around but not this time.  I also don't have a basic moisturizer.  They are along the same lines as my cleansers, mattifying, oil controlling, clarifying...  I didn't want to experiment with moisturizers so thankfully I did have oils on hand.

When I woke up Friday morning, my skin was less red and bumpy but of course Friday was a busy day which included a 5k.  Full sun and 88 degrees so I needed some serious SPF.  My SPF is one of the questionable items.  But I didn't have a choice because it's my only high SPF product.  I covered the redness with Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast.  Sidenote:  It was hot, I was running and my face stayed matte.  CRAZY good stuff.  p.s.  I don't usually wear makeup running, this was a special case. 

After the run, I washed with Garnier Nourishing Cleansing oil, followed by Cetaphil, a honey mask followed by Witch Hazel toner.  I then had to get ready for another outing.  I moisturized with Avocado oil mixed with 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil and 2 drops of sibu Buckthorn oil and this mix has become my go to moisturizer.  At the end of the day, same cleansing steps and moisturizer.  My skin was finally calming down.

Saturday morning things were looking great.  Hubby said my face was looking better.  We were going out fishing that morning with the kids and I followed the cleansing and moisturizing steps and put on my SPF and came down stairs. The hubs, "What did you just put on your face?  It's all red.  You are getting more bumps."  Ugh.  He seemed to think it was the SPF at that point. 

Sunday morning I am in the clear.  I still had a couple bumps but for the most part, everything was calm again.  3 products I am pretty sure I am going to part with... just in case.  One is brand new and I will give it one more try and see what happens.

But these are the products that saved my skin:

Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil: to dissolve makeup, sweat, dirt, SPF
Cetaphil: to gently cleanse the skin
Trader Joe's Organic Raw Honey: to moisturize, calm the skin, unclog pores and provide some antibacterial relief
Witch Hazel: (not pictured, I'm using the Target Brand right now) to tone and balance the pH of my skin, reduce redness and soothe my irritated skin

Evian facial spray:  I like to use this after toning to moisten the skin which facilitates the absorption of the oils I put on my face in the next step
Avocado oil: a pure, non-irritating (to me!) Vitamin E rich oil to mix with buckthorn oil and tea tree oil and to provide much needed moisturization
Tea tree oil: for disinfecting and soothing my irritated skin
sibu buckthorn seed oil:  This is good for eczema, dermatitis, rosacea and other issues, like what I am going through right now!  :)

 
It's Monday morning and my skin seems to be back to normal.  I'm going to use the same skincare this week as well since it is working perfectly for me.  I only have a few drops of Avocado Oil left and hopefully I can pick some up at Marshall's this week.  I find it in the specialty food section.

Not to self:  Keep on hand a basic moisturizer and cleanser for allergic situations.  :( 

I will do a post on all the cleansers and moisturizers I have on hand.  It's a bit ridic.  They all serve a purpose for different situations.  I swear.

Week 11+12 Empties

Just a few things...  

With all the different shampoo and conditioner claims out there, sometimes you just need some moisture.  Well probably more than not.  This Nexxus duo helped my hair out a lot.  Therappe ultimate Moisture Shampoo and Humetress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner.  I do have a back up of these 2 that I will rotate through.  My hair likes to be surprised every other shampoo.  I stocked up when there was a $5 coupon floating around and Walgreens was having a $10 RR with $20 purchase.  

Crabtree and Evelyn La Source Relaxing Bath Tablets.  Ahh...  La Source is my favorite scent from Crabtree and Evelyn, well maybe the Avocado, Olive and Basil line is a close second.  I purchased 2 boxes off these fizzing bath tablets at a Burke Outlet here in town for $6.99 each.  

Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Balancing Tonor.  This is a strange product.  Smells nice, feels a bit tacky on the skin when it dries down.  What makes it so strange is 5-10 minutes after applying it, my entire face turns hot and red like a sunburn.  Not irritating, well I guess this is a major irritation.  It's like a major red hot flush or flash really.  And then it goes away.  I thought that it was my skin getting used to it for the first couple of days of use but it continues for 3-4 months while I used this.  I probably won't repurchase this but I do like the cleanser in this line.  I have one in the waiting actually...

Bath and Body works Aromatherapy energy.  I love the orange scent of this.  It reminds me of my sister -in-law.  She kept a small bottle of it in the guest bathroom and I would always use it.  It took me about 10+ years to purchase my own!  I was lucky to grab this I believe Black Friday weekend for $4 a bottle.  I wish I bought more.  I grabbed other flavors but should have really stocked up at that price.  They are normally $15 for the 8oz tube.  

Suave Advanced Therapy. Good stuff.  Smells nice too.  I don't have severely dry skin nor do I want it so I always lather up!

Just the Basics moisturize shave cream with aloe.  I mentioned this before in another empties post.  I tried to use this again and it still didn't work out.  I did not get immediate razor burn but it was still irritated and I just let my little one play with this bottle like the first one.  3 year olds love to play with shaving cream!

Bare essentials Buxom Lash.  This is a great mascara and it's awesome on the lower lashes.  The wand is huge so you wouldn't think that would be a good option but I can do my lower lashes perfectly with this mascara.  The reason being is that the brush doesn't deposit a ton of product and the formula is a little on the dry side.  I have tried the Clinique bottom lash with the teenie tiny brush but it just deposits a ton of product and clumps up my lashes.  I would love to repurchase this one.

CVS Exfoliating cotton rounds.  I haven't finished them yet, I just emptied this package to put the rounds I a glass jar in the bathroom.  I think the exfoliating side is just a tad too harsh.  I've just been using the regular side.  I had an allergic reaction this week so I've been trying to be as gentle as possible.  I haven't pinpointed the product, it must have been a combination but I do know that the exfoliating side is just a little too rough this week.

Epielle Deep Cleansing Nice Strip x2.  I try to do these twice a week.  Some work better than others.  You need a slightly damp nose.  The moisture has to be perfect I have noticed.  Too wet, it takes forever to dry and thr the glue dries to your nose and rips off the pad as you try to remove it.  Too dry, it doesn't adhere to the gunk.  When you get the conditions perfect, your results are really good!  You can find these at Big Lots, 3 for $2.

Mally Evercolor Poreless Face Defender.  This has some major cracks and discoloration.  It's time to pitch.  I've had it over a year now.  Good stuff and it is mostly used up.  I will repurchase.

Palmers Skin Therapy Oil.  This is in a rose hip scent and it's a very light, fast absorbing oil.  I really like it.  The true test of facial oils for me is if I wake up in the morning and my skin looks normal meaning, not oily/greasy/shiny, not flakey dry.  This facial oil passed the night time test.  I will purchase.

Clarins Day Screen.  I'm on the hunt for a high SPF product.  This one was nice but I'm assuming it's out of my price range!

Indie Lee The Moisturizing Oil in Lavendar.  Indie Lee can do no wrong in my book. All her products are lovely.

Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster.  I accidentally dumped this down the sink so I didn't

T really get to try it to the full extent.  Total Bummer!

I had a few other foil packets that I finished up or some that I had opened a couple of weeks ago, didn't finish and since they were open and exposed, I pitched them.  Like I mentioned earlier about my allergic reaction, I will be switching things up.

I've never had one before but basically my skin was slightly red and bumpy one morning and by that afternoon it had become hot, itchy and spread down to my neck.  Rut ro!

Right now it's Cetaphil cleanser and avocado oil.  Things calmed down quickly (2 days) but I need to add an SPF to the mix and one of the products in question is the only SPF I have right now!  

We will get more into that later!

Hope you had a great weekend!

What's in My Travel Makeup Bag

I previously mentioned in my Week 14 Skincare/Makeup box post that I have been walking past my travel zebra makeup bag on my dresser for months.  I used to travel for work 1-2 times a month and I believe I changed everything out and packed it up after the first of the year.  It's only been moved to dust so far this year and I had forgotten what was in it until now!

The pink & red striped bag (old Target sample bag) is used infrequently and stored in my purse/bag. Over the weekend I realized my NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder and Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder were in there.  I have been looking for them!

I also have a Philosophy eye hope concealer in extra light, Aveda Hand Cream, Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (also was looking for this), Bath and Body Works hand Sanitizer, Sircuit Skin Cosmceuticals molecular Mist Hydrating Moisture Therapy, Chapstick in Rasperry Cream, Vaseline Lip therapy rosy lips and a Sigma F30 Large Travel Powder brush.

The Zebra makeup bag was a steal from Coldwater Creek a few years ago.  It also fits a ton apparently.  It's a double zip and nice quality.

For skincare I have Olay Regenerist eye lifting serum, Elizabeth Arden 8 hour lip protectant stick SPF 15, Sephora Anti-Shine Foundation Primer, Target up&up oil-absorbing sheets, and Anthony Logistics for Men Instant Fix Oil Control.  I use this when my skin is super oily in the summer.  It works like a charm. I blot first then apply this over my makeup and I have instant matte skin.  It's amazing.  I will always have some of this on hand.

For makeup I have Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation in 120 Classic Ivory, Beauty Base Foundation in Skintone 3 (Birchbox sample?), Philosophy the supernatural lit from within healthy cream blush in 01 bare your soul, Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in 10 Sunbaked Neutrals (never used, seal still intact), Rimmel Match Perfection 2-in-1 Concealer & Highlighter in 125 Fair, Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Naked, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 651 Porcelain Pink and in 205 Champagne on Ice.

I have some hand wipes and Witch Hazel wipes for my face.

For brushes I have an Ecotools travel kabuki which I love, a tiny mark eye trio, Bare Minerals liner brush and a Sigma E-25 blending brush.  Some Q-tips and a sample perfume Ageless by Harvey Prince.

Time to rotate some of these items out.  I also just tried on the 2 Revlon lipsticks and the Champagne on Ice is a frosty light orange on me.  Not a good look.  I'm not sure if this color changed or what?  Also the Porcelain Pink is in the pearl finish and it's just too frosty on my lips for my taste. I'm going to pitch these two. 

The Urban Decay Lip Junkie just feels heavy and sticky on my lips.  It still tastes minty and feels plumping but I can't get over that uncomfortable heavy feeling on my lips.  Time to let it go!  *currently singing Let it Go from the movie Frozen*  :)

So this will be my makeup for Week 14.  Since we will be travelling at the end of the month, I will update my travel makeup essentials and share my new selections with you!

Week 14: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Week 14!!!  First week in April!!!  My birthday month!!!  (p.s. Technically this is the 13th week for me but it's really the 14th week of the calendar year so I don't mind skipping that number.)  Go week 14!

Foundation/Makeup:  The other day I walked by my dresser and realized that my zebra travel makeup bag has been sitting there for months.  I move it to dust, but for the most part it has just stayed in the same spot.  I have no idea what is in there at this point so that is what I will be using this week for makeup!

BB Cream:  Still trying to use up the ole Dr. Jart+ Black label.  Still kickin'!

Moisturizer:  I have eclos moisture therapy for night, Origins Plantscription for day.  I'm also still trying to get my glow on with Jergens. 

Primer: Revlon PhotoReady.

SPF: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50.  

Eye Cream: Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller.

Cleanser:  Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil to remove makeup, Konjac sponge and Neutrogena Facial Bar to clean skin.

Exfoliant:  Stridex Maximum.  I have a few pads that I want to use up this week.  I love using these.  I rinse off the Salicylic acid after about 5-10 minutes so my skin doesn't completely dry out.  Good stuff.

Treatment: Beaute Holistique Equitance, Sonoma Naturals Rose Hip Seed Oil, and Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution on some spots on my forehead that just popped up from one day of sun exposure!  I was wearing 50 SPF.

Makeup:  Like I mentioned above, I'm going to use my travel makeup bag and I'm going to include the makeup bag I leave in my purse for touch ups that I barely ever use.   Can't wait to see what is in these 2 bags! 

That's what I have lined up for Week 14!

Next up:  What's in my travel makeup kit!