Review: Maybelline Color Elixir

 Maybelline New York Color Elixir ($6.99)

I spotted this product at Target waiting for a prescription refill, and was instantly memorized by this lipstick in that clear tube (shiny). I nervously picked a color, not many drugstore brands make great colored lip products that compliment by skin tone. I got home and was distressed to see it wasn't a lipstick and that i had judged it by its packaging. So i wasn't expecting to be so impressed by the color pay off, build ability, scent, applicator and longevity. The product also fades and leaves a little bit of color after the gloss has worn off and feels like a lip balm. This compares well with my Bare Minerals Moxie lip glosses that had been by go to products. Those are approximately $18 so this is great for a budget buy or even if you wanted to collect all. Maybelline produces about twenty shades and they are in nearly every color you could ask for (red, mauve, pink, neutral, orange/coral).

Scent: While it does have a scent, i would guess it smells lightly like honeysuckle. I can't smell it except when i pull the applicator out from the tube.

Texture: smooth and color builds

Color: I have 065 caramel infused, 070 spice, 025 mauve mystique, 

Use: one swipe gives a good color pay off enough to cover your natural lip color much like a lipstick

Repurchase: Yes, this is cheapest at Target and Walmart, about 8.99 or more at Ulta and CVS

Review: Yes to Blueberries Firming Eye Treatment

Review// Yes to Blueberries Eye firming treatment ($17.99)

I decided to give this a try when i noticed it on deep clearance at Target. I picked up for a steal (8.98) and the box was worn a bit but it hadn't been tested. I decided to adopt Lisa Eldridge's philosophy that every product i use on my face should have a purpose.

Boy has this made a difference, i noticed the under eye area to be a lot less puffy when i wake in the morning and after coming home from work. I believe i have seen an improvement in the fine lines i was developing, so that is a huge plus. It's very gentle with no reaction from my skin, and none from my eyes. I'm very hesitant about products getting into my eyes, i love wearing contacts and i'd hate to have to wear glasses because of one of these creams irritating my eyes. I'm going to commit to continuing to this use product to care for my skin. I would however like to hopefully repurchase on sale or with a coupon perhaps from Ulta or a good deal online. You do get 1 oz of product so i'm hoping this lasts maybe six months to one year and it will not expire in that time frame.

Scent: light blueberries (nothing strong i don't care for blueberries)

Texture: light moisturizing

Color: white but this will be transparent once on your face

Use: Twice daily applied to the eye area

Repurchase: Certainly, i believe with a combination of sunscreen I can really hold lines at bay.

Skin Care // The basics

From left to right

1. CVS Acne Treatment Gel (10%  Benzoyl Peroxide) 2. Origins Clear Improvement active charcoal mask to clear pores 3. Target's UP&UP oil free acne wash with Salicylic Acid 4. Clinique Liquid facial soap

1. My last dermatologist recommended i use this product with the 10% active ingredient for spot treatment and i would have to say it's made a huge improvement in fighting acne spots. I use this applying with a q-tip on spots and anything that looks like it wants to be an acne spot. It even fights cystic 

2. This origins mask was recommended by Belle who writes Capitol Hill Style, and she was right. This mask pulls up anything chilling in your pores waiting to strike. I just love this mask.

3. My new dermatologist gave me the Neutrogena oil free wash samples on my first visit and told me to use it as my cleanser and only lay off if my skin got too dry. But the real piece of advice worth that copay was this has to sit and soak into your skin. He told me patients often apply treatments and rinse almost as soon as they have covered their face. He said let this sit for between 3-4 minutes before washing it away so the medication gets into my skin. Great advice, i just choose the UP&UP brand because it was two dollars cheaper and had identical ingredients to Neutrogena. 

4. Clinique liquid face soap from the three step treatment, it's a gentle cleanser that i notice a difference in my skin after use. I can use it to remove Bare Minerals or my Smashbox foundation everything but mascara. I was using the Bare Minerals skin care but i found it to be too gentle when i needed it to the most to fight acne. This Clinique soap is good when skin is behaving or when i'm putting the Oil free acne soap on my problem areas and the rest of my skin is dried out.

Beauty Gurus

I had a moment when i was watching a youtube video thinking, Girl, that is tooo much make up. It was like watching a train wreck then she started on her eyebrows and i realized very few of these videos are something i would ever replicate. So i changed my search to natural looks and eventually stumbled on these great artists. Don't forget to thank me later... If i've forgotten someone let me know in the comments.



1. Gossmakeupartist - He's a british (i believe) make up artists he has amazing suggestions and tips and he's right to the point and shows high and low end products. Also his little winks are so cute!

2. LisaEldridge - She's awesome, i'm not sure words describe how talented she is, just watch her videos and listen to her tips.

Beauty Vloggers

It has always been highly entertaining to me to watch beauty videos on Youtube. I've probably watched hundreds of videos by now. I think i watched many before stumbling on fafinettex or fafinettex3 on youtube. I love to watch people transform their looks from natural before to these dramatic afters with full lashes and lipstick. My original routine was just original bare minerals, mineral veil and sometimes mascara and some rosebud salve in strawberry. I always wanted to use bare minerals warmth but it was practically the same shade as my skin so i gave it away to someone who actually could use the color. Eventually I realized have a great even canvas was great but it just seemed something was missing, so i ventured into blush. I can say i attempt a few misses (never really my room luckily).

So what did i learn back then?

1. It's difficult to find that great base foundation but once you have don't look back and don't settle until it's right.

2. Less is more so take things one at a time, if you not sure don't be afraid to be inspired by youtube beauties!

What have i learned now?

1. A lot of youtube beauties are true artists but my personal style does not include painting my face on.

2. There has been a dramatic increase in influential beauty vloggers accepting products some are great about disclosing and others not so much.

3. There are some great GREAT make up artists!

My desk

Desk Organization

Why did i start here?

My desk is generally the very last place I pick up in my room. It ends up with a lot of extra belongings that aren't quite appropriate. These items aren't related to my computer or letter writing, bill sorting etc. My desk is the one piece of furniture that's moved the most in my bedroom. Maybe one day if i have a studio my desk have a spot far away from my sleeping area.

Do i have to?

On my first attempt I moved a few items to their home, and but really I shuffled what was there around. I started from scratch again, and reminded myself what i keep wishing for in a desk. Just a little place for my paper, mail, letters, and computer. I shouldn't put off backing up my computer or signing a card there because i don't have the desk space. 

I even contemplated procrastinating by buying a new desk online or in person. In reality I like my desk, it's a bit damaged but it has most of the components i want. My only true want is a small file cabinet to keep my files.

The good and bad pictures!

To be very honest this took me most of the day to do. I'm easily distracted. My graphics are cheesy... i'm a novice of Pixelmator (similar to Photoshop Elements)!

There was just no excuse for this mess...

 Wait, what was the point of this exercise? Right, organize...

I should sort through this nonsense now. The hutch was looking good.

Nearly perfect, just what i needed!

Comments? Suggestions?

Introduction

Introduction

This idea started on Pinterest. Well it started on following links from Pinterest on organization, they all lead to amazing websites with great ideas. These ideas all revolved around families, which makes sense so i decided it would be interested in doing a spin on that. 

Why am i so unorganized?

I don't have a system or a "place for everything", and never had. I enjoy moving my room around and just changing things on the fly. I also have two jobs, and i put off what needs to be done.

I think this will be a good way to monitor my progress and hopefully inspire you!