Ulta Haul Primers

I spend way too much money at Ulta. Today, I bought a ton of stuff, so I decided to split everything up and do things by category.
I had heard so much about the Becca Backlight Priming Filter. I was skeptical at first that it wouldn't do anything under my Kat Von D foundation which is a super full coverage. I was blown away. The Becca Primer actually worked really well. It is infused with luminescent pearls, which create a really nice radiant glow. I did think it made me look a little shiny later on in the day, so I don't know how this will work for those of you with oily skin. I have dry skin, so for me this product will be used frequently.
I also got Too Faced Hangover Primer. I have had this product in the past but when I moved, it got lost somewhere in the shuffle. In all honesty, I like to use it before bed right after I have taken my makeup off. As a primer, I am not totally in love with it, but it does a good job of moisturizing. It is really lightweight, smells nice and does not irritate my sensitive skin.
The Urban Decay B6 Prep Spray is a really nice prep spray if I just want to prep my skin quickly before I put my foundation on. I think it helps to make my makeup last longer, and it also seems to hydrate my dry skin really well. I have also used it during the day just to freshen my face up and it seems to work well for that as well.
The Benefit Porefessional has long been a favorite of mine. It is smooth, has no scent, and actually hides my pores. My makeup seems to go on smoother when I use it, my skin looks better and I all around love it. I have a regular sized one, but this jumbo was a really good deal so I had to get it. This primer is perfect for any skin type, and is oil free.

Overall, my favorite of these primers are the ones from Benefit and Becca, but I like them all.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter $38
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer $32
Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray $15 (travel size) or $33 full size
Benefit POREfessional Face Primer $31 or $42 for jumbo size

Laura Geller 20 Shades of Shadow Vol. 2

I don't know what it is, but as soon as brands start coming out with new collections, I MUST HAVE THEM! On my usual weekly trip to Ulta, I saw the Laura Geller 20 Shades of Shadow Vol. 2 for only $55. I loved all of the colors in it, except Royal and Iris (I am not a blue eye shadow person). I decided to get it, and it came with a cute little free gift of a blush and brush in a cute little pouch. I have never used any Laura Geller products before, so I was not sure what to expect. My first time using it, I used Rosemist, Claret, and Plum for a purple smokey eye. I didn't think that the colors were extremely pigmented, which is usually a huge drawback for me, but this time it was actually a bonus. So the next day, I tried Quartz, Java and Cocoa. Again, the colors were not overly pigmented, and again I really liked how they looked. It was a nice switch-up from using something that makes my eyes look dark.
Overall, I like this palette a lot and think that it is perfect if you don't want a heavy makeup look, and you are going for something more on the natural side. The colors are really easy to use with each other, so whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will have no problem creating beautiful looks. I will definitely be getting more Laura Geller products in the near future.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

It's almost that time of year again. Yes, I am unfortunately talking about winter. My skin gets SO dry, and I was recommended the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb and Rosewater. I went in to my local Ulta, and one of the women in the salon said this was her holy grail to freshen up during the day, so of course, I had to try it (bonus that it is only $7). I actually use other Mario Badescu products and I really love them. They are not super expensive, and I like them just as well as other high end brands with a bigger price tag. I use this product after I cleanse and tone, and before I moisturize. Throughout the day, I will spritz my face occasionally for a little extra. I will say that I am not a fan of the smell, but I do not like roses, which is what it mainly smells like. I do this that this will be really helpful in the winter when my skin needs a little extra TLC. Overall, for $7 I think that this product is completely worth it. My face feels a lot more fresh, softer, and less dry.

Getting Crafty

I have dealt with depression off and on my entire life. I am extremely lucky that it is not severe, and I do not constantly feel depressed. Some days though, I don't want to see, speak or interact with people. I have trouble getting out of bed, I don't want to eat and just feel so crappy all around. On those days, I try extremely hard to force myself into something creative, it always seems to help make me feel a little better. I love to knit, and every fall I knit myself a bunch of new chunky loop scarves, and donate last years to the local shelter that helps women who have been abused. Anyway, I went to AC Moore to stock up on some new yarn and saw these anti-stress coloring books as I walked by. I really love to color, and I loved the patters in these books. I bought a pack of skinny Crayola markers, got my yarn and came home. I started coloring, and before I knew it four hours had passed and most of the Mandala book was finished. I think this will be a great thing for the future when I am having a rough day. So go check them out! I got them at AC Moore on sale for $6 each.

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

I went in to Ulta the other day and was looking for an eye shadow palette that had a lot of nude/natural colors. I had never noticed this palette before, but I instantly fell in love with the colors that the Smashbox Full Exposure palette has to offer. I had never used any Smashbox products before this, so I was not sure what to expect. I tried the tester out in the store, and it was nice so I was excited. I couldn't get the box open fast enough when I got it home to try it out. I was disappointed to say the least. The pigment isn't too great in the majority of the colors. I had to pack the shadow on my eye lids to get any sort of color out of it. There was a lot of glitter fall-out, and even though I used an eye shadow primer, it still creased and did not last long at all. I tried it the next day with extra shadow primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion) and the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. Still barely lasted me 4 hours at work. I was very disappointed in this purchase. I would not recommend this product if you want some neutrals to last you through the day. It may be good for a quick lunch or dinner date, and give you a really nice natural looking eye. Otherwise, I don't this this is worth the $52 I spent on it.

MORE ABOUT ME and Q & A

I think that by me posting about my skin tone, and hair color it may help you figure out why I buy the products, and colors that I do. I also have gotten a few messages on Twitter with a few different questions, so I am going to answer them now. If you have questions, comment on this post, or tweet them with the has tag, #beautyglamour
So without further delay, here we go :)

I have the fairest skin you can imagine. Think porcelain skin, very-easily burned, and I never tan. It is extremely difficult for me to find foundation to match my skin tone, or bronzer that doesn't look extremely orange.
My hair is pretty dark with a subtle purple tint that you can see outside in the sunshine. For all the cosmetologists out there, it is a 3V to be exact. It is long, frizzy and very damaged from bleaching it so often. (If you are thinking about bleaching your hair, I don't suggest doing it)


Q:What is your favorite beauty brand?
A: I don't have a specific favorite brand. However I do have some favorite products from a lot of different brands.

Q:  How old are you?
A: Ladies aren't supposed to reveal their age. But if you must know, I am 23 :)

Q: Favorite vacation spot?
A: Somewhere quiet by the beach. I don't like to go to the usual vacation spots because there is always a lot of noise and bustle. I go on vacation to get away from all that!

Q: Are you married?
A: I am not, however I am engaged. Wedding planning is so much fun! No date set yet, but we are looking at the middle of September 2017. (Why such a long engagement? I want a HUGE, elegant wedding & we have the rest of our lives together, who cares how far away the wedding is?)

Q: Do you have an actual job?
A: Yes, I have a job which I love.

Q: What got you interested in the beauty industry?
A: I had a really hard time in my life hit me extremely hard. I needed a creative outlet for all of my anger, sadness and pure confusion. I would color in coloring books, draw (terribly), and just mess around with makeup that was laying around from my mom. I really loved creating new looks on myself, and just felt better all around when I got myself ready every morning.

And last but not least:

Q:Do you always match your socks?
A: First off, I HATE socks. Second, yes my socks always match because I only own black socks.

Urban Decay Revolution Lip Gloss

I want to start this out by saying that I am not a lip gloss person. I much prefer to use lipstick because I feel like lip gloss is sticky, and does not last very long. I got this Urban Decay Revolution lip gloss just because I loved the color. It should come as no surprise that Urban Decay went all out with this gloss, and the pigmentation in this product is great. It is not sticky, and it lasted me a few hours before I had to touch it up. I got this at Ulta for $22. I am a HUGE fan of their lipsticks, but I am not entirely sold on this lip gloss only because I go for a lipstick before a gloss regularly. If you are a lip gloss lover, this is definitely something that you should try out!

*Product shown: Urban Decay Revolution lip gloss in Bittersweet

NYX Dusk Til Dawn Palette

I don't usually go for brands that I don't have much experience with, but NYX is affordable and I have been hearing more and more about it lately, so I decided to give it a shot. I saw their eye shadow palettes, and I really liked the colors in the Dream Catcher Palette #2: Dusk Til Dawn. It sat on my vanity for a few weeks before I decided to even swatch it, and I was pleasantly surprised. The shadows are very soft, and the shimmer colors are really pigmented. The matte shadows, however, lack the pigment that the shimmer colors have. I did a simple nude smokey eye with it a couple times before I got the Stardust palette, and I think for $15, it was a good deal. I am overall pleased with this purchase, and think that I will be getting some more products from NYX in the near future.

Too Faced Stardust palette

I was so excited for this palette to come out, and it definitely did not disappoint! The pigmentation is amazing, and so are the colors. I was a little hesitant though, because I didn't think I would get use out of all the colors. But, it comes with nice little tutorial cards that give some inspiration for different looks which I have been using, and I will definitely use all the colors. My one complaint about this product is with the color "Jackpot." I think it is packed in a little too loosely, so when I put my brush in it, it sort of crumbles. But so far, that is my only complaint and I have been using the palette everyday for the last week or so. I am definitely happy with this purchase ($45, Ulta).

Philosophy Purity Wipes

We are all guilty of being too lazy at bedtime to take our makeup off, especially me. I'm not much of a fan of Philosophy products, but I needed some makeup wipes in a pinch, so I bought a pack of these ($15, Sephora). I wasn't expecting much when I used my first one, but I was pleasantly surprised. They smell really nice, and take off my makeup easily. The best part is that they do not leave behind a sticky residue on my face. I went back to Sephora and bought a couple more packs, and will use these at bedtime religiously.

Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

Anyone who knows me will testify that I LOVE full coverage foundation. I have a hard time finding one for me that doesn't look caked on, and that looks as natural as possible. I have finally found it in this product ($35, Sephora). It says it is a 24 hour foundation-and it is! It goes on really smoothly, and I only need one pump of foundation to cover my entire face. It is a little flat, so I like to add a tiny squeeze of my Urban Decay Illuminating Beauty Balm ($34, Ulta). There is a wide assortment of colors, so you should have no trouble finding the perfect match for your skin tone!

Lorac Porefection Foundation

We all want a foundation that looks like we aren't wearing any foundation. For me, the Lorac Porefection ($36, Ulta) is it. However, if I use it alone over my primer, it is a little flat. I like to mix in some of the Urban Decay Illuminating Beauty Balm ($34, Ulta) and it brightens my entire face up, and gives me a dewy, fresh look.
The Lorac is a perfect medium coverage, and the Beauty Balm is a little sheer so they work really well together for me.

Whish Body Butter

I am the Queen of dry hands. I love to pack some lotion on them before bed, throw on some moisture gloves and hope for the best. A follower asked me to review my favorite body butter. My mom had a sample and hated the smell (Coconut, which I love) and of course, I immediately fell in love with the scent, so I gave it a shot. My hands were definitely moisturized in the morning, and the smell lingered throughout the morning as well. Ulta sells a full size for $24, so when I run out of this product I will be purchasing a full size in a few different scents.

My Go-To Highlighter

I had been previously using the Benefit High Beam as my highlighter, and one of my followers sent me Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal. I can not even begin to explain how much I LOVE this product. It has some golden undertones, but it looks perfect on every skin type. I really love the way the light catches it. It has lasted me all day without setting spray (I ran out recently, time for an Ulta shopping trip!) I sweep it onto the highest part of my cheekbones using my Sigma F35 brush.