Stocking Stuffers

Stockings are a big deal in my family. But the price tags can add up, so here are a few of my favorites I've found this year:

I first spotted these hair ties on Movie Girl & actually had complemented her 'bracelet.' When she explained they were hair ties...

I went out & got some for myself from Anthropologie! I can't tell you how often I have hair ties or elastics on my wrist for work that look, well like hair ties. These look so lovely on the wrist. Three are for $24- so since I do 3 stockings for my mom & sisters I'd split up the pack.

I'm obsessed with NYX Lip Butters, I mean beyond. When my lips are chapped I used to turn only to by beloved Aquaphor. The fact that I reach for these now too is saying something! I bought these trios for my sisters' stockings at 40% off their normal $9.99 price tag. If you can't find the sets anymore locally, still head to Ulta where the singles are buy one, get one 50% off. 

Here's an option from Benefit with super cute packaging that breaks down to about $4.33 a gloss if divvied up.

 I stumbled upon this Perlier set by accident while watching (ahem being sucked into) a beauty segment on HSN. 

It's a collection of 9 hand creams in the box + 1 bonus anti-aging body balm at a special price if $19.95.

Now I know we all dip into the 99 cent bin sometimes for beauty items, especially for stockings & bulk gifts or favors- but most of the time you feel it in the actual quality of the product or worse the smell is gross. These hand creams are luxurious & much needed this time of year. I would wrap individually & fill an entire stocking for someone like a nurse or teacher or esthetician; ^) that's washing their hands all the time during these cold months.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Fabulous Finds Friday: NYX

The Nude Lipgloss Diaries continue as we all know I am powerless to resist adding to my collection!  At the Ulta near me they are expanding their NYX offerings, which makes me quite happy. Add into it that all NYX is buy one, get one half off until the end of this month & there are bargains to be had!

I scooped up 1 of their automatic Lip Liners (regularly $4.50/ea.) MPL10 Nude (top) which is a nude pink beige & 2 of NYX's Lip Butter Glosses (retails for $5/ea.) in BLG05 in Creme Brulee (middle) &BLG07 in Tiramisu (bottom.)

I always fill my entire lip line in with liner. It anchors your color better, plus it also prevents the creepy clown like effect as your lip products wear off of just having an outline left around your mouth. A tip for making your lips appear fuller is to leave the very center bare of color or add a lighter highlighting gloss right in the center of the lip.

 In both pictures, Creme Brulee is on the top lip & Tiramisu is on the bottom lip.

 I know I mentioned in the past, that some of NYX's glosses smelled heavily of Cherry NyQuil...I made sure to do a sniff check before purchasing these & am happy to report that these glosses smell softly of caramels & actually of their shade names. Even at regular prices, NYX products are a great value, but with the current special- they are a definite steals & deals must!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Fabulous Finds Friday

I am to say the very least hair challenged. I don't know what my problem is- skin & make-up I can rock out...tresses not so much. I had picked up an expensive version of this rotating curling iron a while ago. I don't know if it was the motor speed that alarmed me, as a hot rod sped to my face. But I just couldn't get the hang of it.

 I saw this Conair Infinity Pro version for a quarter of the other brand's price (this retails for $59.99) & decided to give it a go. I also got to use my Ulta 20% off coupon on it, so it came out to $50. Let's say that this version's motor is the Camry edition, while the other brand's is the Ferrari of motors. And I'm good with that, it intimidates me less with my particular hair skill set;)

The only draw back to this model I feel is the full length clamp, I wish it was a quarter of this length. I seriously might even MacGuyver it off with my Dremel Power Tool!

In my quest for the perfect beachy waxes, this curling iron is a solid purchase. For the record, I have a lot of hair. Call me lazy & forgive my French, but the motor helps me not half ass the process & curl my entire head of hair. 

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Fabulous Finds Friday: NYX

As I previously mentioned I have been loving chubby lip pencils lately.  They're what I reach for when I'm in a rush in the morning, which is pretty much always. They're the perfect hybrid of lip pencil & lipstick + a hint of gloss, since they're often sheerer than traditional lipstick.

I decided to try out NYX's offerings, though a little hesitant. While I adore many of their intensely pigmented eye & cheek colors, their glosses are so heavily Cherry fragranced I am reminded of cough syrup & want to dry heave. Alright they're not that bad, but it's too scented for sure! I purchased their Jumbo Lip Pencil in #721 Soft Fuschia (top) & #719 Pecan (bottom.)

Here I am sporting #721 on the top & #719 on the bottom. Of course I picked 2 very soft, neutral shades that are great building pieces in creating a nude lip or wearing alone. I'm pleased to say the colors really stay put, without being drying! After a few hours & soup for lunch, I looked up to find a nice portion still left on my pucker. Nyx offers 24 shades of this product & I can't wait to experiment with a few more. They already fall into my steals & deals category as they're only $4.50 a piece. I scored an even better deal by scooping them up during a BOGO half off at Ulta! I say pick up a few & draw away.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Lorac: Sweet Temptations

 The countdown has begun! I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow- though my house certainly reflects that fact, wrapping paper everywhere! One last gift for you last minute shoppers- you know who you are;) I first spotted this Lorac collection right before Hurricane Sandy. I thought if I'm going to be stuck inside for 48 hours due to Maryland being in a state of emergency, I'm going to have ample amounts of chocolate- both for my actual mouth & eyes!

I think this is just about the cutest thing, all of the palettes look like chocolate bars! Another great kit that you can break up into smaller gifts for sisters, nieces & coworkers. Lorac launched a few versions of this collection: the 4 piece palette set that I got from Ulta ($36), a 6 piece palette collection from Sephora ($59) & a 5 piece set I spotted on HSN.  

 The palettes are broken down into color groups: navy, bronze, plum & brown.

It makes me smile every time I use the shadows which are very user friendly & the colors are classic enough that it's great for all age groups.

Indulge in White Chocolate (top) & Tease Me Truffles (bottom) palettes.

Satisfying Toffee Crunch (top) & Tantalizing Dark Chocolate (bottom) palettes.

Here I am sporting the Tantalizing Dark Chocolate with the darkest shade used as liner. See my Beauties, now it's perfectly acceptable having chocolate for breakfast! Merry. Merry.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Fabulous Finds Friday

When leopard is this cute, it's a good thing they never change their spots! I adore Too Faced products- they are the epitome of glam & girly, just like moi;) I had been coveting their Pink Leopard Brightening Bronzer for a while, so of course I broke down & bought it.  Then I noticed at Ulta they had expanded the NYX line & this little copy 'cat' caught my eye.

NYX's Tango with Bronzer comes in 5 different color options. This one is When Leopard Gets a Tan.

Both of the compacts are equally adorable & chic.

The NYX version even comes with a half moon brush. Usually I'm not a fan of brushes that come as freebies in compacts. Often they get thrown right in the trash. This NYX brush actually has some substance, will stay in the compact & get some use for touch ups! I found mine at Ulta & utilized a NYX promo that was buy one, get one half off. With it coming in at $7.50(originally $10)- it is a true steal of a deal vs. Too Faced's price tag of $29.  Both lines have great products, but saving money means I can buy even more beauty loot!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Beauty Bounty

I had a 20% off coupon for Ulta so of course I put it to good use! I scooped up 2 mascaras that I've been using lately, my favorite being Rimmel's new Max Volume Flash. Love the bright pink tube & I heart everything about the actual product, especially the price tag. Since I try to pitch my mascara every two months, I love finding affordable mascaras!

A friend had picked this Stila Jewel Box up & I had to have it! Four tiny (& I do mean petite) creamy powder shadows are packed full of glitter. The texture is quite fun & easy to work with. It's a great product to turn to when you want to step up the sparkle factor of your look, but it is a bit pricey at $38.

If you've never heard of NYX, be sure to check out the line. It's full of heavily pigmented, affordable products( love their shadows!) I picked up a beautiful lip glaze of theirs that retails for under $8. Love the brush applicator and the fresh color.

I swear I have ten of these lip glazes & I hadn't been reaching for them lately. But the lipgloss addict in me picked up another! I fell back in love with the product after discovering the Banane shade. It is the perfect hue to top over any liner or lipstick to make it a glossy nude and it smells deliciously of fresh bananas (not in an obnoxious way) All in all I was really happy with everything I picked up. What's your latest favorite find from Ulta my beauties?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M