Coming back and My first adventure with high end makeup

Hello there lovelies! Long story short I have been MIA cause of school, work, and just life. I've been super busy ( and not gonna lie very lazy) but i am finally pushing myself to get back into the blogging bandwagon! I quite missed it!

Anyways, I've never been much of a high end product girl, mostly because I couldn't really afford to splurge on 48$ dollar products. But I've got a summer job with a few extra bucks to spend and you best bet I'm haulin' my ass to Sephora!

I've been on a huge hunt for a good sheer or light bb cream/tinted moisturizer. Really. I've been reading reviews, watching videos, ya know doing my research. I've narrowed it down to 4. 

1. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30
2. Bobbi Brown BB cream SPF 35
3. Dior Diorskin Nude BB creme SPF 10
4. Kiehls Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB SPF50 PA++

I've only tested out 2 of the 4 so far. I really don't want to have a huge stash o' makeup sitting in my room so I'm really trying my hardest this summer to make makeup dream team! 

The next picture was my first account with the Nars Tinted Moisturizer. The makeup artist (who was so lovely!) that tested it out on me used a pretty heavy amount which I didn't really prefer but the end result was flawless! It wore really nice throughout the day which was super promising!

//Tinted Moisturizer/Nars//Lips/Marc Jacobs Heartbreaker//Blush/Nars Liberte//
Eyebrows/Urban Decay Hustle //Mascara/Maybelline Falsies//

I only caught a selfie on my phone with the Bobbi brown bb cream but nothing to show you the beauty of it. Here's me with the Nars tinted moisturizer.

Full reviews on whichever i buy are to come VERY soon! Maybe a comparison if i'm feeling spendy!

Also here is a quick OTD! Couldn't resist, this is by far one of the most comfiest outfits I have ever worn. I need multiples of this dress ASAP. It looks cute with anything and it's not too long for my short self!

//Jacket/Oldnavy//Shirt Dress/H&M//Shoes/Vans//

Stay street  (◕‿◕✿)

GRWM: Amanda tries to talk to a camera

About a month ago I had to send my nikon d3200 through geek squad to get it fixed. There were blue and purple lines showing up on the screen every time I wanted to make a video and it got super frustrating. What was even more frustrating was that geek squad's product tracking system said that I wouldn't get my camera back for another month...WHAT? About 20 days passed until i finally got a notice that my camera was "beyond repair" and that i could bring in my repair receipt and either get a gift card for what I paid or replace the camera with something of the same value. So i did just that. I was in luck that day cause not only did I get an entirely new camera, I got two lenses, 2 uv filters, AND a big ass camera bag. The guys who helped me were also super sweet! I rushed home, popped the charger into the wall and tried to think of what my first youtube video would be. Now, I am absolutely not a makeup artist, but I decided to go with a "get ready with me" kind of video. That way you guys could see how I really am and i'm not just telling you what products made the cut. My next video will probably be something along the lines of ~favorites~ but for now let's see if youtube doesn't ban my video for being too embarrassing or something. 

Try not to cringe too much from me being me. ALSO my hair was air-drying hence the super frizz mess thing going on around my head. Woops.

Here's the final product (of me looking like a goofy goober per usual).



         





Products Used:

_Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfecter ($8.99)

_Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Brown($4.49)

_NYX Retractable Eyeliner in Aqua Green ($4.49)

_NYX Cream Blush in Tea Rose ($6.99)

_Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss ($7.99)

_Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm ($8.99)

_Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil in Deep Brown ($7.99)

_L'oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara ($8.99)

A Collective Haul: Amanda gets her first tax return

Alright, let me make it clear that I did NOT get a ton of tax return money and I DID NOT (it took a lot of power within me) spend all of it! I got enough back that i kept 1/3 to spend and put the rest in savings. I still have some left that I put aside for beauty and skincare but I really need to calm down (ha.). I had been craving some new products for both skincare and makeup. My stash (very tiny stash) was looking sad and wintery so I needed to spring and summer things up. I stopped by Ulta, CVS, The Body shop and Whole Foods to make my purchases. I'm pretty content with everything I bought but it left me with 2 things I absolutely have to return! Read on to see things I didn't really need but wanted.

-1-

_The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion ($19.00)

_The Body Shop Aloe Protective Serum ($21.00)

-2-

_NYX Cream Blush in -Tea Rose- ($5.99)

-3-

_Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in -Sorbet- & -Watermelon- ($7.99)

_Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs Lip Color in -Storm Sahara- ($7.49) (this one smells funky)

_Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in -Sultry- ($8.99)

-4-

_Mario Badescu Anti Acne Serum ($20)

-5-

_L'ORÈAL Infalliable Silkissime Eyeliner in -Highlighter- ($8.99)

-6-

_Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfecter in -Medium- ($8.99)

-7- 

_Whole Foods Citrus Grapefruit Conditioner ($2.99) (not pictured but it smells like straight up freakin' ORANGES in a bottle!)

Swatches:

:(

I bought two things that did not work out. Since I was in a rush at CVS I grabbed the first cleanser that had benzoyl peroxide in it and after I used it last night it left a weird film on my face. Of course. It had mineral oil. That stuff clogs pores and makes my skin angry. So return it is. At Ulta I also purchased this Revlon Brow Fantasy pencil and gel duo. Alright. If you have light skin then this is for you. Personally, this stuff, even in the darkest shade (Dark Brown) did NOT show up on my skin at all! And i don't have bushy brows or thick pretty brows. My brows are pretty sparse and super thin. The gel is hardly noticeable if even at all and the pencil doesn't even show up on my skin! Super bummed about this product. I've been wanting to invest in a higher end eyebrow product but I don't know if i'm ready to hand over a 20. I don't really see the worth in a 20$ brow product. Eh. I'll stick to my Maybelline eyebrow pencil thing for now and play it safe. 

Any who, i'll check back in with how all these great new things are going. Hopefully it's all good. I hope. Tax returns only last so long...

                              Stay street  (◕‿◕✿)

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Skincare Wishlist

My face is stuck in a rut. With hormonal changes and weather changes, my skin is going every which way but good. I've been doing some super heavy research on skincare on what I need and I have to say it's quite enjoyable. I pretty much failed all science classes in high school but for real, reading all these skincare posts and articles is pretty much redemption for my past.  My skin is mostly oily but it's super dry and sensitive with the slightest overdose of anything. My acne is pretty hormonal related but also bacteria related. I had to try and look for what I needed without literally spending my tax refund all in one go... Here's what i've been eyeing. 

*Starting from the top left, going clockwise*

Protect

1. Mario Badescu Anti Acne Serum $20

2. The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Lotion $19

3. The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Serum $21

Moisturize

1. Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial $48

2. The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Moisture Lotion SPF 15 $19

Cleanse

1. Ole Henriksen Truth (to go) Vitamin C Wipes $8

Treat

1. La Roche-Posay Effclar Dual Acne Treatment $36.95

2. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask $26

I need to really stay in touch with my SPF this summer. I've been really bad about it and the marks on my face are starting to show. I have a ton of red acne marks that just wont go away and it's only going to get worse if i don't start acting upon it now. Also- WATER. I've been drinking tons and my skin's texture has been improving, which is exciting. But alas water cannot get rid of my lady problems and so the viscous cycle (literally) will have to be hopefully soothed by the products i hope to get. Or i might have to painfully book an appointment with someone i absolutely do not want to visit. Blegh. Someday soon i'll make a post on all the things i've learned as far as skincare for my type of skin goes. 

Stay street  (◕‿◕✿)

Drugstore Dash: Reviewed

I recently did a "drugstore dash", in which I stopped by the drugstore to pick up ONE THING, and came out with two extra items. That isn't *that* bad, but when you're a college student and money is on the front line of everything...it's bad. But to counteract my supposedly dumb mistake i did kinda need these things. Walgreens of course sucked me into buying something that wasn't on sale by telling me i'll get 2,000 points. I better get to 5,000 soon cause this girl needs a point break. Read on to see what I purchased. 

1. Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution $6.30 (at time of purchase)

Just your good 'ol basic contact solution. I don't feel a difference compared to the other contact solutions i've used. I may want to look into something thats super duper hydrating but at this point I'd have to get entirely new contacts. Solution wouldn't really help. I chose this one over the other, solely because of it's eco-friendly look and it cause it looked fresh and clean! Basic 7$ price for a biggish bottle when it's on sale. Sold.

2.  Simple Exfoliating Facial Wipes  $5.79

I bought these on account of two things. I ran out of my yes to cucumbers face wipes and i knew simple products haven't done any harm to my skin. I've used their moisturizers before and nothing drastic happened. My skin was simply moisturized; no more, no less. I picked the exfoliating wipes because i've been feeling the Chicago air penetrating the lowest level of the insides of my skin (shh just go with it). My face had been feeling icky and this seemed like something that would help me rip through the nasties. Verdict: They're alright. They are "exfoliating" but it feels almost a bit too harsh. It's not wet enough so it just feels like a somewhat wet rough towel getting rubbed around my face. Gonna finish these and keep searching!

3. Simple Soothing Facial Toner $7.29

I ran out of my so totally clean deep pore cleanser toner that I buy from Ulta. It has salicylic acid so I used it morning and night after I had washed my face OR (forgive me) i'd use it on a pimple i popped during the day.... Anyways I ditched it cause I was starting to use 10% benzoyl peroxide on my skin and I didn't want those two to fight and make my skin all flaky and dry. This toner, as the brand's name suggest, is simple. It re-cleanses my skin after I wash it and it makes sure there's no leftovers. It has witch hazel which i believe aids in fighting acne. I might stick with this one for now but if my skin ever gets worse i might have to keep on searching.

Stay street  (◕‿◕✿)

Being in a sea of shit is being at home. every single wall and every single picture reminds you exactly of where you are. You bring regret and remorse to the house. Your parents scold you for everything you are and for everything you want. Yeah i want that but no i can't handle a job. Yelling is a common mode for transportation between their mouths and hopefully to your head. I take all of their words and let them flow right on over. Like a wave. In a sea of shit. 

A sea of shit is getting hit. A sea of shit is your best friend leaving for the summer. A sea of shit is feeling depressed. A sea of shit is your parents voice telling you how shitty you are. A sea of shit is me. 

Start a sara mclaughlin fucking fund for my well being. Tell everyone how depressed and shitty i feel. Let them donate to my protein bar and yogurt eating self. I wanted to take summer classes but i won't have time to with a job. And with a job i'll be more depressed. Good one mom and dad. 

At this point i've stopped kicking. Wading. Waiting. I'm not flailing and i'm done yelling SOS. Why haven't i drowned yet, in this sea of fucking shit.