My Top 10... Drugstore Makeup Finds

DRUGSTORE MAKEUP FINDS

 

Not everyone has the beauty budget of a Kardashian and quite honestly, there's really no reason to have that type of budget!  There's some great finds in your local drugstore and if there's coupons or sales involved... I'm there!

 

 

Here's my top 10!

1. Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser - $9

This is my go-to day-to-day primer.  It makes my BB cream stay on longer and go on smoother.  It has the texture of Smashbox Photo Primer (which is about $35!). 

 

2. Covergirl 3 in 1 Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation - $9

 

This is the foundation I have in my kit and I use it on anyone and everyone!  It has a built in primer and concealer and doesn't fade or oxidize! 

 

3. Garnier BB Cream (Combination/Oily)- $13

If you read my Mommy's Makeup Kit Post, you know I love this stuff.  It's perfect to throw on on those days that you don't really want to put on makeup, but don't want to walk around with nekked-face either. 

 

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser (Brightener) - ($7)

 

This stuff is amazing.  As a mom, tired eyes go along with the title.  If you put this in a triangle under your eyes, it will create a lightness and brightness that will fake 10 hours of sleep!

 

5. Wet and Wild Eyeshadows - ($1-$7)

 

You literally cannot go wrong with these drugstore shadows.  They have such great pigmetation and offer so many ranges of colors. PLUS!! they go on sale!?  The above one is called "Petal Pusher" and is great for creating smokey eyes that aren't just blah grey.

 

6. Maybelline Color Tattoos ($5)

I love these so much, I have a whole blog post dedicated to them!  I think they are fabulous for primer or even day to day wear!  If you haven't tried these, please!!! Do it!  You won't be sorry!

 

7. Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liners - ($5)

 

These really are waterproof and are so creamy and pigmented.  They are amazing to put on your waterline!  I have nude, black and brown and they stay on my vanity!

 

8. L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Waterproof Mascara - ($8)

 

I have horribly straight lashes that hate staying curled.  Almost immediately after curling them, they straighten back out!  This mascara keeps them looking curled, black and lush! Make sure it's the waterproof!

 

9. NYX Butter Gloss - ($5)

I barely wear things on my lips (I'm a chapstick kind of girl), but when I do, I reach for one of these.  Creamy, pigmented, and not-sticky!  My favorite color is Éclair.

 

10. Physician's Formula Glow Boosting Pressed Shimmer Bronzer - ($12)

Bronzer adds color back to my winter-ized face.  This one has a big ol' kabuki brush.  I love that this bronzer doesn't turn orange like some bronzers can!

 

What are some things you are loving?  Anything I should checkout?!

Things You Have In Your Home

This week we've been lucky enough to have playgroups and such almost everyday, but there were mornings where little man has been super cranky and wanted to be engaged.  I freaked out.  I had nothing planned and little room to move, as he was clinging to my leg.  I looked around and saw my craft tote (doesn't everyone have a craft tote?) and remembered I had some pipe cleaners!  Pipe cleaners! I should be able to figure something out.  Jackson had been using the colander as a hat earlier, so that was still laying around.  Perfecttttt. 

 

Why is this a good idea?  It's great for gross and fine motor skills, as well as coordination. Maybe I should do it, too.  He played with it for a good amount of time.  But if I did this again, I would cut the pipe cleaners so they were less flimsy.  Jackson couldn't get the hang of holding on the ends of the pipe cleaners to have a better handle on it.  I also tried to flip the colander over so it was like a dome, but J wasn't having anything to do with that. 

 

A few days later we tried it again.  Those pipe cleaners came out again!  Except this time, little guy grabbed a pitcher.  He opened it up and went wild! Well... as wild as pipe cleaners can get.  He played with it for a bit and did really well with his dexterity. 

Some other ideas: 

• Empty containers (like parmesan cheese or those Gerber Puffs babies were obsessed with!)Interweaving them into precut holes in foam board
• Create cheerio/fruit loop bracelets!

What are some things around your house that your LO likes to play with?  Any pipe cleaner ideas?!



By the way, have you entered the giveaway yet?  Check it out here!

I'll Be The Judge: Scandalous Looks for 24 Hours? I Dunno About That...

I love a good drugstore makeup find.  I love wandering around and finding one and telling people about a fabulous one I found! And one that is under $10??? Hollllerrrr.  When I saw Rimmel's ScandalEyes Gel Eyeliner that was supposed to last 24 hours, I was like oooo that sounds nice.  24 hours of nice rich color that doesn't run...  and is waterproof?  Sounds perfect-o (ala Chuggington).

Sorry for the stock photo.  I was majorly excited to rip into the package.  I should take a picture of it... my 18 month old would seem to do better. 

 

Where To Get: Drugstores, Ulta

How Much: Around $6, depending on where you look

What The Big-Wigs Say:
Up to 24 hours of rich, intense colour that doesn't flake, smudge, smear or run.

• Easy to apply, glides easily

• Professional brush for complete control to draw the lines you want

P.S., a brush?  I actually did use it.. it worked pretty well!

I swatched it on my hand, so you could see how rich and pigmented the color is.  So far, so good!

 

So, I put it on my eyes without a primer at 9 am.

 When I first put it on, I was like wow, this is nice!  It's so black and pigmented!  On the right picture, you can see it did smudge a little, even though I finished "all" my makeup before taking the picture.  So it takes a few minutes to set. 


My day was normal for me  and not too busy: had a playgroup, ran some errands, lots of snuggles, did a little Zumba (not a full class; just practiced a few songs)... nothing too strenuous. 

Here's this picture taken around 8:15 pm. 

You can definitely see it still, so that's always good. It's definitely faded, and in some places (inner eye) completely rubbed off, which is not so good.  It's not quite at pigmented as the beginning of the day, but it still shows potential. 

What do I mean by that?? Well, if I had a primer on (my favorite is Urban Decay's Primer Potion) it might have lasted longer  I mean, it lasted fairly well with no help, so I can only imagine a primer would be beneficial. 

I might not run out and tell my buds... or even strangers (that's not weird, is it?) about it... but it's definitely better than some drugstore brands I've tried. 

What do you think?  Will you be running out to grab it? 

On a side note... have you entered my giveaway?! Makeup Forever's Aqua Shadow Duo (a $40 value!)  Check it out!

 

 

 

Our First Citrus Lane + $20 Off Your First Box!

So the big hype these days are subscription boxes.  They have them for everyone and everything-- makeup, doggie products, food (even weekly dinners), tech stuff and the list goes on... and on... and on. 

There are a few baby subscription boxes, and Citrus Lane has been a top runner for years.  If you've never heard of Citrus Lane, it's a monthly subscription box for babies ranging from 0 to 5.  It includes at least four products hand picked for your little one's age/stage.  It can be as cheap as $21/per month  or as costly as $29/month. 

I chose the 18 month boy box for Jackson and it took about a week to get here after I received notification it was shipped. 

Is the suspense killing you?

Bum-bum-bummmmmm

 

Let's take a peek at each thing:

Qubes from Hape - (9.99) - Oh my goodness - These are little animal blocks!  They are super cute and of very good quality!  No breaking these babies.

Medi Buddy - ($5.25) - This is one of those things that you don't think of having until you need it!  It's a first aid kit perfect for the diaper bag.  It has bandaids (normal and BIG ones), cleaning wipes, ointment and even stickers for lil' champs.  The container is reusable, so you can refill as necessary!

All Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes ($3.99) - Anything that I can use to help Bubba's skin stay moisturized and clean I'm down with.  We actually used these the other day and it cleans very well!  They smell yumma and create a little foamy-cleanliness. 

You Are My Baby Book ($8.99) - From my understanding, CL sends a book in each of their boxes.  J loves books and he LOVED this one.  He loved that he can turn the little page and I could turn the big one. 



And as a bonus:

Fun crinkly paper!

 

 

So totaling all my super fun surprises, it was over $28 for my 18 month old box! I am super excited for next month! 

 

Did you get a Citrus Lane this month?   What goodies came in your box?  If you are interested in subscribing, click here and use the coupon code “TAKE20OFF” to save $20 off your first box!  I used the coupon I am offering to you, so I only paid $9! Ummm, Helloooo steal?!Try it out and let me know what you get!

BTW,  have you entered my giveaway?  Check it out!

 

 

What I Bought AFTER We Had Our Bebe

When we had our shower for our little bebe man and I was creating my registry,  and I was overwhelmed by all the things you "needed" for a little one! Even after the shower, I picked up the things I thought we needed.  When all the boxes were checked on our wishlists, I finally felt ready. 

Boy.  I was wrong!  Don't get me wrong.  We had all the basics - crib sheets, changing pad covers, bottles, nipple cream, baby blenders, bababa dadadada.  I thought we had it all!  Then Jackson came, and we came across things that were never on our registry list (or we even knew existed), but they are things I strongly suggest to any upcoming mommies! 

1. Summer Infant Woombie

So, we tried swaddling with J, but little David Copperfield baby could always get out of those.  We tried those Velcro ones too, but when you try to change them in the night and you had to riiiiiiip the Velcro apart, it was like a garbage truck at a mime show!  These ones worked really well for Jackson and they stretch to allow for movement.  Plus, he looked like a little glowworm. 

2. Little Tummies Gripe Water

When we had to switch to formula, Jackson had a hard time.  He had gas, got hiccups a lot more often and just seemed uncomfy.  We tried switching formulas a couple times, but this was something that really helped.  You can give it to them straight, or you can put it in their bottles.  It was wild how quickly his hiccups stopped and how much more restful he seemed.

 

3. Cloud B Sleep Sheep on the Go

 

 

This little sheep was given to us in the hospital by my sister in law.  We did not plan on having a noise maker for Jackson sleeping, but when she gave us this we decided to give it a try.  It has four settings; we choose ocean and can last 15 minutes or 45 minutes.  At 18 months, we still use it!

 

4. Waterproof Blanket

This isn't the exact one we have, but it's similar.  It's blanket-y soft on one side and the other side kind of feels like a thin sleeping bag.  We use it in the warmer months outside when J was more immobile and outside, but use it more now inside to keep the floor clean and dry when we play with textures.  It's machine washable, which is super easy as well.

 

5. Hyland's Teething Tablets

These little homeopathic tablets are a godsend on mommy's lists everywhere.  I don't know enough about ingredients to know why each thing works and what it does to work, but it does and it's perfect for those nights that his teething wasn't bad enough to need medication.

 

6. Triple Cream

J has had some battles with eczema and rough patches here and there since he's been born, and this stuff makes the patches disappear within the night.  We even use it on his chin for his excessive drooling problem.  Bah. 

 

7. Mesh Feeders

 

We found these things "late" in Jackson's short life, but they were amazing!  They were wonderful for that time period that we were transitioning from rice to actual food, but still needed that soft consistency.  Jackson loved bananas and apples, and even ice for teething: prepare for a mess with ice though!

 

8. Little Green Pouches

 

Those little pouches that they have in stores can add up! Plus, I've seen way too many links shared on facebook showing us what can be found inside pouched foods/drinks.  When I found these, I thought they were such a great idea!  I could put anything in it.  J loved strawberry, spinach and banana!

 

9. Nuk Surround Toothbrush and Massager

 



So this picture is hard to see, but the "brush" part is actually little massaging nodules that form around their teeth.  I honestly think this is why J lets us brush so well with a regular brush.  Plus, it can safely be used to gnaw on. 

10. Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg

Yup, we were baby whisperer parents.  I had never heard about this.  My SIL told us how great it was and how her friends raved about it.  So I quickly read it, and at six weeks old we started a routine. Granted, I didn't follow it to a "T", but it helped create such a great and relaxed routine to our day and I think it helped mold J's personality and sleep schedule. 

 

So those are 10 of the wonderful things we found out about AFTER the baby.  Anyone who asks me about bebes and what to get, I refer to these items on a regular basis.  What are some things you recommend?  Anything similar?  Different?

 

 

Oh! And did you enter my giveaway for Makeup Forever's Aqua Shadow Duo?  Check it out here!