Run -- Don't Walk to Target!

Do exactly as I say.  Well, finish reading this blog post and then go! Recently, I went and snagged the last Sonia Kashuk Make a Face Brush Set.  As soon as I saw this LIMITED EDITION set, I knew I had to have it because it had this one AMAZING brush dupe that I had been eyeing for yearsssss.  Yearrrrrs.  Why did I not buy it?  Ohhhh, because this one single brush is $55!  Who in their right mind buys that?  Welllllll, actually lots of people because it's been sold out and LOVED since it's been introduced.

 Anywayyyyyyy... Look at these beuts-

This Face Brush set is part of a special edition spring edition kit.  It has four face brushes - one meant for powder, blush, a dense foundation brush, and a flat top contouring brush.  They have a floral handle with a gold accent cap, and aqua colored goat or synthetic hair.  The hair is so soft, but packs on the product adequately.

Cost: $24.00
Where To Get It: Target only!
What The Big Wigs Say: This set of four deluxe powder brushes contains everything you need for a flawless face and are fit for display with floral printed handles, pastel aqua bristles and a touch of gold trim. Includes a flat top sculpting brush for effortless contouring, duo fiber multipurpose brush to highlight cheekbones, synthetic flat top multipurpose blush brush to add color to the apples of cheeks and a dense blush/powder brush to buff powder or bronzer seamlessly into the skin.

Powder Brush - Self explanatory

Dense Flattop Face Brush - Multipurpose and synthetic, this is perfect for applying cream/liquid products. 

Blush Brush

And this is the one -- I really bought this kit specifically for this brush.   This little guy is PERFECT for contouring under the cheekbones to create a more svelte face shape.   It'll fit RIGHT under there, so it will take the guessing out of how "thick" to make the contour line. Contouring your nose?  This will create the perfect lines to straighten or slim your sniffer.  It's said to be a dupe for the Nars Ita Brush, which I said was $55 alone above!  Math wise, this brush was about $6.25, and for this, I'll try it out. 

 

So, what do you think? Does this kit make you excited about trying out some new spring time brushes? 

 

Which Type Of Naked Is Best For You?

These conversations have come up many, many, many times.  People ask me on a regular basis: Which Naked Palette is best for me?  Old, new, young, old, gurus, newbies -- everyone wants to know which of these amazing pieces of palettes is for me?  Which one is going to be more useful?  Which is going to be the biggest bang for my buck?

They are all equally amazing -- super good pigmentation and quality.  Over a primer, they all last incredibly well and the fact that they created so many different colored neutrals -- how can anyone resist?

Each of the palettes comes with 12 colors ranging from light to dark: at least two matte colors, cool tones and warm tones and shimmery/satin colors. Each of them also come with duo ended brush or a liner.

Let's Get To It!

Where To Get: Sephora, Ulta, Urbandecay.com

How Much: $54

What The Big-Wigs Say: This is a shadow palette EVERYONE can use, and a truly spectacular gift. Experiment with office-appropriate neutrals, summertime bronzy looks, or sultry smokiness. With such a diversity of neutral shades at your fingertips, there's more to neutral than meets the eye.  (taken from Urbandecay.com)    

Just looking at them, it's easy to see that the original Naked palette is more golden-y bronze colors (with the exception of Gunmetal (gray/blue).  Naked 2 has a mixture of both warm and cool shades and Naked 3 is obviously rose golds getting warmer at the end.  They are all very different. Who knew there could be this many neutral colors?

 

All three palettes are very good and I can honestly say they are all something that you could use.  But... do you need all three?  Eh, not really.  Each of these can be argued into your collection, but if your significant other doesn't see the reason for having three 50+ palettes, which do you choose?

 

Alright! Stop harassing me!  I'll tell youuuuu!  If you had to choose one and only one, I would say go with Naked 2.  (This is just my opinion.)  It has the biggest range of colors and has the most cool/tone colors.  If you want a light everyday look, stay on the left side of the palette.  A darker, weekend look?  Stay to the right side? 

 

So there you have it.  My outlook on the three palettes.  Do you have all three?  Which is your fave or would you like to try?

Also, check out my Facebook Page for my Makeup Artistry Business -- Sometimes I'll post beauty things there that may not be long enough for a blog post!

                   

When Your Baby Gets The Blues

...or green and cloudy, which was our case.  Jackson had a playdate with a kiddo weeks ago that was sick... and I don't want to knock anyone, but when your kid has a cold, it's kind of important to tell the playdate-ee before not after you've gotten in the door, taken your shoes and jacket, but I digress. 

It's taken me about 18 months to earn my degree in boogers.  I know more about boogers, snot, mucus, or whatever you call it.  I don't want to brag, but I'm pretty advanced.  Jackson had a stuffy nose for a couple weeks and it was pretty gross.  His nose got rather raw from all the wiping, and he had a hard time sleeping at night.  My poor little man.  When our little guys get stuffy noses it stinks because they can't get those yukkas out.  Who knew blowing your nose was an advanced skill??  So we need to help them!  Here's my little list of go-to things to help relieve those annoying stuffy noses and make the cuties feel more comfy.

1.  Johnson's Soothing Vapor Bath - $4.50

This stuff is amazeballs!  Whenever Jackson starts to show any sign of congestion, this is our immediate go to! It smells like liquid vapor rub!  When hubs gives Jackson a bath with this he says his nose just runs and is helpful clearing his immediate nose passages.  I may or may not've used this myself as well.

 

2. Vicks Baby Vapor Rub - $7

This one is specifically for kiddos under two.  The smells of any vapor rub immediately makes me feel better.  I remember my own mother using this on me!  Chest, back, neck and feet with socks if there is a cough -- all of it!  No noses though! That's no good for bebes.

 

3. Boogie Wipes - $4

 

So there are some commotion around these.  People question whether they are necessary or not.  For us... without a doubt.  I cannot stannnnnd crusty noses.  It makes me reallllllllly -eeeeeeesh-. Boogie Wipes are saline wipes and are PERFECT for wiping off the "crust" that comes with runny noses.  Gross it may be, but ya'll know what I am talking about.  One quick swipe of these and G-O-N-E! I can't believe how efficient they are.  I feel like with a wet cloth/towel or a baby wipe, you have to wipe multiple times.  But with these... nope! 

 

 

4. Little Noses Saline Spray

This little guy is a necessity with bebe's crusties lol.  Their little nostrils are too small to get... um... er... anything up there, and you gotta get it out.  Two drops will cause all those crusties to turn into liquid and evacuate the nose.  They are perfect in correlation with...

 

5. NoseFrida - $15

I LOVE talking about this product with non-parents lol.  It legitimately grosses them out... and to be honest, it did gross me out too before I tried it out.  The Snotsucker?? Doesn't it get in your mouth? You stick that in his nose?? Yes... yes you do.  And yes, you literally suck the snots out of his nose.  It has a filter piece so there is absolutely no way you get those boogies in your mouth.  I like it because it reaches the sinuses... the WAAAAAY up there boogs and not just the immediate ones like a regular aspirator can.

 

 

6. Cool Mist Humifider

We like this one from Safety First, but I am not picky about this one.  You need to have one of these.  We even put it on every night.  And make sure it's cool mist, as not to burn little ones with steam.

 

It goes without saying that lots of cuddles and kisses are in order as well, but those are priceless!

 

What is in your kit for little ones with stuffy noses?  Do you also have your PhD in crusty noses? 

 

Citrus Lane -- Round 2!

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. 

But check this out:  they are having a semi annual sale! Subscription boxes are 44% off making some boxes as low as $16/month! This sale is only until April 22nd, so make sure you take advantage now!
3 month sub - $56
6 month sub - $105
12 month sub - $196

So anyway onto the review!  This is our second Citrus Lane Box and it's for a 19 month old boy. 

Citrus Lane had a theme this month of Eco-friendly.  The things they focused on are also focused on the changing season.

First Peek

Race Car from Green Toys - $8.99
Jackson is obsessed with anything on wheels, so this was right down his alley.  All Green Toy products are made using recycled milk cartons!  How cool is that?  This turned into a tub toy for us and Jackson can't stop playing with it.

 Snack Bowls from Green Toys - $6.99

Again, these are made from recycled milk cartons.  They are the perfect size for snacks and I cannot tell you enough how durable these little guys are.  I made everyone in the room feel them and everyone was super impressed -- they acted that way anyway; they could've totally been pulling my leg lol.  I love that they are dishwasher safe, too!

The Animal Boogie from Barefoot Books - $9.99

I get very nervous adding non-board books to our library because J is still a little rough on books.  Tough love, I guess.  What's great about this is it's a singalong book with a CD.  I haven't been able to pop the CD in yet, but Jackson is a big fan of dancing.

Lemon Verbena Dish Soap from Mrs. Meyers Clean Day - ~$1.00

This smells yumma and it's supposed to cut grease well.  I've heard great things about this line and am excited to try it.

 

Greeting Card Offer from Treat - ~$1.00

You can make a personalized greeting card through this site!  I keep leaving it in places Hubs will see in it hopes he'll get the hint for Mom's Day... but if he doesn't, I will use it for Father's Day!

 

 

Little guy seems to approve!  He loved the bowls and the car. 

 

 

In total, the box came out to about $26!  That's a pretty good deal considering I used a coupon to get the box!  What coupon you ask?  Ohhh, just this one of these 50% off the first box coupon by following this link!  You can get a box for about $15 bucks! Or if you join for a subscription like I talked about above!

 

What did you get in your Citrus Lane Box this month?!

A Little Solution for Picky Eaters

I don't know about you, but my little 19 month old bugaloo likes to play.  He likes playing and playing and playing and when it comes to eating... well he'd rather play than eat.  He's not necessarily a picky eater-- more like a picky meal-er.  What do I mean by that?  He will try anything we put in front of him (he loves broccoli and green beans; freak!), but sometimes he doesn't want to sit in his high chair and eat.  It's happened more lately than in the past and it happens when he's really into playing outside.  So I had to think... what is going to make eating more... fun?

TAAADAA-- Muffin Tin Meals

This works best with a 6-er because it's what fits best on the tray, but a big mini muffin tin works well too.  In this one he had grapes, strawberries, shredded cheese, multigrain crackers, whole grain cheerios and a few mini m&ms we got from an egg hunt earlier that day. 

I love to do this when he's been particularly picky and I don't know why this makes a difference, but it does.  I like to stick with a couple grains, dairy, fruits/veggies and then a special little treat.  I normally do a veggie in there instead of one of the fruits, but little man needed a little... um... fruit boost lol. 

 

 

Some other ideas that I've used I the muffin tin meal with are:

Grilled Cheese/Sandwich Pieces

Goldfish

Any cereal

Yogurt

Deli Meat Rolls

Fruits/Veggies

Dips for the fruits or veggies

Vanilla Wafers/Mini Cookies

Honestly, really anything you can fit in a little tin

 

 

It doesn't have to be just finger foods either.  You can do your meal and just break it out amongst the muffin tins to make the meal a little more different, exciting and special!

Clearly this little man approved with his cheese face!

 

 

What about you?  Have you tried muffin tin meals?  What's your favorite thing to put in them?

A Tan... For a Million Dollars?!

I don't know about you, but I think everyone looks better with a tan.  Everyone... errrrr... especially me.  I know with an Asian background, some people think I have nothing to complain about, but there's something to be said for a pale Asian.

I have purchased many different kinds of self tanners.  There are so many different kinds out there!  Foams, mousses, airbrush, instant, lotions, yah, yah, yah.  And now that I'm a mommy, there's really no time to lounge around waiting for my self tanner to dry... and really... that smell... could do with that.  And my summertime lounging is lonnnng over!

And then, on instagram (aka half my reason for insomnia), I found all these people posting about "Million Dollar Tan".  I was like "errr, I'm a stay at home mom... I don't have a million dollars, but daaaaang that tan looks nice!"  Well fortunately for me, it's not really a million dollars -- color me embarrassed... AND TANNNNN!

What the Big Wigs Say:
Cabana Tan Extreme: Cabana Tan Extreme is the same great color combination as our original Cabana Tan, but in Extreme form.  It still goes on clear for ease of use, but packs a punch when it comes to color. Your color will develop over the next few hours and will last at least a week. Make sure you wait 6-8 hours before you shower and keep your skin well moisturized.

Tan Icon Extreme: Tan Icon Extreme is Million Dollar Tan to the Extreme.  This formulation was designed for those with a naturally darker skin tone or those that wish to be ultra dark.  Use this product just like our regular Tan Icon solution.  Spritz directly onto the skin and use the brush to blend or add into your normal body lotion.  The brush is included!

If you want to be ultra bronzed and ultra glamourous, this is the way to go!

Body Buffer: Use Body Buffer in the shower before your sunless tanning session. Gently rub into the skin, head to toe, to remove the dead skin cells on the outer layer of skin. Leaves skin fresh and clean.

Where You Can Buy: Milliondollartan.com/amazon.com (if you're lucky, hautelook!)

Cost: $56.00 (for the kit) (each bottle was 8 oz.)

I found a set of MDT on Hautelook and I himmed and hawed for a day or so before I decided: if I wanted it, this was the time.  I got the Tan Icon Extreme (which is a solution), which you apply with a foam brush, and Cabana Tan Extreme Lotion.  What I actually have been doing was spraying the solution in my lotion and applying it as a lotion.  (Don't ask me why I didn't just use the lotion... sometimes I do things that I even question.)  It also came with a yummy peppermint scrub to use before self tanning. 

I had applied it for two days all over my body... and not on one leg.  In the beginning, I thought this would be a great idea to show you guys the results!... except for the fact that it worked super well... and I had to walk around with one tan leg and one not tan leg.  And it's been super nice here... soooo capris it was... one tan leg and all.   But I wanted you to see the results, so have a little peek!

Check meowt!  The right leg is after just two days of using Million Dollar Tan! (Don't mind the dark spot under my knee... my knees get fairly dark when they get tan.) 

 

I loved this because it didn't smell, it wasn't orange-y, which is a big fear for first time self tanners, and it dried fast enough for me to not worry about staining my beloved capris! If you want a nice tan that isn't orange or stinky (lol), try Million Dollar Tan!

 

What about you?  Have you tried Million Dollar Tan?  Have you loved your cabana darkness??

Sometimes It's Good To Love A Lush - Lippies

If you've read my blog before, you know I complain that my lips have been redic dry lately.  Like ridiculously dry.  I even talked to my doctor about it the last time I had my yearly appointment.  She said I could get rid of any itchy-ness with alcohol wipes.  Geesh.  I cringe thinking about it.  Although, it did get rid of the itches, I wanted to think of some other way to help it out.  I didn't want to keep wiping alcohol wipes on my mouth.  Cuz, quite frankly, it friggen hurt lol.   

The other day I wrote about how I finally went into a Lush Handmade Cosmetics store and was wow-ed by their fresh facial mask.  They also make tons of other products like soaps, fizzy bath bombs and gelles.  While browsing, I also found an all natural lip scrub... that you could eat...!  What?! I had to try it! 

I took their little testing scoop of "Mint Julips" (they also had Bubblegum and Popcorn) and scrubbed scrubbed away.  Um... YUM.  I can't even believe that this was supposed to be good for my mouth!  They were super soft and all the gross dry flakes were gone.  I wish I could've taken a before and after because I was blown away by how "back to normal" my lips felt.  I also put on their lip balm right after, which you can get in tinted or untinted and my lips felt back to their super softness. 

I have been doing it before bed every night and I literally have no complaints about my lips being dry again!  I cannot recommend these two products any higher!  They are fabulous and I LOVE that I understand what every single ingredient is! 


Where To Get: Sold in Lush stores or lushusa.com

How Much: Mint Julips - $9.95 for 0.9 oz;  Lip Service $7.95 for 0.3 oz.

What The Big-Wigs Say: 
Mint Julips: Just like the scrumptious cocktail served in hot southern summers, Mint Julips is packed full of fresh peppermint and sweet castor sugar. Peppermint is responsible for that 'tingly feeling' you get after brushing your teeth or using lip balm, so we thought it would make a perfect addition to our lip scrub! Plus, it makes Mint Julips tastes like a big, creamy bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

 Lip Service: We've been making Lip Service for more than a decade, and it is still hugely popular because the rich, creamy texture softens lips, but heels, toes, cuticles and elbows too! Lip Service has a magical mixture of moisturizing olive oil, cocoa and shea butters, plus tangerine oil to tone. This butterybalm makes light work of softening up dry lips, especially in the winter. One of our first ever formulas, Lip Service has stood the test of time and remains one of our most popular balms.(lushusa.com)

In all their glooooryyyy.

Ingredients for the lip balm:  Fair Trade Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii) , Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus armeniaca) , Glycerine , Beeswax (Cera alba) , Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao) , Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea europaea) , Tangerine Oil (Citrus reticulata) , Flavor , *Limonene , *Linaloo

 

The sugar granules were big enough to remove dead skin, but not too big to get everywhere.   

Uh ya... the "how to" says to "LICK OFF THE EXCESS".  Okayyyyyy!  And check out all these ingredients... that you can understannnnd: Castor Sugar , Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) , Vanilla Extract (Vanilla planifolia) , Tagetes Oil (Tagetes minuta) , Peppermint Oil (Menthapiperita) , Limonene   

 

If you were like me this winter and suffered from cactus lippies, really!!!!, try this out!  I promise you will not be disappointed!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Sometimes It's Good To Love a Lush -- Catastrophe Cosmetic

I've been pretty lucky with my skin (thanks ma and pa!), and I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best at taking care of it.  I want to have great skin -- illuminating, poreless and "oooooooh", but I guess if eating junk and lounging around in my spare time isn't what it takes to have good skin, I ain't gonna have it.   Ever since I had my little guy, my skin hasn't been the same as it was before bebe.  I have some under the skin bumps, have been super oily and my luminosity has, well, dulled. 

And in walks LUSH brand.  If you've never heard of Lush, it's fresh handmade cosmetics. Lush uses fruit and vegetables, essential oils, synthetic ingredients, honey and beeswax in their products. In addition to not using animal fats in their products, they are also against animal testing and perform tests with volunteers instead!  How much better can it get?


Where To Get: This mask is only sold in Lush Stores -- although you can buy  other items online, you cannot purchase this mask.

How Much: $6.95 for 2.1 oz -- 3 weeks of masks

What The Big-Wigs Say: 
Prevent disasters by taking regular care of your skin with our deep-cleansing, nutrient-rich blueberry mask. The little blue bulbs are packed with vitamins, and blended into calamine, rose absolute and chamomile blue oil to soothe redness, irritation and cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. This one is wonderfully soothing on sensitive skin. Treat your face to Catastrophe Cosmetic as often as you can to keep your skin looking its best. (Lushusa.com)




I spoke with the worker and she suggested some of the Fresh Face Masks.  They can only be purchased in the store, and they have to be refrigerated! 

Hey! You sneaky mask, you!

"When disaster looms, Catastrophe Cosmetic calms and cleanses the skin.  Blueberries rich in anti-oxidants, soothing chamomile, irish moss, and its gentle cleansing action of calamine saves the day."

 

 I can't even explain how great this smells!

Hey Sheldon, thanks for putting fresh ingredients in there that I could actually read!

Ooooo, very avatar-ian. I had to keep myself from licking my face.  Nomnomnom.

 

After I quickly painted my toes, I ran to the bathroom to gently clean my face.  I can't stop touching it!! (which I think is another face no-no).  So soft and so smooth.  My face did not get tight at all while or after using it.  I also noticed that although my skin did not look luminous, but it was definitely more even and matte.

 

**The only "vice" I have about this product is that you cannot order it.  You must be near a store to purchase.  You have to keep it in the fridge so that it stays fresh.  If you do not use it in the 3  week allotment, you have to chuck it out because the fresh ingredients are no longer... um... fresh.**

 

I would definitely recommend anyone to try this out if you live near a Lush.  If you don't you can try it, but expect to fall in love with it and be sad because you can't get it online!

 

Have you tried anything from Lush before?

Things You Have In Your Home - PT. 2

As I wrote before, I like to get Jackson out of the house in the mornings before his nap, but sometimes, it may not work out.  When those days loom, Jackson needs instant gratification.  He needs to be engaged.  We have toys galore -- you name it, we probably have it. But sometimes toys don't cut it.  I wrote a post about pipe cleaners and how to use them as a tool and today... PAINTER'S TAPE!

Painter's tape is such a great tool for toddlers.  Stick it places and have them use their pincher's grip (dexterity/fine motor) to get it back up.  I like to put a lot down and then have Jackson go to town.  
(I usually have to live a little lip up so he can grab it easier.)

I didn't get pictures of this, but I alsotook some bunnies I cut out of cardstock and put the painter's tape on the back.  Jackson loved placing them on the wall and then taking them off an putting them up again.

Do you have any fun uses for painter's tape?  How about any other things you use in your house that you use as a toy?? 

After Delivery Conditions

A million and one different things happen to your body after you have your little bundle of joy.  Your milk comes in and provides nutrition for little one.  Your ability to live on little sleep becomes easier.  Your hair may or may not return to its pre-pregnancy fullness.  But one thing is for sure. There are a few... "conditions" that happen that no one talks about.  They may not show up immediately, but they will appear.  DO NOT FREAK OUT.  They will happen and your life will adjust.  Just accept your new way of living 

1. Cryaholic.
That commercial where they want you to adopt puppies.  That episode of Oprah where she gives away something (which... let's face it... it's really every episode).  That syndicated episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where Allie asks who God is.  Every.single.thing. can make you cry.  Who knows why? It's usually when you're by yourself or even better... with  room full of people that don't have kids and look at you like you're on the brink of a breakdown.  No... no breakdown.  Mommy-dom.  My rock bottom was an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians... YOU JUST CAN'T HELP IT!

2. What's-CNN?-A-Tosis
Intellectual Television?  Current events?  Whaaaaa? I couldn't tell you what's going on in stocks, or maybe Russia... but if you quizzed me on what condition Doc McStuffins cleared up today, I GOT THIS! Does it make me a bad citizen...? No... a mommy. 

Maybe I've seen this one.

 

3. Meerkatisis (also known as Prarie Dogism)

Picture This: You're watching tv while little one is napping/sleeping, and you hear something...  MUTE! Sit tall with perfect posture with traveling eyes and a statuesque head.  No... it was nothing.  3 minutes later...  MUTE! Sit tall with perfect posture with traveling eyes and a statuesque head.  (This will also continue in places that are not the most convenient, i.e. the shower, or even when children are not around). Continue for the rest of your life.

 

4. Yours-is-mine-urosis

No longer do you get to eat your favorite meal alone.  No. No.  If you've got it, your little one has to have it.  Just a taste... or maybe all of it.  Whatever they want, you will just let 'em have it.  Because let's face it... it's not really yours anymore. 

 

5. Vacuum-alaxis

You just finished cleaning (the one time a week you get a chance to anyway) you walk away and you come back in and there's grinded up... somethinggggg where you justvacuumed.  It's gonna happen. It's like Murphy's Law of Cleaning with a little one -- if you clean it... they will mess it. 

 

6. Where's-the-Kleenex-ia

Never fails: your little one will get a runny nose in public... when you don't have Kleenex handy.  So... obviously... your sleeve is the next obvious choice.  Oh, they have sauce on their face?  Sleeve it up, or if it's a very messy mess... the bottom half of your shirt works amazingly.  So absorbent. 

Let's just cut to the chase, shall we?

 

7. Everything's-a-song-ia

<<in a singy voice>>"What did you dreaaaaaam aboutttt? Whyyyyy are you yellllllinnnng? Time to cleannnnn our bummmy up!  Whaaaaat's the hellllllll is  thissssss in yourrrr diaaaaper?!?" Be accepting when other adults complain. 

 

 

 

So... I'm sorry to be the one to break the news.  But I felt like it needed to be out there; it needed to be said.

 

Oh... there's one more...  this one is probably the most common amongst new mothers and it happens almost immediately.

 

8. Heart-melt-a-tosis. 

Description not necessary.