The Brown Box

Hey peeps! So today's weather was pretty gloomy and all sorts of bad happened to me today. Firstly, I woke up from a really bad nightmare of my little brother's body being separated from the torso by wild forest animals (this is what happens when I watch scary/gross shows before going to bed...hubby was watching this show 1000 ways to die). To make matters worse, as I was getting ready for school I found a long white hair on top of my head! >_<  I don't even dare pull it out because 2 white hairs might grow in it's place. So I thought, "okay it can't get any worse..." but it did! During my break from class, I found out that the cafeteria was being completely closed off due to a mace that spilled or was sprayed. Luckily, no one was hurt but the mace was airborne and quickly made it's way to my class room since it was located next to the cafe. I started getting an itch in my throat and my professor decided to relocate us to the 4th floor library. I didn't feel well for the rest of the class period.

Finally, I got home from school and a brown box encased in a plastic clear bag was waiting for me by the door!
I was really excited because I knew that my Sephora order finally came! I only got one thing and it was the Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 3 (BOS 3). Available at Sephora.com for $54.

The colors are beautiful and vibrant and completely exceeded my expectations. Personally, I think these colors are perfect for fall because not only does it come with neutral colors but you have a choice of adding a pop of blue, green or purple. The colors are not too overpowering and definitely not intimidating. The only color that I would have preferred to be omitted from this palette is Uzi because to me it's too glittery and gives you lots of fall outs when used. Aside from that the rest of the eye shadows have either frost/metallic finishes (with the exception of one matte which is Perversion). BOS 3 also comes with two 24/7 Glide On eye pencils in Ransom and Zero, along with a mini Urban Decay Primer Potion to boot! Personally, I think it's a sweeter deal to get eye liners rather than eye makeup brushes/applicators.

I love the palette's design! I'm originally from Jersey (now in VA) but I go to NYC whenever I get a chance, so this was definitely a must have palette for me. The LED lights definitely adds life to the pop up NYC art, but I wish there was a way to shut it off so the battery doesn't get wasted.

This is the 4th Urban Decay palette that I own but it is my first BOS palette. The only eye shadows that I already have from this palette are Uzi, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Last Call and Smog. I'm sorry I can't provide swatches for you guys but there are already many swatches for this palette that are available online as well as videos on Youtube.
On another note, I am trying to do a "project 10 pan" which is basically a plan to use up 10 things (any beauty related product) before you make any future purchases. Some of the things, I've hit pan on are makeup removers, eye liners, mac msf, and a couple of face products. I know that's not exactly 10 but I'm almost done with a few other products and just didn't feel like waiting for this palette to get sold out again, so I just went ahead and made the purchase. Plus, I think that this purchase has become an incentive to keep going with my project 10 pan plan. =P

REVIEW: Nars Makeup Primer

The Product: NARS Makeup Primer

Size: 1.75 Fl. Oz 51mL

The Price: $33

The Verdict: Great for reducing redness prior to applying the foundation. It is not only a primer but it is infused with natural botanicals that gives skin that added bonus, acts like a skincare product rather than just part of a makeup regimen. This primer has a gel-cream consistency and applies smoothly onto the skin. I have sensitive, acne prone skin and this primer does not make me break out at all! My skin does not get oily and my foundation stays put for the whole day.

PROS: Unscented, not irritating, you only need a small amount, reduces redness, has ingredients good for the skin, lasts all day, skin absorbs the product in no time, and have not reacted to any of the moisturizers that I use prior to applying this primer (I've used Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer, Clinique Gel moisturizer, Boscia Oil Free Daily Hydration SPF 15). In addition, you can use this with other foundations not just NARS foundations. I have used it with MAC, NARS, Clinique and Makeupforever HD foundations. There is a version of this primer that has SPF 20 and it comes in a black tube.

CONS: It is on the pricey side especially for the size but like I said you only need but a small amount. If you have dry skin, you cannot use this primer on its own because it does not provide enough moisture to the skin. Although the product is packaged in a tube, it is flawed because every time I remove the cap, there is always product on the tube's opening. I don't know if that is a convenient thing or not but I guess I don't mind it so much since it's not causing the product to overflow and actually spill out of the container itself. Plus if you think about it, you can save yourself the trouble of squeezing the tube because it's already out and ready for you.

To Repurchase or Not to repurchase: Yes I would definitely repurchase because it reduces the redness on my skin which means I can skip on corrective concealers or products. I also like the fact that it's a multi-purpose type of product. Men can even use this as an after shave to help soothe irritated skin.

REVIEW: Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment

The Product: Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15

The Price: $22.50

The Main Ingredients: Real sugar, blackcurrant oil, grapeseed polyphenols, and Vitamins A, C, and E
It DOES NOT have parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, and Triclosan.

The Product's Purpose: Hydrates, plumps, and protects against UV rays

The Verdict: Amazing lip treatment that definitely moisturizes and hydrates the lips. It has a sweet/citrus scent that fades away later in the day. It's like using a lip scrub with sugar without the grainy feeling. It's not sticky and it goes on smoothly.

PROS: The lip conditioner comes in a frosted pink metallic container which is chic and stylish. What's convenient about the packaging is that it locks as you twist it so you don't have to worry about the cap accidentally coming off in your purse and leaving the product exposed. It's much more sanitary than having to dip your finger in a jar of lip balm. You can control the amount of product you are putting on your lips because it is in a twist in-twist out type of container. Delivers a nice sheer tint of pink to your lips that looks natural and non-greasy or oily. It does not come off after drinking a beverage so no need to constantly reapply.

CONS: The product is softer compared to your typical chapstick so you have to be very careful not to press it on your lips to hard, just simply glide it on. I don't think it plumps my lips at all like it claims to do.

Would I Repurchase?: Yes. I would definitely repurchase this product again because even though it is pricey for a lip product, it works very well and lasts all day (even after drinking).

Some Baby Clothes & My Vanity Setup!

Hello hello! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday or day in general. So above is a picture of three outfits I pick up for baby Mia. I am now 26 weeks and 1 day along my pregnancy. Every moment has been filled with every type of emotion thinkable. I've been feeling anxious, happy, overwhelmed, and nervous but I know that it will all be worth it once I am holding my daughter.
Anyways, I wanted to share some pics of my new vanity setup. I utilizing our guestroom as a vanity room because our baby's crib will be in our bedroom until she is comfortable enough to sleep in her nursery.
Here are some pix...

•  The desk is from Ikea and it's called Malm vanity table. It was a bit pricey but definitely worth it. It's sturdy and has a glass top so the actual wood doesn't get scratched or stained.  
• The pink office chair and the black/gray/white drawer are from Staples. 
•  The "windows logo" mirror, flower desk lamp, vase w/ orchid, pink candle, dudero floor lamp, and bookshelf are from Ikea as well. 
• The brush containers, the swivel container (w/ paint pots and pigments) and Marilyn Monroe picture are from Marshals.

If you have any questions about storage please let me know as I will be more than happy to answer!

MUFE HD Foundation Haul + FOTD

Hello beautiful readers! So I went to Sephora today and finally succumbed to buying Makeupforever's HD foundation ($40) and a few other products. I've been such a good girl that I decided to go ahead and have a little splurge since I haven't done so in a longggg time! I figure I deserve to spoil myself especially during my pregnancy ^_~ which by the way is no picnic (25 weeks prego now).

So here are my FOTDs with the foundation on mi face...I'm loving it so far.

I was also gonna purchase the MUFE concealer palette (the one with the green corrective concealer) but the MA (also director of the Sephora branch) said I don't need a concealer because the foundation is medium to full coverage. Besides for having a couple of pimples on each side of my cheeks, the only issue I had was a bit of dryness and redness.

My MA recommended that I purchase a lip treatment to combat my dry lips. I'm not sure if it's the effects of pregnancy but my hair, lips, and areas of my face have become dry.  So anyways, I thought for sure he was going to show me Korres lip products but instead he guided me to the fresh lip products. He swatched each type of the Sugar lip treatments with SPF 15. I picked out the Rose Sugar Lip Treatment and it's my new hg lip treatment/gloss/tinted lip product. If you guys are iffy about dipping your fingers in a pot of Korres lip product then I suggest you try out the fresh sugar lip treatments ($36.50) instead. They are packaged neatly and securely, in metallic,pastel colored, twist-able packaging.  It doesn't have any discouraging after taste nor does it have a pungent smell. The smell at first is like a citrus type but later fades, leaving you with just ultra moisturized non-chapped lips. There are 3 kinds---a regular one and a couple of tinted ones in Rose and Plumb.

Besides those two products, I also purchased the Boscia Vital Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 and the Murad Acne Spot Treatment. The Boscia Vital Daily Moisturizer is $36.50. I know it's pretty expensive but I have used the cleanser before and it works very well. The packaging says it contains Olive Fruit Oil which protects, nourishes and seals moisture into the skin without clogging pores. It has Rice Bran Oil which strengthens skin to soften the appearance of fine lines (you may not have this but prevention is key!). It also contains Wine Yeast and Marine Complex to help protect against external elements.

I'm going to try out the Acne Spot Treatment in hopes that it will heal the only two pimples I have or any future breakouts. The acne spot treatment not only clears up existing breakouts but also prevents blemishes. It's $18 dollars for the 0.5 fl. oz.

I will most likely be doing a review on this and the Boscia moisturizer so be sure to look out for that.Well that's it for now! Gotta go wash off the makeup and relax. =)