Things I regret buying #1

I have a soft spot for potions and concoctions, new products and the like. Some of these are good, some bad, some in between... these products featured here I have found not to my liking. So, where to start...

I picked up the Too Faced Beauty Balm a while ago and have managed to barely make a dent. When I first got it, I though the packaging was quite cute, the smell reminded me of grapefruits (yum) and the color was decent. After a few uses, the smell changed to a chemical/plastic smell, something that I think might be due to decomposition or air exposure. Not the best smell to keep under your nose all day. That being said, it's been quite a long time since I have used this and I don't think it's something I would use again. Also, I'm not even sure if this is available for purchase still.

Working backwards, I suppose, next up is the Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner in Blackish Brown. The only reason I regret buying this product is because the color. It doesn't really suite me, that might seem strange because I have fair skin, but I don't like brown colors for eyeliner. I've tried many of them and I don't prefer them (yeah kind of unfair...). Just to mention, the formula is great and I might try and use this on the lower lash line . Keeping with eye products, the next item up concerns the brows. I tried the Maybelline Define-A-Brow in the lightest color and did not find the color and texture to be flattering. The color appear muddy and the texture is quite hard and wax like. I picked this up after hearing some friends and youtubers talk rave about it... well I didn't.

These next two products I kind of bought on a whim - not the greatest thing to do - I know, but I thought it was worth a shot. Well that shot was definitely a dud! The hand cream I pick up for something less than $2 at Target. The smell is nice, but the texture is watery and doesn't soak into the skin easily, it kind of feels sticky. Lastly, the final product I regret buying is the L'Oreal Magic BB Cream. This BB Cream isn't like the normal BB Creams I used to. The normal BB Creams I refer to would be the Korean BB Creams, which typically have a thicker consistency, tout beneficial skin properties, and decently add a bit of coverage. With all things considered I believe the L'Oreal cream is lacking in these respects. I had wanted it to work and even tried using this as a primer, which so many American BB Creams have been marketed as, and still no decent results.

I think next, I will do a post highlighting my favorite BB Cream that I have been using (the same one I've been using for at least the last 4 years, if not longer).

Thank you to all who have currently entered my giveaway, if you haven't yet check it out here:

Enter me!

XOXO,
Carolyn

{Feature} Firmoo's New May Arrivals

Hello all! Remember my last post about my free glasses from Firomoo (http://www.firmoo.com)? Well they are at it again! Recently they have launched their First-Pair-Free program (http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html) to people worldwide, new arrivals for May are included, and you only need to pay shipping. 

These are some of the new arrivals for May (http://www.firmoo.com/new-arrivals.html):

Wearing glasses is such an easy way to change up your look, even if you only want them for fashion. The great thing about Firmoo is that you get great quality products for affordable prices. I love my pair of glasses I received from them in December and often reach for them over the ones I bought from my doctors office. So be encouraged to check out their selection http://www.firmoo.com/. Also please visit the site and state which pair of glasses you would choose from the free glasses selection!

XOXO,

Carolyn

**This is a sponsored post**

{Feature} Revlon's NEW Lash Potion

This past Wednesday Revlon's new mascara hit the stores and I was able to get a sneak peak of their  product. Revlon Lash Potion* claims to add volume as well as length and with successive applications your lashes will become stronger. In my short time trying it I believe it does a bit of lengthening and volumizing, but nothing over the top (which can be good because sometimes mascaras get into fuzzy territory with that...).

As you can see from the picture there is added length and volume without to much clumping. As for longevity, this did seem to last throughout the day with minimal fading, so that's a plus. I'm not to sure of the retail price, because I haven't seen this in stores yet (will update). I will continue to use this and we will see what happens. As of today I am enjoying the product.

Again, thank you to those who have entered by giveaway, so cool!

Have you entered my giveaway?

Enter me!

XOXO,
Carolyn

*Product Provided

{Favorites} April 2013

I feel that my favorites increased quite a bit from last month, and I'm still loving everything that was featured in March. Some of these are old items, the cuticle cream and the pallet, but most are relatively new!

When I got a hair cut back in March, my hairstylist introduced me to an awesome volumizing product, Redken guts 10. This adds volume to my hair without weighing it down or making it to greasy - truly a weight less product. I've been using this every time I style my hair when freshly washed. The thing I really like about this is how precise the application of this product is. Even though the texture is a mousse it doesn't have the typical nozzle, but a sprayer much like a hair spray. Next up is another item for the hair and the final hair product for my favorites. I'd been skeptical about purchasing the Tangle Teezer, thinking it was a gimmick product and why change the normal hair brush? Well to quail these thoughts of mine I purchased the Tangle Teezer and put it to the test to see if my thoughts were indeed true. Well as you can tell they were wrong! This is such an awesome tool, that truly leaves you hair tangle and knot free. I use this on wet hair, which is when the hair is most vulnerable to breakage, and the hair loss and snagging has been tremendously reduced. I still use my other hair brush, but it is reserved for when my hair is dry. If you are wondering where you can purchase this in the States you can try Amazon.com. Sally's used to have it in store, but only offer it online now. Amazon's price is generally a bit cheaper than Sally's price especially when including shipping.

The next section I'd like to touch on is on nails. I had a very big presentation at the end of April and it had me super stressed out and worried. As a result I barely had any time to take care of myself let alone my nails. So for the majority of the month my nails have been quite bare save for the occasional application of OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthen. I really like how solid my nails have become since using this product. I still would like to try the moisturizing formula as I think that might help with some of the dryness I have in my nails that could lead to breakage, but so far the original one is doing a fantastic job. My nails seem to be growing strong and well, so I'm pretty pleased with the results. The final nail product for April is the Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream. This smells incredible and really does save my cuticles from becoming overly dry. I really do have dry skin all over so this is a real life saver for my cuticles. I generally have been able to apply this when I'm studying, I just let the cream set on my cuticles while I'm reviewing and then rub it in after a few minutes.

Okay, so my makeup favorites kind of exploded compared to last months. Where to start? Well I supposed I could start with the Urban Decay Naked pallet. I don't think there is a whole lot to explain with this pallet because so many others have already shared their thoughts on it. It's just a great neutral pallet for overall looks. A new product that I have started to enjoy has been the Milani Infinite Eye. This is a long lasting and very pigmented liquid eyeliner. The brush is a bit tricky in the application, but once you grow accustomed to it the product becomes an instant favorite. Moving onto face products I'll start with the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Concealer. I have this in 205 and it's great at covering those dark spots under the eye and doesn't crease. The final two products are a duo and I think they work really well together. The Revlon Nearly Naked makeup foundation is a really nice and weightless feeling foundation. I don't like wearing heavy foundation throughout the day so this is a great choice. There isn't a lot of coverage with this so if you are looking for that this foundation isn't for you. The powder is a complement to this foundation and really helps the wearing and longevity of this. I have not tried the powder with other foundations or bases so I can't speak in terms of that.

Wheew! That seemed like a lot of favorites for April. What were your favorites for April?

Thanks to everyone who has entered my giveaway so far. This is so cool!

Have you entered my giveaway?

Enter me!

XOXO,

Carolyn

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'

A very fitting {GIVEAWAY}! **Simply Vera VERA WANG**

Wow, five months have past already? Well, hello May!

Did you know that May's gemstone is the emerald and the pantone color of the year happens to be emerald green?

This year has really seemed to revolve around one color: Green. In these many different shades I hope this means I will be a billionaire at the end of the year very exciting things have happened in my life. For starters I entered into my final semester of undergrad and will be graduating with my Bachelor's of Science in Biology this May! I should mention that the primary color of my college is GREEN! I will be wearing a green dress to graduate in, underneath my black cap and gown of course. Also, I have acquired green honor cords, which I have worked very diligently to receive. Additionally, my boyfriend/fiancée of almost 7 years, proposed to me on St. Patrick's day, which is synonymous with wearing all things green.

With these exciting times, I would love to give back to you some of my green luck! Well I'm not exactly a Leprechaun or a Magic Bunny, but I do have two jobs which pay me meagerly...

What I can give you is a very beautiful necklace which signifies a culmination of all the wonderful experiences  and joy this year and blogging has given me.

There will be one lucky winner of my very first giveaway. Please be encouraged to enter, I have plans coming up for another upcoming giveaway and would greatly appreciate the knowledge regarding this first event.

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Best of luck to you!

XOXO,

Carolyn