Beauty Blender Dupe for $5.99?!

I swear by the BeautyBlender to apply foundation because it truly applies make up flawlessly but at $19.99 it is a bit of a splurge. I've tried other copy cat sponges that claim to do the same thing but none of them were as good as the original.

The main difference is the texture of the sponge and that difference makes all the difference! (Wow, I think that's a new personal record for how many times I've used the word difference in one sentence! Haha)

If you have tried any of the more affordable versions, they are a much more dense sponge. They usually don't expand that much when you apply water to it and again the density…they are very firm and not soft at all like the BeautyBlender. This prevents the sponge from distributing and blending the product effortlessly on the face.

A few weeks ago, I had heard all the buzz that Real Techniques had come out with their version of the BeautyBlender and it was actually good. Of course I had to give this a try and the verdict is in: we have a winner!

Cherry Culture Sale!

Right now through 9/30, Cherry Culture's entire site is 40% off!!!

CODE: FBI2013

If you haven't heard of CherryCulture.com, then you are missing out my friend! I get almost all of my NYX and Milani products here because they are cheaper and shipping is free when you spend $40! They carry several different "drugstore" type brands but they also carry brands like Beauty Blender, Juice Beauty, Model in a Bottle, and what I noticed most recently; Ardell and China Glaze!

Normally several products on the site are offered at a discounted price. For this 40% off sale, all items are marked up to their MRSP price and then you receive 40% off. Even with products at their MRSP, you are still saving money.

I don't really need anything but as an avid false lash wearer and nailpolish addict, I opted for some Ardell's and China Glaze polishes. Best part: lashes came out to $2.34 a pair and China Glaze for less than $3....Hell Yea! I'm not affiliated with Cherry Culture in any way, I just got so excited about the savings that I had to share!

I also recommend purchasing a Beauty Blender if you don't already have one or need a new one. At 40% off, you can't beat that!

Well, what are you waiting for? Click this link and start shopping!!!

January 2013 Favorites

I can't believe January will officially be over after today! Seriously, where does the time go, what have I accomplished, did the days and nights get shorter??? Ahhhh, MIND BOGGLING I tell ya!
(I should probably just copy and paste that statement for future end of the month posts because I have been feeling like that after each month goes by for years now...hmph.) Pinkie Pie's facial expression is a perfect depiction of what I look like at the the end of each month when I have realized more time has passed and I still have so much to do.

Anyhoo, so I thought for the end of the month post I would do my favorites for January since I love these types of posts. It's a great way to discover new things and sharing is caring, so without further ado, here are my favorites for January:

• Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water
• Michael Todd True Organics Antioxidant Carrot Multivitamin Serum
• Clarisonic Mia 2
• Beauty Blender
• Clark's Botancials Smoothing Marine Cream
• CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in 350-Eternal

January was mostly about skincare for me. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of skincare and making sure I'm putting my best face forward (pun intended)! No but seriously, with all the make up in the world, it really doesn't matter if your face isn't at its best. I have combo skin which constantly breaks out and a lot of discoloration and scarring from acne in my teens. It seems like an on going battle to figure out what products will actually work for me so I've been ecstatic to find some that have really been making a difference!

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water
$13-$39 @ Sephora
This was my first time using a micellar type water to remove makeup. To be honest the whole idea of using a liquid on my face to remove makeup without washing it off was not intriguing to me AT ALL. I figured that there had to be some kind of residue left on your face that would not make it feel clean but I was proven wrong after using this stuff. I use about 2 cotton rounds for my face and 1 for my eyes to completely take off my make up. This stuff is magic in a bottle. It takes my eye make up off like no other...even my eyelash glue comes right off! It has the feel of water, no real noticeable scent, and it leaves your face super refreshed and hydrated. There's no weird residue left on your skin, I kid you not, your skin just feels clean and plump. Who woulda thought?! The price is a bit steep but I do think it's worth it. I wouldn't use this every night but for the nights I'm feeling lazy or if I know I'm going to be traveling, this stuff is great!

Michael Todd True Organics Antioxidant Carrot Multivitamin Serum
$37 @ Michaeltoddtrueorganics.com
Dude, could the name be any longer?! Even, if I abbreviate it: MTTOACMS looks ridiculous. Anyways, this stuff has been a great addition to my skincare routine. I've noticed that since I have been using this product my scarring has been fading, skin looks brighter, more even, and no major breakouts (I have NOT had to use any kind of acne cream since using this!) I also love that it is 75% organic because Lord knows we don't need more chemicals in our life. The consistency is more like a lotion and there is a medicine smell but the benefits this has provided my skin have been great and I will continue to use this!

Clarisonic Mia 2
$149 @ Clarisonic.com 
I know everyone and their mom raves about this thing but to be honest, when I first purchased this last year I didn't get the hype. Yes it took my make up off better than just washing alone with a cleanser, but I felt like it was too rough for my skin. I was breaking out in tiny little bumps everywhere so I stopped using it for a few months. I recently started using this again and now I love it! I only use this at night or when I have a lot of make up on and for people like me with acne prone skin, the trick is to not push this into your skin. It sounds like common sense but you want to glide the bristles overyour skin. I think many people with acne prone skin have the urge to want to "scrub" their face in hopes to rid themselves of the acne but that only aggravates and makes the skin worse.

Beauty Blender
$19.95-$25.95 @ Sephora
Not much to say about this except this makes applying foundation and concealer a breeze and no brush marks! I have tried the less costly alternatives and I think they do a great job as well. The main difference is really that the Beauty Blender is a much softer sponge so I think it just comes down to personal preference. I personally like how soft the original is over the less costly alternatives. Of course, you are paying like an additional $15 for soft but who's counting right?!

Clark's Botanical Smoothing Marine Cream
$115 @ Birchbox
This stuff is magic! With the steep price tag of $115 for 1.7fl oz. it better be right?! I received a sample of this in my Jan Birchbox and I have to say, although the price is crazy, this stuff does everything it claims to do. I can't say that about too many products.

Here's what it claims:
"Are you after baby-soft skin? Smoothing Marine Cream gently exfoliates and leaves the skin intensely moisturized. Glycolic Acid and Alage Extracts soften the appearance of fine lines, while Jasmin Absolute helps soothe and nourish stressed-out skin."

Yea, that baby-soft skin they are talking about is no joke. I don't even think my skin was this soft as a baby. I also feel that the exfoliant properties to this cream has contributed to my skin looking brighter as well. It's a lightweight cream that smells like lemon frosting, yum!

CoverGirl Lip Perfection in 350-Eternal
$5-$8 @ Drugstores
This was hands down my most worn lipstick for January. Dinner, drinks, grocery shopping, you name it, I was probably wearing this. It's a cool tone bright/hot raspberry color that was the perfect bold lip for me. The formula is super pigmented and comfortable on the lips (not too dry, not too slippery). The only negative I would say is that this sucker stains your lips. I don't mind this that much as it gives color to my lips all day, but when I want to take it off....it's a pain. There's been many a mornings I have woken up with Eternal stained lips even after trying to take it off the night before... I guess it's a good thing I love it so much!