'INs & OUTs' to LIVE FOR...

I find that I do an INs & OUTs post usually once a month, and I'm past due! Here we go...

IN:

- Wide leg & flared jeans with a medium to high rise!!! I have been on the hunt for a pair of wide leg/flare jeans in a medium (ish) wash. I'm loving the style Kourtney Kardashian is wearing, they are the 7 For All Mankind "Georgia" Stretch Trouser Jean...

on the left: Kortney Kardashian

This 70's inspired trend is one you either love or hate... I'm totally embracing it!

- Sitting out on my porch with a good book, and getting some color on these legs of mine! =)

- Searching for a summer handbag! I've been looking for MONTHS and still haven't found anything I absolutely love. It's possible I may still be looking when winter comes around again..  haha  But if I'm going to spend a lot of money on a handbag, I want to really love it!

- Online SALES... I just love 'em!


OUT:


- I can't really think of anything..... I guess that's a good thing!



What are your INs and OUTs??

Xx-

Bethany

'Blogger Award & Share the Love!!'

I was recently awarded "The Stylish Blogger Award" by the lovely Rebecca Kirsch of We Own the Sky. Yay my first award! Thanks Rebecca!!

With this award you have to: name 7 facts about yourself, and pass along the award to 7 more blogs.

7 Facts About Me!

1) I LOVE reading... some of my favorite authors are: Janet Evanovich, Elizabeth Lowell, Nora Roberts & J.D. Robb.... I could go on and on =)
2) I spend waaaaay too much time watching youtube videos! (I could watch JuicyTuesday and TheCurrentBoobies all day long and not get bored haha)
3) My chest is too big for the rest of me, meaning I tend to get frustrated when shopping for tops.. and I can't wear swimsuit tops from hardly anywhere except VictoriasSecret. :(
4) I have my Esthetician license. Esthetics consists of: skincare, facials, body wraps, waxing, makeup, etc.
5) I love cereal!!! Right now I'm on a Rasin Bran Crunch kick.
6) The first thing I do when I get home from anywhere is put on my pajamas! I basically live in my pjs.
7) Sometimes I wish I was more exotic looking... dark hair, big almond shaped eyes, olive skin that tans super easy, etc... Sometimes I feel like my "look" is a dime a dozen.

Ok, now to passing on the award!! Since I am about to hit 100 followers (holy crap!) I wanted to pass on the award to blogs that I love who are just starting out or just don't have many followers, but totally deserve more!!

Beauty diaries

Betzy of Betzy's Makeup

Amelda of Close Up Makeup Artistry

FaCE, FASHiON & LiFE

Karris of Karrisx

Miranda of All things Beautiful

Mary of murrskeez

Thank you again Rebecca for passing the award along to me =) I hope you all check out the ladies listed above, and share the love on your blog too!

Xx-

Bethany

'Sephora PERK: Too Faced'

I very rarely use my points at Sephora. But this time when I went through the checkout I actually spied something I thought was totally worth it!! It is the Too Faced "eye love" Palette.

Too Faced "eye love" Palette... This palette contains 2 shades from each of the eye palettes Too Faced as come out with recently. I haven't purchased any of those palettes, so this was perfect!!



Too Faced "eye love" Palette

The shades are:


Neutral Eye - Heaven & Push-Up
Smoky Eye - Silver Spoon & Smolder
Naked Eye - Satin Sheets & Like A Virgin
Romantic Eye - Honeymoon & Ever After

Too Faced "eye love" Palette swatches

The shimmery eye shadows with the more satin finish I was quite impressed with. However, the matte shades fell short. Way short in my opinion. Though they felt like a very finely milled pressed powder, the pigmentation was pretty terrible.. I seriously had to swatch the sh*t out of the cream color and the black. 

What do you think of Too Faced eye shadows?? Do you own any of the "Eye" palettes?

Xx-

Bethany

'China Glaze: Pastel (ish) Haul'

If you saw my NOTD with MAC Mischievous Mint, you know I'm not keen on pastel nail polish, on myself that is. But I love it on other people so much I decided to give a few more a try! =)

left to right: China Glaze "Re-fresh Mint", "For Audrey", "Lemon Fizz"

China Glaze Re-fresh Mint... I actually quite like this color. It is the same basic color as MAC Mischievous Mint, but a few shades lighter and a touch more green.

China Glaze For Audrey... No doubt you own, or at least have heard of, this color. I was feeling left out so I popped it in my basket along with the other polishes. I was expecting something a bit lighter, but maybe being along-side the pastels is just making it appear darker...?

China Glaze Lemon Fizz... This is my favorite of the bunch =) Just a beautiful light yellow shade!

left to right: China Glaze "Re-fresh Mint", "For Audrey", "Lemon Fizz"

(Excuse my dry cuticles and the messy paint job!) 

I was quite pleased with the consistency and pigmentation of the polishes. For Audrey is opaque in 1 thick coat, but I chose to do 2 moderate coats. You could probably get away with 2 coats of Re-fresh Mint and Lemon Fizz, but I added another for good measure!


What are your favorite pastel nail polishes?!

Xx-

Bethany

'Blogger Issues!' SOLVED =)

I have no idea why but lately I have been unable to post comments on my blog, or on any other blog! It's so frustrating because I have no idea how to fix it :(

When I go to post a comment it I have to sign in to my Google account (which I always use on here), so I sign in. Instead of bringing up Bethany by my comment it only says Anonymous, so I type in the jumbled up letter code as you do, and click submit. Then it takes me back to sign in again!!

Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do to fix this?!

Help!!

Xx-

Bethany

'TAG: Summer Besties'

This TAG has been going around youtube, and though I don't make videos, I still wanted to join in!! It's short and sweet.... well.. it could be short and sweet if I didn't have to pick multiple things and also explain them haha =)

Favorite Summer...

1) Lip Product - In the summer I want something that is moisturizing, will stay on my lips even when drinking from a water bottle, and gives me a bit of color. Oh, and also something that can lay in the sun and not melt! This summer I foresee my weapon of choice being Illamasqua lipglosses!!

MAC "Get-Away Bronze" blush, Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in "Divine"

2) Blush - Last summer I was addicted to MAC's "Get-Away Bronze" from their To the Beach Collection. I see this summer being no different =) It's goldy and bronze with a rosy undertone that makes it perrrfect on top of a summer tan. Unfortunately it was a LE product, and I have yet to find any good dupes!




left to right: Illamasqua "Jo-mina", China Glaze "Black Diamond", "Sun Worshiper", "Shocking Pink", Revlon "Craving Coral"

 3) Nail Polish - The obvious choice would be neon colors. China Glaze "Sun Worshiper" and "Shocking Pink" are crazy bright (especially when applied over a white polish!). However, I sometimes feel the need to mix it up and wear something super dark! China Glaze "Black Diamond" is a perfect almost-black with some shimmer that gives it a bit of definition. Then there is Illamasqua's "Jo-mina" which I can't get enough of, and Revlon "Craving Coral" that's a gorgeous red-orange.

'Dolce Vita Wedges Sale!'

If you don't already know, a while back I did a post on a few different summer sandals/wedges I was considering purchasing. Well I didn't get anything off my list, but here's what I DID get! =)

Dolce Vita "Sancia"

These Dolce Vita wedges were originally $165, but I purchased them for $130 on piperlime.com. But now they are only $89!!!!!! I mean, really? I have to get them for $130 and THEN they go on sale for $89?? The great thing is piperlime has free shipping and returns.. I think $40 is worth sending these back and just ordering them again. I just hate the hassle!

It was gloomy outside when I took my picture so here's the one from the website, which is maybe just a tad washed out.

Anyway the wedges are great! They have a 5" heel with a 7/8" platform.. the plaform combined with the wedge design makes them surprisingly easy to walk in. I also love that they are rather light, and don't feel at all clunky on your feet!


Have you thought about your summer shoes yet?? Are any on your wishlist?

Xx-

Bethany

'NOTD & China Glaze PiNK HAUL'

I have gone off the deep-end since failing my 2 month nail polish ban :/ I made a pretty massive order from China Glaze and OPI... =)  My China Glaze package came just the other day, half of it was tooootally screwed up (I purchased from SallyBeautySupply.com just fyi) but here are the PiNKs that I ordered!!

left to right: China Glaze "Purple Panic (neon)", "Shocking Pink (neon)", "Rich & Famous"



left to right: China Glaze "Purple Panic (neon)", "Shocking Pink (neon)", "Rich & Famous"


Both Purple Panic and Rich & Famous go on almost opaque in 1 coat, 2 coats and your golden! Shocking Pink definitely needed 3 to be totally opaque but that's not a big deal in my opinion as it dries pretty quickly. Also as always, my camera is not accurately showing the bright neon color! Shocking Pink is really the definition of neon pink!!

As you can see from the swatch below, Purple Panic has an almost matte finish (maybe satin is a better word?) so a clear top coat is a must if you want any shine with this one!



left to right: China Glaze "Purple Panic (neon)", "Shocking Pink (neon)", "Rich & Famous"


Aaaaaaand a NOTD with Purple Panic!



China Glaze "Purple Panic (neon)"

It's such an amazing BRIGHT LOUD PiNK!! yay :)


Have you tried any of these? What do you think of China Glaze??

Xx-

Bethany

'MUFE Haul & MAC Impassioned DUPE!!'

MAKE UP FOR EVER is one of those brands that continually impresses me! I have yet to try out a MUFE product that doesn't exceed my expectations.




MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Liner in 15C

MUFE Aqua Lip Liner in 15C... I have been needing a versatile pink lip liner for ages! A while back I purchased the fuschia version of this waterproof pencil (16C) and was so impressed I decided to try another shade.... let me tell you.... this shade is freakin amazing..... seriously =)  It's sort of a rosy pink, but seems to take on whatever undertone you pair it with. I have tried it with everything from MAC's Impassioned to Shy Girl, and it just works! Not to mention the stuff doesn't budge and lasts on your lips forever.  If you are in the market for a pink lip liner then I totally suggest this one!!!!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 37

MUFE Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 37... When I pulled this lippie out of the package I thought, hmmm, Impassioned much?? haha Swatching them side-by-side they are nearly identical!



left to right: MAC "Impassioned", MUFE 37, MUFE Aqua Lip 15C

In person they look much more similar than in the pic! Both are also much more vibrant (as lots of you probably know from having the Impassioned lippie), though the lip liner is pretty true to color.

Shade aside, there are some small differences between the two. The formula of the MUFE lippie (we will just call it 37) is not quite as creamy as Impassioned, but still feels rather moisturizing. That makes me wonder if 37 would last longer on the lips than Impassioned...? I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but I'll let you know! One advantage I see of 37 is that it seems to glide over the lines in my lips more than Impassioned. It just looks a bit smoother on the lips.

Unless you have money to burn I'd say stick with Impassioned! However, I will definitely purchase more MUFE lipsticks, providing the colors are unique!!


Have you tried out any MUFE lippies??

Xx-

Bethany

'Small Illamasqua, MUFE, Sephora HAUL'

I placed 2 different orders on Sephora.com recently, and the first one just arrived! I really couldn't be more thrilled with what I purchased =)

First up...


Illamasqua Powder Blusher in "Lover"

 Illamasqua Powder Blusher in "Lover"... I have been lusting over this blusher for months! The color is a very vibrant apricot. As with the other Illamasqua blushers I have tried, Lover is extremely pigmented! (I highly recommend using a duo fibre brush when using this product) Illamasqua just continues to impress me!



left to right: Illamasqua "Lover" blended out, "Lover" swatch

Next up...

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner #14... This is by far the most exciting product I have purchased recently =) I will insert a swatch now because I can't wait for you to see the color!!

How freakin gorgeous is that?!?! #14 is a black with mulitcolor sparkles, as you can see. The Aqua Liners are waterproof and DO NOT budge once they dry. Simply amazing! MUFE also has a pretty massive color range of these liners, but #14 stood out the most to me as being something special and a product that I will no doubt get tons of use out of. 

Photo from Temptalia.com. You can also find great swatches of all shades on her site!!

Lastly...

Sephora by OPI "Traffic-Stopper Copper"

Yep that's right, I broke my nailpolish ban. Oops =) But I made it 1 out of the 2 months!

Sephora by OPI in "Traffic-Stopper Copper"...  I love glitter polishes that have different size sparkles in them. Traffic-Stopper Copper has a clear base with fine and chunky bright copper glitter.

I have seen several people do manicures with glitter polish where the base is one color, then a different color glitter is added on top with it concentrated on the tip of the nail and fading up toward the cuticle. Do you know what I'm talking about?? I'm thinking of trying it out with this polish on top of maybe a light blue.... I'll post a NOTD with it, unless it is a total fail which is completely possible! haha

Have any of you tried the Aqua liners?? I'm in love!!!

Xx-

Bethany

'NOTD: from MAC Quite Cute'

 Mischievous Mint  from MAC's Quite Cute Collection...

MAC Mischievous Mint Cream Nail Lacquer

I love light pastel nail colors on other people, just not me! This is about the lightest I have gone so far! I haven't kept up my tan, but I think with some St. Tropez tonight I will be able to pull off the color better =) Quite frankly I think it looks pretty bad on me in this picture.... in person there is more green in the polish too.



Well I'm off to exfoliate!!


Has anyone else tried this color?? What do you think of it?

Xx-

Bethany

'MAC Haul: Part 2'

Finally, as promised, part 2 of my recent MAC haul!! Until I attended the MAC Master Class in Chicago I had no idea these next products were even available!



MAC Studio Finish Skin Corrector

MAC Studio Finish Skin Correctors ($12 each)... These are full coverage color correcting concealers!! Don't ask me how I didn't know MAC had these, it is beyond me. As far as I know these correctors are only available in pan form, and only at MAC Pro stores.

The colors I purchased are:

Blonde Ash - A very pale cool white with a green undertone that is great for correcting redness on even the palest skin.
Pure Orange - A vibrant orange used to correct dark circles under the eyes and etc on medium to darker skin tones. (Wayne of GossMakeupArtist on youtube talked about this product in a video or two)
Deep Brown - A black brown designed for the darkest skin tone.
Ochre - A mustard yellow that adds warmth for darker skin tones.

Now, I purchased colors for a wide range of skin tones because I never know who I am going to be working on. If you are not a makeup artist you certainly don't need all of these! But being a professional you need to be prepared for everything and everyone and these are the colors I would recommend =)

Here are Pure Orange and Ochre blended out. The littlest bit goes a LONG way, they are super pigmented!

So far I am loving these correcting concealers. If you are interested in trying them it's definitely worth visiting or calling your nearest MAC Pro store to find out more about them!!



Do you use color correctors? What are your favorites??

Xx-

Bethany

'Update: Uninspired & Homesick'

When I post an "Update" it's usually just sort of a personal blurp, a glimpse into what's going on in my life or things coming up that I will be doing. Or sometimes a way for me to vent! Just fyi =) That way if you aren't interested in these kind of posts you can skip them, I won't hold it against you! ;)

I've been feeling rather uninspired as of late. Maybe it's because of my crazy work schedule lately, or because of the erratic weather.. I'm not sure, but things just haven't been exciting me like they usually would.

I have also been a bit home-sick since going to Chicago and seeing my bestie. I had forgotten how nice it is to have my girlfriends around!

However, I am looking forward to seeing my parents soon. I'm going to be flying in to Chicago to meet up with my mom and have some quality girl-time with her for 2 days, then driving to WI to meet up with some more family (dad, aunt, cousins) for another 2 days before flying back home to MN.



Have any of you had to move away from your family and friends before??

Xx-

Bethany

'Product Rave: Anti-Aging??'

I don't think I have ever done a Product Rave, and if you haven't noticed I NEVER talk about skin care! Everyone has different skin types so of course products I use aren't going to necessarily work for everyone else. But I am so amazed at this product that I can't help but share it with you all!!

Philosophy Miracle Worker™ Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer...
There are 2 reasons I recommend this product.

1. When I moved to Minnesota my dry/normal winter skin went super dry and nothing worked to moisturize it! I even tried products like the NIVEA Creme that comes in a little tin and feels like Crisco on your skin! On a whim I started using a Miracle Worker sample I had, and voilà!! No more dry skin! I immediately purchased the full size product :)

2. I didn't buy Miracle Worker for it's anti-aging properties. Quite frankly I believe 99% of "anti-aging" moisturizers are a hoax and just a marketing ploy.
I have slight frown lines between my eyebrows that are emphasized when I wear most foundations, as well as horizontal lines across my forehead that REALLY bother me when I wear makeup. Now, I'm only in my mid-twenties, so the lines aren't severe but are definitely noticeable to me.
One day (after using the product for 1-2 weeks) I noticed while putting on my makeup that the lines on my forehead and between my brows were almost gone! Of course I could still see remnants of the lines, but my makeup glided on seamlessly over them and looked amazing!
I was skeptical that it was my moisturizer having this effect on my skin, so as an experiment I stopped using it. After 2 weeks or so the lines were back in full force. Then gone again after a while of using the product =)

Philosophy Miracle Worker is definitely on the pricey side ($55-90), so I now only use it at night and it still keeps away my fine lines. You only need the tiniest amount! I bought the smaller size and I honestly think it will last me a year!

So to make a long story short...

This product is great for dry/normal skin! It has almost completely erased my fine lines! And that's coming from a skeptic!!

Xx-

Bethany

'Alexander McQueen-esque Ring!!'

The second I saw this on the Karmaloop website I snatched it up and ordered it.. Literally it probably took me 10 seconds from seeing it to having the order confirmed! Here is my beauty...

Disney Couture Jewelry The Pirates Glamour Skull Ring in Gold

I had NO idea what to expect as far as quality and size were concerned, but I was pleasantly surprised! The ring actually has just enough weight to it that it doesn't feel cheap. As far as size goes I would say it's about normal, doesn't really run large or small in my opinion! I usually have to get a size 8 to fit my index finger, and this was no exception.

The great thing about ordering from Karmaloop.com is that you can always find coupon codes online for at least 15% off, and that usually covers the shipping cost! I just google "Karmaloop coupon codes" and keep trying them until one works =)

Now the best part about this ring, the price!!! It is $30........... seriously............ $30!!! I could not believe it! The ring also comes in silver, and though I prefer the gold, I might go order silver also!


I hope someone out there is as excited about this as I am =) haha


Have you found any amazing pieces or great deals recently?!

Xx-

Bethany

'MAC Haul: Part 1'

Over the weekend I took a trip to the Windy City (aka Chicago) to meet up with some friends from back home and attend another MAC Master Class =) So you know I came home with some goodies!

First a few words about the class I took... MAC Senior Artist Fatima Thomas spoke at the class and let me tell you, she was amazing! The class focused on makeup trends/techniques/products from past eras, and how they are being reinterpreted today. I could go on and on about it! Anyway, it was great and I'm so happy I was able to attend!

On to the haul...

MAC Eye Kohls in "Powersurge" and "Smolder"... I am sure you all already know about what an amazing product Smolder is, so I won't bore you with that! But, Powersurge is just GORGEOUS! It is a lovely bronze/brown with gold shimmer. Being an eye kohl, it's super creamy and great to smudge and smoke out. I'm really loving it and haven't used my gel liner since I picked this up!




left to right: MACs "Woodwinked", "Mulch", "Mystery", "Espresso"

MAC Eye Shadow in "Mulch"... I have pictured these eye shadows above with Woodwinked and Espresso just to give you a better idea of their shades. I have no idea how I don't already own Mulch! It's raved about by tons of beauty bloggers and youtubers. Mulch is a beautiful red-brown with a subtle bronze shimmer.It pairs amazingly well with MUFE Aqua Cream #14! I have been going nuts over these red-based browns!

MAC Eye Shadow in "Mystery"... MAC describes this shadow as a "Muted plum-brown". I don't know about the whole plum thing, but this shade does not disappoint! On the eye it looks halfway between a dark brown and a soft black. It is amazing for a deep smokey eye that isn't quite as harsh as using a black shadow. I need to pick up another for my makeup kit!


left to right: MACs "Woodwinked", "Mulch", "Mystery", "Espresso"
above: MAC blush in "Trace Gold"

MAC blush in "Trace Gold"... I reeeeally like this blush. It's a very shimmery gold color with a hint of a pink base. You really can't tell this from the picture, but in some lighting you can definitely tell it's not just straight gold. In part 2 of this haul I'll try and show a better swatch next to another blush I have that is similar! =)
MORE TO COME....

What have you been hauling lately?!?

Xx-

Bethany

'Make Up For Ever FLASH Palette'

I pretty much spend an insane amount of money on makeup products =) It's a sickness that I am more than happy to have. Even for me, spending $95 on (technically) a single makeup item was tough! But it's probably the smartest purchase I have made in a long time...

MUFE 12 Flash Color Case... This palette contains 12 vibrant, opaque shades. The colors include: metallic gold, coral, turquoise, fuschia, yellow, dark brown, metallic silver, white, red, blue, leaf green, and black. You may have to brush up on your color theory, but you can create almost any color or shade you could think of by mixing a variety of these together. You can use this on the eyes, cheeks, lips, just about anywhere!!

I love the MUFE Aqua Cream that I purchased a while back, so I added a few more colors to my wishlist... I realized that if I just bought 3 more colors of the singles, that I would have spent more than just shelling out for the palette! 

So far I am loving all of the colors. The consistency is very creamy which makes them super easy to blend and sheer down if desired. Every single color is very highly pigmented and a little will go a long way! 

There are definitely cheaper alternatives out there as far as color palettes go, but I just wanted the MUFE one! It's also really great that MUFE included a sparkly gold and silver to the mix =) Blending them with any of the other colors instantly creates a gorgeous sparkly shimmery formula.

Do you ever mix your cream pigments to make a unique shade/color?? Have you tried this product? Let me know below!

Xx-

Bethany