I finally realized that I literally don’t have as much time to spend on my nails as I used to.  Seriously, when they chip I don’t always have time to touch-up or remove.  I also realized that I have a really hard time letting them dry before I do stuff – meaning lots of screwing up the finish.  Then I figured out that my nail polishes probably take longer to dry because they are OLD!  Dur.  So, I mercilessly went through my polishes & threw most of them away.  I kept a pink, a sparkly beige & a few metallics & brights I couldn’t bear to part with yet.

The plan is to renew my collection each season (or maybe each year) with a new pink, beige, red & a couple trendy colors then discard them for the next batch.  I also realized that oftentimes collections come out in mini bottles with colors of the same family.  Perfect!  I can work one trend plus a couple classics each season.  So I’ve had my eye open for a tiny petite collection.

I found this little packet of bright perfection the other day in Walgreens:

Nailed it!  I am in love with the brights & the array of color.  I am rocking the purple right now on my toenails.  Wheeee!

Then between my husband & I we’ve made three freakin’ trips to Walmart thanks to a pharmacy mistake.  Blurgh…  Oh well, I’m not wingeing here (any more).  This post is about what I bought to review for you guys – yay!

While at Walmart I purchased the Tresemme Dry Shampoo that I read about in Seventeen.

Then my Walgreens stop: Revlon Straightener (on sale this week for $12.99), Nivea balm (recommended my a friend) & Loreal facial cleanser with scrubber (also on sale this week).

I’ve already test driven the dry shampoo & the balm.  Post coming on those tomorrow!

I’ve re-trained the bangs to do what I like now that they’ve grown out a bit.

Also, had some help taming the frizz:  Joico split-end mender

Here’s what I’m looking like lately (granted I combed the bangs down to exaggerate the look LOL):

I do look like a darker haired version of a famous icon though:

So it’s not all bad, right?  Right?

The makeup I used to create the eye:

Loreal Double Extend mascara, Revlon powder, Loreal Bare Naturale concealer powder, Cover Girl cover-up sticks, Avon black eyeliner, Revlon Brow Fantasy pencil/gel, HIP duo in Spirited

It was really just a pretty straight forward smoky eye recipe: lighter eye shadow all over the lid, darker hue in crease & along lash line, black liner on inner rims (this is what makes it pop!), navy liner on upper lash line, then add major mascara!

I’m hoping to do more posts like this.  I’m really digging makeup lately.  If you have tips on how to take better closeup photos of makeup/face, leave me comments!  Thanks!

Also, Chrissy (again!) brought her magic, bottomless boxes of makeup to share.  SUCH an awesome night – good friends, great conversation, awesome refreshments, kick-ass games – oh & free stuff!  I had soooo much fun!

Here are some pics from the party:

Angie’s “how awesome is this!” face, Jean & Colleen

Chrissy – the makeup master

Angie posing & Jean

And here is my booty I brought home with me:

Some rad (!) nail polish colors, a few new pencils

Lip gloss, shimmery saturated blush & a pinkish-neutral palette
(I love my all-in-ones as much as I love capsule wardrobes!)

I might try this version of the bob soon.  Slightly shorter in back.  Not fully decided though – I do like layers around my face.

I want to buy this.  I will honestly buy anything they say is good for oily skin.  I am such a sucker!

Not that I actually ever go anywhere I’ve never been, but if I ever do I’m gonna check out this site for non-touristy must-do’s!

Having all those great deals made me wish I was a makeup artist so I had the excuse to buy one of each in every color.  Instead I was restrained & tried to only buy things I will truly use no matter how tempting all of it was.

I really would love to be a makeup artist, maybe on nights &/or weekends.  What a fun way to earn money!  Makeup is one of the things I’ve always loved doing & it had a major part in my Paris plan.  Alas, love stole me away to Naples where I’ve been living happily ever since, my fancies for the future on hold indefinitely. (Hey, I’ll take it!)

Anyway, here are the splurges.  I paid a total of $30 for both hauls which means I got $120 worth of makeup.  The lady that checked me out yesterday said that they clearance off colors/products that aren’t selling & won’t be carrying again.  Fine by me – I never actually run out of any of my makeup since I have so much & I don’t wear it often since I have sleepy/lazy-in-the-morning-itis.

From left:
Cover Girl powder – OK, but no SPF, a little too dry (am I never happy?)
Neutrogena – really good but too tinted, must be careful applying
Avon Magix – freaking awesome (so far), see comments below…
Clinique pore minimizer – great but no SPF + pretty expensive
Jane Mineral – too creamy for my oily skin but a third in my ranking
Sally Hansen Primer – good but no SPF
Almay Smart Shade – a close second, it was just a tiny bit too creamy for my oily skin but I’ll wear it when I want a tiny bit of color

The clear winner: Avon Magix.  It’s SPF 20.  Also, it goes on as a dry gel, minimizes pores & is clear.  Can apply willy-nilly.  
(When I first smelled it I thought it was too strong but when on I don’t notice the smell.)

FYI, I no longer sell Avon.  I am just recommending it because it works for me.  I will be buying it again once this one runs out.