NYX at Ulta

Unfortunately, actually maybe fortunately when I think about my bank account, we don't have Ulta in Canada. I have read so much about these amazing trips to Ulta girls are taking and I was getting pouty that I wasn't able to experience it. As soon as we hit Arizona I looked one up and planned a trip there, specifically to purchase my Naked palette. It was as amazing as I envisioned! One of the brands I really wanted to check out was NYX. There is only one small NYX display in my local Save On Foods and other than that this line is difficult to find here. I have a few NXY products I've purchased online and for the most part have really liked them, especially their lipsticks.

The Ulta gods smiled upon my first visit there and all NYX products were buy one get one 50% off! I purchased these 4 lipsticks and love each and every one of them.

L-R Indian Pink, Rose Bud, Galaxy, Summer Love

L-R Indian Pink, Rose Bud, Galaxy, Summer Love

These colors are looking really frosty in the swatch photo but except for Galaxy which is a frosty beige, I would say they really aren't. Indian Pink is an adorable pinky coral, Rose Bud is a bright pink with gold flecks and Summer Love is a nice nude, a bit more pink than my numero uno nude lippy MAC's Creme d' Nude. I really love the formula of NYX lipsticks. First of all they don't have that nasty plastic lipstick smell/taste, and they last forever on me. They also don't transfer or shift (case in point: the other day I kissed Neil and he said "wow, what are you wearing, I don't mind that at all!" as he usually complains about the waxy or sticky consistency of my kisses.) They have a huge selection (like seriously, how's a girl to choose?!) and they are affordable ($3.99 at Ulta - I believe $5.99 here at Save On Foods.)

There were probably a dozen other things I could have easily picked up at Ulta but for once my self control kicked in and I walked away. I am just glad I can finally say I've had my first Ulta experience... and there will definitely be more!

Have you tried any NYX products?

long lost loves challenge #1

*newsflash* 

I have too much makeup. 

Yet I find myself reaching for the same products over and over again. I have enough eyeshadow I could wear something different every day from now until Thanksgiving but do you think I use them all? No, I stick to my few favorites and neglect the others. I've decided I'm going to put a stop to this inequality. At one point I loved those eyeshadows enough to purchase them so there's still got to be a special place for them in my heart somewhere right? I am challenging myself to reach for my long lost loves more often. I haven't structured this challenge with any kind of time frame or other criteria, nor is this a P10P where I won't allow myself any new purchases until I've used up products (I'm not ready for those drastic measures yet), it is just me committing to spread the love. I will take a FOTD photo with each and remind myself why I loved the product in the first place and hopefully inspire you to stay out of the beauty ruts we all get ourselves into!

Now I am feeling a little bad about today's FOTD because I realized both of these eyeshadows have been discontinued. But the fun thing about makeup is that you can recreate a look using the products you have.

MAC Graphology (discontinued) along lashline, angled up

MAC Vellum (discontinued) blended into Graphology and all over lid

MAC Blanc Type as highlight

with NYX Circe lipstick

I was going to crop these photos but didn't want to cut out those adorable little feets!!! :)

*Edit* I liked Laura's comment so I've added some swatches.

MAC Graphology and MAC Vellum

After using these shadows today I was reminded why I liked them but also why I don't use them a lot. I wouldn't consider either one to be the most versatile in my collection but they do look great together. Vellum is a sheer frost that pulls either blue or purple (and kinda pink even) and the matte dark blue (or is it purple?) of the Graphology looks great with it. I feel a little more limited with Graphology but I'm excited to see what other relationships I can create for Vellum. 

I'd say my first LLLC is a success.

it's in the bag!

I have seen blog posts and YouTube videos like this floating around and I thought it would be fun to do one of my own. I'm going to tell you now it's not overly exciting but I thought I'd share.

  Here's what's in my bag! 

(And you can't plant neat-o things in it to make yourself look cool - it's got to be straight up, what you're carrying around right now!)

This is my purse of the moment - I usually switch out often but I've been carrying this beauty since December. I love it! The color goes with so much and who doesn't love some ruffles?!

 Some warm (and kinda mangy looking...) gloves - it's cold here and doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon. Gloves or mittens are a must for me, being cold makes me grumpy!

Some tissues for runny noses, some ibuprofen, hand lotion and my lululemon headband. I had an appointment at my chiropractor first thing in the morning and I was wearing it. I had to do some errands after and decided to take it off and let my hair down.

A bag of jujubes! They are Neil's favorite so I took them with me when I went to pick him up at the airport the day before yesterday.

Some toys and snacks for the kids. My awesome SIL made those fantastic reusable snack bags, if you want some check her out, they are fabulous! 

My wallet. I seriously never have cash yet for the past week or two I seem to be carrying more and more of it. This wallet barely hold all my cards and junk, it's constantly bursting.

Random things - some gum, a pen, bobby pins (do you ever leave home without one?!) and my makeup business cards - that I've given like 5 out, haha. 

My bag of lipglosses L-R Carmex, Bonne Belle Berry 'Nilla Cream, NYX Whipped, MAC Sintillation Lip Gelee, MAC Pretty Plush Plushglass, MAC LE Fafi l/s, NYX Honey, MAC Viva Glam 1, MAC Creme 'd Nude, Carmex, snazzy mirror from the dollar store.

A belt. Yeah. When I pulled this out I said, a belt?! I wore it to the chiropractor and then took it off before my adjustment.

And there you have it, a little (exciting) peek into my purse! Do you like to see what other gals are carrying around? I love to go through other girl's purses and makeup bags... like, when they're there... with me... ahem. Normally I don't do tags but for this one I'm going to tag my SIL Mandy, my sister Sharon and my friend Laura. Show us what's in your bag!