Urban Decay De-Slick First Impression

Hi guys!

If you remember a post last month about a tiny Ulta haul, you saw that I picked up the Urban Decay De-Slick setting spray on a whim as I was standing in the check out. That day my oily skin was going crazy (lots of humidity) and I wanted to try anything that promised to fix it.


De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray

Admittedly, it wasn’t until about a week or two ago that I opened it up and started using it. But I thought with the weather getting warmer, and oily skin out there getting worse and worse, it would be interesting to write some of my first impressions down.

From Sephora:

"Oily skin has met it's match! De-Slick mists on weightlessly to control oil, deflect surface shine, and keep skin looking beautifully matte. High-tech ingredients help keep foundation, shadow, and blush from smudging, sliding, or fading-so you hardly ever need to touch up...It actually lowers temperature of your makeup and helps it stay put and keep skin looking smooth, but never shiny."

At first you might be asking yourself what the heck they are talking about. I mean, when I first heard of this stuff about a year ago, I decided it must be glorified water that people are paying $30 for (or in my case since I bought the travel size, $14).

But lots of people swear by this, both for oil control and for makeup setting, so I figured desperate times call for desperate measures.

First off, let me just say that I'm SO happy they changed their packaging. I don't know about you, but if something is in ugly packaging, I'm not really tempted to purchase it. And the old bottle wasn't very appealing to me. But the new one looks sleek, clean, and a lot less...crazy.

So how this spray works is basically you shake it up well, then spray it over your skin in the pattern of an X and T. You can spray your skin anywhere between 2 and 4 times.

If you are wondering how I use it, here's the breakdown:

-Before I put on any makeup, I spray all over like they describe, the X and T pattern.

-I wait 1-3ish minutes until it dries.

-Then I put on my face makeup on (usually I just wear powder). Sometimes I put primer on afterward, but I prefer it actually without primer. If you use a liquid foundation/BB cream/tinted moisturizer and also wear powder, spray after powder.

-Then I apply my blush, although I've put the blush on after my second application. I'm not sure which I prefer, but the bottle says to apply the blush first.

-I spray all over again in the X and T pattern.

-Then I do my eye makeup!

So it's not super hard and doesn't make my makeup application take too much longer thankfully!

After about two weeks of wear, what do I think?

I love it!

It works with my powder fantastically! It makes it stay on forever, shine free, less oily feeling, and while making it look significantly less caked on. It's so natural and nice looking!

Plus it's great for summer because you know how it claims to reduce the surface temperature of your skin? Yep, it does that. It feels so nice!

And I used to get only about 4 hours out of my powder. Now? I get easily 6 hours if not more! During 70-80 degree weather! Plus rain!

It's completely eliminated the need for primers for me also, which is a bonus!

I tried the MAC Fix Plus for a day, and that made me so oily in comparison. So seriously, try out Urban Decay's De-Slick. And my tip for great application: make sure to use it before you apply your foundation! That's the key!

Seriously guys, this might just be my summer holy grail product!

What are your warm weather must-haves? Do you think setting sprays like De-Slick, All Nighter, and MAC Fix Plus work? Or are they just overpriced water?

 

All Packed Up

 

I moved out of my room at school this week. It’s always weird to move out and close the door on another year. That makes me officially a senior in college! I sound so old! I’ll be 22 in a few months too, which only makes me sound older!

But I don’t have my hopes all up for summer, because in about a week I’ll be moving back up to a dorm room to start summer school. Ugh not looking forward to that.

Anyway, goodbye room! You were the home to a lot of ups and downs, and many memories!

First Impressions of Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Primer

Hey everyone!

A while back I went to Sephora to buy some blush. While I was there, I picked up three sample primers to try out as well. The one I'm reviewing today is the Becca Ever Mette Poreless Priming Perfector.

I reviewed the Cover FX primer a few weeks ago, so I thought it was time to finally review this one as I’m wrapping up with the little sample (by the way, those tiny little samples last forever when it comes to primer!).

 

According to Sephora:

"A silicone-free primer that perfects the face, minimizing pores and mattifying even the most oily skin for up to eight hours."

"Control(s) excess oil while minimizing the appearance of pores. The instant mattifying effect completely eliminates shine! This lightweight formula also creates a smooth matte surface for long-lasting foundation. Along with being sweat and humidity resistant, this product is free of silicon alcohol, and fragrance."

So that promises a lot to being that have been having enormous difficulties with their oily skin, like me. I mean, if something promises to reduce the oil on my face, sign me up for that!

When the makeup artist at Sephora first showed me this sample, I wasn't sure what to think. First of all, it has a tannish, skin color look to it. I've seen white, green, clear, and even coral colored primers, but not a skin color. I was a little concerned (just a note for the future, it doesn't transfer any color on to your skin). She also warned me against using too much, because it could make me more oily (I think that's what she said about this one, but I think that's just a good rule of thumb in all products).

So after using this for about the last two weeks, here are some obervations:

The Good:

-When putting this on your face, it instantly has a cooling, nice clean feel to the skin.

-Didn't make my skin any more oily than it was before.

-My makeup stayed about 1-2 hours longer with powder, almost all day with Revlon's BB Cream.

-Since it's free of silicon, it doesn't have that weird silicon texture.

-Had an instant matte feel and look to makeup.

-Didn't break me out.

-Controlled my oil for the most part.

The Not So Good:

-Odd texture. It was really hard to blend. Now after reading Sephora's site, you are supposed to warm it up in your hands before use. So maybe that would explain it? But it was just really more of a hard butter texture than that of most primers I'm used to.

-Didn't rid me of oil 100%. I don't think anything would though. But it made it managable.

So that pretty much sums it up, but there is one last really important question: would I purchase this in full size? Yes. I would without a doubt, and despite the $36 price tag (why is primer more than foundation?!). The packaging is sleek, the product worked well, and I'd say even if it only reduces 10% of the oil on my face, it's worth it.

And in case you are wondering, would I buy this instead of the Cover FX primer? Most definitely!

 

 

Senior Year Mood Boards

Hi everyone!

So I’m still completely stuck as far as what bedding to get for next year, but to visualize it a tad bit more, I whipped together some mood boards super fast. And I’m still completely confused.

Let me know which one you like better!

The first one is centered around the Walmart comforter with daisies, zinnias, and poppies. The main colors are going to be yellow, gray, black, and white. I'll incorporate chevron and dots into the room, as a well as a black monogram wall decal. 

The second option has chevron as a bigger focus with the chevron duvet cover from Urban Outfitters. In this option, red, black, and white are the main colors. I'll have red sheets from Target, use my Vera Bradley Deco Daisy pillows, and incorporate dots as well. 

The second option has chevron as a bigger focus with the chevron duvet cover from Urban Outfitters. In this option, red, black, and white are the main colors. I'll have red sheets from Target, use my Vera Bradley Deco Daisy pillows, and incorporate dots as well. 

Let me know which one you prefer! 

April Favorites

Hi guys!

It’s that time again for my monthly favorites! I can’t believe that it’s May! April absolutely flew by! I only have finals week left in this semester, which is crazy! Unfortunately I’ll be taking summer classes, so I don’t have that awesome feeling of accomplishment after wrapping up my classes, but oh well. 

Anyway, here are my favorites!

1. Tarte Eyelash Curler 2. Milani Baked Blush inLuminoso 3. Essie Turquoise and Caicos 4. Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara 5. Limoncello Candle 6. Philosophy Pink Frosted Animal Cracker Shower Gel 7.L'Oreal Anti-Redness Primer 8. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush 9. Redken SmoothDown Shampoo & Conditioner 10. Macadamia Deep Repair Hair Masque

1. Tarte Eyelash Curler

So I kind of bought this curler on a whim last month. I'd been wanting to try the Tarte version because I'm constantly unimpressed with every curler I've ever tried. But $16 always seems a little steep honestly. As I was finally buying Nars Deepthroat, standing in line I noticed this guy. I will admit I finally caved because of the packaging and the cute Aztec design. I'm a sucker for cute stuff! Seriously, buy the Aztec one in the sample area next to the checkout at Sephora, don't buy the plain one because this one is so much more fun! Anyway, I've noticed this works really well. I haven't had any awful lash debacles that the MAC one constantly left me with. Plus it's cute. 

2. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso 

This blush is pretty much always raved about, so I wanted to try it out too. And I love it. I know I bought it less than two weeks ago, but I love it. It's such a glowly, pretty color. Gorgeous and perfect for summer. It's pigmented, I think longer-lasting than my beloved NARS blushes, and less than $10 at Walgreens. 

3. Essie Turquoise and Caicos

So I can't find First Timer anywhere. Instead I settled for this. And I love it! It's a gorgeous shade and I couldn't stop staring at my toes! It's the perfect color for spring and summer! 

4. Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara

I went back to it. I revisited a few weeks ago and fell in love all over again. It went on so easily, my lashes look beautiful and full, and it works like a dream. I love this mascara and can't believe I didn't use it for about a month!

5. Bath and Body Works Limoncello Candle

I'm a sucker for anything that has lemon with sugar/vanilla. That's my ABSOLUTE favorite scent combination and this is pretty much my heaven. I at first bought it for my mom for her birthday, but then I couldn't help it and bought myself it, along with a couple Wallflowers. This is the best. I can't get enough of it. 

6. Philosophy Pink Frosted Animal Cracker Shower Gel

Like the mascara, this was a product that I revisited recently. I absolutely love Philosophy's shower gels because they make my skin so soft and smooth (plus it helps my dry skin rashes). This smells just like what it claims. Sweet and pink. Can it get better than that? Nope. I don't think so. 

7. L'Oreal Magic Anti-Redness Correcting Primer

So I found this from my current Youtube favorite (Brittany Boles). I wanted to dry more drugstore primers, and I do have lots of pink/red patches. This impressed me instantly. See, I had a monster pimple on my chin, and this worked better than concealer. Yes, better. I didn't even need concealer with it. Normally when I don't have huge zits on my face, I use this where I'm most red: inner cheeks, around my nose, and between my eyes. And while it may look funky with the greenish tint, you totally don't see it after you put foundation on. This doesn't make me oily, hasn't broke me out, and just works great. It's only about $11 (significantly less than the Smashbox version) and is seriously an obsession for me currently. Because of it, I don't need as much foundation or powder on my face (because usually I'm just trying to counter my redness).

8. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush

I also picked this up on a whim at Walgreen's a couple weeks ago and my life has been forever changed. See, previously I've only used Suave's Dry Shampoo, which wasn't life altering to me honestly. But this...it's life altering. I sprayed some on my bangs on second day hair and it looked like I just washed them. I was a tad worried about the scent Blush, but I honestly don't smell anything, which is good. If anything, it just smells clean and fresh. Not like you are trying to cover up dirty hair with perfume. I bought the little sample, but I know for sure that I'll buy the full size as soon as I use this up. 

9. Redken Smooth Down Shampoo and Conditioner

These are also revisited products. I originally stopped using them because my hair had a lot of static and needed heavy products to weigh it down (Hello Hydration from Herbal Essence). Well since now I'm sick of my hair feeling weighed down, I switched back and love this! My hair was so soft after using it! I couldn't believe it. Sadly, Redken has since changed their packaging of this and maybe even the formula because now it's geared toward smoothly overly processed hair. But I love this stuff. 

10. Macadamia Deep Repair Hair Masque 

If you follow my blog regularly, you'll know I finally broke down and bought the sample of this from Ulta. I've used it now three or four times this month and have really enjoyed it. Is my hair completely different? Not really. I don't noticed a night and day difference by any means honestly. I may not be putting enough in my hair (since I'm conserving the sample size). But my hair looks healthy and happy, so I'm going to use my my samples and then decide if I'll splurge on the big guy version of this.

I do want to add that there's a couple of favorite things I forgot to put! Oh no!

Anyway,  I've been loving my Market Peach Wallflower from Bath and Body Works. 

Like I've said before, Market Peach was one that I didn't actually like. I got the free candle at some event they had a couple of months ago and was just like.."Ehhh." Well, I'm in love now. Maybe because I think it's more of a summer scent than a spring? That could be it. 

Also loved the Simple Eye Makeup Removing Pads. They are fantastic and look for a future post about them!

That's all! Hope you have a great day!

A Little Bit of Everything Haul

Hi guys!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Last week I went a tad crazy and bought a ton of stuff that I’d been eyeing for a while now. I guess that means that this week I have to take it easy, but I’m super excited about the things that I picked up!

The first place that I went to was Walgreens.

I went there pretty much in search of the Milani blushes and the eyebrow kit. And Great Lash's clear mascara. And I walked out with the Batiste Dry Shampoo in the Blush scent. Unfortunately, the brow kit was a bust. The colors are just too light for my brows (even the darker color which I thought would be waaay too dark just sticks out like a sore thumb on my face). However, the other three all work really well. The plus is pigmented and the perfect glowing color. It's not nearly as peachy/pinky as I thought it would be. The clear mascara is just awesome in helping my brows cooperate. And the dry shampoo is AMAZING. I am definitely buying the full size eventually.

 

 

Then I went to Bath and Body Works, which is always my complete downfall. I was there to buy a gift and wound up getting a few extras for me. I bought 4 Wallflower bulbs because I've come to love Market Peach, so I definitely wanted to pick that up. It smells so strong and amazing! Then I got the Limoncello from the new Italy collection. I haven't tried to the Wallflowers yet, but the candle is pretty much my new favorite thing ever.

If you guys saw my What I'm Loving Wednesday post, you saw that I posted this bag from Lizard Thicket.

Well, I bought this amazing chevron tank from there. I can't tell you how much I love this top. I got so compliments on it and it's seriously the most adorable thing I've ever seen. Plus it shipped so fast, came wrapped up in this cute reusable bag, and was exactly what I thought it'd be! I totally recommend this boutique!

Another thing I'd been eyeing constantly was this little mist from Victoria's Secret Pink in Sweet and Flirty. This smells so good! It's sweet and fruity and just perfect for spring and summer! I seriously can't get enough of this amazing scent!

 

Another thing that I’d been dying to get my hands on was the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. Now, this kind of comes as a surprise because for the longest time I thought this palette would be a total waste of money. I mean, there’s nothing really unique about it. And it’s $27, which is kinda steep. However, I’ve seen some really nice Youtube tutorials using this, and I had enough Ulta rewards points to knock off about $8, which really told me that I should get it. Plus Ulta was running a special where if you purchased $30 worth of Urban Decay stuff you got a sample size of the All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (honestly, I have no clue why she gave it to me, but I got it, so I’m super happy). So far I’m in love with this palette by the way!

Going back into clothes...

 

I picked up this tank at a little local boutqiue and instantly fell in complete love with it. First of all, the tag as an adorable bow on it. Second, it's a kind of minty color that is so popular right now that I'm completely obsessed with. And it has lace. It is so incredibly pretty I can't stand it.

Continuing with the whole clothes trend, I ordered these bow tanks from Forever 21. Now, I'm not a huge fan of Forever 21. In fact, these are the only things I've ever purchased from there. And both have little things wrong with the. The sizes are always completely weird I've found. But I'm determined to make them work because they are both so cute!

The top shirt is a plain white tank with the most adorable bow on it. Althought he picture doesn't show it, it has little black rhinestones that make it sparkly too. I love it so much, but the hi-low hem line isn't my favorite because the low back is waaay too low for little 4 foot 11 me. It's actually pretty bad. But I'll figure something out.

 

Likewise, this tank has tiny little black bowties all on it. The interesting thing is that these bows are actually velveteen. This is cute as well, but it is completely sheer and a little bigger than I thought it would be. But once agian, I love the bows and I'll find a way to make them work. 

Finally, the last two things I picked up are from American Eagle, which has been really impressing me lately. They have had such adorable tops, dresses, scarves, and pretty much everything you can imagine. 

The reason why I went there was for this super cute tank top. I fell in love with it online with the metallic arrow design, the flowy fit, and the zipper detail on the back. Making it even better, I had a 20% coupon I got in email, so I knew it was meant to be.

 

Here's a closer look at the adorable design. I just love it so much!

 

 And because everything in the store was buy one get one half off, I decided to get another one in a different color. For somer reason this one looks really orange, but it is more coral in person. It too had the zipper in the back. And in the end, I got this shirt for pretty much $5 after the sale and coupon. Not bad.

So that pretty much sums up the entire haul. It had a lot of clothes in it, which is exciting since it's finally warming up around here.

Have you been shopping recently?

 

  

So I Need a Little Bit of Help...

With my bedding choices.

If you know me, I’m incredibly indecisive. Especially when it comes to bedding. And even more so when it comes to finally deciding if I’m going to have bedding that has red in it or yellow (for reasons that would take too long to explain, I’m not a fan of red and yellow together…it instantly makes me think of McDonald’s).

So I need some help.

You know how I was planning on doing the chevron duvet in black and white from Urban Outfitters with pops of red?

Urban Outfitters

 

Well, then I saw this comforter (at Walmart of all places), and was instantly drawn to it. The cool thing about this on (besides being about $150 cheaper), is that I could still use a black and white chevron in throw pillow and other details around the room).

 

Which would you pick?