December Beauty Favorites 2013

Ola beauty lovers. I just can not believe it is the end of 2013 already. My has the time gone by quick. I remember just starting out this blog in May and thought we have plenty of time till the end of the year.
But that time has crept up on us fast. Today I am going to talk about my monthly favorites. Now a lot of you may ask "What about your yearly favorites?" since we are at the end of the year, and I plan on doing a yearly favorites next week some time, I just need a minute to get together my favorites of the year. So today will be my monthly favorites. I don't know about you all but I just love these types of posts or videos because they tell me what that person enjoys using daily to monthly. Let's just jump right in.

1. California Mango Nail Cuticle Oil
- Every winter my cuticles get to the point where I am afraid to leave my house looking like a crusty handed girl. No lie, so every time I give myself a manicure (every 3 days or so) I drench my nails and cuticles with this oil to ensure the moisture is put back into my nails and cuticles to prevent cracking, peeling, splits, breakage and all that jazz you ladies know about when it comes to natural nails. I have a refillable mango cuticle bottle to put in this little jar so this is my go to cuticle oil. Very affordable at Sally's. You can really use any cuticle oil you have at your finger tips, and if you don't want to go out and buy it, then just stick some olive oil in a little reusable cuticle bottle and use it that way. Very cheap and at your finger tips :) Love you girls!

2. Mango Vera Hand & Body Lotion: Professional size
- Again every winter my skin just gets so dry that I get dry rashes because my skin gets overly dry. So this huge bottle of body lotion has been my go to for months, but especially this month since this month is when it got really cold in Canada. This lotion smells like mango with a hint of Aloe Vera. Very affordable under $10 at Sally's and lasts a long time. I have had this bottle for about a year and use it every day. Doesn't leave your skin greasy and that is why I enjoy it so much!

3. L'Oreal Youth Code Eye cream
- Got this eye cream months back at Wal-Mart for under $10 and it has lasted me so long, I am trying to finish it, I enjoy it a lot as a drug store under eye cream. Doesn't leave your skin greasy, and works great when you apply it before your makeup/concealer. I have dry under eyes so this stuff helps out with moisturizing.

4. Lancome Multi Vital Face Cream (Deluxe Sample size)
- I have so many face creams to get through, and so far out of the ones I have tried, I really enjoy this Lancome one. The amount of moisture built into this cream is phenomenal. This has SPF 30 which is an added bonus, and when I apply it before my foundation, it applies smoothly and doesn't leave behind any greasiness. Love this cream this winter. I can imagine the regular tub is expensive so I will hold off buying it until I finish the rest of my creams. #Beautyloverproblems

5. Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy Perfume
- Been a fan of Britney Spears since I was 9. Don't judge lol anyways, loved her perfumes as well. Midnight Fantasy is a great perfume for those who do not like the strong scents out there. This perfume you can spray on a few times and the strength will not increase from when you apply only one spray. Very subtle and smells soft. This perfume has been my go to all month long, I have been enjoying it. You can get these perfumes at your drug store.

6. Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Bad to the Bronze"
- These are great alternatives to the MAC paint pots in you don't want to go spend a lot of money on the MAC paint pots. I have a few colors in my collection but this month I have been using the Bad to the Bronze shade. Love this color for all over the eye lid by it self with nothing else. Simple and classic especially for those days you are rushing out the door. These color tattoo's go for $7-$9 depending on where you get them. Love these baby's. Word on the street is that there are limited edition ones that are matte and are the same color as your skin tones but I haven't been able to find them. But nonetheless these are great.

7. Sigma Eyeshadow Base in "Persuade"
- Another lazy route I have been going is applying a shadow base and some liner with mascara and out the door I go. When I do that I have been going to my Sigma shadow base in Persuade. Love this pink flesh tone. It just makes your look so much more crisp and simple. Love it. I think these bases go for around $10 give or take a few bucks. The staying power of this base is long lasting and keeps the look fresh throughout the day. Love it. This is also another dupe for Macs Painterly paint pot.

8. Clinique Intense Chubby Stick Lip Balms
- Now these balms I have done a more detail review a few weeks ago. But I just love, love, love these sticks. They are so pigmented, moisturizing, and they don't chap my lips like matte lipsticks do in the dead cold of winter. Love these, I now have six shades, I got a few from Christmas :)

9. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette
- For those days when I use shadows, my go to palette this month has been the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. I received it in the mail at the end of November and I did not put it down once this month. I also did a more detailed review on this palette, so go check out my previous posts! Anyway, love this palette, love the rose gold theme, and I love how its a more subtle palette that I can work with for work on an everyday basis.

10. Clarisonic Mia
- I have had this baby for two months now and I have been using religiously since it arrived. Love this thing to exfoliate and polish my skin. The amount of dirt it removes that I didn't see it before is mouth dropping. I don't know what I would do without this baby now. It is expensive, but it is so worth it in the long run. I have the Clarisonic Diaries posts to tell you my journey with this baby but I must warn you, it is a love hate relationship. Go check out my posts and you will see why!
http://macgirl25.blogspot.ca/2013/12/clarisonic-diaries-dec-6th-2013.html
http://macgirl25.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-clarisonic-diaries-nov-23-2013.html
http://macgirl25.blogspot.ca/search?q=clarisonic+diaries 

11. TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Protection
- This is one of the most well known products over YouTube. This is my heat protect-ant I use every time I flatiron my hair. Love this stuff. Doesn't leave your hair greasy. Keeps your hair soft and silky and is VERY affordable, about $5. Love this stuff so much that I have a back up of it. Yup I am not ashamed.

12. Biosilk Silk Therapy Serum (Sample Size)
- Got this as a sample at the Toronto Hair Show and I have been using it since March and its been lasting me ages. Love it! It makes my hair feel so silky and soft after I blow dry it. It makes me want to caress my hair all day. I definitely notice a difference when I don't use it and that should tell you something! I am not sure what a regular size bottle would cost, but if you can get your hands on the sample size it should last you a while. Love it, been using it all month long.

Well ladies and gents, that is all of my favorites for this month. Hope you enjoyed, and I wish all of my fellow readers a Happy and Safe New Years! Don't forget, if you are drinking, DON'T DRIVE!

P.s. Don't  forget to check out my YouTube Channel: MacGril25Antonietta

Until next time beauty lovers <3
MacGirl25

Update Makeout 2014

Ola Beauty Lovers! OK so back in September I posted a exercise I am going to follow for the new year. Makeout 2014 is going to be the ultimate tester for me. I have so many beauty products that I do not need anymore. So this coming year I am giving myself a budget of only 20 items to splurge on. Only those 20 spots are what I am allowed to purchase makeup through the entire year. I need to be very careful on what I use those 20 items on, because once they are done, there if no going back until 2015.

I was going to start this exercise in September 2013 but who am I kidding? I knew Christmas would come and I would splurge with the Christmas Money I would get from the few but dear family that still think of me during this time of year. So that is why this exercise is going to begin on the 1st of January 2014.

Below are the update rules: my witness of this journey is going to be my lovely girlfriend of over 10+ years, Miss Vanessa. She will be sigining my witness section and ensure that I follow this exercise to a T.

Wish me luck!

Until next time beauty lovers!
MacGirl25 <3

Happy Holidays!

Make Out 2014
I will allow myself 20 makeup purchases for the year 2014. This includes: all color cosmetics, eye shadow/pigments, palettes,  blush, bronzer, highlighters, lipstick, lip liner, eyeliner, eye primers, foundation, powder, mascara, color nail polish, and repurchases of any items I finish. 

January 1^st, 2014- December 31^st, 2014

1.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
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20.

*Excluding: nail polish remover, topcoat, base coat, back 2 MAC, hair care (including hair dye, conditioner, shampoo, hair masks), skin care (face washes, body and face creams, serums, exfoliates and natural skincare ingredients (natural oils, clays, toners, etc), toothpaste/toothbrushes and redemptions of my Shoppers Optimum points.

 

 

 

X_________________________________________________________

                              Signature                                         Date

 

 

Witness Signature below:

 

X_________________________________________________________

                              Signature                                         Date

The hard part is maintaining not over purchasing, discipline is necessary to maintain a more suitable savings account.  Make Out 2014 is boot camp for me, a yearlong training period to retrain my mind, strengthen my weaknesses and give my lifestyle a makeover.
This is a test I must pass.

 

 

 

December Beauty Empties 2013

It is that time of the month where I show you what is in my garbage bin other wise know as my December beauty empties. This month I have a bit if stuff since I didn't do a mid December empties. So let's just jump in and take it from there. 

1. Delon cotton rounds

- if you read my blog you have seen me bring these up time and time again. Love these cotton rounds and I purchase them at Costco for a big pack for $10. Will always re purchase these.

2. Preven's Paris facial makeup wipes 

- I bought these at winners in bulk three packs for $7. Never tried them before but I figured for the price can't go wrong. Well was I half wrong. They take off makeup with no issues, the clothes are moist. However the smell of these cloths are horrendous. I had already finished two packages so I will finish the third one and never purchase these again. When something doesn't smell right to me it just throws me right off and I don't enjoy using the product any more. Definitely not a re purchase for me. 

3. Balea face masks

- love these masks. I use them all the time, very affordable at your local drug store. Definitely a re purchase and if you read my blog you know I have used these frequent in the past. 

4. Proclaim intensive hair mask with keratin

- tested out this hair mask and it was nice. I enjoyed it, if it didn't have keratin in it I would use it everyday as a regular conditioner but since it has keratin then you need to be careful that you don't over deposit keratin in your hair because that can cause breakage. Too much keratin causes your hair to become weighed down. Therefore causing breakage on your hair shaft. Don't believe me go look it up.

5. MJ face masks

- I have also used these masks in the past. Love these as much as the Balea brand. Affordable and easy at home process . Can't go wrong for those who are on a budget but still want to pamper themselves. They come in different scents and types for different skin typed or needs. Always a re purchase.

6. Biore pore strips

- I used these strips occasionally to remove and tough black heads that my clarisonic wasn't able to remove. A pack of 8 lasts me a few months because I don't use these often. They are a bit pricey around $11 for a pack of 8. Even though they are pricey a pack of 8 are expensive the do last a few months for me. 

7. Elf brush shampoo 

- this is a great alternative to your makeup brush cleansing routine. It's cheap, around $3 and a little goes a long way. Making it last longer. I don't have a local elf counter near me, so I won't be repurchasing this anytime soon. But if it pops up at my local TJ max store then I will be picking it up.if you have elf access locally go check out this brush shampoo. I love how it cleansed and conditions the brushes in one step.

8. Neo strata micelles cleanser (sample size)

- I had another sample size if this last month and loved it. I still enjoy it to cleanse off makeup but full size is a bit pricey $30-$40. So unless I get a gift certificate or more samples I don't think I will be purchasing this product in full size. Good product though. Loved it while it lasted.

9. Enjoy professionals luxury shampoo and conditioner 

- got these sample sizes if shampoo and conditioner from a long time girlfriend of mine. She is a purchase rep at a chain of hair salons and spas. She sent me some goodies to try and review and I am on the fence with these babies. The shampoo claims to be sulfate free however on the back ingredients it does advertise that there are sodium sulfinate products in the shampoo which doesn't make it completely sulfate free. The shampoo didn't do much and I find that it didn't leave my hair clean at all. The conditioner on the other hand I love! The conditioner is so packed with moisture that when you apply it to the ends it makes your hair feel rejuvenated back to life. Both products smell like coconuts but I prefer the conditioner over the shampoo. These products you can get at your beauty supply or your hair salon depending on which hair salon carries the brand.

10. Seche vite nail top coat

- love this top coat. Fast drying, and gives a glossy finish. The only down fall is that this top coat dries out quick. By the time it gets three quarters empty the product is gooey and hard to apply which causes bubbles. So then it's a throw out product by then but still worth the first three quarter full.

11. St.Ives fresh skin apricot scrub

- love this face scrub. My ultimate favourite scrub from the drug store. It doesn't break me out, keeps my skin hydrated and gets rid off all the unwanted dead skin especially in the colder months. Very affordable you can't go wrong. 

12. Urban Decay Naked Skin BB cream

- I did a full review on this baby a few month ago, go check it out. I love this BB cream, it blurs imperfections and adjusts to your skin tone. It is on the high end side but so worth it. Will repurchase once I try a few more BB creams to report to you all :) 

13. Smash box photo finish foundation primer (sample)

- loved this sample works just as good as the famous Benifit porefessional. I will be picking this up in full size for sure once I finish some of my other primers. It is a high end primer so it lands in the $50 range in case you want to try it, I suggest you grab a sample first before you make that big of a commitment.

14. Michael Todd samples

-  I tried the hydration boost serum and citruct cream from the Michael Todd line and I really enjoyed them. The serum was a bit greasy at first but nice my skin soaked it in my face felt amazing. The citric cream was a good face cream for the morning. Loved both, and will consider buying the full size in the future when I need a face cream. I am trying to worth through a few other creams before then.

15. Nivea pure and natural mint and minerals lip balm

- this has been in my favourites plenty of times this last couple months. Loved this balm at night time, it is very hydrating and light at the same time. Repurchased already :) 

16. Bath & Body Works candles

- yes these candles are pricey and that's why I get them when they are two for $20. Love the fall scents and I can't wait for the summer scents to come out! These candles are always a repurchase for me as they set a more relaxing mood in my room. 

That is it for my December empties. I hope you enjoyed.

Have a safe and happy holiday everyone, thank you all for following my blog. It means so much to me that you all have the same interests as I do!

Until next times beauty lovers

MacGirl25❤️

Olay Fresh Effects System Review

Ola beauty lovers, I wanted to let you all know my thoughts on the Olay Fresh Effects cleansing system that I have seen out in stores for a while now. I hope you all are ready for the holidays, I know I am. I plan on doing some more blog posts and a couple videos as well so keep an eye out over the next few days.

Anyways, I passed this fresh effects system in the store plenty of times and I was curious to see how great it was. The set comes with the shine minimizer cleanser, a battery operated brush to "exfoliate" which the bristles are made of a thick rubber, and a large size of the exfoliating cleanser. All this was around $17.99 on sale! Retail regular price was around $24.99. A little bit pricey for my liking.

So I tried out the shine minimizer cleanser, and it spooked me out a bit at first because when you squeeze it out of the tube it looks silver grey. I was so afraid to put that on my face. Now if it was a gold then I would have no issues placing it on my face, who would? :)

I did apply it to the brush gadget that it came with and used it with the brush but I was not too thrilled of the brush it comes with. I don't feel like its cleansing my skin at all, it feels as if the brush is just moving around the cleanser without lifting the dirt out of your pores.

Now I know comparing that brush to the Clarisonic is a no brainer. Clarisonic wins hands down. However, this little set would be perfect for those tween and teenagers who don't want to spend the extra money or can't afford to spend the money on a Clarisonic. As for mature skin, this cleanser brush does not cut it.

As for the actual pore cleanser it self, it is fairly decent. I must say using the pore minimizer without the rubber brush gadget was pleasant, or even using the cleanser with your Clarisonic is great too.

The exfoliating cleanser on the other hand was a disappointment. When I see "exfoliate" in the name of a product/cleanser, I would expect that means there are decent exfoliating beads in the cleanser to exfoliate the skin. My favorite face exfoliate is the St.Ives Apricot scrub. The exfoliation in that cleanser is amazing and affordable. This "exfoliating" cleanser however wasn't exfoliating at all. The cleanser is a creamy consistency with no exfoliating beads or scrubs ingredients that I could feel when I apply it to my face. Basically it just felt like a normal cleanser. So as  an exfoliating cleanser it sucked, BUT as a regular cleanser it was good. Did the job to remove the dirt after I took off the majority of my make up with a wipe.

I have to say for $24.99 retail price, I think is a little steep for these products. They did not wow me any differently then an average facial cleanser. The rubber brush is useless to me, I mean you can attempt to use it on your body instead of the face but there is not much to it really. The bristles are too thick and doesn't really get into your pores to remove all the left over dirt.

Would I repurchase these items? Nope. I love better and more affordable cleansers out there that I know I will be much happier with for my mature skin. However this kit would be a great starter for a tween and teenager who is just starting out on taking care of their skin and doesn't wear as much make up.


Until next time beauty lovers! <3
MacGirl25
Happy Holidays!

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette Review

Ola beauty lovers! As all of you may know, yes Urban Decay came out with their third installment of the Naked Palette. Yes this palette is a rose gold theme. Yes this palette is $62 at Sephora. I am going to give you my quick honest opinion as always :) 

So being the makeup addict that I am, I made sure I was one of the first ladies to get this palette. Let me just say WOW. I love all the Naked palettes, but this one just has a special place in my heart because I love rose gold.

I have been wearing this palette now for two weeks since I received it and I can not stop using it. The looks you can make with this palette are very soft but sultry at the same time. A great palette for the women who work in an office environment that want to keep their makeup light and airy but still have a great eye look to their outfit.

The packaging of this palette is the same tin material from the Naked 2 palette. So it is easy to travel with and it does not make finger print marks which is a bonus. Easy to clean is what I like.

This palette comes with twelve gorgeous shadows and a double sided eye shadow brush. When you order from the Urban Decay website it also comes with a sample size of all four Urban Decay eye shadow primers.

The quality of these shadows are just like the other Naked palettes. Buttery and easy to blend. The only shadow I have an issue with is the very white shade "Strange". This one I find has a bit of chalkiness but as you blend the chalkiness goes away.

The double ended eye shadow brush is high end quality, the bristles are soft and amazing to work with these shadows. The brush does not shed so that is a bonus.

However the down fall is that there are only two matte shadows for blending, and the rest are shimmery or sparkly.

I would love to do swatches but my pictures on the swatches did not come out well. So if you want to see live swatches check out my YouTube channel MacGirl25Antonietta.

All in all I am enjoying this palette. A great addition to my collection and obsession. :) You ladies know what I am talking about.

Until next time beauty lovers <3
MacGirl25

Clarisonic Diaries Dec 6th, 2013

Ola beauty lovers. It has been almost two weeks since my last Clarisonic Diaries post. My skin was touch and go there for a bit. It will be one month on Dec 8th, that I have been using the Clarisonic on my face as part of my skin care regime.

I have to say my skin is looking a bit better then the last few weeks. I swear I honestly didn't think that my skin could produce that many break outs in one month! A lot of people did say in their reviews that your skin could possible break out bad, but not to be alarmed because that is a sign that the Clarisonic is pulling out all the impurities out of your skin. Therefore causing breakouts.

Being complete the fourth week of using this baby in a couple days, so far I am loving this tool. At first I must admit I was thinking about returning it because of all of my break outs. But I said to myself, stop being a wimp and suck it up and keep moving forward because it will be worth it in the end....funny how that also sounds like relationship advice.

My break out attacks before using the Clarisonic was all in the chin and jaw line AKA hormonal break outs. What else is new, just like every other girl out there. Women problems. It was so bad and  that's what convinced me to pick the Clarisonic up.

I have to say my chin break outs have gotten smaller then what they used to be over a week ago. As for my jaw line, those break outs are gone. Thank God! I had a few minor bumps around the sides of my face up and around my forehead, nothing too noticeable but those bumps have now diminished.

So far, so good. The process is long and requires patience but it is well worth it.

P.s. with the colder weather now, I notice my skin is a lot drier and my chin area does produce dry patches, so I have increased the number of times I exfoliate in a week because of it. Lets hope it works. I also moisturize once I finish exfoliating. That is a huge thing, always moisturize after exfoliating or else your skin will hate you.

P.s.s. I also use the Proactive Refining mask on my chin break outs as a spot treatment to break them down and hopefully make them disappear. It has been helping tons and I have included this product in my November Favorites! So make sure you go check it out.

If you haven't checked out my last Clarisonic Diaries post please check out this link below:
http://macgirl25.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-clarisonic-diaries-nov-23-2013.html

If you haven't checked out my last beauty favorites, go check it out at this link below:
http://macgirl25.blogspot.ca/2013/12/november-beauty-favorites-2013.html

Until next time beauty lovers <3
MacGirl25

Happy Holidays! Don't forget, don't drink and drive!

November Beauty Favorites 2013

Back again with my November Favorites. Some repeats but some newbies as well but this post will be a brief quick one, I know a lot of us are still trying to get things done before the holidays. I can not believe that it is December already! November used to be a long month for me. Anyways lets jump in:


1. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
- I have been reaching for this palette all month. Love the neutrals in this baby, the shadows are very easy to blend and buttery. I did a full review on this palette so if you want to go check out that review click below:
http://macgirl25.blogspot.ca/2013/10/urban-decay-naked-basics-palette-review.html

 

2. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin
- This drug store option is awesome. The formula of these are great for the winter time because they are not too creamy and not too powdery. Easy to blend and affordable. Love it.

 

3. Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Cat eye mascara in Glam Black
- Love, Love, Love this mascara. I have a review with photos of my lashes below. Go check it out if you haven't seen my review. Once you read it, then you will know why I love it.
http://macgirl25.blogspot.ca/2013/11/maybelline-colossal-volum-express.html




4. Stila Eyeshadow in Coco
- I have had this shadow for months and I love this shadow for blending in the crease. AMAZING pigmentation and blend ability. Very easy to work with and been using this all month as well. These are priced in the $20 range but they are so worth it, and you get a good amount of product.


5. Nivea Pure & Natural Mint and Minerals lip balm
- LOVE this balm. I have mentioned it a few times. Use it at night time before bed and in the morning my lips are perfection. It is a great light formula that works and it is affordable at the drug store.



6. Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner
- I have to say this is a my ultimate favorite shower body conditioner for winter time. The amount of moisture this baby gives my skin is delightful. My skin feels like it has drunk the entire lake up with how hydrated my skin feels after using this product. You wash your body then rinse, then apply this conditioner wait a minute or so then rinse and you feel like a delectable dessert. No lie go get a sample at Lush and I will say I TOLD YOU SO. This product is pricey but so worth the splurge for winter.



7. It's a 10 Miracle leave in plush Keratin
- I have mentioned this one too in a previous favorite. LOVE IT! Leaves my hair feeling soft, silky, detangles, and keeps my hair straight when I flat iron it. This product also acts as a heat protectant. Awesome stuff. I can't live without it now.



8. Macadamia Wide Tooth Comb
- This was the best $5 I spent. This wide tooth comb is great for after the shower combing through knots and prepping your hair for blow drying. Can't live without this comb either.



9. Proactiv Solutionns Refining Mask
- OK I have not enough words to tell you how much I love this mask. I get serious hormonal break outs around that time of the month...sometimes it is not that time of the month. This mask I rely on to keep those break outs at bay before they become cystic. Not pretty. Love this mask and yes I have a back up of it because this baby is almost empty.



10. Lush Lip Scrub in mint juleps
- Love this little guy for exfoliating before bed. Keeps my lushes lips hydrated and dead skin free in these cold winter month. We all know these cold winter months do not do us any justice when it comes to beauty. LOL




11. Vitafusion Multivites gummy vitamins
- Love these vitamins. Got them at Wal Mart and they are much easier to take then those honken horse pills that no one can swallow. A huge jar of 150 is about $8 :) such a bargain.



Until next time beauty lovers <3
Stay safe during this holiday season!
MacGirl25