High End Corner: Nerium AD Day & Night Creams (Review)

Hey everyone! If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw a post about a high end product I was sent to try and review. If not, I'll give you a little background info about the product and then jump right into the review. While on vacation, I met a lady who is a Nerium AD salesperson. We exchanged contact info and she gave me information, books, and brochures about the product, and I was really excited when it came in the mail two weeks ago. This is an anti-aging product that is said to tone the skin, reduce the appearance of dark marks/hyperpigmentation, smooth, and also tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The active ingredient in Nerium AD products is Nerium oleander, which is an evergreen shrub. I won't get into the specifics of it, but if you want to read more about it, here's a link: http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/nerium-oleander-oleander. These are high end products, most definitely. If you get it directly from the company, there are two packages that are sold, $500 and $1000. These packages include several bottles of the day cream, night cream, and other miscellaneous Nerium AD products. If you find them online for purchase, such as on Ebay or Amazon, the day and night creams usually come together for no less than $100. Alright, let's get right into the review!

 

I used these products for 2 weeks from the date that I received them, which ended yesterday. The first thing that I noticed was the smell. The night cream doesn't smell great AT all. It's heavy and sits on the skin, which I don't mind since it's supposed to work overnight. Once you put it on, your skin feels smoother instantly, and I absolutely loved that. The day cream feels light and has a pretty pleasant scent. Within the first few days, I noticed improved smoothness in my skin...which was awesome! However, a few days later, I began to get really deep and painful cystic pimples. I used to get these years ago, but I had gotten them under control for the most part. These cystic pimples, once they went down, actually left additional scarring on my skin. Looking at the before and after pictures, you can see some additional scarring, as well as the pimples that it caused. In my opinion, my skin didn't improve at all aside from feeling smoother. I personally wouldn't recommend trying this expensive, high end product out. Everything doesn't work for everybody, and this definitely didn't work for me. I give it a 4/10.

Ok everyone, I hope you enjoyed this review! If you do decide that you're still interested in trying out these products, let me know and I'll put you in contact with the lovely lady who gave me the opportunity to try them, as well as send you some additional info about them. If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Blemish Control and Concealing! (Review)

Hi all! Sorry for the hiatus, I've had some personal tragedies and haven't wanted to post much. I may address it in another non-beauty related blog post. That being said, I'm back to review three new products I've been testing out, one facial wash, one moisturizer, and one foundation! Those of us with acne prone skin know that with acne, especially cystic acne like I experience from time to time, comes blemishes and hyperpigmentation...annoying right? Well, I've been trying products to help control and minimize the appearance of my acne scars, and so far I love them, so I decided to come share! I won't ramble on. Here's the review of each product. Enjoy!

1. Neutrogena Visibly Even Foaming Cleanser (Target, $5.89) - This is a new product from Neutrogena. I hadn't heard anything about it so I decided to be a guinea pig and try it out. I absolutely love this product. I've been using it for about 2 1/2 weeks, and my dark spots have lightened up significantly. My skin tone is also more even overall. It smells fresh and clean, cleans makeup off well, and has even helped to cut down on new breakouts because of the deep clean it gives. The only thing I dislike is how it burns the eyes a bit. 9/10

2. Ambi Even & Clear Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30 (Target, $11.29) - I was hesitant to get this, because I hate buying products that cost more than $10 lol, but I have not been disappointed. This moisturizer is lightweight and non-greasy, a common problem with moisturizers with SPF, and doesn't have much of a smell, perfect for people with sensitive noses. In addition, it has prevented my hyperpigmentation from darkening, unlike the SPF 15 moisturizer that I was using previously for daytime. The price is my only gripe. 8/10

3. Revlon 24 Hour Colorstay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin (Target, $9.99) - I've had my eye on Revlon Colorstay for quite some time, and I finally decided to take the plunge and try it out. This foundation applies and blends beautifully, whether you're using a sponge, brush, or even your fingertips. It dries fast, but gives ample time for blending. And yes, it really does last 24 hours and beyond! After accidentally falling asleep in it a few times (and it didn't break me out either) and awakening, the foundation was still in place and looked great! It also doesn't rub off or transfer easily, so don't be afraid to hug a friend :). I do, however, recommend using a toner or astringent (depending on your skin's needs) after washing this off, just to get it all off. It can be a bit stubborn once it settles onto skin. Also, I don't have to use a concealer with this! The coverage is opaque without being caky. The wide range of colors is also a huge bonus! 9/10


Hope this review helps, especially for those of you with hyperpigmentation and acne scarring like me. If you try any of them out, please let me know how you like them! Your opinions and feedback on the items I post and talk about here are always welcome! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Summer Favorites: Lipstick & Nail Polish Under $10 Each (Review & Swatches)

Hey all! Happy June and welcome to the month that brings summer into our presence. It's time for some fun in the sun! What's fun in the sun without a few splashes of color? I love to play around with different lipsticks and bright nail polishes in the summer time, and I'm back with a review/showing of my favorite lipstick and nail polish colors for summer! I hope you all will enjoy this. If you pick up any of the colors, let me know how you like them!

Lipsticks

1. Wet n Wild 905D, "Smokin' Hot Pink" (CVS, $1.99)- This matte pink lipstick is a dream come true. It spreads easily, is not drying like most matte formulas, has buildable opaque coverage, and is suitable for all day wear. It's suitable for most skin tones, however, I would recommend wearing it with a plum or wine colored liner for darker skin tones. The price makes it even more amazing! 10/10

2. Milani 19, "Raspberry Rush" (CVS, $5.99)- I love this raspberry colored lipstick. It has a semi-matte finish, a slight bluish undertone, and light pink sparkles. It's also opaque with buildable coverage and smells wonderfully fruity, like all Milani lipsticks. The only complaint that I have is that it stains, but most good lipsticks stain a bit. 9/10

3. Wet n Wild 908C, "Sugar Plum Fairy" (CVS, $1.99) - This light wine colored lipstick is suitable for any time of year, but it's my favorite wine shade for summer time when I prefer a bit of a darker lip as opposed to the coral and pink shades I usually wear. The lipstick has a medium shine finish and stands pretty well to food and drink throughout the day, but it can tend rub off a bit. 8/10

4. Revlon 750, "Kiss Me Coral" (Walgreens, $7.29) - This has been one of my favorites for a few years! It's a pretty orange/coral shade that is suitable for ALL shades from the palest shades of ivory to the darkest shades of ebony. I would also recommend those with darker skin tones wearing this with a plum or brown lip liner. It has a medium shine finish and is long lasting, but doesn't stand up that well to foods. You will have to reapply this or wear a liner the same color underneath it. 7/10

5. Ruby Kisses, RLS05 "Burgundy" (K's Beauty Supply, $1.00) - This shade of coraly red is perfect for my skin tone and I enjoy wearing it! The color is opaque with buildable coverage. I wear a red lipliner underneath it to make it last all day long, but usually I do reapply at least once during the day. This is another color that I feel is suitable for all skin tones. The price is great as well, especially for those who want to give red a try but don't want to dive head first into the Ruby Woo (MAC) type of shades. 7.5/10

Nail Polishes

1. OPI NL I42, "Elephantastic Pink" (Gift, priced at approx. $8.75) - I got this for Christmas year before last and have not been able to find it anywhere since! It's likely that to find it you may have to order it online. This is my favorite shade of pink for spring and summer, hands down and it doesn't chip easily either. It's especially gorgeous on darker skin tones. 10/10

2. L.A. Colors NP427, "Summertime" (Family Dollar, $1.50) - As the name implies, this is a soft and pretty shade of pink that reminds me of the summer and fun in the sun. It's pretty opaque, but I would suggest wearing a base and top coat to prevent it from chipping. 8.5/10

3. OPI NL N25, "Big Apple Red" (Walmart, $8.75) - Perfect shade of summer red, doesn't chip easily, opaque, and yummy looking. Enough said! 10/10

4. Sally Hansen 530, "Please Sea Me" (Walmart, $6.48) - I absolutely love this shade of blue. I bought it last week and have been wearing it on my toes and nails for the past few weeks. It's opaque, doesn't chip easily, and is perfect for a fun beachy nail look! My only complaint is that it stains a bit. 9/10

5. Ruby Kisses RNP126, "Techno Purple" (K's Beauty Supply, $1.00) - This color is so gorgeous and vibrant. I love to use it on my toenails the most, but it also looks pretty great on fingernails. I must say, the smell is completely horrible. It smells like a mix of plastic and nail polish, to be quite honest. However, it dries pretty quickly and the smell doesn't linger for very long. 7/10

6. Sinful Colors 1123, "Citrine" - (Walmart, $2.98) This vibrant orange is new to my collection and has gained a spot in my favorites in the last 3 weeks. My other orange nail polish "Passion Orange" from Petites dried out and I wanted to find something new and discovered this shade. I love the formula and the color is very opaque. Perfect summer orange! It does stain a bit, however, and the stain takes a few days to fade. A base coat should keep that at bay. 9/10

7. Salon Perfect 112, "Dandelion Delight" (Walmart, $2.98) - I found this color while on the hunt for OPI's "I Can't Copacabana" (which I STILL haven't found lol), and I thought it would make a pretty good dupe until I find it. This is the first yellow nail polish I've ever bought or worn, and I can't believe I haven't done so sooner! It's opaque, super soft and pretty, not too golden, not too lemony, and it's just right for my skin tone. My only complaint is that this polish chips too easily in my opinion, but a good base and top coat can prevent some of that. 8/10

Hope you all enjoyed this! If you purchase any of these items please let me know if you love them or if they weren't exactly your cup of tea. I welcome your opinions and feedback on the items I post and talk about here! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Clothing Haul!

Hey all! It has been a while since I've posted, but I'm back with a budget haul that I think you'll enjoy! Over the past month, I've been getting rid of a lot of clothes and have had to buy pieces to replace them. I bought quite a few things on a budget, and I wanted to come share them with you guys! The only things that will be difficult to find, if you're interested in purchasing, are the thrift store items, but everything else is in the stores NOW if you want to go pick it up for yourself or a friend! Enjoy ;)

1. Catch Cream Floral Peplum Top (Burlington Coat Factory) $14.99

When I saw this top I couldn't resist! I love the lace detail in the center as well as the fun, coral flowers printed on the top. The gold chain is a cute little additional detail!

2. Rockwood Street Black Peplum (Citi Trends) $10.99

I actually saw this top before the cream one, and I love the cut of the peplum section on it. It adds something a little fun. The sheer strip in the middle is also super cute! It's sexy, but tasteful and not overly revealing.

3. Julie's Closet Leopard Top with Gold Studs (ROSS) $10.99

My leopard print obsession continues! I love the little gold studs on the top and it fits snugly, but not too tightly. The material is very comfortable and good for summer since it's not hot.

4. Double Take Black and Sheer Blouse with Butterfly Print (ROSS) $9.99

I mentally debated for about 15 minutes about whether or not I like this blouse, and eventually decided that I did. Once I tried it on, I fell in love with the loose, comfortable fit that it has without looking baggy or making me look bigger. I love the butterfly print as well.

5. Ava James Hot Pink and Navy Sheer Blouse (Burlington Coat Factory)  $12.98

This blouse was a no-brainer to buy. I love the color combination, sleeves, and the gold buttons and detailing. It feels comfortable to wear and the sheer material is very breathable.

6. Indulge Leopard Print Shift Dress with Gold Details (ROSS) $12.99

I'm in love with this dress! I've worn it 3 times and I love it a little more each time I wear it. It's shorter in the front, right in line with the current trends, and is flattering on my shape without looking too tight.

7. Pinc Black Peplum Dress with Lace Sleeves (ROSS) $12.99

This was actually the dress I got for my birthday! I love a good peplum dress, and I prefer black dresses to any other color, so no surprise here! This is my favorite dress at the moment, hands down.

8. Bobbie Brooks Purple & Lavender Maxi Dress (Thrift Mart) $4.98

I already own too many maxis, but come on $4.98? Who would pass that up! Fits like a glove, love it.

9. Bobbie Brooks Black & White Maxi Dress (Thrift Mart) $4.98

This is my first mainly black maxi dress, and I love it. It's a size larger than the purple one, so incidentally the fit looks a little different, but I can't complain. Love it!

10. D. Jeans Skinny Jeans (Burlington Coat Factory) $19.99

This is the most expensive item out of the bunch, but I'm not surprised since a good pair of jeans will require a bit more money spent. I've needed a new pair of jeans for quite some time, and I didn't want to spend $20 on these...but after trying them on I knew I had to get them. They fit my curves (or lack thereof lol) perfectly and are SUPER comfortable, which is one of the top 3 things I look for in my jeans. Well worth the $20!

Hope you guys enjoyed this haul. I'm going to be doing reviews on new beauty products in the near future! If you find any of the items and like them, let me know how they work out for you! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Shaving on a Budget!

Hey all! We're in the midst of spring, and summer is about two months away! As the days get hotter, less clothing and more skin showing will be the standard! With that said, shaving is a very important part of this season. There are TONS of shaving products out. You can't go a day without seeing a commercial for some new "amazing" shaving product. However, the basics are the same all around. Most people want the closest shave possible without constantly having to buy expensive products to do so. I have a few tips for shaving and buying shaving products that will get the job done! I'll also post a few of the products I currently love to use below. 

1. Anything with less than two blades isn't going to do you much good. Look for razors with at least two blades. The more the better!

2. Use a shave gel or foam. Some people like to try and be cheap by using shower gel or soap, but you'll wind up with razor burn and/or irritation and wish that you'd spent $2 for a shaving cream instead! Try ones that are unscented and formulated for sensitive skin, in case you have any skin allergies or are prone to skin irritation.

3. Don't use regular shaving cream on private areas. Use a shaving gel specifically formulated for that area. This will help avoid skin irritation. Irritation in an area you can't scratch or easily get to will NOT be pleasant.

My favorite two shave gels are Equate (Walmart generic brand) Shave Gel for Sensitive Skin and Family Dollar Baby Soft Shave Gel. Both of them have Vitamin E and are specially formulated for sensitive skin. They're also lightly scented. They're also both under $2!

For the bikini area, I love to use Bikini Zone Anti-Bump Shave Gel. It smells great, glides on smoothly, and gets the job done! It's $3.42 at Walmart.

For razors, you can pretty much use anything as long as it has 2 or more blades, but at the moment, BIC Silky Touch (10 Pack, $2.96 Walmart) and Family Dollar TwinBlade Plus (5 Pack, $2.00) are my top 2 at the moment. 

 



















If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Nude/Neutral Lipsticks for Brown & Dark Skinned Women (All Under $5!)

Hey all! So I just wanted to show my 4 favorite neutral/nude lipsticks for brown and dark skinned women. Nude and neutral colors can be worn any time of year and never go out of style. Although this post is more geared toward darker skinned women, these colors also look great on fair skinned women if you're looking for soft tan or brown (depending on your complexion), bold, but natural looking shades! 

1. Nicka K (NK) Cosmetics, Natural #934, $1 (K's Beauty Supply Store)

This is a cool toned, gorgeous and moisturizing color infused with Vitamin E for softer, more moisturized lips! I would suggest a plum colored lip liner with this one to make the transition seamless. The finish is shiny, but not overly glossy or oily looking.

2. Wet n Wild MegaShield SPF 15 Lip Color, Ring Around the Rosy #365S, $3 (Walgreens)

This lipstick has a high shine finish, is very moisturizing, and has SPF 15 to protect your lips from the sun's rays. It's warm toned, so it's perfect for people like me with reddish undertones. I would suggest a plum or brown liner with this one, or feathering it gently at the edges of your lips for a smooth transition.

3. NYC New York Color Ultra Last Lipwear, Plum Rum #410 $3 (Family Dollar)

This shade is the darkest of the bunch and is my favorite for really deep, dark chocolate skin tones. It's great for all day wear and has a medium shine finish. I personally never wear liner with this one, it's just perfect!

4. Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color, Bare It All #902C, $1.20 (CVS)

This shade is the lightest out of them all, and the only one with a matte finish. I absolutely LOVE to wear this with a heavy smoky eye for a night out on the town. It doesn't smear and holds up well to food, drinks, and even kisses ;). I don't wear this without lip liner because of how light it is, but with liner it's the perfect matte nude for me!

That's all folks! If you get any of these colors and like them, or even if you hate them, let me know your thoughts! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Controlling Oily Skin

Hey all! Happy Spring! The weather is getting warmer (in most places) and the sun is showing its face a little more. If you're like me, the changing of the seasons has an impact on your body. One of my personal struggles with spring and summer is oily skin! I have oily skin year-round; however, warmer months prove to be even more of a challenge. Below, I'll share a few tips that can be used to help combat oily skin, any time that you experience it!

1. Moisturize you skin! Yes, I did say moisturize. You may think that using a moisturizer will make your oily skin worse; however, the opposite is true. If you don't moisturize properly, EVERY time after washing your face, you will dry out your skin. This may cause premature aging OR cause your skin to produce even more oil. I learned this lesson the hard way. It's also important to choose a moisturizer with SPF for daytime wear. Usually, oily skin is also acne prone. This will help prevent any hyperpigmentation/acne scarring from worsening.

2. Use products that specifically cater to oily skin and are oil-free. Every product you use, from your facial wash to your foundation should be tailored to suit the needs of your skin. Key terms to look for are "mattifying", "oil-free", "non-greasy", "oil-absorbing", etc.

3. Use mattifying powder! When you powder your face, you may want to use a fluffy powder puff to really press the powder onto your skin, as opposed to a powder brush that will just do a light dusting and may not be as effective.

4. Get oil absorbing sheets! They're absolutely amazing and provide an easy way to pull the oil right out of your pores and off of your skin without disturbing your makeup much (if you're wearing makeup). Practically any brand will do, but I do not recommend the white, ELF brand ones. The blue oil blotting sheets work best, in my opinion.

There are some people who recommend using Milk of Magnesia as a primer, but I prefer not to recommend it directly. What I will say is do some research on it if you would like to try it out. I used it as a primer for a period of time, but I discontinued usage after my skin 'outsmarted' the product. It only worked for me for a few weeks before my skin found a way around it. If you want to try it, please do research before doing so. I've heard lots of things, some good and some bad, so I would recommend proceeding with caution if you decide to try it out. That's all folks! Hope this helped in some way. If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Foundation Application Methods and Tools

Hey all! I've been off of the scene for a while, and this is my first post for the month. Please don't be too upset lol. I'm just coming with a quick post for my foundation application methods and the tools I like to use for them. There are four basic ways to apply foundation (cream or liquid): hands, foundation brush, stippling brush, and a beauty blender sponge. My absolutely favorite two methods of application are my hands and my beauty blender. I prefer these methods probably because I use cream stick foundations most of the time, and they're easier to spread and push into the skin with your hands or a beauty blender sponge. For me personally, these two methods give the most natural look. If you use liquid foundation, you may find that a stippling brush or foundation brush will work better for you. When I do use liquid foundation (mostly in winter time), I love to use those two types of brushes. They provide even, buildable coverage. Here are my favorite foundation application tools...and guess what? They're all under $5!

1. ELF Foundation Brush, $3.00 (Walmart)

2. Soho Beauty Sponge, $4.95 (Walmart)

3. ELF Stipple Brush, $3 (Walmart) (My brush is currently MIA so I found a picture of what it looks like on Google to show.)

The keys to proper foundation application are finding methods that work best for the coverage that you want, whether it's light, medium, or full, and blending! Good makeup tools make your makeup experience great. Finding them on a budget makes it even better! I swear by these tools and methods. Good luck finding tools that work for you! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Managing Breakouts During Hormonal Fluctuation

Hey everyone! This post will be speaking specifically to my ladies, but gentlemen, feel free to share it with your sisters, friends, mothers, or the special lady in your life. Ok, now ladies, I know I'm not the only one who breaks out around the time of my cycle. Some of us break out a lot, some of us may get a pimple or two, but most of the women that I know experience some form of skin changes around the time of their monthly cycle. I'm going to give a few really quick tips that will be helpful during this time that will work for every skin type. Keep in mind, it is not always possible to completely prevent breakouts due to hormonal changes; however, you can significantly decrease the severity of the breakout or pimples by following these tips.

1. Learn when your cycle is coming. For some of us, this may prove to be very difficult since every woman's body is different. However, when you know what to expect, you can start preparation ahead of time.

2. Drink lots of water before and during your cycle. It's always good to drink water, but it's important to increase intake during this time to flush out any toxins that may cause breakouts or a pimple to pop up.

3. Cut down on greasy and fried foods around the time of your cycle. We shouldn't be eating much of this anyway, but I digress lol.

4. Avoid sweets and sodas/sugary drinks! Sugar already breaks some of us out, but when your body is under the stress of a menstrual cycle, it can get a LOT worse.

5. Increase your fruit, grain, and vegetable intake. Berries, grapes, tomatoes, watercress, fennel, broccoli, kale, and more have all been shown to help improve skin in ways varying from flushing toxins to improving overall tone. For a more detailed list of these skin clearing foods, please visit this site: http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/features/health-fitness/2011/02/top-20-skin-clearing-foods

6. Don't fall asleep with makeup on. Falling asleep with makeup on is already bad, but it can make a breakout that is coming much worse, since sleeping with makeup on clogs up your pores.

7. Invest in a good spot acne treatment. There are times when even if you follow the steps above, a pimple or two will still surface. When this happens, it's important to be able to deal with it, and a spot treatment is the way to go. My two favorite spot treatments are Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment and Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream on pimples and small areas where there is a breakout. Both are awesome! Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream can also be used as a facial mask (it's AMAZING!)...but I'll talk about that in another post.

Hope you enjoyed these tips and that they're useful to you in some way! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Let's Talk: The "Kim Kardashian" Highlighting

Hey y'all! If you've been a makeup lover for quite some time, you're probably familiar with the highlighting craze that was created by Kim Kardashian's makeup. If you're not, I'll explain it a little bit here and will show a picture. Underneath her eyes in a triangular shape, Kim usually has a concealer a few shades lighter than her natural skin tone. The purpose of this is to erase any bags that may be underneath her eyes and to bring light to the center of her face. This creates the awake, youthful look that she has become known for rocking.

In the picture above, she is shown with it before blending (left) and after blending and adding the rest of the makeup, including her contour, blush, etc. (right). I absolutely love the concept and the look! However, the issue that has arisen from it is unfortunate. Many people, too many, are walking around with the "before blending" look! Even I have been guilty of it, as much as it pains me to admit. But makeup is a learning experience that is often filled with trial and error, lots of it for some of us. Makeup trends don't last forever, but the pictures that we took while the trend was hot do. Some of us will look back at our pictures five years from now and wonder, "Why didn't anyone tell me I looked crazy?!" much like we do with some fashion trends. I'm still learning about techniques and what works on and for my skin, but in this area I think I've pretty much learned what works for me, and I'd like to share it. As you all well know, I'm not a professional, but I enjoy sharing in hope that you'll benefit as well.

1. Choose concealers no more than 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone for your undereye area. There are some professional MUAs who use products 4 or more shades lighter, but they're pros who may know how to make it work better than those of us who are just enthusiasts. Be sure to consider your undertones when making your selection.
2. If you will be taking pictures with flash, avoid using makeup products that contain titanium dioxide. They will make your skin look washed out and will make under eye concealer look whitish!
3. Be sure to blend really, really well, although that goes pretty much without saying.
4. Don't forget to set your concealer, either with a translucent power or a flesh tone powder close to the color of the concealer you chose.
5. If you feel the concealer looks too light, mix in a bit of the regular concealer that you use on your blemishes, or set it with the powder you use on the rest of your face. This should tone down the brightness.
6. Contour! Highlighting and contouring go hand in hand in terms of sculpting and shaping your face. Learn your face shape and how to appropriately contour for the specific shape of your face. Everyone's is different. There's a great questionnaire to help you determine your face shape at The Beauty Department's website, here is the link: http://thebeautydepartment.com/2012/11/finding-your-face-shape/ . There's also a wonderful blog post by Jade (from Make Me Stunning) with instructions on how to contour for your face shape right here on blogspot! Here's the link to that: http://makemestunningjade.blogspot.com/2011/11/contouring-for-all-face-shapes.html. A basic face shape chart to help you get started is below.

Alright folks, I've rambled on long enough lol. Bad highlighting can make even the most beautiful of people look ridiculous. Hope this helps in some way! Be sure to let me know if it did. ;-)

Take care,
~ Lindsi

Beauty Product Fails! (For me at least...)

Hey y'all! I'm back with another post. Have you ever been really excited to try a beauty product and been disappointed in its performance once you finally got it? Chances are you have. It may not be that the product is a fail overall, but you just know that is isn't for you. In this post I'll talk about four beauty products that I was really excited about initially but less than pleased with once I finally bought and was able to use them. Every product isn't for everybody. Thank goodness we have such a vast variety of beauty products to choose from ;). This isn't a review, just my general feelings on these four products. As a disclaimer (though it's probably not needed), every product I review has been purchased with my own money, not sponsored.

1. Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer (with SPF 15) - This is the greasiest feeling moisturizer I've ever used. Even underneath the best mattifying primer, this stuff makes my skin so oily and slides my foundation and concealer all over the place. This type of formula may work well with dry skin or combination skin, but it's horrible with my super oily skin. I will not buy this product again unless they change the formula.

2. Wet n Wild Megalength Mascara - The only thing this mascara lengthened was the time it took for me to put on my mascara. It separates lashes very well and doesn't clump, but it doesn't lengthen my lashes at all.

3. Black Radiance Complexion Perfection Under Eye Concealer - The color is perfect, but this concealer creases like nobody's business, regardless of what I set it with or how well I blend it. I have fine lines underneath my eyes, and the concealer settles in and then disappears a few hours later. I've tried setting this concealer every way I know how, but to no avail.

4. Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream - All I can say about this product is "ugh". I initially tried it out over a year ago and gave it a decent review, but the more time passed the less I liked it. If you have oily skin, I do not recommend this BB cream. I've set it with every mattifying powder that I own and also have used mattifying primer before putting it on, but it still turns into an oily, oxidized mess. For those who aren't familiar with the term, oxidation is when your makeup changes to a reddish, orange, or yellow (for fairer skinned women) color on your skin due to chemical reactions from being on your skin.



If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Combating Smelly Winter Feet

If you live in a cold region, chances are you wear lots of layers, socks, and insulated shoes in the winter time. This can cause sweaty feet, and sweaty feet usually end up turning into stinky feet! Foot Sprays are a good option, but can be costly depending on the brand and where you purchase them. A cheaper option is to use a combination of roll on deodorant and baby powder. The cheapest roll on deodorant I've seen was $1.50, and travel size baby powder is usually no more than $0.99. Here's how to do it, step by step.

1. Put a light coating of baby powder in the bottom of your shoes.
2. Before putting on socks, roll a layer of the deodorant onto the bottom of your foot.
3. Allow deodorant to dry for 30-45 seconds, slip on your socks and shoes, and you're ready to go!

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. If you have any budget beauty products you would like me to review, please feel free to contact me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

NYX Shine Killer Review

Hey all, Happy February! As promised, I'm here with the review for one of the new products I've been testing out. The product I'm posting about is the NYX Shine Killer. I first saw this product in Target when I was picking up some Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (on sale!) and I wanted to give it a shot since I was running out of the primers that I usually use. As someone with extremely oily skin, I don't normally have high expectations of primers. Even with the best of primers I still have to carry oil blotting sheets and mattifying face powder with me everywhere. I was pleasantly surprised with this product. It's a little on the pricey side (I'll put the price in the review below), but I think it's worth it if you struggle with trying to keep your skin matte. I will say this though as a word of advice, if you have oily skin, all face products you use, from your cleanser to your moisturizer to your foundation, need to be geared toward the specific needs of your skin. This means that they need to be oil-free and products specifically formulated for and to combat oily skin. This will help with your shine control goals. Ok, I've rambled on enough...sorry. Here is the review, hope it helps!

1. NYX Shine Killer (0.67 fl oz.), $12.99 (Target)

Site Description: "Your ultimate weapon in the war on shine. Smooth it on before your favorite foundation for a fresh, flawless, marvelously matte look that lasts and lasts. Wear it solo, too, for a naturally shine-free look."

Pros: No smell, light weight, controls shine very well, can be applied over makeup as well
Cons: Expensive, not a lot of product for price, still must use oil-blotting sheets after 8-9 hours of wear

Overall: I genuinely like this product. I was displeased with the price initially, because I'm super cheap, but I must say that so far I have been pleased with the product. A little bit goes a long way, you don't need to use tons to get the desired result. I have worn it under makeup, over makeup, and by itself, and each way has worked pretty well in terms of shine control. There's no offensive smell, it's clear and doesn't leave a whitish tint like several other oil-control primers that I've used (maybe due to powder particles in them) and it's light on my skin. It also doesn't settle into my fine lines, which I love. Like most products, it doesn't last all day. After about 8-9 hours a bit of shine starts to seep through and I have to use oil-blotting sheets, but so far it is the longest lasting oil control product I've used. The only thing I still don't like is the price, but it's worth it to have help with oily skin. I rate this product an 8.5 out of 10. 

If you decide to try this product out, please let me know how it works out for you! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

Aveeno Clear Complexion Cream Cleanser and Daily Moisturizer Review

Hey all! I'm back with a review of 2 of the new products I have tried out in the past month. About two weeks ago, I posted on my Instagram that I was going to try out the new Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleanser and Moisturizer and do a review, so here it is! I usually wait until I've been using a product for about 2 weeks before I do a review, and it's just shy of a day so I think it's appropriate to do so now. I purchased them in a set for $6.00 at Walmart (which is an awesome deal considering the individual prices which I will list below). In the review of each product I will list the price, pros and cons, overall opinion, and rate it between 1-10 (1 = completely awful, 10 = completely awesome!). Just as a disclaimer, I purchased all the products I have reviewed thus far with my own money. I was not sent any products to review or sponsored by the companies. Hope you will find this helpful!

1. Aveeno Clear Complexion Cream Cleanser (5 oz.), $6.99 (Aveeno.com)

Site Description: "This creamy cleanser gently exfoliates while helping treat and prevent blemishes and breakouts with salicylic acid, a proven acne fighting ingredient, without overdrying. The ACTIVE NATURALS® moisture-rich soy formula helps visibly improve skin tone and texture, for healthier-looking skin. Oil free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic and gentle enough to use every day."

Pros: Light, non-offensive smell, exfoliates gently, softens skin

Cons: Doesn't completely clean face, does not remove dark spots/blemishes

Overall: Eh, I must say I'm underwhelmed by this cleanser. When I read the description, I was under the impression that it would be more of a cream, but the texture is more true to that of a product that is exclusively an exfoliant. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but the name "Cream Cleanser" is a bit misleading in my opinion. This product also does NOT completely clean your face, especially if you're washing makeup off. I found that I had to run a washcloth over my skin to completely remove the makeup from my face when washing it with this product, which has usually not been the case with any other cream cleanser I've used of any other brand. I have noticed that it has prevented new blemishes from popping up, but as far as my old blemishes are concerned, they have not lightened or improved in any way. The texture of my skin has improved, and I have not had to use a separate exfoliant due to the exfoliating properties of this cleanser, so that is convenient. I give this product a 5 out of 10. 

2. Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer (4 fl oz.), $16.99 (Aveeno.com)

Site Description: "This unique, skin-nourishing daily moisturizer harnesses the power of ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex and salicylic acid to help clear up blemishes and improve the health of your complexion. This oil-free formula, with a proven acne-fighting ingredient, clears and helps prevent breakouts, and helps even out skin tone. Oil free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and gentle enough to use every day."

Pros: Helps control oily skin, does not clog pores, assists in preventing new breakouts

Cons: VERY strong and lingering smell, can feel heavy on skin, does not contain any SPF to prevent premature aging and darkening of blemishes

Overall: I have a love/hate relationship with this moisturizer. The smell is strong, entirely too strong. My nose wrinkles before I even get the stuff onto my face. Also, considering the fact that it is supposed to help clear blemishes, I would think that it would contain at least SPF 15 (which prevents darkening of blemishes and hyperpigmentation due to sun exposure), but I digress. The moisturizer also "sits" on the skin, meaning that when I wash it off of my face at night, I smell it. I also have not noticed any lightening of the blemishes that I already have, but new ones have been prevented. It has also helped greatly with controlling my oily skin (along with NYX's Shine Killer which I will discuss in another post) and I absolutely love that. I have also noticed that it is helping prevent new breakouts, which is a great thing. The amount of pros and cons are the same, hence, the love/hate relationship. However, due to the fact that it is helping with breakouts and oil control, I rate this product a 6 out of 10.

That's all! Hope that I didn't ramble on too much, but I wanted to be thorough in my explanation and opinion of the products. If you try them out, please feel free to let me know if they worked better for you than for me! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)

3 Small Tips for Organizing Your Makeup

Ok, so if you're a makeup enthusiast like me, it's likely that you have quite a bit of makeup. Even if you don't have a ton, if you wear makeup you're likely to need to organize your collection. Why is this so important? In order to make the most out of the time you have to spend doing your makeup, it's good to have everything in a place where you can get to it easily, so that you don't spend more time searching for the products that you need than actually doing your makeup. Here are a few quick tips that I use to keep my collection of makeup and beauty products in order! 

1. Separate the products according to what you use them for. For example, foundation primers together, eye products together, lip products together, blushes together, etc.

2. Put your items in either clear bags where you can see them or in bags that enable you to easily identify what is in the bag. For example, the bag that holds all my lip products has lipstick and lips on it...simple right?

3. If you have small eyeshadow palettes, put them all together in a bag. This way, they will all be readily available if you decide to use them. 

Good luck getting organized! If you have any budget beauty products that you would like for me to review (makeup, skin care, hair care, and related items), please send your request to me at lindsi.green@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you! ;)