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! ;)