Tag: Makeup

Crazy Jess | #TopFive | Mascaras 👁 

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Well hello there.  If you are new here, welcome.  I hope you like, comment and subscribe.  If you aren’t new here, then welcome back and thank you for following me.  I know my blog lacks focus and content consistency but I’m working on it, I promise! 😜

In fact, I’m working on it so much so that I decided that I’m finally going to start my #TopFive series I’ve been planning on starting for like ever at this point but #life and #motherhood got in the way of that.  Now is as good a time as any.   

So, what do I mean by “Top Five Series” you may be thinking.  Well, basically I decided I would start a series each month were I would share my top five of random items/products/things etc.

For this month’s installment of the #TopFiveSeries I decided to start with my #TopFiveMascaras of all time.

Why mascaras you might be thinking?   Good question.  I chose to start with that topic because it’s one of the top questions I get from people regarding my makeup looks, even from strangers in public, holding a close second to the other frequent question I get which is “what kind of contacts are you wearing, because your eyes are sooo green they can’t be natural”.

Yes Susan they are real.  God gave them to me and no I’m not lying to you.  (Sidenote: I legit had a lady in public argue with me and tell me I was lying that this is my natural eye color…because out of all the things to lie about regarding my appearance my eye color would be the one I’d choose lol 😂)

So where was I?   Oh yeah, my top five mascaras.

These are legit my top five and I have all five on hand ALWAYS!   They range from high end to drug store brand and they are all worth the money.   I always get them in the color black or whatever the darkest color they have available is.   

In no particular order here we go…

By the way, I’m not going to write a thesis here on Mascara and highlight the pros and cons of each individually because that is just wayyy tooo much info. Just trust me if you want major volume you will like these 😉

1) IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara


💰 Price: $24.00

🛍 Where to buy: Ulta

 

2) Benefit They’re Real Mascara


💰 Price: $25.00

🛍 Where to buy: Ulta

 

3) L’OrĂ©al Lash Paradise


💰 Price: $9.99 (usually but you can get on sale & use coupons to get it even cheaper)

🛍 Where to buy: any drugstore, Wal-Mart or Target and also available at Ulta 

Note: this is a drug store dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and I quite honestly think this one is in fact BETTER than the Too Faced BTS and is obviously much more affordable.

 

4) Maybelline Lash Sensational


💰 Price: $8.99 (usually but you can get on sale & use coupons to get it even cheaper)

🛍 Where to buy: any drugstore, Wal-Mart or Target and also available at Ulta
5) Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir


💰 Price: $26.00

🛍 Where to buy: Sephora
So why these five?   Well in short they are all amazing and let me tell you I’ve tried ALL the mascaras.   Well maybe not all of them but darn near close and out of all the many mascaras I have purchased, these are the ones I consistently repurchase over and over again.

They work for me because they each give me dramatic volume, are buildable, don’t flake, aren’t too watery, and don’t give me “tarantula eyes” either.  I can wear them each by themselves or I can wear a layer of one and finish with a top coat or two of another and it always looks good. 

I consistently get compliments on my mascara/eyelashes or people ask me what false eyelashes I’m wearing (I don’t do false lashes FYI) and there is never any consistency in exactly what combination of these five I’m wearing on any given day when I get said compliments or questions so they all without fail work for me and for now are my must-have top five.  

What is your favorite mascara?   Have you tried any of these?  What did you think of them?   Comment below and let me know!

Until next time,

XOXO 

Crazy Jess 💋

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Urban Decay Steal Deal Alert!

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Hey Peeps,

Good Sunday morning. I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and are ready to start a new and exciting week ahead. 

Today only in stores or online at Ulta you can score the Urban Decay Ultimate Basics palette for $39! (Reg $54)!  If you don’t already have this palette and were considering purchasing it then now is the time honey! Run on out and grab it before they are gone. 


You can also shop in the comfort of your pajamas online (or I guess in store if you like to wear your pajamas out in public lol!) and you get free shipping with minimum of $35 purchase!  

Comment below and let me know if you are getting one!  If you already have the palette do you love it?  

Until next time,

Crazy Jess 💋

Boxycharm January 2017

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Welcome back to my blog, or if you are new here, I’m so excited you stopped by.  I hope you stay a while, laugh a little and maybe even like, comment and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future posts/vlogs & utter randomness.

Today’s post is about the January 2017 Boxycharm subscription box.  If you haven’t been following me for too long you may have missed the post where I reviewed all of the beauty subscription bags/boxes I’ve tried.

Check that out here

If you are not familiar, Boxycharm is a monthly beauty box subscription in which you will receive 4 to 5 FULL SIZE beauty items instead of the delux mini or sample sizes you typically receive in the many other subscriptions.  The items are mostly make up related but can also include skincare and beauty tools, etc.  Not only are the items full size but the box has a minimum value of at least $100+ and the brands are a mixture of new brands to established brands you may already recognize.  The total cost is $21 per month and that includes shipping and you can cancel at any time.  I have been subscribed for 7 months and have not regretted it!  I’ve included a link so you can check it out and subscribe, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Sign Up For Boxycharm Here!

So, let’s talk about what was in this months box.  I have not tried anything out yet as I just got the box in the mail last night,  but here are my thoughts…


Vintage Highlighter Double – Chocolate Diamond & Rose Quartz  – $35 value – I am so excited to try the Vintage Highlighter Double.  I already have one of their highlighters in Rose Gold that is so beautiful on the skin so I’m hoping these duo colors will be just as amazing.


Pur Mineral Glow Bronzing Powder – $25 value  – Pur is a brand I know and love and I’ve never tried their bronzers before so I’m super happy about that being in the box this month.  I also just hit pan on my ride or die bronzer Physcians Formula Butter Bronzer so that was pretty good timing.


So Susan Fan Brush – $18.95 value – I was not overly excited about the fan brush as I already have an E.L.F. one that I love, however this brush feels like such a good quality brush, much better feeling that the ones i currently have, so I will give it a shot.  Really you can never have enough make up brushes right?!


Gorge Amazing Konjac Sponge – $18 value – This item couldn’t have come at a better time because I just had to trash the konjac sponge I was using because it was so old.

NOTE: I can’t verify the info or value of this item at the moment as their website says they are under new management and there are tons of recent customer complaints/negative reviews stating they were charged for products that they didn’t receive and that they have received no answer from customer service for resolution or refund… (hmmm, even if I love this konjac sponge I will NOT be buying anything from them as that is already sending up red flags to me as a consumer but I’ll try it out since it came in this months box)


English Laundry Pour Femme Deluxe Roller Ball  – $25 value  – I was a little unhappy at first to see a roller ball perfume in the box because I was so worried it was going to be a fragrance that I wouldn’t love as I’m very particular when it comes to perfumes and fragrance.  Surprisingly I love the scent!  I’m packing it in my gym bag today and am planning to try it out since I will be showering & getting ready at the gym this evening.  (That process is a whole blog entry by itself but I digress)

NOTE: I can’t find the option to buy this roller ball in this particular fragrance by itself but it is a part of a $45 roller ball set that is available for purchase on their website.

Now on to the total value of this months box…

Basically according to my research and the product info card that comes in each box, this box has a total value of $121.95 worth of beauty products that I only paid $21 for!  I feel that is a total steal deal and after using the products I will really know if I love or hate them.  I have found in the past when you get a sample size or delux mini size that there isn’t enough product for you to try to really know if you love or hate it and if it works for you.

Once again Boxycharm didn’t disappoint.  I have yet to have a month where I was completely unsatisfied with the box.  Maybe there have been a couple of items here or there that I already had or knew wouldn’t work for me but that’s true of any subscription.  So for month 7 I am still satisfied and have no plans to cancel by subscription anytime soon.

So have you tried Boxycharm yet?  If you have, what do you think of it?  Have you been happy with what you have received and the value?  If not, why?  Fill me in!  Comment below or leave a link to your review posts.

If you haven’t tried Boxycharm yet, you so should!  Click the link above or click here if you are interested.

NOTE: I’ve heard that it’s difficult to get if you aren’t in the US so if you are outside of the US I apologize for raving about something you may not be able to get easily or affordably.

Until next time,

XOXO Crazy Jess

 

What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?

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Welcome back to my blog, or if you are new here I’m so excited you decided to stop by. I hope you like, comment and subscribe so you don’t miss out on any future posts.

Today’s post is all about what is in my travel make up bag. I recently was reading an issue of US Weekly and became fascinated with the “what’s in my bag” feature article they do with random celebrities. For some reason I’ve always been fascinated by what other people are using and loving or hating. I have also always found it to be challenging to know exactly what beauty products to pack when traveling because I’m a beauty/makeup addict and have way too much stuff to choose from.

Up until recently I was packing a huge makeup bag when I traveled every single time.  A huge bag of just make up, as that didn’t even include the additional bag that I would pack that included my toothbrush and toothpaste, skin care products, night cream, shower stuff, hair stuff etc. It was insanity I tell you!

So in an effort to minimize my bags when I travel I have been a lot more thoughtful on what makeup I am packing. My plan of attack is to try to choose the things I know are tried and true and that won’t let me down.  My one golden rule is to never bring a brand new product that I’ve never tried before because trying a new look or product can be risky when traveling. No one wants to end up looking like a hot mess when they are away from their full makeup arsenal now do they?

Here is what was in my bag on my most recent trip out of town…


I’ve included links below so you can check them out. Obviously not everything fit in the photo but you get the idea! 🙂

For the details on what made me choose said items check out my vlog post below as well.

Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish

Concealer: Younique Skin Perfecting Concealer (color Organza)

Under eye concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin  (color Warm Light)

Foundation:  Younique Mineral Touch Powder Foundation (color Organza)

Bronzer: Physcians Formula Butter Bronzer

Highlighter & Blush: MAC Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Compact (Tutu/At Dusk) – this was limited edition and is no longer available unless you buy it on eBay.

Eyeliner: Jordana Easyliner retractable pencil (color Jet Black) – this is available at Walgreens

Mascara: Benefit Roller Lash & Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir 

Brows: Younique Moonstruck Precision Brow Liner and Brow Gel

Lips: MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil (color In Control), Urban Decay Cream Lipstick (color Naked), and Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss  (color Peach Fuzz)

Eyeshadow: L’OrĂ©al Infallible in Endless Pearl and a Bareminerals duo called Curtain Call (colors Matinee and Opening Night) – this duo has been discontinued and is no longer available sadly

Brushes:

Luxie 522 Tapered Highlighter 

Luxie 504 Large Angled brush

Luxie 205 Tapered Blender

Luxie 237 Blending

Luxie 229 Tapered Blending 

Dior 15 Flat Top Powder Brush

Marc Jacobs The Shape blush brush

In the effort of full disclosure I must admit that I went back and forth on a lot of these items countless times and couldn’t make a decision because naturally I have sooooo many favorites!

What’s in your travel make up bag?  Do you pack everything but the kitchen sink when you travel like I used to or are you good and just choosing the bare minimum to take with you?  How do you decide what to take?

Until next time,

XOXO Crazy Jess

L’OrĂ©al Infallible Eye Shadows

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86174f63-be36-4c1c-9c7f-864d57e4464d-jpg-w960Welcome back peeps!  For today’s’ post I wanted to mention my obsession with the affordable L’OrĂ©al Infallible individual eye shadows. I recently found one on clearance at Target and I had a coupon (naturally) so I decided to give it a try.  After using it the first time I was instantly in love.

When I recently become a foster mom I don’t have the time to get ready like I used to because I was on a demanding three year old’s schedule not mine.  Because of that, I perfected the art form of putting on a full face of makeup in 10 minutes or less as quickly as possible with whatever products I could quickly grab.  Some days this get ready as fast as you can beauty routine turned out great, other days I didn’t look quite as much of a hot mess and at least looked half-way put together.  If you are interested I put together a video of this get ready as fast as you can beauty routine.  Check it out on my YouTube channel below!

So back to the eyes hadows…  They are buttery smooth and go on so easily. They are very pigmented and the ones with shimmer aren’t overly shimmery which I like as well. What I mean by that is that it doesn’t look like I’m on my way to a Ke$ha concert when I wear them. I’m 33 and too old for that mess.  I also like that I can apply them with any number of my eye shadow brushes easily OR I can just use a clean finger and gently apply them.

After quickly becoming obsessed with the first shade I purchased on clearance from Target, I started stocking up with whatever colors I could find that were on sale and that would work for my skin tone.  All of my shades have been purchased at Target or Ulta so far as that is where I have been able to score the best deals.

So far I have:

#892 Amber Rush

#890 Bronzed Taupe

#556 Smoldering Plum

#899 Endless Pearl

Here are some swatches of them on my arm:


These are in order from left to right (amber rush on the far left and endless pearl on the far right). The flash was on so they look more sparkly and glittery than they really are.

I really love these eye shadows.  Since they are super affordable and can be found at any drug store or major retailer (Walmart/Target etc) it doesn’t hurt to give them a try if you haven’t already.  If you have tried them however, what did you think? What are your favorite shades?  Comment below and let me know!

Until next time,

XOXO

Crazy Jess 😘

Photo sourced from http://www.Ulta.com where you can purchase these amazing shadows!