Ipsy Glam Bag January 2015

So..uhh…guess who forgot to write a post on December’s Ipsy Bag?  Sorry, friends, the time got away from me! As soon as I realized I’d forgotten to blog about it, it was already January!  Well anyway, here is the current glam bag:

Note the beautiful, yellow tone this picture has.  That’s what I get for waiting until dark to write!  Keep reading for product details and reviews.

1. Hey Honey: Take It Off!  Exfoliating Honey Peel-Off Mask (Full-Size Retails for $35)

I waited to review this month’s bag until I had tested out all of the products in order to relay my honest opinion.  To use, you coat your clean skin with a layer of the gel, let it dry, and peel off.  This mask was just “meh” for me.  I honestly didn’t notice a difference in the appearance or texture of my skin after I had used it.  I have a similar grape seed mask that I purchased for around $5 that does a better job.

Would I repurchase? No.

2. Elizabeth Mott: All Over Shadow Brush (Retails for $9.99)

I love this brush!  It’s soft, yet sturdy enough to get the job done.  Perfect for placing eyeshadow on the lid or under the eyebrow.  Plus, the price is right.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

3. Hikari Cosmetics: Mechanical Eye Liner in “Storm” (Retails for $13)

This eyeliner definitely didn’t “wow” me.  It was semi-patchy when swatched, and it took several layers to build the color to an opaque shade.  This liner is the casserole dish of the makeup world.  That was a weird comparison, but go with it.  Shhh…just trust me on this one.

Would I repurchase? No.

4. Pacifica: Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow in “Ethereal” (Retails for…your guess is as good as mine)

I went to pacificabeauty.com and I couldn’t find a price for this little guy.  I found small palettes for sale, but no individual shadows.  So strange!  If you can prove me wrong, please put the info in the comments because I’m curious.  Anyway, I’m a neutral girl, so I think I’ll get some good use out of this shade.  It doesn’t have a crazy amount of pigment, but it will definitely get the job done.  You may need to layer this color to get proper pay-off.

Would I repurchase? Probably not.  I wasn’t impressed enough to spend money on these shadows.

5. MALIN+GOETZ: Mojito Lip Balm (Retails for $12)

Although words cannot describe how much I disliked this lip balm, I’m going to do my best to express my disappointment.  The consistency of this balm is incredibly greasy.  It just sits on your lips like a thick layer of oil that never absorbs.  I kept pressing my lips together in hopes that I’d feel it start to work, but it just sat there…making me angry.  As soon as you wiped off the balm, it’s as if you’d never moisturized at all.  My blood pressure is rising just thinking about it.  Never thought lip balm could make a person so crazy, huh?  Well me neither until I met my nemesis in the form of chap-stick.  Plus, it’s $12.  No.  Its only redeeming quality is the scent, which is quite nice actually.

Would I repurchase? Only if my life depended on it.

I hope you’re all having a fantastic start to the week!  I certainly am.  I actually got a new position at my job, so I’ll be my store’s new Prestige Manager.  I’m excited for all that entails!  Plus, it’ll mean more reviews and tips for this blog.  Hurray!

Stay Weird!

-Rachel

Ipsy Glam Bag October 2014

So I’ve started taking pictures with a real camera instead of my phone.  What an innovative concept!  Now I’m not promising you perfection, but at least you’ll get a little more clarity in the photos.  Moving on!  My favorite day of the month is always the day I receive my beloved Ipsy subscription bag.  It’s $10 a month and it’s like getting a little surprise every 4 weeks…that you pay for.  Anyway, it still fills my heart up with joy, I tell you.

This month’s bag contained a lot of interesting products for me.  Let’s just get into them one-by-one.

Jesse’s Girl Mineralized Baked Powder Eye Shadow in “Esmerelda”

*Retails for $3.99

On the Jesse’s Girl site, this shadow definitely appears to be primarily green.  As you can see, this shadow is more of a silver/taupe in real life.  While I love the color, I just feel the site is a little deceiving!  Anyway, all that isn’t really important, just confusing.  The bottom line is that it swatches well and has great pigmentation.  I can’t wait to try it on my eyes!

Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths

*Full size retails for $15 (30 single use wipes)

Don’t judge too harshly…This makeup is going on 15 hours.

Directly from their site: “No-water-needed foaming cleansing cloths to refresh, soothe, and purify stressed skin on-the-go!”

While they DO work well, these wipes are a little too expensive to purchase on the regular.  I’ll be hoarding the remaining 9 for as long as I can.

“Rogue” Eau De Parfum Spray by Rihanna (0.5 FL. OZ.)

*Full size (4.2 FL. OZ.) retails for $69

I am so impressed by the size of this!  It’s such a cute little bottle that will definitely last for quite some time.  Here’s how it’s described on her site:

Rogue by Rihanna is a feminine composition that captures the mischievous nature that lies within every modern woman.  Direct with a bold signature, Rogue by Rihanna blazes with confidence and sensuality.  An unexpected combination of feminine jasmine, plum and patchouli for a fragrance that captures Rihanna’s unexpected style.

Push boundaries.  Be bold.  Go rogue.

Notes: lemon blossom, cyclamen, bergamot, pink peppercorn, jasmine, rose, muget, juicy plum, suede, sandalwood, patchouli, golden amber, decadent vanilla and sensual musk.

—

Albeit a little corny, I’d say this description is pretty accurate.  Although, I don’t know if it causes me to feel “mischievous,” or that it makes me want to “go rogue.”  What does that even mean?  Does this perfume turn me into a spy?  Anyway, to me this scent is musky and mature.  I don’t know if I’d wear it every day, but it may be my new go-to fragrance for special nights out!

Starlooks Lip Gloss in “Guilty Pleasure”

*Full size retails for $12

What a cute little gloss!  It’s pigmentation is super opaque and the formula feels very creamy.  I haven’t tried it on my lips yet, because let’s face it…I need another gloss like I need a hole in my head!  Ha Ha!  That phrase is terrifying.  Seriously.  Terrifying.  Anyway, if you’re interested in one of these puppies, click here.

ECRU New York Acacia BB Cream (for hair)

*Retails for $12

Now this product might just be my favorite of the bunch.  Ipsy VIP, if you will.  It is paraben-free and safe to use on color-treated hair.  ECRU New York’s site calls it “a phenomenon in haircare…Finally, an all in one styling cream that is amazingly light, incredibly versatile and harnesses the moisturizing and protective power of Acacia Collagen™ for ultimate repair.”  I used it tonight after my shower.  Even though my hair is still damp..it feels amazing.  I can’t give you a full review just yet, but my first impression is definitely positive!

Whelp, there you have it!  Another month of Ipsy has come and gone.  If you’re interested in signing up, click this link.

Have an awesome rest of the week and stay weird!

-Rachel

Tarte “Exposed” 4-Piece Color Collection

I am exhausted.  ::YAWN::  It’s been quite the busy weekend, but I will fight away slumber until I tell you about my exciting new Tarte buy.  I know, I know…another purchase?  But remember that Napoleon blush that didn’t work for me?  Well, I exchanged it for this little number..

It’s the Tarte “Exposed” 4 piece collection, which contains:

• A full size LipSurgence lip gloss
• A full size LipSurgence power pigment
• A full size 12-hour cheek tint
• And a deluxe Amazonian clay 12-hour blush

I had yet to try a Tarte lip or cheek product until now, and I’ve definitely been missing out.  I’ve been drawn to this collection for weeks now, because I’m a sucker for good neutrals.  These shades just do it for me.  The only thing I’m not sold on is the cheek tint.  I’ve never been one for cream blushes, though.  Don’t worry, I won’t turn my nose up at it just yet.  If my opinion on it changes, you’ll be the first to know.

Swatchy-swatch time!!

Side note:  Take a look at my bad @** scar.  I got it trying to save an infant from a pack of wild timber wolves.  Either that, or I burned it on an oven.  I can’t really remember..

So lovely.  So neutral.  So safe.  AND I LOVE THEM!  The blush is in first place for me at the moment.  The runner-up being the lip pencil.  You can purchase this cute little quadruplet at Ulta for $34 (an $87 value  ::GASP::), or just click the link: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11201057&skuId=2277129&_requestid=808907

You’re welcome.

Want to see some of these in action?  I used the clay blush and both lip products this afternoon.  Have a looks-y.

And since it is Selfie Sunday today, here’s another one for good measure..

Gosh, I’m hot.

…

Stay weird!

-Rachel

Mega Lashes and Marital Clashes

While growing up, I always had this strange habit of making weird faces at people.  In fact, I still do.  I like to see just how ugly I can get my face to look.  My mom used to try and scare me by using the old cliche, “If you keep making that face, it’ll get stuck that way!”  I didn’t care.  I lived on the edge.  The wild side, if you will.  I’m honestly not sure why I do it, other than the fact that I find it hilarious.  But I was thinking today…what if my face actually got stuck in one of my grotesque expressions?  Like THIS:

Or THIS:

I’m just saying, that would be pretty intense.  Do you want to know an evil little secret?  I get extreme satisfaction out of terrorizing my poor, sweet husband.  Sometimes, if I’m the first one awake, I like to throw one one of these contorted looks and wait for my husband to wake.  That way, THAT’S the first thing he sees.  MUAHAHAHAHAHA!  Living with me is a complete nightmare joy, I’m sure.  I’m lucky he loves me as much as he does.

Ok, enough dilly-dallying.  On to the point of this post!  I have found my holy grail when it comes to my eyelashes.  I bought this combination a few weeks ago, and I honestly don’t know where it’s been all my life.  Well, it’s been at the store..but I just didn’t know about it.  It’s Tarte’s Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler ($19 at Tartecosmetics.com) and accompanying mascara, Lights, Camera, Flashes ($23 for full-size at Tartecosmetics.com).

They. Are. AMAZING!  I wasn’t sure how I felt about the mascara at first, but I’ve grown to love it!  It plumps up my lashes in one coat, and definitely adds a good amount of length.  The best part about it is how it applies-smoothly and evenly and without clumping.  I feel it’s quite hard to find a decent volumizing mascara that doesn’t get “blobby.”  That’s not a word.

Now, on to the lash curler.  I always figured that every eyelash curler basically did the same thing.  I never thought that one could outperform the other.  I was wrong.  Tarte’s Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler evenly curls every single lash.  It doesn’t tug at my lash line, and it doesn’t take much pressure on the handle to achieve a decent curl.  My old lash curler seemed to unevenly “kink” my lashes instead of curling them.  I also had to go over each eye repeatedly with the tool to get the look I desired.  I’m honestly so thrilled.

Here are some before and after pictures:

No mascara.

No mascara.

After curling/Lights, Camera, Flashes.

After curling/Lights, Camera, Flashes.

After curling/Lights, Camera, Flashes.

Mind you, this is with one coat of mascara.  Good job, Tarte!  I’m impressed!  Also, I think it’s ironic that I’m wearing a Benefit “They’re Real” shirt in these pictures.  Oh, the irony!  Anyway, give this combo a try the next time you’re at Ulta or Sephora.  Or skip the wait and go to tartecosmetics.com!  You won’t be disappointed.

Stay weird!

-Rachel

Naked Basics 2 Review

Do you ever have those makeup days when you’re like, “Oh!  Hey there, me!  You’re looking quite snazzy today!”  And every time you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, you give yourself a little flirty wink?  Well, today was one of those days.

*Side note!*  A small fly literally just flew in my shorts a minute ago, and I had to stop writing and do a frantic dance to try and get him out.  I never actually saw him fly out, so he might still be hanging around.  If that doesn’t make you lose your train of thought, I don’t know what will!  I digress….

ANYWAY, yes, I was pleased with my makeup today.  Would you like to see it?  Great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The makeup isn’t anything special, but I loved how it turned out.  I used a mixture of the Lorac Pro Palette 2 (because I’m obsessed) and the Naked Basics 2 Palette.  Apparently I was feeling the “2’s” today.  This brings us to my next portion of this post. 

::Drum-roll::

The Naked Basics 2 Review!

I do have to say, I wasn’t as pleased with this palette as I’d hoped I would be.  I’ll get into that more in a minute.  Let’s take a loat some pictures first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Colors from left to right: Skimp, Stark, Frisk, Cover, Primal, Undone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first instinct is to rant about the things I dislike about this product, but I’m going to try and channel my inner Pollyanna and begin with the positives.  I do enjoy the colors.  That’s….yep, that’s about it.  I love that they’re matte, I love that they’re on the cooler spectrum of the color scale, and I love the dark gray instead of a black.

Whew!  That was a stretch for me, because I was pretty disappointed in it.  The eyeshadows create a lot of fall out and are slightly difficult to blend.  It takes more work than I’d like to create an eye look that I’m satisfied with.  Also, take a look at my swatches.  Go ahead, I’ll wait….  Did you see how “skippy” they are?  Before I swatched them, I applied an eyeshadow primer and allowed it to set.  Even still, I had to go over each color multiple times to get a half-way pigmented and even swatch. 

I was quite shocked at my own opinion of this product, because Urban can usually do no wrong in my eyes.  They just missed the boat/goal/whateverthecorrectphraseis this time around.

 

Goodnight, my fellow Awkward Annies!

Stay weird!

-Rachel

 

If Zooey Deschanel and Gary Busey Had a Baby…

I am so humbled to see that people are actually reading this blog.  Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to stop by and see what shenanigans I’ve been up to. I haven’t properly introduced myself yet.  My name is Rachel, I work in the beauty industry, I’m a wife, and (most importantly) a mom to the best child in the whole world.  Honestly.  He’s the best.  Look his name up in the Guiness Book of World Records, and he actually holds the title for “World’s Most Perfect Child.”  He’s actually won 4 years in a row.  He’s 4, by the way.  We’ve got the certificates framed in our living room to prove it.  Don’t believe me?  HA!  Well, the jokes on you then, I suppose!

So why did I choose the moniker “The Awkward Addict?”  Let me explain..  Now, those of you who don’t know me personally may have a few doubts on the level of my awkwardness. I’m honestly not sure how I’d rate it on a scale.  I feel that I fall somewhere in between Zooey Deschanel and Gary Busey.  I know, I know…it’s tough.  Though I’m sure that most of you can relate, am I right?  I mean, I know most of us have pulled the old “offer to buy a man some dinner because you wrongly mistook him as a homeless person” bit.  No?  Well, how about the classic “desperately trying to make friends with your waitress by giving her a note and your number, and then she mistakes you for a lesbian?”  I know I’m not the only one to fall for these!  I also have this strange habit of laughing really hard when I’m uncomfortable.  I mean LOUD, and out of no where.  I feel it coming on, start to panic, but there’s just no holding it back.  The laugh always perseveres.  Picture a walrus guffawing uncontrollably, and you’ve got a general idea of what I’m talking about.  I could keep going, but I’ve got to keep some ammo in my…ammo container?

Seriously though, I did not choose the awkward life.  The awkward life chose me.  Here you’ll be getting opinions and tips from a painfully awkward makeup junkie.  I just want you to be aware of what you’re in for.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’re on this journey with me!  I just feel the need to put that disclaimer out there.

Here are some things you can expect to read about in the near future: The Naked Basics 2 Palette Review, Face of the Days, and some small item reviews.

Until next time!  Stay weird!

-Rachel