Monday, December 19, 2016

GRWM: Blue Smokey Eye


And we're back with another Get Ready With Me.  I have to say, I've really been enjoying trying out new look combinations and seeing what I come up with.  This look today is one using some shadows that I have had for a long time, but had always been too intimidated to use.  They are super blue and dark.  I loved the shades and decided it was time to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit.  I must say I really like the look I got!! 

If you're interested in seeing the Get Ready With Me video, click here ... and keep reading for the products used!





Eyes:
  • Mary Kay Eye Primer
  • Mary Kay Sheer Mineral Pressed Powder in Ivory 1
  • Wet n' Wild Comfort Zone
  • Wet n' Wild Sweet as Candy
  • Morphe Shadow in Birthday Suit
  • Morphe Shadow in Grape Day
  • Morphe Shadow in Naught Girl
  • NYX Shadow in Cryptonite
  • Revlon Color Stay Eye Liner in Black Brown
  • Maybelline Line Stiletto in Black Brown
  • Morphe Shadow Vixen (bottom linner)
  • Morphe Shadow in Trouble (to set eye liner)
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black Brown
  • Almay Get Up & Grown in Black Brown


Face:
  • Mary Kay Face Primer
  • Benefit The Pore-Fessional
  • Kat Von D Lock It Foundation in Light 46 Cool
  • L'Oreal True Match Lumni in N1-2 Soft Ivory/Classic Ivory
  • Maybelline Master Conceal by FaceStudio Camouflagin Concealer in 10 Fair
  • Mary Kay Sheer Mineral Pressed Powder in Ivory 1
  • NYX Matte Bronzer in Light and Medium (I mix these and both bronze and contour with them)
  • Hikari Blush in Tango (link to review)
  • Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino (just on the apples of the cheeks
  • Becca Cosmetics & Jaclyn Hill Highlighter in Champagne Pop



Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown
NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Beige

And that's everything that I used to get this look! I am so glad that I finally pushed myself to use these shadows.  I should know better than to let myself get intimidated.  Especially with Morphe shadows, they are soo easy to work with!  If you haven't tried them out,  I highly recommend that you do!!

I hope that everyone has had a happy holiday season so far!!

Until next time!

xoxo,
Mikal-Anne






***** Links listed above may contain affiliates links.****


** Not a sponsored video. Post contains my genuine recommendations and opinions. ***




Sunday, December 11, 2016

What's in My Bag



Good morning ladies!! Lets take a peak into what I have in my purse!! If you want to see the video, click here!!


Here's the links to some of the products mentioned!
  • Kate Spade bag -- Sorry guys, I couldn't find it!
  • Agenda (link)
  • Charging brick (link)
  • Fitbit (link) -- This is the step up from what mine is, but the exact one I have is no longer available :(
  • Vikings Lanyard
  • Almay Color + Care in Pink Pout (link)
  • Almay Color + Care in Rosey Lipped (link)
  • NYX Butter Gloss in Vanilla Cream Pie (link)
  • Medline Remedy lotion (link)
  • Bath & Body Works Nectarine Sun Tea Nourishing Hand Cream (link)
  • Malin and Goetz Mojito Lip Balm (link)
  • Mary Kay Blotting Papers (link
  • NYX Butter Balm (link)
  • Ipsy

What I'm Wearing:
Until next time!

xoxo,
Mikal-Anne





***** Links listed above may contain affiliates links.****

** Not a sponsored video. Post contains my genuine recommendations and opinions. ***

Sunday, December 4, 2016

GRWM: Chatty Get Ready With Me


Well, here's another get ready with me Blog Post and YouTube video combo!  If you want to check out the video, click here.  The products are all listed below!!


Eyes:

  • Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer
  • NYX Eye Pencil in yogurt
  • Wet & Wild Comfort Zone
  • Ulta Eye Shadow Au Natural
  • Maybelline The Nude
  • Wet & Wild Sweet As Candy
  • Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner in Black Brown
  • Maybelline Line Stileto Liquid Eyeliner in Black Brown
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black Brown
  • Almay Get Up and Grow Mascara  in Black Brown

Face

  • Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer
  • Almay Fresh Effects Everything Off Make Up Wipes
  • Cover Girl 3-in-1 Foundation 1 810
  • Loreal True Match Foundation in Ivory
  • Maybelline Master Conceal in Fair
  • Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in Fiar
  • NYX Matte Brozer in Light and Medium
  • Elf Blush in Pink Passion
  • Becca Cosmetics & Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop (I mistakenly called it the Becca Hill pallet ... oops!!)

Brows

  • Anastasia brow powder in Medium Brunette
  • Mary Kay clear brow gel

Lips

  • NYX Lip Liner in Nutmeg
  • Jordana Lip Liner in Cabernet 
  • The Balm Mette Matt Hughes in Committed

Hair

  • TRESemme Tres Two Hairspray




Shirt (link)

Let me know if you enjoyed the talk through video verses how I've done my other ones!!

Until next time!


xoxo,

Mikal-Anne

Sunday, November 20, 2016

GRWM: Matte Eye

 



Hi lovelies!!

This part of a double post, one here and then a video on my YouTube channel!! 

I posted a video that was a get ready with me, a complete matte eye! Woot Woot!

If you want to check out the video, head over here (link)

This is a list of all the products used in the video!





Face:
  • Primer - Mary Kay Face Primer
  • Primer - Benefit The Pore Fessional
  • Foundation - Kat Von D Lock-It in Light 46 Cool
  • Concealer - Maybelline Master Conceal in Fair
  • Powder - Mary Kay Sheer Mineral Pressed Powder in Ivory 1
  • Bronzer - NYX Matte Bronzer in Light and Medium
  • Blush - Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in Dollface
  • Blush - Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino (only on the apples of the cheeks)
  • Highlight - Becca Champagne Pop


Eyes
  • Primer - Mary Kay Eye Primer
  • Shadows (numbers correlating to the picture)
    • Ulta - Au Naturel, all over the eye, and used to blend out the finished look
    • Morphe in Caramelized (#1) in the crease and blended up)
    • Morphe in Nuts (#2), mixed with Morphe in Vixen (#3) and Caramelized to darken the crease.
    • Lorac Pro pallet Espresso (#4) blended into the outer V of the eye
    • Morphe in Crystal (#6) in the inner corner as highlight
    • Morphe in Trouble (#5) to set my eye liner
    • Eye Liner - Revlon Color Stay in black/brown
    • Mascara - L'Orelea Voluminous Extra Volume in black/brown
    • Mascara - Almay Get Up and Grow in black/brown

Brows
  • Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown
  • Mary Kay Clear Brow Gel
Lips
  • NYX Mega Gloss in Beige


And there you have it folks!! It's a pretty simple look and should be easy to re-create with any shadows you have.  The reason I mixed so many shadows together was because Caramelized was a bit more orange/warm tone than I had intended, so I used some of the other shadows to cool it down and darken it up!!

If you haven't, please make sure to jump over to my YouTube page and watch the video!!

Until next time,

xoxo,
Mikal-Anne



***** Links listed above may contain affiliates links.****
** Not a sponsored video. Post contains my genuine recommendations and opinions. ***

HaulL Ulta!!



Hi lovelies!! It feels so good to be writing here again!  I apologize for being MIA for so long, it's a long story that maybe one day I'll share.  The important thing, I'm back!!

This is a short and sweet post but I wanted to share what I got at Ulta the other day when I ran in for some necessities!



  • Tree Hut, Shea Sugar Scrub in Coconut Lime (Link)
  • NYX Lip Gloss in Beige (Link)
  • Revlon Color Stay eye liner in black brown (Link)
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Extra Volume in Black Brown (Link)
  • Freeman Feeling Beautiful Charcoal & Black Sugar Mud Mask (Link)
  • Garnier Fructis Volume Extended Dry Shampoo (link)
  • Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil Conditioner (Link)
And that's it! 

I'm working on some really great posts that should be up in the following weeks! Please keep checking back!!

Until then,

xoxo,

Mikal-Anne




***** Links listed may contain affiliates links.****

** Not a sponsored, post contains my genuine recommendations and opinions. ***

Friday, July 22, 2016

Products I've Used Up


Hi Lovelies!  As I was packing up my house recently to move, I decided it was time to do a Products I've Used Up Blog.  Because, lets face it, it makes absolutely no sense to pack up what is essentially garbage and move it to a new house!

I don't know how long this has been collecting, and we all know that I probably haven't kept everything I've used since my last post, but here's what I've got!


Ok - This looks a bit insane... But what can I say, I like eye products.  All of the ones listed are in black brown.
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof
  • Almay Get Up & Grow
  • Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious
  • L'Oreal Extra Volume Hydra Collagen Plumping Mascara
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Power Volume 24 Hour Mascara

Now, this is a whole lotta Mary Kay, but there are somethings that I constantly keep going back to.
  • Oil Free Eye Make Up Remover (I'm actually missing 2 more that I threw away without thinking)
  • TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer in Combination to Oily. (This was my go to moisturizer until I recently started trying out something new)
  • TimeWise Day solution
  • ClearProof Toner 
  • Foundation Primer
  • Age-Fighting Eye Cream

  • Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment
  • MAC concealer - The details have rubbed off :-|
  • NYX HD Concealer in CW01 and CW04
  • Maybelline Master Conceal by Facestudio in 10 Fair
  • Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation in 120 Classic Ivory
  • NYX Matte Bronzer in Light
  • Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner in Blackened Brown

  • Garnier Fructis Volume Extend Instant Bodifier Dry Shampoo (I used up one more of these between the pictures and writing this blog.  This is by far my favorite dry shampoo!!)
So there it is ... You just got a glimps of my garbage!! Ha!

Until next time!!... xoxo,
Mikal-Anne

Friday, July 8, 2016

Cleaning out the Clutter: Cards & Paper







In a previous post where I talked about the changes I made to how I store my DVD collection, I mentioned that I am moving.  With moving, I look around my house and realize how much "stuff" I have to pack, move, and unpack.  It all seemed so overwhelming.  With the housing market being as busy as it is in my area, I had a little longer than normal closing.  I took full advantage of that.  I started packing early to allow myself time to purge and get rid of things that I don't need to be keeping around. 

I started with my closet and my dresser.  I didn't allow myself wiggle room.  I have this large wardrobe, but actually wear very little of it.  If I haven't worn it recently, it was gone.  This included those "skinny" clothes.  My boyfriend said something that turned my opinion on holding on to these around.  If you were to ever loose the weight, you'd want to go out and buy new stuff.  So, off to donation it went.  

I then moved to my DVD collection.  If you want to check out what I did, check out my CLEANING OUT THE CLUTTER: DVD COLLECTION.

The most recent thing I have gone through is all of the paper memories.  These are things like cards, concert or movie tickets, pictures, etc.  I am kind of a pack rat with these things because I use to scrapbook.  I really enjoyed being able to keep those items to add as embellishments in my books.  However, as I've gotten older, I find myself really liking to do the photo books from Picaboo.  

I use Picaboo and make yearly books.  I create one book for each year containing the pictures from that year. It's becoming really fun to see how each year builds throughout the months.  I'd like to say I stay on top of it and continue to edit and add each month, but I'm not that good.  I usually end up taking a few weekends at the end/beginning of each year to finish them off. 

One really nice thing about doing the electronic books is that you can do re orders at any time.  For example, I for the most part do one book for the whole year.  But, if we have a big event during the year, like a big vacation or a wedding.  I will sometimes make that it's own book.  With having the book electronic, if someone else likes the book, I can order it for them.  It's super handy!

Now, onto how I used this to help me de-clutter.  Everyone has that paper stuff that you don't know what to do with.  Birthday cards, anniversary cards, holiday cards, tickets... it goes on and on ...  

My idea originally started when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with all of the holiday cards I had.  I enjoy having them, especially ones with kids because it's nice to see how they grow over the years.  However, I hated having to dedicate space to store them.  And, lets be honest, how often do we really pull these out and look at them....?

What I decided to do, was take some time, sit down with my computer and scanner.... and scan off of this "paper stuff" to my computer as an image.  Then, I can use the image in the book!  When I specifically did this with the holiday cards, at the end of my yearly book I did a collage of all of the cards.  Now, I will have them associated with the right year, have the memory, but now have to hold on to the actual card!

I have also done this with a few invites that I've gotten for weddings for this summer.  I've scanned them, and now after they come off the fridge after the wedding, I'll still have the invite that I can use to decorate the page in the photo book when I do the wedding. 

Super simple and long lasting!!

I was talking to a coworker who thought this was a great idea to do with kids stuff.  She was talking about how she had struggled with what to do with all of the art and other paper stuff kids have.  She has now started scanning things, artwork, pictures, school stuff, and other memories into pictures and making memory books.  She said she still holds on to some hard copies, but this allows to chuck the stuff and still have the memory.  

I don't have kids  yet ... but definitely see me dong this in the future if I do!

The other really nice thing about hear photo books is that they are nice bound and if you stick with the same size book, they sit nicely on a shelf and looks super organized!

Not only does this help keep down the amount of "stuff" I hold on to, but it keeps the OCD in my happy!! And we all know, that's what matters! Ha!

Until next time... xoxo

Mikal-Anne

Friday, June 24, 2016

Why I'm Throwing Out My Apricot Scrub


I know ... I know ... this is something that probably is a staple in most people's beauty routine, but I have to share with you ... I tossed my St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Ah!

Here's why ... I stumbled across a few links explaining about how bad for you they actually are! WHAT!? ... I know, I was shocked.

The first blog that I found was done by A Beautiful Whim .. This is a blog I have read before but hadn't seen this post.  The blog goes on to talk 
about basically everything that I love about this scrub ... It's cheap, it's easily accessible, and it feels good/like you're actually doing something. 

But then, it breaks down how the product has chemicals and ingredients that are actually harmful to your body.  Now, I'm not going to write in this blog everything she writes, I'm not going to poatch her research, so please, jump over there and read her blog.  Plus, I honestly couldn't do it justice, so please check out her blog!

After reading A Beautiful Whim, I jumped around online and found two more blogs that are also good sources of information ....

Ethereal Laura Spa

After reading through these blogs I was absolutely shocked.  I kind of felt like I had been duped and found myself walking to my bathroom to grab my bottle and toss it in the trash. It's kind of like a break up and you feel like a something you've depended on for a long time is an imposer! lol

Until next time!! ... xoxo,
Mikal-Anne

Friday, June 10, 2016

Review: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless


SO.. I recently tried out a new foundation. Shocker, I know! If you’ve been following my blog for any amount of time, you’ve probably keyed in on the fact that I seem to have one foundation that I use ALL THE TIME! Which is true.  With most make up, I’m switching it up often, but when it comes to foundation, once I find one I like, I tend to stick with it.  This is probably for a few reasons;  I’ve got pretty fair skin, which is difficult enough to find foundation that matches me, but I also have freckles, which leads to a whole other batch of difficulties with foundation.  Color matching is hard and then finding the right amount of coverage.  I need enough  coverage to balance out the tone in my face but at the same time, I can’t go full coverage.  Could you imagine, freckles everywhere by my face.. I think that might lead to me getting a few weird looks.



One day on my way home from work, I ran into Walgreens and was taking a look over through the makeup section.  I know I didn’t need anything, but maybe there was something in there that I wanted…



As I was looking around the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation caught my eye.  My current foundation was getting closing to being out and I knew I needed to get a backup in my collection.  The poreless claim was probably one of the things that really brought me in.  I’ve recently been struggling with noticeable pores.  I haven’t ever had this problem before and so battling them was totally new territory for me.  I was honestly up for anything.  I finally decided to give it a try, after debating for a bit.  Foundation is a big thing and trying a new one always has be a bit hesitant, but I had tried the Fit Me concealer before that I liked and ultimately decided to try it with the “Why Not?” mentality. 



What I bought: Fit Me Matte + Poreless in 112 Natural Ivory



Here’s what Maybelline has to say:



This ultra-lightweight foundation contains micro-powders that absorb oil for a matte and poreless-looking finish



Unique formula goes beyond matching just skintone and also matches the texture of normal to oily skin for the ultimate natural fit



Dermatologist and allergy tested, this mattifying foundation does not clog pores and is oil-free



Why You'll Love It



Eliminate the look of pores and achieve natural looking skin with this lightweight, mattifying foundation.



For normal to dry skin, try Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation instead.



For Best Results



Apply Fit Me!® Matte + Poreless Foundation evenly to your face and blend with your fingers.



The Packaging – This is in a nice glass bottle.  The packaging isn’t bulky or over bearing.  The one big down side for me is that it’s a glass bottle with a screw top lid, but no pump. Leaving you to have to pour this out and guestimate your best to make sure you don’t have too much product.  I pour this out on the back of my hands and even though the directions on the website say to blend out with fingers, I use a beauty blender.  The bad thing about this is it can leave you with too much product.



I wish companies would just jump on having a pump on every bottle that can’t be squeezed!!



As for the product’s consistency – It’s a fairly runny consistency; Which doesn’t help you when you’re trying to pour the right amount on your hand!! However, it does make it easier to blend out and get coverage all over.  



I noticed some people say that this product dried really fast and so it could be hard to work with when trying to blend out over you’re entire face.   I did not notice this, however I did use a blending sponge to apply which may have helped.



One thing that really did impress me about this line is the shade options.  It looked like there was a large range of colors and I that pretty much everyone should be able to find a shade that works for them. 



I must say, the coverage for me is fairly perfect..  The first application was a little too light but I was able to build up the right amount for me.  The finish is really great.  It’s definitely a skin like finish.  I honestly wouldn’t classify this as an overly matte or dewy finish, something more down the middle.



The finish is a bit on the dryer side on your face when it sets.  If you’re someone with dry skin or have dry patches (like break out spots that are healing) this product will definitely attach to that area and will make it visible. 



As for how it wears throughout the day – I did notice it starting to break down a little by the end of the day.  Which, honestly, is expected. However, for the most part it held up.  

As for the poreless claims – I can’t say that I noticed this really helped my pores.  I did start paring this with the Benefit poreless primer in my problem areas and the combo of that and this foundation seems to solve whatever problem I was having.  I don’t notice pores or this settling into my pores and fine lines.  Which, let’s be honest, there are definitely fine lines to battle!



Over all – Do I think this is better than my CoverGirl 3-in-1 foundation that’s my all-time favorite … I think it’s definitely battling for that position.  Which the change in my skin, I do noticed that the 3-in-1 doesn’t seem to give me the same finish/look that I use to obtain, but I still love it. 



If you’re looking for a new foundation and you have average skin, this is definitely worth trying out.  I don’t think you’ve got anything to loose with it.

If you want to see how this foundation applies, head over to my YouTube channel (click here) and watch my get ready with me where I use this foundation.  There is also a corresponding blog post (click here) that lists all of the products that I used in the video.


Until next time… xoxo
Mikal-Anne