Top 5 under $5

This is the 2nd part of the posts I promised in the Top 10 under $10 post.

To start I am going to start with the e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush.  I love this brush I use it for my foundation and any cream blushes or bronzers.  I got mine at Target for $3.

Next is the e.l.f. eye shadow brush.  This brush is amazing for applying/packing on eyeshadow.  I got mine at Walmart for $1.

I have the e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer.  I love the Bronzer in this but as you can see I hit pan on the blush I use the blush constantly because you can build it up or put it on light.  I use it light because of my rosacea.  I have struggled to get rid of my rosacea for years so I dont want to make it look like I am having a flair up.  And this is the perfect blush to just add a little color without going over board.  I got mine at walmart for $3.

This is my favorite setting powder.  It makes me matte all day without making me look cakey.  I got mine at walmart for $4.97.

Last but not least is the Blue Cross Summer Brights nail polish.  I dont know if this should count cause I dont know how much they are normally.  I got mine at Rite Aid on clearance for $1.47.

10 makeup products under $10

I have a seen a couple of these on youtube recently and thought it would be fun.  I had a hard time getting only 10 products that I love so I have a few more.  I thought that I would extend this and do 5 under $5 and my top products under $3.  Watch for those in the coming week.

So the first thing is the NYC Bronzer in 720A Sunny.  I love this because it is so light it just gives a natural healthy glow to your skin.  I got this at Rite Aid for $2.99.

The next one is the wet n' wild Fergie line highlighter in A045 Rose champagne glow.  This is a rose gold color and it gives off a beautiful glow to your skin.  I got this for $4.99 at Walgreens.

This is the wet n' wild Blush in 831E Pearlescent Pink. This is the Dupe for Nars Orgasm.  I do however love all of the blushes from wet n' wild.  I got mine at Rite Aid for $2.99.

I love the Elf eyelid primer.  It is a really nice creamy texture.  I got mine at Walmart for $1.  Target has these as well.

I just got this last week but I have been using it everyday since.  It is the Almay wake up eyeliner + highlighter in 010 black jolt and iced gold.  I put the eyeliner on the lower waterline and for me it does not seem to budge all day.  However it is not a soft liner so you really have to keep working the color into the waterline.    I love the highlighter part I use it on the brow bone and the inner tear duct.  It does have shimmer to it but I love it.  It is a creamy texture and applies perfectly.  I got mine at Walgreens and it was on sale for $4.99 not sure how much they are normally.

Next I have the wet n' wild megavolume Mascara.  This is not the waterproof but I love it.  It gives such beautiful volume.  This is not clumpy at all that I have found anyway.  All out I love this formula.  My holy grail mascara.  I got mine at Walgreens for $2.99.

I have the NYX Ultra Pearl Pigments.  I love these they have really nice colors to choose from.   This one is in 18 Orange Pearl. The best part is they are only $2.99 at Ulta.

The next is the Maybelline 24 hr Color Tattoo.  I love these they are so creamy and are great as bases for other eyeshadows.  I got mine at Walmart for $5.49.

Next I have the Rimmel Show Off in 501 Stellar.  I think this is the most beautiful color. This stuff is so hardcore pigmented the color on the tube is the color you get on your lips.  LOVE IT!  They are also very moisturizing and you don't even have to reapply through out the day.  I think you can only get these at Walgreens right now.  They are really cheap for how pigmented and great they are.  They are only $5.99.

The Next is the Maybelline Baby lips.  This one is in the Electro line 85 Oh! Orange.  However I love all the Baby lips.  They are so moisturizing and can be build able.  I got this at Rite Aid for $4.00

Next I have the NYX lipstick in Pure Nude.  I love this color.  I don't find them very moisturizing.  I found this at Ulta for I think $3.99.

Now I have the nail polish.  I love the Wet n' wild megalast in 218A I need a refresh mint.  I do love all the colors that I have tried.  They are very opaque and are very easy to apply.  And this color is perfect for summer.  I found these at Walgreens for $2.99.  But you can usually find a really good sale almost every week.
                                                                                                                   xoCrystal

A guide to Sunscreen

I know so many people who believe they don't have to wear sunscreen.  When I ask them why they don't use any they say 'It has never done anything for me.  I always get sunburn anyway.  So what's the point?'.  So what is the point?

There are 2 types of Sun Rays UVA and UVB.
            UVA- Ultra Violet A Ray
            UVB- Ultra Violet B Ray

UVA is the most damage causing.  This is the leading cause to aging.  UVA causes 90% of all wrinkles.  OUCH!  It also causes cancer.

UVB is what causes a sunburn or tanning.  However this also can cause cancer.

To protect your skin you need SPF.  SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.  SPF protects against UVB rays.

Here is a guide to how much SPF you need and how often you need to apply it:

PA is UVA Protection.

         PA+ is the least amount.

         PA++ is the medium amount.

         PA+++ is the largest amount.

When you are shopping for a Sunscreen make sure you are getting both in one sunscreen.

Also there are 2 types of sunscreen Chemical and Physical.

    

Chemical acts like a sponge that absorbs the sun rays here are some of the ingredients often found in these sunscreens:

          Octylcrylene, Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone,   Momosalate, Melioplex, 4-MBC, Mexoryl sx and xl, Tinosorb 5 and M, Uvinul T 150, and Uvinul A Plus.

Chemical sunscreens do not have a white cast and have a natural finish but can irritate sensitive skin.

Physical shields the sun rays here are some of the ingredients often found in these sunscreens:

          Titanium Dioxide, Zink Oxide.

Physical sunscreens have a white cast and are recommended for sensitive skin.

                                                                                                          xoCrystal 

What exactly is Keratin?

I came across a lot of people that use It's A 10 +Keratin.  So I thought I would share what Keratin is exactly.

So Keratin is a Protein that is the main structure in our hair and nails.

What are the benefits of using a keratin shampoo and conditioner or running out and getting a keratin treatment at a salon that can cost over $200.

Keratin helps by filling in the gapes in our hair.  This helps with damaged hair, it moisturizes your hair,  it straitens your hair, and provides a beautiful shine.

So if you have damaged, frizzy hair then I would recommend getting the Tresemme Keratin Smooth shampoo and conditioner.  This is a great line of products.
                                                                                                      xoCrystal

Talias sister updates after Talia passes

Makeup look using Profusion Colour me glow 06

First off sorry for the quality of the picture I have to use my phone.  Sadly I still have the IPhone 3GS.

I used the Profusion Colour me glow eyeshadow palette in 06.  I used the teal shade on the lid.

Then I used the Blue-Violet color on the outer corner crease.  And blended it toward the inner corner.

I then brought that same color onto the lower lash line kind of smoking it out.

I used my new Almay wake up eyeliner + highlighter in 010 black jolt & iced gold.  I got this at Walgreens on sale see the deal here I used the eyeliner on the lower water line and I used the highlighter on the brow bone and on the inner tear duct.

I used the Almay liquid liner in 221 black I got this at Walgreens as well.  I create a medium thickness line to a short wing.

I finished with my wet n' wild megavolume mascara.
I hope you liked this makeup look.  Don't forget to follow me on twitter or Instagram.
                                                                                                             xoCrystal

Big Deals at Walgreens and Rite Aid.

Walgreens

Buy 1 Almay eye, lip, or remover $4.99
Use $2/1 coupon from Sundays newspaper
Or Walgreens may have a $1/1 coupon at the counter.
And use $2/1 Walgreens coupon saving booklet
Final Price ~ $0.99-$1.99

There are no coupons for this deal it is just straight goodness.

Buy 2 Mitchum deodorants $1.99 each
Use 2 $1/1 coupon from Sundays newspaper
Pay $1.98 Out of Pocket
Get 2000 Points ($2)
Final Price ~ FREE

Rite Aid

NYC Products Buy 1 Get 1 Free
When you spend $5 you get a $2 +Up (limit 2 +Up per household)

If you purchase the $0.99 lipsticks or nail polishes you could get as many as 12 items and pay $5.94 Out of Pocket and get a $2 +Up to use the following day.  That is only $0.33 per item.

So run out and get you some of these deals.
                                                                                      xoCrystal

In Loving Memory Talia

In loving memory of Talia.  You inspired us all to follow our dreams.  We will miss you.  We will see you in heaven soon.

Please pray for her family in this time of grieving.
                                                                                                                   xoCrystal

Profusion Colour me glow eyeshadow palette Swatches and Review.

Hey everyone!  As I promised I am doing the review and swatches of the Profusion eyeshadow Palette.  These were on sale last week at Walgreens for $0.79 but you can get them for $0.99 any other time.  I got the Colour me glow palette in 06 and 01.

I will first show the swatches for 06.  Which is the top palette in the picture above.

And here is a close up of these colors.

And here is the Swatches for 01.  Which is the bottom palette in the picture at the top of this post.

And here is a close up of these colors.

I have to admit at first I was doubting that these were going to be any good.  I mean they are cheap and cheap usually means you are getting what you pay for.  In this case I was proven wrong.  Very very wrong.

First off I want to say that the colors are amazing and the pigments are great.  For a $0.99 eyeshadow palette it is really worth getting.   They are shimmery.   These colors blend out very well or you can build them up too.  They are a soft eyeshadow but do have some fallout.  They are not chalky which is great.  Best of all they are cruelty free.  I love these palette and I am constantly playing with them trying to create beautiful looks for you guys.
                                                                                                           xoCrystal

I went to Walgreens and Rite aid and got a few things that I have been wanting to try for a while that were on sale this week.  While I was there I found some new products.  I was surprised to find a huge clearance bin full of makeup at Rite Aid.

I will first start with the products I went for.  That is the new Rimmel Showoff.  These are the long awaited Rimmel Apocalips.  And let me tell you these things are amazing they smell so good I just want to eat it while I am putting it on. I will definitely be purchasing more of these.  They are so opaque and you only need a small amount it goes a long way.  And they stay on forever.  I got it in the color stellar which I think is the most beautiful color.  I almost got the color Big Bang which is a really pretty red but I saw this color and I really needed it in my life.

I then got the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in Light/Clair.  I have only used this once because I have been very sick for the last few days and have not felt like putting any makeup on let alone get dressed.  And I'm not 100% sure if I like it when my husband got home from work he says it looks like I was just outside playing in the dirt.  I don't think that is a good thing.  However I will try it again and let you all know my final thoughts.

While I was browsing the makeup isle in Rite Aid I found the new Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Collection.  I got 2 of these in the colors 80 Berry Bomb and 85 Oh! Orange.  These are of course very sheer but you can work it up to show more color.

I also found a clearance bin with a bunch of cheap nail polish.  The first one is Blue Cross Beauty Summer Brights the color does not have a name but it is really pretty lilac.  The next color is L.A. Colors, Color Craze in Shock.  Which is a really pretty Orange.  Then I got NYC In a New York Color Minute in Apple Fiz which is a really pretty Lime Green color.

And that is sadly the end of the haul.  Follow me on Twitter and Instagram and please follow this blog it helps a lot.

                                                                                                       xoCrystal

What am I wearing today?

It was so hot when I got up this morning I decided to go without foundation.  I did have some blemishes I wanted to cover so I used my Almay concealer in 200 light/medium.  To set my concealer I used wet n' wild coloricon in 743A Reserve Your Cabana.  Then I was wanting a little bit of warmth to my face so I used my e.l.f. Contouring Blush and Bronzer.  I did use both the bronzer and the blush.  For my eyes I just went to Walgreens and bought these Profusion eyeshadow palettes in 01 and 06.  I am going to be doing a review on these for you guys in a couple days.  I used the gold colors in the top palette and  a brown from the bottom palette.  I put the gold colors on the lid and on the tear duct.  And I used the brown to create a very subtle smoky eye.  I then used the Blackheart Beauty eyeliner to create a cat eye.  I got this and the lip palette at Hot Topic they were buy 1 get 1 free.  I then used Jessie's Girl eyeliner on the bottom lash line.  I then used Maybelline The Rocket mascara in waterproof.  Forgot to add that in oops.  And of course I finished with using the Blackheart Beauty Lip palette.  I used the red color which is not very pigmented to it turned to a light red but still very nice.  I will do a review on the Blackheart products I have as well.
                                                                                                                           xoCrystal

For the love of BB Cream!

I have been recently trying out the new Garnier BB cream combination to oily skin in light/medium.

This BB cream seems to have more coverage than other drugstore BB creams I have tried.  I do have really bad rosacea but this seems to cover the redness pretty well.  (sorry my camera broke so I don't have a picture).  It does control the shine through out the day which is great.  However, it has a weird chemical smell when you are putting it on but goes away not to long after but I would recommend spot cleaning your brush after applying this.  If you don't have any I wrote a post on how to make your own here.  Today after I applied it I went to the pool (oops) and noticed it was not waterproof. It just washed right off, however,  I would definitely recommend this because it has good coverage for a BB cream and it does control shine throughout the day.
                                                                                              xoCrystal

My 4th of July Nails

I wanted to create something different than other designs I have seen or tried.  So I created this Nail look to represent the fireworks and I love this look.  Hope you guys do to.

I used Revlon Top Speed in 510 Fire.

I used Wet n Wild Megalast in 218A I need a Refresh-Mint for the accent nail.

I then used Wet n Wild Megalast in 202B Break the Ice with my small dotting tool and drew small fireworks on my accent nail.

And finally I used a nail polish I got at Rue21 on clearance for $1 and I generously coated the nails with the red polish.

I then finished with my NYC Long Wearing Top Coat.


Follow me on Twitter and Instagram and send me a pick if you decide to recreate this look.

                                                                                            xoCrystal