For my frequent viewers, you'll notice that I have given my blog a fresh new summer look and briefly thought about moving to a new site for a complete 100% makeover, but decided I'll stay put for a little while until I can find a good replacement.
So for your reading pleasure, I have done quite a bit of shopping lately. Personally, I LOVE watching and reading other peoples' haul videos (haul is basically just a way of saying that I went on a small shopping spree recently). I know it seems silly because you're like, "Why would I want to read about all the stuff you bought lately?" Well, the answer is, I don't know why. To clarify, I did not get these all at the same time, just over the past month or so. Also, keep in mind, that I also post the shade/color that I personally use, so what I use, may not work for you. I am very fair skinned, and instead of fighting against it and constantly trying to keep up with tanning, I've decided to just work with it! Fair skin is just as pretty as tan skin, you just have to figure out which colors work best for you. I'm going to review the products also, so lets get started.
ELF Cosmetics (EyesLipsFace.com - Also found in Target)
Purchased:
Setting Spray - $6
Blush in Pink Passion - $3
Blush brush - $3
Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer - $6
Studio Concealer - $3
Pout Prefector in Glow - $3
Matte Lip Color in Riach Red - $3
ELF Setting Spray - This is the first setting spray that I have used. I never have thought to use a setting spray until I started seeing a lot of reviews about them in YouTube videos. The spray IS a mist, but I would not say a FINE mist. Takes me about 3 sprays (about a foot from my face), to cover my whole face, just because it's not as "misty" as I would like it to be. Apparently there were a lot of complaints with the scent, but it didn't bother me. It's kind of a plastic smell and it does not transfer onto your face. I did notice that at the end of the day, my make-up is less smudged/blotchy. Nothing a little matte powder won't fix.
ELF blush in Pink Passion - I LOVE this blush. It's very bright and pigmented, and goes on very smooth. I normally use Cover Girl blushes, and this is just as good. I haven't tried any of the other colors yet, but so far, I have a feeling I will be buying this one again and again. 
ELF blush brush - I use this brush for not only my blush, but for my matte powders also. Obviously, this is not a top of the line brush (versus brands like Stila and Sigma which can run you from anywhere from $8-45 a brush), so eventually I will try to purchase a more expensive brush so I can compare (because I'm sure I'm missing out), BUT in the meantime, this brush works just fine for me;)
ELF Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer - For awhile now, I have been using Mary Kay face primer. I love the texture of the Mary Kay, which is a thick, non-sticky, clear gel, that goes on smooth and dries quickly. The ELF primer has a thinner texture that feels a bit more watered down. It has the consistency of a hair-gel. Once it's on though, it has nice coverage and I think that the appearance actually outweighs the Mary Kay. When I use it, I can see a reduction in the appearance of pores, and it helps with redness. 
ELF Pout Prefector in Glow - This is pretty much self explanatory. It's a lip gloss. You're only supposed to use a dab or two in the middle of your top and bottom lip to create a "glow" over your lipstick/chap stick or lip gloss.
That's it for my current ELF products, and my final thought is that I would definitely recommend all of these to a friend. That being said, I do have some good news and bad news with that. I think that ELF has a bad reputation, based on it's rock bottom prices. My opinion on this, is if you can get decent products for such great prices, why not? Especially considering you get so much product with each one. The only issue I have with ELF is their eyeshadow sponge brushes - so petty, I know - but they are so teeny and rough. I just use other brushes/sponges when applying the eyeshadow. I definitely plan on purchasing more ELF cosmetics in the future.
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Sandstorm ($5.27 at Ulta)- I really like this powder. It's light, and gives a really nice coverage without looking too powdery. If you want to try this, I would suggest getting a slightly darker color then your skin tone because the powder does go on lighter. I actually had to return this one the first time and get a darker one because I over judged how 'ivory' I actually was, and girls, I am pale and proud! Note: This does not come with anything to apply it with. I use my ELF blush brush.
Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation in Natural Beige ($11.99 at Target) - I really like this foundation. I've always been a fan of the whipped foundations, but this really matches my skin tone perfectly and looks "flawless" and I don't use that word a lot.
Revlon Photoready Eyeshadow ($7.49 at Target)- I cannot even tell you how much I LOVE this eyeshadow. I have a lot of eyeshadow and I have honestly been using this over my Urban Decay pallets lately (shhh!). Obviously you can see where you are supposed to put the colors, but you can also use each color separately, which I do all the time. Or I use the middle color for the lid and use the lid color for the crease for a "smoky eye" affect. I love the shimmer in these eyeshadows. In my opinion, the color goes on just as good as my Urban Decay (for about a fraction of what Urban Decay costs), and they come in so many pretty colors. One of the best things about this, is that is does not build up in your crease throughout the day. It still looks the same from the time I leave for work in the morning, to the time I get home and wash it off. I have a really hard time choosing new ones whenever I go to buy new make-up because they are all such awesome pallets. In my opinion, a must have.
Mascara
Maybelline Colossal Volum' Cat Eye - ($6.19 at Target) - I go through mascara's frequently, and this one is my favorites that keeps circulating through my collection. The shape of the brush is small, but I love the curve because it seems to 'hug' my lashes while I'm applying it. I also like that the brush is small because you can use it more precisely than a larger brush and get the smaller lashes in the corner that are generally missed. This mascara does not make you have a "cat eye", but the packaging is cute, so it's ok. I'd rather look at this cheetah print mascara tube, then look at the girl on the Rimmel commercial with Chiclet teeth.
Maybelline Colossal Volum' Cat Eye - ($6.19 at Target) - I go through mascara's frequently, and this one is my favorites that keeps circulating through my collection. The shape of the brush is small, but I love the curve because it seems to 'hug' my lashes while I'm applying it. I also like that the brush is small because you can use it more precisely than a larger brush and get the smaller lashes in the corner that are generally missed. This mascara does not make you have a "cat eye", but the packaging is cute, so it's ok. I'd rather look at this cheetah print mascara tube, then look at the girl on the Rimmel commercial with Chiclet teeth.
Maybelline Mega Plush Volum' Express ($5.64 at Target) - This was the first time I've tried this mascara, and I absolutely hate it. Ohmuhgosh, do I HATE this mascara! I always love Maybelline's mascaras, but this was a flop. I'm not sure what they were thinking with the revolutionary 'flexor brush', but this just was not a good idea. Am I completely missing the point of this design? Can someone explain this to me in the comments if I am, because I just could not figure this one out. The brush itself is just an ordinary brush, no big deal, but whenever I try to apply, the brush just bends away from my lashes. There is nothing plush or voluminous about my lashes when I use this because I can't get the brush to work properly because it's always bending in the other direction. Why Maybelline...WHY?!
Maybelline Rocket Volum' Express ($5.89 at Target) - This is a rubber tipped mascara, which I don't normally get, but for the purpose of my blog and my own curiosity, I have to try as many as possible. Aside from the Colossal Cat Eye, this is my go-to mascara. The one I always find myself reaching too first. It really does volumize lashes, and doesn't leave them clumpy.
As a side note, I NEVER buy waterproof mascaras. I used to buy nothing but the waterproof brands, but I felt like when I washed my face at night, instead of it just washing off, product would linger on my lashes and break off while I was sleeping. I had some funky lashes for awhile. Of course, this could have been easily prevented with a simple make-up removing wipe, but nonetheless, I have 86ed waterproof from my life. I live in Illinois so there really is no reason for me to have waterproof mascara since the most swimming I do is in the shower in the morning.
Randoms
Big Sexy Hair volumizing root lifter foam spray ($17.95 where product is sold)- I never buy Big Sexy Hair products because seriously, who wants to spend $17-26 dollars a can of hairspray? I know I don't. But, Ulta was having a sale, and I got this for $10 bucks. I can understand now why this product is so expensive. It works SO good with my hair. I can feel the difference immediately after I blow dry it, and it takes minimal effort to get it how I want it. My hair felt much thicker, but soft. Other products I have used (Ahem, Bada Bing Gel) leave my hair feeling like straw and causes a lot of breakage and damage while trying to style. Buying this may have just swayed me to suck it up and spend the money on this brand more often. Not to mention the bottles are huge, so you definitely get your moneys worth.
NYX Jumbo Eyeliner Pencil in Milk - This is pretty much self explanatory. It's a cream shadow pencil (or crayon) and is awesome for highlighting brow bones, and corners. You can also use it as a base under shadows. I always have white pencils on hand, so this will be in my collection for a long time.
And last but not least, chap sticks...
Randoms
Big Sexy Hair volumizing root lifter foam spray ($17.95 where product is sold)- I never buy Big Sexy Hair products because seriously, who wants to spend $17-26 dollars a can of hairspray? I know I don't. But, Ulta was having a sale, and I got this for $10 bucks. I can understand now why this product is so expensive. It works SO good with my hair. I can feel the difference immediately after I blow dry it, and it takes minimal effort to get it how I want it. My hair felt much thicker, but soft. Other products I have used (Ahem, Bada Bing Gel) leave my hair feeling like straw and causes a lot of breakage and damage while trying to style. Buying this may have just swayed me to suck it up and spend the money on this brand more often. Not to mention the bottles are huge, so you definitely get your moneys worth. 
NYX Jumbo Eyeliner Pencil in Milk - This is pretty much self explanatory. It's a cream shadow pencil (or crayon) and is awesome for highlighting brow bones, and corners. You can also use it as a base under shadows. I always have white pencils on hand, so this will be in my collection for a long time.
And last but not least, chap sticks...
Vaseline - Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter - This little tub of Vaseline is the cutest thing I've ever seen.
Of course, I would not have known about most of these products, without Nicole Guerriero, my absolute favorite person on YouTube, besides The Angry Video Game Nerd.
Well gals, that was my haul for this time. I think I've developed carpal tunnel. Anyway, as usual, any comments, leave them below. Let me know if any of you have used any of these, and what you think.
-Britt
Disclaimer: I purchase all of these products on my own, and am not paid for my opinions on these products. With the exception of the pictures I personally take, the pictures are simply used for enjoyment and I do not take any rights or own any of the stock photos used.
Well gals, that was my haul for this time. I think I've developed carpal tunnel. Anyway, as usual, any comments, leave them below. Let me know if any of you have used any of these, and what you think.
-Britt
Disclaimer: I purchase all of these products on my own, and am not paid for my opinions on these products. With the exception of the pictures I personally take, the pictures are simply used for enjoyment and I do not take any rights or own any of the stock photos used.
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