5 Minute Back 2 School Drugstore Makeup

If you haven't guessed by know, this post is all about quick back to school makeup using all drugstore products. If you a student short on time and still want to look nice for school or you're on a strict budget this is the post for you.

1. BB Cream - This is great a great product when you are on the go. My favorite is the Garnier BB Cream for combo/oily skin. You can just use your fingers to rub it onto your face, but I personally find that if works best if you use a flat topped brush; either way is quick and easy.
   
2. Blush - Two nice blushes you can find in most drugstore are the ELF Cosmetics blushes or NYX blushes. Both come in several different colors and are less then $5.
   
3. Maybelline Color Tattoo - I love these when I'm in a hurry. You don't even need a brush to use them; just use to finger to swipe some on the lid. This product also comes in several different color, so everyone is sure to find one they'll love.
   
4. Mascara - Every girl need a little mascara to finish off their makeup. I personally love the Maybelline mascaras and they is almost always a coupon on the newspaper for them.
   
5. Lip gloss - Don't forget those lips! Both of these products (NYX Butter Glosses and Baby Lips) are great for on the go. just swipe some on and you're good to go.

Review: Venus Snap with Embrace

***This product was send to me by Influenster for review, therefore I did not purchase this product with my own money. The review is my own honest opinion and is not being paid for.***

I was super excited to get my first item for review from Influenster, and I was even happier when it was a product that I was in need of. I just recently moved and I've been buying disposable razors and honestly they suck, so the Venus Snap with Embrace came just at the right time. I was also excited because I've never tried any of the Venus razors because the cartridges just look a little too big and a little much for me. Let's go ahead and take a look at the product and get this review going. 

This is what the packaging looks like:

It just a basic easy to open package, and when you open it this is what you get:

  

The razor comes with its own sleek traveling case for when you do take it with you on the go. The case is a little bigger than my palm, but does not take up much space at all. I love that the razor has a case with it because I always have such a hard time finding something to put my razor in to take it with me without it getting messed up or accidentally cutting me. When you open the case, the razor is securely snapped into place in the case like this:

I think that fact that the razor actually snaps into place and held securely is nice in that fact that if will prevent damage to the razor blades during travel.

The razor itself when taken out of the case looks like:

              

The razor itself is the size of my palm. The pink part on the handle is a rubber grip that helps prevent it from slipping out of your hand. I have had no trouble with the razor coming out of my hand while using it. 

So what are my final thought on the razor:

I love it. First of I think it is adorable (even though it is just a razor) because of the size. I know that it is marketed at an on the go travel razor, but I have been using it in my shower because I haven't had the chance to take it anywhere yet. I find that the small size of the handle has not caused my any problems while using the product. I really love the razor blade/cartridge that came on this razor and I will definitely be purchasing refills. I will probably buy a regular hand and store this travel handle in the case for when I need to go on a trip and have to pack a razor. 

If you are interested in this razor, I have already seen it in stores such as Wal-Mart and Target, but I'm sure you can find it in any store that sells Venus razors. 

Until next time...

Amber

***This product was send to me by Influenster for review, therefore I did not purchase this product with my own money. The review is my own honest opinion and is not being paid for.***

  

My Summer Skin Essentials

Since summer is upon us in full force, today I want to share with you my summer skin essentials.

1.       A good Sugar Scrub – My absolute favorite sugar scrub at the moment is the Tree Hut’s Shea Sugar Body Scrubs. I have used several sugar scrubs including some $50+ and this one is my favorite and it is only about $6-7 at Ulta. I have also enjoyed some that Bath and Body Works has.

2.       A good Razor – I personally have not found a razor that just wow’s me and makes me not want to try others; if you have please let me know lol. I think a good razor is a must during the warmer months when everyone is showing off their legs.

3.       Your favorite Lotion – I know some people go lotion crazy in the winter due to dry skin, but I think your skin can also get dry in the summer heat as well making lotion a year round essential. I don’t think you need as thick of a lotion in the summer, but still use something. I don’t have a favorite lotion because I’m always trying something new, but for the summer I think a nice smelling lotion from Victoria Secret or Bath and Body Works is nice. I am currently going back and forth between the Nivea Skin Firming Lotion and Vaseline aloe fresh light feeling lotion; both can be found in the drugstore and the Vaseline one is a really nice light yet moisturizing lotion.

4.       Self-Tanner – I’m not going to go on a rant telling you to stay out of the sun and the tanning beds and use self-tanner because  I’m sure you’ve heard it several times, but at this point in my life I’m using self-tanners so that’s what I’m suggesting as a summer skin essential. I am currently trying the L’oreal Sublime Bronze Gel because I’ve read a handful of good reviews on it. At this point I’ve not in love with it and will probably try others, but I don’t think it is a bad product. My favorite thing about it is that if does not have a horrible smell. Maybe I’ll review it later on when I give it a few months :)

5.       Clarisonic with the Deep Pore Brush – First off I love my Clarisonic, and second it was one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.  That all I really have to say about the Clarisonice itself. Now off to the Deep Pore Brush… I’ve heard some really bad things about this head being too harsh on the skin, but I love it. I have several (okay, more that several) really bad acne scars all over the sides of my face, and I have tried EVERYTHING to get them to fade and this brush and worked wonders on the scared in such a short time. Anyways back to why it is a summer skin essential, because it is an amazing exfoliating brush for your face.

6.       Purity Face Wash – This is a product I’ve just starting using and I am hooked. I think this should actually be a year round essential. This is a great product because it gives an amazing clean feeling without the tightness that most face washes give and I personally think it gets your face cleaning. During summer months when you’re outside getting sweaty and dirty you really need a good face wash like this to keep you break out free.

7.       SPF – If I’m going out in the sun I need some SPF. I really like Neutrogena’s spray on sun screen even though it is more expensive than most at the drugstore. I think if this department you should just use what you like best and what works best for you.

8.       A Hair Mask – If you are in the pool and ocean all the time during the summer, then your hair is going to need a little extra something to help with the salt water and chlorine. If you don’t have a mask that you already love or if you’re looking for something new to try, I really like the L’oreal Damage-Erasing Balm. You can find it at the drug store and I think it’s only about $6 and smells good.

9.       Something for your feet – Summer time is flip flop and sandal season, which means you need to give your feet a little extra attention to keep them from looking crusty (it’s the best I could come up with). I use the Spongeables 4-in-1 Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer. I have seen them at Walmart and Ulta for about $4. It is basically a sponge with a bar of soap on one side and a buffer on the other. Seriously give it a try if you have dry feet issues because if did a miracle for my feet and it is easy to use.

And last but not least….

10.   Lip Balm – This is such a tricky item because so many lip balms just make your lips worse :(  I am currently using a lip balm that I got a few months ago in the BeautyBox5 called Epic Blend. It is an all natural hemp lip balm and I got the coconut one (YAY!!!) and I absolute love it and have not had any problems with it making my lips worse. The only downside is that you can only buy it online. I’m not use if I will repurchase it due to having to order it. If I do repurchase I will order more than just one to justify having it shipped, but I think I might try a few other all natural ones that I can get my hand on here before I order it.

Well that’s it. These are my summer skin essential. I hop e you enjoyed. I’m going to try to gather a list of summer makeup essentials to share with you as well. If you have any suggestions for products for me to try please let me know :) 

May 2014 Favorites

Here are my top 5 favorite products of the month. Enjoy :)

5. NYX Matte Bronzer in Light – I love this bronzer. I saw a handful of people talk about it and had to check it out myself, and it is amazing. It is perfect for people with pale skin with a cool undertone because it has more of a rustic finish instead of an orange finish.

4. City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon – I got this in a past Ipsy bag and I’ve recently started using it and it is just a beautiful spring and summer blush color. It truly does have a completely matte finish which is a nice change from most blushes.

3. POREfessional – I got a small sample of this forever ago and I had been waiting to use it until I use up a few other primers, but with all the recent humidity and all the rave around it I just decided to crack it open and give it a try and boy am I glad I did. I think I just found the best primer out there for my oily skin. I’ve haven’t used anything else since I started using this sample.

2. Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow Quad in Bora Bora – Here is another product I got in an Ipsy bag that I can’t get enough of. I have rocked this quad several times this month just using the four colors it had. The colors work so well and blend nicely together that I haven’t need to use any other colors with it. I love love love the blue eyeshadow look I’ve created using this little quad.

1. Beauty Blender – I’ve have always had the hardest time getting my foundation to look good, and I have tried every method out there. I finally broke down and got a double beauty blending pack from Walgreen.com when they had a coupon code for 20% off a few months ago. I have absolutely loved the difference the beauty blender makes in the look of my makeup. I have tried the real techniques dupe and can get it to give me a similar looking finish to my foundation, but the beauty blender is so easy to use and if taken care of definitely worth the money :)

Ipsy - Review of a Year - Part 3

This is the third and final part to my Ipsy review of a year. Please go back and read part one and part two if you haven’t :)

If you do not know what Ipsy is, it is a monthly beauty subscription service that sends out 4-5 samples/deluxe samples/products in a specially designed reusable makeup bag. The cost is $10 a month for a monthly subscription or $110 for a whole year paid up front. If you are interested please click here on my referral link to check it out.  

All of the Ipsy Glam Bags I have 

January 2014

Originally Received:

Nourish Organic Face Lotion - $6.50
Coastal Scents Small Foundation Brush - $5
Epice Exfoliant - $10
MicaBeauty Tinted Lip Balm - $19
Yaby Liquid Foundation - $14

This was yet again another disappointing bag and left me ready to cancel again. I do not use the type of foundation brush I receive so that had to go, and the Yaby foundation was not even close to a good shade for me. There were several other products (sugar scrub, hair mask, Benefit POREfessional, leave in conditions, facial oil, etc) that I would have loved to have gotten. I was also annoyed because I was passed up yet again for another high end product (Benefit POREfessional) they sent out. I have yet to use the Nourish face lotion or the Epice exfoliant, so I can’t really speak of if I like them or not. I did happen to fall in love with the Mica tinted lip balm. It is the perfect lip color for me and I use it all the time.

Ipsy Glam Bag January 2014

February 2014

Originally Received:

POP Beauty Plump Pout Mini - $16
Zoya Nail Polish - $9
City Color Blush - $3
Tini Beauty Cream Shadow - $18
IPKN NY BB Cream - $1

This bag was just a so-so bag. I was really hoping to get the Tini beauty in a color I could use, but I didn’t, and the BB cream was so tiny and the swatches online tell me that it’s not my color, so those items were kind of a bust. I have used the POP plump pout and I do like it. I like the Zoya color I received, but I haven’t had time to use it yet, but I’m sure I’ll like it because I love Zoya polishes. I just recently started using the City Color blush and I love it. It is so pigmented, a little goes a long away, and I just love the color I got, so that was a huge plus. 

Ipsy Glam Bag February 2014

March 2014

Originally Received:

bareMinerals Lipstick - $9
Pacifica Body Butter -$7
Be a Bombshell Bora Bora Eyeshadow Quad - $16
Chella Blue Eyeliner - $24

I was extremely happy when I got the Bora Bora quad in my bag. It was the one product I just had to have when I saw the spoilers. It has a beautiful blue color in the quad, and it also has the perfect brown crease color for me :). I was even happier when I saw the Pacifica body butter because I love Pacifica products. They just smell amazing. I have yet to use the lipstick, but the swatches I have seen of it make it look like the perfect color for me, so I am excited to try that. I’m considering trading the Chella because I already have favorite navy eyeliner, but all in all this was a great month for me.

Ipsy Glam Bag March 2014

April 2014

Originally Received:

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Travel Size Pencil $15
dr. brant microdermabrasion $9.75
Elizabeth Mott pop! Goes the shadow $13
Mary Kay Jelly Lip Gloss $10
St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus $11

Able to Trade for:

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm $19
Benefit Lollitint $5
Starlooks Lip Pencil $14
Another dr. brant microdermabrasion $9.75

This turned out to be a very interesting month. After seeing all the spoilers, then checking my glamroom, I was very disappointed. I really really wanted the light pink Cailyn lip balm and the Starlooks lip pencil and I was passed up yet again for another highend product (Lollitint), so I hopped on the swap forum and got to trading. I so super excited I was able to get the Cailyn lip balm in the color I wanted and the Starlooks lip pencil, both go together really well. I was then also able to pick up the Lollitint (which I really didn’t want, but I couldn’t pass up trading something everyone wanted for something no one wanted) and another dr. brant sample :). I also really like the bag from this month too, so April turned out to be an amazing month for me :)

Ipsy Glam Bag April 2014

Final Check Point:

As of April 2014, which makes a whole year of being an Ipsy subscriber, I’ve spent $120 on my subscription (that’s the $10 a month). I’ve traded 15 of the items I received, totaling about $45 in shipping. Therefore, my subscription has cost me a total of about $165. I have received about $307 in products that I absolutely LOVE and can’t get enough of. I have also received about $161 in products that I either haven’t tried yet, but I’m excited to try, or that I use, but do not use too often.  This totals about $468 in usable products I’ve received from Ipsy. With number like that I can’t help but say that my subscription has been worth it.

Ipsy - Review of a Year - Part 2

This is part two of my review of a year an Ipsy. If you have not read part one I think you should defiantly check it out. You can find it here: http://withalittlesass.blogspot.com/2014/05/ipsy-review-of-year-part-1.html. 

If you do not know what Ipsy is, it is a monthly beauty subscription service that sends out 4-5 samples/deluxe samples/products in a specially designed reusable makeup bag. The cost is $10 a month for a monthly subscription or $110 for a whole year paid up front. If you are interested please click on my referral link to check it out: http://www.ipsy.com/r/2kc3 

Let’s go ahead and jump right in.

All of the Ipsy Glam Bags I have 

***Items in Plain text are items I rarely use or haven’t used yet, Bold Items are items I love, Italic Items are items I have up for trade, Italic Items in Red are items I’ve traded. Also, It cost about $3 in shipping to trade an item.

September 2013 

Originally Received:

butter LONDON Nail Lacquer - $7.50
Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm - $19
Elizabth Mott It’s So Big Mascara - $8
NYX Single Eye Shadow - $4.50
Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil - $12

Able to Trade for:

Freeman Beauty Facial Paper Mask - ~$3.75

This bag was a disappointment. I really wanted the Cailyn lip balm and a butter LONDON nail lacquer and was really excited to get them, but the colors were not for me, so they were a waste of getting my hopes up. I didn’t and still haven’t used the NYX eyeshadow and I’m not sure if I ever will. I know I won’t use the Starlooks eyeliner because I already have several different Urban Decay black eyeliners that I love. I have heard that the Elizabeth Mott mascara is nice, so hopefully if I use if I will like it. I really liked the makeup bag itself. It is one of my favorite bags I’ve gotten from Ipsy; maybe even my very favorite. 

Ipsy Glam Bag September 2013 

October 2013

Originally Received:

Zoya Nail Polish - $8
Buxom Lip Polish - $9
Sexy Hair Blow Dry Gel - $3
La Fresh Wipes - $3
be Delectable Hand Cream - $5

Able to Trade for:

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush - $2.50

This was the first bag I got from Ipsy that I actually liked and used/will use everything in it. I was even happier that I got all the colors and the scent I wanted :). However, I was annoyed that this bag had so many good product choices, so there were other products sent out that I wanted too. I feel like they put all the good products in one month and then they put all the bad products in one month as well. Why do they do that? 

Ipsy Glam Bag October 2013

November 2013

Originally Received:

em michelle phan mascara - $20
Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon - $14
Nailtini Nail Lacquer - $13
Pixi Beauty Bronzer - $5
Startlooks Gem Eye Pencil - $14
BH Cosmetics Galaxy Baked Eyeshadow Sample - $1

Able to Trade for:

Other Nailtini Lacquer - $13

I was really disappointed with this bag because they offered so many other nice em products (lip balms, eyeliners, and lipsticks) in so many cool colors, and I got stuck with the mascara that no one wanted at the time (but I eventually find a trade for it). Sorry had to complain for a second about that. Also, there had a GLAMGLOW sample this month that everyone wanted, but only a few people ended up getting too. On the other hand, this was the month that I feel in love with Nailtini polishes. I ended up having to have both Nailtini shades this month and was lucky enough to get them. Also, I found the perfect winter time bronzer for myself. I love it so much I hit pan on it right as winter was ending.

Ipsy Glam Bag November 2013

December 2013

Originally Received:

POP Beauty Shadow Trio - $6
Be a Bombshell One Stick - $16
Mirabella Eye Blender Brush - $27
Salon Perfect Eyelashes - $3
J.Cat Big Lip Pencil - $4

When I receive this bag I’m not going to lie -- I wanted to cancel my subscription. This was the worst bag I've received. Most of the products were just bad. I ended up giving my mom the shadow trio and even she doesn’t really use it. I traded the one stick and lip pencil for different shades because the ones I got didn’t match my skin tone and I wanted to try the products, but both products are just really cheap quality and suck. I’m going to get them out and give them one more try before I throw them out. I still have the eyelashes, because no one wants them and can they can be found at Walmart. On a positive note, I recently started using the Mirabella brush and so far I really like it, so that was at least one good item out of the bag. 

Ipsy Glam Bag December 2013

Check Point Two:

As of December 2013 I've spent $80 on my subscription and I also have traded 11 items costing me $33 in shipping. This has my Ipsy subscription costing me about $113. I have about $175 in products that I LOVE and another $106 in products that were just okay or I haven’t used yet. This totals $281 in usable products so far. At this point my Ipsy subscription is defiantly worth it even though I complain about it lol :) 

Ipsy - Review of a Year - Part 1

This May marks my one year anniversary as an Ipsy subscriber. I thought this would be the perfect time to look back at what I’ve gotten in the in my Ipsy bags for the past year and see if the subscription is really worth it. I’ve gone back in forth over the last year as to whether to cancel or not because of a handful of months of not so great bags and other issues I’ve had with Ipsy. This is going to be a three part series with check points due to the length, so stay tuned for the rest.

If you do not know what Ipsy is, it is a monthly beauty subscription service that sends out 4-5 samples/deluxe samples/products in a specially designed reusable makeup bag. The cost is $10 a month for a monthly subscription or $110 for a whole year paid up front. If you are interested please click on my referral link: http://www.ipsy.com/r/2kc3 

All of the Ipsy Glam Bags I have 

Without further ado, let’s jump in and see what I’ve gotten in the past year…

***Items in Plain test are items I rarely use or haven’t used yet, Bold Items are items I love, Italic Items are items I have up for trade, Italic Items in Red are items I’ve traded. Also, It cost about $3 in shipping to trade an item. 

May 2013

Originally Received:

Yaby Concealer refill - $2.77
Zoya Nail Polish - $8
Mirabella Colour Sheers Lipstick - $22
Pacifica roll on Perfume - $12
1 oz Macadamia healing oil treatment - $13.50

Able to Trade for:

Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter Mini - $7

This month had a lot of nice stuff to offer, and I was so excited to get my first Ipsy bag. I ended up trading most of the stuff from this month’s bag. The Yaby concealer was in the wrong shade, so I traded that for a different shade. I didn’t like the Zoya color, so I traded that for a different color. I didn’t like the scent of the Pacifica, so I traded that for the other scent. I don’t really wear lipstick, so the Mirabella was traded for a Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter Mini ($7). This bag introduced me to both the Pacifica and Zoya brands and now I love them. I have bought several Zoya nail polishes since this bag, and I also look forward to everytime Ipsy sends out a Pacifica item.

Ipsy Glam Bag May 2013

June 2013

Originally Received:

Starlooks Lip Pencil - $12
NYX Blush - $5
J.Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette - $4.49
Cailyn Cosmetics Gel Eyeliner - $21
J.Cat Beauty Eyelashes – $3.99

Able to Trade for:

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil - $18

This month was a very controversial month among Ipsy subscriber due to the extreme differences of value of certain items. Some people received the $21 gel eyeliner and a Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil with an $18 value, while others received $4 lashes and a small sample of Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo with a $3.50 value. I was able to trade both my J.Cat products for the Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil ($18), and I also traded my NYX blush, but that was at a later month and I don’t remember what I traded it for. Even though this was kind of a disappointing month for me with Ipsy due to all the J.Cat products, both the Cailyn gel eyeliner and the Chella highlighter have become stapes in my makeup collection and that is all thanks to Ipsy introducting these products and brands to me. I now look forward to every time they send out Cailyn and Chella products. On the other hand, I cringe every time J.Cat is mentioned. 

Ipsy Glam Bag June 2013

July 2013

Originally Received:

POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon - ~$4
BH Cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow Sample - $1.50.25 oz COOLA Mineral Face SPF 20 Moisturizer - $5
Sexy Hair Humidity Proof Spray - $6
derma e – Microdermabrasion Scrub – $16.25

This was another controversial month among subscribers due to the Benefit Benetint sample that only some subscribers received. For me personally this was a so-so month for because I really only loved the derma e scrub, and that was a product that I already knew about and loved. I really do not use the POP crayon very often because the color is a color that I can only really wear in the summer, and I honestly wish I would have tried to trade it for a different color. I did think that the bag for this month was extremely cute and wish they would have more bag like this. 

Ipsy Glam Bag July 2013

August 2013

Originally Received:

Pixi Beauty Lash Booster Mascara - $8
Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Scrub - $10
Chella Dazzling Eyebrow Pencil
Noya Lip Balm - $3.99
Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream -$5.50

Able to Trade for:

Another Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Scrub - $10
Another Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream – $5.50

This was yet again another controversial month among subscriber for two reasons. First, subscribers would either get the $3.99 Noya lip balm or a sample of the new Urban Decay Revolution lipstick valued at $8. Second, because some subscribers received a Smashbox Primer sample valued at $10.  For me this was another so-so bag for me. I was disappointed I didn’t get the Urban Decay or Smashbox. I really love the Michael Todd scrub, but that’s the only product I’ve really enjoyed out of this bag.

Ipsy Glam Bag August 2013

Check Point One:

As of August 2013 I've spent $40 on my subscription and I also traded 8 of items are received costing about $24 in shipping charges, so at this time Ipsy has cost me a total of $64. I have about $89 in products that I LOVE and use all the time and another $42 in products I either haven’t used or don’t use too often, which totals about $131 in products. At this time my Ipsy subscription in defiantly worth it :)

I will have the next part up on Wednesday, so stay tuned :)