The Balm on Hautelook

I don't know about all of you but the only time I ever have the balls

to buy products from theBalm is when they end up on Hautelook because then they're almost always 

50% off. Never have I ever paid full price for any of my products from theBalm, you can just get so much more for your money. 

Well, it's that time again!

TheBalm  will be going on sale on Hautelook this Friday at 8am pacific time. 

Remember my post about the new instain blushes?

I honestly have no idea, but they could be going on sale for half off; 

and even if they're not almost everything else from theBalm's line will be on sale for about half off. 

When it comes to beauty products its always best to buy smart. 

Rememer, 

Don't just wear makeup

Rock It. 

Philosophy Sale!

This post is gonna be a short one but hopefully useful to you. 

Philosophy is having a 20% off mothers day sale which ends on Friday April 26th with promo code: lovemom. 

Take advantage while you can. 

Don't just wear makeup...

Rock it. 

New Beauty: Elf Acne Fighting Foundation

I was parusing the Eyeslipsface website literally 30 seconds ago and stumbled onto what I believe to be a new product from Elf. 

As the name of the post suggests it is a foundation new to Elf's studio line that claims to fight acne. 

This new product retails for $6.00 and, just from the picture, the packaging reminds me of Makeup Forever Matte Velvet + foundation. 

Just the packaging itself. I have no idea if it does indeed perform similarly.

That being said, velvet+ does not claim to fight acne. 

Among other ingredients include Tea Tree Oil, Camphor, Leaf Juices and Witch Hazel, ingredients which are known to combat zits and acne. However they do appear very low on the ingredient list which means there is a relatively low concentration of these ingredients than there are the usual ingredients found in makeup. 

Since it's relatively new the only picture of it I could find out there is on the Elf website itself. 

Here's the link.

I'll let you decide how you feel about it. 

Don't Just Wear Makeup, 

Rock it. 

Get to Know Me: The Beauty Blogger Tag

I stumbled onto this tag while reading some riveting reviews on Beauty Broadcast and decided that it had been a long time since I'd done a tag post and that there's not much in my about me section. 

So here goes! 

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

Curly, but I wear it straight so often most people don't know what I look like in my natural state.  

2. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?

I've only gone to a salon for color-changing purposes once. 

It was one of those inner-city salons run by black women who were all related to each other in one way or another. You know, one of those kind of places where they started out in a garage catering to the people in their immediate friend-family network and one day decided to invest in their own place with little to know ongoing training in their craft. 

I was 12 and I really wanted highlights so they put me into a very tight and uncomfortable cap with small holes all around it and pulled my hair through one strand at a time with a sharp end. 

This archaic method took hours longer than I suspect foil would have taken, it was painful, and the end result was completely NOT worth the time and money spent on it. 

I'm glad to say they've been out of business for about 7 years.

All other color changing purposes I've done on my own (I was convinced I could because all of my emo friends could).

After turning 18, I went through a quarter life crisis were I NEEDED to dye my hair purple. So I went to Sally's to pick up some Beyond the Zone products and did it all the same time the next night. It did't turn out how I was expecting, but it didn't look bad either.

 Until I went swimming in chlorine!

 Long story short it turned a very unattractive shade of moss green in the 30 min. I was in the pool and I had to wait 2 weeks ti die it black again. 

 Oh, to be young and rebellious. 

3. Do you wear the same style everyday, or do you change it?

Unfortunately, because my hair is in that awkward in between stage, where it's too short to wear down but too long to keep up I do tend to wear it the same everyday. 

I'm trying to grow it out though, but I'm afraid that when I finally do sock buns will be out. 

4. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?

I only get my nails done professionally when it's either a special occasion, or when someone else is paying for it. 

The last time was two years ago because my cousin was requiring it (I was a bridesmaid in her wedding). The time before that was four years ago for senior prom. 

However over the summer and early fall I had gotten into the habit of soaking my feet weekly. 

Then I got busy. 

5. How often do you change your nail polish?

Once every two to three weeks. 

Honestly I don't care about nails enough to keep up with them every week so I just let them chip away to nothingness so I don't have to bother with remover!

Ugh, I'm so lazy. 

6. Do you polish your toes in the winter or just the summer?

Only if I'm obsessed with a color that wouldn't make sense for the winter. But not really. 

But I still shave my legs during the winter. 

7. How long does it take for you to put on makeup?

If I'm doing the bare minimum (usually Just eyes on a clear skin day) five minutes. 

If I'm doing a foundation or bb cream and mascara with no eye makeup, about 10 minutes. 

I don't usually to a full face just to go to class, but in the occasion that I do (weekends, fraternity mixers etc.) it will take 15 minutes if I'm doing my simple go-to eye look, but on those occasions I really like to take my time and experiment so I'll take about 30-60 minutes. 

Gosh. That makes me sound so high-maintenance. 

8. What do you do first? Face or eyes?

I do face first, because to me that's the natural progression of makup: Creating a flawless foundation before moving onto anything else. That is, until I actually get to my eyes and I realize that I was wrong and being overly ambitious and cocky. 

This is usually when I'm experimenting. When I know what I'm going to do It doesn't matter what comes first. 

9. Do you collect makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?

Neither this nor that. I don't collect makeup anymore because to me there's no sense in having something just for the sake of having it. For instance I won't go and by the whole line of a limited edition product just to say that I have the whole line, or just for the sake of writing a review if I don't think I would be able to get a lot of use out of it or be able to give it to someone who will. But I don't only by things that I need either. 

When I find myself lusting after certain items it's a sign that I need to have them in my possession. And that could just be one of a new line of products. Or all except 2. 

I don't know if all that makes sense. I guess it all depends on how you define "collect." 

the point is I'll buy it if I'm lusting and if I can see a legit use for it. Otherwise I'll probably talk myself out of getting it. 

10. How often do you wear false eyelashes?

Never. 

I've been meaning to do the "Beauty things I suck at" tag. 

This would be on the top of that list. 

11. Do you do a full face of makeup everyday?

Absolutely not! 

That's how you ruin your face. 

Sometimes I'll either just do eyes or just do a bb cream and mascara. Most of the time, however, I don't wear makeup at all because I don't have a lot of blemishes and I'm a college student with no one to impress because literally 60% of the male population at my small liberal arts school is gay and the other 40% are either taken, douche bags, or weird. 

Sorry I'm NOT sorry 'bout it!

12. Do you wear makeup when you're home alone or with family?

Only when I'm, experimenting. Otherwise they know what I look like. 

13. Will you leave the house without makeup?

Yes. 

14. How many high-end products do you have?

More than the next girl, but not so many that I would lose count. 

15. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you're getting dressed?

I usually think about it while I'm making excuses not to get out of bed and try to assemble something when i actually do get out of bed, which leads to my down fall. 

Sometimes I just can't remember what happened to that other sock!!!t

16. How often do you change your handbag?

Whenever I find a new one which could be one a year. 

This is gonna sound ghetto, but I usually carry everything I need in my bra. Whatever cash I might have on hand, credit card, ID. Stuff like that. It's super convenient, my chest is just big enough to keep them concealed without getting lost (most of the time), and trust me when I say no one will go in there without you noticing.  

17. What time do you wake up and go to sleep?

I wakeup between 6:30am and 10:15am depending on which classes I have that day and how long I spent studying the night before. 

Oh, the joys and pains of a college student. 

18. How often or when do you workout?

Uhhhhh.....Not often enough to know when I work out. 

19. Left handed or right handed?

Right

20. How tall are you?

5'4."

Used to be 5'5" though. 

21. Do you speak any foreign languages?

French, German and Elvish. 

22. How many pets do you have?

I have three dogs. 

Tino- a 12 year old Jack Russell Terrier that still has a lot of spunk.

Dookie - a 6 year old Black Lab mix

and Jake - a 5 or 6 year old Dashund 

Yes. I'm a dog lover. 

23. How often are you on Blogger?

I check my blog more often than I check my facebook. Which isn't saying much considering I go on facebook once every 1-2 weeks. I like to check on my blog at least 3x weekly to see how many views I'm getting for what type of post so I know what people are really interested in reading. I also like to check my feed of the other bloggers I'm subscribed to so I can see what else they've come up with. That's how I stumbled upon this tag.  

24. Do you read comments posted on blogs?

Occasionally when it's a review for a product I want to try out and the blogger them self has given it a horrible review and there are a few who choose to stick by it. 

25. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?

I don't keep a physical list of products, which is good for my wallet cause then I'd never leave the drug store. Instead I keep it off the records and if I find myself thinking about it a lot it's probs a good idea that I should try it. 

26. How did you come up with your blog name?

I'm a college student in Political Economy. I've taken enough politics classes in my day to hear the term "Saving Face." But after I got into makeup I started taking the term more literally. 

I wonder how many people visiting this site don't get it. 

Or how many people are directed to this site thinking it's something completely different and being disappointed. 

I've also considered "Too Poor for Dior" as a blog name. 

What do you think?

27. What kind of camera do you use for your photographs?

I use the camera attached to   my Samsung Galaxy S. Believe it or not it works better than my digital camera, which for some reason is not good at taking close ups. 

I guess that's what I get for 

28. How often do you clean your house?

Not nearly as often as I should. 

I have a messy room, but it's not necessarily dirty. And I eat off of paper plates so the only real thing I have to wash are pots and utensils which i tend to either throw in the dish washer or hide amongst someone else's mess when I notice they've been cooking as well. 

People never notice how many utensils they use, and when they're cooking a big meal one pot looks the same as another.

29. What's your favorite color?

Orange. 

Neon orange. 

Red Orange. 

And sunset orange. 

However I like to look at rather than wear it if that makes sense. 

30. Do you swear?

Yes. 

And I can be very politically incorrect at times. 

31. What are you doing with the rest of your day?

Need to finish up a lab report and go to class for 6 hours straight! 

Then I need to write a rough draft of a paper and study for a statistics exam. 

But lets face it, I'm gonna be procrastinating for most of that time. AKA watching youtube videos, lusting over all of the makeup I want to get and probably updating the blog some more. 

I've been getting a lot of blogspiration lately.  

I challenge anyone who finds this tag intriguing to complete this tag s well. 

♥

Remember, 

Don't Just Wear makeup, 

Rock it. 

Mini Series: Three Products you Should NEVER SHARE! Pt. 1

The purpose of this mini series is to bring awareness to the fact that bacteria do grow in our cosmetics and to take extra precautions if and when you decide to share your products with anyone beside yourself, including friends and even family.   

Now, I admit, saying "NEVER" is kind of misleading as there are preventative measures you can take to stop the contraction of germs which I'll be explaining in this post. 

However, in general people tend not to take these simple, yet important precautions, and if you're that kind of person, perhaps the best thing would be to not share your cosmetics at all. 

This first segment is going to be on:

 LIP PRODUCTS!

Plain and simple, you can never tell where someone else's mouth has been.

Whether it's your sister who is just getting over a cold or your mother who may have given your father a BJ before tucking you into bed and kissing you on the cheek. 
It sucks to notice that your best friend has a cold soar a week after you let her borrow your favorite lip butter for her hot date.  

Just take a few simple steps to ensure that if you do share your lip products you can protect yourself and your friends from potentially harmful and really, really gross bacteria. 

#1

If your lip product comes in a tube spray alcohol onto it and wipe it down with a kleenex. 
Maybe do it twice for good measure. 
You should use 91%-99% rubbing alcohol to sanitize your products. It does not change the consistency of your makeup unless you over do it and will evaporate within minutes.  

#2

If your lip product comes in a squeeze-y tube make sure to do the same on the surface before giving it to your friend to remove excess product and germs from the opening itself, however there is no real way to sanitize the product inside if it has come in contact with your mouth. 
When letting someone else use it ask them to dispense the product onto a clean surface or a washed hand instead of applying it straight onto their own lips from the tube.
In this situation you can't really prevent them from getting your germs, but if all goes well, you can prevent yourself from getting their germs. 

#3

If your lip product comes in a small jar or a pot, the same idea from #1 applies: Spray it with a bit of rubbing alcohol and wipe it down with a kleenex to remove the top most infected layer.  

#4

Now this si where it gets a little Tricky. 
If your lip product comes in a tube with a doe foot applicator...good luck. 
There is no way to sanitize the product that is already in side if you have been using the applicator on your lips and sticking in back into the packaging. This contaminates all of the product. But if a friend want to borrow it that's a chance that they must take. 
In order to prevent yourself from getting their germs ask them to use a disposable doe foot applicator and tell them NOT to double dip into your lip gloss. 


Taking these few extra steps is a whole lot better than getting a cold sore that your friends and strangers will un-doubtedly mistake for herpes. 
Dare to be anal!  Protect yourself from germs! 

Don't just wear makeup, 

Rock it. 
  

   

  

New From the Balm: Instain Blushes

Have you ever dreamed of having a blush that stayed in place all day without fading or touch ups?

Have you ever wanted the staying power of a cheek or lip stain without having to mess with potentially messy cream, gel or liquid face products?

The Balm has seemingly unlocked the key to your deepest desires with their new blush technology:

a "long-wearing Powder stain blush" 

The claims: 

"theBalm’s long-wearing, STAINING powder blush is a fashion must have! With six shades, perfect for all seasons and skin tones, it will give your cheeks color that won’t quit."

Here are some swatches from five of the six blushes. 

From what I understand, the new Tarte Aqualilles palette is similar in that all of their powders are means to be water resistant and is still meant to give you that same kind of stay all day look. 

This is a very intriguing concept of having powder products that actually stain the skin. 

If this kind of technology is really legitimate and actually lives up to the claims, why not come out with a similar eye shadow formula? 

It could replace the need for a primer/ base. 

Not gonna lie. This new line of blushes from theBalm are really intriguing me. I'll have to order a couple (at least). Even if they don't perform as specified the color are gorgeous! Who could pass them up?

Don't just wear makeup, 

Rock it. 

Urban Decay Brushes, Naked and Naked 2

Whenever I watch videos on the You Tube where self-proclaimed Beauty Gurus

are using the NAKED or NAKED2 palettes to do a look I've always noticed that they never

use the brushes the palette comes with. 

And before actually investing in both these palettes, I couldn't understand why.  

"You paid $50 for that. It looks like a good sturdy brush, much more than any other palette will give you Why not use it?"

The brushes from both palettes are made of relatively thick synthetic hairs, are very dense, and not as flexible as other synthetic brushes. 

Although the blending head on the NAKED2 version does serve it's original purpose adequately, both of the shading brushes really aren't the best for shading. 

And those Gurus really aren't being bougie!

Instead, I've found a new use for them. 

The thickness of the synthetic hairs, although not great for shadow (or powders in general) are much better paired with creams because they're much better at laying down the product. 

I tend to use it for under eye concealing, but it also works for blemishes as well as to lay down and blend out cream shadow bases. 

Now you can use your creamiest concealers, your color tattoos, and your paint pots with confidence. 

Favorite Products of the Moment

Just a forewarning: about half of these products I've already written a full review on so if you'd rather see something a little more in depth maybe have a scroll around the main page. 

But if you want to know why I like all of these, stay tuned. 

Facial Wipes 

For removing makeup and the preliminary cleaning of brushes

Face Wipes, face wipes. Why do I love face wipes?
Because they're so multi-purpose. 
There are three different kinds I've been using, as well as three different things I use them for. 

Baby Wipes
Makeup Removers
and
Facial Cleansing Wipes

 I tend to lean towards the baby wipes and facial cleansing towelettes because they're gentler on my skin because they don't have as high a concentration of  alcohol I'm guessing.
However baby Wipes and Face wipes are just as good at removing makeup.

*Disclaimer: Just because something says makeup remover for Facial Cleansing Towelette, doesn't mean you should use this in place of your regular facial cleanser. That's how you get preventable breakouts as you'll read down below.*

#1
I like using them for the very purpose they were meant for: Removing Makeup. 'nough said.

#2
I also like using them to dramatize a wing in a dark and dramatic eye look.
We all know that if you're doing a relatively dark eye you should lead with that and follow with foundation and concealer. When you're not worrying about keeping your foundation clean it's okay if your eye look is  a little messy. Taking a face wipe in a diagonal motion from the outer corner to the end of the brow for that sharp, dramatic cat eye effect. But if that's too dramatic for you you can always blend it out with a neutral or skin-toned shadow.

#3
This trick is going to be less obvious...I think. But I really like using these wipes to quickly clean off my brushes between uses, especially when I'm using cram products these are a life saver!
After applying my foundation or a cream blush with my Real Techniques buffing brush, I quickly swirl it into a towelette that's resting in the palm of my hand and it does get rid of a majority of the product from the brush.

Make no mistake, this should only be done with personal brushes. Makeup artists use a cleansing and sanitizing spray when they're moving from one client to another to prevent the spread of germs. The towelette technique could also be used in conjunction with a sanitizing spray.

In addition this technique does not replace a thorough deep cleaning that should happen about once a week, instead it prevents the build-up of product on your brushes between cleanings.
Perhaps I'll do a post about that too.  

Elf Zit Zapper 

This little tube of juice packs a lot of punch! For my initial review on this product I believe I described it as being very comme ci, comme ca in terms of its effectiveness but how it can be valuable as a preventative treatment. Long story short, I was kinda wrong...kinda. 

 The day after writing that review it just so happened that a HUGE albino zit, the like of which has never appeared on my relatively porcelain skin, reared its ugly  head. 

And since I did not want to go to school the next day with that thing monopolizing my face I decided to give the Zit Zapper another chance. 

I applied the Zit Zapper formula once every 15-20 minutes for the rest of the day (I was being anal, and I'm sure you would too if you had that kinda thing growing on your face). By the next morning it had dried up enough to pop. 

No pain. 

No blood. 

Quick and dirty.

This 'lil gem is a great (and cheap) alternative to a more intensive acne or zit treatment when you have to travel or if you're in a pinch like I was.

Maybelline Superstay Concealer

I've been using this concealer for the past month and it's been working very well for me.
It comes in a liquid form with a doe foot applicator.
Although it's more liquid-y and not as creamy as others of its kind, it sets really well on its own without looking cakey or flakey,  and will not budge if you go over it with a powder.
It's very similar in nature to it's brother the Fit Me concealer, except more heavy duty.    

Word on the Street: Maybelline Summer Collection

As rumor has it Maybelline will soon be launching their new 'Exotic Escape' summer collection 

to include bright colors for the eyes and lips. 

Eyeliners

I don't have specific Names for the liners (yet) but the collection does include five shade in a medium toned bronze, a navy, a teal, a bright green and a purple. 

Eyeshadow Duos

In addition to the liners, five shadow duos have been released along with this collection. 

Oriental Spice -  A copper and reddish brown 

Fine in Fiji - a baby pink and purple 

Retro resort - a bright metallic gold and a classic teal

Paradise Punch  - Bright Pink and a Kelly Green

Royal Riviera - a Teal that hinges more on the blue side with a Royal blue

Keep in mind, all of the colors in these duos are shimmery in nature. 

 

Blushes and Face Shimmers

 The cheek colors come in packaging similar to that of the Maybelline Fit Me blushes which makes me hope they don't carry a similar formula or else it will be impossible to get it to show up on your face.

The shimmer blush seems to come in one color which is a pale pink. 

Did I mention it's shimmery?

Color sensational Lipsticks 

This line includes five limited edition shades: 

#115 First Class Fushia 

#120 Red Sea Shimmer

# 100 Parisian Pink

#105 Bali Berry Shine 

#110 Caribbean Coral Luster

Unfortunately that's all for now. I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I can find them.
Word on the street is that they've been spotted in Rite Aid and potentially CVS.

Don't Just Wear Makeup...
Rock It.