Tokidoki Is Going Away T_T

Heya Meebsies,

It has been awhile. I am not coming back for good yet. Still extremely busy and I don’t think that I will have time to post anything else till Christmas? Hope you are all doing well. ^^ I do miss you guys, so when I heard about this sad but good news for some; I just had to share it.

tokidoki is no longer going to have a makeup line. Which is sad, because I am going to miss those cute little characters. However, this means that Sephora is having all the tokidoki products for 40% off. Check it out before it’s all of of stock. And if you are already a tokidoki fan, STOCK UP!!!! ^_^

http://www.sephora.com/tokidoki

Much Love,

Meebs

“Beauty has a lot to do with character.”

~Kevyn Aucoin

 

Beauty on a Budget: What To Buy

Good Day Meebsies,

So now that we know when to buy (click on link to read previous post ^^). The next question we need to be asking ourselves is what to buy. We are bombarded everyday with commercials and ads about products that claim to fix this and that. If only we were made of money. Then we could try them all and not end up like this guy.

Buyer’s remorse is every passionate shopper’s worst nightmare. No one wants to save up, only to buy something they will never use. Buyer’s remorse is the most unforgiving especially to beauty product lovers. If you buy a shirt that is not the right size, you can always exchange it. If you buy a creme you don’t love, well, you will just have to learn to love it. Unfortunately, no one wants a used bottle of creme.  So how do we avoid this sad scenario? Here are a few tips that could save you from this fate. ^_^

My first and most important tip is to acquire as many samples as humanly possible. I LOVE SAMPLES!!!

I mentioned in my previous post that there are times when choosing to go with a promotion, maybe a better route than going with a sale. A promotion is a great way to stock up on those samples. Many promotions offer a bag of goodies when you spend a certain amount of money. Even though you may be paying full price for your products; those samples could end up being life savers. I can’t tell you guys how many times I have decided to spluge on a product because of a sample I received. Samples are a great way to try out a product without having to burn a hole in your pocket. There is no harm in trying something out. You will find a few gems and a few lumps of coal. Sometimes you may even find your new fav product because of a sample you happened to stumble across. ^^

A great place to get samples of beauty products is Sephora. If you become a member, you are eligible for samples!!! The one thing I love about Sephora is if you shop in store, they will let you choose any sample you want! Unlike shopping online, where you can choose 3 prepackaged samples. You can choose ANYTHING in the store to take home as a sample. They will simply squeeze a little in a jar for you to take home. It’s a great way to get samples of things you’ve always wanted to try out. ^_^

Of course realistically; you will not be able to acquire samples of everything you are contemplating of buying. But fear not, this is what beauty bloggers/gurus are for. We will be your guinea pigs. ^^ There are hundred of beauty bloggers that live to try out and review products. Before making any purchase, it is always a good idea to do some research. Check out reviews to see what other people thought of the product. Unlike commercials, bloggers will tell you the pros and the cons of products. This is a great resource to use when you are thinking about making an expensive purchase. A few beauty bloggers/gurus I love are Bubzbeauty and BeautyQQ. Check them out. ^_^

Now that you know what you want to buy; you run into the problem of wanting more than you can afford. So how do you prioritize? I always say; choose quality over quantity. Everyone is tempted by cheap products. Why would I want to buy a makeup brush for $20, when another brand is selling a makeup brush for $1? I could get 10 brushes for the price of one!!! Trust me, I know. I’ve fallen victim to this type of thinking. Even though you may find a diamond in the rough every once in awhile; more than always you will experience buyer’s regret. There is nothing wrong in splurging every once in awhile for something you want. Great products will cost more than mediocre products. That’ just how it is.

Even though you will be tempted. You will be thankful that you bought one product for $40 instead of 5 products.

That’s all I have for now. Look forward to the next Beauty on a Budget post.

Thanks for reading.

Love,

Meebs

“I love going shopping. ”

~Serena Williams

Beauty on a Budget: When To Buy

Hello Meebsies,

I have decided to start a Beauty on a Budget segment. Cause let’s be honest. Being a girl is expensive. A single visit to Sephora will set you back at least $30 bucks, that is if you only get one item. This post will be one of the few on tips to save money while still looking fabulous. ^O^

After personally experiencing a zero balance, and having to choose between lunch or Sephora, I have developed a system… well I guess more like tips.

Being a makeup lover doesn’t mean you have to go bankrupt.

It may seem like an odd thing to ask; when should you buy? Believe it or not, there are times to buy and times to not. Of course, you should always take advantage of SALES SALES SALES!!!

You can never go wrong with sales. This is a great way to stock up on old products or try out new ones. I always use sales to stock up on products I know I will be using for the rest of the year. Why not? I mean if you can buy something for $5 instead of $10. You just got two bottles of product for the price of one.

Another great time to buy are during PROMOTIONS.

I feel like promotions very understated compared to sales. Sales are always in your face. Lights flashing, neon signs glowing. However, promotions tend to be harder to find. Here are a few things you need to know about promotions vs. sales.

• Promotions are usually seasonal or holiday based.
• Promotions DO NOT always mean that the products will be cheaper.
• Promotions are usually on a need to know basis.

Let me elaborate.

Promotions are commonly found at the beginning of the four seasons. They like to promote their new products according to that season’s current trend. Since fashion is always changing, they have to keep up as well. Promotions are also abundant during the holidays when they create special holiday themed products. So if you can, go shopping at the beginning of each season or a few days before/during holidays.

Unlike sales, promotions are more about getting new products out there for the public to preview. Most of the time, they will offer samples or goodies with your purchase. You may have to pay full price for your products, but in return they may give you $30 worth of new product samples. Due to this, many people tend to stray away from promotions because they don’t want to pay full price for their products. However, in another post, I will explain the pros to choosing promotions over sales. Sometimes promotions are things you can’t hold. They can be $5 off a $30 purchase, or something as simple as free shipping.

Promotions are not as well known as sales because in the end, this is a promotion. The company is trying to promote their products to a certain target group. A great way to get in on promotions is to sign up for their email newsletters. Whether you use your spam email or not, it only takes 5 seconds to sign up. Not only will you be the first to hear about promotions, but they may throw a few coupons your way as well. ^_^

In the end, it comes down to having patience. Don’t buy on impulse. Have faith in the shopping gods and they will eventually send you a sale or promotion your way. ^^

Just a FYI, being a Clinique fanatic. I heard about a promotion they are having at Nordstrom this Fall.  On Sep 13, they are giving away a bag of goodies if you spend I believe $30. Check it out. .^^

Thanks for reading

Check out the next post Beauty on a Budget: What To Buy.

Love,

Meebs

“The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one.”
~ Erma Bombeck

Makeup Forever HD Elixir Review: Quench That Thirst!

Ello Meebsies,

Being sick sucks. I haven’t eaten anything solid in a week. Every time I look at chicken noodles soup I want to gag. 😦

On a side note, I was pleasantly surprised when my sister came home from shopping sporting a huge Sephora bag. She bought goodies for me!!! Most of the stuff I received were just replacements for things I was running out of. The only new product I got was the Makeup Forever HD Elixer serum. MAN DO I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!! ^O^

Here is the product description.

What it is:
An innovative serum that instantly hydrates and adds radiance to the skin.

What it does:
HD complexion collection uses innovative formulas to create a new generation of makeup that is invisible on high-definition cameras and to the naked eye. This unique, lightweight elixir absorbs quickly into the skin, instantly hydrating and brightening the complexion. The breakthrough formula contains D-Panthenol and glycerin to ensure an immediate boost of hydration (+520% after 15 minutes) that lasts throughout the day (+175% after 6 hours). Argatensyl is added to provide an immediate smoothing effect. Each ingredient was specifically added to prepare skin for high-definition makeup—so you can count on the camera picking up the perks of this perfecting formula.

What else you need to know:
This product is oil and paraben free and dermatologist tested.

Research results:
-+520% increased moisture after 15 minutes
-+490% after 30 minutes
-+430% after one hour
-+250% after two hours

You have to say, it’s pretty impressive. After using it for about a week, it’s been a life saver. I think that everyone knows what I’m talking about when I say no one looks good when you’re sick. Your nose is dry, your face is flushed, and you just look gross. For me, because I’m dehydrated, my skin is also dehydrated. So when I go on a drug run I am in no mood to do my makeup. Fear not, all you need are two drops of this serum and you are good to go. ^_^

It’s extremely light, extremely light. Since this is a serum, your skin will drink it up in seconds. It leaves your face moisturized and almost dewy looking. If you have fine lines or crows feet, I find that this product really helps reduce the appearance. Even though this product is meant to be a face primer, you can really use it all by itself. However, if you want to have flawless foundation, use this baby with any liquid foundation to look FABULOUS!!! ^_^

Retail Price is about $40 at Sephora.

http://www.sephora.com/hd-elixir-P240602

QUENCH THAT THIRST!!! ><

❤

Meebs

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”
― Gwyneth Paltrow

Ulta and Sephora Mini Haul

Good Day Meebsie’s

How has summer been treating you? Mine has been pretty amazing. I’m going to be going on a road trip to Seattle tomorrow and I can’t wait. Sorry, sucker for Grey’s Anatomy. Lol. ^^ I just wanted to show you guys a few things I got from Ulta and Sephora when I was in Chicago. It was actually my first time going to an actual Ulta. I’ve seen their online website, but I never knew that they had an actual store! It was pretty exciting. >< I love Ulta because it has EVERYTHING!!! Even though I am a Sephora lover, they mostly have high end makeup there. I love how Ulta is the perfect blend of high end and drug store products. One stop makeup shop. Lol. ^^

I was ECSTATIC when I saw this section. We don’t have anyway to buy NYX back at home. I’ve always wanted to try out their products.

Love Smashbox!!!

I thought it was really neat how they organize their products by face, eyes, lip, etc.

They have a pretty big hair sections. Soooo many hair dryers. ^^

Had to get NYX products. HAD to get bling bling. Lol. ^_^ I’m a glitter addict.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about these brushes. I’ve been using a foundation brush for my liquid foundation, so I thought I would try out a stippling brush. Let me tell you something. I am in love with this brush. My foundation looks FLAWLESS. *O* GET A STIPPLING BRUSH. It’s a MUST HAVE!!!

I absolutely love this pink. Very simple, elegant, yet fun. ^^

Once again, my glitter addiction got the better of me. But this nail polish was so pretty I couldn’t resist. Actually, this glitter matches the China Glaze I got from Ulta. I might do a nail tutorial with them. ^_^

I’ve actually been using this primer for a long time now. I found out the other day that they are discontinuing it. =( I think they are using the same formula but in a new bottle? IDK. If you guys want to try it out, you should go to Sephora asap.

I thought this was really interesting. Since I only order online when I shop at Sephora I usually get prepackage samples. I was kind of shocked when the lady asked what sample I wanted. When I asked for Urban Decay Primer Potion, I thought she was going to give me a little pouch or something. But she just went over to the sample on display and squeezed a little into this pot. It’s actually kind of really cool. Plus I’m happy that I got to try out this primer. I’ve been using Two Faced Shadow Insurance Primer but now I think I might switch over to Urban Decay. Maybe I’ll do a primer comparison/review sometime.

That’s all for now. I will have another Chicago post soon. Yeah, I have a lot of Chicago memories. Lol. ^^

Love,

Meebs

“I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful. ”

~Author Unknown