Makeup Mayhem and Stuff

I have not been active in blogging lately. We've been quite busy this past week. I've learned that we will be moving out of Wichita pretty soon and I'm quite excited about that. I'll be missing our flat and the conveniency of living downtown with everything in all walking distance.

Here's my past week in summary. Please visit and follow me on my new Instagram account @diary_ofbrokegirl. It is so much easier to just post pictures at this time unfortunately.

Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow from BH Cosmetics

Forever Nude and Forever Glam Makeup Palette

I've received my palettes last week from BH Cosmetics and I would rate this 5/5 The palettes are very highly pigmented and the prices are ridiculously low. I've also bought a couple of items besides the palettes. I love their Onyx Gel Liner and also their Olive Concealer. 

The Body Shop Haul 

My Ulta Hauls 

Smashbox Lipgloss "Happy National Lipstick Day"

Too Faced Melted Peony, Tarte Lipstick, Benefit Gina Perfume 

The Balm and the Beautiful Makeup Palette

My "What's in your Makeup Bag" Instagram

Weekend De-Stress and Pamper yourself from Lush 

New Books for the week

Sweater Weather

I've always lived in a city that has an extreme bipolar weather. Right now Kansas sky is gloomy, dark and rainy. Not that I'm complaining. I think that it's a nice break from the headache inducing heat wave we've been having lately. So this is definitely a welcome change.

I love waking up to this kind of weather, sweater weather. Pull out my cute socks, my oh-so-comfy sweaters, light some of my scented candles and lounge around the house reading books, blogging, trolling my favorite online stores, painting my nails and whatever else strikes my fancy. Just me and my trusted sweater, my journal and my thoughts. 

Found a dupe of Models Own Speckled Egg nail polish at Forever21

Currently playing right now on my Drama Fever Channel: The Heirs (Korean Drama) 

Currently on repeat on my playlist : Ellie Goulding "Beating Heart" from Divergent Soundtrack

Nail Polish : Forever 21 Glitter Nail Polish in Peach/Black 3.80

Skip the overly expensive scented candles from Yankee Candles and get Glade Candles instead. Half the price of Yankee Candles and smells divine. 

On Nail Polish and Bows

I usually don't post this late but I just had to share. The mister and I went out to run some errands today and ended up at the mall. I wasn't really planning on buying anything since I just ordered a "few" stuff online and can't really think of anything else at the moment that I need.

I went to Forever 21 to kill time. I don't really like their clothes because it's always been a hit or miss with me in regards to sizes but I love their jewelries and lounge wear and most of their hair accessories.

I was browsing in their jewelry section and was looking for more cute midi-rings and I found a couple of little hair bows and head band that has that wire inside that looks exactly like Brandy Melville's and they were 2.80 for two bows and 3.80 for the head band. I just had to get them! LOL!

Also found some nail polish that are dupes of Models Own Speckled Eggs Nail Polish. I have been fighting the urge to buy those online but can't really justify the 6.00 dollars per nail polish price. I mean it's a nail polish and it's not even Chanel. The Forever 21 are absolute dupes! I will have to "shower" test them and see how long they will last and also if they are easy to apply. But for 3.80, you really can't go wrong with that.

My Morning Ritual

I am definitely not a morning person. I try not to get any work shifts that starts at 8:00 AM since that means I have to be awake by 6:45 AM to squeeze in my shower, dry my hair, put on my make up and drive to work. On days that I do wake up early, the mister and I would grab breakfast together at a nearby brunch restaurant (The Beacon Restaurant) get coffee and start our day. 

As far as beauty routine, I have quite a few. To start my day, I wash my face with COAL FACE from LUSH. Pat it dry and apply 3 drops of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (yes, I also use it in the morning before I put on my moisturizer since it has been working wonders for my acne prone skin) and last I use Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate as my moisturizer. Although both products are suggested to be used at night, I use them during the day as well. The bottles are quite expensive but you only need a few drops (three drops and it covers my face and my neck) really. 

I usually start my day with coffee (who doesn't?!) I love my Keurig! Right now I've been hooked with The Coffee Bean's Costa Rica blend and I would mix that with my Almond Joy coffee creamer from International Delight and instead of using bottled water I use Victoria's Kitchen Almond Coconut Water (from Fresh Market) It really saves money since Starbucks usually costs between 5 dollars to 11 dollars and it's really good!

I would also get some soup from my favorite deli, Cow and Sow Deli. I love that I live just right on top of my favorite deli in Wichita! They always have the freshest cupcakes, breakfast bars, ice cream, yummy soups and sandwiches! My favorite is Chicken Tortilla soup and their Chicken and Rice soup as well as their Chicken Salad Sandwich (I know! I went crazy with the chicken LOL!) Amazing food and amazing owners! 

For my bath routine. I use Karma Komba from Lush as my shampoo. If you have wild, frizzy and color treated hair like mine, you will definitely love this shampoo. First of all it is an all natural shampoo so it will not damage or fade your hair color. And second, it will smooth out the tangles from your hair making it really easy to comb after stepping out of the shower. Next, I condition my hair with Aussie 3-minute Miracle Smooth Deep Conditioning Treatment. I use this sparingly and not everyday. I condition my hair every other day instead of everyday to avoid drying my hair out and damaging it. And for my body wash I use Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub from Lush. I love the scent of this one. It's not a floral scent but more of a clean sheet/ fresh out of the laundry smell, if you know what I mean. I love how it smells very clean and a really good pick-me-upper for mornings. 

Drying my hair is quite tricky. If I leave my hair too long to dry out, it will eventually turn up like a bird's nest and would really be hard to manage. I use Argan Oil as my leave-in conditioner before blow drying my hair and straightening it out. For just everyday/not going anywhere make-up I use Lush Color Essentials Dark Pink Color Supplement so I don't look sick and to give my skin "that" glow. It's like a foundation and has a light to medium coverage. And I would usually just dab on some lipgloss from Smashbox and call it a day. 

Battle of the Boxes

 

I am quite proud of myself. To date, I've done 21 blog posts in my site. About 500 "reads" from when I started in June to now (with really very little advertising). So I might have a few people following my blog and reading my posts. And to all of you, Thank You Very Much! 

I've always wanted to write reviews on subscription boxes. I know that every Jane Beauty blogger has already done this but most of them also get those boxes for free to review and can sometimes be biased. Well since I'm buying them (it's $10 a month including taxes and shipping) rest assured that I will be fair and give my unbiased review. 

Today, I've subscribed to IPSY. Ipsy is more geared to ladies that only wants make-up on their subscription box. It's $10 a month, comes with 4-5 deluxe make-up samples from Sephora or Ulta name brands to Drug Store brands like PACIFICA or Pixie (Target brands). I won't be receiving my first box until August (mid August perhaps) but I'm off their waiting list. To be honest, I don't really think that there is one since you can get "bumped" off the waiting list if you "like" them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter (also Instagram, I think) and subscribe to their "Beauty Bloggers" on Youtube. Way to go in marketing! So, if you don't mind countless notifications on your social media accounts, then go ahead and click away. 

I haven't made up my mind yet on Birchbox. I've read mixed reviews about this box. It's really the same as IPSY. It's $10 a month, comes with 4-5 samples but it's not just about makeup or skin care. Birchbox also includes lifestyle geared products as well as "healthy living" sample products like energy bars and such. I'm not a health buff. If you've read my latest travel post about St. Louis, you know I like to eat and not in a healthy way (LOL!) This box will be my "we'll see" box. 

Since I will be reviewing subscription box, I'll be posting vlogs as well (YAY!) It will be an easier way to really review the products so stay tuned! I'm quite excited about this since it will be my first video blog post. I'll also review some Korean Beauty Products and do a VS with my favorite Kiehl's, Lush and FAB skin care products. Also coming up will be my Poshmark finds and hauls! 

Again, Thank You to everyone that's been reading my posts. Really made my day when I checked on my Stats! 

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Word

Here are a few more of our St. Louis Adventures. I think the best way to review 

St. Louis is to post the amazing sights that the city has to offer! 

Underneath The Gateway Arch

Laclede's Landing St. Louis

Missouri/ St. Louis Botanical Garden

University Loop 

Ball Park Village