Wet N Wild and KIKO Milano Haul

Hello Gymbugs,

I finally had time to sit down and film a Haul! It has been since March of this year that I last updated. I have missed creating content for YouTube so much. I hope I will be able to get back into it this year. 

Airbrushed Makeup with Smokey Eye

My first collaboration with my good friend Lan with Flawless Beauty Studio.

Flawless Beauty Studio is a professional makeup studio that specializes in bridal, party and special occasion hair and makeup. In this video you will see how she uses the airbrush technique. Check out her website at http://www.flawlessbeautystudio.com/bridal

Makeup in video.

MAC Makeup: fluidline blacktrack, eyeshadow in Club, Blush in gingerly, buff and pink swoon, studio conceal and correct palette, lip liner in Whirl, Creme Sheen in Calypso, Lipstick in Patisserie

Too Faced Makeup: Primed & Poreless Primer, Eye Shadow Insurance
DUO eyelash glue

Bundle Monster 4pc Kabuki Collection

The first time I saw the Bundle Monster Kabuki Brushes online I said to myself I need to check them out. The brush heads look just like the Sigma Beauty Sigmax Kabuki F80 range brush collection.

Price comparison:

• Bundle Monster Kabuki set of 4 brushes is $25 for the whole set and it includes a sturdy case. Another wonderful perk about Bundle Monster is they have free shipping in the US.
• Sigma Sigmax Kabuki Brushes retail for $21 each bringing your total to $84 if you bought all 4 individually or you can pick up their Sigma Beauty 5 Brush set for $84 (that also comes with the F88 Flat Angled Kabuki) I just want to point out that Sigma also charges shipping.

With a huge price gap why not give the Bundle Monster brushes a go? 

Review of Bundle Monster set:

When you first remove them from their original packaging there is a strong moth ball or plastic scent. No worries, after the first wash of the brushes and airing out the case the smell was completely gone!

All the brush head bristles are soft and blend your foundation really well. I only had shedding with 1 brush during first wash, the Flat Kabuki. Since then I haven't had such issues with them. The case that is included is durable and would definitely protect your brushes.  My final rave is a personal preference, I love the look of the rustic wooden handles, I don't think other brushes on the market have that design right now.

I have always been intrigued by Sigma brushes, particularly their synthetic brushes. I first viewed them as an affordable alternative to high end brushes but now I see them as outside my brush price range. I know I own more expensive brushes too but Sigma to me, seems more like a step up from drugstore brushes but certainly not a luxe brand so my willingness to pay for them is lower these days particularly when it seems companies like Bundle Monster can come to a close match on quality without the steep price tag.

Now I wish Bundle Monster would dupe Sigma's Sigmax Precision Kit too, I imagine it would be amazing and send us brushaholics to brush heaven.

Pic from my instagram @gymba24.

Left numbers below are the Sigma Brush numbers and right hand side numbers are the Bundle Monster version. They have equivalent names.

F80 Flat Kabuki K01
F82 Round Kabuki K02
F84 Angled Kabuki K04 
F86 Tapered Kabuki K03


The Bundle Monster Brushes are super high quality, I am very impressed with them. If you want to see them in action check out my video below.

The opinions expressed in this post are all my own, I was not paid to do this review, I received the items for review.

Zabana Essentials Haul

I had been interested in checking out the brand Zabana Essentials ever since Nouveau Cheap tagged them in an instagram post. I clicked on their @ZabanaEssentials and read their description, "Bath, Body & Home Essentials Natural-Vegan-Organic Products Made in Our San Diego CA Studio." I took a few looks through their pictures and was convinced that I needed to try them. I love the fact they are local hope for their continued success!

I finally made an online purchase and wow, everything was so beautiful and smelled so wonderful. Check out my haul and check out this company!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Demo & Review

The Beauty Blender retails for about $20. Sometimes you can find it up to 20% off, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge retails for $5.99 and I picked mine up for 50% off when their website was having a sale. Right off the bat price wise the Real Techniques wins on price.

Often times when you try a store or generic beauty blender you do not get the same quality, finish of consistency. The are either too dense and hard or they pick too much product.  When damp, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is the closest dupe to the Beauty Blender in softness and the finish that it gives you. Most of the cheaper alternatives are too hard and don't feel the same. They come in tie for quality and finish.

I actually like the shape of the Miracle Complexion Sponge, the flat surface is really useful. I would love to hear if you agree with me if you've tried both as well.

Project 10 Pan 2014

Last year I had a monthly makeup basket to help me rotate through my makeup collection and use different things rather than always go back to my old comforts. This year I have decided to do my own version of the Project 10 Pan. I will most likely be updating this blog post every time I do an updated video with my progress.

Different from traditional Project 10 Pans, I will not be on a no buy because I have come to realize as a beauty blogger you can't really stop trying new things. Plus, I just love makeup and I do not want to stop buying makeup! I will be referring to the Project 10 Pan as P10 going forward so as to not have to type the whole thing out.

January Update

In January I did a good job using the foundations. I opened and started using a tinted moisturizer which was not from my P10. I also came to a new revelation about my blush. Watch my video and see how I did this month!

Project 10 Pan the Beginning

Get a small glimpse of my massive makeup collection in my Project 10 Pan video.

Also check out which products I selected in my Project 10 Pan:

4 Mascaras

10 Foundations

10 Lip products

7 Blushes

2 Face Powders

3 Eye Products, 1 of which consists of 12 pencils

1 Powder Concealer.

 

Precursor to Project 10 Pan

After watching Christine of pinksofoxy do many purges I was inspired to go through my collection and clean out things that are old or that I know that I just wouldn't use because I know I don't like them. See how I did cleaning out old things.

January 2014 Favorites

Review: Urban Decay Naked 3

I had to take some photos of this little guy before getting my brushes and fingers into it. With my love of photography this was my pick from our photo shoot with indoor lighting.

Aesthetically, Naked 3 packaging is higher than her sisters Naked and Naked 2. Also, the thought of pink and gold tone shadows is amazing. Though pretty to look at,  I found it a bit hard to work with my skin tone. I eventually came up with a look I would not be embarrassed leaving the house wearing. So far nothing I felt excited about. I don't doubt that this palettes looks amazing on other skin tones. I find Naked 2 to be my favorite and the most versatile.


Pros:

• Sleek and beautiful packaging
• Mostly high quality shadows
• May work well with certain skin tones (not mine Asian NC30)

Cons:

• May be harder to work with certain skin tones (mine) 
• Only comes with a small rip open type sample of primer (really? after buying a a pricey palettes you can't throw in a deluxe size sample?)
• Colors are not that unique (perhaps the easiest palette to find dupes)
• 2 shadows are powdery (Dust and Trick)

Watch my video for a few of my thoughts and comparisons with the Naked and Naked 2 and swatches of the Urban Decay Naked 3.

Deal Alert: ELF 150 Geometric Eyeshadow Palette

I Deal Alert! I saw that Target was having a clearance of all their holiday sets for 70% off. So this might be time sensitive for those of you hoping to catch the deal. Thank you to my friend Jenn for letting me know about the clearance.

My video gives more detail but these are the prices I saw at 3 different Targets in San Diego California.

The 2 things that I forgot to take pictures of but you'll be able to see them in my video above.
14 pc Nail Polish set $7
10 pc Essential Brush set $3

 Eyeshadow Geo Palettes

6 pc for $0.90 

18 pc $1.50

32 pc & 36 pc $1.80

96 pc $3

150 pc $4.50

Product Spotlight: Miracle Skin Transformer

My first time coming across Sarah McNamara's Mircale Skin Transformer was from buying a deluxe sized sample that came in my 2013 Sephora Sun Safety Skin from inside JC Penny. Interestingly enough the Sephora Sun Safety kits differed between free standing Sephoras and JC Penny locations (that should be a blog post on it's own).

I quickly fell in love with my sample that came in the shade medium. This product claims to do 5 in 1 things: hydrate, prime, mattify, enhance and protect your skin. I certainly feel like this product makes my skin look more air brushed and flattering. It comes in 6 shades: translucent, light, medium, medium tan, tan and deep. The medium shade reminds me a little of Benefits POREfessional except without the strange smell that POREfessional leaves. It is also a slightly cooler tone than POREfessional.

I was looking to buy the full size from Sephora during their next friends and family discount. But luckily for me Costco carries 2 shades currently for $29.99 for a full size.

So let me break it down for you (regular retail in black, 20% in red)
From Regular Retailers
Miracle Skin Transformer 1.7 oz retails for $48 ($38.40 or $22.59/oz)
Benefits POREfessional   0.75 oz retails for $30 ($24 or $32/oz)
                                or a 1.75 oz jumbo size for $42 ($33.6 or $19.2/oz)
From Costco
Miracle Skin Transformer 1.7 oz retails for $29.99 or $17.64/oz

The best value can be found at Costco but the caveat being the limited selection.

Check out my YouTube Review!

Vitacost: Natural Products at Discount Prices

In the past I would have gone to Whole Foods or Spouts for my natural and organic needs but now I make sure to check Vitacost and Amazon first. Of course Vitacost can not replace your fresh produce needs but for the non-perishables it's a viable resource. I've heard of Vitacost referred to as the online equivalent of Wal-Mart for the Whole Foods target market and I would have to agree! With an abundance of natural brands, Vitacost has quickly become one of my go to sites when searching for non-perishable ingredients, oils and natural beauty products. I will have to say that if Costco carries a comparable item, they almost always win on price point. But since Costco's target is not as specific as Vitacost you will not find most of the items at Costco.

Current Vitacost Favorites:

Now Solutions Sweet Almond Oil

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free 

Essential Oils (if you use them this is a great place to pick them up)

Coconut Oil

Chia seeds

Vitamins
Halo Pet Food

Future Vitacost items to try:

Acure Organics Marula Oil
Life-Flo Pure Kukui Oil
Life-Flo Squalane Oil

Everyday Coconut Water Face Toner

Jarrow Formulas Whey Protein Unflavored Powder 

Protein Plus Peanut Flour Gluten Free
Foods Alive Black Sesame Protein Powder Raw

Nutiva Organic Coconut Flour

If you've never shopped at Vitacost before, click my referral link and save $10 on your first purchase of $30 or more!

Vitacost Haul Video

Vitacost Pet Haul

Vitacost Skincare Haul

Product Spotlight: ELF Super Long Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadows

Check out my swatches of the ELF Super Long Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadows!

You can find these on the ELF website in 7 shades right now: toast, Soiree, Gala, Festivity, Confetti, Celebration and Party are the color names

Coastal Scents Deal Alert and Haul

I received another email alert from Coastal Scents regarding the 40% off sale going on now. This sale ends January 2nd 2014.

I took part in the Black Friday Cyber Monday sale and if you would like to see what I picked up from that purchase then check out my haul.

I am extremely impressed with this brand and I actually find their "dupe" for the 217 MAC brush to be pretty comparable performance wise. Below is a casual photo I snapped using my iphone after washing and drying my new brush. MAC 217 on the left and the Coastal Scents PRO BLENDING FLUFF BR-250 on the right. I feel confident in saying I will be buying the Coastal Scents version going forward. My love for the 217 is huge in that I even have a backup of that one. So it is saying a lot that I no longer feel the need to repurchase that item from MAC.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW First Impression

During Sephora's November VIB sale I received a sample of the Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer stick and Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW foundation. Check out my first impression and review below.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

I won these nail strips form influenster last summer and finally broke them out. The print that they sent to me was the Queen of the Jungle pictured below in a casual photo I shot as I walked from my car to the office.

Each box comes with 16 strips that are split into 2 packets of 8. I was able to use 1 packet of 8 to do all 10 fingernails because my nails are currently short enough that some nail strips could cover 2 fingers.

I would rate these better than Jamberry Nails but not as good as Sephora OPI strips. Unfortunately, Sephora seems to be discontinuing their strips but you can still find them on Sephora's website in their sale section and discount stores like Marshall's and TJ Maxx. 

Jamberry Nail first impression video

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Sephora OPI Nail strip trial video

Freeman Beauty Best of Beauty Seasonal Set

If you missed out on the Freeman Beauty Mystery Spooky Bag or their Black Friday sale. Don't fear, there is always a sale in the future. I just received an email about this deal below.

According to the email this set comes with the following:-

Feeling Beautiful™ Cucumber Facial
Peel-Off Mask 6 oz.
Bare Foot® Peppermint & Plum Foot Lotion 5.3 oz.
Bare Foot® Repair for Cracked Heels 3.4 oz.
Vita-K® Professional for Spider Veins 3.0 oz.
Psssst!® Original Dry Shampoo 5.3 oz.
Eclos™ Instant Radiance Facial Scrub 5.0 oz.
c. Booth™ Walnut Shell Body Scrub & Cleanser 16.0 oz.

1 sachet each of
• Feeling Beautiful™ Avocado & Oatmeal
Facial Clay Mask 0.5 oz.
• Feeling Beautiful™ Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial
Polishing Mask 0.5 oz.
• Feeling Beautiful™ Dead Sea Minerals Facial
Anti-Stress Mask o.5 oz.
• Bare Foot® Peppermint & Plum Foot Scrub 0.5 oz.
• Freeman® Beauty Socks

If you want to see the awesome finds in my Freeman Beauty mystery bag from this past October check out my video below.

Natural No Makeup Look

The weather is changing, the air is dryer in San Diego in the fall and the day light hours are shorter. Therefore, I find myself trying to get ready for work as quick as I can. Check out my no makeup look using minimal makeup.

Products mentioned:

LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
Ben Nye Luxury Banana Powder
ELF Tone Correcting Powder in Cool
Sarah McNarama Miracle Skin in Medium
Too Faced Primed and Poreless SPF 20 Bronze Tint
Physican's Formula Happy Booster Bronzer
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite
Napoleon Perdis lip gloss
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Medium
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in Exposed

Deal Alert: Real Techniques Brushes 50% off

This is the best price I have ever seen Real Techniques Brushes. If you have been wanting to these this line. Right now is the time to do it.

As per usual my deal alerts are super time sensitive so I post them ASAP. Today is October 24, 2013. This deal is probably time sensitive. It is 50% off Real Techniques. Go to their website and type in the promo code 'girlsnightin13' and in addition to that, you can get free shipping with orders over $50! Watch me do it in this video!

http://realtechniques.com/

I am in no way affiliated with Real Techniques. I just own a bunch of their brushes that I bought myself and was excited about the deal I saw on Nouveau Cheap's Instagam

Wet N Wild Spring Forward 2013 Limited Edition 8 Pan Eyeshadow Palettes

The title is certainly a mouthful! I had been searching high and low for the Wet N Wild Spring Forward Eyeshadow palettes since February. Alas, I finally found them at my local CVS last week. I think they are starting to pop up more abundantly as my friend who has also been searching found them this past weekend.

The collection contains to 2 palettes called Nude Awakening and Going Into the Wild.

If you want to take a closer look at them check out my swatch video where I also compared the them to my Urban Decay Naked and Nake 2 Palettes and a few of my other MAC and Kat Von D shadows.

Also if you want to check out my haul, check out the video below where I got some amazing drugstore deals from CVS and Rite Aid!

Makeup Don'ts Tag Video

How about some fun with this "Makeup Don'ts Tag" video? Whether you see it on other people or can laugh at your own old makeup application. Let's have a little fun with a tag video.