Favorite Products of Summer 2011

With all the Back-To-School ads and even Halloween stuff in stores, I can't help but feel like summer is already over. So I thought I would post my go-to products that I've been using on almost a daily basis for the past couple of months.

In no particular order:

Poppie Jones across the shoulder fringe purse in brown suede that I bought about 3 years ago from DSW.

Jade and Bamboo Necklace from Island Dancer Jewelry (a gift). Sorry, Island Dancer Jewelry website is not up at this time

Bath & Body Works body cream in Country Chic.

Maybelline Shine Sensational lip gloss in Pineapple Paradise

No brand name sunglasses (gifted to me) with animal print

Gold and turquoise cuff from India, I bought this from a local festival

NYX Ultra Pearl Mania in Yellow Gold Pearl

Bath & Body Works Body Spray in Hello Sugar Whole Lotta Lemon Going On (sadly discontinued) - this really complimented Country Chic.

OPI - My Chihuahua Bites, I've been wearing this on my toes all summer long.

Icing Mood Swing Color Changing Nail Polish in Confident/Cheery

Pur Minerals Eye Pencil in Black Amethyst - This has been truly waterproof/sweat proof in my opinion. Not so great for the waterline though...boo. But I still love this eyeliner.

Loreal Infallible 6hr Never Fail Lipgloss in Rebel Red - Red lips was my favorite thing this summer. And this is probably my favorite lipgloss of all time. Really pigmented and had long lasting wear...even while eating and drinking. Fabulous.

Gold Peacock Long Necklace - I think I bought this at Charlotte Russe a year ago?

Revlon Molten Metal Liquid Shadow in Platinum Pinup - Sadly also discontinued.

Cateye Black sunglasses from Target, I believe they were on sale for $12.99

Lancome Color Design lipstick in Red Haute - BEST MATTE RED LIPSTICK EVER! I never had a red lipstick that I liked on me until I found this beauty. Even the packaging is sleek. Wear time is really good too. After it fades, your lips still have a red stain on them.

Vintage looking flower ring from Pier 1 Imports - It was less than 3 bucks and it's adjustable.

And this was my favorite product of the summer:

 LA Splash Liquid Eyeliner in Royal Blue - I bought this on clearance at Ulta awhile back. As a liner it was ok. Gives a great pop a color and a great alternative to Urban Decay liners in the same colors. Definitely not sweatproof or waterproof. As a liner this really needs a primer and a sealer. But then I started using it to tint my lashes and I fell in love! It looks gorgeous paired up with gold eyeshadow that really popular to wear in the summer.

LA Splash Liquid Eyeliner in Royal Blue layered on lashes

I don't think the picture does it justice. You can definitely tell your lashes are blue in real life but there not a neon sign above your head announcing the color of your lashes either. TONS and TONS of compliments wherever I went. I applied my usual mascara like usual and once dry, I layered the liquid liner on top of the mascara. You can also use a disposable wand to apply the product. I just didn't have one.

I kept hearing all summer that THE nail color of the season was a toss up between yellow and orange. So when I saw the Mood Swing polish in Cheery/Confident, I thought "Why not wear both at the same time?"

WARNING: Manicure was 5 days old!

Warm hand

Dipped in Ice Water



After a few minutes

Few minutes more

Back to warm temperature

 I highly recommend this nail polish.

As much as I love these products. I'm not sad to see summer go. I've been melting in this summer heat. And as I type this, the area where I live is on the cusp of being hit by Tropical Storm Don. I much prefer the fall. But I will miss seeing these lovelies in my backyard:

What was your favorite product this summer?

Get the NAKED look for less!

So here goes my first review (yay!). I recently bought this NYX Nude on Nude Palette during the 40% off NYX sale at Ulta last week. This has been considered a more economical alternative to Urban Decay's NAKED palette.  The NAKED palette comes with 12 of their award winning eyeshadows including 5 new shades. The palette also comes with a Good Karma Eyeshadow brush and a travel size of their Eyeshadow Primer Potion. BUT it also comes with a $48 dollar price tag. It still is a good deal if you break it down. Which means you are in essence paying $4 bucks per shade (original price per eyeshadow single is $17 bucks!). Now I don't know about you, but $48 dollars is a lot to pay for eyeshadow when I can use that to fill up my gas tank.

The NYX Nude on Nude palette on the other hand comes with 20 eyeshadows and 10 lip colors and is valued at $25!! Which comes out to $0.83 per eyeshadow or lip color. Saving you $23 bucks. PLUS NYX retaliers are more likely to have promotions where you can save even more. I purchased mine for a little under $12 bucks!

Now the price sounds great, but how about the quality??

The shadows come with 12 shimmer and 8 matte finishes. They are very smooth, and pigmented. There is a little fall out but it's very minimal. WARNING: They DO crease. But just use a little primer on your lids and that eliminates the problem and they will last ALL DAY LONG.

This particular shade reminded me alot of Galapagos by Nars. Not at all a dupe, but very similar. (excuse my nails, it's for another posting soon to come!)

Here is an eye look I did with Nude on Nude:

Without Flash

With Flash (Sorry didn't realize my hair was in my face)

I was VERY surprised at the lip colors. I was expecting something cheap and waxy and gross. Not at all the case with these. They range from Nudes,  to Pinks to RED. The red lip color was by far my favorite and is now my go-to red lip color. They are very moisturizing and easy to blend with each other to customize color options. The lips colors were my rockstars of this palette.

Now if $25 dollars is still too steep for your wallet and you still want the NAKED look, I have one more option for you.

The Maybelline Expertwear Eyeshadow Quad in Chai Latte.  This comes with four shades, One metallic, two shimmers and one matte. There is no creasing, its long wearing (with primer) and very versital. Here's one of my favorite tutorials on a look using this quad. And at 5 bucks  how can you loose. (Remember to look out for Maybelline promos!)

Prices and availability may vary depending on location. Please check your local area for more specific details.

Disclaimer: These products were purchased with my own money and I did not receive any monetary compensation. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Maybelline, Revlon, NYX, and Almay SALE!

Now this is a deal worth posting. Right now at Ulta, Maybelline, Revlon,  NYX, and Almay are 40% off!!! And if you sign up for their emails, then you'll get a coupon for $3.50 off of your purchase of $10 bucks! SCORE!  I definately need a new NYX pallate and Revlon's nail polish in Royal has been on my wishlist for quite some time. I might even stock up on NYX pigments. Sale ends on April 16. What will you get?

Beauty Deal of the Week

I'm sadly still working on this lovely website. But I thought I'd let you all know of a great deal I found in the meantime. This week until April 2, all Rimmel Cosmetics are 50% off at Walgreens!  I think I'll head over there this morning to pick up my favorite Rimmel lipstick in Rose Blush and their Lash Accelerator Mascara. I was told by a friend that the Rimmel lipstick in Pink Blush is a close dupe for the, sadly discontinued, Maybelline Pink Please lipstick. I will definately use this opportunity to pick that up. So run on over to Walgreens ladies!


Stay Lovely,

HBBgirl