Drug Store Favorites!

I’ll admit: I’ve been really crummy at blogging lately.  I haven’t purchased anything monumental, and we haven’t gotten anything post-worthy at flea markets because we’ve been oddly busy.  Plus, I’ve been trying to plan things to do and places to stay on our Canadian road trip this month[!!!].  Okay, enough excuses… let’s talk drug store favorites.

I buy most of my “drug store favorites” at Target.  Like any other person, I can walk into Target needing just one item and I walk out with five.  Damn you, pretty displays and endless aisles.

Here are some of my favorite products that I’ve either recently discovered or have used for quite a while:

• e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner – This is great for those days you’re not doing your heavy-duty brush cleaning session.  It’s quick and it surprisingly takes off a decent amount of makeup.
• Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit – I’m lucky that I have eyebrows that don’t need a ton of product, but I recently discovered that once in a while, filling them in make them look pretty rad.  At first, I was afraid of looking like those girls with such heavy brows that you can’t help but stare, but this powder is light enough to prevent such a horrific sight.  It comes with two different colors so you can make your own shade (if you so wish).
• Simple Micellar Facial Cleanser Water – I’ve been wanting to try micellar water for quite a while.  I remember when I went to Portugal last year, I almost picked up the Garnier Micellar Cleaning Water and I regret that I didn’t… until this came out. This thing takes off waterproof mascara and other eye makeup like it’s nothing.  It’s also good for removing any last bits of lipstick.
• CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher – I’ve been using this waterproof mascara for the past few years.  It lives up to its no-clump name, it lasts all day and it makes these stubby lashes of mine look relatively decent.
• NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Gleam – I’ve been using Benefit’s High Beam under my blush for a while, and wanted to find a dupe for their Sun Beam highlighter for the summer.  I read a few things about this and picked it up a few weeks ago.  It gives just enough color on the cheeks, and it’s not too overpowering when you put blush on top of it.
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstsick in Fire & Ice – Revlon lipstick will always remind me of my grandmother for some reason, with that black and gold packaging.  I’ve grown fond of lipstick over the years, but don’t wear it nearly as often as I should.  This lipsticks lasts quite a long time with some lipliner underneath, and you truly can’t go wrong with a solid red color.  Having a crap day?  Throw some red (or whatever bright color you want) lipstick on.  You’re welcome.

Have you tried any of these products before?  What are some of your favorite drug store products?

This Weekend’s Beauty Haul

This Friday, my friend Ellie and I wandered around Center City, one of the reasons being I wanted to go nuts at Sephora and and Ulta.  Note that a lot of times, I’ll say I want to buy a lot of things, and I’ll walk out with one item like a one-use face mask or something.  This time, I meant it!

Living Proof Instant Texture Mist – I have been curling my hair lately, but this fine, straight hair needs some help to hold a curl.  I liked how it didn’t leave my hair too crunchy, but gave just enough texture to get the job done.

Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel –  After watching an Essie Button beauty haul video where this peel was mentioned, I was intrigued.  I have never used a peel before, but was nervous since sometimes my face reacts to new/semi-abrasive products in strange ways.  I just used it before working on this post, and I gotta say, it’s oddly-yet-disgustingly satisfying to see dead skin ball up as you are rubbing this product into your skin.  My face was left feeling really soft, but I’m curious to see how this works the longer I use it.

L’Occitane Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil with Almond Oil – I’m a sucker for anything almond-scented.  I was surprised how much this oil sudsed up in the shower.  I wish the almond scent was a little stronger, but as far as the moisturizing aspect of it, I loved it.  My skin has been dry lately, and this is the first time in a while that I looked at my skin in the light and it didn’t look dry.

Essence Longlasting Lipstick in Coral Calling – I sometimes like to go bold with my lipstick (bright red, pink, etc.), but I like how this is a little more subdued.

NYX Cream Blush in Tickled – I have another color of this blush (Orange), but I couldn’t say no to this blush.  Although it looks orange in the photo, it’s more on the pink side with some golden undertones.

I used the lipstick and the blush at a wedding I went to the next day, and these two really work well together: