Affordable Makeup Brushes- Target Edition

I have shelled out some serious cash for makeup brushes over the last couple years or so.  I have to say that I do have my favorite brands and a lot of times you do get what you pay for.  I have had some luck with drugstore brands in recent days and decided to invest in some new brushes that do not break the bank.  I have had some hits and some misses.  Unfortunately, I have already thrown out the brushes that I didn't like due to lack of space.  I am going to show you some brushes that are affordable and that work well for my beauty routine.  I bought new ones so that you can see what to look for when heading into your local Target.  I will still spend my money investing in higher end brushes, but these are great options for your collection as well!  I hope you enjoy!  Please let me know if you have any additional questions about the brushes below or if you would like me to review any others out there.  

elf Blending Eye Brush $1 at Target

The elf Blending Eye Brush is great to add color to the crease of your eye.  It adds a soft wash of color without a lot of effort.  This brush is a staple in my daily makeup routine.  The brush is extremely soft, but dense enough to add a nice wash of color.  These brushes wash well without a lot of shedding.  There is one major con that comes with purchasing eye makeup brushes from elf.  Each brush seems to vary even though they are all made in the same factory.  I  make sure to open the pouch in the back and feel the brush to ensure that the bristles are soft and dense before purchasing.  I also make sure to wash each brush I purchase before use because I am sure other crazies are digging their fingers into the packages like me.  I wash my brushes with warm water and gentle dish soap.  I have special brush cleaner, but I don't see/smell/feel a difference between that and natural dish soap.  Also, make sure that you do not get water on any part of the brush besides the hairs.  If you get water down the shaft of the brush, it will loosen the glue and your brush will shed and eventually breakdown.

elf Smudge Brush $1 at Target

This brush is great for smoking out eyeliner on the bottom lashes or adding a strong wash of color above the upper lash line.  It is extremely dense and a great bargain for the product you are receiving.  I would recommend touching the brush before purchasing as well because you do not want a rough brush to touch your lashes.  The brush should be dense, but also soft to the touch.  This brush tends to shed a little, but for $1 it is affordable enough to replace.  

elf Blush Brush $3 at Target

This next brush is called a blush brush, but I personally use it to apply my highlighter.  I am sure it would work fine as a blush brush, but I needed a highlighting brush at the time and gave this one a try.  This brush is extremely soft and adds the perfect amount of highlighter on my cheekbones.  

elf Eyeshadow "C" Brush $3 at Target

The elf Eyeshadow "C" Brush is great for adding an eyeshadow highlight under your brows.  The hairs are extremely soft and dense so they apply a great amount of eyeshadow without having any fallout.  Highlighting under your brows will give you an instant brow lift.  

                                                                              elf Contour Brush $3 at Target

The next brush is a great brush for adding a stronger/more intense wash of color in your crease.  This brush does blend well, but it takes a little bit of patience to get it completely buffed out.  Make sure to check the hairs before purchasing to ensure that they are soft as well as dense.  I tend to reach for the brush on days that I want a bit more of a made-up look.

Sonia Kashuk Spoolie $1 at Target

Every girl needs a good spoolie.  A spoolie is used to tame wild eyebrows. Well, for you it may just be needed to brush them up and neaten your look.  I however need a spoolie to tame these wild beasts.  I use a spoolie to get my eyebrows how I want them before filling them in and setting them with a clear eyebrow gel.  

Drugstore Foundations

I love when I can find affordable foundation at the drugstore.  I do find that it is much more difficult than getting color matched at Sephora or at a department store, but hopefully my post will shed some light on a foundation that will fit your personal needs.

The first foundation that is pictured on the far left is the Loreal True Match Lumi.  The foundation contains SPF 20.  I personally love when my foundation contains an SPF; I wear sunscreen year-round.  If you are photographed often, you may want to steer clear of foundations that contain an SPF.  It tends to cast a white light on your face when photographed.  The foundation itself has great coverage.  My favorite part about this foundation is the luminous aspect that so gently comes through.  It gives me a natural glow without looking too shiny.  It is considered a lightweight, buildable foundation.  I don't personally know if I agree with that.  I love the coverage, but too many layers will look cakey.  This foundation is great for dry skin!  If you have oily skin, I would stay away from this foundation, unless you plan to set it with powder throughout the day.  The color selection is split into warm, cool, and neutral. I typically have cool undertones. I tend to reach for foundations with pink undertones. If you have yellow undertones, they have the right foundation for you too! 

 If you aren't sure where you fall on the spectrum. Take this quiz:

What type of undertone?

The next foundation pictured is the Loreal True Match.  This is an oil-free foundation.  I like this foundation, but not as much as the Lumi.  I tend to reach for this one a little bit more in the summer.  It is a light to medium coverage with SPF 17.  This foundation will work well for someone who tends to have more oily/combination skin.  The color selection is great and the formula allows for buildable coverage without looking cakey.  My one complaint about this foundation is that it comes without a pump:(  

Revlon Colorstay is one of the most long-wearing foundations I have ever used.  This foundation is offered in formulas for both oily/combination and dry skin.  I use the dry formula and love the consistency on my face.  It is an oil-free formula, but feels hydrating on my skin.  I reach for this pretty consistently.  I like the feel of the Lumi better, but reach for this when I want my foundation to last all day.  

Revlon Nearly Naked is a new foundation.  It is meant to be incredibly natural and buildable.  The formula contains SPF 20.  It blends very easily and feels amazing on the skin.  I bought this to use when I want to look a tad more on the natural side.  I was bummed with my first couple uses as I didn't feel that it achieved a very natural look.  I have continued to reach for it because I love the formula, but will not keep this in my natural makeup routine.  

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation was my go-to foundation for over 3 months.  I literally never reached for anything, but this little beauty.  I have extremely dry skin and loved the thick consistency on my skin.  Now, I tend to reach for the others more often than  this formula.  I would recommend this if you have incredibly dry skin, but I think I like the bottle of the Colorstay more than this formula.  This formula looks great once it is applied, but it takes a little bit of finesse and time to get it to apply evenly.  The wear is long and flawless, but the formula is lacking in comparison to the others.  

Please comment below if there are any other drugstore foundations you would like me to review!

Amazing Drugstore Products- Fall Edition

Fall is the season of apple cider, colorful leaves, and for me-allergy season.  I do have to say that the fall makeup trends make the season more bearable for me.  A bold berry lip and classic eye makes fall appealing to most beauty fanatics.  These products hold a special place in my heart.  Not only are they fall appropriate, but they are also drugstore products.  I love finding ways to save money on makeup.  The savings allow for me to justify buying even more necessary beauty products.  Cha-ching!

The first product that I am loving this fall is the Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum.  Revlon's Lip Butters are pretty sheer, but they are incredibly moisturizing and give the most beautiful wash of color.  I like to use this product when I want a little pick-me-up instead of a completely bold lip.  The color is a sheer wash of berry.  You can find this product at Ulta. Ulta often offers buy 1 get another 50% off with Revlon products and other drugstore brands.  Another reason to justify your purchase:)

Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum  $7.49 at Ulta








A bolder choice of lipstick in the berry family is...also from Revlon.  I think that Revlon makes incredible lipsticks.  The color payoff is great for the price and they offer a wide range of colors.  Revlon Black Cherry is a creme finish.  It is not matte, but not very shiny either.  This is a perfect lipstick for the upcoming months.  Make sure to pick this up when Ulta or your favorite drugstore is having a sale.  

Revlon Black Cherry Lipstick $6.99 at Ulta



I don't know about you, but I am a huge fan of lipgloss.  It took me a long time to transition from lipgloss to lipstick.  Now I am a believer, but I do love the shiny, moisturizing feeling of a gloss on top of my lipstick.  I think that the use of this offers a longer wear throughout the day.  I love to use the Revlon Bordeaux lipgloss over top of both the Sugar Plum Lip Butter as well as the Black Cherry lipstick.  It is a little lighter than the lipstick, but they truly are a power couple.  For some reason, this lipgloss is not sold online through Ulta, but it can be purchased at your local Ulta or at your neighborhood drugstore.    

Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Bordeaux  $7.49 at Ulta

When I wear lip colors like this, I like to go with a classic eye.  I love the look of winged liquid eyeliner.  To achieve the best look I turn to the L'Oreal 12 Hour Infallible Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner.  Whew! That is a long name, for a super slim eyeliner.  The slim felt tip allows for precise control.  You can make the line as thick or thin as you would like and can also control the wing (if you rock that look.)  I was worried that the tip would bend or dry up, but I seem to like it more and more with every single use.  

This would be a great eyeliner for someone who needs more practice.  



L'oreal Super Slim Eyeliner $8.99 at Ulta



A look is not complete without a great mascara.  I was never a huge fan of any type of mascara, but I think it was because my lashes are as difficult as I am.  They want to curl down and do not follow directions very well.  This mascara has made me a believer.  My favorite thing about the L'oreal Telescopic Extensions is the fact that you can continue to layer it on without getting spider leg lashes.  I usually put on three coats of this mascara and by the last coat my lashes look ballin'.  If you take the time to layer this and get it all the way down to the base of your lashes, you will find that it separate, curls, and adds volume.  This mascara is absolutely amazing.  

L'oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara $9.99 at Ulta

I hope these products make your fall even more glamorous!  Please make sure to follow me and comment below:)

Beauty items I simply cannot live without this upcoming winter

The winter months wreak havoc on my energy and my skin.  My skin becomes terribly dry, irritated, and red.  Apparently, it isn't bad enough that I turn into Casper the Ghost during these lackluster days:( My difficult skin always tries to get the best of me, but I am excited to share that I have found many solutions to the problems thrown my way!  

First off, let me introduce you to Josie Maran Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil.  This is a beauty cream that tops all beauty creams.  It can be used as a strong facial moisturizer, hand cream, body cream, lip treatment, treatment on split ends, foot massage oil, and eyebrow taming oil. I am sure that this fabulous product can be used in many more ways, but I can't afford to find out about other tricks it can perform.  When I first used it I was surprised by the beady/oil texture.  As I warmed it in my hands, the beads disappeared and it thinned out quite a bit.  I use it on my face at night, as use in the morning is a little too oily for me.  I purchased mine at Sephora and currently own the full size bottle. 

2.2 oz $28

Josie Maran Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil

The next holy grail product is the Josie Maran Argan Oil Cleanser.  I received this in a sample kit from Sephora.  I have to say that I was concerned that my face wouldn't feel clean after using this product.  After my first use I fell in love.  My face did not seem a bit dry or dirty after use.  One complaint about this product is that I have to use a makeup remover wipe prior to use as it doesn't remove my makeup very well.  I use this cleanser once a day and take one day off a week to use an exfoliating scrub.

1.9 oz $12

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

I enjoy this next product regardless of the season.  Mario Badescu Caviar Night Cream is a great nighttime moisturizer.  It leaves my skin feeling extremely moisturized.  I will say that if you do not like balm like moisturizers then this is not the moisturizer for you. It does feel incredibly thick when you first put it on, but in the morning my skin feels great and the balmy residue is gone.   The best part of this moisturizer is the fact that a little goes a long way.  The tub looks very small, but you need very little for optimal results.  

1.0 oz $20

Mario Badescu Caviar Night Cream

Last, but not least I present to you Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm:)  This lip balm smells and tastes like...you guessed it honey!!!  Lush is known for natural products.  I have to say that this is one of my favorite products they sell.  It comes in a tin.  I do hate that I have to stick my fingers in there to get the product out, but if that is a deal breaker for you, you could always purchase a lip brush to use along with it.  This is extremely thick and waxy.  I put it on before bed and when I wake up my lips feel absolutely amazing.  I have noticed that my lipstick always applies much easier following the use of this balm.  

.3 oz $7.25

Lush Honey Trap