July Favorites

I am so glad this month is over!!!

For 2 reasons:

1 - it's been a bummer.  but that's a story for another day.

2 - it's BEACH TIME.... in 11 days.

So here are a few of my favorite things this month!

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Merle Norman Aquabalance Foundation

I used to wear this foundation a lot.  But I had been trying so many new things, it got stuck away on the bottom of the pile.  But I pulled it back out one day and rediscovered my love for it.  I love the lightweight feeling it gives, but the coverage is great!  And it lasts very well to be a "lightweight" makeup.  It's perfect for summertime.  And though it's been SCORCHINGLY hot here in Bama, and I have still worn Colorstay Whipped on church days and such, it's been nice to have little makeup on and still great coverage.

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Garnier Nutrisse Dark Circle Eye Roller

This is another rediscovered product.  I've had this for ages.  But I've been using other concealers for a while.  But I pulled this baby out recently and it's GREAT!  It's not a miracle worker when it comes to coverage, but it does work great to conceal darkness.  Another plus, it's cooling on the skin.  Great for a midday pick-me-up.  And the caffeine helps a little, too, for us "non-morning" people.

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Real Techniques Face Brush & Powder Brush

I bought these brushes a month or so ago at Ulta.  I'm in love with them.  I've been using the face brush to apply foundation (all kinds of foundations) and it works great.  And the powder brush is so soft!  I just do a "patting" motion to apply my setting powder and it creates a very pretty finish without applying too much product.

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MAC Painterly Paint Pot

I purchased 2 Paint Pots recently.  First I bought Soft Ocre.  But I got it home and used it and discovered it was a little too yellow for me.  It'll probably work fine during the winter (pale) months.  So I went back and got Painterly.  I've used it every single day and I love it!  Not sure how I went this long without it.

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e.l.f. Blush and Bronzer Duo

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the blush from this duo and I've been wearing it tons!  It's such a soft, pretty, peachy color with a little shimmer.  So pretty during the summer.  And you CAN NOT beat the price.

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Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy

I bought a small size of this perfume and I'm in love with it!!!!

I don't like really strong perfumes, and this one is subtle enough that it doesn't knock you down, but it definitely is noticeable.  It's so bright and "juicy" smelling. :)

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Those products have been tops for me this month!

Face of the Day Monday

I've never used these colors in a look before,

but I LOVE the results!!

I think this will be a great look for the rest of summer, and especially at the beach!

woohoo! :)

It's a pink/coral/bronze look.  I used shadows from several different palettes, but you can use whatever you have to get this look!  doesn't have to be exact!

Products used:

Merle Norman AquaBalance Foundation

L26

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

002 Light

Revlon Colorstay Pressed Powder (to set undereye concealer)

Light

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

005 Silky Beige

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer

park avenue princess

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

dollface

MAC Paint Pot

Painterly

Merle Norman Soft Touch eye pencil

Blackout

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

Carbon Black

Maybelline Baby Lips

Peach Kiss

Now, for the shadows:

I started with a trio from L.A. Colors.

Bought this a few weeks ago for $1 at Dollar General. :)

I placed the bright pink all over the lid.

Then I topped it with the shimmery pink (safe bet annette)  from a Shady Lady palette.

Then I placed the light bronze color (mischievous marissa) on the outer corner and into the crease.

Then I placed the darker bronze color (racy kacy) in the outer V and slightly into the crease.

I used Urban Decay's Naked to blend all of the colors out.

Then I placed a shimmery, creamy white color (envious erin) under the brow and in the inner tear duct.

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I hope you like this look and might consider trying it out.  Or create your own spin on it.  

And if you do, share it with me!

friday phone dump

"Pin It, Please" - Recipes

Here are some of my latest "pins" on Pinterest.

I can't wait to try these recipes!

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Nutella Mug Cake

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Butterfinger Blondies

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Oatmeal Lemon Creme Bars

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Jalapeno Popper Dip

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White Chicken Enchiladas

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Hope you check them out!

Face of the Day Monday

I've been playing around with different shadows.... here's the look I came up with today.

silver, blue and a touch of purple to blend out the edges.

Products Used:

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation

220 Nude

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

002 Light

Rimmel Stay Matter pressed powder

005 Silky Beige

NYX Powder Blush

Mauve

Hard Candy Bronzer (as highlight)

Tiki

MAC Paint Pot

Painterly

eyeshadows - Shady Lady palettes by The Balm Cosmetics

silver on lid, taupe-y purple in the crease, deep royal blue in outer corner and on bottom lashline

light creamy color with shimmer in inner corner and under browbone

Merle Norman Soft Touch eye pencil

Blackout

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara

Carbon Black

Maybelline Baby Lips

Peach Kiss

mini review - Sephora goodies

 While shopping with my husband last week, I took a stroll through Sephora.  I rarely ever buy anything in the store, but I LOVE to look.

My favorite part of the store is all the little goodies at the checkout counter.

I picked up a few things to try.... all products that are new to me.

Tarte Amazonian Clay blush and bronzer

(blush is in Dollface)

LOVE these.  The bronzer does have some shimmer, but is a great dark bronze color for Summer.

The Amazonian Clay blushes have been on my wishlist for a while.  I REALLY want to try the color Exposed.  But Dollface is very pretty!  The perfect baby doll pink color.

Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm

There were 2 Smith's lip products to choose from.  One was the Rosebud Salve.  I've heard a lot about it, but I just couldn't pass up the Strawberry Lip Balm.  And it's so yummy!  Makes your lips feel nice and moisturized with great shine!

Stila Lip Glaze trio

These are great!  I'm not too crazy about the "clicker," pen-like applicator, but the colors are very pretty and SUPER shiny!  And they smell great, too!

LaVanilla Deodorant in Vanilla Lavender

This is a great deodorant.  I wouldn't repurchase it, just because the full size is quite expensive.  I'd rather spend my money on actual makeup.... not deodorant.  But it does work well.  It also feels sort of tingly, like menthol, when first applied.  Kind of neat.

friday phone dump

follow me on instagram

@carolynperkins

Candles by Victoria

I received my package from Candles by Victoria!!!

I could hardly wait to light up this candle.... and get my wax warmer going! :)

And now the room smells yummy!

Product Review - Merle Norman Primers

I've never been too big on primers.... of any kind.

But over the past few months, I've been trying a few by Merle Norman.  I received both of these in free gifts.  And I'm so glad I didn't just toss them in a drawer.

Foundation Primer

What it does:  This undercover wonder preps skin for flawless makeup application.  It invisibly creates a smooth and even surface with polymers that fill in fine lines and wrinkles, and optical diffusers that help minimize the appearance of pores.  The result is a perfect canvas that allows foundation and blush to glide on effortlessly and stay in place for longer wear and truer color.

Lash Prep

What it does:  This product claims to boost your mascara's benefits and extend its wear with a primary coat that maximizes and lengthens lashes.  Its molded applicator combs through each individual lash to evenly distribute product from root to tip.  

My overall opinion:

Foundation Primer

I've mentioned Merle Norman's Foundation Primer before, but I love it!

It gives your face a silky (sort of silicone-y) texture.  It glides on, fills in lines, and really does give your foundation a smooth finish.  And I do think it helps to control oil and keep makeup in place throughout the day.

I'm not sure on exact prices of these, since they vary from store to store.  But I know the foundation primer is a little on the expensive side.  But it only takes a SMALL amount to cover your entire face.

So I think it would be worth the money - if you're into primers.  Or, if you've never been and would like to try one.

Lash Primer

I've always kind of thought these were "gimmicky," but I'm a believer now.

I do have pretty long lashes.  And with my favorite mascara, Covergirl Lashblast Volume, they appear pretty thick and healthy on their own.

But this primer really helps them to stand out!

One coat is plenty.  Let it dry for a second, and then apply your favorite mascara. 

I'm one who tends to use 2 or 3 coats of mascara.  But with this primer, it's really not necessary.  I can tell a big difference in my lashes when using this product.  And it also helps your mascara to stay vibrant throughout the day - no flaking or smudging.  I think this is definitely worth the money.  Even if you're skeptical, like I was, I think you should give it a try.  Especially if you have sparse or short lashes.  You might be pleasantly surprised!

(The only problem I've had - be careful not to apply the product too close to your lashline.  It may cause  some burning if it creeps into your eye.  ouch.)

Face of the Day Monday

I know this face look is simple... and so ordinary for me.

But I have been trying out several new products lately and thought I'd share some of them in this Face of the Day.

Products Used:

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation

Nude

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer

Fair 10

Rimmel Stay Matter pressed powder

Silky Beige 005

Rimmel Natural Bronzer

Sunlight 021

Hard Candy Fox in a Box blush

Spicy & Sweet

Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer (as highlighter)

Tiki

MAC Paint Pot

Painterly

Merle Norman Lasting Cream Eyeshadow

Sweet Sorbet

Hard Candy Kal-eye-descope Baked Eyeshadow Duo

Peace

Merle Norman Soft Touch Eye Pencil

Blackout 

Merle Norman Lash Primer

Covergirl Lashblast

Very Black

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Precious

friday phone dump

 

finally!

My hubby's coming home today!

You have NO IDEA how excited I am.

Beyond excited.

And my boys are, too!!!  They have missed their daddy so much.

Time to get things back to normal around here.

Candles by Victoria - bath and body

You may have never heard of this company, but you DEFINITELY need to know about it!

It's a team of family members who hand pours candles and soaps.

I recently ordered a few soaps, and I am SO VERY HAPPY w/ my purchase.

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Juicy Couture

This was a free item (since I had to wait so long to receive my order, she threw this in there.)  I'm not a big "perfumy" person, but this smells great!  Very girlie.  And I'm assuming it smells just as good as the  original perfume.

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Bathtime with Pooh

If you've ever heard of Lush, they make a soap called Honey I Washed the Kids.  It's amazing.

This is almost an exact dupe for it.  And it's WAY cuter. :)

Description: Crunchy toffee bits with generous drizzles of sweet honey makes this fragrance so delectable and mouthwatering.

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White Nectarine and Pink Coral

Oh me.  This scent is wonderful!  It smells like the little peach ring gummies that you ate as a kid... or I'm assuming you ate them.  Everyone else did.  On the up side, this soap won't give you a tummy ache.

Description: The luscious fruitiness of sweet peach, pineapple chunks and orange slices blended with enchanting floral notes of honeysuckle, rose and jasmine on a drydown of soft, soothing musk.

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And this is my ABSOLUTE favorite one.  Probably one of my favorite things ever.  Seriously.

TiffanyD

This soap was inspired by YouTuber Tiffany D.  I am IN LOVE with this scent.  It's heavy on the cotton candy and watermelon.  I would love to take a bite of it, but I don't think that would be wise.  It took me a few days, but I finally figured it out.  It smells just like Watermelon Bubble Yum. :)

Description: Colored light blue like the infamous Tiffany boxes, a beautiful mix of Watermelon, Honeydew Melon, Cotton Candy with a splash of Vanilla.

After using this soap, I immediately went to their main website, Candles by Victoria, and ordered a matching candle and wax tart.  

And the whole bathroom smells of cotton candy and watermelon.  I am not exaggerating when I say it's one of the best things I've ever smelled.  In my entire life.

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Check out their candles here!!

Check out their bath and body products here!!!

Remember, there are only a few members of their team.  They work diligently to get the products out.  And it may take a little longer than expected to receive your order, as it did with mine.  But they have been SUPER busy lately due to YouTubers.  

Support this small business and ORDER!!!  You WILL NOT be disappointed.

I'll post a pic when my candle arrives!