Tag Archives: beauty

New(ish) Urban Decay Naked Palettes

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New(ish) Urban Decay Naked Palettes

Hiii! On Thanksgiving, I was in for a treat because my sister had some hand me down makeup palettes for me. Kristen is a makeup guru and loves shopping Sephora and Ulta for high end cosmetics. Although there are a few things from Sephora that I couldn’t live without, I tend to stick to the drugstore brands, myself. So, it’s always extra special when Kristen has some makeup that she’s ready to part with because that means I get to reap the rewards! Take a look at my New(ish) Urban Decay Naked Palettes and let’s discuss:

Smoky Palette:

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Naked 2 Palette:

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When it comes to eyeshadow, I wear a minimal amount, at best. I stick to the colors that I like and that’s about it. I don’t know how to cut crease, I’m not the best blender, and doing a proper smoky eye? Forget about it! But, that’s what is going to make having these palettes a lot of fun because I can play around and practice. Plus, having actual makeup brushes instead of Q-tips will be sure to help, too!

Obviously, I’m partial to the Naked 2 palette, because I love gold, bronze, and pink colors on my eyes. In fact, if I felt the urge to spend a decent amount of coin on a palette, this would probably be the one that I would purchase. So, having the Naked 2 palette is nice because all of the shades are basically old standbys. Although, I like to think that I have the drugstore dupe of this palette, already. The Elf Nude Rose Gold palette is an excellent compromise for a ten dollar price tag and I love using it! If you are a fan of the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, definitely check the Elf dupe out if you’re not looking to spend a lot of cash.

And, as far as the Smoky palette goes…. Well, it will be a learning experience. I actually quite like all of the colors in it, it’s just going to be more of a matter of applying them well. I rarely wear darker colors on my eyelids, so I’m not really sure what it will look like but, I’m kind of excited to try it out. I don’t even think that I would give this palette a second look in stores, so it was nice that Kristen gave it to me so I can test out some new MOTDs!

In the next few daily posts, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite colors from each palette so keep your eyes out for that!

Which colors would you like to see swatched from my new(ish) palettes? Do you have a favorite palette or eyeshadow brand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

November 2018 Finishes

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November 2018 Finishes

Howdy! November is on its way out the door and, with that, December is coming in hot to continue ringing in the holiday season. With yet another month drawing to a close at a crazy fast rate, it’s time for lifewithlilred’s monthly finishes post so that we can talk product reviews. Take a look at my empties for November and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Micellar Water: I have been using Garnier’s Micellar Water for close to a year, I’d say, and I plan on using it until it becomes discontinued. And, hopefully, it never will! I use this product every day as a toner and eye makeup remover and it lasts me a month and a half or longer, which is a pretty good value. Although I can’t say that I’ve seen major changes in my skin, I still like the Garnier water well enough and it’s way cheaper than any eye makeup remover and toner on the market.

B&BW Shower Gel: I love me my travel size goodies from Bath & Body Works and I love that I get them FO FREE even more! Japanese Cherry Blossom isn’t my favorite scent but, boy, does it bring me back to my grade school years! It takes me three weeks or longer to finish one mini shower gel and you absolutely can’t beat that. So, B&BW, keep those coupons coming!

Vital C Serum: I live for all things Vitamin C when it comes to my skin care and I will always buy the Vital C serum when I see it at TJMaxx. For seven bucks, I get a bottle of magic that lasts me for two months, which is an amazing deal for something that makes my skin so radiant. Seriously, there’s been days where I’ve been tired as THE DICKENS but still manage to have glowing skin thanks to this product. And, a little goes a long way, which is always a plus.

Although I didn’t finish too many products this month, it was still successful because I liked everything that I used up. And, each item that I used was free or really cheap, which speaks to my ballin’ on a budget lifestyle and simply touches my heart. ❤ 😀

What empties do you have this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Learning To Love Your Appearance Every Single Day

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Learning To Love Your Appearance Every Single Day

You might have laughed at the title of this post because it’s not possible to love your appearance every single day, right? We all have the occasional “good hair day”, but that’s it. However, there’s no need to be so cynical. There are always going to be days on which you’re not a fan of your hair or you look a little sleepier than usual, but you can learn to love your appearance even when it’s not 100%. It all comes down to improving your mindset. And your mental health is linked to your physical health, so this will help to give your appearance a glow too. Reducing stress can reduce acne, for example, so there’s a clear correlation. Here’s how you can improve your mindset and learn to love your appearance every day:

Facial Beauty:

Let’s start off with your face, because that’s often the main point of focus when it comes to appearance. Many of us are critical of our facial appearance, but this is an aspect of beauty that’s easy to alter. You could start off by trying out microblading if you want to improve your brow game. Eyebrows have become a very important part of facial beauty over recent years, and you might find that changing the shape of your brows changes the appearance of your entire face. You could also try cutting back on foundation; makeup doesn’t always have to be the answer. Giving your skin a break from excessive use of foundation might help to clear up any blemishes, and it’ll make you naturally glow.

Sometimes treatments and makeup aren’t enough to make a drastic change. If you are looking for big improvements, you could find a reputable plastic surgeon to consult with. Looking for something less extreme? How about changing your eye color! Hazel, green, even purple, and blue eye contacts are available to see the whole world through a different set of eye colors!

Fashion:

Fashion is another integral part of loving your appearance every single day. The way you dress has a massive impact on your overall look. If you dress well every day, then you’ll look good every day. It’s as simple as that. But avoid fast fashion; opt for clothes that are timelessly stylish so that they can stay in your wardrobe for years. That being said, if you give away some of your old clothes to charity because they no longer fit or suit you, then there might be an opening in your wardrobe for some new additions. If you want to get inspired, then you should look into some fashionable boutiques which offer modern yet varied options. It’s important that you’re not too restrictive with your choice of style. Fashion should reflect your personality, so have fun with it.

Sleep:

One of the best ways to improve your appearance is to improve your health. The way we look on the outside is a reflection of how well we take care of ourselves. Cutting out unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking can help to improve your skin quality, for instance. You also need to prioritize a healthy sleeping pattern. The term “beauty sleep” is probably nothing new to you, and there’s a lot of substance to this idea. A cup of coffee might make you feel more awake, but does it get rid of the bags under your eyes? No. And that’s because your body is trying to tell you it needs rest. You can’t cut corners when it comes to sleeping well. Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system, slow your metabolism, and even reduce muscle repair. In other words, your healthy workouts won’t have the impact you want. Start sleeping better if you want your body to improve in appearance. You’ll look and feel good. It’s about more than vanity; it’s about your physical and emotional wellbeing.

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Catch some Z’s!

A strong sense of self confidence can help you get through the toughest of times, so start building up yours little by little with the above tips!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Living Microbladed

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Living Microbladed

Helloooo everyone and welcome to one of two follow up posts from Lil Red’s Adventures In Microblading! As you all know, I visited La Marie Brow Club in Pittsburgh in October to have my brows finessed by my cousin, Laura. And, now that my makeup routine has been literally cut back seventy-five percent and I never have to buy an eyebrow pencil again, I simply cannot believe that I didn’t have Laura do my brows when she began her business last year. Take a look at my result pics and let’s discuss:

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Living Microbladed is the best thing that ever could have happened to my face, lol. Seriously, the time that is saved from having perfect brows is second to none. I can sleep in longer or I can get up at my normal time and finish an extraordinary amount of work on my blog before I leave for work because I’m not wasting my time trying to get both eyebrows to look exactly the same with makeup.

My new eyebrows make me feel SO freaking confident. They frame my face in a way that my natural brows never could, with or without makeup, and they make my eyes pop, pop, pop! Even my boyfriend thinks that they make me look “more sophisticated” and I totally agree – I love it!

Laura is going to touch my brows up in mid December and during this session she is going to add any extra hair strokes that she might have missed. I am also going to have her darken them to the color that they were when I first got them done. The color that Laura chose is perfect because it’s the exact same color as the pencil that I was using. But, now that they have lightened to that color, I now know that I prefer them to be a bit darker. I’m excited! 😀

I cannot wait to visit La Marie Brow Club again in December and do be sure to check out my last blog post on my adventures and schedule your appointment with Laura today!

Would you ever get microbladed? What is your eyebrow makeup routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Clinique Chubby Stick In Woppin’ Watermelon Swatch

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Clinique Chubby Stick In Woppin’ Watermelon Swatch

Hi everyone! Yesterday, I got to show off my freebie haul from Sephora and, I’ve got to say, I’m still basking in the glory of that purchase. Money well spent, amiright?! The product that we are swatching today was compliments of my five hundred point Beauty Insider gift – a goodie box of Clinique products. At first, I was pretty ambivalent about their chubby stick balm in Woppin’ Watermelon. But, after swatching it and putting it on before I showered it off for good measure, I’m a fan. Check it out:

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When I first inspected this balm out of its package, I wondered why the heck whomever was in charge picked that truly watermelon pink color. Surely they know that that shade doesn’t look good on everyone (Especially me!), right? Lil Red never rocks pink lips and, mind you, it’s not because I don’t want to – it’s because pink lipstick looks like ass on me. Truth. So, I figured that I would just give this balm to my sister, because pink suits her really well.

I had every intention of giving this to Kristen, until I swatched it for this post, that is. Because, upon swatching, I realized that the chubby stick left very little of that shocking pink pigment on. Rather, it was more like a gloss with the tiniest hint of pink to it. After seeing that on my hand, I was interested to see what it would look like on my lips and, I’ll be damned, because it actually looked alright on me!

Woppin’ Watermelon left my lips with a slightly more pink color and a glossy shine that looked very sweet and simple. It might not necessarily be the best shade for winter, but it will be darling in the spring and summer time. I liked how moisturized the balm left my lips feeling, too, even if it was only on for a handful of minutes! Lil Red never thinks pink, but, I guess it’s okay just this once. 😉

What is your favorite brand of lipstick, gloss, or balms? Which type of lip product do you prefer to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Freebies

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Sephora Freebies

Hi! While getting some of my holiday shopping done on Sephora’s website, I received a major freebie haul! It. Was. Awesome. I cashed in my 500 point Beauty Insider gift for a Clinique goodie bag and I also received a free travel bag filled with good stuff for spending over fifty dollars. Plus, I got free shipping! I spent just one dollar over the fifty minimum and I got a ton of amazing travel sized products to show for it. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • Lancome: La Vie Est Belle perfume sample
  • Laneige: Water Sleeping Mask (Loved it!)
  • Lancome: Mascara
  • Rahua: Omega 9 Hair Mask
  • Urban Decay: All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
  • Fresh: Soy Face Cleanser
  • Briogeo: Heat Protecting Cream
  • Caudalie: Moisturizing Sorbet
  • Tarte: Lip Paint in Birthday Suit (LOVE! I was running low on my birthday gift color from last year!)
  • Clinique: Moisture Surge Face Spray
  • Clinique: Chubby Stick in Woppin’ Watermelon (See the swatch tomorrow!)
  • Clinique: Moisture Surge moisturizer sample
  • Clinique: Mascara
  • Clinique: Foundation + Concealer samples

^^^ So good, right?!

Sephora is such a wonderful company to shop with online, because the promotions that they offer are second to none. I have never not received a free product when shopping online, because they usually offer the promo when you spend over twenty-five dollars. And, let’s be honest, that’s not hard to do!

I used to shy away from Sephora, because when you shop in store there is never any type of promotion running to give you some bang for your buck. But, when I shop online, I always feel pleased with what I’m getting in free product for the amount that I’m spending. I will definitely still pop into the store to see what’s new and examine all the colors and products up close. But, I will go home and order whatever I liked online every time, and I recommend that all of you Sephora lovers do the same. Can you get that amazing haul seen above in store for absolutely free?? I think not!

Which stores offer the best online promotions? How do you shop smart when it comes to Sephora? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Black & Teal Glitter Nails

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New Black & Teal Glitter Nails

Hello! Ohhhh my god, guys. The things Lil Red will do to save money – because the people at the salon I go to now are SO. F’ING. RUDE! Ugh, why must this salon charge so much less than the one that I used to go to and why, why, WHY must the people that work there be sadists! Yes, this is strictly a complaining post because you and I both know that despite the piss poor attitudes of the employees, I’ll keep going there since the price is right. Sigh, take a look at my new nails at the hands of a meanie and let’s discuss:

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Now, believe me, I get that my nails are a lot of work because I love my length. And, this is why I always schedule an appointment way in advance, tip well, and am happy to pay any upcharge for services on long nails. On top of all of that, I am such a pleasant customer to deal with. I hate to toot my own horn, but it’s the doggone truth. I’m polite, friendly, and really easy going when it comes to my nails.

So, tell me why the person filling my acrylics basically scolded me for how long it was taking him to do them and the length of my nails? He also manhandled me when taking me to the drying table so that my nails wouldn’t smudge and tossed my bag on the vacant seat next to mine. Excuse me? Because I know that he didn’t just do that even though I tipped close to forty percent.

I get it. My nails take a while to complete and I guess I might be a bit frustrated too if their was a shop full of people waiting. But, I was the ONLY person in the salon, so you must have me fucked up. I left after my fill feeling absolutely awful, when I should exit a salon feeling my best after getting my nails done. Oooooo WEEEE mama was pissed.

And, the crazy thing is, is that I would have given glowing reviews in this post had I been treated like an actual human being, because I love how my nails turned out. But, unfortunately, that was not the case. Better luck next time, I guess?

What would you do in a situation like the above scenario? How do you politely tell someone off? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A Little Touch Up Here And There

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A Little Touch Up Here And There

Sometimes our bodies just aren’t the way we want them to be. We think to ourselves, I’d love to change this or I wish I looked like that. But can we always have what we want? No, we can’t. What we can do, however, is figure out ways that we can have a couple of touch ups here and there. Something to give us a little confidence boost when we need it! So, what little touch ups are we talking about you ask? We’ll list them below just for you. Even if some of them don’t suit you, it should actively get you thinking about the things that you actually can change!

I Can See Clearly Now!

Let’s face it, you can’t, can you? If there’s one thing that affects a majority of you reading this, it is going to be your eyesight. Some people are born with poor eyesight, some start to lose it during their teenage years, or even due to injury. When your vision becomes bad and you do have to rely on glasses, it can be one of the most annoying things! One option would be to consider looking at the types of lasik treatment to see if your sight can be corrected. Most of the time, there’s nothing that a good laser can’t fix, you just need to make sure that you’ve got the funds to be able to do something like this. The correction is usually permanent, however, so you could finally see clearly and live a life without glasses! You might also find that you only need one eye corrected, so it might not cost you as much as you think.

If you are experiencing an issue with your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor ASAP. Even if you think the problem is minor, your doctor will be able to give you a solution whether it be a  treatment for myopia or simply eye drops for dry, scratchy eyes. You will leave your appointment feeling and seeing much better!

I Want A Washboard Stomach!

Ugh, don’t we all. When you see those girls with the completely flat and toned stomach, the nice rounded bum, and legs for days, you just can’t help but be jealous of them. But they’re not born with it, so don’t think it’s in the genes. It’s all about the hard effort they put into it, both inside and out of the gym. And you could easily do the same, if you put your mind to it. If you want that washboard look and you want it quickly, you should try and get yourself a personal trainer. They’ll whip you into shape, give you something to commit to, and give you all of the diet tips that you could ever need for a rockin’ bod.

Basic Beauty Hacks

Sometimes we just have to go back to basics if we want to be a better version of ourselves, and that starts with basic beauty tips. From making sure that you have a great skincare routine, to ensuring that you don’t eat a fatty diet that could bring out impurities. As for makeup, you should definitely start watching a few YouTube tips to know what makeup looks good, and where to put it. You can completely change your look with the power of make up!

Get Some Work Done:

There are so many options for getting cosmetic work done in order to enhance the way you look and feel. From little touch ups to more drastic changes, the medical world has come a long way in recent times. More and more women are coming around to the idea of getting a bit of work done, and there is nowhere near the stigma there once was surrounding this sort of procedure.

This is why it is such a great idea to visit a med spa, where you can combine some touch ups with a relaxing and tranquil spa experience. Being able to relax and destress is a big part of feeling good about yourself, and having strong body confidence can positively affect this. For this reason, getting some work done to boost the way you look can be a good option if it’s something you’re considering. This work can encompass several different services, including botox, special facial treatments and ultherapy. If you’re interested in this or are thinking of learning more, you can browse the websites of different med spas like Original Skin to see which treatments you might be interested in.

There’s bound to be a med spa near you but please be sure to do your research. The services you receive there are meant to enhance your appearance and you will want the best results. Simply enter a search for “Med Spa Colorado Springs” (or your local area) and pay close attention to the credentials of the practitioners as well as customer testimonials and reviews. If you are feeling uncertain, continue shopping around until you find a location you are fully comfortable with. If you want to get a little touch up here and there to make sure you look and feel your best, then more power to you!

Everyone has something that they wish they could change about themselves. And, with many great options out there, swapping out your desired change for a confidence boost is easier than you think!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Azure Lux Rose Gold Sparkling Oil Serum

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Azure Lux Rose Gold Sparkling Oil Serum

Hiiii everyone! For all of my skin care needs, I frequent the beauty aisles at TJMaxx, which shouldn’t be that surprising! I enjoy trying out new products and will always add a new serum, moisturizer, or face mask to my stock pile if it looks good and the price is right. I use a serum every day before applying my eye cream and moisturizer, and I really feel that no skin care routine is complete without it. So, when I’m scouring the beauty section at TJ’s, my eyes are always peeled for a new serum to try.

During one of my last shopping trips to Heaven On Earth, AKA TJMaxx, I ended up purchasing the serum seen below. How do you say no to rose gold?! Check it out:

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Delightfully reminiscent of the Too Faced Better Than Birthday Sex’s glitter pink packaging and advertising all of the right things for skin care, it was impossible to say no to this Azure Lux serum. Rose gold is perfectly on trend along with all of the necessities that this serum offers: toning, hydrating, and wrinkle reducing. Along with the oh so snazzy flecks of twenty-four karat gold and rose hip (Which is so hot in skin care right now!), six dollars for an entire bottle of serum felt like I was getting away with robbery.

Because I refuse to start a new product while I’m finishing up an old one, I haven’t tried this serum out yet. But, I was so curious about it, that I sampled the serum on my hands and it was AWESOME. It was fun to see the gold flecks on my skin, but it was even better to feel like my hands were one hundred and fifty percent hydrated. This serum absorbed quickly and my skin instantly got a burst of moisture that I feel like I couldn’t get from an actual hand lotion. So, just imagine using it on your face! I can’t wait! 😀

What kind of serum do you use? Which products are essential to your skin care routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

October 2018 Finishes

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October 2018 Finishes

Helloooo! With October drawing to a close quicker than anticipated, it’s time to discuss which beauty products I finished up this month. What was nice about this month’s empties is that half of them were totally free, which saved me at least twenty dollars. The Clean & Clear cleanser came from a Walgreen’s goodie bag, the Bath & Body Works body wash was free, and the body wash from The Body Shop was a gift. Sweet!

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Would I Use Again?

  • Lubriderm lotion: YES
  • The Body Shop Satsuma body butter: YES
  • The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey shower cream: NO
  • Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar shower gel: YES
  • Clean & Clear Acne Triple Clear cleanser: MAYBE
  • ArganiCare moisturizer: YES!!

Why/Why Not?

Lubriderm Lotion: Good ol’ Lubriderm is my go to brand to use upon getting a new tattoo and, as I get new ones fairly frequently, I always keep a bottle of lotion handy. I’ve had this bottle for about six months, which is pretty good considering I use it multiple times a day for a handful of weeks when a new tattoo is healing. I will definitely continue using this lotion and, at six dollars a bottle, a dollar per month cost per use is something that I can totally get behind!

TBS Body Butter: This jumbo sized body butter is compliments of TJMaxx for ten bucks, which sure beats the in store price of thirty! Satsuma is easily one of my favorite scents from TBS and I would have hundreds of these body butters in my arsenal if I could. I got at least ten full body uses out of the jumbo sized butter and hope that I can find more at TJ’s to help with dry winter skin in the approaching months.

TBS Shower Cream: Although I love, love, love the Almond Milk & Honey scent from TBS, this shower cream was a major whomp whomp. It didn’t lather at all, making it really hard to feel clean while taking a shower. Because it didn’t lather, I tried to compensate by using more of it per use, which resulted in me finishing the bottle in three weeks. I would recommend a gel over a shower cream any day, because the gel from TBS lasts me at least five weeks, which is a money saver.

B&BW Shower Gel: On the opposite end of the body wash spectrum is the Warm Vanilla Sugar shower gel from Bath & Body Works. I had this travel sized bottle for over three weeks, which should tell you everything you need to know about the one from TBS. It lathered well, smelled amazing, and I would definitely use it again.

Clean & Clear Cleanser: It took me about three weeks to finish this mini cleanser and, if given the opportunity, I would use it again. But, with a normal skin type, acne is something that I don’t really worry about so I would prefer something that is designed for normal skin. However, this cleanser made my skin feel squeaky clean and that is always a plus!

ArganiCare Moisturizer: I LOVED this moisturizer and it was absolutely the MVP of this month’s finishes. I got my ArganiCare moisturizer from TJMaxx for six dollars and it lasted me for over a month and a half. A little bit of this product sure went a long way and, although a small amount was used, my skin was always left feeling supple and hydrated. I would love to use this moisturizer again and would definitely recommend it.

Overall, it was a really successful month for finishes and I would recommend almost all of the products discussed above. And when fifty percent of them were free, it makes this month’s empties even sweeter!

Have you used any of the products above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah