Tag Archives: online shopping

Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Creme Lipstick Swatch In Rouge Ultime

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Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Creme Lipstick Swatch In Rouge Ultime

Howdy! Today, we are on to our next swatch in the Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel sample pack that I got from Sephora. This shade in the Silky Creme Lipstick is called Rouge Ultime. But, is it the ultimate red? Lil Red is a little bias because I like to think that I am. Ba dum chhhh! I’ll let you all decide for yourselves, though. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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As I’ve mentioned before, I am very picky when it comes to my red lipsticks. Due to my complexion and hair color, only a pure red looks flattering on me. Anything with too blue or orange undertones just misses the mark. I’ve made the mistake before of buying lipstick shades willy nilly and that turned out to be a massive waste of money. So, sticking to my preferred brands and colors is usually what I opt for.

I’ve swatched a lot of lipsticks on my day on lifewithlilred and the Rouge Ultime hue by Laura Mercier isn’t bad! I like the poppy crimson color and, as we discussed yesterday, I really enjoy the creme texture of this lippie. My only qualm with this shade is that it might have a tad too much blue undertones to it for my liking.

Am I upset about it? Absolutely not, because one tube of the lipstick is a whopping THIRTY-TWO DOLLARS!! I will keep using my five dollar tube of NYX, thank you very much. Sephora samples are truly a double edged sword. On one end, it’s nice to be able to test new products out. But, on the other, if you fall head over heels for it, you usually end up thirty bucks in the hole!

Do you prefer high end or drugstore brands? What is a beauty item you splurge on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Creme Lipstick Swatch In L’Orange

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Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Creme Lipstick Swatch In L’Orange

Hello!! When shopping with Sephora online, you get to pick two samples out of eight or so for free. Normally, I’ll select a perfume tester for my mom because she’s a fragrance gal and, if they’re available, lipstick sample pods for me. I am not the most adventurous when it comes to my lippie colors because I will always prefer my NYX matte red lipstick over anything else.

However, I do like swatching the shades that I get as Sephora freebies on lifewithlilred. During my last haul, I selected the Laura Mercier tester pack to share with all of you. This is the Silky Creme Lipstick in L’Orange:

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I have never been an orange lipstick kind of girl. Anything with the faintest orange hue in it appears awfully clown like on me when it is paired against my red hair. This is unfortunate, because I love the idea of peach colored lips in the summertime. I think L’Orange would be a perfect summer or late spring shade but with snow falling consistently in Ohio now, the cheerful shade seems almost inappropriate while it’s so crap lousy out.

Would I be willing to try this shade out on myself? Hell no. Do I think it would be pretty on the right person? I think it would be stunning. But, orange is a really tricky shade to pull off so it would have to be done right. When paired with a simple all white ensemble and a more natural MOTD, a huge statement could be made with one small pop of color.

Now, as far as the consistency of this lippie goes – it really wasn’t bad. Shocking, I know, because Lil Red is a matte girl through and through. Despite L’Orange having a shiny luster to it, it wasn’t a glossy feel at all. It felt heavier than your standard gloss lipstick but not as much as a full on matte lippie. I could get down with this, especially in the colder months when it’s so easy for your lips to get dried out, which can become even worse with a matte lipstick.

Overall, I’m still impressed with this product so far but not in this shade. So, I’ll be looking forward to trying another hue tomorrow!

Do you prefer a matte or glossy lipstick? How do you rock a bold lip color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Haul

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Sephora Haul

Hi!! Whenever I need to restock my Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced, I always shop Sephora online to get the best deals. With free shipping with a fifty dollar purchase (Which isn’t hard to do!), two free samples, and an option for more freebies with a coupon code, it just makes sense to do – especially if you know exactly what you want. And, if I ever did want to play around with new products in store, I would definitely go home and order the goods online to bank in on all of the great promotions! 😀

This time around, I scored an amazing goodie bag filled with trial sized products to try out and I am looking forward to testing them all and sharing my findings with you. Check it out:

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The Haul:

  • 2 Better Than Sex mascaras
  • Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
  • Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
  • Replica perfume
  • Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
  • Ouai Leave In Conditioner
  • Bite Beauty Lip Crayon in Glace
  • Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
  • Laura Mercier Lipstick samples
  • Atelier Vanilla Incense perfume

For fifty dollars total, I got all of the products seen above and I consider that a steal. There is nothing better than getting a lot of bang for your buck and I feel like I get that every time I shop with Sephora. I also love being able to try out beauty products without having to commit to them and, who knows, maybe I will find a new favorite in the sample sizes.

I wouldn’t be a good sister or daughter if I didn’t share the wealth and have given my mom the perfume samples because she’s a fragrance gal and the Tarte mascara and Bite lippie to my sister. I already have both of those and will not be using either up any time soon. Sharing is caring and it’s nice to be able to enjoy all of this awesome stuff together. Both of those very special ladies in my life always know how to make my day with something as simple as a text message so I take every opportunity I can to treat them, too!

How do you score the best deals at Sephora? What did you get in your most recent beauty haul? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Easy Ways To Make Extra Holiday Money

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Easy Ways To Make Extra Holiday Money

Christmas can be a stressful time of the year financially, especially if your budget is already stretched. If decreasing your spending won’t cut it, then starting to look at options for making more money can be the way to get through the holiday season. Many people take on second jobs at this time of year, but could there be an easier way to boost your savings? Get ready to grow your income with these ways to make extra money in the lead up to Christmas:

Invest:

Putting your money into a particular stock that you know will help you reap rewards will make sense. Of course, it’s a case of having patience, discipline, and knowledge. In this day and age, the likes of cryptocurrency is taking over. This is because we’re likely to use digital currency going forward and cash will become close to being obsolete. Learn about crypto, BNB trading, the market cap, and all kinds of related pieces because it could help you make more than just a little extra money on the side.

With the rise of cryptocurrency, you might want to buy bitcoin with INdependent Reserve. As always, it’s important to do your research first as many people know of bitcoin but are not familiar with its ins and outs. If you have a friend or family member that uses bitcoin, it’s a great idea to pick their brain and ask for advice. Should you not have that option, go online and seek tutorials and step by step guides. Find out the Bitcoin price in USD or the currency you use, familiarize yourself with best practices, and make your investments wisely. Once you become savvy, it can become a viable extra source of income.

Use your skills:

Do you work in a job where you could use your skills on a freelance basis? It could be easier than you think. From copywriting to bookkeeping, there are all kinds of jobs you can do part-time or freelance to help you boost your income. It’s worth checking out the types of roles that are available online through websites like Upwork and People Per Hour.

Many people turn side hustles into full-time roles, giving you the perfect excuse to make a switch to a career you’re passionate about and interested in. Remember to only work the hours you can afford to spare, you don’t want your side hustle to have an effect on your day job.

Become a tutor:

Becoming a tutor can be another excellent way to put your skills and knowledge to good use. Whether you can speak another language or you were great with math at school, you could help a student improve their skills and help them succeed. You can find tutoring opportunities listed with local schools or colleges, and a shout-out on Facebook could be another way for you to find your first gig. Becoming a tutor can be very rewarding, helping you remember your enthusiasm and interest in a subject you might not get to use very often.

Offer babysitting services:

Many people need babysitters at this time of year. People get very busy during the holiday season, so if you love kids – why not offer up your services? You could ask friends and family to begin with and to help you build up some experience. From there, you can find babysitting jobs online in your local area. Babysitting can be a lot of fun, and great practice if you’re thinking of starting your own family soon!

Become a dog walker:

If taking care of kids isn’t your thing, perhaps you could take care of animals, instead? Dog walkers are in high demand, and you can make some great additional income as a walker. Not only will you get the chance to interact and play with some fantastic dogs, but it can also help you stay fit too. Getting out and about during the winter is tough when the nights are dark and the weather is cold, but a four-legged friend who’s happy to see you should be more than enough motivation to get outside!

Sell unwanted goods on eBay:

With the holidays around the corner, it’s a good idea to clear out some of the clutter in your home before a new intake of gifts arrives. This helps you to keep your home neat, as well as making sure you haven’t got items sitting there going to waste.

Selling your unwanted items on eBay is easier than you might think, and you can do it all from your phone. Of course, not everything is going to sell so if you find yourself with items you can’t make money from, you always have the option of donating or recycling them.

Take advantage of cashback:

There are a lot of ways you can earn money online, some of which involve nothing more than carrying out your regular activities! Cashback websites are great for helping you get money back on your purchases, with no catch. Most top retailers can be found on cashback websites. Not only that, but many cashback retailers can also help you find discount codes online – helping you save even more money on your purchases.

Spending your free time making some extra money can be an easy way to build up your Christmas fund. Not only that, but it could lead to something more permanent that could help you increase your savings in the New Year!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Hair Tinsel Help

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Hair Tinsel Help

Hellooooo everyone! While on vacation, we were wandering around downtown Hendersonville in North Carolina and I stumbled upon a little boutique advertising “fairy hair”. Naturally, I was intrigued and ended up with ten strands of colored tinsel in my hair, which you can kind of see in my featured image. I loved my fairy hair so much that I decided to order a hair tinsel kit on Amazon but, unfortunately, it is much harder than the lady made it seem in the shop!

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^^^ So fun!

While attempting to put some blue tinsel in my sister’s hair, we read directions and watched YouTube videos and I could not for the life of me figure out how to tie a slip knot to get the process started. I seriously must have tried for a half hour and just when I thought I got it, I was sadly mistaken.

I plan on having my hair stylist put my tinsel in because there is no way in hell I will be able to do it on my own. But, I would like to be able to do it for my friends so I am open to any and all advice to make the hair tinseling easier! Simple slip knots, a step by step guide, the best way to separate the hair. Basically, I really need help lol so if you have any blog posts or videos that could be of service be sure to put them in my comments!

What is your favorite trend for hair? How do you rock bling in your hair? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Formentini Heeled Boots Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Formentini Heeled Boots Edition

Hello! It wouldn’t be the fall season without purchasing a new pair of boots, which was the last item on my list during my fall haul at TJMaxx. Despite a few pairs that I sort of liked, none of them did it for me so returns were made and, although I have a ton of boots, I felt like I was empty handed. That is, until my beautiful new taupe suede darlings by Formentini came along. Check it out:

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Although the light colored suede of these boots might not be the most practical come winter time, I am totally okay with only sporting them in the fall. They include everything that I love in a boot like the high shaft, a bit of rocker embellishment, a good heel, and *most importantly*, the fact that the heel is covered with suede as opposed to plain old rubber.

I absolutely despise when a gorgeous shoe is destroyed by a thick, chunky rubber heel and refuse to buy the boots if they have that major character flaw. I am obsessed with creating long lines when it comes to dressing my bottom half and such an abrupt breakup in the flow from color to rubber definitely ruins the illusion of legs for days.

At one hundred smackers, these boots hit right at my cut off point for when I am buying a new pair. I believe in shelling out for clothes, shoes, and accessories of high quality as well as for things that I really like. And, these Formentini knee highs met all of these requirements and then some because of all of the exciting styling possibilities.

I am very much looking forward to wearing my new boots over knitted tights along with sweet long sleeved dresses this fall. They will also look charming with A-line skirts and a peacoat or topper jacket that will hit just at the top of the shaft for an OOTD perfect for keeping you warm but still chic once the cold weather strikes. Love it!

How do you prep your wardrobe for a change in the weather? What is your favorite type of boot? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hats Off: Lefenice Newsboy Cap Edition

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Hats Off: Lefenice Newsboy Cap Edition

Hi hi! If you are a fashionista like myself, then I am sure that you have seen the classic Meryl Streep and Anne Hatheway movie The Devil Wears Prada more than a few times. I absolutely adore it and will watch it every chance I get. The actors, the fashion, the fashion, the fashion – it’s just perfect and I will never forget going to see it in theaters with my mom, sister, and late grandma and gabbing about our favorite outfits on the way out.

Although my style is definitely more Emily Blunt in TDWP, Anne’s character, Andy, turns into quite the it girl herself after a much needed transformation. And, my latest Hats Off purchase seen below is inspired by one of her killer OOTDs. Check it out:

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See the resemblance?!

I am a huge fan of hats but have never owned a newsboy cap before. This is certainly not due to a lack of desire for one but because I have never found just the right cap for me. I found this Lafenice number on TJMaxx’s online site, big surprise, and I went with it even thought I wasn’t completely sold on the idea. But, this mild hesitation was squashed the moment I took it out of the box and placed it upon my crowning glory. I love the tweedy grey and yellow pattern, the small flower embellishments, and, mainly, that it gives me such TDWP vibes so hard.

Like Andy in TDWP, I plan on wearing my newsboy cap with peacoats, of course. But, also with my new white faux fur jacket to add a touch of mod to such a posh piece. This cap will also look especially charming with a smart black blazer and skinnies for an updated take on a more menswear style for women. Not only is this new hat versatile, but it is also nice and warm and will keep me feeling cozy all fall and winter long!

Who else is a fan of The Devil Wears Prada? What is your favorite OOTD from that movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Trail Blazers: Vince Camuto Edition

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Trail Blazers: Vince Camuto Edition

Salutations! If I had to name my favorite piece of clothing, I would probably have to say that I love the outerwear family. From moto jackets and peacoats to blazers and vests, I am a huge fan of all of it. A good jacket can make or break an outfit and can take something from simple to extraordinary by simply slipping it on. This has always been appealing to me and is why I love cold weather clothing so much because I have quite the outerwear collection. And, I got to add to it with this gorgeous new hounds tooth blazer by Vince Camuto. Take a look:

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  • Original Price: $180
  • TJMaxx Price: $50!!!

Although I only have one pair of shoes by Vince Camuto in my arsenal, I have admired his brand and beautiful creations for some time. So, it is always exciting to get something from a designer that you love for a fraction of the cost. And, I have to say, I was absolutely and completely thrilled to get this blazer in the mail. Just seeing it on the TJMaxx website gave me chills and it was one of those pieces that I knew was going to work without even having to try it on. I love when that happens!

Obviously, I was right – the blazer did work or we wouldn’t be here discussing it! But, it didn’t just work, it fucking slayed. Everything about this blazer from the hounds tooth pattern to the huge faux fur cuffs screams posh It Brit style to me and I am so there for it. My new Vinny C number looks fierce buttoned up against the cold but it also looks soft and elegant unbuttoned to display a thin cable knit sweater.

The color palette of the blazer is divine and having it come down into the cuffs in glorious tufts of caramel, black, and cream creates an edgy aesthetic while still looking oh so chic. Whether you pair this Vince Camuto blazer with your favorite sweater dress or knit skirt or just with a basic pair of skinnies, you are going to have a rockin’ OOTD – minimum effort required with maximum style.

What is your favorite type of clothing? How would you style this blazer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Splendid In Snakeskin Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Splendid In Snakeskin Edition

Helloooo! I know, I know I had a fairly recent fall haul. BUT, fall is my favorite time to shop so I couldn’t resist picking out a few more goodies from TJMaxx’s online site. I also like to think that my pure and utter hatred for dressing during the summer balances out this splurge sesh because I really don’t buy a lot of warm weather clothing. In fact, at least eighty-five percent of my wardrobe is tailored to the crisp chill of autumn air. And, although these snakeskin kitten heeled booties by Splendid would be cute in the summer with some frilly socks, they will be taken to new heights in the upcoming fall season. Check it out:

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As you all know, I have a soft spot for snakeskin and have quite a few pairs of patterned boots already. However, all of them are in gray scale and I am obsessed with the fresh new take on a much loved pattern with the cinnamon syrup palette. And, of course, throw a few buckles on a pair of boots and you know I’m in!

Although the overall aesthetic of my new boots was pleasing, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about them because I love a big heel and there is no denying that. And, in my humble opinion, a kitten heel doesn’t count! But, these felt just right when I slipped them on and the itty bitty lift is just enough to add some extra oomph as opposed to them being completely flat. Everything about these ankle boots flows so well from the pointed toe all the way to the heel and they are going to make a very cool edition to some autumn OOTDs.

Peeking beneath wide legged trousers or a maxi skirt or boldly displayed with some sharp skinnies, a statement will definitely be made. And, the beauty of the color palette is that despite it being a pattern, it is still a neutral so you could pair these shoes with literally anything and it will go together. So, go ahead and mix and match animal prints, florals, or stripes and get a unique ensemble – no huge heel required! 😉

What is your favorite style of boot? How about your favorite heel height? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder Review

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AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder Review

Greetings! During my last Sephora haul, one of the two free samples I chose with my order was the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder. Woo, that is a mouthful! I tested this product out a few days ago and I’m not sure how to feel about it. Of course, it’s always nice to try something new. But, just one tester sample isn’t exactly enough to give you a full idea of how the product works. We’ll get into that further in a sec but, first, take a look at some pics:

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My impression from reading the reviews for the peel on Sephora’s website is that it is viewed as a miracle product by its users. The reviews boasted of how well it exfoliates and that after using it, their skin was perfect. But, I have a hard time seeing how that was possible during my tester run with the powder to foam product.

After adding a few drops of water to the powder seen above, any attempt at “lathering” it onto my skin was in vain because it dried almost instantly. While some reviewers said that the peel tightened their pores, my skin was only left feeling dry and dehydrated. The name of this AmorePacific peel is all very confusing because the reviewers claim that it’s an exfoliater and not a peel. Meanwhile, I didn’t think it was much of anything!

If you have the option to sample this product with your online Sephora purchase, I wouldn’t recommend it. This exfoliater/peel/whatever it is is something that needs to be used several times before you can form an opinion on it and the amount that I was given really wasn’t enough to do anything for me. And, maybe this product is a holy grail one – but, I just wasn’t seeing it.

Has anyone used the AmorePacific peel before? What were your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah