Collective Sephora Haul!

Hey everyone! I mentioned in a previous blog post that I would show you what I have recently purchased at Sephora. If you didn't know, Sephora is basically my favorite beauty store. I love going in there every couple of weeks to see if there's anything new. I must say, my bank account is starting to dwindle because of my recent purchases. I can't help it! Anyways, let's get on with the haul!

On my first trip there, I headed straight to the NARS section. I'm starting to think that NARS is becoming my favorite high end brand. Once I got there, I noticed that they had a new set called And God Created The Woman Set ($59). It comes with an eyeshadow palette that has six neutral shades, a travel sized eye shader brush, and a travel sized Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. I love wearing neutral colors so I knew I had to get this! I also got the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose ($25), which is a beautiful hot pink color. It's almost spring and I'm starting to wear my hot pink and coral lip products! I think I'll do a blog post on my favorite spring lip products once spring starts!

Two weeks later, I went back to Sephora. I can't help that there's a mall within walking distance from my college! This time I bought skincare products. Lately, I've been very into taking care of my skin. For those wondering, I have combination-oily skin and I tend to breakout around my cheeks and chin. I was wandering around the skincare section when I came across Origins Skincare Must Haves set ($55). It comes with 0.5 oz Plantscription™ Anti-Aging Serum, 0.17 oz GinZing™ Refreshing Eye Cream, 1 oz Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash, 1 oz Modern Friction™ Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion and 1.7 oz VitaZing™ SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer. I like trying out new things and my current skincare routine just isn't cutting it for me. I also saw the Shiseido Facial Cotton ($9.50). I've been using standard makeup wipes from many brands, drugstore and high end, to remove my eye makeup but they don't do a good job at removing my mascara. I bought these so that I could try it with MAC's Cleanse Off Oil. Can't wait to use these! So I got in line to make my purchases when I saw those bins that are right next to the registers. Of course I had to see what was inside and saw the Fresh Eyes Lash-Loving Duo ($10). This was an impulse buy. It comes with a 0.68 oz Soy Face Cleanser and a 0.07 oz Supernova Mascara in Black. I've heard good things about their Soy Face Cleanser so I'm happy to try it out one day.

And that concludes my collective haul! So many new goodies to play with! See you guys next time!

xo, Kathleen

Monday Questionnaire: Feb. 24, 2013

Good evening everyone! Today is Monday and you know what that means.....it's questions time! I love doing these because I like sharing bits and pieces of my life with you guys! You get to know me while I get to know you! Feel free to answer these questions yourselves!


I found a pile of random CDs under my bed. I miss listening to these!

1. Mood: Feeling kind of sleepy. It's almost midnight here.
2. Have you ever flown in a helicopter? No, but I would love to one day!
3. Favorite vacation memory? Definitely going to France two years ago. It was the best experience of my life!
4. Current nail polish: Orly Rage on my ring fingers, the rest is Orly Cotton Candy.
5. What was the highlight of your weekend? None. I worked all weekend.
6. Current favorite song? My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light 'Em Up) by Fall Out Boy. I am so happy they are back together!
7. A makeup brand you've been loving a lot lately? Hmm, I'd have to say Nars. I tried their eyeshadow primer recently and it's the best!
8. What do you order from Starbucks? Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato
9. An item you've lost, and never been able to find? My Gameboy Advanced. I've been wanting to play Pokémon for a while now :/
10. Weekly goals: Buy my mom a birthday present, read a book, and start drinking more tea.

Hope you all had a great Monday! Til next time!

xo, Kathleen

Ulta Haul!

Good evening everyone! Today was incredibly exciting for me! Why?! Because I went inside an Ulta for the first time ever! I was shocked at how much stuff they had! The closest one near me is 30 minutes away. I wish there was one in my hometown! Let's get on with the goodies!


I have never tried any NYX products, ever! So I decided to try out a couple of things. I got two eyeshadow trios that were on clearance and a cream blush in Boho Chic. Can't wait to use these!


I'm so excited about these brushes! I've heard nothing but good things about the Real Technique brushes! I got their powder brush, stippling brush and eyeliner brush. Super excited about these!


Last but not least, the one product that made my jaw drop to the floor when I saw it: the Urban Decay I ♥ NYC Books of Shadows III palette! I couldn't believe my eyes! I've never tried any UD eyeshadows so I'm really excited about this palette! Plus, $39 is a steal

I had an amazing time at Ulta! I need to go there more often!

Until next time,
Kathleen

February Birchbox 2013!

Hey everyone! How are you all doing? It's currently raining here in southern California and I love it! I love this kind of weather! I just got my Birchbox today and thought I'd share with you all what I got! Unfortunately, I believe this is my last Birchbox. I won a year of Birchboxes last year and I hope I can still continue to purchase more. I love them! Enough chit chat, let's get to it!


As always, Birchbox comes in a cute cardboard box.


This month, the theme is Red Carpet Ready. I think it's cute because the Oscars are coming up! (Can't wait to see it!)


This month's box was just okay. Nothing spectacular. I got the Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle spray, Color Club nail polish in Mamba, perfume sample of Juicy Couture Couture La La, WEI Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask, WEI Pomegranate Buffing Beads, and a Ghirardelli chocolate.

What did you get this month?!

Until next time,
Kathleen

NEW Maybelline Lip Products: Review + Swatches!

Hey everyone! I recently purchased some lip products from Maybelline that I've been wanting to try. These include the new limited edition Baby Lips, Color Whispers and the Vivids collection. Let's get started!


An overview of what I got.

Let's start with the limited edition Baby Lips. I believe they came several months ago. This is my first time trying out these lip balms! I got them in Melon Mania, Coral Crush and Yummy Plummy.


I love these lip balms! They have a fruity smell to them, especially Coral Crush, which smells just like oranges! They are very sheer in color and they keep my lips moisturized all day! Love them! Below are swatches.


From L to R: Melon Mania, Coral Crush, Yummy Plummy

Up next are the new Color Whisper Lip Colors. They're like the Revlon Lip Butters in that they are pigmented but feel comfortable on the lips. I got two colors, one in Mad for Magenta and the other in Berry Ready.


I love these lipsticks/lip butters! They're just like the Baby Lips except they are more pigmented. They lasted around five hours on me. Below are swatches!


From L to R: Mad for Magenta, Berry Ready

Last but certainly not least are the Vivids collection lipsticks. These lipsticks are bright, like Nicki Minaj bright! I got them in two colors, Vivid Rose and Vibrant Mandarin.


The packaging is just like the original Color Sensational lipsticks.


These are incredibly pigmented. One swipe and you've got full color! Since I already love the original Color Sensational lipsticks, it's no surprise that I love these as well! They last 8+ hours and they did not feather out. Below are swatches!


From L to R: Vivid Rose, Vibrant Mandarin

Please excuse my poor lighting on most of these pictures.

Overall, I'm really impressed with these new Maybelline lip products! I love the Color Whispers and Vivids lipsticks! Did you get any of these products? Leave a comment down below!

See you next time!

xo, Kathleen

Monday Questionnaire: Feb. 4, 2013

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've last written a post here but I'm back with new questions to answer! Yay!


I did some retail therapy today and bought a couple of things at Sephora. Haul coming soon!

1) Mood:
Totally relaxed right now. Just watching tv with the parentals.

2) How was your weekend?
I was working all weekend long, even during the Super Bowl. At least I have three days off!

3) Current nail polish:
Nada. I'm letting my nails "breathe".

4) Do you tend to be too hot, too cold, or just right?
I'm always cold. Always.

5) What is your favorite genre of books?
I love mysteries as well as teen fiction. This does not include Twilight.

6) Current outfit:
See above photo.

7) Are you a die-hard fan of any sports teams?
Nope. My dad is a huge soccer fan though.

8) Are you more of an in-store or online shopper?
A little bit of both, but I like to see the product firsthand.

9) Do you go by a nickname/something other than your given birth name?
I have a few that include: Kathy, Kathy White (after Snow White), and the occasional Kat.

10) Weekly goals:
Finish reading The Black Dahlia, study for my Medical Terminology quiz on Thursday, and finish up the plethora of lotions and body sprays I have. I wanted to buy Clinique's Happy Heart perfume today but I told myself to finish at least 5 lotions/sprays. I can do this!

Until next time!

xo, Kathleen