Christmas gifts from Winners

Winners, the same company as Marshalls and TJ Max, has redone their beauty department at most stores around here. I went in to see what they had. I wanted to get some makeup items for my mom and a friend of mine who mostly has ds makeup items. I was able to get some great Pop Beauty, Too Faced, UD and Ecotool items. So I splurged and bought for myself a mini Pop Beauty silver eyeliner, the one I have been using is old and crumbling. I hate that you have to open and look at every item because people are gross and test items in the store. Luckily a lot of the pencil items I bought were sealed and couldn't of been opened. Its like shopping at Sephora in Santa Clara, CA. Most items there have been tested/used in the store and I don't mean the testers they have out, the ones you actually buy and take home with you. Gross.

I am also 90% done with my Christmas shopping. I do most of it the last two weeks of October and finish the first two weeks of November. All four of our birthdays are in November and December as well.

Stash reduction

I have once again found some time to go through my stash and remove things that I don't use or know I won't use. I figure if I do this every week I will start to use more from my stash and get rid of items I am on the fence about. I have been doing this with my frags and skin care items as well. Now I have to decide what to do with the items, since some of the skincare has been used but I also had extras since some items were on sale, half off or 2 for 1. I'm not sure if the change to freezing weather will have an effect on my skin with the new skincare or if it will be the way it was last year, got very red and blotchy, due to using my regiment from San Jose where it wasn't below freezing everyday.

If you are a book lover like me, it gets expensive to keep buying books and have a place for them. The library is a great place to borrow books, DVDS and even video games from. Its free and you don't have to have space to keep them once you are done. I have been using the library here for over a year and have borrowed so many things. My husband is happy. Does anyone else here use the library or am I a dinosaur?

no buy no more :(

I ordered UD Book of Shadows II from Sephora the other day. And I bought three pieces of m/u at Wal Mart on Hard Candy's new line. So I officially broke my no buy :( BUT I'm not being too hard on myself because I haven't bought m/u in months...I don't even remember the last m/u purchase before these recent ones. I just hope it doesn't become a habit. I have a $20 Nordstrom note I plan on using on MAC greaspaint stick and Feline e/l. Which those two items are obviously going to be more than $20 :/ Overall, I just add most wants to my xmas w/l but for the items that are going to be sold out like the UD BOS II and MAC items, I either gotta buy them now or never get them. Now I don't want to create any lemmings but I think the UD BOS II is going to be amazing and well worth the $48. Anyway, I hope you all are doing well on your no/low buys. I'm officially a low-buyer now.

Happy October

Wow its been awhile since I have posted. I have been busy with the kids in school and working on my resume and trying to figure out what to do next in my life. I am lucky where I have a part-time job while I am looking for something else. I have never had to look for a job which is amazing for being employed for over 15 years, but at the same time I haven't had a job that I picked.

All of this has kept me busy and not looking at new makeup. I haven't done many swaps, but instead going through all my stuff and using things that I either haven't ever used or things I forgot I had. I have also taken things out of my stash and put up for swap. My swap boxes are getting fuller again.

I also have done some Birthday and Christmas shopping. My husband and I share a birthdate (thought he is five years older than me) and our kids are Nov 4 and Dec 22nd. It makes the last three months of the year expensive. I like sales and right now, like last year, there are lots of great sales on everything. Guess that is one of the only good things about the economy.

I did an overhaul of my skincare system since the start of August and now on the right track of what I use that helps with my skin issues. Atleast for now it all works. I was low on all my staples to begin with so buying something completely different wasn't that bad of the past few months. My skin looks how it was before I had my daughter which was when my skin changed drastically. I cleaned out my bathroom cabinet of all the things I could use that might help (which really didn't) and now have an empty shelf and more space so the things I use are organised and easy to find.

So between going through my complete stash and gifts to buy, I have no desire for anything new. So I am keeping to my "no/low buy".

anyone out there?

Hi Ya'll. The blog has been quiet for about two weeks now :( I used to look forward to checking this everyday for there were new posts everyday but now...no action. We need to get on it! I'm trying not to interpret this as everyone is doing bad on their no/low buy..but it's hard because that would be a logical assumption. Prove me wrong!

Anyway, I am doing good on my no-buy. Swapping on MUA was a good cure b/c it's getting 'new' (new to me, anyway) m/u without spending anything (less shipping). Unfortunately, I was swaplifted!! :( :( :( This totally ruined my groove I had going. Now I'm trying to work that out before setting up any new swaps. I hate to call it a swaplift but it's obvious that's what it is. I set a swap up with this girl early/mid August. I sent my end and emailed her three times since and she never responded. She's been on MUA but not too frequently. My initial guess is that she hasn't had time or forgot and that's why she isn't responding (even though IMO the best way to deal with those issues is communicate to the swapper so they aren't sitting here wondering what the hell is going on like I am!!). I don't know that she intentionally swaplifted but either way, she has her end, I don't have mine. She hasn't given me any feedback so all I'm left to do now is guess about my end and the swap. I decided to wait one month after no communication which will be the 20th of September. At that point, I will give her a negative token and post on my swap pad that I've been swaplifted and will be sorting that out before taking on any new swaps. I didn't really want to open that door but I feel I've done everything I can, given her several chances and yeah...no resolution. It is very disheartening and makes me remember not to trust all on MUA. Even though she had about 30 positive tokens and communicated openly in the beginning...guess it's just bad luck. What makes me the most mad is not that I'm out the item (I didn't want it anyway, right?) but the way she's handling it and the fact that I haven't been swapping at all because now it's kind of tainted. I just don't want to right now..can't really describe it. Way to go bad swappers to ruin for all of us :(

Anyway, I only lost a MUFE star powder so not a huge deal. I'm sure once this is sorted out I will be back on the MUA horse again :) Let's just hope it doesn't open the whole box of retaliatory negative tokens, bitchy emails and what not. I hope all of you are doing well on your no/low-buy! Talk to you soon??!!

i want to play/i love game

First off, that song by Lady Gaga just reminds me of shopping instead of love...does that suggest something bad about me?? lol anyway, I want to buy! Sorry if I spring up any lemmings in anyone but I need to vent about my lemmings on here (this reminds me of common dilemnas in AA & other similar groups...you want to explain your cravings but you don't want to make others crave it, too). Well, anyway, I got this email from Sephora today and it makes me want to buy :( Specifically, Bare Escentuals Radiance Rock set, the Fresh set & Stella McCartney Nude fragrance. I posted this on the MUA boards earlier today, too because I want. The BE item & the Fresh Set are each under $30 so reasonably priced, relatively speaking, and I want to buy! I'm getting into the mindset that I should reward myself for not buying for so long...I really haven't purchased makeup in months, which is the goal of my no-buy, but now I want these things for a reward. I've killed other lemmings over and over and deprived myself so maybe I should let up on myself and buy these things....But no! Even though I have been doing good, I still am broke (did the no-buy because I couldn't afford m/u) so I can't buy these things. Any advice on how to get out of this line of thinking? Please help convince me I don't need to buy! Go! (And TIA :))

Free at last, free at last!

It appears we're all finding minor breakthroughs. Yesterday I deleted MUA from my bookmarks, so it won't be as easy to compulsively click to the site. Sweet. When I'm away for long enough it's like I get my head back. I can look at my case of makeup and think, what the hell!? I have more than enough. So I've returned to my roots - reading and music.

Some friends and members of another message board have this ongoing weekly music challenge. It's been going on for a year. Someone picks a topic and then everyone has one week to write and record a song that relates to it. It could be as vague as a picture or as specific as a topic, song structure and chord progression. Then we all vote for a winner, who chooses the next week's challenge. It's so fun and inspiring and motivating. Even if you churn out complete crap (which is almost all the time), you're engaged in the process and practice makes perfect. I haven't gotten involved in at least a few months but I thought this weekend would be the right time. So I wrote and recorded a little something in like 5 hours (just in time for the deadline, of course -- Queen of Procrastination, and speaking of which, I still have to send yalls packages!).

This week's challenge was a cartoon called "Storm Ponies". Write the theme song for a fictitious cartoon about three crime fighting ponies named Rain, Thunder and Lightening. Here's my contribution (heh!!) - understand that it is completely retarded! But on another note it won this week's challenge! ha. In 50 weeks it's also the first time a girl has won.

Download: Storm Ponies!

Break Through...! Woohoo!

Hi everyone. I hope weekend was useful to you all. This weekend and last I have spent Sunday going through a lot of my stuff, especially my closet. I keep trying to find better ways to organise it all. I have too much stuff and not enough space. I like to buy things my family uses on sale, so I end up with 3 and 4 of everything. I have about ten toothbrushes for myself, but I must contend that they discontinued making them and so I bought the rest I found on my last trip to the States. I haven't seen them in California or here in Ontario the past three years. So I have all this stuff, it does get used and I restock when I see these items on sale. I have learned over the past two months that all the stores I shop at rotate their sales and at some point in a five to six week span have the same sales on the items I use.

I have a form of OCD, my dad has OCD but in a different area of his life. I never saw it in myself until last week. I thought it was hoarding or keeping things I would need. Confession: I have been keeping my receipts to everything for the past four years. I didn't know if I would need them to show the court that I paid for everything for me and my daughter and that I actually did things with her or to show immigration that my life with my husband is real. In regards to court I was granted my move in April of 2008, didn't need the receipts and immigration only took four months and we didn't even need to have an interview, I sent them sufficent evidence and yet had lots to show if they wanted an interview.

I got rid of a lot of things before I moved, I donated boxes of books, CDS and movies to the library down there. I gave away a lot of makeup/bath & body items to my friend. I threw out all the things my mom wouldn't let me that belonged to my daughter that was broken or missing pieces. I had a garage sale to sell all my daughter's out-grown clothes that my mom wanted me to keep (I had 8 years worth of clothes) and toys and stuffed animals that she didn't play with anymore. I also got rid of clothes that I never wore and threw out things that should of been tossed out. We moved up here and still both of us had a lot of stuff and a lot less space since we share the house with my husband, his son and my mother-in-law. I did a lot of purging of my old life to get ready for my new life here. We got up here and I still have a lot of stuff. I go through my stuff all the time and get rid of some each time. I am still in the process of finding a way to pare down.

I say this all because I am at a point where I know I have too much stuff but always want to make sure I have enough. I could give away boxes of makeup/bathroom items and still have enough for myself for a year. lol. So besides the no-buy for makeup, I am now on a no-buy for everything else, except to rebuy items that my family get down to the last one. I would like to make space on my top two shelves of my closet to use for something other than bathroom items.

I think I am ready to move on

I am back from my holiday, 2 weeks and few days without buying makeup. I have no whish to run around shops, or look at internet sellers to buy stuff I don't need. At all. I spend way less time on the makeup board (2 minutes a day), and I have no lemming.

I have few swap requests, and I am not sure I want to swap at all as I really don't need more stuff!

i feel so freed.

Nail Polish and Stash Clean Up

Hi all,

This week has been extremely busy. Nonetheless, yesterday I spent a half-hour or so pulling all of the nail polishes from the nooks and crannies of my stash and setting them aside in a night table drawer. It's wonderful to have them all in one place! I can finally see everything, so I know exactly what I have. A much better arrangement!!

I found three Revlon matte eyeshadows that I will probably never use--they are Vintage Lace (a bone-cream color), Aubergine (deep purple) and Riviera Blue (dark navy). If anyone wants all three, let me know in the comments section and I'll send you the lot. They've each been used a few times, but there's loads of product left. I'll send them out in about a week (too busy to go to the PO until next weekend), and only to someone willing to take all three. I'll throw in an Awake Sphynx eyeshadow too (used a few times), which is a shimmery mossy green.

Thanks to all of you!! Rivoli

x-post ROAK from the lovely Gingitsune

Last week I received a lovely RAOK from gingitsune, in response to my last ranty/whiny post. Gingitsune was an absolute sweetheart and doubled my lipstick stash in one day! I was totally floored by her generosity! So glad to have met such wonderful ladies through MUA and this low-buy union. Gingitsune and I have also bonded over dwarf hamsters (I got one to try and curb the makeup lemmings, and then she got one too LOL - they even look alike). :D

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipsticks in Dizzy, Drop of Sherry, Dare, Amethyst Shimmer, Metallic Seduction

Dizzy, Drop of Sherry, Dare, Amethyst Shimmer, Metallic Seduction.

L'Oreal HIP Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor in Royal, Vivacious, Fervent, Fearless

Royal, Vivacious, Fervent, Fearless

I'm so impressed with these! Especially the Rimmels! I actually didn't own any drugstore lipsticks before these. Since my lips are extra dry and sensitive I'd just never really tried any, preferring to stick with well-known HE lipsticks specifically popular for their non-drying properties (MAC Cremesheens and Lustres, Dior Addict HS & Lipcolor make up most of my collection) that I could try in-store first. Though the Rimmels are less moisturizing than my other lipsticks, they're not particularly drying and the pigmentation is so beautiful! These are definitely the brightest, most fun lipsticks I own. They also wear down evenly and leave a nice stain much like my Diors do. :D The HIP lipcolors are much more moisturizing and I think every bit as nice as Dior Addict High Shines... with just a bit less staying power.

I'm still in the process of trying everything out, but here are some FOTDs I've done with these new beauties. :D

So of course I had to try Rimmel Amethyst Shimmer first. I was actually convinced it wouldn't work on me but it does and it is gorgeous! It's totally unlike anything else I have in my collection - I don't think I'd ever have picked it out on my own but I love it! It's a tad brighter than in the picture, a real hot pink if I ever saw one. I am wearing KvD Beethoven purples on my lids and MAC Dainty on my cheeks to go with the cooler-toned lippie. Erm... I look extra ridiculously pale because I also used my new sample of Everyday Minerals lavender color corrector. I've never used a color corrector before... and I think I went a tad overboard lol. Anyway, adore this lippie and this look. =)

Then I tried out L'Oreal HIP Fervent - the most bricky red, in a very Autumnal FOTD. I think this look screams Fall haha. I used TBS Shimmer Cubes 06 gold on the lid and Laura Mercier Midnight Sun trio gold on the outer corner. Then I wore Laura Mercier Apricot blush and MAC Nuance on my cheeks to compliment the gold/red tones. Definitely going to wear this combination a LOT come Fall. (I also think the difference the lavender color corrector makes is a tad ridiculous. I mean seriously - it made my skin a totally different color! Which is cool... but I think I rather enjoy being a tad yellow.)

Here I'm wearing Rimmel Dare with a very neutral/simple FOTD. I used TBS Shimmer Cubes 06 light pink and brown for the eyes and Laura Mercier Apricot blush with Cargo Plantlove Peony as a highlighter. This FOTD was much, much more striking in person, I think, than the picture shows. Dare is a beautiful BRIGHT coral red. It is very dramatic and sexy and it is possibly my new favorite color of all time. =)

And then here's me wearing Rimmel Dizzy, which is just such a fun pretty color that screams SPRING! Wearing a very neutral TBS Shimmer Cubes 06 eye and MAC Dainty. I think this color is so versatile though - I can see it looking great with purple, blue or green eyes. This was my second attempt at using the EDM lavender corrector - much better this time I think, as my neck isn't totally off from my face. It's amazing how little goes such a long way. o_o;

Thank you, thank you, thank you Gingitsune!! You really, truly made my entire month! I'm going to have a whole lot of fun trying out all the rest of the colors - too (I wanna try Fearless next but I have a lunch date with a strictly platonic friend tomorrow lol). Now I really have to get off my butt and put together that lipstick collection post lol!

Blog Sale Temptations!!!

Okay. So, I've been good in keeping myself away from drugstores and haven't been tempted by any sales lately.. but, I've encountered a situation. I love watching YouTube videos, and a lot of these beauty youtubers have haul videos. I came across this guru that was complaining in one of those haul videos about how much MU she has and she needed to get rid of. So, she set up this blog sale and I have to admit... some of that stuff looks nice. A cream blush and lipstick for $30 (including shipping) have been catching my eye. I really like the colors and have had good experiences with those products before.

I went to the company's website and put them in my shopping bag just to compare the prices with tax and shipping fees. It came to about $50!!!

Darn it. I am supposed to be on a no-buy right now. The last thing I bought was one of MAC "Look in a Box" Nordies exclusives... about a month ago. So yeah, that's not even anything to celebrate about. I want to stick to my no-buy (or make minimal purchases) until Christmas.

Tell me anything that can make me forget about the blog sale! :(

Thank you!

my blushes and a low buy question

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA from the blog for a bit - no excuses, LOL. Here's a picture of my blushes! No labels but I probably know what they all are. Maybe. This doesn't show blushes in palettes - I probably have another 10 or 15 in those.

*cough* I guess I like blush. :-x



OK! I've been doing pretty well with my low buy. I'm giving myself $5 a week and I have $42.50 saved up with another $5 coming tomorrow. Whee! I'm plotting on spending about half of it on the It Cosmetics concealer (Bye Bye Under Eye) from beauty.com, but I'm still hammering out the rest of my order.

I did succumb to the Zoya code but I'm afraid my order will be canceled. I got two np and the 8oz bottle of Remove+... the code was only supposed to be for np. Oh well, I guess we'll see what happens! My low buy doesn't restrict np or skincare since I don't tend to go nuts in those categories.

And now on to the question! At work, I just took over the awesome responsibility of taking all our bulk mail to the post office. This requires me to - gasp - drive. LOL I know that sounds strange but although I've had my license for about 8 years, I've probably only driven a few hours. I never practiced so I never got used to it. For a long time I had no access to a car... then once I did, I was too psyched out to want to drive. Anyway so this is a good thing because it forces me to get into the car once a week.

Another good thing about it is that I'll get a little extra cash! My work is paying me $5 per run - $20/month. Now the dilemma - DH suggest I use this money for MU. I know, right??? The drive hardly takes any gas (it's less than a mile round trip) and we already insure and maintain the car (DH takes the train to work but we use the car for trips and errands).

BUTTTTTTT... the reason I'm on the low buy isn't so much to save money... it's more to resist attaining more and more MU that I won't use. Clutter. Excess. So I think maybe I SHOULDN'T use the money to supplement (double!!) my low buy allowance.

Thoughts? Advice?

So that was my first blog post! I hope I did OK!

~ Anna / snickersforsnuggles

Staying Strong

Hi all,

I just wanted to say that I just love this site. It's so encouraging to read all of the helpful comments and hints that everyone has. They've really helped me out. I have not bought makeup since July 21st (except for the shipping for the three free nail polish offer from Zoya last week, which fits into my low buy just fine).

The comments that have helped me the most have been the warnings to stay away from MUA boards. I quickly get into a mentality that spending $5 or $10 is no big deal, and pretty soon I'm filling up a cart to get a GWP that requires a $100 order. I actually did this with the Nordstrom GWP last Saturday, but didn't place the order. I decided to sleep on it, then I decide to delay it another day. After a few hours, I realized that those little sample packets were not worth breaking my promise to myself. Plus, I've been working on some other types of research (relating to work, not spending!) that have kept me from wondering about the latest hype.

Also, I've been working on trying to use the products that I already have, which is a project that will probably take me forever.

Thanks again to everyone--I'm reading and learning from your posts and comments! :)

Rivoli

My last three swaps

Hi everyone~

I finally finished three of my Summer swaps including a few extras. I don't swap as much since I've moved up here to Canada due to high shipping costs, starts at $6.70 but usually runs closer to $8-$11. The Lancome quad is perfect to try a "natural" look. Trucco blush duo, Lnacome quad, Stila Shade 2 bronzer, 2 Sue Devitt shadow rollers, Delux creme shadow, Smashbox eye liner and Lancome eyeliner.

Be strong against Stila Precious Pearl Palette!

Hi! I'm Irene, been on MUA as a lurker for many years and dove in - many products later here I am. I want to curb my spending to use up what I have before it goes bad and we are house hunting. Every penny counts for lord knows what kinds of incidental things come up. This month is MAC month (I don't have much thankfully but I've had a lot of it for quite some time) so I'll be making a dent and posting pics of my stash/looks.

I'm mainly posting because this Stila Palette is killing me. Argggh!! I might as well just put that $20 in the toilet since I hardly use the few palettes I have. Feels so good to get it out, have a place where I said I wouldn't buy it and keep to that promise.

Hi everyone, a little cheating and a rant

Hi everyone, I'm Catherine (belletrist9 on MUA) and this is my first post here. =) Like I stated in my introduction email, I'm a 21-year-old bioengineering undergraduate working two jobs this summer (research intern and web assistant) trying to save up for tuition. I'm out of state and my parents don't contribute much - I was blessed, truly blessed to receive a very generous grant-in-aid this year that may mean I don't have to take out any additional private loans... but I've been horribly overspending for the last 2-3 months. I decided to go on an all-out no-buy starting 7/8 when I made the Laura Mercier grab bag haul 'till the end of August with a strict low-buy (I haven't decided quite yet, but I'm thinking $100/month for discretionary non-groceries spending?) thereafter.

I live with my SO and he's been really understanding about trying to help me cut down my spending. I've stopped buying food on campus for lunch/snacks and tried to bring my own more (and remember to eat my meals, I simply don't get hungry) so that's helped a lot, but what made me really STOP myself was Kenoki's MUA post about tallying up her yearly m/u expenditures. I lump makeup/skincare/bath&body/clothes/accessories... basically everything I don't NEED, and I think my June accessory expenditures totaled to ~$350. That scared me enough... haha... I'm still too scared to count up my yearly expenditures (since I really got into makeup last December). I'm still afloat with no credit card debt, but I have a staggering amount of student loans and I feel like... I really could put more towards my education so I don't have to take out more loans. There are also those times where I can't quite make my credit card payment and my rent payment at the same time, so I'm a week or two late on the rent (SO writes the entire check and then I write him a check, which he's very understanding about but it makes me feel like CRAP.) 'till my next paycheck comes in.

It was really hard going cold-turkey at first and I've had a few slip-ups here and there. I also have a "beauty blog" of sorts (Pretty Shiny Things) and even though I've tried staying off the MUA boards I still read about people just buy-buy-buying all the time! I'm trying to stick with reviewing what I already have right now. I got a new lipstick 7/16 - Jane Iredale Lily. I was just so damn excited about finding a lipstick with SPF that I can use - even SO agreed it'd be a good idea since my lips are so dry and chapped and scarred already (I'm allergic to chemical sunscreens so none of the drugstore chapsticks do me any good). Then, last week with the Zoya 5000 Twitter code I paid shipping for three new nailpolishes. Today I finally caved and made a small EDM purchase. I have about 2 weeks left of foundation and 5 days left of finishing powder (neither of which will last me until September, so it's either re-order or go without). I feel guilty though. I was only going to buy the foundation and the finishing powder... but for an extra $10 I got a small personal kit so I could get double the foundation/finishing powder as well as 2 brushes. I asked SO and he said it totally made sense. I saved about 50% by buying more but ugh. I still feel guilty about it haha. I'm afraid my mascara's going to go bad soon (3 months, 1 week old) and that $10 would have been half of my mascara.

The worst part of it is I've been sick a lot this summer and I pay out of pocket for urgent care at Student Health since I'm not on the school's health insurance. Which means even with the gains I've made cutting back my expenses... July is actually more expensive than June was. That depresses me so much. =/

The mascara is HG. The toner's also about out and SO and I both use it. I know I'm already going to have to put 1/2 of September's allowance towards that. But I am eyeing Fresh's Rose Freshface Primer, as well as the Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura Collection... and what about the boots & belts (I literally have zero belts right now since I lost my only one) for Fall? Or a couple new cardigans? And maybe one more pair of jeans (I have 2). It's so stressful, hahaha. And so silly - sometimes I want to just bash my head in because I am really so much better off than so many people all around the world and that I am so stressed out by such stupid material things makes me so angry sometimes.

I'm even having trouble shopping my own stash since my stash really isn't all that big (hoping to take pictures for you guys soon, but I've been coming home around nightfall every day of the week during the week so I just haven't had good light/good time yet). I have a very serviceable collection of eyeshadows, but I feel like everything else is in pretty good proportional order. I have 9 lipsticks, 7 of which are wearable, 2 blushes, 1 bronzer, 2 highlighters, 1 mascara, only one foundation and one finishing powder. All the makeup I own minus eyeliners, mascara, and brushes fit in one small bathroom drawer (partly because I literally have no where else to put it). The rest sits on top of my side of the bathroom counter.

Plus I'm so tired. I work ~60hrs a week in lab in bioengineering and as web assistant to one of the departments of engineering. I get paid more for the web assistant job, but arguably the bioengineering research is far more rewarding and valuable to my future career. I am incredibly lucky to have been offered a small stipend for my research this summer but the work is so exhausting. I spend ~2 hours commuting even though campus is literally 10 minutes drive away since I don't have a car (15 minute walk + ~15 minute wait for bus + 15 minute bus ride + 15 minute walk) and I stay on campus ~8-10 hours depending on how the day is. With the amount of sleep I need, I barely have time to come home and eat dinner before I have to go to sleep... I'm so frustrated because there were a couple of personal projects I wanted to get started this summer... as well as learning new skills that would improve my earning power in the future. I also wanted to cook more, bake more. Now I'm barely home enough to do anything. And since I realized I'd lost 8 lbs since February (I don't have the kind of frame that 8 lbs is an acceptable loss - right now I weigh less than 100lbs at 5'4" - especially since now I get so damn cold in the air-conditioned buildings) I'm trying to eat better and start an exercise routine so I can gain back some weight in muscle. I literally don't get hungry. I have to set myself an alarm. I usually don't notice I haven't eaten until my acid reflux kicks in. I'm exhausted constantly. And cranky. And I've realized the high from buying shiny things only lasts about 1-2 days at best. It's depressing and it doesn't actually solve anything.

Ack. Sorry for the long rant. It's just been bothering me so much lately...

I have issues... I think

Well, my UDPP broke and I transferred it to a glass jar and it still dried out. I think its just from opening it and exposing all of that surface to air.

So, I need more right.. Replacing h/g items are ok on a no/low buy. I drove right by ULTA and didnt even stop. I was guilt ridden to NOT buy it because my DH's project is ending within wks and IDK where he will be transferred (if at all) to or even when he will.

However, my gut HURTS cause I really want that damn UDPP.... I guess I will look at swaps. BLAH!!!

Why do I feel like this??

Oops.

Shit. I broke the no-buy. Even the low-buy. It was late (real late). The dogs, the cat, the boo were all asleep. I was watching The Office when all of a sudden I was at Bloomies website staring at a confirmation receipt. It was two GA blushes (10 and 12), a replacement concealer and some YSL cream eyeshadow. The plan is, when the box gets here, if it gets here on homie's day off, I will claim I blacked out. Maybe even hint that I have a serious drug habit and redirect his concern from the real problem to a made up one. But then everyone will think I have a drug addiction. Hmm.. I'll have to put some thought into this. What if I say that our #1 dog is setting me up. Homie was convionced that #1 dog was a shapeshifter for awhile. I could appeal to his paranoia.

Saturday's FOTD

So the past two days I have been trying out my Smashbox Expert Trio. I tried the two non ivory shades, which I used both days as the wash/highlighter, both days paired with the other as one as the contour and the liner. After trying it out both ways I decided I didn't like either colour and the ivory was blah, I have other eyeshadows close in colour that I prefer over this trio. So up it goes on my swap list.

Today I went back to using my pretty pink Pop Beauty Bright Pink eye cake palette. I have used this a lot the past two months. So many colours, so many combos but today here is what I used: the Pop eyecake (middle colour as the wash, the darkest pink as the contour outer and the rose pink inner contour, both blended, Wet N Wild Shimmer liner in "teal", CG Lash Blast in very black and some BB Sand Pink blush. Oh yeah and some Chapstick in the blue tube. I didn't use any foundation products.

The pics are from after work, didn't have time this morning to take pics. The blush is mostly gone. Don't mind the brows, I am letting them grow back in fully before I pluck, its killing me to not since they get rather bushy.

My little Drugstore FOTD

Well, there have been a few FOTD's on MUA using only d/s items.

I hope you enjoy my challenge. I did and found the e/s too shimmery. I have lots of mattes but thought that would be too boring. LOL


all the makeup I used (Neutrogena 3in1 concealer not pictured)


before and after pic today (click for larger images)



If you are interested in seeing my drugstore application pics (by product), go to my blog at http://www.whydontwanna.blogspot.com

My E/S that aren't in my train case

Hi again. Here are some pics of the eyeshadows that I don't keep in my train case, but I do use. I have a drawer of makeup that doesn't fit in my big train case. It holds my extra brushes and palettes, among other things makeup associated.

Here is the plastic container I keep them in:


Here are the eyeshadows I have bought, either at the store or on EBay: I love the Lancome No Miracles and the HiP Showy. I used to wear it all the time to SJ Shark games when I lived down there.

Here are the GWP eyeshadows from when I first started to buy other than d/s makeup: I tossed out the top right and circular eyeshadows, they were old, two of my staples (EL Pale Moon and EL Tea Biscuit).

Here are all the eyeshadows I have swapped for: I love the lilac She She eyeshadow. The SB trio is on my swap list now.

Here are the RAOK and extras that have been sent to me: I wear the TBS eyeshadow all the time.

This is the container from the side:

I do know what I keep in there. I go thru it ever couple of weeks to see if anything I can get rid of.

Buy Less - Use More

I will leave you for two weeks, as heading for my holiday and want to leave a little challange for all of you (including me).
Makeup is fun, and we all have good collections - love your stash, use it, look for new ways, try to get things that don't work to work!
Buy Less, Use More

Ok I get it now

So the reason why I didn't want to take pics of my stash is because I know I have way too much, its embarassing. More than I will ever use, considering I don't wear much makeup to begin with. I joined being part of the authors of this blog over the weekend and I have already learned alot. I appreciate the support you all give each other.

While my husband and son were away over the weekend for my son's baseball tournament, which I normally go to but I had stay home, I took the opportunity to take out some of my stash and take pics of it. So far I have done my lipglosses and blushes and highlighters. I already knew I had way more than I will ever use but I learned that while I was taking them all out and going through them I remembered/learned what exactly some of them were colour wise. I had forgotten about some of them. So now I have those two stashes on my computer and phone, in case I end up somewhere wanting to buy a new gloss or blush, I can remind myself I am not lacking in either department.

I will definately continue to take pics of the rest of my stash and post them for you all to see, and to open my eyes.

no easy task..

So...tonight I went to dinner with a friend and it happens to be in a mall. I think you see where this is going. It's near the end of dinner and I haven't even thought about shopping, I swear! And my friend asks "Do you want to go to Sephora with me?" Gulp. I look at her. No one ever usually wants to go to m/u stores except me. Someone else wants to go, I got excited. And add on the fact that she views me as her makeup guru friend...I cannot dissappoint. She has questions about bronzers and blushes and brands and I instantly say 'yes.' So we go and I don't really look around except at the NARS stand we are at. I keep waiting for some lemming to come but nothing really does. So I answer her questions and we go to check out and while she's checking out I look at the Urban Decay stuff. So many pretty colors. They have a great ad with purples and it's soo pretty. But honestly, I feel like I have all the colors. My hand was colored by the end of the night with m/u swatches and nothing really stood out. The only item I really wanted was Guerlain's bronzing balls but even that lasted a second. I instantly realized I have those colors..and I don't need the same one again.

So, in the end I walked out empty handed and happy. Granted, being broke plays a big part in this. No money in the account=no buying things granted I have a credit card. But I made a rule that I have to pay off my credit card in the full amount by the time of my bill so I think that helps.

Makeup 0. Me 1.

Foundation/TM/Concealer/Primer/PP Stash

Hey guys, 

I took some pics of my entire (or at least 95%) of my stash to upload in MUA. Since I don't want to make this a giganormous post, I'll just make different posts here and there with the entire thing. I am presenting you my face cover ups today ;)

Benefit That Gal Primer, Maybelline Age Rewind Cream Foundation, Revlon Colorstay, MAC SFF, Maybelline Age Rewind Liquid Fndt, MAC Studio Tech:

Lorac Double Feature Concealer/Highlighter, MAC Paint Pot (Soft Ochre), MAC Studio Finish and Select Cover-up concealers, Kiehl's TM, Stila Illuminating TM, CoverGirl Aquasmoothers TM:

 

My Fear of Returning Things

I just got back from a long trip.  Before I left, I had pre-ordered a Dior special edition palette at Nordstrom Anniversary sale (and, of course, a nail polish too! stupid!).  Since that time, I've realized that I don't need to spend that money for the same reasons that we're all here.  However, I knew from the SA that I'd ordered it from that if I didn't get to the store by today, that the counter would ship these out and charge my card.

Yesterday, I decided to go in and return the items.  I knew that if they never left the store at all, they can be re-sold because there's no chance they were contaminated.  Indeed, the palette is sold in a box shrink-wrapped in plastic.  However, like many of us, I have a "fear of returning" things.  Where does this come from?  Am I afraid to admit I made a mistake?  That the sales associate will become angry?  Will there be a confrontation?  

Anyway, I followed through on my plan.  There were no sales associates around, so I had to wait forever.  Then the SA had to go to the back to get the items.  After she did all that, I had my card credited for the purchase prices.  As I was leaving, I heard her muttering to herself "I don't understand why people do this...blah blah blah..."

Oh well, guess what--we both lived!   I feel like I did the right thing.  I used the money on back to school clothes for my son, and I didn't bring home things I don't really need.  

Are there any other weekend success stories?

Coping with Great Value

Here we go.
Confession time.
I can't cope with great value deals! All months that I travel abroad (this year 3 already, and 4 will be this Thursday) I go mad.
All months of Sales - June July, December January - if I score great sale (which I always seem to do) I go totally out of control! Or 20% hq deals too. In the chantecaille sale I got all palettes they have currently on their webside, and neimanmarcus too! I can't just get one and leave happy! I got a lovely lola eye liner brush and I feel I should stock up on them as they are clearing them up. It's a lovely brush, don't get me wrong - great value but I already have Mac 208,209, 2 brushed 266, 212, full size bb ultra fine liner, mini size bb ultra fine liner. Like - great bargain right. Why I feel I should buy a spare, it's not like I will be stuck for them or anything!

So this is where the trouble comes. this is where I need intervention and help
Copping with 'GREAT VALUE' how?

My Blush and Highlighter Stash

So I decided that I should take pics of some more of my stash. Here are my blushes and highlighters. Most of what I have are from swapping (the Orgins pink blush came like that), I only bought maybe 10 of them. My favs are SB's Tint, Clinique Smoldering Plum, the Mac Sheertone, and the two BB blushes. Also, once again I have a lot that haven't been used by me at all. In total I have 35.

Lead Us Not into Temptation....

Hi All,

I've been enjoying all of the postings and comments.  I have been on the road for the past few days.  I have not been able to check into MUA for more than a few minutes.  Also, my access to my email was really limited--I deleted all of the email from advertisers (Lancome, MAC, Shu, you know!) without reading it.

I noticed a HUGE drop in any desire to think about buying makeup.  All of you who recommend staying away from temptation are so right!  Out of sight, out of mind.  Even though I bought some magazines with some new makeup releases in them, for some reason I didn't find them tempting.

Anyway, you may want to try it out.  In the meantime, I've gotten a lot of other reading done with the time saved.  I'm feeling very productive and very much in control.  Thanks for all of your advice!

 

Lip Products...

Okay well I don't have any updated stash pics, but I do have numbers...and they're kinda staggering. I can't even count how many balms I have. I have a ridiculous number of them. Especially since people keep giving them to me lol. I just got a huuuuge shipment of soft lips for reviewing. Good times.

Btw I didn't count these; I have a spreadsheet lol.

Lipsticks - 160

Lip Glosses - 119

Lip Color Pencils (not lip liners, but like gloss sticks etc.) - 16

It's probably not 100% accurate, but unfortunately it's pretty close. =X The vast majority of my lipstuffs are MAC. They're my fave. I do collect the lipsticks, especially special packaging ones. Some of my prized HTF lipsticks are Strawberry Blonde, Real Doll, Martooni, and Too Fab (DressCamp).

My Lipgloss stash

Here is my lipgloss stash. I don't wear lipstick but I do love lipgloss. I didn't take pics of my chapsticks. I got a lot of them, I stock up on them when there is a sale or I go to the States and find a Target. I give part of that stash to my husband and daughter. I keep my lipglosses in clear plastic boxes.


Here are my clear glosses, brown glosses and lip balms:

Here are my pink glosses:

Here are my staples: I carry atleast two of these with me in my purse. The Lancome on the far left is my absolute fav, Hotness. The perfect "nude" pink.

I have 8 balms, 81 glosses and 1 EL lip conditioner. As I was taking them all out I tossed out 3 that are old. I forgot that I had so many that were new and some unsealed. I did swap for a lot of these, so I didn't buy all of them. Plus some are GWP.

Here is my lipstick stash (I took it while DH was home LOL)

Well, I guess I should tally up the total of l/s and l/g here. :D



11 lipsticks


16 lip glosses / 3 lip balms


5 lipsticks


3 lipsticks in pots / 4 lip glosses


17 lip glosses / 2 lip balms


5 lip glosses / 6 lipsticks


9 lipsticks


2 lipsticks / 1 lip gloss / 4 lip balms / 3 lip glosses in pots



So the tally ~~~

36 ~ Lipsticks
46 ~ Lip glosses
9 ~ lip balms

OK lemme tell you that MOST of its not purchased... I have a MUAer who loves to buy lipstick and such then mail them to me LOL. Go figure. *sigh*

Stash Pic Challenge ~~ LIPSTICKS & LIPGLOSSES

Hey everyone!! For all the late comers, we would still LOVE to see your stash pictures.

Here are some good reasons to post them:

1. Let's us all live thru your stash. Everyone enjoys a good stash. We admire the small ones and we are amazed by the large ones.

2. Reorganization. It allows you the ability to reorganize and clean up your existing stash. Making it easier for you to find what you want and use what you should.

3. Purging. You can see there have been a couple girls purging their stashes. Giving things away can be just as rewarding as purchasing them. Think of how you feel when you have a package coming ~ pass that feeling off to another person.

4. Finally, Realization. This is where I have a better understanding of my stash. When I can look at it and say to myself, "WOW! I have too many fndts, or highlighters, or lipsticks, or concealers."

I, myself, realized that I do have lots of fndts even tho I didnt buy the majority of them. I tried out 3 different fndts in the last month. BUT to be honest I am a Rev CS, CS Active gal. I love it!!! So I would post them here for RAOKs but its all d/s items. So up for swap they will go.

So, please do not feel embarrassed by the size of your stash... Share with us and be honest with yourself. <3

Onto the weekly challenge!!! Lipsticks, lipglosses and all other lip products.

BTW let me know if you prefer the pictures posted individually??

No FOTD for me today because it was another nude look with a Rev Matte in Peach Sorbet & MAC Quarry. LOL I like how fresh and doll like it looks. :D

Gingitsune's Giveaway!

P.S. I'll leave this up till Aug 8 then I'll start pming pple re addresses, etc. For those who're sure they want nothing else, please pm me with addresses & I'll let you know the postage amount. Thanks!

So I got inspired by Kenoki & decided to do a giveaway too! :D I need to qualify that mine's not as fancy as hers though! :D

4 things:

1) As I had been really broke recently (still unemployed), I would like to ask whoever is getting the item to pay me the postage. I debated over this wondering if it's too tacky but some of the items are really heavy & postage will add up. I hope you'll understand.

2) Please don't ask for items just to put on your swap list. If you tried it & not liked it then go ahead! :D

3) I have multiples of some items (e.g. Biotherm dry skin toner, Lancome moisturizers, Heat tamers, etc) so please state how many you want in your post.

4) You must already be an author on this blog (or on the mailing list) to stake a claim.


Here we go!

Makeup




Biotherm GWP l/s in #145 (used 1-2x)
Red Earth E/s in PU088 (purple) & GR099 (teal) RIS Reserved for AlexisAdella
Biotherm Retractable Blush Brush (used 1-2x) Reserved for ktb8293
L'oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Foundation #458 Light Ivory (got this when I visited DH & forgot my fdtn. 75% powder remains) Reserved for AlexisAdella
Covergirl Brow & Eye Makers Pencil in Midnight Black (used 1-2x)
L'Occitane Eyebrow Pencil in Pearl Grey (used 1-2x) reserved for Kenoki
Stila Brow Polish in Brunette (used 1x) reserved for Skittles131

Skincare


C.O. Bigelow Lip Renewal Remedy (pump bottle-used 2-3x) Reserved for AlexisAdella
Patricia Wexler M.D. No-Injection Lip Plumper (Lip brush type, might have used 1-2x can't recall) Reserved for AlexisAdella
Pure Simplicity Rice Moisturizer for Normal Skin (new w/o box)
Biotherm Clarifying Lotion for Normal/Combo Skin (70% remains of 13.5fl oz bottle)Reserved for Kmbirkel
Biotherm Age Fitness Smoothing Lotion (70% remains)
Biotherm Softening Lotion for Dry Skin (55% remains of 4.22fl oz bottle + I have another brand new & sealed bottle too! Not in pic) Reserved for Kmbirkel
Lancome Primordale Intense Night Moisturizer (GWP size & unused + I have 7 tubes total)
Rodan & Fields Compounds Moisturizer (used once 2oz not in pic)

Hair/Body


TRESemme Heat Tamer Spray (1st bottle on left used 2x, bottle on right is new & unused)
Somang Keratiun Hair Coating Essence (45% remains)
TRSemme Straightening Gel (new & unused)
Estee Lauder Pleasures Body Lotion (new & Unused)
Eternity Moment Body Lotion (used 1x)
BBW Breathe Delight Body Lotion (used 2x)
Halo Detailing Pomade (used 1x) Reserved for ktb8293

Hi Everyone!

Hi there~

I am new to this blog. I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is BreAnn, I live in the Toronto area. I'm married with two kids: his son is 16 and my daughter is 9. We also have a Boston Terrier named Oreo. My daughter and I moved up here to be with my husband and his son in April of 2008, from California.

I decided this week that after not wanting to take pics of my stash that well I have way too much and shouldn't have a need to buy anything new for a long, long time. I have a lot of makeup, hair care and skin care products. Thanks to MUA. =)

I know that a no-buy or an only buy what I run out of will be hard, but with support from others, it can be easier.

Thank you for letting me join.

UPDATE ~~ Where all my girls at??

*blah*

MY DH asked, "What? Does your vagina itch?"

ME: No its just like a high end primer that fills in the pores on your face.

DH: Oh so you can use it on your face but if you vagina itches you can use it there too?


WOW!! What a PITA. Well, he paid for my Vagina Itch Cream anyways. LOL



Well, its official I am going to buy the chaffing gel. Glad I have a 15% off F&F for Walgreens. Yeah! I said it... I am HAULING from Walgreens LOL.

BUT I have to get motivated to actually do it before the coupon is no good anymore. (not sure its gonna happen :D)

Well I thought I would share a little of what I got from a fellow MUA'er in a huge RAOK package. There were tons of things for my mom in there too. Fndt, brow powder, and even a great fndt brush!!!

My little DD takes all the pink stuff too. It was to be expected. :/

well I did get to keep this little NYC Trio (highlight, brown, suede)



Its really great for a "NAH, I dont really have MU on" look. LOL So here is my barely there FOTD. I dedicate this look to Justin11 who has all this MU so you CAN'T see it.





FACE
Revlon Colorstay Fndt
(random pressed powder I received in the package too)
MAC Blushbaby blush
Rev MSF dupe in Sunkissed
NYC Browser in Brunette

EYES
Rev Petal Pink cream e/s quad (lightest color)
NYX Highlight over whole eye (lash to brow)
NYX Brown in the crease
ELF WP Mascara in blk

LIPS
Rev matte l/s in All About Mauve (or something with MAUVE in it LOL)
L'Oreal JuiceColour l/g in Bubble Gum