Things I Heart #2

A collection of things I tried/tested/loved after reaching the maximum of my February 2010 budget.

Absolutely love this for when I can not splurge on Dior Mascara. The handle on the brush is thick enough to give you a full control so you don't stab your eye out. There is also no clumping and it's easy to wash off once you're done partying/studying.            

This perfume reminds me of Chicago. My roomie used to wear it every day, and every day I would want something sweet to eat. Gained twenty pounds that way. Just kidding, I was a starving art student at the time and instead would eat the air when I sniffed this. It smells delicious, like cotton candy, so it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Just remember not to go overboard, on this sweet scent.

Now this is my go to day after day. Normally for shoots I get stuck wearing lash extensions and the only way for me to mimic that fullness is by DiorShow. It's pricey, but super worth it. I use black and use about three coats. Warning: not the type of mascara to apply on a subway, you will stab yourself. The formula does need eye make-up remover, so you get the drift if you get stabbed with none of it around. Yes, that's right. Raccoon eyes.

Dear Mark, why did Avon not give birth to you sooner? You make my skin mingle and shingle in the sunlight, and make me look less pale by about thirty-eight percent without the use of tanning. Now if only you came in a full body formula. Can we please have you work on that before summer arrives. I don't like telling boys they need sunglasses under the covers due to my unattractive bright pale skin. Thanks!

Ugh, this just good. No explanations. Just pissed it took me longer than a year to find it.

For some reason, products designed for women of color are just way better in comparison than products not designed for them. It conditions and moisturizes your hair way better and protects it from breakage. It can even double as a styling agent. Leave just a tiny bit in, and your curls are banging for the rest of the day. It's normally what I do for the intense summer heat of NYC.  

Helps defrizz while still moisturizing your curls.It also helps in making your hair smoother (duh). I'm not really a shampoo person because I feel it sucks the moisture out of my hair, and I'm lazy, but this doesn't get on my nerves.

Made in Portugal and wrapped in art deco paper, it is still delivers in the shower. I feel squeaky clean and smell great. The bar also makes me feel me tiny since it's so huge (aka lasts forever). Hey, if I hated the soap I still probably buy them just to collect them for their packaging.

 Give me a heads up if there is something I should try out, or if there is something worth sharing.

Things I Heart #1

A collection of things I tried/tested/love after reaching the maximum of my January 2010 budget.

Hopefully this isn't becoming discontinued but Blush by Marc Jacobs smells of only one thing to me, and that is jasmine flowers. I am very into floral and flirty scents, but this is one of my all time favorite classics guaranteed to be on my body whenever I am stocked up on it. Then of course, I am also a huge MJ fan and am totally biased!

Pacifica Natural Soaps smell so amazing. The best part of waking up is not Folger's it's this. I love these soaps and they are by far my favorites besides Dove. You can skip perfume, when using these. And because they have some particles of said fruit/seed/wood it also doubles as an exfoliant for the body. You can find them at whole foods or sephora.

Chanel's Precision Eye Tonic Dark Circle Corrector is pricey but it's good to indulge when you can't afford one of their handbags. You can stick in the fridge and give your eyes a nice cool treatment while getting rid of your bags and some of that I-haven't-slept-in-days-final's-week under eye color.

"Honey... snap out of it!" scrub. For starters, I love the smell. Almonds all the way please! It's intended for morning use, but I use it when necessary. The honey and almond bits do a great job of clearing away dead dull skin, and keeping it bright. Leave it on for three minutes, honey is great for the skin, and you got yourself a mask. Benefit is just rolling out with amazing products all the time.

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. It's an essential. I for one need to have that tingly feel, it makes me feel as if the product is working. I know it's not necessary to have that feeling, but that's how I roll. Another thing I need a face wash to do for me is to get rid of my mascara without those raccoon eyes leftover. Guess what? No raccoon eyes ever with this. My skin looking clearer is just a given.

Almay Clear Complexion is amazing! I am known to stick to Bobbie Brown and nothing else, but this is saving my budget. It's great for under eyes and blemishes. The best part is not feeling guilty about making a blemish worse because it's made for those sensitive skin and has medication to clear the blemish. Bottom line: It's great for every day use and will stay on all day long. Unless you sweat like a beast, then you're on own.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Cherries in the Glow. This color looks super good on any skin tone, well almost. It's a sheer red so it still has that pop of color without going overboard. Just remember to use a lip balm before hand so you have a good surface to put this on with, and never forget to line your lips with a clear lip liner. It keeps the gloss from getting on your chin and elsewhere.

Curl.Life contouring cream is great because it doesn't leave your curls feeling heavy/crunchy/stiff while still keeping those frizzies away. I also find that girls with curly hair tend to overuse product which makes gross, try not to do it from now. Less is more. But, if you do tend to find your hair with lots of frizz your hair just may need some extra moisture, leave some conditioner in and viola! Pretty curls.

L'Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner. What's so great about this product besides leaving your hair silky smooth and shiny, is that it's catered for your hair type. Just check the label and match it up. I use the one made for long curly hair and it's great.

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I going to try and do this every month after exceeding my budget. Why not share what works for me, when it could as easily work for you.