Products I'm Loving

Today I went shopping for workout clothes and, obviously, I ended up buying makeup.
This is even more ridiculous because I work at a makeup store...
I'm helpless and a product junkie.
So, the one thing I absolutely do not need is another eye palette in my bathroom.
That is, however, exactly what I got.

1. theBalm Nude 'tude

I have seen this palette quite a few times and thought it was really cute.
I love theBalm's packaging, but never actually played with the palette.
Today I touched one of the shadows and it was sooooo buttery smooth and pigmented.
I have a ridiculous love for neutral shadows, so I was immediately sold.
I tried on some of the colors and was so happy with my purchase.
theBalm is quickly becoming one of my favorite brands!

2. Kat Von D Immortal Lash Mascara

I got this mascara from work a few weeks ago.
I wasn't expecting to love it, but I do!
The brush is curved a little bit and the bristles curl, lengthen, and define every single lash.
I am obsessed and will definitely get another one.
Plus, the packaging is so pretty!

3. Josie Maran Argan Lipstick

I actually didn't discover my love for this lipstick until recently.
I have a horrible time with my lips drying out when I wear lipstick.
Then I get that amazing flaky, crusty lipstick look that everyone just loooves.
I put this on a few weeks ago {in the shade fuchsia frolic} because I wanted the extra hydration.
I was half expecting the color to disappear within 20 minutes because of how hydrating this lipstick is.
That wasn't the case.
When I looked in the mirror an hour later, I still had pretty pink lips that felt smooth and luscious!

4. Mary Kay TimeWise Matte-Wear Foundation

Out of all the foundations I work with on a regular basis, I wouldn't expect to like this one so much.

I'm not the biggest fan of Mary Kay, but had bought this foundation several months ago.

As I was rifling through one of my many makeup bags, I spotted this.

I decided to give it a try and was so surprised by how much I loved it!

That seems to be the theme of all of these products today.

My skin looked perfect, the finish was matte, but not cakey.

I will definitely be adding this to my normal foundation routine.

Ok friends, I will definitely be back soon with more makeup loves {and online dating stories!}

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Basically my life right now.

Happy Wednesday!

XO Linds

Goodbye Christmas

Every year I get more and more excited as December gets closer.
Christmas is literally the most wonderful time of the year.
This year was especially fun because I was able to be home for Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Christmas.
I got to help decorate the tree and take my nieces present shopping.
Being home has been really great.
I love giving {and getting} presents and this year was no exception.
I got tickets to see West Side Story on stage with my mom, the Indiana Jones box set {Yippee! I've wanted it for years} from my brother, and this hat from my oldest brother:

Thank God for Instagram filters making me look less like a pasty white ghost.

Can I get an amen?

P.S. I'm also wearing my new Lime Crime lipstick in shade Airborne Unicorn.

It's really purple so I tone it down a bit with pink lipgloss.

I also bought shade Coquette, which is really pretty.

It is supposed to be a nude color, but looks a bit more peachy on me so I'll most likely use it as a base under lipgloss or over more bold shades that need to be toned down a bit.

The formula is so smooth, matte, and perfectly pigmented.

Favorite lipstick I've found so far.

AND the packaging is UH-mazing.

I'm. In. Love.

They have some pretty crazy shades {i.e. mint, bright blue, and black}, but a lot of their colors are super wearable, as well.

Check them out!*

I've been told I have a really good 'present opening face' because I act like every present is the best present.

That's literally because I get excited about everything. haha

Everyone loves getting gifts, but I LOVE to see peoples faces when I give gifts.

It just makes me smile.

I hope you had a great Christmas.

Now it's time to hit the gym and work off all that delicious food...that was totally worth it!

XOXO

*I promise this post wasn't sponsored by Lime Crime, I'm just loving them right now! :)

Monday Musings

What I'm Listening To: Say Something by A Great Big World Ft. Christina Aguilera

I'm a sucker for songs/music videos that make me cry.

This did just that.

I'm in love and have had this song on repeat for over a week.

I think Christina can be a bit of an attention whore {especially on The Voice}, but you can't deny her voice is KILLER!

Especially knowing she had a pretty bad childhood makes this video and her emotions even more real.

What I'm Reading: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Amazon

I hadn't heard anything about this book until recently, but apparently it's really popular.

I'm about 4 chapters in and hooked!

As far as I can tell it's a mystery and about a mans wife who goes missing.

The town starts to suspect this man, Nick, of killing her, but Amy's diary shows a side of her that would make anyone go crazy.

It's really interesting so far!

What I'm Watching: Breaking Bad...still

And I'm not stopping!

What I'm Eating: Moose

Hopefully no one gets upset that I used a picture of Bullwinkle...haha

Ok, this might sound funny to all you non-Alaskans, but moose is really good!

It's very lean and doesn't have a "gamey" taste if cooked certain ways.

I'm willing to bet most people wouldn't be able to tell much of a different between it and beef.

Don't be grossed out...I promise, it's good!

What I'm Wearing: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation

I wear shade N1-2 {yes, I'm that pale}

I was skeptical at first because I oily skin and hear that this foundation works much better for dry skin.

The reason I decided to give it a try was because my skin becomes super dry during the winter months and can look flaky and dull.

Not with this foundation!

My makeup looks really pretty and gives my face a healthy glow all day long.

I do have to set it with powder, but it doesn't end up looking caked on at all.

I put on a light layer and would describe the cover as sheer-medium {maybe more on the sheer side}

It probably wouldn't be buildable up to a full coverage and again, if you have really oily skin, probably start with a mattifying primer and set with a powder afterwards.

Sometimes I get a little more shiny than I'd like, but I'd prefer that over dry, dull looking skin.

Well, guess what?!

Only FIVE more days till my birthday!

I'm so excited because it'll be my first birthday in Alaska with my family in 7 years years!

Looking forward to it.

I hope your Monday started off fantastically!

I'll see you again soon!

XOXO

Is There Such Thing as Makeup Anonymous?

If so, I need to be there.
I keep getting sucked into Sephora's trap!
They offer such awesome gifts with purchase that I keep going back.
This is a problem for a couple of reasons:

1. I have much more important things to be spending my money on.
          -i.e. student loans, bills, savings...
2. I already have way too much makeup that I can't possibly use anytime soon.

On the upside, I'll have fun and exciting products to review for you!
And I always get a thrill when I hear the doorbell ring with my new cosmetics!
I always hate running until a package of makeup arrives at the door, and then I'm practically an Olympic qualifying sprinter.

Ok, in all honesty, it's not just makeup, it's perfume too...and skin care.
And hair products.
Well, and baked goods.

Anyways, back to the perfume.
I literally have 30+ perfume sample bottles, 10 roller-balls, and several full size bottles.
At least the samples were free and I have plenty of opportunity to find a fragrance I love.

So, I just needed to get that off my chest.
Is anyone else reading this a makeup/product junkie?
Please tell me and make me feel better.
Misery loves company.
Except makeup makes me happy, not miserable...

XOXO