Shopping Trip with Jessica

Okay before you get started checking this post out, you should do a couple things...
Step 1: Pull out that smartphone or iphone that you have RIGHT beside you cause you just tweeted about your lunch, workout, shopping or about how your reading my blog :)
Step 2: Go to the app store and download the Pretty in my Pocket app -- Its free

I know Ashley did a video for it and I have to agree its pretty fun and useful! If your anything like me you want to see what the reviews are on a product before you go and spend the money on it. Its a FUN and super helpful app that lets you share whats in your beauty bag with others! Download & just see for yourself

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I found myself bored this afternoon and near the mall---those are NEVER EVER two good combinations for my wallet. However, I did manage to score some pretty good stuff at a good price!

I noticed a lot of people who view blogs & YouTube or are consumers in general like to see Drug store brands that might be dupes for a more high end brand, or they want to see a more cost-efficient style of shopping....which is exactly what I have for you today!!

This afternoon, I made my rounds at Sephora, Ulta, and Sally's just looking.... I intended on finding a make-up set bag as well as a hard train case for some freelance work. Unfortunately neither were to be found.

-----> Side NOTE:  I was also scouting out the Make-up Forever 12 Flash Color Case Palette--I stayed in Sephora around an hour trying to decide if I needed/wanted the pretty expensive product. From my understanding this palette is beyond multi-purpose, you can make foundations, blush, eye shadows, and well pretty much anything with it. If any of you have this, I would LOVE to know if its worth the cash and if it will actually be used.
VOTE GRAB or PASS!?
Thanks!

Anyway back to the shopping trip, I have some freelance work to do tomorrow so had to grab a couple different types of lashes, and if your a make-up junkie you never ever just buy one thing.

ULTA:
1.) The New Tarte Call of the Wild palette:
- I keep seeing reviews for it so I had to check it out. It is a compact case (animal print!!) with Eight neutral shadows, some dark, light with a couple shimmery some matte with great blending colors. Great little travel eye compact.
- To be honest this is NOT my first Tarte purchase and I do not think their shadows get enough love! They have good color pay-off & are reasonably priced  ($36 for the palette that means $4.50 a shadow and a great combination of colors that can be worn everyday from school to work or out with friends--or a day to night look. Your choice.

2.) Real Techniques Make-up Brushes
About two months ago I saw creator Samantha Chapman, a Pro Make-up Artist, Beauty Blogger and YouTube Guru @Pixiwoo using Real Techniques brushes in a video and her make-up always looks incredible!
 Brushes that give a a beautiful finish + a sale? That was reason enough to check them out --- I am SO glad I did!

For a very Reasonable price I got SEVERAL brushes for a flawless make-up application; since buying them I have sent every other "face" brush I own, over to the island of neglected make-up tools for now, plus I wont cry for days if Tucker decides to turn one into a toy if I only paid $5 for it.

Ill post a photo of them, and what their purpose is for reference, but obviously there are no rules.
*Large Powder Brush - (you could probably get away with one or the other on the blush or powder)
*Blush Brush
Setting Brush
*Contour (which I use to buff out concealer under the eye as well as contouring.) Detail Brush- I hardly use it for concealer but to each their own.
Short top Stippling Brush-
*Buffing brush that I use for cream blush
Pointed foundation brush

With the BOGO deal and a coupon I spent probably less like $30 on them ALL (* marks favorites)

3.) LIP PRODUCT
Like I seriously need anymore of that..but recently I've been into lip stain + moisturizing lip balm.
The Maybelline Baby Lips are like 2.29 a piece. They look like a chap stick but tint your lips! Ive been adding lip liner and wearing them alone.

With the pink Baby Lips I wear MAC soar lip liner $14.50 and I just picked up the red and decided to try a cheaper alternative, the NYX Jumbo lip pencil $4.99. They sorta remind me of those lip smackers I wore when I was a kid.  I'm not exactly a fan of these. Or at least the red or any bright color- you will have it all over your face. It's very very transferable, bleeds really bad and has no staying power in my opinion! Save your $5 and get a lip stain!

SALLY'S:

I have been wanting to try one of those clamp free curling wands and I found a Hot Tools 1" wand on super sale for about $12. We will see how that works out for me.

- I never have known the difference between those $70 hair dryers and the ones you can buy from Target...then I read an article and apparently the ceramic dryers emit negative ions that reduce static and frizz, and have a "gentle" heat that protects hair?
- Honestly it was a BayBliss Pro (my favorite styling tool brand) for $14 and I broke my old one so it was due time.

I will be testing this hair dryer out to see if the product description is true or if its just a marketing scheme to make you buy the expensive one...Only time will tell!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

If your out doing some end of summer shopping be sure to check out some of these products and see what you think!

XoXo - Jessica

Blackheads, Pimples & Breakouts Oh My!!

BAD SKIN--Lets talk about it.
Written by: Jessica M. - Guest Blogger

We have all had our run-in's with that unwanted tag-along, or mafia of zits that made home your chin. Gross right? But it happens to ALL of us! Matter of Fact I am dealing with quite the blowout myself!!

We each have had our fair share of unwanted skin troubles; as it always goes; we get ready for a big night, hot date or saucy function and somehow land ourselves the most unwanted third wheel, the crater breaking surface and demanding center stage on our face!! There is no ditching this guy...UNLESS...you had some helpful tips and tricks to have your night pimple free! Problem solved! Let's get crackin’...

First things first:

TIP #1:
We are what we eat!
- Good food in good food out!
  • Think pure, think Green, fresh fruits and vegetables think like an herbivore.

TIP #2:
Deal breaker numero dos:
- Skip the sodas and extra sweet tea, instead, opt for something a bit more hydrating like good ol’ H2O.
- Need that extra pep? Add fruit, or maybe lime or lemon--it's beneficial AND it adds some flavor (avoid sugars and Splenda- like the plague. Yeah the pink stuff, that'll kill ya).

TIP #3:
Now when it comes to topical applications, before you start covering your skin in something that Jane's moms cousins sisters aunt Sheila told her to use, YOU should get to know YOUR skin. Just because it works for them does NOT mean its going to work for you!
- That means everything down to cleanser, moisturizer, and whatever mess your coating all over your skin.

TIP #4:
Exfoliate! Sloth off that nasty dead skin. Once a week apply a warm wet cloth on your face to open the pores, then use a mask or an exfoliator and rinse clean. Part of my routine is using my Clarisonic with a frothy face wash followed up by a Vitamin C serum and moisturizer!
- Maybe bored at home? There are some great recipes for NATURAL face scrubs.
- YouTube some of my favs: Kandee Johnson or BeautySplurge!

TIP #5:
MOISTURIZE & SPF!! It doesn't matter if you think you are so oily you could fry eggs--find a face wash and moisturizer suitable for YOUR skin type. - Without moisturizing we are depriving our skin, NOT washing your face, applying a moisturizer, and a daily SPF? Yeah that will lead you down a LONG road where you will meet middle age you, with LOTS of Pre-mature Lines and wrinkles.

FINALLY! Make-up Trends
Clear up that skin because GUESS What SKIN IS IN this season!

What does that mean for you and me?
Well right back to hydration- Use more skincare rather than trying to use concealers and heavy foundations and powder. Let it breathe. Remember this advice is coming from a Make-up junkie. At first this will be hard you will feel NAKED but just give it a whirl--

I started adding skincare to my daily routine and limiting myself on make-up.
For Example:
Wash, Vitamin C Serums, and an awesome BEAUTY BALM -- (Asia has been holding out on this little guy and now the epic Beauty Balm is ALL OVER the market.)

BB creams are AWESOME cause they typically have moisturizer, SPF and they even give you a clean finished look!

Add a bit of lightweight concealer under the eye area and some mascara.

This look is perfect for those hot summer days and it really gives your skin a well-needed break.

I throw a bottle of MAC's FIX+ in my purse as a mid day refresher.

Give these tips a try and I can promise your skin will be SO happy!

Its cool…Thank me later : )



Jessica - Simply Everything
www.simply-everything.com

Meet Jessica M. - Guest Blogger

Photo ©
Simply Everything

Simply Everything
www.simply-everything.com

Jessica is a blogger, traveler, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. She goes by the name of Jessica McClendon and Make-up Artistry is her thing. She is an absolute junkie for cosmetics and all things BEAUTY related. Her roots are that of a true southern girl out of East Tennessee but at the moment she is blogging from Detroit, Michigan.

Currently Jessica is transitioning into a sweet little new married life, and her simply-everything blog is exactly that. She posts about traveling, loving life, doing a little reviewing & checking out the latest greatest beauty products, along with having cheesecake & a fine glass of wine. :)