High End vs. Drug Store (MOTW)

I finally got around to the half face challenge!!

Drug Store:

Physicians Formula~
InstaReady Contour Stick
Eyeliner
BB Concealer
BB Cream

Ulta~
Highlight
Brow Tint
Blush
Mascara Primer

City Color Cosmetics~
Mascara

Milani~
Lip Gloss

L.A. Girl~
Neons Palette

I used the E.L.F. Mineral Powder all over since I don't have a high end powder.

High End:

Stila~
Bronzer/Contour
Mascara
Lipstick

Benefit~
Lash Primer
Highlight
Brow Gel

Well People~
Concealer

Coola~
Tinted Moisturizer

The Balm~
Frat Boy Blush

Marc Jacobs~
Eyeliner

Urban Decay~
Electric Palette 

(Yay! Links for days!)

Pics:

With Flash.

100% Natural Light

UD and L.A. Girl.

 Check-ins:

After dinner.

Goodnight!

Can you tell which side is which?

Left is high-end, right is drugstore!

I was surprised that they look pretty similar, other than the lip, and the eye (color)intensity. I know the colors don't go together, but so what? I wanted to show how the silver, dark pink, and a lighter shade compared performance wise. I think the Stila Lipstick would have stayed on longer, but the Milani was pretty much gone with dinner, so I wiped it off. Everything else I thought held up about the same.

What are your thoughts?

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Product Review/Comparison/Dupe for Urban Decay?? ( L.A. Girl Cosmetics Beauty Brick Eye Shadow Collection~ Neons)

I bought my L.A. Girl Cosmetics Neons Palette from a discount store (Hamrick's) for $5.00 last month. I wanted to see how comparable it was to Urban Decay Electric Palette($45-50) which I got from Sephora.

(The next blog will feature a high-end vs. drug store using both of these.)

As you can see in the above pictures the L.A. Girl palette has two more colors, a black and an off white color. I've used the white and it barely shows up, I don't use black eye shadow typically so I've yet to try this one out.

Packaging is cute on both, however L.A. Girls is cardboard and a thinner plastic, a small mirror, and useless brush, while the Urban Decay is hard plastic, a full mirror, and decent brush.

Shade for shade they did pretty well. I actually like the way the L.A. Girl silver preforms over the Urban Decay.The shade pigmentation is good on both, however the Urban Decay is definitely a bit bolder/brighter, and blends a little easier, but for $5 to $10 the L.A. Girl does shockingly well. 

No one needs both of these in their collection, since they are so similar. My recommendation would be for the person on a budget (or one who doesn't wear neons often) you can't go wrong with the L.A. Girl. If you are really into neons and have a bit more to spend the quality is better with the Urban Decay.


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Faves & Fails!

I didn't try out a whole lot of new products this month, but I have a few items to share!

I'm going to switch things up, I actually have no fails to share, so it's all FAVORITES:
(All the products have been pictured in previous MOTW blogs.)

1) Beauty Treats Highlight Palette~ I am in love with this, especially the white powder highlight. I like that half the palette is cream and the other is powders. It really makes it easy to use regardless of current face issues (dry patches, extra humid summer day, etc).

2) Physicians Formula Eye Brightener (Natural)~ This eye highlight also works as eye shadow and regular highlight. I got mine from Tuesday Morning. In the Beauty Hauls blog I couldn't find it on the website, but I've found it now and it's linked above!

3) Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon~ I didn't use this a whole lot simply because I want to finish up the PF Kohl Eyeliner first, but I really liked this! 

4) Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang~ This is a perfect pink shade for me, and the formula is awesome! Creamy without looking shiny or slick, and was long wearing for me as well.


What were your favorites this month?

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

MOTW

This week was a fail.

My challenges were: 1) High/Drugstore same face. 2) Try something new. 3)  Swim proof look.

The only thing I did do is a swim proof look, since most days I didn't wear makeup, LOL.

So for next week I'll keep the same goals.
 

I'm still looking for more challenge ideas, so leave yours in the comments below! 


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

No recent hauls..

But you can check out my Instagram for my B DAY goodies. (linked above)

Birchbox!

This will be my last Birchbox for a while. I subscribed for a full year and truly enjoyed it, but I've still got products I've yet to try and haven't used up many at all!

June's Box was especially late. ( That's one of my peeves, the longer I was a subbie, the longer the boxes took to get to me. I didn't move and live in the same state BB ships from.)

No pretty tissue in this box, towards the end they went back and forth with that as well.

The box was so late I've not tried anything in it yet:

I purposely didn't make a choice this month, but ended up with the Benefit Brow anyhow.
The box design is super cute!

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

MOTW (past two weeks)

Hello all!!

MOTW!
Challenge for next week:
1) High/Drugstore same face.
2) Try something new.
3)  Swim proof look.

I'm still looking for more challenge ideas, so leave yours in the comments below!

Which look is your favorite?

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

More Catch Up!

I really don't have anything to share in my What I'm working on~ Craft blog, just a few cards. 
I don't have any recent hauls, beauty or otherwise. We are pretty much on a spending freeze right now. 
No new planner stuff to share either, just my May pages if anyone is interest I can post pics, just leave a comment below.
Nothing in my current empties bin either!

I will do MOTW Wednesday, combining the past two weeks, still didn't get around to high end vs drug store,  simply because I want to do it half face and don't necessarily want to be going anywhere that day, the other days (when we didn't go out) I really didn't feel like wearing make up.

I'm sorry these blogs have been lacking here lately, I've just been kinda blue. Life, ya know?


Anyhow,
Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Hair Questions Tag

1. Why did you start taking better care of your hair?
In cosmetology school (98), and again more recently, within the past year.

2. What are your 2 favorite hair products?

Conditioner, not brand loyal & Dry Shampoo, there are a few I like.

3. Who's hair did you admire as a child?
A cousin of mine. Her hair was always so thick and healthy.

4. What is your ultimate goal length?
Waist Length

5. How are you going to celebrate when you reach your ultimate goal length?

I won't.

6. Two styles you want to try at your goal length?
  A big fat fishtail braid, and ringlet curls!

7. Which do you prefer: Health or Length?

Definitely health, which is why in March I had about 7in cut off.

8. Which do you prefer: hair ties with no metal parts or butterfly clips?

I use hair ties  most of the time.

 

9. What products do you prefer: salon brands, organic brands, BSS brands, Drugstore brands, or other?

I don't think I can chose one. I have tried all types of different products and have liked a good amount of them.

10. Which product/technique do you think is over-rated?
Ombre, especially dark brown to platinum blonde. IMO it ain't pretty.

11. Which product/technique do you think is under-rated?

Air drying, it's way better for your hair.

12. What is your favorite part of your hair regimen?

Co-washing!

13. What is the most annoying part of your hair regimen?

Detangling

14. Oils or Butters?

Oils

15. Buns or Ponytails?

Both

 

16. Wigs or Weaves?

Neither

17. What is your opinion of growth aids?

They don't work.

18. At what length do you consider hair long?

A few inched past shoulders.

19. When is the last time you visited a salon?

March (2016)

20. What do you like to surf most often: YouTube channels, personal blogs, or hair forums? 
YouTube.

21. And finally, what piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out on their hair journey?
Try and keep your journey simple, remember that health is much better than length, and try and be patient.

 

After I got to around question 4 I remembered doing this tag not too long ago. So I'm also going to add a link to a blog about the questions your stylist should ask before cutting/styling your hair. 

http://www.modernsalon.com/training-and-career/pro-tips/10-consultation-questions-you-need-to-ask-every-client

Have a great day!

~CraftinWife

 

Catch Up Blog!

Hey readers! I just want to Thank You for sticking with me even when I'm inconsistent! 
Now into the blogs:

Product Review~
I have nothing prepared for this month. Next month is going to be a compare, possible dupe, and review on both. Hint: it's makeup!



MOTW~
I got through most of the challenges, but didn't get to the half drug store, half high end. I'll do that this week! I will also do another full face (not 10min or less) and I'll try something new.

This past weeks looks:

Life Update:
We've been pretty consistent with our M,W, F walks! 
They came 3 times in May and on the 18th finally finished the septic/sewer upgrade. 
We had Mother's Day at my mom's, she also hosted a cookout later in the month. 
We went to a community yard sale, but didn't find anything big, not that we need anything anyhow. We had to deal with carpenter bees, and then a pesky woodpecker, they all seem to be gone now thankfully because that wasn't fun.  We also had to have AT&T out here twice to fix internet issues, I wish we could get a different provider out here.
Later in the month I went to Dollywood with my sister and her kids, it was fun but I didn't expect it to be so busy on a Thursday, I think all the local schools must have had a field trip that day.
We went to a  Taste of ... in a nearby town, but weren't impressed and picked up a pizza on the way out of town and watched a movie at home.
Chris (hubby) had a infection and had to go to the dentist. He has an appointment late June for extractions.
My nephew had surgery (ear issues) the 25th, so I babysat my Mom's dogs the night before then hubby and I took everyone lunch following the surgery.
That was Chris' first day of vacation. Which we made a stay-cation this year. We went to several local parks, as well as Cumberland Gap National Park. We went to the movies a few times, as well as movies at home. We also had a cookout/game night Memorial Weekend which was a lot of fun!


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife