Always Playing Catch Up

 Hey Y'all!

It seems I'm always playing catch up here lately, and I appreciate you sticking with me!

Radiology measurements and calibration was today, it's easy though a bit uncomfortable. They said it'll be about a week until my first session. (They'll call me.)

Now.. to catch up on blogs...

17th Wed- Mascara Review

My favorites in both high end, and drug store remain the same:

Wet 'n Wild Big Poppa & Stila Huge Extreme Lash

Previous blogs that mention a mascara:

https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/search?q=mascara

How do I like the creme mascara(s) I recently purchased? They're pretty nice! I'll have to try both out a few more times to form a better, more thorough opinion.

I still don't like TooFaced Better Than Sex mascara, it's not the worst, but it doesn't do anything for me, but darken the lashes. Another I don't like is the Wet 'n Wild protein mascara, it just doesn't enhance the lash in any way. 

Do you have a favorite mascara? Share in the comments below!

19th Fri- Share About Outland Adventures

Hey Y'all!

Outland Adventures is hubby & I's van life outlet! We've been full time just shy of 6 months now.

Here's a little get to know us from one of our blogs last year:

July 27, 2023

 Hey Y'all!

We figured it'd be fun to sit down for a few minutes and answer some travel questions as a kind of get to know us blog. We'll answer as many as we can today, and revisit the questionnaire again in the future. Feel free to add your questions in the comments below and we'll add them to the list next time! 

The questions can be found here:

https://englishpost.org/travel-conversation-questions/

Here we go!

1. Have you ever been abroad? NO for either of us. Amanda has been to Ontario, Canada.
2. How many countries have you visited? See above.
3. Have you visited many touristic places in your country? Several, ready to see more.
4. What tourist places do you like to visit? State Parks, Theme parks, etc.
5. Do you prefer visiting beaches or mountains? We both like both, but after 19 years in the mountains, bring on the beaches!
6. Have you ever visited a European country? Nope.
7. Have you ever visited an African country? Nope.
8. What’s your best vacation memory? C- Disney World, any trip. A- The Atlantic City trip, the journey really was the destination on that one.
9. What’s your worst vacation memory? C-Driving home during (pre storm) hurricane Irma. A- Early on in our relationship/travels, 2002 or so, coming through WV in fog so dense it was 0 visibility.
10. What countries would you like to visit? Any!
11. What countries would you not like to visit? That would depend on their climate at the time (social and political).
12. What’s the best place for a vacation in your country? That really depends on what you're looking for... The US is massive.
13. Who do you travel with? Each other, other family members.
14. Have you made friends while you are on vacation? Kinda, but neither of us is a big people person.
15. Do you like to travel with children? A- Not random ones, lol. C- Out of the local ones? Yeah, they're good kids.
16. Do you like to travel with your parents? Loved it! Both our dad's have passed but we all like(d) to travel.
17. Do you like traveling alone or in a group? Either.
18. What are some of the benefits of traveling alone? Doing what you want, when you want.

Thanks,

The Outlands

22nd Mon- Crafting Q & A

I again didn't ask you all for any questions, so leave them below for next time!

 Hey Y'all!

 Enjoy a short craft tag, and feel free to play along in the comments below.

First I did this craft quiz:

https://www.thequiz.com/arts-and-crafts-quiz/

It was about knowing different crafts and tools.

Results:

Then I did this one, about what my craft should be from HGTV. 

The results there were kind of surprising!

I've had a garden a few times, but can never grow much, so I haven't had one in years. I blame the clay/soil. 

After that I did this one, again about what craft I should try.

I like that they showed the breakdown of everyone's answers, but they didn't include many crafts here.

Lastly, I found these questions on YouTube, but had to modify:

1. Which of your current WIPS are you most looking forward to finishing most? don't have any current work(s) in progress. They're almost impossible to have on the road, lol.

2. Which project are you most excited about starting? Brunilda's name badge, and a few decals about her being old and slow. Just have to start working on the designs and get it going.

3. Are there any new crochet stitches/techniques you would like to try? I'd like to progress beyond scarves, rags, etc.

4. Will you be participating in a craft class this year? I don't have any plans to, but I'm not opposed to the idea.

5. Do you have any craft goals for 2024? Not specifically, other than craft more often.

6. Which projects would you like to see more of? Anything! I love seeing what others come up with.

7. Shout-out a fellow crafter who you are excited to watch? There are a ton of crafters to follow on all social media, I've shared some of my favorites in a previous blog. (Just use the search tab at the top of the page, if you're interested.)

8. Are there any projects that you made in the past that you would like to make again? I really enjoyed doing party décor, I'd like to do more of it.

9. Tag someone: You!

Thanks for putting up with my inability to be on time with the blogs here lately. I can't make any promises next week either, I'm sure radiation will start around then,

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

Monday~ Physicians Formula Review

Physicians Formula BB Cream, Powder, & Concealer.

Physicians Formula is top middle, 2 eyeliners and a mascara in silver packaging.

Physicians Formula BB Cream products, a bronzer (pink package)and Mineral Face Powder.

I've had nothing but great experience with most Physicians Formula product(s). I've purchased them from: Target, Burlington Coat Factory, & Ross.

By far my favorite is the BB Cream Products (Light/Medium), though I don't use the Concealer very often. The cream itself is the best BB Cream I've ever used.(I don't use foundation, ever.) The packaging has around 11 claims, which is a lot, but for me it met most of them.  I really notice a skin improvement when I use it, and it has the right amount of coverage, moisture, etc for me. I set this with the BB Powder, and as you can see in the above pictures I've hit pan on the powder, and plan to repurchase. I also use the powder alone, on days I'm not going anywhere, or don't really want to wear much makeup. ( I am naturally reddish on my cheeks and like to cover that.)

The eyeliners are Shimmer Eyes, Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner, Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Trio. I got two (black & brown) with purchase of the Happy Booster, Glow & Mood Boosting Baked Bronzer (Light). I love the black eyeliner, it glides on smooth and stays all day. The brown isn't as noticeable, and doesn't wear as long.  If these were available separately I'd repurchase the black.  The black is only 1/4 gone (since September), so I have plenty of use left.

The mascara, Organic Wear CC Mascara in Ultra Black is nice, it's not my favorite mascara, but is great for sensitive eyes and is somewhat build-able. The wand is very stiff and only brings out a minimum amount of product, and even in Ultra Black it doesn't seem that dark. I like it because generally mascara makes my eyes itch after a few hours, and I don't get that issue with this product. It does assist in the curling of my lashes, but not dramatically. I love that it's for sensitive eyes but probably wouldn't repurchase, because I like a thicker (NOT MANGA) & dark mascara.

The bronzer (linked above) is a great color for me ( It works well over my natural redness). It has a nice glow, but no "mood boosting" which is a silly claim anyhow. It does have a bit of shimmer to it, so if you prefer matte finish this isn't for you. I would most likely repurchase this same product, or (since it's almost Summer) in a shade darker.

Lastly the 3K Mineral Wear, Mineral Face Powder in Translucent is ok, I use it to define certain areas (lips, nose, etc). It doesn't have much coverage (I've noticed as a general rule most mineral products don't.) For me it's not enough (coverage) to wear as a face powder, and I have other products that do it's job much better. I wouldn't repurchase this either.

  All opinions are my own, this is not a sponsored post, I personally purchased all these products.

What works for me may not work for you, and vise-versa. I urge you to read reviews, especially from people who have a similar skin type/issue as you, do your research and make an informed decision.

Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Makeup Routine: 15 Minutes or Less

 

✨ Makeup Routine: 15 Minutes or Less

Because some days we want glam… and some days we just want coffee.

Let’s be honest for a minute. Not every day is a full-glam, lashes-to-the-heavens, highlight-blinding-the-neighbors kind of day.

Some mornings are more like:
Coffee first. Function second. Face… somewhere in the middle.

Whether you’re running errands, heading to work, or just want to feel a little more put together, a quick 15-minute makeup routine can make a huge difference without eating up your whole morning.

Here’s my go-to routine when I want to look awake, polished, and ready for the day — without turning my bathroom into a full beauty studio.

---

☕ Step 1: Skin First (2 Minutes)

Before makeup, give your skin a quick refresh.

I keep this simple:

• Moisturizer
• SPF or tinted moisturizer

Tinted moisturizer is perfect for quick routines because it evens out skin tone without feeling heavy.

Pro tip:
Apply with your fingers. It blends faster and warms the product into your skin.

---

💫 Step 2: Conceal & Brighten (2 Minutes)

Instead of full foundation, I just spot conceal where I need it most.

Usually:

• Under the eyes
• Around the nose
• Any surprise breakouts

Blend with a finger or sponge and you instantly look more awake and refreshed.

---

🌸 Step 3: Brows (2 Minutes)

Brows frame your whole face, so even on quick days they’re worth the effort.

For a speedy routine:

• Use a brow pencil or tinted brow gel
• Fill sparse areas
• Brush through

Done.

Even minimal brows can make a huge difference.

---

👁 Step 4: Mascara Magic (3 Minutes)

Mascara is the fastest way to look put together.

One or two coats is all you need to open up your eyes and add definition.

If you’re feeling fancy, add a quick swipe of:

• neutral shimmer
• soft matte shadow

But honestly? Mascara alone works wonders.

---

🌺 Step 5: Blush = Instant Life (2 Minutes)

Blush is one of those products that instantly makes you look healthy and awake.

A cream blush works great for quick routines because you can:

• tap it on with your fingers
• blend in seconds

A little on the cheeks goes a long way.

---

💄 Step 6: Lips & Go (2–3 Minutes)

This step depends on the vibe of the day.

Quick favorites:

• tinted lip balm
• gloss
• sheer lipstick

Something easy you don’t need a mirror to reapply later.

---

⏱ The Total Time

This routine takes about 10–15 minutes, depending on how much coffee you’ve had and how cooperative your mascara wand decides to be that morning.

It’s quick, simple, and perfect for days when you want to feel a little more polished without spending an hour getting ready.

---

💕 Final Thoughts

Makeup doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to be fun.

Some days we go full glam.
Some days we go bare-faced.

And some days we land somewhere in the middle with a quick routine and a second cup of coffee.

And honestly? That’s perfectly fine.

<3 Amanda | Craftin' Wife

Recent Empties

 Hey Y'all!

In this blog I share my recent empties. I forgot to take pics as most of them as they got tossed, but I do have one photo to share.

I'll start with the no photo bunch, unless I can no longer find the product (like the charcoal face wash from Dollar Tree):

1) Amika Shampoo~ I like all their products, and this was no exception. I would repurchase if needed, but I bulk buy products when on sale, so I have about 5 sets of shampoo & conditioner to work through first.

2) As I Am CoWash~ I loved this product when my hair was long & curly. It's currently neither, so it's no longer working for me. The smell was great though, and it worked well for that hair type.

3) Hair Food Conditioner~ The packaging has changed since I got mine, so I'm not 100% sure which one I was using. I used it the most when my hair was long and extra tangled, as well as on my virtually naked chemo scalp. It's finally empty, but it had been set aside a bit before I finished it off. I'd have to read up on the descriptions if I look to buy it in the future.

Photo!!

4) Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray~ This worked on my hair before, and works on it now too. I love the product, but can not see myself spending $50 USD for a full size. Anyone know of a less expensive comparable product? Please let me know!

5) Wet 'n Wild Brow-Sessive Brow Shaping Gel~ I really liked this, it worked well for getting my crazy brows to lay down. I also love that it's clear, I'm not a big fan of the colored gels with a spoolie wand. I have replaced this already with the Mega Clear Gel, and I'll try it next month. I'm currently using a colored one from Urban Decay in this month's everyday shelf. (It's okay.)

6) DT Makeup Remover Wipes~ I love these in a pinch, before washing my face, or on a lazy late night. I've already replaced them with a different one from Dollar Tree.

7) Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara~ Y'all know this isn't my favorite, but I have so many from all the holiday kits, and such, that it seems silly to buy mascara. I do believe I only have one, trial size, left!

8) Shadowbox Eyeshadow Primer~ I liked this, and it worked well. It took forever to get through, simply because I rarely use eyeshadow primer. I would use this again, but I have a few others to work through/test out first.

9) Wet 'n Wild Big Poppa Mascara~ I will eventually buy this again, but I have a few I need to at least try out first. Y'all know this is my absolute favorite drug store mascara.

What product(s) have you emptied lately? Share in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

July & August Birchbox

 Hey Ya'll!!

So far I'm really enjoying Birchbox, but I'm thinking about trying something else next year. What would you suggest? 

Here's my review on July & August boxes:

August~

KNDR Hand sanitizer was a perfect item to add to the boxes. I've used it several times, it smells good, yet not overpowering and isn't drying. I've been keeping it in my bag.

Marcelle BB Cream~ This is a product I've gotten in the past, and I do like it (and every thing else I've tried from the brand). My issue with this brand is shy of birchbox where can you find them? They aren't even present on social media. It's really too bad, because they really put out quality products.

R&CO Sun Carcher Leave in Conditioner~ I've yet to use, though my hair is getting long enough to comfortable leave the house without a hat, so I'll need sun protection!

Touch In Sol Pretty Filter Glassy Skin Balm~ I've only used it once so I can't really speak to how it works yet. I will say it's not a favorite, and won't replace what I'm currently using, but it's fun to try new stuff!

Vasanti Hand Cream~ I've tried the (facial) cleanser from the brand before, and I really liked that. This product is okay, feels good, absorbs fairly quickly, no scent, decent price, etc. Just not anything super special.

Arrow Cooling Cheeck Tint~ I've had other arrow products, they've all been good, however I've yet to try this. Mainly because I don't want to get makeup all over my mask if I'm out and rarely do makeup if I'm not.

Would I purchase anything from this box??

No. I like the Marcelle BB Cream, and depending on size it's a good price, but there are tons of other BB Creams far more readily available. The hand sanitizer is nice, but you can get those for $1, and maybe I'd pay $5 cause it is far more "pretty" than the others, but $12 is too much. 

July~

Beauty Protector, Protect and Volume~ Love the brand, 99% sure I'll love this, just don't need it yet.

Floss Beauty Eyeshadow~ Preforms fine. Nothing to rave about, but better than some. I did use it once just for review purposes since I'd never heard of the brand. I also don't keep singles, because I find I never reach for them. I plan to give it to my niece, it'd a perfect barely there shade for her.

Luxie Beauty Brush~ I like this, but unless it's just absolute crap must brushes are fine/can be used without issue. $15 seems a bit high for a single brush from a brand I'm not familiar with.

Sand & Sky Clay Mask~  I liked this as well, it did as claimed, but again that price point for a clay mask... I don't know.

Stila XXX Mascara~ Almost enough lashed for a mascara now! I've not tried this one before, but my absolute favorite mascara is made by stila so I'm excited to try this.

Would I purchase anything from this box?

Maybe in the future. I know I love Beauty Protector products, so it's possible I'd purchase that as well as the mascara if I like it more than the other.

What would you like to try from these boxes? Anything a favorite of yours? Share in the comments below!

Have a great day,

CraftinWife

March Everyday Shelf

 Hey Y'all!

February's shelf was minimal which worked out well. Especially after I took the Morphe palettes out to my sister's, where my niece did our makeup, and I forgot them. Didn't miss them a bit, though she did create a good look (on me) with them.  I haven't told her yet, but she can have them. 

February Reminder:

I did use the cream makeup a few times, and I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's actually a quicker process for me, but I do still love powder products more. 

I managed to use every lip product at least once. You'll see in the next beauty blog (February Looks) the darker brown Urban Decay is not a color for me. 

I am in love with these BH Cosmetics truffle blushes, for my skin tone there's a little bit of everything, and the darker shades are great for bronzer/contour.

March's Shelf:

Keeping in minimal seemed to work out really well for February, so I decided to do that again. A few of the same lip products stayed around, I wasn't ready to swap them out yet...

I've had this BH Cosmetics Raye Raye Eyeshadow palette (no longer available) for a while now (6m+) and have only used it once, so we'll see if that stays after March ends.

The tiny Urban Decay is a Vice Lip Kit that needs more use before it's too old.

I want to like the Lorac Brunch palette so much, it was such a let down. I love the color story, but the pigmentation just isn't there. I'm giving it one more shot, I'll try some more primers, and see. 

(What is Lorac doing? I hear very little about them, and everything new really isn't, it's just same stuff, different packaging..)

The TooFaced is the Peach face palette, I got it in the Halloween Mystery Box (another story, for another time) and have yet to try it since I've been using nothing (YAY masks!) or  trying out something else.

Old mascaras out! they were getting too old. I'm trying the Stila Magnum XXX Mascara this month. I've not used it before, but I love the Huge Extreme Lash Mascara by them. It's my all time favorite mascara.

Not much else changed in this section.

Clear gloss added here, that was about it.

Also I need to clean these out before doing April's swap out, they're getting kinda gross.

What's your makeup routine looking like these days? Share in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

Product Review~ Ulta 12 Days of Beauty (Advent Calendar)

In no particular order:

 Days 10, 11, 12~ Love the brown eyeliner, it just glides on. Love the color and sparkle of the blue , but it's a bit stiff. The lipstick is far lighter in the swatch (and on the lips) than in the tube, but the formula seems nice.

 Day 4~ I love this glitter eye shadow, my only peeve is that it's a powder and not a cream.

 Day 3~ This blush is beautiful on me, the perfect light pink with a hint of glowy sparkle.

 Day 2~ A Butter Balm (Lip). This feels great, but this pink is pretty much a clear color. 

 Day 1~ A Mascara Primer, this is ok. I liked it until my birchbox came in with the Benefit lash primer. Before that I hadn't used one before.
(Maybe one day this week I'll prime one eye with Ulta and the other Benefit for a bonus blog!)

 Day 9~ Highlight! All my other highlights are a powder with exception of Benefit Girl with a Pearl, so this one was fun to play with, and I actually think I like it better than the Benefit. It has more glow on my skin, and was easier to apply.

 Day 8~ Brow Tint. I may have used one a few times in High school, but that was a looooong time ago. I think once I master the application (and possibly get a few to compare) I'll love it. Even with my brows, which I admit I don't do anything with and are naturally pretty full, I noticed a difference. They just looked more polished.
 

 Day 7~ Glitter Mascara in Blue. This one was a dud for me. I didn't notice much color (I was expecting intense blue, like the liner) or glitter (which I thought would be similar to Hard Candy Glitter Mascara), but I'll definitely give it another try.

 Day 6~ Eye Shadow Primer. This was a bit hard to get out of the tube, but once I applied it I really liked it. It does have a bit of a champagne tone, but I didn't find that it altered the shade(s) of my eye shadow(s) at all. Plus it can be worn alone on a no fuss make up day.

Day 5~ Bronzer. I was shocked at how dark this is compared to every other product that was in the 12 days of beauty. I can make it work as contour with a really light hand, but that's about it. 


Overall I was impressed with the selection and quality of products, I hadn't tried any Ulta brand make up before. 
There are 2 stand out products that I would consider purchasing~ The eye shadow primer and the highlight. The glitter eye shadow I'd like to see in some of the other colors, as well as the lipstick and butter balm.
This was an early Christmas gift from my sister and her family.
I opened mine from 12 down to one, every other day starting Dec 2nd.


Have a great day!
~CraftinWife

Monday~ 40 Questions (Tag 2)

It's bugging me that the questions and answers end up with odd spacing in the blog, I don't see it in edit mode.

SKINCARE

How many times do you wash your face daily?

Once, in the evening. I know I should in the morning too but whatever.

What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)

I'd say combination. It can be oily and it can be dry.

 What is your current facial wash?

Clean and Clear

 Do you exfoliate?

Yes I do. I tend to do it 2-3 times a week.

What brand do you use?

I use my regular face wash and a battery powered exfoliating face brush.

What moisturizer do you use?

Clean and Clear (This is now discontinued so I'm shopping for a new one.)

Do you have freckles?

Some on my cheeks and nose. I get more during the summer.

Do you use eye cream?

Yes I do. I can't remember the brand, but it's from Dollar Tree.

 

Do you or did you have acne prone skin?

I've never had bad acne. Just some minor pimples here and there.

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?

No.

MAKE-UP

What foundation do you use?

I don't. I use Physicians Formula BB Cream.

How about concealer?

When I do it's also Physicians Formula.

 Do you know your undertone color?

Red.

What do you think of fake eyelashes?

They're pretty but I'm too lazy to master applying them.

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?

Yes, I try to abide by that but it usually doesn't happen.

What brand of mascara do you use?

Several. Currently I've been starting with PF CC Mascara, then applying a coat of Wet & Wild Mega Volume.

Sephora or MAC?

Neither. (Ulta)

Do you have a MAC Pro-card?

No.

What makeup tools do you use in make up application?

Several, but for me the key is a good eyeliner & good brushes.

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?

Yes, from E.L.F.

For the face?

Also E.L.F.

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?

Too many awesome ones to pick a favorite.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?

Pencil.

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?

Very rarely.

What do you think of pigment eye shadows?

They are nice.

Do you use mineral makeup?

Sometimes.

What is your favorite lipstick?

The whole nude collection from L'Oreal (Collection Privee)

How about lipgloss?

Any/all.

What is your favorite blush to use?

I don't use blush.

Do you buy your makeup on ebay?

I have before.

Do you like drugstore makeup?

Most of it.

Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)

I have before, but now there are none near where we live.

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?

Not beyond Cosmetology school.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

Not generally.

Name a makeup crime that you hate?

An orange face. So not pretty.

Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?

I like both. Color is fun, but neutrals always work and are far easier to apply in a hurry.

 

 Which celebrity always has great make up?

Meh. We all have off days.

-f you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?

Eyeliner.

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?

Yes.

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?

I think I look ok.

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?

No clue. I know what I like, and what I'm willing to spend. That may be totally different for someone else.

What do you think of Makeup??

FUN!! 

Have a great day!

~CraftinWife