U.S. Shopping Haul! Ulta, Target, Nordstrom, CCO

Okay I am just too excited to share with you guys to wait anymore!

I was planning on finishing my Summer Glow Series before posting this but I was feeling a little uninspired by my picks for blushes/bronzers.  If you guys do want to see that sooner than later let me know!

In the meantime, let's all enjoy looking at what my bank account has turned into.

A little disclaimer: I've done a few hauls before but never one of this size.  I know I really enjoy haul posts so I'm hoping this doesn't come off as show-off-ish.  I recently was able to travel to Seattle (which was awesome!) and have been saving up for the trip for months. So without further ado- let's see the result of all that saving!

Target

Rimmel ScandalEYES Waterproof Kohl Kajal in (005) Nude and (002) Sparkling Black

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 hr Eyeshadow in (25) Bad to the Bronze

Pixi Lash Line Ink (Waterproof) in Black Silk

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Pencil in Spice

Nordstrom

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Portobello and All About Eve

Ulta

Lorac CC Colour Correcting Cream in (CC1) Light

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer (fair)

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer in Ivory

Benefit Instant Brow Pencil in Light

Aqualillies for Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek Palette

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Light/Medium Matte Bronzer

Stila Afterglow Lip Color in Electric Pink

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance Lipstick in Wild

NYX Butter Gloss in Maple Blondie

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss and Caramel Cream Kiss

Cosmetics Company Outlet

Smashbox Blue Eyes Shadow Palette

Phew! I'm planning on doing individual reviews of quite a few of these items which is why I haven't gone into detail in describing them. 

If you want me to review any specific products in this haul sooner rather than later, let me know in the comments and I'll get on that first!

I hope you've enjoyed perusing my characteristic lack of willpower

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think?

Kendall

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Lipstick Alternatives: Colour Without the "Lipstick" Feel

So I realize that not everyone is a huge fan of lipstick.  Some people don't like the feeling, some people don't like the maintenance and I have to say, some days I am in both of those groups.  I really admire people who can dedicate themselves to a full day of applying and maintaining lip colour every day but sadly sometimes a girl just needs a break.  But that doesn't mean you have to take a break from gorgeous colour.  

Below are a few of my favourite lipstick alternatives that range from a flush of colour to vampy, saturated red.  Enjoy!

Stains of all Sorts

I hadn't realized until this post but my favourite stains are mostly from either from the Maybelline Super Stay line or the Revlon Just Bitten one.  From left to right we've got: Maybelline Super Stay Gloss in 140 "Ruby Indulgence", Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 020 "Lovesick", Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in "Flame", Maybelline Super Stay Color in "Endless Ruby"

Swatches in the same order

My most worn of these is definitely "Ruby Indulgence" though it is more on the glossy side of the stains and therefore is not as long lasting.  But it smells JUST like fruit punch!

Here they all are after I've wiped them with a tissue. I'm not kidding, these babies really stick!

Liquid Lipsticks

These are my two favorite liquid lipsticks.  Not quite a stain but not a lipstick either, these little beauties lie in a sort of long-lasting gloss territory, but with more pigment.  Great description, I know.

Again from left to right" L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lip Laquer in 190 "Endless Red" and NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo

The L'Oreal Colour is on top, NYX on the bottom

The L'Oreal Lip Laquers are supposed to be a sort of dupe for YSL's Glossy Stains, which are on my list of products to try so I can't yet vouch for how good a job they've done.  All I can say is that they also smell quite nice though what is supposed to be "Endless Red" turns out to be more of a bright berry.

Here they are after the swipe of a tissue.  You can see San Paulo was not long for this world and to be honest, though it is an absolutely gorgeous colour, it doesn't last all that long on the lip either.

Glosses and Balms

Now tinted glosses and balms are products that probably get the most use from me because they are just so darn easy.  A quick swipe and you're set.  However, finding something that will give you some actual colour payoff can be quite difficult, and glosses do tend to wear very quickly.  That said, there are some real winners out there if you know where to look.

Top: Korres Lip Butter in Plum, Left: Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me, Right: Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Cherry Flip

Because these colours look so much different on the lip, I thought I'd show you directly.

Here is the Korres Lip Butter

Plum

and the Buxom Lip Cream

Cherry Flip

Please ignore my Billy Idol expression

So there you have it, a plethora of lipstick alternatives for you to choose from.

A quick not about the YSL lipsticks because I didn't include them but I sort of wanted to: I still technically consider them lipsticks but the Sheer Candy Glossy Balm Crystal Colours are also extremely glossy and comfortable.  Luscious Cherry is my colour of choice because as you can probably tell, I love a red gloss.

Thanks so much for reading!

Kendall

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