Oct 28, 2013

I Like to Talk/Write

I just thought I would take the time to blabber on about random things because I haven't written a beauty post in a while and I haven't been using anything new or exciting.

I'm still on the hunt for those limited edition Maybelline Color Tattoo's. I swear, these are my beauty weakness right now. I used to constantly look for the next great foundation or skin care product, but I haven't gone too overboard with either in the past couple years.

I am the type of person who has a list for everything. Just thought you would be interested (or scared) to know that I have a list of almost every single beauty product I own. It's intimidating to look at, but crossing each item off is like a breath of fresh air. On the other hand, I keep finding expired products around my room. Yuck. The next empties post is gonna be a big one.

I found out that one of my classes requires that I own/know somebody who owns a DSLR camera. It's exciting because I can finally learn how to use one and then use it for my blog and YouTube channel, but I'm not exactly prepared to fund it ;

I am also thinking about shelling out the money for a website host. This would also mean I'd be switching to Wordpress (the .org version, not .com), which is more powerful and more customizable than Blogger. I'm torn because (a) I don't think I want to keep the name Blushing Antics and (b) it is a lot of money to spend on something I might not have enough time for.

Enough about how I've been since my last post - how have you all been lately? :)

Oct 11, 2013

Super September Day 15: September Favorites

I didn't think I would make it to my September Favorites post, but now I have. I really should just create these favorites posts sporadically, though. If I truly love a product, I will use it for a long time. That being said, I won't include my Maybelline Color Tattoo's this month ;)

Favorites:
I am just going to list a few products here. I've mentioned almost all of them in the past month, so here we go! I also don't have many favorites because I'm just working through my collection.
  • Maybelline The Rocket Mascara: As I said in my previous post, if you want a natural looking mascara, this is not the product for you. However, if you are like me and you really like dramatic eye lashes, then this is a great product!
  • Jane Iredale Magic Mitt: I only began using this again recently, but it was a product I received to review back in January and used for a few months before it began to wear down. It still worked, but it was somewhat rough. I'll definitely be buying another when I get the chance.
  • The entire L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Hair Care line: Yes, I mean the shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, AND dry oil! I went crazy with the hair care purchases back when I worked at CVS (darn coupons), but I really like these products. I do want to find natural alternatives to all of my hair care products, but if I can't find anything I like better, then I will definitely be coming back to these products. 

Least Favorites:
I only have one product that I wasn't a fan of: John Frieda Radiant Red Shampoo and Conditioner. As some of you may know, I dyed my hair an auburn color in July, and then I dyed it again in August. Red fades quickly, so I wanted to preserve it with a shampoo that was designed for dyed hair. This made my scalp greasy and my ends dry and tangled. I'll finish the bottles, but I don't think I will be repurchasing them.

Things I Found Out About and Kind of Really Want:
Alright, so I said I won't include my beloved Maybelline Color Tattoo's in on the favorites section, but if you've kept up with other beauty blogs, then you might know that Maybelline's Holiday 2013 collection (Gilded in Gold) has been spotted in some locations. It features some blushes, lipsticks, and nail polish. But it also features three new (limited edition) matte Color Tattoo's! The colors are: Matte Brown, Nude Pink, and Just Beige. I can safely (and shamefully) say that when I see these, I will be picking them up. Maybelline seems to choose to release the ones that should have been in the permanent collection in the fall ;)

What were your favorites? Least favorites? Things you found out about and kind of really want? Let me know!

Oct 6, 2013

Super September Day 14: My Travel Makeup Bag

Well, I've procrastinated on this post long enough. I don't travel too often, but when I do, here is what I take with me!


I try to keep it as simple as possible. I want products that can multitask for me. That is why I finally caved and bought the Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 foundation. It functions as a primer, foundation, and concealer. I agree that it lasts a long time on my skin and also covers well. And it has a pump! I follow with the Covergirl Clean Oil Control Powder. I don't love this, but I had it in my purse and I thought it was long gone, but I still have quite a bit of powder left. I hope this is the next powder to make it to my empties list because I just want to finish it.

For my eyes I simply bring my favorite Maybelline Color Tattoos (Barely Beige and Bad to the Bronze). For eyeliner I typically pack the Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry, although a couple days after I took this picture, I did take this traveling with me and somehow the eyeliner broke off the base and dried up, so now I will be packing the same eyeliner in black with me. For my lashes I have been using Maybelline The Rocket Mascara (non-waterproof). It doesn't give a very natural look, but I personally love to have dramatic eyelashes.

I also use Aquaphor to keep my lips from feeling dry. The only problem is that Aquaphor does nothing to moisturize my lips... it just makes them feel temporarily moist. If I want to wear lipstick, then I usually pack the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wink for Pink. I typically choose this over any other lip stick because the color itself works beautifully as a lipstick and a cream blush.

I apologize for taking so long to finish this post. One day I will finish a series on time. Keep watching for my September favorites!

Oct 1, 2013

Super September Day 13: Accutane Update & My Accutane Skin Care Routine

Welcome to the first update of my Accutane experience. I've only been taking Accutane for ten days, but I am experiencing mild side effects, so I thought I would share those with you before I share my Accutane skin care routine. Also, I am trying a new format for this post, so let me know how you like it!

Within a few days my nose began to get drier and my lips are constantly chapped. The first four or five days my skin looked better, but now I am in the initial breakout stage. I have quite a few small pimples all over my face, but they are not painful and they disappear relatively quickly. My skin has also felt more sensitive the past two days. These are the only side effects I have experienced. I know that more will probably come in the next few weeks, but I hope I am prepared enough to prevent the severe side effects.

Below I will list the products I plan to use while I am on my Accutane treatment. However, I will admit that I miss using more natural products, so I will probably be replacing some of these products with some more natural alternatives. Most of the products I am using are by my dermatologist's recommendations. He suggested that I stick to using Cetaphil and Aquaphor products. As you may know if you have read my blog in the past, the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is not my favorite cleanser because it is loaded with sulfates and parabens.

To remove makeup, I use Philosophy Purity Made Simple. For some reason I forgot to include this in the picture. I bought this on a whim a while back because I used it in the past and loved it. I still really like it, but I do not like that it contains parabens. After I remove my makeup, I cleanse my face with the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. It is like Cetaphil, but without the parabens and sulfates. It has a VERY similar consistency to Cetaphil. I like this cleanser better than Cetaphil, but I have my eye on some other products that I will try when I run out of this. My skin is not very dry yet. I am not sure if it is because of the products I am using, or just because I have quite a while before my skin does dry out. Either way, I am using the CVS Moisturizing Cream (it is the generic version of the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, which is paraben-free, but I had coupons to make the CVS version even cheaper). To keep my lips from feeling too dry, I use Aquaphor. My dermatologist gave me a few small tubes that I have everywhere. However, I am trying to use up some of my other lip balms. Truth be told, they aren't enough, so I keep going back to Aquaphor.


What products are you using for your skin care routine?

Super September Day 12: I Love Fall Tag!

The lovely Katy tagged me in this and I am (of course) behind on Super September posts, so I thought this would be a great way to begin to catch back up since it is officially October 1 where I live. Fall is definitely my favorite season. The weather is neither too cold nor too warm, I can eat as many pumpkin-related things as I want, and some of my best memories are from fall. So let's get on with the tag!

1. Favorite Fall lip product?
I'm not too crazy about lip products in general, but I definitely want to use my Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum a lot this year. I also love the Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dare Devil.

2. Favorite Fall nail polish?
It is Purr-fect Plum from the Fall 2012 China Glaze collection (On Safari). It is a berry color and since I don't love orange, brown, or yellow (typical fall colors), I really stick to berry in the fall.

3. Favorite Fall Starbucks drink?
I do like the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but I usually get it with half of the amount of pumpkin in it. It's a strong syrup and in my opinion, the amount they put in is too much for me. I will admit that I prefer Christmas drinks from Starbucks. I'm one of five people who loves the Eggnog Latte. Now THAT is something I can't wait for!

4. Favorite Fall candle?
Pumpkin scented candles, anything spicy, Leaves (Slatkin and Co, Bath and Body Works), basically 99% of the fall candles. I only really like candle scents for fall and winter. Florals and fruity scents can make me feel nauseated.

5. Favorite Fall clothing item or accessory?
Probably just warm boots. I'm more interested in makeup than fashion, but I wish I appreciate fashion more.

6. Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?
I have never been on a haunted hay ride, so I would actually consider trying it. I don't really care for haunted houses, but a haunted corn maze is okay. Less intimidating for some reason.

7. Favorite Halloween movie?
I had to look at a list of Halloween-related movies because I couldn't even think of any. If Young Frankenstein counts, then definitely that one!

8. Favorite candy to eat on Halloween?
I've never been trick-or-treating, but my parents would buy me some candy for Halloween anyway. I think I just like being able to eat a little more chocolate and get away with it ;)

9. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?
My boyfriend and I talked about this and we think we want to dress up as an elderly couple. We probably won't end up dressing up

10. What is your favorite thing about Fall?
I think the memories that I have associated with fall are my favorite part. I love the change of weather, the fact that my boyfriend and I started our relationship in fall (two year anniversary is October 16: mark your calendars), and I really love Thanksgiving and spending more time with my family.

I tag:
Jenna of Northern Beauty 85
Nika of Nika's Beauty Land
Heather of Of Beauty and Nothingness
Melissa of HistoryBeauty