BB Wha?

                Recently had someone ask about the difference between BB & CC cream and it got me into research mode.

                Tinted moisturizers used to be the rage, light coverage as well as helping hydrate skin.  However they cannot compare to a decent BB/CC/DD cream that does that and a whole lot more…  I knew that BB creams were super popular in Asia and found themselves here.  Initially for those who used the imports for the US versions to be lacking.

BB (Beauty Balm)	CC(Color Corrector)	DD (Daily Defense)
Light Foundation/Blemish Correction	Light Coverage/ Blemish Correction	Buildable Coverage
SPF/Still Should Sunscreen Beforehand	SPF/Vitamins	SPF
Oil Control/Blurs Lines	Less Redness/Sallow Look/Spot Corrector (Much Lighter Than Bb Cream)	Less Redness/Sallow Look/ Spot Corrector
Primer	Lighter Feel Then BB Cream	Lighter Feel Then BB Cream
Hydrates Skin	Minimizes Pores	Anti-Aging Benefits/Diminish Lines
Less Wrinkle Depth	Hides Marks From Old Breakouts & Fixes Them Over Time	Brightens/Firms
Fixes Skin Texture	Oil Control/Blurs Lines	Redefines
Firms	Primer	Primes
	Hydrates Skin/Firms	Hydrates
	Less Wrinkle Depth	Matte Skin
	Fixes Skin Texture	Lightweight

                Really some like to use this when they want a natural look, others like to use it as a preface before using foundation. 

                For me I’ve tried a few and they all have their pros and cons.  I will say I like them because they do even out skin tone, and make it easier with or without adding foundation.  Typically out of the shower I SPF & moisturize the face then when I’m ready to apply makeup all I need is my primer and CC cream.  I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of difference between the BB/CC/DD debate or more about what brand does what.  Also it depends on skin.  Some find Garnier to be too oily.  I don’t, and in fact has a better foundation cover then some others.

                I will say there are several brands I still want to try because I’ve heard some amazing things about.  Especially Revlon, L’Oreal, and Mary Kay are looking good especially within a limited budget.  Smashbox is my personal fave right now, with Garnier right behind.  

Just a kiss

Its been damned hard to find the time to do more then Facebook some new looks and interests.  School certainly has taken up all of my time.

One of my favorite indie brands is shutting their doors.  Its normally a one person operation and apparently just too much.  BFTE is part of what triggered me into wanting to do more then just daily wear for makeup so I'm kinda bummed.

Nails have taken my interest as well.  However I find I am not as skilled in that medium as makeup.  It's hard to do good mani's.  Plus I am avoiding fake nails to try and strengthen mine.  KISS sent me some nail paint for being a top influenster, which was awesome.  I needed a quick pick me up in-between school assignments!

Beyond this I'm planning on picking up the Naked 3 palette (hopefully soon) as well as a few other odds and ends.  I wanna try some things from Essence and some new at Play stuff from Mary Kay.


Now to get back to my homework, that is never ending!




***While I got the product, I'm not paid nor requested to endorse them.  Just my opinions, which you would get regardless***

Mascara.... the hunt for the perfect look

So Mascara can either make or break a look.  I've noticed amazing makeup barely get the recognition it needs because that framework just isn't there.  Personally I have gone through a ton of drugstore brands to try and find the perfect match.

I think I finally stumbled onto it.  SO I love Mary Kay and have been using them almost exclusively the last year.  However, sometimes I wish I could get a little more volume without 3 coats.  What I have noticed was when I was sent Rimmel's Retro Glam that it had volume in spades.

So when I need a fast dash I grab one coat of Mary Kay and one Rimmel and between the two it looks like I have the best set of lashes in town.

This picture doesn't even do it justice... I have blonde-y light brown loashes that are super hard to see and

Crazy mama no mo'

This school semester has been beyond crazy.  I haven't had a spare moment to blog and only a little bit of time to Facebook.  I could bore you about the stress and tedium that its been lately, but instead I'm gonna talk about how I decided to cope today.  I did my nails all pretty, threw some coconut oil n my hair and a face mask on.

And I'm only gonna share the nail pic (I'd need more vodka for the rest::-P)!!

Then I got my old bunny slippers and put some new cushions in (Cozy Cushions!!)

Now I'mma gonna grab a nice hot cup of coffee, watch some makeup tutorials while everything soaks in and just relax... maybe snack up on some truffles.  

Sometimes you just gotta take a break from it all

School, Makeup and Cheese

Its been a crazy lately and to be honest I've been a little overwhelmed.  I decided to start selling Mary Kay, school has been non stop, the kids are pulling in different directions and the Hubster decided that school might be an awesome route for him too.

On top of that I'm the heaviest I've ever been which is frustrating.  Makeup however fits regardless of 20 pounds being up, and for that I am thankful;.  However school leaves very little time to practice since I am not going to beauty school.

So I have to think smart and cut some corners, especially since my teen is always ravenous.  We grab a LOT of cheese sticks and apples for on the go snacking around here.  The other is a whole wheat tortilla and stick warmed on a pan with a little bit of salsa.

Sargento paired up with Influenster so they picked me to try their cheese sticks, which to be honest I hadn't even realized they had cheese sticks.  I'm glad I got to check them out.  We picked up Sharp Cheddar and a mix of cheddar and mozzarella.  The amount of protein was both a surprise and a delight for me, and they tasted super yummy.  I don't think either pack lasted longer then 3 days and its already become a staple for the kids to take to school for a snack.

All this easy grab and go does something special for me.  It leaves me more time for makeup... which to be honest is where I'd rather be...

(Influenster sent me the VOX BOX however the thoughts are purely)

Vox Box with Cheese Voucher

SO I'm part of a site called Influenster.  People talk honestly about products and hey sometimes you can get sent things to try.  Given how crazy my life has been like I was bummed I haven't blogged but super geeked to at least share my experience.  I got the coupon for one free cheese snack and a 1.00 off another.  Off to the store... lots of variety. 

I've been trying to cut calories so the low fat mozzarella and the sharp for a taste of yum were my choices.  They didn't last long... the kids devoured them, but mom did manage to snag a few and they were perfect for in between classes with some crackers or whatnot.

Considering the protein, I like that the kids enjoyed it.  Sometimes dinner isn't on the table cause mom forgot due to watching makeup tutorials....

We also got some of the cheese snacks and made cheese stuffed meatballs.. not a leftover in the house.  
Needless to say cheese is always a hit here, and I love the flavor.  



Oh and just so you know:
"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."
I have to say that, but know anything I decide to review I also decide the info and will not be swayed by anything.  I'm as blunt as it gets.

Such a slacker I've been!

I sometimes struggle with trying to get anything accomplished throughout the day,  I have Ohh Shiney Syndrome... if it's shiny I'll at least stop to look.  The interwebs have Ooh Shineies EVERYWHERE, with every link.  Especially now that more then half my Facebook feed is nothing but beauty related.

Amazing picture and/or tutorial here  *click*... List of products.  Oh that looks cool *click*  New product line.... *click*... reviews to read.... Next thing I know its dinmner time, and all I've done is wallow in makeup land.  Not that that's bad, but damned if it doesn't play havoc on my sleep schedule.

I at least  manged to get my mostly cream and powdered shadows magnetized and placed on cookie sheets from the dollar store.  I'm not done as I am planning on decorating them and putting a punch through so I can hang them, but I'm pretty danged excited.  This means some serious reorganization can happen.  Currently I have all my makeup at my desk.  What I *want* is a vanity.  I'm still working on that.  In the mean time this will help with organizing and let me remember some of the very awesome colors I have.

Unless of course I add a ton of new product to the table and completely mess with it all....