The Musings of a Working Mom

Okay I know that this post might be a little late for you gift buyers or this post is exactly what you have been waiting for since you find it difficult to buy something nice for your beauty loving friends. Now since I have not purchased a lot of makeup this year (I made a resolution to to use up what I have but did buy products that were limited edition or felt like they would be a good addition to my collection), I did find some products that I think every beauty loving gal would love to have. The first item on my list was just released in stores this week (but online last week I think) so if this is something you want to get your hands on - do so quickly before it sells out.  It's the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette.  If you have the other 2 Naked palettes and don't think that you need another Naked palette, well this palette is quite different than the first 2.  The original Naked palette is described as "bronze-hued neutrals", the Naked 2 palette is described as ...

This month's theme is "The Art of Beauty".  The bag for this month is super cute with the quote "Love of beauty is taste.  The creation of beauty is art." in a really cute font.  The bag is white with the quote in pink as well as the zipper and lining.  Super Cute!! This month's Ipsy bag contained: 1.   Zoya Nail Polish in Neve - a gorgeous metallic blue with silver, blue/teal, purple glitter in it.  So cute.. 2.   Nourish Organic Coconut & Argan Body Lotion with Hibiscus -  I like the scent of this lotion - it's very sweet and fresh.  This lotion is very moisturizing and it doesn't leave a sticky feeling behind. 3.   Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush (BR-C-NO2) - I haven't tried this yet but I think I might like this one as a lay down brush. 4.   Bella Terra Mineral Cosmetics - Mineral Shimmer in Emotion - this is a very pretty, shimmery purple shade.  Not sure that this is a everyday eye shadow color but thi...

It's here - my September Ipsy bag!!  I am so excited about this month's bag.  I had seen sneak peeks of it last week and couldn't wait until I got mine. I absolutely love the bag this month...which goes with this month's theme "Classic Beauty". How gorge is this bag?? This month's goodies: 1.  Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian 2.  Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple 3.  NYX Eye Shadow Single in Morocco 4.  Butter London Nail Lacquer Vernis in LA Moss (half size) 5.  It's So Big Volumizing Mascara in Black I am super excited about everything I got this month!!  I love NYX eye shadows - they are so pigmented and inexpensive to purchase.  And this color is just gorgeous -  perfect for this time of the year!! I love the Butter London polishes - with the exception of the price tag ($15 for the full size bottle).  So excited to have this one.  And I love this color for the fall. The liner i...

OK, now I know that it's been a very, very long time since I've posted anything beauty related but quite honestly, I haven't really purchased anything new and I've just been using up what I have.  Actually, that was one of my 2013 New Years resolution - 1) to not buy anymore makeup and 2) to use up the products that I already have.  After taking inventory of my makeup collection, I noticed that I purchased a lot, and I mean A LOT of makeup products in 2012.  And I came to the realization that I really need to use up what I have before I buy any more.  Ok I did buy a couple of new things;)  So anyway, sorry for the lack of beauty related articles. "Simple and Easy" has been my make-up motto for the past couple of months!  I haven't been in the mood for complicated and fussy make-up so I have resorted to finding products that are multi-purpose and pack a big punch.   I have really liked the effect of using a concealer (specifically the Tarte Maracuja...

This month's Ipsy bag does not fail to impress....I am so happy that I cancelled my Birchbox subscription and signed up for this beauty subscription service. The theme for this month is Glamour Academy - which is perfect since we are all gearing up for back to school.  Is it me or does the bag remind you of Harry Potter???  In any case, I love it!! Included in this month's bag: 1.  Michael Todd - Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask (1 fl. oz.) 2.  Mica Beauty Cosmetics - Shimmer Powder in #17 Bronze 3.  Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in shade 69 4.  Smashbox - Photo Finish Foundation Primer (.25 fl. oz.) 5.  Pixi Beauty - Lash Booster Mascara Have you signed up for your monthly Ipsy beauty subscription yet?  What are you waiting for - it's only $10/month!!

The theme for this month's Ipsy bag is "Beach Beauty".  The bag is transparent pink and perfect for stowing your favorite beach or pool beauty items.  Included in this month's bag are: -COOLA Mineral Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tinted Moisturizer -Benefit Benetint -BH Cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow Trio -POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Rose Romance -Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray Have you subscribed to Ipsy yet ?  I have to honestly say that this beauty subscription is much better than Birchbox which I had subscribed to last year.  The products that you get with Ipsy are better, much more usable, and the samples are very generous in size (versus Birchbox which sent way too many foil packets or perfume samples that you can easily get by placing an online order or asking for samples at a cosmetics counter).  Well worth my $10/month subscription rate!!  Give it a try...

Well, even though we are half way through the month, I finally received my Ipsy bag yesterday...but that's OK because the bag is super cute and the contents are pretty good too!  I do have to say that the NYX Mosaic Powder was completely shattered but I contacted Ipsy about it and they said that they will send me a replacement product - pretty good customer service if you ask me;) The theme for this month is "On The Wild Side".... My June Ipsy bag contained: -First off the bag is an adorable leopard print pouch - smaller in size than previous months bags but so cute and perfect for your handbag! -NYX Mosaic Powder in Dare (12) - full size -Star Looks Lip Liner in Tickle Me Pink - full size -Chella Cosmetics Brow Highlighter Pencil in Ivory Lace - full size -J.Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette in Suzie (SCP107) - full size -PSSSST! the True Original: Instant Dry Shampoo - Travel size

The theme for this month is "Spring Fling".  Given the theme, I thought that this month's bag would be floral but instead it is a blue/teal/orange chevron pattern...still super cute!  I am very pleased with this month's beauty products...including a full size Zoya polish which retails for $9.00. So here are the products inside this month's Ipsy bag: 1.   Zoya Nail Polish in Jacqueline (full size) - this polish is new from the Spring 2013 Lovely Collection. 2.   NuMe Finishing Serum (10mL) - this finishing serum protects, seals, and treats your hair. 3.   Pacifica Island Vanilla Perfume Roll-On (10mL) - this perfume is 100% vegan, cruelty free, free of parabens, phthalates and propylene glycol.  The scent of this perfume: Tahitian vanilla, loved for its fruity and slightly floral aroma, is anchored with rich Bourbon vanilla notes. 4.   Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss in Champagne (.14 fl oz) 5.   Yaby Concealer in Buff.  This will ...

The theme for this month's Ipsy Glam bag is "Pretty in Pink".  The cosmetic bag that housed all of the products is white with a hot pink zipper; the inside is striped white and hot pink as well.  Inside was: 1.  Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Blush in Beach Please (full size)  2.  Mica Beauty Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in Earth (full size) 3.  Sexy Hair Soy Renewal - Nourishing Styling Treatment (travel size, 0.85 fl oz) 4.  Miss Professional Sation Nail Lacquer in Of Corset I'll Call You (full size, 0.50 fl oz) From what I have read, the full size blush retails for $16 so that has paid for this month's bag by itself.  The color is a bit bright for me but I'm sure if I apply it with a light hand and a big, fluffy brush so I don't look like a clown.  The Shimmer Powder will look really nice as all-over lid color, especially in Spring and Summer time.  I really excited to use this one!  The nail polish is a pretty creamy p...