Summer Beauty Haul

So today was a big shopping day for me - I was celebrating the end of the retail diet! For more information on my 'diet', head to the bottom of the post. For products and where to find them, read directly below.

Here are the beauty items featured in my YT haul video:

e.l.f. Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Baby Lips - $1 - Target, eyeslipsface.com
e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash $ Brow Clear Mascara in Crystal - $1 - Target, eyeslipsface.com
Goody Spin Pins in Blonds - $5.99 - Target
Healthy Sexy Hair - Soy Renewal (trial size) - $2.99 - Essentials Beauty Supply
MAC Amplified Lipstick in Girl About Town - $14 - MAC Pro Store, Macy's, maccosmetics.com

LUSH Products (in Macy's, can be found at www.lush.com)
Ickle Baby Bot Bath Bomb - $3.95
Ring Of Roses cut soap - $10.95 (price will vary depending on size you request)
Q10 Toner Tab - $1.95
Seanik Solid Shampoo - $9.95
Godiva 2-in-1 Solid Shampoo - $9.95
Solid Shampoo tin - free (with purchase of 2 solid shampoos)
Sole Revival fizzing foot bar (information unavailable on site)- $3.95
Love Lettuce facial mask - $5.95 (also not on site, I believe this is correct)
Turkish Delight Body Polish- free (sample)


Retail Diet:
After the MAC To The Beach preview party, I realized that I was spending a lot of money without thinking. I decided to tighten the purse strings a little bit. The next day I found myself at Sephora, checking out palettes. I realized then that I had to take a break. I have plenty of makeup, clothes, shoes, etc. I don't need to spend each extra dollar that I have on things I probably don't need. I decided to stop spending money on anything that wasn't necessary, meaning anything that wasn't food or a gift. There were 3 birthdays I needed presents for, 3 bills that needed to be paid, and an annoying parking ticket I didn't want to deal with. The diet began May 18th. I bought nothing. Not a dress, not a blush, not one single shoe. The only shopping I did was for groceries and, at wen the birthdays came, for 3 gifts. I quickly realized how much extra money I had. I was able to pay my bills without flinching. The parking ticket was a piece of cake. I had enough extra cash that I started putting some in an envelope. I made a list of things that tempted me during the diet. At the end of the diet, I would pick the items that I still wanted and purchase them in celebration. I found that my wants changed quickly. An eyeshadow I lusted after for the first week was forgotten by the second, a shoe I practically stalked online wasn't as pretty up close. I learned to truly think about what I was buying. At the end of the diet, I had double what I had expected saved in my little envelope. I put half in my savings account and went on a planned and controlled shopping spree with the rest. This has definitely taught me to think before I purchase something. I may keep up the diet, with a once monthly shopping trip. Hope this was interesting and helpful!

Stay beautiful!

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

I recently became interested in LUSH products after watching a video on YT that described the Dorothy bubble bar. My mother is a big Wizard of Oz fan, so I knew I had to find it. When I arrived at LUSH, I was immediately impressed. The products are arranged as fruit would be at a roadside stand, i.e. in baskets. The sales people were helpful and attentive, not at all snooty. They explained each product ad even offered samples of soaps to take home. I purchased a 2 bubble bars (Dorothy and Armandopando) for myself, as well as Mother's Day presents for family members. I also received cut samples of 2 soaps (Honey I Washed the Kids and Karma).Each person who received a LUSH product as a gift has since called me to tell me how amazing they were. Here is my personal review:

Dorothy- adorable design, wonderful smell. It smells like gardenia and jasmine. I have not used mine yet, but my mother said that hers turned the water blue and produced amazing bubbles.

Armandopando- white bubble bar with a dried rose on top. Sweet and romantic. In the store, I could only smell the rose scent. Once I used it, the citrus scent exploded into the bathroom. It smell was lovely, but I would have liked more roses. I used half the bar and the tub was full of bubbles.

Honey I Washed the Kids- this soap had a honeycomb on top. It smells sweet and rich, like a honey dessert. It feels soft and moisturizing. One sample has lasted me 2 weeks.

Karma- this soap has a strong patchouli scent. I am not a fan of this scent, so I gave it away. It smells woodsy and spicy, very masculine.

Mums- I purchased 2 'Mums' bath bombs as gifts for Mother's Day, one in pink and one in yellow. The scent was light and sweet. The tag on the flower 'stem' had wildflower seeds and can be planted in the garden. Both recipients loved it and said the smell was amazing.

Flosty Gritter Bubble Bar- I purchased this as a Mother's day gift for someone in a house with 2 boys. She said the tub filled with pink water and pink glitter, which made her feel girly. The vanilla scent was relaxing and sweet.

I am not one for bubble baths and bath products, but LUSH may have converted me. Keep an eye out for another LUSH haul/review coming within the next 3 weeks. To find a LUSH new you, visit www.lushusa.com Enjoy and have a beautiful day!