I Popped My Ulta Cherry

I could have worked yesterday, but I figured that a fun day was worth more than the couple dolla's I would have made on a Tuesday lunch shift. I also knew that hanging with my girl Amanda {Aunt Amanda according to Weiser}, would be full of laughs and crazy Southern 'tude.

There was shopping, a grub fest, more shopping, ice cream, and I had my first Ulta experience! I know, I know, I am so far behind the times, but I have always been happy with my Covergirl eye shadow and mascara. I figured if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

So what changed?
Card.com sent me a FREE card to try out. I was skeptical at first, but they are legit, they are good for people that can't have or don't want a real credit card, they work great for direct deposit, merchants treat it like a real CC, and most importantly- your credit doesn't take a hit when you sign up. I used it to by this beautiful set, and I felt like I won the lottery!

Thank you to everyone that responded via text, Twitter, and email about whether I should go with Too Faced or Urban Decay. I heard equal thoughts about both, which just made my decision harder, and then Megan made it even worse by telling me about The Nude 'Tude palette that she uses. I was actually ready to order that one offline when I got home, but I found the Too Faced palette at the PX on post for $6 cheaper than anywhere else! I took it as a sign and raced home with my new BFF. I still think I want to get the Nude 'Tude palette, but my birthday and Christmas are in the next six months, so I can wait.

*Ahem William Bogert.

Anywho, I will be playing with my new BFF a lot in the near future, and I will share her awesomness soon. I LOVED how my eyes came out in the store, so I think that I will be satisfied.

Do you guys swear by a certain eye shadow? 

Even Though I Don't Drink....

Yes, I know that I drank in Denver, but that hangover just reaffirmed my feelings on drinking.
This doesn't mean that I can't still go out with friends....
I'm really good at sober fun, as a matter of fact.
Here I am dancing on a bar totally sober:

It is actually really funny when I order water at a bar, and the bartender looks really confused.

Good news, Happy Hour is more about the fun and convo, than the beverages.

{I never really cared for the half-price well drinks anyways}

That's why I decided to join in with Jenn and Trish to share in the fun!

I would love to share the heck of a day I had at work yesterday, but we aren't anywhere NEAR

200 Facebook Supporters. Pity.

Instead, let's talk girl stuff.

I got an email from a sweet blogger last night asking about my makeup routine, and since it has been awhile since I shared it, I figured why not!

You can find the initial post with the video here, but here is a shot of the products:

For preparation:

I wash with Noxzema Triple Clean.

Apply PersaGel 10 all over to balance my oils with the Benzoyl Peroxide.

Apply liberal amounts of Clinique Moisturizing Gel to offset the dryness caused by the Benzoyl Peroxide.  I use the gel moisturizer, because the lotion makes me breakout.

{I'm actually thinking of covering this more in depth, because this regimen changed my life}

Spot Treatment:

I don't wear foundation or powder (they also make me breakout), so I use Clinique concealer for any spots or blemishes, which is then blended with the little red brush and the Physicians Formula Bronzer pallet.  I just mix the colors to cover as necessary.  If I have a really red spot, I used the Physicians formula green concealer.  The green tint cancels out the red.  Very great for "that time of the month" breakouts.

Eyes:

I am very picky about the type of brush on my liquid liner, but NYC has just what I like. I apply it on my top lash line, and while that dries, I fill in my eyebrows with a little bit of eye shadow (I am obsessed with full eyebrows, but mine are blonde, dang it), and then apply eye shadow. I mostly use Covergirl because I LOVE the colors and how the colors blend, but I like the LA Colors pallets, as well. I follow all that up with Covergirl Pencil Eyeliner, and then call it a day! I would explain exactly how I do the eye shadow, but that would be hard....just watch the video. ;)

I'm sure some of you are appalled that I don't use all department store makeup, but makeup really isn't my top priority.  If I can make it work with drugstore products, then that's what I'm going to do!

I know a lot of people ask me how I curl my hair and what the "Curling Wand" is, so here is a visual:

It's really that easy.  

My hair doesn't hold curl for crap, but I can manage to keep it wavy or with loose curls.

The key is LOTS of hairspray.

Speaking of which, I'm looking for a new hairspray.

I want something that holds extremely well without giving you helmet hair.

I have used Aussie and other generic brands, but I'm looking for something a little higher quality.

Any ideas?

I happen to have another surprise up my sleeve ;)

Zara and I came up with a fun 30 Day Challenge, and we will be kicking it off tomorrow!

I wish that we had more time to get y'all acclimated to the idea, but we figured that there is no time like the present! Come back tomorrow to find out ALL about it!

Happy "Thirsty Thursday", Y'all!