Just. Say. No.

So I don't want to completely bash on a product, but I figure I should put this out there as a warning and to prevent my wonderful readers from wasting your money.

I normally use Mary Kay's eye makeup remover, which I highly recommend. It's nice and gentle, oil-free, and I've never had any problems with it. Plus, they just developed new packaging! But I had run out and used every last bit of it I could, so I ordered some more from my mom.

Well, in the meantime I thought I'd just buy a cheap-o one and use it until my Mary Kay arrived. Bad idea. I bought Maybelline's Oil-Free Expert Eyes Eye Makeup Remover and tried using it that night. 

First off, the smell of it was horrible. It smelled like I was wiping bug repellant all over my eyes.

Second, It was not easy to take my eye makeup off. It was actually quite difficult, and I couldn't seem to get all of my mascara off, it just smudged everywhere. Even when I held it on there for a few moments like it said, I was not satisfied with the results.

Third, it stung! For something that claims to be hypoallergenic and has a sole purpose of being safe to use in the eye area, there shouldn't be any reason why my eyes would be hurting when I use it.

I was very disappointed in this product. I was to the point where I dreaded taking my eye makeup off because this was so horrible for me to use. Now, it may have just been some kind of allergic reaction or something that caused the product to work like it did on me, but I would just be cautious if you choose to use this product. I didn't feel like it was safe to use on my eyes.

Lesson learned, order my MK eye makeup remover before I run out!

A Date at the Bobbi Brown Counter

On Friday I had an appointment to get a little makeover at the Bobbi Brown Counter in Saks Fifth Avenue. A bunch of professional makeup artists from the Bobbi Brown School were in to do makeovers and help people discover ways to "deal" with what they found to be their imperfections the "Bobbi Brown Way" (which means accepting my freckles, a feat that I still struggle with). I mostly went in to speak with the makeup artists and pick their brains a little bit. I actually got to meet Ricki Gurtman, who worked with Bobbi doing makeup for her newest book "Beauty Rules" and also on her book for older women, "Living Beauty" (she's actually pictured in it, too!).

If you don't know much about Bobbi Brown, you should really check out one of her books, go visit a Bobbi Brown Cosmetics counter, or even just check out her website online. My very first beauty book I ever purchased when I was just coming out of Jr. High was Bobbi Brown's "Teenage Beauty." She's definitely in my Top 3 favorite make-up artists of all time. Not just because of her work, but because she's so down-to-earth and believes in embracing your natural beauty.

Now don't get me wrong, I love experimenting with colors and ideas, but a lot of us girls get this idea in our heads that people won't like us as much if we go without eyeliner, or mascara, or look at all like our natural selves. About a year or two ago I couldn't go out of my dorm room without makeup if I knew another human being would see me. I just couldn't. I had to AT LEAST be wearing eyeliner and full-coverage foundation or the world would simply not accept me. Or so I thought. Then I realized how incredibly silly I was being and tried an experiment..I started wearing my makeup naturally. I got rid of the eyeliner and used only one or two [natural] colors on my eyes. Guess what? I survived. No one treated me differently. I felt different, but I kept doing it for about a year or so until I really felt more comfortable in my skin.

After I finally felt like I accepted my natural appearance, I started pulling out the more exciting looks again. I learned something by doing this. I am my worst critic. I didn't think my natural appearance was bearable to look at, but it was simply me being critical of myself and using makeup to try and create a whole new being.

I believe this is the message that Bobbi Brown tries to convey to her audience. It's not a crime to have fun with your makeup, but we shouldn't use it as an escape from who we really are.

I got a lot of cool stuff while I was there, I'm REALLY excited about the gel eyeliner. That's my new fetish, gel eyeliner because you don't have to pull on your eyes to apply it, and it's long-lasting! Here are some of the things I got while I was there, I did get a lot of free stuff, but that was simply because they were giving it away for the event they were having that day:

"Beauty Rules" Book $24.95

Black Ink Long-Wear Gel Liner $21

Denim Ink Long-Wear Gel Liner $21

Golden Peach Metallic Eye Shadow $20

Sand Dollar Long-Wear Cream Shadow $22

Pink Sugar Shimmer Blush $22

EXTRA Eye Repair Cream $64

Black Extreme Party Mascara (Not pictured because I forgot, oops!) $22

Susan Nichole Handbags!

Have you heard of Susan Nichole Handbags? These unique animal-friendly handbags are a great way to accessorize your look. I've always admired Susan Nichole's work and desire to create high-quality, vegan handbags that everyone can love. I don't know about you, but I know that when I'm searching for a new purse, it has to be the PERFECT one. It has to be fitting to how I feel at that time, leave a first impression on the people I meet, and of course...it has to top the last bag I used!

When I started college I had this adorable purse I had gotten from China Town in NYC, and the girl showing me around campus made a statement that I find is pretty accurate: "A girl's handbag tells a lot about her. She could be dressed like a professional or walking around in sweatpants, but you can tell a lot about her personality by the handbag she carries." When I think about that, it's so true isn't it? Isn't that why it takes us forever and a day to find the next perfect bag? Well, I think so.

One really awesome thing about Susan Nichole Handbags is that every Thursday they have a giveaway for  FREE handbags and wallets! You have three ways to enter, and they pick a random winner. I would definitely check it out!

And don't think you have any chance of winning, because I just won the Grand Prize this week! Yes, I can't believe it, but I did!!! I got to pick any handbag of my choice and it's on its way to me right now! I'll tell you all what it's like when it comes. I picked their signature "Love Bag" in Yellow!

Right now they're having a "By One Get One Free" sale, which if you're starting on your Christmas shopping, these are great gifts!!

This is the bag I picked out, I'm so excited! I'll let you all know the details when I get it!

So excited!! Add Susan Nichole Handbags on Twitter and Facebook for your chance to win a free handbag or wallet every Thursday!

Susan Nichole Handbags:    Twitter     Facebook     Website

(I am not in any way being sponsored for this post. I just wanna get the word out!)

Cute Storage ideas on sale at Hancock Fabrics!

I have to let you all in on a little secret. Yesterday my neighbor and I took a trip to Michaels and I saw a huge "Clearance" sign hanging from the windows of Hancock Fabrics. I decided to check it out, as a I have some gift ideas that require me to get "crafty," and I wanted to see if any of the materials I needed were on sale. On my way out, I came across these super cute storage pieces on sale. I thought they'd be PERFECT to organize some of my cosmetics, especially since I've been looking for something to put my eye pencils and the brushes I use the most in. These are SO adorable, and such a stylish way to get organized! It said they were 50% off and they were originally $8, so I expected to spend about $4/piece. Wrong. And this is one of those times when you love it that you're wrong. They're only $2 each!! So I went back today and got the rest of them! They don't just have the design that I got, they also have pink zebra stripes and I believe some other animal prints, but I just loved these! Enjoy, and if you decide to venture out there and get some of your own, tell me what you used them for! :)