Products I love vs. Products I don't

So far I have done reviews of single items that I've used or purchased this year alone. I thought it would be a great idea to just put loads of them together and just do them all out once. Its not that I don't love writing about each product but this post includes products that I'm not so eager about. I apologize in advance that I don't have personal pictures of the products I'm going to talk about. I don't have some of them anymore because I threw them away or I've used them up lol.

First one up is the Simple Soothing Facial Toner

Image taken from Google

I was looking for a good toner because my skin was breaking out until recently and I purchased this because I thought it would help. Before I buy anything I go out an read reviews about the product and how its worked or not worked on people who have used it. The reviews on this were all talking about how great it was and how it worked like a charm. As always, there is always that one person which the product doesn't work on and I take those into account as well. Since the reviews were amazing I went out and bought. I used it for over a month and I didn't really see a change in my skin. I kept getting spots and nothing really seemed to change. Guess I was one of the unfortunate buyers the product doesn't work for. One thing I didn't like a lot about this product, other than the fact that it did nothing to me, was the way it all pours out. You can definitely use up so much of that product really quickly. Bottom line, I don't love it. 

Second product I want to talk about are two Buxom Blushes/Blushers

Images taken from Google

Alright, these two were a purchase that I didn't plan or anticipate. I kind of just walked into the store and bought them. I initially went to Sephora to purchase one blusher that is made by Dior but I thought it was too expensive for the amount of product that you received. I asked for a similar color and the sales associate showed me the Buxom blushes. I had never used any Buxom products before so I was a bit uneasy making the purchase. I don't know if these were part of a special edition because I've gone back and I can't find them anymore. The blusher on the left is called Seduction. It is a very bright pink color but don't let it put you off. It is really nice once put on the skin. I would recommend this color during the winter more than the summer. The blusher on the right is called Breathless. It is a peach colored blusher and it is perfect for the summer. I would not wear it for winter just because it goes better with a tan. Both of these blushers have a matte finish so there is no shimmer or creaminess to them. Just good old powder blushers. The color is amazing so I love them! 

Third product is going to be Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Lipbalm

Image taken from Google

Let me start off that Soap & Glory is not found all over the states but there are some stores that do carry their products. I actually like Soap & Glory very much, so when I came across this little baby I bought it without really thinking it. First off, the scent of this is divine! It is peach scented, which makes it super amazing. It is not too strong of a scent but it makes you want to lick it right off your lips. I suppose that's why its called "great kisser", who doesn't want to kiss someone with amazing smelling lips? This balm is really, REALLY glossy. It could possibly be a lipgloss if it wanted to. Its a bit too sticky for my preference but I guess I could ignore that because of the scent. I wore it for a while and I didn't really see a change on my lips. I must be immune to all products that repair anything on the body, right? I would even put it on at night to prevent me from licking it right off my lips. It didn't work at all. Also, you have to be extremely careful not to let lint inside of it with your finger or anything because it is extremely hard to pick it off as the consistency is sticky. I have to say that I don't love it. Sorry, Soap & Glory *sad face*.

Fourth product is the Dior Show Iconic Overcurl Mascara

Image taken from Google

For starters, this was not a purchase but a sample that I received at Sephora. They have their awesome rewards/points system so you can purchase and get points and trade them for rewards. In one of my visits I chose this little guy. (Don't you think its funny how men attribute a female persona to their objects and women attribute a male? It made me chuckle a little haha). Anyway, this mascara is AMAZING! I love it! It is hands down the best mascara I've ever tried. I don't know if my eyes are sensitive but they tend to get irritated with a lot of other mascaras. When I opted to try this one, I was a bit weary but I didn't have to be. It makes your eyelashes seem so much thicker. It doesn't smear or end up everywhere. The wand is so easy to control, mind you I don't put mascara on my lower lashes but I'm sure it works great. I definitely recommend this mascara but if you are on a budget then I would save up for it lol. I love it!

Fifth product is Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation

Image taken from Google

As I explained before, I have a rewards card for Sephora and usually it also comes with perks where you receive small samples of products. I received this foundation as a sample, which I think was a smart choice for Sephora because it saved me the trouble to ask for it. I tried it for about two weeks straight and fell in love with it. It is so light but it gives you coverage. I wouldn't say its complete coverage but its about medium coverage. It makes so much of a difference on me. My face looks even all over and more awake. I think of this as a winter foundation because the air is dryer and this is meant to give you a brightening look. My favorite part of foundations is when they don't make you break out and this didn't. I'm in the shade "I'm so money, honey" and I think its a bit light when I tan a little in the summer, which is another reason why I say its a winter foundation. I love it! 

Sixth and final product is the Mac Pro Longwear Concealer

Image taken from Google

This is one of my holy grail items! I just had to say that to start with. I adore this concealer. The texture is not runny but its not thick. I think its perfect. It goes on well under the eyes and I find that it doesn't crease. I have really bad under eye circles, I know its cliche for people to say that but I'm not lying, and they only increase if I don't sleep well. This concealer covers them really well. It is not completely because you can only conceal so much but when put with a corrector it works really well. I have to repurchase it because that's how much I love it. The only thing I don't like much is the pump. You don't really have a lot of control on how much product your get out so if you only use it around your eyes, you have a lot left over. I tend to apply this with my finger and pat it until it is all blended out. This is my favorite and its probably the product I love more than all the other products I mentioned. I LOVE IT! 

Okay, so that is it for this post. I hope this is helpful to anyone trying to figure out if these products are good or not before you buy them. 

xx

Holiday Madness (Warning: Rant)

I've been really busy with school and work at the moment so I haven't written much because I haven't had much free time with my laptop. That and I have been procrastinating loads with watching YouTube videos and laying on my floor contemplating life and everything else that comes with it. Today is a whole knew day (currently its night time but it'll be midnight in about two minutes so it still counts). Today, or more like Wednesday, my job had a little event for a few of us who had done a good job during a previous sale we had a few months ago. As I was waiting for everyone to get there, my boss tells me that for Black Friday this year we will be opening up at 7 p.m. Now if you don't know what Black Friday is, it is either one of the most hated or the most loved shopping events. In the olden days, people would have dinner on Thanksgiving night and the next day at 4, 5, or 6 a.m. would go out shopping for the "holiday season". There were and are sales pretty much anywhere. Now I participated in these shindigs as a kid because I thought it was exciting getting up in the morning and buying presents and such, although I didn't like mobs of people very much. As time has gone by, these sales have been getting a bit crazier by the year. Stores are opening right at midnight and other stores are opening earlier than those good old 4,5, or 6 a.m. days. How are you suppose to have dinner with your family if you are out shopping or working at 7 p.m. ?!

Now it is argued that many of us who work the retail system are aware of this when we first apply and get hired. That we know what we are signing up for and to be honest, yes we do. I'm not saying that we don't realize that people are going to be out shopping or that we voluntarily give up time to be with our families to go to work. We all know this, but when your store goes from opening at 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thanksgiving night, it becomes a little absurd. It is not even Black Friday anymore!? its just a dumb time to be opened. This is a growing argument when Black Friday comes around because a lot of people find it unfair. Personally, I think it is unfair but on the other hand I do work retail and unfortunately I have to miss diner with my family to go to work. I don't mind it in the least but there are people who take family much more seriously than I do. I'm not saying I don't love my family but they understand that I have to go to work and they are OK with it because they go out shopping as well and they see me at the store whilst they are shopping. Other families may think of it as the worst thing ever. Some people who work retail have kids and a wife or husband and I suppose I can see how the perspective of it all can be changed.

This is where I get a bit down and dirty. A lot of people go out shopping on Black Friday because they think they will get the best deals of the season. They struggle amongst many to get the latest video game system, the best clothes, the cheapest home appliances, etc. Some people get really aggressive about it all and even end up in jail. One year, a lady got a bit wild and pepper sprayed people so she could get an Xbox. AN XBOX!? I'm in no way, shape or form against good deals but when people get aggressive like that all I have to say is "Honey, you have to bring it down a notch." People don't realize this but many stores don't have amazing sales as people like to think. There are a few bits and pieces that are on sale that might be worth it but stores strategically only have about 50 pieces of that clothing item or appliance and even sometimes less. Last year, I saw the same sale prices on the floor as I did two weeks before Black Friday. I know this because I worked almost every day. I also work with pricing and I didn't see amazing deals. I saw about 10 things in the store that were worth being called a Black Friday Sale. It is not worth staying up late at night being out with wild people and risking yourself getting hurt for a pair of $10 boots. If you absolutely must go out and shop make a plan and do as much as you can but don't go "Mortal Kombat" on people.

A little advice from an associate, don't treat associates inhumanely. I know we aren't branded or treated like animals but people have such cruddy attitudes towards us at times that it makes us feel really bad or get really angry. Please realize that your cashiers are moving as fast as they can to get you out of there but there are sometimes really stubborn and rude customers that we can't just push them out the door as much as we want to. Treat people like you want to be treated. Don't go crazy with the clothes. There is plenty of sizes and you don't have to destroy a whole pile to get your size. I cannot tell you how much we all complain about people going through each and every size until they see one that might or does fit. If you know your size get that and if it looks a bit big or small get the next size up or down.  It is more likely that you will have a lovely shopping experience if you stay calm and don't treat us like crap. Sometimes we are more likely to give you what you want if you are nice to us and we won't resort to calling management or someone else to help you out. We will personally make sure that you get the help you are looking for. Do control your children and also keep and eye on them. I cannot state how children can get lost in large crowds. One year a little girl fainted and people were walking everywhere so if your kid is sick don't bring them along. Its all common knowledge that people ignore because of the excitement of buying cheap items. Trust me, its not that amazing once you've worked retail and notice how prices aren't really different. OK, I think I've ranted for quite a bit.

xx