Sunday, May 12, 2013

Discounts! Discounts! Discounts!

Who doesn't LOVE discounts?? I know I absolutely love a good deal, especially on more expensive products that I've had my eye on for awhile. 
Many people (including myself) scour the Internet for online coupon codes and look for coupon books at stores. My first favorite website for scoring discounts on goodies is retailmenot.com. This little site is so easy to use - all you have to do is type in the store you want, and a list of coupon codes and printable coupons pops up - and when they expire. You can automatically go to the website of the store you want from the coupon code page. Or if you are an old school couponer, you can print it out.
Other than sites like these, there are sites that offer more popular and expensive brands in a "flash sale" type of deal. My absolute favorite is Hautelook.com. It's actually a Nordstrom company, which I think says alot about their reputation. Hautelook offers new events everyday at 8am pacific time with clothing, shoes, home decor, technology, and more up to 75% off. Events (flash sales) all end at different days/times, but they are sure to let you know. Membership is FREE, and you can sign up for the email alerts that send you new events so you'll always be aware what is on Hautelook so you'll never miss that sale. They have many popular brand names such as Jessica Simpson, Rebecca Minkoff, Madden Girl, Elf Cosmetics, Tarte cosmetics and more!
I've bought from Hautelook many times, and I am NEVER disappointed! I bought a makeup brush set by Elf through Hautelook for $13, when they normally retail at $30. I bought a pair of Sperry Top-siders for $45 when they normally run $100+. More recently, I bought my first Rebecca Minkoff MAC clutch for $120 when they are $250+. I also am currently awaiting the arrival of my Whitening Lightning teeth whitening kit that I have heard SO many good things about! I had been wanting it for so long, but it regularly costs almost $500. I paid $60 for mine - and bought one for ma for Mothers Day. You can't beat that amazing discount! I always get my shipments on time and have never had any problems! 
  * Sample email alert from Hautelook*

Another site kinda similar to Hautelook that I think more people have heard of is Groupon. Not only does Groupon offer great discounts on vacation getaways, romantic weekend getaways, and your favorite restaurant, they also offer discounts on products such as spa trips, hair products, fashion, technology, and more! Just like Hautelook, membership is free. All you gotta do is sign up like any other website, and you are emailed various discounts. Some discounts are basically a coupon code type number that you are emailed after purchase. For example, I bought a $15 Groupon for $115 off Nume hair tools. I received the promo code in my email inbox, then went to the Nume website, where I then purchased my Titan 3 curling wands for a huge discount! Other discounts are immediate. For example, I just ordered a phone charger docking station for $15 and all I had to do was approve the transaction - given that your information and credit card # are already on file. I haven't bought any of the vacations yet, but you can be sure I will in the future! 
      *sample email alert from Groupon*
I urge you to try these websites out if you are an extreme shopaholic like me or even if you just want to save some money on a really great product. Have you tried these already? Or do you have other websites that you love? Let me know!

*these opinions are my own honest thoughts and experiences and I am not being paid to advertise*

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

April 2013 Faves

So I'm a little late with my April Favorites but I'm just getting back into blogging again regularly so forgive me! No need for more rambling...here they are:




I am obsessed with knuckle-rings - or midi-rings - whatever you want to call them. I think they are so adorable and something different from the typical everyday rings. I found mine at Walmart (actually, I cheated. They are toe rings! But they make perfect knuckle-rings and are super cheap for a set of 5!)



Next favorite is my new Nume Titan 3. I got a Groupon coupon for $110 off the retail price , so I ended up getting this sweet baby for about $90. It comes with 3 sizes of barrels so you can get various curl sizes. I read reviews and YouTube videos of people who raved about this, and I'm happy to report, it lives up to its claims! It is super easy to curl your hair (I use the heat protectant glove that comes with it because I'm accident-prone) - I honestly believe it's way easier than a regular curling iron. It took me LESS THAN 30 minutes to curl my entire head and I have long, thick hair. Usually half way through curling my hair with a curling iron, my arms are tired, I'm hot, and I'm just SO over curling my hair. That's definitely not the case with this one. I am IN LOVE with the NUME! Nume discount codes are floating all over the internet, so GO get you one!


For my face this month, I have been using various products, but these 3 really stand out to me. First is the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation in Fresh Beige. I love this because it evens out my skin tones, hides my redness, and it really is nearly naked - it isn't cakey or thick at all, but it does a good job at being a foundation. 
I am pretty self-conscious about my undereye area, so I always use a concealer. I have found a couple that are pretty good, but I had heard many great things about Hard Candy's Glamoflauge concealer. OMG, it is seriously heavy duty like the packaging says. You have to be really careful about blending it out and a tiny bit goes a LONG way. But it definitely makes me look like I've gotten 12 hours of restful sleep, which I never do! And it's $6 at Walmart, which you can't beat!
After these products, I like to set them with a powder. I have many brands of powders, which I rotate out with this one, but I have really been enjoying this one. It is very light, soaks up all the oil on my face, and makes my face look pretty matte for hours on end. Most of the face powders I have do not work this great, as I will have oil break-thru a couple hours later. Some people will not like the scent, but it reminds me of classic makeup-department-store-lady LOL. The scent does not stick though, so after applying, you don't smell anything at all. This container contains a HUGE amount of product for $5 at Walmart and they come in different shades and even a translucent version.


My favorite part is definitely the EYES! I have been loving Maybelline's new The Rocket mascara. My HG mascara is actually Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes, and the results I get with The Rocket are very close to that. I am going to continue to see if I love it so maybe this $6 mascara will replace my $19 one!
For the lids, I have been obsessed with copper colors. I found these two at Sally's (they are Sally brand) for super cheap and they are outstanding! The top is a regular eyeshadow that is a light coppery shade that I like to put in the crease over some gold shadow. The bottom is a baked eyeshadow that is super intense for a copper smokey-eye for nights out. 
The last eye product is Hard Candy's Baked Eyeshadow Duo in Peace. The light half is a perfect shimmery champagne highlight color that I like to wear under the brow and in the inner corners of the eyes. You can even use it as a highlight for your cheeks! The brown half is a gorgeous shimmery brown that is super pigmented! I like to put this in the crease for drama.


For lips, I have been obsessed with lip stains. I have 3 from Loreal and 1 from Maybelline (I need to go buy more!). I love these because the color has great pigment, is glossy, and lasts for hours. I wouldn't say 10hours, but long enough! Great alternatives to lipstick and lip gloss!


Victoria's Secret Pink Fresh & Clean body mist has been a favorite for years! This scent is fruity and amazing, but it isn't your typical fruity-smell. I can't describe smells to save my life, so if you are in a VS store, I suggest go test it out! This scent is the epitome of summer! Comes in a lotion and body wash too!

What are your April Faves???