February MyGlam Bag

I know, I know. I said I would be more consistent about this whole blogging thing, but I swear I've been working, just behind the scenes.  

Let me just say, it's been a busy two weeks. I spent this entire weekend at school, finishing up a weekend seminar for my hybrid online health education class. I haven't had time to write, but I've been working on future posts. I haven't forgotten about this blog! I said I would try, and I will... I am. 

So. This is my February MyGlam bag. Ever heard of it? It's another one of those monthly beauty sample subscriptions like Birchbox. I considered getting the Birchbox subscription for awhile, but after seeing the contents, I didn't think it would be worth it because most of the stuff didn't interest me. But when MyGlam came along, I decided to try it out. I missed their first bag (the best one so far, IMO), but I did manage to make it for the January bag! I decided not to do a post about it since it's the end of February. But here's a quick list of the items I received: Freemans cucumber peel-off mask, theBalm eye shadow, Wen cleansing conditioner, Sheer Cover concealer and a cute nature-themed make-up bag. 

For February, MyGlam went with a Valentine's Day theme. What's in the bag: two Ghirardelli squares, X-Out Shine Control, NYX Roll-on Shimmer in Platinum, Freemans Goji Berry Hydration Mask, two samples of Dead Sea Premier and a $100 gift certificate to NUME. My initial thoughts? I wasn't too fond of this month's bag. So far, I've only used the hydration mask. It's not bad; it smells nice. I haven't touched any of the other samples, so it feels like a waste of a bag to me. But, they are a newly established company, and I'm curious to see what else they have planned. Soooooo, I will hold on to my subscription for a little longer. 

A lot of people have been complaining about the issues they've been having with MyGlam's shipping system and how things aren't getting shipped out on time or whatever. Listen. They're a new company. Cut them some slack! They're still trying to get the hang of things and they're working hard on getting great samples. They still need time to figure out a good system that really works for them. I can't imagine how it feels to be at the MyGlam office, reading through all the complaints and negative comments when I'm trying to make things better for all the complaining people! Sigh. I say, just lay off them. Maybe when they're 6 months in and still having these issues, then there's some reason to complain. Okay, I just wanted to get that out of my system... :)

Here's a little preview of posts to come! 

Make-up Crazy

So. I went a little crazy at Sephora this week. Aaaand it's only Wednesday. My excuse? It's been long, tiring week. That's a good reason, right? Yeah, that's what I'm telling myself. 

Anyhoo, I've been in the market for a good concealer, and the SA at Sephora recommended one from Smashbox. I've used it twice, and have not yet made up my mind on how I feel. Will do some swatches soon. In addition to the concealer, I've also been curious about trying the Korres mineral illuminating powder. Sooooooooo, of course I picked it up to try out. And since my day was so crummy, I treated myself to two more items: Buxom's Big and Healthy lipgloss in Sandy and NARS eye shadow in Lhasa.

This is my first loose powder product, and I have to say, it's messy. The shimmer is not too crazy, and it gives my face a lovely dewy glow. I generally like Korres' make-up products (I am totally in love with their blush in #15 Natural). I've used it twice so far, and I'm curious enough to keep using it to see how my skin reacts. 

I've been hearing so many good things about NARS Lhasa that I couldn't resist getting it. And, it was the last one at the store, so it was definitely meant to be. The color is beautiful and I absolutely loooove it. Granted, I've only used it once but I'm confident that NARS will be good to me. The color is this lavender, taupe-y color, and it really is lovely. This is most expensive [single] eye shadow I have ever purchased, and I think that this product is worth the money. Maybe I'll change my mind down the road, but for now, I'm lovin' it.

I like the Buxom lip gloss so far, but I don't wear lip glosses that often so I'm still getting used to the sticky consistency of it. But the color is nice, and the tingling is... different. It's not unpleasant, but it's interesting. I wouldn't recommend wearing it on a windy day; my lips were definitely very cold after all the tingling and the wind. Brrr. 

Smashbox concealer... I'll get back to this. 

On Tuesday, I stopped by Sephora again. I know, I'm bad. I had to return a few things, and ended getting the Make Up For Ever Face & Body liquid foundation in #20 Ivory. I love this foundation. It's lightweight and sheer. Some people might not like the smell, but it's not so overpowering that I can't let it go. I actually don't mind the smell. The price is a bit steep, and so it took me a while before I finally decided to make this purchase. The sample I got from Sephora pushed me to a YES. Even though it's $38, it's 1.69 oz of liquid foundation, and I know it'll last me a good amount of time.

The Laura Mercier foundation primer is my second tube. I'm not quite done with my first one, but I wanted to be prepared in case I ran out. I love this stuff. It's well made and does an excellent job priming my face for the rest of my make-up. I personally like the oil free one. I tried the radiance primer, and I don't know... I didn't like it that much? Maybe my skin was having an off day, but for now, I'm sticking to the oil free primer. As for the Josie Maran moisturizer... it was an impulse buy. Sephora, they know how to get you... with their mini products within reach while you're on line. I picked it up because I wanted to redeem my VIB NARS free gift (not pictured) and I needed a $35 purchase or more to get it... so I just grabbed the moisturizer. As for the product itself, I have no idea if it's any good. I guess I'll be finding out. Yeah... I bought the foundation and the primer and moisturizer at different times... at two different locations. I know, I'm ridiculous. I just couldn't resist the NARS gift! Since NARS products are normally so expensive, and the gift had some things I would want to try, but would normally be reluctant to pay full price for so it seemed like the perfect situation to me.

I'll post up a picture of it next time. The VIB gift consisted of three minis: NARS Laguna, Orgasm illuminator and eye shadow primer. Come on, tell me that you wouldn't pick up a few things some Sephora just to get that free gift. Right? Maybe I'm just nuts. 

And then today... I went and got myself another lip product. Because you know, I really need another one.. after reading some reviews on Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, and trying it on the store... I just had to get it. Oh, and the lip liner? It's the Sephora nano lip liner (I don't remember what color...) and I just wanted to try using lip liner, so I picked up the cheapest one I could find.

SIGH. Someone needs to get me some help. Like Make-Up Addicts Anonymous or something. For real. Okay, this has been a really long entry. I think I should go, hah.


Does anyone else have a serious addiction to all things beauty? 
Because if you do... we should be friends. Seriously.

Hi there!

Welcome to Lookin' Fresh!

Make-up and I have an interesting relationship (or maybe it's not really that interesting). I was in 8th grade when I first started wearing eyeliner, and for a while, I only wore eyeliner with the occasional swipe of mascara on my eyelashes. I dabbled with eye shadows here and there in high school and my early college years, but I didn't really become intrigued with make-up and skin care until I was in my senior year of college, all thanks to a couple of friends who shared their beauty stash with me. And it's been an interesting, albeit expensive journey since.

I have been enamored with make-up and skin care for quite a while now, and I can't seem to get enough! Nowadays, Sephora's my favorite place to stop by when I'm having a bad day, and beauty blogs are a daily read. Like the title of this blog suggests, I love looking fresh faced and natural, and I'm constantly looking for products that help me achieve that look!

So, I've been wanting to start a blog to share my thoughts on my favorite products, newly purchased products, and things like that. I'm not the greatest blogger (I've made many attempts on blogging in the past... and failed. Whomp whomp), but I promise I will try my hardest to keep up with this blog!