Review Post ~ Dior Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum

Today I wanted to review one of my new HG's. The Dior Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum ($28 at Sephora.com)



I've been using this for a week and while I don't notice a ton more OOMPH I will say it helps seperate my lashes and make it look like there are more of them. The wand is on the skinnier side, which makes it easy to apply to the inner corners (which I always have issue with) and to make sure you hit every lash.

Sorry for the scary eye ball pic... but really it helps show what the Serum does. It's used here with MAC Plushlash Mascara:



I'm not going to sit here and say that you NEED it, but it certainly helps my lashes in the areas they need it. If you're feeling less than happy with your lashes, why not give it a try? Right now at sephora.com if you buy this item and enter the code MAXLASH when you check out you'll receive a free sample of Dior Extase Mascara, which is an AWESOME mascara.

Guest FOTD!!! Emily from Wife Check, Mom Check, Now What?

(pics are clickable to enjoy full size viewing)

Hey there!!

Today, my bright spot of an otherwise freaking nasty day, my LONG time friend (seriously, friends since FOURTH grade!) Emily was in town from Michigan and stopped over for a makeup sesh and a lunch outing... sans kiddies!

Emily usually goes for neutrals so we did a taupe/grayish green combo on her. I used to do makeup every once in awhile for prom go-ers and random stuff like that. I love to do makeup on other people and wish I had the chance to do it more often.

Emily has the best eyes to work with. They have a nice structure which made it easy to place and blend the colors. I have total brow envy too. I hate my eyebrows because their shape sucks and they need drawn in. I didn't have a brow color to match Emily's, so I left them alone, but really they didn't even NEED anything.

Here is the breakdown and pics. I seriously wish I knew how to use my camera better for sharper pics, but we take what we can get ;) It definately didn't look as shiny or as glittery IRL. It was green smokey goodness!!

On Emily I used:
FACE:
(I don't remember the face stuff... she brought her own for that because, lets face it, we're not all NW25 and the Studio Sculpt that I use tends to break people out... don't wanna be responsible for that!)
Chanel Nude JC Blush on the cheeks and MAC By Candlelight to highlight all over



EYES:
I started off with UDPP, then went to Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP in the inner corners and MAC Greenstroke Paint Pot on the rest of the lid. I used Mushroom from the Urban Decay Alice In Wonderland Book of Shadows and then broke out the Chanel Murano Quad for the inner corners, and to blend. I used every color except for the darkest one. The for the highlight I used White Rabbit, also out of the UD AIW BOS.
I lined Emily's eyes with Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero, Primed the lashes with Dior Lash Plumping Serum and used Mary Kay Waterproof mascara in black. Emily's lashes are blonde so I wanted to use a smaller brush to make sure I got them all.



LIPS:
Emily isn't a big lipstick fan, citing she can't find the right color. I think this is definately a great color for her. She's a gloss girl, but everyones gotta have a lippie ;) For this look I used Benefit Lady's Choice Lipstick and made her take it home.

Mrs. Em is also a fellow blogger - be sure to check out her blog at Wife Check, Mom Check, Now What? and FOLLOW!

Contest FYI

One of my fav bloggers, Magic Maid, is doing an AWESOME contest for her 700+ followers!!! Click HERE, check it out and enter - contest ends September 3!

MALL HAUL!

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On Wednesday I loaded up my kids and my cousins Lizzie and Laura (14) and we headed to Ross Park Mall. AKA The Good Mall. Laura has never been to Nordies OR Sephora. She also made her FIRST MAC purchase at Nordies!!

Even though the kiddies were NOT good I had a great time on this mall trip. The Nordstrom counter Dior Manager (Kathy) is AMAZING! She was super sweet to my kids, giving them random Dior labeled goodies to play with and keep (I'm not gonna lie, I confiscated the Dior Notebook she gave to Owen. It has some scribbles inside but it's safe now lol) and she hooked me up with a Dior parfums box I was eyeing (I don't like their perfume... sooo didn't think I had a chance on the box lol) plus gave me full size testers of their super expensive skin care Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Eye Treatment and Creme. These testers were FULL!! I've been using them for a few days now and I absolutely feel a difference. I can't notice a difference yet, but my face feels less tight... less dry... I'm hoping in time I can notice a difference, though I don't know where in the world I'd get the $$ to continue on with a skin care line like this lol



The Dior box is currently holding some of my nail polishes... the rest are in a tote until the addition is finished and I can find something more permanent... really I should purge so all my polishes fit into that box... but they are just so pretty!



At the Dior counter Kathy also had me sign up to meet with Beyonce's makeup artist on August 19! My friend Falyn and I will be enjoying makeup, palm reading and champagne at our 1pm appointment! I will definately get pics and blog about this. We're super excited! All it took was a $50 GC purchase that you can use toward product at the event.

At the MAC Counter I picked up By Candlelight (can you believe my counter still has this ?!), Mythology e/s and the 204 brush. I'm such a weirdo I just NEEDED the 204 for my brows. I've never had an appropriate brow brush before now.
At Sephora is was all about getting more Dior with the DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum and a Sérum De Rouge Luminous Color Lip Treatment in 710 Beige Serum. All of these will eventually get a blog and reviews.



But my MAIN event... was at Victoria's Secret. As we walked by they were unpacking Victoria's Secret PINK brand STEELERS football gear!!!! I wish I'd have had a bigger budget. I walked off with the three quarter length sleeve shirt but I SO wanted the hoodie and sweat pants too... all in time I guess. I can always order online. They couldn't keep the stock on the shelves, people were going nuts. It's almost Steeler season so the ladies have to stock up ;) The best part about it was I had $10 off so it didn't cost TOO much lol (Their pricing really is ridiculous though).



What was your last mall haul? Big or small, I wanna know!

Family Visit!

So we got home on Sunday and on Monday just lounged. A vacation with kids is just not a vacation for the adults so Jeff and I took turns napping lol.

Tuesday my Mom's side of the family came over for a visit. We don't get to see them much either, since they live in Ohio. Plus my little (ok, not so little) cousin Chelsea is going into her 4th year at Miami University of Ohio. Ridiculous. I'm so old.

They came for a late lunch/early dinner and hung out until early evening. I wanted to share some great pics we got and give a shout out to Grandpa George, Mama Luann, Aunt Sheryl and Chelsea! There are no pics shown of my mom, because she hated them all lol

Back From Vacation

Back from vacation and it was a BLAST seeing so many of my family members. My Dad's side does this every other year where everyone gets together for a long weekend at a different location. We're pretty much ALL over the US and have been as far away as Vegas (I'm in PA!).

This year we went to Oglebay (located about 90 minutes from me in West Virginia) and it was just absolutely breathtaking. We set a tent up on the bed and Jeff and Owen camped out every night lol there were butterflies EVERYWHERE and lots of fun things planned.

Here is a huge group shot of my entire family (that could attend) and my core family.




and of course a shot of a butterfly at the resort because I was just in LOVE!


We spent most of our time at family planned activities, but they have so many things there like horseback riding, paddle boats, a light show, golf, spa... something for everyone! We did get a chance to go to the Good Zoo. It's a small zoo but they have a petting zoo area for the kids and some really cool animals.

I hope you guys all had a great weekend too (and are going to have a great one coming up!) - be prepared for a couple posts today and a special treat tomorrow ;)

Spotlight on Lancome Dual Finish Powder

(as always pics are clickable to view the larger size)

In honor of my newest follower on Twitter - lancomeparis - I decided to do a spotlight blog on one of my HG products. Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup.




I've used this product as a powder since I was in high school. I'm going to be 30 in November, so you do the math! I've always used it simply AS a powder, but it can also be used wet as a foundation. It provides a flawless MATTE finish.

When I was a young buck I only had to use this product on my face. That's how great the coverage is on it. 2 kids later my skin is a mess and I NEED a foundation underneath, but I still use the powder by itself when I need to run out for a minute or when I (rarely) go to the gym.

The mirrored compact comes with a thin powder puff, as well as a round sponge applicator. I personally only use the sponge because it provides more coverage. I only use this product dry, and have never tried it wet. The sponge just suits my needs more.

I recommend you go to Sephora or your local Lancome counter to get color matched on this one. I used Matte Amande II in HS and continued to do so up until about 2 or 3 years ago when I learned it was too dark and was promptly switched to Matte Bisque II by a Lancome MA. Thank goodness for her! There are SO many different shades it's impossible not to find one that will suit you.

I personally love the scent of a new dual finish, but for those of you who are allergic, or get nausous with those rosy smells, this product now also comes in fragrance free form.

This product is 100% worth the money. I use it every single day (only usually having to reapply once) and I only need to buy 2 a year. It LASTS.

This product retails for $35.50 on Sephora.com and lancome-usa.com

**With that said, this will be my last post until August! I'm going to my family reunion at Oglebay and we're leaving tomorrow! Have a great weekend everyone!