Makeup Madness

It's no secret to my family and friends that I am a woman of many different roles. I'm a corporate professional Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday's and Sundays, I love to be a great housewife---making casseroles from scratch, cleaning the house, and getting all dolled up for date nights with my man. Throughout each day, I manage to maintain great friendships with people I really care for. And somehow, someway...at the end of all that....I'm still able to work in some personal hobbies. As you all well know by now, I heart to coupon and thrift. Also known to you is my passion of decorating for get-togethers all Martha Stewart style. But one thing you may not know about me is that I also HEART makeup.

Now when I say I love makeup and cosmetology...some of you may be thinking my love is like this.

But, dear readers, you'd be wrong to assume that. The love I feel for makeup is above and beyond what is normal for any human being. When I walk into any makeup store...any store at all...I instantly feel like

And then I have to tear myself away pretty quickly. Not leaving the store in a sufficient amount of time could easily result in:

I don't even want to calculate MENTALLY what I've probably spent on makeup and hair crap throughout the years because in a word....it's depressing. I especially love my makeup brushes which have lasted me FOREVER I will definitely admit (hey...sometimes you get what you pay for ;)

The only real qualm I have with my brushes is how friggin dirty they have gotten over time. I mean...it's pretty gross. I attempted to use those spray makeup cleaners, water, and even those expensive wipes and NOTHING came even close to restoring my beautiful brushes to their former glory.

This is when I came up with a brilliant plan to find a DIY makeup brush cleaner. All I needed for hte recipe I found was dish soap, warm water, and white vinegar. Most of us already have those guys just lying around anywho!

I just added a tablespoon of dish soap and vinegar to the cup of warm water as instructed. It kind of came out cloudy looking like this:

Yes that is one of my engagement photos on my glass. I know, I know....I'm awesome ;)

Then I basically just began dipping my brushes in one by one---giving them a slight push on the bottom. I swirled each brush for about five seconds, then removed it from the water, reshaped it, and laid it on a towel to dry.

You could

You could literally see the old makeup residue coming off in the water as depicted above!!!

If I wasnt fully convinced that this technique is not only inexpensive but HIGHLY efficient, here is further proof on one of my favorite MAC brushes.

BEFORE

AFTER

Aye carumba!!!!! I'll definitely be using this method monthly to clean my brushes!!!! Does it leave your brushes smelling like vinegar? Eh....maybe a little...but nothing I can't get past and just LOOK at how clean they are!!!!!!! Not to mention, it's nothing that I can post for proof, but holy guacamole....the brushes feel like HEAVEN!! I used a dish soap that is intended to be soft on hands and I so recommend it for those of you trying this tutorial. You can pick up a small bottle at the dollar tree and my brushes now feel even better than new!!!!

Take it from me and give this method a try this weekend :) You won't be sorry you did!!!!

Dollar Days

So...we all know how the scenario: your walking through a store at a casual pace when all of a sudden you see a certain item. But this isn't just any item at all...no hooo people not at all. Cause when you see this item, your heart skips a beat, you get all nervous and giddy, and you are pretty certain you've experienced whats referred to as "love at first sight."

....and then that horrid, god-forsaken moment comes when you actually look at the price tag and your betrothed, desired item is WAAYYYY out of your financial reach. This moment can only be depicted as a Greek tragedy times one million. It's like finding out that Santa Clause dosn't exist of that the Tooth Fairy forgot you this year. Been there many a time and it kinda feels like....

So I decided to do my first post (in quite some time I might mention....yikes) on some items that are more than affordable and won't ever, evah leave you with a broken heart. These items, folks, are either $1.00 or less. Better still, they are some of my favorite quality buys with reviews. Enjoy!!!!!

WHAT:"LA Brand Oxy Clean
WHERE:Dollar Tree

In short, this knockoff version of the leading brand "Oxy Clean" is an excellent laundry additive. Add it to your white loads, especially to end up with MUCH refreshed towels, tee shirts, of bath rugs. For one dollar it beats the alternative by about five dollars PLUS it lasts for about 2-3 months depending on frequency of use!

WHAT:Paperbook novels
WHERE:Goodwill

As an avid reader, most bookworms like me discover that their healthy habit can get quite costly.However, Goodwill offers used paperback books like these from well-known authors at affordable rates. Try 99 cents per book on for size! I hit up the local Goodwill here almost every weekend looking for new paperbacks to browse. Considering most other books cost betweent $7-$10 dollars, these prices are a true steal!

WHAT: False Eyelash Strips and Glue
WHERE:Target

As previously mentioned in earlier posts, I love me some false eyelashes!!! I think it really helps that glamorous look for a night-time look for all women. However, paying $4-5 dollars for most women each time they go out isn't really financially savvy. But, imagine you pay one dollar per pack of lashes AND glue and BAM you've just paid for one MONTH of Saturday date nights what you would have paid elsewhere in one day. Also a fun fact, I have now had the chance to test several ELF products and let me tell you---they really are all winners. I especially like the Makeup fix which contains aloe and keeps your makeup in place all night! For three bucks per bottle, you can't beat it. I'll probably be doing a post on my favorite drugstore makeup SOON!

Ta for now readers and I hope you have a chance to invest a few bucks and find out for yourself how great these dollar buys are :)