Buy and Blog: Avon Campaign 18

Hello, my Pretties!

Yesterday I shared my Avon Campaign 17 haul with you.  Today I have a much bigger haul.  These are the purchases I made during Campaign 18.

I will honestly say, I LOVED everything I purchased this time around.

Avon Campaign 18

I've never been quiet about the fact that Avon eyeshadows are not my favorite.  I think they lack the pigmentation I crave.  They always look beautiful in the pan but once applied to the eye, I feel it lacks the wow factor.  But lately I have been leaning towards a more neutral, toned down look for everyday wear.  I have one other of these duos in Hawaiian Glow and I loved that one too so I decided to take a chance and purchase another one of the True Color Eyeshadow Duos.

Avon True Color Eyeshadow Duo in Mauve Glow
$7.00
.099 total oz. net. wt.
Buy HERE

I liked the color combo in this duo.  The light opalescent creme color is perfect for the lid color as well as a brow high light.  The medium brown color is a great crease color.  I haven't used it as a liner yet but I'm sure it would work in that way too.

Fingertip swatches.

Swatches over bare skin.

I have a ton and I mean a ton of Avon Nail Enamels but not very many of their SpeedDry+ line.  The SpeedDry+ claim to dry in under 30 seconds and do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, or phthalates.

Avon SpeedDry+ Nail Enamel in Street Beige
$6.00
.4 fl. oz.
Buy HERE

I was drawn to this nude shade because I don't have any in my collection.  Just like my face makeup, I've been enjoying bare nails more these days.  I figured a nice nude polish would work well with neutral makeup.

Swatch. Two coats.

My foundation of choice was the Avon Healthy Makeup Mousse Foundation but I don't believe that is being offered anymore.  So, they came out with a new Avon Ideal Flawless Matte Mousse Foundation and I just had to try it.  I like mousse foundations.

Avon Ideal Flawless Matte Mousse Foundation in Medium Beige
$10.00
.6 oz.net. wt.
Buy HERE

I am really loving the silkiness of this mousse.  It glides on easily and blends effortlessly.  It gives me a nice even, light to medium coverage.  I think it makes my pores around my nose and cheeks appear smaller and my face does remain matte for a good portion of the day.

Fingertip swatch.

Blended in.

My blog has always been more about makeup than anything else.  Every once in  a while I throw in a nail post.  I don't do many nail posts because my cuticles are always in such horrid shape.  I always buy nail polishes but never treatments.  I decided to buy this one in hopes that it would help my cuticles look more presentable in photos.

Avon Nail Experts Conditioning Pen
$6.50
.05 fl. oz.
Buy HERE

This item is really handy to carry in your purse.  It takes up as much space as a regular pen.

There will be no mess in your bag because the packaging contains a brush tip applicator and you have to turn the base of the pen to release the conditioning fluid.  A few clicks and you will see the liquid being dispensed through the brush.

Brush tip applicator.

Before.

After.

It does give you the appearance of "greasy" nails but all you have to do is blend it in more.

Here is another eye product.  I love eyeshadows but have never really been to fond of cream shadows.  But being an Independent Avon Sales Representative, I kind of have to try out the new stuff coming out to better inform my customers.

This is the Avon Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color.  They are packaged exactly like the Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss.

Avon Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color in Mocha Flash
$7.00
.15 oz. net. wt.
Buy HERE

Doe foot applicator.

I have used this eyeshadow on it's own and over my E.L.F. Eyelid Primer and it stayed on all day without creasing which was totally unexpected.  I have used it as a base for other pressed shadows as well and it works in that sense too.

The color is so gosh darn pretty!

Swatches over bare skin.
Straight from the tube on the left.
Blended out on the right.

And another color that I think is truly prettyful is this lip gloss.

Avon Glazewear VitaLucious Lip Gloss in Rose Flush
$6.00
.15 oz. net. wt.
Buy HERE

Doe foot applicator.

Fingertip swatch.

Lip swatch.

Is this color not amazing or what?  This is my favorite lip gloss these days.  Makes me want to kiss myself!

Have you tried any of these products?  Would you like to try any of them?

I have a few more Avon Buy and Blogs left to share with you so I hope that you will be looking forward to them.

♥♥ All items mentioned in this blog were paid for with my own money.  These are my own thoughts and honest opinions.  I am an Ind pendent Avon Sales Representative. ♥♥

Buy and Blog: Avon Campaign 17

Hello, my Pretties!

Going through photos saved in my computer, I came across some older photos I took of some Avon items I purchased a while back.  I decided that even though these are from 7 Campaigns back (which equals to 14 weeks ago--each Campaign is equivalent to 2 weeks), I still think they are worth sharing.

I have 5 Campaigns to catch you up on.  Let's start with a small haul.

Here are my purchases for Campaign 17.

Avon Campaign 17

First product up for show is the Avon Tint 'n Go for Cheeks and Lips.  These are the kind of multipurpose products that I like.  This is the perfect cheek color for me.  As for lips, it gives my lips a wash of sheer color and feels very comfortable.  It is creamy and blends well and easily.  No drying effect.

Avon Tint 'n Go for Cheeks and Lips in Sunny
$3.99
.14 oz. net. wt.
Buy HERE

Fingertip swatch.

Swatches.
Straight from the tube on the left.
Blended out on the right.

I should have taken a photo of this lip tint in action on my actual lips but that somehow escaped me.  But using the photo above for reference, the swatch on the left is a pretty accurate depiction of how it appears on my lips.

And the second item I purchased during Campaign 17 was a new kind of eye liner.  This is the Avon Glimmersticks Eye Liner.  Glimmersticks are an Avon staple but recently new finishes have been added to the regular line.  For a limited time, I believe.

I chose this shade which I thought looked pretty in the brochure but after wearing it on my eyes, I think it is too light for my skin tone.  I plan on using this more as an eyeshadow base rather than a stand alone eye liner.  But, this does look nice along my lower lash line for a little added color when I'm feeling a little less than daring but don't feel like being boring either.

Avon Glimmersticks Chromes Eye Liner in Burgundy Shock
$7.00
.01 oz. net. wt.
Buy HERE

Glimmersticks are self sharpening liners.

Swatch.

This just might be one of my smallest Avon purchases ever!  I must have been short on cash this time.  Haha.

Stay tuned for my Buy and Blog featuring my goodies from Campaign 18.  It is much bigger and better too!

♥♥ All items mentioned in this blog post were purchased by me with my own money.  These are my own thoughts and honest opinions.  I am an Independent Avon Sales Representative. ♥♥

Influenster Relaunch!

Hello, my Pretties!

Are you an Influenster?  I am!

Influenster.com is a website where you can use your influence to gain free products.  Sounds fun, right?  It is.  If you have never heard of Influenster before, now is the perfect time to check out their website.  They are having a relaunch!  The entire site has changed it's look and feel.  It is much easier to navigate and more interactive.  The icons are really cute too.  I'm a sucker for cute.

Do yourself a favor and make an account with Influenster and start influencing all those around you through your blog, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube channels.  The more active and influential you are, the greater your chances for qualifying for a VoxBox.  A VoxBox is what they call that magical little box that comes filled with free products for you to try and review.  But you must share your thoughts on the free products with all those around you!  That is the deal.

I have been a part of Influenster for a while now.  I have received 3 VoxBoxes already.  I have loved them all.  They are really cute because they are themed goodie boxes.

Are you influential enough to be an Influenster?

Beauty Blogger Headquarters is Now Open!

Hello, my Pretties!

One of my sweet blogger buddies, Krystal of Beauty by Krystal started a new group solely for fellow beauty bloggers.  It is a place where we can discuss all our tips and tricks and support each other and help each other grow as bloggers.  That place is called Beauty Blogger Headquarters.  You can check out the official BBH Welcome HERE.

Every month there will be a new task up on the BBH site for us bloggers to partake in and the task for November is: In the Beginning.  If you want to join in this task, check out all the details HERE.

And here is my story...

IN THE BEGINNING

It's no secret that I have loved makeup since I was a mere child.  My mother was an Avon lady and would give me the little lipstick samples to play with.  Needless to say, she started my addiction and I thank her for it!

Makeup was always a part of my life but it wasn't until 2010 that it started to become a bigger part of me.  Being a stay at home mom at the time, I was home with my daughter and was watching Good Morning America when they announced, "Coming up next, a single mom who makes a living making YouTube videos..."  I thought, "really?  People can make money off of YouTube?"  At this time I had heard of YouTube but wasn't really a fan.  I thought it was just a site where people went to waste time and watch videos of people doing ridiculous things.  So, I was intrigued.  I stuck around to watch.  I'm a stay at home mom, not a single mom, but I'd like to know how to make money too!

And who does this "YouTube sensation" turn out to be?  None other than Lauren Luke.  You all know Lauren?  Her YouTube handle is panacea81.  I immediately headed to YouTube, created an account and subbed.  I have been a fan of hers and of YouTube beauty vloggers ever since.  I say that YouTube is like a school for me.  I only watch makeup tutorials.  When I watch those makeup tutorials, I say I am "researching" or "studying".  It's true!

That was late 2010.  So, I got inspired to start up a blog myself.  I was too shy to attempt to do videos but write, I've always been a writer.  It was my first passion.  I thought I'd be an author when I grew up.  The next Danielle Steele.  I made myself a New Year's resolution (and the first one I have ever kept).  I would start a blog.  So on 1/1/11, I posted my very first blog post.  I took a while deciding on a name.  Names are important.  I decided on Ms. Prettyful Girl because I don't consider myself "beautiful" but pretty, maybe.  Sometimes...on occasion... Haha.

Now it is 11/2/12 and I have 294 blog posts and 274 subscribers under my belt.  Not much compared to the seasoned bloggers but for me, it is a dream exceeded!

I remember having no subs for a while which was so discouraging.  Then the numbers started to climb.  Very slowly but that's OK.  I'm happy to have all of you follow my blog.  It means a lot to see your comments.  I love knowing you took time out of your day to come by and see what I had to say.  THANK YOU!

As my subscribers started to come, I started to feel more confident about my blog.  But, it did take about a year before I started to tell my family about it.  My sweet-tart knew, of course, because I tell him everything.  He is my number one fan and supporter.  I told my sisters first who are into makeup too but not as much as I am.  Haha.  It was a little embarrassing to tell them at first but they congratulated me.  My family and friends have welcomed this part of my life easily.  Now they always come to me and tell me that they saw a new beauty item in the store that would be "perfect for your blog".  Haha.  And, the always come to me for beauty advice too which makes me feel good and accomplished.

My favorite part of blogging is getting to buy new things to "blog about".  Haha.  I always use that excuse.  It works.  I love my makeup collection.  It has expanded to new heights in the last couple of years.  I'm proud of it.  But that is also the worst part of blogging.  I hate it when I don't have enough money to buy the latest,  greatest product everyone is raving about.  But then again, that's why my blog is centered around "affordable" makeup.  I buy what I can afford.  I don't want to go into debt over makeup!

My advice for fellow bloggers or those who want to start a blog is this:

1. Take good, clear photos.  I'm not saying go out and buy the best and most expensive camera on the market.  I have a regular old point and shoot that we've had for years now.  All that matters is that you take photos in well lit areas and don't post blurry photos.

2.  Considering that writing was my first love, grammar to me, is very important.  Please, please, please, take time to proofread and edit your blog posts before publishing.  I cringe every time I see a misspelled word or no punctuation and no capitalization where needed.

3.  Be honest.  Be kind.  Be professional but not stiff.  Have fun with it!

4.  And most importantly... Enjoy it!  Once it becomes just another task to do on your to do list, your blog looses all of it's beauty and magic.  As long as you do it for the right reasons and as long as you love it, you will succeed.

So that is my beauty blogger story.  I feel that I have the same story as many of you.  A lot of us have started our blogs or YouTube channels because we saw someone that inspired us to do so.  Now, all I have left to say is, be the inspiration for someone else!

Top 10: Lips for Fall

Hello, my Pretties!

First and foremost, HAPPY NOVEMBER!  I adore November!  I honestly do.  Aside from December, it is my favorite month.  I absolutely love fall.  The sights, the smells, tastes, and feel of fall are like none other.  Agree?  I thought you would.

And to start off this fabulously fall month, I have put together a list of my top "fall inspired" lipsticks and lip glosses for you.  Are you ready to fall in love with some new hues?

TOP 10 LIP COLORS FOR FALL 2012

First off I will show you the lip glosses I have chosen.  The first three are Avon.  I have mentioned before that I do sell Avon and that's why I have a lot of it.  And the fourth one by Maybelline technically isn't a lip gloss but cosmetically, it looked better grouped with the glosses ;)  It has a similar look and application to the glosses anyway.

Top to Bottom:
Avon Smooth Minerals Lip Gloss in Rumberry
Avon Smooth Minerals Lip Gloss in Bronze
Avon Smooth Minerals Lip Gloss in Berry Glaze**
(** Not sure if that is the correct name. **)
Maybelline Stay 24 Color in On and On Orchid

Swatches.

Rumberry

Bronze

Berry Glaze

On and On Orchid

As for my second group here, I put these together because these three are all Avon products.  They are all Avon lipsticks but from different lines.

Left to Right:
Avon Smooth Minerals Lipstick in Rumberry
Avon Colordisiac Lipstick in Temptress
Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Iced Cocoa

Swatches.

Rumberry

Temptress

Iced Cocoa

And last but not least, these are my other three "non Avon" lipsticks.  Haha :)

Left to Right:
Neutrogena Lipstick in Rum Raisin
L.A. Colors Lipstick in Mauve Glaze
Wet n Wild Lipstick in 541B

Swatches.

Rum Raisin

Mauve Glaze

541B

I think I did a fairly good job at representing fall with these lip colors.  I hear berry shades will be popular this year and of course, now is the time of year for bringing out those bronze and copper toned lip shades.  Browns and neutrals tend to work well for this season.

Not sure I will ever do 10 lip swatches in a day ever again, my lips were raw afterwards!  But it was fun and worth it to me.  Beauty is pain!

P.S.
I'm also planning on a Top 10: Nails for Fall!!

♥♥ All products mentioned in this blog post were purchased with my own money for the exception of the Maybelline 24 Color in On and On Orchid and the Neutrogena Lipstick in Rum Raisin which were gifts from family members. ♥♥