Chapped Lip Solutions!

Chapped lips, the bane of winter :( I have searched high and low, in several forums and drugstores, for chapsticks and lip balms before I found my favorites. A lot of trial and error was involved, not that I minded, chapsticks are the fun things I add to my purchase while waiting in line to pay (what? I embrace my shopaholic nature!) :P

Here are the top four products I keep in rotation. Depending on the situation, I may reach for one over the other.

Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm

Chapped lip severity: Little to none

This is a great chapstick to wear preventatively on a daily basis. I think I have about 2 or 3 tubes in different places (backpack, purse, vanity) so I am never too far from moisturized, honey-kissed lips! The consistency of the balm itself is dense and hard, so it may not feel good when applied on severely chapped lips. It would require rubbing the stick on your lips several times to really get a good coating on. 

Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment (DCT)

Chapped lip severity: Little to medium

DCT comes in a little tub and can be applied with your finger. For this reason, I like to keep this balm at home, it can get a little unsanitary when used on the go. A thin layer works really well to soothe mildly chapped lips. When applied in a thicker layer, however, the product tends to gunk up and make my lips feel prune-y, so watch out for that! I'd also like to note that this product has SPF 20, yay :)

Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Chapped lip severity: Little to severe

This is my go to, all time favorite lip product. It is packaged like a hand cream, has the look of petroleum jelly, and really is a healing ointment! A little goes a long way and I find that applying Aquaphor before sleeping really helps to heal any cracked or chapped lip issues I may have. This also doubles as a great ointment for cracked or dry knuckles and hands (it is meant for skin in general). I always keep this bottle on hand, you never know when it can come in handy!!

Neosporin Lip Treatment (LT)

Chapped lip severity: Severe

I came across this product one winter when my lips were as rough as sandpaper and nothing else would help! I am throwing it in with my list of favorite chapsticks, but this is more of a medicated ointment. The directions for use indicate that it should only be used twice within a 24 hour period. LT really does provide relief to persistent chapped lips! I used this for 2 days and then was able to switch back to regular chapsticks to maintain the results. 

Did your go-to chapstick not make my list? Let me know! I am always interested in conducting more research :)

Mini Haul!

As I've been actively researching makeup via blogs, vlogs, and review forums, I have really been able to find some amazing products. Sadly, once you find that perfect mascara or moisturizer...a little bit of the excitement is gone :( I mean, sure...it does it's job well and it goes on the list of what to take when stranded on a desert island...but the shopper in me, well...she cries a little. 

It's been almost two months since I've stopped at a health and beauty aisle and really gone nuts! Well dear readers, the dry spell is over...here's what I've bought over the past couple weeks:

• Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover
• e.l.f. Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets
• Sonia Kashuk Perfectly Neutral - 10 Eye Palette
• Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eye Liner Pencils in Black and Brown
• Almay Intense i-Color 031 Trio for Browns
• Boots Botanics Soothing and Calming Eye Base
• eos Medicated Lip Balm in Tangerine
• Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Goddess

I have started my foray into eye shadows...let's see how this goes :) If anyone has any good neutral eye looks to share, please let me know! 

Be on the lookout for some looks and reviews!

Just what the doctor ordered: Target haul

Been feeling a little blue and in my book, there's only one fix for that, shopping!! Doesn't Tar-ghay just brighten up your mood? In the past, I focused more on their selection of shoes and clothes, but this time I decided to foray into the health and beauty aisles to have a little look-see...some may call this an addiction, I call it Retail Therapy!


Here is what I picked up:
1) Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in Twilight
Have been dying to try this product since I saw Jessica Biel's ads :) My obsession with lip products combined with the fact that I have a major tendency to eat whatever I put on my lips made this product especially enticing to me! First impression: Non-drying, buildable, berry stain that lasts for 4+ hours! I like it!!


2) L'Oreal Hip Jelly Balm in Delectable
Another product I've been on the hunt for...Target really is a magical place :P Soo many Youtube vloggers have spoken highly of this product that I haaad to pick it up when I saw it! It being on clearance sale didn't hurt either ;) The second I opened it, I fell in looveeee!! Hip packaging (no pun intended), nice scent, and great color payoff! Delectable is a pretty raspberry shade. I've made quite a sizable dent in this recent purchase!


3) CoverGirl Last Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara in Black
I have already found my HG everyday mascara combination: clear Jane Curling Mascara + black CoverGirl Lash Exact. It gives my not so naturally impressive lashes a nice touch. That's all and good for work and casual events, but sometimes I want a little bit of drama! Also, I thought it was about time for me to try a waterproof formula. I really like mascara brushes with plastic bristles, give me a more smooth application. Here's hoping that this mascara gives me the diva glam lashes I'm looking for!!


4) Sonia Kashuk Dramatically Defining Eyelash Curler
MUA reviewers have compared this to the famed Shu Uemura. I like that at $9.99, it doesn't break the bank! 


5) Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Super Smoothing Anti-Frizz Hair Serum
I like to consider myself somewhat of a drugstore anti-frizz product connoisseur. Now that Garnier Fructis has stopped making my favorite Sleek & Shine Leave-in Weightless Anti-Frizz Serum (why!?!), I thought it was time to start looking into other options. So far, it smells amazing! Hope it works as well as it smells :)


6) EcoTools Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set                   
My first official set of brushes, yay! This truly was a deal that I could not pass up, 5 brushes + a handy carrying case/brush roll all for $9.99, who'd have thought? And, this is eco-friendly and cruelty-free to boot. 


Ah, the joys of shopping! Now that I know all about the amazing-ness that is Target's Health and Beauty section, I will definitely be back :)


Let me know your thoughts on my haul and be on the look out for some product reviews in the future!