Talking Trash: December Empties

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope you all have had a safe holiday. Just a quick post to tell you I uploaded a new video today talking about my December empties or the products I've used up. I managed to use up a lot of hair care products this time around. That's all for today. Have a great rest of your year!!

November Ispy!

Can I just say how impressed I am with this bag! I got some amazing things. And even the items I cannot use are still good sized and I was blown away by it. Check out the video to see what all I got this month. And if you don't know what Ipsy is, it's a subscription service that cost $10 a month. Every month, you get 4-5 makeup/skincare/haircare samples right in your mail box. If you want more info, check out ipsy.com for more information.

Huge Ulta and BBW Haul!!

Guys....I did something bad. I went to Ulta...and I got a lot! I tried to logic this in my head that I had a 20% off entire purchase coupon as well as a $10 off coupon. So I saved a lot of money...but I spent a lot too. Anyway, I wanted to share my haul with you! I got lots of new products that I cannot wait to review :) Enjoy!!

October Ispy!

Hello beauties! I wanted to show you what I got in my Ipsy this month. Honestly, this bag isn't that great. There are a few products I can't use and some I just out right don't like. Hope you enjoy the video!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Nuggets:

1. Midterms are finally over! I have till Sunday night to enjoy a few homework and stress free days.

2. I went and did some serious damage at Ulta on Friday. You should expect a haul this week!

3. It's so nice being home for the weekend and getting to see my family for a few days. It makes me really not want to go back to school ;p



 

 

 



New Blog Site is Live!!

Hello wonderful subscribers!! I've been working a new site to post my blog on for awhile and I just launched it. Please check out bellsbeautyblog.weebly.com for all my future blog posts :) Thanks for all the support over the years!

Empties: Products I've Used Up! August 2014

Hello beauties! Normally I do empties on my youtube channel, but I felt this time, I didn't have that many products to talk about. Also, I've been sick for a week and lost my voice. So I thought I'd do a blog post and talk about these products. Let me know if you like this format, and maybe I'll do it more often!

 First I used up a shaving cream. I love the Skintimate line and this month I picked up a different scent to try, which was a citrus scent. I didn't particularly care for this scent, it smelled too much like cleaning product. But the formula is great :)

 Next, I tried a new deodorant. This is the Secret Clinical Strength and I thought that this would help prevent some serious sweat issues that I've been having. Time for some information overload! I sweat. A lot! Like, even if it's not hot out and I'm not hot, I will still sweat in my underarms and will have pit stains. Gross!! I can't find a deodorant that prevents that, do you have any recommendations? This didn't do what I was hoping so I will not be repurchasing it.  

 Ok, time for some dry shampoo. This is the Treseme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo. I have had this for a very long time and I'm glad to be done with it. Like, it's been a year or so. I didn't really like it. I felt like it just made my hair greasier and you could see grey powder for this. I don't know if I will try another dry shampoo, if I do I might try the Sauve next because I've heard really good things about it.

 This is the second tube of L'Oreal Miss Manga Eyes I've used up. I simply love this mascara!! It's nice and black and really defines my eyelashes! Repurchased already.

 Ah, the Queen Helen Mint Julep Mud Mask. I love this. I used this once a week or every other week as a way to pamper myself and my skin. I have dry skin but this didn't dry it out. It helped removed impurities from my skin and if I had a break out, it helped shrink the pimple. Definitely going to repurchase.

 I tried a new shampoo and conditioner system and I've already went and repurchased it. This is the L'Oreal Total Repair Restoring system. I love this!! My hair feels so soft and silky now. I have bleached hair and use a lot of heat so it's pretty damaged. But I think this system is helping improve the health of my hair :)

I picked up this soap at the Bath and Body Works semi annual sale this summer. It's Aloha Orchid and it smelled like summery goodness. I really enjoyed this scent!

Yay, I used up a candle! And fun fact: I used up this candle in only a month! I could not stop burning it, it smelled so good. This was Hawaiian Hibiscus and this also smelled very summery. Soo good, I miss this candle a lot!  

 These Covergirl makeup wipes are amazing!! I never thought I'd find another makeup wipe that worked as good as the Neutragena wipes but these are right up there, maybe even better. I love them!

 I used up another pack of Bic Soleil Razors. I go through a lot of these.

 And finally, I used up this sample of Coach Poppy. I loved it, but I don't think I will by the full size because it's kind of expensive.

Ok, so there all of the products I've used up. I'm very proud of working through some of these and I have several more I'm almost done with :) It's so satisfying to use up a product, isn't it? What have you used up lately? Let me know in a comment below and I will see you all next time!

Daily Tidbits
1. I started school last week and it's already stressing me out to the max.
2. I've been sick with a cold and I really just want to be better.
3. Its not even 50 degrees here in Wisconsin today and I was very happy to bust out leggings and a sweater today! :)

Back to School Haul: Supplies and Dorm Items

Hey beauties! Like it or not, school is just around the corner. Some of you might have already started and others till have a tiny bit of summer left. I move back to college on the 29th and classes start the 2nd of September. I'm really looking forward to being back on campus and being in the routine of going to class, studying, not to mention seeing all my friends and my sorority sisters!

Now, I'm a weird one, I'll admit it. I love buying back to school supplies. I get really excited about getting cute supplies to keep me orgainized. Maybe it's the inner school teacher in me, which is what I'm going to school for by the way. So I made sure I went and got some cute new supplies at Walmart. I wanted to share with you what I picked up.

Well there it is, I hope you enjoyed my video. I will definitely be doing a video of all my study/school organization tips once I get to school and have my little study area set up. I hope you all are having a great day! See ya next time!

Daily Tidbits:
1. My grandparents and I are currently in the process of moving to a smaller apartment. There are boxes everywhere!
2. The Cab is playing at Welcome Weekedn at my college. I'm super excited and I hope they play music from their new ep!
3. I'm going to film a couple tutorials this week that I'm vey excited about. 2 hair tutorials and a makeup tutorial!

The Beauty Blogger Tag

Hi ya'll! I came across this tag on The Floral Bunny's blog and I really wanted to do it. Enjoy!!

Rules:
State that the tag was created by The Beau Bow
Tag as many beauty bloggers as you would like
Title this post the ‘Beauty Blogger Tag’

 

Questions & Answers: 

1. Name a beauty routine you barely do.
 I definitely don't use an exfoliator in my skin care routine as much as I should. I will do it if I remember, or I feel like my face is alittle patchy, but I maybe use an exfoliator once or twice a month.

2. Is washing your brushes something that you regularly do?
 I try....I wash them once a month. I don't use a brush for my foundation anymore so I almost feel like I can get away with it. I will wash my concealer brush more often though.

3. How long do you last with chipped nail varnish?
 I try to paint my nails at least once a week(sometimes if I have time or am bored i'll do it more often). I can't last to much longer because the chipping will look really bad. My nails tend to chip right away even with an awesome top coat so by the end of the week, my nails look pretty chipped.

4. How often do you put off buying/replacing a beauty item or nail polish, even if you need it? 
I will replace right away, usually. If its a skin care item, I'll have bought a replacement before I run out. If it's a foundation, I will try and use others(I have too many!)

5. What is your worst beauty habit? 
 I have a bad habit of touching my face, which makes my foundation wear off faster, I also rub my eyes. Bad Jess! I also don't throw out my mascaras when I need to.  

6. Name something non-beauty related that you tend to put off all the time.
 laundry! Not necessarily laundry but once I do it, I tend to let it sit in the hamper after taking it out the dryer. It will sit there for days and I will take out the clothes I want to wear for the day.

7. When going out somewhere do you leave getting ready until the last-minute or not? 
I like to get ready an hour or so before I have to leave. I don't like feeling rushed and want to have time to fix any makeup misshaps if they happen.

8. Can you commit to spending bans?
 I try to but it never works out well and I tend to go on a big shopping spree instead. Oops....

9. How organized is your make up and nail polish collection?
 My makeup collection has always been very well organized. My nail polish is finally organized in a way I'm happy with and I will be doing an updated nail polish collection video on my channel soon!

10. What is the longest time you have gone without writing a blog post?
I've gone a long time, like months. Trying to get better about posting.

 

Ok, Thanks for ready everyone! I tag everyone to do this tag. Leave a comment below linking to your post or even just do the tag in the comments.

 

Daily Tidbits:

1. Lots of life changes going on for me right now in regards to work life. Will keep you posted.

2. New video going up on my channel today!

3. Only 27 more days till I move back to college!!

4. New blog site is coming along!

I'm Moving!!

Hello beauties.  This is a really exciting post because I'm moving....to a new blogging platform. I'm currently building a new blogging site to use instead of blogger just so I have a little more options for personalization. I'm going to be using the website called Weebly. I had used that site in school for my online teaching portfolio and liked it so much that I decided to use that for my blogging. I will post the link for it when the website is ready for viewing and posting. Until then, if you want to keep up with me, follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/JessicaBellBeck  or my youtube channel youtube.com/bellsbeauty.

Happy Independence Day!! & Updates

Hello beauties! Happy Independence Day! I just wanted to take a quick second to thank all of our veterans and those currently in the service for all that they do, laying down their lives so we can live in freedom. Remember as your grilling out, watching the fireworks and parades as well as any holiday shopping you might be doing, what this weekends all about. Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. Just a quick note, I will not be posting a new video today like normal as it is the holiday, but one did go up on my channel earlier this week:

Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works Semi Annual Sale Haul!

I do have some reviews coming to this blog later in the coming weeks so stay tuned. Hope everyone has a happy, safe holiday weekend and I'll see you next week!

What's In My Makeup Bag

Hi beauties! I've done a post like this a few months ago and thought I'd do an update. I like putting a few select items in a makeup bag to encourage me to use them, whether its because I'm testing out a new product, I want to show some love to an old product, or I'm trying to use it up.  However, the items I have in my bag currently are simply my easy, go-to everyday look. I've been using these items since April when I was always in a hurry to get out of my dorm and to class/workstudy/sorority business. I figured it was time to show what's in it.

 

 

 

 For face products, I really wanted to have products that focused on brightening my skin, offered me lots of coverage, and required little effort to apply. I have Laura Geller's Under Makeup Spackle in Champaign for my primer. It does a really nice job of giving me an even base for my foundation and it has shimmer in it that really makes my skin glow. and since it does have a little color to it, there were days I would apply just this and skip foundation.
Speaking of foundation, I have L'Oreals Dream Lumi foundation.  I like this because it has a pump and again really brightens my skin.  I apply this with my hands so I don't have to worry about fussing with makeup brushes. For days when my skin is looking extra dull, I have Benefits Sunbeam, which I apply on my cheek bones. For blush, I have Maybelline's new Face Studio Mosiac Blush, which offers me a very nice flush of color that I don't have to think to much while applying.

Of course for concealer, I am still using Benefits Erase Paste, which I cannot find an alternative for. It is holy grail status for this product! It offers me so much coverage, it literally erasing my dark, under eye circles. But the other thing I really like about this product is that it doesn't settle into the fine lines around my eyes, which almost every other concealer I've tried does. So this concealer will always be in my makeup collection.

For eye primer I have a couple different options since I like to mix it up.  I have two Maybelline Color Tattoos, which I've raved about for years, another holy grail for me.  The first one I have is Barely Beige(top left) which as you can see I have hit pan on.  I'm trying to use this up and its starting to dry out on me so I don't know how much longer I have to use it. The other is Inked in Pink, which I like to use on its own or with my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette.
I also have a primer to use underneath those and its the Wet N Wild Fergie Collection primer. I really like this primer, its a great affordable primer. I'm just about done with this tube, I have maybe a 1/3 of it left. I might repurchase it when I'm done because it doesn't crease and keeps my eyeshadows looking vibrant all day long!

Eyeshadows are something I usually mix up everyday with different palettes or quads. But on the days I'm really in a hurry I stick to this trio from Wet N Wild in Silent Treatment. In all honesty, I just take the bottom color in the trio, which is a very beautiful, duo chrome silvery purple color. Since it is a metallic color, it changes color in the light so it works great for a one shadow look.
I use the L'Oreal pressed pigment eyeshadow in Endless Pearl for my highlight. I really like these shadows but I feel like I rarely reach for them(this could be said about most of my single shadows though) and this one in particular is a great highlight and I love using it. It's buttery and pigmented and last a long time.

So that's what's in my current makeup routine. What are some of your go to products? Thanks for reading!

Brand Highlight: Favorite NYX Products!

Hey beauties. I just wanted to post my latest video on my youtube channel, featuring my favorite NYX products. I've been really loving this brand lately, featuring its products in several of my past videos. I figured it was time to do a video dedicated to my favorite products, the ones I could not live with out. Check it out and tell me what you think!

 

Thanks and have a great memorial day!

Sigma Brushes Memorial Day Sale: 20% Off Select Brushes!

Hey beauties! Who's ready for Memorial Day Weekend Sales? I know I am!! I will be posting a separate blog post featuring all the sales that I know about tomorrow afternoon. But I wanted to get this sale up tonight so you all know about it. Sigma Brushes, which I am affiliate of, is offering an amazing sale for Memorial Day. 20% off select brushes! Normally, Sigma doesn't do a lot of sales like this so this is a great time to try their brushes, which are fantastic by the way! Below is a list of all the brushes that are included with this sale as well as two kits that are also being offered.

Single Brushes:
E11-Eyeliner
E16-Tightline Eyeliner
E17-Waterline Eyeliner
E46-Shader-Inner Corner
E56-Shader-Lid
E70-Medium Angled Shading
F45-Buffer
F65-Large Concealer
P80-Precision Flat
P82-Precision Round
P84-Precision Angled
P86-Precision Tapered

Kits-
Sigmax Precision Kit-Sigmax Precision 5 Piece Kit
Spot-On Concealer Kit-Spot-On Concealer Kit

Sale starts tomorrow, Friday May 23, and goes through Monday May 26. Enter code MD20 at checkout. I think if I were to have to choose any of the above to order, I would definitely go with either one of the kits. I love my Sigmax Precision kit that I own. I would also go for the E70 Medium Angled Shader Brush. I use that brush every single day for my highlight shades, you can't go wrong with it! Hope this information was useful for you! If you have any further questions please let me know and I'll answer them as best as I can! Stay gorgeous!

Latest video: February 2014 Favorites!!

 

Hello beauties, happy Friday!! To celebrate, here's my February favorites. I rediscovered a lot of old products from my collection, and have fallen in love with them all over again. Enjoy!!

 



Sigma Brushes March Updates: 10% off code, Paris Palette, and a Beauty Box?

Hello beauties! Today I just want to update you with some great stuff that's happening over at the Sigma site. Mostly on ways you can save some money when shopping for some new goodies. I love saving money don't you?

 First off I have the new 10% off code- MAR2014 type this in at checkout for 10% off.  Plus you get a free gift if you spend over $30. This month is a travel E25 Blending brush. I love this brush and have it in the travel size as well. I receive these codes every month so I will make sure to post the new code at the beginning of the month :)

Next is a good bargain on a popular palette Sigma has on their site. The Paris Palette which is normally $59 is on sale for $49 which is $10 off. Plus you can use the 10% off code on that and save even more! You end up getting the palette for only $44.10! And you get so much stuff with this palette. You get 8 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, a highlighter and two brushes( E 55 Flat Shader Brush and the F40 Large Angle Contour ) You get a lot of bang for your buck with this palette :)

Lastly I want to share with you something I'm really excited about something Sigma is launching exclusively for the month of March. They are jumping on the beauty box bandwagon and teaming up with Jaclyn Hill to release a beauty box of their own. It's a bit expensive at $90 but use the 10% off code to save on this kit, its a must have. You get 6 of Jaclyn's favorite, must have brushes. Here's the link to the
kit

 
Alight, I threw a lot of information at you all at once, sorry about that. But I hope I was able to give you some useful info and some ideas of products to try out. I would definitely jump on that Paris Palette while you still can cause that's a great deal and I'm super excited about the Jaclyn Hill kit. Are you planning a order from Sigma now? Let me know in a comment below and I'll see you all next time. Stay gorgeous!

 
 

Wish List Wednesday: NYX Butter Lipsticks

Hello beauties! Hurray for a new blogpost! I haven't written one in a long time. I'm super busy with school as I'm taking several education classes that require so many of observation hours for each. And hours of homework on top of that. I'm tired and burnt out but hey only 17 more days till spring break!!

Anyway, I've been super good with not buying any makeup, haven't bought a single product since November, go me! I'm paying for school currently and so my budget is super tight.  So because I haven't been able to go buy new products to try and review, I thought I'd do a Wish List Wednesday and talk about a product I'm currently pining after.

The product I really want to try is actually from the drugstore, so it's super affordable. NYX has been putting out a ton of new products, new eyeshadows, baked blushes(I might cave and buy one, they are only $5 and I have a coupon for Ulta) and these new butter lipsticks. They came out with butter glosses awhile back and I really like those. So when I saw the lipstick display at Ulta, it took every ounce of will power I had not to buy some. As I do not have any to swatch I will link a blog post by pursebuzz who did a great job swatching all the lipsticks. I really want to try Gum Drop, Taffy and, because I love a bright fun lip, Hunk.

This line seems to have a color for everyone and looks simply beautiful. I really hope to find some extra cash to buy a few of these as well as some of the other new products from NYX, which is probably my favorite drugstore brand ever. Are there any new products from the drugstore you've been dying to try? Let me know in a comment below! Thanks for reading, stay gorgeous!

Latest Video: Get Ready With Me Featuring the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Hey beauties! Today I decided to do a get ready with me video, not something I normally do cause I don't have the time to do it. In it I play with my new Naked 3 palette. Enjoy!

Products mentioned:

Laura Geller Champaign Spackle Primer
L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation
Benefit Erase Paste
Makeup Forever HD Powder
Sheer Cover Duo Concealer
Too Faced All I Want For Christmas Compact-Blush
Benefit Sunbeam High Light
Maybelline Color Tattoo Barely Beige
Urban Decay Naked 3
Jordana Fabuliner
Buxum Mascara
Maybelline Lash Discovery
Chella Highlighter Pencil
Mac Tinted Lip Condtioner