Currently My Go-To Beauty Items

Currently My Go-To Beauty Items by caliloverslife 

PMD Personal Microderm: I recently received this as a gift and I am IN LOVE!! Use it once a week and my face is glowing! 

DDF Exfoliating Gel & DDF Moisturizer: For the longest time I wanted to try the DDF line. I found some products at Tj Maxx at a great discounted price and I had to have. I have been hooked ever since!! Every time I bop in to Tj Maxx I see if they have any, and when they do I stock up! Sometimes I have to order online at full price (or find the best price available) but I really like it so I'll pay.

Fresh lip treatment & Fresh coral: By far this is my favorite lip treatment I have come across. When I'm in a rush or just don't feel like messing around with stains, lipstick or gloss I grab this and go. They have many different shades to choose from. Currently my fav is coral and rose.

Chanel: Soleil Tan de CHANEL. I have had this product for awhile and just currently started to use it again. I mix it with my MURAD tinted primer and it gives my skin that subtle sunkissed effect. Not making it very sparkly like some highlighter bronzers can do. I put on a little setting powder and out the door I go. It's perfect for days like today when its gloomy and raining.

Urban Decay matte eye shadow: I find myself going to this pallet more often then any other shadows or pallets I have. And let me tell you I have ALOT!! As I get older (almost 30 -- tear just fell) I have gone away from shimmery shadows. I feel they can accent fine lines and well, they kind of remind me of teenage girls. --- But thats just me --- It is the perfect set of neutrals all in one cute little package. 

Tarte brown eyeliner: I mostly always use liquid liner. But I love this one because I find it perfect for the upper inner lash line. It stays all day, super creamy and goes on like butter! For days when I do not feel like making a whole face I line my inner lash line (upper) apply some mascara and done! Natural beauty at its finest and it makes your eyes pop and look like you have thicker lashes. 

Maybelline Mega Plush: Yes my ALL TIME FAVORITE mascara is Maybelline. I have used tons of higher end ones like, YSL, DIOR, Lancome, Chanel and I can't even remember the rest at the moment. Yes I did like some of them but for the price I was never in love. My drug store one always won! I like this plush one because it dons not dry out my lashes like some and its easy to get off! Nor does it flake off! 

Mason Pearson brush: OMG I can't believe I paid this much for a brush!! How much better could it be?? The first time I found out about this brand was at the salon I went to back in San Diego. Its all they used. About 2 years I broke down and bought one. I cant explain it but its amazing. I clean mine once a week and "dry brush" it about every day and I can assure myself I will have this same one years and years from now!! 

Last but not least I have been obsessing over neutral browns and grays nail polish. Not sure why I guess its just the mood I'm in lately. 

I hope you come back again and check out whats going on at CaliLoversLife!! 

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xo,

CLL

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Mini Makeup Haul

Mini Makeup Haul by caliloverslife 

So.. I had a mini makeup haul over the past two weeks. I had a ton of M.A.C. empty eyeshadow pots to turn in. I had enough to pick out 4 free shadows! Check out my previous post for those details. 

Recently I had a facial with my mom and the lady used Murad products. She recommended this acne and shine control Skin Perfecting Primer and a whole lot of other things!! That is part of the job to get us to spend more money! I was really only drawn to the primer. I currently use this one. (Post to come in the future on all the tinted moisturizers/cc creams I had tried.) When I run out of facial scrub I might try this one she also recommended. I waited to purchase any of the products because I LOVE to look at all the different reviews before I spend the money and commit. So, after much reading I figured I would give it a try. So far I have only used it twice and seem to like it. I still get slick face by the end of the day but by now I have come to realize nothing will ever fix it! :-( 

Love that I can see myself taking this pic..haha..

I have been looking for a good matte coral blush lately but have not had much luck. I don't know if its that when I am looking my mood is just not right or maybe I can't get myself to commit and then what if I hate it. *ugh* I have a Bobbi Brown blush in penoy and it has become my everyday go-to blush. So I went back to Bobbi Brown to find a coral. I ended up with apricot. It looks so vibrant in the pallet but once you put it on it is not as bright. I LOVE IT!! It's possible this could be my favorite of all time. It makes your face just look so fresh! 

Of course I can't just get ONE thing so I ended up leaving with a new matte bronzer. Now that I am getting older I try and stay away from sparkles and sheen finishes. I feel like it just accents the fine lines that are appearing! *cry* I currently use this one but not in love. Sometimes I think it looks a little dirty. The lady set me up with Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in golden light. (My pictures do not do any justice to the color. Thanks a lot iPhone 4s!) I have used it maybe 3 times and so far I am very happy with it. Looks like this will be a staple for my makeup routine. 

The last splurge was the the Butter London Summer Collection Bit Faker. I have a fair about of B.L. nail polish. I do not like them all that much. They have some great colors but I feel like they chip so fast no matter what kind of base or top coat I use. I do however LOVE all the glitter polishes they have. They have great coverage and tons of glitter. I don't have to put a ton of coats like other brands to get my desired look. The crazy part is the glitter polishes do not chip super fast. So I will defiantly spend the money for a good glittery polish! Ever since the summer collection came out I have been drooling over this bronze glitter. I love it just as much as I dreamed I would! 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Until next time...

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xo,

CLL <3

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DIY Sunday Mask

Lately I have been into DIY skincare trying the all natural 'make-your-own' remedies. My skin has been breaking out in some nasty blemishes recently. When I was in my teens I never had a huge acne problem so I thought I was in luck! But, now in my late 20's (crying!!) things have changed. My skin is oily in the T-zone. When I say oily if I am not careful with what I use my face becomes a slip-n-slide by mid-morning. YUCK! My eyes, around my lips, and neck can get very dry! When that happens it seems like no kind of moisturizer works. High or low price except this amazing Chanel sample I received. But lets be real I can not afford the $340 price tag! I did however find this two weeks ago and fell in love. Much better on the bank account at $23. (More about it in a future post.) Anyways lets get back to this mask.   

For the past month or two I have been having 'Mask Sunday'. At first I was doing a plain Aztec clay mix but the past few sundays I have been adding some activated charcoal. So far I have not had any problems with extra breakouts or bad reactions. I am not exactly sure how I feel about the results. Nothing magical like we all hope happens. :-( My skin does however feel soft and clean when I wash it off. I think the trick is to use the right products after to help prevent gunk and dirt from getting back in. And also to help close the pores. You have to be very diligent with skincare as well or it just reverts back. This mask can be very drying so defiantly need to moisturize well after.

Lets get started! 

Use a glass or silicone small bowl. First open a capsule of activated charcoal. I used this one. Be careful, this can be VERY messy.  

If doing only a single mask use 1/2 tsp. (two masks at once use 1 tsp.)

Add 1/2 tsp Aztec clay.

Add equal amounts of Bragg apple cider vinegar. Either 1/2 or 1 tsp depending on the about of clay used.

Once the cider hits the clay it will start to bubble and react. 

Mix together with something plastic or wood. I like to use chopsticks. 

This batch came out a little thick so I just added a bit more cider. Mix until you have a nice consistency. Not to thick, not to watery. (Normally my charcoal is in a jar and I just pour some out. But I am visiting my family so I packed the capsules for easy travel.) 

Apply to face with either fingers or brush. I used a old foundation brush. You can also find mask brushes for cheep. Warning: It will be very messy if you use your fingers! 

You will feel your face pulsate and become tight. If it is to much then wash off early. Leave on until dry. About 15 min +/- depending how thick it is.

Rinse off and done! (Your skin may be a little red after but that is normal with this clay and will go away with in 30 min. Mine goes away after I moisturizer.)

I use the following products after my mask.

1st sweep on a Neutrogena treatment pad. 

Next, apply Glow by Dr. Brandt revitalizing retinol eye cream. (Just starting using this in the past two weeks and like.)

3rd I apply DDF Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Oil Control Gel (LOVE this!!)

Lastly moisturize with grape seed oil. I have been using this at night for the past few weeks. I have been on the hunt for a good night moisturizer but have not found one I want to spend the money on and take the risk. I was using Clinique Moisture Surge Intense. I liked it but I guess not enough to buy it again. I want something with anti-againg properties. I have tried so so so many I am kind of just numb on having hopes of finding one. So if you have something you like PLEASE let me know! ;-)

Hope you enjoyed this and maybe try it. 

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XO

CLL

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Everyday Must Have

Clarisonic Classic Sonic Skin Cleansing System

I bought this on QVC back in late 2007 when it was first becoming popular. I have used it everyday since then! I absolutely LOVE my Clarisonic. I have not had any problems with it. I have taken it on short trips with me using only one charge, that lasts me at least one weeks use. I use it at night in the shower (I find it is much easier that way, then over the sink with water droplets flying all over). I do not use it twice it day because I feel it can dry my skin out. (I have normal to oily skin). I do still use a scrub once a week since this is not meant for exfoliation, but just some squeaky clean cleansing. It is an investment but you will be so happy you did!!