Shop Miss A!! A bargain hunter's dream?

What if there was a dollar store that had amazing makeup, jewelery, and accessories and you could shop for all of it from your couch?  What if they offered free shipping on orders over $30 and had good customer service too? I found this amazing site called ShopMissA.com and I love it!!  I have placed 3 orders so far and I have been able to get a wide variety of their products and feel like I can tell you what to look for and give you tips on it all. The biggest thing to watch out for is lead in their jewelry.  This is my only disappointment with this store.  I love the jewelry that I got from them, but several of the pieces had warning labels that stated "not intended for children," "for ages 14 and older," etc.  I believe one even had the "this product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause.." label.  Some of their jewelry items do say "lead free" on the website but not all do.  In the future I will only be ordering items that state "lead free" on the website. My only other warning is that you need to check your package and everything in it thoroughly right when you get it.  If anything is broken or defective or you just want to return or exchange something, you only have 3 business days from when your package arrived to you.  I had 3 out of my 40 something items that were broken/defective in my first order and 1 in my second order and 3 in the third. With the 1st order I contacted them about 2 weeks later and at first they just told me their policy and that I had missed their cutoff.  They did give me store credit when I complained that their cutoff date was not a normal amount of days for a return and that it was only listed on the site under the returns tab (which you wouldn't check until you were already trying to do a return and you might already be too late without even knowing it at that point).  The only other con is that stuff sells out quickly.  They get some really amazing things for $1 but usually the best colors and options are sold out when I look at the site.  They have an email subscription that alerts you when they add inventory and I would highly recommend joining it if you love the site. Thanks for reading!!  Have you ever tried this site?  Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!

Review: One 'n Only Shiny Silver Ultra Conditioning Shampoo + Conditioner

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Best uses: combating yellow or orange tones in medium to light blonde hair (it works better in lighter blonde hair).

Why I picked it:  I had heard good things about Clairol's Shimmering Lights purple shampoo, but I had also read that it smelled bad and wasn't very moisturizing and might dry out your hair a bit.  So when I went to pick it up I decided to look at a few other brands at Sally's Beauty Supply.  I liked that this one had moisturizing ingredients in it and it smelled really yummy.

What I loved:  This purple shampoo was effective, did not dry out my hair and it smelled good.  My husband even noticed that it helped my hair look "less orange."

What I didn't love:  The only complaint I have is that it isn't sulfate free.  My hair, scalp and bacne (I know that's not really a word) do better with sulfate free shampoo and conditioner.

Overall:  I would highly recommend this to anyone with blonde hair.  It will make your hair look amazing!

P.S.  I'm posting my going blonde pics and story later this week and will link it here after it posts. :)

Gift Guide 2014 for the Beauty Obsessed

I love all of the beauty gift sets that come out around this time of year!  There are so many affordable options for sampling high cost brands.  I found a few that really intrigued me, and that had high reviews, to put together this post.

Two years ago I bought a benefit gift set at a great price and I was so excited about it.  I actually ended up hating all of the products, but I was so glad that I was able to try them at well below full price.  After that experience I have started looking at reviews closer and trying to find products that will work for me.

All of the products above had high reviews :)

1. Too Faced Bronzer Wardrobe Collection $22 Sephora

This set comes with four bronzer shades, including two of Too Faced's famous chocolate bronzers and a brush for applying.  It has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on sephora.com the most common complaint is that the packaging is cardboard.  I don't really care what it's in as long as it is amazing :)

2.  Benefit The Real Steal $24 Ulta

The Real Steal features the cult favorites They're Real mascara and Push Up liner and They're Real remover, the liner has an amazing applicator for precise liner.  The set is rated 4 out of 5 stars on Ulta.com.

3.  Caviar Stone Bracelet $14 Vanity

I know this isn't technically a beauty item, but I wanted to include some pretty jewelry too.  This bracelet is from Vanity.com and I think it is stunning.

4.  EOS. A Ray of Holiday Sunshine Rachel Roy $6 Ulta

I can't get over this price for 3 EOS balms!  The trendy balm's moisturizing properties are up for debate in the review section, but they still earned a 4.5 out of 5 rating.  At this price it would be a great way to try them.

5.  Sephora Favorites Spray of Sunshine Fragrance Sampler For Her $24 Sephora

I read about what a great deal these samplers were over and over again last holiday season.  The set includes samples of multiple high end fragrances.  You use the samples and determine which is your favorite, you then turn in a card that is in the sampler for a rollerball of your chosen fragrance.  The reviews were favorable with the exception that you can only get the rollerball at a Sephora store that is not in JCP.

6.  Tarte Golden Days and Sultry Nights Amazonian Clay Collector's Shadow Palette $24 Sephora

The colors in this palette are so gorgeous!  They apply as more of a sheer shade and are not as dramatic as they appear in the palette.  The palette itself is gorgeous and contains full size shadows.

7.  Gem Stone Head Wrap $9 Vanity

This wrap has some nice chunky stones that would be gorgeous for any dressy look.

8.  Sexy Hair Voluptuous Volume $16 Ulta

Pump up the volume in your hair with Spray and Play hairspray and Root Pump Plus, this kit has a perfect 5 out of 5 stars rating with two rave reviews.

9.  Beaded Dream Catcher Earrings $7 Forever21

These are the most gorgeous earrings in my book!  They have beautiful details and are perfect mini dream catchers.  There are a lot of other pretty jewelry options on F21's site.

10.  Sephora Collection Bronzed and Blushing Face Palette $15

A large mirror and three decent sized powders come in this kit.  The blushes and bronzers are super pigmented and a little goes a long way.  This set has a 4.1 out of 5 star rating on Sephora.com.

11.  NYX Butter Lip Gloss Sugar Rush Set $10 Ulta

These lip glosses are very hydrating and non-sticky and come in three yummy flavors.  This set has a 5 out of 5 star rating on Ulta and the Butter Lip Glosses have a 4.5 rating.

12.  BareMinerals Beauty Obsessed $25 Ulta

This kit comes with trial sized eyeliner, mascara, bronzer and blush duo, and lipgloss.  The set has a 4.5 out of 5 star average rating on Ulta.com.

13.  Faux Crystal and Feather Pendant Necklace $5 Forever 21

I really like the look of these stacked single pendant necklaces that is trendy right now.  I also love the boho feel of the crystal and the feather on this one.

14.  Lorac Party Eyeshadow Palette $24 Ulta

This palette is so pretty!  The shades are super pigmented and shimmery.  Perfect for a party!  It is brand, spankin' new so there are no reviews on Ulta, but searching online I found a rave review and it was enough to convince me to keep it in this guide.

Do you have a beauty wish list this holiday season?  Let me know in the comments below.

Review: Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealer

4 out of 5 stars

Best uses:  Highlighting, concealing under eye circles while highlighting, matte finish highlight with no shimmer, sheen, glitter, etc.

Why I like it:  The wand is easy to use, it lasts a long time, it provides good coverage and a natural looking highlight, blends easily.

What I don't like:  If my skin is dry at all, this makes it look worse.

How I use it:  I like to apply it right along the lowest part of my under eye, you know that line or indent that goes from the inner corner of your eye, at an angle out and down, I put it right in that low spot and blend gently with my finger.

If I have more time then I will apply along the skin right next to the bottom of my nose, a little right down the center of the bridge of my nose, a bit on the tip of my chin and a wedge/triangle under my eye.

Summer Style: Pink Striped Maxi Dress

hair how to

Dress: Connection 18 (TJ Maxx) ($15) / Denim Shirt: Forever 21 ($10 secondhand) / Shoes: Dollhouse ($14) (Ross) / Watch: Betsey Johnson (TJ Maxx) ($35) / Rosebud Earrings: Rue 21 ($5 in a set) / Hairstyle how to: here

Outfit total: less than $80

I got to go Birthday shopping with my mother in law this week.  We weren't able to go earlier because she was on vacation.  We found this dress and my watch at TJ Maxx.

I absolutely love this dress!  I love the color of pink it is and it is sooo comfy.  Striped maxi dresses are so gorgeous for summer.  They are so easy but look amazing!  Adding to the outfit with a kimono, blazer, or chambray top gives it a little something extra :)

I found as many similar items on Amazon as I could.  If you live near a TJ Maxx and want the watch, check to see if they have them.  They were only $35 in store and they are around $100 on Amazon.

**These are affiliate links, so if you choose to buy something from them, I will receive a small commission from Amazon, this will not affect the price you pay**

Thanks so much for reading!!  Comment below with your favorite summer clothes :)

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Also linked with the Pleated Poppy link, the Penniless Socialite link, the trend spin link up with the Fashion Canvas and Walking in Memphis in High Heels, and the Real Arnolds link up.

Summer Makeup Kit

Summer makeup is a bit of a different animal.  You don't particularly want to look made up, but you want to look radiantly gorgeous.  You want to look like your absolute best self.  Like, "Hey!  Look how good the sun and this gorgeous summer weather has been to me."  

These are some of my favorite products to help you get this kind of a look and to make it last through sweat and summertime adventures.

e.l.f. Studio BB Cream $6- This BB cream has the best coverage out of the BB creams I have tried so far.  It is still lighter and more moisturizing though than foundation, which makes it great for Summertime :)  Also it has SPF 20. e.l.f. Essential All Over Color Stick in Persimmon $1- This is great as a blush and you can use it as eyeshadow, I really like it best for blush though, and I tried it on my lips once and it wasn't cute at all.  Ha ha!  Pink Lemonade or Golden Peach would also be great shades for Summer. e.l.f. Complexion Brush $3- This brush works great for powder for setting your foundation, for blush, and for bronzer.  It is very soft and dense and has a great shape. NYC Mosaic Face Powder in Pink Cheeky Glow $3- This is an amazing matte (not sparkly) pink blush that is very flattering on all skin tones.  It has great color payoff and because it is a mosaic you can very your color slightly depending on where you sweep your brush.  Applying this over the apples of your cheeks over the color stick helps your makeup set and last even longer. e.l.f. Studio Baked Bronzer in St. Lucia $3- I love this bronzer for adding a touch of warmth, I used to contour my jaw line and everything with it but realized it's not quite the right shade for that.  Use the complexion brush with this and apply it just below and slightly on the bottom of where you applied your blush.  Then around the top of you forehead, a bit on the bottom of your chin and along the sides of your nose and a bit down the sides of your neck if your face is looking darker than your neck.  So use it kinda as a contour and kinda as a bronzer and it will be great :) e.l.f. Mineral Eye Shadow Primer $3- This is a great primer for eye makeup.  Apply it all over your eyelids and it will keep makeup from creasing and help it last longer.  For Summer proof makeup apply this then your eye  e.l.f. Essential Smudge Pot in Cruisin' Chic $3- You can use this for a one color eye look that is multidimensional and perfect for Summer.  Just use your fingertip to pat it onto your lower lid from inner corner to outer corner then smudge into your crease. Avon Kohl Eyeliner in Intense Brown or True Black $3.99 (on sale)- This eyeliner is so easy to apply.  It glides on smoothly and you can smudge it out a bit for a great almost smokey eye look.  It does not smudge or smear throughout the day though. Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara $7- This is a great lengthening, defining mascara.  It gives more of a natural look that I love for Summer.  The waterproof formula is great for a pool day. e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit $3- Gorgeous defined brows will take your makeup to the next level.  This brow gel and powder will make perfecting your brows easy-peasy. I did not include it in the picture, but a great setting material for your makeup in summer is cornstarch.  So if you are not a fan of the dewy look that this BB cream may leave you with, use that same complexion brush and dip it in a bit of cornstarch and tap, tap, tap the excess off and then apply sparingly to your t-zone and wherever else.  Sparingly is the key here.  See more here.

Thanks so much for reading!! Comment below with your favorite Summer makeup products. Linking up with Makeup Monday here, and #MondayFunday here, and Peacoats and Plaid here.

Coupons and Deals

I want to do more posts that actually help you save money on good makeup products.  Today I decided I would give myself 30 minutes to look at coupons and drugstore ads to find some great deals.

Holy cow!  This is not an easy task.  Most drugstore deals aren't as good as they seem when you factor in that part of the savings has to be used on another transaction.  With stores like Rite aid you have to come back the next day or later to redeem your "reward."

So here's what I found...

If you live near CVS and need toothpaste (I know, not exactly beauty related) you can get some for free on the spot.  Follow this link to get a manufacturer's coupon ($1 off) and go to the store to print out a coupon from the red box ($2 off) and use both for free toothpaste. :)
Also they have Crest toothpaste for $2.99 and you get a $2 reward for buying it and there's a coupon for 50 cents off here.  So you would still pay $1.49 out of pocket, but then you'd have $2.00 to spend on something else.  (I might be super boring and domestic and use it to buy two of their dawn dish soaps that are on sale for $.99)

At Target if you buy three Secret deodorants you get a $5 gift card.  Use these two links link link for coupons off of the deodorant.  Buy it and then do the rest of your shopping and use your gift card.    If you don't want to buy three deodorants you can buy one or two and then round out your three required items with mouthwash, toothpaste, body wash, feminine hygiene items or shampoo/conditioner (here).  Coupons for these items: Crest here, same link Tampax, Always, Pantene, Olay, Head and Shoulders.  Almost everything in this promotion has a printable manufacturer's coupon.

At RiteAid they have L'oreal cosmetics 40% off and I have a $2 off coupon.  I'm planning on getting some of their True Match Mineral Makeup.  I've had this loose foundation in the past and loved it.  I am really not liking any liquid foundation at the moment :(
They also have Physician's Formula cosmetics BOGO free.  Which is awesome!  You don't see this deal that often.  Also if you spend $30 on select makeup you get a $10 reward.  If you are running low on a lot of stuff you could make this worth you while.  

At Walgreen's they have Sinful Colors nail polish for 99 cents.  If you have coupons preclipped they have other okay deals, but if you just rely on printables there really isn't any deals that are that great.


If you get the Ulta ad make sure you save the $3.50 off of $10.  Also the Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale starts today (see this post for tips on insane prices for bras) and there's a great sale going on at Rue 21 (text "june" to 78321 for the coupon).

Birthday Spending Money

This year for my Birthday I had a really hard time deciding on specific things that I wanted.  I've been really, really good at not spending money on myself this year.  We set a budget for almost everything and anything we would want to or need to spend on and I have tried really hard to make sure we come in under or at budget on everything.

I feel like it is like a starvation diet.  Anytime I am in a store I see all of the pretty things and if I weren't naturally a very frugal person, I know I would have a crazy binge shopping spree.

I had some birthday coupons, a leftover gift card from my birthday last year, and some birthday money.  So I took myself on a much needed birthday shopping spree!  Jackson and I went to three stores and got a lot of fun stuff.

First we went to Ulta.  I wandered around the store, but couldn't really find anything that I really wanted that was less than $30.  I didn't want to spend all of my money in one place so I used my free birthday mascara code and moved on.  

They give you a free full sized CK one mascara for your birthday.  It usually retails for $18.  There was something wrong with my code, but they had amazing customer service and made it work for me.

Next we went to Rue 21.  They had a whole table full of $5 shirts.  I almost went crazy and bought a bunch of them.  There were so many cute ones!  It is Rue 21 though and I have had a bit of bad luck in the past with their stuff holding up, and my little closet is already bursting at the seams.  So I reigned myself in and got the most practical cute shirt.  This one with black and white stripes and the long back.

Then I wandered around the store in search of some cute colored or floral skinny jeans.  I didn't find any that fit me, but I did find this really dark simple denim pair for $10 that actually fit well.

I had to check out their jewlery.  They always have cute stuff that is within my budget.  I found a few things I kinda liked that were not on sale.  Then I found quite a few necklaces that I really liked and realized that they were all on sale for $2.  So I got these three.

When I rang up I used the remainder of a gift card that I got last year.  So I paid $4.96 for a pair of jeans, a shirt, and three necklaces.  Wahoo!

My last stop was Victoria's Secret.  They had a few bins already set out for the Semi-Annual Sale.  I found a gorgeous bra for $19.99 (I thought).  $10 for an awesome bra!  I was so excited, so I went to ring up and realized that I had been distracted with Jackson and in a hurry and the sign actually said $19.99 and up.  The bra was still thirty odd dollars with my $10 off coupon.

I had to awkwardly tell the lady that I had been confused and that I didn't want the bra at that price.  Jackson at this point decided that he had had it and started screaming.  The cashier tried to hand me the bra and I probably was kind of rude when I said, "No. I don't want it."  Props to her because she was really cool about it and not rude at all when I came back to the register a few minutes later.

I was able to get him calmed down, which was nice, because I thought we were just going to have to go home at that point.  I found a concealer that was regularly $15.  It was on a 30% off sale and with my $10 off coupon I bought it for 53 cents.

So I went on a crazy fun little shopping spree and spent...$5.49

Thanks for reading!! P.S. I'm linking up with Beauty and the Greek and Manic Monday.