Best makeup brushes: Real Techniques review

After trying them out for just over two months, I can wholeheartedly say I LOVE Real Techniques brushes!

Samantha Chapman's line of makeup brushes is fantastic, affordable and high quality.

I don't have all the brushes... I think I just have 8 of them, but I think that's a pretty good number to rate them.

Here's my Top 4:

--Expert face brush ($9): This one is my absolute must-have. I use this brush to apply my foundation or BB cream (which is the only thing I've been wearing lately!) and I dab my under-eye concealer in with this as well. It's sturdy, dense and very easy to wash. I used to use a Clinique foundation brush that got really gross, even after washing it. This one is a third of the price and so much better. It's amazing when you're looking for more coverage and it doesn't leave my makeup streaky. If you're going to try one Real Techniques brush, I recommend this one.

--Powder brush ($10): Love, love, love this brush. It's a really big, super soft brush that I could sweep across my face all day. It's that soft. I use this to set my makeup with a powder. I, again, used to use a Clinique brush for this, and the Real Techniques brush is a lot bigger and softer. And so much more affordable.

--Blush brush ($9): I use this one for two things - applying blush and blending away any harsh lines on my face. At first, I didn't like this one for blush (I thought it was too large), but I've been using it this way for the last couple weeks. It picks up just the right amount of product and allows me to build the color. Otherwise, I love using this one to blend my bronzer and blush into my skin, so you can't tell where the product is starting or ending. The worst thing is going out and then realizing that my bronzer is very harsh, too obvious and just odd. I prefer the subtle look! For a flawless face, BLEND BLEND BLEND!

--Contour brush (only available in the Core Collection kit for $18): This is the perfect size brush for applying highlighter just at the top of my cheekbones. I don't use it to contour. I've been loving the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze for this.

As you can see in one of the photos, I also like my MAC brushes. But for much less money, I highly recommend Real Techniques brushes, especially my Top 4 picks!

I linked the above descriptions to Real Technique's website, but I bought them in person at Ulta. I recommend slowly building your brush collection with Ulta's amazing $3.50 off $10 coupons! Best deal around.

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Garnier BB Cream for combination to oily: Review + photos

The day has finally come: I tried BB cream.

Yes, it seriously took me this long. I didn't feel like I needed it, and quite honestly, I still don't. (Do we all really *need* BB cream?) Anyway, I just really wanted to try it.

I used to use Aveeno tinted moisturizer on days I didn't want full coverage, and I liked it a lot. However, once I ran out this last time a few months ago... I didn't feel the urge to repurchase it. Although I had repurchased it twice before.
Instead, I've been combining my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation with a little moisturizer to lighten it up.

Then I thought... there has to be something more convenient but with a bit more coverage than the Aveeno tinted moisturizer.

So after reading that the Garnier BB cream for combination to oily skin is MUCH better than the original formula, I figured I should finally try it. It was $11.99 at Walmart.

I have to say... success! At least so far. I did the usual deed with a dusting of powder, some bronzer and blush on top. And my skin looked like it had just as much coverage as when I use my Double Wear foundation mixed with some moisturizer (which is still pretty much medium coverage). It looked great!

When applying, it is extremely watery (heads up: I'm storing the tube upside down in my basket of products to prevent it from building up in the cap). I quickly got some on my hand, dotted it around my face, and then blended it in with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. It felt really light on the skin but with very good coverage. The light/medium shade matched me perfectly.

And overall, I have very oily skin. As in, I blot every couple hours. But with this BB cream... it felt like I didn't need to as much. Noooo way.

That never happens. Seriously.

I've had "holy grail" success with Garnier before, when they had a detoxifying gel facial cleanser that was discontinued several years ago, so I had some faith. Glad I went for it!

Going forward, I'm hoping it continues to be fantastic: no breakouts, no clogged pores, etc.

For now, things are looking up.

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OPI Bubble Bath nail lacquer: Review + photos

Steering away from my usual love for bright nail polish, I've been keeping an eye on nudes.

I already have some nudes, but they tend to be a bit more beige and brown than what I've been wanting.

Here comes OPI's Bubble Bath. I've seen this swatched quite a few times with high reviews on Makeupalley.com, but I didn't go out and buy it right away.

Now that I'm noticing a ton of my stuff is bright pink and coral (clothes, accessories, etc.), I'm trying to tone it down to show that I am, indeed, an adult!

So OPI's Bubble Bath does the job and is what I'm loving right now. It brightens up my hands without going the light pink route. It's not too obvious to anyone but me, and that's OK. It also looks quite pretty on my toes!

It has more pink than other nudes, but it stays modest. It's one to sport to work, for sure.

It is a little streaky for the first couple coats, but the third coat came out really smooth for me. I also wait about 10 minutes after each coat so I don't end up with air bubbles. With the third coat, it came out opaque.

The base coat I love right now is Revlon Colorstay Longwear Enamel Base Coat and my top coat must-have is Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. I'm linking to Makeupalley.com because I live by the reviews on there!

Seche Vite is a must for me because it really makes my nail colors LAST. They turn out glossy and hard as a rock. I started using cheaper ones again for a while, thinking it wouldn't be a big deal, but I realized the $10 is so worth it.

As for the OPI this time around, I got Bubble Bath and Mod About You (light pink) since ULTA has their 2 for $15 OPI sale lately. Plus I used the $3.50 off $10 coupon I love dearly, so I ended up with two OPI polishes for just over $12.

Love. It.

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Tory Burch Robinson Mini Satchel: Review + photos!

Ahh, yes. This is the bag I've been carrying around EVERYWHERE for the last month and what I'm loving right now.

It's my new black Tory Burch Robinson Mini Satchel.

I've been wanting a satchel again after sporting shoulder bags for the last couple years. I even considered the Louis Vuitton Speedy 30! But I knew I had to stay a bit more conservative in terms of price.

In came Tory Burch. While searching online, I spotted the Robinson Mini Satchel first on nordstrom.com. And I thought about it for a few weeks so I wouldn't make any rash decisions. Aren't I good?

Anyway, I eventually purchased it at Nordstrom and had to get another store to ship it to my apartment since my store didn't have it in black. I figured I haven't carried a black bag in a while, and "classic" is what I was looking for.

The Saffiano leather on this has been fantastic! I love that it feels so durable (though I still treat it like a baby) and pulls my look together.

It's also roomy for a mini. It holds everything I need, including a small cosmetic bag, iPhone, wallet, iPhone wristlet, and little odds and ends.

It also comes with a detachable shoulder strap that I've used just a handful of times. It's helpful to keep around in case you have your hands full when shopping, running errands, etc. Plus the bottom is very durable with four legs to keep it from directly touching surfaces.

Since I love it so much, I purchased the matching continental wallet within the last week, which I'm hoping will last me for quite a while.

And clearly, I love black leather since these go perfectly with my furniture in the photos!

I've read some reviews regarding the "cheap" or "dull" feel of Saffiano leather, but I disagree! I find it classy, clean, and sturdy. Not cheap. But that's just my opinion. So if you've also read those reviews, I hope you still check these items out in person because I find it to be a personal preference.

Overall, I am very content and now a big Tory Burch fan.

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Revlon Lip Butters Juicy Papaya + Wild Watermelon: Review + Photos

I got them!

After reviewing the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters line last week, I picked up 2 out of the 4 newest additions over the weekend: Juicy Papaya and Wild Watermelon.

I got Wild Watermelon first at Target and really liked it. It really does give my lips that "I just ate a cherry popsicle" look that many vloggers have raved about.

Since I'm not really used to having bold lips, I dab it on and go - just like with Sweet Tart.

Then after reading some rave reviews about Juicy Papaya, I got it yesterday at Target. I think we have a WINNER!

Juicy Papaya definitely lives up to the "juicy" name. I use my go-to Carmex Moisture Plus clear lip balm underneath and the Lip Butter goes on REAL smooth. It then has an extremely juicy look. I also don't have to just dab it on. I can swipe and reapply all I want.

No lip gloss necessary, for sure... even more than the other Lip Butters, in my opinion.

If you want an idea of what it looks like on me, check out the photo in my Target Sunglasses post from yesterday.

The orange in the tube can look intimidating for someone who doesn't typically wear oranges, but it's so sheer and natural. Get this if you were considering it!

I may need another tube just as a back-up.

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$16.99 Target sunglasses: Review + photos

What am I loving right now? These hot sunglasses from Target!

Yep, Target. Bargain! They are so simple, yet feel really sleek, sexy and cool. They are super glossy, and the lenses are really dark (which I love).

When something feels/looks amazing on AND they're inexpensive... don't they feel even better?

Unlike the typical cheap wayfarers I see at Target, these have a slightly different detail on the ends. I adore them. And they're a bit heavier, more durable, than other sunglasses in the store.

I usually try on a dozen sunglasses at Target every now and then because it's fun. They're cute when you walk by them, but then they typically don't live up to your (already slightly low) expectations.

But today, jackpot!

I loved these as soon as I put them on. I purchased Ray-Ban wayfarers before at Nordstrom and sadly returned them because of the way they're designed. They slightly tilt into your cheeks, and that doesn't work for my face. When I smile, the whole pair moves up! Awkward.

So anyway, these Target shades were PERFECT. They didn't hit my cheeks like Ray-Ban wayfarers do, AND they passed my "sit on top of my head" test. If they fit well on the top of my head like a headband, they're considered treasure... because my head... is .. shaped weird?

But even after all of this, I hesitated and figured I'll hold off and find a more expensive pair down the road that I know will last me forever. I usually wear my Ray-Ban aviators or Marc Jacobs sunnies. And I figured I'm fine for now. You know... save $$$ whenever I can.

But then, like a weirdo, I went back to the store a couple hours later. Luckily, Target is really close to my apartment.

I'm so happy I did. Love, love, love. For $16.99, they can't be beat. Bargain! I have another pair of Target shades from a year or so ago, and those actually feel like cheap plastic. But these don't! Can't wait to put them on again in the morning on the way to work.

Highly recommend. (Oh, and in the photo, I'm wearing my new Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya! Review soon!)

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Peonies: Where to buy these stunning gems

Happy Friday! I just got done with my workweek and am now relaxing at home.

As I type this, I'm sitting right in front of beautiful pink peonies. They are definitely what I'm loving right now.

For years, I saw them all the time online, especially on Pinterest. But I never really knew where to get them.

They're not often found in grocery stores, at least not in the Phoenix area.

But thankfully, I was on Google to see where I could buy them - and I stumbled upon social media posts about how people love the peonies they purchased at Trader Joe's! Yesss.

So after work the other day, I called the nearest Trader Joe's to see if they carried any. Though, of course, not before going online to figure out how to pronounce the name. Pee-OWN-ees or Pee-UH-nees? I ended up going with the latter.

"Yes! $6.99!" ...Hurrah!

There were just a few options to choose from in store, and I went with bright pink. Naturally.

After the first day, they bloomed and have left my dining/living room area smelling fantastic. And they're just so fluffy, bright and beautiful. I definitely want my wedding bouquet (whenever that happens) to be full of peonies!

I don't often have flowers in my apartment. I don't even have a real plant! But I think I'll now be a regular customer when it comes to peonies at Trader Joe's. At least for now, while they're in season.

Plus I love Trader Joe's products anyway, so I enjoyed purchasing some great groceries. My boyfriend is now also a fan of the flowers and some pita chips I purchased there. So he has already suggested we go back ;)

Success all around. More to come!

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