Hoarding: Lip Balm Edition

Lips: the entryway to the mouth.  Profound, wasn't it?  I love, love, love lip products.  Lip sticks, lip liners, lip gloss...I could go on, Bubba Gump style, all day, but I'll refrain.  Right now, I am using the mess out of lip balm.  My lips get so confused when it's getting cold and the weather can't decide what it's going to do.  They get dry, they crack, they flake, they look like crap.  It's just generally no good.  So, a few weeks ago I decided I needed some lip balm.  I started with one EOS and one Burt's Bees in my nightstand...I sort of wish I could still say the same.  But, in the interest of fun, I'm going to embrace the hoarding and share what's been happening on my lips lately. 

As I previously mentioned, I went from two lip balms...to this:

I really just bought three...three three packs:)  

I think I've previously posted about my undying love for EOS lip balms.  They rock my world, and my lips.  The Alice in Wonderland Edition is adorable and just plain enchanting.  Just look at the packaging!!  The babies in this one are Vanilla, Watermelon, and Blueberry...yummy!  These are nice b/c the flavors are soft, not overbearing, which I completely can't stand.  I don't want to feel like I've eaten a blueberry, just that a blueberry has kissed my lips while they are being moisturized.  Additionally, and maybe the best part, instead of just the circular indention in the crease to open the container...it has been added to to make a Mickey face!!  Sold and sold.
The Korres came second.  These amazing lip butters, the only tinted ones I've ever found that actually feel good on my  little lips, are $12 a pop, but Sephora had a Holiday set for $25 for 3.  How could I NOT buy them?!  That would have been ridiculous.  Also, they are tinted so they really shouldn't even count toward to total of "general lip balms owned." 

Last but not least are the Body Shop lip butters.  Yes, this brings me up to 6 lip butters, but these are not scented to it's totally different.  This is the fruit and nut set, which is hilarious, agreed?  Don't love sticking my finger in the pot, completely unsanitary and messy, but nothing a Q-tip can't fix.  The flavors of these are a little stronger than the EOS and the texture is less waxy.  One of these guys lives in the bathroom for use before bed and one lives in the car.  I think I already lost the other one...woops!  If I had to compare I would pick the EOS over The Body Shop but that's just like picking a favorite child, I think it's a sin or something.  

Ulta Nail Polish: Kindred Sprits

In the interest of full disclosure, let me preface this post by letting everyone know that I am allergic to nail polish.  Yep, it's possible and devastating...much like learning that one's allergic to puppies or rainbows.  However, it does save me a TON of money because I imagine there is a fairly strong possibility that hoarding nail polish would be delightful.  I can't tell you how often I have to make myself not buy it...IT'S SO SPARKLY AN SHINY!!! 

And the names, the names of the polishes are just even more delightful than the shine and sparkle.  It's no secret that I want to be Tinkerbell and Glinda the Good all rolled into one.  Also Wicked: the Musical, everyone from Wicked, I want to be them as well.  Oh, and Dorothy...of the red shoes.  Whilst perusing the Ulta brand nail polishes I started noticing a very OZian/fairy-friendly theme and got super excited.  I must find out who names these polishes and become friends with them because we are obviously kindred spirits and they are awesome. 

Here are some examples, you can't tell me this person wasn't wearing pink on naming day!

• Ruby Slipper
• Tink-Her-Bell
• Wicked

Tink-Her-Bell, isn't that just a delight?!  If that doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will.  Wear some fab nail polish for me today!

Sweet, Sweet Philosophy

Philosophy Snow Angel.  The End.

OK, that's not really the end of this post, but it would be if I knew all of you had experienced the Holiday wonderment that is Snow Angel.  My friend Daphne peeked my interest in this, then yesterday my friend Rachael and I smelled it, then smelled it again and again and decided that while it made our noses cold, it made our hearts warm.  

Then I started thinking..."this fragrance is only available seasonally.  Should I buy enough to last me until next Christmas season?"  My anxiety rose and rose until I thought I might have an anxiety attack in the store.  But then I thought, "what if I buy ten bottles and, for some odd reason, get sick of the scent?  Then I will be out a good deal of $ and I will be stuck with 9.5 bottles of Snow Angel."  More anxiety.  Then I spent forty-five more minutes in the store deep breathing, trying not to pass out, and trying to make a decision.  Eventually, a gift set with a shower gel and lotion came home with me and nine bottles of shower gel stayed at the store to go live and be happy at other homes.  But, I swear, if this stuff goes on clearance...

As I close this post, I would like to leave you with the beautiful affirmation found on the bottle of Snow Angel Shower Gel:

snow angels come to all, during the happiest season of all.  the warmth of their glow and joyful sound bring love and peace to those around.  snow angels sprinkle sweetly fallen snow from the night sky, as they hover in the clouds watching over you and i, their kiss so sweet, their hearts filled with joy, they bring holiday cheer to every girl and boy.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Hoarding: Shower Cream Edition

My hoarding goes in cycles,  I don't know how other people's hoarding works...I should probably watch the TV show to find out.  Sometimes it's a fixation on blushes, other times it's lip liners.  Recently, my hunting and gathering has headed in the direction of shower creams.  I like the moisturizey ones.  I like the yummy smelling ones.  I like the ones in bottles.  I'm making a commitment right now not to buy any more body washes until I have used the ones I currently have (unless one I really need comes out, but otherwise, definitely not).  And, obviously, if I make a commitment on the internets, I can not break it...it's a solemn vow.  Anyway, here are the friends living in my shower right now.  I love them and they are wonderful.

Philosophy Snow Angel

Philosophy Living Grace

Organix Cherry Blossom Rice Milk

c. Booth Milk Bath & Shower Cleanser

Nourish Organic Body Wash in Almond Vanilla and Wild Berry

The Body Shop Satsuma Body Polish

I Went on a Makeup Binge

Like bulimics, sometimes you just have to gorge yourself (on makeup).  Unlike bulimics, however, you don't have to throw your makeup in the toilet out of guilt...thank goodness!  Yesterday was one of those days for me.  It was a bad day, a very, very bad day.  I shopped.  I shopped a lot.  I shopped a lot to feel better.  I admit it, I shopped a lot to make myself feel better and it did, I felt better after spending money...don't hate.  I wasn't buying crack:)  I did bring home some lovely new additions to my makeup family.  I would like to officially welcome these newbies and hope they feel the warmth and love of living in my bathroom.

First up, The Vice Palette by Urban Decay.  Obviously, I've been lusting over this since it came out and yesterday was definitely the day to embrace the Vice into my life.  Twenty exclusive, triple-pigmented shades...yes, please.  UD is one of my top three favorite eye shadow brands (can you guess what the other two are?) and I just need this palette like, um, well, like an alcoholic needs liquor.  The Vice sells for $59 and is worth every penny.  If you're a hoarder, like a certain blogger you might be familiar with the gem and, obviously, you need it.  If you are looking for an exceptionally high quality palette with neutrals as well as play colors, this is one to shoot for.  It's gaaaarrgeous!!!!!!!  If there were an eyeshadow museum (is there an eyeshadow museum?  There should be.  Maybe I'll start an eyeshadow museum) this would be the featured exhibit.

It's easier for me to drop $ on makeup than hair appliances because #1, good hair appliances are not cheap and, #2, I'm MUCH better with makeup than hair...MUCH.  So, it hurt me a bit to buy the BaByliss Nano Titanium 1" Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron.  However, I've been using a craptastic straightener for years and I might as well have been running a brush through my coarse thick hair for all the straightening it did.  A few weeks ago a stylist friend used a Brocato Straightening Iron on my hair and it did to my hair in 45 seconds what I had been trying to do for 15 years.  It was amazing...I was amazed!  My decision to invest in an amazeballs straightener was made then but the actual commitment to one didn't come until yesterday.  Honestly, I was going to get the Brocato but there wasn't one in store, so I chose the BaByliss instead.  It gets great consumer reviews and, you guys, my hair this morning!!!!  Straight, shiny...not my hair at all!!!  

Dare I embrace the possibility that I might have makeup and hair that I like at the same time?!

Just Your Average Daily Routine

 Hello, my name is Erin and I have a makeup problem.  Hey, at least it's not coke.  I'd like to introduce you to my "everyday" makeup kit.  This doesn't include my back stock...Junkie/Hoarder/Lover of Makeup...call it what you will (just please don't call that hoarders show, that would be embarrassing).  I anticipate another post on that later.  I know you will be waiting for that one with bated breath...get excited.  My go-to's live in the giant train case and I have a side bag of Bare Minerals, I only use this to put over light foundations to achieve greater coverage or when I'm going to the Dr. with snot running down my face...pretty much my Bare usage.

I'll deconstruct the train case of makeup madness as we merrily roll along but I'll be hitting my faves and most-used loves RIGHT NOW!

• Primer: Too Faced Primed and Poreless Pure - this one really does what primers are supposed to do: even out skin tone, give a smooth surface to work on, help makeup last longer, mattify, reduce the look of fine lines and pores...all without making my skin look greasy (I'm looking at YOU POREfessional!)
• Foundation:  Good grief, this is embarassing.  The ones that are in my case at the moment are: Urban Decay Naked Skin, Smashbox BB Cream, Benefit Some-Kind-A-Gorgeous, Palladio Wet/Dry Foundation, Palladio Herbal Foundation (um, haven't taken this out of the package yet) and Bare Minerals Original.  Also Clinique translucent setting powder and about three different Bare Mineral Veils.  Honestly, apart from the Palladio, none of these give me the coverage I want so I always wear two because that makes sense.  I will probably go for Smashbox Studio Skin and Halo Powder when I run out of these and go through the back stock, which will be in ten years.  Because I clearly wait until I need something to buy more.  I should work on that.
• I LOVE eye makeup!!!  I always start with Urban Decay Primer.  I have the Original in my case now but I prefer Sin...guess where that is, yep, in the back stock.  I use Urban and Smashbox sticks A LOT and my Naked II Palette the most, but occasionally I make myself use my Stila Palette.  Honestly, I'm generally to lazy to work with my UD Black Palette but when I'm not being a bum I'll bust out with my more fun colors.  
• Cheeks - I have been totally obsessed with TARTE Gel Blushes for years.  They are the best and rock my world.  You should love them too.  I wear them under every powder blush, every day.  Word of warning: despite appearances, they WILL flush down the toilet and you will have to pay a plumber $250 to get your $30 gel blush out of the toilet.  Just keep an eye on that.  I am also obsessed with the Benefit Box O' Powders.  Bella Bomba and Sugar Bomb are my faves.  Devastated when they discontinued It's A 10.  How could you Benefit, how could you?  I also love to use Smashbox Softlights for highlight and definition.  Cheeks are so yummy to me.  
• If I'm not feeling lips I'll use my Korres Lip Butters.  They are the only tinted balms I have found that make my lips happy AND give me color.

My real lips, liners, brows, and mascaras live on my magnetic (with other cheeks and eyes) board so that's why they aren't in the case, I know you were wondering.  Yes, I know I'm ridiculous and, yes, I love it.