Swatches and Review: Starlooks Ultra Gem Pencils in Ultra Violet

Hello beautiful readers! I hope your Thanksgivings have been full of love, a ton of food, and a lack of Black Friday injuries.  Today I'll be talking about the Starlooks Ultra Gem Pencils in Ultra Violet, which I got in my October Boxycharm.  If you haven't heard of Boxycharm, it's a monthly subscription box for $21 a month that brings you 4-5 FULL SIZED beauty products to your doorstep. You can check it out by visiting their website and my referral link is here if you would like to subscribe.

Starlooks Ultra Gem Pencils in Ultra Violet

According the the Starlooks website, this pencil was also featured in the November Ipsy subscription, but I did not receive it in my Ipsy bag. Here's the description provided by Boxycharm:

Created with a magnificent sparkle finish, each unique pencil will add a gorgeous, micro-glitter pop to your eyes! Our How To: Each Ultra Gem Pencil is so versatile, soft, and creamy that they can be easily used as liners as well as eye shadow bases! $14.00/ 20oz.

I don't tend to use too much pencil eyeliner, and don't venture out from the few brands of pencils I already own, so I was very excited to see if this one will be my next favorite. Head after the jump for swatches and a wear test of the pencil!

Review: November 2014 Splendies Subscription Box

Happy almost Thanksgiving readers! I recently discovered Splendies, an underwear subscription packages.  Splendies will send 3 pairs of undies to your mailbox every month for $12.00 including shopping, and right now they're having a promotion, which gives you your first box for $8.00 with the code SPLENDIES.  There is also a "no thongs" option for an extra $2.00.

www.Splendies.com

Splendies come in S, M, L sizes and you have the freedom to change your size whenever you need, but keep in mind that in order for the size change to apply to the CURRENT month you must change it by the 8th of each month.  For our beautiful plus sized readers there is a Volupties subscription, which brings you the same variety of brands and cute undies in plus sizes for $17.00 a month.  I've had the subscription since October, but didn't get a chance to post them so we're gonna start in November. Pictures after the break!

Review and Swatches: Morphe 35U- Multi-Color Shimmer Palette

--Hello lovely readers! I wont be rambling on for you today because we have the beautiful Dreena from Accidentally Chic Geek (seriously go, she's hilarious) guest blogging about the Morphe (pronounced More-fee) 35U Multi-Color Shimmer Palette, which is-- spoilers-- an AWESOME product for an even more amazing price. My comments below will be in parenthesis and in italics. Without further delay, here's Dreena! --

It's Fall! And I absolutely love Fall. I don't really have a favorite season, but if I did.... It would be Fall. Lily mentioned that Fall in California isn't really Fall-y, but in Virginia Fall is AWESOME. (I'll stop saying Fall now.) (Say Fall one more time I dare you)

Moving along, I have something super excited to share with you! I have swatched one of Morphe's eyeshadow palettes! Maybe I didn't do a thorough job of searching, but from what I could tell there aren't many reviews on Morphe eyeshadow. (And there should be more because wait until you see this).

Here's what my palette looks like:

Morphe 35U- Multi-Color Shimmer Palette

This is the 35U - Multi-Color Shimmer Palette. You can order their shadows separately if you want to but I really liked the looks of this one. I'm super into shimmers. It also says on their site that the colors in their palettes aren't exactly the same as the ones that you can order individually (There's basically your incentive to get the palette if you were on the fence).  Click behind the jump to see these shadows in action!

Beauty Tips for Fall Weather - Drugstore Edition

It's sweater weather! With November coming in, San Diego finally feels like Fall-- Starbucks red cups everywhere, the smell of cinnamon, Christmas merchandise overflowing Targets... With the change of season comes a change in leaves and in makeup routine.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who's skin/sinuses/entire face changes when it get's to be cold out.  The cold brings in dry skin, chapped lips, all that fun stuff... but that doesn't mean you have to give up wearing your foundation, or your favorite matte lipstick!

What I wish fall looked like

What Fall actually looks like 

Not that I'm complaining about the beautiful weather here in Socal, just sometimes I'd like to snuggle up with a good hot cocoa and look at the leaves fall, ya know? On to the good stuff (read: makeup) after the cut!

The Seven Deadly Sins... Of Makeup

Hello lovely readers! I was recently tagged by fellow blogger Shelby from Life with Shelby to do the seven deadly sins of makeup.  I haven't done anything like this on this (really young) blog, but I really REALLY love stuff like this. Challenges, themes, you name it, I love it.  So here are my makeup themed "sins".

Greed: What’s your most expensive beauty item? 

You know what, I tend not to splurge on one item, especially since I run a blog called Budget beauty stash... But I think my most expensive item per current market price is the Too Faced Chocolate Bar, which comes in at a rounded $50.  However... HSN had (and still has one floating around) a "$20 off $40 purchase"  for first time buyers, and some sort of % off, AND I use Mr. Rebate (here my referral link if you are interested) so the grand total came out to be a few bucks around $30 AND it included a FULL SIZE Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance Primer.  If you follow Nouveau Cheap she'll often post a reminder when the Chocolate Bar is back in stock for the deal! Anyway I'm rambling now.

I mean it SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE COME ON
Image courtesy of Sephora.com

Wrath: What item do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Liquid foundation.  I tried it once in like 8th grade, and hated it. It took me... almost SIX years to get back into trying to wear liquid foundation and decided to splurge on Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation. Paired with a Beauty Blender it made my skin look FLAWLESS.  Now you're asking "well that sounds like a love love relationship", and let me tell you, it is definitely still not.  I'm definitely into sheer coverage (so my freckles can shine through!) and Naked Skin does an amazing job at that, but I'm just SO LAZY OH MY GOSH (...oops. Sloth...) thinking about spending an extra 5-7 mins on my complexion just makes me go eeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh... so there's your love/hate.  If you're interested in how I apply my foundation you can go here. 

So much to cover, so little time

Gluttony: What brand takes up most of your collection? 
I recently just discussed this with a friend and it's definitely NYX. NYX HD powder, NYX eyeliner, NYX blotting paper, NYX lip liner, NYX lipsticks (DEFINITELY NYX LIPSTICKS), NYX eyeshadow, I can go on for hours. You would think NYX sponsors me if you didn't know any better looking at my collection. I half debated saying Urban Decay since I have a good number of 24/7 Glide On Eyeliners and a couple of palettes that I got on sale, but NYX is always the first thing I reach for, and also the first display I go to in Ulta... So basically:

NYX Shut up and take my money

Sloth: What product do you neglect the most due to laziness? 

Oh man, I definitely called it up at Wrath... definitely foundation. Literally it doesn't matter what kind of foundation-- Powder, liquid, even BB creams-- I'm just SO LAZY GAH AN EXTRA 5 MINUTES?? The BB makes it easier and more fun but...ehhhhhhhh... that's basically my response to anything that requires too much effort. Look, I'm embracing sloth and not even gonna try to find a picture for this section.

Pride: What product gives you the most confidence? 
I don't know if I can pick one specific one, but definitely lipsticks. Bold red, dark purple, blue, orange, you name it and I'll wear it.  I think bold lips is the best way to feel confident, because you have to be confident to wear it, and wearing it makes you confident, it's a win win!  Collections like NYX Wicked Lippies and Macaron Lippies are so fun to play with, and I feel like people look with interest and curiosity when it's worn out.

What is a blog post without a selfie
Wearing NYX Matte Lip cream in Transylvania 

Lust: Which item is top of your beauty wishlist? 
That's a good question... my answer is a lot of stuff.  But I guess if I had to pick JUST ONE... I think right now it would be Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic's Lip Tar in Technopagan. I've never own a lip tar but that seems like it would a really really ridiculously great place to start.

LOOK AT IT'S GLORIOUS PURPLE-Y GOODNESS
Swatch courtesy of temptalia.com

Envy: Which makeup product/look is great on others but not on you? 

You know what, I just can NOT get smokey eyes to look good on me. I think it might be because I have little eyes or the shape of them doesn't work, or actually it might just be because I suck at blending... but it looks so great on everyone else (I'm looking at you Dreena).  But in all honesty I think anyone can rock whatever look they want. Wear it with confidence, it's your face! 

This is my friend Dreena and her beautiful face and beautiful eyes

Thanks for listening to me ramble on, and thanks for tagging me Shelby!  I'm going to tag the beautiful ladies at Pretty Girl Science (or Pretty GHOUL Science for the month of October) to complete this challenge!

xoxo- Lily

Swatches and Review: NYX Wicked Lippies

Hello wonderful readers! I finally got NYX's Wicked Lippies in and I'm SO EXCITED to write about them.  If you remember the Macaron Lippies, the Wicked Lippies seems to be a response to them.  These lipsticks are described on the website as: "jeweled toned lippies available in 12 shimmering shades.Velvety smooth with a dazzling metallic finish, these richly pigmented lipsticks will leave your lips with the ultimate spellbinding look."

NYX Wicked Lippies from left to right: Power, Wrath, Risque, Sinful, Envy, Immortal, Betrayal

I really enjoyed swatching these, and there are some really great colors that are incredibly wearable.  Alright enough babbling, review and swatches behind the cut!

Swatches and Review: NYX Simply Vamp Collection Lip Cream

Hello beautiful! Sorry for the long wait through summer, it has been crazy!  Between getting back from being in Argentina to diving straight into full time work and school starting up again, I can barely keep up with life.  But I'm back! And with swatches and a review on the new NYX Simply Vamp Collection Lip Creams.  NYX released their Simply Collection around a month ago, with 4 color themes: Simply Nude, Simply Red, Simply Pink, and our swatches/reviews today, Simply Vamp.  There are a total of six lip creams in each collection, and we will be looking at four of them from the Vamp collection.

NYX Simply Vamp Lip Creams in L-R:Covet, Enamored, Temptress, She Devil

I decided to pick up the lip creams in Covet, Enamored, Temptress, and She Devil.  Missing is Aphrodisiac and Bewitching, two of which I thought I had similar colors at home.  On the NYX website these Lip Creams are described to "vamp up your look instantly with our smooth and smoldering lip creams. Wear any of these six bewitching shades to brew up a little beauty magic".

Review and Swatch: NYX Cosmetics Eyebrow Gel in Brunette and Espresso

Hello beautiful readers!  Have you spotted these new NYX eyebrow gels at your local Ulta? After seeing Nouveau Cheap's post on seeing these in Ulta, I had to head out to see if mine had these in stock. After stalking the NYX display for a while and not seeing anything, I headed to the register to ask and LO AND BEHOLD there was a whole new display right behind the counter!

New NYX Eeyebrow Gel in Brunette

I asked about them and they said they had just arrived, and the first lady actually thought they were not on sale yet, but after asking another, they are indeed on sale! They come in closed boxes with testers on the display (Thank goodness) and in 5 shades: Blonde, Chocolate, Brunette, Espresso, and Black. I decided to pick up brunette and Espresso and give my first eyebrow gel a try!

Younique Moonstruck 3D fiber Mascara: The Real Deal or Lies?

Hello beautiful readers!  We're going to tackle a pretty interesting (and picture heavy!) topic today.  Lately, there seems to be an increase in what I would call guerrilla selling tactics concerning a brand called Younique, where individual representatives will often post in groups showing off their products, especially their "3D Fiber Mascara", without much explanation or participation in those groups.  Honestly, I had never cared much for this brand based on the reputation of its sellers.  Well in a wonderful group set up by Pretty Girl Science's Nichole,  we had a few incidents with this brand that left a bad taste in all of our mouths, until one particular seller stepped up and decided to help all of us understand the brand.
Up for the challenge, I decided to accept a sample sent to me by Crystal, the Younique rep, in order to help the rest of my peers see what this mascara is all about.  It came in a small case and the tubes look like this:



The instructions seemed simple enough: Put on a coat of your "favorite mascara", let dry, apply a coat of the "transplant gel", apply flbers, seal with gel, repeat until desired effect...

Tutorial: Foundation Application featuring Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Hello beautiful readers! Foundation is perhaps one of the most important steps of a makeup process.  It allows your complexion to be a blank canvas to play with, whether it be blush, bronzer, or contour. This post will take you step my step through my foundation process, from bare face to evenly applied foundation.

Bare face!

We’re going to start with a freshly washed and moisturized face.  I wash my face with clean, cool water in the morning, while using face wash (right now it is clean and clear morning burst) at night, moisturizing with CeraVe in a tub after both washings. Leave it for 3-5 mins so it can be absorbed and get dressed, do your hair, etc. Now on to building that perfect look!

Review and Swatches: NYX Macaron Lippies

Have you ever just had the urge to rock green, blue, or grey lips but have a hard time looking for affordable, non-halloween store quality lipsticks? WELL LOOK NO FURTHER.  NYX Cosmetics recently released a new line of lipsticks called the Macaron Lippies, including 12 unconventional lip colors to pick from!

NYX Macaron Lippies in Chambord, Black sesame, blue velvet, violet, pistachio, and orange blossom

NYX Macaron Lippies in Chambord, Black sesame, blue velvet, violet, pistachio, and orange blossom
The 12 colors include rose, orange blossom, key lime, blue velvet, violet, pistachio, citron, earl grey, lavender, black sesame, coconut, and chambord.  the NYX website describes these lippies as “…the creamiest shades you’ll ever use. Our cruelty-free formula is packed with pigment and has a satin matte finish for long-wearing resilience.” Here we’ll talk about the 6 shades that are pictured above. Warning: this is a picture heavy review!

Cinco De Mayo: What does it mean?

Welcome to the first installment of "style of the week"!  In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we will be talking about the styles associated with this Mexican themed holiday, as well as the history.

Source: google.com

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is in fact NOT the celebration of Mexican Independence.  Mexican Independence occured on September 16th, 1810, also known as Grito de Delores.

Review and Swatches: NYX Matte Lip Cream in Buenos Aires

Hello beautiful people!  I hope where ever you’re reading this from the weather is nice and not a smoldering 95 degrees F like it is here this entire week.  Obviously to fight this heat, Ulta is the place to be.  After eyeing the Matte Lip Creams from NYX I finally got the chance to pick one up; there are so many choices, how do I pick just one? These Lip Creams are named after major cities, such as Amsterdam, San Paulo, and Buenos Aires, and what better choice than Buenos Aires since I will be there this summer to study abroad?

NYX Matte Lip Cream in Buenos Aires

According to the NYX website, the matte lip cream is “Neither lipstick nor lip gloss…goes on silky smooth and sets to a matte finish. [It] is surprisingly durable and…also moisturizing”.

Quick Tip: Make Eyeshadow POP with NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Welcome to the first of my “Quick Tips” series!  These posts are meant to give you tips on how to improve your technique or utilize your beauty tools in ways that you might have not thought to do!
This post is going to cover how to make even your most un-pigmented palette vibrant and colorful. 

Credits: NYXCosmetics.com

You might have heard from various forums such as Reddit's Makeup Addiction Group of NYX’s Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, which is matte, solid white pencil. For $6, the NYX website describes it as “A radiant eye liner that also doubles as an eye shadow. Made with a blend of mineral oil and powder, our creamy Jumbo Eye Pencils glide on effortlessly—no pulling, tugging or fading—and come in a rainbow of vivid hues.”

Review and Swatches: Wet n Wild 5 Pan Palette “Art in the Streets”

 Even though the weather in San Diego has been less than pleasant these past few days (crazy I know), I decided it is about time to invite Spring in.  What better way to do that than to do a colorful, matte EOTD?  I decided to stop by CVS to pick up Wet n Wild’s new 5 pan palette in Art in the Streets.

Artist In the Streets

Then I attempted to do a look using only these shadows…

Do Headband Curls Work On Long Hair?

Hello readers!  Sorry for the hiatus and lack of posting that's been happening.  Finals week and spring break took me by storm (and not in the fun way) and next thing I knew it's been weeks.  For my first post back from spring break we'll be talking about headband curls!

Most of you might have already heard of this trend, where with the help of a headband you can achieve curls without the use of heat tools, which is especially important to me.  Even with all the hair dying (I haven't seen my real hair color since... 8th grade?) I do to my hair, I'm really trying to grow up my hair to a healthy, long length.  I haven't used heated tools in months, and when I do it would be once every few weeks or so, at most.  So when I first heard about this method I was thrilled! However...

FOTD and Life Update!

Hello wonderful readers!  Sorry for the gap between this post and the last update, it's been a crazy few days and it'll only get crazier from here... but don't worry, I won't forget about you guys :) My FOTD today is quick, simple, and refreshing.

I don't think I'm capable of making normal faces in selfies

NYX Butter Lipstick in Licorice

Happy Thursday! It's almost the end of the week... Hang in there.  Today's review is going to be NYX's new line of butter lipstick in 'licorice'.

NYX Butter lipstick in 'Licorice'
Photo from NYXCosmetics.com

The butter lipsticks were released January of this year, and are listed for $6.00 on their Website. Here's the description as seen on the NYX website:

The unique texture seems to melt onto the lips, giving full, yet lightweight coverage with a luxurious satin finish. 

• What it is:  Full coverage lipstick that feels like it melts onto the lips.
• What it does:  Adds a pop of color to lips.
• Why we love it:  This lightweight formula is non-sticky and deposits high impact color with just one stroke.
• How to use:  Apply directly on bare lips or over lip liner/primer for more pigmentation.

Happy First Post!

Welcome to Beauty on a Budget!  First of all, thank you for visiting! (When I'm excited I use a lot of exclamation marks.)  I'm Lily, and I hope you stick around to see all the fun things that will be coming to this blog!  This is first a foremost a beauty blog, including swatches

Zoya Polish in Aurora

Face of the Days (FOTD),

Featuring Revlon Lipstick in "Black Cherry"

and various other posts that will feature me trying out all kinds of products.  I promise that all opinions written on this blog will be from me (along with guest bloggers!) and be the truest, most no bullshit reviews I could possibly write.    So hang tight and let's go on this blogging journey together!