POTW! It's back!

Hello lovelies!
I don't know what happened to our Pick of the Weeks, but don't you fret, they are back now! So to get us back on track I bring you the Mascara that I have been using the last couple of weeks. It is the I <3 Extreme Volume Mascara from Essence. It's part of the new line that just came out (at least it just got to my Ulta). It has a very Interesting brush, With three rows of long bristles, and 3 rows of short bristles. It is very big and full.

$3.99

 I feel like this mascara really makes my lashes look fuller and longer with little to no flaking, which I usually have a problem with. It is also very buildable, one coat looks really nice but you can definitely use 2 or 3 coats and get super dramatic, va-va-voom look. But be careful when applying, because it is very easy to make them look clumpy/spidery. Here it is on the left eye (one coat) compared to bare lashes on the right.

Happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there!
-The Addict

Picks of the week!

Hello darlings!
So we just realized me missed the lasts two POTW's. Yeah, we totally suck. So to try and make up for it we'll be doing a double POTW for you! Yay! Oddly enough we both wanted to share with you the blushes that we've been using like crazy :)


The Addicts Pick:
This last weekend I took a very impromptu trip to CA to visit the family, and I literally spent 30 seconds packing my makeup and I only brought one, yes one, blush! But it has got to be one of my favorite blushes, especially for Spring and Summer. It is WnW Pearlescent Pink. It is a very fresh shimmery pink, and it is simply gorgeous. What I love most about the color is that it is super pigmented. If you use a very light hand you can get a nice light flush of color, or you can build it up for a bright pink punch. It's probably the one I reach for the most because it goes well with so many looks.

Retails for $2.99

The Artists Pick:

Lately I have noticed that I reach for the same blush almost every day.  When I want a nice healthy glow that will go well with most any make-up look I find myself going straight to my Elf Studio Blush in Tickled Pink. A lot of the beauty world has talked about this blush being fantastic, because it is. However it doesn’t work great for everyone, Kaci (the Artist) actually has a hard time getting this shade to show up at all against her olive skin tone.

We love Elf here at The Artist and The Addict and this blush is yet another wonderful addition to our favorite products.  Happy Spring Time!

Thanks for reading and be patient with us!

-The Artist and The Addict

Pick of The Week

Happy Tuesday All!

This pick of the week, addresses a serious issue near and dear to my heart...chapped lips. I remember a time not to long ago when your options were basically Chapstick or Burts Bees, everything else...well it kinda sucked. But in this wonderful day and age there are some really stand out brands.

This week I pick Maybelline Baby Lips. I still love my EOS, but the reason this makes it to the POTW is they have some really great tinted lip balms. These are the three I have, they range in price from $2.99-$3.25 depending on where you go.

Pink Punch, Cherry Me & Quenched

Great color, great moisture and I don't feel like I constantly have to reapply it like a lot of other brands.

They look pretty similar in this picture but the pink is actually very bright, Kaci doesn't like this shade for herself, but I love!

Hope you enjoyed this Pick of The Week!

Until Next Time - The Artist

Also, I am running the San Diego Marathon for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, if you would like to help out click here.

Pick of The Week +Bucket Project Update

Hey darlins!
If you watched my last video and the one below, I mention this product! It is the L.A. Colors Automatic Eyeliner in White. I have been on a search for a good drugstore white liner that was long lasting, and this one definitely is! I randomly came across it at a discount store a couple cities over. It was only $1.50, which I believe is pretty standard for this item (they had an entire display of L.A. Colors, I'd never seen that before!). I absolutely love it, and have been using it SO much the last few weeks.

 

Also here is a quick video update on my Bucket Project along with a bonus last minute Valentines Makeup idea!

Pick Of The Week

Happy Monday!

This week’s pick is kind of a big deal for me. I have been using the same mascara religiously for the last 8 years and I very rarely try something new. It never fails that someone will recommend a new mascara to me and I always hate it. In my post-holiday haul I featured several items that I ordered simply because I wanted to try them not because I wanted to replace anything in my collection. It’s no big surprise that I would find something amazing and unexpected from elf. This Pick of the Week is elf’s Mineral Infused Mascara.

I honestly cannot believe how much I love this mascara and at only $3.00 a tube it is an absolute steal. I naturally have very blonde, thin but long lashes. What I want from a mascara is thickness with some length. The Mineral Infused Mascara has a rubber bristled brush (which I also normally do not like) and gives me fantastic separation, and beautiful thickness and length.

If you are not loving your mascara or are looking to spend less I definitely recommend giving elf’s Mineral Infused Mascara a try!

With Love – The Artist

Pick of the week!

Hello lovelies!
So I have been trying to grow out my eyebrows, and it has been a bit of a struggle. I always used to over tweeze, so now that I'm trying to grow them out they are coming in a little patchy. My brows have holes! I also have scar through my eyebrow that looks much more prominent now that they are thicker. So I realized I need to start filling them in. I already had some brow kits/pencils but they just weren't working out; mostly because they are too dark (which is great when doing dramatic makeup, not so great when going for a natural look). So, while at my local Walgreens a couple weeks ago ago I decided to peruse the Jordana section. There I saw that they had new FabuBrow eyebrow pencils. They have 3 colors Taupe, Medium Brown, and Dark Brown.

Source

I have been using this pencil just about every day. I love it! I goes on very easily, the color is very natural, and the brush on the cap helps the brush the hairs into place to give you a very perfected look. The color worked so well for me; dark enough to match my natural brows, but not so dark that I look like a Disney villain. Best part? This bad boy is only $2.99! 

Pick of The Week

Happy Tuesday!

This Week I have chosen elf's Zit Zapper! This $1.00 gem is surprisingly awesome. If you don't know already this is a roller ball acne spot treatment. I have been using it for about a month now and when ever I feel a zit starting I roll some Zit Zapper on it and it hasn't failed to bring that zit to the surface the same day. After I pop anything I like to add a dab and it zaps the zit away. When I purchased this, I honestly didn't think it would do anything, but it has been a great addition to acne system. So simple and easy to use.

Have a good skin day!
-The Artist

Pick of the Week

Hey all!

This last week has been rough on my skin. It has been so cold and dry, and my skin has taken a beating. Once product that I keep going back to when I get dry and itchy is Udderly Smooth udder cream. It was originally developed for use on dairy cows. It's very hydrating and soothes my itchy dry legs. It comes in a ton of different size packages. I have the small one, which was just $1.

Picture Source

Stay moisturized!

-The Addict

Pick of The Week

Happy Monday!

I bring to you another pick of the week from Jesse's Girl Cosmetics, this time it's a High Intensity Nail Color in the shade Confetti. I picked this one up a while ago and you may notice I have used it in a couple of my NOTD. For only $2.99 its pretty amazing how many different ways I have been able to use this nail polish. I can take just about any shade of blue or purple polish throw some Confetti on it and I have a brand new look. It's relatively sheer by itself and would probably only wear it on top of other colors. The sparkle is ultra fine and more iridescent than a chunky glitter.

Here are three ways I use it!

Thanks for stopping by! -The Artist

Pick of the Week

Hello beauties!
My pick of the week this week is a little different. It's not a makeup product. I recently rediscovered it in my skincare stash. It's Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Clearing Astringent. It says "Salicylic Acid & Acne Medication, Removes Excess Oil, A powerful acne-fighting formula to help treat and prevent breakouts". I have been using this with a cotton ball in the mornings to remove the oil that's accumulated overnight and before I use liquid foundation. I feel like it really helps keep my oil under control for a good portion of the day, and removes A LOT of excess oil without being overly drying. I highly recommend this for people with oily skin or who are looking for a new toner.

$3.99 at most drugstores

XO-The Addict

Pick of the Week

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season, I know we are!
For this Pick of the Week I choose NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder. If you don't normally use bronzer or are looking for a less expensive option this is a great product and will only set you back $2.99.

NYC Smooth Skin is a matte powder and I believe only comes in the shade Sunny. I use it two ways, First as a contour powder. If you want to lose a quick 5 lbs apply bronzer under your cheek bone and blend up into your blush to get a quick skinny face. Second, to use as a bronzer for a fast tan apply to the high points of your face; cheek bones, temples and down the center of your face.

Finally ordered the NYX Haute Jersey pallet, I can't wait. Look for that review coming soon!

XOXO- The Artist

Pick of the Week!

Hello lovelies!
Sorry that this is so late, I have been in CA for the last week and didn't get home until late last night.
Enough excuses, let's get started. This product is one that I have been using a lot since I got it in my Cyber Monday elf haul. It is the elf Studio Mascara Primer. I had heard people say that they liked it, but I wasn't sure why because I didn't really understand what it did. So I decided to give it a try with a couple different mascaras and in different amounts (light layer and thick). I do like this product, I feel like it adds length and thickness before you apply your mascara, intensifying the the look. It also helps your mascara stay longer, flake less, and glide on smoother. It even makes my lashes feel more conditioned and it seems like it's easier to remove my mascara at the end of the day when I use this.

$3 at eyeslipsface.com

How many of us have a bunch of half used mascaras in our collection that we stopped using because they weren't all that great? I know I have a few. What's great about this primer is that it can take a so-so mascara and make it great! For example, I have been using it with my NYC Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara which isn't terrible but it's not really anything special on it's own. When I used the primer first then used the NYC Mascara, I had noticeably more intense lashes. They looked awesome! 


I've found that it works best if you use a light-to moderate amount, to where they start to look white but not clumpy, then let it sit for a few seconds before you apply your mascara. They only negative I've noticed is that with the extra product weighing them down my curl doesn't last as long. I think it's a great product to add some oomph to your look or to help you use up some long forgotten products.

Til next time
The Addict

Pick of the Week

Hello Lovely's!


I am so sorry my Pick of the Week is a day late! We got a new puppy and she is taking over my life. 


Anyway I have a great pick for you! It is Jesse's Girl, Mineralized Baked Powder in Ocean Breeze. I really wanted a navy eye shadow and when Kaci was out here we stopped by Rite Aid and picked this one up. I actually did not have high hopes for it but for only $3.99 I figured why not. I ended up absolutely loving it!

The texture is very soft and blends out really well. In this picture I used a darker blue at the base of the lid with the Mineralized Baked Powder all over and a lighter shade to blend the edges into my highlight. Its a more dramatic look but super fast and easy to apply. 

XOXO- The Artist

Pick of the Week +Product Review

Hello Everyone!
Today I bring you a product that I had been wanting for a very long time. I finally had the opportunity to get my hands on these bad boys when I was in CA over the Thanksgiving holiday. To my knowledge (correct me if I'm wrong), they are only sold at Rite Aid stores. They are the NYC (New York Color) Blushable Creme Sticks. At the store I went to they were having a 40% off sale on all NYC products, so I went ahead and got all of them. They normally retail for $3.99. Unlike a lot of other cream blushes, these obviously come in a twist up (like chapstick) tube, which is good and bad. I like that you could just swipe this right on your cheek and then blend it out. However, in execution I felt like I was getting too much product that way. Instead, I've been rubbing it on my finger to warm it up and then blot onto my cheek then blend it out. Much like I would with any other cream blush. I have found that it is long lasting, doesn't necessarily need to be set with a powder, but that will definitely help the staying power. I have just been dusting a very light layer of a coordinating color or a translucent powder on top just so that that the texture blends more naturally with the rest of my face. Overall, I really like these! I would be very excited if they came out with more colors and started carrying them in other stores.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.luuux.com since I cannot seem to find my camera at the moment.

XO, The Addict

Pick of the Week

Happy Holidays! 


While my sister and I were out shopping over the Thanksgiving break we stumbled across a beauty brand now at Forever 21 called love&beauty. My local Forever 21 does not carry the full line, there is a lot more on the website. So far I do feel like love&beauty has some good products, best of all the price range is $1-$6. I picked up some nail polishes and a lip gloss which I am really in love with. 


My pick of the week is the love&beauty sheer lip gloss, color is pink. This lip gloss will set you back a mere $1.80! This is a thicker lip gloss with a lot of shine and really delicious scent. I also kinda appreciate that the colors are called pink, red and coral, straight to the point. 

Have a very happy holiday season and we are committed to getting tons of great holidays posts. Also, look out for new videos!


-The Artist

Pick of the Week

Hello beautiful people!
Today I'm bringing you another awesome pick of the week! It is my Essence Stay All Day 16hr Long Lasting Concealer. I love this stuff! I have been using it pretty much every day for the last few months. It is a medium coverage concealer that is very smooth and blends well into the skin. It's also great for the under-eye area because it does not crease at all. For someone like me that has oily/acne prone skin it's hard to find concealers that actually stay all day and don't make my problem areas worse. This works so well for me, and may just work perfect for you too! This is my favorite concealer right now, and it's a steal for only $2.50! Essence products are sold at Ulta stores.
Now I am off to the airport to go see my family for the holiday! Stay tuned for some great videos with the Artist & the Addict! Til then,
The Addict

Pick of the Week

Hello Beauty Lovers,

We love elf here at The Artist and The Addict, they are really changing the way a lot of people (including myself) feel about lower end/drug store brands. This week is no different.

For this Pick of the Week, under $5 of course, is the elf All Over Cover Stick. We have seen a lot of mixed reviews about this product but I personally can't live without it. I found mine at Kmart, I've heard select Target stores also have it and of course you can order the All Over Cover Stick at eyeslipsface.com.

I use it to ways: as a concealer with my tinted moisturizer or all over for a full coverage look. I always set this with a highlight powder under the eyes and a talc powder all over for a finished matte appearance.

I know why your probably thinking "I can't use a product all over my face that only cost $1, it will ruin my skin". Everyone is different but my experience with this product has been really great, and my acne prone skin hasn't looked this great in years. I have been using the All Over Cover Stick for a couple months now almost everyday.

Do you have a great product for Pick of the Week? Tell us about it.
XOXO, The Artist

Pick of The Week

Hello lovelies!
This weeks product is a great one for all of your beautiful fall looks. It is the elf Studio 32 palette in Warm, and it's only $5 at Target or eyelipsface.com. This palette has everything you need for natural, smokey, or dramatic eyes, in warm versatile colors that are perfect for the season! These colors are beautiful and pigmented. There are some matte shades, but most have a satin or shimmer finish along with one chunky gold. The size is also perfect for traveling, not too big, but still has a lot of colors to choose from.

Pick of the Week

Happy Monday!


Ok so Mondays usually are not so happy, but maybe this will perk you up a bit. As promised here is my pick of the week, under $5.00 of course. 

In Honor of Halloween, I wanted to find a great orange product to sport this week. I went shopping...nothing. I went home and started digging through my nail polishes and found I already had a great orange in my collection.

This Pick of the Week is Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Sun Kissed, this will run you about $4.00 at most retailers.

I am not a fan of all things Sally Hanson, but I do really enjoy their Complete Salon Manicure line and the Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear line, it drys pretty quickly and lasts as long as my higher end nail polishes.

I "borrowed" this picture from a fellow beauty blogger, The Nailtress. I unfortunately am not that great at doing my own nails.


Happy Halloween! -The Artist

Pick of the Week!

Hello Beauties!
So, this is the first of many pick of the weeks. We will try to have these posted every Monday and they will always be under $5! We will take turns each week, and it will be a product that we just couldn't have lived without during that week.

So for me it is a product I'm sure you all have heard of. It's the WnW trio in Walking on Eggshells.

 I have been so sick this week and have not felt like doing anything with my makeup. I did have to go out a few times and come to work today. So anytime I have left the house this week I have reached for this trio. It's so easy. I didn't have to think about color combinations or put in much effort. The colors are light and soft, and give you a bit of that fresh faced girl next door look. I think this is a go-to for a quick and effortless natural look. It retails for $2.99 at most drugstores. I got mine at Big Lots, so I think it was a little less.

Click Photos To Enlarge

I felt like death while taking these pictures, but I don't think I look too bad. :)
In case you were wondering, I'm also wearing: Bare Minerals Foundation, Milani blush in Mai Tai, Prestige my Biggest Lashes Mascara, Hard Candy concealer stick on my waterline, and elf Hypershine Lip Gloss in Fairy.

XOXO,
The Addict