Happy Tuesday beauties! For this edition of save or splurge, I wanted to share my daily makeup routine to show where I like to spend a little more and where I like to save on makeup. In general, when it comes to products I put on my skin, I think it is important to use products with high quality ingredients, and ones that are tested ethically. Generally, this comes with a higher price tag. But not always! Enjoy the following video on my beauty routine breakdown, product prices, and where I got some great deals! :) Enjoy these types of posts? Let me know! Subscribe to my channel and leave a comment to let me you know what you like and what you would like to see more of!
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Hello everyone! After my most recent trip to MAC to stock up on some goodies, I was asked by the associate, "Are you familiar with our recycling program?" And I was definitely not up on this very environmentally (and wallet!) friendly endeavor! my everday M.A.C. go to products: brow set and brow liner According to the MAC website, "because we share your commitment to the environment, MAC accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back-to-MAC Program. By returning six [6] MAC primary packaging containers to a MAC counter or MAC Cosmetics online, you’ll receive a free MAC lipstick of your choice as our thanks to you." You can check out all the details of the program here. RECAP: Return 6 empty containers of any MAC product and receive a lipstick of your choice for free :D So let me get this straight...you get to help the environment AND receive free makeup for doing so?! Sign me up! Only wish I had known this sooner...I'd be up to a few lipsticks by now! xo Sydney
In high school, I would have a lot of fun rummaging through Forever 21. For someone figuring themselves out, rows and rows of cheap and trendy pieces allowed you try out new personalities easily! However, as you probably know, those fun pieces don't have a long life. The man-made fabrics would pill, the faulty stitching would come undone, and the process of continually replacing pieces in your wardrobe can become expensive. For the most part, I now avoid shopping discount stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Target. I really try to keep myself from even stepping foot in one, because I know I will see something cute and get suckered in, only to be disappointed after a few wears. However, as you saw here, there are times I actually encourage shopping these types of stores. Keep scrolling! :) outfit details: H&M dress [new, $10], H&M flats [new, $20], H&M tights [new, 2 for $10], Rebecca Minkoff bag [new, $50], Tiffany & Co necklace [new, gift], Rayban aviators [new, $90] This outfit is almost completely H&M, and I added a few higher end touches with the Tiffany & Co necklace and Minkoff bag. My first rule for shopping these stores is to always look at the tag. No matter how cute the piece is, if it is made with a man-made materials such as rayon and polyester, I always put it back. I have had a hard time with these materials pilling and falling apart. I always look for more natural materials, such as cotton and linen, because these materials are much sturdier and hold up against time better. I also prefer to buy delicate, replaceable items (such as the tights above) at discount stores. No matter where I buy tights (Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, etc.), I have yet to find a pair that don't run after 2 wears! Suggestions?? Anyway, why pay $30 for a pair of tights when I can get the same quality in a $5 pair?! I talked about these shoes in a previous post (was linked above in the first paragraph!). I wanted these cute, summer trend shoes without paying too much, because before I know it there will be another fad shoe "I have to have." ;) That's what sent me to H&M, and I even found them on sale! I've worn them 4 or 5 times now, and there are still no scoffs, and the soles are still very intact. Yay! If you think a shoes or piece of clothing (yes, I'm looking at your fringe) is just a season piece, my advice is to go cheaper. More money for classic investment pieces! Advice? Fancy finds? Share them with me here in the comments, or tag @fancyfreeblog on IG! xo Sydney Hello lovelies! So, we all know skin care is incredibly important. Aside from drinking lots of water (or diet coke), getting enough sleep (whenever possible...), and washing our face every night (just do it!), we rely on face cremes to keep our skin moisturized and glowing. Beauty companies know this, and put a confusing number of expensive items out in the market to prey on our desire to stay youthful and attractive. Exhibit A: Creme de la Mer is a "luxurious" moisturizing cream available at high end department stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. 1 oz of La Mer retails at...drum roll please... $170! Ingredients include seaweed extract, mineral oil, vaseline, glycerin, plant oils and seeds, minerals, vitamins, and thickeners. Umm, excuse me, but what about any of those ingredients costs that much money?! Enter exhibit B: Nivea Creme is a German moisturizer available at nearly every grocery and drug store, and costs under a dollar an ounce! Like La Mer, Nivea also contains mineral oil, vaseline, glycerin, vitamins, and thickeners. While Nivea is lacking in the additionally added antioxidants, it is unclear as to whether they are still effective after the packaging and shipping of the product. Nivea is also missing the seaweed extract, which is said to emit lactic acid that exfoliates the skin. Since I live so close to the ocean, do you think I can just grab a few pieces, or nah? ;) I just really have a hard time imagining how this product can be $169x better. Once I started using Nivea as a nightly moisturizer, I really could not believe how different my skin was looking. I was waking up with glowing skin, and found the lines on my forehead and around my eyes to be less noticeable! Pro tip: Nivea is incredibly thick, let the heat of your skin soften it before attempting to rub in. It is also incredibly water resistant, so make sure your face is completely dry before rubbing in! Believe me, it is a pain. When applying, I start by putting dots on "trouble" areas (around my mouth, between my eyebrows, at the corners of my eyes, and in the middle of my forehead) and rubbing in from there. What moisturizers and skin care products do you swear by? Leave a comment below and let me know! xo Sydney |
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