Candle Alternative - My Secret Weapon

Being a college student, I have the luxury of staying in a dorm which unfortunately does not always smell the best. I've tried room sprays and misting my perfume around but don't find that it makes that big of a difference. 

Then, on one of my many random trips to Target, I came across this.

*cue triumphant music*

Ta-da! This is an electric wax warmer! It's similar to a Scentsy, just a Target version. There is no wick, therefore, no flame, making it a little safer to have in the home. I was unable to find the exact one I found in store on their website. If I remember correctly, it was around $20. 

What's great about having a candle warmer rather than an actual candle is that the warmer is warming the wax which is what contains the scent. There is a light bulb inside that is warming the wax evenly, rather than a candle that is warming from the inside out.

Here is where you put the block of wax. 

The scent I currently have in my warmer is called "tahitian vanilla". This scent smells just like a warm sugar cookie. It's incredible! I constantly receive compliments about how good my room smells. This scent I picked up at Target for I believe $3.99.

I haven't tried any other scents but I do have a scent from Scentsy called Vanilla Cream and then I also have one called Baked Apple Pie which reminds me of how the restaurant Cracker Barrel Smells. The Baked Apple Pie scent will be perfect for fall. I also have one other scent that I picked is called Jasmine Bouquet which is a very floral-y scent - perfect for spring!

The only difference between the Target brand and Scentsy brand wax is that the Target brand comes in the form of blocks separate from each other. With the Scentsy wax, the wax is somewhat melted together and you have to break the blocks apart. Below is a picture ofwhat the Scentsy wax looks like.

Switching out the scents is very easy! If I'm just adding in another block of the same wax that is currently in the warmer, I just let it melt and then pour it into the garbage can, typically into a box or some type of container that is being thrown out. If I'm switching out the scents entirely, then I do the same, just wiping out the warmer before putting in the new scent. Be careful, tho! The warmer will be hot!

Overall, I am very pleased with my electric warmer. I recently browsed the Scentsy website and saw a few scents I'm itching to try!

Hope you enjoyed this review! Follow me on instagram at natalieb0813 or on twitter @budigbabe. If there are any products you would like for me to review, either comment below or email me at natalie.budig@comcast.net.

Red Carpet Manicure - Red Carpet Worthy?

With the latest fad being gel nails, I figured that I would try out both the salon version and the at home version. After visiting three different salons, I went to Ulta and purchased the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Starter Kit for $79.99. Thankfully, I didn't have to pay full price because I had a 20% off coupon.


Photo Cred: Target

The box contains a UV light, a red gel polish, polish remover, a purifying liquid, a base coat, a top coat, a prepping liquid, and a revitalizing oil. The polish remover and purifying liquid are both smaller sizes while everything else is full size. As for the polish remover, I don't find a difference between that and just regular acetone.  

The bottle on the left is full size that I purchased separately and the bottle on the right is the size that came with the kit.  

The packaging itself was good. Nothing fancy, just a simple box; not too big, not too small. Everything inside fit neatly in the box. Was it durable enough to last for a long time? No. I did end up purchasing a plastic container to store everything in. Part of the problem was that I had purchased a bunch of different colors to go with so they didn't all fit in the box. 

Color selection is pretty good. I'd love it if they came out with a few more pastel colors. I feel like most of the colors that they have are very dark which would be perfect for fall or winter; however, I purchased this product in the spring so it probably didn't work out as well as it could have.

Above are the brighter colors that I have.
Left to right: Nervous with Anticipation, After Party Playful, Star Power, Candid Moment, Paparazzied, Ooo La Liscious, and White Hot. 

 

Above are the darker colors that I have.

Left to right: Publicity Stunt, Scandalous, My Inspiration, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Red Carpet Ready, Black Stretch Limo, Midnight Affair, and Plum Up the Volume. 

As for mixing different polishes from different brands, I would not do so. I tried using the brand FingerPaints, and found that the polish would goop up and be bumpy and thick. My nails also did not look as shiny. 

The application of the polish is very nice. The polishes are very pigmented and apply very nicely to the nail. The polishes are pretty thin except for the base and top coat. They're a little bit thicker but not to the point where the polishes are unusable. I noticed with the top coat, the brush can sometimes pick up the color from the polish on your nails. That doesn't ruin the polish, tho.



The color on my nails is called "Midnight Affair". Depending on the lighting, the color appears either more navy or more like a dark turquoise. 

It takes some time to get used to painting with the polish because certain colors sometimes shrink under the UV light and now you really need to be careful because unlike regular polishes that can be easily touched up, once you cure the polish with the UV light, you're basically at the point of no return. 

Removal is not bad at all. I have found that if I take a small tupperware container and fill it with enough Acetone to cover my finger tips and nails, and let my nails soak, that's the easiest way to remove the polish. Then, I take an orange stick and scrape the polish off. However, most of the polish peels off itself and the rest comes off with little to no effort. 

Is the Red Carpet Manicure system red carpet ready? I'd say so! I love how easy it is and how shiny it looks. When I would go to the salon to pay for a gel manicure, it would cost me between $30-$35. With this system, I've gotten my money worth in just two manicures!

Hope you enjoyed this review! Follow me on instagram at natalieb0813 or on twitter @budigbabe. If there are any products you would like for me to review, either comment below or email me at natalie.budig@comcast.net.

Tuesday Night Walgreen's Haul!

Although I am 19, I still love 17 Magazine. Is there an age limit on magazines really? Well, anyhoo. I was flipping through 17 and came across a coupon from Covergirl for $4 off any two eye products from them.

Goodbye boredom, hello Walgreen's! Here are the products that I picked up at Walgreen's with my $4 off Covergirl coupon and then an in-store coupon for a Revlon eye product.

First thing I picked up were two of the Covergirl Flamed Out Shadow Pots in "Blazing White" and "Melted Caramel".

Swatches were ehh. I was expecting something incredibly pigmented. I figured the white shade could be a great highlight but after swatching, I'm thinking it'll be better off as an all over the lid color. The brown was nice. Both have a decent amount of shimmer in it.

Next, I was in need of a good black eye liner that I could use to make a very thin line on the upper lash line, just to add a little definition. The brand that instantly came to mind was Jordana and I picked up their Easyliner for Eyes in Black.

I am super excited about this one. It just glides right on and doesn't budge.



Lastly, I picked up a Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eyeshadow Quad in "Sirene". I figured I could do a smokey eye with this but after swatching it, I'm not too impressed.




It took forever for me to build up enough color for it to show up in the picture, but maybe it'll be different if I use an eyeshadow base or primer and use an eyeshadow brush instead of my fingers.



Hope you enjoyed this mini haul! Follow me on instagram at natalieb0813 or on twitter @budigbabe. If there are any products you would like for me to review, either comment below or email me at natalie.budig@comcast.net.

EOS Lip Balm - Worth the Hype?

Let me just start this post off with saying BLEH! 

YouTube has sucked me in when it comes to EOS Lip Balms. If I had a nickel for every time I heard a beauty guru or just anyone rave about the EOS lip, I would probably be able to pay off my college tuition!

Everyone just raves about these lip balms and I'm sorry, but I don't understand why. I saw them in the checkout at Target and thought I might as well try them. Well, $2.99 later, I am one unhappy camper! 

This product is so waxy and has such an old lipstick scent to it. Bleh! The product didn't glide on my lips the way other people said that theirs did. I did not find it moisturizing at all and only find myself reaching for it if I'm too lazy to get up to find my Carmex chapstick.

The packaging seems kind of bulky. I feel like EOS could slim down the packaging, which would use less plastic and would be better for the environment. It's just so bulky! The packaging definitely seems sturdy and I wouldn't be worried about traveling with it or if I have it in a pocket (which I probably won't because it's so bulky) I wouldn't have to worry about it cracking. 

I'm interested to see if the dome of chapstick is all chapstick, or if there is a dome of plastic underneath that takes up some space so there is less product.

In the end, I don't think this product is worth all the hype. I would probably pick up Softlips instead. EOS Lip Balm costs $2.99 for a not so great product while Softlips costs $2.99 for 2 sticks of an amazing product. 

Hope you enjoyed this review! Follow me on instagram at natalieb0813 or on twitter @budigbabe. If there are any products you would like for me to review, either comment below or email me at natalie.budig@comcast.net.

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream

I am and always will be a huge Garnier Fructis fan! I started off using their shampoos and conditioners and have now made my way through various hair care products and now skincare. I have combination skin, with my under-eye being incredibly dry. I was looking for a a moisturizer that would replenish some moisture under my eyes but not be too heavy for the rest of my face. 

After doing some research, I came across kellylovesbeauty1 on YouTube. In one of her videos, I can't remember which :/, she talked about Garnier's Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream. This was a completely new product to me. What drew me in was the texture.

It's not a creamy consistency, but a very thin gel. When I use it, I dip the pad of my fingertip inside the jar, and that's usually enough for my whole face. The gel is cool to the touch and feels very refreshing after a long day. I sometimes like to put two "coats" of moisturizer on my face because I love how it just glides on my skin.

I don't know how moisturizing this product is. It can sometimes feel sticky on the skin, but I can definitely feel it absorbing into my skin. I haven't noticed a dramatic difference, but I only use this product before bed. 

The packaging is very nice. It comes in a little glass jar, that's clear so you can see how much product is left. Downside is, it's kind of heavy and because the product is so thin, you have to make sure the lid is secured tight or else it will leak.

I picked this up from Ulta for $6.99; however, I did not see it online.

Hope you enjoyed this review! Follow me on instagram at natalieb0813 or on twitter @budigbabe. If there are any products you would like for me to review, either comment below or email me at natalie.budig@comcast.net. 

L'Oreal's Damage Erasing Balm - Worth the Hype?

Having naturally blonde hair is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing in that it is a beautiful color but a curse in that styling damage is more noticeable. I am always on the hunt for products that will prevent damage and/or reverse any present damage. 

 

I have tried numerous hair masks that claim to reverse so many years of damage but end up just leaving my hair looking greasy and then a few days later my hair looks more damaged than it was before. I was getting so desperate, I was trying every home remedy out there. That is until I came across this product. 

This is L'Oreal's Total Repair

5 - Damage Erase Balm and holy cow is it great! I heard about this from Tati on YouTube. Her channel is GlamLifeGuru on YouTube and on Instagram she can be found at "glamlifeguru" as well. 

Tati recently posted a picture of her hair after using the balm and I was immediately sold. Her hair looked so shiny and so healthy! Her hair didn't look like it was being weighed down by moisture. Plus, Tati was just glowing which showed that she wasn't kidding when she said she loved this product. 

 

This product is different than others in that it is very thick and dense which is what I want in a rinse out hair treatment. I want something that is going to saturate the hair, not just slide right out.

The smell is incredible! It's not overpowering, not incredibly perfumey. It does linger throughout the day and I did catch myself grabbing a handful of hair and just smelling it... but hey my hair smelled good! 

I have only used this product a handful of times so I don't think I'm ready to give it a rating quite yet, but I will do a follow up post giving it my final thoughts!

I tried looking for this product at Ulta but could not find it. I did, however, find it at Target for $5.99.

my first time

So there is a tag going around YouTube and at first glance it looked totally awkward and *insert giggles here*, but then I started looking through the questions and actually thought it was a good idea! So without further ado, take a gander down memory lane with me as review my first times!

Do you still talk to your FIRST love?

I am blessed enough to still be with my first love :)

What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
Well, I am only 19 but I'd be lying if I said I've never had a sip of an alcoholic beverage. I believe that my first alcoholic drink was a sip of my dad's beer.

What was your FIRST job?
 My first job was babysitting! but then my first official job was working at a bookstore.

What was your FIRST car?
A Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X :D

Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
 Ryan <3

Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
Ryan again

Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Mrs. Carlson

Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
Disney World

Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
I met Betsy in pre-school and we are still best friends to this day!

 

Where was your FIRST sleep over?
My grandparents house

Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
My mom

Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
My cousin Jenny, I was her flower girl.

What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Check my phone

What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
My first concert was going to see The Plain White T's

FIRST broken bone?
Knock on wood, I've never broken a bone!

FIRST piercing?
I had my earlobes pierced when I was five years old.

FIRST foreign country you've gone to?
I went to the Bahamas with my family!

FIRST movie you remember seeing?
MULAN! I was such a big Mulan fan, I never took off my Mulan costume. Ever.
 

When was your FIRST detention?
Freshmen year for not having my shirt tucked in...I'm such a rebel

Who was your FIRST roommate?
Does my sister count?

If you had one wish, what would it be?
For there to be a cure for cancer!

What is something you would learn if you had the chance?
I would love to learn how to cut hair!

Hopefully this post pushes you to stroll down memory lane! This definitely made me think of some good old times with friends and family!

my hair saver!

I have incredibly fine hair. Actually, fine is an understatement! My hair is very thin and therefor, when I use styling tools, I MUST protect my hair from the heat! TRESemme’s Heat Protector Spray is incredible! I have definitely noticed a difference between when I use the spray and when I do not. The bottle itself fits comfortably in my hand. The bottle itself is not super slick so it will not slide out of my hand. The nozel has a permanent clip underneath it which is perfect for travel because the clip can be adjusted to prevent the spraying of product. This was something I noticed TRESemme added within maybe the last year.

 

Photo cred: Target

Sometimes with sprays, the product comes out in a stream. For me, that almost prevents me from repurchasing a spray! That is not the case with this product. It is evenly distributed through a fine mist.

There is no smell to this product and it does not weigh the hair down which is great for when your hair is dry and you want to then go through with a flat iron. 

I would still avoid the root area to prevent the loss of any volume in the hair. After I spray my hair, my hair does not become sticky. I can barely feel it in my hair! But! I can feel it on my floor. Excess product will fall onto your floor and unfortunately; you will turn into an ice skater on your hard wood floors. This can be fixed if you spray your hair while on carpet or maybe stand over a towel.

                         Overall, this product is incredible! For $4.99 at Ulta, what a bargain! This product receives a 9 out of 10. It would receive a 10 out of 10 if it didn’t make my floors so slick!

my go to primer

When thinking about what product I should do as my first review, I couldn’t figure out what kind of product I wanted to do. Do I find my favorite eye shadow? Do I go for my go-to pressed powder? None of these ideas really spoke to me. So then I thought, okay, what product do I use first when I’m putting my makeup on. My go to primer is Rimmel Fix and Protect Pro Primer 002. Just a small amount of this product helps keep my makeup looking flawless all day. I’ve tried numerous primers before and keep coming back to Rimmel’s. What’s great about this product is how easy it applies to the skin. It goes on smooth and does not feel sticky at all. With other primers, I sometimes feel like they make my makeup slide off my skin. With this primer, I can see a decrease in shininess on my face. I definitely do not have to pull out my compact as much and blot my t-zone. Another great trait of this primer is that there is no scent. I’m a very picky scent person and I cannot stand when a product has a heavy scent whether it be a chemical smell or not. This product does not have a smell at all. Overall, I’d give this product a 10 out of 10. 

 
Photo cred: Rimmel London

You can typically find this product at any drugstore. I usually get mine at Target. There are two different kinds; a purple font one (001) and a blue font one (002). I purchase the blue font. I can't remember what the cost is at Target, but I know at Ulta it cost's $7.99.