You spent how much?

What if I told you it was possible to buy a brand new pair of Betsey Johnson shoes for less than a dollar? Or a brand new ASOS clutch for less than four dollars? Well I did, and I'm going to tell you exactly how I made that possible.

For all you iPhone and Android users there are so many free apps that you can use to accumulate points over time. For instance there's an app called "Viggle" and it's so simple, and it could be done by just watching TV. Just login into Viggle, turn on the TV, hit the "Check In" button and you're done! By doing this just a few times a day, I earned a $25 Amazon gift (62,500 points). Granted, it does take some time before you can earn enough points to exchange for gift cards, but it's free money, so who cares?

Okay, now about the shoes. I'm a lover of all things Amazon. When in doubt, try Amazon. Seriously. While skimming the website I found these adorable Betsey Johnson Natural Linen Valll Espadrille wedge sandals that retailed for $90 and was on sale for $25.73. Long story short, I exchanged my Viggle points for a $25 Amazon gift card and paid the difference, so I ended up paying $0.73 for a brand new pair of shoes. Awesome, right?

Oh and P.S. Viggle has an assortment of gift cards.

My latest obsession is the Poshmark app (which is only available on the iPhone and iPad). Poshmark is basically a online consignment shop. You have the option of selling clothes, shoes and accessories at a price of your choice. However Poshmark does take a 20% commission from your sale. Also if you're purchasing an item you do have to pay a shipping fee of $6.99 (if under $25) or a shipping fee of $4.50 (if over $25). Once you've made a sale, Poshmark will email you a free shipping label and you simply mail it out. Easy, right?

As I was Poshmark browsing I came across this gorgeous ASOS clutch that needed to be in my closet pronto. The original price is somewhere between $30 - $40 and the Poshmark listing price was $15. Not to mention this was a brand new never used clutch. I had sold an item a few days earlier, so I had a few funds available to purchase the clutch. I was also able to talk the seller down to $12 making the total $19 (with shipping). After applying my $15.40 in Poshmark funds, my total came to $3.60! Technically you can say I spent full price considering I sold something that I had previously purchased, however; it was an inexpensive item that was just sitting in my closet. So that's still pretty amazing!

To anyone interested in selling on Poshmark, you may use the code "HIYSA" at sign up to receive a $5 credit toward purchases.

As a full time college student, I'm extremely excited to know it's possible to buy brand new items for less. It's all about having a specific budget and staying within that budget.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask :)

The right makeup products.

Makeup. Is it the quantity? Or the quality? 

Definitely, quality. Makeup will never go out of style, so it needs to last.

The question on a lot of minds is, how do I know which quality is best?

First, you'll need to know your skin, and how your skin reacts to certain makeup products.  If you're unsure of your skin type, you may consult your Dermatologist and/or Esthetician.

For those of you who don't know how to apply makeup properly, don't worry, makeup has come along way and there are plenty of different makeup products that can help with your makeup application.  There are several makeup palette's on the market that have specific steps you can take, in order to apply makeup correctly. Tutorials are also great.  Makeup tutorials offer everything from, makeup application, eyebrow arching, eyebrow filling, and avante garde makeup. Makeup tutorials are endless. And of course, the most obvious choice in a proper makeup application, visit a professional makeup artist.

Now, I would like to share with you my makeup choices.

Eye Shadows

Clinique: Colour surge eye shadow duo.
Estée Lauder: Pure Color eyeshadow.
Victoria Secret: Party Perfect makeup kit.
MODELS Prefer: "Shop till you drop".
COVERGIRL: Eye Enhancers.
E.L.F: Brightening Eye Color.

Eye Liners
Estée Lauder: Pure Color Intense Kajal eyeliner.
E.L.F: Cream eyeliner.
E.L.F: Brightening eyeliner.
Wet n Wild: Brow & Eyeliner.

*The fabulous Michelle Money recently suggested to me, I use the Bobbi Brown gel liners, so I will be purchasing shortly and will give feedback, so stay tuned*

Mascara 

Estée Lauder: Double Wear zero-smudge lengthening mascara with Lash Primer Plus full treatment formula.
Clinique: Lash Doubling mascara
Rimmel London: Day 2 Night defined length/intense volume mascara.
Almay: One coat dial up.

Blush
Clinique: Blushing blush powder.
Victoria Secret: VS Blush.

Powder
Maybelline: Fit Me Pressed powder.

Foundation
 Maybelline: Fit Me liquid foundation with SPF.

Concealer
Victoria Secret: VS Pro camouflage fx concealer palette.

Lips
Estée Lauder: High Gloss Ultra Brilliance.
Clinique: Chubby Stick moisturizing lip colour balm.
E.L.F: Luscious liquid lipstick.
Estée Lauder: Pure Color long lasting lipstick.

Brushes Brands

MAC
Estée Lauder
Clinique
E.L.F

Makeup Remover

Clinique: Take the day off makeup remover.
Estée Lauder: Gentle eye makeup remover.

As you can see, I love my Estée Lauder and Clinique products, but I also love E.L.F, which in comparison is cheaper in price.  Just because a product is "cheaper" doesn't mean it isn't equipped to do the job. E.L.F is gentle on my skin and gets the job done.  So I would classify E.L.F to be quality, it may be different for you. All of my makeup choices I've shared with you, I've been using for years, and will continue to use for years to come.  I will also like to note, I have very sensitive skin, which I have to take into account with every product I use including makeup.  With that being said, be sure to purchase the best quality makeup products, that's best for YOU.

Have fun shopping :)

Vonnah,

At Home Facials

I know a lot of you are wondering why facials are important, right?
      
      There are plenty of factors that determine why facials are important:

• Facials help bring oxygen and nutrients to feed the skin at the surface
• Helps eliminate toxins for clearer complexions
• Pollution, stress and unhealthy foods can lead to skin problems and make your skin lifeless, maintaining facials can help with this problem
• Wrinkles, fine lines, sags, bags age spots, and luster all result without regular facials
• Maintaining facials help to revitalize the skin making it look younger, healthy and beautiful.

*The younger you start maintaining regular facials the better*

Going to the salon can be so relaxing and soothing, trust me I know, but sometimes it's nice to be able to fix yourself up at home.  Are the kids at school?  Is your husband at work? Do you have a hot date? Trying to save up? And not enough time to go to the salon or spa, well at home facials are perfect. 

Materials Needed:

Headband
Hair Clips
Large Bowl/Sink
Towels
Facial Cleanser
Exfoliating Scrub
Cucumber Slices
Ice
Moisturizer
Facial Mask

Some of the products I use for facials are; L'oreal go 360 Clean deep facial  cleanser, L'oreal go 360 Clean deep exfoliating scrub, Queen Helene mint julep masque and Ponds dry skin cream.

And during daily cleansing, I use; Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System, liquid facial soap(mild), clarifying lotion and dramatically different moisturizing lotion.

*Queen Helene cleansing cream triple whipped is also great, during daily cleansing*


The 4 basic steps for an at home facial

1. Steam
2. Exfoliate
3. Facial Mask
4. Moisturize

*Make sure to use products right for your skin*

12 easy steps!

Step 1: Tie up your hair using hair clips and/or a headband.
Step 2: Remove all makeup.
Step 3: Wash your face with water and a cleanser to match your skin tone. (Water should always be well adjusted)
Step 4: Pat your face dry with a towel.
Step 5: Fill a large bowl(sink) with hot water, and sit in front of it.
Step 6: Place a towel over your head, until your face is a comfortable distance away from the water, the towel will then create a tent around the water, this helps to keep the steam trapped inside. Stay like this until your face is warm and flush.
Step 7: With your face still wet, spread exfoliating scrub over your face using your finger tips, keep away from eyes and lips. *Be sure to do small circular motions, this helps to get your blood circulating*
Step 8: Rinse off scrub with warm water gently.
Step 9: Apply facial mask, again using small circular motions with finger tips
Step 10: You may apply cucumber slices over your eyes and lie back for recommended time(on the back of your mask product).
Step 11: Splash your face with ice cold water, or submerge your face in a bowl or sink of ice cold water.
Step 12: Lightly pat skin dry with a towel.
Step 13: Apply a light moisturizer that does not contain exfoliating agents.


I'm sure you're wondering how often you should receive facials. Well once every 4 to 6 weeks is fine. If your doing at home facials, you can do them more frequently, but don't over do it, once every few weeks will do!

But, in between facials, be sure to cleanse your face daily :)

Please don't hesitate to ask questions :)

Vonnah,

Returning to Blogs!

I'm back! This time around I will be talking about what I love most BEAUTY! I will also talk about other topics, that I love such as music, lifestyle, business, real estate, school, fashion, love, and film. I'm also open for topics! I will be debuting my first beauty blog sometime next week and I can't wait for you all to read! Glad to back to the blogging atmosphere and I hope you all will enjoy my blogs. Muah, Love you all. Vonnah