Say HELL NO to cucumbers soothing facial masks!

Hey hey. :) So, like most people who peruse Target, I've seen this brand "Yes to _____" around the cosmetics area.

I decided to pick up one of the single use Yes to Cucumbers calming facial masks for sensitive skin. I don't have sensitive skin, really, but I love anything melon/cucumber scented, so that's what really swayed my decision.

 I decided I needed a little "calming" in my life a few days ago, what with preparing for finals and everything else going on in my life. The word stress is seriously an understatement when I think of my life right now. So, I decided to put on a face mask. I have a bunch of bottles from Avon, but I was going through my samples/one use products drawer and figured I should use one of those. This product smells amazing, just like I thought it would. And when I put it on, I noticed how smooth the consistency felt. It was like velvet. I followed the directions to a T. I was about 3 minutes in when I started feeling a strong tingling sensation on my face. It didn't feel BAD, and a lot of masks I use have a tingling sensation as well.

HOWEVER, at 5 minutes when I went to take it off, as soon as I applied water to it, it felt like candle wax on my skin. I seriously felt like I was burning and my face was being ripped off.

It left my face looking like this:

Which, I'm not a face mask n00b, I know a lot of them will leave your face a bit puffy and red from taking off the dead skin, etc. So, at first I wasn't alarmed. I was though when my face was still red the next day, and still hurt. In total my face was red for like three days and hurt like a bitch even after the redness went away. Even my dermatologist was stumped to find an answer as to why my face reacted that way. :/

I don't know if I just got a faulty product or there's something in it, but I seriously felt like I had a chemical burn on my face.

Even though I want to like that brand, after this experience, I'm not buying anymore of their products.

Has anyone else had shady issues with this brand?

Love, Noralee

Hit or Shit?: ELF HD Powder.

 This is the ELF HD Powder. It isn't new, but this is the first time I've tried it. It is available on the website in the this one, and one called "body glow" or something along those lines - it is the same packaging but I think it wouldn't be of use to me, because it looks kind of like a "glittery" bronze and I'm not a big fan of all over shimmer powder stuff. Butttt, if you've tried it and I'm wrong, correct me! This product is $6.00 and worth above and beyond every penny of that.

 The packaging is a matte black container, very sleek. And comes with the powder puff above. Which it is soft and great quality, but not to sound like a snob - I just like my brushes better when applying. I'm totally keeping the puff though, because I'm sure I'll find a use for it, and if not, it's just too cute to get rid of, really.

 This is what it looks like with the grate on top of it.

And here it is removed so you can see the actual product.

This gives your face a total finished feeling. I am so in love with it. It is one of their more "expensive" items, which is why it's taken me so long to just get it and try it out. I got it at my local Target a little over two weeks ago, and have been trying it out on different temperature/humid days to see how it holds up. The thing I think I'm most impressed with is the fact that it can make any foundation you're wearing look not only flawless, but like it is not there at all. I've tried wearing this two different ways, the first being all over my face. And the second was an experimentation, where I didn't blend my makeup line as well as normal, to see if this would do anything to it. It does. It sets in, perfectly. Besides the sheer fact that something translucent acts with such coverage, it also blends other products well. I think this product is very versatile and something that has quickly become a staple into my everyday face routine. Did I mention it feels like silk on your face? True story! I don't know if it's just my imagination but ever since I started using this, I've felt like my face has been getting softer.

This is totally a hit, and really worth trying out. In fact, it's already on my repurchase list.
ALSO, I think I will order and extra for my giveaway, if you'd guys be interested. ;p

Have any of you tried ELF's HD Powder? Or something similar?

Love, Noralee

Hit or Shit?: ELF Essential Line Tinted Moisturizer.

I wear tinted moisturizers typically in the summer and pre-fall in Texas because of how hot and humid it is. I picked this up because it is getting to where I can start back in on my foundation routine but it's also not completely cool enough. My current tinted moisturizer was kind of spendy so I'd like to save as much as possible for the days I'll really need it, not the days where I got up and figured it'd be hot, only to walk outside and realize, oh shit, I need a sweater.

REAL TALK: This stuff is light weight, easy blending, stays put, and gives more coverage than my other tinted moisturizer. I was seriously surprised. Plus, since this is a part of their Essential Line it was only $1.00. Of course that means, as you can see in the first photo, not a lot of product. But, I do know they have them in bigger packaging on their Studio Line for $3.00. (They've even come out with an oil-free line.)

You do get a lot for the fact that it costs one dollar, I'd say. It's definitely not a one use bottle. I've used it about 4 times now and will say a little really does go a long way. This is a hit. :)

Love, Noralee

Swatches: ELF Studio Blush in Gotta Glow

I realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly adore this "blush."

It's more of a highlight, and I use it all over. :) I am going to get like three more, because I can already tell I'll probably hit pan quick on this one just from how much I use it. It's easily become a large staple in my daily makeup routine. DEFINITELY  hit and worth $3.00.

Love, Noralee

Face of the day.

I'm all squinted up cos it was so bright outside, so sorry my eye makeup is skewed.

FACE: Mark Primed for Perfection, Covergirl Clean Oil Control in Natural, Cheeks: Candid Coral by ELF and Orgasm by Nars, Cheek highlight in Gotta Glo by ELF, Bronze from the Contour Kit by ELF, Brows done in medium from the ELF brow kit (review soon!), Matte Covergirl Clean Oil Control Pressed Powder in Medium, and ELF pressed powder in Light Beige.

EYES: Inner corner and brow highlight: Maybelline Sunbaked Neutrals palette, on the lid is a light brown from the 38 Shadow ELF palette in Warm, and in the crease is a olive color from the TokiDoki palette in Lion Papa. Liner is a cream gel liner from ELF in Coffee. Mascara: Maybelline Falsies.

LIPS: Sephora Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in original, and ELF matte lipsticks in Nude with a little bit of my Wet n' Wild, Just Peachy, glossed over it.

Also, I'm getting ready to post up a Fall Wishlist, and I have a bunch of reviews in the queue that will be posting on days when I have classes. :)!

Love, Noralee!

face of the day.

face:  Mark: Primed for perfection, Covergirl Clean Oil Control, Covergirl pressed powder - Fair, ELF tone corrector - Apricot Beige, ELF pressed powder bronzer in Glow, Cheek highlight in Avon's 003, Nars in Orgasm.

eyes: Mark primer, ELF Eyeshadow Duo in Butterpecan - both shades, highlight from the sunbaked palette from sephora.

brows: wet n' wild brow pencil in - medium, & brow kit from ELF in light/medium.

lips: Peachy (matte) from nyx.

hair products: Aussie Shine hairspray, got2b rocking it dry shampoo, advance techniques frizz control.

**Also, this is the morning after using the Aussie Three Minute Miracle.. IT IS AMAZING.