3 Websites Worth The Use

Hey guys, I use a couple websites that I think are pretty worthwhile when it comes to the internet and all of it's strange corners. So, I thought I'd make this tiny little guide for people who are interested in making money online, or getting free products, or anything in between. These are simply websites I really love using, and I am not sponsored by any of them. Just a user who thinks, fuck yeah, this is awesome. :)

1. SWAGBUCKS:

I've been on SB for about a year now I think, and it's been only in the past six months that I've realized how awesome this website is. The concept behind this site is that you can earn Swagbucks, which translate into real life money at certain points. So, for example, 500 Swagbucks, is $5.00. To get the money, you can pick gift cards. I generally pick Amazon, because I have Amazon Prime and it makes shopping on there really simple. Some of the things you can do on SB to get gift cards is, play games, take surveys, participate in polls, A tip from me is that the gold surveys and the partner surveys are the best way to get things done.

2. BANDCAMP:

If you're a musician, you might be into bandcamp, which is a really great website to list your music for sale or simply allow people to stream it. I thought I'd throw it on this list because if you haven't heard about it, it'll definitely change your life. If you're not a musician, but a  lover of music, you can sign up for a fan account, and follow any musicians you find to your taste. By following them, you'll know when they post new music or list merch. Here are a few bands on Bandcamp that I love:

• https://nothalfbad.bandcamp.com/
• https://heavybootsfolk.bandcamp.com/
• https://cheaphaircuts.bandcamp.com/
• https://thewifeandkids.bandcamp.com/
• MINE!: https://noraleetx.bandcamp.com/releases

3. INFLUENSTER:

Influenster is a website for anyone, and that's why I love it. It's a website that is based off your "influencing" pull via social networking. It's built around things most of us all already do. You don't need to be "famous" on YouTube or anywhere to use this website. You sign up, take some surveys, review some products, link your social media, and from there on out the website will contact you to take small surveys where they're looking for certain demographics to get boxes in the mail called VoxBoxes. For example, I have a post on here about the Carefree Voxbox, the survey I got asked me if I was interested in female hygienic products and would be interested in reviewing them, I said yes, and then a few days later received the box in the mail. 

Swatches + Review: Kat Von D's "Saint" palette.

I got this from Sephora for $36 dollars. I think this is kind of a good alternative (as in cheaper) for the Naked palettes, more along the lines of the Naked2 because of the color layout.

You get a really nice soft white gold, a light bronze (which I've put a dent in already), a pink with flecks of glitter, two full fledge bronze tones, a dark dark bronze, a close to matte brown with chunks of glitter, and a completely matte brown on the end, which by the way is the perfect eyebrow color for me.

So, you get 8 shades and a reallllllllllllllllllllllllly black eyeliner.

Honestly this stuff does not budge when you have it on your waterline.

I typically do not wear pencil liners on my top lash line when I'm going for a precise line or a cat eye effect, because I just feel like there's more certainty in a gel liner or a nice liquid liner. But, I tried this one out and it surprised me. It stayed put longer than expected and I was even able to get a nice looking line with it without having to get pissed off.

And here are the eyeshadow swatches.

Honestly the reviews on Sephora had me kind of iffy about buying this palette because a lot of them mentioned that they were disappointed with the staying power. Now, I don't know what kind of primer these people were using, but this eyeshadow has one of the best staying powers in my whole collection, honestly. I have a few urban decay eyeshadows that I'd say stay forever, but these Kat Von D shades are close behind.
The first time I wore this eyeshadow I used the second light shade on the left, and the third from the right end - light glittery brown.. I wore the ELF jumbo eye pencil in French Lace (which the pink shade in this palette is the EXACT same color, glitter and all, just in a powder form.), as my base instead of a primer.. I generally do this when I'm running late or it's just a grab and go kind of morning. I went to school, which I'm on campus from 7am to 5:30pm, and I was literally shocked when I looked at myself in the mirror when I got home. Not only was my eyeshadow intact still, but it had very little creasing going on. It didn't look FLAWLESS, but it looked GOOD. And I think it's hard to find eyeshadows that have the effect after such a long damn day. Like if I were going to go out once I got home, I probably would've just added a little of the white color to my inner corner, and revamped the brown color in my crease and left, easy peasy.

I'm really glad I splurged and got this palette for myself. It was pretty much my christmas present to me this year. :)

Have ya'll tried any of the Kat Von D products?

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

Hit or Shit?: JULEP MAVEN.

I got my box yesterday, but I get off school around 6PM, therefore my lighting wasn't ideal. So, I waited until this morning to photograph the box and contents.

I got 3 products, and they came in this canvas tote.

I got two nail polishes and a foot cream. I used the polish and was very impressed with the fact that I only needed one coat.

Here's how they turned out:

And here is the foot cream:

 I usually use Avon's Foot Works in Cooling Watermelon on my feet, and I refuse to use anything else. But, I decided I'd give this a try tonight and let ya'll know how it is. I meant to last night, but totally spaced it while I was studying for my Philosophy exam. Anyhow, it smells really nice, it is cucumber mint. And it's a very light foot cream, which I think is awesome. There's nothing worse than a thick, gross, gloopy foot cream. Haha.

Hit or Shit wise for Julep Maven...............

Personally this isn't a "shit" for me, but it is a miss. It's just not something I would pay $20.00 a month for, especially seeing as you only get three products. The foot cream is decent size (2 fl oz) and the nail polishes are really beautiful. I think if anything I would purchase the nail polishes individually. At this point I have already cancelled my membership as to not have to pay full price for the next box. Maybe I'm just not in their demographic. I am thinking about trying a month of MyGlam Bag though. It's only $10.00 a month, and seems like you get a lot more products to try. So, all in all, I love the nail polishes, and I will do a full review about the foot cream. But, I will not be getting another Julep Maven box.

Love, Noralee