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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

NARS Sheerglow foundation First Impression

NARS Sheer Glow First Impression



If you're like me, then you are always on the hunt for that perfect foundation. Right?  Here is my dilemma, I find a foundation that I think is perfect; use it for a few months and then decide that I don't really like it.  Or I feel that it isn't doing what I need it to do.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  Well, I recently had been using NYX Invincible Full Coverage foundation and I like it.  It was similar (or at least I felt at the time) to Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation, but the price for the NYX foundation fit my budget better.  So, I had been using the NYX foundation for about 2 months when one day I squirt some of the product out onto my finger to start applying when it happened.  A clear liquid first came out and then the color.  It appeared as if the product separated!  I shook the tube up and tried it again and this time the product came out like it is suppose to come out.  So, I went about applying it and it just was not working.  It didn't blend smoothly, the color appeared "off", and little muddy......it just wasn't working.  Now, I very well could have gone back to Ulta and repurchased another tube of the NYX foundation, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to try something new.  

I had heard of the NARS Sheer Glow and even watched some reviews of the product on YouTube, but I had yet to purchase this product because it does have a hefty price tag - $45.00.  But after watching a lot of positive reviews, I went ahead and trekked over to my local Sephora (Ulta does not carry NARS products) and made my purchase.  Now, I do not typically visit my local Sephora - not because I don't like Sephora or the products they offer, but because the customer service is poor. And the day I went to purchase my NARS foundation was no different.  So, I was left to myself to pick out my match for my foundation.  It took a while because A. The lighting in makeup stores is always just crappy and B. some of the colors were so similar that it was just hard to tell my best match.  Anyways, the color I chose is Medium 1 Punjab.  (I was unable to get my YouTube video to upload so I'll keep trying so you can see my exact reaction to this foundation)

So far, I really like this foundation.  It isn't sheer by a long shot (medium to full coverage), but it gives nice coverage and it is build able.   The shade that I chose is very close to my skin tone, so it looks very natural.  It doesn't look heavy at all.  So far I am very pleased.  I want to keep using it for just a few more days and I'll  be back for an update and photos.  In the mean time - please head on over to my YouTube channel and watch the video!  

Thank so much for stopping by!
~Pru

Monday, February 23, 2015

Madam Glam and Melmphs (aka Melissa Autry)

Helloooooo!  And welcome back to Simply Pru!  Today's blog is going to feature some products by one of my fave YouTube personalities, Melmphs aka Melissa Autry.  Melissa teamed up with Madam Glam to bring to us beauty product junkies a line of lip products and one nail polish.

As soon as I saw on YouTube that Melissa had teamed up with Madam Glam for some beauty products, I immediately went online to order mine!  I certainly didn't want to miss out!  I received my box on Wednesday (mail delivery was slow due to snow) and tore into it right away.
How adorbs is this packaging???  I love it!!  Little black box, pretty red ribbon...very sleek.  Inside there were two lipsticks: Lady Haha and Plumed Out KK, both in classic matte.  There is also a lip lacquer in Love Affair and a nail polish in Found the One.

$39.48 for the 4 piece collection

Now, I must admit, I was a little intimidated by the colors when I first opened the box.  Aside from the lip lacquer, the shades are darker than I would normally pick for myself. But after doing the swatches on my arm, the shades are really pretty!  

Lady Haha, Plumed Out KK and Love Affair

I am IN LOVE with the lip lacquer in Love Affair and I've been wearing it everyday.  It is a beautiful rose/mauve shade that is very flattering for my skin tone.  I've also worn Lady Haha, but I did have to "tone it down" just a bit with a light pink lip gloss.  The shade is beautiful, but since I don't normally wear shades this dark, I felt as though my lips were on full display....big, large and loud! 

I haven't tried the nail polish yet, but my toes are due some tender loving care here soon, so I'll try out the polish and post follow up pics.  

Oh, and before I made my Melmphs and Madam Glam purchase, I reached out to Melissa on Instagram and got a response from Madam Glam - yes, the products are cruelty free!!! BONUS!! 

So, if would like to get your hands on these great products, head on over to www.madamglam.com
I'm not sure how long these products will be available, so don't delay!  Oh, and don't forget to check out Melissa's YouTube channel - she is super cute and totally quirky!  

Thank you Melissa and Madam Glam!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Pru

Sunday, February 1, 2015

January 2015 Vegan Cuts Unboxing









My first Vegan Cuts Box of 2015!  How exciting is this?  Well, I can tell you that I was very excited to receive this in my mail box.  And might I just add, Vegan Cuts did not disappoint.  First, upon opening my box, I saw DermOrganic shampoo and hair mask.  I  love DermOrganics!!!  I've tried several of their products and have enjoyed all of them.  My hair use to be very curly and unruly, but over the last few years, my hair has changed quite a bit.  Long gone are my beautiful curls (which I complained about ALL of the time) and the days of pretty much wash and go and hello to semi -straight, gotta style everyday, hair.  It is still pretty unruly - meaning I have coarse, thick, dry and frizzy hair.  Areas near my scalp are kind of.....wavy (?), but the rest of my hair is just.......ugh!  I recently had a doctor try to explain to me the difference in my hair"As women, with out hormones, and as we get holder....." WHAT????  Certainly not anything I wanted to hear.  Anyways, DermOrganics seems to be what my hair needs.  The shampoo and conditioners not only clean and condition my hair very nicely, but they seem to help "tame" my hair.  And they smell really good
too!

Ok, next is Surprise Nail Polish in Snow Queen.  Since the color of the polish is jet black, I thought Snow Queen was a weird name for the color.  But I guess I can see the humor in it now.  Pretty funny! It's a nice polish - very opaque, which I like.  I haven't painted my nails with this color just yet, so I can't tell you just how many coats of color is recommended.  I will keep you posted.


Next is Modern Minerals eyeshadow.  This is a loose mineral eyeshadow and I have to say I really, really love this stuff.  The shade is a very light (a little pinkish) shade great for the inner corner highlighting and along the brow bone.  I've used this almost everyday since receiving my Vegan Cuts box.  I did a look using this shadow all over my lid and it really made my eyes pop!  Blends easily and it lasted all day (with a shadow primer of course).  This mineral shadow is so pigmented - a little will go a very long way!
I got a great tinted lip balm from Crazy Rumors.  This lip balm is AWESOME!  There is just enough color to enhance my natural lips and the scent is just heavenly!  Along with the Modern Mineral - I've been wearing this every single day.  It has been bitterly cold and windy here and this has moisturized my lips and made them feel soft.  I most certainly will be purchasing this again.
Finally, Gourmet Body Treats Sugar & Spice scrub.  Now, if you've watched the video above, then you know that I am not a fan of this scent.  I can't really describe the scent other than a very earthy, almost like a dirt scent. (Not sure that even makes any sense).  But because I purchase ($19.99) my own Vegan Cuts box, I do like to try everything I receive and give an honest review. So, yes, I will try this body scrub and let you all know what I think. I just hope I can get past the scent of this scrub.  
Thank you all so much for stopping by my blog!  Be sure to check me out on You Tube - Simply Pru.  Oh, and now I'm on Instagram too - Simply Pru

Stay tuned for my thoughts on all of the products I received in my January Vegan Cuts Box!
~Pru


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Financial Peace? Yes, please!

Hello!!

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey?  Have you heard of his Financial Peace University (FPU)?   Well, I have and I finally have the opportunity to attend this nine week course towards financial freedom!! Goooo ME!
Materials for FPU


I first heard of Dave Ramsey several years ago.  A friend had recommended one of his books that explained how to pay off debt, investing money, saving money, etc..... But I didn't really take it all that serious.  I mean, I bought the book and had intended on reading it and following Dave's advice, but just never really got around to it.  Over the years, I had listened to a few of Dave's radio shows and watched a few of his YouTube videos and thought to myself, "I'd really like to take his Financial Peace University course", but again just never got around to it.  I do not have a ton of debt, but I knew that Dave taught more than just paying off debt; he talked about investing your money wisely, how to be a savvy home buyer/seller, and most of all giving.   Not just the occasional donation or church offering here and there, but giving BIG and regularly.  So, around the holiday season when I once again Googled Dave Ramsey, I found that there would be new classes starting after the new year for FPU in my area and I immediately took to social media (Facebook) to get anyone's opinion regarding the FPU course.  Surprisingly, several of my FB friends had taken the course and some had even taken it twice.  Needless to say, the FPU came highly recommended, so I signed up! My first class is meeting Monday, January 12 just a couple of miles from home.  Yea!

If you are not familiar with Dave Ramsey and his financial teachings, but would like to know more, I suggest looking up Dave on his web site or on YouTube.  He seems like a really nice guy.

I will keep you all posted on what I'm learning and then of course at the end of my nine weeks I will let you know if I recommend this or not.  (I'm gonna guess yes, I would recommend - I did not come across one person  who had taken the course that did not recommend it.)

~Pru

Monday, January 5, 2015

Happy 2015!!






Can you believe it?  It's 2015!  I don't know 'bout you, but 2014 went by so fast. A whole year has past in the blink of an eye!  Well, as one year ends a new one begins.  A new year full of new hopes and possibilities and I am ready! 

A few weeks ago I had received my December 2014 Vegan Cuts box, but I had not opened it.  With the Christmas season, things got a little busy around here, so I had put off opening my box and filming my box reveal for my YouTube channel.  Today, I finally opened my box and as I type this blog, I am uploading my box reveal video on YouTube. 

I love receiving my Vegan Cuts box each month; it is a great introduction to cruelty free and/or vegan beauty products.  Some things I receive I really love and some things I receive.....well, they miss the mark for me.  But that's ok  - its about discovering new products and that is the goal of my cruelty free journey.  Aside from receiving my Vegan Cuts box, I troll the internet reading about cruelty free products and where to purchase those products.  I've found some on my own and I've tried them out, but again some things I could have done without (and my pocket could have kept the $$).  One of my goals for this year is to post more frequently about things that I not only receive in my box, but the things that I find on my own and whether or not they are worth the cash.  I also want to incorporate info on what products I've finished.  Meaning, products that I've used up and the ones that I just couldn't get through. Maybe some beauty tips and tricks too.  Oh, and fashion...maybe.  Some days I look great, but some days......well...... hey, I'm a full-time student - most of my days are spent behind my computer doing class work! 

So, please stay tuned to Simply Pru.......2015 is going to be AWESOME!!!!
~Pru