DrugstoreDupes: L'oreal Miss Manga vs. Too Faced Better Then Sex

I FINALLY FOUND IT!

For months my favorite mascara has been Too Faced Better Then Sex, and for months I've been on the hunt for a drugstore dupe. Better Then Sex is everything I want in a mascara but its $23 so every time I bought it I cringed.

L'oreal just came out with a brand new mascara called "Miss Manga". Not only does it have adorable packaging but it is just as good as Better Then Sex on my lashes! And the best part? Miss Manga is under seven dollars. Yes, you read it right, that's a sixteen dollar difference.

First the pictures, then some more information about the lovely Miss Manga.

on the left is Better Then Sex and on the right is Miss Manga.

Better Then Sex

Miss Manga

It gives great volume and tons of length. Two coats is perfect. I tried three and it did get clumpy so don't overdo it. I actually think Miss Manga gives a bit more length.

The wand is a little strange, its very bendy so it takes a bit to get used too. 

Here they are compared to each other, very different wands so it must be the formula that is similar.

I did experience a bit of flaking throughout the day but I always get flaking with Better Then Sex so I didn't care too much.
Better Then Sex does feel a bit more natural and soft on the lashes, Miss Manga feels a bit more crunchy. Miss Manga is a bit more of a "wet" formula so it can be messy to work with, it might be one of those mascaras that get better as it dries up.
All in all this is the BEST drugstore mascara I've tried in a long time. If you like Better Then Sex you will LOVE this mascara.

Have you tried this mascara? Let me know what you think!

LipStickLove: Whitening Lightening Lip Glosses

Let me just tell you about these awesome little lipglosses. Okay first they have a built in mirror and light so you can apply your lip color ANYWHERE and ANYTIME.

Secondly they are specially designed to make your teeth look whiter. I'm not sure exactly how, maybe a bit of a blue undertone in them all?

Third, they are AMAZINGLY pigmented and have wonderful color payoff.

Fourth, they last on your lips and you don't have to reapply them a million times throughout the day.

Fifth, they smell great. (very important)

Sixth, the wands are perfectly shaped.

Winner lipglosses all the way around

Here they are swatched on my hand, this is just ONE little swipe with the wand. You can see the great color payoff.

The colors I got from Left to Right: Rosehill, Coral Craze, Nude and Pink Tiara.
I honestly can't say enough good things about these! They are pricey but keep an eye out for coupons. I think one gloss is normally around $30 and I got mine for $10 each! 

ScentsToLove: Bobbi Brown "Beach"

Its very rare that I LOVE a perfume. I'm pretty picky with my scents. I don't like anything too heavy, too floral, too fruity etc. But this? This I think is the perfect summer perfume.

I have to warn you , if you don't the smell of sunscreen you will not like this perfume at all. To me it smells like how your skin smells after a day at the beach. Sunscreen, sunshine, sand, and all things wonderful summertime.

The other disclaimer I will put on this perfume is that it is not very long lasting. It doesn't linger on the skin like I wish it would and I feel like I have to use a lot (that's why so much is gone already!). BUT since I LOVE the smell so much I am okay with reapplying it so I can smell it again.

It is on the pricier side as with all Bobbi Brown products. ($70) I bought mine at Lord and Taylor but you can also find it at Sephora, Macys, and Nordstrom.

I really like the simple classic bottle. I hate when perfumes over-do it on the bottles.

The description (which I totally agree with!) on the website says:

 "Designed with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand, jasmine, sea spray and mandarin, Beach captures the atmosphere and attitude of summer. This eau de parfum is wearable anytime, anywhere."

This will be the scent I rock all summer long!

Style: Outfit of the Day: Styling Green Pants

I bet you clicked on this post expecting some bright green pants....YEAH RIGHT! Not sure I could pull those off. However, some nice army green pants are right up my alley. Pants like these that have a nice
deep color to them are easy to pair with so many different things! They're great cuz they have a bit of color to them but aren't anything crazy.

Remember some of my style tips? Pick a statement piece, add jewelry and pair a loose top with more fitted bottoms?
Statement piece = the shirt with a fun pattern
Jewelry = long chain necklace (I love pairing long necklaces with flowey tops) and round earrings.
Annnnnnd fitted bottoms with a flowey top! BAM!
I also love to roll the bottoms of my pants up in the summer time. I think it just gives them a cute look and is a bit more summery. Its also makes shorties like me look a bit taller. (win!)

Outfit Details:

Earrings: Express

Shirt: Marshalls

Necklace: Nordstrom BP

Pants: Express

Shoes: Express

Typical face I give Jeremy when he says something crazy.

MakeupBag: My Top Seven Makeup Brushes

And the moment we've all been waiting for! The Top Seven!!!

- Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki ($21) 

-Sigma E55 Eye Shading Brush ($12) 

-Sigma E40 Tapered Blending ($12) 

-Elf Studio Small Angled Brush ($3)

-Real Techniques Shading Brush ($5.99) 

-Sigma E25 Blending Brush ($12) 

-Real Techniques Blush Brush ($8.99) 

So seven is a bit more doable right?? If you have these brushes there is really no need for anymore. They will get the job done, and done right.

Now it's also very important to take care of these brushes! If you bought all these even with the discounts you're still looking at spending around $70, averaging about $10 a brush which is reasonable but it's also a good chunk of money! You want these brushes to last and to stay in good shape. So I have two tips: wash them and store them correctly.

I try to wash my brushes every two weeks. If you aren't washing them bacteria can build up on them and create those blemishes on the face that we all hate.
Now there are TONS of brushes cleaners out there but the very best thing I have found is baby shampoo! It's cheap, it's gentle and it works perfectly.

I store my brushes standing up in a glass jar so the brush hairs don't get bent from keeping them in my makeup bag or in a drawer.

And that ends this series all about brushes. Any more questions? Let me know and I'll answer them the best I can!

Style: What Are The Rules Anyways?

I've been getting many questions lately about style. What can you put together? What doesn't go together? How do you know if your outfit works? How do you look "put together"?

The truth is there are no set rules for style. It used to be that you couldn't wear black with brown, but that went out the window long ago. There's that old rule where you are supposed to take off one piece of jewelry before you leave the house so you don't overdo it but then the arm candy took over and stacks of bracelets were the thing. Then there was the whole don't wear white after Labor Day, I don't even know what that is all about.

So I can't really say "THESE ARE THE RULES. FOLLOW THEM OR ELSE!"

But I will give you a few guidelines that might help out a bit. These are just my opinions on what looks good and I hope it might point you in the right direction.

-pick one piece and build your outfit around it. I think this is one of the reasons I have so much jewelry! When I'm in a store and a see a beautiful necklace or stack of bracelets I imagine the outfits I could put together with it. Whenever I don't know what to wear I pick out one piece, a scarf, a new shirt, or a necklace and build the rest of my outfit around it. This will help with the feeling like you have no clothes because you will be able to put together many different looks.

-wear what looks good ON YOU. Don't follow trends. Unless those trends look good on you. Right now overalls are really big. OVERALLS!??? As a 27 year old women I don't think overalls will really work for me. However, when I was in the store the other day with my 16 year old sister she commented how she really liked them. And they would look good on her so she should go for it. I should not. Understand your body and wear what makes you feel good!

-Always add jewelry. I think jewelry pulls an outfit together like nothing else. Add a stack of bracelets, some fun earrings or a statement necklace. Or add it all if it goes together well! Mix gold and silver if you want or wear everything in gold or silver.

-Find a "style icon". Someone who you think always looks good, someone who's fashion you like. For me its Zoe Hart from Hart of Dixie. I LOVE her style. Sure, she is a fictional character and someone styles her wardrobe but who cares, I love it. So I look at what she wears and pick out similar things.

-Pair something more form fitting with something loose.
Skinny jeans on bottom = big chunky sweater on top.
Baggy boyfriend jeans on bottom = closer fit tee on top.
Form fitting pencil skirt on bottom = loose fitting blouse on top.
Head to toe tight is a no go. And all over flowey will just make you look larger then you really are.

-While shopping look for pieces that will fit with what you already have. OR buy pieces that go well together so that you can create more then one outfit with what you get. Often I'll pick out a shirt and then search for a necklace to go with it. That way I have a statement piece (the shirt or necklace) as well as something to go with it AND two new pieces to coordinate with everything else I already have at home.

-Invest in basics. This is still something I'm working on. Those basic pieces that you will wear forever such as, a classic dark wash pair of jeans, a nice watch, a beautiful bag, that little black dress or a gorgeous leather jacket. These things will be pricier then your every day clothes but they are investment pieces in the sense that they will never go out of style and are basic necessary pieces in every wardrobe.

-CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET! I'd say every three months or so I go through my closet and get rid of whatever I haven't wore and anything that is looking old or stained. I have a consignment store I bring some things too and other things are just worn out. Many times I get things from places like Forever 21 or Marshalls and since I don't pay much for them I'm not heartbroken to throw out a shirt I payed seven bucks for and wore for three months because it now has a rip in it. Once your closet is rid of the things you don't wear you will be able to see what you do have MUCH better. And then its less overwhelming to create outfits.

-And that's my last tip. Create outfits. Don't just wear clothes. Don't stand in front of your overstuffed closet wondering what to wear. Create that outfit using the tips you just read!

1. Find someones style you love!
2. Clean out your closet.
3. Go shopping and pick up pieces that go together (maybe one invest piece) and look good ON YOU as well as plenty of jewelry.
4. Pick a statement piece.
5. Make sure to balance out form fitting and loose clothes.

And CREATE!

Style: Outfit of the Day: Spring Into Summer

I don't know about you but the whole "its almost summer but not quite spring" season is such a tough one to dress for! One minute it can be super nice out and I'm dying of heat and the next the clouds come in and its breezy and cool and I'm wishing for a jacket! In New England this is just life...so it is necessary to know what to wear!

I love adding a cardigan or flowey sweater type thing to tank tops because its like you get double the styling options. You get to wear all your summer tank tops throughout the fall and winter AND you get to keep all your cardigan type shirts out during the summer and spring.

One of my favorite pieces to throw on over almost anything is the chambray shirt. Its just a denim shirt and is SO comfy and cute and makes almost any outfit casual. Plus its nice and warm for those in between days.

So here is my in between seasons outfit! Details on where I got everything will be at the end. I wore this out to get sushi with my husband, but it could easily be worn out to a BBQ, to the beach or basically anywhere you want to look cute but be comfy!

Earrings: Kate Spade Outlet

Chambry Shirt: Nordstrom BP

Tank Top: Express

Maxi Skirt: Marshalls

Mini Ring: Nordstrom BP

Flip Flops: American Eagle

Sunglasses: Rayban

A little Sound of Music action at the end here. No photo shoot done by my husband is taken seriously. The hiiiiiilllllls are allllliiiiveee!

Would you try this outfit out? Is this something you'd wear? Are these "outfit of the day" type posts helpful/fun to read? Do you want more!?

Leave me a comment down below!

MakeupBag: Brushes. Part Two: Eye Brushes

Welcome to part two!! Lets just get right down to the details. The eye details that is. Here's a breakdown on some different eye brushes.

And my favorites for eye brushes?

From Left to Right:

-E30 Pencil Brush ($12) I like this brush for putting a bit of color under the lashes or for smoking out the lash line. I do wish it was a bit softer.

-Real Techniques Shading Brush ($5.99) A great brush for putting on shadow. I have a few of these because they do such a great job and are an awesome price.

-Elf Studio Small Angled Brush ($3) I don't even like this brush but at the time it was all I had for my brows. I am now trying out the new Anastasia one. I'll keep you posted on how I like that. I still wanted to include this one because I do feel like a brow brush is important!

-Sigma E20 Short Shader ($12) this brush works wonderfully to place shadow under the lash line. 

-Sigma E25 Blending Brush ($12) perfect for adding that transition shade into the lid. I can't do my makeup without this baby!

-Mac 252 Large Shader Brush ($32) Yes, this is the most expensive of my brushes. Mac brushes are pricey but its because they are handmade and totally perfect brushes! I love using this one when I want a wash of color all over my lid (and when I'm in a hurry). Its so large it makes it super fast to add shadow.

-Sigma E55 Eye Shading Brush ($12) Great for packing color all over the lid. 

-Sigma E40 Tapered Blending ($12) This is another brush I love to use with my transition shade. It works amazingly to blend colors out.

Whew! You made it through the monster list of brushes! (How many times is the world brushes in this post, man oh man!) The last post will be my Top Seven Brushes along with how to care for them so keep an eye out for that. 

MakeupBag: Brushes. Part One: Face Brushes

You can have the best makeup products in the world but if you don't have the right tools to apply these products then you're like an artist with paint and no paintbrushes. Each brush has its own job and while you don't NEED every single one, as you build up your collection you'll wonder how you ever did your makeup without them.

My top favorite brushes are by Sigma. They are an online company (they are starting a few free standing stores in LA and NY) and their brushes are GREAT quality for a decent price. They are almost always running a 10% off promo and if you spend more then $30 they send you a brush for free! I bought my first set almost two years ago and they are still going strong.

Two other brands I like are MAC and Real Techniques. MAC can only be found at MAC counters which are in stores like Macys and Nordstrom. Real Techniques are sold at Ulta and some Targets. Often Ulta will do a promo where if you buy one you'll get the second for half off!

This post got SUPER long when I was writing it all out so I'm gonna break it down into three different posts. Face Brushes, Eye Brushes, and then my "Top Seven" brushes out of those.

In the following pictures the Sigma ones that are blue and pink are from the "Mrs. Bunny" set which is a set of travel sized brushes. They are the exact same as the regular ones only the handles are a bit shorter. A set like this is an awesome place to start.

Mrs Bunny Travel Set ($75)

You can click each of the names of the brushes and it will take you straight to the websites where they are sold!

First of all the face brushes! Starting from Left to Right:

-Sigma F40 Large Angled Contour ($19)
I use this brush for applying my bronzer. Its perfectly contoured so it puts it exactly where I want it. It also works great for blush.

- Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki ($21)
This is the only brush I will use for my foundation. It gives an airbrushed finish, is incredibly soft and I LOVE it. This is actually Sigma's best selling brush!

-Real Techniques Expert Face ($8.99)
Another great brush for bronzer and I also love using this for my powder foundation. This is another good option for liquid foundation but its not as good as the Sigma one.

-Real Techniques Blush Brush ($8.99)
Amazing brush for blush! Its tapered on the end so its easy to get a precise application and blend it out. Plus, the price is right!

-Sigma F30 Large Powder ($24)
I love this one for blending everything together once I'm finished with all my face products. Its also great for an all over face powder.

-Sigma F86 Tapered Kabuki ($21)
Perfect for blending out conceler under the eyes. Again, so SOFT!

-Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighter ($21)
Just like the name says, it puts highlighter on beautifully. The perfect size for dusting highligher on your cheekbones.

And that is it for Face brushes, next up eye brushes!

LipStickLove: Bright vs. Neutral

When you've got a basic eye look going on there are two choices for lip color, a bright fun color or a more wearable neutral tone. I think every girl needs both these types of colors in their makeup bag. One "your lips but better" color and another that is just all kinds of fun.

Two of my current favorites are Sephora's Radiant Orchard Lipstick which is a SUPER bright pop of color that I have a whole blog post dedicated too cuz I love it so much and Mac's Angel lipstick which is almost exactly the color of my lips.

I think these two pictures really show the difference between a bright lip and a neutral one. I have all the same exact makeup on, just my lips are different. Well, and my hair because in the first picture I just had it up in a bun and the second one I had actually done something to it. 

Another great tip when it comes to lip color is to layer two lipsticks or glosses on top of each other for a brand new color. If you're a little scared to go straight to the super bright color, put that one on first and then layer either a light lip gloss or a neutral lipstick over it. 

Which look do you like better? 

Are you more of a classic girl or do you love to rock those bright colors.

 Step out of your comfort zone and try the opposite of what you normally go for, you might be surprised!

Skin Secrets: Taking Your Makeup Off

So far we've talked about makeup and how to put it on, but what about the end of the day when your mascara is smudging, your eyeliner is fading and you want a fresh clean face? Its time to take that makeup off! I've tried many a' products to figure out what works best for my skin and while I do think these specific products are awesome they may not work with your skin as well as they do with mine. Its alot of trial and error when figuring out whats best for your skin, but hopefully this will help point you in the right direction.






To begin with is it even that important to take your makeup off? Most people would say "YES never ever go to bed with makeup on", but I say its only really important if you wear a full face of makeup. If you just have a bit of mascara on then I don't think it will be a huge deal if you forget to take it off. But if you're loading up on foundation, blush, eyeliner etc then you better be taking it off or else your skin will be angry, angry at you. It needs that time at night to breathe and rejuvenate itself and it can't do that when your pores are blocked by makeup. So without further ado, here is my makeup removing routine.

I always start with my eye makeup because liner and mascara can sometimes be hard to get off and they make a mess all over the rest of my face. My favorite thing I've ever used for this is the Mac Cleanse Off Oil but its like $32 for a bottle so right now I'm using the Sephora 2 in 1 Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Gel.($12) I put a pump on a cotton round and use one round for each eye. I'm not a huge fan of this stuff, it makes my eyes dry I think but I'll finish it up and then maybe switch back to a cleanse off oil because I for sure like those better. I just bought one from the drugstore and after I test it out I'll let you all know how it is! It was under six bucks also!

Then I splash my face with warm water to break up all my face makeup. Next I use a tiny bit of the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser ($20) and work up a bit of a lather on my face. I love this stuff because all you need is a tiny bit, it removes ALL my makeup in one shot and its not super expensive. The bottle I have is about half gone and I think I've had it over two months now.

Another great cleanser type product is the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser ($23). You do get more product in this bottle but I also feel like you have to use more to get your face all the way clean. Personally I like the First Aid Beauty one better but they are both great cleansers.

Next up I use my Clarisonic all over my face. I was on the fence about getting this because it is SO expensive ($150) but I love how it makes my skin feel, it cleanses my face completely and helps my makeup go on smoother. I could do a whole other blog post on this product. Is in NEEDED for everyone? I don't think so, but I do love mine. So if you don't have one then just clean your face with your hands or a washcloth, making sure to wash all the makeup away.

After all the makeup is washed off then you can either use a toner if you feel like you need one or just towel dry your face. I go back and forth with toners, I'm not sure if they are needed or not. I mean yes, you should balance your PH levels and all that but I don't know, I've never noticed a huge difference if I use one or don't use one and its just another added step that usually I don't feel like taking.

One step I NEVER skip is moisturizing. I've been using the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle Cream ($14) for almost a month now at night and I think its AWESOME. I wake up with soft skin every morning and it doesn't break me out! Win!

An eye cream is important as well as we start to age but I'm still experimenting trying to figure out one that I like. 

Once a week I like to do a mask of some sort and right now I'm loving the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask ($24). It is supposed to pull all the toxins out of your skin but I like it because it just makes my skin feel really good.

And that's about it! I try to keep my skin routine short and sweet because at the end of the day all I want to do is crawl into a cozy bed, not spend a half hour in the bathroom.

Any questions? Any tips you have or products you love? Let me know!