~Fresh Coat~ Kleancolor Mocha....

 Well, I had to take off my beautiful Facets of Fuchsia and do something more conservative for the job hunt hussle I've been on, which seems like forever. But its ok....I think Kleancolor Mocha is the perfect neutral for only a $1 at the BSS. That's two coats, opaque. However, it takes FOREVER to dry, which is very true of  most of  Kleancolor creme formats. I put on a quick dry top coat and it was still crazy sticky two hours later.

 I've been asked how to keep my nails from chipping. For me personally, its a matter of nail polish formula, some do last longer than others. One of the best tips I learned in keeping my nails chip free for a couple of days is too make sure you paint the free edge of your nail so that polish is sealed at the edge.

Check out my POST on Chip Free Nails!!!

Me this morning....I'm so tired right now....lol.:)

~Rural Style~ A Scarf is Born!!! MsVCharles' DIY Rope Scarf.....

Just like that....

I watched this video on how to crochet a scarf by MsVCharles....





Went by the local Wal-Mart....picked up some yarn....four hours later ( divided into two days), I had a scarf!!! Talk about Christmas gifts for everyone this winter!! I have for the longest time wanted to learn to crochet but no one who knew how would teach me. I guess it is true what they say, you can learn anything from You Tube.:)

If you are a Carolina Panther fan...I got a scarf for you! Think I'll come up with some designs and sell a couple in my Etsy shop.:)

~Fresh Coat~ Revlon Facets of Fuchsia.....

I was so excited to wear Facets of Fuchsia, yet scared since Starry Pink was HELL to get off( even with acetone remover, the hexagon glitter is like bulletproof! lol!) Someone in the comments of Starry Pink to me that...its true...oh my goodness( you never lied, girl! lol!).

anyways...Facets of Fuchsia is freaking gorgeous. Excuse me? This is a drugstore polish? Yes ma'am it is. Its so $8 and up overpriced fabulousness, yet its not. This is TWO coats too. The glitter is in a black murky creme, not quite creme but not translucent. Fuschia violet glitter to the gods! I'm surprised people are not scouring every drugstore trying clean this color out....its definitely a collectable.

With the flash....

Without the flash....

~Glamour Gifting Suite~ Tarte 2011 Holiday Gift Guide....

I'm always excited for Tarte's Holiday offerings and gift sets....Its a great way to get some of my favorites and try new colors. Heck, that's what holiday gift sets are about, more bang for your buck!


Check out their new sets!!!

Talk about bang for your buck...$52 for all that in the starlet limited edition makeup vanity?? Plus, its a Sephora exclusive: free shipping and samples. Perfect:).

~FOTD~ Rouge Eyes with Maybelline LE Ravishing Rouge Blush....

 I purchased Ravishing Rouge blush from the Maybelline Fashion Week 2012 LE Collection and to be honest....it didn't look good on my cheeks. It was a bit too red, then it has this sheen that made me look shiny not "glowy". Its a great color, so I converted it into a eyeshadow.  Best ruddy red eye shadow I've had in a while!

 Fail on the highlight:(((...this highlighter on the browbone has been a thorn in my side!! Ugh!!! Sometimes I just skip a brow highlight because I feel like I'm not choosing the right shade. Suggestions are WELCOME.:)

 I've been using Maybelline Great Lash Lots of  Lashes....gerrrrllllllll......review SOON!

I heard or saw on a blog that Ravishing Rouge is a "dupe" of a Chanel blush....Any truth to that? Let me know!

~Rural Style~ Albertus Swanepoel for Target....

When I spotted these hats in my November Elle...I was too excited! How cute and vintage-esque are they? My great-aunt Captolia, never went anywhere without a hat and gloves....utterly ladylike was she.:) Well, it turns out this is Albertus Swanepoel for Target Collection and the price range for each and every hat?..... only $19.99! Lets be hopefully, that they fit on my big head and even bigger hair!

"The Albertus Swanepoel for Target collection includes 14 colorful and stylish hats for women that feature a blend of vintage appeal mixed with unexpected details such as feathers and ribbon. The pieces are each priced at $19.99 and will be available Oct. 30 through Dec. 22, 2011 at all Target stores and Target.com. The collection includes fedoras, cloches and floppies in solid felt, printed felt and faux fur"




Here are some of my picks:

Kwele

Francoise

Loretta

Katherine

Ganache

~Rural Style~ Tips for New Thrifters.... Part 1....

photo: source
I get so many questions, online and off, about how to shop at Goodwill, Sal Val Thrift Stores, or other second hand stores. Most of the times its..."I can't find anything in there!" or "I won't find anything in there!" or "How do I find stuff in there?" OR...." I don't like used clothing."...."I don't have time to thrift!" and the list goes on and on...

One word...Excuses!! ( And don't get me started on the DEFINITION of EXCUSES!)

photo: source
#1 Thrift Stores, like Goodwill, Salvation Army and ones that are owned by non-profit organizations provide a need for the community or city they are in, such as food, shelter, assistance, and job training. Its not just a shopping destination but a community service. There have been many times in the last year couple of years that I have received assistance from the Salvation Army because of financial strain and life's problems. So I'm always delighted to donate as well as shop, so that others will get the help they need like I did.

photo: source
#2 When you shop at your favorite clothing store and you buy something off the rack, do you know for sure...if its NEW? Sometimes, you do... but I've worked years of retail where I've been told put returned clothes back on the rack, size 4 shirts that have been tried on a zillion times BACK ON THE RACK. That's as close to second hand as buying it at a thrift store.

photo: source
#3 Alot of items at thrift stores are NEW. Goodwill gets tons, tons of new off season Target items all the time. Just two weeks ago, my favorite Goodwill had Calypso St. Barths for Target dresses, caftans, bathing suits and tops for as low at $2. They also had a tons of home items from Target, with the tags still attached. I once had a suitemate in college who would donate new clothes to Salvation Army, simply because she had went shopping and bought newer clothes.


So, don't think you won't find anything in a thrift store...think of the great things about these stores and why everyone and their momma is shopping there now!!! I know that it will not be everyone's cup of tea. You don't need time or patience, just the will to walk in the door.

Here are some quick tips to get you started:

-Go in with an open mind and not a list.

-Try, try again. Sometimes you won't find anything that you like. Doesn't that happen when you shop at regular retail stores??

-Go in when you have an hour...Go in when you have five hours...some of my best hauls have been when I popped in a store for a few minutes. Don't restrict your time to shop.

-Watch You Tube Thrift hauls....I just found two ladies in the last two weeks that I LOVE plus they give you great inspiration to shop.

~Fresh Coat~ Julep.com Alfre....

Finally got around to wearing one of my Julep.com order polish....this one is "Alfre"...a purple/ grey gunmetal shade...

Its absolutely gorgeous! The grey looks lavender purple-ish in different light. This color came with the "American Beauty" collection pick, but you can buy it separately. This is two coats, opaque....sheer happiness. lol!

You can only get your first month of Julep for $5...just click HERE...do the survey, get your picks and enter "FAB5" or "FB" as your code and get $60 worth of products for $5!!!

Next up with be the polish shade "Cameron"...Stay tuned!

~Rural Style~ Things That Make Me Wanna Go Thrifting.....Soul Train Flashbacks!

I didn't get out to go thrifting this weekend...I did however go to my hometown's HS stadium big yard sale, which was so-so. Jody Watley...yes THE Jody Watley, posted on Facebook this first video and my soul went bananas!!! Now I want to thrift for some wool culottes!!

All kept thinking during this video was..." I wonder where all that great clothing is now?" I think the same thing when I watch Willona on Good Times...I bet that studio had clothes for her FOR DAYSSSSSSS.....











Then I watched this one, PYT by Michael Jackson from the early 80s....My uncles' girlfriends dressed like these women, slinky, tight, and ready. LOL!



Then, the late 80s'...which I thought this Karen White song was maybe 1990 but its 1988. BodyCon dresses to the high heavens on this one....Half of those women can't even move in those dresses. If I find one in a thrift store....I'M BUYING IT.:)








Early 80s...when I was sitting in front of a floor model TV my Dad bought brand new and didn't tell my mom...on Saturday afternoon.:)


What A Trip!!! LOL!

Free Target Beauty Sample Bag Arrived! #2 Fall Edition...

I forgot I even signed up for this thing. lol! Mainly because when I was trying to put in my info to receive the free sample bag from Target, it wouldn't take it so I didn't think I would get one. Plus, I got one back in March...check that post out right HERE.:)

Came in the same box as in March....

I like this bag better than the last one! I use the last bag to hold my embroidery thread. lol...

And.....here what was in it........................I'll wait for your reaction.:/

I will say that this bag had more samples, whereas the other one had more product ( Nivea bottle lotion, Neutrogena lip balm, Pantene bottle shampoo). I'll put the shampoo/conditioner samples in my prepacked travel bag. I'll probably try the Pond's wipes, I'm a fan of makeup wipes. The other stuff, L'Oreal and Burt Bees, I've actually tried before. The coupon book has some ok coupons....the best one I saw was a $1 off a Sonia Kashuk product, which I will use on a brush I've been lemming for awhile.


Have you gotten your box? Did you sign up for one?

~Fall Skin Care Review~ Murad Intensive Resurfacing Peel

And we are on a roll with RGBL's Fall Skin Care Reviews and next up is Murad Intensive Resurfacing Peel. I've only tried one peel, at home, and that was Philosophy Microdelivery Peel and I didn't see results. Fast forward almost six years later and I'm entering my mid-30s. I see fine lines in my forehead and I constantly battle hyper-pigmentation from my occasional acne. I was sent Murad Intensive Resurfacing Peel for review and I was interested in the claims of the product....check it out:

Combine the benefits of a peel with gentle
microdermabrasion to maximize the benefits of your Age
Reform® Intensives Regimen. Intensive Resurfacing Peel
features Dr. Murad’s newest beauty super fruit complex to
enhance the penetration of active ingredients to reveal
skin’s youthful glow and smooth away superficial lines.

• Smooth superficial lines and wrinkles
• Increase radiance
• Improve skin texture and tone
• Encourage collagen production

The kit I received is the picture above, it only had four in the box and I used it once a week, on Fridays.

Pros:
- After four weeks, once a week use, I saw that my skin was brighter, bright enough for me to make a foundation color change.
-My skin was also a bit evened out too however I still had my spot of hyper-pigmentation from the past acne...the peel just even out my complexion more, if that makes sense


Cons:
-I didn't see a change in the fine lines in my forehead at all.
-It burned with each application. I never got used to that. So if your skin in sensitive, beware.
-Expensive. The four pack is $45. I would never purchase this at that cost and it wasn't fully effective
-I tried to split the application...meaning used 1/2 the little bottle for one application but you can't...you have to use the whole thing.


Consensus:

I saw changes in my skin after four weeks of use but overall I wouldn't buy the peel on my own unless I had the funds to splurge.




I received a free product (or products) for review purposes. I did not receive any form of compensation from the company. All opinions are my own and not influenced in anyway. My reviews are my personal and honest opinions

~Fall Skin Care Review~ Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing System....

For my birthday ( September 23) I bought the Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing System. I've been wanting one for a long time...really, I can't come off the coins RIGHT NOW for a Clarisonic System. I actually bought my Olay brush system at CVS....It goes towards your Beauty Bucks and I had $9 in EBs saved away so I got it for $20.00 minus tax. That is cheaper than my local Walmart at $26.99.

The Olay Advanced Cleansing System includes a 2-speed facial cleansing brush and a exfoliating renewal cleanser. I tossed the cleanser in my product stash since I wash my face with black soap, my current preferred cleanser.

Pros:
-ADDICTIVE. LOL! Its feels so good on the face. The bristles are soft but effective enough for a good scrub.
-Leaves the skin super, extra clean. Black Soap by itself is super cleansing but add the ProX brush...and its extra clean.
-Inexpensive. I didn't spend a student loan payment to buy it....and that makes me happy.:)
-It works the curves of your face very good. It got around my nose and creases very well and I have a bit of eczema in the creases of my nose, the brush scrubbed right off.
-The grip of the brush is also effective...I used it one night with a slippery facial scrub and didn't once drop it or did it slip out of my hand.

Cons:

-NONE. Unless you buy it at Target or Walmart for a higher price with no Extra Bucks or coupons or savings back.:)

Consensus:

I don't use it EVERYDAY. Its quite addictive but I noticed if I over exfoliate my skin, I get acne. So I actually have pretty sensitive skin. I use it for my weekly scrub or I use it every three days...so about twice a week. If you purchase the Olay ProX brush, test it out for yourself to see how it works for your skin. I've read where people use it everyday, that might work for you or it might not. Its worth every penny I hustled to get it for it!  BUY IT!!

~Haul~ Julep.com Order and BSS Haul....

Here we go...another beauty subscription package...this one is from Julep. I was excited because its nail polish but nervous because its nail polish I can't really touch and see it I like it. Can you tell I barely order polish? Its definitely one of those products like foundation I need to "touch" before buying...

I used a coupon code to get this first month of Julep for $5....yes $5! I'll tell you how in a minute....

This is the bag that all the products were tucked inside of in the box but this right here didn't settle well with me...

My box had been OPENED.... I had double check to make sure I had everything and nothing was opened... It tool a week for it to arrive from Washington State via Fedex SmartPost which is a painstaking but cheap way to send something....for "free" shipping... well, you get what you pay for.:/ So I wasn't surprised it had been opened. smh

I took a "personally quiz" on Julep.com and it told me I was an American Beauty Kit....lol!

I received a full size hand scrub, a cuticle oil, two sample and two polish colors Cameron( the pink) and Alfre ( the metallic lavender gray)


NOTDs are to come of course...can't wait to try the scrub... plus I'm going to email Julep about the open box problem...so I will update back here on the post.

Signup for your Julep box for $5 HERE!!!! Use ONE of the following codes: FB, First5 or WELCOMEMV5 to receive your first month for only $5!

Small BSS $1 jewelry haul.... I'm really into metallics these days....

~Fresh Coat~ Revlon Starry Pink....

 Funny....I didn't even know anything about this collection for Revlon by makeup artist Gucci Westman. I must not following the right people in Google Reader.:/ Just kidding!

I grabbed two of the polishes Starry Pink and Facets of Fuschia.

 Here's the ad in November 2011 Lucky....

 Three coats of Starry Pink. Two coats would have been ok, but I like opaqueness.  Its a lavender pink creme with silver glitter and silver hexagon glitter. Looks weird but unique..glitter in a creme?....LOVE IT.