The "Christmas Time is Here!" Tag

     Hello Everyone!

     I was tagged by the lovely Stephanie from Stephanie's Look to do this super fun Christmas tag! It was created by Hope from beautyandbliss and I absolutely love the questions! Now you can finally get a peak into what my holiday season looks like. I hope you enjoy!

1. What is your favorite thing about Christmas?

I love every single thing! I love the extra time I get to spend with family and friends, the way it looks outside after it snows, all of the traditions that my family has around the holidays, and of course baking lots of yummy treats!

2. When you were a kid, what did you leave for Santa on Christmas Eve?

This is such a fun memory for me. I used to leave the traditional milk and sugar cookies but I also left carrots for the reindeer! We would always by the carrots with leaves still on them and 'Rudolph' would always seem to make a mess all over the living room! I thought it was hilarious!

3. Do you and/or your family have any Christmas Traditions?

YES! 

1. All of the girls in my family have craft night. We normally make an ornament but this year we painted pottery!

2. We decorate gingerbread houses with my cousin!

3. We have a white elephant gift exchange after Christmas dinner and this year's theme is "As Seen On TV"! I'm still looking for the perfect gift.

4. We see a movie on Christmas Day with my cousin. 

5. We celebrate Christmas Eve at my house!

6.  My Nana, cousin and I have a huge shopping day at the department store where my aunt works. I look forward to it every year!

4. When decorating, do you go all out or just do a small amount of decorating?

I definitely think my family is right in the middle. Everywhere you look in our house you are reminded of the holiday but we don't have millions of lights and blow-up Santa's in the front yard! :D

5. What is your favorite Christmas dinner food?

My family has a very similar dinner to Thanksgiving. We have ham, turkey, mashed potatoes all the works so I look forward to all of it! :)

6. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Elf all the way! Jerome will even do the escalator move in public during this time of year. You'd think I'd get embarrassed but to this day it still cracks me up!

7. What is your favorite Christmas song?

I hate to admit it but the entire Justin Bieber Christmas album...

8. What as your favorite gift you've ever received?

Without a doubt my vanity Jerome got me last year! If you want to see it it's in video number one of my makeup collection series. He completely surprised me to the point where I was in tears! He even went the extra mile and had it all built and set up in my room by the time I got home Christmas night. What a sweetheart! My parents also got me my Macbook Pro a few years ago so that is definitely a close second.

9. What is your favorite Christmas memory?

I think a lot of people will relate to this one: just racing down the hall Christmas morning as soon as I opened my eyes. I also loved opening those chocolate advent calendars!

10. Does it snow where you live?

Definitely! We just had a huge storm over the last few days and ended up with like 8" total! To be honest I really do love it- mainly when I'm inside and in front of the fire place though. :)

11. Do you own an "ugly holiday sweater"?

I can't say that I own anything too ugly but I do own one of those baggy holiday sweaters that looks like it could be from my grandpa! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. ;)

12. Hot chocolate or eggnog?

Hot chocolate for sure! I've given eggnog it's fair shot but I am not a fan.

13. Have you ever been kissed under a mistletoe?

As long as Jerome and I have been together, we haven't! Maybe this year will be the first time!

I tag EVERYONE along with these beauty girls!

1. Emily Eddington
2. Lindseyland22
3. Jen Luv's Reviews
4. CarahAmelie
5. Inspiredmom824
6. Leeshyeternally
7. Leighannsays
8. Thrift Thick

Merry Christmas!

Love, Lacey

My Recent Camera Upgrade!

     Hello Everyone! Today I am here to bring you up-to-date on my entire camera story and experience. I wanted to post something like this to explain to you why I decided it was time for an upgrade and what camera I ended up going with. Now let's start at the very beginning…

     I posted my very first YouTube video on April 26th of this year after recording on a tiny little JVC camcorder that had been floating around my house for ages. Keep in mind that even though I thought I was on the right track (the camera had an HD sticker on the side) it was FAR from good quality… I will say that I was very proud of my first video but during that whole day and a half of filming and editing something clicked. I FELL IN LOVE WITH MAKING VIDEOS! It was instantaneous which is why I found myself waltzing around my local Best Buy the very next day. I realized that if I am going to be putting my time and effort into these videos I wanted them to be as good as I could make them- and that started with having a quality camera. Call me impulsive but I ended up choosing and purchasing the Canon EOS Rebel T3i along with everything I needed to start my YouTube journey that very same day!

     From day one I was experiencing issues with my Canon. When I would sit down to record, it was automatically shutting off when I was in mid-sentence! It only did this every once in awhile in the very beginning but little did I know it would get WAY worse! That wasn't the only thing that I was disappointed in… It also didn't have auto-focus. If you aren't familiar auto-focus it just helps keep you (or whatever you are doing) constantly in focus and without it you only have a select window which stays crystal clear. This was probably a mistake on my part due to my lack of research before buying but I knew this was a widely used camera across the beauty community so I went with my gut instinct.

     Just recently the shutting off problem got intolerable! It's supposed to record for 10-15 minutes once the button is pressed but mine would stop within 40 seconds and it was very inconsistent. I finally took it into Best Buy to have it looked at and after the run around of buying a new SD card and calling Canon directly, the manager agreed to let me exchange my T3i for another camera entirely. Thanks to the warranty that I purchased, this wasn't a problem and now it was time to do a little more research. Talk about intimidating!

     I searched the internet for about a day and had my mind set on either a Sony or Canon Vixia camcorder because they seemed to have everything I needed but boy was I wrong! Thanks to an amazing sales associate (Chris) I finally decided on the Canon EOS 70D which was a complete shock. Not only was I set on a camcorder, I wasn't expecting to spend nearly that much but I am 100% happy with my decision. Chris ended up being another YouTuber (how cool is that?!)  and he was so much help in making me realize that this camera would be an amazing investment. It is a camera that has only been out a few months and one of the only DSLR's to come out with auto-focus. It takes AMAZING photos and literally encompasses everything that I was looking for.

   To make a long story short I went from a Canon EOS Rebel T3i to a Canon EOS 70D and who knows what the future holds. Will I be looking into lighting, microphones, etc. next? What ever it is I know that I will be extremely happy shooting videos with this amazing new device that I am very grateful to have.

     I hope this post was informational and helpful for you guys. I went to my Facebook page to ask if you would be interested in hearing this story and many of you were! As always I will have this camera listed in the description boxes of all my future videos.

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Lacey

My Current Skincare Routine + AMAZING GIVEAWAY

     Hello Everyone! I have just uploaded a really exciting video over on my YouTube channel and I didn't want the blogging world to miss it! I thought that it would be fun to show you how I take care of my skin since I have come across some products I have been LOVING recently. However, to make this post even sweeter... I have worked with one of my favorite skincare brands to host the biggest giveaway I have ever had on my channel! How cool is that?!

     So, as you can see my skin is very important to me and you should feel the same way about yours! Even though I love makeup as much as the next beauty enthusiast, I feel as though we all need to take care of what's under all of that makeup to put our best self forward! There is only so much makeup can cover up and we all want to achieve a natural beauty that begins with taking care of ourselves and our skin!

     Now, it's GIVEAWAY time! Like I said in the video, all of these products were sent to me after I reached out to CeraVe but I only did that for one reason... because I truly LOVE their line and I wanted to share them with you. Yes, I could have gone out and purchased one set of these products on my own but I never would have been able to afford multiple prizes so that is why I contacted the company. I know that we have all seen the YouTube videos and/ or blog posts that seem sugar coated because they are "sponsored" and that idea made me very skeptical when reaching out to a beauty company for the first time. In a nut shell I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, this particular experience was absolutely wonderful and I could not have asked for a better outcome. I will only continue to bring you content that my conscience feels clear about and that is something I pride myself on! Obviously, I wasn't paid by CeraVe to do/say any of these things- but even if I was, I have benefitted so much more from the happiness it brings me to share these products with you and that's the truth!

If you would like to enter to win one of the three prizes than here is a recap of what you need to do!

YouTube Giveaway:

1. Subscribe

2. "Like" the giveaway video

3. Comment with one of  your favorite skincare products or one from CeraVe you want to try!

*Enter as many times as you would like for more chances to win*

Facebook Giveaway:

1. "Like" my Facebook page (link is here)

2. Comment something nice (it doesn't have to be skincare related) on the photo of the CeraVe products you might win!

*Only one comment per person please*

Important information regarding BOTH giveaways:

1. US residents only please

2. Entries will be counted until November 21, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST

I really hope you enjoy what I am bringing you today and here's to healthy skin!
Love, Lacey

Bulky Fall Scarf DIY: Arm Knitting Tutorial

     Hello Everyone! I posted this video on my YouTube channel today but LOVED this one so much I wanted to include it on my blog as well. Thanks to Allison for posting this idea on her Facebook recently because I have been knitting like crazy and have since created three of these scarves.

     My video covers what you will need (the supplies cost anywhere from $10-15), the actual tutorial, and some tips and tricks that I have found along the way. I hope you give this DIY a try because they are simple, yet create an inexpensive and thoughtful gift for this time of year. Please make sure to let me know if you create one of these scarves by leaving me a photo on any of my social medias! Now, onto the video...

     So, what do you think? Pretty easy huh?! Now you can create that scarf you have been looking for to pair with leggings, a comfy sweater, and riding boots for fall.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Love, Lacey

Beauty Subscription Showdown September 2013: Follow Up

     Hello Everyone! About a week ago I posted my Beauty Subscription Showdown for the month of September showing you what I received in my Birchbox and Ipsy bag. I got a lot of great products and many of them needed testing out before I could give you my final thoughts, so that is where this post comes in! I'll include the video for you if case you haven't seen it, but I will say that I did give out my very first 10/10 rating! So exciting!

Ipsy

NYX Eyeshadow in Hollywood: Unfortunately, I haven't gotten a chance to play around with this eyeshadow much after filming. I do want to say though that I was pretty disappointed with this single from NYX and I would have enjoyed a different color/ formula much more. From what I have seen, these shadows tend to be pretty good quality for the price but due to the high volume of shimmer in this shade, it was not one of my favorites.

Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner in Obsidian: I really grew to like this eyeliner after using it for the past week. It is a harder pencil that requires a little more work to get on but honestly that is why I like it. I own the cult favorite Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero which is a very creamy, black pencil that goes on very smoothly. The reason I grew to love this harder formula was because it was very natural looking on the eyes. The color was also more of a dark grey which could be a good or bad thing in regards to your own preference but for me it was a plus. I liked the more subtle shade because I could easily work it into my outer lash line to create the effect of more lashes without it looking too unnatural.

It's So Big Volumizing Mascara by Elizabeth Mott: I can definitely say that I was not a fan of this mascara. It reminded me so much of the Marc Jacobs one I mentioned in the video as far as consistency, but also how to applied and looked on the lashes. It was a very wet formula as I had guessed and it didn't do much as far as volume was concerned. This mascara did lengthen my lashes, it stayed put all day, and even built well but you could only take this formula so far. I did however enjoy this product on my bottom lashes in the fact that it was very lightweight and natural looking. 

Victoria Jackson Taupe Eyebrow Pencil: This pencil really surprised me. I mentioned that I thought that it was going to be a little too light for my brows and after filming that video I hopped online to see the other shades available. I come to find out that this shade is the only one offered! It's supposedly a color that will work for all hair colors and of course I was a little skeptical. After using this for the first time I was surprisingly pleased with the color but it was the packaging and formula that disappointed me! The pencil itself is a little too creamy for my taste and even though it does include a sharpener I don't see myself using it. The color goes on easily and evenly but I feel like it is much more likely to move and to be wiped off compared to my Anastasia Brow Wiz. This pencil was a little more waxy than the Brow Wiz formula and I did like that aspect but I hated the fact that this Victoria Jackson packaging didn't include a spooly. I always like combing my brows before and after I apply product and I kept having to dig one out or reach for my Brow Wiz. It was just a hassle!

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple: I was really excited for this product once I pulled it out of the bag this month but it didn't hold up to that excitement. This color had a TON pigment and I have no idea why they marketed it as a "tinted lip balm" for a few reasons. One, it was definitely more of a lipstick formula in the fact that it was pretty thick and the color was super opaque. Two, it had no moisturizing properties to it at all! I was shocked when I applied this to my lips using the included brush. The color was matte (which I am a fan of) but the formula was so uncomfortable to wear. The only way I could see this working is if I made sure to add a thick layer of chapstick down before this product and possibly even on top. As far as the color goes, I was very pleased but I just can not get over the formula and way it was marketed as. I have plenty of other red lipsticks that I will be turning to before reaching for this one.

Birchbox

Amika Blow Up Spray: I have used this once since pulling it out of my box and it was okay. It added a little more volume to my fine, thin hair without weighing it down or making it greasy. I love the way it sprays and the fact that I can use it on wet or dry hair! Would I purchase the full size? Probably not, but I do see myself using up this sample.

Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Hedge Fund: Gosh! I postponed this blog post for so long so I would hopefully get a chance to use this for you and include a picture. Unfortunately, I never got around to it but I will be reaching for it next time I paint my nails! 

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream: I thought that I would like this hand cream more than I actually did. The scent did seem to be a little more overpowering than I initially thought so that was a bummer! As far as moisture goes, I have used better lotions but I love the fact that this is good for your nails and cuticles as well.

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara: I got to be honest here... I was expecting so much more from this product! If you have seen the video you will know that I was really excited when I saw this in my box this month. I thought that it was going to live up to all of the hype it has been getting for the past few years, and for me it didn't! It's a good mascara but nothing more special than some of my drugstore favorites! It is very volumizing in the fact that you don't need 3+ coats but with that comes a bit of clumpy-ness. So disappointing!

Voesh New York Lemon Pedicure Mask: This is the one product that surprised me the most after trying it! At first, it was one that I wasn't super excited about but I do have a funny story of how I went about using it. Are you ready for story time?

     The night I filmed this video I planned on using this packet. I got out my cotton socks that I always use after applying a very moisturizing lotion to help it soak in and sat down on my bed. I opened the packet and noticed that this was no lotion! It was the consistency of a face mask and was a light tan color which completely caught me off guard after applying it to one foot. I then decided that this product was no where near what I was expecting and re-read the directions. They said that you needed to rinse this product off after letting it sit for five minutes so I gracefully (yeah right...) hopped on one foot into the bathroom. I finished applying this using the whole packet and waited the five minutes thinking that this product was just too much of a hassle to like- I was even a little disappointed! After the five minutes were up, I sat on the side of the bath tub while I washed it off. It didn't come off super easily but once it was I noticed the amazing difference it created! My feet have NEVER looked so smooth and moisturized! The places of dryness I had struggled with in the past were completely hydrated and healthy looking. I was shocked and believe it or not, so impressed that I ordered the full size immediately!

If you subscribe to Birchbox, don't forget to rate your products!

Love, Lacey

Full Coverage Foundation Look: A Natural Look Perfect for Every Day!

     Hello Everyone! I am stopping by my good ol' blog to post some pictures regarding my most recent video. In this video I do a look featuring a full coverage and long lasting foundation, plus a very simple and easy look that could be worn ANYWHERE!

     So, if you just took a look- THANK YOU! Being a part of the Best in Beauty Competition was such a fun experience and I am so glad that I entered and competed! For those of you that took the time to vote, this is how I am showing my thanks. From day 1, no matter if I won the competition or was the first to be eliminated I swore to myself that I would give my entire prize away and that is exactly what I am doing! So, here are a few detailed photos of the prize in question- The Urban Decay Shadow Box Ammo Palette. If you'd like to enter, make sure to refer to the description box of the video!

*Only comments under that video will count*

     There you have it- look at those awesome colors! Good luck to each and every one of you and thanks again. You guys mean the world to me!

Love, Lacey

MAC Phloof! Drugstore Dupe

     Hello Everyone! I recently went on a trip to my local MAC counter to pick up a few new eyeshadows and came home with Phloof! and Mystery. As I was choosing the products for my recent "YouTube Made My Buy It" tag, I realized that the highlight from the CoverGirl Shimmering Sands Trio is almost an identical dupe for MAC's Phloof!.

     When swatched on my hand the CoverGirl highlight comes off more pink and less opaque than the MAC shadow to the naked eye, however, the sheen's are very similar. If you were to use either one of these shades on the lid there would be no difference between the two in my opinion! MAC eyeshadows will set you back $15, but this trio from CoverGirl is less than $6 and includes two other great everyday shades! I personally do not see the need in owning both shades and will most likely be heading to MAC to switch out Phloof! for another color.

I hope you enjoyed this very short and sweet post.

What other dupes have you recently came across?

Love, Lacey

Marc Jacobs Beauty Follow Up

     Hello Everyone! A few weeks ago I posted a super exciting video revolving around four new products from the Marc Jacobs Beauty line. Being a huge fan of this designer you better believe I was first in line when it came to the debut of his makeup. I gave you my first impressions of the products while applying them and initially I was indifferent to the items. Some of them I liked but nothing really stood out to me. Here is the video in case you haven't seen it!

     After posting that video, many of you wanted me to do a follow up on what I thought of the items now after using them for a few more weeks. I was more than happy to express my opinions once again and figured my blog would be the perfect place to do so. So here is what I think of all four products after using them all for about a month...

Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation: This is definitely one of the products that I grew to love a little more after filming. During the video, I found myself using upwards of four pumps of this product but have since realized that you don't need that much. I now use only 1- 1 1/2 pump(s) for my entire face and have loved the light weight feel. After using less product I didn't see it falling into lines as much and that was a huge plus. I can definitely see myself keeping this foundation and using it when I am looking for something more natural and light because once I use my favorite concealer on top, the coverage is very nice. As far as wear goes, it is below average in my opinion. I can personally only count on this looking great for less than 6 hours and that is coming from someone with dry skin.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Perfection Powder- Featherweight Foundation: I still have mixed feelings about this powder. Even though the packaging is BEAUTIFUL the product itself is a little underwhelming. I cannot apply this with my typical powder brush method and find that dipping the little sponge into the powder multiple times during application is a bit of a hassle. It does have a slight shimmer property to it while in the compact but once on the skin I don't feel like it provides much additional coverage.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Lash Lifter- Gel Volume Mascara: This is something that I know I will return. From the first time I used it I knew that I wasn't a fan due to the very wet, goopy formula. I have found that the packaging gets very dirty from wiping off the tip of the applicator (as seen in the photo below) and the brush is nothing special. This mascara does nothing great for my lashes and does contain that "glossy" element that I know is controversial in the beauty community, but please keep in mind that this product didn't smear or budge throughout the day. Like I said in the video, I do own other drugstore formulas that outperform this $26 mascara.

* Please excuse Lily's toy! :) *

Marc Jacobs Beauty Lipmarc- Lip Gel: I have grown to have a love/hate relationship with this formulation of lipstick. The packaging is great, the color is gorgeous, and the wear is above average for a typical lipstick. The only problem I had with this is that it can become pretty dry throughout the day. Due to the fairly thick consistency it didn't feel lightweight or hydrating on the lips, however, the thickness could add to the staying power a bit. So you can make the choice... is staying power or hydration more important to you? I do think that I will be returning this product due to already owning similar colors in formulations that are more comfortable on the lips. I did want to also add that I love that this entire line of lipstick is inspired by some of Marc's favorite movies- how cute is that?!

Love, Lacey

My Favorite Urban Decay NAKED 2 Look & Shade Descriptions

     Well hello once again everyone! I seriously feel back at home sitting here typing this and it feels so nice! I have some blog posts scheduled over the next couple weeks all revolving around supplemental material stemming from a few of my latest YouTube videos. I had a few particular requests for this post so I was more than happy to do it for those subscribers!

     Here is the video that I did surrounding my current favorite look from the Urban Decay NAKED 2 palette. This cult makeup item has been plastered all over the internet since it's release back in December of 2012 and is my favorite of the two NAKED palettes they have released. If you haven't yet seen my video, please check it out!

     After this video went live I had a few people ask for me to explain (in a little more detail) the colors I ended up using in this look. I thought that was a GREAT idea because anyone could then recreate this look even if they don't own this particular palette. I am probably not an expert on describing these colors and that is why I have included photos as well. I hope this helps and would love to see if you recreate this look! Please tag me if you post your photo to Instagram or Twitter so I can be sure to see!

URBAN DECAY NAKED 2:

SHADES USED IN VIDEO:

Suspect: A very neutral, taupe color with a touch of bronze that has an almost metallic finish.

Pistol: A cool, gray color with a touch of brown and a frosty finish. This is one of the shades that I have fallen in LOVE with.

Verve: A very light and shimmery silver color. This is the other color that has made me a huge fan of this palette!

*Please excuse Half Baked as it was NOT used in this tutorial*

Foxy: Your typical off-white matte shade.

Bootycall: A nude color with a slight golden/frosty finish.

     As for the brushes and other products used, they are all listed in the description of the video!

Love, Lacey

Meijer and CVS Haul & The Best In Beauty Competition!

   

     Hello Everyone! Today's post is dedicated to some new things that I have recently picked up at the drugstore. I was originally going to do this post exclusively on my blog but relied on my Facebook page (link here) to see what you guys thought I should do! Everyone said to do a video so that is what I did! Like I say in the video, if you ever want any input regarding my posts and/or videos that is the best place to follow! :) Enjoy!

     I originally took all of the following pictures before my CVS trip so please enjoy these in-depth photos of the products I picked up at Meijer.

     Physicians Formula Super BB Powder: Uh oh! As soon as I took this out of the packaging I heard something rattling around and it turns out that the entire pan had come loose! There was only a tiny portion of glue attaching it to the compact so adding a dab of hot glue would possibly be an easy fix. However, this was a new product! This should definitely not be happening...

     Milani Powder Blush in 02 Flora Passion: I swear I love this packaging even more every time I lay eyes on it. I love the simplicity of the packaging and the gold detail is a nice touch. The formulation is nice- it is VERY soft and smooth to the touch. However, I could see this product being a bit powdery but if you use a light hand you should be fine! I have used this a few times on my cheeks and have loved the color pay off. At first glance I didn't think the product was SUPER opaque but you do get a nice flush when using this that is definitely buildable!

     Milani Nail Lacquer in Purple Martin: I said pretty much all I wanted to about this polish in my video. I was a little let down by the color but overall it's a nice, opaque formula with average staying power.

     Milani Total Lash Cover Mascara: Behold my first Milani mascara! This brand is definitely one that I want to get more familiar with in the near future. I feel like I hear TONS of great drugstore finds coming from this brand that is pretty reasonably priced. The brush on this is not my favorite.... The pink part is a little too hard and the softer bristles are kinda of difficult to get to. I just don't understand the brush at all really. The formula is on the wet side and doesn't do anything too drastic to my lashes so as of right now I will be returning this but remember my first impression could definitely change!

     If you made it to the end of this post THANK YOU! Here is the link to Jen's latest Best in Beauty Competition video where I am in the TOP 4! I cannot believe I have made it this far and it is all thanks to you! If you would like to see me move on to the FINAL 3 please click here. That link will take you to Jen's video where all you have to do is leave a comment saying my username "Lacey Keith"!

What are you looking forward to picking up at the drugstore?

Love, Lacey

Makeup Collection Series: Vanity & Decorations

     Hi Everyone! I hope you enjoy the first video in my new makeup collection series! I had an absolute blast filming this for you and can't wait until you see part two. :) Enjoy!

Love, Lacey

Negative Product Review

     Hey Everyone! For round 4 of The Best in Beauty Competition we had to do a video revolving around a negative review. Since this was my first video talking about products I didn't like, I decided to include three categories of products for you! Enjoy!

Love, Lacey

Beauty Subscription Showdown: July 2013 (GIVEAWAY)

     Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoy this video comparing both Birchbox and Ipsy for the month of July. I must say that I was VERY impressed with both services- hooray! They came at the same time this month which was a huge plus and I feel like I received some very awesome and exciting products!

     I did want to include that I tried the Cermidin Cream from Dr. Jart+ last night and LOVED it! It is simply a heavy moisturizer with a light, clean scent that I fell in love with! After the first use my skin felt so soft and it even absorbed quickly enough for me to apply my Retin-A overtop. My skin looked brighter and more even this morning- I just couldn't get over this product! I am considering buying the full size from the Birchbox Shop with some of the points I have gathered in recent months which is awesome! I never feel like buying a product that I sampled in a beauty subscription after one use- so that's saying something!

     I also wanted to mention that my very first GIVEAWAY is currently going strong! Entries are being accepted until Wednesday July 24, 2013 at 11:59 pm. The winner receives a $20 Sephora gift card! If you want to know how to enter please watch this video (here).

Don't forget to rate your Birchbox products this month!

Love, Lacey

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquers: In Depth-Review

     Hello Everyone! Thanks to you I have made it to round 3 of The Best In Beauty Competition! This weeks theme was to review something you love so I decided to use this opportunity to finally do my review of the Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquers. Let me know what you think of video reviews vs. just doing them on my blog. I have had some say that the video is just way too long for one product which I do understand but you know me- I want to include every detail! Please enjoy my review, how I apply them, and how all the shades look on. Have a great day!

What shade do I need to try next?

What do you think of this new lip product?

Love, Lacey

June 2013 Favorites!

     Hello Everyone! Today's video is all about what I have been loving for the past month of June. It includes a little bit of everything so please give it a watch! All products including their prices will be linked down below as well as any other information that I forgot to include. Enjoy!

Products Featured:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc/Light 2 ($44.00)

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in 5 Fuchsia in Excess ($34.00)

EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush ($6.99)

Sigma Small Tapered Blending E45 ($10.00)

Remington TStudio Pearl Ceramic Professional Styling Wand 1"-1/2" ($24.99)

Honorable Mentions:

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla/Light 2 ($28.00)

L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder in N6 Honey Beige ($9.99)

MAC Blush in Pinch O' Peach ($21.00)

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer + Treatment in 110 Fair ($9.99)

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in 501 Steller ($4.99)

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk ($4.49)

Essie Nail Polish in In The Cab Ana ($8.00)

Jordana Glitter Polish in 12 Celestial ($1.99): You can not beat the quality of this entire line of nail polish (non-glitter polishes included) for under $2!

What product(s) have you been loving this past month?

Love, Lacey

My Every Day Hair Routine + How To Vote (Picture Instructions)

     Hello everyone! Welcome to my second post/ video dedicated to The Best In Beauty Competition hosted by Jen from Jenluvsreviews. Since this week's theme was DIY's/Tutorial's I was a little unsure of what video to do! Since I had already done a DIY for the first round I wanted to bring you a video that was a little more personal. Thanks to a wonderful subscriber I got the idea to film "My Every Day Hair Routine" for you! I hope you find this video helpful and please leave any questions you have down below!

     I am a HUGE fan of no heat hairstyles and I have found it hard in the past to use some of them on my naturally curly hair. Over the last year or so I have been able to switch up some very popular no heat hairstyles to suit my curly hair! If you are interested in a video showing you the 3-4 unconventional ways I have found to tame my curls overnight, I'd be more than happy to show you!

     Also voting for this video ends this Thursday (7-4-13) at 11:59 PM! I know it may take a few minutes out of your day to head on over to vote but I promise I will make it up to you! When the  competition is all said and done I will give back to you through a giveaway on my YouTube channel AND blog! So please head on over to vote because the further I make it- the bigger the prize! 

If you are unfamiliar with how to vote, here is how!

Step #1: Go to YouTube.com and click the little Sign In box in the upper right hand corner!

Step #2: Sign into your account! *This is where you would create an account if you don't already have one by clicking the reddish-orange box in the upper right hand corner and following the directions!*

Step #2: Watch the video at the beginning of this post and click the "VOTE HERE" annotation OR visit this link: http://youtu.be/jPA6wSJiKlY

Step #3: Once you are at Jen's video you want to scroll down a bit until you see the comment area.

Step #4: Find the box right under where it says " All Comments" and you should see a place to type. Click inside that box!

Step #5: Next, you want to type out your comment- It must include my name or username (Lacey/ Laceykeith) for the vote to count! You can say anything you would like then just click post!

THANKS FOR VOTING!

*If you are in need of a post dedicated to making a new YouTube account please leave a comment down below!*

Also do you like my new header? Let me know what you think!

Love, Lacey

New Drugstore Makeup Haul!

     I always seem to find more than I plan to when I head into the drugstore- but isn't that the case for any beauty lover?! No matter if I'm running in to pick up one thing or return something you can bet that more times than not I come out with more than I planned to. With that being said I came across some really fun, new products and couldn't wait to share my haul with you.

Walgreens Products:

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in 300 Out Of This World, 501 Stellar, 102 Nova, 401 Aurora, 303 Apocalyptic, and 400 Big Bang ($4.99 each): I have only gotten to wear one shade so far but the pigmentation is amazing as you can see in the video. Can't wait to try out the others and to get a review together!

L'Oreal Infallible Limited Edition Spring 2013 24-HR Eyeshadow in Strawberry Blonde, With A Twist, and Dive Right In ($8.79 each): Even though I wasn't totally happy with the way these shadows came off with a brush, the shades are gorgeous. I must say though I did try to use the purple on my lower lash line a few nights ago and wasn't thrilled with the shade. On the eyes it doesn't translate as a bright purple color at all. I'll have to give the teal a go but if that doesn't work out I will probably be returning all 3 shades... Bummer!

Johnson's Baby Oil Gel with Aloe and Vitamin E ($4.79): Yay! Finally a product that I already know I love! I have used this after 2 or 3 showers and love the stuff. I didn't notice much of a difference after the first application but after the second, my legs were very soft and smooth. Don't use too much though because it does leave a residue but at night it doesn't bother me at all. Plus, it smells great too!

*Blog Bonus* Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo ($3.99): I don't know how I forgot to show this during my video! I have heard many people rave about this brand of dry shampoo and had to try it. I am one that has been jumping from dry shampoo to dry shampoo recently trying to find the perfect match and I must say this one is nice! The scent isn't as floral as I was expecting and it does leave a pretty white residue. However, if you use it sparingly and with a light hand it is not a problem even on my fairly dark hair. I will need to use it a little more before I make a decision because I have been really liking the one that I got in my Birchbox this month too!

Meijer Products:

Wet-N-Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow in Nutty ($1.99): I used this the same night as the purple shadow listed above and loved the shade in my crease. I am always looking for neutral colors that will make my blue eyes pop and this was definitely right up that alley. If you are looking for a subtle but buildable, natural looking shade than look no further- this is your match! The price is nice and the pigmentation is there so what more could you ask for!

Nivea A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care SPF 10 ($2.99): This is a very simple product so there isn't much to say here. It moisturizes my lips and is a perfect base under any lipstick. It's not too thin but not too heavy and is very comfortable to wear!

CVS Products:

Maybelline Electro Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm in Pink Shock and Strike A Rose ($3.99 each): I have gotten the chance to try out both of these shades and I am so surprised by the amount of color they give off. I wasn't a huge fan of the original line but am liking these shades (especially Pink Shock) better than the permanent six. I do have to say that I am very picky when it comes to "hydrating" lip colors because I really want them to live up to that claim. I don't just want them to FEEL like a balm/chapstick I want them to actually moisturize and soften my lips as well. I don't feel as though these have a fantastic moisturizing element (like the Korres Lip Butters) but they are nice to carry in my purse.

Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick in 110 Porcelain and 115 Ivory ($8.99 each): Man, the first time I used these I wasn't very impressed. I swatched both shades on my neck to see which was the better match and both came off very pink on my skin tone. Since neither one was the perfect color I focused the lighter shade in the center of my face and the slightly darker one towards my hair line. I put the product directly on my face from the stick then used my Beauty Blender to try to blend it in. It seemed as though the formula was too thick for the sponge to handle and I felt as though it blended away to nothing in some places. I must say that overall the finished look was okay but nothing like the finish of my current favorite foundation- NARS Sheer Glow.

CoverGirl + Olay Eye Rehab Brightening Concealer and Serum in 320 Fair/Light ($11.99): I haven't gotten to fully play around with this product as much as I would like to but I do feel like I picked up the wrong shade. As I was getting the link for this product I realized that there was one more lighter shade than the one that I purchased. I should have gotten fair instead of fair/light... Why do companies have to make it so confusing?! It is a little dark for my undereye area but I want to try it as a base under my foundation next time.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara in Extreme Black ($9.49): We might have saved the best for last! I have not been one to try very many Rimmel mascaras at all over the years but this display caught my eye! I have heard Nicole Guerriero talk about the Rimmel Lash Accelerator line in the past so I had to pick this up! I LOVED this mascara after one coat and that is saying something for a girl who is VERY picky with mascara formulations. To be quite honest I liked it more after the first coat than the second but I am still playing around with it. It can tend to get a little clumpy which is a bummer since it is advertised as a "clump-free" formula but that isn't a deal breaker. I liked my first impression so much that it made me run out to purchase the other two formulas in the line today!

I hope you enjoyed this haul and the added information. Please make sure to subscribe to my channel (here) to be notified of new videos!

Love, Lacey