Hello beautiful people!


How is everybody doing? I hope you all had an amazing weekend. For today, I was thinking to share with you my biggest pet peeves when it comes to buy makeup. I am sure you will find yourself in at least one of these situations. Keep on reading!

1. Empty shelves 
I am a beauty addict, I shop for makeup everywhere, from Sephora, to ULTA, Nordstrom, department stores, to Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, other drug stores, to TJ MAXX, Marshall's, you name it - I don't discriminate. It is so annoying to see empty shelves, especially if you want to buy a certain product. You don't want to do business with me?! Fine! I am going elsewhere! This happened to me mostly at Wal-Mart, Target, even ULTA.


2. Opened/ Used products
I hate to buy a product that I got so excited for and later discover that it was opened and swatched. First of all, this is RUDE to me as your fellow consumer and shopper. I see people all the time swatching things and putting them back on the shelf and this makes me so mad. Do you expect me to buy that product after seeing you do that?! Better yet, would you buy a product if you saw it was swatched/ used? I guess NOT! Secondly, it's NOT SANITARY - imagine a face cream that was opened before - I don't know for how long that product has been open, the air already got to it, somebody stuck their dirty fingers in it, or a swatched lipstick looking like a baby chew on it - NO, NO, NO sir! I know most of the drugstores or superstores don't have testers, but please, please, please be considerate to your fellow shoppers, don't open that product, be an informed consumer, inform yourself before purchasing that product, look for swatches, know what suits your skin tone, anybody has a phone on them these days, do a minimal research, don't just use it and put it back on the shelf, at least have the decency if you like that product that you opened and swatched to buy it, it's common sense. Also, I can't stand dirty shelves - dirty with swatches of foundation, lipstick, nail polish - it's just not cool man, not cool. I've seen this numerous times at Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, ULTA, TJ MAXX, Marshall's and learned my lesson.


3. Annoying and pushy sales associates
Usually when I go in Sephora, Ulta or department stores I know exactly what I want - I came with my lesson learned - this helps me save so much money, because if I would buy anything that my heart desires that bill would be looooong, looooong. I don't like it at all when I just stepped into a makeup store and I already got somebody following me around, annoying me. I know you need your commission and I am happy to give it to you, but let me enjoy my shopping experience, let me savor every moment, let me see what's new, if I am going to need a makeup touch-up I will let you know, if I will need your help, I will always ask for it, but please just don't breathe on my neck. This is one of the main reasons that I decided to move my business online and to do my shopping there.


4. Poor customer service
I don't like to be assaulted as soon as I set foot into your store, but to be completely ignored by you, it's something that I can't tolerate either. I had situations where I was asking for help and I was completely ignored, or left there to hang dry or I met sales associates that were uninformed about certain products, even though I always tell them everything - this saves us both time - my skin type and needs, what colors I prefer, what suits my skin tone, what fragrances I like - I still got poor recommendations (and I am being generous here), I still got recommended wrong products.  I am a very pacifist in my attitude and I always offer the benefit of the doubt, but even I have a limit and won't tolerate rudeness, stuck up attitude and the absolute lack of knowledge about your job. I am out the door baby, just like Roadrunner trying to escape from Coyote Ugly.


5. Questionable returns
I for one, don't like returning products once I've bought them. I don't like it. Period. But, there are some situations when that product was so bad for me, that I have to return it, there's no other way. Even though a lot of companies claim to have a "Hassle free return policy", it happened to me a few times to be questioned tighter than at a FBI examination (especially department stores).

"- Why the product did not work for you?" 

(Because, you recommended me the complete opposite of what I explained you!),

"- Did you try it long enough?" 

(Yes, I did and now my face looks like a meteor shower of pimples, thank you so much.),

"- Would you like to buy something else?" 

(Oh yes, please, let me buy another expensive product with my hard earned money, so I can return it afterwards, such a pleasure to see you all the time, will make this our regular thing, when every three weeks we can see each other and braid each others hair. NOT!!!)

"- Why do you want to return this? I see that it suits you perfectly"

(No kidding?! If you can make this three shades darker foundation work for me I'll give you my whole fortune. By the way, that foundation also oxidized on me, so I looked like somebody forgot me in the tanning booth for a few hours.)

"- Everybody loves this perfume. It's so popular now."

(Everybody, but me, apparently. The scent lasted on my body for a freaking hour and gone in the wind it was, just like my top dollars from my wallet.)

Now let me hear you, my dear readers, what annoying situations have you stumbled upon when buying unicorn dust?


Yours,
Rally

Disclaimer: I received the JORD watch for editorial content. As always, I like to bring quality content for you guys and stay honest and truthful to my opinions. For more info, please see my Disclaimer policy.

Hello beautiful people!

A few years ago, I decided to take a journey to challenge myself. I was a MBA graduate who spoke a few international languages, developed an unhealthy addiction for lipsticks, with a pretty normal life, nothing too extreme (I am a Libra!), but I was struggling. I felt that all what I have been working for in school, was not valued at its true potential, I felt that I was sinking into some sort of a "too comfortable" situation, you know one of those situations where everything is kinda laid down for you (by family, norms of society) and you need to just follow the path, I felt that I was losing myself as human, I felt that my true self was still undiscovered.

So, I moved across the Globe with 2 stuffed suitcases (one full of cosmetics) and started from scratch. To paint an idyllic picture about my situation it would be such a lie; there was nothing easy about my journey, but as Pericles said "TIME IS THE WISEST COUNSELOR OF ALL", time heals wounds, in time you learn to discover yourself, in time you grow stronger, TIME DOES TELL.

If I have to put things into perspective, I am extremely grateful for the people who stood by me in my most difficult and yet, bad times, for the people who took the time to know me and discover me as a human and my potential, for all the given opportunities and for the future ones that I know are coming.


THANK YOU!


And because we are keep talking about time, I have collaborated with JORD watches - the creators of luxury, one-of-a-kind wooden watches - to showcase here on my blog, to make you enjoy every moment and be grateful for it because, "moments are bigger than minutes and your watch should tell more than time."

There's nothing more that I enjoy than "my weekend", when I get to spend time with my loved ones, pamper myself, create content for you guys, go on mini escapades and just unwind, so ... CHEERS TO THE WEEKEND!

When the box arrived, I could not be happier and say "What a beautiful and unique watch!" It comes in a sturdy wooden box nicely carved with a "J" initial, that has also a secret compartment, (maybe for your favorite jewelry?!) and comes with a preserve cleansing oil pen and Boveda humidity packs. The watch has a beautiful design and it's a self-winding automatic mechanical system or perpetual movement watch, as a jeweler explained me (basically as long as you move, the watch will work too).

Everything to me from the design to packaging screams earthy, yet modern, classy and elegant, quality piece - just beautiful and unique.

And since a picture is worth more than 1000 words, I asked my best friend and partner in crime to model this men's watch for you guys so you could see what I am talking about at a nice relaxing weekend pool day. Stick till the end - I have a surprise for you!

Now the SURPRISE I was talking about earlier.

There's A GIVEAWAY where you could win a $100 gift card towards your future purchase of a JORD watch of your choice. Also, everybody who enters in the giveaway will receive a $25 gift card as well, so there you go, everybody wins something.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE! CLOSED

The contest closes on July 23rd at 11:59 pm EST. Both the $100 and $25 codes will expire September 9th 2017.

OPEN WORLDWIDE

UPDATE: Winner is Cristina S. Congratulations! I have contacted you with all the details via e-mail.


Let your journey begin! Be grateful, learn and enjoy every moment!


Yours,
Rally

Wooden Wrist Watch

Disclaimer: I am a brand ambassador for Pixi Beauty and I received these products as a PR sample. As always, I like to share my honest and truthful opinion while reviewing products for you, my lovely readers . For more info, please see my Disclaimer policy.

Hello beautiful people!


The weekend is rapidly approaching and I am so excited to bring you a new post on my blog. I am really trying to bring you more content, I have so many products that I have been testing and I can't wait to share all of them with you, but you know what they say: "Patience is a virtue!" (and I appreciate you all for being so kind and patient with me along my journey).

If you read the Disclaimer for this post, you found out that I am a brand ambassador for Pixi Beauty. Yes, this amazing thing happened a while back and I still can't believe it. I get to test so many cool products and talk about them with you here on my blog. Thank you so much Pixi Beauty for the confidence and opportunity! I am so grateful and honored!

Today is all about face mists that quickly became my latest fascination. I have been testing these Pixi Beauty face mists and let me tell you, I liked them a lot.

• HYDRATING MILKY MIST - Featherlight mist provides an instant surge of hydration with hyaluronic acid to plump skin. My absolute favorite of them all! This is such an awesome product, not only that moisturizes and prepares the skin for makeup or it's a hydration spritz away any time you need it, but the most use I've gotten out of it was at night, after removing my makeup, I would just spray this all over my face, apply my favorite night cream or serum and done. My sensitive combination skin never felt better. Can I get this in a gallon please?

• VITAMIN WAKEUP MIST - it's a vitamin boosting toner mist that gives a revitalized awakened effect to complexion. I used it on clean, bare skin as recommended and it was an excellent base to start my daily skin care routine. I absolutely loved the smell! (orange blossom and citrus extracts are to blame for this).

• GLOW MIST - All-over mist for a radiant, dewy effect - 21 natural oils, propolis, aloe vera and fruit extracts to nourish and moisturize.  This product would be my second favorite. It is amazing! I am all about that glow and this mist offers it ON POINT. I've put this baby to a test, I was wearing my makeup for 8 hours straight and, after work, I had to go out with my friends. I didn't have time to do my makeup, I reapplied my lipstick, sprayed this all over my face and neck and out the door I was. When I checked my makeup in the rearview mirror, I couldn't believe it - this mist brought my whole face back to life, I loved the dewy effect on my skin, my makeup looked so fresh, not to mention I got compliments and questions all night long about the products used. Ssshhhttt, it's our little secret!

• MAKEUP FIXING MIST - All-over setting spray for longer-wearing makeup - rosewater and green tea hydrate and protect. I like this product too, it really keeps my makeup "in place". I smile a lot, so, most of the times, my makeup sets into my expression lines around my mouth. This spray helps me save the day by avoiding that.

All these mists are priced $15 each. The most interesting fact about these products is that you can layer them and multi-mist or use them separately, as you please. Are you ready to multi-mist? 

Now if you are wondering, it is worth buying them all? 

Honestly, for my skin type and needs, I would definitely invest in the Hydrating Milky Mist and the Glow one.  I can see the concept behind this, wakeup your skin - hydrate - glow - fix your makeup and it's great, but it's really up to everybody's skin needs and preferences. These products are so well formulated and work so great, that even one of them does the job by itself. 

What about you? Have you tried any of these mists by Pixi Beauty? Which one was your favorite?

Yours,

Rally

Hello beautiful people!


Ready for the weekend? Of course you are! (wink, wink).
Today's post is a long overdue one, I have been planning to show you what makeup goodies I got for my birthday and Christmas. I know, I know what are you gonna say, but please, could you cut this girl some slack? Would you? Thank you!

Right off the bat, let me just say that this is gonna be a big beauty HAUL. If you have been reading me for a while now, you must know these type of articles I enjoy the most. It is not in my character to brag about these things, so if you do not like these kind of posts (but, let's face it, you do!), I am inviting you to access your free will and exit my page. I consider myself a very lucky girl to have in my life such amazing people that understand and supply my beauty madness.

Now let's dig into the goodies, I know you want to see them!

For a long time, I have been wanting a Bobbi Brown shimmering brick, but I was keep holding myself back from buying one, until my birthday in October when I decided to splurge a "little". It was such a special occasion, plus I had a 20% for their Friends & Family event (SCORE!!!). All my fellow beauty addicts out there know what I am talking about. So, I picked up this beauty - "Bobbi To Glow Shimmering Brick Palette", (you saw it also on my Instagram) which includes three of their most popular shimmer bricks: Gold Shimmer Brick, Bronze Shimmer Brick and Wild Rose Shimmer Brick. Isn't it gorgeous?

In 2016, I was all about the glow and I found myself buying highlighters and blushes more than lipsticks, so I just couldn't pass this adorable set "Glow For It" from Sephora Favorites collection. I was happy that they restocked it just on time for me to purchase it. I love everything in this set.

Continuing on the glowing trend, I really wanted the M.A.C. "Sweet Peach" Face Compact from their Nutcracker Sweet Holiday collection, but it was sold out everywhere. Somehow, Santa found out about my wish and brought it to me. I was so happy when I found it under the tree.

Every year for my birthday, I treat myself with the "Give Me More Lip" set from Sephora Favorites collection, but for 2016 I was very disappointed with the selection they offered, so in order to satisfy my lipstick addict needs, I opted for this beautiful lip set "Light it Up" - lipstick + lip mattifier set from Smashbox. Lippies for days!!!

Santa (who apparently knows me so well) also brought me this cute "Melted Merry Kissmas The Ultimate Liquified Lipstick" lip set from Too Faced. Could I ask for more?

My dear friend Maddie pampered me for my birthday and Christmas with so many amazing sweets, she got me my first Anastasia Beverly Hills liquid lipstick in the shade "Crush", spoiled me with gorgeous accessories, Lush products and many more.

You know how Sephora gives you a birthday gift every year? For my birthday, I received these cute minis from Marc Jacobs. Did you see how adorable is the lipstick?

I wanted to try something new for my hair so this set "Spread Cheer and Perfect Hair" from Living Proof was just what I needed. It comes with a full size dry shampoo and a mini shampoo and mini conditioner.

Also, I got this Urban Decay eyeshadow in "Midnight Cowboy" as a freebie for my birthday from ULTA..

I hope you enjoyed my beauty HAUL and I thank you if you stayed until the end of this post.
If you want me to review for you any of these products, please let me know in the comment section down below.


Yours,
Rally

Hello beautiful people!


How are you doing today? I hope everybody is well and enjoying their week so far..

In today's post you'll find a review of a foundation that I have been using for a while now and it's time for this "culprit" to go under the microscope and be analyzed here on the blog. I am talking about the Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation from Maybelline.

To me, Maybelline's foundations can be either a hit or a miss - let's all remember the Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch foundation - but that fact did not stop this crazy girl in her continuous search for that perfect foundation.

If you are wondering how I ended up buying this foundation, well, besides my desire to be a lab rat, I've heard so many good things about this product and you know how this goes, I had to give it a try.
The foundation cost me $5.94 (+tax) at my local Wal-Mart.

In case you forgot, I have a very fair complexion, sensitive combination skin, so I have to be very cautious when I am picking a foundation.

As you can see, Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation comes in a hard glass bottle and has 30 ml or 1 FL.OZ. According to the code on the back of the bottle, the product was manufactured in August 2014 and has a general shelf life of 36 months.
                                                                             (Based on the information provided by Cosmetic Calculator)

Ingredients: 
Water/Eau, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Isododecane, Alcohol Denat, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/ PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-20, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, HDI/ Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Methylparaben, Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopherol, Butylparaben, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alumina, Silica, Glycerin.
May contain: CI 77891/ Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/ Iron Oxides.

Moving forward, let's see how Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless foundation worked for me.

When I picked up this foundation I had in mind three things:

1. I wanted a foundation that can offer me good coverage;

2. I was looking for a foundation that can mattify my T-Zone and chin without drying my cheeks or nose and without settling into my fine lines;

3. My desire was for a foundation that would not make me look cakey, but as natural as possible.

On this side note, I love playing with makeup and I feel blessed that I am able to do so, but I do not want to overdo it, my intention is to just conceal or highlight my features.

As I am looking on the back of the bottle, I see that this foundation claims to be good for normal to oily skin: "Mattifies and refines pores, matches natural tone and has a natural seamless finish."

The shade that I have picked up was 110 Porcelain, which is the fairest of them all and matches my skin tone well. I like the fact that Maybelline always offers a good variety of shades that can cover all the different skin tones out there.

As having a fluid texture, I had to gently shake the bottle before applying the foundation on my face. Right after the second I opened the bottle, a strong smell of Alcohol hit me, just like another Maybelline foundation tested - The Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch foundation. This product does not have any type of applicator, which is unfortunate, especially because you need to dose the amount desired at every application (not to mention all that residue that gets stuck in the cap or at the bottle's neck). What I did after gently shacking the bottle, I applied a small amount on the back of my hand and worked it with a brush or fingers onto my face. 

The foundation glided smoothly on my face, it blended easily and offered me a medium coverage that can be built gradually. After applying it, I immediately noticed that mattifying effect that I was looking for, the shine on my T-Zone and chin disappeared, the pores on my nose were not as visible, my skin looked even and I liked that "natural" makeup look without looking weird or cakey.

I usually prefer to set up my makeup with a powder, I usually go with a light hand trying to set the main areas, like under eyes, nose, forehead, chin, neck and I ended up using the face powder from the same range which I loved. The two combined made quite the team and my makeup lasted up to 8 hours.

What I did not like about this foundation was that it did settle into my fine lines around my mouth and, as I smile a lot, I had to always be careful and blend it, in order not to look too "funky". Also, the presence of strong irritants like the Alcohol Denat and other parabens dried my cheeks and my nose. At night, when I would take my makeup off, I would feel my cheeks dry and I would notice that my nose was showing dry patches and my pores were showing up as well. So, in order to avoid that, I started mixing this foundation with a BB cream from Bioderma; this duo worked well for me and my face was kept hydrated, looking natural and fresh.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless foundation does not have SPF, and, as you know me, I always advice you to apply your favorite SPF cream before applying makeup - trust me - your face is gonna thank you in the long run. This foundation is transfer resistant with a minimum spotting of the objects that come in contact with, like your blouse's collar, phone and other objects. 

I bought this foundation reading so many good reviews about it and because a lot of people with oily or combination skin recommended it, but I am having mixed feelings about it, my sensitive combination skin can only take so much.

Let me conclude with my well-known STRONG POINTS and WEAKNESSES of the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless foundation:

STRONG POINTS:

• good shade variety
• smooth application + easy to blend & buildable + offers that natural makeup look
• transfer resistant
• long lasting 

WEAKNESSES:

• no applicator
• settles into fine lines + emphasizes dry patches
• contains strong irritants + parabens which can mess up your skin 

I hope you found these information useful!

I want to find out more about your experience with this foundation. Have you tried the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation?

Yours,

Rally