Makeup. Something I have zero knowledge about.

So maybe I don't have zero knowledge about makeup but it's almost zero.  What I mean is that I buy makeup based on the price of it.  I buy the basic makeup products whenever they're on clearance/sale: eyeliner, mascara, bronzer, lipgloss/lipstick, and foundation.  I do own a few makeup products that I would consider pricey like a good aqua gel eyeliner by Tarte (sold at Sephora for $18) or the amazing all night makeup spray by Urban Decay (small travel size bottle sold at Sephora for $11).  At $18 and $11... I think that's a little pricey.  For that much money I can get a pair of jeans and a top easily, just saying.  I try to use the aqua gel eyeliner only on special occasions and the all night spray only when I know I'm going out for the night (clubbing usually; somewhere where I know my makeup will run).

In this post I will discuss makeup products I recently purchased from Rite Aid and Target at great prices!

I will also have pictures of me wearing the makeup to show the quality and use of each product.  Photos are all taken 'as-is' and are not retouched so the makeup is shown as the way it is applied.

Oh and nail polish just for fun! :)

This makeup style is very simple and I would wear it to work or out on a date.  It took less than 10 minutes to apply.  I usually don't wear this much everyday and I would wear a little more for a night out or on a special occasion.

 These products I purchased were all on clearance.  At Rite Aid they will have selected products on clearance marked by the Clearance 75% off stickers.  At Target there will be about 3-6 shelves dedicated to clearance makeup, hair products, hygiene products.  Usually some of the reasons why these products go on clearance is because of a surplus amount or product (color/type) discontinuation.  Sometimes I see the products will be expiring in the next 6 months so I believe that is another reason to why some of the products go on clearance too.

**Note- only these selected products were on clearance.  Notice that not all colors were on clearance.

RITE AID

Item 1-- Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

Original price: $8.99

Purchased price: $2.24

exp: 10/12

Item 2-- Rimmel Moisture Renew cream lipgloss in colors Pink Spa and SOS Red

Original price: $6.49

Purchased price: $1.62

exp: 10/12

Item 3-- Borghese Rapido Nail Lacquer in Menta

Original price: $8.00

Purchased price: $2.00

 TARGET

Item 4-- L'Oreal True Match Natural mineral powder

Original price: $12.49

Purchased price: $3.74

Item 5-- L'Oreal Tescopic Explosion Mascara (2 pack)

Original price: $11.98

Purchased price: $5.98

1. I applied the Rimmel match perfection foundation under my eyes to lessen the puffiness and around my nose and under my mouth where I had some redness.  I simply did this by dabbing the foundation with my fingers and blending it on my skin.

2. I applied 2 layers of the L'Oreal explosion mascara to my top and bottom lashes.  It's kind of cool that the mascara brush is a spherical shape so it can reach the tiny lashes on the corner of my eyes.  The mascara is a little clumpy but I evened it out with a eyelash comb.  I did not use an eyelash curler here.  I hardly ever do unless I want more dramatic eyelashes when I go for the night out.

3. I applied 2 layers of the Rimmel Rose Spa lipgloss.  I chose to go with the Rose Spa color because it's a softer color for work.  I really like the lipgloss because of how smooth they make my lips feel!  I would usually put a layer of lip gloss on after a layer of lip stain/lipstick on an evening out.

4. I applied a quick brush of the L'Oreal mineral powder all over for a finishing touch.

 

The only thing I added (not pictured) was a brush of my honey bronzer on my cheek bones from The Body Shop (Original price: $18, Purchased price: $6.00 - combination of other items purchased on a $20 groupon deal and 40% off sale)

ALL FINISHED!

Side Note!
Macy's Spring Spectacular starts tomorrow Wednesday, March 28 to Sunday, April 1!
50%-80% off storewide with 2-day specials Wednesday, March 28 & Thursday, March 29

And my work outfit in the photo:

Item 1-- Gray dress with pockets and button design
From: Ross
Brand: Rhapsody
Type of sale: Ross everyday
Original price: Compared at $36.00
Purchased price: $12.99

Item 2-- Purple Cardigan
From: Forever 21
Type of sale: Forever 21 everyday
Purchased price: $12.50

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

Simple Color Blocking

Color blocking, the latest and only thing I see on clothing store mannequins and front window displays.

I have two outfits to show you.  Both are very simple blocking outfits.  If you're not ready to wear purple pants, blue top, and a kelly green blazer... I totally understand.. Neither am I.  Too much 'bold coloring' going on for me.

Although Katy Perry is looking great with the color block scheme... I think I could only wear that going to some 'hip/cool' party (I sound like a middle aged woman not understanding what is hip and cool now).  It's just not an outfit I could wear out to lunch or to go to work in.  I don't think I would even wear that going out for the night somewhere either.  Well, maybe.. minus the belt.. and maybe with a shirt under the shirt or at least buttoned up :P.

Here is my version of color blocking in a simpler way.

Lime/Aqua

Item 1-- Aqua cardigan
From: Forever 21
Type of sale: Forever 21 everyday
Purchased price: $12.50

Item 2-- Lime-Yellow/White color block tank
From: Forever 21
Type of sale: Forever 21 everyday
Purchased price: $9.80

Item 3-- White skinny jeans
From: TJ Maxx
Brand: Vanilla Star
Type of sale: TJ Maxx everyday
Original price: Compared at $24.00+
Purchased price: $14.99

Tangerine/Tan

I purchased this dress from Express but have not worn it yet to take any photos but since this item is still being sold at Express I was able to find the image on their website.

I purchased it in the tangerine/tan color block but they did have various other color/pattern combinations.
As seen here!

The retail price is $79.50 and still being sold at that price.
I managed to purchase this dress last week for $30.65

This is how!

Express had a promotion going on where the dress racks displayed at the front of the store were 30% off.

I then received $25.00 off the dress on top of the 30% discount by using a...
 "$25.00 off your $50.00 purchase Express cash coupon**" (can only be used on regular priced items including promotional items that have an additional percentage off; exclusions are items ending in .99 in the price AKA clearance).

 **You receive one of these coupons on a previous purchase if your total purchase was over $50 (regardless if total purchase was clearance/regular priced)
 Note: the coupon is only good during a certain time frame.  My Express cash was only good between 1/30/12 and 2/20/12.

$79.50 - $23.85 (30% off) = $55.65 

$55.65 - $25.00 (coupon) = $30.65

Side Note!
TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 22, IS NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY AT ACAPULCO!
$2 house margaritas all day in the dining room and cantina-- get your margarita on ;)

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

With the Pumped Up... heels.

(In the tune of 'Pumped up Kicks')
All the other girls with the pumped up heels
You better save, save, save... save all your money


Lame but you know it works with the song!  And I made it up in about 10 seconds... so you have to give me some credit.

I'm sure someone, one of the five people who read this, would appreciate that chorus parody.

So after not blogging for over a month due to a combination of being lazy and me being sick... I'm back with an entry that will start the new year! (Only a month later... no biggie)

Part of my "What I am going to do this year differently" includes wearing the most dreaded thing I can't stand wearing-- Heels!

Yes, I know I have mentioned in past entries on how I can't wear heels and even tried wearing training heels but I figured it's about time to get a little girly in my footwear.  I started my new wearing of heels by buying these grey BCBGeneration Pumps!  I've already worn them 3 times and survived!  They are surprisingly.... not that hurtful to my feet.  I won't say, "Oh, they are so comfortable!" because that would be a lie.  However, they have been great to wear to work and to just a night out at a bar.  They mix well with my high-waist skirt outfits for work and with a pair of skinny jeans for a night out.

(Tobi the chiahuahua makes an appearance in my photos!)

Item 1- Grey Suede Pumps
From: Ross
Brand: BCBGeneration
Type of sale: Ross everyday
Original price: Compared to $83.00
Purchased price: $24.99

Item 2- Red/Black Pumps
From: Ross
Brand: Jessica Simpson
Type of sale: Ross everyday + clearance
Original price: compared to $59.00
Purchased price: $22.99 with final price $10.99

 

Item 3- Light grey/egg shell Pumps
It was such a good find!  The cashier was shocked at the final price of the heels.  
From: DSW
Brand: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Type of sale: Clearance with yellow tag additional 80% off
Original price: Compare at $395.00
Purchase price: $199.94 with final price $39.99

Side Note!
Macy's One Day preview sale is TOMORROW!
Take an additional 40% off already reduced clothing; up to a total of 80% off

Remember what I said in the past Macy's One Day Sale post... go on the preview day!  More items and less of a crowd!  The actual One Day Sale is posted for Wednesday but the preview day is the day you want to go to the "One Day Sale"!

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

Fa La La La La...La La La La

I went after Christmas shopping today and Urban Outfitters had their "Take an additional 50% off sale items" just like on Black Friday! (minus the madness of feeling of 'death by hipsters')  Although I didn't buy anything it was a really good sale of a few select dresses for $5 and v-neck BDG tees, both men and women, for $2.50.

I'm going to be showcasing my Christmas Eve outfit; total price: $37.00.  It was an outfit I wore for a family lunch at home with some relatives.  Pictures were taken with my awesome new Canon Rebel T3 by my cousin Sharon.  So long lame Olympus camera... well for blogging purposes at least.  The Olympus is still great to take along with me in my purse to go out.

Item 1- Lace trim flow top
I love this flow-like top.  It's very light weight and the lace trim at the sleeves make it feminine.  The buttons on the back are very charming to add.
From: Macy's
Brand: Petticoat Alley
Type of sale: Macy's one day-- take an additional 40% off clearance apparel
Original price: $58.00
Purchased price: price scanned at self-scanner at $20.00 with final price $12.00

Item 2-- Skinny stretch 5-pocket jeans
From: Ross
Brand: Celebrity Pink
Type of sale: Ross everyday
Original price: Compare at $36.00+
Purchased price: $14.99

Item 3-- Red pumps
From: Urban Outfitters
Brand: Kimchi Blue
Type of sale: Take an additional 50% off sale items- Labor Day sale
Original price: $49.00
Purchased Price: $19.99 with final price $10.00

 

For kicks :)  And because my cousin wanted me to post this photo!

Side Note!
After Christmas Sales--
Urban Outfitters: Take an additional 50% off sale items
Gap: Take an additional 50% off sale items
Ann Taylor Loft: Take 50% off everything in the store
Bath and Body Works: Take 75% off "Charmed Life" items, $3 select shower gels and triple moisture body lotion
Pac Sun: Blue dot sale, buy one get one free anything with a blue dot (which is about 75% of the store)
Bloomingdale's: Semi-Annual handbag sale, 30%-50% off handbags

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

BLACK FRIDAY, BLACK FRIDAY, GOTTA GET DOWN ON BLACK FRIDAY

I must say that Kohl's parody of Rebecca Black's "Friday" is pretty catchy.

Any way, countdown to midnight in t-minus about 1 1/2 hours...for the majority of the black Friday sales.  There are so many good deals going on but many are unnecessary for me to buy.  I really don't need a George Foreman grill but for $10 at Macy's... that's pretty good.  Therefore, I will buy one for Dan.  Walmart had a waffle maker or a food chopper for around $2!  I know what everyone's going to get this Christmas!  Choose wisely between your waffle maker and the food chopper.

There are some clothes deals for Black Friday as well but many are misleading as 'great deals':

Express- They open at Midnight with everything in the store at 40% off.  However, in the past 2 years they have not provided any free gifts.  Express has given out clutches to women in the past which were nice little gifts worth at an Express price of about $16.50.  Men received pajama pants worth around the same price as well.  Express has been crossed off my list as I find that during their clearance bin sales the deals can be better than at 40% off the entire store and of course to avoid long lines!  Express usually has "Take an Additional 40% off already reduced prices" at the end of each major season of Summer and Winter.  Dresses can be marked down to about $14.99 then plus an extra 40% off!  During this time 40% off everything in the store is great if you're going in to find that one item you loved last week and now you can get it almost half of during Black Friday.  Other than that, I don't find it too beneficial to go to Express as many items aren't marked down to it's lowest price of the season.

Old Navy- Random door busters of $5-$10 items here and there.  However, usually right before Black Friday they have random daily deals.  For example this past Tuesday they had a special where from noon to 5pm it was "Take 75% off all long sleeve women's and men's tops."  A bit cheaper than a Black Friday deal of a $7 long sleeve top when you purchase a $25 top with 75% off and not to mention no crazy lines!

Urban Outfitters- Until 10AM all clearance items are "Take an Additional 50% off."  Although, they do this more than once a year.  Usually around some sort of holiday they bring up this sale again.  During Labor day I went to UO and got 2 pairs of shoes at original price of $59 and $29.  Both were marked down to $20 each with final total of $10 each.  If lines are crazy hectic, don't bother, they will have that same sale again.  Not only that but the deal is only until 10AM!  During Labor Day it was the whole weekend clearance items were at the sale of the additional 50% off.

Just an example of how Black Friday sales can be misleading for clothing.  I won't say it's always like that but just to show you to shop other times of the year for great bargains!

Now onto my awesome deal!

It's a Day to Night outfit.

Fun and cute for the day and still fun and cute at night!

Same Jeggings, flats, and tank to mix with different jackets for day and night!
Sure my night photos aren't at night but you get what I'm talking about :)

Item 1-- Gray jeggings with side zipper at ankles
The material is fantastic.  Great pair of jeggings to go with any of your long shirts.  The zippers are a nice added touch too.
From: Nordstrom Rack
Brand: Joe's Jeans
Type of sale: Nordstrom Rack price
Original price: $118.00
Purchased price: $19.97

Item 2-- Long black tank with draping back
This shirt is one of a kind for me.  I own nothing like it and it's super cute over these jeggings with great flow.  You can actually unbutton the draping and have a more flowy top.
From: Tilly's
Brand: Ezekiel
Type of sale: Take an additional 50% off clearance items
Original price: $34.00
Purchased price: $9.99 with final price $4.99

Item 3-- Black simple flats with textured design
Great pair of simple flats from Burlington Coat Factory ("We're more... than great coats!").  I've seen these flats even at Ross for $12.99 so I got a great deal here instead.
From: Burlington Coat Factory
Brand: Bamboo
Type of sale: Burlington Coat Factory price
Original price: Compared at $28.00+
Purchased price: $7.99

Item 4-- Zip up hoodie with tied bow at back of hood
Cute hoodie for the day time with frills at the shoulders and a bow to tie for a girlie touch.  Clearance price is faded but about $20?  Nice.
From: Nordstrom Rack
Brand: Juicy Couture
Type of sale: Clearance
Original price: $148.00
Purchased price: $49.97 with final price $19.80

Item 5-- Black short length blazer
A better camera could show you the shine of the blazer.  It has a bit of a shiny tint to it which makes it ideal for a night out.  I love how the draped tank looks great under the blazer, especially in the back!  Pair it with a fancy layering necklace and you're set!
From: Macy's
Brand: Guess
Type of sale: Clearance + scan the price tag and discover the new clearance price!
Original price: $108.00
Purchased price: $37.80 with final priced (after self scanned) $13.20! This was legen (wait for it) dary!

Item 6-- Layered gold necklace with white gems
Random find that really gives an extra pop to an outfit.
From: Nordstrom Rack
Type of sale: Clearance with 75% off original price
Original price: $29.00
Purchased price: $14.97 with final price $3.72

Side Note!
Um... It's Black Friday soon... 'Side note' could go on forever here.  Just go look at your local ads for all the awesome deals :)

Fashionably cheap

Tina