May Beauty Favorites!

     The month of May was the first month in 2014 that I didn't buy any new beauty products. I didn't visit Ulta, Sephora or any drugstores... it was pretty different from my normal make-up buying habits while I'm at school in Charlotte! Don't worry- we do all of those stores in Maine. ;-) I just put myself on a super strict buget in May since I only had a few shifts at work during the whole month and had a lot of big expenses in April. So that meant that beauty purchases had to be toned down. But that's okay! I was able to get my hands on some new products in April that I didn't have a chance to really get into until May, and my mom also got me a foundation that made it into this month's favorites.


        NYC Color Expert Last Lipstick in Coralista (Drugstores, $1.99)

     I'll admit- I had always been a bit wary of NYC Color make-up because of its extremely low prices. I used to have really sensitive skin, and I always wanted to stay clear of any make-up that might cause me to have an allergic reaction. But back in April, Influenster sent me an NYC Color lipstick from this same line to test out, and I was so impressed with the quality! I couldn't wait to get my hands on more colors from the Exper Last line, so I picked up this pretty coral color for the spring formal dance that I went to at my former college at the end of April. It was a perfect match for the Lilly dress that I wore, and you just can't beat the $1.99 price tag! I have nothing but good things to say about the pigmentation, staying power, and feeling of these lipsticks. I've been so impressed with the colors that I've tried! My only complaint isn't about the lipstick itself- it's that the caps don't stay on too well. So be careful if you're like me and toss lipsticks loose in your purses, haha!


      Ulta Nail Lacquer in Mint Condition ($6, Ulta)
   

     I wore this nail polish recently in this OOTD post. It is my new favorite mint/aquamarine color, and I was really impressed with the staying power!! And there's a fun story as to how I got it. In Alpha Delta Pi one of the end of the year traditions in Senior Wills, where the graduating sorority members will down ADPi items of theirs to younger members of the chapter. Most of the items that get willed are sorority t-shirts or crafts and such, but sometimes randome items that relate to ADPi somehow get thrown in too. Such was the case with this nail polish! One of the girls in my sorority "family," Katelyn, willed me this nail polish. She planned recruitment for ADPi last year when I went through rush, and she bought this nail polish specifically to wear for recruitment. I thought it was so sweet that she willed it to me- plus it is a great polish! ;-)

     L'Oreal True Match Makeup in Nude Beige (Drugstores, Ulta, $6.99)

     

      

      My mom got me this foundation from L'Oreal and I was surprised by how much I loved it! I am pretty loyal to my high-end Mally foundation (Mally is my favorite make-up brand-which is now carried at Ulta stores nationwide, YAY!), but it's definitely nice to have found a cheaper drugstore alternative. I love the coverage in this foundation, but at the same time it doesn't feel too heavy on the skin. I have been blessed with having pretty great skin naturally, so I don't need a super heavy foundation, and this one seems just perfect for my face. The True Match line provides a ton of color options for a drugstore foundation line, and this shade is a great match for me. 

     What beauty products have you been using and loving lately? Do share!! Since I did so well with not buying any make-up last month I'm feeling ready to get my hands on some new beauty products for June!

    xoxo Miss ALK