[[.Do you guys coupon??.]]

With all the hype of the now-infamous show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC, it seems like the whole country has now taken a look at the old Sunday paper. I, myself, have been swept up in the craze. These days, money doesn't flow through anyone's fingers as freely as before. Little by little, many Americans across the country are looking for any way to save money. I have been interested in beauty bloggers that solely blog about drugstore makeup (that I love so much) and deal/sales/offers, etc. It is the best of both worlds, coupons and makeup.

One person that definitely combines the two is a blogger in particular, NouveauCheap. I have been following for several months now, her name is G and she writes this wonderful blog. It is an amazing blog that features weekly sales, steals and coupons. Her blog is a good way to start saving on beauty products. For instance, every week she posts all the drugstore deals and steals... What a great concept! I know on a firsthand basis, this helped me match up coupons to sales. She has her loyal following of readers that also contribute to the blog with photos and sneak peaks of new products that are hitting the shelves. Her blog is a great way to jump on the money-saving bandwagon. I know it helped me for sure. Her blog is also straight to the point when it comes to sales, giveaways, etc.

In the end, it's all about saving money, which everyone can use nowadays. Be sure to be on the lookout for coupons in magazines, online (like coupondivas.com), and of course, newspapers. It can always help here and there and really add up in the end.

[[.Today's FOTD.]]

Hey chicas! I'm definitely in a roll with posting this week! High five! Anyways, I have been in the really neutral rut lately, because of job interviews and whatnot. Today,  I wanted to use some of my new makeup in a sort of cut-crease look. I always have wanted to perfect it but I found my own way of doing it. I apologize in advance for for nothin being on my lips. I was so happy with the look that I just started snapping pictures.

Here is the products I used:
-Revlon Indigo Cream Liner (to sketch out the line)
-Dark blue e/s from 120 palette (on top of liner)
-M.A.C. Blue flame e/s (soften edges)
-Black (matte) from W&W Greed palette (crease & setting black liner)
-Ben Nye Lumiere Luxe powder in Turquoise (lid)
- E.L.F. studio eyeshadow in butternut (?) (Highlight)
-Milani Runway eyes in beauty in blues (lower lash line and inner corner)
-Cheapie black l/l
-Milani l/l in infinite
-M.A.C. Dazzlelash

[[.My Mini CVS Haul.]]

As you guys must know, CVS is having a beauty promotion on cosmetics. If you buy $10 of cosmetics, you get a $3 off coupon. I definitely had to take advantage of that. So, I went to my local CVS and printed out my coupon and went to shoppin! I immediately knew that I wanted to take advantage of the buy one, get one 50% on Milani cosmetics... I have heard so much about them that I had to pick up a couple items.

This is my little haul:

-Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner in "Infinite"

-L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser

-Milani Runway Eyes in "Beauty in Blues"

In total:

My purchase was $8.08, including tax.

Also, I had the CVS coupon ($3 off $10 purchase), L'Oreal skincare product coupon ($2) and I had a Physician's Formula coupon ($5) that the cashier couldn't remove (I wanted a PF eyeshadow but it was out of my budget.) In total I saved $15.45!! I love those types of savings...

What did you guys get recently at CVS/Walgreens?Rite Aid, etc.???

[[.Snob Reviews: L'Oreal SkinGenesis Line.]]

A while back, I was browsing through Ross for their beauty products. Recently, a lot of people on the Interweb (lol) were raving about Ross and the products that they carry in their beauty section. I saw a lot of Calvin Klein makeup (foundation, powder, blushes) and their usual nail polish and lipgloss sets. I was looking for the Bare Escentuals sets that they most often have, but came up empty-handed. I was also looking for products for my skincare regimen and I hit the jackpot. I was looking for a good brand to incorporate into my non-existent skincare regimen. I stumbled across the L'Oreal SkinGenesis Eye serum. It was just what I was looking for. I later found the Skin Genesis Micro Smoothing face wipes.
Here's a rundown on the products...

Skin Genesis Eye Serum

This product claims to diminish the signs of dark circles and minimize puffiness. It states that you will have brighter eyes in 4 weeks. It also states that it has a skin perfecting complex of Vitamin CP and caffeine. Side note: I am a compete sucker for packaging and I love the size and shape of the bottle.

What I have experienced with the product:
I have noticed a difference in the appearance of my dark circles

My eyes have appeared a bit brighter than before
This is a nice, light formula for the eye area. I have experienced some eye creams that were thicker in texture
Price:

$5.99 at Ross. This product is usually around $10 in drugstores (CVs, Walgreens, etc.)

Can't beat that deal!

Skin Genesis Micro Smoothing Towelettes

This product claims to make makeup removal and skin cleansing a breeze... The package states that the fabric used in the towelette grips onto the dirt and impurities on the skin better than traditional wipes. It also has BHA to "naturally enhance cellular renewal to provide smoother, brighter, and fresher skin." It also says that it gently cleanses the skin with natural respect to the skin's moisture balance.

What I have experienced with this product:

I really like the feeling of the fabric on my skin as I'm cleansing. It really wipes out all the dirt and makeup off in a quick swipe. It has a tingly sensation after using them (might be BHA working). I have noticed that my skin is much smoother than before and the appearance of my pores has reduced. I also noticed that makeup goes on a little smoother (especially around my undereyes.)

Price:

$3.99

Conclusion:

I woulddefinitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a full skincare regimen. It is great for someone that likes to use one brand or line for a skincare regimen. I plan on getting the pore minimizing wash and daily moisturizer.

[[.The Power of Coupons..]]

Saving money is always #1 in my book. Just being able to save a couple of dollars here and there can really make a difference. And when it comes to makeup and cosmetics, it really can make a significant difference. Recently, I was browsing through the Latina magazine and saw an advertisement for the new Maybelline FitMe products. It had samples of all 18 shades on the front and 2 coupons on the back page. I really have had my eye on a new foundation since my Revlon Colorstay is too dark for me. So I went ahead and tore out the page. It was my birthday last week, and I decided to buy some makeup for a late birthday present. I quickly checked out Nouveau Cheap's blog to see the weekly sales at my local drug stores... Score! Maybelline FitMe products were marked down 40%!!! I quickly hurried to Walgreens and picked out the foundation, concealer and blush. I ran to the register and whipped out my coupons... Here is the rundown...
- Maybelline FitMe Concealer #35 $3.89 sale price
- Maybelline FitME Blush in Deep Rose 3.29 sale price
- Maybelline FitMe Foundation in #355 4.79 sale price
With $4 in manufacturing coupons ($1 off foundation, $3 off 2 FitMe products)
My total came out to $8.69 (with tax)!!! On the bottom of the receipt, it says WAG Advertised savings: $8. MFG Coupon savings: $4. My total savings were $12!!! I love it! When being on a budget, using coupons can help you purchase items that can be a bit out of budget. Coupons can also save more money when matched up to the advertisements on savings in-store. Side note: Have you guys seen the show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing"?? I love that show, but I wouldn't be stockpiling toothpaste or anything like that... LOL. But since I have sen that show since it first premiered, it really has been clipping coupons and looking out for printable coupons online. Tammy of Portrait of a Lady has also posted about coupons and savings she has used... Check it out.. Oh, before I forget, I just got a $5 off coupons from Physician's Formula for an eye booster or any other product... I got it from CouponDivas.com. Oh, and that lipgloss that you see in the picture above??? I got it for $1 at the Dollar Tree! What makes it amazing is that it was a long discontinued limited edition color. It had sold out over a year ago after Lauren QueenOfBlending mentioned it in one of her Youtube vids. I had to have it and might go back... Well, that is my little post on couponing! Happy shopping!