Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Powder

 

Influenster sent me Maybelline's latest "skin-transforming" powder.

 

Tag line "It covers like a foundation and controls shine all day."

 

I tested this out and here are my results-enjoy!

 

Coverage: this is a very light coverage which evened out my skin but did not cover any imperfections. All of my blemishes could be seen through the powder.

 

Texture: soft and smooth- it is a nice feel.

 

Shine coverage: I would say this was about a medium. I didn't have a huge amount of shine or feeling oily, but there was room for improvement.

 

Lasting Power: Low to medium

 

Would I purchase this product with my own money in the future? No, I would not, as I have better products that handle the humidity and my blemishes better.

 

Review and Comparison: Urband Decay and Wet N' Wild

If you know me then you know I am pretty obsessed with make-up but I don't usually post too often on the subject. I don't post because I figure my readers (siblings wouldn't be too interested). However, I thought the girls might be interested in a comparison of a drugstore product and a department store product.

Urban Decay

versus

Wet N' Wild

 

Urban Decay sells higher priced products that I generally enjoy and they often have sales but not on this particular product.

This palette includes 12 colours.

 

Current price $54.00 from Urbandecay.com

 Wet N' Wild includes 10 colours and the price is about 90% cheaper than Urban Decay.

$5.62 from Walmart

Here are a few shots of some of the colours for comparison and you can see that there is a lot of similarity.

Wet N' Wild is the top colour.

Can you tell the difference between these two?

One eye was done with Wet N' Wild and the other with Urban Decay- which is which? Can you tell the difference?

Natural light



Yes, my eyes are not shaped the same.... shameful.



I found that Wet N' Wild seemed to be softer/easier to apply than the Urban Decay. The colour pay off was about the same for each and neither gave me any problems.

Ambrose was not impressed... as usual.

 



Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell

 

Elizabeth Gaskell was not a Catholic and some of her books reek of her disdain for the true faith. Nevertheless, she did write with God in mind and morals much higher than the primal mess we see today come through her well thought out books. Ruth is one such writing which tells the story of a young woman who loses her parents at a very young age and is later seduced and abandoned by a wealthy man. At 16 she is pregnant and would be alone if not for the help of a brother and sister who take her into their home. The novel chronicles her earthly and spiritual life as she struggles with the stigma of being an unwed mother. It is very strange to see the stark contrast in society today compared to this time period and how having marital relations outside of marriage were such an affront to God and the common man.

The story is a wonderful read and inspired me to continue in my spiritual journey of becoming closer to God but in the more perfect Catholic Way.

 



Let's Talk Make-up!

Now, I know that my sisters who read this blog are not big time make-up users, but sometimes a gal has to talk about this stuff!

I purchased E.L.F. Cosmetics’ foundation primer and I am so impressed! This stuff makes your face so smooth and really helps with the application of your foundation.

Price point is $6.00 and you can purchase online or at your local Walmart (and other stores).

The downside is that this is made with all sorts of crazy chemicals so you might not be into that.

Maybelline Better Skin Foundation Review

I am signed up with Influenster and received Maybelline's Superstay Better Skin foundation for a three week test run.

This week is the finalization of the test/challenge with the premise that one will have better looking skin in three weeks.

The advertisement also mentions all-day flawless coverage.


Coverage: I would call this medium coverage. I could definitely see some of my blemishes and had to use a heavier foundation or concealer to cover some of the problem areas.

Better skin: I didn't see a noticeable difference in my skin.


Look: The foundation itself was nice and provided a good coverage if you have  good skin with little or no issue with blemishes.


Summary: This would not be in my top picks for foundations but I think it is nice and I could see myself purchasing this if I found a good deal.

Rusk Freezing Spray

Can I just say wow?  This hairspray is the first that keeps my style during some of those nasty humid days. I will definitely purchase this product even at the high price of $17.99 plus!

Have you discovered a great hairspray product?

Upgrade of My Cell Phone

Hubby and I own pre-paid phones. I bought them for about $27.00 each and then we pay $100.00 for 180 days and 1500 minutes.  We very rarely use our phones so our minutes just roll over every time so there is plenty of surplus. 

Recently, I upgraded my phone to the one pictured above. It is the LG 305C and I paid $40.00 (plus tax and shipping). It is a touch screen and is actually very nice. 

It did take  three telephone calls to get my phone set up and transfer the minutes from the old phone but everything was resolved in one day. 

The phone can handle local and national calls, texting, and a rudimentary access to the internet.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Duo

I picked this up recently. It is a gel nail polish that is supposed to last up to two weeks without any chips. How many days did it last for me? 1 day....

Influentster Box: Second Box

This is the second box I have received from Influenster.

The box contained the following goodies: 

Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer Cocoa Radiant: I love the scent! I enjoyed using this product on my legs as a quick way to moisturize my legs when I am on the go. But, better yet, this is a great product for my husband. He hates lotion and yet I was able to spray this on his arms and back to help with those dry skin patches!

Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card: Excited to try this!

Pure Ice Nail Polish: I love to use the glitter polish for people like me who are kind of lazy with maintaining nail polish. 

Cetephil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths: Very gentle formula to help remove make-up. I can't say this is better or worse than other products I have used, but I will definitely finish the product.

NYC New York Color City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color: I love these products! I have Tarte's version of this product, but this is the more affordable version of the same product. 

Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spas Mask: A great mask to use for people who don't indulge too often in things like this. 

Rosary Warfare

 Rosary Warfare 

 This book engages the soul in the combat for Eternal Salvation through five different ways of meditating on the Mysteries of the Rosary (includes pictures as well). This is a sequel to Christian Warfare and a wonderful addition to the family home. 

Goody TangleFix Brush

I joined Influenster which is a social media website that sends products to you for review.  The Goody Tanglefix Brush was sent to me, and I must say that it really works!  My hair tangles like crazy and this product really assisted in a smooth comb through!

Olay Fresh Effects {Shine, Shine Go Away!}

Influenster also sent me this product for review. The consistency reminds me of a clay mask , but it is actually a cleanser. I used this with my Clarisonic Mia and the results were lovely! My face felt very clean- no oil and the scent is lovely.  This is a cleanser I would consider repurchasing.

Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel

View Larger

I received a sample of this product from Influenster and I am so happy that I did! What  a great product! I haven't worn high heels to work in a very long time until now- wow! 

Move over flats- here come the heels!

The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard

I was recently having a conversation with a lady in my parish concerning the pro-life movement.  She  conveyed the opinion that one should not spend time praying outside of the abortion clinic but  should stand up and protest outside of the clinics and government buildings.  While this is well and good, without prayer, there is no hope. Actions may speak louder than words, but it is the interior prayer that will win the war over all sin. Our pleadings to Our Lord soften the hearts of those wanting to end the life of their child. Without a spiritual life solely dedicated to God- we will not triumph over anything for all triumph comes through His power and not ours. Soul of the Apostolate delves into this very subject in such a way that it is truly inspiring. As I read this book-I read the story of my own spiritual life and all it's shortcomings. There was no time for despair, though, since this books gives you the recipe for moving closer to Our Blessed Saviour. If you can take the time to read one book this year- this should be at the top of your list!

Page: 113

" Listen to St. John of the Cross: ' Let the men eaten up with activity,' he says, ' and who imagine they are able to shake the world with their preaching and other outward works, stop and reflect a moment. It will not be difficult for them to understand that they would be much more useful to the Church and more pleasing to the Lord, not to mention the good example they would give to those around them, if they devoted more time to prayer and to the exercises of the interior life.' "

Wheelin' Wednesday: Rite Aide

I picked up Neosporin's overnight renewal therapy for $1.37 at Rite Aide. I coupled the sale with a $1.00 coupon and ended up with a moisturizing lip product for $.37!  This feels so nice on the lips and will be greatly appreciated in the colder months!

Government Gone Wild: For Greater Glory and the Cristeros

http://lewrockwell.com/mcmaken/mcmaken143.html

Government Gone Wild: For Greater Glory and the Cristeros

by Ryan McMaken

Recently by Ryan McMaken: Ron Paul’s GOP Battle Reveals Some Truths About Political Parties

I’m not one to automatically like a movie just because its politics agree with mine.The Lost City, for example, an anti-socialist historical drama about Cuba, while not horrible, left me wishing it was a much better movie, and less of a long slog through 45 minutes that should have been edited out of what could have been a great 90-minute movie. So, I was a bit worried that I might be in for a similar experience in watching For Greater Glory. Like The Lost City, For Greater Gloryhas been lauded to the skies by some libertarian and conservative reviewers while being absolutely, and predictably, vilified by many critics in the legacy media. So, as For Greater Glory started to roll on the screen, there was a nagging fear deep down inside me that maybe, just maybe, this movie deserved the bad reviews.
I am happy to report, however, that For Greater Glory is an entertaining, well-crafted and well-acted film about a historical episode that is apparently unknown to most Americans. The film covers a period of Mexican history during which there were a series of anti-clerical purges following the Mexican Revolution which led to a harsh repression of Catholic laypeople and clergy in Mexico. This led to the desecration of churches, widespread executions without trial, and the brutal suppression of Catholic resistance. Eventually, a group of rebels, called Cristeros, took up arms against the central government and demanded the free-exercise of religion under the leadership of the initially-atheist Gen. Enrique Gorostieta (Andy Garcia).
Dramatically, the film is dominated by Andy Garcia, who delivers some of his best work here as the religiously-ambiguous General Gorostieta who is known for his military prowess in previous Mexican wars. Garcia provides the gravitas necessary for a film, which lacking good acting, could easily have become something resembling little more than a series of historical re-enactments. Also key to the dramatic arc of this film is José Luis Sánchez del Rio, played quite competently by young actor Mauricio Kuri. Sánchez del Rio, also a historical figure from the war, was a flagbearer for some of the Cristeros and was eventually captured, tortured and murdered by the Calles regime.

The film is punctuated with portrayals of the sheer brutality of the Calles regime, and it shows the torture, the firing squads, the hangings, and the desecration of churches which so characterized the tyranny of the period.
This has led some reviewers in the legacy media, who apparently know nothing of Mexican history, and who are clearly programmed to regard Catholics as always the oppressors and never the victims, to describe the film as heavy-handed. This description clearly shows a certain bias, since For Greater Glory is decidedly less heavy-handed than, say, Amistad or Dances with Wolves, to name two similar historical dramas. Those films, however, expressed political ideals that are politically fashionable and thus received much critical acclaim, while For Greater Glory expresses ideas that most journalism-majors-turned-film-critic will regard as quaint at best.

If anything, For Greater Glory contains more moral ambiguity than many films like Dances with Wolves or Amistad. Following Sánchez del Rio’s death for example, Gorostieta is left wondering how God could allow such things to happen, while the character of Father Vega, a priest who has taken up arms, is a highly conflicted character.
Many critics simply won’t allow themselves to believe, however, that governments can and do behave like the Calles regime, and that some things, such as the right to peacefully practice one’s religion, really are absolutes.
It’s this sort of raging naïveté, of course, that gave us an America in which we have presidents who can legally kidnap, torture and even murder Americans at will while the public declares itself to be free.
Also scandalous in the eyes of some reviewers is the obviously pro-Catholic slant of the film. The movie is hardly some kind of course of Catholic apologetics, but it is pro-Catholic in the same way that Braveheart was pro-Scots or Thunderheart was pro-Sioux. It portrays the victims of government oppression for what they were: victims. However, while we can all agree the Scots and the Sioux got the shaft at the hands of their oppressors, Christians in film are rarely afforded the same treatment, unless the victims happen to be murdered by other Christians as in the case of the excellent film The Mission.
Roger Ebert even went so far as to declare that the movie’s themes of religious liberty should have included other religions in the discussions. This is a ridiculous statement, given that this is a movie about the Cristero war, after all. Insisting that this film include a discussion about other religions, which had virtually no relevance to the historical topic at hand, is like suggesting that a movie about Oliver Cromwell include a few conversations about Buddhism.
The worst part of this movie, by far, is the overuse of the musical score which, early in the film, is used to add drama to even the most basic scenes of exposition. Fortunately, this overuse tapers off, or at least ceases to be noticeable, as the film progresses. However, this movie delivers what’s promised. It’s a historical drama which delivers moments of suspense, some high drama and some well-done battle scenes. It’s not a short film, but the early scenes are necessary to allow the audience to get to care about the characters before half of them are killed off.
If nothing else, this film does us a service by entertaining while highlighting a historical period that few Americans know about, although they should. Those who have read Graham Greene’s 1940 novel The Power and the Glory will be somewhat familiar with post-Revolutionary suppression of the Church in Mexico, and For Greater Glory may now be counted as perhaps one of only two well-known dramatizations of this period which are easily accessible to English-speaking audiences.

June 15, 2012

Ryan McMaken [send him mail] teaches political science in Colorado.

Copyright © 2012 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.

My Experience With Angie's List

My track record hiring contract work or dealing with the delivery of  furniture/applicances rarely ends well. I am forever dealing with dents and scratches in my floor or walls or just not receiving a return call.


The latest had to do with me looking for a competent company to handle exterior trim replacement work. This wouldn't be considered a huge job, but at least $1500.00 or so based on my own calculations.


I decided to go with a local company who had done quite a bit of work in my neighborhood. I called well in advance of the day I wanted them to come out and give me an estimate. The owner answered the phone, took down my telephone number, address, and set the appointment with me.


I knew what would occur before he even showed up which would be that he would never show up for the appointment. True to my unbelievable abilities.... he never showed or called.


One week passed and I called again. This time I spoke with the owner and his wife who apologized and then took down my information again and said he would be by again that day.


He never showed.... so even though all of my neighbors had used this company- this company wasn't going to give me an estimate.




I had it... the roof debacle, the furniture mess, the appliance fiasco....why couldn't I find a reputable company?




Angie's List.....


I was surprised that my husband had never heard of Angie's List so I am curious to know if any of you have heard about this website.


Here is an excerpt from the website:

Why Angie's List is better than free review sites:

• No anonymous reviews.
• Certified data collection process prevents companies and providers from reporting on themselves or their competitors.
• Our Complaint Resolution Team will intercede if a home repair or health experience goes bad.
• Companies and providers respond to reports, so you get the whole story.

What you get:

• Access to great local reviews on AngiesList.com.
• Live support through our call center.
• Award-winning Angie's List magazine.
• Access to our Complaint Resolution Team.
• Discounts from highly rated service companies.

You do pay a fee for this website and the term of the membership varies in length of time. I decided to go with a one year subscription and paid through Pay Pal which gave a discount. Doing this, the price reduced from $36.00 to $28.00. 

I searched for a company who could handle the exterior wood trim project and found one that received numerous awards, great reviews, and seemed too good to be true. 

I  visited the company's website and sent them an email that evening. The next day I am came home from work and there was a voicemail from the sales manager. I called him back after 7:00 p.m. and we set an appointment for 11:00 a.m. the next day. I also want you to know that he quoted me the prices right over the phone based on the description I gave to him

Do you know what happened? He arrived and he arrived early! We walked around the house and talked about everything I wanted done... He added two more windows and the back door at cost. 

We then came inside and discussed the price... everything was written out and exactly what I thought it would be and it all seemed very upfront. 


Rain caused a few delays but we settled everything and the windows were done within one week of our initial appointment date. The day after the work was done, the sale representative came back to my house and we walked around checking everything out before I made the final payment. On top of this, both he and the other employee made us aware of a plumbing leak within our walls. We walked in and out of the house examining the issue and he provided me with suggestions to resolve this. 
Was I satisfied with the work? It was average... I don't think they went above and beyond and we actually had to hammer in a few nails that were just left there. I think the worker was behind because of the rain and rushed this job, but that is my opinion.


Yes, we now have a new mess on our hands, but this experience with Angie's List and this company was and should continue to be great as we work towards more updates. 

Review: Origins Nature Fusion

I splurged and purchased an Origins lip product for $16.00. I know it is quite a bit to spend on a lipstick, but I had sampled and really loved the foundation.

Initial Impression

The packaging is very pretty in a soft shade of pink with a tree embossed on the top of the lid.
The lip stick glides on very nicely and the colour is very pretty (I purchased Sweet Pea).

Second Impression

I thought the colour would have been darker.
The lip product is not hydrating for me at all. I found that it wore off easily and left my lips quite dry.
The number of ingredients is very daunting. I had anticipated a product with seven or eight ingredients, but not a full list.

Would I buy again?

My husband would tell you differently, but I really am trying to move more and more towards organic. As nice as these products are- they just aren’t organic enough for me to spend this amount of money on a regular basis when I can obtain the same level (or better) in a cheaper product. The foundations are nice and I have found an equivalent in Maybelline, but it still is a good product and I will purchase foundation from them in the future.
I do want to purchase one of their moisturizer products, but the cost is high and I can’t justify it at this time.