Shopping Haul From Winners, Marshall's, Sally's Beauty Supply and More!

Here's another random shopping haul from this week.  I figured I'd share my purchases just in case any of you are interested in these products. As you know, the items from Winners and Marshalls come and go, so it's just a matter of checking the stores near you. I think in the USA they have online shopping, at least for TJMaxx (the parent company), that would be nice, wouldn't it?!

I think I scored some great deals! Let's check them out...

Note: I used stock photos for a couple of items because the sun went down before I could get photos of the items, but I still wanted to share them with you.

Puma baseball cap was on clearance for $8 at Winners! Retail is around $30! Similar linked HERE.

I tried a sample of this L'oreal sugar and grapeseed scrub and knew that I wanted to purchase it. So, I was lucky when I saw them at Winners for $7.99! They retail for $13.97 at Walmart (shown below).

Next up, I scored these Spa Bella double lined aloe infused socks for only $3 (compare at price is $12). They are super thick and cozy!

I've had my eye on this Charged bracelet and was lucky that it was still in the store and it was on clearance for only $12. Retail is $25. It has 18k gold plating, silver plating as well as semi-precious opal gemstones. The stones are charged in a Sedona Vortex. Opal is said to be good for prosperity. I couldn't find this one online but here's a link to the brand's website.

I was eyeballing a cat hut just like this at my local pet store the other day and it was $42. When I saw this at Marshalls for only $25, I knew we had to give it a try. Cats are super picky, so I wasn't sure if my Rocky would like it or not. He was perplexed at first as you can probably see in the photo (this was his first time inside it). Now that he's had it for a day and a half, he loves it!

Because of the fabulous design, he can use it for sleeping, hanging out, playing etc. He's enclosed but not completely covered so he can see what's going on around him. The one at the pet store had a design where he would have been completely enclosed and unable to see what's going on around him, so this design is much better for cats. The matt inside is reversible with a different texture on either side, one side for cooler weather and the other for warmer weather. It's also machine washable. The brand is Best Friends By Sheri and can be purchased HERE.

I read some great reviews about the above adrenal support supplement, Adrenasmart. I recently had my blood work done and some things need to improve. My thyroid is still out of wack along with very high cortisol which explains my early morning awakenings. Hopefully, this supplement will help out. Most of the reviewers claimed it helped to stop the early morning awakenings. 🤞

Lastly, I picked up my favourite Wet 'N Dry detangling brush at Sally's Beauty Supply because my cat stole mine! He steals all of my brushes. We shared this for a while and I would spritz it with alcohol after using it on him so it was clean for me but I finally gave up and let him have his own. :D Anyhoo, this is my favourite brush for detangling wet hair because it's so gentle and it's also my favourite for brushing out my dry hair. I just don't use it for blow drying.

Hope you enjoyed seeing what I purchased this week and hope you can get your hands on any items that you have your eye on.

Have a great week ahead! 

Not sponsored.

My Favourite Budget Makeup Products!

I have always been a drugstore gal when it comes to makeup. 

For skincare, I buy high end and low. But, for makeup, I feel that there's a lot of fabulous makeup to be found in the drugstore. it's cheap and convenient. 

Ever since I can remember, a trip to the drugstore for something like toothpaste meant picking up some fab new makeup finds. 

In this post, I will share with you some of my favourite budget makeup products. There are a few that I am currently out of but I will give them a mention them in this post. Because there are so many products, I will divide my favs into categories.

Face

On a day-to-day basis, I'm a BB cream or tinted moisturizer kind of girl.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear BB Cream
This is where I'm willing to splurge! It's not the cheapest but since I'm using it all over my face (almost like a moisturizer) I like to have good ingredients in my BB cream as well as SPF. There are often sales to make it more affordable. Cruelty-free. Retail approx. $18

LA Girl Pro Conceal
This is great for under the eyes as it's not too heavy. Go a shade lighter to really brighten under the eyes. Cruelty-free. I purchased mine on BeautyJoint.com for $2.99

Sonia Kashuk All Covered Up Concealer
I love this for blemishes and spots on the face. It's not the cheapest but it's one of my favs and a tiny bit goes a long way! I've had mine for a year and there's barely a dent. Also cruelty-free. Retail $9.99 at Target.

Face Powder
My current favourite budget face powder is NYC Smooth Skin Face Powder in Translucent. I'm currently out of it. I find it at Walmart for around $2.99

Bronzer & Highlights

Elf Illuminating Palette
Love this palette so much. Full review can be found linked here. It contains 4 beautiful powders that are great for aging skin or any skin if you don't want a glittery highlight. It's so smooth! Cruelty-free. Retail $6.00

Essence Sun Club All-in-one Bronzing Highlighter
I use this a lot in the summer or anytime I want to use one product that serves as a bronzer, highlight, and blush all in one. I love this so much I gave one away in my 1-year blog giveaway! Cruelty-free. Retail $4.49 at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada.

Elf Baked Blush in Pinktastic
Okay, this is NOT a blush. It's definitely a highlight and it's beautiful! It's supposed to be a dupe for many high-end highlights. Great for light-medium skin tones. You can find this online or at Target. Cruelty-free. Retail $3.00

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Medium to Dark
Again, Physicians Formula isn't the cheapest in the drugstore but they are always on sale at least one of the drugstores (I usually wait for 40% off sale). It's tough to find a matte bronzer in the drugstore and this one is not only matte but performs like a high-end bronzer! I found the light went on too close to my skin colour but this shade is perfect. This bronzer is the perfect tone for a sun-kissed look. Cruelty-free. Retail $21.99

Blush

These are my 4 absolute favourite budget brands for blushes. I own multiple colours from most of these brand and I love them all!

Physicians Formula
I have several blushes by PF. All of them perform like high-end blushes and are long-wearing. As with all Physicians Formula products, I wait for a sale. The blush pictured is the Happy Booster Blush in Pink. Cruelty-free. Retail $15.99

Jordana Blush
Again, I have several colours from this line. They are creamy and smooth and blend beautifully. I love the shades in this line. Cruelty-free. Retail $2.99

Essence Silky Touch Blush
I own almost all the colours in this line. They are silky smooth as the name suggests, they blend and wear beautifully. Hard to believe they are only $2.99. They are also cruelty-free.

Wet n Wild Blush
I only own this in the colour Pearlescent Pink. It's a beautiful coral-pink colour and I love it for the summer months. It's a dupe for The Balm's Frat Boy and some say it's a dupe for Nars Orgasm (which I don't own). But, Wet n Wild is only $4.99 at Walmart and is also cruelty-free.

Eye Shadow

Wet n Wild Coloricon Eye Shadow Trios
I'm sure you've all heard the hype about these shadows and they hype is real. Beautiful, creamy, buttery and pigmented. The only thing is that they are lacking matte shades in these palettes. But they make great lid colours and highlights. Cruelty-free. Retail $2.99

Elf Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow
I own this eyeshadow in 3 colours. They are incredible! I wish they would make more colours. They are soft, easy to blend and just gorgeous! My shades are matte and demi-matte and just perfect for a soft look and so flattering on aging eyes. The shade pictured is called "What's Your Name." Cruelty-free. Retail $3.00

Essence Eyeshadow Singles
I own several of this in gorgeous colours from greens to bronze, and more. They perform like high-end shadows. Super-pigmented and long wearing. The one pictured is my most worn colour- "Party all Night" which is a metallic effect. Cruelty-free. Retail $2.49

Sally Girl Baked Eyeshadow
I think these shadows are underrated. Although I only own 2 of them, I find they are really pigmented and are gorgeous shades. At only .99 cents at Sally's Beauty Supply, you can't beat it!

Elf Smudge Pot
I can't rave about these enough. They are gorgeous, pigmented and last all day long without creasing. They are similar to Maybelline's Color Tattoos but these are much cheaper and they are creamier. Plus, these don't dry out in the pot! Shown is the colour Crusin Chic which is a gorgeous taupey-bronze! cruelty-free and only $3.00

Lip Products

NYC Twistable Intense Lip Colour
These perform like a lipstick and don't stain but they really last! Lip stains don't agree with my lips so I'm really happy that these don't stain. The only issues I have is that the lids don't snap on (so I don't like to carry them in my purse) and they have a limited colour selection. But, I had to include them because they are amazing for the price! Retail $2.99

Elf Matte Lip Color
These came out before the matte lip craze. I only own the one colour but I use it all the time. It's the perfect nude colour and it's the only matte lip product that I've been able to wear on my dehydrated lips. It has average lasting power and doesn't stain. The colour I have is in Natural, a beautiful MLBB nude colour. Cruelty-free. Retail $3.00

Essence Long Lasting Lipstick
This range has beautiful colours in a variety of finishes, from frosts to mattes. They are creamy and come in gorgeous shades, which I own several of. The one pictured is my most used in "Nude Love." They have average lasting power. I see no reason to buy high-end with these beauties around. Cruelty-free. Retail $2.49 at Shoppers Drug Mart. 

Elf Luscious Liquid Lipstick
First of all, this is NOT a liquid lipstick.. it's a lip gloss. I have it in the colour "Nude Pink" and it's my second tube. I'm pretty sure I will always repurchase this lippie. It's a beautiful, natural shade and it's so hydrating and not sticky. It does last quite a while for a lipgloss! Cruelty-free. Retail $1.00!

Essence Stay With Me Long-lasting Lipgloss
If you hate sticky lipglosses you would love these! They feel very natural on the lip and not sticky at all. Although I don't find them long-lasting as the name implies. I also love the applicator that curves to my lips. I've previously owned several of their XXXL lipglosses which would also be one of my top lip products. I personally don't like the ones with glitter but I love the cream formulas. Cruelty-free. Retail $2.99

Essence Lip Liner
I own multiple shades in these lip liners. They are creamy and go on beautifully! I find they are creamier than many higher end brands. I see no reason to buy higher end lip liners as these perform beautifully. Cruelty-free. Retail $2.49

Eyes

Essence I Heart Stage Eye Base
What an underrated product! This works so well as a base for my eyeshadows. It creates the perfect base for crease-free eyeshadow that lasts all day! Cruelty-free. Retail approx. $3.49

Elf Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara
I use both sides of the tube on my brows. I have not used this on my lashes. It holds my brows in place without being crispy and it doesn't flake like some brow gels can. Cruelty-free. Retail $2.00

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeliner
These come in a 3 pack. Again, I recommend to find them on sale. Either way, they are a bargain as they perform like high-end eyeliners, actually better than many high-end ones. They are super creamy  and pigmented and there is no tugging on my aging lids. Once they set, they stay all day! And, they don't dry out in the tube! Cruelty-free. Retail $14.79 for 3

Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil
These are also creamy and long lasting with gorgeous colours. Once they set, they wont budge. My favourite colour is "Hot Scorch" which is a beautiful, super-pigmented bronze colour. I also have some fun summer colours like teal. These also don't dry out in the tube. Cruelty-free. Retail approx $2.49

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara in Black
If you like big lashes, this will give them to you! I find this comparable to Benefit's They're Real Mascara (which I love!) but at a fraction of the price. It doesn't flake or smudge. It's a little difficult to get off, even though it's not waterproof. Since it's not available at stores in Canada, I have purchased this online from Beauty Joint. Cruelty-free. Retail $3.99

Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner
I was going to throw this out at one point, only because I am not the best with drawing a perfect line with liquid liner. But, I have to admit that this is an awesome product! It's super black and pigmented. Once it dries down, it doesn't budge. It has a super thin paint brush style applicator. If you are good with liquid liner, I highly recommend this! Cruelty-free. Retail $2.99 at Walmart.

Tools

Contour Brush
I paid $1.94 for this item on Ebay with free shipping. I have a full review on it linked here. It's a fantastic brush, just the right size for me, and has not shed one single hair.

Elf Complexion Brush
This brush is so versatile. I have a couple of these as I like to use one for face powder and the other for my all over face bronzer. Cruelty-free. Retail $3.00

Ebay Eyeshadow Brush #224 (Mac Dupe?)
This brush, as well as some others in a post linked here, are supposed to be dupes for Mac brushes. I'm not sure if they are as I don't have the Mac brushes, but I do know that this is an amazing crease and blending brush. It's super soft and doesn't shed. It was only $1 on eBay with free shipping!

Elf Smudge Brush
This brush is the best for smudging some shadow under my lower lash line. I don't like the look of harsh liner on my bottom lashes, but I do like a bit of definition. This brush is perfect for creating a little shadow under the bottom lashes with a soft taupe or brown eyeshadow. Cruelty-free. Retail $1.00

Makeup Sponge
This is just your generic makeup wedge found at the dollar store or the drugstore. I started to use them recently, after years of not using them. And, I have found that I just love them! They work fabulously at blending out foundation/BB creams, cream blushes etc. I don't remember the brand or what I paid but you usually get a bag full for only a few dollars.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my favourite budget makeup items!

I'd love to know what your favourites are! Please share in the comments.

Ps. Come join the linkup parties over at fabulousandfunlife and best-blogosphere!

Amy

xoxo

One 'n Only Argan Oil - Moroccan Argan Oil Treatment for Hair #Review

I haven't used this One 'n Only Argan Oil in over a year. I have such difficult hair (curly, frizzy, and unmanageable) that I'm always trying new products in hopes of finding a miracle worker. Also, I feel like my hair gets used to products, although I've heard some stylist say this isn't possible. Anyhow, I should probably change it up more often, but I was trying to finally focus on what I was using so I could finish up some products. Beauty Junkies, you know what I'm talking about!

I had just had my hair cut and coloured and I was getting ready to go back and get another haircut because no matter what I did, I just couldn't make my hair look good. I could flat iron the heck out of it and it still looked horrible; it was dry, heavy, stiff and full of kinks, as if it didn't have a style, something was amiss. So, I thought the cut must be to blame and I needed it tweaked a bit (even though I have a very talented stylist). I was also having a lot of hair fall out every time I'd run my hands through my hair and so I placed the blame on having my hair coloured and/or my thyroid issues. Then suddenly, I had run out of the product that I was trying to finish for eons which was a higher end salon product, and I went back to using this Argan oil instead.

I began by applying a dime sized amount of the oil to wet hair and I did not use any other products. I styled my hair as usual and I couldn't believe it, it looked and felt like I had my hair done at the salon! I didn't even use a flat iron or any hot tools for that matter, just a blow dryer and round brush. My super frizzy hair came out so smooth and soft I couldn't believe it! So, my haircut wasn't the issue, it was the product I was using. Thankfully, I went back to this product before I went back and got another haircut!

I've been back to using this Argan oil for a week now and my hair feels super soft, light, and it has movement again! It looks like I DO have a style now. Also, since going back to this product, I don't have the constant hair fallout/breakage when I run my fingers through my hair, there is still some, but not as much.

Only time will tell if my hair will get used to this product and I will have to switch to something else (no lack of products to try in this house). But, for now me and my hair are happy and we're sticking with this.

Lesson learned: If my hair (especially freshly cut and coloured) looks horrible no matter what I do to it, and /or is falling out more than it should, try changing hair products!

ps. I purchased mine at Sally's Beauty Supply where the price was significantly less than the salon that initially tried to sell me on this product. I think I paid around $11

Come on over and join the blogger link up party at Fabulous and Fun Life!

Amy

XX