Zana Cosmetics

zanacosmetics.com

So excited about these new products! 

Delicious Cheeky Blush: Rumba

This blush is a gorgeous natural color, super pigmented so you don't need it a lot. definitely gonna be one of my favorites, I can already tell!

Kiss my Lips Satin Lip Color: Let's Celebrate!

Diva Glaze High Shine Tint: Sweet Diva

Picture Perfect Expert Face Primer

Products I'm currently loving

So finally over 7 months after having my baby #3  I feel like I'm starting to lose some weight. I have a long way to go... but its a good feeling when you can squeeze into your old jeans...even if they were your 'big jeans' and now are skin tight! hahah.... I am not one to exercise or diet so this has been a challenge for me. I can't do much physically because of my back, but I've been really trying to be more active. s l o w l y doing a little exercise. By slowiy i mean like.. I'll do 5 lunges one my way to get the laundry out , or I'll do 10 sit-ups while I do my back stretches. Its not much but its a start right? I eat pretty healthy...but I've been trying to do even better. So, hopefully I'll get rid of my invisible pants that give me this unsightly muffin top and firm up the jiggles....I need a butt perk up too. man... 

****

anyways, here are some of the products that I have been loving the past while. Hope it is helpful, have a great day!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects for Toes!

of all my nail stuff, I definitely have the most Sally Hansen stuff. It's just the best! especially the salon effects nail strips. I've tried quite a few different kinds and they all peeled off within hours of applying them. These ones stay on forever. My nail usually grows out before it chips or peels. love love love them. They sent me these in my goody box (which by the way, makes me love them even more... if that was possible) and I was so excited! I haven't even seen the pedicure ones in store yet. So today I decided to do them and found that there were enough extras to do accent nails on my fingers to match!  I pairs them with the magnetic polish... isn't it cute? this pattern is "snake, rattle and roll". 

okay, well now that my nails are all cute I am off to bed.

Hope you all had a great day. I got to spend it with my family celebrating my husbands birthday. 

Thankful and blessed with every year I get to spend with him. :)

g'nite!

Father's Love

Reflecting after father's day...a hard day for a lot of kids and grown ups. I feel like we are living in a generation of absent father's. physically, emotionally.. everything.

I hope you watch this and are encouraged. If you don't or didn't have the kind of relationship that you want/ed or dreamed of... You can still experience it...
you are loved.

Liole Sheet Masks

I am such a sucker for packaging. I love how all the Liole stuff is so pretty and princess-y. I got these Liole Korean sheet masks the other day from www.naturalradiance.net (use promo code "aboutalot" for 15% off) and they come as a set of 5 in this pretty pink box. 

I finally got a chance to use one today. My skin has been a total mess so I decided to use the Trouble Clear Essence Mask in the hopes it would help clear up my skin ( I also went berserk yesterday and starting picking at my face..I know.. I know)

Here is the back side of the package. I'm so thankful when they write it out in english. I can read korean, but a lot of the time I have to read it out loud and slowly..and still some words I'm like "huh?!"

I opened it before reading the back and woooooooo buddy, you can smell the tea tree oil! This mask is super de duper saturated. It's like a thick wetness, so even though it was super wet it didn't drip or slide off my face while I waited. 

When I first put it on it was really tingly... I don't know if it's because my skin is so sensitive...but it was pretty tingly. I left it on for about 20 minutes and then took it off. Left the essence on my skin to soak it (kinda sticky). I could tell right away that a lot of the areas that were really red before had calmed down. 

It is now about an hour after taking it off and my skin feels really moist, elastic and soft. I have to say that around my mouth it feels a little itchy. Not bad, just a little... but again, I have super sensitive skin.

 all in all I really liked this mask and would definitely get it again. I'm excited to see the difference with the other ones!

Free Glasses

I got contacts 20 years ago... yes, 20 years ago!!! and I rarely have worn glasses since. especially in the last 10 years. My prescription is so bad that I have to get the super high index lenses to make them thin enough to fit a frame and that usually means.. super expensive.

I discovered this website the other day and could not believe it. I ordered them on Wednesday and got them Friday morning!! 

I know a lot of people are scared to buy glasses online, but this website makes it so that you can upload a picture and your picture shows up instead of the model's for all the frames so you can see what it will look like. 

www.coastal.com 

to get them free enter "first pair free" in promo code

These were my 4 top picks from the website and ended up getting the one in the upper right.

here are is volume 2 of best websites for FREE and super cheap stuff, hope its helpful!

a little about concealers

I am on a journey to find the 'ultimate' concealer... here are some of the ones I use and a little video review of each of them:

Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette

Coastal Scents Camouflage Concealer Palette

Benefit Boi ing Concealer

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

Laura Mercier Camouflage Concealer

Avon Smooth Minerals Concealer

Milani Secret Cover Concealer Stick

Today's Tidbit: Inner Circle of Friends

Hope you are all having a great day, here is a today's tidbit :)

little girl fun

I feel like as a mom a lot of days are in 'survival mode'. Just trying to make it to the end of the day. I hate that. I don't want to just survive, I want to thrive. I find myself getting snippy throughout the day and telling my kids to clean up, be quiet, calm down, sit properly... nag. nag. nag.

yeesh. when did I become such a drag?!?

I'm not much of a play-er. I always thought I would be, but now... I feel like I'm always too tired to 'play'. So I end up telling the kids to play doctor as I lie in the middle of their room and close my eyes. what a bore. 

My kids are so beautiful, intelligent, funny and YOUNG. They will never ever ever be this age again, and one day I am going to miss it and wish that I spent less time nagging and more time having fun with them. 

Today my oldest who is 5 begged me if she could do my makeup. The boring, naggy mom in me was just about to say no... when I looked at her big brown eyes full of hope and excitement. How could I say no? 

OH MY. The girl was soooooooooooooo excited when I said yes. Who knew such a little thing could make her so happy?! She took forever picking the right colors... and finally chose 6 different blushes which she applied with the smallest brushes possible, pink and black glittery eyeshadow and pink lipstick. she did pretty good for her first time! look at the concentration!

Here's a close up. I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with the contouring. Plus, she even held a wet wipe to 'fix the smudges'.

I decided to keep the makeup on for the rest of the day. Every time she looked at me she would smile so big.... I need to let her do things like this more.

After makeup time we had a hula hoop contest and then she went and picked these little flowers for me.

what a beautiful and sweet little girl. makes my heart melt.

 This little girl is going to be a world changer. She is so smart, compassionate and loves so much.

Thank you Lord for a daughter who embodies so many different types of beauty and shows me every day how colorful life can be!

Sally Hansen Magnetic Polish

I often feel like when I'm having 'one of those days' I get some surprise package, letter, treat that I wasn't expecting. I feel like God uses people to say "I see you, maybe this will make you feel a little better and remind you that you are loved".  Sometimes timing is amazing. Even something little and seemingly insignificant at the right time can do so much. 

I love when I walk to the front door and see a package. Its like Christmas! my heart skips a beat and I start getting all huffy. I try not to walk super fast and scream...stay composed and be 'adult' about it. but secretly, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! 

I love packages! I think even if I opened it and there was one skittle inside I'd be delighted.

I didn't recognize the name or sender so I was curious....opened it to find this!

Oh Sally Hansen, I already loved you... but now.... we are bff's! haha!

still trying to be 'composed and adult' I had to rip into some stuff.

so curious about the magnetic polish..and it was more amazing than I imagined! 

look at how cool this is!!!

Here's a quick video showing you how it works!

how I clean my brushes

I'm a little bit of a hygiene freak about certain things and get weirded out by funny things. Like, I don't like sharing towels... and I always check my water before I drink (out of a bottle). With that said, I feel like I need to wash my makeup brushes a lot or I'll break out. I bet there's some truth to it...right?

anyways I thought I'd share how I wash my brushes since it is so easy and cheap! I use to use makeup removing face wash, then I used antibacterial soap, then I started buying brush cleaner... and now.. I use plain old dish soap and olive oil. it works a GABILLION times better, faster and cheaper. Plus, you always have the supplies at home. All the other things I used I never got fully clean brushes I felt like the inside/middle was still oily and had makeup in it. anyways... here are the steps!

1. put dishwashing soap in a  bowl (i like the original palmolive the best)

2. add 1/3 the amount of Olive oil this will condition the bristles and keep them soft

3. lather in your hand, rinse, repeat

4. squeeze, and reshape your brush

5. let dry overnight 

hope this was helpful! g'nite!

a little love tap

my bubblegum pink nails :)

I've often heard it said "its just the little things"... its just the little things that can make or break: your day, marriage, job, relationships, mood, outlook, perspective,attitude...

I am so thankful for the little things today. I have been talking to a lot of women who feel neglected and overlooked by their significant others. It is amazing what a simple hug, nudge, warm touch or a kiss can do. I think it is hard for a man to realize how much it means to a woman. 

Feeling down, depressed, ugly, unloved, undesired, unwanted are huge feelings that really affect our every day. Something as simple as a hug, squeeze, or a heartfelt "i love you" or "you're doing great" or "you look beautiful" when you are out about in your every day can all of a sudden make a woman feel happy, joyful, beauitful, loved, liked, desireable and wanted. The lack of such over time can really hurt and potentially end relationships. I know a lot of women say "i don't want to have to TELL him to do it.. because then he's just doing it because I told him to". The reality is, most men don't realize the importance of it..and if you just let them know...I bet they would do it, and reverse the snowball of bad to good. 

I say all of this in appreciation to my husband who is so good (and gotten better over the years after me 'sharing' how important it is to me) at the 'little things'. encouraging words, hugs, going out of his way when we are out to make sure i'm ok and don't need anything... this week he brought me some 'just because' flowers. and as much as I love flowers.. the thought that he was out and thought of me made me feel special.

so with all of that said. Ladies, its okay to tell your man that you need some affection or that your love tank is running low. I know that if he loves you, he will be more than happy to fill it back up. hope you are doing well and hope you have a lot of little reminders this week that you are beautiful, loved, worthy, doing a good job, wonderful and perfect :)

good friends

Good friends are hard to find. As you get older, it gets harder. There have been so many times when I've been at the park and I see the other moms checking each other out and as each mom arrives, they get sized  up. I've had quite a few 'pick ups' where moms slowly come closer and try to find something to talk about. and sometimes nervously ask things like "so do you come here often?" its totally like dating!! hahaha I totally get it. Once you're not in school, or working especially, it gets harder and harder to meet new people. I can't imagine life without my good friends. Some of them live closer than others...but even the ones that live far I keep in touch with daily. I think you need that.

I think a lot of times when people get a boyfriend, or husband. That person becomes their EVERYTHING. Which is good, but bad. He should be your best friend, confidant, blah blah blah... but you need people other than your significant other to talk to, vent, sometimes just hang out and do absolutely nothing. It is healthy for you, and for your relationship with your significant other (he needs friends too!) 

Anyways, today I got to hang out with one of my best friends. She is alway so refreshing to hang out with. I can just be myself, talk about ANYTHING...and she always keeps it real. She happened to have her baby within weeks of me having mine. That in itself was amazing to experience with someone you love so much! That is her cutie up there on the left with my daughter. aren't they just so adorable? we took about a gabillion pictures together in the middle of the mall, but of course forgot to manage to take one of us together. 

The last couple of days I have been in such a poo-ey mood (i think its that time) so it was a nice getaway, even if it was just for a couple of hours. With all that said, I am so thankful for some good friends that have stuck with me through the years.... (S,A,M) you better be reading this! hehe. 

I know that I am a much more sane person because of your love and encouragement!

so while taking a breather in the dressing room I did a quick outfit of the day. who am i?! yeesh... haha! 

anyways, its nothing fancy. I'm not even wearing any jewelry or anything...its really like a mom uniform :)

 

Looking in from the outside

I hesitated to write this post...but this is  my outlet for thoughts so here goes.

Today I was at Target.  Me, the baby and my pile of coupons. I usually look for the line with the least amount of people, and if someone comes up behind me i let them go first. 

I was checking out and this couple came up behind me. I could hear the man huffing and puffing about something and grunting as they got in line. Of course my check out lady couldn't read the numbers on my item that wouldn't scan and asked me to read them. I happily obliged. The huffing and puffing got louder. the man turned to his wife and was like "this is going to take forever!! grunt grunt" he squeezes past me and starts moving my cart (that has my baby in it) and I was like, "excuse me, I will move it". He gave me a dirty look at huffed away. we proceed checking out. now the guy is standing on the other side of my cart with his hands on his hips mumbling to himself and giving his wife the death look. I look over at her and she just looks so scared. He squeezes back and grabs her arm and is like "NEXT TIME YOU LOOK AT THE LINE AND YOU DON'T GET BEHIND SOMEONE LIKE THIS!!!!!! DON'T YOU THINK BEFORE YOU DO THINGS?!!"  and huffs away. I look at her and say "It's not your fault, if its anyone's fault its mine... I'm sorry I have a gabillion coupons" and she shyly says "oh no... he... he's just not feeling well"....the cashier look at her, looks at me and goes "uh no, its his fault. doesn't he know it takes time to checkout? everything takes time, he can wait". the lady shyly looks down. 

*sigh... deep breath

this sight was all too familiar for me. growing up I remember looking up at my mom... who would awkwardly smile and act like it was no big deal. I remember feeling scared and embarrassed whenever we went out.  I HATED that feeling... and I HATED going out, feeling people look at us..watching us. ugh. so today I just got that sick feeling in my stomach. I was on the outside looking in, but I got that feeling all over again for the lady behind me. It makes me wonder why they stay, why they let men treat them that way. I automatically think that if he is comfortable being liked that in public, he's probably so much worse at home. but I get it. I get why they stay, why its hard to leave.

When I was  done the cashier (who before this happened was emotionless) looked at me with a sort of "i'm with you" look said "you have a good day, really... have a good day" and smiled. It's like we both saw something that was so wrong... didn't agree, but knew we really couldn't do anything. 

When I got to my car I just kind of sat there for a while. That could so easily be me. Don't they say that you often marry what you are use to... disfunction becomes the norm and even abuse becomes a strange comfort when that is all you know? 

So I thanked God. Thanked Him for a husband that never raises his voice at me, who always treats me with so much respect and is tender and kind. I know that my husband is rare, but also rare that I am on the outside looking in. 

For a moment I thought, what if I just grabbed the lady and ran? took her home and let her live with me? I know. crazy thought. but at this moment I wish I could be some sort of superhero that rescues women and   could give them the ability to see their self worth and and show them an unconditional love, that doesn't hurt or disrespect but that shows gentleness  and care.

So tonight as I'm getting ready to go to sleep I have this lady on my mind. Praying the Lord shows her His love, and that she receives it.

Sigma Brushes

I did a blog waaaaaaay back about 2 sigma brushes that I ordered off of Amazon using my swag bucks after reading a bunch of good reviews on them.

the flat top kabuki (f80) I use this for liquid foundation and seriously. flawless results!

and rounded kabuki (f82) This one I use for powder/mineral skin finish. You can use this for liquid too, but I use them this way.

 that are suppose to give 'HD'effect. I totally bought into the hype and absolutely LOVE them and cannot live without them! The bristles are super de duper dense unlike most kabuki brushes that are a little more fluffy. but I think that is what gives the hd effect.

I have a tapered kabuki on the way and I'm so excited to try it for highlighting and contouring. I wish I could order all of them... but I'm gonna need some more swag bucks for that!!!

anyways, there is a 10% off code right now so I thought I would share!

happy brushing!

Citrus Lane

So I know there are a lot of  monthly beauty box subscriptions going around, but I didn't know there were ones for baby and kids stuff! woohoooo!! Citrus Lanes is a $25/month subscription for ages 0-3 years old.   They fill the boxes (approximately $45 worth) of stuff for your child according to their age and gender

Citrus Lane sent me 2 boxes to review:

 This was my daughter's box

My son's box

To enter the giveaway:

1. Subscribe to the Citrus Lane YouTube Channel

2. leave them a comment or message saying that 'alittleaboutalot' sent you

3. giveaway will end on June 8th

4. if you are the winner, Citrus Lane will contact you via YouTube