As you can tell I have had quite the obsession with exfoliating skin care as of lately. The winter months are making me loose my summer glow and it seems like my 33rd year on this earth brought with it some funky skin issues. I ran into a chick at happy hour the other day and she had the most gorgeous skin so you know I had to pry into her beauty regimen. Apparently she does a mask every night. Off to Amazon I went to find a good organic one. I don’t do it every night but once a week is definitely a must.
Being that its winter I’ve been craving a new look for my lips. The pucker has been dry and cracked and is in need a new funky shade. Normally I stick to nude and pale pink glosses but I’m feeling the wine/red colored lip stains.
My Ipsy and Birch Box fairies must have been listening because I love the samples they sent this month. I have to be honest and say that I rarely get exactly what I’ve been wanting out of my monthly subscriptions but this time they were on point. That red lip stain is to die for!!! And even though I should be, I’m not much of a lip balm type girl but that yummy green apple one is my new fav!!! Both of those exfoliators are awesome too! The gel eyeliner was a bonus because I’m a sucker for a good eye wing. The only thing I would say though is if you aren’t skilled at the wing you might not like this one. It’s rather thick and can be hard to apply.
I’m sort of ashamed to admit that I discovered that peach skin serum through a blog of one of the cast members of Vanderpump Rules. Whatevs…we all have our vices and bad reality TV is mine. And her blog is actually really good. Its PuckerandPout.com if your interested.
And last but never least, let me not forget my new favorite scent. I was in the airport the other day and I had forgotten to put on perfume which for some reason makes me feel like I’m naked in public. So I stopped into one of the perfume counters for a quick spritz. When I walked into a restaurant for some lunch I must have been smelling like a million dollars because the hostess stopped me and said “Hunny what are you wearing? Child you smell good!” Hehe that still makes my heart smile.
Sorry its been such a long time since I’ve posted anything. I really hate always apologizing for being MIA but a girl get busy sometimes. Life has been crazy but in a good way! Building my new radio show, getting acclimated here in Atlanta, and even finding a little time for a love life. Don’t get too excited….prince charming hasn’t shown up with my glass slipper just yet!
So I’ve been wanting to delve into the wonderful world of makeup contouring for quite some time now but its super intimidating to me. For years I didn’t even wear foundation because anytime I did it was either the wrong shade or it wasn’t blended properly. There are far to many pictures of me with that dreaded two tone neck to face effect. Ick, I cringe just thinking about it. Well now that I have mastered the art of foundation I think I’m ready to graduate to the big leagues and get that Kim K contoured glow! Say what you will about that Kardashians but they’re skin always looks flawless. I did a little research on different techniques and products and there is so much infor on Pinterest that it made my brain hurt.
Brushes or sponges…
Cream or powder kits…
Foundation or bare skin first….
Ayiyi its a science people!
I decided to go with a generic cream contouring palette. There are some really nice looking ones at Sephora but I figured I would try it out before I go spending big bucks and still have the lingering potential of looking like a clown. I found that one on Amazon for $3.95! Can’t go wrong there right?
My old brushes were looking a little shabby so I figured what better time than the present to buy some new ones. My last set were Chanel and they’re great, but last month I ordered a Booby Brown cream shadow brush that I fell in love with so I went that route this time. At only $21.50 on eBay I was like yessss please!
I went ahead and bought some beauty blender sponges too. I’ve never used them before but all the makeup bloggers swear by them not just for contouring but for BB cream and foundation as well. If the experts say they are a go and they only cost me $10.99 for a four pack of four on Amazon…Im game!
I’m going to practice my contouring skills this week. I promise to post pictures when I’ve mastered my best Kim Kardashian glow. Cross your fingers for me!
For the longest time I was using a Chanel scrub that I was in love with but it seems like my face gets used to products every few years and they lose their effect. Time to switch things up! I went to an Aveda salon in Nashville and I figured that if it was good enough for my hair then it should be good enough for my skin. I was right!!! I love how the exfoliating beads are super gentle and my face doesn’t feel stripped after using it.
When it comes to my hair I am SUPER picky about the products I use. In fact there are only a few things that I will spend serious money on…
Jeans.
Shoes.
Hair.
I have been blessed cursed with curly frizzy Puerto Rican hair that has been tortured with over possessing and dying over the years. I’m trying to grow out my natural curls and channel my inner Beyonce but its been a slow process. Whenever I try and let the curls go I look more like Rick James. So until it gets a little longer I have to stick with my flat iron, weave and good hair products. This Avave oil is the bomb.com! It doesn’t leave an oily film and my locks feel super soft after using it. I wouldn’t recommend using on dry hair though. I like to rub in a dollop before I sit under the dryer.
#OBSESSED! Whenever I’m doing something important and I know I’m going to be in front of a camera of some sort I’m all about the primer/concealer/foundation combo but for everyday that’s just too much work. I got a sample of this BB cream in my Birchbox a few months back and fell in love. Not to mention that little sample lasted forever! The coverage I get from this stuff is so awesome and the formula isn’t greasy like some BB creams. Pretty neat that it’s a one size fits all type of shade. This way when I get my tan on in the summer I don’t have to switch up my products.
I must admit that I only discovered the magic of bronzer a few years ago. So being the bronzer novice that I am I’m pretty cheap when buying it. Whenever I’m in Kroger I always check out the clearance section for hidden goodies and that’s where I found this stuff. Hence the package looking all busted.
For half off I’m game! I haven’t tried it yet because I’m trying to use up the last bits of the other one I bought. I’ve always heard great things about Physician’s Formula so I’m optimistic. I’ll let ya know how it goes. I’m off for a run peeps. Happy Sunday!!!
Well hi again!!! Sorry its been so long but I’ve been super busy, and my site as you can see got a little makeover! Whatcha think? I’m so in love with it!!! Feel free to click around and check out all the new little do-dads that have been added. I really have to thank my girl Tawsha Connell for putting my vision to life. She is so incredibly talented and understands “Riley Speak” like an experienced linguist who is fluent in Mumbo Jumbo. Tawsha, YOU ROCK MY SOCKS!!! Thank you for everything!
For those of you that have followed my little corner of the world since the start your probably wondering what happened to “Cheap Diva”. Don’t worry, I’ll still be posting my fabulous cheap finds. I’m just branching out a little bit. I really wanted to blog sooner because I have so many goodies that I want to share, but my little website isn’t the only thing in my life that’s been revamped. Insert drum roll here…..
I”M MOVING TO ATLANTA!!!!!!
YEP! I’m getting on the roller coaster ride that is my life once more and moving to the big city to be a Co-Host at Power 96.1 with Scotty Kay. Honestly this move was not planned at all. I had it in my head that Nashville was going to be my last stop but as always, God has his plan for me and I am so very blessed. Actually blessed doesn’t even begin to cover it. This is the kind of job that I started radio for. Its so surreal. So crazy. Such a dream opportunity. Ok quick somebody pinch me! No wait don’t because if this is a dream I don’t want to wake up!
I’ll be blogging more about my new journey but for now I wanna show you a few of my favorite things.
“Cinderella proved that a new pair of shoes can change your life.” ~ Pinterest
“A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.” ~ John Keats
“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” ~ Steel Magnolias
“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.” ~ Elizabeth Taylor
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” ~ Rachel Zoe
“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”~ Marilyn Monroe
“A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.” ~ Coco Chanel
I have been wanting to change up the hairdo for the longest time but I haven’t been able to because its so unhealthy right now. But I am crafty so when all else fails I turn to the weave. Bangs seem to be in right now but that is a commitment far to risky for me to make so I ordered these clip in ones on Ebay for $5.99. They are made from human hair I can even crimp them if I want. I look a little like a 1960’s housewife but I kinda dig it.
Two things happened when my awesome new makeup case arrived.
One, I realized that I am a cosmetic hoarder.
And two, I fell in love.
Organization is not a skill that I possess, so when it comes to my makeup I have to have nifty little gadgets to keep things under control. Otherwise I’ll be three eyeliners away from chaos in my bathroom.
I bought this Shany train case on Amazon for $49.95. Honestly it was a little more pricey than I wanted, but super worth it cuz now I feel all professional and stuff. Not to mention that my old makeup case was on its last leg. It had shelves that were all droopy and disheveled from being schlepped around in my luggage one to many times. It was honestly rather sad throwing it out. We had some good times together.
Yes, I do realize that I am strange for having emotional attachments to inanimate objects.
Side note: Shipping on Amazon is free with a Prime membership which I totally recommend. I think it’s like $70.00 a year but with as much as I order online it pays for itself.
OH! One more side note and I’ll stop side-noting you. For those of you that are organizationally challenged like I am, check out my new friend Tawsha’s blog. She kinda rawks.
I am sometime skeptical when Pinterest will post something that claims to be an insta-fix for something, but this little trick actually worked!
I am obsessed with my Chanel Mascara but I left it in my car one day, and it was just my luck that it was warm that day. By the time I remembered it was too late and the mascara was gummy. As we all know Chanel ain’t cheap so I wanted a cheap fix for this. Pinterest claimed that two or three drops of saline solutions or eye drops would do the trick…. and it! Cheap Chanel Save!! Happy pinning!
So I have no problem admitting that I hate my hair. Its kinky, curly, and impossible to to work with. Adding to my hair issues I have been guilty of excessive dying and being irresponsible with my trimming habits. In fact its because of this that hair products are usually one of the very few things I am willing to spend big bucks for. I was using the Wen hair products for awhile and I really loved the way they made my hair feel. I even saw a lot of growth which is a miracle when it comes to my hair. Wen isn’t really that expensive, about $20 bucks for the kit that comes with styling products, but when you order it you have to sign up for the auto refill. As much as I love that product I don’t need a new bottle of shampoo every 30 days. Let’s leave that to the hoarders out there.
Loreal’s imfamous solgan is “Because I’m Worth It” so I decided to give Loreal’s Ever Creme Cleansing Conditioner a shot. I was pleasantly surprised at the way my hair felt after using it! Its sulfate free like Wen and its only $5.99 at Target. To be honest, I may go back to Wen eventually because the quality is a little better and I think they may have gotten rid of the auto refill rule. But its good to know there is a cheap alternative out there if I ever need it.
I am officially obsessed with the “Caviar” Nail look! Its really easy to do and SUPER cheap! That kit that I bought online was only $2.39!!! GO ME!!
I LOVE the way it turned out ans I cant wait to try the other colors! Here is a link you can click if you want to get a kit for yourself 🙂 Merry Christmas!
I bet you just did a doubled take. YES, that’s my half used bottle of face wash and YES it’s Chanel! I’m sure your wondering why the self professed Cheap Diva would be showing you a used bottle Precision Chanel Mousse Exfoliante. Especially because it is way more pricey than my usual finds. Well for one, this is by far the best face wash I have ever used! It’s a creamy exfoliate that makes my skin feel like butt-ah! Plus it’s really concentrated so you really only need a pea size amount of it to wash your face. I got that bottle almost a year ago and I still have about a quarter of it left. Which brings me to my next point about why it’s so worth it to spend the money for this stuff. It’s $45.oo and I have tried to find a Cheap Diva counterpart to this product and I just haven’t found it. And think about it…if you spend $10 bucks an a cheaper wash that you have to replace every 2 months because the quality is crappy then your spending more money anyway. If you want to grab a bottle then go see my girl Nichole at the Chanel counter in Dillards (Wolfchase Galleria). While your at it have her give you a facial and do your makeup. I took my mom there when she was in town and Nichole treated my mom like a queen and made her look so pretty!
