Rave! Mea Culpa Body & Bath

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll probably know that my latest obsession has been handmade bath and body products off of Etsy. I've discovered so many great sellers, but one has stood out in particular. I am planning on filming a video review and *possibly* hosting a mini contest with this company's products, but I thought I would create a blog post anyway!

First off, I want to mention that everything I'll mention here was purchased with my own money or given as a gift by my boyfriend. I know people tend to be suspicious of sponsored reviews. Not that my opinion would change even if this were sponsored -- but I just want to get across that I paid for all these products and I think they're worth every single cent and more!

The company is called "Mea Culpa Body & Bath." It's owned by a woman name Jasmina, whom I've talked with via YouTube and Etsy convos, and she seems like a really cool person! You can tell she really loves what she does and she is always glad to help answer your questions or help you create a custom order on Etsy. Check out the shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeaCulpaBodyandBath

And her YouTube channel here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/meaculpabodyandbath


Now let's get into reviews of the products I've tried.

1) "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" Face & Hand Cream w/ Shea Butter


This is designed to be a dupe for the "Honey I Washed the Kids" scent by Lush, and it is very very similar, though not 100%. I almost like this fragrance better -- it's a little less "edible," and a little more floral, in my opinion. Very feminine! The cream itself has a fantastic whipped texture. I use it on my face at night and in the morning right after washing my face and it moisturizes incredibly without leaving the greasy feel I associate with store-brand lotions. It has not broken me out AT ALL, which is great, because the original soap from Lush caused a horrible breakout all over my chest/back. This comes in a variety of scents, and I HIGHLY recommend you try it out!

2) Blackberry Amber Handmade Skin Softening & Conditioning Soap



I received this as a free sample with the cream above. It isn't a scent I would have ever picked out on my own - typically avoid "amber," musky and herbal scents and stay toward brighter, fruity or floral fragrances. But I am so glad I received this! It lathers very well and is incredibly moisturizing, as the title claims. Best of all, the scent clings softly to the skin. This is the best soap to shower with right before bed, because the amber scent really relaxes you and lulls you to sleep, in my opinion.

3) 1/2 oz samples of goats milk soap in the following fragrances:
Brown Sugar
Midnight Pomegranate
Very Sexy (Victoria Secret Type)
Pink Sugar
Christmas Cookie
Code (Georgio Armani)
Pink Sugar
Happy Men
L'eau d'Issey Miyake

She sells all of these fragrances and more in her Goats Milk Soap section. I simply couldn't decide on which fragrances to get, so I asked her if there were any way I could get samples. She happily created a custom listing, and sent me samples of these fragrances. Each came in an adorable little heart shape with a floral design in the center. I've used almost all of them at least once -- and even though they're tiny, they've lasted me a good 3+ washings apiece. I use a loofah and simply store them in a dry space afterwards.

The bottom two are men's fragrances which I bought for my boyfriend. I love them both, but prefer Happy Men and will probably repurchase him the full sized bar. Both smell exactly like men's cologne and make him smell incredible. :) If you ever want to pamper your boyfriend, I recommend one of the men's fragrances. Specialty soaps are something that most men probably wouldn't have the guts to buy for themselves, but I guarantee you they will love it as a gift. :)

My three TOP favorites, which I 100% know I'll repurchase in full size bars, are "Brown Sugar," "Midnight Pomegranate," and "Very Sexy." More details:

Brown Sugar


I am really big into "edible" type scents -- chocolate, coffee, cake, fruits, etc. -- and this one is honestly my all-time favorite. It smells exactly like brown sugar with maple-y, caramel-y undertones... I seriously want to take a bite out of it! The full-sized bar contains brown sugar to exfoliate the body, which I think is ingenious!


Midnight Pomegranate


This is a perfect dupe for the Bath & Body Works fragrance. It smells sweet yet sophisticated and the scent clings to the skin long after bathing.


Very Sexy


This is a dupe for the Victoria's Secret Very Sexy fragrance. I'm typically not a perfume fan, usually opting for body splashes or body sprays. This soap has a distinctly "perfume"-y fragrance, but I find myself in love with it anyway. It makes me feel beyond feminine and incredibly pampered. This is another scent that really holds onto the skin for hours. I love it!

That's it for my mini blog-review of Mea Culpa Body & Bath. Check out her shop and if you purchase anything, tell her Sarah sent you. :)


FTC: As I mentioned, all products were purchased with my own money or received as a gift from the BF. :) I'm not affiliated with this company -- just a huge fan! I'm not being compensated for this review, and every statement is 100% genuine. Photographs of products were used from her Etsy site, listed above, and are not my property.

Blog Sale

PLEASE READ BEFORE SHOPPING:

Pricing: Prices are non-negotiable.

Shipping: Shipping is free of charge for North American residents. For other international buyers, I will charge only as much as necessary to send the items to you. Smaller items will come in a plain white envelope wrapped in tissue paper to ensure safety. Larger items will arrive in a bubble mailer.

Acceptable forms of payment: PayPal or Debit/Credit Card.

How to purchase: E-mail me at ciaobella059@gmail.com listing the items you would like to purchase. I will send you the invoice as soon as I receive your e-mail. First come, first served.

Return policy: No returns. I will not be held responsible for lost/damaged items.


Items for sale:

1) Covergirl Eye Enhancers Single Eye Shadow: Shimmering Onyx
Used 5x
Retails at: $3.15 + tax
My price: $2.00




Reason for sale: I have a million other shimmery black shadows among my Coastal Scents and other palettes. This is excellent for a shimmery, dramatic smoky eye. Very pigmented!


2) Revlon Matte Eye Shadow: Rich Sable
Swatched 2x, Used 4x
Retails at: $5.00 + tax
My price: $3.00



Reason for sale: This was kind of an impulse buy - it's a really great product, but I already have a few dupes of this color in other palettes. Perfect for your everyday, neutral eye.


3) Empyre Boot Cut Jeans w/ Back Flap Pocket: Midnight Blue, Size 3
NEVER WORN, TAGS STILL ATTACHED
Retails at: $40.00 + tax
My price: $25.00






Reason for sale: I received these as a Christmas gift, but they were the wrong size so I could not return them. I tried them on but have never worn them anywhere. I love the wash and the pocket design and would love them if they were only my size!


4) Aeropostale Bootcut Jean w/ Embellished Pockets: Light wash, Size 0 SHORT
Worn 2x
Retails at: $39.50 + tax
My price: $17.00







Reason for sale: These are too small for me! I received them as a gift and, again, really wanted to make them work, but they just don't fit. They're adorable jeans, very sturdy denim, with super cute embellishments on the back pocket to add a little something special. Please note that they are short sizing. I'm 4'11" and they are still a little long on me.

4) ELF Makeup Kit (PENDING)
Retail price: $3.00
My price: $2.00

Includes:
-Brightening Eye Quad: Ethereal
Used 1-2x
-Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder: Warm Tan
Swatched 1x
-Liquid Eyeliner: Black
Used 1x






Reason for sale: I have dupes of all these products and just never found myself using them. This is a good opportunity for those of you who don't have ELF available at nearby Targets to try out the products without having to order online and pay the $7 shipping fees!


5) Maybelline New York Stylish Smokes Quad: Amethyst Smokes (SOLD)
Used 4-5x
Retails at: $5.00 + tax
My price: $3.00




Reason for sale: I have dupes of basically every color in this quad in my Coastal Scents palettes.





6) Milani Powder Mosaics Blush: Sweet Cheeks (SOLD)
Used 4x
Retails at: $8.00 + tax
My price: $4.00




Reason for sale: I love this blush, but have so many others in my collection that I hardly found myself reaching for it.


7) Milani Sunset Duos Blush & Bronzer: Sunset City (SOLD)
Swatched 3x, Used 1x
Retails at: $5.00 + tax
My price: $3.00




Reason for sale: I like this, but I found myself reaching for other products more. Both products have a beautiful sheen, perfect for the dewy spring/summertime glow. This product was recommended by popular beauty guru emilynoel83.


8) Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation SPF 18: Natural Ivory (SOLD)
Used 2x
Retails at: $9.00 + tax
My price: $4.00




Reason for sale: Yet another impulse buy. The consistency and coverage is great, but it is completely the wrong color for my skin. Too light and has reddish undertones, whereas my skin has yellow undertones. I really wanted to make it work by overlaying bronzer to darken it up, but it was more trouble than it was worth.


9) Milani Glimmer Stripes All-Over Color: Honey Glimmer (PENDING)
Used 5x
Retails at: $8.00 + tax
My price: $4.00




Reason for sale: These are absolutely gorgeous shimmery colors, but since I purchased this I have purchased dupes for practically all the colors and use those more. This can be used as eye shadow for a beautiful pink or bronze look, or can be used as face products - includes a cheek highlight, a shimmery blush, and shimmery bronzers. Very multifunctional product.


10) Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick: Kasbah (SOLD)
Swatched 1x, Used 1x
Retails at: $5.00 + tax
My price: $3.00




Reason for sale: This color simply doesn't go with my skin tone. I love how it looks in the tube, but not on me. I've only worn it once, for a contest look where it didn't necessarily have to match my skin tone! I have 4 other Rimmel lipsticks in different colors that I love and use all the time, so I can attest to the quality. This color just was a miss with me.

Spring Dress Haul!

Hey y'all! It's been forever since I've written an actual beauty-related blog, so I decided I would give my blog followers a little sneak peak of the spring dress haul I'll be filming hopefully in the near future. This past week I placed two orders on Amiclubwear, a site with inexpensive yet cute clothing that many of us learned about from Juicystar07's review last summer.

One of my favorite ways to shop is to scan clearance sections, and I found a lot of cute dresses. Many weren't in my size or were sold out, but I managed to find 4 that I really loved. They were all incredibly inexpensive (each under $15), and they're all very different from anything I've ever owned, so I'm excited!

Dress #1
I love this dress. It's very mature yet fun. The print is beautiful and it's something that could be worn probably at any time of the year. It also looks incredibly light, which is ideal for the hot California climate in which I live. I'll probably wear this dress with this cute pair of black satin flats I own from Rocketdog.



Dress #2
This dress I'm a little lukewarm about, because I don't typically wear red. But I know I can make it work somehow. On its own it definitely isn't something I'd wear on an everyday basis, but I'm thinking of pairing it with a black cardigan to make it more daytime-appropriate, and probably the black flats I mentioned before.



Dress #3
I am absolutely in LOVE with this dress. It also came in pink but it wasn't available in my size. Again, yellow isn't a color I wear very often, since I tend to think it brings out the yellow undertones in my skin. However, I was so in love with the dress I couldn't pass it up! I love the strapless design and the bubble skirt. It doesn't come with the belt, but I think I'm going to try to find a similar white belt (or maybe cognac to mix it up?) because I like the effect it gives.



Dress #4
This is similar in design to the last dress, but I love the colors. It's a little more nighttime-appropriate to me, and I could see wearing this on a date with my boyfriend, along with some black platform pumps and a little black clutch. I could also dress it down with the black cardigan and flats I mentioned before. I love transitional pieces!



Also, keep in mind that the blond model especially is very busty. :) I have a more modest frame, so I expect that these dresses will look a lot less "clubwear-ish" on my body than on hers, and more suited for your regular warm spring day. We'll see when the order comes in! I will definitely post a haul video with my first impressions and model the dresses when they arrive.

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Sarah <3

FTC: Even though this isn't YouTube, I thought I should mention that I paid for all these dresses with my own money. I'm not affiliated with AmiClubwear. Also, the pictures of the dresses are from their website. I hope it's OK that I included them in my blog. :)

Giveaway Honorable Mentions

I just posted the 9 winners to my latest giveaway. I cannot tell you how difficult it was to narrow down just 5 hand-picked winners, and I honestly wish I had the resources to send all of you prizes. You really captured the spirit of makeup and put it into words.

While I was reading all the entries, I copied and pasted my favorites into a Word document, and then picked the top 5 winners from that. Here are some excerpts from the other entries that made it into that document - unfortunately I couldn't give you all prizes, but you definitely deserve kudos!

Honorable Mentions:

BornDance

I truly love makeup because it is a temporary way to change the way you look. so many things these days are permanent, so it is nice to have a way to change your look and something about you and then be able to wipe it off at the end of the night.



fashionloverxx

i love makeup because it allows me to express my personality in a very artistic, feminine and fun way and everyone has their own way of expressing it, whether it may be a rock-and-roll style or even a plain neutral look. :) it just helps me appreciate my features more by enhancing it.



ClocksInMyPlace

Makeup celebrates style, beauty, being a girl, woman and feminine.



lovetasticful

Whatever i'm feeling that day, I can express with my makeup. It makes me feel free to be able to do something different everyday. Makeup to me is a way to enhance your natural features and express your emotions



mapetitepomme

It provides an artistic outlet for woman all over the world, and what they create is something that makes them feel beautiful and confident



genahwang

makeup gives confidence by creating the appearance you want others to see and building your self worth through the confidence gained.



makeupshakeup13

think of makeup as truly and honestly a form of art. ... makeup is a way to express yourself. It can be explanatory for things you cannot explain in words.



Beccaliciousxxx

I believe that makeup is just an extension of yourself, and allows you to enhance your natural beauty!



budgetbeautiful

makeup motivates me to get up and get on with my day! I love that I can create any look I want based on my mood, or my outfit. I love trying to challenge myself to create new looks by just using certain products

Wish-Haul: MAC!

I decided to do something a little different from the traditional haul and share with you instead my current wish list. This is just a list of some products I am really dying to have right now and why. Of course, I probably won't get many of them any time in the near future, but a girl can dream, right?

#1: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Soft & Gentle"
This would be the perfect shimmy highlight to apply to my cheekbones and temples for that dewy, glowy springtime skin.

#2: MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer
I've heard so many great things about this concealer. Even though I'm in love with my Coastal Scents Camo Quad right now, I would still love to try this out - especially for my under-eye circles.

#3: MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot
Again, this is a product I've heard a million good things about. MAC's site describes this as a "golden peach w/ gold pearl" and a frost finish. I would love to use this as an everyday eye base. I could also see myself patting a tiny bit of it along my cheekbones for a beautiful frosty golden highlight.

#4: MAC Blushcreme in "Lady Blush"
This is a product I heard about from Meganheartsmakeup - it's her everyday blush. I love cream blush formulas for the springtime to achieve dewy skin. MAC describes this as a "demure cool pink flush."

#5: MAC Powder Blush in "Pinch Me"
A sheertone blush described as a "medium dirty rose coral" on the MAC site. I adore coral-colored blushes and lipsticks - something about the color gives such a soft, glowy appearance. It's also a color that flatters pretty much any skin tone.

#6: Fix+
This is one of those products that I thought was a huge gimmick for the longest time. Why would I pay so much for what appears to be enriched water? But I've heard a lot of great things about this product - some use it to set their makeup, to dampen brushes and apply shadows wet, and I've even heard of some spraying it into their hair after the shower to use as a detangler. I would love to try this out, but it's still one of those things that isn't super high on my "things-to-buy" list.

#7: MAC 217 Brush
I need this brush. Enough said!

Personal Vlog 1: Art!

Hey all!

Until this point, this blog has been 100% devoted to beauty, but I realized I could also use it to write about my life. Since I don't have a Vlog channel - and probably won't get one until I have quite a few more subscribers and more interest - I've decided to write "Personal Vlogs" on here whenever the mood strikes me.

I'm really awful at updating my Twitter - I don't have a cell phone with all the fancy internet capabilities, so I can't Tweet on the go like most do. Blogging about it at one time seems to work a lot better for me.

So what's going on in my life right now? I'm probably happier than I have been in a long time. I came to college planning to follow the pre-med route with a major in psychology. Before that, I had toyed around with being a lawyer or a civil engineer. All of these paths seemed like the "obvious, safe" routes, and I thought I could torture myself with years of boring schooling if it meant being financially secure in my future.

Then something happened. I started making YouTube videos in early January, and the support I got from all of my viewers and subscribers made me realize how much makeup art really meant to me. It was something about which I was passionate, something that got me up in the morning. I couldn't wait to log into my YouTube each morning to see if I had any new subscribers or to answer any comments or messages I may have received overnight. It sort of became an obsession.

What does my makeup obsession have to do with my future or my educational path? Well, a lot. My makeup addiction really is a subset of a greater passion of mine - art. I've loved art for as long as I can remember, since I was a little girl whose favorite gift was a new sketch pad or a carton of Crayola crayons (the more colors the better). I would sit on the floor on my stomach for hours trying to draw duplicates of the front covers of video cassette cases. I would make life-sized 2D figures out of construction paper and tape them to the walls.

That's what makeup is, really: art. And art is what I love and always have loved. When I was little and teachers asked what I would be in the future, I would say, artist, author, singer. I was born to create. So as noble a pursuit medicine may be (or law, or engineering), it just isn't for me.

A few days ago I went out to the Cheesecake Factory with my boyfriend for dinner, and as the waiter seated us I had an epiphany. I decided in that instant to leave the pre-med track (goodbye needless years of chemistry, biology, cadaver labs) and double major in Studio Art and Psychology. That night I was simply giddy - I planned my schedule out for the next 3 years. Next year I get to take two introductory courses in drawing and oil painting, a course on color and composition, and a few art history courses, along with some other GER-fulfilling courses. I could not be more excited.

So that's the most important development in my life lately. I'll keep you all posted. :)

February-March 2010 Collective Favorites

February-March 2010 Favorites

Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette
Coastal Scents 88 Color Palette
These palettes allow incredible diversity in my tutorials. I have been trying to do a lot of tutorials lately because I feel one of my key jobs as a guru is to teach people techniques and innovative methods to use makeup. The color variety and payoff is great, the palettes are affordable, and I know a lot of you (my viewers) probably own the palette, so it makes it easier for you guys to replicate the looks in my tutorials.

Coastal Scents Sable Blending Brush
I use this brush every single day for every single makeup application. I use it to apply color to my crease. It pretty much does the blending itself. The bristles are soft and don't shed, and the brush itself is well-constructed and looks professional. The best part is that it cost only $2.90 on Coastal Scents.

Coastal Scents Camo Quad
Eco Tools Concealer Brush
I use these two things together. I use this concealer everyday to conceal my under eye circles, blemishes, and redness. The consistency is great; it's incredibly blendable. This is the first concealer I've ever owned that looks like I'm wearing nothing. On days when I'm running late in the mornings, I wear concealer alone with a little setting powder, and it looks like it's my natural skin. Usually I like to apply concealer with my fingers, but for this particular one I prefer applying it with a synthetic brush. I'm going to publish an updated foundation routine using this product and I'll explain how I apply it then.

Coastal Scents Taklon Liner Brush / Studio Tools Angled Liner Brush (Winged liner)
Lately I've been really into winged liner, and angled brushes make applying it pretty much effortless and foolproof. I've done this in a few tutorials, and basically what I do is just wet the brush with water - you could also use Fix+ or a mixing medium - and dip the brush into an eyeshadow of my choice. Using this method you can pretty much make a liner out of any color, which I think is great for springtime since bold color is very in.

ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
I just got this a week ago and have literally used it every day since then. The blush is one of those shades that would look great on literally any skin tone. It has very fine glitter and really illuminates the skin. Given the title, the product is intended for contouring, but I use it as an all-over bronzer. It also has very subtle shimmer and makes the skin look dewy, which is perfect for springtime. This brings us to my next favorite:

Mac 182 Kabuki Brush
I use this everyday to apply my bronzer in the 3B method, and then to buff it into my skin to make it look more natural. During the winter I use this to buff setting powder over my liquid foundations for a matte effect, but now that it's spring I prefer to use a lighter application of powder for the dewy effect.

ELF Studio Line Blush - Candid Coral
This was my go-to blush before I purchased the blush and bronzer duo, also by ELF. The two blush colors are very similar - they're both universally-flattering peachy coral colors with very fine glitter. I bought this blush in the middle of last summer and about 8 months later, I am just starting to hit pan. For $3, that is fantastic. I really want to buy more of these Studio Line Blushes, and now that ELF is just starting to be available at Target, I am definitely going to stock up.

NYC Liquid Lip Shines
I mentioned before that I wasn't a huge fan of lip gloss. I'm bothered by its texture and the fact that my hair oftentimes sticks to it, especially on a windy day. However, I'm trying to get over that fact because I really love the effect that it gives, and I think that glossy nude lips are perfect for spring. So far these are some of my favorite lip glosses. They're by NYC, which is available at Target, Wal-Mart, and most drug stores. My favorite three are Dusty Rose and Pink Sand. The best part is that they're $1.99 apiece, and NYC is constantly going on Buy One, Get One Free Sales - so you can wait around and get them for a dollar each!

Covergirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara
After hearing about all the hype about this mascara, I finally caved and tried it out, and I am in love with it. I wear it everyday, and it's now tied with L'Oreal Voluminous as my favorite Volumizing Mascara. The brush design is perfect - I have never had a clumping issue with this mascara. It offers separation and volume, and I also find it really lengthens my lashes. Since it's waterproof, the wax in the formula also makes my curl last all day.

Herbal Essences Body Envy Shampoo & Conditioner
I had been using the Tresemme Anti-Breakage shampoo and conditioner for a really long time, but after I ran out about a month ago I decided I would try something new. My hair is so flat and very fine, so I decided to get the Body Envy system. My favorite part about the shampoo is the scent. I wash my hair every other day, and usually my hair will keep the scent of the shampoo for the first day. But with this shampoo, my hair literally smells like I just washed it by the end of the second day.

Queen Helene Pomegranate Raspberry Facial Scrub
I love this product as an exfoliator. It smells great and costs a little over $3 at any Sally Beauty Supply. The exfoliating beads are very fine and gentle, unlike the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, so they don't irritate the skin or leave it overly-dry. The tube of St. Ives I'm using now will be the last I purchase, and this is going to be my new primary exfoliator.


Non Beauty-Related Favorites:

Starbucks Vanilla Frappucino Bottled Drinks
What can I say? I'm obsessed with these. The best part is that they sell them in the cafe on my campus, so I can get a Starbucks drink without having to ride the bus to Starbucks!

Sex & the City
My university library has all six seasons of the show on DVD, so I've been renting them and watching marathons each weekend. Right now I'm on Season 6 and eager to be done in time for the release of the second film!

Gossip Girl
Since Gossip Girl has started airing again, I've had something to look forward to on Monday nights. Again, I'm obsessed with the show - also loving the Serena x Nate pairing. :) I'm pretty sure they belong together. ;)

Banana-nutella crepes
Another delicacy served at the cafe on my campus. A favorite dessert, but of course I can only have it on occasion...

Springtime
I love the long days - sunlight makes me happy. :) The sun doesn't set where I live till around 7:00 PM. It's still cold and occasionally it rains, but the sun has been showing more often and I cannot wait for it to be permanently warm. I am really wanting to get some nice spring/summer sundresses to wear.

Hope you enjoyed my favorites - beauty-related and otherwise!