FOTD | La-la-lavender

Happy hump day! We're so close to the weekend I can almost taste it! I have a quick FOTD post to share with you all. I took the theme of lavender/purple and just ran with it. This is actually a look I wore last thursday to class. I rediscovered an Urban Decay eyeshadow that I just lusted after for the longest time, bought it (last year!) and never touched again. It's Urban Decay's Fishnet eyeshadow, a purply-pink duo chrome eyeshadow that's very reminiscent of MAC's Star N' Rockets. I put this all over my lid and then just blended out the edges a bit with a clean fluffy brush, my Sigma E40 Tapered Blending. I was going to add a neutral blending color but thought that would darken the purple a bit. Then I lined my upper and lower lash lines with Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 0L. It was a late class and I was feeling so lazy so that was as much definition to my eye that I could manage, LOL. I can't quite remember what mascara I used but it was probably the last little bit of my Maybelline The Falsies Volum Express! For the cheeks I popped on some Hervana Blush by Benefit. I know purple isn't a color you think of when you think 'natural makeup' but everything was so soft looking that I didn't want to overpower the rest of my face. Last but not least I grabbed my MAC Pink Popcorn lipstick (it was limited edition, I forget from which collection :/). Pink Popcorn is a pinky lavender color that looks a lot more wearable than it sounds and is AWESOME to wear in the spring (bring on pastel overload ;) )!

What was your FOTD? :)

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Influenster | Sweetheart Vox Box

Hello everyone! Today I'm writing up quite an exciting post! Yesterday I got a little package in the mail and I was honestly so dumbfounded. I thought it was my Real Techniques brush that I ordered (YES, I KNOW EXCITING STUFF, NO?!) but I remember checking a few minutes earlier and it wasn't do to come until Friday. So I was like "what could this be?" Turns out I was chosen to receive Influenster's Sweetheart Vox Box*! If you don't know what Influenster is you can find out all you need to know by clicking here. 

I ended up opening this box with my breath held. I was so excited and hoped I got products that I'd a) be interested and b) now what to do with. So here's what I got:

• Olay Fresh Effects {Va-Va-Vivid!} Powered Contour Cleansing System & Olay Fresh Effects {Shine, Shine Go Away!} Shine Minimizing Cleanser | I was very aprehensive when I saw this in the box. I saw it was skin care and it looked promising but I'm just very uncomfortable deviating from my normal skin routine. Nevertheless, that mini cleansing system was calling to me and I figured, eh, why not give it a shot? The cleansing system is so fun. Is it weird to say that? But it is! It battery powered and vibrates while you work it gently into your skin. The Shine Minimizing Cleanser wasn't bad either but I think it'd be more suited towards oilier skin types. Although it did leave my face touch ably smooth (no really, I couldn't stop touching my cheeks)! It's also supposed to minimize your pores, but I don't know if I'll use it enough to notice those effects! I may give my sister the cleanser and keep the little do-dad and see how it fairs with my own cleanser!
• Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response | I LOL'd (seriously laughed out loud) when I saw this in the box! I was at the gym yesterday morning and was saying how I should get a mini deodorant to toss in my gym bag. Lo and behold, here it is! Secret is the brand I always use and it's been the best I've tried. The thing that intrigued me the most was the Stress Response aspect of it. It says that it was "uniquely formulated to protect you from all three causes of sweat (heat, movement, and stress) but especially stress sweat" This might be TMI but I sweat, a lot. Not like gallons come pouring out but even sitting still in class gets me sweating. I'd be interested to see if it works! Plus, it smells like citrus and peaches, mmmm!
• Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray | YES! I was thrilled when I saw this in the box! I've been dying to try the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or any sort of sea salt spray! It's just one of those things that no matter how much it is I am so skeptical of how well it works to pay any price. I've heard of Not Your Mother's brand before so it's good to see a familiar brand. I can't wait to use this! It sort of leaked in the box and leaks whenever I tip it too much to one side, but oh well, I'm not complaining.
• Skinnygirl Daily On-The-Go Bars | The funny thing about seeing this bar in the box was that I had just gotten home from classes and I was starving! It's an all natural bar that's kosher and high in fiber. It's only 180 calories per bar and is meant to be a healthy indulgence/sweet treat. I was going to save it for breakfast but what the heck ... let me just take a quick bite *munch* Hmmm, (I'm really chewing as I type this, LOL) it tastes ... natural and like it's high in fiber, haha. Yeah, I may have been spoiled by the super sweet yogurt bars but I'm not really liking the taste. Upon first bite it's fine but there's a strange after taste. I think I'll pass on these to be honest!

The two products I was most excited about were the sea salt spray and stress response deodorant! Can't wait to fully test them out and hopefully have found some new favorites!

Have you received a Sweetheart Vox Box? What product in this box would you love to try?

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TAG | Confessions of a Blogger

Happy Monday! Actually right now it's Sunday night and I'm watching the Oscars. I love Seth Macfarlane and this is probably my favorite awards show! Can I just mention how cute Daniel Radcliffe looked dancing WITH Joseph Gordon-Levitt, mmm, mmm! Also, hopefully by the time this post goes live I'll be keeping a promise to myself and at the gym! Anywho, a week ago I was tagged by the lovely Erica from Abundance of Erica to do the Confessions of a Blogger tag! So here you have it! Thanks again for tagging me Erica! :)

When did you start your blog?

I started this blog in April of 2012. The 19th to be exact and precise!

Have you had any past online presence before (Other blog, YouTube)?

I had a tumblr, if that counts? I used to actually have a tumblr blog dedicated to all things LUSH. It was quite good, I posted reviews and pictures but some one just kept reporting me and Tumblr took it down. It made me sad): I tried restarting it but then it got deleted again.

Why did you start a blog?

I really got into make up late 2011/early 2012 which meant I was also getting into beauty videos. I loved watching these videos and I really wanted to make my own. My friend Julia and I were going to make a joint beauty channel on YouTube but she was afraid she wouldn't have time to commit to it. I still wanted to do it but jumping into YouTube scared me so I thought a blog would be better instead. I had all this make up that was being unplayed with so I thought a blog would help force me to be creative, allow me to learn from other blogs, and share the things I love and things I've learned! I used to actually be called 'Faux Guru' but a few weeks in I didn't really like it and it wasn't me at all so I changed it to The Mod Mermaid! :)

When did you become serious about starting a blog?

I've always been serious about blogging. It was always fun for me to take pictures, decorate my blog, and write up my thoughts. I've always tried to post often and high quality posts that you guys would find interesting! Sometimes I hit a road block and that doesn't happen, but this happens to even the best bloggers!

What was your first post?

LOL, oh my it was a very serious introduction to this blog. So unlike me. This blog originally started on Tumblr so I was fitting into "that" crowd, haha. I'll link it here so you guys can go have a chuckle -> here. It was an introduction and essentially a big disclaimer stating that I am no expert, nor was I claiming to be one!

What has been your biggest challenge about blogging?

I think my biggest challenge with blogging is finding the time to post and coming up with posts that you guys will want to read! I also struggle with personal posts. I want to include some now and then but never know what to write about, haha!

Where do you see your blog in one year?

I (hopefully) will still be blogging! The one thing I don't want to see is this blog abandoned.

What is the most rewarding thing to you about blogging?

The comments! I love when my readers comment on my blog posts because it means someone took the time to read your post, then they took extra time to let you know what they thought; it's very encouraging! Also, I can't deny that every new reader that takes the time to join this little undersea family (haha, WOT?!) is rewarding beyond belief!

What is the most discouraging thing that happens to you?

We tell ourselves this a lot: "don't compare yourself to other blogs" but I am so guilty of doing this. I find myself, just subconsciously, comparing my blog to other blogs and then I get in this mood of "why bother with my blog when their's is so much better?" It's awful but I just slap myself some sense and remind myself that my blog is loved too :)

What's your lasting inspiration or motivation?

All the blogs I love to read inspire me. It's so cliche and over said but it's true. I get fresh ideas from reading everyone's blogs!

Here's who I tag Andrea, Melissa, Cassie, and Aly. I also tag any of you reading this post to go ahead and do it! :D

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Tutorial | Bright Pink Barbie

Yayus, it's FRIDAY! *dances to Rebecca Black's Friday* Is that already out dated? Sheesh, we move on to the next thing fast! 

Today I have a most exciting tutorial to share with you all! I've been planning it for quite some time and had to do an embarrassing amount of research (helloooo, Pintrest!). Ever since I got MAC's Candy Yum Yum lipstick (reviewed here) all I could think was "Barbie lipstick". It is the epitome of everything I thought of when I thought of Barbie. Sure, sometimes she had a more subdued pink lip but all I remember is this bright pink. That's where the research came in. I had to look up pictures of Barbie and study the different eye make up she wore and holy guacamole this doll had a LOT of eye looks. Not one was the same, but I found a common theme through some of the more girly Barbie dolls. I took bits from all the pictures I saw and came up with this masterpiece (or so I'd like to think, haha)!

It's very fun. It's colorful. It's pink. It's Barbie. But most importantly, it's totally wearable! 

If you guys are interested in how I got this look then head on over to the video below! And as always let me know what you think! Does it look like something Barbie would have been sporting? Like the video and subscribe if you want me to do more tutorials! :)

Thanks for reading/watching & I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

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Cover Girl | Lip Perfection Lipsticks

I'm going to start today off quite negatively and say that this week SUCKS. My college completely screwed up my weekly routine with their "special classes" schedule to make up for days we had off. Basically it meant that days I actually had off from school (re: blogging/vlogging days) were now days I had to wake up and go to school (I know, I know #firstworldproblems!) It's just unnecessary and I'm not even sure what day it is anymore because yesterday was a Wednesday but I had Monday classes. AGH, just try to imagine how confused I am with all of this! Now that my little rant is over...

Today I will be reviewing my itty bitty collection of Cover Girl Lip Perfection lipsticks. These were one of the first lipsticks that I had ever bought (after my Top Shop Rio Rio lipstick) and I'm 99.9% sure it is what started my love affair with lipsticks. So almost a year and a half ago I was watching one of Rachel Whitehurst's (she used to be icallitambrosia on YouTube but now I think it's just her name) and I can't remember if she was talking about this lipstick or just wearing but it looked amazing on her! It was bright and fun and at the time she said she was loving it! That's how I found out about this whole range of lipsticks.

The packaging on these lipsticks is sleek and doesn't over do it. The top cap is a sort of purple-y/gray chrome that looks really cool, but it's prone to some fingerprints. Then the bottom has the color name on it and the best part is that the color of the lipstick matches the bottom bit! I don't store these upside down, but not having to pop open the cap saves so much time! The lipstick themselves are super pigmented. I would have never guessed that drugstore lipsticks could be so ... awesome?! All of these are also quite moisturizing. When I wear them I never feel my lips getting all dry and crinkly. They stay put for hours, too. I've never scientifically tested this, haha. But I'm someone who is always paranoid of having lipstick on and checking to see if it's smeared off and these lipstick absolutely don't! Even when you're drinking! A little might transfer to the cup but it's still there bright as day! 

The colors I own are Spellbound (this is the one Rachel had!), Tempt, and Hot Passion.  Spellbound is bright fuchsia. In the tube it leans more purple but swatched and on the lips it grabs more pink. Tempt is also a bright fuchsia but this one leans more more pinky-red. Last is Hot, which is a bright red color with the tiniest tinge of pink in it. The swatches below speak better about the color than I can describe! There's a huge array of colors and tones to choose from so if you're not into the brights like I am, you'll surely find a color that suits you!

At $6.99 per lipstick these Cover Girl Lip Perfections are a steal! They're highly pigmented, moisturizing, long lasting, and come in colors that everyone can enjoy. If put to a blind test I'm sure I would have thought these were a high end brand, they're that good!

What do you think? Which do you like the best? Have you tried these lipsticks before?

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