Hey friends!

I did not forget you! If you recall from this post, thesis has eaten my life and I’m on a Friday-only posting schedule for the time being!

I’ve actually been talking myself out of blogging all week. (AKA falling asleep the minute I get out of work/class). I have so much makeup and budget tricks to talk about, and I have to write grad school papers, instead! (Much to the pain of those surrounding me, Mr. Danger is getting very tired of my eye shadow primer analysis/theory I’ve been telling him all about.)

Anyway, I’m being good for now, but if I get some free time this weekend I don’t know if I will be able to resist the siren call of swatching and sharing. For example: My Rainbow Honey Bag for October was awesome, I have to show you. It’s for your own good. Really.

This week the Happy Hour Pumpkin Beer Fest of 2014 continues with a lighter pumpkin beer, I picked this one out specifically for craft beer beginners or those of you who mentioned you’re not sure of how to get into beer. This will be your gateway pumpkin beer!

Also I finally grabbed some NYX Simply Vamp and Simply Red Lip Creams, and you might need these in your life.

 

Makeup Product of the Week: NYX Simply Vamp and Simply Red Lip Creams, $6.50

I went to Ulta when they were having their 40% off drugstore brands sale, and grabbed three of the Simply Lip Creams, (that’s what I’m calling them because I do what I want), for about $3.79 each. They’re also BOGO Half Off right now.

I’ve been wanting to try these, but the nudes looked too light for my skin and I wanted to swatch first. And I’m glad I did, because I have naturally mauvy, dark pink lips and all of the Nude line, and most of the Pink looked terrifying on me.

(PS: I picked the darkest nudes available, Sable and Disrobed, and swatched them on the top right of my wrist. Those colors are lighter than my lips.

PPS: The left side of my wrist is Pink and Vamp colors, the Reds are on the right. Just for reference.)

So these lip creams do have some pros and cons, (although the pros were good enough for them to be featured on Happy Hour).

If you decide to purchase these, make sure to check your lip crayon first, because they have a tendency to break in their container, even while still sealed.

I’m saying turn the actual lip product over and make sure it’s still securely attached to it’s applicator. (I didn’t do this, and one of the ones I got, fell out when I took it home)

If you watch out for this, you’ll be okay. The actual lip cream itself is super pigmented, creamy, lightweight and long lasting without being drying. While I love the colors in NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Creams, the formula on these guys is SO much better.

I ended up buying Maraschino and Candy Apple from the Simply Red line, (because I love me a red very much), and I tried to be trendy and get a Simply Vamp in Covet. The color is great, but I am not stylish enough to pull off vamp lips.

Anyway, if you can avoid the broken product issue, (which by the way, mine still works, it’s just annoying), and find a color you love-these are a great deal!

Beer of the Week: Shipyard Pumpkinhead

This beer is almost the opposite of what I posted about last week. Shipyard’s Pumpkinhead is a very light ale, and it’s got a low ABV of 4.5% so it’s perfect for beer beginners. (Disclaimer: those of you who have been on the craft beer scene for awhile, this may not float your boat.)

Pumpkinhead is very sweet, almost like a cider, and it has a strong pumpkin/apples/cinnamon fall flavors. It’s very light, crisp, and refreshing, which is different from most fall and pumpkin beers that focus on the deep notes of the flavors.

This beer is so light and sweet, I would recommend pairing it a strong, savory cheese to help contrast the flavors. (Protip: Beer and cheese pretty much always go together).

Anyway, back to the graduate student cave for more writing! (They only let us out to give us coffee and lit reviews).

I hope you guys enjoy your weekend, and I’ll see you next Friday for more Happy Hour! (Or sooner if I procrastinate and give in to blogging….)

Love!

Rebs