Free or Cheap Summer Activities 2019

Photo by Ylanite Koppens from Pexels

If you are ballin' on a budget this summer, I complied a list of free or cheap summer activities you can do with your friends and family! Always check out your local paper and Facebook pages for free events!

• Go to a park
• Swim at your community pool
• Visit the library
• Play in sprinklers (we always did this growing up!)
• Go for a hike
• Play a board game
• Learn something new
• Take pictures
• Watch a movie
• Visit a free zoo or museum
• Go to a farmers market (we have a great one every summer!)
• Start a blog or youtube channel (like me!)
• Attend a free workout class
• Go to a garage sale or have your own!
• Ride your bike
• Go to a parade
• Go to fireworks
• Listen to a podcast
• Read a book
• Do Yoga
• Pick strawberries
• Pack a picnic
• Clean out your garage (or any space!)
• Visit family
• Plan a tree
• Go camping
• Volunteer
• Plan your next vacation

I hope this list gives you some ideas for some free or cheap things to go this summer!

Target Online Health & Beauty Deal

Garnier Moisture Renew Refreshing Gel Cream: A Review

Picture taken with iPhone 6

The past few months have brutally cold in upstate New York and my skin had decided to become very dry from the dry air. I picked this up a few weeks ago from CVS because I wanted something to help with my dry skin. This moisturizer from Garnier is supposed to "lock in moisture for 24 hours and smooth the skin". It is dermatologist tested, oil free, won't clog pored, gentle to skin, allergy tested and non-greasy.  This product contains antioxidant fruit fruit water which is supposed to renew the skins natural functions. 

So do I like this moisturizer? Yes! It has definitely helped renew my skin and make it less dry and cracked. It has a slight scent but goes away after you apply to the face. It also has a nice cooling sensation. 

Would I repurchase? Yes!

Do I recommend? Yes!

What moisturizer are you currently using?

Unboxing: Target Fall 2014 Beauty Box

A little while ago I purchased the Target Fall 2014 Beauty Box. 

This box costs $7.00 dollars and includes free shipping. 

You can still buy the box HERE if you are interested!

Keep reading for a look inside the Target Fall 2014 Beauty Box

Review: L'oreal Miss Manga Mascara

Review: Rimmel Max Bold Curves VS Covergirl Clump Crusher

Hello beauties and thanks for stopped by! Today I am going to do a comparison review of the Rimmel Max Bold Curves mascara to the Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara. I am a huge mascara fan and it is essential to my daily makeup routine. 

The Rimmel Max Bold Curves mascara is a newer additional to my collection. I got it in a makeup swap a little bit ago and have been using it ever since. I am not the biggest fan of this mascara for a couple reasons. First, it is extremely clumpy and messy to apply. I usually have to use a tissue on the brush to remove excess product before applying to my lashes. Second, the wand is too big. I struggle applying this without getting mascara all over my face, which you can see in the above picture. It also doesn't do a good job at curling or lengthening my lashes, except my lower lashes; it works well on the lower lashes.  It claims to do the opposite of everything it is lacking. 

This retails for around $7.00 dollars.

The Covergirl Clump Crusher has been in my makeup collection since last summer. I absolutely adore this mascara. I have never had an issue with it being clumpy or messy to apply. It really gives your lashes that extra something, especially if your curl them prior to applying the product. The mascara does an excellent job at curling and lengthening my lashes. This retails for around $8.00 dollars.

So, I think it is very clear that the Covergirl Clump Clusher is the winner here. The Rimmel mascara just doesn't compare to the Covergirl mascara. It is messy, clumpy, and hard to work with. I guess I am onto looking for a better and greater mascara than the Covergirl Clump Crusher.

NOTD: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Deep Purple

Deep Purple #sallyhansen #notd by @elizabethkathrynx

I pained my nails over the weekend with a nail polish I've had for a good six moths that I just haven't used. This is Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear polish in Deep Purple(170). It is a beautiful purple shade, perfect for summertime! These are some of my favorite polishes. I applied two coats of this polish and it was opaque. You can buy Sally Hansen at your local drugstore.

If you are curious, I use the following website to embed instagram photos into my blog  posts: http://ctrlq.org/instagram/

Review: Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Mascara

affiliate links below

I went to the drugstore last week with my sister and saw a display with the new Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Mascara. I have never been fond of Maybelline mascara, but wanted to give this new mascara a try. First of all, I really like the packaging of this mascara, perfect for spring and summer! The wand on this mascara is huge! I find it is easy to apply this to the upper lashes but more difficult to apply to the lower lashes because it is so large. It also gets a little clumpy on the lower lashes for some weird reason, but I do enjoy the formula. It not too dry or wet. Overall, its a pretty decent drugstore mascara. It is a little expensive, running about $8.50 at my local CVS, but that is easy to get around with coupons, sales, discounts, etc. 

I would recommend this mascara to anybody who enjoys Maybelline mascara.

My fiance decided to take a few beauty shots of me applying the mascara, so here's a little treat :)

Review: Equate Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover Pads

Over the weekend I went to Walmart with my fiance and my nails were all chipped. I didn't have any nail polish remover on me, so I picked these up to see if they actually worked! First of all, I like to get the non-acetone version of nail polisher remover because it doesn't irritate my skin as much. These actually worked very good! They are extremely moist and took of nail polish on all ten of my nails! The only thing I didn't like is how strong they smell! The smell definitely turned me off but they did such a good job at removing my nail polish! I highly recommend you pick these up if you travel a lot or you're taking a long weekend trip! They cost under $5 dollars at Walmart!

NOTD | Sally Hansen Gunmetal | #2014BloggerChallenge

I got these polishes in a makeup swap and I just adore this combination. I like wearing the glitter polish on the ring finger to add a little extra something to the look. I also wore this combination for my New Year's Eve gathering I had at my apartment!

Sally Hansen Gunmetal

Sally Hansen Silver Streamers

Beauty Secrets Top Coat

Review: Maybelline Baby Lips Dr.Rescue in Too Cool

For under $5 dollars, I picked up this new Maybelline Baby Lips Dr.Rescue at my local Rite Aid. The Baby Lips Dr.Rescue line provides a smoothing, cooling sensation because it has menthol as an ingredient.  It is supposed to provide 12 hours of hydration but I find myself applying this every few hours. I feel like this lip balm does an excellent job at moisturizing my lips. I am not a huge fan of the menthol scent, but if you like the scent of cough drops, then you will love the scent of this product. Overall, I definitely recommend this line of baby lips if you have dry and/or chapped lips in the fall and winter seasons! You can find these at your local drugstore!

NOTD: Covergirl Outlast in Rouge Red

I wrote this post on my iPhone using the Blogger App

I also took this picture with my iPhone's camera

Today's post featured a new nail polish I picked up from Rite Aid. This is the Covergirl Outlast polish in Rouge Red #610. It is one of the best drugstore polishes I have ever owned! It was opaque in one coat and I added a second just to try it! It has the perfect formula and dried nearly instantly! I also think this polish is perfect for fall! I now want to try more polishes by Covergirl because they nailed it!

NOTD: Maybelliene Color Show in Go Go Green

Maybelliene Color Show in Go Go Green #340

I picked up this nail polish a few months ago at Target (it was on clearance for $0.88 cents) and finally got around to wearing it! It is a beautiful green color, perfect for the spring and summer seasons, although I could see it being worn all year round! These Color Show nail polishes have the most amazing formula! They are also opaque in two coats. I paired this polish with my Beauty Secrets Top Coat, which you can purchase at Sallys Beauty Supply. I highly recommend these polishes and they are one of my favorites from the drugstore!

NOTD: Maybelliene Color Show in Mystic Green

Two Coats

Today's nail of the day post features Maybelline's Color Show Holographic polish in Mystic Green. I tried to like this polish but unfortunately this one let me down. You can that this is a gorgeous green duo-chrome with gold reflex. The packaging is great and it applied like any other nail polish on the market, however, I HATE the formula of this polish. It is odd. It is thin but thick at the same time. It also appears very streaky on the nails and leaves a weird bubbling effect as well, almost like there are small glitter specs in the polish itself, maybe that is for the "holographic" effect. I have heard this line of polishes by Maybelline are supposed to be great but this particular one is a HUGE let down.

This nail polish can be bought at most drugstores.

Also I am starting to sell clothing, jewelry, etc. on Poshmark!

Please check out my closet and leave your links below!

Review: Rite Aid Renewal Detoxifying Cleansing Toilettes

Marshalls Haul

Hello loves. This weekend I did quite a bit of shopping for my apartment and I also made two trips to two different Marshalls in my area. If you don't know what Marshalls is, it is a store where you can buy discounted designer clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. I picked up three pairs of sandals and an adorable "little black dress". I also purchased a couch and a table set for my new apartment! I have 27 days until I move in and I am so excited! I still have some major purchase to make, such as a vacuum and air conditioner.

Here are my purchases from Marshalls (all items were under $30 dollars!!)

These are super comfortable and will match my new little black dress!

I like that these have a little heel, to make them more dressy.

These are just a great pair of sandals, they could go with virtually any outfit

This is almost like a body-con style but is modest because of the high neck line and length.

I also LOVE the lace detail down the center and across the chest area!

Did you pick up any new goodies this weekend?

xx Liz

Spring Drugstore Haul

Wow, long time no post! I have been so busy these last few weeks, I haven't had time to sit down and write up a post. I managed to time a small window today to write a post up about a little shopping I did today! I am also going to NYC IMATS tomorrow, April 7th!

So, this is what I bought at Target and Walmart!

1) Rimmel BB Cream - I have heard really great things about this BB Crea, so I decided to buy it. 

2) New Rimmel 60 Second Nail Polishes - I bought four of these lovelies because they only cost  $1.50 at Walmart! I am very curious to see if they are worth it or not. They have a great color selection and for the price, you can't beat it!

3) Maybelline Baby Lips - I already own the baby lips in Quenched and I am loving it! I saw this one and though, why not? They do a great job at moisturizing your lips and they also have SPF 20!

Have you gone shopping lately??

xx Liz

Review: e.l.f. volumizing mascara

Over the weekend, I went to Target and picked up this e.l.f. volumizing Mascara. It only costs $2.00!!

The packaging of this mascara is very basic and simple, which doesn't bother me. The mascara doesn't have a very strong scent either, which I know can bother people. It has a nice formula, it isn't too wet nor too dry.

BEFORE

AFTER

I do have some minor breaks outs at the moment but who doesn't? 

I am also still trying to find the perfect tinted moisturizer/bb cream for my skin tone, which is near impossible because everything oxidizes on my skin. If you have any recommendations, please leave them in the comments below.

 Final Thoughts:  As you can see, this mascara does a pretty decent job and adding some extra volume to the lashes. It is also very black, which is a plus for me. The only it doesn't do, is add extra length to your lashes. Overall, this mascara is a great alternative to other expensive mascaras and I highly recommend this is beginners (:

You can buy e.l.f. products at Target or online at http://www.eyeslipsface.com/

xx Liz

*I purchased this mascara with my own money. This post is not sponsored.

Review: Aveeno ultra-calming makeup removing wipes

I am always trying out new makeup wipes to find the best ones and these are my new favorite! These are the Aveeno ultra-calming makeup remover wipes. I got these for Christmas and finally starting using them about a week ago.  They are oil free, noncomedogenic, dermatologist tested and ophthalmologist tested.  First of all they are very calming! They have an ingredient on them, which is similar to Chamomile, which leaves your skin feeling smooth. I find them very calming because of their scent as well. They do an excellent job at taking your makeup off, both eye makeup and face makeup. They don't burn my eyes either!  These are by far some of the best drugstore makeup remover wipes I have ever tried and will be a favorite for a long time!

What are your favorite makeup removes wipes?

Liz

Nail of the Day: Wet n Wild Silvivor

Today's nail of the day post features Wet n Wild's new Silvivor polish. I picked it up a couple of weeks ago and finally decided to test it out. This is a gorgeous metallic silver polish, that is absolutely perfect for the holiday season, especially New Year's Eve! I could also see this polish being popular around Homecoming and/or Prom season as well!

one coat, natural lighting

This photo does not do this polish justice!  It appears very streaky and not opaque in the photo but the polish is the complete opposite! I applied one coat and the polish was opaque! You could apply two coats but I don't see a reason why, unless you encounter streaking. I love the formula of these polishes.

You can find Wet n Wild at drugstores for around $1.99 dollars.

Would you wear this polish?

-Liz