Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

Summer Favorites- Beauty Product Essentials

by Katie Haller

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- Summer affordable beauty essentials

Welcome back to my summer favorites series.  Last week I was focused on my wardrobe favorites (in case you missed the post read about it here), but this week I am switching gears to talk about my favorite beauty products that I’ve been using this summer.
When it comes to the beauty products that I use,  I tend to stick with the products that I like.  My favorites don’t usually change from year to year, but every now and again I try something new that I really love.  I always gravitate to affordable products, because they are always accessible and my wallet likes them.  It doesn’t scare me to buy a $5 lipstick to try out a new color.  If the color was in the $20 range or higher, I might be a little more hesitant to try it.  
Here is a list of my current favorite beauty products.

*This post contains affiliate links which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link I will receive a small commission.  Thank you for your support.

1.) Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion- I love this lotion.  It has SPF 15, so I use it as my daily lotion in the summer to give my skin some extra protection from the sun.  It’s moisturizing, lightweight and not greasy at all like other sunscreens and lotions.  That’s why it’s one of my summer favorites.  There is nothing worse than using a heavy, greasy lotion when it’s super hot out.

2.) Garnier BB 5 in 1 Miracle Cream- I’ve been using this bb cream for a while now and I love it.  I like to use it as a foundation.  It goes on very sheer, so it’s perfect if you don’t want to wear a heavy foundation when it’s hot outside. 

3.) Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation- I tend to have oily skin, so I’m always looking for a good foundation that’s not going to feel heavy on my skin or oily.  I was attracted to this foundation because of the low price, but it ended up becoming one of my favorite foundations.  I think that this line was marketed for teenagers who typically have oily skin, which is perfect for my skin because sometimes I think it never grew up. 

4.) E.L.F. Bronzer Palette-  I bought the Turks and Caicos bronzer/blush palette this spring.  At first, I was worried because it looked like it was really dark and it had a shimmer to it, but after trying it and using it for a while I started to really love it.  I have pretty fair skin, but I tan in the summer, so the color blends perfectly.  I was surprised that it wasn’t as dark as it looked and it has more of a matt finish despite the shimmery look it has in the case.

5.) Burt’s Bees- I am someone who finds something that they like and I stick with it.  Burt’s Bees has been my favorite chapstick for years.  I just love the minty feel on my lips.  You have to keep your lips moisturized in the dry heat and for the price, I think that Burt’s Bees is the best option.
6.) Olay Complete All Day Moisture with SPF- It’s very dry living in the desert, so I always need some kind of moisturizer for my face.  As I said before, my skin is pretty oily, so finding the right moisturizer can be hard.  I ended up going with this brand last time because it had SPF and I liked the price.  It’s perfect for wearing under your foundation or on its own.  I like to wear it as my face sunscreen at the pool.

7.) Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish- Of all the millions of nail polish brands that I’ve bought over the years, Sally Hansen has to be my favorite.  I love that it’s accessible.  You can buy it at almost any store.  I buy my nail polish at the grocery store because I’m there 2 to 3 times a week.  I love that it’s a great price.  I really like the Xtreme Wear because it’s under $3.  It’s also always a quality brand.  The polish lasts long, it goes on smooth and it has a nice shine to it.  My favorite color for summer has been White On.

8.) Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss- I’m always trying to add some color to my lips, so I recently bought this lip gloss in the super natural color and I love it.  The color is perfect year round, but I especially love a little light color in the summer.  It’s perfect for someone like me, who doesn’t like too bright of a color on my lips, but doesn’t want my lips to feel left out.

So there you have it.  Those are my favorites this summer.  Next week I will be talking all about my favorite summer accessories.  I hope you stick around for it! 

Instagram Roundup- Spring 2017

by Katie Haller

Spring 2017
Hey everyone!  It’s hard to believe that summer is almost here!  June is just around the corner.  I thought that now would be the perfect time to do an Instagram roundup of some of my favorite Instagram posts that didn’t make it to the blog. 

You may have noticed that I’ve been making a few changes around here.  I’ve kept this little blog of mine a secret for a long time and this year, one of my goals is to grow my following and share my blog with others.  I’m pretty shy and I’m not always comfortable putting myself out there,  but I do put a lot of time and effort into my blog, so I figured why not share my hard work?
 The one place I’ve been putting a lot of time into growing my following and promoting my blog is on Instagram.  I love Instagram, but it’s hard work trying to get followers, especially when I really don’t have the tons of extra time for social media.  Motherhood and my job take up the majority of my time, but since I enjoy blogging so much, I try to make the time for it.
 So today I want to go back and recap my spring through my Instagram (@thriftywifehappylife)
*This post contains affiliate links which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will receive a small commission.  Thank you for your support.
I love trying out new beauty products.  This spring I tried out a few new products and stuck with a few of my favorites.  I’m really loving anything pink right now!

The dress is thrifted similar here
Our Easter was nice and quiet.  I had a week off work, which was amazing!!  We spent the first part of my break in Denver visiting my sister in law, then we came home and finished off the week just relaxing and enjoying the weather.  I even got a cute picture on Easter with my cute little guy. 
Similar Bathing Suit || Similar Hat || Similar Sunglasses
Pool season has officially arrived and I finally got the chance to wear this cute polka dot bikini that I bought at the end of the summer last year at Walmart for only $2! 

Tank top || Cardigan || Similar Jeans || Purse 
I made a few trips to Old Navy this spring to stock up on some super cheap tank tops.  I’ve been loving my $2 tanks that I bought at the end of April.  They are perfect for wearing under my cardigans with jeans. 

Similar Hat || Similar bathing suite Top and Bottoms
I’ve been learning what it’s like to take a busy toddler to the pool and let’s just say that my summers at the pool aren’t as relaxing as they used to be, but that’s okay.  That’s mom’s life for you.  I’m loving my new pool hat.  I found this one in the dollar section at Target for $5.  It’s the perfect pool accessory. 

My go to outfits this spring have been dresses with my denim jacket.  It’s such a comfy and also safe look, especially when I feel stumped on what to wear.  

I’ve rediscovered my love for the color pink this spring.  I just love this bright pink tank top.  I especially love it with turquoise accessories. 

My poor baby had an ear infection over Mother’s Day weekend, so he was very cranky.  We had a hard time getting a good picture, but that’s okay, because he’s still cute, fussy or not. 
 Purse || Similar Shorts || Similar Shoes
Now that it’s pretty much summer, I have to break out the shorts.  I don’t really like wearing shorts, but it’s really hard to wear long jeans when it’s over 100 degrees, so it looks like I’m going to have to embrace my shorts.

So that’s my life through Instagram.  Don’t forget to follow me for the latest posts!

Beauty on a Budget- What’s in My Makeup Bag?

by Katie Haller

I love makeup and I love trying out different products.  As I’m sure you already know, I’m a huge fan of affordable makeup.  I buy mostly drug store makeup products, with the exception of the occasional splurge or gift of higher-end makeup.  Right now, my make up bag is full of mostly Maybelline makeup.  I don’t get a chance to get over to my favorite makeup store, Ulta as much as I use to, because it’s hard to make a special trip with a baby.  That’s why most of my current makeup supply comes from the grocery store.  Today I thought that I’d go through and share the affordable makeup products that are currently in my makeup bag.

1.) Ulta Mineral Powder Foundation- I used to use Bare Mineral Foundation all the time when I was in college and I loved it, but it got too expensive for me to continue buying after college when I had lots of student loan bills to pay, that’s why I started experimenting with other foundations.  My skin has been very dry and sensitive right now, so a few weeks ago I switched over to my Ulta brand mineral makeup and ever since then, my skin seems to be improving.  I really love mineral makeup, because it’s so light and gentle on your skin.  If you’re looking for a good brand that is very comparable, but less expensive than Bare Minerals, I’d recommend Ulta’s line.

 2.) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer- This is by far my favorite concealer!  I’ve been testing out a lot of different drug store brands and this is the best one I’ve found.  As a new mom, I don’t get the beauty rest that I used to, so this concealer is perfect for making me look fresh in the morning.  It hides the dark circles under my eyes and brightens up my face. 

3.) Maybelline FaceStudio Master Contour- I just started using this kit and I love it!  I really like the bronzer and blush colors.  I just love how it’s all in one set, I don’t need to pull out a separate blush, bronzer or highlighter.   

4.) Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette- There is not a color in this palette that I don’t like, however, the thing I always hate about big eyeshadow palettes like this is that you always run out of the colors you use the most.  That’s why I like to buy a separate eyeshadow of the color champagne fizz.  It’s the color I use the most of every day. 

5.) Maybelline Define-A-Line Eyeliner- This has been my favorite eyeliner for a while now.  I always buy the eyeliner that rolls out, instead of the kind that you have to sharpen.  I’m also afraid of liquid eyeliner because I never have any luck with it, so this is always my go-to eyeliner for any look.

6.) L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara- I always come back to this mascara, because it’s the best one that I’ve tried.  I always get sucked into trying a new mascara, and I never like it as much as this brand.  I just love the full lash look that it gives you. 

7.) L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour- Carmel Latte- I’m not big on lipstick, but I had a coupon for this lipstick and I ended up picking out the perfect color for me.  I love the Carmel latte color, it’s the perfect color for winter.  It just gives my lips the perfect tint of color and it also doesn’t dry out my lips. 

8.) e.l.f Eyebrow kit- I am not big on the whole eyebrow craze.  Personally, I don’t like my eyebrows, so I just use the eyebrow kit to help fill in my brows and make them look semi-normal.  I really love this eyebrow kit for that, because it’s cheap and it gets the job done.
So that’s what’s in my makeup bag at the moment.  What’s in yours?

Bloggers Brunch at Neiman Marcus

by Katie Haller

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a bloggers brunch hosted by Christie Moeller at Neiman Marcus here in Las Vegas.  It was such a treat for me to attend an event surrounded by so many talented and creative women.  I have to say that one of the major high lights for me was sampling some of the latest beauty launches for fall at Neiman Marcus.  We sampled luxury brands such as Jo Malone, Clive Christian, Fresh, Tom Ford, and Kevyn Aucoin.  I may be the Thrifty Wife, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have a soft spot for the finer things.  I even won a $100 gift card to Neiman Marcus!!

Here are just a couple pictures that I took from the morning.

These are just a few of the fabulous table displays.
Me and my friend and co-worker, Lori. Her Instagram page @stylewithlori is a great place to find great style inspiration.
The goodie bag I came home with.  I can’t wait to try out all my new samples!

For me, one of the best parts of the brunch was having the opportunity to mingle with the other bloggers from Las Vegas.  It was such a privilege for me to meet so many other talented bloggers.  One thing that I love about blogging is that there is this awesome blogging community that is out there.  It was nice to have an event where the small community of bloggers who exist here in Las Vegas can meet and support each other.

I started this little blog over 3 years ago and I’ve never thought of it as more than just a hobby.  It’s just a place for me to share my interests and passions with others.  As you get older in life, your friendships change.  With careers, husbands, and babies it gets harder to keep in touch with the people you have the most in common with.  I love that I have this space to communicate with my friends and family.  Even more, it’s exciting that I get to share my interests and ideas with new readers who come across my blog.  I just love having this creative outlet to share with all of you.

  Honestly, I’m honored that anyone actually reads my blog.  Every time I get a repin on Pinterest or a new follower on Instagram or a like on Facebook, I’m so flattered.  I learn a little more about blogging each day.  Even though life gets busy with work and my family, I know that I always have my blog to turn to as my own space.  Thank you to everyone who has supported me and read my posts over the years.  I love hearing from you and I’m so grateful for everything!  I hope that you continue to stay with me and keep following me to find out what I’m up to next.

Fall Nail Polish

by Katie Haller

I love nail polish and you will rarely find me without color on my nails.  I like to pick polish colors to match the season.  Right now, I’m all about fall colors.  For fall, I like to switch from my bright pinks and pastilles of the spring and summer months and go a bit darker with a mix of jewel tones, neutrals, and metallic colors.  I have 3 favorite brands of nail polish and they are  Sinful Colors.   NYC In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish. and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri.  I like these 3 brands because the nail polish always goes on nice and smooth, they dry quickly, the polish lasts and best of all they are all under $5!

Here are some of the colors that I’m feeling this fall. 

One// Chinatown
I bought this color last year.  I love that it’s dark, but it’s not quite black.  I wore it a lot in October around Halloween. 
This fuchsia color is fun for fall.  Instead of the bright pinks, I lean towards the darker pinks like this.  They transition perfectly to the winter season as well.

I found this brown bronzy color while I was searching for new fall colors and I can’t wait to try it.  I like a nice brown at times to match the autumn season.

 Four// Mauve It
 If I go with a light pink during the fall, I will often keep it more neutral pink.  This color is a nice soft pink for the fall.

Five// In a Flash

I’m a big fan of this pearly beige color.  It’s a very neutral color that goes well with all my fall outfits.

I love the name of this color because it describes it perfectly.  I love to have a grey metallic color and this one almost has a hint of purple in it.
Seven// Aubergine
I love a dark burgundy on my nails in the fall.  It reminds me of the color of red wine, which I also love to have in the fall months.

Eight// Dream On
Purple is another fun color for when the weather cools down.  I like to mix it up with a dark amethyst color.

I’ve yet to take a risk with the blue polish, but I came across this blue and I love it for fall.  I’m born in September and this color reminds me of my birthstone, the sapphire.  I will have to pick this color up next time I’m out and take the risk. 

Those are some of the colors that I’m feeling this fall from my favorite brands.  What are your favorite nail colors for fall?

Favorite Budget Beauty Products

by Katie Haller

It’s time for me to take a break from talking about pregnancy and maternity outfits, to turn my attention to another one of my favorite things besides my clothes…my makeup.  
I love makeup and I love looking for new inexpensive products to try.  Lately, I’ve been wanting to share some of my favorite beauty products that I’m currently using. 
Here they are…

My latest beauty product purchase has been Garnier BB Cream Renew Miracle Skin Perfector.  So far, I’m very happy with my purchase.  I’ve been wanting to try a new BB cream to switch up my daily foundation routine.  I love that the cream gives you full coverage, along with a moisturizer and SPF protection.  Most stores sell this BB cream for around $12.99.  It’s a little more than I wanted to spend on a BB cream, but since it comes in a 2 oz tube instead of a 1 oz, I figured it will last much longer than the other BB creams.  So far I like the feeling of this BB cream.  It’s natural and light weight on my face, plus it helps a lot with shine control, which is good, because of my oily skin. 

Currently, my favorite everyday mascara is L’Oreal Voluminous Volume Mascara.  I’ve been using this brand for a couple years now and it’s my favorite brand by far.  It gives my lashes a full look, while still looking soft. 

I’ve been using Maybelline The Nudes palette for a few months now and it’s been great!  At $9.99, it’s the perfect price for someone looking for great neutral colors at a low price.  For Christmas, I got the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics palette.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my Urban Decay eye shadow and how smooth it goes on, but I still like the colors in my Maybelline palette better, so I switch it up daily between the 2.  

Essence Silky Touch Blush was definitely a surprise find for me.  For $2.99, I wasn’t expecting anything great, but after trying it, I love it.  It’s become my everyday blush and I’m in love with the price.  It goes on so nicely and never looks caked on.  Just like in the title, it has a silky touch to it.  It’s for sure worth a try! 

Those are 4 products that I use almost every day.  All of these beauty products can be found at Ulta.  I find Ulta to be the best store to buy makeup at.  Not only do they have great prices, but they always have great coupons and I love their rewards program.  (No one paid me to say that, I just really love Ulta.) 
Next on my makeup list is to buy a new bronzer.  If anyone has any suggestions on a good bronzer under $10 leave a comment below.  I’d love to hear. 

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