What's in my travel makeup bag?

I'll be leaving for South Africa tomorrow (whoop whoop!), so naturally I started packing a week ago. If The Boyfriend didn't hold me back, I would probably have started packing a month ago. Yeah, I'm a little too excited...

As you probably know by now, we travel quite often, which has made me a master (mistress?) of packing. No, not really, I still pack way too many things that I don't end up using or wearing. I'm a girl, okay! But, there is one area that's usually very easy for me to organize and pack, and that's my travel makeup bag. 

I thought it'd be fun to share what makeup products I'm packing for my vacation to South Africa. I'm keeping it very simple and only taking some of my most used products, as I know I'll probably end up buying more cosmetics while I'm there.

In my travel makeup bag:

1. Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

2. Bobbi Brown Corrector

3. Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer

4. Urban Decay Primer Potion

5. Pixi Endless Silky eyeliner

6. Lancôme Hypnôse mascara

7. Urban Decay NAKED palette

8. KATE eyebrow palette

9. NARS Laguna Bronzer

10. Elite Paris Secret Cheeks blushes

11. Benefit High Beam highlighter

12. Revlon Lip Butters

13. ZA lipstick

What is your must have travel makeup product?

January Favorites 2013

First things first; how's it going with everyone's New Year's Resolutions so far? We are a month into the new year and, according to statistics, most of us should have fallen off the wagon already. That's depressing...

Just like last month, I had a lot of beauty favorites during January. I tried a bunch of new products and I've been very impressed. Here are my favorites:

1. Tangle Teezer - The Original

Lately, my hair has been a hot mess. After I wash it, it takes me about 20 minutes to detangle it. No jokes! I got some detangling spray and read about this "wonder product" called the Tangle Teezer, which easily detangles wet or dry hair with minimal breakage. Yes, it is worth the hype, and it saves me A LOT of time combing my hair out.

2. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins - Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cream

My friend gave me this face cream to try after she bought it and found it too oily for her skin. Everyone's skin is different and it happens to work wonders on mine. I apply it at night, and even though it is kind of funky-smelling, it leaves my skin so soft and smooth, and keeps it hydrated during the night.

3. Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen

This is by far the best eyeliner I've ever tried. It is so pigmented and glides on easily with one swift swipe. It stays on the whole day and is definitely waterproof, as I have to pull out the industrial strength eye makeup remover when I wear it. I'm excited to get more colors from this range.

4. Elite Paris Secret Cheeks blush

I've raved about these blushes from Elite Paris before, but tried a new shade this past month. This color goes really well with my complexion and I've worn it almost every day for the past month.

5. Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer

I remember using this concealer a few years ago and repurchased it this month when I ran out. This concealer is very lightweight and does not offer full coverage, but it is build-able. It smells really good, too!

6. Accessorize basic hair doughnut

I know, this is so random, but I've been loving this little darling. If you don't know what this is or what it does, watch a video on YouTube that'll teach you how to use a hair doughnut to make the perfect hair bun.

I hope everyone had a nice January? What has been your favorites this past month?

Versatile Blogger Award

Pretty.Random.Things. received a blogging award! Thank you so much Robin, from Our Carolina Days, for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. How cool is that?

Now that I'm nominated, there are a few things that I have to do:

• Nominate some other new bloggers
• Let them know you have nominated them
• Share 7 random facts about yourself
• Thank the blogger who has nominated you
• Add the Versatile Blogger Award to your post

Other bloggers I nominate (go show them some love):

•  Lovely Tan from It's a Lovely Day
•  Jordan from Jordan's Vintage Kitchen
•  Kalong from Kalong Writes
• Sarah from Girlfriends Are Like Shoes
• Elrese from Dressed in the City
• Hannah from Hannah Explains it All
• Cait from Pretty & Fun
• Cherie from Pink Nightmare

7 Random facts about me:

1.  As a child, I used to walk in my sleep almost every night. Now I just talk in my sleep.
2.  I love doing housework like cleaning, laundry, cooking and organizing.
3.  My astrological sign is Leo.
4.  I rarely have no nail polish on my nails.
5.  I'm a morning person.
6.  I have a driver's license, but I hate driving.
7.  I'm an internet junkie, and check my Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Pretty.Random.Things. frequently throughout the day.

Thanks again, Robin, for the nomination! Happy Monday, everyone.

A Happy Heart

It's been a while since I've had a proper random rambling session here on the blog. Grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and let's have a little chat then, shall we? So how have you been? Yes, YOU! It's been a busy month in Liesl Land, and the dust is finally beginning to settle after a hectic Holiday season, a crazy New Years Eve party and finishing up work for the end of the semester at school.

I also had dental skin graft surgery... AGAIN! Third time's a charm, right? There might just be some truth in that, as so far everything looks good and the stitches are coming out on Monday. Hallelujah! I can't go through that again; not being able to eat, speak, laugh... those are my favorite things to do! I'm thankful that it seems that the surgery was successful this time.

In exactly a week I'll be heading off to South Africa on summer vacation. My level of excitement is through the roof, as I haven't been home in 2 years. All I want to do is spend time with my family, catch up with my friends, go to the beach, play with my dog, eat Mom's food, go shopping, read and relax. My brother is also getting married, and it will be my first time being a bridesmaid.

Yesterday was my dad's 64th birthday. I haven't seen him in 2 years and can't wait to give him a bear hug when I get home! I'm thankful that my parents are healthy and happy, and that I'll be able to spend some quality time with them.

Some more exciting news is that my blog recently reached 300 000 views! That's insane, and I feel so blessed. A big thank you to all of you who regularly visit Pretty.Random.Things. and leave me nice comments and send me sweet messages. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, I really appreciate it. And welcome to all the new followers, nice to meet you! Make sure you enter my latest giveaway for a chance to win a Sigma Beauty Travel Kit.

Also, I was finally able to get rid of the horrible pop-up ads on my blog. A while ago I signed up for the Clicksor.com advertising program, and only chose to have some banner ads in the side columns. For some reason Clicksor.com thought that my readers would appreciate some very inappropriate pop-up advertisements. Sorry about that! But thanks to all the sickos out there who actually clicked on those ads, because now I have a nice check in the mail coming my way! You win some, you lose some.

I've been trying to take more pics on Instagram lately. If you like snooping around someone else's daily life, come on over to my page and snoop all you want. I post pictures of anything that tickles my fancy. Also, feel free to leave your Instagram link in the comments, or send me a message, I'd like to check out you guys' pages as well.

Okay, this post is turning into a short story, and my tea is finished, so I'm going to say goodbye for now. If you read all of this, well thank you. You must be at work or extremely bored?... Just kidding! I hope all of you are doing well, and that your heart feels just as happy as mine does right now.

My favorite Spring/Summer 2013 nail polish collections

Now that the Christmas decorations have been taken down, New Year's Resolutions have been made, as far as I'm concerned, it's time to get ready for spring. 

Okay, I know I'm getting a little (... a lot?) ahead of myself and that we still have a couple of cold months left, but that doesn't mean I can't already start daydreaming about sunny days and pastel shades.

Most companies have already announced their nail polish collections for spring/summer 2013, and as you can probably guess, Miss Nail Polish Hoarder over here is already picking out her favorites and marking the release dates on her calendar.

Here are my favorite nail polish collections for spring/summer 2013:

1. butter LONDON Sweetie Shop Collection for Spring 2013

Top: (Left to Right) Jasper, Kerfuffle, Molly Coddled
Bottom: (Left to Right) Fruit Machine, Fiver, Cuppa

I adore butter LONDON polishes, although you have to pay an arm and a leg for them. Kerfuffle and Fiver are at the top of my nail polish wishlist, for sure!

2. OPI Euro Centrale Collection for Spring 2013

Top: (Left to Right) My Vampire is Buff, Suzi's HUNGARY again!, Hands off my Kielbasa,  OY-Another Polish joke, A Woman's Prague-ative, My Paprika is Hotter than yours
Bottom: (Left to Right) You're such a BudPest,  Vant to Bite my Neck, Can't find my Czechbook, OPI...Eurso Euro, I Saw...You Saw..We Saw..Warsaw, Polka.com

I don't know about you, but I always get a kick out of OPI's names for their polishes. Some of them are quite a mouthful. Of course, I'm leaning towards the pink (Suzi's HUNGARY again!) and red (My Paprika is Hotter than yours) ones. I'm also quite fond of the lavender (You're such a BudPest) and light blue (Can't find my Czechbook) polishes.

3. Estée Lauder Heavy Petals Collection for Spring 2013

Left to Right: Narcissist, Lilac Leather, Coral Cult, Dilettante, Absinthe

I didn't even know that Estée Lauder had a nail polish line...Where have I been!? But how lovely is this collection? I want each and every one of these right now, like, yesterday!

4. Dior Cruise Collection 2013

Left to Right: Mango, Pasteque, Lime

These colors will be perfect for summer. I'm really drawn to the orange polish (Mango). Not too sure about the green one with my skin tone, I'll have to take a look at some swatches online first.

5. Dior Cherie Bow Collection for Spring 2013

Left to Right: Rosy Bow, Tutu, Gris Trianon

These shades greatly appeal to my inner girly girl. I already have similar colors in my collection and wear them often. But what's with the taupe shade (Trianon) for spring? I usually wear that color in fall and winter.

6. Chanel Le Vernis for Spring 2013

Left to Right: Emprise, Accessoire, Fracas

It looks like pink shades will be very popular this season. I love Fracas, even though it seems that there might be a slight gold shimmer in it. Or is the picture just a little misleading? Never mind, I think it will look good with all skin tones. Accessoire doesn't really float my boat, that's also a fall and winter color for me.

My absolute favorites are the butter LONDON and Estée Lauder collections. I want to own each and every one of them. Greedy much...!?

Which collections are you loving?

Sigma Beauty Travel Kit GIVEAWAY (Closed)

It's giveaway time again! After the success of my Michael Kors giveaway last year, I couldn't wait to host another one here on Pretty.Random.Things. Who knows, maybe YOU might be the lucky winner this time.

I'm giving away one Sigma Beauty Travel Kit valued at US$65. Not only are these brushes amazing quality and affordable, they come in a convenient travel container, which is perfect for taking your brushes with you when traveling abroad, going on a road trip, or just for a weekend away.

The Sigma Travel Kit contains 7 travel-sized brushes and are available in a selection of fun colors. Of course, the winner will get to choose which color they want.

Excited yet? Please read how to enter this giveaway and what the rules are. This giveaway will close on March 1st, 2013 and the winner will be announced soon after.

HOW TO ENTER:

REQUIRED for 1 entry:

1. Follow this blog with Google Friend Connect (your Gmail account) (REQUIRED)

2. “Like” Pretty.Random.Things.'s Facebook page (REQUIRED)

3. You MUST leave a comment on this post, which should also include your Facebook name. (REQUIRED)

As easy as that! 

For bonus entries: (not REQUIRED)

4. On Twitter - Tweet the following: "Just entered @_LiEsL_'s @SigmaBeauty Travel Kit GIVEAWAY #SIGMAgiveaway http://www.pretty-random-things.com/2013/01/sigma-beauty-travel-kit-giveaway-open.html and so should you!" ( 1 bonus entry)

5. On your blog - Link to this giveaway (1 bonus entry)

6. On Pinterest - Pin It! (1 bonus entry)

7. If you do any of these, please include the following in your comment:

- Your Twitter name

- A link to where you posted about this giveaway on your blog

- Your name on Pinterest

RULES AND STUFF:

1. This giveaway is open internationally.

2. If you’re under the age of 18, ask your parents’ permission to enter (I will need to ask for your mailing address)

3. The winner will be chosen the “old school way”. I’ll write down everyone’s names and draw it out of a hat.

4. Entries to the giveaway will be closed on March 1st, 2013.

5. The winner will be announced on Pretty.Random.Things. and on the Pretty.Random.Things. Facebook page.

6. If the winner fails to get in contact with me, I will draw a new winner after a week.

If you have any questions about this giveaway, feel free to email me at: 

liesl@pretty-random-things.com

Good luck!

Disclaimer: This giveaway is not sponsored by any company and the prize will be purchased by the owner of this blog. The owner of this blog is not receiving any compensation for hosting this giveaway. The owner of this blog is a Sigma Beauty affiliate.

Favorite Books of 2012

For some reason, I didn't read nearly as many books in 2012 as I did in 2011. I did, however, read some great books and picked my favorites to share with you. These are the ten books I enjoyed most last year:

1. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

2. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

3. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

4. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

5. Rogue Wave - Boyd Morrison

6. The Magic - Rhonda Byrne

7. The 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman

8. Sliding Into Home - Kendra Wilkinson

9. Life of Pi - Yann Martel

10. The Happy Plan - Charmaine Yabsley

Which books did you enjoy reading in 2012?