Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
I would say that I have definitely added some new members to my skincare routine and I am really loving them all more than I ever have with skincare products I've tried in the past. The air is starting to get crisp and I've noticed that my face is drier than ever. Yes, I am using many products towards my acne prone skin, so that is important to consider with the amount of dryness I have.
I'm not so adventurous when it comes to types of skincare products: cleanser, moisturizer, makeup remover, eye cream, lip balm, and lotion about sums it up. However, I've come to realize that my skin benefits from quality ingredients in products and lack of harsh chemicals and all that bad juju.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser- This is just a classic unscented cleanser and I have been using it for about six months now. It honestly has proven to be the most gentle on my sensitive and acne prone skin. I also have the acne and oily skin cleanser that they have. A little goes a long way and my face feels so fresh and never dried out.
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1- I love this lip balm out of all the others I use, haha. I'll admit imma chapstick hoarder, but what can I say, I love smooth lips. Especially during the colder months, I feel like this is just a classic comforting lip balm to have with you.
Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom- To mix it up and add some flavor, I've already raved about Glossier and their Balm Dotcom range. The coconut one brings me back to summer, but it's a great scent nonetheless.
Honey House Naturals Mango Lip Butter- Another lip balm I reach for is this mango lip butter which is much thicker than the two lip balms I mentioned before. It's almost like beeswax to the extreme. If you've tried Burt's Bees, it's a bit similar, but it is richer and is super moisturizing.
Keihl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask- The winner of all my current skincare products is this little guy I received in a sample box. I've tried numerous moisturizers and this one, which is a mask, revitalizes dry skin as you sleep! How cool is that? I was hesitant about having a product being left on my face without it really being rubbed in, but it's proved to work wonders on my dry patches below my nose and on my chin.
Clinique All About Eyes- I definitely can't go to bed with dry eyes. That's a big no-no. Dryness everywhere just hurts and burns. So, using this has really helped with not only red eyes and bags but softening up my under eyes a ton.
Clinique Take The Day Off Remover- Finally, I've needed a very gentle remover that wouldn't freak my eyes out. Normally, I use micellar waters and cleansers in the morning, but when I have dramatic eye makeup (rarely) it really gets the job done.
It can be difficult adjusting to the drastic change in seasons, especially when your skin doesn't know how to react. I've been loving these products lately and was wondering what you guys were too and if you feel the same way when it comes to winter skincare. All I know is that I need warm and soft skin! Also, I will be taking a week off in the spirit of finals week as I push through and get a lot of work done. I'll see you all in the next two weeks!
It's amazing that I've actually purchased a new blush to add to the collection. About a month ago I was really in search of a new peachy-bronzy shade for the fall season. I knew I wanted to head over to Sephora anyway and was nicely helped by one of the beauticians there. After not finding the Nars blush I was originally after, she suggested the Too Faced Papa Don't Peach blush.
I was a bit hesitant about it because I haven't used much of Too Faced face products and knowing that it was a scented product made me iffier on it. I know I have sensitive skin, so I thought whatever makes it fragrant might affect my skin and cause a reaction of some kind.
I actually fell in love with the shade. It's more of a bronzy-gold with a hint of peach and has a slight shimmer to it. It's a really great shade for the warmer months, too. I wore the color around the store a bit and really couldn't find anything else I liked more, so I decided to give it a chance.
My absolute favorite look is the frosty, but glowy look. This blush really adds a bit of warmth to the cheeks and I love it. I have no problem with it smelling so sweet and yummy.
I would say that the compact is pretty big for a blush, but you definitely get a lot of product and a very handy mirror. The tin helps it stay clean and safe. I don't know about you, but I find myself always slipping palettes and losing sacred pigments. I mean the aesthetic and detail in the packaging is just delicious, I always hate it when I lose some nice makeup out of my own clumsiness.
It's quality and staple products like these that I love using and spending my money on. Also finding what you love is always rewarding because I know how many endless options there are. Some of my blushes I've been using for ages and repurchasing. There's no harm in trying out new products and finding those favorites. What's your staple blush?
I feel like I don't ever really talk about my hair that much because I'm honestly not one to put much effort into it most days. Some people have parts of their morning routine that they spend so much time on and my hair isn't one of them. My hair is constantly changing and I've done many things to it style wise in the past. It's still a long lob and my highlights are starting to fade for the winter, but I thought I would share what products and the main tool I use when I feel like sprucing it up a bit.
My hair feels its greatest after I shower and blow dry it for like fifteen minutes. While, I wish that was the ideal situation for me everyday, taking a shower and all that is not practical for me and my sleep-wake cycle and workout schedule. My hair feels so fluffy and looks so smooth and shiny when I do, but on most days when I shower the night before, my hair isn't as voluminous the next day.
I mainly take a brush to it and fluff it out. Sometimes when it really doesn't wanna manage, I'll use my Nume straightener, which I'm still amazed I bought for twenty bucks a couple years ago. Nume was having some promotional deal and all my sisters and I scored. If I really don't feel like wearing my hair down, scrunchies and hair ties are the way to go. I would say a top knot is my ideal hair style.
As for products, I keep it very minimal. I've raved about the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray on the blog already and love it. However, I've discovered some newbees that I love now, too. The Bed Head Mini Hard Head is a great holding hairspray and I use this mainly when I decide to curl my hair. I need a strong hold hairspray, and at least a mini size, because you never know!
I believe I've mentioned the Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo already, but I love it so much I thought I'd plug it in again. It's cucumber and green tea—so fresh and revitalizing. My hair feels so refreshed without the mangey residue that some dry shampoos leave.
The newest addition to the haircare fam is the Dry Bar Triple Sec 3-in-1 and it literally does wonders. It's basically a texturizer, volumizer, and refresher all in one. I've found that it makes my straight lob look ten times better when I spray this on. It just makes my hair look more tousled and full! If you've noticed, these are all travel-sized products. Not only did I just want to try them out at first, but I honestly don't use up full size aerisol sprays to even want to buy them. I think the less you do to your hair, the better it looks. Thoughts?
My skincare has been evolving and changing all the time recently and with the warm summer heat, my skin changes and tends to get more oily and high maintenance than normal. I'm more of a fan of skincare products than I am makeup, but I still need to be careful when I try out new products because my skin reacts to so much that I never know if it will work or break me out even more.
On my way through the tempting kiosks in Sephora to check out, I spotted the Tatcha Pore-Perfecting Moisturizer & Cleanser Duo. I've always heard good things about Tatcha, but couldn't dare spend so much on a full size, singular product. I mean I'm a college student, so $50 dollars on a face product isn't where I should be really spending my money. However, this duo was only $25 dollars, so I decided it was time to try them out.
Now I actually bought this because I was really interested in trying out the moisturizer. The cleanser, though, impressed me way more. I loved how the cleanser had a fruit exfoliant and the way it reduces my breakouts really shows.
While the moisturizer is rather light and smooth, I didn't notice so much hydration afterward. I think I can get even more hydration from my Simple moisturizer which is one of my all-time favorites. I don't know, there's something to be said about high-end skincare, but I really think you can get the same results and products for far less at the drugstore.
Maybe it's my inability to really differentiate between brands, but I've had great experiences with other products half the price. The packages are small and there's hardly a lot of product between the two. I'm on the lookout for more products to try out as usual, but I'm not so sure that I would revisit Tatcha. What do you think about high-end versus drugstore skincare products?
I've realized that a majority of my lipstick wearing if I ever choose to, is nude. It's okay to go nude! Ha-ha. I know I should probably expand my horizon a bit, but nothings like a really rich nude color on your lips.
NYX's whole lip collection has me overwhlemed when I see the entire collection at my Ulta or Target. There are so many colors and at an awesome price. The lip stains and liquid lips are a favorite and I happen to have four nudes that anyone can pull off.
NYX Whipped Lip and Cheek Souffle in Cocoa Bean- This is a great matte and velvety lipstick and cheek color adds a great hint of color to your natural lip color and the heart shaped applicator makes it even more easier to apply. It's small and easy to carry along!
NYX Xtreme Shine Lip Cream in Skin Tone- This lip cream is the perfect lipstick and lip gloss hybrid. It's a perfect brown nude that adds more umph to your natural lips. It's more flirty and seductive in my opinion. It leaves the perfect shine and adds more volume or an illusion of bigger lips.
NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Bedtime Flirt- I've actually fallen for these liquid lipsticks and I know a lot of others have, too. They just added 12 new nude shades and everyone can find one they like. I love this blush nude a lot and the matte finish doesn't leave cracks in my lips or feeling dry during the day.
NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Teddy- This one is a darker brown, and I thought I wouldn't be able to sport a brown shade, but I think a lot of people can wear brown. It just depends! It reminds me of my MAC Velvet Teddy lipstick, but this lasts all day long.
(From Left to Right: Bedtime Flirt, Teddy, Cocoa Bean, Skin Tone)
I know I used to feel weird about lipsticks because it takes a commitment to wear them for so long sometimes and during the summer it can feel like you're melting sometimes when you wear it. I've grown on some liquid lips and lipsticks. Especially since these aren't very bright colors that can be obvious when they wear off.
I had a stigma against liquid lips for a bit and didn't like how they made my lips feel, but maybe it was just the brand or other factors because NYX is probably the best of 'em all out there right now. Even better than the Kylie Lip Kits I've heard. Are you a fan of liquid lips?
Recently, I got the honor of being able to try out one Esqido's famous Mink strip lashes and eyelash glue. I've only talked about lashes on my blog once or twice, because I don't normally wear them on my everyday look, but I am always curious and open to trying out new ones every now and then.
I would also like to disclaim that I was sent these to try out for you guys and also my poor application job. I'm still learning as you can tell, but in no way did my sloppy application take away from the quality and comfort of the lashes. I gave them two good goes and I think I did a better job the next day I wore these. Just takes practice! I'm also a fan of the stylish rose gold packaging and was impressed by the look of the case that the lashes come in.
According to Esqido, the Mink style lashes are "the most natural looking false lashes" and I couldn't agree more. I ended up choosing the Radiance lashes. These lashes are a new addition to the collection and are light volume. I really wanted something that didn't look so drastic and dramatic on my eyes, but could be noticeable and add more curl to my normal lashes.
I personally think my lashes stick out really straight and I find it hard to curl them with the curler sometimes. So, I was curious to see how "false" these actually looked on. They even have more lashes that look even more subtle than what I have on.
As for the glue, I was surprised that the tube was almost a full tube of mascara. I loved the metallic details and sophisticated type on the packaging. I'm really sensitive to glues and made sure that my skin wouldn't react to it first by putting a dot on my hand. The long applicator made it easy for me to get enough glue on the lashes, as well.
After I easily got them on as close as possible, I put a layer of eyeliner and just a swipe of mascara as I normally would. I was in love with how they curled and gave the butterfly effect I adore.
As for the wear of the product and how it performed, I was really impressed. They stayed on pretty much all day. I had no sensitivities and they never came off or unstuck from the glue. Taking them off was no issue either. It was so satisfying to just peel it off my lid and not have to worry about gross glue residue, even though I did cleanse my face after.
I would say one critique I have is that for the price of these lashes, around 29 dollars, I have definitely tried some drugstore lashes that are a fourth of the price and almost, if not the same, quality. I was really pleased with how fast they came in the mail and customer service was helpful and quick with fulfilling my request.
I was surprised by Esqido and see why a lot of beauty gurus love these lashes. They add way more glam and are perfect for completing looks. Personally, I've found satisfaction in drugstore lashes because I don't wear them as often and can't dare spend 30 dollars on lashes all the time, but it was nice to be able to try some high-end ones to compare.
I would love to try out more styles if I could in the future, but knowing me, I might just stick to plain 'ol mascara. Do you like the look of false lashes?
I have already kicked off summer with a week-long trip down south to visit some of my close family friends and I have many more trips to come. This week I actually head to Minneapolis to meet up with my aunt and spend some time with her at the Mall of America. It's always a fun time packing (rather than unpacking) and a lot of what I bring changes depending on the trip. I love reading about what people pack to bring on trips and I hope you all find joy in it as much as I do.
Obviously, a necessity for travel is to have a toothbrush and toothpaste with you. I've forgotten them before and suffered from not having one for like a day. I'm not picky when it comes to toothbrushes and toothpaste, but the ones I like are by Colgate and Oral-B. Usually, I just throw ones I get from the Dentist in, as well as, the mini Sensodyne toothpaste that I love.
I go through different deodorants when it comes to traveling and I tried this Alba Botanica Clear Deodorant that has tea tree oil, and I have to say I'm not entirely impressed with it. I was down south in Missouri, 90 degrees every day, and I had to go purchase a new deodorant. It just doesn't work. Sometimes natural isn't always practical or comfortable. Go with the deodorant you like because it is not worth trying out a new one when you're visiting other people.
Stink is the last thing you should worry about. I also make sure to have one of my travel sized bath gels that I normally get from Bath and Body. The one I have loved the most is the Happiness Essential Oil gel with bergamot and mandarin, which are both my go-to scents at the moment.
For my skin, I usually make sure to carry some small lotion or cream and a couple of lip products. Traveling can be harsh on your skin especially if you're flying. I love Khiel's and their Creme de Corps hand cream and Lip Balm #1 are my staple moisturizers. I find myself ritually putting both on to make sure my hands and lips are silky smooth. I've also enjoyed Glossier's Balm Dotcom in coconut as a skin and lip salve when I need extra love.
For under my eyes, so I don't look like I've been traveling all day, I have just discovered this new eye cream by Nourish Organic. It is enhanced with avocado and Moroccan argan oil to help relieve and cool sensitive skin. It also has a cooling applicator which I love when my eyes need it most! I also make sure to always protect my skin with the Clarins UV Plus Multi-Protection Sunscreen. It's so tiny, but a little goes a while and it is perfect to travel with.
To lift up my face and look more awake, the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a great pick me up. It evens out my skin from dark spots or sun spots when I'm outside all day. I would really suggest this to anyone looking for a light, oil-free serum! Pairing it with my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is perfect to balance my skin without feeling like I have so many things on my face during the day.
I usually throw in a small hair spray or styling product in case I feel like I will be curling or ironing my go-to hairspray is the Nexxus Comb Thru Hairspray. It's not sticky or stiff and is perfect for adding texture to any look. Especially the wavy lob I love.
I'm also obsessed with this new travel bag that I found at TJ Maxx. I swear that place is like heaven to me sometimes—the saving grace. This hunter green bag is just what I was looking for with the gold hardware and it is really deep and big enough for my toiletries and makeup.
I'm always curious to see what other bloggers bring along on trips and I feel like I have a solid travel bag a the moment. I'm looking forward to going to new places this summer and updating you guys. You shouldn't have to worry about forgetting anything when you're with the people you love!
If you're a beauty and makeup lover like me, then you probably collect dozens of minis and samples of products you want to try out or maybe just ended up getting when you bought a full-size product or gift box. Minis and travel size products are my favorite because you get to try out the product without committing to the full-size, they're usually a lot cheaper than the full product, they're easy to travel with, and no product is wasted.
A lot of my makeup collection consists of minis, as shown above, and to be honest I wouldn't be mad if all makeup was sold in smaller sizes. It just makes sense for me since I don't wear a full face of makeup every single day. I do understand that a lot of people need more than .5 oz of something like an eyebrow pencil or foundation, but these little guys get the job done.
Face
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer- I have had to make sure that I take this tinted moisturizer wherever I go. This is probably one of my favorite, all-time tinted moisturizers and leaves a very natural glow without sinking into lines or feeling incredibly dewy.
Milk Blur Stick- This was a new discovery and probably one of the best lifesavers when it comes to covering up a zit or uneven pigmentation. It smells so good, too.
Nars Concealer- I've also loved Nars's concealer and a lot of their face products. This mini concealer is also another lifesaver when I'm traveling or at school.
Nars Pore & Shine Primer- I'm gonna have to buy the full-size of this primer because it does an amazing job leaving my skin matte and smooth with my foundation on.
Bare Minerals i.d. Powder- I also have been a big fan of Bare Minerals and their powder does wonders, especially around the t-zone and areas that produce the most oil on my face during the warmer months.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer- This mini bronzer is so cute and all of you know how much I love this as it's the only one I use and like to use doing my makeup. It's the child of my full-size one!
Eyes
Lips
Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel- This is a given, but the lip caramel by Fresh is by far the best tasting lip balm I've ever tried. So smooth, too!
Makeup Forever Lip Gloss in Sweet Pink- I have had my doubts and dislikes over this lip gloss, but I've started to like the simple shine and sheer color on my lips. It's nice to have as an option when you forget to bring your other favorite gloss on a trip.
Fragrance
Chloe Perfume- This scent has also been a favorite. It's super floral and summery. It adds a bit of flirtation and can save you in desperate times. These mini sample perfumes are literally found in every bag I own.
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara- This Tarte mascara is one of my favorite curling and lengthening mascaras. It's the perfect touch up in times of need.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz- Another classic is this brow pencil that I always use even when I have the minimal amount of makeup on. Finishing and touching up sparse areas on my eyebrows makes me feel very put together.
Lips
Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel- This is a given, but the lip caramel by Fresh is by far the best tasting lip balm I've ever tried. So smooth, too!
Makeup Forever Lip Gloss in Sweet Pink- I have had my doubts and dislikes over this lip gloss, but I've started to like the simple shine and sheer color on my lips. It's nice to have as an option when you forget to bring your other favorite gloss on a trip.
Fragrance
Chloe Perfume- This scent has also been a favorite. It's super floral and summery. It adds a bit of flirtation and can save you in desperate times. These mini sample perfumes are literally found in every bag I own.
I thrive off of mini samples of products because they're the best option for trying out new products and not having to commit to spending so much money on a large product you may not like. In the future, I will continue to try and find new products that work for me and going small. I would like to know if any of you try to buy the travel size or get samples a lot before you go out and buy the full product! Or do you stick to samples? I am finishing up my last couple of weeks of school, so there will only be one post for this week! Hope you guys understand!
This year has been way more about skincare and body care than my past blog posts in other months and I am quite okay with it. Lately, my skin has needed some major TLC and I have been going sans makeup for awhile, not to say that I don't use it anymore, but my collection has been the same for some time now.
I've talked about both of these two brands, Khiel's and The Body Shop, many times on my blog. They have been two of my all-time favorite brands to use. I love The Body Shop's butters, gels, and lotions so much and Khiel's skincare range is out of this world.
The Body Shop Mango Body Butter & Lotion- The mango scent has always been my go-to Body Shop scent. However, I also love the coconut and strawberry scents just as much! When you walk in the stores, it is so relaxed and doesn't overpower you with a fragrance like many other body care stores do. I love how subtle the mango scent is and how moisturizing the butter and lotions are. I can't find myself using any other body butters except The Body Shop's!
Khiel's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve- When my hands really need repair or any skin on my body that needs extra love, I use this hand salve and immediately overnight it is 100 times more smooth. I also never need to keep reapplying it once I put it on my skin. It's a skincare staple that everyone needs to have.
Khiel's Creme de Corps- Another lotion I love is this Creme de Corps. It is unscented and super rich and moisturizing. When I'm not feeling in the mood for mango (which is rare), I'll use this one as well! I usually have a couple of these lotions lying around when I need it. These small tubes are perfect for travel. The best is when you just shave your legs and moisturize all over for silky smooth skin.
I would say that it takes me a while to go through lotions and body butters, but actually, I really don't want to use them all up so I can have them with me all the time! I just love these body care products so much and need to extend their lives! Are there any lotions, scents, or skincare brands you always use?
If you didn't already know from my instagram or other social media (links on my homepage), I actually just dyed my hair. It was time for a change and I am obsessed with the balayage trend. That said, I've kind of switched up or have been using some fairly new products for awhile for my lob hairstyle. My look when I usually curl or style my hair is with texture and loose hold.
I actually have two dry shampoos that I have been using on occasion. The first one is the Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing dry shampoo in toasted coconut. It is probably my favorite drugstore dry shampoo so far. It reminds me of vacation and the best part is that it gives your hair more volume and texture while also getting rid of the excess oil.
Another dry shampoo that has come in at a close second is the Herbal Essences Bio Renew dry shampoo in cucumber and green Tea. I honestly am not a fan of cucumber, but the combination is just so refreshing and nice. This one doesn't add texture, but is probably better at cleaning my hair more than the NYM's one. Both are great and inexpensive options! I use them interchangebly when I feel like it.
I also can't seem to like any other hairspray I try, but the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray is the best one I've tried. It's high end in deed and there are rumors that they have changed the scent, so hopefully if I repurchase it won't drastically change my thoughts, but my main love for this is because it doesn't leave my hair sticky and keeps the style held and in place.
My hair journey is very relaxed and isn't as drastic or as adventurous as other people's, but I like to keep trying things every now and again. What have you tried lately?
This is not going to be an entirely uplifting review of a product I know a lot of bloggers love, but I thought this review may be helpful for some people interested in trying the Kristen Ess hair care line that is now available at Target. Full disclaimer—I have only tried the extra gentle shampoo and original conditioner. I didn't know that there were two kinds until they restocked the extra gentle conditioner and original shampoo in my store.
So my experience with the products may have been affected by using the different formulas together, but I don't see how that would be a major issue since it's the same brand. Following many other bloggers and seeing the great reviews, I wasn't too skeptic paying ten dollars for a shampoo and conditioner that has been praised by many. I was just trying to switch it up a bit with my hair care.
Not only are these containers aesthetically pleasing, they are very small and you don't get much product for how much you spend. Since I was the only one using them, though, I found it fine and both lasted me a couple months. Both different types of shampoos and conditioners smell entirely different. The gentle formula smells like coconuts and vanilla which I love, but the signature formula smells very strongly of rose and floral which I did not enjoy at all.
Not only are these containers aesthetically pleasing, they are very small and you don't get much product for how much you spend. Since I was the only one using them, though, I found it fine and both lasted me a couple months. Both different types of shampoos and conditioners smell entirely different. The gentle formula smells like coconuts and vanilla which I love, but the signature formula smells very strongly of rose and floral which I did not enjoy at all.
My main issue with this product is that there is an insane amount of build up. At first, I thought it was my college's really bad water pressure, but I brought the shampoo and conditioner home to see if normal pressure affected the distribution and rinse of the product and I still woke up with greasy and sticky hair. I wasn't noticing it much until I started to style my hair and I noticed combing through it with my fingers that it felt oily and not soft or fluffy.
While I appreciated the easy-to-close cap and how it was paraben-free, sulfate-free, and aluminum-free, there are way more options that work better than these two do. I haven't tried any of Kristen Ess's other products, but I'm not entirely swayed by these two to give the rest a go. Tresemme and L'Oreal have some great products that I always fall back on.
I'll be honest, I am the type of person to buy things because they look pretty or because a majority of people enjoy a product. However, I've tried to stick to my own opinion when it comes to products because some just don't work out for some people, and that's okay! You don't need to spend much for great beauty products and this goes to show that not everything is as great of quality as it seems.
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