Happy new year everyone! It is finally the new year and what a way to start off fresh, but also remember the positive things that happened. I thought I would post today instead of tomorrow since it is the first day of the new year. My blog has been progressing and growing into a really awesome and supportive community. I am so thankful for every one of you who visit, read, and enjoy my content. I hope there are many more great things to come with this blog and you stick with me till the end of 2017 and beyond.
I have compiled a few (it was really hard deciding) of the most used products and products that have impacted my makeup/beauty regime a ton this past year.
Nars Velvet Matte Tint Foundation in Finland- This is a new addition to my makeup collection and was my Christmas present to myself. A girl can't go wrong with a really nice and great quality foundation, amirite? I was looking for an awesome matte foundation that wouldn't sink into my skin and show my dry skin or make my face oily after a short period of time--and it is great at avoiding all of those things. I will be doing a separate review of this foundation to get into further depth, but this is a really awesome product and I am already using so much of it. My very first Nars face product is a success!
Travel Size Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla- I actually went in store to be color matched for my foundation, then I bought it online at Sephora and needed a couple more bucks to get free shipping, so I was like what the heck, and bought a mini Nars concealer to try out as well. It is very creamy and I am really impressed by the way it doesn't crease it all under my eyes throughout the day.
Revlon HD Matte Lip Color in Love- This was one of my Amish store finds recently this year and I scored it at only a dollar. It truly is one of the best drugstore matte lip colors I have found and I love the vanilla scent it has and how long it really lasts and doesn't crumble on the lips. It's one of those matte lip products that won't sink into the creases of your lips and really hydrates them as it stays in place all day. Definitely a great find and a very pretty red for the holiday season.
Milani Conceal and Perfect Foundation- I think one of the greatest drugstore foundations I found this year was this Milani one. I was inspired by many Youtubers raving about how great the formula was and I was looking for a new, long wearing foundation. Even before the Nars one came along, this foundation is super buildable and is great to use with a damp beauty sponge. It doesn't crease or slide around and you hardly need a quarter size amount to get full coverage.
Soap & Glory Glow All Out Highlighter- I think this year was the year that highlighter really made its mark. Especially in my makeup regime, I never thought about highlighting and didn't quite know about how to do it or where the best products were. Surprisingly, the best highlighters can be right around the corner at your local drugstore and Soap & Glory has to be the main victor when it comes to inexpensive and great quality products overall this year. Specifically their highlighters. This one is not your overly top "KimK" highlight, but is very subtle and adds a really nice glow to the cheek bones.
Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC20- This is also a new addition to the collection and I have been on the search for a new and reliable powder that would make my skin oil free and very, very soft. I also want to write about this powder soon to give you all a full review on it, but so far I have really loved it. I was never one to want or be that interested in Mac, just because there are so many other great brands out there, I was so distracted by all the beauty noise! This powder really gets the job done and is very pretty on top of any foundation.
Mini Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Gold- This was a part of the Paint it Pink Sephora Favorites set and I have really made a dent in this little guy! Becca is really known for her timeless highlighters and products and they have become so popular in the beauty blogger world. I really love the smoothness and pigmentation of this highlighter/shimmer pigment. I actually use it more as an eyeshadow and love it. Plus, it's rose gold people.
Mini Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Captivating- I was never into blushes and I don't normally go out to just specifically buy one, but man I have fallen in love with Tarte's blushes. This was another part of the Sephora Favorites set and gives off the perfect peachy toned look. These blushes are incredibly smooth and opaque.
Essie Polish in Tassel Shaker- Another great clearance find was this Essie polish that is a glitter topcoat with really pretty copper and gold flakes in it. Perfect for New Years and just a really pretty polish in general. I love using it on an accent nail to add a bit of flare to my nails.
Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama- I don't know why, but this mascara really sticks out in my entire collections of drugstore mascaras. It was really hard, to be honest, to choose and not pick out the Maybelline Lash Sensational as my favorite (which it is), but this one just made every eye look "pop". It does a way better job at lengthening and bringing the lashes out more, especially on the sides of my lashes.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette- Ugh. Really no words for how great this palette is. I mean, just look at it... I will definitely be reviewing this, too. Let's just appreciate the artistry incorporated in this palette. Well done, Anastasia, well done. I really haven't put this down since Christmas.
Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara in Clear- Moving on, another Amish store purchase was this brow gel! I only had one really old and expired Mary Kay Brow Gel, so I was in need for a new one. I heard only a little about Maybelline's new Brow Drama Mascaras and was a bit skeptical at the idea of painting on brows per say. I only like to use clear brow gel and was happy to find one in their collection, especially at an Amish store. It isn't sticky or tacky on the brows and really does help keep them in place.
Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede Cologne- I am very indecisive when it comes to picking out perfume scents and to be honest, bloggers made me ask for this for Christmas (thanks guys). I do have to say, this is probably one of the best perfumes I have ever owned, smelled, and used (and most expensive might I add). If you are looking for a great quality and smelling perfume, that you don't mind splurging on, I would really recommend Jo Malone's. I use this only on occasion, so the smaller bottle is completely fine. This will probably be talked about more later!
Beauty Blender- Last, but not least is the ever-so-talked about sponge. The thing we all "think" we need in our collections. The "infamous" sponge that costs so much, but works so damn well (to speak candidly). I got this in the Paint it Pink set as well and wasn't wanting to waste $20 on one sponge when I could spend a bit more and get a ton more products for my buck. If you are a crazy makeup lover, this sponge is well worth it and has changed the way I apply and use my makeup. Especially when you use it damp, it seamlessly blends and smooths out your makeup. Another favorite of mine is the Real Techniques sponge for like a quarter of the price. I just had to include this little guy because it's a "life changer".
Well, I guess that was all of the products I thought made the biggest impact in my makeup regime this year, even though there were still a ton more to talk about. I love reminiscing over the things that made me happy over the year and what I have accomplished. I think we're all ready to see what this new year brings and what new makeup I will discover. I wish everyone a happy new year and a relaxing holiday.
What product made your 2016 worthwhile?
Xoxo, Nat
I think it's safe to say that we all get pretty nosey when it comes to gift giving and receiving. I actually find it very interesting and entertaining to read and watch all of the holiday gift hauls and whatnot. So, my disclaimer is that (duh I'm not trying to brag), but fulfilling the majority desire of reading these types of blog posts and sharing the very generous things I received from my loved ones for Christmas.
One of the things I really wanted this year was a new purse, and a nice one that would hold up and be able to be with me forever. I don't know the exact name of this purse, but I'm sure you could type in "black Kate Spade crossbody" into your search engine and find it. I was so surprised to see this purse because it was exactly what I wanted. I'm not one to collect designer things or what them all the time because I'm afraid of getting them stolen or ruined, but this was perfect and I will take it with me everywhere. It was so overly generous and probably the best gift I received.
Coming in right next to the purse was this Jo Malone perfume. I had requested a Jo Malone perfume because, to be honest, bloggers made me do it. I didn't ask for any specific scent because I knew that they all smell delicious, so I let my mom and sisters figure it out. I'm not too picky with smells so, I was okay with that and they did really well! I've heard a lot about the Peony and Blush Suede scent and I think it's one of their classics. I got the 1oz bottle since I like to only use nice perfumes on occasion and it's kind of expensive. I was really excited to see this perfume and I can't wait to use it!
Next, I received a couple candles that I am also really happy to burn. I really love the Volcano candles by Capri Blue because they're fresh, fruity, and can really be burned any time of the year.
Then I got another candle from my friend Ellaby that reminds me of my yoga studio because they always have lemon-lavender cloths to put on your forehead after practice. I thought this gift was really thoughtful and nice since I love to burn candles.
I also got these Zoella Bath Fizzers which I was psyched to use. I love taking baths and using all the Lush goodies, so this was a pleasant surprise in my stocking. These cute gingerbread men smell really sweet and spicy at the same time.
I also wanted new aviators and these two are from Topshop. I love the look of aviators on, but I can never find ones big enough to fit my head! These actually do fit and if you are looking for nice sized aviators, Topshop is the way to go.
I really wanted a new palette this year and made it clear that the Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette was on the list! The sultry shades are literally so buttery and very well pigmented and blendable. I am so ready to try something new with my makeup looks and incorporate these red shades.
Lastly, I always need a new calendar and I have been seeing the Rifle Paper Company calendar everywhere and really loved the simplicity and subtle cuteness it has. I hang it with a copper clip on a Command Hook and it looks perfect above my vanity. It will be a nice touch to my dorm room next year!
I hope you all had a nice holiday and celebrated it with your friends and family. I always love gift giving more than anything and seeing people open gifts makes me really happy. Even though gifts can make holidays stressful or distracting from the real meaning of the holiday, it's always fun to see what people get.
If you celebrate Christmas, what did you get?
Xoxo, Nat
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Happy holidays everyone! I hope you all had a very nice break and enjoyed the time and maybe still are enjoying your time off. I have had a really relaxing break and haven't traveled anywhere. I think there will be a trip to my Grandpa's, but that is still to be decided since I have another full week off. I decided to get back on the blog and share some things I bought yesterday at Lush's BOGO (buy one get one free) sale. I mean, you all know this was a hit for me since I am obsessed with Lush. Yesterday was the day after Christmas, or Boxing Day, as many other people call it and celebrate this very commercialized, Black Friday-like "holiday". In America, there's really no such thing as Boxing Day--just a ton of post-Christmas sales that many people go to (like me).
So, my sister, friend, and I walked into Lush, to find it absurdly filled with people and Christmas products galore. Now, I'm not one to love going into stores that are compacted with people, but Lush seems to never have enough space because it's so incredibly popular (can't blame 'em!). I tried to make my way around as I shimmied through people and displays. I knew I wanted a lot of buy one get one free stuff and I headed over to all of the labeled products. It was all surprisingly full of product and there were a lot to choose from. I was scared that a lot of the products would have been picked over, even at 3 in the afternoon.
The first thing I really wanted, from the Fall collection, was the Autumn Leaf bath bomb. I tried this out earlier this year and fell in love with the crisp and fresh scent it gave off. Had to add that to the basket!
Then I kept looking around and really wanted more bath bombs for this season that I didn't get to try out when they weren't on sale. I got Lord of Misrule, which reminds me of having a bonfire on Christmas Eve. It is very spicy and warm.
One thing I was really excited about was the Santasaurus Bubble Bar. It's so sweet and citrusy. It just makes bath time fun, even if you're not a kid! Definitely a great deal to find.
With being at Lush, there was no way I could leave without picking up a face mask (even if it's in order to reach my 5 clean containers to receive a free mask). They are simply the best for all skin types and are super fresh and paraben/chemical free. The Cupcake face mask is probably my favorite mask because it treats my oily and acne prone skin to the max! It smells really yummy, too.
Another favorite of mine that I picked up was the Yoga Bomb. I love soaking with this bomb after a very well deserved yoga class that made me sweat and wore me out. The best thing to come home to is this lavender-citrus smelling bomb.
Last, but not least, I wanted another bath bomb and Mistletoe was the perfect choice for a warm, spicy bath. It's infused with Jasmine and smells divine. Everything you could want in your bath this time of year.
I'm sure there will be more sales from Lush, but this one sure beat the others. I'm glad I got to be a part of it and find the products I never got to try. I think I will be back on schedule this week with many new posts and exciting reviews to be shared. A big Christmas post will be up on Thursday, so stay tuned!
What was your favorite Lush Christmas product? Did you go to the sale, too?
Xoxo, Nat
Finals are over for me and I feel like a huge weight has been released off my chest. I can relax, go do some yoga, and ease into my blog posts before Christmas. Which, may I remind you, is only four days away. I thought I would do a makeup look post for the holiday and I am really wanting to try this out on Christmas and you guys can, too! It's a very warm, wintery look that I think will suit pretty much anyone.
As for posts going up this week, I have a couple in mind, but I also want to take this time to relax and enjoy my break while I can. Posts will be decided eventually, so I may or may not have something up on the usual day--bear with me!
Maybelline Dream Velvet Matte Foundation in Creamy Natural- For the face, I have recently started using this and really enjoy the smooth and matte finish it gives. If you are a pretty oily or shiny skin type, this would be perfect for you. Especially during these drier and colder months, I know it can be a little hard to reach for the matte foundations, however, this one seamlessly glides and blends perfectly on the skin. I normally like to use a Beauty Blender for this type of foundation to make sure it doesn't settle in any weird places.
L'Oreal Paris Black Velvet Liner- I have really loved the look of smokey eyes and smudging out the top liner on my eyes. This liner does the job amazingly. It has a doe foot applicator and is really easy to use.
Covergirl Plumpify Mascara- To add a lot of volume to my eyes and to make them appear bigger than they are, this Plumpify mascara really does the trick. I love the ball tip on the applicator so that you can make sure to get and curl every lash.
Urban Decay Primer Potion- This is kind of a given because who doesn't love Urban Decay's primers? A true necessity when it comes to holiday makeup. You don't want any of your eye makeup falling off during a nice time with family and friends!
Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Crayon in Creamy Chocolate- Speaking of makeup staying for a long time, this 24 hr eyeshadow crayon from Maybelline is great for very long nights and events when you don't want to worry about reapplying. I especially love to smoke it out under my eyes on the water line a bit to create a sultry, golden-bronzed eye look.
Ardell "Natural" False Lashes- I'm kind of going backwards, but that's okay. These Ardell lashes really are great drugstore lashes. I have fallen in love with the beautiful effects they can create. It might not be a bad idea to add some drama to your look!
Stila Eyes are the Window Palette in Soul- Mind the broken shadow way back when I dropped the whole palette during a photoshoot, but I have really not ignored this amazing palette. The warm toned shades are so awesome for a smokey, bronzed holiday look. I find that a bronze eye and bold, red lip is the perfect combination for Christmas.
NYX HD Blush in Hamptons- I also love using more blushes during the winter as opposed to bronzers and contouring. This bright, frosty pink is great for this time of year. Adding some pigment to the cheeks defines this very wintery look.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer- Usually I like to warm up my face a bit and just define my cheekbones and forehead a bit. Nothing too dramatic like a full on contour.
Revlon Colorstay Overtime Lip Color in Forever Scarlet- To finish off this Christmassy look, obviously I need some red! I discovered this super long lasting, matte liquid lipstick by Revlon and absolutely gravitate towards it whenever I do my makeup. Nothing like a good classic red during Christmas!
I hope this post inspired all of you to start to create your own holiday looks for this season no matter the holiday you celebrate. I'm excited and relieved to be on break. Hopefully I can get posts up soon this break, but until then, I wish everyone a calm and relaxed holiday and time off. We all deserve it.
What's your go-to holiday makeup look?
Xoxo, Nat
All over the beauty blogger world, Revlon has been quite the popular brand when it comes to amazing drugstore lip products. I was just going through my makeup collection and found that many of my favorite lip products to use are by Revlon. They're known for their super, long lasting formulas and I can't seem to stop buying them because they're just so great. I also noticed that their Colorstay nail polishes are just as amazing as the lip products. I might have to do a separate review on those, as well.
Revlon Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor in Forever Scarlet- I recently discovered this lip color a couple weeks ago and absolutely LOVE IT. Probably the best matte and long wearing lip product I've owned. It doesn't crack or dry out your lips and the clear lip gloss adds a touch of moisture to reduce it from crumbling or moving around. I've eaten a Chipotle burrito with this on, and lemme tell yeah, no lip gloss was to be found (or eaten for that matter). Truly recommend!
Revlon Colorstay Lipliner in Rose- I've actually had this lip liner for ages and can't seem to get rid of it! It's super long wearing and very reliable when I can't figure out which color lipstick to wear. It practically goes with every color because of how neutral it is. I'm not a huge lip liner fan anyway, but boy do I love this Revlon liner.
Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Shanghai Sizzle- Both of these Moisture Stains really do resemble lip glosses and are far from being lipsticks. However, they add just the right amount of pigment and I think they can really soften and sweeten a look up a bit. This is one of my favorite coral shades to wear in the summertime.
Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Cannes Crush- This one is less intense and gives off more of a peachy tone. This is also very nice during the spring or summer. I don't know, I think orange shades look great with tans. Don't you agree?
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Love- Bloggers made me do it. I'm a little late to the game, but I do have to say that I love this HD Matte lipcolors. They're intensely opaque and pigmented. They also give off a very sweet, vanilla scent. I'm not complaining! This first pink/coral shade is very vibrant and I think it would look amazing in the summer.
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Temptation- This is more of a scarlet red and is actually a very nice Christmas-ey red, in my opinion. I love how moisturizing these lip products are while still being matte. No wonder there are so many raves about them!
I've been really impressed by Revlon's lip range lately and none of their lip products cease to satisfy or amaze my expectations. I'm probably going to go out and buy even more shades (probably nudes) of these products, because why not? They're awesome!
Tell me what you think in the comments down below!
Xoxo, Nat
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