Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy thanksgiving y'all! Remember to think of all the things you're grateful for in life. There's so much to be thankful for! :)

Mexico Photo Diary: DAY 4

Today we headed home from Mexico which was sad, I mean who really wants to end a vacation? The drive home was pretty uneventful, but I'm leaving you with two pictures: one of the giant marshmallows they have in the grocery store we went to in Mexico and the other picture is of the sunset last night when we got home!

Xoxo Jess

Mexico Photo Diary: DAY 3

Today's post isn't going to be packed with pictures because honestly I only took photos of the sunrise...again. But today we ventured into town to shop! I bought gifts for people for the upcoming holidays and also some bracelets for myself. Below is a picture of the bracelets I picked up. It's becoming a bit of a tradition for me to get a few bracelets and wear until they fall off.

Today is our last day here and I'm sad to leave, but we are heading back home tomorrow.

See y'all tomorrow! xoxo Jess

Mexico Photo Diary: DAY 2

It's day two and today we woke up to the most beautiful sunrise! We spent the morning eating breakfast burritos, drinking tea, reading and soaking up the sun. In the afternoon we went to look for arrowheads and artifacts where one of the native indian tribes previously resided. We didn't find anything too special today, but we did see a lot of animals throughout the day including the large tarantula in the last picture! It was just walking along the beach and was the largest tarantula I had ever seen in the wild. We also saw a fox, a mouse, Ospreys, Sand Pipers and many Vultures.

Beautiful Sunrise

View from our patio while sipping tea and reading

Spotted a tarantula on the beach

Day three will be coming at you tomorrow so check back! :D

xox Jess

Mexico Photo Diary: DAY 1

Hola from Mexico!

I am in Mexico for the next few days on vacation with my family and I wanted to share each day I am here through photos. Today's photos encapsulate our journey down here from start to finish! So buckle up y bienvenidos! :D

Snow on the distant mountains near San Bernardino, CA

Audrey Hepburn in Mexico :)

He was doing fire-weilding tricks in front of the intersection during red lights!

Beautiful mountains in Baja California! 

San Felipe, BC

We have arrived! Our little round house on the beach!

Got a little muddy during the off-road sections of the highway.

Welcome!

Pretty sea shells

Stay tuned for day two tomorrow!

xoxo Jess

First Impressions: Walgreens Beauty Haul

Hey Beauties!

Last week I posted a picture of my Walgreens Beauty Haul and then I filmed a video showing what products I got and my first impressions of them! Check out the video HERE or click the picture below!

What are your favorite drugstore products?

xoxo Jess

Tag: Questions and Answers

What is your current makeup obsession?
I am currently obsessed with the Urban Decay Naked palette and Naked Basics palette. I also have been loving slightly winged cream eye liner-it's my everyday go-to eye look.

What are you wearing today?
Jeggings from American Eagle, riding boots from Target, a white long sleeve top with thin black stripes from Forever 21 and a feather down vest from Patagonia.

What is your current fashion obsession?
Jeans and boots! I am loving that combo this Fall.

Hair?
I have been loving curling my hair lately and also just letting it dry to its natural waves.

Do you nap a lot? 
Hardly ever! I have to be either not feeling well or stay up way too late otherwise naps never happen for me.

Why is today special?
Because I have people who love me and a wonderful life :)

What would you like to learn to do? 
Hmm I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar! I got a smaller guitar for Christmas when I was little and always wanted to learn but I was too impatient to put the time in.

What's for dinner today?
That is a good question, I am not entirely sure.

What are you listening to right now?
The little river outside my moms office.

What is your favorite weather?
I love the rain...I'm that person that opens up all my windows when it rains just so I can hear and smell it even when it's freezing cold.

What's the last thing you bought? 
An iced green tea from Starbucks!

What are your essentials when traveling?
Besides the obvious things like I.D. and wallet, I always have to have books, music and a camera.

What's your style?
My style is always evolving based on what inspires me.

What is your most challenging goal right now? 
Trying to follow my dream of being a writer for a magazine or creating my own magazine.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
I'm not too sure, I haven't been enough places yet to know what I really love. However, it would have to be along the beach and have a warm summer and cool winter.

Favorite vacation spot?
Mexico! I have been traveling down there with my family since I was a little kid and I love it.

Name the things you cannot live without?
My computer (basically everything I do is online- work, writing etc.)

How was your childhood?
Magical and full of love :)

What would you like to have in your hands right now? 
A thriving and successful magazine that I created! Who would read it?

What would you like to get rid of? 
Anxiety and doubts.

What are you most excited for?
The endless possibilities that life holds!

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? 
Ahh I really want to travel through Europe! England, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and more!

Which countries have you visited? The only other country I have visited is Mexico which is amazing, but I would love to see more of the world :)

Sparrow Magazine

Hi loves!!

Did you know I had created my own magazine earlier this year? I interned for a travel magazine and wrote for them for nine months and I wanted to start my own magazine! I love writing and have always dreamed of writing for a magazine and helping people through my articles. I had stopped making my magazine because I didn't have access to the right software but I am seriously considering purchasing the software to start creating issue again. What do you guys think? Would you read or subscribe to my magazine?

Check out the two issues I made earlier this year, I would love to hear suggestions! Thanks!

JULY ISSUE                                         MAY ISSUE

            

New Covergirl Flamed Out Shadow Pencil Review

In lieu of yesterdays post, a review of the Covergirl Flamed Out mascara, today I am reviewing the Covergirl Flamed Out Shadow Pencil. I have seen mixed reviews of this eye pencil but I actually really like it. I used the shade Melted Caramel Flame which is a pretty bronze metallic color so this review is based purely on my experience using this particular shade.

Photo Courtesy covergirl.com

Pros:

-Soft and creamy pencil that glides on smoothly.

-Feels a little wet when applying and is easy to blend and smudge until it's set.

-Once set, it doesn't budge until you take it off-even without using primer which is seriously impressive.

-Doesn't crease.

-The Melted Caramel Flame color is a really pretty metallic bronze.

-Easy to apply, just "draw" all over lid.

-The bottom twists up so there is no need to sharpen the pencil.

Cons:

-It's too light in color and too chubby of a stick to use as an eye liner so it's more of an eyeshadow stick.

-Because it is so soft, some people found that when they pressed too hard the tip broke off.

New Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara Review

The Rundown:

"Make a bold statement with winged lashes that curve up and out. The unique wire brush coats your lashes for an instant volume boost." 
-Covergirl

I believe this mascara is part of Covergirls "Flamed Out" series which is in their Capitol collection - a new line of products that are inspired by the new movie in the Hunger Games trilogies: Catching Fire. I also picked up a shadow stick from this collection that I will be reviewing later this week.

Photo courtesy covergirl.com

The Reality:

Packaging 3/5 stars

The packaging is a little odd. The tube is much shorter and rounder than any other mascara I have used. I understand the concept of "flamed out" but the 'flames' on the tube look like tiger stripes to me; it's fun looking but also a bit garish. However, where the packaging really fell short for me was the wand. It has the odd hourglass shape which makes your lashes clump together at the ends forming a triangle of some sort (the lashes are separated at the roots, but come together to make a point at the tips) which just looks really odd. The more I tried to get the tips of my lashes separated from the others, the more they clumped together. The brush tends to pull all your lashes towards the middle of the wand. I also didn't like how the mascara would glob and build up on the bottom and top sections of the wand.

Staying-Power 4/5 stars

My lashes stayed put pretty well throughout the day. The curl drooped a little but it wasn't too bad. I just wish my lashes were more separated from the wand when I applied it that morning. Also, the formula is more of a thicker sludge consistency.

Price 5/5 stars

As far as drugstore mascaras go, this one hits at about an average cost of $6-$7.

Lives up to its claims 3/5 stars

Due to the thicker sludge consistency of the mascara it does coat your lashes well however I can't get past how much I detest the brush. I'm not entirely sure what Covergirl meant by "winged lashes" but my lashes do stick together at the tips creating a triangle/maybe winged effect.

OVERALL 3/5 stars

I am not the biggest fan. I will continue to play with it and test different ways of using it, and will post an update if my opinion changes. However I don't think it will. I really don't like the brush because it just makes my lashes look odd...who wants lash triangles framing their eyes? I have seen that Covergirl recently launched a Flamed Up Mega Curl mascara which features a different brush that might work better. All I can say is that I do not enjoy this hourglass wand and would not recommend this mascara.

xoxo Jess

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes Review

Today I wanted to review the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes because the skincare aisles are plagued with makeup wipes from every brand with every benefit imaginable which can make finding the best one for your skin difficult. I have combination, acne-prone and extremely sensitive skin. Most face wipes make my face really red and burns a little. These Simple wipes are meant for sensitive skin and they really are a savior.

Photo courtesy simpleskincare.com

Pros:

-Doesn't irritate my face.

-Takes off every bit of face and eye makeup.

-Does not break me out.

-I can use these in lieu of cleanser if in a rush or traveling and my face is perfectly fine.

-The seal on the packaging stays sticky throughout the life of the product! (I hate when the seals lose their stick and never close).

-They're not drying or greasy.

-My skin feels so nice and clean after using these.

-They're easy to find at drugstores.

-Around $4.99 for 25 wipes.

Cons:

-The cloth is a bit rough, but it still doesn't irritate my face.

-They're not very wet. I store mine face down which helps but sometimes they feel almost dry. They still work though and sometimes I will get them a little damp with water and they still work. (I am on my second package and they are the same way so it wasn't just a faulty batch.)

Bottom Line:

I love these! If you have sensitive skin and find most wipes irritating try these out! They're amazing and I will continue to purchase these.

Simple also has exfoliating wipes, oil balancing wipes, and radiance wipes if your main concern isn't sensitive skin.

Sunset

In Need of Motivation?

Covergirl Clump Crusher Review

The Rundown:

"A breakthrough in no-clump mascara. Get 200% more volume and zero clumps. Features an innovative double-sided brush with lash-loading and clump-combing zones to crush clumps." 
-Covergirl

Image from Covergirl.com

The Reality:

Packaging 4/5 stars

The green tube is nice, nothing flashy here but it does its job. The wand is a bit on the smaller side and acts more as a comb than a brush. This really does help apply the mascara smoothly and clump free.

Staying-Power 4/5 stars

I find that my lashes tend to droop a little while wearing this mascara. It doesn't hold curl in lashes all that well, but I didn't curl my lashes first so that may make a difference. Typically I don't curl my lashes and they hold up fine but not so much here. However there was no flaking or running mascara by the end of the day which is awesome.

Price 5/5 stars

As far as drugstore mascaras go, this one hits at about average. It costs about $6.99.

Lives up to its claims 4.5/5 stars

200% more volume? Lets not get ahead of ourselves Covergirl. This is definitely more of a natural looking mascara. It really does crush the clumps (they are nowhere in sight) but because of that, it's hard to build up any kind of serious volume.

OVERALL 5/5 stars

Up close your lashes will look phenomenal-well separated, defined, clump-free- but from far away its hard to see your lashes. The catch 22 is that if you want lashes that look amazing from far away, then you need your mascara to really build up on your eye lashes which in turn, causes clumps (or just apply false lashes). So if you are looking for dramatic falsies-looking lashes then keep walking, but if you want natural looking defined lashes this may be your new favorite!

xoxo Jess

Walgreens Drugstore Beauty Haul!

Hi loves! Today I made a trip over to the new Walgreens that just opened in my town and picked up a few items. First off, this Walgreens opened about a month ago but they were having the ribbon cutting ceremony tonight and were handing out free ice cream, chocolates and drinks in the store and there were a bunch of Walgreens employees in suits helping you around every corner. It was quite an interesting experience. Anyways let's get on with the haul!

I picked up more Simple Cleansing Wipes because I ran out and these things are amazing for my sensitive skin. I have a hard time using any other wipes without irritating my face. Another repeat purchase was the Maybelline DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory. This is my favorite under eye concealer I have ever tried and is continually repeat purchase. I also picked up the Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara and the Covergirl Flamed Out Shadow Pencil in a pretty bronze color called Melted Caramel Flame. I saw the new Baby Lips Dr. Rescue and I got the shade Coral Crave. I have to admit I got sucked in by the packaging because it is so too cute! When I opened it though, it smelled EXACTLY like Vicks Vapor Rub which is a little weird to have on my lips. While on the topic of lips, I picked up the Rimmel Show Off Lip Laquer in Aurora which I have been dying to get my hands on for ages. I tested this baby out and am amazed by how pigmented it is. It was completely opaque in one thin coat and it stays put...seriously amazing. My final purchase was the Milani blush in Luminoso. This color looked so pretty I couldn't pass it up, plus I have heard great things about the brand.


If you want a full review on any of these products let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Top 10 Beauty Tricks!

1. Stained Lips 

If you have a pigmented or dark lip color and don't want the full color, you can dab the lipstick on for a more natural "stained" effect.

2. Bright-eyed Effect

To achieve a wide-eyed brighter look, place a bit of lighter shimmery shadow on the middle of the eyelid. It will open up the eye area and bring more light to it.

3. Wake Up Your Eyes

Take a nude or white eyeliner and line your waterline to look more well-rested.

4. Setting Foundation

Be sure to let liquid foundation set and dry for a few minuted BEFORE putting a setting powder on to prevent the powder from looking cakey.

5. Smooth Out Blush & Bronzer

If you apply your setting powder after putting on bronzer and blush to help smooth everything out and create a more natural color.

6. Find Your Natural Brow Shape

There is an easy way to figure out where your eyebrows should naturally start and stop for tweezing or waxing.
To find out where your brow should naturally start, take a pencil or makeup brush and hold it along the side of your nose angled straight up to your forehead. The pencil should line up with the start of your brows.
To find your natural arch, angle the pencil so one end is touching a nostril and the other end passes over your pupil, up to your brow. Where the pencil hits your brow is your natural arch.
To find where your brow ends, keep one end of the pencil along the nostril and angle the pencil so it touches the outer corner of your eye; where the pencil hits at the end of your brow line, is where your brows should end.
(Remember this is just a trick to get brows that are the most flattering for your face, but it is not a rule. Wear your brows however you prefer.)

7. Dry Shampoo Master

When using a dry shampoo, make sure to give it five to ten minutes to soak up the oil in your hair before brushing it through.

8. Soft Yet Defined Eye Look

For a defined yet still soft eye look, apply liquid liner and then once it's dry take a thin eye brush and apply a matte black eyeshadow along the edge of the liquid liner. This will help smoke out liquid liner a bit while still maintaining its defined effect.

9. Mess-Proof Liquid Liner

Liquid liner can be tricky to get the hang of. If you make a mistake don't worry just finish up your liner and let it dry. Then go back with a damp cotton swab and run it over your mistake and POOF! It's gone!

10. Mascara Mess No More

We've all been there, you create the perfect eye look and then start on mascara only to get the little mascara dots on your eyelid by accident. If this happens, don't touch them just let them dry and take a clean blending brush and just blend over them and they will disappear. If this doesn't work, follow beauty trick #9 above and take a damp cotton swab and dab the dry mascara dots.

Best of Beauty Drugstore Edition || Face

It's the second week of our Best of Beauty awards! How are you liking it so far? Last week we covered the eyes, if you missed that post check it out HERE. This week it is all about the face. We're talking the best of the best when it comes to drugstore foundations, concealers, bronzers and more.

Foundation: 

Revlon Colorstay Foundation

My holy grail foundation, Revlon Colorstay Foundation covers beautifully and stays put the entire day...through oily face and all! For a more detailed review check out my full review of this product HERE.
Price: $12.99

BB Cream:

L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream

This is the only BB cream I've tried that didn't make my face extra oily and greasy. It supposedly has four benefits (primes, corrects, hydrates, perfects), but I wouldn't consider them actual skincare benefits. However I think it has a nice light coverage that covers redness and discoloration when you don't want to wear a full face of foundation. I also like that there are four shades: light, fair, medium and deep. Most BB creams come in only one or two shades.
Price: $8.79

Concealer: 

Under Eye Concealer:

Maybelline DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer

THE best under eye concealer hands down. I like that it's a thinner consistency so it doesn't weigh down the under eye area while still brightening and covering dark circles like a champ. It is rumored to be a dupe for the YSL Touche Èclat concealer however I have not tried that one due to not being able to justify the price tag.
Price: $8.29

Spot concealer: 

Physicians Forumla Conceal Rx

Because of its thick consistency, you only need a tiny bit to cover blemishes and dark spots. This concealing gem also stays put all day and doesn't slide anywhere or get patchy. Only downside to this product is that there are only three shades as of right now.
Price: $6.95

Setting Powder: 

Rimmel Stay Matte

This finely milled powder sets foundation and concealer for a smooth and shine-free face without getting cakey. This powder really helps oily and combo skin stay matte and shine free all day. Also, if you need powder touch-ups throughout the day, you can apply more product and it still won't get cakey or patchy on you.
Price: $5.49

Bronzer: 

NYX Matte Bronzer

With more of a terra-cotta bronze hue, this matte bronzer is great for contouring without looking muddy or orange. I am fair, but I use the shade medium which works perfectly as long as I don't apply heavily. I found the light shade looked a little too orange so opt for the medium shade even if you're fair or the deep shade if you are medium toned or darker.
Price: $8.99

Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzer in St. Lucia
This magic bronzer is more of a golden bronze with a slight golden shimmer. If you're not a fan of shimmer don't fret, the shimmer doesn't transfer onto face - it just creates a healthy glow. It is also very similar to the NARS bronzer in Laguna but is a little less brown and more golden than Laguna.
Side note: The blush in this set is often compared to NARS Orgasm, but I think this Elf one is a little more peach-colored which is nice.
Price: $3.00

Blush: 

NYX Powder Blushes
These highly pigmented blushes are flattering and create a pretty natural glow. NYX offers a large selection of colors and shades with different finishes ranging from matte to shimmer.
Price: $5.99

Tools: 

Real Techniques Brushes
I talked about how amazing this brands eye brushes are in the last Best of Beauty post and the face brushes are just as phenomenal. My absolute favorite is the Expert Face Brush which applies foundation SO beautifully and never leaves streaks. I have recommended/bought this for friends and they loved it so much they went on to recommend it to their friends. I also really love their blush brush because it applies blushes so naturally and evenly it gives you the prettiest glow! You can find these brushes at Ulta.
Price: $5.99(individual brushes)-$19.99(brush sets)

Manicure Monday!

Today I am rocking a dark navy polish (I know in the picture it looks much brighter, but it really is a navy) that is fabulously chic for Fall and Winter! It's by Revlon in the color Urban. This particular polish was so opaque you could get by with one coat and is ultra shiny!



What polish are you flaunting this week?

Would You Rather Tag || Beauty Edition

Yesterday I posted a "Would You Rather" video on my YouTube channel full of random questions. To keep the fun going, I thought I would do a beauty edition version on here!

Questions:

1.) Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lip glosses or lose all of your palettes and eyeshadows?
I would rather lose all of my palettes and eyeshadows because mascara, eyeliner, lipsticks, and lip glosses are a lot to lose.


2.) Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?
EEK! I guess I would have to say never be able to cut it again. I don't think I could pull off having all of my hair cut off.

3.) Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?
In the Spring and Summer I would rather have a coral cheek, but in the Fall and Winter definitely would go with a pink cheek.

4.) If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?
GAH! This is a tough question, I love makeup but would have to say clothes because it seems more practical.

5.) Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner, or eyeliner as lipstick?
Lipstick as eyeliner...maybe I could pull off pink eyeliner? Black eyeliner on my lips would probably make me look like a skull.

6.) Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?
Absolutely Sephora!! They have everything from skincare to fragrance to makeup to haircare. I love Sephora.

7.) Would you rather only use one eyeshadow color or one lip color for the rest of your life?
One lip color. I tend to stick to similar lip colors all of the time, but I love to vary my eyeshadows.

8.) Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?
Summer clothes in Winter because I am not a fan of being hot and sweating.

9.) Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?
Bright nails! I wear bright nails year round already.

10.) Would you rather give up your favorite lip product or your favorite eye product?
My favorite lip product. I tend to only use chapstick on a daily basis.

11.) Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?
A messy bun. I think messy buns can look so chic when done right.

12.) Would your rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lipgloss?
Never use lip gloss! I rarely ever use it anyways, too sticky. However I always have my nails painted.

13.) Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday?
Ack, I guess sharpie them in everyday?!

14.) Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?
I would rather live without nail polish! I love makeup too much. I like to pretend I am an artist with my face being the canvas while doing my makeup.

I tag all of you to answer some of these "would you rather's" in the comments below!! Also, I found this tag on this blog.

xoxo

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Hi loves! Need some bites for a movie night? Try out these delicious cookie dough bites that are egg-free and absolutely delicious!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (softened)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons half and half
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/3 cup of flour
2/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Chocolate Coating:

2 cups of chocolate chips
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and roll into bite-sized balls. To make coating, heat up chocolate chips and butter in microwave. Heat in 10 second intervals until chocolate chips melt when stirred. Dip cookie bites into chocolate and set on parchment paper. Place in fridge to set chocolate. Store in refrigerator.



*I did not create this recipe, but I do love it and have altered it slightly. :)

Todays Ramblings...

When generating blog and video ideas, sometimes I just come up short. It's not always easy to have inspiration to create and write publish-ready posts every day. Don't get me wrong I love writing, beauty and fashion, but some days I just want to have a chat with y'all and write my thoughts - straight from my brain to my blog. If you do not like these types of blogs, fret not I will be back to the usual tomorrow. :)


Today I went for a run and just looked around me. I always try to look up when it seems like everyone else is looking down. I like to see the sky, the trees and everything around me. We are busy getting to and from places and accomplishing tasks, but we often forget to just look around and live in that moment. The world is so beautiful and there is so much we miss every day by not looking around and appreciating it. My challenge for you is to go take a walk and see what's around you. Look at the trees and see the colors, feel the wind, hear the sounds. It's amazing how out of tune we can become with nature and the world around us. Don't just breeze through it, be a part of it.


I love you all. Thank you for reading my ramblings. :)

A beautiful tree outside my apartment complex :)

Inspiration

I love inspirational quotes, they can give me the extra push I need to kick myself into gear or they can give me a different perspective on where I am in life. I really liked this one by Buddha today and thought I would share.

October Favorites!

Hi Loves!!

I posted my October Favorites video on my YouTube channel today! Click here to check out my favorite products for the month of October. :)

Dry Weather Must-Haves!

While this may be your favorite time of year, it's not necessarily your skins favorite time of year. Chilly temps and dry winds can wreak havoc on our skin. Avoid the flakiness and sensitivity this Winter with these products and tips!

Why Does Skin Get Dry?

Have you ever wondered why our skin dries out when the humidity goes down? Well, our cells hold water and our skin is permeable allowing for the water to evaporate from our bodies when it's dry outside. Moisturizer creates a barrier on the skin making it more difficult for the water to evaporate, helping your skin stay quenched.

How to Stay Moisturized:

Rule number one, drink lots of water! As the thermometer drops we tend to drink more coffees and teas to warm up, but these caffeinated beverages can actually dehydrate you. Opt for extra water or caffeine free teas and coffees to keep your skin hydrated.

Dry and Sensitive Face?

It all starts with a face wash that won't leave your face tight or irritated. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is more of a lotion/gel consistency making it an ultra-gentle and moisturizing face wash. If you want to remove your makeup before you wash your face, try the Simple Cleansing Face Wipes. Follow up with a ultra-hydrating moisturizer that won't clog pores like the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. The key to applying this thick cream is to start with a damp face and take less than a pea size amount and apply.

Photo courtesy Cetaphil.com

Photo courtesy Cetaphil.com

Photo Courtesy MichaelToddTrueOrganics.com

For a mask that will wipe away your Winter blues, try this deliciously fruity-smelling Avocado and Mango Hydrating Mask from Michael Todd True Organics. It is a lotion consistency which allows it to hydrate but is still suitable for sensitive skin...plus it smells heavenly.

Dry Everywhere Else?

It is important to not only moisturize in the Winter, but also to exfoliate as well! Start in the shower with this Trader Joes Lavender Salt Scrub. It sloughs off the dead skin but has oils to really moisturize and the lavender is a calming scent. For a regular body wash, I like creamier hydrating ones like the Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter. It hydrates and also works as an awesome shaving cream, that will keep your skin soft and moisturized!

Photo Courtesy Lush.com

Lets face it, the best thing on a cold Winter evening is a steaming hot bath. However, piping hot water dries out your skin even more so add a hydrating product to your tub for the ultimate soak. I am head over heels for Lush's Dreamtime Bath Melt. This stuff is incredible, it smells amazing and has chunks of cocoa butter that melt into your bath.






After your shower or bath, spread on the Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter for hydration without feeling greasy or oily. This body butter smells incredible and absorbs into the skin quickly so you're not left feeling sticky.

Happy hydrating!

xoxo

DIY Glitter Makeup Brush Holders

Add a flash of sparkle to your morning makeup routine with these fabulous glitter brush holders that are affordable, customizable and very easy to make.

Materials:

-Adhesive spray -I have used both Elmer's Adhesive spray and a Krylon one and they both work well.

-A medium height mason jar -remember you want it to be wide enough to hold quite a few brushes but also tall enough to keep them from falling over.

-Craft glitter -I love the Martha Stewart Collection ones!

-Newspaper to protect the area

Optional: An acrylic spray paint to seal the glitter in, preventing glitter fallout.

Directions:

1. Cover work area with newspaper (it is advised to do this outside due to the adhesive spray you will be using).

2. Make sure the inside of the mason jars are clean and dry.

3. Spray an thin, even coating of adhesive spray inside the jar. You want enough adhesive to really pack the glitter but not too much otherwise it will just run down the inside of the jar.

4. Quickly pour the glitter into the jar and tilt the jar around to achieve an even coating. Pour out excess glitter and place upside down to dry. Most likely, there will be a white look from the glue but it will dry clear.

(optional) 5. Once the glue is completely dry, spray the acrylic sealant to the inside of the jar to lock the glitter into place. Let dry for 1-2 days.

And that is it!! Super cute glittery DIY makeup brush holders that you can customize to match the decor of your room! :)

Best of Beauty Drugstore Edition || Eyes

We're kicking off this series with the best of the best in the eye makeup department. If you're new to this series, I explained the ins and outs in this post here.

Brows:

Eyebrow Pencil:

Jordana Fabu Brow

This pencil glides on smoothly and is a waxy formula allowing it to stay in place and mimic natural eyebrow hairs.

Price: $6

Eyeshadows:

Eyeshadow Palette:

Wet 'N Wild Icon Collection Palette

Soft, creamy and pigmented, these shadows are wearable, easy to blend, and flattering. Favorite palette: Comfort Zone.
Price: $4.99

Eyeshadow Trios:

Wet 'N Wild Icon Collection Trios

See previous palette description above, as it all applies however there are even more wearable shade combinations in these little gems. Shadows are also labeled "lid," "crease," and "brow bone" to assist in showing where to apply them. Favorite trio: Walking on Eggshells.

Price: $2.99

Individual Eyeshadows:

Elf Individual Pan Eyeshadows 

So soft they can crumble on contact, these Elf Eyeshadows come in individual pans to add to an Elf palette for a customizable selection of colors. These buttery smooth eyeshadows are so pigmented you just need a tiny bit to create your look. Also did I mention they are only a dollar a piece? Major score!
Price for individual eyeshadow: $1
Price for empty white compact to put eyeshadows in: $3

Cream Eyeshadows:

Maybelline Color Tattoos

These bad boys stay put as promised in the name! They make great bases to any eye look and prevent shadow from creasing and straying. They're highly pigmented and hold up wonderfully. Where alone or under eyeshadows to create unique metallic shades. Favorite shades: Barely Branded and Bad to the Bronze.
Price: $6.99

Eyeliners:

Pencil Eyeliner:

Rimmel Scandal Eyes

No more raccoon eyes here! Perfect to use on the lash line, water line or tight line (the water line on your up lashes). Rimmel's Scandal Eyes goes on vibrant, smudges well to create smokey looks but it's waterproof so it stays put all day after it sets!

Price: $4.49

Liquid Eyeliner:

L'Oreal Super Slim Infallible Liquid Liner 

Calling all liquid liner lovers. You shall rejoice with this liners amazing formula that creates a pigmented and clean line. By having an applicator that is similar to a pencil but with a felt tip, the L'Oreal Super Slim Liner makes applying liquid liner a breeze. Tip: Never apply liquid liner to tight lines or water lines.
Price: $7.19

Cream Eyeliner:

Elf Cream Eyeliner

For eyeliner that still looks freshly applied by the end of the day, Elf's Cream Eyeliner will change your makeup routine. It's smooth, pigmented and easy to apply. Somehow it's waterproof, budge proof and never fades until you take it off-a huge feat for an eyeliner. Did I mention it's only $3?! Almost too good to be true. Tips: Don't use the brush it comes with, purchase a fine liner brush for much easier application. I like the Real Techniques Fine Line Brush...it's amazing. Also, I wouldn't recommend using this on your water line, stick to lash lines with this one.
Price: $3

Mascaras:

Natural:

Covergirl Clump Crusher

Clumps be gone! This little warrior separates lashes beautifully and coats each lash for a fanned out look. This mascara doesn't build volume, so it's more of a natural look but makes your lashes look gorgeous up close. 

Price: $6.89

Volume:

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume

Amp up those lashes with this lash-grabbing mascara. To really build up volume, let it slightly dry for about 30 seconds so it can set up. Then apply a second coat for an attention-getting fan of lashes. Only downside is that it doesn't hold a curl too well so if you have issues with that, opt for the waterproof version. It will hold the curl much longer!

Price: $7.79

Length:

Rimmel The Maxx Volume Flash Mascara

Not often talked about, this lengthening formula not only makes your lashes look fabulous but it actually makes your lashes grow longer (the formula is enriched with collagen and keratin to help grow and strengthen lashes). Rimmel has some of the best mascaras I have ever found and when wearing this gem, I was always getting compliments on how long my lashes were! People would even ask me if I was wearing fake eyelashes!

Price: $6.83

Brushes:

Real Techniques Starter Set

These brushes are hands-down the best makeup brushes I have ever used. They have been raved about in the blog world and all over the internet in general. They are the perfect balance between soft and stiff, making it a breeze to blend any shadows like a pro. The best part? This kit is only $17.99 for five professional brushes! Their individual brushes are around $7-$8.
Price: $17.99