Target Haul!

I made a little shopping trip to Target today and wanted to share with you Beauties what I got!

One of the reasons I took this Target trip was to pick up the Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water for Normal to Oily skin. This cleanser is meant to dissolve face makeup, gently cleanse and balance oily skin. I have very sensitive skin and this product promises to hydrate skin with vitamin and minerals while still being gentle enough for the most sensitive skin. I have big hopes for this product, keep an eye out for a review in the coming weeks.

I was running out of the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream sample my dermatologist gave me and needed to pick up more. Low and behold, this moisturizing cream comes in a whopping 16 oz vat. I am notorious for using too much of products, but I literally use less than a pea size amount of this moisturizer at night. The best way to use this on your face is to apply a pea size amount to a DAMP face, not dry. This keeps it from being too heavy while still moisturizing without grease.

I also picked up some soft Cotton Rounds to use with my cleansing water. I love the exfoliating rounds,  but they are a little too harsh to use on my overly sensitive skin on a daily basis so I opted for the softer ones  this time.

Maybe it's TMI, but I also got the Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant in the ooh-la-la lavender scent. I am excited to try this one out and so far love the lavender scent. This deodorant is a bit interesting because it says to apply it at night so it can work to block sweat before the sweat starts during the day. I figured if I'm going to apply it at night I might as well have a calming lavender scent.

Covergirl Smoochies Review

(L-R) #Tweet Me and #Sweet Tweet

A glossy balm, the Covergirl Smoochies provide the perfect tint of color while still moisturizing like a pro. The balm consistency leaves lips feeling smooth, glossy and hydrated. The packaging is fun, bright and a little young and the smell of the balm is somewhere between pink lemonade and watermelon. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the scent, but that mixed with the packaging makes it seem more geared towards a younger crowd. 

(L-R) #Tweet Me and #Sweet Tweet

My favorite color is #sweet tweet (yes the names do include a hashtag). This particular color is a pretty sheer pink and enhances your natural lip color while creating a slightly glossy effect.

#Tweet Me is more of a red stain tint. EleventhGorgeous on YouTube said it best, it looks like you've been eating a cherry Popsicle that stained your lips.

All in all, these are good lip products to throw in your bag if you're looking for a Chapstick/balm that will add a little color and shine.

xoxo Jess

Perfect Pout

As the weather begins to cool off, the air gets drier and our skin follows suit. To keep your lips soft and silky look no further than the Elf Lip Exfoliator. For $3 this little guy gets the job done and even smells like vanilla sugar while doing it. The packaging is sleek and looks like a tube of lipstick making it so easy to slough off the dead skin on your lips. Goodbye messy pots of lip exfoliant! Unlike some lip exfoliants, you can't actually eat this one so you have to wipe or rinse it off after exfoliating.

Overall: 4.5/5 stars

Tip: When starting a new tube, it takes a couple of uses to rub off the top layer of wax so the exfoliating beads can do their job.

xoxo Jess

Say Ahhh with an At-Home Spa Night

Want to slip into a soft robe and be whisked away to relaxation without the price tag? Look no further than this guide to a complete spa night that will have you feeling blissed out by the end of the night. I once worked at a spa and learned the ins and outs of creating the "spa experience." 

Step 1: Hydrate

The key to healthy skin is hydration. Stay hydrated with this delicious and easy spa water recipe.

Spa Water:

-A pitcher of cold filtered water

-Plenty of ice

-Four slices of lemon

-Five slices of cucumber

Mix all ingredients in pitcher and enjoy! The longer it sits, the better it gets.

Step 2: Shower, Exfoliate and Moisturize

Trader Joe's Lavender Salt Scrub

Next step is either a shower or bath, whatever your preference is. Make sure to thoroughly cleanse your face BEFORE you shower so your pores can breathe. During your shower or bath, the steam will help to open your pores so your skin will benefit more from your exfoliation and mask in the proceeding steps.

Don't forget to exfoliate your body while in the shower. I have been loving the Trader Joe's Lavender Salt Scrub. The lavender helps to relax and soothe while the sea salt sloughs off the dead skin for glowing healthy skin.

Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter

After exfoliating your body, apply a thick body cream for ultra-rich moisturizing. The Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter smells amazing, hydrates deeply and leaves skin soft and smooth.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant & Michael Todd Tropical Fruit Exfoliant

For facial exfoliation, I love the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. It's made from rice powder, making it very gentle for sensitive skin. Another great exfoliant is the Michael Todd True Organics Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub, an all-natural fruit scented product that uses fruit enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells.

Step 3: Treat

After exfoliating, it is time for a face mask! Pop in your favorite DVD or show and let the mask do its job.

For oily-acne prone skin types, the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque can't be beat. A thick green clay mask, this cult-classic mask works to dry up blemishes and help control oil.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Charcoal Detoxifying & Avocado Mango

If you find your face is oily in some spots yet drier in others, try the Michael Todd True Organics Charcoal Detoxifying Mask. More of a lotion consistency, this light gray mask is moisturizing while still balancing oil production. The activated charcoal in the mask draws out dirt and oil that clog pores and gives congested skin a nice "detox."

Have dry skin? Test out the Michael Todd True Organics Avocado and Mango Hydrating Mask. It smells like a delicious tropical smoothie while nourishing and hydrating the skin for a dewy and glowing complexion.

After rinsing off the face mask, be sure to moisturize with your favorite facial moisturizer!

Step 4: Nails

Let's talk nails. No spa night would be complete without prettily painted nails by the end of it. For Fall, I am loving these darker colors!

Sephora by OPI in "It's Somewhere in my Purse" and OPI in "You Don't Know Jacques"

Voila! Now you're fully primped, pampered and relaxed. Happy spa night! :)

xoxo Jess

New Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation

The Rundown:

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation is a gel stick foundation with an anti-shine core, supposedly leaving a natural matte finish. The lightweight powders in the anti-shine core are meant to instantly dissolve excess oil.

Shade: 115 Fair

The Reality:

Packaging 5/5 stars

The black tube with metallic light pink writing is so cute and durable! The packaging feels a little cheap but looks nice and is very easy to travel with or throw into a handbag. While it is a small tube, the gel-stick formula makes it much easier to transport and makes putting on foundation a breeze. The only caveat is you end up going through the foundation pretty quickly.

Staying-Power 3/5 stars

This is where I had some trouble. It does stay on and shine-free longer than most foundations however, I found that after about 4 hours my foundation was looking a little patchy. I've been spoiled by the Revlon Colorstay Foundation that stays on 8+ hours. This foundation is lighter feeling, stays matte longer than most, and feels powdery almost instantly after applying (in a good way).

Shade Range 4/5 stars

There are 12 shades in this line which isn't bad. There are a wide variety of lighter/medium shades, but the line is lacking deeper shades.

Coverage 4/5 stars

This foundation works best as a light to medium coverage foundation. The foundation is buildable, but the more you build the cakier the foundation starts to look. This gel formula works best as a light coverage foundation.

Price 5/5 stars

As far as drugstore foundations go, this one rings in at an average price of about $8 depending on where you purchase it.

Lives up to its claims 4/5 stars

The anti-shine powder core does as it claims, it makes the foundation go on silky and smooth. The gel stick foundation also works to keep the shine at bay without looking powdery.

OVERALL 4/5 stars

I would say if you're looking for a gel based stick foundation to keep you fairly matte and have combo/oily skin, you would be in good company with this foundation.

xoxo Jess

Fall Outfit of the Day

Hey Fashionistas!

This outfit was inspired by my love of layering in the Fall. I love to achieve a worn-in, comfortable look by pairing many basic items together to create a cohesive and cute look.

To get this look:

Start with basic black leggings and a cream color tank top then build from there. I paired a striped long sleeve top with a black statement necklace both from Forever 21. I have been loving this olive/gray colored utility jacket (also from Forever 21). To finish off I have gray (I know they look black in this picture) low-heeled, leather boots from Cathy Jean.

I love that you can make simple changes to this look like swapping out the shirt and accessories to create an entirely different, but still super cute, look.

xoxo Jess

Fall Essentials!

Hi my loves!

My absolute favorite time of year has "fallen" upon us once again (cheesy I know, but I couldn't resist). With colorful falling leaves and cups of steaming cider, Autumn is magical in my eyes. From the perfect Fall drinks to get your morning rolling, to seasonal decor to undoubtably classy fashion trends, welcome to your guide for a fabulous Fall.

Autumnal Decor

Leaves candle

Lets talk candles: Bath and Body Works is my go-to store for seasonal candles. My personal favorites are Autumn, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin and Leaves. These scents perfectly embody everything I love about Fall.

Candy Corn Lights

I am also mildly obsessed with these little candy corn lights that you can find at CVS. My Fall decor tip is to hit the Dollar Store and Target's sale/dollar section at the front of the store. You will find inexpensive festive items that won't empty your wallet.

Seasonal Drinks

Pumpkin Spice Coffee

TAZO Baked Cinnamon Apple

Start your morning with a Fall-inspired drink! My personal favorites are Pumpkin Spice Coffee k-cups to kick off my mornings and the TAZO Baked Cinnamon Spice Caffeine-Free Tea to cozy up with on cold evenings.

Fall Fashion Trends

Photo from Dailylook.com

Photo from Forever21.com

Cozy up with knitted cardigans and comfy sweaters sitting pretty over neutral colored layers this season. Top with a scarf and accessorize with long necklaces, plenty of simple rings and riding boots. My current obsessions are this parka jacket and girly faux leather jacket from Forever 21 and this classy structured handbag and knitted cardigan from Daily Look.

What are your Fall essentials?

xoxo Jess