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

Best of Beauty Drugstore Edition!

This will be a new series I'm starting, which is basically my own award show version of the best beauty buys at the drugstore for every type of product, i.e. best mascara, best eyeliner and so on. I often get asked by friends and family about what the best products at the drugstore are. I have tried and tested countless products and decided its time to divulge the hidden gems!

I will focus on different areas each week kicking it off with the eyes this week which will be posted tomorrow. Gear up for the best of the best at the drugstore!

Also, if there isn't a product category listed for example primer, it means I haven't found a drugstore version that I love and recommend yet.

I hope you all enjoy this series and find it useful!! I would also love to hear your favorites as the series progresses. 

xoxo Jess

Fashionably Nude

Nude nails are hitting the beauty scene in a big way. Graced on the perfectly manicured models of the runways during New York Fashion Week, nude nails are clean, chic and effortlessly sophisticated. The trick with rocking nudes is to find the right shade for your skin tone.

I adore this nude which is more of a warmer cream nude from Formula X by Sephora in the color Invincible. Another option is to go for more of a blush nude if flesh colored nails freaks you out (I was once in this camp). Honestly if you're apprehensive, head over to Sephora and check out the Formula X polishes. Every color is beautiful and flattering and the polish is some of the best I've ever tried.

Blogging Every Day in November

To celebrate another month of blogging every day, I thought I would share a little bit more about me with y'all. I would love if you commented below with your answers to some of these questions so I can learn a little more about all of you! :)


1. Thing you cannot leave the house without:
My purse! I have my keys, phone and all that jazz in there. I also keep little snacks and water in my purse which is mandatory for me, I get hungry quite often.

2. Favorite brand of makeup:
Hmm this is a hard one, for drugstore I really love Revlon and Maybelline. For department store, I love Urban Decay and Makeup For Ever.

3. Favorite flowers:
Sunflowers. They are so cheerful! They grew in our backyard when I was little and I loved that they would turn to face the sun. :)

4. Favorite clothing stores:
I have been really loving Daily Look lately, and surprisingly Target.

5. Favorite perfume:
Michael Kors and Dior's Miss Dior Cherie.

6. Heels or flats?
Definitely flats. I am like a baby giraffe learning to walk when I wear heels...not good.

7. Do you make good grades?
I'm not in school anymore, but I did well when I was in school. I have always loved learning.

8. Favorite colors:
Pale pink and gold.

9. Do you drink energy drinks?
Noooo. I can barely handle caffeine and sugar. Too much caffeine makes my heart race and makes me jittery. 

10. Do you drink juice?
I like fresh squeezed orange juice!!

11. Do you like swimming?
I am not a big fan of getting water in my nose or eyes...so not really. But I do love being in and around water.

12. Do you eat fries with a fork?
Nope. My fingers are my utensils.

13. What's your favorite moisturizer?
I am obsessed with body butters. I love the Trader Joes Coconut Body Butter. I figure if you're going to moisturize, might as well really hydrate.

14. Do you want to get married later on in life?
Yes if it's with the right person.

15. Do you get mad easily?
Not really. It takes a lot for me to get upset, but if someone hurts me or the people I love I am not happy.

16. Are you into ghost hunting?
It's funny because I am fascinated by ghost stories and shows, but am slightly terrified of ghosts...I know it makes no sense.

17. Any phobias?
I used to have a phobia but got through it so now I just have the average dislike of spiders and snakes.

18. Do you bite your nails?
Nope I prefer to cut them with clippers.

19. Have you ever had a near death experience?
Oh goodness, thankfully no.

20. Do you drink coffee?
I do some mornings, but I prefer tea for most.

See you tomorrow loves!

What's in my makeup bag || Travel Edition

Hi Loves!

I posted a new video featuring what I packed in my makeup bag while visiting family and friends back home. :) Watch the video HERE.