Two Steps to Clean Skin

Clean skin for me has always been something I have kind of struggled with. When I was kid my skin care routine consisted of chlorine facials and the Biore products I bought strictly for packaging. (Correction: my mom bought.) I didn't often remember to use my face face wash but when I did man oh man, did I feel like I was killing the girl game.

I don't come from a family that has ever placed much attention on cosmetics or skin care. When I started wearing real competition makeup for dance I had to have some application lessons with the older girls. The application lessons were great until I started breaking out after competition weekends and would spend weeks trying to balance out my skin again. 

Do you ever look in the mirror and think- how do other girls do it? I do at least once a day. Am I bad at being a girl? Maybe. 

When looking for suggestions, I seem to always stumble across a beauty blogger post that incorporates a variant of about 20 products per day. Ain't nobody got the money or time for that. Also, I'm not even entirely sure how eye brightening cream works. I look for products that do their jobs and do them well. I try to avoid a label in which the word "acid" is used more than 10 times, that's just scary. On the other hand, I know that a singular makeup wipe isn't enough.

In the past, I have spent money on makeup opposed to skin care. It made more sense to me to buy more expensive foundation and cover my blemishes, than spring for a more expensive cleanser and treat the problem. This is why growing up is a good thing. If your skin looks good the foundation looks better, Shan!

While I am planning for a couple additions my daily routine has just two products and blows my prior routine out of the water.

Speaking of water...

Micellar Water

Maybe micellar water is something you have heard of, maybe it isn't. If not, micellar water is comprised of tiny little "micelles" or oil molecules suspended in soft water. The oil molecules are attracted to dirt and oil are are there to absorb impurities without drying out the skin. Micellar water has actually been around for almost a hundred years and has just made it's way to the states. Thank goodness. With one swipe, this miracle water takes away dirt and makeup, Oh yeah, there is no rinse required. Something low maintenance that makes my skin pretty.. say what? 

purity by philosophy

I have always been intrigued by philosophy but couldn't justify the price point for a face wash. Ironic because I have spent more on a contouring palette. After receiving a gift card this Christmas I decided to pull the trigger and go for it. Purity is a natural, one-step facial cleanser. With one wash I feel as though my makeup is gone and my pores are free to breathe. Typically I will use purity on it's own in the morning and after my micellar water in the evening. I find using the micellar water as a makeup remover and initial cleanser, allows purity to really clean out my pores and leave my skin feeling soft.

These products changed my life. Dramatic but true.

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When to Splurge On Makeup

I wouldn't call myself a makeup fanatic but give me a couple of hundred dollars to spend in Sephora and it will be gone quicker than Starbucks concocts your favorite poison. On the other hand, as much as I enjoy wearing makeup, I enjoy any opportunity to not wear makeup even more. My favorite relationship with it is in my pajamas with glass of wine watching Jaclyn Hill and Casey Holmes videos.

I did some bridesmaids' makeup before a wedding last weekend and it looked like Sephora threw up in my bathroom.

After a few years of video watching, experimenting and practicing on friends I have picked up a trick or two. I'm a sucker for new products so odds are if I see a product review that tickles my fancy I'll somehow get my hands on it within the next 24 hours. Patience obviously isn't  a strong suit of mine. I live your stereotypical "ramen noodle a night" life so drugstore products are often more realistic for my wallet. Unfortunately, the heart wants what it wants and what may not be realistic for my wallet may just be a little too realistic for my heart. 

As you can see from above- this girl really loves her makeup and I have A LOT of it. There are a few products I will always go back to despite the price. 

1. Primer
In the picture above you'll see the Maybelline Magic Lumi primer. This light infusing primer is nice for the summer months and I love to use it after a day in the sun under a light foundation for dinner and drinks. There's just one problem. If I use this primer alone my makeup will disappear before my first drink. Ain't nobody got time for that.

That's why I stick to my Smashbox primers. Even with the Magic Lumi I will always apply Smashbox first. My two favorites are the fan favorite Photo Finish primer and the Blemish Control primer which comes in the blue tube. Primer comes in direct contact with my irrationally sensitive skin so I like to stick with what I know and love. Otherwise I'm waking up like a twelve year old covered in pimples.

2. Foundation
You'll see my all time favorite foundation in the top right hand corner of this picture. MAC Face and Body.  Oh I just love, love, love this foundation! It's really lightweight but provides a nice even skin tone. I like to avoid anything that remotely resembles spreading frosting on my face so this works perfect for me. Most importantly, it's a formula that doesn't clog my pores or dry me out. I have tried many drugstore foundations and within hours I am breaking out like crazy.

3. Skincare
This one is kind of tough for me because there are drugstore skin care routines that have made my skin rather happy in the past. What I have noticed is that high end skincare keeps my skin cleaner and clearer more consistently. I had my monthly visit from mother nature last weekend for the wedding and was comforted in knowing my skincare regimen would keep things at bay during this hormone crazy week!

I can find a drugstore favorite for just about everything else but primer, foundation and skincare are three things I will always be a brat about. Are there any products you just can't live without? 

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Must Haves

It's back ladies and gents. The most magical time of year (aside from the time period between Thanksgiving Day and New Years day that is.)  Nordstrom's anniversary sale is here to sprinkle all things beauty and style into our lives. Hunter boots, Kate Spade, Bobbi Brown - oh my!
With every Nordstrom sale comes a desire to drain my savings account and pick up every little thing that catches my eye. This year especially I am doing my absolute best to avoid too much window shopping and browsing. It's time to do a whole lot less spending and a whole lot more saving around here. I know what you're thinking and it's as miserable as it sounds. I really do think winning the lottery would look good on me. For now we stick to the basics- bills, groceries and the occasional article of clothing I just have to have. 
Without surprise, Nordstrom has managed to mark down a few things I would tend to call necessities.  If it's something I could see myself wearing with outfit after outfit I can't help but deem it necessary to my wardrobe. Here are some of my must have's from this year's sale. 

Tory Burch Flip Flop

Zella Leggings

Ralph Lauren Coat 

Hunter Boot 

Vince Camuto Cutout Bootie

One of my favorite aspects of the sale is pouring over posts dedicated to bloggers own must haves. The company always has so much to offer and with free shipping and hassle free returns how can you say no?

What are some of your sale favorites? 

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Staying Pretty in the Summer Heat.

Good morning, Monday. You just show up before I know what hit me every weekend. Lucky for me, I happen to have this little ol' Monday off. If you follow me on twitter you would have noticed that I am on a month long health kick and am doing my best to get this body of mine in tip top, Miss USA shape. That being said, this Monday morning started off with a whole lot of sweating at the gym. Shout out to Miss Nevada!

This morning I completed- Box jumps- 20 reps One leg barbell squats (the other leg on the bench)-5 sets of 5 reps Lying leg curl- 3 sets of 12 reps Calf press- 3 sets of 12 reps lying hip press with 20 pound plate- 30 reps 20 minutes of cardio
I read somewhere along my recent travels that water infused with citrus, cucumber, lemon and mint cleanse the system and give a little extra boost of energy. Obviously I had to try it, turning me into its number one fan. I seem to have a little bit more energy but then again I was probably asleep before most toddlers last night. So I mean.. who really knows? Tastes delicious at any rate. 
I spent yesterday at a professional soccer game. My first professional soccer game actually. A friend went to college with one of the players who got us free tickets with great seats. The game itself was good but me being the extremely easily distracted girl that I am, was preoccupied with the attractive players losing their shirts left and right and the sweat pouring off my body. I know that's gross but it was about 92 degrees outside and we were sitting in plastic seats directly in the sun. I wonder if it's possible to lose five pounds sweating because I may have. I don't know if y'all agree but it is hard as hell to look cute when it is that hot in the world. Thus, a list of my daily summer makeup.

 ONE// Corn starch. SO weird, I know. During the summer months I usually swap out my MAC translucent setting powder for corn starch. Believe it or not it acts exactly like setting powder, translucent and all, just a bit more effective at absorbing sweat and oil. You probably think I'm crazy but for about $1.50 at your local grocery store it's probably worth listening to the crazy lady, right? The answer is right. Go do it. 
TWO// MAC's paint pot in the shade "painterly."A light shade to just dress up the eye a little more. Well I tell myself it looks a little better in contrast to a liner.
THREE// Sephora liquid liner. It doesn't melt off my face, stays put all day and is an overall magician. 
FOUR// Waterproof mascara for obvious reasons. Sweat.
Thats all I wear during the summer. Especially during the day when it is hot, hot, hot. (Insert Elmo singing there.) If I'm outdoors all day, yesterday for instance, I throw my hair up in a ponytail and tease the front just a little bit. What do you wear for makeup in the summer heat? 
Fun fact! Your skin is the last organ to be hydrated which makes water that much more important. Hence the infused water posted above. 

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Friday Favorites!

This holiday season my friends and family fed into my makeup addiction with amazing gifts such as the Naked 3 Palette and gift cards to MAC and Sephora. God love them. I also bought myself a little treat that I just can't get enough of.

Here are a few of my new favorite products! As much as I love the necklace at the top, that isn't one of my favorites, it just snuck into the picture. Anyways-

1. MAC- In Extreme Dimension 3D Lash. I never expected to leave MAC with a mascara and even when I did, I was pretty skeptical about it. Not anymore! I love this mascara because it provides Length and volume for my lashes all in in a few waves of the wand.I always start at the base of my lashes when applying, wiggling the wand back in forth as a I work my way to the ends. More than once I have been asked if I was wearing false lashes which could be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it and who's asking.. I'm taking that a positive and never buying another mascara again.

2. MAC paint pot in the shade "Painterly." A paint pot is a cream shadow that I use as a primer. I love this product because it adds a little color before the rest of my shadow and keeps everything in place all day without creasing. (Thanks, Uncle Paul!)

3. MAC Face and Body Foundation- I'm extremely picky when it comes to foundation. I don't really like full coverage as it covers my freckles, and I'm not a huge fan of just a moisturizer or a BB cream. After many experiments and lots of trial and error, I have finally settled on this foundation. It's thin and moisturizing on the skin while evening out my skin tone and giving me a "flawless" look. However, the foundation does tend to look a little dewy at times so I always make sure to add a thin layer of setting powder.

 

4. Hoola by Benefit Bronzer- As far as Bronzer is concerned I don't really like shimmer. I think some girls can pull it off if they apply it correctly but I just don't enjoy it. Hoola is the perfect matte color for a little glow here and there. I know the Nars Laguna Vs. Hoola is a huge debate and after trying both it is definitely Hoola for me. The Laguna is too shimmery and would look like Edward Cullen in the sun I think.

5. Urban Decay's Naked 3 Palette- 12 shadows in rose colored hues, 4 of which are matte. At first this palette made me a little nervous as it has some shimmer and all of the shades are in the pink family but I love it.  There is nothing to be afraid of! The only slightly disappointing aspect is the names of the shadows. The other palettes have suggestive names that can somehow be tied in with "Naked" if your mind works like that. I mean c'mon- who doesn't want to tell someone they are wearing Walk Of Shame today?



 

The next item I have for you was a Christmas present to myself. I have heard wonderful things about this product and despite it being a bit on the expensive side I decided to just go for it.



GlamGlow Supermud mask. Originally I planned to take a before, during and after picture but this mask works so well I just couldn't. The reason being that you can see all of the oil and impurities being pulled from your skin and mine was seriously gross. I can't say enough and will absolutely purchase this mask again.

I am in the market for a moisturizer to use after the mask and would love suggestions! But really, I need help! What do you use?

XOXO

 

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A lazy, snowy makeup review.

It is a cold, snowy day here in New England and I haven't done much. I am actually typing this from the floor which you will come to see in the pictures that follow.I have decided to share with you my thoughts on the products I have recently purchased, I am awfully picky with products so the ones that I may not like, you might! (I'm kind of a handful.) Different products are always different on different skin types and tones so don't be afraid to experiment! Anyway- here goes.

(Told you I'm on the floor.)

First- Sephora CC Cream in the shade medium tan. I bought this product in a darker shade as I have been going tanning and I wanted it to match my body. I don't love this CC cream. When I purchased it I was expecting a light product that would provide just a little balance and color correcting in my skin. I'm not one that likes the feeling of having product on my face. I am getting used to it as I have been wearing it almost every day but I don't think I will purchase it again. As a positive it isn't drying out my skin nor making it oily, so while I like it, I don't love it.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer- No thank you. For a tinted moisturizer this is extremely heavy, I would use it as a full coverage foundation. It felt as though I was painting on my face with a heavy acrylic based paint. It also completely covered my freckles which I didn't like at all.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealer- I have used this twice and I am thinking it will be given to someone or end up in the trash shortly. I don't find it does much concealing and it is extremely hard to work with. Almost like clay. Nevermind how hard it is blend into the face. I would definitely pass on this product.

MAC Prep and Prime Translucent Finishing powder- I use this on my T-zone to keep from getting shiny throughout the day and right under my eyes to keep eye-liner from running. Love it. This will definitely be a staple in my collection for years.

Rimmel London Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara- I bought this at CVS about a month ago strictly because it was on sale for one dollar. Who can beat it? I didn't expect to like it, maybe throw it in my purse for touch ups here and there. I LOVE it. The tube comes with a "length" wand as well as a separate "volume" wand. This product works wonders for my lashes.

MAC Rebel Lipstick- Obsessed. Can't get enough. Creamy and goes on wonderfully. Stays for hours. Buy it.

That is proof that I need to go be productive so that is what I am going to do. I have zero christmas shopping done and that is a serious problem. Off to the mall I go. Happy makeup shopping.

XOXO

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Overwhelmed.

I was up all night worrying about what to do with my life. I don't know what is wrong with me but I feel like I can't figure out anything and I am in the wrong major at school, UGH. I was offered like my dream job which would make three. I wouldn't be able to go to school next semester but I'm not sure I would hate that at this point. Anyways, I made myself relax by watching some makeup tutorial videos. I figured I would share one of my other favorites, Jaclyn. Jaclyn Hill is seriously adorable and seems to always be happy and having fun. I would like to be her friend, or at least have her do my makeup once or twice. Something is telling me that's not in the cards for me but I mean whatever! Check out her youtube channel here! The video I linked is fun and will absolutely be used for my 21st birthday! These can be pretty dangerous because she is full of knowledge. I also think I can relate to Jaclyn because she can be ALL over the place just like me. Remember this post anyone?

Playing with makeup always makes me feel better. Now if I could just figure out how to be a dancing, makeup artist, personal trainer. Life would be perfect and I'm open to any and all suggestions.

I hope you are all having a good week! Enjoy Jaclyn and stay to read some more posts! :)

XOXO

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