Beauty Staples // Recent Faves

Happy Saturday friends! I am currently on my way to Nags Head, NC for a little vacay so I thought now would be the perfect time to share my current beauty & life favorites. For me, packing for trips is so stressful because I am horrible at narrowing down "the necessities"-at least when it comes to clothing and shoes. Within the past two years, I have gotten a lot better at narrowing down the beauty and skincare items I take with me on trips. I used to want to buy all the new products that brands would come out with, which meant I was always bringing stuff with me out of town to "test out". Now I am more a creature of habit when it comes to makeup... If I find something I love, I stick with it. How did I not realize it would make life so much easier?! Long story short, here is the current beauty and lifestyle round up!

Batiste Dry Shampoo: The one I have in particular right now is the Cherry scent. The formulation of this stuff is probably one of my favorites when it comes to dry shampoos. This is my first time buying the cherry scent (because that is what was available in the travel size) and I can't say I noticed a huge difference in how the product performs from scent to scent. I literally despise washing my hair because A) it's annoying and I feel like it is just so time consuming (maybe I am being a diva) and B) I am still having issues with hair loss so it's like an emotional rollercoaster to wash my hair and see hair fall out (see hair loss story here). Basically, your girl loves dry shampoo and is known to have 2 or 3 on rotation but I always come back to this brand. I have tried the one for brunette hair too and I was a fan! Find it here. Luckily, someone from Reviews.com reached out to me with a guide (yes. a guide with reviews and all!) of the best dry shampoos. Where was this when I needed it? Find the guide here!

Dr. Jart + Dermaclear Micro Milk Peel: This is a daily "peel" that lightly exfoliates and moisturizes your skin. It comes with cotton pads that are double sides-one side for sensitive skin and the other with a little more texture to provide more exfoliation. It contains lactic acid and salicylic acid for keeping the skin soft, coconut milk, panthenol, and squalene to hydrate and calm the skin and glutathione to tone and brighten (per Sephora's website-I can't take credit for knowing all this). You shake the bottle to mix the acids together, apply to cotton pad, apply to face, wait 1 minute (or more, I do about 2-3, such a risk taker) and then wash it off. When I use it daily, I do notice my skin seems softer, more supple, and just overall "better". Find it here.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs Perfume: Since I elaborate too much on everything, I am just going to say this scent is amazing and I find myself reaching for it all the time. Perfect for summer! Find it here.

Mario Badescu Skincare Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater: This is a perfect product for summer... I use it to prep my skin before lotion, as a setting spray, and as a pick me up if it is super hot and I feel like my face is melting off. If you aren't a fan of rose scents, you might not love the way this smells, but the scent does not linger for long. Find it here.

MyChelle Sun Protection Sun Shield Liquid Tint SPF 50: This one deserves its own post... I will definitely be doing a review on it. I stumbled across this at Whole Foods when I was perusing the beauty aisle for all the things I don't need, bought it on a whim, and then fell in love. The best love is unexpected love, amiright? Anyway, this is a tinted sunscreen that gives a sheer coverage. You could probably build up the coverage on this a bit, but for work or just laying out by the pool, it is fantastic. The best part is that it doesn't become a hot mess on my t zone like every other sunscreen, foundation, and powder. My skin loves this stuff. So much in fact that I have mixed my Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer to create more coverage and wear it on nights out. Holy grail status! Find it here.

Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler: Yes, this is THE eyelash curler. $21 for an eyelash curler? Sure, if it performs like this bad boy. It creates the best curl and it seems to make the curl last longer than any other eyelash curler I have used. Also, how many times can I say curler? Find it here.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush: I received this blush along with a few other products from It Cosmetics, and it has easily became my most reached for blush for summer. The shade I received is "Je Ne Sais Quoi" and is perfect for a little pink flush. The shade is matte, which I usually prefer for blushes. It has good staying power and can be built up in intensity if necessary. Find it here.

Faux plants: Like any faux plant, because then I can forget about it and it wont die. Currently loving succulents.

Hemp Seeds: On everything, in everything. No, you will not get high. Yes they are legal. No they do not taste weird. The literally taste like heaven and are perfect for adding texture to yogurt, salad, cottage cheese, etc. They kind of taste like a creamy sunflower seed which sounds weird but is delicious. Trust me on this, you should buy them! I buy them without the shell (which means they are actually hemp hearts) but eating them shell in all provides protein and essential nutrients. These are the ones I buy.

The Republic of Tea HiCaf Cinnamon Toast Black Tea: This tea has 116 mg of caffeine which is about 16 mg more than coffee so that's a yes in my book. It smells amazing and tastes like it is supposed to. Sometimes I drink it without anything in it, and other times I add almond milk or cream with sugar. The besssttt. Find it here.

Ebates: For those who are unfamiliar with Ebates, it is a cash back site that allows you to earn a percentage back on what you spend at your favorites stores. It's that easy. You just choose the store you want from the Ebates site, click on it, and it takes you through their site to the store you chose. Then all you have to do is shop! It is not a scam-you earn money back and are sent a check or credited to your Paypal account. If you are already buying stuff anyway, why not earn $$ back? I used Ebates for my holiday shopping last year and earned sooo much money back. The best part is they are beginning to offer cash back in-store for a couple different stores, if you link your credit card to you account. If you're interested, sign up via my link and you will be credited $10 to your account as well (I also receive a $5 credit if you sign up and use Ebates at least once). You can also book hotels through booking sites, which I did for my current vacation, so it's great for those that travel often! My link is here!

Please leave any suggestions for peels, dry shampoo, and teas- I would love to hear what you're loving!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey



Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

Makeup Talk // Beauty Counter Review

Hi friends! Happy 2017! I am not sure how weather in your state has been, but in Ohio, we've had 68 degree weather one day and 20 degree the next (literally). If I didn't have a job to venture out to I would probably just stay inside and hibernate for the rest of the "winter". Choosing clothes daily has definitely been a back and forth unwanted guessing game. Anyway, at least my makeup isn't changing drastically like the weather each day! Today I wanted to show you my "everyday" makeup look (I do tend to switch one product for another some days, but the basic look is the same). I also will be reviewing three products from the Beauty Counter line and showing how I include them in my daily routine. Side note-since I work as an RN, sometimes even this amount of makeup is just too much (especially if I am running late). On those days, I stick to moisturizer, a primer, concealer under my eyes, a translucent powder and mascara.

Beauty Counter has a goal to make safer beauty products accessible to whoever may be interested. Why does this matter? According to BC's website,

"Over the past two decades, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the product formulas of personal care products and restricted the levels of over 250 more in such products. The United States has only partially banned 30 to date".

In order to provide a product that does not include many of these chemicals that are not banned, BC made the decision to ban over 1,500 of the questionable and/or harmful ingredients in the use of their products. To me, that is a step in the right direction. I hope that more companies transition to this mindset so more products that the public has more access and more choices when it comes to "safer" products. Another great thing about BC is that their website does have an ingredient glossary, as well as the "Never List" which are some of the ingredients that you won't see in their products.

Products pictured (clockwise): Flower Beauty Glow Baby Glow Blush/Bronzer Duo // Flower Beauty Daily Brightening Under Eye Cream (shade DB2) // Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner, shade "brown" // Beauty Counter Lengthening Mascara "soft black" // Tint Skin Foundation (2 shades shown; swatches and shades listed later in post) // Lip Sheer "Rose" //

Tint Skin Foundation 
This product claims to be "lightweight and creamy", with sodium hyaluronate, which helps to retain moisture, promote smoother looking skin and reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The coverage can be sheer to medium per the website, depending on how you apply it.
For me, I tend to use it on the days that I want a "no makeup" look.  I would say the coverage is definitely buildable. I honestly wear it to run errands or when I am going to work-I have not tried to get more coverage than in between sheer/medium. I did find that it wears well, about 6 hours before I start to notice the coverage is fading. I think this product would be amazing for someone with normal to combination skin. A primer or a great moisturizer is necessary (from my experience) to get a smooth application. I do have combination oily skin, and found that the foundation flaked up around my smile lines and nose. From the four shades I received to test out, I could easily go between two of the shades (linen and sand) depending on if I self tan or not. Since this product is pretty sheer, the shades are very forgiving. While testing this out, I did have a breakout; after switching a few products around, I realized it was actually a moisturizer I was using and not this foundation, so it has not caused any breakouts (win!) As you can see in the following pictures, it gives a satin/natural finish, but I always end up setting with a translucent powder due to my skin type.

Retail price: $41 USD

Shades from top to bottom: Porcelain, Linen, Sand, and Honey.

I used Linen without a self tan, and Sand with a tan.

No makeup. My camera for blogging is currently out of commission. The iphone 7 puts a slight filter on the skin with pictures (I haven't figured out how to turn it off). My skin isn't bad-just slightly red, with noticeable pores. 

 Coverage with the Tint Skin Foundation, shade linen. Even though the picture has the slight filter (sorry), you can see the coverage and finish it provides. 
Dry patches around mouth.

Lengthening Mascara  
This mascara was made to create a daytime or dramatic look, while also hydrating the lashes and defining the eyes. The product states that the brush provides "clean application without smudging, clumping, or flaking. My take? I would agree with most of this! It has not smudged or flaked-nor has it clumped. I found that the brush really does help to define and separate the lashes. I have slightly long lashes naturally, so this mascara is perfect for helping to really make them stand out. I did find that my mascara was dry; I spoke with the consultant and she confirmed what I had noticed from most of the reviews: the product is usually really creamy and completely opposite of dry! Since I couldn't just give up on this new (to me!) product, I decided to put some contact solution into the container/barrel? I think I may have received a dud, because with a little extra moisture, the mascara was performing as it said it would. I will say, if you are looking for volume, I didn't really find it in this product. The name states it is lengthening, which is what you will get! I received the color black; I think this is the only shade. 

Retail price: $29 USD 

Finished look (mainly showing the mascara here!)

Again, finished look (including the Lip Sheer). Pre-gym and errand running!

Lip Sheer

This product is meant to be a lightweight, moisturizing and safe formula to give a sheer wash of color. There are no synthetic fragrances-just pure vanilla planifolia. It promises to condition lips without feeling oily or waxy. It is gluten free, vegan, nut free, and soy free. This product states that it could also double as a cream blush (have not tried that yet!) To cut to the chase, I will just say I absolutely love this product. The packaging of the full size product is beautiful, and I really adore how the product applies and wears. It's one of those items that you want to keep using but you also don't want it to run out. I have a few more shades on my list to purchase full size. It is listed as a Best Seller on the site, and I totally know why. If I could just shell out all the cash for the whole collection I would! 

Retail Price: $30 USD

If you have any questions regarding these products, or are interested, I highly recommend reaching out to the consultant that I worked with, Jenny Pittman. Her Beauty Counter link directly is www.beautycounter.com/jennypittman; her instagram page can be found by searching "jennypittman, her Facebook page is located at www.facebook.com/groups/BeautycounterwithJenny. She also has an email, beautycounterbyjenny@gmail.com. She has been super helpful with these products and I am so glad I got to work with her for this post!

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey

Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

*I was not paid for this review. I did however receive the Beauty Counter Samples for review.
**Primer used under Tint Skin Foundation was Pacifica Jasmine Iris Oil Control Primer (a primer that deserves its own review!)

Makeup Talk // Review of Cowgirl Dirt Makeup

Hey beauties! Today I am bringing you a review of Cowgirl Dirt Makeup, a natural and organic brand based out of Texas. According to their website, the brand stands for "the best of Western Tradition". If you check out their website, you'll learn a bit more about the brand and see the fun western-inspired makeup names. When it comes to reviewing the products, I always test them out for 2-3 weeks at least before giving my opinion-I hope this review can be found helpful for anyone curious about a great natural and organic brand!

 Wearing most of the products I was sent! The blush, bronzer, 3 eyeshadows, highlighting concealer, and foundation. 

From L to R: Under Eye Highlight Concealer, Eye Firming Cream, Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 4", Wild West Blush in the shade "Rawhide", Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 5", and the Dusty Bronzer in shade "Arena". 

Top picture: natural lighting. Bottom picture: with flash. From L to R: Under Eye Highlight Concealer, Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 4" and then "Grullo 5", Dusty Bronzer in shade "Arena" and the Wild West Blush in shade "Rawhide" heavily swatched and then lightly swatched. 

The first product I used was the Eye Firming Cream, which is said to firm and tone the under eye area. I do not think I have had enough time nor sample to really confirm the benefits, but so far I do know that it leaves my eye area feeling soft and moisturized.

Next, I used the Under Eye Highlight Concealer. This is a peachy toned cream concealer that helps to brighten the under eye area. For a girl like me (with hereditary dark circles, products like these are a must.

As you can see, the right under eye is a ton brighter than the left after using this product. I believe I tapped on a bit of the product, let it set for about 30 seconds, and then tapped on a bit more to get more of a brightening effect. If you are someone with only minor dark circles, I think this product could be a huge help to your beauty routine! Since mine drive me so nuts, I add a bit of concealer on top of this to really get the coverage I want.

After priming my face with my usual moisturizer and primer, I applied the Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 5" to half my face. I find that this powder foundation gives a sheer to medium coverage (buildable) and leaves a natural finish. This foundation wears amazingingly (not a word but oh well). I have worn it to work-sweating and running around-and it still holds up. The same goes for the Pressed Powder Foundation, which wears just as well, with more of a medium to semi-full coverage (buildable). Something I love about both these foundations are their ability to photograph well. Not only do they look great in person, but they also look awesome with flash photography, which is hard to come by when you have mineral makeup products.If you look at the picture below, you can see how airbrushed the makeup looks-I didn't edit my skin at all. The shade "Grullo 4" is a tad too light for the summer months for me, but it would probably be a go-to for the winter! As for my skin type, I have combination-oily skin and I was impressed with how the foundations did not cause any extra oil, and it was helpful in keeping excess oil from breaking through.

As you can see, the pressed foundation gives a bit more coverage. I think the pressed foundation is a tad bit darker than the loose foundation (even though they are the same shades), but maybe that has to do with the coverage they offer. 

Matte/Semi-Matte Eyeshadows in shades "Mud", "Arena Sand" and "Rodeo Rose".

 Swatches of the same shades with flash photography (top) and natural lighting (bottom). 

 A light application of all 3 shades.

 The last items I used/received are the Matte (and semi-matte) Eyeshadows. The colors are pretty and definitely pigmented, and were easy to blend. I didn't have any issues with fallout or the product smudging throughout the day, but I also tend to use concealer as a base on my eyelids, which acts as a primer. 

  Another shot with all the products! This is a picture with natural lighting-you can see how smooth the foundation still looks. It is almost like a "your skin but better" finish!

Well, if you made it through this super detailed post, thank you! I always try to be as detailed as possible, in the the hopes that my opinions could be helpful for someone trying to decide if they should try a product or not. I honestly have nothing bad to say about any of the products; I have spoken up before about products I was not happy with, but that is not the case here! All in all, I would 100% recommend and back up in product that I have spoke about on this post. I actually am interested in a few more of Cowgirl Dirt's products (such as the cream foundation, organic facial serum, and lipsticks) because I was so impressed with the products I already have. I could definitely see myself buying Cowgirl Dirt products and using them for a majority of my makeup needs-they are amazing! Give them a try if you are on the fence, I dont think you will regret it!

Thank you for reading!

XO, Kelsey

 

Connect with me on twitter here // connect with me on instagram here// pinterest here //

**These products were sent to me free of charge. As always, nothing has influenced my opinion other than the products performance itself.

Update // Review of Bella Organics

You know how life gets all chaotic and crazy and you don't know where one to-do list starts and the other one ends? Well, that has been my life for the better part of this past year. My senior year of college got ridiculously busy with deadlines, requirements, and working. I can now say that I made it through it though, and I am one happy Bachelors of Science recipient! At some point this summer I will be taking my state boards and starting a job as a full time registered nurse! Yay! I am literally so excited!

With all that being said, I would like to get back into blogging (on my own schedule that is!) I want to enjoy my time, friends, and family, and as I have always said in my blog posts, I will write when I find inspiration and free-time! That is one great thing about having a blog; you can write posts when you would like, and if someone out there in bloggyland finds interest in your writing, then great-I would love to entertain you with my posts! Now that all of that is out of the way, I want to share a brand with you that I have absolutely been loving for a few months!

Bella Organics 

 " Bella Organics was founded in 2012 in response to a growing concern for the severe lack of all-natural and organic skincare products available. Our mission statement is simple: We believe that we should take care of our bodies, and in turn, our bodies will take care of us. That’s why Bella Organics products will never contain water, emulsifiers, or any of the toxic or unnatural ingredients that are found today in most mass-market products". -The Bella Organics website

A few months back, the Bella Organics company reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying out a few of their products, since I am trying to change over all of my skincare and makeup to more natural, less harsh/chemical filled products. After looking through their site, I decided the company was one that does align with my concerns in the ingredients in products, so I went ahead and said yes to their email. After having these products for months (literally), I think I have a good opinion on them!

The products I received were the Jasmine & Honey Hydrating Face Cream, the Iced Lemonade Deodorant Creme, the Shea Butter & Sunflower Hand Cream, and Coconut Lime Lip Balm.

The Coconut Lime Lipbalm was probably the product I enjoyed the least; not to say it was a bad product, but compared to the other items I was sent, it was a little lackluster. It did moisturize my lips, but it could be compared to any run of the mill chapstick (except its 100% organic!)

The Iced Lemonade Deodorant Creme was realllly interesting to try out-I found it to control excess sweat, mask any odor, and just be an all around enjoyable product. The scent of this stuff is amazing! I mean the name of the scent is so spot on...I just wanted to eat it! (Don't worry, I didn't!)

The Shea Butter & Sunflower Hand Cream was a nice product; I found it to moisturize my hands and cuticles pretty well, but it was a bit greasy. Since it still is a good product, I work around the greasiness by using it before bed, which means I wake up with soft hands!

The Jasmine & Honey Hydrating Face Cream is the total star here! I was blown away the first time I used this. As you can see in the picture, the product has a whipped-like texture (as does the deodorant and hand cream). When the product is taken out of the container, within seconds it sort of melts down(probably due to all the oils in it). After applying it to my face, it does feel a bit greasy, but I sometimes find that I am using way too much-you only need a small amount to cover your whole face. It does absorb into the skin (but if I am too impatient, I just blot off the excess). Once absorbed, my skin feels soooo soft and healthy...but this isn't even the best part! When I wake up after a night with this stuff on, my skin feels plump, soft and brighter all around. Until today, I had only used this at night before bed, because I thought it would be too moisturizing for daytime. In order to give a good review, I decided to use it as a daytime moisturizer. I am definitely happy about how it works during the day too; using this cream seems to help balance out all my extra face oils (your girl right here is usually an oil slick!) This product would be great for dry skinned and oily girls alike!

Overall, I am super impressed with this brand, and would order from them in the future. If you are interested in natural, non-toxic, organic skincare products, I definitely recommend looking into this brand!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

Connect with me on twitter here // connect with me on instagram here// pinterest here //

**The Bella Organic products were sent to me free of charge; I was not paid nor guided to say anything about these products. All opinions shared are my own.

Vapour Organic Beauty Review

Hey gorgeous! Today I am going to take some time to review a brand that I came across about two months ago-if you are interested in more organic beauty products, this might be right up your alley! According to the Vapour Beauty website, their products are described as being:

"100% natural with 70% certified organic ingredients and 30% minerals and vitamins. There are no toxic chemicals, no parabens, no phalates, no gluten, no animal testing, no nano particles, and no irradiation".

To be honest, I don't know a ton about every single thing these products are made without; however, I know enough that I don't want those things in my products! This has led me to branch out and want to try to use better products in my everyday life. If you have been around this blog for awhile, you know I tried a bunch of mineral makeup products over the past year, nearly all of them being pretty pure in formulation, without any extra fillers or chemicals. I continue to use these products as I move forward in my quest for what I think is best for my skin!

The products I received for consideration of review are the Elixir Plumping Lipgloss, Aura Multi-Use Blush, and the Elixir Lipgloss. I can't seem to find the link for the plain old Elixir Lipgloss, which is why I didn't provide a link! Just as a general piece of info, I have had these products and have been using them for over a month! Now that all that is out of the way, let's get to the individual reviews!

 From top to bottom: Multi-Use Blush, Elixir Plumping Gloss, and Elixir Gloss. Swatches below.

        
Elixir Plumping Gloss:
In the shade "Coax", this product is described as offering "versatile color, dimension, and shine. Hydrating botanicals and organic plumping liposomes lock in maximum moisture for ultra-hydrated voluptuous lips. Never sticky or tacky, Elixir delivers superior body and shine". 

Personally, I love the formulation of this product. It is one of the most moisturizing glosses I have ever used, which might be surprising as it promises to plump! Many name brand plumping glosses I have used actually dry out my lips, which probably is due to the ingredients in them. Compared to plumpers like Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb, the Vapour lipgloss doesn't cause a burning or tingly feeling as it plumps. I don't mind the tingly effect...in fact, I kind of like it (does that make me weird?!) Either way, I think the plumping actually comes from all the moisture this gloss packs...I could be totally wrong, but it's almost like it makes the most of what your own lips can achieve from being moisturized! I don't find this to be sticky or tacky, which could be  a downside to some as this usually makes a product last longer. I would say it wears for a good hour before you start seeing the product fade; this includes drinking and eating! I would say the pigmentation is very sheer, at least in the shade I was sent.The taste isn't the best (not like the typical mint or fruit flavor many glosses offer), but for what the gloss does, I don't mind how it tastes.

Elixir Gloss:
In the shade "Sultry", this gloss is very similar to the plumping gloss, although you may not see the same plumping effects with this of course! Unfortunately, I can't find a description of this on the website, and I don't have the original box with me. Taste wise, I find this to have more of a flavor; one I can't exactly describe but it is better than the plumping gloss flavor! This gloss has a bit more of a tacky texture to it, but it isn't sticky...does that make sense? I want to say that maybe it's better explained as just adhering to the lips more effectively! This gloss wears about 2 hours before I really want to touch up. I adore the shade I was sent; it's more pigmented than the plumping gloss and I found it to pair well with many pink-toned lipsticks. I am actually wearing this gloss with a small amount of the plumping gloss in the picture below.

Aura Multi-Use Blush:
In the shade "Spark", this product is described as giving "a natural flush of color. These universally-flattering core colors work on all skin tones and all ages. Give the Vapour glow to cheeks, lips and eyes with one convenient stick. Aura blends like a dream for a polished look in seconds".

I think this is my favorite out of the three items I was sent. It really is very versatile! I have used it on my cheeks and my lips, but I am excited to see how it would work as a cream eyeshadow. I have pretty oily eyelids, so it would be interesting to see the lasting ability. The way I apply this is directly to my cheeks in an upward slanting motion. After this, I buff it out using a stipple brush. I find that doing this makes me look like I have a natural glow, and really makes it foolproof to apply! For lasting power, I would say that this lasts all day on me. I have pretty oily skin, but mostly in my t-zone, so I am not sure how this would work on someone with extremely oily skin everywhere. I do set it with a translucent powder, as I set all of my makeup, so I think with powder the lasting power should be no issue! I haven't had any problems with breakouts from this product. On my lips, it seems to be pretty moisturizing, although lasting only as long as a chapstick probably would.

Application technique! You can also see the shade on my lips in this photo.

Buffed out.

Voila! End result!

You can find more Vapour Organic Beauty products HERE.

Hopefully you find this review helpful! If you currently use natural, organic, or vegan products, I would love to hear about them! Leave me a comment below or email me at kelseylenay@hotmail; you can find me on twitter @kelseylenayyy or instagram @kelseylenayy

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

**As started before, I did receive these products free, for consideration of review. Vapour Organic Beauty has no influence on my opinion of these products, as no brand or company ever will! I genuinely enjoy these products and am offering my honest opinion of how they performed on me personally!

Things I'm Loving and Random Rambles!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope wherever you are right now, the weather is treating you right! It was such a nice weekend; although today has been nothing but what feels like torrential downpour!  Anyways, I wanted to share a few things I am currently loving lately...I feel like this is so much easier than doing full blown reviews on products-unless you want more details on something, then of course I would love to share all my thoughts with you!

One-Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Balancing Moisturizer
This stuff is soooo good for my oily skin! I feel like it really has helped in balancing out all the excess oils, while also keeping my skin hydrated enough that I am not over-producing oil! It also seems to help with taking away some of the redness in my skin. I am almost out of this, so I will definitely be repurchasing it!

Two-My concealer combo for concealing dark circles
A few posts ago I shared my favorite way for hiding my pesky, dark undereye circles. Putting together Maybelline  Instant Age Rewind Eraser Darkspot Treatment Corrector + Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Concealer was the best thing I could do for my beauty routine-so mych so that I had to blog about it! You can find that post HERE. I think these two products work together so well...it seems like both sort of play off each other, so I don't tend to use them alone very often. I have even got a few friends hooked on this combo, so I won't be straying for this favorite anytime soon!

Three-The end of the semester!
YAYAYAY is all I have to say...oh, and I am a senior in college now. More YAY's ensuing!

Four-Spring and Summer trends
I don't even know where to begin. Basically, if it is involved with either season, I probably love it. I can't wait to have a little extra cash for non-necessities so I can buy some new staples for my wardrobe! If you want to find everything adorable and fabulous in one place, I would suggest checking out Monica's Closet Essentials! Monica is a blogger that I have mentioned many times, and I've loved her blog for basically ever. She doesn't know that I am mentioning her boutique in this post, and I don't know if she will even see this, but trust me-her shop is so worth checking out. Here are a few pieces I love:

Drawstring Dress 

 Blush Belted Maxi Skirt

 Flirty Cut-Out Swing Dress

So cute! I always have my eyes on items from J.Crew, Madewell, and Express too!

Five-The little things
Today, I called my stepmom to catch up, but my five year old brother answered her cell phone because they were at the store. Sammy, my brother, is ridiculously smart, witty, sarcastic, and adorable for his age. So anyways, I never know what to expect from him. He told me that he was getting the "music for the Frozen movie", aka the soundtrack. Me: "Oh really?! That is so cool Sam! We will have to watch the movie together and sing the so-" Sam: "I'm going to sing you a song from the CD, okay?!" He then proceeded to sing the whole Let It Go song to me...I wish I could have recorded it. It was the most precious thing ever, and he didn't miss a word. I couldn't stop smiling! It's the little things guys!

I am pretty sure I could list a few more things I am loving, but I will just keep the list to a minimum since this post is already getting a little wordy! Besides all that, lately I have been looking forward to starting my co-op job at a local hospital (let's be real here, I am SO nervous too!) It should be an interesting and educating experience, so I am excited to see how it goes. On another note, I have randomly been thinking about putting my nose ring back in. I know, I know, some people hate it and some people love it...I always wore a super tiny stud that was barely noticeable, like ones from the Fresh Trends site; most people didn't even know I had my nose pierced, but I loved having it!

 (Super old picture-but you can see that I liked the tiny diamond studs!)

What do you think? If I do put it back in, I will just have to put in a clear plastic retainer when I am at work. Decisions, decisions! Could this post get anymore random? I am definitely rambling at this point, but I have so much to say! I'll just cut the post short here, so I can relax for the rest of my night! I hope everyone had an amazing weekend and a good start to the week...and-don't forget, cherish the little things!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Facial Cleanser Review

My first post of the new year is going to be a review of a face wash I have been using for about the last month...and I have to say I love it! If you remember any of my posts from the summer, you would know I went mineral makeup crazy in search of more natural alternatives to cosmetics...well, that kind of is a running theme in my life haha. I really do try to use more natural products any chance that I get-so when I was approached by Sibu Beauty with the chance to try out their face wash for free, how could I say no? I have used this for long enough to have a really well formed opinion about it, which is why I would like to share my thoughts now!

Product Claims: 
-Leaves skin looking and feeling radiant and refreshed
-Removes excess oil and impurities
-Contains micro-particles for a gentle exfoliation
-Great for removing make-up
-Non-foaming gel formula for all skin types

What is Sea Buckthorn? 
"Known as the “beauty berry” across Europe and Asia, sea buckthorn contains over 190 bioactive compounds that restore, revitalize, and protect youthful beauty – from the inside-out AND outside-in. These hardy berries help nourish skin, hair, and nails with powerful antioxidants and essential fatty acids, including the rare Omega 7 – a key building block to healthy skin, hair, and nails, and also aids digestion and may help you maintain a healthier weight". In addition, it is key to know about Omega 7; "the often elusive Omega 7 is found abundantly in the sea buckthorn berry, the key ingredient in all Sibu Beauty products, in addition to the more common Omega's 3, 6, and 9.  All four of these are critical in providing cellular support for healthy skin, hair and nails".  (Information gather from Sibu Beauty site).

How I use it:
I use this morning and night-at night I don't use anything beforehand to remove my face makeup; I only use this and it takes everything off. I will use a makeup remover around my eyes, as this contains really tiny particles for exfoliation which I clearly don't want in my eyeballs! Speaking of the particles, they are definitely "micro"...I haven't had any issues with using this twice a day, because the exfoliation is very gentle!

My thoughts:
I agree with the claims of this product, and not because this was sent to me for free. I would have no second thoughts on buying this product once my trial runs out, because it is a very good cleanser. If you remember my mineral makeup reviews, you would know that I think "balancing" products are a godsend for us combination/oily skin girls. You don't want a product that completely soaks up all your oils-that will just make you over produce more sebum and you'll be a bigger oily mess (trust me, I learned my lesson by now!) This Sibu Sea Buckthorn Cleanser seems like it would work for all skin types, because it isn't drying in the slightest. One of my favorite things about this is that after I wash my face, my skin feels extremely smooth and almost seems to have a healthy glow to it, which I am assuming is the result of the Sea Buckthorn Berry that is in it! This, paired with my new favorite facial lotion, has really changed my skin in the past month. I will be reviewing the lotion that I am referring to in the coming days!

This cleanser retails for $17.95 on the Sibu Beauty website, and contains 4.5 oz. 

What are your favorite skincare products right now?

Thanks for reading!
Xo, Kelsey 

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*I received this product for free for consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have been formed solely off using the product in the past month.

A Few of My Favorite Things [Currently]

Hold on a second. Christmas is in 12 days guys. Twelve! This year has flown by! Since I have been so busy the past two weeks with the end of the semester and finals, I decided to try and make up for it by sharing some of my favorite things at the moment! I love hearing about what products, songs, and non-material things (and anything else!) that people are liking, so I thought this post would be a fun one!

1. Bath and Body Works "Velvet Sugar" Body Mist: This stuff smells SO good! It is sweet and sugary just like the name implies...and I think it is perfect for the holidays! I have really enjoyed spraying this on me throughout the day if I don't want to wear a heavy perfume.

2. Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Lotion: This lotion is one that is supposed to balance your skins moisture levels as well as clear up or prevent acne. I really think it has been doing what it says, and may write a whole post dedicated to it! I have been using it morning and night!

3. Becca Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector: You may remember seeing me review this primer recently...and I am still loving it and using it daily! Definitely the best primer I have ever came across! For using it everyday, I am so surprised that I have so much left still!

4. Sibu Beauty All Natural Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser: Well that was a mouthful. I have been using this cleanser lately and have fallen in love with it! Expect to see a full review of this product when I review the lotion I mentioned above! The two of them together are like magic! I also noticed that the website that sells this is having a 40% of sale right now-check it out if you are interested in some natural skincare!

5. Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo: This is a lifesaver. I have tried so many brands of dry shampoo and this is one of two that I have found that works amazing for me. I can't go without this! It does leave a bit of a gray tint to your roots if you have darker hair, but once you run your brush through your hair it is completely gone. Perfect for the days you skip washing your hair!

6. Benefit Gimme Brow Gel: If you fill in your eyebrows, this product is definitely worth looking into! I have pretty dark eyebrows that are full on their own, but I do like to fill in the tails of my brows just to look a bit more put together. It is crazy how filling in your brows just a little bit can add so much more to your look-in a good way! I have mine in the shade "medium/deep".

7. NYX Butter Gloss in the shade "Maple Blondie": This lip gloss is exactly what it sounds like...like butter. I mean imagine the softest gloss ever on your lips. The lasting power is really nice, and the subtle scent just adds to my love for this gloss! I have been pairing this a lot lately with my Mac lipstick in the shade "Spirit".

8. Virtual "Try on" Websites: If you know anything about me, you know I like to change things up a lot; because of this I kind of play around with looks online before I actually go for it. Over the summer, I reaaaaaallly wanted to chop of my hair-and I did. Before I did though, I "tried on" hairstyles and hair colors to be sure I would look okay with the big change. I also like to try before I buy, so it has been really useful to try on virtual glasses before making any big decisions. If you ever get bored...seriously do yourself a fun favor and look up virtual try-on sites...you will have a blast, haha.

9. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in the shade "Blissful Berry": This color is so dang pretty for fall and winter, and I just can't get enough! Like many others, I adore a darker lip color in the colder months, and this one is perfecto! You may have seen me wearing it in this outfit post!

10. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Wateproof Kohl Eyeliner in the shade "Nude": Since buying this about 2 months ago, I haven't went a makeup-wearing day without it! I line my waterline with this and it really brightens up my eyes and makes me look a bit more awake...great for those who didn't get enough sleep the night before!

Swatches, from top to bottom: Rimmel Eyeliner in "Nude", Maybelline Lipstick in "Blissful Berry" and NYY Gloss in "Maple Blondie".

11. The song "Story of My Life" by One Direction: I shouldn't even bring this up because it means it will once again be playing in my head. I am not kidding when I say this is probably day 6 or 7 that my roommates and I CAN'T for the life of us get this song out of our heads. None of us even really listen to One Direction, but somehow this song creeped into our minds and totally took over. You think you are safe from this song, and then someone else plays it in our apartment, and the cycle repeats. Someone should ask me a week from now if the song is out of our heads... if we don't go crazy by then.

What are you loving lately?
Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

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Makeup Talk: Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF 20

Hi lovelies! Lately I have been trying out yet another foundation-and it just so happens to be another mineral one! My obsession continues! Since I have combination/oily skin, I try to look for powder foundations, since they are supposed to help control excess oil. Recently, I looked into a product, and gratefully received the *Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF 20. I had heard of the product before, and had researched it for awhile. For reference, I always look to Youtube, Sephora, and Makeup Alley for reviews on products before buying or using them. I tend to lean more towards Youtube and Makeup Alley for reliable reviews though, as Sephora can be biased (an employee has even told me!) On MA, this product had a glowing review, which made me very interested in trying it. Below is my personal review!

On the Jane Iredale website, it states that the "look is sheer and semi-matte". When I applied this for the first time (and many times since) I have to say that the feeling of the powder on your skin feels sheer and weightless, but you can build the coverage to about medium. As for the finish, I agree that it is semi-matte. It somehow makes your skin glow, but it isn't glittery or shiny at all. I chose to apply this with a kabuki brush for more coverage, but if you are looking for very sheer coverage, you could always use a large powder brush! The shade that I am wearing is "golden glow". 

To me, it makes my skin look "healthy" if that makes sense. I didn't airbrush this picture at all...the powder just makes you glow! As for the wear-ability, I would say it lasts about 6 hours before needing touched up (coverage wise), although I tend to blot and apply my Mac Blot Powder after about 4 hours to extend the wear time. I did not notice any oxidation (darkening of shade) with this as I wore it. The website also states that this product is water-proof for up to 40 minutes, which is great for those that use it as sunscreen in the summer while outside, swimming, boating, etc. Since it does have SPF in it, I did not think it would photograph well, as SPF reacts with flash photography and creates a white cast. For some reason, this actually looks good in pictures despite having SPF. As for the ingredients in this, I didn't notice any that caused irritation to my skin.

As you can see, the packaging is beeeeautiful. I didn't want to put my brush into the design in the powder actually! The compact has a bit of weight to it, which makes it feel even more luxurious than it already is. What is great about the compact is that when you run out of your powder, you can just buy a refill pan instead of buying a whole new compact. The price for the filled compact is $52, and a refill pan is $40. You can also buy a new empty compact for $12, if yours ever becomes broken or damaged.  The only complaint I have about this product is the price, but for the quality of the product and the way it wears on the skin, I think it is worth it!

What is your favorite powder foundation?
Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

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*This product was sent to me complimentary of PR at Jane Iredale. I was not compensated for this post. All thoughts are my own honest, tried-and-tested opinions, as always.

My Current Skincare Routine with Recommendations!

Hey lovelies! This past weekend my cousin asked me to talk about my skincare routine, so I am going to do just that! For a little background: My skin type is combination. This means that my t-zone area gets oily (very oily) and everywhere else is pretty normal, not really dry nor oily. The area right beside each side of my nose tends to get really oily too. Also, I have more noticeable pores in my t-zone.

 The t-zone is commonly shown to be similar to the shape of a capital T. This means that most of the forehand (top of the T), nose, and chin are in the t-zone. For me, this also includes areas on either side of my nose, but not completely onto my cheeks.

For my skin type, I focus on balancing the oil production in my skin, and controlling/preventing breakouts. I look for products geared toward those things, so here are a few of my favorites!

 

(Going clockwise): For face wash, I highly recommend Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Control Foam Wash or Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser.  Both do a good job of cleansing the skin without over drying, which is great for keeping oily skin in balance. When I was using Aveeno, I noticed some redness from my skin seemed to vanish while using the product. For moisturizers, I love the Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Control Lotion and the Beyond Belief ABH Facial Serum. I am not sure I could pick my favorite of the two, but I can tell you that these products make a huge difference in the health, oil production, and appearance of my skin!  When it comes to an eye cream, I can't say I have ventured too far out in trying a lot of brands. I have a few higher-end brands that I would like to try, but for now, I have been using the Dermactin-TS Serious Dark Circle Treatment (which I love!)After using this {morning and night} my under-eye area feels so moisturized! When I am breaking out, my spot treatment of choice is the Clearasil Rapid Action VanishingTreatment Cream. This stuff is magic...I am not even kidding! I also use something else as a spot treatment, but I will get to that soon!

I am ALL about face masks! I own more than these 4, but these are the ones that really make a difference in my skin. I clearly like the Freeman brand-having two just in this post (and more in my skincare drawer!) I recently purchased the Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask...and holy crap. Not only does it smell amazing, but when I wash it off my skin, I have the healthiest glow! The Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Mask is great too...it really cleans out your pores, but is less exfoliating than the previous mask mentioned. The Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Cleansing Mask has been in my skincare routine for a long time now, mainly because you can see results with it, it leaves your skin feeling refreshed, and it works great as a spot treatment! The last mask I use is the Ageless Derma Special Clay Masque. I was given the opportunity to try this for free, and I am so grateful! I have had it now for almost 2 months I think, giving myself a good amount of time to try it, and I have to say, I adore it. I have been only reaching for this and the Charcoal & Black Sugar Mask lately. Like the Freeman mask, it really purges your pores and leaves you with glowing skin. It smells earthy-which I don't mind at all, as it is probably from the clay in it. It only has 9 ingredients, which is awesome. I think with some masks your skin has an initial purging phase; I actually had a couple breakouts pop up after using it the first time, but I have had that happen with other clay masks, and I truly believe it is caused from the mask drawing out your impurities. After using this mask (regularly I might add!) I can see a difference in my skin. I have noticed the redness in my skin has diminished as well, which could be from one or two of the ingredients in the mask? Besides working its magic all over my face, I will use this as a spot treatment. I do think that this gives the Clearasil spot treatment a bit of competition! I will be purchasing this mask once it runs out, and as long as it is sold! Side note: I usually do a face mask 2 times per week, or occasionally 3 if my skin is looking a bit rough!

The last part of my skincare routine that has done wonders for my skin is the Face Complexion Brush. I got mine from Sephora after realizing I could not spend the $150 + on a Clarisonic (spinning skincare brush).

I use this in the shower, every few nights. I usually just move the brush in small, circular motions on my face for 30 seconds at a time (forehead, chin, nose, and each cheek). I think that this paired with the impurity drawing actions of the masks has changed my skin for the better. My pores seem smaller, I have less blackheads, and the texture of my skin seems to be improved. I highly recommend shelling out the $7 for this brush, as it could be an easy but powerful improvement to your skincare routine!

I hope this was helpful! If any of you out there with dry skin would like me to research the best products for dry skin, I can do so-just let me know! Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey 

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