Simple

I've found a new love in my nighttime skincare routine. I have said before how much I hate hate

 hate taking off my makeup. I love the feeling afterwards, but the actual process - ugh. 

So needless to say, I'm a big fan of wipes - it's a one and done deal. I don't need 3 million items just to take off my makeup (i.e. wasting several cotton pads on mascara alone). I really love the Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes - they pretty much cut my routine in half.

Besides saving me time and doing it's (amazing) job, I feel good about using them, too. They are:

[x] non-drying - no alcohol  [x] no greasy residue - no oil

[x] no dyes, no artificial perfumes  [x] no harsh irritants

[x] hypoallergenic  [x] dermatologist tested

Pretty much what the brand is: simple. Simple ingredients, simple decision.

Spring Favorites

I'm definitely a gal that loves her makeup; but when it comes to the warmer months, I cut back the amount of products I use in my daily routine.

Lately, I've been using the four products below on a daily basis and have been loving the results. It creates a dewy, highlighted look that has been perfect for Spring and is super easy!

Here's the breakdown:
[x] use Tarte's BB Tinted Treatment; this is a BB cream, tinted primer and sunscreen all in one. Bam.
[x] highlight the tops of your cheekbones, cupids bow and brow bone with Benefit's Watt's Up! highlighter
[x] pop a peach shimmery blush on for some color; I love Milani's Baked Blushes in Luminoso
[x] heavy up on mascara, but also put a white or nude liner on the inside of your bottom lash line. this will brighten up your eyes and also make them appear bigger.

that's it! you're all set for a (hopefully) warm day. and if you'd like, you can amp up this look with a bright peach/orange toned lipstick, which is really in this season. I'm still searching for the perfect shade for my skin tone, so if you have any suggestions, please spill! :)

Quick & Easy: Bright Liner

I tend to hit snooze a few times each morning, even if I had high hopes the night before of trying a new eye look the next day. I obviously want to look like I attempted to put myself together for work.

What better way to do that and ring in spring at the same time, with a pop of bright liner?
You can keep it simple everywhere else like I did and match it with a peachy/nude lip, or get a little crazy and pair it with a bright, pink lipstick.

BH Cosmetic's Malibu palette; blue shadow for liner and orange/taupe crease color

I used a liner brush and decided to only create a small wing for the day.
If this was something you'd like for a night out, you could definitely amp it up with a dramatic wing.

Glam Glow: YouthMud Review

Remember when I caved (here) and bought a GlamGlow mask, that I wasn't too impressed with?

I ended up exchanging it for the YouthMud, which I had a feeling I'd be more happy about.

Thankfully, I totally am! This mask leaves you with that "I just seriously did something good for my skin" feeling; you know, that tingly, my-pores-no-longer-exist feeling? So good.

And ladies - I really felt that way for the next few days. I saw a huge difference in the size of my pores (smaller, obviously) and how my makeup set and lasted throughout the day.

I aim to use this once every two weeks - since it is on the pricier side, I'll swap this out with another mud-based mask on the off weeks.

 If you haven't already, I recommend to start investing in skincare. It doesn't have to be anything crazy - a product at a time. You will see a total difference in your skin!

Battle of the Concealers: NARS vs MAC

When it comes to concealer, I prefer a product that will last all day (duh), is crease-less and has a medium to full coverage. The past few months I've been torn between NARS' Radiant Creamy Concealer and MAC's Pro Longwear Concealer. If you're also a make-up junkie, you know that this is quite the battle. You're usually a fan of one or the other. So what does a girl do? She buys both of them, obviously!

Here's the deal: 

I was matched for both - they look pretty different, right? I swear they both work with my skin tone.

So the NARS applicator is a wand, and MAC is a pump. 

This does not make a difference for me, but some people have their preference. 

NARS: 

medium to full coverage

hydrating formula

antioxidant protection against damaging free radicals

light diffusing technology

My opinion: I love that this concealer gives your under eye area an instant boost. I've used this to highlight, as well. But it's definitely not crease-less. Like, within a couple of hours, I saw creases. Not cool. But I do feel better when I use it, knowing it's infused with moisturizers and antioxidants. 

I'm doing a favor for my skin, while doing a favor for you and me by covering my dark circles.

MAC:

medium to full coverage

matte finish

15 hour formula

My opinion: This shade is darker than the NARS concealer, but still matches my skin tone. It doesn't give me that instant luminous boost I was referring to with NARS, but it does last. And doesn't crease. I'll use this to cover up blemishes, but not to highlight. When using MAC, I often grab prep + prime and highlight the key points on top of the concealer.

The verdict? I don't know. It all depends on what works with your skin. One is hydrating, while the other has a matte finish. They are both great for different reasons, and it's up to you to decide what's more important for you.

It's Been a While...

I have been totally off my game the past few weeks - I apologize.
I'm sidetracked because I'm moving into a new apartment and lately that's where all of my energy and focus has been.
And also because I had to start packing all of my favorite products!
I forced myself to keep it to the minimum this week - no masks, unnecessary lip liners or glosses, and eyeshadows. Do you know how hard that was?
I have a few new products I'm obsessing over and need to share with you guys - so I promise it will come next week, when (hopefully) everything is unpacked!
You know I had to go on one last shopping haul before I have the responsibility of paying rent. :)

The Oil Pulling Trend

You may have seen a lot about this 'oil pulling' business on social media this past week. I read about it on one of my favorite blogs, The Skinny Confidential and was very intrigued. 

Simply put, oil pulling is supposed to be the shit for your basic existence. It's an ancient practice that has 5,976 benefits (slight exaggeration) and we're all just realizing this now! Some benefits include:

[x] teeth whitening and all over healthier teeth/gums

[x] clears up sinus issues

[x] helps with skin issues

[x] hangover cure

[x] overall detoxification

So to be honest I was a little weird-ed out about the whole process. I mean, putting coconut oil (I used coconut, some use sesame) in your mouth for 20 minutes seems a little extensive. And how can just swishing a teaspoon of it around in your mouth provide all of those benefits? 

The answer: I don't know, but it does. Anything that has to do with basic oral hygiene, I jump right on that bandwagon because honestly, it's one of the most important things to me. 

So if I can whiten my teeth while getting rid of my awful sinus/allergy issues? 

Sign me up now. 

I've been pulling oil for the past 5 days and I can honestly say that my allergies have been much, much better. They are still there, just not as intense.

As a teeth whitener, I think we're getting there! I haven't seen any outrageous results but I also think it takes some time.

Hangover - yes. I tried it on Saturday morning and felt a little less shitty about an hour later.

So that's the story. Verdict is to go pull some oil, my friends!

make sure it's organic and unrefined!

GlamGlow - Review

If you aren't familiar with GLAMGLOW, it's a line of exclusive, high quality, better than the spa masks. 

The mud technology is supposed to deliver instant results and basically make you feel like you just went out and bought a new face. 

I did my research before purchasing; after all, it has a higher price tag. I went back and forth between which mask to buy and decided on ThirstyMud - an ultra hydrating treatment that restores and replenishes the skin.

Couldn't hurt, right?  I mean, we are in the middle of the Ice Age, and you all know how important I think it is to moisturize.

#NOTIMPRESSED

I mean, my skin was hydrated and all, but not $69 hydrated (relax, I had a gift card). I was pretty upset.

I've heard so many great things about this brand. So I spoke with a fellow beauty gal like myself and decided I need to exchange it for a different mask from the line, before I totally give up on it.

TEXTURE: I wouldn't say you're a MUD, my friend. More like a slightly heavier moisturizer. I was imagining a thick, mask like texture (call me crazy). P.S.- I didn't use any filters on the picture below.

SMELL: Pleasantly surprised; a mix of vanilla and cocoa butter

WHAT I DID: I used it at night; instructions said to leave on like a nighttime moisturizer and let it absorb into my skin. In the morning I did find my face felt more moisturized than usual. I'll give her that.

WHAT I WANT NOW: The YouthMud - Tinglexfoliate. This mask exfoliates while moisturizes, and I just think we'd get along better.

What I Love About Sunday

the weekend was pretty uneventful because I'm dog sitting until Saturday. but you know what I decided to do with this time? I caught up on Orange Is the New Black - in one day. Yep, the entire first season. I rarely ever just lay around and watch tv all day, so this was new to me. It definitely caught up with me yesterday, because I was dying to get out of the house. Like, was about to jump around just because I had so much energy. So, I went to Wegmans. You thought I was going to say the gym, huh? ;)

a valentine's day treat - monogrammed coffee cup with my favorite treats inside

one guy that could care less about valentine's day.

What I Love About Sunday

my love for stationary continues; and a really great pen

margaritas accompanied by a colorful bar top

inspiring quote

Valentine's Day Lips

I can totally understand why some people hate Valentine's Day. I get it. It's an excuse to overload on chocolate, buy gifts, cute cards and face it - you're not a fan of it if you're single. We won't call you a Bitter Betty, we'll just move on.

But hello, even if you are single, it doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the holiday's main color palette (pink and red, duh) in your make-up routine.

I've done three different lips you can rock on Valentine's Day. I've said before how much I love a red, bold lip, so this isn't new to me. But maybe some of you will just be sooo inspired by this post you'll pull a fast one on everyone and dare to be red (or pink. or fuchsia).

Here's to hoping! Xo.


Here's what we're working with:

they look identical, but I swear they aren't. festive is a lip tint,
which is between a gloss and a balm. Heartfelt is a lip creme, and
goes on a bit thicker. Both amazing.

this is for the REBEL's out there - because of the obvious.
This combo is to die for, if you're not shy about the dark, rich plum color it provides.

Steps:

Step 1: I always conceal my lips, to even out the tone.

Step 2: Line those lips!

Festive; a lighter, red balm-tint

Heartfelt; a medium, fuchsia creme. 

woah, woah. Rebel + Nightmoth liner. 

6 Essential Make-Up Brushes

I was recently given a complimentary facial from Mary Kay Cosmetics; you know, the old school make-up your mom always had laying around and would use? Well, I did. 

So after this facial, I was instructed to pick a make-up look to replicate. 

Um, what? I was super excited about not having to remove my face once I got home. 

Now I have to put more product on?? Lame.

Anyways, the lady gave me "brushes" to use (and I put brushes in quotes because they weren't anything close to what they should be) and was quizzing me on my skills. I aced the test, thank you.

It made me appreciate the brushes I have so much more than I already do. 

Which got me thinking - if I had to tell this lady 6 brushes that should be in her kit, what would they be?

Ta-da! My top 6 (and dirty - but I preferred the term loved) brushes that everyone should have.

Like if you were stranded on an island, and let's say, 'make-up brushes' was on your top list, these are the ones you should bring with you.

1)EYES: Round blender brush; circle motions in the outer corner, windshield wiper motion across the crease. learn it. love it. live it.

2)FACE: Sigma's flat top kabuki (F80); Umm - you are NOT going to get a better brush to apply foundation with. You won't. Try it.

3)FACE: Real Techniques blush brush; feels like a dream, hits the apples of your cheeks perfectly.

4)EYES:  Sephora's Pro Allover Shadow brush; which does exactly what it says. Evenly distributes shadow all over the lid. I like this brush for my base color, or when I want to pack a dark color on the lid.

5)EYES: Sephora's Pro Angled Liner brush; perfect for applying liner, using a shadow to fill in your brows and lining your under eye. *the brush I have was part of a set*

6)FACE: Stippling brush; perfect for blending a contoured look. I use this every day to blend my bronzer and blush for an all over, smooth look. It just pulls everything together.

What I Love About Sunday

I've recently been slapped in the face with a number on the scale that I was not too happy with. It happens to the best of us, right? We're surrounded with all of the chocolate, cookies and dips from the holidays and now that they have passed, we say "it's okay to have that breakfast sandwich, because you're not eating 10 cookies for dessert". WRONG. 

That's how it went with me, anyways. I've started this past weekend to really concentrate on what I'm putting in my body - notice I didn't say diet, because I hate that word. It's true when they say "you are what you eat"; lately I've been feeling so sluggish and lazy. My face is breaking out, no matter how many masks I use! Anyways - this weekend consisted of lots of colorful foods and tubing! 

I've never been before and it was a blast (once my fingers became numb and I couldn't feel the cold).

I hope everyone has a great week!

a scoop of fat free whipped cream & berries

juice - amazing. but not sure how you juice cleansers do it. I was still hungry afterwards.

ready to tube!

taking a break in the snow.

What I Love About Sunday

oh hey, can I help you?

frozen banana treats from our girls family dinner

nothing better than a hot latte on a cold, windy day

Thursday Song

A co-worker introduced me to this song and noted it's part of an upcoming book-turned-movie, A Winter's Tale.
Obviously, it's next on my 'To Read' list, and I cannot wait until the movie comes out.
Yes, I'm assuming I will enjoy both just from this song. But I mean, watch the trailer here, and if you're a girl (which you most likely are) you'll be sure to fall in love with it, too!
XO.

Friday Favorite

can we talk about too faced's new mascara? auhhhh-mazing.

although already mentioned,  little gold details are my new obsession

new purchase: sorel boots. I mean, we just had a polar vortex. #justified

the best idea for a dessert: a s'more sampler.

Thursday Song

some hot men that play guitars - just for you. XO.

Getting Gold

I used to be a silver gal. Gold in my accessories? No thank you. I'm not sure why, but I think I associated gold with ... well (and I can say this because I'm Italian) cheesy, gaudy, over the top Italian jewelry. I didn't say my point was going to make sense.

In the past year my point of view has changed. Gold seems to be everything, now. It's chic. I love a good white and gold detail, or even gold and black. It's clean, simple and elegant.

So lately, that's what I've been into. And what a perfect segue into the most recent gift I received from my best friend, Lauren. I mean, so cute. 

She introduced me to Kate Spade lipstick (2). How did I not know this existed? The packaging is ADORABLE (I'm a sucker for good packaging) and it's a perfect coral/peach color. Paired with the statement studs (far left), it might be my new favorite combination.

As some of you may know, I have a tattoo of a small feather on my wrist. I love the symbol of a feather (obviously, I have it on my wrist for eternity) and have been keeping my eye on the Alex and Ani bangle (3) for quite some time now, yet never ended up purchasing it for myself. Well, no need to now, thanks to the bff!

The calendar I recently purchased myself (1). Have you heard of the company Sugar Paper? I also have a weakness for unique, exquisite stationary. Even if I have no immediate use for it (though I do this time). They have a line at Target, and I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the calendar. It was just what I was looking for. I went on their website, which I probably shouldn't have, because I now want every.single.thing. I'm so in love with all of their work! Check it out.

Don't Slack Now..

After a night out, especially during the harsh winter months, it's hard to resist the urge to jump into bed and engulf yourself in those warm flannel sheets rather than taking the time to remove your makeup and properly condition your skin.

At least, that happened to me this past weekend. I quickly changed into cozy pajama's and was in bed within minutes of getting home. I knew I should wash my face and moisturize - I knew it. I was just way too tired.

I paid for it the next morning. I woke up, skin feeling tight and dry. Now, that may have been due to our recent single digit temperature days here in Buffalo [a newscast stated it only takes 3 minutes in those conditions to start damaging your skin].

Yet I woke up feeling dirty; feeling like I went to bed with unfinished business. Yea, for some of you that may be an exaggeration but I was pretty disappointed with my lethargic self the night prior.

I immediately went for an exfoliator, grabbed my argan oil and went to town. I felt much better.
I can't go on enough about how amazing 100% argan oil is for your skin, hair and cuticles. Even though my skin tends to be on the oily side, argan oil as a moisturizer is PERFECT in the cold winter months.

The moral of this story gals, is to not give into the cold and slack on your skincare. One night of laziness turned into a few days of flaky skin.

if you purchase any product this month, this is the one to buy.

Thursday Song

happy new year! xo