Treat Yo' Self: Kaitlin's Birthday Sephora Haul

I'm not one to usually go overboard on buying beauty products for myself. I'll grab a thing here or there, maybe three if I'm in desperate need. If I want to try anything special, I tend to wait. It has to be something I need (aka ran out of) or desperately want for me to actually buy it ahead of time. This year was something different and kind of special. I treated the hell out of myself, and Donna and Tom would be proud. Let me preface this, I got a little extra cash for my birthday and a 20% off coupon from Sephora for being a VIB. This allowed all of this to happen, and without it, none of this would have happened. Now, without further ado, let's get magical!

All hail Sephora and their magnificent, exclusive collections! Before I embarked on this makeup land journey, I needed to figure out what I really wanted. Thanks to Play! by Sephora, I knew I was in love with Verb and wanted to try more of their products. Similarly, I wanted to get more of Too Cool for School products. I wanted a better concealer and concealer brush. I needed mascara because I ran out of my last full size and they don't make it anymore. Lastly, I've had my eye on a new NARS lip pencil because they are, and always will be, my jam. With all the plotted out, it was about finding what I wanted and how I was going to get it. Since some of this stuff was only available online, I was about to get both of the birthday gifts from Sephora (shh! Don't tell). 

Verb

• Verb Hydrate Kit: I just got to use this stuff this morning, and it was amazing. Like I mentioned before, I'm familiar with Verb Leave-in Mist thanks to Play! by Sephora, but the Shampoo and Conditioner were a whole new level of amazing. First off, this Shampoo and Conditioner reminds me so much of Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day,which used to be my all time favorite. The problem? Living Proof became way too expensive. If you are looking for quality hair care that is a little cheaper than brands, but a little more expensive than drugstore finds, then this is the product for you. I don't know if I can go back to any other brand.
• Verb Round Brush: I haven't gotten to fully experience this magic, but I did run it through my hair to see how it was to other round brushed I have used. It feels a lot more gentle than the round brushes I am used to, and for that I am grateful!
• Verb Detangling Brush: Are you familiar with Drybar's Lemon Drop Daily Detangler? Well, it is a lot like that, and two dollars cheaper! Okay, so you aren't saving that much, but Lemon Drop was the best detangling brush I have ever used. This feels like a good upgrade and a way to say goodbye and move on from the Lemon Drop (Verb for life!). It works super well with the leave-in mist before styling. 

Tool Cool For School

• Egg-ssential Skincare Set: Like Verb, I fell in love with Egg Mellow Cream through Play! by Sephora. This set is probably one of my favorite beauty purchases I have made. The face wash is a little weird, and totally feels like shaving cream, but it left my skin feels super smooth afterward. *Side note: I've read a lot of reviews of people saying it doesn't remove makeup, in their video tutorial it says to remove makeup before using it. Also, most skincare products don't remove makeup well, which is why you should use an herbal toner because it does. Plain and simple. Back to the Egg-ssential Skincare Set, I haven't had the pleasure of trying the mask yet. The Pore Cleansing Brush, on the other hand, is amazing. Even if I don't use Egg Mousse Soap Facial Cleaner, I do enjoy using the Pore Cleansing Brush as part of my morning routine. 

NARS

• NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (in Chantilly): I've never been more in love with a concealer, and I owe it all to fellow Three Babes Beauty contributor, Hillari. She turned me towards this product, and I am so incredibly thankful. It covers everything and lasts all day. It keeps my skin matte and it just makes me look so much more polished. Never doubt NARS. If I ever gave you one piece of beauty advice, it would be that. 
• NARS Satin Lip Pencil (in Hyde Park): If you are looking for that little bit of pop to your holiday outfits, look no further. This lip pencil glides on smoothly and lasts for hours. I pretty much used NARS lip pencils exclusively (my favorite being NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita), but I'm always so impressed and happy when I get a new one. Hyde Park compliments my fair complexion beautifully, and I can't wait to rock it for all to see.

Kat Von D

• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (in Trooper): People either love or hate this product, but I love it. Between being easy to control and taking my eye level game to a 9, I can't help but sing it praises. When it comes to liquid eyeliner, it doesn't get much better than this. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives, many of which I have used, but I just love how this looks and how easy it is to apply. When it comes to liquid eyeliner, do what you want and don't spend extra if you don't want to. Every beauty person has their preferences, and this is currently mine.

Sephora Collection

• Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow (in Cloudy City): For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to try a light gray eyeshadow. I always thought it would compliment my dark brown eyes without being too dark, and I was right. I love, love, love this eyeshadow! It's light enough to go with anything but pigmented enough to make my eyes work their magic. At the end of this, I'll have a selfie that shows off most of these beautiful products. It works for the everyday look, and it can be spiced up for going out. Give gray eyeshadow a chance!
• Sephora Collection Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush #57: Another glorious find thanks to Hillari! This is one of the best makeup brushes I have ever used and by far the best concealer brush. I'll need to get some brush cleaner soon, but I'll enjoy this flawless makeup application life for now. Truly, I'm just happy because I feel like I'm finally attaining the makeup looks I've dreamed of. It's not anything special, but it helps me achieve my Girl Next Door look. If you are looking for quality makeup brushes, give the Sephora Collection a chance.
• Sephora Collection Face Mask (in Pomegranate and Rose): As with the Too Cool for School sheet mask, I have not had a chance to use these yet. I'm very excited, though. I love sheet masks, and I think they are an amazing concept! I'll keep you updated for all the sheet masks beauty adventures!

Marc Jacobs

• Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara (in Blacquer 30): Is this my favorite mascara? Not sure, but it is definitely working for me right now. In an earlier piece (Christmas Wish List), I mentioned wanting to try Wander Beauty. Truly, I think that mascara is more up my ally, but this one works for right now. It makes my lashes look gorgeous and it doesn't clump or weigh down my lashes. So this will do for now, and it gets the job done. I'm just in between while my eyelashes are searching for their mascara soulmate.

Sephora Birthday Presents

• Fresh Beauty Insider Birthday Gift: If you're asking me, I think this is the better of the two birthday gifts. I'm a huge fan of fresh, They are a great skin care line and are more natural than  most skin care products claim to be. I may prefer to stick with my bareMinerals and Tu'el skin care products, but it always nice to mix it up, especially when masks are involved. With this kit, you get to their the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, which is a gel cleanser, and the Fresh Rose Face Mask. I feel like my fellow Three Babes Beauty contributor, Christina, would love this face was. Mostly because it doesn't rip the skin of its essential moisture, which is something she tends to struggle with. As for the mask, it is perfect for everyone. The rose mask set a relaxing mood with its scent, and it just leaves your skin feeling smooth and clean. No complaints here.
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Insider Birthday Gift: If you have ever tried Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner, then you know it is shit. I'm honestly baffled as to how it has high reviews. It is hard to apply, and it always looks kind of weird to me. Here's the thing, I love, and actually prefer, gel eyeliners, but I hate this gel eyeliner with a fiery passion. The one thing I will give it, it is easy to smudge and create a smoky eye look. Even then, find yourself something better and cheaper. As for the Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick, it's alright. The color is nice, but it isn't anything to die for. As stated earlier, I'll stick with my NARS lip pencils any day of the week. If we are being real, I'll probably give this set to my mom because it better suits here makeup style. 

Birthday Makeup Selfie

Look created with Sephora Collection Cloudy City eyeshadow, NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Hyde Park, Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner, Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Gel Cream, Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil & Gel, NARS blush in Orgasm

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Kaitlin's 2016 Christmas Wish List

Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year. Almost the most magical, but that honor goes to Halloween (personal preference, it's okay). Family and loved ones, spoiling them with gifts and just being together, what more could you ask for? If your relatives are anything like mine, they are already asking for your Christmas list! If you are really like me, you've already bought everyone's Christmas present because you love spoiling those closest to you.

Anyways, here's some of the things that I wouldn't be disappointed in finding underneath the Christmas tree! From skincare to beauty products, all of these products I've hand picked will bring out your inner goddess. If there's one thing I've learned from the holidays, it's to treat yo'self afterward when everything is on sale!

Fresh Sugar Lip Spree

Have you ever experienced the phenomenal lip sensation that is Fresh Sugar? If not, you are in for a treat! Not only does Sugar makes your lips smooth, soft and kissable, it also gives you a little pop of color. That way even on your no make-up days, you are still looking flawless! The Sugar Lip Spree kit is perfect because it has their best shades and a nourishing lip balm advanced therapy. Sephora has a bigger set as well, Sugar Lip Seduction. It paints your lips in the prettiest of pinks, leaving you more rosy than ever. I prefer the Sugar Lip Spree kit because it gives you a little more variety and makes sure your lips get the TLC they deserve!

Sephora Collection HOLY SHEET! Set

Have you ever seen something so glorious that it is making your skin water instead of your mouth? Okay, totally bad analogy, but my skin is begging for this sweet retreat. Only downside? Sephora Collection's HOLY SHEET! Set has been sold out since it launched, and it is an online only exclusive. Don't worry, you can still treat your face, eyes, hands and feet to a mask, even if it isn't this amazing collection. Make your skin silky smooth for the holidays!

Origins Prep & Mask

It's like Origins ascending from the sky and blessed me with my three favorite masks in one. Seriously, these are my three favorite masks, and I'm even in love with Origins Maskimizer thanks to Play! by Sephora. Whenever I feel like I'm getting a little dry, I sleep in Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. Having a little more breakout than usual? Origins The Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask will help clear you up, and make your skin baby smooth. Even if you're just looking for something to brighten you up and leave your skin feeling refreshed, Origins has you covered with their Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay. This kit really has it all, and it creates a spa day retreat you'll want to come back to each week!

Wander Beauty New York Minute Makeup Kit

Wander Beauty is new on the scene, and I want to try everything. Thankfully, their New York Minute Makeup Kit allows me to do just that. For a cool $39 dollars, you can try their dual Eyes on the Fly Dual Cream Shadow and Eyeliner, a Mini Carryon Lip and Cheek Gel and their to die for Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara. Wander Beauty is Co-Founded by former Victoria Secret angel, Lindsay Ellingson and it is inspired for those of us who are always on the run. Double bonus? It is cruelty-free! Sign me up! Out of all of these, this is the only one I might truly treat myself to if I don't get it for Christmas. One of the things I love about this set is that the colors would look great on anyone. Don't believe me? Check out the Wander Beauty site to see how these colors look on various skin tones!

Julep Zodiac Collection

Did I only discover this beautiful collection because of Christina's Christmas Wish List? Yup! I'm not even ashamed. Fun fact, all of us at 3 babes beauty are Scorpios. We are passionate, sassy, mysterious and love with all of our hearts. That's why Julep's Zodiac Collection fits us so damn well. While $98 dollars is a lot to throw down on 12 nail polishes, you can always just get that one that calls to your zodiac sign. Being a Scorpio who is married to a Pisces, I'd probably grab both of those up and use them all the time. Pisces and Scorpios are a match made by the gods, and these colors totally prove that. Yin and yang, these colors completely play off of each other. 

This is my Christmas wish list, and I'm sticking to it! I just treated myself to a lot of beauty necessities (be on the lookout for that post), so this list is a little shorter, but just as valuable. I hope it helps you discover some beauty products that you cannot live without! Or makes you realize that you need to treat yourself ASAP!

Happy Holidays (and Bah Humbug!),

Kaitlin

Christina's Christmas Wish List: 2016

Hey guys!

It's almost holiday season and I cannot wait! I've already started my Christmas shopping and I've even decorated a little bit. I know, Halloween just ended, but I couldn't help myself.

In honor of every one preparing for their wallets to be devastatingly empty and their heart to fill with joy thanks to new gifts, I've decided that I would write a gift guide or wish list of my own. Will I get some of these things? Maybe. Do I need them? No, but I wouldn't be upset if I got them (if you know what I mean). Either way, let's move on to the list so I can explain why I think you should be considering these products, too!

1. Bite Beauty: The Perfect Bite Set

Where do I start? I love Bite Beauty's multisticks because I am a lover of anything that is safe to use where I want to on my face. That combined with being cruelty free, Bite Beauty makes me melt. Now on to these lipsticks... I think they're a wonderful gift for a person that hasn't used a Bite Beauty product. It's got a variety of colors that range from office chic to happy hour. The sizes of the lipsticks are perfect to pop in your purse if you are out and about. It's the ideal start to your Bite Beauty addiction.

2. Lancôme: La Palette Des Rêves

While I don't normally give a shout out to brands like Lancôme because I don't buy their products for many reasons, I have to say that the wonderful Lisa Eldridge is killing it as the Creative Director of Makeup. I truly don't want to want this palette, but I totally do. It looks so luxurious and I watched a video of her using it and the shadows look so beautiful on the skin. These neutral shadows will make anyone smile with glee when they unwrap this gift. This would be the ideal palette for anyone who wants a bit of personal luxury to go with their daily makeup routine.

3. Lush: Great Bear

There are three things that I love in a body product: cruelty-free, smells like woods and donates proceeds to animals. I don't normally take baths, so I wouldn't typically yearn for a bath bomb, but the Great Bear checks all three things on my list. If there is only one thing that I could pick from this list to get, it would be this. I love donating to a good cause and I love it even more when it's a mutually beneficial exchange. If you ask my friends what my favorite scent is they would tell you that I go for hot-boyfriend-rolling-around-in-the-woods and musk scents. This. is. my. jam. I know for sure that if someone doesn't get me this, I will buy it myself. This is the perfect gift to give to your eco-friendly friends that want something luxe but don't want to be guilt ridden over chemicals or pollution. Bonus: all of the proceeds go to protect the bears and banning trophy hunting. I liked you, Lush, but now I love you.

4. Lush: Mr. Sandman

Now, I am almost 24 and walking into Lush during Christmas/holiday season is like walking into a tween's wet dream. As you read from above, I love the musky, woody scents and I think it is too sugar sweet and not my cup of tea. Sometimes even normal Lush will give me a bit of an overload with the candy-land scents. Maybe every once in a while I'll go crazy and have something vanilla scented, but it's always paired with lavender, sandalwood or something of that family. That being said, I cannot wait to get my hands on this little diamond. It's recommended to use as a skin dusting at bed time to relax and soothe nerves to help you count your sheep to sleep thanks to the lavender and chamomile. Where do I sign up? Can I have this in gallons? This is a must have/must give to that over stressed friend of yours that needs to chill out sometimes. Give him or her this with some red wine and call it "The New Best Friend" gift. I'll take two please.

5. Julep: Scorpio

I used to be subscribed to the Julep Maven boxes for the longest time. Then I kind of fell out of doing my nails because of school and I can be lazy. Well, then I got a little window shopping happy and went to their website and fell in love with this color. It helps that I am a Scorpio, but damn this color. I want my nails to be this color, I want my lips to be this color... I want my life to be this color. I am in love. It's dark and glittery and me. Dear Taylor, this is officially on my Christmas list... and dear reader, it should be on yours, too.

6. Butter London: Cheerfull

I am nail obsessed lately and all I can say about this is: yes. You do need this, your friend needs this and so do I. If you haven't tried any of Butter London's polish before, you need to. It goes on so beautifully and lasts forever. I have a not-so-secret bad habit of biting my nails (which is why I paint them) and this polish stands up to that. The downside to Butter London is the price, the upside is that their holiday collections are so worth splurging for. They give you a wide arrange of colors to try out and for a pretty good price tag. Who doesn't want to ring in the new year without that gold polish? Not me. So for your nail obsessed relative, I'd check out this 6-piece set for sure.

This pretty much wraps up my little wish list. I'm sure I will find something to add, because I always do. Maybe I'll do another last-minute gift guide in December while some killer deals are going on for us late shoppers.

Until then,
Christina

*Disclaimer: We are not professional skin care consultants. We highly encourage that you do your own research or consult a skin care professional if you have any specific questions about a product. We also do not make any money off these links / these are not affiliate links. We are making it easier for you, as the reader, to find the products we use. We just want to keep it 100% real with you. All of these pictures came from the linked sources, too.

Mini Haul: Yay & Nay!

Hey guys!

It's finally feeling like fall here and I am so excited about it. I went to Connecticut this past weekend and I was so happy to see a range of colors on the tree and the chilly weather. Luckily, when I came home, it was chilly here, too! Lucky me!

So, while I was in Connecticut, purchased a few things and thought I would let you know about them. Let me preface this with: this is a very mini haul. I am currently trying to detox all of my leftover products that are hanging out in my cabinent and I only got these because I have nothing to use as a replacement/completely ran out of the product I was using.

My first "purchase" was actually bought by my great grandmother, but she let me keep two bottles. I forgot to pack shampoo for my trip and I found Avalon Organics Nourshing Lavender Shampoo in her cabinent. Not only did my shower become extremely relaxing because of the scent (thank you, lavender), but the shampoo also made my hair feel so clean and smell good for days. I also have a soft spot for organic/nautral products that work really well for me and bonus: my grandmother got this stuff for $2. I feel less guilty indulging.

It is a more "cleansing" shampoo, but I don't feel like it's over cleasning and my hair will fall out in excess. I warn you: you will need conditioner. I do a deep conditioning treatement regularly and it counteracts the dryness that can come with cleansing. I have naturally dry skin pretty much everywhere on my body, including my scalp, and tend tos hy away from cleasning shampoos, but this one isn't harsh.

This shampoo works really well for me because I wash my hair about two to three times per week and when I do wash it, I like for it to feel really clean. I would not recommend using this as a daily shampoo. My boyfriend, who washes his hair daily, used this shampoo and loved it too. This is saying something because he is very picky!

I read some other reviews online and apparently the formula has changed throughout the product's existence. This has caused some problems for some people due to ingredient changes and allergies of sorts. I would just recommend that you look at the ingredients before hand to make sure that you don't have any allergies to the oils or ingredients in the shampoo.

The one other purchase I made was the Neutrogena Naturals Acne Foaming Scrub. Not going to lie, I am kind of upset with myself for blindly purchasing this. I have been using the Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Cream Cleanser religiously for over a year and it does wonder with keeping my skin clean and soft. I am mad at myself for buying this foaming scrub blindly because it has microbeads and I am not sure if its cruelty free. :/

This kills me.

The only reason I got this scrub is because my local Target was out of the cream cleanser I use, Taylor and I both have been having a stubborn bout with acne and I thought it was much like the other natural products I've used from Neutrogena in the terms of being more eco- and animal-friendly. Nope. The microbeads are not my thing. I cannot stand them. I wish they were never a thing, especially because there are products out there that use other, more eco-friendly, exfoliants to rid the skin of dead skin and dirt.

Whatever, I'm just ready for microbeads to officially be phased out. Aren't they illegal? Either way, I am so so sorry to the animals in the ocean that are suffering from my poor, poor decision.

Does the product work? Yes. I have been seeing an improvement with the acne issues but that is all thanks to the salicylic acid . Will I buy it again? No. Sorry, Neutrogena.

That was my super mini haul! I plan to run to Lush soon because I am running out of stuff that I need and I promised myself that I would go soon. I just won't talk myself out of it this time. :P So keep your eye out for that!

Until next time,
Christina

*Disclaimer: We are not professional skin care consultants. We highly encourage that you do your own research or consult a skin care professional if you have any specific questions about a product. We also do not make any money off these links / these are not affiliate links. We are making it easier for you, as the reader, to find the products we use. We just want to keep it 100% real with you.

Be Kind, Rewind: Kaitlin's Play! by Sephora Review

Welp, I'm late to the party, but I'm here to review. This month, Play! by Sephora championed innovative products that everyone should keep their eyes on. The Cool Cut has six products: two from familiar brands and the rest from beauty brands that are making waves. I'll keep it simple, but all the items I prefer are from newer brands. They are definitely making a name for themselves with these products. Let's dive in!

• Too Cool for School: All-in-One Egg Mellow Cream

This is one of my favorite beauty products of all time. I sampled a little bit about a month ago and was so excited when it was in October's Play! box. The smell is a little weird, but I find it kind of addicting. It has almost like a cinnamon smell, and I love it. It's probably my favorite morning moisturizer. It makes me skin so soft and it doesn't cause my skin to get oily during the day. I highly recommend trying this stuff out. If the smell off puts you, I'm so sorry because this is one of the best skin care products I've ever tried. 

• Skin Inc.: Pure Revival Peel

The Pure Revival Peel is a unique product. You apply to dry skin and massage it in after 10 seconds to peel off dead skin. Honestly, I don't know if it really made my skin that much brighter, but it's an interesting concept. I could see why people enjoy this product, but I don't think I will be buying it anytime soon. 

• Verb: Leave-In Mist

While this isn't my best selfie, look at the hair. Let me preface my hair styling routine. When I blow dry, I only use my fingers. This product took out all of the frizz and made my hair silky straight. The only other product that has ever done this is Living Proof. For me to hold this in the same esteem as Living Proof says a lot. Want another great fact about it? It's only $14 for an 8-ounce bottle. That's amazing. Verb is fairly priced for the quality, and I'm looking to invest into more of their products. Final bonus? The scent is nice and light, and this product doesn't make your hair greasy. In fact, you'll have blown out hair until your next wash. Get your hands on Verb now!

• Nudestix: Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in Belle

I'm actually really impressed with Nudestix. While the color isn't my favorite, it's not bad by any means. The product reminds me of NARS matte pencils, but I do prefer NARS. I'll probably use this product every now and then as lipstick. Cool bit about these pencils, they double as a blush. It feels awesome, but I think I'll stick with my go-to cheek color. I will say this in its favor, though. I don't usually like cream blushes, and it made me feel like maybe creamy blushes aren't that bad. If I did rebuy this product, it would be in a different color (but I probably wouldn't like the color as a blush).

• Smashbox: Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver's Seat

I know Smashbox says Driver's Seat is a warm pink, but on me, it's an orangish-brown. Not that I'm complaining, I actually love the color. I'm skeptical about the product itself, though. The first time I wore it, it came off on everything. Everyone I know always brags about Smashbox never coming off, but I feel like that is all it did on me. I'll probably wear this again with my rust colored fall clothing, but I'll probably need to carry it around to reapply. Also, not the biggest fan of the applicator. I'm a lip pencil gal because it gives me everything I need to apply lipstick perfectly. Thankfully, I've gotten better with the applicator, but it took a few times before I was used to it. Let it be known that I will use this product up, but I'd probably just try to find a similar color in another product. 

• Tom Ford: Orchid Soleil

When it comes to perfumes, I'm extremely picky. This scent was way too strong and too sweet. If you like the smell of orchids, then this scent might be for you. Although, my question for you would be, "is it really worth 120 dollars?" If the answer is yes, more power to you. For me, it went to the trash and I hope I never have to smell it again. Way too overpowering, but I guess you could deem the scent "romantic." 

Ultimately, I was a fan of this months box. I felt like I got a lot out of it, even if I wouldn't repurchase a lot of these items. More than anything, I'm excited about November's box. Because who doesn't love beauty products that make you glow for your birthday? 

*Disclaimer: We are not professional skin care consultants. We highly encourage that you do your own research or consult a skin care professional if you have any specific questions about a product. We also do not make any money off these links / these are not affiliate links. We are making it easier for you, as the reader, to find the products we use. We just want to keep it 100% real with you.

Can You Paint With All the Colors of the Wind?: Kaitlin's Fall Beauty Look

Fall is when I shine. Fall colors, fall makeup, fall foods: they all agree with me. This is probably because I'm the palest person you have ever met, which means anything bold pops. Thanks to Sephora's newest lip collection, and their collection in general, I've been able to find some of my favorite fall staples. Now, I'm not claiming that this look is the unicorn of fall looks (kind of am), but I'm very pleased with the turn out. Double benefit, I got a lot of compliments on my eyeliner color! Let's dive in.

Just a quick review of my makeup style; I love a nice, simple eye and a bold lip. Hints my barely there eyeshadow, bold berry lip and subtle autumn-colored cateye. I try more than anything to highlight my natural beauty, wanting to really bring out the features that help me sparkle. As you might notice, I have slight scarring on my lower cheeks/jawline. These are a part of my natural beauty, and I don't try to hide it. I've slowly been working on healing them, since they are tiny. In the meanwhile, they are a part of my face and I love them anyways. 

Back to the good stuff. I had a lot of fun with this look. Do I plan on rocking this look again? Damn straight. I'll be wearing this look to the Denver Film Festival as I bask in the glory that will be La La Land. While they'll be dancing across the stars (in the film), I'll be feeling like one with a cute date around my arm. Now let's get to how to achieve this look.

• Eyes: Laura Mercier Eye Art Artist's Palette with specific emphasis on Sparkling Dew and Vanilla Nut for this look, a little bit of Fresco in the crease. For my eyeliner, I'm rocking Sephora Collection Colorful Wink-It Felt Liner Waterproof in Bonfire.
• Lips: Another Sephora product, Sephora Collection Rouge Matte Lipstick in Rebel Chic. I love this lipstick more than I thought it would. It lasts all day, and the pigment is amazing. To make sure everything goes on smooth, MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Absolutely It seals the deal.
• Eyebrows: The only product I love and trust (and it's a drugstore find), Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Brown.
• Face: I'm into creamy that don't leave me to oily and aren't too harsh on my skin. That is why every day I'm beyond thankful for bareMinerals. The foundation I wear is bareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Opal 1 (I'm a vampire, the sun doesn't bring me color). For concealer, I use bareMinerals Blemish Remedy Concealer in light. Finally, the sweet peachy color making my cheeks rosy is none other than NARS blush in Orgasm.

Now you know all of my dirty little secrets regarding my beauty products, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. I hope you are loving my beauty style as much as I do!

*Disclaimer: We are not professional skincare consultants. We highly encourage that you do your own research or consult a skincare professional if you have any specific questions about a product. We also do not make any money off these links / these are not affiliate links. We are making it easier for you, as the reader, to find the products we use. We just want to keep it 100% real with you.

Dear Carmex, We Did It!

I have had this lip balm for over a year and a half. If you know me, you know I can barely keep one chapstick for longer than two weeks. But, a year and a half ago I bought a little tub of Carmex and decided that 1. I was not going to lose the tub and 2. I would use every single bit of lip balm in the container. 

This was a big commitment to me, but I took it seriously.

I'm the kind of girl who likes a bit of sting with my lip balm. I love the tingle you get when you put on Carmex or Burt's Bees. So, I figured it wouldn't take me a long time to use the entire tub of Carmex.

Oh boy, I was wrong.

This little guy lasted through my last year of college, traveling across the country several times, many internships and moving twice. How did I not lose it? Who freaking knows. It was a miracle. As you can see in the photo above, there is still the tiniest bit left, but it will take maybe a week to finish it.

Since this is a beauty blog, I want to explore what I liked and disliked about Carmex and if I will continue to use it.

Sometimes I like to be a bit positive, so let's start with what I learned that I loved about this lip balm!

The Good Stuff:

• A big plus for me is that Carmex does not test on animals. I will always be drawn to products that are animal friendly.
• It makes my lips really soft if I use it daily.
• I love the tingling sensation caused by the ingredients menthol and camphor. I know it's a placebo effect, but I like to think that it means it is working.
• I've left this in the car on many hot days and without fail, it always cools back to the same waxy consistency.
• It's not sticky.
• It's a perfect moisturizer/primer to use before matte lipsticks.
• Soothes chapped, sunburnt and peeling lips. Trust me, I have had them all.
• It survived two washing machine incidents without leaking onto my clothes!
• If I put the balm on before bed, my lips were extra hydrated in the morning.

The Bad (But Not Really) Stuff:

• If my lips were not super dry, it took too long to soak into my lips.
• Can be messy on hot days. It always cooled back to the same consistency, but when you're outside on a hot day for a few hours, it will melt. This can make it difficult to not waste product when you are opening it.
• I wish the packaging was more eco-friendly. I have the old tub packaging where there seems to be too much plastic, but they have done a redesign so I have to check that out.
• I wish the squeeze tube and the screw top tub had the same thickness. It might be, but I used the squeeze tube version one day and hated it.

Clearly, my love it list is going to be longer than my hate it list. But, there were a few things that I did dislike about the product. Let's be real though, they are very superficial things.

I've included a what my lips look like before and after photo so you guys can have a reference point for how glossy the lip balm is below:

This is the before picture in the morning with slightly dry lips.

This is about 15 minutes after putting Carmex on. It has a nice sheen finish. My lips felt way better.

So, would I challenge myself to keep up with another tub of Carmex? You betcha. I think it is an absolute classic product that everyone should have for those rough lip days. It's not fun to have chapped lips, but Carmex makes it easier to handle.

I bought a tub of Smith's Rosebud Salve when my Carmex was 95 percent done. When I use all of that product, I'll do a comparison of the two to see which one I prefer more. But until then, keep your lips soft and stay beautiful!

       - Christina

*Disclaimer: We are not professional skincare consultants. We highly encourage that you do your own research or consult a skincare professional if you have any specific questions about a product. We also do not make any money off these links / these are not affiliate links. We are making it easier for you, as the reader, to find the products we use. We just want to keep it 100% real with you.

Skin first. Makeup second. Smile always.

Bonjour, mes amis! Today I’m talking about my skin and what I do to keep it as smooth and glowing as possible. Skin is the largest organ of the human body and it’s one of the first things people see when they look at your face. I don’t know about you, but that seems pretty important to me.

Okay, I’m going to be real a second. (For just a millisecond, let my guard down and tell you how I feel a second. Where are my Hamilton fans?) I haven’t always taken the best care of my skin. Removing my makeup before bed wasn’t always a part of my nightly routine. I used whatever drugstore products I could get my hands on without regard for what it could do for - or to - my skin. Signs of this abuse showed on my skin in the form of acne. It wasn’t pretty.

My journey into the wonderland of skincare started when I was working as a cosmetics consultant in a department store. The women I worked with taught me about my skin type, what my skin needed to look and feel healthy, and the benefits of establishing a skincare routine. Their advice was priceless. Since I started building good skincare habits, the results have been amazing. Now that I’m a little older, sign of aging aren’t quite as noticeable. I’ve even had people accuse me of lying about my age.

Here is my laundry list of skincare essentials. I know it looks like a lot, but I don’t use everything on the list all at once or even every day. Please don’t think I’m saying that these are the only products you should use. Not at all. This is just what works best for my skin. Everyone’s skin is different and your laundry list is probably going to be different.

• Clarisonic Mia 2
• Simple Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes
• Simple Micellar Water
• Clinique 3-Step Skincare System - Liquid Facial Soap Mild, Clarifying Lotion 2, and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (or DDMG)
• Origins GinZing Collection - Refreshing Scrub Cleanser, Refreshing Eye Cream, Energy Boosting Moisturizer
• Origins No Puffery Cooling Roll-On For Puffy Eyes
• Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins
• Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion
• Lush Cup O’ Coffee Face and Body Mask
• Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub
• Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

        

Now let’s break down my routine and how I use these products.

A.M. Routine

• Cleanse
• Wet the Clarisonic brush head under lukewarm water.
• Use a pea-sized amount (about one pump) of Liquid Facial Soap Mild.
• Complete the Clarisonic two-minute cleansing cycle.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.
• Tone
• Moisten a cotton ball with Clarifying Lotion 2.
• Sweep the cotton ball over clean skin from the center of my forehead out, across my cheeks, and down my nose and chin.
• Moisturize
• Use one pump of DDMG and press it into my skin.
• Sweep No Puffery under my eyes.
• Pat a pea-size drop of GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream under my eyes and around my temples.

P.M. Routine

• Remove makeup
• Sweep a Simple wipe over my face to remove foundation, concealer, and blush.
• Moisten a cotton ball with Simple MIcellar Water to remove eyeshadow and mascara.
• Cleanse
• Wet the Clarisonic brush head under lukewarm water.
• Use a pea-sized amount of GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser.
• Complete the Clarisonic two-minute cleansing cycle.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.
• Moisturize
• Sweep No Puffery under my eyes two or three times.
• Pat a pea-size drop of GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream under my eyes and around my temples.
• Use a nickel-sized amount of GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer and pat it into my skin.
• Use a nickel-sized amount of High Potency Night-A-Mins and pat it into my skin, concentrating on my cheeks and neck.

The Extras

• Exfoliation
• Masks
• Lip Care

I give my skin some extra pampering as needed, usually once or twice a week. If I notice any patches of flaky skin, I use the Modern Friction exfoliator after I cleanse. When my skin is looking a little dull, I’ll slather on the Cup O’ Coffee mask and let it work its magic while I read a chapter of my latest book. The Mint Julips and Agave Lip Mask are my go-to treatment items when I’m planning on wearing matte lipstick.

That’s all for this episode, mes amis. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing some beauty with the world. I’d love to hear what skincare products you’re loving and hating these days. Please leave your comments or questions below. I can’t wait to hear from you! Until next time...

Bisous!

Hillari

*Disclaimer: We are not professional skincare consultants. We highly encourage that you do your own research or consult a skincare professional if you have any specific questions about a product. We also do not make any money off these links / these are not affiliate links. We are making it easier for you, as the reader, to find the products we use. We just want to keep it 100% real with you.