Pixi Beauty Discount Code

Pixi Beauty with Caroline Hirons is offering a 20% discount on their website with code CAROLINE20. If you've been after the famously elusive Glow Tonic, now's your chance!


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December Ipsy Bag

My December Ipsy bag arrived today and I was so excited to open it! I had already seen a preview of what would be in it on the Ipsy website but I have to say I was so much more enthralled with this month's bag than last month's. First of all the quality of the makeup bag itself was very nice, I would never guess that this is something I would get for free. It kinda matches my Sephora bag that I received as my GWP so maybe I can start a new collection!

The first item in my bag was a pair of Ardell Demi Lashes in 120. I was literally just thinking about Ardell lashes today and I was so happy to see this as the first item in my bag! I've been waiting to get my hands on some Demi eyelashes for the longest time now but they always seem to be sold out. 

The next thing was this eyeshadow trio by Pop Beauty in the color Smokin' Hot. In the preview that I had seen online, it actually showed the brown/neutral toned palette so I thought that was the one I was getting. I probably would have gotten more daily use out of the neutral toned one but perhaps I can gift this one out.

I could feel something heavy in the bag and it was this nail paint by Nicka K New York in the shade Classic Taupe. I had never heard of this brand before but I was very happy with my swatch, it is a dark chocolatey taupe color with a nice application. I'm glad I got this color in my bag because the other option was a red which I already have too many of. I can't wait to try this on with some gold glitter polish for the holidays. I was also happy to read that it is formulated without DBP, Toluene, and formaldehyde. Maybe this is a brand I need to check out more.  

My next item was an NYX Lipstick in Cream. I have tried NYX lip products before and liked them a lot so I am looking forward to trying this out. This is definitely an item that I will keep and the pinky peachy color is universal enough for me to try.

My last item was a familiar brand thanks to last month's bag - Be A Bombshell. This time I got a One Stick in the color Girl Crush. It is a cheek/lip/eyelid stain in a creamy texture. I've tried out a similar multiple use stick from e.l.f before but I wasn't too happy with how overly shimmery it looked. Hopefully this product will be better. I haven't swatched it yet because I'm still debating on whether I should keep this in my gift stash or not.

Overall I am so pleased with my December bag! I feel like I got really good quality products even though there were some unheard of brands in there. I was honestly wondering whether or not I should continue my subscription past this month but now I'm very curious to see what the next bag brings. Also, this is such a good way to try out new products without spending much. You really can't beat $10 that includes a makeup bag AND free shipping!

If you would like to sign up for Ipsy, please feel free to use my referral code -http://www.ipsy.com/r/36s3

Happy Holidays! x

Holiday Gifts and GWPs

The Holiday season has really taken over and now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas trees and lights and music and shopping is everywhere! It is a very exciting time and I have spotted some cute gifts that deserve a mention.

As soon as I saw this holiday set by Essie, I knew I had to have my hands on it. Priced at only $15 this is a great gift idea for the nail varnish lover in your life. You get 5 mini Essie bottles of shades that are perfect for fall/winter. The colors are a tad darker than what they appear in the picture. This is sold out on Essie.com right now but you still might be able to snag one at your local Target or Macys.

Another great gift item is something from the Marc Jacobs Beauty line. He does have a holiday set out with an eyeshadow trio, lipgloss, mascara, perfume combo but I decided it would be better to spend that money on his Style Eye-Con Plush Shadow palette. I got the Starlet 204 one which has a shimmery range of browns and grays.

The formulation and opaqueness of the colors is really nice, you get exactly the shade as you see in the pan and they are super blendable, much like the Urban Decay eyeshadows. I hope I can get a lot of use out of this palette in the holidays. Oh and did I mention it comes in its own dust bag and is a piece of art in itself?:-)

On a non-beauty note, Trader Joe's has a really nice selection of holiday chocolates and cookies out. From Dark Chocolate Covered Shortbread cookies to Peppermint Marshmallows to Pfeffernuse German Spice cookies its all delicious!

One of my favorite parts of holiday shopping has been the Gift With Purchase that a lot of brands have been offering. Clinique have a really good one out - you can pick 5 of their mini products with every $35 purchase -  https://www.clinique.com/checkout/samples.tmpl?show_promo=1
The one I got however was Sephora's which was available to all their Beauty Insiders with a $25 purchase. The offer has already passed but it is worth talking about because all the deluxe samples I received in the Glowing Magic Radiance Sample Bag I chose are amazing and worth a purchase themselves.

The bag itself was alright, better than the Ipsy bag I got this month but not as luxe as it looked in the picture. The NARS eye primer has become my new favorite and I will be purchasing the full size when my UD primer potion runs out. I have also loved the Bamboo heat protectant hair spray and the Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara is seriously making me contemplate ditching my Maybelline one. I'm looking forward to trying out the Ole Henrickson truth serum. We need GWPs all year round!

Hope you have a lovely holiday season! x

November Ipsy Bag

After two months of waiting, my Ipsy beauty box subscription finally got approved. I was really excited especially because the holiday season meant some nice goodies would come my way.
I have never subscribed to a beauty box before and I have no clue as to what the size/quality of products usually is. I decided to go with Ipsy because it was quite inexpensive ($10/month) and was cancelable at any time. Also, Michelle Phan is one of the founders so I thought it couldn't be that bad.

My first Ipsy bag arrived mid-November and I had already perused the spoilers to see what I might expect. With Ipsy you get all your products (usually 5 a month) in a cute makeup bag which is an added freebie. However, I was quite disappointed with the quality of the gold snakeskin bag that this month's products arrived in. It looks really cheap and I cannot imagine using it for anything. Nonetheless, I was excited to explore the goodies that it came with. The first item was a Gem Pencil by Starlooks in the color Topaz. I have never heard of this brand before (as was the case with a few others products in the bag) so I'm not sure if its a quality product or not. It is an eyeliner pencil in a creamy silver, I was actually quite impressed with how smoothly it went on. It can even be used as an eyeshadow base for a smoky eye look.

I did recognize the brand of the next product - Em by Michelle Phan Waterliner in Sunshine Yellow. I was looking forward to trying out her new makeup line so I am happy this was included in this month's bag. When I read the description, I thought it would be a liquid liner in a canary yellow color which was really disappointing because that is not something I would get much use out of. However, it turned out to be a twist-up soft shimmer eyeliner pencil in a muted gold with a smudge sponge at one end. I haven't tried it out yet but from swatching it I was quite pleased with how nice it looked. I think it can have a better name though.

Next was something I was probably the most excited by - Pixi's Beauty Bronzer in Summertime. Now while the color is a tad dark for me in the winter I do feel this product alone made up for the $10 I spent.

The next product was a chubby stick-esque lip stick by Be a Bomshell in the color Hot Damn which is a shimmery orangy red. I already have a product similar to this that I got from Sephora but I haven't tried it on yet to compare.

Then out came probably my least favorite product of the bag, BH Cosmetics' Baked Eyeshadow in the color Neptune. I have never tried any BH Cosmetics' products and have never had an inclination to, either. Neptune is a shimmery, silver blue that came out pale when I swatched it. I haven't put it on with a primer or base but I just didn't love the overall packaging.

Lastly was a nail paint by Nailtini in the color Caviar Cocktail which is a metallic silver. I did try it on last week and while the application was smooth, I wish I had gotten a different color because I'm not sure if it looks the best on me.

Overall, I am happy to be trying a beauty box out and I am excited to see what next month's bag has in store. I have a feeling it will be a good one considering it is Christmas and New Years time. This month's bag had six items instead of the usual five which was a nice surprise. All the products are sample or sample-plus size which is decent enough to get good uses out of. You also get discount codes to use for full size purchases for each of the products featured.

If  you would like to sign up for your own Ipsy bag, feel free to use my referral link here!

XOXO!

New shampoo discovery

I have been LOVING using Organix's Ever Straight Brazillian Keratin Therapy Shampoo! I picked it up on a whim as I was looking for a new shampoo and this looked interesting because it is sulfate free. I've tried Loreal's sulfate free line but wasn't too impressed with it. This however, is a really nice, thick shampoo that leaves my hair straight and less frizzy.

I didn't get the matching conditioner because for that I had my eye on the Botanique by Himalaya Amla & Holy Basil conditioner. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet but initial research shows that its either a love it or hate it product. I'm hoping that since I have thicker hair, this will work well.

I first saw this at Central Market but didn't want to fork out $10 for it so I came home and found this website called PureFormulas.com that had it in stock for half that price. It also came with free shipping and I was really impressed with how fast the package arrived. I am excited to try this out next week!!

First Impressions: elf

I love trying out elf products because they are so inexpensive and you can really find some gems in their collections sometimes. And they are cruelty free which is something I am trying to focus on with my purchases.

The first thing I picked up was the Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in St. Lucia. I think this is the bronzer that is supposed to be a dupe of Nars' Laguna. I don't have Laguna so I can't say how similar it is but it does have good pigmentation and is a flat, no-shimmer bronzer. The blush seemed lighter than what I thought and I am not sure if it will show up on my skin or not. The packaging is very similar to Nars and is very compact.
Update: Over the last few months I have enjoyed using the product but I have to say the bronzer is a tad dark and is best when used with a soft hand. The blush is not as pigmented as I would like but I do use it when I'm going for a more natural look.

The second, and one of my favorite things is the Essential Nail Polish in Bubble Gum Pink. I have never tried elf nail polish before so I didn't know what to expect but I am pleasantly surprised! The consistency is so smooth and the brush is the perfect size for a neat application. I would say it takes about 2-3 coats for a really nice opacity but the color is so beautiful! It is the perfect pink. Its not  too fuchsia nor too light and looks really nice on my skin tone which not a lot of pinks do. It is the perfect color for summer.
Update: This has been my favorite purchase from this lot. Love this nail paint and I'm sad that now we're heading into autumn/winter I won't be able to use this color as much. But I am very impressed with elf nail paints.

My other favorite purchase from this time is the Lip Exfoliator. I love products that give instant results and this is definitely one of them. I have already incorporated it into my nightly routine. It smells amazing is really moisturizing.
Update: I have loved using this product as well, it does a good job and I love that it is in a lipstick form which makes it so easy to use.

Next I picked up some brow products - the Eyebrow Kit in light and the Eyebrow Treat and Tame in dark. The Eyebrow kit has a dark gel on one side and a powder on the other and the Treat and Tame has a clear "treat" gel on one end and a dark color on the other. The Eyebrow kit seems okay so far, I do like the idea of adding texture using gel and powder. On the other hand, the color part on the Treat and Tame is really dry when it comes out on the brush so I have found it difficult to use.
Update: I ended up throwing out the Eyebrow Treat and Tame because I just couldn't get any use out of it. I still use the Eyebrow Kit though, but I use the gel more than I use the powder because I feel it looks more natural. 

Finally, I picked up some tweezers because you can never have too many tweezers!

How I Clean My Makeup Brushes

I try to keep my makeup brushes as clean as possible because it is something that goes on my face so I want to take preemptive measures and not cause any problems with my skin. However, I don't really use any cleaning sprays between washes so to make up for it I try and wash my brushes more frequently.

You will need - 

Lukewarm water

Gentle soap 

Dirty brushes

Washboard or other surface to scrub brushes against

Process - 

Lukewarm water is best for dissolving any dirt or product residue from the brushes. If you are using your tap then let the hot water run for a little bit and then turn on the cold water until it is the right temperature. 

Wet the bristles of the brush under the lukewarm water until they are damp. Angle the brush so that it points downward, you don't want the water to run up the brush and cause any damage.

I usually use Johnson's Baby Soap for cleaning my brushes because it is gentle enough to get the job done without causing any harm to the bristles. Today, I used my Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner mainly because I'm trying to use it all up so I can get something new. Since it is a conditioner, I am hoping it will leave the bristles with a nice, soft texture afterwards.

I poured some of the conditioner on to the palm of my hand and swirled the damp brush in it, using it as a washboard for scrubbing the bristles gently. I usually swirl it around in the shampoo until it lathers and you will see the product come off on to your hand. I then rinse off the brush until there is no more soap residue left on the brush. It is important to be thorough in getting off the soap from the brush because left over shampoo can damage the brush. I usually separate the bristles and really get the water in there when rinsing.

Then I lay it flat on a towel to dry. I leave it overnight and the brush is all clean in the morning. 

I try to clean the bigger brushes first because they take up more time and I have more patience in the beginning. Towards the end when I get to the smaller brushes I clean two at a time. Brushes used for gel eyeliner might take more than one turn to clean completely.

I love how soft and fresh the brushes feel after a deep clean.

Haul: Sephora, MAC, Victoria's Secret

I might have gone a little crazy this weekend with make up shopping but I got some really good deals and couldn't resist snapping up these things.

1. Sephora

I've had my eye on the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette for a while because I use neutral colors a lot for everyday wear. Even out of my Naked 1 palette, the most used colors were the two neutrals. So I figured it would be a good investment to get this. I was, however, really surprised by how tiny this palette is. It is smaller than my hand which makes it perfect to travel with. The packaging is really sturdy with a nice big mirror inside.

The 6 colors inside are Venus which is a shimmery off-white, Foxy which is a matte egg shell color, W.O.S which is a really really pale pink matte color that I used as a highlight, Naked 2 which is a matte light greyish taupe that I used all over the lid, Faint which is a matte brown taupe that is great for the crease, and Crave which is a slightly shimmery black perfect for using as a liner. I love the consistency of the colors, the powder is so soft that it just melts onto your brush. 

I got some smaller items from Sephora, like a mini size of the Dr. Brandt BB cream. It was a special offer for the Beauty Insiders and I thought I would give it a try even though I love my Smashbox BB Cream. I also got a sample of the Buxom Lip Polish in Katie which is a shimmery light pink and a sample of Jimmy Choo's Eau De Parfum called Jimmy Choo. I haven't tried the Buxom lip gloss yet but I tried the perfume this morning and its alright. It is not too overpowering and has a light floral scent to it. I like having different perfumes to use on different days.

The main reason this shopping spree at Sephora even started was that this Nail protector was on sale on their website. It is supposed to help prevent smudging and get you that perfect nail salon look. There is even a bigger grove on the bottom that you can use for your toes, and wipe the surface clean with nail polish remover when done. I am excited to try this out.

I really do love the Beauty Insiders program at Sephora because you can get stuff that you will actually use instead of having points accumulate for nothing or a few dollars off here and there on purchases. And I love that they offer birthday gifts to their members. Sephora really doesn't have to do it but I love that they do. Makes you feel so special! As it was my birthday last month, I was eligible for a gift, and I chose the Benefit Real Birthday Turn-Ons set which includes mini sizes of their They're Real mascara and Watt's Up brow highlighter. I've used the mascara before so I know it is good and I was happy to see that the consistency of the highlighter is soft and blendable so you can achieve a good highlight without looking fake.

2. MAC

I ran into a MAC store while I was out today and remembered that I needed to buy some new concealer. I picked up the Studio Finish concealer in NW35 and gave in and also bought Patina eyeshadow because I have heard such good things about it. It actually looks darker than I thought but blends out to leave a faint gold neutral color.

3. Victoria's Secret

Finally,  I stopped by Victoria's Secret because their Semi Annual Sale was on and I was glad to see a store that had a decently stocked beauty section. I love VS makeup but it is so hard to get a look at the products from the line because most stores have a horrible selection of products.

However, today I picked up their Glossy Tint Lip Sheen in Manic Pink which is most beautiful cream sheen lip product I have seen. The formulation is so nice and creamy but sheer that it glides on and leaves the most beautiful color. 

They had a 2 for $15 deal so I got the Sparkle Gloss Lip Shine in a gold shimmer which is just clear gloss with subtle gold shimmer. It will be great to use in the center of the lip to add a little shine.

Then I got Mini Nail Files which came in a set of 6. They have the Victoria's Secret stripe pattern on them and are a great travel size.

And lastly, I got their Fresh Body Dry Shampoo. The last dry shampoo I used wasn't the best and I wanted something to freshen up my hair between washes. I have a lot of faith in VS products, so I hope it works.

Until next time,

XXX

Haul: Ulta

I usually prefer going to Sephora for my makeup but I went in to Ulta a few weeks ago to pick up some hair products and thought that I would keep them in mind the next time I wanted to replenish some drug store make up. I like that they have a combination of drug store and more expensive brands so you can get both in one go. Also, they carry Real Techniques brushes which I love so I knew I had to pay them a visit soon.

As I have been painting my nails more summery, brighter colors recently I really wanted to get a base coat for my nails so I can avoid staining them. I picked up Sally Hansen's Base Coat. I thought it would be a milky/creamy color but it is clear just like a top coat. So what is the difference really? Either way, I hope it works.

I also got the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush that I've wanted to get for a while. I don't really like applying my foundation with a brush because I find it to be too streaky and the brush usually ends up buffing the foundation out too much. But I've heard good reviews about this brush and I love the Real Techniques line so I decided to get this. The brushes are so soft and such a great price.

I also had to replenish my mascara and after using Maybelline's The Rocket for the last two months, I decided to switch back to The Falsies. I do like the The Rocket but The Falsies just add more curl which I like. I also picked up Maybelline's Color Show Nail Laquer in Green with Envy which is minty green.

Another product that I had been wanting to get was NYX's Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Natural. It is a really pretty pinky nude color and the consistency of the gloss is really shiny but not sticky at all. I can't decide if I like the smell or not, it smells like cough medicine candy to me but its not too overpowering so I can live with it.

Review: Elizabeth Arden

I came across some Elizabeth Arden products while I was at Ross and got very excited because I've heard a lot of good things about them but didn't want to shell out the money to try them. Luckily for me, Ross had a few bottles of the Eight Hour Intensive Moisturizing Hand cream that I had always wanted to try out. I can't remember how much it was - probably $5 or so and I have loved using it ever since.

I keep it at my desk at work and a little goes a long way to help keep my hands soft and moisturized. I have heard people say that they find it has an unbearable smell but I can't say that I agree with that. It does have a distinct smell and although it is not extremely pleasant, it is fine for a hand cream. It is creamy enough to last all day until I wash my hands again.

On my next jaunt to Ross and Marshalls I picked up the Let There Be Light Radiant Skin Lotion and the Overnight Success Skin Renewal Serum. I love the packaging of the Let There Be Light lotion, it is a glass bottle that feels really luxurious on your vanity but I am not sure I understand how to apply it correctly. I tried using it all over my face before my foundation but it ended up creating an almost ashy look because there is a lot of flashback. So I have resorted to using it as a highlighter but I wish I knew how to get the most use out of it.

On the other hand, the packaging of the Overnight Success serum is not the best, I like the deep blue color but the plastic bottle feels cheap. However, I love the product. I use it after washing my face at night right before I go to sleep and I can literally feel how good my skin is in the morning. It is supposed to even out your skin tone and although I haven't seen any of that yet, I love how smooth my skin is in the morning. I was on the hunt for a good night cream and I have finally found it.

Can't wait to try out more EA products!

March Favorites

Sorry for the late post, but I really wanted to share these products that I have loved using last month -

Yonka Lait Nettoyant Cleansing Milk

This cleanser was recommended to me by my aesthetician a few months ago when we were trying to figure out a good cleansing routine for my skin. I have to say, this is the best cleanser I have ever used. I love using this by itself to gently massage it on my face as it builds up a light lather and almost acts like a lotion. Then I clean it off with lukewarm water for a smooth finish. It takes off makeup really well and does not dry out my skin at all. I still remember one thing my aesthetician had told me that I had never thought of before - that all your moisturizing should not come from your lotion alone. Your cleanser and toner play an important role in moisturizing your skin also. It is not the cheapest cleanser but is really good value for money as it has lasted me several months and I use it every day.

Rimmell Match Perfection Concealer

As its name suggests, this concealer is supposed to match your skin tone to provide perfect coverage. I have loved using this product since I purchased it, it acts as highlighter + concealer that starts off a little yellow but melts in to my skin to leave an even finish. It has medium coverage and although I like the brush applicator, I prefer using my fingers to blend it in. 

Maybelline Cover Stick/Concealer

I bought the Maybelline Corrector/Concealer in green a while ago and loved the consistency so much that I went out and got the yellow one as well. Green covers redness and yellow covers brown or dark spots. These sticks have a soft, creamy, texture that I apply on spots after I have applied my foundation and then use my regular concealer on top to seal it in. The idea is that it will 1) hold my concealer in place by acting as a sandwich between my foundation and concealer and 2) give me the little extra coverage I need. 

Even though I have loved using these correctors, I am not sure I have mastered the best way to use them. I tried applying these under my foundation but found that it turned ashy once I applied my foundation on top of it. The chubby tips end up creating a bigger mark on my face than I intend to have so I end up having to blend out the edges before I apply the concealer on. Inspite of this, it does give me the coverage that I need which is why I have enjoyed using them so much.

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner

I love using Maybelline eye products and their ink pen liquid eyeliners are no exception. It is amazingly smooth with a continuous flow of jet black ink. It is really easy to use and the fine, felt tip is great for creating winged eyeliner. It stays put all day and comes off easily with cleanser.

Coconut Hair Mask

I picked up this coconut hair mask at Ross last month because I really wanted to try out a hair mask and I know that coconut is really good for your hair so this was a perfect combo. I did have a little trouble initially while trying to figure out the best way to use it but I have loved its effects. When I first got it, I used it on my damp hair after I had come out of the shower but then I found it difficult to wash off without getting the rest of me wet again. I know that hair masks are supposed to work on your hair for about five minutes but I just couldn't wash my hair in the sink so I incorporated this into my shower routine once a week. I use this after washing off my conditioner and while it is setting in my hair, I use that time to use a salt scrub on my body. Five minutes later, I rinse this off and I have soft, shiny hair. Its texture is fluffy like a creamy, thick foam that melts in to your hair. Love it! Even though this was a one off product that I randomly found at Ross, it has opened my eyes about hair masks and I will continue using them from now on.

Forever 21 iPhone Cat Case

How amazingly cute is this iPhone case from Forever 21? I couldn't pass it up and I have loved staring at it every day. It is made of a rubbery material so it is soft to touch but provides good protection. So adorable!

Review: NARS Sheer Glow foundation

I got this foundation a few weeks ago because I wanted to get one for everyday wear. I wanted to get something that I knew I would love so I did my research by trying to find out what the makeup gurus on YouTube wear when they are getting ready. NARS Sheer Glow came up as an option for a dewey finish for dry skin which is exactly what I wanted. When I first went in to Sephora to get it, I picked out a shade on my own based on what tones I usually stick to. But when I tried it on at home it was clearly too dark for me. So if you are trying out this foundation for the first time, I would highly recommend getting matched. The shade that worked for me was Syracuse.
If there is one thing this foundation is known for is how it is neither sheer nor glowy and both accusations are true. It has medium coverage and has more of a matte finish than a 'glow'. BUT I think the sheer actually refers to its consistency during application and not its finish. It goes on very smoothly and if you moisturize well beforehand, ends up being semi matte in finish. In fact Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse is very similar except it dries a little more matte.
One thing I noticed about it is that it transfers pretty bad if you don't set it with powder. I usually never powder because I have dry skin but if I put my face in my palm while reading something, I noticed it stains my palms and consequently everything else I touch.
The square bottle is very chic and feels luxurious.
Overall though, I am very pleased with this product because of its beautiful finish. As an added bonus, NARS does not test on animals. :-)

Pros: Even finish, matches really well with skin tone, smooth application.
Cons: Tends to transfer, bottle does not come with a pump.

Haul: Makeup + Shoes

I definitely celebrated my Good Friday in style by picking up a few things from Target.

I have heard great things about the Rimmel Wake Me Up and Match Perfection lines of foundations and concealers. Unfortunately I don't think we get the Wake Me Up line here in the States but I did notice Target had the Match Perfection foundation and concealer. I wanted to get a new concealer so I picked up one in 430 Medium. It is supposed to be a two-in-one concealer and highlighter.

I also got Mayebelline's Cover Stick in yellow. It is supposed to be a corrector and yellow is meant to counteract any dark circles or brown-ish blemishes. I have been loving using the green corrector that I had picked up earlier and wanted to give this a try as well.

As much as I love my Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner, sometimes it can be a little too thick so I wanted to get a liner that I can use for a casual cat eye look. I think Maybelline has some of the best liners in the drugstore market so I got the Master Precise by Eyestudio Ink Pen Eyeliner in Black.

And it was time for me to replenish my mascara and I decided to stray from my current favorite The Falsies and get The Rocket from Maybelline.

Next I headed to the hosiery section where I picked up two essentials. One is the Assets shaping pantyhose that is great for smoothing out panty lines and love handles/muffin tops for tighter dresses or pencil skirts. My friend Divya recommended these so I am excited to try them out. I also got Sheer Support by Hanes which is a sheer skin toned pantyhose. I read a great tip about how you can wear skin toned stockings under skirts to even out the tone on your legs AND you don't have to worry about any hair stubble either.

Last but not least I picked up two pairs of shoes (Target was having a BOGO 50% off thing). The first is a pair of black faux patent leather peep toe pumps. I really wanted to get something for work with a medium heel and my peep toe pumps have definitely seen better days so I decided to replace them. I am not the biggest fan of Target shoes but I have to say they have pleasantly surprised me lately. These look really cute on and are pretty comfortable. 

For my second pair I got these brown, almost bronzy sandals with a really cute gold detail on the front and on the straps. It also has a snakeskin print on the back strap. While I usually find snakeskin to be too tacky, I actually really liked these sandals. They had a few options in this style, there were some all silver ones, some black and gold ones and a nautical one as well. Very cute!


Until next time,

XX!

The Best Face Pack Ever!

This at-home face pack has changed my life. It is the best facial ever. I've never used anything at a salon or at home that has given me results as good as this. Absolutely amazing! I have some scars and spots on my face from breakouts that have been irritating me for a while now and using this face pack has lightened these spots overnight. I could see how good this face pack was the first time I used it so I highly recommend it and have made it a point to do this once every few days no matter how tired I am.

Ingredients - 

1 tbsp gram flour (besan)

a pinch of turmeric (haldi)

half a tbsp honey

1 tbsp yogurt

The first two ingredients are easily found at any Indian grocery store. I wouldn't skip on either one because they have amazing antioxidant and antibacterial properties and act as lighteners. Don't overload on the turmeric because it can stain your skin so I usually stick to a small pinch. The honey acts as a moisturizer.

Method -

Mix all ingredients together to make a thick, yellow paste. Smooth paste all over face avoiding the eye area. Wait about 20 mins and then rinse off with warm water. You can even apply this over your neck if you're going for a shower immediately after.

I hope it is as transforming for you as it has been for me!

XO!

Haul: Sephora, NYX, Victoria's Secret

I picked up a great little assortment of items over the last week -

Sephora:

I wanted to try out the Nars Sheer Glow foundation (review to follow) so I went to Sephora and they had just come out with their March Beauty Insiders perks. I instantly fell in love with the Sephora + Pantone Universe Mini Liquid Liner in this beautiful emerald color. They had a whole range of products in this series, from nail paints to even eyeshadows I think but I really wanted to get the liner. The full size product comes with a set of four liners including a glitter one and to be honest I wish Sephora had given the whole set as the Beauty Insiders 100-point perk because its only for $18 which is a fair deal for having spent $100 for those points. But I rarely find anything worth picking up in the Beauty Insiders Perks anyway so I didn't mind spending my points on this. I'm very pleased with the product, the brush glides on smoothly and the color is gorgeous!

I also picked up this nail paint duo in Orange. I thought the packaging was really neat and I had been wanting to get a fine golden shimmer top coat. The orange is also really nice for summer. It says the nail polish is supposed to be scented but I didn't get any scent other than the normal acetone smell. In fact I think whatever scent they were trying to add only makes the acetone smell more prominent. But other than its a really cute product.

NYX: 

I saw some NYX products at my local grocery store and I couldn't resist picking up their cream blush in Hot Pink. The color payoff is really really good and the staying power is great as well. I've been wanting to try out a cream blush for a while and am really glad I found this.
I also got a roll on shimmer stick in Taupe that I think will be beautiful on a neutral eyeshadow or to accentuate a smoky eye.

Victoria's Secret:

Last but not least I picked up some nail paints from Victoria's Secret. I have really grown to love VS makeup products over the last few years because you can get to try out the products that they use on their models and the quality is really good. I was looking for an orange lipstick but my local VS store did not have a good make up section so I didn't find one. But I did run across their nail paints that were 2 for $15 (or $10 each). The packaging is really chic with these rectangular bottles and I am very happy with how quickly it dried and how long it lasts. I have had no chipped nails and I didn't even use a top coat. The two colors I got are Backstage which is a glittery pink and Steal the Show which is a rose gold/pink copperish shimmer color.


XX!