Favorite Shimmery Blushes for Spring and Summer

I tend to shy away from shimmery cheek products sans highlighter. Matte just looks so natural and pretty and simple, and sometimes I find if I have a spot or two on my cheeks, shimmer just highlights it. But in the spring and summertime I find myself using shimmery blushes more often, as they are a lovely "one sweep" cheek product, adding color and a highlight.

Clockwise from left: Physician's Formula Happy Booster
blush in Rose, Elf Studio blush in Tickled Pink, Benefit
Sugarbomb Boxed Powder, Elf  Baked Blush in Peachy
Cheeky

Three out of four of these blushes are drugstore, which is due to the fact that I don't find the drugstore to do too many incredible matte blushes, so when I look for a high end blush, I almost always make sure it's matte.

• Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose (top left): This is one of two products I've tried from this brand, and I picked this up because I've heard such amazing things about the Happy Booster powders. First off, the packaging is adorable. I love the concept of the heart designs with all of the different shades. I also like the fact that the colors don't bleed together when swirled. The formula itself is nice: smooth and not too pigmented, which makes it a good product to use quickly. The shimmer is a little more apparent than in some of the others, but as a whole, the product is wonderful.
• Benefit Sugarbomb Boxed Powder (top right): Everyone loves the Benefit Boxed Powders and this is (arguably) one of the most popular ones. Benefit describes it as a "sugar rush flush" which is so true. When swirled together, it created a pretty, medium-toned pink and the shimmery isn't too noticiable! Also, because of the peachy shade and the darker plum-toned one, it adds almost a bronze tint to my cheeks, meaning I can skip highlighter. In my opinion, this is worth every penny. 
• Elf Baked Blush in Peachy Cheek (bottom right): Elf's studio blushes are quite popular, and when they began to launch their baked line, the reveiws came out pretty solid. I picked out this blush out of the four (which are priced at $3 each, by the way) because it looked gorgeous for warmer weather and tanned skin. Well, I was right. This powder is so glowy and I just think it would be amazing on tanned cheeks as a glow-inducing sort of product. It's fairly shimmery and light, but I want to check out the other, darker colors from the line. 
• Elf Studio Blush in Tickled Pink (bottom left): In short, I think this is the perfect product not only for girls just beginning to dabble in makeup, but also for everyone who wears makeup to school. Tickled Pink is just a slightly shimmery, light pink blush that is just completely amazing and versatile. Can you tell I love it? I use this all of the time but the bit left along the edges refuses to leave. On the skin, the shimmer turns into a satin sheen, which is just beautiful. I recommend this to everyone who hasn't tried it, and luckily, this is one of the Elf products sold at Target store (and just like the other, for $3).

Swatch time!

Left to right: Physician's Fornula Happy Booster Blush in
Rose, Elf Studio Blush in Tickled Pink, Benefit Sugarbomb
Boxed Powder, Elf Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky

What shimmery blush makes your heart swoon?
xoxo
Alyssa

Physicals Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Concealer Trio: Review!

I don't typically buy products without hearing some buzz some first, and when I do, they're from brands like Elf or Wet n' Wild or NYC, which are the lower price points in the drugstore beauty kingdom. I haven't truly dabbled in Physician's Formula--due to the price points and just not being captivated by any of their products--so I was genuinely surprised with myself when I purchased this.

This product is essentially a concealer trio designed to use on top of each other: there's a green corrector (step one), a beige cover (step two) and then a pink-toned, shimmery highlight (step three). I believe Benefit has something along the same lines (but instead of liquid they're a creamy consistency and are packaged in pots) and since I've been wanting to try the high-end version, I figured I'd give this a go. Something that's interesting to me is the packaging: the three little pieces click together, so you can have them separate or whole. The concept appeals to me, since in a makeup bag they'll always be together, but the actual packaging just seems a bit plastic-y and cheap. They also feature a doe-foot applicator.

In terms of formulation, to be honest, I don't love these. I wanted the consistency to be a little thinner and creamier, but it is quite thick. I used only a little on each spot, but I feel like if I would have used any more it would have looked cakey and fake, which is a no go in my book. The green correcter is such a vibrant green that it doesn't blend in with my skin, and even the beige cover doesn't make it look natural (especially since, like I said, it cakes). As per the highlight, I don't think I'd ever use this where I'd use concealer--especially on a blemish. But, I would--and will--use this as an cheekbone highlight when I want something a bit more prominent. The highlight is my favorite part of the trio, and thankfully, I can take this and put it in my everyday bag without the other two pieces.

All in all, I'm not thrilled. For the price point ($10-$12) I just don't think this is worth it. But if you had your eye on it, give it a try! Maybe you'll have better like than I did. Physician's Formula is usually available wherever drugstore cosmetics are sold.

Have you tried it?
xoxo
Alyssa

April Favorites 2014

April literally flew by. And I know everyone and their cat says that once a new month rolls around, but I feel like I blinked and suddenly the month had passed. Between stuff at school, my Spring break, and just having fun in the warmer weather (and rain!), this month has been pretty solid. I also have a few favorites to share, and I'm starting out with my favorite motivational quote!

Now moving onto the beauty products!

Hair Care:

• Dandruff Shampoo (generic brand): This may seem kind of gross, but I have dry hair, which means that I have a dry scalp, which means that I have dandruff. And since my hair is very dark, it's quite noticible. I've been mixing in some dandruff shampoo with my regular Garnier one and it's been really lovely to help break down exisiting flakes and prevent new ones. Gross? Ah, well!
• TRESemme 24 Hour Body Non Aerosol Hairspray: I hadn't tried a non aerosol hairspray, and seeing that this one was on sale, I picked it up. Now, I've been using it, but it's definitely not my new holy grail. The smell is quite a strong, typical hairpsray smell, and I'm not a fan of such a prominant scent, but I do like how this holds my hair and I've used it all month, so I'm throwing it in.

Skincare/Body Products:

• L'Oreal Hydrafresh Toner: My favorite toner is the Clinique Step Two one, but I've been searching for a drugstore alternative. I really love this L'Oreal one: it prevents/treats acne and cleans my face, but it's definitely not as good as my beloved Clinique one. However, I will love and use this one until I find my perfect drugstore dupe.
• Method Hand Soap in Hibiscus Flower: Is it weird to include hand soap? Regardless, I'm a huge fan of the Bath and Body Works foaming hand soaps, but they're so pricey unless you buy them in bulk. I've heard great things about Method soaps which caused me to try this out. I love it! It's just like the Bath and Body Works foaming ones (minus the great scent ranges...although I do really enjoy how this smells!).
• BeeKind Body Lotion: I got this in my Birchbox this month and I'm in love. The scent is lovely--lemony and fresh--and it's not greasy at all. I keep this by my bed as my go-to hand cream for when I'm home (my handbag one of choice being Soap and Glory's Hand Food).

Makeup: 

• Elf Cover Everything Concealer: I am absolutely floured with this product. I found this at The Christmas Tree Shop for a measly $2 and it is seriously so incredible. It's a light and creamy concealer that covers blemishes and spots so well. I love this so much that I'm going to stop in and pick up the next color up (I wear Beige right now) so I can still use this once I get some color. 
• Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blush in Coral Reef: One look at this and we all see the same thing: clown cheeks! I've heard lovely things about these Photo Ready cream blushes from Revlon (not so lovely things about Revlon's other blushes) and I picked this one as it is much different than other things I own. Sheered out on the cheeks, it looks like a nice, natural flush, and I love love love it.
• Revlon Photo Ready 3D Volume Mascara in Blackened Brown: Geez, I can't believe I'm gushing about a mascara more than the Maybelline The Mega Plush. But this is amazing. It lengthens and adds a bit of volume and doesn't clump, and what more could you want? Oh, the brush is also really nice and a good size in proportion to my eyes. I didn't even realize I had picked out Blackened Brown, but I like it! It's a tad softer, but honestly, it still looks quite black.
• Maybelline Super Stay 10 Hour Stain Gloss in Mauve Dream: I have another one of these in a dark berry color (Berry Heavenly, I believe?) and I wanted to try a more natural color, as I love that one but don't find myself wearing it too often due to its brightness. Mauve Dream is a really pretty browned out pink that looks really nice with my coloring. I know, I know, mauve is an old-lady type of lip color, but hey, I like what I like. 
• Anastasia Clear Brow Gel: Another Birchbox item, I really have been enjoying this. It holds all day, but I'm not sure if it's necessarily better than the Maybelline clear mascara (which many beauty lovers use to tame their brows and I personally love as well). I may do a post wearing the Anastasia on one brow and the Maybelline version on the other to see how they compare (weird again?).

Lip Care: 

• Smiths Strawberry Lip Balm: This has become my staple before-bed lip balm. Not only does it smell delicious, but it moisturizes so well and just makes me happy while using it. I've never tried the original Rosebud Salve, but using this product makes me really want to! Ah, the love!
• Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast: I picked this up on a whim and ended up loving it. It smells super fruity and refreshing and moisturizes my lips amazing well. I keep this in my bag for school and use it every single day!

Nail Polish:

• Essie Cute as a Button: I wore this for the first half of the month to welcome Spring time, and I really enjoyed it! It's a bright, coral-pink cream that just made me happy every time I looked at my hands. I may be a little late to the party with this color, but late is better than never, right?
• Revlon Colorstay in Provence: This is a light purple (dare I say lilac?) color that I wore a lot in the second half of the month. What I like about this polish is that it's not super vibrant, so it almost had a nude-like quality that made it subtle and pretty. Plus it stayed on for ages, which makes me happier than anything in a nail polish.

Fragrance: 

• La Vanilla Pure Vanilla: This might possibly be my new favorite fragrance of all time. My mom bought this and didn't really use it, so knowing I was sort of in love, passed it along to me (thanks, Mom!) I also never thought I'd love a roller ball so much, but I find the convenience to be amazing. I tend to like scents that smell like you can eat them, and this sweet vanilla scent is just that.
• Dove Cucumber and Green Tea Body Mist: When I wanted something more subtle, I reached for this. I love cucumber scents because they are just so fresh and clean, which I adore. This Dove body mist was very inexpensive but works really well!

Fashion: 

• Old Navy Studded Loafers: I bought these back in August and recently dug them out. I've been wearing them a ton and I think they are so cute! They have some little gold studs on the toe, which I love as the studs don't overwhelm the classic loafer style  by making it look too overdone. I'm not sure if Old Navy still has these, but I've been absolutely loving them.
• Forever 21 Floral Necklace: Statement necklaces make me happy, but I like smaller statement necklaces as apposed to huge ones that weigh my neck down/take up half of my shirt. This one from Forever 21 is so cute and just dresses up an outfit for Spring. Super cute!
• JustFab Regional Bag in Green: My favorite thing of this month: this bag from JustFab makes me smile every time I use it. It's a really great shoulder/cross body bag that's the perfect side and has the perfect amount of space for every day. I can easily fit my iPad Mini, a standard book, phone, wallet, small cosmetic bag, and various other essentials in here. I also kind of love the closure for some reason, but I honestly do! 

Random: 

• How I Met Your Mother: I watched 8/9 seasons on Netflix this month, and I am seriously addicted. I can't wait until the last season comes out on Netflix so I can finish the show off, but until then, I will avoid hearing about the season finale! The five main actors on the show are now five of my favorite actors of all time, especially the boys, and I enjoyed every single second of every single episode. Obsessed? Only mildly. 
• Peeps: Easter time is Peep time in my world. I enjoy marshmallows quite a bit, so coat them in sugar and I find myself eating multiple boxes in a day (okay, I'm not THAT bad). For Easter, my mom got me a little set that came with two boxes plus a little Peep plush, and he is so cute! I'm in love. 
• (500) Days of Summer: My friend D lent me this DVD and it is so good! Zooey Deschanel is amazing and the story line is just so wonderful and captivating. If you're looking for a movie to watch, definitely check this one out. 
• Chocolate Cheerios: I didn't have these to photograph, but they are amazing. I've been taking them to school for breakfast during the week, and on the weekdays have been thoroughly enjoying them with some vanilla almond milk. I find they're the perfect multipurpose cereal. I like to eat cereal for breakfast and dessert, and this one is perfect for both of those. Plus, who doesn't love a bowl of Cheerios?

I believe that is everything! Thanks for reading thus far, and I hope you have a fantastic month of May! 

xoxo

Alyssa

Drugstore Makeup Look for Spring

Spring is my favorite season. There's something so satisfying about the weather warming up after a cold, dreary winter. Today in particular I got to break out some bright colors and wear a light jacket and it was so exciting! As I got ready this morning, I did a really light, shimmery makeup look that I loved so much that it might just become my every day look once the weather stays like this! Of course, when I love something beauty related so much, I need to share it, so here we go!

First off: base makeup. My skin was actually cooperating with me today (knock on wood!), so I only used a bit of my Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette to conceal some redness and discoloration, but you can definitely use a tinted moisturizer or something a little heavier if you need extra coverage. I set everything with my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and then filled in and tamed my brows with my Wet n' Wild Color Icon Brow and Eyeliner Pencil in Mink Brown and my Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara. As you can see, all of these products are well loved (aside for the Rimmel powder, but it's actually a repurchase!).

For the eyes, I primed with my Elf Eyelid Primer in Sheer before going in with my Revlon Colorstay 16-Hour Eyeshadow Quad in Decadent. I used the color on the bottom left all over my lid, mixed with a little of the golden color, which is top right. The brown went into my crease and the pink on the top left was used to highlight. I forgot how much I love this color scheme! I've gotten far too used to cool browns and grays. I figured brown liner wold be a little harsh against a light, shimmery pink, so I used my NYX Slide on Eye Pencil in Brown Perfection, which is new and I absolutely am in love with it. For my waterline, I stuck with an old favorite and used the Rimmel Scandaleyes Liner in Nude to brighten, and then went in with my COVERGIRL Lash Exact Mascara to lengthen my lashes a bit.

To keep my my makeup light, I decided not to cake on the cheek and lip products and stick with simplicity. The Elf Studio Blush in Tickled Pink is one of my favorites (can you tell?) and it's just a light, satin pink that looks really natural with a slight shimmer. I picked a lip color that was a shade color than the rest of the pinks I used, just to add some contrast. The Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake is moisturizing and light, making it the perfect product to finish off the look!

What is your favorite makeup product this Spring?
xoxo
Alyssa

Birchbox March 2014!

I haven't done a Birchbox post in a few months, but I've been fairly pleased with my boxes since the last one I've featured. This box surprised me a lot, so let's just get into it!

March's theme is Spring Forward, a month dedicating to refreshing your daily lifestyle. I really love this theme. Spring is my favorite season, and there's nothing better than brightening things up after a long and gloomy winter.

My box included three deluxe samples and a Birchbox Find. My only complaint with the Birchbox Finds is that instead of being an occasional extra, it's in place of your beauty/lifestyle extra. I kind of wish they would include a Birchbox Find occasionally in addition to rather than instead of.

• Air Repair Rescue Balm: this sample is so minuscule, but I'm looking over the size because it seems to be along the lines of Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream (which is quite pricey).
• Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle: This is the third (maybe fourth?) time I've gotten this brand in my box, and I really like everything I've tried. I'm always on the lookout for a good detangler, and the smell of this (think Aquolina's Pink Sugar perfume!) is so decadent that I'm really excited to try this. 
• Mereadesso All-in-One Moisturizer: I was frustrated when I opened my box and saw this. Foil packets are not deluxe samples! I wanted to yell at Birchbox. That is, until I was looking up prices to calculate my total box value. The brand actually sells this as their travel size, and it retails for $28, making it the most valuable product for March. I'm still shocked and amazed!
• theBalm How 'Bout Them Apples? Cheek & Lip Cream: I love the brand theBalm. Every time I get something from them in my box, I get excited. This is a sample from their new How 'Bout Them Apples? palette, which is six cream shades that are dual purpose for cheeks and lips. My shade is Pie, and it's a really pretty coral-pink. 

The Birchbox Find was a nice, travel-sized version of the Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream (including a coupon for $2 off the full sized version!). I've heard of BB Body Creams and I like the brand, so I'm excited for this! I also love when Birchbox includes coupons, as I'm a huge coupon person.

All in all, I'm very pleased with this box! I'm excited about everything. The value of this box is roughly $41.10, which is great! I'm definitely looking forward to April. 

What was in YOUR Birchbox?

xoxo

Alyssa

Girly Obsession: Idea Notebooks

I've been super into girly things and keeping a positive attitude lately, which is one of New Years Resolutions for 2014. I found these two notebooks from Dollar Tree (obviously a dollar each) and thought they were adorable, but once I was home I had no idea what to use them for. And then it came to me: words of inspiration and positive energy. Perfection!

The notebook on the left--the one with the dotted swirl pattern--is used for words of inspiration. I love creative writing and I love book and movie quotes, but there are so many times where I hear or say something that just makes me think wow, except...I can't remember what it was five minutes later. From the front, I write quotes from books, TV, movies, etc. that give me that wow feeling. From the back, I write down things that I say or something a friend says that screams genius! to me. That way, if I'm writing or just in need of some words of wisdom, I know exactly where to go!

On the right--the leaf patterned book--is my "Daily Good" journal. 2013 kind of sucked for me (with the exception of the birth of the blog), so for 2014 I'm trying to remember that even though every day might not be good, there is good in every day. So every time I do something or something happens, I write it down. Each page is a different day, listed numerically, so that day when I think the week or month or even the year was crap, I have a little list of the good in every single day to remind me that I did smile at some things. I write down small things, like eating Chinese takeout or watching some episodes of Gossip Girl Netflix. But everything counts, right?

Do you keep a journal? What do you write in it?
xoxo
Alyssa

Skylark by Elle&Blair Lip Gloss Duo: Review and Swatches!

The blogger community went abuzz when beauty gurus Elle (allthatglitters21) and Blair (juicystar07) launched their makeup line a few years back. The girls announced that they were not waiting until they had a full collection out, but instead were releasing products as they felt they were perfected. The first release of the line was this lip gloss duo, inspired by the main characters in their novel Beneath the Glitter (and later sequel Where Beauty Lies), Ava and Sophia London. The duo was offered by redeeming reward points on JustFab.com, and once I realized that I had enough points, it was immediately in my basket.

I expected to hear an excessive amount of reviews on this set, but surprisingly, I hadn't heard anything except from the girls itself. The gloss duo features a light, cool-toned creamy pink (Ava) and a shimmery berry (Sophia). While the sisters never specifically said that the characters/gloss colors were based off of themselves, in my opinion, Ava definitely screams "Elle" and Sophia definitely screams "Blair."

The packaging is really beautiful: glass, circular containers with metallic caps and the name of the color written in a gorgeous, script-like font. The applicator is a sponge, yet it's flat, which I actually really like. It coats my lips nicely without an excess on my skin. Overall, the packaging gets an A+ from me!

The formulation is also incredible. These glosses are smooth, pigmented, and super creamy. The swatches above are one thick coat, but you could definitely sheer them out. As for Sophia, sometimes you can feel shimmer/glitter in glosses when you wear them, but this is most certainly not the case for this one. Overall, I prefer Sophia to Ava, solely on color preference. Berry tones tend to look better on me, but I think I'll get more use of Ava when it gets a little warmer!

All in all, I love these. I think Elle and Blair did a great job, and I'm excited try out the rest of their line as it emerges. I believe this retails for $30 for the duo, and as far as I know, is sold exclusively through blush.com!

Have you tried anything from Skylark cosmetics?
xoxo
Alyssa

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February 2014 Favorites: Beauty&Random!

At the end of every month, we all tend to sit back and wonder where the time went. But this month, despite being the shortest of the year, I felt wasn't particularly slow or fast, but pretty average. That being said, I did discover some awesome stuff this year, so now is the time to share!

Skincare/Body Products

• Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face and Body: I've talked about this before and never stopped loving it, but in the past I've only used this on my nose, which is where I suffer most from blackheads. I've been struggling with acne around my temples lately, and since this mask is for clearing gunk from your pores, I figured I'd use it on the breakouts and see how it went. Well, it was pretty amazing. It helps breakouts fantastically, so I now use this on my nose and chin as well as around my temples where I break out the most often. 
• The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter: I bought this back in August, wanting to try a different scent after using the vanilla and not liking the smell. This thing seriously smells amazing, so amazing, in fact, that I shied away from really using it. Boy, was that stupid! I use this after I shower on my legs and arms (especially on my legs after I shave) and it makes me feel smooth and smell delicious and I love it. 
• Laura Mercier Creme Brulle Hand Cream: I ordered this product in September, and because of the hefty price tag (2oz for $15...yikes!) Only used it a few times on special occasions, and I forgot how lovely it smelled. This moisturizes my hands beautifully and I use a dime-sized amount before bed every night, and I think the smell alone is worth a repurchase. 

Hair Care:

• Garnier Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment: I'm picky with haircare brands, so when the Aussie 3-Minute Miracle came out, I was intrigued by the concept but wary of the brand. I trust Garnier (most of my product comes from them), so when my mom gave me this guy, I was excited! I have dry hair and using this once a week makes my hair soft, shiny, smooth, and definitely frizz-free. 
• Beauty Protector Protect&Oil: I got this in my February Birchbox and it's wonderful. First off, it smells like the fragrance Pink Sugar, which is a widely-loved favorite. Secondly, it works wonders on my ends. I work a dime-sized amount onto the ends of my hair before blow drying, and it not only makes my hair super soft, but prevents breakage. Full size when this is out? Definitely

Makeup:

• Arbonne Sheer Pressed Powder: This is one of my favorite powders, and definitely my favorite high-end powder. It prevents creasing and wear from my foundation/concealer, looks natural, and the packaging is beautiful. Plus, the sponge is comes with is fantastic (and I usually hate included applicators!). All in all, a definite favorite for February. 
• Milani Eye Shadow in Heavenly Pink: Milani discontinued this line of powder shadows, but I'm including this anyway because of the color. For school, I typically just wear concealer, powder, and a little bit of brow pencil, and then I take a fluffy brush and sweep this on my brow bone and in my inner corner. The pink-toned matte shade brightens my eyes and cancels out any darkness, plus looks natural and stays all day. Love!
• NYX Powder Blush in Terracotta: I picked this out originally for my grandma, but when I realized she wasn't using it, took it back and fell in love. It's a beautiful, shimmery, neutral, peachy-bronze (a true Terracotta...hey, NYX got a name accurate!) that acts as a one sweep powder. It adds a flush while highlighting my cheekbones and adding a bronze tint to my complexion. This product is great for a girl rushing to get ready in the morning. 
• Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla and Macadamia Kiss: I've talked out the Nivea Lip Butters before, but I keep this one by my bed and have used it so much I can practically see the pan on the bottom. This scent is my favorite, and the whole line is moisturizing and delicious, not to mention affordable. 
• Skylark Sophia Lip Gloss: I finally got a hold of the Skylark gloss duo (thanks to some reward points on JustFab.com) and I must say they are lovely (review coming soon). I've been gravitating towards Sophia because of the color, but the formulation of these is smooth and lovely as well. 
• Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum: I envy those daring enough to rock a deep, dark lip color. I generally stuck to neutral and light tones because I'm far from gutsy enough for anything different, but this color has been amazing this month. I wore it almost every time I did a full face of makeup and it complemented my complexion nicely. My one regret? Winter is almost over and I'll have to go back to the peachy-pinks and shimmery nudes. 

Nail Polish

• China Glaze Secret Periwinkle: This is an under-talked about color if I've ever seen one. It's a beautiful, light blue-purple (a true Periwinkle) with amazing application, pigmentation, and lasting power. My nail polish tends to chip very quickly, but this one stayed on for almost five days with minimal damage. 
• COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant in Peaches and Cream: This is similar to Essie's Van'dgo, which is one of my all time favorites, except it's more on the peachy side of peachy-pink. Again, the application of this was wonderful, and although it took me three coats, turned out very opaque and lasted a long time with not a lot of chipping. 

Fragrance and Brushes: 

• Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple: I know this scent appears every year with their Christmas line, but it's really not "festive" to my nose. This smells like crisp and clean apples, which is very light and refreshing. I like this for an every day body mist, and I'll use this until the last of the snow is gone (which, in my case, might take a while!)
• Sephora Precise Natural Powder Brush (121): I got this brush on clearance at Sephora for $11 (the original with the red handle being $38) and it's amazing for applying blush. The bristles are soft and it blends the color in nicely. I love! 

Fashion

• JustFab Saving Grace Necklace: I've been admiring this bar style necklace for a few months, and when I bought the featured boots, they had a deal for certain jewelry pieces being only $1.95, so I snatched this one up when I saw it. It's cute and sparkly and is just...simple, which I adore. 
• JustFab Maizie Boots: I've been looking for the perfect ankle boot for a while, and I think I've found them. These are comfortable, simply (I'm not a fan of boots with too many frills) and best of all, have silver hardware, which I prefer! I've warn them almost every single day since I got them.

Random

• Clinique Apple Pouch: I took this from my grandparents' house and came up with the perfect use for it: feminine hygiene products. I keep two pads on me at all times in my backpack (I used to keep one, but then gave it away just two period before my friend came to visit), and having them in a little cute pouch like this is just nicer than having everyone see when you zip open the pocket. Plus, they're a perfect fit. TMI? Oh well!
• John Green's Paper Towns: I've read this book before, but reread in this month while bored one day. And when I say this month, I mean, I read this in about five hours. I feel as if John Green is known only for Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, both of which are incredible, but his other books (Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines, Will, Grayson, Will Grayson, and Let it Snow) are just as amazing. This book has such a great story line and I highly recommend it. 
• Bigelow Ginger Snappish Ginger Herb Tea: Drinking tea has a countless number of health benefits, and while I will always prefer coffee, ginger tea has become a new daily staple of mine. I especially love this brand, especially with some Sugar in the Raw and Caramel Macchiato coffee creamer. 
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine: My new favorite show, and I do hope they'll do a season two! Starring Andy Samberg as a detective in the 99th precinct in Brooklyn, it's a comedic cop show (something new and different) and I literally laugh out loud every single time I watch it. Plus, I love Andy Samberg. 

That is everything (I hope) and if you stuck it out until the end, thank you very much! I hope you all have a great March!

What was your favorite product of February?

xoxo

Alyssa

My Current Favorite Jewelry (January 2014)

Ahhhh jewelry...you are my complete and utter weakness. So I'm back today to share my current jewelry favorites...and I have quite a lot. So let's jump into everything!

I tried to make this photo look artsy...
obviously that didn't work out too well! 

First up...necklaces! I got these two, dainty floral necklaces on Black Friday and they are from the Lauren Conrad line at Kohl's, and I'm in love! One of them is blush pink and rose gold, and the other is orange, pink, and yellow gold. They both make an outfit a tad more girly, and I like that they are both floral necklaces but they aren't too "statement." Then there's my mixed metal necklace from Aeropostale, which I purchase over the summer and I wear the crap out of it. It's a bunch of hearts in various metal tones, which is cute and girly and simple. And finally, my dog tag. This was a gift, so I'm not too sure where it's from, but it's just a simple, mini dog tag charm with the word "Faith" on it--I love it. It's perfect for shirts with lower necklines but a more intricate pattern.

Next is bracelets! I'm still obsessed with bracelets, but I've narrowed down my favorite quite a bit...actually to three! First I have my Deathly Hallows bangle...swoon. One of my best friends gave this to me as part as my Christmas present (but I believe it's from Hot Topic) and I seriously love it. I've been wearing it a lot with my Te Amo bracelet from Jewelmint (which I featured in a bracelet post a few months back...link!) and it looks really fun and quirky. The silver XO cuff is from Lauren Conrad's line at Target, and I think it's so girly and cute! And finally, the owl bracelet. I featured this bad boy in a Forever21 haul post in September, and since then it's been my go-to gold bracelet. Forever21 jewelry tends not to hold up as well, but this one's going strong! PS: The eyes of the owl are hearts...can you get any cuter? And then there's the two beaded bracelets. A family friend and her daughters gave me a set of these types of bracelets, and I love them! My favorites are the black with the silver dove and the silver with the silver heart. They look so cute stacked up together!

And finally, I have one pair of earrings and a ring to show you. The earrings are by Kate Spade, and another one of my best friends (meaning not the one who gave me the Deathly Hallows bracelet) gave these to me for my birthday last year. They're a little out of my comfort zone...not because they're bows, but because they are bigger than what I normally go for! But I really love them. I normally wear these guys with a plain t-shirt and jeans to dress it up a little. And the ring was a Christmas present from my mom, and was from the Disney store online. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the Mickey and the star have (fake) emeralds, which is my birthstone! I just think it's really cute and different than the usual dainty rings I normally wear.

And that is everything for today! I'll do another one of these posts in a few months (after I go shopping a few times of course!).

Where's your favorite place to buy jewelry?
xoxo
Alyssa

Jordana Twist&Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Honey Lust: Review and Swatches

I'm probably going to end up doing a comparison post on  all of the jumbo lip pencil type products, because there are just so many on the market recently that it's hard to keep track of all of them! I picked this up on a late-night Walgreens trip with my mom (I'm pretty sure the brand is sold exclusively there) and I'm happy to report that it was a great buy. Sometimes when I shop, I just throw things into my basket without really paying much attention and they turn out to be a flop. That wasn't the case here, though!

This is the Jordana Twist&Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in the color Honey Lust (05), which is a beautiful plum toned pink. I see a color like this and I think how great it will be for the Fall/Winter time. This type of darker pink is also one of my favorite colors to wear in general, so this shade was a no-brainer for me. 

The formulation is lovely--moisturizing, pigmented, smooth, and sweetly scented (to me it smells sort of like Runts candy. Yum!). Additionally, it's very easy to apply--I almost don't need a mirror! The lasting power is pretty average. While it's not awful, I don't think it's anything special either. But for a price tag of $2.99, I'm sure not complaining! 

If you like these kind of pencil lip colors, I recommend this line! I believe Jordana is sold exclusively through Walgreens, but if you know of anywhere else that stocks the brand, let me know! I'll definitely be picking up more of these in the future...but for now I'll continue to love this one. 

What are you favorite colors to wear on your lips?

xoxo

Alyssa

What's in my Bag? January 2014

My dad took a trip to Italy with some friends back in November, and when I found out that he had a few hour layover in Paris, I begged him to bring me back something from France. He e-mailed my mom saying he had bought me something, but it was too expensive to be a  souvenir and therefore had to wait until Christmas. I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. What if I didn't like it and he spent a lot of money on it? Well, I think my genuine shock was obvious on Christmas morning when I opened up a Longchamp Le Pliage tote--he had definitely hit the nail on the head with this one!

I believe this is the "mini" size, but I can't be sure (my dad took the tags off before he wrapped it). But the quality is seriously amazing. Plus, my clothing taste tends to lean more on the preppy/classic/girly side, so the style of this bag is right up my ally.

The contents are pretty basic. Starting from the left, the first thing I have are two little notebooks--both from Dollar Tree, and a pen. The top notebook is used for my blogging ideas and schedule, and the one on the bottom is for quotes that I hear or say that I want to write down to remember. Going down, I have a Candy Cane Chapstick leftover from Christmas, and then this adorable rhinestoned panda compact mirror that my mom bought for me (I think she said it was from a store called Five Below). Next to the mirror is my Blueberry EOS--I tend to keep a TON of lip balm in my bag, just so I'm always (extra) covered. Then there's my wallet, which I've been using since July, and I have a more in-depth review on it (link!). To the right of that, there's my Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me, which I keep for a subtle lip color if mine runs out. Then, I have my iPad mini, which I use every single day and I absolutely love. Finally, above my wallet is my makeup bag from Clinique. Inside, I keep my ELF Translucent Mattifying Powder, a Maybelline stick concealer, my all time favorite lip balm, Nivea A Kiss of Milk and Honey, and then a little box of Tweezerman nail files. And that's pretty much everything, aside from my cell phone and keys, which I usually just throw on the top whenever I run out the door!

What is your biggest purse essential?
xoxo
Alyssa

2013 Favorites: Beauty, Fashion, & More!

I've wanted to start doing monthly favorites posts for a while now, but my mind was always occupied at the end of the month. With the new year, I figured it was a good time to start. Since this blog was born in 2013, how could I skip over doing a yearly favorites? That's right, I just couldn't. Regardless, the new year has begun and I already feel as if it's going too fast. How can it already be the 6th? Time just flies.

Getting onto the subject of this post, 2013 was definitely a year of discovery for me, and it took a lot to narrow down my picks for the overall favorites. So, let us begin!

Skincare
I focused a lot on my skin in 2013, especially in the second half. While I do (and always will) love makeup, I'd pick going out bare-faced over packing on the foundation and concealer any day. So most of my current skincare routine (post on that later?) came from the past year, but I certainly narrowed down what I love the most to three measly products. Go me!

• Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes: Yes, yes, everyone loves these. But just because every beauty guru and their cat have raved about these guys doesn't mean I'm going to deny myself the pleasure of announcing my love to the world. These are really great, and they deserve all of the hype around them. I typically use a separate eye makeup remover and just use these for any face makeup, but on the lazy days, these swipe off my mascara like it's nobodies business.Do makeup wipes break you out? No worries. The whole brand is dedicated to being the solution for every the most sensitive of skins. 
• Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face and Body: I did a whole post about this product back in June (link), so I won't spend too much time on it. I will say that I have an awful problem with blackheads on my nose, and this stuff is the best I've found for removing the gunk from my pores. 
• Nivea Soft Refreshingly Light Moisturizing Cream: My skin may be prone to acne (thanks, teenage hormones) but it's also very dry. I used Avon face cream for a while, but when they discontinued all of my favorites, I began to search for my next skin savor. Nivea's one of my favorite brands, period, and after trying both of their moisturizers, I've realized that this is the best one I've ever used. Yeah, it's that good. 

Hair Care

• Suave Dry Shampoo: Dry shampoos were something that had intrigued me from the second I heard about that. As a student, there's just so many times where I know I didn't wash my hair the day before, but it was a very long day and I just want to curl up in a blanket and sleep for days, so a product that would hold over my locks between washing definitely interested me. This product is roughly three dollars, found in the drugstore, and does such a fantastic overall job that I've repurchased it a dozen times--no exaggeration there (I even keep a backup). Dark-haired like myself? The white cast it leaves disappears with very little effort. 
• Not-Your-Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray: Another product I've done a full review on (check it out here), this is my favorite styling product. I have very straight (very boring) hair, and this is perfect for adding some texture and style. My favorite way to use it is on second or third day curls--it morphs them into beachy waves better than those gotten at the actual beach. 

Body Products

• Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub: My very last post was a review on this product, so I'll try not to gush too much. I've made lip scrubs before, and nothing compares to Lush's line. Yes, they might be seen as a little pricey for essentially just...well, sugar, but there's no better fix for winter-chapped lips. 
• Burt's Bees Lemon Butte Cuticle Cream: I found this over the summer, and I can honestly still say that this is a product I use the crap out of. I reviewed this last July, so I'll link that post here to spare this favorites post from being a novel. 

Cosmetics 

• Neutregena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup: This is my favorite drugstore foundation and one of my overall favorite products in terms of base makeup. I love this so much, I wear it not only as my go-to foundation, but also to any special occasions that pop up (including my ex-boyfriend's prom last June). If that doesn't say enough, I'm not sure what will. Oh, bonus? It has SPF but doesn't leave a white cast in photos. 
• Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder: I made the decision to switch from my Maybelline Dream Matte to something translucent (in order to not have to switch shades with my skin tone) and after hearing a rave review about this from one of my most trusted YouTube gurus, I gave it a shot. Since then, I've been through two. All tune favorite? I think so. 

• Benefit Sugarbomb: My favorite of the boxed powders, I used this a ton in the last few months of the year. It's the perfect one-sweep cheek product for me, as it makes me look bronzed and flushed at the same time. Bonus? The slight shimmer highlights my cheekbones in a way that's almost too good to be true. I'll have my full review linked here.
• NYX Powder Blush in Mocha: One of my top two blushes from the drugstore, I was so happy when I discovered this color. It's a gorgeous, matte berry-toned neutral blush that gives the perfect every day flush across the cheeks. Love, love love! 

• MAC Syrup Lipstick & MAC Cremesheen Glass in Just Superb: I'm combining these two products because they were my favorite lip combination of 2013. Syrup is a beautiful, darker browned-out-pink color that's right up my ally. If I top it with anything, it's MAC's Cremesheen Glass in Just Superb, which is a lovely, creamy natural pink. The two colors together look stunning, and are one of my favorite lip combos.
• Lo'real Color Riche Balm in Rose Elixer: This line has to be the answer to the Revlon Lip Butters, but I really like them for a different way. I wore this every day to school in the beginning half the year, so I couldn't do a favorites post without mentioning it. It's nice and natural, my-lips-but-better color, and it adds a nice shine and moisturizes well for a lip color. I'll definitely invest in more of these.

• Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette: I hated matte eyeshadows before this palette came along. I resisted it for months until I kept hearing such brilliant reviews that I couldn't help but check it out. Well, turns out, I now love matte shadows and have created some pretty awesome everyday looks with this palette. Oh, and I use it almost every time I do my makeup. 
• Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude: I reviewed this when I first bought it back in July (link!) and for the past six months it's the only thing I'll use on my waterline. Nude liners are awesome for widening/brightening up your eyes, but quality ones are a rare gem in the realm of drugstore cosmetics. Even better? It's super affordable. 
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Yogurt: This product was almost cut, but it's gettng a mention solely because the color of this is my favorite color I've ever worn on my eyes. Seriously, it's that good. Plus, at $5, it's one of the best eye-shadow bases around. I have to stop myself sometimes from using this little guy so much. 

• Essie Fiji: I'm actually wearing this color on my nails at the moment, and it's such an awesome, every day shade. I'd describe it as a light, milky, baby pink that in my opinion is the perfect polish for that, well...polished look. Essie's especially known for their pastel and neutral shades, and this one is no exception in my eyes. 

• Real Techniques Brushes: Samantha Chapman (a popular YouTube beauty guru) created this line of brushes I don't know how long ago, but I do know that on top of being incredible, they are super affordable. I only have this set of basic eye brushes, but the rest of the line is on the top of my shopping list next time I hit an Ulta store. Sam, please come out with more of these! 

• Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Body Mist: Alright, it's true *hangs head in shame*. I didn't stop wearing this when the Christmas season ended. This is actually one of my favorite (if not my favorite) fragrances Bath and Body Works has ever come out with, and I just can't resist using it even on the hottest summer days. So, yeah, it was my favorite scent this year. And I'm not too proud to admit that I wore it almost every single day from December 2012 to August 2013. 

Fashion 

• My first favorite I don't really have a picture for, but it's cardigans. I surprisingly never owned a cardigan until about a year and a half ago, and now I wear them 90% of the time. Unforunately, I don't have a picture of one to share, but I did want it to be known that in terms of clothing, cardigans more than take the cake for 2013. 

• I discovered these canvas sneakers from Target in the beginning of they year, and I own five pairs and wear them to death. My favorite (and first pair) were these navy blue ones, and I just think they are completely amazing and really cute. Also, nude flats. Again, I found these at Target and I wear them with everything. I'm now forever lusting after the Tory Burch Caroline flats: the nude ones are just shout "buy me, buy me!" every time that I look at them on Nordstrom's website. 

• BCBG Affirmation Bracelet: God, this is so my style it hurts. I'm not going to spend too much time on this, because once I start, I'll never stop. But I did feature this in a jewelry post back in the summer, so you can check that out if you haven't already seen it. 
• Alex and Ani bracelets: I talked about my first one (the Gemini one) in a Girly Obsessions post and since (actually, both for Christmas) I've acquired two more: the emerald (my birthstone) and the sailboat. This whole company just really inspires me and hits home, as the whole premise is to focus on positive energy and thinking. And yeah, the bracelets are roughly $30 a pop, but they're so worth it, I promise. 
• The Angel: My grandmother, and one of my closest and favorite relatives, passed away on October 30th 2013. She wore this little gold angel pendant every day for the last twelve years of her life, and when she passed, my grandfather gave me this necklace. It's the perfect reminder of her, and whenever I wear it, I just feel good. 

 Random

• Netflix: Specifically shows like New Girl and One Tree Hill really captivated me this year, and Netflix in general has just become a huge part of my entertainment. New Girl became one of my top three favorite shows (it holds the #2 spot, just behind The Big Bang Theory and ahead of Friends). Also, One Tree Hill. Yes, I know I'm incredibly late on that bandwagon. Chad Michael Murray is just so...ugh. Enough said. 
• Frozen: Probably the cutest movie I've seen in a while, the latest Disney release is just so good. I've been singing the soundtrack ever since I saw it. Who wants to build a snowman with me?!
• Music: First, McFly. (Tom Fletcher is probably one of my favorite human beings in the world.) I've known about them for a while, but I really fell for their music last January. My favorite song has to be a tie between All About You, Sorry's Not Good Enough, and Too Close for Comfort. Next, Hunter Hayes. Oh boy, he is just great in so many aspects. Fangirling aside, I do really like his music, and I Want Crazy and Better than This are my favorites from him, although I love every song on his album. And finally, Michael Buble. What is it with me and male music artists this year? Regardless, It's a Beautiful Day and Haven't Met You Yet are consistently stuck in my head. 
• Snapchat: Embarrassingly enough, I was so against this app when it first gained popularity, but now I'm obsessed. Sending snaps to my friends during class is a fun way to make time go quicker (but shhhh don't tell my mom). 
• Coffee mugs: Don't ask me how it happened, but I became really obsessed with cute coffee mugs this year. I've started a collection, and I'll probably do a post on it when it grows a bit more. But for now, I'll keep searching for the cutest, dorkiest beverage holders I can find!

Phew, if you made it to the end, you're a champ! Here's to saying goodbye to 2013, and let's hope 2014 is the best year yet!

What was your top favorite from the past year?

xoxo

Alyssa