Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Fearless

When I'm shopping for a blush, I usually pick up a natural pink with a shimmer or highlight. This is really different from what I would usually go for, but I love it. I settled on the shade "fearless" - it's a matte coral with pink tones. I like the idea of it having 12-hour staying power. I hate looking washed out at the end of the day because my blush has faded. The Amazonian clay blushes are baked, and infused with clay from the Amazon River. 

How cute is the detail of the imprint on the pressed powder? I also really love the packaging. It's sleek and compact - perfect for traveling or throwing in your makeup bag and it has a great mirror under the lid. This blush is bright and very pigmented - I just barely dip my brush into the powder and get major color payoff. 

You can see in the swatch how pigmented this blush is. When a light dusting is applied to the cheeks it gives a really beautiful, natural look. You can pair a highlight shade with this, or leave it matte for fall & winter. Tarte claims that this blush is good for every skin type - dry, combination, & oily. I have dry skin and this always applies flawlessly without clinging to dry patches. 

As a bonus, Tarte creates this blush without the use of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, GMOs and triclosan. They offer a wide range of shades with matte and shimmery options. 

I picked mine up at Sephora, but you can find these online and at Ulta for $26. I would love to try more Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes - I think next time I'll try Dollface and Flush.

Benefit Hervana Blush Review

Benefit Hervana Powder Blush

This is one of Benefit's newest swirled powder blushes. The shade is called "Hervana" and it comes in the classic Benefit blush box with a compact brush included. I picked this up at Sephora for $28 and I've been loving it lately. I don't usually go for purply blushes, but I actually really love the shade of this blush once you've swirled all the colors together.

The "good karma" face powder is comprised of 4 shades - a plum, a rose, a peach, and a light pink highlight. You get two triangles of each shade and they're placed just right so that you can swirl your brush to combine all the colors evenly. You get the plum color payoff but there's enough pink so that it's not too purple. It also has a shimmer to it from the highlight shade. Benefit describes it as an "orchid-blossom blush." The names of the shades are Lucky Shell (highlight), Divine Peach, Heavenly Rose, & Berry Delight.

The resulting color ends up being a mix of berry and rose with just the right amount of sheen to it.

As always, the little blush box comes with its very own brush inside. Typically when products come with a brush, I throw it out and never use it. However, the brushes that Benefit includes are all really good quality. I love the brush that comes with Hervana - it swirls the colors perfectly and angled brushes are perfect for applying cheek color. As you can see, I've definitely used mine!

Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about this blush. I will continue to wear it (even more) during autumn and winter - I love wearing blushes with plum shades during the colder months. The packaging is as cute as ever, and so convenient with the brush and mirror included. I have several Benefit blushes of all kinds and this is definitely one of my favorites.

What's your favorite Benefit product? Which blush shades will you be wearing this fall & winter?

Until next time!

Autumn Polish Colors

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Fall Shades

I love this line of polishes so much that I refuse to buy any other kind. Maybe if I spotted a color I couldn't live without, I might pick it up, but for now, I'm sticking to Sally Hansen. There are a couple reasons I'm hooked on these polishes...

1. The Brush. The brush is flat and much wider than most nail polish brushes. It makes it so much easier to place the brush in the right place and get perfectly smooth strokes. It makes painting with your left hand so much easier. You get a silky smooth and wide stroke of paint, but it's not too wide for more narrow nails. It makes it a lot quicker because it covers more nail area. 
2. The Formula. This polish lasts forever!! I can be pretty rough on my nails and this polish lasts at least 7 days. Usually, I can wear this polish up to 10 days before it starts getting chipped. If it's a more natural nail color, you can get away with wearing it even longer because little chips can go undetected. I recommend this polish to everyone mostly for its lasting power.

The colors, from left to right, are 

1. Rhododendron - this is a deep red with plum tones, similar to a wine color. 
2. Dark Knight - a very dark navy.
3. Gilty Party - a shimmery, reflective silver polish with flecks of pink and multicolored sparkles.
4. Moulin Rose - a dusty rose color (it's showing up deeper and brighter in the picture) with shimmer
5. Commander in Chic - a true grey (I love to make this color matte with a matte top coat)
6. Onyx - super shiny black.

All of these shades are perfect for fall and will look great on a wide variety of skin tones. I pick up all the new Sally Hansen shades at Target, but you can find these at drug stores, beauty stores, grocery stores, etc. You can, of course, also order them online.

What are your go-to nail colors for Fall? Let me know in the comments!

Nighttime Skincare Routine

Removing your makeup at the end of the day is one of the most important aspects of skincare. I can't remember the last time I slept in my makeup but I do admit I'm not always diligent with my nighttime skincare routine. Give yourself plenty of time to remove your makeup properly and cleanse your skin. My nighttime routine is much longer than my morning routine so I can make sure I'm taking care of my skin and putting back what the day took away. 

My first step is to remove my makeup. I use this Garnier Cleansing Oil and massage it into my face and eyes to remove even waterproof mascara. It feels a little odd at first to put oil on top of your makeup, but this cleansing oil melts away all the makeup on your skin so you can wipe it away with a warm towel. 

My next step is to cleanse. I use the Philosophy Purity cleanser to clean my skin now that there's no makeup there. Purity will also remove any remaining makeup (even eye makeup) and it gently and naturally cleanses the skin without being too drying. This keeps my skin clear without irritation. 

If my skin is particularly dry, I use a scrub. I choose between the LUSH Ocean Salt Scrub and The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion to smooth my skin.

A few nights of the week, I use a face mask. I choose a mask depending on what issues I'm experiencing at that time. If I'm dry, I use The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Mask. If I'm experiencing a break out, I use The Body Shop Tea Tree Mask. If I'm feeling oily or I suspect a breakout coming, I use one of the Formula 10.0.6 Mud Masks - I get these at Ulta and I LOVE them. They're under $10 for a large tube of the mask and it lasts forever. These smell so amazing and they use really good and natural ingredients. Since these are mud masks, they dry out my skin a little so I have to moisturize heavily after I use them.

Next, I use two essential oils on my skin. I use Tea Tree Oil and dab it on any spots or areas prone to breakouts. It always clears up my skin quickly. I also use Lemon Oil on my skin. Lemon oil helps keep skin clear and bright. Lemon oil can reduce scarring from breakouts as well. I do not use lemon oil if I have used a scrub or exfoliator because it can burn. 2-3 drops is plenty. 

Before moisturizing, I spritz a little bit of this LUSH toner water to help my moisturizers sink in.

On my eyes, I use the Origins A Perfect World for Eyes and just dab this around my eye area and the delicate skin underneath. I love the smell of this whole range. It has white tea in it and vitamin A to firm the skin. 

My last step is to moisturize. Typically, I use my trusty Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydration mask. I've talked about this before, so I won't go on too much about it, but I use a light layer of this as a nighttime moisturizer to moisturize my dry skin. 

Just before bed I dab a little of this Yu Be skin cream onto my lips so I can wake up in the morning with smooth and moisturized lips. I love this stuff!

What products are in your nighttime routine? Share them below so I can try them out!

HUGE Fall Candle Haul & Review

I'm a candle addict. I have been on several shopping trips since the beginning of September to stock up on fall (and winter) candles. I love burning candles and making the house smell and feel like Autumn. It can really make you feel more festive. Here are the candles I have recently picked up...

Pumpkin Caramel Latte - I found this at Bath & Body Works. It's part of their limited edition Pumpkin Cafe line. It's sweet and caramel-y with notes of espresso. I'm (not so patiently) waiting for cooler weather to light this one. This scent has gotten rave reviews online - it's a favorite of many! 





Heirloom Pumpkin - This pumpkin scent is more fresh, but still very autumnal - with hints of nutmeg. It's spicy and perfect for fall. I love these mason jar candles; I'm going to clean them out and reuse them when they're gone. Bath & Body Works candles strongly scent the entire room and I've been burning this candle a lot lately and it seems to burning slowly but giving off tons of spicy pumpkin scent.

Artisan Market Mason Jar Candles

Vanilla Chai

This is one of my favorites so far. It smells just like my routine Starbucks order: Vanilla Chai Latte. Notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and those unmistakable chai spices. I can't wait to start burning this one.

Banana Nutmeg Bread Pudding

This smells like bananas. If you're not a banana fan, this one isn't for you. The banana smell is a tad artificial but when combined with the nutmeg and brown sugar scents, it really does smell like banana bread pudding. I'm interested to see how this smells when it's burning. 

Vanilla Snow Flake - This is one of my all-time favorite scents. I LOVE the vanilla variations that B&BW releases. One year, I stocked up on Vanilla Bean Noel so that I could burn it throughout the entire year. This is a very similar scent. It's the perfect vanilla with subtle hints of peppermint that really brighten up the smell. I'm saving these for serious winter coldness (can't wait!). I also really love the packaging and labels on these. The 3-wick candle has the cutest label and snowflake detailing on the lid. 

Espresso Bar - This smells like a freshly brewed cup of espresso. I bought this intending to burn it in the kitchen so it always smells like fresh coffee. It has light hints of vanilla as well. This is a "small candle" that claims to burn 20-30 hours. These are frequently bundled for a good discount. 

Apple & Pumpkin Picking - I love Yankee Candles. They are also very strongly scented and really fill an entire room. I would say they burn at a similar rate as B&BW candles. At 7oz, these are slightly larger than the mason jar candles, and claim to burn 35-45 hours. I've had this burning in my bedroom and I love it. It's sweet with strong notes of crisp apple and pumpkin, without any spice or added notes. It's purely pumpkin and apple - perfect for early fall. 

Pumpkin Patch - This is a swirled mix of Yankee Candle's Harvest and Spiced Pumpkin candles. I've had this burning in our guest bathroom - it smells just like an autumn wreath. It smells of cinnamon, pumpkin, and fall spices. I actually picked this up at Home Goods for a discounted price. I thought the Halloween label was cute for October. 

Hot Cider - This smells exactly like hot apple cider - apples & cinnamon. Again, I picked this up at Home Goods for about $6 and I've been burning it in my entryway. It's from the Yankee Candle Simply Home range. The only thing I don't like about Yankee Candles are the shape of some of them - the tapered opening gets blackened from the smoke and towards the end of the candle, it can get really messy if you touch the opening. You have to be really careful about trimming the wick. However, I love this scent, it makes me crave some cider. 

Baked Apple

Crispy, Warm, & Canny Baked Apple. This was $7 at Home Goods and it's one of my favorites. I LOVE the packaging. The jar is so cute and it's actually made from yellow glass (the candle inside is white). I will definitely have to clean this out and repurpose the jar when the candle has finished. It smells just like baked apples - warm apple with a light touch of cinnamon. I enjoy the smell but the jar is really what sold me. This is a DW Home candle. 

Juicy Cranberry - This is another DW Home candle from Home Goods. I should have known because the packaging is almost as cute as the previous jar. This smells like sweet, tart, and fruity cranberries. No spices or anything else - just cranberries. It's in a red glass cup with a cork lid. Definitely another container I want to repurpose. I've been burning this in our master bathroom and I love the way it smells. 

Pumpkin Spice - Another DW Home candle. I didn't pay attention to the brands when I saw these at Home Goods, and they all have very different packaging and labels, but they're all in really cute jars that you could totally use for other things once the candle is gone. More red glass! This candle is very spicy and autumnal. It smells like pumpkin pie spice - cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin. 

Maple Butter

This makes the whole house smell like pancakes. It's warm, buttery, and maple-y. I've been burning this like crazy since I discovered it at Home Goods. I can't get enough. I could burn this any time of year but it makes you want to get warm and cozy in the fall. I can even smell it from outside the front door sometimes. One of my favorites of this haul. 

Everyday Luxe Candles

I think these are the prettiest candles I've ever seen. They're simple with just a touch of sparkle. I have the butter cookie scent sitting on a stack of magazines on my coffee table and it looks so beautiful. The butter cookie scent is very sweet and smells like you're baking sugar cookies; An ultra-sweet vanilla scent. I almost don't want to burn it because it's so pretty. The sparkling plum smells very similar to grape juice but it's very deep and rich. It reminds me of sugar plums and the Nutcracker ballet, so I'm saving this for December. It would definitely be a lovely coffee table candle - it needs to be displayed!

These last couple candles I picked up for their looks more so than their scents.

Wild Honey Nectar - I initially picked this up because of the jar - it's a cracked mirrored silver jar with a simple white candle inside. I expected the candle to be unscented, but it's actually a really nice scent. Surprise, surprise, it's another DW Home candle from Home Goods. This seems more of a spring or summer scent to me, so I haven't burned it yet, but it looks really pretty on display. 

Pumpkin Tart - I picked this up because the jar is really nice. For just under $10, I would have purchased it if it was just the jar. Having a candle inside is an added bonus. Also, it's HUGE (15.5oz) with a burn time of up to 80 hours. It smells like simple, fresh pumpkin. This is a Laura Ashley candle. 

What are your favorite fall and winter scents? Please share your favorites and where you go to stock up on candles!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara Review

LOVING this mascara! This was the first Tarte product I ever tried and to be honest, it didn't wow me at first. I bought this at the same time I bought the Benefit They're Real mascara and I ended up using the Benefit right away and didn't use the Tarte mascara for several weeks. Now I'm addicted. I have blonde lashes so it can take several coats for me to make sure all my lashes have been coated and darkened, but this mascara is SO black and because of the brush design, just a few sweeps and all my lashes are fully coated.

I initially purchased this based on a video by Fleur DeForce - she gave it a rave review and I decided I would give it a try. I really wanted to like it but wasn't all that impressed at first. I've discovered the secret - I have to curl my lashes first (I admit I'm not a consistent lash curler) and I have to use both sides of the brush. When you apply it to curled lashes it looks amazing! It holds the curl, it's super black and manages to coat each and every lash. It also adds volume and length. I started wearing this mascara to my hot yoga classes because although I don't wear any face makeup - I usually swipe on a bit of waterproof mascara since my lashes are blonde. This mascara does NOT budge. I've been wearing this everywhere for a couple of weeks now and I love it.

Tarte also claims that it's enriched with vitamins and minerals so that it ends up being healthy for your lashes. That's just an added bonus because the truly black formula and the brush design are really great and I will definitely be repurchasing this. The brush has two sides to it - a short, dense, side that helps coat the lashes and add volume, and a longer, firmer side that combs through to avoid clumps and lengthen. I love it so much I may just have to try the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara as well.

I purchased mine at Sephora but you can also find it at Ulta and Tarte online

PS - How cute is the packaging?!

October Obsession: Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask

I have been using No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask from Boots everyday this month. I have always loved this product, but for some reason I've been obsessed with it throughout the month of October. I have the formula for dry/very dry skin and it hydrates my skin so much. I struggle with extremely dry skin especially on my face, and this mask solves my dry skin problems every time. It's meant to be a mask that you apply and then later remove, but it can also be used as a deep moisturizer. I apply a thin (actually, not so thin because I love it) layer to my skin and let it sink in overnight. When I wake up I never have any residue or a greasy feeling - my skin always drinks this stuff right up. Even if I use a cleanser for dry skin, I always feel much dryer at the end of the day after a shower or after washing my face. I apply this directly after cleansing or right before bed and it seems to cure my dry skin overnight.

I was reading through the reviews when I first purchased this product, and I noticed some people complained about the smell and about it tingling sensitive skin. I love the smell, I think it smells new and clean and it doesn't bother me at all; I don't ever find it offensive. I also haven't had any irritation problems with this. It's so silky and soothing that I can't imagine it would ever bother my skin. I would say I have sensitive skin, and I often find that certain products burn or irritate my skin, but this isn't one of them. I love the packing as well - you can dispense the desired amount of product, it stays clean, you can see how much you have left, and the pump works seamlessly. An all-around love for me!

I get mine at Target but you can also find it at Ulta and online at Boots. Your local drugstore like Walgreens or CVS may carry it as well.

The Body Shop Face Masks

The Body Shop makes 3 face masks that I absolutely love! I do a lot of masks at home so I'm always buying little sachets of different face masks to try out. Unfortunately, I don't have a Body Shop close to home, but I can find these particular face masks in sachet form at Ulta for $2.50. These 3 are my favorites that I use on a regular basis:

Tea Tree Face Mask - I love tea tree oil and it's gentle yet effective when used on breakouts. I have a tiny bottle of tea tree oil from The Body Shop but I love this mask when I'm having trouble with my skin. If my skin is suffering from a breakout or I've used a new product that's made my skin break out, I use this mask and it clears my skin right up. I do have dry skin, so I have to be sure to follow this up with a really hydrating moisturizer. Since it's meant to clear up problem skin, it can be a tad drying, so I follow it up with something really soothing and hydrating so I don't have any dryness problems. This mask is fun, too, because its super green!

Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask - This mask is amazing for dry skin. It's super hydrating and so soothing on the skin. I love to have a pamper night with this mask because it really feels luxurious and silky on your skin. This gets rid of any dry patches and makes my skin younger & plump. I like to apply the mask and then rather than washing it off, I just towel off the excess and rub the lotion into my skin for the night. I wake up with different skin - so silky and soft. You can definitely feel the effects of the Vitamin E. 

Vitamin C Microdermabrasion Mask - This was the most recent Body Shop mask that I tried. I've never had a proper microdermabrasion but I'm always looking for products that claim to "slough off dead skin" because the skin on my face can get very dry. This definitely adds radiance to your skin. It seems to turn over your old skin cells and revitalize your face. Vitamin C is really good for your skin in terms of looking more youthful, so that's always a plus. The exfoliating particles are very fine so it isn't too harsh but removes all the dead skin. It definitely improves my skin's texture and tone.

What are your favorite face masks? Please share your favorite Body Shop products so I can check them out!

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara Review

Bottom lash mascara. At first I found myself questioning the necessity of a mascara specifically for bottom lashes. However, if you pay attention to your bottom lashes throughout the day you might notice smudging, flaking, smearing, etc. I started to notice these problems and then I realized I had just been dealing with it... constantly wiping under my eyes and checking my eye makeup in the mirror to make sure I didn't have raccoon eyes. When I first heard about Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, I thought that it was a good idea, but maybe slightly unnecessary, but I decided to base my final decision on the price.

I was happily surprised to find the tiny mascara at Sephora for only $10. I decided to give it a try and I'm so happy I did. I can't go a day without this mascara, now. It comes in black & black/brown - I'm currently using it in 'black.' I love this product so much and can't imagine ever switching back to a regular mascara for tiny bottom lashes. The brush is sized perfectly and applies mascara neatly and precisely without clumping. I even use this on my upper lashes sometimes in the inner corner where my lashes are very small. This mascara never smudges or flakes. This summer, with temperatures in the triple digits, I never had a problem with my bottom lashes melting or smearing. 

I can swipe this on quickly at the end of my makeup routine to coat my bottom lashes and go. I don't have to worry about wiping away flecks of mascara or cleaning my under eye area. It makes my bottom lashes stand out and it's extremely convenient. I will definitely continue to repurchase this product. Its formulation makes me want to try other Clinique mascaras (which, by the way, are all priced very well). 

You can find this at Clinique booths in department stores or online, Sephora, and anywhere that sells Clinique cosmetic products. 

Benefit 'They're Real!' Review (Mascara & Liner)

     This summer, Benefit launched their "They're Real!" range. It includes a mascara, push-up liner, and eye makeup remover. I purchased the mascara and liner from Sephora in August and I wanted to share my review of them with you. These products have received tons of reviews and most of them seem to be positive. If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet, read my review and you can decide for yourself.

Benefit 'They're Real!' Mascara - I have really loved this mascara. I'm usually not a fan of plastic brushes, but this mascara has changed my mind. It's not only a plastic brush, but it has some bristles on the tip of the brush so that you can use the wand vertically as well. This is great for outer lashes and the inner corner. I love the formulation of this mascara, too. It's a thin consistency and it separates lashes, but mostly, it adds serious length. It really gives the appearance that you're wearing false lashes. One coat of this is plenty, and I even like it for bottom lashes since it's waterproof. It's priced perfectly at $23; I will definitely repurchase when it's used up! 

Benefit 'They're Real!' Push-Up Liner - I'm sorry to say I hated this product so much I returned it immediately. The concept has potential... I like the idea of the flexible chisel tip, but the consistency of the liner was way too thick. It was really difficult to apply and I wasn't able to ever get the wing right. The liner was too thick so it was difficult to apply accurately and ended up being clumpy and all over the place. It seems like you have to push some liner out and then wipe it on the back of your hand to get rid of the excess product. When I tried to clean up my mistakes, I could not get it off. I had to dig around for all different kinds of eye makeup remover until I found one that could remove this and even then I had to scrub. I don't like anything that's too difficult to take off my eyes because the skin around the eyes is so sensitive and delicate I hate to agitate it. I put this liner back into its box and returned it the next day. I have read reviews saying it took some time to get used to, but I just couldn't handle the consistency long enough to get better at application. Maybe I was too impatient but this was a very disappointing product. If you DO end up purchasing, I would definitely try out the makeup remover also, because it's impossible to get off otherwise. The liner goes for $24 at Sephora.

Benefit Gimme Brow Review

    

 I love this concept - a tinted brow gel with fibers to add thickness. I have very blonde brows so I'm always trying out new products to darken them, shape them, and keep them in place. I get my brows threaded to shape them, but I don't have much of an arch, so I use some type of gel or pencil to add some shape to them and no matter what I need a product to darken them. Even if my brows are dyed, I still like to fill them in at least slightly. It helps frame your face and your eyes especially. Benefit 'Gimme Brow' is a mascara-like product to help add thickness and volume to brows, while lightly tinting and holding them in place. It comes in a small tube (0.1 oz) with a tiny mascara brush inside. The range consists of 2 shades, light/medium and medium/deep. I use light/medium and it's the perfect light brown with ash tones. The formula itself is also very similar to mascara, with little fibers in it that are meant to attach to your brows to make them appear fuller. I have used this both on top of already filled in brows and alone, and I like it both ways, but for different reasons. On a "no makeup day" I sweep this onto my brows by itself for a little color and to keep them neat. It adds enough color to tint my brows without being a bold brow. On regular makeup days, I fill in my brows (I use the e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit in medium) and then use the Gimme Brow as a setting gel and it adds some extra volume. I like the product for it's tint and it does keep my brows in place all day. Since I have lighter brows, I like anything that makes my brows appear darker and fuller. The only thing I don't like about Gimme Brow is that after a few weeks the product starts to build up on the end of the tube (at the opening) and gets dry and flakey. For some reason this is more of a problem with this than with any mascara I've ever used. 

     Gimme Brow typically goes for $22 and it has lasted me a couple months so far. Even though it has gotten dry on the opening of the tube, the consistency of the product inside hasn't changed. I think I will be able to continue using this tube for another month or two. I like the convenience of being able to swipe this on and I get a tint, additional thickness, and the hold that the gel provides all in one. I definitely think I'll repurchase this when it runs out. Once again, Benefit has made an excellent product!

*Note: The product claims to adhere to both skin and hair, however I don't agree. The tint will color your skin, but the fibers don't adhere to my skin. From my experience, the fibers only adhere to hair.

Here's where you can find Benefit Gimme Brow:
Benefit Cosmetics
Sephora
Ulta
Amazon (priced higher)

September Favorites!

September flew by but I'm so happy to see October. I'm ready for fall weather, pumpkin everything, and boots! Fall is my favorite season and I'm so glad it's finally here. Here are some beauty and non-beauty items I loved during September.

Beauty:

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation - I love this foundation. I'm usually a fan of Revlon foundations not only for their consistencies but also their color range. They have a nice array of fair shades and some really light shades that match my skin perfectly. I have this foundation in the shade "ivory" and it's an absolutely perfect match. It really looks like my skin and provides just enough coverage. You could apply a light layer for sheer coverage on a "no makeup" day or you could add a thicker layer for light-medium coverage and touch up any spots with concealer. I apply this with a beauty blender.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - I like the yellow tones in this concealer. I use it under my eyes with pretty much any foundation. It provides good coverage so you could wear a sheer layer of foundation and cover any under eye bags or darkness with this concealer and you're ready to go. I like the packaging, I just wish it was a little larger because I run through it pretty quickly. I apply this with the same beauty blender I used to apply my foundation. I use the shade "Chantilly." This goes for $29 at Sephora.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush - This is my transition blush. It still has shimmer and a highlight to it, but it's a deeper pink so it's the perfect transition from summer to winter. At $35, I think it's priced fairly. I love the packaging and the blush is pigmented and so easy to blend. The highlight swirled in is subtle but still adds a touch of a sheen to the cheekbones. I've been reaching for this a lot lately and I think it could be used as a daytime blush during Winter as well.

Make Up Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara - I have been loving this mascara. It's affordable as far as high-end mascaras go ($24) and I love the brush. It's a soft brush that's fat at the base and tapers to a point at the end - sort of pear-shaped. It's really black and doesn't flake onto my under eye area or smudge throughout the day. My favorite way to wear this mascara is with a smoky wing. I apply gel liner in a wing and then use a pencil brush and a black shadow to smoke out the edges. This look combined with the mascara has a really beautiful effect and makes it look like you're wearing false lashes.

Non-Beauty:

Bamboo Lane Crunchy Rice Rollers - These are fat-free popped rice snacks lightly sweetened with rice syrup and natural cane juice. I like to have these for breakfast with a little almond butter. They're crunchy but light and have just the right amount of sweetness. I picked these up at Costco, but I've linked the Amazon page for them for those of you without access to a Costco.

Twinings Earl Grey Tea - this is an old favorite of mine but I rediscovered it last month and remembered how much I LOVE this tea. I take my tea with sugar and milk, but lately I've been using Monk Fruit sweetener as a sugar alternative.

Fall Book Favorites

I'm a binge reader. When I have the time, I can spend hours reading, and it's one of my favorite things to do. I've challenged myself to read a book each week for a year. I started in November so I'm giving myself until the end of November to complete 52 books. That being said, I've done quite a bit of reading lately. Here are some books I've enjoyed the last couple months...

The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey
This book was a huge surprise. It was recommended in a video by Fleur de Force and I was in search of my next book so I downloaded this and was immediately hooked. I devoured this book in a few days. It's a little creepy in a post-apocalyptic virus-killed-everyone kind of way. It reminded me a lot of The Scorch Trials from The Maze Runner series, but a little more adult and with a lot more science behind it. It's a page-turner that keeps you locked in from the first chapter. I love books that grab you as soon as you start reading them and I could not put this one down. I even found myself wanting to pull out my iPad to read during class - it's that good. I can't tell you what it's about without giving too much away but just from hearing Fleur read the back cover I was dying to know what the book was about. This was definitely my favorite of the list.

If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman
You are probably familiar with If I Stay from the movie that's currently in theaters. I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie and then I realized it has a sequel. I was in need of a light-hearted, easy read after the intensity of The Girl with All the Gifts. I read the reviews on this book and the reviews were similar to those of Twilight and the like. These are Young Adult novels; they're easy reads, they're not meant to be deep or existential or make you think for months after you finish reading. They're entertaining, but cliched and predictable. That being said, I still enjoyed both books... I think Where She Went was my favorite. They keep you interested without being too heavy and they're very short reads but I enjoyed them both and look forward to seeing the movie(s).

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
If I judged this book by its title, I wouldn't have ever started it. Luckily, however, I read the Amazon reviews and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did because I really loved this book. Again, it isn't a typical book that I would pick up - it involves hiking, camping, hitchhiking, and lots of nature. I don't hold an interest in really any of those things but the story is more about her journey and it sucks you in and you fall in love with the characters and Cheryl's story. It follows the author on her quest to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and her journey through grief while she finds herself. By the end of the book I was seriously considering adding "hike the PCT" to my to-do list.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
I haven't finished this book yet, but I can already tell I'm going to enjoy it. Again, it grabs you from the beginning and makes you want more. Definitely a page-turner. The main character, Alice, wakes up from a fall to find she has lost a decade of her memory and her life is in a completely different place than it was in 1998. Very good so far, I would definitely recommend it to a friend. I downloaded this based on its position on the iTunes most popular books list.

Wintertime Dryness

It's officially fall (or Autumn, depending on where you live) and although it doesn't feel like it in Texas, cold weather is approaching. This is both good and bad news for me; good because I love cold weather, and bad because I have dry skin. When I say dry, I mean really dry. If I'm not on top of my moisturization routine, it's not a good situation. When dealing with dryness, flakiness, and peeling, there are a few steps you can take to ensure moisturized skin. These are my go-to products for dry skin care:

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

This is my everyday moisturizer. I put it on before applying makeup and I use it at night after my skincare routine. A little goes a long way so I think it's priced fairly. I keep a travel-sized tube of this in my nightstand and I use the large pump for my everyday use. They make a different version that's a "gel" for other skin types. 

Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask

I rarely use this as a mask, but as a deep moisturizer. I apply a thin layer to my skin (in lieu of my regular moisturizer) and go to sleep. It's a little greasy so it wouldn't do well under makeup but its perfect overnight. When I was reading the reviews, a lot of users reported that they didn't like the smell, however, I don't mind it. It does have a clean/plastic smell to it but it isn't too strong so it doesn't bother me. I imagine if a thicker layer is applied as a mask, the smell would be stronger but I don't find the smell offensive. My skin drinks this up and it really helps moisturize my skin when I'm having a particularly dry day, or if I've just used a drying skincare product. 

LUSH Oatifix Fresh Face Mask

I love LUSH products and this face mask is one of my all time favorites. It's made with oatmeal, bananas, and vanilla, so it smells amazing! It's fresh and all natural so it needs to be refrigerated and it has an expiration date. I take it out of the fridge for about 10 minutes before I apply it so it's easier to spread. I apply a generous layer and leave it on for about 10-15 minutes. Then, I use a warm cloth to remove it and follow up with moisturizer. It's just over $6 and lasts for several applications. 

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

This stuff means business. I use this on my lips when they're dry and cracked, my feet and any rough skin patches, and any severely dry areas on my face during winter. The smell is similar to Vicks, so it's not great but this moisturizer absorbs SO quickly that you won't even have time to be bothered by the smell. It's formulated specifically to absorb effectively into your skin and it definitely works. I keep a small tube in my nightstand to put on my lips before bed. When I've had this on all night, I wake up with super soft lips that have been totally restored. I also have the 2.5 oz. tub in my bathroom for feet, rough patches, cuticles, etc. It's perfect for anyone because it's non-greasy, absorbs quickly, and moisturizes deeply. I'm interested to try other products by Yu-Be. You can find this at Sephora. 

LUSH Breath of Fresh Air Toner

I usually run in the opposite direction of a toner. In my mind, a toner is an astringent and it usually dries my skin terribly. But, when I was in the LUSH store and tested out Breath of Fresh Air, I was hooked. It's a cross between a moisturizer primer and a refreshing spray. It contains rose and aloe, so it helps to soothe and moisturize skin. I spray this onto my face after cleansing, and immediately follow up with moisturizer while my skin is still damp. It's also nice in the summer, on a plane, or any other time you need a cool refresher. The huge bottle lasts forever and is reasonably priced. 

Vaseline Spray & Go Total Moisture

This is a body lotion in a spray bottle, that applies as a fine mist. Genius. You still have to rub it in, but it takes seconds and it's much more convenient than conventional lotion. I wasn't convinced that this could be moisturizing because it feels very thin and it's not at all greasy, but this moisturizes SO well that I can feel its effects for days after applying. I like the smell and my favorite part about it is that it disappears quickly with absolutely no greasy residue. You can apply this after a shower and hop right into bed without sticking to everything. The spray is continuous and it can be sprayed upside down, so it's convenient for the entire body.

Last, but not least: water. If you're dehydrated, you can bet your skin is, too. I can tell immediately when I'm dehydrated from my lips, and later, from my skin. It's important to drink plenty of water for many reasons, but dry skin is one of them. If you struggle with dry skin, try upping your water intake and see how your skin improves. 

I'm always trying moisturizing products, so leave your favorites below so I can try them, too!

For the Love of Makeup Wipes...

I LOVE makeup wipes. I fully depend on them. If I'm out of makeup removing wipes I make a mad-dash to Target no matter what time of day it is. I've been using them for years and while I do have my favorites, it's hard for me to turn down a makeup wipe. Here's why I love them...

Late nights. Makeup removing wipes are perfect when you're too tired to get up and wash your face. If you've been out late and you need to fall into bed immediately... they're a lifesaver. I keep a pack in my nightstand for nights when I've already gotten into bed but then remember I haven't taken off my makeup (the worst feeling ever). I used to think this is a horrible habit and that it would leave me terribly broken out in the morning, but it actually doesn't (more on that later).

Pre-face wash. When I wash my face, I typically like to remove my makeup before I use my facial cleanser. That way I know that my cleanser got to actually do some work on my skin, and it wasn't wasted simply removing my makeup. Sometimes I'll use a wipe to do this, sometimes a cleansing oil, etc.

Quick. I don't know about you, but I love the feeling of removing makeup. It doesn't bother me to have a full face of makeup on all day, but I enjoy the feeling of a freshly cleansed face. Especially in the summer. Sometimes if I get home from a long day or I come home and know I'm done for the day, I take off my makeup as soon as I get in. I just remove it with a wipe and then when I'm ready for bed I can cleanse and go through with my usual routine, but that way you don't have makeup sitting on your face for unnecessary lengths of time. This is a good idea when you're having a breakout. Let your skin breathe as much as possible. This is also handy sometimes when you're putting on makeup. Wipes can be useful to clean up liner or shadow or a mascara fleck. I also usually carry a pack of wipes in my yoga bag, so that if I come to yoga with makeup on, I can take it off before class to avoid running mascara/breakouts/etc.

I can't get away with using wipes as my ONLY cleanser, but I do find that they clean my skin well enough to stave off breakouts if I use them periodically. My favorite wipes at the moment are the Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract. The towels have just enough liquid, they're not greasy, and the smell is really nice and fresh. I tried the Cucumber & Sage version and they were a little rough on my under-eye area, and I wasn't a fan of the smell. The Burt's Bees wipes are one of the cheapest options, which is (pleasantly) surprising because they're all natural. I also like the Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes. They're also all natural, have a non-offensive smell, and I like to formulation. For many years I used various Neutrogena wipes, but haven't gone back to them because they're usually the priciest and I've been enjoying my other options.

Do you ever rely on makeup wipes? Which are your favorites and how do you use them?


Products mentioned in this blog:
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes
Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes