July Favorites

Related Posts:

• August 2013 Favorites      

I'm finally getting around to making a favorites post! I've wanted to make one of these forever, but I never actually followed through, and now that I have some downtime, I decided to make one! 

**CLICK THE TITLE OF EACH PRODUCT TO SEE IT ON THEIR WEBSITE**

MAKEUP

Lorac Front Of the Line Pro Eyeliner ($23)

            I've had this eyeliner since the end of October and I just now ran out (It's now the end of July!) It's a little pricier, but it is SO worth it! It glides on and doesn't get stuck on your eyelashes (Which I've found my current Smashbox eyeliner does (They're both felt tip eyeliners))

Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner (Pencil) ($19)

           I just recently started using this eyeliner, and it doesn't work too well on my waterline (Despite it's claims to be "waterproof") however, it works very well on my top lash line. It is just your typical pencil look, but its nice if you want to just add a little extra something to your eye look!

Urban Decay Lush Lash Mascara ($20)

          (This link is to Sephora's website because I couldn't find this specific mascara on Urban Decay's website.) This is my all time favorite mascara! I've re-purchased this mascara 3 times now because I can't find anything I like as much! It lengthens my eyelashes more than any other mascara ever has, and yet it still manages to add volume without clumping! I cannot get over this mascara. Some of my friends even went out and bought it because they've heard me rave about it so much!

BEAUTY

Essie: Cocktails and Coconuts ($8.50)

            This color is the perfect nude nail color! It's great for summer because it makes you look more tan! I love this color and it's been my most used this summer! It has a subtle shimmer, which is nice and adds a little extra glam.

China Glaze: Shocking Pink ($7.50)

           Another must-have for summer, this color will make your tan pop! It's nice and bright which screams summer! You will need a topcoat however, because it has a matte finish.

Nicole By OPI: 3-in-1 Base Coat/Top Coat/Nail Strengthener ($5.99)

           You simply can't have the perfect manicure without this! Instead of lugging along your base coat, top coat and nail strengthener, you can just bring this, its all of those... IN ONE!! It's amazing! It really does do everything that it claims and I'm amazed. I love this! 

Nicole By OPI: Quick Dry Top Coat ($5.99)

           I've bought top coats that claim to be "quick drying" in the past, and I haven't been impressed... Until now. This was the only top coat they had at Target when I needed one, so I bought it, but I'm so impressed by this! I put this on over many, many layers of nail polish and it dries SOLID in 15 minutes! I'm always amazed by this and I will never buy any other top coat from now on!

xoxo

Ways To Keep Your Face Clear For Summer!

July 23rd, 2014

SIMILAR POSTS:

•   Tips For Getting Clear Skin

Summer is great, its a little break and time to relax. But, our skin might start breaking out more from oils in sunscreens, or sweating from laying out all day at the beach/pool. Today I have a couple little tricks to keep your skin clear, or at least make it appear you have clear skin. 

• EXFOLIATE!!!

             I cannot stress this enough! Dead skin can end up falling into pores, which will clog them, and create a breakout, dead skin also prevents your foundation from going on smoothly, it'll look rough or uneven, and it may wear off easier in those spots. I love the Clinique Exfoliating Scrub, I use this usually weekly (On Sundays) and it makes such a difference! You don't have to leave it on for any amount of time! You can just put it on, then wipe it right off! You can instantly see (and feel) a difference! I swear by this stuff!

• Avoid touching your face

            Your hands produce lots of oils and they contain the most germs on all your body! Touching your face transfers those oils and germs and can clog pores. When washing your face, try to use a sponge designed for use on sensitive skin (This will be the most gentle) or a wash cloth.

• Wash your face every night (Not in the morning!!)

            Never wash your face in the morning as washing your face too often will make your face produce more oils, leading to breakouts. Also, if you wash your face with hot water, it will open your pores, then while applying makeup, it will sink right into your pores, creating breakouts or pimples. Instead of washing your face, just put some cold water on your face, this will close your pores, and wake you up!

• Avoid thick, heavy foundations

          Swap out heavy foundations for a simple BB Cream! Thick, heavy foundations will make your face feel like its suffocating. Save those for the winter or fall. BB Creams are much lighter and most of them have SPF! (No need for oily sunscreens!) 

xoxo

Healthy Summer Recipes And Food Choices!

Past Posts

• Review: Pixi Primer   
• Review: Urban Decay Mascara  

Summer is a time for fun in the sun... But we also lose some motivation to stay fit because its finally our "time off" of school and college and life basically.. This summer, I've been getting way into cooking and making simple, but healthy snacks and meals, so I decided I'd share them with you!

**= alternative option

THE PERFECT PANINI/SANDWICH

What you need:

• Deli meat of choice
• Basil
• Mozzarella cheese
• Bread
• Sandwich maker

How to make it:

1. Put 2 pieces of bread on a plate, and lay a piece of mozzarella cheese on top of both sides (This will prevent  your sandwich from falling or slipping apart)
2. Place 1-3 pieces of your meat of choice on top (I went with turkey as its a healthier option)
3. Lay 1 large leaf of fresh, organic basil on top, then stick the 2 sides together
4. Place in sandwich maker until it turns a golden color
5. Slice apart and enjoy!

FROZEN STRAWBERRY LEMONADE

What you need:

• Lemonade (Powder, frozen/concentrate or pre-made) (Make sure this is just the original lemon flavor)
• Fresh Strawberries
• Ice or frozen strawberries
• Blender

How to make it:

1. Make the lemonade, or pour some into a blender
2. Slice up strawberries and add to the lemonade (Use as many as you would like, depending on how much of a strawberry flavor you want)
3. Add ice or frozen strawberries (Frozen strawberries will add more flavor, whereas ice might make it taste watered down, and you'll want to add sugar for flavor)
4. Blend until there are no ice chunks and it is the consistency of an icee
5. Pour in glass(es) and enjoy!

STRAWBERRY BANANA** SMOOTHIE/GREEN JUICE

What you need:

• Fresh strawberries
• Fresh banana(s)
• Frozen strawberries (Alternative for ice)
• Vanilla Yogurt
• Spinach (Optional)
• Blender

How to make it:

1. Cut up strawberries and bananas and put into a blender
2. Add vanilla yogurt and frozen strawberries (Again, frozen strawberries add flavor and a frozen consistency)
3. Add spinach if you're making this a green juice (Spinach does not add any flavor, it just makes it healthier and it'll change the color) 
4. Blend until its at the consistency you like
5. Pour in glass(es) and enjoy!

**Substitute strawberries and/or bananas with any other fruit to switch things up and create a new flavor!

            INSTEAD OF                                                TRY

       -Salted/Buttered popcorn                    -Kettle Corn

       -Normal yogurt (Full of sugar)           -Greek Yogurt

       -Canned fruit                                        -Fresh Fruit

       -Chocolate cake                                   -Dark Chocolate                   dipped Strawberries

       -Original oatmeal                                 -Steel-Cut Oatmeal

       -Potatoes                                              -Sweet Potatoes/Yams

       -Red meat                                             -Chicken

xoxo