A Month of Favorites: January

So it's that time again... 

A month has gone by and I have some favorites to share again!

Because of all the holiday sales and shopping that happened during November and December, I really got to try out some great new products that have quickly become favorites!

* Ouai Smooth Spray *
I have never really been interested in hair products, mainly because I don't really like buying them. But, I purchased a Ouai hair set in December and I have been really loving their Smooth Spray. I spray it in before I blow dry my hair and it leaves my hair super soft and smooth. I don't even have to straighten it afterwards! Needless to say, I've been using it nonstop!

* Body Oil * 

This winter season has been rather harsh on my skin this year. I found that a simple body lotion just wasn't cutting it anymore. So I started mixing my body oils with my lotions for extra hydration! This leaves my skin feeling so hydrated and silky! My favorite body oil to use is the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. This is the most luxurious smelling oil I own (thanks to my Aunt and Uncle from France!). I almost have to stop myself from using it daily because I'm not sure where I can purchase in the States!

* Glossier Lip Gloss *
If you're looking for a high shine lip gloss that lasts a good amount of time, purchase the Glossier Lip Gloss! It's pretty thick, but it's not uncomfortable. I really like it because it hydrates my lips as well as give an insane amount of shine to them!

*Ambre Etoile *
This perfume has been my go-to since I received it... Urban Outfitters killed it with this scent! It's warm and sweet, but still has a sort of musky scent. I highly recommend checking not only this scent out, but all of Urban's perfumes!

* Nuxe Lip Balm * 
I have never loved a lip balm as much as I love this Nuxe one! I received this as a gift from my Aunt and Uncle who were visiting from Paris last month and I haven't been able to stop using it. The balm has a very thick consistency to it and dries matte. I like using this as an overnight treatment (kind of like a lip mask) because it's so thick and hydrating. When I wake up in the morning, my lips are extremely hydrated and plump!

* Marc Jacobs Lip Creme Lipstick *
I received this lipstick mini in a Sephora perk and I cannot stop using it. The color is Slow Burn, a dusty mauve color. It's my perfect "nude" shade and it's so easy for me to wear every day. Not only is the color perfect, but the formula is so creamy and hydrating!

The Natural Base

A clean and minimal base has been my go-to lately. I wake up relatively early and I don't really like spending 10 minutes blending out my foundation. I like to use my fingers to apply a thin base and use a foundation with more coverage on larger areas that need a little more attention. 

As much as I would love to have flawless skin, that's just not a reality for me. My skin scars easily and those scars take weeks to fade. Instead of covering up all imperfections, I have learned to embrace them! But being confident with my skin hasn't always come naturally. 

I have a pretty extensive skin care routine and knowing that I'm doing the best I can to keep my skin looking healthy keeps my mind at ease. But, for days that I actually do have to leave the house and need something minimal that will still make me look put together, I opt for a simple base; something that allows my skin to breathe!

The Three Product Base

* Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint in Medium *

use this to even out skin tone and reduce redness

* Too Faced Born this Way Foundation *

use sparingly in large areas that need coverage

I apply only on cheeks and chin

Blend out with a beauty sponge to avoid streaks

* Glossier Stretch Concealer in Medium *

use to spot conceal

also use under eyes

Three products might seem a little much for a "natural" base, but I think it's best to layer thin products over each other instead of one heavy foundation. My skin looks naturally even, without the feeling of a heavy foundation. 

November Beauty Favorites

November was a month of continuous shopping; with the Sephora VIB Sale and Black Friday, I found myself purchasing a lot more than I usually would. For that reason, I was able to purchase products that had been on my wishlist for a while or simply repurchase some holy grail products!

November Beauty Favorites

* Glossier Stretch Concealer
Because I have been reducing  the amount of heavy foundation I wear on a daily basis, it made sense to also try out a concealer with the same minimal coverage. Glossier's Stretch Concealer is a very thin, emollient, and hydrating concealer. It is very easy to apply (I use my fingers!) and provides enough coverage to conceal, but it still allows some imperfections peak through. Because it is so dewy and emollient, it does crease under my eyes slightly, but I don't really seem to mind. I have fallen in love with how easy it is to apply! I highly recommend for anyone looking for a concealer with a natural finish!

* Too Faced Born This Way Foundation 
This foundation has been my holy grail since I purchased it over the summer. This is my second bottle and I'm so happy I have this back in my collection! The coverage is so flawless, but it doesn't feel too heavy. It also has a very natural finish!

* Beauty Oils 
 Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Rose Hip Oil 

I have always had (and probably always will have) oily skin. But a few days with an overly drying cleanser completely changed that! It could also be the change in weather, but I started feeling overly dry around my chin and cheeks. It really is an uncomfortable feeling and I have been unable to deal with this but beauty oils have really helped soothe the dry, tight feeling! I like to mix a few drops into my moisturizer (day and night!) for extra hydration. The Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Rose Hip oil have really been life changing!

* Glossier Cloud Paints 
One of the newest additions to my makeup routine has been the Glossier Cloud Paints. These are the easiest cream/gel blushes I have ever used. They do not leave any streaks on my face and are super easy to blend. The color is very pigmented (a little goes a long way!) but it still looks very natural. My favorites are Dusk and Beam! I will definitely be purchasing more in the future!

Waking Up Pretty: Tips and Tricks to Surviving Your First Set of Lash Extensions

I've always been a fan of lash extensions. The thought of waking up pretty is every girl's dream, right? And if I can minimize the amount of effort I put in every morning while still looking presentable, you bet your sweet ass I'm all in!

After so much research and Pinterest stalking, I decided to take the plunge with a dramatic set of lashes! It also is a big help if your mother is a lash artist herself (@lashesby_gia)!

I've been getting my lashes done since April (so around 7 months!) and needless to say, I regret nothing. 

But, it's true what they say...lash extensions are high maintenance. But when you're so used to manicures, monthly hair appointments, and the occasional wax, this seems like a walk in the park! 

So below you'll find a couple of my tips and tricks for newbies out there that want to give these a try! Also, if you're in the Southern California/Orange County area, check out Lashes by Gia for your first set of lashes!

Tips and Tricks To Surviving Your First Set of Lash Extensions

1. No matter how tempted you are, do not pull/twist/play with your lashes! This was such a hard one for me to follow, but doing this damages your natural lashes and causes them to fall out!
2. Clean them daily and avoid oil based products (makeup remover, makeup, etc). 
3. Carry a spoolie around with you at all times to brush them for those unexpected gusts of wind
4. For the love of god, do not use q-tips around your extensions! Getting a piece of cotton stuck and tangled in your extensions is the worst thing ever. 
5. Sleep on your back to avoid damaging your extensions
6. Purchase a lash conditioner to keep them dark and shiny!
7. Do not apply mascara on your lashes! If you feel like they aren't as long or voluminous as you would like, let your lash artist know and she/he could add more curl and volume to your set. 
8. Continue getting your lashes filled every 2-3 weeks
9. Do your research before you make an appointment! Research the actual lashes that you want first (classic, volume, russian?) and also research your lash artist and look through their work!

And there you go! These are my tips and tricks for any newbie looking to get their first set of lash extensions. 

First Impressions: Drunk Elephant's Umbra Tinte

To me, sunscreen is a very complicated product. You're supposed to love it and use it every single day, but for the longest time, I neglected it. I've tried numerous samples and loved some, but never saw it as a necessity in my routine. 

After my obsession with Drunk Elephant started (about 2 months ago!), I decided to try out their Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense, which is a tinted sunscreen with SPF 30.

Since purchasing, I have used it for about 3 weeks and fall more in love each time.

First impressions:

* Umbra Tinte has a very small amount of color/coverage to it. Not enough to cover spots, but enough to even your skin out

* Leaves skin looking very glowy, but not greasy

* It doesn't slip and slide on my oily skin

* Very light fragrance 

* Not a fan of the packaging (I tend to lose caps!)

* Hydrating enough to use as a moisturizer 

* Perfect to use on its own for a very light makeup day

How I use Umbra Tinte:

• Right after my face primer, I slather a nickel size amount all over my face and neck. Because it does have a small amount of tint, I only use foundation where I have dark spots (chin and cheeks). 

I really like this product because it minimizes the amount of foundation I need to use and provides enough tackiness for my face makeup to really stick. It does all this and it provides UV protection! It makes wearing sun protection very easy and it's something I really don't have to overthink!

Needless to say, I really recommend this to anyone looking to add SPF into their routine without having to worry about white casts or a greasy sunscreen feeling/smell. I don't really consider this a skincare product because I apply after I have started using makeup products. But, its great for easy makeup days since it has a slight tint to it!

I'm actually very curious about Drunk Elephant's non-tinted version of this product and will definitely be trying it out soon!

Minimalistic Makeup and Why I Love It

If you would have told me months ago that i would be using less than 15 products on my face on a daily basis, I wouldn't have believed you. Earlier this year, I was an advocate of a full "beat" face for everyday wear. You couldn't keep me away from my perfectly shaped brows and my blinding highlight. And I would do this every single day (yes, even for my conservative office job)! Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with this! But recently, within the last 3-4 months, I have fallen in love with a minimal makeup look. And I blame my newfound obsession with Glossier for this.

Makeup for me has now become a way to enhance my natural beauty, not hide it. I have really been focusing on my skin and how to almost "perfect" my base using skincare (that's a topic for another post though!). I focus on evening out my skin instead of masking it with makeup. Light, creamy products have become my best friend!

All in all, I use around 10 products on my face on an everyday basis. It takes me around 15-20 minutes to do my makeup in the morning and this allows me to sleep in a little longer! 

So below are the products I am currently using, loving and would highly recommend! I should warn you though, in an effort to reduce the amount of makeup I hoard, I have not been able to repurchase some of my newfound favorites! But, I will still mention them because I can't recommend them enough!

• Primer | I still have yet to really fall in love with a specific primer. I am currently trying to use up all of my deluxe primer samples, so I haven't really been committed to just one. Some of my favorites have been the Glossier Priming Moisturizer, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, and the Too Faced Hangover Rx Primer. All of these are pretty moisturizing, but give my face a little grip for the foundation. I'm currently using the Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer.
• Foundation | My all time favorite foundation has to be the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. It gives me the perfect amount of coverage without feeling too heavy or cake-y. It also gives my skin a beautiful radiant glow without making me look too oily! I love this formula so much that I even use it under my eyes as concealer! It doesn't crease under the eyes and covers all the darkness up. I find that using my foundation under my eyes gives my face a more natural look than using a extra brightening concealer does. Unfortunately, I have ran out of this foundation and have yet to repurchase, so I am currently using an old favorite, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. 
• Brows | My eyebrow routine has become so much easier since discovering this product-Glossier's Boy Brow! This product gives my brows a light, fluffy look that gives them enough tint to look filled in and groomed. Its perfect for everyday and super easy to apply! I highly recommend! 
• Cream Face Products | Cream products have recently become a favorite of mine. They make you look so much more natural and you don't get that powder-y finish. My favorites have been the Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Stain in Quickie, Milk Face Gloss (for a wet looking glow), Glossier Haloscope in Quartz, and the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Cafe to bronze. All of these products are extremely easy to apply and they instantly look good. I really love cream products because they seamlessly blend in with each other so you don't get obvious streaks and lines. 
• Powder | Because I have oily skin, setting my face with powder is a must. My current favorite is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder.
• Lips | This option changes every day and is based around my mood, the weather, the amount of coffee I'm having, and the amount of effort I want to put into the day; this basically changes every day for no apparent reason. 
• Face Mist | Lastly, just to make me feel better, I mist a face spray over my skin. This particular one doesn't have any makeup-setting properties in it-- I just like the way it smells :)

A Little Advice On Makeup Organization

If there's one thing I love more than applying my makeup, it's organizing it. But I wasn't always like this. I used to store my makeup in a box inside my closet. There's nothing wrong with doing this, but I never really got to see the unused makeup, which means I never got to use it. 

If you're a control freak like me, then you probably already have your makeup stored away all nice and you probably separated it by product type. Anyway, that's exactly what I did. 

Here are a couple of tips I found useful when organizing my makeup and also on how to get the most use of all that collecting

1. Find a practical and useful way to store everything. Since I have the space in my room, I purchased this mini drawer system from Ikea to store everything. It was super inexpensive (around $20) and it only took 45 minutes to put together (by myself!). You can customize this to the amount of makeup you have. If you have less, then you probably don't need a new piece of furniture. 

2. I separated each of my drawers by type of product. So, all of my face products go in one drawer and all my eye products go in another. It's simple and easy to keep track of everything. 

3. Place your most used products in a more accessible place. For example, I use my eyeshadow palettes way more than my spare foundations. So all of my palettes (including highlighting palettes, shadow palettes, blush palettes, etc.) are organized at the very top.

4. In order to get the most use out of all my makeup, I make sure to switch everything out once in a while. With winter coming up, I make sure to switch out my brighter blushes out with my seasonally appropriate ones. 

It's really easy to forget how much makeup you own, especially when you keep purchasing new products. Within the last couple of months, I really have tried to stop myself from buying new products when I know I have more than enough stored away. 

GrandeLASH MD Review

Ok so, I have to admit: I have never really been into those expensive lash growth serums that people fall into. I really didn't even have a problem with my lashes.

 But closing into September, my eyebrows were literally falling off. I had the worst patches of bare skin in places where eyebrows should grow. My eyebrow stylist/technician/therapist explained that your eyebrows can become sparse and patchy when exposed to high amounts of stress (big surprise!).

So what was I supposed to do? My most prized possession decided that they were going to fall off my face. So my eyebrow stylist/technician/therapist suggested I start using GrandeLASH on my eyebrows to help with growth. And of course, I did just that. 

After just 2 months of applying the serum through my brows and lashes twice a day, I have seen drastic results. 

My eyebrows are so much fuller and the patchiness has subsided. I still have to fill my eyebrows in, but I find that I don't need as much product as before. A simple brow powder will do nowadays. 

In regards to my lashes, I have never been happier. This product has really increased the length of my lashes. I even had a random lady at MAC ask me where I get my lashes done, and I simply answered, "These are my natural lashes!" Of course, I bragged about it to my family for days. But you have to admit, having long, beautiful lashes and bushy, full brows really does feel good!

I really didn't have much hope for this product, but after seeing the results, I am extremely happy with this product. I've been using the 2.0ml bottle for 2 months and I'm close to running out. So if you want to give it a try, I recommend that size for you to see results. 

Favorites For A Night Out

Nights out have recently become a favorite pass time for me. Especially since I was blessed with the legal age of 21 not so long ago!
The hardest part of prepping for a night out wasn't what outfit to wear or what shoes wouldn't leave me limping by the end of the night. It was achieving the perfect night out makeup. I found it so hard to find makeup that lasted all night. After so much trial and error, I finally found my favorite night out makeup & my go-to look!

Currently Loving:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sun Dipped and Artist Couture Diamond Glow Powder in Gold Digger

• Highlight on a night out is like water on a hot day - it is absolutely necessary. Anastasia and Artist Couture make my favorite highlighters, mainly because they layer so perfectly on top of each other and radiate a stunning glow. 

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 

• Never have I loved a foundation as much as I love this one. It gives me the most flawless finish without looking too cake-y. I must warn the oily-skinned girls out there tho - this foundation can become too dewy and end up looking too oily if not set with powder. To prevent this, I apply a mattifying primer first, set that with a light layer of powder, and then apply my foundation! It's a trick I recently learned and has definitely helped my makeup last all night!

ColourPop shadow in Lala

• If you were blessed with brown eyes like I was, then this shadow is going to be your best friend. I've used many copper eyeshadows in the past, but there's something about this one that makes my brown eyes POP! It looks amazing paired with a burnt orange shadow in the crease and a little hint of red in the outer corner of the eyes. 

Tricky Lashes 

• For nights out, fake eyelashes are as necessary as my highlight. A dramatic pair of eyelashes can definitely take your look to the next level, and these from Tricky Hair are beyond dramatic! They will definitely vamp up your look instantly. Tricky Hair sells clip in hair extensions and 3D mink eyelashes. Visit them at Tricky Hair Extensions!

MAC Lipliner in Boldly Bare and Buxon Full On Lip Cream in Hot Toddy

• If I'm going to wear copper eyes and dramatic lashes for the night, I usually keep the lips natural. Boldy Bare is the perfect nude on my skin tone that matches with the warm toned eyes as well. Top it off with a bit of gloss and you're ready to go! 

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Perfume

• To finish everything off, I love dousing myself in my current favorite perfume - Chanel Chance! I'm really horrible as describing scents, but I highly recommend you checking this one out in stores!

That's it! You're ready for your fun night out! All that's left is a little black dress, some accessories, and some killer shoes! 

TheBalm 'Balmsai' Palette

I am a huge fan of TheBalm's eyeshadow palettes, so I definitely 

had to get my hands on their 'Balmsai' palette! The packaging is so detailed and amazing (as usual!) 

that I would consider this a piece of art! 

Inside the palette, you have a range of shimmer and matte eyeshadows. TheBalm states that this is an eyeshadow and brow palette, which contains 3 matte brow shades to choose from and 15 shimmer shadows.

I love how the eyeshadows are labeled In the Buff (Basics), Mavericks (Splash of Color), Curve & Angle (Brow/Shadows), and Catch a Wave (Use wet or dry) so that you almost get 4 mini palettes all compacted in a large palette. 

The palette includes an array of shimmer shadows, matte shadows, glitter shadows, basic and bold colors, and even brow colors! It's literally perfect for traveling!

The actual eyeshadows are buildable, yet pigmented and blend into each other seamlessly! 

My favorites so far are Dream Boat, Epic, Tubular, and Score.

TheBalm 'Balmsai' Palette 

December Beauty Favorites!

L’Oreal True Match Foundation

            This foundation has been my favorite for a long time, but ever since I purchased the Makeup Forever HD Foundation, I stopped using True Match for a while. I completely forgot how much I loved it, though! When applying, it almost melts into the skin and blends in flawlessly. I love how lightweight it feels, but it has great coverage (medium to full!). I don't like my foundation feeling and looking extremely heavy especially on a day-to-day basis, so this is a great foundation for me. I like using this on days where I want to look put together, but I don’t want to spend a while blending in foundation!

Benefit 'Porefessional' Primer

            When I first purchased the sample of this primer, I absolutely hated it. It made my foundation slip and slide everywhere and it was not a good product for my oily skin. But, since the weather and my skin have changed since then (thanks winter!), I gave this a try and loved it! It almost blurs out any and all imperfections and fills in my pores. This primer definitely creates an even and flawless base for my foundation. I think I’ll only be using it in the colder months since my skin is very oily in the summer time and requires a different primer.

Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Contour Kit'

            I put off purchasing this kit for such a long time, but with all the holiday coupons and sales at Ulta, I had to pick it up! The powders and colors in this palette are perfect for contouring, highlighting, setting, and bronzing up the skin. They are very soft on the skin and blend in seamlessly. I’m not an expert at contour, but the powders make it so easy to create definition on the face. It definitely is a favorite of mine. I wouldn’t say everyone NEEDS it, but if you love contouring and highlighting, I definitely recommend this!

MAC ‘Cherry’ Lip Liner

            I’ve been so obsessed with lip liners recently! They all pretty much have a matte finish and stay on for long periods of time. MAC’s ‘Cherry’ lip liner has definitely been my go-to red lip color for the season! I’m not a fan of the red lip, but this color is perfection! I can wear it with a dramatic look or a daytime look. I love how versatile it is, but I especially love wearing this bold lip color when I’m barely wearing any other makeup. All I need are strong brows and a bold lip!

MAC Lipstick Collection

Let's flash back to the beginning of the year. I started off with 2 MAC lipsticks and before this year, it was rare for me to wear lipstick! Now, my MAC collection has reached a total of 7 lipsticks! That might not seem like a lot, but considering how I started off the year, it's a significant increase. 

I realized through my collection that I am drawn towards the neutral lip colors. Lately, I have been obsessed with Brave and Twig! I find that these colors really complement my skin tone and the finish is definitely my favorite (Satin)! 

Overall, I love MAC lipsticks. They have a large color selection and have numerous finishes so you can really experiment. I find that satin lipsticks have great color payoff and are moisturizing. I will have to reapply a lipstick throughout the day, but since satin lipsticks aren't drying, I don't have a problem with the application and feel. 

I'm pretty sure my collection won't stop growing, but for now, I'm happy with it! 

1. Bare Again (Sheen Supreme) 2. Twig (Satin) 3. Brave (Satin) 4. Velvet Teddy (Matte)

5. Rebel (Satin) 6. Styled in Sepia (Matte) 7. Viva Glam VI (Lustre)

Styling My Short Hair

I've had long hair for a while now. But, when I decided to make the big "chop", it was surprisingly easy for me. No, I did not break down and cry! Chopping my hair was necessary for a fresh start! 

I thought that styling my hair was going to be tough, especially since I'm really lazy with it! But, I also thought I was going to be limited by the length of my hair. I was so wrong! I found inspiration and the perfect style for my hair.

Step One:

         I usually start off with clean hair. If I have to blow dry my hair (which I usually do), I will apply some Moroccan oil to protect my hair. Protecting my hair from heat is a crucial step in this process. I love Moroccan oil because it makes my hair feel healthy and gives it a beautiful shine. 

Step Two:

         After blow drying, I will start to curl sections of my hair with the Milani Triple Threat curling iron, which comes with 3 interchangeable barrels! I use the 1" barrel to give my hair a wavy texture. When curling the hair, I make sure to curl 1" sections in both directions (away from my face and towards my face) for a natural wavy texture. The Triple Threat curling iron is so convenient because of the three barrels. It also heats up to 430 degrees in less than a minute! Because it's so easy to use, I get my hair curled in 10-15 minutes.

Step Three:

         Once I've finished curling my hair, I take the BigSexyHair "Powder Play" (a volumizing and texturizing powder) and distribute it though the crown of my head. Apply this product where you want volume and texture. This product does make your hair feeling tacky, but it gives you so much volume and texture without teasing the hair! 

I usually won't wash my hair for two days and although the "Powder Play" does leave my hair feeling tacky, I find that it is still really manageable the following day. I usually have to reapply some powder into the root of my hair and I have an instant lift and more texture in my hair! 

Review: 'Dream Pure BB Cream'

I don't have much experience with BB creams, but I have tried out a couple recently. The 'Dream Pure BB Cream' from Maybelline really caught my eye at the drugstore because it included salicylic acid, perfect for acne-prone skin. I researched the product before purchasing it and got mixed reviews. Some said they absolutely loved the product and others said it made their acne worse. So I put this product to the test for 2 weeks…

Bring On The Vamp!

Autumn is my absolute favorite season. I love everything about it! Doc Martens, knee high socks, heavy cardigans, and vampy lips all scream autumn to me. But today, I am only focusing on the lips! I don't usually change up my makeup to match the season, but I definitely make exceptions for autumn. It is the beginning of September and I did not waste a single second to pull out my favorite lipsticks of the season!

* Revlon 'Black Cherry' Lipstick: This is the darkest lipstick I have in my collection. The formula is moisturizing, but the finish is still semi-matte. The color is exactly as the name suggests -- an intense, dark burgundy color that will definitely intensify any look!

* Mac 'Rebel' Lipstick: 'Rebel' is an all-time favorite of mine. This is a perfect mix of purple and red, almost like a raspberry color. The formula is almost matte, but it has a beautiful sheen to it. 

* Topshop 'The Damned' Lipstick: This is a sheerer version of 'Rebel' with a bit more of a pink undertone. The formula is a bit drying, but lip balm before application should help with that! You can build this lipstick up to a bold color, or sheer it down for a more natural look.  

* Topshop 'Beguiled' Lipstick: 'Beguiled' is a gorgeous burgundy/wine color. There's a reason everyone fell in love with it last fall! The finish is matte and the formula is also a bit drying. 

* Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in 'Damned':  'Damned' is a wine colored pencil with a slight purple undertone to it. I use it more when I want something that will last all day, especially since it has a matte finish! 

* E.L.F Long Wear Lip Liner in 'Bitter': This doesn't really count as a lipstick, but 'Bitter' is the perfect lip liner to pair with any of the above lipsticks. It basically matches 'Beguiled' perfectly, but can be paired with any vampy lipstick. The formula is long-lasting and the price is even better!

August Beauty Favorites!

Forever21 'Ultra Pigmented Lip Color': I've never tried out the OCC Lip Tars, but I'm sure that these lip pigments come pretty close and I would even consider them a dupe! They are so incredibly pigmented and they last all day! They dry to a semi-matte finish, but aren't drying on the lips. I picked up one of the colors and fell in love so I had to go back and buy the entire selection! The only downside is that they don't have the name printed on the bottle, only the box. But for $2.80, you can't complain!

Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Maya Mia' Palette: I'm not one to purchase a palette just because it's new and hyped up. I only own 3 palettes and I am happy with them. But, when the salesperson at Nordstrom's showed me this palette, I fell in love! It has the perfect blend of neutral matte shades and shimmery ones too. My favorites are Warm Taupe, Caramel, and Glisten!

MAC 'Whirl' lipliner and 'Velvet Teddy' lipstick: This has been my favorite lip combo of the month! I have been transitioning my makeup from summer to fall and I felt like a neutral matte lip was the way to go. The hype is real with this combo.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #15: I purchased this a little while ago, but I really fell in love with the color at the beginning of the month. It's the perfect peachy-nude color for my skin tone and the formula is divine! Although fall is approaching, I will continue to wear #15 on days where I want to look fresh!

How I Control My Oily Skin

Oily skin. It has been a problem for most of my teenage years. Foundation was a joke, especially since it would disappear as the day went on. My face was constantly shiny. After trying every trick in the book, I realized that controlling my oily skin was more important than trying to get rid of shine. I haven't found the "cure" for oily skin, but controlling the amount of oils my skin produces is key. Here are a few tips and tricks I have learned when dealing with oily skin...

* Skincare is key
As a teenager new to skincare, I washed my face with extremely harsh cleansers daily to "rid" my skin of its natural oils. After trial and error, I found that cleansing my face with a gentle face wash was the way to go. You don't need to scrub your face daily and use a harsh toner to get rid of your natural oils. Instead, I wash my skin twice a day; nightly with water and a cleanser, and in the morning with Bioderma.
Moisturizing is crucial for oily skin! If you strip your skin of all natural oils and fail to apply any moisturizer, your skin will produce even more oils to balance everything out! I love the Clinique 'Moisture Surge' moisturizer because it's light and doesn't make my skin feel as if I slathered heavy lotion on it. I use it both night and day to moisturize my skin after cleansing.

* Makeup 
Using products meant for oily skin can sometimes make me look flat and cake-y. But, I've found that applying a primer meant for oily skin is best. The Rimmel 'Stay Matte' primer really helps control the amount of oils my skin produces without making me look completely flat.
Apply whichever base you prefer (foundation, tinted moisturize, BB cream, etc.). The L'Oreal 'Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream' works amazingly for my oily skin! It sets with a velvet matte texture, but throughout the day, it gives my skin a dewy look instead of an oily look.
Blotting sheets and powder are essentials that should be used to reduce oiliness without applying any new product on the skin.
Also, to add extra moisture to the skin, try a facial spray! I use the Evian spray and apply it whenever my skin is feeling really oily and needs refreshing (especially on hot days!).

* Water!
This year, I had made it a goal to drink water daily. This has drastically improved my skin and skin type. I have less acne and my oily skin is (somewhat!) controlled. Water is essential to hydrating the skin and sometimes, your skin is trying to tell you that it's dehydrated by producing oil. Some people don't even have oily skin. They have dehydrated skin. Replacing sugary drinks with water will improve your skin type so much!
If you hate flat water like I do, try sparkling water! I add a few lime slices and chia seeds to my sparkling water for taste and extra hydration.

* Confidence
No one has perfect skin. People battle with insecurities daily. One of my insecurites was and still is my skin. But, instead of viewing my skin in a negative way, I see it as a good thing! Everyone wants dewy skin nowadays! When oily skin is controlled, it is radiant, healthy-looking and dewy!

Don't Forget that Highlight!

As of the beginning of this year, I have been obsessed with highlighters! Since then, I've tried out so many and I've narrowed it all down to 3 favorites that I continuously reach for. These 3 all range from different price points so they accommodate everyone's budget without sacrificing the quality. 

* TheBalm's 'Mary-Lou Manizer' - A yellow gold highlighter that reflects beautifully off the skin  

* E.L.F's 'Blush Gems' Baked Highligher - A rose gold highlighter with very fine shimmer

* Benefit's 'Watt's Up!' - A mix between yellow and rose gold, cream highlighter that blends effortlessly into the skin

July Beauty Favorites!

TheBalm's 'Schwing' Liquid Eyeliner: Before I discovered this eyeliner, I wasn't a huge fan of any liquid eyeliner. Gel was the way to go! After using this product a couple of times, I fell in love! It's so easy to apply and I can make a precise wing in practically no time. I love how this eyeliner doesn't budge until I remove it with water, which is a huge plus for my oily skin! 

Maybelline 'Fit Me' Concealer: After purchasing a couple of other concealers, I had no intention of purchasing this one. But, I'm happy I did because this has become my new favorite. This concealer is creamy and light, but it still covers my under-eye circles and blemishes completely! It doesn't make my under-eyes dry looking, which is what I have the most trouble with with concealers. Overall, this is a great product!

Carmex: I have no idea what I was doing with my life before Carmex. This stuff literally saves my lips and I'm so happy I purchased this! I keep one in my makeup bag and one in my purse so that I have one within reach, wherever I go!

L'Oreal 'Magic BB Cream' in Medium: I've never really tried an BB cream and liked it. I've tried one other BB Cream when they were all the hype but I found the formula too oily for my skin, so I stayed away completely from BB creams. My view on BB creams has completely changed because of the L'Oreal Magic BB Cream! It feels really lightweight and covers most of my imperfections. It doesn't feel oily on my skin. In fact, it leaves a semi-matte finish, which I love! I would definitely recommend this for any oily-skinned girl who wants to try out a BB cream!

Maybelline 'The Nudes' Palette: I don't usually like buying palettes mainly because I don't usually like all the colors in a single palette. But, when I saw the new Nude palette from Maybelline, I knew I had to have it! It has a great mix of shimmer and matte shadows that all complement each other so nicely. I love experimenting with these shades. I have chosen four shadows out of the palette that I would consider my "favorite" but I really do love all of the shadows in the palette! For $10, I don't think you can go wrong with this palette! 

A Summer Scent

Recently, I have been obsessed with these two perfumes! I don't usually go out of my way to buy new perfumes, and I stick to what I know. But, I received Philosophy's 'Amazing Grace' about a year ago and I noticed myself reaching for it in the spring and summer months. I was recently gifted Philosophy's 'Summer Grace' and I have fallen in love, once again! Compared to 'Amazing Grace,' 'Summer Grace' has a sweeter and fruitier smell to it. It definitely reminds me of spring and summer. 'Amazing Grace' is a bit more subtle with the fruity smell, but is still sweet. Both perfumes don't last very long (probably because they are considered a spray fragrance), but the scent makes up for that aspect! I definitely recommend this spray for everyday use! 

Amazing Grace  | Summer Grace