Tuesday, April 15, 2014

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Matte Luxe Palette - Tutorial Roundup!

I recently bought the Naturally Pretty palette from It Cosmetics. It is a gorgeous collection of 14 matte eyeshadows, plus one shimmery shadow. I've been absolutely loving it! While I was waiting for it to arrive in the mail, I may or may not have spent way too much time on YouTube, finding some great tutorials using this palette.



These colors are so nice, you could use any combo and have a beautiful look. But I definitely found some combinations that I would not have thought of. Enjoy!







Tuesday, April 8, 2014

My Top 5 Picks for Spring Nails!

Oh spring. Would you just show up already? I'm pretending it's already warm with my favorite spring nail polishes. There are so many to choose from, but these are my favorite affordable polishes to wear this spring.


Sally Hansen - Pacific Blue This is my newest nail polish, and was a #youtubemademebuyit moment, thanks to GlamLifeGuru. But at $2.99, how can you resist? It applies like a dream. 

Color Club - Top Shelf I got this in a birchbox, and it's such a pretty soft gold. It took me a while to try it, because it seemed so weak compared with the golds I was loving in the winter, like Zoya Ziv. Top Shelf is softer and paler, but just as pretty. 

OPI - Do You Lilac It? This is possibly my oldest nail polish, and it continues to be a favorite. Such a perfect purple.

Sally Hansen - Mint Sorbet
 Mint is my favorite "trendy" color right now, and this shade is gorgeous. It does take 3 coats.

Cover Girl - Pink-finity This is my perfect spring pink. It's pale, but still vibrant. Long-lasting, applies great. I love it for toes too!



Hope you found a winner in this affordable round up! Now, I need to find a peach / coral shade... Any recommendations for me?

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Jergens BB Body Cream Review & Swatch

If you are anything like me, slathering makeup over your entire body falls squarely in the category of "things I don't have time for."



So when I received a sample of Jergens BB Body Cream in my March Birchbox, I was not excited. But I gave it a try.

Calling this lotion a BB cream gave me the impression that this would offer coverage. It does not.
It does have some sort of magic in it that makes your skin look fantastic.

It adds the tiniest amount of color. I am not brave enough to wear self tanner, because I am incredibly pale, and I think it would look super obvious if not done perfectly. But I love the very slight amount of color / self-tanner in this.

Jergens BB Body Cream in shade All Light Skin Tones

Also, and very important to me (see above, things I don't have time for), it absorbs so quickly, it doesn't feel like a total chore to apply.

And the smell. Yum. Jergens BB Body Cream smells like sunscreen, self-tanner, and cocoa butter, all rolled into one. That might not sound like the most delicious thing ever, but it is. Basically, it smells like summer. And I am pretty sure it will have a place on my dresser all summer long.

Monday, March 24, 2014

musings on beauty & motherhood... (and a lot of ellipses... like, a lot)

Being a mother has taught me some new lessons about beauty. Sometimes beauty is...

...rocking 2nd (or 3rd...or 4th) day hair. (headbands & dry shampoo)


...loving the natural look.


...sharing your lip balm.


...polishing little toes.


...wearing very special necklaces. 


...getting messy. 


...and more than anything, remembering that what's on the outside is not nearly as important as what's on the inside. 

When I tell my daughter that her fancy shoes do not make her a lady, but her kind words and actions do... 

When I tell her that she is not a beautiful ballerina because of her tu-tu, but because of her grace and smiling attitude... 

I am also reminding myself of those things. 

I pray to be a good example for her of what is truly important in life, and what will stand the test of time.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Rose Gold Nails - Orly Rage Swatch


rose gold + me = true love

I've been loving this glittery rose-gold polish from Orly. The shade is called Rage. It goes on like a dream, stays on like a dream, and I can't get enough! 

Any other rose gold shades I should try?

Saturday, March 8, 2014

e.l.f. Studio Brow Kit Review - My Best Brows Yet!


Eyebrows. So important, but so easy to overlook. I've been on the hunt for something really fantastic for my brows, and I have found it! I was eyeing some more expensive products, like Benefit Gimme Brow, or the much-hailed Anastasia products. But then I heard about e.l.f. Studio Brow Kit. I figured for $3, it was worth a try.

It comes with a darker shade of pigmented brow wax, a lighter shade of brow powder, and a double ended brush to apply. The brush is not the best thing I have ever used, but it gets the job done. I purchased the shade medium, which I think is perfect for me. 

I have really been loving it! 
One: It's easy. This takes me all of one minute to apply.
Two: It lasts! All day. I feel like my brows look just as nice at 8pm, as they did when I applied at 8am.
Three: The wax actually keeps my brows in place, without feeling stiff. No more brow gel!

Here are my pre- and post-brow photos. Annd...the lighting is different because in between taking these, I was getting my sweet little daughter up, feeding her breakfast, and getting her dressed. #dayinthelife


I am so glad I gave this a try before spending $20+ on a luxury item. Have you ever skipped on a lux item and been glad you avoided the hype (and price tag)? Or was it worth the extra dollars?

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

easy valentine's day nail art

Valentine's nails? Yes, please. 



I got a beautiful red-orange nail polish in my Birchbox last month, and I've been saving it for Valentine's week. You are actually supposed to put a loose glitter topper on the polish, but I haven't gotten that brave yet. 

First, I applied my nail polish with my trusty no-chip method.  Then, I added some sweet gold hearts. Here's how I did it:



Hope you love it! Do you ever do holiday nail art?

Colors used:
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