OOTD: Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving, like many holidays, can go two ways for dress - casual or dressy. I put together this outfit on Polyvore, which is one of my favorite sites! I think it's pretty casual with some touches of glam! I feel like the dark red is a nice color for winter holiday's and this is an outfit that can be dressed up or down. This outfit is easy to duplicate in your own way which is great for people who can't spend almost $500 on a bracelet, like myself! But the inspiration is lovely to have! 

Peplum Top - $34.00, find it here

Skinny Trousers - $9.99, find them here

Black Flats - $18.00, find them here

Vintage Black Clutch - $37.00, find it here

Carolina Bucci Gold Bracelet - $470.00, find it here

Kate Spade Bow Bracelet - $78.00, find it here

Red Nail Polish - $11.00, find it here

Have a wonderful holiday!

Thanks for reading! :) 

Winter Essentials

As the cold weather months are upon us, I thought what would be better than to share my winter essentials! Before I started walking everywhere in college, especially on windy freezing cold winter mornings, I didn't find some of these products absolutely essential because I was outside for a few minutes walking from the parking lot to the building. Before I venture out into the cold, I must have my Day Moisturizer which is the Aveeno positively radiant with SPF. Even though heavy moisturizers can make my skin feel very gross, I prefer something a bit heavier in the winter to protect my skin and this moisturizer is a happy medium for me! The skin around our eyes is extra sensitive, so I make sure I put an extra thick layer on this area to ensure maximum protection. My other main daytime essential is my EOS Lip Balm. I adore this lip balm, it goes on so smooth and creamy, it's super hydrating without being greasy (which we all know is one of my favorite things)

The rest of my products are all night-time essentials for me, but you can use them as you like! You can't have cold winter months without super fuzzy cheesy socks and Warm Pajama's (at least in my world!) It's so much fun to slip on warm pajama's after a long day and just cuddle up under the blankets with a good book. I love the cozy Socks, they are so soft and keep my toes really warm! When I want to keep my feet warm, but they aren't feeling super cold, I like to use the Slipper Socks because they keep my toes warm without smothering my entire foot, plus look at how cute they are! :)

As for skincare, I like to use an extra hydrating Night Moisturizer. Even if winter moisturizers make my face feel a bit oily in the morning, I'd rather just suck it up and deal with the oil than risk damaging my skin. My skin is especially sensitive to the cold, so I like to keep all my bases covered. My legs especially hate the chill of winter, so I make sure I put on Body Butter to keep my legs happy and hydrated. I do have to say I don't use the Warm Vanilla Sugar body butter that I have pictured, but that is because I cannot use scented lotions/butters. If I could, this would definitely be my pick for winter, as it smells incredible! Last but not least, I use Nivea Lip Butter on my lips at night before I go to bed. I usually do this all year around with different products, but I like a good lip butter for winter to avoid chapping!

What are your winter essentials?
Thanks for reading! :)

Makeup Myth Buster: Storing your Makeup

Makeup storage seems like such an easy thing, just throw it in a drawer or in your bathroom cabinet and make sure you have access to what you need. Now, I know that sounds like a great plan and you're probably sitting there like "what could go wrong?" well, quite a few things. So I wanted to debunk some makeup storage myths and share my tips with you!

Makeup Myth Buster

MYTH 1: Store your makeup products in the bathroom. 

This is the biggest thing I hear from family, friends, and colleagues. I know, the bathroom seems like the perfect spot for storage and it is in the case of skincare products, but not makeup. We all shower (at least I hope so) and that means a steamy bathroom, even if you have the fan on. Makeup products do not like heat! Believe it or not, your makeup can grow bacteria that can be harmful to your skin or eyes. That's really the number one reason why I don't suggest storing makeup in the bathroom because no one wants an infection or breakouts. 

Makeup can be expensive and storing your makeup in the bathroom can actually cause you to spend more money on makeup because your products do not last as long as they could. I'm not saying you should count on keeping the same mascara for a year, but if that's something you're spending money on once a month because you find it dries out quickly or starts to develop a smell, that is money you could be saving just by changing it's location. 

MYTH 2: You don't have to clean your makeup brushes.

Have you ever noticed when you are putting on your makeup that colors start to blend together and all look the same? Product will build up in your brushes! This is especially problematic for liquid based product because the product will harden on your brush making it difficult to work with. The hardening will not happen after one use, but you will probably start to notice it after a while and if you go without cleaning it you will eventually be saying bye to your brush. I did a DIY post on cleaning your makeup brushes on the cheap, which you can find here. 

MYTH 3: I can keep my makeup forever!

I'm very sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but you cannot keep your makeup forever. You can keep it for a long time, but makeup must be replaced. Eye shadows can last a while, so you are welcome to keep those for up to a few years...unless you've had an eye infection and used them, then you've got to part. The same goes for face powder products, they can last for up to two years but most people have to replace them before then anyway. 

Many people know to replace their mascara, but a ton of people don't know that it's crucial to replace your eyeliner as well. Both of these should be replaced every 4 to 6 months in order to prevent infections! Foundation needs to be replaced every 6 to 8 months, especially if you dip your finger in the bottle, if you avoid this method you are able to keep it for a bit longer. The general timeline for lipsticks is two years, unless you've used it when you've been sick...think of all that bacteria...ew! So my advice, unless your makeup is unopened, dump it after the appropriate time. 

Thanks for reading :) 

Top 10 Under $10: It's All About the Eyes!

1. Costal Scents Elite Blender Brush
Blending brushes can definitely change an entire look in the best way! If you aren't able to afford a Mac or Urban Decay brush, this is an excellent dupe. Plus, it's very soft which is always nice on the eyes!
2. CoverGirl LashBlash Mascara in Very Black
 I have been using this mascara for so long, I try new ones but always end up back with this one. This is a perfect everyday mascara, I prefer the water proof year round just because I feel like it holds better throughout the day, but the normal kind works well too!
3. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Clear
Even though this is technically mascara, the perfect use for it is as brow gel. I don't always do my brows, but if I do, this holds them in place perfectly and helps to make the added color last longer.
4. Ulta Eyeshadow in Cashmere
I really like Ulta eyeshadows, they aren't as pigmented as high end brands but for a drugstore brand the pigmentation is great! This color is great for a brown smoky eye with a hint of golden glam! 
5. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
If you've never tried Color Tattoo's, do it! You will not regret it, these are the nicest drugstore cream shadows! They do not crease or feel greasy going on like other one's I've tried tend to do. I like neutral colors that I can play with to wear everyday, which is why this is one of my favorites! 
6. Ulta Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Blackout
This gel liner is perfect for everyday looks! It stays on my waterline which other eyeliners have trouble doing, so for me it's worth it just for that! 
7. Revlon Extra Curl Eyelash Curler
I don't really think eyelash curlers are that different depending on the job they do, the only major difference between drug store and high end is the frequency in which you will need to replace them. I've been using this one for about a year now and it's been working great! 
8. Ulta Eyeshadow in Iceland
The perfect highlight color for the corner of your eye or under your eyebrow. It's shimmery but not overwhelmingly so which makes it great for everyday.
9. Revlon Expert Tweezer
 I love Revlon's tweezers! It's kind of the same thing with the eyelash curlers, they essentially all get the job done, it's more down to personal preference of how you like your brows looking. If you don't know where to start or which product to get as a beginner, I'd say these would be a great buy for you.
10. L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover
 This is an eye makeup remover that I've been using for years. There is no residue left behind and it takes off all of my eye makeup without tons of scrubbing. If you don't want to buy the L'Oreal, the equate brand works just as well.

Thanks for reading! :) What are your top 10 under $10?

Review: L'Occitane Shea Butter & Body Lotion

L'Occitane Shea Butter Review:

If you have ever used any products that contain shea butter, you'll know that once you begin you can never go back. I already adore L'Occitane products, but this 100% shea butter is incredible. As you can see in the photo below, it is super thick! There is absolutely no grease left behind, it absorbs into your skin quickly making your skin feel so soft moments after use! It is $40.00, so I wouldn't buy it for all over body lotion because that can add up quickly. I would recommend purchasing it for problem area's, especially with the cold winter months coming up.

L'Occitane Body Cream Review

This all over body cream contains 25% shea butter, so it has a nice balance for nourishing your skin. I did find that this one was a bit greasy, not as much as normal body lotions, but for L'Occitane products, it was not as creamy as the other products I've used. The product melts into your skin as you put it on, which is very nice, I hate when body lotions feel like they're just sitting on my skin. While this lotion is $42.00, you can get a lot out of this tub so it should last you quite a while.

All in all, I'd recommend buying either one of these products! I would buy on the basis of your skin type and problem area's, if you only get dry in a few spots go for the 100% shea butter, but if you're dry all over, try the body cream!

Thanks for reading!