Monday, June 30, 2014

Summer-ize Your Makeup Routine!

For me, makeup becomes non-important during the summertime. I normally don't wear it all that often and if I do, I want it as simple as possible. Whether I'm at the beach, pool, or riding a roller coaster, I really want my makeup to stay put and to protect me from the sun. 

Here's 5 ways to simplify and 'summer-ize' your makeup:


1. Trade your primer for sunscreen
I don't know about you but I'm not a big fan of skin cancer. Technically, I should be wearing this year round, but I really step up on wearing sunscreen daily during the summer. While yes, primer will help my makeup stay put longer, sunscreen is way more important.
I use the The Neutrogena Sheer Dry-touch Sunscreen SPF 100 because it dries clear and doesn't show   through my other face makeup.

2. Trade your foundation for a BB cream
If I can even be bothered enough to put any sort of foundation on my face, I will always opt to go as light as possible as far as coverage. BB cream is a no fuss product that you can slap on easily with your fingers. It still gives you a fair amount of coverage (I'd say lighter than a light coverage foundation) Try the Maybelline Dream Pure BB Skin Perfecter as a great drugstore option!

3.Trade powder eye shadow for cream shadow
To be honest, I don't even normally wear anything on my eyes besides mascara during the hotter months, but sometimes I like to swipe a neutral shade all over the lid. Trade the powder shadows for a cream shadow because they blend easier and will withstand water and sweat longer. I really like the Elf Studio Cream Shadows because of the shade options and its longevity. 

4. Trade regular mascara for waterproof mascara
This one seems brainless but really does help. I doubt that if you're swimming in a pool or beach you want those hideous black streaks under your eyes. With a simple switch to waterproof mascara, the problem's solved! My favorite is the L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Waterproof Mascara (psssst. it's on sale for less than $5!)

5. Trade lipstick for a lip stain
Lipstick can tend to look heavy on the lips. For summer, I like low maintenance (as I've said) so I don't want to have to reapply my lipstick. Switch your fav lipstick for a moisturizing lip stain that will stain your lips and will last all day! My favorite drugstore option are the Wet N Wild MegaLast Lip Stains. Plus, it feels like chapstick on the lips!

Things I skip for a low maintenance makeup look:
Eyeliner
Bronzer
Highlighter
finishing powder

If I have time I'll add blush, concealer and my eyebrow pencil, although it's not always necessary!
What's your go-to summer makeup look?


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Yes I'm Alive + Where I've been!

I guess I should apologize for my absence on this ol' blog, but truth be told, it was a nice break! Sometimes it's nice to break from things in order to stop and recollect your goals, etc, so I hope you understand. Nevertheless, I've been having a fantastic June! As I think I remember sharing, I am currently up in Ohio visiting my sweet Auntie! We've pretty much had a blast since the day I arrived. About two weeks ago, we met up with my other Uncle, cousins, grandparents and my father and went camping up in Holly Sods, WV.
It was more like traditional camping because I had to get used to using a hole in the ground as a toilet and didn't shower for 4 days (ew).

My cousin, Will, and I built our first fire!

We hardly took any photos for some reason but I love the two we got!

 I'll never forget this trip for several reasons.
A. I got to spend good quality time with my family I don't get to see that often.
B. It was my first time legit camping.
C. We rescued a lost hiker, which deserves it's own blog post!

So yeah, it was a lot of fun.

Then, we drove to the airport (also deserves it's own post, don't worry) and long story short, I ended up getting into Tampa almost two days later than originally scheduled. But, I made it and was so excited to spend 10 days in the Sunshine State!

My other side of the family usually gets together each summer for a vacation. Each year it's somewhere different, this year was our hometown of St. Pete/Clearwater area! My mom actually wrote daily recaps, click here to read them! I'm just going to do a brief photo dump.


The entire gang, minus my mom who's taking the pic!

The fun thing was that my best friend for over 8 years got to come in from SC and spend the week with us. I was elated because I hadn't seen her in over 2 years! She's beautiful, huh!?

All of these dudes have grown up with me and I consider each of them brothers! Actually, I consider all my cousins, brothers. (The guy in pink on the right is my only actual brother, the left are cousins and the right pic are family friends! Oh, plus my BFF on the left pic!)

The sunsets were just breathtaking!

One night, we went to a Rays game and had a ball (Ha! Get it!?!!) 

Ev caught a starfish!

Pretty rainbows!

Touring the GORGEOUS Don CeSar hotel, which I've already decided is the site of my future wedding. No I don't even have a boyfriend. 

We got bored and started a 500 piece puzzle. We both wanted to give up but I mean, once you start a dang puzzle YOU. MUST. FINISH. We did and the most annoying thing on the planet happened: ONE PIECE WAS MISSING. Grr....



Oh, and we finally saw TFIOS. My thoughts were good, but obviously the book is way better. But it still gave us an overload of the feels (as seen above). Formal thoughts to be continued.

Our last sunset!

Can you tell it's been a freaking awesome month!?!?! 
Well, it has. 



Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Younique 3D Fiber Lash Review

Let's have a chat about lashes, okay?
Okay. 
Yes, I will sneak in book references any chance I get, ok.

So I'm sure by now (if you are into beauty stuffs) you've heard about Younique's 3D Fiberlash System. Here's what they say about it:
 Our simple three-step process combines Transplanting Gel and Natural Fibers to help create the appearance of incredible thickness and volume to your existing lashes. Watch as your lashes transform into something you have only dreamed of! The 3D Fiber Lashes are water resistant but easily washes off with warm water and facial cleanser at the end of the day. Try it! It will quickly become your favorite makeup must-have!

Here's what my sad lumpy lashes look like with nothing on them:

The first step is to apply your regular mascara. Here's what mine look like with one coat:
See, sad and wimpy. 

The next steps are to apply transplanting gel, the fibers and lastly another coat of the transplanting gel and you can continue that combination until you reach the desired volume you like.
I only went with one because I was amazed at what they looked like already! 
Here's the finished look:


I totally did a double take because thought I was wearing falsies! 
The verdict: This really does give your lashes so much life! It's like wearing false lashes without all that frustrating work. Not to mention, it comes off easily with a cotton ball and makeup remover.
I will be honest and say that for everyday, I like a more natural look because I don't wear a lot of makeup to work or on campus, so I won't be sporting this everyday, but I love that you can make it natural or you can make it really va-va-voom!

and just because I love before/afters:

I'm definitely interested in trying out their other makeup products because I really did love this mascara. 
To buy Younique products, click here