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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

2 Exciting Cruelty-free Drugstore Foudations

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I've been on the search for an amazing foundation, as I'm sure we all have at one time or another. I'm looking for one with light-to-medium coverage, that's a natural finish, and for all-that-is-holy doesn't look cakey. And damnit everything seems to look cakey on me. I'd spent hours in Sephora swatching my hand and found nothing that seemes interesting. It wasn't until I was at Ulta with my mom that I found 2 options that caught my eye.

On a whim I bought them both and I'm so glad I did! These 2 foundations have impressed so much more than the dozen I tested from high-end brands. 

Okay no more gushing, here are my 2 new favorite foundations!


The Everyday Foundation




This is an extremely lightweight foundation that evens out my skintone and provides just enough coverage to make me do a happy dance. Also great pluses; it contains SPF 50 (which is awesome!) and it doesn't look cakey! Also, it seems to last a good 6-8 hours on my skin, which is a rarity indeed. Score! For only around $11, I think this stuff is awesome for everyday wear. 

To use: I use mostly the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (which I wrote about here), I just dip it in the cushion and away I go! 


The Custom Coverage Foundation


NYX - Total Control Drop Foundation

A few years ago I wrote about the Cover FX Cusom Cover Drops which I really liked but I found it hard to justify buying the foundation plus a good medium to mix it with... talk about pricey! So I was very excited to learn that NYX just launched a similar product for around $14 - which is a little expensive for the drugstore. But it's worth it, trust me. 

You can customize your coverage by using more or less drops. It blends and spreads out pretty damn amazingly across your face and provides a nice natural/satin finish. The staying power on this is about the same as the Physician's Formula, though I do find that I get a little extra shiny while wearing this. Nothing some powder can't fix. 

To use: I would suggest a Beauty Blender or Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (That's what I have been using) for a flawless finish. I dot the drops right on the sponge and then dab it all over my face before I blend it in. I use 3 drops for a medium coverage and 4-5 for high coverage. 

Half of me wants to say shit, I wasted my time with all these other products and testing! But the other half of me says yay! If I hadn't tested all those other foundations I wouldn't have recognized the gold on face!

I hope you all find your dream foundations too! And I'd love to hear what you're loving currently in the comments below. 

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Monday, January 9, 2017

Dressed Up Looks If You Hate Dresses

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Ok, I can't be the only one to hate wearing dresses (or skirts) can I? I've tried and tried and tried... a lot of dresses people, and I just can't find one the I love. Dresses either make me look pregnant, like I'm 5, lumpy, or way to booby. It's not a good look people, it's just not.

I've come a long way in the past few years with body confidence, but this just doesn't translate well for dress shopping. And yes, yes I know Spanx (or a version of them) would help smooth my lumps and form my ass and all of that, but have any of you wore them? Not comfortable! They make me want to puke!

So, enough bitching... I've made a decision. Women don't have to wear dresses to be formal. Now if only society would accept that, I'd be so happy.

Below are 3 outfits I would wear for a party or a night out. Not super formal, we're not there yet. But I think these pieces would replace a dress easily for ladies who like to wear the pants!


Party Outfits that aren't Dresses




Liked this post? Don't forget to follow along on Bloglovin'! 

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Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Messy Waves and Curly Hair Tutorial

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Pictures by Krysta Kaptures
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First off, Happy New Year everyone! I hope that 2017 is a great year for us all... and that we have great hair to go with it!



This tutorial has been requested for a while, so I'm glad to finally bring it to you all. And a special shoutout and thank you to Krysta for being my photographer (see her info at the end) 

Usually I curl my hair the morning after I wash it and go for a messy curls look for the day. Then for day 2 I brush out the curls for more of a wavy hair look. To see how I do it, check out the tutorial below

Everyday Curls


I use a Nume Curling Wand (see my review here) for this, which I love because my curls last for 2 whole days (sometimes more if I'm feeling lazy). 


To start I seperate my hair into sections using a hair clip; 1st the bottom layer, 2nd the middle layer, and finally the top layer. 

I take approximately 1-inch sections and curl away from my face. I only hold for about 5 seconds, but up to 7 seconds on larger sections. Be careful to a) use the glove that comes with the wand, b) don't keep your hair on too long, we don't want to smell burning hair or hands here!

I finish each layer with hairspray and/or dry texturizing spray. I'm not showing a hairspray here because I can't find a good cruelty-free option (any recommendations?).

And I do this all over my head... which only takes about 10 minutes once you get the hang of it. And I have a lot of hair, so you might be able to get it done in 5.

Messy Curls


Once my hair has cooled, I seperate and pull apart the curls with my fingers to get that messy bedhead look. I like to rough it up a bit at roots (great time for that texturizing spray) for extra volume.


Pretty Waves


On day 2 I douse my hair in dry shampoo, rub that in, then brush out the messy curls for a more fluffy wavy hair look. 


*If you have trouble with keeping the curls, you can twist your hair back into curl shape after brushing. Or you can throw a few new curls in with the wand. 


Finally, if my hair is looking rough at the bottoms, I'll finish off with some hair oil.

So there you have it, my 2 day curly hair tutorial. Let me know if you try this method, I'd love to see your pics!

Photographer: Krysta from Krysta Kaptures


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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

New Year's Eve Makeup - Metallic Lips & Sparkly Eyes

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Do you need a fun and festive look for this New Year's Eve? I know I did!

As I was perusing Walgreens last week looking for anything new and interesting; a display of Milani lipstick caught my eye. I know, lipstick! Who'da thunk it? If you don't know about my lipstick woes, read more here.

I've seen these metallic lipsticks online and had wondered about them, so when they were staring me down in the store I knew I had to try one. So I grabbed the Milani Amore Matte Metallic Lip Creme in the color 04 Cinematic Kiss. A really pretty magenta pink color, that has warm undertones.



To compliment the sheen in the lipstick, I wanted very glowy but natural skin. I used a luminous tinted moisturizer that I've been testing from Laura Mercier with a glowy finishing powder from my NYX Contour palette. I finished with my shimmery Milani blush and Physician's Formula highlighter.

And now the lipstick, I have to say, it's beautiful! I never would've thought a metallic would grab my attention, but here we are and I'm in love. I can't believe what depth and extra punch it adds to this makeup.

To go with such a bold lipstick I wanted to do a more simple eye. Plus a little sparkle, because it's New Year's Eve and why the hell not?! I stuck with a taupe eyeshadow in the crease, some sparkle on the lid, and a bold winged liner to bring out my eyes.













I think this look would look great with your party attire and would wear well throughout a night of dancing & drinks or board games & family... whatever you're doing this New Year's Eve!



Happy New Year to you all - I hope 2017 brings wonderful things!

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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

The Christmas Tag

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I have been scouring the internet for a great Christmas tag for this week. Thanks Little Miss Mel for publishing this one! So Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday to you all!


1. What is your favourite thing about Christmas? 

Oh so much - I love Christmas music and movies, shopping for everyone, decorating, all the festive stores, and just the feeling that it brings. So sappy, but so true :)


2. What is your favourite makeup look for the festive season?

For most of winter, it's the same, I don't do anything different for Christmas. I like a light foundation, sparkly gold/bronze eyes, a natural lip, lots of blush (usually a peach or berry shade), and lots of mascara.


3. Real tree or artificial tree? 

I love the smell of real trees, but I feel artificial ones are more sustainable. Also it's so much easier to know you already have one stored away and ready to go.


4. Do you open your presents on Christmas morning or evening? 

Morning/Afternoon. It usually depends on who drew my name for Christmas and when we'll both be at my Grandma's at the same time.


5. What is your favourite Christmas film? 

White Christmas, hands down. It's so amazing and the ending when all the soliders salute the general... it gets me every time. One of the few movies I'll cry at, but it's a happy cry so don't let that scare you. 

Also, for you fashion-minded people, the costumes in White Christmas are so cool and classy and just really fun!


6. What is your favourite festive food? 

Christmas cookies... yum! 


7. What tops your tree? 

Right now a maroon and gold bow. But I've been looking for a metal and glass (looking) topper with lots of glitz but no glitter. 


8. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

Yes, we have lasagna and antipasti (very italian) and hang out at my Grandma's house. When we were kids we would get to open a present... usually pajamas!


9. Giving or receiving presents?

I love to give, it's so much fun to go out and try to find the perfect gift(s) for my family and friends. I enjoy watching them open the presents and seeing their faces when they really like something - heartwarming!


10. What is your favourite Christmas song? 

A really obscure one, Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill, from The Grinch movie. I love it and sing it (badly) at the top of my lungs whenever it comes on. 


Well Sage and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope your holiday is wonderful! 



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