top ten under ten: beauty

I rounded up my list of top ten drugstore beauty items under $10. This was incredibly easy for me to compile because most of these have been in my beauty arsenal for years. Every single one of these has out performed a more expensive counterpart. Inexpensive and effective? That's a no brainer.

1// Batiste Dry Shampoo This stuff allows me to go 2-3 days between washes. Sometimes I even like the way my hair looks better with this in it than I do when it's freshly washed! Whenever anyone compliments my hair on my outfit posts, I literally always seem to have dirty hair with this dry shampoo in it. It just gives my fine hair texture.

2// Dr. Teal Lavender Epsom Salt Makes your entire bathroom smell like a spa. Relaxes tired muscles. Detoxifies the body. Need I say more?

3// Essie Nail Polish My favorite ...even if the title of this post were, "Top Ten Under $100."

4// Jhirmack Purple Shampoo This keeps my blonde hair cool toned, rather than brassy. It's my saving grace.

5// The "Wet" Brush Makes detangling wet hair a breeze. I don't know what I ever did without this handy tool. 

6// Boots No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes Removes makeup like a champ. On top of that, it tones and moisturizes the skin. 

7// Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge No, that's not an egg up there. Wet this baby and it grows about double it's size. It's used to apply foundation. Since it's wet, it applies the product so naturally. Airbrushed finish guaranteed.

8// Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer Y'all have seen me post about this product before. It brightens and conceals. And it's cheap.

9// Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick I absolutely love this lipstick. It stays put, doesn't dry out the lips, and the pigmentation is awesome. 

10// Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask Clogged pores don't stand a chance.

What's something on your "Top Ten Under Ten: Beauty" list?

giveaway and product spotlight: la roche-posay mela-d pigment control serum

Summer is winding down and it's the perfect time to correct any damage the sun has done to your skin—and by damage, I mean dark spots, dullness, and any parts of your skin that just aren't as smooth as they were before we devoted entire days to worshiping the sun (I know I'm not alone.).

I was first introduced to La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Serum  back in the spring when I started to notice some dark spots on my face that were left by blemishes. Little blemishes are already such a pain, but they just have to go make things that much worse by leaving dark spots on your skin after they've healed. The nerve. This is something I had never dealt with in the past and was a rude awakening this year for me. (I'm a little dramatic—and apparently, aging.)

So, back to the La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control. I was on the hunt for something that would make those stubborn dark spots disappear and then I discovered this serum. The main thing that stood out to me is that it's hydroquinone-free. Do you know what hydroquinone is? Basically, it's an organic compound that is found in many dark spot correcting creams. Sounds harmless, but studies have found some carcinogenic effects when it's applied to skin. It inhibits melanin production to help lighten skin, but long term use can actually damage your pigment cells. So the summary is, it WORKS, but it's probably not the best thing to use for long periods of time. So I loved that this La Roche-Posay serum contains kojic acid, which is a natural and safe alternative to hydroquinone.

In summary: This clinically-proven serum promises not only to correct hyperpigmentation (dark spots/uneven skin tone), but to prevent new dark spots from occurring—all in as little as two weeks. Here are the active ingredients that really pack a one-two punch for reducing dark spots, smoothing the skin, and making it look more radiant and bright:

2% KOJIC ACID, a natural brightening agent derived from mushrooms known to visibly reduce dark spots and skin discolorations 

9.95% GLYCOLIC ACID + 0.4% LIPO-HYDROXY ACID [LHA] two Highly concentrated exfoliating agents to smooth skin’s surface and significantly boost skin’s radiance 

0.02% THERMAL DERMOBIOTIC, a unique ingredient incorporated to help calm and soothe skin.

My verdict: I absolutely love this stuff because it's made my skin brighter and more even-toned. The serum feels hydrating to me, too. I started applying it every night and within just weeks (maybe not two weeks, as promised—more like three or four), I noticed fading of dark spots. My complexion is more radiant and I do believe that this prevented new spots from occurring. It's been my lifesaver this summer and I will continue to use it all year long, especially since we have tropical temperatures in SC nine months out of the year (yeesh!). Also, a little goes a really long way, so I'm still not finished with my 1oz bottle of it that I've been using for almost six months.

Price: $53

Where to buy?: La-Roche Posay, Amazon, or many skincare websites that carry the brand.

Now the fun part, La Roche-Posay has offered to give one of you this serum! Enter the giveaway below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

product empties

"Product empties" is a concept I've grown to love on various beauty blogs and YouTube videos. It's one time you know you're getting a completely valid review because that person has taken the time to use the entire product, rather than using it for a week and making her determination. So, I thought I'd do the same! These are products I've used up within the past month or two. I've saved them in a bag until I got enough to do an entire post. I'm also sharing whether I would repurchase each product or not. Let me know what you think about this new series - yay? nay?

Nuance Salma Hayek Macadamia Nut Exfoliating Body Cleansing Scrub // This scrub not only exfoliates skin, but it has shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin e to keep skin soothed and hydrated. I would use this all over my body to take away any dead skin cells. My skin smelled amazing and it created the perfect canvas for shaving my legs. For $9, I will definitely repurchase this! 

L'Oreal Elnett Unscented Extra Strong Hold Hairspray // This is my favorite hairspray, so I will go ahead and tell you that it is already repurchased. The unscented formula is the way to go. It still has a smell, but I love it. It creates a dry, touchable hold that doesn't look heavy. It is so good. 

Rite Aid Baby Wash // Any brand of baby wash will do, but this is what I use to wash my makeup brushes. If it's gentle enough for a baby, it's gentle enough for some bristles. I definitely suggest the kind with the pump, like the one above. It just makes the process so much easier. Already repurchased! 

RITUALS Himalaya Wisdom Deep Cleansing Scrub // This stuff is the ultimate in pampering. The smell is on point. The ancient salts heavily exfoliate and leave a slight cooling effect on the skin. It leaves your skin feeling super moisturized and revitalized. What is the difference between this stuff and the Nuance Cleansing Scrub I mentioned first? This is a heavy duty exfoliant, whereas the Nuance is gentle enough to be used every day (in my opinion). Will I repurchase? I hope so! But honestly, probably not. To me, this seems like a bit of a luxury product and although I would love to own it again, I just don't see myself splurging $25 for it when there are others that do the job (albeit, not as well.). This is a great gift - I would love to give this (or receive it!). It's ahh-mazing followed up with the coordinating body cream.  

RITUALS Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel // I ended up using this as a shave gel and for that, it was amazing. Wasn't crazy about it for a shower gel - don't ask me why. Wouldn't repurchase.

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder // This is truly an awesome translucent powder. It's the best thing I've been able to find for keeping oily skin at bay, but not accentuating dry skin. It's supposed to balance skin and it does a great job at it. I haven't repurchased yet because I thought I could find other things to do the job just as well, but I haven't been able to. I will repurchase - especially because the little tub lasted me the longest time.  

Maybelline Lumi Dream Touch Highlighting Concealer // I've been using this stuff as my under eye concealer and on any other parts of my face that need highlighting and brightening. Y'all know I've tried a lot of concealers and this one has honestly impressed me a lot more than many high end formulations. Already repurchased! 

Clinique Wash Away Gel Cleanser // The best I've ever tried at removing makeup. It's gentle on eye makeup and removes a whole face worth of makeup with ease - and it only takes a tiny pea size amount. Because of how concentrated it is, it lasts me well over a year. I probably have 15 high-end face cleansers in my beauty drawer that have been sent to me to try, but I can't find any that compare to this when it comes to removing makeup! Please note- I do not use this as my main cleanser. I strictly use this for removing makeup and then follow up with a different cleanser. Will I repurchase? Duh!  

Skinceuticals Clarifying Cleanser // I honestly forgot about this cleanser, but now that I'm thinking about it - man I miss it!! It gently exfoliates the skin and treats acne with a combinations of glycolic, mandelic and salicylic acids. I purchased this after my esthetician used it on me during my facials leading up to our wedding. I probably will repurchase one day, but got to work through all of the cleansers mentioned in the paragraph above first, ha!   

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment // This is hurt-your-wallet expensive for how tiny the jar is. It's great, but it has never wowed me the way it's hyped up to be. Don't get me wrong, I have loved every minute that I wore this mask, but I find the same results with my $4 Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask. For that reason, I won't repurchase. Just too expensive for me to justify!  

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil // In the winter, this was my savior. I wrote about all the benefits of argan oil here. Will I repurchase? Maybe when the weather gets cold. We will see how my skin is acting at that point!  

Moroccanoil Treatment Light // This is one of the only hair oils I can find that doesn't make my hair look like a grease ball. I use it so very sparingly that the bottle probably lasted me oh... four years? I'm not joking. Will repurchase!  

No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes // I'm the biggest proponent of properly removing makeup and cleansing skin every night, even when you don't feel like it. But even I have those nights when I am just too tired to go through my (rather lengthy) cleansing routine. Or maybe I'm on the couch until 5am watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix and can't bear to get up. Whatever the case may be for you, these wipes will be your saving grace. They're a rather new find and I'm thankful I came across them in Target. These wipes are called 4-in-1 because they contain vitamin pro B5 extracts of witch hazel and fennel to help cleanse pores and moisturize (cleanse + remove impurities + tone + moisturize). They remove makeup and stay more wet than any other wipes I've tried. These are perfect for travel and for those days when you get home from work and just need to immediately take off your makeup and feel refreshed. I can't imagine ever not repurchasing these.

So tell me what you think of these kinds of posts? Did you like it? I know the completely used-up packages are not the most beautiful, but I thought this would be informative. Let me know what ya think!

crazy good beauty deals

We all love Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale. It's a great time to stock up on current season's styles, nice boots and handbags, as well as high priced coats. But one thing I haven't heard as much about are the BEAUTY EXCLUSIVES! The sales are good, y'all. Just take a look at my faves. 

(This is a clickable image! Just click each item (or click the + sign, if it appears!) to be directed to product page.)

second day waves // vlog

I usually wash my hair every 2-3 days. On the second day, my go to look is usually the waves I'm featuring in this tutorial. Then, depending on how my hair looks, I will sometimes just pull my hair up into a top knot or into a loose pony tail on the third day. I had a few requests for how to achieve my wavy hair, so here 'tis! 

Products used //

Batiste Dry Shampoo (not shown)

The Wet Brush

Morroccan Oil Hydrating Styling Cream

CHI 44 Iron Guard

Remington Teardrop Curling Wand

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray

what's in my travel makeup bag?

Ever wonder what beauty items people take with them when they travel? I do, I do! I'm curious by nature and absolutely love to find out what people keep in their travel beauty bags (like creepily obsessed). So here's to hoping you enjoy it too, because that's what I'm bringing to the table today.

Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer // Great multi-purpose product to bring along. Can be used as a face highlight or mixed with your body moisturizer for an all over glow. 

Dior Forever Foundation (Linen) // Just my favorite stay-put, but looks like skin, foundation. Period. 

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (Light-Medium) // Covers under eye circles like nobody's business. 

NYX HD Translucent Powder // Locks everything in place and absorbs oil without drying. 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer // Long time favorite. Matte bronzer - great for contouring! 

Nars Orgasm Blush (mine is small because it is a deluxe sample) // Tied for my favorite summer blush.

Bobbi Brown Blush in Apricot // Nothing else to say other than it's b-e-yoooo-tiful on warm toned skin.

MAC Custom Eyeshadow Palette Colors (starting at upper left and moving clockwise):

Blanc TypeOmegaEspressoWoodwinked

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base // Keeps your eyeshadow from creasing like nothing else I've ever tried.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eye Liner // Gotta have my cat eye... even on vaca. 

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara // The.Best.Ever. Worth all thirty bones (yikes!)

Anastasia Brow Wiz (Taupe) // For filling in my eyebrows like a champ...

Anastasia Clear Brow Gel // ...and then holding them in place literally all day long.

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Liaison // This is the most beautiful lipstick color I've ever owned. (Bold statement, huh?)

Chanel Glossimer in Amour // Because it's pretty and sometimes that's all you need.

Summer Smokey Eye Tutorial

I was asked to do a smokey eye tutorial that is perfect for summer nights. Well, here it is! I am still learning this whole youtube video thing. It's quite a process getting videos edited and uploaded properly, so just bear with me. Even though I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to video production, I still think these are fun! Any other requests?

Products mentioned:

Face products //

Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector

Dior Forever Foundation (Linen)

Bare Minerals BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation (#9)

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (light)

Revlon Skin Lights (400 Bronze Light)

Bare Minerals Mineral Veil (original)

NARS Laguna Bronzer

Bobbi Brown Blush (Apricot) 

Eye products //

Bobbi Brown Long-Wearing Cream Shadow (stone)

Milani Shadow Eyez (champagne toast)

Clinique Brush On Cream Liner (true black)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner Pencils (Rockstar)

MAC Eyeshadow (Blanc Type and Woodwinked)

Chanel le Volume de Chanel Mascara (black)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow (mushroom) 

Lip products //

Revlon Lip Butter (strawberry shortcake)

Buxom Lip Gloss (leslie)

You can purchase my makeup brushes from Nordstrom (except for the Sonia Kashuk pencil brush - that's from Target!).

Quick Summer Hair and Makeup Tutorial (vlog)

Let's face it... some days you just don't feel like doing your hair and makeup. Yesterday was one of those days for me. But when you've got places to be, it's important to put forth at least a little effort to looking presentable. 

For makeup, I used a very natural serum foundation, concealer, a tiny bit of eyeshadow and mascara, bronzer, blush, and a fun lipstick. I used a very light hand with everything to ensure that it would stay put no matter where my day took me.

As for hair, after my hair completely air dried, I added in a texturizing spray and used a 1" curling iron to do very quick and messy waves.

Makeup products used:

Bare Minerals BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation (#08)

Bare Minerals Perfecting Face Brush

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (Light)

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

Bare Minerals READY Bronzer (The Deep End)

Bobbi Brown Blush (Apricot)

Anastasia Brow Wiz (Taupe)

MAC Eyeshadow (Blanc Type and Omega)

Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara

Revlon Lipstick (Siren)
Bobbi Brown Blush Brush
Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush

Hair products used:

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray

Conair Curling Iron (1")

multi-masking

I'm positively, without a doubt, a multi-masker. One of my favorite ways to relax is to soak in the tub and let my mask of the night do its job. Over the years, I've tried a lot of masks, but the ones shown above are by far my favorites. And when I've got something this good, you know I've just got to share.

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay // I got sucked right into this one. It's known as "the world's most powerful facial" and because of that claim, has created quite the buzz. I noticed the cult following this mask has, so I had to try it. My verdict? Yes, it's freaking powerful. As in... there's no way to leave this on your face for longer than 15 minutes or you feel like your skin is going to pulsate clear off of your face. I don't know if that makes sense... but the ultimate conclusion is that this mask will dry up any acne blemishes with no problem. It will clear out your pores like nobody's business.

GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment // This one hurt a little to purchase. It's a pretty penny for such a small container, but after using it, I can understand how they can mark up the price so high. It has a six-acid blend that decongests, brightens, and softens the skin. After leaving it on for the prescribed amount of time, you can see little dots all over your face where the mask is working extra hard to draw out impurities. This will be repurchased!

Clinique Deep Cleansing Emergency Mask // Well I completely dropped the ball on this one and forgot it is discontinued. Sorry guys! I bought a ton of these as back ups when I first got word. But really, all this is is a clay-based mask. Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is a great alternative - also one of my favorites (I just ran out of it a couple weeks ago!).

So as you can see, I love deep cleansing masks. But I also love a good specialty mask. If I'm feeling extra skincare obsessed, I'll use one of these two immediately after a cleansing mask.

29 by Lydia Mondavi Replenishing and Restoring Mask // This mask is good good. It's packed with antioxidants and good-for-you ingredients like pomegranate, white tea, olive, and rose water. I've especially been loving this on days when I've been in the sun a little too long. With our vacation in Florida and quite a few boat days already, I've unfortunately been feeling some sun damage on my skin, even though I religiously apply SPF. So after the long days in the sun, I have come home and applied this mask and let it sit all evening. You can even sleep in it! It has made an instant change for the better in my skin. Using this mask makes my skin feel nourished, balanced, and healthy in general.

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask // This is holy grail material for me. I've used it for years and have mentioned it many times on this blog. It has a four-fruit acid complex that creates a gentle exfoliation that leaves the skin glowing and healthy. My favorite use for this mask is to reduce dark spots/hyperpigmentation. It drastically helps with that. It also helps with fine lines! I just love it.

Are you a multi-masker, too? What are your favorite masks?

quick hair styling tutorial

After posting this photo on instagram, I promised I would share my hair styling routine with you.  Truth is, I'm normally very lazy with my hair and do this routine almost every time I blow dry my hair because it takes less than ten minutes total. Even though it's quick and simple, it still gives a volumized look - so it's perfect for me or any girl on the go. What makes this so easy is that I only use a paddle brush, rather than sectioning off hair and using a round brush. This video includes the products I use to prep my hair for styling, exactly how I blow dry, and how I finish off the look. Enjoy! 

Products used:

MoroccanOil Hydrating Styling Cream  /  Chi Volume Booster  /  Chi Air Vibe Ceramic Ionic Hair Dryer  /  Chi Turbo Large Paddle Brush  /  The Wet Brush  /  L'Oreal Elnett Extra Stronghold Hair Spray  /  Chi 44 Iron Guard  /  Chi G2 Ceramic and Titanium Flat Iron

nighttime skincare routine

Since I shared my morning skincare routine with you a couple weeks ago, I thought it's only appropriate to follow up with my nighttime routine. It's not necessary to have a completely different routine for day vs. night, but this is what works for my skin. I like to use light, oil free products in the morning and heavier, more anti-aging products at night. Let's jump right into it...

First and foremost, the makeup has got to go. For this, I use my tried and true Clinique Wash Away Gel Cleanser. If you've been around here for a while, then you've seen me mention this time and time again. I've tried multiple makeup removing methods (even ranges of cleanse off oils that are so popular right now), but this has remained my #1 choice. It doesn't aggravate my eyes, removes all makeup in a breeze, it's gentle, and the bottle lasts over a year because you need the tiniest drop. I gently massage this into my face and rinse with warm water.

Next, I follow up with the La Roche-Posay Purifying Foaming Gel and my Clarisonic Mia. The first cleansing in step #1 was to remove makeup and this time it's to deep clean the skin - so yes, it's completely necessary to cleanse your skin twice in the evenings. (Did you know the Clarisonic cleanses your face six times better than doing it with your fingertips alone?)

I've seriously been loving the Colbert MD Tone Control Facial Discs, but warning: they're awfully expensive for only 20 discs. The company was kind enough to send these to me to try, which honestly is the only reason I've been using them in my routine. You have no idea how much I wish these were a permanent part of my routine though! I've suffered from some hyper-pigmentation from a few breakouts and these discs have almost made those spots completely disappear. If you're willing to shell out the bucks, these are worth every penny. Dr. Colbert (renown NYC dermatologist) has an entire line of skincare products and everything I've tried is totally impressive. And the products smell like a spa, which wins them major brownie points. 

Sometimes I spritz La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water on my face after that step, sometimes I do it after step #2. And honestly, sometimes I don't do it at all. But if my skin is feeling especially dry, I like to spray it on before serums because I feel that it puts a little suppleness and moisture back into my skin. 

The Drunk Elephant Framboos Night Glycolic Serum goes on next. It hydrates, reduces hyper-pigmentation, diminishes wrinkles, and gently removes dead skin cells. There's a lot going on in that little bottle. Not pictured, but I've also been using the La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control and it is fantastic. It's crazy good at removing dark spots - perhaps the best serum I've ever tried for that particular use.

Just like in the mornings, I use the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo spot treatment on any existing breakouts. It has a mix of LHA and benzoyl peroxide, so it's going to exfoliate and even the skin's texure and eliminate acne-causing bacteria.

While I let that set, I go ahead and gently pat a small dab of the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream around my eyes. I mostly concentrate the product under my eyes, but also put it on the eyelids and around the outer edges of my eyes to the top of my eyebrows.

To finish up, I put the tiniest amount of Drunk Elephant Marula Luxury Face Oil on my face, neck, and décolleté. Don't be afraid to use this if you have oily skin like I do. It won't make you more oily and won't make you break out (well, it shouldn't.) Instead, it hydrates, preserves, and heals skin - a great combination in my book.

I've said this before, but these are the products that work for me. Every person and every skin is different, so I'm not promising that they will work for you. But, I'm seriously in love with all of these products and would highly suggest them. I'm always interested in learning what other people use on their skin... so tell me, what are your favorite products to use at night?

wish list worthy // Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations (vlog)

I had a few people ask for Sephora recommendations, so I made this video to share my current favorite makeup products! Use code VIBTICKET to save 15% off - this expires tonight! I think you have to be a VIB to use this coupon, but the code TICKET should work if you aren't. Anyway, here are my recommendations!

products mentioned //

Smashbox Photo Finish Light

Diorskin Nude Foundation (shade 31)

Smashbox BB Cream (Light)

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (custard)

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (light)

Sephora Pro Precision Foundation Brush #58

NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Translucent Powder

NARS Laguna Bronzer

Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer

Hourglass Ambient Blush (Diffused Heat)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (tipsy and exposed)

Clinique Chubby Stick Eye Shadow (lots o'latte)

Bobbi Brown Long-Wearing Cream Shadow (stone)

Smashbox Eyeshadow Trio (multi-flash)

Clinique Brush On Cream Liner (true black)

Anastasia Brow Wiz (blonde ash/taupe and medium ash)
Anastasia Clear Brow Gel

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner Pencils (mushroom and stash)
Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow (bone, blonde, stone, champagne quartz)
Bobbi Brown Blush (apricot)
Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush

Bite Lipstick (vigne)

 Don't forget that Sephora gives free shipping over $50 and, as always, free returns! Use code VIBTICKET or TICKET to save 15% off.

favorite spring nail polish colors

I have a love hate relationship with nail polish. I absolutely love having a bright, cheery color on my nails, but I hate doing them myself, don't have the luxury of going to get a weekly mani done by the pros, and really only enjoy the color for a couple of days. Not only do I have color ADD, but I just can't stand having chips. I'd rather have no polish on at all than have a beat up mani. So often you'll find me with nothing at all on my nails. But when I do decide it's time for some color on the tips, these are the polishes I usually turn to.

1. REVLON COLORSTAY GEL-SHINE TOP COAT // This stuff really does make your nails look like gel. It smooths the color (minimizes any goofs), dries extremely quick, and is very shiny. I've tried many - Essie, OPI, Seche Vite, etc. and this is by far my favorite.

2. ESSIE "SUGAR DADDY" // It's actually drastically more sheer than how it appears in the bottle. It's almost a clear polish, but it gives your nails the most beautiful and natural pink tone. If I'm just wanting a clear shine, this is always what I go for because it does just that, while making my nails look healthier than ever before.  

3. ESSIE "CALIFORNIA CORAL" // Just a perfect peachy tone that's not too pink and not too orange. 

4. ESSIE "LADYLIKE" // Just as the name entails, this is truly the most feminine polish I own. It's a beautiful mauve tone that has the magical power of making your fingers look twice as long. 

5. OPI "BUBBLE BATH" // Absolute favorite neutral. It's just good.

6. ESSIE "SPLASH OF GRENADINE" // I LOVE this color. It's different enough, while not being too far out there. It just makes me happy every time I wear it. 

Also, you've got until 4/11 to save 15% off your entire purchase at Sephora with code VIBTICKET (if that doesn't work [aka: you're not a VIB], try the code TICKET [this code ends 4/10]). If you don't have a Clarisonic, now is the time! It's a game changer, for real.

morning skincare routine

Finding a great skincare routine is about as difficult as winning the lottery. The options are endless and overwhelming, to say the least. The good thing is that I thoroughly enjoy learning about skincare products and am always up to try something new. Because of that, I've experimented a lot and, while I've been satisfied, I haven't been truly impressed. Until now. 

I've always had a clear complexion for the most part... that is, until this past year. I don't know what has happened - hormones ...age? Who knows. But finally, I've found my all time favorite skincare routine and I just have to share it with you. Thanks to these products, I'm noticing a huge improvement. 

1.  LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR PURIFYING CLEANSING GEL // This is your basic daily cleanser that is soap-free, alcohol-free, and oil-free. It has salicylic acid, which helps clean out and tighten the pores. It also keeps your skin pH balanced at 55. 

2.  CLINIQUE CLARIFYING LOTION 3 // This stuff makes your skin feel squeaky clean, but not dry and tight. It whisks away pore-clogging oil and flakes in one fell swoop. I've used it for years and years. 

3.  LA ROCHE-POSAY THERMAL SPRING WATER // Although this step isn't necessary, it's a simple luxury that I feel makes a difference. This stuff is jam packed full of anti-oxidants and it's the perfect prep for additional treatments. I feel like it puts moisture back in my skin that has been pulled out through washing and toning. Because of the super fine mist it sprays, it's also a great mid-day refresher and awesome to use after putting on powder makeup. 

4.  DRUNK ELEPHANT C-FIRMA DAY SERUM // I can't sing this stuff's praises enough. First of all, it's non-toxic and has low hazard ingredients, but that doesn't stop it from being super powerful and effective. It's key ingredients are water, algae extract, sodium hydroxide and fruit extracts. In a nutshell, it evens skin tone, brightens, and fights signs of aging like nobody's business. 

5.  ORIGINS GINZING REFRESHING EYE CREAM // While I'm letting my serum really sink in, I go ahead and apply my eye cream. Between the caffeine it contains and it's pearlized color, it doesn't let under eye bags stand a chance. This is another thing in my routine that has stayed consistent for the past couple of years. 

6.  OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS 7-IN-ONE MOISTURIZER // I'd bore you if I stated all of the great things this moisturizer does. Let's sum it up into just a few. It has SPF 15, antioxidants, evens skin tone, reduces wrinkles, and helps reduce free radical damage. I recently did a LOT of research on finding a great day moisturizer and thanks to Paula's Choice, I decided that this was one of my best options (even compared to expensive products). 

7.  LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR DUO // This stuff is so, so good. I will never go without. It has benzoyl peroxide to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and micro-exfoliating LHA, which refines pores and provides precise exfoliation. I use this as a spot treatment when needed. It's gentle and reduces breakouts in a flash.

What are your holy grail skin-savers?

current makeup routine // base makeup

Hello lovers. Thought I'd share my base makeup routine with you. Base makeup, at least in my lingo, is everything except eye and lip makeup. The products I'm sharing with you are simply making up my "current" routine. This means I may not use this same foundation next month. I may end up using a different blush tomorrow when I put on my makeup. I like to dabble and switch things up about as often as Giggy Vanderpump changes outfits. These are just products that have remained VERY regular in my current routine... products I love and feel are worth sharing with you! 

First up to bat is Chanel Perfection Lumiere, otherwise known as photoshop in a bottle. It gives a velvety matte finish and has great lasting power. In fact, it somehow looks better as the day goes on, which is unheard of for me since I have oily/combo skin. The coverage is medium - it definitely shows your skin underneath, which is a must for me.

I've been using Chanel Correcteur Perfection Long Lasting Concealer under my eyes. The coverage, matched with its salmony tone, eliminates my sleep-deprived under eye circles like no other. Sadly, it creases something terrible. That said, I'm still using it because of the amazing coverage and I'm sure this would be fantastic elsewhere on the face. Since I love the light/bright look under my eyes, I go in and add MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in a "V" shape under my eyes. This product is holy grail material. I If I could only have three makeup products for the rest of my life, this would surely be one of them.

Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base is a wonder worker. Not only does it give a perfectly natural tan flush (you know, that "just-got-back-from-St.-Barts-and-please-be-jealous-of-my-glow" type of flush), but it also has coverage! (It will help cover any unsightly blemishes you may have on your cheeks.) It has a gel/mousse-like consistency and not to mention, you can use this all over your face UNDER your foundation if your face always seems to be more pale than the rest of your body (like mine always is). Side note: I don't use this product to give my face a bronzed look, but to lightly add natural contours and give my face dimension after I've just created a flat canvas with foundation. 

The next thing I do is lightly brush the NYX HD Finishing Translucent Powder all over my face to set everything in place. If you have dry skin, you may choose to skip this step. But since it has always been necessary for me, I've tried MANY. Not only is this product less than $10, but it's also better than the Make Up For Ever HD Powder, in my opinion.

I follow up with a dusting of Laura Gellar Bronze & Brighten, a product I recently discovered and have remained absolutely, positively obsessed with since purchasing. It does just what the title promises... it bronzes and brightens. I look like a little ray of sunshine after using this. Ok, maybe I'm taking this a little far. But really, I kind of do.

Finally - Bobbi Brown Blush in Apricot is the peanut butter to my jelly. The Bonnie to my Clyde. And in all seriousness, it's the life to my face. It's bright in the pan, don't be alarmed, but in all seriousness - it is the most beautiful wash of color and probably my favorite blush ever. 

Please note that makeup is most certainly not a one-size-fits-all operation. I have warm undertones, meaning I have yellow in my skin. Therefore, the products I use may not look the same on someone who has cool (or pink) undertones. We are all different, so a product I enjoy may not appeal to you. 

Okay! Now that that's out there... Have you used any of these products? Do you love them too? Oh, you may want to refer back to my post about favorite makeup brushes to learn how I apply these products. Also, do you like when I do makeup/beauty posts (because it's basically my specialty and I might have a few more being edited at this very moment.)?

products you need to know about

Nars is one of my all time favorite makeup brands.  Specifically, their cheek powders are fabulous.  Another love of mine is in the form of makeup palettes.  They are a one stop shop - multiple options upon opening just one little compact.  This is precisely the reason I travel exclusively with palettes if possible.  So, when combining my love for Nars with my love for palettes, then we've got ourselves a real winner in my book.

Here are two blush palettes that you definitely need to know about.  Both of the ones below are $49, which is an incredible value considering one Nars blush will run you $30.  Nars blushes are richly pigmented, so a little goes a long way.  What does this mean to you?  These palettes will last a long, long time.  

          Nars The NARSissist Cheek Palette     ||     Nars Adult Content Blush Palette

product spotlight // clinique chubby stick shadow tint for eyes

Got a fun new find for you ladies today.  It's not a new product, but it's new to me.  It's called the Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes (yes, I know that's a long name) and the color is "Lots o' Latte."  There are many reasons why I love this little stick of love... let me count the ways.

1.  The most obvious reason is because it's just one little stick and it's easy to throw into your makeup bag.  So much easier than an eyeshadow pan that also requires a brush.  (Then you drop that little pan of powder eyeshadow and it breaks into a million tiny pieces - yeah, none of that.)

2.  It's EASY.  You just apply it straight onto your eyelid and blend with your fingers.  That's it.  It's a one stop shop, people.

3.  Since it's metallic, it gives the effect of a few different shades and it doesn't look flat on your eyelids.  It gives the appearance that you're wearing a few different products when you're only wearing just this, which is a total win in my book.

4.  It long-wearing.  It's creamy and easy to work with, but yet it will stay put all day.  A lot of cream shadows don't offer both and that makes me mad because I always need to have my cake and eat it too.

5.  It doesn't require a sharpener.  Just twist the bottom and watch it grow.

Here are a few swatches.  See how it kind of looks different in the top photo vs. the bottom one?  See that's what I'm sayin' in #4.  Sometimes it gives a more gold look and sometimes it's more taupe.  This is great for indecisive girls such as myself.

It sure would look pretty blended with "Bountiful Beige" in the inner corner and just underneath the brow bone.  I'm telling you, it's just good.  Real good.  And you can buy it here for $17. 

must-have makeup brushes

I'll shout it from the mountain tops all day long.  Good makeup brushes make the BIGGEST difference in how your makeup looks. Each brush is created for a different purpose and a different product.  Yes, that means your powder, blush, and bronzer each deserve their very own brush.   Quality makeup tools might have a large price tag at first, but with proper care, they will last for years and years.  I've had some of my brushes for almost ten years!  To maintain proper care, wash your brushes (here's a post on how I do it!) at least once every two weeks.  This will allow them to last longer, apply better, and will keep nasty bacteria off your face.  Here are some of my must-have brushes that I keep on regular rotation.

1.  The Shiseido Foundation Brush is perfect for applying your liquid base.  The flat kabuki style blends like no other.  I like to wet my brush with MAC Fix+ before applying foundation.  This helps the product apply in a very thin, natural layer. 

2.  This  Clinique Powder Brush is what I use to apply clear translucent powder over my foundation and concealer.  The density allows it to pick up and disperse the perfect amount of product.  I also love the shape and size of the brush.  It's not overwhelming, but not too small, either. 

3.  My favorite blush brush I've ever touched is by Bobbi Brown.  It's densely packed and pretty perfect in every way.

4.  The Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush allows you to use your bronzer in either of two ways: contouring or giving that summer-glow bronzy look.  Most other bronzing brushes don't have this same versatility, but due to BB's perfectly shaped, fairly short bristles, this one is multi-function and worth every last cent.

5.  Now on to eyes... I love to use the Bobbi Brown 'Eye Sweep' Brush to effortlessly apply a wash of light beige/off-white shadow before applying any other color.  This provides a perfect canvas for any type of eye look you're going for and makes it look more tidy/last longer. 

6.  A brush like the MAC 252 Large Shader Brush is a must have for packing on the color, whether you're hoping for a dark, smoky eye or a natural look.  I love using this to add a shimmer or all over color onto my lid (just the section under the crease!).

7.  Blending is key.  And I really don't know what I'd do without my MAC 217 Blending Brush.  You can use it to apply color or to blend existing color on the lid.  It's unlike any other and a necessity in any makeup bag, in my opinion, due to it's versatility.  I typically use this to blend a light brown color into my crease.

8.  The Lancome Dual-End Eyeliner Brush is a multi-function duo brush.  One end works for smudging eyeliner or for applying shadow as liner.  The fine-point end is perfect for applying gel liner, which is my preference for a precise winged out liner look.

9.  Finally, don't forget the brows.  If you do nothing else to your face aside from tinted moisturizer and mascara, please do your brows too.  Properly groomed brows frame your face and instantly make you look put together.  I prefer a brush like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Duo Brow Brush that serves two purposes: applying color to the brows with the angled end and taming the brows with the spooley brush end.  You don't have to buy a product specifically made for filling in brows... just use an eyeshadow from the drug store that is the same color as your brows and apply sparingly!

first image via

best of beauty // 2013

I'm a few days late to the ball game here, but do you remember my "best of beauty 2012" post last year?  I thought I'd do the same for this past year, although looking back - a lot of the products are the same!  Guess that means they are really that good.  Here 'tis.

primer // foundation // concealer (one // two)

powder foundation // translucent powder // bronzer (medium) // blush (tipsy)

eyeshadow: one // two (stone) // three (#754)

gel liner // eye liner (mushroom) // mascara // eyebrow pencil

product spotlight // battle of the concealers

I recently splurged on something I swore I never would.  $70 for a concealer seemed a little absurd, but the more I heard about the Clé de Peau concealer, the more I just had to have it.   I have tried concealer after concealer after concealer (try me.) and the Cle de Peau was the one left lingering.  I bit the bullet and purchased it in shade "beige" (I was color matched with this shade previously.  It has warmer undertones in it, which are what you should look for when trying to cover the blue in under eye circles.).  It came in, I tried it for about a week, and I really liked it.  

Was I a little underwhelmed with such a high priced item?  Yes, probably.  Mainly because it has been hyped without end and I expected a miracle.  Did I try different ways of applying it?  Yes.  I applied it with a brush and also with my fingertips.  The latter seemed to work best because the warmth of your finger helps to spread the product evenly.  Are there better products?  Probably... which brings me to the next product worth mentioning.

The more I used the Clé de Peau, the more it reminded me of a concealer I had used in the past - MAC Studio Finish (shade NW125). Now, before I get into the specifics, let's do a little comparison at first glance.  Cle de Peau is $70 for .17oz.  Mac Studio finish is $18 for .24oz. (it would cost $99 to get that much of the Cle de Peau!).  But let's not dwell on my price antics.  I would gladly pay the $70 for the more expensive option if it promised to cover my under eye circles like no other. 

To put the two concealers to the ultimate test, I used the Cle de Peau under one eye and the MAC Studio Finish under the other.  I wanted to test a few things; longevity, color match, and texture.

After one full day at work and the gym, I even quizzed Brandon and asked him which under eye area looked better.  At first he looked at me like I was crazy, but when I made him look really reallly hard, he chose the MAC Studio Finish side.  I agreed.  Here are my findings.  The color match of the MAC was so much better - so much brighter.  This is attributed to the fact that MAC has so many shades to choose from and the Cle de Peau has what, four or five?  Second, I found that the under eye area on the MAC side was much smoother and natural looking.  The side with the Cle de Peau had formed uneven patches (the color was consistent, but the texture was rough in areas).  The only factor the Cle de Peau won out on was longevity.  I did find that more of it was left under my eye than the MAC under the other eye.  But not too noticeably different.

In summary, I had such high hopes for the Cle de Peau concealer, but it let me down.  On my skin - to cover those stubborn under eye circles, the MAC Studio Finish is a much better option (I don't really use concealer anywhere else on a daily basis).  I used it years ago and don't know why I ever left it sitting in the corner of my makeup case collecting dust.  I've now returned to the bright side and can honestly say it is my favorite under eye concealer.  Hands down.

Before I go, I must say that the application of both concealers is key.  Use your fingers to warm the product up.  Apply it in light patting motions.  Build up thin layers - don't try to gob it on all at once.  This will look much more natural.  Also-  these opinions are my own.  What works for me may not work for you.  The Cle de Peau has been voted Best Concealer so many years in a row for a reason. Just because it didn't impress me doesn't mean it won't knock your socks off.