beauty products I've used up // vlog

Find this blog post in it's new home here.

Y'all! I did not mean to provide such a dramatic post on Tuesday (well, not really dramatic at all actually) and then totally disappear for the rest of the week. I filmed a beauty video on Tuesday and have had the hardest time getting it to upload. I think I did something wrong and on top of that, my laptop is basically a goner. I've successfully used up every last bit of brains it has to offer, and it's reminding me of that every time I go to load something. Point is, I couldn't get this video to download on Tuesday night and then last night, YouTube was on the fritz and it didn't process until about 2am. And I've been in continuing education for real estate Wednesday and Thursday... all day long, so  I consequently didn't have the time to link to 40-some products at the bottom of this blog post after it's 2am load time. In summary, better late than never!

Here are beauty products I've used up and what I think about them.

products mentioned: (I know, I know.)

1. batiste dry shampoo     2. greenscape organic lavender hand & body lotion     3. neutrogena wet skin sunscreen spf 30     4. rembrandt deeply white peroxide whitening toothpaste     5. nyx studio finishing powder     6. balanced guru detox scalp treatment     7. alberto VO5 clarifying shampoo     8. clinique clarifying lotion     9. REN glycol lactic radiance renewal mask     10. davines naturaltech replenishing conditioner     11. EOS lip balm     12. macadamia natural oil deep repair masque     13. rituals hammam hot scrub     14. rituals hammam bath oil     15. kate somerville clarifying treatment toner     16. vitafusion womens gummy vitamins     17. clinique deep cleansing emergency mask     18. murad pore reform skin smoothing polish     19. first aid beauty facial radiance pads     20. bareminerals facial cleansing oil     21a. glotherapeutics triple action serum     21b. kate somerville line  release under eye repair cream     22. vaseline advanced repair lotion     23. caress tahitian renewal exfoliating body wash     24. loreal elnett hairspray with uv filter     25. no 7 quick thinking wipes     26. philosophy purity made simple     27. dr. teal's lavender epsom salt     28. biolage hydrasource shampoo     29. sibu beauty sea buckthorn hydrating serum     30. bareminerals lash domination mascara     31. chanel eyeliner pen in brun     32. chanel le volume mascara     33. bareminerals lip liner     34. mac prep & prime in light boost     35. first aid beauty eye duty     36. bareminerals well rested cc eye primer     37. fresh sugar lip treatment     38. clinique cream eyeshadow     39. rituals lavender fields candle     40. shiseido facial cotton    41. milani eyeshadow pencil

travel makeup bag | the contents

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14. The Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer is awesome. Kind of makes your lips sparkle, while lasting a long time and being moisturizing at the same time. My shade was a special edition, but it looks almost identical to shade 131, Mica.

15. Last but not least, the Dior Lipliner Pencil in Grege toted along with me. It's the exact shade of my lips and is perfect for filling them in completely for a matte, natural look.

new post on holycitychic.com // currently loving: 5 beauty picks

A few products have made me a happy girl recently. You know I've got to share...

It's been a long time since I've found a blush I love until I met the MAC Powder Blush in Margin. You can see just how beautiful it is on Claire. I'd describe this blush as a mauvey-coral with a hint of shimmer. It makes me feel like I've been sunkissed even when that's a far cry from the truth here in January.

The bareMinerals Facial Cleansing Oil makes taking off makeup a breeze. I've finally found something I like just as much as, if not more than, the Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser (to take off makeup, not to cleanse face completely). I massage three pumps of this into my skin and gently on the eyes to remove makeup. Then I rinse and follow up with my regular cleanser. It seriously melts away makeup and feels fantastic, especially in these colder months since it conditions and nourishes the skin.

I don't even know how to describe just how beautiful the glo minerals Luxe Liquid Foundation is. I'm in the shade Naturelle, which I love because it's very olive-toned, so it cancels redness. It feels lightweight on the skin and is more light-reflective and skin-perfecting than the highly rated YSL Touche Eclat foundation, in my opinion. This foundation is formulated with diamond powder (um, diamonds?), which reflects and diffuses light to create a softer complexion. It also is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 15 and specialized moisturizing agents to deliver a flawless, youthful complexion. I have oily/combination skin and this doesn't get oily on me. At the same time, it is never dry. It's just kind of perfect, and I don't say that often. Just so you know, this is not a full coverage foundation. I would say that it's about medium coverage, but I alway sheer out my foundations with a dampened brush to make them lighter coverage. It's definitely buildable, though, if you are interested in more coverage! It's also not the longest wearing foundation because it's not super matte, but I'm completely ok with having to powder a few times throughout the day for it to stay put. To me it's very similar to Makeup For Ever HD Foundation in terms of longevity. Oh, and it applies beautifully with this brush.

So, I don't own the Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne, but I've sampled it pretty much every time I walk by the fragrance counter. I like to sample a perfume a good handful of times before buying it since they are so pricey. This fragrance smells different than anything I've ever smelled. It's woodsy and fresh at the same time. I think I will be obsessed with this in the spring and summer when I don't really want to smell like a certain perfume, but just want to smell good. 

I might have a hard time explaining the NuFace Mini Facial Toning Device because, to be honest, I'm still not quite sure exactly what it is or how it works. Doesn't sound too convincing so far, does it? This product was given to me as a gift and I have to say that I noticeably look more refreshed after using it. I even had someone tell me that without that person knowing that I had just used this. By placing the metal tips on the skin, it uses advanced microcurrent technology to improve facial contour, tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You just apply the primer, which is included, then glide this device along a contour of your face in an upward motion. When it beeps, you move it along a different contour of your face. Don't worry, there is a video that explains exactly where to place the product and when. The whole regimen lasts about five minutes, but it can last as long as 20 minutes (I've never used it this long). It's an amazing device and oh! ...it's currently on sale for 20% off at beauty.com.

(please update your blog reader to holycitychic.com!) holy city hotspot | jack's cosmic dogs

So, there were three Jack's Cosmic Dogs locations in Charleston. It's a local restaurant with amazing hot dogs, sandwiches, fresh cut fries, milkshakes and sundaes, and delicious spicy ranch. I am a southern girl, after all, and ranch is important to me.

When the West Ashley location switched over to a mexican restaurant a couple years ago, I definitely had a "McKayla is not impressed" moment. (Although I LOVE that mexican restaurant now.) When their James Island location closed, things may have gotten a little misty in my eye area. 

I'm not above crying over hot dogs. 

Ok, maybe I didn't cry, but Jack's was one of our favorite places to go to get a quick & easy, delicious meal because the James Island location was right down the street from our house. The day I found out I had a nodule on my thyroid that could have been cancerous, that's where Brandon took me afterwards to brighten my day. It's just good, comforting food.

I realize that this has been a ridiculously long intro for a hot dog restaurant, but can you tell I love it? If you're in Charleston visiting, or if you live here and haven't ever tried it, make the trip over to Mount Pleasant to the original and only Jack's Cosmic Dogs for one of those delicious dogs, just like we did the other day.

Have you ever been to Jack's Cosmic Dogs? If not, you're missing out! 

This is not a sponsored post, but if you're reading this, Jack, feel free to pay me in cheese fries.

On Holy City Chic today! currently trending: polished bohemian

This new trend has me so excited. I love bohemian style, but never can quite pull off the look too authentically. But polished bohemian... now that, to me, means taking those global prints and textures and applying them to feminine silhouettes, along with chic details. Maybe each individual piece of clothing doesn't have to scream boho, either. Taking a hint of a trend, combined with your own style, is all it takes to pull it off effortlessly.

Pretty, huh? Here are links to all of the items shown above, but if you're reading this on a computer, the graphic is also clickable! Just hover your mouse over each item and click to be directed to the product page. So what do you think... will you be wearing this trend come spring?

striped shorts  |  espadrilles  |  choker  |  orange maxi dress  |  jumpsuit  

cardigan sweater  |  hat  

handbag  |  floral dress  |  coral maxi dress  |  scallop dress   

boyfriend jeans  |  beaded top  |  skirt  |  gold duo necklace