Try These

1 / Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes, $26.00

Using the sample size of this product from Sephora, I received really great results - soft, full lashes achieved by mutliple applications without clumpy build-up. This mascara now ranks up in my top favorites with Dior Diorshow Mascara and Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara. I only tried this sample on my top lashes since I am still using Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara only on the bottom set.

2/ L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray, Extra Strong Hold, 11oz., $11.99

After seeing this hairspray everywhere, I purchased some for myself at Target when I ran out of the Dove Extra Hold Hairspray that I had been using. The price tag was worth it because I love this spray. It helps to maintain my hair's styled shape and fights against the elements on most days. Personally, it does not work well for me on rainy days, but I attribute that more to my type of hair which is fine and naturally curly. I really don't expect any product to keep my fine, styled locks from shifting when it rains, is supposed to rain, or just looks like it's going to rain. Aside from it's strength, I also like the smell of this spray and the soft texture of my hair after application of this spray.

3/ Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Pink Ice, $6.49
Simply stated, this gloss is just a great drugstore purchase; I purchased mine directly from Target. I love the color applied solo and also as an added layer on top of lipstick. The coverage is great and each application lasts pretty well.

Skin Slump

With all of our high & low, back & forth local temperatures, my skin is in a serious slump. Plus I will soon be traveling for an extended period of time which always wreaks havoc on my face particularly. 


I just ordered the Boscia Illuminating Black Mask (8) and now I am starting to wonder in which of these other products I should next invest. Some I have tried and some I haven't, but they all look very appealing right about now.




1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16

Try These

 

1 // Bumble & bumble Tonic Lotion, $20.00

Ever since someone suggested this product to me through an Instagram message, I have been hooked. After a shower, I spray a generous amount of it onto my scalp & hair while my hair is still wet. Then I comb through it & let my hair air dry over night before styling in the morning. This product helps to combat the beating my hair takes from the flat iron & curling iron in addition to keeping it from knotting & tangling. The additional shine alone is worth the larger price tag for this item.

2 // Urban Decay All Nighter, $29.00

This setting spray is quite addicting because it works so well. I just blew through my first bottle and I am ready to reorder my next supply. Every morning, I can't resist adding a couple of sprays at the end of my makeup routine. I'll probably be a little bit more conservative with my next bottle. This product is great for long workdays or a special night out -- you're makeup will still look great when you leave the bar after last call.

3 // Smashbox Limitless - Long Wear Lip Gloss with SPF15 (I wear Infinite), $22.00

Big thanks to my Aunt B because she gifted me this lipgloss for Christmas; her note read "best lip gloss ever." She was right, I love this stuff. It's great on a bare lip or layered over your favorite lipsticks. Over time, I hope to branch out to try additional colors when I am able to splurge a little bit.

On The Daily

PHOTOBOOTH IMAGE FROM LAST MONTH // LIGHT GRAY INFINITY SCARF - GAP (OLD)// DARK CHARCOAL/WHITE STRIPED CARDIGAN - J. CREW // HAIRCUT + COLOR/HIGHLIGHTS AT REPUBLIC SALON IN DOWNTOWN ATHENS, GEORGIA (ASK FOR DERSY)

DAILY MAKEUP ROUTINE

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EYES // 1/ Revlon Brow Pencil + Gel // 2/ Benefit High Beam // 3/ Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black // 4/ Benefit Eye Bright // 5/ Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in Black

FACE // 6/ Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Warmth // 7/ Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Blush in Boost // 8/ Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Matte Foundation in Fairly Light (after applying a light moisturizer -- currently using Neutrogena)

LIPS // 9/ Smashbox Lip Gloss in Infinite (product pictured is a different shade) gifted by my Aunt B -- sometimes I layer it over a lipstick (like Revlon's Pink Pout in this snapshot), but mostly I wear it solo

All Dolled Up

1 // Bumble and bumble Styling Creme, $24
Stumbled upon this product when choosing three small samples during the checkout process on Sephora.com. It's great for taming little flyaways & for adding shine to your locks if you submit them to a lot of heat (straightner + curling wand) first thing in the morning like I do. The creme seemed a little heavy to me, so I used a very, very small amount which I then warmed up in my hands before applying it.

2 // Benefit's They're Real Mascara (Black), $22
After my Dior Diorshow Mascara expired (mascara shelf life is about three months max), I needed a quick replacement, so I made a quick trip to ULTA to pick out this new-ish mascara. The spikey brush made me a little nervous since I prefer a fuller, fatter brush, but I was pleasantly surprised with the results. The best part is the slightly rounded, super spiked edge tip that may be used on the outer ends of your lashes for extra oomph.

3 // Maybelline New York Dream Mousse Blush (40 Soft Plum), $4
For a flushed wintery glow, apply a small amount of this cream blush to the apples of your cheeks (after warming it slightly in between your fingers) and blend it in a circular motion before heading out the door. Keep it in your purse for afternoon touch-ups to keep you radiant for the rest of the evening.

Skull & Glossbones

SKULL & GLOSSBONES

(Similar)

When you are seriously overdue for a manicure and wanting something nice, but neutral, then you will love this light gray from O.P.I.



Little Something Extra

1 // bareMinerals Prime Time Oil Control Brightening Foundation Primer

This water-based primer smooths skin perfectly prior to applying the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals for long-lasting oil control coverage throughout your day.

2 // L'Oreal Paris Infallible Lipgloss in Petal

The makeup artist for my wedding who help me get polished & extra pretty, JennySue Makeup, introduced me to this great drugstore purchase. This gloss is the perfect amount of daily shimmer & shine. I also like it in the color Blush.

3 // DKNY Pure Perfume

Not only does this perfume smell fresh & light, but it is also benefiting a great cause. DKNY Pure uses vanilla sourced from Uganda.Part of the proceeds from the sale of this fragrance will be donated to the women of Uganda to help them break the cycle of poverty by supporting the cause of education and jobs for women. A truly empowering perfume to add to your arsenal.

Sampled Scent

CHLOE

2.5 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

This floral perfume with top notes of pink peony, freesia, and lychee is great for everyday. I like to spray it on the right side of my neck, my inner left elbow, and the back of my right knee before work. The fresh subtleness of the scent carries with you for the entire day. Purchase yours here.

Goldfinger

GOLDFINGER

*Give your fingers some extra sparkle in addition to any rings you may already be wearing.

INSPIRATION

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Elsie's Wedding Ring Finger Manicure on A Beautiful Mess + Miu Miu Heels (pictured + similar, similar, & similar)

END RESULT

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To achieve this look, pictured here on my hand, you will need a favorite bottle of base coat (like this one), a pink or coral nail polish (I chose to go more pink with OPI's La-Paz-itively Hot; another good color would be OPI's On Collins Avenue), Sally Hansen Salon Effects Strips (I used Glitz Blitz), & a bottle of top coat (like this one).

Pick which fingers to which you would like to apply the Salon Effects Strips (I chose the ring fingers on my right & left hand). Use the instructions to adhere the strips to your nails of choice (this will include pushing back your cuticles, buffing the nails, & filing the end of the nails). Then cover each strip covered nail with one generous application of top coat. After your sparkled fingers have finished drying, you may then proceed with applying your base coat, two or three coats of colored polish, & top coat to the remaining nails. Allow for ample dry time.

This initial polish application should last an entire work week or so. When the colored polish nails start to chip & wear, you should remove the current color (leaving the  Salon Effects Strip nails intact because those should last longer) & repaint with another color of your choosing (this one would look nice). 

Such Great Heights

 // 1/ Benefit's High Beam Highlighter // $26.00

*Dot + blend this product onto your checkbones & browbones for an instant glow + lift

// 2/ Essie's Chinchilly Nail Polish // $17.11

*A great granite gray neutral for your digits; will last all week + pair nicely with all of your outfits

// 3/ Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara // $10.00

*This is one of those products that makes you think, 'why-didn't-I-think-of-that?' because this tiny brush is perfection for those hard to hit (& easy to miss) little lashes

Nice is Nice

NICE IS NICE // ESSIE

NAIL POLISH

The perfect summer polish that goes with every outfit. I stumbled upon this color when shopping at Target & now it's a new favorite. The color is subtle, but you'll still receive a lot of compliments on this one. It will surely be in heavy rotation for my digits this summer.

Seven Layer Cake

Photo: BareEscentuals.com

Seven Layer Cake

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals 100% Natural Lip Gloss, $15.00

Layered over a nude shade of lipstick (like Revlon's Super Lustrous in Sparkling Cider) or solo, this lip gloss has great lasting application and the perfect hint of pink. This week I will be scraping what's left in my tube for as many daily applications as the remnants will allow until I can order my next slice.

Summer I Do

//1/ Short-sleeve Ruffle Wrap Dress in Black, $125.00 //2/ Double-strand Charm Necklace, $45.00 //3/ Sardinia Wedge Espadrilles, $118.00



With wedding season upon us all, it can't hurt to have a couple options available in your closet ahead of time. I purchased this wrap dress from Banana Republic on sale a couple of weeks ago, so that I would have it on hand for a recent wedding we attended.

For the outdoor event, I paired it with these wedge espadrilles that I purchased from J.Crew prior to our honeymoon in November. They were perfect since we were on our feet for the majority of the night.

I failed to accessorize; somehow I walked out of the house without any jewelry on at all. If in your jewelry box, this double-strand charm necklace would be an effortless addition.

Inspired

//1/ Bee from Atlantic-Pacific //2/ OPI All That Razzberry & Dutch Tulip //

When I went for a manicure & pedicure this weekend, I was drawn to these two colors. All That Razzberry for my digits & Dutch Tulip for my toes. Though they aren't dead ringers for the colors in Bee's striped shirt, they are similar enough that I must have been subconsciously inspired by her outfit.

Both polishes are great for the transition into hotter summer weather. I'm sure that I will pick them out at the salon again during future visits this season.