May Favorites

I am excited I have always wanted to do favorites before but never really had the chance or the time to do so this month it's officially happening. It's also been exactly two years since I started this blog! How awesome is that? I am so honored by all of the support!

Make Up Favorites:

Lip Venom Haute Chocolate - Vanilla - I have really really enjoyed this. I always enjoy Lip Venom products. I feel like they really know how to make lips look sultry. Plus they always taste amazing (if that matter to you!)

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss - I love this gloss she has come out with! Tanya Burr is UK blogger. Yes it took the gloss three weeks to arrive at my doorstep but it was well worth it. I love the shades I got Vampire Kiss and Champagne toast! 

Isla Sirena by DuWop Sea Shell Compact Eye Dual - I have been obsessed with Mystic Waters and Greedy. Mystic waters is a perfect pool or beach color since the colors a are pale coral with shimmer and aqua green color with shimmer. The Greedy compact is my favorite though I love the moss green that is super pigmented paired with the deep plum beside it. Great products!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Mineral Bronzer - I love this. I never worry about it looking too crazy or too dark. It lasts all day long. With or without setting spray. I just take a Sigma F40 to apply it and it goes on like a dream. I also like their matte water one. I did try the Too Face with the whole chocolate thing bronzer and I just didn't like the texture to me it was too chalky.

Skincare Favorites:

Glamglow Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment - I cannot believe I paid this for a jar that is smaller than my deodorant but hey it works and it works amazing too. I do really enjoy using this because I have really noticed it pulling the leftover make up that my facial brush and that my old cleanser misses in my pores.

Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser - I have really enjoyed this. I feel like it cleanses better than my old cleanser. This is a great cleanser. I really do feel like it lifts my face and makes it less dull. I am so excited about this product. 

Bioderma Crealine H2o Cleanser - I love this stuff. It is the best cleansing water on the planet. I refuse to use anything else now. I had been using a different cleansing water but I finally tried this and I refuse to go back to anything now.

Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains For Face - I was skeptical of using this. Chris suggest I use it. I use this in addiction to my Michael Todd exfoliating facial scrub and I think I do see more life to my skin.

Josie Mara 100 percent Pure Argan Oil Light - I was really really weary of using an oil on my face but this is amazing stuff and I am super glad that I got the light because I think the original might be a little too heavy. I like that it takes off the rough patches.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ For Face - I have been on my honeymoon in Florida and I needed sun protection and making sure I didn't turn into a lobster for my husband. 

Body Favorites:  

Polyjuice Potion Sugar Scrub - I cannot get enough of this smell (or the name) and I was so excited to see it in the scrub this time! 

Polyjuice Potion Body Wash - I figured why not get the body wash as well. There was a deal to get the scrub and the wash together for a lower price. 

Snap with Embrace Razor from Gilette Venus - I know +Jessica used this in her favorites and I know +Hunter plans to as well add it to hers. It is just so amazing no more buying travel razors or worrying about taking my razor and leaving it. This is just awesome! I love the size, comfort and close shave!

Hair Favorites:

Blow Pro Blow Out Spray Serious Non-Stick Hairspray - This is an amazing hairspray! I don't feel like I should be hanging up in a garden somewhere scaring birds away with how my hair feels. This makes it stay and not straw.

Oudad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel - Um I'm in Florida and this has been a lifesaver! I love this stuff 100%! Humidity is usually what kills my hairstyles. 

 

Food Favorites:

Krave Grilled Sweet Teriyaki Pork Jerky - Chris and I both love Krave jerkys but this is our favorite at the moment. It tastes so good for an afternoon pick me up snack.

Ossau Iraty - Delicious! I love these cheese! It reminds me of being back in France during the fall while sipping cinder. 

Awkward Favorites:

Yes water-based Organic Lubricant - Sometimes you just need a little extra glide after a few times of rolling in the sheets. I love that this is organic and not putting some kind of chemicals and dyes inside me or on him.

Riding Crop 26" with Rubber Grip Handle - This is very whippy. It's small and can get to an specific area that's small. It's not very bendable.

Birchbox April 2014

Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo ~ I actually use the Fekka Apple Cider shampoo while on vacation and near the beach because it really cuts back on the frizz. I am excited to try this. Because the red hair is coming for the wedding. I think my mom would be proud.

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection (Gold Struck) ~ This is a nice soft rose gold color. I liked it right away. It's now on my toes. It's different for me. Hunter has rose gold growing on me.

Rose Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Cleanser ~ I have never tried this. However, Hunter, had and she said she highly recommends it. I'm really excited to try this for many reasons. I hope it works well.

KIND Snacks Healthy Grains Bar – Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt ~ This was delicious! I loved it! I love KIND snacks.

theBalm cosmetics How ‘Bout Them Apples? Cheek & Lip Cream ~ Hunter uses this and she loves it. I love theBalm products because it's a nice vintage feel to them plus they have such a good quality. I think I might buy the whole set.

I love Ipsy but I have loved Birchbox as well. True this box has been better than other boxes here in the recent few. However, with Ipsy they usually give stuff that I can go to any drugstore, Ulta, or Target and buy. Birchbox does give sample and small sizes of products however it's unique and new lines. For $10 it's not terrible. 

Review: Bath & Body Works Lip Gloss and Holder

I know I wrote a post on EOS lip balm but those are easy to put in the bottom or a purse forget about them. However, I have found the solution for on the go with shopping or keeping up at Disney World. Bath & Body Works has the solution.

Anyone that loves Bath & Body Works knows about the PocketBacs, which in case you don't know, are the small anti-bacterial hand sanitizers. Many may know of the lip gloss but now the PocketBacs are not the only ones with cute traveling systems. You can now have lip gloss handy at anytime. Their lip gloss doesn't dry out your lips. 

The carry for the lip gloss is equally cute to the ones for the PocketBacs. I managed to get an owl (of course!) It was great while we were in Disney World. Having it and the PocketBac right there at my neck was awesome. 

In the top left corner you can some what see the size of the lip gloss holder compared to the the Pocketbac. The lip gloss I'm using right now contains Methanol in it or as B&BWs call it Mentha. I have the cinnamon flavor and it tastes and feels amazing on my lips. 

A friend of mine that's a guy said it looked like a creature from He-Man but then again he is a huge He-Man freak and walks around flexing his muscles yelling he has the power. However, I find the owl very cute. Depending on what style of lip gloss you get it can range from $7.50 to $10.00. And the carrier is $5-$8. I always go in to B&BWs if there is a sale or armed with a coupon. Sometimes the online store has amazing sales as well just use the Retail Me Not website and save major cash! 

Hope everyone's weekend has been great. Jackjack is doing great, my grandmother arrived this afternoon and I've ran two marathons this weekend! 

Beauty Tips

• If you have oily or pimple-prone skin, your pillowcase could be your worst enemy. Oil and dirt collect on it and rub on your skin, so change the case a couple times a week.

• Have pimples on your chin or jawline? Could be all that talking on the phone! Really! Pressure and bacteria from the phone receiver can irritate your skin. The solution: Don't press it against your face and clean the receiver daily with astringent. Or swap to a blue-tooth device.

• Suds your skin using small, upward, circular motions. Pulling it downward damages your skin's elasticity. 

• To ease the ouch of tweezing, dab teething gel on your brow area with a cotton-swab before you pluck.

• To prevent little bumps after plucking your brows, wipe the area with astringent or witch hazel.

• To hide a really red pimple, tone down the red by using a green cover-up, and like many people I recommend using Physician's Formula.

• Once you've covered up that zit, be delicate when applying foundation. Pat it over your blemish; don't rub. 

• When putting on eyeliner, look downward into a mirror. This makes your lid flatten out so it's easier to draw a straight line. 

• To still look good at midday, freshen up your foundation, lightly spritz your skin with water, then re-blend with a dry makeup sponge. 

• Just 'cause you get a free brush with your blush doesn't mean it's your best bet. A makeup brush with a pencil-length handle makes blush application way easier. 


• OK: Here's another one for germ-phobic chicas. Dip a clean orangewood stick into your foundation bottle instead of using your finger. Toss the stick after each application to keep the bottled makeup sanitary.

• For light hold with no goop factor, spritz wet hair with hairspray, then dry and style.

• Boost a deep-conditioning treatment by wrapping your hair in aluminum foil.

• When choosing a blowdryer, remember: The higher the wattage, the faster it'll dry your hair.

• Remove product buildup from brushes (except natural bristle ones) by soaking 'em in warm water plus a few drops of white vinegar.

• When drying your hair, hold the dryer at least eight to 10 inches from your hair. When styling, hold your dryer four to six inches from your hair. 


• Double your rinse time: If it takes two minutes to rinse all the shampoo outta your hair, spend double that time--like, four minutes--rinsing out the conditioner.

• If you have thick hair, take a tip from the pros and divide your hair in sections, then work on drying just one section at a time.

•  Don't weight your hair down by conditioning strands that don't need it! Work conditioner through the ends only--and avoid the roots.

• Tangled tresses? Gently comb through your hair after applying conditioner.

• Always aim the air from your blowdryer down the length of your hair. Directing the air upward roughs up your hair's outer cuticle, cutting down on that great natural shine.

• To help your style stay put, switch your blowdryer to cool as you finish each section.

• Swipe nails with a nail polish remover-soaked cotton ball before you apply polish. This'll remove any oil residue and make the polish you apply last longer.

• Don't shake that polish bottle--it causes air bubbles, which can ruin your manicure. Roll it between your palms instead!

• Wouldn't it bum you out if you ruined your new paint job before it even dried? Wait three to five minutes after applying your last coat of polish before spraying your nails with quick-dry.

• Don't use your nails as tools--dial the phone with a pencil; use your knuckle to flip light switches; open soda cans with a spoon.

• No time for a manicure? Run a white nail pencil under the tips of your nails for a quickie French manicure effect. 

Late Night Post...

For a good reason. I wear a good bit of make-up these days because I like to experiment with different products at this point. I actually found this survey that answers a certain question you might have. If there is anything else you want to know. Comment and I'll respond!


1. What age group are you in (teens, 20s, 30s, you get the idea)? 20s
2. What's your skin type? Combo/oily
3. What kind of cleanser do you use?Face Soap and Clarity™ 3-In-1 Daily-Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash, Soap & Glory Off Your Face(TM) Wipes Cleansing Cloths, Fab Pore™ Hot Cloth Cleanser,

4. How often do you exfoliate? Yes I do using, L'Oreal Paris Go 360 Clean, Deep Exfoliating Scrub,Natural Apricot Beads

5. Do you use a toner, and if so what kind? Yes, Oil-Free Acne Stress Control® Triple-Action Toner

6. Do you use an eye cream/treatment, and if so what kind? Origins GinZing

7. Do you use masks, and if so what kind and how often? Olay Prox Sulfur Mask, The Fab Pore™ Facial Peel, Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Facial Masque, Montagne Jeunesse Anti-Stress Peel-Off Masque Cucumber, Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Facial Mask Pomegranate Pulp, Montagne Jeunesse Facial Mud Pac. Montagne Jeunesse Fruit Smoothie Facial Mask Crushed Raspberry

8. Do you use the same moisturizer for day and night? No, Clean & Clear® Advantage® Acne Control Moisturizer at night, and Morning Burst® Morning Glow Moisturizer

9. Do you use any acne treatments, and if so what kind? Proactive sometimes but more so Clean & Clear Acne Advantage

10. Do you use any skincare tools, and if so what kind? Masks over my eyes at night, wax strips, tweezers, towels that will heat up, Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent (Clinque), Take The Day Off Cleansing Milk(Clinque), Caswell-Masseey Cucumber Eye Pads, 


11. Do you use any other special products (serums, anti-aging products, etc.)? Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips,

12. In what order do you use your products? Lol it seriously depends on what night

13. How long does your nightly routine take? 20-40 minutes

I also use Differin that is prescribe to me by my new Dermatologist. It helps my skin stay soft, brighter, and it has Vitamin A in it which will keep my skin looking younger longer.

Stay tuned next Monday for tips that I am SURE will help beauty regiment.

Let me know if you want to find any of the products I mentioned, I'll be happy to help.

Vintage Tag

As many of you know I spend hours watching Vintage Tutorials on fashion, hair, make-up, recipes etc. So I was watching LisaFreemontStreet and I ran across this video (shown below) and I don't do vlogs but I figured I could answer the questions

1) Who's your style icon?
My style icon, hm. I simply adore Lucille Ball. Marilyn Monroe, some. Maureen O'Hara, love her. For more go to Inspirations.
2)Whats your favorite way to get inspired? ( i.e. mags, catalogs, photo's, YT, movies, books, the internet, etc)
All of the above. I love pictures mostly, Youtube, and movies.
3) What's your most used hair tool(s)?
Curl pins, curling iron, and hairspray
4)Whats your favorite hair tool/ gadget?
Rollers..... :)
5) Up-do, down, or half and half?
Half and half
6)Is vintage styling something you do daily, weekends only, or just special occasions?
A mixture. I do vintage things constantly even if I don't have vintage style going on that day.
7) Whats your favorite blush/ lipstick?
Spiced Coral by Estee Lauder Signature Color and Le Rouge, SPF15, Pur Colour Satiny Radiance by Yves Saint Laurent

8) Lets talk fashion: dress/ skirt or pants? heels or flats?
I looooove my high waisted shorts but I also love dresses. I love heels but I feel a little more comfortable in flats.
9) Homemade or off the rack?
I'm working on having more homemade things.
10) Do you swing dance?
Its on my Fall Bucket List to learn how
11) Small subtle touches incorporated into everyday wear ( flavor of vintage, if you will) or all out extreme?
There are very few days where I go all out with vintage. I use hints of it. Though Chris does have a bad habit of walking into my apartment on the weekends and screaming "Lucy I'm home!"
12)Favorite perfume/ skincare? ( as ladies back then were very studious about their faces)
Perfumes: Love Kills Slowly by Ed Hardy, Midnight Rose by Lancome, and Ma Cheri by Dior
Skincare: I use a ton of different brands at different prices Estee Lauder and Sephora are where I got the most.
13) What does the rest of the family think of your "style"?
My dad thinks its great. My cousins are mixed on it. Chris loves it since he is a huge Rat Pack fan.
14) Favorite accessory ( signature piece, hair accessory, bag, jewlery, gloves, stockings, shoes, pin, hat, belt, sweater, nail polish, lipstick, perfume, parisol, glasses, scarf... whew! did i forget anything)?
I don't think I have a favorite. I do love my petticoats, I love swishing. I love flower hairclips.
15)Do you find the vintage community warm and inviting, or cliquish and snooty? ( include your personal home state)
I haven't come across anyone who was snooty or cliquish, actually just the opposite.
16)What drew you to this style?
A date Chris and I had at the very beginning of getting to know each other and he seemed to be really big into the 40s with big band swing music.
17)Your favorite place(s) to shop vintage? Modcloth.com for clothes even if they are pricey but I do love their clothing. I really just filter through vintage blogs and vlogs to see what other people recommend and I try stuff. 

Looking Around You Think...

Sure! She's got everything!! Ok I've had some requests to see my beauty collection. Now I didn't get to take pictures of everything in my bathroom as well because I'm doing some work in my bathroom. So there are a few products that will not be shown in the pictures below. That will be a different post soon to come. I would also like to thank Mrs. Hannah for letting me borrow her camera to take the pictures of my bedroom beauty products. So without further ado:

My Go-Everywhere-With-Me Essentials and my roller clips

Toner, Brush, eye-shadows, straightener and make up mirror.

Please excuse my tissues on my basket, Lol

Make- Up drawers, rollers, eye shadow, finger nail polish, handheld fan,contacts holder and clip

Tweezers, measuring tap, NIKE Chip, nail clippers, eye linger, brushes, and sharpener

Clearasil, floss, eye roller, night creams, lip balms

 Many tubes of lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, my contacts holder, and rollers

Make up removers, wisps, more toners, lotions, primers, and though packets are toilet seat covers

My brushes, combs, and clips, and make up sponges and cottonballs

Some of my collection of Nail polish

My entire collection beside my tivo remote. and an Arby bag in the background

Review: Oil-Free Acne Stress Control® Triple-Action Toner

Neutrogena

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Help stop acne before it even emerges with a refreshing, multi-tasking toner that works in 3 ways for clearer, shine-free skin. Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Stress Control® Triple-Action Toner:

1) Treats acne even before it emerges through MicroClear®, clinically proven to boost the delivery of acne medicine to unclog congested pores.
2) Eliminate oil and shine, while helping to prevent future oil clogs.
3) Delivers a unique formula of skin-soothers, such as green tea and cucumber extracts, to reduce redness and irritation.

Make acne one less stress in your life with Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Stress Control® Triple-Action Toner.

• Salicylic Acid
• MicroClear® Technology     — Oil-Free Acne Stress Control® Triple-Action Toner Neutrogena

I have loved this product since the first time I used it. I have been watching make-up tutorials. And I knew that I was going to need something to help fight off break outs and black heads. This has been perfect for me. It takes off make - up I missed no matter how well I thought I removed my make-up. You can really feel it work. I have oily skin and this has been a treasure in my nightly routine. I recommend to anyone who wants cleaner skin and less break outs!

While Neutrogena strives to keep ingredient lists on this website as accurate as possible, we cannot guarantee that these lists are complete, reliable, up-to-date, and error-free. Please refer to the ingredients list on the product packaging for the most accurate list of ingredients.

Active Ingredients:

Salicylic Acid 2%

Inactive Ingredients:

Water, Alcohol Denatured 40%, Butylene Glycol, PPG 5 Ceteth 20, C12 15 Alkyl Lactate, Cetyl Lactate, PEG/PPG 20/6 Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativa (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Cocamidopropyl PG Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Benzalkonium Chloride Solution, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 5, Green 5, Fragrance 

Warning: For external use only. When using this product skin irritation and dryness is more likely to occur if you use another topical medication at the same time. If irritation occurs, only use one topical medication at a time. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away. — Neutrogena

You can find this product and more on Products I Use.