Fall Beauty Looks to Recreate

My blogger bestie Tricia and I love makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes. Katie is always experimenting with new makeup ideas and setting trends in the industry. We wanted to try out some eye looks inspired by her and show you how they look on different skin tones and eye shapes. Here are my tips for achieving three new eye makeup looks you have to try out this Fall!

LOOK 1: MULTICOLOR EYE MAKEUP

Image from Katie Jane Hughes Instagram @katiejanehughes

How many of you have wanted to play with colors in an eye makeup look? Well me too! But for the longest time, I didn’t know how to apply color eyeshadow or even how to incorporate color into my makeup. It is very different makeup technique and even a little scary, but I think it is definitely worth trying out. Surprisingly, I found it pretty easy too! This multi-color eye look took me under 10 minutes to recreate.

1. Start off my picking out three colors you want to try. The secret to making a color pop is all about the base! You want a nice primer to make the pigments look super saturated. Tricia and I used the Bare Minerals Gen Nude Eyelid Primer in color Bright AF and then added the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in color Milk. Using a white color base is like creating a paper canvas on your eyelid. Remember when you were in elementary school and drew in color books? Well this is the same concept. This eye look has color in certain spots of the eye- inner corner, middle top lid, outer corner, and under eye. Gently use the white crayon and apply it in all the spots that the color will be.

2. Apply your first pop color with dense brush in your inner eye corner. Pack it on and dab the color gently so there isn’t too much fall out. For this colorful eye look, I used BH Cosmetics eye shadows because they are very pigmented, plus they are affordable!

3. Then with another dense brush, repeat step two in all the other areas where you put on the white crayon. Don’t be afraid to go higher closer to your eyebrows. With smaller lids, I recommend exaggerating the look. When your eyes are closed you will still be able to see the colors popping through.

4. To make the outer corners look seamless, make sure to blend in the black with a fluffy blending brush. It may take a few minutes to truly make the black look even. Just go back and forth like windshield wipers.

5. Clean up this look by applying another coat on whatever colors you think need a little more vibrancy.

6. To finish this look off we applied the Bare Minerals lip lacquer, Buxom big tease mascara, and a rosy blush on the cheeks

LOOK 2: PURPLE GLOSSY EYE LIDS

Image from Katie Jane Hughes Instagram @katiejanehughes

Glossy lids are really cool and trendy right now. Lately, it’s been all about shine on the eyelids. Tricia and I loved this lavender glossy lid Katie created. My biggest hesitation with this glossy look was “how do I achieve it?”. Well this is my version.

1. First start off by apply a good base! Again, we used the Bare Minerals Gen Nude Eyelid Primer in color Turned Up and then added the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in color Milk. This time apply both primers all over the lid- yes go all the way to the brow bone. If you have deep hooded eyes, going to the brow bone is the key to achieving this look.

2. After you’ve got a solid base, pick up a pretty lavender or soft purple shade with a flat dense brush. I used a color from the BH palette again because it has ever color you can dream of! Pack on color and keep adding color till you reach the pigment/ vibrancy desired. Around the eye crease and closer to the brow, switch to a fluffy blending brush and blend it out.

3. Once you have a good base, go in with the Glossier Lid Star in color Lily and gently apply it on the center of your eyelid. If you notice the eye shadow getting blotchy, use your ring finger to blend the product in.

4. Lastly, I used a lip gloss to add shine to the look- yes a lip gloss. I used the Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss in color Candy Flip all over the lid because it was the perfect iridescent lavender color. You can even use a clear gloss, just make sure it doesn’t get into your eyes.

5. To finish off the look, we stuck with a nude lip using Bare Minerals Gen nude patent lip lacquer major in color Yaas.

LOOK 3: WARM FALL TONES EYE MAKEUP LOOK

Image from Katie Jane Hughes Instagram @katiejanehughes

Fall beauty this year is all about warm earthy tones! Think rose gold, honey browns, and warm chestnut browns.

This warm brown and orange eye look is more on the lines of what I wear on a daily basis, just more exaggerated. The colors and perfect cat eye are what drew me and Tricia to this look.

1. For this makeup look, we primarily used this Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat Eyeshadow Palette because the orange and chestnut browns were the perfect color matches.

2. Start off by apply the brighter colors in the center of the eyelids. Towards the outer corners and crease, apply the darker tones and blend it out. For the inner eyelid, we added a bit of sparkle using the Innis Free My Palette My Eyeshadow Glitter in color #3 Bronze Brilliance. Under the eyes, take a medium brown shade and apply it all under the eyelid about ¼ inch wide. You want to make sure you create a smoky feel with these tones.

3. For the liquid eyeliner, I have been loving the NYX Matte Liquid Eyeliner! The brush is very small which makes it easier to create a flawless line.

Make sure to check out Tricia’s insights on the look HERE!

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity 

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

*I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post*

April 2018 Beauty Favorites

It's finally feeling like Spring here in NYC and my skin is totally loving the warmer fresher air! I wanted to share my easy morning routine with you all this month because I have seen a difference in my skin from using the following products. I have an oily t-zone but some dry parts too, like my chin, so I try my best to give every area of my face the kind of love it requires. I do this skin prep before I apply any makeup on or just as is if I'm not in the mood for makeup that day.

1. Wash my face

I make sure to rinse my face off every morning to start off with a clean slate. I prefer to use a mild face was like Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser- creamy formula or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. These products help get dirt, oil, and dead skin off of your face without harming your skin.

2. Scrub lips

I absolutely hate when my lips are chapped and cracked. Once or twice a week I scrub my lips with Found Exfoliating Lip Scrub to get all the dead skin off. I apply on a generous amount and massage in the product then after 1-2 minutes, wipe off the product. It leaves my lips feeling oh-so-smooth!

3. Nourish under eyes

On days where I really see black circles/ redness/ or just look really tired, I like to perk my eyes up by using the Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels. I simply apply the eye mask on and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. The feel nice and cool under the eye. After the time is up, feel free to rub in the excess serum into your skin!

4. Serum 

I started using a serum on my face about a year ago and I didn't know how nice it well it helped the skin! I apply one pump of the Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum all over my face and let in soak in. The serum is light weight and filled with amino acids and minerals to nourish the skin. 

5. Jade Roller 

After I apply the serum, I take a cool jade roller and roll my face and neck. I keep my jade roller in the fridge or cool it in ice for 5 minutes prior to using. This simple step cools the jade down and really helps wake the skin up. Make sure you always roll the jade roller in an upwards motion. 

6. Under Eye Cream

Under the eyes are a sensitive spot and will show the first signs of aging first. So make sure to take care of them. I use the Innisfree Youthenriched Eye Cream. The formula is creamy and really eyes my dry under eye skin a lift. The Jeju Orchid helps strengthen, firm, smooth, nourish and brighten the look of skin around the eyes

7. Moisturize Skin

I am currently using the Patchology Daily Gel Moisturizer and loving it! It is a water-based gel moisturizer that is perfect for my oily skin! It gives serious hydration powder but leaves my skin looking matte all day. It's lightweight and pore-friendly, never sticky or greasy. I love Patchology products and trust them to create items I love!

8. Target Dry Areas

My chin is dry and needs a little extra love. So I use a heavier cold cream that really nourishes the dryness so my skin does not flake. The perfect cream for dry skin is the Aloepure Maximum Moisture Complex. This cream also helps prevent wrinkles! 

9. Lips

Last but not least, I finish off by using the classic chapstick to prevent and cure chapped lips! The classic flavor is my favorite!

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity 

*I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post*

March 2018 Beauty Favorites

If you've been following me on my social media channels, you know I've been using Neutrogena products for some time now. I've been using their face wash products (multiple kinds) and their famous makeup remover for years now. However, I recently tried out their new Hydro Boost collection. I fell in love with the light moisturizing formula! The Hydro Boost foundation feels incredibly light on the skin- feels like nothing once applied on. I'm wearing shade #60. I apply stripes on my face with the applicator and then blend it all in with the Beauty Blender. After that, I apply the Neutrogena Hydro Boost concealer on under my eyes and in blemish areas. The full face looks so effortless and covers everything! I top off my look with the Hydro Boost mascara which hydrates, nourishes, and extends lashes to the full max. Crazy how one product does all that right?!

NYX Products:

I remember being a teenager and just starting to use makeup. NYX was a favorite brand of mine because it was super affordable and it really worked! The affordable part was key for me at a younger age because I was still highly experimental and didn't really have the choice to splurge. I have A LOT of favorite NYX Cosmetics products built from over the years but these are some of my new favorites this month. 

NYX glitter glue and loose glitter- um you guys these two products are amazinggggggg! If you are looking to really create a major statement, this is exactly what you need! I love using the glitter as eyeliner by applying along my eye line. This give a subtle glow and is more fun than a traditional cat eye. If you want to create some drama, apply the glitter all over your eyelid. No way will you be missed! The glitter feels very light on, just like eyeshadow. Tip: use a small eyeliner makeup brush and dip into glitter then straight onto the area you want the glitter. Then dip the same brush into the glitter and put it on the areas you applied glue onto. 

NYX Ultimate Bright Eyeshadow Palette- this palette has the perfect colors to create a bright bold look with! There are 16 amazing high pigmented shades in this palette for just $18! You won't need another palette! Tip: apply a white creamy eyeshadow primer base to make the colors look even more vibrant. 

NYX Wonder Stick (highlighter and contour stick)- I love how this product is double ended and has two things in one package! It makes it really easy to travel with. I apply the contour end to my lower cheek and my nose. I then blend it in with the beauty blender. The color blends in really well because of the creamy texture. I apply the highlighter end on my upper cheek bones, nose tip, and brow arch. Then I blend with my beauty blender again. This highlighter isn't harsh and give a slight glow which I love for an everyday look.

Patchology 

I have been using Patcholoy products for over a year now but every month they keep me coming back for more with new products. This month my favorite item was the travel kit! It comes with four items and comes in the perfect travel size kit. I also love the Illuminating mask! It takes no more than five minutes to give you a nice healthy glow. The mask comes with an amazing serum that soaks into the skin. Tip: I leave the mask on for about 15-20 minutes then rub the remaining serum in with a jade roller. I also tried the Patchology Aquaflash cream this monthly and loved it! I have oily skin so this cooling gel lotion is perfect to hydrate but not get your skin oily.

Jade roller- this new internet sensation really caught my eye and I had to try it. I mean for $8, why not? The jade roller helps de-puff your skin and makes it feel so rejuvenated after. Tip: I recommend putting it in the fridge 5 minutes before you plan on using it. This makes the jade stone nice and cold so when it hits your skin, it's helps wake it up. Tip: Always roll the jade roller upwards. I start from the chin and work around my face. I use the little side for under the eyes and nose. I can automatically feel a difference in my skin after using it for 5 minutes. I do this once a day after I apply my morning serum.  

Glossy Box Favorites: 

Cover FX  perfect pencil concealer- when I received my Glossy Box, I literally asked my self "what is this?". I had never seen a product like this before and honestly didn't think I would find any use for this. Well, I was wrong! I love this versatile pencil. I usually use it in my under eye line to make my eyes look bigger. I also use it under my eyebrow line to clean up the shape. Tip: You can also use it as a lip outliner (around your lips to clean up the lipstick). There are so many ways to use this one pencil. Totally worth the $20!

Figs & Rouge soft focus pore perfect HD matte veil primer keeps you shine free all day long. Exactly what I need for my oily t-zone. The primer is lightweight and it really does minimize my pores. Tip: I recommend applying this product along your t-zone in a circular motion after applying lotion on but before foundation.

De Bruyère Beauté jumbo eye pencil is another versatile eye makeup tool. I have the color #7 bubble. It's a really pretty bronze shade that I think will look good on just about every skin tone. The pencil has a nice creamy texture and glides on seamlessly. I use it as a base then apply powder on top. This gives a more metallic finish to your eyeshadow and stays on longer with the creamy base. Another way to use it is my just applying it along everywhere on the eyelid below the crease. A third way to use it is by using an angled brush to apply it as eyeliner. 

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity

*I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post*

February 2018 Beauty Favorites

February was the month of love and my favorites completely reflected that. It was all about the lips and getting ready to pucker up! 

1. 

My first February beauty product are the Patchology Lip Renewal Flashpatch. It's a great lip mask to prime your lips! It leaves your lips feeling smooth before applying any lipsticks/ lip glosses. The lip mask formula is very gentle, smells really nice, and doesn't have a bad taste. It's a great mask to do with your girlfriends! Trust me, there will be a lot of fun laughs. 

2. 

During the Winter, my lips are almost always chapped. It has taken me a long time to find a product that actually heels and moisturizes my lips at the same time (besides my favorite regular chapstick). A product I have found that makes my lips feel super smooth is the new Patchology Lip Service gloss-to-balm treatment. I put the lipgloss on right before I hop into bed. Overnight it repairs and hydrates for me to wake up with smooth lips.  It is a thicker consistincy and feels minty fresh when it is on.

3. 

The new soft matte metallic matte lipsticks from NYX are amazing! By far my favorite matte lipsticks! I love the matte look but I alway struggle when the matte lipsticks dry my lips out, leaving cracks. If you have the same issue then these NYX soft metallic matte lipsticks are for you! They have a creamy texture and feels like chapstick. They also stay on for hours without having to reapply. I noticed the darker shades or bright pigmented colors lasted longer than the neutral colors. I also didn't have to put on chapstick on after the matte lipstick like I do with many other matte lipsticks. You can't go wrong with the price either! 

4.

If you're looking to sparkle up your lip life, you should try the new Cover Girl Melting Pout Metallic Lipgloss with cover girl matte lipstick underneath. The metallic top coat completely takes a day look to night. It is glitter filled and makes the lip look super shiny. The Cover Girl Melting Pout Matte Liquid Lipstick is a good base to start with during the day. It's long lasting and will give you a nice pigment too. 

5.

If you're looking to splurge a little for a great lipstick, I highly recommend the Marc Jacobs Liquid Lip Crayon. The lip crayon has a super creamy feeling texture that glides on to the lip beautifully. The colors are very pigmented and last hours! I love the texture it leaves on the lip. My lips tend to get dry after wearing this for a few hours so I like to add a layer or chapstick. My favorite shade is #340 How Rouge! 

6.

For an everyday lip wear, I love the stained lip balm from Doctor Lip Bangs! It gives your lips a fresh tint that looks really natural. The formula leaves lips feeling super tingly-it feels like it immediately starts heeling your lips. Get them at Ricky's!

7.

Another beauty favorite this month is my trusted Foreo facial cleansing brush. This little guy is my best friend during my mornings when I wash my face. This little device vibrates and is a great gentle way to get dead skin cells off of your face. It's battery operated. I love the color too! It is available in an array of fun colors. Shop them at Ricky's! 

8.

After a nice face wash, I use this SkinRx Madecera Cream to hydrate my dry skin during the winter. I have naturally oily skin so I use this product when I need a deep hydration treatment. It's especially great to use after you've used a face scrub. I mix a dollop of this in with my other moisturizers too. It's great to use on the face and the neck. 

9. 

Innisfree custom powder compacts are fun, easy to take on the go, and match any skin shade. You can custom make your own palette from the cover color/ patter, powder finish, and even the applicator. So cool right? I prefer the matte finish since I have oily skin. You dip the sponge down in the compact to get the product. You can control the amount of product you want by how hard you press down. The finish is very subtle and applys on smoothly.

10.

A fun and quite different beauty products I love this month are from the well known brand Almay. The new shadow quads are amazing! I love the colors in each palette! It's a great size to slip into any bag when traveling. Each quad comes with four finishes- matte, glitter, metallic, and satin. My favorite is the glitter because it has a lot of shine but I usually use all four finishes to create one look. First I apply the matte finish on my crease, then the metallic finish in the inner corner. After that, I apply the glitter finish in the very center and blend to the outer corner. I finish off by adding the satin finish by my eyebrow line. This combination creates a natural look with a touch of shine. 

11.

I also love this new Almay Make Them Jelly Highlight. It is a gel like formula that you can apply with your finger or brush to your cheekbone and up to your eyes to give you a glitter holographic glow. i think this product take highlighters to a whole new world! It leaves an iridescent shine on your skin. 

12. 

Aveda's new Invati hair line is great for anyone who has thinning hair. It is hereditary in my family so discovering this product was a life saver! The texture and formula for all products from the shampoo to spray all feel really great. No product leaves hair feeling heavy, greasy, or looking oily. the smell is a natural herbal ginger like smell. I have been using this for a month and a half now and can see a slight difference already. 

XOXO,

Krity

*I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post*

Nailed It

I've talked about the importance of skincare and makeup favorites on the blog before but it's about time to discuss a fun part of beauty- nails! How many of you have a Pinterest board filled with nail art inspiration? I do! I have everything from crazy designs to simple beautiful color. 

When I discovered the brand Heroine.nyc , I was really excited. Not only do they carry an amazing array colors, their formula is great, but they are also vegan and animal cruelty free. Heroine.nyc donates to charity (The Beagle Freedom Project) every time a product is purchased too. I love when companies give back!

In this post, I’m going to show you a few fun designs I created using all Heroine.nyc nail polishes. By no means am I a nail artist, but these designs are simple enough for anyone to try out. 

I love the Heroine.nyc nail sets. ‘The Neons’ and ‘The Dream Cremes’ both have amazing colors! I combined the two sets to create this fun polka dotted look. First, I polished each nail a different color. If you want an even brighter saturated finish, start out by using a white base. After each nail was polished, I put a little bit of each color on wax paper. You can find this at any grocery store. I try my best to be financially savvy and use what I already have available. Then I used a nail art tool I purchased from Amazon and dipped it in the polish, then painted on the nail. This tool creates a perfect circle so it made it easy to create polka dots. You can use a toothpick too if you don’t want to purchase the nail tools. I repeated drawing dots over and over again with each color. Wah-lah! You’ve created a bright pop art nail design. It doesn’t take long and even if you mess up, you can cover it up with a dot. 

Another design I love are animal prints. I know, the design looks quite intimidating but it is much easier than you think. I used the set ‘The Glam Squad Trio’ and ‘The Essentials’ to create this glamorous look. I began by polishing each nail a solid color. I did two coats to get a richer color. For the cheetah look follow these three simple steps. I began by using the dot nail tool to first put a dot of an opposite color on the desired nail. I then went in with the black color, making sloppy lines around the red. After that, I drew in sloppy half circles- leaving an empty space in the middle. Third, I drew in dots in the empty spaces around the cheetah print. It’s that simple!

I can’t wait to see what looks you create with Heroine.nyc polishes!

XOXO!

Hair with HerStyler

Having the perfect hairdo is the finishing touch to every great look. Achieving a great hair day by using affordable products is even better! I tried out HerStyler hair treatment products and their mini travel size hair straightener.

HerStyler Mini straighter- $15- This product really is mini! When I received the product, I was surprised how small is really was. It's about the length of my forearm and width of two fingers. By the looks of it, I didn't think it would work on my thick hair. But after testing the straightener out, it actually worked! Because of the smaller size, it took a little longer to complete my whole head, but overall it created a clean sleek look. This product is great to travel with! I’m planning on packing it on my next trip.

HerStyler hair mask- $12.95- This hair mask has a great thick creamy consistency. This mask helps repair and prevent breakage due to over-processed, dry and damaged hair. After highlighting my hair, my hair has become dry. This mask helped my hair feel softer and nourished after just one use. 

HerStyler Shampoo- $7.95-  HerStyler nourishing and moisturizing shampoo cleaned the dirt and oils from my hair. It also has a great soft floral scent. This shampoo helped untangle my curls and left it feeling silky.

HerStyler Conditioner- $7.95- The argan oil in this conditioner really enriched my hair with proteins and made it feel so smooth. The natural oils helped hydrate my hair after all the damage I have put it through.

These products are great for daily use or even travel because the sizes are smaller. 

XOXO!

*This post was sponsored by HerStyler, however all opinions are my own.*

Fall Beauty at Walmart

Growing up in the Midwest, Walmart was an essential place where my family would go to get a few groceries, household items, and occasionally even makeup. My mom and I would shop our favorite makeup brands at affordable prices. It was the fun part of our shopping trip. Well, starting this fall, Walmart is revamping the beauty department to make shopping a luxurious experience instead of a chore! After all, it's the only aisle us women take for ourselves and not our family or house. This amazing revamp with 'on trend' displays and larger assortment of products will be expanding to every store throughout the US. Trust me, you'll want to pop into your local Walmart this September. .

Walmart is adapting to their customer base, carrying makeup for every background, skin tone, skin type, and hair type. America is one big melting pot and being a brown skinned women with frizzy hair, it's important for me to find makeup and hair care that's a perfect fit without breaking the bank. 

Makeup brands like Milani are launching an 'every skin tone shade assortment' makeup collection. And I mean every skin tone! Most Milani products range under $15 too! They have new highlighters that are amazing and in different shades with touches of pink, beige, and white. I also loved their makeup setting spray. I've been using Mac's for a while and spending $26. Now I only need to spend $9. 

I love trying out new face masks! I love Walmart's variety and price point. You can't beat two for $5! Masqueology has a new 'Charcoal Clay Bubble Mask' that I'm really excited to try. Charcoal helps heal the skin while taking out all of the dirt in your pores. Another mask I'm intrigued about is the 'Chin Up' mask Masqueology is launching this holiday season. Our generation is constantly on our phones. I'm totally guilty of that! Well, because I'm constantly looking down, my chin has begun to sag. Sad but true. Well, this new mask is meant to re-lift the chin and give its tightness back! 

Another thing I'm loving about Walmart's beauty revamp are all of the natural products! As I grow older (and a little wiser), I try to be cautious of what I'm putting on my skin. The average woman puts on over a 100 chemicals on her face before leaving the house. I am probably guilty of that, but I am definitely trying to work on it. Walmart is making it easier by providing great natural products at a price I can actually afford! A new brand I got introduced to is Found. Found lists the percentage of how natural is it on all of their products. They also list ingredient information that explains what the main ingredient is and what it does. So cool right? This brand will launch its products at Walmart this September. 

Ladies, we can't forget about our nails! The colors are endless at Walmart between all the brands they carry. You'll definitely find the shade you are looking for. Serendipity, a new brand I was introduced to, is the coolest new nail care innovation! To apply polish, you literally dip your fingers in the polish and everything on your skin comes right off, just the polish stays on. 

XOXO!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Walmart. The opinions and text are all mine.

Three Products to Make Summer Skin Glow

Sometimes we tend to neglect our skin in the summer because it doesn't feel as dry, we're too busy doing fun things, or just don't find the need to. Well, I've got three products that are perfect for keeping your skin smooth, glowing, and healthily through the hot summer months. They're also easy to use, don't take up too much time to apply, and leave skin feeling light.

Three products to keep that healthy glow during the summer and beyond:

1. Almond Shower Oil:

Maintaining gorgeous skin starts in the shower. This shower oil has a great rich luxurious texture. When it mixes with water, it transforms to a delicate foam. You will leave the shower feeling super refreshed and smelling absolutely amazing!

2. Almond Supple Skin Oil: 

I didn't think I needed oil during the summer to keep my skin moisturized but once I saw the difference of using this oil, I was amazed. This L'Occitane skin oil is made up with 50% almond oil! A lot of products add so many other ingredients, that the oil seems non-existent. This supple skin oil is a combination of almond oil (which is rich in omega 6) and camelina oil (which is rich in omega 3). Once sprayed on the skin, I rub in the formula with my hands. It leaves my skin moisturized for hours and light.

3. Almond Milk Concentrate

This concentrate is thick, creamy, and most moisturizing of the three products. I use this concentrate on my face after I exfoliate, heels, and rougher/ dryer parts of my body. This concentrate melts into the skin and leaves skin looking super smooth. 

All the products listed can be purchased at Sephora. 

Krity S L'Occitane Sephora

Krity S L'Occitane Sephora

Krity S L'Occitane Sephora

XOXO!

Blowouts before Bon Voyage

Are you looking for a quick getaway from New York? In the mood for a little pampering? Head to Marie-Lou & D salon in Soho for the best of both worlds. The minute I entered into MLD, I felt like I had escaped out of the city and into a chic French salon. I went to MLD to get a blowout before my getaway but I didn't have to go far at all to feel like I was on vacation. 

Us ladies all need a little pampering, glamming, and relaxing for all that we do, especially before a vacation! Getting your hair done is the best way to kick off a vacation. 

Katie was my hair specialist and I highly recommend her when going to MLD. She started off my washing and conditioning my hair. Let me just say, the chairs at MLD are heavenly! They not only are soft but recline back while giving you an amazing massage (the chair massages your butt too!). I almost fell asleep while she was washing my hair and giving me a scalp massage. I haven't felt that relaxed in a long time! Katie then gave me a fresh voluminous blowout. I love watching hair stylists blow hair out. They move so fast with their hands, it's like magic! After the blowout, she used a wand to curl my hair. She made the curls tight and later brushed them out for modern loose curls- exactly what I wanted! 

My curls lasted for three days before I had to wash it out, which was amazing on my trip since I didn't have to spend time on my hair every morning!

Thank you for Marie-Lou & D for the blowout and curls! 

XOXO!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Box

Mother's Day is right around the corner and finding the right gift for the most special lady in your life doesn't need to hard. I've found the perfect gift for every mom! 

This L'Occitane nourishing shea butter lotion and shower gift box is the perfect Mother's Day gift! First, the products inside the box are all full size items! Not a little sampler size. Second, there is a great variety in products from hand cream, foot cream, body cream, shower cream, and shower body soap. It's the perfect mixture of products for your mom to spoil herself. Third, L'Occitane products are just hands down amazing! You might not know how to pronounce their name correctly, but I'm sure you have heard about their amazing reputation. Well that good reputation stands! After trying these product, I have fallen in total love. 

One of the biggest beauty lessons my mom taught me was to always moisturize you hands, face, and body with lotion. Growing up, we always had a ton of lotions in the house. I loved going through the collection and smelling all of them. My mom also always carried a hand lotion in every purse. What I love about this L'Occitane box is that the hand cream is the perfect size to carry in your handbag! Plus it is super moisturizing! 

Shop this gift box HERE

*This post was sponsored by L'Occitane, however all opinions are my own*

XOXO!

Spring Skin

As a new season starts, shedding off that winter skin is key. I recently discovered the skincare brand Rituals and fell in love!! Glossy Box, which is a monthly beauty/ skincare subscription box sent me the newest collection "The Ritual of Sakura". The box consisted of five full sized products- bed and body mist, body lotion, hand cream, shower scrub, and shower oil. All of the products had the most amazing cherry blossom refreshing scent! My favorites are the body scrub and hand cream! The body scrub has exfoliating rice that gently removes dead skin cells. The hand cream has helped repair the dry winter hands, helping them feel smoother than ever!

You can shop the full collection here!

XOXO!

Spring Lips

One of my favorite parts of being an influencer is trying out amazing products and reviewing them for you! I do my best to be as honest as I can because I don’t want my readers wasting time and/ or money on products that suck. 

Spring always makes me want to change up my makeup and bring out all the bright colors! I love a great shade of bright pink and red. But this spring season, I'm loving corals, orange, and even a little lavender! 

I recently went to a L'Oreal Makeup event during NYFW (read about it here) and got the chance to try out a bunch of new products from their Infallible collection. One of my favorite new products from the collection were the L'Oreal Infallible lip paints. The color is very pigmented and bright, it lasts for hours, and feels like my lips are getting moisturized while wearing lipstick. I loved the lip paint but it does come off a little if you take a sip of water, kiss, etc. 

GIVEAWAY!!

I’m sending these 5 amazing shades of the L'Oreal Infallible Lip Paints to one lucky winner! To apply, leave a comment below! Good Luck!

Winner announced 3/17/17!

*Not sponsored by Loreal Makeup

XOXO!

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

As the most romantic holiday is right around the corner, Valentine's Day, showing your loved ones just how much you care is sometimes best shown through a great gift! If you are still trying to think of the perfect gift, I've got a ton of great ideas for you. Whether it's for your significant other, a best friend, family, a co-worker, or someone you're just dating/ seeing, I've linked a ton of great gift options. 

For your MOM

She's had your back since before you were born, she loves you no matter what, and she deserves it all! Whether you live close by or she's hundreds of miles away, give her a little something to put a smile on her face. Here's a few ideas for you!

For your BESTFRIEND

She's been your bestie forever and have been through ups and downs together. You two have inside jokes, amazing memories, and tons of things in common. You know her better than anybody and probably don't need help finding the perfect gift but here are some fun examples

For your Co-Worker

This person is there for you when you need something covered, someone you vent to when your boss is being annoying, has an excuse lined up if you're ever running late, and does extra work while you're vacationing. They deserve something! A little candy to calm down their sweet cravings after lunch or that mid-afternoon coffee or tea. Here's some cute ideas for that important coworker in your life.

For HIM

The guy in your life- he might be your best friend, your future husband, a new boyfriend, or maybe he doesn't quite have a tittle yet because as we all know, the new dating game is very tricky! No matter what the status is, he's put a smile on your face and makes your feel all bubbly inside so let's return the favor ladies. Here's a few examples for every man.

For HER

She's the special lady in your life so treat her well! She could be your girlfriend, future wife, the mom of your kids, or someone you're crushing really hard on. Something special will put the biggest smile on her face! Here's a few ideas.

 

At Home Teeth Whitening System

As a blogger, I am constantly taking pictures and having white teeth is really important to me. I'm not one of those bloggers who looks good with a serious face, I love to smile in pictures. As the holidays are approaching, there is no better time to start whitening your teeth to get that perfect smile. I thought about whitening my teeth at my dentist before, but the price was crazy! I opted for Smile Brilliant instead. 

The Smile Brilliant whitening kit came with everything you need to brighten up a smile. It had great directions too which really helped me do this on my own!

The first step to the process is taking the mold of your teeth. The system come with paste that you use make impressions of your teeth. It's okay if you mess up this step the first time (I did) because the package comes with extra paste. After I completed my impression, I sent it in and a week later, my trays arrived. They also fit perfectly!! The trays are flexible and I can barely feel them when they are on. 

The system comes with a whitening gel that you apply in the tray. You can wear the gel from 30 mins up to 3 hours. I started out with a 30 minute session and worked my way up by 10 minutes every time. The Smile Brilliant whitening system doesn't have that weird taste like many other systems I've tried. After I whitened my teeth, I applied on the desensitizing gel. This gel is great for anyone who has sensitive teeth like I do. See more on Smile Brilliant here, here, and here.

GIVEAWAY!!!!

Im giving one lucky winner a $139 credit to try the Smile Brilliant whitening system! Click on the link below to enter! The giveaway includes: 1 tray creation kit + 6 gel syringes of your choice (3 whitening and 3 desensitizing OR 6 whitening). It's everything you need to a brighter and whiter smile!

Apply to the giveaway HERE!!!!!!

Professional Teeth Whitening

This was a collaboration with Smile Brilliant but all opinions are my own.

XOXO!

5 Items to Carry In Your Purse

Women are known to carry their world in their purses (I'm guilty of doing that time to time), but with good reason! Women are constantly juggling multiple hats; whether it's going to school and working, being a mother, or running errands all day. Woman multitask and take care of a million things through out the day, so we need our purses as a safety net to help us get through the day.

These are 5 things I always have in my purse:

1. Chapstick. No matter what season or where I'm going, I always carry chapstick. I absolutely hate chapped lips, plus it really hurts. I also prime my lips with chapstick before applying lipstick which always help prevent cracked lips and helps lipstick stay on longer. I also apply chapstick on top of matte lipsticks to moisten the lips and prevent cracks after a few hours. 

2. Band aids. I am known to be a bit clumsy at times so I carry a few band aids just in case. I also carry them when I wear shoes that might give me blisters. Tip- put on band aids prior to leaving the house to avoid getting blisters at all. 

3. Wallet or card holder. Depending on the size purse I'm carrying (usually it's a pretty small cross body bag) I'll either have my Marc Jacobs card wallet or my Kate Spade card holder. 

4. Headphones. Music gives me life and makes the subway rides go much faster! My favorite is the Apple EarPod because I like the fit in the ear and they fit in small spaces. 

5. Mini perfume. I love refreshing my perfume every few hours while I'm out. Most of the time I forget to apply perfume before I head out the house so having an extra scent in my bag really helps. Luxury Scent Box has an amazing array of scents to choose from and you get a new scent every month for only $15! It's a monthly subscription service that sends a new luxury travel size perfume based on your preferences. I love the packaging because it fits in small areas and doesn't leak! My current summer scent is Marc Jacobs daisy.

XOXO!

Fall Lipsticks

One of my favorite things about Fall, besides wearing amazing boats and coats, are the super luscious lip colors! As a little girl, I always loved watching women put on their lipsticks. It transformed them and gave the women such confidence. Being an Asian woman, red is the go-to primary color. I love a good red lip, but recently, I've been really into the vampy burgundy shades. Of course, nudes are always a must! Tip: Play around with layering on different lipsticks together to get a personalized shade. Here are some of my favorite Fall lip colors:

Left to right

Black Opal: 5033. Similar here

Wet and Wild: Ferguson Crest Cabernet

Mac: Ruby Woo

Revlon: 657 Fuchsia Fusion

Sephora: 0252A. Similar here

Mac: Velvet Teddy

Loreal: Mica

Summer Beauty Esstentials

My #1 secret to smooth skin is my cleanser. I live by this product!! I've used this Cetaphil face wash for over 6 years now. It is amazing!! It removes all the dirt in your pores, delicate on the skin, and fragrance free. 

Face lotion and under eye cream is a must no matter what (seriously, no matter what!). Estée Lauder Advanced Time Zone collection is great! Ladies, studies show that you should start to use preventative skin care in your 20's to reduce wrinkles later in life. Yes, I know, it's so sad. Make sure you get the correct kind for your type skin (if you have oily skin, get oil free).

Sunscreen is the #1 essential for summer. No body wants wrinkles! The best thing you can do for your face is keeping in out of the sun. I have really oily skin and I've tried a ton of sunscreens. Instead of wearing sunscreen, face lotion, and foundation this Shiseido BB cream does all three! It has great coverage and doesn't make your face look greasy. 

Primer makes a difference when you wear foundation! This NYX Shine Killer Primer is perfect for the Summer! It removes and prevents your skin from looking shiny. It also feels really good on the skin!

For the nights when I go all out, I love the MAC Studio Fix Foundation. It has full coverage and last all night! It leaves you looking like you have perfect skin. I also mix this with my face lotion if I want a thinner application. I apply this with my kabuki brush for an even layer all around. Check out reviews on other foundations here!

Throughout the day everyone needs a little touch up. Powder is great to help reduce the oily look and this MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus is perfect for that. It mattefiys your skin

Under eye concealer is perfect for those days you're exhausted from partying all night or just working non-stop. This NYX Concealer does wonders! It covers discoloration and under eye bags. I also use this as a base for my eyelids before applying eyeshadow. I add Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer when I do a full face makeup as a highlight under the eyes. It's amazing!

Bronzer gives that extra glow that we all need a little bit of. This Nars Bronzing Powder works like magic, literally! It gives the perfect amount of shine and leaves your skin looking perfectly sun kissed.  

Contouring is a simple yet effective way of defining angles with makeup. BH Cosmetics Contour and Blush Palette has the perfect 6 color palette for highlight, contour, and blush and it's only $14! The colors are very pigmented (a little goes a long way). It's perfect for brown girls like myself because the colors are dark enough to see the contouring.

Summer is the perfect time to play with fun eye makeup looks. I love this BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadow Palette. There is literally every color imaginable! The colors are vibrant and it's super affordable! I use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk (listed below) as a base to brighten up colors too. 

My makeup look is never complete without my liquid eyeliner. My go to liquid eyeliner is NYC Liquid Eyeliner. I've tried expensive brands but this one is just as good if not better! I can't live without this product!

The secret to making your eyes look bigger is applying white eyeliner on the bottom. It really works! My favorite is the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk. This product also works great as a primer on the eyelids to make eyeshadow brighter!

Mascara makes the difference. This Estée Lauder Sumptuous Mascara is amazing! It thickens and lengthens lashes. It looks like you have falsys on. It also doesn't clump like a lot of other mascaras. Tip: use mascara on your eyebrows to define and make them look fuller.

I can't live without my chapstick! I've used Burt's Bees for over 8 years now and LOVE it! They prevent and cure chapped lips and protect them from the sun. Yes, lips can get sunburned too (trust me, it really hurts). I keep one in every purse I own. 

Summer is all about wearing bright colors, especially bright lipsticks. Maybelline Color Sensation Vivids lip collection has the richest brightest colors! My favorites are Electric Orange and Fuchsia Flash. To make the color last all day and night, I'll apply a little concelor on my lips before applying the lipstick.

Nail polish! This 4 step nail system by Sephora is great! First you use the nail cleanser, base coat, super fun color of your choice, and last the shiny top coat. This at home manicure system lasts up to 2 weeks and is just as good as the salon! They have hundreds of colors to choose from too!

Don't forget the deodorant, another must have for summer.  Degree is my favorite because it lasts all day long! 

My #1 secret to smooth skin is my cleanser. I live by this product!! I've used this Cetaphil face wash for over 6 years now. It is amazing!! It removes all the dirt in your pores, delicate on the skin, and fragrance free. 

Face lotion and under eye cream is a must no matter what (seriously, no matter what!). Estée Lauder Advanced Time Zone collection is great! Ladies, studies show that you should start to use preventative skin care in your 20's to reduce wrinkles later in life. Yes, I know, it's so sad. Make sure you get the correct kind for your type skin (if you have oily skin, get oil free).

Sunscreen is the #1 essential for summer. No body wants wrinkles! The best thing you can do for your face is keeping in out of the sun. I have really oily skin and I've tried a ton of sunscreens. Instead of wearing sunscreen, face lotion, and foundation this Shiseido BB cream does all three! It has great coverage and doesn't make your face look greasy. 

Primer makes a difference when you wear foundation! This NYX Shine Killer Primer is perfect for the Summer! It removes and prevents your skin from looking shiny. It also feels really good on the skin!

For the nights when I go all out, I love the MAC Studio Fix Foundation. It has full coverage and last all night! It leaves you looking like you have perfect skin. I also mix this with my face lotion if I want a thinner application. I apply this with my kabuki brush for an even layer all around.

Throughout the day everyone needs a little touch up. Powder is great to help reduce the oily look and this MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus is perfect for that. It mattefiys your skin

Under eye concealer is perfect for those days you're exhausted from partying all night or just working non-stop. This NYX Concealer does wonders! It covers discoloration and under eye bags. I also use this as a base for my eyelids before applying eyeshadow. I add Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer when I do a full face makeup as a highlight under the eyes. It's amazing!

Bronzer gives that extra glow that we all need a little bit of. This Nars Bronzing Powder works like magic, literally! It gives the perfect amount of shine and leaves your skin looking perfectly sun kissed.  

Contouring is a simple yet effective way of defining angles with makeup. BH Cosmetics Contour and Blush Palette has the perfect 6 color palette for highlight, contour, and blush and it's only $14! The colors are very pigmented (a little goes a long way). It's perfect for brown girls like myself because the colors are dark enough to see the contouring.

Summer is the perfect time to play with fun eye makeup looks. I love this BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadow Palette. There is literally every color imaginable! The colors are vibrant and it's super affordable! I use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk (listed below) as a base to brighten up colors too. 

My makeup look is never complete without my liquid eyeliner. My go to liquid eyeliner is NYC Liquid Eyeliner. I've tried expensive brands but this one is just as good if not better! I can't live without this product!

The secret to making your eyes look bigger is applying white eyeliner on the bottom. It really works! My favorite is the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk. This product also works great as a primer on the eyelids to make eyeshadow brighter!

Mascara makes the difference. This Estée Lauder Sumptuous Mascara is amazing! It thickens and lengthens lashes. It looks like you have falsys on. It also doesn't clump like a lot of other mascaras. Tip: use mascara on your eyebrows to define and make them look fuller.

I can't live without my chapstick! I've used Burt's Bees for over 8 years now and LOVE it! They prevent and cure chapped lips and protect them from the sun. Yes, lips can get sunburned too (trust me, it really hurts). I keep one in every purse I own. 

Summer is all about wearing bright colors, especially bright lipsticks. Maybelline Color Sensation Vivids lip collection has the richest brightest colors! My favorites are Electric Orange and Fuchsia Flash. To make the color last all day and night, I'll apply a little concelor on my lips before applying the lipstick.

Nail polish! This 4 step nail system by Sephora is great! First you use the nail cleanser, base coat, super fun color of your choice, and last the shiny top coat. This at home manicure system lasts up to 2 weeks and is just as good as the salon! They have hundreds of colors to choose from too!

Don't forget the deodorant, another must have for summer.  Degree is my favorite because it lasts all day long! 

Summer Skin Esstentials

A couple times a week, I wash my face with this Aveeno Resurfacing Scrub to remove any dead skin cells. It leaves my skin feeling so new, like i just got a facial. Tip: wash your face in small circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Check out reviews on other cleansers here!

Smooth legs are a must for the summer especially when you're wearing cute dresses that show your legs off. I've used this Gillette Satin Care Shaving Gel for years now and I love it. It smooths the skin and doesn't leave you with razor burn. 

Summer showers feel so much better thanks to this Dove Go Fresh Cool Moisture Bar Soap! It's super refreshing and leaves my skin feeling clean. 

We get so much sun in the summer (sometimes too much) so body lotion is very important. I prefer to use lotions with aloe to help sooth sun burns. This Vaseline Intensive Aloe Lotion feels nice and cool on the skin and is so refreshing!

I love high heels and cute summer sandals but I hate the blisters! I always carry band aids in my wallet for just such an occasion that a blister appears. The clear Band Aids are great because it's less noticeable.  I know the ladies understand the pain

Rembrandt Whitening Strips are great for getting your teeth looking super white. I only use these strips for a touch up when I feel like my teeth can use a quick boost. These strips don't make my teeth sensitive and help whiten after several uses. 

Toner is a key ingredient for clear skin! This Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Triple Action Toner is amazing! I discovered toner about a year ago..too late in life. I swear by this product!! It has made such a difference in my acne and skin. It has really help decrease my acne and prevent pimples. I use this after cleansing my face twice a day. Toner helps balance out the pH levels in your skin. 

One of the most sensitive parts of your face is the skin under your eyes. I use under eye cream to reduce puffiness in the mornings. The cool tip on the Loreal RevitaLift Triple Power Eye Treatment feels so good and refreshing! I press very gently and apply in before my second layer of eye cream Estée Lauder and face lotion.

Sunscreen is also very important for the body. I apply this Banana Boat SPH on my shoulders and chest whenever I go out in the sun because they are very prone to getting burnt. When I go to the beach, I apply this sunscreen head to toe.  

Something new I recently tried out is the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. It came in my Lisa Perry Gift bag (it's free with any $35 purchase). I use a few drops at night after rinsing my face. It left my face feeling really moisturized in the morning and less puffy too!