Loving Lately : e.l.f. Mineral Blush Collection

Every day since about the beginning of the year I've been reaching for one of these e.l.f. mineral blushes. I've had them in my collection forever and have used them off and on but lately I've been really gravitating towards them for 2 simple reasons : They're easy to apply and they look so soft and pretty for Spring. Not to say that these blushes aren't pigmented, but they blend out so beautifully because they are so finely milled that you almost can't go wrong with them. When you're in a hurry (or even if you're not but just want that soft look) these are super easy and beautiful on the cheek. I wish the swatches did these justice but they just don't compare to how beautiful these are in real life. Even though they are on the pricier side of the e.l.f. collection, they still only run $5, which is just such a steal.

Clockwork from top left: Wanderlust, Jet Setter, Sweet Retreat, Baked Peach (technically a bronzer), and Cabo Cabana

Wanderlust: This berry toned blush is the darkest of the bunch, it's got a little bit of shimmer to it but again, since it's so finely milled it really just gives a nice glow. I love this in the cold weather months or when I'm doing a berry look all around.
Jet Setter: This is a mix between Wanderlust and Sweet Retreat, it's a berry peach and very unique - I have nothing else like this in my collection and I love it. It's one of the more matte blushes in the collection and it gives a nice flush to the cheeks.
Sweet Retreat: This one is the lightest of the bunch and also a matte. It's just a really pretty peachy pink color that looks perfect on those no makeup, makeup days. It's definitely one I reach for when I want something quick and easy.
Baked Peach - This one is technically a bronzer but I've loved just sweeping it all over the cheeks for a nice golden glow and it definitely adds some beautiful color and bronze when I don't really want to bother with multiple products. It's on the shimmery side so it makes a nice blush.
Cabo Cabana - This is the coral of the group, it's quite shimmery and such a perfect transition shade into summer. I love the look of this with a nude or coral lip and it's definitely been one of my favorites of the group.

Have you guys tried the e.l.f. mineral blushes before? Do you love them as much as I do? I hope you all have a wonderful week! XO

Feel Grateful Friday #10

Man, what a year this has been! I know, it's only the start of the year, but I have seen more transitions in these few months then I have in the last few years of my life. As I transitioned into my new job I felt so many emotions - scared to start something new, excited to be on a new adventure, unsure, unsteady, and sad. Sad to be leaving the people I've known for a good part of my adult life. As I made my transition, as through all hard things in life, my true friends really showed themselves through their understanding, support, and love. I am grateful to the friends who have stuck by me, showed me they still loved me, and checked in on me constantly knowing that I was struggling to make this change!

I am so grateful to have made so many new friends as I've started my new journey in life; people who accepted me with open arms, made me feel welcome, helped me with patience and kindness as I continue to gain the knowledge and skills in this new career. I am so grateful to be working with such kind people and to be able to do it with my best friend by my side!

I'm also so grateful to my blog family - all my blog friends who kept checking back even though I hadn't posted in well over a month, and when I finally did post were back with kind comments and support across my spectrum of social medias. You guys are amazing, and the reason why I really wanted to make it back to my blog, even amid the chaos that is my life currently! I sure am grateful for all of you who take the time to make me feel loved!

I hope all my friends, old and new, have a wonderful, love-filled weekend! XO

February (2017) Favorites

Since I'm trying really, really, really hard to use up all my products before purchasing new ones (a big goal I'm really trying to make happen this year) I've tried a lot of different face products in February and a lot of them made it into my monthly favorites. This is what I was loving last month!

 

Witch Hazel - This is getting down to the basics for skin care but witch hazel is good for so many things, not the least it's a perfect astringent for my oily skin. I noticed that it really helped keep my pores in check and it's super duper affordable. It's not the most pleasant smell but it doesn't linger either so I'll happily deal with it for the results.

Nicel Revive + Renew Cream - Another super affordable product, I've had this in my stash for quite a while but just started using it and I love it. The Alpha Hydroxy has really helped clear up some breakouts I was experiencing this month and the aloe is really soothing. It's such a great combo and I'm really enjoying using this at night.

Acure Day Cream - I've had this sample for a while and when I was looking for a new day cream this one really stuck out. It's got all kinds of interesting ingredients like Gotu Kola Stem Cell and Chlorella Growth Factor... weird, I know, but this cream is so luxurious feeling and does a good job of brightening my skin. I also love the citrusy smell it has. This was a large sample and is only about half way gone since a little goes a really long way.

I've heard so much hype around the Katy Perry Matte Lipsticks from Covergirl that I had to try one and I am really happy I did. I picked this up in the color Catoure and it is the perfect everyday nude pink shade - and I have literally been wearing it every single day. It's such an easy, no fuss formula and it wears really well. I'm resisting going out and buying the entire collection, I like it that much. 

You guys know that I am a huge fan of Lavender, both the smell and the flavor, and this month I am all about the lavender lattes. It's slightly fruity and goes so nicely in an iced latte, and with the warmer weather coming I am anticipating loving this drink for the next few months.

That wraps up my favorites for the month. What have you guys been loving lately? XO

Hard Candy Velvet Mousse Matte Lip Color

I generally never do single product reviews on a lipstick because I'm fairly simple; I either like it or I don't. I can write a few words about the formula and the color and then I'm basically done. This particular lip product by Hard Candy had a whole lot going on, so I felt like I had a lot more to say.

Let's start with the packaging: almost my favorite part of any product if I'm being honest. I am always drawn to cute packaging and this one was no exception. The pretty floral tin makes it great to give as a small gift and the mirror inside is genius for on the go application - which you'll need a lot of, but more on that later. It's quite bulky, but the concept is cute and I like the idea of not getting rogue lip color all over my handbag, which has happened more times then I can count!

The applicator is a flat doe foot which covers a lot of territory, but makes precision somewhat complicated. I suggest definitely using a lip liner with this as it will be very difficult to get the outer rim of your lips defined without getting color everywhere. I used a liner and I was happy with the applicator as it just took a few easy swipes to cover my entire mouth. Super simple.

I chose the color Wisteria because I definitely don't have enough purple colors in my collection (cough, cough) and it is the most gorgeous, dark plum shade. It's super pigmented and quite matte, but doesn't entirely dry down, so it's very comfortable to wear. The downside of the mousse aspect is that it is quite thick, so unless you wear the color completely down you can't really touch it up without it becoming a crusty mess. This lip product does not last all day (I'm not sure it was meant to) and wears completely off after eating. I'm fine with that aspect since I'm no stranger to reapplication. My biggest issue with this was, for example, when I drank out of a straw I'd have a weird faded patch in a tiny circle in the center of my lips, which was quite hard to fix since I couldn't reapply the whole lipstick. Instead of wiping off my entire mouth and restarting from scratch, I'd tap a little product onto the area and kind of blend it down with my fingers. This seemed to work well but it's quite a lot of work for a lip product. I'd probably still wear this because it's so pretty, super pigmented, and super affordable, however I'd avoid it on days I had a lunch meeting or needed to look picture perfect.

Overall, I'd say if you're a no fuss type of gal this might not be the product for you, but if you're willing to work with it a little bit you really can't beat the price!

Have you guys ever used these lip mousses before? What're your thoughts? I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! XO

January (2017) Favorites

It's been a while since I've done this so I thought what better way to ease back in then with a favorites? January came and went really quickly, and I can't really say I'm that disappointed. I don't know about you guys, but this girl is ready for some warmer weather, sunshine, and greenery.

My favorites were a mix of old and new and products that I'm sure I'll be loving through spring.

You guys have heard all about this shave balm as a primer and I've been using it off and on for the past couple of years and I like it. It really works and when my skin tends to go crazy oily (like it always does in January for some reason) it is one of the only primers I can use. Also, it's super cheap and you can find it anywhere, 2 major bonuses in my book.

One of my friends gave me this Smashbox BB concealer as the SPF in it made her skin breakout and I was instantly in love. It's so easy with the brush applicator and it really sticks without creasing. It's high coverage, which I prefer and it blends out beautifully. I really have nothing bad to say about this and at $25.00 it's a higher end concealer that doesn't break the bank. You also get a lot of product, I've been using this for months and it's not slowing down. I will definitely purchase this once I'm done with mine.

I have always loved the Real Techniques beauty blender because of the flat end which I feel is just more practical when using to blend out foundation. I was sent this version which combines a unique shape with a flat surface and I, surprisingly, really love it. The shape of it makes it more comfortable to hold then the Real Techniques one with the flat edge that I prefer.

I bought this blush in a set, mainly because that packaging is just so beautiful. I know guys, the packaging, how ridiculous, but I don't expect to be any more practical anytime in the near future so just expect it, okay? It came with a highlight, bronzer, and another blush, all designed to emulate the Hourglass ambient lighting powders. It was super cheap from Ross and I honestly love all the products. They are super smooth and highly pigmented and this blush has been my go-to for the past few months. It's a pretty, glowy peach and just so beautiful on the skin. If you can find the JLB brand in your local Ross I say give it a try, I've been pleasantly surprised!

The last thing I've been loving in January is this book, the Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod. The hubs and I have been reading this together, as it's been highly recommended to us and we've been loving it. We're not quite finished with it, but it is super motivating and definitely a must-read for those of you who have always struggled with getting down a morning routine.

Those are the things I've been loving in January -- What have you guys been enjoying? Happy February friends! XO

City Color Matte Lipstick Set

One of the very first matte lipsticks I ever tried was the City Color Matte lipstick in the shade Cappuccino. I loved that lipstick so much that whilst boredly perusing Amazon I decided to check out some of their other shades. When I stumbled upon a set of 6 for $6.00 I couldn't resist and quickly stuck them in my shopping cart. The formula on these lipsticks are one of my favorites. They are super long-lasting and really comfortable to wear as far as mattes go. The set I chose was the bold hues set and all of the lipsticks have vitamin E, something my lips are definitely craving this time of year. I loved 5 of the 6 lipstick shades so definitely a great purchase.

 

Pink is a beautiful bright matte but as I get older, I don't find many occasions where a bright Barbie pink is really appropriate so I don't reach for the color as much as I used to. I will most likely be passing this color along, although the formula is as good as the others.

 Berry is a bold pink that's really pretty and is richer in color than Pink, so it's right up my alley. This one will be gorgeous in the Spring/Summer.

 Melon is a gorgeous watermelon pink that's just a tinge more peachy then Berry. It's a pretty pink neutral and definitely one that's perfect for everyday.

I've already worn this lipstick a few times. It's in the shade Mauve and it's the perfect dusty rose color which I love this time of year. It's understated but perfect for everyday.

 Red is the most perfect matte red I have come across. It's super pigmented so it comes off super opaque which I love in a matte red and it's that perfect blue-toned red which I personally love.

 Latte reminds me a lot of Cappuccino but it's a lot more brown then Cappuccino is. It's literally the perfect nude, and I love a matte nude lipstick. It's one I will definitely get a lot of use out of.

Going back and doing this post I noticed that only 3 of the colors were actually supposed to come in the set I purchased. Melon, Mauve, and Berry were not actually supposed to be in the set I purchased so I'm happy I ended up liking them. Another thing to note, these lipsticks have a floral perfume-y smell to them which doesn't bother me, but the original formula didn't have that same scent, so if that's something that would bother you then maybe pass on these! If you are interested in buying this (or some version of this) set, then you can find them here. 

Have you guys tried any of the City Color Matte Lipsticks? What did you think? Happy Wednesday friends! XO

January (2017) Goals

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Clearly my blog has gotten off to a rocky start. Although I fully intended to blog all last week my year started off with a terrible cold, so c'est la vie and here I am in week two getting my bearings. Now I'm feeling much better and really ready to get my year off the ground so what better way then to start out with my monthly goals? Last month I managed to complete all 3 of my goals. I finished up school early in the month so I was able to stress less (Although my test is this month to get certified), I cooked way more at home then usual and I did a pretty good clean out of my wardrobe so I'm happy about my progress.

This month I want to focus more on goals that will start my year off positive.

1. First I want to write in my gratitude journal every day. I'm currently reading the Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod and he suggests writing in your journal in the morning. I like the idea of starting my day out grateful and so I've been trying to incorporate this into my morning routine. So far, so good. I want to continue this all month so it really becomes a part of my daily routine every morning.

2. Eat breakfast. I've never, ever been a breakfast person, aside from a cup of coffee. I know the studies, I know it's healthy, I know the importance for your mind and body to function better, I've just never had the time. Now that I do, I'm hoping to incorporate a healthy breakfast into my mornings.

3. Read every day. Even a few pages. Even 1 page. I want to get back into daily reading. There's just something about reading everyday that makes me feel sharper and my communication skills better. This might be all mental, but I definitely feel like I function on a higher plane when I'm reading often.

What do you guys have planned for the start of your year? How's January treating you so far? Let me know what your resolutions are, I'd love to hear them! XO