Makeup Wishlist

I am completely smitten over makeup. You know those people who get extremely invested in the Food Network? Well, that's me minus the Food Network, sub in YouTube makeup tutorials. I can sit for hours and hours and watch these flawless girls show you how to contour, perfect your winged liner (it's a damn talent…it really really is), review the top liquid foundations and keep your eyebrow game-strong. Maybe my true calling in life is to work for Birchbox, where sampling/reviewing/writing about makeup is considered work? Hmm....I'll get back to you on that one. For now, it's just fun. Expensive, but fun.

Let's just say I do my research before I try out a new makeup product. Sometimes I have commitment issues (it's a real thing) on deciding which foundation/brush/eyebrow gel I'm going to use, but hey, if that's the only commitment issue I have - I'm ok with that.

For awhile now, I've had my eye on these makeup items. They haven't yet entered my arsenal of beauty products, but I can tell you sooner or later they will. Probably more sooner than later. Sorry wallet.

1 | Stila Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer

This has been on my radar since, well, forever. I did a few photo shoots for my friends businesses and this was their go-to foundation product for a long-lasting matte finish. Plus it comes with a foundation and a creamy concealer on the top. It's definitely on my makeup wish list. 

2 | Beauty Blender

Just recently, I've gotten into the liquid foundation thing. In the past I was the Bare Minerals girl, but that quickly changed when I gave liquid foundation a whirl. It's amazing. Currently, I use a stippled brush for my foundation, but all the makeup bloggers suggest the Beauty Blender, which is essentially a sponge-like-thing for your foundation. At about $20 a pop, I am already ::crossing my fingers:: in hopes that I don't lose thingy when I actually buy it.

3 | Anastasia Contour Kit

I love the look of a subtle contour and I'm currently trying to perfect my own routine, however, this contour kit gives you a few highlighters and bronzers to get your ultimate achieved look. Also I just really want to give Anastasia products a test, I've heard all good things. I promise.


4 | Manna Kadar Lip Locked


After seeing this on a Birchbox tutorial, I knew I just had to have it. (Side note: the Birchbox YouTube tutorials are my guilty pleasure. I could seriously watch their videos for hours. No joke.) This gloss is everything and anything you've wanted in one product - it not only acts as a lip stain, but it gives an amazing sheen. Major kudos. Not to mention, it gradually lasts all day - losing its sheen throughout the day, but the stain still lasts and looks natural. 

5 | Sigma F80 Flat Brush


Sigma brushes are always in the makeup tutorials I watch and they always provide #flawless results. This stippled flat brush is a little on the pricey side, but it's definitely a quality product that will give your liquid foundation process an A++. I must say, this is a definite must for 2015. Once I get it, I'll keep you all posted.

6 | Mac 'Snob' Lipstick

We all know that I'm obsessed with the lifestyle blog Cupcakes & Cashmere. It's almost getting a little weird. I already kinda, sorta feel like Emily and I are besties. She just hasn't met me yet. It's cool. Regardless, she always rocks this 'Snob' lipstick on her Weekday Wardrobe series and I've always told myself I'd splurge on it. I don't know about you, but I just can't seem to find the perfect girly-pink that pops. This one does and I must get it into my makeup bag. Asap.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Your Hair's New Bestie

Apple cider vinegar, where do we begin?

So I’m kinda, sorta in a relationship with ACV. Err...at least my hair is.

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It all started with having dry hair. I workout and that meant I was shampooing/conditioning my hair 6-days a week. Bad. Very bad. My hair was definitely taking a toll with all the product buildup and I didn’t even realize it. I’d feel gross after a run and wash my hair, get home from work and feel icky before going out and again, wash my hair.

At the time it seemed pretty normal. Wrong. I was making my hair dry one wash after another and slowly, but surely none of my hair products were working. It was an endless cycle – my hair would be dry, so naturally I’d add more product to make it shiny and tame and straight and behave, etc., etc. Bad.

Fast forward to my hair stylist, he basically called me a dumb ____ (You can go ahead and insert the word of choice there). He told me about this magical product – apple cider vinegar.

::The gods did a happy dance::

Basically, shampooing my hair everyday was bad. So bad that my shampoo, the one thing I thought made my hair clean, was actually making it unclean. 

Now

I shampoo my hair 2 times a week – tops. Let me give you the details.

Step 1: Get in shower. Take a tiny bit of ACV and pour on your head (or add the ACV to a spray bottle – ratio of about 1:3)

Step 2: Massage the ACV into your scalp and roots. Don’t add to your ends.

Step 3: Rinse out. Once you rinse the vinegar out it’ll gradually make its way to your ends.
*The ACV is removing all product buildup, while still conditioning your hair. AKA no more dry hair. Woot woot.

Step 4: Condition the ends of your hair with your normal conditioner + rinse out.

Tip: If your hair is more oily – "shampoo" your roots with baking soda + then use ACV to rinse out as conditioner. 

Results

At first, your hair will feel a little on the greasy side. Just roll with it. Or invest in a hat. Or dry shampoo. Perhaps both?

Give it a few weeks to let your hair get back to its natural state and you won’t even remember your life pre-ACV. Ya, it’s that real. 

My hair has never been shinier or more Pantene-commercial-worthy.  * Shameless brag *

Side note: I’ve gotten all my friends hooked on this no-poo ACV process.

So get to it, ladies and gentlemen. You’ll love it, I pinky promise.

A Few Things I've Learned

- You can smell the vinegar when your hair is wet, but once you blow dry/air dry the smell goes away. I do sometimes smell it at the gym when I sweat though, which is a little weird, but I got over it quickly.
- This stuff actually makes your hair grow. My hair has grown a lot + rather quickly.
- It's a bit of trial & error to determine exactly how much ACV your hair can take. Too much can make you look like you don't believe in showering and/or your personal hygiene AKA greasy. I definitely recommend starting out using it in a spray bottle.
- Dry shampoo is the jam.

Happy ACV-ing!

The Best Mascara

The more makeup I buy, the more confused I get.

Makeup and I have been besties for awhile now, I mean on a bad day I resort to shopping (hello Ulta)….and well, on the good days I do the same. Overall, it’s truly a win-win in my book.

Regardless, I have had my fair share of test runs with different products – especially mascara.

First and foremost, let me preface this little review – my lashes are fairly long already, super dark and I have never used a lash curler in my life. I generally look for a mascara that continues to lengthen and volumize my lashes – without looking clumpy. I despise the clump.

Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara
 

The hype is real.

Initially, I bought the large size of this mascara and had extremely high expectations.. I did like that it gave me volume and lengthened my lashes, but they seemed a little on the heavy side. They really felt more like falsies so the name definitely wasn’t misleading. I would use this product if you’re going for a more dramatic look or your lashes aren’t on the long side.

B+
Price: $$$

Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal

I must say, I really dig this mascara. It gives me the perfect amount of length and volume, without the clump. I can actually bat my eyelashes, you guys – now that says something. I definitely recommend this one; especially if you want the natural-esque (with a hint of drama) – then it’s totally for you. Oh and it's cheap - that's definitely some major kudos right there.

A+
Price: $

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara

This mascara is right on up there with Maybelline. It goes on soft and is clump-free. I likey that it is an easy glide-on and isn’t super heavy. Not to mention, the one I got was free in a gift bag. Bonus points for sure.

A-
Price: $$$