Why, hello there, Old Friend! So, It's been a bit since we've chatted and I've shared the beauty and lifestyle goodies that I've been loving. The past few months have been kind of a blur, but even in that blur I've fallen in love with a few things that I have to share with you.
For those of you that REALLY know me, you'll know that I'm a huge office supply and stationary nerd. After feeling overwhelmed with my "life notebook", a little notebook I always kept with me for notes, lists and rants, I finally gave in and got a proper bullet journal. Bullet Journaling is an analog system for organizing your thoughts and plans. This particular notebook features an index, numbered and dotted pages. Now I can keep track of all of my crazy thoughts....or at least try to.
To help set the mood for a bullet journaling session, I've really enjoyed burning this Velvet Moss & Jasmine candle from Capri Blue. I'm just kidding, I don't "set the mood" for bullet journaling. How much of a nerd do you think I am? Don't answer that. But, I'm in love with this fresh clean scent. It's not too overpowering, yet will fill the room. I suggest repurposing the beautiful mercury glass container as a vase, or a chic way to store spare change. I picked mine up at Raleigh's Blue Water Spa, they have several other yummy scents that I know you'll love.
Time to chat about beauty! I've said for a long time, that I don't see the point in spending a ton on mascara. I can honestly say that this "high/ low" combo has my heart. After forgetting to put on mascara one day, I picked up this NYX mascara at the drugstore. The Faux Lash formula contains fibers to add length and volume, but these fibers don't flake and create a mess on my face. I find it layers perfectly with this volumizing mascara from RMS Beauty. I've recently been exploring Green Beauty and RMS is a name I kept hearing about. And, there's a reason for it. I first do a coat, or two, of the RMS Volumizing Mascara then, to create a false lash effect, I layer on the NYX. The two combined create an extremely glamorous look to the lashes. That being said, the RMS is an amazing stand alone mascara. I love the buildable formula, the full brush, the wear of the product itself, and I love that I don't have to worry about the ingredients in the product at all. If you're interested in elevating your makeup from an ingredients standpoint, and not just by branding, try a few things from them. You'll love them, I know.
During the past few months, I've been playing with different textures of cheek and eye colors. I've been loving how products like Glossier's Cloud Paint and RMS Lip2Cheek meld into the skin. They both create a natural flush to the skin and last most of the day, even on my oily skin. When I want a pinky flush, I opt for the Lip2Cheek in Demure. This product is nice because its perfect to dab onto your lips for a fresh wash of color, I keep it in my handbag for touch ups throughout the day. When I want a little more of a peachy glow, I opt for Glossier's Cloud Paint in Beam. The texture of this cheek color is very thin, but easily buildable and blendable. A little goes a long way with these Cloud Paints, but don't be intimidated, they really are fool proof. Both of these products are perfect for the no fuss makeup girl. They both are formulated to be applied to the skin with your fingers, how easy is that? When I want a bit more "pop" on my cheeks, I top them with Colour Pop Smokin' Whistles Highlighter. This creamish textured product can be used for a subtle highlight or a more statement glow, if you know what I mean.
After a year of loving my trusty Naked Concealer by Urban Decay, I felt it was time to try something new. I decided to pick up the Glo Minerals Oil-free Camouflage Concealer. This creamy concealer covers discoloration, and even covers dark under eye circles. This formulation lasts on oily skin, and is also perfect for more mature skin textures. Perfecto!
As a hairstylist, my hands are in water constantly. That makes it really hard to keep traditional nail polish on my nails. After hearing Kate, from The Small Things Blog, talk about the Essie Gel Couture polishes, I knew I had to try them. The texture of these polishes is a touch thicker than a traditional polish, and a lot thicker than a normal Essie polish. I recommend using your favorite base coat, then applying two coats of the Essie Gel Couture polish of your choice. I highly recommend letting each coat dry for three minutes before applying the next. Finish with your favorite top coat and you're good to go for days. These polishes are beautiful and durable, what more could a girl ask for?
I hope that you've enjoyed this look into my favorites. What have you been enjoying? Leave a couple of your favorites in the comments below. Have you tried any green beauty products lately? Share your faves in the comments! I hope you have an amazing day!
~Shana