Focus: The Clarisonic

First off, I must apologize for being M.I.A. this past week. Last time I checked, I didn't want to be an adult yet, but alas this week I had to put my big girl panties on and go into work. A lot. I applaud those who go to work everyday and still manage to smile and not die from exhaustion--you go girl. 

The Definitive List of Brushes You Need in Your Life

In my humble opinion, I feel that brushes are often looked over when people are beginning with makeup. When I was starting out with makeup, I never paid much attention to brushes. However, I quickly realized that one simple brush can transform the way your foundation applies or your eyeshadow blends. Even though they aren't nearly exciting as buying the new Naked palette, they are a necessity.

You're Making Me Blush!

Not gonna lie, I see an awful lot of girls nowadays going without blush. I think to myself that maybe they think its only something for older women, or maybe they just don't realize that they need it. Blush was made for a reason--to bring back or create color in the cheeks. If you are a foundation wearer (especially medium-full coverage), blush is essential. I used to never wear blush. I have high color in my cheeks (S/O to my Norwegian and Irish roots), and in my mind I felt that adding blush would be too much. However, going without blush can make the face lose dimension. Even when using a light hand, blush can make the face look so much more alive and youthful. 

The Succotash Mask: Skin Care Pt. III

After reading that title, I bet you have a serious WTF sign flashing on your forehead. But bear with me; have I ever led you astray? 

From my Polyvore account

As you know, my skin is an six-year-old boy. It gets dirty very easily, and gets angry (I'm looking at you, chin zits) with little to no warning. For years I tried finding a mask that would help deep clean it,all to little avail. I dropped variedamounts of money, like $3.99 on Queen Helene's Mint Julep mask to upper $20s on Clinique masks.

Feature: Benefit's Big Easy

A liquid-to-powder base that countless reviews claim to be a godsend for oily skin? Sign me up! 

Benefit's Big Easy debuted earlier this year, and immediately it was on my radar. I've been dabbling in BB creams for years, testing out Jouer's, Laura Mercier's, Tarte's, Smashbox's, Too Faced's, Maybelline's, Garnier's and L'oreal's. Phew, that's quite the list, no? I had some hits (Too Faced, Garnier and Smashbox) and some biiiig misses (L'oreal and Maybelline). Save for the list above, none really wowed me. That is, until now.

My Two Cents: Recent Purchases

As promised, here are my thoughts on my recent purchases from Lush and The Body Shop. Unfortunately, it seems that things didn't particularly swing in my favor this go around, but as your best girlfriend I am being completely honest with you. But, stay tuned this week because there will be new products to test and review!

If you read my post about the things I bought from Lush, you would know that I was crazily obsessed with trying the solid shampoos. Do they live up to the hype? Will this gimmick actually work? In my case, its an uneasy "yeah" said with zero eye contact. I wanted them to work,

My Thoughts: 2014 Allure Reader's Choice Awards

Every year, the coveted Reader's Choice Awards comes out in Allure. Essentially, it is a seal of honor for a cosmetic brand--their version of Michelin stars. So, as your best girlfriend, I thought I would share my thoughts on the products I have tried. They say these are the best of the best, but are they really? Keep reading to find out!

The Tip Jar: Skincare Pt. II

TIPS, TIPS FOR ALL!

In this post, I will be sharing all the tips I have come across in all my eighteen years. Enjoy and be prepared to be amazed. And also be prepared for my sassiness and shouty capitals. I'm taking the tough love route in this one. 

The Basics: Skincare Pt. I

Ahhhh, skincare. As I mentioned with haircare, there are 1001 products claiming that you will walk on water. 

Skincare is EXTREMELY subjective. We are talking, like, 1000x more subjective than haircare. Your hair is one thing, but your skin, now that is a completely different subject. Its an organ. It breaks out--hair doesn't do that it. It gets red and flakey--hair doesn't do that (the scalp does, which is, you guessed it, skin). It hates us for a period (pun intended) of time each month--hair doesn't do that. Hair can take a beating (I'm looking at you, bleach). But, have you ever heard of a person bleaching their face and it turning out even remotely OK? Haaaale Nah.  

Shopping Spoils: The Body Shop

Every so often, I fall prey to a sale. Once again, The Body Shop has sucked me in with their seemingly innocent offer of buy three, get two free. I simply went on their for a new toner, and bam! four other products wiggled their way into my online cart. However, I am making light of this recent purchase; it is the perfect segue to my new series on skin care. 

Nails for Breakfast...

Trader Joe's Cookie Butter for snacks. Haha, gotcha. On the real though, have you tried that stuff? I read the back and the first two ingredients are Angel Tears and Rainbow Dust. Serious.

Anyway, I recently went to Target to get a new bottle of my favorite nail polish EVER, Essie's Pink Diamond and a new bottle of Seche Vite. But, as everyone knows I am a beauty-inclined girl, and so, we beauty-inclined girls cannot be held responsible for our actions when in a cosmetics section. So, I might have gotten a few more colors than I intended. Sue me. 

Tutorial: The 5 Minute, 1 Brush Eye

Let's face it, the mornings are a necessary evil; a burning, horrible one at that. It seems our beds are our only salvation--until you realized you overslept by 30 minutes.

This look is something that I do when I want something more than just mascara, and it can be completely altered for day or night. You can skip the liner, or you can add a darker brown in the crease for more smokiness. It really is quite simple, but I think that every girl needs this in their repertoire. 

Outing: Diana, A Celebration

When I was fourteen and about to graduate from grade school (remember how it was like, the biggest deal ever?) my class made a book that contained things like our favorite song, favorite movie and favorite memory throughout the years. We were also asked to name our role model, with everyone of course naming either their mother, father or both. I, too, chose to write my Mom, but I also put Princess Diana. 

Shopping Spoils: HauteLook and Lush

HauteLook: the website you have all heard of. Some of you might of been on it, some of you might have made an account. Maybe some of you peruse it on the daily, and have the app on every piece of technology you own *raises hand with gusto*.

Spotlight: Do You Wash Your Hair Properly?

After reading the title of this post, you might be thinking, "Of course I know how to wash my hair properly! I've been doing it on my own for two decades now!" 

But do you really? Like, really really? 

I never thought that there was any form to shampooing. Wet hair, squirt product in hand, lather all over, rinse. Little did I know that I was doing it all wrong. Here are the steps that you should actually be taking to insure optimum hair health.

The Basics: Haircare

First things first (I'm the realest)--sorry, I had to. 

So, where to begin in the world that is blogging? I thought I'd start with the head and go down. And while writing this intro to my fabulous first blog post that's to come, I thought I'd explain a few things.