Fresh-Faced: Fave Drugstore Finds

After last week's makeup fetish post, I got a few emails from you gals asking if I'd found any brag-worthy products lately during my experimenting to recommend. And actually, the answer is yes-- some I've been so impressed with that I thought I'd share today because you can find them as absolute steals in your local drugstore but they'll make you feel as if you shelled out the big bucks in beauty.

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Maybelline One-by-One Volume Express: I swear by this mascara. So much so that if where I'm shopping is out, I will leave and go somewhere else. I admit to having naturally long lashes, but even more the reason to be a picky mascara shopper for something that lengthens and plumps without the spidery clumps. And when people ask me how I get my lashes so long, I have to give partial credit to this partner-in-crime. Let's just say I'm in a super-committed relationship with this mascara.

L'Oreal True Match: My friend Layne, a true makeup expert, recommended this foundation to me a few weeks back because it had passed her test. So, I knew it was worth a try when my more expensive Smashbox foundation ran dry. I purchased the Lumi Healthy Luminous foundation that actually works to improve your complexion and make your skin glow, with the compatible color in the Super-Blendable powder compact, which has an SPF and a "flawless finish." Not only am I smitten with how lightweight the duo feels, but my skin appears glowy while hiding imperfections without being cakey.This duo is a keeper for sure.

Color Sensational High Shine lip gloss in Electric Shock: Hello, new fave gloss. I grabbed this bright pink option as an impulse buy to liven up a black cocktail glass last weekend and boy, am I glad I did. This gloss is the perfect middle ground between a sheer gloss and lipstick. The color consistency is pretty saturated so you can definitely tell what color you are wearing, but it shines for days and days. My "electric shock" selection has proven to be pretty versatile and definitely gives you a pretty, girly pout.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Constant Candy: I'm a pretty tried-and-true OPI wearer, but as I was in my rush to get out of town last Friday, I swiped this color last minute with the above gloss for a neutral but pretty nail. Nevermind the fact that I just may have painted a double coat on my nails while stuck in a traffic jam on my way, this polish is legit. The color was the prettiest, pearliest pink and has a high shine as opposed to a more matte-like finish. But the real credibility goes to the fact that it did. not. chip. As a girl that is legendary for chipping her manicure an hour after having it, I'm looking at my still unchipped nails right now in disbelief.

L'Oreal Advanced Hair Care Smooth Intense: Sporting my new, short Olivia P. inspired 'do means long gone are the days of spending half an hour on my hair. Now, when I'm not wearing some casual curling iron waves, I can really just dry my hair and run some of this hair oil on the ends for a sleek look out the door in less than ten minutes! I'm super hesitant towards hair oils because greasy hair is a paranoia of mine (as in, I wash my hair every day). This oil is super light weight and only takes the smallest of dallops across the ends to make your hair looks like it has been blown out or heat-straightened smooth. Frizz be gone, take that humidity.

Let me know what you think!
Daily gratitude: Good-deed surprises like the free massage gift certificate + free samples given to me by some friendly fellas from Rosemary Beach's Aveda salon when I least expected it.
xoxo

Pamper and Primp: Warm Weather Ready

We're about to get full-disclosure here, girlfriends. Boys (or Dad, really), turn away.

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For some reasons, when the temps warm up and the clouds roll away to those sunny blue skies, I start taking better care of myself—physically. Maybe it's that fresh new feeling or perhaps it's the simple fact that we gals do, actually, wear less clothes, I become an expert groomer. We can't lie to ourselves. You know that in chilly December you just may let your toes go unpainted a few weeks or perhaps you don't shave your legs everyday. But April means bikinis and sundresses and tans and life, in general, just becomes a little prettier. A few things I've been trying out and adding to my list for a certain summer je ne sais quoi look:

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• These eyes: I mean, I'm going to Sephora tonight to make these bright-eyed lookers happen. 
• Seemingly simple tutorial means big points in my book, as well. Bat those eyes away, girls.
• That summer humidity can wreak havoc on the tresses, but this simple knot is a good alternative to a put-together look. And while I realize that smearing an avacado-based DIY hair moisturizer in your hair may seem a little icky, you'll be thanking me for introducing you to it when you're undoing all the drying damage the summer sun can do to your lock, giving you silky, flip-worthy hair.
• It's summer and I really don't care what you say, you need to clean up those feet after a winter of sporting sky-high heels and booties. So, take my advice and try this little trick here—I was amazed at the smoothing results and now I can proudly prop my feet up for a pedicure or massage (the chances of the latter happening being slim to none).
• I am OB-sessed with this lip. Do any of you budding making aficionados out there know what my best bet for matching would be? And speaking of lips, this sugar lib scrub I am dying to try for a perfectly smooth pout.
• Last, but not least, a little tip I just was introduced to that may or may not be TMI but I think you'll thank me: apply a little deo to your bikini line after a touch up to prevent bumps or irritation. Works like a charm!

Got any secrets you use when pampering yourself for the long sunny days? I'd love to hear!

Daily gratitude: moments alone to take care of yourself.

xoxo

Fresh-Faced: Winter Wears

When I get just plain sick of my wardrobe, I always turn to my makeup stash to pull me out of my funk. Unfortunately, that happens rather quickly in the cold due to my dislike for winter attire—especially with this crazy Florida weather we’ve been having as of late (I mean, how exactly am I supposed to seasonally dress in January when it is 70+ outside?Seewhatimean?).

This winter I’ve taken it a step further with trying out some new things for my skin in order to acquire a summer-like glow throughout the chilly temps. Though it may be totally Day After Tomorrow wherever you are, I suggest trying out this concoction. It made my skin so pretty after just a few treatments, I didn’t even need my usual color-enhancing foundation.

But when makeup is a necessity, a few of my favorite faces to turn to when my closet seems less than inspiring:

I was born with rather large, deep set eyes, so I can’t pull off much color on my lids without looking like an 80s Flashdance actress. So, my day-to-day makeup looks a lot like this: pretty, pinkish-neutral tones and lots of lash. I just wish I looked like Minka pulling it off.

As of late, a heavier-than-normal dose of blush has brightened up my face. Paired with neutral eyes and simple lips, it’s a good option for most day occasions. I use a cream blush then dust a powder over it to make it set.

But to punch it up at night,  embrace the whole red-lip-pale-skin duo. The key here is very minimal eye makeup—I tend to skip the liner as a whole and dust a translucent highlighter along my bottom lash line and in the corners of my eye before mascara application to brighten up the eyes quite a bit.

Jessica Alba’s Golden Globe makeup is so spot on here—that punchy coral is perfect for an instant pick me up, and I’m searching for the perfect replica.

Lastly, liquid eyeliner is my friend (I know many who won’t touch it) and perfecting the winged liner gives a nice subtle glam for any occasion.

Just some good, simple tricks to freshen up your look until it is finally time to pull out the sundresses and wedges—that I can't wait for.

xoxo

(Photo credits and more makeup inspiration via the Fresh Faced Pinterest board)