• top notes: mandarin, pink water lily and star anise
• heart: tiare flower, golden gardenia and coconut water
• back notes: sheer amber, musk and Tahitian vanilla

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to make up is that in order to have a flawless make up application, you have to start by taking care of your skin. Having a skincare regiment is important, not only so that your make up applies more evenly, but because feeling just as good about your skin without make up as you do with it, is such a wonderful and empowering feeling!

There are 3 basic steps that every skincare routine should include: cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Obviously there are other skincare products that you can use as needed for your skin type such as masks, exfoliators, serums, etc. Here are the items that I'm currently using in my routine.

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Foam Wash

The most important step of any skincare routine is obviously cleansing the skin and getting rid of any dirt, oils, and bacteria that may be on the surface of your skin. The type of cleanser you use is totally based on your skin type and your needs. Everyone is different. I love the Power Foam Wash by Neutrogena because not only does it have salicylic acid, but it has green tea and cucumber which reduces redness and irritation. I have always had pretty "good" skin in that I don't have a major issue with acne other than a few hormonal breakouts. However I have combination skin, so I generally tend to get very oily in my T zone (forehead, nose, chin area) and I have pretty normal skin everywhere else.

I have been using Neutrogena products literally since I was in middle school. I have tried other products but I always end up coming back to Neutrogena because their products just work so well with my skin. One thing that is important to me are products that are oil free because my skin produces enough oils on its own, so I don't want to add too many unnecessary oils to my face. I also prefer products with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps clear and prevent acne and blemishes. Because my skin is susceptible to hormonal breakouts, using products with salicylic acid will help combat this.

Olay Oil Minimizing Toner with Witch Hazel

The next step in my skincare routine is using a toner. Some people will apply a toner before they cleanse their face, which is fine if that is how you do it, however I prefer to apply mine after I've already cleansed my face. There are many different toners on the market for every skin type and with varying ingredients. A toner is basically going to remove any residual dirt, oil, or make up without stripping the skin's essential moisture. I like the fact that this Olay toner has witch hazel because it helps treat acne breakouts and is soothing to the skin.

(L-R): Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer & Sephora Acne-Fighting Mattifying Moisturizer

Moisturizing your skin is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. After you have cleansed, used a toner, exfoliated or applied a mask, your skin has been through a lot and moisture needs to be returned back to your skin. I wanted to share these two in particular because they serve different purposes in my skincare routine.

I use the Simple Light Moisturizer on days when I know I'm going to be outside a lot with no make up, or even if I am wearing make up, if I know I will be outside for a large portion of time I like this because it has SPF 15. This moisturize is lightweight, oil free, and has vitamins E and B5. So not only is it going to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, but it's also going to nourish it with essential vitamins.

I just recently purchased the Sephora Acne-Fighting Mattifying Moisturizer and so far I have been quite impressed with it. Because of my oily combination skin, I have been looking for a moisturizer that is going to moisturize but also keep me matte throughout the day. I prefer a matte make up look because it works well for my skin type, if you have normal to dry skin, that may not be your preferred look and this is why it's important to use products that suit your preference and skin type. This moisturizer also has 2% salicylic acid which I also really like so not only is it going to moisturize and keep you matte, but it's also going to work to fight acne and clear blemishes. This is pretty much my dream moisturizer. I have to say Sephora has quite a few new skincare products out that I'm really interested in trying so stay tuned for that. 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask & Philosophy Renewed Hope In a Jar Eye Cream

These last steps may be optional for some but for me they're pretty vital to my skincare routine in general, whether it's day or night. I hate having dry, chapped lips so using a lip balm or a lip mask like the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Misk is everything to me after finishing my skincare routine. A lip mask is going to go on thick and really moisturizing but it makes your lips feel so good and soft, I can't imagine not using one. I like to apply mine right after I finish my morning skincare regiment and let it sink into my lips while I apply my make up so that once it comes time to apply whatever lipstick I'm wearing, the lipstick will go on smoothly and my lips will be comfortable.

Using an under eye cream is also extremely important. I honestly used to believe that eye creams were for older women with crows feet trying to hold on to their last little bit of youth (ha!) but as I've learned more about make up and skincare, I now realize that it's important to take care of the skin underneath your eyes now as a preventative measure. The skin underneath your eyes is the thinnest skin on your face so because of this it's easy for it become dry and quick to wrinkle. I have personally noticed that keeping my under eye hydrated and moisturized makes my concealer lasts longer and keeps it from creasing.

Leave me a comment and let me know what products you love and would recommend for me to try from your morning skincare routine!

xoxo!

Hi everyone! I'm back with another Ipsy bag post. It seemed like my July Ipsy bag would never get here but it finally arrived in the mail last week. Keep reading to get the tea on what was inside!

Top to Bottom: 1. Joel Parker Classico EDP, 2. OFRA Eyeshadow & Highlighter in Bliss, 3. Eau Thermale Avene Clenance Gel, 4. Be a Bombshell Lip Balm in Ruby, 5. Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

1. The first item I noticed in my bag was this Joel Parker EDP named Classico. I was really excited to get a rollerball sample of perfume. I love carrying rollerball perfumes in my purse for those mornings when I'm running late and forgot to put on perfume. However I have to say I am not at all a fan of this particular scent. It smells like straight up Pine-Sol. When I first smelled it I was really taken back by how strong the scent is and it literally reminded me of something you would use to clean your house with such as Pine-Sol or Pledge. I definitely won't be wearing this and I don't even know if it's worth giving to someone because it smells that bad.

2. I am really excited to try the Clenance Gel in this month's bag because it says it is specifically for oily, blemish prone skin which is exactly what I have. I love trying new skincare products so hopefully this will work out for me.

3. I have heard many girls say they love anything by Tarte especially these particular bronzers. I think the packaging of this little sample size is really adorable and you get a lot of a product for it being a sample. Unfortunately, I'm a brown girl so I definitely won't have a need for this bronzer. But I'm pretty resourceful and I feel like I could use it as an eyeshadow, if I can't make that work then I'll give it away.
My absolute favorite item from the July Ipsy bag is this OFRA Highlighter in the shade Bliss. It is EVERYTHING! The packaging says that it can double as an eyeshadow which I'm sure would be just as gorgeous, but for me I will strictly be using this as a highlighter. I have been wearing it ever since I got it and it is just this amazing rose-gold highlighter. This swatch just does not do it justice. If you're interested in trying this highlighter or any other products from OFRA, I have a coupon code for 40% off your entire purchase by using the code IPSYOFRA at www.ofracosmetics.com during checkout. That is an amazing deal! I hear they have great liquid lipsticks as well so head over and check them out!

Another product I was pleasantly surprised by was this lip balm from Be a Bombshell. It is just a basic lip balm, very moisturizing, and leaves a very sheer hint of red to the lips. It's great to just throw in your bag and have on hand if your lips are feeling dry.

Overall I have to say I wasn't as impressed with this month's bag as I was with my June Ipsy bag. Hopefully the August one will be better! Don't forget, if you're interested in signing up for Ipsy you can click here and sign up! It's only $10 a month and you can cancel any time if you decide you're no longer interested. Thanks for reading!

xoxo!

I apologize for the lack of post but ya girl is busy! But I'm back with a little drugstore haul! There's so many new products out at the drugstore and there were a few that I wanted to try but decided not to this time around. The majority of the products I bought happened to be lip products which I did not mean to do, but there are are a lot of really new ones out at the drugstore right now so I just couldn't help myself!

L.A. Colors Color Craze Nail Polish (L-R): Beach Babe, Craze, & Meadow

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation--Cocoa

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain (Top L-R): 05 Honey Love & 01 Nude Chic

Maybelline Color Blur by Lip Studio (Top-Bottom): 35 Plum Please, 50 I Like To Mauve It

Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme--04 Lust

Jordana Easy Liner Retractable Pencil For Lips--Coco Loco

Wet n Wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner (L-R): Baby's Got Black & Simma Brown Now!

Wet n Wild Velvet Matte Lip Color (Top-Bottom): DJ Doll & Trendscendence

Ok so I'm very excited about this post! I just recently signed up for Ipsy! Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service created by YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan. For $10 a month, you receive a new makeup bag filled with 4-5 deluxe sized samples, or full size products ranging from drugstore to high end beauty brands. The bag is completely customized to you because you do a quiz when you first sign up to determine your makeup style, complexion color, and favorite beauty items to use like lipstick or blush. Everyone doesn't always get the same products in their bags which is something I really like because it really makes it seem like they've taken your preferences into consideration. There are many other beauty subscriptions services to choose from but I've been wanting to subscribe to Ipsy for quite some time. If you're interested in signing up for Ipsy click here and do so! It's only $10 and you can cancel any time if you decide you're no longer interested.


Every month the bag has a theme and the theme for June was Swim Into Beauty. This being my first Ipsy bag I didn't want to have these grand expectations for what would be inside. I just wanted to get the bag, get a feel for it and go from there.

Trestique Mini Shadow Crayon--Marimoto Pink Pearl

The first item I pulled out was this eyeshadow pencil by a brand Trestique. I'm not familiar with their products which is one of the things I love about Ipsy. They introduce lots of brands that you may have never heard of which I think is really great. I'm not someone who wears eyeshadow that often so I didn't really know how to feel about this product. It has a nice light gold shimmery shade to it and is very pigmented and seemed to blend out well. I'm not sure how often I will use it, if it all just to be honest.

Altchek DePuff Eye Pads

Recently I have gotten into using under eye creams not necessarily because I need them, but just as a preventative measure. Also because I've noticed since using them that my concealer lasts much longer and it lessens the chances of it creasing because of the under eye is moisturized. So I was very happy to see these eye pads in the bag. I plan on using these in an instance when my eyes may puffier than usual and I can't wait to see if they work!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I was sooooooo excited to see this product in my Ipsy bag! I have heard SO many good things about this Smashbox primer for years and I have always wanted to try it. I'm not sure what stopped me from buying it but I'm so glad I get to try it out now. This is an oil free, silicone based primer that is great for filling in pores and fine lines. I have huge pores on my nose so I love a pore filling primer like this. I think I'm going to enjoy this primer!

It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil--Universal Taupe

It's so funny how things work out. This morning I was in a rush trying to get ready and was telling myself I needed a brow pencil to fill in my brows when I'm in a hurry because using my dipbrow pomade seems to take forever. Well, who am I kidding? My eyebrows are always the longest part of my makeup routine. But filling your brows in with a pencil versus a gel or pomade typically allows for a faster application because you have more control over the product. I was a little put off by the color on the box because it seemed very light. But as you can see from the swatch, it came out quite dark. This product has an active brow enhancing technology that adjusts to any eyebrow color. I don't really know how that works, but the color seems dark enough that I can use it.The packaging says it's waterproof so I'm really excited about that for the summer because no one wants to accidentally wipe their eyebrows off! Also, there is a spoolie on the other just in case you were wondering. I don't believe this is the full size, I think it may be a deluxe sample size but I'm not sure.

Aurora Cosmetics Gel Effect Nail Lacquer--Alarm Fire

The last product I received in my bag was this gel nail polish by Aurora Cosmetics. I love nail polish so any time I can try a new one out I'm always down for the cause. This pink-red, coral color is gorgeous and will be beautiful for the summer. Plus the name "Alarm Fire" has a special place in my heart lol.

Overall I was pretty impressed with my first Ipsy bag and I'm already excited for next months. Sign up today to start getting beauty products at your door!

xoxo!

Ulta is one of my favorite places to shop for all things beauty and skin care related. They have the convenience of the drugstore by offering many of the great drugstore beauty brands you know and love while also carrying higher end beauty products. I recently dropped in to pick up a few items that I needed to repurchase and some items that I have been wanting to try.

L-R: Olay Clean & Mild Make-Up Remove Cloths; Olay Oil Minimizing Toner with Witch Hazel

The Olay Oil Minimizing Toner is one of my favorite toners. I have been using it for the last year and a half and I love the way it makes my skin feel clean, fresh, and instantly brighter. Witch hazel is great for removing excess oil from the skin as well as treating acne. Since my skin is prone to both, I try to use products that will help combat both of those issues and this toner has been excellent. Since I was over in the Olay section I picked up these makeup remover cloths, mainly because they were on sale at the time. I needed makeup remover cloths and I am not someone who has a go-to or favorite brand, I usually try out new ones every time I by them. So far these have been working pretty well. 

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser; Miracle Worker; Renewed Hope in a Jar Eye

The main reason for this particular trip to Ulta was because I had been dying to try this Philosophy Purity facial cleaners. I have researched the product and learned that it was great for melting away dirt, oil, and makeup and was made with really great ingredients that were gentle for the skin but hydrates and tones at the same time. The one thing I love the most about this product is that because it's so gentle it's great at removing your eye makeup and won't burn or sting your eyes. This product can be pretty pricey, I purchased the 8oz bottle which retails for $24 but I also chose the one that came with a free product.

The Miracle Worker moisturizer is specifically for anti-aging purpose which, I technically really do not need at this point. I don't have any wrinkles or any signs of aging on my face, however I think it's important to start taking these types of simple, preventative measures before we start developing those signs of aging. I honestly really like this moisturizer. I use it at night after washing my face and the consistency is pretty thick compared to most of my other moisturizers but I really like that because I feel that it has a chance to really moisturize my skin during the night.

Because I purchased a Philosophy product I also received a free sample of the Renewed Hope In A Jar Eye cream. I have been using it but again, I don't necessairly need it. One thing I do like about eye creams is applying one before your do your makeup because I feel like my under eye concealer lasts longer and doesn't crease as much.

L-R: Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara; Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara

I have been really into mascaras lately, especially ones for my lower lashes because I really need help defining them. I spotted this in Ulta and I have really been loving it and surprisingly I love the side for the upper lashes more than I like the end for the lower lashes. Both are great and work really well. I may repurchase this mascara in the future because I have been really enjoying it.

I also picked up a new eyebrow gel simply because I needed to throw away my Elf one. This one by Essence is really great at taming your eyebrows and keeping them in place so I have no complaints. Plus it was very affordable, I think it was around $2 or $3.

Essence Sun Club all-in-one Bronzing Highligher--02 Sun Glow

So this is a product that I had absolutely no prior knowledge of and wasn't planning on buying. While I was over in the Essence section at Ulta this just grabbed my attention. I love highlighters, they're one of my favorite makeup products to purchase. This is considered a "bronzing" highlighter but in no way is it a bronzer, it is 100% a highlighter and it is GORGEOUS! I swatched it for the blog however the picture just did not even do it justice. This one is great for girls with a tan to darker complexion, however they also make one with more pink tones in it that is great for girls who may be lighter in complexion. Go into your local Ulta and swatch these because I promise you will not be disappointed. And the best part is that it was only around $3!

L-R: Rimmel Stay Matte Primer, Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser, Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream--Deep, NYX HD Concealer--Nutmeg & Beige. Not pictured BH Cosmetics Studio Pro Matte Finish Pressed Powder.

Elf High Definition Powder--Corrective Yellow

Brows: Anastasia of Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade--Ebony & Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara, Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblast Mascara

Milani Powder Blush--Romantic Rose

BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Sculpt & Glow Palette--Medium Deep

L-R: Covergirl Lipstick--Sultry, ColourPop Lippie Stix--Lumiere, NYX Intense Butter Gloss--Chocolate Crepe, Jordana Easy Liner Retractable Pencil--Rock N' Rose

When it comes to lips, I have so many lip colors that I love. My friends pick on me all the time because I love a good nude lip. If it were up to me, I would always wear nude lips, but every once in a while I like to switch it up with a little pop of color. However, for my everyday look I usually stick to colors that are more on the nude, brown, or mauve side. Colors in this shade range have been huge this year thanks to Kylie Jenner, everyone wanted a nudey, brown or mauve lip. Some of my favorites are the ones pictured above. These are great options for a nude lip for my brown girls with a deeper skin tone.

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray

Last but not least, once I'm finished applying all of my makeup, the final step is to set everything in place so that my makeup lasts all day. The Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray is hands down my absolute favorite setting spray. This one is specifically for oil control, and because I have combination skin, I tend to get oily in my T-Zone and this setting spray really does an amazing job of keeping my makeup from melting off my face. I have gone about 10 hours wearing makeup and I get home and everything is still in place. If you have combination to oily skin I highly recommend this setting spray.

I purchased this cookbook, The Vegan Bible, for a co-worker's birthday!