What's in your beauty bag [Grace]?

My hair stylist extraordinaire allowed me to rummage through her beauty bag and ask about her favorite must haves for right now! Grace is the talent behind Hair Haus in Jenison, Michigan. I have had the pleasure of knowing her as a friend since our high school days and she has been working her magic on my hair for the past 5 years. She is currently pregnant with a little bundle of joy expected to arrive in just a couple weeks! I cannot wait to meet him! Here are some things from her beauty bag that she is loving right now!

"Neuma smoothing creme is organic and I really love that! It adds lots of moisture and it's also weightless on your hair. It is so versatile and can be used on all different hair types." I also love this stuff personally and every time she uses it on me I also can tell a difference in my hair. My frizz has smoothed itself out and I love that it smells likes citrus! I purchased this smoothing creme at my last appointment. I love physicians formula just as much as Grace! She uses the mineral wear and applies it with your typical foundation brush. "It has such buildable coverage and it's talc free. That is important to me because I have sensitive skin. It's one of the first foundations I have used that doesn't break me out. I am getting a little upset though because Walgreens doesn't carry Physicians Formula anymore!" Grace and I are both fans of Revlon Matte Lip Balms but she is braver than me and is rocking 215 shameless desinvolte. "This one feels moisturizing to me which I like and is rare to find in a matte lip color. I bought it because last year I was looking for the color of the year, "pantone" This one seems to stay on evenly without leaving cracks on my lips. I just love it!"

Grace has also experimented with oatmeal masks. She originally found a recipe on pinterest and has fine tuned it to her liking. Here's her recipe!
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. nutmeg
15 drops of lavender essential oil
15 drops of tea tree essential oil
[Blend up your oatmeal then add the honey, nutmeg, and essential oils.]
"I blend it to more of a powder consistency. And before I apply it to my face I remove my makeup with a coconut oil and caster oil mix and remove it all with a steamed towel." 

[photos taken by Katy O Photo] 

What's in your beauty bag [Hannah] ?

Hannah has been my best friend for years and years and I haven't managed to rummaged through any of her beauty products at any point during our friendship. Well, the time has come to see what she has been using and what's currently in her beauty bag. 

 I asked Hannah to bring me everything that she is using right now as far as beauty and nail products. Here's what we got! "This maybelline master precise liner gives a good precise line. Haha get it. That's the name. I am not the greatest at eyeliner and this is the easiest for me to use and get close to my lashes.  It washes off easily if you make a mistake and there is zero to no smudging. Don't look at the nib, I need to get a new one." 
When I saw this Rimmel Stay Matte I was curious because I just put it on my 'to buy' list. "I use this as my foundation. It helps me to not be shiny, stays put and is not cakey on my skin. The mousse texture helps a little product go a long way. I just put a dollop on the back of my hand and it will cover my whole face. It might not be great for winter though, in the winter my skin becomes more dry. I am sure I will switch to something else when the seasons change." Ok, let's talk about this Revlon quick dry topcoat because I can't seem to stray away from my Essie No Chips Ahead. "This topcoat doesn't smear off the polish underneath. My nails chip easily and this helps get a couple more days out of my polish. I enjoy it. It's the 3rd bottle I have bought. The quick dry Essie top coat is too sticky for me. This one has no sticky factor. As far as my favorite polish right now? Essie Mint Candy Apple. I mean, who doesn't love this polish? Or candy apples? Or mints?" I am proud to say that I introduced Hannah to the wonder that is Real Techniques brushes over a year ago and her life has been changed. "I have a big face and this brush is the perfect size for it. I use this brush for my powder and to set everything in place. I use baby shampoo to clean it. You taught me that Bee. Sorry...bad brush etiquette, it's really dirty."

I was excited to see that Hannah had this skincare set from Juice Beauty. I have had this sitting in my amazon cart for a couple weeks now. "I don't have severe adult acne but I have more of the, 'I'm 25 and still get zits are you serious?' type of acne. If you read any reviews about this set online people either love it or hate it. I bought the Organics to Clean Skin kit because my old skincare line No Zit Sherlock by Bliss was sold out. Since buying the Juice Beauty kit I haven't switched back to Bliss. The face wash and serum are great for both morning and night. I do remove my makeup before using the face wash. I have read online that some people don't like the fruit smell but I don't mind a little fruitiness in my life. The moisturizer is a little heavy, which I like for night but not for morning. It makes my face too greasy for the day. The kit does come with an apple peel which I wouldn't use more than once a week because it does dry out the face but it does work well for my problem areas. Overall I think it works well for my skin type but it might not be the best for severe acne prone skin." 

I was so impressed with her use of the Naked 3 palette. She is almost hitting pan on a couple different shades. "I have replaced my naked 2 with the 3. I stick to the left side for a more daytime look. I take the shimmer of 'dust' and add 'limit' or 'strange' on top of it to matte it out a little. If I want more of a nighttime look or just some more drama I will work my way towards the right side of the palette. Using the same technique of adding a matte shade on top of a shimmery one. I also use the brush that came with it. You can tell because it's um... yeah, I should wash that. "

"Younique 3D fiber lashes, yes they are expensive. I have a friend who sells them. I had free shipping so I thought I'd try." Hannah explained the process to me and how it took her a couple tries to get it right. "First put a normal coat of mascara and then use the fiber lash wand on the tips and wiggle it. You need to remember to wiggle it or else they will get spidery. You also need to remember to have both wands ready. The fiber lashes need some moisture to hold onto and if you wait to long your lashes will dry from the first coat of mascara. It takes a couple tries but you'll get used to it. This mascara adds some more dimension, length and volume and it doesn't irritate my lashes. Plus, it washes off easily with soap and water. I don't use it everyday. Just more on the weekends. It was a splurge and I really like it."

Thanks Hannah for letting me go through your beauty bag! 

What's in your beauty bag [Bee]?

Alright, time for a new little series on my blog. I always love seeing what products other people are using and loving. Basically, what's in their beauty bag at the moment. What better way to start off this series than taking a peak into my current beauty bag! These are the products that I am reaching for as I get ready to tackle each day. I have been more of a minimalist lately. Only using a few basics to give myself a fresh and natural look. Don't get me wrong, some days do call for a dramatic winged liner look. This fall for me it's all about a fresh and awake look. Glowing skin, long defined lashes, strong brows, and a small pop of color on the lip.

Rimmel match perfection has been my autumn foundation. I was able to find a perfect match on my first try, 202 nude. This foundation is not only a great deal but the coverage is great and buildable. This foundation keeps my oily skin at bay without being super matte. It just looks natural and glowy. The lasting power however isn't so great. I find that it's great for during the work day but if I have something in the evening I need to touch it up. This physicians formula mineral glow pearl was in my last favorites post and I have been seriously loving it! It's a perfect bronzer/highlight combo. It's also not orange. It gives the perfect amount of acceptable daily shimmer. Simple soothing facial toner is a nice and gentle toner that won't irritate the skin. I have noticed after consistently using this that the excessive oil my skin was producing has calmed back down. It leaves my face nice and clean without that tight feeling some toners can give. Maybelline instant age rewind dark spot eraser+treatement is a new product in the 'age rewind' line [which I love!] This one is just as amazing as all the other ones. I love the funky sponge applicator, although it does get a little dirty from time to time. This does a good job at hiding dark spots and covering blemishes. It's also light on the skin, I feel like sometimes concealers can feel thick and heavy. This one definitely does not. 

NYX butter gloss in eclair has been my go to gloss for everyday. It's a mauve-y pink that gives just the right hint of color to your lips. I have always loved these glosses because of the price, color pay off, and they smell so sweet. 

Covergirl clump crusher, not sure how I feel about it quite yet. Yes, it holds up to it's name and does de-clump your lashes. But personally I am not a fan of the plastic mascara wands and I kind of like some clump on my lashes. However for an everyday lash this does the job. For a more dramatic look

I have been layering it with Maybelline Miss Manga [which y'all know I love]. 

I have ditched my e.l.f eyebrow kit for this perfect dupe of the benefit gimme brow. [Which I thought distributed too much product on the wand and made my eyebrows looks too dark.] The maybelline brow drama gives me just enough product to fill in sparse areas on my brows in a very natural way. Also, this accidentally was put through the rain test and it held up very well. 

There y'all have it, everything in my current beauty bag. What's in yours? I would love to know! 

Weekday MakeUp Menu [no makeup-makeup]

It's almost Friday! This week has seemed extra long for some reason. On any given weekday I would rather sleep for an extra 5 or 10 minutes than spend an extra 5 or 10 minutes getting ready for the day. I keep my makeup simple and basic during the week. No muss. No fuss. 

^products^

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3in1 [842: medium beige]

City Color Be Matte Blush [fresh melon] gifted to me by Har$ 

Big Fatty Urban Decay Mascara [I like how black this mascara is. 

It also keeps my lashes super curly all day.]

Benefit Erase Paste [no 2. medium: perfect for mornings when you didn't get enough sleep the night before or it's been a long week.]

Philosophy Candy Cane LipGloss 

Spritz on some So Pink from GAP

DONE

^Essie [Mojito Madness]^  

January Favorites 2014

The first month of 2014 is already over. WHAT? That went fast. January has been filled with lots and lots of snow. I also think the warmest day in January was 22 degrees.
That being said, here's what made the list for my January Favorites!
MakeUp Favorites:

^I have been using my Naked 3 palette this month. My two favorite shades have to be 'burnout' and 'limit'. They are the perfect everyday pigment. I put 'limit' on my eyelid and then add 'burnout' to my crease to add some shimmer.^

^CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3in1 has been my foundation for January. I have officially lost all of my summer color and needed to go down to a lighter shade (again). This works great for me. It has fuller coverage and last all day. It also doesn't rub off on clothes or scarves. 

I also love the pump on it. 2 pumps and I'm done. ^

^I have started a habit of doing a face mask at least twice a week. I love all the masks that freeman makes but this one is the favorite of January. It is really calming and really gets the grime of the day out of your pores.^

^I have loved the So Pink scent from GAP for years and years. It's kind of a summer-y scent but I will just pretend it's summer. It's a citrus and flower scent. I think it smells a lot like grapefruit. 

I always purchase more when I see it at a Gap Outlet.^

^NYX Blush in Terra-Cotta is a perfect winter shade. I haven't been using any pink or red shades for blush this month. It looks a little too extreme on my ever fading skin. This blush adds some color without being too obvious. It has the perfect amount of shimmer in it too.^

^I featured this pixi bronzer in my latest makeupmenu. I will use this on my cheeks to add some color and definition. I normally use laguna bronzer by Nars but find that when I am lighter during the winter that it can look too orange. This pixi bronzer is perfect for the winter. Pigment, shimmer, and no orange.^

TV: Chicago Fire & Chicago PD
^If you like intense rescue shows than both of these are for you. Fire is in its second season and PD is on its first. They crossover with each other. Plots and characters overlap between the two. I love it! An episode of either of these will make me cry, hold my breath, gasp, and cover my eyes. Bravo to the writer!^

Local: Silver Sage Headache & Stress Reliever
^A while ago I ordered some products from Silver Sage. She makes everything herself right in Ada, Michigan. She makes all natural vegan soaps and body products.  I started using this rollerball every night before bed and have fallen in love with it again. I roll it on my temples and behind my ears. If I know I am going to be in a car for a long time I will also throw it in my handbag and rub it on my wrists.^

Music: 'I am Mountain' by Gungor.
^It took me a while to warm up to this album and I'm not really sure why. It is great. I think it's so much different than their other albums (which I also own). I kind of feel like I have my itunes on shuffle when I listen to this album. Each track is so unique that it almost seems a bit disjointed. But that is what I like about it!^

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

MakeUp Menu [#polarvortex edition]

The #polarvortex has been sticking around for 3 weeks and I want it gone. I am sick of being snowed in. I am sick of always being freezing cold and bundled up in layers. As much as I enjoy lounging with family and watching movies, I need to get outside and get some vitamin D. There is no need for makeup while being snowed inside your home. However when it's time to get out of the house you can't scare anyone by showing your naked, vitamin D deficient face. 

In order of use 

>>FACE<<

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation [842 medium beige] applied with real techniques expert face brush

SheerCover Duo Concealer [light/medium] applied with ring finger under eyes and on redness around nose and chin

e.l.f. blush [pink passion] tap a small amount on your cheeks for some fake vitamin D. I used a tarte blush brush. 

Benefit Watts Up Highlighter I apply this with my finger. I used a small amount to highlight my cheekbones and down the center of my nose. 

Pixi Bronzer [subtly suntouched] I used my real techniques setting brush to contour this bronzer on my cheeks to give a little definition and some extra color. *when contouring your cheek bones- make a fishy face and take the bronzer down your cheeks from your ears to you mouth and BLEND it out.* 

>>EYES<<

e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit [medium] used with a Sonia Kashuk small angled brush [I am growing out my eyebrows a bit so filling them in helps to hide the ugly process of growing them out] 

Maybelline Color Tattoo [bad to the bronze] applied with ring finger. I use this as a primer sometimes when I know I am going to wear a bronze eyeshadow. The pigment sticks right to it and doesn't slide around throughout the day. 

Wet N Wild EyeShadow Trio [silent treatment] I used the 'eyelid' shade on top of my eyelids and then used the browbone shade for my browbone. I also used my index finger and tapped a little of the browbone shade onto the center of my eyelid. I applied this with two Sonia Kashuk brushes

Curl Lashes [dollar tree eyelash curler] Don't hate it until you try it. The eyelash curlers at the dollar tree are great! 

Avon Wash Off Waterproof Mascara [w01 black] Apply a couple coats of this super waterproof mascara. No amount of snow will make this mascara run off your face. 

>>Lips<<

Revlon Super Lustrous [001 Nude Attitude Matte] This is a great matte nude that doesn't dry out your lips. It's one of my favorites! 

^cheesy car selfies: so happy to be out of the house!^

MakeUp Menu [using urban decay naked 3]

I have been inspired by one of my favorite youtube beauty gurus ViviannaDoesMakeup to start something new, MakeUp Menus. These new posts will be a menu of all the makeup I use, what it looks like, and a small review of the products used. I am really excited about starting these posts and hope to include some giveaways eventually. 

In order of use >>

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Foundation [pure beige] used with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser [medium]:used under eyes and on blemishes & hyper-pigmentation 

Milani Baked Blush [09 red vino] used with a Real Techniques Blush Brush

Naked 3 Palette 

'Burnout' on my lid: used with a Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Brush

'Factory' in my crease blended along my brow bone: used with an Urban Decay blending brush (came in palette) 

'Limit' tapped a little on my lid to mattify the shimmer a bit: used with a flat top brush

'Strange' as a brow highlight: used with a Urban Decay flat top brush (came in palette) 

BLEND eyelids: used a Real Techniques Setting Brush

Curl Lashes [revlon lash curler]

Elf Black Liquid Liner [best liner ever and it's only $1]

Maybelline The Falsies 'Big Eyes' [very black waterproof] *tip- use the lower lash brush to get the inner and outer corners of your top lashes*

Revlon Photo Ready Powder [light/medium] used with a Real Techniques Powder Brush [blend out the face] 

NYX Butter Gloss [not pictured: vanilla cream pie]

DONE

Let me know if you enjoy these kinds of posts, what looks you want to see, and how I can make them better! I welcome your comments!