Coming clean...

Let's face it, washing makeup brushes is no fun. It's time consuming, messy, and my hands always end up looking like a prune. 

My brushes never seem to get completely clean no matter what I use. Especially my foundation brushes. I can get the tips clean, but never all the way to the top of the bristles, closest to the ferrule. 

Recently I watched a YouTube video by GlowofGrace in which she used Dr. Bronner's bar soap to clean her brushes. The method was simple enough, I decided to try it for myself. Like Rachel (GlowofGrace) I purchased the tea tree oil formula. I figured the anti microbial properties of the tee tree oil were better for my brushes. Gotta get those things clean AND sanitized.

Here is my dirty foundation brush before I washed it:

I started by wetting it under warm running water. 

I gave it one pass over the bar of soap and rinsed it once. I could already tell that this was going to be amazing. 

I re-wet the brush and swirled it over the soap and in my palm a little more:

(I put the bar in a travel soap dish to make life easier)

I rinsed and repeated a few more times to make sure I got all of the foundation out of my brush. This whole process took less than 3 minutes. That is the fastest I have ever washed a foundation brush. And it is CLEAN! 

I will never go back to brush cleanser or baby shampoo. This is by far the cleanest that my brushes have ever looked. I am actually looking forward to cleaning all of them because it's so easy. It doesn't feel like a huge chore anymore.

Target had Dr. Bronner's soap for around $5.00 a bar. My Target didn't have the tea tree formula. A friend of mine found it at a local health food store, and it was under $4.00! Score!

Top 13 of 2013...

Now that 2014 is in full swing, I thought it would be fun to look back on my favorite beauty and makeup products from 2013. Minus 1 or 2 products, most on this list were new things that I tried (and LOVED) for the first time in 2013.

In no particular order ;)

1. Batiste- dry shampoo in the blush scent- I've never tried any other scents, but I love the fresh, florally smell of this one. This dry shampoo beats all the high-end ones I have tried. $7.99 on Drugstore.com with a BOGO 50% off.
http://www.drugstore.com/batiste-dry-shampoo-blush/qxp480186?catid=183495


2. It's a 10 Miracle Leave In Product- I cannot say enough about the way this makes my hair feel. I spray it in before I blow-dry and it leaves my hair so soft. Definitely worth the hype and the higher price tag. I've purchased this at Walgreens, and Ulta. It's also carried at most salons.
http://www.drugstore.com/its-a-10-miracle-leave-in-product/qxp225941?catid=183472

3. NARS Smudge proof Eye Shadow Base- The only eye primer (high and low end) that keeps my eyeshadow from creasing. I have gone through a few tubes of this over the past year and I'll keep repurchasing as long as they keep making it. $24 at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=NARS%20Smudge%20Proof%20Eyeshadow%20Base%20P261211&skuId=1236843&productId=P261211&_requestid=182816

4. Clinique Bottom Lash mascara- I picked this up almost a year ago, on a complete whim. I love using mascara on my bottom lashes, but it always ends up traveling onto my face, making me look like a racoon. This mascara DOES NOT travel. Ever! The little bitty wand is great for the bottom lashes, also. $10 at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=CLINIQUE%20Bottom%20Lash%20Mascara%20P279510&skuId=1305358&productId=P279510&_requestid=183062

5. EM Lash Gallery Dramatic Volume Waterproof Mascara- Phew! That's a mouthfull! I will admit, I am a mascara junkie. It's not that I need a lot of mascaras. It's just that I have trouble finding one that makes my lashes look AH-MAZING. Well this one does it. This is the first mascara that holds my curl. And holds it all day! This was actually in an Ipsy Glam Bag from a few months back. As soon as I'm out, I will definitely grab a second tube. $20 at EM Cosmetics
http://www.emcosmetics.com/lash-gallery-dramatic-volume-waterproof-mascara/DW-DRAMMASCWTPF.html?dwvar_DW-DRAMMASCWTPF_color=S1155600


6. Lancome Le Curler- Speaking of curly eyelashes, enter holy grail eyelash curler! I picked up this curler while visiting my mom out of town. I forgot my curler at home and decided to try this one. For the first time ever, I can curl my lashes before my mascara and they stay curled! Pair that with the EM mascara I just raved about, and I have an eyelash winning combination! $23 at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=le%20curler&skuId=1399690&productId=P310620&_requestid=183788

7. Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation- This wasn't a new discovery for me in 2013. However, I keep trying new foundations, in hopes of finding the next best thing, and I always come back to this one. I love the full coverage. It doesn't make my skin oilier or drier. It's just a great foundation. And compared to other department store foundations, it's actually well priced. $27 from Mac Cosmetics
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/158/1231/Products/Face/Foundation/Studio-Fix-Fluid-SPF-15/index.tmpl

8. MAKE UP FOREVER HD Microfinish Powder- I love the matte finish this gives me on top of my foundation. I honestly think it prolongs the wear time of my foundation. It's a great setting powder and doesn't give that white reflection when photographed.  I'm working on a sample from Sephora right now, but as soon as that's done and gone, I will snatch up the full-sized jar. $19-$34 from Sephora.
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=MAKE%20UP%20FOR%20EVER%20HD%20Microfinish%20Powder%20P210400&skuId=1510247&productId=P210400&_requestid=184168

9. Soap & Glory Handfood Hand Cream- This hand cream smells amazing, and leaves my hands so soft. I have bought so many of the small tubes that I think I finally need to get the large size. I keep this in my desk at work. It really helps with all the hand-washing I have to do throughout the day.
$5-$12 at Sephora
 http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=SOAP%20%26%20GLORY%20Hand%20Food%E2%84%A2%20Hand%20Cream%20P294731&skuId=1368711&productId=P294731&_requestid=184389

10. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hr Skin Protectant- Also something I first encountered via a sample. They know how to get you! I do not like the scented version of this moisturizer, I prefer the un-scented. I'm glad there's an option. This is a very thick, petroleum based balm. I love this as an overnight moisturizer. It works amazing on dry heels, lips, and cuticles. $19.50 at Macy's
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/elizabeth-arden-eight-hour-cream-skin-protectant-fragrance-free-17-oz?ID=642889&CategoryID=30078#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D4%26kws%3Delizabeth%20arden%20skin%20protectant%26slotId%3D2

11. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush- This brush is the best, and most affordable foundation brush I have ever used. It buffs and blends foundation perfectly. $8.99 at Ulta, although they often do BOGO 50% off their brushes
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4260015

12. NARS Lovejoy Blush- NARS blushes are extremely long wearing. Lovejoy is a perfect bronzey-rose that I love to throw on when I don't know which blush to wear. It goes with everything. $29 at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=nars%20lovejoy&skuId=696062&productId=P2855&_requestid=185757


13. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes- I own about 10 of these blushes and I just cannot get enough! I love every color from this line. They have mattes, shimmers, and full on glitters. These blushes are so pigmented, a little goes a long way. It's a secret goal of mine to own every color they make ;)
$26 at Sephora, often on the Tarte website for 20% off.
http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=TARTE%20Amazonian%20Clay%2012-Hour%20Blush%20P278610&skuId=1306844&productId=P278610&_requestid=185941

I cannot wait to see what beauty products I fall in love with in 2014. I already have my eye on a few new goodies that I can't wait to get my hands on.

Happy 2014!

December edition of Ipsy...

I am a sucker for monthly beauty subscription boxes. The only one I've consistently stayed with is Ipsy (formerly My Glam Bag)

One of the best parts of an Ipsy bag is the cosmetic pouch the products come in. Who couldn't use an extra pouch for something or other? I have one that I use for electronic chargers when traveling. I use one lip products in my purse and another for first aid stuff in my purse. 

Take a look inside my December Ipsy bag.

(Oh! I forgot to mention the adorable pink bubble mailer! Too perfect!)

This month's cosmetic pouch is a black patent-leather like material. The inside is bright red, perfect for the holidays. At least I'm sure that's what they were thinking.

I'll start with the nail polish. I definitely see the Holiday theme in this one. It's by the brand NICKAK New York, which I've never heard of until now. I'm guessing the color is NY139?

It is a beautiful, creamy, Christmas red. Definitely no hint of shimmer in this one.

The lipstick is my first ever from NYX Cosmetics. I have a few of their eyeshadows and lip grosses, which I enjoy.

This is from their round lipsticks collection. I do love that the bottom of the tube is clear, so that you can see the color 

It is in the color Iris or LSS501. I would describe this color as a peach with gold shimmer. NYX describes the lipstick as "non-smudging" and "moisturizing". I'll get back to you on that one, once I try it out. 

I'm loving the looks of this Pop Beauty eyeshadow trio. I am a natural eye lover, so it's not a shocker that I can't wait to use this. The color on this one is Naturally Bare. 

(Taken outside in the shade)

L-R

The first color is a gorgeous champagne beige. At certain angles I'm catching slight golden shimmer. 

In the middle is a bronzed gold that reminds me so much of Mac's Woodwinked eyeshadow.

Rounding out the trio is a lovely taupey-grey (greige as I like to call it), that will make a nice crease color with this look. 

The product I'm least excited about has to be this Bomshell Cosmetics beauty stick in the color Girl Crush. It's a pale, shimmery, baby pink. With no description on the package, I can only assume its a multiple use type product. Cheek, lip, and eye? I don't know..I'm not sure about this one yet.

Lastly, the perfume roll-on. It smells like Mr. Clean. Again, with no description I'm not sure what they were going for. 

Overall, I like this month's bag. Enough so, that my subscription will live to see another month. 

Perfumes that compliment the winter weather...

While I am not a fan of cold weather, I really love being able to use my "winter" perfumes. I have a few perfumes that I reserve specifically for the colder months. 

Jessica Simpson Fancy is my all time favorite winter perfume.

It smells of sweet vanilla sugar, with some caramel mixed in. I reserve this perfume for very cold winter days. For me the sweetness is overpowering in warmer weather. Fancy reminds me a lot of Bath and Bodyworks' Sensual Amber. I don't like that body spray on its own, but I do find that both scents layer very nicely together.

Michael Kors Very Hollywood is the only other perfume I wear this time of the year.

It's a warmer floral scent that smells mostly of gardenia with some slight amber to it. The actual description adds that it has mandarin, raspberry, white moss, and bergamot (a citrus fruit). While I cannot confirm that it does smell like those, I promise that if you like gardenia, you will love this scent.

Do you switch your perfumes with the seasons? What are you favorite winter scents?

Shopping off the beaten path...

It's no secret that I love shopping online. I especially love finding websites and boutiques that offer unique products and gift ideas.

Sevenly is on of my favorite places to "shop for a cause". Each Monday Sevenly.org showcases a charity that will benefit from that week's sales. I own a few of their tees and even a sweatshirt. Recently Sevenly has branched out and now offers jewelry, beanies, children's toys and blankets, and even some pet products.
They are currently offering FREE shipping to the US and Canada on all orders.

Noonday Collections  is a company that is based out of Austin. They sell fair trade goods, including jewelry and accessories, made by artisans in Uganda, Ethiopia, India, and many other countries, as well as the USA. The fair trade principles assure that the artisans receive a fair wage and good working conditions.
Proceeds also help to place orphans in their forever homes.
Shop these beautiful creations at www.noondaycollection.com

Bella Vita is an online boutique I found quite accidentally. I was trying to locate Lily & Laura bracelets after becoming obsessed with them. They offer beautiful gifts for weddings, housewarmings, and yourself. Because we all deserve those every now and then. I love their selection of jewelry and home decor. Bella Vita Gifts & Interiors is located in Tennessee and I hope to visit it one day. But for now I enjoy shopping their website https://shopbellavita.com/


Let me know if you shop one of these fabulous websites :)

And so it begins...

I really have no idea what I'm doing. There, I said it! I read blogs daily. I love to use them as a source for beauty reviews when deciding on new products to purchase. I use them as "fashion" inspiration when I'm trying to dress myself.  Although I admit, I do not consider myself to be very fashionable. And I'm no makeup artist by any means. 

Basically, I'm a girl who loves all things girly, and I'd love to share my thoughts and ideas which anyone who's wiling to listen to me ramble. So...WELCOME!