MUAH & Kiss

If there's one thing that can make or break a makeup look in my opinion, it's the shade you choose to put on your lips. Out of the vast amount of lipstick own, I narrowed them down to my top 7 favorites and gave my best description of the colors and texture, enjoy! XO - D

1. Nude Delight by Rimmel

 

I absolutely love this lip paired with a matte eye. It's shiney without being shimmery and the perfect light nude. I truly believe this would look good on any and all skin tones. It's slick on your lips and light, a must have in my personal opinion. Found at ULTA and Walgreens.

2. Zurich by NYX, soft matte lip cream

 

Eeeeep my current obsession would have to be these NYX cream lipsticks. The applicator makes it so easy to line your lips, they don't flake AND they dry matte. They come in a million different colors (okay exaggerating) and there isn't a day that goes by that I want to buy more than the 3 I have (not an exaggeration.) This shade specifically is a beautiful rose pink. Found at ULTA and Target.

3. Rimmel Coral Garden Moisture Renew Lipstick

This color is so unique. It's very creamy and comes off on everything you put anywhere near your mouth, so careful! But completely worth the second application. It's a red orange with deeper, cool undertones. Found at ULTA and Walgreens. 

4. Covergirl in shade Euphoria  

This is a odd lipstick simply because it looks deep purple but it's probably my favorite red! It's a purpley-red but definitely leans more on the red side. It's a royal red with purple undertones. AKA Purrfect.  Found just about anywhere.

5. L'oreal Paris in shade Raisin Rapture

This is the purple you've all been waiting for. This picture doesn't really do the color justice but it's creamy and rich in color and pigment. This lipstick makes my lips feel cool...if that makes sense. Probably not. Found JUST about anywhere.

6. NYX Soft Matte in shade London

Oop here we are again! This bottle is very misleading because it's actually a brown nude. (The three shades I bought in this are actually very similar in color on the bottles so make sure you swatch them because that's a completely different reveal.) I looked up swatches of this one to show but it looks 100% different on my skin...definitely a brown over a pink in the case of nude lipsticks. To each his own! Found at ULTA and Target.

7. BITE Beauty in shade Pecan

Last but most definitely not least, the best lipstick everrrrr. It's so light and airy and glides on beautifully smooth. It's hard to feel that you're even wearing this lipstick. It moisturizes while on and this shade just so happens to be the better shade of my natural lip. Which means yes, it is the PERFECT nude for me. Check out their other shades too! Found in Sephora.

NYX: Do's and Don'ts

 NYX is a great go-to for me simply because it's not going to kill my wallet but I still have found quality in their brand. Of course, there's always going to be hits and unfortunately, misses when looking for a new holy grail. Well, this is a list of items that I have fallen in love with and products I wouldn't exactly...grab again.

When looking for a matte lip...grab the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
NOT the NYX Matte Lipstick

Here's why: The regular NYX Matte Lipstick seems great from the wide variety of colors but unless you want to reapply and have chunks of lipstick ball up on your lips, this isn't the matte lipstick for you. Instead, reach for NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream! It's smooth, lasts for hours and you don't have to worry about it flaking.

When looking for a contour kit...grab the powder contour kit, not the cream.

Here's why: The powder contour kit has been my best friend. The cream? A let down. The colors are off and although easy to blend, it's quite thick on the skin.

When looking for a setting spray...grab the matte finish setting spray, not the dewy finish setting spray.

Here's why: Although having a glow to your skin is ideal, not when it comes to this dewy finish setting spray. It's not the same look once you spray it on your skin - at first, it's beautiful. But ultimately it just dries matte and keeps your skin moisturized for just a couple of hours. Instead, I'd (personally) reach for the matte finish setting spray. It holds your make up equally to the MAC Fix Plus Setting Spray at just a fraction of the cost.

When looking for coverage...grab the BB Cream, not the foundation.

Here's why: During the Summer especially, you want coverage but not a heavy-set coverage. With the BB Cream (like most BB Creams) it's basically from heaven. With this BB Cream, it'll give you a flawless complexion but by the middle of your day (or sooner) you won't feel like you have anything on your face. AKA I woke up like this.

When looking for an eyeshadow...grab the single eyeshadows, not the palettes.

Here's why: What's worse than buying a palette and not liking all of the shades? Buying a palette and having minimally pigmented eyeshadow OR eyeshadow that doesn't blend well. Yes, much worse. How to avoid this and get exactly what you want? Buy the individual eyeshadows. That way, you can swatch them and know exactly what you're getting. It's the best opt out.


Consider these next time you head over to your ULTA and dig into NYX, they're a real catch. Let me hear your experiences with the products! Happy Shopping (Always happy shopping)
XO - D

For My Coffee Lovers

Starbucks has been on a roll with their new drinks the past couple of months! This is good for the soul and bad for your wallet because if you're anything like me, there's no "I'll try it next time" more of a "I'll try all of them right now." My favorites have to be the new Cold Brew and Mango Black Tea Lemonade.

What Cold Brew relates to: Iced Coffee
The Difference: Instead of it tasting like watery, flavored, sugar coffee it tastes exactly what it's called: A Cold Brew. It's rich and semi-flavored with whichever pump of flavoring you'd like - with no additional cost. I had caramel today and not only was it rich but it had me wired (maybe because I haven't been a huge coffee drinker lately.) Regardless, I would much rather go for the Cold Brew than the Iced Coffee. Overall, refreshing and will give you enough energy without the extra shot (or seven.)

What Mango Black Tea Lemonade relates to: Peach Green Tea Lemonade
The Difference: Not the fact that it's mango, odd enough. But rather as simple as the Peach Green has a sweeter, refreshing taste and the Mango Black has a kick to it. Kind of like a thicker, richer taste in comparison to the light, refreshing, watery Peach Green.

Both of them are great and definitely on opposite sides of the spectrum. Go try it out for yourself! If you have any recommendations, let me know!

XO - D

The Art of Making Friends

I've come to find that making friends is a difficult task for someone like me. I tend to be more on the reserved side unless approached, I come across as rude 99% of the time and when I do decide to warm up to you, it will be quick and kind of a handful (figuring I'll go from minimal talk to telling you my life story.) In the last couple of years I've lost and made more friends than I have in my entire lifetime (within that short of a time span).
Along the way, I think I finally got the hang of it. So here are my tips and tricks to not being mortified of a smiling stranger that just stood in your comfort zone during your 8 am coffee stop.


 1) Know who you are & What you like about yourself
The beginning of friendships, although awkward, can involve a lot of small talk. I consider small talk to be an art, not everyone can master it. As complicated as people tend to make it in their head, it's as simple as asking and answering basic get-to-know-you questions. The easiest way to own this? Ask questions you'd be comfortable answering and the rest will come naturally. Also, try not to keep your responses too short &/ long. The second you start talking about something you're passionate about, it'll keep the person engaged and it'll feel a lot more natural for you to hold this conversation with someone you're not the closest with.

2) Find the Common Ground
I don't care who you are, who it is or what they're into - you can find something in common with anyone. I'm not suggesting you are destined to be friends with everyone you pass at the store, but it is possible to have a friendly conversation. Find a mutual love! Whether it's food, makeup, or spending all day wearing PJ's watching F.r.i.e.n.d.s. Either way, you have your bonding topic, enjoy!

3)  Don't be afraid to make plans
I know it's an uncomfortable situation when you have someone you want to be closer with but just can't....figure out how to ask your new girl friend. And how do you seal the friendship? The first set of plans. This has a lot of pressure. It's hit or miss and you basically have this set of plans to make sure this friendship can be a good one, a lot like a first date. So pick something fun, something you will both agree on and don't sweat it. Remember, when you psych yourself out of something, it's always just in your head. Why let someone make you nervous when they're just like you? Someone with a past, passions and personality.

XO - D

Hot Summer's Day - Skin and Hair Survival

Living in Florida, I know what dying from a heat stroke feels like. As much as I love the warmth of the Sun, there's a difference between taking in the sunny warmth and boiling in it's wrath. Of course growing up in the sunshine state - my favorite things to do all include water. Unlike states unable to be near the ocean, Florida doesn't have a ton of close lakes to go spend the fourth of July at. Instead, we take a short trip to the beaches surrounding us or walk into our backyard for a day at the pool. As fabulous as this is, it's hard to have healthy hair and skin when you're baking in the sun and dipping in a mixture of saltwater or chlorine. Here are some tips and tricks I use to make sure I stay healthy AND enjoy our eternal summer.

1) Sunscreen!

I know, sunscreen is an obvious route but it's also a route not taken by many. Skin is very sensitive and although a sunburn may not seem like such a big deal, it has life long effects. Skin damage is very real. Whether it's premature wrinkles or something as serious as skin cancer, these are all very avoidable. Sunscreen. There's no such thing as applying too frequently. Trust me, you are very capable of getting a summers glow with sunscreen on. So lather up babies! Your skin will thank you later.

2) Conditioner Overload

After you've been in the water (whether chlorine or salt) your hair is completely died out and your natural oils are off balanced (the same goes for your face). The second I get inside my bathroom after any amount of time in water, I take a quarter amount of conditioner and from the bottom of my ear down, I gently apply the conditioner to my damaged hair. I then jump in the shower and continue to wash out the conditioner. Following, I shampoo, rinse, then reapply the conditioner this time a little more than before. I don't wash this application out. Instead, I get out of the shower, towel dry my hair and leave it in. This will help your dry hair immensely. Regularly showering after that kind of exposure can actually dry your hair out and not repair at all.

3) Hydrating

If you run your hands over your skin after a day in the water, it'll feel dry and tight. This, like your hair, is because your natural oils can be thrown off kilter. It's important to wash your face and moisturize. I am quite possibly the biggest fan ever of Best Face Forward (can be found at ULTA) as a smooth, sensitive face wash. (Typically after washing my face in the shower) I apply all natural coconut oil in a thin layer all over my face. This may seem a little intimidating because it IS you rubbing oil into your skin, it scared me too! I have pretty oily skin as is, so putting more oil just came off as a stupid decision. But instead of going out and buying an expensive moisturizer, just go buy all natural aloe gel or coconut oil. It's cheaper and the best thing you can put on your face.

3 1/2) Drink lots of water for the rest of the day! Your body needs it more than you'd realize and it's the most effective way to rejuvenate your body's balance. Water does nothing but benefit you. Inside and out!

Bonus Tip

When you get home from the beach, lake or even come inside from the pool, make sure you rinse off your bathing suit. Make sure it's under running water for at least five minutes to get all the previous water out. Just hanging bathing suits up to dry is a good way to shorten the life of your bathing suit. Just like your hair and skin, it's best to keep the chemicals and salts out of the material. After the five minutes under water, ring it out and hang it up to dry. It'll save the colors and the fabric from a shorter existence. 

XO, D.

HIGHLIGHT ON FLEEK

I've been trying to post on certain days so ya'll can have some type of schedule that you can check to see if I've posted but that's just not working for me. I get excited about products or topics and just explode (BUT there will be a post coming tomorrow around 1 pm! That was definitely planned)

Anyway, I had a marvelous beach day today with my love and siblings. On the way home we stopped for milkshakes and burgers, yum yum yum. While sipping on the last of my oreo shake, I moseyed out of the car practically dragging my drained body inside, day-dreaming about how magnificent my shower was going to be until I saw it... my Sephora box patiently awaiting my arrival by my front door. This was thrilling for different reasons:

1) New makeup, obviously.

2) The simple fact that it had arrived a handful of hours earlier than UPS had told me earlier that day

My box of happiness has arrived with several products I was dying to try for the Summer. This includes:

Replica - Beach Walk - the perfect summer scent
Marc Jacobs Daisy - Only because I've heard nothing but great things
Lancome Hypnose Drama Lash - See above ^
Makeup Forever Plexi-Gloss (in colors 202, 100P, 304)
Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer  - Sometimes a gal's gotta indulge in the glow
Tarte BB Tinted Primer - in shade medium because Summer tan is very real, even if you're a pale girl like me

and last but very not least....dun dun dun

Champagne Pop by BECCA & Jaclyn Hill
Holy beautiful for every skin tone. Hurry and get going and buy it ASAP while it's still on sale!

Other than the perfumes, I haven't tried out any of my new items. But don't you fret, I will update this post sometime before noon so you can see exactly how it looks!

Disclaimer: the internet still hasn't made it possible to smell anything through your computer screen. A serious problem, I know.

I used the mascara, highlight and lipgloss in shade 304. Reaction: What have I been doing with my life prior to these finds? Unaware of what love is, that is the answer.

In all seriousness, the mascara is my new favorite, the highlight is most definitely making me glow but I'm disappointed in the gloss. Although beautiful initially, it makes my lips sticky and didn't last more than four hours. I won't be reaching for these when I have anything more than a couple hour obligation or don't mind reapplying throughout the day.

Review of Most Recent Favorite!

I am SO obsessed, it's not remotely healthy. Should makeup bring someone this much joy? Probably not, but it has. It's my phone's wallpaper and if that doesn't say enough, here's a picture of my very own (second) perfect, personal eye shadow palette.

Everything about this makes me giddy and happy inside. I don't think this palette is missing any shade I could possibly want. Not only is there a mixture of matte and shimmer, but every single color is true to shade and greatly pigmented. 

This was made on Morphe and if I'm being 100% honest it's because of how cheap the price is (ya girl is broke - like most college students.) I had heard great reviews and they live up to every single one of them. They run for only $2.29 (Which was raised from the original $2.) They are my new favorite, current, eye shadow. The palette I have shown above consists of the following in order:

Deep Cocoa ES24     Secretive      ES71      Mysterious      ES11

Bridesmaid  ES16     Deep Skin     ES13      Burlesque        ES74

Ice               ES77      Caramelized ES15      Marbleized      ES20

Porcelain     ES40      Glisten         ES54       Golden Glory  ES75

These eye shadows are super blendable, highly pigmented and won't break the bank. Go see for yourself and build your own custom palette! 

Shocked

I actually cannot believe I still have daily views when I haven't posted in...God knows how long.
Life has hit me with a shovel and it's been really rough, we all have been there. I know it doesn't excuse my absence but ya'll wouldn't like ranting-rambling me.

In other words, thank you so much for still checking my page everyday - whoever you are, thank you. (Even if it's just my Mo.)

Could be a different group of people everyday, but it's still everyday and that kind of warms the heart.

I'll be back on here more and more, steadily. Stay tuned. xo - d