June Favorites

This month I've tried a lot of great new products as well as found some old favorites in my collection. After compiling them I realized that they all have pinky-nude tones, even in just the packaging! I think that's very apt for the season.

In clockwise order:
Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake- the perfect glossy pink.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Honey- I've been loving this for a darker nude, and it's insanely hydrating!

Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink- this stuff is super shimmery, but comes across more subtle on your face. It goes perfectly with whatever other makeup you are using that day.

Essie Nail Polish in Imported Bubbly- I've been obsessed with sheer, iridescent nail colors and this is a classic!

Tocca Girl on the Go set (favorites are Cleopatra and Simone)- at my new job the Tocca perfumes are an absolute fave, so I picked up this set to test some out! These two are my favorite. They're light and citrusy for summer; Cleopatra is grapefruit and cucumber but in the most subtle way possible, and Simone smells more like the beach.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara- this stuff is totally worth the money...one coat and you're good to go with gorgeous, long lashes.

Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Palette- I've already talked about this and I need to touch on it again since I've used it every day! I love using the peachy gold on my lid and then one of the smoky browns on the outer corners. It's so simple.

All of the links are below! Enjoy.  xoxo, Katie

Etsy Shop Update

Hello everyone!

I have some exciting news today. One of my best friends, Carylanne, has an Etsy shop called PearlsandCurlz. (Click on the name for the link!) She sells gorgeous, Bourbon and Bowties inspired wire bracelets. For Christmas she gave me some as a gift and I've been wearing them nonstop! She also makes custom coolers and Lilly Pulitzer inspired items.

Last night the two of us got together and decided to collaborate! She is now featuring my charm bangles on her site. You can buy them in sets and I'm obsessed with the nautical-inspired one. We also have gold bracelets with a locket charm for a pretty personal touch.

I am in LOVE with this set she made! This is just one example of the amazing way that Carylanne puts colors together. The floral bracelet is absolutely perfect.

Here is the photo of the nautical set! I think three is the perfect amount to wear together, and if you buy it this way it makes a great gift or you can keep some for yourself!

I hope you'll check out the shop! They provide a great-quality, low cost alternative to the designer options and we have a ton of unique items to choose from.

xoxo, Katie

The Perfect Recipe for Glowy Skin

 As you may have noticed if you follow my blog, my posts lately have been all about skincare. While I've shared a lot of tips, I've also tried out a couple new products that I know I have to share. All of these have really changed my makeup and skin routine so I have to show you what they're all about! 

The first thing I love is this foundation. Oh my gosh yall...I am obsessed! This stuff matches my skin perfectly and creates such a great finish that isn't shiny but isn't matte. I wear the n1-2 shade and it fits me so well. This stuff covers all my redness but isn't cakey and blends right in naturally. I've been applying it with the Ulta version of a Beauty Blender sponge. I can't bring myself to buy the $20 one at Sephora. However this makes a huge difference for blending out undereye concealer and getting the hard to reach areas of your face like around your nose. 

The next thing is this facial oil from Sonia Kashuk. I have been waiting for this to be released ever since it was talked about in Lucky magazine since I've been really wanting a new face oil. This definitely does not disappoint! It smells really nice and herbal and has instant moisturizing properties. It is made of 9 oils that all provide amazing skin benefits! (Remember what I said about looking for natural ingredients?) I can't wait to see how my skin improves over time with this stuff. 

Lastly is this primer from Tarte. This has a beautiful texture and finish, similar to that of the super popular Smashbox one. I love the way it glides onto my skin and evens it out to make my foundation go on more smoothly. I will say that I wish it had a slightly wetter consistency. It can be kind of dry and sort of crumble when you're applying it, but my dry skin is to blame for that as well. 

I hope these reviews were helpful to someone out there and that your makeup stays as glowy as possible this summer! 

xoxo, Katie

Newly Released Eye Shadow Palettes - Review

There's something about a palette that is so much more alluring than buying regular makeup. First and foremost, the packaging..I can't say no to something with a great box and shades in a combination I've never seen before. This month I purchased two new palettes and I'm equally obsessed with them both so I thought I would share a review of them for you! 

The first is the Blushed Nudes by Maybelline. I am obsessed with this arrangement of colors. They combine into the most gorgeous pinky-bronze smoky eye and the darker shades are just enough for something soft but sultry. I've loved coming up with new looks with it since all of the colors really work well together. The pigmentation isn't top dollar, but I personally don't mind. They actually look nice since they're a little softer and then you don't have to work as hard to blend out any darker shades. Almost all the colors have a really pretty shimmer to them as well. Here are some photos and swatches!

What I'm sharing next is something that I could not be more excited about! It is the new customizable palette from Buxom. At Sephora right now it's the top display on the shelf. For $40, which I think is a crazy deal, you get to pick 6 shades and put them in yourself! (Which is so incredibly easy, the pan slides right out and you just pop them in place!) the shadows are a great size and there's a huge variety. I think this is invaluable since I've been looking for a palette with the exact shades I want for ages! I'm very picky about my shadows and while my palette might look super boring, it's something I've been waiting for! I can't believe I haven't heard more about this before. I also love the simple black packaging. 

I hope you get inspired to go try these out! I promise you won't be disappointed. 

xoxo, Katie

New Summer Nail Polish Loves

It isn't often that I prefer bright colors in any aspect of my wardrobe, but when summer rolls around I love being able to decorate my nails in accordance with the fun atmosphere that the season brings. Recently I went to Sally Beauty Supply to take advantage of a BOGO sale they were having and I picked up some colors I have been obsessed with in the last month! I love the way these stand out in photos and act as an extra accessory to any outfit. 

From left to right:

1- Rose Among Thorns

2- Flip Flop Fantasy

3- Re-fresh Mint

4- For Audrey

5- Lotus Begin

I only have good things to say about China Glaze nail polish. I love the brush and the formula is great in each of these. They also have great lasting power in comparison to other brands. I know I'm going to be wearing these over and over again throughout the next few months. 

Let me know what your favorite nail colors of the moment are! 

xoxo, Katie 

Embracing my Natural Hair

I read a statistic in Teen Vogue yesterday that really shocked me: half of teenage girls feel the need to straighten their hair every day. But honestly, am I really surprised? In high school I used heat on my hair every day. I hated my natural waves for being frizzy and giving me a lions mane. In the summers I would give my hair a break and let it air dry more often. This summer I have vowed to stay away from the flatiron and embrace being lazy and letting my hair do what it wants. 

Here is a photo from a few days ago. I hope that some of you with curly hair will do the same and realize how much easier your morning routine will be! A little salt spray and you're out the door.

xoxo, Katie