June Favorites

Happy Monday, loves! Today, I wanted to share with you my beauty favorites from the month of June. I honestly feel like I just made my May favorites last week. It makes me sad seeing the summer fly so quickly. This month, I made a point to start focusing a little more on the condition of my hair. While I do take pretty good care of it, I wanted to kick my haircare up a notch. (It's a constant battle to want sunny blonde highlights AND healthy hair!) I also have been experimenting with new makeup techniques and applications. So therefore, I think it was a great month! ;) Here are things that I have been reaching for!

fun colors, am I right? 

DermOrganic Intensive Hair Repair Masque // Ulta // I wanted to purchase the Macadamia Oil Masque, but my Ulta was out of stock. I decided to pick this up & have been loving it! It makes my hair feel very conditioned and strong-- which is great for blondes like me!

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in1 Styling Treatment // Ulta // I bought this in the set I linked. You can buy the cream individually, however, I wanted to give it a shot in the travel size before committing to the full size price. So far, I have really been enjoying it. It gives my hair a sleek & moisturized finish after blow drying.

Chanel Blush in Rose Initial // Nordstrom // This shade of pink is the perfect flush of color for spring & summer. If I am not wearing NARS Madly blush, this is my other go-to. And the smell. Wow! There's nothing like the scent of a Chanel blush. 

Tarte Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation brush // Sephora // I got this brush a few years back in a featured set from QVC. I really didn't use it much when I first got it. But after seeing Brianna Stanko use hers in a recent video, I decided to whip mine out again. I love it for when I'm in a hurry. It quickly distributes all the product and basically does all the work for you. I highly recommend this brush to someone who want to use liquid foundation, but doesn't want anything fussy.

Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dani // Sephora // These glosses are great. I have several of them, and you can't go wrong. I have been obsessed with this soft lilac-y pink color & it pairs perfectly over nude & baby doll pink lipsticks.

MAC Lipstick in Shanghai Spice // Macys // I love this color for everyday. I can pop this lipstick on without a mirror and know it looks great. It's a soft peach pink that is very wearable. I highly recommend this to any one who is looking to get into MAC lipsticks.

Maybelline Fit Me concealer // Ulta // I was recommended this concealer from a friend, and am so happy I tried it out. The price tag is great and the consistency is just right. It covers my under eye area without being too thick. Be sure to set this, and it won't crease! 

Loreal True Match foundation // Ulta // I love this foundation because it contains no oil, fragrances, or pore clogging components. It has great build able coverage and it a great option for those seeking a  less costly liquid foundation. 

What things did you reach for this month? I'd love to hear your favorites!

XO, Carrie

Buying Guide: 24 Products for the Beauty Obsessed

THE TRUTH

I can't hardly begin to tell you how many times I have been asked what my all time favorite       is when it comes to beauty products. "What item of makeup could you never live without?" Unfortunately, there is never one magical, gleaming answer that will leave any given person feeling satisfied, as if they have been lead on to some big secret. Honestly, no product is "one size fits all" or a product that would be "holy grail" for each and every single one of us. So today I am here to give you advice for purchasing makeup & forming an appropriate makeup collection suitable to YOU!

This list breaks down the 24 things I think all beauty obsessed gals should be able to find in their makeup bag. These things will allow you to create any given makeup look, any day of the week, at any hour without carrying a 20 lb. trunk of supplies. This guide is to help budget and help decipher what is essential and what is not. 

THE LIST 

1. Moisturizer- suitable to your skins needs
2. Foundation- liquid or powder- with a finish and coverage that you enjoy on a day to day basis
3. Powder- translucent to set all of your foundation and concealer
4. Under eye concealer- in a shade or two lighter than your skin to brighten and color correct
5. Blemish concealer- in a shade that matches your skin to cover acne marks and discoloration
6. Bronzer- a matte powder that can double as an all-over bronzer and a contour shade
7. Blush- in a wearable, everyday shade (i.e. NARS Madly)
8. Eyebrow pencil- a shade or two lighter than your eyebrow hairs
9. Eyeshadow primer- somethings your shadow can stick to
10. Versatile eyeshadow palette- a shade range that can give you any look, day & night
11. Eyeliner- liquid or pencil- black or brown
12. Mascara- buildable, volumizing formula in black or brown black
13. Chapstick or lip conditioner- essential for locking in moisture
14. Lipstick- for whatever mood you are feeling
15. Lip gloss- a shade that looks good with any look
16. Foundation brush or sponge- for an even, flawless application 
17. Powder brush- large and fluffy to lightly and evenly distribute product
18. Bronzer brush- medium sized and somewhat dense to sweep color onto key places of the face
19. Blush brush- angled and soft to give your cheeks a flush of color
20. Eyeshadow brush(es)- you choose how many you need for each function
21. Tweezer- you never know when you might want to get rid of a stray hair
22. Small scissors- this will come in handy for than you know
23. Spooly- for combing out brows and lashes
24. Eyelash curler (optional)- curling your lashes help to open your eyes

BUYING TIPS

TIP #1: Every time you watch a YT video or skim a magazine and see something you might be interested in, type it down in your phone. Over time, your list will grow, often times, leading to duplicates of things you might like to try. If you continually see you want to try a coral lip and a golden highlighter, those are the perfect things for you to eventually purchase. This will help prevent you from purchasing too many products you might not need in your collection. (For those who aren't beauty hoarders anyway.) 

TIP #2: Go with your gut! I once was on the hunt for the perfect rose lipstick. There was a perfect shade by NARS that put a smile on my face when I applied it. But, I opted to seek a cheaper alternative and came home with, what I thought was a dupe, from the drugstore for about $7. I soon found it wasn't what I wanted and went on the hunt for other dupes. After several purchases, I realized I had already spend as much as the perfect option from NARS would have cost me. Lesson learned. 

TIP #3: If you have a large collection of makeup, learn to rotate the products you are using frequently. This will help you to use up more product and also help you preserve those coveted items you have, rather than using them up right away. It can be fun to save certain items for "special occasions"!


XO, Carrie

picture via pinterest

Natural Bronze Makeup Look

Welcome back! Today I am sharing with you one of my favorite makeup looks for summer. This is a wearable, and easy to achieve look. Most of you probably know that when it comes to makeup, for me, I love a really natural & fresh look that is still very put together. I don't like to look like I am wearing a ton of makeup, or that I spent forever doing it. That can easily be achieved by good technique and product knowledge. 

Here is the look that I created...

Soft bronzy eyes

Thin winged eye liner for a touch of drama

Subtle contour and a flush of color on the cheeks

& va-va-voom lashes, of course!

Products used:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + foundation (#40)
Bare Minerals correcting concealer (Light 2)
MAC Pro Longwear concealer (NW20)
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder (#1)
Make Up For Ever HD Powder
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer 
NARS Madly Blush
MAC Lip Conditioner
Lorac Behind the Scenes eye primer
It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette (shades Warmth, Soulful, Sunset)
Maybelline Eyestudio quad in Copper Chic (rose & bronze shades used)
Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade (Blonde)
Benefit Gimme Brow (Light/Medium)
Jordana 12 HR Eyeshadow stick in Continuous Almond
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (Trooper)
Covergirl Lash Blast mascara
Loreal Color Riche lipstick in Julianna's Nude (from Collection Privee)

Thanks for reading!

XO, Carrie

Fight Oily Skin

In the past, I have talked many a time about skincare and makeup routines to combat oily skin. (You can read those here & here.) Because being an oily girl myself, I am always on the hunt for products that will keep the shine away all day. Today, I am sharing with you my current favorite skincare products that have helped me beat the summer heat. The products that I have found and combined together have been the best to date. They also do a great job of keeping my skin clear!

Lately, I have been gravitating toward a gel cleanser. (I still like to use my Proactiv + exfoliating cleanser a few times a week. It is a great option, because it contains benzoyl peroxide which will help with acne.) I have always heard good things about CeraVe and that many dermatologists recommend it to their clients. I chose the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. Whats great about this cleanser is that it gets my face squeaky clean, yet it contains hyaluronic acid which moisturizes your skin, rather than stripping it dry. This is a great option for people with oily skin looking for a thorough cleanser. 

I am not sure how I ever lived without this stuff. I use this Lush Tea Tree toner water directly after I cleanse. I spray a few sprays onto my face and let it soak in completely before continuing with my regime. I think this has been the key to fighting off oil. I use this morning and night! (It is alcohol free so it will not irritate your skin.)

Following the toner, I treat my skin with this Proactiv + Pore Targeting Treatment. This is step 2 from the Proactiv + system. This gel/serum contains benzoyl peroxide which is great for targeting acne prone skin. I have noticed it to really help my hormonal acne each month. It does a great job of keeping my pores clear of oil too. 

After treating my skin, I moisturize. In the morning, I prefer to use a moisturizer with SPF. My go-to this summer has been the Murad Oil-Control Mattifier. While the lotion is quite thick, I have found that it really absorbs into my skin and allows it to retain the oiliness. This acts as a great primer for foundation too! 

In the evening, I use the corresponding Proactiv + Moisturizer or the CeraVe PM lotion. These are both great options for oily skinned gals!

I recently tried a generous sample of the Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer and loved the way it made my skin feel. I would love to purchase it, however, it has a hefty price tag. We will see...


Have you tried any of these products? If so, what are your thoughts? 

I hope that this was helpful & that you too have a shine-free summer! :)


XO, Carrie

Drugstore Haul

Hello friends & happy Friday! The weekend is here! What will you be doing to celebrate? We are headed to the lake for some R&R and sunshine! (Fingers crossed. This rain is killing my mood!) I recently made a trip to the drugstore, and left with a basket full of new goodies. Most of these items are things that I had typed down in my notes to look for at the store through recommendations of friends and fellow YT beauty gurus. I have come to the conclusion that that is how I find out about 90% of products, and other randomness. 

Here are the things I picked up...

Loreal Boost It High Lift Creation Spray // "for instant lift and fullness", strong-hold back combing finisher. This reminds me of the Redken Quick Tease Backcombing finishing spray. Very excited to try this! Thanks Alex for the great recommendation! 

Revlon Colorstay Whipped foundation // this is something I have been wanting to try for a while. Various YT gals rave about. Amanda Ensing is crazy about it for oily skin in the summer! Gotta be worth a try, right? (I chose 250 Medium Beige.)

Maybelline Eyestudio quad in Copper Chic // Casey Holmes video made me need this in my life. I am loving bronzy-copper looks this summer!

Maybelline Color Elixir in Petal Plush // another recommendation of Casey Holmes. This is the perfect wearable, baby pink lip color! I have 2 other color elixirs & I love the formula. 

Sally Hansen Triple Shine Polish in Statemint // however, there is nothing 'mint' about this shade. It is almost an avocado green. Which seems like an odd polish color, but I have been on the hunt for a fun green to rock this summer on my toes.

Jordana 12 HR Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond // I bought this to use as a matte highlight for underneath my brows. The formula is perfect for that use. 

Revlon Bold Lacquer by Grow Luscious mascara // I haven't heard anyone talk about this mascara, but I wanted to try it because I used to love the original grow luscious a couple of years ago. We shall see! 

I am always amazed by the amount of great things at the drugstore! Can't wait to give these all a shot!

What things have you been loving?

XO, Carrie

Laser Hair Removal

Today I am bringing you my thoughts on laser hair removal! I apologize if some of this is a bit awkward to read. I feel as if I have learned a lot of information about the process and truly have seen great results. Here's my story: Shortly after graduating high school, I found a cyst in my left underarm that lead me to need surgery. While everything came back benign, I was left with an ugly, awkward scar right in the fold of my armpit. After the scar healed up, it still was somewhat bumpy. This made it interesting to shave and maintain my underarms. I found myself getting rashes and razor burn on the daily. I even had trouble using normal deodorant. So, I first tried using Mederma for the scar and found an all natural deodorant that didn't contain any chemicals, fragrances, and aluminum. However, I still struggled with getting a good clean shave. My mom and I then discussed the idea of laser hair removal. So I gave a local clinical a call, and went in for a consultation. 

At the consultation, the gal examined my underarms and talked about what the process would be like. She discussed the costs and also the time frame of the procedures. I decided to go ahead with it. 

Starting that day, I went back 6 times, with 6 weeks in between each visit. Each visit takes about 10-15 minutes. Upon each visit, you are to arrive with freshly shaved underarms. The technician will use a small hand probe that releases the laser that is attracted to the pigment in each hair follicle. How does it feel one might ask? Uncomfortable. It isn't painful though. The particular tool that my tech used first suctioned itself to the skin, and then upon release, it released the heat of the laser. I never felt much of a burning sensation. I found the suction to be the most uncomfortable. The tech continues to do this across the entire underarm, on both sides. Following the procedure, your underarms will feel a bit raw. There will be cooling gel for you to apply. After 15 minutes or so, I noticed the raw, hot feeling went away. 

I have finished my package of 6 sessions. They recommend this to get the best results. The return of hair growth depends heavily on what stage of growth your hair was in. It is important to go every 6 weeks. If you can't make that appointment, try to schedule one as close to it as possible. This will affect the regrowth. After 6 sessions, it is up to you if you would like to return for a few more, to completely diminish all of the hairs. I have returned for one more session. Most clinics will consider this "maintenance" and should offer this session at a discounted price. 

As of today, about one year later, I have slim to no regrowth of underarm hair. I think I will return one more time though, just to be sure. Not having to worry about my underarms has been very nice. I still shave them occasionally, only to get rid of fair, baby hairs. (The laser is only attracted to dark pigmented hair).  This is not a big issue, especially because those hairs go unnoticed. 

While all clinics costs my vary, I will share with you what my particular package cost in West Des Moines, IA (Des Moines Plastic Surgery). Each session runs at $150. If you buy the six-session package, and pay upfront, you will receive a 20% off discount. $150 x 6 = $900 x 20% = $720 total. My clinic offers the maintenance sessions at half price ($75). If you think about this long term, the procedure doesn't seem to costly for the result you will receive.

If you have ever considered this procedure, I highly recommend it! Clinics are always offering specials and package deals that will allow you to get more bang for your buck. 

I hope this post was helpful and gave you some more helpful information if you have ever thought about having this done!

XO, Carrie

Love, Summer

Hello again & happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend celebrating your father's. I had a lovely weekend myself. On Friday, I spent the day with my younger sister. We went to see A Fault in Our Stars together. It's safe to say we were both wiping tears. It definitely lived up to the hype. Although I am still questioning the ending... Comment below your thoughts if you have seen it! On Saturday, I spent my morning baking up a storm for Sundays family festivities. My parents had their 25th wedding anniversary earlier in the week, so a celebration cake was necessary. I chose a lemon layered cake with a raspberry compote filling. And because I was really feeling the whole baking mood, I also assembled a fresh strawberry trifle. All I have is 3 words: homemade whipped cream. Not to toot my own horn, but it was fantastic! Following my marathon of baking, I met up with my boyfriends future sister-in-law. We joined our sig o's after they finished a fun day of golf at the Dallas Clark tournament. On Sunday, we headed to my parents condo at the lake where both sets of my grandparents and my aunt and uncle joined us for lunch and an afternoon on the boat. Good company and beautiful weather is what summer is all about, right? :)

Because I am taking a break from the city this summer, I often am finding myself with a much smaller selection of things to do. (I guess this is a good thing for my pocket book, huh? I'm going through serious withdrawals from Sephora right now.) However, it is a bit of fresh breath of air to be able to completely manage my online classes and enjoy a laid back summer to its full potential. So far I have spent time gardening, dug into a great book (Fall of Giants by Ken Follett), soaked up some sun on the back patio & at the lake, and enjoyed quality time with family & hometown friends. 

The rest of my summer is filled with fun events. 5K's, theme parks, 4th of July at the lake, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, Ragbrai festivities, and a handful of weddings. I guess according to my calendar, the fun has only just begun! ;)

What have all of you been up to thus far?

XO, Carrie

Top Bronzers

There is nothing better than a summertime glow. But even if we are conscious of the sun OR are confined to an office all day, doesn't mean you can't rock bronze skin. One of my favorite things to do is apply a self tanner before bed and wake up with a perfect tan. But because I exfoliate my skin all the time, my face is always lighter than my body. I like to keep my foundation shade as close to my face color as possible, so I lean on my bronzer to pull the look together and even things out. These are my current favorite bronzers. 

NARS 'Laguna' Bronzer: oldie but a goodie

Too Faced 'Sun Bunny' Bronzer: two shades, you decide.

NYC Smooth Skin 'Sunny' Bronzer: a Benefit Hoola dupe for $2.99

Revlon 'Bronze Glow' Highlight palette: bronzer-highlighter-blush. all in one.

Because it is summertime, it seems as if all my favorite YT beauty guru's have been mad talking about all of their favorite bronzers as well. While I need to finish up the ones I currently am using, I can't help but have my eye on a few. Here are the others I am lusting after.

Becca Shadow & Light Bronzer

It Cosmetics CC + Radiance Ombre Bronzer

Have you tried any of these bronzers? What are your go-to's in the summertime? Let me know if you have any recommendations!

XO, Carrie

Trending Now: Dry Brushing

It seems as if each month, there is a new trend in the beauty world. Often times, these trends claim to promote wild results that almost seem too good to be true. Take oil pulling for example. This trend of swishing [coconut] oil in your mouth for 20 minutes a day claims to whiten teeth, draw out toxins from your body and much more. So, being the bandwagon jumper that I sometimes tend to be, I too tried this trend. Needless to say, I tried it only twice and thought it was bogus. Mostly because I couldn't handle the slimy texture and the tropical taste in my mouth. So that was the end of that.

This trend that I have been hearing so much about seems a bit more legit though. Dry brushing. Heard of it? The idea is to brush your skin with a natural fiber brush before you get in the shower, once a day. The key is to always brush towards your heart (or towards areas of lymph nodes, I've read both). Upward motions on your legs; downward motions on your chest. Dry brushing claims to: remove dead skin, restore radiance, boost skin elasticity, stimulate circulation, eliminate toxins, and overtime, help reduce and smooth the appearance of cellulite. 

I've heard FullyRaw Kristina, Brianna Stanko, Lisa Duncan etc. all talk about this on their YT channels. And they all have beautiful skin! 

Check out this video for a great demo and more information!

You can find these brushes at health food stores and in the health and beauty section of most drugstores. Will you be jumping on the dry brushing bandwagon?

XO, Carrie

Splurge vs. Save: Part 1

When it comes to the world of makeup, it can be difficult to know where to put your money. Yes, you can find products from all categories at the drugstore, but there are some things the drugstore options just can't compete with. So today I am going to break down where I think someone should splurge and where they should save. 

PRIMER: SPLURGE

Depending on your skins need, a great primer, that works as it should, may be hard to find at the drugstore. There are some options that are designed to fill lines and smooth pores, but outside of that, I haven't seen much that help with oil control and other targeted issues. [However, if you don't have special needs, this step can be skipped. Use a great moisturizer before your foundation instead.]

FOUNDATION: BOTH

This one is tough, so I chose both. There are amazing drugstore and high end foundations. Think Covergirl 3-in-1 and then think Chanel Perfection Lumiere. Both equally great products. This is completely your choice and preference. 

CONCEALER: SAVE

Even though I am a diehard MAC Prolongwear concealer user, when I am in a pinch, nothing is easier to use than the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser to cover dark under eye circles. This is a great product that I think most women would love. 

MASCARA: SAVE

Ok, so this is an easy one. Most people know that there are killer mascaras sold at the drugstore. Between the Covergirl Lash blast and the Loreal Voluminous Full Definition, there isn't much reason to go hunting any further. 

BLUSH: SPLURGE

Depending on how many blushes you would like to have in your collection, I personally feel the best quality and color selection of blushes come from higher end brands. (NARS for example.) Blushes last a long time and some shades can be worn with all makeup looks. [If you are on a tight budget, check out Milani and Maybelline.]

Look for Part 2 coming soon! 

XO, Carrie

May Favorites

Hello everyone! Today I am bringing you my beauty related favorites from the month of May. Is it just me, or did this month fly by extremely fast?! I can't hardly believe it is already June, but I sure am loving summer! This month I have fallen in love with some products that have been in my collection for a while now (with the exception of a few things). As I am spending the majority of my summer back home, I found it most feasible to only bring a selection of my makeup, rather than everything. Because let's be real, do I actually need to travel around with all of that?.... No. So I forced myself to bring some things I haven't used very much, and am so happy I did. 

The Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation has quickly become a favorite. Quite honestly, I think it might rank right up at the top. I have seen this foundation all over YouTube. It's talked highly about by Casey Holmes, Amanda Ensing, etc. So, being the makeup lover that I am, I had to get my hands on a sample. (My Sephora doesn't carry the brand, but most department stores do!) Of course, it lives up to the hype. It claims to be a "15-hour flawless foundation that stays looking fresh and natural through heat, humidity, and nonstop activity". While I can't attest that it stays completely put for the entire 15 hours, it's got to be close. I apply this foundation with a Beauty Blender and am currently using the shade 2N1. 

MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder is something I purchased to replace my MAC MSF that recently ran out. While I loved the MSF (in medium plus), I wanted something that was a little better for touch ups...aka something that had a tiiiiiiny bit more coverage for on the go, or for when I am wearing slim to no makeup. It is such a creamy powder that leaves a really nice & smooth finish. I highly recommend you check this out! (I know Jaclyn Hill loves to use this in a dark shade for contour/bronzer!)

The Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder was a go-to this month. Such a go-to that I am now down to the last bit of it. I will definitely be picking up another one! I use this powder to set my under eye concealer. It leaves a very smooth and radiant finish, unlike any other powder I have tried. 

Primers are a crucial step for a gal with oily skin, especially in the heat of summer! Lately, I have been really loving the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. This is one of the few primers that I have tried that noticably increases the longevity of my foundation and helps keep me matte longer throughout the day. It also helps reduce the appearance of pores, which makes this product all the more perfect. 

Rimmel is a great brand if you are looking for some super affordable products. While not everything in their line may be amazing, a select few are comparable to high end quality. One product I have been loving in particular as of late is the Rimmel ScandalEYES eyeshadow paint in the shade Peachy Apricot. To me, this is perfect kind of eyeshadow to keep in your bag if you are going to the beach. First of all, you don't need an eyeshadow primer, because this stuff is like glue. Secondly, you don't need a ton of other eyeshadow colors to blend it out and make it look right. Blend this in with a finger all over your lid and you are good to go! Can we say bronze goddess? ;)

I've been crazy about the Dior Addict lip glow this past month. This is one of those lip balms that adjusts to your "perfect color" after being applied. It has a nice silky texture, and creates the perfect pink pout. On top of that, it has SPF 10. Very summer appropriate. 

Last but not least, I thought I would include my new cosmetic bag that I picked up from the Vera Bradley store. I had been looking for a bag that was more functional for travel. I needed something that stored as much or as little makeup as I wanted to bring, including other toiletries. This Grand Cosmetic bag in the Blue Bayou print fits my hair brush, makeup brushes, shampoo, and so much more! (I am not always fond of the loud VB prints, but I am a sucker for royal blue and fell for the floral pattern.)

So that's it! Those are my most favorite products from the month of May. I hope that you enjoyed reading about what I have been loving. I would love to hear what you have been crazy for too! :)


XO, Carrie