I’ve been pretty busy this month which makes it hard to post looks on Instagram so I feel like I’ve been MIA on there! I need to make more time to get looks up because I love to play around with new techniques. On my own time I’ve been doing a little makeup and have some beauty, skincare, and other random favorites to share with you.
Double Dip Shimmer Method / I saw Kelsey Kinsman do this trick- she dips into a mid tone shimmer like Makeup Geek Grandstand then into a lighter shimmer like Looxi Crush. Dipping back and forth builds the lighter and darker shimmer into basically a multifaceted color that gives a lot of dimension to color you’re applying in just one step. I’ve been loving this and it has made me more excited about mixing colors that haven’t been getting love for awhile because they were a darker shimmer than I tend to go for. Kelsey Kinsman is a makeup artist that I love getting inspiration from- her makeup style is gorgeous. Check out her work on the models for shophopes.com.
Nars Radiant Longwear / I bought this foundation a few months ago and have been loving it. It is my first experience with a Nars foundation so I did not know what to expect. This wears very well over a long period of time and gives a nice medium coverage that can be built up. One drawback is that it doesn’t hide my large pores, but that’s not an easy task with my skin. I have been really liking it and can definitely see myself repurchasing. I use the color Vanuatu Medium 3.5.
Light color center of lid / Lately when I do eyeshadow I haven’t been loving how shimmers look on me unless they’re a light gold, pink, or basically white. I think it could just be liking a brightened look when I’m feeling dull maybe? If my makeup looks lackluster I just pop my highlighter that I’m applying that day on my inner corner and bring it onto my lid as well. My favorite palette to do this with is the Nicole Glow Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills.
Sonia Kashuk Quick Clean Makeup Brush Spray / I wanted to try this out to spot clean brushes while I was doing makeup for a wedding at the beginning of the month. This stuff is amazing and works so well. The first time I tried it I grabbed a brush that I didn’t think was dirty and it brought the bristles from tan to white. I highly recommend it for cleaning your brushes between eyeshadow colors or if you just want a quick color change.
Sonia Kashuk Makeup Organizer Bag / My old makeup bag was from the Target x Lilly Pulitzer line… so not my style and a really loud color scheme. I decided to treat myself to a new bag after seeing this one at Target. The Sonia Kashuk line has extremely practical makeup bags. This one in particular has clear bags that can pop out and it has multiple compartments to keep everything organized.
Essie For The Twill of It / This green, purple, and grey shifting polish always mesmerizes me when I wear it. I love the oil slick effect and find myself literally staring at my fingers when I have applied it. It is durable for about a week when I wear it with my favorite top coat, Essie Gel Couture Platinum.
Olay Manuka Honey Body Wash / My quest for a body wash has ended. This is thee best smelling wash I have ever found! Some said it was similiar to the Brazilian Bum Bum scent by Sol De Janeiro. While it’s not quite the same, it’s in that caramelly delicious family. Go give it a smell next time you get the chance. I found it at Target and am definitely getting a back up next time I’m there. I have been taking this out of my gym bag when I shower at home and using it over my Lush scents that I keep in the home shower. It’s from the Olay Ribbons line so it comes out like a lotion that really moisturizes and gently lathers up a little. I’m obsessed if you can’t already tell.
Panoxyl 10% Face Wash / Thank you Khloe Kardashian for posting this face wash in a photo early this year. My boyfriend and I have both agreed that this majorly helps prevent acne with the high concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide. I like to apply it on my face and leave it on like a quick mask while I shave and shower the rest of my bod. It is drying though, so make sure to moisturize thoroughly after washing it off. It would work well as a spot treatment to fight zits as well.
Loving Tan / Ulta started carrying Loving Tan so I picked up a bottle of both the 2 Hr Dark and the regular Ultra Dark. Buying this through the Loving Tan website was a bit of a hassle so I appreciate having it available at Ulta. This gives a beautiful color, but it doesn’t fade out particularly well on me compared to Fake Bake Flawless. I still love it but wanted to share that because I often hear Youtubers saying this one is the only tan worth getting. There are pros and cons!
Bare Minerals Bare Pro Concealer / This creamy stick concealer is an under the radar holy grail product. I don’t see many people talking about it! I had wanted to get the Nars Soft Matte concealer that comes in a little pot until I saw this one. I definitely prefer the stick application over sticking my finger into a pot and the consistency is thick but not in a bad way. It blends out best with my fingers I’ve found and gives a nice matte full coverage finish.
Pret- a- Powder Dry Shampoo / I mentioned my love for this product in my last post about packing for a trip. It is the best dry shampoo I’ve ever used and doesn’t leave any residue in my hair. You only need a bit so the bottle lasts ages.
Time Revolution Moist Treatment / SKII has been on my radar for awhile now but I’m a cheap skate when it comes to most skincare. I decided to try the K-beauty dupe and see how it went. First of all it comes in a gorgeous glass bottle oval cylinder bottle that makes me feel fancy when I use it. It’s an essence that you apply after cleansing so it gives back some moisture to your face right away. Here is an article that goes more into how it works. My skin has been feeling great *knock on wood* but I haven’t been using it long enough to talk about concrete results.
Non Beauty
Etsy Rings / It’s been awhile since I had rings that I could wear daily that I didn’t feel annoyed by. These are super dainty and haven’t tarnishes since I bought them in March. I haven’t taken them off since the day I got them in the mail! They are adorable and I’ll be making another purchase from this Etsy seller because of the quick shipping and great quality.
Coconut Cookies / I can’t stop making these coconut cookies lately and giving them out to everyone I know. They are so easy and since they don’t have gluten I like to tell myself they’re healthy even though they have plenty of sugar. Recipe:
5 cups sweetened coconut flakes
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of chocolate or vanilla chips
1 splash of vanilla extract.
Combine in a bowl, use a spoon to make small cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 9-10 minutes at 350. Try not to eat them all in one sitting.
Natural Calm / I’ve heard about Natural Calm as a relaxing supplement and finally decided to give it a try. I’m someone who loves the taste of alka seltzer, Emergen C, or anything fizzy water related. This has that same fizzy quality and helps me go to sleep. I have to take it RIGHT before I go to bed though rather than an hour or so below or it actually energizes me.
Select CBD Lavender / I’ve been using CBD for a few years now and finally found a way to take it more easily than dabbing oil. I was partially skeptical about ordering it online so I contacted the company to find out where the product was sourced. They said it was primarily from Oregon and Colorado so I gave it a shot. These drops are tasteless but smell like lavender. I take four on a spoon twice a day. CBD has helped me so much to relax, slow down my brain, and helps me focus while lifting my mood.
Water Chugging / My appetite has been so bad lately (not a new thing development for me) and I’m overeating so often that I’m trying to drink water to make sure that I’m not just thirsty. It’s kind of a fun game that I like to do to drink at least five 24 oz cups of water a day. I’m way better at drinking water when I’m at work than when I’m at home.
LOL Ron stahp
Jersey Shore Family Vacation / I don’t need to say much other than YES. For the past four years I’ve been rewatching the old seasons on Netflix just when I want to have something on in the background or while I eat dinner. So thankful for the reboot while I’m waiting for Bachelor to come back! I just wish Sammi was on this but kudos to her for moving past that phase in her life. Also props to Pauly for his huge success that he’s continued to have since the show ended. I’m hoping that somehow we end up seeing him in Vegas when I’m there this month. If you haven’t heard about the recent drama between Ronnie and his baby mama go check it out. 
Almost 30 Podcast Episode 111 / It’s a long title, but it starts with “Rethinking Clean,” and talks about natural cleaning and makeup products. The guests they had on taught me so much and made me want to switch over to natural products, which isn’t something I had ever considered really. Check this episode out! I’ve been browsing CredoBeauty.com ever since I heard about it. I’ll try to mention more of the podcasts I’ve been liking in my favorites because I’m addicted.
That’s it for now. 🙂
-Kim