Beauty Experiment: Does Lip Primer Make A Difference?

Last time I made an Hautelook order, I bought a few Laura Geller items, including Lip Spackle. Lip Spackle is a lip primer that you can use under lipstick or gloss to make it last longer. It prevents color from feathering and bleeding and it also keeps your lips soft and conditioned. This was the first lip primer I've ever used, so I decided to put it to the test and see if it does what it claims by doing a little experiment.

Rock Star Hair!

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When you're getting glammed up for a night out, your hairstyle is an extremely important part of the look. I wear my hair straight about 80% of the time when I'm going casual. So, when I want my hair to have rock star quality, I like to add volume and curl. I love big, loose waves.

My Trip to the Coast

My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! My dad's advice on making it that far? "Start early!" Haha. So, to celebrate this huge milestone in their marriage, Mark and I went along with them on a little trip to the coast. Our plan was to start in the Bay Area around San Francisco and head up to Fort Bragg with little stops along the way.

Birchbox vs. Ipsy (August)

Welcome to my monthly box battle between Birchbox and Ipsy! Each month I'll be comparing my two boxes to see which one is better. Both subscriptions are just $10/month, but they have a lot of differences. You can find a basic comparison of them here. 

Get a Beauty Box for FREE!

Beauty Box 5 has a great promotion going right now where you can get a FREE August box when you sign up for September's box!

Beauty Bundle Giveaway ($60 value)

It's giveaway time! I'm holding a special giveaway for my subscribers on YouTube. If you aren't already subscribed to my channel, then what are you waiting for?!

Beauty Box 5 - August

My August Beauty Box 5 is here and ready to be shared! Beauty Box 5 has become a great option for a good beauty subscription box. Lately, I've been impressed with the contents of my boxes and I look forward to getting them every month. Here's what came in my box this month....

Recent Beauty, Home, and Bikini Purchases

What's more fun than a haul?! Today, I'm sharing my recent purchases. I acquired stuff from RiteAid, Target, Victoria's Secret, Ulta, Home Goods, and Bath & Body Works.

My Perfume Display - Before & After

Ever since I redid my office with a new workspace and vanity, I've been wanting something to display my perfumes and fragrances. My perfume collection was just hanging in the corner of my desk. It didn't look bad, but I knew that was a better way to properly show them off.

Video: Recent Beauty Empties!

I posted a video on my most recent empty products. They were makeup, hair, skincare, and bath/body products that I've been using for the past several months. I also included a list of the products down below the video.

  Check out my YouTube channel!

Kiss Nail Strips - Hit or Miss?

Nail strips can be pretty awesome. They can include detailed designs and cool patterns that would be hard to achieve otherwise. Some strips are very easy to use, while others require a little more work. There are many qualities to consider when choosing nail strips. I like to use ones that fit my nails well, look great, apply easily, and last more than a few days. I just tried some nail strips from Kiss. Keep reading to find out if I thought they were a hit or a miss.

Ipsy Bag July 2014

We're at the end of July (that was quick!) and I haven't shared my Ipsy bag yet. I always love seeing what everyone gets in their bags.  I have mixed emotions about mine this month. Keep reading to see why.

My Nail Polish Storage + Video

You might've seen my post or video last year about my nail polish rack that I have hanging on my wall. Well, that one filled up pretty quick, and when I say quick, I mean I needed a second one before that one even came out of the box. I got a second rack not too long ago so my whole collection is now all together, hanging above my vanity. I filmed a little video and took some pictures to show you how it looks.

Beauty Box 5 - July 2014

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I've got my July Beauty Box 5 to show you today! This month's theme is "defining moments." I think this is one of the best boxes I've received so far. Keep reading to find out what I got. 

My Beauty Story - #ShareBeauty

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Becoming a beauty blogger and creator has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. It has given me the opportunity to connect with like-minded beauty lovers as well as help those in need of a little guidance in the beauty realm. People often wonder what sparked my decision to start this journey over 3 years ago. I'm going to share my story along with a cool contest from Regency Beauty and Refinery29.

7 Summer Beauty Essentials

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are my own. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

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What are your beauty must-haves for the Summer? There are a handful of products that I always reach for in my Summer beauty routine. I've compiled a list of 7 products that are great for the season and can be found at Walgreens.

Eyebrows: Before & After Filling Them In

Eyebrows are an important focus of my daily beauty routine. When filled in, they complete the whole face. If I didn't fill them in, something would just look off. Check out my before and after to see what I mean...

The Best Blemish Treatment Ever!

Aren't breakouts so annoying?! They just seem to spring up out of nowhere and take forever to go away.  Sometimes it's a challenge to make them disappear! Recently, I've discovered a product that work's amazingly well at shrinking blemishes overnight. Keep reading to find out what it is.

Eyeliner 101: The Basics

What kind of eyeliner do you use? Do you know about the different types that are available and how they wear? I'm going to share 4 basic types of eyeliner . Many of you makeup lovers know all about this, but this guide is meant for the beginners (or the less makeup-savvy). Use this guide to determine what kind of eyeliner is right for you!

Simple Red, White, and Blue Nails

We're just a few days away from Independence Day. I like to celebrate holidays on here with cute manis! This is the 4th of July mani I created last year, which is turning out to be pretty popular on Pinterest this year. Funny how that works. For this year's mani, I went with a very simple yet festive design.

Ipsy Glam Bag - June 2014

Purchased by me
This month marks a whole year that I've been an Ipsy subscriber! Wow, I didn't even realize I've been getting these bags that long. Will I stick around for another year? I guess we'll have to see!
The theme for June is Pretty in Paradise. I received 5 samples in my bag and 3 of them were full-sized!

BA★STAR Tropical Eye Shadow Palette + GIVEAWAY

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What's more fun than playing with colorful eyeshadow? When it comes to makeup, it doesn't get much better. Even though I wear a neutral eye for my daily makeup, I love creating a colorful eye look every now and then too. You have to step outside the box sometimes and live a little! I was able to try out the Tropical Eyeshadow Palette from BA STAR. Keep reading for my thoughts on the palette along with swatches, an eye look, and a giveaway (you can win this palette!).

Beauty Box 5 Giveaway Winners

If you entered my giveaway for a free introduction box from Beauty Box 5, you can check here to see if you've won. Four winners were chosen at random to receive a free box!



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Beauty Box 5 - June 2014 + GIVEAWAY

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It's time to take a peek at my Beauty Box 5 for June! Unfamiliar with Beauty Box 5? It's a monthly subscription service that delivers a box of cosmetic samples to your door for just $12/month. There's always a good range of products in each box and sometimes there are even full-sized products!

Haul: Recent Beauty Purchases

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Who doesn't love a good haul?? I always enjoy seeing what others are purchasing, especially when it comes to beauty products. Today, I have a haul of my recent beauty purchases to share!

Tag: This or That

I decided to do a tag video on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more fun videos. Become a subscriber!

Influenster Spring Voxbox

Every once in awhile, I get opportunities to receive a Voxbox from Influenster. Influenster is a community where you can share your opinions about products and experiences. The most active Influensters are invited to participate in Voxbox programs that allow them to test out products for free. I qualified for the Spring Voxbox.

Summer Essentials, Save the Undies & FREE SAMPLES

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Summer is here! Okay, maybe not officially as I'm writing this, but it has been over 100 degrees here in California. That's what I call Summer! For me, Summer is all about fun activities: boating, bbqs, pool time, little excursions, big trips, music, dancing, and the list could go on. Throughout all the events and activities, it's smart to be prepared. Yep, that even includes products to help Save the Undies during that time of the month. Let me show you what some of my summer essentials include....

Drugstore Finds: COVERGIRL Lip Perfection Lipcolor

Purchased by me
When it comes to lipstick, I like to try a lot of brands. Then, when I find a good formula or finish, I go back for more colors. I tried CoverGirl's Lip Perfection lipstick in Darling a couple years ago. It's still one of my favorite lipsticks. I always browse the shades when I'm at the store (there are so many!). So, last week, I decided to finally go back and buy a few. Keep reading for more info and swatches!

Drugstore Finds: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch

Purchased by me
I finished off my beloved IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye concealer (seriously love that concealer!). So, I needed a new one, but I was wanting to change it up and try one from the drugstore. I looked at a couple different concealers and finally decided on one.

Ipsy Glam Bag - May 2014

Purchased by me   Ready for this month's Ipsy goodness? This month's bag was given a theme of 'Fresh Picks'. I got a variety of products in my bag, including hair care, sun care, and makeup. I also got a bonus product that was redeemed with my ipsyPoints and also an extra that Ipsy threw in after giving me a repeat product in my last bag.

5 Easy DIY Hair Mask Recipes

 

Need some moisture and shine in your hair? I have five recipes for DIY hair masks to share today! I've tried each of these masks and they worked really well to deep condition my hair. The best part is how cheap they are to make. On top of that, they use ingredients you might already have in your kitchen!

Video: Haul - Crop Tops & Skirts + Try-on

I did some shopping recently, and I wanted to share what I got in a little haul video. I picked out some crop tops, skirts, and a cute strapless dress. Watch the video to see my new items!




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Skin Hydration with Dermalogica

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My skin has some serious dryness at times. I'm always on a search for products that will add some moisture and hydrate my thirsty skin. I was able to try a product from Dermalogica that helped immensely.

Beauty Box 5 - April 2014

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Once again, it's time to see what came in my Beauty Box 5 for May! I got 5 different products in this box, including an eyeliner, a face mask, a cleansing gel and more.

Popsugar Must Have Box

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We'll I'm a little late on posting this. It's the middle of May already and I'm showing you the April POPSUGAR Must Have box. I wanted to share it in April, but I didn't even know it had been delivered (FedEx is silly like that!).   I'm still excited to share my thoughts on the box though! Popsugar was nice enough to send a box for me to try out.

Styling with Kleenex

Sponsored   My boyfriend and I love to have guests at our place. Whether it's family or friends, we like good company. We never have overnight guests since our spare bedroom acts as our office, but that doesn't mean we should be any less prepared with essential items guests might need. With allergy season in full swing, tissues are necessary to have on hand. I've strategically placed boxes of Kleenex throughout our apartment, which has added a lot of style to those areas.

Mom's 8 Favorite Beauty Products

Mother's day is this weekend and I decided it would be a good idea to share some of my mom's favorite beauty products. Mama Peek & Ponder isn't quite as beauty crazed as me. She has her favorites that she sticks to (like glue), so that means they're really great products! Here are 8 beauty products she just can't live without...

Olie Rejuvenating Facial Oil

Today I have a facial oil to share with you. You're probably wondering, why would I want to put oil on my face?? This one has some hydrating and rejuvenating aspects that might be beneficial to your skin, so don't freak out just yet!

LA Event this Saturday for Beauty and Fashion Lovers!

If you're in the LA area and love fashion & beauty, you should check out this event held by Movimento-Streetwear and the Sunset Plaza Beauty Boutique! You even get some goodies to take home too.

Exscrub Me? Citrus Face Exfoliant from Beautisol

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I love a good facial scrub. Scrubs just have a way of getting the job done - my face feels great after using them.  This one from Beautisol is fantastic!

Perlier Royal Elixir Face Youth Serum Review

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Throughout the years, I've become more interested in skin care. I've tested a lot of products: from facial scrubs to at-home microdermabrasion tools. I'm still trying many new products because there are just so many out there! Every once in awhile I come across skin care products that are truly luxurious and worth the splurge. This serum is one of those.

Blast From the Past: Polly Pockets!

This weekend I was at my parent's house and I decided to look through some of my old toys. I came across my Barbies (all 21 of them plus a trunk of clothes and accessories), mini Furbies, porcelain dolls, and my whole Polly Pocket collection! I was obsessed with Polly Pockets. I could spend hours on my bedroom floor playing with them.

Makeup & Beauty Addicts Community!

 

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Ipsy Glam Bag - April 2014

Purchased by me

I love getting packages in the mail. Even when I know exactly what it is, I get all excited (except if it's something like a vacuum part - there's nothing exciting about that). That's why it's so much fun to get subscription boxes. You don't know what you're getting, unless you deliberately peek and spoil the surprise - I admit I do that sometimes!

Get on the List!

Guess what? I've finally set up a newsletter for my blog. I mean, I sort of had one or two going, but they weren't anything special. Now I've got a cute little newsletter that will be sent to your email every now and then with the latest posts from my blog. I'll also be including new and exciting updates about my blog and my life too. I might even add a few extras, like beauty news and tips.

Want to get on the list? Sign up below!

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Beauty Box 5 - April 2014

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As we're nearing the end of April (already?!), I have my Beauty Box 5 to share with you.  Whenever I have subscription boxes to blog about, I get a little excited. They're so much fun and I love to see what other people get in their boxes in comparison to mine.

NYC City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color Review

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I've become a major lip product junkie within the last few years. It wasn't always this way. My mom would always urge me to add some color to my lips, but I was too focused on playing up my eyes. Lips weren't a major deal for me. Blogging opened me up to a whole new world of lipsticks, glosses, balms, and colors.

Giveaway: $30 Amazon Gift Card

As I mentioned a couple times before, I'm in the running for Best Blogger in the Sacramento, CA area. I've dropped down to 6th place (not too bad considering how many bloggers have been nominated!), but I'd like to at least finish in the top 5. That would be truly amazing!  So I'm asking for your help...

How to: Pastel Easter Nails

It's funny, I've never done any sort of Easter nails for my blog before. Since I have acquired a handful of pastel shades in my polish collection, I thought this would be the perfect time to do at least one Easter mani!

Microdermabrasion at home with RejuvadermMD! + GIVEAWAY

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Ever had microdermabrasion treatments? I'm doing them at home with the RejuvadermMD and I'm loving it. Keep reading to find out more and learn how you can win one for yourself!