January Beauty Wishlist

Hello Lovelies!

I've been trying to come up with some new blog post ideas and I know that I really want to add in some more beauty related posts. So I think I want to start doing a monthly beauty wishlist. I want to share with you some of the new products that I'm loving and lusting over!

So here's what I'm loving this month!

Brazilian Bum Bum Set

I actually tested the moisturizer last month while I was in Sephora and I can't quit thinking about it! It smelled so GOOD and a little goes a long way, I could smell it on the back of my hand for hours! I like this little set because it has a lip balm and my lips are always chapped no matter what. I'm definitely ordering this next payday if I have enough money!

Benefit POREfessional Face Primer

While we were in Ulta my best friend showed me this and I tested it on the back of my hand and fell in love! It's so soft and I really wanna buy some and see how it does with my foundation! If I don't like it I'll give her the rest. I've only tried a face primer once before, but it was a drugstore primer and it failed to impress.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

This is one of those palettes where I thought it was pretty online, but when I saw it in store I fell in love. I have a birthday coming up, so one can dream, and I'm dreaming of this palette!

tarte Rainforest of the Sea Palette

I love a good neutral palette and the colors in this one are so pretty and it looks like it would be easy to travel with.

tarte PRO Glow Highlight & Contour Palette

I really need to invest in more face products, I don't own any highlight or contour products, but I really want to learn. I feel like the colors in this palette would be perfect for me!

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask

I've actually tried a sample of this mask and I love it. I do think the name is a little misleading though, because if you wanted to you could use this as a normal moisturizer. I even wore this under makeup and loved the way it felt. I definitely want to buy the full size because during the winter my combo/oily skin tends to get dry on my upper cheeks.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Palette

The only Too Faced product I've used is their mascara, I haven't tried any off their eye-shadows, but this one is really pretty.

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium

I have a sample of this and I'm in love!

What's on your beauty wishlist? Anything you think I would like? What products do you recommend for contouring beginners?

Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

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Winter Essentials

Hello lovelies,

I had been planning on doing this post last month during Blogmas, but it just didn't feel right cause it wasn't that cold. Honestly, I feel like November was colder than December here in Kentucky! 

However, that has definitely changed, the new year brought with it bone chilling winds and freezing temperatures! Last week my moms car wouldn't even run, my uncle had to take her to work because everything had froze up in the car!

Now I love Winter, but even I gotta admit that these temperatures are a little too much. Today I thought that I would share with you a few of my essential items for the winter months!

So here's my must haves for winter!

OGX Extra Strength Moroccan Argan Penetrating Oil $7.99

I've been using this oil for about two years and I can honestly stay that it's one of my top 3 products. Recently I've been blow drying my hair more than usual so my hair has been getting dry, last week I popped this on and now my hair is feeling soft again. I go in phases with this oil, sometimes I use it all the time and sometimes I go months without using it, but I always go back to it and I would highly recommend it!

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream $5.29

This is my favorite lotion in the world! I have eczema on my hands, I deal with it year-round, but it gets worse during the winter. I started using this lotion a few years ago and I love it! It also works great on chapped lips!

My advice is that you shop around for this, the price at Ulta is $5.29, but I can buy it at my local Walmart for $2.98, so just be careful about where you buy it from. Sometimes if I feel like I need something more I'll add some hydro-cortisone cream to it and it keeps my hands from getting worse.

EOS Lip Balm $3.49

I don't notice a huge difference with this lip balm, but I do like it and I usually alternate between this and the Nivea Milk & Honey.

Fingerless Gloves $12.00

I couldn't live without my gloves during the winter, my hands are always cold, so I always have a pair of gloves in my bag or in my coat pocket. I really love fingerless gloves because they protect my hands from the cold wind, but I can still do everyday tasks without having to take them off.

Infinity Scarfs $36.00

I LOVE my infinity scarfs, they're so cozy and warm! This year I've completely fallen in love with scarfs, I used to hate them, but now I love them!

So, there's my Winter Essentials! What are your winter essentials? Do you have any recommendations? If so, leave them below in the comments, I would love to hear from you!

XoXo,

Lori

Holiday Beauty Wishlist

Hey y'all, with the holidays just around the corner, it's time to start making our wishlists and deciding what we want. Usually every year when someone asks me what I want I always say, "I don't know". The truth is it doesn't take much to make me happy, you could buy me a jar of pickles and I would love you forever, or even a pair of fuzzy socks!

Instead of saying "I  don't know what I want" this year, I decided to make a wishlist that way when people start asking I actually have an answer!

It Cosmetics Limited Edition Holiday Naturally Pretty Celebration Matte Palette $42.00
This eyeshadow palette is #1 on my Christmas wishlist, I LOVE it! I'm not a fan of shimmer or glitter nail polished, so I really love that this palette has all matte colors!

Clinique Wear Everywhere Neutrals All About Shadow 8-Pan Palette $36.00
I'm kind of conflicted on this one, I love the colors in this Clinique Greys Palette, but two of the colors are a soft shimmer and two are a super shimmer, I love the matte colors, I'm just not sure if I really want it or not.

Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection $36.00
If I had to choose between the Clnique palette and this Too Faced palette I would probably choose the Too Faced. It still has shimmery colors, but the colors are in a color palette I could wear everyday, so I think I would get more use out of it.

Mario Badescu Special Mask for Oily Skin $18.00
Recently my skin has been going crazy, I don't know what's going on, but it's out of control. I have super sensitive oily skin so it's hard to find products that I'm not allergic to. Because my skin is so sensitive I don't even own any facial masks. I've been wanting to try one and I found this one by Mario Badescu for oily skin, it's supposed to prevent pimples and blackheads, and control build-up and surface oils.
 I think I'm going to buy this. If you've tried it please let me know below if I should buy it, I would really appreciate your feedback!

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Luxembourg $25.00
I actually don't own any red lipstick, I usually just wear lipbalm so I don't have many lip products. A few months ago Taylor Swift mentioned that this is the lipstick she uses, I love this color and I love the way it looks, I'm really interested in buying it, Taylor also mentioned Dragon Girl, it's a little brighter so I'm not too sure about it, but I really do love the Luxembourg.

Essie Nail Polish in Power Clutch $8.50
I really love the color of this nail polish, it's in the color Power Clutch and it's a cream formula

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 $36.00
I'm also looking for a new Foundation/BB Cream, I'm taking my Senior pictures soon and I want something to cover the redness on my cheeks. I like that this one has a higher SPF, but that could also be a problem if my photographer uses a flash!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 $36.00
I first heard about this product from my favorite YouTube Beauty guru, MakupByTiffanyD, I've watched her videos for years and she's never steered me wrong, so after I saw her Review and Demo of this foundation I knew I wanted to try it, she also tried their powder foundation, but I don't think I want to try the powder.
I still haven't decided if I'm buying the foundation or the BB Cream, but I would love to have your opinion on it!

Renee Roulea Bio Calm Repair Masque $52.00
Renee Roulea first came to my attention when I was about 13, I sometimes get cystic acne and Renee has an Anti-Cysts Treatment product that is apparently the best damn thing in the world. At the time I was 13 and couldn't justify spending $41.50 for 15ml, now that I'm 17 I probably would, but I don't really get cysts that often anymore, so thankfully I no longer need it.

Renee is also well known for her celebrity clients, including Demi Lovato!

However, as I mentioned above my skin has been going crazy lately and I'm in the market for a new face mask, I saw this Bio Calm Repair Masque on Renee's website and now I'm struggling not to pull out my bank card and buy it. On top of being a face mask, it can also be used to heal burns and post-workout redness, pluss they don't test on animals, this product sounds amazing and I really want to get my hands on it. IF Santa brought it to me I'd never complain ever again!

Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask $3.99
Again, like I've said above twice already my skin is going crazy and I need some new products. I think I'm going to start with this mask and see how it goes from there. This mask has a lot of amazing reviews and it's less than $5.00!

If you have any recommendations based on the above items that you think I would like please let me know, I love finding new beauty items. See anything you like? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Beauty Products to Try

I've heard great things about these products and I hope to try them all eventually!

1. Renee Rouleau Aloe Cleansing Milk

I first seen this in a interview a few years ago where Renee talked about Demi Lovato using this and ever since then I've wanted to try it.

2. Renee Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment

I discovered this a few years ago while reading an article about cystic acne and I've been dying to try it. Then a few months ago, Renee did another interview about Demi where she mentioned that this is another product that Demi uses to keep her skin clear!

3. Butter London Nail Foundation Flawless Basecoat

I haven't looked into this as much as the other products, but from the reviews I've read this seems to be a really good product.

4. Clinique 'Acne Solutions' Oil-Control Mask

I've been considering buying this recently because as the weather has warmed up I've been having a lot of breakouts and my face has been getting oily more quickly. 

5.Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment

I have super dry lips so I'm constantly trying new lip products, I haven't tried this yet, but as soon as I find a job and have money to splurge I'm definitely going to try it!

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Beauty New Years Resolutions Tag

   Todays post is this tag I found online and thought I'd use it, I think it's very fitting for this time of year, plus I've been trying to do a TAG once a month.


1. What is a technique you've improved on during the past year?
  - Using eyeliner pencils, and I also learned how to tightline my upper waterline.


2. What was your overall most used makeup product last year? 
 -  My Wet N' Wild Palette in C246 Greed.


3. What brand would you like to try in this year?
 - I would really like to buy some new makeup brushes, and I've been looking in to the Real Techniques brush sets. I've seen so many good reviews and tutorials using them, so I think I'm going to buy some soon.

4. Are there any products you'd like to use up this year?
- My lip balms, I have four on my nightstand and two or three in my handbag. I also need to use up my lotions, I have four sitting on my nightstand at the moment.

5. Favorite Winter makeup and outfit?
 - For makeup its the same year round, eyeliner, mascara, and a neutral color on my eyes. My daily winter outfit consists of dark colored jeans, boots, a black or white tank top, and a cardigan.

6. What is one bad makeup habit that you want to break this year?
 - I really need to wash my makeup brushed more often.

7. Favorite clothing to keep warm in the winter.
 - Boots and lots of layers, usually a tank, cardigan, and coat.

8.  A fellow blogger you've been loving?
 - I absolutely love Tiffany over at Makeup by TiffanyD , I've been following her for about five years.

9. What activity are you going to start this year?
 - More exercise, I started exercising more towards the end of 2013, but I need to step it up if I'm going to meet my weight loss goal by the end of the year.

10. Describe the year 2013 in 3 words.
 - Crazy, eye-opening, life-changing. (Does that count as 3?)


   So like always you are all welcome to join in on this TAG, leave your links below so I can see your answers. I also would like to TAG Lauren over at A Touch of Southern Grace .
                                                                  Stay Creative,
                                                                                   Lori Ann

The Skincare Tag!

      I was recently reading a few different blogs and I came across the Skincare Tag.
   No one has tagged me but I thought I would do it for fun, and because I'm into my making sure my skin is taken care of.

Describe your Skincare Routine in 5 words?
- Diligent, gentle, important, easy, simple.

What's your Skin type?

- I have Combination/ Oily skin, sometimes I'll get break outs, but not often.

What's your favorite Skincare product?

- I love my Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser.

What's your Top Blemish Zapper?

-Toothpaste, it works!

Face Wipes? Yes or No? 

- Yes, I love to use the Neutrogena Make-Up remover wipes, and also the Simple cleansing wipes.

Toner? Yes or No?

- No, I've never used or owned a toner, I don't really see the need for it.


High End Skincare or High end Makeup? 

- I usually stick to drugstore products for both skincare, and make-up. But I do love my Clinique cleanser, and I really love their make-up, I'm planning to splurge next month on a foundation, and maybe some mascara too!

What's the most unusual Skincare product you've tried?

- Toothpaste on pimples, is probably the only thing I've ever done. Once I used Olive Oil on my hands for my eczema, I didn't like it so I stopped using it.

You're in a french Pharmacy & you can only pick 1 item, what would you choose?

- Perfume, I don't own any, so it would be nice to own one.

Top Skincare Tips?

- Always take off your make-up before bed.
  - Don't pick at pimples, I know it's hard, but don't.
    -Never tan, it will age you and can cause skin cancer.
     - See a dermatologist once every year to check for skin cancer.

I tag all of you, don't forget to leave a link in the comments so I can see yours too!  I also want to Tag the lovely Dany over at Bluebells & Owls .

    So that's all for today,  let me know what you think in the comment section.
                                                        Stay Creative,
                                                                         Lori Ann
      

Hair Care Tips and Advice

     Hello there, so a few weeks ago we talked about Skin Care, and this week we're gonna talk about Hair Care. Hair is the only thing that we Women hate, and despise, but also love, that wont ruin our body's. We love it on our heads and hate it everywhere else.

    The biggest misconception women have about their hair is that they can make it grow longer, faster. You can't, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we just can't. Just like it's in our genes on how tall we're gonna be, it's also in our genes on how fast our hair grows. We can't change it, not yet anyway.

     Our hair isn't living, it's dead. The only part that could even be considered living is what's directly attached to our scalp. But once it leaves the scalp it's dead. 

Today I want to give a little advice on Hair Care, share some of my secrets to getting long hair, tell you what products I use, and also a major don't in my book.

1. Don't Get It Cut every 6-8 Weeks- This is the number one thing I've never understood. But in a way I sort of do, hair stylists know that we want our hair to grow fast, so they say to come every 6-8 weeks to get more business. Get It? They only say that cause they know you'll listen, and it means more money for them.

The reasoning behind this theory of mine. Our hair only grows 1/4 an inch a month, your basically going every month and a half. Most hair stylists nowadays don't now the difference between a trim, and an inch. Therefore, it's going to take you much longer for you to actually grow your hair out. I have hair nearly to my bum, and I use to only go every 6 months, this year I've went every 3-6 months.

2. Use Very Little Heat- Or if you do use heat, use a heat spray. I use either Got 2 B Guardian Angel Flat Iron Balm or the Aussie Heat Spray (Not sure of the name). They're both affordable, and work great, the Got 2 B smells amazing, and leaves your hair really shiny. I have naturally really straight hair, so I usually only use a straightener when i'm having a bad hair day, or want it to be even straighter. I also occasionally use a hair dryer, but not very often, maybe 1-2x a month.

3.Diet/Exercise- While you can't make your hair grow faster, you can make it grow healthier. Diet and exercise are very important in your hairs health. Your diet insures you get the right nutrients for strong healthy hair, and exercise helps your scalp/skin rid itself of toxins.

4.Don't Stress- This ties into number 3, when your stressed you don't eat and exercise right. And when you don't get proper diet nutrients, or exercise, your hormones get out of wack. By controlling your stress, you can help control you hormones.

Some say scalp massages help, whether or not they do I have no idea

5.Time- It takes time, just like it took time for you to grow, it takes your hair time too. It's taken me 3 years, and my hair has just now got close to my bum. You have to give your body a chance to produce the hormones, especially if your stressed or your diet/exercise is poor.

So there you go, my 5 tips and my advice for growing your hair stronger. Let me know what you think, and if there's anything you want me to write about, I'm open to ideas. Well that's all for today, have a productive week and a safe weekend.

 xoxo,

 Lori 

    

Skincare Routine

   Hello there, so It's time for my newest post, today it's gonna be about my skincare routine, I'm gonna tell you all about all the products I use and some tips I have. I have a post coming up soon, probably tomorrow where I talk a little about my skincare routine, but I decided I wanted to go a little more into detail.
                                                                Face Skincare
    Okay, So I have really oily skin, mainly on my T-Zone, and over the years I've tried a numerous amount of products trying to find something to help cure my acne. I've had acne since the third grade, so I finally got committed to finding the right product, it was trial and error for a long time, but finally last fall I found the right combination.
     Clinique. Yes I know Clinique products are quite expensive, but they really do work, I use the Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser (Here) and the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (Here)
     So now you know what I use for my face, I also want to point out that with the cleanser before I wash it off I have an exfoliating face pad ($2.00) that I use everyday. I use to use a Clinique scrub once a week, it was the 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula (Here) , I just haven't repurchased, cause the one I had was a sample. Also I would just like to point out that their sample's last a really long time, I think all of mine lasted for three months.
    And here comes the unusual part about my skincare routine, I only wash my face once a day (night). But you have oily skin? I know, I have no idea how it's possible, but for me it works. The only time I wash my face of a morning is when I wear foundation, and the last time I wore foundation was in March for my birthday. Sometimes when I wanna wear a moisturizer/sunscreen during the day, I'll wet my face scrubber or just wet my face then dry it, before I apply the moisturizer.
 
                                                          Body Skincare
     Okay for my body I don't really do much, since I have really sensitive skin it's hard to find products to use. For body wash I use Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, and as a lotion I use baby lotion.
      I have eczema on my hands, and I've tried everything to get rid of it, but nothing works, and I've had an allergic reaction to many lotions I've tried. So far I've only found three that I'm not allergic to.

1. Johnson's Baby Lotion
2. Nivea Cream lotion
3. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

   For number one, duh, who hasn't used it, it's amazing, especially for those with very sensitive skin. For number two, I've used for about two years, but since it's really thick I can only use at night, but it's still amazing, and helped relieve my skin. For number three, I'm in love and I've found the most amazing product in the world.
     If they ever discontinue this product I think I just might cry.. The Neutorgena hand cream has been a life saver, and not just for my hands, but also lips, knees, and elbows, the bottle says it can also be used on the face, but I'm a little skeptical about trying that.

      Now that's all I use, other than my makeup, but I'll probably do a post about my most used beauty products eventually. So have you used any of these products? And do you have any product  recommendations for  people with sensitive skin? If so leave a response in the comments or, tweet or email me.
                                                                                    Stay Creative,
                                                                                                 Lori Ann

Contact me: 

                     E-mail: loriboyd15@gmail.com

                     Twitter:@LoriAnnBoyd