Category Archives: Beauty

New Lemonade Nails

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New Lemonade Nails

Hellooooooo! At the beginning of August, I went to my stomping grounds of Elysian Nails for a bit of pampering. My claws were looking jank and they needed filled, cut down, and sharpened desperately. I was also looking forward to changing the color to give one final hurrah to the warm weather before fall begins – it will be here before we know it! Take a look at my New Lemonade Nails and let’s discuss:

lemonade

I have a punk themed OOTD shoot planned and I loved the idea of bright yellow nails along with the red plaid of the blazer that I’ll be sporting. So, the traffic light yellow was an absolute must. And, on my way to the salon as I pondered what color to get the accent nail, I thought some flamingo pink for a lemonade theme would be adorable. As the cogs started turning, I decided that getting the reverse of the colors on each hand would be even MORE adorable and the rest is history.

Are these nails punk? Lol, not in the slightest. But, damnit, are they cute. The bright colors and the unexpectedness of each hand being different gives me an instant confidence boost and my nail tech definitely did me right. These are the perfect lounge by the pool with a fruity drink in hand nails and they just might be my favorite yet!

What color of nail polish do you have on right now? What is the craziest color that you ever experimented with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Eco-Friendly Beauty: Saving The Environment By Upgrading Your Routine

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Eco-Friendly Beauty: Saving The Environment By Upgrading Your Routine

Beauty comes in different forms and can be seen in various places, and appreciating it means that you should be aware of these shapes and sources. One of these is the environment that we all live in and live with. This is not just something that we can take a look at and admire, but this is also where we get important materials we need to make the products that we use to improve our appearances. Sometimes, we abuse nature in our pursuit of beauty, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

Pick Eco-Friendly Products:

A beauty regimen is not without your trusted products, but this is often where the problem lies, environment-wise. Many commercial brands use chemicals that may be okay for your skin or hair, but can be harmful when they reach the soil and water and the rest of nature. You can do your part in helping the environment by being selective with your beauty products. Find brands that use mostly natural and eco-friendly ingredients and don’t harm animals during production. For example, if your scalp is less than healthy, there is the herbal shampoo for hair loss available in the Philippines. There are also soaps and cosmetics that use natural essences to beautify your body.

Live Healthily:

Looks don’t just depend on the products that you use. The various rituals and procedures that you do are also important, and this is not just limited to how you put on your makeup. When you adopt a healthy lifestyle and habits, you improve your appearance as well. Instead of just putting moisturizer on your skin, keep yourself hydrated, and drink enough water. Make sure that you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and exercise, which will definitely help you achieve a better body overall, both physically and emotionally.

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Support From the Kitchen:

You might be thinking that eco-friendly products are going to cost you a lot more than the conventional ones. They might, but the extra you pay for is small compared to the good that it will do for your body and the environment. In case you’re in a financial pinch, you can go the DIY route and whip up some treatments from the natural ingredients that you have in your own kitchen and pantry. There are plenty of recipes that you can find online. In fact, even if you do buy some products, you can use some of these in conjunction with them.

These are but a few of the simple upgrades that you can apply to your everyday beauty regimen. And even if they’re small changes, they can make a bigger positive impact on the environment than you think!

July 2019 Finishes

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July 2019 Finishes

Hellooo everyone! July wraps up today and that means it’s time to go over the products I finished up this month. Aside from a body wash that I’m not too crazy about, I enjoyed two new moisturizers that I would definitely recommend to all of you, so take a look at some pics and let’s get started:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Solimo body wash: Solimo is Amazon’s brand of bath and body care and it works well enough, it’s just not my favorite because it’s kind of boring. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Shea Butter & Oatmeal scent as much as the next gal, but I’ve been using the same body wash for three or so months now, so I’m pretty over it. However, this product lathers well, smells good, and lasted me over a month for one bottle so it’s not like I hated it – just ready for something new!

Drunk Elephant cream: I chose a Drunk Elephant cream and cleanser as my Sephora birthday gift this year and I absolutely loved this cream. A small amount of it really went a long way and the small tester size lasted me about a week and a half. The cream was rich without being too thick and left my skin feeling so hydrated and protected. It also sat well under makeup, which is a big plus in the summer time.

SkinLab cream: When it comes to moisturizers, the gel kind is my favorite. Using this SkinLab cream was a treat and one jar lasted me well over one month. The aqua bomb like burst of moisture felt invigorating after my morning shower and it was so light, which I love in the summer, because sometimes the cream based moisturizers make my face sweat. Although I loved the Drunk Elephant cream, the SkinLab one is definitely my favorite and I highly recommend it.

July was a really good month for empties for me, because I used up a product that I was eager to finish and got to enjoy two moisturizers that were so lush and effective. Looking forward to seeing what finishes August will bring me!

Which products did you use up this month? What were your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder Review

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AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder Review

Greetings! During my last Sephora haul, one of the two free samples I chose with my order was the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder. Woo, that is a mouthful! I tested this product out a few days ago and I’m not sure how to feel about it. Of course, it’s always nice to try something new. But, just one tester sample isn’t exactly enough to give you a full idea of how the product works. We’ll get into that further in a sec but, first, take a look at some pics:

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My impression from reading the reviews for the peel on Sephora’s website is that it is viewed as a miracle product by its users. The reviews boasted of how well it exfoliates and that after using it, their skin was perfect. But, I have a hard time seeing how that was possible during my tester run with the powder to foam product.

After adding a few drops of water to the powder seen above, any attempt at “lathering” it onto my skin was in vain because it dried almost instantly. While some reviewers said that the peel tightened their pores, my skin was only left feeling dry and dehydrated. The name of this AmorePacific peel is all very confusing because the reviewers claim that it’s an exfoliater and not a peel. Meanwhile, I didn’t think it was much of anything!

If you have the option to sample this product with your online Sephora purchase, I wouldn’t recommend it. This exfoliater/peel/whatever it is is something that needs to be used several times before you can form an opinion on it and the amount that I was given really wasn’t enough to do anything for me. And, maybe this product is a holy grail one – but, I just wasn’t seeing it.

Has anyone used the AmorePacific peel before? What were your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jouer Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Rose Gold

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Jouer Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Rose Gold

Hi! Today, we are going to take a look at the swatch for Jouer’s Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Rose Gold. I have not tried this product on yet and, frankly, I am a bit nervous to because the reviews for it on Sephora’s website were abysmal at best. However, I think that the color is gorgeous and I’m hoping that I won’t hate it as much as everyone else does when I get around to using it, lol. Take a look:

jouerjouer1jouer2

The main complaint with this lippie among the reviews is that it is dry as the Sahara Desert and, even just from having it on my hand, I agree. It dried in the ten seconds it took me to take the pictures and it was about a bitch to take off. I had to scrub fairly roughly with water and then micellar water to get it completely removed. So, imagine having to do that on the sensitive skin on your lips. No thanks.

It’s too bad, because I like the color a lot and it’s disappointing to get something that might suck. But, at the end of the day, I got the sample size FO FREE so it’s not like any harm was done. I just wish those product reviews were up before I chose this as a freebie!

Has anyone tried this lippie by Jouer before? What are your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Clinique Almost Lipstick Swatch In Black Honey

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Clinique Almost Lipstick Swatch In Black Honey

Helloooo everyone and welcome to a new post where we will be swatching Clinique’s “Almost Lipstick” in Black Honey. I got this lippie FO FREE with my Beauty Insider points from Sephora and I like it well enough but I do feel like the name is super misleading. My dumbass, who didn’t read what the product was like, assumed that it would be more of a cream based lippie judging by the pictures. However, it feels and looks very glossy. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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So, I guess the buzz on this product is that it fuses with your natural lip color to create a shade that is unique just for you. Did I really notice anything that special about it? No. But, that’s not to say that I didn’t like the color because I did. I was surprised at how light such a dark shade appeared on me and I thought the glossy, plum shade looked nice.

Do I think that a large sized tube of the Almost Lipstick is worth twenty dollars for what’s basically a lip gloss? Not at all and if I didn’t get it for free with my points, I would never consider purchasing it. I’m a little disappointed with this product. I don’t know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn’t the results I had. Maybe I just feel that way a bit more because I normally really like all of the Clinique goodies that I have tried so this one feels very lackluster.

But, in conclusion, save your money for something more worth it because a tinted lip balm is not worth twenty dolla holla. #notimpressed

What are your thoughts on the Clinique Almost Lipstick? What is your favorite Clinique product? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Things To Keep In Mind For Easy Scalp Care

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Things To Keep In Mind For Easy Scalp Care

Some people are very conscious about hair care. They make sure that their hair is shiny, fragrant, and clean. However, some of these people are not too keen on taking care of their scalp. They think that scalp is just skin under the hair. While it is true, you must realize that the scalp is very sensitive skin. And dealing with sensitive skin should be handled with utmost care. You might not have realized it, but you have taken your scalp for granted. You think that it takes care of itself. It still needs your help, though. And that help should not just be another attempt to remove the flakes or your refusal to shampoo.

It is a tricky thing to do, especially if it is your first time to focus on scalp care. There are a lot of ways that will make it simple though and you’d be surprised by how easy some of these measures are. If you are looking for such methods, you are reading the right article! Here are some of the pointers that you should keep in mind:

Keep it moist:

You do not want your facial skin to dry out and you should have the same goal for your scalp. When your scalp gets dry, that’s the time when dandruff will appear. Instead of blow-drying your hair regularly, you may want to skip it and let your wet hair dry naturally. When your scalp gets in contact with heat, it will get dry. Love hot showers? You may want to rinse your scalp with lukewarm or cold water and don’t forget to use a natural anti-dandruff shampoo.

Exfoliate your scalp:

Exfoliate? You may find it quite ludicrous, as you know that exfoliation is often done for legs and arms. However, you can exfoliate your scalp to remove impurities and dead skin cells (namely dandruff). Your scalp, just like the skin in other parts of your body, has pores. And these pores also get clogged, a dilemma that you should address ASAP. You may choose to shampoo your scalp problems away, but you can always go for home remedies by using mixtures of baking soda, tea tree oil, and in some cases, brown sugar.

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Reduce the use of chemical products:

You are very expressive of yourself when you use hair dyes to color your hair. You go to the salon to get a perm. Or you are fond of using hair-styling products, such as gels and waxes. But you may want to limit your use. These hair products contain chemicals that can irritate your scalp. They may cause your scalp to dry, resulting in dandruff. Items, such as waxes and gels, actually trap dust and grime, thus making your scalp dirty – yuck.

Maintain a balanced diet:

Food may be the last thing that you will consider as far as scalp care is concerned. But remember, the scalp is a type of skin. And you need to keep it healthy by giving it proper nourishment. Eat food that is rich in protein, zinc, iron, and Vitamin B for a healthier scalp.

Your scalp is a sensitive type of skin. And it needs proper care. Leaving it bare and unprotected exposes it to certain agents and fungi that may cause it harm. You may even experience excessive dandruff, which is something that you definitely do not want. If symptoms persist, make sure you seek the help of a dermatologist.

Sephora Haul

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Sephora Haul

Helloooo everyone! I promise you I’m done shopping for a while, just kidding I will never be done shopping so I have a Sephora Haul to share with all of you! This needed to happen, though, because I can’t live without my leave in conditioner by IGK and I was almost out. So, I stocked up by getting two bottles of that and a bunch of free goodies. Make sure to check in tomorrow and the following day for swatches of the lip colors by Clinique and Jouer!

haul

The Haul:

  • Two IGK Mistress hydrating hair balms
  • Jouer lip creme in Rose Gold (FREE!)
  • Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey (FREE!)
  • Belif The true cream aqua bomb sample (FREE!)
  • AmorePacific enzyme peel sample (FREE!)

When it comes to shopping Sephora, I always try and get the most bang for my buck. And, although the IGK product I got is expensive, I got all kinds of free goodies and free shipping to make up for it. I can’t wait to show you guys swatches of the new lip colors because they are GORGEOUS. I am especially obsessed with the metallic Jouer lip creme in Rose Gold – you guys are going to love it!

I am also always up for aqua bomb style moisturizers so I will be looking forward to giving the sample by Belif a go. But, I am most curious about the enzyme peel by AmorePacific. So, be on the lookout for my post on giving that a try and we’ll figure out just what the heck it is together. 😀

How do you score the best deals at Sephora? Which stores offer the best online deals? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Walgreens Haul

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Walgreens Haul

Howdy! When it comes to my hair, we all know that Lil Red doesn’t mess around. I dye my hair every month on the dot and I follow a strict no wash policy to keep the red fresh to death until the next hair dye sesh. Now, I used to have no problem purchasing my hair dye (Vidal Sassoon’s Runway Red from the London Luxe collection) in stores, however, as the years have gone on it is a rarity for me to see it available for purchase in person. And, because of this, the prices for the dye online skyrocketed – they are at least thirty bucks a pop on Amazon and that is so not okay with me.

I check on the Walgreens website fairly frequently to see if they ever reup their supply because sometimes I get lucky. And, a week or so ago, I hit the jackpot. My beloved dye was available, I had a twenty percent off promo code, and free shipping so I was just like “let me get a year’s supply” lol and what you are about to see is nothing short of a miracle:

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It’s… it’s just beautiful.

I am SO happy to have gotten a year’s worth of my hair dye because now I literally don’t have to worry about it until August of 2020. Once I saw that Walgreens had my Vidal Sassoon available, I jumped at the opportunity and a year’s worth of my box color costed about what I would have paid for one month of getting it done at the salon. You just can’t beat that. And, because I dye my hair at home, it saves me money for treats like getting my nails done and buying ALL THE SHOES!

So, muchos gracias to Walgreens for pulling through in the clutch and providing Lil Red with the tools to keep her namesake going strong for another year. I LOVE YOU. ❤

Which beauty products do you like to stock up on? How do you save money when it comes to your beauty routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Clip Clip Hurray!

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Clip Clip Hurray!

Helloooo! I recently discovered the alt clothing site, Dolls Kill, and that is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I had an amazing shoe and accessory haul recently. But, a curse that I didn’t know about the website sooner! Also a blessing because not knowing about the site has certainly saved me money throughout the years. But, a curse too, because the good lord knows I know about it now and all of you will too! Oh what a tangled web we weave.

Did you get all that? lol!

Anywhooo, I have become OBSESSED with hair clips these past few weeks. And, I know exactly what did it. I don’t know if ya’ll have seen this picture of Aubrey Plaza at the premiere for Child’s Play but peep those barrette babies:

LA Premiere of "Child's Play", Los Angeles, USA - 19 Jun 2019

So. Cute.

I saw this picture on Facebook and was instantly in love with the hair clip paying homage to horror films. And, in the comments one of the people said that the website, Dolls Kill, had similar barrettes. So, naturally, I had to cruise on over to the site because Lil Red never says no to online shopping!

Not only did I buy two new gorgeous pairs of shoes, which you guys will see this week on “If The Shoe Fits”, but I also got ALL the hair clips. Take a look:

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Now that my hair is finally getting longer, I just want to play with it! But, unfortunately for me, I suck eggs at doing my hair if I’m not straightening it. So, that’s where these darling new clips come in. Literally all you have to do is is pull back your hair Aubrey Plaza style, clip, and repeat for a cool and edgy look that’s so simple even I can do it.

I will admit, that the clips I purchased looked a whole lot bigger on Dolls Kill’s website than they do in real life and that was disappointing. But these sassy little babies still pack a punch and I’m excited to use them. I can’t say that I would purchase hair accessories from their site again because the difference in size was so great. However, their footwear rocks and I would definitely shop Dolls Kill again for more shoes that I don’t need, for sure.

Who has shopped Dolls Kill before and what were your thoughts? Where can you buy the cutest hair accessories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah