Tag Archives: beauty

Oct27

NC Photography

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NC Photography

Howdy and welcome to the weekend! Thank you all so much for letting me dish about my family vacation to Hendersonville, North Carolina this past week. It has been so nice to relive such wonderful memories, even though they just happened, and I am already itching to travel off to somewhere new! Ah yes, the travel bug is strong since I took two trips this month but, for now, all I can do is reminisce with some final photos from vacation taken by my father who planned the entire trip! Take a look:

 

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For as long as I can remember, my dad has always found joy in planning family vacations. From Florida and Vermont to New Hampshire and North Carolina, my dad loves conducting research and will spend at least a year planning for a big summer or fall trip. It is simply the best and we are so thankful that he spends such extensive time making sure that our vacation is perfect. And, it really is a win win, because my dad enjoys it so much and we just get to sit back and experience the spoils. This year’s vacation was one of the best that we have had in a long time and I am so appreciative to my dad and family for making it all possible!

Where was your last family vaca? Where is your dream travel destination? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct25

Vacation Shopping… At TJMaxx ;)

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Vacation Shopping… At TJMaxx ;)

Lol, I know. I’m eyerolling at myself for this post, too. BUT, there was a TJMaxx sitting pretty on our way into town from our cabin in North Carolina and I couldn’t not stop in! But don’t worry, I only got two beauty products and one was a total steal so I just couldn’t help myself! Take a look:

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  • The Body Shop Satsuma scrub: $6
  • Garnier Micellar Water + face wash: $4

For ten bucks, I got two of my necessities that would have originally costed me around twenty-five dollars had I bought them in store. How could I possibly pass that up?! At Target, my micellar water comes close to eight dollars with tax for just the bottle. But, this find at TJ’s included a mini face wash, too. Granted, I’ve used it before and it wasn’t the best, but a face wash is a face wash and using the freebie saves me money and prolongs my preferred cleansers. I will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled at my local TJMaxx for more of the Garnier micellar water, because that was close to four dollars in savings, which is about one and a half gallons of gas in my tank.

I was also happy to find a Satsuma scrub from The Body Shop because, sadly, the TJMaxx that I live by has not had a lot of TBS goodies as of late. The scrubs are my favorite to use before shaving and it worked just right while tackling the Woolly Mammoth legs this week! 😉

Besides for my beauty steals, I was pretty unimpressed with the TJMaxx that I shopped at in Hendersonville. It was cramped, the aisle ways were small (Which made browsing through the racks difficult.), and the selection there was average at best. Of course, TJ’s giveth and TJ’s taketh away, so I could have just been there on an off week. It was fun to be at a TJMaxx in a different state, but I’ll be happy to shop at my local one again really soon!

What is your favorite thing to do on vacation? Where did you go on your last trip? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct20

NC Scenery

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NC Scenery

Hi everyone and happy weekend! For the past week, my family enjoyed a vacation in Hendersonville, North Carolina. A fun time was had by all and it was so nice to share in the beautiful scenery of the mountains with amazing company. On one of our excursions, we hiked at a trail called Catawba Falls and were treated to a glorious view of several smaller waterfalls flowing into each other at the top. We were also the recipients of some wildly muddy shoes and jeans compliments of Hurricane Michael! Take a look:

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A moderate hike on a good day, this trail was actually fairly difficult when we were there, because of the intense rain that North Carolina got the week before. So, the mostly upward trail was really muddy, which led to some slipping, sliding, and very dirty shoes! There is nothing better than being amongst nature and hearing the flowing water from the falls joining you with every step, though, and the mud and gunk was just a small price to pay for that.

After our hike, a cold treat was definitely in order and we stopped for a shaved ice at Pelican’s before heading back to our cabin. Try not to drool at all this deliciousness:

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With over one hundred flavors to choose from at Pelican’s, the possibilities were literally endless. And, unfortunately for me, every flavor sounded fantastic! So, I just had to pick one and go with it and went for French Vanilla Cola because after the hike, I wanted nothing more than an ice cold Diet Coke. The shaved ice was a fine substitute, but ordering a large size was a total mistake because of the classic case of “eyes being bigger than your stomach”. If you’re in the area and stop by Pelican’s, just know that you will be more than okay with the kiddie size! 😀

Where was the location of your last family vacation? What is your favorite hiking trail in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct19

Lil Red’s Adventures In Microblading

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Lil Red’s Adventures In Microblading

Hello! During a recent trip to Pittsburgh, I got to spend time with my super cool cousin, Laura, exploring the city, eating hella food, and having her microblade me! Laura is one of the pioneers in bringing microblading to Pittsburgh and owns her own studio, La Marie Brow Club, where she works her magic. Admittedly nervous, although I had absolutely no reason to be after the fact, I am now a walking testament to Laura’s work and am a firm believer in the power of microblading!

My nervousness definitely stemmed from the fact that I am a low key girl when it comes to my brows. I fill them in with an eighty-nine cent pencil annnnd that’s about it. Whenever I pluck them, I always end up overdoing it so, now, I just let them do their own thang. Have I wanted better brows? Sure. But, I’ve never been keen on constant waxing and maintenance and, at first, microblading sounded lightweight terrifying! But, now that I officially have amazing brows, I can’t believe that I didn’t do this sooner. Take a look at my before and after shots and, then, we’ll discuss everything further:

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As soon as we got to the salon, Laura immediately got to work preparing the space and explaining the first steps in the microblading process to me. First, we took some before pictures, which you can see above. And, then, Laura began to map out my brows according to my preferred side, which happens to be ol’ rightie. She used an eyebrow pencil to take measurements and used her makeup artist’s eye to create an outline that enhanced my right brow and made my left brow closely mimic its partner.

After a game plan was made special for my MUG, Laura applied a topical numbing agent to my brow area and we let it sit for twenty minutes before the microblading began. For those of you who aren’t hip, microblading is the manual process of implanting pigment into the upper region of our skin’s dermis in a way to mimic the appearance of natural hair. The blade that is used is dipped in pigment and each hair stroke is manually placed into the skin.

Once my brows were comfortably numb, Laura began the microblading festivities. The best way that I can describe the feeling of being microbladed is like getting papercuts on your eyebrows. Papercuts are a pain in the butt. But they are not unbearable and, although I could definitely feel some strokes more than others, the overall level of pain was extremely tolerable.

During a brief break after Laura’s first pass with my brows, a second numbing agent was applied to help ease any discomfort after wiping them down. Then, a second go was made for Laura to add the final touches and hair strokes to complete my beautiful new brows!

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^^^ Peep those results!

Spending time with Laura in her salon has been the highlight of my last few months and I cannot wait to come back to Pittsburgh in two months for her to touch my brows up. La Marie Brow Club provided a sterile and safe environment for me to get eyebrows perfectly customized for my face. Laura made me feel so comfortable and secure with all of the choices that we made together and she walked me through every step of the way with ease.

Watching my cousin display her amazing talents and doing a damn good job of it was so inspiring to me. Laura’s artistry involves immense skill and she was able to complete a task that looks dauntingly difficult with a smile on her face and well thought out answers to all of my questions. Saying I recommend Laura highly is an understatement, because she instilled a newfound confidence in me with her craft, and nothing can ever top that.

Take an inside look at Laura’s salon, located behind Lantern Rose tattoo shop!

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More about Laura:

Laura opened her business, La Marie Brow Club, in April of 2017 and received her certification in January of 2016. Not only does she offer microblading, but she also does upper lash line enhancement, freckles, beauty marks, and tooth gems (Which are so cute!). Laura has spent over ten years in the field as a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician, but enjoys doing eyebrows the most. When she is not booked at the salon, she loves spending time with her boyfriend, Victor, and beloved pets: Randy the cat and Lucille and Igor the Boston Terriers (And they are all so cute, too!).

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Interested in getting microbladed? You can reach Laura with the following:

Social Media Platforms

Thank you so much again to my beautiful and talented cousin for finessing my brows! Laura has the Lil Red Guarantee for fantastic results and service so, if you were at all on the fence about being microbladed like I was, trust in that and schedule an appointment today!

Do you have microbladed brows? How were your results? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct18

New Black & Orange Nails

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New Black & Orange Nails

Hiii! One thing that I am particularly proud of, is that I went from getting my nails done every three weeks like clockwork to every month or, sometimes, a little over a month. Cutting back over one week between fills saves me money and makes getting pampered all the more sweet. With Halloween right around the corner, I had to get a fun, slightly glittery orange as the accent nail on this most recent fill. Check it out:

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Spooky chic is the name of the game for all of October… and year round. But, especially October! So incorporating some jackolantern orange amidst the black nails and red crosses was an absolute must. This fill makes me feel so witchy and cool and my nails will be perfect for diving into a cauldron full of candy for the Halloween trick or treaters!

And, did I mention that at the new salon that I go to, LT Nails, I am saving about twenty-five dollars per fill?! Although I might not be getting the most extreme pampering experience there, that’s a gas tank and Starbucks coffee’s worth of extra cash in my pocket. Not bad at all!

How do you save money when it comes to your pampering routines? Do you do themed nails for particular holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct12

Bath & Body Works October Freebie

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Bath & Body Works October Freebie

Hi there! Just when I think that Bath & Body Works has finally caught onto my tricks of only coming in to cash in my freebie coupons, they send me another freebie coupon. Lol, it has been a while, but I stopped in earlier this week to pick up my free item, which happened to be really nice. Normally, they only offer a free travel sized shower gel or lotion but, this time, they offered a free hand cream with lots of scents to pick from. Check it out:

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During past trips to B&BW, I have been less than impressed with their packaging. What used to be vibrant and sweet turned minimal and blah, so it was nice to see that they went back to their roots with the imagery on this cream bottle. Perfectly purse sized, this cream is amazing for the on the go gal, especially since cold weather and cracked hands is fast approaching. The scent is delicious, too! Fizzy champagne with the bite of tart apples makes for a delightful autumn scent and also makes me thirsty for a glass of bubbly ASAFP!

What is your favorite fall scent? Which store offers the best freebies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct5

Blush, Baby – Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Swatch In Candy Coral

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Blush, Baby – Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Swatch In Candy Coral

HELLOOOOOOO! Having a sister is awesome because, other than having a built in BFF, you basically get to double your collection of makeup and clothing. Am I the best at sharing said makeup and clothing? Not always, but that’s neither here nor there. Whenever I’m not really using a product anymore, I always send it Kristen’s way and she does the same for me. Take the blush that you see below, for example. I gave it to Kristen and, probably one year later, she gave it back to me. So, now that it’s back in my possession, you can check out the swatch:

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My favorite non powder blush is definitely the Dream Bouncy collection by Maybelline. It’s creamy, goes on easily, and the pigments are always lovely. Shade 30, Candy Coral, is an underrated member of the Dream Bouncy crew, because it’s not the typical pink or brown blush. But, there’s nothing wrong with trying something a little different, especially when it’s so darn pretty!

Candy Coral is a good layering blush to make whatever shade you put over top of it really pop. It also is the perfect option for a no makeup makeup look if you rock it solo. It has just enough shine and oomph to it that it still takes a natural MOTD to next level fierce. Is this color absolutely necessary in your makeup arsenal? Perhaps not, but it is fun to have and it certainly brightens things up on a no makeup or full face day.

Do you use a cream or powder blush? What is your preferred blush color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep25

September 2018 Finishes

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September 2018 Finishes

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! With September nearing an end, it is time to discuss all of my empties from the past month. There are actually quite a few of them this time around, so let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water: YES
  • Kind Natured Shea & Macadamia scrub: NO
  • St. Ives Coconut & Coffee scrub: YES
  • The Body Shop Strawberry shower gel: YES
  • Garnier Micellar Foaming Gel Cleanser: NO
  • Aveeno Ultra Calming Gel Cleanser: NO
  • Vital C Vitamin C serum: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin E mask: YES

Why/Why Not?

Garnier Micellar Water: Although I am not the biggest fan of micellar water, I will say that it is much cheaper than eye makeup remover and, for that, I will continue to use it. At six dollars a bottle and about a month and a half of use per purchase, I feel like I am getting an excellent value for my money. The micellar water also makes a great toner and I like to clean my piercings with it, so I will definitely keep this product around.

Kind Natured Scrub: It’s funny, because I have never gotten a smoother shave than with this scrub. It also left my legs feeling amazingly soft without using any lotion. BUT, this product was so hard to squeeze out of the bottle. In fact, a lot of product is still in there, but I can’t get it out. So, it is not a good value, even though it worked well and I will not be using it again.

St. Ives Scrub: I loved using the St. Ives Coconut & Coffee scrub every morning! It smelled delicious, it was tough on blackheads, and it was totally invigorating. I got a little over a month’s use out of one four dollar bottle and I enjoyed using it daily.

TBS Shower Gel: I always like using shower gels from The Body Shop, because they lather so well. The insane amount of bubbles makes me feel extra clean and the strawberry scent is so sweet and yummy. I got a month and a half’s use out of this bottle and it was a Christmas gift, so I’m happy I finally got around to using it!

Garnier Gel Cleanser: This mini cleanser came for free with a purchase of a bottle of micellar water, and I was so not impressed. It didn’t remove my makeup whatsoever, it didn’t lather well, and my face felt tight after each use. I wouldn’t recommend this product and would never consider buying it in full size, no matter how good of a sale there is! 😡

Aveeno Gel Cleanser: I got this mini cleanser from a Walgreen’s freebie bag and enjoyed using it more than the Garnier cleanser. This cleanser removed my makeup well and it lathered nicely. But, a lot of cleansers do that and I can get one for a lot cheaper than Aveeno’s prices. So, it’s a no from me, dawg.

Vital C Serum: I love, love, love my Vitamin C serum! I put this on every morning before my eye cream and moisturizer and it feels divine. It absorbs quickly and sits well under my makeup, and I love knowing that I’m using a product that will keep my skin glowing. One bottle of serum costs me eight dollars and it takes me over two months to finish it. Much better than the double digit prices I was paying at The Body Shop for a similar product!

TBS Mask: I always enjoy using The Body Shop’s Vitamin E mask at night time, and was lucky enough to score it at TJMaxx for about five bucks. I get over twenty uses out of one jar and it always leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated, and peaches and cream perfection in the morning. Here’s to hoping that I can find another one on the cheap at TJs soon! 😀

Although there were some no go’s for me in this month’s empties, I am happy that I got to finish them up. It always feels good to use up a freebie or a gift to maximize savings in the beauty department. A worthwhile product or no, you can’t beat that!

Have you used any of the products listed above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep20

Five Winter Skin Care Hacks For 30-Somethings

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Five Winter Skin Care Hacks For 30-Somethings

If you would like to look just as good and radiant as you did in your 20s and during the summer, there are some changes to be made to your skin care routine when the cold weather strikes. Your body will need all the support it needs in the wind and rain, and you might need to add some healthy Vitamin D to your diet. Below, you will find a few tips on how to change your skin care for the winter if you are in your 30s:

1. Facial Scrubs

If you would like to keep your skin radiant in the winter, you can’t rely on the sunshine and the Vitamin D absorbed by your skin cells any more. To get rid of all of the dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin, you might want to try different natural facial scrubs that will gently exfoliate your skin and increase the circulation in your face, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

2. Steaming

We tend to spend more time indoors or in our car when the weather turns colder. And, just like being trapped in the house against the cold, your pores can get clogged with yucky bacteria. Visible pores can age you. Be sure to get a professional face steamer that will flush out bacteria and irritating residue from your skin. Don’t forget to close the pores using a natural toner.

3. Heavier Moisturizers

In the winter, you don’t need to worry about excessive sweating, therefore, you can use a heavier moisturizer. Make sure that you are choosing a brand that only contains natural ingredients, and you use a different cream for the day and night. You might want to try various brands before you decide which one works the best for you. You might also try to shop at Clarins Singapore with special offers today or get free samples until you find the right formula.

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4. Vitamin Masks

You are prepared for the cold by dressing according to the weather in style, but you also have to protect the skin that is not covered by clothes. Your hands and your face will show the signs of aging more if you don’t look after them during the winter. Make sure that you use vitamin masks and restore the healthy balance if your skin to keep it nice and supple.

5. Eye Serums

The sensitive skin around your eyes can suffer a lot during the winter. Be sure that you are treating that area to a heavy duty serum or cream to keep it hydrated. Essential oils and vitamin creams that you put on at night can transform your looks by the morning.

It is important to change your skin care routine and products when the cold weather strikes. Make sure that you consider your age, lifestyle, and the most important ingredients your body needs to stay healthy and radiant until the sun comes back and you can spend more time in the fresh air.

Featured Image By: PxHere

Sep19

TJMaxx Beauty Haul

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TJMaxx Beauty Haul

Hello everyone and happy Hump Day! I was so happy on Saturday, because my mom and I finally got to go to TJMaxx together after about TWO MONTHS of not going. With a scary long stay in the hospital last month and just getting back on her feet, sweet JANE was definitely not able to hit the shops like the good old days. But, that changed this Saturday and we had a wonderful little jaunt to our favorite store. I got a fabulous new fall and winter staple, which you’ll see tomorrow, and some new beauty finds. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • Unknown brand Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam: $4
  • Vital C Vitamin C Brightening Serum: $8
  • Alpine Silk Rosehip Day Cream: $7

Grand Total: $19

Whenever I am in need of new skin care products, I almost exclusively purchase from TJMaxx. This is so crazy to me, because less than a year ago, I was still ordering skin care from The Body Shop and spending a buttload on some of the same products that I can buy at TJs. Without a sale, the prices at TBS are even more than the nineteen bucks that I paid for three products, and that’s just shameful to me. Of course, I’ll utilize a good TBS sale every now and then, but TJMaxx is truly where it’s at for skin care and beauty products… and also everything else! 😀

One of the items that I’ve been buying for the better part of a year is the Vital C serum. I pay eight dollars for a bottle that lasts me two and a half months. Meanwhile, at TBS, their Vitamin C Skin Boost that I used to use costed thirty dollars a bottle! I finished up my Vital C on Sunday, so I was so happy that they had it in stock at TJs, because I don’t know what I would do without it. A little radiance goes a long way, and my skin care routine would be nothing without some Vitamin C.

I also purchased a new moisturizer from New Zealand, which will be nice to try out. Because I have a very normal skin type, I can get away with experimenting with new products. I have heard wonderful things about skin care with rosehip in it in the past, so I’m looking forward to giving it a go once I finish the moisturizer that I’m using now.

And, finally, for funsies I tried out a Korean cleanser, because I’ll be needing a new one soon. The TJMaxx that I was at had an entire section of Korean skin care and I decided to change things up by going with the Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam. Like I said, a little radiance goes a long way, so we’ll see how it works out!

I am really happy with the amount of products that I got for just under twenty dollars and am confident that I couldn’t get that value elsewhere. TJMaxx always does me right, and it was awesome to have a long awaited shopping trip with my mom! ❤

Who is a fan of Korean beauty products? What is one of your skin care staples? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah