Showing posts with label Make Up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Make Up. Show all posts

5 Favorite Beauty Products









I get a lot of questions about my head. Specifically my skin, hair, and makeup! So I wanted to share a few of my favorites in the various departments, with this post focusing on just a few of my longtime favorite beauty products. Some of these I've been using religiously for years, and some are newer things that I wonder how I ever lived without. Let me know what's on your tried and true list, too!


I've never been a big hair product user, other than hairspray. I'll try things, but not commit because they don't seem to work with the various straight/curled/blown/etc. hairstyles that I might rotate through. I started using this texturizing spray a few weeks ago when I cut my hair. It smells great, but also gives my thick but fine hair some texture that works with however I want to style it. I love how much body it gives to my waves especially! 

I spray it on my hair when damp, and then blow or air dry. If I curl my hair with my curling iron, I'll spray a little more on my roots to give my hair some life, and a little on the curls before softening the curls with my hands for a looser look.


I've always struggled with cystic acne. It's the worst. It's painful, under the skin, and produces huge bumps. Because it's subcutaneous, the only thing that will really help control the cysts is oral medication, which I've been taking for years. I have found that this Maria Badescu drying lotion formula helps zap regular pimples overnight, and is the only topical thing I've tried that keeps the cysts minimal and speeds up the healing process. Also, as someone who is allergic to a lot of acne products due to the benzoyl peroxide, this is a favorite since it doesn't include that ingredient!

I realized too, that in high school I was totally drying my skin out thinking the oil was causing the break out. While the drying lotion is wonderful in small doses, overall I've begun to super moisturize my face and have seen wonderful results. I love Burt's Bees Intense Hydration cream cleanser {with natural probiotics to help kill bacteria on your face!}, followed by an apricot scrub, and then a moisturizer for the right balance for my face.


At night is when I apply any wrinkle creams or additional products. I usually feel like they're too greasy to apply in the morning before putting on my make up. After showering and washing my face, I've started apply two different Avon products. One is the Anew Clinical Line Eraser with Retinol. Amazing stuff. I'm actually out of it at the moment, but am ordering again. This is by far the best early-stage wrinkle product I've tried. After putting it on the very first night, I noticed that the fine lines around my mouth were totally gone. It was amazing. My mom has had great experience with it too, and as far as wrinkle creams go, this is one of the most affordable options!

With the line eraser, I like to use this Vitamin C serum. It has helped smooth and brighten my skin like nothing else! It feels so rich, and a little goes a very long way. This serum also helps protect your skin from sun damage and pollutants in the air! You can purchase both directly through me {and ship straight to your door!} by clicking the links above or by shopping at https://piperellice.avonrepresentative.com/


This Tresseme hair spray is my absolute favorite. The level four is the best one for my hair: holds things in place without being crunchy or totally frozen. It smells good, is inexpensive, and works in high humidity which is a must for me in South Georgia! 


Queen Helene products were a surprising find for me back in high school. My grandmother introduced me to the cocoa butter lotion that moisturizes my skin but absorbs extremely quickly. I used to not like wearing lotion in the summer because it felt so hot and sticky, but I love how this formula doesn't feel that way. Plus the scent is pleasant but doesn't distract from my perfume.

I enjoy doing a face mask about once a week. It keeps my pores tightened and my skin clear. It's also a little relaxing time that I enjoy! This mint julep masque is bright green, which was hilarious the first time the husband saw it on me! But my favorite part is how minty and tingly it feels on my skin. Sometimes I'll do this masque followed by the skin tightening mud masque a few days later. This is a great drugstore line overall!
 
Have you used any of these products?

Bridal Portraits 2




 After weeks of anticipation, we should be getting our wedding pictures back this week and our video in the weeks following--I can't wait! I'm ready to see how the whole day came together, and see all my friends and family who came to celebrate.

I'm also a little anxious...all those months of planning, and it comes down to just this one day! All the prep, and I can hardly remember what I, or what any of it looked like. So today I thought I'd share just a few more of my faves from my bridal portrait session before the wedding. It's rainy and humid here {thanks to the second tropical storm in as many weeks}, so hopefully this will brighten up your day, too!

Also, be sure to head over to Facebook to like my photographer's page: Ari Merritt Photography, especially if you're in the Savannah area!







Fun Spring Finds




Shorts | Necklace | Lipstick | Jack Rogers
Tote | T-shirt | Ruffle Top

It's almost springtime, yay! Spring is by far my favorite season...sorry, fall...ushering in warmth, cleanliness, and longer days. This spring also ushers in a lot of fun trips like a girls' weekend in Florida, and our honeymoon, which calls for cute summery 'play clothes.' 

It's finally getting warm enough for shorts, and I love these by crown & ivy at Belk. They're not only perfect pastel colors, but also a great length. The eyelet scalloped ones are cute too, and add great texture to a simple shorts and t-shirt springtime outfit. Spice things up with some fun tassel jewels, which are super trendy this year! 

One of my favorite accessories in life is lipstick. A bright, popping pink is something I adore for spring. Milani brand Color Statement lipstick can be found at your local CVS, and is only $6! This color is called Power Pink which I love. 

Gold has becomemy go-to accessory color, and I love both these gold, glittery Jack Rogers jelly sandals, and this monogram tote. I think a few of my bridesmaids are even getting some of these sandals to wear to the wedding--they're so cute, and fun for any summer occasion, and won't break the bank at only $50! The tote is one I stumbled upon when looking for a beach bag/purse combo for our honeymoon: something big enough to carry my camera, book, towel, etc., while still looking cute. This bag is a great option!

I never feel like I have enough tops in my life. Pants, skirts, and dresses--yes. Tops--nope. These Lilly Pulitzer t-shirts are great for warmer weather. They're cute with shorts, but work well for transitioning with jeans and a cardigan, too. And that ruffled chambray Mudpie top? Too cute! I've scooped up a bunch of Mudpie pieces this year for my trips, this top and their white scalloped shorts included. I think it'll be the perfect outfit for our "I Do, BBQ" couples shower in April! 

P.S. Time changes this weekend, and I cannot wait. 

My Go-To Bronzer




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Multiple times over the last two weeks, I've had friends asking for bronzer recommendations. With spring approaching, everyone is trying to get a little faux-glow on! In the summer, I like to use e.l.f. blush and bronzer combos that have a hint of shimmer which is fun. But for everyday, I have recently fallen in love with this NYX contour palette.

With eight shades of bronzers and highlighters {and only one with shimmer!} this is a great palette for every day use. The darker shades are easily build-able, but a little goes a long way. I purchased this set in December, and can hardly tell I've used any product at all! 

I like to use the darker shades to carve out sharper cheekbones, along the sides of my nose to help visually straighten it, and along my hair and jaw lines to warm up my face. The yellowish shade I use underneath my eyes after applying concealer to help it set and smooth out dark circles, and the lighter shades I use on my T-zone. A touch of shimmer on the eyes, cheek bones, and tip of the nose, and you're done!  

Essie Giveaway




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Have you entered the Essie giveaway? They're giving one lucky lady a chance to win 100 of their most popular shades! Who doesn't need 100 different colors of top quality nail polish? Head over to Essie now to enter, one time per day while the contest lasts.

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e.l.f. Beauty Buys




When I was in the fourth grade, lip gloss became a "thing." Like, a really, big, super important thing. And I loved it. I loved it so much, that I began to hoard it, and line it up meticulously on my dresser in long rows to display my prizes. I even got a lip gloss making kit for Christmas that year. It's pretty obvious, I was... #addicted.

My mother had a rule that I wasn't allowed to wear make-up until I was 13. This was a great point of conflict in our lives as I was always trying to get around that little rule. But from the day I turned 13, and for the rest of my life, I will always love make-up. Especially lip gloss. But anyways...

I'm pretty set in stone on some things, like I always use Maybelline Super Stay Foundation, Loreal Volumnious Mascara, and Milani eye liner. But I like to try things out in the other areas. Urban Decay Naked pallets are wonderful, but it's pretty much all too expensive for me to commit to full time. So when I discovered e.l.f. at Target {and now at Kmart, some Walgreens, and a few grocery stores}, I fell in love. They have two main price points--$1 items, and $3 items. Some really fancy stuff is $6. And they have fantastic gift sets around Christmastime, which is like my favorite thing ever.

These are some of the products I'm using, and love...

e.l.f. Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer, $6 
This stuff is the best! It smooths out wrinkles and pores, moisturizes amazingly, and fights oil. I love the way my skin feels after putting this on before my foundation. After checking out the website, I discovered there are more colors than the clear one I've been getting from Target: Tone Adjusting Green, Brightening Lavender, and Radiant Glow! I wonder if I put them all on at the same time if I would have Barbie skin.




e.l.f. Studio Tone Correcting Powder, $3
I've been using the e.l.f. HD Translucent Powder for a few months now with good results, but this powder is great! I apply with my e.l.f. Kabuki Brush after my foundation, and it blends and corrects color so well! I used to use a colored loose powder on top of my foundation, but began to feel like it was looking really heavy and diminishing my skin's natural glow. This 4 color pressed powder goes on translucent so you don't even feel like you're adding another layer to your face.



e.l.f. Studio Kabuki Face Brush, $6
Just go ahead and buy the $30 11-piece brush set. But if you already have some brushes you love, this is a great addition to your collect. I love the e.l.f. brushes because they are so soft! And they won't leave a single strand on your face like cheaply-made brushes will. This one is great for blending powders.






e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set, $3
I've never used a setting spray before, but had seen some pins on Pinterest about a few different ones but they seemed kind of expensive. Now that I've used this one, I'm wondering how I went so long without it! I have really long eyelashes, and my mascara {even waterproof} always leaves shadows under my eyes as the day wears on. With this spray, that isn't happening! Its light and refreshing, and can be used to refresh your look throughout the day too. I also think it adds to that dewy, youthful look everyone wants. It's like hairspray for your face!



*I have not been compensated in any way for this review, all opinions are my own. Pictures from eyeslipsface.com*

Stocking Stuffers




I absolutely love going through my stocking on Christmas morning! We always go through them after the presents are done, sometimes even after breakfast, and it's a great way to round out the morning's festivities. Some of the goodies in the stocking have even been wrapped like little mini presents, which adds to the fun! These are a few stocking stuffers I've seen while out and about this year, and hope to find in my own:

Make Up Gift Sets--in my opinion, you cannot go wrong with this.
I love e.l.f. (most things are only $1!), and they have great gift sets
around Christmas. Check out Target for the best selection--this 14
piece nail polish set is only $10!
{They have brush sets, eyeshadow sets, and of course LIP GLOSS sets!}


Raspberry Sticks...yum. These have been in my stocking for as long as
I can remember. And I am obsessed. Must be careful or I'll eat the whole box!


I am really not a big fan of the Beibs, but I am of his "Girlfriend" perfume!
It's really sweet and warm, so a little definitely goes a long way. It
reminds me of Vera Wang "Princess," but I like this price a little better.
Justin Beiber "Girlfriend" Eau de Parfum, 1 oz.

My mother is not a Katy Perry fan, and I'm not normally one either
{so this may shock her} but I absolutely love this album!
So many great songs! She is really very talented, and I have to have this one!
Katy Perry "Prism", Deluxe Edition 

I have been a lip gloss junkie my entire life. In 4th grade, I collected so many,
they covered the entire top of my dresser. So when I stumbled upon this most
perfect gloss in the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette last year, I had to find out more.
This gloss tingles, and plumps and comes in amazing non-sticky colors! This color,
Wallflower, is a great creamy nude-pink for every day. Not available at Ulta,
so order here: Lip Junkie Lip Gloss.