Happy Friday!
If you suffer from eczema, make sure you keep your skin topically hydrated to help soothe itchy flare ups.
Thanks for tuning in and I wish all of you a great weekend!
Stay hydrated and protected,
Stephanie
Summer Must Have: Eyes and Face!
Hi everyone!
Almost down to the last post of my series and so far we have covered skincare, lipcolors, blushes, nails and hair. Now, it’s time for the face and eyes. Take a peek at my picks in today’s quick read post!
Face
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Light-weight makeup is key for me in summer months and this is one fits the bill. This foundation provides enough coverage to conceal redness yet still allows skin to like skin. Another slightly less expensive option is Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup.
bareMinerals Ready Translucent Touch-Up Veil SPF 15
This is great for setting your makeup and helping to control shine. Bonus: it has SPF.
Eyes
Urban Decay Naked Palette
The original product that started it all, this palette has a great color selection and a variety of finishes that take you from workday neutrals to sultry bronze summer nights. My favorite picks: Half-Baked and Smog.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Back
Just as the name implies, this liquid eyeliner will last all day without creasing or transferring. Just a little primer underneath and you can create a thin or thick line thanks to the fine tip.
Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick in Witness White
An easy way to brighten your look, just pop this shade in the inner corners of your eyes and you’ll instantly look awake. You can also use this as a base to accentuate other eyeshadow shades.
Do you use any of these? What are your favorites?
Stephanie
Summer Must Have: Blushes!
Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope your weekend went well. 🙂
My ‘Summer Must Have’ series continues with a current obsession: blush!
Let’s dive right in.
Bobbi Brown Blush in Pretty Coral 31
Although I’m not sure why the word coral appears in the name of this blush-even the MUA was confused- this is such a nice pink color that goes perfectly over bronzer. Looks very natural on the skin and can be used as an everyday/work blush.
Burberry Beauty Light Glow Earthy Blush No. 07
A versatile product that can be used as a blush or contour shade. This taupe shade has an incredible smooth and buttery consistency and although there is no shimmer, it has a subtle ‘glowy’ look and is one of the products I reach for when I want the ‘no blush’ blush look.
Cargo Cosmetics Swimmables Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos
A generous sample that I received in my May Birchbox, this is what coral looks like to me. I can’t attest to the water resistant claim but I can say it is long-lasting and nicely pigmented. Blending is easy, I think this would look great on multiple skin tones and if this shade doesn’t scream summer, I don’t know what will.
YSL Creme de Blush No. 4 Audacious Orange
Despite the bright orange color, once blended in, this leaves behind a nice flushed look. Only very little is needed because it’s highly pigmented, it’s easy to work with and holds up in the summer heat. You can’t beat that.
*Note: As I write this, I just noticed that this isn’t readily available anymore but if you can find, I highly recommend it. A great and inexpensive alternative is the Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek blushes and my favorite shade is Trickery. You can read my review here.
Bottom to Top: Pretty Coral, Earthy Blush, Los Cabos, Audacious Orange
What are your favorite blushes?
Stephanie
Skin Tip: How to Layer Skincare Products!
Happy Friday everyone!
Can you believe I had a post every single day this week? I’m trying to squeeze as much as I can given my Summer Must Have series is taking up the majority of this month. I do hope you’re enjoying that so far. 🙂
On to my skin tip.
When layering skincare products the rule of thumb is to apply water to cream. For example, after cleansing you would apply your toner, followed by serums and lastly, your moisturizer. In the daytime, your moisturizer would go underneath sunscreen.
Thank you so much for tuning in this week!
Stay hydrated, cool and protected this weekend,
Stephanie
Summer Must Have: Hair Tips!
Hi readers! Continuing with my ‘Summer Must Have’ series is a post dedicated to maintaining healthy hair during the summer. I sat down with cosmetologist and personal friend Kathryn DiGioia, who owns DiGioia’s Beauty Studio along with makeup professional and twin sister Katelyn DiGioia, and asked her to share tips on how to keep your tresses and scalp in tip top shape amid your sun, chlorine and salt water filled days.
- Protect your hair against chlorine and salt water damage by wetting hair with cold water and conditioning before swimming (I’ve been loving Nelson J Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask)
- Color depositing shampoos help extend and refresh your hair color (Try Tressa Watercolors shampoo)
- Use a UV protection spray for your hair when you’re outside (Try products from It’s a 10)
- If you have thinning hair, make sure you apply SPF to your scalp and/or wear a hat
- Keep up with routine hair trims every 4-6 weeks
- Embrace your natural hair texture and use less heat. (Loose braids are a great alternative to give your hair a stylish and heat free finish-spritz Keratin Complex Texture Spray or Chi Silk Infusion before styling)
- Use gentle shampoos and and nourishing conditioners to help combat frizz (Recommended: Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner)
I hope you enjoyed these tips! Special thanks to Kathryn for answering my questions and be sure to check out DiGioia’s Beauty Studio for more information on their services and take a glance at their work by following them on Instagram.
See you tomorrow for my weekly skin tip!
Stephanie
PopSugar Must Have Unboxing July 2015!
Happy hump day everyone! July’s PopSugar Must Have box has arrived and if you haven’t heard of this it’s a monthly box whose items range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. Subscription plans start at $39.95, all items are full size and are valued at over $100. Curious to see what was included? Keep reading!
The inspiration behind this months box.
On to the box.
PopDental Portable Toothbrush, $19.99
A portable electric toothbrush that, “delivers 22,000 brush strokes per minute.” A great and practical item.
Henri Bendel Signature Stripe Canvas Dopp Kit, $28
A water-resistant, sturdy and stylish pouch to store all of your travel/on-the go necessities. Also included is a 20% coupon to use on the Henri Bendel website. Don’t mind if I do. 🙂
Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50, $28
Excited to try this skincare goody! It’s a mist that, “delivers SPF 50 protection, sets your morning makeup and controls oil and shine, giving your skin a flawless matte finish.” *Note: I’ll still recommend wearing your normal sunscreen underneath to ensure adequate protection.
Yes To Blueberries Cleansing Facial Wipes, $5.99
Great to have makeup wipes handy as prelude to help remove the day’s toll on your face.
The Good Bean Fruit & No-Nut Bar, Chocolate Berry, $1.99
A protein bar that has blueberries, cherries, dark chocolate chunks (yum!) and roasted chickpeas instead of nuts. “Lower in fat and calories, it’s entirely vegan, non-GMO, and gluten free.”
Hallmark Signature Greeting Cards, $14.97+
Considered a ‘special extra’, this set includes cards to cover any special occasion, whether it be a wedding, birthday or just because. Each are individually wrapped in plastic to keep them protected and they truly are beautiful. Below is the wedding one.
Sorial Card Case, $28
A chic alternative to a wallet that’s perfect for a night out, there’s, “plenty of space to hold your ID, credit cards and some cash.”
Overall, I am happy with the box as it has practical and travel friendly items. 🙂
What are your thoughts on the box?
Stephanie
Summer Must Have: Nail Colors with Guest Blogger Cos!
Hi Everyone!
The sweet and lovely Stephanie invited me over here today to share with you my 10 polish picks for this summer. I have to tell you Stephanie, I was so flattered to be included in your awesome summer picks series. Thank you!
If you read my blog, The World of Cos, you know, I have an obsession with periwinkle polish. Therefore, I tried my best when picking 10 polishes for summer 2015 to mix it up some and picture what colors I like to see the most in the summer. When I picture summer polishes I think neon’s, soft creams, and special effects.
Neon’s
I go a little crazy with neon polish on my toes in the summer and probably could do a whole post with 10+ neon polishes for summer, but for this post, I will stick with two neon polishes.
L to R: Funky Fingers Power Play, Zoya Ali
- Funky Fingers Power Play– This bright purple magenta polish looks like Zoya Charisma, but it is super affordable and dries glossy. This wearable neon is stylish.
- Zoya Ali– This hot pink polish is bright, beautiful, long-wearing, and has a lovely formula. Just picture polish on a girl wearing a swimsuit.
Creams
Creams are probably my favorite formula of polish since they are smooth and look so feminine. I chose four creams for summer.
L to R: OPI Alpine Snow, Nails Inc. Regents Place, Floss Gloss Wet, Essie Groove is In the Heart
- OPI Alpine Snow– This elegant white polish (though a tad thick) looks chic on the nails. White polish looks fabulous with floral and flowing summer dresses.
- Nails Inc. Regents Place– I had to include my perfect periwinkle. It is gorgeous and long-wearing. Just like Alpine Snow, this color is very wearable and looks cool and breezy on the nails.
- Floss Gloss Wet– This turquoise green polish is one of those rare wearable greens for me that I want to wear to the pool. It has enough blue in it to prevent me from looking overly yellow. I would have to test it, but I think it is a potential dupe for China Glaze Too Yacht to Handle with a better formula.
- Essie Groove is In the Heart– This peachy pink polish is included, because it is cute and girlie. This is a color I want to wear at a BBQ or picnic. I have to warn you even though this is part of the Essie 2015 Neon’s collection, but it is NOT neon.
Special Effects
Summer is the time to play with colors and special effect polishes look great in the sun. I went with four I think look good at any age.
L to R: KBShimmer What Are You Wading For?, Essie Muse Myself, Butter London Airy Fairy, KBShimmer Pigment of My Imagination
- KBShimmer What Are You Wading For?– This is a periwinkle linear holographic. A photo cannot capture the beauty of this polish in the sun. As you move your nails in the sunlight, you will see the colors of the rainbow on your nails. It is just mesmerizing.
- Essie Muse Myself– Summer equals fun in my mind. The Essie Silk Watercolors are definitely fun. I would pick all the non-white colors in that collection if I could. Since I am limited to 10 polishes, I choose Muse Myself. I went with this one because it reminds me of navel oranges and beach balls. This citrus yellow orange polish is a perfect splash of color on your summer white nails.
- Butter London Airy Fairy– This is a blue turquoise shimmery polish. When I look at this sparkly beautiful polish, I think of the ocean. Ah… I miss the beach.
- KBShimmer Pigment of My Imagination– This beautiful multi-chrome purple polish shifts colors to red and orange in the light. This is the polish that makes me think of the transition of Summer to Fall. I choose this as a Summer polish instead of a Fall polish, because the color shifts show the best in sunlight.
That wraps up my 10 summer polish picks for Summer 2015. What are your picks? I definitely could pick many more and I know I left out some favorites that are similar to the ones I listed.
Thank you again Stephanie for inviting me to guest post on your blog.
Thanks for visiting and have a terrific Tuesday!
*Thank you so much Cos for giving us your awesome insight!- Stephanie*
July Birchbox Unboxing!
Hi everyone! Hope your weekend was great. 🙂 Today’s post will be a quick run through of July’s Birchbox with my first impressions so let’s get to it!
Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub
This milky white scrub utilizes bamboo, tiny jojoba beads and apple enzymes to exfoliate. Compared to the Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, this feels more gentle and hydrating. According to the instructions, this can be used as a mask and left on for 1-3 minutes. So far I like it. Haven’t noticed any dramatic effects but it leaves skin smoother. *Note: this has cinnamon, clove and ginger extract so it may be a bit stimulating for sensitive skin. Always conduct a patch test.
Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray
If you’ve followed my blog for awhile, you’ll know I really love this spray and I was excited this was featured in July’s box. It’s a smaller sample than the purse size option but is enough to give you a feel for the product. I love using this product when I use a curling wand to curl my hair as it sets the style, adds texture without a sticky or stiff feel and smells ah-mazing.
Supergoop! Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30
Love that a sunscreen was included in this box as it’s essential for skin health. Like the name implies, this feels like a serum which is so light-weight and absorbs quickly into the skin. It’s a chemical based sunscreen which you can read about here. Definitely an easy sunscreen to work with underneath makeup as it doesn’t pill. Best part? Toss it in your bag to carry with you on the go or if it irritates your skin, try using it as hand sunscreen protection when you’re driving. Yes, our hands and body need protection too!
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Bella
I call this lipstick my ‘sitting pretty’ lipstick. You know how you have those high heels that are so beautiful to look at but killer to wear so you use them only when you’re not going to be walking much? Well, the same concept applies to this lipstick. It is a gorgeous, bright pink color that provides intense (and I mean intense) color in one stroke. It does stain lips but it tends to move and transfers so if you’re planning on going out to eat while using this or are wearing white, I’d skip this or a least, use caution. Removing it with an oil based makeup remover works best.
theBalm cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush
I was surprised by how tiny this sample is-a little bigger than my thumb. You’re still able to pick up enough product with your brush but it takes a bit more effort. The consistency is creamy and blends nicely but I think this is more bronzer than blush. You can use this as blush-I love using bronzer as blush- but compared to the Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer, which has a lot more pink undertones, this one is a dusty rose shade that leans more towards tan. Makes a great pick for summer.
L-R: Bronzer/Blush and Bella
That’s it for today!
What did you think of this month’s Birchbox?
Stephanie
Skin Tip: Dry Brushing for Cellulite!
With swimsuit and short season here, reduce the appearance of cellulite with dry brushing. A form of exfoliation, dry brushing helps remove toxins and allows lymph fluid to move into the lymph nodes, thus eliminating waste.
How to use: gently brush legs with long, upward strokes.
Have a great weekend everyone and be on the lookout for a bonus post featuring July’s Birchbox unboxing and first impressions on Monday!
Stephanie
Summer Must Have: Lip Colors!
Hello readers and welcome to my second installment of my ‘Summer Must Have’ series in which I share products I think are perfect for summer. Today, it’s all about my favorite lippies! From neutral to bright, drugstore to high-end, you’re bound to find something you’ll like.
Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Palomino
Love this magenta hued lipstick as it’s richly pigmented and creamy formula applies smoothly. The color will eventually wear off after a few hours especially after drinking or eating but it’ll leave behind a stain.
Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
Part of the Sephora Beauty Insider birthday gift, this crimson red lip pencil soon became one of my favorites. The pencil tip allows for a smoother and precise application and the matte formula is comfortable to wear.
NYX High Voltage Lipstick in Rags to Riches
Highly pigmented color and budget friendly, this lipstick is a beautiful pink shade that has a creamy application. Not the longest-wearing shade but it does last a solid 4 hours.
Sonia Kashuk Velvet Matte Lip Crayon in Raspberry Nude
A vibrant berry shade, this lip crayon is very similar to the Nars Matte Velvet Pencil for a fraction of the price: easy to apply and the matte formula ensures lasting color.
L-R: Palomino, Cruella, Rags to Riches, Raspberry Nude
Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Moody
This dark berry/plum color can be worn sheer or layered for more intensified color . It comes in a retractable pencil like form which means you never have to worry about sharpening it and can spend those precious seconds having fun.
Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Nude
Packaged in a squeeze tube, the soft angled tip allows for easy application and the neutral color is a forgiving shade that can be applied on the go.
Urban Decay Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Punch Drunk
If you want to venture out of your comfort zone and are looking for a lovely orange hue, look no further. Rich, creamy and glossy color, all encapsulated in one pencil.
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain in Corail Aquatique
The most luxurious of the bunch, this gorgeous coral pink gloss is speckled with subtle gold shimmer and leaves behind a lovely stain. The unique applicator has a wider base that deposits color on your lips while the pointed edge makes it easy to get a precise application.
L-R: Moody, Melted Nude, Punch Drunk, Corail Aquatique
That does it for today!
What are your favorite lip products for summer?
Stephanie
P.S. In case you missed my first post in the series, click here.
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