Photo Worthy Mascara

Thanks to Influenster, I had the opportunity to try Rimmel London's new Scandaleyes Retro Glam mascara. 

hits stores this month!

I don't usually use black because I am so fair, but because we had our engagement session scheduled, and I've heard that it's good to go a little heavier on your makeup for photos, I decided to give it a try. 

This is a picture without any other eye makeup on at all. You can see the awesome definition! I did curl my lashes beforehand like I always do.

Here's a sneak peek of the mascara in action! A sample from our session! I couldn't be happier with how the pics came out, and I can't wait to see the rest of them!

Gettin' Serious About Skincare

One thing I have decided to start taking more seriously is my skin care routine. We've only got one face, amiright? So after reading an InStyle's 2013 Best Beauty Buys, I picked up a few things. And I decided to share my new routine with you all.

Mornings are a mad dash for me, and I only stop for coffee, so my AM routine had to be super simple. I do a quick swipe with these (1) Simple Cleansing Wipes, followed up with a (2) Vitamin C Serum and finally my (3) Boscia Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF. 

The Boscia moisturizer is pricey, at $36 a pop, but it's the best oil free product I've found. My skin is technically combination, but leans more towards the oily side, and because I'm super fair, I love that it has SPF 15 for every day. If I'm going to be outside, I follow up with at least an SPF 50. The Vitamin C serum is full of antioxidants, and helps to counteract all the sun damage that I've accumulated so far. 

At night time, I have a little more time to take care of business. I have used these (1) Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Pads since I was a teenager. Make sure to get the oil free ones! Another tried & true pick, the (2) Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. This stuff has been around forever, and was one of InStyle's picks for oily skin for 5 years in a row! The pink grapefruit scent smells so much better that their original, which always reminds me of old school dial soap. It's missing from the picture, but once or twice a week I exfoliate with Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub. 

Another InStyle pick is this (3) La Roche Posay Effaclar Toner. This helps remove any leftover oil and tightens pores. A must-have for oily skin like mine. The (4) Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Creme I use just on my neck and chest. It is too heavy for my face, but the neck and chest are a big age giveaway and often overlooked. Finally, I use the (5) Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Eye Cream & Lash Serum Duo, the cream on my under-eye and brow bone, and then the serum on my lashes of course.

I do wish I had a night-time moisturizer for my face, but I just haven't found one that is light enough for my oily skin. If anyone has one they love I would love to hear from you! I've thought about trying this one from Boscia, since I love their oil-free lotion for day. 

If I end up getting it I will let you know!

Pretty Pins & A New Spring Mani

I didn't get around to taking pictures for the post I wanted to do today, so I did what any good blogger would do, and I painted my nails and went on Pinterest instead!

I just love the thought of this. It transports me to that summer night! 
here

Can you tell I have summer and vacation on the brain??
here

Found this one just using Google so it's from somewhere random, but it sure is pretty!

I also made this sort of summer "style board"

Sources:
Wagon Wheel Tank - here only $10!
Emerald/wood grain flip flops - Speedo $25
Emerald bikini - Victoria's Secret $68
Aqualillies for Tarte waterproof makeup palette - Sephora $38
Messy bun with side braid here

Pretty sure I'll be rocking those nails some time this summer so look out for a tutorial!

And that spring mani I talked about earlier:

1- I used whatever base coat I had laying around. I haven't found one that I'm in love with yet.

2- Two coats of color (At least. I think the pink I did 3) 

3- Used my trusty painters tape to make the chevrons. I folded the tape in half sticky side out to make sure the cut was symmetrical. I actually wish the navy line on my middle finger was a little thicker.

4- Essie 'No Chips Ahead' (Best top coat ever!)

5- Voila!!

I had never used L'Oreal polish before (I had a coupon) but I do like it. I was skeptical because I had tried Maybelline's new polish and did not care for it at all. It was super watery, I think I had to use like 5 coats. So I was pleasantly surprised by the L'Oreal, not to mention i love the teal-ish navy color! As far as the Sally Hansen, this coral is from their Complete Salon Manicure line and I have a couple of different colors from it. I love the shape of the brush, it widens out when you paint with it and you can almost do your whole nail in one swipe!

So that's pretty much is for today. I'm linking up with Shanna! And hopefully I can get my act together and have something fun for you tomorrow :)

BB Cream Review

Happy Monday everybody! Last week I received a tube of Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream courtesy of BzzAgent. I've been waiting for the chance to use it since BB creams are the new thing nowadays. I was even more excited since it's oil-free and I tend to have super oily and acne prone skin. (Boo) 

Here's what the tube looked like: 

  The tube is pretty good size so I bet it will last a long time. 

The BB cream itself was a thinner consistency than I expected, but it went on smooth and blended pretty well. It comes in three shades. Light/Medium, Medium/Dark and Dark. I was sent the Light/Medium. The color is a little dark for me just coming out of winter, but I'm paler than most on a good day #gingersunite

I'll probably wait a few months to see how it matches with my skin tone, and if it's still too dark I'll give it to a friend. It's really not a drastic difference though so it might just end up being my summer BB cream.

As far as how it wore, it did make my skin feel nice and smooth. Having a not so great complexion to being with, I definitely need the shine control and pore minimizing that this BB cream provides. It hydrates just like most BBs without feeling heavy or sticky, and has SPF 20, which is a plus since it cuts out a step from my routine. (Insert redhead joke here)  

Here's a before & after:

I look super excited to be posting a pic with no makeup don't I? But you can see it does even out the redness in my face.

And please let's not even talk about my haircut. I made a super last minute appointment last week and went to whoever was available. She never used scissors only a razor to cut it and I pretty much hate it. Who knew you could mess up long layers? I feel like it looks so ratty :(

Overall I think the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream worked out really well. I usually use a mattifier under my foundation and I didn't with this just to test it and it really did keep my skin pretty shine free. The tube is a good size value for the suggested price of $12.99 as well.

So any of you oily skin gals who are still trying to decide what kind of BB cream is right for you, I recommend the Garnier!