A few things...

~ Hola ~ It has been quite some time since I last posted on this ol' thanggg, but, let's just ignore that and kick things off with a teeny tiny skin care haul, shall we? Cool. I've been on my spring break this week (LAST ONE  I will ever have...cue sadness) which has left me with a lot of time on my hands. I met my big bro for lunch on Friday at a local jaunt and, like any normal person with nothing better to do, headed over to the mall afterwards. I told myself that this venture was not to include any purchases but just some good ol' fashion looking around, y'know, college-girl-on-a-budget over here and all that. BUT, like always, I could not stick to that after heading over to Sephora and oodling through the aisles of skincare goodies.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser - I actually did not purchase this product. It came in a 500-point perk I received at the register for being a VIB a.k.a. giving too much of my money to Sephora. The little gift bag also came with some fun lipsticks and a gloss. ANYWHO - this stuff has been all a-buzz throughout the beauty community lately. I haven't tried anything by FAB except for a sample I received of their red clay face mask, which I happened to really enjoy. I'm pretty content with the face cleanser I've been using recently (it's from the brand 'Simple'), but I'm excited to see what the fuss is all about concerning this little guy.

Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil - Recently I've been intrigued by the idea of using a cleansing water or oil to remove my make-up at the end of the day. I've been using wipes from the drugstore for a few years now, so I'm trying to find something that gives more of a deep-clean feeling. Originally I was eyeing a cleansing water over by Sephora's brand of skincare, but they didn't have any left in the sample size and I was just not ready to make a commitment to a big jug of the stuff incase it ended up being crap. That's usually how I am, especially with skincare. I have sensitive skin, so if I'm going to spend a lot of money on a product, I want to make sure it won't have any negative reactions on me first before I buy a ton of it. I found this 1.7 fl oz bottle in the sample section over by the register, a.k.a. the aisles of doom. Like the FAB cleanser, I've been seeing great reviews about Boscia products in general and this cleansing oil is supposed to be nourishing and awesome for removing make-up. Sounds like a win to me. 

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ - With spring/summer coming up in the next few months, I knew I had to pick up a tube of my favorite skin protectant. My advice to all people, young or old, male or female, makeup wearers or not - invest in a good sun protectant. This one by Shiseido has been my favorite for years - it absorbs into the skin quickly, it's light, non-greasy and has a high SPF. It is meant to be worn on the face, but there's no harm in putting it on other parts of your body (I like to use it on my hands, neck and décolletage). This size is compact so you can throw it in your purse or backpack. If Shiseido is a little out of your reach, another one I really love is the L'Oreal Advanced Suncare Silky Sheer Face Lotion, which comes in SPF 30 and 50. 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel - This product is actually something I picked up in a separate shopping trip to Ulta. Homegirl needed a new moisturizer - I'm almost all out of my Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Cream, which was super nourishing and rich for my dry winter skin. I decided to give this new one from Neutrogena a go - it contains hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in skin and helps with hydration. The water gel formula is cooling and light, and absorbs quickly. In the warmer months my skin tends to get a lot oilier, so I look for formulas like this one that are light and fresh. 

LMK if there's a new skincare product I should pick up or if there's something you love that I need to try. I've made it a goal of mine to really develop a good skincare regime this year and find products that are DA BOMB.COM. 

Until next time - Take Care

Cat

OOTD

What I'm wearing: Sweater (PacSun), Jeans (Levi's), Boots (JCP)

Hope everyone is having a beautiful day!

Thanksgiving OOTD!

 

Top: black tank top (target), gray sweater (macy's)

Bottom: jeans (american eagle)

Necklace: borrowed from my mom!

Shoes: brown riding boots

I hope everyone has an excellent Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for everything in my life, especially my family and friends! Enjoy your day and remember to count your blessings. Stay pretty xoxo

Top 5: Favorite Nail Polish for Fall

 

My favorite part about fall is watching the color scheme change in the leaves, my wardrobe, and even on my nails. I love to wear darker and neutral colors on my nails to fit the season. Pictured above are my top five favorite polishes. Starting with the color on pinky is Revlon's 570 Vixen. I really love the oxblood trend (oxblood? What every happened to burgundy?) and this color is perfect if that is what you've been looking for. It's a really beautiful, deep blood red with blue undertones. Next up (ring finger) is a color from Avon called Midnight Plum. Purple will always be my favorite color and I tend to wear this deep plum on my nails the most during fall and winter. On my middle finger is a color I just picked up from Ulta: OPI's The World Is Not Enough. I believe this is from their new James Bond Skyfall collection. It is an extremely shimmery steel color full of pretty red, silver and blue glitter. It is a very complex shade - something I love about OPI nail polishes. I find that the brand comes out with the most unique formulas and colors. I can see this being everyone's go-to color as we move closer to the holidays. On my pointer finger is a nice neutral color called GlamourPurse by Essie. It is a true taupe that I reach for when I want something classic. Last but not least is Sally Hansen's Shiny Penny. I don't think it looks like a penny at all - it takes on a really pretty orangey tone. I find this to be a wearable orange when neutrals get boring, and the formula holds up really well. I hope you enjoyed my post and have a wonderful week :) Stay pretty xoxo

CVS Haul: Wet n Wild & Revlon

Hey guys! I just made a quick trip downtown with my roommate and we stopped at CVS. I picked up some really pretty things that I'm excited to share, so here they are:

This is Wet n' Wild's I'm Getting Sunburned ($2.99). Although this is kind of a summery name for these shades, I definitely can see them being worn in the fall. I did a swatch on my hand for you, and they feel buttery smooth. I was so impressed with the quality and pigmentation and can't wait to see how they wear on the eyes. 

This is an old favorite of mine: Wet n' Wild's 908C Sugar Plum Fair ($1.99). I LOVE this berry color. I remember buying it when I was in high school and loving the color pay off for the dirt cheap price. The pink tones make this sweet plum color so wearable, and it really pops against my dark features.
 
Next up is Wet n' Wild's Mellow Wine blush ($2.99). I continue to be floored by the quality of Wet n' Wild's products given how affordable they are. The swatch on the right looks a little washed out, but these blushes are very pigmented. A little really goes a looooong way. In the packaging, the blush looks slightly orangey pink. But when swatched the pink and peach tones really come through. I think this blush would suit a variety of skin tones.

So reflective! Last is Revlon's 932 Copper Penny ($5.49).  I have been eying this color for a while and today was the day I finally picked it up! I was between this and another color called Gold Coin, which my roommate actually decided to buy for herself (hooray for sharing!). Revlon's nail colors are so easy to fall in love with. They have a lot of unique shades to choose from, and they're pretty long-wearing.

So that is it for this little haul! So excited to be trying out some new products as well as old favorites. Stay Pretty xoxo

I'm back!!

So I've been absent on here for quite some time. I've just been having so much fun getting reacquainted with school. Move-in was a breeze and classes are going well. I am actually going home this weekend to spend time with friends and family. I'll probably be making a few trips to MAC and Ulta, and maybe Harmon, so I will be sure to report back any purchases made there. I know the Marilyn Monroe collection is out at MAC for a limited time and I'd really like to check that out. I'm loving this fall weather. I love the change of color on the leaves of the trees, wearing riding boots, wrapping a scarf around my neck, and cupping a mug of hot chocolate. There is just something so peaceful and comforting about the fall season. Until next time, stay pretty :) xoxo

First purchase EVER at MAC

Excuse me as I geek out over something so small - this is the very first thing I have ever bought from MAC! Recently a counter opened up in my local Macy's, making it much more convenient for me to get to. I tried on a number of lip glasses and plumpers, from ones with sparkles to ones with shine, until I found this one. It is the plushglass lip gloss in Ample Pink. It goes perfectly with my skin tone and works as a nice everyday color. It is VERY sticky (MAC lip glosses often are), but the stickiness makes it so long wear. There is a slight tingle (not uncomfortable at all) when you first apply it. It is a lip plumper, and I thought it did a nice job of filling out my thin lips! The woman at the counter threw in some sample mascaras that I will be trying out soon. I'm very pleased with my first MAC purchase and I anticipate it will be the first of many!

Stay Pretty :)

Vamp it up!

Hey y'all! I'm so ready to head back to school! And even MORE excited for fall football, fashion, and fierce make-up. This look is more daring than one I would normally do, and I've loved dark lips ever since I used to watch Gossip Girl (remember Lil' J? She had the whole gothic barbie thing going onnnnn). I recently saw this look being done in Seventeen magazine - they called it "Vampire Lips." It's super sexy and requires minimal make-up. That's the great part - the lips are (obviously) the main attraction so the idea is to make the rest of your face look bare.

First I moisturized my face, then applied Clinique's Even Better foundation to my entire face using a Real Techniques stippling brush. No bronzer. No blush. No need! The idea is to look like a washed-out vampire (but a sexy one!) Then I quickly curled my lashes and applied one coat of L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition mascara. Next up came the lips. First, line your lips with a nude liner. A nude liner is your best investment. It works with every lip color. I chose Revlon's Colorstay in Natural. For the color I chose Rimmel's Lasting Finish lipstick in Bordeaux. Look for deep, rich wine colors - I find them to be the most flattering. If you're darker in skin tone, try a color with blue tones instead of red. First use your finger to apply a sheer wash of color to the lips, starting in the center and then blending out. Use a liner brush to apply the lipstick to the edges (they are the most tricky area and require the most precision!). You can build the color using the finger method or just apply the lipstick straight from the tube to the center of your lip and then blend it out with your finger.

And that's it! I think this look is so pretty for a night out in the fall :) stay pretty!!

Great Buys of July!

Happy August! This summer is just flying by - I go back to school in three weeks! Here are some of my favorite items from the month of July. These range from hair products to body lotions and just plain ol' miscellaneous stuff! Hope you enjoy!

This is a pretty, pink beaded necklace I picked up while on vacation. My parents and I went to Colorado for a week. It was beautiful! I always love to get unique pieces while on vacation (and always look for ones that are locally made!) This necklace has little wooden beads breaking up the pink every inch or so. I think it will be perfect to throw on a casual outfit.

It's MiO!! If you haven't tried MiO yet, you're seriously missing out! I've been trying to drink a lot of water this summer, and this little guy adds a perfect burst of flavor! I got it in mango peach flavor. Although the packaging has yellow on it, it actually turns the water a deep orangish color. It tastes like heaven, and the best part is that it's calorie FREE!

These flip flops are from Old Navy. I also picked them up in black with silver accents, just because the price was fantastic. I love the color of these flip flops. I think this has to be the perfect color for summer - I even bought two shirts in a fluorescent version of this shade! I always find that Old Navy flip flops are very reliable, comfortable, and best of all - affordable.

Time for some actual beauty products! I wasn't really expecting to love this blush, just because it is such a fair, pinkish color (it's much lighter in person than in the picture) and I didn't expect it to have as much pigment as it does. It came with a bonus gift I got from Clinique when I made a few purchases there last month. The shade is called Cupid. It just adds the perfect pop of pink to my cheeks, and it looks so natural. Such a pretty shade!

Okay, so technically this Origins GinZing Refreshing eye cream wasn't a real purchase. I got a free sample when I ordered online from Sephora (so I guess that means the blush above wasn't a purchase either - oops!). But I am so happy I tried this! I never used eye creams before, because I didn't think they were necessary for young skin. But I LOVE this cream. It really brightens my eyes and wakes them up instantly. I use it when I apply my normal moisturizer. I will be buying the full size of this in the store!

I AM SO EXCITED I BOUGHT THESE BRUSHES! Can't you tell?! I have been researching quality make-up brushes for a while and I saw reviews RAVING about Real Techniques brushes. I was so happy when I saw them being sold at Harmon (I'm telling you - Harmon has a GREAT selection of stuff!). I've only used these a few times, but man are they soft! I am especially excited about the stippling brush - it really helps my foundation make-up look streak-free. Can't wait to buy more from Real Techniques!

Okay...I admit it...I did not purchase this nail polish either. I borrowed it from my friend, Katie. Guilty as charged! But it's beautiful. I was really feeling a nice yellow color for my nails and when I found this in Katie's collection, I couldn't wait to paint! In person, the color is the perfect amount of brightness (I'm usually not into neon or super bright colors. I don't want to hurt someones eyes when they're trying to look at my manicure!). I have found the formula to be thick and streaky (like most pastel or lighter colors) and it chips like crazy. I may try and find a color similar to this one in another collection.

You've probably already seen this product before (at the salon perhaps? I know mine uses it!) and wondered if it REALLY is a miracle product. Well ladies, here's the deal: I enjoy the It's a 10 miracle leave-in product for it's sweeeeeeeet and decadent scent, and because it is the best de tangler I have ever used. You know how soft and knot-free your hair is right after a cut? This leave-in product makes my hair feel like I just stepped out of the salon (cheesiest line ever - sorry! It's just so true!) When I wear my hair curly, it gets especially knotty at the back of my neck - I hate that! But when I spray this on damp hair, it really does keep my hair softer, knot-free, smelling nice, and all-around healthier looking. The only thing I hate is the price ($16 for 4 fl oz. WUT.)

Perfect skin in a bottle. I'm serious. Have you ever heard of the trick to put toothpaste on a zit to make it go away? Well I think this mask was made in spite of that tip. It makes your whole face tingle and tighten up. I wear it overnight on problem areas and wake up to flawless skin. Seriously - it just works.

A coworker suggested this John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Creme to me. The nice part about it is that it can go on dry hair without making it look greasy. The smell is lovely too, which is nice after using styling tools as they can make your hair smell burnt and icky. I was already a big fan of John Frieda products and I'm glad I got reacquainted with his hair products!

Last but not least! I mean, what is a summer without a really yummy smelling lotion? I got this from Bath and Body Works - it's called Bali Mango. I am always in favor of tropical smelling body products. They just smell like paradise. I went back and bought the body spray because it smells that good. Like all of B&BW products, I have found this lotion to be super easy to rub into the skin and non-greasy. Great for my summer skin!

That's all! Until next time, stay pretty :) xoxo

TJ Maxx Mini "Haul"

Sorry for my absence! Life has been a little hectic lately. I was up at school for the weekend to see some great friends and my boyfriend. It made me miss being up there! Anyways, I heard that TJ Maxx recently increased their beauty inventory and I went to take a look. I picked up (above, counterclockwise starting on the left) It's Green! Natural Solid Shampoo ($2), Fekkai Luscious Curls Cream ($9.99), bain de terre infinite hold flax seed finishing spray ($2) and Precision Beauty Eyelash Curler ($3.99). I needed to buy a new eyelash curler and this one came in a pretty cobalt blue shade. My family and I are taking a vacation next week to Colorado and this hair spray is airplane approved! I'm also really pumped to take the solid shampoo bar with me - I've been wanting to try one, but have been skeptical about solid shampoos. When I saw the price of this one I couldn't resist. I definitely need to get back to TJ's again -- I was THOROUGHLY impressed with their selection! I'm going to go read this month's Glamour while a storm rages on outside. Stay Pretty!!