Showing posts with label Beauty Basics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty Basics. Show all posts

Summer Favorites Pt. 2: Hair Care, Beauty, & Skincare

Friday, September 4, 2020


While Fall is right around the corner, I wanted to make sure I shared my FAVORITE beauty products from this summer. I have discovered a lot of new brands and products that I absolutely love and that really are game changers in my routine! 

Hair Care:

The Good Stuff: Volumizing & Hydrating Foam- I LOVE this stuff! I never feel like their is extra product in my hair, but yet I can feel a difference in my hairs health and texture.
The Good Stuff: No Rinse Color Hair Conditioner - Since I dye my hair I love using this to help my color last and it also smells amazing! 
Dove Dry Shampoo - I have been using this same dry shampoo since college and always go back to it because it works. It doesn't have a horrible white cast and it also leaves your hair fresh. 
T3 Wand - I know a lot of people use and talk about the T3 wand, and I can definitely say that it is worth the type (and the price). I love the shape of the barrel (and the fact that I can buy other sizes). My hair also lasts two days with these curls which is a double bonus! (plus, it doesn't make your hair smell fried)
Kristin Ess Detangler - This is my go to detangler because it is simple, fragrance free, and helps me feel more confident about brushing my hair without damaging it. 
CALA Detangling Hair Brush - While we are on the topic of tangled hair, I recently discovered the CALA detangling brush and it is absolutely amazing! I love that it is curved and contours to my head. Honestly I think this brush is better than the Wet brushes. 
Clairol 6R Light Auburn Hair Dye - This summer I have been trying out a new hair dye, and have been using the light auburn 6R shade from Clairol. I really like the natural shade of this color, but the only downside is the vibrancy in the color doesn't last as long as I would like. 

Skincare:

Cerave Foaming Face Wash - This face wash is all the hype on TikTok and Youtube and it definitely should be because it is such a great product. I used to use this in High School and only just started using it again this summer. I love that it is gentle and full of great ingredients that build up your skin. 
Cerave Moisturizing Cream - I always feel that my skin gets super dry with changes in the weather, so I have been living for Cerave's moisturizing cream. 
Ordinary Niacinamide & Zinc Serum - This is another one of those products that has blown up on the internet, but I actually first used it about a year ago and just picked it up again this summer. I love the ingredients in it that are great for breakout prone skin. 
Urban Skin RX: Clear Skin Cleansing Balm - This is quite a unique product that I have really been loving in helping keep my hormonal breakouts at bay. It has sulfur which helps with breakout prone skin, plus you can also use it as a mask. 
First Aid Beauty Sunscreen - This sunscreen is awesome! I have been consistently using it this summer and even use just this (no makeup) on some days. This sunscreen is mineral based also tinted. 

Beauty: 

Burts Bees Peppermint Lip Balm - This is my favorite lip balm of all time! I love the refreshing feel of pepermint and it always helps keep my lips unchapped. 
Glossier Stretch Concealer (G12) - I never thought I would be a glossier fan and then I tried it and they changed my mind! The stretch concealer is the main foundation I use, and just apply it to the areas I need a bit of coverage. My favorite makeup artist, Katie Jane Hughes uses this concealer all the time in her looks, and it really does work and give the best natural finish. 
Glossier Cloud Paint (Dawn) - I love a good cream paint and couldn't pass up trying Glossier's cloud paint in Dawn for the perfect peachy shade, and I absolutely love it! 
Florence by Mills Brow Gel (honey) - I have recently gotten into using brow gel for a more natural brow style and the Brow Gel from Florence by Mills brand at Ulta is one of the only red/auburn colors that I have found. 

Have you tried any of these products?

- Madison

How I keep my hair healthy between trims

Monday, September 4, 2017


I think we can all agree that being a "shampoo snob" or "hair snob" comes naturally to many of us. We love to find shampoo and conditioner that smells amazing while also making our hair feel great. However, hair care doesn't end with shampoo and conditioner, nor does it start with frequent trims. What happens between trims is honestly one of the most important steps in how we treat our hair and keep it healthy. 

I don't get my hair trimmed as often as I should, probably only about twice a year. Nevertheless, I am still very focused on keeping my hair healthy, smooth, and unbroken. My typical hair routine every morning is to curl or straighten it if I am going out, so you can imagine how dry and broken my hair can become. If you didn't know, I actually used to have REALLY long hair...like almost to my waist long hair! However, I somehow decided that I wanted a change and chopped it all off  to shoulder length and then almost a bob. Needless to say I am ready for long hair again, so keeping my hair healthy is a top priority. 

When it comes to hair care in between trims there are two things I focus on: hair serums or hair oil and masks. My two go to products are Suave's Biotin Infusion Anti-Breakage Serum and Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask. Suave's anti-breakage serum is amazing and has really helped my hair become stronger and unbroken amidst heat from straighteners and wands. I use just a few pumps of the biotin serum every night and gently rub it through the tips of my damp hair. Apart from the serum, I just recently received the Briogeo deep conditioning hair mask complementary of Influenster and OH MY GOSH I have NEVER met a hair mask this amazing! After just one use my hair felt like it just got a fresh trim, is amazingly soft and easy to brush. What I love most is that Briogeo's products don't contain sulfates, parabens, silicone's, or artificial colors. The secret to it's charm is the unique blend of avocado, sweet almond & argan oils as well as essential hair vitamins and biotin that repair damaged hair, enhance shine, and reduce breakage by up to 81%! 

**This post is not sponsored, although I received Briogeo's mask free from Influenster. All opinions are my own from experience**

What are your go to hair treatments?

-Madison

Skincare Beauty Favorites: Summer 2017

Monday, June 26, 2017


Happy Monday lovelies! Today I thought I would share a bit about my current beauty routine and break down some of my favorite products that I have been using. 
When it comes to my beauty routine I have definitely changed it up over the years due to my skin and throughout its highs and lows. I definitely don't have perfect skin, and constantly deal with breakouts and blemishes. I have used my fair share of topical treatments, prescriptions, and different face washes, but I don't think any of those products quite compare to my current routine which has boosted the heath of my skin tremendously and helped it regain its youthful glow and keep blemishes to a minimum (can you say BONUS)! My routine right now is my own personal take on the Korean Skincare system and craze that is taking the beauty industry by storm. While I don't use all Korean skincare products, I do take into account the steps (which are the most important) and with that, I think my skin is finally able to be happy.

Cleanse
Okay, so obviously the first step in my routine is to remove my makeup and cleanse. At night time I start out removing my makeup by washing my face with coconut oil in the shower. Since the Korean skincare routine encompases oil cleansers, I opt to use coconut oil to remove makeup which works like a dream. After I remove my makeup I then move on to cleanse and use the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle foaming cleanser which is AMAZING! This cleanser is definitely true to its name when it says gentle, and that is why I love it because it isn't full of medication or harsh on my skin and always leaves it fresh and smooth. My current philosophy seems to be less is more, because in the past my skin would get overwhelmed with the many ingredients, but now it can take a break because what I use is simple. (In the morning I use the same cleanser to wash my face.) 

Toners & Essence
Toners and Essence are the next vital step when it comes to the Korean Skincare routine, and this is where I actually do use two Korean products. After I cleanse my face in the morning I apply the  COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence which aids in hydration, repair, and brightness. And if you are wondering about the "snail mucin" in the name you would be right in assuming that it does contain 96% snail mucin which is great for skin health, and I can definitely tell the difference in my skins feel and brightness and it definitely has become more smooth as some of my scars have begun to deminish:) If I need a little extra boost I will also use Mario Badescu facial spray which everyone raves about and I now understand the hype! Not only does it smell heavenly with a light rose scent, but it is rejuvenating, and makes my skin feel extra moisturized with a boost. 

In the evening however, I alternate days using Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night pads which I use as my "chemical exfoliant" in the Korean skincare step routine. However, like I said, I alternate days with these, so when I am not using them I will use COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid which works as an essence and simple topical treatment for my pores, and I have definitely seen a difference in my skin adding this to my routine. 

Sunscreen & Topical
 Last but not least are two products that are vital to the health and youthfulness of my skin. As a fair complexioned person I am always needing to apply sunscreen in the summer but I always forget that daily using sunscreen on my face will help protect it from harsh rays and keep it looking younger longer. Therefore, I recently started using the MISSHA all around safe block waterproof sun milk and have been loving it! Typically sunscreen leaves your face feeling oily and its application heavy, but this formula is light, airy, dries once rubbed in and smells like a flower. Plus, since it is waterproof it holds up under humidity and sweat and also any dips in the pool. 

As for topical treatments, I have always used some type of topical at night to keep my blemishes to a minimum or to try and completely eradicate them. Unfortunately, due to slightly sensitive skin I would always deal with my skin drying out or flaking (because of the medication) and I hated the feeling of putting chemicals on my face. However, last semester I decided to give Curology a try after seeing it pop up on social media and the Internet, and OH MY GOSH my skin hasn't been the same since! You will definitely have to go check out Curology for yourself, but it was created to give you a personalized prescription for your face, depending on your blemishes. What I love the most, is that it isn't full of harsh chemicals, but rather focuses on the health of your skin itself which aids in healing breakouts, and I kid you not, when I wake up in the morning my skin always feels smoother :) 


The only other thing I will add to my skincare routine once/twice a week is a clay mask to draw out impurities or a sheet mask (also part of Korean Skincare) to restore my skins moisture and glow. 


Have you heard/tried any of these products?
Have you ever tried out the Korean Skincare routine? 

-Madison

Beauty//Retro Cat Eyes + Red Lips

Monday, January 16, 2017


Hello lovelies! I finally got around to filming another video for my YouTube Channel (I am hoping to film more this year for you all)!
 In this video I go through all of my favorite products and tricks for achieving the perfect retro cat eye with a classic red lip. While I love cat eyes and red lips for many of my makeup looks, this particular look features a natural smoky eye for a little bit more of a dramatic pop. 
Hope you enjoy!

Products Used:
Primer: Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer Lift & Firm
Foundation: COVERGIRL tru blend i1
Powder Foundation: Clinique 08 Transparency Neutral
Bronzer: e.l.f Sunkissed Glow
Highlighter: e.l.f. Bakes Highlighter & Bronzer "Bronzed Glow"
Eye Shadow: e.l.f. Everyday Smoky palette in "Smoky"
Mascarra: Katy Perry COVERGIRL Katy Kat Eye in Black
Eye Liner: e.l.f. Liquid Eye Liner
Lipstick: e.l.f. Matte Lipstick in "Rich Red"




Do you like cat eyes?
Are you a classic red lip fan?
Did you find this tutorial helpful?

-Madison

Current Beauty Faves

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Shampoo: Hello Hydration

I don't know about you all, but I am one of those people who loves a good beauty product, especially when it comes to my hair. My hair is never the same, it is ever changing be it in length (I have cut it many times in my life) or in styles be it curled, straightened, natural, etc. Whatever the case, a good hair product can completely change how my hair acts and is managed when I style it. 

I recently joined Influenster and was super excited to get a VoxBox with two Herbal Essence hair products. I have always been a major fan of Herbal Essence as the smell of their products is so delectable, but also because they always delivered the outcome that is promised. It was fun to switch things up a bit in my hair product routine and try out the products that were sent to me. 

I have used the Hello Hydration before from Herbal Essence, and was so excited to see it in my box, as it is hands down one of my favorite Herbal Essence products I have ever tried. With the amount of curling and straightening that often happens to my hair, I find that at times it can become dry and need a re boost of moisture. This shampoo definitely re-hydrated my hair as well as made it smell delightfully tropical!

The second product, the Toussle Me Softly Let It Loose hairspray, was a new product that I wasn't familiar with. However, after trying it out I was highly impressed! While this product is recommended to be used on damp or dry hair to give it a beachy wave, I actually chose to replace my normal hairspray and instead used this after curling my hair. The results blew me away! Typically when I curl my hair I end up with tight curls that are frozen in place by my regular aerosol hairspray and don't give off a wavy relaxed curl until day #2 hair. However, since replacing my typical hairspray with the Toussle Me Softly I have found that after curling my hair and spraying it with this product, I can actually achieve relaxed natural looking curls on the first day......my life is forever changed (I might do a tutorial on this??)! Aside from it's fabulous ability to make my hair touchably soft while still holding a wavy curl, it also is smells fabulous all day long!

P.S. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who left such sweet comments on my Blog Birthday post!!

Have you ever tried these products/brand?
What are some of your current beauty faves?

-Madison


Gel Nail Polish + Stop Motion Video

Wednesday, August 17, 2016


I don't know about you all, but nail polish has never lasted very long for me. Somehow I am very hard on my nails and regular nail polish or a manicure from a salon only lasts a few days. Thus, with the short life of regular polish, and my impatience in having to wait for nail polish to dry has often kept me from painting my nails on a regular basis. However, when gel nail polish came out I was intrigued by its quality and lasting ability. Since Then, I have tried out three different brands of Gel Nail polish, all varying in prices, and for the most part they all hold up under wear equally and I am never going back to regular polish! 
While regular polish usually only last 3 days before it starts chipping, Gel Nail Polish will last almost a week before it starts chipping/fading and then I can still get away with it for at least another week.....pretty GREAT if I do say so myself! 

I thought it would be fun to make a Stop Motion video showing my Gel Nail polish collection! 
Thus, here are all of the polishes and colors included in the video:
Revlon
Roulette Rush 620 (red)
2 Of A Kind 465 (grey/brown)
All or Nothing 020 (light pink)
Diamond Top Coat 010 (clear)
Sally Hansen
Sugar Fix 370 (light blue)
Game of Chromes 510 (gold)
All Chalked Up 230 (lavender)
Wet'n Wild
Pale In Comparison 720A (blush pink)
Pardon My Peach 726A (peach)


Have you ever tried Gel Nail Polish?

-Madison

Beauty Basics: Makeup Routine

Wednesday, April 27, 2016


Welcome to the third installment of the Beauty Basics series! Today will be a bit of a lengthy post as it is focused on the contents of my makeup bag, though I hope to keep the writing short and let the pictures speak for themselves. As a blogger and someone who takes a keen interest in experimenting with different makeup styles and techniques I love reading about others products and routine. Thus, today you lovely readers will get a glimpse into the contents of my makeup bag. 
Step #1 starts with the primer, foundation, concealer, and a highlighter. 
I LOVE the Rimmel London "Stay Matte" primer though Rimmel's "Fix & Perfect" is fabulous as well. As someone whose skin tends to get oily later in the day I have found that starting off with a primer is vital to my makeup lasting longer and appearing less shiny. 
After primer comes my liquid foundation. For the longest time I have been using Maybelline "Dream Pure BB 8-IN-1 Beauty Balm" clearing perfecter in the Light Sheer Tint. This line has two versions of the foundation, one without Salicylic Acid and one with it, I prefered to use the one with the Salicylic Acid because it is nice to use a foundation that has a treatment for acne. However, I recently wanted to try something new and also needed a lighter color (problems of being pale) so I have recently been using COVERGIRL "Tru Blend i 1" liquid makeup base. So far I am loving the feel of this foundation as well as its shade and lasting capabilities. 
After I apply my foundation I use a concealer to cover up any problem areas and use a lighter concealer as a highlighter to brighten my face. For a concealer I have been using the Maybelline 15 fair concealer. I had also used the Clinique acne solutions "Clearing Concealer" but the color did not work for me. As for a highlighter I absolutely LOVE Maybelline "Fit Me Shine-Free +Balance"foundation stick. This stick works great to use in specific areas of my face as a highlighter and also cuts back on shine. 
After I have used my primer, foundation, and concealer/highlighter I then blend in my Clinique loose powder "08 Transparency Neutral" to finish off the base look and blend everything together.  
Step #2 Blush
Now for the blush. I tend to match my blush with my eye shadow. Therefore, if I have a pink tinted or colorful eye shadow I go for the e.l.f. "Mellow Mauve." However, when I go with a natural eye color or a gold I choose to use the e.l.f. "Candid Coral" shade. 
Step #3 Eye Shadow
As for eye shadow my routine and look varies by outfit, day, feeling, and technique. Most often I tend towards a brown or tan from any one of my pallets whether that be an Estee Lauder pallet or drug store Pro Fusion "Natural" pallet. I also LOVE the e.l.f. gold shade called "Enchanted". Whatever shade I use for the day I always finish off the look by highlighting right above my brow with a Maybelline white and blend it together with whatever color I chose. 
Step #4 Brows
Brows are finished off by using COVERGIRL brow & eye makers pencil in "Soft Blonde" or "Light Brown." After using that to color in my brow (that sounds quite odd to write) I then blend it in with a brow brush to make it look more natural. 
Brushes:
When it comes to brushes I am not all that picky when it comes to brands. My grandmother gave me a set of her old Mary Kay brushes which were in perfect condition and I have been using those for a good while. My powder brush and blush brush are Mary Kay. My shadow brush (which I use for loose shadows and blending) is from Artistry. My blending brush is the e.l.f "Small Stippling Brush." I have also started using a pink blending sponge to apply my foundation and I love how it blends everything together smoothly. 

Have you used any of these same products?
What are some of your favorite drug store brands?
What is one makeup product you cannot live without?

-Madison

//Beauty Basics// Face & Skin

Monday, April 11, 2016

Beauty Basics is back again this week with the face and skin edition. Last week I talked about the different kinds of Makeup Removers and this week is all about my face and skin regime with face washes, face scrubs, and moisturizers. This area of my beauty routine is important because if I don't start out with a clean and fresh face my makeup doesn't seem to set well and my skin doesn't feel fresh. 
When it comes to the different types of face washes, scrubs, and moisturizers it all depends on what my skin is like, whether it is broken out, dry, or oily.....the struggle is real sometimes:)
Face Wash
PURPOSE Gentle Cycle Wash: I absolutely LOVE this face wash. Not only is it incredibly gently, but it doesn't burn your eyes because it isn't really soap based. It also works great for taking off makeup in the shower. I typically use this face wash in the morning and whenever my face is dry. 
Garnier Clean Blackhead Eliminating Scrub: I picked this face wash up at the store a few months ago whenever I needed something for my face which was slightly broken out at the time. This face wash actually has a slight exfoliator in it which I really like and does seem to help my face when it becomes troublesome. Plus it has charcoal in it which helps with blackheads. 
UP&UP Blemish Controlling Apricot Scrub: I have always been the biggest fan of the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, however the Target brand has its own spin off which is just as good and slightly cheaper:) The other great part about the Target brand is that not only do they have the regular scrub, but they also have one which has Benzyl Peroxide in it to help with blemishes. I like to use the one with the Benzyl Peroxide, and surprisingly it doesn't dry my face out very bad. 
Clinique Sonic System Purifying Brush: I have been using this face wash brush off and on since last summer. I typically use this with whatever face wash I am using at the time. It is great because the brush vibrates which leads to a very deep clean and gets all the dirt out of my pours. 
FREEMAN Clay Mask Mint & Lemon: I have been using this face mask forever (probably because I haven't been back to ULTA to try a different type). While I sometimes hate the feeling of putting on a face mask, once I get it on it is always very relaxing. This face mask in particular is extremely relaxing because it smells super fresh and the mint is very rejuvenating. I like to use a face mask at least once a week to clean out my pours. (typically I call those SPA nights which include a full facial of mask, exfoliator, deep clean, and moisturizer) 
Dermatologist Products: 
BP Acne Wash: This face wash is actually some that I got from my dermatologists. It has benzyl peroxide in it which helps dry out pimples when my face gets really bad. However, I have to be careful when using it because it usually drys out my face really bad as well. Therefore, when I have to use it I typically just use it every other day and follow it up with a good moisturizer. 
Acne Pads: I got these face pads from my dermatologist as well and like to use these in conjunction with the BP Acne Wash when my face breaks out. 
Moisturizers:
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion: I started using this moisturizer after my dermatologist told me about it. I like how gentle this moisturizer is, but it isn't as moisturizing as others I have used, so I vary its use with another brand. 
CLINIQUE Dramatically Different Gel: I really like this moisturizer because it is very hydrating (like it says) and refreshing. Typically I use this moisturizer in the summer because of how light it is. 
Yes To Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer: Now we get to my all time FAVORITE product in my bathroom! I know that many of you know about the "Yes To" brand and the tomato line is great for my skin which is sometimes temperamental. Since my skin tends to be dry after I wash it this moisturizer helps sooooo much. Not only does it make my skin feel great, but it also makes it super soft, and extremely moisturized. 
Exfoliators& Scrubs:
I like to use exfoliators and scrubs on my face at least every other day. As I stated before, I like to use the apricot scrub along with other face washes, but I also like to use coconut oil and honey with sugar as a scrub. Honey is a natural antibacterial, and coconut oil is a great moisturizer so mixing those with sugar makes for a great scrub. Sometimes I make up scrubs by mixing coconut oil, sugar (brown or white), and honey for a consistent scrub. However, if I don't have time to mix it up or don't want a big batch I will just take a small scoop of both and mix it with face wash. 

Have you used any of these products?
What are some of your favorite products of your face?

 -Madison

//Beauty Basics// Makeup Removers

Monday, April 4, 2016



Happy April lovely readers! Can you believe it is already another month....where has this semester gone? I only have a month left for this spring semester and I feel like the semester just started a week ago. However, enough with school and on to a new blog series titled Beauty Basics. 

When collecting questions for my Q&A I had a few questions about my makeup routine and what products I use. Thus, I thought it would be nice to start a blog series on my beauty routines and what better way to start out the series with some of my favorite Makeup Removers. Now...I know that makeup removers are not the most exciting thing to talk about but when you are wearing makeup it is important to use a makeup remover that fits well with your skin and does the job well. When it comes to my makeup removers I use two different forms: oils, and brand name removers. 

Oil Removers:

I remember when I was a little girl and my mom would use baby oil to remove her makeup. To this day this is still one of my favorite ways to remove my makeup. Not only is it gentle on my skin and removes makeup perfectly, but it also smells so powdery and nice! 
Apart from Baby Oil, I sometimes use Almond Oil to take off my makeup. While this is not my prreffered method for taking off makeup I do use it on occasions. 
Lastly, and most well known and used in the area of beauty now is coconut oil. I recently started using this for multiple areas in my beauty routine, one of which is removing my makeup. Now, coconut oil is more of a solid form than baby oil and almond oil, but it still works great for taking off my makeup with a cotton ball. (fyi....if you are trying to avoid saturated fats in your diet don't use coconut oil because it has the most saturated fat content of all the oils.) 

Name Brand Makeup Removers:

Okay...so if you are not up for using something super easy to take off your makeup, one that you can find at the drugstore, than you can go for your name brand products. Now, I don't actually use these all that often and I didn't even buy them (free samples from my great aunt) but I do love how they work. The light blue tube is Estee Lauder "Take IT Away" makeup remover lotion which works sooooo great to take off makeup and not leave any behind....plus it smells great and makes your skin feel clean. Second is Estee Lauder gentle eye makeup remover which I like to use in taking off my eye makeup with a cotton ball. This eye makeup remover is basically just like the makeup remover you can find at the drug store, so if you like this method than you can go for the drug store brands. 

All in all, starting off a makeup routine involves starting with how you will take off your makeup. Depending on what my skin is like usually depends on what form of makeup remover I choose to use, For instance if my skin is being slightly dry I typically use almond oil or coconut oil, however if my skin is being normal I like to use baby oil or makeup remover lotion in the shower. 

What form of makeup remover is your favorite?
Do you use drug store brands or name brands? 
Do you like oil removers, washes, or toner removers?

-Madison 
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