I Bought All of the Things (Beauty Haul)

Well, everyone, it happened again.  I went a little cray recently while I was out shopping.  Oh, let’s be honest, I always go a little nuts for beauty products when I’m shopping.  I’ve had about two weeks to play with these products so I’ll be able to give you a little review.  Enough blabbering, on with the stuff! 

This and That (Haul)

Well, hello there!  Over the past few weeks, I have visited Ulta, Sephora, and Walgreens a few too many times.  I usually have a legitimate reason: restocking a product I've used up, replacing an expired product, seeing something I absolutely cannot live without for one more second.  Well, maybe not that last one, but I did say I usually have a good reason.

So, here are all the tempting products I've accumulated.

Short Hair, Don't Care

A few weeks ago, I finally took the plunge and got my hair cut.  For months I have been staring at pictures of Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, and Emma Stone, and falling in love with their shorter cuts.  My hair hasn't been this short since early high school and I was extremely hesitant to go this short again.  What really made me go for it was my hair dresser.  I went into the salon with a few pictures on my phone of what kind of cut I wanted.  I asked her if she thought it would be feasible with my hair type and if it would look good with my face shape.  She looks at the pictures, then me, then says, "Sure, why not?  It's just hair, it'll grow back."

After she put the color in my hair and I was alone with my thoughts, that statement really stuck with me.  If you want to do something badly enough, you should just do it.  Don't worry about consequences, the dangerous "what if?" cycle, and put down that pros and cons list.  There are plenty of things in life that don't need justification.  

So, my challenge to you is to go out and do that thing you're too scared to try.  However big or small you feel the change may be, try it.  You never know what could happen.

Is there anything you've been too afraid to try?  Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

Rachel

The Essie Addiction

I have a confession to make.  It's something I have known for a long time, but couldn't really bring myself to admit it.  I... I have an addiction to Essie nail polishes.  There!  I said it!

I knew this was an addiction when I had to have a separate basket for just Essie polishes.  It doesn't help that my mom also suffers from this condition.  It's gotten to the point where we have almost memorized the names of the shades we have so we do not buy duplicates.  Now that that weight is off my chest, let me go into some of my favorite Essie shades!

Summer Makeup Essentials

Summer is in full swing which means a drastic change in my makeup routine.  The full coverage, dark makeup has been replaced with the lighter coverage tinted moisturizers and warm, golden bronze tones.  Instead of talking about my entire summer makeup bag, I thought I'd talk about the products that I cannot go a day without in the summertime.  

Ulta Haul!

A few weeks ago I went to the always tempting Ulta.  I say "always tempting" because I never stick to my list of products to purchase.  Gordon will tell you, I have no self-restraint when it comes to beauty products.  Ulta is one of my favorite places to shop because they have such a wide variety of products that can suit anyone's budget.  There's always a sale or deal of some kind going on allowing you to stretch that dollar even further.  I went during there 21 Days of Beauty and had a 20% off coupon.  Yaaaay deals!  If anyone out there needs some shopping inspiration, here are the products I picked up!

Empties Deux!

Well, hello there, everyone!  I'm so sorry for the absence.  School has been insane these past few months with projects, papers, and tests oh my.  I'm going to make it my mission these next few months to be more regular so you don't have to wait two months between posts.

Despite being absent on here, beauty products have remained a huge part of my life.  (Let's be honest, they'll always be a big part of my life.)  It seems that I never run out of products a little at a time; it's all or nothing.  I ran out of all of these products within a day or two of each other.  It was a bit insane that week, let me tell you.  So, as you might have guessed from the title, here is my second empties post!

Breaking the Makeup Comfort Zone

Foundation, Corrector, Concealer, Powder, Mascara, Brows, Lips 

There are many parts of our lives where we develop a routine.  From the moment we wake up to the second we can finally shut our minds off, routines are there to guide us.  Routines are great because they can make even the most stressful and hectic of days organized and calming.  But, there are times when I get incredibly bored of my schedule.  I find this occurs the most in my beauty routines.  I get very comfortable with doing one look and I do not deviate for weeks, sometimes months.  Then when I want to change my look, I'm apprehensive.  I'm comfortable with the one I have been doing for months, so why change? 

Over the past few weeks, I have made it a goal to try more looks with as much confidence as possible.  Here are a few tips that have helped me:

1. Try it at home.  The great thing about makeup is that you can wash it off.  Try that crazy purple lipstick and see if you like it before wearing it out.  I do this the most with drugstore products.  I can't swatch drugstore lipsticks, so I just take the plunge at home.  It removes a lot of anxiety knowing no one will see me if it looks terrible.

2. Give it some time.  There are times where you will try a new look and be disappointed.  But, wait, put down that makeup wipe!  Do you not like it because you really don't think you look good or because you're not used to seeing yourself like that?  I know it was the latter when I started wearing bold lipsticks.  Test drive the look while you're at home and make up your mind at the end of the day.  If you feel so-so about it, try it again another day and see if you're feelings change.

3. Phone a friend.  If I'm really unsure of something, I'll ask a friend about it.  It's great to have someone give me an honest opinion without making me feel silly for trying.  Sometimes you need that extra boost of confidence to keep experimenting.

Aaand, that's it!  Do you have any tips?  Leave me a comment and tell me what they are!

Until next time!

Rachel 

Recent Obsession: Alien by Thierry Mugler

Hello, everyone!  I decided to start a series of posts about things that I'm loving and cannot wait until the end of the month to write about.  There won't be any particular schedule to these.  I'll just write about the products that I cannot get enough of.  To kick off this series, I'll be talking about a perfume that I have been dousing myself in since I got it for Christmas.

Before I get into the perfume, let me mention the way I stumbled across it.  I was in Sephora with Gordon over the summer and we were browsing the extensive collection of perfumes.  I'm always curious as to what scents he likes so we were giving a variety of things a sniff.  I saw this perfume and my first reaction was to laugh.  "Alien?!  What kind of a name for a perfume is that?!"  I have seen some silly perfume names, but this one was just too much.  I was still laughing and joking with Gordon about the absurdity of the name as I sprayed it on one of those sample paper things (anyone know what those are called).  Let me tell you, I stopped laughing as soon as I inhaled this perfume.  It was love at first scent and I was lusting after it for months.

If I had to describe Alien by Thierry Mugler, two words come to mind: warm and sexy.

The most fragrant notes in this perfume are vanilla and amber.  They blend perfectly together creating a very sultry scent.  A big factor for me when it comes to perfumes (especially ones that have a hefty price tag) is the lasting factor.  This perfume lingers throughout a long day at work and dinner with a friend beautifully.  It doesn't stay as potent as when you first put it on, but it settles nicely into your skin and clothes.  I think this scent is great for this time of year when all you want is a warm drink and someone to snuggle up with.

What type of scents do you look for in perfume?  Do you have any recent obsessions?  Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

Rachel

Color of the Season: Red!

Hello, everyone!  For the month of December, a color that seems to pop up more and more is red.  I'm a big fan of this shade all year round, but the Christmas season definitely begs for more of this color.  I decided to make a list of a few of my favorite red things.  There's a bit of everything here, so I hope you enjoy!

Essie in Russian Roulette
This is a classic red shade I adore.  It doesn't lean towards the cool or warm side of the red spectrum, it is just good 'ol red.  As with all Essie nail polishes, it goes on smoothly and gives a great finish after two coats.  I also love that there is no sparkle or glitter in this, making it much easier to wear.

Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner in 69
I just recently picked this up and I absolutely love it.  I also chuckled at the name because I'm still a 13-year-old.  Anyway, it works well under the red lipsticks I have that match this shade.  I have also worn this on its own for a more matte effect.  It doesn't dry out my lips either, which is always good!

OPI Nail Polish in Dear Santa
Now, this polish is for those of you who want a little sparkle and glam to your nails.  This is a classic Christmas Party nail color that I will definitely be rocking at some point this month.  I love OPI polishes because they are so easy to apply and last for several days without chipping.  This color is a bright red with a bit of gold shimmer that is absolutely divine to look at.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color in Very Cherry

This is the best drugstore red lipstick I own.  It has a very creamy and moisturizing formula with a very slight shine.  It is incredibly pigmented for a drugstore product and works like a dream.

Dress- Anthropologie
I got this dress a few years ago when I stopped in a London Anthropologie.  As soon as I saw it on the rack, it was love at first sight.  It hugs my figure in all the right places without being a full bodycon dress.  Also, the little bows on the side are such a cute detail.  I love wearing this with nude heels and a classic trench coat.  Unfortunately, they do not make this dress anymore, but the link above will give you a better idea of what it looked like so if you want something similar you can hunt around for it!

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape
When I first opened this in a Sephora gift set I was terrified of it.  It is a really  bright red/pink color in the pot.  Do not fear, grab a stippling brush that is near! (Oh, God, that was awful)  I barely tap my Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Contour Brush into the pot and then dab this onto my cheeks.  It gives the perfect just-came-in-from-the-cold flush and will look divine on so many skin tones.

The Body Shop Body Butter in Strawberry
Oh my goodness, this scent is amazing.  I don't usually go for really fruity scents, but I loved this too much to pass it up a few months ago.  I always use body butters during the winter because the skin on my legs dries out slightly (especially after shaving).  The scent is very intense when you first put it on, but after a few minutes it much more mild and wearable.   

Rebecca Minkoff Bag
My mom actually found this beauty hiding in a TJ Maxx.  Go figure!  I don't mind the "B" on the front since my last name is Bell.  This was my first Rebecca Minkoff bag and since then I've been hooked.  It's surprising how much stuff I can fit in there since it doesn't look too big!  It is made so well and puts up with my hectic life beautifully.  

What are your favorite red beauty products?  Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Rachel

Empties!

Well, hey there, everyone!  I don’t know if anyone else has this problem, but when I run out of products, I seem to run out of several at once.  It feels great when I use something up because I’m such a hoarder when it comes to beauty products.  I feel like I can also give a more in depth review of something after I’ve used up the entire thing.  So, without further or do, here’s my product empties!

Fresh- Soy Face Cleanser

I got a sample of this several years ago as a 100 point perk from Sephora.  I was in need of a new cleanser and thought I would give this a try.  Since then, I have not used another cleanser.  This is a gel-like cleanser that lathers beautifully.  It’s suitable for all skin types and even removes makeup!  I usually use this after my cleansing balm to make sure my skin is makeup-free.  It does a great job of removing everything I need it to without stripping my skin of moisture.  I would highly recommend picking this up!

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Just as a warning, my review of this product is going to sound a bit odd.  I love this specific can because it does not leave a white cast.  The smell is also amazing and not overpowering.  However, I find after several days of using this there is a distinct build-up of residue in my hair.  Batiste in general is a great brand because the product is around $7 and does do the job well.  However, if you want a dry shampoo that is a little lighter, I would go for something else.

RImmel Fix and Perfect Primer

The only way to describe this product is a shrug of my shoulders and say, “Eh.”  I liked the texture; thick with a definite silicone feel.  Unfortunately, I do not feel it does a good job of extending the wear of my foundation.  Since my skin is on the oily side, I need something a little more heavy duty than this.

Mitchell and Peach Luxury Hand Cream

I got this little wonder in my ipsy glam bag a few months ago.  The smell is very spa-like.  It's fresh and light with a hint of floral notes.  This absorbs fairly quickly and does a wonderful job at keeping my hands soft.  I won’t be running out to buy it soon since I have so many hand creams to get through, but I would definitely recommend this.

Josie Maran Argan Oil

Everyone in the beauty world has talked about this at some point or another.  It really is worth the hype.  It smells wonderful, works well, and this tiny bottle is great for travelling.  This stuff is a little too intense for my face, but it works splendidly on the ends of my hair.  Since my hair is thin, I get split ends very easily.  (Random Tangent: Looking at split ends under the microscope is horrifying.  Would not recommend for the faint of heart.)  Using this every time I wash my hair has helped with that and adds some needed hydration.  It is very expensive, so depending on your budget, that can be a con.

Not Pictured: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash- PinkGrapefruit

Something I have struggled with since my teens is body acne.  It’s not something anyone likes to admit they have, but it happens.  I have been using this stuff on and off since high school.  I love the pink grapefruit smell and it lathers beautifully in the shower.  I have found that this product does not fix current breakouts, but helps prevent future ones from happening.  I use this everyday and it does not dry out my skin.

Aaaaand, that's it!  What are some of your recent empties?  Would you recommend them?

Until next time!

Rachel

Glamorous Vampire Halloween Tutorial

Well, hello everyone!  I'm sorry about my absence; school life got crazy with the midterm season.  Now that I'm all finished with that, I thought I would bring you a tutorial in time for Halloween!  This is for anyone who wants a more glamorous look on the wonderful night of mischief.  If you want to know how to get this look, keep reading after the jump!

An Accidental Haul

It was the typical situation: "Oh, let me pop into Sephora and get that one thing I need." Then I get to the register with six things in my basket.  Wait, how did those get there?!  And when did I get a basket...?

So, I thought I would share my accidental haul with you all.

Marc Jacobs Twinkle Pop Eyestick (On the Verge)- To be fair, I have been eyeing these little beauties for a while.  This is a cream-like eyeshadow that comes in a stick form.  I love that it's a twist-up so I don't have to worry about sharpening it.  All of them are stunning with amazing pigmentation.  The one I chose is described as a "iced grape shimmer."  It's a lovely shade, perfect for those who want an Autumnal eye look but are a little apprehensive about super dark shades.

Urban Decay Flushed Palette (Naked)- It is impossible for me to go in Sephora and not walk out with something from Urban Decay.  This brand is so solid and I've never gotten anything from them I didn't like.  This palette did not disappoint!  I have a hard time with bronzers because of my skin tone.  I'm not super pale and I'm definitely not dark enough to be considered medium.  This bronzer does a great job with warming up my complexion without making me look like a dirty Oompa Loompa.  The blush and highlight shades are also stunning.

NARS Audacious Lipstick (Raquel)- I was in the checkout line (so close...) and remembered Fleur de Force saying she had just picked these up.  So, Fleur, if you ever read this I'm blaming this purchase on you.  Not gonna lie, part of me picked this shade because it was as close to "Rachel" as I was going to get.  Despite vanity being part of why I picked this shade, it is a beautiful color.  It's a pinky beige with a satin finish.  It also gets major bonus points for not drying my lips out.  

Benefit It's Potent! Eyecream- This was the reason I was in Sephora.  I had a sample of it a few months ago and loved it.  I had other eye creams I needed to use up first, so I held off on getting it.  I use this at night and I have started to notice a reduction in fine lines and dark circles.  Nothing major yet, but progress is always good!

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara- This was my 100 Point Perk for the day.  I've never tried any mascaras from Marc Jacobs and I'm very impressed with this so far.  It gives wonderful separation to my lashes as well as great volume and length.  The best part: It doesn't smudge on my lower lashes!  Thank you, tiny Buddha.  

Share your accidental splurge stories below and tell me about anything you've been eyeing up at Sephora!

Until next time,

Rachel

Perk Up, Honey

As I sit and type these are the things closest to me/on me: I am wrapped in a fuzzy white robe with two blankets on my legs, cold water, throat lozenges, a constantly growing pile of tissues, and reruns of old British detective TV series.  Sounds super attractive, right?  This, ladies and gents, is what happens when I get sick.  Since I am very well acquainted with the common cold (I swear I get it, like, 8 times a year), I decided to list my tricks for recovery as well as some "sick day makeup" tips.

• It is okay to stay home.  I know this seems obvious, but for a workaholic like me pushing myself to the limit is all I do.  Challenging myself to do better and be better was how I got through undergraduate.  This method can be productive, but it can also set you several days back on the road to recovery.  Your bosses, friends, and professors will understand if you need a day off.  More often than not, the best medicine is a day of rest and relaxation.

• Keep the makeup light.  If you absolutely have to go out, save the dramatic eyes and lips for another day.  Tinted moisturizer, concealer, powder (if you need it), brows, blush, and mascara are the only things I bother with.  Even though that sounds like a lot, it takes me less than five minutes to put all this on.  Occasionally, I will put on some highlighter to give my skin a little more life.

• When you think you've had enough water, drink one more glass.  This is something I've had to learn the hard way.  It may sound odd, but I do not get thirsty very often.  I have to think about keeping myself hydrated even when I'm not sick.  Water is so important because it helps flush those nasty toxins out of your body.  The last thing you need on top of your other symptoms is dehydration, so drink up!

• Give your skin a little TLC.  Even though I have combination skin, I pick a moisturizer that is slightly more... moisturizing.  (Was that redundant?)  My nose area especially needs this since it gets dry from constant contact with tissues.  Lately I've been using the Korres Pomegranate Balancing Cream Moisturizer, making sure to use a little extra around any areas that are particularly dry.  This stuff is great because it gives me that moisturized feeling without feeling like a grease monkey.

These are my main tips, but please share yours in the comments!  I hope all of you are well and stay healthy!

Till next time,

Rachel

Travel Makeup!

Since I mentioned I went on a little trip in my last post, I thought I would talk about the makeup I brought with me.

It was a bit difficult packing for this since I wanted to be able to do a heavy concert look as well as a light everyday look.  When picking out the products to take, I found I was picking things that I knew would work and have tried multiple times.

The Base
Dr. Brandt's Pores No More Primer- I desperately need to go buy a full size version of this.  It's a bit of a strange texture that's hard to explain.  It doesn't have that super silicone feel (which I don't mind) and it dries to a more matte finish.  It works well with all of my foundations which can be a problem for me with some other primers.

Rimmel's Match Perfection (True Ivory)- Remember how I said about six lines ago I picked tried and true products?  I'm about to contradict myself.  I bought this foundation earlier that day to try out.  I'm sure most of you know about this/have it, so you know that it is a great product.  I was able to build it up to medium-full coverage for the concert and sheer it out for the everyday look.  All in all, I love it!

Bobbi Brown's Corrector (Porcelain Peach)- I bought this a few weeks back and I have completely fallen in love with it.  As you will see in future posts, I struggle with dark circles and this really helps tone down that darkness.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (Fair)- Even though I'm based in the US, I had a friend who lives in Ireland mail this to me since the UK blogging/YouTube scene loves it so much.  I like it, but I do find it can crease under my eyes if I wear it for too long.  It is great for covering blemishes or areas that need extra coverage the foundation didn't give.

Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder (Transparent)- This stuff is sent from the heavens for people like me with combination/oily skin.  It's a drugstore price with a high end result.  I'll sing this powder's praises until the end of time.

Benefit Dallas Blush- I love using this product as a blush as well as an interesting contouring technique.  The muted plum/purple tone of this blush is what makes it work for a contour.  For the concert I put this right below where I would normally put blush and it gave such a nice effect.

The Eyes
Lorac Pro Palette- This is the perfect travel palette for me with a row of matte shades and a row of shimmer shades.  The combinations are endless for this palette and the super sleek structure makes it easy to travel with.  I won't ramble too much about this since you all have probably heard other people sing its praises.  Count me in on that choir.

Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner (Black)- Ever since I bought this, I haven't used any other liquid eyeliner.  It lives up to its name and does not budge until you decide to wash it off.  Perfect for the concert in the hot venue!

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Duo- When it comes to mascaras, I go through phases.  Right now I'm feeling the I-want-my-lashes-to-look-like-falsies-all-the-time phase.  This gets the job done.  As a word of caution, I will say this can sometimes make your lashes sticky.  I found that putting the white mascara on the middle to tip of the lash works better than going from root to tip.  That might just be me, but I thought I'd pass the knowledge on!

Tying It Together
Anastasia's Brow Whiz (Soft Brown)- I don't think there's a blog out there that hasn't talked about this product.  This amazing brow pencil is worth all of the hype and the shade selection is perfect.

MAC Peach Blossom Lipstick- This is one of my only MAC lipsticks and I use it constantly.  It is a peachy colored cremesheen formula that pairs well with almost any look.

Now that you've read this novel of a post, what are your travel makeup essentials?  Comment below and share!

Until next time!
-Rachel

An Introduction

Well, hello there!

I'm glad you managed to stumble on over to my little blog.  Let me introduce myself to you.  My name is Rachel and I am a very recent college graduate (Yay Class of 2014!).  In this blog I plan to ramble chat about pretty much anything that seems interesting.  Beauty, skincare, life chats, movie reviews... who knows!  So, please, stay a while and lets get to know each other.

Since I'm new at this, any blogger veterans out there that have any advice to give would be much appreciated. :]

We'll chat soon.

~Rachel