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.  

Fresh Spring Makeup!

Well, hello there!  Since the warm weather is in full swing, I've been adding more color to my makeup routine.  I've been particularly obsessed with purple hues.  I think warm purple colors are a great way to incorporate spring without going over the top with color.  This purple obsession all started when I bought the Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Kuala Lumpar and it's been all downhill from there.  This is a look I have been wearing a lot this past month or so.  If you want to know how I got this look, keep on reading after the jump!

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