With makeup trends changing all the time (did you hear that the no makeup makeup look is now back in?), I’ve pretty much given up on doing what is said to be popular.
So, forgive me if I’m a little late on this, but right now I’m all about strobing.
Creating a natural look that leaves me looking radiant enough to have been gently touched by King Midas, himself? All day, every day!
There are tons of different highlighters out there, I have yet to use most of them, but I don’t need to. I have ones that really help me get glowing.
My number one rule for buying clothes, is to try it on first! I haven’t always done this and ended up with clothes that don’t fit right or missing out on clothes that could have fit even though the tag said otherwise. So now, I try it on to make sure that I really want it and will actually wear it.
Ordering clothes online can be a bit trickier. For this, I read the sizing info and the reviews and take them with a grain of salt. When I saw the TY-LR Grey Georgia Dress on Rent the Runway, I thought it was the chicest wrap dress I had ever seen. The loose fit of it was a major part of the appeal for me, because comfort. But, when I read the reviews pretty much every single one said don’t get it. Much of this had to do with the fact that the dress was loose.
Since that was what I like most about it, I got it anyways. And I’m glad I did.
The reviews weren’t totally inaccurate. I had to wear my Miraculous bra and be a little cautious when walking or sitting. For me, this was so worth it! I mean, it looked great and I felt hot in what one reviewer called a potato sack. I say, sometimes it comes down to how you wear the dress.
Each month myself and four other boss blogger babes have been styling the same piece of clothing and since we all look and think differently from each other (hair, religion, location, skin, size, height, style…all of the above), you’ll get five totally different looks. That means you’ll get to see what I style, on other body types so you can find something that is best for you!
Any and everything is better with pockets. Especially dresses and skirts, like this one from Honey & Lace. The color and pattern make it amazing for spring. I’ve already worn it to church and received some of the best compliments!
For this month’s Styled by 5, I styled it how I’d wear it for an everyday look. During the warmer days, my jean jacket gets a lot of wear (and some tear). And the heels are chunky, so they’re a little more practical that some of my other pairs.
I usually prefer pencil skirts over a-line, but after wearing it a few times, I have to say that I may have just had a serious change of heart.
I know I’m going to be checking out how Deidre, Kaylynn, Jacque, and Alexis, styled it, make sure you do too!
Social media has quickly become my source for outfit inspiration. I saw how someone else had styled this blue Milly vest on the Rent the Runway Instagram and knew that it had to be in my next Rent the Runway Unlimited order.
Last summer I just had to have a pair of high waist denim shorts. I got them and they show a little more cheek than I anticipated. The vest covers that right up and I don’t have to worry.
And I wore heels with it because I’m obsessed with these Charlotte Russe finds, but I will be holding on to the vest for a while so I can wear it again with a pair of cute sneakers or flats.
I really can’t get over the pop of color! I mean, royal blue isn’t something I have a lot of, but maybe that should change…
I have tried a number of different skincare products, but I have to say that When Face Masks are some of the best. So, I was beyond thrill to partner with When to share about my experience with their face masks.
After trying, I found that each of the masks felt and worked pretty similarly. Not surprising, since the main ingredients are essentially the same. Opening a packet and taking out the mask inside initially makes you think what have you gotten yourself into. These masks are thick! But after you remove the paper and whatnot, you are left with what is still a pretty thick but completely manageable product.
This is no 10 minute mask, so I highly recommend using these when you have some serious downtime. Like most masks, these feel a little cold on your face. And this is where I found the masks started to vary. I found that 10:00 PM stayed cool and left my face looking younger. Not years younger, but definitely less tired. Whereas, Snow Magic seemed to warm up a bit. It made my skin feel kind of tight and let my face with more of a healthy glow.
I am a little bit of a bronzer junkie. Probably because I associate it with summer. A matte bronzer is the best for contouring, but I have yet to find a stand alone bronzer for me to use that way. When there’s a shimmer to it, I use it all over, otherwise I use it like a setting powder. I knew Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer wouldn’t be dark enough, but because of the hype I wanted it anyways.
COOLA is a brand I like for sunscreen in general, I’ve sampled their products through Birchbox a couple of times, but never a makeup setting spray. I’ve been looking for a natural alternative to Urban Decay’s All Nighter and I’m really happy to have found this, even if the full size does cost a little bit more.
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of the color, but the ModelCo Lip Lacquer feels like a pretty good gloss. I would love to try it in a shade like Morocco instead. Birchbox carries their sample sized trio for $16, it includes both Crème Brulee and Morocco, in addition to Viva.
Perfumes, shampoos and conditioners are not my favorite samples to get, but I don’t mind so much when I get all three for a total of six samples this month. Sure the conditioner is a small packet, but I really wanted to try the Davines LOVE set. It’s for course or frizzy hair. I have both. (Apparently, Davines changed the formula, and the new didn’t exactly get rave reviews. I still have yet to use it, but am choosing to remain optimistic since I didn’t see any reviews from anyone with course hair.)
The perfume is a heavy floral. Which I did not love and made the mistake of spraying in on myself rather than in the air or on a piece of paper to smell it for the first time. And it’s strong.
Despite my feelings towards the fragrance sample, this month’s box was still one of my faves.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #BestSummerMemories #CollectiveBias
As nice as it would be to pack up and go to Palm Springs, not all of us can.
Life gets in the way.
I know I personally can’t afford to right now. And even if I could, I doubt that the manfriend could take the time to get away from work.
That doesn’t mean that we can’t start making summer memories now. With all this nice weather, I’ve really been wanting to go to the beach. Since that’s not really always an option, I decided to do just that by bringing the beach to me.
BBQ style.
I grabbed a blanket, and some 20 oz bottles of Coca-Cola™ (which I like better because you can take them with you incase you do decide to go somewhere. Check out the Best Summer Ever Deals at your local CVS. Buy 2 20oz bottles of Coca-Cola products for $3! I also got a ton of ExtraCare coupons because I stop there so much).
The bottles have song lyrics on them and they help bring life to any summer gathering. I mean, with lyrics from songs like Summertime, how could they not? (Plus, if you download the Shazam App on your phone you can get the song!)
Sometimes a statement piece, other times a dainty everyday something. My dream necklace is something classic enough to wear with anything, while still standing out enough to be somewhat of a conversation starter.
And when there’s a story behind it? Even better!
UncommonGoods is all about products with a story. They really care about and connect you with the artists behind their handmade goods.
This Golden Slice Agate Necklace is was crafted by Lucy Dalton. And although, in my mind, she created it for me, I was gifted two. One for me and one for a very lucky reader. Please note, that this is technically a flash giveaway and only runs for 24 hours!
It seems like whenever I tell myself that I’m not going to select the featured box the next month, I end up doing the opposite. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s that I was that unimpressed with the sample choices. Either way, I went with the April 2016 Birchbox featured box.
I don’t want to pretend that I loved or even wanted everything in my box this month. However, I was very pleased with the Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten. I can use it as blush with a highlighter or as a highlighter with a blush, or alone.
TOCCA Hand Cream is one of my favorites and it is my goal to eventually try them all, I really like the scent I got, it’s fruity and floral, which to me is perfection!
Surprisingly, I liked the Marcelle Micellar Solution, but not nearly as much as I’d expected to. Especially since it costs as much as it does, but the drugstore versions work just as well.
Liftra Contour Cream kind of confuses me. Since I don’t 100% get how it works or what exactly it’s supposed to do, I have yet to touch it.
As for the PALOR, I raved about the blowout spray, but the volumizing spray isn’t a product I cared all that much for. Not because it doesn’t work, but volume isn’t really something my hair lacks.
Which product would make this box worth it for you? If you’re interested in signing up for Birchbox, you can use my refer a friend link here!
In case you missed my announcement on Instagram, Lookout Rooftop and Bar at Lookout Rooftop & Bar at The Envoy Hotel is now officially open for the season!
Myself, and some other local bloggers were invited to check it out a little early. The view is breathtaking and the drinks delicious! If you’re close enough and looking for something to do the weekend, there’s really no better way to kick off the season, than with sips at Boston’s #1 rooftop hotspot.
