beauty Archives - Page 10 of 15 - Twenty Something Plus

April 13, 2015

My April 2015 Julep Maven Box…Oops!

Remember when I said I wouldn’t be getting my Julep Maven box for a while? Well, I may have forgotten to skip this month and was really upset with myself. That is until I got my box, or rather, until I tried the beauty product included.

I have so much nail polish that, according to the manfriend and my family, I don’t need more. I say, I don’t need that kind of negativity. And that’s what my bank account tells me. I half joke…

But, what I do need is an endless supply of Don’t Leave Your Brows At Home in rich brown.

I have shared almost way too many brow products that I use. That’s because I really go through them. I like trying different ones, because the only way to know which one you like best is to try them all. Again, half joke.

But seriously, even when I don’t really put on a lot of makeup, I do my eyebrows.

Don't Leave Your Brows At Home in rich brown

This is my favorite, yes, favorite brow product to date. Minimal effort for eyebrows on fleek. I mean it.

And the polish colors are two that I know I’ll be using this summer. One of them is named Drew. (In case you didn’t know, the manfriend’s name is Andrew and thanks to all the college students we’ve worked with I call him Drew more often than he probably likes. Also, my niece and youngest nephew call him Uncle Drew. The other three refer to him as their aunt’s boyfriend…) Plus you can’t really go wrong with pink.

Next month I’ll go back to skipping, and set a reminder in my calendar so I don’t forget. And now I know what I’ll be using all my Jules Points for!

In case you were wondering, this month’s candy was the Everlasting Gobstopper.

April 7, 2015

Make Me Blush

BH Cosmetics just had their Spring Makeup Madness Sale, I was so proud of myself for scoring the Glamorous Blush Palette for only $6.95. Said palette is regularly $16.95 and still on sale, but the sale price went up to $8.95.

If you’re thinking so what, big deal, then you don’t know me (or my shopping habits) very well.

It was only like a year ago that I spent enough at Sephora to qualify for VIB Rouge. So believe me when I say that I have been really, really good.

You would not believe how good I’ve been lately. This was the only thing I purchased, and the brushes were on sale too!

Yep, 10 blush colors for under $10.

And the variety!

Some shimmery, some matte, pinks and berries…

I own a few blushes, but mostly in similar shades, so I’m happy to now be able to switch up my look more often and in a different way than I typically do. Maybe, I’ll start sharing beauty looks…

Maybe.

The only thing I’d change is that the colors don’t have names. Don’t worry, I’ll get over it.

March 27, 2015

Five on a Friday: Orange

Unless you count leopard print, I don’t have a favorite color. There are colors that I like, colors that I love, but none that I would consider my favorite. When people can’t understand that, I used to just tell them yellow.

Thanks to J. Crew, I think it’s safe to say that my signature color is now orange.

My coat is not the only orange possession I have and am obsessed with…

Lately I’ve been feeling like Olaf from Frozen. Go With the Lava Flow from OPI’s Hawaii Collection that I got from People’s Stylewatch, gives me hope that summer will come.

This clutch is far from new, but I love it.

I have the pleasure of attending Monarch Workshop this past weekend and meet some of the most amazing women, EVER. I’ll be sharing more about my experience later, but one inspirational beauty, Alyssa Antonucci, makes the absolute cutest beaded bracelets. I am so in love with this tassel one from her, that I don’t think I’ve taken it off since the workshop!

For the longest time I thought that flip flops were flip flops and Havaianas were overrated. Then I found a pair at T.J.Maxx and I can’t believe I ever though such ludicrous things…

And last, but not least, I snagged this orange tank from Old Navy clearance for $2! I’d seen it and wanted it, but wasn’t sure just how much so I didn’t buy it, wait, and then had to have it. I went back, couldn’t find it, got really upset, then went through the entire clearance section until I found it. I earned this top. You will definitely be seeing it in an outfit post or two at some point.

Do you have a signature color? What’s your favorite color to wear?

March 25, 2015

Switching Up My Skincare

Did you know that e.l.f. Cosmetics now has a skincare line?

Well, until very recently, neither did I.

I have been asked about my skincare routine a few times, and to be quite honest, I don’t really have one. Or rather, I didn’t have a consistent one. I tried a few lines, but never found anything that I loved to use on a regular basis, and could afford to buy more of when I needed to.

While very familiar with e.l.f. Cosmetics (their lengthening mascara is one of my favorites), I know they’re a brand that I can purchase something from without feeling guilty. If I were to go on vacation and forget to pack my makeup brushes, I wouldn’t even think twice about buying a whole new set. Call me crazy, but you can literally buy an entire quality e.l.f. set of brushes for the same price as one brush from just about any other cosmetic brand.

Day:

I wash my face, apply the soothing serum, then the daily hydration moisturizer and finish by dabbing the illumination eye cream around my eyes (all around, not just underneath).

Tip: When applying the eye cream, use your ring finger to dab gently, the eye area is very sensitive.

Night:

After washing my face (or more realistically cleaning it with a makeup removing wipe), I apply the Nourishing Night Cream.

I’ve now been using the e.l.f. Cosmetics skincare products for the past two weeks and I can already tell that this is going to be a phenomenal relationship!

Also, if you don’t follow them on Instagram, you might want to…
#playbeautifully

March 12, 2015

My March Birchbox

Guess what I got!?

My March Birchbox. No surprises there. Once again, despite the fact that I said I wouldn’t, I decided to select the feature box this month. There wasn’t a guest curator, but there was a theme.

Beauty Solutions!

Products that are the answers to some of our biggest beauty blunders…

What made me change my mind?

Well, honestly the blush. It’s baked, and I had yet to try a baked blush and wanted to know what the hype was all about. Let’s just say, Laura Geller Beauty’s Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Pink Grapefruit is my new favorite blush.

It also didn’t hurt that there was a derma e product again this month. Still can’t get enough! And paired with the derma e product from my box last month, perfect combo. My travel bag has never been happier!

Not everyone gets their monthly subscription box one the same day. So, after seeing a comment on Facebook about the smell of the Whish body butter, I was worried I would hate it. Delightfully, to me, it smells like almond scented anything else and I really enjoy it. It’s now a staple in my handbag, and I have yet another item added to my list of things to save my Birchbox points up for.

I’d never heard of Dear Clark and since discovering Ubuntu oils, I’ve been pretty loyal. However, I started running low, so giving this hair tonic a try will be happening, just not quite yet.

Usually, when I get a smaller sized sample, I am left feeling slightly cheated and a little disappointed. I’ve learned that with Supergoop! a little bit goes a very long way, so I don’t mind as much. I’ve tried this eye cream before, and I think I may still have some left from the last time I got a sample.

Is there anything from my March Birchbox that you’d want to try? Anything you already use? Let me know in the comments!

March 6, 2015

My Take on evian Facial Spray

I’ve been hearing a lot about facial sprays lately, so I thought I’d throw in my two cents.

Some want to know if they are worth it and others question which sprays to consider. I’ve tried a few, and think they are worth it for sure.

Lately, I’ve been using evian Facial Spray. I really like that it leaves me feeling refreshed and clean, without a bunch of random ingredients.

Another reason I like evian Facial Spray is I can use it to set my makeup. It not only gives my skin a dewy look, but also helps my look to last. And if I need to freshen up a bit, instead of sifting through my handbag for everything to reapply, I can just give myself a quick spritz.

Trying to find a way to blend your makeup better? Spray your makeup sponge, then blend. You’ll look #flawless! (Because without the hashtag it’s a totally different word.)

Want to intensify your makeup and make it really pop?

These swatches of blush are the same color. The only difference is for the top swatch, I sprayed my makeup brush with evian Facial Spray before applying. Such a drastic difference! Can we please just take a moment to admire the boldness?

A major thanks to The Wilkes Group for sponsoring this post!
Bonus: Right now evian has a giveaway going on, you can find out the details and enter here.

March 2, 2015

Quick and Easy DIY Lip Scrub

I have lips that are on the more full side and if I don’t exfoliate them with a lip scrub, gross things happen.

Even though it is now March, it is still very much so winter. I know this because I’ve needed to pick away the blatant dead skin off my lips more times than I care to share…

Lip treatments, balms, and glosses are great, but if you are not exfoliating, then peeling is going to happen.

My current favorite lip scrub is one I found on Pinterest from Her Campus. It’s really easy and you only need three ingredients that you can probably find in your kitchen.

Just a tablespoon of sugar, the same amount of honey, and a teaspoon of olive oil. Mix and store. My mom happened to have some salad dressing cups and they were the perfect size!

There’s quite a few different lip scrub concoctions that I’ve come across, but I haven’t tried too many. Do you have one that you swear by?

February 23, 2015

Pick Your Perfect Le Marc Red

When it comes to lipstick, I dabble.

I don’t really tend to go bright or bold.

Not because I don’t like it but because there are just so many colors! And each of the colors has like a bazillion shades to choose from.

Figuring out which ones are best for my skin tone and complexion can be a bit much.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is here to help you easily determine which of the Le Marc Lip Crème reds is the perfect red for you!

And simply by using your skin tone and hair color…

Do you have warm undertones and blonde hair? Try 200 Oh Miley.

Too bright for your taste? OK, then go with 238 Je T’aime.

Cool skin and brown hair? You’d look great in 208 Miss Scarlet.

This chart, that also tells you what types of reds you should avoid, can be found on MarcJacobsBeauty.com. The Le Marc Lip Crème is only available there and at Sephora.

From left to right/top to bottom: 200 Oh Miley, 202 Goddess, 208 Miss Scarlet, 210 Blow, 212 Rei of Light, 234 Core Cora, 238 Je T'aime — From left to right/top to bottom: 200 Oh Miley, 202 Goddess, 208 Miss Scarlet, 210 Blow, 212 Rei of Light, 234 Core Cora, 238 Je T’aime

I have warmer undertones and dark hair so 202 Goddess and 210 Blow are the two reds that Marc Jacobs Beauty suggests for me.

And even though I love all seven of the reds that I got to try, I don’t think that it is humanly possible for me to agree more!

Thanks to Marc Jacobs Beauty I’ll be rocking red much more often!

February 20, 2015

Ubuntu Oils are the New Moroccan Oil

Moroccan oil is so 2014.

The new generation of oils?

Baobab oil, Mafura oil, Marula oil, and Mongongo oil are the four oils used in the newest product line from Lee Stafford, Ubuntu oils from Africa. These oils are all super hydrating and restore dry, damaged hair. The line is exclusive to Ulta and doesn’t cost much at all!

My personal thoughts?

I could not have gotten the chance to try this at a better time! My hair has been so dry lately. It was shedding pretty badly, to point where I was very seriously debating whether or not I should just shave it all off.

I recommend Ubuntu oils from Africa to anyone who wants to improve the condition of their hair. Or anyone who just wants their hair to smell nice, because this stuff smells unbelievably amazing! (It’s kind of fruity, but not in a citrusy way.)

Since using Ubuntu oils from Africa, my hair hasn’t grown to Rapunzel length proportions or anything like that, but it does feel healthier and that’s all I really cared about. That and the fact that once I run out I don’t have to scrimp and save, I just run to Ulta and by more. Afterall, I am an ULTAmate Rewards member now…

February 17, 2015

Striving for Progress

While I have been trying to progress in many aspects of my life, I can’t shake that feeling that I haven’t really accomplished much.

That is until I creeped on my own Instagram feed…

A few days ago I posted this selfie.

Fresh face and my Layla.

A photo posted by Bethany Everett (@twentysomethingplus) on Feb 15, 2015 at 11:53am PST

Less than a year ago I posted this one.

From no lashes to lashes like whoa! And, yes, #theyrereal! #benefit #realsies A photo posted by Bethany Everett (@twentysomethingplus) on Mar 25, 2014 at 9:12am PDT

Notice a difference?
I sure do!

Over-tweezing was one of my biggest beauty weaknesses. After coming to the realization that if I wanted thicker brows it meant I’d have to put the tweezers down, I stopped plucking. I have since learned restraint and only clean up very obvious stray hairs.

Would you believe me if I told you that in both photos my brows had been groomed? I am wearing eyebrow gel and brushed them to make sure they were their fullest. And get this, they were also both taken with the front camera on my iPhone!

These changes may not have been the most earth shattering, but they are proof that the things we want to achieve often take effort and happen over time.

Keep striving!