first aid beauty haul (peace, joy, & fab) !

Hi guys!

My skin is going through a weird transition phase and is becoming more and more dry. I stopped using all of my tea tree acne fighting products and decided to focus more on hydration (luckily, a benefit to this transition is my skin is becoming super clear *knocks on wood*).

A few weeks ago I ran out of my FAB (First Aid Beauty) Ultra Repair Cream and decided to stop by Sephora to pick up a new one, but little did I know that CHRISTMAS KITS ARE ALREADY IN STORE. Like Oh My God Best Day Ever! The difference I’ve noticed between Christmas Kits and the year-round Trial Kits is that the CK contain full size products, that’s right FULL SIZE. You get awesome deals with these amazing kits – the one I found at Sephora for FAB is called the Peace, Joy, & Fab Kit. It’s a $109 value that I picked up for $59.

What do you get in this kit?

• Face Cleanser (2oz)
• Vitamin Hydrating Mist (2oz)
• Facial Radiance Pads (28)
• Ultra Repair Cream (6oz!)
• Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream (1.7oz)

If you’ve been following me for a while you’ll know that I love FAB so incredibly much. I live for the Ultra Repair Cream and the Overnight Mask (Pro Tip – apply this before going on an airplane to combat flaky skin). I was looking forward to trying the face wash, but this entire kit has completely exceeded my expectations. The Cleanser is light and foamy, the Hydrating Mist smells like grapefruit and is super invigorating, the Radiance Pads are great for occasional toning, and you know how I feel about the last two :]

Have you tried any other FAB products!?

xo.

best of 2014: skincare !

Hi guys!

In the past week I’ve shared my Best of 2014: Beauty & Best of 2014: Haircare posts, so I’m finishing off the trifecta today with my Best of 2014: Skincare! Lets get right into it!

• Soap & Glory Clean On Me Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel – Oh my word I cannot begin to convey my love for this product. I’ve had this bottle since I believe April, and this little guy still has at least a month left in him – clearly a little of this product goes a long way! This shower gel has the original Soap & Glory smell which is very fresh and clean and just so great. It also has lotion built right in which keeps my skin moisturized (and did i mention it smells AMAZING?)
• The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil – This is the second cleansing oil I’ve purchased and I love it so much. It removes my makeup magnificently and is very gentle on my skin. The camomile has a very soothing scent and calms sensitive skin.
• The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion – I discovered this product this year and have already repurchased it and dove more deeply into the Tea Tree line, it is THAT good. The lotion is a gel-like consistency that smells very strongly of mint and tingles on the skin, but that is what makes it clear blemishes so effectively. The only downside to this product is that it can be rather drying, which leads me to..
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Overnight Mask – I use this mask at least once a week overnight to combat any dryness caused by my Tea Tree Lotion/ general winter dryness. When you wake up the next morning your skin looks and feels more plump and moisturized, it is absolutely wonderful; I also like to use this mask under my makeup when i am flying!
• Origins GinZing Eye Cream – I started using this eye cream this summer when I was waking up at 5am to commute to the City every day. Needless to say my under eye area suffered during this time, so I needed to do all I could to make myself look much more awake. This is definitely the product for tired eyes! It is a peachy shimmer color that instantly brightens, and combined with the ginzing can pep up even the most tired eyes.

What were your favorite skincare items of 2014!?

xo, J

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best of 2014: beauty !

Hi guys!

This week I’m going to do a mini series focusing on my favorite products of 2014! I’m really excited to share this post – this year (my first full year out of college) is when my love for beauty blogging truly blossomed. I don’t know if it is that I have a lot of free time on my hands working a 9 to 5 job, or the steady stream of income that comes with it, but I’ve acquired SO MANY new products in 2014 and I just love to share them with you. So let’s get started with my top beauty picks of 2014:

• Benefit’s The POREfessional – I found this concealer while i was still living in Florida. This was 100% necessary for keeping my makeup shine-free (and just on TBH) while living in the sunshine state!
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation – I started using this foundation the colder months here in the City. It is definitely full coverage, and lasts 12 hours as it claims. I also really like how Tarte as a whole is Cruelty Free and just really good all around.
• NARS Creamy Concealer – Perfect for covering up darks spots & hyper-pigmentation on my face. The formula is a bit thicker than normal, but I like it a lot!
• Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer – This is the PERFECT concealer for dark circles under your eyes. Holy Grail product for me 100%.
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation – This is the foundation I used in Florida and in the summer months here. Definitely great for oil control and leaves a beautiful matte finish!
• Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer – WONDERFUL product. Not muddy or orange whatsoever. I’m completely obsessed.
• Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso – This blush is just so pretty; I originally bought it for the summer as it is coral with a bit of shimmer..however, I still wear it every day, even through fall and winter!!
• Naked 2 Palette – This is just the perfect cool-toned neutral palette that you can make hundreds of looks with, love.
• Revlon Color Stay Liquid Liner – This is the first liquid liner i ever purchased, I think it’s so great. It goes on very black, doesn’t smudge, and is very easy to apply.
• Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara – I have long eyelashes to begin with, but I’m not even lying that people ask me if I’m wearing false eyelashes when I wear this product, how cool!?
• Makeup For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara – Another mascara I’m obsessed with (it was so hard to pick only 2!) The brush is tapered and smaller at the end which makes it amazing to apply. The formula isn’t too wet & when combined with the awesome brush, really elongates and separates the lashes. So so so great!!!
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy – i LOVE this lip gloss. Definitely has been keeping my lips hydrated in the dry months.
• Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters in Berry Smoothie & Raspberry Pie – Another tough decision, but I chose this formula based on the fact it is what I reached for the most in 2014. It hydrates your lips, is very easy to apply, and has absolutely wonderful pigmentation. I have so many colors, but I love the berry shades!

Whew, that’s all for now. Stay tuned for my posts on Best of 2014 Skincare & Haircare !

What were your favorite products of 2014!?

xo, J

fall skin care routine!

Hey guys!

Today is a super crisp fall day in the City. I walked around Central Park and it was so windy & this totally inspired me to share with you my skin care routine that I will be using into the colder months!! Here it is:

– TBS Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil: I’ve briefly mentioned this product a few times recently. It’s honestly the bomb.com and the camomile is so incredibly soothing.
– Olay Fresh Face Wash: Shine Shine Go Away Shine Minimizing Cleanser. I love this stuff, it’s incredibly creamy and moisturizing & smells so fresh!
– Neutrogena Toner: Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple Action Toner. Definitely great for removing excess dirt your cleanser can leave behind. It’s also really helped out with any spots I’ve had over the past few months. It’s not drying at all which is perfect for the colder months where skin is more susceptible to dryness.
– Origins Eye Cream: GinZing. This stuff, ooooh this stuff. Completely helps my oh-so-tired eyes. I initially purchased this when I was commuting and waking up at 5am, but now that I’m living in the City, I still use this daily.
– TBS Tea Tree Lotion: After reading countless amazing reviews on this product I knew I had to have it. It is so minty and fresh and is very moisturizing for colder months.
– FAB Facial Radiance Overnight Mask: The greatest moisturizing product I’ve ever used. Seriously. You put it on before bed and when you wake up in the morning it feels like your skin literally drank up so much water. LOVE.
– Freeman Black Sugar & Charcoal Mask: Such a lovely mask to use once or twice a week.
– Smith’s Rosebud Salve: I love this to prevent chapped lips in the colder months!!

What are your favorite moisturizing products?

xo, J

august favorites!

Hi everyone!

I literally cannot believe summer
is essentially over and I’m posting my third monthly favorites of summertime. I’m very excited for the transition to my favorite season (fall, duh) but I’m sad to say so long to sweet summer.

Skincare:
– FAB Overnight Mask (this product is beyond amazing)
– Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Mask

Makeup:
– Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain (LA Exclusive is my fav)
– Coastal Scents: Revealed2 Pallet,
Ballerina section (Birchbox)

Candle:
– Farmstand Apple (perfect transition from Summer to Fall!)

Book:
– Series:Something Borrowed & Something Blue – Emily Giffin

Favorite Songs:

Show:
– Pretty Little Liars (UGH THE FINALE)

xo, J