March Favorites

Another month has come and gone, and I have not been on my blog! I am slightly embarrassed, but feel that my busy schedule is enough justification.

But to be honest, I have really missed my blog and connecting with people! I was just discussing with my roommate today that I have a bunch of ideas and inspiration for my little bloggy. I finally have a direction I want to go, and I am very excited for this semester to be over at the end of April. That's when the ball will get moving!

But in the meantime, here are my favorites for the wonderful month of March!!

This semester, my school added a free yoga class and I was so excited. Doing yoga on my own was great, but I was really wanting an instructor to really push me and correct my form. I adore the yoga instructor here, who is a fellow student, and have learned so much from her already. She got me addicted to this room and body spray, and I spray it all the time now. I purchased mine from Whole Foods, but you can also purchase it on Amazon. It really lifts the room and helps calm me and clear my head.


Speaking of clearing my head, this lavender oil has helped as well! Every night I rub it on my neck and shoulders since that is where I store most of my stress. I love even rubbing some on my wrists and just breathe it in for instant relief of a headache or anxiety. I have been really getting into oil therapy and lavender is my first purchase so far. I purchased mine at Whole Foods as well, but you can get it online or in other health food stores.



This stuff smells so good! Holy cow!!! I recently purchased two packets of the masque from Ulta because I wasn't sure if I wanted to fully commit to purchasing the pot. It's quite pricey. But now I understand why almost every beauty blogger under the sun raves about this stuff. My hair was so shiny and soft. I mean I am still at a loss of words. I can't wait until I can use my next packet later this week. I'm still not sure if I will purchase the whole pot after reading the ingredients. They aren't earth shattering and I feel that my normal coconut oil method works just as well if not better, but it doesn't leave the wonderful smell in your hair like the Macadamia masque does.


This is another great smelling product! My face is prone to hormonal breakouts as well as clogged pores and blackheads. I tend to get little bumps along my jawline and onto my neck. It's really frustrating since I work really hard to remove my makeup from that area. Mask of Magnaminty really helps draw out the impurities that clog my pores and create breakouts. I have been using this on my chest and back recently too. I sometimes use it as an overnight spot treatment if I have a ginormous zit that needs to decrease in size by morning. It really helps calm the irritation and clear up my face!


Yet another product I was skeptical about!! I recently cut about 4 inches off my hair and have been working my butt off to keep the ends healthy. I want to grow my hair really long but was dealing with breakage and damaged ends that I thought I would just start fresh. I spray this on my ends right before I comb out my hair and it really helps with keeping them healthy. I wasn't sure if it worked well with my hair type, but after a few uses, I began to notice a difference in my hair from when I would use it, to when I forgot to put it in. Now I use it every time and never forget!



I have been burning my candle a lot now that Spring has arrived! It is a beautiful citrus scent that really spreads throughout my place. I love that I can walk into my room after it's been out for a while and still smell it! I love anything with yuzu and citrus, and this is right up my alley! It also says that it burns for up to 50 hours. How nice is that? I got this as a gift from my coworker when we did secret santa and I am absolutely in love!!!


That sums up my March favorites! I have a few things that I have been trying and will let you know how they work out. Hopefully I can begin my posting schedule the way I want to, if not, please have faith in me! I haven't disappeared, haha.

Hope your March was as great as mine was, and see you in April!

Product Review: Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum

For months now I have been looking at eye last growth serum reviews and which ones are the best. I came to the conclusion that the drugstore brands were not nearly close to the quality that others were. And then....

Thanks to Influenster, I was sent one for FREE! How awesome is that?!!

I have big eyes, and my lashes aren't that thick or long. I would say they are about average. Either way, there is room for improvement. I mean who wouldn't want long, gorgeous lashes?! 

I just started applying the Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum to my lashes last week. The instructions said that it takes about 4 weeks to see results. 

It's really simple to apply! It's just like liquid eyeliner. I put it on right before I go to bed everynight. The applicator brush gives the perfect amount of serum. 

I would eventually like to use it on my eyebrows. But I am going to wait to see how well it works on my lashes first. I'm really looking forward to my results!! 

Here is a before picture so I can compare in a few weeks:

Please ignore my puffy eye, I just woke up haha. 

At my fourth week, I will do another review. For those who are ahead of me, leave a link so I can see your results! 

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.*

Ultra Mini Lip Butter Haul/Review

So last week I had to go to Walgreens to get mascara. 

I hate when my mascara is drying up and and it makes my eyelashes stubby and clumpy. I do NOT want to be that girl. 

I guess there is a trick to rescue your mascara by adding a few drops of saline solution and moving the wand around. But, do not pump it! It will just get more air in the tube and you are back at square one. 

Now that I have a backup mascara, I'll give it a try and see how it works!

Anyways, I was walking around looking at all of the goodies and couldn't stop myself from walking over to the new Lip Butters display. In my previous posts, I mentioned how I am a lipstick junky. I love all sorts of colors. I own only 5 lip butters, but that is just because I am exercising my self control. 

But this time they got me. They got me good. 

I made a secret promise to myself that I would't buy anymore Lip Butters until I finished my favorite one. But then I misplaced it, so that's the same right? Right. 

So I got two to fill the gap that my missing one left in my heart. 

I mean it was buy one get one 50% off. Which means I spent a little over $3 on the second Lip Butter. 

Score.

"Juicy Papaya" is a soft coral/pink with orange undertones. I have really pigmented lips so the color doesn't show up that much, but it does add a little somethin somethin.

"Wild Watermelon" is a pink/red with blue undertones. I 

I've worn "Wild Watermelon" three times and love it! I really like how bold it is and it would go with a lot of different skin tones. 

Once again Revlon, you did good. You did good. 

Europe Packing List: What I am Bringing With me...Officially!

Yes, I know I am not leaving in about 20 something days, but what can I say? I'm a planner.

I did a practice run of packing my backpack. 

Needless to say, I am taking A LOT less than what I thought I would. It took me four tries to get the perfect layout of clothes. This whole time I thought rolling and folding clothes would leave me with a lot of space...I was incorrect. 

This is what 3 weeks worth of clothes and toiletries looks like. Not really. I will be washing my clothes a lot. And wearing the same outfits many many times. But I am willing to sacrifice variety if that means I can bring home more stuff...clothes included!

All of this fit in my backpack. It took very little skill, but a crazy amount of patience and creativity. I am not bringing my nicest clothes because I will be washing it in the hostel's washing machines and sometimes sinks. I do not want to risk ruining my favorite shirt.

The outfit I will be wearing on the plane is not included. But I am bringing my F-troops, Toms, shower sandals, a microfiber towel, cotton sheets, wind breaker, 2 pairs of chinos, 1 pair of shirts, a long black skirt, a floral scarf, 1 long sleeve black shirt, grey and white short sleeve shirts, and a white tank.

1 shirt and 1 pair of pj bottoms, my toiletries, jewelry, makeup, and two E-bag packing cubes. 

This is the jewelry I will be bringing. Minus a few pairs of studs because I kind of forgot to add that in. The two necklaces, from Forever 21, will hopefully make my very similar outfits look different. My watch is a cheapo one from Target and my bracelet is from Forever 21.

This is my E-bag packing cube that is filled with more delicate items such as my underwear, bras, bathing suit, and headbands. 

I am only bringing 7 pairs of underwear. I am bringing light cotton ones and Victoria's Secret Yoga underwear {they will dry fast after being washed}. I am also bring a slip to go with my skirt, 2 bras and one sports bra {to sleep in}, one bathing suit, and 3 headbands from Forever 21. Luckily all of these items will squish down to be pretty small. A backpackers dream. 

As of right now, my toiletries will be in a Ziploc. Once I get there I will put them in my packing cube and makeup bag. I am bringing a travel size lotion since I will buy a bigger one when I get there, Lush's Grease Lightening to prevent breakouts, Woolite to wash my clothes in the sink, perfume samples from Sephora so I don' t have to bring a travel size one, toothpaste, wrinkle release spray, BB Cream, dry shampoo, hand sanitizer, moisturizer, and shampoo.

This is my second E-bags packing cube contents. It includes antibacterial wipes, face wipes, personal wipes {for the overnight trains and if you can't shower}, a bar of soap from Lush, solid shampoo and conditioner from Lush, clothesline, deodorant, Q-tips, lint roller, sunscreen stick, and my Baggu bag. 

You also cannot forget your sink stopper and a journal. I am a total nut about documenting everything exciting that goes on. My parents got me this journal for my 21st birthday when I first expressed being interested in traveling. It came with maps for the metro for Paris which will come in handy!

I recently posted about my essential makeup items. Since it's not posted, click here to check it out. And if you were wondering where I got some of my supplies, click here. 

Stay tuned for my next post of my packing list!

Friday Favorites

Is it bad that I still have Rebecca Black's voice in my head every time I write something about Friday?

I say yes. 

Any-hoo, here is a list of things I have been loving this week!

1. Essie Button

 

One of the coolest Youtube beauty gurus EVERRRRRR! She is adorable. And I love her humor. I feel as though we would be great friends, but that could just be the creeper coming out of me. She has the best videos and great reviews on products. Click here for her blog and here for her Youtube channel.

2. Real Housewives of Orange County

The bitches are back! {am I allowed to say that??} But really, I have been looking forward to this for the longest time. The Orange County series was the original and it takes place near my house so it's somewhat exciting to me. After the premier, I'm already hooked and can't wait for the rest of the season. And Vicki, I'm sorry but that chin implant is just no bueno. I am now going to go into hiding after confessing my love for horrible reality TV.

3.  My new bracelet

I got this at Forever 21 while hunting for statement pieces that will help hide the fact that I am going to be repeating outfits a million times in Europe. Click here to check it out.

4. Dove Chocolate Bunny

Since it is after Easter, I have slowly been munching on my chocolate bunny. He currently does not have a head, and will probably not have a neck by the end of the day. I did resist buying more when they were on clearance. I gave myself a pat on the back for the self control.

5.  Lush's Happy Hippy

I stopped using this body wash towards the end of winter because it dried my skin out a little bit. But I recently picked it back up because the weather isn't so dry and cold. Holy cow, I missed it! I love the fresh citrus scent. It wakes me up and makes me feel, well, happy. So I guess it does what it's supposed to!

That wraps up my Friday Favorites! I hope everyone had a great week, and will have an even better weekend!

xo

-c

Save the animals!

The other day I went shopping for some supplies for my trip, and I stopped in at Lush. 

I love Lush for multiple reasons, but mostly because their products are hand made and they do not do ANY testing on animals.  I signed the petition that they had at the register and I was so excited that there were so many pages already filled out.

A few days previously, I received the Lush email that showed a brave woman in the U.K. demonstrate what animals are put through when they are forced into being lab animals. 

A woman was inside a Lush store, wearing a nude body suit. She was in the window, so all of the tests were easily seen by the public. What was done to her will forever be in my mind. 

*Warning: this image may be disturbing to some*

But I think we all need to see it. 

Her mouth is forced to stay open while she is getting creams, injections, and drops tested on her. All sorts of animals, including cats and dogs, go through this daily. For most, this is the only life they know. They are born in the lab, and die in the lab. 

Reading this article helped open my eyes. Let me tell you, I am forever doing my research on my cosmetic brands and if animal testing is involved. It is a subject that many don't like to talk about or even think about, but it is a big problem. 

I came across a video that made me cry. 9 Beagles were rescued from a lab and they never stepped foot outside of their small crates. They never were able to feel the sunshine or the grass. They only knew of the living hell they were put through everyday. It makes my stomach hurt just to think what they are tested with. 

No animal should go through this. It is disgusting that humans can inflict pain on an innocent living being. 

To take a stand and make a difference, click here to learn more and spread the word. 

xo

-c

Europe Packing List: My Must Have Makeup Products!

I mentioned in my previous post {here} that I am backpacking through Europe for three weeks, so I am bringing the bare minimum. 

Obviously that includes my makeup products.

Luckily, I am not much of a beauty product girl as it is, so I really don't have a problem with packing few items. 

For those of you who are, hopefully you can use these tips so you can pack light. Remember, you are carrying around a backpack...on your back...for long periods of time. 

Also, most of these items are found at your local drugstore, so you can save some money.

1. BB Cream/Foundation

I recently purchased the Revlon Photoready BB Cream just to try it out. I thought if I didn't like it, I would return it and I could try something else. Well, I didn't get too far because I love it! I have oily skin, and I was surprised that it didn't make my skin worse. In fact, I have noticed since I have used it, my skin has improved. I'm sure there are other factors, but this stuff has not broken me out. What I love most is that it is really light coverage and also has SPF 30. Anything above 15 is a winner for me! My bottle is only 1 Fl. Oz so it is perfect for traveling! 

2. Powder

I recently made the switch from a colored powder to translucent. It really made a difference in the way that my face makeup looked. I am currently using Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil, but because it is a loose powder, I will not be bringing it with me to avoid a complete mess. I am on the hunt for a good pressed powder, so please let me know if you know of any good ones that are inexpensive!

3. Concealer

I love my Mac Studio Finish Concealer. I have had the same one for over a year, and have not used it all up. It will be a sad day when I do, but I know I will purchase a new one right away since it lasts so long. Because it is a cream concealer, I don't have to worry about traveling and it spilling or TSA requirements. Plus it is SPF 35. More sun protection=happy Cailee. 

4. Eyeshadow

Two words: Naked Basics. Urban Decay has done it again ladies and gentlemen! This palette has a shimmery nude, a cream nude, a pinky nude, a soft beige, a brown, and black. The amount of looks that can be achieved from this little palette is unimaginable. My day to day look requires no eyeshadow unless I am feeling fancy, but when we are out and about at night, I am going to put in some extra effort. 

5. Eyeliner

Luckily, eyeliner isn't that big. So I am going to bring three: brown, black, and black liquid. Simple as that! To avoid packing a pencil sharpener and risk the shavings spilling all over my backpack, I am most likely going to purchase the retractable kind. I currently use NYX pencil liner and love them. 

6. Mascara

This is another one that is normally somewhat small. I love Covergirl Lashblast Fusion. 

{it's the purple one} It makes my lashes look great and not clumpy. This baby will help me look more awake after spending hours on the plane and also on overnight trains. 

7. Eyebrows

I, unfortunately, have very thin and light eyebrows. Most girls feel naked without eyeliner or mascara, I feel naked without my eyebrows being colored in. I got this problem from my mom, and we both hate it. I do have a small palette that I stole from my mom quite some time ago, that is so old that the labels rubbed off, so I am not sure of the brand. But I am going to see if the brown in my Naked Basics palette will work okay, so I have one less thing to haul around. 

8. Lipstick

I am a lipstick junky. I love it. I am sacrificing makeup brushes 

{meaning I will be buying cheap little ones instead of bringing a few good ones} so I can have more room for lipsticks. I have heard rumors that people in Paris dress amazing and to dress your best, well lipstick is included under that category for me. I am going to bring a classic red, a deep red, a berry, and a vibrant pink. Unless I come up with a few more of my favorites, haha. NYX have a lot of great colors for cheap. Also Revlon Lip Butters are perfect for traveling!

*because I am bringing just the essentials, I am leaving the bronzer and highlighter at home. I don't want to spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, so they have been sacrificed.*

Well that pretty much wraps up my makeup must haves for a trip. What I am truly looking forward to is  seeing just how great my packing tips are once I come back to Europe. It's a learning experience and I want to share it. 

Keep an eye out for my third installment of the Europe Packing List series!

xo
-c