2015 Goals

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I've never really been a big fan of New Year's resolutions. As we all know most of us don't make it past a couple of days with our resolutions. I always felt like it was easier just not to make one than to fail miserably. But this year I thought I would give myself a list of goals to work towards.

2014 was a pretty big year for me. I graduated from college, started my first grown-up job, and moved into my very own tiny one bedroom apartment. A lot of changes happened for me this year and I can't wait to see what 2015 holds.

Here is my list of goals for the new year:

1.) Laugh more.

I love laughing just as much as the next girl, but sometimes I can be a little too serious. This year I want to try to laugh as much as I can.

2.) Read a book every month.

I've always loved reading, but lately I just haven't really been making the time for it. I'd like to try to read at least one book a month this year.

3.) Stay in touch better.

Sometimes I just get stuck in my own little world and I don't take the time to check in with friends and family that I really care about. So this year I'm going to try to pick up the phone more or send an email just to say hello.

4.) Go to the gym at least once a week.

I know that getting in better shape is a pretty cliche resolution, but ever since the weather turned colder I've gotten pretty good at talking myself out of hitting the gym (I'll go when the temperature reaches double digits again). I figure that going once a week is a good compromise.

5.) Try something new.

Remember how I said that I can often get caught up in my own little bubble? Well I can also get stuck in my comfort zone very easily. This year I want to keep pushing myself to try something I've never done before.

In 2014 I started this blog and I can't wait to see where it and the new year takes me. Thanks for joining me on the journey.

XO- Brittney

Read More

Lush Winter Bath Goodies!

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I have long stood by the statement that bubble baths can have magical powers. Sometimes I just need a really good soak in the tub to relax and re-energize. I know there are people out there that think baths are a waste of time. If you fit into that category then this might not be the post for you, because today I'm reviewing two bath products for Lush's winter/holiday collection: the Butterbear Bath Bomb and the Christmas Hedgehog Bubble Bar.

First of all, these both look adorable. They would make great gifts for anyone in your life who likes to pamper themselves in the bath every now and then (who doesn't?). These would also make great stocking stuffers or a good small gift for a friend or co-worker. 

Butterbear Bath Bomb- $4.95

Lush took its Butterball bath bomb and reshaped it into a cute little bear which is adorable. I had never tried the Buterball bomb before and this adorable bear was hard to resist. If color is something you go for when you use a bath bomb, then this probably isn't the one for you. After the bomb fizzes out you are left with a vanilla scented bath that is filled with the cocoa butter that the bear leaves behind. I loved how moisturizing this one was, definitely perfect for a nice winter bath. 

Christmas Hedgehog Bubble Bar- $7.25

I know I keep going on and on about how cute these are, but this one is just so adorable I can't get over it. It was almost hard for me to actually use it (almost!). This was my first experience with a Lush bubble bar. The idea is that you crumble the bar under your running bath water to create the bubbles. I have to say that I would have liked even more bubbles, but I did really enjoy the floral scent.

Let me know if you've tried any of the winter/holiday goodies from Lush!

XO- Brittney

Read More

New from Revlon at the Drugstore

Hello Beautiful Ones!

There are a lot of lovely new things at the drugstore right now. Without really doing it on purpose, I realised that I have recently picked up quite a few new goodies from Revlon so I thought I would give you a little first impressions/mini review (also bonus points to me for picking colors that all look good together, that was complete accident I swear!).

Revlon Photoready Eye Art in Fuschia Flash- $9.99
Even though I've been dying to get my hands on one of these I actually almost walked by the display at Ulta because in my head I was thinking that they were the nail art duos instead. The packaging for the eye art is almost identical to their nail duos, but I don't mind. I like how you can really see the colors through the glass packaging. The display was pretty picked over so I ended up getting the color Fuschia Flash, which is not necessarily I color I would normally gravitate towards for eyes but it has kind of won me over. Revlon is marketing that these can be used for lid, line, and lash. One one end you get a shimmer (light pink) and on the other end you get glitter (bright fuschia). So far I have gotten a lot more use out of the shimmer. This is a really gorgeous pink that catches the light really beautifully. I find the glitter a little chunky and definitely more appropriate for a big night out or a holiday party. I really like the lasting power of this product and I feel like it could be really versatile. The applicators are also pretty good, the shimmer side is larger making it easy to apply to the lid and the glitter side has a small thin brush (almost like a lip brush) that makes it easy to line. I remember wearing liquid eye shadow when I was younger, so this product makes me feel a little nostalgic.

Revlon Photoready Kajal Matte Eye Pencil in Matte Charcoal- $9.99
Kajal is having a major moment in beauty right now (I might be doing a Kajal liner post in the near future). Of all the Kajal eyeliners I've tried, I think that this one is one of the best in terms of staying power. I wore it on my lower lash line during a night out recently and it held up pretty well. I also like that it's a thin pencil. As with most Kajal liners it glides on really smoothly. I almost always pick up eyeliners in black, but since they were all out of the coal color I went with charcoal and I really like it (the lesson here is to try new things). It's a great grey liner to have in your collection. The pencil also comes with a sponge smudger on the other end which can always come in handy.

Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in HD Garnet- $7.99
I always think to myself that I really don't need another lip gloss (which is true), but I had been hearing a lot of buzz on the blog-o-sphere about this one so I decided to give it a shot and I'm really glad I did. First of all, this gloss has fantastic coverage. I would describe it as sort of a gloss/liquid lipstick hybrid. It's really light and shiny like a gloss, while still having great coverage and pigmentation like a lipstick. Also, the packaging is sleek and simple with a cute little diamond on the top of the lid. I like the thin brush applicator, it makes it easier to get the color exactly where you want it. Once again, this is not a color I would normally pick but for some reason I just grabbed for it when I saw it on the shelf. I feel like it's a totally wearable deep fuchsia that is perfect for the winter.

I hope you enjoyed this little mini revlon haul! Let me know if you have tried any of these.

XO- Brittney

Read More

Essie Winter 2014: Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low & Jump in my Jumpsuit

Hello Beautiful Ones!

It's officially December and I can practically feel the tinsel coursing through my veins. Ok that would be weird and probably not healthy, but the point is that I've been feeling super festive lately. So if you're like me and you are looking for more ways to express your holiday joy then Essie's new winter nail collection has you covered.

Essie's winter collection for 2014 includes 6 shades, and today I've got reviews and swatches of two of them: Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low & Jump in my Jumpsuit. These are the two that I just couldn't walk by without picking them up at the store, I also think that these are perfect for any holiday parties you might have coming up. Let's get right to it shall we?

Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low

As you can see from the pictures this is a gorgeous sparkly gold (but it can also look silver depending on the light.) I immediately gravitated towards this color when I saw it on the shelf, there is just something about sparkle that always grabs my attention (shocker). But even if glitter isn't your go to I think that there is just something about this time of year that begs for a little sparkle. My advice is to give it a try, you might just fall in love! But if you're still not convinced, this would also make an amazing accent nail.

Jump in my Jumpsuit

I'm going to be honest with you, whether it is on nails or lips I sometimes find red to be a little intimidating. But, I am officially in love with this one. It's a really gorgeous deep red that gives you amazing color and coverage with only one coat. You might already have something like this in your collection, but if not this one is great to have. I'm thinking I'm going to be rocking a lot more red this winter.

As always with Essie polishes the lasting power of these is fabulous. Have you tried anything from the Essie winter collection? Let me know in the comments!

XO- Brittney

Read More

November Beauty Favorites

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I don't know how it happens but every month I find myself sitting here and thinking "wait, is it time for a monthly favorites post already?" So I know it's three days late, but better late than never right? I would promise to do better next month but that would probably be a lie. :)

This month I've been loving all things shimmery and moisturizing.

Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream- $15 (2 oz.)
As I've mentioned before my naturally curly hair is always in constant need of moisture, and that is especially true during the colder months. Lately I've been really loving this styling cream from living proof. You can get the small travel size for $15, but it really does last quite a long time. I just work a small amount of it through my damp hair after I get out of the shower.

Lorac Pro Palette 2- $42
I've had this palette since it came out in the summer. I remember really loving the Pro 2 when I first got it, but then it sort of just drifted to the back of my collection. I've only recently rediscovered it. The palette is 16 shades (8 matte, 8 shimmer) of really high quality shadows. I know the price tag is a little hefty at $42, but I promise you won't regret it. The colors are highly pigmented and long lasting.

Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream- $10 (0.5 oz.)
I recently received a small travel size of this product as a beauty insider reward at Sephora and I've been really enjoying it. I have the worst time with dry skin during the winter, especially on my face. I just put a little of this argan oil cream on the dry spots on my face before I apply my foundation and it helps my makeup glide on smoothly. As you probably know trying to put makeup over dry flaky skin is a nightmare. This will help you avoid that whole mess!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream in Light- $38
Some days I want moisture more than I want coverage, so on those days I skip the foundation and instead reach for this. I like BB creams, they're kind of like the ultimate multi-tasker. You could also layer this under your foundation, but I usually just wear it on it's own or with a little concealer.

Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color in Twilight- $24
I got this shadow pencil as part of the #GILTYLOVE Holiday Set at Sephora (you can read my whole review on the set here). All of the Nudestix products come in a handy little tin case and with a sharpener. These magnetic eye pencils have become my new go-to shadows. Not only are they super handy, but the lasting power is awesome and they are incredibly pigmented. This champagne color called Twilight is my favorite.

That's all I have for this month. As always, let me know what you guys have been loving!

XO- Brittney

Read More

Beauty on a Budget: L'oreal EverCreme Moisture System Intense Shampoo & Conditioner

Hello Beautiful Ones!

The weather outside is definitely frightful here in Nebraska. For me, colder weather also brings dry skin and hair. My naturally curly hair always seems to be needing added moisture, but that is especially true during the winter months. That's why I get so excited when I find hair care products that help me keep the dryness in check, and when they're affordable it's even better! During a recent trip to Target I found myself wandering into the shampoo aisle and picked up the L'oreal EverCreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System Intense Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner.

Despite the super long title the concept behind this shampoo and conditioner is pretty simple: add moisture without adding harmful sulfates. L'oreal is marketing this as a shampoo that will give you moisture without stripping your hair of necessary oils. That's a big plus for me, since my hair is naturally curly I don't want my hair stripped of the necessary oils that make my curls look good.

Let me just start off by saying that these both smell amazing. I know smell isn't the most important thing when it comes to shampoo, but it is an added bonus. These smell like warm vanilla sugar, which is such a lovely scent for this time of year. And the feel is really thick and luxurious (do I totally sound like a shampoo commercial or what?). 

Finally, let's get right down to the performance: these do exactly what is advertised. I've used this shampoo and conditioner a couple times now (I like to rotate my shampoos and conditioners to give my hair some variety), and I've been really pleased with the outcome. The added moisture is really lovely, and the shampoo lathers up nicely. 

Bottom line: these are great and you can get them for only $6.99 each! 

XO-Brittney

Read More

Maybelline The Smokes Palette: Swatches & Review

Hello Beautiful Ones!

This is a product I've been trying to get my hands on for a while now: The Smokes palette from Maybelline. So you can imagine my excitement when I finally found one on a recent trip to the drugstore (I basically snatched the last one off the shelf like a mad woman, but let's not talk about that!). Let's just get right to the review and swatches shall we?!

I'll be honest I've never owned Maybelline's The Nudes palette, I just felt like those were all colors that I already owned since I tend to gravitate towards nudes anyway. I was really excited when I heard about this one because it has some really gorgeous shades that I feel can be used for both day and night.

The packaging is almost identical to The Nudes palette, I love the sleek look of the black package and the silver writing. This palette is also pretty thin making it nice for traveling or throwing in your bag. The palette also includes a double ended sponge tip applicator, but I feel like I'll be sticking to my own shadow brushes for application.

Now let's get into the good part: the colors! I'm just going to let them speak for themselves.

As you can see all of the colors swatched beautifully! I am already envisioning so many combinations. The palette has a good mix of shimmers and mattes. Also, the black one on the top row even has some chunky silver glitter specks in it. What's great about this palette is that all of the colors are coordinated into either 3 quads, or 4 triplets depending on how you look at it. I haven't worn these on my lids yet, but they glided on easily and pretty evenly when I swatched them. 

Perhaps the best part about this palette is the price. You can get this lovely palette that includes 12 gorgeous shades for only $11.99! 

Have you tried The Smokes palette yet? Let me know in the comments!

XO- Brittney

Read More

Nudestix #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I've had my eye on the Nudestix brand for a while, but I just hadn't gotten around to trying anything... until now! This time of year is truly a beauty junkie's dream come true because there are so many holiday gift sets out right now that allow you to try out new products that you otherwise might not splurge for. When I saw the Nudestix #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit at Sephora I knew I needed to give it a try.

The #GILTYLOVE set includes three Magnetic Eye Color pencils, a sharpener, and an adorable limited edition holiday tin to hold it all.

The Magnetic Eye Color pencils are marketed as 24 hour wearing shadow pencils that won't smudge or crease. This set gives you three pencils in coordinating shades: Night (black), Gilt (gold), and Twilight (bronze). The color pay-off on all of these is stunning. Here is a swatch of all three:

The lasting power of these is also great, I can easily put them on in the morning and not have to worry about them rubbing off or smudging. My only slight complaint is that these set so well so quickly that it is a little difficult to blend them together. My advice is to blend quickly, also it just takes some practice. Once you get the hang of it they work really well.

The #GILTYLOVE set is $49 at Sephora (the Magnetic Eye Color pencils are regularly $24 each making this a $72 value). Overall, this holiday kit is a great bargain and makes the perfect gift for any beauty enthusiast (or yourself)!

XO- Brittney

Read More

Monday Musings: The Power in Being an Introvert

Hello Beautiful Ones!

What do you think of when you hear the word introvert? I'm going to pretend to read your mind (that would be pretty impressive), and assume that you consider being an introvert a negative thing. I identify as an introvert, and I'm here to tell you why that is not necessarily a bad thing.

I'm going to start this post by saying that I'm 23, and I'm certainly not really an expert on anything at this point. But with that being said, I've always been an introvert. It's who I am, and I can remember so many instances in my 23 years of life when I tried to change that or wished I wasn't. The thing is that at the end of the day, you are who you are. Sure we can change and grow. That's normal and that's great. But there is also something to be said about how powerful it can be to embrace who you truly are.

I didn't really start figuring that out until I went away to college. If you asked one of my high school classmates about me I'm guessing they would say "she was nice, but really quiet." In my mind college was going to be awesome because I was going to a new place to meet new people with the opportunity to completely reinvent myself. The thing was though that I could change my scenery but at the end of the day I was still the same person.

Try as I might to be outgoing, it's just not who I am. But with that being said, it doesn't mean that I'm not friendly or don't enjoy a great conversion because I totally do. I think that when a lot of us think about introverts we think about a kid in their basement glued to their computer because they don't like human interaction. Sure, that would be a severe form of introvertism (is that even a word?), but it's not the only form that an introvert can take.

For me, being an introvert means that I might not be the one who initiates a conversation. It doesn't mean I don't want to talk to you it just means I might not feel comfortable walking up to you to start a chat. Also on that note I sometimes struggle speaking up in large group conversations (especially if I don't know the group very well), but that doesn't mean I don't have something to say I just prefer to say it in a smaller group or one-on-one. And finally being an introvert does NOT mean I don't like going out, it just means that I also value my alone time. On a Friday night I like to unwind by myself with a glass of wine and my Netflix, and by Saturday I'm ready to go out and do something fun with my friends.

Being an introvert doesn't mean you're broken, it just means you think and act differently from your outgoing counterparts. My main point here is that it doesn't really matter if you identify as an introvert or not, it just matters that you figure out what works best for you. I know that I like listening more than I like talking some days. One of my best friends just needs someone to listen to him, we're a perfect match. Yet another good friend of mine is also an introvert, and we can sit in happy silence with each other for hours. My point is that you don't need to change yourself to connect with other people, you just need to know who you are so that you can surround yourself with people who get it.

I have more to say about this, but I think I'm going to leave it at that for today. Maybe I'll come back to this topic some day. All I want for all of you is that you are happy (cheesy but true).

Just remember to be yourself and I promise you will sparkle. x

XO- Brittney

Read More

Tarte Park Ave Princess Contour Palette- Review & Swatches

Hello Beautiful Ones!

Is there anything better than holiday palettes and gift sets? Is it bad that I love to buy said gift sets for myself? Oh well, it's important to treat yourself! One of the limited edition holiday palettes that really caught my eye was this Park Ave Princess contour palette from Tarte featuring a bronzer, blush, and highlighter.

Can we all just take a minute to appreciate this packaging? It really is gorgeous, and perfect for a gift (or to keep!). Here are some close ups of the packaging.

The palette is really slim and sleek. I love that you get a decent amount of each product. Also, there is a very large mirror in this compact which comes in handy if you are going to be doing any traveling. It's really convenient to have a bronzer, blush, and highlighter all in one palette. 

This palette includes a bronzer: Park Ave Princess, a blush: Posh, and a highlighter: Champagne Gold. I want to start out by saying that none of these colors are super bold, but since I have a very fair complexion they all work really well for me. You can build up the color as well. Here are some color swatches:

I've been applying these with a kabuki brush. Application is pretty easy, however you only need to tap your brush lightly in the bronzer to get a really good color payoff. The staying power is good, it can easily withstand a full day of work. Also, these colors are totally school/work appropriate.

The price tag is a little hefty at $34, but I would say that the product is totally worth it. Overall, this is a great value and a really nice piece for any makeup collection. Let me know what holiday beauty items are catching your eye this season.

XO- Brittney

Read More

Monday Musings: The Art of Embracing Change

Hello Beautiful Ones!

Happy Monday! The weekend always ends WAY too fast, where does it even go? So here we are at the start of a new week. It's been a while since I have done a Monday musings and there have been a lot of changes happening in my life lately, so that is the theme of the day: change. As always, prepare to experience the inside of my mind (buckle up kids!).

Ok, now on to the serious stuff: change. Change is literally inevitable. Without change we would all just be doing the same exact things day in and day out. That sounds terrible. So why then is change so scary? I think it's super easy to get caught in your comfort zone. Lord knows that happens to me more often than I would like to admit. But as I said, change is bound to happen. So I've decided that when change does happen (regardless of good or bad) the best thing you can do is just embrace it!

I mentioned at the beginning of this post that I've been going through a lot of personal changes lately. You may have read on this blog previously that I recently graduated from college and then moved back in with my parents to job hunt. Well, I can officially announce that I am now an adult with a big girl job and rent to pay (bills make me wish I wasn't quite so grown-up).

Although theses changes were ones that I had been looking forward to, I still found them a little daunting when it actually came time to make the changes. First of all, the idea of my first full-time job was intimidating. I found myself thinking things like: "what if I can't handle it, or what if I hate it?" Luckily for me it turned out that those worries were completely unwarranted. After a week on the job I'm already in love with it and my co-workers.

Another change that had me nervous, was that my new job was also in a new city. Not only was I leasing an apartment for the first time, but I was also trying to adjust to a new place without my friends and family close by. I'm still getting used to this one. I'm learning to enjoy my alone time. That's another thing about change though: sometimes adjusting to change will take a little time.

I'm not going to pretend to have the art of embracing change down to a science, but I'm trying. That's all you can really ask of yourself.

To leave you with a little extra inspiration, here are some quotes on change that I love:

“The present changes the past. Looking back you do not find what you left behind.” 

-Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.” 

-Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” 

-Albert Einstein

I hope you all have some very sparkly changes waiting for you in the near future. Whatever it is, just remember to do your best to embrace it.

XO- Brittney

Read More

October Beauty Favorites

Hello Beautiful Ones!

We can officially mark down another month in the books! I'm guessing many of you are probably recovering from halloween festivities (mine was blissfully uneventful), so why don't we go through a calming little monthly favorites post shall we? Here are the beauty bits I've been loving this month:

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer- $32
Along with the falling leaves and cool weather fall always brings me dry skin, so anytime I can find a product that will add a little moisture I'm a happy girl. This is the perfect face primer for the fall and winter months. Not only will your skin be perfectly prepped for your makeup, but the hydration lasts throughout the day. The texture is similar to a moisturizer, and there is a bit of a smell when it comes out of the tube but I don't notice it after it's on my face.

Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Drama in Soft Brown- $8
This is a new drugstore brow mascara from Maybelline, and I'm in love! I've been using this over my usual brow pencil. It does a great job of helping you shape your brows and then holding them in place. The hold is good and not crunchy. The brush is rounded at the end and makes shaping and application easy.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black- $20
This is not a new product, but I've just recently developed a love for it. The applicator allows you to make an extremely thin line. The lasting power is awesome, I can put this on in the morning and it's not going anywhere until I remove it at night. If you're looking for a quality liquid liner, this is a great option.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eye Shadow in Rio de Rose Gold- $18
If you're looking for a gorgeous liquid eyeshadow, you might want to consider this one from Josie Maran. I was already a fan of the other Josie Maran coconut watercolor makeup products, so I was excited to try this one. The lasting power is good, and the color is stunning. Rio de Rose Gold is a beautiful bronze. Here is the swatch:

Covergirl Colorlicious Lipgloss in Candylicious- $8
I just picked this up recently at the drugstore, but I'm already loving it so I decided to throw it in with my monthly favorites. This is just a really simple and pretty pink gloss. Covergirl is advertising Colorlicious as a  non-sticky gloss, and I would say it fits that description. The gloss glides on easily and feels super hydrating on the lips. I grabbed the shade Candylicious (it was about the only one left on the display), which is a very pretty light pink. Here is the color swatch:

And there you have it: all the beauty things I've been loving this month! Let me know what you were loving during October in the comments.

XO- Brittney

Read More

The Disconnect Between the Internet and Traditional Media

Hello Beautiful Ones!

This one is going to be a little different. I wasn't planning on writing a post today, but then I read an article that made my head spin and I felt that I needed to address it (after calming down... angry rants don't solve anything). I think it's important that we discuss what seems to be a disconnect between traditional media (television, news outlets, newspapers, etc.) and the internet. In the end don't we have very similar goals?

The article that made me see red came from the Independent Voices section of the Independent. The story was about mega-famous beauty vlogger/blogger Zoe Sugg (a.k.a. Zoella) titled "Of course, teenage girls need role models- but not like beauty vlogger Zoella." If that title is making you want to throw things then you probably shouldn't look at the subtitle: "her particular brand of sickly sweet girl power brings me out in hives."

I want to start off here by saying that absolutely everyone is entitled to their own opinions, however I feel that there is a fine line between stating your opinion and angrily attacking someone. The author of the article starts out with the line: "her eyes are enormous." Excuse me for being dense, but what exactly does someone's physical appearance have to do with her ability to be a role model?

The main argument of the article, as I understand it, is that Zoella shouldn't be able to tell young girls to love themselves just the way they are while still doing beauty product reviews and makeup tutorials. As the author puts it:

It’s maddening that a girl who has made it her business to tell teenagers how to put make up on, or get their hair just right, now feels she’s in a position to admonish them for “fretting” about their appearance.

This really makes me sad and angry at the same time. Are you saying that even in 2014 those of us who love makeup aren't allowed to feel like empowered women who can make a difference? The author says that Zoe should be encouraging young girls to go buy a book instead of eyeliner. Personally, I am a beauty blogger with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Does my love of eyeshadow offset my love of learning and knowledge? God I hope not. I am a strong believer that makeup can and should be used as a way of expressing yourself. I strongly advocate that you should only wear makeup because you want to... not because you think you have to in order to please the society you live in. 

This whole thing brings to my attention that there are still those in traditional media who don't understand/fear the internet machine. Zoe found success by being herself and following her passion, and she did it on her own without the help of traditional media. As bloggers we now have the awesome opportunity to share our lives and the things we care about with people all over the world. That is the power of the internet. 

Why is the internet and traditional media in a power struggle? We as humans typically fear things we don't understand. I think that's one of the things that is happening here. How could a girl who sits in her bedroom and reviews mascara on her camera have literally millions of followers (over 6 million Youtube subscribers to date)? The answer: those who are logging on to the internet aren't necessarily looking for an expert opinion. We want to hear from someone we can relate to, someone who can give us their honest opinion without the fear that they are just speaking for the company that pays them. Wouldn't this all be a lot more constructive if the internet and traditional media worked together instead of pushing against eachother. After all don't we want the same things: for people to see and enjoy our content? We are already starting to see some internet/traditional media collaborations, but clearly a complete truce isn't here yet. 

There is quite a bit more I could say about this, but I don't want to put you to sleep. What I do want is for all of you to think about these things. The disconnect between traditional media and the internet, and can someone who reviews makeup still promote inner beauty? It's easy to get angry about these things, but I think we would all be better off if we instead had a really great conversation about it.

As always your opinions are 100% welcome here (no matter what they may be).

<3

XO- Brittney 

Read More

Favorite Nail Polishes for Fall

Hello Beautiful Ones!

The weather today in Nebraska is gorgeous, not exactly fall like. But we can't deny that fall is here (and we have pumpkin spice lattes to prove it!). In an attempt to get myself into the fall spirit I've been sporting some fall-tastic nail colors (that was real cheesy wasn't it? Sorry).

I tend to go for darker colors on my toenails and lighter ones for my fingernails. I felt that these two colors complimented each other really well. Now let's get into the polish reviews and close up pics:

Essie Fall in Line- $8.50
Fall in Line is part of Essie's new fall 2014 collection. I wasn't really planning on buying this one, but when I came across it in the drugstore I just couldn't walk away. It's a gorgeous green that just screams fall (Essie describes it as "jade"). As always the lasting power of Essie is great I've been wearing it for a week now with very few chips. Here is a close up of the color:

Clinique Nighty Night- $12.50
This polish is from Clinique's A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins collection. So if you have any problems with polish irritating your skin this might be a great option for you. The price is a little steeper but the polish is great quality. This color is no longer available on Clinique's website, but I found it at my local counter or I'm sure you could scavenge for it online. This shade is really unique. Depending on the light you're in it can look anywhere from dark brown, maroon, or purple. I'm in love!

These colors are great and not too crazy if you need to wear them in a professional setting. (P.s. I officially got a big-girl job! More on that soon).

Let me know what fall colors you're rocking on your nails!

XO- Brittney

Read More

Coral Cheek Favorites

Hello Beautiful Ones!

We all have colors that we naturally gravitate towards. I never realized that coral was one of mine until I looked over my blush collection. I know that for some people the color coral can be a little intimidating, but I think you might be surprised to find that it is more flattering than you think! If you're now ready to jump in there and give coral a try, here are my three favorites:

Benefit Majorette Booster Blush- $28
I feel like I've been blabbing about this one for the last month (which is mostly true), but I can't help it I just love it so much. Majorette is a cream blush that can be worn alone or as a booster under your favorite blush. So if you're a little leary about coral you can take a small step by wearing this under your favorite pink. If you wear it alone the color starts out subtle, and then can be built up. The lasting power is great and as a bonus it has a really lovely citrus smell that will perk you up in the morning. And as a plus the packaging is adorable!

Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm in Robust Rhubarb- $21
I love Clinique's chubby sticks, so when they came out with a cheek version I was really excited. I'm a fan of anything that comes in a portable stick form (beauty on the run!). As soon as I saw this color swatched I just knew I had to have it. I just swipe it on my cheeks and then use a blush or kabuki brush to buff it out, but you could also use your fingers. It lasts well and is so easy to apply it's perfect for those days when I'm running late.

Josie Maran Coconut Water Color Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise- $22
This one looks extremely bright in the pot, but I promise you it is not going to turn you into a clown! Once again you can start out slow and then build up the color. Just like the Clinique chubby stick I apply the color with my finger and then buff it out with a brush. I love Josie Maran and her coconut watercolor makeup products and this one is no exception.

Well there you go! Now you can all boldly adventure out into the world of coral cheeks (or at least think about it.) Let me know in the comments if you have ever rocked a coral cheek.

XO- Brittney

Read More

Beauty on a Budget: Two New Drugstore Brow Products

Hello Beautiful Ones!

It's a been a while since I've done a beauty on a budget post, but I promise there will be more drugstore products featured soon! Today we are talking all about brows which have been my longtime nemesis (you can read more about that here). I always appreciate snagging great brow products at the drugstore, but it can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack.

Today I'm reviewing two new drugstore brow offerings. One I've been really enjoying... but the other just isn't really doing it for me. The brow products I've recently purchased are the L'oreal Paris Brow Stylist Sculptor ($8.99), and the Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Drama ($7.99).

Look at me being all festive with a mini pumpkin (fun fact: my Grandma grew that little pumpkin in her garden so you can thank her for my burst of fall inspiration).

L'oreal Paris Brow Stylist Sculptor in Brunette
Let's start with the product that I'm not exactly loving. L'oreal is marketing this new brow pencil as a 3-in-1 tool for brow shaping. They're counting the pencil on one end, the wax on the other end, and the small brush on the cap as the three tools. The first thing I noticed about this when I first used it was how incredibly pigmented the pencil is. You only have to press very lightly to get a lot of color. I grabbed this pencil in the shade brunette so I would be interested to see how vibrant the blonde shade is. After filling in my brows I ran the wax over my brows to set everything. In my opinion the wax is the star here. Although, you will want to have a sharpener on hand as I have used a lot more of the wax than I have the pencil. I really enjoyed the wax because it did the job without being sticky or gunky. The brush is just ok, personally I prefer a spooly. The real disappointment here though is that I can't seem to make the pencil stay on my brows. By the end of the day it always seems to be smudged or rubbed off completely. All in all I like the color payoff and the wax, but I find that the bad lasting power of this product makes it almost unusable.

Maybelline Brow Drama Eyebrow Mascara in Soft Brown
This is Maybelline's new tinted brow gel. I've had great luck with maybelline brow products in the past (Define-a-Brow is my absolute favorite drugstore pencil), so I was excited to give this one a shot. Even though the gel has a tint to it I still used it in conjunction with a pencil (it works great with my Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil). After I filled in my brows with my brow pencil I just ran the brow drama wand through my brows. You do have to run it through a few times to eliminate any clumps and make sure everything is coated evenly. I found the round shape of the brush helpful. I also used the spooly on the end of my brow pencil to smooth everything out. The gel doesn't set immediately so you have time to get it just the way you want it. After the gel dries you can barely tell you are wearing it, it doesn't make your brows sticky or crunchy at all. The lasting power is also good. My final verdict is that this product is great and definitely a good deal for the price!

There seems to be a lot of exciting things happening in the world of drugstore brow products right now. It's so great when you can find high quality products at affordable prices. Let me know in the comments if you have tried either of these yet!

XO- Brittney

Read More