Vacation Packing Tips

With summer finally here that means vacation time! And in just a few short days I will be on my way to Florida going on a cruise. I decided to share some of my tips I have learned throughout the years.

Tips for makeup and hair:

About two to one week before a trip I recommend putting all makeup in a bag and only using that for your everyday makeup. This helps make sure you don't forget anything you would want during this trip. Since I will have a few nights where I may want a darker look I like to use my everyday pallets to achieve that look so I put one eye and face so that I have all my shadows, blush and bronzer I will need to go from everyday to evening look. For hair I recommend doing the same except instead of having in the bag I just put everything to the side so that the night before or morning of I can do my hair and put it all in the bag and go. 

Tips for packing clothes:

Hey have this app

Packing in a suitcase is my favorite part of the whole experience. I love finding ways I can use less space (which really just leads to having way more than I needed) but hey I would rather have 5 extra outfits than be 2 short. 

I am by no means a travel expert but throughout my years going on vacation I have learned ways to make things more simple. I will be showing my luggage and what I recommend bringing when going on a beach vacation. 

Real Techniques

I have always been wanting to try the Sigma brush mat. Once I saw that Real Techniques was coming out with there own I new I had to try it out. I may not be able to speak for the mat that Sigma has but this is a great way to get your brushes cleaned. Before I got this I was using my hand and baby Shampoo to get them clean and always felt like it took me so long and make my hands so dry since they were wet the whole time.

I've been eyeing too faced Kabuki Brush to bring on the go and could not justify spending the money on it that I decided to get Real Techniques version with it being buy one get one half off (which it is again). It has been perfect for when I am on the go and I want to just touch up either my face powder or blush. It is perfect for both.

Tarte Concealer

I am so sorry that I have been MIA on my blog for so long! I let life get to me with work and changes in my personal life. But I making a promise to myself to get back onto two post a week. Hoping that I can make them every weekday soon. Anyways today I wanted to talk about the Tarte rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer. When I heard about this new collection I was so excited to buy some of the products. I noticed that QVC had the concealer before the whole collection was to be released at Sephora so of course I had to buy it to see if I would be buying from this collection or not. It was totally worth it! I love how this feels under my eyes and I have been using it for the past few months. I have since bought the matching foundation during the VIB sale at Sephora. I will be sharing my thoughts on that product once I wear it more.

The brush gives it the perfect airbrushed look. I have been loving this for my everyday concealer and cannot wait to try out more from this line. I have always been a big fan of Tarte products so it is no surprise that I have been loving this as well. I was a little worried at first about how this would cover up what I needed it too. I was certain that this would be for summer days when I didn't want a heavy make up look. 

XX-Steph 

Verb Hair Set

Hey Guys!


Today I wanted to talk about the verb set I recently got. I saw this kit and thought this was the perfect way to try out this brand. I have curly hair and have always had a problem with how to style it when I do not want to spend hours blow drying and styling my hair with a straightener. I have been noticing how damaged my hair has been looking so I am trying to not put so much heat on it hoping that it would help make my hair grow. This set seemed like the best way to try out a new way to style my hair.

I love having travel sets that I can throw my products in and this one is big enough where I can fit full sizes which will be perfect when I go on vacation. The bag is a little on the thinner side but it seems easy to clean.

Leave-in Hair Mist:
After a shower my hair is so tangled so this is very much needed. I like how this product doesn't weigh down my hair. It smells great and a little goes a long way.


Sea Salt Spray:
I like this spray as long as I use it with other products. On its own my hair gets so big I end up pulling my hair up. Which I hate doing because the baby hairs get all crazy and it is not a good look. So far I have been loving how this and I will give you more of an update once the warmer weather comes.


Shampoo and Conditioner:
This did not wow me at all. I have found better at the drug store. It wasn't bad, I only got two uses out of it so maybe if I had more to sample I would have had better things to say about it.


Dry Shampoo:
The jury is still out on this one. I was not wowed when I first used it and I think its because I have used better. It does give a little texture to my hair but I much prefer my bumble and bumble pret-a-powder. It doesn't give me the volume that I get with the bumble and bumble product.


All in all I think this is a good way to get to know this brand and I do really like it. Once the weather turns warmer I will know how I really feel about the sea salt spray. I have high hopes for it but I know that my hair is harder to control in high humidity.



XX-Steph

It Cosmetics

Hey Guys!


Today I was to talk about my two favorite products from It Cosmetics. I know that everyone talks about their cc cream but it is worth every cent. This foundation is light weight but covers any spots for a flawless look. I not only love this for the summer so that I don't have a long make up routine but during the winter time this is a life saver, adding the hydration that I need when my face is  on the dryer side. With all of the vitamins I feel like my skins looks even better when I take my makeup off than it did the morning before I put it on. Basically this foundation will never leave my collection; forever a staple for when I was an easy flawless look.

Ever since It Cosmetics came out with their brushes with Ulta I knew I wanted to at least get one. I may have a lot of foundation brushes but I couldn't help buying the airbrush OMG! foundation brush this puts on all my foundations perfectly. I love how it is bigger than a lot of the foundation brushes I already have (which is how I justified buying ;)) but this bad boy seriously puts on my makeup faster than I thought. It easily blends everything out beautifully. With it being so big I didn't expect to like it for my under-eye area; shockingly I love it! The curved edge glides under my eye so effortlessly that I have no need to use my concealer brush when using this one.

XX-Steph 

CoverGirl TruBlend Primer

Hey Guys!


Today I wanted to discuss covergirl primer. I have combo skin that can be more on the dryer side during the colder months but I didn't want the one for dry skin to make my face get oily after a full day. This primer feels like a lotion but not as wet which makes it easy to apply and soak into the skin. For being a drug store primer I was so shocked that I ended up liking it as much as I do. I mean this is just an all around good primer that even beats out some of the higher end ones that I have used in the past.

This primer helps with the longevity of my foundation that I am currently using without making my face get oily after a long day. I still do set this foundation but I do that on days I have gone without this primer and I can tell a big difference. Primer is a step that I don't think I can live without doing after seeing how great my make up looks and last throughout the day. Since it is a full drug store routine I have been doing recently I am loving the results.

XX-Steph 

Lush

Hey Guys!


Today I wanted to talk about some products I bought at Lush. This is one of my favorite stores to get my bath products. They make everything fresh with no animal testing which is great.

This lotion has been a life saver since the cold weather had been making my skin extra dry. The smell is very fresh and not overpowering. 

I have been using this scrub for years. It is amazing to exfoliate your body and is mental enough to use on your face. It does not make the skin feel dry like most scrubs do but instead it leaves the skin fresh and moisturized. 

Lastly I couldn't leave without getting a bath bomb. They are amazing for those nights when you want to pamper yourself. Leaving your skin feeling like you just put lotion I love treating myself to a lush bath every now and than. 

XX-Steph