It's time for one of the year's biggest beauty sales; the Sephora VIB Sale starts for Rouge members on April 9th and VIB and Beauty Insider days will follow in the coming weeks. Twice a year, Sephora has a 20% off sale and almost everything is eligible. 

These Sephora sales used to be a bigger deal because nothing ever went on sale at Sephora but that's changed recently. I think they finally realized they needed to be competitive with Ulta who frequently has 20% off coupons and other sales throughout the year.

Nowadays, Sephora will throw random coupons at us (just a few weeks ago I got 20% off brows for no reason!) and they even price match Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty. While we get more from Sephora than ever before, the VIB Sale still feels special. It's a time to try new products, stock up on some favorites and have a little fun.

Over the past two years I feel like I've lost my love of beauty products; the market felt oversaturated and the products felt too similar. Throw in a pandemic where no one is really wearing makeup and it all feels a little pointless. However, that's really changed in the past few months. I don't know what it is but I feel really excited about beauty products again... and that's resulted in me buying and trying more.

I've been holding off on a Sephora purchase for the past month because I knew the sale was coming up and I got a gift card for Easter (thanks mom!) so there are definitely a few things I'm going to buy.

What I'm Buying

What I Recommend

I do this post every time there's a Sephora sale and I mostly recommend the same items... I can't help that I love what I love! Below are my picks from the sale and what you need to try! 

Makeup

I really enjoyed doing the first 'beauty that didn't work for me' post because I'm always so focused on finding things that do work for me and telling you about them but that I feel like not a lot of people are honest about the products that didn't work for them.

Beautyblender Instaclean Sponge & Brush Cleansing Spray

When I saw that beautyblender was releasing this spot cleaner spray, I was super psyched! I ordered it the first day it was available and when I received it, I put it to the test immediately. After testing, I immediately put it back in the box and printed a return label.

This was incredibly oily and didn't remove any of the stains. It was a weird consistency and I hated the smell.

Instead of this, I just use the Sephora Collection Instant Brush Cleanser -- it is fragrance-free and super easy to use.

Kiehl's Lip Balm

My struggle with lip balm continued when I tried this Kiehl's lip balm. It's the classic, no fuss lip balm that has an almost 5-star review on Sephora.com. This is a fragrance-free balm that has a vaseline consistency. It does get a little oily when you first use it but it doesn't really affect anything else. Just as with other balms, I used this for a few weeks and all was well; then, out of nowhere, it stopped working for me and I broke out in an allergic reaction. I kept it in my collection for months and would go back to it every so often but the result was always the same. I eventually gave it to my sister and she hasn't had a problem with it. My lips are just too sensitive. 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

It Cosmetics CC Cream

This is another cult classic product that I really hated. I didn't have an allergic reaction to the It Cosmetics CC Cream but I really just didn't like it! I don't understand why everyone has an obsession with this product! It's not a CC Cream, it is a full-blown foundation. It looked incredibly heavy and cakey on my skin and I was able to actually feel it on my face. I don't know if my skin just didn't like the CC Cream but I definitely did not like how I looked with it on. I gave it away to a friend who wanted to try it and she seemed to like it! 


Benefit Cheek Palettes

This isn't exactly one product but a category of product. I love a good face palette and have quite a few of them, from Becca, Laura Geller and NARS (to just name a few). One brand of face palettes that I never experimented with was Benefit and I think they are probably highly known for their face palettes. The palettes usually come with five face products and a little brush; they consist of bronzers, blushes and highlighters. To me, always seemed so bulky and useless. I don't have too much space when it comes to my makeup (probably because I have too much makeup) and that was something always holding me back.

It was only a few years ago when I saw one of the limited edition palettes in the store that I jumped at it. I just couldn't get it out of my head and had to have it. I only lasted a few months with it before giving it away because I just wasn't reaching for it. I felt like the colors were all wrong and they were products that I was reaching for. I think the palettes are just too big, too cumbersome and come with too many shades for one person to use.

Recently, Benefit Cosmetics released a mini, three product palette that I definitely want to try! I think they are more my speed.

What are some beauty products you've tried but haven't worked out?
xoxo
B

Sometimes I stop and think about the things I do in everyday life and wonder if other people have the same quirky habits that I do. I wonder if the things I do are weird or totally normal. As I've grown up, I realized that a lot of the things I do are in fact a little weird but everyone has their thing. 

When it comes to beauty habits, I've realized that a lot of people do things very differently; whether it's applying eyeshadow before or after foundation, conditioning your hair before or after you wash your body, and so on and so forth.

I started to think about the things that I do in my beauty routine that could be a little odd, or just different from the traditional ways of doing things and wanted to share them all with you!

*These might seem silly but I know I have more, I just have to pay closer attention to my beauty routines.

Mascara and Setting Spray

Not Taking Makeup Off Before Shower

Beauty trends come and go every year or so; from glossy lips to makeup as skincare to beaming highlight to ombre hair... we've seen pretty much everything. Sometimes the trends lean more toward ingredients like hyaluronic acid or cannabis -- at some point in time, everyone hopes on an ingredient train.

Now, there is a trend that incorporates a little bit of everything; trendiness, ingredients, and basically an entirely new category.

Anti-pollution beauty.

Have you ever really thought about pollution? I mean, thought about it not in terms of breathing it in or what it'll do to your insides because I'm pretty sure we all have thought about that. I used to have an irrational fear of pollution when I was younger and was haunted by the fact that our air was so dirty. I grew out of it until I started seeing this trend pop up everywhere... now I'm obsessive about protecting my skin.

Anti-pollution beauty is all about protecting your skin from environmental stressors and making sure that the pollution and grossness in the air aren't penetrating and damaging your skin. Beauty brands are starting to realize the damage that cities can cause our skin to freak out. Between trains, planes, and automobiles, the droves of people you come in contact with, and the overall dirt that is in an overpopulated city, why wouldn't your skin rebel?

I have first-hand experience with this. When I started my job in 2015 and was commuting to Manhattan on a daily basis, my skin freaked out. It wasn't used to being underground, surrounded by germs and thousands of people; it wasn't used to the smog from the trains and just the overall disgusting environment that comes along with Manhattan. I broke out everywhere, mostly along my cheeks and chin, and it was very difficult to get rid of.

As a teenager, I had typical acne -- a break out here and there but nothing that couldn't be dealt with by using Proactiv and Clean and Clear. I was very lucky, I know that. But now, at age 22, the city was wreaking havoc on my skin. Eventually, I got it under control and my skin became used to the stress of the city but I think I could've used some anti-pollution skincare.

Toxic, city air is linked to eczema, hives and premature aging and brands are starting to fight against that. Ingredients in city defense products can be anything from vitamin A, B, and C, anti-oxidants and

The key to anti-pollution beauty is to form a barrier between your skin and the environment.

I've started to incorporate these types of products into my routine and I've really been loving them all. If I can see a difference, I'm not sure but I think over time, I will notice my skin being healthier and overall in better shape.

Cover FX Water Cloud Primer

When I saw this primer pop up on Sephora.com, I didn't hesitate for a minute. I purchased it immediately because it was incredibly intriguing. The Water Cloud Primer defends against pollution, environmental stressors and something I've never seen before: Bluelight!

Now we have to worry about blue light affecting our skin, not just our eyes. Applying this primer under your makeup will help protect your skin from all the harmful things and it's a good primer to apply when you're sitting in front of a computer all day.

I've been applying this without any makeup on before I go to work just to give my skin that extra barrier. It's pretty cool and I've been loving it.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti Pollution Sunshine Drops

I haven't used this a lot since the weather turned cold but I used it so much during the summer! The Drunk Elephant Bronzing serum made a huge splash when it launched this past summer because of its anti-pollutant ingredients and gorgeous bronze finish it adds to your skin.

It contains Vitamin F fatty acids to build up a skin barrier; the mix of anti-oxidants will protect against pollution, according to the Sephora website. I love mixing this in with my Hangover RX Primer for extra moisture, protection, and a gorgeous glow.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Detox Scrub Anti-Pollution Volcanic Clay

Below are more products that I haven't used that are anti-pollution

In 2018, I kind of lost my love of beauty buying. There are so many products being released on a daily basis, some are overhyped, some are items we've seen so many times before -- truthfully, it got a little overwhelming. I was overwhelmed by everything in my collection and needed a break.

However, that doesn't mean that I stopped buying altogether. I definitely found new favorites through my shopping endeavours but I also found some duds.

I think it's important to look back at items you've purchased and see what worked and what didn't. If you know what you like, that's an easy task. If not and you're more indecisive, choosing what didn't work can be a little more difficult. I find myself somewhere in the middle.

I want to like everything I purchase but sometimes, they just don't work for me. Whether it's a texture or color thing, or if I had an allergic reaction, I'm semi-good at knowing immediately when something doesn't work for me. I'm also pretty good at returning the things I absolutely hate.

The last time I did a post like this was in August 2016. I've disliked a lot of beauty products since then and I figured it was time to lay it all out there.

*A note on the last post: I said I didn't like the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation & Concealer. I actually got these again somehow and I completely changed my mind. I am obsessed with this foundation and concealer now. The foundation I still have, the concealer I went through a while ago. Maybe I will do another post on this but just wanted to say it's possible to change your mind about products!  

Products That Didn't Work

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that I suffer from incredibly dry skin. This winter though, it's been really bad, probably the worse it has ever been. I'm constantly itching and my skin is bleeding from me itching and just the dry skin patches in general.

I don't remember my skin ever feeling this parched or having this many dry patches... I didn't change anything but something must have changed in the air or my skin is just becoming more sensitive.

I've bee suffering for a few months, ever since the Fall began but I think I finally cracked the code to help me this year. These are my must-have items for smooth, hydrated skin this winter.

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion

I notice the biggest difference between when I use this and when I don't. I always hated applying lotion when I got out of the shower and it was a step I always skipped. I hated how it made me feel and I didn't like being greasy. When Nivea released this a few years ago, I immediately bought it and my life was changed.

The in-shower body lotion is just that -- you apply it in the shower and then rinse off before you get out. I was wondering why my skin was acting up so badly and then remembered I hadn't been using this. I purchased a bottle, started using every day and voila, my dry skin was instantly better. I cannot rave about this or recommend it enough.

I use the Extra Dry skin/Cocoa Butter version and it's so rich and creamy, it makes all the difference.

Ouai Rose Body Oil

While I hate the feeling of a body lotion, I love body oil. I used to have a sample of the Caudalie Body Oil and after a shower, I'd slather it on and my skin felt so good. I figured that oil might work again for me! The only oil I had was Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil (as I'm writing this, I remembered I have a whole thing of argan oil) and after I put it on, my skin instantly felt better. That, combined with the Nivea In-Shower Lotion has been a real saving grace.

Lip Care

Aside from my body, my lips have been insanely dry and chapped this winter. I cannot even handle it and I've been experimenting with so many different balms. Usually, Vaseline and Aquafor are the best for me but sometimes even that isn't cutting it. I am testing out two items now that if they work, I'll let you know but two saving graces have been Glossier Balm Dot Com (which I have used in the past but now I have the original and it's to die for) and the Milk Kush Lip Balm. The Milk Makeup balm is infused with cannabis so it has anti-inflammatory properties which apparently does wonders for my lips!

Scalp Care

My scalp has also been a disaster but it's very rare that it ever behaves. I needed something new and tried the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Shampoo but it made my hair incredibly tough and greasy. I went out and got the Dove Dermacare Scalp Reviv Shampoo after seeing Teresa's post and have fallen in love. I thought I had used it once before and didn't like it but I'm not sure because it is really hydrating my scalp and keeping it itch-free. I also like to the use Briogeo Scalp Massager to give more of a deep clean and get the gunk out of my scalp.

Aside from products, there are a few other things you can do, like make sure you're drinking enough water, avoid hot showers (which is super hard for me because I like to boil) and use a humidifier in your room.

What are your favorite ways to treat dry skin?
xoxo
B

I took two days off from the blog to focus on Christmas with my family and it was so nice. I hope you all had a beautiful few days with your families and loved ones. Now, I'm on vacation and taking these days before 2019 to relax and I'm so excited.

It's time I start wrapping up the year on the blog and I'll be talking about all my favorites from 2018. Today, we're kicking it off with my favorite beauty items of 2018. This was a year where beauty took a backseat and I stopped shopping at Sephora twice a week. I was much more mindful of what I was purchasing and the items I did pick up quickly became favorites. Here are just a few of them...

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

I think this was a beauty item that will be in a lot of end of year round-ups because it made the biggest splash this year. It is definitely my most used beauty item of the year and I can't remember a night where I didn't slather this on my face and bask in its glory. This is a mask that can be worn as a mask or as a moisturizer, meaning you don't have to wash it off. I use it as my night cream and my skin feels so soothed and healthy afterward. When I have a heavy makeup day or just feel like my skin needs extra love, Jet Lag cures it all. It isn't too heavy where you feel like you're a greaseball afterward, and you can even wear it under your makeup -- that's the beauty of it; it's deeply hydrating but not heavy. It was definitely my favorite item of the entire year.

Neutrogena Hydroboost Cleansing Lotion

I love a good cleansing oil but sometimes they are too greasy and heavy; sometimes I want to use them as a cleanser and not a makeup remover. This year I discovered one of my favorite cleansers; the Neutrogena Hydroboost Cleansing Lotion. It's thinner than a cleansing oil but thicker than cleansing milk -- it's the perfect happy medium. I use it on its own or with my Clarisonic and it gets all the remanents of my makeup off. It's very gentle, has no scent and hydrating. If this sounds like something you need, I highly recommend picking the Hydroboost Cleansing Lotion up!

Slip Silk Scrunchies

I've fallen in love with $40 scrunchies and I think this is what rock bottom feels like. I thought I had found the perfect scrunchie in Invisibobble and while those are still awesome (and only $8) my Slip Scrunchies are just incredible. From the brand Slip, the Silk Pillowcase brand comes silk scrunchies that won't leave indents and won't damage or break your hair. They have big scrunchies which are the first ones I got and then the thin ones (which are my current favorite). They hold my thick, curly, unruly hair in place and look so adorable in the hair or on the wrist. I don't know if I will ever buy another type of scrunchie again.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk

This may be cheating as I only picked up these items within the past two months but my goodness, they are the best. I'm talking about the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Pillowtalk and Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillowtalk. They are the best pair in beauty, the most natural and gorgeous colors and incredible formulas. Wear them alone, wear them together -- the possibilities are endless. They both apply like a dream and are comfortable on the lips. There is a reason that the shade Pillowtalk is a cult classic -- you NEED THEM!

Below are a few other honorable mention items!

xoxo
B

Once the weather dips in temperature and the calendar strikes October, I am fully in Fall lip mode! It continues until about March when I have to put away all my dark colors but I savor every last bit of it.

Dark lipstick wasn't something I always loved but over the past few years, I've realized how cozy and chic they make me feel and look.  I fully blame Kylie Jenner for this as well because her liquid lipsticks are the reason I got hooked on this trend. Now, I wait all year to be able to rock a dark berry or brown lipstick.

I figured what better time to share my favorite cold weather lipsticks than right before Thanksgiving and of course, the biggest shopping day of the year!

From top to bottom: Twenty, French Press, Yum Yum, Latte, Velvet Teddy and Sex on the Peach

Too Faced Sex on the Peach

MAC Velvet Teddy in Matte

Anastasia Beverly Hills in Latte

Sephora Collection #Lipstories in Yum Yum

Bite Beauty French Press Lipgloss in French Press

Kylie Cosmetics Twenty Lip Kit

The holiday season has begun and holiday gift sets have been out since the last week of September. Brands have put out a lot of exciting, beautiful sets and so many of them have me ready to spend a ridiculous amount of money.

Every year, I like to buy a few sets to try some new items or stock up on ones I already love. Sometimes it's the packaging that pulls me in or an exclusive shade that I just can't resist. This year, I'm much more drawn to the skincare and haircare sets, however, there are a few makeup ones I have my eye on.

I rounded up a number of different sets that look worth the value and I'd think about buying (or gifting) but I also wanted to highlight the sets that I will probably be picking up!



1. Fresh Non-Stop Radiance: The Fresh Beauty sets are always my favorite and a great introduction to the brand depending on which set you get. They have gift sets in all different price ranges but this year I really am drawn to the Non-Stop Radiance set. It comes with a full-size Soy Cleanser (THE BEST), a mini Lotus Youth Preserve Mask, a full-size Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer, a mini Vitamin C Antixodant Glow Face Mist, and a mini Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment.

2. NARS Manic Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Set: Every year NARS releases a four piece set of their full size lip pencils. Every year I say I want it but never pick it up. Will this year be the time I finally get my hands on this gorgeous set? Who knows but I really want it! I'm pretty sure the set comes with 4 limited edition, exclusive shades but they look so gorgeous and perfect for the holiday & winter season, it's too good to pass up.

3. Origins Mini Mask Musts: Origins has some incredible masks and I love this set of their five best selling masks. For under $30, you cannot beat this!

4. Sephora Collection Wish Upon a Star Advent Calendar: I've been wanting an advent calendar for years now but all the ones I see are super expensive. Sephora Collection, which has amazing products for a reasonable price came out with their own calendar this year and it's under $40. I might just scoop it up!

Below are the rest of my picks for the holiday season! 

Skincare Sets

Zodiac beauty products are very trendy right now. Everyone is hopping on the train, from Colourpop, KL Polish, and Fresh. I'm all about it because I love my Zodiac sign and I'm very into astrology.

However, one brand has had astrology products for a while and that's Julep. I've definitely seen the astrology line over the past year but someone correct me if I'm wrong!

I recently hauled a few Julep products and one of them was the Stirring Sagitarrius nail polish. I used it for the first time over the weekend, my first time using a regular Julep polish in a while and I was pleased.

The Color

It's difficult to describe exactly what this color is. On the Julep website it says it's an irrdescient mauve which is very accurate but it has hint sof lavender, blue and silver throughout it, making it very irrdescient and sparkly.

It's a stunning color, perfect for year round wear even though I probably will classify this as a fall/winter polish in my collection.

The Formula

It is a decent formula, Julep always is but this polish was a little goopy. I think it has something to do with the glitter infused into it but it was very thick. It applied really nicely, two coats was more than enough.

The polish dried rather quickly but I also used the Essie Jet Setter Top Coat as well as the Julep Ta Da Drying Drops. At the time of writing this, I've only had it on for two days and so far, no chipping. I'm pretty impressed!

I also love the description that Julep gives of Sagittarius, "for the optimistic and and truth seeking Sagittarius." When I look at this color, I feel like it's perfect for my fire sign!

I really like this color -- it's very unique and very beautiful! I think it would it look good on everyone and aside from the goopiness, it's pretty easy to apply.

I recommend you picking up your zodiac color from Julep - if you do, let me know what you think :) 

xoxo
B

By the time October rolls around, all the beauty brands are launching their holiday products and not much real newness is available; it's all limited edition items and fun, holiday-themed kits.

This year, that is still true but I was pleasantly surprised by all the newer, regular items I found surfing the internet. Some of the items I'm really excited about, some I will pass on, and others I'm intrigued by and haven't decided if I will buy.



1. Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette: This hasn't really made a huge wave in the beauty industry yet, in my opinion, but there are talks about it. It'll be released later this month and it looks like a hyped up version of the Urban Decay Naked 3. Cherry is all the rage and very trendy so it's no surprise that Urban Decay is at the front of the trend. In addition to the palette, eyeliners and lipsticks are going to be released and I'm super intrigued by those, more than the eyeshadow.

2. Colourpop Disney Collection: This collection brought out my inner child and got me really excited because I'm a Disney freak! Colourpop did an amazing job with this entire collection and I'm really pleased with it. I'm really drawn to the Super Shock Shadows, Lipsticks, and Eyeshadow Palette  -- the rest I could do without but that's just my personal preference. Everything screams Disney and just looks so beautiful!

3. Kaja Korean Beauty: This isn't just one product... this is an entirely new brand coming to Sephora. I've seen a lot of the things on the website but wasn't too sure what exactly what they were about. However, I am very intrigued and already added a few things to my wishlist. A mood balm color changing lip balm? How cool is that?! The Bento Bouncy Eyeshadow Trio looks very interesting and comes in some fun yet wearable colors, and I'm pretty sure I need it. Everything is moderately priced, from $14-$24 so it's a decent Sephora price.

4. Origins Blooming Bold and Sheer Lip: At the end of last month, Origins released a Cannabis Face Mask *yes please!* and now they're releasing new lipsticks which are stunning. There is a choice of two formulas, bold and sheer, both are priced at $20 and come in tons of colors. The packaging is gold and luxurious and I'm very curious to see how they wear!

5. Huda Beauty Concealer: A release that has the entire beauty salivating at the mouth! When Huda released foundations last year, it was the talk of the town and I'm sure the concealer launch won't be any different. I don't know if I'll be picking it up but I will be watching reviews and seeing what it's all about!

6. Bliss Hangover Sheet Mask: This is one item I know I will be picking up. If you've been a reader here for a while, you know my fascination with hangover beauty remedies. These will be released later in the month and I cannot wait!

What beauty releases are you looking forward to this month?
xoxo
B

I was never the type of person who had to worry about having a bad reaction to skincare and makeup. However, as I've gotten older my skin and body have changed and now my skin is much more sensitive to certain ingredients in products.

A few years ago, my skin started freaking out and I couldn't figure out what it was. I was having a bad reaction to something I was applying under my eyes -- or at least around my eye area because it was the only place on my face that was affected. My under eyes would blow up, get very puffy, dry and itchy and just look really bad.

I thought it was dry skin and tried all different types of products for that particular issue. Things would work for a week or so and then the reaction would come back.

I finally went to the dermatologist and the minute she saw my face she knew it was an allergic reaction to fragrance. After that, I stopped wearing perfume and using products with fragrance in it. I've slowly introduced perfume back into my routine (only using rollerballs so that the scent is being sprayed all over me) and I've gotten better about knowing what will give me bad reactions.

Now, though, my skin reacts crazily to all different products, even those without fragrance. It happens the most with lip products and I know the moment I apply a lip product to my lips if I'll have a bad reaction or not.

Because of all that, I decided it would be a good idea to write a blog post to inform you that if you have sensitive skin, some of these products might not work well for you.

Drunk Elephant Lippie Balm

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue

Laneige Lip Mask

FAB Kona Stick

If you didn't know, I have an obsession with astrology. More importantly, I have an obsession with Mercury Retrograde.

I guess it all started a few years ago when I started to see articles about Mercury Retrograde and began to take notice of how I felt during it. Soon enough, I was a tell-all book about this astrological phenomena because I found it so interesting that the planets could affect us this way.

Mercury Retrograde makes communication, travel, and technology all wacky. They say to not make any major decisions, buy anything big (like a house or car), and to be aware that things may not be what they seem.

I always notice these things going haywire during Mercury Retrograde, which happens a few times a year. We're now in our 3rd retrograde of the year and this is supposed to be a doozy because it combined with a Blood Mood. It ends on August 19th so it's going to be a long few weeks...

Mercury Retrograde has become very trendy over the past few years and now, Essie is jumping on the bandwagon.

When I saw this collection tease on Essie's Instagram I immediately bookmarked the date in my calendar. I needed these nail polishes and I didn't care what colors they were. They were marketed as Mercury Retrograde colors and I am the retrograde queen (how many times can I say retrograde in one blog post).

This is also another reason I am the ultimate consumer, but that's a different post for a different day.



The Mercury in Retrograde Nail Collection consists of 2 nail colors inspired by intergalactic colors and they are gorgeous. Keep Calm & and Mercury On are the names of the polishes and they are truly astrology inspired.

The collection is exclusive to Ulta and currently sold out. Essie has said that they are working to get a restock ASAP and didn't expect this overwhelming support of the collection. I am SO happy that I bought these the day they were released.

Now for the colors...

Keep Calm

This is two coats of "Keep Calm"

However, I was surprised that when I applied it to my nails, it was incredibly sheer. I don't know if I've ever worked with a nail polish that was this sheer. I applied about 5-6 coats without clumping or disturbing the polish to get a nice, even and opaque finish.

I don't think it was described as a sheer shade but it almost made me think that this was supposed to be a top coat color.




This was really the only downside to the polish as it was really beautiful on the nails and didn't chip until 4-5 days later, which is normal for me with a good polish. Maybe the multiple coats really helped!

I got so many compliments on this nail color because it really looked beautiful -- it glowed in the sun and flashed different colors, it's a very unique shade and I loved it.

And Mercury On

Final Thoughts

Since I was a little girl I always loved face masks. I'd always beg my mom to let me get a Freeman mask from the drugstore and whenever she obliged, I was obsessed with doing them a few times a week.

When I think about that, it's no surprise that I turned out to be a beauty blogger and work in the beauty industry.

That being said, face masks are definitely one of my favorite skincare products and probably my top 5 favorite beauty products ever. There is something so calming about laying in bed with a face mask on your skin and being able to fully relax while also helping your skin heal.

Nowadays there are face masks for pretty much every skincare concern you could imagine. Maybe it's not technically a skincare concern but you taking a preventative measure like using an anti-pollution or anti-aging face mask.

I have dry, sensitive skin so I do use face masks that cater to those concerns but I also love a great pore removing/detox mask. I don't discriminate against face masks -- I love all kinds!

I've been testing more and more face masks out and figured I'd round up my current favorites/most used/most repurchased. These masks will all fall within one of those categories.

*I am sticking to face masks -- not hands, eyes, feet, etc.



1. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask: This is a new mask that I only got a few weeks ago but I've never used a mask so much! I've used it every week, at least 1-2 times since I got it and I'm obsessed. I notice a slight difference in my skin but ultimately it feels really great on your skin. The effect afterward is even better -- the cooling and minty sensation on your face when you remove the mask makes it well worth it.

2. Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask: I've had this mask for a few years and oh my goodness, this is the best face mask ever. It removes all the gunk from your skin while leaving it smooth and refreshed. Whenever I want to do a face mask but I'm not sure which one I want to do, this is my go-to. It's a mask that I 100% will repurchase when I'm done with it because it's something that I simply cannot be without.

3. Fresh Rose Face Mask: This is my ultimate hydration mask. Whenever my skin needs a tall glass of water, I ultimately go to this one. It's a very lightweight mask that has rose petals mixed into it (which is divine and makes for a great masking experience) and truly leaves your skin smooth and supple. It's much more than a mask -- I feel like it's a toner and lightweight moisturizer all in one. It's incredible and I highly recommend picking this up!

4. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: This is a mask/treatment that has gone viral and is in many people's holy grail baskets. Well, it is THAT good! Drunk Elephant is bringing serious skincare into your home, without the help of a doctor and in perfectly beautiful Instagram worthy packaging. They've basically given us all the gift of a facial in a bottle -- and it's a facial that exfoliates and resurfaces the skin with the use of AHA and BHA, two important skincare ingredients that I recommend doing research on. My skin looks incredible after using this and I have to really limit myself because you shouldn't be using this more than 1-2 times a week.

5. Hey, Honey Take It Off Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask: I was on the hunt for a fun peel off mask that worked and I found it! This mask from Hey Honey is equally as fun to put on, peel off, and leaves your skin looking baby smooth. It exfoliates the skin, removes dead skin cells and blackheads and leaves your face brighter, smoother, and softer. It's such a good mask and great for all skin types. I highly recommend!

What are your favorite face masks right now? If you have any recommendations, leave them in the comments! 
xoxo
B

I've been very lucky in the fact that I always had really nice skin; I've always taken care of it and I think I owe a lot of it to that.

Since I was a tween, I was obsessed with using anti-acne products to keep my skin clear and that has continued well into adulthood.

While I may not struggle with acne on a daily basis there are times when it pops up and really throws a wrench in everything. I understand that I'm lucky to not deal with acne the way other people do but we're all human and we all get blemishes.

June is Acne Cleansing Month (which I think is really cool) and I've partnered with Clarisonic to talk about how their products help treat and prevent acne.


I've loved and used Clarisonic for years now. I first got one for Christmas a few years ago and it completely changed how my skin looked and felt. My skin was softer, brighter, and felt so deeply cleaned. It was an amazing change and since then, I've never been without a Clarisonic and am always jumping at the chance to talk about the device.



I've been using the Mia 1 Cleansing Device with the Acne Cleansing Brush Head, one that I've tried only once in the past, and I've been loving it!

The Mia 1 has one cleansing speed which I find super helpful, and it turns off immediately when you've cleaned enough. I think it's so helpful when a device is simple and straight to the point. It makes it so much easier to use and is easier to incorporate into your routine.



Using the Clarisonic doesn't take a lot of effort and the payoff is incredible. Sometimes my skin just needs a deep cleansing, especially when I feel a breakout coming on or when I take off a full face of makeup.

I've been using the Mia 1 for a solid two weeks and it arrived at the perfect time because I had a breakout in between my eyebrows (my least favorite place to get a pimple). Nothing was helping get rid of it but once I started using the Clarisonic Acne Cleansing Head along with the Pore & Blemish Cleanser (who knew Clarisonic made cleansers and skincare products?) I noticed a major difference.

The blemish didn't go away immediately -- nothing is magic, but it did speed up the process. Within a week or so, the blemish was gone and my skin looked fresher than ever.



I think it's important to say that I have ultra sensitive skin and the Clarisonic is super gentle on my skin. It's so safe for sensitive skin that you can use it twice a day. It's amazing and a device that I think everyone should have in their beauty collection.



I think my favorite thing about the Clarisonic is how deep it cleans your skin; it gets out all the impurities while still being super gentle and leaves your skin soft, supple, and clear. Because the Clarisonic sonic cleanses and gives you such a deep clean, your skin is naturally cleaner and doesn't give way to pimples.



Clarisonic is designed to remove pollutants, reduce the appearance of pores, and allows for your skincare products to better absorb into your skin. It also is the perfect solution for when your skin is tired and roughed up from a full face of glam makeup. There is no better feeling of removing your makeup and then using your Clarisonic which reveals fresh, soft and clean skin.



There is a reason it's the #1 cleansing device recommended by dermatologists -- the technology and quality of the Clarisonic are unlike anything else on the market.

If you're ready to add a Clarisonic to your routine, buy it now! Get 15% off a cleansing device with code HERCAMPUS until July 15th! 

There was a moment in time where I wasn't buying a ton of beauty products. I had taken a massive break after being consumed by my collection and I knew I didn't need any more items. I also was less than impressed with whatever was happening in the industry.

However, with the end of winter and the start of new seasons, my love of beauty has been reinstated. Maybe it's because the warm weather brings new and innovative products; everything from hair lighteners to SPF hybrids. It excites me and instills something new in me.

There are so many beauty products I want to try and that's a post for another time but right now, there are so many new beauty products I'm loving and simply cannot stop using.



1. Ouai Sun of a Beach Spray: Something came over me when I saw this product being teased on Ouai's Instagram. I don't know if it was the 11-year-old inside me that desperately wanted blonde highlights or if I was drawn in by the name and packaging. Either way, I scooped it up and have been loving it. I've used this a handful of times, spraying in my hair after a shower, and it smells like a beautiful beach. Is it doing anything for my hair? No, but I love it anyway. Maybe once I sit in the sun (if it ever gets warm in NYC) it'll make a difference to my dark locks.

2. Milk Watermelon Brightening Serum: This was another product I bought on launch day and I have never looked back. My skin is pretty decent but I deal with a lot of discoloration and dullness. Sometimes it looks like my skin is lacking and I just need something to oomf it up. That's this serum! I love the fact that it's a solid serum and it absorbs into your skin super fast so there is no greasy mess to deal with. It's also one of the few beauty products that I notice an immediate difference with; I wake up the next morning and my skin is a little brighter and looks a little evener. It's magic!



3. Trader Joe's Rose Oil: I have a new obsession with Trader Joe's and a continuing obsession with rose scented items. Those two loves have combined to give me this delightful oil. It's not too heavy, sinks into the skin immediately and smells pretty damn good. I don't notice a huge difference but I feel very pampered when I use it -- it's a nice little pick me up and is a lightweight moisturizer for the warm months.

4. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: My curiosity about Drunk Elephant products is growing by the day and I owe it to the magic Baby Facial. I've never gotten a facial before but using this once a week (or even once every two weeks) has made a huge difference in my skin. The texture has disappeared and discoloration has faded -- this is magic in a bottle and there is a reason it has a cult following. DE is the real deal and Baby Facial is something everyone should have in their skincare routine.

5. Benefit Roller Lash: This is an oldie but a goodie. I've been using Laura Geller LashBOSS for a while but wanted something different. I picked up Roller Lash after using a sample I had and haven't looked back. I've gone through a handful of these in the past few years but rediscovering it was heaven. It has a really unique brush, the perfect wet/dry formula and is truly my favorite mascara of all time.

6. Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Concealer: If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know how much I love concealers. I was itching for a new one a few months ago and bought the newest Laura Mercier one. It took me a few tries to really like it because I think I got the wrong shade, but now I'm in love and haven't touched Shape Tape in weeks. It's the perfect medium coverage and blends out like a dream. It's not super tacky but is long wearing; it's really everything you could want from a liquid concealer.

What are your current favorite beauty products?
xoxo
B