It's really fun to talk about and buy beauty products; whether it's concealer, lipstick, or eyeshadow, I love trying new things; I love reading about people trying new products and I love watching videos about it.

While that is all fun and games, there is a sector of the beauty industry that isn't talked about enough and it's the nonglamorous side of beauty. It's the stuff you don't show off, the items you pretty much need, not want. It could be a little gross and a little unsatisfactory so I figured I'd talk about my favorite nonglamorous beauty products! These are items that are not sexy but items I use constantly.

Venus Swirl Razor

Julep Cuticle Oil

I don't classify cuticle oil as a glamorous beauty product so here we are. I don't go to the nail salon to get manicures so I have to care for my cuticles at home. The Julep Roller On Oil is the best because it's compact, travel-friendly, and you don't have to worry about getting your entire hand full of oil. You just roll it onto the cuticle and you're all set. I keep this with me every day, no matter where I'm going. I also keep one on my nightstand if I need to apply before bed. It's hands down my favorite cuticle oil.

Emjoi Micro Pedi

This was one of my favorite beauty products of 2017 and that still rings true two years later. The Emjoi Pedi is an electronic callus remover and it just removes all the dead skin from your feet within seconds. Whenever my feet are feeling extra gross, I do this for a few minutes and suddenly my feet feel as if I just got the most luxurious spa pedicure. I only have to use it every few weeks and it's a lifesaver between pedicures. It's really easy to use, doesn't hurt, and the refills are pretty cheap on Amazon

Venus Waterless Razor

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

I've said it multiple times before but I love a good concealer, and really anything related to the undereye area.

I feel like they're the products that I see the most difference when I use them, and because I have such harsh undereye circles, it's my problem area so I like to tend to that the most.

I've tried almost every gimmicky product under the sun and lately, I've been even more obsessed with finding the perfect under eye routine.

My no shopping for Lent is still going strong, so these products were purchased last month and I've been testing this for the past few weeks, and I have to say, I love every one of these products.

Whether everything really works or is it just a placebo effect is another story.



Physician's Formula Refresh Mint Cucumber & Bamboo Eye Depuffer: After washing my face in the AM with Simple Micellar Water, I run this under my eyes to depuff and cool. I first saw this in a Vogue Beauty Editor's Instagram Story and I needed it immediately. I loved that this was big enough to cover a large surface area, and I was just drawn to it. It feels so good on my under eyes and is naturally cool. It does do a great job at depuffing and prepping my skin for the rest of the products.

Julep So Awake Depuffing Gel Eye Cream: When I saw this first hit the market I knew it was something I had to have. It's not a traditional cream, but has a slight jelly feel to it. A little goes a long way and it really moisturizes my undereye area. It has caffeine which is one of my favorite ingredients in a beauty product because it really awakens the skin.

Becca Anti Fatigue Under Eye Primer: This is another new product that I ordered the minute it was available a few months ago. I apply it after I let the Julep cream sink into my skin as a good base for my concealer. It's a very solid balm, more solid than the Physician's Formula roller. It is NOT cooling at all but it claims to be so I was disappointed by that. However, I do like the feeling of it and I think it really does make a huge difference in my concealer. If you're priming your face and your eyelids, why not your under eye area?

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution: I bought this before any of the other products and I primarily use it at night. At first, it was drying my skin out but it just took a little getting used too. I think it has helped my dark circles over time because at one point, they were really, really bad but they have gotten a bit better. It is a pure, concentrated serum filled with Caffeine and Green Tea so it's probably your best bet when it comes to your under eyes!

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels: I don't know how much more I could talk about these masks but I have to include them in this post. I've tried so many eye masks but these are the ones I continually go back too. They are so cooling, I shiver when I put them on my eyes, and they are the most comfortable masks out there. I hate when the eye mask slides all over your face but these definitely DO NOT do that!

What are your favorite under eye products?
xoxo
B

If you read the blog regularly, you'll know that I'm not a summer gal. I much prefer fall and winter to the heated months of June-August. Throw April-September in there as well because I'm not a huge fan of those either.

However, I'm not dreading this summer as much as I have in the past. Maybe it's because it's not yet hit 90 degrees or because I have some fun plans, or maybe it's because I actually like the clothes and accessories I've been collecting in honor of the summer.



There are a lot of trends out there right now that I am totally on board with. I've already given into a few so here they are!

1. SPF: This is weird and random but I never wear sunscreen. I know it's very irresponsible of me but I just never really applied it, because I like to be tan and I never burned. That changed in recent years and I now really know the importance of slathering on the SPF. But knowing me, I can't just buy Coppertone, I need fancy, Sephora brand SPF. Last year I had a sample of the Tarteguard & Dr. Jart SPF and I loved it; this year before I went to Florida I invested in the Julep No Excuses Face Sunscreen and love it. I apply it every morning before my makeup, acting as a moisturizer/primer on my ultra-lazy days!



2. Slides: If you haven't seen a pair of slides this year, you're living under a rock. Slides are everywhere from Givenchy and Gucci to Steve Madden and Target. At first, I wasn't impressed or taken with the trend but then I saw some really fancy pairs on Nordstrom's website and instantly became obsessed. I ordered a pair of Topshop slides (similar here) which are so comfortable and easy to throw on (even easier than flip flops) and I recently got this pair of Steve Madden which I've lusted after for months. Below are a few more favorites!



3. Athleisure: This is not just a summer trend but a trend that has seen a huge spike recently. I'm not complaining; I'm obsessed! Leggings, T-shirts, sneakers... it's the uniform that every girl loves and is welcoming with open arms. I think the perfect outfit this summer is going to be a slouchy t-shirt, leggings, and your best pair of slides!

4. Graphic Tees: The 13-year-old in me is screaming that this trend is officially cool again. When I was young, Delias' graphic tees were my everything. I had to have every single catchy saying or cute photo on my t-shirt, much to the dismay of my mother. Well now I dress myself and graphic tees are back in style. Everyone has a funny saying shirt from "No Coffee, No Talkie" or "Namaste In Bed" (both of which I own). This is going to be the ultimate summer look.


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I have gotten so many new nail polishes in the past few weeks and I just feel the need to use and share all of them.

The After Christmas sales really got to me a few weeks ago and while I was browsing the Interweb, I saw that Julep, a brand I have tried but not fully, was having a really ridiculous sale. From my memory, it was around 60-70% off. They had a lot of products on sale, and one of them was a mystery box of 10 nail polishes. It was only $20 so I jumped on that bandwagon really fast.

I loved the idea that I didn't know what shades I was going to get and couldn't wait to dig in when the package arrived on my doorstep.

When I received my order, I noticed there were a lot of glitter topcoats which I'm totally fine with. I love adding glitter to any nail look because it adds a little something extra. I knew I immediately wanted to experiment with the different glitters and the other darker colors in my new Julep collection.

I was immediately attracted to the purple polish, "Joanne" and the gold glitter topcoat, "Sharna".

Excuse the few chips :(

Both polishes applied really smooth, clean, and neat. Two coats made the purple super opaque and the glitter applied in even coats, not patchy at all.

Julep polishes have a great reputation and I've tried a few in the past but now I think I'm really convinced that they're fabulous quality.

PS: Since we're talking about glitter polishes, I need to mention the best glitter (and regular) nail polish remover I have ever tried. Sephora's Instant Nail Polish Remover takes away the glitter and regular nail polish without even trying.

What is on your nails this Monday?