Product Spotlight: Combating Winter Skin

In my entire life span of 24 years, I have never experienced such dry skin during the wintertime. Coming from New England, it's pretty easy to prepare for the basic winter flakes (I'm talking on your skin, not falling from the sky) by using a bit more of your everyday lotion.

Oh, honey... My everyday lotion is now in the trash. Here to replace it is a pretty little miracle in pretty ugly packaging. Enter: Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion.

Are the fucking angels singing? Because they should be.

Now let me break it down for you. This shit has the weirdest consistency, almost like vaseline meets sunscreen. If you don't give it time to sink in (read: before bed), you're going to hate every movement your body makes. It takes a while for your skin to drink it in, but once it does, it's fucking magic shit. I like to apply it before night and by morning, it's like the gods have granted my wish to have legit baby-butt softness all over my body.

Summed up: if you're not using this, you're seriously fucking missing out. Now trot along to your nearest drugstore and pick this Bad Larry up before I buy out every single one of them.

Influenster Moda VoxBox

It's that time again, people! My Influenster Moda VoxBox arrived! Getting these colorful boxes delivered to my front step is so exciting because who doesn't love free shit?

I'm really not sure why I didn't get the one in between this and my last one from earlier in the summer, but whatever. I also had no idea what the whole theme meant, but I'm thinking moda=life=lifestyle kind of needs? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's the babe in all her glory:

Now here's the rundown:


Rimmel London Scandaleyes Rockin Curves Mascara ($5.99):
Meh. This stuff is pretty meh. The wand itself is very oddly shaped and I feel that it makes it really hard to coat all of my lashes without either getting smudges on my eyelid or inner corner from the brush. Even the formulation isn't great, especially for someone who loves big-volume lashes. I would not recommend this mascara.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick ($6.99):
This. Shit. Is. Amazing. For someone who is completely against lipstick, I have fallen in love with the formulation of this stuff. It goes on so smooth and it feels like freaking lip balm. The color is a little intense, but it's definitely opening my eyes into the idea of lipstick, as I never knew it could feel so moisturizing. Perhaps I'll try something from this line in a more neutral color.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lip Liner ($5.99):
Probably the oddest product I've ever tried. It's weird to be putting a lip liner on your lips when you can't see where you're putting it. I've always thought of a lip liner as something to line your lips so you don't get the whole out-of-bounds-Kylie-Jenner-wannabe thing going on. I really can't give much feedback on this product because I can't really tell if it even works.

Puffs Softpack basic tissues ($1.99):
Tissues are always a great thing to have around, whether it's for makeup or snot removal, especially during these cold months. Bring on the flu! Just kidding. Seriously, I already had it. Please, no.

Hair Food moisture Hair Mask ($14.99):
Wasn't thrilled. Wasn't disappointed. I'm super picky about my hair products.

Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa ($2.29):
Cocoa is always something I love to indulge in during the colder months. Somewhere in between my coffee and my tea, I can get bored. Also, it's a great fix for when the chocolate craving attacks.

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer ($5.99):
I can never seem to have enough lotion, ever. This little guy is great to throw into your purse and be ready for the days of scaly hands and hangnails. Cute. But really, this lotion is super moisturizing and feels pretty luxurious for a drugstore product. If I wasn't already trying to get through so many lotions, I'd definitely buy this.

Resource Spring Water ($1.49):
Well, I don't know what more I can say about this other than "yay, hydration!"

Fall Favorites

I've been terribly sick with a fever lately, so what better thing to do than curl up under a cozy blanket, drink tea and watch youtube? Not that I don't do that everyday... IRREGARDLESS. I found this tag done by makeupTIA and I figured I'd give it a shot because I absolutely love fall (minus the allergies that are quite obviously trying to kill me); something about the crisp, fall air and sipping on your hot coffee while bundled up in a cozy scarf just screams comfort to me. So, enough talking writing; here we go!

BEAUTY FAVES

1. Face product: I don't want to give up my summer glow just yet. Not that I ever really had one to begin with (Irish girl probs), but I think a nice glow goes great for the beginning of the fall. Enter: Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer. Yes, yes, I know it's a primer, but dotting it along your cheekbone and browbone gives you this wonderful shimmer/shine/don't-I-look-lovely kinda thing. Just trust me on this one.

2. Cheek product: I do need to work on getting a berry-colored blush... maybe Rocketeur from Benefit? Right now I've been loving my Mary Kay Shy blush, but I'm thinking that sparkly pink should end with the summer.

3. Eye product: Winged liquid liner! I've been loving my Maybelline Master Precise felt tip liner for a more elegant look than the basic mascara

4. Lip product: I'm so not big on lip color, but I love me some lip balm. You can find me multiple times a day slathering on Burt's Bees.

5. Hair product: I'm finding myself to be very boring... I don't often change up my hair products or hair care. I use a Critical Care Serum by BioInfusions on my hair everyday after showering that makes my hair feel smooth and soft.

6. Fragrance / candle:
I love me some darker, muskier scents for fall. A new scent I've been legitimately obsessed with is Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy Gold Couture. As for candles, fall scents kill me! Caramel Pumpkin Swirl by Bath & Body Works is to die for. To. Die. For.


7. Nail polish: I couldn't possibly choose a favorite... Several nail colors that you can find on my fingers in the fall are as follows: OPI Got the Blues for Red, Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck, and Essie Under the Twilight.


FALL FASHION FAVES

1. Trendy clothing item: I'm not so sure I go along with trends anymore... Although I totally love the kimono/cardigan kind of look! I'm sure I'll end up purchasing some kind of mix between the two this fall.

2. Comfy clothing item: Scarves and cardigans forever. Also, fuzzy socks.

3. Shoes: Over-the-knee boots! Working at DSW certainly has its perks...

4. Accessory: Scarves! Can I use that again? I'm totally using that again.



FUN FAVES


1. Halloween or Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving! Ever since graduating college, I find that it's no longer acceptable to get all dolled up in a skanky outfit and get completely sloshed at a party/bar. Sad times, people. Alas, the fat girl inside of me is choosing Thanksgiving.

2. Favorite festive food and/or drink: Pumpkin bread! Carrot cake! Red sangria!

3. What's the happiest part about fall for you: I'm someone who will actually go out of their way to step on a crunchy leaf. I'll also go out of my way to take the long way home to view all of the pretty trees slowly changing color.

4. Who do you tag: You!

DIY Sugar Scrub

Somewhere between watching a million youtube videos today, I decided to finally get off my ass (for literally 5 minutes) to make myself a yummy scrub for dry skin.

I've been experiencing some lovely dry hands lately due to the drop in temperature and I've finally had it. I'm going to try to use this little scrub every night before bed.*

*Definitely don't use before trying to write a blog post, because you'll surely leave a nice oily residue all over your keyboard... you've been warned.

Simply mix brown sugar with some olive oil and voila -- an all over body scrub your skin will love. The sugar will exfoliate your skin, which is perfect for the inside of my lips that get super peely and gross (you're welcome for that image), and I don't have to worry about ingesting any weird ingredients because you could pretty much eat this stuff if the urge really strikes. The oil will feel super hydrating on your skin and all will be well in the world.

Side note: this mixture needs a bit more sugar, but feel free to play with the amount of ingredients as you please, and even add some essential oils for an even better taste!