Monthly Archives

June 2016

Style

Summer Trench

I LOVE abandoned buildings.  I don’t know what it is, but whenever I pass one – I can’t help but wonder why it’s been abandoned and what spirits may be in there.  Once I was in the Pismo Beach area and there is this beautiful 3 story white colonial house on a hill that’s been abandoned.  The windows are boarded up and the paint is coming off.  After driving by it few times, I finally drove to it so I could explore.  Well, a big fence kept me out, but I asked a few locals about the story behind it.  Supposedly the owner went completely crazy and put cement in all their pipes.  Back when I was in my early 20’s, that was just the most fascinating thing ever.  It’s probably not true whatsoever but when I’m in the area, I still always look for it and stare in awe at the mystery of its past.

Well, when I went looking for a place this weekend to take some photos – I stumbled upon what appears to be a few abandoned buildings and immediately fell in love!  The sun was about to set, the buildings looked dilapidated and it turned out to be THE perfect backdrop from my Summer Trench photoshoot.

However, after walking around a bit – it looks like it’s just a strawberry and onion farm.  The buildings probably aren’t really abandoned but it’s okay…
Summer Trench 3 Summer Trench 6 Summer Trench 12 Summer Trench 8Summer Trench 9Summer Trench 1

I wore this green trench vest in my Runaway Railroad post when I first started this blog, and it is still one of my favorite pieces to throw on to give my outfit that extra edge.  My striped tank is from Madewell and I already own it in 3 colors.  It’s the perfect tank to just throw on with some jeans and run errands.  It’s long in the middle and short on the sides – the best cut in my opinion.  AND it’s on SALE!  Oh, and those pointy-toe heels?  Great Italian leather at an even better price!  Working in the shoe industry for a decade, I can tell you – there are some great brands out there who use really nice leather but assemble in China to keep the cost down.  So don’t judge the quality just because of where they’re made.

I think I’m going to be living in this outfit for the rest of the summer – if only it would stop being over 90 degrees in Southern California…..

Outfit details:  Trench Vest: Anthropologie (Similar) | Tank: Madewell | Jeans: Rag&Bone (Similar) | Shoes: Via Spiga | Handbag: Alexander Wang| Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelet: David Yurman | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

 

Beauty

How I Clean My Make-Up Brushes

I did NOT want to leave my house this weekend.  It was incredibly hot in LA but I had some errands that needed to be ran along with my cousin’s wedding at a beautiful vineyard.  Was I the only one who wanted to eat ice cream and drink ice cold water all day long?  Ugh it was HOT!  Well, hot weekends are the perfect time for chores inside the nicely air-conditioned house.  Washing my make-up brushes is one of them….

This is a very important topic that should be discussed.  Why?  Because most of the time, I clean my make-up brushes maybe once a month and that’s only because I have finally realized how gross it is to leave your make-up brushes dirty for long periods of time.  I try my hardest to clean them at least every other week, but life happens and you forget.  Well, this post is to remind everyone out there that you MUST at least wash your make-up brushes every few weeks.  Once a week is ideal, especially if you apply a heavy amount of makeup.

Just think of all the germs and bacteria that can grow on a foundation brush.  Or how those pretty eye shadow colors don’t show their true beauty when mixed with last week’s eye shadow colors.  If I am cleaning a brush daily i.e. gel eyeliner brush or a liquid foundation brush then I will quickly clean it with MAC’s Brush Cleaner.  I have it in a spray bottle that I bought at Target.  When I need to clean my brush, I will put a quick spray on the brush and gently wipe it on a paper towel so that all the product comes off.  If I have time, I will rinse it with water and then pat it to dry with a clean towel.

However, for my weekly brush cleaning I use beautyblender’s solid cleanser.  I used it for my beautyblender and loved it so much that I decided to try it for my regular brushes.  AND it’s GREAT!  This solid cleanser gets out everything and I feel like it isn’t ruining the brush hairs.  Now follow along as I show you how I clean my brushes… Ready, set, GO!

How To Clean Brushes 1Step 1: Get your brush wet (always make sure that the brush head is facing down at all times.  You do not want water getting into the handle and loosening the glue.)
How To Clean Brushes 12 Step 2: Swirl your brush on the solid cleanser
How To Clean Brushes 7Step 3: Swirl the brush on the palm of your hand to get those soapy suds
How To Clean Brushes 8Step 4: Rinse (Repeat steps 2-4 until the water runs clear when rinsing the brush)
How To Clean Brushes 11Step 5:
Wring out the brush to get out the excess water
How To Clean Brushes 2Step 6: Carefully lay the brushes on a dry towel.  Make sure the brush head that is touching the towel is laid out completely flat.  If not, it will dry with the bristles going in random directions – not fun.  DO NOT blow dry your brushes.  I tried that once when I was in a hurry and the bristles ended up frizzy and I had to rewash my brushes.

Hope this helped!  Does anyone else have a hard time remembering to wash your makeup brushes on a weekly basis?  Let’s be real – I only cleaned mine this weekend because I felt guilty telling all of you to clean your brushes when mine are dirty dirty dirty!

Stay cool out there!

Beauty

Sephora Haul

It was my birthday last month, so of course I had to stop by Sephora for my birthday gift!  I received a few Sephora gift cards from friends to spend on a few beauty products which made the trip all the more fun! I really didn’t go in looking for anything, but boy… did I walk out with a whole bunch!  I have already tried out everything that I purchased and sadly, a few of them had to go back to Sephora.  *insert sad face*  Keep on reading to find out what I loved!

Sephora Haul Sephora Haul

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation (120=Y245 Soft Sand): I’m still not too sure about this.  I can’t tell if this is also sinking into my pores and magnifying them or if it’s the primer that I am using. Other than me trying to figure that out – I do like how light this foundation is.  It does cover up the redness on my face and gives me an even skin tone without feeling like I’m wearing a foundation.  I typically wear BB Creams since I like a more natural look, but wanted to try out this foundation since it is so talked about.   It’s supposed to give you that “second skin” look and feel and it definitely does it’s job in that aspect.  I would recommend this product if you are looking for a natural looking foundation.  Sephora | $43.00

IMG_4455

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Pressed Powder:  I thought this was weird.  Why put another powder, a white one at that, on your face after you have already put on a face powder?  Well, my friends.  I actually think that I have been missing out on this HD powder trend.  I do have an oily t-zone and this is suppose to help reduce shine and mattify skin.  I have been wearing this for the past week and I have noticed that my skin is not as oily.  Also, it helps to blur imperfections white I have noticed.  Now the million dollar questions – Do I have a ghostly look on my face after applying?  Not really.  I tried to swatch it for you on my hand but as you can see, it’s only really in my wrinkles.  Plus, I had to try really hard to get the powder to show on my hand.  I think this is definitely something that everyone should try!  Sephora | $36.00

Make Up Forever Ultra HD Pressed Powder

Make Up For Ever 124 Powder Kabuki Brush: I bought this to go with the HD Pressed Powder, but once I got home – I realized that I have a MAC kabuki brush I don’t use.  Why waste money (or a giftcard) if I already have something that’s just as good?  So even though this was the softest most plush brush I have ever looked it, it had to go back.  Sephora | $52.00

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer – Matte Finish: I had really high hopes for this primer.  It was recommended to be by an associate at Sephora when I was testing the foundation.  As soon as I put it on and then started putting on the foundation, I noticed that my pores were MAGNIFIED.  It was kind of disgusting and intriguing at the same time.  However, if you do not have perfect, pore-less skin… then do not use this.  I tried it 1 more time before realizing that this needed to go back ASAP.  Sephora | $37.00

IMG_4456

Bite Agave Lip Mask – Champagne:  I found out about this on a fellow blogger’s site and wanted to try it out. It’s a rose gold pearl color, but when you put it on, it’s pretty neutral with some shimmer in it.  This lip mask is very moisturizing and I bet it’s great for the winter when your lips can get really chapped from the cold and wind.  Sephora | $26.00IMG_4454IMG_4462

Fresh Skincare Birthday Gift Set – Rose Face Mask & Soy Face Cleanser:  I have been using both of these products for YEARS.  I love both and use the Soy Face Cleanser on a daily basis.  It’s gentle and perfect for sensitive skin.  The Rose Face Mask is moisturizing and great to use in the winter when it’s dry.  I got to choose between this set and a Marc Jacobs set that included a lipstick and eyeliner.  Since I am more into skincare, I got the Fresh set.  One of the perks of being a Sephora Beauty Insider – sign up is free is you are not already a member.  Sephora | FREE if you are a Sephora Beauty Insider

Hope you enjoyed this haul!  Have a great weekend!