Review: Dove Invigorating Dry Shampoo

One of my major hair struggles is oiliness. I can hardly go a day without washing and if I do, I end up looking like a greasy mess, which we can all agree isn't the cutest look. Dry shampoos have been a life-saver for me! I have been taking this Dove dry shampoo for a test drive for the past few months and want to share with all of you my thoughts on this product!

Product Rundown

Price: $3.00-5.00 USD

The product is marketed to absorb oil betwee washes and to also add volume/texture to your hair. To use, you are supposed to hold 8-10 inches from head and spray on roots of hair. Rub it in and then brush out. The product is 5 ounces.

My Thoughts

This dry shampoo does a great job of absorbing oil and does make your look fresh and clean. I have dark brown, almost black hair and I was really impressed that this dry shampoo did not leave a white cast on my hair after I brushed it out. The price is also fantastic, especially for how much product you get. It gave my hair great volume and texture as well. However, I have one HUGE problem with this dry shampoo. The smell is terrible in my opinion! It is a very strong, overpowering scent, and it reminds me of old lady perfume. I just couldn't stand it after awhile. Plus, the smell also lingers and it completely masked any perfume I wanted to wear. I am so sad that the scent is this strong, because otherwise, this is a perfect dry shampoo. If the scent were to change, I would buy this again and again. But until then, I could not see myself repurchasing this!

Thanks so much for reading!

xoxo,
Paige

Liebster Award 2

 

If you've been following my blog, you know I was lucky enough to be nominated for the Liebster Award a few weeks ago and if you missed it, you can catch up on it here. However, I was lucky enough to be nominated again, and this time by the lovely Kershia from colourmyworldbeautiful.com! Thanks so much girl! The Liebster award is given to bloggers who have under 200 followers and it is a great way for bloggers to connect and get to know each other better! 

Here are the rules: 

1. You have to link back to the person who nominated you for the award.
2. You must answer all 11 Liebster questions given to you by the person who nominated you.
3. You have to nominate another 11 bloggers who have under 200 followers to pass the award onto.
4. You have to come up with 11 other questions for your nominees.
5. You have to notify the bloggers whom you have nominated.
6. Some bloggers can also include 11 random facts about themselves, but this is optional.

 11 Facts About Me  

1. I am currently a junior in college and I am studying psychology. I LOVE PSYCHOLOGY.

2. I love to write poetry. It's the best way for me to vent my emotions. 

3. I am crazy passionate about music. I don't really know what I'd do without. 

4. My favorite drink at Starbucks is a caramel macchiato with soy milk and sugar-free syrup.

5. I am a huge sports fan! I love watching basketball, football, and soccer. I played soccer most of my life and I am still obsessed with watching it even though I don't play much anymore.

6. I am completely addicted to YouTube. I watch YouTube more than I do TV and I hope to start my own channel one of these days!

7. I have 2 dogs. They're both boxers; one is a little older and the other is just a puppy. I am a total dog person.

8. I am extremely, extremely empathetic...almost to a fault.

9. My favorite thing to do ever is go to concerts & I've been to a TON. Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Mumford & Sons, Ed Sheeran...just to name a few. 

10. I love Jesus with all my heart.

11. If I am watching TV, it is most likely the Food Network. I am slightly obsessed with Cupcake Wars. 

Liebster Questions:  

1. What is your favorite food?

Definitely chocolate. I have such a sweet tooth!

2. What's your favorite beauty product?

This is a tough one! I love so many beauty products. But right now, it's probably the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream. It so easy and light for everyday and it makes my skin look amazing. I have a full review of this BB cream here.

3. What's one beauty peeve that really gets you?

Eyebrows, for sure. I have to keep my eyebrows plucked and looking nice. I can't stand when I let them grow in too much.  Also, I'm obsessed with filling them in perfectly. Eyebrows frame your entire face!

4. What's your morning beauty routine?

I keep it simple in the morning. Gentle cleanser + moisturizer with SPF to protect my skin!

5. How did you start blogging and why?

I started blogging just by signing up with blogger and creating my layout and such. I started blogging just because I love beauty so much! I love trying new products and over the last few years, I've learned a lot about makeup and beauty, so I thought it was time to share it with others! I wanted to connect with other people who love the beauty world just as much as I do!

6. Dogs or cats?

DOGS! As I said in my facts, I have 2 boxers and I love them so much. I've grown up with dogs in the house. I don't have anything against cats though. Love them too!

7. Are you an impulsive shopper or do you think before you buy?

I definitely think before I buy. I am your stereotypical poor college student, so I definitely give lots of thought to what I am going to spend my money on!

8. What do you like most about the beauty community?

I like learning. I love learning about new products, techniques, and tips.

9. Biggest fashion inspiration?

Definitely atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com/. Her style is so amazing and I wish I could steal her wardrobe!

10. Who is your role model in life?

My mom! She is the most amazing woman. She is independent and she works harder than anyone that I have ever met in my life. Her determination and success in what she does is so amazing to see. I love her dearly!

11. The best thing you love about blogging?

I think blogging is just a great way for me to express myself. I love sharing with others about products and recommending the best products that are out there!

Nominees 

1. rachaelkatherine.blogspot.com/

2. madhatterswardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/

3. littlebeautylashes.blogspot.sg/

4. zazztalk.blogspot.com/

5. fairysbeautychest.com/

Sorry I could only come up with 5!

Liebster Questions for Nominees 

1. Who is your fashion or beauty inspiration?

2. What is your current favorite fashion or makeup trend?

3. If you had to choose, what is your favorite makeup brand (drugstore or high-end)?

4. If you could have 3 beauty products for the rest of your life, what would they be?

5. What made you start blogging?

6. What is your favorite part about blogging?

7. On average, how long does it take to get ready?

8. Where is your favorite place to shop for makeup (in-store or online)?
 
9. Where is your favorites place to shop for clothes (in-store or online)?

10. What beauty products do you splurge on?

11. What is your ultimate dream/goal for your blog?

Thanks again Kershia for nominating me!

xoxo,

Paige

Fab Friday Feature: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

I definitely have a love affair with this primer. I have talked about this product in a few posts, but I thought it was time to dedicate a full blog post to why exactly I love it so much. And what better time to talk about this primer than in one of these Fab Friday Feature posts! If you are new to my blog, these Fab Friday blog entries are essentially posts talking about my most loved and all time favorite products. This Hourglass Primer is by-far the best primer I have ever tried, and I am seriously so impressed by the difference it makes.

Product Rundown 

Price: $52.00 USD (1.0 fl oz)

This primer is formulated to minimize shine, prevent foundation fading, minimize the appearance of pores, soften the look of fine lines/wrinkles, and create a smooth canvas for foundation application. It has a satin finish. It is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates. The primer is gluten-free and vegan. It is water-resistant and has SPF 15. The product is designed for all skin types.

My Thoughts 

This is my holy grail primer, and honestly, I can't imagine loving any other primer as much as I love this one. It seriously makes your skin feel like the softest silk on the planet. A lot of primers I've tried have felt heavy or somewhat greasy on the skin, but this is pretty much the exact opposite of that. It is so lightweight and melts into the skin so quickly. It is great for every skin type or any skin issue. It smooths over dry skin and acne breakouts so that the foundation can slide over those areas flawlessly. It absorbs oil for those with super oily skin and allows for your foundation to last much longer. It is water-resistant which is great for the warm summer months. On its own, it begins to blur imperfections and fade redness. I love that it has SPF, since many of my favorite foundations do not have sun protection. It is also a huge bonus that it is free of all the things listed above and that it is fragrance free. I also have to give points for packaging. I love the frosted glass bottle and especially love that it has a pump.

I do have to address the one negative thing about this product, and that of course is the price. I originally tried this out as a sample and nearly fainted when I saw the price. However, after using it for months and months now, it is totally worth it. The tiniest bit of this product goes a long way and a full bottle of this stuff lasts a really long time. You definitely don't need a full pump of the product to cover your entire face and you can use even less if you apply only to the areas you really need it. In my opinion, the cost is justifiable, but it is definitely a 'luxury' or 'splurge' product.

I definitely will be repurchasing this for years to come and if you are on the hunt for a good primer, this may be one of the best out there!

xoxo,
Paige
 

Aqualillies for Tarte Waterproof Eye & Cheek Palette: Review + Swatches

I'm such a sucker for palettes, and when I was grazing Sephora a couple of months ago, my eye caught sight of this gorgeous new Tarte palette & I couldn't resist! I love Tarte products, so I had some high hopes for this palette and I definitely was not disappointed. I included this in my July Favorites, which you can read here, but I thought a product this good deserved it's very own post dedicated to how awesome it is!

Product Rundown

Price: $38.00

The palette is limited-edition and comes with 6 new eye shadows, Champagne highlighter, Park Ave Princess bronzer, and a limited-edition full-size Amazonian clay blush. The palette includes all waterproof products, so it's perfect for summer! All products are marketed to last up to 12 hours.

My Thoughts

I have been reaching for this palette all summer. It is everything I need for a quick summer look. The eye shadows are so buttery smooth and richly pigmented. I love the light matte brown shade for the crease to add subtle definition and depth to my eyes. I like to add a little of the matte dark brown to the outer corner if I want a more dramatic look. I love using the blue across the lid for a pop of color! All the shimmery shades are lovely and look great across the lid, on the brow bone, and on the inner corner.

The champagne highlighter gives you a gorgeous summer glow. It's such a nice shade to highlight the cheek bones! I adore the Park Ave Princess bronzer. It's completely matte and it blends out so well. It's such a nice bronzer for a natural contour under the cheekbones. I love the Amazonian clay blush as well. It is the most long-wearing blush I've ever worn and I love the color. It would flatter any skin tone and it's perfect for everyday.

I have worn all these products through the summer heat and sweat and in my opinion, they are waterproof. I really think that this is the perfect summer palette, but I also think that this palette will be useful all year. All the products are amazing and so high-quality. It's also a good deal as far as high-end products. A full-size Amazonian clay blush on its own is around $30, so for $8 more you are getting 6 eye shadows, a highlighter, and a bronzer! I can't say enough good things about this palette and would definitely recommend it.

Lots of love,
Paige

July Favorites: Beauty + Random

Helllloooo August! Summer is going to be over so soon & I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE IT. Where is this year going, seriously? Time seems to be moving in fast forward here lately. But alas, July has come and gone, and with a new month comes a new batch of favorite beauty products. There's a lot to get through so I'll just jump right in...

1.  Makeup Forever HD Foundation + Clinque Superbalanced Makeup

This month I experimented with my foundation routine and after some trial and error, I landed on this fantastic combo. The Makeup Forever HD (N117) is currently a little light for my skin tone so I apply this just to the center of my face- cheeks, middle forehead, down nose, and middle of chin. This really helps to highlight those areas. I then apply the Clinque Superbalanced Makeup (full post on this product here) on the outer perimeter of my face because it's is slightly darker (28 Light N). This technique of application gives lots of dimension to my face, and doesn't created that super flat foundation look. Both these foundation give good coverage and have similar natural finishes.

2. L'Oreal MAGICLUMI Concealer

 

This is by far my favorite highlighting concealer I've tried from the drugstore. I use this pretty much everyday under my eyes, and drag it down in a v-shape onto my cheeks. This highlights the center on my face so nicely. The thing I love most is that it actually gives some converage, whereas other highlighting concealer pens from the drugstore haven't really given me that coverage I need. This product highlights but also conceals dark circles, and I love it!

3. Aquilillies for Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye and Cheek Palette

This is my current go-to palette. I am in love with this! The 6 eyeshadows are so buttery soft, and the pigmentation is glorious. I always prefer matte shadows in the crease and love that this palette has both dark and light brown matte shadows. I love that blue eyeshadow as well; it's great for adding a pop of color in the summertime. It comes with the a full size amazonian clay blush in this gorgeous coral/peach matte shade. It also includes their champagne highlighter and Park Avenue Princess bronzer, both of which I love. I could go on and on about this palette, so my next post will be a full review on this including swatches!

4. Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush in Flamingo

I bought this blush last summer but have recently rediscovered it in my collection and fell absolutely in love with it again. The texture of these blushes is so luxurious...super soft, creamy, and blendable. If I did not know it, I would honestly think this was a high-end blush. I love the color as well. It looks a little bright and scary, but it blends out so well on the cheeks and adds such a nice barbie-pink flush to the cheeks.

5. L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in I Pink You're Cute

This has quickly become my new favorite pink lipstick! It is such a flattering pink that would look good on a variety of skin tones. It's one of those lipsticks that looks different on everyone, depending on the person's skin tone and natural lip color. L'Oreal recently released their Colour Me Pink lipstick/lip gloss collection and I seriously ran out to get this particular shade. I hope they make it a permanent color because I would definitely repurchase. The formula of the Colour Riche lipsticks is really nice...moisturizing and smooth. The only thing I dislike is about these lipsticks is their smell. They have such a strong baby powder scent, which I kind of hate. But the good thing is that the smell doesn't linger, so I can overlook it.

6. Essie Boom Boom Room

I guess I've been really into pink this month, but holy crap, how could you not love this color? I would describe it as an vibrant, almost-neon barbie pink. I have reapplying this color like crazy on my nails and my toes. It's the perfect pink for summer!

7. Coach Poppy

I've been wearing this fragrance pretty much all month. It's fresh and floral. I like that it's a light fragrance but it still lingers and stays smelling nice throughout the day. I always forget to put on perfume, so I like carrying this rollerball in my purse so I can just put it on while I'm out and about. The notes in the perfume are jasmine, gardenia, fresh cucumber, and candied rose petals. Oooh-la-la.


Random Favorites

I thought this month I'd switch it up and just add in a few non-beauty favorites. Music is one of the major loves of my life and I love to share it with others, so I thought I'd include a few songs that have been on repeat this month as well as a TV show I've been addicted to this month!

Music

1. Artist: Lorde // Song: Tennis Court (if you love Lana Del Rey, you'll love this!)
2. Artist: The Neighborhood // Song: Afraid (love the whole album!)
3. Artist: Selena Gomez // Song: Stars Dance (never was a fan of her music, but kinda impressed 
                                                                          by this album; this is my fave song on it)
4. Artist: JAY-Z ft. Frank Ocean // Song: Oceans (LOVVVVVE, whole album is great)
5. Artist: City and Colour // Song: Two Coins (favorite band of the moment, album is amazing)
6. Artist: City and Colour // Song: Death's Song (lyrically amazing, as are all the songs on the album)

TV Show

I have loved Bones for a long time and have recently purchased the 8th season on iTunes. If you haven't seen it, you can click here for a better description than I could ever give lol. I am about to watch the season finale right after I through with this post, and I am so excited. I am a huge nerd and the characters and the science component of this show are just right up my alley. The show is just so well done! This 8th season is the BEST season out of them all. I'm addicted!

Woooo. That was a long post, but I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it. I thank you so much if you got all the way through that lengthy list of favorites! I hope you have a fabulously amazing August!

xoxo,
Paige