Cheap but Great Makeup!

These are products you can buy on a budget and are some of the key pieces in my makeup collection. Unless I state otherwise, you can get these at drug stores

L'oreal Voluminous Mascara $7.99 at drugstores 

I like it in any color but I prefer black with a curved brush 

L'oreal True Match Lumi.. I just can't get over this stuff! It works better for me than Mac's face and body and it is less than half the price at $13. It has great coverage, spf 20, and it is not cakey. 

Jordana Cosmetics Fabuliner $1.99 .. you cannot beat the price! The line that it draws may be a little thick if you are rushing or new to felt tip eyeliner, so just practice with it and it will become a breeze to use. *I believe only Walgreens sells this, not CVS

Jordana Cosmetics Lip Liner in Baby Berry or Tawny. Perfect everyday lip liners to wear under lip stick, colored gloss, or a clear gloss..even as a lip stain! $1.99 also I believe *find at Walgreens

Revlon Colorstay Aqua in Translucent, $13. Put this on over your foundation for a matte finish, to set your makeup, or to keep away oil all day long

Victoria's Secret Lip gloss in Elegance and Yearning, $12 at VS or online. This picture doesn't do Yearning justice but it is a universal color that people with fair skin to dark skin care wear! 

ELF blush in Blushing Rose (top) or Peachy Keen (bottom), $3 each .. I really want to try all of the colors they have listed though! This is really great quality blush & so pretty! Plus ELF always has online coupons.. find them! 

& While I'm on the subject of Elf.... ELF Stippling Brush, $3   I love this brush because it will give you a light to medium application of the product and you can build up as you go but it is never too much like a regular blush brush can be 

Vaseline MINI! If you have one of these babies you will never need to purchase clear lip gloss ever again.. you can use the regular sz container as well!

Covergirl Lipstick in any shade! They have such gorgeous colors for around $8 you can pick a few for the price of one high end shade

How could I forget to mention Coastal Scents!? They have a ton of great stuff from their brushes to their eyeshadows! My favorite thing they sell though is their 26 shade blush palette. For $8.95 you really need to get it before it's gone because it has so many colors to flatter all skin tones

Although this isn't makeup, blotting sheets for oily skin can be really expensive! For a pack of 50 from ELF they are only $1!






Finally, the Haute Jersey Leopard Couture Palette by NYX is sexy! It comes with eyeshadows, lip gloss, blush, bronzers, and a highlight color. It is listed on NYX's website for $20 but I bought it at T.J. Maxx for $12. Go find yo-self one ladies :)

I hope you liked this post!

BESITOS ❤

Hair Masks with Products you Already Own!

In order to get your hair into its healthiest, shiniest, most moisturized state, you may want to consider a hair mask treatment. These are all products you can find in your cabinets or fridge, so you can save that $15 for something special :)



Dry Hair
Combine three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with two eggs and apply the mixture to your hair. Let  it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing in the shower. The olive oil will help hydrate, while the protein in the eggs will promote healthy hair growth. (Just a hint, mostly all curly hair owners are in the dry category!)

ALL Hair Types
Use a ripened avocado and mix in a tablespoon of organic honey and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off in the shower. 

Avocados are rich in vitamin E and protein, which your hair needs to remain soft and healthy, meanwhile, honey is a natural antibacterial agent & I have also heard it is a humectant, which means that it will attract moisture from the air particles, leaving your hair less dry!





Oily hair

Combine 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with the grated peel of an entire lemon and allow it to set for 15 minutes to absorb the excess oil from your scalp, and then rinse in the shower.

Apple cider vinegar will remove build up from styling products and conditioners and strengthen the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, shiny strands. It will also balance hair’s pH level, kill bacteria, and is a cure for dandruff.




DRY,  Flaky scalp

Mash together 1/2 of a ripe banana, add 2 tablespoons of honey and a few drops of almond oil. Allow it to set with a shower cap for 20 minutes before rinsing. 

Bananas can increase the moisture of your hair, smooth frizz and soothe your itchy scalp.

Health

Hey ya'll!

First of all, shout out to Boston & all of Massachusetts, my home state! Stay strong babies <3

Next I want to tell you all about my recent inspiration to get fit. So if you know me, you know that I am quite a curvy girl.. but I love my curves!! Each year as I have been continuing farther & farther along in my college career I have gained more & more weight from eating too many carbs, being pescatarian for the first 2 years, to  not getting enough exercise  & simply being overwhelmed with my extracurriculars/school work.

I have decided to take a stand for my health.

As of 2 days ago, when my friend Molly invited me to go to the gym with her, I have given health & fitness a whole new priority in my life. Now .. you may think, if she loves her curves, why is she getting all fitnessey? The reason is because although I love my curves, I am incredibly out of shape & want to get my body back to it's healthy state. My goal is not to reach a certain size or lose a specific amount of weight.. I just want to look & feel my personal best. 

The method I am using is to be continuously moving, and not doing too much of one exercise. I hate the gym, so this technique has been keeping me interested! 

1. Today I started off with 20 minutes on the treadmill, doing a brisk walk  of 3.8 mph on an incline of 2.5
2. Next I went to the stretch mat & stretched my arms, legs, feet, & neck.
3. Then I stayed there & did reps of "butts," sit ups, & plank. Repeat.
4. To finish off I did 25 minutes on the elliptical doing the "cardio workout" option
5. Finally I stretched out a little more & I was set!

If you hate the gym like I do I recommend finding a great playlist or artist to listen to on your itunes or pandora.. I found Pop and Hip Hop Power Workout & I am obsessed.. it is what is keeping me going through my workout! My other recommendation is to not do an entire hour of one exercise.. it is boring, you will hate it, you won't work all the muscles you want to, and you will never want to go back to the gym..switch it up baby!

I took a "before" picture today.. so hopefully in around 4 weeks I can post a much fitter picture :) 

There is nothing "wrong" with my body and the way it currently is, I just am motivated to get back in shape and look my personal best.. curves are beautiful, and I do not recommend exercising or dieting for anyone but yourself.     You have to love you! 

Besos! ❤

P.S. Let me know if you have any other great workout/health techniques!

Food Item on a Beauty Blog, whaaahh?

Haha silly title, I know.

Well, a few weeks ago the cashier at one of our little campus stores told me about these new chips that I HAD to try. I was really skeptical upon picking up the package and I was like man that sounds weird, but she is adorable and I told her I would try it. So I purchased the PopCorners in Kettle flavor and I am addicted. I just went to the store for the sole purpose of purchasing more but they were out of kettle so I was forced to try the caramel flavor (which is good too but kettle is still my fave!) So it is a chip made of out corn (and yes I know that corn chips already exist, but these are flavored!) I dare you to go out and try them! It is a snack that your body will not hate you for and that your taste buds will adore :) 

Mucho amor ♥

Foundation Routine & Fave Products

Hey Ladies!

I am finally having a day that is more chill than most where I have a few minutes to write a make-up post!!!! So I decided to write my entire foundation routine (at the moment, because it changes all the time with new tools and products coming out!) This may seem like a lot of steps for some people but you can adjust it to your liking and the amount of time you have to get ready.


1. Moisturize! I have read some articles/seen videos that say that primer is a farce and all you need is some moisturizer to make your make-up adhere to your face. I'm not sure if I agree with that since I have found a fantastic primer but if you want to save money simply moisturize your face. Make sure to let the moisturizer dry a bit before moving on to the next steps.


2. Primer! I have tried multiple primers including Victoria's Secret's, Mac's, and maybe even others but the one that I think works amazingly well is Flawless & Poreless by Pixi. I use my fingers to apply this all over my face. I like that it is on the thicker side because you can actually feel the staying power that it has!

3. Compact Foundation! (Not necessary for all faces!) Recently I purchased the L'oreal True Match Super Blendable compact make-up thinking that it was a powder foundation. However, when I was in Florida my skin was very oily so I tried using a light application of this foundation under my liquid foundation and it came out beautifully & resulted in a much less oily face! *Please note that this foundation appears at least 2 shades lighter on skin than in its container, I would go slightly darker than you normally would

4. Liquid Foundation! This is one of my favorite products that I have ever owned. Ever. L'oreal True Match LUMI Healthy Luminous Makeup This foundation is medium coverage but doesn't get cakey like many do. It easily blends with your natural skin tone and the color choices are very similar to real human skin colors! I have noticed that my skin appears a bit more shiny than usual when using this foundation which is why I ended up trying the previous compact in step 3, but overall I have no complaints about it and have turned multiple people on to this foundation who are just as in love with it as I am. Trust me, it is the best drug store foundation on the market! I either use my fingers, a stippling brush, or a beauty blender to apply this. The thickest application will come by using fingers, the brush will be a little less thick, and the beauty blender will be the lightest application.

5. Highlighter/Concealer! I generally don't have very dark circles under my eyes even though I am a crazy college student with the worst sleeping habits/schedule in the world but what I like to use to brighten under my eyes is Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in colors Ivory or Radiant. As the name suggests, ivory is a paler nude color while radiant has pinker tones. I like to use ivory under my eyes and gently rub the make-up in with my ring finger (this finger will give you the most delicate application and will be the least damaging to the fragile skin under the eyes.)  The radiant color is good for highlighting the cheekbones or drawing a straight line right down your nose for a straighter looking schnoz!

6. Translucent Finishing Powder! This is my newest purchase, having only owned this for 2 days, but this is a must have for combination or oily skin types. Try Revolon ColorStay Aqua in translucent. I'm sure there are many translucent powders out there that work great as well, this is the only one I have tried but I can tell you that there has been zero oil showing through my make-up and my make-up stayed put the entire day, still looking fresh 12 hours later!

One thing I love about this powder is that right when you put it on (I have been using a big fluffy face powder brush) it feels wet, like you just put lotion on your face.. but the sensation goes away very quickly, probably within 2 seconds, but still, it is a cool experience! 

That's all I've got for ya today folks but keep checking back for more beauty tips, tricks, product reviews, and other miscellaneous beauty and fashion ideas, finds, and must-haves! Please comment if you liked this post and if there are any topics you would like me to write about! Mucho amor ♥

Great fashion find

I never would have thought that the store Ross would ever have anything I was excited to wear but I was wrong! Today I found 2 dresses, a top, a pair of heels, and an awesome pair of sandals. I have been searching mainly for business casual attire for my upcoming summer internship but I had to make at least 1 fun purchase right? So below is a picture of the fab sandals. I promise as soon as I get back from vacation and get a new computer that I will do a make-up oriented post :)

Don't be afraid to look in stores you never thought you would like or be able to find merchandise in because sometimes you will be shocked at what you find!

Some Inspiración For Those Feeling Blue or Overwhelmed

Today was one of the toughest days I have had in quite a while. Being a transfer student from a school with a significantly less rigorous workload, it has been a difficult adjustment trying to balance my health and wellness while still maintaining my grades and academic standards I have set for myself. Although this picture/post has nothing to do with beauty, I am sure that I am not the only one feeling the stress and pressures of achieving one's best during midterms.

At times like this I think it is important to remember that we are human and can only do our own individual best which can be different for everyone. This quote also reminds me that it is ok to make mistakes and take wrong turns because they wiill eventually guide us somewhere or instill us with a message that we would have never otherwise learned.

I hope this quote brings you some relief from our hectic and stressful lives, and the ability to recognize the importance of making mistakes, taking wrong turns, and having the knowledge that it is possible to transcend the times of hardships, streaks of bad luck, and struggles that we all face.

Sites I Am In Love With

I have always had a passion for fashion but recently my passion has grown immensely.  I want to share with you a few sites that I am obsessed with & hope you will enjoy them too!

1. Ipsy! This is my number one pretty much of all time. So this is a subscription to receive a monthly beauty bag which will contain 4-5 beauty products that are small but decently sized as well as a travel bag to hold it all. The items can range across the board from drugstore/cheaper items to high quality/designer items. It costs $10/month and it is free shipping.

 

Each bag also contains coupons for the companies that are included in the bags between 20-30% off of your online purchase. I have received 3 bags so far and each one has contained items which I love and otherwise would have never tried or known about. I have heard that there is now a wait list to start receiving the bag because it has become so popular but if you sign up and are put onto the wait list you will never be charged until your bag is sent to you. If you are a beginner to an advanced make-up/beauty lover I would DEFINITELY check out Ipsy! Lastly, if I haven't convinced you yet.. the make-up bag ships in a sexy little shinny pink bag. It feels like the holidays every time I receive it!

2. Threadflip I actually just found this site today but I can't get off the page. There is everything from vintage, to designer, to brand new items that you can purchase, but you can also become a seller yourself and get rid of those items in your closet that are in great condition but you just don't want anymore! I love this idea because not only is it recycling/ reusing items, you can also make money on it, and you can score some amazing finds! I bought 2 pair of incredible heels and I can't wait to get them! Also, if you do or don't feel like splurging, you can set the price range (as well as size, designer, etc.)

3. Wanelo This site has everything that is trending now. The name stands for Want Need Love so you can imagine that it is difficult to "x out." The site includes any and every type of apparel imaginable, work out gear, nail polish/designs, make-up, watches, jewelry and again every accessory you can think of! Household goods like cute chairs or mini fridges, coffee mugs, a cotton candy maker .. I could keep going but I think you get the idea.. the site has everything and anything you could ever want, it will make you believe you need it, because you have fallen in love with it!

4. Beautylish I have a confession to make. I look at this site every single day. This may sound ridiculous but their app is just so addicting. You can discuss every aspect of beauty from hair to nails to beauty products with real people all over the world. People post pictures and ask advice on say.. which prom dress is most flattering or how they should style their hair based on the shape of their face. My favorite part is to comment on the posts where people are asking for make-up advice and discussing which products might work for them and which have worked for the other users based on their experiences.

Let me know what you think of these sites! Leave comments and tell me which ones you liked best :) Happy Monday ya'll (I know that is kind of an oxymoron but I still hope you have a great day!)

Rediculous Pelo Rizado (Curls!)

So you may be wondering how I got my hair so curly tonight. Recently, my hair has been so blah and I haven't been able to achieve the tight(ish) curls that I love.  This may be due to the dry winter months because, I think like some curlies, the humidity is actually good for my curls. Anyways, I invested in some new products & I still have some to try out. But with no further ado, this is how I got my curls! 

P.S. it was incredibly easy.

Si hablas español, desplácese al fondo de la página!

Step 1. I took a shower :) yay! The products I use on my hair in the shower are a non-lather shampoo, Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream and Curl Junkie Beauticurls. I just started using the latter, but I really do like it! 

Since I have gotten into really trying to vamp up my curls I have been comparing products and readings reviews on Curl Mart and Naturally Curly. (The second link will take you to a page where you can learn all about the different aspects of curly hair!) Curl Mart is a shop and Naturally Curly is a forum to ask questions but mainly to learn more about different types of curls and how to treat them. I recommend checking out both!

Step 2. I towel dried (the sites above will tell you not to do that but it works for me!) and threw the towel up in a twist on top of my head for a few minutes while I dried off.

Step 3. I combed my hair with a wide tooth comb < (that is the one I use) 

Step 4. I took a dollop of AG Hair Cosmetics Re:Coil on my hands, rubbed them together, then distributed the product evenly throughout my hair .. this takes me about 15 seconds

Step 5. I took my crappy little $7 Revlon blow dryer and attached my new Luxor Professional diffuser. I used the low setting on the blow dryer and dried my hair for about 10 minutes. I flipped my head over and put the diffuser right up to my head. If you check out the link you can see that it can hold a lot of hair so I kept scooping up different sections of hair for about 10-15 seconds per section and then I would move on to a new section. 

What I love about this diffuser is that it apparently fits on many sizes and models of dryers and it was only $10! I have never been more impressed with how my hair has turned out, especially compared to the blah flat, curl-less days I've been having. 

If you have any questions or want to tell me how this works for you I would love to hear your comments below!

Just a note.. I am not being sponsored or paid by any companies to endorse their products, I am just sharing my experiences and knowledge and spreading the love <3 Have a beautiful weekend ya'll!

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Finalmente, debo escribir mi blog en español también? No se si haya una audiencia que va a leerlo, pero si alguien quiera, puedo traducirlo! Y yo se también que mi español no es perfecta, estoy aprendiendo y intentaré el mejor que puedo para traducir/escribir bien!

Realizing Dreams, Breaking Boundaries

Hello World!

 I have been spending a great deal of time this week working on freeing myself of the mental boundaries and chains that have kept me grounded and  living within the monotony and the familiar. On my recent trip to West Palm Beach I was inspired to pursue my career related goals by applying for internships in the area. This move was not only career oriented, but also intended to take a step back from the fast pace grind where I am constantly under the directions and prerogative of professors, bosses, coaches, and an opportunity to give myself freedom and latitude to make my own choices and pursue my passions.

With this newly found freedom, I began mentally exploring other places in my life where I had restricted myself. During a lunch break in between classes this past week I was doting over my love of make-up and my interest in helping others achieve their beauty best. I was again inspired to move forward with this idea and discussed starting a business geared toward creating beauty looks for students at my school. I am ecstatic to start living out these dreams and couldn't feel more motivated since realizing and liberating myself from these self-imposed constraints. 

Are there self-imposed limitations that you place on yourself that you hadn't been aware of until recently? Are you feeling stuck, unmotivated, and just living to get through the day? My advice is take advantage of your endless opportunities today because you may not have the same circumstances tomorrow. What are the goals and dreams that you have that you never thought you could achieve? Act upon them! I am sure your love for life will skyrocket and you will be significantly more content than staying in the same monotonous rut that you are just doing because you have to or because you think you have to.