Great summer products

Hey everyone

I have been loving summer so far the weather has been perfect. Where I live it gets very humid so my makeup tends to slide off after a few hours of wear. I tend to reach for products that say matte or long lasting. 

Some of my favorite products are-

Urban Decays De-Slick which is a setting spray it helps keeps the oil on my face to a minimal

Model in a Bottle is another setting spray that I reach for when I know I will be very busy with no chances of a touch up. This stuff is amazing and makes your makeup last all day/night

Too Face Primed and Poreless is a great primer for me during the summer because I feel my pores show so much more when I am sweating and this primer helps minimize the appearance. Another option in the Benefit porefessional

To help maintain my face makeup as well is the clean and clear oil blotting sheets. I keep these in my purse all the time and just blot my entire face.

These are just a few things that help my makeup stay on and last longer. If you want a list of makeup that helps as well let me know and I will make a post about makeup products I recommend to help last. 

Thanks

Always 

Amanda 

Favorite Setting Sprays

Hi Everyone

I want to talk a little bit about make-up setting sprays. With the summer coming, and the fact that my T-zone gets very oily already this extra heat and humidity will make it worse.

My favorite for making my makeup last ALL DAY is Model in a Bottle (original).I purchase mine when I can on Hautelook Amazing stuff! I have purchased this repeatedly and I just can't live without this product anymore. The spray itself is thicker then a normal mist-it is a actual spray. The smell is strong not overwhelming but it took me some getting used to. This product is one that you need to have your makeup done and make sure your mascara is completely dry!! that is a key step to making sure your makeup lasts because this product will make your mascara run if it is applied while your mascara is still wet.

The second favorite is the Urban Decay De Slick spray. This spray is a definite mist, not as thick as the Model in a Bottle but when I think of this this product is one that I am not using to guarantee the longevity of my makeup but to keep my oily face at bay. ( I do use blot papers as well) I like to use this one when I know I am going to be in the heat for awhile or not going to be able to blot my face regularly.

Hope this helps!
Always
Amanda

Make Up Forever

Hey Everyone

So during the sephora chic week I definitely went and splurged. Right now I really want to talk about some products I got from the MUFE line.

I always have heard great reviews about their MUFE HD Foundation. Now for me I like drugstore foundations but I have always enjoyed my Benefit Oxygen Wow foundation and since I have been using my St. Tropez I needed a darker foundation to match my body. So I went and I purchased the kit with this foundation which was around $79? I think which in the kit you got

1. The Foundation- pick your own shade ( I am in N150)
2. MUFE HD powder
3. A kabuki brush
4. An HD primer

I have really been enjoying this foundation I decided to try it with my beauty blender ( I have a post about this a few weeks back) and I am in love. This foundation to me is a great everyday foundation because with the beauty blender it gives it a great light-medium coverage and if I want I can make it closer to full coverage if I chose to use a brush. 

I love this and I already have tried the powder that came with it so I was happy to get a backup of that product. 

The primer I am not to excited about, I prefer my primers to have more of a silicone feel and this one just doesn't have that. The texture seems more of a liquid and just not in my preferences. 

Overall I think if you are wanting to try out MUFE I would suggest this kit because you get a good bang for your buck plus sephora has a great return policy if you don't like the product. 

Hope this helps!

Always

Amanda

New Brushes ( Real Technique)

Hey Everyone

So I purchased a bunch of new brushes from the Real Techniques website. I already owned some brushes and I really loved them. I love that these brushes are synthetic so they are easier to clean and maintain versus natural fiber brushes.

In my haul I purchased the

• Limited Edition Duo-Fiber Set
• The Eye Starter Set
• Stippling Brush
• Expert Face Brush
• Setting Brush

The shipping let me tell you was amazing- I got it within two days! That was amazing

I love these brushes and I am so happy to add them to my collection.

Hope you like!
Always
Amanda

New Hair Care (Drugstore)

Hey Everyone

I have been trying to help my hair! I recently went to target and naturally I went and bought more then I intended but I am so happy I did.

I decided to go into the hair section and browse around for some remedies for my spilt ends. I know I should get my hair cut more often but I just always forget to make an appointment. So to help me with my problem I saw on a recent youtube video, I forget the vlogger but she suggested this product.

The product I am talking about is the TRESemme Spilt Remedy. The bottle says it reduces up to 80% of split ends after 3 uses, it is a serum, and seals in shine for a polished finish and comes with 3.3 fl oz.
The bottle does not say to apply it to damp or dry hair so I tried both to see how I liked it. For me I feel like a slightly dry hair is the best to apply this because damp hair was just "too wet" and completely dry left my ends looking oily if I used to much. I did really like it though when I used it and braided my hair, it made my hair look so healthy and shiny.

Overall I love this product plus you can purchase it at the drugstore and its less then $6? Don't quote me but I will be repurchasing this product again when I run out.

Another hair product I have been loving is the John Frieda Frizz-Ease in the sheer solution. 2 fl oz. I got this because I get those baby hair on top of my head and throughout the day my hair just looks like someone rubbed a balloon in my hair. Not cute.

I was going to pick up the Garnier Frizz helper but I saw this and they had a formula that was light so it wouldn't way my hair down which is a major plus because I have long hair but its thin so a lot of product can really make my hair flat and very boring.

This product works by shaking the bottle to mix the two fluids in the bottle and then you apply it into damp hair. The bottle says to use 10 drops and mix it into damp hair which I did like but I like always want to try it with dry hair to see if there was a difference. I only used I think 1 drop maybe 2 just to not over due it and make my hair look like I poured olive oil over my head. I really liked this effect because it really helped keep my fuzz in a way at bay and kept my hair smooth.

So I will repurchase this product again as well. I think my target trip was a success.

Be on the look out for my summer must haves coming up along with my favorite bronzers!!

Always
Amanda

Lip Butters?

Hey Everyone
I went to my drugstore and purchased the nee Nivea Lip Butters.

I am in love!  They are very moisturizing and creamy on the lips. Only downside is that the packaging is in a tin so you have to use your fingers.

That is truly my only complaint but I love these and need to get more!!

Always
Amanda

The Beauty Blender

Hi Everyone

So during a shopping adventure a few weeks ago at sephora I saw that in my store they finally had the beauty blender! I have been eyeing it up for a few months with all of the youtube, instagram, twitter hype but I held off. I did purchase the Sonia Kasuk one, I was unimpressed so I was concerned with paying the 20 bucks for a sponge.

I made the dive and I was so excited it was in the small section's next to the cash register so of course I saw it right when I was going to pay so very impulse but like I said it's been on my mind for months. I might be the only person or I may not be that girl who when she gets home from buying new makeup I get home take off all of the makeup so I can put on the new stuff! Naturally I used my beauty blender and wet it just like it all of the youtube videos and I used it with my L'oreal True Match Lumi.

This sponge is worth it. And let me tell you I am in college and I just can't wrap my mind around spending gas money on a sponge, but then again I am a makeup obsessed person so I justified it.

So is this hype worth it? Totally just like what everyone is saying just buy it you will get the use the crap out of it. I have seen though in the few weeks I've had mine I see some small rips where I think when I went to squeeze out the excess water my nails cut into it a little so something to watch out for I not squeeze out the extra in a towel.
I have already made another purchase so I can have a backup of the beauty blender but honestly one sponge is enough for a normal person.

Hope this helps!
Always
Amanda

Where have I been?!/ CVS

Hi Everyone

I am so sorry it has been so long since I last posted. Let me update you on my life.

• First off I am a full time college student and with the end of this spring semester coming up my classes have been loading on the work load. If I was better at biology I think it would be easier but....I am struggling so I am spending more time studying for this class.
• Second, I compete in pageants and last month when I competed in the Miss Royalty International pageant at the beginning of March I was very blessed to be the winner, and be your new Miss Royalty International for this next year. So with this title I have been very busy promoting my platform of Autism Awareness. 
• With my platform of Autism and April being Autism Awareness month I have been very busy promoting Autism Speaks and making appearances. 
• I also have a job. 

I am in no way complaining but simply explaining why I have been absent. 

So lets get into some good stuff!

I recently did a little shopping on Sephora I will let you guys know exactly what I got when I receive the package in the mail!

But I also made a trip to CVS to see if I could get my hands on the Milani lipsticks that I hear everyone talking about. I really had my mind set of the Rose Hip (a hot pink), as well as Nude Creme (nude). Unfortunately....both lipsticks only had 1 left of each and both were not in a good condition. So I passed at the moment. I can't leave empty handed, so of course I wander and find things I need.

• I caved and finally purchased the new Covergirl 3 in 1 foundation in the shade medium beige. Perfect shade for me! I am usually a NC20-25 in mac but I do self tan so I get closer to a 30-35. 
• I got a new mascara the Almay Get up and Grow
• Nivea Lip Butters- Carmel and the Rose flavors.

So thats where I have been and my most recent little shopping trip! 

Enjoy and hope to see you in my next post!

Always

Amanda

February Favorites

Hi Everyone
Since March is already here I thought I would show you what I have been loving.
For my face I love the St. Ives Apricot scrub
The Tarte creaseless concealer (I love this, also covers my dark circles)
Tarte's loose powder to set my concealer. ( I got it in a kit with the concealer)
Loreals Telescopic Mascara it gives great length! I really want to try the new mascara the shocking extensions.

Clothes
I love the prabal gurung collection at target!  I got a sweater and a pair of the neone yellow heels (in love) shoes and I cannot wait for spring to wear them out! Unfortunately we just got a few feet of snow where I live.

Not too many favorites this month. I tried to stick to some oldie but goodies.

Have a great day!
Always
Amanda

Importance of Chaptick!

Hi Everyone
I live in the midwest and during out 3º F weather lips get chapped really easy. Even if you don't live in cold weather and your lucky enough to have summer all year around you still need protection on your lips so they do not get sunburned (yes lips can get burned).
My favorites are
Burts Bees
Nivea
Revlon Lip Butters
Maybelline Color Whispers
And the newest edition is Tartes Amazonian Butter Lipsticks

All are great options the last few are for those that need some color on their lips.

Hope this helps!
Always
Amanda

My Everyday Make-up

Hi Everyone!
So lets face it I wear makeup and I love it!

I wear makeup everyday not because I want to impress anyone...well maybe a few people. But I just love the concept of makeup. I love putting it on, experimenting with different looks, new products! Ahh I just love it all!
My daily needs are

• Primer (I have very oily skin in my T-zone, so I need some extra help to keep my makeup on all day)
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Bronzer
• Blush
• Mascara
• Tinted lip-balm

Now those are my necessities. I will use eyeshadow depending on how much time I have in the morning if anything ill just use something like a Maybelline EyeTattoo, or some kind of color base. Lately I have been loving Makeup Forever's cream shadows. I got one in a kit and I am in love! A great dupe for the MUFE is Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Inked Pink. By adding that it gives my eyes some oomph and makes it seem like I spend a lot of time on my makeup but it really only took 5-10 minutes.

I will have a post on products i'm loving at the moment. But I just started using some new products and I want to see how they perform so I'm gonna try them out for a little bit more then ill do a full post of my everyday makeup in detail( list of products, how I like them) that type of thing.

Thanks

Always

Amanda

Pageantry is my Sport!

Hi Everyone.
Pageants are such a controversial topic due to all the honey boo boo, toddlers and tiaras and how media has turned the meaning behind pageantry into this joke.

Pageantry for me is a sport. I get laughed at all the time when I say this, and here is a definition of a sport-
         An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others.

So let me break this down-the physical exertion doesn't have to be about running up and down a field or court. Training for pageants takes months of practice. Whether it consisting of training in a gym, practicing your walk etc. All of that takes some form of exertion and practice.
The competition- just because your not competing against a team of people you are competing against other girls that are going after the win. 

So to me- Pageantry is a sport. 

I will continue this post with a series about pageants. If you have any questions post them in the comments and I will try to answer every one in a future post!!!

Always
Amanda

WELCOME

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my blog!

This blog is going to be about everything I love. I am very girly and truly have a passion for nail polish, make-up, fashion (couture and everyday), hauls. You name something girly and I probably love it.

A little bit about myself I live in Minnesota, I'm in college and I like to compete in pageants. 

This blog will be about new products i'm trying out, reviews, tips, etc. 

Not everything will be about makeup. I might blog about the most random topics ever!

So I hope you like my blog and stay tuned for more in the future!

Amanda