how i curl my hair

Yesterday I talked about my outfit details from Saturday, and today I'm explaining how I curl my hair. Sometimes I curl it the night before using the Sultra curling wand, but when I curl it the day of an event, I prefer to use a regular curling iron. Here's how to achieve the look...

The tools: 

1. Hot Tools 1 1/4 inch curling iron

2. Tresemme Platinum Strength Heat Protectant 

3. Kenra Volume 25 Hairspray

4. Suave Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil

The steps: Let's see how good I am at giving hair styling directions through writing!

1. First, I spray the Tresemme heat protectant all through my hair, especially the ends. 
2. Then, I part my hair all the way down the back of my head, diving it into two sections. 
3. Clip the right side up and away from the other section so it doesn't get tangled. 
4. I take the left section and divide it evenly into two sections (top and bottom).
5. Pin the top half up. 
6. Starting from the back, I take about a 1-2 inch piece of hair, and clamp the curling iron about 3/4 of the way up my head. (The point is to NOT start at the end and curl up. When you do that, you are focusing all the heat on the ends of the hair, and you're not distributing the heat evenly, which can cause the curls to fall faster, and that method isn't great for the ends of your hair.) Remember to also curl away from your face. 
7. With my hair clamped, I curl up a little bit until hair is wrapped around once, then loosen the clamp (don't release the hair), then pull down a little bit, and curl up again. Repeat this all the way down to the end of the hair, until that piece is completely curled. 
8. I just repeat this all the way around my head for each section until it's all finished. 
9. Then you have some kinda tight curls. I run my fingers through it to loosen it up and gently twist them until they look relaxed, but still uniform. 
10. Then I spray the ends lightly with Kenra Volume 25 hairspray. Any aerosol hair spray will work! Just don't weigh it down with too much hairspray. Less is more.
11. Then I try to tame those flyaways. I have a few different oils/serums for this, but right now I'm trying out this Suave Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil. I focus the oil more on the ends first, and then using whatever leftover product is on my fingers, I'll smooth down the top of my head. 

So that's basically it. I have thick, mostly straight and hard to curl hair, and this method works great for me. My curls last all night, and even look great the next day. 

Hope you found this helpful. Stay tuned for tomorrow's post! xo

summer wedding: what i wore

This past weekend I attended a wedding in Ben's home town of Monroe, Louisiana. I don't know what it is, but I just love weddings. I had a blast. I've had lots of questions about where my dress is from that I wore. So I figured I'd dedicate a post to this dress, because quite honestly, I loved it! 

I'm no fashionista by any means. I swoon over other bloggers who can effortlessly put together chic outfits seven days a week. For me, that magic happens once in a super blue moon. So I thought I'd share my outfit details today, and hair and makeup over the next two days. 

Dress: It's from Target! And, it is still in stores. I saw it yesterday when I was grocery shopping. Online it says it's currently unavailable, but I would hope they re-stock it soon. {mint + lace + mesh = love}

Quilted mint clutch: It's from a local boutique, Blink. Similar style here. I've also seen similar styles at Forever 21. 

White chandelier earrings: These are also from a local boutique, Apricot Lane. Again, you can find similar styles pretty much anywhere. Check places like Forever 21 or Francesca's. 

My heels {not shown}: I wore nude Jessica Simpson (open toe) pumps I bought at Shoe Station years ago. Best investment ever. You're bound to find some great nude pumps from places like Dillard's and Steve Madden. 

Bangles {also not shown}: I stacked some gold bangles on my left wrist that were from Francesca's. 

I'll share how I curl my hair tomorrow; and makeup details {mainly what I depend on to make sure my makeup lasts all night long} on Thursday! xo

happy friday, y'all!

Helllooooo weekend! Not a lot on the agenda this weekend, but that's a good thing!

1. Visited Jefferson Island last Saturday. We had a great lunch on the lake and a tour of the grounds and gardens, it was nice! It was interesting to learn about Ben's family history. I had no idea that place existed until we started dating, but I wouldn't mind visiting more often! 

2. I had an awesome dinner on Sunday with these ladies. I miss our wine nights, but margaritas were just as good! 

3. New Nikes! Now that I'm sticking with my workout routine, I've rewarded myself (or maybe I just found a really awesome deal at the Nike Outlet). While these are not the ones I've been stalking, these were half the price, the exact same color, and supported my arch the best. I'm excited about this.

4. A fresh mani + new summer purse = total instagram moment.

5. I miss my Carter bear so much. I've been depending on Facetime, since I really don't know the next time I'll see him. Thank you modern technology. 

See more H54F posts on Lauren's blog! Have a good weekend!! 

four favorites

Going along with the beach theme for favorites this week, I've picked some of my favorite items that I own, and you'll definitely see me with at the beach come July! 

Aldo Wayfairs: I'm definitely an aviators girl, but I decided to try out wayfairs and I'm in love with these from Aldo. 

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray: I think sea salt sprays are great for the summer time, especially at the beach. I shared how I use this surf spray to get "beachy waves"  in a post from last summer, which you can see here. 

Smashbox BB Cream: I don't know how many times I can feature this stuff or how many different ways I can say that I love it. Basically, it's my face sunscreen (SPF 35),  provides a little bit of coverage, and is very lightweight. Click here for a more in-depth review. 

C. Wonder Neon Stripe Tote: Any kind of tote is necessary for packing all of your necessities for the beach. I love that this one is neutral, but still summer-y with the neon stripes. 

What are some of your essentials for the beach or a summer getaway? 

nail polish favorites

There are many times throughout the week when I feel like this girl. But if that's the biggest stress I have, then it's a good week. As I sit here typing away with my nude nails (Sand Tropez by Essie), I'm contemplating removing it and applying one of these ASAP! There's something about pastel and neon colors that just makes me a happier person. I'm itching for a bright color change! So today I just wanted to share some of my favorite nail polishes for the spring and summer months. Pastels, neons, glitter-- it's just too hard to choose. 

from left to right: 

L'oreal: Macaroon Me Madly: This is a really pretty creamsicle-peachy shade for when you just want subtle color. 

Essie Mint Candy Apple: This is more of a mint blue than a mint green. It's so pretty on the nails and it's one of those that I can never really get sick of. 

Sally Hansen Lacey Lilac: I'm just obsessed with this line of nail polish. It's the absolute best formula for the price, which is around $2.50. Can't beat that. 

China Glaze Shocking Pink: This is my go-to neon hot pink color. It's currently on my toes and it looks best on tan feet.

Essie Fiji: This is a classic pale pink that goes on perfectly in 1 or 2 coats. When all else fails, just apply this.

Urban Outfitters After Hours: You'll rarely see me sporting an all glitter manicure, so when I'm feeling a little frisky I just do the glitter accent nail thing. This one is perfect. 

Is it still spring? Did we switch to summer yet? The calendar says summer doesn't "officially" start until June 21, but the weather says otherwise... 

What colors/polishes do you reach for the most during the spring and summer? 

Hangout Fest 2013

Remember the girl who used to blog on the reg more than twice a week about beauty-related things? Yeah, me too. But sometimes life gets in the way. I'm learning not to put a post just for the sake of having one up. I'm just writing as I find the time and inspiration. I'm trying! Hope that's okay with you guys. Anyway, today I'm sharing some photos from my recent trip to Hangout Music Fest in Gulf Shores, Alabama! 

It's been a few years since I've attended a full-blown music festival, I really don't enjoy music festivals just because the large crowds in the hot sun can bother me. But this one's a little different. It's right on the beach. So I had high hopes for the weekend and it exceeded all expectations. I was in heaven. For three days, I just laid on the beach, brought out my inner hippie, listened to music, drank a few beers, and soaked up the sun. It was absolutely amazing! I definitely want to go back next year. So depending on the line-up, it's on the wish list! 

The highlights of the artists I was able to see were Macklemore, Imagine Dragons, Bassnectar, Afrojack, Ellie Goulding, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Not going to lie, I was so excited for Kings of Leon, and they just weren't all that great after seeing so many artists after them who connected with the audience and played their hearts out. Their music was good, I just didn't feel a huge connection with them like all the other artists.  

Seeing Macklemore and Ryan Lewis perform "thrift shop" and "can't hold us" was awesome. It's funny how you get sick of a song that's way overplayed on the radio, but when you hear it live, everyone just goes crazy excited. I have so many videos that I just keep re-watching, pretending I'm still there! 

And Imagine Dragons. Holy moly. Their music is crazy good and Dan Reynolds (the lead singer) was incredibly humble. I like seeing artists like that. Makes me want to support them even more.  

I also highly enjoyed being "au naturale" for the weekend. Just some BB cream (which served as my sunscreen) and waterproof mascara, and natural hair. Very low maintenance for me.

My dream line-up for next year would include Florence + the Machine, Lana Del Rey, Mumford and Sons, and Coldplay.  And more time for Imagine Dragons. That's not too much to ask! 

See you next year, Hangout! (I hope...)

xo, Mallory

the expert face brush

There's something really nice about finding your absolute-gotta-have-it-favorite-go-to brush. While we have others that can do a similar job, there's comfort in knowing you have found "the one." When it comes to foundation application, I've been on the hunt for a brush that gives perfect, even coverage without breaking the bank. There's just so many different types of foundation brushes. It really just depends on your preference and needs. I have four Sigma foundation brushes. All of which I love, but none are "the one." I've had this brush all along. I was just using it for other things like contouring, setting powder, and sometimes blush. Basically everything except foundation. I tried it out only because all my other brushes were dirty and I figured I should switch it up.

The application was amazing. It's the perfect size, very soft (probably the softest brush I've ever used), gives a great finish to the skin, and best of all-- it's inexpensive. The tapered bristles allow foundation to be applied from all angles rather than just one. And as long as you wash it regularly, it's like good as new each time. 

Like I mentioned before, you can really do anything with this brush. Except maybe apply eye shadow. :) I just highly recommend using it for foundation.

You can find Real Techniques brushes at Ulta or online for $8.99. 

What's your favorite/go-to foundation brush? 

xo, Mallory

totes-ally in love

If you've never seen this video, then my post title is a fail. But if you have, then you get it. :) 

Anyways, I'm totes-ally loving these bags right now. One of them will be mine before my upcoming beach trips. Which one do you like the best? It's not really a choice I get to make, it's my wallet's decision.

Hope everyone has a fabulous Wednesday! xo

Mallory

Linking up for four favorites today! 

happy friday, y'all!

We made it to Friday! I have a very exciting weekend ahead so I'm definitely screaming TGIF! Hope you have a good weekend! 

1. Got to spend some quality time with the boyfriends' family last weekend. 

2. After some great things that happened during the week, Ben and I celebrated at Zea's. Hummus is a must. 

3. Holy beauty products! The Allure summer essentials box came in and wow, I'm in heaven. Can't wait to try them all out. 

4. The best friend is home for two weeks from London!!!! I'm just ready to get the party started. 

5. If I'm forced to wear a scarf in MAY, I might as well match it to my nails with an oldie but a goodie, Essie Turks & Caicos. 

How was your week?
xo

Mallory

april favorites

It seems like a lot of what I've been reaching for lately has been the color pink, and I didn't even realize it until I took these photos. Not sure the reason for this, but I do love pink, so I guess it's okay. Here's what I've been loving lately...

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Amused: This has been on my wish list for quite a while. When Sephora sent an email with a VIB coupon, I figured it was the perfect time to finally purchase a couple of wish list items. I originally went with the intention to purchase the shade Dollface, but after swatching it, I realized I wanted a more intense and rich pink shade. This is a highly-pigmented, matte bright pink. Apply with a light hand and its a perfect flush on the cheeks for Spring. 

Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl Eyeliner in Nude: I've never owned a nude shade of eyeliner, but always a little interested. Black is my go-to. These are brand new and already have great reviews. I figured a $6 nude eyeliner couldn't hurt. I like applying it just in the inner corner of my waterline. I then finish the waterline with my usual black liner. It helps keep that black junk from forming in the inner corner and also brightens it up bit, which is a plus. 

NARS Turkish Delight: This was my other Sephora purchase. This is my first NARS lip product and it's well worth the splurge if you like light pink glosses. You can wear it alone or over a lipstick to lighten it up. Going to be my go-to shade for Spring/Summer nights. 

L'oreal Shocking Extensions mascara: I couldn't help but include this as a favorite again, just to let you know that I'm still loving it. Check out that post if you're interested. 

Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation: This is probably the most surprising favorite for me. I've loved my Revlon ColorStay whipped foundation ever since it's come out, but for some crazy reason,  I can't control my urge to try something when I hear great things, especially foundation. Covergirl is not my go-to brand for makeup, so I really didn't expect to like this. But I do. This shade is too light for me, so I'll have to go pick up a darker one when my Summer tan kicks in, but as for the formula and quality of the foundation, it's amazing. Let me know if you're interested in a full review! 

China Glaze polish in Shocking Pink: If you love hot neon pink and do not own this color, I recommend picking it up. Not only is the color spot on, but it lasts longer than the average on my nails. I'll be painting my nails and toes with this a lot more come Summer. 

Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Wink: Just when I didn't think I could love the baby lips line even more, Maybelline came out with new shades. This one is beautiful! It's the your-lips-but-better chapstick that you can't help but want to apply all day long. I still love the one in Quenched, but it's colorless. This one is perfect for when you need moisture and color quickly (read: without a mirror). This will be going straight in my beach bag! 

Have you tried any of these products?  What are you loving lately? Let me know! :)

Mallory

happy friday, y'all

One. Abita-Rita + an LSU win in baseball is my kind of Sunday Funday. 

Two. I sometimes think I have a gift of finding the last pair of shoes in my size at Target. 

Three. A pedi + a good mag. All I needed was a massage and it would have been the perfect afternoon. 

Four. Participating in my first Color Run tomorrow. If the run is anything like the race packet pick-up, I'm sure it will be a good time! 

Five. Whew, what a week to be an American. This weeks events in Boston and Texas are heavy on my heart. My prayers and love are with everyone who have been affected by these tragedies. 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! See more H54F posts on Lauren's blog! 

Mallory

four favorites//designer wishlist

rain boots// knot ring// handbag// cosmetic case

Essentially, these are things that I would buy for myself if I could afford to. It's also kind of my "you wish, Mallory" wishlist. Sadly, my list is a little longer than just four things, but these are the top four that I long for... maybe someday.

What's on your "you wish, wishlist?"
We can all dream together.

Linking up for four favorites today!

Mallory

happy friday y'all!

So this week I finally stopped being lazy and started blogging again. Just in time for a Friday post! Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! 

1. Started off the week with brunch (and a bloody mason) with my boyfriend and his parents. Love some quality time over a meal. 

2. Finally (a year and a half later) put a bookcase in my living room to fill the empty nook. It "only" took me three hours and two mistakes to put it together all by my handy-woman self. I really like it! 

3. A Sephora VIB sale meant picking up two things that have been on my wishlist since the beginning of time. NARS turkish delight and Tarte amazonian blush in amused. I'm in love with both. 

4. When I saw this tee, I knew I had to have it. Chanel + Nola love is my kind of jam. Loving the white version... but now I want all the colors... 

5. Tomorrow will be the first time I've ever sold things in a garage sale. I feel like I've covered every inch of my condo for things to sell. Getting rid of old crap makes me feel lighter already.  Maybe I'm weird, but I don't think I was born with a sentimental bone in my body. I have no problem getting rid of things, I just hope most of it sells! 

Check out Wednesday's post if you haven't already! And, see more H54F posts on Lauren's blog. Happy Friday! xoxo

Mallory

spring cleaning your makeup drawers

It's definitely Spring here in Louisiana and I'm excited. I didn't think I would do much spring cleaning this year because I figured I cleaned out my place pretty regularly, but it's amazing what can multiply in just a few months. While constantly trying to keep my vanity area clean and organized, I went on a major "spring cleaning spree" recently, so I thought I'd share how you can decide what products to keep and what products to toss if you do the same.

Cream-based products include things like liquid foundation, cream blush, and cream eye shadows. Toss those after a maximum of 8 months.

Liquid eye products include mascara and liquid eyeliner. Of all my makeup, I am most diligent about throwing out mascara regularly. That little tube is a haven for bacteria growth. As someone who wears contacts, I have enough eye issues to worry about, and contracting pink eye or something like that is not on my to-do list.

Powder products such as blush, bronzer, and highlighters can last up to about 18 months. This is probably the one I don't follow like I should. Mainly because of blush. I just have too many and could not part with them until they're completely used up.

Lip sticks and lip glosses should be able to last you a couple of years. I just use my best judgement when going through the lippies. If it's a thick, goopy and sticky consistency, then it gets tossed in the trash.

Pencil products like lip liner, eyeliner, and shadow sticks can last up to 3 years if sharpened regularly. I don't use a ton of pencil products, mainly just eyeliners, so if I'm not using and sharpening it regularly, I have no problem tossing.

Nail polish can last a few years, it just depends on the brand, formula, and consistency. If you're a nail polish hoarder like myself, you probably keep longer than is recommended. I do keep an eye on them though. I throw away top coats once they get too thick and unmanageable. But color polishes, umm... keeping maybe forever. 

Other things I suggest you clean and sanitize is your eyelash curler, tweezers and brush holders. 
I like to wipe each down with Clorox wipes. Takes just a minute. Maybe two.

One thing to keep in mind when going through your makeup is the packaging. For example, if it's a pump foundation, rather than a jar, that foundation is more sanitary and is okay to use for probably a year. If you're constantly dipping your finger or a dirty brush into a jar, it obviously will increase chances of bacteria growth.

Each product can be subjective. Use your best judgement. Sometimes I get scared to toss makeup because I feel I might "miss it." I've learned that I rarely miss anything because once it's out of site, it's out of mind. If I really need it, I just re-purchase it. Simple as that.

xo, 

Mallory

March Birchbox

I really liked this month's box. Was not disappointed in one thing! Here's a glimpse at what was inside my "March Madness" Birchbox... 

Marcelle BB Cream

I've just added this to my "try it" list of BB creams, along with Dr. Jart, Boscia, and Revlon (which I've already tried and will post about soon). I'll let you know how this one turns out! 

LA Fresh Nail Polish Remover Pads

Going to be traveling these next two weekends so these will go straight into my luggage. Now I don't have to worry about packing my usual polish remover. I've only ever heard good things about these so I'm excited to give these a try. 

Vasanti Brighten Up Face Rejuvenator

Never heard of this brand, but it contains Papaya and Aloe with micro-crystals, and I like all of those things. Sounds like a great exfoliator. So we'll give it a shot and see how I like it. 

Whish Shave Cream

Never heard of this brand either, and was a little hesitant, but I did try it and this made my legs SO smooth. 

Nail File (by Madewell)

I only own one nail file, and it's seen better days. So I think this came at a perfect time. Plus, it was created by Madewell, so that's nice. 

If you're interested in trying Birchbox for yourself, click here!

What did you get this month? 

xo, Mal

happy friday, y'all!

Happy Friday, Y'all! Another long week coming to an end. This week the wood floors in my condo were finally repaired thanks to my amazing dad who seems to know how to do anything and saved me major $$$$.  Now I'm looking forward to a good weekend and making memories at the St. Patrick's Day parade tomorrow... :)

1. Captured this pic of Mike the Tiger taking a nap after the Men's Basketball game. Sometimes I wish I could just pet him, but think I think "eh, better not." [pitch perfect, anyone?]

2. Sushi for two. Had a great dinner date with my bff and long lost sister Danielle at Ichiban's. I love being able to catch up over good food. I wouldn't mind if this became a weekly event. 

3. I had a realization this week that my brush "collection" is out of control. Washing them is such a chore, mainly because I'm just lazy. But once their clean it makes me feel so much better. If you want to see how I clean this mountain of brushes, click here. 

4. I scored two House of Harlow look-a-like necklaces at Wet Seal for a total of $15 thanks to a bogo 50% off sale. I can finally check that off of my "find a less expensive version" wishlist. 

5. I really really enjoyed this month's Birchbox. I'll share what I got next week! 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! Check out more H54F posts on Lauren's blog! 

xo, Mal

makeup in minutes

Anybody else feeling the effects of Daylight Saving Time? Now that it's completely dark outside when I wake up, my body's instant reaction is snooze... snooze.. snooze. Maybe I'll become a morning person one of these days. But that day is not today. Because of my limited time, I'm depending a lot on fast makeup application. If I'm running crazy late, I reach for products I can apply very quickly or take with me if absolutely necessary. I'd say I don't spend more than 5 minutes when I use just these products...

Smashbox BB Cream
This is a matte finish BB cream that I can trust to keep my skin oil-free all day. More on it here. I apply this with a disposable makeup sponge for quick application. 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Spot Concealer
Since BB cream doesn't completely cover the issues my skin is having as of this week, this concealer does the trick to conceal any blemishes. I love that all I have to do is twist the cap, dab a little on each spot, and blend it in with my sponge. I am blessed to not have dark circles, but if I did, I would easily double up and use this as my under eye concealer as well. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
This takes me just a few seconds to set my BB cream and concealer to lock it in place all day long. 

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium Dark
I'm quite pale right now and this gives my face some color. If I was a little more tan, I would most likely skip this step. 

ELF Blush in Pink Passion
The bright pink blush looks intimidating in the package, but a light application of this is a perfect flush of pink to perk up my face. 

Maybelline MasterDrama Eyeliner
I usually only apply eyeliner if I skip eye shadow. Lasts all day and it's a retractable eyeliner that doesn't require sharpening. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
I've raved about this product before. Just swipe a little of this using my ring finger on to my eye lids and it looks likes I actually spent time to do my makeup. 

Maybelline The Falsies Flared Mascara
I like using this mascara on days when I'm in a rush because it dries so fast. It's also the one that I can use on both my top and bottom lashes without the fear of it ever smudging throughout the day. 

If I had to shorten it down even more, I would just use BB Cream, concealer, blush, and mascara. Sometimes I like the challenge of seeing how fast I can apply my makeup. If only I was more into challenging myself to see how fast I could run... 

What makeup products do you depend on for quick makeup? 

xo, Mal

Ulta Sale Starts Today!

The Ulta Beauty Steals sale is back... starting today! These are one-day-only deals for 21 days in March offered in-store and online, however, items do sell out quickly. If you plan to shop in-store, get there early because once the items are gone, they're gone. Most sales will start at midnight online. If you haven't seen the full sale ad yet, click here to see each daily deal. 

Here are my top picks from the sale that I will either be picking up or I already own and recommend to you!... 

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

This is one of my favorite high-end mascaras that's completely worth the $19, but I much prefer to only spend $10. You're getting a high-end product for a drugstore price. This mascara does everything you'd need it to do: volumize, lengthen, and separate your lashes beautifully. I highly recommend it! 

Butter London Nail Lacquers

I always seem to forget about the butter london polish day. This time, I'm determined to remember and pick up the two colors I've had on my wishlist for a while and check out the new Spring colors. 

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed

We all know I love this primer. I own it in the color Eden. The Greed shade is similar to Eden, except it has shimmer in it. You can't go wrong with primer potion! 

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil
I had never heard of maracuja oil until I bought a Tarte kit from QVC a year ago and this was in it. I figured having oily skin meant I would not be using this product. But, I'm glad I did some research and learned this would be great for my skin, no matter how oily it is! I like using this as a replacement some nights to my moisturizer. Just dab a little bit on my face and you wake up with super soft, moisturized skin. You can use it anywhere on your body, but I only recommend using it at night so it can really soak in all the benefits while you sleep. 

What do you plan to get from the Ulta sale? Let me know! 
xo, Mal

happy friday y'all!

T...G... I... F. It's been a busy one. Here's a look back... 

1. Sunday was spent at the bookstore getting inspiration for decorating my condo. I'm on a decorating kick. I feel like my bedroom is done, and now it's time to focus on the main living areas. I wish I could just snap my fingers and have an HGTV designer come in and do it for me! (Sabrina Soto, can you hear me?) 

2. Who doesn't love a surprise cupcake from Cupcake Couture? 

3. I've started the deocrating process by replacing my old side table and re-styling it. It's not much, but it's a start y'all... 

4. Essie Mint Candy Apple for ya. I foresee this color on my nails many times this Spring and Summer. 

5. This week a friend passed his exam to officially become an RN! St. Patty's glasses for everyone thanks to The Bulldog! 

How was your week?! See more H54F posts on Lauren's blog! 

xo, Mal

if i only had one eye brush

If all of my makeup brushes were gone and I needed to start over, the one brush I would have to pick up ASAP would be the ELF $1.00 Essential Eye Shadow Brush. This brush is made for packing eye shadow onto the eye lid. However, I believe you could do a whole eye look with just this brush if you had to. I have smaller eyes/lids than most, and the average shadow brush is just too big for me.

 There are many mornings when I grab just this brush and use it many different ways.  If you're not using black or super dark browns, all you need to do is wipe off the excess shadow after each shade you apply to get it clean. So, now that I've explained all of that, let's get into all the things I like using this brush for.

I usually start off using it for it's intended purpose by applying my base color all over my lid. The tapered tip of the brush also makes it easy to use to apply color to the crease. Next, I'll just wipe it clean, flip the brush over, and use the clean side to blend the crease shadow to reduce any harsh lines. And lastly, I think this brush is just fine to use to apply a light highlight shade to the brow bone.

Aside from eye looks, I think you could also use this for other areas if you're in a bind and forgot your other face brushes at home, such as contouring the sides of your nose, applying a cheek highlighter, and blending under eye concealer. 

Almost all of your brushes could be used for more than their intended use. I just find this one so great because of the quality for just $1.00. You can find elf at Target, some Walmart stores, and eyeslipsface.com. And hey, if you end  up not liking it as much as me, you only spent a dollar! 

What's your go-to eye brush? 

xo, Mal

february favorites

LORAC PRO Palette 

I'm just in love with this palette. The matte eye shadow options seem endless to me and that's what I love about it. I've reached for it almost every day. See my full review and swatches here! 

L'oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara

Holy mascara. L'oreal seems to have done it again for me. Since January I've been on a "try new mascaras kick" and this is the only that really stands out to me. It lengthens, volumizes and separates my lashes like none other. Even better, the formula is completely clump free. This mascara means business and I'm loving it. 

Maybelline Color Whisper in Lust for Blush
I talked about these here, but didn't have this color yet. This color takes the cake for "your lips but better." It's my go-to lipstick for everyday. 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer + Dark Spot Corrector

Since I love the Instant Age Rewind concealer for dark circles, I knew I had to try the dark spot corrector. It claims to treat the discoloration while you wear it. I have dark spots pretty much all over my cheeks thanks to acne scarring. I think this does at concealing my dark spots and evening everything out. 

NYX Blush in Pinched

I'm a big fan of NYX powder blushes. This one reminds me of NARS Orgasm. Peachy pink with some golden shimmer. It's so pretty an inexpensive. 

Elf Powder Brush

I don't know why I've never bought an ELF face brush before. One of my all-time favorite eye brushes is from ELF (more on that soon).  I guess because it's only $3.00, I would always think "hmmm, 3 dollars probably means hard bristles that could be rough my face." I couldn't have been more wrong. This brush is super soft. It applies and blends my powder, blush, bronzer, whatever I'm in the mood for, perfectly. Really glad I finally spent the whopping $3.00. 

What did you love in February?
xo, Mal

on the mend

So I've been totally MIA this week thanks to being bitten by the flu bug. I've been basically living in my bed and not gonna lie, it's been been pretty miserable. There's only so much tv you can watch, soup you can eat and sleep you can sleep. 

I had a blogging plan for this week, which obviously did not go as planned. However, I can't see a whole week go by without a post, so today I'm just sharing what has gotten me through the week. Obviously, physically, it's been medicine, fluids, and rest. To get myself out of the "sick funk" these are the things that have helped me mentally get through this week. 

Netflix [or DVDs, whatevs]

Classic favorites that I like to re-live: 

via                                                       via                                                             via

Yogurt 

Thanks to my roomie for this one!

A fresh mani

Bubble Baths

via

What kind of things help you feel better when you're sick? 

Next week I'll be posting my favorites from February and a review on a new skincare line I've been using. I hope you have a beautiful weekend! 

xo, Mal