Summer 2015 Beauty and Fashion Update

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!"-Coco Chanel

 This winter seemed like it lasted forever and spring feels like it lasted for a minute. It already feels like summer here, and I have a feeling we're in for a long and hot season.  Whenever the weather starts changing, I update my closet and my beauty products. Here are the items I am lusting after or have already succumbed to.

Make Up:

Anastasia Contour Palette

I'm on a major contouring kick. Now that it's heating up, I'm looking to achieve a bronzed-Kardashian-esque glow. Say what you will about the sisters, but there is no denying they are contouring experts. I bought the palette last week and I have had a lot of fun blending the 6 colors together trying to find my perfect look. Shop it here!

Stila Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

This stuff is great. It actually stays where I put it and it draws a great line. I highly recommend this eye liner and it comes in a ton of different shades. Shop it here!

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Palette
I've had this for a while and it's my go-to for summer. Its light, shimmery, and understated. Shop it here!

Skincare:

Philosophy Microdelivery Kit

I bought this a few weeks ago and have been using it religiously. It is a two step process with an exfoliating component. Whenever I use it my skin brightens up and feels great. It is chalk full of peptides and vitamin-C which just feels summery to me. Shop it here!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

Normally I use witch hazel to lock in moisture in my skin, but for the summer I have switched to this aloe and rose water infused spray. It smells great and its a quick and easy way to perk up dull skin and to seal in moisture or set your makeup. My skin is really dry so I can use whatever help I can get. Shop it here!

Cotz Sunscreen

I am really good about applying sunscreen to my face everyday- and a big part of that comes from how much I love Cotz. It feels like a primer, had light coverage, and it had a SPF of 40. This stuff is gold. Shop it here!

Elemis Papaya Peel
This feels nothing like a traditional peel. It honestly feels like a tropical scented lotion, but one you remove it, it uncovers gorgeous glowing skin. Shop it here!

Shoes:

Perfect Nude Heels

The Charles by Charles David 'Pact' Pump is my favorite heel. Specifically, the nude color is on point. They are shockingly comfortable, high but not too high, and the perfect color. They remind me of the 'Pigalle' of Christian Louboutin fame. My biggest dilemma with these shoes is choosing what color to buy next. Shop it here!

Fun Night Out Wedges

I was looking for a cool pair of wedges to wear at night when I stumbled across these babies. I love the laser cut-out detail. They are 5" but you can barely feel them since they are a wedge. They are a lot of fun to wear and dress up. Shop it here!

Go To Summer Sandals

Similar to the Charles David pumps, these Sam Edelman flat sandals are my summer staple. I bought some last year and they are still perfect. They come in a ton of colors and have a solid cushion which makes it possible to walk for miles on a totally flat shoe. Super cute and very functional! Shop it here!

Summer Clothing Essentials:

Silk Tank Tops

I have a few of these. They keep you cool and can be easily transitioned from day to night, work to play. Iris and Ink makes a great choice and they are super on sale right now! Shop it here!

Crochet Bikini

This is my newest addition to my swimsuit collection. I've been into the crochet look for a long time and this summer is the perfect time to take the plunge. The 70's are back baby! Shop it here!

Detailed Shorts

The Loft is my go to for cute shorts. They aren't too short and are always relatively inexpensive and very cute. I just bought a great pair of scalloped shorts that get a ton of compliments. Shop it here!

Maxi Dresses

Maxis have quickly become my favorite summer outfit. I tend to go for backless maxi dresses that I can wear with a blazer at work and then head straight to happy hour at 5:00 in. Since I'm tall, my favorite maxi's come from Tart. The material is really high quality and the cut is very flattering on all of them. Shop it here!

Tart Dress Second From Left

I've got some fun vacations and trips planned for this summer and I am having a lot of fun bulking up my closet and bathroom cabinets! :)

Tart Dress + Sam Edelman Flats

xxxx

Spring Beauty Updates

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at your leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."- Audrey Hepburn 

All the snow has officially melted and the weather report is starting to look somewhat promising! Which means I am officially saying goodbye to Winter and welcoming Spring with open arms. Now that winter is over I am updating my wardrobe and beauty routines to fit with the changing seasons. 

Skincare: The winter has been absolutely brutal on my skin. Now that it is finally warming up and the sun is starting to show through I need to protect my skin and get that pre-summer glow going on.

• Body: I spent a week in Cancun, Mexico, and despite my vigilant attempts at lathering up the sunscreen, I managed to get a bit of color. 

Featured Fashion: Bikini Top, Bikini Bottoms, Sunglasses

• After being in the sun, I try to use a lotion infused with Aloe. Currently, I'm using Jergens Aloe Lotion. 
•  I also am a major proponent of body oil. The other night, I was out with my friends and I noticed they were all staring at my legs. When I asked what they were all looking at I was informed they were trying to tell if I was wearing sheer stockings... Nope, just well moisturized legs due to the miracles of oil. Body oil locks in lotion better than anything else. I use Neutrogena Oil.  
• While natural color looks the best, tanning in any form is horrible for you. I usually manage to get a tan even while using sunscreen, but I also supplement the color with self tanning lotion. Every three days I use Self tanner. 
• Face:
• I have yet to find a facial lotion that I really like, but I am vigilant about moisturizing my face every morning and night. 
• My current favorite product line is Mario Badescu's. It was recommended to me last summer and everything I've used has been great. The two products that are currently in rotation are the Healing Mask and the Drying Lotion. 
• Now that the seasons are changing, exfoliation is huge. I just found this Green Tea Scrub which I now love.

Nails: 

Top: Manicure Colors
Botton: Pedicure Colors

• Manicures:
• Typically, I prefer a dark nail. Deep reds, purples, grays, and blues are my go to colors, but in Spring that just seems wrong. 
• Spring Color Palette: Nudes and light pinks accented with gold glitter 

My current manicure

Featured Products: Trade Winds, Chunky Gold Overlay

• Pedicures:
• I am a lot more liberal when it comes to my toes. I have been wearing bright corals and neon colors to set off my tan as well as make me feel like it is almost sunshine season. 

Toes in the sand

Featured Product: Essie's Peach Daiquiri Nail Color

Hair: 

• I put my hair through the ringer. I made the mistake of highlighting it three years ago and now my hair is unintentionally ombre. This means that the ends of my hair are super dead and stripped. However, now that it's spring and it's not so dreary outside I'm actually putting a little bit of an effort into styling my hair. 
• Products: 
• I really like this Miracle Leave in.
• Now that I am styling my hair I use a heat protecting lotion. Redken makes a great Heat Styling Lotion
• Shampoo and Conditioner both come from the Matrix Repair line: Repair Line
• Styling:
• I have naturally wavy hair

What my hair looks like without styling or product

• I prefer to wear my hair with some body in it (it hides the dead ends better than wearing it straight). When I do take a heated product to my hair, it usually looks something like this: 

From the back

From the front 

• I get this type of curl by using a straightener. My go to flat iron is the Chi Flat Iron
• In the Spring, I am a huge fan of braids. I do a lot of french braiding; everything from a single braid to smaller more boho influenced looks.

Simple side braid with an accent headband

Featured Fashion: Crystal headband, Similar top

Make-Up:

• Eye shadow: My eyes are my favorite facial feature of mine so I am always trying to play them up. Winter was great for dramatic eye's, but Spring is a much lighter season. I really like make-up palettes and the one I am getting the most use out of is Benefit's Bright Eyes Kit. I use the kit and a little brown eye liner and mascara and I am ready to go! It's really easy to use and the colors are beautiful. 
• Blush/Bronzers: I am a huge Nars cosmetics fan, especially when it comes to their blush and bronzers. I am now using the Blush Bronzer Duo  in Orgasm and Laguna. The colors are understated and universally flattering.
• Lips: This Winter I was really into a deep burgundy color, but now that it's spring I'm tending toward a nude lip. I am pretty much just wearing chapstick. 

Left: Before Make-up
Right: After Make-up Spring Style

Fragrance: 

• Spring is such a light and floral season that it makes sense for my perfume to reflect that change. I am currently wearing Marc Jacobs Daisy So Fresh. This perfume is an update on the original Daisy scent and is described as "a field of sunshine that bursts with the flirty scent of flowers and the cheerful sweetness of fruits. Its light, woody base infuses a subtle but sharp glimmer of musk for an unexpected twist of radiance." Regardless, I love it and it makes me feel very spring-y.  
• Daisy So Fresh 

Cheers X