If I had to pick one...

"If you had to pick one _____ , what would you choose?" is a question I've received recently, and I thought, how fun would a blog post be about this??  What a great question, as I'm constantly searching for those wonderful products that live up to the hype, or that I've discovered myself and cannot let them go...  So, here's the burning question answered for a few categories.  Enjoy!

Make-up brand to use ... So tough.  Probably Lancome, they have just got it figured out. I like pretty much like everything I've tried by them.

Foundation to wear ... Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk.

Skincare item to use ... Some sort of gentle exfoliating moisturizer.  Possibly the Clinique Turnaround Overnight Cream.  I've been loving it recently!

Mascara to wear ... Maybelline the Falsies.  It's just the best.........

Lipstick to wear ... MAC Cosmetics Creme Cup. I've gone through tubes and tubes...

Eyeshadow palette to wear ... Oh!! Urban Decay Naked Original.  Keep it simple...

Bronzer to wear ... Soleil De Tan Chanel Cream Bronzer. Swooooon.

Highlighter to wear ... Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Highlighter.

Review | Boscia Black Collection

I received this as a Sephora 500-point perk and was really excited about it! I love the Boscia brand, and a lot of things I've tried by them I've ended up loving.  When I saw that this set came with a cleanser, a mask, and a moisturizer I knew it was a good time to use up some of my points!  I used these three products consectively for a week or so.  After that, my skin wasn't responding the way I wanted it to, so I stopped.  Here are my brief thoughts on each of them... 

1. Detoxifying Black Cleanser - This cleanser was supposed to be a "detox" for your skin.  I was hoping it would get rid of blackheads in a flash, and really clean deep into my pores.  I think this cleanser cleaned TOO deep into my skin, so deep that it actually started making my pores look really rough and enlarged.  It was also very drying, something a cleanser should NOT be.  

2. Luminizing Black Mask - This was a fun little perk in the kit.  I love a good mask!  I also love trying different masks.  This one is a peel off mask, which I'm not a super big fan of, but I went with it anyways.  You must generally apply this in order for it to peel off easily.  When it does peel off, it takes off little tiny peach fuzz hairs, which sort of hurts, but does leave your face SO smooth!  Whatever doesn't peel off, you can wash off with water, but that is harder.  My face was sore afterwards, but I did notice that it look away the look of pores and cleaned my skin.  Woo hoo? No pain, no gain? I'm indifferent.

3. Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel - This was my favorite part of the kit!  I was excited about using a "treatment" that would stay on the skin.  This product actually is black, with tiny sparkles in it.  The sparkles aren't bad, they actually are so tiny I didn't mind the little glow.  The black takes some getting used to, and I actually didn't try this moisturizer during the day because I was afraid it would leave a black tint, ha.  This lotion was very soothing and cooling on the skin.  It sunk in quickly and felt nice on my skin.  It wasn't enough hydration for me since I have dry skin, but I think it would be amazing for someone with oily acne prone skin.  I think the cooling feeling would really sooth irritated skin as well.  If you fit into this category, definitely give it a go! 

I love trying new products! 

Have a good week. :-)

molly

Review | Simple Cleansing Micellar Water

Cleansing water!! That sounds amazing to me.  Simple and easy.  And that is exactly what I had in mind when I purchased this product from a local Walgreens.  I had high hopes, as I've heard bloggers everywhere RAVE about Bioderma and how it is so gentle and removes every trace of dirt, oil, and makeup.  This is the same type of micellar water that Bioderma is, except this is only $7 at the drugstore, whereas Bioderma is a) a few dollars more for a smaller bottle, and b) near impossible to get your hands on.  This Simple Micellar Water was also in the "new" area of walgreens, so I thought it was worth a shot to try, especially since it was 6.7 fl oz.  

I tried this at home the first day I got it, and it removed a lot of my face makeup product.  However, I had to drench my cotton round, and by the time I was done, I felt as if I was basically whisping a makeup saturated cotton round all over my face.  I didn't really feel like I was getting it off.  The second time I used it I decided to use two cotton rounds instead of one.  This worked better for me, but it still wasn't super "easy".  I also didn't think it removed my eye makeup very well.  I refused to scrub hard over my eyes, and thus, gave up, because the sweeping I was doing wasn't getting the job done.  Not cool!

I think this product is great for freshening up after a workout, or mid way through the day if you don't wear a lot of makeup.  I also think its good for a gentle cleanse at the end of your day if you DIDN'T wear any makeup that day.   However, I will be sticking to my Boscia Makeup Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil to remove my makeup and cleansing my skin with my normal cleanser (which i'm obsessed with, I'll have to update you guys...).  :)

xoxo,

molly

Review | LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant

The Healthy Deodorant by Lavanilla in Pure Vanilla

I'm back, guys! It's been a bit, I know.  Life got a little busy for a while. ;) <see previous post> However, I'm motivated and feeling inspired lately, so I'm here to stay!  Short and sweet review today!

+++++

This. Stuff.  I'm just going to go ahead and say this quick - I LOVE IT!  Every lady needs this as a part of their life and on top of their vanity.  This is the best deodorant I have ever tried, and I will continue to purchase it over and over.  I think the smell is what really does it for me.  It smells like pure vanilla (hence the name....).  Sometimes I apply it at nighttime after a shower just because it is nice to fall asleep to.  The scent is pretty strong, but I don't mind it because I enjoy it so much.

This deodorant I tend to use sparingly, though.  It is $14 for 1.7 oz, which is a little on the high side, but it's expected since this isn't sold in drugstores.  It does not hold up against vigorous activity, such as working out or a long day at work, BUT, it does hold up throughout the majority of an eight hour work shift, and it is perfect for a date night!  Sometimes the smell is enough to just enjoy as your perfume (sounds odd I know), but I find when I mix this with another scent, its almost too much.  This stays fresh smelling, and doesn't mix with sweat to create a really fowl scent like you can sometimes get when you use Secret, or Dove. Do you guys know what I'm talking about?!  Oh come on, I can't be alone in this.  

Anyways, I'm all for this splurge! Talk soon...

xoxo,

molly <3

It's Been a While | Can't get enough of this lately...

Hey everyone!!! It has been a while, I know.  Life got a little crazy for a bit, and I really needed to put my time into some things so that I felt like a normal human being.  But, good news, I'm back!  And I'm feeling more inspired than ever!  So to start us up, I wanted to share a few products that I cannot get enough of lately, and they've all been STAYING on my face.  Okay, not literally, I take off my makeup every night.  But the next morning, you can bet they'll be back on. ;-)  I do this thing where I obsess over a product and can't put it down.  That's a good thing though! I love finding products to obsess over - it's the sign of holy grail!!

What I've been loving recently:

Two Faced Born this Way Foundation in Light Beige - An amazing full coverage foundation that's so light and airy, it feels like nothing is on your face! It also has coconut water in the ingredients, which keeps you hydrated and glowy all day long. 

BECCA Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop - Speaking of glow, this is literally the most GORG highlighter I've ever tried.  So creamy and the littlest goes a long ways.  If you're in the market for a highlighter, pick this shade up!  In the picture, I hit the tops of my cheeks, bridge of my nose, and a TEENY bit on my chin.  It was a hot day, so I knew if I sweated a little I would look like a disco ball...

Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in Moonglow - Just a simple lipgloss that lasts forever and adds a bit of a "your lips but better" look. I love it! It's infused with peppermint, so I love putting it on. :)

Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer - I'm just coo-coo for coconuts lately I guess!  This primer is amazinggggg.  It was totally a splurge/impulse buy because let's face it, who gets excited about primers?  But, boy, am I glad I got it.  It smells amazing (think soft scent of coconuts), and feels like a mixture of the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer and the Two Faced Hangover Primer (both I am a fan of).  I won't ever repurchase either of those two primers because this one tops them both.  It makes your makeup actually last, and it feels so good to apply!

Thank you so much for your understanding of my little break!  Today is my birthday, so I'm celebrating tonight! Hope you guys have an awesome weekend. ;)

molly

Whats In My MakeUp Kit? | MakeUp By Molly!

So, confession... I'm that super curious girl that wants to know what kind of products are in someones drawers, or bathroom cabinets -  Creepy, right?! Recently, I've enjoyed doing makeup for different women for various occasions.  I've made a specialized kit of my own, and today I'm sharing with you other curious people what is inside!  This is the makeup that I feel looks AWESOME on everyone, and better yet I feel that the products I've chosen cater to people of all skin tones, types, and looks.  I feel comfortable going to someone with this kit and saying "Ok, I have what you'd like your makeup to look like. Let's do it."

My makeup kit doesn't include my brushes - as those are their own special entity. :) But it does include everything else - from foundations, to setting sprays, to post-it notes. Yep, you read that right!  There's organization to my kit, but not to this post.  I'm just going to mention some of the high lights in my kit.  

I have several foundations that I adore for special occasions - Luminous Silk by Giorgio Armani, Nars Sheer Glow, MUFE HD Foundation, and Laura Mercier Silk Creme.

My lip products range from matte to glossy - nudes, pinks, reds.  I always keep some vaseline with me to prep the lips before anything! That way, it provides a moisturized, smoothed canvas for lipstick to be applied at the end. I keep disposable doe foot applicators handy to dip into glosses to keep things sanitized!

I keep highlighting concealers, and high coverage concealers handy.  I like to keep high coverage ones in case there is need, but they are also easy to thin out if someone doesn't like full coverage concealers, or simply doesn't need a full coverage one!  This one by Urban Decay "Naked" is amazing because its weightless and so easy to blend out, but it still provides full coverage.  

My Milani brow fix kit is the only drugstore product I keep in my kit (besides the tools, like the applicators and the eyelash curler).  The Milani kit has a blonde color as well as a brunette color.  I love a good drugstore product, but I'm also skeptical to include a lot of those products in my kit because I know the importance of using high quality ingredients - especially when I do others makeup.  You never know who could have an allergic reaction, so I tend to use higher end products on others. 

Ardell individual lashes give me lifeeee. Dramatic, but true. They are so handy, and so easy to apply!  

I always keep extra spoolies, cotton rounds, and q-tips just for mess ups.  Any type of makeup remover is always a good idea, too.  I have this one from Clarins right now.  I can apply it to my q-tips to perfect any eyeliner mess ups, or I can use it to clean up any eye shadow fall out. It also serves as a cleanser/refresher which is great to sweep across the face when I'm beginning!  

One of the most handy tricks I've ever learned comes from Amelia Liana, also one of my most favorite beauty bloggers.  I use post-it notes on the edge of my eyelids to minimize eye shadow fall out and to create a clean line.  It also makes applying a smokey eye or liquid eyeliner a breeze.  Let me know in the comments below if you'd like to see me go more in depth on how I use my post-it notes!

Foil packet samples are another handy item I carry in my kit.  I make a lot of online orders through Sephora - and for those of you who don't know, they include 3 samples with every order!  Sometimes I use the samples, sometimes I keep them in my bathroom for guests to use, and sometimes I grab a few to keep in my kit.  They are just really convenient to carry around, and they are the perfect size to use on others.  Right now, I have some mattifying primers that I'm using on my oily skinned clients.  Those primers are great for them, but I have no use for them!  So in my kit they go. 

The last, but certainly not least honorable mention is a good setting spray.  This one, (hidden beneath the shadows in the picture) is one of my favorites - the All Nighter Setting Spray by Urban Decay.  You don't need a lot of this product for it to do it's job.  I finish up every look with one spray pump of this - and somehow the magical ingredients in this little bottle GLUE your makeup on.  For oilier skin girls, I prime the skin with it before I apply foundation to really lock everything into place.   

I hope you guys enjoyed peeking into my makeup kit!  I'd love to do your makeup or someone's that you know.  You can check out my page here for more information. Talk to you soon. :-)

xoxo, Molly

Tutorial | No-Makeup Makeup Look

Excuse the beautiful pony tail in the pictures below.  Let's talk about makeup here, guys. :-) I want to share with you one of my go-to looks.  This is the perfect look for when you wake up late, need to run a few errands on the weekend, or a quick clean up after the gym.  I can easily put all of this on within 5-10 minutes, and it never looks too much, which lets be honest, I can easily have on too much. ;-)

Bobbi Brown BB Cream | Burberry Fresh Glow | Laura Mercier Cream Bronzer | Sephora Airbrush Foundation | YSL Babydoll Mascara | Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe | Stila All Day Liquid Liner in Brown | Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara | Nars Lipgloss in Orgasm

1. Mix the BB cream and liquid illuminator into your fingertips and then apply to your face.  Blend well with your fingers so there are no streaks.

2. Apply a cream bronzer onto a small dense brush.  Dab and press the bronzer into your face, so that it's even and not blotchy.  Bring that bronzer up your cheek bones and onto your temples.  

3. Fill in those brows with your favorite brow product! I like the Anastasia Brow Wiz because the point is super tiny and you can actually create streaks that look like tiny brow hairs.  Brush out with a spooley to blend any harsh spots.  If you have unruly brows, set with a clear brow gel.  

4. Apply a brown liquid liner, or a pencil liner to your upper lash line.  Create a small flick at the end.  Curl those lashes, then apply mascara to the top and bottom.  

5.  Apply a sheer, shimmery gloss.  All done! 

Review | Kate Somerville Nourish Moisturizer

(I know you notice Essie's licking marks on the window - obviously I clean well.  Hey, I'm human.)

Rarely do I buy the same moisturizer (or other skin care products) twice.  I'm usually up for trying something new just for the sake of it--there are endless products out there!!  But, I have fallen for the Kate Somerville Nourish moisturizer, and when the day comes that I've ran out of it--I will be very sad. Why? Because you have to take out a small loan to buy it.  Can you tell I'm bitter? ANYways... 

This cream is lightweight, but moisturizing - which is IDEAL for me since i'm dry and dehydrated but also struggle with breakouts.  It does have a scent - somewhat herbally.  I like it though, and typically I don't like herbally scents.  This one isn't like Origins where you literally feel like you're putting trees on your face, it's more natural smelling.  I love how nourishing (ha) the product is.  It sinks immediately into the skin, and you are left with baby soft skin that actually feels smoother after a few uses (It is considered to be anti-aging as well, so it slowly exfoliates over time).  If this moisturizer wasn't so expensive I would keep buying it. However, it's just too much in my opinion for how long it lasted.  Granted, I did use this day and night.  It lasts about 2 months.  I'm trying out a new moisturizer now that's $20 less and just as great.  I'll let you guys know what it is soon. :) 

This is definitely a winner in my book if you have dehydrated skin and struggle with breakouts.  Would I repurchase though?  Maybe during the Sephora 20% off VIB Rouge sale. ;)

I'm all about some smiley's today.
What have you fallen in love with recently?

xoxo, Molly

Foundation Friday | Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35

So I feel like all of my reviews lately have been "this product is amazing" reviews.  But that's okay, right??  Well, here goes another one.  Today I'm reviewing the Bobbi Brown BB Cream with SPF 35.  This product has been a holy grail (amazing... what for it) for a few months now.  I have it in several shades (light, fair, medium).  The packaging is super lovely and easy - typical Bobbi sleek black tube, light weight, no spills - PERFECT for slapping on and going, or for a vacation when you just want the livin' to be easy.  

Now for the formula.  It's close to perfect.  The coverage is a light-medium coverage, and it has a natural dewy finish.  If you set with powder - it's a natural finish.  The lasting power is amazing on me.  My favorite time to use it is in the summer and spring, because it makes your face just look fresh and healthy.  Along with the SPF, it is indeed healthy for your skin.  It protects, and it lasts.  Now for an itty downside - it reeks of SPF.  It's basically like you are slapping coppertone on your face.  If you can get past that (because, well hey, it is a sunscreen product) then you'll love it.  

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of Bobbi Brown.  The three products I love include this BB cream, as well as her extra repair eye cream and shimmer bricks. I've tried other foundations by her, but always ended up returning.  However, THIS will always be in my foundation drawer. 

Do you love Bobbi Brown? What are your favorites by her?

xoxo, molly :)

Review | Tatcha Cleansing Oil and Rice Enzyme Powder

Can we all just take a moment to oooo and ahhhh over this entire beautiful line of skincare - and this packaging? I. Die. I'm such a sucker when it comes to packaging.  If something looks gorgeous, I always fall for it, and then end up thinking did I really just pay that much for this little of something?!  But.... I have to say, this little bottle and jar certainly impressed me.  They impressed me so much, I'm not sure I can live without them.

My friend (that gets to test a lot of beauty samples) let me try these little gems.  I sampled both of these products separately.  The first product - the Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleasning Oil is a cleansing oil said to remove all traces of makeup and dirt.  Normally I use a cleansing oil to remove my makeup - so I decided to use this product just for a pre-cleanse.  I first noticed that it is more of a dry oil than a thick moisturizing one.  For me to have enough spread-ability I had to use about 7 pumps of the oil.  To me, 7 pumps is a lot.  I'm not sure if it's because the travel size oz. pump doesn't dispense that much product...? I dunno.  But if I had to use 7 pumps every time I used this, I imagine the product would disappear quickly... and I was correct.  Unfortunately I ran out of this product in about a month.  I apply the oil directly to my dry face and massage it in.  I'm careful around my eyes because since it's a dry oil, it feels a little tuggy around the eye area, and I don't want to risk loosing any eye lashes (sounds crazy I know, but hey, I don't have that many as it is!) Rinsing off is a dream. | Every | Single | Trace | of makeup is gone.  I dry my face with a white towel afterward, and I'm amazed that nothing is left behind.  WINNER in my book.  My face is left feeling clean but not tight.  Not tight, but not super nourished either (which I'm fine with). 

Now, let's talk about the Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder.  This product I will never EVER be without.  I don't think I have ever loved a product so much after testing it.  So, this product is a SUPER gentle exfoliator - made up of tiny rice bran granules that when water is added, create a foam.  It can also be used as a cleanser when not wearing any make up.  You take the cap off and sprinkle some into the palm of your hand, add water, and massage it into your face.  It's creamy, lathering, foaming, (insert here several other adjectives that describe something beautiful and luxurious).  After using this immediately my face is left balanced and feeling SO smooth.  Better yet, when I use this in the morning, my moisturizer following sinks in so quickly, and my skin is normal throughout the day.  Before using this I would have an oily t-zone by lunch.  Over several weeks of using this I have to say that my acne around my chin has decreased, my skin has become more balanced, and my face has just looked and felt more radiant.  Exfoliators are SO necessary in a skincare routine.  Try any gentle one today, and you'll notice the difference right away.

Tatcha . . . I'm obsessed, and you amaze me.  

I've already ordered more from this line.  You can check it out here.

Foundation Friday | Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Ahhh Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk - let's all just take a moment to take this in.  The packaging, the formula, it's all so beautiful.  But how does it REALLY measure up to all of it's hype?  I have a few honest opinions about this foundation!  

I have two shades in this foundation.  In the pictures below I'm wearing shade 6, which is a warm shade.  That was when I had a self tan, so it matched me well, and will be lovely when it gets warmer again.  But, once it started getting colder, I knew I couldn't really continue to review unless I had a lighter shade.  So, I got shade 4.5.  The shade range is awesome - it comes in 24 shades ranging from pinks to peachy to yellow (cool, neutral and warm).  4.5 is a neutral shade.  I wish there was a shade that had a bit of neutral and a bit of yellow because that would be PERFECT for me. But, I can mix the 6 and 4.5, and that gives me a good glow.  

Foundation | Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in 6

Lips | Nars Audacious Lipstick in Raquel with MAC lipliner in Spice

What Nordstrom says:

"Capture the glow of perfect skin with Luminous Silk Foundation, an oil-free fluid with exclusive Micro-fil™ technology. So weightless, it redefines foundation. Its hydrating fluid glides on seamlessly with a silky texture and all-day, buildable coverage"

What I say: 

This foundation does indeed give you a glow.  It is oil-free but not to be confused with most oil-free products that tend to be over drying.  This is a moisturizing foundation, and I tend to reach for it on my dryer days.  I do set it with a powder, because if I don't, it gets a little too shiny for me.  It doesn't accentuate dry patches with it's easy to glide silky formula.  I would agree that it has buildable coverage, but It's hard to achieve a FULL coverage with this foundation.  I would say medium is as much as you'll get before you have to start caking it on.  The foundation lasts about 9 hours on me.  After 9 hours, I wouldn't vouch to go out to dinner, or go to a special event or anything like that.  Luckily I don't leave my makeup on for longer than 9 hours, so it works for me (I take my makeup off right when I get home from work, or I must touch up with powder and concealer if I want to go out).  It is SPF free, and it does photograph beautifully!

So is the hefty price tag worth it?  I'm not sure I'll repurchase.  It's too similar to my Nars Sheer Glow that I cannot live without.  I'd rather vouch for the full coverage that I get with my Nars.  

Thats all for now, folks! :-)

xoxo, Molly

Winter Make Up Go-to Look!

Ladies... it's seriously winter time in the south. 45 degrees!? Come on mother nature, we live in South Carolina for a reason... bring back Summer!  At least we can bring out the cool tones in our makeup--right?  Of course, I would think of that random thought. :) My favorite cool tone eyeshadows are those found in the Naked 2 Palette, and it seems its the ONLY thing I can pick up lately.  I've created my go to look thats super easy.  Here it is!

 1. Take those sticky notes, and apply to outer edge of eye up to the end of your eyebrow

2. Apply a mix of foxy and bootycall all over the lid

3. Apply tease and pistol lightly in the crease.  Build up the color slowly and keep blending until there are no harsh lines

4. Apply bootycall to the brow bone

5. Apply pistol to the upper lash line (like you would an eyeliner) 

Foundation | Nars Sheer Glow in Sante Fe

Lipstick | MAC Syrup

Blush | Milani Luminoso

xoxo, Molly