My Makeup Routine

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After a LOT of trial and error, I finally feel like I have perfected my makeup routine. I have products I love and a specific system of applying them. All that adds up to a method that makes me feel pretty and now I’m going to share my favorite products with you.

So Susan Dual Brow Powder– I have unwieldy eyebrows that are sometimes the scourge of my existence. Managing and maintaining them can be a chore but it’s always worth it when I do. I like to get them waxed every few months and just pluck in between visits. Even though they’re full, when I trim them they can be pretty patchy, which is where this wonderful product comes in.

I used to use an eyebrow pencil that did the job but I wasn’t really happy with. Then this baby came in a Wantable subscription box and I was hooked. It fills in without being too much and the darker shade matches my eyebrow color perfectly. The very first thing I do in my routine is fill in my eyebrows.

Mary Kay Brow Gel– This stuff is THE best. I’ve tried multiple brow gels and this is the only one I’ve found that lasts all day long. I just brush it slightly upwards on my eyebrows and don’t have to think about them the rest of the day. I love not having to worry about what my eyebrows are doing before someone takes a candid picture. It’s wonderful.

Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste Concealer – Next comes the concealer! I love this stuff. It comes with a little instruction booklet that shows you the proper way to apply concealer and it was so helpful. This stuff does it’s job and does it well. I use my ring finger to dip into the paste then smudge it into the back of my hand to make sure it goes on even, then apply from in inner eye out, then the outer eye in. I’ve never been happier with a concealer.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Eye Primer– This has become key in my routine. I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without it. It goes on smooth and adds a little extra shimmer underneath my eyeshadow. Once you apply the eyeshadow you don’t have to worry about it creasing or fading the rest of the day. This stuff takes care of all that for you. It’s such a great product to have.

MAC Eye Shadows – First I start with the top right shadow, Honey Lust, using the top brush below, I put it all over my lid and a make it a little bit darker in the crease of my lid. Then I use the far left shadow, Dazzlelight, with the bottom brush below for highlighting right underneath my eyebrow and on the inner corner of my eye. Finally, using the square head brush and the bottom eye shadow, Embark, I press it on as as an eyeliner just on my top lid (the bottom only if I’m feeling fancy).


MAC 217 Blending Brush, MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush, and Crown Deluxe Infinity Shadow/Crease Brush (comes in a set with 10 brushes). These three brushes are the ones I use every time I apply my makeup. I don’t think I could live without them.

Dior Maximizer Lash Primer– After curling my eyelashes, I start with this primer. It’s one of my favorites. It goes on smooth and really helps extend the look of my lashes. I think there are probably better ones than this out there but I’m not ready to spend the money on them quite yet. This one does it’s job pretty well.

MAC Studio Sculpt Superblack Lash Mascara– And finally, we come to the mascara. I try a lot of different mascaras but I always end up coming back to this one. It’s really easy to apply and I like the consistency of the liquid. I’m not over the moon about it so I’ll probably keep experimenting until I find the right one, but this has been an old reliable for almost a year now.

So there you have it! All you could ever want to know about my makeup routine!

What are your favorite products to use in your beauty routine?

This post contains affiliate links.

How To Keep Mom From Becoming A Grinch This Christmas: A Post For Your Kids

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Are you guilty of under-appreciating the mom in your life this Christmas season?
There’s still time to turn it around and make mom’s heart grow 3 sizes by Christmas Day!

1. Assist with Christmas decorations. She’s decorating to help her family feel the Christmas spirit and it sure would increase that spirit if mom had some happy helpers. You could even make some decorations for her to proudly display!

2. Help her gather and wrap presents. Christmas shopping can be fun, but doing ALL the Christmas shopping and wrapping ALL the presents can be a little exhausting. Ask her what she needs help with and try to smile while you’re helping.

3. Bump up the Ps and Qs. Manners make all the difference this time of year. Mom works hard to keep her family happy, especially around Christmas. Make sure you are extra polite and extra helpful.

4. Be grateful and appreciative. Whining doesn’t help anyone and it’s super annoying. Showing mom some extra love and sweetness could go a long way in the present department.

5. Be a Christmas spirit advocate. Mom works hard to keep the magic of the Christmas season alive. Don’t ruin it by making unfounded accusations about the existence of Santa.

6. Support Christmas traditions. If mom wants to see Christmas lights or go caroling, do it with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. It will be so helpful and mean the world to her.

Once you’ve followed these simple steps you’ll be able to see your mom’s face glow with love and appreciation. Then get ready to have the best Christmas of your life!

Citrus Lane December 2014 Box & Coupon Code

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Citrus Lane is a subscription box for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Each box is personalized for the stage your child is in. It starts at $29 a box and decreases the longer you subscribe. This box is personalized for 3 year old Pearl.

Citrus Lane also has a shop where you can purchase products. I’ve had great experiences with their customer service and shipping services.

Pizza Stacker – Value $15?

Little Hoot Book – $6.95

Plum Organics Jammy Sammy in Apple Cinnamon – Approx Value $0.75

Melissa & Doug Princess Stamp Set – Value $9.95

Total Value – Approx $33

Overall, I was a little underwhelmed this month. There were so few items and the value is not as great as I would hope. I also feel like the stamps are a little ahead of where Pearl is right now, especially since it says 4+ on them. I was hoping for a more customized box but it’s not terrible. I’m sure we will use all these things. Pearl actually already ate the Jammy Sammy and I had some and it was definitely delicious and the highlight of this box.

Go over to Citrus Lane to see their box options and what’s in their shop. If you want to subscribe, use the code SAVE40 to get 40% off your first box!

Ipsy December 2014 Bag

Posted in Beauty, Ipsy, Subscription Box by

This was the first month I tried Ipsy. I’ve heard a lot of great things about them so I thought I’d try it out for myself. And it’s only $10 a month.

It’s my understanding that they send a makeup bag every month and I really liked the one they sent this month. That little bag can hold a lot more than it seems like it would be able to.

Bumble and Bumble All-Style Blow Dry -.5 oz, Approx Value $3


Nourish Organic Eye Cream – .5 oz, Approx Value $8

NYX Butter Lip Balm in Parfait – Full Size, Value $4

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara – .1 oz, Value $8

Crown Infinity Crease/Shadow Brush – Value $17.50, can buy for $6.99

Total Value (with discounted brush) – $29.99

Overall, I thought this was a great bag. I love that most everything is a staple in my beauty routine and I’ll be able to use all of it. That is really what I look for in the subscription boxes I get.

Do you subscribe to Ipsy? What do you think of it compared to Birchbox?

#CelestialTea Tasting

Posted in CelestialTea, FrostyVoxBox, Review by

I don’t consider myself a tea enthusiast but I do enjoy a cup of Peppermint every now and then. When I got this Candy Cane Lane Decaffeinated Holiday Tea in my #FrostyVoxBox I was so excited to try it. There is nothing like a warm cup of tea on a cold winter day and Celestial Seasonings has so many amazing flavors to choose from.

This tea was delicious! It wasn’t quite as peppermint-y as I was expecting but that didn’t take away from the fact that it was yummy. I always add a little milk and two packets of Equal to make the taste of my tea perfect. Try this Holiday blend! It’ll get you in the mood for Christmas next week!