Happy 3rd Birthday to my Blog!!

Hello Everyone!

July 27th :)...Today is a very special day for me, today is my 3rd Blogiversary! I know that I say this every year, but It's so surreal that I've been in the blogging community for 3 years! I still remember sitting at my laptop 3 years ago contemplating hitting publish on my very first post about sunglasses. I think in various ways blogging has a huge impact on my life and in some ways I find it very therapeutic. It warms my heart when I receive emails from my readers saying that my inspirational posts help you cope with life obstacles or how reading something positive and encouraging makes your day a little brighter. When I first started blogging I knew that I wanted to talk about a variety of subjects besides my love of  the world of beauty, hence my blog Beauty and More by Pilar was born.

For the people that I know I blog, ask me do you ever run out of ideas? My answer is always a quick no. Seriously I don't run out of ideas. I don't know what it is, but I'm always coming up with ideas and topics to discuss on my blog! I've always been so thankful about having things I like to share and discuss with you all!

Every year I write my thanks you's so let's get started

First I want to thank my mom. She has always supported my dreams and aspirations in life. Anytime that I felt discouraged or frustrated she is always my voice of reason to help me see things clearly. I love you mama! <3

My mom is super sweet! She had this for me for weeks and kept it from me until my blog's anniversary! <3

 I also want to thank my best friend. He's been a major supporter of my blog and the things I want to do in life. Like most guys he may not understand my makeup and candle addictions, but nonetheless he respects them lol. He as been a contributor to my Urban Decay Collection over the years. I love him too <3

Second, I want to thank all the companies that I have worked with throughout the years and currently working on collaborations. It means a lot to me that you value my opionions, thoughts, and ideas to share with my audience. I appreciate all the products that have been sent to me for reviews.

Last but not certainly not least, I want to thank my audience. I appreciate all your comments and more importantly the time you take out of your day to read and comment on my blog! I have made some wonderful friends though blogging.

To celebrate the 3rd anniversary of my blog, I decided to treat myself to a few things.

These are then 15 piece brush set that recently came out on originalbeautybox.com Thanks for the amazing discount! Don't forget to use my code LOVEPILAR to receive a 10% off discount on your order! 

I've had these for a few weeks and I've been wantingto try these Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo Eyeshadow for the longest time! I love their pigmentation! Look for a future review!

I felt like I couldn't end this post without some advice and encouragement for bloggers. Everyone has a dream and has to start from somewhere. Keep going because hard work, passion, and dedication pays off in the end.


As always thanks for stopping by my blog!  I love you all! <3


P.S. Yesterday was moving day. I've been super busy with packing etc. That's why I've been a little absent around social media. Hopefully I can catch up on your blogs over the weekend! :)

Colourpop Goodies Part 2

Hello Everyone!

You know I totally forgot to do this post until recently on my second Colourpop Haul. I did this haul when Colourpop had that 20% off sale (the end of May I think). If you're following me on instagram miss_pilar,  you may have already seen the items and swatches I showed on my page.

Swatches

I swatched these lipsticks on an index card to show the true colors of the lipsticks 

I wanted these Super Shock Shadows to use as transition colors

What are some of your favorite Colourpop items? 

If you missed my first haul you click on my link 

BH Cosmetics and Colourpop Goodies

Want to keep up with? Don't forget to follow me on Instagram miss_pilar

Did you miss Summer Makeup and Skincare Week on my blog? If so, click on the links below to check out my posts!

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan Body Blur

Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette 

Glowy Skin and Bronze Eyes

Tree Hut Body Scrubs and Body Butter

Makeup for the Perfect Summer Glow

Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula: Coconut Oil Body Oil

Golden Goddess Makeup Part 2

Also don't forget to check out the posts from this week!

Purell Hand Sanitizing Products

Inspirational Post: Happy Places

Thanks for stopping by my blog! 

Inspirational Post: Happy Places

Hello Everyone!

Have you ever stopped and thought about a place that you like to go that makes you happy? Whether it's the turn of the key to your home or visiting your local Starbucks, everyone needs a happy place that they enjoy.

Where are my happy places?

Well that all depends. Sometimes I like to go to a park (even though I haven't been to a park in years). When I did go to the park, I found it very peaceful and relaxing. When my allegies don't bother me, I like to enjoy and explore nature. Sometimes the fresh air and beauty of nature makes me feel happy. 

This next place may not come to a surprise to many of you...Bath and Body Works. I don't always make a purchase when I go to Bath and Body Works, but I do like to go in the store to look around and check out new products, especially candles. I like to go to Bath and Body Works during the morning hours or when it's less crowded so I can look around without a lot traffic and noise in the store.

Another one of my happy places includes being in the kitchen. I love to bake and cook, so being in the kitchen gives me a sense of peace and serenity. I love making homemade dishes and desserts, especially to share with others!


How to Find your Happy Place(s)?

What do you like to do? Where do you like to go? I that you should start with those type questions in order to find places that make you the happiest.



Thanks for stopping by my blog! 

Purell Hand Sanitizing Products

Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for review purposes from Purell. I want to thank Purell for sending these products. All opinions are 100% my own.

Before you know school will be back in session and with that being said, protecting yourself from germs is very important. However, protecting yourself from germs in general is important whether your headed back to school or not. One way I love to protect myself from harmful germs is to use Purell Hand Sanitizing Products.

About the Purell Brand

PURELL Hand Sanitizer was invented in 1988 by GOJO to meet the needs of healthcare providers and restaurants operators looking for ways to reduce the spread of germs. Healthcare workers needed to kill germs on their hands when they couldn’t get to soap and water. And restaurant operators needed extra germ-fighting protection to reduce the risk of food contamination.

PURELL Hand Sanitizer was a great success, not only because it was effective at killing 99.99% of most common germs, but because it was convenient, gentle and a pleasure to use. The dispensers and bottles could be placed anywhere, so hand hygiene was no longer restricted to the confines of a sink. And people enjoyed using PURELL Hand Sanitizer because it was refreshing and gentle.

Soon its popularity grew. People who used it at work also thought it would be great to use when they were at home or on the go.

In 1997, PURELL Hand Sanitizer was made available to consumers, forever changing the way the world stays well. It soon became America’s #1 hand sanitizer and a significant part of popular culture.

Today, PURELL Hand Sanitizer remains one of the most recognized brands in the world. It defines the hand sanitizer category and is the brand most preferred by doctors, professionals and consumers everywhere.

And now we’ve taken the next step and introduced PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer, the ultimate in germ-killing effectiveness.

I received some of these last year, so I'll link the descriptions to each scent near the end of this post.

By far my favorite hand sanitizer!  I remember a bottle of this sanitizer was always around in my house growing up! I also kept bottles of this hand sanitizer during my time away at college!

These are products are new to me. I don't think that I've used a hand sanitizer that primarily contained aloe, and the other hand sanitizer contains natural based ingredients. I can't wait to use both of these products! 

What are your favorites products from Purell?

As promised, here is the link for information and my descriptions for some of the Purell Products I previously discussed

Purell Products Review 2015

You also find more information on Purell and it's products check out the following links!

Website:

http://www.purell.com/

Facebook Page:

https://m.facebook.com/purell

Thanks for stopping by my blog! 

Golden Goddess Makeup Part 2

Hello Everyone!

To wrap up glowy skin and makeup week, I'm sharing a Golden Goddess Makeup Look. I did a Golden Goddess FOTD last year and I'll link that post near the end of this post. 

Products Used

* Eyes *

- MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre 

- Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette

1. Transition color in the Crease 

2. In the Tear Duct and half of the Lid 

3. On the other half of the Lid 

- Younique Moodstruck Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Perfect 

- Younique Moodstruck Fiber Lash Mascara in Blackest Black 

- Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Clear 

* Face *

- Maybelline Master Fix Setting Spray 

- Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

- Milani Perfect Conceal + Foundation in Tan (09)

-Victoria's Secret Bronzer in Goddess (Medium 11)

- Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette (marked 4 for highlighters)

* Lips *

- Milani Lipstick in Bronze Beauty

Golden Goddess FOTD (2015)

This is Summer Makeup and Skincare week on my blog! Click on the links to read all my previous posts if you missed them!

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan Body Blur

Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette 

Glowy Skin and Bronze Eyes

Tree Hut Body Scrubs and Body Butter

Makeup for the Perfect Summer Glow

Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula: Coconut Oil Body Oil

Tree Hut Body Scrubs and Body Butter

Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula: Coconut Oil Body Oil

Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Palmer's for review purposes. I want to thank Palmer's for sending me this product. All opinions are 100% my own. 

You want to know another way that I achieve healthy and Summer glowy skin? I like to use body oil. One of my go to brands is Palmer’s and I love that this brand includes other formula's besides Cocoa Butter that I can use to give me glowing skin. Today's review is going to be all about coconut oil.

Description:

Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula products contain ethically and sustainably sourced Coconut Oil and Tahitian Monoi Oil, infused with Tiaré flower petals. These raw, natural ingredients deliver luxuriously rich moisturization for decadently pampered skin. Palmer's Coconut Oil Body Oil deeply hydrates, rejuvenating and replenishing skin's moisture and radiance.

Key Ingredients:

Coconut Oil: moisturizes & softens

Monoï Oil: Hydrates & pampers

Sweet Almond Oil: Soothes & Comforts Skin


My Thoughts

I can tell this body oil is made with raw coconut oil. The scent smells like it's has a raw coconut scent. Depending on your preference the scent may smell a little overpowering. To me it's tolerable, but it does smell strong and the scent does fade over time. This body oil is also good to use if you have dry skin because it will help your skin feel moisturized and feel soft. I love using this body oil after a shower or bath to help my skin feel even more softer. When using this product I would suggest that you let the body oil absorb in your skin for a few minutes before getting dressed. You don't want to ruin your clothes because the oil hasn't absorbed fully into your skin. I really like using body oil during the Summer because it's so lightweight and it gives my skin a beautiful glow.



This is Summer Makeup and Skincare week on my blog! Click on the link to read my previous posts if you missed them!

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan Body Blur

Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette 

Glowy Skin and Bronze Eyes

Tree Hut Body Scrubs and Body Butter 

Makeup for the Perfect Summer Glow


Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Makeup for the Perfect Summer Glow

Hello Everyone!

I can't have a Summer Makeup and Skincare week without including some of my favorite makeup products that I use to achieve a glowy makeup look. Let's get started!

Eyeshadows

1. Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette 

2. Missy Lynn Baked Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette 

3. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette 

4. Milani Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Collection in Earthy Elements (05)

5. Milani Everyday Eyes EyeshadowCollection in Bare Necessities  (02)

All those gold, bronze, and highlighters! I can't see me going through Summer without using these eyeshadows! 

Face and Lip Products 

1. Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Skin Foundation in Soft Honey 

2. Victoria's Secret Bronzer in Goddess (Medium 11)

3. Milani Baked Blush in Dulce Pink 

4. Milani Lipstick in Bahama Beige 

5. Milani Lipstick in Bronze Beauty

When my skin isn't feeling oily, I like using the Dewy + Skin Foundation.  I think it looks nice paired with VS Bronzer and Milani Blush. I have to admit I don't wear frost lipsticks very often, but I still think these lipsticks look pretty.  

What are your favorite makeup products to use during the Summer?

To check out my reviews on some of the products mentioned click on my links below

Maybelline Fit Me Collection Review: (Dewy+Skin) Foundation, Concealer, and Pressed Powder

Milani Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Collection

Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink Review

This is Summer Makeup and Skincare week on my blog! Click on the link to read my previous posts if you missed them!

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan Body Blur

Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette 

Glowy Skin and Bronze Eyes

Tree Hut Body Scrubs and Body Butter

Thanks for stopping by my blog! 

Tree Hut Body Scrubs and Body Butter

Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Tree Hut. I want to thank Tree Hut for sending these products for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. 

For those of you that read my blog regularly know that skincare is VERY important to me. During the Summer I like to keep my skin looking as healthy as possible. I keep my skin healthy by exfoliating and using body butter. Well when I was presented with an opportunity to recieve a few skincare items from Tree Hut,  I was rather excited!

About the Product 

Home of America’s favorite body scrubs and butters. We believe in loving your skin - and loving it even more after using Tree Hut. Reveal your natural beauty with our Certified Organic Shea Butter products and leave your skin feeling loved and touchably soft

1. Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub 

Love your skin with Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub. This sugar based formula is kissed with Argan Oil, Rose and Certified Organic Shea Butter to instantly smooth skin while satisfying your senses.

2. Tree Hut Nourishing Hawaiian Kuki Salt Scrub

Nourish your skin with Tree Hut Nourishing Hawaiian Kuki Salt Scrub. Tree Hut's formula combines mineral-rich red alaea volcanic clay and kukui oil, with age-defying antioxidants, to refine and condition skin. Let your senses escape with the warm scent of Tree Hut Nourishing Hawaiian Kuki Salt Scrub and provide a getaway for your skin.

My Thoughts

Whether I make a homemade body scrub or buy one from the store, I love using a good scrub. These scrubs aren't harsh on my skin and after I take my shower, my skin feels so smooth and soft. I really can't tell much of a difference in either the salt or sugar scrubs because both work well for my skin. As for the scents, the Hawaiian Kukui smells amazing, and it's my favorite scent out of the two scrubs! It has a warm sweet tropical scent. The Moraccan Rose Scrub smells nice too. Surprisingly I like this scent because if you read my blog, you may know by now that I'm not a fan of floral scents. This scent is different since it has a light floral and sugary scent and smells pretty good. I think these scrubs are good to use especially in the Summer since you'll be showing off more skin and these scrubs keeps your skin look healthy and radiant. 

TREE HUT TROPICAL MANGO SHEA BODY BUTTER

Experience Tree Hut Body Butter with the exotic scent of Tropical Mango. Real Mango Puree helps prevent the formation of wrinkles and naturally nourishes aged and tired skin. This extra thick body butter, infused with Certified Organic Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, real Mango Puree and Safflower Seed Oil, was designed to soften rough skin, provides a deep hydration to those problem areas that surface over time.

My Thoughts 

I thought that I was having another allergic reaction to a shea butter product again. When I used this the second time, the body butter my skin started to hurt and my fingers started to ache. I don't know what kind of weird system that I have, but I did notice that I started not to feel all that well. I'll say this again if you have a nut allergy, please read the ingredients before you test products. I just think that it was weird that I had pain on my skin the second time versus the first time I used it, but I didn't have any allergy issues with the body scrubs. Isn't crazy how some shea butter products irritate my skin and others don't?  I think it's time to go see an allergist! 

Outside of the allergy issues, this is a good body butter. It smells really good, just like a mango. The texture feels really thick when I applied it on my skin. This is one of those type of body butters that is good to use after you had a nightly shower or bath, or during the Winter. My skin felt so moisturized and hydrated when I used this body butter.  I'll have to be careful if continue to use this body butter and always keep Benadryl around. If you don't have any issues with primarily shea butter based products you should give this body butter a try. I mentioned this in the past, but you may want to consult with your doctor before using nut based products. You can find these products at Ulta, Walmart and http://www.treehutshea.com

Have you tried any products from Tree Hut? 

This is Summer Makeup and Skincare week on my blog! Click on the link to read my previous posts if you missed them!

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan Body Blur

Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette

Glowy Skin and Bronze Eyes

Thanks for stopping by my blog! 

Glowy Skin and Bronze Eyes

Hello Everyone!

Continuing with Summer Makeup and Skincare Week on my blog , today I have a makeup look for you. To create this makeup look I used my Carli Bybel Palette. If you missed yesterday's review on this palette, it will be linked near the end of this post!

Products Used 

* Eyes *

- MAC Paint Pot in Painterly 

- Carli Bybel  14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette 

1. Transition color in the Crease 

2. In the Tear Duct and half of the Lid 

3. On the other half of the Lid 

- Younique Moodstruck Fiber Lash Mascara 

- Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Clear 

* Face *

- Maybelline Master Fix Boost Setting Spray 

-  Cetaphil DermControl Oil Moisturizer (primer)

- Maybelline Fit Me Dewy Skin Foundation In Soft Honey 

- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Medium 

- Milani Baked Blush in Dulce Pink

- Carli  Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette  (4 used as a highlighter) 

* Lips *

- Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in StingRAYE 

This is Summer Makeup and Skincare week on my blog! Click on the link to read my previous posts if you missed them!

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan Body Blur

Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette

Thanks for stopping by my blog! 

Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette

Hello Everyone!

I know I'm a little late getting this palette, but I remember when this palette was released,  it kept selling out! Well here we are today with my review. 

With Flash

 (true color of the palette)

About the Product

Beauty expert and YouTube sensation Carli Bybel designed this versatile 14 Color Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette to dial up the drama and add excitement to your look. Carli's taste for chic refinement and modern elegance inspired her to select a collection of earthy neutrals and plummy brown shadows with four face highlighters that complement every skin tone. The mix of mattes and shimmers makes it easy to go from amped-up evening intensity to toned-down daytime options.

Swatches

My Thoughts 

I have a good bit of palettes and this one is nothing like I have in my collection (or at least I don't think so). If you're new to highlighter, I think this is a good palette to get practice. As you can see with highlighter, the shades are very pigmented. You may want to use a light hand when you're using the highlighters, unless your looking to achieve an intense highlight you can see from far away lands lol. 

The eyeshadows in the palette are also very pigmented. When I took the pictures of the swatches, the true color of the shadows showed better when it took them with the flash on my camera.  I'm unsure of what was going on when I took the pictures without the flash. I guess the only thing I can blame it on is bad lighting. I will say this again, the shadows are very pigmented, and long lasting as well.  I also like that this palette doesn't haven't a lot of fallout, but it does irritate me that it took a good deal of effort to clean around the shadows. What can I say I like the area around my eyeshadows in the palette clean.

I thought this would be a time to review this palette since I'm sharing Summer themed makeup and skincare products. This is a palette that is good for anytime of year, but this palette in my opinion perfect for Summer to achieve bronze and golden eye makeup looks.  I will be showing a few makeup looks using this palette this week. If you're interested, you can get this palette at BH Cosmetics and now at Ulta for $14.50.

Do you own the Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette? 

This is Summer Glow Makeup and Skincare week on my blog! Click on the link to read yesterday's post if you miss it!

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan Body Blur

Thanks for stopping by my blog!