PR Haul

 Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: This posts contains PR Samples from various brands. I want to thank each brand for sending over product(s) All opinions are 100% my own. 

While I took my break I received some PR Samples. I plan on doing some reviews. Leave a comment if you want a particular review or a more detailed review.

DERMA E sent over a few products from their Purifying Collection. These products are so essential during my self care routines (and in general). I'm almost out of my the charcoal mask and daily detox scrub, so I'm glad to have back ups!

Dr. Zenovia Skincare 

Dr. Zenovia Skincare sent over a few products. For the last couple of months this brand of products have helped reduced any skin issues I have related to hormonal acne. 

CVS Winter Box

CVS sent over an amazing Winter Box full of Winter skincare and beauty essentials! 

Tarte Cosmetics 

Tarte sent over these box of goodies a few ago. You can view that post HERE

Tarte also sent over a few more goodies

DERMA E 

I love that DERMA E is adding to their hair care collection, and these products are for all hair types. 

Another thoughtful gift from DERMA E! Their Radiance Toner is one of my favorite toners.

DERMA E also released a few new products for their Lift + Firm Collection. I can't wait to try the new products!

Zoya Darling Collection: Spring 2021

This year Spring Collection is so pretty! I will have a full post up soon! 

Zoya Rescue + Repair Kit

My nails have been so brittle lately to the point I've cut them really short. Thank you zoyanailpolish for sending over this Rescue+ Repair Kit to help my nails become healthy again 🙂

 Moda Brush Metallics Defining Detailer’s Set 

Moda has amazing quality brushes and these blue brushes are absolutely gorgeous!

I like that these brushes are so soft come with a bag.

A Face Full of Tarte Cosmetics

 Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Tarte. I would like to thank Tarte for sending these products. All opinions are 100% my own. Product information, courtesy of tarte.com

A few weeks ago Tarte sent over a few makeup products. I've been using Tarte for a few years and I love their products especially their shape Tape Concealer and Eyeshadow Palettes. For this post I'll being using a face full of Tarte products :)

These are the items Tarte sent over.

I received these from Tarte a few days after the first package.

Tarte product I'm using for Today's post

- Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner

- Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

- Tarte Face Tape Foundation (47N tan deep neutral)

- Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer (47S tan-deep sand)

- Tarte Shape Tape Setting Powder (Translucent) 

- Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip (Guava) 

- Tarte Blush Authority Amazonian Clay Cheek Wardrobe (Playtime) (deep pink blush)

- Tarte Tartelette Juicy Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette 

Tarte recently released their new Tartelette Juicy Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette. These rosy, tan, bronze are great for soft romantic looks and everyday neutral looks.

 Like the other Tarte Palettes that I have, this palette is very pigmented with minimal fallout.This isn't really a travel size palette, but I love that it's a large size palette with a large mirror. 

To start this look I primer my eyelids with Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer. I used Charmed as a Transitional shade in the crease. I also used Luscious on top of Charmed to darken the crease. (This is a soft romantic look so I used medium to light browns for the Transitional colors)

For my tear ducts, I wanted to add a little sparke so I used Dawn. It's a pretty glittery gold shade. For the lid I kept it simple with Orchid paired with Tarte's Tartiest Double Take Eyeliner to create a winged liner. After I finished the winged liner, I went back on top of the lid with Dream Chaser. To keep the look soft and romantic, I added Euphoric.

Tarte Shape Tape is one of my favorite concealers.  Tarte's Face Tape Foundation and Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer paired with the sponge really makes a difference for smooth effortless blending. Lastly, I used Tarte's Shape Tape Setting Powder to give my makeup flawless finish.

This was my first time using a Tarte Blush, and I love that blush is so pigmented. This is in the shade Playtime (deep pink blush) from the 9 Blush Authority Amazonian clay Cheek Wardrobe (purple) 

To finish my look I kept it simple by adding 

Tarte's Maracuja Juicy Lip in Guava. This is such a pretty lip gloss that has just the right amount of color. I definitely want to add a few more of these glosses to my lip gloss collection. I love a gloss that not sticky!

What are you're favorite Tarte Products?

Let's Catch Up

 Hello Everyone!

It's been a little over a month since I took my blog break. I didn't take a lot of pictures to post since I wanted to focus on more on self care, but let's catch up!

I can't remember the last time I made chicken alfredo. I know it's been a long time. 

Easy Chicken Alfredo

Since I took my break as we all know there's a new president! Whatever your political views are, please remember to be respectful if you leave a comment!!

If you didn't know on Inauguration Day the hashtag #chucksandpearls were trending for Madame Vice President Kamala Harris. She has been photographed wearing chucks and pearls during campaigning etc. I think this was a great way to support Kamala Harris as she made history. 

A no makeup makeup look

I think the Winter has me creating more neutral makeup looks. 

Makeup Motivation

January 31st was National Hot Chocolate Day. A day for hot chocolate, yes please lol. It's been so cold and rainy in South Carolina lately. 

When I took my break, I was hoping to catch up on some rest, but I've been dealing with a sinus infection. If you're a reader of my blog, then you already know that I suffer horribly from sinuses and allergies. The past week has been rough with this sinus infection, but I'm making the best of it. I think the extreme temperatures tend to make my sinus and allergy issues worse. I'm glad to be back to blogging! I have numerous posts planned! Stay tuned! 

A Little Self Care

 Hello Everyone!

Today I wanted to take some time out to have a self night. All that's going on in the world right now, it can become a little overwhelming.  Mentally I'm doing okay, but I have my days when I don't feel the greatest. Since I have depression and anxiety, I try to recognize the symptoms and cope with my feelings before I feel overwhelmed. 

I also wanted to do a self care day because I've been feeling a little run down physically. I know that it's probably related to my iron Deficiency Anemia again because for the past few days I don't have much energy and I've been feeling super tired. I love taking showers, but taking a nice warm bath is so relaxing. 

My nails have become brittle again, another issue I have due to iron Deficiency  Anemia so I cut them short. My nails were also breaking and I rather grow them again instead of having broken brittle nails. I usually keep my nails short in the Winter since the weather can also make my nails brittle. I wanted to show my nails a little TLC today. 

I try to limit watching the news, but I do like to watch Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo at night. I might watch this CNN Tonight until I fall asleep.

In speaking of all things self care, I'm going to take a little blogging break for a few weeks. This isn't a long break, I just need a little down time since I've been going pretty consistently the past few months, and especially during the holidays. Make sure to follow me on Instagram , I'll be posting on there, until I return to my blog. Talk with you soon!!

Derma E Hydration Skincare Routine

Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Derma E. I would like to thank Derma E for sending these products. All opinions are 100% my own. Product information, courtesy of dermae.com

Its a new year and people are discussing their goals, and resolutions etc. People are also focusing on their mind, body, and spirit, but body doesn't always include skincare routines (which it should!)

Today I want to focus on hydrating my skin, and share my hydrating routine during the colder months. Moisturizing your skin is important, but so is hydrating your skin. Derma E has been my go to line for hydrating products for years.

Derma E hydrating products are formulated with Hyaluronic Acid that helps provide deep hydration for normal and dry skin. The Winters in South Carolina can be unpredictable, and when it's cold here it's typically dry. My skin benefits so much from using this line of products.

Morning Routine 

 

Derma E  Hydrating Gentle Cleanser 

Derma E Hydrating Eye Cream

Derma E Hydrating Day Cream 

Derma E Hydrating Mist

My morning routine is pretty straight forward. When I wake up after I brush my teeth, I like to wash my wash with a clean washcloth and cool/warm water before I start using my morning facial products. I like to start my routine with the Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (I also switch up and use the Hydrating Cleanser). I tend to use the eye cream in the mornings paired with the Hydrating Day Cream keeps my skin hydrated, especially during those really cold dry days. To help with extra hydration, I also use the Hydrating Mist throughout the day. 

Night Routine 1 (Makeup Removal)

Derma E Hydrating Micellar Cleanser Wipes

Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Cloud Cleanser 

Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Water Eye Gel

Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Gel Booster 

Derma E Hydrating Night Cream

Derma E Ultra Hydrating Serum 

Derma E Hydrating Mist

I've said this numerous times on my blog and I'm going to say it again, Please don't go to bed without removing your makeup!! As you can see my Night time routine is detailed when I remove my makeup. This is also a good routine when I want to give extra pampering to my skin. I'm very picky when it comes to makeup remover wipes and Derma E is one of my favorite brands for wipes. The wipes are hydrating and remove my makeup easily with one to two wipes, paired with the Hydrating Cloud Cleanser my face feels so clean. At night I use the Hydrating Night Cream and Serum to lock in hydration throughout the night. For those extremely cold nights, the Hydrating Mist is soothing on face.

     Night Routine 2 (Without Makeup Removal)

Derma E Hydrating Alkaline Cloud Cleanser 

Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Water Eye Gel

Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Gel Booster

Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Overnight Facial 

Since I'm at home more, this second routine has been my go to nightly routine. Lately I'm not wearing makeup that often, so I can truly focus on hydrating my skin. I love using both the water eye gel and gel booster as I do in my first night routine. I have dark circles under my eyes and the water eye gel helps reduce my dark circles, puffiness, and feels soothing. I just started using the gel booster and it feels lightweight and hydrating on my skin. I like to use the Overnight Facial at least twice a week because it gives my skin the extra hydration it needs and my skin feels super soft and hydrated by morning. 

If you're looking for product to help with hydrating your skin, definitely give Derma E Hydrating Line Products a try! Hydrated skin is healthy skin!

Winter Cowl Crochet Scarf feat. Lion Brand Yarn

 Hello Everyone!

* Disclaimer: PR Samples for this post are provided by Lion Brand Yarns. All opinions are 100% my own. Product information courtesy of www.lionbrand.com

Surprisingly the weather here in South Carolina has been pretty cold the last few days, and on days like this if I'm snuggled under a blanket I like to be snuggled under a warm scarf. During the Christmas Holiday, I made this thick cowl crochet scarf.

Thick and Quick Bonus Bundle Yarn

in Oxford Grey $12.49

I really love this yarn, and it lives up to it's name, Thick and Quick. I think it took me about two and a half hours to make this scarf. 

The scarf is darker gray as pictured in the other photos. I took this birthday selfie last month by the Christmas tree so the lighting is brighter.

To complete my scarf I used a N hook was also from Lion Brand Yarn. The hook is hard plastic and it doesn't hurt my finger as I crocheted. 

For those super cold Winter days, I can see this being my go to scarf! Happy Crocheting! Also, tomorrow is my mama's birthday!! I want to wish her a very Happy Birthday! I love you mama! ❤