like it, love it, gotta have it: moisturizer for sensitive skin

being surrounded by so much plastic surgery for that last 10 months has made me really want to up my skin care game- so many people who haven't taken care of their skin, get work done and end up looking like creepy plastic versions of everyone else. with my super sensitive skin, I always need to try new products before making an investment (and quality skin care is always $$$). sephora and their sample policy make it super easy. when I popped in a few weeks ago I grabbed a few cult favorites to see what worked best.

like hate it: first aid beauty ultra repair lotion. I wanted to like this product, I really did. I had heard so many great things about the first aid beauty brand, but this product is the worst. right off the bat I was super unimpressed with the liquidy consistency, it spilled out of the sample container and made a big ol' mess. usually products that are that thin and runny don't stick around on the skin too long, and you end up feeling like you haven't even moisturized. but, I was willing to put my consistency issues aside if it proved to be a good product. spoiler alert- it did not. after using this for two days, I was left with tons of tiny little pumps and breakouts all over my forehead and along my hairline. not cute. it's been almost three weeks and I'm still combating those breakouts (more on the product that's been clearing up my skin later). this product may be a cult favorite, but for those of us #blessed with sensitive skin- beware.

love it: fresh lotus youth preserve face cream with super 7 complex. this moisturizer is an all around good product. good for you ingredients, leaves the skin feeling moisturized but not weighed dow, and from a quality company that I love supporting. it has a fresh (har har!) scent, very cucumber/spa like, that didn't irritate my skin. it claims to have seven super charged ingredients that leave the skin radiant and plump- which I think definitely added some luminosity to my skin. if I hadn't tried the next product, this would have been the moisturizer that I added to my skin care routine. but this is a battle of the best, and another product was just better.

gotta have it: evercalm global protection day cream. this was the first I tried of the bunch, and I wish that I had ended with it. it left my skin moisturized, without being overly greasy, but also didn't break me out or leave dry patches in any areas. the consistency was perfect for making sure that moisture stuck around for a little while and didn't just soak up into the skin from being too thin and liquidy. it worked great under my makeup (but note- I don't wear any foundation or liquid skin products so this may not be true if you do) and didn't make my bronzer or blush look patchy. it's been unbecomingly  muggy & super hot in LA lately, and it didn't make my skin goopy (which as a sometimes sweaty girl happens with a lot of moisturizers). it was scented with a citrus fragrance, that initially made me nervous (fragrance is usually a big no-no with sensitive skin), but didn't end up being a bad thing. the scent was actually refreshing first thing in the morning. a huge bonus for this moisturizer over any other that I tried (or have tried in the past) is the global protection aspect. living in LA (with its amazing air quality) has made me realize just how important protecting your skin from air pollution is, and this product is specifically formulated to do just that. this is the moisturizer being added to my beauty arsenal (and thanks to hitting the next level of Beauty Insider at sephora), I'll be taking it home soon & for 10% off. win, win.

are you lucky enough to have super sensitive skin too? what's your all time favorite moisturizer for keeping your skin soft & glowing without adding breakouts? 

xx, marissa

currently craving: bangs

my only personal experience with bangs (that should be classified as a personal nightmare) came right around the 11/almost 12 year mark (ie. perfect pre-teen awkwardness when everyone is their most attractive). I had begged and pleaded with my mother to cut bangs into my thick and naturally wavy hair that frizzes even at the slightest hint of humidity, and eventually won the mother daughter battle. I should have listened when she told me that they would require upkeep, daily blow drying, and about their affinity to get frizzy and look awful in the 90% humidity that New England has more than half of the year, but what did I know. I resented those bangs for exactly as long as it took to grow them out, and developed an aversion to anything bang related.

flash forward to now, and living in a place with hardly any humidity (besides this past two week long heat wave- that's enough Mother Nature! I'd like the real LA weather back please), and I've been itching for a change. now my hair is in serious need of a haircut, but any movie/show/random person the street has me craving thick, long bangs like none other.

what to do, what to do?

xx, marissa

love it/hate it: simple cleansing facial wipes

as a gal with sensitive skin, I love when companies put out products specially formulated to be super gentle (let alone a whole line!). I was so pumped when simple skin care first came over from the UK. I dove right in, experimenting with their cleansers and moisturizers- but it was the facial wipes that had me the most excited. every other brand that I tried (even the versions supposedly made for sensitive skin) would either sting my eyes, make my skin burn and itch, or leave a sticky feeling behind. now- having to rinse off after using a wipe isn't a total black mark against a product, but it definitely makes those late nights that much easier when I don't have to schlep all the way to the bathroom after using one (you know that struggle). so I gave these wipes the old college try and not only did they give me all of those problems, but they also caused me to break out along my forehead after just a couple uses. they work fine at taking of my non-waterproof mascara and eyeshadow, but on my waterproof eyeliner they were hopeless. and while that may make sense, since they are a line created to be sensitive to the skin, they werent even gentle on my skin. the wipes are scented, which I have no issues with scented products (as long as the fragrance doesn't break me out), but usually with sensitive skin products scent is one of the first ingredients left out.

do these wipes work for some people? absolutely. they are a beauty product that has quite the following of loyal fans, and if you're somebody who has tough skin that doesn't easily breakout or flare up, you may be one of them. I love the ease of a makeup wipe, super convenient to keep in your bedside drawer or makeup bag for easy touch ups and the laziest nighttime routine ever (hey, we all have those nights. no judgment.), but I've found a product that's just as easily + better for you ingredients + better formula + without all the issues (expect that blog post soon!).

what's your take on the simple cleansing facial wipes? have you tried any other products from the simple skincare line? 

xoxo, marissa

manicure monday: god's gift to nail art

slight overexaggeration? possibly, but it's pretty great. now I was perfectly content with my makeshift nail art tools (bobby pins, eyeliner brushes, and brushes from old polish), until I noticed that sephora had quite the little nail art kit on sale (thanks sephora app!) and decided that I deserved an upgrade. the sephora "art at your fingertips" nail kit has everything that you need to create so many of my favorite (and easiest!) looks. everything from brushes (for painting small designs using your favorite polishes and cleaning up any stray marks on your cuticles) and dotting tools (for making the perfect polka dots or scalloped edges) to black and white stripers (for making straight lines and zebra print or adding details to any design). it even comes with an info card with different uses for each of the items if you're new to nail aren't and just aren't sure where to start. use this with my other mani must haves (check out that blog post here) and be prepared for everyone to ask where you got your nails done.

how are your nail art skills? are you a diy type gal, or do you prefer to leave it to the professional?

xx, marissa

currently craving: clogs

a few years back the idea of owning a pair of clogs would have sounded insane to me. who do I think I am, Heidi? but after seeing an oh-so-stylish friend of mine rock them basically on the daily (with socks during the winter even- gasp!), I was sold. I picked up a pair last winter on serious sale at DSW, but they've seen better days. I've been online window shopping for the perfect pair of classic swedish style clogs for a hot minute, but haven't been able to pull the trigger on the perfect pair. in case you're in the market, I've rounded up a couple of my favorites and hopefully one of these pretty (and practical) babies will be making their way into my wardrobe soon.

what's your take on clog sandals? too fugly for your taste? maybe you're a reformed hater like me, or are you one of those über cool girls that liked them before they were trendy? 

xx, marissa 

drugstore faves

now I love a splurge worthy beauty item as much as the next gal, but there are some products that take the cake and have a budget friendly price tag. and while I'm never one to say no to a trip to sephora or a beauty counter, the convenience of popping into a CVS can't be beat. I've rounded up a few of my favorite beauty products (hair & skin care, makeup, brushes, and nail products) that stand up to, and in some cases, blow their high priced counter parts out of the water.

cetaphil daily facial cleanser: this gentle cleanser has been my go-to for years. as someone with super sensitive skin, I seem to have the best luck when I use basic products and don't fuss with it too much. this cleanser is perfect at cleaning my skin, without removing too much oil and leaving it tight and dry. it works great with my clarisonic, getting nice and foamy for a deep clean. good enough for pharrell and naomi campbell, good enough for me.

wet n wild color icon eyedshadow: regardless of if they're in the 99 cent singles, the trios, six pan shadows, or limited edition pallets, these shadows are amazing. the colors are gorgeous, the formula is super pigmented and creamy, and the shades blend like a dream. in their line you can basically fine a dupe for any and every expensive eyeshadow on the market, and not only in tone, but in quality as well. while I tend to steer clear of the super sparkly versions, it's hard to find a color that isn't amazing. a few of my personal favorites would be brûlée (the perfect blending and transition color), nutty (the best color for an easy one shadow look), and the comfort zone pallet.

elf eyebrow kit: I've blogged about my love of this product before (check it out here), but it is definitely worth mentioning again. spot on dupe for the benefit brow zings (besides the mini tweezers) and for a fraction of the cost. helps keep my brows looking more audrey and less frida.

l'oréal oleo therapy perfecting oil: ridiculous name, amazing product. this hair oil is perfect for keeping my thick and curly/wavy hair from looking like a frizzy mess. while it didn't totally beat out the high end version (check out that post here), it was pretty close. and if we're being honest, this is the product that I continue to repurchase, not the expensive paul mitchell version.

maybelline dream bouncy blush: I love a cream product for the summer, blends more naturally into the skin, and this line of blushes is great. I remember when the dream bouncy formula was first introduced it was super blogged about in the beauty community. for a product where you're looking for full coverage (like foundation) I don't think it's the best, but for blushes it's perfect. my favorite is coffee cake, I love the brown with a touch of coral against sunkissed skin, but the bright pinks and hot corals are also great. applied to the apples of the cheeks and blended up towards the temple with a dual fibered stipple brush (I love this one) gives a perfectly natural look. for a bit more pigmented look, and to up the staying power, top with a powder blush in a similar tone and you're good to go.

out the door super fast dry top coat: when you paint your nails as much as I do, you come up with a system of what works best for you (products, technique, tools, etc). I've blogged about my love for this product before (check it out here), and it still is a necessity when it comes to doing my nails. not only does it not have as many scary chemicals as other fast dry top coats out there (I'm looking at you seché vite), it doesn't give you shrinkage around the edges, doesn't leave pillow lines in your nails if you just so happen to paint them right before bed, and doesn't get gooey halfway through the bottle causing you to throw it away and waste what should be perfectly good product. for nails that are super shiny & look like a gel manicure, try this top coat. even over cheapie drugstore polishes, the results are amazing.

wet n wild megalast lipsticks: hands down, the best drugstore lipsticks; and the greatest part? you could try the entire line for less than the cost of one YSL lipstick. super opaque, amazing staying power, and you can find dupes for just about any lip color you're searching for. whether you're looking for a perfect nude (bare it all), a bright coral red (purty persimmon), a deep wine (sugar plum fairy), or a bright peach (just peachy), they are all amazing.

e.l.f. studio makeup brushes: while there are absolutely pros to investing some serious money in expensive makeup brushes, I have no problem achieving great results with these inexpensive alternative mixed in with my expensive brushes. they've gone through countless washes and still manage to look great. with any line there are of course the duds (steer clear of the foundation,  concealer, and angeled eyeliner brushes), there are MVP brushes that I use on the daily (countouring, eyebrow duo, flat topped powder, stipple, and crease brushes). don't be fooled by the cheaper grey/silver essential line of brushes, the matte black studio line is where it's at.

it's easy to walk into sephora and spend a small fortune outfitting yourself with an amazing makeup collection, but these products work great, have a budget friendly price tag, and are available at just about any drugstores- win, win! what are some of your favorite drugstore beauty products? any cult favorites that you can't bear to live without?

xx, marissa

love it/hate it: benefit they're real! push-up liner

now I've blogged about my past hatred for the original black version of this product before (check it out here), but when I heard that benefit was releasing a new collection of colored liner and mascara I was still excited (#beautyjunkie). I figured that benefit would take into account the issues that basically everyone and their mother had with the product; maybe the formula would be different in the colored version, maybe the packaging would be better designed, maybe it wouldn't require a special remover to take that shizz off, WHO knows. and when I saw that the sephora app had a promo code for a deluxe sample size, I jumped at the chance to try it out. (side note- if you're not doing your online shopping at sephora using the app, you're crazy. best promo codes, super easy to navigate, and you can track your order right through the app. download it now and thank me later.) I was pleasantly surprised to see that the sample was for the brown version; dark brown is my go-to eyeliner color, so much more natural and flattering for day to day. when I opened the liner I noticed that the new packaging had step-by-step instructions on how to use the product (clicking the product up into the tip, and wiping off the start of the product on to napkin before applying to the eye), and while that's super helpful since most people would assume you could just dive right in and start winging, it still doesn't solve the problem that you're wasting half of the product by the time you use it up. I love the creamy gel formula for gliding easily onto you lid, but forget about building up your wing with more than one swipe. if you do, the product balls up on itself and starts to peel off your eyelid (not cute). for someone who can get a perfect wing in one swipe, that isn't an issue. but most people require at least two swipes to get a perfect line. the lock in place formula is supposedly so strong that benefit had to release a special eye makeup remover specifically for this liner (which I'm sorry- but that seems ridiculous to me), but I found that the thinnest part of my liner (near my inner corner to the beginning of my lash line) completely disappeared mid-day. I want my makeup to be locked into place when I apply it in the morning, and be there until I take it off at night.

so final thoughts- I think it's safe to say I truly hate this product, which honestly really bums me out. I want to love this product because I love the idea of it. the design of the applicator tip is genius, it really does give you the perfect wing without even trying, but I can't get over buying a product to literally waste half of it every single use. the new colors are gorgeous (dying over the bright emerald green), but the staying power just isn't there, and the formula isn't anything special. there are so many amazing eyeliners available that unless you can't do a wing to save your life, don't care about throwing away product, and are fine with a crazy formula- don't even bother. watch some YouTube videos, practice practice practice, and save your pennies; two thumbs down.

what are your thoughts on the they're real! push-up liner from benefit? are you part of the 1% that loves it, or do you think it belongs in the garbage?

xx, marissa