Current Obsession: Simple Earrings

January 17, 2015

I used to be all about the statement jewelry. I loved chandelier earrings and bib necklaces and had them in enough colors and styles to go with every outfit. But as I'm getting older I've definitely been gravitating towards simpler options, allowing me to cut down my collection while still having something to wear with everything. My favorite pieces of jewelry are earrings - if I forget to put in earrings I feel "off" for the rest of the day, something that doesn't happen if I don't wear something like a necklace.

I've got a few pairs of earrings that I rotate through pretty much depending more on my mood than my outfit because they all go with everything I wear. The first pair are my most "statement" of the bunch, some pearl 360 studs from Baublebar. Ever since I saw people like Emma Watson wearing the Dior version of these I wanted them. These, however, are much cheaper and still great quality despite not being real. I think they add a bit of class to any outfit, but the larger pearl on the back adds a twist on the classic pearl stud.

I got two pairs of rose gold earrings from my boyfriend for Christmas, and I can't choose a favorite pair. They're both from Etsy (shops here and here). I love wearing the dangly leaf ones when I'm feeling a little more fancy, and the rose gold druzy studs are so stunning and unique - so far I've been wearing these the most often.

For days I'm feeling more glam I have a pair of rhinestone studs from Francesca's (similar here). I used to wear these for dance performances, but now I break them out all the time. I have to be careful not to wear these with scarves though because they always get caught on them.

My most favorite pair of earrings are these purple studs. I don't wear them too often because I'm afraid of losing or breaking them, because they belonged to my grandma who died when I was a baby. I usually always wear these on tough days (I always wore them for exams in college) because they make me feel closer to her, which really helps to turn the day around.

The next thing to add to my collection is a pair of simple bar studs, like these.

Are you more into simple or statement jewelry?

The "Always Repurchase" List

January 15, 2015

I don't know about you, but I have a list of products that once I notice they're running low, I start getting really anxious until I go out and buy a backup. I love trying new products, but there are some that I'll never stray from. It must be a sign of a really good product if I can't live without it, right?

The Pixi Glow Tonic is something I've mentioned on this blog again and again, but it's seriously one of the best if not the best skincare product I've ever tried. I like that it's gentle enough to use every day or even twice a day. I have easily irritated skin and this doesn't cause any problems or even any short-term redness. It has left me with smoother, less blemished skin, and who wouldn't want that? I actually freaked out and had to order a second bottle when I still had half a bottle left. It's that good.

Another skincare product that I keep buying and can't seem to stray from is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. This thick, emollient cream really nourishes the skin and sinks in quickly without being greasy. It's helped my dry, dehydrated, and irritated winter skin go back to normal, so I'll always have a backup (I'm pretty sure I'm on my third tube with a fourth waiting in a drawer).

The one makeup product I just can't stop buying is the Anastasia Brow Wiz. I got the Dipbrow Pomade to try to wean myself off of the Brow Wiz, but I've still gone through two pencils. It's just so easy to use and gives a super quick result - I love using this when I'm in a rush because I can quickly fill in the sparse areas of my brows in about a minute.

I haven't yet finished my first tube of the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser, but I'm already getting a little antsy that it's getting below the halfway point. This is the best undereye concealer I've ever tried and it works well as an overall concealer in a pinch. Even my more expensive concealers can't replace this in my routine.

I've been working my way through the MAC lipstick in Syrup since the summer and I've already decided it's a shade that I'd like to have in my collection for awhile. It's a lovely natural pink color with a bit of a subtle purple/berry tone to it. It compliments my cool-toned skin nicely and goes with pretty much every makeup look. I've never finished a lipstick before, and I'm betting that I'll finish this one first.

Lastly is a hair product - the Toni&Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray. I've been noticing the bottle getting lighter and lighter when I use it, and I've been thinking about popping to Target to buy a backup. This is my favorite hair product and one of the only ones I use - I spray it through damp hair and let it air dry, and it gives it the best amount of wave and movement without weighing my hair down or making it dry or crunchy.

Are there products that you just have to keep repurchasing over and over?

The REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial

January 13, 2015

When I think of facials and face masks I think time consuming, not something that can be done in one minute. But REN have somehow achieved this feat with their Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial. I picked this up with Christmas money and have been trialling it ever since. It comes out of the tube as a weird green gritty paste that you massage into dry skin, and then massage again with damp hands. The product contains water-activated Vitamin C to exfoliate and brighten the skin. After leaving it for one minute, you thoroughly rinse it off and are supposedly left with glowing skin. Did it live up to its claims?

I'd say yes. After using it every three days according to the directions on the tube, I've definitely seen results, but not completely permanent ones. My skin does look bright and glowing right after removal of the mask, and I've found that the longer I've been using it, the longer the visible results do seem to last. Maybe with continued use over a longer period of time will give the results that last until the next application. What's remarkable about it is how smooth it's made my skin feel. I used to have tiny bumps on my chin and jawline that weren't acne and wouldn't go away despite scrubbing at them with both manual and chemical exfoliators. But this cleared them up after the first use. Any of the skincare products I use after this sink in so much more easily, and I feel like I'm really getting the full benefits of them. When I use this I do alter my skincare routine a little - I apply this after cleansing, then skip the exfoliating toner and go right to a hydrating serum and then moisturizer. The end result is a seriously perked up complexion that will last a few days - great for the dreaded dull winter skin. The only complaint I have about this is that it's difficult to tell when you've completely washed it off - I'm sure I do a few too many passes with a washcloth, paranoid that I'll exfoliate my whole face off if I don't remove every trace. But I haven't had any problems yet.

This comes in at a pricey $48 (praise Sephora gift cards), but you only need about a pea-sized amount for the entire face, so it should last you a while. And it really ups the absorption of other products, meaning you need to use less of those to get their benefits - saving you some money there! If you have issues with dullness or uneven texture, I would really suggest giving this a try. I think it'll be a staple in my skincare routine for a long time.

Have you tried this product?