Too Cool for School Egg Mousse Pack Review

December 17, 2015

I know what you're probably thinking - another face mask? But hear me out, because this is one of the most unique ones I've ever tried. The Too Cool For School Egg Mousse Pack is a newer addition to Sephora, and it's from a popular Korean brand, which makes it all the more enticing. It promises to make the skin smooth and radiant with the help of egg white and yolk extracts - the white is supposed to cleanse and brighten the skin, while the yolk hydrates and smooths.

First off, this mask is probably the most fun to use out of any I've tried. It comes out just like mousse for your hair or shaving cream, so smoothing it over your face is actually a strangely satisfying feeling. It has a really lovely and light scent, almost a bit floral. After applying, the bubbles begin to pop as it sinks in, giving the most relaxing tingling sensation (and not tingling like an acidic exfoliator would, but a slightly ticklish tingle). After about 15 minutes you're left with a slightly tacky film on the face, and all the bubbles are gone. So you simply wash it off and continue with the rest of your routine.

When I rinse it off, I do notice that my skin feels nicely hydrated and smooth. It's not an absolute miracle worker, but it doesn't claim to be either. It's definitely a mask I've been keeping up with using because it feels so nice to use, and I'm left with more radiant skin afterward. It's slotted into my little weekly masking routine quite nicely - I usually use it on a Monday or Tuesday night to unwind from a long day. It would also be nice to use in the morning if you've got time - makeup would just glide right on after using this mask. If you're looking for something fun and different, definitely check this out!

Have you tried the Egg Mousse Pack? What did you think? I'm really interested in trying the sheet masks and body oil from the line now!

The Everyday Winter Face

December 15, 2015

While the weather certainly isn't cooling down just yet (whoever heard of it being 50 degrees in December?), I've recently started adapting my everyday look to get ready for winter. Everything about winter makes me think of perfected, dewy skin, bright eyes with lots of lashes, flushed cheeks, and stained lips.

My favorite base product for more perfected skin is the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream. It gives an amazing amount of coverage without looking or feeling too heavy - in fact, it still looks just like skin. It has more of a satin finish on me, so I like to mix it with a little bit of the MAC Strobe Cream to amp up the glow. I haven't been straying from my usual neutral blushes for awhile, but lately I've been craving more of a natural flush in my cheeks. The most perfect product for this is the Charlotte Tilbury Colour of Youth Lip & Cheek Glow. It's the prettiest coral pink shade that may not seem the most appropriate for the season, but it really does make it look like you've just been frolicking out in the snow. I set the center of my face with my now holy-grail status Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light. It makes sure my face doesn't just eat up the makeup, but it keeps the glow going and doesn't get cakey. I accept my paleness and forego the bronzer for this look, but I always douse myself in highlight. Lately I can't reach for anything but the Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator in Starlight. The soft white gold shade is perfect for winter.

I love a good bold brow, but lately I've been trying to make them a little more feathery and less drawn-on. I really think the Glossier Boy Brow has changed the game. I mentioned it in my Unsung Heroes post - I don't even know what I was doing before I started using it. It just really fluffs up my brows and makes them look fuller before even filling them in. Then I go in with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz to fill in any bigger gaps. The result is still a full and quite bold brow, but it looks much more natural.

For eyes I've been loving a wash of a brightening shadow, like the classic Stila Eyeshadow in Kitten, or the stunning Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck. Thunderstruck is unlike any color I've ever seen before - it looks white in the pan, but once swatched or applied you can pick up the soft gold tone with a peachy pink duochrome shift. This makes an amazing highlight on the cheeks as well. The only other thing I do to my eyes (besides tightlining - I never forget that) is add lashings and lashings of mascara. I'm still head over heels for the Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara, as I've found it looks lovely with one coat for a more minimal look or layers up beautifully for more drama. You can really add layer upon layer without it getting clumpy or crispy. The fluttery, fanned-out result you get is absolutely perfect for this look.

Lastly comes lips. Even if you've only read one or two of my posts I bet you'll know I can't get enough of those neutral lip colors, but I've been craving something a little more noticeable for this kind of look. The Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in Adore is my absolute favorite - it's a lovely deeper red with a bit of a brown tone to it and a smattering of gold shimmer that isn't chunky but rather defines the lips. It's quite sheer at first but is easily built up to a stronger color, which makes it perfect for creating more of a stained look - I like to apply the bulk of the product to the center of my lips and blend outward with my fingers.

Do you change up your everyday look when the seasons change? What have been your go-to product?

Home Inspiration & Wishlist

December 12, 2015 in Lifestyle

If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have seen that I’ve been pinning to my two home boards like a madwoman lately. That’s because in a few weeks, my boyfriend and I will be moving into our own place! We've been looking for inspiration on how we'd like to decorate so we know what kinds of pieces and colors to go for when we start shopping. Currently I'm quite the cliche, loving all things bright and airy with touches of gray, copper, and marble.

Speaking of copper and marble, Target has a few really pretty pieces right now. My mom got me this lamp and I'm already picturing where I'm going to put it in my apartment. I can't stop thinking about the marble table with copper legs, too.

We really want to make our space feel as cozy and home-y as possible - since it will be both of our first times living away from our parents, we don't want to get homesick! I think we'll be able to achieve that with lots of cozy pillows and throws and by adding in a lot of greenery as well. I've already got the nicest blanket that my mom knit (knitted?) for us herself, so it will be a nice reminder of home. I'm super excited to be able to lay out and display the prettiest of my beauty products and not have to pile everything in a drawer. And I can't wait to start finding some prints to decorate the walls with (please leave your favorite places for prints in the comments!). Most of all, I'm excited to start this new chapter of my life.

Where do you go for homeware inspiration?