What’s in My Beach Bag? | Island Necessities

Spring Break is upon us and the sunshine season is just a few months away! Here’s an inside source to my beach bag essentials and some tips to keep in mind as you replenish your vitamin sea!

Sunnies

What’s a day at the beach without a cute pair of sunnies? Sunglasses are definitely a vacation necessity for me, not only do they protect your eyes but they can be a huge fashion statement. I adore this pair of Dior dupes which I discussed in my last post (if you haven’t read it yet, check it out here!) My adorable case is from a local boutique but you may be able to find a similar one at Nordstrom.

A Good Read 

The beach is a perfect spot to dive into a good book! I’m currently loving Bossypants by Tina Fey, it seriously never fails to make me laugh. This read is perfect for some light, seaside entertainment and I would definitely recommend it. What’s your favorite book right now? Let me know in the comments below- I love new suggestions!

An Underwater Camera 

Cute photos are a MUST on any vacation but a sand/water damaged lens can definitely put a damper on any trip. That’s why I love taking my FujiFilm waterproof camera on my beachy adventures! Not only does it have a wrist strap for underwater exploring but it definitely prevents the anxieties of a ruined camera. I used this a ton on my recent vacation and it perfectly captured my snorkeling memories!

A Hat

Salty hair can get wild and a hat is definitely a beach necessity! Mine is from Vineyard Vines and it always comes in handy. It’s super important to protect your face from UV rays (and to look cute- both of which can be achieved with a hat!) If a ball cap isn’t your style, floppy sun hats are also adorable and will achieve the same fun, tropical look!

Sunscreen (duh!) 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my fair share of harsh sunburns. If anything, sunscreen is surely an essential if you’re spending the day with your toes in the sand. I like Neutrogena sunblock because I find that it is gentle on the skin and doesn’t give off a greasy feel. For my face I apply the Ultra Sheer stick and the Ultimate Sport Spray is perfect for my body for I know it will stay on all day. With sunscreen in your beach bag you’ll look like a bronzed babe instead of a lobster…Don’t forget to reapply!

Sandals 

These definitely aren’t everyone’s style but I ADORE my white Birkenstocks. These sandals are perfect for long walks to the beach because they are super durable and comfortable- not to mention cute! Complementing a tan perfectly, the white style is awesome for Spring and Summer. Yay for Birks!

That’s it for my Beach Bag Essentials! I hope you had/have an amazing and safe Spring Break! What’s in your beach bag?

Thanks so much for reading, don’t forget to like, comment & follow for more exciting  content coming your way!

Much love,

 

 

 

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Getaway Garments | A Week in Paradise

A tropical tan is the perfect accessory to any outfit. I recently took a trip to the beautiful Harbour Island, Bahamas, where these beachy outfits left me feeling pretty in paradise. Enjoy (& don’t forget your sunscreen!)

This first outfit was definitely one of my go-to beach looks. My tunic style cover up is super light weight and kept me cool in the Bahamian sun. I purchased mine from a local boutique, however you should be able to find similar ones like it at J.Crew. I paired my tropical tunic with my favorite white Birkenstocks which aren’t only comfy and durable, but they compliment a tan perfectly! The sunnies I’m sporting here are exact dupes to the Dior “So Real” Shades (except for the fact that they’re about $500 cheaper!) and I purchased them on Amazon. This outfit encompasses both comfy and cute aspects which are crucial to any vacation look!

Whether I was grabbing lunch with a view or lounging on the pink sand beaches, this was another one of my favorite outfits from the trip. This navy and lime coverup is perfect for throwing over your swimsuit, instantly creating a beachy look. I paired my tunic with a simple pair of Tkees and I was ready for any adventure awaiting me on the island!

This fun jumpsuit was one of my dressier outfits on my vacation yet it definitely still gave off a beachy and relaxed vibe. I purchased mine from a small online store, Boho Outfitters but you can find similar ones like it at Urban or Nordstom. I adore the detailing on this piece and can’t wait to incorporate it into more outfits this summer. I paired my jumpsuit with my rose gold pair of Palm Beach Sandals, dressing up the look a bit yet not straying from comfort.

This final look is a classic white maxi dress that I couldn’t resist bringing on my trip. I purchased mine from Target but you can find tons of variations with this simple design. Whether you want to dress it up with a pair of wedges or wear it barefoot to the beach, this piece is so versatile and beautiful- not to mention it will make you feel like a goddess!

My tan is beginning to fade so it looks like it’s time to rap up today’s post. I hope you gained some outfit inspiration from my tropical looks! Be sure to tell me your favorite outfit in the comments below!

Don’t forget to like, comment, & follow for more beauty, fashion & lifestyle posts coming your way!

With Love,

A Flight Done Right | Travel Essentials

It’s time to stuff your carry-on bag and pick out your cutest duffle because February & Spring break are both swiftly approaching! Here are my absolute essentials for traveling regardless of the destination. Enjoy, and don’t forget to fasten your seatbelt!

My first airplane must is definitely a good book. Let’s face it, long flights can get pretty boring and you can only sleep for so long before needing a real source of entertainment. I recently picked up the intriguing (and aesthetically pleasing, I might add), IT by fashion icon, Alexa Chung and I am in love! This is definitely a quick read as it consists mainly of chic, style inspired photos and unique illustrations. The brevity of the book in addition to the abundance of fashion insight within it, make this read perfect for your time spent in the clouds.

My next two travel favorites will keep you sweet smelling, even if the lady in the seat next to you won’t stop eating her onion sub (yes, unfortunately I would know this from experience). First off, I love bringing my Kate Spade “Live Colorfully” roller ball perfume with me whenever I am on the go. This product has travel- friendly packaging and smells amaaaazing. In addition to this, I always throw a hand sanitizer in my bag because you never know when you’ll be caught in a sticky situation (literally). This particular one is from Bath & Body Works in the scent “Island Nectar” which not only killed off the germs on my hands, but made me extra psyched for my island vacation!

I’m certainly not the first person to say this, but airplane food is not the tastiest. That’s why snacks basically take up the majority of my carry on bag (oops!) One of my favorite treats to take on airplanes are these yummy dark chocolate pomegranate seeds. Not only are these so, so good but I like to believe that they are somewhat healthy (somewhat? Kind of? Maybe? Anyway…)

Beat airplane dryness with the perfect moisturizer! A crucial item in my carry-on bag is definitely my EOS hand lotion. Can we just talk about how cute this is?! I love EOS products and this little, egg shaped lotion is the absolute perfect size for traveling. Not to mention it smells AWESOME. I’d definitely recommend bringing some kind of moisturizer on a long flight because dry skin is no fun.

A final must have is definitely my phone, duh! Whether it be for relaxing music or mindless entertainment, my essentials would not be complete without it.

My floral iPhone case is from Sonix.

This is basically everything in my carry-on bag! What’s in yours? Be sure to tell me your airplane necessities in the comments below, and don’t forget to like & follow for more posts like this! Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for more posts from my trip to Harbour Island.

Bon voyage!

 

Makeup MUST-HAVES | My Favorite Products!!

Guess who’s back from her blogging hiatus?! THIS GIRL! I took some time off from my regular posting schedule but I am back and better than ever. Stay tuned for some fall inspired fashion content coming your way soon! Today I have an exciting post… my absolute MUST-HAVE makeup products! Here you will find my favorites from eyeshadows to lipgloss and everything in between! Enjoy!

Eye Makeup:

I just love experimenting with new eye shadow looks to make my eyes pop. Lately I have been obsessed with the Naked Basics and Naked 3 palettes from Urban Decay.

The Naked Basics palette has the perfect amount of neutral, matte tones that can be worn basically anywhere! My favorite shade would definitely have to be “Venus” because the shimmery champagne color looks gorgeous on the brow bone.

The Naked 3 palette is definitely the most pink/warmly under-toned group of eyeshadows compared to its’ “sister palettes” (the Naked 1 & 2). With a huge range of shades from matte, blush tones to shimmery, smokey violets I absolutely adore blending new combinations. I turn to this palette every time I go out and never get bored of the looks it can create!

The Naked 3 Palette

Speaking of eyes, mascara is probably my favorite part of applying makeup. Voluminous lashes can seriously transform your entire look. I am always on the hunt for new mascaras (comment your favorite below!!) but as of now I have been layering Maybelline’s, The Falsies (Volume express) and Great Lash Real Impact. The shapes of the applicators are different so the combination of both products not only gives me length, but volume too!

Face Makeup 

Now onto the face! As a fair-skinned girl who doesn’t sleep as much as she should, I definitely struggle with under eye circles (Don’t we all!). That’s why I adore the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind (It sounds a little scary, I know) Dark Circle Eraser. I don’t necessarily use it for the “age rewind” effects, however this acts as the perfect highlighter/concealer. Blendable and light weight on the skin, I would definitely recommend this product!

To avoid pesky shine on the skin, I always set my face with the Revlon Nearly Naked powder. This does an awesome job of locking in my concealer and keeping my skin matte without looking cakey.

To add a little color into my face I love contouring with Rimmel London’s Natural Bronzer. This product does an awesome job of adding warmth to a look without creating harsh streaks or lines.

In addition to bronzer I love adding blush and highlighter with products from the Benefit Feelin’ Dandy set. I wrote a whole post on this cheek and lip combo so be sure to check it out here!!

Lips

Last but certainly not least, my favorite lip product! It’s hard to pick a top lip shade (the options are endless!!) so I went with my must-have gloss by Bobbi Brown in “Sheer Peach.” Let me tell you, this lip gloss is poppin’! This is the absolute perfect color to layer on top of other lip products and adds a stunning, long lasting sparkle.

What are your favorite products?! Be sure to tell me in the comments! Thanks so much for reading, I can’t wait to share more!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow if you enjoyed!! Have a wonderful week 🙂

With love,

(ps. this is my 20th post! A milestone! Thank you for your support so far!!)

Adventure Awaits! | Birchbox Haul & Review

Summer is finally here!! With the sunshine season in full swing there are tons of adventures waiting just around the corner. At the beginning of the month I received my very first Birchbox subscription package, equipped with many products that will be essential for summer fun this season. Here you will find my initial thoughts and reviews on each item that I received in my June Birchbox. Enjoy!

First of all, can we just talk about how adorable this packaging is? I am already loving this monthly subscription box because it’s such a blast being surprised with one of these in your mailbox. Plus, it’s awesome getting to try new products and experiment with what works best for you. It’s like a mini gift to yourself each month! I’m already looking forward to unboxing my July package (stay tuned for a haul next month!)

The first item that I tried from my Birchbox was this Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water. It is “made with active hydrogen mineral water” and is said to “remove makeup and brighten skin.” Originally I assumed that this was simply a glorified bottle of water… what could be so special? However, I was surprised to discover that this stuff really works! The Micro Water allowed me to remove all of my makeup with a single cotton pad and only a few drops of the product (even my tricky waterproof mascara!) While many other makeup removers seem to leave an unpleasant greasy residue on my face, this product left my skin feeling cleansed and truly clean. Much to my surprise, this was one of my favorite items in the box and is definitely something I would repurchase.

The next thing I received was this sweet little Puravida headband. I love the tiffany blue color and feminine trim of this hair accessory. I will definitely be using this on hot summer days to keep my hair back and maybe even as a bracelet when my outfits could use a special blue pop!

Next up is this Tocca perfume in the scent Bianca. I really enjoy the fresh and slightly flowery scent of this product. I tried it out this week and already received tons of compliments on its bright, summery smell. Although nothing can beat my favorite perfume, Fleur d’Or & Acacia from L’occitane, I’ve really been enjoying trying out this fun, new scent and will definitely be using it in the future!

In addition to these other great products, I received the Templespa Good Hair Day shampoo and conditioner set. The products did a nice job of washing and detangling my hair, leaving it soft and silky. Personally however, I was not a huge fan of both the shampoo and conditioner’s scents, for the aroma of peppermint, lavender, and patchouli was a little too strong for my liking. Although it was not my personal favorite, if you do like this combination of smells, this is certainly the product for you!

Last but certainly not least is this Marcelle waterproof eyeliner. I LOVE this product! Slightly out of my usual makeup comfort zone, this bright aqua shade looks stunning on the waterline of any summer makeup look. Not only is the eyeliner super pigmented but its waterproof consistency is ideal for summer afternoons, swimming and sweating. This easy to apply product glides on simply and is the perfect addition to spice up your daily makeup routine. I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of my Marcelle liner this summer.

I had such a blast unboxing my June Birchbox and can’t wait to receive next month’s package!

To purchase your own Birchbox subscription for $10 a month, equipped with awesome products like these, Click here!

Thank you so much for reading, don’t forget to like, comment, & follow for upcoming Birchbox hauls and other exciting beauty, fashion and lifestyle posts.

Much love (& happy summer!!!),

Disclaimer: This post is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Birchbox or other companies listed, all opinions are my own!

I’m Feelin’ Dandy! | Benefit Lip & Cheek Kit

Benefit’s Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit will leave you feeling more than just dandy! I recently picked up this amazing set from my local Sephora and have been LOVING it ever since! My initial motives for this purchase were based on the fact that I had been dying to try the Posie Tint and High Beam products, without fully committing to the full sized bottles. I was happily surprised to find this adorable, little kit that was not only equipped with these two products, but a plethora of others I had not tried before. Not only was this kit super reasonably priced, but it allowed me to try various products for a fraction of the individual costs. Here you will find my personal opinions and experiences with each product in the set…Enjoy!

“Dandelion” Ultra Plush Lip Gloss- Dandelion is the PERFECT shade! This coral toned lip gloss has hints of gold that give your lips a natural looking finish. I feel that this shade can be complementary to so many different skin tones and is definitely a staple color for any makeup collection. Not only is the color gorgeous, but the application is great as well. We’ve all been in that “hair stuck in your lipgloss” situation and and I’ll be the first to say, sticky, gloppy lips are NOT cute. This product however, glides on smoothy, and feels soft and even moisturizing on the lips. This will definitely be a favorite lip product this spring!

“Dandelion” Blush- I’m not one to dabble in everyday blush use but let me tell you, I am in love with this product. The color is a beautiful rosy shade and is slightly shimmery which perfectly highlights your cheekbones. The product is not overbearing as some others can be, and blends nicely onto the skin for a gorgeous finish. Although I am not a fan of the provided brush, I love lightly dusting “Dandelion,” onto my cheeks with my own Eco-tools brush, creating an elegant glow for a perfect daily look.

“Poppy Pink” Posie Tint (Lip and Cheek Stain)- When I am not using “Dandelion” on my cheeks, I have been really into Posie Tint. The “Poppy Pink” shade is a super fun color that lasts on my skin for the entire day. Its liquid consistency leaves my skin feeling dewy and fresh, while the shade is a gorgeous pop of color (especially for spring!) A slight warning I would have for those looking to try the product is to blend it out quickly! The product dries almost immediately after applying to the skin so work swiftly for best results!

High Beam (Highlight)- WOW. Just wow. I really love every product in this kit but I am going to have to name this as my favorite. In the past I had never really incorporated highlights into my makeup looks but this product is life changing! Its liquid form and small applicator makes it simple to blend upon the cheek bones and feels light on the skin. The pearly shade of the product looks stunning on any complexion and attracts light to the areas of your face that you apply it to. If you are looking into a highlight for your cheekbones, cupids bow (above your lips), nose or really anywhere on your skin- invest in this, you will definitely not be disappointed with the glowing results!

I LOVE the Benefit, Feelin’ Dandy kit and have been using it constantly since my purchase. If you are looking to brighten your complexion then I would definitely recommend this set. The sizes of the products are the perfect amounts to get a feel for each and is a great investment as it combines various cosmetics into one handy set. I can’t wait to incorporate these items into my makeup looks and will definitely be purchasing these products again.

If you have tried out any of these products or recommend any of your favorite lip and cheek products, then leave a comment! I love hearing from you!

Don’t forget to like & follow for more posts like this!

With love,

The Lust for Lush: Bickering about Bath Bombs

Whether it be through Instagram, beauty blogs or just in your circle of friends- LUSH is taking over! Here’s your inside source to the good, the bad and the ugly (not really that dramatic it’s just soap) of your favorite, infamous Lush products!

My personal Lush collection

Before Bomb Thoughts: My opinions regarding the handmade cosmetics shop had wavered back and forth. In the past I had always felt that the strong scents were a little overbearing and not worth the hype. I assumed that the quality of the products was only raved about so much because they looked cute in Instagram photos (which is true-admittedly I posted my own). My thoughts subsequent to experiencing the infamous bath bomb changed immensely however, as I saw my original thoughts were far from the truth!

The adorable, “Bubble Bar”

After picking up on the “bath trend” I received a gift set from Lush equipped with, “The Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar“, “The Comforter Bubble Bar“, “Sympathy for the skin Body Cream“, “You’ve been Mangoed Bath Melt“, “Miranda Soap“, and what you’ve all been waiting for…THE (avobath) BATH BOMB!!

My experience: Of course I was immediately enticed by the spherical soap/ball of excitement and drew a much needed, hot bath. I decided that it would be beneficial to cut my bath bomb in half so I could get double the use out of it (and the same effect as I would later discover!) After my tub was full, I tossed that sucker into the water and watched in amazement as the small green ball swirled about my bath, transforming the once transparent water into a fizzing, emerald pool. The only complaint I had was the product did not create many bubbles in the tub and flattened out quickly, however I simply added a bit of my own body wash under the running water for an immediate fix!

The immediate effect of the “bomb”.

Admirable Aromas: Much to my delight, the water diffused the once, very strong scent and left the bath smelling fresh yet not overbearing. The Avobath Bomb is definitely a fruity one so keep that in mind when purchasing your own. Lush also offers many other scents featuring various natural ingredients- each with their own signature bath spectacle. This “bomb” in particular, included lemongrass and avocado, which left me smelling awesome for the rest of the day!

My point exactly- these Lush products are just so photogenic!! Can you say insta-worthy?

Does this thing really work? I was honestly shocked to discover the immediate effects of the product. As soon as I stepped foot in the tub I noticed that my skin felt soft and hydrated- Let me tell you this thing is magic! I felt that the natural ingredients played a large part in the delightfulness in the bath bomb as it felt incredibly fresh to the skin. Also, other than a subtle (and pleasant) scent, it didn’t leave any residue on my body.

The tinted bath water after the entire bomb had “exploded”

Overall, I would definitely recommend the Avobath bomb by Lush. I was a bit skeptical towards the quality of the bath product however I immediately discovered that it is the perfect thing to spice up an everyday bath. The fresh, natural ingredients left my skin feeling incredible and I am eager to try out other Lush products in the future!

Thanks for reading! Like, Follow & Comment for more Lush & beauty product reviews!

To purchase your own Lush Handmade Cosmetics click here: http://www.lushusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Lush-Site/en_US/Home-Show 

Don’t forget to take your own time to relax (Bath bomb or not!) Much love -Kyra Louise