Review | Tarte Poppy Picnic Palette

          This limited edition Amazonian Clay Eye & Cheek Palette from Tarte is the perfect new addition to my makeup collection! For months, I've been searching for a matte eye shadow palette but none that I've looked at seem to have colors that I like or would use... until I saw this palette, I knew that I had to have it! Bonus: it comes with an Amazonian blush (aka my favorite blushes ever) so that was such a plus for me because this compact is perfect for traveling!  What made me fall even more in love with this product, besides the adorable packaging, was how affordable it is!  I picked mine up for $38 from Sephora.  Some of the others palettes I've looked at have been much more expensive and come with a lot less product so you can say I was very happy when I found this one :) So now that I got that ramble out of the way it's time to actually see the palette itself and what I truly think about it!

Swatches [from left to right]: Glisten (shimmer golden peachy pink blush), Picnic Basket (brown), Peach Poppy (peach), Barefoot In The Grass (nude), Ice Cream Cone (chocolate), Sweet Tea (tan), and Summer Breeze (cream)

  

Before I get started on the review, can we just discuss how cute the names of these shadows are?! Ok,  now back to what you came here for, just like all the other Tarte products I have tried, the eye shadows & blush are SUPER pigmented.  You just need to go into a Sephora or Ulta and test this product out for yourself because my swatches don't do this palette any justice!  The eyeshadows are very creamy, apply beautifully, super blendable and are very easy to work with.  The blush, Glisten, really stays true to it's name; it gives off the most beautiful glow to your cheeks and would look espeically great with a summer tan!  Just like a lot of Tarte's products, these eyeshadows & blush are very long lasting which is perfect for the hot summer months when all you do is sweat (gross, I'm sorry!)  Another thing that I like about this palette is that you can do an extremely natural to very dramatic look just by changing out a few colors.  My favorite shadows in this palette are Sweet Tea- great for crease, Picnic Basket- a beautiful warm tone brown, great for a smokey eye and Barefoot In The Grass- a beautiful nude that is a great base to start of any look with.  I seriously could not recommend this palette more and can't wait to use it for the upcoming summer months!

If any of you guys have this palette, let me know what you think about it!  Any other palettes you think I should try? Leave suggestions down below! :)

♡ Alia

What I'm Loving | April Favorites

        So this month has probably been my favorite month so far this year and not just because it is my birthday month… well, maybe a little!  On the 8th, I turned 21 years old, so my life got a tad bit more fun (in case you are reading this & not from America, you can legally drink alcohol at the age of 21!).  Anyway back to what this post is about, it seemed every new product that I tried this month, whether it was beauty, fashion or lifestyle, I genuinely liked!  I thought it would be fun to share my favorites with you guys, all that I have been loving in April! 

When I got back from Florida, I came home to a whirlwind of events and was in desperate need of a new foundation to wear, since I am very tan compared to when I left!  I went to the drugstore because I didn't feel like spending a ton of money on a high end foundation because I wasn't sure how long my tan would last. Writers note: I am happy to report that I am still pretty tan.  I picked up L'Oreal's True Match Lumi Foundation in the color "sun beige W6," and I think I have found my new favorite drugstore foundation!  It has great coverage and right now, this foundation gives me the perfect amount of coverage that I need.  It is not cakey at all, has a beautiful dewy finish, blends effortlessly, and doesn't cling to my dry patches!  The one downside, which I honestly don't mind, is throughout the day I do get a little bit oily.  If you are looking for an inexpensive but good foundation, especially for spring & summer, try this out!

Another new favorite for this month has been the Milani Color Statement Lipliner True Instant Color in "03 Nude."  I would describe this lipliner as a 'my lips but better' color.  I especially love the way this lipliner looks with my tanned skin!  It's a basic lipliner, but the pigmentation is great and it's very long lasting so for how cheap it is.  I pair it with L'Oreal's Collection Exclusive Lipsticks in "003 Jennifer's Nude;" they work so great together.  This product is super cheap & I highly recommend it!

If you are like me and have extremely dry skin than you NEED to try H20's Marine Daily Hydrator.  I purchased mine from TJ Maxx for $5.99 (hence the ugly sticker I couldn't get off) but they also have a website, not 100% sure where else their products are sold.  Anyway, this moisturizer has been a life savior and definitely helped my skin stay hydrated, especially going from cold weather to hot than back to cold again!  I love this stuff even more because it does not break me out….finally a moisturizer that doesn't make my skin go crazy!  It's oil free too which is great for anyone with oily skin or combo skin, like mine.  This product is a definite must-have in my book!

My next favorite has got to be one of my best deals ever- my Gap Jeans, the style is leggings and I believe they're the medium wash (sorry, I threw away the tags in my spring cleaning!).  I purchased these jeans for $9, originally $79.95!  Like WHAT?  How crazy is that!  Obviously you can see I love a good bargain.  The jeans fit me like a glove which never happens; I struggle with findings jeans that a) fit my petite figure, b) are actually true tight skinny jeans, and c) don't end up being super baggy at the end of the day, but these are just right… I sound like Goldilocks ;)  The wash on these jeans makes them perfect for a dressed up look, but obviously you can wear them with a casual outfit too because in the end, they're just jeans!  Also, in general Gap has been my favorite store this month, I've been finding such great deals there!

And lastly, I saved my only lifestyle favorite (& most useful) for last, Thank You cards!  Like I said earlier this month, it was my birthday.  I was very spoiled by my family and friends, so it was only right that I sent them a thank you!  I picked these up at TJ Maxx after eyeing them for months, I finally had an excuse to buy them.  They are just too cute!  The brand is George Stanley and for $3.99, you get a 10 count of the most beautifully crafted cards that look much more expensive than they really are.

That's all my favorites for April, well besides one thing, that will be getting it's own blog post because it is just that amazing! Hint: it starts with L, and ends with V… stay tuned to my blog to find out the big reveal! 

♡ Alia

My Top 5 Beach Must Haves

   

    

        For the past couple of weeks, I have be on vacation... who needs college to have a spring break!  If you can't tell from my OOTD  post, I live in a state that has been very cold & snowy, so I was more than excited to hop on a plane and fly to the beautiful, sunshine state, Florida.  Though I have only been here a few weeks, I am kind of a pro (if I must say so myself) at knowing what I need and don't need for the beach.  At home, I spend my summers soaking up the sun, and I vacation at the same beach every fall/winter since I was 6 months old (where I am currently).  Here are "my top 5 beach must haves" for all the upcoming spring breakers,  unexperienced beach go-ers, or anyone who just needs a little bit of sunshine in their life!

#1 SUNSCREEN

Probably the most important "must have" one could take to the beach, and for obvious reasons, to protect your skin!  I'm not going to lecture you because at one point in my life I would fight every adult who would try to convince (or spray me...*cough Grandma cough*) to put sunscreen on.  I used to think my skin didn't need it because of my Italian heritage; I was obviously wrong every time I ended up looking like a red tomato!  Over the years, I have learned the benefits of sunscreen, and that I can still get a nice, healthy tan even after applying it.  My favorite to use is the sunscreen with the dry oil it in, Banana Boat makes a great one.  It doesn't feel oily and you can't even feel it on your skin (except it does smell a little like bananas which is strange!)  You need a sun screen with at least a SPF of 15 to 30… the oil helps you tan, but the SPF prevents burning!

#2 A WELL FITTED BATHING SUIT

I don't care if you're 90 pounds or 200 pounds, if you are not comfortable with the bathing suit you are wearing, you're relaxing day is going to turn into a day full of anxiety.  I am very pleased with my body, but there are times when I do feel uneasy about it; I think every female, even male, can feel that way. Nothing is worse than when you're at the beach where everyone is practically wearing a bra & underwear, and you just feel horrible about yourself.  Wearing something that is going to make you feel comfortable in your own skin will totally change how your day is going to go.  Find the bathing suit that is the right fit for your body type, life style, beliefs, etc.  I know for me, I feel I can be too chesty for how petite I am, therefore, I tend to wear a top that is going to flatter me.  For example, a ruffle or crop top bikini will do the trick; also, I avoid staying away from strapless tops because if not I'll spend all day thinking about if I am spilling out of my top.  Personally, I don't like to show off "everything my momma gave me!"  My favorite store to find bathing suits is Target, it's affordable & they have options for everyone!

#3 FOOD

I love to eat, and I don't know what the sun does to me, but it makes me extra hungry!  I tend to crave healthy foods when I am at the beach because I mean you are spending the day wearing 5 inches of fabric that tend to show off, well everything.  Don't get me wrong, I do chow down on a bag of chips every once in awhile too! Fruit is always good to bring to the beach, it's refreshing & healthy.  Some other foods that have been my favorite this vacation are Stonyfield Whole Milk French Vanilla yogurt mixed with Kind Honey & Oat granola clusters, it's so good!  Tip: You can freeze the yogurt so it cools you down and it even taste a little like ice cream ;)  Another beach fav that isn't too unhealthy- peppers & eggs on Italian bread aka the most DELICIOUS sandwich ever. Honestly, you can bring whatever food floats your boat, but just take something or else you are going to regret it, trust me!  AND don't forget water or another beverage that will keep you & your skin hydrated, you'll be thankful for it later.

#4 ENTERTAINMENT

For me, that means whatever book I'm currently reading on my Nook (wouldn't recommend, never works properly) and my phone, so I can listen to music. This is short & sweet, whatever you can sit hours doing bring it, because after  awhile of listening to children screaming, talking to your friends, or playing beach volleyball with some cute guys you're going to want to have "you time" & relax, after all isn't that what the beach is all about?

#5 TOWEL

A beach towel = a place to sit, a tanning bed, something to dry off the salt water, or a blanket to keep you warm when that cool breeze hits. Let's just say its multi-functional and a must!  My personal fav are the extra large beach towels, it's worth the few extra dollars you'll pay.

I hope you find my beach must haves helpful! 

♡Alia, the beach bum!  

Review | Dessange California Blonde Illuminating Shampoo, Conditioner & Correcting Creme #JadoreDessange

       As a member of Influenster Nation a.k.a influenster.com, I receive complementary products (voxboxes) in the mail from time to to time to test out and review.  The voxbox I am reviewing in this post is called #JadoreDessange, featuring Dessange hair care products which have now launched in the US, having originated in France! I was super excited to receive this box because 1) who doesn't like free things 2) I love French anything, and 3) I recently just re-colored (or should I say bleached) my hair and I was in desperate need of a new shampoo & conditioner to help nourish it.  Anyway, I think it's about time I get to the review, so here are the products & what I think about them! 

I would like to think I am kind of an expert in the blonde hair care department; I have been a (fake) blonde for many years now, and have gotten the hang of how I should treat and take care of it.  With that being said, I have tried out numerous products that claim to do it all for blonde hair.  While some have succeeded greatly, others have failed miserably.  By the way, I do have SUPER thick, wavy (getting curlier) hair so keep that in mind because that does factor into my review and how the products work for me and how they will work for you!  

          This line of hair care, California Blonde, from Dessange is designed for color-treated blonde hair, and includes 4 products (I am only reviewing the 3 listed above).  First, I really enjoy the smell, the second you take off the cap you get a floral scent, but at the same time it smells fresh.  The shampoo & conditioner share the same scent.  It is not overwhelming at all, which I like, if it is going to be on my hair all day I prefer to enjoy the scent.  Now getting down to the real 4-1-1, the shampoo itself has a great formula, not to thick but lathers really nicely.  On the other hand, the conditioner is a bit thicker, yet still very manageable and lathers easily too.  It always leaves my hair feeling silky and soft… yes please!  After rinsing, my hair feels extremely clean but does not feel striped of its natural oils and moisture, something that I prefer.  I loved the idea of the last product, the correcting creme and was most excited to try it out.  The job that it claims to do, illuminating your hair to give your a color a boost and maintain it, actually does work!!! Woohoo! I have used this a couple of times now and my color is definitely not dull; the color is maintaining and does not look brassy at all.  Truthfully, for products that you can buy at Target ("drugstore level"), I would say Dessange is worth a try; not only for the price, but the quality as well.  The shampoo & conditioner retails for $9.99 and the correcting creme "CC' is $11.99…a bargain for salon quality products!

          If you try any of the Dessange products out, let me know what you think below!

                     I received these products complimentary from Influenster for test purposes.  

Review | the Balm MARY-LOU MANIZER aka "The Luminizer" REVIEW

Can we please just talk about how cute this packaging is?! 

        my thoughts:

           The second I took this product out of the package, I knew I was going to be in love with it.  First of all, the color of this product is beautiful, the sparkle is amazing.  I quickly swatched it and could not believe the pigmentation; one little touch and I had this beautiful, opaque champagne powder on my finger.  This highlighter gives the most amazing glow to your face; I usually just brush it on my upper cheek bones and a smidge going down my nose.  A little secret, only highlight places you want people to notice, not places that you DON'T want to draw attention to!  When the sun hits this product your face just instantly lights up, and gives the most amazing finish to your makeup.  I have a very tiny face so I tend not to highlight a lot of places because I feel that it could easily overpower me and all the other makeup I have on… for people with normal sized faces, some other places that are great to highlight are your eyebrow bone & cupids bow.  Just be careful of how much product you use, you can always add more.  I would start with just a little at a time; I recommend maybe one or two brush strokes… you don't want to start to look like a disco ball! 

extra info:

         The Balm considers this product to be a highlighter / shadow / shimmer, so therefore it has multiple uses! The Mary-Lou Manizer retails for $24 on the Balm's website; I do know that other stores sell the Balm products as well.  Hautelook, where I scored mine for $12, often carries the Balm cosmetics, so if you are interested keep your eyes out!


♡Alia 

OOTD| Stars & Stripes

Sweater: H&M
Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Cross Body Bag (in black & white stripe)

 Jeans: Just Black (purchased at a local boutique)

Booties: Steve Madden "Madden Girl"in style, Krando

What's In My Bag?

P.S. The coloring is a little off, the sun was being a pain! It is more like the pictures below.

P.P.S. Unfortunately, I looked online & this bag is no longer available :( 

                

From left to right:

Lint roller from Forever 21, iPhone 5S,  Tory Burch Robinson Zip Continental Wallet in Ocelot Leopard,  Seven 4 All Mankind sunglasses, Trident Layers Candy Cane gum, Palmer's Cocoa Butter lip balm, L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in 370 Jennifer's Nude , Cadbury Caramello chocolate bar, Eccolo notebook, Apple headphones, Susan Branch pen 


           As you all probably know, women have a tendency to keep their whole lives in their handbags.  I have been very guilty of this in the past.  Yet, because of this bag's larger size, I've tried to keep it pretty simple & neat.  If you're not careful, bags like this can easily become bottomless pits!
I'm only going to talk about a few of the items listed above, here are just a few of my essentials that make it from bag to bag!
To start off with my #1 essential (& my favorite) a wallet; this one is a Tory Burch wallet that I got for my birthday last year.  I love anything Tory, but this is truly the best wallet ever.  Even if you are just running errands, it is great to take on it's own.  This wallet holds so much & can even fit my case-less iPhone in it, plus the pattern is so fun!  Sunglasses are a must, especially if you're having a no makeup day!  I found these adorable Seven 4 All Mankind sunglasses, that fit my pea-size head perfectly, at Marshall's for super cheap.  Next essential on the list, chocolate!  Chocolate is a great snack to have in your bag, and is a must have if you get hangry (hungry + angry) like me, any snack will do though.  Clearly, I like to be healthy ;)  Also, I always have gum because who likes bad breath?  No one.  And last but not least, lip balm.  I have it on me at all times because chapped lips are just not attractive!

I would love to hear what some of your bag essentials are, so please list them in the comments below! 

♡Alia