Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Pantone Color of 2015

In case no one has told you, Marsala is the color of the year, according to Pantone (the color Gods). How should you wear this color? Lips, shoes, purse, tops, pants, you name it!
Get your Marsala on (and here I was thinking it was just a food this whole time!). 

Routine Round Up

I feel like I have been posting a lot about facial products that I like but I can't help it - great skin is the key to life (...or something like that). So, I'm back to share my daily routine that has been working wonders for my skin over the past few weeks. In the winter months, it's easy to continue your routine of harsh toners and washes but it's important to moisturize all year long. Your skin in the winter gets dry and tight so here are some products that may save you.
For starters, I use this Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash year-round because it's dermatologist-recommended and does the trick for me. It's simple and works.
Next, I use this Ultra Facial Toner by Kiehl's. It looks, feels and goes on more like a lotion. It's definitely not a harsh toner that burns your skins and kills everything in sight.
My final step is this Nutriganics Serum by The Body Shop. It was on clearance for $10 and is great for anti-aging (never too soon to start fighting those wrinkles, gal pals!) so I thought I'd try it out...I was out of face lotion anyway. This product is my favorite! It glides on like silk and unlike some serums, doesn't have a greasy feel.
My skin feels amazing - give it a go!

These Lips Don't Lie...Well, Maybe a Little

I was just as intrigued as the next gal to find out how Kylie Jenner's lips suddenly got so plump and amazing. I mean, they honestly changed the way her whole face looks. So...I started Googling. And voila - I found the answer I needed. Not plastic surgery as I had worried. Instead, it's just a makeup trick being used since Marilyn Monroe's day - overlining! So, obvi I had to give this a go. I found a good color to try at The Body Shop (although, I know Miss Jenner uses Soar by MAC).
The key is to not overline all the way around your lips...mostly just the "v" at the top of your top lip and in the center on the bottom of your lower lip. Then, line the rest of your lip as you would normally...on the actual lip line. To achieve the look completely, you need to have a matte lip so just use the lip liner to fill in  your lips completely. Using a gloss can cast shine on your natural lip line and ruin the whole effect.
For some diminsion, you can add a lighter color on your bottom lip in the middle (a powder, lighter lip product, etc).
Above is a step-by-step of how I did mine and on the right, the finished look!

Cold Doesn't Have to be Ugly

Listen...if anyone gets the severity and annoyance of cold weather, it's me. Coming off my high of living in Florida for the past 3 years, I totally understand every aspect that makes winter difficult. There is the snow that makes driving difficult and dangerous, there is the brutal chilling wind that burns your face and the worst, chapped lips and dry cuticles (am I right?).Well, tragic fashion doesn't have to be part of this season. Get yourself a cute pair of snow boots, for starters. They are necessary and don't have to be tragically manly. I just purchased a pair of Herringbone Sorels that are a game-changer! Toss on a cute oversized sweater and a cute hat and you'll be a precious little snow bunny...or something like that. 

Two Sides to Every...Earring?

I've been sooo wanting to try this trend and finally, I pulled the trigger on a pair that I found to be very "Kacey" in nature. While picking up a pair of work heels (bor-ing) at DSW, I noticed these guys (I believe they were $10) and had to have them. They are worn as normal earrings and when putting them in, you just use the larger side as the "back" of the earring. How fun! With your hair down, it's a bit harder to see the glam-ness of these but with a sassy pony, they'd be the perfect accessory! What a perfect unexpected find!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Bought, Tried, Loved: My Current Faves

I love taking chances on products. There is some sort of thrill I get from feeling like I'm on the verge of finding my new absolutely can't live without product. Above are some of my recently-purchased products that I can't get enough of.
Let's start chatting about them...the first product I'd like to rave about is the facial brush in the top left corner. I bought mine at HomeGoods...yes, HomeGoods. My face feels noticeably more clean after using this in conjunction with my favorite face wash (Neutrogena). Best part of this brush is that I like it better than the electronic version, yet it was under $5.
Next up, the Sonicare. My mom and dad swear by these electronic toothbrushes and bought my boyfriend and I matching ones for Christmas. What a gift! Never have my teeth felt cleaner! I can't imagine now going back to manual brushing. Yes, these are a little pricey. However, dentists insist that these are a necessary part of dental hygiene. You can find these at Target, Walmart, etc.
Burt's Bees facial cleansing clothes (cucumber) was another win for me. I typically use Neutrogena makeup removing cleansing clothes but wanted to switch it up. The cucumber scent is refreshing and soothing at the same time. Not to mention, definitely comparable in price to other wipe options.
This Dove shampoo (Oxygen line) is fabulous! If for nothing else, the scent is addictive. My hair feels squeaky clean and the Oxygen condition makes my hair feel like silk. I will be buying this again when it's time to restock (rare for me...I like experimenting).
This navy Revlon polish (in Urban) is my winter must-have for my nails! Don't get me wrong, I'm as into Linkin Park after Dark as the next gal but sometimes you need a fresher option. Navy nails are a bit more unexpected and of course, trendy.
This Origins GinZing eye cream is a Monday morning savior! This cream brightens your eye area and wakes those peepers up. I'm not a morning person so God bless this heavenly product! Thank you, Origins.
Garnier does it again...they have created this Blackhead Eliminating Scrub and it works! I originally purchased this for my boyfriend but have since then, stolen it for myself. This product contains charcoal which helps combat the dirt, oil and impurities that cause blackheads. Well done, Garnier...well done.

There you have it - if you are looking for some new products to take some chances on, I've laid them out for you!

Find of the Day

Black booties...I mean, you need a pair...or five. Well, I've found a great pair for under $60 at ASOS. I love that these boots have a wooden chunky heel. Anyways, cheers to this sale! These booties are made for walking...in style. 


No Cuts, Just Contour

I can't say that I, myself, have hopped on the contour train...however, I can say that I'm completely mesmerized by the drastic results I've seen when it's done properly. Take Kim Kardashian for example...I would have bet money that she had a nose job. Turns out...evidently, she didn't...it is just intensely contoured makeup that is strategically placed to make the bridge of her nose look slimmer and her nose look overall smaller. Well-played, Kim. Here is a lineup of contouring makeup that is the best of the best.
Have at it! May the contouring odds be ever in your favor.
Photo: Polyvore