Mani Monday!

NEW SERIES ALERT!

Hello my loves, I am starting a new series for you all; MANI MONDAY!  Over the years, I have collected A LOT.. and I mean a lot of fingernail polish!  So, what better way to not only let me try on and wear all of my colors, than to also share my likes and dislikes and well, my collection with you!  So, every Monday, I will have a new post with what I think of the brand, the color, the formula, etc!

So, I'll stop rambling and let's get started with our first Mani Monday!

________________________________________________________


Today, I'm bringing you a hidden gem I found in the clearance section at Walgreens!
I have always been a huge fan of Essie brand nail polishes.  Never chips easily on me, super glossy, drys super quick, and just looks amazing!

(side note, my cuticles might not look beautiful, as I'm trying to get them healthy again, any suggestions? Let me know below!)

Essie Virgin Snow

This color is so unique!  This icy frozen lavender with a hint of blue, is honestly perfect all year round!  I thought it would look best in the winter (hence the name), but it's spring time and I think I shall wear this all spring/summer long! 

Color: Beautiful and very pigmented

Application: I only had to put two applications of this on!  If I went a little heavier on the first application, I probably could have gotten away with it.

Longevity: With the right top coat (below), this lasts a good week for me with no chipping!  If there is any chipping, it's very minimal! Another thing that helps prevent chipping, is coating your tips to lock it all in.

Price: Worth it - Cheaper than OPI, and I like Essie better than OPI (personal opinion!)

Top Coat: Seiche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

This is by far the best top coat I have every used!  It seriously dries in 5 seconds!  I've never seen something so amazing before.  And you can get this from the drugstore! WIN!

Color: Clear and SUPER glossy!

Application: You add a thick layer on your color and it goes on ever so smoothly!  

Longevity: This sucker doesn't move until you're ready for it to!

Price: I would pay more for it!

ONLY CON: This top coat does warn everyone in their description that their is some type of chemical in it, that if you're pregnant, do not use this as it may cause birth defects.  So if you're pregnant, DON'T USE!  If you aren't pregnant, you do you boo!  I'll use it until I either find something better and/or the day I have little minions.

I do hope you enjoyed this FIRST Mani Monday!  I'm excited for next Monday's Mani day! =)

If you like this series I have decided to start, please leave a comment and subscribe so you IMMEDIATELY see all my posts as soon as they go live!

And as always, it's just a little Grace. 

Baby, All I Want For Christmas

What's on your Christmas List this year?

Just a few little things I have either wanted over the past few years, or a few things I have been dreaming of for the past few months, and/or I already own, and I want more colors of (Coach pumps).

But, the one thing I am most excited about is the fact that I get to go home for Christmas!  I haven't been home for two years and it has been so hard for me!  Now, this year I get to finally enjoy my family's Annual Christmas Eve Breakfast, Christmas Day, and family and friends.  Coming from a family where you have 3 siblings and two parents; it's hectic, wild, and obnoxious!  And, ya know what, I love every second of it!  So, though I really want these things under the tree this year, at the end of the day, I know I'll be so blessed to just be with my family. 

 So, I give you this food for thought. Enjoy the time you have with your loved ones. Surround yourself with them.  It's not just about what is given to us or what we give to others. It's about the birth of Jesus Christ, his journey, and his life he gave up for every one of us. Surround yourself with love and cheer and be grateful for that love. 

Isaiah 9:6 For us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.



Shop These Items:

From me to you, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and remember, it's just a little Grace. 

Luminous Natural | Makeup Look

I'm not a fan of the colder months.  My skin isn't a fan of the colder months.  I think the only thing I honestly get excited about is that these months will mean I can get my booty on the slopes and so some skiing! 

Over the past few years, I have found out that my skin gets very dry in the winter.  So bad that it hurts to talk, so I have to make sure whatever I put on my face, doesn't worsen it.  I try to use very minimal products and powder products as possible to help prevent that.

I have been putting these products together for that past few weeks and haven't had a huge issue with my skin at all.  Very natural, light, and luminous!  Yes, I still use some pore filling products, only because I have some pores that could scare grown men! 

Face:

 Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel 

• Very light weight, gel like moisturizer.  Sinks into the skin quickly, leaving your face very soft and non-greasy.

the POREfessional Face Primer 

• With just a small amount, I fill in my pores around my nose.  lasts all day with minimizing the appearance of my pores and not to mention, it smells amazing.

L'OREAL True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup color: N1-2

• two pumps for my face will give me a medium coverage without looking/feeling too heavy or cakey.  No one is about that cake face!  I either use a damp beauty blender or my Morphe M439 Delux Buffer Brush <-- current fav.

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer color: Neutralizer

• Just a little under my eyes, on my chin, and down my nose; I then blend it out with whatever I use for my foundation that day.  Blends very well and lightens up those areas just a little.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder 

• Using this only wherever I put concealer, I have to set my concealer or it will settle into my lines under my eyes and I'm not about that life! This product also brightens up the under eye a little and smooths any imperfection out - It's worth the $$

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer 

• My ride or die!  Perfect for bronzing and a little contouring on the face.  Just the right amount of ashy undertones, yet still will warm up the face.  Blends perfectly and just livens the face up in the right areas.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Blush Palette 

• 4 blushes in one?  for $6?! Okay, these blushes are super pigmented, you HAVE to be careful when applying - a little goes a long way!  Decent blend ability, but definitely worth the price!

Eyes:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz color: Soft Brown

• Glides on like butter and blends nicely into my eyebrows.  My eyebrows don't match each other so I have to take a lot of time doing my brows, or I'll look lop-sided.  I've only been using this product for a few weeks now and I have fallen in love!  My color, soft brown, is the perfect match for me and just looks natural on my face.  I'm not about the bold harsh eyebrows, no.

bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara

• Some of the best mascara I have encountered in a really long time!  Lengthens and volumizes my lashes.  WARNING: Not waterproof, so don't go sheddin' any tears wearing this stuff.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Baked Eyeshadow Trio 

• This trio is quick and easy!  Blends beautifully.  I put the medium color over my entire lid, then barely put the lighter color of top of the medium color in the middle of my eye.  I then take the darker shade and just darken up my outer corners a bit just do give my eyes a little more dimension.  Very natural for an every day look!

Lips:

NARS Audacious Lipstick color: Anita - Antique Rose

• Don't even get me started on this lipstick.  It's my favorite!  I seriously wear the poo out of it, it's not even funny!  A very "your lips but better" color!  Favors a neutral-mauve on my lips, which I love!  Glides on like butter with more of a matte finish without drying my lips out!  If I need a little extra help on my lips, I just add a little chapstick before applying this lip.  

As always, from me to you, it's gust a little Grace.

Fall Drugstore Foundations

We all know that when it comes to finding your "perfect" foundation, it takes some time. You have to try to match your colors, make sure it doesn't cling on to try patches, and so much more!  It's a process for us ladies, isn't it?  Matter of fact, it can be a little stressful! That's why I'm here to hopefully ease that stress a little and give you my Fall Drugstore Foundations.

The cold air has finally arrived, and that means I'm making sure to really find the perfect foundation for me.  As I've said before, I have combo skin.  This means I have not oily and not dry skin; this lady has a little bit of both.  My T-Zone gets oily throughout the day, whereas the rest of my skin stays normal.

In the fall and winter months, I like to try and have more of a matte finish to my foundations.  It's just what I like personally and it works with my skin.  I recently posted a picture on Facebook & Instagram of a picture from a football game, and I'll tell you that when everyone asked about my foundation, I mean EVERYONE asked about it!  So, I figured I would let you all know what I have been using, as well as the second drugstore foundation I have been using if I want not so much matte-ness (I'm making up words now) going on.

Now, if you have combination skin like me, you'll love both of these foundations.  Especially you oilier ladies because these foundations have a matte finish, so it'll help hide your oils.

If you are those women who have more dry skin, you might not like these foundations, but you can always try and work with the foundation if you want to try it.  For example, mix the foundation with a face oil or you could even mix it with a foundation more for dry skin.

I have very light skin complexion with some gold undertones and a hint of red/pink undertones; so luckily when I look for foundation colors, I can kind of work with either yellow, neutral, and pink based.  It just depends on the brand and how my skin takes it.  But most of the time, I try to stay neutral.

So, if you are a Curious George like I normally am, just keep on scrolling to hear about my fall foundations!

This image with Mr. Man was the day I was wearing this, and I can honestly tell you that it stayed on all day!  I had so many compliments on my skin and what foundation it was, so I thought I would share with everyone!  I've been wearing it off and on for a good year now and it is one of my go to's for sure.  And, hello it's drugstore!

 L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation ($12.00)

You can find this foundation at ANY drugstore!  I know CVS and Wallgreens always have BOGO deals.  My color is #102 Shell Beige; yep I'm a whitey, but I'm proud of it!

My baby sister, Annie got me hooked back onto this foundation.  I actually used to wear this back in the good 'ol days in high school and once I ran out, I just told myself I wanted to try something else.  Well thank you Annie-Pot for getting me back on this band wagon!  

L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Make-Up ($6.00-$10.00)

You can also find this at any drugstore near you!  And they have a very nice variety of colors for all skin tones.  My color I'm currently working with is N2 Classic Ivory.  

I'm telling ya, ladies why did I ever not go back to this until now?! 

I highly recommend both of these this fall and winter!  I haven't had any issues with with clinging to any dry patches or oxidizing on my skin.  And it's NOT CAKEY!  I can't stand those foundations that seriously makes your face look so heavy and caked up with makeup.  I do know that once I start self-tanning again, I'll have to change up my colors.  

I hope this has helped you and given you a little more insight on some good foundations for the fall and for those ladies with combo and/or oily skin...and dry skin if you just add some face oils to it =)

If this is something you enjoyed, please subscribe so you can get the first look at what and when I post new blogs!  Please let me know in the comment box below on what you want to see next as I love to hear your feedback.

And as always, from me to you, it's just a little Grace.

Let's talk about skin baby!

I know everyone has their own different techniques into their skincare routines.  Let's face it, every single one of us has completely different skin!  For example, I have pretty normal/combo skin; My T-Zone gets a little oily throughout the day, and the rest of my face is pretty normal.  But, in the winter, I'm a lot more on the dry side, so I really have to watch my skin when seasons change.  Most of us have to do that.

Lately, I have been really into this skincare routine at night, mainly because it is quick and easy and only takes a good 5 minutes of my evening.  Some of these things might be good for your skin, and some might not.  But, if you have about the same type of skin I do, I would highly recommend trying these products out!

Now, this routine is just what I normally do about every night.  Some nights I like to go into a deep cleanse with a mud mask or something, but that is another blog in itself.  If you want to see what I do every night, then just keep on scrolling!

Step One:  I like to get rid of as much make up before actually washing my face.  This takes me about 30 seconds to a minute, depending on the makeup I had on that day.  Lately, I have been using the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes; they come in a 4 pack and a 5 pack at Sam's Club, so more bang for you buck!  You can get them at your local Sam's Club or even online from $11.00 to $13.00.  If you aren't a member with Sam's Club, you can find these anywhere!  I just really like to find some good deals when I can.

Step Two:  You can call these two a match made perfect!  I normally have a hard time trying to find a good drug store face wash, just because my face can be a Diva at times.  Though I do not have any acne, except for those wonderful days each month; ladies you know what I'm talking about, I have been using the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Smoothing Cream Cleanser ($10) with my Clarisonic Mia2 Sonic Cleansing System  (price varies on what style/package you want).  I like using cold water on my face when washing, just because there have always been studies on colder water and keeping your face looking younger longer, because of your elasticity...Gotta keep that face looking fresh and young!  

I wet my face with cold water, then apply the cream cleanser with it covering my whole face.  I do this just because I know I'm getting it all over, rather than just putting it on the brush.  I get the brush head wet with water and 30 seconds on your forehead, 30 seconds on your t-zone and 10 seconds on each side of your face (it beeps when it's time to change the area).  It's that easy!  After I rinse my face off with cold water, I take a face towel and PAT my face dry; do not rub.  If you pat, you help prevent stretching out your skin and have less of a chance getting those wrinkles.  All about that elasticity, my loves!

You can purchase the cream cleanser at pretty much any drug store near you.  Now as a reminder, when using a Clarisonic, you DO NOT want to use any cleansers that have beads in them; unless you want to completely ruin your Clarisonic - no bueno!  I love me some QVC, and found a great deal on my Clarisonic.  Those "easy payments" come and go, so it's all about searching and waiting.  If you want a good deal on a clarisonic, I would highly recommend keeping your eye on QVC.  I got mine with a year supply of brush heads and it was on 3 easy payments!  

Step Three:  I have always had time with moisturizers.  When my skin wants to be a little high maintenance, it can be very picky on which moisturizers it'll take to.  Currently, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel ($26) has been my ride or die.  I have not found anything from the drug store yet that'll not make my face break out.  So for now, this is my love. 

I take 1 to 2 baby pumps into the palm of my hand.  I generously distribute it and rub it into my skin. I try to move my hands inward rather than outward just to prevent stretching out my skin.  Momma doesn't want wrinkles anytime soon!

Another moisturizer I have really enjoyed (I ran out) has been the Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer.  I would use this either in the morning or summer months.  It smells so good and left my skin feeling wonderful!

Step Four:  When you get a sample from Sephora, you gotta try it out, right??  And that's what I have been doing!  I got this Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream  ($30 full size).  I barely put my finger in the pod and put little dots under my eyes.  I've had this for months and you can see I have barely made a dent in the sample size.  I take my ring finger and start to pat.  I move inward with light patting motions; you do not want to rub, as we are trying to prevent those wrinkles.  Normally, If I have a little excess on my finger, I'll just dab it on the upper part of my eye.  

See, that was pretty simple, right?  As I mentioned before, I understand everyone has their own skincare routine.  I ain't judging!  This is what I do and if anyone has similar skin to mine, you can always try these products out!  I did not purchase these things at one time.  I did a lot of research and found the best deals as I could.  So, of course I always recommend waiting on a good deal!  

If this is something you enjoyed, please let me know in the comment box below!  I love to hear your feedback!

And as always, from me to you, it's just a little Grace.

Wicked Wednesday's

Top Halloween Makeup

Tick-Tock! Tick-Tock!
Halloween is a time for people to put on their scary mask and wear a crazy costume and enjoy a fun night out with your friends.  I've seen so many AMAZING makeup looks this year that I have either seen on Pinterest or I've actually watched from some of my favorite YouTube makeup artists.

What I'm getting at for Halloween 2015, is that it seems to be all about the face.  In my eyes, that's what I see.  From slapping on some paint and being a vampire, to pop art comics; it's pretty impressive.

Now, I'm no makeup artist, and maybe one day I can be this creative, but for now, I just want to share with you all what my favorite looks are that I've seen this October that made my jaw drop and my mouth go "wow".

I think every single one of these looks are completely different and just so creative in their own way; they all inspire me to be the best I can be, to push myself to go as far as I can go, to believe in myself and just do it.  

So, if you are looking for a little last minute halloween makeup inspiration, I HIGHLY suggest checking these out!  Recreate it!  I know I'm going to try ;-)

And as always, please let me know what you thought in the comment section and give me your questions!  

From me to you, it's just a little Grace.