Review ~ Benefit They're Real Mascara

If any of you know me personally or follow this blog, you know that I adore mascara. I love to try all different brands, high end and drugstore. I am super picky when it comes to mascara, and if it flakes on my face, it gets returned for sure. 

Today I am reviewing  the "They're Real" Mascara from Benefit. I have heard mixed reviews, and I wanted to see for myself. The wand is dome shaped,  it has a little ball on the end so you can get into the inner corner lashes, so thats nice, however, don't poke your eye with it ~ Ouch! The description states that it lengthens, curls, volumes, lifts and separates. Also, that it won't dry out or flake. Sounded good to me!

Overall, it is not my favorite mascara, however it was good. It did not flake, it was very black, it separated the lashes. I didn't feel it curled very well and it is SUPER hard to take off ~ Get out your Olive Oil girls! I am not sure that I will repurchase it but this is just my first impression, maybe it will grow on me, pardon the pun!

Hope this post was helpful.. I should have done a before and after picture… But this is what my eyes look like open and closed with the mascara. Sorry about the weird eye pictures, and they are kinda blurry! oh well, you get the point.
 This is only one coat of mascara, I am sure if I built it up it would be more dramatic. 

Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie

I know Thanksgiving is over, and I should be posting about peppermint, but my pumpkin love still continues! I have come up with a treat like protein smoothie that tastes like pumpkin pie.. its full of protein, vitamin A, d and C and tastes amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie

1 cup milk of choice, Almond, Rice, or Regular milk.

half cup of canned pumpkin puree

half tsp. of pumpkin pie spice

half tsp of cinnamon

1 scoop of your favorite protein powder, mine is plant based vanilla

1 banana

half tsp. vanilla extract

1 T. Honey

add some crushed ice and blend!

YUMM!

~ Whip cream optional :)

This is how I feel every fall!

Homemade brush cleaner

Why buy expensive brush cleaner when you can make your own! Use this favorite recipe to get all the grime off your make up brushes and they will smell so good too!



 Brush Cleaner

1 cup distilled water
2T. rubbing alcohol
1T. baby shampoo


fill a shallow bowl with the cleanser and swirl the brush all around. Let it sit for a bit and then rinse it in clean water. I like to fill another bowl with water and let the brush soak for a few minutes. Then wipe off the brush on a clean paper towel and air dry!

Holiday Gift Guide

Hi Everyone ~ I wanted to pass along some great holiday gift item picks. You can give these gifts to your mom, a teacher, a friend, a sister, daughter, babysitter or anyone on your gift list.

First up ~  Ciate Nailpolish gift set… who doesn't like a new set of nailpolish. This pick is adorable in individual ornaments, so you could give someone the whole kit, or separate them and pair it with another small gift such as a candle or a lipgloss and you have 6 difference gifts!

Lip gloss ~ a great stocking stuffer! My pick is the Lancome Juicy Tubes

Perfume ~ I love buying the roller ball sets, they are cheaper, and are so much more convenient. You can try out multiple fragrances for half the price of a full size bottle. It is also nice that you can throw them on your purse too! My pick is the Marc Jacobs Trio Set

Candles ~ This is so hard to pick one, there are SO many kinds of candles I like. But since this is a Holiday gift guide, I am going to pick a beautiful and festive candle, and that is Nest Holiday Scented Candle. It is a classy, gorgeous, festive and smells of the holidays.

Hand Cream sets or Bath and body sets… my pick is… Philosophy The cookie exchange, how adorable and fitting for the season,  who doesn't like to smell like frosting :)! As a girl who likes to bake a lot  ~ I know I would find this gift so "SWEET."

My hand cream/ lip balm pick is Bliss Mistle toe musts… How cute is this hand cream / lip balm duo! Great products for on your bedside table, moisturize your hands and lips before bed!

Hope this was helpful, have fun shopping! Happy Holidays!

Natural Beauty tricks

I have really gotten into the natural side of beauty, products in my pantry that can produce results even better than high end skin care products. It is also nice to know you are using natural products free of all the yucky chemicals.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a great toner for the skin, it is antibacterial and will balance the skins PH level, it is also great to use it full strength when you have an active break out. Coconut oil is also a wonderful spot treatment for acne. I know, why would you put oil on acne?  It works, trust me. I have a post on Coconut Oil.. read that for more information.

 Baking Soda is wonderful for exfoliating the skin. Mix it with your favorite cleanser or make a paste with some water and scrub the dead skin away.

For a nice body scrub, mix some sea salt along with baby oil and brown sugar. Scrub away for a spa like shower experience at a fraction of the price!



Your next beauty treatment is just as far as your pantry!

Worth The Hype ~ Beauty Blender

The Beauty Blender, my new favorite thing.  If you have not heard of it, it is a cute pink sponge used to apply your make up. The smaller pointy side is great for patting in your concealer while the bigger side is great for applying your foundation. The trick is to wet the sponge, squeeze the excess water, (the sponge will then double in size) and apply your make - up with the damp sponge. The result is a nice airbrushed finish.

I bought this sponge at Sephora over the summer, and wasn't expecting to love it as much as I do. I reach for it everyday and it is worth the money. My only suggestion is that when you wash it after every use, use a bar of white dove soap. Beauty Blender sells a cleanser, however the dove soap gets it just as clean, smells nice and is cheaper!

Raw Honey for your face!

Raw Honey... not your typical honey that comes in the little squeeze bear that has goopy, processed, thick, sticky honey. Raw Honey in it's unprocessed form, I am obsessed. I put it in my tea, give the kids a spoonful for their cough, spread it on my toast, ahh..  as it melts I spread a little almond butter ( when my son with allergies is at school) and sprinkle some cinnamon, pure YUM. But aside from eating it, Raw Honey is amazing for your skin.  It is naturally PH balanced you can use it as a cleanser mixed with a little water, or apply it as a mask.  It is super hydrating.  Raw Honey also is great for acne and enlarged pores, rosacea, eczema, hyperpigmentation, sensitive, mature, dull and lifeless skin. Honey is a natural antiseptic and is antimicrobial. It heals cuts and burns by killing bacteria, It also contains gluconic acid that brightens the complexion. 

 If you don't want to spread honey all over your face look for products with honey in them!