Recent Beauty Purchases 13

1. bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder in Translucent: This setting powder is fine. It does the job in terms of setting my foundation and minimizing the appearance of pores. I have no complaints about it.

2. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer Slicking Hair Serum Wand: I really like this product! It has a mascara-like wand and works great at taming those random little fly-away hairs. I took this with me when we were in Europe and it was great at touching up my hair throughout the day. I also just have a random little section of hair that curls weird so this is great at smoothing that out.

3. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Hot Cocoa: I really really like the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms but this is not my favorite flavor. (I always feel weird saying flavor since you don't eat it but I don't know how else to describe it!) It does have a strong chocolate scent, very much like hot cocoa, but to me it's just kind of weird. It works the same as any of the other flavors but just this particular one isn't my favorite.

4. JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream: I was a little disappointed with this product and ended up returning it. I've really been trying to figure out a way to air dry style my hair and was hoping this would help but it really doesn't do anything at all. I have other products that work way better at reducing frizz and this really didn't offer any hold or anything. 

5. Josie Maran - Whipped Argan Oil Firming Body Butter in Vanilla Vibezzz: I really really like this body butter! I first got a free sample in an order and decided to buy the full size, but they were out when I was in store so I bought the mini size, then after returning a couple of things I ended up just ordering the full size online. It's a little pricier than I would normally spend on a body butter but I figured if it works and I like it then I might as well just get it! 

It has a very light scent which I like. So if you are someone who likes fragrances then you probably won't really care for this. I did find that the sample size and the mini size seemed to smell better than the full size for some reason. That was disappointing because I do like the light scent.

Anyways, I've had really dry hands lately (just the time of year and I wash my hands a lot) and this seems to work very well for me. It's a little bit greasy but does rub in very well. So many lotions and body butters I've tried will just leave my hands feeling dry again as soon as it absorbs into my skin. I can use this and my hands will stay moisturized for a long time.

6. SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Contour Stick in 01 Fair to Light: This was another item I returned. I was really hoping it would work but it was extremely hard to blend and had a very gray tint to it. I tried using it directly on my skin and also tried putting it on a brush and then blending but neither option worked very well. It just didn't work for me.

Have you purchased any new beauty products lately?

Recent Purchases 16

1. Fit & Flare Crepe Midi Dress in Black Floral, Dark Mauve, Black Jack and Dark Green: So I initially purchased this dress in just the black floral, but once I received the order and tried it on, I liked it so much I ordered it in all of the colors! I've never done that before, but I just really like this dress! It fits so well and looks so nice! It's just the right length and sleeve length, the material feels very nice, not too heavy but not too thin. And it has pockets! I did end up returning the Dark Mauve, I just didn't care for the color on me. But otherwise I am very happy with this dress! It has definitely become my favorite dress!

2. Chiffon Skirt | Printed in Navy: I really like this skirt! I saw it at Uniqlo and was disappointed they didn't have it in store in my size, but luckily I was able to order it online! The online images don't do it justice. It's very pretty and flowy and feels like very nice quality. I know I will get a lot of use out of it!

3. Lace Sweater in Green: I ordered this from Uniqlo as well. It's not something I would typically order, which I guess is why I like it, as it's different than something I would typically buy. But I liked the color and thought it would be fun to wear. 

4. Button-Down Flannel Tunic in Gray Plaid and Burgundy Plaid: I ended up returning these. I like the look of flannels on other people but I just didn't like how they looked on me. 

5. Vince Camuto Ladies' Hooded Full-Zip Jacket in Tan: I picked this up while at Costco recently because I needed a nicer jacket. I really only have a rain jacket and a winter coat, so I needed something nicer to wear if I'm wearing a dress or nicer clothes. This was very reasonably priced and is very nice quality for the price. I haven't gotten a chance to wear it yet as it's been too warm, but I know it will get a lot of use out of it this winter.

Have you purchased any new clothes lately?

Recent Beauty Purchases 12

1. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Pink Sugar: I liked the brown sugar lip butter balm so much I purchased another in the pink sugar! It was sold out last time I ordered so I was glad to be able to try it and I like it just as much as the brown sugar. It's probably one of the only lip balms I've ever tried that actually feels like it is moisturizing. It's glossy feeling without being sticky.

2. Dae shampoo & conditioner: This shampoo and conditioner smells so nice but seems like it's maybe a bit too moisturizing for my hair. I have pretty "normal" hair, meaning my hair isn't particularly dry or oily so it's hard to find something that isn't going to make my hair dry or oily. I like it every once in a while but it's not something I can use all the time.

3. Sephora brow pencil: I didn't really care for this brow pencil. It seemed kind of waxy when applying and it seemed like I used it up pretty quickly. I typically buy these $3 e.l.f. brand ones and I just felt like there wasn't enough of a increase in quality to justify the higher price point. The color selection on the Sephora ones is definitely better than the e.l.f. ones though. So overall just okay.

4. dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream: I did not like this styling cream at all and ended up returning it. It really didn't do anything for me. It felt sticky and weird on my hair. I was hoping it would help to tame frizz and flyaways but I just really didn't like how it felt.

5. Klorane Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner with Mango: I've been using this shampoo and conditioner for a little while now and I like it pretty well. I have been looking for a good shampoo and conditioner for such a long time. I had been using the Amika Normcore for a while and I started to notice a lot of fallout when washing my hair. After looking at recent reviews it seems like a lot of people have had the same problem.

After using the Klorane I've noticed that my hair looks and feels clean after washing but doesn't feel stripped like a lot of shampoos will do. My hair feels really soft, has shine, and doesn't look quite as frizzy either. I really like using this in combination with the Bumble and bumble primer I talk about below.

This shampoo and conditioner is listed as being for dry hair, and as I mentioned with the Dae shampoo above my hair is pretty "normal", but, unlike with the Dae shampoo this doesn't seem to make my hair feel too moisturized (by that I just mean the feeling like there is a film on my hair or like it's too greasy from the conditioner.).

So while this maybe isn't the greatest ever shampoo, it's okay for now. I still would like to find something better.

6. BondiBoost Flex & Shine Hairspray with Marine Algae & Seaweed Extract: I really wanted to like this but the fragrance was SO incredibly strong I had to return it. It worked well and had just the right amount of light, flexible hold, but 3 days after applying the scent was just as strong as the day I sprayed it and I just couldn't take it. I am sensitive to fragrances so this was a huge no for me. It wasn't even like they were trying to make it smell floral or like a perfume type of fragrance, it just smelled like any cheap hairspray you would buy at Walmart or something. Which was disappointing because it's non-aerosol so it doesn't have all the propellants like the vast majority of other hairsprays have. It has more natural ingredients so I was really hoping this would have worked out. I just wish they wouldn't have added the fragrance to it!

7. Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave In Conditioner Primer: I really like this primer. I had purchased the mini a while back to try and then had to get the full sized version during Sephora's next sale. It works great at taming flyaway/frizz and helping my hair to look sleek and shiny. 

Art first I wasn't sure if this really made much of a difference, but I decided to not use it a few times and definitely noticed a difference in the amount of flyaways and frizz. I also like that it is a heat protectant. I don't blow dry my hair but I do heat style it 1-2 times a week.

So this is one product I would highly recommend trying if you deal with frizz or flyaways, if you're looking for a heat protectant, or just want something to make your hair look healthier or shinier!

Have you purchased or tried any new beauty products lately? Or do you have any products that you really love?

Recent Purchases 15

This is a longer one today! I placed a large Old Navy order after a recent 40% off sale and wanted to share what I purchased. Most of these were all items I was needing for our trip to Europe plus a few items I've been needing in general. Fortunately almost all of these items worked out for me!

Anyways, here is what I got!

1. Stretch Ankle Golf Pants in Navy: The length is a little confusing on these. I'm 5'8" and these are full length on me. I just do not like wearing jeans and have really been trying to find pants that are not jeans. I found these on Amazon and decided to give them a try. I do really like these. I think they're maybe a little pricey for what they are but they're very comfortable and come in a variety of colors.

I brought these with me while I was in Europe and they are very lightweight and didn't take up much room in my suitcase which is definitely a plus! And the athletic/stretchy material was very comfortable for all the activities we did while still looking dressy and nice. They are very easily dressed up or down and overall I don't think you can go wrong with them!

2. Open Toe Slippers in Grey: I found these on Amazon and when I ordered these grey was the cheapest color so that is why I got those. Not that it really matters since that color isn't available anymore. The only reason I got these was because I was looking for some slippers that were very inexpensive and lightweight that I could bring with me while traveling. I don't like walking around in hotel rooms barefoot or without shoes on so I wanted some slippers that were easy to pack and wear when I'm in a hotel or traveling.

These work great for what I needed them for. I took them with me on our trip to Europe and they were so nice to slip on after a shower or walking around the hotel room. They're very lightweight, have a non-slip rubber sole, and packed pretty flat so they took up very little room in my suitcase. They're pretty cushioned and were more comfortable than I was expecting. I paid less than $10 for these, so you can't beat the price!

3. Printed Short-Sleeve Notch Collar and Cool Nights Printed Pajama Shorts in Merry Dot Navy/Ivory: These do seem to run a little small, so if you are between sizes I would size up. I had been needing some new pajamas for so long and just hadn't come across any that I liked or fit right. I had been eyeing these for a while but just couldn't justify the price. I finally was able to get them on sale plus I had a 20% off coupon, so I got a pretty good price on them! 

They're super comfortable, I really like how they fit, the shorts are just the right length (they're a 4" inseam, so not the extremely short shorts like most pajama shorts seem to be.) they have pockets, and I couldn't go wrong with the polka dot print! 

These pajamas come in a ton of different prints and top and bottom combinations. So I would definitely recommend taking a look if you're looking for new pajamas.

4. Luxe Sleeveless Top in Navy Floral: I really like to wear these sleeveless tops with a cardigan so I am always checking for new prints in these tanks. If I'm being really picky I wish it was a scoop neck instead of the high neck but overall I just liked the floral print.

5. Waist-Defined Midi Dress in Polka Dot: Obviously I have a thing for polka dots! Haha. I just really like how classic and timeless the pattern is and I really like the dress style. It's maybe a little big (I think if I had sized down it would have been too small) but otherwise I really like this dress! I took it on our trip to Europe and wore it a lot!

6. Extra High-Waisted Utility Shorts in Panther: These did not work at all. I ordered my regular size but the waist was very small and I couldn't get them even close to being buttoned! They looked okay in the legs but I think if I sized up to fit my waist they would be huge everywhere else. Disappointing because I thought they looked cute but definitely did not work for me!

7. High-Waisted Crinkle Gauze Shorts in Black Jack: These have a 5" inseam so I was interested in giving these a try. I have a really really hard time finding shorts I like. I don't like shorts that are too short but I don't like shorts that are too long either. These are perfect! Just the right length, elastic waistband that looks kind of like the paperbag waist. I like that they are a higher rise and look good with a shirt tucked in or untucked. Overall really like these!

8. Vintage T-Shirt in White Lilies: (I also ordered this t-shirt in Dark Mauve but it looks like that color isn't available anymore.) These t-shirts looked kinda boxy, which isn't my typical style but I was looking for an inexpensive (I paid like $8 for it so it was worth a try.) t-shirt I could knot and wear with some skirts that I have or tuck into the pants I have listed above. These did not work out at all like I was hoping. They were VERY short and very boxy and not at all what I was expecting. They really looked nothing as they appear in the listing photos. I returned these.

9. EveryWear V-Neck T-Shirt in Dark Bottle: I don't typically do a lot of v-necks as they are typically too low-cut for me but this one didn't look like it was a deep V so I thought I would give it a try. I really like the dark green color and it was very inexpensive. It's nothing fancy but I like that it's lightweight (but not too thin) and and fit nicely.

10. SoSoft Lite Crop Cardigan in Black Jack: I really like this cardigan. I was looking for something that was cropped to wear with dresses as the cardigans I do have are much longer. This is just the right length and feels like nice quality. It's not super thin but isn't too heavy/warm either.

Have you purchased any new clothes lately? What are your favorite clothing stores?

My Recent Old Navy Haul

Old Navy recently had a 30% off sale (it looks like it's still going on) so I ended up buying a few things and I thought I would recap what I got. I typically end up returning at last half of the things I order (not on purpose, just unfortunately their clothes fit weird sometimes!). 

1. Fit & Flare Tie-Front Cami Midi Dress in Black: This dress surprised me. I thought maybe I wouldn't like it as it's not a style I would typically go for but a couple of people I follow on Instagram had it in different colors and it looked cute so I thought I would give it a try. It was on clearance (only $10!) and all that was left was the black color in a tall. I don't normally get a tall in dresses from ON but since that was all they had it's more of a midi length on me but that's fine. 

I was pretty surprised at how well it fit! It has a very defined waist which I really like and it has pockets which is always a plus! The material is pretty thick which is nice, but would probably be too hot in the middle of summer. So overall I'm pretty impressed with this dress!

2. Square-Neck Bodysuit in Dark Bottle: I like this bodysuit pretty well. I like the square neck and that the material is thick. I'm 5'8" and ordered this in a tall and it is a tad long. I know if I ordered this in a regular length it would have been too short. The snaps are kind of uncomfortable and while it is full-coverage it is not very discreet if you know what I mean! So if I wear it with a skirt you wouldn't notice the lines but if I were to wear it with pants or a more fitted skirt it would be very noticeable so I don't like that. 

3. Luxe Rib-Knit Tunic T-Shirt in Dark Bottle: I liked this top, but I ordered the wrong size and when I went in store to exchange it for a different size (it wasn't available in store.) the employee insisted that she couldn't order it for me. I know that is wrong because they've done it before. So I guess if I want it I'll have to place another order myself which I wasn't really wanting to do. I'm sure I could call them and explain the situation so I wouldn't have to pay for shipping but I don't know if I really want to deal with that. Anyways, I did like it but since it's a rib-knit it was a little clingy and I just preferred to have it in a different size.

4. Cloud 94 Soft Tulip-Hem Tunic in Nebula: I did not like this top. It looked cute on the models and I liked the color but the material is really weird (kind of a velvety feel instead of like an athletic type material) and very thin. I ordered it in a tall and it is very long. Also the neck felt kind of tight. I wish it was a crew or scoop neck. I think that would have made it look more flattering instead of just sort of oversized and frumpy. I don't mind an oversized top for working out but this one just didn't look/fit right.

5. High-Waisted Wow Super-Skinny Black-Wash Ankle Jeans: Returning. These fit great except for the fact they barely buttoned. I had a feeling these probably wouldn't fit but they were only $10 so I thought I would give them a try anyways. I have such a hard time with jeans. They either fit in the waist and are too baggy everywhere else or they fit everywhere else and are too small in the waist. So unfortunately I had to return these.

6. First-Layer Fitted Cami Top for Women in Black: I've purchased several of these camis over the years. They're cheap, not too thin but not too thick, and are great for wearing under sweaters or different tops.

7. Puff-Sleeve V-Neck Crepe Midi Dress for Women in Burgundy Ditsy Floral: I was a little unsure on this dress when I ordered it but thought I would just give it a try anyways and as soon as I pulled it out of the package I liked it. Color/print are cute. Material is thin but not too thin (it isn't see-through). It's very figure flattering. I did have to exchange it for a larger size because I was afraid if I washed it it would shrink too much. But otherwise this is a really cute dress!

Have you purchased any new clothes lately? Or where are your favorite places to shop for clothes?

Recent Beauty Purchases 11

1. Urban Decay Mini Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette: I opted for the mini Naked3 palette instead of the full size for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason being the price (there is no way I am paying $59 for an eyeshadow palette!) and also because the colors on the full sized palette are more brown/warm toned than the mini, which is more pink/neutral toned. 

I still thought the price was kinda high (To me at least. Although pretty average price for a Sephora palette.) I did order it during the Sephora sale last spring so that helped with the price.  

That said, I do like this palette. I prefer cool toned pinks and browns (which is surprisingly hard to find in eyeshadow palettes. They always are warm toned!) 

Anyways, it's a nice palette with a good selection of colors that I will actually use. A little goes a long ways and I've used this quite a few times and it still looks new. So it definitely will last me a while!

This would make a nice gift and it's also great for travel because it's small but also has a great selection of colors!

2. LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation in LN6: I really like this foundation! The color is a very close match for me. I like how it wears, it has good coverage, it doesn't seem to crease or settle like a lot of other foundations I've tried. It holds up well in heat and humidity and being outside all day in the heat and humidity. It's at a good price point especially for being a "clean" foundation. I have sensitive skin and I really like that it doesn't bother my skin at all. This foundation has a lot of positive reviews on Sephora so it surprises me that it's not more popular. I would be really interested in trying other products from this brand.

3. Bumble and bumble Mini Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer: I wasn't sure about this after I first used it because I wasn't sure if it was doing anything but after using it and not using it I have noticed it really does leave my hair feeling softer and gives a bit more shine. I just use a few sprays on wet hair and let my hair air dry. I would say it's a good product but maybe not a great one. It's a nice product to have but not necessarily one to HAVE to have if you know what I mean.

4. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt: I really like this scrub. My scalp gets dry and itchy sometimes and I purchased this on a whim from Sephora thinking I would give it a try. I purchased the mini and use it about 1-2 times a month. You don't need a lot (a little goes a long ways) but it really helps to cleanse my scalp and remove product buildup. 

I will say it is a big difficult to use as it kind of is hard to use with long hair but I just put a little bit on the pads of my fingers and kind of gently massage my scalp with it. It just takes a little bit of figuring out how to use but I would highly recommend this if you deal with scalp dryness, itchiness, or just general product buildup.

5. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Brown Sugar: I was a little unsure on the color of this because the flavor I wanted (pink sugar) was sold out. And I didn't find out until later that it's a TikTok popular item, which typically turns me off of a product because everyone buys it because it's trendy and not because it actually works. 

All that to say I was actually very surprised by this. It's probably one of the only lip products I've ever used that actually seems like it does anything. I really really hate the feeling of my lips being dry so I am always willing to try different products to help. I used to really like the Bite Beauty agave lip mask but then they changed the formulation and it didn't work as well. (Apparently no one else liked it since they are no longer in business!) And I've also used the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask so many people seem to love and found it to just be okay. I definitely think the Summer Friday Lip Butter Balm is the best!

Just now looking it up it says it's supposed to be plumping but I've never noticed that. Negatives would be that it is on the higher end price point-wise and the color tint is pretty non-existent. So if you're looking for more of a tinted lip balm then this might not be for you as I really don't notice the color on me at all. But overall I really like this and would recommend it!

6. Kate McLeod Mini Daily Stone Solid Body Moisturizer: I really wasn't very impressed with this. Several people I follow on Instagram were really raving about it so I thought I would give it a try. I ordered one for my mom and I and while I'm glad I ordered the minis I was still surprised at how small they were for the price. 

The scent was okay. I didn't really like it but it wasn't particularly strong or unpleasant either. It was really greasy which I didn't like. You definitely wouldn't want to put long sleeves or pants on afterwards. It just doesn't rub in very well. Moisturizing wise it was okay. My mom has very dry skin and it didn't do anything for her and for me it worked just like any other lotion I've used. So nothing exciting. 

Also, just the actual application of a lotion bar is awkward to use. It's greasy so it very easily slips out of your hands and onto the floor which wasn't great. So this one was a no from me.

Have you tried any new products lately? Or have you tried a product that was really popular and been either surprised or disappointed with it?

Recent Purchases 14

1. Pajama pants Black/dotted: These are nothing fancy. Just some inexpensive pajama pants. I had a similar pair years ago that had worn out and so it was time to replace them. I like the jogger style although they are a tad short on me (but that is nothing new. Joggers always seem to run a little short for me.) They're not too thin but not too heavy either so they're nice for spring/summer.

2. Converse Oxford Rave Sneaker in Lavender: I had been looking for quite a while for some sneakers that were comfortable for walking longer distances but also would look nice while wearing dresses or nicer clothes so I decided to give these a try. They are fairly comfortable, although maybe not the most comfortable shoes. They are certainly more comfortable than the regular Chuck Taylor style Converse but not as comfortable as something with a good insole and/or arch support. The insole in these is not removable so I can't replace with something else. 

For example when I visit my siblings in Northern Virginia we will walk around Arlington, Alexandria, or DC and are taking the metro and just doing a lot of city walking so I need something that is comfortable but also very practical and these are nice for that.

I also am just not on board with the whole white sneaker trend as the thought of trying to keep them clean seems like a nightmare so I thought these were a good compromise!

3. Button Front Tiered Midi Dress in Blue Floral: I really like this dress although it definitely needs a belt! It's hard to tell in the picture based on how the model is posed but there is no elastic in the waist so it was wide in the waistband for me. Adding a belt helped to give it some shape to look more flattering on me. The dress is lightweight and overall just a cute style I think would look good on anyone. 

4. Sleeveless Dress (in black): This dress was really disappointing. It looked cute but the fit was really odd. It was too short and maybe a tad small. If I'd gone up a size it would have been way too big. The straps weren't adjustable and they felt too short and were at the awkward place where they rub against your arm/arm pit. The bust area was really puffy and the waistband didn't fall at my natural waist. Overall just a really odd unflattering dress. It was one of those things where as soon as I put it on I didn't even have to look in the mirror to know it was a big no. I'm not a fan of peasant blouses and this kind of reminded me of that.

5. Satchel Handbag (in black): I like this bag! I have a very specific criteria for purses (which I don't feel is unreasonable but does seem hard to come by.) I just like my purse to have a crossbody strap and zip closed on top for safety and not be too big or too small.

This bag is just the right size for what I need. Since my beloved Kate Spade bag was quite literally falling apart (the strap is hanging on by threads.) I really needed something new. And while I've always liked my KS bag it's just a tad small. It was hard to fit anything extra like if I wanted to bring my Kindle with me or something. I've wanted to get another Kate Spade bag but I just haven't found one that I like. This Target purse is just big enough without being too big. And for the price this is a pretty nice bag. 

6. ASICS GEL-Excite 9 in Black/Frosted Rose: I really needed some new running shoes as my old ones were pretty worn out. I've had them for a couple of years and have gotten a ton of miles out of them. I have always had great luck with Asics and these fit great like they always do. Although after wearing these once a  I did get a blister on the back of my ankle which was not something I've ever had happen before. It's cushioned right there so I'm not sure what was rubbing. I've messed with it a little bit and it seems to be better so I don't know. Anyways, the frosted rose wouldn't have been my first choice but I didn't want to pay $10 more just for the black/white ones. 

Have you bought anything new lately?