Clinique 3- Step Review

I have been using Clinique's 3-step products for half a year now and I love them! I started off with just the cleanser and the moisturizer, and then this summer I added in the exfoliate.

I can not say enough good things able the Facial Soap. It is so soft on the skin yet very cleansing. It does not irritate or make the skin red. I had suffered from off and on acne for the best couple years, just a few spots here and there nothing too our of the ordinary, but the cleaning soap has cleared that all up. I can tell the cleanser really clears out the pores without stripping the skin too harshly.

The next step is exfoliate. Like I mentioned I did not do this step until this summer but it has come in very handy. I use the Clarifying Lotion 3. This "lotion" is actually a liquid that clears away all dirt,  makeup, and excess oil. It seriously works so well to get all the junk from the day off your face. The direction are to use it twice a day, which I did over the summer, but as the weather changes I find I don't really need to use it as much. So now I just use it a couple times a week when I really went to clear off oil and makeup.

The last in the 3-step products is the Dramatically Different Moisturizer Gel. Ok I have tried many moisturizer over the years and this one by far is in my top five. It is so light yet so hydrating, all while being oil free. I use this in the morning and night. It is a great base for makeup and it leaves my skin perfect after working its magic over night.

I highly recommend all these products. They have done wonders for my skin without really harsh chemicals. I have noticed such a difference and won't be using anything but Clinique for a while.

Autumn&Winter Essentials

I went to the dentist today... so naturally I thought I needed a reward, which came in the form of shopping. I decided to do my damage at a local Target that just opened up. I had a few things on my list, but I was very happily surprised with the full selection of cute clothes and accessories for the cooler months.

I picked up these boots with a heel. They are so cute! I realized that I still want to enjoy my time going out in the city in winter and the first step to make that happen is warm and cute feet. I am already obsessed with these shoes. They can be worn in so many ways... skinny jeans, tights, leggings, really whatever! They are easy to take from day to night and will keep your feet covered and off the cold ground.

Today was the first morning I went to my car and had a real struggle touching the freezing steering wheel. I didn't want to bring out my big, heavy duty mittens yet but I did need something to cover my hands from the cold. I found these little fingerless mittens today and they are just what I was looking for! The insides are lined with fleece so they are extra soft and warm. And of course the pattern is adorable.

I tend to be naturally cold as it is, so when the temp really drops I know I have to be prepared. I don't always want to have a hat on outside because who wants constant hat hair? So these headbands that just cover your ears are brilliant. They really keep your ears warm without totally messing up your hair. Also they just look super cute on and this one is extra soft. 

Autumnal colored tights were on the top of my shopping list and these were exactly what I was looking for! First off I love that they are opaque. They are also so nice and soft and fit exactly right. I couldn't have ask for a better color. 

Another thing that was on my list was a lipstick I could just dab on quick in the morning without a full face of makeup... something natural. This Covergirl lip stick is a very natural looking pink that just highlights the natural color of your lips. I love it already! (color 397)

Recently I went to Florida and left my sunglasses there. I knew I needed a cheap pair so I wouldn't cringe every time I scratched them but of course I still wanted them to be cute. I love this shape of these for my small face. 

Lastly I picked up a nice winter coat. It can be hard to find a warm coat that is function for the winter that isn't horrid looking. I am smitten with this coat! I love love love the colors and the shape of it. But my favorite part is the hood! Oh praise the lord I love hoods. The best part is that when the hood is off it doesn't just flop down on your back but instead it become a high necked coat that keeps you extra warm.

happy fall xx. 

Facing the Fall

Recently I had a bit of a shopping trip to the mall to two of my all-time favorite stores. It was my birthday a few weeks ago and my very wonderful brother got me two gift cards to these stores… so I had to go and do some damage. 

The first store I went to was The Body Shop. I have been doing some research on a few products I have been really interested in. The one that has rally been at the top of my list was the Camomile Cleansing Butter. I always feel that my cleanser never really does the job of getting all my makeup, dirt, and oil off my face from a full day. The only way I know everything is off is when I wash my face with a cleanser and exfoliate which isn't always the best idea for my skin. So I had been looking for something more gentle that will get everything off my face at the end of the day. The Camomile Cleaning Butter does just that! And it smells AMAZING. It has such a nice calming smell that I can't get enough off. The way it works is you just cover your finger tips with the butter and then rub it over your face for about 30 seconds. Then you take a wet, warm cloth, and remove the butter, and POOF makeup is totally gone! You are left with a lovely smelling face that is not dried out from harsh chemicals, but still feels like skin should.     

Another product I picked up was Coconut Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer. I have to be honest I am never one to really wash my hands excessively or use any antibacterial hand sanitizer. I have always thought those product were not a good idea because it only makes germs stronger. However... I think now that I am in contact with many more people due to my job and will be traveling more soon it can be important in certain situations to have a little extra clean. That being said... there was also a sale that had these antibacterial hand sanitizer at $2.00. I decided on the coconut option because the sweetness balances out the harsh smell of the germ killing chemicals. I am really happy with this product. The size is perfect but at the same time a I can tell the bottle will last me a good amount of time. 

The next product I picked up and had been looking for the perfect one, is a travel size hand lotion. It is that time of year that it is getting colder and my hands tend to become very dry and I truly HATE that feeling. Dry hands just distracts me until I settle it. So when I found this little travel sized hand lotion on sale I knew I had to grab it. I picked the pink grapefruit sent and I love it! And so does my man ;) But the lotion itself is extremely hydrating and just what I need for the winter. A little goes a long way. It does not leave your hands sticky or oily but just nicely moist. 

Another product I have looking to get is a moisturizer that is rich with vitiams, again just a little extra boost for these cooler months that dry me out. I can tend to have sentive skin so it is important that my skin products won't cause any problems. With that being said I love to get a test of a product before I buy a big full tub of it. So again with the sale... it was just perfect timing, because one of the sale products was a little tub of the Vitamin E Moisture Cream. It is a fairly light cream that does add an little extra something to my daily moisturizer. I use the product where I have my most dry skin, under my eyes and forehead. I really like it under my eyes where it really adds moisture and takes away any dullness. 

Ok there seems to be a massive trend in what I picked up from The Body Shop... this next product is another one that adds moisture to dry areas due to the change into colder months... this time it's my lips. I picked up the tub on lip balm in honey. I don't really lip to have things are my lips that are too flavored because it seems like I am always about to eat something. The honey smell is so nice, very light but sugary, and the balm itself is hydrating. 

Stay tuned for what I picked up from the next store :) 

Summer Favorites

Last night I had to dig into my closet to find another blanket. I spotted a tree turning hints of orange and red by the river. The sun is setting earlier and earlier... there is no denying it, summer is becoming another wonderful memory.
Here are things I have loved this summer:

I have been really enjoying fishing this summer. It has become an activity I find clears my mind and gives me excitement. It also gives me a chance to spend time with me Dad in a beautiful location... what is better than that?

Next thing I have adored this summer is adventures with my best friends. These memories I will keep to myself because they need to remain magical.

After becoming an avid runner I have come to appreciate the importance of a serious stretching routine. I prefer to do my stretching/yoga ( whatever you want to call it) outdoors. The space the sky gives me allows me to imagine my body to reach all corners of the sky.

"Boyhood" was absolutely my favorite film I saw this summer ( although The
Hundred Foot Journey is a very close second)

The beauty product I have fancied the most this summer is the " All- in- one BB Cream" from The Body Shop. I hate wearing heavy makeup, especially in the summer but this BB cream gives light coverage and feels lovely on the skin. I highly recommend it.

These have been my two favorite nail polishes this summer. Very different but very lively.






































I have always been a major fan of Lush products but recently I can't walk past the store without picking up something new try. There facial masks are a dream and today I tried on of there stream tabs and loved it! Last time I was in the store the lady who helped me also informed me that she had tried every single product...

And this is my favorite song at the moment: 

xoxo