Winter Beauty Essentials 2016

It's no secret that I love all things beauty. I carry my Sephora VIB Rouge card proudly, and indulge in their products more frequently than I'd care to admit. I'm a huge fan of trying out new products and cult favorites alike. However, only a handful of those products end up being purchased again and again. All of the products mentioned today have worked their way into my heart (and makeup bag) and will definitely be purchased again.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask 10 Minute Fix: After hearing rave reviews of First Aid Beauty's products, I figured that this winter would be the perfect time to try some new skincare products. I'm a huge advocate for having some down time with face masks (treat yo'self!) so this one was a no brainer. I've tried various oatmeal masks before, but they haven't proven themselves to be ultra hydrating- which I need desperately. I slather this on 2-3 times a week as recommended, and the results are phenomenal. The dry dorm air is no match for the results from this product! Note: It's usually a sin to leave your face mask on for longer than recommended, as it can significantly dry out your skin. I accidentally left this on for 45 minutes and had no problem!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: If you didn't realize this in the blurb above, I'm a moisturizer buff. I've tried so many, and I usually fall back on my trusty Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion that my mom swears by. However, after a while it begins to feel like it leaves some slight residue, and I'm definitely not about that. I use the Ultra Repair Cream twice a day, and my skin feels better every time. The key is to let it soak in before you apply your makeup, which creates a fresher and healthier appearance. Of course, it pairs phenomenally with the Instant Oatmeal Mask.

It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product: One of my favorite bloggers, Sydney of Summer Wind Blog recommended this product to her followers on Snapchat over the summer. I trust anyone with phenomenal hair, so I immediately went out and bought a bunch of the it's a 10 products that I had seen. I have incredibly thick and fine hair, so I go through products like my boyfriend goes through cinnamon rolls (& he eats at least 4 a sitting). I've tried a few leave-in conditioners in the past, but I've found that many left a slight residue, aka the most disgusting feeling. It smells phenomenal, and leaves my hair silky and shiny- an A+++ in my book. 

Prada Candy eau de parfum: My favorite perfume, hands down. I consider myself to be an innovator when it comes to perfumes; I love switching things up. My mom purchases me new perfumes for my birthday every year, and this was my absolute favorite coming into my sophomore year of college. With notes of caramel, musk, vanilla, and benzoin; it's feminine and sophisticated without the overwhelming grandma-esque smell.

Benefit Cosmetics the POREfessional: Every girl needs a good primer. It creates a smooth base for your foundation and helps lengthen the longevity of your makeup. I've only tried a few, but I always come back to Benefit's. The formula has a slight tendency to leave residue if you apply too much product, so a little goes a long way. My mom and I both swear by this product!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette: I've been after an Hourglass palette for years. My sister gifted me this palette for Christmas this past year and it might've been my favorite present for the year. It contains 2 finishing powders, a highlight, 2 blushes and a bronzer. Don't let the packaging fool you - the products aren't as overwhelmingly sparkly as they appear. Each one leaves a dewy finish that lasts all day - it's perfect to refresh your winter makeup routine!

tarte Tartlette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette: I gifted this to my mom for Mother's Day a year or so ago, and she absolutely loved it. She decided to buy me one last summer, knowing how much I love tarte's Amazonian Clay products. Matte eyeshadows are the key to my hart, especially when paired with winged eyeliner. The formula is creamy and blends really easily. The packaging is very thin and durable, without taking up a lot of space (Naked palettes- I'm looking at you!) which makes it perfect for your on the go travel bag.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita: Every single YouTuber & their mother raves about this lipstick, and usually in the shade Lolita. It was sold out of my local Sephora for a long time, and I was so lucky to get a hold of it at the end of last semester. It's a darker mauve-y nude, which makes it perfect for every day wear. I sometimes layer on other lipsticks to give it a bolder effect, although I love the product as is. It applies like a lipgloss and dries extremely matte, so make sure to exfoliate your lips to avoid them drying out or appearing flaky!

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara: I'm a huge fan of Benefit's products, and to me, purchasing this mascara was a no-brainer. I've been on a huge mascara binge lately, and to be honest, this product is probably one of the best I've tried. I always make sure to curl my eyelashes, (I couldn't live without my eyelash curler in my makeup bag) but it promises that you can skip the product and get the same effect. I also really like the formula, it goes on smoothly, even after it has dried out a little. My lashes have never looked longer!

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Concealer: I had tried their Ultra HD Foundation over the summer and instantly fell in love. Being pale, it's really hard for me to find foundation and concealers that match my skin tone. I really like the consistency of this concealer- it's full coverage, so a little goes a long way. The formula is thicker, but it proves to be best when buildable without looking cakey, which is perfect for every day use. For best results, set undereye concealer with translucent or yellow powder- it'll last all day!

What are your favorite beauty obsessions? Let me know in the comment section so I can try them out!

xoxo

NCJW Pittsburgh Designer Days 2015

Any girl in her early 20’s who tries to be stylish while staying on budget knows that doing so is no easy feat. When I stumbled upon the National Council of Jewish Women's (NCJW) Pittsburgh Designer Days event, I was pleasantly surprised. New and gently used designer label clothing, shoes and accessories for an affordable price is every girl's dream. Seriously, where can we all sign up?!  

I was lucky enough to be able to take a break from the stresses of college life to attend the NCJW #epicstyle kickoff VIP patron event on Wednesday night. This weekend long event is housed at the soon-to-be-home of the new Thriftique boutique in Lawrenceville, one of the trendier and more accessible neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. Besides featuring incredibly generous deals on top-designer labels such as Christian Louboutin, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Calvin Klein and Eileen Fisher, the event also offered beauty and style tips from some of Pittsburgh's top stylists! 

But why just tell you about it, when I can show you?

I've always been super into scarves, so I was in heaven! 

SO. MANY. PURSES.

The food at the event was phenomenal. It was catered by a few of Pittsburgh's favorite local eateries, including: Crazy Mocha, Hambones, La Gourmandine, Square Café, and a few others! 

Women's clothing as far as the eye can see... 

I think anyone can appreciate the power of a nicely tailored suit jacket, so why not save a lot on something that can last him a long time?

(Some of the featured brands above: Prada, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Calvin Klein)

Designer Days offers apparel, shoes and accessories for men, women, and children! Some of your finds could make for some seriously interesting Christmas gifts.

A few of my favorite menswear finds: an olive Burberry trench, Brooks Brothers ties, and leather driving gloves

Some of the featured (and best!) items can be found all over the event in and alongside their displays!

Wadria Tyler, (right) creator and director of Style Week Pittsburgh and founder of Style & Steel, demonstrating her styling skills on a model while showcasing some of the items being sold at Designer Days.

Women get serious about their shopping at Designer Days!

So many great options to "shoe-se" from! 

OOTN: Top // Skirt // Heels (similar)

Purse (old, similar) // Necklace

At the end of the night, I was a very happy camper. I found some amazing deals on some really awesome items, including: an emerald green swing coat, a Chanel crossbody (which cost me less than $50!) , a Ralph Lauren blazer, a few ties for my boyfriend, and a few wool-cashmere Burberry-inspired scarves! So, what was the grand total you may ask? Exactly $146.00. 

If you're a college student in need of some new additions to your wardrobe, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg to look fabulous, seriously consider stopping by the Designer Days event. Your closet will thank you, not to mention, the event is a fundraiser for a great cause. Proceeds from the Patron Event and the entire weekend sale will support NCJW's efforts to make a difference in the lives of women, children and families through advocacy and many nonsectarian community sevice projects. 

Designer Days continues on Thursday the 5th with a 3-day free admission public sale! On Sunday, for $10 admission, you can get access to all of the remaining merchandise, which will then be discounted an additional 50% off! Shoppers will also receive coupons to shop at Thriftique post-Designer Days!

For more information about the Designer Days sale, visit the event's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DesignerDays), the NCJW website (www.ncjwpgh.org) or contact NCJW at 412-421-6118

What's in My Bag: Summer Edition

MK Ava Bag

If you've read this blog before, or know me personally, you would know that I have a slight obsession with purses... and Michael Kors. I recently picked up this gorgeous blush number to be my designated bag for summer. And why do I love it so much? I usually don't reach for blush tones outside of spring, but I definitely believe that the color is the cherry on top of the bag. It's a fun twist on your usual crossbody; it has a fun silhouette and is quite roomy. 

Coach ID Badge Lanyard (old, similar) // My old faithful id & license holder. I've had it since I was at least 16! 

Hairties // I always have to have at least one hair tie with me at all times (#thickhairprobs), but I've been reaching for these elastic no crease ones more and more!

Protein Bar // I'm definitely more of a QuestBar girl, but I definitely like Luna bars. I usually keep one in my purse if I'm running errands or heading to work. 

Kate Spade Lacey Wallet // I am obsessed with this wallet: the color, the style, everything. I'd buy another Kate Spade wallet in a heartbeat. It holds seriously everything. 

Chance Eau Tendre (Chanel Perfume) // I grew up admiring my mom's Chanel perfume and was too excited when she gave me my own this past Christmas. It's a more youthful version of the traditional Chanel No 5!

Tarte SmoothOperator Finishing Powder & Sephora Contour Brush // One of my holy grail products! I put this on before and after I apply foundation for a smoother application (it seriously makes your skin so flawless). Not to mention that it's perfect for touch-ups when out-and-about and for setting your lipstick! 

 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil in Obsessed // I am a die-hard fan of UD lip liners, and was too excited to add this rosey nude shade to my collection!

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 05 Infinite Rose // This is the perfect grab and go lip product for any time of the day. You apply it like any lip gloss, but it dries as a matte lipstick. I love the 05 Infinite Rose for a perfect nude lip with a hint of a golden peachy shine.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Michiyo // My golden rule is to always carry a nude and a bold lipstick with you at all times. You never know when you'll need a bit of a color pop. I've always been a huge NARS fan, but their lipsticks are incredible. It's so creamy and stays on all day and night! I hardly ever have to touch it up. 

Left: NARS Audacious Lipstick in MICHIYO

Right: Sephora Creamy Lip Stain in 05 Infinite Rose

Top 10 Beauty Essentials

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 // I've read so many fantastic reviews about this tinted moisturizer. So many of my favorite YouTube personalities swear by it, so I just knew I had to have this. I absolutely hate feeling like my makeup is caked on, so I felt like this was a great product to try, and let me just say I am so hooked. A little of goes a long way, and it's amazingly moisturizing but is enough coverage to hide a bad breakout. My Shade: Cameo

Benefit Cosmetics the POREfessional // I can't tell you how many tubes I've gone through of this. It is definitely in my top ten beauty products of all time. I even got my Mom hooked on it! It makes your skin insanely smooth before applying foundation and concealer, and it makes so much of a difference. It runs a bit on the pricey side, but it is extremely worth it. 

NARS Blush // I recently purchased this blush for a big event here at school, after hearing so many great reviews on it for years. It's extremely pigmented, and I love how it has a little bit of shimmer (I'm usually a matte blush kind of person). It works for so many different skin tones, and adds such a great glow. Not going to lie, I'm also a huge fan of the brand's cheeky names for their products. My Shade: Orgasm

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer // This is my absolute favorite bronzer that I have ever tried. It's a really versatile shade, and it is amazing for almost every skin tone. The brush that accompanies the bronzer makes this perfect for contouring, or just adding a bit of color. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow & Brow Gel // Over the summer, this was one of the most recommended products that I had seen on YouTube. From recommendations, I knew that this was the eyebrow pencil to try. I feel like this is the perfect eyebrow pencil for the beginning, it's soft enough to be able to fill in without applying too much pressure (thus making you look like a cartoon with thick black eyebrows), but is pigmented enough that soft pressure is all you need. The clear brow gel is extremely long wearing, and it helps me feel so much more put together. My Shade: Dark Brown (pencil) & Clear (brow gel)

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base // After being dedicated to the Urban Decay Primer Potion for years, I decided it was time to try something new. I'm actually a bigger fan of Nars' eyeshadow primer than Urban Decay's. For me, it works so much better. I have relatively oily eyelids, so I'm prone to my eye makeup creasing. 

Naked 3 Palette //  To sound like every other girl on this planet who has tried these palettes; I am so obsessed with the Naked eyeshadow palettes. I find myself constantly switching between the 1, 2 & 3, which has caused me to go through at least two of each palette. My favorite is the 3 though, I find it works best for my complexion. Each palette allows to create a neutral eye look, but with a little bit of shimmer. The palettes are so versatile, and you can create so many different looks with each one. On a scale of 1-10 this is definitely a 15/10. 

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Push-Up Liner // I'm not going to lie to you about this, I absolutely hated this eyeliner the first time that I tried it. I'm a huge fan of winged eyeliner, it's definitely my go to. But I didn't see this helping me at all when I first tried it. The product itself is a fast drying gel, which is long wearing but you have to move quickly when drawing lines so it doesn't dry on you. I love the rubber tip, which makes it so much easier to shape. I'm surprised this became my new favorite eyeliner so quickly, and I'm already on my second eyeliner. However, here's a word of advice:  practice makes perfect when it comes to this product, you just need to experiment with it to love it. 

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara // Another one of my go-to's from Benefit Cosmetics, this is a fantastic product. I read about the product forever ago, either on YouTube or another beauty blog. Why I love it can be summed up pretty easily; the product is extremely volumizing, but this brush makes sure that your lashes don't clump or become too spidery-looking with a few coats. If I don't wear eyeliner, this is also my go to, it looks natural, but almost like a better looking version of your eyelashes. 

October Favorites

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick -"Mrs. Mia Wallace" // I just recently received this as a birthday present from my sister, who knows my obsession with lipstick a little too well. This is the perfect fall lip color; deep reds are so flattering for every complexion, and just help you not only look, but feel really put together. I also love pairing the matching lip liner with a reddish brown matte lipstick, which is one of my roommate's favorite lip combos as well. Not to mention, this lipstick is extremely long-wearing, and I can go through an entire day of classes without reapplying (even though I can always tell which coffee is mine because of the dark red lip stains!)

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense // Like most girls, I grew up experiencing my mom's extreme buyer loyalty to Clinique. It was my first makeup brand, and I can honestly say that I still love it. Although, I'm much more loyal to their skincare products than their regular makeup products. I use this twice a day, and it's also a fantastic moisturizer for your legs if you forget to bring lotion with you when traveling.

Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist // I first discovered how great this product is on Tumblr, where it got fantastic reviews. I've adopted it as part of my wet hair routine, right before I blow dry. It really smooths out your hair and smells incredible. I've also found that it really adds new life to dry hair; I ombre'd my hair over the summer, which can be really damaging, but this product really helps make it look so much healthier than it is!

Apple TV // Okay, well, my roommate bringing an Apple TV back from Fall Break is the best thing that could have happened to our room. It's absolutely perfect for college students since it connects to your iTunes library, your Netflix account, as well as other apps like YouTube. You can also connect your laptop via AirPlay to the screen, which makes sharing web pages and videos so much easier when you have company over. 

New Girl // Not going to lie, I love me some Zooey Deschanel. All of my friends and I relate to her character Jess on a spiritual level, and if you've ever seen the show you would totally understand. If you ever need a show to binge watch, I definitely recommend New Girl. Trust me, you'll be hooked.

Kate Spade Planner (Large) // I surprisngly love this a lot more than I thought I would. I reviewed it briefly in my "What's in My (School) Bag?" post the other week, but I can honestly say that it has really grown on me. It has the perfect amount of writing room to schedule my week and still have room to write in assignments as well as birthdays and events! If you think it might be a bit too plain for your taste, color code. It makes all the difference and helps you stay much more organized. 

Madewell Transport Tote // From the first time that I saw this bag in the store, I fell in love. It's the perfect size for everyday use, and I love the caramel color. This is my new school bag, and it fits everything I usually carried with my large Longchamp, but there seems to be so much more room. You can honestly use this bag for anything- running errands, a pool bag, and of course a travel bag/carry-on. 

Taylor Swift 1989 // I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but I am absolutely obsessed with this album. I've always been a huge T-Swift fan since her "Our Song" days, but I love the completely different vibe of this. My current favorites are; "Out of the Woods", "Blank Space", "Style", and "Wildest Dreams". I definitely recommend buying this! Especially if you find an old iTunes gift card laying around and have no idea what to buy!

Prada "Candy" Perfume // This was one of my favorite birthday presents this year. I'm a huge Marc Jacobs fan when it comes to perfumes, and have been known to collect an abundance of them in the past. I always receive a new perfume from my mom for my birthday, and it was so refreshing to completely switch it up this year. This is my everyday perfume, and I am finding myself constantly spritzing it. It's really sad that I've already used up close to 3/4 of the bottle... especially since I got it on the 17th of September. I love how light and sophisticated it is, and how it contains two of my favorite notes; caramel and vanilla. If you're looking for something youthful and fun, yet flirty, check this out!

Navy L.L. Bean Boots 8" // The first time that I laid my eyes on these bad boys, I thought they were absolutely hideous. However, this was during my first experiences with Pinterest, and I hadn't yet discovered just how difficult weather in Western PA can be. I've been nothing but pleased with these boots so far. They are so comfortable, and ridiculously versatile. I think they're amazing. Disclaimer: If you decide to purchase, I definitely recommend going a size or half size down: they run pretty large. However, if you plan to wear extremely thick socks you may be able to stay true to size. They're the perfect snow or rain boots, and look adorable with both jeans and leggings. And lets be honest here, who could resist buying adorable socks to stick out the top? 

What's In My (School) Bag?

For as long as I've been watching beauty and fashion YouTube videos, I can remember watching the "What's in my bag" segments. It's always been so interesting to me to see what everyone hauls around in their daily lives. I'm a huge purse fanatic. I can remember always wanting to borrow my mom's to play dress up when I was younger, and constantly begged for my first designer bag. At the time, I was absolutely obsessed with the Coach Poppy bags, which had just been released. I can even remember the first time that I fell in love with a purse, about seventh grade, driving through the city with my best friend and her family on the way to visit a school in the area. However, the bags that you fall head over heels with in middle school aren't usually functional for use in college. I've always been a purse or tote kind-of-girl when it came to school bags, however I've been known to carry a Vera Bradley backpack every now and then. As I said before, one of the keys to finding the perfect bag for school is functionality. Nobody wants their new designer bag's handles to rip off, no matter how pretty it may be, you may just spare yourself some shoulder pain. One thing that differs between high school and college is the amount of books that need to be carried between classes. I find that I'm carrying way less books in college, since I have enough time to switch out books. Since my schedule is completely different every day, I usually find that I have to switch my bags too. On super busy days, or library days, I usually take my backpack to accommodate my laptop as well as multiple textbooks and notebooks. Every other day I use either my Longchamp or Madewell Transport Tote. As a rule, I keep the same school supplies for my classes, and just switch them in between bags.

MacBook Pro: A classic, need I say more? 

Vera Bradley Wristlet: Not gonna lie, I jumped on the bandwagon with this one but it really surprised me. All of my friends are huge Vera Bradley fans, and even though I'm usually not one, this is so convenient. We use id cards to scan into buildings, and this has a front-showing id sleeve so you know you always have it with you. Plus, it has sleeves for the overwhelming abundance of gift cards that I have, as well as a zip-coin purse. If I don't carry my entire bag with me, if I'm going to dinner or something, I just pick this up, stuff my phone in it and go!

Pens & Highlighters: As a rule, I don't use pencils in class. It's so much easier to write with pens for me, probably because I have that super girly half cursive half printing handwriting. I love the Sharpie pens for everyday use. I've already gone through 2 completely without managing to lose them. 

Colored Pens: If you're one of those super-organized note takers who needs to have some color to prevent yourself from getting bored while studying, I definitely recommend Papermate's felt tip marker pens. I've gone through around three packs of these bad boys in a matter of three semesters, between using them up and losing them. More of the second though. 

Five Star Notebook & Folders: I'm a huge fan of five star products, always have been and probably always will be. My mom always ends up convincing me to get the college ruled ones, and I've used them for years. I usually use a three subject notebook for every class, especially for Math classes or my Econ/Accounting classes that require a lot of writing out problems.

Kate Spade Planner (Large): I purchased this last week, and I can't tell you how much I love it so far. Transitioning between Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Spade is difficult. I love my Lilly planner, but I'm so busy that I needed a little more room since I only had a medium. I wasn't a huge fan of the patterns for the covers of the  Lilly jumbo planner, and decided to switch over to the Spade side for the rest of the year. The only complaint I have at this point is how it's not as colorful as the Lilly, which is what initially caught my eye.
Coach ID/Badge Holder with Lanyard: This was one of the first things I bought when I got my driver's permit, and I've had it for years. I don't have the exact one in the picture- mine is pink with a cupcake on it. I use this to hold my driver's license, and attach my dorm room key as well as my home-gym key card to the key ring.
Kate Spade Wallet: I'm a huge sucker for statement accessories. When it comes to purses, I keep it pretty neutral so why not have accessories that contrast and stand out against it? This wallet is absolutely perfect in every way.
Tumbler: While going from class to class, I find it essential to have some sort of water bottle. My schedule consists of five 75-minute classes, so I need to stay hydrated to survive. Plus, carrying a cute tumbler makes it so much more enjoyable. I'm a huge fan of my Starbucks one, or anything that has a sassy quote on it.

But besides all of the above, I also carry headphones. Which are an absolute must in between classes and for the library.

What are your school essentials?