Winter Skincare Essentials

Last year around this time, I did a post about my favorite winter skincare products. You guys seemed to really like that one, so I thought I would update you! Hence, for Blogmas Day 5, here are my favorite winter skincare products for this year.

My routine has got a lot simpler since last year, and my skin is loving me for it! Without further ado, here are the five products that make up my winter skincare routine.

Cleanser

For my facial cleanser, I use the Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser. This is the most gentle but effective cleanser I have ever used! It actually gets all of my makeup off and cleanses my face in one wash!

Toner

I really don’t tone my face on a regular basis, I do occasionally when my skin is feeling tired. However, I use the same product to tone as I do to set my makeup! This is the amazing Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater.

Eye Cream

I have absolutely horrific under eye bags on a regular basis, and there really isn’t much I can do about them, but I do like to use an under eye cream to make the skin feel not so tight. The eye cream I use is the Farmacy Dew It All Total Eye Cream. This stuff feels amazing!

Daytime Moisturizer

My skin tends to get oily during the day, but it’s just so dry that it overproduces oil. I like to use the Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion, because it is a very light moisturizer while still getting the job done!

Nighttime Moisturizer

My absolute favorite moisturizer for at night is actually an overnight mask! I use the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. This puts enough moisture into my skin to allow me to be able to wear a lightweight moisturizer during the day! When I wake up in the morning after using this my skin feels plump and super moisturized.

These products are some of my favorites, what I want to know is… What are yours??

XXOO

A. Marie

December 6, 2018December 6, 2018 by A-Marie

Winter Makeup with a Bold Red Lip

Today I really felt in the Christmas spirit! We had “Christmas Sock Day” at school, I wore a fun christmas sweater, and so I decided to do a makeup look to match! This look consists of A warm red smokey eye with a gold glitter accent, and a bold deep red lip! It’s a bit dramatic, but it was definitely a fun one!

The products I used are:

Foundation: It Cosmetics Your Skin but Better CC+ Cream (Light)
Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape (Fair Beige)
Blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush (Exposed)
Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
Highlight: Tartiest Pro Glow to Go (I mix the shades Gleam and Burst)
Brows: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil (4.5)
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion (original)
Eye Shadow: Morphe 3502 Palette, Stila Liquid Eye Shadow (Kitten Karma)
Mascara: Urban Decay Troublemaker
Lashes: Ardell faux mink wispies (811)
Lips: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm (standout), NYX Butter Gloss (Raspberry Pavlova
Setting Spray: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater

Some tips that I have found to really help when I apply my makeup:

Spritz on your Setting Spray after you do your foundation, concealer, blush, and bronzer, but before you do the rest of your makeup!
Always, always, ALWAYS line your lips when doing a red lip!
When applying false lashes, wait until the adhesive is about halfway dry to apply, this way it will be tacky and it will stick much easier!
Use a brush to buff in your foundation and concealer, but then go back over the top with a damp beauty blender to really even out your complexion!
When doing any eye look, always apply your eyeshadow primer, then set it with a skin-toned shadow or powder before applying your shadow. The colors will blend a lot better and easier!

XXOO

A. Marie

December 5, 2018December 5, 2018 by A-Marie

Holiday Movies to Watch this Christmas Season

I don’t think I have ever met a single person who doesn’t like any holiday movies. My absolute favorite thing to do is to cuddle up in my pajamas and some warm, fuzzy blankets while sipping hot cocoa (with marshmallows of course), light some festive holiday candles, and watch my favorite holiday films!

Get yourselves ready for a movie marathon, because for Blogmas Day 3, here comes a list of my all-time favorite holiday movies! (With some amazing newer ones included too!)

A Christmas Prince

Royals at Christmas? Check. A riveting love story? Check. An adorable little sister? Check! This movie really has it all! When a writer from The Big Apple travels to the small country of Aldovia to cover the crowning of a new king, things go a little off kilter.

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding

This amazing sequel to “A Christmas Prince” came out just two days ago and I love it so much I’ve already seen it 3 times! Continuing on Amber’s journey with her new king, we travel with her through the ups and downs of planning a royal wedding at Christmastime, when the country is having troubles of its own!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Yes, I know. Everyone and their mother has seen this movie… but you have to admit, it’s a CLASSIC! An outcast Grinch finds the true meaning of Christmas with the help of a little girl named Cindy Lou Who and his loyal pup!

The Princess Switch

Here’s another new Netflix original to cozy up to. In this holiday film a young woman from Chicago accidentally bumps into her doppelganger, a duchess! They decide to switch places and I’ll bet you guessed… There’s a plot twist! Fall in love with this romantic Christmas movie that will have you bursting out laughing and warm your heart.

The Santa Clause (1, 2, & 3)

These are my absolute FAVORITE holiday films to watch!!! They are funny, witty, and beautifully well written. They really put you in the Christmas spirit!

ELF

“Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

“SANTA! Oh my God! Santa’s coming! I know him! I know him!”

“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup”

…..Need I say more?

The Polar Express

Hands-down the best part of this movie is Josh Groban’s ‘Believe’. Or, if you want to talk about the actual film, I guess you could say the best part is when he can finally hear the bell and he really believes in the magic of Christmas.

Frosty the Snowman

This was honestly my childhood at Christmas. I absolutely loved this movie! What is not to love about a fun, talking snowman?!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

This movie was another classic from my childhood! I always loved watching Rudolph and Clarice’s innocent romance and adventure!

What are your favorite holiday movies? Let me know in the comments below!

XXOO

A. Marie

December 4, 2018December 4, 2018 by A-Marie

My Holiday Bucket List

There are many things that I love in this world and a few of them include Christmas and making bucket lists so that I make tons of memories and have fun! I have come up with a killer bucket list for the 2018 holiday season and I am SO EXCITED!!

So, without further ado, here is a list of 15 things that I plan on doing this December! I will be documenting the entire thing with photos that I will be posting at the end of the month in a holiday photo journal!

Have a movie night with hot chocolate and Christmas pajamas!
Make a fun holiday craft
Pick out the perfect Christmas tree with my family!
Drive around and look at all the pretty christmas lights
Decorate a gingerbread house!
Kiss the person I love, underneath the mistletoe
Go see the light display at the Wildwood Zoo
Wear every single Christmas sweater I own throughout the month
Decorate the Christmas tree with my family and then the rest of the house
Volunteer!
Bake Christmas cookies
Have a Christmas themed photo-shoot
Give out candy canes at school/work
Build a snowman
DIY an ornament

I hope this gave you all some inspiration and leave a comment below if you want to follow along with my winter bucket list! I would love to hear what you all think! Or if you have any other ideas for fun winter activities!

xxoo

A. Marie

December 3, 2018December 3, 2018 by A-Marie

Stocking Stuffers for Her

WELCOME TO BLOGMAS 2018!!

To start things off, here is a list of stocking stuffers for when you just don’t know what to get that special lady in your life. These are for when you want to give something other than chocolate (which is always an amazing idea, I definitely would not complain if I received some Lindt Lindor Truffles in my stocking!) Hang tight, because here are my top 7 recommendations for fun stocking stuffers for her!

1. Mini Hempz Lotions

These lotions smell AMAZING, make your hands smell absolutely delicious, and leave your hands feeling so so soft! My favorite scents for this holiday season are Tahitian Vanilla and Ginger, Milk and Honey, and their new holiday kits with three scents in it! (The scents are Candy Cane Crush, Toffee Butter Creme, and Cherry Cheesecake.)

2. Sheet Masks

Sheet masks have been the great love of anyone who is into skincare and also into ease and simplicity. I know I love them! I use a face mask (whether sheet mask or other) at least 1-2 times per week, usually more! These GlamGlow Bubble Masks bubble up on your face a few minutes after you put them on, so they are amazing for your skin and super fun too!

3. Makeup Wipes

I don’t know about you guys, but I always have makeup wipes, some more makeup wipes, and then some back-up makeup wipes too. I love to keep these stocked, because every night I use a makeup wipe to remove my makeup before cleansing my face. My favorites are these two from the brand ‘Yes To’. They are the Coconut and the Tomato infused wipes.

4. Rollerball Perfumes

Mini perfumes are wonderful to receive as gifts. Whether you are gifting a scent that they love, or one that they have never had before, you really can’t go wrong! I love to keep a rollerball in every purse/bag I have so that I can always refresh my scent throughout the day!

5. Nail Polish

Nail polish is always a good go-to for me if I am not sure what to get someone! Pictured are three colors that are perfect for Christmas! Here is a beautiful cherry red, a shimmering emerald green, and a neutral tone.

6. A Beauty Blender

If the person you are getting this gift for is a makeup lover, a beauty blender is a wonderful idea! A beauty blender blends your base makeup (foundation and concealer) seamlessly. An amazing dupe for the beauty blender is the Real Techniques Blending Sponge. It it slightly bigger than the beauty blender, does just as good of a job, and is a ton cheaper!

7. Essential Oils

Essential oils are so versatile and useful! You can add them to your baths, use them to boost your mood, diffuse them into the air, or use them as a natural perfume. It is important to know how to properly use essential oils so you don’t cause any harm to yourself. When properly used they can be extremely beneficial!

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope I was able to help you come up with some stocking stuffers for the special girl in your life!

xxoo

A. Marie

December 1, 2018 by A-Marie

Perk Up Buttercup: Self Care Ideas

1. Take A Bath!

Get yourself some big bubbles and take yourself a bubble bath! I also enjoy using bath salts and bath bombs. (Gorgeous smells and insta-worthy colorful swirls? YES PLEASE!)

Candles are an absolute must! What’s better than the soft ambiance of a warm, flickering candle? I think nothing.

After a long day, the best thing I have found to possibly do in the bath is to completely relax your body. Start with your toes and slowly work your way up your body relaxing each part as you go.

I also LOVE to bring a book into the bathtub and lose myself in it for the duration. However, to each their own, I have also set up a movie on my laptop at an angle that I could watch from the tub.

2. Give Yourself A Massage

Put a pump or two of sweet smelling lotion on your hands and get the kinks out of your neck and shoulders. You can also massage your legs. I enjoy using a muscle relaxing therapy gel as well!

3. Oxygenate

Inhale Deeply

Hold that breath for a few seconds.

Exhale

Repeat X3

4. Splurge A Little

Take that old gift card that’s been sitting in your wallet since Christmas 3 years ago or the spare change from your piggy pank and treat yourself on some small luxury that you normally wouldn’t get for yourself.

5. Pamper Yourself

Do a face mask! Either use one you have or make one yourself!

MANI-PEDI! Paint your fingers, paint your toes, watch Netflix while they dry and then go on feeling great and put together.

6. Check It Off

Check off and complete that task that has been lingering on your to-do list for forever. When it is finally done you will feel SOOO much better and plus, checking things off of your to-do list always makes a person feel very accomplished.

7. Take A Well-Deserved Nap

Need I say more?

Thank you so much for reading and please share! I have been feeling very inspired lately so there will be many more posts to come!!

XXOO

A. Marie

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 by A-Marie

Too-Faced Natural Face Palette Review

I have recently tried the Too-Faced Natural Face Palette, and I must say I love it. The packaging is gorgeous, the shades are beautiful and wearable, and it smells amazing (Always a plus, right?).

Let’s start with the packaging, The palette comes in a gold cardboard sleeve, with another light pink, lace printed sleeve over the top. This pink sleeve has the name of the palette in gold writing. The actual palette has the same light pink, lace print on it with gold writing. It feels very heavy duty and expensive. There is a huge mirror on the inside cover of the palette.

The pan size of these products is a great size, you get a lot of product! The shades are imprinted with a lace design, which makes the palette incredibly aesthetically pleasing. And speaking of the shades, they are gorgeous!!! There are SIX different face products including two shimmer highlighters, two blushes, and two bronzers. The highlighters are called Starlight and Satin Sheets. Starlight is a beautiful gold highlight with a slight pink shimmer, and Satin Sheets is a gorgeous champagne. There are two different finishes for the blushes, satin and shimmer. Pink Wink is a bright pink shimmer shade that gives the cheeks a youthful glow, while Pink Sand is a neutral shade that will go with just about any makeup look that you pair it with! It is the perfect everyday shade. There are two bronzers, but while one of them is actually a bronzer, the other is more of a bronzing veil. Sunny Honey is a gorgeous satin-finished bronzer, and Tropic Like It’s Hot is a wonderful shimmer bronzer topper. (Pro Tip: Use this bronzer topper with a fluffy brush on your chest and shoulders for a gorgeous bronzed glow during the summer!!)

BOTTOM LINE: This palette does it all. It is velvety, soft, and incredibly pigmented. This palette is cruelty free, gluten free, and paraben free. It’s also infused with cocoa butter!

I hope this review helps you all in your summer makeup endeavors! Have a wonderful Fourth of July, a happy belated Canada Day, or just an amazing week!

xxoo

A. Marie

July 3, 2018July 3, 2018 by A-Marie