Southern Shirt Company Salt Wash Tank & Company Review

I'm definitely glad to be adding a little more lifestyle and fashion to the blog today!

I don't know about where you live, but where I live it gets HOT in the summer. Because of this, I usually choose loose fitting, comfy clothes to stay cool and comfortable. Lucky for me (and you too) I have found a super cute and comfortable tank top! It's the Salt Wash Tank in Lavender from the Southern Shirt Company!

Sorry about the lack of a better picture.. I'm on vacation and hoping to get a better one soon!

The front pocket area and the back of the shirt both have the same emblem that says "The Southern Shirt Company" and has their cotton logo!

If you can't tell already, I am obsessed with this tank! It is SUPER soft and comfortable while still feeling durable and well-made.

This shirt is a gorgeous light lavender. The color is so unique, I have nothing else like it! It is very flattering and looks even better with a summer tan :)

The fit is definitely big and loose. Just in case you're wondering what size you need, I would definitely either choose your usual size or a size smaller (if you don't want it to be quite so big). I have a small and it fits pretty big on me, but that is one thing I love about it! It makes it very airy and comfy :)

This tank top retails for $24.

One thing I had to point out about this company is their exceptional customer service and attention to detail. If I order something and the order goes through smoothly, I will definitely be happy with the company, but the attention to detail is what will really draw me to order from a company again. First of all, the order was shipped very smoothly and they kept me completely updated on the status of my order with emails. This made it easy for me to know how my order was going and shows the attentiveness that the company has for its customers.

But what really got me was when my package came! They sent me two ADORABLE stickers for free! And not only that, but two stickers the same color as the shirt I ordered, which I thought was a really cute touch.



And not only this, but I was also impressed by what they wrote on my order receipt (or whatever you call it):

Small details? Yes, but to me these are the little things that show that a company truly appreciates their customers.

I am completely impressed with The Southern Shirt Company and their products, and I will definitely be purchasing from them again! Who doesn't love great quality products with exceptional customer service?

I highly suggest you order from this company! Check them out at www.southernshirtcompany.com. I am absolutely DYING for one of their jersey pullovers!!

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks so much for reading! :)



 

 



How to Remove Gel Nail Polish-- Super Easy!

As I talked about in my last post, gel manicures are insanely popular right now! I got a gel manicure about a week ago and because of chipping, I took it off today (not going to talk about my feelings on gel polish too much in this post, if you want to read about my gel polish experience go here :)

Just so you know what I had to remove, this is what my gel manicure looked like after one week of wear:

 

Anyways, I don't know about the salons you go to, but at the salons in my town, they charge you when you get them to remove your gel polish, fake nails, etc. ($10!). After removing my own gel polish the first time I got a gel manicure and making some mistakes, and watching a nail tech remove someone else's gel manicure when I got my nails done this past time, I have figured out how to remove gel polish at home. It is easy, uses products you most likely already have (if not, they are easy to find), and removes the polish efficiently without killing your nails.

Here's what you'll need:

-Aluminum Foil

-Cotton Balls

-100% Pure Acetone

And yes I know that Acetone is not good for your nails, but it's the only way to get the stuff off and it's not like you will use it every day.

 

The first step is to cut your aluminum foil into five strips (I do one hand at a time). There is really no rhyme or reason to the shape of these strips as you will see in the picture, you basically just need them to be long and wide enough to cover your nails and wrap around your finger.

 

Next, soak your cotton ball in the acetone. It doesn't have to be dripping wet or anything, it just needs to have a little more than what you would normally use to remove polish. If you get too much its no big deal, getting too little on the cotton ball would be a problem.

After the cotton ball is properly soaked, place it on the nail. Grab one of your strips of aluminum foil and wrap it around the nail and then the excess around the finger. There really isn't a certain way to do this, you basically just want it to secure the cotton ball onto your nail and have the foil around your finger so that the cotton ball won't slip around.

This is helpful in two ways: for one, the foil creates heat around the nail which will help the polish come off easier. It also secures the cotton ball to the nail so that you can move around, walk around, mess with your computer, etc., and not have to worry about the cotton ball sliding off.

Do this to all five nails and you will end up looking like this:

 

Let this sit for about 15-20 minutes :) Some people claim that they don't need it to sit this long, but I have found that letting it sit this long makes it much easier to physically take off and prevents scraping that damages the nail (I learned that the first time I did this).

 

When taking off the foil, make sure you slowly drag the cotton ball across the nail while taking it off. When the cotton ball and foil are removed, your nail will either be completely free of polish or there will still be some left on the nail. If you have left the cotton on long enough and used pure acetone, you should be able to remove the leftover polish by either going over it with the cotton ball a time or two more (like how you usually remove nail polish) or by simply scraping at the leftover polish with your thumb nail. I hate to say "scrape" when talking about removing the excess polish because if this process is done right, the polish should come off by just lightly scraping at it with your thumb nail.

 

As weird of a picture as this is, this is what the cotton ball should look like after you remove your gel polish. You can see that the polish basically peeled away into the cotton ball.

 

This is what my nails looked like right after the polish was removed. They obviously need a little TLC, but they're not too bad!

After this there was some of what seems to be the base polish they used left on a couple of my nails that I couldn't seem to get off.

After this, I cut, filed, and buffed my nails and also nipped my cuticles (I hadn't buffed my nails or trimmed back my cuticles in a while so my nails needed it, but these steps aren't necessary. I would suggest at least lightly buffing your nails though). I also went ahead and did my usual at-home manicure routine, using my favorite strengthening base coat (NailTek 2 Intensive Therapy-- a review on this should be coming soon).

I hope this helps you out! I know that it may seem difficult after reading all this (I try to be very detailed) but it's really easy and fairly quick! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks so much for reading :)



 

 



 

 



My Gel Manicure Review

Most of you probably have noticed that gel nail polish is insanely popular right now! (If you don't know what it is, just google it! I didn't want to inculde include it in my review because I know most people know what it is:) This "super polish" promises two weeks of a gorgeous, chip free manicure.

For some, this polish is perfect and works even better than advertised! My grandmother can get three weeks out of her gel manicures, even when she is constantly filing papers and typing on computers at work, sewing, cooking, etc. For others, like me and my mother, this polish doesn't quite work like it's marketed. I got about 5 days out of my manicure before it started chipping. Now I will be honest, I did help the chipping along. I am a perfectionist about my nails, and I can't stand to see my nails chipped. Whenever the polish started lifting from the nail, I did start to chip it off.. However, my mother didn't mess with her nails at all and they started chipping.

 

My nails exactly one week after my gel manicure

 

I don't think that it was the nail tech's fault or that she did anything wrong, I just don't think gel polish lasts on me (I have had two gel manicures and have had the same experience with both). They definitely didn't chip from the tips of the nails like most polish, but instead chipped from the cuticle area.

Don't let me discourage you-- if you're thinking about getting a gel manicure I definitely suggest you try it at least once. I just wanted to give my opinion on a side that you don't hear about often. I've never heard any bad reviews or feedback about gel polish, but mine just didn't work out. I think how the polish lasts on you honestly depends on your nail type. It's worth a try because it might be a miracle product for you, I just wanted to share that it doesn't always work so well on everyone.

By the way-- I have on OPI's Gel Polish in "Cajun Shrimp". The nail tech used this polish with CND Shellac's base and top coat gel polishes as well. I have heard this is a reason it could be chipping, but they did the same thing on my grandmother and the lady beside me, both of which have their gel manicures last for three weeks.

I hope this was helpful! If you want to learn how to easily remove a gel manicure at home click here :)

Thanks so much for reading!

 



Stila Kitten Eyeshadow Review & Swatch

Kitten is Stila's most popular eye shadow, pretty much a cult favorite of eyeshadow lovers everywhere. By the way-- don't mind my chipped nail polish.. It's the result of a gel manicure that just doesn't last on me like it's supposed to.

 

 

 

Kitten is a gorgeous, super light, shimmery, true champagne color with some slight pink undertones. It is very pigmented and a super buttery smooth texture which makes it very easy to apply. Kitten is perfect for all over the lid and highlighting the inner corner and brow bone. I can definitely see why it is such a popular shadow!

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with this color! If you're interested, it retails for $18. The size of the pan that it comes in is huge, and because it's so pigmented, it will last you forever! It is definitely a great value, you're definitely getting what you pay for :)
Thanks so much for reading! 

 



The Frat Collection Pocket T-Shirts Review

I'm finally incorporating a little more of the lifestyle side of my blog with my post today! I'm going to be sharing with y'all my favorite shirt (and giving my review on it), which is a pocket tee from The Frat Collection!

In case you don't know what a pocket tee is, it is literally exactly what it sounds like-- a t-shirt with a pocket. But recently, the new "trend" has been t-shirts with a different color or design on the pocket. I have seen these shirts done in so many different ways (tight fitting, V-necks, etc.) and sold many places, but I will always purchase mine from The Frat Collection.

The Frat Collection basically revolutionized the pocket tee. You basically build your own shirt by choosing the style (short sleeved, long sleeved, etc.) the color, and the pocket. They have tank tops, short sleeved shirts, long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, and even more. They have a TON of different pockets to choose from and plenty of colors as well! There is literally something for everyone!

Another awesome thing about getting your pocket tee from The Frat Collection is that 10% of the price of the shirt you buy goes to a philanthropy of your choice. So not only are you getting an adorable shirt that you basically customized, but you're also giving back and getting to help someone else :)

These shirts are perfect for anytime. They are more loose fitting and comfortable (at least on

me) and very soft.

. They can be dressed up more with a pair of flats or dressed down. I get compliments on my shirt every time I wear it. They are the perfect combination of cute and comfortable!

These shirts are also awesome quality! They are easy to take care of and feel sturdy and well made so you can feel good buying them knowing that they will last you a long time.

 

The shirt I chose was a short sleeved pocket tee. I chose the color "Alfalfa" and my pocket is called "The Lindie".

One thing you may want to note is that these shirts tend to run big. I am 5'3'' and I have a small and the shirt is still fairly loose and big on me (it doesn't swallow me or anything). I love this about their shirts because it makes them comfortable and easy to wear, but I wanted to include that just in case.

Because you can choose basically every aspect of their shirts, it makes them perfect for any occasion. You can get a shirt with your favorite team's colors, your school colors, the colors of your favorite holiday (they have some pockets that would be adorable for anytime, but especially the 4th of July), or just a combination that you think would be cute like what I did. I'm hoping to get more soon, especially some with my school colors maybe in different styles (long sleeves, tanks) to wear to football games :)

The tank tops and short sleeved shirts retail for $35, long sleeved shirts are $40, and the sweatshirts are $78. The only real downside is that shipping took a while (2 or 3 weeks I think--I ordered mine in like January so its hard to remember) so keep that in mind when ordering. I definitely think its worth it though!

I definitely suggest you all check out their website at www.thefratcollection.com. They have amazing quality shirts and so many combinations to choose from!

These shirts also make great gifts (for guys too)!

I hope you all enjoyed this post! If you have any questions feel free to ask! Thanks so much for reading :)

Bare Minerals Golden Gate Blush Review

I can't believe that I haven't done this review yet! Today I'm going to be sharing with you all my favorite blush-- Bare Minerals Blush in Golden Gate :)

 

 

This blush is a loose powder mineral blush. People tend to think of loose mineral products as messy, but Bare Minerals has really perfected the packaging of their mineral products. There is a plastic (I think) cover over the minerals that has only three holes that allow the product to come through. Over that there is another cover that turns open. This way the product is virtually mess free!

 

 

This blush is a gorgeous unique color! This and the fact that it is a mineral blush made it quite difficult to swatch. It is a beautiful warm apricot color but is very hard to describe because I haven't found other colors like it. It has reddish and peachy tones to it that make it look more natural. It is quite pigmented, which I love because it actually shows up.

This blush has a gorgeous shimmer to it. It isn't chunky and dramatic, all it does is give the blush a light sheen and glow. When applied, this blush makes the skin look glowing and healthy! I have found that it goes with nearly any makeup look and photographs BEAUTIFULLY. I have also found that this color looks good on basically everyone-- pale, tan, pink undertones, yellow undertones, you name it.

Another awesome thing about this blush is that is has amazing staying power!! It lasts all day without any foundation under it (on bare skin). It is the only blush I have with such good staying power, it is seriously amazing! And over foundation it lasts even longer :)

 

 

My favorite way to apply this blush is with the Bare Minerals Handy Buki brush. This is a dense brush that really picks up the product and buffs it into the skin. Although I love this brush, you can apply the product with whatever brush you like :)

 

 

If you are wondering how to apply it, it's really simple! Simply rotate the cap that is over the dispenser (obviously) and then tap the product into the cap. Then swirly your brush into the product, tap of any excess in the cap and apply it! I have found that tapping the product into the cap is the easiest way to apply the product.

This product retails for $19 and is available at Sephora, Ulta, and wherever else Bare Minerals is sold.

I hope that this post was helpful! As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you so much for reading! :)

 

 



 

 

 



Maybelline Dream Matte Powder: My Favorite Powder!

For me, setting my makeup with powder is an essential part of my makeup routine! Because I only wear concealer, I like to set it with powder to ensure that it lasts all day! I also love to use powder to keep my skin looking matte.

Although I love powder, it's not usually something that I want to spend much money on. My favorite powder as of now is my Maybelline Dream Matte Powder! I have the color Medium Sand :)

 

 

This powder is super soft and light feeling. You will not get much coverage out of this powder, so if you're looking for a high coverage powder, this is not it! When applied with a big powder brush there is very little coverage, and when it is applied more concentrated you get a little bit more. The coverage is never drastic or noticeable, honestly.

This powder does a good job at mattifying the face. Whenever I put on concealer or foundation and it still has a slightly wet look (dewy maybe) it does a great job of mattifying it and taking the shine out without making it look cakey. It doesn't keep my t-zone area matte all day, but it definitely helps and makes a difference. It does an awesome job at setting my makeup and helping it last all day!

This product is super light feeling so you will not have to worry about it feeling heavy on your skin. I like this because it is light enough to where you can apply some over your under eye concealer and not have to worry about making it look cakey. Like I said earlier, I like to use a little anywhere that I applied concealer but I have also started lightly dusting it all over my face to make my other face products apply more smoothly. It does this because it makes all of the skin the same texture so that blush and bronzer doesn't catch on more oily areas (I learned this trick from Kevyn Aucoin's book Making Faces).

I have heard this product compared to the Mac Mineralized Skinfinish Natural powders, but honestly I don't completely agree. The Maybelline Dream Matte powder is lighter in texture and coverage and more matte than the Mac Powder. 

Overall, I really love this powder and if it sounds like it would work for you, try it out! It is available anywhere drugstore makeup is sold and retails for around $7-8. This is my second one of these powders, but when I run out I plan on trying the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder.

I hope this was helpful! Thanks so much for reading :)



Review: Loreal Infallible 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Amber Rush

Today I decided to write about a long-time favorite product of mine-- the Loreal Infallible 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Amber Rush.

 

 

 

This line of eyeshadows is so different! Loreal describes these as long wearing, crease resistant pigments basically.

Many people have compared them to the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill eyeshadows, and although I don't own those, I can see how these eyeshadows can measure up to high end ones! I feel like these shadows are completely beyond drugstore, a really good quality but different concept.

The formulation of these is basically like a hybrid between a cream and powder, but it leans more towards a powder. They're hard to explain, but I think of them kind of like a very creamy pressed pigment. They feel soft and smooth and glide on with EXTREME pigmentation. This eyeshadow is honestly one of the most pigmented eyeshadows I have, it's amazing.

The product is definitely long wearing but I can't comment on the 24 hour part too well because I've never worn it that long and I've also always worn it over primer.

 

Don't forget to keep this little lid on! It's what keeps the pigment pressed:)

 

 

Amber Rush is an amazing amber-copper color with a gorgeous sheen. It doesn't have glitter or sparkle but definitely has a shimmer and sheen to it. I have used it by itself, but I also like using it under gold eyeshadow (Urban Decay Half Baked) to give a different dimension to the color. It's a very versatile color and can be worn so many different ways.

I have found that the best way to apply this shadow is with my finger, it seems to pick up the pigment the easiest and apply the product the most smoothly. Shader brushes that I have used with it didn't seem to pick up the pigment as well.

The color can take on a fairly light pinky look or a true amber color depending on the lighting so I have two different pictures to show you the different shades of the color.

Amber Rush in direct sunlight

 

 

This color is EXTREMELY pigmented and you can get plenty of color by just barely touching it. I honestly can't rave about the formula enough, if I didn't know it was from Loreal, I would think it was extremely high end.

Theses shadows come in quite a few shades, from wearable every day colors to dark smoky colors to bright colors to unique colors like this one!

I completely recommend these shadows to everyone, they are phenomenal! I purchased mine at Walgreens for about $8, but they are available at most drugstores. Definitely check them out!!

As always, thanks so much for reading! I hope this was helpful! :)

 

 

 

All About Eyeshadow Primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion Review and my Favorite Priming Technique)

So today, we're going back to basics! Many people already understand the importance of eyeshadow primer, but I will be talking about my favorite primer technique and a great primer for especially oily eyelids, too! And for those who aren't too sure about eyeshadow primer, this post should definitely help you :)

For those of you wondering what is eyeshadow primer? eyeshadow primer is basically exactly what the name says it is-- it is a product that primes your eye area for the eyeshadow you put on top of it. It basically creates a good foundation for your eyeshadow (much better than your bare skin) and helps prevent creasing, makes your eyeshadow more vibrant and last longer, and makes your eyeshadow apply more smoothly. It's basically a miracle product! I never put on eyeshadow without it.

But like any product, different eyeshadow primers work for different people. To begin, I'll share with you all my favorite eyeshadow primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion!

 

 

This is probably the most popular eyeshadow primer on the market, and for good reason! It works beautifully to make eyeshadows more vibrant, apply smoothly, and not crease at all!

 

 

The formula is very creamy and starts as a skintone color, but once blended out it is basically colorless on the eyes. One tube lasts FOREVER (I had mine for well over a year before it ran out) even if you use it every day. Oh and the packaging is great--it doesn't waste any product!

I must include that some people have experienced trouble blending their eyeshadows after applying this because it is so "grippy" I guess you could say. I find that Paint Pots are the same way and so I have always solved this problem by applying a skintone colored eyeshadow all over the eye area (mostly the crease area) after applying primer or a base to take away the "stickiness" and make the shadow I put over top easier to blend.

I recommend this primer to basically everyone! For most people, this primer works wonderfully, but for those with an extremely oily eye area, it may not work as well and I will recommend another product a little later in the post :) Oh, and this primer actually comes in four shades if you want a little color to your primer!

I love my UDPP, but I have a pretty uneven skintone on my eyelids, and it doesn't take care of that. So to fix this, I simply layer products! First I use my UDPP, and overtop I use my Mac Paint Pot in Soft Ochre (I am aware that UDPP comes in a skintone shade, but I have come to like this technique so much that I haven't tried that shade yet).

 

I have found that using Soft Ochre in conjunction with UDPP not only evens out my eyelids, but increases the vibrancy of my eyeshadow even more and prolongs the staying power! If you have a problem with uneven skintone on your eyes or feel like your eyeshadows are still not vibrant enough, or want to increase the staying power of your shadow even more, I really suggest layering a primer with a skin colored eyeshadow base (it may make the shadow harder to blend, but this can be easily fixed by applying a base eyeshadow over it like I mentioned earlier). To learn a little more about Mac Paint Pots and see some that you could use for this technique click here :)

**Quick sidenote-- you can use eyeshadow primer under any type of eyeshadow: cream, powder, etc. I use it underneath cream shadows, other eyeshadow bases, cream eyeshadow sticks, you name it.

For some people, UDPP doesn't work quite as well because they have extremely oily eyelids, so for those of you who think that UDPP is not for you and feel like you need a stronger, more heavy-duty primer, I suggest the Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. I have heard this primer recommended by people with an EXTREMELY oily eye area, and they have claimed that it keeps their eyeshadow looking perfect all day long. Using this primer with the technique of using a Paint Pot over top of it, I can't imagine your eyeshadow budging!

 

So there you have it: an explanation of the importance of primer, my favorite shadow primer, my favorite technique, and a great primer for those of you who need a little more to keep your shadow on! Keep in mind that as with all things in makeup, it's all about preference and what works for you. You may not need to use a Paint Pot over top of your primer, that's just what works for me! All of this is just what I have learned from my personal experience.

I hope this post wasn't too overwhelming! I hope this was helpful and that it covered any questions you had! If not, feel free to comment and ask them, because I would love to answer your questions :)

Thank you so much for reading!!

 

 

 

 



Comparison: What's the Difference Between Painterly and Soft Ochre Paint Pots?

Whenever I first got into makeup, all I heard about was Mac Paint Pots--especially Painterly. Every once in a while someone would mention Soft Ochre Paint Pot, but not nearly as often. Both of them were always described as "a nude skintone color" so I always wondered-- if they're both a nude skintone color, what's the difference between them? Every time I would go to Mac, I would swatch Painterly (the most popular) on my hand and it never looked right. After a long time of confusion, I finally figured out why Painterly didn't work for me and why Soft Ochre does, and I have been using it ever since.

For those of you who don't know, a Mac Paint Pot is a cream eyeshadow that can be used as a primer, base, or just by itself as a cream eyeshadow.

 

 

This first picture is in sunlight (Soft Ochre left, Painterly right)

 

This picture shows the colors a little better (Soft Ochre left, Painterly right) 

 

The best way to explain the difference between these two Paint Pots is that Soft Ochre is cool and yellow toned and Painterly is warm and pink toned. The reason that Painterly never worked on me is because I have yellow undertones in my skin (NC in Mac) and Painterly has beigey-pink tones.

 

Because these are nude skintone colors, the camera had a hard time picking them up when swatched. (Soft Ochre left, Painterly right)

 

Generally, if you are NC in Mac, Soft Ochre will work for you and if you are NW then Painterly will work for you. But you should know that Soft Ochre is VERY yellow toned, not just a slight yellow tint. Whenever I used it on someone who didn't have strong yellow undertones, it looked straight up yellow on their eyes. Like I used a yellow eyeshadow on them.. So if you're going to buy Soft Ochre, make sure your skin tone has enough yellow in it so that it will look natural.

Although I absolutely love my Soft Ochre Paint Pot, Painterly is more popular because it works for a greater variety of people. The color of Painterly covers a wider range of skintones than Soft Ochre does. In my experience, out of all the people whose makeup I've done, I'm the only one who can wear Soft Ochre without it looking super yellow. So if you're trying to decide which one to buy for a kit or even for your own personal collection, Painterly is more likely to work for you and your clients.

If you have a Mac Paint Pot that has dried out, find out how to make it usable again here :)

I hope this comparison was helpful! Thank you so much for reading! As usual, if you have any questions feel free to ask :)



China Glaze For Audrey: Nails of the Day

I don't know what it is about summer, but it seems like every time the weather gets warm I get obsessed with fun, bright nail polishes! Today's nail of the day post is about China Glaze For Audrey :)

 

 

This is a really pretty, bright turquoise blue color. Unlike some other turquoise blues (Essie Turquoise and Caicos) this one isn't sheer, and applies nice and opaque with two coats.

This color was pretty popular a year or so ago for being the "perfect Tiffany blue" nail polish color. I decided to put it to the test by putting it right beside a Tiffany & Co. jewelry box!

 

 

This color is pretty close when compared to a Tiffany box! If anything, Tiffany blue is slightly brighter and has more of a green tint to it than For Audrey, but it gives the same basic look.

I hope you all enjoyed this short nail polish post! Thanks so much for reading!