This Pixi Beauty Glow Mud Mask contains ginseng, aloe vera & mineral rich mud to deep clean pores and energize skin, leaving a healthy glow. This mask claims to be for all skin types, but especially congested or dull skin.  I always caution those with very dry or sensitive skin that mud masks may not be best for them, but I did not find this to be very drying like others I’ve tried in the past.

Apply a thin layer all over your face, avoiding the eye area.  After 15 minutes, this dries down to a slate color and can be washed off. Use 2-3 times per week before bed. I like to follow this up with Glow Tonic Toner & remember to always mask on clean skin! ✨

Mask: ​shopstyle.it/l/37BE
$5 off coupon: ​i.refs.cc/5xNGyMIi

I don't know about you, but if I am doing a little online shopping and there's an option to get free shipping when you spend a certain amount, I'm gonna make it happen!  So when my mom asked for some new eyeshadow for Mother's Day, I turned to ColourPop.  I really enjoy their easy to use Super Shock eyeshadow formula, and picked up a palette that coordinated.  I was so close to that free shipping threshold, and I had really been wanting to add a few fun colors to my collection...so I purchased the Mar palette for myself.

I really liked that there was a mix of both neutral and bold colors, satins, metallics and mattes.
Sorbet makes for a beautiful warm orange-toned crease color and blended well for a matte.  
The satins & metallics all blended easily and I sprayed my eyeshadow brush with rose water to pick up and intensify the blues.  The only shade I found difficult to work with was the dark matte brown shade, Top Down. I found that packing the color made it a little less patchy looking but I ended up layering Detour over it anyway.  I also appreciated having everything I needed in ONE palette.  Transition/crease color, highlight, bold and neutral shades.  I hate having to dip into multiple palettes, especially if I am doing a tutorial.  I have seen mixed reviews on this palette, but for the price I think it’s a YES if you want something a little different and travel-friendly in your collection.  

I decided to do something a little bold for my birthday look last week.  Because who doesn't want to wear blue eyeshadow while doing everyday things like eating pizza and getting a pedicure.  #extra

1️⃣Place cream shadow in the shade VICTORIOUS all over eye area to create a bare canvas and act as a primer.

2️⃣Use a fluffy blending brush to place the shade SORBET into the crease and up onto the browbone.

3️⃣Place the shade TOP DOWN into the outer corner.  I packed the color on somewhat with a shader brush.

4️⃣In the middle of the lid, place GRIDLOCK vertically from lashline to crease.

5️⃣On the bare section closest to your nose, place the shade HWY and blend very slightly into the last shade to create a gradient effect.

6️⃣On the outer corner of the eye, place the shade DETOUR and blend slightly past where we placed top down.

7️⃣Place EL REY in the very inner corner of the eye.  You can also place this under the arch of your brow.

8️⃣Using a small crease brush, place the shade WILD ONE on lower lash line starting at the outer corner and blending inward.
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9️⃣Touch up SORBET in the crease if needed.
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You could definitely create a cut crease to make this look more crisp, but that's just not a technique I tend to use.  Here are the products I used for this look in case you want to check them out for yourself!

Victorious Cream Shadow: bit.ly/Splurges
Mar Palette: https://shopstyle.it/l/3yQs
Prominent Liquid Liner: http://bit.ly/2Eokqhm
4D Mascara: bit.ly/2VDJyGt
​Blending Brush: ​http://bit.ly/2WVjPuM
Shader Brush: ​bit.ly/2EmJkh1
Crease Brush: ​​bit.ly/creaseeyebrush
Sublime Liquid Lipstick: bit.ly/2TyiNX9

xo Sarah
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Do you know the new buzzword in the beauty industry? “Screen Face” - skin damage caused by our dependence on digital technology. Aside from contributing to gradual vision loss and sleep problems, blue light is also causing you to look a lot older than you actually are. The skin around your eyes is one of the thinnest and most sensitive areas of your body, and becomes the most damaged when exposed to blue light, resulting in: 👇🏼

• wrinkles
• under-eye circles
• hyperpigmentation

Blue light can also cause migraines, insomnia, fatigue and neck pain. It’s time to #BlockTheBlues
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I have been loving these Anti-Blue Light Glasses from Topfoxx:  http://bit.ly/2O0FU7B
(So much, that I am wearing them as we speak.)

This Audrey in Tortoise style is already sold out and other styles are running low! Use code FANCY15 to save $$$ and your eyes while you can!  http://bit.ly/2O0FU7B

TIP: You can also adjust the settings on your phone to reduce the blue light.  Definitely set your phone to dim a few hours before you typically go to bed to prevent blue light-induced insomnia!

xo Sarah

(I received these products complimentary for testing purposes.)
I have been testing out the Rouge Signature Matte Colored Lip Inks by L'Oréal Paris.  The shades I have include: I Create, I Am Worth It, and I Rule.  They have such a unique texture and formula compared to all of my other lip products!  I did a video with my review and swatches if you are interested! 

P.S. Meet my new handbag. Her name is Whitney.
L’Oreal Rouge Signature Matte Colored Ink (Shades: I Rule, I Create & I am Worth It):
https://shopstyle.it/l/YdhY
https://shopstyle.it/l/Ydh0
https://amzn.to/2Tyu36t

MK Whitney Small TZ Tote: https://amzn.to/2EZ5dTd
Topfoxx Amelia Sunnies Jet Black: http://bit.ly/2Ee3yLQ

xo Sarah
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Pixi Beauty sent me this vanity set with a giant #GlowTonic right before Christmas & I have been using it ever since!

My skin can be a little sensitive at times, so I started by using it every other night to test the waters since this is a chemical exfoliant.  I have found it to be gentle enough to use every day with no irritation.

If you are still using one of those apricot scrubs to exfoliate your skin, put it down!  They can cause micro-tears in the skin which can invite bacteria to enter.  If you are overwhelmed with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) this is a great choice because it’s super gentle and alcohol free!

AHAs can penetrate the skin at a deeper level to address oiliness, acne, blackheads, fine lines & dullness.  Pixi GlowTonic includes 5% glycolic acid as the active ingredient.  It also includes aloe vera to soothe irritation and hydrate skin.

Ginseng is the unsung hero in this toner, because it can stimulate the metabolism of your skin (who knew?)  This encourages the production of collagen, which is essentially the fountain of youth.  Ginseng may also treat dark spots and undereye circles.

☀️Make sure you use SPF whenever you are actively using an AHA product.

💡If you are sensitive, try to introduce this toner into your routine gradually instead of  am & pm daily as suggested on the bottle.

Shop here: https://shopstyle.it/l/XU7h
                    https://amzn.to/2u36iEm

Have you ever tried the Pixi Beauty GlowTonic line?

xo Sarah

ＦＯＲＥＮＣＯＳ 
𝘝-𝘙𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛 𝘕𝘌𝘞 𝘛𝘖𝘕𝘌 𝘊𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘕𝘚𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘉𝘈𝘓𝘔  #texturetuesday 
I picked this up at either TJ Maxx or Marshall's because the packaging caught my eye. This product is made in Korea, so nothing beyond the front of the package was in English. I could only assume that besides being a cleansing balm, it also included some brightening ingredients. 
For my every day makeup removal, I tend to use a makeup wipe or micellar water; but when I have a full face this is what I use to remove it. I love how a balm melts away hard to remove makeup without having to rub or tug too hard at the delicate skin around my eyes. Although this does not irritate my skin, it does very slightly sting my eyes—I assume because it is not just a basic cleansing balm, but also a brightening product. It also leaves a little bit of a film on my eyes for a little bit, but I tend to use this immediately before bed.

I decided to do a little research & check out their website to see what additional information I could find. Lo and behold, that is also in Korean, short of a few random catch phrases like, “only the most abundant food contains vitamins!” It claims to “gently remove makeup and dead cells without irritation, while brightening your skin.” The active ingredients are Kakadu Plum Extract, Camu Camu Extract, and Acerola Extract. After a little googling, I discovered that these ingredients are very high in vitamin C. Besides it’s work as a brightening agent, Vitamin C also supports the production of collagen. By the looks of the photos on their website, this cleansing balm also includes: cactus, aloe, green tea, pearl, Snow lotus, witch hazel, and rumex crispus root. 
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I’m not sure if I would seek out this exact brand once I run out, but I will definitely be repurchasing a cleansing balm product in the future. 𝕎𝕙𝕚𝕔𝕙 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕒𝕧𝕖? 

Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2T3FbDo

xo Sarah

If you've been to my blog before, then you might know that I am an Ambassador for Topfoxx.  I wrote a blog post and filmed a try-on haul this summer.  I'll link it here if you are interested in checking out some other styles.

First, let me tell you WHY I love Topfoxx so much.  In a sea of beautiful & talented people, it is really difficult to get noticed these days.  Almost everyone has an Instagram account, and our lives are flooded with people sharing their experiences with us.  I am what they call a "micro Influencer".  Just a little tiny content creator sharing what I love.  But when Topfoxx reached out to me, I felt like THE REAL DEAL.  It was the first time that a legit brand reached out to me through one of my social media channels and wanted to take a chance on little ole me.  And for that, I will always be grateful.  It is also an all female run brand based in NYC.  And I can stand behind that!  

Second, these sunglasses are FIERCE!  Even if you are not a content creator, you will feel like an Instagram model when you have a pair on your face.  You might be toting a cart full of kids through Target, but people will take notice.  Their slogan is "not for your average girl."  

So, when their PR manager e-mailed me to say they were launching a new line and I got to choose a pair to receive, it made my day all over again!  An updated take on the classic aviator, they are available in three shades.  

Cue me falling in love all over again when I was told that the style would be called AMELIA!  After THE Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic.  I don't know about you, but I was obsessed with Amelia when I was a kid and watched in awe every time her story was aired on something like Unsolved Mysteries.  

I, of course, chose black.  But the Amelias are also available in silver & rose gold.

I don't know about you, but 2018 has flown by.  It's hard to believe that another Christmas season is upon us and now more than ever, I'm relying on my Amazon Prime membership.  When I feel overwhelmed with the cooking, cleaning, decorating, hosting, shopping, wrapping, baking, etc it is so nice to be able to order gifts or household items without an additional errand.  I still shop traditional retail stores, but there are always those hard to shop for people or sold out items that can complicate your to do list.  I've shopped from my bed during an insomniac episode, and from the bathtub trying to soak away the stress.  Ya feel me?  

No matter what online shopping you do this season (or ever, really) you must--I repeat, YOU MUST, sign up for Ebates.  It's free and tracks your shopping trips to reimburse you with whatever percentage they are offering for the specific retailer.  Right now, Amazon is up to 10% cashback for example.  Sign up with this link and then make sure to go to ebates, click on the store you want to shop at, and then the cash back will be added to your account.  They send checks out quarterly and I just cashed my most recent one.  

Now, back to Amazon.  Here are some of my handpicked items that I think anyone who likes rose gold glam would love.  A charging cable to keep your phone selfie-ready, a portable speaker to jam to while getting ready with the super cute makeup brush set and a coffee travel mug to keep you fueled up through all of the holiday craziness.  Click each photo to be redirected to each specific item.  I know I personally would love to receive any of these items as gifts, and already own several of them.  

Do you want to see more gift ideas?  Different retailers?  Let me know below!  Cheers to another holiday season. 

xo Sarah

I looked to social media for inspiration on this galaxy makeup look.  The variations are endless.  To create this look, I used loose pigments and blended them in a mask-like pattern in the center of my face.  I chose to use purple, pink, blue and green but you can use whatever it is that you have on hand.  The pigments I used are no longer available for sale, but I will list the other products below.

White Liquid Liner: shopstyle.it/l/UpW2
Highlighter: ​bit.ly/2qoZDCO
​

Did you do any Halloween makeup this year?

xo Sarah

I have a pretty extensive sunglasses collection.  I have a pair in my car, my purse, my beach bag, and about 8 other pairs scattered through my house.  But they're all pretty... #basic.

Let me introduce you to TOPFOXX.  Their slogan is "Not For Your Average Girl" and I'm sure you can see why.  Put a pair of these on and you'll feel like a CEO or at least like an Instagram model.  

TOPFOXX sent these sunglasses to me to check out and I must say my drive to the grocery store has never been so glamorous.  My favorite tip is to get yourself a pair of their BIG sunglasses (I recommend the Candy or Chloe styles), throw on some lipgloss and look like you have your shit together even when you don't.  
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They also gave me a special coupon code to save you money!  For the first 40 customers who use it, you can save 20% on your entire order with the code>> FANCY20
If you missed out on that code, you can still save 15% with code>> FANCY15
SHOP HERE: http://bit.ly/2MVNj74
​
I filmed a try on haul over on my YouTube channel if you're interested!

​xo Sarah