Chit Chat: Natural Lip Products

Let's talk lip products...

So over the past few months I have been thinking a lot about lip products...weird right? I got to thinking one day about all of the products I use on my lips daily, and how so many of them are FULL of stuff that could potentially be harmful for me. If you think about it, we basically eat the stuff we are putting on our lips when it comes down to it. 

A few weeks ago a family friend of mine who is EIGHTEEN got diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. When I heard the news a million things ran through my mind. She is a beauty guru much like I am, and always has her hair dyed the cutest color, and her makeup is always done perfectly. I stopped for once and thought about these chemicals we are putting on our bodies. As healthy as a try to be, I am not at the point where I am willing to give up my numerous eyeshadow pallets and foundations (yet). One things I am willing to give up is my lip products. I went through my beauty station and threw away the  lip products that weren't natural (I am still freaking out a little). As a reward I went to Sephora and picked up some Bite Beauty lip products. So far I am really happy with the lipstick and lipgloss. I picked up the Lipstick in "fig" and the lipgloss in "honey". 

I encourage you to consider the products you are putting on your lips. I know I may be a little paranoid, but it doesn't hurt to try and be more conscious of what we are putting in our body :) 

In the picture below I am wearing Bite Beauty's lipgloss in "honey". I want to know what YOUR favorite Bite Beauty colors are! Also, if you know of any other companies who make natural lip products, please let me know! I would love to try it. 

Have a blessed day!

xoxo,

            Hannah 

Link to buy the lipstick:

Link to buy the lipgloss:

Burt's Bees Lip Crayon Review

Burt's Bees Lip Crayons Review!

I have been wanting to try this for while, and I finally caved in and picked my 2 favorite colors out to give them a try.  Let me just say...THESE ARE AMAZING. The staying power is great and they apply smoothly and have semi matte look to them, without over drying your lips. One of the reasons I am most excited about these is because they are 100% natural. I have always used Burt's Bees lip balm and have known the line of products is natural, but never gave much thought to it. After looking into some of the ingredients in my current lipsticks I was taken back at the fact that these chemicals are going on our lips...which essentially ends up in our body. I am going to try and slowly switch my everyday lipsticks to either Burt's Bees or Bite Beauty, because I am starting to realize the importance of natural lip products. 

Here are the swatches: 

On the bottom: Sedona Sands

Top: Redwood Forest

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Redwood Forest on my lips:

I have to say the Redwood Forest was my FAVORITE. I have been trying to branch out and wear darker colors on my lips for the fall/winter. This color gives the most elegant shade of red that isn't too intense. Definitely a new found favorite of mine. Below is a better swatch of Redwood Forest on my hand. 

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Sedona Sands on my lips:

Overall I liked this color, but my only complaint was that it isn't very pigmented. My lips are naturally pretty pigmented, so this shade was one of those "my lips but better" colors. 

I would highly recommend these lip crayons! I purchased mine at Ulta but you can find them at most drugstores. 

How to clean your makeup brushes + my version of a brush cleaning glove!

How to clean your makeup brushes:

    I will have to admit, I don't look forward to cleaning them weekly...but we have to! The thing I hate the most about cleaning them is how gross it dry it make my hands feel. Once I get through cleaning all of them I feel like my hands are dried little raisins! 
   When Sigma released there cleaning glove I REALLY wanted it to solve my problem...but the problem was it was $40 dollars for a GLOVE! I knew there was something else that would be a cheaper solution. Now, you may laugh at me when I tell you the solution..but you will thank me later! So, I went into my kitchen and rummaged around and found an oven mitt that was basically the same thing, so I gave it a try. Let me just say that my brushes have NEVER been cleaner, and even better my hands don't get dried up!

1. The first thing I do is collect all the brushes that I am going to wash and set the by the sink to be ready to wash.

2. Next I get baby shampoo, a rubber oven glove, and paper towels. 

3. Start the water and get the temperature to medium (not too hot)

4. Now put your glove on and put about a pea size amount of soap on the glove (depending on how big the brush is you are cleaning)

5. Quickly run the brush you are washing under the running water and proceed to rubbing in a circular motion on the glove. 

6. After the excess soap is out gently squeeze the brush in between the thumb and pointer finger to get some water off of the brush. 

7. When the process is finished grab your paper towels and gently rub the brush in circular motions to get some water off and then reshape the brush.

8. Store the brush on its side (if you store the wet brush upright it could cause damage to the brush by having it dry into the root of the brush. 

Frank Coffee Scrub

Frank Coffee Scrub...is it worth all the buzz?

I have seen people posting pictures all over Instagram with this scrub, so I thought I would give it a shot! Some of you may be wondering what the heck Frank is, so let me explain. It is a scrub that is made with coffee grounds, brown sugar, sea salt, and almond oil. It claims to target skin problems such as cellulite, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and stretch marks.

Things I liked about the scrub: I liked how it exfoliated and wasn't too abrasive. It didn't irritate my sensitive skin and so far is helping my eczema. The almond oil left my skin very moisturized which was also a bonus because I didn't feel like a had to moisturize my skin after. 

Downfalls of the scrub: It was SUPER messy. I had to completely scrub out my shower when I was done because the coffee grounds got everywhere. 

Overall i'm happy with the purchase, and I'm going to keep using it on my targeted problematic areas on my skin. There are 3 different scrubs, but the one I tried was the original. The price is $14.95 and includes shipping. 

Try it out! Purchase it here: Frankbody.com

Review on Royal Care Cosmetic's 4 Piece Synthetic Kabuki Makeup Brush Set

Gold Premium 4 Piece Synthetic Kabuki Makeup Brush Set From Royal Care Cosmetics-$18.00

4 brushes...$18.00, there's a catch right? I was searching online to find a set of brushes that would make my foundation routine easier and came across these. After reading tons of reviews and seeing the price, I couldn't resist trying them out! I have had these for about a month and have had absolutely no problems with them.  A lot of people are even comparing them to the quality of sigma brushes but for a fraction of the price!
Some reviews said they had a chemical smell when you first get them, but mine never did! I wash them once a week and so far there has been very little shedding if any! My only complaint is they do get dirty really fast, but that's pretty typical because of how much I use them and what I use them for.

Brush 1: I use this brush for various things. I use it everyday to go over my whole face to even out lines and make it look well blended.

Brush 2: This brush is PERFECT for blending out under eye concealer.

Brush 3:  This brush is slightly angled and perfect for blending out a contour.

Brush 4: I use this brush everyday for my foundation. It blends out perfectly and leaves your foundation looking very natural and blended.

I would say overall these brushes are worth every penny of $18.00!
---------> Here is where you can buy them! <---------

Review on MAC's Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara

MAC's Haute and Naughty Lash mascara

Review on MAC's Haute & Naughty Lash!

I have been using this for about a month and I LOVE IT! It has 2 steps. The first one is for lengthening your lashes, and the second is for volume. The thing I love most about this mascara is that it seems to seal your lashes perfectly and they don't move all day! It doesn't flake off or smear and looks amazing. 

My only complaint is it dries a little slow, but not bad. Before I bought this I was using Benefit's "They're Real"  mascara, that I could apply and run out the door and it wouldn't smear, but the process is a little different for this. The first day I wore this I applied it and ran out the door and it was super windy and my eyes started watering...leaving me with little mascara marks. Since then I apply it and wait about 5 min, & then it is good to go! 

Once the mascara is dry it will NOT run off and smear. 

I HIGHLY recommend this mascara. 

Before and After using MAC's Haute & Naughty Mascara

MAC Haul!

MAC Haul!

A few weeks ago I went to the local Dillards and checked out the MAC counter. This was my first time to ever purchase MAC. I went ahead and asked for a whole "Makeover" and told them to use whatever products that they thought would fit my skin type and my style. Overall I am very happy with MAC so far and plan on making many more purchases! So there were TONS of things I wanted, but I wanted to start with the basics.

1. MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation

I love this foundation! It is great for dry skin because it doesn't settle into the dry areas on your face and leaves your face with a dewy glow. I also like that it has SPF 15! My only complaint is that I feel that it wears off as the day goes on and I have to re-apply. Overall I highly recommend this to someone looking for a foundation that makes your skin feel moisturized and more of a "tinted" look!

2. MAC Select Cover Up

 I have not used this a lot, but when I do I use it to cover blemishes. It seems to do the job so far!

I may keep looking around for different concealers, so if you have a favorite you recommend let me know!

3. MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter (Light Boost)

I LOVE using this highlighter. It is so simple to use and easy to carry around without a mess.I apply it under my eyes, on the top of my nose, and on my chin. I can already tell this will be a favorite of mine!

4. MAC Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara Double Effect 

I have tried a lot of mascaras, and so far this is my favorite! It has 2 ends. The pink side lengthens your lashes, and the glitter side adds volume. It stays ALL day and never flakes off. I will definitely be buying this again!

5. MAC Lustre Lipstick in "Viva Glam V"

The color is amazing for every day! Goes on your lips super smooth and doesn't settle into lines. 

My Mini Drugstore Haul!

Today I was out and about, and picked up a few things I'm excited to try! 

I picked up 2 eye creams by Burt's bees. The first one is the Intense Hydration Eye Cream with Clary Sage. The reason I wanted to try it was I have the Clary Sage Hydration face mask and I really like it! Tonight I used the Clary Sage eye cream and so far I love it! It doesn't burn at all and seems to keep under my eyes moisturized! I also picked up the Burt's Bees Radiance eye cream with Royal Jelly. 

I picked up the Pond's cleansing towelettes in the scent Chamomille & White Tea. I used these tonight and I love the smell, and so far they are great for my sensitive skin! (Unlike a lot of the other brands) 

Next was the Revlon Color Stay foundation for Normal/Dry Skin. I also used this tonight when I went out to dinner tonight and I really liked the coverage! It seemed to keep my skin moisturized and yet didn't move around! So far I really like it. 

Then I got a Nivea Lip Butter in Rasperry Rose Kiss. I've been looking for something to use on my lips before I go to bed so hopefully this will do! 

Rimmel has a great makeup remover solution and sometimes it's hard to find so I grabbed one while I was out. If you haven't tried it yet, it's great. 

Lastly, I was looking for a good waterproof mascara for my vacation next week and I came across the Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions waterproof mascara in the waterproof formula. I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure it will be just as great as Loreal's other mascaras.

If you have tried any of these products let me know what you have thought of them. If you know of products similar that you have used  and recommend, let me know! I would love your feedback! 

L'ORÉAL Miracle Blur Review!

L'ORÉAL Miracle blur!

I decided to purchase this after I heard many people really liked it for the price! I have mixed feelings about it, but overall it's worth the money! They have an oil-free kind but I didn't get it because my skin is dry. 

What I like about it: I LOVE the texture of it. It is super silky and soft, and feels great on your face. I like that it is has SPF 30 in it. It also seems to keep my makeup looking smooth all day. 

Things I wasn't crazy about-I didn't really see the "Blur" affect. It did lay smooth on my face and made it soft, but it says it "Erases the look of wrinkles, Lines, & pores". I couldn't really tell a difference with my pores. My other problem with it was the dry patches on my face every now and then, it seemed to cake up weird and not be smooth over those areas. So on the days your face is dry, I don't recommend using this. 

If you have oily skin I think this product would be amazing! Especially in the Oil-Free formula. You can find this at any drug store pretty much! I got mine for around $20. 

I'm definitely going to keep shopping around for primers, If you have any recommendations for a primer that is my dry skin friendly, let me know!

Here is where you can find it online: http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/products/skin-care/moisturizers/revitalift-miracle-blur.aspx

Dr. Bronner's Magic All-One Soap Review

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap in Peppermint

I heard about Dr. Bronner's  soap through my brother, who also has very sensitive skin, so I decided to try it! This stuff is amazing because it is so versatile! My brother uses it as a body wash and as his hair shampoo. He even uses it to clean his house AND wash his clothes! The thing that I like the most about the soap is how natural it is! The top ingredients are Water and coconut Oil.

 I use this as a body wash everyday. I've never tried it in my hair because I have very oily hair, but I think for people with more dry hair it would be ok if you are trying to use a more natural shampoo!

If you are looking for something that is Multi purpose and cheap, check this stuff out! Also, I recommend the peppermint scent, it smells AMAZING and clears your sinuses. I got mine at target for $10 and have been using it for about 6 months and I'm just now starting to get low!

Here is where you can find it:http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/product/OLPE16.html

The Best Face wash and Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin!

Hello! So in my last post I talked a little about my skin and how dry and sensitive it use to be. I still have a little bit of dryness but not nearly as bad. Two products that I LOVE and that I feel really helped my face were the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream  & the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.

The cleanser

This stuff is great! It is SUPER gentle and feels great on your face. It is for ALL skin types, but I am particularly dry. What made me want to try this product at first was the fact that it was Fragrance free and raved about how it would help skin retain moisture. If you have dry, sensitive skin I HIGHLY recommend this. The lady that I get facials from has the most beautiful skin, and this cleanser was her holy grail skin product! 

The Cream

I use this stuff EVERYDAY, not only on my face but all over my body because it is so moisturizing!

It has a very thick consistency, but if you only apply a little it soaks right into your skin! I use it AM and PM. Again, If you have dry/irritated skin, I recommend trying this!   

I hope this is helpful! Please let me know if you have tried the product, and what you think!

Where to buy the cleanser: http://www.cetaphil.com/products/gentle-skin-cleanser
Where to buy the cream:http://www.cetaphil.com/products/moisturizing-cream

My Skin in a Nutshell

Hello! So this is new for me but I am really excited to try this whole blog thing! What my goal for the blog is for me to find products that I like or don't like, and be able to share with you why. 

My skin is difficult, and it has been a HUGE problems these last two years. During college I developed severe Excema and Skin allergies that merged together to form a girls nightmare! I went one year in college wearing absolutely NO makeup because my skin was constantly red and dry. If I would even put the least amount of makeup on it would flake off. Not wearing makeup wasn't a huge deal, but the biggest thing to me was the embarrassment of having dry red skin on my face and neck. There were some days that when my skin was so bad I didn't go to class or leave my house, because leaving the house I was bound to get weird looks or even have the occasional person ask what was wrong with my skin and if I was OK. 

SO, what was the solution? Well I by no means have perfect skin now, but it has come SO FAR! What really turned things around was going Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Sugar Free for one month. My skin changed more in that month than ever before. I also slowly found face and makeup products that my skin would start to accept and not become irritated to.

Now my skin is pretty much good with anything except really harsh chemicals or highly fragrances things...I try to stay away from those things anyway! 

I'm so excited to share with you some things that have worked for me and some newer things that I am trying!

Along the way if you have any products that you have used to help dry irritated skin, please let me know! I am always up to trying new things!