Looking forward to a fresh start in a new school year, our new apartment and continuing  my journey with my dream job! Big things happening- HUGE! :) happy thursday!!

august has been interesting...

back to school shopping

apartment shopping

on the grind at work

day trips

"me" time

good books
contemplating..

new friends

cool nights
classic friendships

family time

new discoveries

happy august! mine has been amazing...what about you??



In the Night..

Everyone has a morning skincare routine, but so many neglect to nourish their skin at night. At night while you sleep the body focuses on rejuvenating and restoring itself, the skin is able to focus completely on absorbing nutrients into the skin. During the day we our skin takes a beating with environmental hazards and at night we are able to repair the damage the sun, and air pollution and dehydration done to our skin. This is so important to anti- againg and rehydrating your skin.

 

Cleanse...

Tone...

Night Moistirizer...

GOOD NIGHT!

 

Drugstore Favorites

There are only a handful of products I still buy at the drugstore and can not live without..

TRESEMME FRESHSTART Dry Shampoo: Made with Mineral Clay & Citrus I use this everyday between washes to keep my hair volumized and absorb any oil. Ive tried so many and always go back to this- love the scent and love the way it works with my not so routinely washed tresses.
AVEENO Positively Nourishing Body Wash: in the scent White Peach and Ginger.. Smells so refreshing.. I am used to using CAUDALIE BODY WASH from Sephora in PEACH and just found it more convenient and a little cheaper to opt for a fresh clean scent without a ton of extras.
CETAPHIL Daily Facial Cleanser: Dermatologist Recommended and the only wash that consistantly works for my skin. Its a very mild cleanser that removes most of my light make up and leaves my skin feeling very clean without a tight or dry feel.

I started my new job last week! Im learning so much and the people I am working with are amazing and teaching me so much!  I haven't had much time to myself and getting used to a 40 hour work week is an adjustment but worth every minute!

Hope everyone had an amazing week!

I DID IT!!!!

I met some AMAZING women along the way....

JACKIE SUMS IT ALL UP....!!!

Mel- I love you and couldn't imagine this experience without you! you are AMAZING and so talented you are going to do amazing things! xoxoxo

I PROMISE MYSELF...

to be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet.

to make all of my frinds feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

to look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

to think only of the best, to work only for the best

and to expect only the best.

to be just as enthusiastic about the sucess of others as I am my own.

to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

to wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature i meet.

to give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to critisize others.

to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong to fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

to think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but in great deeds.

to live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

-CHRISTIAN D. LARSON

                                 ...*The SECRET

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!

EXFOLIATE

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL

I used this product last night for the first time and I loove it! I like the idea of an exfoliater which uses a mechanical exfoliant ( grainy texture to exfoliate skins top layer) as well as a chemical exfoliant ( enzymes that work within the skin for btter results) Amore Pacific uses a plant enzyme.

I used this with my DDF REVOLVE for a super powered exoliation but that may be too harsh for some skin but my skin felt AMAZING!!

Benefits of this exfoliation is reduction in breakouts as the enzymes help with congestion of pores, brighter looking skin and amazingly soft skin.

to use:

dispense dime size amount of powder into palm of hand

add small drops of water and mix together in hands into a pasty consistancy

apply to face using upward circular motions for 30-45 seconds

rinse

it can be purchased through sephoras website:

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL

What are your favorite exfoliators?

I am loving Korres mineral foundation with SPF 30. It is all natural and contains no parabens,sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals-,phthalates, GMOs or triclosan.

The coverage is buildable and covers better than any mineral foundation i've tried before.

I use shade medium beige for a flawless complexion. I also bought the tan and use as a contour/ bronzing affect. I have some acne scarring and uneven skin tone and since using this foundation have gotten soo many compliments on my skin!

I also am really impressed with the KORRES skincare lineup

have you tried their products? what do you think?

available at sephora.com

Skin/ Make up Favorites

Skin/ Make up Favorites by mayasmama on Polyvore.com

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS

As you know I am a HUGE fan and frequent buyer on Hautelook.com. There are so many HUGE deals everyday on fashion, Make up and Skincare.. This morning I scored this beauty

You can buy it here

I am also thinking of splurging on the black and purple- they are so cheap! Only $20 each!

The Beauty Insider event you've been waiting for, Sephora's annual 15% off sale! 7 DAYS OF SAVINGS!

To get the discount, you must be a Beauty Insider. Go here to join  it's free and easy.

 In the U.S. and Canada, all stores will be celebrating Chic Week. Bring in your savings pass to use your discount.

 U.S. residents can also get 15% off online at sephora.com with promo code CHICWEEK entered at checkout.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Urban Decay

HauteLook.com featured URBAN DECAY on their website a few weeks ago- Eyeshadows at $5! I thought I was dreaming!! I got my package today and the colors are gorgeous! I can't wait to try new looks for Spring.

Left to Right: CHRONIC (greenish- mint color), ELECTRIC (eletric blue!) CULT (matte purple), PURPLE HAZE (another amazing matte purple) NARCOTIC (teal matte), JONES (gorgeous gold/ bronzy color)

P.S. I have an AMAZING job and work with AMAZING people! Our 50's inspired GREASE "cast meeting" ...



EXFOLI- KATE

Winter time is a perfect time to find a new exfoliating treatment for your face.

Let me introduce my new love...

Kate Somerville is a practicing esthetician and a miracle worker!

Exfoli- Kate is a dual action enzyme with a grainy physical exfoliation and fruit enzymes for an intense chemical exfoliation.  (Not recommended for sensitive skin)

Suggested Use:

Gently apply an even layer over entire face using circular motions.
-Leave on 20-30 seconds.
-Do not scrub—let the enzymes do the work.
-Gently pat dry and apply moisturizer.
-Use once or twice weekly, as needed, in the evening.
-Redness may appear up to 20 minutes post-treatment due to increased circulation.
-Discontinue use if irritation or sensitivity continues.

For more sensitive skin types:

ExfoliKate Gentle

has gentle papaya, pineapple and pumpkin enzymes as well as lactic acid for more of a chemical exfoliation

For Acne

ExfoliKate Acne

has salacylic acid and active tee tree oil

Product packaging is color coordinated by need:

acne = blue

calming = lavender

sun protection = yellow

sensitive = green

antiaging = silver

exfoliating = orange

MAKE UP STORAGE

I have been looking for a new way to store my make up/ accessories. I came across these after comparing ones from a few different stores.

MUJI USA

I will do a review when they arrive. How do you store make up? Have you tried these?



MY FAVORITE WATERPROOF MASCARA

I'd love to start doing more posts on questions I get asked at work or by friends or answers to my own questions I set out to answer myself.

My favorite waterproof mascara:

DiorShow Iconic Extreme Waterproof Mascara

great brush (small teeth get every lash)

smudgeproof

washes off easily without leaving any product on eyes

lasts all day

great formula

Have you tried Dior mascaras? What do you think? What is your favorite waterproof mascara?

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up,

snow is exhilarating;

there is really no such thing as bad weather,

only different kinds of good weather. 

~John Ruskin

Another storm is approaching.. Its becoming the norm lately

but Im finding more things I enjoy about being cooped up for the night

quality time with family

hot chocolate (trump networks hot cocoa is A-MAZING *thanks Aaron!)

warm fuzzy slippers

snowy goodnite stories

puzzles

enjoy the snow!

In the middle of winter I always look for ways to assure me that spring is coming! Need a pick me up? Try a new brighter nail color with some funky spring inspired decals:

I have been wearing a bright pink OPI by Sephora "Shopping Frenzy" (that is the best image I could come up with off of Sephora's website) Sephora by OPI has such rich colors and formula is great and QUICK DRYING which I love! On sale right now for $5!

I  have been sporting some nail decals to add a little fun. HELLO KITTY just launched their new line and there decals are so cute.. They have little flowers and butterflies which are always a breath of fresh air this time of year. $5. Sallys always has a great assortment of decals

Another change to consider is a body spritz, or moisturizer that smells like citrus or tropical. I love something that lifts your energy and makes you think of warmer weather

Ole Henriksen's Products are AMAZING and they smell sooo yummy and are ALL NATURAL. I am switching to his Day Cream with SPF and loaded with Vitamins and antioxidants and SMELLS LIKE CITRUS!

PHILOSOPHY makes sweet smelling shampoo, shower gel, lotions and fragrance too which work for me as a pick me up! Im addicted to this particular scent!

Spring will be here before we know it!....