Quotes From Estee A Success Story

I recently started reading a new book after finishing One Fifth Avenue over spring break. This month's non-school related book is Estee: A Success Story written by Estee Lauder. 

I picked up this gem while thrift store hunting back in December with my mother. It cost me a whole $1.50 but the pearls of wisdom I have gleaned from the first chapter are priceless. I actually find the author, Estee Lauder herself, to be incredibly shallow and cocky but in an endearing way. I find myself enjoying her blatant confidence and conviction.

Here is a quote I particularly love:

Beauty is the best incentive to self-respect. You may have great inner resources, but they don't show up as confidence when you don't feel pretty. People are more apt to believe you and like you when you you know you look fine. And when the world approves, self-respect is just a little easier. The pursuit of beauty is honorable.

I'm just a few chapters into it but I would already recommend it to beauty and business students alike. 

Back to reality! Its time to start writing that personal selling assignment due tomorrow. 

XOXO,

Kelsey

Gym Makeup Tips

I have been getting into some new fitness classes/DVDs lately. I love how empowered you feel after an hour of shaking and dancing at Zumba or 20 minutes of circuit training with Jillian Michaels. What I'm not a huge fan of is how sweaty and gross you are. If you are like me and always on the run, pulling yourself together after a workout can be a challenge. I recently saw this article on FitSugar.com about quick makeup tips for the gym. (Read article here).  In a nutshell, here is what they recommended to help freshen up.

1. Use a makeup wipe to remove all the sweat and dirt that accumulates during a workout. I love the Target UP brand makeup removing wipes.
2. Use a tinted moisturizer. Save room in your gym bag by eliminating the need for moisturizer, foundation and concealer. I highly recommend Origin's VitaZing tinted moisturizer.  
3. Multi use tinted lip balm. Multi use because you can not only add color to your lips but also to your cheeks as an instant blush. I like Bobbi Brown pot rouge for added color on cheeks and lips. 



Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge



Origins VitaZing tinted moisturizer 

4. Dry Shampoo. Use a powered shampoo to help absorb sweat and grease in your hair while it refreshes. I highly suggest you check out Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo from Sephora. It as a precision tip to aim at the roots. 

What workouts have you been getting into lately? How do you stay fresh after?

I'm off to bed after a quick stop at Hulu to catch up on my Thursday night shows I missed yesterday.

XOXO

Kelsey

Glitter Gel Manicure

While in Miami... yes I know I have used that same opening for the past few blogs...while in Miami my friend and I decided to get our nails done. We went to the SoBe spa (short for South Beach not the drink which is what we first thought haha!) and had an amazing mani-pedi. I fell in love with the new gel nails that have different colored glitter inside of the gel. 

The glitter gel was more expensive the the traditional gel manicure... a staggering $90! The nail technician was super sweet and gave me a "spring break" deal but even with the discount, the price was hard to chew. What I love about the glitter is that it is part of the gel (like I said before) so it does not chip at all. Its like having permanent glitter polish on.

Now to be honest these nails are not my usual pale pink and short (read they are not my style) but I really loved how festive they were for spring break and I'm happy to know that I can paint over them just like real nails for my interview this Thursday. If you love getting fake nails and you don't mind a little glitz I would highly recommend you check into the glitter gel.

Does anyone else have trouble doing simple activities with fake nails? I'm having the hardest time taking out my contact lenses and picking small thing up haha!

Off to the book store to pick up some page dividers. This is not really beauty related but I'm going on a no spending pledge that started Monday where I won't spend money for the entire week in hopes of saving up a bit. The page dividers are for a class assignment so those do not count. I gave myself $20 in emergency money that the dividers will be coming out of. I'll report back at the end of the week and let you know how much I ended up spending on this frugal challenge of mine. 

XOXO

Kelsey

Candle Love: Yankee Candle in Lavender Vanilla

Did you know that smell is the strongest link to memories? One whiff and you instantly remember an ex-boyfriend or how your childhood friend's house used to smell growing up. I am a big believer in having your personal space smell amazing so when others walk into your room they know instantly that it is a reflection of you. Its also a great way to cover up the random smells that end up drifting in from the dorm hall ways (Our hallway always seems to smell like someone is getting high a few rooms away! Not my idea of how I want my personal space to smell).

Vanilla has always been one of my favorite fragrances in anything from perfume, lotions, even cupcakes smell better when they are vanilla. When I saw this Lavender Vanilla at Yankee Candle I fell in love. Its the perfect balance of calm and cozy. The vanilla is the main scent in this candle but the lavender helps to make it unique and feminine. 

This candle is the 12 oz. size and it retails for $20. You can find it at Yankee Candle retail locations and  I have seen them at Bed Bath and Beyond as well. Here is a link for Yankee Candle buy one get one 50% off online.

Do you have a favorite candle? What fragrances are you drawn to?

XOXO

Kelsey

Carol's Daughter Gelee de Soleil Browning Oil Review

The blue waters of South Beach called to me this past week. Every morning started with a visit to the white sand and crashing waves. The best part was the ever-shinning Florida sun. I am all about getting a tropical glowing tan whenever I can and I brought Carol's Daughter Gelee de Soleil Browning Oil with me in hopes of achieving just that.

Carol's Daughter browning oil is a thick cross between oil and Vaseline made with palm kernel oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, mango butter and avocado butter. It smells tropically divine! I immediately think  of Hawaiian tropic suntan lotion when I smell the browning oil. It also gives the skin a sexy sheen. I would recommend using this even when your not in the sun to moisturize your skin and make you smell amazing. 

The real question is... does this product help you tan? The answer... if used with caution, Yes. Unfortunately for me, being super pale and unexposed to the sun for months, it caused me to burn pretty severely. Than goodness It was just on my back and I was able to cover it up for the remainder of the vacation. I would recommend applying the browning oil after you apply sunblock to prevent burning. If you do not burn easily, you can probably get away with just the browning oil. 

Carol's Daughter Gelee de Soleil Browning Oil retails for $15.00 and can be found online at carolsdaughter.com (click here for direct link) or at Carol's Daughter retail locations and select Macy's. 

Gotta run... celebrity apprentice is back on!

XOXO

Kelsey

Maybelline Spring Launch: I Named These Colors!

While I was in Miami for spring break (I just got back this morning) I stopped into Walgreens and look what I saw... the Maybelline spring fashion week display. 

Why is this display so special to me? Well if you look closely on the top row you will see five eye shadows called color pearls. What you can't see here but you can see if you pick up the product is that each shadow duo as a fashionista floral name and yours truly worked on creating each name over the summer. It was honestly one of my favorite tasks while interning. I even helped with some of the lipstick names too!

My favorite names in the collection: 

• Lilac Lolita
• Clover Couture 
• Va Va Violet 
• Strike a Posey 

It is extremely rewarding to see the end result of something you put your mind to. Seeing this was a huge push to keep chasing my dream of working in the beauty industry. With graduation fast approaching I can't wait to see what life has in store!

XOXO

Kelsey 

Blogging Spring Break Edition

Today I leave for spring break in Miami and I'm disconnecting from the outside world. That means no laptop, limited email checking and close to no phone. It also means minimal blogging :-(

I'm going to be testing out the blogger app for iphone this week and I'll do mini posts while in Miami.

Heading to the airport now!
XOXO
Kelsey

Urban Outfitters Sunglass Haul

 Last week I placed an order on UrbanOutfitters.com  for a pair of cat-eye sunglasses that I saw featured in a retro accessory article in OK magazine. I love urban outfitters because they have edgy, hip, and unique clothing, accessories and home goods. As I was about to check out I saw that if you order $50, you get free shipping... so back to the sunglass section I went and I continued shopping for some other affordable sunglasses I could take with me on my vacation to Miami (we leave this weekend)!

 I ended up picking up 3 pairs that totaled $50 (Yes! Free shipping!). 

 This vintage inspired metal tipped cat-eye was the pair I had originally went online to buy. Can you believe they were only $16? I love when the thing you fall in love with is super affordable to boot. You can pick them up here.

 I have always loved oversized glasses and big dark frames are right up my ally. My past two pairs ended up breaking in my purse because I never used a glasses case to protect them. I am much smarter and much wiser now. These bad boys were only $18.

The last pair I picked up was this modified cat eye with this sort of lace like detail on the top. Its actually my favorite of the three. I could see myself wearing these with so many outfits and no one else having the same pair of sunglasses. Do you think these will leave a funny lace tan line on my face?! I'll report back and let you know. 

Pulling on my cowboy boots, packing up my leopard print tote, and adjusting my cat eye sunglasses... The only way that I wear animals HAHA!

XOXO

Kelsey 

February Favorites

I'm actually not one to pick "favorites" each month because I tend to use most of the same products from month to month and then I try out some of the new launches at work (Macy's). If its extra awesome I will pick one up and take it home with me but even then, I rarely will start using it every day. Instead I have narrowed down the products that I noticed myself reaching for more than usual or more than my usual alternative. 

Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder

I can truly vouch for the fact that I have reached for this perfume every day since it came out earlier this last month. Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder (retail price: $49.50) smells exactly like Hawaiian Tropic sunblock. Its a warm sexy beach fragrance that I can't wait to take with me for spring break in 2 weeks!

Coconut Dry Oil Mist by Carol's Daughter 

 Coconut Dry Oil Mist (retail price: $21) is the perfect product to rub into your skin to lock in moisture after a shower. It is  a light and fresh blend of coconut and water lily. The best thing about the Carol's Daughter dry oil mist is that it does not leave a film or oily residue. It also gives your skin a nice healthy glow and the coconut blends perfectly with the Bronze Goddess fragrance.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

 I typically don't reach for mascara's that don't give lots of full thick dark volume however this month I have been using the classic Great Lash mascara to complete "no makeup" makeup looks. The best part about this mascara is that it is really gentile on the lashes and easy to remove.

Origins VitaZing tinted moisturizer 

Now I have been a VitaZing fanatic for months but I had to include it in my February favorites because I have reached for this in place of my foundation more than its fair share of days this month. I love that it adds a nice rich color with light coverage plus it has built in SPF 15 sun protection. Whenever I wear it I always get complements on my skin because it "looks so healthy and fresh." Those are complements a girl could get used to!

Origins GenZing Eye Cream

 I use many different eye creams because every cosmetic line always gives away samples of the latest in their skin care line so I take advantage of free eye cream (who wouldn't!?). Origins GinZing (retail price: $29.50) is the only eye cream that I loved so much that I went back and purchased it after my sample was completely gone. Its a great day cream because it is light weight and has light reflecting particles that make you look awake and alert. It also helps to depuff and hydrate. I would not recommend it to anyone with any existing lines around their eyes however its a great preventative starter eye cream.

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Perversion 

Its no secret that I'm addicted to the Urban Decay 24/7 eye liners. They are so creamy and long lasting. I used to stock up on zero, their old black, but now that I've tried Perversion I'm never going back! Perversion is even blacker, darker and more long lasting than zero. In fact, the swatch on my hand has not completely come off even after washing my hands twice. This is hands down the best eye liner I have ever come across.

What products are you obsessed with this month? I would love to know what your think about the things I've talked about too. Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

I'm off to read this month's SELF magazine (gotta get ready for spring break) 

XOXO

Kelsey