Summer Vacay Essentials

Hello lovelies,

We are currently in the midst of one of my favourite seasons, Spring, but trolling soon around the corner is Summer and Summer means vacation and weekend getaways!!!

With a newborn on the cusp of arriving for me, this summer will be more about weekend getaways then actual off shore vacations. But, who says weekend beach getaways can't be just as fun.

So, whether you are headed to a hot sunny destination, going on a road trip or taking a long weekend to bask in the sun near home, here are my Summer Vacation Essentials.

A cute swimsuit - from dynamite.
I love this swimsuit because it is flattering (for the top and bottom) and hello it's purple cheetah print!!!

A beach cover up
I got this when I was a teenager and still have it to this day, 'cause it has dolphins on it and it's huge. With cover ups the bigger the better for me, because they offer so much versatility.

Sunnies
- My favourite not too oversized sunnies from Dolce & Gabanna

For sun protection and tanning I love Hawaiian Tropic products and these are my go to's:
Tanning:
- SPF 4(the lower the better, because I am so pasty) oil spray with UVA and UVB protection. This stuff literally smells like a piña colada, yummie!!!
Sun Protection:
- 12h moisturization Silk Hydration sunscreen with Spf 30.
After Sun:
- Silk Hydration after sun moisturizer with aloe gel and 24h hydration. I absolutely love this stuff. It feels soft and cooling on your skin and is perfect if you got a little too much sun.

Hair
- Garnier fructis sleek and shine leave-in conditioner. As a blonde I need to protect my hair from the water whether it be salt water like the ocean or even just chlorine from a regular pool. To do so I wet my hair, slather this stuff all over and stick my hair in a bun. I do this to prevent my hair from absorbing the salt and/or chemicals. Instead my hair can absorb the conditioner and be that much softer.

If I'm not going in the water I use:
- Garnier fructis sleek and shine thermo-sleek spray to prevent my hair from getting heat damage. No this product is not uva or uvb protective, but I find it works just the same. (You can however get similar products that are meant strictly for sun protection.)

Other essentials include my fav razor for on the go; Shick Hydro Silk, a travel manicure set and my fav deordorant from Dove.

Every girl needs protection from mother nature as well, so I always make sure I bring a few tampons with me, no matter what time of the month it is. And, in my bag I have Playtex 360° protection Sport Fresh Balance. This brand has the best on the go protection (with a light fresh scent)and I need that as I will be running and chasing after a baby all Summer.

Face and Makeup:
No matter where you are going and no matter what anyone says, as a girl you always need a little makeup, it just makes us feel and look our best.
My makeup essentials for a weekend getaway include:
- Garnier BB cream in light/medium
- Maybelline age rewind dark circle eraser concealer in fair.
- My Naked2 palette from Urban decay
- Essence silky touch blush in 30 secret it-girl. This colour is perfect for when you have (or want) a tan, because it adds the most beautiful glow to any complexion.
- Stila stay all day waterproof volumizing mascara. Nobody wants raccoon eyes from jumping out of the water or after laying in the sun too long and having your mascara melt off.

Face:
- Blistex tropical lip balm with Spf 15
- My favourite moisturizer that I have been using for years!!!
Neutrogena Healthy Skin face lotion with Spf 15.
- Jergens Natural Glow daily face mositurizer with Spf 20 in fair to medium.
You always need a gradual tanner for your face, as the complexion of our face will never match the rest of our body. This one is my fav, because it is light and doesn't clog your pores. You can also mix it with your regular mositurizer or BB cream, so it is even lighter on your skin.
- Biore Make-up removing towelettes. The best for removing even the toughest waterproof mascara at the end of the day. Also great to refresh your skin after a long day in the sun.

What are your Summer getaway plans for this year and what will you be brining with you!?!

Comment below with your essentials and if you think I missed anything in my bag!!!

Another makeup haul

Hello lovelies,

My birthday was a few weeks ago and most people gave me money. Naturally being a blogger and just me, I bought makeup and clothes. I also want to try to work towards becoming a freelance makeup artist, so some of the things I bought are to help build a starter kit for makeup.

Being obsessed with youtube there are quite a few beauty gurus I really look up to and I value there opinions on products. With that said it is the only reason I bought most of the these products. Also anytime I buy anything online I research the items and company extensively, to ensure the products are worth my money and the waiting time.

All of that aside a couple of weeks ago I was on the elf website and went a little overboard. They were having their annual memorial day sale and all studio products were 33% off, so I didn't end up spending a lot at all. 

Here is everything that I got and I have tried most of these out so far and I am really, really impressed.

Like I mentioned earlier some of these products I got to put in my makeup kit for when I start to do makeup on others, so I did get a couple of shades and things I wouldn't normally use on myself.

I got three concealer palettes, one light, medium and one corrective, with pink, green and purple concealers. The consistency is light and creamy and I love them. I have dark circles under my eyes that all concealers will not suffice, so I thought if they can cover my eyes and last all day then they would work for anyone. I was so happy after I tested these, because they work amazingly and I know I will for sure be able to use them. The corrective concealers are quite sheer, but I personally prefer that, because they are easier to blend, as opposed to some that are really thick.

I also got two foundations one in porcelain and one in almond, so I can mix them depending on the client. I have not yet tested the foundations, however the reviews on them are really good. They do have a slight scent to them, but nothing too strong and it does go away through out the day. I also got two compact powders (sand and caramel) to go with them, for a matte finish, as the foundations do leave a dewy glow.

For myself I got an eyebrow kit in ash and I love it. I have always been a pencil girl when it comes to my brows, but I have now switched to gel and it's a lot easier then I thought. I also got one of their contouring blush & bronzer duo's in st.lucia which is supposed to be a dupe for nars laguna and orgasm. I was really surprised at how pigmented these colours are, its crazy!! Another dupe I picked up is there makeup mist and set spray that is compared to the urban decay setting spray. I have been using this everyday and it really works. My makeup does not budge when I use this spray and it also has a light refreshing cucumber smell, which is a great morning pick me up. I also picked up a clarifying pressed powder for everyday touch ups and some eyelash curler replacement pads.

I also got a bunch of brushes too. I got two eyeshadow brushes,  two blending brushes (one was missing in my package and I had to email them, to get another one), one crease brush, a mineral powder brush, a flawless concealer brush (which I have been using everyday on myself), and lastly their ever popular kabuki brush. All brushes are so soft and gentle on the skin. They are surprisigly dense and perfect to use on yourself or a client.

I also got a couple of things for myself from the drugstore by essence. I picked up two blushes one everyday pick colour in 20 babydoll and one coral colour in 30 secret it-girl. Both of these colours are amazingly pigmented, you only need the tiniest amount. I also picked up a yellow eye shadow for summer in 62 john lemon. For this I will for sure need a base to get the true colour in a photoshoot, but it's great alone for everyday wear. I also picked up a nail dotter, for making nail polish designs.

That is the end of my makeup haul, I hope you all enjoyed reading about my new additions, I am super excited and hope i can stary getting clients soon!! 

If you have tried any of these products, or if you would like a review on anything please comment below!!!

I'm not sure when my next post will be as I am going in for my surgery today. I will try my best to post over the next few days while I am off, but I'm still not sure if I will even be able to type :(.

I hope you all have awesome summer day!!!

xoxo

annpaige