The Styled Collection Review

Recently I purchased this Luxe Beauty Case from The Styled Collection. I had heard about this bag through some other bloggers and I knew I wanted to try it. I always travel with about 3-5 different cosmetic bags, all with their own purpose. It is a pain trying to fit them all in a suitcase, let alone an overnight bag! I went on an overnight with my best gal pal and I got to try this bag out. It held a lot of makeup, skincare, and haircare. Here are my thoughts on the Luxe Beauty Case.

Pros:

You can see everything- this is my favorite feature about this product. The clear plastic lets you see through the bag so you don’t have to dig around to find what you want!

Removable compartments- this comes with a square case to fit small items but it can also be removed (as shown in pictures). The pockets that I put my brushes and hair products in are also removable. They can be snapped in with the buttons or you can remove just one to create a larger pocket.

Gold details- this is everything! The gold hardwear make it look more high end and classy.

Durable+Large- the plastic is really thick which makes it feel tough. I packed this with so much when I went away last weekend and it didn't get stretched out or tear. I love how large it is (8” tall 9” width 5.5” diameter) because it can fit full size products that you want to travel with.

Cons:

Price- this is the only con thus far. This retails for $88 - yikes! I got it on sale and with a coupon. I went back and forth about getting this product but I knew I would get good use out of it with our upcoming trips. The good part about The Styled Collection website is that if you enter your email you can get a percentage off of your purchase.

Next week we are heading on our last vacation of the summer. I can’t believe how fast it flew by! I’m really excited about our next destination - Peru! Are you going anywhere else this summer? Leave a comment below! Stay beautiful! Xoxo

Makeup Tips

Happy Monday gals! I hope your weekend left you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for the work week. My sister is coming to spend a few days with us this week and I am so excited to have her. One of our favorite things to do is play with makeup or as she calls it makeover. If you’re new around here you may not know I have a younger sister - age 9. As you can assume there is a big age gap but we always have the most fun together. I know we will be doing some makeovers this week so I am preparing my makeup for that - i.e. hiding the expensive stuff. LOL.

Today I thought I would share a few tips for the everyday girl on how to enhance your look without spending a ton of time doing it. The biggest misconception that I hear about wearing makeup is that it takes too much time. I would tend to disagree. With the right products, tools, and knowledge, you can whip out your makeup in 10 minutes or less.

Tip #1: Prime before you apply

The most frequent question I get is how do you get your makeup to stay all day? My answer is always, use a primer. I have tried multiple primers but there are two that I absolutely would recommend and adore. The first is this one by Becca. I can’t rave about this product enough, especially if you like a dewy look. This primer will have you glowing from within even before you apply any makeup. The next primer is this primer by L’Oreal. It has a similar effect as the primer by Becca, but for a more affordable price. Both leave your skin feeling soft and slightly tacky, perfect for applying the rest of your makeup. I apply a primer with my fingers so this is a quick and easy step.

Tip #2: Don’t underestimate the power of a good concealer

I’m not saying you need to spend a lot of money to get a good concealer but this concealer by Tarte, although pricey, is by far one of the best. I use shade light sand. This concealer will leave your under eyes bright and light and like you have slept on a bed of clouds for 12 straight hours. I love the applicator on the wand and the amount of product in the tube. I recommend blending it out with a damp beauty sponge for the best result. I love this one by Real Techniques.  

Tip #3: Add some color to your face

Blush, bronzer, and highlight. These will add dimension and life back into your face. If you can’t wake up looking like Blake Lively (because we can all agree she is stunning), why not fake it till you make it? Popping on some blush takes only a matter of seconds, you can see my favorites here, here and here. A little bit of bronzer adds dimension to the face as well as a healthy glow. My favorite is the Butter Bronzer by Physicians Formula. It smells like summer and is super buildable so you can use as much or little as you like. I suggest applying to your hairline, jaw, and right below where you would apply blush to define your cheekbones. Lastly, I can’t say enough about using highlighter. It adds a glow unlike any other. You can see my favorites in this post.  

Those are my quick and easy makeup tips. Would you want a full tutorial on makeup in under 10 minutes? Leave me a comment below! Stay beautiful! Xoxo

Banana Protein Pancakes

On a recent trip to Costco I picked up this protein powder. I had never really used protein powder before but I wanted to try to incorporate it into healthy snacks and shakes. I can’t compare the flavor to other protein but I can tell you that this one is delicious. I picked up the vanilla but it also comes in chocolate.

I wanted to try this protein in our pancakes. I usually make pancakes or waffles on the weekends, but by no means are they healthy! I have to tell you I was a bit skeptical and, if I am being honest, I wasn’t expecting much from these pancakes. The first time I made them, I used protein powder, oats, and water; that’s it! They were really filling but the only thing I could taste was the vanilla from the protein powder.

This time I wanted to try adding a mashed banana for a more sweet bite, and boy did that do the trick! The texture is unlike a regular fluffy pancake because it has no eggs or flour. It is a bit more mushy but not in a bad way. You have to try them yourself! I topped mine with freshly sliced strawberries and maple syrup. These kept me full for hours!

I am looking for some protein bars or I can make at home. Any good recipes you can share? Leave a comment below! Stay healthy! Xoxo

Banana Protein Pancakes

Printable Recipe

1 large mashed banana

½ cup oats

½ to ¾ cup water

1 scoop protein powder

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp baking powder

1. Add all ingredients to a blender.

2. Blend until well combined. If batter is too thick, add one tablespoon of water at a time until it gets to the right consistency. You want the batter to be a bit runny and not chunky.  

3. Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto a hot and greased pan

4. Cook until the batter starts to bubble (about 3-4 minutes) then flip

5. Top with fresh fruit, yogurt, or maple syrup to enjoy!

Nighttime Skincare Routine

This is my first work free week of the summer and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Yesterday I ran some errands, cleaned the house, and got myself organized for the week. I love having a routine, it really helps me be more productive and on task. Speaking of routines, I have an easy nighttime skincare routine. I can honestly say I started to notice a difference in my skin about a week after I consistently stuck to this routine. If you don’t have a skincare routine or need to step up your game, my routine is a great place to start.

Cleanse or Exfoliate

I cleanse my face every night, no matter what. Even if I am out late I make it a priority to clean my face before bed. You know I have a new obsession with Beautycounter and I just started using their cream cleanser which leaves my skin squeaky clean without feeling dry. Every other night I like to cleanse with an exfoliator. This helps clear away dull or dry skin. If you have more sensitive skin, I would recommend only doing this once or twice a week. I love this exfoliator because it is less abrasive and smells amazing!

Tone

Up until about a year ago I was skipping this step. I didn’t see the need to use a toner, mainly because I didn’t see the benefits. I thought of toner as the step that burns the skin to the point where you can’t keep your eyes open {thanks to Proactiv and my teenage acne prone skin}. I decided to give it another chance and I am so glad I did. I’ve been using this toner for about 6 months and I love it! It has minimal tingle and gets rid of any leftover dirt stuck in the pores. When I exfoliate I like to use this toner. Let it dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.

Face Oil

If you take nothing away from this post at least try this, cleanse and use a face oil! I started using a face oil a few months before I got married and I am telling you ladies it gave my skin the best glow. I snagged an argan oil from TJMaxx and used it on my face every single night. I remember my best friend telling me that I was glowing and to keep doing what I was doing. It gives your face an extreme amount of moisture and refreshes the skin. Currently I am using this oil and I am living for it!

Moisturize

To keep that face oil in place I like to seal it in with a moisturizer. I have tried so many moisturizers but I am currently using this one. I will do a post about moisturizer during one of my steal vs. splurge series! I tend to have more dry skin so I need a moisturizer that is heavy and thick without feeling like it - is that too much to ask for?! This one really does the trick!

Under Eye Cream

Even though I am in my mid twenties {or is late twenties now that I am 26? Yikes!} I want to be proactive when it comes to fine lines and wrinkles. I started using an under eye cream a few years ago and have gone through many since then. I am loving this one because it is so light and really hydrates the undereyes. It’s important to keep your under eyes hydrated. It will help them to look smooth under concealer and bright all day.

Spot Check

No matter how hard I try to keep my skin healthy and blemish free, there’s always a few friends who like to join the party each month. For this I use a little bit of this Tula exfoliating mask and dab it onto the problem area. This really dries out the blemish and decreases the size overnight. I highly recommend it!

I hope this helps on your journey to beautiful skin! Would you be interested in a morning skincare routine? Leave a comment below! Stay beautiful! xoxo

Corn Salsa - Chipotle Copycat Recipe

Happy Monday - although it took me some time to get my day started, it’s been productive! This weekend was filled with lots of fun with my husband. We went out with some friends Saturday night and you would think the guys were 30 going on 13. Anyone else’s husband act like a teenager when they’re with their friends - we had so many laughs.

Jay and I love Chipotle. It’s one of our favorite places to go to when we are out and about running errands. We were craving Chipotle the other night but the closest one to us is about 25 minutes, and we did not feel like going out. It was one of those lazy Sundays where you can’t bring yourself to get out of your gym clothes pajamas!

I decided to take matters into my own hands and make us a homemade Chipotle dinner. We’ve done this before but I’ve never tried to make their corn salsa. This really made the meal for us. It is both sweet and spicy, and adds a lot of flavor to the dish. It stayed good in our fridge for about a 5 days and we used it on everything for dinner that week.

I wish I could claim this as my recipe, but it is not. I found it on Making Thyme for Health blog. Sarah’s recipe was super easy to follow and I appreciated all her tips. I will say, I was nervous about using the jalapeno pepper, but I am so glad I used it. It was just the right amount of spice without setting my mouth on fire. I am a wimp when it comes to spice, so if I think it isn’t too spicy, than it really isn't.

I hope your Monday isn’t too terrible! Have you tried any copycat restaurant recipes? Let me know in the comments below! Stay healthy. xoxo

Friday Favorites

It’s finally Friday and I couldn't be happier! Last night Jay and I went on a hike with our neighbors and we saw something very exciting..a bear!! Bears are super common where we live so it wasn’t that crazy, but we haven't seen one that close and personal before. It was amazing, scary, and heartstopping all at once!

Other than that excitement, this week has been so rainy and gloomy, which has made it feel like a month rather than seven days. So today I thought I would share five of my favorite things at the moment to help better my mood.

Zone Perfect Peanut Butter Protein Bar

These are seriously so addicting! It is the perfect snack for after a workout or a midday pick me up. It is so peanut buttery and packed full of protein. If peanut butter is not your thing they have other flavors that are equally as delicious.  

Spin

There is nothing more satisfying than working your butt off at the gym. I always feel so cleansed after I come out of a spin class. All that negative energy I might be carrying is released through intense cycling. If you’re a bit intimidated by the idea of a spin class, don’t be! You’ll build more endurance with each spin class you attend. If you haven’t tried a spin class, I highly recommend it.  

Podcasts

I’ve been wanting to get into podcasts, especially to listen to while doing cardio at the gym. I picked two podcasts to try out and I really like them so far. The first is one you might’ve heard of, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. I like that these podcasts are 2 hours, so they can really fill your time, even if you’re driving or cleaning the house. Dax always has a special celebrity guest on his podcast and they talk about their life; like really talk about their life. I listened to the one with Lauren Graham today and it was SO funny. Another podcast that I just started is The Good Life with Sazan and Stevie Hendrix. This podcast channel is super motivational and will have you in tears from both laughter and sentiment.

The Bachelorette

I know I’m not the only one who is obsessed with this show. I don’t know if it’s the drama, the cringe worthy scenes, or the romance I’m actually in love with. Anyone else watching? Which team are you? Garrett or Blake?

BadGal Bang Mascara

I am 100% obsessed with this mascara! The wand, the formula, the packaging - everything about it is gold. It makes my lashes look like they’re ten times longer than normal, even my husband noticed! This product is water resistant, which you know I don't normally like, but this is an exception. It doesn't smudge, budge, or move all day. You need it ladies!

I’m so excited for this weekend. Today is my last day teaching summer school and I’m going to see Taylor Swift tonight!! The best part about it is that I get to spend a bunch of quality time with my bestie! What are you doing this weekend? Leave a comment below. Stay beautiful! xoxo

Splurge vs. Steal - Face Mask Edition

It’s Thursday!! Woohoo, just one more day until the weekend, we can do it! Alright ladies, let's get real for a minute, skin care can get expensive! Between the cleansers, creams, serums, oils, moisturizers, and masks it can really add up. Skin care is definitely an area that I personally do not skimp out on. In my skin care collection I have a range of products from drugstore to high end, but I pick and choose what I really want to spend the most money on. There are so many great drugstore skin care items that work for almost any budget. I thought I would start a new series called Splurge vs. Steal Skincare Edition. Each time I will focus on a different product and share some high end and noteable drugstore items. Today I’m going to be talking about a few high end masks I own and some of the masks that I consider a steal that that you can get for under $5.

Splurge:

Tula Exfoliating Mask, Glamglow, Beautycounter Balm, Beautycounter Charcoal Mask

All of these masks are $50 and up and for that reason I would definitely consider them a splurge. I really like each of these masks for different reasons. If you’re looking for a quick mask that still delivers the goods, you need to try the Tula Kefir Ultimate Recovery Mask (not pictured above), which retails at $56. This mask comes in a pump bottle, which I love because you pump the mask right onto the skin. When the mask is on it is almost iridescent, it is so pretty and feels nice and thick on the skin. It also smells AMAZING! Think vanilla funfetti cupcakes. The best part, about this mask is that it doesn't look crazy on your skin, you actually can’t even tell it’s there, and you simple wipe it off with a damp cloth after 10 minutes. This Tula mask is super hydrating and leaves your skin feeling moisturized and radiant. I always purchase my Tula products when they are having a promotion. You can usually get a free cleanser, which is amazing! Use this link to get 20% off your purchase!

If you are looking for a treatment mask, detoxifying or clearing blemishes, I would recommend both the Glamglow Supermud and the Tula Exfoliating Mask. If you’re into skin care at all you’ve heard of Glamglow masks so you’re probably aware of the price. This comes in three sizes and ranges from $24-$79 - yikes! I will say, I received mine as a birthday gift from Sephora (if you’re not a beauty insider sign up here). My initial reaction to this mask was that it burned when I first put it on. Because it is a treatment mask it has ingredients that can cause a tingling sensation such as salicylic acid and peppermint oil. Once the mask starts to set that feeling goes away and another begins, the tightening. I personally like the feeling because it signals that it is sucking out the bad to get to the good! I really like how easy this mask washes off. Some mud masks are so thick that you have to scrape it off your face to get it off. This one washes off easily with warm water and a rub of the hands. I still want to try the Glamglow hydrating treatment and the firming treatment.

The Tula exfoliating mask is like a tiny miracle worker in a jar. This stuff is gold and worth the price of $54. What I love about this mask is that it can be used as a full face mask or a spot treatment. I don’t normally experience breakouts but around the same time every month I tend to get a few blemishes on my chin, love being a woman! When this happens I apply a small amount to the area and sleep with it on overnight. Nine times out of ten it will have shrunken or have completely disappeared by the next morning; like I said before it is a miracle worker! When you put this mask on it is very thick and has a nice cooling effect on the skin. I usually let this sit until it is completely dry and then wash it off. I like to wash it off in the shower so I can use my spin brush to buff in the exfoliating clay.

Beautycounter is a new favorite of mine. I received this mud mask as a freebie when I signed up as a member. I love this mask because it is cooling and pulls of all of those imperfections when drying. It is similar to the Glamglow supermud, but at $49 it is the better bang for your buck! This next mask from Beautycounter is my favorite at the moment. Technically it is a cleansing balm but it is just as good, if not better, as an overnight mask. At $80 it is the biggest splurge of all the masks -  but ladies you need this in your life. I hymed and hawed about purchasing this but I am so glad I did. I love this product for 3 reasons: it is made with safe ingredients, it literally melts into the skin, and it makes your skin feel so soft. The jar itself is large, almost 3 oz, and it comes with a small spatula to scoop the product out so you don’t have to dip your fingers in every time. Because the product is a balm when you rub it onto your face it transforms to a face oil consistency. You don’t need much of this product to cover the entire face. I usually wear my hair up when I sleep in this mask but by the morning my skin has absorbed all of the product and feels hydrated, plump, and soft as silk!

Steal:

Que Bella, Yes To, Nugg

These masks are all amazing and for under $5, a definite steal! If you love Target as much as I do then you’ve seen these Que Bella masks. I love that they are around $3 and there is a large variety to choose from. The one I linked takes you to a package of 6 for $10! This is a great way to test a variety of masks to see which one you like best. I prefer the mud masks over the peel off masks of this brand because I find it difficult to peel it all off. My favorite ones to use are the Purifying Tea Tree and Relaxing Lavender mud masks.

YesTo is another great drugstore brand retailing around $3. What I love about this brand is that they offer a sheet mask. Not everyone loves a sheet mask, but I think it is quick and easy without all the mess. I love to use these with my husband, that’s right ladies, my man uses face masks I force him to do them with me. LOL! But he is a good sport about it - love you babe! These are great to throw on while you're watching a movie or catching up on your favorite show. Once you're done with it, simply take it off and massage in the excess that is left over on your face! My favorite sheet masks are the Charcoal Detoxifying, Cucumber Calming, and the Vitamin C Glow Boosting.

This last mask is a newer product for me. The brand is called Nugg, and the packaging is what initially attracted me to this product. It is so bright and inviting and the mask itself is held in a small container in the middle. For $4 it is the most expensive of the steal masks but I think you get the most product. One Nugg will give you two face masks. I love how light this product feels on the face, it has the thickness of a mask but the consistency of a face oil. It doesn't dry up on the skin and is clear when applied. Simply wash off after 10-15 minutes.

If you got through that entire post I applaud you - I guess I had a lot to say about face masks! Do you like this new series? What should I review next? Leave a comment below! Stay beautiful! xoxo