My Life

     I know I am seriously lacking on posts and I apologize!  My life has been super crazy lately.

First I have been re-doing my bedroom. It was renovated and I have been painting and decorating ever since!

Second my job in the salon has been just as crazy! In July I found out I got promoted :) . I am now a master stylist in my salon. I can't believe it! I have worked so hard and I can't thank everyone enough! A special thanks to Samantha L., Kaitlyn L., Luis L., my momma, and Melissa W. for always letting me go crazy on your hair!

I also can't thank enough one of my greatest friends and mentor Melissa L.! You have made me the stylist I am today. You have turned my " I don't think I can" or " No I can't do that" to "Bring it on!".  You are an amazing mentor and friend, I wouldn't be were I am today without you!

Thirdly I have also been getting ready for classes as my fall semester begins next week! oh man.

Lastly, All my comments got deleted by accident on all my blogs :( .  I need to still get the hang of this and I hope You all can bear with me. I am working on getting at least weekly blogs, I promise I will work on it!

To all reading this Thank You for taking time to read this and support me!

BH Cosmetic Palettes

                                     BH Cosmetics Party Girl Palette & 3rd edition 120 Palette

     Last month I purchased these gorgeous palettes! I am absolutely in love.  The came packed perfectly and not one single shadow came cracked.  I love the sleek simple cases and the amazing shadows.  For the price they are great. They are pigmented and have great color payoff.  I always use a shadow primer because it makes eyeshadows more vibrant but you don't necessarily need it under some of the more pigmented colors.  I bought the 120 palette to play around with and the Party Girl palette will be great to take with me when I travel.  The Party Girl Palette has a great mix of neutral and color which will make it my go to travel makeup palette.  If your looking to start your make up collection or add to your s then this is the way to go.  I like buying palettes because you get more for your money.  You don't always need to buy high end to get great quality.  This was my first time buying from BH Cosmetics and I couldn't be happier!  I can't wait to buy more from them in the future. 

Stila One Step Bronze

Stila One Step Bronze skin tone illuminating bronzing serum

     First I apologize for the poor lighting in the photographs. I am still trying to find a perfect spot in my home as far as lighting goes.

     Secondly this review! I received this sample of Stila One Step Bronze in my Birch Box last month.  I absolutely loooove this serum! It brightened up, bronzed, and primed my skin all in one step.  The serum evened out my skin, even smoothed out some of my stubborn fine lines and large pores.  The serum contains three bronzers that mix into one. It contains a matte bronzer to bronze; a bronzer with illuminate and enhance skin tone; and a kitten bronzer to also illuminate, brighten, and reduce sunspots.  It works great under foundation or alone.  I definitely recommend this product and I plan on purchasing the one step correct after summer is over. This product is now one of my must have products! 

xoxo Kristina

Stainiac

The Balm Stainiac cheek and lip stain

     I have never tried a stain before and tend to gravitate towards lipstick and glosses.  Last month I was feeling adventurous and tried out The Balm's Stainiac.  This tint has a great color and the applicator makes it easy to apply.  The color enhances my natural lip color great.  It also had a great smell, which is key in a lip product for me because I hate icky smelling products.  Although to me it was very drying and a few hours later my lips looked thirsty.  I didn't try it as a cheek stain and glad I didn't  because of how it made my lips feel.  Overall the product was okay and I will not be repurchasing it.  This does not mean it may not be the product for you.   If you like a very minimal and natural look and you are willing to reapply it often then this product may be for you.

Sheer Genius

Shirt- Jc Penney (old)

Skirt- Jc Penney

Shoes- Nine West (old)

Rings- Jc Penney & Gifts

Hello Kitty Necklace- Avon

Nail Polish- Essie : Bikini so teeny

     Sorry for the lack of posting lately, just haven't had time to get to the computer. This outfit was a outfit I wore to work last month. I absolutely love this skirt, I just need to find the right top to go with it.    The top in the photos was all right but it certainly may look a lot better with a different top.  Suggestions?

xo Kristina

Coco Mademoiselle

 

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum- Department Stores, $115.

     Last month I came home from work to this! My aunt bought it as a late birthday present because I really didn't know what I wanted. I had wanted this perfume for AGES! I absolutely love it! I love that the bottle is simple, elegant, and sophisticated. The perfume scent is described on the website as "This fresh, citrusy oriental scent is enlivened with a sexy, modern kick that recalls the irrepressible spirit of Mlle Coco Chanel”. It is exactly that. I feel so feminine and sophisticated wearing this perfume! At times it makes me miss being in Paris, it just gives off that feeling as you wear it. The best part is the scent lasts all day. I can go from a busy day at the salon working to dinner and drinks with my friends and not have to worry about reapplying. I wish I could wear it everyday, but the price is a bit hefty. I definitely recommend this great scent and I will definitely be repurchasing in the future.

Brand Name Vs. Generic: Paul Mitchell vs. Generic Value Products

 

Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine- price varies depending on which salon you get it.

GVP(Generic Value Products) Super spray- Sally's beauty supply, $6.99

      I am a hairspray addict, mainly because it helps tames my curly hair. The Paul Mitchell freeze &shine is my top favorite next to the CHI helmet head hairspray.  I admit sometimes buying salon products on a student budget isn't possible.  So I went in search for a comparable product. Sally's is a open to the public beauty supply store in the USA. It has a line called GVP that is made up of products and tools that are suppose to match up to salon quality products. I had done that before in buying the gvp flat iron instead of investing in a CHI flat iron, while it worked great it took me longer to straighten and it didn't heat up as well as my CHI or my beloved GHD flat irons.

Anyways back to the sprays! Since I was let down with the flat iron I was sure that I would be wasting my money on this spray. Boy was I wrong!  GVP is very similar to the Paul Mitchell one, even down to the smell and consistency of the sprays. Both hair sprays are a firm hold and shine spray. They work great when i want to hold my curly scrunched hair in place all day! both sprays also add shine and work great if you want that wet look. If you are looking for a touchable hold spray this isn't for you. I still love my Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine but the GVP super spray works just as well; And I am very happy I found a cheaper alternative!

This is the first post in my Brand Name vs. Generic postings. Leave a comment if this helps and you would like to see more. Also leave comments below on any other hair questions you want answered! I just may blog about it!

Yes to Cucumbers!

 Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes- Target, $5.99 for 30 count

     I had received a sample of the Yes to blueberries brand facial towelettes in my Birchbox a couple months ago. The blueberry line is for age refreshing your skin.  From that very moment I was hooked. I wasn't too hooked on the smell so i decided to try the cucumber wipes next. The smell is so fresh and soothing. some make up wipes felt rough on my skin and irritated my face. This brand does not and it takes most of my make up of in a swipe. I do use eye makeup remover for my eyes because the wipes do not remove it as well. These wipes are also great on nights I am to lazy to wash my face because they already do just enough cleansing. These wipes i feel are a tad pricey but totally worth the buy!

Outfit of the Day: Graduation

Dress- Forever21

Bracelets- Gifted to me

Necklace- Gifted

Rings- mercantile store & Gifted

Shoes- J C Penney

   Saturday was my graduation from community college. I wanted to post a quick outfit of the day to show what i wore. It was soooo HOT! I was so happy i had chosen a sleeveless dress.  Most the jewelry I wore was from people who couldn't make it to my graduation. I really wanted to include them on my special day! Hope you enjoy my first post!