Tag! Beauty vs. Brains

Sorry for the lull in posts but I've been truly busy this past week at work so I thought I'd ease back into things with a fun tag! Now, this was a YouTube tag that I saw on Sprinkle of Glitter but I thought it'd be just as easy to answer the questions on here. I quite liked the tag because it was just something different than what your favorite makeup or outfit of the moment might be. A quick warning to you in advance, I will probably cheat because I believe that most questions can't simply be fulfilled with one answer.

1. What is your favorite book?
I am a big fan of many book series like Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, The Southern Vampire Mysteries, and the Divergent Series, but my favorite singular book would have to be a tie (cheating already) between On the Road by Jack Kerouac and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I read a LOT so this was difficult, though ruling out the series made it a tad easier.

2. What is your favorite quote?
Most of the quotes I love come from Oscar Wilde, my favorite being:
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
However, recently I heard this one and it made me melt:
"She said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful and life was so short." -Brian Andreas

3. Do you prefer English or Math?
Definitely English. In high school I did exceptionally well in my English classes and even began college as a Journalism major. Even though I didn't stick with it (see next question), I still love writing and am a grammar hound.

4. Do you prefer Science or Art?
Though I do appreciate the arts, I have never been gifted in them. I graduated from college with a degree in Science and am particularly fond of the life sciences (biology, medicine, genetics, etc).

5. Name five albums or artists that have changed your life.
I love listening to music and listen to a little bit of everything. Not sure that I could say they 'changed my life' but I absolutely love The Shins, Kings of Leon, Marcus Foster, The Black Keys, and 30 Seconds to Mars. I will say that I always look forward to the Twilight films' soundtracks as they always have a nice variety of music and include some indie artists that are worth checking out.

6. What were your favorite and least favorite subjects in school?
In college my favorite subject was Emerging Infectious Diseases (or basically any biology course) and my least favorite was Calculus (or basically any high level math course).

7. Who is your favorite celebrity with a brain?
Emma Watson. She is well spoken, flits between Brown and Oxford for university studies, and it doesn't hurt that she has an impeccable sense of style (she modeled for Burberry for crying out loud).

8. What is your nerdy little secret?
To people who read this blog my nerdy little secret would be my job (I work in a research lab at the US FDA) but to people at my job my nerdy little secret would be this blog. Funny how different people perceive things, isn't it?

9. What beauty gurus do you admire for more than their love of beauty/fashion?
I admire them all for their courage because opening yourself up to anonymous criticism is a scary thing, but I especially admire Zoe (Zoella). She began as a blogger and was shy about starting a YouTube channel but she's amazing! I'm sure you all follow her already, but on the off chance that you don't, go check her out!

10. If you could study anything, anywhere what would it be?
I would literally study anything to do with science somewhere near London. I studied abroad in London for a semester and have just been aching to go back ever since. If I could get my graduate degree at Oxford University, I'd do it in a heart beat but it's just not in the cards for me currently.

11. If your blog couldn't focus on beauty/fashion, what would it focus on?
Probably just life lessons and personal experience but I find that most people are more eager to hear about your opinion on makeup or fashion than they are to hear about your personal life (that is until you have many followers that want to know all of your business, haha).

12. Name something that you're obsessed with but others might find nerdy or strange.
I came across this last night when my husband and I were watching the movie Contagion. I got really into it and was blabbering on about emerging infectious diseases (which he knows nothing about since he's in IT). He was a good sport about it but I could tell that I was either boring or confusing him at most points in the conversation. I just love biology and medicine though.

13. Name five people (excluding family/friends) that inspire you.
First and foremost would be Audrey Hepburn since she was an icon in so many ways (style, cinema, humanitarian). I have loved her since I was a very little girl and my mother introduced me to Breakfast at Tiffany's (any guess as to where my blog name came from? haha). I also adore Grace Kelly, Johnny Depp, and Reese Witherspoon for various reasons. This last one will be controversial, but I have a big girl crush on Kristen Stewart because of the way she is always true to herself (good or bad) even when you can tell everyone is expecting her to be a certain way. Sorry if that offends any of you, but I don't hold people to their mistakes as we all make them and I certainly don't want to be held to any that I have made through the years.

14. Who is your intellectual soulmate?
Probably my best friend Brittany. Intellectually we have similar interests and can carry on conversations for hours if the right topic comes up. Most of our other friends just think we're strange and that's okay!


If you guys have any other fun tags to offer, send them my way or link them in the comments. I tag all of you and hope that you enjoy answering the questions! One last request, as I'm new to the blogging world, any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Let me know which posts you've enjoyed, what you'd like to see more of, and anything you haven't liked. Thanks so much!

:: katie golightly x

everything is my own including opinions, photographs, and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.

Applying Mascara: My Secret Weapon!

So I eluded to this in a previous post, but I have a very particular way of applying my mascara that I have found works really well and gives a fluttery finish that I just love. First, let me start by saying, I was blessed with long, full lashes. I have never had lash extensions and never wear false lashes (my wedding day was the one and only exception). I do, however, have a little routine that really helps to make my eyelashes look more dramatic and lush.

First, I will usually start by curling my lashes. Sometimes I accidentally leave this step out but I'm trying to get better at doing it every time I put on my makeup. I then apply several coats of my mascara. Right now I am bouncing between Revlon's Grow Luscious and Benefit's BAD gal lash mascaras. I prefer the BAD gal lash formula and wand (bottom) but the Grow Luscious is nice to use once in a while and the wand (top) is very large which I enjoy.

I like to go pretty heavy on the mascara. My eyes are my favorite feature to play up on my face and I feel like fluttery lashes just bring them out even more. This is where my secret weapon comes in. It can take many forms but the original was something I came up with while in my local Sephora. Now, I doubt that I'm the first one to have this idea but I didn't really learn it from anyone so I think it's unique and worth trying.

Anyway, I was browsing through loads of makeup and trying on several products, as usual. I decided to try a mascara and took one of their sample applicator wands to use. When I was done, I was about to throw the wand away when I realized, this is like a free makeup brush. I wrapped the sample wand up in a tissue and stuck it in my purse. When I got home I unwrapped it, feeling a bit sly, and washed it off to dry for the morning. It was one of the better ideas I've ever had.

After applying gobs of mascara now, I work the wand through my lashes until I achieve my desired effect. It really helps to work the mascara through from root to tip and fan out my lashes, giving them perfect fullness and volume. However, it doesn't stop here. I have now started to save the brushes from mascaras with wands that I love (BAD gal lash being one of them). I simply give them a good cleaning, and then use them when I find a mascara with an insufficient wand but lovely formula or just to work mascara nicely through my lashes.

Now I know that I can pay to buy a special mascara brush from Sephora or what have you, but why would I do that when I can get better ones for free? Just a thought that I hope you guys can take advantage of or enjoy exploring on your own. Let me know how you feel about this tip and if you try it out yourselves! Oh, and here is a peek at what my lashes look like when I'm done this little routine:

Not bad right (besides the photo quality). For me, this is a perfect look for my lashes because it keeps them looking a tad natural but still helps my eyes to really pop. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.. big, full, voluminous lashes included!

:: katie golightly x

everything is my own including opinions, photographs, and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.

Newest YouTube Obsession: ThePersianbabe

As you all know and as most of you will agree, I love a good beauty or fashion video! On YouTube, I am subscribed to many different vloggers and watch them pretty regularly. It's always fun to see what's knew in beauty and fashion through the eyes of others who love it as much as I do. That is one of the main reasons that I started this blog, to meet people who had a similar love of makeup and style.

This month, I discovered a new (to me) YouTuber and have been enjoying her videos ever since. Her name is Barbara and she goes by the YouTube username ThePersianbabe. She does not currenly have a blog page (I wish she'd start one!), but you can also find her on Twitter and Instagram (both @barbarapbabe). Though she doesn't do too much as far as makeup is concerned, I've been loving her advice on skin care products.

The thing that truly sold me on her channel was her sense of style. It is unique and definitely not for everyone, but something that I really appreciate and can take something from. She isn't afraid to think outside of the box and her OOTD posts or styling posts always take me by surprise in the best of ways. Most of her clothing is also on the reasonable side price-wise as she shops at places like Zara, Topshop, ASOS, and Urban Outfitters. I find her to be really relatable and if you aren't currently following her, you should check her out! Here is the video that she did for her July favorites:

Do you have any personal YouTube favorites or perhaps a channel I should be subscribing to? Apologies for the short post today, I've been really busy at work and haven't had as much time as I'd like to put into posting. Let me know if you have any post requests and don't forget to follow!

:: katie golightly x

video taken from ThePersianbabe's YouTube channel which is linked in the text.
everything else is my own including opinions, and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.

Most Wanted Beauty Products: September

As August is coming to a close (it passed us by so quickly!) I thought I'd share some beauty products that I may be looking to invest in next month. Please let me know if you've tried any of them, how you got on with them, and if you'd recommend that I purchase them! If you enjoy these wish list style posts, let me know as I may do a fashion one as well.

Links to where you can purchase these products/where the pictures were taken from are in the captions of each photo!

POREfessional

1. Benefit The POREfessional Pro Balm ($30)
So many people have reviewed this product well and as it is one of Benefit Cosmetics' best sellers, I would love to give it a go. The price has held me back for a while now and I've considered purchasing a Benefit beauty kit that includes a sample in order to try it out. I know on their website they have several kits in a range of colors called How to Look the Best at Everything that are 'coming soon' and they all contain a sample of the pro balm. Currently they also sell a Snow White & the Huntsman inspired kit that includes a full-sized one but the kit is still $45. The only reason I've considered this kit is because it also comes with a full-size BAD gal lash mascara which I also love (see my Hidden Beauty Treasures post) and that normally retails for $19 alone. Let me know what you think I should do and if you've tried any of these products or kits!

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

2. Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($18)
The only negative thing I've heard about this product seems to be the smell as some find it overwhelming for a face mist. However, I have sampled it several times in stores (as you should most products when possible) and the fragrance doesn't bother me, I actually quite like it. The elixir is meant to be misted on prior to applying your daily moisturizer and then throughout the day to refresh your look and bring radiance to your skin. It can also be used as an after-shave for men, but I highly doubt that I'd be able to convince my husband to give it a try. The price is a bit steep for a mist, but apparently it does last through many applications and continues to be a recommended product by a lot of people.

Woodwinked

3. MAC Woodwinked Eye Shadow ($12-15)
Anyone subscribed to Tanya Burr's blog or YouTube channel will probably want this eye shadow by now. She uses it an awful lot and recently did a whole eye look with it in her Olympics makeup video. The way this shadow blends looks amazing and it seems like you wouldn't even need a different crease color because of the way it deepens as you work the product over your lid. If you've tried it, let me know your thoughts!

Starter Set (Purchase Here / Image Here)

4. Real Techniques Brush Set (~$18)
Most of the brushes that I currently have are from several different brands (Clinique, Sephora, or just Target) and I would like to invest in a nice set of professional brushes. I am far from a professional makeup artist, but the more eye shadows and eye creams I acquire, the more I long for nice brushes to apply them with. Real Techniques has several starter kits on their website that have three or four brushes in them for around $18, which is a great deal considering a lot of companys charge more than that for a single brush. Since I'm not looking to become a professional makeup artist anytime soon, I figure this is a reasonably priced way to get nicer brushes without being ridiculous.

In the Light

5. Stila In the Light Eye Shadow Palette ($39)
Several blogs have done reviews and swatched this palette and it just looks divine. I was considering investing in the Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight eye shadow palette when I was in Blue Mercury a few days ago, but its accompanying $60 price tag definitely scared me off. This Stila palette seems comparable and has more bang for the buck. I'll admit I have far too many eye shadows, but I do love a new palette so this is definitely on my most wanted list.

Spicebomb

6. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Cologne ($75)
Yes, I am aware this is a men's cologne and no, I don't care. If you've smelled this fragrance you'll know that it has quite the androgenous appeal to it and is much better than the women's version Flowerbomb. This wouldn't be the first time I picked up a men's fragrance and I'm sure it won't be the last. I've never really been afraid to venture outside of my department and if you haven't tried it, you should! It's quite liberating actually, haha!

Sexy Pulp Mascara

7. Yves Rocher Sexy Pulp Mascara ($18)
So I have come to that magical time when all of my mascaras (I've been switching between three these past few months) are running very low or dry. I came across this recommendation from Zoe on one of my favorite blogs, Zoella. The large, oddly shaped brush on this mascara seems to be right up my alley and so I've wanted to buy it ever since she posted about it. I'd never heard of the Yves Rocher company before and it was a happy surprise to look through their website and explore all of the different products. I love discovering new brands!

There you have it! Hopefully I'll get to try some of these products in September and if I do, there are sure to be some reviews to follow. Again, let me know what you've tried or what you think I should try and I hope you all have a lovely day!

:: katie golightly x

images credited in captions. everything else is my own including opinions and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.

Hidden Beauty Treasures

A couple of days ago, when I started this blog, I got the urge to look back through some of my older makeup and see what I'd written off or just plain forgotten in the past year or so. I am so happy that I did this as it led to me rediscovering some old favorites of mine that had simply been shoved to the back of a drawer in recent months. In all I found four products that have truly been born-again in my makeup collection. There is a mascara, a lip gloss, a lip stick, and an eye shadow with all but the mascara swatched at the end of the post. Enjoy!

These first two products are by Benefit Cosmetics and were from the Her Name Was Glowla makeup kit that I absolutely love. The kit came with the BAD gal lash mascara, Life on the A-list lip gloss, CORALista blush, high and moon beam highlighters, a five color eyeshadow palette, and a few brushes. It retails for $36 (USD) and is well worth the price.

The first product that I was happy to rediscover was the BAD gal lash mascara. It is a wonderful formula that applies like a dream mostly because the brush is amazing. It hugs all of my lashes and gives them wonderful volume and fullness without clumping horribly (I actually have a trick to applying mascara, but I'll save that for a future blog post so watch for it soon!). This has become my new daily mascara since I found it and I will be repurchasing when this one runs out.

The second product was the ultra shine lip gloss in the color, Life on the A-list. This bubblegum pink color suits me quite well and has quickly replaced other lip glosses that I had been using recently. The formula isn't too sticky unless you lather it on and it has a perfectly subtle shimmer to it that catches the light without looking cheap. There is also a slight sweet scent to it which earns it more points in my book.

Sorry for the boring photo, but this was the best I could do with how long the packaging is. Anyway, my next rediscovery is this long wear lip color by Stila in the color 'In the Nude' which retails for $20 (USD). I use this lip color when I want to completely nude-out my lips or layer it with another color for a nice effect. Naturally, I have very pink lips so if I want to start with a nude base this is perfect for me. The formula is nice and creamy and lasts for ages, especially under a gloss. The Stila lipsticks also have a very thin design which makes application more precise. I got a lot of use out of this last autumn/winter so I will be happy to break it out again in a month or so!

The last product I was happy to come across was this MAC eye shadow in the color Cranberry which retails for $12 or $15 (depending on whether you buy the full packaging or just the refill pan). I cannot say enough about this color. It is a beautifully warm pinky-toned red that has a coppery finish with fine shimmer. As most MAC shadows do, it applies nicely, blends well, and is very pigmented. I think this can be worn with any eye color but I do love it with my green eyes. You can see a swatch of it below (bottom) along with the Benefit lip gloss (top) and Stila lipstick (middle). 

Life on the A-list (top), In the Nude (middle), Cranberry (bottom)

So there you have it! I encourage you all to go through that horrible makeup drawer that you haven't cleaned in a while and find some old favorites that can work their way back into your daily routine. Let me know what you uncover and have a lovely evening!

:: katie golightly x

everything is my own including opinions, photographs, and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.

High End Beauty Haul

Though I don't own very many high end makeup products, I do tend to splurge on ones that seem worth the price. Some of my favorite brands that are on the more expensive side of things include: MAC, Bobbi Brown, NARS, Dior, Chanel, and Burberry. I recently visited our local Blue Mercury and Nordstrom stores and came away with three lovely products that I know I will get a lot of use out of and enjoy.

The first item I bought was this NARS eyeshadow duo in Kuala Lumpur which retails for $34 (USD). One of the best parts of buying nicer brands is the wonderful effort they put into the packaging. All three of these products are proof of that and it is something that can truly be appreciated. In the picture above, the colors look a bit lighter than they truly are but you can get a better idea of what they look like on the NARS website where they describe the colors as a 'rose gold and boysendberry infused with gold.' On the left is a peachy nude color and on the right is a deep purple tone. They both have a nice shimmer to them and apply nicely. I have light green eyes so these colors will really help them to stand out in any makeup look.

After struggling to find the Chanel Illusion D'ombre long wear shadow in the shade Emerveille, I decided to try this similar shade by Bobbi Brown. This long wear cream shadow is in the color Beach Honey and is pretty close in color to Emerveille but retails for $24 (USD) when compared to the Chanel shadow which retails for $36 (USD). This cream shadow applies like a dream and is just the most lovely champagne color with a perfect amount of shimmer. It sits nicely on the lid and stays on all day. This will definitely become a staple in my makeup bag.

Speaking of makeup bag staple, this was a repurchase from Dior and is one of my all time favorite products. The Diorskin Amber Diamond pressed shimmer powder is a perfect highlight but can also be used as eye shadow with a smaller brush on the individual colors. Again, the compact packaging is lovely and has a mirror for precise application. I personally do not love products that have a heavy glitter look to them, but the amount of shimmer in this powder is absolutely amazing for subtle highlighting.

Are you a fan of any high end makeup products? Let me know what you've tried and what you think of them in the comments below. I'll let you know how I get on with the shadows long term and maybe they'll end up in future beauty favorites posts!

:: katie golightly x

everything is my own including opinions, photographs, and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.

Inspirational Quote

Most of my favorite quotes come from people like Oscar Wilde that I have followed and loved for a very long time. Today however, I came across a quote (I honestly don't remember exactly where I saw it thought it might have been on Pinterest) that I had never heard before but it is quickly becoming my absolute favorite. It belongs to a man named Brian Andreas, whom again I have never heard of, but he is an author of some sort. The quote is:


she said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad, 
but because the world was so beautiful & life was so short.


Now, you either read that and it took your breath away (as it did mine the first time i read it), or you are disappointed with my taste in inspirational quotes. For some reason this just really spoke to me and I thought that I would share it with you. Let me know your favorite quotes below and have a lovely evening!

:: katie golightly x

Review: Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream

Some general information of interest

The Garnier B.B. cream was the first beauty balm that I came across that was available in the states as a drug store brand. I hadn't read any reviews on it myself and thought I'd just take the plunge and see what all this B.B. cream fuss was about. First let me tell you, my skin type is combination to oily depending on the season (I tried this in the spring/summer but in winter I tend to get a bit dry). My complexion is usually quite light though it can range from fair to beige, again dependent upon the season. I purchased the Garnier B.B. cream in the 'Light/Medium' color and I believe it is only available in one other shade, 'Medium/Dark'. It was around $12 (USD) at Target and comes in a 2.5 fluid ounce bottle (75ml). It has an SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreen built into it and claims to 'hydrate, protect, and perfect' your skin. The packaging is typical for a drugstore brand and falls in line with the standard design of most Garnier products.

When I first tried this product, I was not certain how to go about applying it so I sort of had to fly by the seat of my pants for a while until I figured out a way to make it work for me. This formulation is quite oily and leaves a dewy finish on the skin. Since I have combination to oily skin, this didn't sit well with me at first and made me look quite wet as the day wore on. Thankfully, I decided to give it another go and this is the routine that I found works best for me.

How I apply the product

I make an effort to cleanse my skin every morning and evening in whatever way possible. Often, if pressed for time or feeling lazy, I will simply use pre-moistened cleansing wipes at night to take off makeup and general grime from the day. I then follow up with a toner which I wipe over my face with a cotton ball. At night I will use a hydrating moisturizer and leave it there. However, during the day, if I am using the Garnier B.B. cream, I will forgo the moisturizer as the B.B. cream has more than enough moisture packed into it for my skin.

To apply the Garnier B.B. cream, I start with just a pea-sized amount on the tip of my finger. I typically blend the cream into my skin with my finger tips and find that I can slowly build up coverage if I need it or go back over places where I have blemishes or redness. On the skin, the cream feels quite nice and is easy to blend. I would best describe it as a heavier tinted moisturizer. The coverage is nice for me because it is not too heavy and I can usually put it on light enough to achieve a 'natural' makeup look.

As I mentioned, the finish is rather dewy and can leave my skin looking quite oily although it tends to feel much better than it looks. In order to have the cream sit nicely on my skin, I will give it about 5 to 10 minutes to set onto my skin. I will usually go about some morning chores or watch a quick vlog on YouTube while I wait. Eventually, the cream sets very nicely and does not look or feel heavy. I always follow up with a setting powder as I enjoy a more mat finish, especially in my T-zone area. 

Okay, so that's just how I apply it.. now let's get to the actual review, shall we?

While I have not tried other B.B. creams, I will have to say that I was not entirely impressed with this one. I use it on a daily basis, but figuring out a routine that worked for me did take some time as well as some shoddy trial-and-error. Again, I will stress that I have a skin type that can range more on the oily side and so this cream may work better for those with normal to dry skin (let me know in the comments if you have this skin type and tried the Garnier B.B. cream). 

For the price and availability, this is a nice product that could have a happy place in your daily makeup routine. I have had my bottle for several months now and haven't even come close to finishing. I enjoyed the overall effect that the cream had on my skin as well. With most heavier foundations I will often have breakouts in my T-zone (mostly chin) after a few consecutive days of use. However, this cream has not had a negative effect on my skin. It actually keeps it quite fresh and youthful-looking throughout the day. 

I look forward to trying some more drugstore B.B. creams and may be able to sneak a few high-end ones under my husband's nose if I can find the time and money. So far, I have seen that CoverGirl, Maybelline, and L'Oreal have all come out with formulas that may be worth trying. If you've tried any of them, let me know in the comments and maybe I will get around to trying them all. 

Whew, that was my first review. Hope you've enjoyed the read, let me know what I can do to improve!

:: katie golightly x

everything is my own including opinions, photographs, and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.