Color Correcting

I posted a video a couple of months back that had a tutorial on color correcting. I wanted to update you all with some products that are very affordable and will color correct your skin flawlessly.

Color correcting will be the foundation of creating a flawless appearance. By counter-acting any colors that you do not want to show through your foundation, will also help with using less product throughout the entire process. When you use less products, you will be able to also create a makeup look that will be light and natural looking. Forget the idea of just using tons of concealer to cover up imperfections, color correcting will give you a better end result for your makeup.

Makeup is considered an art form. When we were young kids and took art classes we were introduced to the color wheel. This was compromised of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. We can take this simple lesson and use it towards our color correcting. Whatever tone you would like to cover up, go to that color on the color wheel and whichever color is directly across from it will be your color corrector. 

- Red/Orange - color corrects and blue/green tones (ex. dark circles under eyes, dark pigmentation, scarring)

- Green - neutralizes any redness (ex. rosacea, acne, broken blood vessels)

- Purple - creates a brighter effect on any dull skin (better suited for skin with more yellow in it)

- Yellow - adds brightness to skin (this will be better suited for olive/tan skin and also dark circles under the eyes)

My suggestion is to buy a color correcting palette. It is better to have all of these color correctors together rather than buy so many separate products. Here are some great options:

BHCosmetics

NYX

MAKEUPFOREVER

City Color

Ciao!!

NailHur Squaletto Nails

I absolutely love getting my nails done and how they last for weeks but to be honest it becomes pricey, especially when I get tips done. They are so beautiful but definitely put a dent in my wallet. So for years I actually bought the drugstore nails that you can glue on. If you go with a good brand like KISS you can actually have them last for weeks.

It is all about buying good quality nails and also prepping your real nails first. I recently heard of NailHur that has their own line of fake nails but they look just as good as the end result of getting your nails done by a professional! The great thing is that they always have deals and top notch quality.

I recently used the 24 Shades of Grey by NailHur. They look amazing and feel so comfortable! Here is a picture below:

So basically the right way to prep your nails so the fake nails stay on for weeks is by following these steps:

- Take off all nail polish

- Wipe down nails with rubbing alcohol

- Make sure nails are cut very short

- File down the top of the nail so that it is a rough surface

When putting the fake nails on make sure to size them on your  nail before gluing. Then it also helps to put nail glue on the fake nail and your real nail. Then glue it on and apply pressure for about ten seconds. They should last you abut two weeks.

Give it a try and your wallet will thank you! 

Ciao!!

Your Life's Purpose

There are many days that pass by where I find myself in deep thought. I could be doing a mundane task and catch my thoughts drifting off on their own journey. Usually I sit there and ponder my own personal growth over the years and the woman I am today, I'm sure we all catch our minds drifting off into conversations about the possibilities and the dreams that we have. These thoughts can cross over between positive and negative. Many times a day I think about how I can constantly become a better person. It is as if the person I am today is not enough. I don't mean this in an insecure way towards my own self-perception, I look at it as a way to constantly evolve. Truthfully, we have an intense power to constantly evolve and become better individuals.

I correlate this mindset to my childhood. Growing up my parents instilled important morals and values into our lives. Not a day went by where we weren't taught something important and life changing. A simple family dinner conversation would be filled with important lessons from my father. Our parents took every opportunity possible to mold and nurture us into inquisitive and insightful individuals. Their actions of devotion, loyalty, and wisdom would later impact me in ways I never expected. Through trial and error I was able to find myself and truly learn more about the person I am inside. The moment I accepted who I am, I was astonished to feel a wave of emotions. Of course I felt extremely liberated and confident, but I also felt anxious and overwhelmed. In that moment I knew that I had become the woman my parents raised me to be, but I felt that there was more to it. 

Growing up in my family it was always expected that you treat everything in life with compassion, love, respect, and dignity. This pertained to responsibilities, family, friends, and strangers you met on the street. I would say that growing into the person I am today had its struggles at times. I would sometimes feel different from kids my own age because they didn't share the same philosophies as me. Whether you want to call me an old soul or traditional, I sometimes felt the strain of being different. Yet, it pushed me to learn more about what was close to my heart. The people and circumstances that came in and out of my life opened my eyes to see that I am proud of the woman my parents raised. My values and mindset might not align with this generation and some might call it outdated, that is okay with me. 

As a woman who was always unsure of what professional career decisions to make or where she wanted to be in ten years, I now confidently have that answer. No career or title can define who I am because I am more than that. My life's purpose is to care for and nurture everything important to me. Each day I find it important to impact the lives of the people close to me through love, loyalty, dedication, and commitment. This is what fuels my drive to keep going and grow on a daily basis. Everything I am today will become better as each day passes because I will always make sure to learn from my mistakes for the greater good. This goes deeper than a career or job, because this is what my family is built on and what my future children will be taught. Life will test us through hardships, but if you hold on to that power inside your heart you will come out better than you could have ever imagined. 

Ciao <3

Dull to Glowing Skin

I woke up this morning to find the thermometer reading 34 degrees Fahrenheit! It's still October, but here in Jersey it is known to get chilly in the fall. Just a couple of years ago it was snowing on Halloween. Needless to say the weather fluctuates constantly and it can have serious impacts on my skin. As my beautiful readers know, I have the most sensitive and problematic skin. There are a lot of variables that can cause breakouts this time of year, so lets talk about ways we can combat those skin issues.

As we go into the colder months our skin tends to dry out quicker. The products that you use during the summer months won't be beneficial to your skin. You need to change up your routine. No matter what I always opt for a very soothing face wash because of my skin texture and how it reacts to certain ingredients. My holy grail face wash is the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cleanser in the foaming formula. This is by far the most gentle face wash, and afterwards your face feels very fresh and clean.

As the weather gets colder and dries out our skin, we have to take extra care and make sure we exfoliate weekly. This will take care of clearing up any dry or flaky skin. I personally love my Clarisonic. I add my face wash onto the spinning brush and I use circular motions to exfoliate all over. This all helps keep my blackheads and clogged pores at bay. Exfoliating also helps lighten any hyper-pigmentation on the skin. I use my Clarisonic about 2-3 times a week. 

Since you are exfoliating, you also want to be careful with the harsh products you use on your face after cleansing. For example, you might not want to use a retinal as frequently as you did during the summer months. My skin tends to get dry very quickly everywhere except my T-zone. So I tend to opt for a more nourishing moisturizer. I use the Anti-aging and Clearing moisturizer by Paula's Choice. This is a very thick moisturizer that feels velvet soft on your skin. It doesn't leave your skin feeling oily or slick and it absorbs super quickly. 

Like I said I keep my skincare routine very very simple!! So keep that skin glowing this winter :)

Ciao !!!!

My Handbag Essentials

Alright my beautiful readers, who else here has their essentials that they always have in their handbags?! No matter how many times you change handbags, these items are always right their at your fingertips. I think over the years I have also cut down on how many products I keep in my bag. I used to keep every item of makeup in my bag, which is just way too excessive.

Understanding my skin better I also know what I products I really need to touch up my makeup throughout the day. Since I have oily skin, the only thing that really needs touch ups would be my foundation in my T-zone. Since my lips are always dry a great chap stick always does the trick. These products are also staples in my makeup and getting ready routine. I have constantly repurchased them over the years and swear by these products!

Products:

City Lips Lip Plumper (Clear)

Nivea A Kiss of Moisture

Travel Flossers 

Aloe Vera Hand Lotion

MAKEUP FOREVER Pro Finish Powder

L'oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara

Since my lips are always dry this chap stick truly adds moisture back into my lips in the matter of seconds. Probably by far my favorite chap stick and the only one I will keep repurchasing. Now I always like to add a little plumpness to my lips so this City Lips lip plumper has been a total life saver. It doesn't make my lips burn or hurt, yet they look plump and soft.

These travel flossers are amazing because you can get them with a minty taste and make sure your teeth are healthy and clean all day long. By far the best item to have in your handbag. Dental hygiene is crucial!

The Aloe Vera hand lotion is fantastic because its so nourishing and makes my skin super soft. I usually pick these up from my local Harmon's because the cute travel size is perfect to throw into my purse. They also carry a larger size which is great for having at home. This stuff really melts into your skin and leaves it super soft.

Since I get super oily in my T-zone I always keep a compact in my handbag. I used to have a translucent powder but noticed that it didn't apply evenly when I went to touch my makeup up. I love the MAKEUP FOREVER pro finish powder because it is super pigmented but it leaves your skin looking flawless. Plus when you touch up with this it doesn't make your skin look cakey. This stuff is worth the moneyyyyyy $$.

And of course my favorite mascara of all time, L'oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions mascara. This mascara makes my eyelashes look sooo luscious. I can never be without this stuff....ever!

So I hope you have a better idea of some handbag essentials that will keep you going all day long. These are items that I really do swear by and cannot go a day without. Try them out and I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Until next time my loves! Ciao!!!!

DIY Flower Crown

It is finally October and that means Halloween is almost here! This month is always filled with so many fun costumes, tutorials, and projects. It is truly my favorite time of year because the air gets crisper, pumpkin everything emerges, and there are so many fun holidays!

So this year I have a really awesome Halloween tutorial coming for you guys! Today this DIY Flower crown is part of the costume for the Halloween look I will be filming. This is great for a costume with sugar skull makeup, Lana Del Ray costume, or possibly a really cute hippy!

So let's get started!

Okay so I went to Michael's and bought 4 pink faux roses. Then I pulled at the rose and detached it from the stem. Put the stems to the side because we will need them later! These are very large roses so I only got 4 because that is all that would fit on the headband. If you want more then opt for smaller flowers.

Next, I got a very thin metal headband. I got silver because that is all I could find but a color closer to your hair color would probably be a better option.

Next get yourself a hot glue gun.

After it is heated up place your roses face down and in the shape they will be glued to the headband. Next, I glue one at a time. I really load up the headband and rose with glue from every angle so that it won't detach at any point. The more glue the better!!

I just keep doing that with each flower until they are all secure to the headband.

Take the stems and begin ripping off the leaves. Next, I took those leaves and began individually glueing them to the back of the roses so the glue and mess would be covered. Plus the leaves look really pretty poking out from behind the roses.

Once it is all dry, you are free to rock your very own flower crown! Stay tuned for my Halloween makeup tutorial that will be up later this week where I incorporate this flower crown :)

Ciao!!!!

DIY Makeup Brush Holder

Good Morning my beautiful readers! I have a fun little DIY project that you are going to love! It's multifunctional and cheap to make. I know the struggle of buying tons of makeup brushes and wanting to store them without any damage being done to the bristles. You want to keep those brushes in pristine condition and have them right at your fingertips. Sometimes those store-bought makeup brush holders are small or don't provide the right shape to hold certain brushes.

Since I am a huge candle collector I always have tons of candle holders leftover. Some are so beautiful, I can't get my self to through them out. Realistically some of these candles can cost up to $25 and if you are anything like me, you can burn that entire candle in one day! I love to recycle my items and make sure I get the most use out of everything.

The best candles to re-use are the round glass containers from Bath & Body Works. Once the candle is completely gone I can peel off the outer label very easily without any residue. Then I took a butter knife and chipped away any excess wax and also the metal left behind from the wicks. After everything is emptied out, I make sure to scrub the entire glass holder with soap and warm water.

Next, I ran out to Michael's and picked up glass filler beads. The great thing about these glass holders is that you can choose any color beads you want! I decided to go with these beautiful gold and orange glass filler beads. I bought the biggest bag and was able to fill up two glass holders.

And lastly, just start putting your makeup brushes into the glass filler beads and it will be able to hold all of them up. It's a beautiful decoration for your vanity, but also a great place to hold those makeup brushes and keep them in wonderful condition. I feel so satisfied that I got the most out of my money with these candles! (By the way these were the Paris Amour candles and that scent is by far the most romantic and sweet scent I have ever smelled!!)

So enjoy those candles and make sure you get the most out of those glass holders! Your vanity will thank you <3

Ciao!!!!

Back To School Makeup

It's that time of year! Back to school and a fresh new start. I know some people might be sad to see summer leave, but honestly it's always been my favorite time of year to see the fall come along. Fall and the beginning of school always means new beginnings and opportunities. Embrace the change and wonderful things will happen. Keep a positive and strong mindset while you are going through the school year and always believe in yourself :)

Products:

Paula's Choice Moisturizer

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal (Green & Orange)

L'oreal True Match (W4)

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer & Highlighter (Fair/Light)

Laura Mercier Translucent powder

MAC Uninterrupted powder

Milani Bellissimo Bronze Blush

BH Cosmetics Wild & Radiant Palette

Loreal Telescopic Mascara

Brow Bar To Go

EOS lipbalm

Enjoy this tutorial and embrace your natural beauty :) good luck on this wonderful school year and I am sending you lots of love and positivity!!

Ciao!!!!

Office Decor Tips & Inspo

There is no better feeling than starting a new job and having the chance to show people how much you have to offer. It's a fresh start and you have the ability to make the best of it.

Another great thing about a new job means turning that dreary office desk into your own little slice of paradise. Because let's get real for a second, you're going to be spending majority of your day at that desk so might as well make it your own. But be forewarned when it comes to making extreme changes to your work space, make sure you run it by your boss first!

I wanted to post some inspo pictures that I personally love for office decor. I think it is smart to get the following items:

- Letter Tray with numerous slots

- Pencil holder

- Mouse pad

- Frame turned into white board

- Faux flowers

- Cute coffee mug

And then whatever else you would like to add is perfect as well! Those are just my essentials that I feel you can never go wrong with. I personally love to keep my decor colors light and sweet. Colors like white, gold, pink, and cream are always great color selections. By keeping your office colors light and cheerful this will translate to how you feel during the day. Great office decor will help you feel at home and happy, so in return you will feel motivated.

So freshen up that office and make it your own! Tag me in your office inspo pictures on Instagram @modern_minimalist !!

Ciao!!

GlamGlow Tinglexfoliate Review

So I am a skincare fiend and absolutely love trying new products that will help my skin heal and glow. I know the GlamGlow mud masks are all the rage and everyone has amazing things to say about it. At first I refused to try it because wayyyyy too many people were talking about it nonstop and it felt forced down my throat.

As time went on I began to look into the ingredients and realized that they incorporated many amazing ingredients that really help heal and nurture the skin. So I decided to try a small size of the Tinglexfoliate mask. I chose this one because it said it has properties to help with acne and skin discoloration.

If you really do research on the beneficial qualities of mud masks, you will see it contains so many natural nutrients. So basically GlamGlow's skincare line is based upon the benefits of mud masks and cleansers. They work great when applying all over the face but also work great as spot treatments.

(click on the picture for a link to the product)

So when I first used the Tinglexfoliate mask, I used it all over my face. It dries fairly quickly and you can even see little spots pop up to show where it is pulling the most oil and dirt out of your skin. It tightens your skin as it dries and you can see little pieces of green tea leaves. Fun fact, green tea does amazing wonders for your skin because it is a great detox.

My favorite part about this mask is that once it dries and you wash it off, it has tiny pieces of volcanic pumice rock. This gently exfoliates your skin and washes away any debris picked up by the mask. Honestly I saw a difference in my skin after one use. Now I love using it on any spots that pop up or if I want to deep clean the pores on my nose after wearing a lot of makeup.

Truly a great product and one of the best masks on the market!

Ciao!!!!

Happy September ! First Day of School Outfits

Happy September to my beautiful friends! September means that fall is closer than we think and that makes me just so happy! So of course with the beginning of September today, this means the first day of school is right around the corner. I wanted to put together ideas for some great outfits that are chic and appropriate for the first day of school.

So this post is going to be geared towards my girls in college. I remember being in high school and they can have pretty strict dress codes so I don't want any young girls getting in trouble! Stick to the rules and do good in school my little high schoolers :)

The first day of college classes is always fun and let's be real it's mostly a bunch of socializing and trying not to get lost. As most college kids know, the first week of classes is also known as syllabus week which means usually no work whatsoever and some great parties. So back in the day when I was in college we always made sure to get through class and meet up with a bunch of friends.

Here are some outfits that I think would be great for a first day of class in warm September:

Jacket: Forever21

Dress: Forever21

Wedges: GoJane

This outfit is great for those warm days and chilly nights. Throw on a comfy sundress and add a nice denim jacket for extra warmth. **Hint nude wedges will help make your legs look longer.

Graphic tee: TJMAXX

Shorts: Hot Miami Styles

Flats: Forever21

Sunglasses: Forever21

For my girls who love to keep it casual throw on some denim shorts and a graphic tee. And if your graphic tee is a little long, just knot it to the side.

Dress: Forever21

Belt: H&M

Espadrilles: Forever21

Take a simple dress and spruce it up with a nice belt to cinch that waist and add shape back into your body. Spice up the outfit with really cute flats. These espadrilles are great because you can decide how you want to lace them up.

September is the beginning to so many wonderful new journeys that we have the opportunity to embark on, so start it off on a positive note! Good luck and I wish you all a wonderful school year!

Ciao!!!!

No More Pain From Wearing Heels

Girls......on a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you love your heels?! Im going to assume you all gave that a 10 because we all know how heels can make your heart skip a beat. As a short girl I love my heels and how long and slender they make my legs look. I have worn super high heels for hours on end, only to realize how sore and swollen my feet became once I removed them.

Heels are from Lolashoetique (Smooth Talker in Coral)

So how can you wear your favorite heels without pain and soreness? Here are some great tips that I found worked great for me (I've included links to the products that I always use):

- Take deodorant and rub it onto the areas of your feet where your pumps might usually cause blisters (ex. back of heels, side of foot near big toe, pinky toes, etc.)

- Add gel in-soles to your shoes to provide comfort to your feet

- If you feel the most pain on the back of your heels from rubbing against your pumps, use special heel huggers that can be placed in the shoe to help ease the pain

- If you feel you easily get blisters on your toes, use small protectors that can be placed around your toes

- I like to add extra lotion to my feet so I know that the moisture will keep my skin from getting irritated

I hope you enjoyed and found these tips super helpful!


Ciao!!!!

Transition Your Wardrobe

So some people might hate that I am saying this, but we are getting closer to the end of August and beginning of September. This means we will start breathing in the beautiful crisp fall air, which I love so much. As soon as September comes I am already getting my fall clothes out of storage. I'm sure as many of my fellow New Jersians know, September and October have been known to keep the heat going longer than expected. On the other hand, sometimes it gets chilly early on in the fall months.

So here are some tips on how to coordinate your summer and fall clothes together just in case the weather fluctuates (mixed in with my favorite inspo pictures):

1. Always have a great quality leather jacket

2. Make sure your shirts are cotton and breathable

3. Some of your summer dresses can be paired with tights or knee highs

4. Match a faux fur with jean shorts

5. Mini skirts with a long sleeve shirt (sheer tights could be added too)

6. A chunky scarf is a great addition to any outfit

7. Boyfriend jeans work well with any season

8. Cardigans give you the warmth you might need, but if you start getting hot it's one item that won't ruin your outfit if you remove it

9. Keep your maxi dresses out and match them with popular fall booties

10. Oversized sweaters and knee high boots

Ciao !!!!

Maybelline FIT Me Foundation Matte & Pore less

I've bought another foundation...yet again. I am constantly buying foundations because I feel like there is always a new amazing product coming out every single day! For my oily, acne prone skin I always feel it is necessary to try different foundations that will help give me the coverage I need. Plus you also need specific foundations for certain occasions and days. Some days my skin might be more dry so I can lean towards a more dewy foundation. While other days my skin is super oily and covered in breakouts galore, then I will reach for a matte and full-coverage foundation.

You know I love my drugstore foundations. They are quality products at the portion of the price for high end foundations. I've never really used Maybelline products for my face because I usually tend to lean more towards Cover Girl. The FIT Me make-up line has really gotten great reviews so I decided to try their new matte and pore less foundation.

One important thing that I have also learned over the years is that certain foundations have a better finished look when applied with certain make-up tools. Some apply better with foundation brushes and some apply better with make-up sponges. I personally like to apply this foundation with my Sigma foundation brushes. They really push this product into the skin and make it look very natural.

To be honest I really like this foundation for the summertime. First off, in the summer I dread wearing make-up because I know I will have to set my foundation with powder making my skin look cakey throughout the day. The great thing about this foundation is that I don't have to set it with powder. This has never been possible for me before. Luckily I can dab this foundation in the problem areas on my skin and blend it out with my foundation brush until it blends flawlessly with my skin and that's it! No powder, no problems.

I've worn this foundation by itself in the hot sun and obviously my skin is going to sweat and get oily, but the great thing is that it doesn't make my make-up look obvious. It still looks like my skin and you can't really tell there is any product on there. This product passes my biggest test for the summer months so I give it two thumbs up! Great foundation for girls with oily and acne-prone skin :)

Ciao!!!

The Beauty Hack To Change Your Life !!

I'm about to blow your mind with a new favorite product of mine that literally stops your skin from getting oily or slick in the heat. So enough of the garbage talk of blotting or using special powders in a certain order. This is going to start at the very beginning so you actually get to use the products you would like to use.

PREP YOUR SKIN!

This is going to blow your mind, but I literally stop the oil from overflowing just from using one product before I even apply my makeup. This magic product is called, Mehron Skin Prep Pro. This stuff is used for keeping makeup perfectly set so that no matter what aggravates your skin, your makeup will literally stay put. I mean this!

So I also have large pores and I have found that this product also tightens my pores which is a double whammy!! The only thing you need to do is put some of the liquid product onto a cotton ball and dab it all over your face. Let the product dry and you will immediately feel your skin tighten up! I swear its like Botox in a bottle (I should trademark that). Once it dries you are ready to apply your makeup in any way you would like. It is that simple my friends.

Here is a picture of my makeup on a super hot and humid day. Humidity is my worst enemy because it makes my oily skin look ten times worse, and I swear this product has saved me in the summer months.

Ciao !!!!