NYX Review

Being a makeup artist, I've tried almost every makeup brand out there (on myself and 

my clients). There are tons of amazing high end brands and products. My personal

favorites being Makeup Forever and MAC Cosmetics. Even though I sometimes  

get special discounts for being a professional, I still have to buy on a budget.

So I set out looking for a more affordable brand that is comparable to my higher

 end favorites. I came across NYX and I was pleasantly and surprisingly impressed!

The eyeshadow colors are highly pigmented, as are the lipsticks and glosses. The

foundations give a great, smooth coverage and the mascaras really plump up

those lashes! 

In this review, I want to show you a few of the face products...

 Eyebrow definer and gel, bronzer, powder foundation, eyeshadow primer, 

and full coverage concealer.

 The powder is amazing! I used the HD Studio "Stay matte but not flat" powder 

foundation in "creamy natural" (Because I'm kind of pastey). It's oil free, water/sweat 

resistant, and enriched with minerals. I've only had to apply it once today... and 

that's saying a lot in the heat of summer in Mississippi!

 I used the matte bronzer in "light" and it gives just the perfect touch of color.

It's noticeable, but not too dark or orange. Definitely love it!

 The eyeshadow primer pot comes in three colors; white, nude, and white pearl (which 

adds a bit of shimmer). I used the white color. It's creamy and slightly thick..which I like

because it feels like the shadow will actually stick to it. And it has! That color doesn't budge.

The eyebrow definer has also been great. I used the colors for blonde hair because I'm 

naturally a dirty blondish/brown so my eyebrows are still that color. I've tried coloring them

darker before to match my hair, but it just looks weird.

 I'm a stickler for good concealer. It has to be full coverage without looking cakey

or creasy and it has to last all day because it's under the rest of my makeup and

I don't want to have to redo it. This concealer is the best! I use it in "fair". With 

concealer, I always get it in a color that's one shade lighter than my complexion.

That helps with dark circles and whatnot.

The eyebrow definer comes with a great brow gel that I add to my brows first, 

then I comb them with the little mascara-looking wand. I didn't care for the angled

shadow brush that it came with. It wasn't as skinny and precise as I like, so I just

used one of my other angled brushes.

I apply the foundation powder all over, concentrating on the T-Zone and under eyes.

Then, I apply the bronzer using contouring techniques (you can look that up 

on YouTube).

I added a few finishing touches and that was it! A flawless complexion with

affordable makeup. I really love this makeup line.

Pony Bow

So, I recently did a guest post on a blogger friend's page. It's a super cute summer

hairstyle tutorial! Check it out and check out the rest of her blog here....

Love, Caroline Blog

Sunday Style

I took these pictures yesterday when it was miserably hot, rainy, and

humid.... So, sorry about the frizzy hair and weird faces.  :)

Chanel drip tee - PoshMark

Polka dot shorts - Forever 21

Purse and sunnies- Target

Shoes - Madden Girl

Polka dot heart pin - ModCloth

DIY Chinese Staircase Hairstyle

There are few other versions of this style but this DIY is my version: Messy.

I love messy hairstyles!

1.) Part hair into two sections.

2.) Take a piece of hair from the back of one section (whatever size you want).

3.) Wrap that piece around the rest of the ponytail and pull the piece up 

through the loop you just made. (Like you're starting to tie a knot.)

Pull it tight.

4.) Add that piece back into your ponytail.

5.) Repeat steps 2-4 as far down the pony as you want.. pulling each

section tightly. Then do the same to the other pony tail.

6.) Pull on the braids a little bit to make it messy and cute.

7.) Enjoy your cute braids!

[This style is cute with just a side pony too!]

July Birthdays

Last night we celebrated the birthdays of our friend's, Ben, Mary Meghan, JB, and Ellie

at JB and April's adorable, new house. I had so much fun making new friends and 

hanging out with old friends. We grilled out, played with cute babies, shot the 

potato...or in our case, pinecone...gun (because someone forgot to get some potatoes), 

and ate the most delicious birthday desserts made by April. Despite the humidity

and mosquitos, summertime in Mississippi is pretty awesome.

If you'd like to read more about JB and April's newlywed/newly home 

ownership adventures, go HERE.

Sunday Style

It's really hard for me to not be awkward in pictures most of the time. Ohh well... So here

 is one of my more affordable new outfits. Finding awesome deals is one of my 

favorite things about shopping! I'm that girl who always hits the sale racks

 first. Who says you have to break the bank to get cute clothes? Not me.

Peplum top - Cotton On

Skirt - H&M

Purse - Shi by Journeys

Shoes - TJMaxx

Bracelets - Forever 21

Chicken Parm Sub Recipe

I recently learned an easy lunch recipe and I loved it! My sweet husband

did too. So I thought I'd share it with you lovelies today. It takes

about 30 minutes altogether to prep and cook, and makes 4 servings!

INGREDIENTS: 

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 thin, boneless, skinless chicken breasts 

(I bought the organic pack that comes with thinner cuts)

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

6 ounce bag of baby spinach

1 cup marinara sauce

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

4 soft whole wheat sandwhich rolls

PREP & COOK:

1.) Place oven rack in top position; preheat broiler.

2.) Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

3.) Pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet, 

heavy saucepan, or maybe your fist..?.. Until chicken is

an even 1/4" thickness. Dip your chicken breasts in the flour

mixture and fully cover them.

4.) Heat 2 tspn oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Add your

spinach and cook until it's wilted (2-3mins) then transfer it to

a bowl.

5.)Add other 2 tspn oil to the pan.. Add 2 chicken breasts to the

pan and cook until golden (about 2 mins per side). Move them to

a baking sheet then repeat with the other two breasts.

6.) Top each chicken breast with marinara, wilted spinach, and parm

cheese. Sprinkle mozzarella on top. 

7.) Broil until cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through.

(About 3 minutes) then serve on rolls.

8.) ENJOY!