4 EASY & STUNNING HALLOWEEN IDEAS

Halloween is in three days- what?! (aka where-the-heck-did-October-go?)

If you're looking for inspiration/ideas for makeup or a costume, check out some of my favorite photos and some amazing tutorials below, there's one for everybody. xx

For the Foxy:

The Wonder Forest/Flickr/BitsFashion

Spice it up with a little bit of a warm woodland inspired makeup and costume look.

For the Colorful:

Crafty Morning/Lady Gaga/Sephora

Add a pop of color for an unforgettable look (and accompanying decorations!)

For the Queen:

Cut Out and Keep/Once Upon a Time in Wonderland/Pretty Gossip

Drawing inspiration from the Once Upon a Time Character for a modern look, channeling the inner-queen is easy. (I'm going to be the Queen of Hearts for Halloween, and I'm for sure doing my hair and makeup like the Red Queen's.)

For the Model:

Barney's/Burberry/H&M

Can't forget about Cara! This is one of my personal favorites- super easy to make and do! For makeup, keep it simple with a touch of a warm blush and nude lip color, and accentuate the eyes with a brown smokey eye and bold brows. (Plus, the costume is probably already in your closet!)

What are you going to be for Halloween? xx

10 SONGS YOU'LL HAVE ON REPEAT

I sometimes have those days where all I want to do is sit in the air conditioning coolness (or on the beach, even better) and listen to music. These ten songs are some that I've been enjoying lately, some popular, and some that deserve to be! (And, of course, you've gotta have some music for your summer parties!)

Which is your favorite? Tell me below in the comments!


xx

REVIEW: EMBRYOLISSE LAIT CREME CONCENTRE

Hey guys!  I've got my Europe Haul coming up shortly (yay!) but since my camera has been uncooperative lately, I'll be reviewing the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre moisturizer that I picked up while I was in Paris.

This facial moisturizer has been mentioned by tons of models and makeup artists, along with YouTubers like Amanda Steele (makeupbymandy24), so I had to give it a try. (Also, French "drugstores", which are pretty much just a ton of heavenly skincare and beauty products are just amazing. I could spend days in there.)

This is really an all-in-one moisturizer, it can also be used as a makeup primer, hair texturizer, or can be used to lighten your foundation or added with your sunscreen.  I've personally been using it as a moisturizer and primer, and I'm happy to say that it does almost as good as a job as the Too Faced Primed Poreless primer, which is the best primer, ever!


Lait-Creme Concentre roughly translates to "condensed milk cream," and that's really how it feels.

This moisturizer has shea butter, beeswax, and aloe vera, and the texture definitely allows you to feel it. The texture is so creamy and smooth, I felt like I wanted to cover my entire face with the whole bottle, it's that good. The aloe vera also gives it a bit of a cooling feeling, which feels great after  a long day. (Summertime swimming, anyone?) With my type of dry skin, the consistency is just right- not too watery, but not suffocatingly thick! 

Girls with oily skin might want to use a little bit less, since it is on the thicker, creamier side, but a little bit goes a long way in general, the pea sized amount above on my fingers is enough to cover my entire face TWICE. 

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If you happen to be stopping in Paris anytime soon (or if you live there, lucky you!) go get this right now! This is the holy grail lotions of all lotions, and for $15, who can say no? It's cheaper than Clinique, and if you're still not sure, your skin deserves a treat. Trust me. ;)

Embryolisse is available at almost all the French drugstores, and for us American chicks, you can find it at IMATS/makeup conventions, or online.

xx,

Julia

Skincare 101: Fighting Acne with Your Routine

The order that we apply our products seems really unimportant, but really, it can make or break your skin. You wouldn't put on sunscreen after you just put on foundation, so why would you moisturize before you take off your makeup? I hope you find my chart useful! 

I'll be posting more Skincare 101 soon, including my own skincare routine. I'm working on clearing up my acne, so if it works, I'll definitely be writing about it. xx

Airplane Essentials! What's in My Cary-On? ✈

*queue squee's of happiness* It's officially summer! And of course, with summer, for a lot of us, comes vacation time! As I hinted at before, I'm going to traveling quite a bit this summer, and these are my airplane essentials that I can't live without!

1) My phone! I don't have a 5s, but I have to say, those are pretty fancy.

2) Headphones- perfect for listening to music and for watching movies.

3) Moisturizer- I use Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief- definitely recommend it for airplanes and anyone with dry skin, since the airplane air literally sucks the moisture right out of your skin. 

4) Facial Towelettes- when you need to refresh your face without using the bathroom water.

5) Hairbrush- pretty self explanatory.

6) Scarf- airplanes tend to get really chilly, especially at night, so make sure to have a warm scarf on hand! (TIP: they're also great for tying your travel outfit together.)

7) Notebook and pens- for writing down any thoughts or doodling.

8) Body/Hand Lotion- what does it better than BBW?

9) Lip balm- chapped lips are the worst, and always are part of the airplane package deal.

10) FOOD! (because I get hungry a lot.)

11) Water- Probably the most self-explanatory on this list. (I don't get it until after security, though!)

12) Socks- there is never a bad time to wear Bath and Body Works's shea-infused socks.

13) Books & Magazines (I'm bringing City of Heavenly Fire, Days of Blood and Starlight, and some magazines like Teen Vogue.)

14) Ribbon hair ties- these don't crease your hair, and are a lot comfier when you sleep, and also, it's always good to have some on hand, because my hair tends to have a party when I'm traveling.

There you have it! I'll be having some more travel-related posts up soon, so make sure to follow and check back! Also, on unrelated news, this is my 100th post!

xxx

Things I'm Loving Friday

As I mentioned a couple posts back, I've decided to start Friday Favorites! Every Friday, I'll be sharing some of the things I've been loving for that week. Let's get started, then! :)

Clinique High Impact Mascara

I think I may have found my favorite mascara. Ever. I have pretty thick eyelashes, but they're not too incredibly long, and on the brownish-black side. This mascara gives the perfect amount of curl, length, and blackness! It also doesn't clump and the brush is really soft on your eyelashes. I usually wiggle it at the base of my lashes, then quickly swipe it up. Love!







If I Stay by Gayle Forman 

 There's been a lot of media hype going on with this book, so I decided to pick it up at the bookstore a couple days ago. I haven't had too much time to make much of a dent in it, but it's already so great! Some of the language is a little bit dull, (but after all, how can any book compare after seeing how Marcus Zusak wrote The Book Thief?)












Bath & Body Works World Garden Collection

 I just picked up the Tokyo Lotus & Apple Blossom Shower Gel, and it is seriously one of Bath and Body Works's best collections. Ever.




Grace Ciao

Photo: graceciao.com

I saw this on Lauren Conrad's blog, and oh my gosh, isn't this amazing? Grace Ciao uses really flower petals to illustrate her designs- I really hope that these get made into physical dresses one day, because I would love to see them! (and own, but chances are she's going to be a famous designer and it'll be expensive! New life goal: save up to buy one). It makes me so happy that there's people like this out there.

That's all I've got for right now, this has got to be the shortest post in a long time! Either way, I've got a ton of special things planned (giveaway, anybody?) so make sure to check back soon!

Ciao!

Summer's Must-Have Fragrances

Summer is almost here, and it's just about time to break out all your flowy sundresses,  those killer shades, and of course, your go-to-summer scent. In Cali, at least, the weather has been extremely difficult, with one day being windy and drizzling and the next has everyone sweating under the AC. Lovely. Either way, here's my favorite must-have perfumes for the summer.