Hello beauties! Welcome back to my blog, long time no talk huh.. Between my new passion of lifting and my promotion at the bank I have barely had time to even think about what to talk about here. I love that I still get so many daily views even without posting new content and I promise I will be back at it in no time. The loyalty and love from you guys keeps me going everyday. Today I wanted to talk about and share some tips on a familiar topic - wearing makeup to the gym. Something that has once been looked at in such a negative light but is becoming more and more acceptable as the makeup industry continues to grow. Keep reading to see what makeup works best for me at the gym and why I enjoy wearing makeup during my workout- Why wear makeup to the gym?Because we WANT TO. I think that before pretty women started video taping their workouts, wearing makeup to the gym was like a CRIME. Now I can walk into my gym after a long day at work, winged eyeliner and all, and get to it. Sure, I usually wash my red lipstick off on my more bold days, but wear whatever the heck you want to the gym. Its nice looking around and seeing other women doing it, too. Makeup is such a big commodity now a days and lets face it, some of us don´t even like to leave the house without our eyebrows being perfected. At the end of the day, its whatever makes you most confident whether you are at the gym, grocery, or even on the couch. Bare faced workout necessitiesIf you are not interested in wearing makeup to the gym then these are perfect to throw into your gym bag. Face wipes that won´t leave you greasy to easily take off your makeup, and some daily hydration moisturizer that won´t sweat off as you work it in the gym. Moisturized skin is happy skin. Drugstore makeup that always wins in the gymIf you were wondering why my makeup never moved once in my sweaty gym then here it is, (and its low budget, double score.) Worried about your skin?Make sure you are coming home and washing your makeup off after your sweaty workout. Its okay to workout with it, but letting it sit on your face for hours after might be a different story. I always recommend using a cleanser first, then an acne fighting product with a face brush after. The cleanser will get off the makeup on the surface, and then the face brush will get deeper in your pores and really clean out the left over makeup, dirt, and sweat. It is very crucial for you to have a skin care routine if you are going to workout with your makeup. (It is always crucial anyways, but even more necessary in this case.) If you wear a hat to the gym like I do most times, then make sure you are periodically washing them to get off any lingering makeup or sweat that has built up over time. Get down in those pores with these products to remove any sweat, dirt, or makeup and have a fresh face for bed. I also love to use homemade face masks to kind of ¨reset¨ my skin for the week as I like to call it. Honey, raw egg, and oats are a couple of the ingredients in my homemade face masks that make my skin feel happy and healthy. Drink lots of waterThis is irrelevant to wearing makeup to the gym, but its beneficial to happy and healthy skin. When I start breaking out of seeing fine lines I know that I have neglected my water drinking and need to get back in the swing of things. When you workout then you may need to up your daily water intake. You skin will thank you later, trust me. If anyone ever gives you a hard time about wearing makeup to the gym then just tell them that it might be silly to them but you at least slay while getting the gains. You never need reassurance on how to live YOUR life, so never look to anyone else for approval or acceptance. As long as you love yourself and how you look then nothing else really matters.
This was just a short post but be sure to share with me some of your ideas in the future! I have missed you guys so much and I cannot wait to hear the feedback from you guys once again. No matter what I have going on in my life I will always have time to message you guys back and talk to you about anything you might ever need. I love you guys so much! Xoxo, Courtney Faith
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Hello loves! So, the other day I received a box full of beautiful makeup I have surprisingly never tried before. In fact, I have yet to ever hear about this brand, Burberry, which completely took me by surprise. After doing some research I found that Burberry is big on their perfume (which explains why I know nothing about it) but has a bomb makeup line, too. I was also shocked to see that this makeup was high priced and pure luxury. So thank you so much Influenster and Burberry for sending me some products to test out and review with my followers and beauty buddies! With as beautiful as the packaging was, I just knew that I had to get my hands on the product and try it out intermediately. And an added bonus? The makeup they sent me is absolutely perfect for Valentines day. Burberry sent me two liquid lipsticks, one lip liner with a sharpener, & one highlighting stick. Literally, anyone who knows me, knows this is absolute heaven to me. Like I said, the packaging is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing to me, but what was inside was the real treat. Just looking at the makeup, I knew that it was pure luxury. Burberry is a very upscale and elegant brand, leaving you with effortless makeup glam that will leave others wondering simply how you attained it. Each lipstick can range anywhere from 30-35 dollars, but after testing it, is worth every single penny. Lets dive in and see what each product has to offer - Starting off with my favorite product in the box, is this velvet liquid lipstick that has quickly became my new favorite. I love that this color is neutral and can go with anything. This beautiful color is Fawn 05. You could literally wear this out for a night, to work, or just casually. The applicator was perfect size and the product applied evenly. It was perfectly smooth and I applied the right amount on the first swipe. Now that I am a NYX lingere girl, it is hard to find a liquid lipstick that pleases me, but I can 100 percent say that this product was flawless and will be placed right in my purse after this for my everyday wear, For anyone who doesn´t like lipsticks that have a scent, this lipstick is perfect for you because it has absolutely no smell, which actually surprised me. This product doesn´t feel as if it would dry out your lips, and it seems to be long lasting (which is essential for any lipstick lover.) These liquid lipsticks sell for only $34 dollars and you have 14 beautiful colors to choose from. Next, was this Bright Plum lipstick No.49. This usually isn´t my color of choice, but surprisingly, I loved how this lipstick looked on me with my skin tone and dark hair. This lipstick color would be the perfect choice for a date night because it is bold and risky. (Just how I like it.) This lip color also came with a lip liner (and the lip liner came with a super fancy pencil sharpener..) which applied as smooth, if not smoother than the lipstick itself. This lip color stayed in place for the night and did not rub off everywhere. It also kept my lips hydrated and happy compared to some liquid lipsticks I have tried in the past. The quality of these lipsticks completely blow me out of the water and I am completely staggered that I have not run across these in the past. The lip liner goes for $30, and each lip liner comes with a mess free pencil sharpener. Lastly, is one of the products I was super excited about but not as impressed with, which is the Fresh Glow stick. I was super excited to open this product up (because you guys know my obsession with highlighters) but once applied, it was not intense as I wanted it to be, which honestly could just be a me problem. After looking into it, it really is meant to just give off that dewy glow, but hunny, when I want to glow, I want to GLOW. I, first, applied it using the stick, going in back and forth motions on my cheek bone. The product did roll on smoothly and was not tacky or sticky. Once it was applied onto my cheek bones evenly, I took a makeup brush and blended it into my skin, leaving a fresh glow. The glow lasted me all night and did not completely disappoint. This product goes for $37.00, but I would strongly recommend testing it out prior to purchase. Though, I enjoyed some products more than others, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with Burberry and Influenster to get my honest opinion out about new and exciting products.
You guys know that I love finding new things and sharing them with you! Especially when they come in clutch for Valentines day! What are you guys doing for Valentines day by the way? Me and my honey are going to enjoy a nice dinner and I have a surprise for him that I can´t quite spill here since he will read it before then! My favorite part about Valentines day is getting together the perfect look to completely wow my bestfriend and lover. I also enjoy seeing all of the different makeup looks that others create for this special day. I have posted a few new posts on my lifestyle blog, so be sure to check those out! xoxocourtneyfaith.weebly.com I hope that you guys enjoyed this post and have an amazing V-day! I love you all so much and I will see you next time! Hello beauties! I am finally back with some good stuff to share with you guys! So all of my makeup junkies out there are familiar with the term ¨dupe¨ but there have been quite a few women who have came to me a little confused with the term. A dupe is simply the drugstore version of a high end makeup product that will give you close to or the same results. If there is one thing that I have learned, its that it is not the price of the makeup, but the quality of the makeup. There are brands like Wet N Wild and Elf that have amazing quality products for as cheap as they can possible get. Big time beauty Gurus like Amanda Ensuing speak very highly of products like these and would actually ten out of ten recommend a lot of these products for you. On top of that, dupes and drugstore makeup are safe compared to buying high end ¨knock offs¨. I would rather spend 3 dollars on a highlight that is legit than purchase a high end knock off and get a funky rash from it...... When it comes to buying drugstore products, you can get the same looks you want to achieve as long as you know the proper techniques of applying your makeup. Some women think that you HAVE to spend 40 dollars on products to get the ¨Instagram¨ makeup or flawless look they want to achieve, but as long as you know how much product to apply and where to apply it then you should be able to glam all day with makeup under ten dollars. Using some of these products listed below can cut your makeup funds in HALF or maybe even less (Which means you can buy even MORE makeup than you bargained for... ) Sounds good, right? So here are my top ten all time favorite makeup dupes listed below! Becca Opal highlighter vs. Elf Moonlight Pearls highlighter$38.00 to $3.00 with little to no differences. Too Faced Hangover primer vs. Hard Candy 12 hour primer$32.00 to $8.00 where the Hard Candy formula does not make my skin greasy. Smashbox Photo Finish color correction vs. NYX Photo-Loving primer$39.00 to $13.00 with little to no differences. Nars Orgasm Blush vs. Milani Corallina Baked Blush$30.00 to $8.00 where Milani has a touch of shimmer. Stila Stay All day eyeliner pen vs. Maybelline Master Precise pen$22.00 to $8.00 with little to no differences. ABH Brow Wiz vs. NYX Micro Brow$21.00 to $10.00 with literally no difference. Kat Von D liquid lipstick vs. NYX Soft Matte cream$20.00 to $6.00 with slight difference in applicators. Kylie Lip Kit vs. Colourpop Matte Lip$40.00 to $6.00 with no difference in formula. Bobbi Brown foundation stick vs. Revlon Insta-Fix$46.00 to $10.00 with different formulas but similar results. Makeup Forever HD powder vs. Maybelline Master Fix & NYX HD finishing powderMakeup Forever $20.00 - Maybelline $9.00 - NYX $10.00 all with similar results and a matte finish. As you can see even looking at the products, the biggest difference is just the packaging.
It is insane to think about how we spend so much money on things that are so similar in different brands. You can find millions and millions of dupes on Google or Pinterest and I honestly think that you can find a dupe for any high end makeup product that you want. I think that the only high end product that I will ever stand by and say that you need to spend the money on is the ABH Brow Pomade, but other than that, I have always been able to find something else that works just as great for any other products I have had. I hope that this post has helped you guys out and you can save some money next time you are out makeup shopping! Quick life update: I have been working a lot on my other blog at the moment, xoxocourtneyfaith.weebly.com but have not forgotten about my beauty blogee´s! I have currently been spending majority of my time at the gym and majority of my money on gym attire, health foods, and supplements. I have not lost my passion for makeup or beauty but at the moment have found something I am a little more passionate about. I am working on getting a few Valentines day makeup looks to you guys and I thought it would be fun to also do some go to gym hairstyles while I am at it. Any recommendations please contact me or leave a comment below! I have also gotten some photo shoots, one that has already been shot, then two more coming up in this next month. I am so excited guys! I will be posting about one of my shoots on my lifestyle blog so be sure to be on the look out for that! I love you guys so much and I am so blessed to have such amazing followers and a great support system. I love that you guys never forget about me when I am not active on my blog and still message me for tips and advice. I hope you all have an amazing rest of your day! Xoxo, Courtney Faith Hello friends! Happy Tuesday! So while I've been away I've been trying something new and LIFE changing. No lie. My hair, skin, teeth, and body have never actually looked better. My secret? Coconut oil! Not even kidding. Organic coconut oil guys. It's the beauty secret we've all been waiting for. Well I have atleast. I have been lathering coconut oil on my skin, using it as mouthwash, and even drinking it in my coffee. Why? Well because the benefits are worth every bit of it. I have heard many people mention coconut oil in the past, but had I known I would of become this completely obsessed with it, then maybe I would of tried it much sooner! My favorite part about this, is that I can use one product for EVERYTHING which keeps my vanity and sink nice and clean and not full of products! Keep reading to see how amazing coconut oil actually is for you - A friend of mine actually told me that they were going to bleach their teeth after years of smoking but a friend of theirs recommended swishing coconut oil for 20 minutes a night. Now am I patient enough to swish coconut oil for 20 minutes every single night? Nope. But I try to go for at least ten minutes each night (while in the shower, it makes the swishing part go by quicker) and I have already seen a great change in my teeth. 20 minutes is bettter for you because it gives the oil enough time to break down the plaque and toxins, so if you are a champ then go big and get white! Woot woot. After I spit, I like to brush using baking soda for a double action teeth whitening extravaganza! Only use baking soda once a day so you do not hurt your gums! So little did I know, they actually call this oil pulling and they have been doing this for centuries. Coconut oil can take away yellow and brown stains, stop cavities from forming, and even kill bad breathe germs. How? Well because it simply cuts through plaque and toxins without breaking down the teeths enamel. I never even thought to use coconut oil on my teeth, which, let's get real here girl, how did I not know this?! You all know I was on a natural teeth whitening kick for a while there, so to just now figure this out is insane. One tip is to purchase organic coconut oil, and if you are going to swish then make sure its edible and not cosmetic! (Cooking oil) Be sure to spit and rinse all of it out, even though if you swallow some then its obviously not going to harm you! (You just don´t want to swallow all of those yucky toxins from your mouth.) I also use this as my nightly moisturizer. Is it wet and does it take a while to dry? Yes. But is it worth it? YES. It soaks into your skin throughout the night and you will see changes the VERY next day. I have used coconut oil on my skin for two weeks now and my fine lines under my eyes are already disappearing. It's actually quite magical. Instead of using 3-4 face products each night, now I like to simply use organic coconut oil, and girl I use A LOT. I purchase the ¨lard¨ form of it for my face, since liquid coconut oil seems to run more. I also make sure I tie my hair back (with a thick scrunchy to protect my hairshafts from breaking) and I use a thick headband so I don't get it in my hair when I'm sleeping! My favorite part about using the coconut oil on my face is that it smells like cookies. No lie. With using this as my nightly moisturizer, my makeup has even been applying smoother than ever since my skin is happy and healthy and I have gotten two compliments in the past week about ¨having beautiful skin¨. You cannot go wrong with using this nightly instead of all of all of the other products that have way too many chemicals. Bleh. You can also use coconut oil on your hair! Do I? Not so much, but only because I have special morrocan oil masks that I am currently hooked on. From experiences I have read about on the internet though, this seems extremely beneficial, especially to my long haired friends. Coconut oil can make each shaft of your hair stronger, decreasing the chances of your hair to break from split ends. If you already have split ends, then this will make them stronger. (Even though I strongly suggest a cut, girl.) On top of that, coconut oil makes your hair shiny and look super healthy, what girl doesn´t want that? You can lather the coconut oil in your damp hair and then let it sit for 20 minutes in a cap! The few times I have done this though, I have let it sit all night to really absorb, but to each is their own! I use a shower cap this way it won´t get everywhere, or come out if you´re showering. I would do this before washing my hair just to make sure I get out all of the oil when I am done. Greasy hair is not cute girl. You already know. Lastly, I have been using coconut oil in my coffee every morning. It has enhanced my energy levels without giving me a crash. Drinking 2 tablespoons of coconut oil a day can actually melt fat off of you since it speeds up your metabolic rate. For all of my green tea drinkers who have experienced that fast metabolism burning sensation throughout the day, this is the same thing but with no tummy ache! After a week of drinking it in my coffee I can see a few changes in my belly and on top of that, this has been great to use to fuel my workouts! Think I'm kidding? Literally try it. If you are not used to consuming coconut oil then I strongly recommend putting 1 teaspoon in a day and gradually working your way up! Since this is a natural energy source, you do not want to over do it or make yourself sick. Fortunately, when I add this to my coffee I do not have a crash and I never get the jitters! There's no other way I would rather drink my coffee now. I started drinking my coffee black with a touch of coconut oil to make it even healthier, but don´t worry, its an acquired taste and it eventually gets better! Do it for you health! I hope that you guys enjoyed this blog post and found these coconut oil tips useful! I think that my people who hate spending a fortune on a bunch of different products will love this and its convienance! You can get coconut oil at any grocery store, and the difference between cosmetic coconut oil and cooking coconut oil is that one is edible. I choose to use the cooking oil for EVERYTHING, just to stay on the safe side! Also, organic is the best route always! So, if you can grab a container of it, DO IT!
If you guys have any Christmas beauty requests then comment those down below! I am so happy to be back, I missed you guys! I love you all so much and I will see you soon. Xoxo, Hello beauties! So I kind of disappeared this month without an explanation, and well, here it is. I decided to take a month long break. Why? Well because, I needed it. A few things happened this month. I got sick twice, while being exhausted working both jobs, had two business events, one scope, and on top of that I'm just not exactly full of ideas at the moment. I started pushing myself to get atleast 3-5 great blog posts out each month to you guys and it finally burnt me out, in all honesty. So with that I decided that I'm taking a November break. A much needed one at that. This month I didn't even feel like posting a glam bag post like usual. And with that, I feel like December will be kick ass and I'll have more to talk about. With the risk of my views and rates going down this month, I did what was best for myself and it was awesome. So no, I didn't quit beauty blogging, and no, I'm not a blogger "sell out". I'm just simply tired. With that, I did shop a lot this month and I have a bunch to show you guys, so I'll see you in a few days! Stay tuned for December! I love you guys so much and I'll see you soon. Muah. Xoxo, Courtney FaithHello beautiful people, I hope you're all having a marvelous day today! I have something amazing that I need to show all of my fellow coffee lovers out there - coffee facial scrub! No, this is not a drill people, it's real. My beautiful friend Miranda was oh so nice enough to send me a bag of this stuff to test out and tell you guys about! Thank you Miranda! I have heard about coffee scrubs a few times but have never actually considered trying it out (surprisingly) so I am very thankful that she opened my eyes to something simply amazing. The brand is Espresso Yourself, which is totally adorable and original. Some skeptics may ask, why coffee? Well, my friend, coffee is actually amazing for your skin. It includes antioxidants and studies have actually shown that caffeine can decrease your risk of skin cancer and prevent premature aging. It can also get rid of puffy eyes, so to all of my hard working moms and college students, this might be for you. It minimizes appearance of cellulite and exfoliates dry skin, so let's just say, coffee is pretty much an essential, or in my case even more of an essential now. You can actually get quite a few different "flavors". Miranda sent me the pumpkin spice, and since I'm a typical white girl it's pretty much my favorite thing ever. You can also get mocha, peppermint, coconut, and original. Each product has different advantages for your skin. The original coffee scrub exfoliates and nourishes your skin. The coconut has added coconut oil to moisturize your skin and is packed with Vitamin E. The peppermint has mint oil that will leave your skin feeling refreshed. This one even fights dandruff and eczema, which I will be trying out this winter. The mocha is made of 100% cocoa powder and promotes collagen production, prevents blemishes, and fights aging. All of these sound super beneficial and me, being a skin lover, am in actual heaven right now. The smell was absolutely incredible and I literally could of ate it. (I swear I didn't.) Applying it was easy as long as you used enough water, you just can't be too harsh as with any facial scrub. I let the product sit on my face for a while before washing it off so I can absorb all of those antioxidants. The smell was seriously incredible, which is a must for my facial products. Once I rinsed it off I could instantly feel results. My face felt baby smooth and felt cleaner than it ever has before. I was super impressed and would of never guessed that coffee would give me my best skin. Its only a little bit messy, but if you're in the shower or over the sink then this is the least of your worries. I say that all of my coffee lovers should deff try this product out, and even just anyone who loves the smell of coffee. The smell stuck with me throughout the day and I could not complain one bit. Even better, my bathroom smelt like a coffee shop, WIN. If you would like to try out this product then you can contact my amazing friend Miranda for more details and to place an order! The contact info and social media is listed down below: [email protected] IG: espressoyourselfscrub facebook.com/espressoyourselfcoffeescrub etsy.com/shop/espressoyourselfshop Thanks again Miranda! You are a rockstar and I know your business will go far! I hope that you guys enjoyed this post and will consider trying this one out! I already know a few of my friends who will GO CRAZY over this one. I love you guys so much and I will see you next time! Muah, Courtney FaithHello beautiful people and welcome back to yet another Glam Bag post! I have been quite absent on this blog because I have been working my butt off on making a whole other website dedicated to lifestyle and personal posts! That website is xoxocourtneyfaith.weebly.com and its just getting started. Fortunately, I have spent so much time on it that its kicked off pretty well! You guys know that I love to talk to you about so much more than beauty and on this blog I am limited, so luckily I now have a whole other platform that I can write on for you guys! At the same time, do not worry, I will still be on Bryant Beauty Blog to share my opinions and beauty finds with you! So to get back on the original topic, this glam bag was actually the cutest but came with the WORST products in my glam bag history. Keep reading and you´ll understand why..... The theme for this Octobers Glam Bag was Black Magic, which since its Halloween and everything, that MAKES SENSE, right? Well it all made sense until I opened it up, which you will see why down below. As for the bag, it was everything to me. Probably the most perfect bag I have seen so far, though I probably seem like I always say that. If you can´t tell from the pictures, the bag is light pink, with little black Halloween prints on it. I probably will use this bag for everything for the rest of my life because Halloween is life okay? But, the bag got me way too excited about what was inside. With a theme like Black Magic, you would probably imagine it including things like black lipstick or nail polish, right? Maybe even some glitter things for your eyes for like cool costume ideas or something.... NOPE. To be honest, this kind of looked like a poorly put together sample bag from a convention that is completely irrelevant to makeup. For ten dollars, can anybody really complain, but at the same time, if I worked for Ipsy the bags would of probably been a lot more cooler than this. They threw in things like chapstick, ANOTHER mud mask, and a tiny brown lipstick sample...... Guys I am thoroughly disappointed. Throwing in a sunflower box with a theme like ¨Black Magic¨ is just the most uncreative thing that I have ever seen, and if Ipsy is just kind of throwing things together now a days then I might as well just switch like I have been talking about for months. To be honest, I haven´t even wanted to do this post because I know that all of these products are boring and repetitive and I am sure you guys feel the same way. The only thing this bag was missing is another red nail polish so I can add to my drawer of them. Things that would of been perfect for this bag would be 1. NYX Suede cream lipstick in black 2. be a bombshell black nail polish 3. Purple or black eyeshadow from Mellow 4. Pale foundation or powder 5. Stick on face jewels or stickers (something cool for Halloween, IDK) The ideas are endless, but they did not take the time to put it together. What came in this bag was 1. Natural lipstick by Noyah 2. Makeup Forever Ultra HD foundation 3. Preventative Measures chapstick 4. PUR Cosmetics mud mask 5. Ciate London eyeliner One product I will say was okay in this bag was the eyeliner.... and I know what you are thinking, I complain about getting eyeliner from Ipsy all the time, I know, but this time they sent me a felt tip eyeliner pen and its literally perfect in every way. Ciate London Felt Tip EyelinerThis eyeliner is from the brand Ciate London, which is a brand I have yet to even hear about through Ipsy. This is the Fierce Flicks Eyeliner, as they like to call it. Luckily this was the last thing I pulled out of my bag and it changed my whole mood. What I loved about this eyeliner is how crisp and smooth the lines are. It applied perfectly and evenly and even dried fast. I ran my finger over the eyeliner ten seconds later and it didn´t smudge one bit. This is something that will come in handy Saturday when I go out for Halloween! As far as the other products go, they are a repeat, so I will save you guys the boredom. Bleh. Realistically, I wanted to share another awesome blog post with you guys and get to show you some cool things, but unfortunately that couldn´t happen this month. I would waste our time and write all of the products out and tell you guys petty facts about them, but I only ever want to be honest with you guys and tell you how it really is. If I do not like something then I will always give my 100% honest opinion. I love when I find new products or subscriptions and can get excited about them and share them. That is my favorite thing ever - when you guys go out and get the same stuff and tell me how much you enjoy it, too! I love when you guys come to me for advice, because you trust my opinion, and I love when you tell me how much I helped you whether I knew it or not! It has been tough blogging lately because of my schedule, but I always get super excited to talk to you guys again. It really makes my world go around. I will have a Halloween post up by Saturday of what I am being and the hair and makeup details, of course! Comment down below what you guys are going as! I am just going back to my old college town and going out with some friends. I really cannot wait I just hope its not freezing. Anyways, I love you guys so much and I will see you next time! Xoxo, Courtney FaithSo it's currently my favorite time ever on YouTube right now because this is when ALL OF MY FAVE GURUS POST HALLOWEEN MAKEUP LOOKS. There are so many that I'm absolutely in love with and just wish that I was talented enough to pull off. A few of these are on my list for the next Halloweens to come! Ill just have to make sure I practice, practice, practice. This blog is for anyone who says that makeup isn't art because THIS is magical. Let's get real here. Keep reading to see my top ten favorite Halloween makeup looks - IlluminatiI first saw this makeup look posted on Facebook and instantly fell in love. Since I'm obsessed with the Illuminati and all of that other conspiracy quote unquote nonsense, I especially thought that this look was cool. It's very different and you can tell that it's super original. Shaanxo rocked this look. Not surprised. TerminatorWhat I absolutely love about this look is that even though its animated, it's still super sexy and unique. Whats even cooler is that their are SO MANY different outfit choices that can go with this look. Though I love the dark lipstick choice, this would probably be a time to pull out my silver lipstick I have been dying to wear for about a YEAR now. Yes, I own silver lipstick, its awesome. PharaohThis is literally on my list of options for Halloween, I am so obsessed with this makeup look and wish I could just look like this all of the time - can that just be acceptable? I was actually meant to be a pharaoh princess, okay? My favorite thing about the pharaoh looks are not so much the bomb makeup, but all of the gold bling you get to wear with it! Even though some of it looks a little heavy.... Riding HoodI found this makeup look last year and fell in love with the whole look and concept. This look really gives off a creepy vibe yet is still super sexy. I just can´t get over how creative this makeup look actually is, turning a childhood story into some kind of gory movie plot. Side note: All white contacts freak me OUT okay. Lace MaskThis look is pretty much recreating my all time favorite snap chat filter, so if I can find a way to do this then I WILL have it on my face every weekend for the rest of October. I love how pretty and simplistic this Halloween makeup look is, and you can really wear whatever outfit you want with it! I would probably go with a little black or red dress. Unzipped FaceThis look actually kind of grosses me out..... But once I get passed that then I just can't even get over how amazing this is. It looks so real! The talent these girls have is absolutely miraculous. This reminds me of something in a movie. A movie I would probably never be able to watch because its disgusting and scary. Double VisionLast year this look was pretty big, and even though it really hurts my head and my eyes I still pull this look up just to watch them create it. When people say makeup isn't actually art I just laugh in their faces and pull this video up. This woman literally created a WHOLE OTHER FACE ON HER FACE. And not just any face, but HER OWN FACE. I just can´t wrap my head around this one. Melting SkullIm so happy I found this video. I saw pictures of this look the other day and absolutely loved it. Not only did she make the effects of the skull under her skin, but she took the extra step to make it look like her face is literally melting off. This is probably one of the best makeup looks I have and/or will ever see. Half SkullThis is probably one of the most bad ass makeup looks . I like that your whole face isn´t covered and you can still show off your bomb eye makeup. The contacts make this look even more intense and sexy and the color of the contacts with the eyeshadow looks amazing. Perfection. Space KittenIm not quite sure what a space kitten is but what I do know is that this whole look is mesmerizing. I don't know how anyone has time for this, but props to the people who can pull this off! This look seems like it would be the most fun to create! Especially because you get to cover most of your body in paint. After all of that work I truthfully would never want to wash it off! So which look is your favorite? Are you going to create any bomb makeup looks this Halloween? I am so excited for Halloween even though I am not quite sure what I even want to be this year! What are your Halloween plans? I love you guys so much and I will see you next time! Xoxo, Courtney FaithHello Beauties! Welcome back & hello Fall! I have waited forever to say that. So, I don´t know about you, but Fall is my personal favorite. Everything is just better in the Fall time, from the drinks, to the festivities, to the haunted houses, and most importantly the FASHION. Fall fashion is everything to me, in fact, summer time is rough because my closet is stocked up on over sized sweaters and scarves and barely any dresses or shorts. I just like being comfy, okay? Bundling up for the day is the BEST. Today I dusted off (and took out of shopping bags) some of my favorite Fall jackets I can FINALLY wear and I decided to show you guys! Army JacketSo, I actually had my eye on this jacket for a long time before I finally impulsively purchased it. As soon as I saw this jacket I knew that it had to be mine. I actually got it from a cute little boutique down the street from my work (luckily I scored the last one, IN MY SIZE). I love wearing my combat boots with this jacket because it adds to the effect. I actually get the most compliments from this outfit combo. I also usually throw on a bold lip with this jacket - matte brown is my go to. Olive Green BomberSo you guys have probably seen me post quite a few selfies in this one already. I got this jacket recently from Rue 21 & haven't wanted to take it off since. It was actually pretty inexpensive, I'm pretty sure only being 30 dollars. The color is perfect & you can dress this jacket up or down. I've worn this jacket with a little black cocktail dress and I've worn this jacket with sweat pants. It's the perfect jacket to grab and go in the Fall time. With jackets like these, you can also throw some patches or pins on them to personalize it a little more. I'll have to show you guys if that's what I decide to do with it. Business TrenchEvery business woman needs a long black business coat! I love wearing this with my dresses & tights. I also adore the fact that this has a hood, making this jacket perfect for rainy days in the Fall or Spring. The belt adjusts to my liking, and I love all of the buttons. I get major compliments on this jacket, especially when I wear it to work. I'm pretty sure I picked this baby up at the Dress Barn a year ago and even though I haven't worn it much, it's came in handy for multiple occasions. (Funerals, work, dressy casual occasions.) You can even pair this jacket with a pair of leggings and tall black boots. You know, whatever floats your boat. Faux Fur & LeatherI love the fur & leather combo on this jacket. I think that the fur makes his jacket look absolutely gorgeous, while keeping my neck warm on those cold Fall nights. This is the perfect going out jacket with functional pockets and the fur even comes off if you would like it to. What I love most about this jacket is for it being so light weight, it still blocks the wind out perfectly. I'll have to remember to grab this jacket for when I'm standing in long lines at haunted houses this year. Comfy CardiganHave I mentioned how much I love over sized sweaters and cardigans? These colors, design, and material are all absolutely perfect for fall. Every girl needs something this comfy in her closet, if you ask me. I'm super excited to wear it to bonfires and use it to snuggle up when it gets chilly. It actually reminds me of wearing a blanket, just more fashionable than a snuggie. I got this one from the same boutique as before but I've been seeing them everywhere. I would like one in every single pattern and color please. I might actually end up making a part two to this post since I have quite a few more jackets either in my closet or on my Wishlist. I really hope that you guys enjoyed this post and are having a marvelous day! It was taco day today at work, so you could say my day is going pretty great. If you guys have any Fall requests or Halloween post ideas then make sure you contact me asap and let me know! Also, please do not forget to subscribe for newsletters and follow me on all of my social media for post updates! I love hearing from you guys, you're truly amazing and I am blessed for the people who have subbed and reach out to me! With th all of my love, Courtney FaithHello beauties! Welcome back to yet another late Ipsy glam bag post! I have accepted that I'll probably never be on time with these things, yet you guys still tune in for them, so thank you. I actually almost didn't get this bag because I almost forgot to update my card info! That would of actually been tragic, especially since I got a few things I have been dying to try. GlamazonThis months glam bag was super cute and packed full. The theme this month is "Glamazon", let's see just how many products can actually glamify us this month. bellapierre blushThe first product is this bellapierre mineral blush which I'm pretty stoked about. Ever since I incorporated blush into my face routine, I have been splurging on new brands to try. I love that this brand keeps their products natural. When I used this product for the first time, I realized that this blush wasn't chalky at all, which is very important, obvi. You actually only need a pea size amount to get that perfect glow. be a bombshell nail polishNext is this super cute nail polish in the color Holy Fuchsia. I'm super happy that for once Ipsy didn't send me RED. Not exactly my color, but throw some matte top coat over it and I think I can work it. This brand is one I favor, so knowing they carry a nail polish line is incredible. They claim this formula to be long lasting and chip proof but I'll have to keep you guys updated on that one. Briogeo conditioning maskYay! More hair mask. I love trying new hair care products ever since I have become obsessed with taking care of my locks. Every product gives me different results so I get pumped when I discover a new brand. This product actually doesn't contain any of the harmful products that your hair doesn't like, so I'm excited to see how it works for me. naked advanced aloe creamAdvanced aloe cream is next on the list. You can use aloe for much more than a simple sunburn, in fact aloe works wonders for the skin. On top of having the aloe, it also contains Manuku honey, which I am a BIG fan of. (I actually have a whole post about it coming soon!) Let's see how this works on my stress creases. too faced lip plumperLast but not least, my favorite product, this too faced lip plumper! I am SO happy I finally got sent one! I have had my eye on the two faced lip plumpers for YEARS, I just didn't want to waste my money on something that might not work. I actually grabbed this product out first and put it on my lips instantly. It only burned alittle bit, but yet they did plump! Now I know and can purchase the full size. (: So that concludes this months Ipsy glam bag! The fact that in two days it'll be October says something about me.... But hey I made the cut! I love you guys so much and I already can't wait to write to you again! Life update: I'm currently working two jobs and always running around like a lunatic. Also, I started seeing someone and it's pretty amazing. I'll have to keep you guys updated (: With all of my love, Courtney FaithWelcome back beauties! So the other day I was pulling out some old photos to show my coworkers and that sparked a blog idea! It's insane the amount of people who think my black hair is natural, and could never actually see me in any other hair color, like at all. Well truth be told I am naturally a dirty blonde, and oddly I can seem to pull of any hair color I try. (Thanks to makeup.) I thought this would be sort of a fun and different post for you guys! For some of you it'll bring up some old memories I'm sure, because I'm always getting "remember the time you were blonde?". Unfortunately I don't have any pictures with my completely natural dirty blonde hair because I actually started coloring my hair in middle school and even before then got highlights! It would actually be quite odd to ever see myself in my natural hair since it almost feels like that never even happened! Enjoy - My Barbie Blonde DaysSo I remember actually being called Barbie back in my early highschool days and absolutely hating it. Even though now a days, Barbie doesn't seem like that bad of a compliment, lets get real here. At this moment in time I actually thought having two toned hair was cool, which don't get me wrong, I think it was in then, but now I look back and slightly regret it. I also cut my own bangs, which explains why they were so choppy, even for my senior pictures. My mom was always right, I just never wanted to listen. Sorry mom. Back to BlackDid I mention I actually had black hair once before going to my Barbie hair? Yeah, after me and my mom took so much time, patience, and money out of our lives to get to that blonde mess up there, I randomly decided to go back to BOX COLORED black. My mom was alittle pissed and I can actually see why..... Though I do think that dark hair suits me better, I think I could of atleast stuck it out and stayed blonde for a while. Though I am super high maintenance, having to get someone else to touch up my roots each month was too much for me so dark hair was always the better option. Mermaid HairRight before adventuring off to college, I decided to make a bold move and go as red as I could get. It was actually amazing and I loved how I didn't have to wear much makeup with this color. On the down side though, the up keep was horrible and I actually only ended up keeping my hair red for approximately 6 weeks according to Instagram. I was sad to see my red hair go, especially since thats how I made most of my first few friends in college (my red hair even almost scored me a spot in a calendar) but I was happy to have my black hair back once again. Back to my Unnatural RootsSo, as crazy as it seems, some people think that I was born this way. I would like to consider myself artificially dark complected since people claim it to look so natural. I guess that sometimes even I would forget that I am naturally a dirty blonde if it weren't for me having to keep up on my roots every month. How cool would it be if unrealistically we could actually just pick a hair color and not have to up keep it? It would save me a bunch of time and money tbh. But since I am high maintenance, I will just keep coloring my hair and brows (instead of letting my natural color come out) and go with it. If you guys are feeling risky and want to share some of your old hair photos then comment down below or post them on social media as a throwback & be sure to tag me! Thank you guys all so much for stopping back by my blog, I hope you have an amazing weekend and I will see you next time! Also, catch my latest post on my new website, xoxocourtneyfaith.weebly.com, "7 Reasons Why Your Breakup Doesn't Actually Suck" which I will have linked below. Xoxo, Courtney FaithHello beauties! I have seen quite a few drugstore makeup posts and have finally decided to show you guys some of my own drugstore faves! Some of my favorite drugstore brands include Maybelline, Covergirl, Wet N Wild and Rimmel London! Though, some drugstore products could never compare to some of my more high end brands and makeup, I find that some of these things are just as good if not better! Buying makeup on a budget can actually be amazing if you try out new things and experiment!
Maybelline Dream Mousse Foundation
Wet N Wild Contour Kit
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Sally Hanson Gel Polish
Maybelline Mast Precise Eyeliner
So I really hope that you guys liked this post! I'm happy I could get my first September post out there with my hectic schedule! I already can't wait to post to you guys again. I really hope you guys are having an amazing end of your summer (sigh) and look forward to my fall posts just as much as I am! I will see you all next time, thank you for tuning in to Bryant Beauty Blog! With all of my love - xoxo, CourtHello beauties! Welcome back and thanks for stopping by once again for yet another glam bag review! This glam bag really blew me away with a few products that are to die for. Lets get right into it! This glam bag was probably the most unique one I have seen so far. (Do I say that every time?) The theme this month was Sugar Highness, which I didn't quite understand until cracking the glam bag open. This glam bag actually came with six items this month. It was super heavy when I got it out of the mail box, which made me ten times more excited to see what was inside. When items can't even fit in the bag itself, that's when you know it'll be a good one. Keep reading to find out more about each item in this months glam bag! Trust Fund Beauty Lipgasm Liquid LipstickSo today we're going to start off with my least favorite product in this months glam bag, which was this Trust Fund Beauty liquid lipstick. The color, packaging, and actual product looked good, but it took a long time to dry (on my hand and on my lips) and the texture wasn't appealing at all. I love liquid lipsticks that dry almost instantly (like the NYX lingerie lipsticks, I'm seriously addicted.) It also has a cheap smell to it, if cheap were to have a smell. Though I have received great products from this brand before, this one just didn't quite cut it for me. NYX Liquid IlluminatorYas, this is one that I'm super excited about. NYX is obviously a brand I know and love, so anytime I get a new product from them to try, I get so happy! I tend to just know that anything from NYX will be amazing. This Illuminator is seriously perfect - the color, the texture, how long it lasts. It pops and contrasts perfectly on my skin tone, as you can see in the picture above. The product itself was consistent and applied evenly everywhere. It dried almost instantly, which really no surprise there, and I got many compliments on my glowing skin when I used this product the other day. Winning. it Haircare Leave in ConditionerSo if you guys know anything about me then you would know that I'm an absolute sucker for leave in conditioner. Ever since I have started to apply leave in conditioner each night, my hair has never felt or looked better. This is a brand I'm not quite familiar with, but the product itself is amazing. The product dries perfectly on dry or damp hair and doesn't leave a strange texture or feeling like other leave in conditioners. On top of leaving my hair shiny and frizz free, it smells absolutely wonderful. Even my mom was questioning what I was wearing when I walked out with this product slathered in my braid. Beauty for real 24-7 eyelinerMore black eyeliner, no surprise. This product seems to have great reviews, so I can't wait to get around to trying it, but before I use this eyeliner from Ipsy, I feel like I should atleast use up the other hundred eyeliners they've sent me first. I think I have a lifetime supply now, so thanks Ipsy. Secret Garden Sheet MasksI have yet to actually try sheet masks, but being the skin junkie I am, I have been dying to try it. The difference is that it is an easier clean up and instead of washing off the oils when you're done, you can rub them in and let them absorb into your skin throughout the night. They both seem like they will smell amazing and feel amazing so I'll have to let you guys know when I bust these babies out and try them! On top of everything else, the packaging is absolutely adorable. I would have to say that my favorite product form this glam bag was the Illuminator! Even though I love getting pamper products & planning out a relaxing night with myself. What did you guys get in your glam bags and what was your favorite product?! Thank you guys so much for stopping by, I love you all so much! Side note: I've been trying to post atleast four times a month (attempting to post weekly) but sometimes start to fall behind! I love that I get so many views even between each post, you guys are seriously amazing and the support is incredible. I hate to keep you guys waiting for new posts but you still stick around and I absolutely love that. Xoxo, CourtHello beauties! I hope you're all having a wonderful day. Cleaning your makeup brushes is crucial - after a while they start to feel stiff and they collect oils from your skin, making your skin more prone to acne. Yikes. If you use your makeup brushes frequently like I do, then I would suggest cleaning your foundation brushes atleast once a month, your powder brushes up to every month and a half, and your eyeshadow brushes every two months. You can clean them whenever you want, but you surely do not want to over do it and risk ruining your precious babies. If you have new brushes, then it is good to clean them and get out the loose hairs that could be lingering in them. It's also good because you get out any chemicals that could be left over on the bristles. There are many ways to clean your makeup brushes, and you have a million options in what products you can use to clean them. I decided the easiest way for me to clean them is with a brush cleaning palette and cleansing gel by Real Techniques. RT brush cleaning palette - Up CloseReal Tecniques makes inexpensive but yet amazing quality brushes, so this is a brand I have put my trust in. I did not hesitate to pick up this brush cleaning palette the moment I laid eyes on it. The brush cleaning palette comes with two packets of the brush cleanser, but you can also buy a full size bottle of the product if you like it. Since I have never used this product, I decided to use the sample packets first. I knew that if I did not like how it made my brushes feel, then I could always use baby shampoo or other types of brush cleansers with this palette. As you can see, the cleansing palette has different textures for different brushes. This will make it easier to clean a variety of brushes opposed to only a certain size of brush. Putting the palette to use1. Take a dime size blotch of the product and add in a small amount of warm water. 2. Start to gently swirl your brush around the tray. You can see all of the gunk coming out of the brush, leaving you wonder how it was possible for your makeup brush to hold all of that makeup in there. Yuck. 3. After You feel like the makeup brush is clean, place it on a towel to dry over night. Since I will be using my brushes tomorrow morning, I might even consider placing a small fan in front of them to make sure they are completely dry. Extra tips -
Before & AfterMy brush bristles felt as good as new after washing them. This product worked amazing and I would definitely recommend buying the full size bottle. Though this brush is still a little orange on the tips, you can see a huge difference after washing it out. My eyebrows have never looked better after finally getting the stiff pomade out of the bristles. As you can see my brushes look extremely marvelous now that I have properly cleaned them. Not only do they look great, but they also feel amazing, too. Once your makeup brushes are clean again, it will feel as if they are brand new. You makeup should apply even better and your face will thank you. Your skin could actually clear up, too. You can get this product at Walmart for only 14.99. And as you can see, it is very worth it. DIY Brush Cleaning PaletteIf you're feeling crafty, then you can also make your own brush cleaning palette with a hot glue gun and plastic sheet! Here's a helpful video: I hope that you guys enjoyed this blog post! I'm already super excited about all of the fall posts I have planned for you guys! (Even though I'm super sad to see summer go, frowny face.) That's including outfits, makeup looks, and new fall products and lines! Thank you all so much for stopping by and I will see you next time. Xoxo, CourtSo if you have the Internet then you probably know that there are a million crazy challenges surfing the web at this time. I mean, when aren't they? Fortunately, these challenges are harmless (to an extent) and these people aren't lighting theirselves on fire or sucking the air out of cups for Kylie's lips. Youtubers have gone crazy with a bunch of different "100 layers of" challenges, some funny, some rather... Disturbing. From layers of makeup to layers of clothes to layers of self-tanning products, these people are layering anything and everything, and I am laughing my ass off over here. It's take some very brave and very patient people to be able to pull off any of these challenges. Some of these challenges take up to 8 HOURS and more. (Don't these people work?) Today I rounded up some of my favorite challenges done by some hilarious people, here they are - 1. The Gabbie Show - 100 Layers of ClothesSo I was actually dying of laughter the whole time I was watching this. Gabbie is so brave for this one. I think this is actually one of the 100 layer challenges that could potentially kill you? I wonder if I even have 100 shirts in my closet.... Luckily she brought a friend for backup, smart move. She didn't quite make it to 100, but she gets pretty close and it's so worth watching. 2. Amber Walter - 100 Layers of Fake TanOkay, so this one actually made me cringe. My skin was pretty much crawling the whole time she was doing this challenge, but at the same time I just couldn't stop watching and wanted to see more! This video did cause a bit of an uprising with claims of Amber trying to mimick "blackface", but it is clearly started in her video that she does not mean for this to be anything but good fun and some experimenting. So stop getting butthurt and just watch the video people. 3. Nicole Skyes - 100 Layers of MascaraThis video actually made my eyelashes physically hurt, like that had to be so heavy, girl. I get scared when I can't get two coats of waterproof mascara off of my face let alone 100 coats! This one is actually insane. Talk about volume in the lashes, she got a full blown lash blow out. 4. Jenna Marbles - 100 Layers of EverythingSo, would we really put it past Jenna Marbles to make the most EPIC 100 layers challenge video of them all? No? Yeah, me either. This is a tiny bit scary and a whole lot of funny. By the end of the video she doesn't even look human anymore.... Just watch, please. You will actually die of laughter. 5. Mayratouchofglam- 100 Layers of Liquid LipstickLips are currently tingling. Girl, I wish I had that kind of liquid lipstick collection! Couldn't help but be jealous the whole time. To be honest, my all time favorite part of this video was when she pulled it off. It was just so pleasing to my soul. This looks like some sort of botched episode where the lip injections went incredibly wrong. 6. Jeely - 100 Layers of FoundationI'm not sure how she did this without serverly breaking out, but I'm glad she did this video because this literally killed me. Literally one of the funniest videos on the internet. I think she was even talking way different by the end? I mean her face was CAKED, literally. Next time I think my makeup looks cakey, I'll just refer back to this video. 7. Alissa Ashley - 100 Layer of HighlightSo I don't know about you, but I could do the highlight challenge every single day in my everyday makeup routine and shine bright like a diamond. I think I pretty much use half my highlight on my face everyday anyway? Who knew something could be so pretty. 8. Simply Nailogical - 100 Coats of Nail PolishOh my gosh, the start of it all. I remember the first time I ever saw this video on Facebook, I was in utter DISGUST. I mean, that was before this was actually cool. Simply Nailogical is like the hipster in this whole situation. So thank you, Simply Nailogical, for starting something that brings a bunch of joy and laughter to my life, even though I was super disgusted at first. (Watching them peel off the nail polish was the BEST.) So, I hope you guys enjoy these videos as much as me. Comment down below if you have anymore because I LIVE for these. I hope you're all having an amazing week and I will see you next time! Xoxo, Courtso today I have a something pretty awesome to share with you guys - the NEW Air Blush by Marc Jacobs! If you have me on snapchat then you got to see the first look at this beautiful baby a few days ago. (Add me for more makeup & blog sneak peaks and makeup of the day posts - courtneybay_bay) It was quite a surprise to see this beautiful Marc Jacobs box sitting on my table one day when I came home. I could only imagine what was inside. Once I cracked it open I was not disappointed one bit. You guys will see why I fell in love so fast with this product - First LookSo this is probably the prettiest blush I have ever seen. Everything about it drew me in (and I'm not even that big of a blush fanatic.) When I ran my fingers across the blush, it felt super silky and smooth. And even with this product being very pigmented, it seemed like it was easy to blend. The look of the packaging was enough to make me fall in love. I love the simple black and white. If this compact doesn't scream high end then I'm not sure what does. I love the duo of colors, both perfect shades for blush. Hands down one of the prettiest blush compacts I've ever owned. The LookSelfie Shoot: Unfortunately on my skin tone, its a little harder to see the blush on camera. BUT, I got endless compliments on my look and my mom was quite shocked to see me actually wearing blush for once (and enjoying it). I attempted one of the four techniques Marc Jacobs provided me with - sculpting. (Almost like contouring but with blush.) Who knew luxury blush could make you feel oh so pretty. You can really see here where I sculpted using the blush. Here you can get a better look at the beautiful color. The blush blended out perfectly. This blush left my cheeks glowing. (Making Courtney a very happy girl.) This blush really tied my whole look together, and matching up my lip color to the blush really made me love the outcome. Though subtle in pictures, the blush really did pop in person, and a little bit really does go a long way. Four New TechniquesSo let's forget about contouring, strobing, and baking for a moment and let's embrace four new ways to apply blush that can really sculpt and lift your features! 1. Volumizing Glow Blend together both shades Smile and swirl air blush on the apples of your cheeks Blend for a full and youthful look 2. Sculpting Glow Pick the deep shade of blush Apply below the apples of cheeks to create a visual oval Swirl lighter shade on top to blend away edges 3. Lifting Glow Blend both shades together Place at the high of the cheekbone Blend along the length of the cheekbone Blend at the jawline and sides of the neck Swirl lighter shade on top to blend edges away 4. Balancing Glow Pick the shade of your choice and blend it over the peak of the brow at the temples, bridge of the nose, tip of the chin and sides of the neck, near the ear lobes Product ReviewSo the question is, should you buy it? If you're either a big blush fan or a Marc Jacobs makeup junkie then I say you NEED this in your vanity as soon as possible. I honestly didn't think that I would like this product that much since I am not a blush fanatic, but once I Incorporated it into my look, I fell madly in love. You can get this product at Sephora for 42 dollars, and it will be worth every single penny. From the packaging, to the actual product, this is by far one of the best blush products I have ever used. Also, a big thank you to Influenster and Marc Jacobs for sending me this product for testing purposes only! So I hope you beautiful ladies (and guys if you're into makeup) enjoyed this product review! If you try out any of the new techniques or purchase this product then let me know how you like it in the comments down below! If you guys have any post suggestions then please let me know! I've been working two jobs so coming up with post ideas at the moment is getting alittle more tough, nbd. I love you guys so much and I'll see you next time! Xoxo, CourtHello beautiful people! Welcome back to my beauty blog! Today I have yet another Ipsy glam bag for you guys, and this bag was a hit! Keep reading to see my glam bag goodies and hear my thoughts on each product! July Ipsy Glam BagSo funny story, when I first took my glam bag out of the packaging I thought that those were peppermints........ I mean if we are all being honest here, this bag does look a little festive & gives off some major Christmas vibes. But when I looked closer I realized that those are tiny umbrellas with the sun casting a shadow off of each in the background! Okay, makes more sense now. At first I wasn´t very sure if I liked this bag, but now that I get the concept I like it a whole lot more. The theme for this months Ipsy Glam Bag is Hot Summer Nights. Now I was super excited to see what this months bag had in store for me. I mean, who doesn´t love hot summer nights? Anyone who says they don´t is a liar. Glam Bag GoodiesToo Faced Replenishing Face Primer
Small Angle Luxie Brush
Ofra Lip Liner in Maya
Mellow Baked Eyeshadow in Plum
Delectable Hand Cream by Cake Beauty
My favorite product this month? By far has got to be the lip liner but the eye shadow comes close! Did you receive a glam bag this month? List your glam bag goodies below! Quick task, put each product in order from fave to least fave and I will put you in a drawing for a small surprise! I know that I did not get to post that much this month, and I have missed you guys dearly! Starting a new job plus taking on a part time job is exhausting, but think about all of the makeup I can buy and review for you guys! Also, I cannot believe that Summer is already coming to an end, (I feel like summer is ending when I see anything back to school, grrrr.) But, I have so many amazing Fall posts thought up already! Have any suggestions? Contact me. I love you guys so, so much and I will see you next time! Xoxo, CourtOkay, so is it just me or does it feel like Summer is already half way over? I seriously need to move to a beach where its warm year round. Also, in the retail world its already boot season! Yikes. Today I realized that maybe this is something that should of been posted last month, but its never too late to join the party! In this case, the party is just discussing with you guys my list of things that every girl needs in the Summer from lotions to accessories to hair care products, etc. I seriously could not survive the summer if these things did not exist. Okay, maybe I could, but it wouldn´t be easy, okay? Keep reading to see my summer essentials - No Slip Grip Hair Ties
Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
Hair Sunscreen
Deep Tanning Oil
Shimmering SunscreenBaseball Cap
Sunglasses
Beach Towel
One Comfy One Piece
Pair of Sandals w/ Heel
Iced Coffee
So, yeah! Those are my kind of late Summer essentials! Make me a list of your Summer essentials down below in the comments and be sure to like and share this post with your friends! I hope everyone is having a marvelous and adventurous summer, and I hope that it never ends! (Winter who?) My summer has been very adventurous since I have been getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things with the people I love! Make this summer all about taking risks and living your life! Too many negative things are happening in the world and sometimes we need a little bit of an escape! Trying zip lining or sky diving!!! Its a rush and an escape and one hell of an experience! Also, with all of the bad things happening right now, make sure to be that one person who spreads love and positivity. The world needs it right now. I love you all soo much and cannot wait to see you next time! Muah, CourtHey there, beautiful! So if you struggle with keeping your foundation on all day, then you might be skipping a few important steps in your makeup routine! A lot of my friends throw on some foundation and go, (Which, I so wish I could do that.) But when your foundation wears off through out the day, that is when you know that something needs to change. When you are doing face makeup, a lot more actually goes into it than what you think. I never realized how amazing my foundation could look until I started adding these steps into my routine. Here are my tips to keeping on that face for the day! - 1. Start with a clean faceStarting with a clean face before doing your face makeup is crucial! When you go all night sweating or accumulating oils on your skin, you need to make sure you wash it off before doing your makeup for a clean and fresh canvas. Doing this will prevent your makeup from blotching or ¨sliding¨. On top of that it also prevents acne. 2. PrimeI never skip priming my face anytime I do face makeup! This step is crucial for me, and if I just so happen to forget this step, my makeup wears off in spots by the end of the day. Primer makes your skin the perfect surface for your foundation to bond onto. 3. Use a good quality foundationWhether your foundation is drugstore or high end, make sure your foundation is a good quality and is long lasting! Some cheaper foundations wear off before you even step outside. For good foundation recommendations be sure to read my foundation sampling blog. 4. Use a good quality foundation brushMy personal favorite face brushes to use are Real Techniques. If you use makeup brushes that are almost too soft then your foundation doesn´t properly ¨buff¨ into your skin. If you use a little bit of a stiffer brush then your foundation will apply evenly all over and last longer. 5. Set your face and/ or ¨bake¨Setting your foundation with a powder will give you a matte finish and make your foundation last longer. You can also try to bake your face. Ever since I have started baking my face, I have had endless compliments and a crease less, flawless foundation look. 6. Use a setting sprayI used to think that setting spray was the most pointless and useless thing ever. That is until I actually used it! From that day forward I knew that I could never live without it. If you get an awesome high end setting spray then you can even sweat and cry and your makeup will still stay on perfectly. (Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - Read the hilarious reviews.) If you follow all of these steps already and your foundation still doesn´t last until the end of the day, then my next advice would be to experiment with different products, such as, foundations, brushes, setting sprays, powders, etc. Some products obviously will work better than others, and some products will work great with others. Its all about the quality and formulas. (Just like when I told you guys that silicone foundation and primers work best together, since they are bonding together.) I hope that this post was helpful to you guys and if you have anymore advice then be sure to share it with us below! Also, be sure to share this post with your friends! Side note: I did not give up on my Youtube Channel, I just finally got a tri pod and had to take a week or two to do some self reflecting and critiquing. (: I have so much subject matter to share with you guys and it will only get better from here! I love you guys so much and I hope to see you next time! Xoxo, CourtHello loveys! Today I am so excited to show you my new palette - Modern Renaissance by Anastasia Beverly Hills! If you have me on Snapchat then you have already seen me go crazy over this one. The excitement is real. Once I saw the swatches for this palette, I just knew that I had to have it. I went running to Sephora the moment I could afford it, literally. And now that I finally have it, I can tell you guys all about it! Keep reading to see a closer look at this beautiful palette, the swatches, and some looks I have created so far using it! A Closer LookAnastasia never fails to amaze me, from amazing brow products, to palettes, to liquid lip colors, etc. This brand by far has to be one of my all time favorites (right next to Nars). Every time a new product is released, I know that I am going to fall madly in love with it. ABH posted the swatches of this fabulous palette on their snapchat, and in that moment I knew that I needed it. (All pictures are mine.) The outside of this palette is a suede texture, which makes it look even more luxurious. (The down side is that I might get makeup on it, oh no!) I love the light pink color they chose for this palette, and this is probably one of the cutest palettes I own now. This palette has 14 colors ranging from neutral to orange-y/red tones. With some matte and some satin, you have quite a few options for many different yet beautiful makeup looks. I already had quite a few ideas popping into my head the minute I cracked this palette open. Here is an up close look at the gorgeous colors. Each shadow is super pigmented and is long lasting. They are also very vibrant, high-pigmentedm and pop perfectly. The names of each color fit perfectly and are super original. This by far is probably one of the most elegant palettes I have gotten my hands on. My personal favorite colors are the antique bronze, realgar, red ochre, and the venetian red. Each of these colors caught my eye instantly and I already knew what makeup looks I wanted to create first. Comment your favorite colors down below. The brush included in this palette is of amazing quality and the bristles are super soft. Though I usually do not use eye shadow brushes that come with palettes, I might give this baby a try since I have never been let down with an ABH brush before. Swatches
Look BookHere are a few versatile looks I created using this palette, ranging from day to night looks! Comment your favorite looks down below and I will FILM my first makeup tutorial ever! These pictures may look familiar from my social media, but these ones are #nofilter so you can get the full effect of each bomb and vivid color. 1.(Colors used - Red Ochre, Venetain Red, Realgar, & Golden Ochre) 2.(Colors used - Antique bronze, Cyprus Umber, Tempera, & Red Ochre.) 3.(Colors used - Antique Bronze, Raw Sienna, Burnt Orange, & Warm Taupe.) 4.(Colors used - Venetian Red, Antique Bronze, Love letter, & Realgar.) Review & WearAll of these colors were long lasting and I didn´t even have to prime to keep them vibrant through out the day! The shadow also did not crease through out the day, which I know can be a problem with most people, especially when it comes to cheap product. Anything good you have read about this palette is most likely true and I would recommend this palette to anyone and everyone. The colors are great for any skin tone, and are build-able if you want more intensity. The quality of the product is simply amazing, like most ABH products, and I already cannot wait for the next palette to drop. You can get this pallete for only $42 dollars at Sephora and Ulta! So I hope you guys enjoyed yet another post from yours truly! If you go out and purchase this palette then be sure to tag me in the makeup looks you create with it so I can see yours, too! Channel update: I will not be posting a video this Wednesday because I am waiting on my tripod and working on some big ideas! I will be doing a makeup Monday once I get my tripod and lighting, which I am so, so excited about! Do not forget to comment your favorite makeup look below for a filmed makeup tutorial! I love you guys so, so much and I cannot wait to see you again next time! Xoxo, CourtHello pretties! Today I will be showing you guys what I got in this months June Ipsy glam bag! My personal favorite to post. I got a few things that I was super excited about, and a few new things I was happy to discover! Here is what the bag looked like - I actually think that this bag i so cute, I love the graffiti because its so different compared to the other prints before. The theme was Rebel Rebel, which made me super excited to pull out the products that were inside!
So that concludes this months glam bag! I was very satisfied and already cannot wait to see next months goodies! Did you get a glam bag this month? And if so comment down below what you got! I hope you guys all are having an amazing weekend even though its coming to an end. Boo. I had a great day yesterday! I went to Put in Bay and rode in a helicopter! I also fell down and hurt myself and got attacked by a spider. But overall it was an amazing time. What did you do yesterday? I love you guys so much and be sure to check in later for a new video that will be posted by the end of the day! Xoxo, CourtHello beautiful! It summer, which means we are all trying to grow out our fall bobs and have our long flowy, beach hair. Hair growth is one of the most frustrating things, especially if you´re impatient like me. Also, keeping your hair healthy while trying to go as long as you can without a trim can get complicated. Today I am going to give you guys some of my best hair care tips and favorite products to achieve happy and healthy hair! P.S. all of my hair is real, finally! My Hair StorySo it all goes back to my high school days when my hair was in its WORST stages of my life ever. My hair was long, but boy, was it DEAD. And whats worse is that I loved my long hair so much that I wouldn´t let anyone cut off more than a centimeter. My hair dresser begged me to cut my hair every time I came in but I was way to stubborn and would never give in. If only I would of listened to her... Not only did I never cut my hair, but I put heat on it every. single. day. Yup, it got to the point where I asked my boyfriend at the time to hide my hair straightener and then yelled at him to give it back to me the very next day. I couldn´t go one day without it. It was actually a major problem. On top of all of this madness, I box colored my hair. Yikes. Resulting in even worse dead ends, that I would pick at by the way. If you´re getting anything from this story its pretty much that I abused my hair in every way possible. One horrible day, I let a fellow cos girl cut layers into my hair. While she was cutting my hair she was actually pulling up length with the layers, which is a big no no. But I let her do her thing, afraid to insult her. After my haircut was over, I went over to the mirror and realized that my hair was a big MESS. It was zig zagged and so choppy. I went crying to my junior cosmetology teacher and she had to cut off FIVE inches to save the look.... FIVE. This was, as you could imagine, tragic for me. I ended up getting extensions the very next day and hated this girl for what she had done to me. Not realizing that this was actually a blessing in disguise, in a way this girl saved me. My hair, for once in my life felt better than ever! I didn´t realize how shiny and strong a hair cut made it feel. From that point forward I promised to never let my hair get that bad again, I began taking care of my hair and now, years later, my hair is the healthiest it has ever been! Hair care is actually easier than I thought, here are some ways I take care of my hair - My Hair Care & Growth TipsGet a trim AT LEAST once a month If you do not cut your hair, it will never grow! Sound silly? Well how will your hair grow inches if inches are breaking off? I point cut my own hair up to twice a month, especially if any heat has touched my hair. I cut off anywhere from a centimeter to an inch, but don´t worry, if you´re drinking enough water and your hair is strong and healthy, it will grow back in no time and twice as fast. Use heat on special occasions ONLY So I have used heat on my hair three times in these past 3 months. Once for my Birthday, once for a job interview, and once for a date night. Once I stopped using heat on my hair every single day, my hair grew inches in a single month. This was the answer to all of my problems, not even kidding you. My hair has never felt more full and thick in my life (now that I am not constantly burning it) and I am forever getting compliments on it. When you do put heat on it, make sure you never forget to use HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAY. No excuses. Use a hair mask once a week I use a hair mask once a week and it has made my hair so soft and smooooooooth. Not to mention it has added to the silky factor of it. Brushing through my hair is much easier when I use a hair mask each week and my locks feel stronger than ever. Drink a lot of water Okay, so I know that I push water on you guys constantly but I swear its for all the right reasons! Not only does water help keep your skin clear, but it also makes your hair super shiny! I am a weirdo who loves to read those ¨I drank a gallon of water everyday for 30 days and this is what happened¨ posts, and ALL of them claim that water made their hair feel amazing! Sounds good enough to me! Get Your Protein Get your recommended amount of protein each day for strong, healthy, and full hair! Many people who switch over to being vegans without successfully getting their protein actually start to bald. Now if that doesn´t express the importance of protein to your hair growth then I am not sure what does. Use keratin on your hair daily I love using keratin and Morocco oils on my hair one to two times a days. It has played a major key role in my hair growth. Ever since I have used keratin products on my hair, my hair has been unbreakable. Since I haven´t used heat on my hair, using the oils sometimes tames the frizz! Its a great styling product for wavy hair. Get a wooden brush Did you know that using a wooden brush will transfer your natural oils from your roots down to your ends? This is so important for your hair and hair growth. Your natural oils make your hair the happiest and healthiest and its free. Wash your hair less Some shampoos can dry your hair out, causing your hair growth to stand still or make your hair break easier at the ends. Keeping your hair ¨moisturized¨ with your natural oils is the best way to keep it from drying out. If you have to wash your hair daily then make sure you find a shampoo that isn´t too harsh on your scalp or ends. Use organic hair products Ever since I have switched over to organic shampoo and conditioner, my hair has felt the best it has ever felt in my whole life. Some shampoos that are not organic contain harmful ingredients such as silicone, which reacts horribly to heat and can cause your hair to literally fry off of your head. It also leaves a coating on your hair, which means it isn´t taking in the benefits of your hair care products. (Side note, stay away from Pantene. Sorry Selena.) Wear your hair up less Using hair ties excessively can cause your hair to break. Be cautious when taking out your ponies, and make sure you don´t tangle your hair up when you´re throwing up your bun! On top of that, stop buying hair ties with the stupid metal piece in the middle! Who came up with such a horrible thing? Massage your scalp constantly Massaging your scalp can enhance your hair growth immensely because it gets your blood circulating. I always make sure I massage my scalp when I brush my hair and when I wash my hair. Or, I just make bae do it and that works even better. ;D My Hair Care FavesAll of the products above are hair care products that saved my locks and on top of that, they are all priced in a great price range! Do you really think that with all of this hair that I could afford super high end hair care products? I go through hair products like crazy, and I love high end makeup too much to take both. Though these products are not top notch, they are still fabulous and work wonders for your hair. You can find most of these products at Sallys and Ulta! If you want fab hair, you honestly have to use much more than just one product. But in the end, all of the hard work and effort will pay off. Using each of these products has helped me finally get the hair I have always wanted. It is never too late to start caring for your hair, no matter how damaged it might be! (Trust me, girl.) If you guys enjoyed this blog then share it with your friends on Facebook and comment down below some of your fave hair care products! I love you guys all so so so much and I will see you next time! Psst. Did you catch my latest video? Xoxo, CourtSo I recently went around and grabbed as many foundation samples as I could from a few different places, since I am in dire need of a foundation change. I went around and got some of the most talked about and raved over foundations to put them to the test with my skin and see how well they worked for me. Right now I am using Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation, as you all probably know. Now, even though I swear by this foundation, recently my skin pH balance has been slightly thrown off and it has been reacting with my skin differently. Though this foundation should work as a wonderful summer time foundation, with the weather change, my skin has grown to become oily by the end of the day while wearing it. It is super light and is medium coverage, so it is best used when you are at your best skin. I feel like sometimes we can use a product for a long time and then one day it just stops working for us, and I think that this must be the case for me as sad as it sounds. I deff got out of my comfort zone wearing new foundations each day to work, not knowing how they woud react with my skin or if they would even hold up through out the day. Some samples lasted me days on end, while others required a bit more use for more coverage and only lasted a couple days. I look for a few things when trying out new foundations, so decided it would be easiest to make a check list of things I want and things that I don´t want. To compare my current foundation to my samples, I created a list to go by. Here is my feedback on the UD foundation -
Nars Sheer Glow
Becca Aqua Luminous
Studio Fix Smashbox
Makeup Forever HD
This foundation is another that I had set high expectations on, but ended up being a tad bit disappointed. This foundation was full coverage to the extreme. When I applied it, I almost felt like I looked fake. Any pictures I took, you could almost see how caked my foundation looked. I even applied a very small layer. I was not impressed by this foundation at all, but anyone who is going to a photo shoot, or is on stage, I would recommend this one 100%. Estee Lauder Double Wear
The double wear foundation did wow me in a sense, the only issue that I had with it, is that if I touched anywhere on my face, it would stamp off like the studio fix foundation. It did last all day in some places, but it did give me slight oily skin. Estee Lauder Perfectionist
The perfectionist foundation was decent, but to me would never be worth 40 dollars. This foundation had some good qualities, but it reminded me of a drugstore foundation in a sense. I was impressed with the double wear and probably set my expectations too high for this one. Lancome Photogenic Lumessence
Kat Von D Tattoo
ConclusionMy conclusion - the winner is the Nars sheer glow foundation! If you have used it and enjoyed it then let me know in the comments down below. This foundation worked perfectly for my skin and fit all of my foundation needs. It wasn´t harsh on my skin, it lasted long, and it only took one pump to cover my whole face. Though this foundation is pricey, it is worth every penny in my opinion. Though, I can never promise that you will get the same effects from a foundation as me, I hope that this post has slightly helped you to decide what you might want to try in the future and what you might want to stay away from. Everyone has to try them out theirselves though since we all have different skin! I had fun trying out some new foundations and getting out of my comfort zone and I suggest that you do, too! If you guys want me to review any other foundation samples then comment down below and I will be sure to go pick those up asap! Thank you guys so much for reading another post, have a wonderful day! Xoxo, CourtHello beauties! I hope you are all having a wonderful day! So, I was going to wait a week before posting another video but I decided to post on Sundays and Wednesdays until I have a lot of content on my channel! I am still coming up with ideas and I have a bunch of them, so hopefully it will be a long time before I run out of ideas or videos for you guys. I am super excited to start my Youtube journey and I hope that one day I can have a whole Youtube fam. I have gotten a lot of good feedback from you guys and I love that I have so much support. If you guys watch and enjoy my videos then be sure to give them a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel! I am still a noob obviously but with practice and hard work, hopefully one day my videos can be on pro level! Enjoy - I love you guys so much and I can´t wait to see you next time! Xoxo, Hello everyone! I hope that everyone is having a fantastic weekend though it is coming to an end, sad face. I have quite a bit to tell you guys and at the end of this blog I will have my FIRST Youtube video ever for you to view! SO EXCITING. Even though a lot of you have probably already seen my Birthday attire and shoes all over my social media, I wanted to go more in depth about where I got my outfit from, what makeup I decided to go with, and tell you guys kind of a funny story of what happened when we were at our hotel. If you guys have me on Snapchat, then you probably already know some of this, and for those of you who stuck through my incredibly long Snapchat story that night, you guys are the real MVPs. I think that me and Catherine get a little too Snap happy when we´re together, let alone when we have been out for the night. Lets get started shall we - My Birthday Outfit
Birthday Makeup
Hotel Mix Up StorytimeSo, here it is, FINALLY, my first Youtube video ever. I was so pumped to show you guys and to finally start my channel! If you guys were watching my snaps last Saturday then you kind of got a summary of how this hotel majorly messed up. Figures that something crazy had to happen to me on my Birthday weekend! I guess I should of kind of expected something bad to happen with as easy as everything was going in the beginning of the day. Thank you guys so much for reading and watching my first Youtube video ever! I am so happy that I can share my life with you guys and that so many of you are involved. It feels really good to have so many friends I have either met in person or met online! When I was snapping my Birthday snaps you guys were so cute and so interested!
If you guys enjoyed this story time then let me know below, and be sure to share this post with your friends! If any of my pro Youtuber friends are watching then drop some constructive criticism, much needed! Also, give me video ideas! I have a few makeup looks you guys have requested from my One Week of Eyeshadow Inspo post, and I have a few other stories I want to share with you guys. I also am going to start vlogging more because this summer is about to be kick ass with my bestfriend and we want to take you guys with us on our adventures! I love you all so much and I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! Xoxo, |
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