Should You Go To College?

Monday, December 15, 2014

UCSB Main Gate. Photo Credit: http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/

Now before I let the title of this post scare you, let me explain. I have since graduated from a University (UC Santa Barbara) for going on 4 years now and there are lots of things I have learned not only while in college but also in my years outside of the ivory tower and in the working world that have really shaped my views on the college experience. I would like to share some of those views with you now in case you are someone who is thinking about attending or would just like an honest opinion on my experience.

First Impression: Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads

Monday, December 1, 2014




As mentioned in my Evening Skincare Routine post, I've been using these Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads for about 2 weeks now and I feel like I'm able to give my first impression of them at this point.

My Evening Skincare Routine

Sunday, November 23, 2014



Ok the moment you've all been waiting for, my evening skincare routine! So lets not waste any time and get right to it.

The New Face of Estee Lauder: Kendall Jenner

Monday, November 17, 2014

 All Photo Credits: www.esteelauder.com


I've never really used this blog as an outlet to discuss current events or gossip but I did want to make some comments on how I feel about this move by Estee Lauder. On Saturday November 15th I was sitting at my local Starbucks blogging, I had had a long day and decided to get some work done instead of going out. As I was finding links for my post I needed to go to the Lauder site and this was when I saw Kendall Jenner blasted on the front page. To see what I had missed on social media that day because this was news to me, I went onto Kendall's Instragram page and sure enough she had made her announcement that she was the new face of Estee Lauder.

My Morning Skincare Routine

Sunday, November 16, 2014



For the past few weeks I have really fallen back in love with reading other beauty blogs and watching their review videos. I used to spend hours discovering fun new blogs to check up on but somehow I got too busy to keep up with all of them. Lately, I have been reading and watching a TON of morning and evening skincare routines and I thought I would join in on the fun! More so too because my routine has been very consistent lately. I have found one that works well for me and I have seen very minimal breakouts because of it. Keep in mind that I do have combination/normal skin, my T-zone gets super oily as the day progresses but other than that it stays pretty normal. With the exception of weather changes (I tend to get a little dry in the winter)but for the most part it's consistent.

Estee Lauder Limited Edition Luxe Color Purchase w/ Purchase

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Photo Credit: www.esteelauder.com


I'm going to be honest, I've really blown off Estee Lauder up until a few months ago. I had dismissed them as an "old lady" brand that can't keep up with me and my beauty needs (ouch!). Without even really looking into the products they have available I just assumed that the lip colors would be all a strange shade of pink and the shadow would only consist of shimmers. I did find however, that I am pleasantly surprise with what this brand has to offer. Slowly I am falling in love with their fragrances as well as their color line, and I thought what better way to really introduce myself but to get this huge purchase with purchase compilation that they have going on.

October Favorites

Monday, November 3, 2014







The transition from summer to fall has me super excited about basic skincare and makeup products. This month's favorites list is more about soothing my dry skin, maintain a smooth and glowing flawless face, taming my frizz and smelling amazing. So let's get to it!

Fall Blog Sale

Sunday, October 26, 2014



Hello Friends!
If you saw my current makeup collection you might ask yourself, is Amanda still a beauty blogger? Does she even like makeup at all? What does she put on her face? Where did all her stuff go? I have downsized my collection so much that I really don't even need drawers for storage anymore. But this really has more to do with me eliminating what I don't need so I can make room for what I do as my purchases have not completely slowed down. I've really transitioned from someone who was obsessed with shadow and color to someone who's obsessed with skincare and my collection reflects this. So on that note I decided to put up some of my gently used or brand new products for my readers to hopefully enjoy.

Sephora Mini Haul Gone BAD

Thursday, October 2, 2014



Hi Everyone!
I feel like lately I have done really well with not over spending on things like clothes and beauty supplies and have been saving my money for a rainy day. But I do notice that when I go a certain amount of time on this pattern, I get in a mood where I need to impulse purchase. So I was on a lunch break from work and I decided to pop in a Sephora to pick up a few things I had been contemplating for a while. Every product I bought I had done previous research on either through referrals or reviews on sephora.com so I thought for sure these were good buys, but as far as my first impression goes I will not be repurchasing the following items.

OOTD: #1

Wednesday, October 1, 2014



Southern California weather continues to fade into hot and cooler temperatures, and with that I'm finding I have no idea what style I want to stick with. On the one hand I am totally ready for scarves and boots, but on the other it was 90 degrees today and had I not been scheduled to work I would have gone swimming. As far as my wardrobe is concerned I have found my happy medium with mixing light weight clothing in fall shades that are kinda drapey so they don't cling to my body and make me sweat. This way I get the feel of fall while being realistic. I found myself wearing this outfit on multiple occasions and not only feeling cooled off, but stylish at the same time.

Also, literally every item I am wearing is no longer available (besides the phone case) either because I bought it forever ago, or because it recently sold out. So I have linked similar items below if you want to shop this style.

Review: Lush, Ro's Argan

Friday, August 29, 2014


Though my attitude on this is subject to change, for the most part I don't really enjoy putting moisturizer on. I think this has everything to do with me not liking the sticky feeling that comes with most of them and though some products don't have that finish and are great, I am glad that I discovered Ro's Argan by Lush because this almost eliminates that issue completely. Ro's Argan is a body conditioner that you apply in the shower that does exactly what a hair conditioner does, but for your skin.

Haircare Haul/What is a Paraben?

Monday, August 25, 2014


Hello beautiful readers!
I have been trying to think of the last time I purchased some hair products and I knew it had been a while because I really couldn't remember. I have this bad habit of getting over a product before I finish the bottle so I replace it and put the half/almost empty bottles under my sink and forget about them. Lately I've been dipping into that collection and using up some of my old stuff and I was thinking about how I really hadn't done any research on what was new.

Update: I'm Still Here!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014



I know it's been months since I posted on here and even though I've been super busy with things that really is no excuse and I apologize. Honestly aside of me being completely busy I have also found that I'm lacking some motivation/inspiration to create post.

Monday Rave: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation

Monday, April 28, 2014



Good Evening! I promise at some point I'm going to start writing these in advance so they get posted in the morning, but until then you get evening raves ;)

Monday Rave: Philosophy Hope in a Jar A-Z Cream

Monday, April 21, 2014

Monday Rave: Philosophy Hope in a Jar A-Z Cream


Happy Monday Everyone! 
Well it has only taken me a week to recover from Coachella and now I'm ready to get back to blogging. If anyone is wondering, I had the most amazing time while I was there! I'm thinking of doing a personal blog post about it, but I don't want to venture too far away from beauty. So if you are at all interested in that, please let me know in a comment.

Coachella: What I'm Packing

Thursday, April 10, 2014



I can't believe it's been a year since I blindly bought my Coachella 2014 tickets on presale having no idea who was going to be performing and whether or not I was going to camp or stay at a hotel. All I knew was that I wanted to experience this festival at least once in my life and I was not going to BS on craigslist hoping to score a ticket last minute.

Monday Rave: NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Gold

Monday, April 7, 2014

Monday Rave: NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Gold

So I did it, I found a way to look like I tried really hard with my makeup but really I didn't. It's with a colorful liquid liner! I know this concept isn't new to anyone, especially since I recently blogged about turning my Wet N Wild shadows into a liner, but I have been on the hunt for a pigmented liner that isn't outrageously expensive.

Monday Rave: Sedona Lace Zip Up Brush Belt

Monday, March 31, 2014




Happy Monday! Today I'm celebrating my brothers 27th birthday and it is also the day I received my Sedona Lace shipment! I've been eyeing this zip up brush belt for a while and have seen plenty of good reviews so I decided to try it myself. Currently I have a MAC brush belt and it works fine aside from my brushes slipping out if I put the belt in my makeup case.

Monday Rave: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

Monday, March 17, 2014

Monday Rave: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara



Mascara has always been one of those things that I really refuse to spend a ridiculous amount of money on. It has to be replaced about every 3 months so I want to make sure that I'm purchasing a product that is great but also has a great price point.

MOTD: Blue Winged Liner

Friday, March 14, 2014



For yesterday's MOTD I really wanted to go with a pop of color for my liner but I don't have too many electric colors to choose from.

Let's Talk About: Matte Lip Stains

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Let's Talk About: Matte Lip Stains

If I'm being completely honest I did not know that so many companies were getting in on the matte finish lip stain. I was under the impression that this was some new invention created by Lime Crime that I so happily stumbled upon a year or so ago. It could be that other brands took notice after the explosion of underground lippy companies, but either way there are now a ton of different options if you are looking to purchase a matte lip color.

MOTD On The Go: A Quick, Natural Face

Tuesday, March 11, 2014


This morning I really didn't feel like putting on a full face, mainly because it was about 85 degrees outside in Southern California, it was my day off and because I didn't have the patience. For this process I have a few go to items that give me a natural look so I grabbed a few of those and got my makeup done in around 15 Minutes.

Monday Rave: Benefit Highbeam and Sunbeam

Monday, March 10, 2014

Monday Rave: Benefit Highbeam and Sunbeam

I've discussed on here numerous times about what a fan I am of highlight on the tops of the cheek bones and various other places on the face. Recently I have fallen back in love with a product I purchased a while back from Benefit Cosmetics called Highbeam which is a cream based product that adds the perfect touch of reflection.

Monday Rave: Lush Curly Wurly Shampoo

Monday, February 24, 2014

Monday Rave: Lush Curly Wurly Shampoo

Happy Monday! It's still Monday right? I took a break last week for President's Day and mainly because I've been interviewing like crazy. I have realized that making a career change is a full time job in itself but I am definitely up to the challenge and doing well!

Monday Rave: Lime Crime Velvetine Lippy in Suadeberry

Monday, February 10, 2014




Happy Monday! I'm on a lipstick craze since all the beautiful faces of NYFW are rocking a fresh complexion, dewy skin and a bold lip. Right now I've been rocking different variations of orange and the favorite being the Lime Crime velvetine in Suadeberry. The formula is a liquid gloss that dries matte on the lips and stays put for hours!

Monday Rave: Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in Kiss of Life #111

Monday, February 3, 2014




Happy Monday! Today I'm raving about this Rimmel lipstick that I actually purchased about a month or so ago but had yet to give it a shot. I'm pretty sure it was just an impulse buy because the lipsticks were on sale, but either way I'm happy I did it!

Adventures in Makeup Kit Organizing

Thursday, January 30, 2014

I've learned to view my makeup kit as not a project that is completed, but instead an organism that is living and breathing and changing as I change. This might sound weird, but it's the only way I can see it as something that suits me for the moment, instead of something that is complete. I am still on the hunt for the perfect rolling case (I think I've found it) so for now this is my set up. Though the carrying aspect is the most frustrating thing about because I have everything stored in a set bag that is actually a crafting bag from Michael's, for now this is working. The key to keeping it from really frustrating me has been to keep like with like and in clear bags. So here we go with the breakdown...

Monday Rave: L'Oreal Pencil Perfect Self-Advancing Eyeliner

Monday, January 27, 2014



Since Monday's are usually depressing and boring, I decided to create a new installment, Monday Rave! Every Monday I will post a review of a product I can't live without. You can also take this opportunity to let me know which products are your favorite too! Let's get started...

MAC Products I Can Live Without...

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

MAC Products I can Live Withouth

I definitely wouldn't say that I'm on here preaching MAC as the end-all be-all of makeup brands, but we all know that they do make some amazing products that are staples to anyones kit that I would recommend . For the most part I feel like I can walk in there and be satisfied with my purchase and have faith that the brand has put in a lot of effort to put out a quality product. However, there are a few items that I've picked up over the years that I have been really dissatisfied with. Below are my Top 3 items that I would NOT recommend you purchase on your next trip to MAC.

5 Beauty Trends for 2014

Thursday, January 9, 2014

2014 Beauty Trends

If you’re like the majority of those in the states right now you’re probably experiencing weather so cold that your incredible fashion sense is suffering. Russian snow boots and ski masks aren’t exactly on trend, but they are necessary at the moment. Before you get too down about it just know that there is hope! You will soon be able to shed the layers and debut some of the hottest trends happening in beauty for 2014.