MY TOP THREE FAVORITE FACE WASHES + CLEANSERS

If we're being real, we'll all admit that we put our skin, in particularly, our faces, through a lot! Oh! Let me count the ways! Everything from putting dirty iPhone screens to our ears or pimple-popping (yes, I went there!), there is more than enough reason to cleanse, exfoliate and all that good stuff to help clear our skin.

In my experience and through much trial and error, I've finally discovered that not all face washes are the same! Some cleansers strip the skin or irritate it beyond belief, but over the years, I've found a few cleansers that I love to keep on hand. Here are my top three face washes and cleansers. 

YES TO BLUEBERRIES Smoothing Daily Cleanser
This cleanser is absolutely luscious! When applied to the skin, it is a milky consistency and when I rinse it off, my skin feels super soft and moisturized. It doesn't smell like blueberries or like anything sweet for that matter but the smell is pleasant. Though I haven't noticed it clear up my skin, it does amazing job of brightening and hydrating!

GARNIER® CLEAN+ Blackhead Eliminating Scrub For Oily Skin
MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!!! I love the little beads that exfoliate and the formulation has proven to really clear up my skin. I've noticed that my skin is much brighter and incredibly fresh after every use.

WARNING: This cleanser is strong and really good at what it's supposed to do: cleanse! I did notice that after about a week of using it, the skin around my eyelids started peeling. Even with my sensitive skin, I was able to combat the dryness with moisturizing after every use. My skin is used to it and doesn't dry out anymore.

OZ NATURALS FACIAL Cleanser
This cleanser boasts some pretty serious claims! When I received mine in the mail, I read about it's cruelty-free formula that excludes ingredients like alcohol, parabens and sulfates, making it super safe for all skin types. Instead of all of those chemicals, this cleanser is made with rose hip oil, rich ocean minerals & vitamin e that are supposed to make your skin glow!

I've been using this cleanser for a while now and honestly notice a bit if vibrancy and glow to my skin after I use it! Even though it says it doesn't have any harsh chemicals, I find that it does smell a little synthetic... Maybe it's the oils or the vitamins in it?

What are your favorite cleansers? Do you have an established skin care routine? I'd love to hear about it!

xoxo,
Kianna Rose

THE (NOT SO) EVERYDAY MAKEUP ROUTINE

Hello hello! If you ask me, I'm doing pretty well with posting regularly on my blog! Between late night studying and juggling classes and a work schedule, 8 hours of sleep are a luxury! When I'm feeling tired or ehh, I'll sometimes (emphasis on sometimes!) put on a little makeup, as a pick me up. Like for special, jazzy occasions.

Now, when I say my "everyday makeup routine" I do not mean that wearing makeup has to be or even is an everyday thing for me! When I was younger, I desperately wanted to wear makeup. I was never one who was interested in eye shadows or heavy, dark eyeliner. To be perfectly honest, a swipe or two of mascara and a dabbing of either concealer or BB cream was all I was really interested in. Now, as a busy college student, I look at makeup as an after thought. Now, don't get me wrong: I love testing new products! I'm just not dependent on makeup nor do I let it define my inner and outer beauty! Basically, I said ALL of that to say: I don't wear makeup everyday, I don't have time for that but here's my routine for the days when I do put myself together.

1. SKIN CARE

I first wash my face with a few different products. I like a clean slate to work with each time I'm getting ready to put on my makeup. BTW: I always wash my face... not just when I'm putting on my makeup!!! Just in case there was any confusion...

Want to know my favorite skincare products? Let me know and I'll post about my tops three face washes + cleansers real soon!

Then, I'll put on my moisturizer and lip balm as a primer for a lipstick or stain

2. FACE

Depending on the kind of day or event, I may or may not prime. When I do primer, I use the Baby Skin primer and if you ask me, it works just as well as the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. If I don't put on primer, I go for my Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation. I also alternate and use a new foundation serum from e.l.f that I absolutely love! After I apply my foundation, I add a bit of brush/bronzer to warm up my face a bit. I also love the Tarte BB cream! It's my FAV!

3. EYES

For me, mascara is all that I like to put on my eyes for a quick, easy look. My favorite mascara right now is the itCostmetics Hello Lashes mascara. Again, I also alternate products and use the Smashbox Full Exposure mascara or an e.l.f one that washes off wonderfully!

I also like to line my waterline with nude liner to brighten my under eyes a bit. Doing this helps me to look a little more awake when the truth is I probably went to sleep at 2A.M.

4. BROWS

I have really sparse eyebrows so some days, I like to fill them in. For perfectly filled in brows, I use the Billion Dollar Brows Best Sellers Kit and their 60 Seconds To Beautiful Brows. These two kits come with pencils, a brow powder and a setting gel as well as a brush for precise application. It's amazing how filling in your brows can absolutely transform your look anreven if you aren't wearing any makeup, give you an altogether more put together and groomed appearance! Thankfully, when using bits and pieces of these two kits, I am able to fill in my brows quickly and they turn out every time! 

5. LIPS

Lipstick is one of my favorite makeup items. Even if you aren't wearing any makeup, a fun lip color can really pull you together. Depending on the day, season and event, my lip color will change. 

Currently favorites include: 

- theBalm Cosmetics Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Committed 

- NYX butter gloss in Maple Blondie or Devil's Food Cake (CAUTION: USE THIS SPARINGLY!)

Do you wear makeup? What's your everyday/ not-so-everyday routine?

xoxo, 

Kianna Rose

HAIR GOALS + MY CURRENT CURLY GIRL ROUTINE

We all have hair goals. My hair goals involve healthy + hydrated curls that bounce when I walk and shine in the light. If we keep it real, I haven't quite been curl conscious... In recent years, I've been straightening my hair, so much so, that now, my curls are limp and some parts are entirely straight! For a while now, I've been doing some research and found a few products that promise to help my crushed curls regain they're luster and bounce!

Months ago, I purchased a Hask Argan Oil Repairing Deep Conditioner and I think it worked well to repair my damaged hair and left if smelling AMAZING! 

Recently, I tried out the Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Hair Care Collection and have implemented their products in my curly hair routine. Right now, I'm testing out this line to see if it works for my curls.

When I wash my hair, I use the Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Shampoo and the Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Conditioner. This duo smells absolutely incredible and leaves my hair feeling silky smooth. While in the shower, I apply the shampoo all over my head and let it sit for a bit. After about 10 minutes and a lush scalp massage, I rinse out the shampoo and liberally apply the conditioner. I comb out my curls with my fingers or a wide tooth comb (brushes and curly hair are never a good idea!) and again, let the conditioner seep deep into my curls. If you have curly hair, you know that your tresses are always in need of moisture and too much conditioner is not possible! 

If I'm straightening my hair, I like to apply a pea-sized amount of the Macadamia Shine Oil Treatment to my ends. This oil is essential to smoothing away fly-aways and adding amazing shine! Again, if I've straightened my hair, I like to use the Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Deep Conditioner after cleansing and conditioning. I feel like after the heat, my hair needs repairing, so this deep conditioner is perfect. I let this stuff penetrate my curls for about 10 minutes and rinse it out. After, my hair feels rejuvenated and ultra moisturized! 

PROS:

Moisture and repair! I love how this collection of repairing products leaves my hair feeling, looking and smelling! Slowly but surely, my curls are getting bouncier and shinier! 

All of Hask's hair products are fee of sulfates, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colors and gluten! All of these are enemies of all hair types!

CONS:

If you have a normal to oily scalp, you may want to skip this collection. With it's oil-based properties, the shampoo may leave your hair feeling oily and weighed down. If you want the benefits of the conditioner, deep conditioner and oil, I'd recommend using your favorite shampoo and finish off your routine with the rest of this collection's products!

---

After I step out of the shower with my wet curls, I add a bit of the Macadamia Shine Oil Treatment and wrap one of these nifty little things around my hair to dry my curls without the unnecessary friction and frizz! I usually wash my hair at night (this works best for me!) and while I'm asleep, the towel kind of just falls off and by that time, my damp hair dries into perfect curls, with a ton of body! #HairGameStrong

What is your current hair routine + your fav products? Do you have curly hair? If so, 

how do you keep your curls looking fab?

IPSY GOODIES: JULY 2015

So... My July ipsy bag came in the mail yesterday and I'm pretty excited about it! It's so bright and colorful and filled with all sorts of lovelies!

If you aren't familiar with ipsy, here's the 411 on what it is: ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get full size or deluxe-sized products, plus a cute makeup bag! 

Here's a break down of all that I got:

tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer-  I love tarte's BB cream and Amazonian butter lipsticks so I'm really excited about their bronzer! The color "Park Ave. Princess" is a gorgeous gold shade with an iridescence to it. I swatched it on the back of my hand and noticed that there's also a slight hint of pink. Win! 

Jor'el Parker Classico- This little guy (or gal?) is a roller ball purfume. The name "Classic" is rather fitting; It's scent reminds me of my grandma's bottle of Chanel no.5, a rather mature and truly classic scent.

BelláPierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick in P.I.N.K- If you know me, then you know that lippies are my favorite! I must have more than 20 lip products! BUT, I don't mind adding two more to my stash. I'd describe this color as a beautiful mauve/dark pink color and it smells lovely. Yay for beauty products that smell good!

Jersey Shore Cosmetics Mongongo Vanilla Coconut Cream Lip Conditioner- This one is *really* nice! It's scent and texture are on point. Period.

'Tini Beauty Eyetini Swizzle Stick Eyeliner in Blue Hawaiian- This eyeliner was the "useless" product in my bag this month. The color is pretty but... For the face... no. For a crayon... yes!

Do you wear makeup? 

Are you subscribed to ipsy? Or any other beauty subscription service?

 xoxo, Kianna Rose