DIY Face and Body Scrub

In the past, I always thought that exfoliating was a waste of time. However, after learning about the benefits of exfoliation, I figured I should definitely make sure I do it on a regular basis. Exfoliating the skin helps remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, which in turn, has many helpful effects including: softer skin, diminished signs of aging, reduced acne, and a more even tan. Though the process is somewhat time consuming, it is worth it in the long run. 

I have recently been experimenting with different face and body scrubs. Though I have found a few that I liked, I was not overly excited about any; plus I found out that a few scrubs I was using actually contain small beads that are bad for the environment. I decided that a homemade scrub might be the best choice since it is all natural, good for the environment, and can be tailor made for different skin concerns. I experimented with a few concoctions, and found a face scrub and a body scrub that I love and that does great things for my skin. 

Becca X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Glow Face Palette

OK, so I wasn't going to buy this face palette due to telling myself I wouldn't "need it". I actually  had it in my cart and ready to check out, when Jaclyn did an early release the night of her launch party. I stopped myself!  I was more interested in the eyeshadow palette, but as most of us know, that was pulled out of the collection.  When the store release date rolled around on June 16th, I still wanted to see this palette and do some swatch action so I ran by to check it out. I loved it, but I was still hesitant because I wasn't sure if I'd love the colors on me. So I looked around for a good 10 minutes and wound up buying something else. I left the store, and within 10 minutes I was back at Sephora exchanging the Anastasia Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette for this beautiful champagne glow palette. I had serious FOMO as they say (fear of missing out) haha! I am pleased with my decision of purchasing it especially since it is limited edition. Here it is!

The box also includes a sample of the Becca backlight priming filter which is cool, since I've never tried that. Now onto the glowy goodness! The palette includes three blushes. Two are mineral matte which are Amaretto and Pamplemousse, and then the luminous blush is called Rose Spritz. For the two highlighters, one is well known Champagne Pop and the new one called Prosecco Pop.

So far all of these blushes are perfect on my fair skin. Rose Spritz is my favorite out of the three. It is a soft peachy pink with pale gold shimmer. Amaretto is described as a matte toasted almond, and Pamplemousse is a matte warm coral pink. I like those too mixed and applied on my skin ever so lightly!    

rose spritz, amaretto, pamplemousse

 As for the highlighters, I love both! Prosecco Pop is a medium warm gold which
is inspired by liquid gold and Champagne Pop is a soft gold with pinky peach undertones. When I mixed the two, the result was exactly that, a peachy golden champagne of course!

Champagne Pop & Prosecco Pop mixed

top: champagne pop - bottom:  prosecco pop

There are a bunch of tips on the Sephora website on how to mix the products, which I will include here:

HIGHLIGHTER:

-Highlight the high points of the face.

-Create a shimmering eye look over a shadow.

-Create a metallic eye-lined look.

-Tap over a gloss to create a foiled effect on the lips. (I WILL BE TRYING THIS!!)
 

BLUSH & HIGHLIGHTER:

-Layer Rose Spritz over Pamplemousse on the apples of the cheeks, follow with Champagne Pop to highlight the cheekbones.

- Also try the reverse order: Amaretto over Rose Spritz and Pamplemousse over Amaretto.

-Mix Pamplemousse and Champagne Pop for a soft pink highlight color and apply to the tops of your cheekbones.

-Mix Amaretto with Prosecco Pop for a warm highlight and apply to the tops of your cheekbones.

 In the end, I am highly satisfied with my decision to purchase this. A regular compact of a Pressed Skin Perfector is 0.28 oz and costs $38, and these highlighters are 0.19 oz each, but getting 2 highlighters and 3 blushes for $52 is a steal in my eyes! The packaging is sturdy, yet light -weight and the mirror is perfect!

Cheers!

Xo Tres Chic

Ps: You better believe I'll be going back for that eyeshadow palette! :D

Magnolia Bakery's Famous Banana Pudding

I always try to eat a lot of fruit and incorporate fruit into desserts. I especially love using bananas. I love adding bananas to oatmeal or smoothies in the morning and I am currently obsessed with any dessert containing the scrumptious fruit.

DIY: Magazine Favorites

 

Do you ever tell yourself you're gonna make a recipe you see in a magazine? Or you see a two page spread about hair styles to try, workouts at home, new makeup looks or even just different topics of advice. You have all intentions of trying these things, but the magazine just gets tossed to the side until you get another one, and another, and then there's a huge stack. That's me. I also just have a thing for keeping magazines. But that's a whole other story.

Recently, I decided to add recipes from magazines to my recipe binder that I bought from Hallmark back in the winter time. 

  I bought some sheet protectors from Target that cost no more than $3.00. I trimmed the rough edges from tearing them out of the magazines, folded them in half and just slid them into the clear sheets. I would prefer the pages to be horizontal and showing the whole recipe page, but since this is the size of the binder I already own, I'm just dealing with it! :)

Easy! Now on to the fun part. Creating a binder with different categories of things I want to keep on hand, from at-home workouts, hair, new makeup trends by season or even just fashion inspiration. Pretty much a create-your-own magazine!

 

I bought a regular sized binder for this from Target along with the dividers.

 

These are the categories that I chose to file things under.  

Beauty, fashion, health, hair, and other.

And that's all! The beginning of my own custom magazine that can be edited whenever!

Xo Tres Chic

Summer Makeup Essentials

Picture of makeup bag
                     


Don't get me wrong, I love summer, but sometimes putting on makeup during the summer can seem like worthless effort. Some days, I spend so much time putting on makeup only to go outside and have it melt right off my face. Recently, I have discovered some holy grail products as well as some tips and tricks that have become a life saver!

Growing Fruits and Vegetables

                    
I’ve never been a person with a natural knack for taking care of plants, however, a few years ago, I decided that it would be fun to grow my own fruits and vegetables. I had been hearing so much about the dangers of supermarket produce because of the pesticides used, so I decided to try my hand at growing my own. It is a daunting task to begin especially when you have little experience. However, with a little research and a few years of practice, I can now say, that I love growing my own fruits and vegetables. 

Boyfriend Jeans

The "boyfriend jean". They've been super popular this past year. I actually bought my first pair at American Eagle in 2008! I've also  had a few pairs from Lauren Conrad's Kohls collection, and Forever 21.  Around that time they were definitely not a huge trend. Fast forward to 2015-2016, you see them everywhere. I LIVE in my boyfriend jeans and I wear them mostly in the spring, summer and fall. They're so comfortable and can be worn in an endless amount of ways. Feminine, casual, preppy, edgy, boho. You name it, and it can be done.  Right now, I only own them from American Eagle Outfitters. They really are my favorite brand of denim and last such a long time. This year the name of their boyfriend jeans are the tomgirl.

 Here are a few outfits I put together with just one of the styles - (which I own two  of because I love them that much!) :D

This is one of many casual, every day looks. Sometimes I wear a statement necklace for a pop of color and that "chic-y" feel. I also like wearing longer slouchy tee's for a more relaxed look, yet still put together.

Tshirt- American Eagle Soft & Sexy Tomgirl T
Jeans-American Eagle Tomgirl Jean
Sandals- These sandals are my absolute favorite. I buy them every year, and they are usually on sale!-  
LC by Lauren Conrad
Bag- Street Level sold at American Eagle
Necklace- LC by Lauren Conrad (older style) another option
Sunglasses- American Eagle

Next is prep with a little bit of edge. I love the way stripes and floral look together with pops of gold detail. Any wedge or platform shoe paired with boyfriend jeans never fails! LOVE!

 

Shirt- AERIE

Necklace- PRIMARK-  Similar

Shoes- DSW-Fergalicious brand- similar   similar similar

Bag- Michael Kors 

 Lastly, my favorite style which is a boho/seventies look. Off the shoulder/cold-shoulder tops are every where right now and are designed in an endless amount of styles! This type of top gives that feminine, flirty touch. When I get a top like this that doesn't have straps attached, I wear a bralette or tank-top underneath. I HATE strapless bras! Plus, I like how the the strap detail looks on my frame rather than my bare shoulders. :D

Shirt- Urban Outfitters

ON SALE!**

Shoes- American Eagle- similar similar similar

Bag- American Eagle- similar 

Bracelets- similar  Alex and Ani feather bangle Alex and Ani Amethyst bead bangle 

 
XO Tres Chic Lifestyle