{Summer Skin} Mattifying Products for a Flawless Face

The dry winter months are well behind us, which means two things - humidity and oily skin.  Unless you are blessed with normal skin year-round, you probably have to make some adjustments to your beauty routine as the seasons change for everything from hair care to makeup to body products.  Summer and hot temperatures definitely bring out the shine, but luckily there are more products than you can count out there to combat it.  I've tried and tested a reasonable amount of said products and have found the best ones that work for me.  If you're starting to notice that dewy summer skin show up then consider adding these things into your routine for a matte look every time!

Estee Lauder Matte Perfecting Primer

I actually received a deluxe sample of this around the holidays, when I definitely didn't need it, as part of a gift-with-purchase set.  I hung on to it knowing that it would be perfect to try when it warmed up, and it hasn't disappointed me yet.  It holds my makeup in place all day, even after the stress of crunching numbers for hours on end.  Just be sure to apply this after moisturizer, and use a light hand especially on areas that don't need it.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

The key to success with achieving a flawless matte face is starting with a good base of course.  I've repurchased this foundation countless times and I really can't sing its praises loud enough.  I'm not a fan of mattifying foundations, but long-wearing formulas are totally my jam.  I dare you to try this and not fall in love from first application. 

Cover FX Matte Setting Powder

I picked this powder up in my most recent Sephora haul and haven't put it down ever since.  I typically gravitate toward pressed powder rather than loose, just for the simple fact that it creates less of a mess and you don't have to worry about a giant cloud erupting every time you open it, but this stuff goes on like silk and I can't resist.  A little goes a long way, and all I really have to do is concentrate on my T-zone and then sweep the remaining product over the rest of my face and I'm all set.  See what I did there?

Urban Decay De-slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray

In some cases, setting sprays can seem pretty gimmicky, like there's this magic elixir that will ward off everything that's working against your skin to undo that flawless face you left the house with in the morning.  But when it comes to Urban Decay, they really know what they are doing.  This is another product I've repurchased multiple times and let me tell you, there's a reason I'm coming back.  I prefer to spray this pre-powder and post-foundation application to really lock everything in place. 

xoxo,

Amanda

May Favorites

We might as well go ahead and call this post "Beach Essentials" because in keeping with the spirit of vacation, I'm sharing my favorite things from May and they all just so happen to relate back to the beach.  I don't think I can say anything more that I haven't said already about how much I love going to the beach, so let's just get started!

Esther Williams Beach Blanket Bingo Bikini via Modcloth

Back in winter, you know, when you've got a little extra cushion from all of those holiday indulgences, I was already thinking about swimsuits for our trip.  I tried on the ones I already owned and cringed when I saw how they fit.  Since I totally slacked on my plan to get my butt in the gym, I decided the next best thing was to at least purchase swimsuits that I could feel confident in.  When I found the Esther Williams line on Modcloth and started reading the reviews, I knew that they had to be mine.  The retro style is right up my alley and who can resist polka dots?  If you want a little more modest coverage but to still feel like a knockout then I highly suggest these suits!  They are definitely pricey but that's just all the more motivation to take advantage of pool days at my apartment this summer.

Floppy Straw Hat by Target

I'm not a hat person at all, but I am a safe-sun practices type of person.  Think reapplying sunscreen religiously every hour because I will inevitably burn, and a sunburn is not cute.  I found this floppy hat at Target and thought it was perfect for not only the beach and pool, but also any prolonged outdoor activities like going to the park.  Since the brim is pretty wide, it protects your face and neck very well, some of your most delicate skin.  Also, for my girls who color their hair, you don't want to see all of that gorgeous color that you sat in a chair for 3 hours to get fade away from so much sun exposure, am I right?

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40

Speaking of safe-sun practices, I usually like to buy a face-specific sunscreen in addition to what I wear on my body because I have pretty sensitive skin and am very prone to breakouts.  I usually go for a drugstore brand like Neutrogena or Aveeno but this time I wanted to try something a little higher end, purely for scientific research purposes, not because I'm addicted to Sephora or anything.  I have to say that this stuff did just what it was supposed to do and I didn't get burnt on my face at all (the rest of me was a different story).  It can be a little thick and leave a white cast if you're not careful, but it's great if you take care to rub it in well. 

Gemma Sandals by Sole Society

I discovered Sole Society how I discover many things these days, through the wonderful world of Instagram.  Seriously, so many of my conversations with friends start with "So I saw this thing in Instagram ... "  Not that it's a bad thing at all!  I had been on the hunt for a new pair of sandals to update my spring and summer wardrobe, and I decided I wanted to get a pair with a horizontal strap across the toes this time as opposed to a t-strap (there has to be a more eloquent way of saying that, but you get the point).  I tried several different ones on from various stores and they were either too big or (usually) too tight.  I don't have super wide feet by any means but they definitely aren't narrow either.  It was a bit of a gamble to buy these online, sight unseen and not being familiar with the brand past their number of Instagram followers, but I went for it and I'm glad I did.  They fit well, though I do need to break them in some because, hello blisters from the first time I wore them.  It's a sacrifice you have to make sometimes, I guess.   

xoxo,

Amanda

According to Amanda: The Dos + Don'ts of a Beach Vacation

You know how you go into a trip, beach or not, having one set of expectations and then it ends up being different but still completely wonderful at the same time?  That's about how my trip last week to Destin was.  In case you're not from Louisville (because everyone from Louisville goes there) Destin is a beach town on the Florida panhandle, directly south of here.  It has emerald waters and white sugar sand.  Read - gorgeous.  I wanted to share my beach trip experience, what I packed and didn't use, what I wish I'd brought, you get the gist, in case you have a beach trip coming up! 

Do make it a road trip - getting there is half the fun.  On our drive south we jammed out to the entire Bruce Springsteen discography as well as some of the best and cheesiest 90s pop songs.  We stopped halfway for lunch in Birmingham at Whataburger (seriously, why don't we have those around here?!) and just got to spend time talking about anything and everything.

Don't let your gas tank get too low.  You really never know when you might run into traffic, so trust me when I say this.  Standstill traffic and less than a quarter of a tank is not a winning combination, I repeat not a winning combination.  Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything, ahem.

Do wear sunscreen and reapply, reapply, reapply.  Dealing with a painful, itchy sunburn from your first day on the beach is not how you want to start your trip.  If you're fair skinned like me, wear a floppy hat and retreat under a colorful beach umbrella too.  Bonus points because it makes for a fun photo op.

Don't forget a good beach read.  I hit up Target the week before the trip for last minute essentials, including a new book.  As much as I love a juicy romantic read, I went with something a little more inspirational.  There's something about being on the beach that helps you find your inner happiness so this book was just what I needed.

Do go to bed early, get up early, and get plenty of rest.  In a typical work week, my alarm clock is the bane of my existence.  But at the beach, I naturally woke up at about 6 or 7 AM every day.  Eating breakfast on the balcony overlooking the ocean while the sun was coming up got every day off to a great start.  And since we got up early, we passed out around 10 each night.  No complaints here though.  I have never felt more rejuvenated in my life.

Don't be a loud neighbor.  Most condo buildings on the beach front have floors and floors of units with who knows how many people staying in them.  That's a lot of beach goers in one place.  If you've ever lived in an apartment then you know how it can be when you feel like you're a part of your neighbor's conversation because they're so loud.  We dealt with this on our last night.  Thankfully I was so tired every other night that it didn't wake me up!

Do embrace wavy beach hair.  I only washed my hair once, halfway through the trip.  The rest of the time I embraced the wave and let the saltwater air do its thing.  Low maintenance is definitely the way to go when you're at the beach.

Don't bother with makeup.  I packed all of my makeup essentials and didn't touch them once except for mascara and lip gloss.  Let me tell you, I've never gotten ready so fast in my life!  If I can do it, anyone can.  And after a week without worrying about makeup, it almost felt foreign to me once I got back into my regular morning routine for work.

Do let yourself indulge.  If you want a fun cocktail in a blender souvenir cup, then by all means go for it!  If you want an big ice cream cone covered in sprinkles, get it!  Do it for the Insta people.  And for vacation, duh.

Don't think every meal needs to be fancy.  To save a little money and make the most of our time on the beach, we ate breakfast and lunch at the condo and went out for dinners.  That way we didn't have to worry about getting dressed, going to find somewhere to eat, and coming back bloated and tired.  Bloated and swimsuits don't mix very well.

Do swim in the ocean.  To me, this one is a no-brainer!  You drove all the way to the beach, now get yourself in it!  Take long walks, put your toes in the water, let the waves crash around you and just soak in your time in paradise because it won't last forever.

Don't worry about a plan.  Beach vacations to me are for relaxing and taking it easy.  This isn't a trip where you need to sight-see, get from point A to B to C by a certain time or have a strict schedule of all you want to accomplish.  This is your chance to not have a worry in the world except for if the tide is going to reach your chair ;)

xoxo,

Amanda

Insta-cation Roundup {Destin, Florida}

The month of May has all but slipped through my fingers and now it's full on summer mode around here.  I haven't blogged since May 8th (yikes!) or even opened my Day Designer for that matter and I fully blame vacation brain and needing to get the heck out of Louisville for a week.  My sister trip with Kelly couldn't have been better - the weather was gorgeous and we got to spend quality time together, the ingredients of a perfect mental refresher.  There is something so soothing about sitting on the beach, taking in all of the sounds of the ocean, and just focusing on how great it is to be alive at that very moment. 

Today I wanted to share an Instagram roundup of our trip in case you missed it (hit that follow button if you did!)  I'll be honest, I came prepared with my new camera but ended up taking most pictures just with my phone.  I guess that's the world we live in today.  I also wanted to be more present and live in the moment rather than worrying about documenting every little thing.  It's always fun to look back on photos, but if you didn't get to truly soak in the experience, are those photos really worth it? 

xoxo,

Amanda

Five Pink Lip Products for Summer

 Now that summer is officially here, I've been reaching for bright pink lip products a lot more.  I don't know if it's the warm weather or the fact that my wardrobe is back to full rainbow mode, but I've been rocking a simpler eye look and letting my lips do all of the talking. 

See what I did there

.

Here are five of my favorites that I've been loving lately:

1. NYX Butter Gloss in Strawberry Parfait

I definitely wanted to include a gloss for the gals out there who don't prefer lipstick.  Like the name says, these glosses go on like

butta. 

This shade in particular also has decent color payoff on it's own without any other lip color underneath.  For times when I'm in a rush, this is what I'll go with.  I usually get a couple of hours of wear out of this formula before needing to reapply, which really isn't that big of a deal because lip glosses are usually easier to re-apply without requiring too much precision.

2. Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Rose

This little lippie came into my life back around the holidays and I haven't really worn it much at all.  It came in a set of four mini double-ended lipsticks.  I've worn several of the colors, but for some reason I never have reached for this one yet.  It's definitely not nearly as bright as the other colors I've picked.  In fact, it comes off as a coral when you put it on your lips, but I think it's gorgeous.  Especially for the blue-eyed beauties out there, this will really make your eyes pop!

3. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Catfight

I picked up a sample tube of this as a 100 point perk at Sephora, and I'm glad I did.  This color is definitely the boldest and richest, almost a reddish-pink, which I think makes it a bit more versatile.  It would be great for a summer night out if you didn't want to commit to a true red lip color.  And even against my fair skin, it doesn't look too harsh.  In fact, it looks kind of a retro, and I really like it. 

4. MAC Lipstick in Girl About Town

This little beauty is probably my favorite.  In fact, it's the color I'm wearing in my new blog photos that Chelcey and I took last weekend.  It has good lasting power and I don't have a problem with it transferring onto my teeth or around my mouth, which is definitely a perk.  Plus, it doesn't leave my lips feeling dry or looking flakey.  You really can't go wrong with this cult classic.

5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart Valentine

I bought this a while back when the Kissable Balm Stains first came out.  At the time, it was winter so I pretty much just wore the darker shade I bought along with this one.  Imagine my delight when I recently realized that this guy had never been opened!  The color payoff on this is great, and it truly does leave a stain on your lips that lasts the whole day, through eating and everything.  It isn't very drying either, which is great for this lip balm junkie.  

And of course, here are swatches so you can see the color payoff. 

Top to Bottom: NYX Butter Gloss, Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick, Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick, MAC Lipstick, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

What are some of your favorite lip colors and products for summer?

xoxo,

Amanda