Here's the eyeshadow palettes that I continue to go to whenever I want to look beautiful.  I love going to Sephora and swatching shades of new eyeshadow on my hands. You know you go to Sephora too often when an employee tells you he loved the lipstick you tried on last time you were there and hopes you bought it. lol They recently opened 4 new stores in my city so I try to diversify and visit locations outside of my neighborhood, yes I have a Sephora within walking distance of where I live. 

On my list here you'll find a mix of affordable and high end palettes. My favorite eyeshadow color to wear is purple and if you have brown eyes, the list below will all look wonderful and compliment you. When I had my color analysis done, I was told I'm a Cool Winter, so I've been on the look out for cool toned colors in both my clothes and eyeshadow, taupe being one of the colors. I've also been experimenting with sparkly eye colors lately. If you didn't know, Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona are the "IT" brands right now for eyeshadow.

The last time I did a roundup of my favorite eyeshadow was in 2016 and it was mainly MAC eyeshadows then. As a professional makeup hoarder, I have to warn you that makeup does have an expiration date. Your old eyeshadow could have microorganisms on them such as bacteria, fungus and parasites. Eyeshadow should be tossed after 12 months. So if you still have your old Naked palettes from 10 years ago, time to toss them! Mascara is supposed to be thrown out after 3 months because afterwards contamination increases after that. I like to use eyeshadow as an eyeliner with a brush, so I want to be double sure that it's safe to use.

I store all of my makeup brushes in this container. My eyeshadow brushes are mostly MAC but I've recently purchased some Rephr brushes. My go to tip for eyeshadow application is to first apply an eyeshadow primer. It helps the colors stick to your skin, last longer, and if you have a deeper skin color it allows for the eyeshadow colors to pop more. I use the color Soft Ochre which any complexion can use. 

I'm in full fall mode over here after decorating my home with fall decor and now pulling out my favorite fall makeup. Fall is so pretty with the colorful leaves, pumpkins and caramel apple cider; and those colors also inspire my makeup. For lipstick I love going for rusty reds before transitioning into the bright reds for winter. In the fall and winter I get excited about makeup as I get to wear it a little bit more. Sweater weather leads to more intense makeup and my makeup looks better since I'm not sweating it off. This list is what I will be wearing the most this season so I hope you enjoy this edit. All of these faves will create a sultry look for you! The Sephora Savings Event is my Superbowl! My cart has been ready for a month! 

Fall has arrived and here are the best fall fragrances that are worthy of a spot on your perfume tray. This season puts you in the mood for the holidays, you grab your pumpkin chai, make apple baked goods, and light your vanilla candles. For the fall season, I like to wear scents that are warmer, spicier, cozy and sweeter (like vanilla). Fall is all about sweater weather, but not super cold. So for your fragrances you don't want something too heavy for winter but something more than your fresh clean perfume that you wear in the summertime. All these fragrances make for an autumnal aesthetic. The fall season window is so small that it makes wearing these perfumes even more special.  If you want to turn heads around, if you love smelling good and changing up your perfume for the different seasons here are some scents that conjure up the coziness of the season. None of these fragrances are new to my collection, you've seen all of them before on my blog. 

I think my skin looks pretty good, it's clear, no acne, however I have these tiny bumps on my forehead. They are so small that I don't really see them in natural light, I only see them once I put makeup on and then I see my skin has texture. They're not whiteheads so you can't pop them, thus they are not pimples. I went to the dermatologist last year and she gave me a prescription for Tretinoin which is used to treat acne, sun-damaged skin and wrinkles. It's a popular prescription for  people over 30 who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It's a retinoid which is derived from vitamin A and tretinoin is more powerful than any retinol you can buy from Sephora. Tretinoin works by increasing the production and shedding of skin cells aka cell turnover.  It's not tolerated well by sensitive skin and for many people it causes irritation and dry skin. I've been using prescription Differin since I was a teenager, which now you can buy over the counter, and I think because of that I have no side affects from Tretinoin and don't have to use a moisturizer with it and can use it every night which is not the norm for most people.

Elf has high quality makeup and skincare products at fraction of the price! Don't sleep on their products at the drugstore, you need to run out and try this brand. Elf is a clean beauty brand that is vegan and cruelty free, founded in California in 2004. I really enjoyed everything that I tried from Elf. They have such high quality products and at affordable prices. Here's all the products I tried, but looking at the website now I see so many other products that look like dupes for expensive brands. 

I wanted to share my favorite summer perfumes that I have on rotation right now.  I wear about 5-8 core fragrances per season. I like to switch up my scents with the seasons because hot temperatures call for lighter fragrances. This list of fragrances is inspired by the summer season with beachy scents, light florals, zesty citrus, tropical, and herbal notes. Each of these scents offer you an excursion. It instantly boosts my energy and mood and transports me on a vacation.

Smelling my perfumes uplifts my spirts so I even wear them to work from home. I don't feel the need to save my fragrances for special occasions. Fragrance is more than an accessory to my outfits, wearing fragrances daily is part of my self-care routine.  You automatically look good when you smell good.

In the summertime I apply perfume on my wrists, neck, inside of elbows, and behind my knees for when you walk past people who are sitting. You should never rub your wrists together after applying perfume, you will rub off the top notes. You can also spray your hair if you like. Scent is our most powerful sense when it comes to memory.

Have you been in a beauty rut the last couple years? Maybe you haven't been keeping up with the latest trends since you're wearing less makeup these days.  Here are some new products to try to be excited about as these are my most loved products. When you change your clothes for the summer, you should also edit your skincare products. You're going to wear less makeup in the summer, because the look now is bare bronzed sunkissed glowy skin. I bet these products will become part of your summer beauty routine and create an effortless look.

Last year I posted my summer skincare essentials, I wanted to share that I'm still using the same cleanser but a new bottle and still making my way through the same bottle of toner pictured even though I use it every single morning. This post has my favorite sunscreen and I'm super excited that Glowscreen now comes in a tan color! I've also been wearing my lighter perfumes for summer. 

I'm excited that summer is finally here! To start this new season I created a list of fun things I want to do in the next 3 months.

For your chic and classy summer outfits, the most important thing for your summer wardrobe is fabric choice.  Where I live the average temperature in the summer is 90F + humidity, so I have to dress strategically. Thus, fabric choice is key because I only want to wear natural breathable fabrics like linen, cotton and tencel/lyocell. The picture above is the vibe I'm going for; effortlessly stylish in linen. I feel linen looks upscale, polished and is a luxurious fabric. You do always have to steam it before you wear, but I also think people expect to see some wrinkles in linen. 

I do not wear polyester in the summertime because your body actually gets hotter in polyester and it shows all sweat stains and holds odors. I also don't wear any denim in the summer, it's just too hot. I want to wear breathable, wide leg pants or shorts. White linen pants have been a summer staple in my wardrobe for years. If you don't want to wear white pants, get beige linen pants. The list below is full of a natural fiber summer aesthetic. I also just did a post on what white t-shirts I will be wearing.

Never underestimate the important of great staple pieces, that's why I invest in elevated basics. When you spend money on premium quality pieces and pay attention to the fabric composition before you buy, those pieces will last a long time. Clothes have to fit you well, so if you've gained a little weight, you should pick up some new pieces that flatter your current shape. 

This list is full of high quality, versatile, essential pieces that are perfect for summer. They will create a sophisticated summer wardrobe of timeless outfits which will look more expensive. Investing in neutral colors  means you can wear the pieces many ways. Monochrome outfits give off that rich classy vibe. Styling is all about visual balance so when you can't wear layers in the summertime, accessorizing is the thing that makes a basic outfit look put together and polished. Thus, I included some links to straw hats and bags you can accessorize with to evoke vacation vibes.

Buying a white t-shirt is never simple for me so I'm going to make the buying process a little easier for you. A white t-shirt is a closet staple that everyone needs to have. I was on the hunt for one that is not sheer.  I tried on these 4 cotton shirts, two I liked and two I didn't.  I picked V-neck shape because it looks better on my figure. According to the book The Science of Sexy, a V-neck  draws attention to the center of your body creating a slimming affect for your waist, as it creates a flattering angle that tapers towards your waist. I also like the look of gold chain necklaces on bare skin but they often fall under my shirt when I wear a crew neck.

I know Target sells $8 t-shirts but it's not the best quality fabric. It won't last a long time and won't fare well in the wash. So it will cost you more in the long run as you're spending more money constantly replacing those tees every year. I buy their shirts just to lounge in at home. Stay on the look out for Memorial Day sales for the two pricey tees. 

A white t-shirt is a basic piece for your closet and basics are the foundation of your wardrobe. You'll need basic tees to pair with all your colorful pieces yet people neglect having quality basics.  It's easy to put outfits together when you have basic pieces. You won't struggle for outfits when you have basic pieces because everything will mix and match. They help to make your closet effortless. You need to make sure that your closet has basic pieces before you buy occasion items. A good white tee is a must have in your wardrobe. 

Belts are the forgotten accessory. It gives your outfits an added visual interest. This small accessory can help to create beautiful looks and make your outfit look more styled. Women of all shapes and sizes can wear belts, it only elevates your look. They help you look more feminine if you don't have an hourglass figure. A classic belt never goes out of style, it's timeless and makes accessorizing a cinch so you should have a good stash of them. I've included a mix of high end designer and mid-range plus a couple cheap dupes.

If you're also heading back to the office soon I wanted to share some recommendations for good office fragrances. I still want to smell good but offend as few people as possible. My requirements to fit this list are fragrances that are  relatively neutral, meaning not overly sweet,  spicy or strong, yet still sophisticated,  classy and professional. 

For work I always under spray, so 1 or 2 sprays max. I stick to scents that have a soft note and are clean, crisp, light and non-offensive. Sandalwood is a safe note for an office setting. I want fragrances that stay close to the skin and don't project strongly as I don't want to smoke anyone out. Here are some work friendly fragrances from my collection and all of these fragrances are absolutely safe and would be perfect for the office. 

February is Black History month in the United States. If you want to honor or celebrate Black History Month by reading books by Black authors, I have highlighted a few good picks for you. I'm not using amazon links when possible for any of the books because authors get a very small cut when you purchase there.

Looking for something new to watch? You've come to the right place! Here's what I recommend.

The Tinder Swindler  - Netflix

An absolutely riveting documentary of the true story of a 20-something Israeli con man who swindles European women, whom he met on Tinder.  It's dark and twisty and the most interesting thing to be on netflix in awhile.  At the time of writing this, Simon's insta was public and the ladies have a gofundme up. 

As you switch your wardrobe for the different seasons, you should also change your fragrances with the seasons. In the winter time you'll want to wear your heavy, dark, warm, mysterious fragrances and that's because those fragrances do well in cold air. Winter air makes perfumes softer so it's my favorite season to wear perfume because you can wear bold scents.  I enjoy fresher scents in the summer and sweeter more gourmand scents in the winter. If you've gone the whole winter so far with no one smelling you (because you work from home and aren't dining indoors) wear all your heavy hitters now! But go easy on the trigger spray. The cold temperatures and ice on the ground can really suck, but perfumes are the best mood-lifters. Wearing fragrances every day is part of my self-care routine. I don't feel the need to save my fragrances for special occasions. So, I've round up my favorite winter perfumes to elevate your vibe, even if you only wear them at home or to the grocery store.

This is my 7th year doing Dry January which is a great way to reset for the new year. Skipping alcohol for 30 days is a breeze I find. The research says after one month sober you will have a mood boost and sleep better. You might lose some weight and lose some bloat/redness from your face which will make your skin look brighter. Pausing your alcohol consumption may help you to  create a new relationship with alcohol. With so many alcohol free alternative beverages on the market these days, you'll still can have something special to drink at night.  Here's a roundup of all the new beverages I tried this month. I drank all of these in a cocktail glass. In past years I used to have to order everything online but my local Foxtrot  (they are located in Chicago, DC and Dallas) had everything in store.  At the bottom of my post I share some podcasts episodes about Dry January.

Northern Spy - Flynn Berry

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Happy New Year! It's officially 2022 and we've survived season 2 of the pandemic but sadly we're onto season 3. First things first, let's leave behind the word cheugy in 2021 and I predict that 2022 is going to be the year of the Espresso Martini! lol My 2022 planner is in the mail because I bought it late, but I have all the stickers ready. I also love to write monthly goals in my planner. I am doing Dry January again this year. I know a lot of people choose a word of the year to encompass all that they want to embody throughout the year. However, I couldn't pick one, but these were my finalists for Word of the Year: discipline, consistency, unstoppable, grateful, adapt, positivity, abundance, glow, surrender.