mail's here!

Oh hey you.

I came home to the most exciting mail parcel yesterday...
 my very first Ipsy shipment had arrived!

 I recently realized two things: I do nothing on a regular basis to update my current makeup collection (Ashley would be so ashamed of my one small bag), and I generally do not wear makeup because I am lazy/not a morning person. I basically only wear it when we are going out to dinner with friends, or I have an important meeting at work, or a special event.

Seeing that I am almost 30 and believe that I do look better with a little mascara, bronzer and blush, I decided to make a change. I needed a way to re-introduce myself to makeup again and be able to try different things before I committed to a specific product.

why hello monthly subscription program, so nice to meet you!

I looked at all the different options out there, Birchbox, Ipsy etc and after seeking the advice of my personal beauty adviser (Ashley), I decided on Ipsy. They just seem to have the best mix of products and who doesn't love those little glam bags?

My first impression of the exterior packaging was.....it's precious and pink and so girly and I love it already, no matter what is inside.
  Maybe I am easily impressed.



The bag was easy to pull apart. I love it when extra tools are not needed to get inside a mail package, don't you? Instant gratification.

Here is what I found inside!

{contents}

Pop Beauty Sunkised Bronzer, Secret Sunshine
I am pumped about this little gal. I love a good bronzer and this one looks to be so natural.

Healthy Sexy Hair, Soy Renewal Beach Spray
How did Ipsy know that I was headed to the beach in jut a few short weeks? This will be perfect!

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil
Duh! See above. Anything to help this pale girl get a tan is a.o.k in my book!

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm, Pretty Pink
I tried it on last night and love it. It is just tinted enough and light enough for everyday wear. This one is going in the purse for sure!

Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Shadow, Sweet Spice
This color looks to be a little dark but the consistency of the cream shadow is perfection. I think I will enjoy using this when I am getting fancy.

Overall, I am excited about my subscription to Ipsy and plan to keep it for a couple months, then re-evaluate. The great thing about this company is that you can cancel at anytime. The only thing I found annoying is that you have to pretty much sell your soul to get off the waiting list for your first bag. I had to share on my FB page and all that jazz, but hey, everyone is trying to play this social medial game right? (insert plug for everyone reading to follow me on gfc, bloglovin, instagram and pinterest...haha)

If you are interested in joining the Ipsy club - check this link out.

Till tomorrow beauties!

xoxo,

CAD

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Trending Tuesday: Makeup Brush Collection

Hi loves! Ashley here today, and I hope y'all are having a great Tuesday so far! This week is going to be a very long week for me, so I am hoping it goes by quickly so we can get to the weekend!! I am probably stretching this trend by a long shot, but I haven't joined the lovely Trending Tuesday ladies in a few weeks so I really wanted to join the link up this week! However, Caroline has been wanting some tips and ideas for makeup brushes, so I figured...what the heck?! I will just join the two together! Today I will be talking about my favorite makeup brushes that I use on a daily basis. Like I have mentioned before, makeup brushes are the most important tool for making your makeup look flawless. If you don't use decent brushes or clean them properly, then your makeup will not look as airbrushed as it could.
What do I look for in a makeup brush?
Depending on the type of application depends on the type of brush that I look for. There are three different components that you need to look for when selecting a makeup brush.

{One}
 Hair Type
There are six different types of makeup brush hairs including Goat, Pony, Sable, Badger, Squirrel and Synthetic. Without going into too much detail, the main difference between these is going to be the density and texture. For example, if I am applying liquid foundation, concealer or cream blushes, I prefer to use synthetic brushes. If I am applying a non-cream blush, bronzer or powder, I will use a pony brush. Sable is going to be the most durable and softest hair type, so for this reason, I like to use this for packing color and blending my eyeshadow.

{Two}
 Handle
You want to make sure that your handle is very durable and that it is not made of plastic, as these might not hold up as well.

{Three}
 Ferrule
You said, what? Haha. This is the metal part that connects the handle to the bristles. The best type of ferrules are made of seamless brass, copper or aluminum because they are going to be the most durable and will hold up with time. When cleaning your brushes, it is very important not to get water down the ferrule because this could ruin the brush.

Now that you are an expert on types of brushes and when to apply each one, I want to share with you my favorite brushes! Please don't judge the cleanliness of mine (or lack thereof), as I am about to give them a good cleaning! Let me know if y'all are interested in seeing a post on easy and inexpensive ways to clean your brushes! Also, let me know in the comments below if y'all would like to see a full makeup collection post!

{How I display my brushes, on top of my acrylic Muji drawers}

{Favorite Foundation Brushes}

Sigma F80 and Real Techniques Beauty Blender

{Favorite Concealer Brushes}

Sigma, Mac and Benefit

{Favorite Powder Brushes}

Real Techniques Powder Brush and Sephora Powder Brush 

{More Face Brushes}

{Favorite Bronzer Brushes}

An assortment of Real Techniques, Sigma and Sephora

{Favorite Blush Brushes}

Real Techniques Stippling Brush and Mac 109 Small Contour Brush 

{Favorite Eyeshadow Brushes}

Assortment of Mac, Real Techniques, Urban Decay and Sigma

{Highlighting and Setting Brushes}

Sigma F86 and Real Techniques 

As you can probably already see, my favorite brands of brushes include Mac, Sigma Beauty, Sephora, Bobbi Brown and Real Techniques. As you know from this post, I enjoying watching Beauty Gurus on Youtube. Most of them are sponsored with these brands and are able to provide discount codes. You can usually get a 10% discount by going on youtube and looking for Sigma Beauty Discount Code.

I hope y'all have learned something. Again, I am NO expert by any means, and it has taken me quite some time to work on my brush collection. But I feel like if I had known these tips years back, I wouldn't have wasted so much money on buying poorly made brushes. Also, my makeup probably would have looked 10x better!

I hope y'all have a Happy Tuesday! Check out the other #trendingtuesday links! Kristina, Amanda, Katie, and Zelle

xoxo,
Ashley

** This is not a sponsored post. These brushes were purchased on my own and are my own reviews that come from personal experience**

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Random Five on Friday

So we did it, we made it to Friday! I would be doing a happy dance right about now but I unfortunately have to spend my Saturday at work. That's right y'all, I will be at the enterprise tomorrow... but it's ok because we are headed to Williamsburg the second I get off work to spend the weekend with my parents. Sounds fun right? Well, make sure to follow along on instagram - should be a fun and relaxing weekend! 

Per norm, I am linking up with my favorite Friday lovelies:
Five on Friday: April, Christina, Darci and Natasha. 
Friday Favorites: Amanda

{one}

Memorial Day.

via

 This Memorial Day, don't just celebrate your three day weekend. Celebrate the men and women in this country who gave their lives serving in the United States Armed Forces. Make sure to raise a glass, or two, and cheers the ones who fought so valiantly before us and to the ones we had the pleasure of knowing in our lifetime. Remember their families, stories, love and the true reason for Memorial Day. 

{two}

My Dad.

This weekend, I cannot help but think about my Dad. He was somewhere between 23 and 24 when  these pictures were taken in Vietnam. I often forget that he lost friends over there and this weekend holds a special place in his heart. I am blessed that I can share Memorial Day with this wonderful man.

My Dad served 23 years in the US Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel when I was 4 (I was a mid life crisis baby).When I was a kid, I used to beg my Dad to tell me stories about his crazy adventures with his Army buddies and all the trouble they would get in to. These are stories I still ask to hear as an adult because it is just something that I will never experience on my own. This was a time in his life when I was not even a twinkle in his eye and he was young and fearless. A Hero.

{three}

Epic Sale Season.

via

Damn you Kate Spade, Banana Republic, C.Wonder, Nordstrom and whoever else that is basically giving away amazing things. I got bit by the Kate Spade Sale.....shhhh don't tell Reid because we are supposed to be saving money right now. BUT how could I resist???? After much internal debate, I ended up with this little beauty!

{four}

Yes, They're Real.

via

Now, as many of you know, I am not really in to make up. I practically never wear it. When I do, I get stuck on the same thing over and over again. BUT I was thrilled to find and love this product. I have naturally long eye lashes, yes hate me now, but this mascara is amazing! It really does make your lashes look like fakes!!! Try it, you will like it!

{five}

Target Fruit Strips.

via
So, I am so obsessed with this sweet treat that I keep a box at work and a box at home. It is just the perfect little pick me up when I am feeling the hunger bug bite. They are only sold at Target  and usually on an end cap in the food section. I like strawberry the best! 

That's it for me folks! I hope you have the most wonderful holiday weekend!

Be safe!

xoxo,

CAD

Easter Basket Must Haves

Hey y'all! I hope you're having a fab week so far! Thanks again to Caroline for having me back this week! Can y'all believe it is the middle of April and spring has sprung already?! It is so hard to believe that Easter is right around the corner.

 I'm here to share all of my beauty (and a few non-beauty) items that I would love to see in my basket this Sunday (hint, hint...husband). I already have a few of these items but I love them so much that I thought you would too!

I hope y'all have a Happy Easter whether you are celebrating with family and friends or just relaxing. My husband and I will be traveling to our hometown to spend the weekend on the lake with our family.

Can't wait to share more with y'all next week...I might be cooking in the kitchen, so be sure to check in!

Have a great weekend! 

xoxo

Ashley

Sephora VIB Sale

Hi beauties!  Ashley here...I hope y’all are having a fabulous week so far! First off, I want to thank Caroline for inviting me back this week to share some some beauty related ideas with y'all!

Let’s get right to it. The SEPHORA VIB SALE is here!! As most of you know, Sephora sales don’t come around often, so take advantage while you can! Whether it be stocking up on your favorite items or trying pricier items that you wouldn’t tend to purchase, it’s a nice way to save a little bit of money! To shop the Sephora sale HERE, enter the code VIBTICKET at checkout to save 15% on your ENTIRE order through April 11. You can also use this in the store if you don’t want to shop online or if the item is out of stock online.

I thought I’d give y’all some ideas as far as what I currently have and recommend and also the actual items that I will be purchasing during the sale!

Currently have and LOVE:

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Concealer 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes in Dim Infusion

NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna 

BECCA Mineral Blush in Gypsy

Dior Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in #17 Encre Rose

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara 

St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Self Tan Starter Kit 

Currently in my checkout basket:

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown (formerly Medium Ash)

BITE Luminous Crème Lipstick in Retsina 

Too Faced Sexy Lips & Lashes

Also, at checkout, you are able to exchange your points for Deluxe Sample Rewards, so these are the ones I have chosen. 

Benefit Cosmetics The Big Easy Liquid to Powder SPF 35 Foundation 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish 

Leave me a comment below and let me know some of your current favorite Sephora items or items that you will be purchasing during the sale! Happy Shopping!

I can't wait to share all of my Spring Beauty Must-Haves with you next week! Have a great rest of the week, loves!

xoxo,

Ashley

ps... There is no sponsorship for this post, these are just items that I love!