Hey yall.
Welcome to 20201!
A good way to practice this is by setting a few long term goals for yourself to work on consciously throughout the year ahead. I set a batch of long term goals for myself every December on the last week of the year and write them in my diary so I can carry them with me through the year!
I thought for todays post I would share my top 5 goals/resolutions for 20201 with you incase you need some inspiration for setting some of your own or for those of you who enjoy reading about other people just 'cuz like I do!
Without further ado here are
My Top 5 Resolutions for 2021
1). Be more active
I don't know about you, but the older I get the more I just can't sit down for long periods of a time like I used to. It's like I have an itch to be moving and I can't put my finger on it. I've even found that sitting through anything longer than a 30 minute YouTube video has become a challenge for me. But with all this extra time I've got now that I can't sit through the titanic I figure why not just be more active?
For Christmas my boyfriend gave me an apple watch and I has become my new best friend. I can track my steps and how many hours I stand and how many calories I burn throughout the day and I have become obsessed with closing my fitness rings on the watch! My best friend Jackie and I even hold competitions with each other through out the week to see who can be more active. It's a fun thing that we like to do and that motivates us to be better versions of ourselves and being that we live in different states it's something we can do together for fun. I like to challenge myself by going on runs and keeping up with my workouts as a way to close my rings. By doing these things I hope to attain a healthier lifestyle for myself.
2). Put myself out there more
This year I really want to challenge myself to be more social and put myself out there more. One of the things quarantine has taught me about myself was that I have grown into a full blown extrovert and require being around my friends and other people in order to charge. Having spent my whole life an introvert I must say I'm pretty proud of myself! My twenties have been good to me. *Knock on wood*.
3). Buy my first car
I don't know about you but I enjoy a good ole classic Hollywood movie! especially anything with Audrey Hepburn (and George Peppard, he's so handsome!) One of my favorite things about old films is the way women drove. They did the upmost when behind the wheel and I'm here for it. I love the vintage driving aesthetic of a headscarf, driving gloves, and big sunglasses usually paired with a red lipstick.
I think I'd just about seen all the Hollywood driving scenes one can manage and finally decided it was time to save for a car of my own. I really would like a cute little convertible so I too can drive around like an old film actress and cruise around Houston.
4). Start a 401k.
I know, I know, this one sounds lowkey lame but the earlier you save the better. At least that's what my boss Scott says. I'm not too sure how a 401k exactly works but I think it would be a good thing to do this year for my future self.
5). Pick a major
This year I really want to pick a major so I can have a clear vision about what I'm exactly working towards everyday. I know I want to go into nursing but there's so many fields of nursing it's hard to narrow it down to just one.
By the end of the year I really want more of a clear focus of who I am and who I'm becoming.
I hope this post gives you some inspiration for your own 2021 goals and brings you positive energy.
Be sure to write below your resolutions as I'd love to read them!
Love from the Lonestar State,
Ellie-Kate
I think it’s amazing how creative millennial entrepreneurs have been this past decade, from Zoella branding herself into a blogger and author, to James Charles being a young boy with a love for makeup evolving into a cosmetic brand with one of the most coveted pallets in the market right now, to Kylie Jenner making LipKits that sat in her garage she would later sell to millions making her the youngest billionaire of our time.
The list of inspiring millennials is no small feat. In today’s post we’re going to be reviewing the products in my Ipsy this month that I’m dying to share with you, but before we get into it you could be asking yourself, ‘what’s an Ipsy?’
For those of you who have never heard of what I’m speaking of Ipsy is a company that works with name brand vendors and sends out 5 sample products a month to its subscribers for just $12.99.
This brand was started by a young woman named Michelle Phan who was a beauty guru on YouTube who collaborated with Jennifer Jaconetti Goldfarb from the Bare Minerals company, and Marcelo Camberos from Funny or Die who would become CEO of Ipsy.
‘How does this work?’ You might be wondering. Well, when you sign up on https://www.ipsy.com/ or through the Ipsy app which you can download on any AppStore you will be conducted a series of questions about your skin color, skin type, hair color/type, Cosmetic and skincare brands you like and what type of shades of colors you would like to try or wear. This recorded information is sent to the Ipsy headquarters where a team member will review your form and pick out 5 personalized products for you that will be sent to your mailbox within the month.
It’s that easy!
Without further delay let’s get into the post!
- The first thing we have to talk about is the cosmetic pouch it’s self. For the month of October they went into full on witch mode and embraced the celestial side of the season which was done beautifully. On the bag there’s gold detailing of a third eye branching out into various cosmetics and the gold zipper on the top is to die for! The zipper itself is a crescent moon with a star on the inside. 10/10.
1). Benefit Gimme Brow + Neutral Deep Brown 4.5 Volumizing Eyebrow Gel. This brow gel holds tiny microfibers that stick to the skin to create a full and natural brow look. The brush is super easy to use and doesn’t leave any trace of mess behind in its path making it a go-to product if you need tinted voluminous brows without the mess or skill of pomade. It’s also important to note that the product is waterproof and won’t easily smear which is perfect for summer. However, if you’re like me and have full thick brows already this product might not serve a purpose for you as it’s designed to make thinner brows look full.
https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/en-us/product/gimme-brow-volumizing-eyebrow-gel?product=GIMMEBROW-FULL&sku=EC15
2). SLMISSGLAM P40 Round Blusher Brush. This brush is absolutely gorgeous! Its sparkly green handle is super fun and a great tool to add to my brush jar. The synthetic bristles are super soft to touch and blend cream, powder, wet, or dry pigments with ease (and no streakyness!). It builds up colors like a dream and can be used for bronzer as well. The full size brush is retailed at $18.50 USD.
3). THEBALM COSMETICS - Will Powder Blush in Perseverance. I’m a brown Romanian and finding blushes that look natural and aren’t too light or too dark can be a challenge for me, but this blush gives me the perfect natural color to my face and chin and I couldn’t be happier that I’ve found a color that suits my skin tone. This all-natural blush is made without talc, synthetic binders, dimethicone, parabens, or polyethylene which means it’s safe for your skin and won’t cause any chemical damage. Not to mention the vintage packaging The Balm Cosmetics is known for is worth the purchase itself.
4). TARTE - Maracuja Tinted Hydrator in Tan Sand. As much as I love the packaging this brand is known for I have to admit I wasn’t too crazy about this product. Baring in mind it is a tinted moisturizer and not a full on foundation I didn’t care for the shiny after look the product produced on my skin after an hour of wearing it. Though this could just be reacting with my skin type but the Dewey sheen just made my young supple skin look oily. I do however think this product would be great for older women who just want a little something to touch up their skin in the morning and want to achieve that young youthful glowing look. I also have to note that the shade Tan Sand was a PERFECT match for me.
5). TIMELESS BEAUTY BAR - Apres Sea Face Sheet Mask and Face the Day Face Sheet Mask Set. I tried my first sheet mask when I was 16 and I loved it. It was the Sephora pomegranate mask and it replenished my skin like a dream, ever sense then I’ve had a heart for sheet masks.
Not to mention, they’re mess free and any left over product on your skin you can just rub in before bed! When I saw I would be receiving not one but TWO sheet masks I was over the moon! The Apres Sea is perfect for after a day out in the sun as it presents a cooling effect and soothes the skin of any heat damage. The Face the Day mask is perfect for after a night of getting lit as it reduces redness, puffiness, and hydrates dry skin. It’s a win win combo. The full size retails for $5.00 USD each.
https://www.timelessbeautybar.com/product-page/apres-sea-face-sheet-mask
After the end of each month Ipsy will ask you to review the products and they take the feedback seriously and alter your future bags to fit your requirements. If you don’t like the brand they’ll no longer include it but if you love it they’ll continue sending products from the brand your way!
I hope you found this post interesting or helpful.
Until next time,
Ellie-Kate.
It’s no secret that I love makeup and anything to do with the beauty industry so today on the blog were breaking down the Ten Christmas Beauty Launches of 2020 to help you get a head start on your Christmas shopping for the beauty lovers in your life!
1). Kicking it off with Hempz Home for the Holidays gift set this launch includes their signature mini Herbal Body Moisturizer as well as their classic Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Body Creme which are cult favorites of the brand. To garnish for the holiday season they created a Pomegranate Herbal Body Moisturizer, a Sandalwood & Apple Herbal Body Moisturizer, as well as Milk & Honey Body Moisturizer and to top it off a Koa & Sweet Almond Smoothing Herbal Body Moisturizer. Six mini’s of 2.2 ounce cremes packaged in a gingerbread house style box for the price of $34.99. A perfect gift for the skincare enthusiast on your list!
You can purchase here: https://www.ulta.com/home-holidayz-gift-set?productId=pimprod2019735
3). This year a big anticipated cosmetic launch was Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty line and the pop star wasted no time to release a holiday set packed with her new signature mini’s in her Best of Rare Beauty Lip & Cheek Set. This package includes two liquid blushes one in Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Love (matte terracotta) and Joy (muted peach with a Dewey finish)— both 3.2 mL. A hydrating 3mL Lip Soufflé Matte Creme Lipstick tube in Transform (deep wine), and a Gratitude Dewey Lip Balm in Support (plum brown with a Dewey finish) with 0.75 g. Of product. Somethings to note about this set is it’s ability to take you from day to night and the products are vegan and cruelty free.
4). A list of Holiday beauty launches wouldn’t be complete without Sephora’s Favorites Perfume Sampler set. This launch is special because not only does the receiver get to test out 13 mini high end perfumes from scents ranging from fresh to warm but the kit also includes a scent certificate to redeem your favorite scent in the box at any U.S. Sephora for no extra cost. Basically you try out all the perfumes at home over the course of a few weeks and once your narrowed down to your favorite theres a certificate for a full sized bottle of the scent of your choice at no extra cost. The retail price of this set is $68.00 (a $124.00 value). This gift is perfect for those looking for a new scent for the new year ahead!
5). A gift guide wouldn’t be complete without a Fenty Beauty launch and Rihanna did not disappoint this holiday season with the Two Lil Stunnas Mini Longwear Fluid Lip Color Duo. The set includes two lip paint shades in “Unmatched” and “Underrated” that look good on all skin types and will keep lips kissable all night long, (perfect for that New Years Eve kiss). The products retails at $25.00 and is vegan, cruelty, and gluten free.
You can purchase here: https://www.fentybeauty.com/two-lil-stunnas-mini-longwear-fluid-lip-color-duo/47670.html?cgid=makeup-new
6). Benefit Cosmetics is a cult classic brand and you can’t go wrong with a gift from them! This holiday they’re releasing the Get Your Chic on Eyes, Lips, & Face holiday value set. This package includes FULL sizes of the 0.75 oz. POREfessional Face Primer, the cult loved Hula Matte Bronzer (0.28 oz.), BADgal Bang! Volumizing Mascara, and a new & exclusive full size California Kissin’ ColorBalm Moisturizing Lip Balm in Pink Quartz 520 ( a natural shade that enchases your natural lip color). The set comes wrapped in a resealable tin and is a perfect gift for any young lady with a new interest in cosmetics!
7). Too Faced makes the list again with the limited edition Melted Liquid Lipsticks. Known for their seasonal scents this set includes 4 Christmas travel sized scents in limited edition Christmas shades. The formula is enriched with avocado oil, vitamin E, and hyaluronic filling. The festive scents are Carmel Apple (Carmel terracotta), Sugar Cookie (light neutral beige nude), Candy Cane (light vibrant cool-toned red), and Hot Teddy (deepened redwood). These minis are perfect to either give as a full gift, pop in your makeup bag for you Christmas vacation or hand out as individual gifts. The retail price is $25.00 for 4 minis.
8). With the winter months taking a toll on your skin a perfect gift is a limited edition body butter from The Body Shop. The scents this holiday are Winter Jasmine, Festive Berry, and Handpicked British Rose. Starting at $9.00 your skin and wallet or receiver will thank you!
9). This holiday Dr. Murad was not playing around. In the Best Face Forward set you can minimize the look and feel of dark spots and wrinkles all while rejuvenating your skin! This 4 piece set includes AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Trial Size (1.0 FL oz.) which works wonders, the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum (full size), the Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum (0.17 oz.) which helps improve hyperpigmentation and uneven tone. The set also includes a Nutrient-Charged Water Gel (0.5 oz.) which hydrates up to five days for extremely soft skin. This set retails at $89.00 with a value up to $129.00.
10). Last but never least NEST released their Holiday candle for 2020 which is perfect to light for a bath or any type of relaxation your plan on doing this holiday season. The Holiday Classic Candle has a blend of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, clove, cinnamon with a dash of vanilla and complementary amber. This candle retails at $45.00 for 8.1 oz. It’s also important to note it has 50-60 hours of burn time. And is a perfect touch to include in your holiday craze this year.
Those listed above is just some of the new Holiday 2020 launches in the beauty industry. As we get closer to the holiday’s more brands such as Jeffree Starr Cosmetics, Kylie Cosmetics, and Anastasia Beverly Hills will begin to release their extremely anticipated holiday launches which I’ll cover in some form once they launch.
Until next time,
Ellie-Kate