I tried this pretty pink combination randomly when I wanted a touch of holiday sparkle on my nails without using the typical shades of the season. As you probably already know from my Holiday Sunset fashion post, peachy pink and blue are two of my favorite 'paired together' colors. I had this on my nails for Thanksgiving, and I thought it was a little out of the ordinary with a fun yet subtle effect. To achieve this look, I used one thin layer of each polish topped with a Beauty Secrets nail hardener for a shiny finish.

China Glaze Afterglow is a unique duochrome color with a pink to blue shift. It applies quite sheer even when layered, and has a milky yet reflective finish. I love it's iridescence which I'm sure will look awesome on top of many other shades of polish.

Revlon Sparkling is a chunky medium pink glitter polish with a mix of small circular sparkles and bigger polygonal ones. If you apply several layers it can become opaque, however for this look I did one even swipe to allow the polish underneath to show through.




What do you like to wear on your nails for the holidays?

Finding the right combination of products to suit my skin has been a battle from the time when my pubescent hormones kicked in to the present day. From the Proactiv line to expensive facials and potent medications from a dermatologist, I sometimes feel like I have tried it all. For most, the secret is simply trial and error; but after you discover what works for you then all the effort and frustration will be ultimately worth it.

I learned a lot from aesthetics school about the importance of proper care for the skin. The skin is the largest organ, and must be cared for and protected as much if not more than other parts of the body. Although some women get by with some olive oil and a jar of Vaseline, a routine of products is an investment that will make us look younger longer and overall more healthy.

As winter approaches, the colder weather means extra moisturizer since the skin tends to be more dry and dull than usual. All of these products I currently use can be found in the drugstore for decently affordable prices. Besides the weekly facial mask, I find this combination helps keep a balance of moisture and just enough dryness that clears up my acne without stripping my skin.

For reference, I have Type 2 (Caucasian that burns in the sun) combination/oily skin with large pores prone to cystic breakouts and blackheads.

L'Oreal Skin Expertise Go 360 Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser
Right now I am back to using this cleanser because, well, it works. It foams up nicely and even removes face makeup relatively easily. The formula is super gentle and despite the acne ingredients it contains it doesn't ever dry out my skin. After I cleanse my face with this, I take a hot wash cloth and gently remove it. I will then take a cotton pad soaked with some Dickenson's Witch Hazel as a toner to completely clean my face and close up pores.

St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Moisturizer

This huge tub of moisturizer has quickly become my new favorite for this time of year. I was searching for something comparable to Philosophy's Hope in a Jar which was out of my budget to continue to repurchase. The texture is similar, as well as the effect it has on the skin. It absorbs very well and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. I use this daily after I cleanse as a morning face and neck moisturizer.

Pond's Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Cream
I use this travel size cream at night for the ultimate winter hydration. On different areas all over my face there is hyperpigmentation and dark spots due to acne scarring, so I think of this product as more of a treatment for that. I've only been using it for 2 weeks now, however I have noticed my skin looks a bit more even than before. The thick texture really gives that extra boost of moisture I need, and when I wake up in the morning my face looks bright and fresh.




Coppertone Sensitive Skin Faces SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
This is my favorite facial sunscreen I've tried that won't clog my pores or flake off underneath makeup. It is a thick, white colored formula that includes zinc oxide, which is a gentle ingredient used in baby sun protection products. It will lighten your skin because of the opacity so it is important to blend well to prevent looking like a ghost. I use this product more in the summertime, however I choose it in lieu of the St.Ives moisturizer when I know I will be outside often throughout the day.

Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream
Although my eyes don't really need any real treatment quite yet, prevention is the key to anti-aging. I love the creamy, luxurious feeling of this product and how it instantly smooths out my under eye area. I apply this each night as well on the mornings where I know I will be wearing makeup. I find that it makes my concealer look better and causes less settling of makeup into fine lines.

Clearasil Ultra Acne+Marks Spot Lotion
My unfortunate hormonal acne appears once a month to torture me, but this treatment helps to dry up any spots quickly. I didn't notice any lightening while using this like the claim, but I use the Pond's cream for that purpose. My skin is very sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, so salicylic acid is my go to for gentle and effective exfoliation. I use this on individual spots, or some nights as an all over treatment on top of my moisturizer when my skin breaks out.


What are your favorite products in your winter skincare routine?

I wish I didn't have to say things like this, but please only enter and follow me if you are genuinely interested in my blog. All of those who unfollow immediately after the giveaway ends or after the winner is announced will be banned from any future giveaways.

I find it not only disrespectful, but it is also very unfair to my loyal readers and friends who do take the time to support me. That being said, I thank you all so much who truly enjoy to be a part of my blog, and I am so happy to have you here. If you haven't yet entered, you can do so in the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope my American beauties had a great Thanksgiving holiday, and that everyone will enjoy a peaceful weekend. I appreciate you all very much, and thank you again for supporting Boho Vanity.

Today, I am thankful for...
My blog friends and followers,
My best dog friend Daisy,
My family,
The love of my life Ryan,
And life itself.


Happy Thanksgiving

Hey blogettes! Due to having a much needed peaceful weekend consisting of junk food and some Nintendo video games, I decided to do this short and sweet post about some of my favorite and newly discovered blogs. These are women who put so much effort into their posts, and I think they deserve way more followers then they have. I hold a special place in my heart for bloggers whose hard work and passion shines through their photographs and words.

I wanted to share these certain few with you all in hopes that you will love them as much as I do!

Call Me Chim - I stumbled upon Chim's blog a few months ago, and since then I check it out each time she updates. She is an amazing artist with a funky style I only wish I could pull off. Working in the industry, she gives her readers peeks behind the scenes of beauty and fashion shoots. Chim is so talented at what she does, and I believe she will be a big name someday.

sleep and water - My latest favorite, this blog is my go to for clear and detailed reviews. Here you will find high quality photographs to get the best views of products and swatches. I look forward to getting to know the writer more through her future posts.

Haute Doll - I've loved Lily's blog for awhile now, and she never fails to crack me up with her funny tweets each day. Her unique personality and style as well as gorgeous, large blog photos always makes me excited to go see what she is up to.

noire dame - Lau is one of my best blog friends I've "met" so far on this journey. Not only is she so sweet and kind to talk to, but her makeup tips always impress me. She is an artist with a different take on beauty that makes her stand out from the crowd. If you are interested in anime, definitely check her out.

Hippie Lace - Emmett is one of my favorite fashion bloggers; her vintage inspired wardrobe makes me so envious! I love her bohemian style as well as posts about what else is going on in her fabulous life. She now has a baby on the way, and I'm hoping she shares all the little outfits that I'm sure will be bursting with "cuteness". Congrats, hun!

Color Crush - Sam is a creative and versatile blogger who shares DIY tutorials and well written posts that will keep you scrolling through endless pages of her site. I love her writing style, and I can always expect something fun to read.

I Heart Makeup - One of my favorite blogs to go to for eye makeup inspiration, Shannyn is a super nice person and also a talented makeup artist. She knows how to wear bright colors while still looking balanced and put together. If you like all things rainbow and sparkle then you will love her blog!


Who are your favorite bloggers who deserve more followers?

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in #07 Dark Berry [review]

How do you wear a dark lip?

A few weeks ago while I was on the hunt for the ultimate Autumn lip color, I swatched this product inside my local Sephora and ending up making a purchase. It is the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in the color 07 Dark Berry. On the website, it is described as a "satin blackberry wine" shade. In the tube, it appears as a warm burgundy with micro shimmers of the same color. On the lips it dries to a beautiful deep berry shade with reflective shimmers that looks more plum and cool toned.

Formula

This is one of the most moisturizing lip stains I have ever tried. The cream formula contains avocado oil that hydrates the lips and goes on smoothly.  I found the texture to be silky at first, then it dries to a slightly tacky finish. The doe foot applicator applies the perfect amount of product, and for such a dark color it is almost effortless to get a clean line around the edge.
After a short while the lip stain sunk into my lips, leaving them looking plump and soft with a multidimensional, almost metallic finish. During several hours of wear, there was no fading except for the inner part of the lip after I had eaten lunch and drank from a coffee cup. I was so impressed that the color did not bleed, and when I accidentally smudged it out of place while applying it was easy to clean up with a bit of concealer.

Compared to the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, the formula of the Sephora Cream Lip Stain is more heavy and luxurious feeling. It settles into the lips better without leaving any unsightly cracks or flakes. It also lasts a lot longer, but is a bit harder to remove. I do prefer the shade range of the NYX stains, and also the lower price. A lighter, more wearable stain like the NYX would be perfect for daily wear or with a more subtle look, while the Sephora stain is more dramatic and bold and for that type of look.

Apply
I first used the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub to make sure all the dead skin was removed from my lips. I then coated them in a thin layer of Vaseline for a bit of extra hydration while I did the rest of my makeup. Once most of it had absorbed, I went straight to the lips with the stain and applied one even layer all around. I had an easy time with the doe foot applicator as it helped me create an even line around my lips. I went around again once with a bit of concealer and a thin brush to make sure the edges were clean and also to prevent any bleeding. To remove it, I took a Q-tip dipped in eye makeup remover and rolled that over my lips. It took a little while to take off, however this is due to it's slightly sticky, long wearing formula.

Find

I picked up the lip stain in store, but they are also available for purchase at Sephora.com. The product costs $12 and is .17 ounces.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a bold lip stain that won't dry out the lips, the Sephora Collection is worth a try. I have fallen in love with the formula and the finish, and Dark Berry has surely become my new favorite for the season.

I was thinking about doing a makeup tutorial on how I wear this color, if you are interested in seeing that then let me know.

Hi Beauties!

Fixing my poor internet connection has been consuming most of my time lately, so I thought it would be fun to do this tag I've seen floating around the beauty community for awhile. I recently read the tag on the Makeup By Hilary blog, and it sparked my interest to see how much my makeup routine would total to be. Check her out if you haven't yet; her eye makeup looks are so beautiful and she is a really talented blogger!

Okay, so here it goes.

Face

Olay Oil Minimizing Toner $4.99

Pond's Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Cream $1.99

Say Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel $14.99

Sephora Anti-Shine Primer $5.99

Maybelline Super Stay 24HR Foundation $9.99

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer $6.99

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer $7.99

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder $36

NYX Blush in Taupe $4.50

Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Luster $20

Hard Candy Fox in a Box Blush in Smooth Talker $6

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer in Kitten Shimmer $20

Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion $20

MAC Paint Pot in Vintage Selection $18.50

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment $2.99

Wet n Wild Color Icon Single Eyeshadow in Nutty $1.99

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette $36

Smashbox Metallic Cream Eye Liner Palette $32

Too Faced Lava Gloss Eyeliner $16.50

Too Faced LashGASM Mascara $21

Lips

Vaseline $2

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose $5.50

Tarte Lip Gloss $20

Total

$315.91

That number is definitely a little frightening, and it makes me wonder how much my entire collection would total to be. I think I will keep that number a secret though and just make sure to use up every ounce of makeup I own. Nobody ever said being a beauty lover would be cheap!


If you did this tag already, how much is your face worth?