Monday, March 31, 2014

Anastasia Lavish Palette Review:


Anastasia Beverly Hills are widely known for their brow products, but recently they have been coming out with some awesome eyeshadow palettes! Here are my thoughts on this palette! 

So, recently the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lavish Eyeshadow Palette was put back into stock on the Anastasia website! This was such a desired palette during the holiday season, but after the holidays were over they took it off the website. 
They are now selling the left over palettes from the Holidays while supplies last! So if you are interested in this palette go get it now! 


 Anastasia is sold at Sephora as well as online at Anastasia.net but this palette is exclusively sold on the Anastasia website. 

Starting off, let's go over the colors you get in the palette..

Top Left -> Right

Cream- Light Pale Yellow-toned Matte Shadow 
Antique- Silver/Grey Metallic Sheen Shadow
Rum Cake- Rusty Copper Brown Metallic Sheen Shadow
Moss- Green Shadow with finely milled sparkle
Truffle- Brown Copper Shadow with finely milled sparkle

Bottom Left -> Right

Ballet- Light Pink shadow with white glitter
Orange Soda- Orange cream Matte Shadow
Sienna- Red/Brown Matte Shadow
Pink Sapphire- Pink/Purple Metallic Sheen Shadow
Black Diamond- Black shadow with gold glitter


Overall I think this is a great palette, but some of the shades I most likely will not use. I only wanted this palette for 5 of the shadows
(Rum Cake, Sienna, Orange Soda, Ballet & Cream) 

This is a great palette for almost ALL eye colors and skin tones!

I recently watched a tutorial on YouTube by Jaclyn Hill using these shadows and that is what really made me purchase this palette. This video shows how to get a great smokey eye, without using blacks or dark shadows!



Don't forget this is a limited time offer on Anastasia.net So don't miss out! If you do miss out I know that it is also being sold on Amazon, obviously for a more expensive price. 


Hope you enjoyed today's post!
Don't forget to SHARE and FOLLOW!

xoxo, Michelle

Friday, March 21, 2014

TMI: Get To Know Me!


Get to know me! Thought I would take it back to the MySpace days and do a question and answer post, just to give you a little info about myself!
Enjoy!




1: What are you wearing? 
Ripped Light Wash Jeans, PINK Half-Zip Grey sweater, ESSIE Fiji Polish 


2: Ever been in love? 
Currently <3

3: Ever had a terrible breakup? 
Ha! Who hasn't?

4: How tall are you? 
Just recently measured in at 5'4"!!! Finally grew an inch! So proud of myself!

5: What color are your eyes?
Brown/Hazel
6: Any tattoos? 
Yes! And I love it! I can't wait to get some more!

7: Any piercings?
Nose & Ears :)
8: OTP? 
Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert! DUH! <3 
Shout out to my Vampire Diaries Lovers!

9: Favorite show? 
Late Night staring Jimmy Fallon & Vampire Diaries

10: Favorite bands?
 This is such a hard question, I can't just pick one!
Anything Dubstep
Volbeat
Eminem
Rise Against
Aerosmith
Alice In Chains
Brantley Gilbert

11: Something you miss?
I really miss living close to my family

12: Favorite song?
Again, what a hard question! Current Favorites at the moment (this week) lol
Crave You
Howl
Dark Horse
Radioactive

13: How old are you?
20

14: Zodiac sign? 
Aquarius

15: Quality you look for in a partner? 
HUMOR! You have to be able to make me laugh, which isn't hard to do.

16: Favorite Quote? 
"All Flowers Must Grow Through Dirt"

17: Favorite actor?
Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Purcell <3 

18: Favorite color?
White!
19: Loud music or soft? 
Always Loud!

20: Where do you go when you're sad? 
I usually go to my bedroom and cool down

21: How long does it take you to shower? 
Usually around 15 minutes if I'm doing the FULL routine 

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 
Depending on how I am getting ready anywhere from 30mins. - 1 1/2 hrs.

23: Ever been in a physical fight? 
Does 6th grade count? haha.

24: Turn on?
Humor

25: Turn off? 
Immature/Rude/Bad Attitude

26: The reason I started Blogging? 
I really wanted to share my ideas and thoughts about things I love!

27: Fears? 
Oh, the usual: 
Spiders, Snakes, Roaches.
Being left out & being alone

28: Last thing that made you cry?
Leaving my family
29: Last time you said you loved someone?
This morning before my boy went to work
30: Meaning behind your Blog Name? 
Young Beauty and Lifestyle just kinda came to me. I really wanted my blog to be about things that I loved and wanted to share with others.

31: Last book you read? 
Last GOOD book I read was the Sylvia Day trilogy 
"Bared to You, Reflected in You &, Entwined in You"

32: The book you're currently reading?
Currently not reading one.
( I need to find a new book like 50 Shades of Grey, Bared to You, and Burn.. Any Suggestions?)

33: Last show you watched? 
The new episode of Vampire Diaries

34: Last person you talked to? 
Brodie, my boyfriend

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
Boyf!

36: Favorite food? 
Anything Pasta!!

37: Place you want to visit?
I would love to visit Mexico. I've been to a lot of different places, but never Mexico!

38: Last place you were? 
On Vacation the last place I was, Oregon!

39: Do you have a crush?
Of Course:) <3

40: Last time you kissed someone?
This morning

41: Last time you were insulted? 
To my face, not for a long time.

42: Favorite flavor of sweet? 
Mint Chocolate!!

43: What instruments do you play?? 
Well, I attempted to play guitar when I was younger but that didn't work soo... none :(

44: Favorite piece of jewelry?
Both of my Rings I wear everyday.
From my boyfriend-Pink Gold Cushion Cut Diamond 
From my Parents- 2 hearts Gold and Silver Diamond 

45: Last sport you played?
On a team: Varsity Softball
For Fun: Basketball
46: Last song you sang?
Lights- Ellie Goulding
47: Favorite chat up line?
On a scale from 1 to America, how free are you tonight?

48: Have you ever used it?
No, but it's hilarious. 

49: Last time you hung out with anyone? 
Last night! 


Hope you learned something about me!

xoxo, Michelle

Polish Pick for Spring!

ESSIE - FIJI

I normally don't go for light colors on my nails, but getting into the Spring spirit I decided to try something new. I love wearing black polish because it goes with everything, but in Spring time it's fun to wear some cute girly colors on your nails, right?!  


Seriously loving this pink color (FIJI) by ESSIE. It's a pale babydoll pink, it's almost as clean as white, but not as IN YO FACE! First of all, these light pastel colors will automatically make your hands look more tan. (who doesn't want that?) Second, the pigmentation and formula of this polish is AWESOME! Usually a light color like this, you have to do like 120 coats to make it fully opaque. This is like 1 and 1/2 coats. I say 1/2 because I didn't use a full second coat, I just added some polish where you could see through a little. 

Hope you enjoyed today's post
Don't forget to FOLLOW and SHARE

xoxo, Michelle

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Million Dollar Tan

Searching for that perfect tan without the rays? I've found it!

Sunless tanners are so essential in so many girls lives now, but I think a lot of girls are choosing the wrong ones. I used to be that girl. I've tried countless sunless tanners or gradual tanning lotions. Some worked fine, but never gave me the tan that I was looking for. Usually they were too orange or bronze. Drug store tanners are usually the culprit of these orange, Oompa Loompa tans. 


These are the things, directly from the website, that Million Dollar Tan Claims:


I completely agree with EVERY statement!


How I Apply:

  1. ALWAYS exfoliate in the shower before application. I recommend using a body scrub. I use one from Victoria's Secret, but any course chunky abrasive scrub will work. Even DIY Sugar scrubs!
  2. ALWAYS moisturize before application. I recommend this Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer. I use it every single time I tan. It's great because its a spray and non-greasy. << That's SO SO important.
  3. Use Gloves or a Tanning Mit. I prefer latex gloves, just because it is easier for me to rub in the product without streaking. The company sends a brush with the product when you order it, but I really don't prefer it. 
  4. Work in Small SECTIONS! This is super important. Don't just go crazy and spray your whole arm with the spray. It will dry before you can rub it all in and you will have a streaky area. On my arms and legs I work in 4ths. (Top of my forearm, then the bottom, then the top of my upper arm, Ect.)
  5. Let dry completely before putting on ANY Clothing. If I am just doing my arms, usually I just wear a bandeau top or an old tanktop while applying and for a while after. 
Helpful tips:

  • I ALWAYS tan past my wrist, up onto my hands. It helps make it look more natural and blend. BUT! DO NOT spray directly onto hands or feet!! That would be WAAAY to harsh. After I am done tanning everything, I take off my latex gloves and dry my hands. Using a cotton ball I spray a SMALL amount of product on the cotton ball and dab if on my hands and blend it out! This will really help make the transition from your dark arms to your hands nice and even and GRADUAL! 

  • Make sure you are moisturizing throughout the week! Keeping your skin moisturized is how you are going to make your tan last as long as possible. Using a light moisturizer!

  • My tan usually last for about a week, of course getting lighter everyday. 

I totally recommend this product to ANY ONE! There are a lot of different options on the website and there is something for everyone! I'm probably forgetting to mention a ton of stuff, but I'm being rushed by my boyfriend to leave for vacation. lol 

If you have any questions, please leave them below or on my Instagram and I'll answer them! 


Hope you enjoyed today's post
Don't forget to SHARE and FOLLOW

xoxo, Michelle


Monday, March 10, 2014

PAINTED MASON JAR DIY:

I've done a couple posts like this before, but just recently I did a new DIY with mason jars. I always have a bunch of different sizes and styles of mason jars laying around, from all the canning my family does.

I saw on ETSY these painted and distressed mason jars and thought, why pay money for something I can make myself?



These are SUPER easy to make, they just take a little time and effort. These are just a few of the different ones I painted and decorated.

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:
  • Mason Jars
  • Sand paper
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Paint Brushes 
  • Personal Preference Decor Items



MASON JAR VASE:

  1. Make sure your mason jar is CLEAN and then using the sand paper scratch up the glass a little bit, so the paint will stick better.
  2. Choose your paint color.
  3. Paint 1 thin coat of paint all over the jar, let dry
  4. Paint 2nd coat, let dry. (repeat until desired opacity) 
  5. After completely dry, if you want a "distressed" look use sand paper to scratch off some of the paint. 
  6. I added twine around the top of the jar, just using a glue gun. 
  7. Add your flowers:) (real or fake) 


GOLD STACKING MASON JARS:

  1. Make sure your mason jar is CLEAN and then using the sand paper scratch up the glass a little bit, so the paint will stick better.
  2. Choose your paint color.
  3. Paint 1 thin coat of paint all over the jar, let dry
  4. Paint 2nd coat, let dry. (repeat until desired opacity)
  5. STACK!

MAKEUP BRUSH CANDLE JAR HOLDER:

  1. Make sure your mason jar is CLEAN and then using the sand paper scratch up the glass a little bit, so the paint will stick better.
  2. Choose your paint color. I used silver, with sparkle paint over the top.
  3. Paint 1 thin coat of paint all over the jar, let dry
  4. Paint 2nd coat, let dry. (repeat until desired opacity)
  5. Add decor, I used dried star fish I got from "REAL DEALS ON HOME DECOR" in a pack of like 8?
Hope you try some of these out!


Hope you enjoyed today's post!
Don't forget to SHARE and FOLLOW

xoxo, Michelle

Quick Tip:

So, today was cleaning day for me. My house is always really clean, but before going on a vacation I HAVE to have the house really really spotless clean. Or a "DEEP CLEAN" 
The other day, I was cleaning a mirror and asked my boyfriend if he knew how to clean a glass mirror without making it streaky. Of course he said no, but that got me thinking, I bet a lot of people don't know how to CORRECTLY clean a mirror..

A lot of people tend to clean a mirror with store bought cleaning agents, like Windex or 409.. WRONG! 

All you need is 2 rags!! One needs to be wet with HOT HOT water, and the other dry. 


No matter how dirty your mirror is, this trick WILL clean it! It will end up being streak, grime, and toothpaste splatter FREE!! 

INSTRUCTIONS TIPS:

1. Work in sections if your mirror is as big as ours ^^

2. Wipe in circular motions with the HOT wet cloth, then follow it up with the dry.

3. Make sure every section you are re-wetting your cloth with HOT water.

4. Don't worry if your dry cloth doesn't dry up all the water, it will dry in a few seconds to a streak free shine!


A clean mirror makes a HUGE difference in any bathroom!


Hope you enjoyed today's little post!
Don't forget to FOLLOW and SHARE!

xoxo, Michelle

Friday, March 7, 2014

Stylin' Locks.

Hair is super important to me. I've always been known for having really healthy long hair, and I really take pride in trying to keep my hair in great condition. I love trying new products so that's why I only have 2 STAPLE hair products/styling tools. Keeping your hair healthy is really important and it all starts with washing and conditioning of course, but a lot of people forget how important after care is! After you get done washing, your hair is at its most vulnerable. Most people go straight to styling, either with hot tools, or just throwing it up wet with an elastic. PLEASE DON'T!!


Immediately after I get out of the shower I cover ALL my hair with the "I'ts a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product"  mostly focusing it from mid-shaft to ends of my hair. Without combing through yet, I twist my hair up in my towel and get dressed (usually about 10 minutes) Then I comb through my hair and let it air dry while I do my makeup.
 I have a dry scalp lately so I do spray it around my roots as well, but if you have oily hair I would recommend staying away from your roots with this.  This is my HOLY GRAIL product. I've been using this for over 3 years and I will never stop. That's a promise! 
The product claims it does 10 different things, but here are the ones that I really notice this product doing to my hair:

- Repairs Dry, Damaged Hair
- Adds Shine
- Detangles 
- Stops Hair Breakage 
- Creates Silkyness
- Thermal Protection




I ALWAYS let my hair air dry while I get ready. Usually it is about 70% dry before I start using my "NUME Classic Ionic Dryer"  My hair is very thick and straight, so all I have to do is dry my hair using a flat paddle brush and it comes out straight. Which is great because using a dryer AND a Flat Iron on your hair is REALLY REALLY hard on your hair. Also, always make sure you are using a thermal protectant on your hair anytime you are styling your hair. I love this NUME dryer. I highly recommend ALL NUME products but this dryer in particular.
Here's what NUME says about this dryer:

"Less heat means healthier hair. NuMe’s revolutionary Ionic Hair Dryer is proven to prevent frizz with Negative ion Technology while restoring health and locking in moisture in 40% less time than a conventional dryer."

I completely agree with this statement and really noticed a difference in my hair since I've been using this dryer. I've had this dryer for over 2 years, and it is still in perfect condition. They are pretty expensive but there are TONS of coupon codes that literally cut the price IN HALF! I think I got mine for like $80.00 instead of $179.00? A lot of YouTube gurus, like Casey Holmes and Jaclyn Hill have coupon codes for NUME, so go check out their channels on YouTube. 

These photos weren't taken that far apart. As you can tell I had VERY blonde hair and went to a pretty dark brown. There was no damage on my hair and it's because of the way I take care of my hair. I had bleach blonde hair for many many years and never had major damage. 


Some mistakes I see a lot of girls making are:

Using very TIGHT elastics to tie up hair: I used to do this all the time until I realized that it was BREAKING my hair. When you're using a really tight elastic, whether your hair is wet or dry, it will create friction on your hair and break those pieces off where your band is. That's why many girls experience breakage throughout the mid-shaft of their hair, as well as a "dent" in their hair after releasing the hair from the elastic. 

Not using a heat protectant: This is super important if you are someone who blow dries your hair and then uses a flat iron or curling iron on your hair. Using that much heat on your hair without protectant is the MAIN source of damage. Your hair shaft is being opened up and burned. Causing breakage, split ends & fallout. 

Using a Brush on wet hair: PLEASE don't use a brush on wet hair! When your hair is wet its has a lot of elasticity, so when you're using a brush you are pulling it to the max and then snapping it off or stretching it out. By using a wide tooth comb you can detangle as well as save your hair from being stretched! 


Hope you enjoyed today's post
Don't forget to SHARE and FOLLOW

xoxo, Michelle