Review: Soleil Tan de Chanel!

A few weeks back, I totally splurged and bought my FIRST ever true "LUXURY" makeup item...and it was the Soleil Tan de Chanel! 

 

I have been eyeing this item for months now.  I've seen it all over YouTube and it has the best reviews.  However! At the $50 price tag I was a little hesitant, because, was it worth it?!  But a few weeks ago I decided to just go for it, and I'm sooo happy I did!

 

HERE is what it what it looks like:

 

 

This is a cream bronzer (the first cream bronzer I've tried in fact).  It's kind of a moose?  But it almost dries to a powder...it's not cakey at all, and I think the color is perfect for almost anyone.  It can be easily built up, and you don't need much at all to get a great look.  I've find that the best brush to use is a flat angled kabuki, but I've seen some people use a stippling brush too (I tried, it was ok, the the flat angled kabuki was way better in my opinion).

 

And GUYS.  I have to say, I AM TOTALLY OBSESSED WITH THIS STUFF.  It looks SOOO natural.  I feel like it's perfect for summer, because it's not cakey or powdery at ALL.  I have tried sooo many products, and I can honestly say I have never tried anything else like this.  I LITERALLY can't stop using it.

 

So the verdict IS: this is 100% worth the splurge!!!

 

Clearly - I am feeling it.

 



Collective Makeup Haul

SO! Wet n Wild is on sale at Rite Aid last week for 40% off!  I went in to get a card for a bridal shower, and when I saw that little deal I just couldn't pass it up.  I LOVE getting crazy colors of lipstick and eyeshadow in more affordable brands, because if it looks awful, who cares I only spent a dollar!  ALSO - Their megalast nail polish is really awesome!  They have so many cute colors, they last a long time AND they are only like $1.99? I also got a tinted Burts Bees chapstick at the checkout because my lips were chapped anddddddd its my favorite :)

NEXT I found some good stuff on one my fave websites to score some deals, All Cosmetics Wholesale! They were doing a 40% flash sale, so I scooped up some Cover FX powder, Benefit Cream Shadow, Victoria Secret Blush and a Mac Lipstick!  I got these 3 things for like $20 - a fraction of what I would have spent regularly priced!

Lastly! I picked up some treats for my friends birthday at Ulta  I got her a cute little Too Faced Starter Kit and a Melted Liquid Lipstick.  I love giving little kits like that as gifts, because I figure someone can try a few little things to see if they like them :)

AND YOU KNOW I couldn't leave Ulta without something for myself! I was almost out of my
Rosewater spray so I grabbed some more.  I LOVE this stuff.  It smells sooo good, and it's so smoothing and hydrating.  I use it before makeup to wake up my face, after makeup to set, before bed to hydrate.  I can't get enough, it seriously makes my face feel sooo good.  And THEN I have been eying this Bare Minerals Lipstick Set for a few months now, so I grabbed this too.  It was only $15 and you get 3 really pretty nude lipsticks, that I think would look good on anyone.  They are smaller than a normal lipstick, but also not too mini! So perfect for your purse etc.

My To-Go Makeup Survival Kit

SO when I went camping this past weekend I just grabbed my "Makeup Survival Kit" from my purse.  This is a tiny little makeup bag I keep in my purse at all times, JUST in case!

 

The contents include:

 

 

A mini mascara and eyeliner.  I feel like if I were stranded on a dessert island (or the woods for that matter) I DEF need mascara! So I am ALWAYS sure to have some with me at all times.  These are some mini Smashbox ones I got in a sample kit of sorts.

 

Next is some concealer/yellow powder.  I usually have OK skin, but my under eyes can def get dark (you feel me on that one ladies?) so I always carry some brightening product with me.  I currently have a Maybelline Instant Age rewind and YBF yellow powder. 

 

I also have a few cheap mini brushes I got at the checkout of Forever 21 or something.  Anything will do, so long as it's small.

 

And lastly I have my Too Faced Glamour To Go.  I'm not sure if these still make these, but these little all in one sets are awesome.

 

 

This one is really small (about the size of a credit card) and has 2 different slide out compartments, one for eyeshadow and one for blush, lipgloss and bronzer.  It's so tiny and literally all you need for either a touch up or a full face.  I love it! You can probably still find this exact one on Amazon.  BUT I also have the Tarte Rainforest After Dark which is pretty similar and also awesome.  The Naked on the Run would be a good one too!

 

(I also have a mini toothbrush and toothpaste in this bag at all times, which are not shown here)

 

AND while I def did not go all out glam over the weekend, I had just enough so I didn't look like a total zombie. :)

 

 



Surviving Camping! Canoeing 34 Miles in the Rain

This weekend I did a very long trek in Maine.  It was super fun, however super challenging! We did 34 miles of canoeing in a weekend, plus it legit rained every single day.  BUT I survived! The scenery was sooo beautiful AND I saw a true wild moose and a waterfall :) So it was def worth it.

 

This is the trip we did and where we camped out:

 

 

This was DEF the most rugged camping trip I have ever been on.  I've been camping a million times, but I always have had a little shower/bathroom facility near by.  This was completely off the grid, no showers, bathrooms, electricity, etc.  And I am DEF no expert! But here's my take on how to make the trip a good one.

 

 

I realized it super important to pack smart! Obviously everyone knows about the basics like a lighter, cooking stuff, a good tent and a good sleeping bag (especially if it rains). 

 

It's SO IMPORTANT to be prepared for ALL weather! Even if the forecast SAYS 80s and sunny, be prepared for a downpour.  Often times in the summer, there can be a quick passing thunderstorm.  Those 15 minutes of rain can completely soak your stuff, making the rest if your trip kinda miz! So in addition to a good tent, you def need to have weather ready clothes.  DEF no jeans or cotton sweatshirts, because they take forever to dry.  Light/quick drying material are a total must (all the sportswear stuff I brought was good, like spandex leggings, gym shirts etc).  And don't forget your rain coat!

 

Also good shoes are a must! Flip flops and traditional sneakers might not cut it.  You def need quick drying shoes, and something that can keep your feet protected from tree roots, twigs, bugs etc.

 

Also easy but filling snacks are a must!  If you don't have a constant source of ice, etc. then you need stuff that doesn't really need to be too cold.  We brought:  trail mix, hummus, pita, crackers, peanut butter, cheese, canned soup, apples, baby carrots, bananas, instant oatmeal & I don't eat meat but also pepperoni & beef jerky. 

 

Lastly this is super random BUT a little headlamp is so handy! I know it looks so funny, but Nils got me one for Christmas and I sorta love it.  It's awesome being able to be hands free to do whatever you need to (ex: setting up a tent in the dark, collecting firewood, etc).

 

AND the most important thing is obviously to have fun and be open minded :) You can't control mother nature or the elements, so just try and roll with whatever comes your way!

 

 

 



Weekly OBSESSIONS

 

 

SO I know I am a broken record, but I literally can't stop using this product!  It's SOO easy to use, crazy thin, jet black and does a winged liner to perfection.  I have to force myself to use something different in my collection, and seriously nothing else compares (although the Jordana Fabuliner from Walgreens is awesome, the point is thicker so it's just different).  IF you love black liquid liner as much as I do, you have to try this!

 

ALSO lately I have been loving my leopard flats.  I got mine at Target for like 15 bucks.  I don't know why I never realized it before, but leopard is kind of a neutral! You can almost wear these with anything and it looks cute (plus adds a little spice...roar).

 

LASTLY this has to be my most obsessed item this week.  It IS Paper Towns on audible (they also have this for free on YouTube, but I'm not sure if that's entirely legal so I'm not "recommending" it, but ya know...wink wink?).  ANYWHO I am approx 5 hours in and I can't get enough. WHERE is Margo Roth Spiegelman?! WILL Quentin ever find her??!?! I just can't. 

(Side note: I listen to audiobooks ALL the time during my commute.  It actually makes the drive fun.  Like I actually don't mind traffic as much, because at least I get to listen to my book? Try it!)

Glowing GREEN Juice!

This morning I decided to start my day with a GREEN juice!  Yes it looks totally weird, but I promise it's not! 

 

My juice contained:

1 bunch kale

1 green apple

1/2 lemon (including peel)

1 cucumber

 

Whenever I make juices, I try to incorporate "juicy" stuff so it goes through the juicer easier.  The kale is sort of dry, so doing a cucumber right after the kale seems to make the juicing process easier!

 

I LOVED starting my day with this juice! It's super healthy and def gave me a BOOST.  It honestly sorta just tastes like lemons.  Even Nils liked it! (Unless he was just humoring me...ha).

 



Beach and Champs

Saturday was a tad on the overcast side, however a wise woman once said that champs is important at all times - so I decided to take her advice ;)

 

A little mimosa action on the beach is possibly the best start to any Saturday.

 

 

ESPECIALLY when you're with this babe!

 

 

We did all the fun stuff we could find! 

 

We found this guy who played fun covers of classic rock songs (and he even did a little serenade to Laura - oo la laaa)

 

 

And we may or may not have partook in a little gambling...

 

 

The day ended with this amazingggggg lobster roll (I mean, look at that thing)!

 

 

Sunday I went to my friends housewarming party, where the beach and champs theme just continued...

 

 

...and I definitely wasn't complaining about it ;)

 

 

I LOVE spending time with my besties so clearly this was one of the best weekends I could ask for.

 

Hope yours was filled with lots of fun (and obviously lots of champs).