Talk About Skin Care - Rooted Beauty

I'm always willing to splash out a little extra cash for skincare because skin is important and we need to protect it for an entire lifetime but as more and more consumers start caring about what ingredients are in their personal care products and as green beauty becomes more mainstream we are starting to see highly effective and affordable products popping up all over the market.

Rooted Beauty has a line of high quality and healthy products as well as an awesome cause and platform. Through their Woman2Woman Project each Rooted Beauty product helps a specific woman escape extreme poverty and trafficking. This project helps women all over the world become self-sufficient and allows each woman to ensure long-term stability and freedom. Once a project has been fully funded they select a new woman to sponsor, as part of a continuous cycle. You can actually learn about the women and their personal goals by clicking here.

Rooted Beauty products are free from any toxic chemicals and are instead created using all natural ingredients that are beneficial and completely safe for the skin and the planet. In addition, their products are cruelty free and housed in an Eco-Squeeze Tube that is made from 35% PCR and is completely recyclable. Oh, and if you avoid Gluten you're in luck because their entire range is 100% Gluten Free!

I selected two of their facial care products, the Hydrating Mango Passion Facial Cleanser and the Calming Kiwi Melon Facial Scrub, to test out and I've fallen in love with the entire experience of Rooted Beauty. To begin with, the tubes are absolutely lovely with bold, fun coloring. They are also really generously sized and each has a price tag of under $10, making these products an incredible value.



The Hydrating Mango Passion Facial Cleanser smells lightly fruity and fresh. This cleanser is packed with powerhouse antioxidants like Thanaka Root, a powerful ingredient that comes from the root or bark of a Wood Apple Tree that helps protect and hydrate skin, Passionfruit, which helps firm and tighten the skin, and Mango, which is very moisturizing. This cleanser is extremely gentle but leaves the skin feeling hydrated, refreshed, and cleansed without stripping the skin or interrupting the natural balance of healthy moisture. It lathers nicely and leaves my skin feeling so clean and clear.



The Calming Kiwi Melon Facial Scrub is an extremely gentle scrub that can be used daily or as frequently as you would like. It keeps pores clean while calming skin that is easily irritated. This product packs a big time skin renewing punch thanks to Goji Berry while Kiwi and Melon calm and soothe. It leaves my skin looking and feeling fresh, instead of feeling itchy or irritated and never leaves my skin looking red like some scrubs can. Like the cleanser, this scrub also has a beautiful fresh and fruity scent.

Rooted Beauty is a company with a vision and a beautiful mission to inspire women around the world and keep our bodies and the planet healthy. You can learn more about Rooted Beauty by visiting their website. You can also check out their full range of products here. You can also connect with Rooted Beauty on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Whole Foods Travel Bag GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

I don't live anywhere near a Whole Foods, which is kind of sad but is ultimately a good thing for my bank account, but my parents were in Portland during my Dad's Bone Marrow Transplant and my Mom managed to snag a couple of these awesome travel bags that have a retail value of $40. I had her get one for me and I, of course, couldn't forget about you guys so she grabbed one for you as well.

I'm going to open this up to all of you, whether you're located in the US or somewhere super exotic that I've never even heard of. However, if you're an International reader and you happen to be the lucky winner I'm going to remove the nail polish from your prize. If you're in the US you'll get everything featured in the pictures.

Without further ado, to enter the giveaway give this post a like and use the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. There is only one mandatory entry and after that you can do as many or as few of the options as you wish. All entries will be verified. Good luck!

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Talk About It - Chloe + Isabel (+GIVEAWAY - CLOSED)

A little while ago on the Beautiful Basics Facebook page I asked you all if you would be interested in seeing posts about things other than beauty. The majority of you said you would love to see some fashion and style posts so today we're trying something new and talking about jewelry.

I've been watching Royal Pains on Netflix and the two leading ladies wear the most spectacular and drool worthy necklaces, as well as other jewelry. Anyone else watch Royal Pains? It's great! You should check it out. Anyway, my adoration of the stunning statement necklaces that Divya and Paige wear helped lead me to Chloe + Isabel. I'm seriously, ridiculously obsessed with the product line. I have a few pieces and absolutely love each and every one of them. The quality is impressive, and even comes with a lifetime guarantee, and the pieces are gorgeous. They feature a vast array of jewelry and there is something for everyone, whether you prefer trendy pieces or classics.

I'm hosting a Pop Up through Victoria Mast and if you're interested you can get some really awesome deals and also enter a giveaway at the bottom of this post. Before that though, I want to share a little more about Chloe + Isabel with you.

Chloe + Isabel was founded by a woman named Chantel Waterbury after a 15-year career in jewelry design, development, and merchandising at corporations like Target, Macy's, Gap and brands like Kenneth Cole, Cartier, and Tiffany. With the economy in a not very good place she wondered how she could use her experience and skill set to make a difference in the lives of young women which is how Chloe + Isabel was born. It is a brand that can allow any woman to be an entrepreneur.

Victoria, for example, is a Chloe +Isabel Merchandiser but she is also an actress. Here is her bio from her boutique page: "As a struggling actress, any roles I am cast in at this point are unpaid, so I needed a way to fund my career. Haha! Don't hear that too often! C+I had been a blessing, helping me pay my bills & allowing me to follow my dreams. Since C+I allows me to make my own hours, I can still audition, film, attend classes & work my other jobs. Thank you for all your support! Merci!"

I think the Deco Fanfare Statement Pendant Necklace is one of my favorite necklaces of all time. I love mixed metals and it's such a statement without being too over the top. It's a heavy piece but not in an uncomfortable way. I have gotten so many compliments while wearing it. I like to wear it with a simple, solid v-neck t-shirt and jeans but you can easily dress it up. I can't recommend it enough.



As a lot of you know I am very ill. Part of my illness is that my fingers swell and I can't wear rings. I have the Lunette Open Band Ring and the open design allows me to wear it pain free. I really enjoy it and I feel like it adds a little something special to any outfit.



When bracelet stacking became so popular I was so excited because I love the look of multiple bracelets. It's such a fun way to express yourself. I love how easy this Bead + Chain Multi-Wrap Bracelet is to wear. It's incredibly comfortable as well, which is super important. This bracelet is essentially me in bracelet form. They have many different colors so you're bound to find one you love. You can also wear it as a necklace, which is just as fun!



These Pearl + Crystal Floral Filigree Earrings are so pretty! I can never get over how gorgeous they are. They're not uncomfortable and they don't drag my ears down at all.



Victoria is offering some really awesome deals just for you Beauties if you shop through this link!
Every new customer order gets free round studs (and if you want your specific birthstone you can message her on her Facebook page with your order number and let her know which one you want)
Orders of $100+ get free shipping
Orders of $150+ get a charm or 2 birthstone rings (you can message her about your preference)
And she usually sends freebies for new customers!

If you want to know which pieces are on my wish list I'm really loving the Bora Bora Short Pendant Necklace, Silver and Navy Bead + Chain Multi-Wrap Bracelet, and the Morningtide Convertible Collar Necklace.

If you want to shop and pick up a piece or two (or three or four!) use this link. It should automatically put you into my Pop Up but if it doesn't please select my name, Kassie Harris, from the drop down menu. You can also find Victoria on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

She is also doing a giveaway for you and I'm so excited about it because the set is amazing! If you enter the giveaway you can possibly win a Lunette Set, which includes the Oval Drop Earrings, Stackable Cuff Bracelet Set and Convertible Pendant Necklace. How gorgeous are these?



If you want to enter the giveaway, please use the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. There is only one mandatory entry. You can do as many or as few of the options as you would like. Good luck!


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NOW Solutions Giveaway!!! (CLOSED)

Hello there Beautiful! Remember the post I uploaded last week sharing my thoughts on NOW Solutions? Well, if you're in the US and you're interested in trying everything I received I'm giving you all the opportunity to enter to win your own box full of goodies.

If you missed my review or want a refresher on what you can win you can check out my post by clicking here.



If you're interested in winning all of these natural goodies you can use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. All entries will be verified. This one is only open to those of you in the US. Good luck!

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Talk About It - NOW Solutions

Whether you're new to natural beauty or you've been enjoying the spoils of the natural beauty aisles for a while now, you're probably somewhat familiar with NOW Solutions. I was contacted by the company and offered the chance to feature them on Beautiful Basics. NOW Solutions is a family owned company that has been creating and selling cruelty free personal care products made with only pure ingredients since 1968. Their products are high quality, affordable, and accessible! They have a fantastic selection of products you can use to stock your beauty pantry with, like essential oils and carrier oils, or ready to use formulas, like cleansers and moisturizers.

I think the products from their line that stand out most for someone like me, who likes DIY beauty, is what I like to call the beauty pantry staples. These are the products that you can use to produce your own beauty creations that every green goddess needs in her arsenal.



They have so many essential oils, organic and not, to choose from. Peppermint is my absolute all-time favorite essential so I obviously had to try the NOW version and I also selected 3 more of my favorites to test out. I went for the Certified Organic Essential Oils and I'm so pleased with them, with the exception of the Lavender – more on that in a sec. The Peppermint is such a beautiful and true essential oil. I'm in love with it. I'm a migraineur so I'm always appreciative of a good peppermint and this one is pleasant, perfect, and refreshing. The Tea Tree is your typical Tea Tree and the Orange is light and fresh, my Mom's favorite! I'm not really sure why I don't like the Lavender but it smells like artificial lavender to my oversensitive sniffer. Maybe I just don't like Lavender Essential Oil? I've always used another well-known brands essentials oils but these are far superior and I highly recommend them. I also love the bottles and simple but pretty labels.

Next on the agenda is the rest of the DIY lineup including a humectant, carrier oils, and clay. You can mix and match these oils to your hearts content to come up with the perfect ration for you and your skin type. I've been experimenting with Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, and Organic Argan Oil. All of NOW's oils that I just mentioned, with the exception of the Organic Argan Oil which comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper, are housed in clear bottles that contains UV light protection. They are all expeller-pressed and Hexane free.



Each oil has wonderful hydrating properties and can be used for different things. I love to add a few drops of Castor Oil to my hair conditioner and I love to use the Coconut Oil as a base for scrub recipes while the Almond and Argan Oils make great skin moisturizers. I think the Avocado Oil is my favorite because it's so rich and deeply hydrating which is perfect for us dry skinned gals.



Vegetable Glycerin is a must have humectant that helps bind water to the skin and is great to add into almost any DIY beauty recipe. You can add a few drops it to your shampoo, conditioner, facial moisturizer, or serum for an extra boost of hydration. The Moroccan Red Clay Powder has become one of my favorite go to products for an easy mask that is gentle on my sensitive skin but helps purify, brighten, and make my skin look better. I love the stuff! It's messy but that's part of the fun. I simply mix some of the powder with water, adding honey sometimes for an extra something special, and apply the paste to my skin and let dry. I can feel it tightening my pores as it dries but it's not one of those masks that hurts or feels really uncomfortable. My skin loves it and I love the result once I rinse it off.

Now let's move on to my thoughts on their personal care products that I've been testing out.



I've been alternating between the Vitamin C & Oryza Sativa Gentle Scrub and Nature's Microderm when my skin needs a little exfoliation. Both are surprisingly gentle but pack quite the brightening punch. My skin has a tendency to get a bit irritated but these two scrubs are mild and leave my skin looking renewed and healthy without the redness that sometimes goes along with exfoliation.



I was also sent the Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Moisturizer for face and the Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Lotion for body. I absolutely love the Moisturizer and the way it makes my face feel. It's the perfect day cream and wears beautifully under makeup and doesn't cause any meltdown. The body lotion is nice but nothing special. Both have a very nice scent and leave behind a lovely amount of moisture without feeling tacky, sticky, or greasy.



Finally, let's discuss the Citrus Moisture Shampoo and Citrus Moisture Conditioner. I really like the way these smell, very light and clean. They are both fairly basic but they're nice and leave my hair feeling manageable and soft. The shampoo lathers really well and the conditioner is very moisturizing without being heavy and it never leaves my hair looking limp or greasy.

To learn more about NOW you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Summer Thanks Giveaway! (CLOSED)

My posting has been a little sparse this summer because I've got a lot going on in my life. My Dad has a fairly rare type of blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma and he is currently in the hospital 5 hours away from home. He just received a bone marrow transplant and is on his way to kicking cancers butt! And you might also know that I am also chronically ill and I've been feeling quite under the weather as of lately. As you can imagine the whole situation is making for a very different kind of summer.

I'm trying to write as much as possible but I wanted to take a minute to thank you all for your patience and support. Beautiful Basics means so much to and I absolutely love being able to share my thoughts on natural products with you all. I test products and write about them for each and every one of you. Thank you for liking my blog and sharing posts and leaving comments. Each time I get to interact with you I am so appreciative of the support.

I've got two of my popular beauty grab bags to give to two lucky Beautiful Basics readers. This giveaway is open internationally, because so many of you come from places in the world that I've only ever dreamed of going. Give this post a like and use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. There are a lot of options but only two that are mandatory. You can do as many or a few entry options as you would like. All entries will be verified. The first randomly selected winner will be able to pick which bag he or she would like. Good luck!


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Talk About Cosmetics - Antonym Cosmetics

So many of you have asked me to review Antonym Cosmetics and your wish is my desire so, here is a run down on some of their products. If you haven't heard of Antonym Cosmetics yet here is what you need to know: They are an eco-friendly cosmetics company combining technology and natural ingredients to create luxurious and healthy products that are Ecocert Certified and cruelty free. The range is made up of premium quality eye shadows, lipstick pencils, mascara, eye pencils, baked foundations and baked blushes as well as a complete collection of 20 vegan makeup brushes.

First thing is first, the packaging is amazing and ecosexy. Have you ever seen such lovely products? I don't think I have and luckily the actual products inside the pretty packaging are pretty awesome too, so this brand is a big time winner in my book.

The Baked Blush in Rose is the newest addition to the Antonym roster and it's my new favorite blush, hands down. I have been using this blush and only this blush since it arrived. There is something so magical about this blush. It's the perfect combination of brown and pink. It's been great for these warmer weather months but I think it will also transition beautifully into the colder seasons. It gives me a natural flush that adds a vibrant and healthy look to my skin. I always feel pretty when I'm wearing it. It's a flirty shade that never looks over the top and goes with any and all eye looks and lip combinations. The formula is buttery, rich, and weightless so it never looks flaky or powdery. It seems to melt into the skin and looks absolutely stunning and fresh. It lasts throughout the day and doesn't tend to fade. I also think you're getting a lot of product for your money so it's definitely worth the $36 price tag. It's perfect! I can't recommend this beautiful blush enough.


I've also been playing with the Lipstick Pencil in Pinkish. These chummy pencils are always great purse lippies because they're easy to apply. This one is a really pretty neutral shimmery pink. The color is fun and feminine! I'm impressed with the staying power! It lasts a very long time on my lips. I don't find it very hydrating but it's also not drying or irritating on my ridiculously sensitive lips.

I was also sent the Lip Brush #15 but I haven't really gotten a lot of use of it. I love the handle but I find that I do a better job of applying lip color with the actual product so I don't tend to reach for this brush often.

The final thing I got to experiment with is the Lola Lash Mascara. I really love the wand, which is curved and I also love how black the formula is. It provides my lashes with a natural but defined look and seems to do an excellent job conditioning lashes. It's a great daily mascara but I do find that I get some smudging throughout the day. It's very gentle and doesn't irritate my eyes at all.

Have you tried any of their products or do you have your eye on any? I'm coveting their Baked Foundation in Light and the Noisette Eye Shadow Quattro as well as their full range of blushes. If you couldn't tell, I really love their blush!

To learn more about Antonym Cosmetics and their product offerings you can visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Talk About Nail Polish - mint

There are a lot of nail polish brands out there with fabulous color ranges and formulas that are smooth and easy to work with but I think I may have recently discovered the polish of my dreams. If you haven't heard of mint, you need to head over to their website and add some beautiful shades to your online shopping cart. Talk about creamy, dreamy, and oh so gorgeous! If you're looking for high quality, vegan and cruelty free nail color without toxic chemicals then you're going to absolutely love this Californian brand.



Please remember that I'm not a nail polish blogger, nor am I very good at painting my nails but I have fun trying and wanted to show you all these awesome polishes even though my cuticles are a mess.



Check out this amazing and super stunning polish called Moonlit Stroll! I'm beyond in love. Do you blame me? I mean, seriously! Look at it! It's beautiful and I feel like it's really flattering with my skin tone. I think it would look great on many different skin tones. It's a whimsical and wearable shade. It's a beautiful and very feminine cross between nude and mauve with a lovely gold shimmer throughout. The formula is beautiful and so easy to work with. I think this may be my favorite polish of all time, or at least very near the top of the list.



Sweet Liberty is the perfect color to tock on tips and toes this summer. I think this particular polish was made to go hand in hand with sunshine and sandals. It's a beautiful creamy bright orange red that just screams warm weather, vacation, and lounging by the pool. I always have a really hard time using crème colors but this one has an excellent formula that is opaque with only one coat.



When I opened the box and saw Peligroso, I wasn't sure I would like it but I'm happy to say that I actually really enjoy the color and the formula. It's a bright orange with a really fun and interesting shimmer in it. The shimmer can look orange, gold, yellow and green depending on the light. The formula is like a jelly polish and is really awesome and easy to use. The color and shimmer build beautifully.



The final polish I was sent is called Tart, which is a really pretty yellow crème. I honestly could not make this one look good on me. The color didn't really work on me and I couldn't get the formula to apply smoothly onto my nail. Remember how I said I usually had a hard time with crème polish? Well, this just cemented that theory. I do think it's a really gorgeous color though!



Also worth a mention are the simple yet beautiful box and glass bottle these polishes are housed in.

If you want to check out mint's shade range or learn more about the company and their product offerings you ca visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Want to know which shades are on my nail polish wish list? Original Mint, Ming, Slumber Party, Dirty Shirley, and Bouquet Toss! Which shades are you coveting?

Firmoo Glasses Review and Makeup Tips

When I was younger and first needed vision correction I was so appalled by the idea of wearing glasses. I got a pair, but then convinced my parents to let me get contacts. After 3 hours, seriously, of trying to put the flimsy little lenses in my eyeball I finally got the hang of it and wore contacts only for the next 8 or 9 years. Over the past several years I have fallen more and more in love with glasses. Contacts leave my eyes dry, itchy, and irritated but glasses are really comfortable, easy to wear, and stylish. I wear contacts maybe once a month and glasses every other day. I like to have a few pairs to switch between to match my moods and outfits.

I was contacted by Firmoo about a month ago and asked if I wanted to try a pair of their glasses. I, of course, said yes and was so excited to have a pair of their glasses in my arsenal. I chose these frames and I'm so happy with them! I'm a fan of frames that are on the bigger side but not overly massive and these ones are just right for me. They fit me, without needing any adjustments, perfectly and are beyond comfortable. They don't rub anywhere they shouldn't and they're not heavy or bulky or irritating. The lenses are crisp and allow me to see flawlessly. They're also very sturdy and well made.

I love the color of these glasses too. I normally go for black or purple frames so I was a bit worried I wouldn't love the tortoiseshell but I really do! The only thing I don't like is the print on the case they came in but that doesn't really matter in the end, does it? In addition to the case they also come with a pouch, cleaning cloth, and tiny screwdriver.

Shipping was delightfully quick and the whole process of ordering was seamless and easy. I will definitely be ordering from Firmoo.com again and even have my eye on a pair of their sunglasses. I have one pair of RX sunglasses and it's so nice to be able to see and have protection from the sun at the same time.

Makeup can be a little tricky, I find, when wearing glasses. I tend to like to create a smooth and even base with a focus on my brows, cheeks, and lips instead of creating bold or bright eye looks.

Since I have dry skin that has a tendency to look a bit flaky, I like to start of with a primer that hydrates and brightens. My favorite is the 100% Pure Luminous Primer. It makes my skin look so smooth and healthy. I also like to even out my skin tone and make everything look natural but flawless. Lately I've been loving using concealer where needed instead of using foundation on a day to day basis to keep things looking light and fresh. I used the Pacifica Transcendent Concentrated Correcting Concealer in Light on the areas that needed coverage.

When wearing glasses it's important to get rid of any darkness and make the area look brighter. To do this I use Pacifica's Dreamlit Illuminating Under Eye Brightener in Dreamlight, which is one of my absolute favorite products of all-time, under my eyes to cover up my dark circles. I use it under my eyes but I also blend it on to the lid to even the skin there out and since the inner corners of our eyes tend to look very dark I also apply it there to lighten the area. If you have fine lines or wrinkles under your eyes it's also a good idea to moisturize the area because everything will be magnified beneath your lenses and makeup can gather in those areas.

If you have an issue with creasing on the bridge of your nose where your glasses rest you can use an eye primer in that area to keep it from creasing. It makes a huge difference!

I also used the Minimalist Illuminating Serum from Gressa on the tops of my cheekbones and underneath my brow for a healthy highlight. I want my skin to look healthy so adding a touch of this magical elixir makes skin glow.

When wearing glasses it's really crucial that you set your makeup with your favorite setting powder. Setting your makeup will make sure it doesn't slip and slide or go anywhere. Once it's set it's there until you decide to take it off.


Since glasses are very prominent on the face I like to structure my face with a little contouring. I feel like glasses take up so much space that the rest of the face can get a little lost. I used the Alima Pure Sombra Contour Powder to define my cheekbones, nose, and around my temples and forehead. I also blended it into the creases of my eyes to define my lids a bit.

Feel free to play around with different eye looks to figure out what suits your frames. I don't like to wear much eye shadow underneath my glasses, but I wanted a little something extra. If I do wear any eyeshadow while wearing glasses I like to keep it all matte and neutral, although that's just my personal preference. My Mom, who also wears glasses, can totally rock shimmery shades on her eyes beneath her glasses and also wears fun colored liner. I think I look really weird in liner so I skip it more often than not BUT if you like the look of liner you can totally rock it with any pair of frames. Thick frames? Try playing around with thick, graphic liner. Thin frames? Try thin lines of color. Have fun! You can even go for a cat eye liner depending on your frame.

Wearing glasses can cause the face to look a bit washed out; especially if frames are dark or thick rimmed so a bit of color on the cheeks can make a huge difference. I used a light hand and a duo fiber stippling brush to add just a hint of blush on my apples to keep my skin looking naturally flushed and healthy (there's that word again!). I used Jane Iredale's PurePressed Blush in Barely Rose. Feel free to bronzer and blush your skin as you see fit!

Brows are really important when wearing glasses. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul so the brows are kind of like the frame and it's a great idea to define them when wearing frames. I personally like to fill them in a bit more than I would normally when I'm wearing my glasses, but you can do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I used my trusty Zuzu Luxe Russet Cream Brow Pencil.

Lashes are always important and curling them and then following up with a coat or two of your favorite mascara can make eyes with or without glasses look bright, big, and wide awake. Some people don't like curling before wearing glasses because if lashes are long enough they can touch the insides of the lenses. My lashes aren't long enough so when I curl them it just makes them look more defined and fluttery. In this photo I used my new favorite Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara from Pacifica. It keeps my lashes upright and looks natural but really highlights my eyes. I love this stuff.

Any color lipstick or gloss can complete your look when wearing glasses. I truly feel like wearing lip color helps balance out the look of any pair of frames. You can go natural or bold or anywhere in between. Today I went for my favorite lip product of all time, which is Ilia's Shell Shock Tinted Lip Conditioner.

I recommend that you put on your glasses and sit in front of mirror and play with makeup until you figure out what suits you and your glasses best. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to makeup. These are just the things I do and you certainly don't have to do what I do! Makeup is meant to be fun and you can do whatever you want. You can always wash it off if you don't like it.

If you're interested in Firmoo you can learn more about the company and check out their selection of glasses by visiting their website. New customers can also get a discount on frames sitewide. Click here to learn more!

(FTC: These glasses were sent to me free of charge for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this review. None of the links above are affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Makeup Bag Collection (+CLOSED GIVEAWAY!)

Are you any of you obsessed with makeup bags? I am and I think it's some kind of weird addiction because let's get serious for a second and ask how many makeup bags a person actually needs? 1 or 2, right? I'm one of those hyper organized people so in addition to using makeup bags for cosmetics and toiletries when I travel I also like to pack everything else in little bags, like chords and accessories so I have a few more than that. Anyway, I've recently watched a few YouTube videos and read a few blog posts where people have shared their bag collections and I thought it would be really fun to do!

I did, however, leave out some bags because I really do have quite a few and I figured I didn't need to share them all. The bags included in this post are my favorite and the two travel bags from Target were birthday presents from my parents and haven't been used yet. I actually forgot to take the stuffing out before I took the photos so please just ignore that snafu. I'm also doing a giveaway so read through to the bottom and be sure to enter for your chance to win a really cute makeup bag with some fun goodies inside!

Contents Pleased as Punch Weekender Bag

Contents Pleased as Punch Cosmetic Valet

I'll start with the two I mentioned above. They came from Target and are from the brand Contents by Allegro. I've always wanted hanging travel bags so my parents got me these ones and I'm planning on using the bigger one (Weekender Bag) for toiletries and the smaller one (Valet) for cosmetics. I really like all of their pouches, the print, and the fact that they're really nicely made.



How cute is this Catesye London Rooftop Cat Small Bag? I seriously love the print. I love it so much I actually also bought the Coin Purse. It's made of PVC so it's really easy to keep clean and also holds its shape perfectly. It's a great size and it's beyond adorable. They make a ton of other bags with awesome designs so I think these would make fantastic gifts.



I bought this bag from Orla Kiely at Target a year or two ago. It was on clearance but this bag is quite similar. I used it on 3 trips last year and I like it but it's not the biggest bag so it's best for short trips. I especially liked it camping because I put all of my shower stuff in the big pocket and my skin care stuff in the small zippered pouch and it ended up working perfectly.



This is actually a personalized pencil pouch and I won it a few years ago. I actually cannot for the life of me remember what website it came from. This is the bag I use for keeping things that I want on my nightstand when I travel like my sleeping pills, lip balm, eye mask, and earplugs. I don't really know why I like it for that purpose but it's perfect for it!



I originally forgot to take a picture of this next one, which is so wrong because it has been my go-to for the past 8 or 9 years. This train case was part of an Estee Lauder GWP that my parents gave me for Christmas when I was 19. I was away at college at the time so I used it every time I came home and on every trip I took for the next almost decade. I don't know how much use it will get since I have the two new hanging organizers but this bag is sticking around. My Mom and I used to be absolutely obsessed with Estee Lauder and even though I wouldn't ever dream of using their animal tested and chemical laden products again I think I will forever love this red train case.



This is a little bag that I got years and years ago at my local Fred Meyer. It's the perfect purse size and I keep my purse makeup essentials in it. I absolutely love it. It even says, "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" on it so it's kind of perfect for me.



This is my travel brush set from BH Cosmetics. It's not a makeup bag, obviously, but I thought I should share anyway. This was a special last October for Breast Cancer Awareness. It was $5 and 100% of the proceeds went to charity. They're really great brushes!

I'll post a photo of all of my purse organizing bags on Instagram and Facebook. Do you have a makeup bag collection or just a favorite one? I'd love it if you shared a photo with my on my Facebook page.




To enter simply use the Rafflecopter form below. You can choose to do as many or as few options as you would like. All entries will be verified! That little flat iron is worth $50 alone!
This giveaway is open Internationally.
Give this post a "like" and good luck!

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(FTC: I purchased these items myself. None of the links above are affiliate links)

Current Cosmetic Favorites

A lot of bloggers and vloggers share monthly favorites, but I'm not someone who is capable of doing that kind of a post. As a beauty lover/junkie I'm constantly trying new things. Sometimes I find products that I really love and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I stick to using the same products for months and others times I switch up products on a daily basis. The beauty routine of a blogger can be a bit erratic at times.

I also have this weird thing where I sometimes find products that I absolutely love but when I go to sit down to write about them I can't find words to say about them. This post is going to be about some of my newly discovered cosmetic items that I haven't talked about on the blog at all that I've been loving and thoroughly enjoying but don't necessarily have a lot to say about.

Studio 78's We Breathe Eyeshadow in 05 Coffee Break is a really stunning color that is easy to wear. It's an earthy milk chocolate shade that packs a pretty, but subtle, shimmery punch. It's perfect for brown shadow lovers like me! The natural and nontoxic formula is delightfully rich and smooth. It blends beautifully and wears well throughout the day with or without primer. Their line is pricey and this buttery shadow is no exception at $30 but you get quite a large pan of product, 2.5 g, for that price. I like everything about this product and they have 7 other gorgeous shadows as well. This is the first product I've tried from Studio 78 and it definitely makes me curious about the rest of their line.


I have eyes that are incredibly sensitive to mascara. I have to be very picky about which mascaras I use. I have to find one that won't irritate my eyes but I also want a formula that will make my lashes look long, defined, dark, and help them keep from loosing their curl and drooping throughout the day. I decided to pick up a tube of the Aquarian Glaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara in Abyss from Pacifica on my last trip to Target and I'm so glad I did! I really, really like this stuff. The color is deep and does everything for my lashes that I desire while keeping my eyes from becoming red and itchy. I can't really tell you how water-resistant it actually is but it doesn't transfer or flake on me at all and it washes off easily at the end of the day. I really like the plastic applicator brush as well.


Check out this gorgeous nail polish from RGB in the shade Fuchsia, which is part of their Metallic line. It's even prettier in person. I tend to lean more towards coral shades in the warmer months but I think this color is so dazzling I've been reaching for it quite a lot. RGB polishes are 5-free, vegan, and cruelty free.


I've mentioned my Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick Duo in Fig/Date on the blog before (in this post) but I recently picked up Tangerine/Lingonberry and it's got such fun shades for sunny days. I was a little nervous about trying such bright colors (orange and magenta) but I actually really like them! It's nice to have both duos because they take up so little room and give me such a wide range of shades to choose from.




What cosmetics are you currently loving and reaching for?

Talk About Cosmetics - Kari Gran Marsala Lip Whip

If you're in the market for a bold and classic shade that packs a pretty punch and delivers moisture and shine then look no further than the newly launched limited edition Lip Whip from Kari Gran. I am pleased to introduce you to Marsala, a rich and shimmery wine color inspired by PANTONE's Color of the Year.

This lush tinted lip balm is extremely hydrating and makes lips feel plush, healthy, and beautiful. It feels so smooth and comfortable on the lips. The formula is so luxurious and the color adds something special to any look. It's a gorgeous brown-based wine color. It's deep but wearable and absolutely stunning. I love the color and the gorgeous shine it gives. It makes my pout look perfectly plump.

This Lip Whip is made up of Organic Castor Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Camellia Seed Oil, Organic Olive, Sunflower & Calendula Oil, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Carmine, Tocopherol (Non GMO Vitamin E From Sunflower) and Organic Peppermint Oil.
To purchase your own pot of Marsala you can click here to be taken to the Kari Gran website.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review purposes. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)