Summer Skin Essentials

Hey everyone! So if you're anything like me, you're finally stoked that summer is approaching. However, with the change of seasons that usually means your skin is gonna go through some rough times and you'll have to adjust your skin care products. I know for me my skin goes from dry in the winter to normal combination skin in the summer. 

Here are some of my favorite summer skin care products that I use to keep my skin looking healthy:

Some of the most important products are face masks. A lot of people neglect to use them, but they really do change your skin for the better when used weekly or as needed. My favorite mask, by far, is the Origins Clear Improvement mask. I use this year round, but it really helps to clear your pores, especially when your skin is starting to feel oily. Recently, I'm also loving the Lush face masks. Here I have pictured Love Lettuce, but I've also used Catastrophe Cosmetic. Love Lettuce is just a great, general cleansing face mask, plus it smells so good. Catastrophe Cosmetic is maybe one of the best face masks for oily skin. It really works to set your skin back to its natural texture. I like to use this if I've been wearing a heavy foundation in the summer to clean my pores out. It also smells like blueberries, so that's a plus. So many of the Lush products are simply amazing. You can even get a free mask when you bring in 5 black pots from previous purchases. Recycling at it's finest!

Next up, is moisturizing your skin. Many people, especially with oily skin, tend to skip this step. Don't! Moisturizing your skin is SO important, especially if you have oily skin. I'm still obsessing over my Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Scrub, but it does dry your skin out over time, which will cause your skin to produce more oil and thus breakout. Balance is the most important part of skin care. After using any kind of face wash, or toner (I use the toner from the Acne Stress Control line), you should moisturize. My favorite moisturizer right now is my Renewed Hope in a Jar from Philosophy. This does a great job of making your skin feel soft, without feeling oily. The next product pictured is an oil, but it's one I like to use on my hands and other dry areas. The L'occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil is freaking amazing. First, it lasts forever. This is a beauty reward one I got from Sephora last year. Second, it smells amazing. It's so light and summery, with a hint of a nutty smell and it just makes me think of spring and summer. It's great to use on your hands or elbows, or any other cracking skin you have.

Lastly, some summer makeup products I love to use. I'm still raving about my Armani Luminous Silk foundation. This foundation is so light and dewy, without looking like you're even wearing makeup. It's a bit of a steep price to pay (62$) but I think it's totally worth it. My only issue with this foundation is I do feel that it contributes to my skin being more oily. So I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with oily skin. However, using a primer under this foundation is really the key to making it last all day and not making your skin feel oily afterwards. It's still the most incredible and natural foundation I have ever used, and the quickest one I've ever ran out of. I'm also loving the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer as both a concealer and a highlight. This concealer has such a natural, luminous glow to it. I've been using it under my eyes and to highlight my cheekbones, in addition to my nose. If you're on the hunt for a new concealer, check this out. Plus, it's Maybelline so it's so much cheaper than a high end concealer, but it does as great a job as any.

 Tell me what your favorite summer skin care products are in the comments! I'm also looking for new stuff to try.

Things I Learned in College

Well, this is a bit of a different blog post for me... However, freshmen year has come to a close and with a month already spent at home I've been able to reflect and look back. College was amazing. It is this life altering, incredible experience everyone says it is. It's also one of the hardest things I've ever experienced for a multitude of reasons. Anyway, I digress. Here's what I learned in my freshman year of college:

1) You're going to lose old friends, but you're going to make new friends. You'll keep the good ones, the ones you can't imagine your life without. Everyone else will slowly fade out of your life, for better or worse.

2) With that said, you're going to meet the loves of your life. I'm not saying you'll meet your soulmate your freshman year, but you'll meet fantastic friends who you would literally do anything for. Hopefully you'll get lucky like me, and your roommate will be one of them.

3) You'll probably fall hard, for the wrong guy...more than once. It happens, and what better time to be reckless in a relationship than these years.

4) You'll do at least one thing you regret. Probably more. You're gonna make a lot of bad discussions, like not studying for that midterm and watching Netflix. Just learn from it.

5) Taking off your makeup, especially when drunk is really, really important. Ladies, the best thing drunk you can do for sober you is drink a bottle of water before you go to bed and take off your mascara before your head hits the pillow. You'll thank yourself in the morning.

6) You'll probably forget how the real world works. With this, you'll wonder why no one is open at 2am to grab food. You'll also probably wonder how you made it through high school without breaks in the day, or having class at 7am.

7) The best thing you can do for yourself is to drink plenty of water, drink tea with honey, and take gummy vitamins. Colds, sinus infections, the flu, and god forbid you get mono. STAY HEALTHY.

8) Wandering out of your comfort zone will lead you to your favorite memories. I'm saying this as an introvert, it's hard to do, but when you can muster up the courage to, you won't regret it.

9) If a guy asks you on a date, go. It's a free meal, usually pretty fun, and you'll be hard pressed to find a guy who actually wants to do more than just hookup on the weekends.

10) You will probably never have this much fun in your life. While college is hard, and stressful, it's also the most fun you will ever have. Those late nights staying up with friends or a random house party you went to can become some of your favorite memories.

And really, let's be honest, number 5 is definitely the most important thing on this list.

Coachella Inspired

Hey Everyone! So I just thought I would share a recent outfit of mine. I've been super inspired by festival, boho looks recently. This was a very Coachella inspired look of mine, but it was still easy to wear while being fashionable.

I think my favorite think about this outfit is the high-low dress. First off the fabric was so soft! It was almost like a jersey material. It's also a super flattering cut. This dress could easily be worn alone as a statement dress even though it's very simple. This dress really plays up symmetry and symmetrical lines, which makes it feel structured even though it's made with such a light, summery material. 

I also am in love with this hat. I've been wanting to rock a felt hat forever but I had never been brave enough to try it. This one was on sale for $10 at Urban Outfitters, such a steal!