How to Curate Your Dream Eyeshadow Palette

If you're an average, non makeup-obsessed person, there are probably a lot of makeup junkie habits you could give the serious one-eyebrow-raise to. Are those ten nude lipsticks really all that different? Is it actually necessary to set your face with a different powder from your under eyes? And what the heck is with this contouring business? Trust, as much as I love the stuff, I will never tell you you need to own more than a single cosmetic bag's worth of makeup (or any makeup for that matter, you do you boo). But if there is one thing us makeup junkies have unlocked the secret to that I think the average person should totally get on the bandwagon with, it's building your own custom eyeshadow palette.

Am I getting the eyebrow now? Just hear me out. I know it may seem intimidating and potentially expensive, but I promise the investment is so totally worth it.

What I'm Thankful For: Beauty Edition

So, this post comes along with a bit of a funny story. Maybe funny not funny in the "ha ha" sense, but funny in the "I see what you're doing there, universe" kind of way. I woke up yesterday morning feeling energized and productive, which was fortunate because my to-do list for the day was pretty ambitious. I had hoped to get my Thursday video done earlier this week, but between life and sheer exhaustion, it just never happened. That left me Thanksgiving morning to shop a few sales, beautify myself, film, edit, and make Deviled eggs all in time to meet my parents at 1:00. I was a little nervous that I would end up scrambling around at the last second, but I actually was making great time all day. There I am, feeling like a boss, putting on my eyeshadow with hours to spare and BAM.

The power goes out.

Summer Beauty Haul | Birthday Goodies, 4th of July Deals & More

When I was a little kid, I used to hate the fact that my birthday was a. in the summer and b. the day before the 4th of July. I never got to bring cupcakes into school or have my birthday announced over the loudspeaker, and every time I tried to throw a party to celebrate, all my friends would be away for the holiday weekend with their families. I basically decided that the universe had cursed me with the worst birthday ever.

Twenty years later, my opinions have done a total 180.

I love my birthday. There are always amazing deals happening right at the time where I might have some newly acquired gift cards to spend, I never have to work the morning, AND I get fireworks. I mean, seriously. Thank you mom and dad for bringing me into the world on what I have determined is essentially the perfect weekend.

As you can tell from the title of this post, I've done a little damage recently in the shopping department. How could I resist picking myself up a few birthday goodies at a time where so many sweet deals are to be had? I suppose I could have had more restraint...but really, since when are birthdays about denying yourself? I always love sharing what I'll be testing and reviewing next with you guys, so I've rounded up all my new loot and filmed a little haul video.

One Year Z-Palette Update

Oh, the Z-Palette. I have to admit, I didn't realize how fun (and addicting) putting one of these together would be. Collectively its the most pricey makeup item I own, but it's also one of the things I reach for the most whenever I'm sitting down to create a fun new eye look. I had held off on starting a palette until last year, when I treated myself to this Extra Large Z-Palette ($28) for my birthday. A few weeks later I sat down and attempted to de-pot products for the first time with relative success, and have been adding to it ever since. Since we're about to hit the year mark, I thought it'd be fun to do a little update and share with you guys all the pans I've depotted and purchased, as well as a few makeup looks I've created with this palette. If you love eyeshadow swatches, get excited, because there's about to be a lot of them!

July 2015 Favorites

With July being my birthday month I did some serious beauty shopping and discovered so many amazing new products that I completely fell in love with. I also chopped about six inches off of my hair, and have had a whole new appreciation for all of the styling products in my arsenal. Truly, my hair feels so much lighter now and I think I get way more out of my volumizing products than I was before. Basically, July was a good month, and I'm still in awe about the fact that August is essentially a third of the way over already. So before I waste any more time, let's jump right in and chat about the best of the best products from last month.

The Z Palette: An Adventure in De-Potting

Show of hands, who else out there has drawers full of eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, and highlights that are basically collecting dust?

It's so easy for a shade to become neglected as it gets buried in a heap of beauty products. As someone who subscribes to a few beauty subscription boxes this is especially true, as I receive a lot of eyeshadow singles or mini sizes of products to try that don't always make it into the daily rotation. A lot of times its easier to reach for one of my palettes, where several shades are displayed easily at once, rather that dig through my stash to find a set of coordinating colors. It pains me, though, because I know I'm not utilizing my entire collection and I've definitely got some gorgeous products going un-noticed. So what's a girl to do?

Enter, the Z Palette.

As a de-clutter-er, DIY enthusiast, and makeup lover the Z Palette is basically a dream come true. With a multitude of sizes and colors available, these empty magnetic palettes are the perfect storage devices for your color makeup products. After hearing so many professional Makeup Artists and Beauty Bloggers rave about them, I don't know why I waited so long to pull the trigger and finally buy my own!

Birthday Haulin'

When it comes to birthday presents, I'm one of the easiest people on the planet to please. If it smells nice, tastes good, or looks pretty I'm probably going to love it. And when in doubt, the gift of shopping never fails to put a smile on my face. It also so happens that by being born on a holiday weekend, there are almost always amazing sales that I can take advantage of during my self-gifting birthday binge. While I did do some serious damage at the mall earlier this month, this haul is truly a collection of all the beauty shopping I've done both since and before my birthday. After all, if I'm going to write up a haul post, I might as well show you everything new I've been trying and loving as per late. If you caught my wish list post from a few weeks back you'll probably recognize quite a few familiar things in the picture above. I really don't waste any time when it comes to making good on said types of lists, apparently. So, without more rambling from my end, let's dive right in.

Birthday Beauty Wishlist

When I was a kid I used to hate that my birthday fell on a holiday weekend, and in the summer at that. It was impossible to have a well attended party with all of my friends traveling or with busy with family plans, and I never got to have cupcakes to celebrate at school (such a travesty, I know). Now that I'm a bit more grown up, though, I couldn't imagine a better birthday. I always get a day off, either on my actual birthday, or the day after, and I get some pretty sweet fireworks to celebrate! So far I'm not entirely sure what my actual plans are for today aside from dinner with my bestie, but I'm sure that as a whole I'll have a lovely long weekend.

I'm also a big advocate of self gifting for birthdays. At this point in my life I'm mostly past parties and presents and other celebratory activities, so I usually take it upon myself to make sure I feel a little extra special. And of course, my favorite way to treat myself is almost always with a little bit of retail therapy. I've always got a pretty lengthy beauty wish list, but here are the items I'm currently coveting the most!