August Beauty Favorites

How is it time for August Favorites already?! I knew summer would fly by, but geez this was definitely a quick one. This summer has been filled with some great memories, but I can't say getting badly sunburned on Memorial Day weekend was one of them. Although I'm sad to see summer come and go so quickly, I'm way too excited for the fall season. There are a few things in life that I like better than fall, so let's just say I won't be sobbing too hard about the weather getting cooler and nights shorter. As I've mentioned before on here, I've been all about minimal makeup this summer as I tend to not put too much on during the summer months. I've been sticking to using the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream as my base and following up with concealer and powder foundation to set everything in place. Then onto bronzer, blush, minimal eyeshadow, mascara and my nude color of choice. Yup, that's pretty much it. I've added one new product into my everyday routine, which is featured below. Speaking of fall, I'm excited to use a few heavier products as it gets cooler and am especially looking forward to wearing a berry-toned lip! But until then, I've been enjoying having a fairly easy get-ready situation in the morning because who doesn't love to sleep more? Anyways, let's get to it...

Starting with skincare, first up is the Fresh Rose Face Mask, which is actually a sample I received from Sephora. I will definitely be repurchasing the full size because this has to be one of the best masks I've ever used. I hate when masks dry on your face making your skin feel super tight and uncomfortable. Ugh, it's the worst! Because this mask is a hydrating and toning gel mask, it's unlike a clay mask, which can feel a bit icky. One of my favorite scents is rose- whether that's in fragrance, soap, lotion or candle form. So the fact that this mask is infused with real rose petals, rosewater and algae packed with moisture is just the icing on top of the cake. Another skincare favorite is the Tacha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, which is basically a miracle potion in a bottle. Guys, this stuff does everything it claims to do. It's a pretty luxurious spray-on moisturizer for it's price point, there's no denying that. However, the bottle will probably last a long, long time. That's the reasoning I gave myself when I was trying to decide whether it was worth purchasing anyway. I have combination skin with certain areas that are extremely dry especially during cooler months, so I have no doubts I'll be getting a lot of use out of this gem in the months to come. Recently, I picked up a drugstore moisturizer on a whim because I had left my moisturizer at a friends house. The Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Moisturizer ended up being a pleasant surprise. It moisturizes my skin really well without being too greasy and the scent is amazingly citrusy and fresh. So far no breakouts or skin reactions and I've been really enjoying using it everyday this month. It's also not too heavy, which I prefer when it comes to face moisturizers.

Now onto the product I've introduced into my everyday routine. I'm no stranger to using MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter, which I've been faithful to for about a year I'd say. I convinced myself that I needed to get Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat because I heard so many great things about it. One thing I always try to minimize is my uneven skin tone, especially the skin underneath my eyes as it can be a dark bluish color. This highlighting pen instantly brightens the skin under my eyes and really gives me more radiant-looking skin. It's especially great for those days when I'm lacking in the sleep department and need a little pick-me-up. I do use it everyday for the most part though because it definitely makes a difference in my overall makeup look. It's on the pricier side, so I'd recommend giving MAC's a try first if you're looking to invest in a highlighter pen. If you're a highlighter pen maven and can't go a day without it, definitely consider YSL's. And lastly, my nude of choice this month has been the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick Nude 43, which I picked up in the UK during April. Rimmel is a great drugstore brand for lipsticks as I find they last a decent amount of time, have great pigmentation and a nice, creamy formula.

Are there any products you've been wearing consistently throughout the summer?

xx JG

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Matcha Smoothie Goodness

I do love me some green tea. There is nothing better than a refreshing sweetened iced green tea during the summer to cool you down. In the winter, I'm partial to warming up with a green tea latte or even a simple, hot green tea at night before bed. When the matcha tea phenomenon took the world by storm, I knew I'd probably hop on the trend train seeing as I've always been a fan of green tea. The first time I tried matcha, I was immediately sold because the flavor is even more intense and delicious than any regular green tea I've ever had. So what's the matcha madness all about? And what's the difference between matcha and regular green tea? Well, I found that the difference lies in the way the leaves are processed and the way we drink the two are different. Matcha actually stands for "ground" or "powdered tea" and is therefore different than green tea, which is brewed or steeped in hot water. It's the only form of green tea in which the entire leaf is consumed, which is why it contains more healthful elements. Matcha tea is about 10x better for you than regular green tea because it contains catechin polyphenols- compounds rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants offer protection against cancer, cardiovascular disease, harmful cholesterol and also help to stabilize blood sugar levels among other health benefits.

Perhaps people are crazy about this stuff because of the unique feeling of well-being it gives to all those who enjoy it. I was interested to learn more about the history that matcha holds in Japanese culture. The preparation of it is actually the focus of the Japanese tea ceremony, which has been an integral part of Japanese culture for decades. The ritual requires precise hand movements and graceful choreography. Very interesting! I may never host a tea ceremony, but I definitely enjoy matcha in many different ways from hot or cold matcha lattes to matcha smoothies, which I've been having for breakfast quite often lately. If you have yet to try matcha, I recommend giving it a go in smoothie form as you could add a bunch of different fruits or vegetables you like. Below is the recipe for my version of a tasty matcha smoothie. I hope you enjoy it!

You Will Need:

• 1 peeled, sliced and frozen banana 
• 1/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 cup vanilla coconut milk
• 2 tsp matcha green tea powder
• 1 cup frozen kale 

Toppings (optional):

• Raspberries
• Coconut flakes

Let's Do This:

1. Add frozen banana slices, pineapple chunks, coconut milk, match powder, kale and some ice into a blender or NutriBullet. Blend on high until creamy and smooth.

2. Taste for flavor and add any extra ingredients like more frozen banana or pineapple if desired. Consistency should be somewhere between scoopable and drinkable. 

3. Top smoothie with fresh raspberries and coconut flakes.

4. Drink up! Smoothie is best when fresh, but you can put into the refrigerator well sealed for up to 24 hours if necessary. 

xx JG

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Lifestyle Favorites: Anthropologie, Snapchat, The Night Of & More

There are always a few things that I become hooked on for a couple of weeks or even months and they can range from products or tv shows to shops and certain foods. It was kind of hard not to throw a beauty bit into the mix, but I wanted to keep this strictly about a random mix of things I've been enjoying recently. I also want to point out that this round-up is by no means revolutionary. But hey, maybe you'll find something below that makes you just as happy because it's the little things in life that can turn a bad day into a good one. Not to get all sappy and stuff. 

iPhone Reminders
I'm so bad at remembering to do simple tasks like picking up dry cleaning, paying a credit card or running to the supermarket for milk. Luckily, I haven't been forgetting about these mundane tasks thanks to the iPhone Reminders app, which has made me about 10x more productive. Why haven't I been using it for years?! Anything I remember that needs to get done goes straight into my phone with a deadline. Done and done.

Snapchat
And while we're on the tech subject, Snapchat is killing it right now. It's not even just about the puppy dog filter although that is a huge reason why it's so great, ha. What I enjoy most is the fact that I can watch my favorite beauty bloggers and vloggers do their thing on Snapchat similar to on YouTube, but in half the time. I do wish I was better about posting stories because I find I go on mainly to see what friends are up to or even to read the news at the top, which I've been enjoying lately.

Anthropologie
In regards to shopping, I can't pass by an Anthropologie and not go inside. Lately, I've come to appreciate just how inspiring this place is despite how damaging it is to my wallet. I suppose Anthro's style can be described as somewhat of a whimsical fantasy- picture being in a cornflower field wearing a vintage floral dress with the wind blowing through your hair. Really though. What I like most about Anthropologie is the house and home section because the pieces are an eclectic mix of patterns, florals and other dreamy designs with gorgeous pops of color. Recently, I received a few gifts for when I move in with my boyfriend that I absolutely adore.

Anthropologie City Vignette Canape Plate

Anthropologie Delphina Spoon Rest I Anthropologie Cabana Candle

Lemon Water & The Night Of
To finish things off, my beverage of choice lately has been a big glass of ice cold water with a wedge of lemon squeezed inside. There is something about lemon water that I can't get enough of. It's not even about the fact that I'm trying to be healthy, I just simply love the taste. When you're feeling relaxed sometime in the evening, sit down and watch The Night Of on HBO. It's is an eight-part crime drama miniseries about a complex New York City murder case with cultural and political overtones. After binge watching Stranger Things on Netflix, I needed another show to fill the void of wanting more and this one will set you over the edge. Hope you're enjoying the rest of your weekend! 

xx JG

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Easy On The Eyes

(Wearing Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amber Haze)

Eyeshadow is probably my favorite makeup to shop for. There are creamy eyeshadows, powder eyeshadows and eyeshadow sticks, which are my current FAVS. Even though eyeshadow is my favorite makeup to wear, it's definitely the part I skip over when I'm in a rush to get out of the house in the morning. One quick swipe of mascara after applying some CC cream, powder, bronzer, blush and my brow pencil and I'm ready to go. Going all out on the eyes can be a bit of a time killer and that's why I love my eyeshadows sticks and cream eyeshadow pots so dearly. Mascara just doesn't do the trick most days because adding dimension to the eyes makes a huge difference! As much as I want to be a morning person, I'm just not unfortunately. And sleep will always prevail over giving myself more time to get ready. That's why these products are not only stunning on the eyes, but they're also super easy to apply when you have to be out the door in a few minutes time. That's basically my life everyday, so I got you. All you need is the product itself and a blending brush for your crease because blending is key. You can definitely use your fingers to blend as well, but I personally prefer using a brush. Color-wise, I went with bronze/taupe shimmery tones because I can't get enough of these shades. Say hello to my best eyeshadow friends and a new mascara that recently joined the club. 

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Bronzed Garnet. This eyeshadow color is technically for green eyes, but I think it looks great on brown eyes as well. The formula is so creamy and glides on super easily, which makes application a breeze. You can also smudge a bit of the color under your waterline, which can really pull the look together. Bronzed Garnet is also perfect for the fall season because of it's deep brownish/red metallic tone, so I'll definitely be getting a lot of use out of this one for the next few months!

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amber Haze. This is another gorgeous eyeshadow color that was created for brown eyes and has a gorgeous golden shimmery finish. I find that brown eyes can sometimes be a bit underwhelming, but colors like this really help to make your brown eyes pop and appreciate what momma gave you. Once the formula sets, it's there for the whole day without any creasing, but I do want to note that I don't have oily eyelids. If you do have oily eyelids, I'd recommend putting on some eyeshadow primer to help the product last all day and prevent creasing. 

Tom Ford Cream Color For Eyes Spice. I've had this product for about 2 or 3 months now, but thought it deserved some of the spotlight in this post although I've mentioned it on the blog before. Tom Ford Spice is definitely a bit of a splurge as it's one of the most luxury products I own, but I think it's worth the investment. The packaging and the formula are super luxe, which almost makes me feel it should be reserved for wearing on special occasions only. The texture feels a bit wetter than other cream color pots, which makes layering super easy. You can put a light, even layer on the lid for a daytime look or pack it on creating a vibrant smokey effect for night. The shade is a warm brown color with an undertone of red that has golden sparkles (not chunky) that reflect unlike anything I've ever seen.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. I've heard great things about this mascara and thought I'd give it a go myself seeing as I haven't found a mascara that could pull me away from Maybelline Lash Sensational. This mascara claims to lengthen, curl, volumize and condition the lashes to treat and protect them. It's considered a "push-up bra" for your lashes and has been dermatologist and clinically proven to increase the appearance of lash volume. Upon first time use, I can say that I'm definitely impressed! I have fairly straight lashes and this mascara really helps to curl them up and make them appear thicker. I can't say yet whether I like it more than Maybelline Lash Sensational, but I'll be using this one on the daily and will have to report back later!

(L-R: Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amber Haze, Charlotte Tilbury Color Chameleon Bronzed Garnet, Tom Ford Cream Color For Eyes Spice)

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