Current Beauty Favorites

Hello everyone!

So, I have a tonnn of products I wanted to share with you guys. I have had most of these for a while and I just never got around to blogging monthly favorites. I think i'll stop with the monthly favorites and just do a favorites post when I have a good amount of stuff to share. Plus... how do you guys feel about YouTube videos?! I've had a few people suggest it but I'm still just unsure of how to go about it or even if i'd be good at it. I have tons of ideas with no vlogging skills haha. Anywho, let's get started because I have quite a few products to share!

Here's an overview of everything.. 

Let's start with eyes.. I saw two tutorials using this Too Faced Natural Matte palette and this sucker has 5 stars on Sephora's website. I am obsessed with it. I can't wait to play around more with all of the colors. At this point i've only used 3 of the shades. The colors are so pigmented and just.. flawless. These are shades that are perfect for everyday. Then I discovered this $3 elf mascara at Wal-Mart.. this is hands down the best cruelty free drugstore mascara I have ever tried. It has lengthening fibers in it which make your eyelashes look super long.

Skincare is super important to me because I have such difficult skin. It's oily and then sometimes there are these little dry patches.. and oh, did I mention it's also extremely acne prone? I can go to bed with a clear complexion and wake up with 5 pimples. Welcome to my life. Anywho.. a friend of mine recently starting selling Beauty Counter products and so I decided to give it a try.. and who knew.. this stuff is pretty much way more awesome than I expected. The cream cleanser is super gentle for skin types like what I have.. horrific is a term I would use to describe best. I have been using this cleanser with my Clarisonic and I really, really enjoy it. I love how gentle it is, yet gets the job done. I have also been using with the cleanser, a tea tree oil salve by Desert Essence. I got this at my local health food store but you can also get it on Vitacost or probably at Whole Foods if you live close to one. I think tea tree oil has definitely been my skin's lifeline for the last couple weeks. Definitely recommend if you have acne prone skin.

Also, if you're interested in trying anything by Beauty Counter, you can simply purchase anything through the link below:

HERE!

So far the two things I have tried, I have really loved. Especially something you'll read about here in just a moment.

I have really been impressed with Flower Beauty which they sell at Wal-Mart. I have especially been loving their lipsticks and glosses. This gloss specifically, I am obsessed with. Don't worry, there are swatches at the end of this post! This shade is called Classic Nude. Another gloss I have been loving is Pacifica Beauty Enlightened gloss and this shade is in Opal. I have been wearing this gloss every single day lately. I got mine from Vitacost.

A couple days ago, my boyfriend and I had our photos done for a couples photo shoot. A lot of people bragged on how flawless my makeup turned out, and right here you will find every single thing I used on my face besides the bronzer I used. I was even surprised at how flawless it turned out and how long it lasted. Let me just say, it had rained THREE times before the shoot, not to mention we live in Kentucky and it was about 85 degrees that day.. can you say, humidity crisis? Yes.. it definitely felt like it was 500 degrees out and wouldn't ya know.. my makeup didn't even budge. Now, I did have a set of eyelashes start to come off.. but my face makeup? Solid.

Arbonne primer (the BEST for oily skin that I have tried so far.)

Beauty Counter Tint Skin (obsessssssssssssion. It's like your skin, but better. New favorite foundation.. yep, bet you NEVER thought you'd see the day where I changed my mind, huh?)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (two words: glowing goddess. Actually I want to add a third word... perfection.)

Cover FX cream concealer (new favorite concealer. It has a bit of a tacky consistency, but still light weight. Also, medium to full coverage.)

Physicians Formula blush in Natural (love this drugstore blush.. it literally lasts all day long.)

Here's a little fun fact for all of you.. I threw away ALL of my nail polish. Yes, you read that correctly. Essie, OPI, Revlon, etc.. in the trash. I actually got rid of a lot of stuff just sitting around that I never used. I ditched all of my nail polishes for a 7 free nail polish. Since I never paint my nails anyways, I was like.. why do I need 30 polishes?! I really only ever wear one shade anyways.. pale pink, nude, pink of any color really.. so I bough this off of Vitacost.. and I love it. I plan to buy more colors from this brand and also want to try more natural nail polishes of other brands as well.

Here are some beautiful swatches for you guys.. literally just looking at this photo makes me think of having a tan, glowy skin, sparkly lip gloss, and beach hair.. ugh, the feels. Need to go to the beach, asap.

I hope you guys don't hate me for not posting as much as I once did.. obviously, it's a work in progress. I feel like there is constantly a lot going on in my life and I sorta stay busy most days and my life is only about to get even busier.. hooray! But, if you don't already follow me on social media, I have 2 instagram accounts: my personal one: michaela_leighxo, and my plant based food & fitness lifestyle one: healthymelon -- connect with me, talk to me, and leave me your thoughts.. I'd LOVE to hear them!

xo

Spring Makeup & OOTD

Hey guys!

Long time, no blog post. So sorry. I have no excuses. I've been busy with other junk, but still.. no excuses for why I haven't blogged lately. I feel like I get on kicks where I want to blog everyday, and then other days I'm just like.. I'd rather watch Netflix series all day long. But anywho, I figured I would start trying to blog more. I promised I would in the last post, so I'll keep my word. I hope you guys dig the look and if you have any requests, please let me know in the comments! Muah!

Now let's get to it.

 Taken with Droid: (check out that sweet quality!)

 Taken with Nikon CoolPix P530: (much better quality!)

Makeup:

I love the way this look turned out!

Arbonne liquid foundation is ALWAYS my go-to for a flawless face, y'all know this. It's bomb. Oh, and you might notice I have some breakouts on my forehead. Those are from getting my eyebrows threaded. It seems crazy but the lady always does my forehead too, and every single dang time I breakout like crazy. Does that happen to anyone else? 

Okay, anyways.. Arbonne foundation in Honey Beige mixed with 100% Pure All Over Glow in Lightly Sun Kissed | Tarte Maracuja concealer in Light under my eyes and over blemishes | Tarte bronzer in the ParkAve Princess palette | Physicians Formula blush in Natural | Hourglass brow sculpting pencil in Soft Brunette | Arbonne eyeshadow in Sand in my crease | Flower Beauty kohl eyeliner in Illumin-eye-zer in my tear duct | Flower Beauty INTENSIF-EYE volumizing mascara with Ardell Demi Wispies | Sonia Kashuk lipliner in Nude | Flower Beauty lipstick in Rosey Garden

Outfit:

Everything is from last year or bought in store, so I'm going to link similar products!

Shirt: ASOS (similar)

Shorts: JCPenny (similar | similar | similar)

Shoes: TJ Maxx (similar)

I hope you guys liked this post! Leave me comments with thoughts, questions, makeup requests, or anything else! xo!

November Favorites!

Okay guys, so this is probably my favorite favorites post of the year. SO many goodies to share with y'all! Let's go ahead and jump into it :)

Shew.. look at all of these goodies! 

 Body/Hair

I bought some 100% natural Shea Butter and holy moly.. this stuff is the bomb.com for the colder months! My skin has gotten so dry lately that lotion just wasn't enough for me. I put this on right before I go to bed and when I wake up, my skin is hydrated and feels amazing. A winter must have!

I recently bought the Alterna Bamboo Smooth Anti-Breakage Thermal Protectant Spray (what a mouth full) but loveeeeeeeeeeee. I wash my hair 1-2 times a week and when it's damp I will spray this on my ends and it detangles my hair and when my hair dries, it is just so much more easy to style the way I want to. 

I got the Algenist Retinol Firming and Lifting Serum from Sephora as a sample. I got this because I've heard a lot of beauty gurus talk about how this brand is amazing and they always snag samples when Sephora offers them. I found out why they snag the samples after I checked the prices of everything.. lord have mercy. But anyways, I see the hype for this brand! I have been wanting to try retinol for a while now. I had a bad experience with a Neutrogena one a while back so I ditched it but I wanted to try different ones. This one is so good for sensitive skin which is what I have and it hasn't broken me out or anything like that. It will make your skin a little dry (which is normal) so make sure to put a moisturizer on after putting any retinol cream on.

Makeup

First off, just look at those swatches.. have mercy. SO gorgeous.

Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Pomegranate: New favorite lipstick of LIFE. I want to wear this everyday, everywhere, 24/7.. I love it.

Flower Beauty Velvet Lipstick in Set Me Freesia: New favorite nude lip. I recently got rid of all my makeup products that tested on animals (which I'm still researching because I want no part of that.) So needless to say, all of my favorite nudes were from brands who did test on animals, so I bought this on a whim and I actually really, really like it. Go Drew Barrymore!

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadow in Rio De Rose Gold: The most amazing pigmented eyeshadow I have ever tried in my life. I officially never want to be without this amazing product. I wore this the other day and it literally lasted all day long with no eye primer or setting spray. Obsessed.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Concealer: I wear this on days where I don't wear a lot of makeup but somehow it manages to make me look so fresh faced. I put it in my t-zone and underneath my eyes and it's just so natural looking. I really like this concealer for everyday wear.

Tarte Skinny SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof  Liner in Sunstone Bronze: First of all, when they say waterproof.. they MEAN waterproof. Secondly, this color alone I think would suit every eye color out there. Brown eyes, blue eyes, hazel eyes, green eyes.. I think it would just be absolutely gorgeous on anyone. I wore this on my waterline with the Josie Maran eyeshadow and I seriously had to refrain from taking too many selfies because the eye look was just so on point.

Bonus favorites:

Surprise!

Surprise!

Surprise!

Surprise!

Hope you guys enjoyed this post, had an amazing Thanksgiving, and get excited because it's almost Christmas! xo

Date Night Makeup & OOTD

Good morning loves!

Last night Drew and I had a date night, we went out for sushi and a little shopping. I decided I wanted to do a makeup look I could post on here. I don't normally switch up my look too often, but last night I opted my nude lip for a much darker one. I posted this picture on instagram:

I will list makeup and outfit details down below!

Face: Arbonne primer, Arbonne foundation in Honey Beige, Tarte Maracuja concealer in the lightest shade underneath my eyes and in my T-zone, Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder in Diffused Light to set my T-zone, Make Up For Ever Mat Bronze in shade 20 to contour cheeks and forehead, Arbonne blush in Sunset

Eyes: Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel, L'oreal Telescopic Mascara

Lips: Mac lipliner in Nightmoth, Maybelline Matte lipstick in Divine Wine

and in the background you can see my lovely IKEA shelf! Don't worry though, this is NOT how I'm leaving it (with the Sephora bags and Tory Burch shoe box on top.) This room is kind of a mess right now and I wanted to get them out of the way for a moment. Cannot wait for this room to be done!

Shirt: Express (from last year, couldn't find online)

Jeans: HERE

Purse: HERE

Shoes: HERE

I hope you guys enjoyed this post, and I can't believe I was able to find the majority of my outfit online.. that almost never happens! Oh by the way, if you watch Sons of Anarchy.. how crazy was last night?! It's getting real and next week will probably be insane. Leave a comment with your thoughts!

xo

MOTD + Some Updates!

Okay so I wasn't planning on using an instagram picture for my post but I felt like my makeup was so on point today that I had to share with you guys what I used. I used three new products that I am loving, and I actually wore eyeliner today which NEVER happens.. like ever. No mascara, just a little tight lining with liner. Oh, and please excuse the top knot.. some days I just don't bother fixing my hair. Embrace the mess, I like to say.

Also, I haven't blogged in a minute so I just wanna cover some things.. I was in Ohio all last week and I am starting on my beauty room! I hit up Ikea for the first time ever, and fell in LOVE with that store. If you've been following my blog for a while, you know I posted about this a while ago but it's now starting to come to life! I'm super excited and everything already looks so good. Thank god for a strong handsome boyfriend to put all the furniture together ;)

One last thing before we get into the look, if you follow me on Facebook and saw my salad post I said I would post on here, I will be posting that tomorrow. It's super delicious and completely raw vegan, woo hoo!

Now onto this look..

I bought a beauty blender, and if you're reading this.. you need it. It's life changing, for real. It makes everything completely air brushed. I didn't think I could love a sponge so much..

What I used:

Arbonne foundation in Honey Beige

Tarte Maracuja concealer in the lightest shade underneath my eyes

Physicians Formula Organic Wear bronzer (new product, obsessed)

Arbonne blush in Sunset

Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder in Diffused light to set my T-zone

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel

Loreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil eyeliner to tight line

Sonia Kashuk lipliner in Nude (new product, love)

NYX lipstick in Thalia (new product, new favorite lipstick!)

and you can kinda see my little set up in the back. I don't have my mirror yet so Drew put my tall mirror behind my desk temporarily so I can do my makeup in this room rather than the bathroom and I'll just go ahead and tell y'all.. it makes a HUGE difference and I can't believe it took me so long to finally put this all together but I can't wait for it to be done. As soon as it's done, I will show it. I haven't decided yet if I want to make it into a video, or if I'll just take pictures.. but either way, I will post it!

Happy Tuesday! xo

Jessie James Decker OOTD + Makeup

Favorite person I've never met.. is Jessie James Decker. I seriously love everything about her and I wish they would come out with more seasons of Eric and Jessie, because well.. I love that show. But today I decided to do a Jessie inspired look with my outfit and makeup. There's an apple farm close to where I live and Drew and I took a little trip there this morning for some goodies and everything was so delicious. I probably ate enough calories this morning for my whole entire day, just saying.

Here's the look:

This makeup is actually my everyday makeup (minus the eyeshadow)

Face: Arbonne foundation in Honey Beige (<-- y'all already know) / L'oreal Visible Lift concealer in the lightest shade (underneath eyes) / Hourglass Ambient lighting powder in Diffused Light (to set my concealer under my eyes and in T-zone) / MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat bronzer in shade 20 (to contour cheekbones and forehead) / Arbonne blush in Sunet

Eyes/Brows: Anastasia Brow Wiz in caramel (to fill in sparse hairs on brows) / Bare Minerals eyeshadow duo in The Top Shelf (which Jessie actually uses) / L'oreal Telescopic mascara

Lips: Bite Beauty Lush Fruit lip gloss in Rambutan (gorgeous opaque nude gloss which is a perfect signature nude lip that she tends to use all the time!)

Bandanna: Wal-Mart (only $1! make sure to wash it to give it a softer feel)

Aviators: Old Navy

Flannel: TJ Maxx

Shorts: Forever 21

Boots: Belk

Purse: Ann Taylor (and this is still available online, I am obsessed with this bag! HERE)

Now obviously I can't find any of these outfit pieces online because I've owned all of them for quite some time, or it was purchased in store. However you can find cute flannels just about anywhere. Flannels and bandannas are the main signature look here. 

 and then there's this.. cause ya can't be serious all the time ;)

xo

Kim Kardashian Makeup Look

Love her or hate her.. there is no denying Kim Kardashian's absolute perfection 100% of the time. Every time you see you her at any event, she is flawless from head to toe. I recently saw a picture of her at a Givenchy show and fell in love with her makeup and outfit. So I bought a few things and rummaged through my makeup I already owned to try and re-create the look.

So incredibly gorgeous.. I can't even deal with it. But anyways.. I'll share my creation of this look with you guys!

Taken with phone:

Taken with Nikon camera:

Now clearly this look doesn't look the same on me because i'm not near as bronzey goddess as she is, but I tried to bronze it up for this look! A few things I want to note here: 

1.) I absolutely hate this hair style on me because I do have a 5 head, so this doesn't work for me. 

2.) I liked this look a lot more before I added eyeliner and fake lashes, but Kim always has super long lashes so I figured I would add them for this look. 

3.) There's a blemish right there on my forehead.. shew, I just picked a bad day to do this I feel like. 

4.) Last thing.. I have super oily skin, but Kim always has super dewy skin so when I try to do the dewy look with my naturally oily skin, it kinda just looks like a hot mess. However when it gets super cold out, I can rock the dewy look because my skin dries up a little in the winter.

What I used for this look:

Face: Arbonne foundation in Honey Beige / Loreal Visible Lift concealer in the lightest shade / Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder in Diffused Light / Tarte Amazonian Clay bronzer in a discontinued shade (they still have the other shade available) / Arbonne blush in Sunset / The Balm Mary-Loumanizer highlighting powder

Brows: Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel

Eyes: Loreal Infallible eyeshadow in Amber Rush (on lid) / NYC liquid eyeliner / Loreal Telescopic mascara (don't have a single clue why I ever stopped using this, it's amazing!) / Ardell lashes in Fashion Lashes

Lips: Buxom Full Bodied lip gloss in Dolly (new favorite gloss, and it's plumping!) / MAC lipstick in Fresh Brew (I read online though that in the photo of Kim, she was actually wearing MidiMauve by MAC.)

Nails: Essie Topless and Barefoot with Essie Matte On You as a topcoat (I'm obsessed with matte nails.)

I was pretty harsh on myself for this look but I hope you guys still enjoy this look! I think it's just the hair that's throwing me off. I have another celebrity-inspired look I plan to do very soon, so watch out for that as well! Also, any tough criticism is accepted, I promise :)

xo