Beauty Products I Use Regularly // 1st-ever YouTube vid

It's here! I've officially launched my FIRST YouTube video - wahoo! I've been strictly fashion blogging for five years now and I've finally decided to start delving into the world of video - AND beauty (I know, I know, I'm totally late to the party, right?) 

I wanted to start simple, so, with the help of my good friend Ryan Kathleen Greene, we set off on this journey together! This first video is short and sweet, as I'm still getting my feet wet. I'm not super comfortable on camera, so bare with me - but I will work my way up to talking in vids, I promise!

Let me know what you think in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe to my channel :) You can do that by clicking here! 

Product Details: 

Juice Beauty: CC Cream (in Natural Glow)

-Tinted moisturizer

-Light coverage

-SPF 30

Bare Minerals: Original Foundation (in Fair 01)

-Loose powder foundation

-Full, buildable coverage

-Great for sensitive skin

-SPF 15

Bare Minerals: Mineral Veil (in Illuminating)

-Helps set your foundation

-Gives skin an ethereal glow, which helps foundation look more natural

-Feels super light on skin

-Apply just one light layer; it can look cakey if too much is applied

-Reflects light for a photo-fabulous look

Benefit: Watts Up!

-Cream highlighter stick

-Sponge smoother on one end

-Provides a delicate champagne glow

-Cream- to-powder finish

-Applied on cheekbones for a luminous effect

Nars: Powder Blush (in Orgasm)

-An iconic and universally flattering shade

-Highly pigmented peachy pink color

-Applied lightly on apples of cheeks

Maybelline: Great Lash Clear Mascara

-Used on eyebrows to groom and smooth

Dior: Lip Sugar Scrub Sweet Exfoliating Balm

-Used to smooth lips before lipstick

-Leaves lips silky smooth

-Gives lips a slight pink tint

Maybelline: Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara (in Blackest Black)

-My favorite mascara!

- Gives major volume and length while keeping lashes clump-free

-Multiple coats applied; I love dramatic lashes!

Benefit: They're Real! Lengthening Mascara (in Jet Black)

-Applied to give added definition and length to lashes

-Helps separate lashes

-Gives lashes extra oomph!

Urban Decay: Eyeshadow Primer Potion (in Original)

-Applied on eyelids to prep them for eyeshadow

-Keeps eyeshadow crease-free and makes color more vibrant

-Keeps eyeshadow fresh all day

Urban Decay: Eyeshadow (in Suspect)

-Earthy brown shimmer

-Applied right above eyelid crease

Urban Decay: Eyeshadow (in Sin)

-Champagne shimmer

-Applied all over lid – including inner corner

Urban Decay: Eyeshadow (in Mushroom)

-Gunmetal gray

-Applied using an angled eyeshadow brush

-Applied on outer eyelid corner

Maybelline: Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner (in Blackest Black)

-Applied to top eyelid with a slight wing

-Applicator allows for excellent control

Maybelline: Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara (In Very Black)

-Applied to lower lashes

-Waterproof works better on lower lashes because tears fall directly onto lower

lashes!

-Applied lightly, no need for more than one coat

Urban Decay: 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (in Zero)

-Creamy black liner applied to waterline

-Makes eyes pop for the camera

-I don’t use every day

Urban Decay: Vice Lipstick (in Backtalk)

-Matte

-Mauve nude-pink color

Urban Decay: All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

-Last step!

-Setting spray that keeps makeup looking just-applied for up to 16 hours

Back To Spring // my perfect warm-weather dress

I take spring dress shopping very seriously. And THIS dress? It's a keeper. 

First of all, not only does this light-weight frock have a killer back slit (so chic, right?) it's also the perfect mix of casual and glam. It may be hard to tell in these pics, but the fabric, while a sweatshirty material, is sparkly. So with an added touch of glimmer and shine, this simple shift dress instantly becomes nighttime appropriate. And did I mention how comfortable it is? Seriously, you need this dress in your life! 

I've worn this dress during the day and out at night. For day, I paired it with super minimal sandals that are extremely comfortable and almost look like I'm barefoot. I love a nude sandal like this because they literally go with everything. For night, I threw on nude booties with a metallic heel. 

While no accessories are really needed with this number (the glitter really can do all the talking,) I couldn't resist pairing it with my current favorite necklace. This beautiful layered piece from Free People is super versatile, and I love how it gives the illusion that I tried way harder than I did. Even better, it's less than $40! You didn't expect that from FP, did you?

I know, I know, THESE sunglasses again! Have I convinced you yet that they're worth it? While I love my Ray-Bans, these shades have slowly become my go-to pair. I am just SO here for these nude frames - I feel like they brighten up my face and look great with every color. 

This is just me in front of a cool car dreaming that it's mine ;) Maybe one day, right?

Photos by Antonio Owens 

[dress: & Other Stories // sandals: Sam Edelman // purse: Rebecca Minkoff // necklace: Free People // sunglasses: Banana Republic // earrings: & Other Stories // watch: Fossil // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // lipcolor: Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in "Lovesick"]

This dress easily carried me through a full day in the city. My morning started with a workout (sorry to disappoint, but this dress isn't THAT magical...I wore leggings and a tank for that part of my day) and then I showered and changed into this beauty for brunch. 

My boyfriend and I hit up a trendy spot inside the Renwick Hotel called Bedford & Co., and it was delicious! [Side note: I highly recommend their bubbly brunch, which consists of different types of juices to add to your champagne.] After that, we did some shopping in midtown, and by nighttime, we were off to a friend's surprise b-day party. 

I literally wore this piece from 12 pm to 3 am, and I never once felt uncomfortable or out of place. Pretty darn amazing if you ask me! I told you this dress was special.  

 // SHOP //

Orange Crush // moto jacket + button-up skirt

Not only am I seriously crushing on this spring weather, but I'm also obsessed with bold colors right now. From vibrant yellows to rich navys, brights are having a major moment - and I am SO here for it, which brings me to...one of the hottest colors of the season: blood orange. 

Never underestimate the power of a statement jacket - especially in spring. Here, my fiery moto topper MAKES my outfit. And while I admit, orange isn't for everyone, when it works, it WORKS. This hue looks especially amazing when paired with navy since they're opposite each other on the color wheel.  

Have you jumped on the bodysuit bandwagon yet? If not, allow me to try and further convince you. You guessed it - I am NOT wearing a t-shirt here. This striped number is a lovely little bodysuit, and it allows me to look polished and put-together without having to fuss with something called "tucking my shirt in." Bodysuits are a one-and-done kind of deal, and they're a game-changer! 

Until this season, I don't think I had had a jean skirt in my closet since junior year of high school. Remember when ALL the cool girls rocked these guys in middle school? For 2017 - and your adult life - these skirts have gotten a major tune-up. Enter statement embellishments, longer hems, and unexpected hardware. Buttons down the front take this denim bad boy from Abercrombie-obsessed tween to trendy fashion-forward twenty-something. 

These white sneakers prove you don't always have to sacrifice comfort for style. I love how today's sleek tennis shoes look just as amazing with boyfriend jeans as they do with feminine dresses. On our modern-day fashion stage, there's no look these CAN'T be worn with. Is that enough of a reason to invest now?

So.Much.Orange! I couldn't NOT wear these lively shades with this outfit. They match my jacket to a tee, and I was also attracted to how the white frames bring out the white stripes on my bodysuit. They're sporty and a bit casual, but nonetheless chic. 

Another exciting piece, this purse just screams summer, don't you think? It also effortlessly combines three white hot trends: tassels, poms, and metallic - not to mention shades of neon. It's that quirky piece every wardrobe craves, and yes, it's as fun to wear as it looks. 

Silver spike earrings give my look that bit of edge I always like to incorporate. 

Playing off my silver accessories, I dusted my eyelids with silver Urban Decay shadow in "Verve." I kept my cheeks peachy and my lips strong but muted in a rose gold lipstick by Bite Beauty. 

Photos by Antonio Owens 

[jacket: Zara (I also like this style) // bodysuit: Anthropologie // skirt: Urban Outfitters // sneakers: 

Tretorn via Anthropologie // purse: Rebecca Minkoff // sunglasses: Banana Republic // choker: gift (similar one here) // earrings: Rebecca Minkoff (similar pair here)]

The flowers have blossomed, the trees have turned green, and warmer weather is officially here to stay! I celebrated by wearing this cheerful outfit on one of NYC's first 80 degree days of the year. There's just something so youthful and energetic about a denim skirt, white sneakers, and bold colors. It made me feel like a kid again getting pumped for summer break! 

 // SHOP //