"The Manizer Sisters" Palette Review

"The Manizer Sisters" Palette Review

It is no secret that beauty lovers around the world love the Balm Cosmetics luminizing products. We all know (or if you don't know) that three of the most requested products from the Balm are Mary-Lou Manizer, Cindy-Lou Manizer, and Betty-Lou Manizer. Mary, Cindy, and Betty are three gorgeous highlighters that range from light, medium, and dark for all different skin tones. These illuminators are sold individually but as I recently discovered (where have I been???), they are also available in a trio. The amount of product that you get in the Manizer trio is less than you would if you bought them all separately, but I think its well worth it if you want to try all three of them like I did.

The Balm created beautiful and silky highlights that are just enough pigment to pack a punch on your cheeks without making you look like a disco ball. These illuminators are so creamy and smooth that they are super easy to apply and blend out in the skin. The other great thing about these products are that they are buildable. When you purchase some highlighters, you either get a very natural looking glow or you are so illuminated that you can be seen from space. With the Manizer Sisters, you can achieve both looks depending on your preference. Applying the highlighter lightly or with a fluffy brush, you can get a slight sheen that looks like you are glowing from within. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more intense highlight, you can apply the product with a more heavy hand or use a more dense brush.

The first illuminator in the palette is Mary-Lou Manizer. This highlight is a light champagne beige color. It has a beautiful pearl like texture when applied to the skin. This is a stunning highlight for people who have fair to medium skin tones. This color would not work as well on darker skin tones however.

The second illuminator in the palette is Cindy-Lou Manizer. This highlight is a light dusty rose color. This highlight also has a pearl like texture when it is applied to the skin. This highlight is great for people who have medium to darker skin tones. It shows up on the skin as a beautiful pinky colored highlight. However, if you have more fair skin, this would be more of a blush topper than a highlight due to it being more of a rosy tone. I have worn this on top of a matte blush or just on its own on my cheeks instead of a blush and it is absolutely gorgeous!

The third and last highlight in this palette is Betty-Lou Manizer. This highlight is a golden bronze color. Like the first two highlighters, this product has a pearl like texture when applied to the skin. This illuminator is perfect for those who have a darker skin tone. This would not work as a highlighters for people who have fair to medium skin, but it looks gorgeous on a darker skinned person. (This is a great product because there is not a lot of highlighters out there for people who are on the darker side of the spectrum, so this would also be a great product to add to a makeup artist's kit because it has a color for everyone!) This illuminator can also be used as a glowing bronzer for people who have fair to medium skin tones.

The Balm Cosmetics "The Manizer Sisters" Palette
Price: $15.99 - $30.00
Where you can buy it: thebalm.com and select beauty supply stores

All photos by Becky Schutten.

Daily Moisturizer Guide

My Guide to Your Daily Moisturizers

Taking care of your skin is one of the most important things you can do in your beauty routine, and equally as important is adding a great moisturizer to your skincare routine. Some people are hesitant to adding a moisturizer to their regiment because they have oily skin or they don't like the feeling of a thick moisturizer on their skin, etc. However, in the beauty industry today, there are moisturizers for everyone with every different skin type and skin concerns. You just have to find the one that works best for you!

Winter/Heavy Moisturizers

Depending on where you live or what climate you are in, the cold or dry weather can take a big toll on your skin. The cold and dry weather can really strip your skin of its natural oils or dehydrate  it to the point of making it look dull and unhealthy. When this happens (or more importantly before this happens), you want to make sure that you add a moisturizer that can combat the effects of your environment. When it comes to a more harsh climate, you want to add a moisturizer that is going to pack more of a punch when it comes to the hydration department regardless of your skin type.

For people with normal to dry skin, it is a great option to go with a moisturizer that is on the thicker side of the spectrum but still soaks into your skin quickly so that you can apply a flawless makeup application without causing any disruption. This is an awesome combination because you would be getting the hydration that you need yet it wouldn't sit on top of the skin which I know some people hate the feeling of.

When it comes to people with oily to combination skin, a great option to go with is a moisturizer that is a little heavier than a light weight moisturizer but doesn't create any oily residue that is left on the skin. A huge misconception regarding people with oily to combination skin is that they shouldn't use a moisturizer because that it going to make them more oily or that it's going to make them look more oily. However, it's actually the opposite that ends up happening. When someone who's skin overproduces oil puts a moisturizer on their skin, it reduces the amount of oil that the skin is going to naturally produce. This happens because the skin does not have to overcompensate when producing oil because you are adding hydration to the skin. Even if your skin tends to be oily, it can still become dehydrated in the dry or cold weather so by using a moisturizer that adds more moisture than usual, you can reverse the effects of your skin producing too much oil.

First Aid Beauty Ulta Repair Cream
Price: $30.00
Where you can buy it: Sephora, Ulta, firstaidbeauty.com

Summer/Light Moisturizers

When it comes to the summer months or just plain hot and humid weather, it's a good idea to lighten up on the thickness of the moisturizer that you are using. Regardless on whether you have dry, normal, oily, or combination skin, you can find a moisturizer that is light weight yet hydrating at the same time. When the weather is hot and sticky the last thing that you want is for your moisturizer to be heavy and make  you feel even more hot than you already are. A great alternative in this situation is to use a gel (or light weight) moisturize. Gel moisturizers are an awesome option because they can still be very moisturizing but they absorb into the skin very quickly. Even better, gel moisturizers are almost undetectable on the skin when it comes to how heavy they feel. This is great for people who hate the feeling of moisturizer just sitting on their face like an extra layer since you can barely feel it after it has absorbs. The gel formula is good for all skin types during the day even if you have dry skin because you can add your extra moisture with a night cream.

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer
Price: $27.50
Where you can buy it: Sephora, Macy's, Nordstrom

Overnight/Night Creams

Your overnight moisturizer or night cream is probably the most important moisturizer that you use in your skincare routine. Why? It's so important because when you are sleeping your skin is restoring and rejuvenating itself like the rest of your body. This is why picking an amazing night cream should be a top priority. There are a ton of great overnight moisturizers that can work for all skin types. When looking for a night cream, you want to make sure that it has repairing or rejuvenating ingredients in it. Like I said before since the nighttime is the time of day that your skin is restoring itself, you want your moisturizer to work the best it can for you while you are catching some zzz's. Usually repairing or restoring overnight creams are going to be on the thicker side of the spectrum but that's okay because no matter your skin type, this is the time to pack on the hydration since you will be waking up and washing your face in the morning anyway. You don't have to worry about looking a little dewy when you are sleeping.

Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins
Price: $43.00
Where you can buy it: Sephora, Macy's, Nordstrom

Remember that moisturizing your skin (no matter what your skin type) is very important! Feel free to ask from samples of moisturizers at beauty counters at your local department stores. There is no harm in testing out and sampling skincare products.

All photos are by Becky Schutten.

#GIRLBOSS

#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

I have recently started reading the book #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso and I love it! I have only read about two-thirds of the book and I can barley put it down. If you are looking for a  great book to read, this is definitely one to pick up!

When I initially purchased #GIRLBOSS, I thought it was going to be more of a personal development type book about being a badass girl boss, but when  I started reading it I realized this is more of a biography about Sophia Amoruso with some tips on how to be an awesome girl boss as a bonus.

If you don't know who Sophia Amoruso is... where have you been!!! All jokes aside, Sophia is the founder and executive chairman of the amazing and uber popular clothing store called Nasty Gal. In #GIRLBOSS, Sophia talks about how she created Nasty Gal and what the famous clothing company has done for her. She also touches on tips for being a kickass entrepreneur and what it really means and takes to be a boss lady.

#GIRLBOSS is an easy to read book that has kept me interested throughout the whole book. It motivates you to want to follow your own dreams and not try to just fit in with what society classifies as being "normal" or "the right thing." Sophia Amoruso is truly an inspiration to young women about being your own #GIRLBOSS!

Price: $16.00
Where you can buy this: barnesandnoble.com, nastygal.com, amazon.com

All photos by Becky Schutten

My Favorite Hairsprays

My Favorite Hairsprays

One of my hair stylist's and a close family friend once told me that hairspray to your hair style is equal to mascara to your makeup. Basically, it is the finishing touch to getting your look to be just right. That's some pretty important stuff!

Equally as important as the hairspray itself, is the brand and type of product that you are using. Again, like mascara, if you don't pick a brand or type of hairspray that you need for the style you are going for, it can majorly impact your look and its longevity.

 

There are a ton of different brands and types of hairspray on the market from affordable drugstore hairsprays to high-end more pricy hairsprays. Both drugstore and high-end stores have great options for everyone. Picking your perfect hairspray (or hairsprays) is all about figuring out actually what you need to use the hairspray for. Do you want it to hold your up-do in place all day and all night? Do you want it to just finish off the loose waves you created?

I have three great hairsprays and one dry shampoo that are my ride or dies when it comes to finishing off my hair. There products range from drugstore to high-end and I use each of them for a different reason. These hairsprays are in no particular order.

The first hairspray I love is Sexy Hair's Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Volumizing Hairspray. Even though the bottle says "spray and play" on it, I think that this is a stronger holding hairspray. I love to use this type of hairspray when I want to keep my hair style in place all day. You want to be careful with how much product you spray on your hair because this formula can tend to build up quickly which in turn can make your hair seem a little crunchy if you spray too much. However, if you are doing an up-do or don't want your hair to move around a lot throughout the day, this would be a great choice!

Price: $17.95
Where you can find it: Ulta
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/a/_/Ntt-Big%20Sexy%20Hair%20Spray%20%26%20Play%20Volumizing%20Hairspray?ciSelector=searchResults

The second hairspray that I adore is Sexy Hair's Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable Weightless Hairspray. This hairspray does exactly what it describes on the bottle: touchable and weightless. This is a great product for when you want to keep your hair style in place, but want to be able to run your fingers through your hair and not feel like there is a ton of product built up in it. This product is great for loose waves or a more relaxed hair style. Also, the Healthy Sexy Hairspray is made with Argan Oil which keep your hair moisturized and shiny.

Price: $17.95
Where you can find it: Ulta
http://www.ulta.com/healthy-hair-soy-touchable-weightless-hairspray?productId=xlsImpprod4270103

The third hairspray that I'm obsessed with is the L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray in Strong Hold. I like to say that this hairspray is a mix between the first two hairsprays that I've mentioned. Since it's a "strong hold" hairspray, it can hold your hair style for a long time. Yet at the same time, it is touchable and brushable! You can keep your hair looking great while you have the freedom to run your fingers through your hair without having to worry about getting them stuck or sticky. Plus, you can get this great find at your local drugstore!

Price: $13.76
Where you can find it: Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target
http://www.walmart.com/ip/L-Oreal-Elnett-Strong-Hold-Hairspray-11-oz/13060319

Last but not least, my favorite dry shampoo is the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Dark and Deep Brown. You may be asking yourself why I'm mentioning a dry shampoo in my top hairsprays and I'll tell you why. I love using a dry shampoo as a finishing spray on freshly washed hair. This dry shampoo helps to create volume and texture to my hair while lighting hold my soft waves. In particular, if you spray this product in your roots after you wash and style your hair, it will create body while keep the oils at bay before they even have a chance to start. Instead of waiting for your roots to get greasy, you can spray this on "first day hair" and it will help to prevent the build up of oil which in turn prolongs your hair style for an extra day or two. Plus, it is a dark color for my beauty lovers out there that have deeper locks! (Note: This is also available in different colors and scents.)

Price: $8.99
Where you can find it: Ulta, Walgreens
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/a/_/Ntt-Batiste%20Dry%20Shampoo?ciSelector=searchResults

Note: All of these hairsprays and dry shampoos have a scent to them, and everyone has different preferences to what they can tolerate. I don't think that any of these products have too strong or terrible of a smell personally.

All photos were take by Becky Schutten.

Chunky Heel Trend

Chunky Heel Trend

One of my favorite new (or should I say "reoccurring") trends is the chunky heel trend. I think this trend puts a twist on our "everyday" heels. Don't get me wrong... I love my stiletto heels as much a the next shoe addict, but I also love to mix up my shoe collection with a variety of different classic and trendy shoe options. I think that the chunky heel is a great way to rock a stylish shoe while also taking comfort into consideration. The chunkier the heel, the easier it is to walk in (and who doesn't want to be comfortable.)

Now that we've established why I love the chunky heel trend, let's talk about where I love to buy my chunky heels! One of the best affordable shoe stores I have found is Lola Shoetique. Lola Shoetique is a shoe store based out of Los Angeles. Since I am located in the Chicago land area, I usually order all of my shoes from Lola Shoetique's online site. I am so in love with this shoe store! Not only are the shoes extremely stylish and affordable, they are also great quality and have amazing customer service! I would definitely recommend checking out their site if you are a shoe lover like myself.

www.lolashoetique.com

Here are a few of my more recent chunky heel purchases from Lola Shoetique.

 

 

All photos and opinions are my own.