Natalie-Elizabeth

Browsing the book sections in Anthroplogie and Urban Outfitters is one of my favorite activities to do. I could seriously spend all day in both stores. Recently, I have started to form a small collection of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle books. These are the type of books that just look pretty sitting on your coffee table or on your book shelf that you can flip through to get inspiration or just enjoy the pictures. Here are a few favorites that I recently purchased.

In The Company Of Women - Grace Bonney

Capture Your Style - Aimee Song

Now this book is what I like to call, the beauty bible. It is THE instruction manual for all things beauty. Sali Hughes has 15 years of experience in the beauty world and all of her tips and tricks are in this book. She gives realistic beauty advice for the everyday woman. She covers everything from teenage skincare to mature beauty. I love how honest this book is and I have learned some life changing techniques from her. I always keep this one on my nightstand. It's like my little dictionary that I always turn to whenever I have a beauty problem! Definitely recommend this one if you are just as obsessed with makeup and beauty as I am.

Finding the perfect handbag has always been a struggle for me. It is so hard to find a bag that is perfect for everyday and practical for the evenings. For years, I have been lusting over Rebecca Minkoff handbags and I finally decided to break the bank and purchase my first one. A lot of research goes into buying your first designer bag and I knew the M.A.C. Crossbody would be the best option for me. The overall size of the bag is great. It is 11" L x 2" D x 8" H with a 21" drop chain strap. I can fit everything I need for the day and it doesn't get bulky. This bag also comes in a mini version, which is great if you want the same style but feel the regular size is too large for your needs. I was really impressed with the quality of the leather. It feels super soft and buttery, so it will definitely get better with age. When it came to color choice, I stuck with black because it is a classic color and it will be easy to style. I knew if I picked a brighter color, I would get sick of it. My favorite thing about this bag is the gold hardware. The clasp in the front and the metal hardware on the bottom gives off a subtle, edgy look. The gold details and size makes it perfect to use on a night out.

Since I chose a neutral color, I figured I could accessorize the bag with fun key chains. I picked one up at H&M, it is currently unavailable on their website, but they have a lot of unique ones out for the summer. I really like this key chain because it really stands out against the black leather. Also the lips add a nice pop of red.

Overall, this bag was the perfect choice for me and I know it is going to be my go to choice for the summer.

Sunday Riley has been a brand that I have always wanted to try. I have heard so many great things about their products and how you will see instant results. Their Martian toner has been on my list of things to try for awhile now. I came across this product while watching one of Zoella's monthly favorites videos.  She was raving about how this product has made a huge difference to her skin. I have watched Zoella for years and she has always been open about her skin issues and I have always felt we had similar skin types. So when she talked about how this product made her skin clear up, I had to go try it out myself. Sunday Riley has been creating high-performance products that create instant results that will have a long-term payoff. There is a large range of products that will suit any skin type. From cleansers, moisturizers and facial oils, there is something available for everyone.

In past posts, I have talked about all of my recent skin issues and I am still trying to figure out how to get my skin back to normal. With graduation right around the corner, I have been experiencing really bad breakouts due to stress and my skin has been oiler than usual. I regularly see a dermatologist so I have switched up my skin care routine a little bit since I have been using the same products for years. The Martian toner has made a huge difference to the appearance of my skin. This toner comes out as a cooling gel and as you massage it into the skin, it turns to water. This toner helps clarify, remove oil and tighten pores to help mattify the skin. Bentonite clay is used to help clarify and tighten pores by pulling out oil and pore-clogging debris. This ingredient also helps set your foundation since it keeps oil at bay. Marshmallow extract is used to help soothe the skin and reduce redness. Cucumber, green tea and witch hazel are all used in this product to help tone and tighten the skin. The final main ingredient is manuka which is used to keep the skin clear. I apply this product twice a day after I cleanse my skin. I have only been using it for a week and I already see a difference! I was getting really frustrated with how oily my skin has been and my makeup would break up only a few hours after application. This toner has helped control the oil of my skin and I have noticed my makeup has lasted way longer. I also love how much smaller my pores have gotten from this product. The full size bottle costs $55, which is the main reason why I held off purchasing it for awhile. When I was at Sephora in JcPenny, I saw a smaller bottle that was only $25! Which isn't bad for how pricey this brand is. Even though I have only used this product for a week, I already know it is going to be a permanent part of my skincare routine. I have already seen a difference in my skin in such a short period of time, and I can't wait to see how my skin looks the longer I use this toner!