I purchased the Ted Baker Bow Detail Zipped Leather Tote Bag on sale. What made this bag catch my eye was its gold hardware, structured shape, and the Ted Baker little bow in the front. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the inside of the bag is pink with a small pocket.
The color white is trending this summer. White trended last winter and is again this summer, especially when paired with other neutrals like black for a monochromatic look. I do not partake trends that much but the fabulous thing about this bag is it both fits a trend yet looks simple and classic.
I can fit my sizable handbag organizer pouch inside with no problem. The bag has an additional crossbody strap. It was delivered packaged inside a drawstring bag. All in all, I love the shopping experience at Ted Baker. He’s one of my favorite designers. I hope to purchase one of his wrap coats this fall (so excited for fall). I’ve seen them on people in Dublin before and they look even better in person! The small gold details, craftsmanship, and quality make Ted Baker stand out.
Sephora Collection Holy Sheet! – There are 14 different sheet masks for the face, eyes, hands, feet, and hair. The package also includes two face wipes sets: one cleansing and the other exfoliating, a lip balm, and two sleeping masks. I haven’t tried every mask, but I have used some like one of the foot masks, the hair mask, and a nose mask. I really loved the hair mask, it made a massive difference in my dry chemically treated hair. The foot mask is lovely as well, very hydrating. I did not like the nose mask, though, because I did not see any difference. I love the lip scrub tube. I’ve purchased it separately in almond before, and I think it’s great to use before bed. The exfoliating wipes are fantastic, perfect to use before facial tweezing to remove build up. This set makes a great gift. The cost is $48 (currently out of stock)
Love this Dior Capture Youth Plump Filler age-delay plumping serum. As soon as I started using this product, I was complimented that my skin looked youthful! This product’s scent smells like perfume in a way that’s akin to fragranced high-end hair products. I personally like the scent. I think it smells elegant and feminine. I’m really happy I’ve already begun to see results! https://www.sephora.com/product/capture-youth-plump-filler-age-delay-plumping-serum-P427732?keyword=dior%20filler
This SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum lotion is formulated to minimize stretch marks, body acne, and cellulite. I thought the reviews seemed too positive, but I have to agree with the overwhelming positivity. It really does smooth out the skin and prevent acne. I’ve noticed a major difference in my skin. It now feels super soft and I no longer get breakouts. Sometimes I use some Vitamin C too (from Amazon) to lighten up existing blemishes along with this lotion. I really like using it at night before bed because it feels so special and luxurious. I’ll for sure repurchase this product! https://www.sephora.com/product/brazilian-bum-bum-cream-P406080
I got these Facial Radiance Pads because they were recommended by one of my favorite YouTubers named Elle Florence. She suggested using them anywhere on your body to prevent ingrown hairs or to get existing ingrown hairs to come out. It really does work for ingrown hairs. I like using it on my face too to brighten up and wake up my skin. I was surprised the pads are somewhat small. https://www.sephora.com/product/facial-radiance-pads-P278317
The grapefruit scent of the soap is subtle but present enough to make the shower experience aromatic. I love how big and weighted the bar is. Also, the packaging is charming with the metal tie around a small stone. The soap provides ample lather and is foamy. I think it makes a really nice gift. I plan on making a little spa basket with Fresh soap and more as a present for an expecting mother. ❤ https://www.sephora.com/product/hesperides-grapefruit-oval-soap-P178410
I received these Drunk Elephant samples as a birthday gift from Sephora. The Jelly Cleanser is nice, but I really love the Protini Polypeptide Cream the most. This face cream has a jelly quality to it. It’s nourishing and leaves your face looking dewy. I think it is perfect for hot weather because it is not too thick.
Pixi Products Update:
I love Pixi Vitamin C toner! I think anything Vitamin C is a win to keep your skin blemish mark free. It beautifully clears up marks and balances the skin’s PH to prepare it for serum and lotion. The toner is yellow and has a slight citrus scent that is not too strong. The Pixi Glow tonic is also excellent. I use it on blemishes, and within one to two days it clears it up or, at least the blemishes begin to flatten down. ❤
Hey all, hope you had a lovely Fourth of July! ❤ This post details the makeup, skincare, and dress I wore and used for the holiday.
The dress is from Réalisation Par, The Teale in Wild Cherry. I wanted this dress for months, and I was happy to wear it on the perfect holiday for red and blue clothes. I paired it with black van sneakers.
After pictures with makeup and final image without makeup before – This is the skincare I used:
After washing my face, I applied Glow Vitamin C and Rose Water from the brand Mamonde. My skin was super bright and alive-looking afterward. Also, my make up did not look greasy like it did in the past by the end of the night. I really love the rose water toner, I have a sample size and want to get the full-sized product. Under my eyes, I used my Kiehl’s avocado eye cream, and the face lotion I used was Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica. I also used a few drops of Dior Youth Filler plumping face serum (a more detailed review in upcoming Sephora and Glow post next). I added some Supergoop sunscreen to my neck too.
Makeup used:
I did not put on primer, because for some reason I feel like it always makes my face look oily.
I put on Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact with SPF 35 only on my T-zone. I followed it with Black Up bronzer below my cheekbones, on my forehead, and chin.
I used Supergoop sunscreen eyeshadow all over my lid. I added dimension on my eyes by adding shimmery brown in the crease of the eyelid and a little shimmery white with pink on the bottom half of my lid too from Pat McGrath. Then I lined my eye with Marc Jacobs gel eyeliner in the color Ice. On my cheeks and nose, I used Fenty Killawatt Girl Next Door and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Gold.
For my brows, I used Benefit Ultra-Fine Brow Defining Pencil in the color 5 and Benefit 24-HR Brow Setter Gel. I finished my eyelashes with Lancome Gandoise 40RB mascara. ❤
I’ve used this Black Sugar Mask since my undergraduate studies. Back then I purchased it because it’s inexpensive and it has enough product to last about 2.5 to 3 months of one semester (which typically lasts about 15-16 weeks). It’s a sugar face scrub that deeply cleanses the skin. I stopped using it for a while because I did not want to damage the skin on my face with abrasive scrubs that can cause tears or small cuts. However, after repurchasing, I can see the scrub is not too rough or damaging. I rinse it off slowly in circular motions with wet hands before thoroughly washing face with water. I recommend this product if you’re in the market for an inexpensive weekly exfoliant scrub.
This product isn’t a favorite, I just decided to test it out because it’s highly reviewed. I put the box of sheet masks in the fridge and use it chilled. I like using it, but I do not plan on repurchasing because I see no difference in my skin.$11 Egg White Pore Foam Face Wash
I’ve also used this product for years. It’s the best, and the fact that it’s sold out at the moment speaks volumes. A little product goes a long way. It thoroughly cleans make-up and grime in a way that’s similar to the Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, but for half the price.
$27 Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon
Another favorite that I’ve used for more than three years ~ these lemon pads are both physical and chemical exfoliants. I love using it weekly or as needed to clear up any problems on my skin. It always works like a charm (notably in unison with Neutrogena – On-the-Spot Acne Treatment)
$10 Rice Mask Wash Off
This mask leaves your face feeling clean but not stripped. It helps clear up and brighten the skin. This is a milder exfoliant alternative to the black sugar mask and equally effective.
Honorable mention – MISSHA sunscreen is the best (besides Supergoop), in my opinion. It’s hydrating and dries on clear rather than grey-ish like most sunscreens. ❤
I purchased a few Pixi products and sent them home to the States. I got one Glow Tonic medium-sized and travel sized for my mother and me.
I additionally purchased the Vitamin C tonic for myself and the Pixi Collagen & Retinol Serum for my mom. So far she’s said the smell is pleasant and the texture is sticky. Due to this, she’d instead only use the product at night. This product has diminished the appearance of smile lines on her face. As for the Glow Tonic, its brightening marks on her face and neck amazingly.
I’ve updated my mother’s skincare with a few anti-aging products like Shiseido Ultimune Eye Power Infusing Eye Concentrate, Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Night Cream, and Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Day Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 18. I’ve noticed tremendous improvement in her skin because she has a more youthful glow.
A more thorough review is coming soon! Plus tons of Korean skincare, First Aid Beauty, and SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, and other products from Sephora. Honorable mention: the Sephora Collection Candle Hour smells heavenly, recommend the set 100%! The scent is strong but not headache inducing, smells like roses, spices, and fruit! The fragrance moves around the entire apartment. ❤
Quick unrelated announcements: I’m currently also prepping to apply to law school this fall. I signed up for Kaplan tutoring. I plan on sharing my LSAT tips after I take my exam and get my results. Also, I want to revamp my blog and blog more regularly soon. I really need to get into a more productive blogging groove. 🤓Long skincare post below, feel free to skim through:
I bought a few new Kiehl’s skincare products and got a bag with sample sized goodies at the store for free with my purchase! Good luck, right?
I picked up another bottle of Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser (USD 23). I had a few pimples pop up on my forehead, and after using this cleanser, they quickly diminished. I’ve used this product before, and I recommend it because it does what it advertises — gentle daily exfoliation. It’s great for summer when my skin is more sweaty.
I purchased another Midnight Recovery Oil in the medium size ($75). I think this oil mainly helps with skin texture, and it’s amazing as always. The lavender smell is very relaxing.
A product new to me that I got is the Super Multi-Corrective Cream with Beech Tree Extract, Jasmonic and Hyaluronic Acids (around $66 USD). I love how it melts into the skin, its so velvety and smooth. I sought out this product because it has Hyaluronic acids and my esthetician at the Shelbourne suggested I look for products with this to add plumpness back into my skin and fade expression lines.
The sample goodie bag is so cute with a black and white vintage Kiehl’s print interior! Included:
-Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Massque (so excited to use this on my upcoming 11 hour flight back home)
-Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask (love the light smell and buttery texture, skin appeared hydrated in the morning after use)
-Midnight recovery oil face wash (Its just like the face oil – I “somewhat” enjoy using oil face washes to remove make up (gentle wash) but I probably would not buy this because I prefer washes with lather or scrub)
-Rosa Arctica (I used a few times and love it, it leaves the skin very glowy! It shrank the pores on my cheeks. The reviews are stellar online as well)
-Ultra Facial Toner (Leaves my skin feeling clean without feeling stripped, but natural may be best like witch hazel as toner – I always use witch hazel after facial threading or waxing to prevent bumbs)
10 out of 10 recommend visiting the Spa at The Shelbourne! I had a magical experience there as a birthday treat. Happy Birthday fellow Geminis. ❤
Customers of the spa are allowed to arrive an hour earlier than their appointment, no time more prior, to use the facilities like the steam room, sauna, and pool. In the locker room, each customer has a locker set up with their name on a charming little handwritten name card.
I used the steam room and sauna before my appointment. I did the anti-aging collagen facial. My esthetician was super warm and kind and massaged my neck, shoulder, arms, and scalp about three times during the hour-long facial. Afterward, I was given a platter with delicious honeycomb ice cream, mixed berries, and cranberry juice.
I loved the kind customer service and cleanliness of the facilities. The lounge room is grand and vintage but due to its age a little downtrodden. The lounge overlooks St. Stephan’s Green.
Still, I’ve been to several spas within the United States in different states and a few internationality, I know sometimes spending more does not guarantee a relaxing or pleasant spa experience, unfortunately. But this spa is legit, worth every cent.
My facial amounted to around 173 USD (no tip asked, included), and I personally think that is a modest fee given the facilities, length of facial, and post-facial snack.
I took a picture of the lobby and have also added some google searched pictures of the lounge areas (I left my phone in my locker). ❤
