Summer Beauty Essentials

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

Happy Hump Day, friends!

There are just certain products a girl has to have for a Summer beauty routine.  Days get hotter, skirts get shorter and weekends are filled with sunshine & salt air.  But luckily, all of my secrets for combating mother nature can be found at Walgreens.  You guys - I am in Walgreens at least 5 times a week.  No exaggeration.   My local store is about two blocks from work, so it's my go-to for snacks, birthday cards, my Orbit obsession and beauty products.  I cannot leave the place without picking up at least one three new products.  It's super convenient and less crowded than larger stores, the employees literally know me by name now, and they are always stocked with the latest beauty must-haves...and not to mention I rack up major Walgreens reward points...  #CollectiveBias

Good news for all of you Walgreens shoppers - there is a 'Gift With Purchase' promo running until August 30th!  Walgreens will send you a coupon when you either text a code or visiting the website which is good for a FREE travel-size makeup brush with any $20 beauty/personal care purchase (excludes baby care.)

Lip dryness is no joke when you are in the sun every weekend.  I make sure to take care of my lips with a Walgreens-brand chapstick egg & the new Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain.  I am a neutral gal so I chose more of a tan stain color.  I love that it's not too sticky/glossy and seems to have some staying power.  Other Summer necessities?  Magazines and nail polish of course!  Who can leave a drugstore without a magazine?  Not this girl.  They are the best reading material for a day on the boat.  And this new Essie color - 'In The Cab-ana' is so fun for Summer!  I am hooked on all shades of blue right now and it gives you such a nice pop of color.  The hubby tells me it looks like I have hypothermia....  silly boys.  

I have also started using this Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance sunscreen this year and I am hooked!  It smells like coconuts and Heaven and doesn't leave a sticky film after application.  The older I get, the more I appreciate a nice sunscreen.  

I also pay more attention to my legs & locks during Summer months.  When you're in a bikini every weekend a close shave is mandatory.  The eos shave cream is my favorite to leave my legs silky and razor-burn free.  I also make sure to use a conditioning treatment weekly and try to tie-up my locks with these cute hair ties to avoid breaking and damage.  I actually use all of the Loreal products for hair care right now and I am super impressed with the quality!

So what products do you find at Walgreens that are essential to a stylish Summer? #WalgreensBeauty

Super Quick Date Night Makeup Look

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

Happy Hump Day, friends!

The sun is shining (the wind is still cray cray but I will take it over the cold) and pretty Spring weather makes me itch to go on dates with my main man.  Working full time and blogging part time leaves my schedule a liiiiiitle tight in the "getting-ready" department.  And if we have plans to go out or grab dinner after work, I am always rushed to redo my makeup and outfit before the hubby blows a gasket.  I mean, a girl has to freshen up, right?!?  So Today I wanted to share with you one of my new favorite date-night makeup looks.  I am talking SUUPER quick and SUUPER cheap drugstore mascara & foundation.  (All of the Rimmel London makeup pictured above was purchase at Walmart for less than $25.  I know!!!! )  

All of my Rimmel London products for my suuuuper quick & cheap datenight were purchased at Walmart.  Their beauty aisles are always stocked and easy to navigate! (Also, since April 2014 is Rimmel's 180 year anniversary there will be a $1 off coupon in the Sunday paper for the Stay Matte Foundation & Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara.  score.)

First step is applying the new Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation.  I HIGHLY recommend this product!  I have super super super oily skin so the first thing I look for in a foundation is a mattifying quality.  But, I don't want to sacrifice a lightweight formula just for a little less shine.  Luckily the Stay Matte Foundation gives me the best of both.  The whipped formula is super light and didn't make my face feel claustrophobic, and I was still shine-free way past my creme brulee.    

Steps 2 and 3 - a natural smokey eye and this incredible mascara.  I will be a mascara girl until I die.  You know the question "what would you take to a deserted island..." one of my 3 items would be mascara.  The Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara helps me achieve those WOWZA eyes that I love.  Using the eyeshadow palette I highlighted the inner corner of my eyes and used the darkest grey in the crease.  I also the light grey on top of my eye liner for extra definition.  One coat of the Retro Glam would be plenty, but I am definitely a two-coat gal.  

With such a dark eye, I like to keep the rest of my face and lips pretty natural.  I love this Rimmel London nude gloss I found for just a little color.  My finishers are lip gloss and a red nail (red nails are always a DO for date-night, and this Rimmel London 60 second color dries in a snap.)  Final touch?  A quickie with my curling iron.  

Ready for dinner with my extremely patient husband in about 10 minutes flat.  

Since I know you are all blown away by these new Rimmel products, I want to give you the chance to win a goodie basket of your own in the Coty/Rimmel Sweepstakes! #BeautyInspiration #CollectiveBias

Rimmel London is giving away 25 Gift Baskets with $50 worth of their favorite products!  To enter simply follow the instructions of the Rafflecopter below.  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. The Coty® Rimmel® Giveaway starts at 4/2/14 at 12:00 A.M. (midnight) ET and ends on 4/25/14 at 11:59:59 PM ET. Open only to (i) members of the Social Fabric community, (ii) legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, and (iii) who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Click here for Official Rules and details including how to enter, entry criteria, prizes and restrictions, etc. Void in PR and where prohibited. Sponsor: Collective Bias, Inc.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for reading!  Now go get the London Look & grab a bite with your beau!