Let's face it, your hair goes through a lot, especially during the summer time. Between sun exposure, chlorine from swimming pools, and copious amounts of dry shampoo that constantly save us from bad hair days, it wouldn't hurt to give your luscious locks a little T.L.C.

Maple Holistic's newest shampoo, the Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo is just the product you need to revive your hair this season.

 Apple Cider Vinegar For Your Hair?

Apple cider vinegar has been a buzzy ingredient in the wellness world and recently, it has been making its way into our beauty cabinets too. ACV is a very acidic ingredient that can help restore the pH level of our scalp. Balancing out the pH level will prevent dryness, which will lead to overall shinier hair. This ingredient also removes build up from products--think dry shampoo, hairspray, and serums. With the addition of an ACV shampoo, you can continue using all of your beloved products without the worry.

If you've been reading my blog for a little while, then you probably have noticed that Maple Holistics is one of my favorite natural shampoo companies. Their products are clean, don't leave your hair with any gross residue, and are packed with ingredients that actually benefit your beautiful hair.

The Review

First, off I have to mention the packaging. I love how sleek their bottles are, but this yellow label honestly gives off SO many happy vibes. I know it sounds corny, but this is one of my favorite shades of yellow, and it truly adds a touch of sunshine into the products that line my shower.

The shampoo has a very healthy scent. You know when you walk into a juice shop and it just smells healthy? That's what the shampoo smells like, but not quite as strong. I'm pretty sure it's because of the ACV. Personally, I don't mind the scent. It doesn't linger in your hair afterwards, so it doesn't bother me, but I know some people have a love / hate relationship with healthy scents like that.

The formula itself is a white color that is slightly runnier than a conditioner. I know some natural shampoos I've used are very liquidy and difficult to lather, but this is a little thicker. For being a sulfate-free formula it lathers extremely well--you may remember how much I geeked out about this in my last review for the Silk 18 shampoo. This is something I've found to be consistent across all lines, which makes me love the products even more.

The Results

Overall, I would definitely recommend this shampoo. My hair did not have any sort of greasy residue once it dried (can be common in natural shampoos) and it wasn't dry either. My hair was actually more voluminous after using this particular shampoo, even compared to other Maple Holistics products, which pleasantly surprised me. My guess is that it's because of the clarifying affect ACV has on the hair. Oh, and this shampoo can be used on any hair type. How awesome is that?!

If you're looking for a good clarifying shampoo that isn't harsh on your hair, doesn't have nasty chemicals in it, and still gets the job done, then I can confidently say this one is for you! Go ahead and give it a try. Let me know in the comments below if you have tried this product or plan to, I'd love to hear what you think! 

Maple Holistics Silk 18 Shampoo Review

I've talked about Maple Holistics a few times on my blog, and this time the brand is back with a new shampoo: Silk18.

If you're not familiar with Maple Holistics, it is a natural bath, body, hair, and skincare company. When I started switching my shampoo and conditioner to cleaner alternatives, Maple Holistics is a brand I found myself always going back to. When I tried other natural hair care brands, a lot of times my hair was left feeling weighed down and a little greasy, but my Maple Holistics products have never done that to me! I also really like this brand because they are cruelty-free, source their ingredients ethically, and use recycled plastic for their bottles.

So, getting into the product, the Silk18 shampoo is a great option if you have frizzy, dry, or damaged hair because it helps you achieve smoother, stronger, and more luscious locks. Talk about dream hair. In the winter time I always try to add more hydrating products into my beauty routines because the cold weather is just so stinking rough on my hair and skin. Oh, and if I didn't use any hair products, my waves would be quite the frizzy mess, so I was very excited about the benefits of this shampoo.

Silk18 has a creamy consistency and lathers extremely well without using any sulfates. I was so surprised by this, I double checked the ingredient list to make sure there wasn't any SLS in it, and it was completely clean! The shampoo has a light sweet scent. It kind of smells like frosting, but in the best way possible and not over powering at all.

This shampoo uses argon and jojoba oil to smooth and soften your hair, so I was a little worried my hair would be left with a greasy residue, but that definitely wasn't the case. I was left with soft, smooth, and frizz-free hair and this shampoo gets a A+++ from me! Silk 18 will actually give you silky hair, there's no doubt about it. Seriously, I would buy this shampoo again.

If you're looking for a a natural shampoo that doesn't have all of those nasty ingredients, I highly recommend checking out Silk 18! I'd love to hear if you have used this shampoo before or have tried it yourself, is comment down below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 if you have!

Have a beautiful day!

I Tried Ice Cream Face Masks and it is the Sweetest Product Ever

Ice cream and face masks are the perfect recipe for a relaxing evening of self-care. I don't know about you, but a night watching FRIENDS and eating Ben & Jerry's peanut butter half baked while pampering my skin sounds so good to me. But how cool would it be if your face got to enjoy some ice cream too?

Thanks to Influenster and I Dew Care, I've been able to try out the brand's latest line of face masks: The Ice Cream Collection.

This is actually the cutest line of masks to ever exist. Seriously! The line consists of three different masks that each come with a scoop to apply. Remember those little ice cream cups with the wooden spoon that popped up at every birthday party as a kid? The face mask jars and scooper definitely brought back memories of those. Talk about nostalgia.

The Types

BERRY GROOVY

This is face mask is great for ladies who want to brighten their complexion. Glycolic acid, antioxidant-rich raspberries, and exfoliating strawberry seeds do the trick, which allow you to have the glowy skin of your dreams. Out of the three masks, this one has the strongest scent. It's obviously super fruity and smells like strawberries--it's just so sweet!

Berry Groovy is perfect for those days when your skin needs a little pick-me-up. When I used this mask, I noticed my skin really did look brighter the next morning and had a little extra life to it. Oh and the best part? The mask is PINK!

CAKE MY DAY

This may actually be my favorite mask out of the entire collection. I mean, it has sprinkles in it; how adorable is that?! Cake My Day is a hydrating mask, and trust me, this has been a life saver. Lately, my skin has been freaking out with all of this dry winter weather, so I've been incorporating this into my skincare routine more and more and it truly has helped.

Hyaluronic acid and moisture balancing squalene nourish and replenish your skin. Since these masks are pretty much ice cream for your face, it has a slight cooling effect to it, which I really love. It makes it the mask so much more relaxing and calming on my skin. After finishing the mask I noticed my skin actually was softer and didn't feel tight.

MATCHA MOOD

Matcha Mood is a soothing mask, which is great for reducing redness and for those ladies with sensitive skin. The magic making ingredients are green tea extract, vitamin B-3, and glacier water. If I ever want to give my skin a little extra love or notice that my skin is more red than normal, I'll often pick up this jar. Just like Cake My Day, this mask also has a cooling effect!

I love how this mask is actually green like matcha! I've been becoming a bigger fan of matcha lately, so I was super excited to try out this mask in particular. Oh and trust me, Matcha Mood did not disappoint at all. Since I have sensitive skin, certain products and masks irritate my skin and leave me looking like a tomato--ugh, so not cute, right? This mask did not bring out an inner tomato; it left me with calm, soothed skin. It gets an A+ from me.

Pros
1. Each mask lives up to their claim
2. Cooling effect soothes skin
3. Did not have irritation or burning from any of the masks
4. The CUTEST packaging ever (yes, I have to mention that again)
5. Masks have a light scent, but none of them are over powering

Cons
1. Price. Each jar is just over 3 ounces and costs 25 dollars each. It's not terribly expensive, but I wouldn't exactly call it budget friendly.

No, I didn't forget to finish the article, I truly have just one con for the product. I honestly loved each mask so much, and will be adding these into my skincare routine on mask days! I definitely recommend checking these out. Whether you're having a self-care night night with your girls or looking to revamp your skincare routine, these masks will make a great addition!

Beauty Trends to Keep Your Eye Out For in 2019

I'm sure it's no surprise that with every new year comes a fresh set of trends. Bold brows and glowing skin dominated the beauty world in 2018, but what can we expect this year? From a stunning copper hair color to skin-loving ingredients, there's an amazing mix of new concepts in beauty and trends we all know and love. Keep scrolling to find out what to keep an eye out for on your next trip to Target or Sephora. 

Natural Brows

Photo from Glossier.com

It's time to say good-bye to the boxy arched brows, which dominated our Instagram feeds in 2018. This year POPSUGAR, Marie Claire, and Elle have all named the 'natural brow' as the new style for them. To achieve this look, simply apply a tinted eyebrow gel and then you're good to go! A brow gel will add a little definition, keep the natural shape of your brow, and lock the hair in place all day long.

Try these brow gels for a natural look: Pacifica Brow Gloss, Glossier Boy Brow, and Wet n' Wild Brow Mascara

Eyeliner

Photo from EliteDaily.com

Photo from Tarte.com

Of course eyeliner never truly goes out of style, but the popularity of the no makeup makeup look has put our liquid friend on the back burner. Guess what! It's coming back. Liquid eyeliner will be the hottest way to make your eyes pop this year. Feeling adventurous? Try a graphic look to make a bold statement.

Try Tarte Cosmetics' Lights Camera Lashes Liquid Eyeliner, Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner, or 100% Pure Long Last Liquid Eyeliner to achieve a sleek cat eye.

Matte Skin

Photo from Maybelline.com

Just like that, matte skin is back! Style Caster, Marie Claire, and Elle have all deemed the finish this years go-to look. Honestly, this makes me a little sad, I love highlighter and a nice glowy look. To accomplish this look, try the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation,  BareMinerals Pro Powder Foundation, or the It Cosmetics Matte CC Cream foundations or add a mattifying powder to a satin finish foundation, like the BareMinerals Mineral Veil, Maybelline Fit Me Powder, or Kat Von D Lock-It powders.

Bold Lip 

Photo from Cacique Tribe

Get ready to bust out your candy apple reds and vivid hot pinks because bold lipstick is back. Over the last two years we've seen nothing but nude lips everywhere! Health, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour have all added this trend on their list of what to look out for in 2019. Honestly, I'm so excited about it. Sure, I love my natural pink lipstick, but it's so fun to wear a bold lip every so often! I can't wait to incorporate more brighter lipstick shades into my looks!

Shop these lipsticks to give off #BoldLipVibes: ColourPop Blur Luxe Lipstick - "All the Tea," ColourPop Ultra Satin Lipstick - "Ambush," Burt's Bees Satin Lipstick - "Scarlet Soaked," Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick - "Pink Coral C306"

Copper Hair

Photo from her.ie

A red / copper hue is this year's hair color of the year. Do you remember when I dyed my hair about a year and a half ago? Yeah, it's pretty much that exact same color, which is really making me want to turn into a red head again. This is such a beautiful color, and it'll be so neat seeing more and more people sport the shade.


Wellness Meets Beauty

Photo from TakeTimeOut.uk

Recently, we've seen a shift towards clean beauty in the industry. The term "clean beauty" refers to the ingredients in the products. Products that are clean don't include harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and phalates. Consumers want brands to be more transparent about the ingredients used in their beauty products. That's exactly what's happening, which  makes me super super happy! Origins, BareMinerals, and RMS Beauty are just a few clean brands that have become more revenant, and Sephora has even dedicated a whole shopping guide with a special seal to clean beauty. Okay, so I could talk about this all day. Perhaps a clean beauty post is in store?

Check out these brands which use good-for-you ingredients: 100% Pure, YesTo, RMS Beauty, BareMinerals, and Origins

From vivid lip colors to coppery auburn hair, there are so many exciting beauty trends heading our way this year. I'm so excited to try out these new trends. Which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 using the hashtag #ATinyTrendsetter

From Fashion to Music: My Current Favorites

Fall is such an exciting time. There's something about the start of a new season that makes me feel like I can conquer anything. I'm definitely more motivated and eager to try new things. Can anyone else relate?  From a new fashion or makeup trend, to the latest workout craze or album I've been listening to, when it comes to trying out something new during the season it could literally be anything.

While I've been adding a few newbies into my life and turning back to my trustee fall favorites (I'm looking at you plaid scarves and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins) I've rounded up some of my favorite things I've been dying to share with you.

Suede Skirts

I got this suede skirt from Anthropolgie about a month ago, and I've worn it about once a week since then. This piece has been such a fall staple for me. I love pairing this skirt with my ankle booties or riding boots. I've found that this skirt instantly makes the most basic of shirts look put together, and who wouldn't want a piece that can do that?!

Leaf Inspired Eyeshadow

I recently revisited my Minnie Mouse palette by Sephora after not using it for a while, and let me tell you, this palette has SO many fall inspired hues in it. I was instantly drawn to the copper, burgundy and gold shades which inspired me to create a fall leaf inspired eyeshadow look. When I have the time to do an in-depth eyeshadow look, you bet this has been my go-to.

Yoga

After breaking my toe a few months ago and having it take way longer to heal than expected, I'm finally back into exercising and I could not be happier. I recently did a free week of classes at Core Power Yoga and it made me fall in love with this type of exercise. Yoga is something I definitely want to continue to practice and get better at.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins 

When the fall season rolls around, one thing I absolutely need in my life are pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. My absolute favorite pumpkin muffins are from Wegmans, but unfortunately there aren't any Wegmans' in New York. I know, so so sad. Since fall is all about baking, I decided to bake my own! However, I was super lucky because my good friend Shannon mailed me THREE boxes of my most favorite muffins and it honestly completed my entire season.

Carrie Underwood's Cry Pretty and Lauren Daigle's Look Up Child

These two ladies in music recently each dropped a new album within the past couple of months and let me tell you, it has made my commute to work, or basically anywhere I need to hop on the train 100X better. Both artists have such powerful voices and they're music is so inspiring. If you haven't already given their albums a  listen, it is totally worth it.

Pumpkin Clove Candle 

A few weeks ago, I bought a pumpkin clove candle from Anthropologie and it literally smells like fall in a jar. It smells so so good. If you're into delicious fall scents, then do yourself a favor and buy this candle.

What have been some of your favorite fall things? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation & Concealer Review

Wow! It's definitely been a little while since I did a review. However, thanks to Influenster I'm finally back with another one.

If you're not familiar with Influenster, it's an app/website where you receive free product in exchange for reviews--seriously, how cool is that?! Once you sign up, you say what your interests are (i.e. beauty, fashion), answer a few demographic questions, and then you let the reviewing begin! Based on your answers to the questions and the interests you select, Influenster matches you with campaigns. If you're a good fit they'll send you a VoxBox (can be one or multiple products) and then after testing out your new goodies, you'll hop on to Influenster and social media to let your friends know what you thought about the products.

A couple weeks ago, I received the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation and concealer. I have to admit, being the beauty fanatic that I am, you'd think I do a full-face of makeup everyday, but in reality that is not that case at all. I rarely wear foundation. I know, please don't send me to beauty jail.
After receiving this combo, I was super excited to see how it would hold up throughout the day.

FOUNDATION

Color Match: I couldn't be happier with how well this foundation matched my skin tone. Since I obviously didn't test out the product before receiving it, I was a little worried if the shade would be a good match, but it most definitely was! I received this in the shade 44, which is formulated for light skin with a cool undertone.

Application + Finish: If not wearing foundation on the reg didn't send me to beauty jail this may be the deal breaker: I applied this with my hands. I know I know I know, a dense foundation brush or beauty blender would be ideal, but I didn't have either available at the time, so hands it was!

Using my hands to apply the foundation actually worked very well (if you do this, make wash your hands before, nobody wants unwanted acne). I was amazed with how well and seamless the formula blended into my skin. It is medium-full coverage foundation that is buildable with a matte finish. After applying the foundation my skin looked flawless and completely shine-free. I set the foundation with Bare Mineral's Mineral Veil loose powder. This is a great base to the start of any makeup look.

Feel: There is nothing I hate more than wearing a foundation that feels heavy, like it's clogging my pores more and more the longer I wear it. Luckily the Lock-It foundation didn't give me this gross feeling. It was light-weight--I even forgot I had it on throughout the day.

Wear: The Lock-It foundation claims to be a long-wear foundation that will last 24 hours without any touch ups, and let me tell you, that's definitely not a lie. I wore this foundation all day, which included a full 8-hour work day. When I got home at 9pm my foundation looked like I just applied it.

PRO TIP: Apply a primer first for the longest wear and smoothest application.


CONCEALER

Color Match: I received this product in the shade 5, which is formulated for light skin with a neutral undertone. The color matched my skin 100 percent, which was perfect for covering up blemishes, but I mainly use concealer to hide those dark circles we all know and despise. When doing that, I like to use a slightly lighter shade to brighten up the under-eye area, so I can't say this is a concealer I would use every single day.

Application + Finish: I absolutely love the applicator! It's a fairly large-sized doe foot applicator. It contours my eye shape perfectly, which makes applying the product very easy. To blend concealer, I  always use my ring finger. I've found this is actually the easiest and most precise way to do so!  Compared to the Maybelline Fit Me concealer that I usually use, this formula is a little more difficult to blend completely--definitely not ideal if you're in a rush to do your makeup.

Feel: The feel of this concealer was great! It is light weight and doesn't feel oily or greasy.

Wear: After I applied the concealer on one eye and moved on to my other one, I was extremely surprised that my first eye had already begun to crease. Since this doesn't happen with my drugstore concealer, I definitely wasn't expecting it to happen with a high end one. After I used Mineral Veil powder to set my face, I didn't have any other creasing problems throughout the day--thank goodness!

Overall, I loved the Lock-It foundation and would totally recommend it to anyone on the hunt for a matte, natural looking foundation that that is light-weight and lasts all day. Wow! That's a mouth full, but I promise the foundation lives up to all of those words. For the Lock-It concealer, I honestly wouldn't recommend it. I was expecting more from a high end formula, and I found that it didn't perform any better than a drugstore product. You could definitely find a concealer that works just as well, if not better for a fraction of the cost at Target.

Below you can take a look to see how the foundation an concealer looks once it's applied and incorporated into an entire makeup look.

Have you tried the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation or concealer? If you have, I'd love to know what you thought! Share your thoughts down below in the comments, or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 to chat all things beauty.

D.I.Y: All Natural Coconut Coffee Body Scrub

Making your own beauty products like a face mask or body scrub can be such a fun and affordable alternative to a store bought version. Plus, the ingredients are often more simple and better for you; I'd say that's a win-win.

I first made this coconut oil and coffee body scrub last year and it works so well. The coffee is a great exfoliant that washes away dead skin, while the coconut oil leaves your skin moisturized and very soft. Plus, both ingredients are full of antioxidants which are very beneficial to your skin.

                         

When I recently ran out of my scrub I was using before, I knew I had to make this one again. My favorite part? It's extremely easy to make! All you will need is a jar of coconut oil, coffee grounds and a container to mix/store your scrub in. I picked up this organic extra virgin coconut oil  from Trader Joe's and this coffee from. 

Step 1: Microwave your jar of coconut oil for 40 seconds.

Step 2: Once oil is melted, mix with coffee grounds in your jar. You can adjust the coffee to coconut oil ratio based on how much exfoliation vs. moisture you want. I eyeballed the ratio, and then added more oil and coffee as needed. 

Step 3: Allow coconut oil to solidify again, then your scrub is ready to use!

As a side note, if your scrub separates after is solidifies, just mix it up before using and then you're good to go! 

I recommend using this scrub twice a week. However, if you're like me and have acne-prone skin, I wouldn't recommend using this on your face. I tried it one time and unfortunately it did make me breakout, but hey, I had super soft skin! The coconut oil will keep your skin moisturized for 24 hours after use--that's without applying lotion after your shower. Amazing, right?

I'd love to hear if you try out this scrub! Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 if you do. 

Have a beautiful day! 

Your Guide to Natural Beauty

Facial Cleanser. Eyeshadow.  Moisturizer. These are all common beauty products a majority of people use on an everyday basis. I know I certainly do. Have you ever thought about what those hard-to-pronounce ingredients really are?

The popularity of natural beauty has grown drastically over the past year. Almost every new beauty item that pops up in stores is created without the use of harsh chemicals. But what exactly does "natural" mean? Is this the same as vegan products? Are cruelty-free products always natural?

With new beauty terms being thrown at us left and right, it can get a bit confusing and that's 100 percent okay! There is absolutely no need to worry. I'm here to help you understand all of this and get to the bottom of what natural really means.

To start off, let's get these two terms out of the way:

Cruelty-Free
When a product is labeled as cruelty-free it simply means it was not tested on an animal. According to Cruelty Free Kitty this includes, every single ingredient in the product. These products may still contain dangerous chemicals.

Vegan
Any beauty company that falls into this category does not use any ingredient that comes from or is produced by an animal. You know when people choose this lifestyle of eating? It's just like that except for your beauty brands. So yes, these products can still be tested on animals and may include nasty chemicals.

This isn't too confusing, right? Moving on to natural products is where it gets a tad tricky.

Did you know any company can add the word natural to their label?  That's right, no regulations. Nothing. When I first heard this I was extremely surprised, but it turns out this word is really just used for marketing purposes.

Since 'natural' has no real validity when it's plastered across our beauty products, you're probably wondering, "how am I supposed to know what products really are natural?" The best thing to do is look for products that say they are free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. These are the top three ingredients you want to stay clear from. This might require a little hunting around on the back of the bottle, but it'll be there! These ingredients could also have a prefix before the word sulfate or paraben (sodium lauryl sulfate,  isobutylparaben, or dibutyl phthalate) so be on the lookout for that. Other chemicals you want to try to stay clear of include, petroleum derived chemicals (toluene), triclosan, and formaldehyde.

The chemicals listed above have been shown to be a human carcinogenic, disrupt the endocrine system, cause reproductive and respiratory disorders, and irritate the skin. Crazy, right? When I first started learning about natural beauty, I couldn't believe how many harmful chemicals are in products I use everyday.

Since our bodies absorb what we apply on our skin, our makeup and skin care routines should be just as clean as the food we are putting into our bodies. Once  you decide to make the switch to a natural beauty routine, it isn't very difficult, it just takes time. Unless you have a hefty wallet, my guess is that you won't be throwing out all of your current beauty products and replacing them with natural versions in one day, which is completely okay! I'm in the same boat as you. Below are my top tips on how to switch over your products.

If you're ever unsure if a product is natural, or contains the harmful ingredients I listed above, check out the apps Think Dirty and Environmental Working Group. On both of these apps, you're able to look up make up and skincare products. The app will list all of it's ingredients and give the product a rating based on how safe or harmful it is. This is very useful on the go!

To help you start you're natural beauty journey, I've rounded up some brands that offer products free of harsh chemicals and full of skin-loving ingredients. All except Tarte Cosmetics and Woosh Beauty can be found at the drugstore and are very affordable!

Will you be making the switch to a natural beauty routine? I'd love to hear! Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @CaitlinRedd13. 

Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo Review

When it comes to shampoo, I'm not one to try out many different products. Once I find a brand that I like, I usually stick to it for a little while, but you know what? Sometimes it's nice to switch things up a little bit.

Recently, I tried Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo. I love how this shampoo is paraben-free, cruelty-free, and sulfate-free. Oh and it's also GMO-free and even gluten free--can you believe that?! There are so many harsh chemicals in beauty products these days, it's nice to have a product that doesn't include all of that. Plus, to top it all off, this shampoo is safe for color treated hair. I'd say there are many bonuses to this.

I've always been a little hesitant to try shampoos that include a lot of oils in them because I was afraid my hair would end up greasy. But let me tell you, that is not the case at all. The main ingredient in this shampoo is tea tree oil, which nourishes your scalp and promotes hair growth because the oil helps unclog hair follicles. The other ingredients in it include, Water, Jojoba Oil, Botanical Keratin, Argan Oil, Lavender Oil and Rosemary Oil. If you're looking to grow your hair long and healthy, this is definitely the way to do it.

When I used the shampoo I noticed it lathers thickly, which makes it feel like the shampoo is moisturizing and cleaning my hair very well. There is also a very strong scent of tea tree oil. I mean, that makes sense and I think it smells really good; it's a bit refreshing!

After shampooing my hair, I continued with my regular hair routine, which included a Pantene conditioner and OGX Coconut Milk serum.

Once my hair was fully dry, I noticed it wasn't as frizzy as it usually is and felt more light weight. It's not like the weather in Florida helps the whole frizz situation either, but the tea tree oil shampoo seemed to.

I would definitely recommend this shampoo, and you can try it out for free! Maple Holisitics has an awesome free sample program, which allows you to pick out a free sample of any of they shampoos. Once you receive the sample, you'll receive information on how to get a full sized shampoo for free!

If you try out this shampoo or any of Maple Holistic's products, let me know in the comments below!

Fresh Summer Makeup Look

Towards the end of May / beginning of June I got some new makeup! Playing around with new products is always so much fun, so I was extremely excited to try out the makeup.

While a bold red or hot pink lip is always fun, I love creating natural makeup looks that can easily be worn day or night. And what better time to do this than summer? My goal was to create glowing skin with an eye and lip that was flattering for my features. Oh, and I wanted to add a little more definition to my eyes than normal.

Here is the look below!

There's no need to keep you waiting, let's get into the tutorial!

Face:
1. Start by applying any light-medium coverage foundation / BB cream. I used CoverGirl's Clean Matte BB Cream.

2. Apply cover up under your eyes, on any blemishes, and on your eyelids as a primer. My favorite is Maybelline's FitMe concealer. Its very affordable, lasts all day, and offers fantastic coverage!

3. Next, powder your entire face with any loose or pressed powder. Pressed powders are my favorite; they're practically mess free. My go-to is CoverGirl's Clean Matte Compact.

4. Blush has been my latest makeup obsession. I applied a mixture of a pink and peach blush from Woosh Beauty's medium-light Fold Out Face palette to the apples of my cheek.

5. Last but not least: Highlight! I applied a shimmery pink-toned highlight from the same Woosh Beauty palette. Since I have cool-toned skin, this highlight is a lot more flattering on me, rather than a gold one. Apply the highlight on the high point of your cheek bone, cupids bow, and brow bone.


Eyes:
1. Apply a light shimmery copper shade all over your lid. I used the same Fold Out Face palette.

2. Using the L'Oreal Nude 1 palette, I applied a deeper copper/light brown matte shade in my crease to add depth.

3. To add even more depth to the look I applied a dark shimmery brown shade from the same Fold Out Face palette as before.

4. To line my eyes, I skipped eyeliner and used eyeshadow for this. I took the matte black shade from my Fold Out Face palette with a liner brush and applied that on my top eyelid. Any matte black shadow will work for this!

5. Last but not least I finished off the eyes with mascara. Lately I've been loving Woosh Beauty's mascara.

Lips:
1. Pink is my absolute favorite lip color to wear. I used N.Y.X Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Milan and applied that all over my lips.

2. This summer I've been loving a glossy lip. To add some shine, I applied Woosh Beauty's lip gloss in the shade Pink Natural.

There you have it; one of my favorite summer looks I've been loving! If you try out this look tweet me a picture @CaitlinRedd13

Spring Favorites 2017

With season comes a new handful of beauty products I use, clothing and accessories I wear, and  songs I listen to over and over again. I decided to witch this up a little bit and give you my favorites from this past season instead of each month.

To tell you the truth, some months there are 10 new items I want to share, and other months there might only be three new products, but it's always fun to let you know what I've been liking. I thought, doing one or two seasonal favorites posts will give me time to accumulate enough products to share. Plus, I love reading--or watching YouTube videos--about what products my favorite bloggers / vloggers have been loving too. I mean, it's basically one giant virtual show-and-tell, right?

Simple Micellar Water

Micellar water is absolutely fantastic. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend it. Micellar water is a gentle way to remove all you makeup while delicately cleansing your skin. Yes, every last spec of your water-proof mascara included. I love Simple's version of this product because it leaves my skin feeling super soft and it doesn't hurt my eyes.  

Woosh Beauty Mascara

I love this mascara so so so much. You know that clump-free mascara that somehow manages to still be clumpy. Well, this mascara is 100% clump-free, trust me. When I take the wand out of the tube, I can tell there isn't an excess of product like there is on many other mascara wands. To top it off, the want can be twisted to give you maximum volume and curl to your lashes. I've been loyal to my L'Oral Butterfly mascara for quite sometime, but I may have found a new favorite. 

Bath and Body Works La Fleur Scent

One of Bath and Body Works' newest scents, Le Fleur has been my go-to this spring. It smells like flowers. literally. I know, that may be a tad vague, but it just smells so pretty. If you're into floral scents, or want to smell like you're walking fresh cut flowers, then I highly recommend this scent!

Maybelline Baby Lips Glow Balm

About two months ago I reviewed this product on my blog earlier, so if you're interested in buying this little lippie, check it out here! Anyway, I recently rediscovered my love for Baby Lips, and tinted lip balms in general, but I love how this balm brings out the natural pink tint in your lips. This is PERFECT for an everyday look. 

Woosh Beauty Lip Gloss 

I have really been into a glossy lip for this past spring and soon-to-be summer! But, I hate how sticky a lot of glosses are, which is why I love this one so much. The is no stickiness.  Nope. Not one bit. The gloss easily glides on and provides a nice tint of color; my favorite is the pink natural one. Plus, it feels really nice on your lips! I love layering this over my Revlon HD Lipstick in the shade "Rose."

Mickey Mouse Necklace

The necklace pictured above isn't my exact necklace, but it's the closest I could find online. My mom recently found a Mickey Mouse charm from our family trip to Disney World 11 years ago. Can you believe that, 11 years?! Well, I don't wear my charm bracelet anymore, so I bought an inexpensive necklace from H&M and swapped the charm with my Mickey one. I wear this necklace so much, so I'm sure it'll make many appearances on my blog. 

Adidas Superstar Sneakers

I know you've seen the classic black and white pair I own pop up on my blog, but when I saw the same sneaker in pink, I knew I had to add it to my wardrobe. I love the pink and white combo, and these match a lot of outfits I love to wear. Oh, and this time my size was in stock, so they fit absolutely perfectly! 

White Lace Dress

I LOVE this dress. It's from the Beauty and the Beast collection at JCPenney. I saw this in stores, but it ended up being cheaper online (the beauty online shopping, am I right?) The lace and detailing on this dress is extremely pretty, and I love the ruffles too. I have a feeling this will be one of my most worn dresses this summer. Look forward to a post all about this dress coming very very soon. 

UNIQLO x Olympia Le-Tan Minnie Mouse Shirt  

As part of the Minnie Mouse "Rock the Dots" celebration, Olympia Le-Tan teamed up with UNIQLO to bring a Minnie Mouse collection to the stores. Priced at just $14.90 the shirts are very affordable. I recently wore this on a trip to Disneyland. I love the embroidered sayings, and look how cute Minnie Mouse is on it! I can't forget to mention, this shirt is extremely soft too. 

Nanette LePore Sneaker

If you haven't noticed yet, I've been loving fashionable sneakers this season. Maybe it's because I lived in New York this past year, but they're just so comfortable! I also have a slight obsession with blush colored things, so these sneakers were a no brainer purchase when I saw them. They go so well with my wardrobe, I love them! 

Arrow Necklace

Like the Mickey necklace, the one pictured above isn't the exact one, but it's similar! I got this as a graduation gift from my sister, and honestly, I have no idea where it's from. Much like the color blush, I'm a little obsessed with anything rose gold. I've only had it about a month, but I can tell this piece of jewelry is going to get so much use. 

Comment below what some your favorite fashion and beauty products, and music were this past spring, I'd love to hear other people were into! 

Makeup Review: Maybelline Baby Lips Glow Balm

Baby Lips? What? You heard, well, read that right. When I was 16 I was obsessed with Maybelline's newest tinted lip balms. A lip product that smelled great, moisturized my lips, and added a slight tint, what more could I want? Sadly, new products came around and my mini stash of Baby Lips were left untouched. 

Recently, Maybelline has been revamping this cult favorite. Their latest endeavor includes Baby Lips Glow Balm. When I read about this product online, I went to Target that day and bought it. Since then, I've been hooked.

Baby Lips Glow Balm comes in one shade: My Pink. The best part is that the shade looks great on every single skin tone. The lip balm includes hydrating PH pigments that adapt to your personal lip chemistry. The result? Your own personalized pink glow.

I love this product. It's seriously that great. The glow balm adds the perfect hint of pink, while keeping my lips moisturized and soft. Don't be surprised if you see this product popping up in future blog posts this summer. Baby Lips Glow Balm is extremely affordable too. I purchased it for $3.50 at my local Target. I've only been using it for three days, but I'd definitely repurchase it!

Take a look below at the before and after. The lip balm really does make a difference! The first picture is before, with my lips bare. The second picture is after, with the glow balm applied.

Will you be purchasing Maybelline's Baby Lips Glow Balm? Let me know on Twitter @CaitlinRedd13! 

How to Get A Natural Daytime Makeup Look

Between the eyeliners, lipsticks, and eyeshadows, it can be a little difficult to decide how much makeup really is too much for a daytime look. I know, it can be daunting. The last thing you want is to look like your precious products exploded on your face, which is why I'm going to be showing you how to get this makeup look pictured below--perfect for the daytime and everyday wear.

This is a great natural-looking way to do your makeup, that is perfect for work or school. My goal was to create a look that added warmth and brightness to my skin, while achieving a flawless complexion. I also highlighted my eyes with minimal eye makeup and the help of a lip color.

Ready to achieve this look? Let the makeup application begin!

Face: 

1. On a clean face, apply any moisturizer (one with at least SPF 15 is the best)

2. I applied CoverGirl's Clean Matte BB Cream all over my face with a damp Beauty Blender. Dampening your makeup sponge first allows for a smoother application, oh, and it blends flawlessly too!

3. Next, I took Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer and applied it all over my eyelids for a primer, and under my eyes to brighten them up. Again, I used my damp Beauty Blender to do this.

4. Nobody likes shiny skin, am I right? Apply any powder all over your face for a matte finish.

5. To add some shape, I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour Kit, and applied the lightest bronzer to the hollow of my cheek, temples, and jaw bone.

6. Next, I filled in my eyebrows using a brown eye pencil from Covergirl.

7. After that, I used the same contour palette and took the lightest highlight shade and applied it on my cheek bones and cupids bow. That highlight though, you can't forget it!

8. To finish off my face, I took the bright pink blush from the Too Faced Grande Hotel Cafe Palette and applied it to the apples of my cheeks, brushing upwards. When you use a bright pink blush, all you need is a tiny dab of it. You don't want to give off any clown vibes, trust me.

Eyes: 

1. Using my Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 palette, I first applied the shade "Stark" all over my lid.

2. Next, I applied "Frisk" on my outer corner and blended it into my crease.

3. After that, I applied "Skimp"on my brow bone.

4. To finish off the eyeshadow, I applied a white shade in my inner corner to brighten up my eyes.

5. To complete the eye look, I used the L'Oreal Butterfly Effect Mascara.

Lips: 

1. First, I applied Revlon's HD Lipstick in the shade "Rose" all over my lips.

2. To add a little extra shine to my lips, I added a swipe of Covergirl's Colorlicious Lipgloss in the shade, "Whipped Berry. "

There you have it; the entire look! Will you be trying it out? Let me know in the comments below!

2016 Favorites

We've made it! 2016 is coming to an end and it's time to welcome in 2017! I can't for the New Year; it's a fresh start and many exciting things are happening!

While there are still a few hours left of 2016, I thought I would look back at some of my favorite , fashion items, beauty products, and songs from the past year.

Fashion:

1. Leather: Ever since I moved to New York, I have worn my leather skirt pictured above SO much. It's very versatile and matches pretty much everything, so what's not to love?

2. Floral Romper: I don't have this exact romper, but it's pretty darn close. This romper was my go-to this past summer. I loved wearing it with a lace barrette and either pair of sandals or kids.

3. Ankle Booties: I don't know what I'd do without these shoes. This past fall and what we've had of winter so far, these booties are my go-to shoe. Whether I'm wearing a casual, professional, or going out outfit, these shoes are perfect for any occasion. Plus, they're very comfortable, so that's a huge  bonus.

4. Light Pink / Blush: Pink has always been my favorite color, but this past year, I have been loving the light pink blush shade.  I incorporated this color in everything from my clothes, purse, makeup, and even my laptop case, so it's safe to say I'll be sticking to this color for a while.

6. Bodysuits: You know the struggle. You're wearing a skirt or high waisted pants and you're constantly re-tucking your shirt in. That is such an annoyance, so luckily bodysuits were huge this year! It's basically like wearing a dance leotard as your shirt, but it makes life so much easier and you can find some very cute ones.

7. Athleisure: You probably won't catch me dressed in full workout gear unless I'm actually going to the gym, but I definitely jumped on to the sneaker and legging bandwagon that came out of this year's athleisure trend. I have a couple pairs of cute sneakers in addition to my Adidas Superstars and living in New York, I'm happy this trend came. It's such a comfy option, plus it's cute!


Beauty:

1. L'Oreal Palette Nude 1: I bought this palette earlier last year, and I have to say it was probably one of my most used palettes. There is a great variety of shimmer and matte shades, which allow me to easily create a day or nighttime look. This is definitely a great buy!

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit: 2016, the year of the crazy contour. Over the summer I learned once and for all how to actually contour. I love tis palette because there is a variety in shades, which allow me to control how light or dark of a contour I want. Plus, it's a powder, which works so much better for my skin.

3. ColourPop: This brand was HUGE in 2016. Beauty gurus everywhere were ordering their products left and right. The online only brand became popular due to it's affordable prices and high quality, oh and it is a great dupe for the oh-so-popular Kylie Lip Kits. I ordered three lipsticks this year: Ultra Satin Lip in London Fog, Lippie Stix in Juice Bar, and Ultra Matte Lip in 1st Base. If you haven't already, definitely order a couple; they're fantastic!

4. Face Masks: My roommate got me really into face masks over the past couple of months. The Feeling Beautiful brand is great because there are many different kinds to choose from, they're very affordable, and you get a big tube of them instead of an individual packet like many masks.

5. CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream: Finally! I found a foundation, well BB Cream, that works with my skin. I have sensitive skin, so sometimes foundation make me breakout and it's super annoying. Over the summer I figured I'd try out CoverGirl's new BB Cream, which is specifically formulated for oily skin (aka me). I ended up  loving it! It creates a flawless, light-weight finish. I even forget I'm wearing it half the time. Definitely pick it up if you have oily or sensitive skin like me.

6. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream: I'm such a lipstick junkie, I'm constantly trying out new brands and formulas. The Soft Matte Lip Cream is another lipstick I loved this past year. it's affordable, isn't drying, and lasts a long time. Basically, it's everything a girl could want in a lipstick. The liquid formula was extremely popular in 2016, so if you're looking for  kind to try out, pick up this NYX liquid lipstick.


Songs: 

I'm constantly listening to  music, so I'm always on the hunt for some new tunes. Here are 20 of my favorite songs from the past year. I know, 20 sounds long, but it was hard to narrow down.

1. Stone Cold - Demi Lovato
2. 11 Blocks - Wrabel
3. Me & My Girls - Selena Gomez
4. Good Girls - Nick Jonas
5. Fix - Chris Lane
6. She Sets the City on Fire - Gavin DeGraw
7. Cheap Thrills - Sia
8. When We Were Young - Adele
9. Send My Love (To Your New Lover) -Adele
10. Million years - Lady Gaga
11. Pay My Rent - DNCE
12. Hands To Myself - Selena Gomez
13. Body Moves - DNCE
14. Church Bells - Carrie Underwood
15. Touch - Nick Jonas
16. Revival - Selena Gomez
17. Annalee - Gavin DeGraw
18. Be Like You - Ed Sheeran
19. Are You With Me - Easton Corbin
20. Cake By The Ocean - DNCE

What were some of your favorite things from 2016? Let me know in the comments!

Review and Fall Tutorial: Sephora X Minnie Mouse Eyeshadow Palette

Thanks to Instagram I bought more makeup, well, sort of. While I was scrolling through my endless feed of photos, I found out the Minnie Mouse collection for Sephora was on sale, so what did I do? I went straight to Sephora's website and ordered the eyeshadow palette from the collection. I have been wanting this palette for a while now, but couldn't see spending $48 on it when I already had other palettes, so when I saw it was on sale I HAD to purchase it. I was really surprised with how quickly it came too. I bought it with standard shipping and I received it two or three days after ordering it, which was super exiting!

The eyeshadow palette is polka dotted on the outside and looks like a clutch, it's adorable! You can actually remove the eyeshadows and mirror to use it as an actual clutch if you wanted to. I love how it looks together, so I probably won't be doing that. Each eyeshadow has a name related to the girly mouse; it's so cute!

I've never tried the Sephora brand of eyeshadows before, but they turned out to be really great! The colors are highly pigmented and last all day. I thought they blended well too. The palette is a combination of matte, shimmery and sparkly shadows. There is also a wide range of colors from light and dark browns, to bright yellow and different shades of purple. To be honest, I'm not quite sure how I'll wear the yellow--or if I ever will--but I love having the variety of finishes and colors, it makes it super fun to try out new looks.

Tutorial:

When it came time to do my makeup the day after the palette arrived, I dove right into it. Below is the first look I did using these colors. I was going for a fall vibe when I did this look, but I didn't have anything planned out. I ended up really liking how it turned out, so I figured I'd add a little tutorial with the review.

1. Like any eyeshadow look, start by priming your eyelids so your shadows stays slide-free. I used Maybelline Fit Me concealer.

2. I applied the shade "Put a Bow On It" (matte nude) all over my eyelid

3. Next, I took my trustee crease brush and worked "Flirt In a Skirt"(matte medium brown) into my crease

4. To add a little bit of depth, I took a very small amount of "Pick Me Up At 8"(matte dark brown) and lightly applied it to my crease. Since the shadows are highly pigmented, it's important you keep this color light for the look, that way it won't look too harsh.

5. Now, this is wear that fall vibe comes into play. I applied the shade "Miss Minnie"(shimmery red) on my mid to outer crease. It is extremely important to blend this color so you're not left with a harsh line in the middle of your eyelid.

6. Next, I wanted to tie in the shimmer from "Miss Minnie" into the crease colors, so I took the shade "Some Like It Dot" (shimmery copper) and applied this on my outer corner and blended into my crease.

7. To finish off the eyeshadow, I used "Red Carpet Arrival" (shimmery nude) as my highlight. I applied this on my brow bone and my inner corner to brighten up my eye.

8. After getting my eyeshadow in place, I decided to go for a winged eyeliner. I used Maybelline Line Stiletto in brown-black.

9. Just like any eyeshadow look, I completed it with a couple swipes of my favorite mascara: L'Oreal's Voluminous Butterfly mascara. 

The finished look:

If you recreate this look, or even try out your own with this palette, I'd love to see pictures! Be sure to    use the hashtag #MinnieMouseFallLook so I can seek your look too!