Conditioning Clay Mask!!

Hello bloggers! I wanted to do a quick post about this mask, Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask, because I am really loving it. I found this at Target, having no idea what it was or what to expect but decided to give it a try. I have been using this for over a month and I am really able to see a difference in my complexion. 

You have to make sure to shake it well or else it will come out too watery. When applying to the face, it will dry and harden up pretty quickly, and the green will change colors as it dries. Once I apply it to my entire face, I will leave it on about 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water. It actually feels like clay on my face, kind of like if I am making a mold of my face. I love how easy it is to wash off. Once water hits it, it softens up and I wipe it away. I'm able to see a difference as soon as I wash it off... my face feels very smooth, pores are nonexistent, and I feel like it makes my skin glow. The best part to me (because I have VERY dry skin) is that it doesn't leave my face feeling dried out, as so many other masks/facial products do to my face. 

All in all, I really recommend this clay mask to anyone who is looking for a new way to improve their complexion. I got it at Target for $9.39, which is not bad considering the prices of other face products on the market. The bottle is kind of small but it has lasted;  I still have over half the product left. :)

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Though it is gloomy in So Cal on the first day of May, I am really loving all floral prints right now. They are so pretty and easy to wear, especially on those hot and sunny days. I can't get enough of all the varieties of floral print shorts out there!

Beautiful Lengths Hair Donation

After years of growing my hair out, not dyeing it, and only getting trims at the salon, I finally chopped off my hair! This is something I have wanted to do for years, since I first heard that organizations collect hair to make wigs for cancer patients. However, a few years ago I had bleach in my hair so I was not eligible to donate. I stopped bleaching my hair and let all hair dye grow out, and kept growing it. My hair grows quickly so the process was not too long... but my hesitation always stood in the way. I always hesitated and feared the moment that my hair would no longer be considered "long." But in the past few months, I found myself changing views. I have never had short hair because I never felt like it went well with my face shape. I had a bad haircut experience back in third grade, so I kept my hair medium-length to really long ever since then. 

The contrast in this picture puts the focus on my hair. This was the length in February.

The length and the layers

In January, I received some devastating news about a close cousin of mine. I learned that my 11-year-old cousin was diagnosed with leukemia, and it really hurt to learn about the journey he was about to endure. With the help of a lot of other supportive family members, a "Hair Cut Party" was planned, at which many of the males in our family decided to shave their heads in support of my cousin. I decided without hesitation to cut my hair and finally donate it. 


It is heart-breaking that the deciding factor came under these circumstances because I would give anything to cure my cousin, but it also gave me the last push that I needed to go through with the donation. I ended up donating 11 inches and cut my hair into an A-line bob. I sent off my hair to Pantene ProV's Beautiful Lengths program, and hope that it helps a cancer patient in need of a wig.

11 inches!

Short hair

I am still getting used to my short hair. It is so much faster to style. Blow-drying and straightening is not a pain anymore, and my head feels much lighter. I am still looking for new ways to style my hair since there are not as many options as with long hair - with long hair, there is so much you can do. But I am liking that it gives me new looks, I could do certain styles that I could never do with long hair. For example, curls. Since my hair is pretty short, I could do more bouncy, retro-style curls. Curls were a hassle before because my hair was so heavy; it was hard for my hair to hold a curl. Either way, I like both long and short hairstyles. In the end, it's just hair, so I'm having fun with it!

Another one with my short hair. (My bf and me.)

Pantene ProV offers many products and tips for growing your hair out if you wish to donate it. I was using their Replenish Treatment Mask prior to cutting it just to help repair any heat damage I had. You could find more info regarding Beautiful Lengths here.

Nude Spring Nails

Just a quick post on my nail look for the week. I used Essie's Topless & Barefoot, and painted my ring fingers with Tart Deco, then spotted polka dots on top of it.

Satin Lips

I recently received this Mary Kay lip set as a gift from my best friend because I always complain about my chapped lips. I have dry skin and lips so I'm very picky about what I put on them. I am pretty pleased with the product, and definitely recommend to anyone looking for a lip exfoliant.

The Mary Kay Satin Lips set comes with a "lip mask," which exfoliates your lips, and a "lip balm" to moisturize after you exfoliate. The lip mask comes out as a white cream that you rub into your lips and leave on for a couple of minutes. I usually wipe it off with a wet makeup remover towellete. I then apply the Satin Lips Lip Balm. I feel that they do a good job of making my lips feel silky smooth.

My lips after the Satin Lips treatment.

 Picture with flash. I also have YSL Rouge Volupte #13 on my lips.

I am not sure of pricing with Mary Kay so when I run out of this product, I don't know if I will stick with it or not. I would love to read recommendations on other lip exfoliants.

Another MAC Lipstick Giveaway!

*Lola in the Lounge* is a beauty blog with very informative tips on makeup and face care. She is currently doing a MAC lipstick giveaway and your chance of winning increases by sharing the contest. Everyone should check it out because she seems to do many giveaways, which is a such a sweet gesture in the blogging world. I love finding informative beauty blogs, so I'd like to help others to find them by sharing!

*image from *Lola in the Lounge*

Click here to enter the giveaway!

MAC Giveaway by *La Bella Vita*

Who doesn't love freebies, especially when it involves MAC makeup?! I recently found *La Belle Vita's* blog and I am hooked. This girl is an inspiration because she has worked hard to maintain her fitness; her weight-loss journey is proof that hard work and DETERMINATION really do pay off. After reading about her journey, I felt compelled to push myself even harder through my workouts. There are times when I plateau and her blog helps me maintain motivated to reach my next goal. Seriously, read it! To top it off, her posts are funny and she really seems like a down-to-earth chick. 

If that's not reason enough to check out her blog, then go enter her MAC lipstick giveaway. It goes to show that she is a sweet girl who wants to give back to her followers. 

Click here to enter her contest!
*Both pictures above taken from her blog.