The Ravings of an Insomniac

So the first thing I do is buff my nails using one of these 4-step buffing blocks. These can be purchased at any drugstore for fairly cheap, and they work pretty well, in my opinion. I simply follow the four steps dictated on the block and my nails are left very ridge-free and smooth. After buffing my nails, I use a glass nail file because they are gentler on the nails and don't wear out like emery boards. Anyways, I use the file to shape and file down my nails until they are a shape and length I'm comfortable with. Then, after I'm done filing my nails, I dab a bit of cuticle oil on my nails. This just hydrates them and keeps them from getting raggedy and unhealthy. After the oil has absorbed in, I use some cuticle cream to really ensure that my nails are happy. After a few minutes of applying that, I like to use a nourishing hand cream to lock in everything.

Thanks for reading! What's your nail care routine?

Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover - please excuse the section of the remover missing! It appears my double-checking skills in Photoshop are a bit lacking. Anyways, I tried a sample of this when I stayed at a friends house, and I fell in love. It removes eye makeup with ease.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm - I was reading a blog somewhere where somebody compared this to a lighter version of the Emma Hardie balm. To be honest, I'd rather try this Clinique one more. It seems to be more effective.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream and Energy-Boosting Moisturizer - I have only heard wonderful things about these two products. They claim to be refreshing and hydrating, and also cooling and feel nice on the skin.

Thanks for reading! It's been lovely. What have you been craving lately?

Hey guys, I hope you're having a good day. Today I have a review, and it's on the No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil.

Hey, guys! How are you today? I decided I'm going to start a new series of posts, similar to empties. However, these aren't empty products, but things that I'm going to get rid of, whether given away or tossed because it's bad or empty. I wanted to do these instead of empties because I don't finish up products quickly, but I'm going to write a mini-review on the products anyways. Today I've got an armful of products, some new and unused because I'm going away and I'm going to give these to my friends.

1. Ponds Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Creme (Normal/Dry) - empty. The label peeled off! This is the formula for normal to dry skin. There are two versions of this, one for normal/oily skin and one for normal/dry skin. I had mixed feelings about this product; while it definitely did help with dark spots, it was too heavily fragranced and could be irritating for some people, and didn't quite provide me with enough moisture. I would not repurchase.

Hey, guys. How are you? So today, I've got a review on the Maybelline Masterdrama Cream Eyeliner.

What it is: a cream eyeliner
Where it is: drugstores and online
For how much: about $8 depending on where you get it
Anything else: Maybelline products are tested on animals

Maybelline claims that this eyeliner has a "Pencil's delivery plus cream's intensity. Created with the highest concentration of pigments for more intense eye drama. The new generation of liner."

These cream pencils are available in five shades. I have mine in black, or Midnight Master.



The liner is packaged in an automatic pencil, which insures that no product is wasted from sharpening, but at the same time it's not as hygienic as a clean, newly sharpened pencil. There are obvious flaws with the packaging of this liner... First of all, I had to twist for ages when I first got the liner for any product to come out. Secondly, it won't go back down! What weird packaging. It's not just mine as well, others have said the same.


This pencil is super pigmented, the color apply opaque in one swatch. It's creamy and smudgable. However, it does tend to skip on the eye a bit. It also moves around on the eyelid and by the end of the day you have panda eyes!

I wanted to like this liner, I really did. A lot of people have loved it. It was nice and pigmented, but from the packaging to the budging around, I knew it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Bottom line: I didn't like the liner, but a lot of others have.

Gracias for reading! Have you tried this liner? If so, what'd you think?

What it is: liquid lipstick with a matte finish
Where it is: select drugstores like Ulta and online
What's the price: $6
Anything else - NYX products are cruelty free, some are vegan friendly

NYX claims that these liquid lipsticks are "neither lipstick nor lip gloss, this matte lip cream is a new kind of lip color that goes on silky smooth and sets to a matte finish. Soft Matte Lip Cream is surprisingly durable and, unlike some matte lipstick formulas, also moisturizing."

These lip creams are available in ten shades, ranging from bubblegum pink shades to deep reds. I have mine in San Paulo, which is described simply as a "plummy pink". I think San Paulo is a berry toned mauvy-pink, a nice color for an everyday lip if it matches your complexion well, which it does me.



The packaging is really simple - it's like a lip gloss with a doe-foot applicator. The sifter sometimes won't remove enough product and you're left with a little too much and have to wipe it on the mouth of the tube, but otherwise the packaging is fine. It functions fine.



This is insanely pigmented. I've heard only wonderful things about all of the shades, and I intend on owning them all the next time I get around to an Ulta or somewhere that sells NYX products (they can be a little hard to locate sometimes). As you can see, the swatch is opaque and the color payoff is phenomenal. The cream itself also smells incredible, like cookie dough or something I could eat.



These are incredible. Love at first use. They're super creamy, glide on evenly and fade evenly (I get a couple hours wear from these - they also wear comfortably!), dry to a matte finish quickly, and they don't dry out my lips. Granted, these aren't exactly hydrating, but they do not dry out your lips at all.

Bottom line: you get yourself some of these. I definitely will. They're affordable and really really great, and live up to the claims.

Thanks for reading! Have you tried these products, or any liquid lipsticks? What did you think?

Hi, guys! Today's post is on the Sonia Kashuk Moisture Luxe Tinted Lip Balm, I've been really liking this product lately and I figured I'd share my thoughts, you know, share the love!

What it is: tinted lip balm
Where it is: Target stores and online
What's the price: about $9
Anything else: Sonia Kashuk products are cruelty free!

Target exclusive brands have some sort of magnet. I find myself staring at the Sonia Kashuk products every time I go there, they're packaged so nicely and look so luxurious and expensive. Everything I have tried from the company thus far has been a complete hit, which is great! I've taken it upon myself to try out a lot more of their products, and I am going to hold myself to that! Plus, every blogger has a problem with buying more makeup then they need...

Sonia Kashuk claims that "the lightweight formula supplies essential nutrients, vitamins and anti-aging ingredients and protects lips from UV rays with SPF 15. Infused with Acai Oil, cultivated through a sustainable development program in Brazil, this anti-aging lip balm is rich in essential fatty acids, Cherry Extract for antioxidant protection and Safflower Seed Oil to nourish and restore lips moisture."

SPF is something I'm constantly forgetting on my lips, and I find that a lot of SPF lip balms aren't hydrating enough, so it's great that this product has SPF.

These tinted balms are available in four lovely sheer shades, mine is Hint of Pink, which is a sheer pink.

Bottom line: this is a really nice product. It does what it claims and looks more expensive then it is. I highly recommend it!

Thank you so much for reading! Have you tried this product? What'd you think?

Hey guys! I'm going away tomorrow and I love reading these kinds of posts, so I thought I'd write one!

Face Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer - this is my favorite everyday base for those days where I'm having a rougher skin day. It looks natural and has evens out my skin tone. It has SPF 15 too - plus!

Face Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette - my trusty concealer palette... you will never fail me. This handy dandy palette has two concealer shades and a neutralizer, it even has translucent powder! Everything in one.

Face Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller - generally, I like this underneath my eyes for lazy days, and those days when just one concealer isn't doing the trick.

Eyes Physician's Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner - this is my favorite liquid liner. It's opaque, stays put, and easy to use with the ultra fine brush tip.

Eyes NYX Slide On Pencil (Brown Perfection) - I love this range of pencils. This brown will be nice for waterlining for a natural look, and it won't budge after it sets.

Eyes No7 Extravagant Volume Mascara - this mascara works has a very interesting brush, and I've really liked it so far. I'm putting it to the test by having the faith to bring this on vacation with me.

Eyes No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara - this mascara. Is great. It curls my stick straight lashes a bit, and gives them volume while looking totally natural. It doesn't smudge or flake, and it comes off easily with remover.

Eyes No7 Lash and Brow Perfector - this is my brow gel, actually. It's fine. It works alright, it keeps my brows in place.

Lips Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm (Unique Pink) - this is a great lip product that changes to a pink according to the pH level of your lips! I actually have a few more lip products in my makeup bag that's always with me, but this is the only one going in my 'official' makeup bag.


I'm not bringing too many tools, just my eyelash curler, an angled brush, a fluffy brush, and a sponge.

Thanks so much for reading! What's in your travel makeup bag?

Okay, people, first of all, before I start this post, I just wanted to say that these eyeliners are AMAZING. They're totally perfect.

What it is: a traditional pencil liner
Where it is: Pixi products are sold exclusively at Target stores and online
Cost: $15
Note: Pixi products are not tested on animals

Pixi products have always drawn me in. Their ethereal light green packaging is so dainty and pretty. The lighted stand at Target is always calling me in. "Emmiiiiiiiilyyyyyy come spend $15 on eyeliiiiiiiner." I've always been reluctant to try out the products because they're not cheap. Their products usually range from the $10 - $30 range, which is expensive, especially for a drugstore brand.

Pixi claims that these are "waterproof, super-long-wear, no-smudge, no-budge eye liners. They glide on like seamless silk, and in a single sweep motion create a flawless, solid jewel-toned line. No retouching required all day - or night! Gentle on eyes, yet intensely coloured and super-silky. Waterproof. Paraben-free. Mineral oil-free. Preservative-free. Hypoallergenic."

 These pencils are available in ten perfect shades. The two I have are Black Noir (intense black) and Black Cocoa (deep brown).


These liners are traditional liners, meaning that they must be sharpened. This can result in some product being wasted, but it also means that it's more hygienic, as you get new, untouched product every time. They're housed in a pretty green wooden pencil with flowers printed on the wood. The back end of the pencil is a corresponding color with the shade.


These pencils are amazing. The pencils are super pigmented. When Pixi says Endless Silky, Pixi really means it. They glide on like silk, no skipping or dragging on the delicate eyelid. I feel like they're like a liquid, gel, and pencil eyeliner all in one. They're in the easy-to-apply form of a pencil, yet give the intense color of a liquid (taken from the box of the pencil - what, it's true!). They have the staying power of a gel eyeliner as well. The pencils set in a good amount of time, enough for you to smudge out the product if you want but not enough that you have to be careful blinking. They're perfect.

Hi, everyone! I've got a favorites post today, and it's pretty big post. A lot of these products are recently purchased, and I thought I'd bring you a favorites post as I've been loving so many things recently.

St. Ives Green Tea Scrub
I got this as a travel cleanser, since I've been traveling a lot this month. However, I really like it! I don't really need to control acne, as I've been blessed with fairly clear skin. I actually got this to use as an exfoliater, and I find that it works really well. The granules are very fine and gentle, but buff away dead skin without irritating my skin. It also smells really nice and the full size is super affordable! I'm definitely picking it up when I finish this one.

No7 Beautiful Skin Rapid Spot Rescue
This one is yet another recent purchase. I was drawn in by the claims that the spot is greatly reduced after just two hours, and I have to admit that it's true. Redness and the spot itself are a lot less noticeable after applying this, and it's in a gel form which sinks in quickly.

Burt's Bees Sensitive Eye Cream
I ran out of the eye cream I was using before, and I have to say, I prefer this by a landslide. It has a very lightweight formula that sinks in quickly and doesn't not bring up any milia. It hydrates my eyes well and is fragrance free, which is great for my sensitive eyes.

Yes To Grapefruit Dark Spot Correcting Body Creme
I have scars on my legs, and this body butter has been helping them tremendously. It smells sweet and hydrates my legs really well. I like the whipped(ish) texture of it as well.

Origins Drink Up Intensive
Like I said, I've been traveling a lot recently, and it's wreaking havoc on my skin, with all the flying and driving and being under the sun. My skin has dry patches, and I've been trying to get rid of them. This is a mask you apply before you go to bed, and when you wake up, you're left with plump, hydrated skin. This has been a savior to me. I slather it on before bed twice a week and when I wake up my dry patches are all but gone.

Coconut Oil
I usually use olive oil to take off my makeup, but I'm getting tired of how the oily residue left behind just sits on the skin instead of being absorbed. Olive oil also made my eyes cloudy. When I switched to coconut oil, I realized I like it a lot more. I scooped out a little of the oil into a smaller container, and even though it melted from it's solid form (coconut oil becomes liquid when the temperature is higher than 75) I think it's great. I rub it between my palms and massage it into my skin, and then wipe it away with a damp warm washcloth. It gets off all my makeup, including any stubborn mascara and eyeliner. Plus, when you're done removing the makeup, the oil sinks in quickly and your skin is left plump.


e.l.f Small Angled Brush
I've been really into filling into my brows recently, I find that this affordable brush from e.l.f does the job really well. It dries really fast after washing as well.


Sonia Kashuk Eye On Neutral Palette
Speaking of filling in my brows, I've been using this palette a lot for that purpose. I use the second darkest brown color for my brows, and then apply brow gel. It does the trick and my eyebrows stay on for the whole day. I also really like some of the colors for subtly contouring my nose and eyes.

No7 Lash & Brow Perfector
I use this after filling in my brows to tame them and point them in the right direction. It works well, and doesn't leave my lashes feeling crispy (atttttrrrrractive).



Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pens - review coming soon!
I freaking love these. I have them in two colors, and I'm going to get more as soon as I make a trip to Target. These pencils are amazing. They're silky, waterproof, super pigmented, I could go on for hours.

No7 Exquisite Curl
Ah, the search for the perfect mascara continues. After separating from this for a few months to try out another mascara, I know I love this one. It's not perfect for me, but it's damn near. This mascara provides volume, curl, and a bit of length all while look totally natural. It doesn't smudge or flake, and is even a bit waterproof. I also love the packaging.

NYC Eyelash Curler
This eyelash curler has actually really impressed me. It's not too curved for my Asian eyes, and the curl lasts for quite a while. It's also super affordable and comes with another rubber pad when the original one wears out, which is great.



NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - review coming soon!
I only have one of these so far, but I am in love. I'm going to get about a thousand more as soon as I can. Mine is in the color San Paulo, a berrylike dark pink It's like a liquid lipstick, super pigmented and lasts for ages. I also love the matte finish, and it doesn't dry out my lips. Fair warning, it doesn't hydrate them either. If you tend to get dry lips, exfoliate your lips before hand and apply a good lip balm. I recommend the Burt's Bees Nourishing Balm with Mango Butter because of the matte finish and the hydration.

Sonia Kashuk Moisture Luxe Tinted Lip Balm - review coming soon!
Mine is in the shade Hint of Pink, which is a sheer pink, but I'm going to pick up all of the colors because I love the formula to death. They're very hydrating and even have SPF 15, which is great. The colors also have pretty good color payoff, especially for tinted balms. The only problem I have with this product is the smell... it smells like plastic.

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve - read my review here
My trusty rose salve is whipped out again! I've been loving this a lot recently, it's the only thing lately that can quench the thirst of my lips.


Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - Sheer Ecstasy
Such a pretty pale pink. The formulation is also great. Click here to see a NOTD.

Dreams Unlimited Eau De Parfum
This is a fresh, green summery scent. I've been really enjoying it as of lately.


Combat Boots
I have recently acquired myself a pair of combat boots, and I have to say that I'm in love. They go with everything and are super super cute. Mine are from Nature Breeze.



Cotton On Dress (I can't find this on the website, sorry!)
I got this dress on sale when I went to Washington D.C. a few months ago, and it's been sitting in my closet, untouched, the tags still on it ever since. I pulled it out the other day, and it's just so damn cute. It has hearts all over it, and it goes really well with my combat boots.


Ombre Scarf
I actually dug this out of my mother's closet, and I really really love it. It's just so pretty! This scarf is super oversized, but I prefer those to tiny scarves. I tie opposite corners together and loop it a few times to make a giant infinity scarf, and I love the ombre effect.


Jeggings
This pair is actually my first pair of jeggings, and I am totally converted. They are so comfy and so cute, and look just like real jeans! They're very thin, so I can wear them in the summer.



Parenthood
This show doesn't get enough publicity. This is a heartwarming and touching show about a boisterous set of siblings and their families. It's humorous and realistic and you should watch it. Right now.



Knight And Day
This movies stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, both smoking hot. It's a humorous and charming film about a total stranger, June, who gets swept into the secret agent life of a mysterious and handsome man, Roy. It's cute and I really really loved it.

Thanks for reading! What have you been loving lately?

Yes, my friend, makeup expires. A lot of people don't realize, especially if you wear makeup sparingly and have it just in case you need it. Trust me, toss it when it's used up. It's so tempting to drop some eye drops into mascara to revive it, or ignore the foundation gunking up. But toss it when it's old.

I am the type of person that has to listen to music when I work out. It gives me something to focus on, and when I'm running, it gives me something to pace my steps to. I change up my playlist every couple of weeks, and I always keep it on shuffle so I get a new surprise every time. I'm surprised at the number of people who don't listen to music when they work out, so I thought I'd share my playlist. Remember, these are in no particular order.

Down - Mat Kearney

Ladykiller - Maroon 5

Never Be Ready - Mat Kearney

Mirrors - Justin Timeberlake

I Can't Lie - Maroon 5

Slight Figure Of Speech - The Avett Brothers

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

Part Of Me - Katy Perry

Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise - The Avett Brothers

Love Somebody - Maroon 5

Thrift Shop (Feat. Wanz) - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Can't Hold Us (Feat. Ray Dalton) - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Color On The Walls (Don't Stop) - Foster The People

Walls - All Time Low

Hustling (Life On The Nickel) - Foster The People

Paradise - Coldplay


In general, I prefer songs with a fast tempo/beat that I can run in time with. I also like the catchy ones that make you sing along no matter how much you hate them.

Thanks for reading! Sorry for the lack of beauty posts lately, I just got back from vacation and just don't feel like putting makeup on my face, or removing it, or thinking about it in general.

Hey, guys! How are you? I got back from vacation on Friday. We were originally not supposed to get back until this Wednesday, but car issues started and we rushed home. It was a good trip however.

Some of you might have trouble falling asleep at night. I fall into that category for sure. Insomnia can be a bitch sometimes, whether you have it on a usual basis or every now and then. I wanted to write a quick post about what you can do to help yourself fall asleep at night, and why you can't sleep.

1. Melatonin. These are melatonin pills, or sleeping supplements. Melatonin is basically the compound that makes you sleepy. Melatonin is sold in a couple forms, liquid, pill, and even gummies. This is an easy way to fall asleep, but I find that if you take them on a regular basis you can become a little immune to the supplements. However, it is a fast and simple shortcut.

2. Reading. This might seem like a no-brainer to you, and that's because it is. Reading relaxes me, no matter about the genre. I like to take about half an hour every night to read a novel.

3. Music. I find that this and reading go hand in hand. Sometimes I can have trouble relaxing when I'm listening to music, because I get swept up in the song. This is when lyricless music comes in handy. There are also apps with relaxing sounds like the ocean and rain if you prefer these. White noise is also a good sound to listen to if you want to fall asleep.

4. Take a relaxing shower/bath. I'm sure you'll feel better and more inclined to sleep if you're clean and sweet smelling before you go to bed. I know I am. However, if you're planning on showering right before you sleep, you might not want to wash your hair, as sometimes the blowdryer can be a hassle and annoying.

5. Tea. People might be telling you to drink tea before you sleep, and for good reason. I personally don't like to do this because I worry about the tea cooling before I drink it, or the tea bag just sitting in my mug throughout the entire night (I know, I know. Weird.), but if you want to drink tea, I recommend lavender or chamomile tea. Both are very relaxing herbs that can help you doze off.

Now, for the reasons that you can't fall asleep. There are honestly a million of these. It could be anything from stress to the fact that you have to pee. But speaking of stress...

1. Stress. This is probably the main reason why people have trouble falling asleep at night. The thought of something nagging you can keep you awake and tossing and turning for hours on end. Honestly, there's not much you can do about it. If you can get rid of what's stressing you out, do it.

2. Technology. Don't stare at your laptop or phone screen for about an hour before you go to bed. It can wake you up and stimulate your brain, which is great in the morning, but at night it's not exactly what you want.

3. This and technology go together... Using technology in bed. Your mind can actually become accustomed to the idea that bed isn't a place for rest if you tend to busy your mind in bed. I don't think doing homework or working in bed is a great idea, as it might be a leading factor to having trouble sleeping.

4. Working out. I know a lot of people work out at night, especially if they can't during the day. However, working out gets your endorphines up and running and it gives you energy. Try not to work out within three hours of going to bed.

Okay, thanks for reading! I hope that this post helped you in some way.