The Ravings of an Insomniac

Oh dear.. The last time I posted anything was three weeks ago. I've got a reason for my absence, but it's a terrible reason. I've been at school. I'm terrible at time management, so lately I've been just too busy doing work to blog. Don't worry, I'm coming back! Hopefully by next week my regular blogging schedule will be back. Many apologies!

Emily xoxo

I wear very little makeup on a daily basis. After all, I really see no reason to get dolled up. I'm getting up early in the morning to go sit with a bunch of other children who also get up early in the morning just to stare at an adult who asks us to answer questions. You can see that I really care how I look during school (sarcasm, for you slow ones). However, I do wear some makeup everyday and since I really enjoy reading these types of posts, I thought I'd write one too.

So usually, I use five products, but on some days I feel like dolling up I toss some more into the mashup. The first thing I do is fill in and define my eyebrows. I like using powder for a more natural look. Who wants to look like they have drawn on eyebrows for school, anyways? I pull out my trusty Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral palette for this purchase. Then I set my brows with brow gel, the No7 Lash and Brow Perfector being my card of choice. After brows, I move onto concealer. I use two different concealers, a light coverage liquid for my undereyes to brighten, and a heavier cream on my chin and around my nose to conceal imperfections. I like the Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller for my undereyes and the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette for my face. After that step, I slap on some color on my lips and I'm good to go. I always have a billion colors floating around in my bag, the one I'm using most at the moment is the Sonia Kashuk Moisture Luxe Tinted Lip Balm in Hint of Pink.

Now for the more complicated days, I'll add a little more to the mix. Sometimes I'll throw on a little eyeshadow. I prefer matte ones because there's no fallout and they look more natural. The eyeshadow look I go for is a contoured eye, I put a darker shade on the outer edges of my eye and into my crease. Once again, I love the Eye on Neutral Palette. Then I apply liquid liner, very close to my lashline. This just makes my lashes appear more defined. My favorite is the Physician's Formula Eye Booster, the nib is so fine and precise. I love applying liner to my lower lashline and smudging it out, so I'll grab a brown liner and do just that. I love the NYX Slide On in Brown Perfection. I almost never wear mascara (only because I hate the hassle of removing it), but when I do, it's usually the No7 Exquisite Curl, sometimes the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide.

Thanks for reading! What's your everyday makeup routine?

For many of us, school is starting - or has already started. One of the infinite issues I have with school is that I'm in a controlled environment with hundreds of other kids. These few words are not a good sign. Emergencies could happen anytime. For this reason, I've collected a few items over the years that I find are a good quick fix for anything that might happen during school.

• Hand sanitizer - self explanatory. I always carry around a hand sanitizer. More often than not, it's on of Bath and Body Works's Pocketbac ones because they smell lovely! 
• Hand cream - I have sad, dry skin so hand cream is a must for me. This L'Occitane Cherry Princess Hand Cream is luxurious and lovely, and hydrates my hands.
• Lip balm - I freaking love lip balm. I have one everywhere, so it makes sense that I would have one in my bag. And it makes for a good cuticle balm if you have a cuticle emergency during school (if that's even possible?). I currently have my Nivea Lip Butter tossed in the bag.
• Perfume - I wear perfume almost everyday. Whenever I forget I whip out this Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange rollerball. It smells tangy and unoffensive, I love it!
• Tinted lip balm - because I need more than one lip balm. This usually gets rotated around, but right now it's the Boots Botanics Tinted Lip Balm. Good for a subtle tint of color to really wake up your complexion if you're looking sallow or pale.
• Makeup remover wipes/pads - personally I don't carry these around because I don't wear much makeup to school (just brows and a bit of concealer) but I think these are great to have in case you have an eye watering experience and your mascara gets messed up or something.
• Eye drops - this isn't something everybody needs, but I definitely recommend for contact wearers or people with sensitive/dry eyes like myself!
• Gum/mints - nobody likes to have bad breath, but these also hold off my hunger until lunch!
• Hair ties/bobby pins - also self explanatory.
• Band-aid - I always manage to cut myself during school, and sometimes I'm just too damned lazy to ask the teacher for one or go to the nurse.
• Tampon - alllllso self explanatory.
• Tylenol - in case myself or a friend gets a sudden headache!
• Tissues - another self explanatory thing. Gosh Emily, could you be any more boring?

I enjoyed writing the last skincare post so much I thought I'd bring you a version about masks. I normally don't write skincare reviews on my blog because what works for me might be a disaster for you, but I do enjoy sharing products and giving my opinion, so these mini-reviews are perfect! Today is a face mask edition. I used to use masks quite frequently, and then got a bit lazy with the process because I found it too slow and tedious. Recently I've been using them again and really enjoying the process I used to find boring.

Starting from left to right, this Petal Fresh Botanics Aloe & Cucumber Facial Peel Off Masque is something I found in Taiwan and I cannot find and proof of this brand anywhere other than Ebay. But basically, it's a gel that you apply to your face, and it forms a film that you can peel off about ten minutes later. It's cool and satisfying, but alcohol denat is the second ingredient in this product and I'm trying to back off from products with high alcohol content.

The Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Mask is something that I actually wrote a review on. I don't feel as if it actually hydrates my skin, but I like the scent and it's tingly and cooling on the face. The consistency is very nice too, it feels almost clay based but it doesn't harden.

This third mask I got recently, and I've been really enjoying it. The Giovanni D-Tox System Purifying Facial Mask is quickly becoming one of my skincare staples. The mask isn't very opaque, which is nice because I don't look like a serial killer, it smells quite fresh and natural, and really helps my skin feel cleansed from the inside. It doesn't dry out my skin, nor does it bring blemishes to a head (although I know that's good I cannot stand it).

Probably my favorite mask of the bunch, one that I always use is the Origins Drink Up Intensive. I'm sure you've heard of it, it's exploded over the blogosphere. I've had this sample size since February, and it's still going strong! This is a hydrating mask that you leave on overnight. But don't worry, it absorbs into your skin so it doesn't end up on your pillowcase and sheets. It smells like apricots, feels luxurious, and in the morning the skin just looks and feels beautiful.

This Yes To Cucumbers Calming Facial Mask is something I'm pretty partial to. It smells too strongly of cucumbers, but otherwise I can't find any faults. It works fairly quickly, the clay drying within ten minutes, so if you're in a hurry and you need a quick detox mask than this will do the job. I don't think it's anything amazing, but I don't dislike it.

I hesitate to make a proper skincare routine because for the most part, the routine is the same as the last one I posted a few months back. The products have almost all changed, but the routine and order is still the same. But I do enjoy reading skincare posts, so I thought perhaps I'd do a series on the skincare I've been using, with mini reviews. I'll update it every couple months when a few of the products have changed. Let me know what you think of the idea!

If I'm wearing makeup that day, before I even start my skincare routine I will remove my makeup. If I'm wearing mascara or face makeup (other than concealer), I'll take it off with a good massage of coconut oil and a washcloth. But more often then not, I'll just have my brows filled in and a tiny bit of concealer on. If that's the case, I'll simply take it off with my cleansing water, the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water. It's no game changer, but it does the job and it does the job well.

For a few months I would switch between cleansers daily, which is all good and fun, but then I discovered a cleanser that I really enjoyed - so much that I couldn't bear to leave it for just one day, so much that I use it both morning and night. It's the Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash (review here). Very gentle but powerful, this cleanser washes away all dirt, makeup, and impurities. The refreshing scent is also very lovely.

Quick mention about that pink thing! I love these things. They're basically little silicone face brushes that gently exfoliate and help you get a deeper clean. Mine is from Sephora. I squeeze cleanser onto it and massage my face.

I exfoliate every other day - I should probably wait to do it once a week, but I really like the scent of my St. Ives Green Tea Scrub and I enjoy the way it makes my skin feel, smooth like a baby's butt. This scrub doesn't actually do anything for acne, but it's gentle on the skin while buffing away dead skin cells.

After removal, cleansing, and exfoliating, I must tone. A lot of people say toners are unnecessary, but I really like them! I find that they make my skin feel a lot smoother and happier (toners balance skin's pH level, if you didn't know). I'm using two at the moment, although one isn't labeled as one. Said toner is the H2O+ Oasis Mist, a hydrating facial mist that I use pretty much whenever I feel like it. This alcohol-free concoction works well as a toner, a facial spray, a setting spray, or a pick-me-up. In case you haven't noticed yet, I love it. The other toner I use after cleansing - but only at night. It's the Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner. I'm pretty partial to this product, this bottle is a repurchase - but only because the I really like the smell of it. It's a nice toner, but I could do with a new one. Sometimes I apply the toner with a cotton round, but usually I rub between my palms and press into my skin because I like the way it feels.

My favorite part of my skincare routine is probably putting on eye cream. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. For some reason, I find it extremely satisfying. The eye cream I'm using right now is the Burt's Bees Sensitive Eye Crean, which I like but probably won't repurchase. It's light and hydrating and the texture is very nice, but I'm on the lookout for anti-aging creams so I can prevent future wrinkles and fine lines, and this eye cream doesn't contain many anti-aging ingredients.

I don't have a lot of active acne, but I do have small bumps under the skin that annoy me to no end. I also have blackheads and my chin is forever breaking out. I need a spot treatment. The one I'm using right now is the No7 Rapid Spot Rescue. Originally, I really liked the product, saying it really did reduce the spot in two hours like the claim said, but my opinion has since changed. I don't dislike it, but I feel that this treatment is only a temporary fix. Not to say that's a bad thing, I would just rather have something deal with the spots for good.

This moisturizer is something that's new to me - you might have seen it in my recent haul. It's the H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment. This can be used a moisturizer or a mask, I've been using it as the former. I absolutely adore it so far. I have to use it for a lot longer to see if my skin will have a bad reaction, but I really love it in this early stage. The gel formula is really cooling and nice, it smells lovely, and it really hydrates my skin. The smallest bit also goes the longest way!

Whew! That ended up being a lot longer than I anticipated. Thanks for getting to the bottom of this rather long post! What skincare products do you use?

I'm sure you all read the famous Vivianna Does Makeup, and that you're familiar with her "Triple Threat Facial" posts. In case you aren't, I'll catch you up. Basically it's a triple whammy - first you exfoliate, then you deep cleanse, then you hydrate. I really enjoy doing these because afterwards my skin feels smooth me hydrated, and looks radiant and glowing.

Sometimes I like to mix up my own scrub by just adding a bit of sugar into my usual face wash, but more often than not I like to use the St. Ives Green Tea Scrub, which doesn't do much for acne but is great for buffing and polishing the skin. I like to apply it to a dry face (with damp fingers) to really make the most of it. I tend to leave it on my skin for a couple minutes simply because I like the way it smells.

The next step would then by a detox or deep cleansing mask. Mud and clay masks are especially good for this, so my weapon of choice for today is the Giovanni D-Tox Purifying Face Mask. It has a soothing scent and the skin feels cleansed from the inside.

The last and final step is to use a hydrating mask. My favorite one is the Origins Drink Up Intensive because hey, what's not to love? It smells nice, reeeeally hydrates your skin, and pretty much makes me happy.

Thanks for reading! Try out this facial method and let me know what you think.

Hey, guys! I wanted to apologize for my absence lately. I've had a lot going on, and I've been meaning to blog, but it just isn't happening. Anyways, I'm back today with a haul post. I went shopping today and picked up a few things, so I thought I'd show you!

I really only went to three stores - however, one of them was TJ Maxx, aka the death of me.

I picked up an Alba Botanica Very Emollient Suncreen SPF 45 in Pure Lavender. I've been meaning to get a natural sunscreen and I snatched this up when I saw it. I also got two H2O+ products, the Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment and the Marine Toner (a travel size). I also got the Giovanni Purifying Facial Mask and the Earth Theraputics Hydrogel Under Eye Patch. Of course, no haul is complete without a lip balm or two, two in this case - one is the eos lip balm in medicated tangerine, and the other is the Alba Botanica Hawaiin Lip Balm.


I also got some hair products - very strange for me, usually all I do to my hair is wash and condition it. I picked up the Rusk Sensories Calm Shampoo and Conditioner, in a travel size. I also got the Psssssst Dry Shampoo, which I've been meaning to try for a while. I thought the Sebastian Shaper Zero G Featherweight Dry Finish Hairspray was another dry shampoo, so I got it. I'll probably give this away. And last, not a hair product, I picked up a deo, the Zatik Herbal Refresh Deodorant.


Lastly, I got a few cosmetic bits and bobs. Essie's Chinchilly made it into my cart after one glance. I also got three brushes, two from the e.l.f. studio brush line (the Small Smudge Brush and the Small Stipple Brush). I got a foundation brush from I on Beauty, and two perfumes - Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck and Lady Gaga's Fame.

That concludes my haul! Thanks for reading. Have you been shopping recently?

Today's post is a review! I'm pretty excited to be publishing this review, when I was looking online I could only find a handful of reviews on this particular product. Most of the reviews were on the original, not this shade.

What it is: a brightening eyeliner
Where it is: Target and online
For how much: $17
Anything else: Pixi does not test on animals

Pixi products really interest me. In case you didn't know, Pixi is a British based brand. Their products are sold exclusively in Target stores in the States. All of their products are packaged nicely and the green shade they have is gorgeous. There are also testers at the store, which is great. The only problem is that these products are pretty overpriced. I mean, come on! For a drugstore brand, do you really need to sell an eyeliner for seventeen dollars?  Even considering this, I have a pretty long Pixi wishlist...

So this eyeliner is basically a brightening liner. I've been interested in getting one of these since reading an article over on The Beauty Department.  There are two shades available, I'm reviewing 2 Extra Bright. Extra Bright is packaged the same as the other, but the box it comes in is different. Pixi describes this pencil as "This waterproof precision inner rim liner is designed to brighten the eyes and make the eye whites look whiter. Twist-up, non-sharpening precision point pen makes it easy to use and adds a brightening effect exactly where you want it. The pale white-pink-lavender colour enhances the whiteness of the eye white, giving the illusion of larger, more bright and awake eyes - your own little wakeup makeup secret!" This liner is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, mineral oil free, and suitable for sensitive eyes. It contains sunflower seed oil to "soothe eyes and help skin retain moisture." Sounds lovely, right?

The packaging for this is simple and functional. It's a retractable eyeliner, meaning you don't have to sharpen, but the tip does wear down and it's less hygienic. The cap on my liner is actually pretty difficult to get off, the first time I opened the product I thought perhaps the lid was jammed? Nope, it just catches on so sturdily that you have to put some elbow grease into it just to use the liner. That being said, at least I know for a fact that the lid won't come off and leave me with pink marks on the inside of my makeup bag!



The color of this pencil is really pretty. Like Pixi describes, it's a pale mixture of white, lavender, and pink. I think this liner would be a good match from pale to medium skin tones. There's no shimmer, but this liner reflects light nicely, brightening the areas where you put it. I use this on my lower rim and inner corners for a quick wake-me-up on days where my eyes are looking especially exhausted. It really makes me eye whites lighter and also makes my eyes appear a tad bit larger. I also like to use this on my Cupid's bow for a subtle highlight. Anyways, the texture of this liner is a lot harder than I imagine. You have to warm it up first, which I don't like, but it really wouldn't be a problem for most people. What I like to do is warm it up by drawing on the back of my hand, then dipping my pinky into the product and patting it in the inner corner. Then I draw a line on my waterline with the now-warmed pencil.

Bottom line? I like this liner, but I wish it was softer. I recommend for anyone who doesn't mind having to warm it up first.

What it is: a facial moisturizer
Where it is: Target and online
For how much: $20
Anything else: Pacifica products are natural, cruelty free, and vegan friendly! A portion of the proceeds also go to support clean water.

Shortly after purchasing the Sea Foam Complete Face Wash and loving it, I figured I'd pick up the moisturizer that Pacifica makes, as they come together in the Good Karma Skincare Set. The moisturizer came in a red cardboard box that I tossed, figuring I wouldn't review this (I usually don't review skincare on my blog). If I'm not mistaken, the box pretty much said the same thing as the bottle.

Pacifica claims that this moisturizer is "a highly effective anti-aging everyday natural moisturizer.  Proven peptides, high potency antioxidants, floral stem cells and advanced natural extracts come together in our exclusive superpower Fleuracell Complex® with ingredients shown to improve the overall appearance of skin and help minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles deeply moisturize and protect help support collagen promotes a lifting effect, and brings back skin's natural radiance." This moisturizer contains a very hefty list of skin benefiting ingredients, including sunflower seed oil, kelp extract, and coconut water. It's formulated without petroleum, parabens, SLS, or phthalates. It has 1.7 oz of product, although the website's picture says it has 1.



The packaging is really nice. The moisturizer comes in a white tube (why don't all face products have pumps, they're much more sanitary) with claims and directions. It's fairly simple but effective. One pump gives you the perfect amount for your face.

This cream is a white, very light and fairly runny cream. Since it's so light, it's not nearly moisturizing enough for my normal/dry skin. I've had a dry, tight, itchy patches on my face since I started using the product. It smells a little funky, not unpleasent but a little strange. To me, this scent is so familiar but I can't place it. It smells like a natural product, if you catch my drift. It spreads very easily over the skin and absorbs in a matter of seconds. I quite like the texture. It hasn't broken me out or left me with any kind of negative reaction. Since I've started using this, my skin has looked a bit brighter, but it's not like I radiate light. I honestly can't say anything about the anti-aging benefits of this product, because at my age I hardly need these types of products.

Bottom line: I'm pretty partial to this product. It's nice and light, but not moisturizing enough for my skin. I would recommend to anyone with normal/oily or combo skin. I'll finish this moisturizer, but I won't repurchase.