This is just a post to state my apology for my complete lack of activity on my blog and vlog since September/October. I don't believe I understood how hard I would have to work to balance work, classes and a blog and vlog. Long story short, I have learned my lesson and have made a New Year's Resolution to give this blog/vlog another shot. Currently working on getting this hooked up to my own domain, as well as looking for a new theme for it, so please bear with me on this! I'm also editing a new video introducing some of the stuff I'm planning on doing in the next year, so keep an eye out for that.
Have a Happy New Year! Be safe and stay Resplendent!
-Regan
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Wishlist Wednesday
It's that time of week! To be honest, this Wednesday really sprung up on me. I don't know where all the time went, but nevertheless here we are, and it's time to get started! Disclaimer: I own none of these images. They were taken from the sites I linked below.
This really intrigues me because I read an article a few weeks back on how good snail guts (for lack of a better term. Gross) are actually really good for our skin. Korea is really on the ball with this whole snail-skin treatment stuff, and this product/brand is actually from Korea. Normally, with makeup and skincare products, I like to link back to the brand's site itself. However, in this case, the websites is Korean made, and although you can view it in English, it can still be a bit confusing. Here it is, if you still want to check it out.
A weird fact about me: As of right now I only own MAC Lipsticks and nothing else. Weird, right? There's really no in-depth explanation as to why that is; it's motley just because when I stop by the MAC stand at my local Nordstrom, my attention just automatically goes to the lipstick section. When I saw this palette, though, I wanted to add it to my collection of eye shadows. There isn't really much to say other than I really want to give this palette a shot and hopefully I will!
I absolutely adore two piece dresses, as well as all black/white outfits, and this covers both perfectly. Just saw this honestly a few minutes ago and had to add it to the list. What I especially like about this is that if you click on the link and view the pictures, you will see that these pieces are actually attached together by the back zipper, which is pretty nifty (didn't expect to throw the word "nifty" out so soon on this blog but it's too late to turn back now). I very much want to get my hands on this dress as soon as possible– hence why it's now on my wish list!
I think I may have a slight obsession with bras/bralettes. I acknowledge that and accept that. With that being said, there's a complicity about this particular bra that I love. This could be thrown under relatively anything and looked incredibly comfortable, so for that reason I would love to own this. They also have it in black with a white waistband!
Now, I've already mentioned Banks on this blog– in yesterday's "Tuesday Tunes" post, actually! Which only adds to why I can't wait to get ahold of this vinyl. What I love about vinyls coming back is that they almost always come with the digital music download, so I can have it both on my phone and playing on my Crosley. This LP has some of my favorites by Banks, including "This Is What It Feels Like", "Drowning", "Change", and "Warm Water".
And that's it for this week! Let me know your opinions on these items, especially if you have any of them/anything similar!
Stay Resplendent!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Tuesday Tunes
Another weekly post I'm going to give a try is "Tuesday Tunes", which is pretty self explanatory, but nevertheless, a quick synopsis: A few of my favorite tunes that I have had on repeat as of late. (See? Really quick!) Music is such a huge part of my life and my family's lives that I couldn't just not incorporate some music into this blog along with beauty, personal style, lifestyle, and all the other things that I have posted/will soon post on this blog! Disclaimer: None of the videos nor the images are mine.
1. "This Is What It Feels Like" by Banks
I discovered Banks online through a YouTube playlist on Lorde's channel back in late June/early July of this year. The song that I first heard was "Drowning", which I will say that I listened to that on repeat for quite some time, and I still do, actually, though I want to only have one song from each artist in my Tuesday Tunes posts so as to share the wealth, so to speak. Or else this week's Tuesday Tunes would be all Banks' songs (but let's be real: it would certainly not be a bad thing). The moment I heard this song, however, I instantly fell in love. The background track alone is so well-produced, with the synths and unique beat, tied in with the backing vocals faint and distorted just slightly, but her voice in this song is so amazingly different. I keep finding myself humming the chorus throughout the day.
2. "Here With Me" by Susie Suh feat. Robot Koch
A few episodes into "The Blacklist" on Netflix and I had a deep-rooted respect for James S. Levine, who is credited for the music, along with everyone else who takes part in creating the very intriguing show. This song has a nice, slow feel to it, and for some reason it just makes me think of a chilled Autumn day, which is perfect seeing as though it is now actually Autumn and starting to cool down.
3. "She Way Out" by The 1975
I discovered The 1975 at my last job, actually. A different retail store that had mostly a loop of the same few songs, though occasionally I would hear one that stuck out to me. "Chocolate" by The 1975 was one of them, which lead into this small obsession for the almost-uncomprehendable British accent from the lead singer, Matt Healy. This song's definitely more energetic than the first two songs on this week's post, which I believe balances it out nicely.
4. "99 Problems" by Hugo
I remember first hearing this song during an episode of something on Netflix, though I can't seem to remember which show specifically (I made the horrible mistake of starting about three different series around the same time. I know, it was a dangerous move that I'm already paying for). The fact that Hugo made his own interpretation of Jay-Z's song of the same title with a bluegrass feel is just astounding and I honestly would love for him to do that with a lot more hip-hop/rap songs, to be quite honest. How crazy would it be to hear a bluegrass version of something like "Drunk In Love" or "All I Do Is Win"?
5. "Punch Drunk Recreation" by Jesse McCartney
Shout out to my momma who showed me this just within the past week. You go mom. Jesse McCartney was probably my first massive celebrity crush that I ever had, or at least it's the first one that I remember (est. 2004. Yeah. Ten years). I knew every single word to his album "Beautiful Song", and still do, probably. I wouldn't put it past myself. When she showed me this song I instantly had to have it on my playlist and it helps be become more awake in the mornings, which, with college classes, is very helpful.
There you have it! My five favorite songs of this week. Stay tuned (ba-dum tsss, music pun) for next week's list, and let me know if you've heard any of these and tell me what you think of them!
Stay Resplendent!
1. "This Is What It Feels Like" by Banks
I discovered Banks online through a YouTube playlist on Lorde's channel back in late June/early July of this year. The song that I first heard was "Drowning", which I will say that I listened to that on repeat for quite some time, and I still do, actually, though I want to only have one song from each artist in my Tuesday Tunes posts so as to share the wealth, so to speak. Or else this week's Tuesday Tunes would be all Banks' songs (but let's be real: it would certainly not be a bad thing). The moment I heard this song, however, I instantly fell in love. The background track alone is so well-produced, with the synths and unique beat, tied in with the backing vocals faint and distorted just slightly, but her voice in this song is so amazingly different. I keep finding myself humming the chorus throughout the day.
2. "Here With Me" by Susie Suh feat. Robot Koch
3. "She Way Out" by The 1975
I discovered The 1975 at my last job, actually. A different retail store that had mostly a loop of the same few songs, though occasionally I would hear one that stuck out to me. "Chocolate" by The 1975 was one of them, which lead into this small obsession for the almost-uncomprehendable British accent from the lead singer, Matt Healy. This song's definitely more energetic than the first two songs on this week's post, which I believe balances it out nicely.
4. "99 Problems" by Hugo
I remember first hearing this song during an episode of something on Netflix, though I can't seem to remember which show specifically (I made the horrible mistake of starting about three different series around the same time. I know, it was a dangerous move that I'm already paying for). The fact that Hugo made his own interpretation of Jay-Z's song of the same title with a bluegrass feel is just astounding and I honestly would love for him to do that with a lot more hip-hop/rap songs, to be quite honest. How crazy would it be to hear a bluegrass version of something like "Drunk In Love" or "All I Do Is Win"?
5. "Punch Drunk Recreation" by Jesse McCartney
Shout out to my momma who showed me this just within the past week. You go mom. Jesse McCartney was probably my first massive celebrity crush that I ever had, or at least it's the first one that I remember (est. 2004. Yeah. Ten years). I knew every single word to his album "Beautiful Song", and still do, probably. I wouldn't put it past myself. When she showed me this song I instantly had to have it on my playlist and it helps be become more awake in the mornings, which, with college classes, is very helpful.
There you have it! My five favorite songs of this week. Stay tuned (ba-dum tsss, music pun) for next week's list, and let me know if you've heard any of these and tell me what you think of them!
Stay Resplendent!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Wishlist Wednesday
I've decided to start being proactive with this blog and try to post on a regular basis. To help me do this, I'm going to have themes for certain days of the week. Wednesdays will be "Wishlist Wednesday" from here on out! Here I will just share a few things that have caught my eye in the past week or so and explain why I would love to eventually have my hands on. Let's get started!
(Disclaimer: These pictures are all taken from the sites I found them on, I do not own them!)
1. Craie Boutique Craie Convertible Backpack
I saw this on Free People's site and instantly fell in love; a love that quickly turned to heartbreak when my eyes scanned over the price. I love satchel-styled bags in general and the one that I have now is adorable, however very much a spring/summer purse (pastel yellow with scalloped edges). The wine-colored leather is to die for and this can be worn as both a satchel and a backpack, depending on how you adjust the straps. I feel like I could wear this throughout the city because it's small and convenient that I would feel comfortable having it across my back.
2. Oh So Lovely "Julianne" Bralette in Blanc
Lately I've been a huge fan of bralettes and laced, wire free undergarments. They've become not only a necessity but an accessory, for example with a large tunic or sweater falling off one shoulder and having a peak of a soft blue bralette strap. Another reason why I love bralettes? They're far more comfortable than stiff-underwire bras. For days when you want to be cute and comfortable, a bralette is the one you want underneath a few warm layers. I found this store on their Instagram and was drawn to their cute designs. The fact that you can order your bralette with custom measurements is definitely bonus. Pretty sure I've said bralette at least once in every one of these sentences but oh well.
3. Baum Und Pferdgarten Eira T-Shirt with Slogan
I love this shirt. When I first read the right-side-up writing I nodded in approval. Good quote, great song, figures that it would end up on a shirt. It's the upside-down part that made me actually laugh out loud. I'm always a fan of sassy shirts that aren't too in-your-face about it. In my opinion there is a fine line between funny and too-much when it comes to sarcasm on clothing, but I would definitely wear this shirt with pride.
4. Benefit Cosmetics "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer
(Disclaimer: These pictures are all taken from the sites I found them on, I do not own them!)
1. Craie Boutique Craie Convertible Backpack
2. Oh So Lovely "Julianne" Bralette in Blanc
Lately I've been a huge fan of bralettes and laced, wire free undergarments. They've become not only a necessity but an accessory, for example with a large tunic or sweater falling off one shoulder and having a peak of a soft blue bralette strap. Another reason why I love bralettes? They're far more comfortable than stiff-underwire bras. For days when you want to be cute and comfortable, a bralette is the one you want underneath a few warm layers. I found this store on their Instagram and was drawn to their cute designs. The fact that you can order your bralette with custom measurements is definitely bonus. Pretty sure I've said bralette at least once in every one of these sentences but oh well.
3. Baum Und Pferdgarten Eira T-Shirt with Slogan
4. Benefit Cosmetics "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer
I bought a box of Benefit Cosmetic samples around the beginning of August, and one of them was "That Gal" and I fell in love with it. On the days where my skin decided to cooperate with me and not have too many flaws I would wear only that, no foundation, and my face would glow the entire day. I'm almost out of this sample now and have to use it sparingly, but I hope relatively soon I will be able to get a full-sized one.
I've heard a lot of good reviews from fellow makeup lovers, and to be honest, I'm insanely curious. I've never actually bought myself a brush set, because up until this year I haven't been very educated on the specifics of beauty brushes. I own a lot of Eco Tools brushes from here and there and they're good but I'd like to spoil myself with an actual set one day. One can hope!
That's it for this week! Do you guys have any of these items, or something similar? Comment below and let me know how you like them! I'd love to hear any and all feedback.
Stay Resplendent!
Monday, September 15, 2014
One Lovely Blog Award–Given by Beauty Thru Glass
The rules of the award:
1. Thank the person nominating you and link back to them in your post
2. Share seven things about yourself
3. Nominate fifteen or so bloggers you admire
4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know
Seven Facts About Me:
1. I am incredibly obsessed with Marvel, specifically the Avengers (though not exclusively). I love the comics, movies, animated TV shows, the POP Figurines, etc. etc. I aspire to be like Natasha Romanova because she's a strong, intimidating redhead not to be trifled with (plus Scarlett Johansson is gorgeous and one of my woman-crushes).
2. My hair is naturally strawberry-blonde ("Red Regan" is how my mom tells me she decided), but from the time I was in fifth grade to the end of my junior year in high school I got blonde highlights regularly, so pretty much everyone I went to school with was/is certain I'm naturally light blonde.
3. I watch and re-watch "The Office" like it's my job.
4. I speak in accents when I get bored, regardless of where I am or who I'm with.
5. I have probably over 130 good quality nail polishes. I say good quality because I tend to be very picky about my polishes. I have a special place in my heart for OPI and Julep.
6. I've only been out of the country once, and it was last summer to Taiwan.
7. I've been getting into acting in the past few months and I have found a love for portraying dramatic characters. One of my favorite monologues at the moment is about a sociopath prisoner being interrogated by the police, and another is from "Girl Interrupted". It's insane and really fun to portray the exact opposite of yourself from time to time.
Nominations:
I wanted to do a bunch of other relatively new/unknown bloggers of all sorts, because we little bloggers have to stick together! In no real order:
- Exquisite Glow - Really nice and easy tutorials
- Lorilee's London - What a super cute blog, and a super cute girl. Her videos are great, too!
- I AM SERENE L - A gem of a lady with step-by-step tutorials for popular looks. She likes my humor, too, which means she's awesome in my book.
- Rach For the Stars - Cute setup (and a cute blog title four for you) A nice mix of both high end and affordable reviews
- Von Dork - I'm a sucker for a good British Beauty Blog. You guys all have a secret club that I want into.
- MarahCAR - A great fashion/personal style blog. Lots of nice pictures!
- Gemstrends - Easy to read, cute posts
- Built Like A Boss - A very outgoing health/fitness blog. Fun to read
- Thoughts of Glitter - A bunch of different types of pieces here, from nails to reviews, makeup to fitness. A one-stop shop of blogs, if you will.
- For My Love of Style - A cute setup featuring reasonably priced products
- Behind the Frames - A cute blog with great pictures and a lot of interesting topics.
- Be and Love You - Lots of cute and helpful reviews. Plus she's having a giveaway right now and you can't just not enter a beauty giveaway. Check it out!
- Beauty and the Bird - A cute, fun blog that's easy to read
- Promising Rose - A warm and friendly vibe on this lifestyle blog. I Spy a super cute puppy, too!
- Live Long Happy and Healthy - Last but certainly not least! This particular blogger is not actually one I found on Twitter; in fact she does not have one. This is one of my best friend's roommates whom I have yet to meet, though hopefully I will within the next few weeks. Thought I'd go ahead and nominate her because I really enjoyed all the stuff she's written so far!
Friday, September 12, 2014
OOTD: Head to Toe in UO #1
Now, I've stated this in my disclaimer, but just to reiterate, I work at Urban Outfitters. It's fairly recent, mind you, about a month and a half now, but nevertheless it should be stated that there is a reason why my wardrobe is increasingly UO-related. It's basically the same as most people in retail would tell you: when you work in retail, you tend to buy more of that brand/store product than others because it's more convenient. Not in most cases, I know, but in this case it is quite convenient for me to be able to go in before work and grab a jacket without having to run around the mall, bobbing and weaving through throngs of people for something that might not even be in my size. Anyways, that is all I will say in the matter, I hope you all realize that I am not some affiliate; I'm not being paid to show you my purchases.
Onto the fun part! One of my favorite things about Urban is how unique you can make outfits just by adding one accessory or matching things together. This particular outfit was from this past Wednesday (the pictures took some time to edit due to lack of a quality camera), and I just had to share one of my favorite ensembles yet. I have to say that my top favorite from this outfit is the surplus jacket due to the lining that's perfect for mid-late fall as well as early spring. Could also be worn with a sweater underneath in the winter. The best deal from this outfit would have to be the ankle-cut boots. They look very similar to a pair of Jeffrey Campbell ankle boots but for about half the price. I actually think I prefer this pair, though, due to the subtle brown of the heel in comparison to the brightness of the heel in the Jeffrey Campbells. More details and links below the pictures!
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What I'm Wearing:
Truly Madly Deeply High/Low Tee Dress (size Small)
Silence + Noise Half-Stacked Heeled Ankle Boot (size 9)Members Only Fleece-Lined Anorak Jacket-Green (size Medium)
Classic Super-High Over-The-Knee Sock (OSFA)
Kimchi Blue Lace Triangle Bra-Black (size Medium)
Cooperative Knit Knicker Pin-Up Short (size Small)
Hammered High/Low Necklace-Gold
Beauty Products Used:
NYX Lip Primer
ULTA lipliner in "Plum"
MACxLorde "Pure Heroine" Lipstick
Tarte Amazonian Face Clay in "Fair Honey"
Tarte Amazonian Clay Volumizing Power in "Medium Brown"
NARS Blush "Orgasm"
Benefit Cosmetics "Pore Fessional"
Benefit Cosmetics "Hoola" for contouring
Bare Minerals Eye brightener in "Luminous 2"
Too Faced "Better Than Sex" Mascara
Anastasia Beverly Hills x Maya Mia palette ("Vanilla" and "Warm Taupe")
Don't forget, once I reach either 500 followers on my IG/Twitter combined OR 100 subscribers on YouTube, I will be having a giveaway!
Photo credit goes to my new friend Ashley who's got a great eye for photography! Thanks again, girl!
Stay Resplendent!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Byron Body Tea: FULL REVIEW
In case any of you didn't see my first impression vid on this, here's the link. Long story short, I found a TeaTox from Australia (aren't like, 85.13% of healthy skin/teatoxes from Australia? Four for you, Australia, you go Australia) called "Byron Body Tea". It's supposed to suppress your appetite, stop bloating, help the digestive system, give you energy when you need it and help you sleep at night. After reading about this magical tea, my mother and I decided to give it a shot, seeing as though we both are looking to eat healthier. We got the twenty-eight day package, which came in two fourteen-day packs. I also bought a Tea Infuser Man (also mentioned in the video. If you watched it you can probably just skip this paragraph, by the way. Or keep reading and see how many bad jokes I can shove into this). With a five percent coupon that you can get just by liking them on Facebook, my total was roughly $60, give or take. Now, I have seen Teatoxes that were for less, but this one has also been proclaimed as the "best-tasting Teatox" that people have tried, and I'm rather picky when it comes to teas, so I succumbed.
I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE MY TEA INFUSER MAN.
I put this in caps and bolded because I am very upset with this fact. For one thing, it's super cute! It's a little man chilling in your mug while his pants infuse your tea, how adorable-sounding is that? And I say adorable-sounding because I have yet to actually see it with my own two eyes (four if you count the mornings when have to scramble for my glasses. Unimportant. Moving on). The very same day that I received my TeaTox package and found it 1 Tea Infuser Man less than expected, I went onto their website and emailed them (there's no phone number or else I would have called). Two days later, after I failed to receive a response, I tried again. Just in case it didn't go through, or something weird like that. It happens. A week after that, when I finally caved and bought two other tea infusers, I began the TeaTox and emailed them a third time. And I also commented on a picture they posted on their Instagram account. I didn't receive a reply via email, yet again. However, shortly after I posted the comment, they replied back in their comments, telling me that they get to all their emails during the business week, and that I should DM them so they know which email to look for. Which I did instantly, thinking that all my problems would be solved and I would FINALLY get the tea infuser I paid for. And still nothing. Needless to say I am not pleased with this. But that is all I will say about this matter because it's time to actually review the TeaTox itself, and not their below-par costumer service skills.
The instructions say to have it steep about 5-7 minutes. But when I steeped one cup of hot water with 1 1/2 tsp. of the tea, I ended up having to leave it in about 10-12 minutes for it to not taste like simply hot water with a few petals in it. Which is fine, I don't mind waiting a little extra for it, especially if that means the taste will be stronger. Plus, call me crazy, but when my beverage burns the top layer of my tongue, it pretty much ruins my day, so a few extra minutes of waiting is more than okay with me. The taste itself is not bad; very faint, but certainly not unpleasant. It's got African Mango seed, jasmine, Myosotis Sylvatica, Rosebud, Rosemary, etc. etc. There is an ingredient page on their site here explaining just about everything. It pretty much tastes exactly how you'd think this tea is supposed to taste based off of the ingredients. If you only let it steep for about 5-7 minutes, the taste will be even more faint, which is why you should definitely leave it in there longer. I am not putting any cream or sugar/sweetener into my tea, seeing as though I want to see if this actually helps me lose weight and I don't want to mess with that variable. Like I mentioned, I am very picky about tea tastes, and so if I can drink this regularly without any sort of enhancers in the tea, it's not bad at all. Just don't expect it to taste like English Breakfast Tea; you'll be sorely disappointed if you make that mistake. I will say that it is a very pretty tea mix; so pretty, in fact, that after I am done drinking the tea I empty out my infuser onto a paper towel to let the mix dry, and once they are I pick out all the flowers and put them in a mason jar, like in the picture above/to the left. It's really cute and I think once its full I'll put it on a shelf or something along those lines.
As far as the weight loss aspect of Byron Body Tea, I have come to the realization that there is a specific type of weight loss that this accomplishes. It relieves bloating, and stomach weight mostly. All the positive feedback I've been seeing/reading about have included pictures of stomachs looking smaller and flatter due to the tea. Which is great, I'm certainly not saying that it isn't. If you are working out and eating healthy(ish) and drinking this tea, and you have a stomach you would like to have less of, then yes, you will really like these results! Unfortunately for me, most of the losable-weight (is losable a word? It is for this) on my body is in my thighs. Which aren't bloated (duh), just not as toned as I would like them to be. So, I personally have not lost weight so far, and I am about nine days into my fourteen-day TeaTox (since my mother and I both took one of the fourteen-day packs in the twenty-eight-day package we bought). Which is a bummer, but I mean I haven't gained weight while on this, so that's a positive thing in and of itself! I am able to sleep well at night, which is always hard for me to do. I usually need Melatonin pills or ZQuil (or a really busy, hectic day) to help me fall asleep quickly, but since I've started this TeaTox, I've not taken any sleep aid medication, which I really like. As far as energy goes, it's not as drastic as having a double espresso shot in your coffee, but it's a nice gradual push to get you through your day. It's a nice, subtle amount, but not enough to keep me up when I take it at night.
Another thing I want to add, more of personal advice than a review on the product itself, is that I highly recommend that you do this TeaTox when you have the time to take this thirty minutes prior to each meal. The instructions tell you to take it three times a day, a half hour before you eat a big meal, to help suppress your appetite. Unfortunately, I do not always have the time to do this during the week, what with college classes and work schedule. I do it whenever I can, but sometimes it's only twice a day. Another reason why I don't always get the opportunity to have this tea thrice a day is because I've started this habit where I only eat when I'm hungry, rather than when I'm bored. It's a good habit for me, seeing as though I have long considered eating as a hobby and not a necessity. The problem here comes into play when I figure out I'm hungry and then have to wait an extra (alotted) forty minutes to actually eat due to making the tea and waiting a half hour to be able to eat, which doesn't really suppress my appetite, but instead merely prolongs it. This part is in no way a con to the Tea, because it's clearly not the tea's fault for my schedule and eating habits. Just a tip in case anyone has a similar schedule/regime as me. If you have a more lax schedule on a day-to-day basis, then a TeaTox you take three times a day is probably not an issue for you.
All in all, I would probably have to give the Byron Body Tea 3 out of 5 daisies (not using stars because why not mix it up a bit).
If I had gotten my Tea Infuser with my tea in the first place, or even a response to any of the multiple emails I sent to the company, then I'd have most likely given this TeaTox 4 out of 5 daisies. However, I did not, and they did not, hence a daisy was cut. It had to go. I'm not a fan of when companies don't respond or explain any errors in the system, but the product itself isn't half bad and helps me get through the day without a crash halfway through. The taste is in no way bad, but very faint. Personally, I enjoy the taste all by itself; it's a nice soft floral taste and it really helps me get ready in the mornings (I think that parts just the mental aspect of it but oh well). Price for the tea is towards the high side, but not too unreasonable, so long as you are serious about a TeaTox and prepared to be committed to it. However I would look for a less pricey TeaTox if you don't have much bloating/stomach weight to lose, because you will probably see the same amount of change.
So there you have it! My Byron Body Tea experience. I still have about four days left of the TeaTox, and I'll definitely keep using it until it's empty, and I will make a (much shorter) post here about my end results.
Stay Resplendent!
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I put this in caps and bolded because I am very upset with this fact. For one thing, it's super cute! It's a little man chilling in your mug while his pants infuse your tea, how adorable-sounding is that? And I say adorable-sounding because I have yet to actually see it with my own two eyes (four if you count the mornings when have to scramble for my glasses. Unimportant. Moving on). The very same day that I received my TeaTox package and found it 1 Tea Infuser Man less than expected, I went onto their website and emailed them (there's no phone number or else I would have called). Two days later, after I failed to receive a response, I tried again. Just in case it didn't go through, or something weird like that. It happens. A week after that, when I finally caved and bought two other tea infusers, I began the TeaTox and emailed them a third time. And I also commented on a picture they posted on their Instagram account. I didn't receive a reply via email, yet again. However, shortly after I posted the comment, they replied back in their comments, telling me that they get to all their emails during the business week, and that I should DM them so they know which email to look for. Which I did instantly, thinking that all my problems would be solved and I would FINALLY get the tea infuser I paid for. And still nothing. Needless to say I am not pleased with this. But that is all I will say about this matter because it's time to actually review the TeaTox itself, and not their below-par costumer service skills.
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| The flowers from the tea mix, after they've been used and dried |
As far as the weight loss aspect of Byron Body Tea, I have come to the realization that there is a specific type of weight loss that this accomplishes. It relieves bloating, and stomach weight mostly. All the positive feedback I've been seeing/reading about have included pictures of stomachs looking smaller and flatter due to the tea. Which is great, I'm certainly not saying that it isn't. If you are working out and eating healthy(ish) and drinking this tea, and you have a stomach you would like to have less of, then yes, you will really like these results! Unfortunately for me, most of the losable-weight (is losable a word? It is for this) on my body is in my thighs. Which aren't bloated (duh), just not as toned as I would like them to be. So, I personally have not lost weight so far, and I am about nine days into my fourteen-day TeaTox (since my mother and I both took one of the fourteen-day packs in the twenty-eight-day package we bought). Which is a bummer, but I mean I haven't gained weight while on this, so that's a positive thing in and of itself! I am able to sleep well at night, which is always hard for me to do. I usually need Melatonin pills or ZQuil (or a really busy, hectic day) to help me fall asleep quickly, but since I've started this TeaTox, I've not taken any sleep aid medication, which I really like. As far as energy goes, it's not as drastic as having a double espresso shot in your coffee, but it's a nice gradual push to get you through your day. It's a nice, subtle amount, but not enough to keep me up when I take it at night.
Another thing I want to add, more of personal advice than a review on the product itself, is that I highly recommend that you do this TeaTox when you have the time to take this thirty minutes prior to each meal. The instructions tell you to take it three times a day, a half hour before you eat a big meal, to help suppress your appetite. Unfortunately, I do not always have the time to do this during the week, what with college classes and work schedule. I do it whenever I can, but sometimes it's only twice a day. Another reason why I don't always get the opportunity to have this tea thrice a day is because I've started this habit where I only eat when I'm hungry, rather than when I'm bored. It's a good habit for me, seeing as though I have long considered eating as a hobby and not a necessity. The problem here comes into play when I figure out I'm hungry and then have to wait an extra (alotted) forty minutes to actually eat due to making the tea and waiting a half hour to be able to eat, which doesn't really suppress my appetite, but instead merely prolongs it. This part is in no way a con to the Tea, because it's clearly not the tea's fault for my schedule and eating habits. Just a tip in case anyone has a similar schedule/regime as me. If you have a more lax schedule on a day-to-day basis, then a TeaTox you take three times a day is probably not an issue for you.
All in all, I would probably have to give the Byron Body Tea 3 out of 5 daisies (not using stars because why not mix it up a bit).
So there you have it! My Byron Body Tea experience. I still have about four days left of the TeaTox, and I'll definitely keep using it until it's empty, and I will make a (much shorter) post here about my end results.
Stay Resplendent!
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Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Frank Cacao Body Scrub
Okay, so ever since I started this blog (a whopping two months ago), I have had my eye on a few products that I really wanted to try. One of the first items that sparked my interest was an all-natural vegan body scrub made from coffee and other great-for-skin (and great smelling) stuff. So, once payday took its sweet time rolling around, I went and purchased my very first body scrub. And that, my precious readers, is how Frank entered my life.
Let me just say I think I've probably read through the entire website about four times. I wanted to make sure that I knew as much about this product and brand as possible. The website (here is a link to their site) is set up very nicely, which I always like when a site is not only easy to use, but unique and aesthetically pleasing. As you can see, Frank did a great job with both. The FAQ answered all of my inquiries about this, as well as the feedback account I saw on Instagram (there's one account solely for consumer's reviews/feedback pictures and WOW the results are good). After a lot of reading and rereading, I decided to see if it lived up to the hype. Frank did not disappoint.
There are three different types of Frank that you can buy. There's the original (orange label), which has sweet almond and orange. Then there's the coconut & grapeseed (mint label), and their newest one, the cacao scrub (purple label). I was torn between purchasing the coconut and and cacao scrub– the only reason I vetoed the original is because I, for some unknown reason, feel indifferent towards orange-flavored or orange-scented products. That's not to say I'm against trying it ever, but I wanted to pick a different one for my first Frank purchase.
Frank is supposed to do a lot of great things for your skin, besides just exfoliating and smoothing. He (yes, I will keep referring to an inanimate object as a person because the brand does and I adore it) also targets cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, varicose veins, eczema and acne. Now, I don't have anything majorly wrong with my skin, although I do have some 'shapely' thighs (as my mother says. "They're not big, they're shapely!" Love you, mom.) that could use a bit of improvement, skin-wise – as well as muscle-wise, but Frank is unfortunately not a workout routine/scrub combination. I'm solving that issue on my own. Anyways, I figured trying out a body scrub couldn't possibly hurt, seeing as though I'm not allergic to any of the ingredients. Frank is from Australia, so it took a bit longer to receive him in the mail, but it wasn't anything unbearable. Plus, shipping is free in the US, which is always music to my ears. I'd say I got my Frank about ten days after I purchased him, though mind you I ordered him towards the weekend so he probably wasn't shipped until the following Monday.
When I did receive Frank, I was elated. Finally I would get to try this bad boy (haha, get it? Because his name is Frank... sorry) out for myself. The steps are easy: "Get Naked", "Get Dirty", "Get Rough", and "Get Clean". They're rather self explanatory, so I'm not going to be redundant by repeating them. If you would like further explanation on the steps, go check the site linked above!
Back to my own Frank, though: I just tried my Cacao Frank scrub and WOW. My skin has not felt this smooth since I was a baby. Not that I remember, but I'm pretty certain this is the closest I've been to baby-smooth since I was an actual infant. And the smell of coffee is surrounding me without suffocating me. I know this scent won't last when I wake up tomorrow morning but at least I know that my dreams will be beautifully blissful and include LOTS of coffee. I'm not kidding you when I say that I just took a small break from typing this out so I could smell my shoulder and smile.
Because I have only tried Frank out once, and that one time was about an hour ago, I don't have any review or opinion on whether or not this product really works. I will say that my skin is super smooth and incredibly delicious-smelling, and I am already eager to hang out with Frank again in two days–Frank recommends that you use him 2 to 3 times a week, which I'm perfectly fine with. I will be sure to publish another post in about a week or two and give another review on the oh-so-charming Frank! Until then, cheek out this picture of me and Frank spending some quality time together on the right!
That's all for now! Stay Resplendent!
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| Frank Cacao Scrub with nails and lip to match the purple and white label |
Let me just say I think I've probably read through the entire website about four times. I wanted to make sure that I knew as much about this product and brand as possible. The website (here is a link to their site) is set up very nicely, which I always like when a site is not only easy to use, but unique and aesthetically pleasing. As you can see, Frank did a great job with both. The FAQ answered all of my inquiries about this, as well as the feedback account I saw on Instagram (there's one account solely for consumer's reviews/feedback pictures and WOW the results are good). After a lot of reading and rereading, I decided to see if it lived up to the hype. Frank did not disappoint.
There are three different types of Frank that you can buy. There's the original (orange label), which has sweet almond and orange. Then there's the coconut & grapeseed (mint label), and their newest one, the cacao scrub (purple label). I was torn between purchasing the coconut and and cacao scrub– the only reason I vetoed the original is because I, for some unknown reason, feel indifferent towards orange-flavored or orange-scented products. That's not to say I'm against trying it ever, but I wanted to pick a different one for my first Frank purchase.
Frank is supposed to do a lot of great things for your skin, besides just exfoliating and smoothing. He (yes, I will keep referring to an inanimate object as a person because the brand does and I adore it) also targets cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, varicose veins, eczema and acne. Now, I don't have anything majorly wrong with my skin, although I do have some 'shapely' thighs (as my mother says. "They're not big, they're shapely!" Love you, mom.) that could use a bit of improvement, skin-wise – as well as muscle-wise, but Frank is unfortunately not a workout routine/scrub combination. I'm solving that issue on my own. Anyways, I figured trying out a body scrub couldn't possibly hurt, seeing as though I'm not allergic to any of the ingredients. Frank is from Australia, so it took a bit longer to receive him in the mail, but it wasn't anything unbearable. Plus, shipping is free in the US, which is always music to my ears. I'd say I got my Frank about ten days after I purchased him, though mind you I ordered him towards the weekend so he probably wasn't shipped until the following Monday.
When I did receive Frank, I was elated. Finally I would get to try this bad boy (haha, get it? Because his name is Frank... sorry) out for myself. The steps are easy: "Get Naked", "Get Dirty", "Get Rough", and "Get Clean". They're rather self explanatory, so I'm not going to be redundant by repeating them. If you would like further explanation on the steps, go check the site linked above!
Back to my own Frank, though: I just tried my Cacao Frank scrub and WOW. My skin has not felt this smooth since I was a baby. Not that I remember, but I'm pretty certain this is the closest I've been to baby-smooth since I was an actual infant. And the smell of coffee is surrounding me without suffocating me. I know this scent won't last when I wake up tomorrow morning but at least I know that my dreams will be beautifully blissful and include LOTS of coffee. I'm not kidding you when I say that I just took a small break from typing this out so I could smell my shoulder and smile.
Because I have only tried Frank out once, and that one time was about an hour ago, I don't have any review or opinion on whether or not this product really works. I will say that my skin is super smooth and incredibly delicious-smelling, and I am already eager to hang out with Frank again in two days–Frank recommends that you use him 2 to 3 times a week, which I'm perfectly fine with. I will be sure to publish another post in about a week or two and give another review on the oh-so-charming Frank! Until then, cheek out this picture of me and Frank spending some quality time together on the right!That's all for now! Stay Resplendent!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Delicious Macaron Lippies form NYX!
I have always loved fun lip colors; however it wasn't until recently that I began to divulge in the idea of having bright and fun lip colors for myself. Being the incredibly fair-skinned redhead that I am, I often stuck myself in the box of only being able to use soft pinks and neutrals, telling myself "I could never pull that off." Well you know what? Screw that mindset. ANYONE can pull off ANYTHING they want if they do it right and wear it with confidence. (Side note: this theory can also be applied to dietary restrictions, fashion styles, Iron Man phone case purchases, you know- things that happen in your daily life)
I own several different bright reds, nude pinks, corals, berries, etc. now, and just a few weeks ago I decided to take it to the next step: blues, purples, oranges, anything and everything. Why not, right? So when I saw NYX released a line of "Macaron Lippies", twelve brightly-colored opaque lipsticks, I just had to try some. My box just came in the mail yesterday form Ulta (my favorite makeup store at the moment!), and I have been dying to try these four out! The shades I decided to try first are shown below.
First off, let me just say I really enjoy NYX cosmetics, and it was an amazing coincidence/miracle that their Macaron Lippies came out around the same time I wanted to try bright lipsticks, because it's better quality than drugstore makeup (in my opinion), but around the same price. It's a perfect brand to play around with if you're unsure of something. That way, at least if you don't like what you bought, you're not out an arm and a leg for it. These lipsticks are about $6 both in store and online, and Ulta sometimes has a BOGO 1/2 off deal for NYX cosmetics, so it makes it even better– and even harder to pass up! I started with these four because I know for a fact I have nothing else like these four colors, and before I splurged on a high-end lipstick in any of these hues I wanted to make sure I liked the color itself on my lips.
Blue Velvet
To be honest, shortly after I purchased this lot of lipsticks, I wished that I had bought NYX's "Earl Grey" in the stead of this one, because it's a lighter blue-grey and it appealed to me a bit more, but I wasn't rueful enough to cancel my purchase and do it all over again. So I did my best to keep an open mind. Putting it on was certainly shocking for me, but the more I looked at my lips the more Blue Velvet began to grow on me. Not my favorite of the four, but definitely a good thing to have if you enjoy doing crazy lip art.
Lavender
I was super excited to get this one, because I have been dying to try a purple to clash with my ginger locks. This looks like the perfect pastel purple, as far as lip colors go; though I will admit, when I swatched in on the back of my palm, it seemed a bit more sheer than I had hoped, as you can see on the second picture to the top. However, once I tried it out on my lips, the color was as opaque as I originally thought! Really love the softness of the color; so much so that I could actually see myself wearing this one for a fun night out.
Coconut
This one was a big risk for me. Seeing as though it's probably closer to my skin tone than a normal human being's nude lipstick (ba-dum tsss), I wasn't sure if I should go for it. Then I realized I was putting myself into that 'no fun' box once again, and so I shook my head, flipped my hair and added it to my cart. This one, although probably my least favorite of the pack for my own personal style, was still really good! I had to put on a few layers just so it looked completely opaque, but after that it was shockingly white and very interesting. Same thing for Blue Velvet: not a favorite, but definitely good for some crazy lip art down the road (I have some ideas in store that both this one and Blue Velvet will come in handy for).
Chambord
Not going to lie, this and Lavender were the two main reasons I decided to go onto Ulta's website. Black is definitely back, and I think it's safe to say we've finally gotten past the whole "any black means goth" phase. I, for one, adore wearing black. Wearing all black is its own style, in my mind, and I love it, live it, encourage it, etc. So this was the first one in my shopping cart– actually, if we're being honest, it collected dust in my shopping cart while I deliberated on what other three to get. Lavender joined it in the cart not too long after, however. The moment I put this one on, my eyes widened with delight. I love it! It's the perfect black, it applies a lot better than I imagined, you don't need too much for it to look good, and frankly it's just really cool and intense. Against my pale skin and red hair, it's definitely a statement to wear such a color, and I adored it. Not something I would wear to a family event, if we're being honest, but I cannot wait to wear this one out for a night with the girls. I am wearing Chambord as I type this out, actually, because I want to see how long this will last before I need to blot, take off, redo, etc. So far I'm three hours in and we're good!
All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised with this line of brightly-colored lipsticks, all of which applied very smoothly and have a nice satin finish. My favorites are (clearly) Chambord and Lavender by a long shot, though I will be using Coconut and Blue Velvet for lip art sooner or later. I can't wait to get my hands on a few more from this line (the next on my list for the Macaron Lippes are 'Pistachio' and 'Earl Grey'!), as well as trying other brand's bright colors.
If you have any suggestions as to what beauty items I should try out next, feel free to comment below!
Stay Resplendent!
I own several different bright reds, nude pinks, corals, berries, etc. now, and just a few weeks ago I decided to take it to the next step: blues, purples, oranges, anything and everything. Why not, right? So when I saw NYX released a line of "Macaron Lippies", twelve brightly-colored opaque lipsticks, I just had to try some. My box just came in the mail yesterday form Ulta (my favorite makeup store at the moment!), and I have been dying to try these four out! The shades I decided to try first are shown below.
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| From left-right: Blue Velvet, Lavender, Coconut, Chambord |
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| NYX Macaron Lippies swatched |
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| Blue Velvet |
To be honest, shortly after I purchased this lot of lipsticks, I wished that I had bought NYX's "Earl Grey" in the stead of this one, because it's a lighter blue-grey and it appealed to me a bit more, but I wasn't rueful enough to cancel my purchase and do it all over again. So I did my best to keep an open mind. Putting it on was certainly shocking for me, but the more I looked at my lips the more Blue Velvet began to grow on me. Not my favorite of the four, but definitely a good thing to have if you enjoy doing crazy lip art.
Lavender
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| Lavender |
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| Coconut |
This one was a big risk for me. Seeing as though it's probably closer to my skin tone than a normal human being's nude lipstick (ba-dum tsss), I wasn't sure if I should go for it. Then I realized I was putting myself into that 'no fun' box once again, and so I shook my head, flipped my hair and added it to my cart. This one, although probably my least favorite of the pack for my own personal style, was still really good! I had to put on a few layers just so it looked completely opaque, but after that it was shockingly white and very interesting. Same thing for Blue Velvet: not a favorite, but definitely good for some crazy lip art down the road (I have some ideas in store that both this one and Blue Velvet will come in handy for).
Chambord
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| Chambord |
All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised with this line of brightly-colored lipsticks, all of which applied very smoothly and have a nice satin finish. My favorites are (clearly) Chambord and Lavender by a long shot, though I will be using Coconut and Blue Velvet for lip art sooner or later. I can't wait to get my hands on a few more from this line (the next on my list for the Macaron Lippes are 'Pistachio' and 'Earl Grey'!), as well as trying other brand's bright colors.
If you have any suggestions as to what beauty items I should try out next, feel free to comment below!
Stay Resplendent!
Friday, July 25, 2014
Naked 2 Palette vs. Lorac Pro Palette 1
Before I start things off, let me just put this disclaimer her for all to see: This post, as well as any and all future posts, are strictly my opinion, and I am not going to state one being better than the other. I love BOTH brands so much. This is merely for those who don't really know what they're getting into when it comes to these palettes.
And with that, LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE (no? okay.)
WHAT I LOVE: To start off with the visuals, I love Naked's packaging for their second palette. The hard metal case with the snap-shut lid wins me over every time I need to throw it into an overnight bag and head out the door. I like knowing that there's hardly any chance it can come open and spill inside my Kate Spade, thus causing me to have a meltdown. Bonus points for their shadow names, too. There's a small smile that always shows up on my face every time I tell people I'm wearing "Bootycall" and "YDK" (two of my favorites in this palette). The colors themselves are very well-pigmented for shimmery colors. It was a pleasant surprise to not need a bunch of layers of each hue. Pretty sure that this palette will last me about two years at least, which is awesome– especially for the price! The black eye shadow in this palette, named very accurately "Blackout", is the best black shadow I've had in a long time. It's faintly shimmery, but not too much; I use it as a liner sometimes and always love the results. I also adore the "Good Karma" Shadow/Crease Brush that it came with, and I will admit that it's my go-to brush at the moment for any shadows, not just the Naked 2 Palette exclusively. It's super soft, which is so important for my tender skin and pickiness.
WHAT I NOT-SO-LOVE: I do wish there were more than just two matte colors, because Urban Decay does a great job at having well-pigmented shades that work any skin tone, so it'd be great to have more options. To add onto that, "Tease" which is a mauve brown and one of their two matte shades, can be a bit tricky to work with, which is a shame because it's a great color that I like to wear on my down days. It's worth it, in my opinion, to try and work with "Tease" and blend it a lot to get my desired look, but it had to be said.
WHAT I LOVE: Again, I'll begin with how this palette looks. It's more than half the width of the Naked palette, which is a double-edged sword in my opinion. I'll stick to the positives on this portion and move to the not-so-positives in the next. I like that it's lightweight and the case is soft to touch– not that it really matters, but now it's out there so you can't un-know that. Shadow-wise, I love that there are so many options. Half matte, half shimmer is definitely something that I adored with this palette. I can do anything I want, achieve any sort of look, whether it be getting all dolled up for a night out or just a calm look for a relaxing day. The combinations are endless with the eighteen shadows, and there are even a few pops of color, which is a nice surprise. And, speaking of colors, I am head over heels for Champagne and Light Pink, both of which are exactly what you'd expect with their names. The Light Pink is actually what made me decide to get this one over a different palette while at the store. I don't have any other shade in that color that's as good a quality.
WHAT I NOT-SO-LOVE: Back to the casing of the Lorac Pro Palette. While on the one hand it's width makes it lighter and easier to pack, it also implies less of the shadows– although I totally understand that part of the reason why Naked 2 is so thick is due to it's metal casing. But still, it at least gives you the illusion that there's more for you; an illusion I am perfectly content with. Another thing that I don't love is how soft the magnetic flap (is that the right word? Is there a better term I could use? Whoops) is. This could be because I'm so used to the secure Naked palette case, and it's not that I've ever had any trouble with it staying shut. I'm just saying that there is no way that thing will be entering my Kate Spade unless in a ziplock baggy or a sturdy makeup pouch. It's a risk I am not willing to take.
So, there you have it! My personal pros & cons for two very good palettes. Like I said in the beginning, this is not about which one I favor more, but more of a review on two very popular products in one post. Hopefully, if you read all of my rambling, you now have a better idea on the two products for future reference, should you ever decide to splurge for them. Both were great purchases that I do not regret at all (hopefully I'll be getting Naked 3 palette and Lorac Pro Palette 2 soon!).
Stay Resplendent!
And with that, LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE (no? okay.)
IN THIS CORNER: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
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| Naked 2 Palette casing |
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| Shades (from left-right): Foxy, Half Baked, Booty Call, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout |
WHAT I NOT-SO-LOVE: I do wish there were more than just two matte colors, because Urban Decay does a great job at having well-pigmented shades that work any skin tone, so it'd be great to have more options. To add onto that, "Tease" which is a mauve brown and one of their two matte shades, can be a bit tricky to work with, which is a shame because it's a great color that I like to wear on my down days. It's worth it, in my opinion, to try and work with "Tease" and blend it a lot to get my desired look, but it had to be said.
AND IN THIS CORNER: Lorac Pro Palette 1
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| Lorac Pro Palette 1 casing |
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| Shades (from left-right) Top- Matte Colors: White, Cream Taupe, Lt, Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black Bottom- Shimmer Colors: Nude, Champagne, Gold, Lt. Bronze, Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple, Slate |
WHAT I NOT-SO-LOVE: Back to the casing of the Lorac Pro Palette. While on the one hand it's width makes it lighter and easier to pack, it also implies less of the shadows– although I totally understand that part of the reason why Naked 2 is so thick is due to it's metal casing. But still, it at least gives you the illusion that there's more for you; an illusion I am perfectly content with. Another thing that I don't love is how soft the magnetic flap (is that the right word? Is there a better term I could use? Whoops) is. This could be because I'm so used to the secure Naked palette case, and it's not that I've ever had any trouble with it staying shut. I'm just saying that there is no way that thing will be entering my Kate Spade unless in a ziplock baggy or a sturdy makeup pouch. It's a risk I am not willing to take.So, there you have it! My personal pros & cons for two very good palettes. Like I said in the beginning, this is not about which one I favor more, but more of a review on two very popular products in one post. Hopefully, if you read all of my rambling, you now have a better idea on the two products for future reference, should you ever decide to splurge for them. Both were great purchases that I do not regret at all (hopefully I'll be getting Naked 3 palette and Lorac Pro Palette 2 soon!).
Stay Resplendent!
Monday, June 30, 2014
Introduction Time
Hello everybody! So I just felt that I should make a post on here introducing myself and what I hope this blog will be about. My name is Regan (if you couldn't tell by the blog title, haha) and I have had a long-term obsession with beauty, fashion, FOOD, you name it. Another thing I have found in recent years is that I have a passion for writing. So, as a result, I figure that now is the best time to do something where I could combine those two worlds. I'm also linking this to a YouTube channel that I made, full of reviews, favorites, how-to's, etc. Hopefully anyone who may trundle across this page will find it helpful, or at least mildly entertaining!
-Regan
-Regan
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