Month: October 2018

NYX Cosmetics Products Review

NYX Cosmetics Products Review

Posted on by Steph

Last Friday I took advantage of a NYX Cosmetics coupon from Gustazos. For that day only and presenting the coupon at Walgreens you could buy up to 5 NYX Cosmetics products for $4. Being the makeup addict that I am, I couldn’t let this opportunity pass, I had to take  it and try new makeup. So I bought a couple of things and of course I had to “play” with them and share my thoughts with you. So, here is my little review.

Lid Lingerie Shadow Palette

This shadows are perfect for someone wanting to create more of an everyday neutral look. These are all matte, which I thought was awesome. There are not a variety of shades, but the great part is that they are very pigmented. In conclusion, if you are looking for some high quality neutral matte shadows give this one a try.

Away We Glow Illuminating Powder

I bought this product because I thought the color will be a perfect blush for Fall. This little guy was so pigmented! The first time I tried it I looked like a clown! What I have been doing is that I only tap twice on the product, very light handed and then I apply it to the apples of the cheek. The lightest color I use has a highlight, but that shade in particular doesn’t have a good color payoff. Sadly I know I will not be grabbing this product on a daily basis, but is not an overall bad product and I will definitely try other shades.

That’s The Point Put a Wing on It Artistry Liner

I am always looking for a good liquid liner to create my cat eyes and this one claimed to be the perfect candidate for the job. Sadly this product I regret buying. This product it’s not easy to work with. I had little to no product deposit from the tip of the liner. For the line to be very black I had to stamp the sides of the liner to my eye lid which resulted on a thick line. Since the tip didn’t have enough product in it, it was very difficult to create the wing and super easy to just make a mess of your makeup. I tried to make it work on 3 occasions and it was always the same, and the 3 times I ended going over it with another liquid liner to make it look some what decent.

Sleap Tease Lip Lacquer

This lip product is very pigmented and glossy and if that is something you are into, great! Before applying the lipstick on my lips I have to really take my time “cleaning” the applicator in the tub, because if I don’t do that I will have a sticky mess on my lips. I try to apply it very light handed and I bloat my lips to take the excess off. This is not a product I dislike, I just think that at the moment they are not the kind of finish I am after. Something good I have to say is that they wear off evenly and they leave a little tint on your lips that looks cute.

Worth the Hype Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

This mascara I love!! I love how it makes my lashes look. This is one of the things I bought that I am sure I will keep repurchasing. It makes my lashes look full and long with only two coats. What more can I say? I love it and you should go and buy your self one as soon as possible, trust me.

Have you tried any of these products? If you have what are your thoughts? Is any of these products on you makeup wishlist? Did you had the opportunity to use the Gustazo, and if so, what did you bought? I will love to know, be sure to leave your comments below.

Never stop dreaming,

How to Have Enough Time

How to Have Enough Time

Posted on by Steph

I am guilty of saying I don’t have time to do things, but the truth is that some how I always find myself scrolling mindlessly on social media, specially pinterest. So the question is, do I really not have time, or do I don’t make time for “better” or more important things? Surely the correct answer is the last one. I will like to believe that I am not the only one suffering of this, please tell me I am not. Recently I have started exploring how to minimize my I don’t have time dilemma, working with my time management, trying to be more productive, and on making me feel like I am making the most of time. That is why I want to share with you, what so far I have identified as helpful in the manner. I hope it can help you too.

Make a master list

In this master list you are going to write down everything you have to do and everything you want to do. Maybe is super long, or not, but this is the first step. You can organize it by categories if you want to be extra organize. And every time something comes to mind write it down on your master list.

Set priorities

So you have the super list, now is time to prioritize. Make another list with the most important things you have or want to do. After you have the most important things, add numbers to each item, 1 being the most important. This one I do recommend you section in Have To Do and Want To Do.

Simple things list

This list is of things that you necessarily don’t have to do, but want to, or that you always putt off doing. This things don’t take too much time or energy to do or are not a big deal if you don’t do them right away. Think of them as a filler for your day, and that way you are less tempted to spend precious time scrolling on social media (yes, that is what I tell myself).

Plan your day

Now that you have all your lists is time to plan your days. Find the and place for planning that works best for you. Maybe you can plan the entire week on one day, or maybe you can do it everyday. Right now the way I am doing it is that as part of my night routine I plan the next day. My list consists of 3 lists with a maximum of 3 items each. I do it this way so that I don’t feel overwhelm, I have more chances of completing everything on my list and I feel motivated to keep doing it.

Maintain a positive self talk

This last thing is the most important. To keep yourself motivated, find the time and energy to do this things you have and/or want to do, you have to keep a positive attitude. Work on taking off your vocabulary the phrase “I don’t have time” and try to change for something positive. For example on my desk at work I have a post it note with the phrase “El tiempo me da y me sobra”, which means something like “ I have plenty of time”. If at the end of the day you couldn’t complete everything you planned to do, don’t be hard on yourself, there is always another day. Make sure you enjoy the process and enjoy your time.

I hope this post can be helpful on your life and on your day to day. I think we always day dream about doing a lot of things and at the end of the day we don’t do it. But with this I want to motivate you and give you a plan on how you can change that, take control of your time and be productive.

What do you think of the method I shared with you? Do you think this could be something helpful? What do you do to accomplish your daily tasks? Do you organize your day? I will love to know, so be sure to leave me your comments below. Also don’t forget to subscribe to the blog.

Never stop dreaming,

End of Year Goals

End of Year Goals

Posted on by Steph

We are in the last quarter of the year and I am sure I am not the only one who thinks that this year has flown by fast. We usually wait ‘till the start of the year to make a list of goals or resolutions for the new year. But since I believe we can make any day or moment of the year a fresh start, I propose we think of a couple of things or goals we want to do or accomplish next year and start working on them now.

It’s not very productive to do a long list of new year resolutions to start working on in January 1st. I bet there are things on the list you made (physical or mentally) for this year that maybe you started doing and then stopped or things you never did. So here is my plan, pick 3 things you want to add to your daily routine in this last 3 months of the year, and let’s finish 2018 strong!

I have a very handy and easy method to create goals and accomplish them that you can read here (go read it, it will be super helpful). But the short version of it is to make a plan on how you are going to work on accomplishing that goal or task.

First. I want you to pick 3 things, they can be related or not, because I want you to concentrate in one each month. This is specially helpful if you are working on habits. That way you don’t feel overwhelmed trying or doing a lot of new things at once and you can give each one all your attention.

Second. Identify how to keep track of you progress. You can use a pen and paper, your notes app on your phone, an app like Streaks or an Excel document (like me) to mark off every time you do or work on that specific task or goal.

These are my goals:
October – Wakeup at 4:30 am everyday to read and meditate. I used to do this for a couple of months at the beginning of the year, but then summer vacations came and I stop. It’s something I want to incorporate again to my morning routine and bring it to the new year.

November – Journal every day. I stopped writing in a journal and I don’t even know why. So, my goal for this month is to keep a daily gratitude journal (very fitting for this month) Something sweet and short to get back to it.

December – Eat a homemade, somewhat healthy breakfast every morning. I usually have hard boiled eggs with cheese during my weekdays, it’s easy and kind of fast to do, but there are times I get lazy, and my breakfasts are pop tarts or sugary cereals (sadly they have become a very regular thing). Since the holidays in Puerto Rico are not very healthy, I want to at least make sure I have a good, homemade breakfast every morning, to start my day right.

This monthly goals are things I will work for that month but continue the next month. They are things I want to add to my daily routine starting now and for the next year. These are all things I enjoy doing, but for some reason or another I stopped doing. I say this, because is important that you work on things you like and that make you feel good and that way it will be easier to accomplish them.

Do you already have your monthly goals for what is left of 2018? Will you be working on your habits before the new year? How do you plan keep track of your goals? If you have any question or suggestion be sure to leave me your comment below, I love reading them.

Ps. The giveaway is open until tomorrow, Friday, October 12, in the evening, if you haven’t enter go here to learn how.

Never stop dreaming,

Skin Care Favorites

Skin Care Favorites

Posted on by Steph

My skin is far from perfect, but I have been lucky enough to find a couple of products that have been great on my skin.  My skin looks the best it has look in the last couple of years and I believe this products have done the trick, plus drinking a lot of water. Of course, keep in mind every one is different and maybe what works for me doesn’t work for you, but also, you will not know until you try it. If you are going to try one of this products (or any other face product), do it one by one, and give them a little bit of time, that way if something reacts in a bad way on your skin you know what it was. But now, without further a due, I present to you my favorite skin care products.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser

I used this face cleanser for the first time more than 5 years ago, I remembered I really liked it and I don’t know why I stopped using it. I used a lot of different products, but didn’t truly love any, until finally I came back to it.  It has been more than a year that I have been using it again, and I love it.  It’s gentle on the skin, it leaves my skin super clean, no trace of makeup after I wash my face, and the best part is that after I use it I don’t feel my face dry or weird. It lathers really well and cleans my face while also keeping it hydrated. I don’t feel the need to go running to apply moisturizer, my face feels good.

Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb

This moisturizer was recommended to me on a makeup class I went and since then I have been using it. It has been more than a year and every time my jar is running low I have to go and buy another one. This is not a cream, is water based and has kind of a jelly consistency, which is great for combination and oily skin types.  I love how it moisturizes my skin, it’s lightweight and it has a cooling effect. My face absorbs the product fast, and it lefts my skin looking healthy and glowy, which it’s a big plus, because for a long time last semester I wasn’t wearing makeup and I loved how my skin was looking.  The fast absorbing part is great for when you don’t have a lot of time in the morning, I apply my moisturizer and then I proceed to apply my makeup, I don’t have to wait a long time for it to dry, so I don’t have to loose precious time during my morning routine.

Tarte Maracuja Oil

This product has been my holy grail for more than 5 years. I don’t have anything bad to say about it.  I used to suffered of dry patches on my face, and since I started using this product that hasn’t happened. I use this oil as my main night moisturizer, I some times combined it with other things, with mostly I used it with just my eye moisturizer.  I apply this oil on my face, neck and lips and a little bit goes a long way. The skin doesn’t absorbs it super fast, but since I am going to sleep I am in no hurry. The next day my face feels soft and hydrated. I believe it has also helped me with my occasional pimple, I feel like they don’t last as long as they used to since I have been using this product.

If there is something I want you to take away from this is that having a hydrated and moisturized face/skin is important, it will make your skin look better and healthier, while helping keep the wrinkles away.  I have expression marks in my face, because I talk with my face, I am always doing some kind of weird face or expression, I can’t help it, but I believe that if I wasn’t using this products my fine lines and wrinkles will be worse. If you have oily skin don’t shy away from hydrating or oily products, they can also be of help to you.

Have you tried any of this products? Which skin care product you can’t live without? Do you have any recommendations for me? Be sure to leave your comment below.

PS.

I have a giveaway open until Friday, October 12, 2018, to see what I am giving away and how to enter visit my Blogversary post here.

Never stop dreaming,