ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...

I hope you all have a lovely holiday! Thanks for being so great!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
XO, Deanna

PRIMER GALORE!!

So, let's talk primers! Each day I apply make-up, there's one step that I absolutely cannot miss, and that is applying some sort of base.


There are literally primers for almost every make-up product (i.e.: eyeshadow, face, mascara, lips, etc.). I don't really go overboard with the primer thing, but I always wear a primer underneath my foundation and eyeshadow. With primers, you have to consider your skin type as stated in my Choosing The Right Foundation post. Knowing how and what your skin reacts to will definitely help you along the way in the world of make-up.  For example, I tend to go for mattifying primers for my face, because I have oily skin. If you have dry skin, you probably wouldn't choose a mattifying primer, or at least I wouldn't recommend it. 

Here's a list of some of my favs:


I usually purchase the sample size, first, to test the quality of high end brands. You can find the sample sizes at the brands' sites or at your local Sephora or Ulta boutiques in the check-out lines. Sample sizes are usually around the $10 range, which is pretty affordable, but if you think it's too much, there's always drug store brands. Unfortunately with drug store products, you aren't able to purchase a sample size. However, they're super affordable, and depending on where you purchase, if you don't like it, you can return it.

I hope you give my favorites a try!!
XO, Deanna

MY NEW FAVORITE FACE BRUSH

Hi guys!!
Maybe two weeks ago, I took a trip to Ulta to buy new brushes because my other brushes weren't clean (I honestly just needed an excuse to go lol), so since Ulta had a 'buy one get one half off' sale, I figured "why not?!" 

I've heard great things about Real Techniques brushes for YEARS, but I just never purchased them; not really sure why. Well, I'm actually very happy I finally got my hands on them! I picked up the Core Collection and the Starter Set, which both retails for $18, and each set has a number of brushes that are essentials to your makeup application.

The Buffing Brush




So let's talk about it. This brush is super soft and applies liquid foundation beautifully! I haven't experienced any shedding and it has cut my application time down tremendously. Unfortunately, you cannot purchase this brush solely alone, but the set is really inexpensive! I think it's safe to say that I will be purchases a few more brushes from Real Techniques.

What are some of your favorite make-up brushes?
XO, Deanna

MAKE-UP HAUL

Good morning friends!
As you know, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales were in full effect this weekend, and of course I participated. Here are some of my most recent buys!!


When it comes to make-up, I only purchased eyeshadow and of course none of it has arrived. I did, however, purchase new make-up a few weeks ago. Mainly things I've run out of, but also some lippies.








Have a lovely day!!
XO, Deanna



MY EVERYDAY BAG


Good morning!!

I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend and got lots of amazing Black Friday deals!! If you didn't know, the sales are still going and will continue through Cyber Monday! :)

I purchased this awesome handbag from Forever 21 and I am in love with it! Be sure to stop by Forever 21 in-store and online for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals!!




Happy Shopping!
XO, Deanna

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Good morning!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday spent with family and friends, filled with lots of love and amazing food! Although you should be grateful everyday, today's the perfect day to reflect on this past year and give thanks. Not only am I grateful for my family and friends, I'm also grateful for each of you! You guys keep me going, and I truly appreciate the love and support I receive everyday, so thank you all! :)

Happy Holidays!!
XO, Deanna

MINI SHOE HAUL

If I'm not spending money on make-up, I'm spending money on shoes. 
Here are some of my most recent buys!! :)




XO, Deanna

COZY KNITS

Fall is my absolute favorite season, and it's officially getting colder, which means, it's time to drink hot cocoa and snuggle up in your favorite blanket. My favorite thing about this season is being able to wear the coziest sweaters and cardigans! Seriously, Fall fashion is so great; the weather just makes you want to dress up!! 

You can literally find sweaters anywhere right now, but today, I'm sharing a few I've found online. If you do not already own tons, like myself, then these are great buys, and it's perfect timing, because everyone's having their Fall sales!!

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1 | 2







1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Enjoy!
XO, Deanna

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: PAJAMAS

 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Hey!! It's that time of the year when we grab our favorite pjs and watch all of the classic holiday movies! The closer it is to my favorite holiday, the more excited I become!! Well today, I've pulled together some pajama options for the perfect night in! 

There are so many different variations of pajamas. From onesies to pajama sets, they all fit the needs of comfortable sleeping. I normally just lounge around in pajamas and sleep in a nightshirt or just something not so hot (lol). Although, they're not included in this edit, I have my eye on a few of those as well.

Have a great day!!
XO, Deanna

WASH DAY NECESSITIES

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Wash days are the longest days for me; it literally takes all day. However, in order for me to get the maximum amount of hydration in my hair, I'm totally ok with the amount of time it takes. So today, I'm sharing my current hair necessities on wash days. 

Each day I wash my hair, I pre-poo, shampoo/co-wash, and deep condition. I obviously apply a leave-in conditioner once I complete those steps, and depending on how I style, I'll use a curling soufflé of some sort (I typically go for twist outs). Last but certainly not least, I sometimes use a wide tooth comb/denman brush to detangle and clips (not pictured) to keep my hair separated.

What are your go-to products on wash day?
XO, Deanna

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: MAKE-UP

Hi there!! My favorite season is finally here and the Holiday sets and palettes are rolling in! That means all of your hard earned money will be left on the makeup counter [lol]. If you've started your Christmas shopping (yes, there are a few sets I've been eyeing), you should totally take advantage of the new limited edition collections at Sephora.

Sephora, $35

14 shades of these beautifully intense colors! ABS seems to be most popular for their brow products, but with this palette, you can create a range of different looks. Definitely a limited edition palette worth purchasing. Not only are the colors beautiful, look at the packaging, and the shades are perfect for the holiday season! 

I really love the value sets at Sephora. You get to test many brands you may have overlooked and for the fraction of the price. There are nineteen different sets, but these three are my favorite:
Draw the Line, $30
Superstars, $75
Lashstash, $45


Sephora, $45

I'm in LOVE with Marc Jacobs Beauty [lol]. Their foundations and primers are such a hit, I want to try the lippies. Thankfully, they have a value set of five deluxe-sized lip cremes. It also comes with a cute little leather pouch, which I'm sure will be useful somehow. 

What beauty items are you lusting for this month?
XO, Deanna

QUOTED THINGS


Morning Inspiration.
XO, Deanna

LET'S GET GLAM: MAKE-UP ORGANIZERS


So, I have this dilemma. I have a growing makeup collection, but I have absolutely no place to store it. You'd think that because I'm a beauty and lifestyle blogger, I would have some type of management over it all. SURPRISE! I don't [lol]. My makeup collection, also, is not as large as some of you may think. It's honestly very small. 



So when researching for storage options, I've had plenty of things to think about. For example, I don't want anything too small, because my collection is growing. However, I don't want anything too large, because I'm going to feel the need to fill it up, quickly, and let's be honest, I'm not balling [lol]. Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that acrylic organizers would be the best option for me.

I have a little something that I picked up from TJ Maxx, but I'm looking for something new and exciting. I spend a lot of time on the explore page on Instagram, as well as search hashtags to see what's popping, which is when I discovered GLAMboxes (beautiful acrylic storage for all things beauty). I fell in love, but it's a little outside of my budget right now.

If you are in the market for new storage for your makeup, here's a list of a few options:

GLAMboxes: GLAMpetite Makeup Box & GLAMluxe Makeup Box
The Container Store: Luxe Acrylic Modular System
Sephora: CosmoCube Posh Makeup Organizer
TJ Maxx / Marshalls / HomeGoods

Of course with some of these places, more than likely, you'll have to physically go to see what's offered. Happy hunting!

Do you have any storage ideas to keep your collection organized?
XO, Deanna

MONTHLY BUDGET PLANNER


Hey! 
So, I've been asked numerous times how do I not overly spend money. My answer is always that I budget my money pretty well. I'm not an expert by any means, and I do sometimes get spending happy; especially when it comes to make-up [lol]. However, I'm an adult that have bills, unfortunately [lol]. Therefore, I have to at least pay for the important things. 

So today, I'm sharing my little secret.
In the planner, you'll see the categories Income, Housing, Utilities, Transportation and Miscellaneous. Of course if some of the subcategories do not apply to you, just mark out what I've typed, and write in whatever applies to you (i.e.: rent - mortgage). Also, there are 3 columns and a spot for the total amount remaining at the bottom. Really quickly, I'm going to explain each column. If you have any questions feel free to email me!

Budget: The amount you budgeted for that month.
Actual: The amount you actually spent.
Difference: The difference between your budgeted amount and the amount you actually spent.
Remainder: Total amount remaining/saved (add all differences) for the month.

So here it is! My Monthly Planner. Enjoy!
XO, Deanna

FAVORITE NUDE PALETTES

Makeup, if you haven't guessed by now, is one of my favorite pass times. Aside from it being a beautiful art form, it makes me look pretty [lol]. When it comes to eyeshadow, I am a palette girl. For some reason, it's very hard for me to spend money on individual shadows. Like, if I want a specific color, obviously I'd drop the coins, but that's very rare. So today, I'm sharing some of my favorite nude palettes. These palettes range in three different price categories making them budget friendly, semi-budget friendly, and not-so-much-budget friendly.


As stated in my last post, 10 Minute Natural Makeup, I rarely have enough time to really create magic on my face. I usually go for the "no makeup" makeup look on a day-to-day basis, however, when time permits, I pull out these handy palettes. Nude shadows can compliment ANY look, which is why they're my go-to shadows. Every now and then, I'll add color, but it's either no or nude eyeshadow.

Twelve neutral, cool, and warm shades grouped in three quads to enhance the eyes through eye contouring. Inside the box, Kat Von D includes a Step-by-Step Conturing Guide.

Nine beautiful creamy matte shades that are perfect for day and night looks. Along with the shadows, Too Faced provided a How-To Glamour Guide, which assists you with 3 looks in 3 minutes. 

Twelve beautiful pinked toned shades infused with rose gold pigments. 

What are some of your favorite palettes?
XO, Deanna

10 MINUTE MAKEUP


As a young professional, I can be a little overwhelmed with how much time I have to get ready some mornings. Whether you are a working professional, student, or a mommy on-the-go, there is still time to look your best. I know that every second counts when there's limited time, so on days when I have less time to spare, I have a natural make-up routine that never fails.






Lip | Lip | Lip

So, there you have it; my 10 minute natural make-up routine!! Remember, the key to a "natural look" is to blend, blend, BLEND!! For an airbrushed and effortless look, use a buffing brush or a beauty sponge. Also, highlighting and bronzing/contouring would be apart of step 4, but that's only when I wake up a little bit earlier than usual. However, if you just simply cannot go without, then by all means, highlight and bronze away!

What's your go-to 10 minute make-up?
xo, Deanna

QUOTED THINGS

Morning Inspiration
xo, Deanna

HOME STYLE


Soon, I'll be moving into a new apartment. I'm excited, but I honestly do not enjoy the process of moving [lol]. I do, however, get really excited about home decor! 

I really want to redecorate my room, so I've been browsing the web, home furnishing stores and of course Pinterest, to get an idea of what I want. Between shopping and Pinterest, I have sooo many expensive ideas [lol]. I find that websites like One Kings Lane and Joss and Main are really helpful when trying to stick to a budget. I also plan to do a few DIY projects to make the space really feel like my own and save my pockets. I wanted to share a few neutral pieces that I've fallen in love with, in case you're in the market for some! The great thing about nudes and neutrals is they're easy to reuse (if not damaged) in any future homes. 

You can shop the pieces and share some of your favorite neutral pieces!!
XO, Deanna

MOVING TIPS

Good morning! My roommates and I will be moving in a few weeks and I've been trying to come up with inexpensive, and less time consuming, ways to get our moving process accomplished. That's when I realized a lot of people are moving in or out of their homes around this time of the year. So today I will be sharing a few moving tips that may help you on your move day!


1. BOXES. You need them, but why buy them when you could go to local retail shops and ask for shipment boxes they aren't using. They'll gladly give them away.

2. Labeling your boxes helps with the unpacking process. It's easier and quicker to find what you need for whichever room.

3. If you have a dresser full of clothes, instead of taking the clothes out and packing them, transfer each drawer with the clothes inside. This helps with the unpacking process, and it also makes it easier to carry the dresser with out the drawers attached.

4. For the clothes hanging in your closet, grab some trash bags, group clothes together (tie trash bag string at the top of the hangers), and transfer each bag of clothes to your next closet.

5. Pack your necessities (i.e.: toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, soap, etc.) in a separate bag, because let's be honest, you won't be unpacking the same day that you move. Or if you're like me, you'll gradually unpack within that month (lol).

6. Well Deanna, who's gonna help me move?? You could easily hire movers, but you have to pay them, and that's no fun. Call up some of your friends to help and tell them you'll pay them with pizza.


What are some of your best tips for moving?
XO, Deanna

BUY OR BYE: MARC JACOBS GENIUS GEL - SUPERCHARGED FOUNDATION

For the past year, I've been wanting to try the Marc Jacobs Genius Gel - Supercharged Foundation from Marc Jacobs Beauty. I FINALLY went out to purchase it last week. While I was out shopping, I decided that I would start a new series on my blog. "BUY or BYE": a series where I give my honest opinion about beauty products that I've tested. This is not guaranteed to be a weekly thing, but it will be on products that I'd like to share with you all. :)


MARC JACOBS GENIUS GEL - SUPERCHARGED FOUNDATION

The description states that this foundation is a buildable breakthrough gel that "features best-in-class gel performance with first-to-market buoyancy gel technology". It also states that it is natural-to-full foundation, anti-aging, and hydrating with coconut water extracts.

*There are 16 shades*

PROS
Packaging: I love that this bottle has a curved shape. The big plus is that it comes with a pump!
Lightweight: I'm assuming when stated in the description that it's "natural-to-full" they meant that it ranges from natural to the touch and, obviously, to full coverage. I've been wearing this foundation for this past week, and it literally feels like I'm not wearing anything. Love!
Color Match: I purchased the foundation in 84 Cocoa Medium and it matches me PERFECTLY! Now, this may be a different experience for others, but this color is my perfect match, which makes me extremely happy.

CONS
Only 2-3 shades for deep/dark skin complexions. 


Final Thoughts
I really love this foundation. I haven't noticed a huge difference with my skin; not really sure if it's hydrating or not. Maybe it is, because my skin doesn't feel dry at the end of the day; I don't know. I will have to wear it a little longer to really see how my skin reacts. All in all, at the price of $48, this will probably be a new staple of mine.

What are some of your favorite foundations?
XO, Deanna

HEALTH TIP: BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER

Often times, we are told to drink more water, which is true. We should drink more water. The problem is most of us are unaware of how much we should consume. I've personally been told half of your body weight or a gallon, or more, a day. That's a bit much, especially if you aren't on some new workout regimen, or in a climate, that requires you to consume a lot more. Honestly, the amount of water you need is dependent upon so many things, such as your age, body size, activity, and more. However, eight 8oz (half a gallon) glasses a day is just enough to prevent dehydration. Today, I've listed a few benefits that will help to encourage your daily water consumption.

10 BEAUTY MISTAKES

It's so easy to make makeup mistakes without even realizing it, and we sometimes forget the important tips we've learned. Are your brushes clean? Are you using the right primer? Or, is powder even necessary? These are little minor things that have room for improvement; you'll be sure not to make these mistakes again.

QUOTED THINGS

Morning Inspiration
XO, Deanna

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

Choosing the right foundation can be a pretty hefty task. There are usually too many shades, or not enough, especially for women of color, and to further complicate things, you have to choose between tons of different brands and different foundation types. Foundation is your make-up base; it evens out your skin tone, covers your blemishes and more. How do you know what type is best for you, when there are so many options in the market? Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:

DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE: There are 5 basic skin types (normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive) that each have different problems and need different formulas. Dry Skin should use oil-based foundation, where Oily and sometimes Combination Skin should not. Sensitive Skin should go for oil-free, fragrance free and non-comedogenic foundations. Why? Well your skin is a little bit more prone to breakouts.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR UNDERTONES: In order for your foundation to look natural, your foundation's undertone must match your skin's. Well, what are undertones? Glad you asked. Beneath your specific skin tone, there is a subtle hue of cool (pink, red or blue), warm (yellow or golden), or neutral (balance of cool & warm) undertones. There are many ways to determine what your undertones may be (i.e: vein test), but I can explain that at a later date.

CONSIDER THE CLIMATE WHERE YOU LIVE: Foundation with SPF is ideal for warmer climates, and maybe even waterproof foundation. For colder climates, you may want to use a moisturizing formula while also keeping your skin type in mind. During the summer, when you're tanned, choose darker shades.

WHAT ABOUT COVERAGE?: For lighter coverage, choose a tinted moisturizer, BB/CC cream or sheer liquid foundation. For full coverage, choose a cream, stick or full coverage liquid foundation.

SHOPPING FOR FOUNDATION: Always, always, ALWAYS test your foundation before purchasing, which means to shop in a physical store. If your budget permits, go to your local Sephora, Ulta, or beauty counter at department stores. Unfortunately, you're not given the opportunity to test drug store foundations; it's kind of a trial and error testing situation. When testing the foundation, swatch the colors on your jawline. Swatch multiple shades (2-3) alongside one another, and make sure the shade matches your body as a whole. Allow the foundation to warm and mix with your complexion before making your final decision. 
*TIP* Sephora has a really cool color matching tool, based on your skin complexion and undertones, to help determine the right shade of foundation for you. This is a great option for those who are still a little clueless.

Have a favorite foundation? Share below!
XO, Deanna

GIFT GUIDE: MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day seems to always sneak upon us, but it's definitely not a "last minute gift" holiday. From floral scents to a cozy throw, I've rounded up some of the sweetest gifts for the mothers in our lives. So, here are a few ways to show your mom you love her...




I love these gifts so much, but I would like to hear from you guys. 
What are you getting your mom for Mother's Day?

Leave in the comments below!
XO, Deanna

IN MY BAG



I like to have a little coin purse, which holds my debit card, I.D., and a little cash. I also keep inside lip balm and the lipstick, or lip gloss, I'm wearing for the day. To keep my hands germ-free, I have hand sanitizer. I obviously keep my phone and charger there, and my keys are hiding inside, as well. If the purse were a little bigger, I'd have my full size wallet, my iPad mini and both phones, pouch which holds my chargers and headphones, and another pouch that holds my hand sanitizer, hand lotion, and lip products of the day.

XO, Deanna

QUARTER CENTURY

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!! 
I'm so blessed and grateful to see the age of 25. Although I'm not quite where I would like to be at this age, I've come so far, and I'm excited to see what happens this year and years to come! :) I love you all!

XO, Deanna

SPRING IS NEAR AND PRETTY MUCH HERE

Step into Spring with these lovely shoes!!!
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Spring time is the best time to add more color to your wardrobe. I've put together a collage of some of my favs for this upcoming season. :)

Happy Shopping!
XO, Deanna

LOVE THY ROMPER

It's romper season!!! Well at least it is for me; I have a slight obsession. Why? Well they're one pieces, which means the only thing you have to do is accessorize, then you have perfection. Not to mention they're really comfy. It's kinda like wearing a leotard, but not really.....and you're not going to a dance class...(lol). Anyway, I found a few that I really like!


Love On Top Romper (out of stock...similar here and here) | Double Layer Cami Romper



What style season is it for you?

XO, Deanna

LIVE A HAPPIER YOU


So today, I had a conversation with someone. Without going into great detail, she was explaining to me that she wanted to give up on a few things (nothing dramatic lol). She kept stating how she wanted to be happy and remain happy. To me, being happy is a mindset. Sure, you may not like the situation you're in, but you have to make the best of it, or you'll be miserable. Ironically, as I log onto my computer, a blog post from The Nectar Collective was still up on my screen, so I thought I'd share.

For those of you trying to find better ways, or to create ways, of being happy, here's 15 Tips for a Happier Year.

Enjoy!
XO, Deanna

MY FAVORITE IPHONE APPS

Like most humans, I'm obsessed with my iPhone. Mostly because of my blog and partly because my day job is working in the field of technology. 

I can be a bit anal when it comes to organizing my apps, but what can I say?! I like being able to find exactly what I'm looking for without the hassle. Besides, I hate seeing those red notifications everywhere; at least they'll be in central locations. Anyways, I thought I'd share some of my fav apps with you all. Don't be afraid to share yours! 


I limit myself to one page of apps. Thank God for folders, right?! 

{SN: my background is a photo of Rihanna at the Grammy's. So cute!}

Highlights of standalone apps:
Camera: Who doesn't love a good 'ole selfie? I also utilize the camera to capture sweet moments.

Clock: This is probably one of my most used apps. The alarm clock is a life saver because let's be honest, Atlanta's traffic is the absolute worst. Don't wanna be late for work!

Bible: Daily devotions really helps throughout each week. Have to stay grounded.

OneDrive: Although my iPhone automatically backup to iCloud, OneDrive is my absolute favorite cloud. Kudos to Microsoft! Because I have Office 365, I have 1TB of cloud storage. One whole terabyte of storage FOR FREE! That's literally space for everything I own on any electronic device.

Fav folders?


Obviously Social Media would be my number one fav. Yes, the apps are in order from favs to least favs. My addiction to Pinterest is real. 


The Shopping folder would be my second favorite. These apps are not in any particular order and I need to delete a couple, but I highly recommend downloading RetailMeNot, Walmart (Savings Catcher tool), Cartwheel, and Starbucks. Thank me later. 


Photo Editing and Games are folders I utilize the most when I have a lot of down time. VSCOcam is by far my favorite photo editing app. Trivia Crack is so addictive, but I'm not that great [lol]; I've only won 13 games. Also, SmartGlass for Xbox One is so perfect. Being able to control my Xbox from my phone is such a great feeling. 


Last, but not least, my Music & Such folder. Favies: Shazam, Podcasts, and Xfinity TV Go. I listen to my iPod whenever I'm driving, however when I'm not driving, and I'm not interested in the music others are listening to, Spotify is the way to go. 

Have any apps that you love?! Feel free to share. I try to keep my apps at a minimum, but love finding new favs. 

Have a lovely day!
XO, Deanna
© Deanna Luvs You

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