Drugstore Summer Makeup Look

This makeup look is all about glowing skin and bold brows. It's a neutral look that goes with anything.

First, I start with the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. This is the perfect tinted moisturizer for summer - it's light, but makes a great base. You can read a more in-depth review in this post. You could also add in a concealer, but sometimes I skip it to keep my skin looking its most natural.

Then, I move onto brows. I love to fill in my brows lightly with the Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Medium Brown. Then I set it with the Maybelline Brow Drama in Soft Brown. These two products create a natural but defined brow look.

And then it's bronzer and highlight! This is the star of this makeup look. I use my NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder on my temples, forehead, and to subtly contour my cheekbones. Then, I take a pea-sized about of the e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal and warm it up on the back of my hand. I lightly blend this onto the tops of my cheekbones, my eyelids, the tip of my nose, my cupid's bow, and to highlight my brow bone. This is a very pink toned highlight, so it might not work for every skin tone, but I find that it's great for adding a warm glow to the face.

Some days, I skip mascara. But other days I want fluttery lashes, so I use the Covergirl Bombshell Mascara. It is supposedly a volumizing mascara, but I just use the "1" side and it is a very natural looking, defining mascara.

Then I just put on some lip balm, like the Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm. Done and done!

It's a simple makeup look that is hard to mess up - and the best part is that it won't melt off your face in the heat!

What are your favorite drugstore products for summer?

XOXO

Target Dollar Spot Haul

The Target Dollar Spot is a dangerous place. Everything's only a dollar (or three), so it seems like such a good deal. But then you realize you picked up $20 worth of stuff before even really getting into the store!

But honestly, I LOVE the Target dollar aisle. They actually have a lot of cute craft and office supplies, and the selection is constantly changing.

One of my favorite things to buy is their $3 alphabet stamp sets. I love to stamp on tags, in my planner, or when I'm card making, so alphabet stamps and numbers are really handy. I also picked up another $3 set of stamps with cute greetings (I couldn't help it!). And also pictured are some sticky notes and flags. They're not the best quality, but you can't beat the price and they sure are cute!

 I then found these notecard sets... I really can't resist! I have always loved stationery and these $1 sets are so cute. There are 8 card and envelopes in each set, which seems to be the perfect amount - I usually send out thank you notes in small bunches, and don't want to send the same design to the same person multiple times! So small sets are ideal. 

Who else loves Target?! Or office supplies & stationery? I always love stuff that's cute AND functional. As Hannah Montana would say, it's the best of both worlds! 

XOXO

My Go-To Summer Outfit

I love fashion. I love reading fashion magazines, keeping up with the latest collections and trends, and watching Project Runway. But as far as my personal style goes, I'm pretty simple. I tend to go for clothes that are comfortable, fit well, and make me feel confident.

In the summer, I'm all about ease. Being able to get dressed quickly is a major asset when getting ready for spontaneous outings. For the everyday, I almost have a uniform: denim shorts (generally from Gap or Old Navy), a white tee shirt (also generally from Gap or Old Navy), and leather sandals (check out my spring/summer shoe collection). If it's chilly, I'll throw on a sweater. That's it! I like to think it's simple, but still a little stylish.

my go-to summer outfit by haleympettit featuring jean shorts

What's your go-to summer outfit?

XOXO

My Favorite Summer Activities

For me, summer is a time to recharge, to relax, to have fun, to soak up some vitamin D, and to just take a breath. As Sunday marked the first official day of summer, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things to do during the summer.

What are your favorite things to do during the summer? 

XOXO

Summer Skincare Essentials Part Two - Nighttime

Last week, I shared my Summer Skincare Essentials for the morning. This week, I want to share the products that I love for nighttime. As I mentioned in my last post, my skin can be quite dry (even in the summer!), so I love products that make my skin feel clean without stripping it of all moisture. I prefer to exfoliate at night because it gives my sensitive skin a chance to recover a bit.

First up, I have the Simple Cleansing Micellar Water. This product has been advertised like crazy, but I honestly think it's worth the hype. I just put a generous amount on a cotton pad and it removes makeup without leaving any of the tightness that toners or astringents often do. It leaves your skin feeling like you've washed it, but without losing any moisture.

Second, I have to share my love for the Olay Fresh Effects Dew-Over Hydrating Gel Moisturizer. I recently repurchased this moisturizer because I love it so much. Unlike other moisturizers that leave your skin feeling greasy, this one is very cooling and soaks into the skin. I love this for when my skin is feeling slightly irritated, as it has white tea and cucumber to soothe. I seriously love this stuff.

Next, I have the Freeman Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask. The Freeman masks are super affordable and I think they're good quality. This one has a bit of a scrub to it, so it leaves the skin feeling soft and refreshed. The tropical smell is also amazing... it's perfect for summer!

Lastly, I have the No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator. This is a great exfoliator for dry skin, as the base of the product is not a drying gel (like many scrubs that are targeted at acne-prone skin). The base is very creamy, with gentle exfoliating beads. It seems to be a great balance for my skin.

What are your summer skincare essentials for nighttime?

XOXO

Summer Skincare Essentials Part One - Morning

For me, Summer skincare is all about feeling fresh while protecting my skin from the sun. I love to spend time in the sun, but unfortunately my skin is very sensitive and will burn if I'm not careful. 

In the morning, I will either use this Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash or I'll just wash my face with a washcloth. My skin is very dry, so I've found that I have to use a very gentle cleanser (or no cleanser!) in the morning to retain moisture. 

Then, if I know I'm going to be spending time in the sun, I'll use my Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen. I like the Sheer Touch SPF 30 for my body - it smells SO GOOD, and it isn't sticky or greasy, it really does just feel like lotion. I like to use the Sensitive Skin Face Sunscreen in SPF 30 because it is light, but I know I'm getting good protection. If you have oily skin you might not like this, but it's great for drier, sensitive skin. 

On days that I'm just chilling at home or running errands, I still try to wear some kind of SPF, but I want something very light. I like this Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in Fair to Light (SPF 15) because it is very moisturizing and adds the slightest glow and coverage. Lots of BB creams or tinted moisturizers can be orange-y or add too much of a glow for my pale skin, but this one seems to be just right when fully blended. 

And I can't forget SPF for my lips! I wish all chapsticks had SPF, but sadly, they don't. I love using Maybelline Baby Lips in 10 Peppermint (SPF 20) and Softlips in Raspberry (SPF 20). Both are clear, so they can be worn under any lip color, and both have perfect Summer scents! (Or is it flavors? hmmm...) 

Check back in for my Summer Skincare Essentials Part Two - Nighttime! What are your favorite sunscreens or SPF products? Let me know in the comments! 

XOXO

Washi Tape Organization

I have a slight obsession with Washi Tape... Well, I guess any kind of decorative tape really. One of my favorite craft stores has a whole wall of it, and with the dollar aisle rolls at Target, my collection has grown exponentially over the last year. Before, I just kept the rolls in an Ikea box - so they were organized, but every time I wanted to use one I had to pull out the box and dig through for a specific one. Now, it wasn't particularly inconvenient, but when I spotted this thread rack at a moving sale, I knew right away I had to have it for my tape.

 There's a stand on the back that props the rack up, making it sit about six inches away from the edge of my desk. My desk is pretty wide, so this isn't much of a problem for me. The rack had one broken peg - probably why it was being sold - but it doesn't bother me so much.  I was worried that I wouldn't be able to fit a roll on each peg, for some of the rolls are wider than the spaces, but I have some smaller rolls (that I found at HomeGoods) that fit perfectly. I imagine that I might have an issue if I needed to use each and every peg... but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it! Right now, I'm just glad to have a cute display for all the bright & colorful rolls. It's really convenient to have it all right at my fingertips to use in my planner or on notes. 

Aren't garage/moving sales the best?! How do you organize your washi? 

XOXO