The Esteé Edit

So I received these products for free in exchange for my honest review of them. The esteé edit is a new line from Esteé Lauder that focuses on the idea that "beauty is an attitude". The products seem to me to focus on glowy vibrant skin and a natural feel. I have really enjoyed using these products so far and have been pleasantly surprised! Details below.

The pore vanishing stick : is a stick that glides on and instantly minimizes the appearance of pores. ( think benefits pore-fessional primer in a stick ) This is my favorite of the 4 by far. I have CRAZY large pores on my nose ( mean girls moment. but really) and this stick blurs them like a in person Photoshop! They say you can use it over or under your foundation but I really recommend under. Putting it over kind of moves your foundation around #notafanofthat. It has a little bit of foundation looking substance in the middle of the stick so this would also be perfect for days where you want to go without foundation at all. Just a little swipe to smoother looking skin. 

The Barest Lip Color : Is a lipstick lip balm hybrid. It comes in 6 colors and is a "your lips but better" sort of lipstick. It's very sheer but you can layer it for a deeper color. It contains Muru Muru butter and flower petal waxes. Honestly its very soft and really hydrating but I've been so changed by my lipsense addiction that I haven't worn it more than once. I will say the packaging is super cute though. It's heavy and feels luxurious.

The Flash Illuminator : is a liquid highlighter of sorts. The website describes it as a complexion hybrid that pairs hydrating skincare ingredients with instant illumination. It comes in different colors and each one serves a little bit of a different purpose (which is a little different than most highlighters). The lighter colors work for strobbing and golden highlights where the darker shades work as a blush or a bronzer. I find this works best BEFORE or without any powders (like most liquid highlighting products). Apply with fingertips to the light points of the face (brow bone, cheek bone ect)
Beam Team Hydrate + Glow: is a hydrating lotion and touch on shimmer concentrate duo. I have applied this under my foundation, mixed in with my foundation and as a subtle highlight. I think this would be stunning on ladies who wear minimal foundation but want an extra summery glow. The cap flips open and has a shimmer concentrate you can apply with your finger tips to the high parts of your face that would reflect light and also bronze in the summer.

Hopefully this gives you a better idea about this new line! It really fits a glowy summer look and it's worth at least giving it a swatch at sephora :)

Madi's Graduation

wooooohooooo! I'm finally blogging all the madness that has happened this past month! ( month and a half?) Trips to Utah, Washington and San Antonio will take over for a bit. Starting out of order (what? who am I? I know. I'm progressing) Madison's Graduation!

Yes. This was outside the Alamo dome. Madison's graduation was a LOT like mine so I was ready for this one! Large graduating classes in large buildings: TEXAS STYLE. Her class was made up of some 700 or so people. We had to sit on the second level so I went ahead and put some arrows in there for good measure. You know, so you could find her easily.

If you've ever been to a large graduation you know the drill. A speech from a valedictorian going to an Ivy League, a few teachers telling everyone this was a great experience but real life and real work start after this moment, and many jokes about crushing student loan debt. Ah yes, this was all familiar and comforting to my ears and took me right back to high school graduation. Also, watching the jumbo screen for your graduate!

Miss Smartie graduated with Honors! So proud of that goob face. And this ^^ was us trying to exit the dome. Nightmares. I felt like I was in a herd of cattle. We walked around the outside for about an hour trying to find each other and it was about 100 degrees...  On the plus side, they sold snacks during the graduation!! so I made my way downstairs about half way through and picked up some popcorn ;) one of the best treats in the world..

Heather and Madi lookin spiffy!

Madi is applying to BYUI for winter track and I'm SO excited for her!! I LOVED the time I spent on the BYU-I campus and for all the fun experiences she will have up there! We don't come from a family where everyone goes to BYU or BYUI so I feel we share this special bond ;)

We celebrated that night with family, friends and delicious food. I tell you what, San Antonio is HOT. Hotter than Dallas ( I SAID IT) and that's saying something. The people make up for it by being a little more fun, a little more crazy and a bunch sweeter.

James Avery ^^ The trend of the south. Wearing your James Avery out west at school made you immediate friends with other southerners. You will spot a girl with a James Avery ring from across the room and have an instant connection. 

I tried to keep it short and sweet here on the writing side but I had such a blast spending this weekend with my little cousin and I could not be more proud of her! She is one smart cookie and she's working till next year so she can pay her own way to school in January. What a rock-star. I love you Madi squirrel!