July Favorites!

It seems like July went by way too quickly. That's probably because I was in Florida for half of it. I love Florida. It's the third time I go on vacation there. I love waking up early and watching the sunrise over the ocean, seeing palm trees everywhere, going for a walk on the beach and dipping my toes in the water, the breeze from the ocean making the heat bearable, and going swimming every day. Now that I'm back home I miss all those things. There's no doubt in my mind that I will revisit Florida someday. Now onto the favorites.

NYX Butter Gloss

I'm probably the last person to try these glosses but that is because I've never seen them in Canada. I could have bought them online but I'm not the biggest fan of lip gloss so I waited until I could see them in person. Now I understand what the hype is all about. I got the shades Tiramisu, Angel Food Cake and Strawberry Parfait. Tiramisu is the perfect nude in my opinion because it's a darker nude that it becomes a MLBB shade.  I honestly bought it because I'm Italian and Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts. Angel Food Cake is basically MAC Syrup in the form of a lip gloss therefore it's my ultimate favorite. Starwberry Parfait is a beautiful bright pink. These glosses glide on like butter. They feel smooth and creamy. They feel a little sticky when you first apply them but the stickiness goes away quite fast. They actually have great pigmentation for a gloss. They look beautiful both alone and over a lipstick. The only lip glosses that I wear are from NYX and I highly recommend them.

Real Techniques Blush Brush 

I've seen this brush in countless youtube videos and lots of people love it. I went to ULTA for the purpose of buying this brush. I already love my other Real Techniques brushes so getting the Blush Brush was a no brainer for me. This brush is so soft. It's unlike any other brush that I own. It's great for both contouring and applying blush because it's rounded and kind has a tip at the top. It's a great brush and Real Techniques do amazing brushes.

Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Nude

Last month I was obsessed with the Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Coral and this month I love the one in Nude. While the Coral one is more of a bronzer/blush/highlighter in one the Nude one is more a highlighting blush. On my cheeks it comes off as a pale pink with a cool toned champagney color highlight. I really like how shimmery it looks and it just makes me look glowy.

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow

I've heard some things about these eyeshadows and I knew I wanted to try them. They're $3.99 each. I go the shades Bella Champagne, a beautiful shimmery rosey champagne shades and Bella Cappuccino, a satin matte mid-tone brown. Bella Champagne looks best applied with your fingers. If you use a brush you just get shimmer. When you use your fingers your get the most beautiful color. It's great at brightening your eyes and I find that it makes me look more cheerful. Bella Cappuccino works well applied with a brush. It's very subtle but it gives a nice shadow to your crease. If you don't like wearing dark colors in your crease but you want some definition I recommend trying this shade.

Random Favorites 

TV Shows: 

Girl Meets World

Movies:

The Memory Book

Books:

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Music:

My Story - Hillsong Worship

One Last Dance - R5

Food:

Sweet Potato Pie

Honey Pecan Chicken Salad

Starbucks Passion Iced Tea Lemonade

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

Beloved Blushes: Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Coral

I love blush and I never pass up the opportunity to try a new one. The Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Coral is beautiful. I would describe the shade as a shimmery terracotta color. I wouldn't call it coral because the appearance is a golden orange. I bought this blush because I saw how beautiful it looked on Karen from makeupandbeautyblog. She has a darker skin tone than me but I still decided to give this a try and I loved it from the moment I applied it on my cheeks.

When I first swatched it I thought it would look too orange on me but it really doesn't. On my cheeks it seems to act as a blush/bronzer/highlighter all in one. It defines my cheeks, adds a nice healthy glow and it looks natural. I apply it by swirling all the colors together and blending it out a lot. Sometimes I go back in for the lightest shade and add it to the high points of my cheekbones just to give it an extra highlight.

I personally think that the lasting power of this blush is all day for me. I also think that the pigmentation is great as well. The price is a little high for the drugstore. I've seen it from $9.99 to $12.99. I ended up paying $7.49 for this one because it was on sale at Target. I think that it's worth the price because the product itself reminds me of high end blushes. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a great drugstore blush. I would love to try more of the blushes from this range.

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer Review

I've never been a big fan of primer because I didn't think they did much.  I use an eyeshadow primer whenever I wear eyeshadow because I have very oily eyelids but face primer never seemed important to me. I don't use face primer on a daily basis because I feel like my makeup lasts for a decent amount of time.There are some days when I need to make sure that my makeup lasts all day and that's when I use a primer. I also think using a primer is summer is good because it ensures that your makeup will stay in place therefore, you don't have to worry about it slipping off your face.

The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is the first high end primer I ever tried. I bought it back in December but it took me a while to develop an opinion about it. I think it's a good all around product. It seems to be a great fit for my combination skin. Sephora describes it as "a mineral-based, water-resistant primer with SPF 15 that neutralizes the skin, minimizes shine, and creates a smooth, uniform canvas for flawless makeup application."

Pros: It feels gentle when you apply it, gives your skin a smooth texture, makes your makeup last all day long, controls oil, minimizes the appearance of pores and a little goes a long way.

Cons: The price. The 0.33oz bottle that I bought is $21CAD. The 1oz bottle is $60CAD. The fact it's in a glass bottle worries me a little because it can break if you drop it.

Overall this is a great face primer. It's pricey but you're paying for the quality of this product. The small one is lasting a long so I don't think it will be finishing any time soon. I would repurchase this product.

What's your favorite primer?

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

Top 7 Worship Songs

I saw a few people on tumblr post lists of their favorite worship songs and it inspired me to do the same. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I've been singing in church for as long as I can remember. Whenever I'm having a bad day worship songs and inspirational songs get me through the day. This is in no particular order. I could add a ton more because there is a lot of great music by Christian artists that deserves to be praised but these are some of  the songs that have inspired me. These songs are not only to listen to they're to sing as loud as you can and to believe in the lyrics with all your heart. When you hear them with an open heart they really will speak to you.

1. Breathe On Us - Kari Jobe 

The first time I heard this song and sang it in church I cried. Kari Jobe is an amazing woman of God that has shared her gift of music to minister to people. This song is about us allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and lead our path. You just want to shout out the lyrics of the bridge. Like a rushing wind send your Spirit here. Breath of heaven breathe on us... Lift up your hands and shout. The Lord is with us now. Lift up your voice and sing. He is holy. 

2. God I Look to You - Bethel Music.

This is the kind of song that makes you want to shout the lyrics as loud as you can and cry at the same time. It just touches your soul and fills your heart with joy. I never get tired of this song. Give me vision to see things like you do... Give me wisdom, You know just what to do... Hallelujah our God reigns

3. It Is Well - Bethel Music

This song just speaks to my soul. It reminds me that God is always with me. He will never leave me. He will never give me anything that I can't handle. The melody is also calming and after I listen to this song I instantly feel better. Through it all, through it all my eyes are on you and it is well with me. 

4. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Hillsong United (the acoustic version is amazing as well)

This is one of those songs that you need to listen to with your eyes closed because that's when it becomes life changing. You just focus on the words and it feels powerful. It's comforting and inspiring and just makes your day brighter. This song gives me peace.

You've never failed and you won't start now.

5. I Surrender - Hillsong Live

This song is about surrendering it all to God, giving him every part of your life and knowing that everything will be okay because your life in His hands. This is the song that you want to make your prayer. Like a rushing wind Jesus breathe within. Lord have Your way, Lord have your way in me. Like a mighty storm stir within my soul. Lord have Your way, Lord have your way in me. 

6. Lord, I Need You - Matt Maher 

This song is the best song to listen to when you're having a bad day and things aren't going your way because it's a reminder that we need God every second of every single day. You can try getting through life on your own but without God in your life, without knowing Jesus as your Savior you won't be as happy as you could be. When you know Jesus you'll be thankful in any situation because you have that hope keeps you going.

Without You I fall apart. You're the one that guides my heart. 

7. Create In Me - Rend Collective

Right now I'm having a moment with any song by Rend Collective. This album The Art of Celebration is a gem. You need to listen to all of it. This song in particular spoke to me because it reminds me that God is not finished with me. It's a comfort to know that He's constantly at work in my life and that He's not leaving. This song also reminds me of "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NIV Create in me a miracle. Something real and something beautiful. You're not finished with me yet. 

I hope these songs inspire you. Have a blessed day.

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

How to Fix a Dry & Flaky Scalp

Recently I've been struggling with a sensitive, dry and flaky scalp. My regular shampoo just wasn't helping anything so I figured Head & Shoulders would be the best shampoo to try to fix it. The reason I decided to try it is because my father uses this brand and honestly his hair always looks soft and healthy. I purchased the Head & Shoulders 2 in 1 dry scalp care with almond oil because my hair seems to love oils.

I've used dandruff shampos in the past but whenever I used the product it felt like my scalp was burning so I didn't use any for years, but this one isn't like that. It smells fresh and it feels gentle when you use it. Each bottle of Head & Shoulders shampoos and conditioners contain 7 benefits for your hair and scalp. This one removes flakes, calms itching, relives irritation, reduces redness, has a great scent, fights dryness and leaves hair beautiful. It relives a dry scalp by locking in moisture. It contains 1% pyrithione zinc which reduces flakiness by slowing the production of skin cells. Almond oil has many benefits for hair such as leaving the hair soft and shiny, getting rid of split ends and treating dandruff.

The directions on the bottle recommend that you use the shampoo twice a week but I've been using it once a week and I've seen a visible difference in my hair. It looks healthier and shiner, I don't get visible flakes and it doesn't feel itchy. I would recommend any product from this brand because it really works.

I don't remember the exact price I paid for this shampoo. I think it was around $3.49. I know it was less than $5 for sure.

Sincerely. JoJo. ♥