NYE Outfit Ideas

New Years is such a fun holiday filled with cocktail dresses, old friends and lots of music. It is the holiday for which you can get super dressed up for and no one will think twice. Looking back on all my New Years outfits, they are always the same- short little, often back cocktail dresses. This year I thought it would be fun to dress a little different so I've come up with three outfit ideas that I think are perfect for New Years but are a little different from the normal back cocktail dress.

1) The first look I think would be great for NYE is a red playsuit with black and gold accessories. Red is such a bright festive color and I think it would be awesome for New Years Eve. This particular red playsuit from New Look has a lace back accent which is so pretty and feminine . I think black platform boots, a gold bangle and a black and gold clutch would be perfectly accessory this. This look is a perfect combination of girly and edgy. 

2) I think glitter dresses are always a big thing for New Years Eve but I think glitter skirts are under appreciated for New Years Eve. I really like the rose gold one from Alica and Olivia because it is such a great pencil length (Although this one is a little too pricey for me, I would probably look for a dupe in Forever 21). I think with such a statement skirt, it would be best to keep everything simple with a plain black tank, strappy black heels and a little gold necklace and clutch. 

3) My last outfit is a play in the classic little black dress. A leather black dress is a great way to to wear black but be a bit different. I thought it would be fun to add some color with teal pumps and a deep purple black. Lastly, I added little black and gold studs to tie it all together. 

I can't wait for New Years Eve! 

What are you wearing for New Years Eve? 

Lots of Love, 

Rena 

Review: Batiste Dry Shampoo in A Hint of Color: Dark & Deep Brown

I hope I am not the only one out there who thinks dry shampoo sucks for girls with darker hair. No matter how much I rubbed and rubbed, my roots would always have a cloudy white powdery mess. I've tried so many different brand and they all ended up like that. It hit the point that I just gave up on dry shampoo as a whole. This was until I discovered this little beauty. This is the Batiste Dry Shampoo in A Hint of Color: Dark & Deep Brown.

As many of you already know, Batiste dry shampoos are nothing new to the world of blogging. They have been a cult favorite for quite some time and now they are my favorite too. First off, they are wallet friendly, you can buy them at any Target or CVS for under 8 dollars. They also all smell amazing. I'm serious, there are about 8 different types of this dry shampoo and they all smell so good!  Lastly they come in different colors for different hair colors!

Yes! I have never been more excited then when I sprayed the Dark & Deep Brown dry shampoo and it wasn't white! It comes out as a deep brown color with a cool under tone. It is has a little bit of a powdery look but when I rub this one in, the powdery look goes away unlike the white dry shampoos! I've heard about how great this was but I honestly didn't believe it until I tried it out myself. Batiste also has one for blondes, one for medium brown hair and one for red hair.

I honestly think that all dry shampoo companies should come out with colored ranges.

What dry shampoo have you been loving?

Lots of love,
Rena

Make Up Look: Winged Liner and Purple Accent

Hi Everyone! 

Today, I just wanted to share a quick FOTD with you from earlier this week. Recently I've been loving the colored bottom lash line look. I think it is an easy fun way to add in color without it being overwhelming! I hope you like it. 

Products used: 

Stila In The Light Palette

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel liner in black 

Maybelline Master Smokey in purple 

Make Up Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara 

Maybelline The Elixir in 60 Nude Illusion 

What make up looks have you been rocking lately? 

lots of love,

Rena 

Holiday Make Up Wishlist

Christmas season is a great one in the world of beauty products. Most brand have or are coming out with amazing holiday gift sets and palettes that all girls are lusting over. I think this year has been especially great with sets and palettes from Benefit, Nars and Too Faced. I thought it would be fun to share with you the palettes and gift sets I have been lusting over. I really want to try and get my hands on a few of these but exams are killing me at the moment. Let me know if you have tried any of these out or if you are also lusting over them!

Holiday Make Up Wishlist by rena-blank featuring Stila Beauty product / Nars cosmetic / Stila eyeshadow / Rose blush

1) Stila In The Garden Palette: This one isn't a holiday palette but I really want it so it felt right to include it. I already own the In The Light and In The Know palettes by Stila and I am in love with them. Not only are the colors amazing but Stila shadows also have great pigment and color pay off. They are honestly my most used palettes. However, Ulta and Sephora don't seem to carry these palettes anymore! I know Stila came out with new palettes but I really hope they didn't get rid of these palettes because they are amazing. Maybe I can find them online! 

2) Nars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette: This is one of Nars Limited Edition Holiday Palettes. Can we please note how pretty the packaging is?! I think Nars does a great job keeping thing sleek but still beautiful for the holiday time. This palette comes with my favorite bronzer Laguna, three blushes in Deep Throat, Final Cut and Sex Fantasy and a highlighter color in Miss Liberty. The palette is a little pricey at 65 dollars but when you think about it, Laguna alone is 38 dollars and each blush is 30 dollars. In this palette, you are getting six different products for less than buying just the bronzer and one blush. 

3) Bite Beauty Best Bite Remix: This is a mini gift set from Bite Beauty. Bite Beauty is a cruelty free cosmetics brand that specializes in lip products. This gift set comes with four mini high pigmented jumbo lip pencils in Sablé (nude), Pomegranate (rose berry), Rhubard (plum rose), Winterberry (festive Raspberry red). It is currently sold out at Sephora but normally it sells for 25 dollars. This set is great because you get to test out a nice range of colors for a great price. 

4) Lorac Mega Pro Palette: This is the ultimate palette with 32 dollars with all the basic colors and some amazing unique colors too. This palette is sold out everywhere but it is so nice to look at. Lorac shadows are super pigmented, smooth and long wearing. It is selling for ridiculous prices on eBay right now but if you can find it in store I would definitely get a hold on it! 

5) Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot Powder: This is definitely the palette I have been lusting over the most. Benefit always does amazing holiday gift sets and this year I think they out did themselves. The Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot Powder is a palette if Benefit's best selling blushes. As you all probably already know, Benefit does some amazing great blushes. The colors are amazing and so is the color pay off. This palette has 5 blushes in  Dandelion, CORAlista, Bella Bamba, Rockateur and Sugarbomb. There is also Benefit's oh so popular bronzer in Hoola and a cream highlighter in Watt's Up. This palette is sold out on the Benefit website but hopefully it will be back soon! It sales for 36 dollars which is such a deal!

6) Too Faced A Few of My Favorite Things Palette: This is a Sephora exclusive palette from Too Faced. This palette is the perfect travel palette because it comes with 20 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 2 bronzers, a mini Better than Sex Mascara, a Lip Injection Color Bomb in Bee Sting and a how to guide. This palette sells for 56 dollars and personally, for all the products in it, I think this is the best deal out of all the bunch. This pretty much can be your entire make up bag! The eyeshadow colors in this palette are amazing. They included everything from nice natural mattes to party shimmery colors! Highly suggestion checking this out next time you guys are in Sephora! 

What gift sets and palettes are you lusting over this holiday season?

lots of love, 
Rena 

Winterize Your Nails

Happy December Everyone! I am so excited for winter to official be here. There is nothing better than cuddling up with a blanket while drinking a hot chocolate watching snow fall down. Seriously, I love winter. I was contacted by the lovely people at Julep and asked if I would like to take part in coming up with some tips to winterize your nails. I was super excited because well no one likes sad nails and Julep is an awesome company. They were kind enough in sharing their tips with me which I am more than happy to share with your guys and I have come up with some of my own ways! I hope you guys enjoy.

1)  Moisture: My favorite tip from Julep is to moisture often! New Jersey winter is no joke with the cold air and even colder winds. There is nothing worse than having dry hands and cuticles. Not only is it uncomfortable but also it can be painful. Julep suggestions using their Mighty Nail and Cuticle Serum. Some other things I use to moisture is Rose Salve. Rose Salve is great because it is in a small tin and can be used on your lips, hands, cuticle and pretty much anything else that is dry.

2) Paint: Winter is the perfect time to try out new nail trends. I feel like spring and summer are always the same bright neon colors but in the winter, you can show off your darker side. I love painting my nails festive colors such as red, gold, and maroon. I also love the look of matte nails for the winter. Julep shared with me some of their hot colors from the winter and oh my gosh! how pretty is Sawyer?! It is actually the perfect color for the holiday season. You can check out all their awesome colors on their nail polish color page

3) Treat Yourself: I think it is important to treat yourself in the winter and go get a nice manicure. I don't know about you but I am really bad at buffing and shaping my own nails. So I think it is nice to get them done every once in a while to make sure they are in their best shape. Nothing is more relaxing than getting a manicure. 

What do you do to winterize your nails? 

lots of love, 

Rena 

September Favorites

Hi Everyone! 

I hope everyone is having a good school year so far. It is only the fifth week and I'm already super stressed out. However, being stressed out hasn't stopped me for loving some beauty bits and pieces this month. Here are my September favorites. Let me know what you have been loving! 

First off, is a candle that reminds me so much of summer. This is the Turquoise Waters candle from Bath and Body Works. The scent is described as sea spray, sunlight and beach grass and let me tell you, that is exactly what this smells like. It really reminds me of the beach at Cape Cod. I also love the turquoise glass jar it comes in. I am excited to clean it out and use it for my make up brushes or lip glosses after I finish this candle. 

Next is another Bath and Body Works product. I think I've taken a few too many trips in there over the past few months. This is from the aromatherapy line by Bath and Body Works. It is the Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub. That was actually a mouth full to type. I adore anything mint scent; it is one of my favorite smells. The mint smell is very relaxing. This sugar scrub is really different from any other I've ever tried. I think this is because it is essential oil based so it is super smooth. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and nourished. The sugar in this is also on a thicker side which I prefer. You definitely have to make sure you wash it all off so you're not left greasy though. The sin this is also on a thicker side which I prefer.  I don't know if this is actually helping me relief stress but it is definitely making my shower very luxurious. 

Surprise! Another  product from Bath and Body Works. This is the last one I promise. This product has been a life changer. I kid you not. This is the C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve. It has reached the point that I can't leave my house without this. I use this as chapstick and on any dry patches. I really like how natural this smells. I love fruity lip glosses but I feel like my chapstick needs to smell clean and fresh. This smells like a bunch of roses which is amazing. This also leaves my lips soft and slightly glossy and feeling pretty. I highly advice anyone with very dry lips to try this out. 

Last of the skin products is the Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer. I like this because it is odorless, greaseless and dyeless. This stuff gets the job done and doesn't break out my skin. I find that  face lotions filled with perfumes and oils tend to break me out. But this stuff has been very effective at making my skin hydrated and smooth without breaking me out. I don't think I could ask for anything more from a face moisturizer. 

Finally, here are a few make up pieces! First is the Maybelline The Elixir in 60 Nude Illusion. I have found myself reaching for this a lot since I bought it at the end of August. I love this over Rimmel's Nude Delight (my favorite nude!) and just on its own. The finish is a lovely satiny true nude color. This stuff isn't overly shiny but it definitely has a nice glossy finish. It also lasts a decently long time. Overall, it is super easy to wear and very inexpensive. Next, is a mascara I forgot I owned but am so happy I rediscovered. It is the Make Up Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara. I only have the small travel size which is why I probably forgot about it. I think I got as a reward from Sephora. The brush on this thing is amazing! It gives you such full voluminous lashes. I am definitely going to do a full review on this asap with pictures of before and after application. lastly, is an oldy but a goodie. This is probably the best liquid liner I've ever used. I have tried many but none have ever come close to my Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner. Once you apply this, it isn't going anywhere. I been loving using this liner with the smokey extravagant mascara for a classic winged liner with full lashes look. 

Let me know what you've been loving this lovely September month. I am super excited for October! I love the cooler weather because it means I can pull out all my sweaters and boots! Can't wait to wear dark lipsticks.

Lots of love,
Rena

Katy Perry Concert Make Up && Outfit

Hello Everyone!

I hope you've all been having a great summer while I took a little break from blogging. I couldn't really decide where I wanted my blog to go - more reviews, more fotd, tutorials or what not. I decided I want to push myself more with more tutorials (maybe start a youtube channel) and fotd as well as stepping by my photographs. Hopefully, I can stick to this through this coming up school year. I can't believe I start classes in less than a month. Anyways, let's get down to business.

 Last week, my lovely friend Rikki invited me to go to a Katy Perry Concert with her and two other of our friends, Linnie and Jolie. Never did I expect us to be less than ten feet away from the stage! Katy Perry is an absolutely amazing performer and such a lovely singer. Today, I am going to share with you the make up  and outfit I wore to the concert. Forgive me, but I don't remember the exact products I used. For the eyes, I did a neutral base and then used a matte brown to smoke it out a bit. I decided that purple was going to be my color of choice that night so I added a bright purple into the inner corner of my eye as well as a bit in the inner third of my lid. I then used the same purple on the outer two thirds of my lower lash line. I then used kitten by Stila in the inner third of my lower lash line. I added a thin liquid black line and a few coats of mascara. Lastly, I added a cherry red lip and a little bit of glitter over kitten right before the concert. This is what it turned out like! I really liked this look. I thought it was super fun and very Katy Perry.  As for my outfit, I went pretty simple with a pair of high waisted shorts from Forever 21, a flawy navy blue top that I got from Rikki's mom (Thanks Gayle!), my fairy shoes from Steve Madden, a bright blue heart necklace and a purple flower hairband I made last summer.

Lots of Love, 

Rena

Make Up Look: Bright Blue Liner

Hello Everyone! 

I hope you'll had a great start to July. I know I say this like every month but time is really flying by. I honestly feel like summer just started! Today, I have a quick face of the day post for you. This is the make up I wore on 4th of July.  I created this look using my Stila "In the Know" Palette and a bright blue shadow stick by Rimmel ( I can not remember the name) but you could do this with any bright blue color. I really like how it turned out so hopefully you enjoy it! xx

New Stila Pieces

L to R: Violet, Halfmoon, Intense Black

 Stila is one of my favorite brands when it comes to eye liners and eye shadows. Honestly, it is probably one of my favorite higher end brands in general. Their "In The Light" Palette is a daily staple of mine that has been part of many monthly favorites. Kitten is my go to inner corner and brow highlight color and I own about 8 of their Smudge Sticks already. Needless to say, I think Stila does amazing eye products. This is way I thought it was about time I expanded my Stila collection. I decided to pick up the "In the Know" Palette and Stila Most Wanted Eyeliner Set. So far I am very happy with my selections.

I have had my eyes on the "In the Know" Palette for quite some time now. It has 12 matte shadows in it which I adore. I have been looking for an all matte palette for a while and the Naked Basic palette just does not have enough colors for me. The "In the Know" palette has a great range of colors from light nudes (air, wind, desert, clay) to dark nudes (earth, driftwood) to grays (rain, smoke), a black (ebony) and lastly my favorite of the bunch, a bright reddish orange color called fox. I feel like this palette allows you do to more than just a simple everyday look. I cannot wait to play around with all the colors and see what looks I can come up with. I also love how all the Stila palettes comes with a Stila Smudge Stick eyeliner. The one is this palette is a gray color called halfmoon.

The Stila Most Wanted little set comes with two liners. First is the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid eye liner. This stuff is amazing. I have been using it for about a year now and it is the blackest liquid liner ever. The Most Wanted set comes with a deluxe sample size of it but honestly it lasts for ever. The other liner is another Smudge Stick. This one is a bright light purple color called violet. I think this is gonna really make brown eyes pop (which I have) so that makes me really happy!

Overall, I definitely think everyone should check out Stila. They honestly have some amazing eye products!

What have you tried from Stila?

The winner of my giveaway is entry 1008 Abby B! Congrats! :) 

Lots of Love,
Rena

Beauty Swap with Those Stars That Shine

Hello Everyone!

Today I have a super exciting blog post for everyone! My lovely friend Sarah from the blog Those Stars That Shine and I decided to do a beauty swap. I live in the states while she lives on Scotland so we have access to different make up brands. Sarah's blog is one of my absolute favorites and she always leaves such nice comments on my blog so I highly recommend you check her blog out! I adore everything that she has sent me and I cannot wait to do some reviews and some compare and contrast posts. Anyways, here is the exciting part where I show you what Sarah got me! Once again thank you so much Sarah! I love all of it!

Everything came in the super cute green and striped box. Inside was a bunch of colorful confetti and then all the goodies were wrapped in tissue paper! Some of the things had cute little messages on them saying things like this product is her favorite scent or that this color is beautiful! I thought these were such a cute little touch.

 Sarah includes some cameral candy and a Scotland keychain which is already on my keys and a super cute post card! I thought this was such a nice touch. I already finished all of the cameral candy and they were absolutely delicious. 

 Next, Sarah got me a few things From Make Up Academy or MUA for short. First thing she got me from MUA is a 12 shadow palette in Undressed. It has a bunch of great neutral colors. Next, she got me a MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in Reckless. I swatched this on my hand and it was so pigmented! I can't wait to see how long it lasts on the lips. Lastly, she got me the MUA Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter. I have already tried this and oh my god it is amazing! Look out for a review soon.

Bourjois is the next brand, I got a few pieces from. I received a blush in Golden Lilac. It is a pretty   lilac with gold shimmers. I really like how this smells, I know weird. Next, I got a Color Edition 24H Cream to Powder Texture in 6801. This made me think of the Maybelline Color Tattoos so look out for a comparing or possible dupe post about this! I also got a Mega Liner in Extra Large Dark Black. I already tried this and it is amazing for winged eyeliner looks! Lastly,  I got a color Boost in Orange Punch. This color is gonna be awesome for summer!

I was so excited when I saw this little Topshop pack. I have been dying to try some Topshop make up. In this neon yellow pack came a cream blush in Morning Dew and a lipstick in Rio Rio. I've actually never tried a cream blush before so I am super excited that my first one is a Topshop one. The lipstick is  bright red color. The packaging on both of these is so cute!

Soap and Glory is a brand I could get at Sephora but the price difference between the UK and America are nuts. The American prices are three times as much! Sarah was so nice and send me a few body products and a few make up bits! For the body stuff, I got a Clean, Girls Body Wash, The Righteous Butter Body Moisturizer, Hand Food Hand Cream and a Sugar Crush Body Buttercream. I always see Zoella talk about the Sugar Crush so I am so excited to try it out! For make up bits, Sarah sent me Sexy Mother Pucker (nice play on words there!) Lip Lacquer in Riot which is an absolutely beautiful red and a Smoulder Kohl Liner in Superblack which I have yet to try out. 

 Lastly, she sent me a few other bits and pieces. I got a Body Wash in Strawberry by The Body Shop which smells so fresh and delicious! I also got a Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer which I asked for because it is amazing and I wish we could get it in the states! I also got a Seventeen Phwoarr Paint Concealer which Sarah says in her favorite so I am excited to try this out! Lastly, I got a Deluxe lipstick in Prohibition which is a nice cherry color.


Thank you so much Sarah! I honestly could not be happier. I love doing beauty swaps because it allows you try out new brands and favorites of other bloggers which is so awesome. You all should check out Sarah's blog Those Stars That Shine!

My international giveaway is almost over! Enter Here! 

Lots of Love, 

Rena 

Sunrise on the Beach

My international giveaway is ending soon! Click here to enter! 

Hello Everyone! 

In honor of it almost being summer, I decided to do more of a lifestyle post today. A few weeks ago, two of my friends and I woke up at 3:30 am to go watch the sunrise on the beach. I live in New Jersey so going to the beach is something I do every summer but never before have I gone to see the sunrise. Here are a few snip bits of the sun rising. It was absolutely stunning to watch and really soothing. At one point during the sunrise, a boat was rowing right by where the sun was rising. It was perfect timing.  I hope you are all as excited about summer as I am and I can not wait to spend more time at the beach. What are you looking forward this summer? 

Lots of Love,
Rena 

Review: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer

My international giveaway is still opened! Click Here

It happened guys, I discovered the perfect contouring bronzer. Yes I am talking about the much loved Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer. I recently purchased the Ulta Summer Glam Set and this was one of the gems in it. I highly recommend this set! I received a deluxe sample size in medium/deep and I will definitely be getting the full size one after this one runs out. I think this has changed the whole way I look at contouring. Definitely going to be a staple make up item for me this summer.

Let's start off with the smell. It smells like hot chocolate. Yum I almost want to eat it! There is something about make up that smells like chocolate that makes me love it 100 times more. The packaging is also really nice for a sample. It is plastic with Too Faced carved into it in gold. It also has a good sized mirror in it. The formula of this bronzer is contouring perfection. It is a matte bronzer that looks absolutely amazing when the sun hits it. It goes on like butter and gives you amazingly sculpted cheeks in one swipe. I use this with my ELF Small Stippling Brush (review here) to contour my cheeks, my nose, my jawline and on my temples and oh my goodness my face looks so sculpted! It looks like I've been at the beach for the last week and the sun hit me perfect on my cheeks, jaw, and nose. I honestly don't think I can go back to any other bronzer for contouring ever again. However, I don't like it as much for a whole face glow. I feel like my NARS Laguna (review here) does a better job of giving a full face bronze effect.

Overall, I think this is one of the best bronzers I have ever tried. If you have an Ulta by you, I highly recommended picking up the Summer Glam Set with this amaizng bronzer in it!

What do you use to contour?

Lots of Love,
Rena