Lifestyle – Hepburn Hippie

Monthly Favorites-May

June 1, 2017 No Comments

Here is a little inspiration for all things spring; my May Favorites list is composed of items that may have changed the course of my life forever!

1 | Lippy Love

floral, makeup, lifestyle, green tea, too faced, matte

Liquid lipstick. I may have jumped on the train a little later than most girls, but once I did I was “full-speed-ahead” in love! I have been on the quest for the perfect liquid lipstick that doesn’t make my dry skin look like death warmed over and deep fried, and at last I may have found my holy grail!

The formula is creamy, but dries fairly matte. The staying power is incredible. I usually get an hour or two of wear out of any lip product (apparently I press my lips together a lot), but this has stayed glued on with minimal fading, even with drinking, for at least 5 or 6 hours!

When it comes to beauty products, there are two main boxes that must be checked. First, it has to be cruelty-free! I don’t believe it is necessary to test on animals, especially for cosmetics use, so why would I support a brand that does? Secondly, I try to use products that are as natural as possible, however, “as possible” is a tricky thing. With some products, I am willing to lean slightly away from “100% organic and healthy ingredients,” if it is absolutely paramount for the product to function. I wholeheartedly hope that someday science will not make us choose between chemicals and functionality…but that is often the reality we face as consumers in this day and age.

Will all that being said, the Too Faced Melted Matte lipstick was introduced to me by makeup queen @harayaba (seriously go follow her!) when getting ready for a photo-shoot. I was instantly hooked! My go-to nude shade right now is “cool-girl,” but I am very tempted to purchase the entire collection.

2 | Drink Up

Matcha. This green tea drink has been around for a while, but as an avid coffee drinker, I felt no need to participate in its green glory. Boy was I wrong! It has quickly become an obsession (thank’s Starbucks 🙁 ) and has me on the hunt for the perfect at-home latte mix. I enjoy mine with dairy-free soy-milk on ice for the perfect spring pick me up!

3 | Floral Fever

I will be doing a style post on the subject soon, but I am so in love that it couldn’t not make my top favorite for the month. My passion for all things floral print escalated quickly from one piece to oh so many (you guys, I may have a real problem), but it just seemed to be exactly what my mostly black wardrobe needed for a spring flare. It is feminine without being too “girly” for a pair of black lace-up booties and a studded bag. It is the perfect timeless trend to take your wardrobe from spring to summer!

floral, style, photographer, makeup

Lifestyle, Real Talk

Real Talk – What’s wrong with being confident?

March 21, 2017 2 Comments

To quote singer, Demi Lovato, “So what’s wrong with being confident?”

Why is confidence such a seemingly unobtainable goal in our everyday lives?

It has been conditioned in us, from a very young age as women, to hate ourselves….and if not ourselves, at least our bodies. It may stem from how your mother picked at herself in critical ways, or a classmate teasing you about an insecurity, or even having an unhealthy relationship with comparison of others.

self love, confidence, real talk

We could blame it on the media (which has its fair share of negative influences) and ban all magazines and photo-spreads, shut down our Instagram, and block out the world as being “toxic.” I believe that a better route is to lead by example in changing the way that society views women and pass that along to our children and those we come in contact with. Good things can spread as well as negative. I call for us to stand up in a movement of positivity towards all women, and that journey begins with ourselves.

self love, confidence, real talk

Something that changed my life forever is writing the words “you are beautiful” as the screen saver on my phone. Every day to unlock my messages, I would have to swipe past those three important words and repeat them to myself (whether I felt that way or not). Just the simple act of setting intention to love yourself every day can make all the difference in the world. You may have to “fake it till you make it,” but eventually you will create new pathways in your brain that have you believing in yourself as a worthy person of beauty.

You are beautiful

I challenge you to tell yourself, one time, every day, how beautiful you are. It may be in a little note to yourself, a glance in the mirror, or a silent chant in your head during spin class. Makeup or no makeup, bad hair day or not, stare your demons right in the face and tell them that you are confident and I believe you will learn to live that confidence.

real talk, self love, confidence

Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, but in those who believe in its power.

Take control of your own self-confidence and let your inner beauty shine out!

confidence, real talk, self love

Photography Credit @thealexlasota

Makeup @itshair_uh

Jewelry @sparkleswithsarah

Green Beauty, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

10-Minute Spring Makeup Tutorial

March 20, 2017 No Comments

During the change of season from winter to spring, I’ve been wanting to infuse some color into my makeup look. But, with dry winter skin, I want to go as minimal as possible with just a hint of fun to it.

This “10 minute” look will get you out the door quickly in the morning with a hint of spring color and enough neutral tones that it can pair with any outfit. I also only use cruelty-free products and vegan, when possible (I will make another post on this topic in the future!).

I always start out with freshly washed and moisturized skin and then apply concealer in a triangle shape underneath my eyes. My go-to concealer for quick makeup application is the Illusionist in shade 010 by Vapour. It comes in a metal tube for easy, on-the-go application.

Next step is the eyes; the secret to this look is so simple and one of the star products, in my opinion, from the brand E.L.F. I used the Smudge Pot, in the shade “Wine Not,” and lightly tapped the cream onto my eyelids and “smoked” it out slightly with my fingertips. It is a slightly shimmery cream eye-shadow that glides on a nice light wash of color and is surprisingly affordable at $3.00 a pot (I’ll take one in every color, please!).

With this look, a coat of mulled berry toned mascara is the light touch of color that I was looking for. The 100% Pure Maracuja Mascara has a soft blackberry/plum color with a gentle formula which separates the lashes nicely for a causal look. It is packaged in a nice, silver tube and it smells amazing!

Next, I just run some light reflecting powder eye-shadow along the brow bone and inner eye corner. I used the Physician’s Formula “Natural Nude” palette.

It’s time for cheeks! A very light contour with my Lily-Lolo “Contour Duo” blended with a small fluffy brush and then it’s blush time.

My new blush obsession is the product of collaboration of Aspyn Ovard and Pixi by Petra. When she promo’d the product on her YouTube channel, I knew I needed to have it (she being about as fair-skinned as I am). This blush blew me out of the water! I got the shade “Rome Rose” and it is a highly pigmented, sparkling rose gold-pink. I never wear sparkle, but this is subtle enough for daytime looks with a natural flush of color. Plus, the bright lime and gold packaging is adorable and the formula is perfect for my Lily Lolo Blush Brush!

Next up is brows. I do a simple sweep of brown with the E.L.F eyebrow powder set in “Medium” and smooth them out with an old mascara spoolie.

Finally, the Piece De Resistance of this look: Liquid Lipstick. I may have a slight (ok, not so slight) addiction to finding the perfect liquid lipstick and this one comes pretty darn close!

I used the Melted Matte by Too Faced in the shade “Cool Girl” and a lip liner by Afterglow Cosmetics. This is almost the perfect nude lip, in my opinion; not too peachy with a subtle hint of rose pink tones.

Just line the outer part of the lip line (I promise it won’t look strait out of the 90’s) and fill it in with one coat of the liquid lipstick! That is all!

This completed look is “glam,” without being weighed down by a ton of foundation or heavy products, and can get you from fresh-faced to out-the-door in ten minutes! Please be kind to animals when purchasing makeup (keep an eye out for a leaping bunny logo!).

Springtime never looked so good!

Lifestyle

November Favorites

December 3, 2016 No Comments

for-your-very-special-wishon-thanksgiving-1

Since it is now the first of December, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite things from the month of November! These are products that I have been using on a regular basis and loving! So if you take my recommendation and pick any of them up, I put in amazon.com links for your shopping convenience!

Flannel Sheets
Since it is getting a little chilly (okay for me…like antarctic level sub zero temps..I am that “cold friend”), some nice, cozy flannel sheets are a winter must have!
I am such a fan of printed sheets since my bedroom is sort of a minimalist Moroccan theme–a little pattern fits in nicely. I snagged two sets on the Black Friday sale at Target, but I will link some similar ones in the links for you! Snuggling up in a nice flannel sheet set with my puppies is the winter dream life.
Wet Brush Pro
The next item is a life changer: The Wet Brush Pro! If you have curly or thin hair like I do, brushing it is a lifelong battle. I finally got myself a wetbrush as recommended by a hairdresser and it is the best thing ever!
I had never brushed my hair wet since I always thought it would frizz it out like crazy, but this one is designed to be used under high heat and styles my hair (almost) straight with a blow-dryer! It only took me 5 minutes to get through my almost dreadlock, curly hair…it was a miracle!
Carol’s Daughter Leave-in Conditioner
Since we are on the theme of hair, the next favorite is this spray by Carol’s Daughter. It smells amazing and really helps de-tangle without adding a lot of weight or waxiness.
The vanilla blackberry scent isn’t too sweet and even my guy will use it. It is a fairly non-toxic and cruelty-free product that is available online and at some local retailers, which is convenient.
Peppermint Essential Oil
This little jar is amazing during cold and flu season! I put a few drops into my essential oil diffuser and it is like a vapor rub is released into your whole house.
You can also put a drop or two into the tub (just make sure you mix it with a carrier oil first and be very sparing on the essential oil…otherwise you will get crazy tingles or a reaction!) for an airway-opening bath.
Nature’s Bakery Double Chocolate Brownie
This has been my new on-the-go snack! They are like a brownie mixed with a protein bar; not too sweet, and filling enough to replace a meal if you need too.

My favorite flavor so far is the raspberry flavor, but I am sure they are all just as tasty. Its individual 2-pack package makes the perfect snack to share. P.S. they are also vegan.
Kirkland Signature Dark Chocolate Covered Mangoes
My last favorite is another chocolaty treat! If you couldn’t tell by now, I am a chocolate junkie. These snacks are about as healthy as you can get for a sweet snack and they are also a great vegan option to share with friends!
I found these at Costco Wholesale and when I see them they are a must-buy. I pick up one or three every time I see them in store…they are that good! Just dried mango and non dairy chocolate! It is the perfect chocolate treat to satisfy that sweet tooth without any guilty feelings (just try not to eat the whole bag at once!).
Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint
Last, but not least, is a beauty product. I am such a matte-lip girl and I am making it my personal mission to try every cruelty-free and green beauty brand out there. So far, this is my all-time favorite matte-lippie on the market.
The Tarte brand may not be for a purist who needs 100% clean ingredients in their products, but I looked up the safety ratings as best I could and they seemed to score pretty low on toxicity ratings. This product is so much longer wearing on me than any other matte-lip I have tried so far. The colors I have as my November favorite are TBT lip paint and Latergram liner, the perfect nude rose with a hint of brown. I want an everyday color with a close tone to my natural lip and a velvety smooth finish. This product does the trick.

Lifestyle

A Taste

November 20, 2016 2 Comments

a-taste-of-what-is-to-come-1 Hi there,

I just wanted to give a quick rundown on what to expect here on the Blog.
There will be healthy and plant based recipes, green beauty reviews, fashion inspiration and brand reviews and even some DIY and home decor! I cannot wait to get started, so lookout world….here we go!
Much Love,
HH