Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you still don’t know what you’re going to wear, I’ve got you covered (literally)! I love this holiday because I just think it’s fun to spread a little extra love to those closest to you. Plus, any excuse to wear my favorite color! Today I’ll be sharing five different outfit ideas for Valentine’s Day! No matter what your plans are, one of these outfits should give you some style inspiration!

Outfit #1:

I truly love this outfit because it is not only stylish but it is comfortable as well! I decided to keep this one mostly neutral, but with the addition of my favorite color. To start, I decided to create an outfit surrounding this gorgeous top! I spotted this when shopping at Windsor, but when they did not have my size, I decided to order online and I am so glad I did! This top is just beautiful! The material is very nice, and while this piece can be described as somewhat trendy, I feel that it is something I will reach for very often. It is also very flattering on! It is slightly cropped, but with some high waisted pants, it wouldn’t be a problem. For my bottoms, I chose to go with a favorite pair of mine! These black high waisted flare pants are from H&M, and they are so incredibly comfortable. It’s so funny how flare pants have come back in style. I just love how these fit me, and once again, these are very flattering. I think flare pants also look amazing with pointed toe shoes, which is why I styled them with my black pointed toe ankle boots. To complete the look, I added a cute white and black bag that I purchased from Kohl’s quite a few years ago now. If there is a certain part of your outfit that you would like to stand out, try making the rest of the outfit simple. This outfit is the perfect example.

Outfit #2:

Fancy dinner plans? You can’t go wrong with a red dress for V-Day! Red looks good on pretty much everyone, and there are many different style dresses to choose from. Whether you like mini or maxi, sleeves or sleeveless, there is a red dress out there for you! Plus, if a bright candy apple red is not your cup of tea, you could always try a burgundy or maroon. For this outfit, I chose a gorgeous red midi dress that I purchased from Fashion Nova last year. I love the ruching detail all over the dress, and it is super flattering without being too tight. It hugs my body without showing off too much, so it can still look classy. The neckline is unique as well. Overall, I always feel very comfortable in this dress, and it gives me a boost of confidence too! Since it is still winter, you may want to layer up just a bit! I think that this black wrap cardigan is the perfect piece! I wear this so often because it goes with so many different outfits. Since the dress underneath is quite fancy, the black wrap cardigan pairs so well because it has a nice collar and it ties around the waist, making it even more flattering for any body type! For my shoes, I went with my go-to black block heels. These are from the brand Madden Girl, but I purchased them on Amazon.

Outfit #3:

This outfit is perfect for those of you who may not have anywhere too fancy to go, or you may just have a more casual style, which is just as great! This top was purchased from Kohl’s toward the end of last year. I think it is simple yet stylish and perfect for cozy winter days. It is easy to layer this piece as well if needed. Purple fits into the Valentine’s theme, but it isn’t too out there or too bold. It’s casual while still a bit festive! I felt that jeans went best with this casual look, and these are my current favorite pair. These are actually mid-rise boyfriend jeans (or in my case, fiancé, lol) from Old Navy, but they definitely seem to be more high waisted. They also have a straight leg, which I currently love to wear. These are super comfy and they go with everything! For my shoes, I went with my white and gold Stan Smith Adidas Sneakers. These are so cute and I think everyone should own a pair of simple white sneakers. These can be worn in many different ways, and they always look fresh and stylish when worn with the right outfit. To finish off the look, I added my adorable crossbody. I got this at target and what I love about it is that it is perfect for running errands, going to an appointment, or if you simply don’t want to carry a bigger bag. This easily fits your phone and a few cards, which is all you really need to head out quickly.

Outfit #4:

This just might be my favorite outfit of the five! It’s fun and flirty, and perfect for a Galentine’s Day with the girls or a fun date night. Off the shoulder tops always look very nice, and I love the mauve color of this one. I purchased this from Windsor, and I am obsessed with it! The simple details truly make this top amazing. Plus the material is comfortable and even a bit stretchy. When wearing tighter tops such as this one, I like to keep my bottoms more loose. So, I decided to wear this gorgeous midi skirt. My fiancé Tom bought this for me when we were in England at a store called Sassy and Boo. I fell in love with this the second I saw it! I love the cream color and the polka dots are a nice and classic touch. The little ruffles that go around the skirt add some layers too it, which is beautiful as well. This skirt can be worn during any season because it will look great with any top you pair it with! Whether it’s a warm and cozy turtleneck or a stylish summer top, you will look amazing! For my shoes, I went with these beautiful heels. I bought these at T.J.Maxx recently, and I just love the baby pink color and the little studs. Pointed toe shoes always look classy, and these are easy for me to walk in, which is a big bonus when it comes to heels!

Outfit #5:

For the last outfit, I wanted to share a more professional and classy option. I started off with a white turtleneck that I purchased from H&M. This is a nice piece because it is so easy to style and it is great for layering! I have such a love for turtlenecks, and this one does not feel too restricting or uncomfortable. I love an all neutral look (plus pink of course), so I went with a pair of nude flare pants, also from H&M. These are another favorite pair of pants! They are just amazing and they fit me beautifully. The material is very nice as well, and these can be worn for any professional look, however I would wear them to go anywhere! With this outfit, I decided to pair the same heels from the previous outfit with it because the light pink goes along with the neutral and soft look. In case you’ll be going out, I thought a nice pink double breasted jacket would be a perfect piece to throw on. This is a favorite jacket of mine because not only is it pink and super classy, but my fiancé bought it for me in England! He knows me very well, and it was such a thoughtful Christmas gift! The soft pink color completes the look beautifully. Lastly, I thought that adding a bag to the outfit would give it a little something more. This bag was also given to me by my fiancé, and I just adore it! I did not have a nude bag previously, so I was grateful! This one is on the larger side, so it’s great if you have quite a few things to carry with you. Plus, it has a pretty floral bow wrapped around one of the straps, which I love! The rose gold details are also very me, and this bag can be worn with so many outfits. It’s the perfect every day bag for the girl who has it all (to carry)!

Thank you so much for checking out today’s blog post! I hope that it gave you some Valentine’s style inspiration or in the very least, that it put you in a festive mood! Be sure to check out my latest reel where I show each of these outfits and how they look on (@sacchere14). Have a lovely day!

OOTD: Love, Love, Love

Hey everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your Valentine’s Day, no matter how you spent it! I hope that you showed love and appreciation, not only to those you care about, but to yourself as well! Today, I really wanted to share an ootd (outfit of the day) with you all, because I was so obsessed with my V-Day look! I went shopping recently, and fell in love with one item in particular, and I knew I had to center an ootd around it!

I am outspoken when it comes to self-love, and one of the simple, yet impactful ways that I practice self-love is by wearing clothing that makes me feel confident. Lately, for me, dressing up is a thing of the past because I spend almost every day at home, staying as safe as possible and trying to get by during this chaotic time in our world. It has been getting  a bit frustrating at times, but dressing up and looking nice (even if it is just for photos) is always fun and it puts me in a good mood!

When it comes to my style, I truly adore anything that looks professional, chic, or classy, and I have such a love for vintage inspired pieces!

Let’s start with my latest obsession: this gorgeous top! I am so in love with this shirt because it is the perfect mix of vintage and trendy/modern! I love anything pink, and I’ve been a big fan of puffy sleeves as well. There is so much detail in this top that I find stunning, such as the pearl accents, the lace, and the mesh sleeves! I have seen quite a few shirts like this lately, and I was so happy to get my hands on one! I bought this at Ross for $13.99! I love stores like Ross and T.J. Maxx because everything is very affordable yet stylish as well. Underneath, I thought about wearing a black strapless bra, but I ended up going with a bra that almost matched the color of the top perfectly. If I wanted to go for more of an edgy look, maybe then I would wear black, but I decided to keep it feminine this time.

If you would like to purchase this piece, I would definitely check out any Ross stores you have nearby, and if you are unable to do this, I will link tops that look similar here and here! These mesh sleeve tops are very on trend, so you can do a quick online search and there will be a variety of similar tops out there!

When I go shopping, I really like to think about what outfits I can create with the new pieces I buy. I rarely buy clothing without thinking it through anymore, but I actually struggled to come up with a pair of bottoms that I liked with this top! I thought about styling it with a pair of jeans, but that would have made the look a lot more casual. I ultimately decided that I wanted to look polished and put together, so I went with a nice pair of slim black pants. I bought these a while ago at Old Navy. I thought that they would be great for internships/work, and they are very comfortable! In my opinion, these are a staple piece that every girl should own! I don’t remember the exact name or price of these pants, however you can really find them anywhere and in a wide range of prices! I will link a couple similar pairs here and here!

If you have read most of my “What I Wear” blog posts, you have definitely seen these before! These are such classic shoes that again, I feel every girl should own! These are my go-to black block heels. There is a dainty buckle at the ankle, and they are the perfect height for me! I also love a chunky heel because they are much more comfortable to walk in, and yet they still look stylish. I bought these on Amazon a couple years ago for around $20-$30! You can purchase them here!

As for my jewelry, I decided to keep it minimal since the top already has the pearl accents. Of course, I had to wear my anniversary bracelet. I bought this bracelet on Etsy, and I was able to customize it through the seller as well! You can buy this bracelet here! This bracelet will always remind me of my love! I then chose to wear a new pair of earrings! I had been wanting these for a little while, but never bought them for myself. These earrings are so beautiful, and they are also super affordable. My mom ended up buying them and giving them to me as a gift at Christmas! You can purchase them here, or if you prefer studs, that is an option as well, just click here! The rhinestones can be either pink or blue! And lastly, I wore my two gold rings that I wear every day. They were my mothers but she let me have them when I was around 12 years old.

That is all for my Valentine’s ootd! I really didn’t have anywhere to go on this cold and rainy day, however I spent most of my day video chatting my boyfriend who lives almost 4,000 miles away! We got dressed up, watched a movie, and enjoyed our time spent together! It was a perfect first Valentine’s Day full of smiles, laughter, and so much love!

Thank you so much for reading! Until next time!

Lessons from Love

_{A gift to my love.
Photo by: Tom Patch (@notapatchontom on Instagram)}

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and I have been thinking about sharing a post relating to romantic love. While I am no relationship expert, I have been experiencing what I believe to be true love, and it is honestly the most beautiful thing I have ever felt. Today, I will not be the only writer in this post; my boyfriend Tom is going to be sharing some of his gorgeous words as well. We collaborated on this blog post to share some of the things that we have learned from being in a strong, happy, and healthy relationship with one another. Everyone deserves to be loved, and today, we hope to remind you of that.

Every relationship is different, and every person is unique. We all look for different qualities and characteristics in a partner, and this is normal. However, the things that we share today could be beneficial and very helpful in any relationship. The most important thing is to simply to show love to one another. Today, Tom and I are sharing some lessons we have learned from love.

_{^{Love will never try to change you. It is all about accepting your partner just as they are. While we all have what we believe to be “flaws” whether they relate to our physical appearance or our personality, we have to remember that love is about opening up and being vulnerable. More importantly, it’s about showing compassion and acceptance, and being understanding.}}

_{^{We may not always see it, but everyone is special and we all have a purpose in this life. Sometimes, almost like magic, someone will appear in your life, take you by the hand, and remind you of why you are special. It’s important to believe it for yourself, but to have someone stand by you and be there to constantly remind you, is such a powerful thing. Confidence and bravery will come in waves, and it can spark something deep inside of you. Rather than judging, we should all focus more on listening and accepting. This will allow your partner to be seen and heard, and they will feel even more comfortable opening up as time goes on. Never be afraid to show your true colors, because someone out there is going to see the brightest shades of love in you.}}

_{^{– Amanda Sacchere}}

_{^{A healthy and beneficial relationship is built on trust and confidence, in each other and together. The trust and confidence to talk about anything and everything, even the taboo or controversial, is a powerful and sustaining path to an unshakeable partnership.}}

 _{^{It can often feel like many aspects of life sadly encourage a diluted way of communicating, therefore neglecting depth and sometimes resulting in feeling misunderstood and underappreciated. A loving relationship on the other hand, should facilitate the opportunity to come as you are, to speak openly and candidly, without the fear of being judged or ignored. Think of it as both a physical and emotional safe place to be, where the world’s clamorous distractions are faded into insignificance like the diminishing background noise in a potent film. With a comfortable space, loving partners are empowered to discuss anything and everything they wish, ensuring that words spoken will fall upon a caring, listening ear. Love tones don’t need to be pitch perfect, but the simple act of regular, deep conversation is enough to strengthen an already beautiful bond}}.

– _{^{Tom Patch}}

_{^{Reassurance is important. Even though your partner may know that you love and care for them, you should still remind them daily. You don’t have to go all out with grand gestures. You can simply use your words to let them know how you feel about them. You can even get creative and use your passion to express your love; whether that is through writing, photography or even singing! If you let time pass you by without telling your person that you love them and that they are the only one for you, they may begin to feel lonely, or as if they are not important to you. Challenges will arise, as they often do in life, however when you put in the effort and work on building a strong relationship, you can get to the other side, and you will be victorious together. Never stop showing love to your partner. There are so many beautiful ways to show someone that you care.}}

_{^{– Amanda Sacchere}}

_{^{Actively encouraging and supporting your partner in every good thing they do is a very beautiful and selfless demonstration of care. This continuous, conscious act produces far-reaching benefits and outcomes even greater than the sum of the effort invested. Social media is awash with motivational reminders of the importance of kindness and encouragement. The intentions behind those lovely words on screen are clear, but putting those words into daily practice is hugely rewarding for everyone, particularly your partner. The words and actions you use to lift people up are powerful and effective, offering peace, joy and empowerment to both you and your recipient!}}

_{^{Isn’t it remarkable how the language of love can raise people up to heights they never thought they’d reach and engage with people on a level they’ve so earnestly been waiting for!?}}

_{^{– Tom Patch}}

And lastly…

_{^{When someone loves you, you’re going to know it. You will feel it not only in your heart, but in your mind, body, and soul. You will be radiating gratitude, positivity, and fearlessness. Falling will be effortless, and showing love will forever be the goal. Love does not leave you questioning your worth, and love certainly does not make you feel lonely, insecure, or weak. You won’t have to question their heart or their intentions for you because they will make it as clear as day. You should be able to wake in the morning with the confidence and belief that you are loved. People often put in the effort when it comes to those they care about. Sometimes, that will mean phone calls throughout the day, and it can even mean crossing an entire ocean to get to the one you love. Words are powerful, but actions speak for themselves.}}

_{^{– Amanda Sacchere}}

Love is a journey that two people choose to take together, hand-in-hand. There is so much more to experience and learn. There may be challenges to overcome, but there will also be incredible and momentous occasions that you will share. Choose each other daily, and always choose love. Tom and I are looking forward to creatively sharing more of our relationship with the world in the future.

As many of my followers may know, my blog is all about finding confidence. So, I wanted to remind anyone and everyone that self-love and self-acceptance is what will lead you to finding romantic love. While it can be very difficult, I encourage you to take that first step. When you find confidence, and when you practice loving yourself daily, you will attract all of the right people into your life. I say this because I truly have experienced this first-hand. By loving yourself first, your romantic relationship will flourish and bloom, like a bud turned to a rose, and it will be so much stronger as a result. You will give and accept love freely, and there will be no holding back.

We hope that you found today’s blog post helpful! Tom and I enjoyed writing it, and we hope that our words will inspire someone out there to stay positive and to never give up on finding a real love. Thank you so much for reading! Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

For Tom,

I am forever grateful to have found my person in you. I am the luckiest girl in this world to be able to experience your wonderful love. Thank you for everything! We are still growing, my love!

_{“Your heart is my home.”
A beautiful gift from Tom.}

Updated Pamper Routine: February 2021

Hey everyone! Around this time last year, I posted my pamper routine. Well, some time has passed, and I’ve changed things up since this time last year! I’ve added a few new products to my routine, and even started doing a couple new things! I thought that this would be the perfect post to share today because it is February, and the month of love! It doesn’t matter if you’re in a relationship or if you’re single, you deserve to show yourself some love!

 In January, I made it a resolution of mine to have at least one pamper night during each week (but I do a lot of these things multiple times throughout the week, as you will read). Doing this can actually be a bit time consuming, but honestly, we all deserve time to take care of ourselves. Of course, it’s not all just about taking care of your physical appearance, but it definitely makes me feel more confident when I take some extra time to pamper my body. Remember that self-care is also about your mental and emotional health, and you should make sure to check in with yourself daily!

I love taking some time to pamper myself, so when I am able to, I like to take full advantage! As long as I don’t have too much work to do for my college courses, or if I am not too tired, then pampering myself is super enjoyable! My routine always starts in the shower (but first, I get my music ready)!

When I step into the shower, I like to start by washing my hair. I honestly change up my shampoos and conditioners pretty often, and I don’t have a specific product or brand to share when it comes to these two items. I like to really massage my shampoo into my scalp, and I take my time when doing so. Then I will wash out the shampoo and apply conditioner. I like to run a wide toothed comb through my hair while the conditioner sits because this makes it easier to detangle my hair (I wash my hair about twice a week)! Once my hair is tangle free, I will begin washing my body. I use a loofah and typically some Dove body wash, making sure to clean myself from head to toe. Then I will take my Dove bar soap and my Biore charcoal acne clearing cleanser to wash my face. After this, I will wash out my conditioner and apply the Artnaturals Argan Oil Hair Mask. I fell in love with this mask a couple years ago because it makes my hair so incredibly smooth and shiny and it smells amazing! I like to use hair masks once a week.

While the mask sits, I will grab a body scrub. Lately, I have been using the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrubs, and I chose the Tahitian Vanilla Bean scent! I only started exfoliating my body recently, but I feel like it really does make a difference, and it prepares the skin for shaving. I just use my hands and rub the body scrub in circles up and down my legs. (Keep in mind that you shouldn’t be exfoliating your body every day, but rather a couple times a week.) After washing it off, I’ll take my Tree Hut Moisturizing Shave Oil (also in the Tahitian Vanilla Bean scent) and apply this to the areas I want to shave. This shave oil is amazing! It leaves my skin so soft and smooth! I had only ever used shaving creams previously, but this is now my go-to product! I only heard one person rave about it, but they were so right! You should definitely try it out (thank me later)! Then I will take a clean razor and begin shaving, and afterward I like to rinse my body. Another new step that I’ve been incorporating is using a pumice stone! I don’t know why, but I never even thought to use one before! I think everyone, men or women, should use it! It can get rid of any dead skin, and it will make your feet smooth. I like to use this pretty much every night, but it would be ok to do it a few times a week too. Then I will finally rinse out my hair mask.

After this, my shower routine is complete, however there are a few more steps to my pamper routine! Once I’m out of the shower, I’ll dry off and use my CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. I will then take my CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Eye Repair Cream and gently apply these products using my clean hands. Whenever I apply any product to my face, I like to be as gentle as possible (especially around the eyes). I also recently learned that you should apply your products onto the skin in an upward motion, rather than pulling the skin down. Sometimes I will use my rose quartz face roller by Grace & Stella. I will then take any body lotion (I have a few from Bath & Body Works that I am loving at the moment), and I will apply this to my legs. If you can’t tell, I really enjoy having smooth legs, though sadly it doesn’t last all that long. I also like to use coconut oil on any sensitive parts of my body that I shaved. I’ve really been enjoying lip scrubs lately, and I have the Vanilla Sugar Exfoliating Lip Scrub from Bath & Body Works that I use most often! I apply this scrub onto my lips in circular motions, and then use warm water to wash it off. This is a great step to include in your pamper routine because it removes any dead skin and keeps your lips feeling smooth! You can also apply chapstick afterward.

After this, I will usually cut my nails and care for my cuticles (if needed). Then, once in a while, if I am up to it, I will paint my toe nails. For the month of February, I decided to go with red to get in the V-Day mood! In the end, I’ll brush my teeth, use mouth wash, and floss before I head off to bed!

That’s all for my updated pamper routine! I hope that you all take a moment out of your days or weeks to take care of yourself, because it is so important! Thank you so much for reading! Until next time!

Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you have probably had your outfit picked out weeks ago. If you have no idea what to wear, fear not! Today, I am going to be sharing four different outfit ideas for Valentine’s Day! Whether you are going on a date or heading off to class, one of these outfits should spark some V-Day inspiration!

Outfit #1:

Let’s start off with something fun. If you’re heading out for a date or a girls night, this outfit is for you! You can never go wrong with a little black dress. If you are a bit more bold and you prefer to wear more color, a red or pink dress would be beautiful as well! I chose black because I typically prefer more neutral colors, plus I get to have a bit of fun with my makeup and accessories this way! With this black dress, I thought that a simple pair of black block heels looked gorgeous. Lastly, I paired this outfit with a sequined clutch. (If I were going to wear this outfit, I would most likely do a natural eye look and a bold pink lip!)

Outfit #2:

This outfit is for those of you who may be working or going to a business casual event on V-Day. I absolutely love this outfit! I would wear this any day! For this look, I paired some black ankle pants with a long sleeved pink turtle neck. I have such a love for blazers, and I feel that blazers can instantly transform a look and give the outfit more of a professional vibe. I love the pattern of this blazer, and I think that it makes the outfit a bit more unique and stylish. For the shoes, I went with these black pointed toe ankle boots. These have been one of my latest obsessions, and I always find myself reaching for them.

Outfit #3:

This next outfit is for those of you who aren’t very girly or those of you who prefer a more casual look. For this outfit, I wanted to go for something simple. I paired a pink v-neck tee with a pair of dark high waisted jeans. I love white shoes, and I think that my white Stan Smith’s looked best with this outfit. I really like this look because it is very simple, yet by wearing pink you will still feel like you’re in the Valentine’s Day spirit! If pink is not your color, you could wear red or even purple! You could also throw on a neutral colored cardigan (such as black or gray) for a cozier feel.

Outfit #4:

This last outfit is most likely what I will be wearing (or at least something very similar). I love dressing up, but since I have no Valentine’s Day plans, I will most likely be going to class, going to work, and then spending the rest of my day at home. My style tends to change day to day, but for the most part, I love feminine or vintage-inspired pieces. For this look, I took this cropped white top with pink roses on it and put it over a black tank for layering. I am so obsessed with the bell sleeves on this top! I paired this piece with ripped high waisted jeans and simple black flats.

I hope that this post was helpful to you and that it gave you some Valentine’s Day inspiration! I had a lot of fun creating these 4 very different looks for you all. It’s funny, I feel like all of these outfits are very much my style. I would wear every single one (depending on the occasion of course)!

Thank you so much for reading!

Valentine’s Day Eye Makeup Tutorial

Hey everyone! I had so much fun creating this eye makeup look for Valentine’s Day, and I wanted to share it with you all! In my January Ipsy Glam Bag Ultimate, I received a new eyeshadow palette by theBalm Cosmetics, and I have been obsessed with it! This is the “What’s the Tea?® Ice Tea Eyeshadow Palette” ($36). I decided that I could create the perfect V-Day makeup look using this, and that is what I am going to be sharing with you today! This is a somewhat natural eye with a pop of pink!

When I first saw this palette, I thought that the theme was adorable. The palette as well as the colors all relate to gossip. If I am being honest, I probably would not buy this palette if I were walking through an Ulta or Sephora because I do not typically go for bold colors. I definitely prefer browns, golds, or taupes. This palette includes three matte brown shades, and six shimmer shades. Although I would not buy this for myself, the different shades of pink and blue are gorgeous. If you have read a couple of my other makeup tutorials, you may know that I am a little afraid of using bold colors in my eyeshadow looks, but I’ve been trying to get more experimental, and I have actually been having a lot of fun with it! I used to do the same eyeshadow look every single day, but thankfully that is not the case anymore (thanks to Ipsy)!

The eye makeup tutorial:

• I started off by applying the neutral eyelid primer that comes in this palette. I gently blended this onto my eyelids. You want to ensure that your eye makeup lasts all day and night for Valentine’s Day, so primer is essential! I also feel that primer makes applying eyeshadows a bit easier because it gives the color a smooth base to stick to!
• The first color I took was this beautiful pink color in the shade, “The 411”. I simply applied this onto my eyelids. I was immediately impressed by the color payoff with all of the shades!
• Then, I took the light brown shade, “Oh Snap” and blended this into my crease as a transition shade using windshield wiper motions.
• I then took the middle brown in the shade, “The Run Down” and applied this to the outer “V” of my eyes. Make sure to blend out the shadows after this step. These shadows are incredibly easy to blend (with just a little bit of fallout when applying them).
• The last step for the eyeshadow is highlight. I took the shade “He Said, She Said” and lightly applied this to my inner corners and my brow bones. In my opinion, highlighting these areas complete an eyeshadow look beautifully. It brightens up the eyes and makes you look more awake. I love this shade because it seems to be a mix of light purple and gold, making it more unique (and stunning).
• Next, I lined the outer half of my lower lashline with “The Run Down”, and then lined the inner half of my lower lashline with “The 411”.
• Next, I took my L’oreal Voluminous Lash Primer, and my Maybelline Lash Sensational Curvitude mascara and applied a few coats. I love this mascara because it always does a beautiful job of lengthening and separating my lashes. If you prefer to wear false lashes, you can do this as well!
• Lastly, I took my usual black eyeliner by Essence and lined my waterline and tightline. I do this pretty much every time I do my makeup because it adds a bit more drama to any makeup look, which I love!

Thank you so much for reading! I am so in love with this eyeshadow palette, and if you are interested, I highly recommend looking into buying it! Let me know how you’re planning on doing your Valentine’s Day makeup in a comment below!

My Pamper Routine

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so why not show yourself a little extra love by taking a day to pamper yourself? Even though I have a lot on my plate right now with school and work, I still think that it is important to take some time to relax and pamper myself. I am not able to have nights like this too often, but when I do I enjoy it. Today, I am going to be sharing my pamper routine with you, as well as the products that I will typically reach for on these nights.

Please keep in mind that although I am using the term “self-care”, “self-care” is not just about the physical. Self-care is also about your mental and emotional well-being. You can look good on the outside, but it doesn’t matter if you’re not taking care of the inside. What I am sharing with you today is just a part of my self-care routine; the physical part.

When it comes to the inside, I try to speak positively about myself and do a lot of personal reflection. I have quite a few hobbies, many of which I often share with you on my website. I like to make time to do the things that make me happy, such as working out, writing, and even just relaxing and watching some Netflix. Please remember to take care of your well-being and not just your physical appearance. On nights like this, I just want to do something to make myself feel a bit more confident and taking care of myself has always been and always will be my top priority.

I try to have nights like this at least once a week, but I practice internal self-care and self-love daily.

When I get home from a long day, I always remove my makeup. I will NEVER leave my makeup on while sitting around at home or going to sleep (I don’t care how tired I am)! So, before anything else, I’ll grab a fresh makeup wipe and gently remove my makeup. After doing so, I like to cleanse my skin to remove any extra makeup. Sometimes I will apply a hydrating cream or face mask afterward. Then I will typically relax, have dinner, get some school work done, and then I continue with my pamper routine.

The first thing I do is blast some of my favorite music. It makes the routine even more enjoyable this way. My pamper routine always starts in the bathroom. I like to take a hot shower, and I will wash my body, my face, and my hair. I wash my hair about twice a week, so this isn’t anything special, but I seriously love the feeling of soft, clean hair. After shampooing and conditioning, I will take one of my favorite hair masks, the Artnaturals Argan Oil Hair Mask, and gently comb it through my hair, letting it sit for 10 minutes. (I plan on doing a review all about this hair mask in the near future because I am so in love with it!)

While the hair mask is sitting, I’ll grab one of my best razors and I will shave my body. I think I can speak for all of us ladies when I say that getting into bed with clean, cool sheets and shaved legs is one of the greatest feelings. I have seriously been loving body scrubs lately, and I enjoy exfoliating before shaving. I have been using the Cela Seed to Skin Scrub Natural Grain Polish. I like to rub this in circles all over my legs (if you know of a great exfoliating brush for the body, let me know in a comment below). This scrub has a sweet scent to it that makes you want to apply more and more! After my shower, I like to apply a bit of lotion to my legs to moisturize them.

Next, I begin my skincare routine. If I am being honest, I really don’t have a set skincare routine. I have been trying out a ton of different cleansers, moisturizers, and serums. Sadly, I struggle with acne, and sometimes it can get pretty bad. I am always a bit anxious when it comes to trying new skincare products because I don’t want to irritate my acne-prone skin. Most products usually work fine for me, but I like to be careful anyway.

I start by using my Biore Charcoal Acne Cleanser. I love this product, but it does tend to dry out my skin a bit. I then move on to serum. I have been using this Sweet Chef Beet and Vitamin A Serum Shot. And lastly, I apply the Ahava Daily Moisturizer. I love this moisturizer and every morning I wake up with such smooth skin! I know my skincare routine does not include all of the proper steps right now, but I am still on the hunt for all of the right products.  I want the products I use to be affordable, I want them to include healthy ingredients, and I want to love them. Once I find this, I will share a full skin care routine with you all!

After taking care of my skin, I will paint my nails. I prefer to get my nails done at a salon, but if they aren’t done, I will simply cut them and push my cuticles back. I will sometimes paint my toenails, but as I am sure many of you can relate to, my toenail polish lasts a very long time. This is a step that I will sometimes skip in the winter, but I like to make sure my toes are always done in the warmer months.

Next I will be tweezing and trimming my eyebrows. While I am lucky that my hair grows back long and fast, I wish this was only true for the hair on my head and not the hair everywhere else on my body! I also have darker hair which doesn’t help, so it can be a lot to maintain. I actually have to tweeze my brows a couple times a week, but I really like to take my time to maintain it.

After this I will head downstairs to have a late night snack and I will get ready for the next day. The last step to my pamper routine is applying my Skin Regimen Night Detox. This is a mask that you apply and wear over night and wash off in the morning. It protects, repairs, and strengthens your skin while you sleep! I don’t use it every night, but I have been enjoying it lately!

I hope you all remember to always take some time for yourself, even if you have a busy schedule. When I plan a night like this, I always look forward to it because it allows me to relax and just focus on myself. Everyone deserves to relax every once in a while, so this Valentine’s Day, please take that time and use it to pamper yourself (and let yourself indulge on some chocolate a little, I know I will)! Thank you so much for reading!