Wordless Wednesday #2.

Love,

Izzy

Grand Cayman's Discount Makeup: NARS Haul, Review, & Swatches (Isolde and Deep Throat)

I apologize in advance for the crappy iPhone pictures- it was the only decent camera I had while I spend the week away!

Today I came home from the wonderful Cayman Islands, and I'm more than depressed about it. I was actually able to fully relax during my time there and the scenery and beaches were beautiful beyond belief. (Maybe I'll do a little lifestyle post about it when I get the chance!) Check out my spring break travel essentials here :)

I got to HOLD A BABY TURTLE, GUYS!!!

(it took all of my willpower to not kiss it and take it home with me)

     Grand Cayman didn't have a lot of shopping options that weren't extremely high-end and expensive, but while my mom and I were scouring the streets of Georgetown for good a good deal I stumbled upon a duty-free tax exempt high end beauty shop.

     To my mother's dismay ("You have too much makeup, Isabel!!") I ran immediately to the NARS counter (in hindsight, how in the world did I ignore the YSL stand?!?) and oogled the price cuts. Everything was $3-5 cheaper than in the states, and there was no tax on any of the items either. This might not sound like a huge discount to you guys, but I've been eyeing these two products for a very long, and to get them at any kind of discount was pretty awesome, so I just jumped at the chance to get them!

      I probably should have probably gotten more because of the lower price, but you know what? I have what I really wanted and that's fulfilling enough for me :)

Like I said, I picked up two things:

• Blush- Deep Throat
• Eyeshadow Duo- Isolde

     I've been using a dupe for Deep Throat for quite a while (blog post about that later! ohohoho) but it seems that it was finally time to branch out and get the real thing. This color is just gorgeous, long-wearing, and flattering on my monburnt NC15 complexion.

     Ah, Isolde. A favorite blogger/YouTuber Zoella wrote a blog post praising this duo, and I've had my eye on it ever since. The colors are bronze-y and gorgeous, and even though these colors are more for blue eyes I couldn't care less- I love my golds and bronzes, and it still looks okay on my hazel eyes!

     I literally only had to tap my finger in the pan to get these colors... NARS' pigmentation makes me go weak at the knees, you definitely get what you pay for!! :) 

     This concludes my (makeup) shopping adventures at Grand Cayman! I miss that little island so much already D: but these products will always being me back to those sunny days filled with tanning, the occasional sunburn, and holding baby turtles!

     Did you do any shopping around easter time? Let me know in the comments!

Love,

Izzy

What's in my travel makeup bag- Caribbean Edition

     First I'll update you guys on what's been going on lately. I've spent the last six days in the wonderfully perfect Grand Cayman, which has been hands down the best spring break vacation I've ever been on. This place is just BEAUTIFUL- The island is so safe, the locals are friendly and helpful, and the weather is absolutely perfect. Not to mention that we're staying on the Seven Mile Beach (and the name is well deserved, just look at this!)

     When I haven't been on the beach I've always kept a simple but full face of makeup, just because it makes me feel put-together. The heat and humidity here is pretty intense, so i wanted to bring products that I know I could get a lot of use out of during the week.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream- I used this as my all-over foundation all week (while sometimes applying a primer and moisturizer underneath). This BB cream is great because it moisturizes and primes the skin while also giving you a fair amount of coverage- and it's SPF 35, which really helps with this beautifully sunny weather!

Benefit Boi-ing- This concealer has stayed put wherever I've decided to apply it. It erases my dark circles (and also helps in getting rid of the glaring red sunburn on my nose!)

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly- I picked up this beauty in the mall right before I left for Grand Cayman and let me tell you- this cream shadow is a lifesaver. I don't even need to put an eye primer under it because it seriously doesn't budge at all! It cuts down my makeup routine so I have more time exploring the island, and it makes any shadow or liner I apply afterwards really stays put for the rest of the day. 

Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Liner- I have a review of this eyeliner here! I brought this along so I could quickly and easily apply some liner- this product is really convenient and was the only liner I could imagine taking along with me this week. The small size of the eyeliner is great, too, because it takes up less space in my bag.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface- This is such a gorgeous bright pink color that's perfect in complimenting makeup when under the Caribbean sun. It gives my NC15 skin a bright, sunny glow, it doesn't budge, and I've used it every day I've been here.

Tarte Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess- Both the blush and this bronzer came in a  mini set from Sephora that was on sale, and I'm loving them both! The small size makes these products very travel friendly (and it was only $12 for both!) This bronzer compliments both my skin and the blush perfectly and is great in giving my skin some extra tanned dimension during the day.

Benefit Sun Beam- This came in a mini set with a little Coralista blush (which has been neglected for the Tarte blush, lol) and this is a great highlighter for summertime. It gives my skin a nice, bronze, summery sheen.

Urban Decay All-Nighter Spray- This spray has been incredibly helpful in prolonging the life of the makeup I wear. This is the last product I use before I'm ready to go- a few quick spritzes and I'm out of the bathroom (to my mom's delight!)

Tarte Glamazon Lipstick in Bold- I used this lipstick in this look! This is the perfect (can i say tropical-y?) tropical-y shade that just screams warm weather and sunniness. It's a gorgeous bold, matte coral color that I think really brings my look together every day. I could fangirl on and on about this for paragraphs, but all you need to know is that it's just AWESOME.

Lush Shine so Bright Split End Remedy- I've been swimming in the ocean every day and unfortunately I've had to wash my hair every day as well, which has really been drying out the ends. This hair wax tames my ends (and hopefully hydrates it, too).

Not Pictured: Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette- I'm pretty sure I've used Naked 2 in my crease every day I've been here. It's a very convenient palette to carry around with me.

Blotting Papers- To keep me from being all gross by noon. These are just Rite-Aid brand, nothing special here lol

Mascara- I forgot to pack my own so I've been using my mom's- she brought Maybelline's One by One. I wouldn't purchase or wear this in any other situation if I was given the chance because, sadly, Maybelline tests on animals, but I've been tolerating this product this week because I have nothing else.

     OH MY GOD, THIS IS JUST A WALL OF TEXT NOW. I hope you guys got something out of this, though! I'm off to enjoy the beach and read some game of thrones in a lounge chair under an umbrella :) what do you like wearing on vacation? be sure to leave a comment and let me know!

Love,

Izzy