SHOP LOCAL | The Small Town Charm of Paisley & Co.

I live in a college town in rural Pennsylvania. There isn't always a lot to do here, but there's no denying its charm, and I love the independent vendors lined up on Main Street. One store in particular that I've spent countless hours in (over time, not all at once!) is Paisley & Company. 

Paisley & Company is a fragrance bar and bath boutique (similar to LUSH) which opened in 2003*. Their products, which include skincare, fragrances, shampoo, and more, are homemade with natural ingredients and are cruelty free. What's unique about this boutique is that you can create your own scent and turn it into virtually any product they make. If this sounds intimidating, it really isn't – there's always someone there to help you create your own scent, and the employees are extremely helpful even if you're not 100% sure what you want.

Some of my favorite products from Paisley are their fragrance oils and their hand and body lotion, pictured above. These are the fragrance oils and lotions I own:

FRAGRANCE OILS

Although I primarily use Paisley's fragrance oils as perfume, they're versatile and that's why I love them. You can use them in the shower or bath, and they're also great for masking odors around your house/apartment. They're heavily scented, so a little goes a long way. If you create your own fragrance, you'll be given you a memo upon purchase with your concoction and ratio used, so you don't forget. 

VICTORIA ROSE

Victoria Rose is a sweet, bright, and floral scent. I'm taking whiffs of it as I write, and it kind of reminds me of a box or rose and lemon turkish delight. I think it was one of the first of their fragrance oils I bought. It's on the stronger side, so you really have to appreciate roses to like this scent.

NAG CHAMPA & COCONUT

Self-explanatory; I would say this scent is sweet, warm, and slightly earthy. I love anything coconut, but the blend of that with nag champa lends itself to memory more than if it were just coconut. 

SPRING ROMANCE

This fragrance, pictured below, is one that I created! I know the name is a little twee. Long story short, my creation's namesake is a looseleaf tea blend that I got a few days beforehand. I wanted to make something clean and floral balanced with a little warmth and sweetness. There are equal parts Jasmine, Sensual Amber, Bamboo, and Coconut. Seeing as its the only scent I've created at Paisley, I'm pretty proud of it. I have a few more fragrance ideas, so I need to go in there are make more sometime soon.

HAND & BODY LOTION

I have two of these and keep one in my purse at all times. The formula isn't overly rich or greasy, and keeps my hands smooth and moisturized for a long time. I've gifted their hand and body lotion to mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and they both really enjoyed them. 

SEA SALT & PEONY

This pre-made lotion has a truly a unique fragrance. It's gorgeously "cold" and mildly floral. I would almost consider it to be wintry. It smells like roaming a rocky New England beach in November with a bouquet of lush peonies on the breeze. I sound like I'm getting carried away, but it's because this scent is beautiful. 

SHEA & COCONUT

While I don't think this lotion contains shea butter, it is obviously scented as such. I love this fragrance because it doesn't feel too summery, despite the coconut. There's a muskiness to it which tones down the coconut to be more wearable year-round. 

This post is really just scratching the surface of how much Paisley & Co. offer. Even if you're not into boutiques like this, it's a cool experience because of how interactive it is, and is a place that takes itself and its clients seriously. If you ever find yourself in or near Kutztown, Pennsylvania, make it a priority to spend some time at this little shop.

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*Paisley & Co. only ships within the U.S.

DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored by Paisley & Co. I bought all products mentioned with my own money.

MORNING + NIGHT SKINCARE ROUTINE

The last time I had great skin was when I was 13. Not long before that, I remember hearing the word "acne" and not even knowing what it was. It's pretty strange to think about, seeing that acne has been a constant struggle for me for over a decade. If anything good can come out of having far-from-perfect skin, it's knowing that I need to take care of it!

I have oily/combination skin which is prone to cystic acne (those really painful zits that sit under your skin for forever). I also have a lot of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If I have anything going for my skin, it's that it's relatively smooth. My main concerns are acne and skin discoloration. 

I try to keep my skincare routine simple because skincare is expensive; it involves a lot of trial and error to find something that works for each person. Below is a list of products I currently have and how I use them:

MORNING ROUTINE

I don't actually wash my face in the morning. Until a few months ago, never in my life did I consider foregoing exfoliators and cleansers upon waking up. I'm so glad I did, though! I've found that stripping my face of its natural oils, especially when I wake up, can cause inflammation and irritation – this can also make my breakouts worse when I am dealing with an acne flare up.

What I do instead is spritz my face with rose water from Pearlessence (I got mine at TJ Maxx) and let my skin drink it up. If I wake up oilier than usual, I use a cotton makeup round with Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water and gently blot my face to get rid of some of the oil. 

I follow up with CeraVe's Daily Moisturizing Lotion and wait at least 10-15 minutes before applying makeup. This moisturizer is one that I think would work well for a variety of skin types. My husband, who has incredibly dry skin, uses it as well and really likes it. 

NIGHTLY ROUTINE

Going to bed with makeup on is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. I wear makeup pretty much every day, so it's a must for me to make sure 100% of that stuff is removed before heading to bed. 

To remove my makeup, I use the Garnier micellar water, mentioned in my morning routine. Once I've done that, I go in with my Foaming Facial Cleanser from CeraVe and massage it into my skin for a few seconds before rinsing it off. I then let my face air dry and moisturize with CeraVe's Daily Moisturizing Lotion, and spritz my face with rose water. 

#WHENEVERIWANT

For a long time, I used to think that face masks were an occasional treat for my skin. So, I just didn't use them all that often. One day when I was binge watching Lisa Eldridge videos, she revealed when she uses face masks  – whenever she wants. If Lisa can do that, I can do that as well, right? Done. The bottom line is, if your skin is in dire need of a face mask, use one. I've regularly been alternating face masks about 3 times a week, give or take a day or two. 

I have a number of face masks, but the ones I keep coming back to are Pearlessence's Turmeric & Honey Reviving Mask and their Aloe & Charcoal Detoxifying Mask (both available at TJ Maxx). I also love the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask. 

WHAT I'M TRYING TO INCORPORATE

SUNSCREEN

I'm not one to spend much time in the sun, but SPF is definitely a worthwhile product to include in my regime. My skin is naturally tan, which gives me more protection from sun damage than someone with fair skin, but no one has complete immunity from the sun's rays.

SERUMS

Specifically Burt's Bee's Brightening Skin Perfecting Serum. I'm currently going through an acne flare up, and I know that once my skin has cleared, I'll be left with some really nice discoloration :(. I'm hoping that using this will speed up the fading process.

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DISCLAIMER: Skincare is something that is going to change for me over time. I don't use the same products I used a few years ago. Everyone's skin has different needs, and what may work for me, may not work for you! The list above is just what I do with my skin, which seems to be helping reduce problems for the majority of the time. This is not a sponsored post; I bought all products mentioned in this post with my own money.

REVIEW | Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

I've been on a hiatus from using the L'Oreal Lash Paradise. The formula isn't doing anything for me anymore, so I had been looking for a new mascara. Enter, Essence's Lash Princess False Lash Effect mascara. Some of the few YouTubers that I watch (JAMBeauty89 and RachhLoves) adore it. The girl at the Ulta checkout raved about it when she saw that I was buying it. It's only $4.99, and usually sold out because people love it so much. Those all seem like indicators of a great mascara to me. 

A NOTE ON MY LASHES
I have very straight, borderline downturned eyelashes. They're black and are a decent length, but they lack fullness and look sparse without mascara on. I need at least 2-3 coats of mascara if I want them to look like they're actually there. 

WHAT I LIKED
This particular Lash Princess mascara (there are two other kinds) wand is fairly small and the bristles are tightly packed. You know when you're using a mascara wand and you can feel a slight tug on your lashes? That's how this one feels. And I love that feeling because I know the wand is coating and separating my lashes really well. The formula is in the goldilocks zone – it isn't super wet and it isn't dry, either. A lot of mascaras are too heavy for my eyelashes (which, by the end of the day, turn droopy), but this one has been really good at holding my curl throughout the wear time. 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I often forget that less is more with Lash Princess. Beyond two coats, it gets clumpy really fast. If too much product is applied, the formula will also flake a little bit and leave flecks on my face. When this happens, I can definitely salvage my eyelashes with a lash comb, but I need to be quick and precise. On a less important note, I'm not fond of the packaging. Essence's aesthetic has always seemed kind of childish to me, and this mascara's packaging is no exception. 

FINAL VERDICT
Essence's Lash Princess False Lash Effect mascara delivers on its promises: with every use, my eyelashes are curled, lengthened, and voluminous the entire day. I've been using this for a few weeks now, and I haven't reached for my Lash Paradise mascara at all. The drawbacks, clumping and flaking, are preventable. When you find yourself at the two-coat mark, ignore the voice in your head that taunts, one more coat. 

Awkward Weather Basics + Some Accessories

April, man. I don't know about where you live, but over here t's flurrying one day, and the next, it's 65 degrees outside. These are the days of awkward weather, my friends! I'm not gonna lie though – I'm kind of enjoying the fact that I still need to wear layers to keep myself a little cozy. I don't see myself trading in my jeans for shorts and my sweaters for t-shirts any time soon. Does anyone else wear long sleeves all year-round? I certainly do. 

The image above is what I typically wear this time of year when the weather is fickle. It's nothing vogue or flashy; I live in a rural town, so I feel like I can't get away with that stuff on a normal day. Dresses and heels all have a time and place in my life, but most days I tend to stick to items I know are tried and true. 

1. SWEATERS
Sweaters are my go-to item of clothing. They're fantastic for transitioning to spring weather because they'll keep you toasty during those chilly April showers, without the help of a bulky winter jacket. I own a lot of dark sweaters, so I incorporated a pastel sweater from Old Navy into my sweater collection. 

2. LIGHT-WASH JEANS
A classic light-wash jean is effortlessly clean, and the faded hue is ideal for spring time. I love that they can be worn for a variety of occasions, too. 

3. A UTILITY JACKET
I'm really drawn to low-maintenance pieces which can be dressed up, depending on what you wear with them. My utility jacket is quite handy for that reason. They provide texture, some structure, and a little added warmth to any outfit. Some other spring jackets I love are my trench coat, my denim jacket, and a vest (I like the frost-free and quilted ones from Old Navy) for when the temperature dips significantly at night. 

4. SLIP-ON SHOES
Throughout the winter, I was an avid wearer of my beloved Timberlands. Now that it's getting warmer out, I just need something I can slip my feet into and go. Slip-ons are comfy, quick, and a staple for any relaxed outfit. When needed, I'll switch them out with a pair of loafers or flats to feel more put together. If it's raining, the Tims go back on. I should probably get rain boots. 

5. A CROSSBODY BAG
I go through one bag at a time, and I'm not really a tote person (although I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have one). My crossbody bag from Fossil goes everywhere with me. For a bag on the smaller side, it can fit a good number of things in there, too. 

6. A WATCH
I've had my Fossil Jacqueline watch since November, and it's become the only watch I ever wear (I have three others!). I keep accessories to a minimum; most of my jewelry is pretty dainty, and even those I tend to save those for special occasions. I love wearing a watch because it's is a great, practical item, and you can still find some really beautiful ones. 

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I bought all these items with my own money. This post is not sponsored by any brands mentioned above. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Fenty Beauty Universal Lip Luminzer + Mattemoiselle Matte Plush Lipstick

The nearest Sephora is about 40 minutes away from where I live, so I don't go there too often. When I was there a couple days ago, I went in with the intention of swatching the Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipsticks, and possibly their Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.

The only Fenty product I owned before was the Pro Filt'r Foundation. I was so excited about it, and ended up hating it. This stuff separated in areas where my foundation never has that issue, made me break out every time I used it, and created dry patches on my skin that I didn't even know existed. To be honest, I would have tried to make it work if the dry patches and separation were the only problems. But the second I realized it was making my skin unhappy, I knew I couldn't use it any longer. To this date, the Pro Filt'r Foundation has been the only item of makeup I've ever returned. 

Just because one product from a brand was awful, it doesn't mean you should avoid everything altogether. I actually ended up purchasing one of the lipsticks, as well as the lip gloss from. Side note: Rihanna made me buy lip gloss. I don't even wear lip gloss (I guess I do, now).

1. MATTEMOISELLE PLUSH MATTE LIPSTICK IN FRECKLE FIESTA
In the bullet, Freckle Fiesta appears to be a deep terracotta, but against my skin, it looks like a bright red-orange. I can't complain, though; it's a beautifully punchy, pigmented colour that I think would flatter a variety of skin tones. It's also one of the most highly pigmented lipsticks I own. The wear time is good, too. I ate meals and sipped tea with this on. Unless you're eating messily (like a toddler), this stuff has a good chance of not budging. I love that while the formula is matte, it's comfortable and I don't feel like all the moisture is being sucked out of my lips. I may have to pick up a different shade. Maybe. 

1. GLOSS BOMB UNIVERSAL LIP LUMINIZER
This is heavily scented. The website description states it's actually vanilla-peach, but I think it smells like strawberries. The Gloss Bomb is in a universal shade, supposedly designed to flatter all skin tones. It's a beautiful rosy color with flecks of gold and lilac (unless my eyes are lying to me) shimmer. It does lend a tint to the lips, but overall I feel like it's on the sheer side. You can use it alone, but this would be a pretty lip topper as well. The formula doesn't feel extremely goopy, although I do think it's quite dense. I like that it feels hydrating, rather than feeling like it's a layer of product just sitting on my lips and drying them out. One thing I don't like about the Gloss Bomb is that it's tricky to apply in small amounts. The applicator collects a lot of product, so if your lips are on the thinner side, just be careful when using it so it doesn't look sloppy. 

My (Kind Of) Everyday Makeup | DRUGSTORE + HIGH-END

I'll admit this: I'm not a BB Cream, one-step makeup routine person (if you are, that's honestly great!). Even if I'm not going anywhere, I tend to wear a full face of makeup every day. I actually enjoy the time in the morning I get to apply my makeup, because I just feel so much more put together after that. 

I titled this my "kind of" makeup routine, because I don't use the same products every single day. Below, I'll be sharing what is typical for me to use (give or take a few products). Some of them are recent finds; others I've been using for a while. I don't like to cut corners with my makeup, so it's a pretty well-rounded list. 

1. BASE: WET N WILD PHOTO FOCUS MATTE FACE PRIMER | $4.99

After moisturizing my face (I use the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion) and waiting for roughly five minutes, I prime my face with a pea-sized amount of Wet N Wild's Photo Focus Matte Face Primer. I focus mainly on areas where I get oily throughout the day. 

2. FOUNDATION: BECCA ULTIMATE COVERAGE COMPLEXION CREME IN BAMBOO + MAYBELLINE SUPER STAY FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION IN SUN BEIGE | $44.00, $11.99

Once my primer has set, I use a mixture of the Becca Ultimate Complexion Crème foundation in Bamboo, and the Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage foundation in Sun Beige. These are both very full coverage foundations, so I apply them in thin layers and find that I don't need to use a lot. 

3. CONCEALER: MAYBELLINE FIT ME! CONCEALER IN MEDIUM | $6.99

So, it turns out I forgot to include this in the picture! As stated above, the foundations I use are both full coverage, so they can sometimes make my face look pretty flat. I like to use concealer to highlight areas which need brightening. 

4. SETTING POWDER: MAYBELLINE FIT ME! LOOSE FINISHING POWDER IN LIGHT MEDIUM | $7.99

To set my foundation and concealer, I use a damp blending sponge to press the powder into areas of my face where I'm most likely to get oily. 

5. BLUSH: NYX BAKED BLUSH IN IGNITE | $6.99

This blush has a subtle gold shimmer, so I like to sweep this over my cheeks and towards my temples. The nice thing about this blush is that even though it has shimmer, it's so understated that you can also use a highlighter with it.

6. HIGHLIGHTER: BECCA SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR POURED IN PROSECCO POP | $38.00

I use this on high points of the face: my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, and sometimes my cupid's bow. It also works well as a brow highlight. 

7. EYESHADOW: NYX NUDE MATTE EYESHADOW SINGLE IN BLAME IT ON MIDNIGHT | $4.99

This eyeshadow single from NYX is one that I love using in my crease to give my eyes some depth. You can use it as a way to contour yours eyes, which is what I do every day. Sometimes I'll highlight my brow bone with a matte eyeshadow in a vanilla type shade. 

8. EYEBROWS: ESSENCE LASH & BROW GEL MASCARA & ELF EYEBROW KIT IN DARK | $2.99, $3.00

I comb the Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara through my eyebrows to hold them in place before defining them a little more with my Elf Eyebrow Kit. I already have dark eyebrows which don't need a ton of filling in, so I don't go to town with this stuff. It's just nice to have a little more definition in my eyebrows because they frame my face better that way. 

9. LASHES: ESSENCE GET BIG LASHES! VOLUME CURL MASCARA | $3.99

I use two coats of this on my upper lashes and then a gentle coat on my lower lashes. For an everyday look, I don't do any dramatic eye looks, so I love my lashes to be full and curled. 

10. LIPS: NYX SUEDE MATTE LIP LINER  IN LEON & NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAM IN LEON | $3.99, $6.49

I'm a huge fan of NYX's soft matte lip creams paired with their lip liners! I use either this combination or their SMLC in Rome with their lip pencil in Mahogany. The SMLCs aren't long lasting, but they're so comfortable to wear and they smell like cupcakes. :) 

The finished look! Using many products does not equate to an "overdone" face.

Choosing A Wedding Dress

Photo by Jessica Mae Photography 

If you are a bride-to-be, or just curious about shopping for a wedding dress, I've compiled some thoughts for you to read through which may be of help. :)

1. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE IN
Initially, I had my heart set on a mermaid silhouette. Some lace here and there, a chapel train, and maybe a bit of beadwork. I ended up with a ball gown; a style of dress I never thought I'd wear. 

I want to be clear: I genuinely loved my wedding dress. I loved it so much that I wore it countless times around my apartment, months after being married. But to this day, I don't know how I convinced myself that I would feel comfortable in a sleeveless dress. It sounds silly, but I felt less than confident walking around all day with my arms exposed, because it wasn't a style choice I would make on a normal day. Sleeveless wedding dresses have been a trend for a long time, and it doesn't look like they're going anywhere soon. I had seen other beautiful brides, friends of mine, get married in sleeveless dresses. It's so important to incorporate your own style into your wedding dress decision. What is trendy and what other brides feel amazing in may not be the best choice for you, especially if that style deviates from what you love to wear. 

2. LOOK FOR A DRESS ONLINE
A lot of my habits when it came to choosing a wedding dress were what I assumed to be the norm. I went to bridal boutiques because everyone else went to those. I had a designer dress because I thought they were the only route to take. Now that more of my friends have either been in weddings or gotten married, I can say that there are some really reliable sites where you can purchase a wedding dress. JJ's House, Etsy (my veil, pictured above, was bought off of Etsy), and Azazie are all popular online stores where you can order a dress with your exact measurements. You can also find more affordable dresses on these sites, too. 

3. IF POSSIBLE, TRY TO HAVE YOUR DRESS MADE TO YOUR EXACT MEASUREMENTS
Unless your wedding dress is bought off the rack, it'll most likely be made from scratch with your largest measurement being the dress size ordered. Bridal salons and boutiques which carry designer gowns go off size charts which run tiny in comparison to normal clothing. My dress had to be ordered in a size 10, even though in some areas I was a size 2. This made alterations complicated, and I ended up having to tape parts of my dress to myself because I couldn't fill it! This was not the fault of my seamstress; designer wedding dress size charts are a bit ridiculous. Had I known that before, I would have looked elsewhere for a dress. 

If the thought of this frustrates you, the good news is that many online stores let you include your own measurements with your order. Your best bets would be the websites I mentioned in my previous point (JJ's House, Etsy, and Azazie). That being said, there are many fraudulent websites which sell "wedding dresses". Be cautious and do your research before placing an order anywhere. 

4. CONSIDER BRIDAL SEPARATES
If you feel like you've tried on countless dresses and can't seem to find one you really love, bridal separates could be a good direction to go, since these give you the freedom to mix and match tops and skirts. They are also a great option for if you are bigger on the bottom than you are up top (and vice versa), because you'll be able to go with different sizes.