Too Faced 2013 Spring Collection

Oh my freaking goodness, it is time to get excited.

I just got tipped off by Beautylish  that Too Faced has a new line up for Spring 2013 and I am officially in love. There are three products in particular that have certainly caught my eye and the second they show up in my Sephora I will snatch them up!

First off is their La Creme Lipsticks which are to die for. I have one and I want to buy up every color but apparently they have what looks like three new shades and they all look gorgeous! That red is killer and will be part of my collection.

What may become my new favorite blush EVER is the Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush. It has a beautiful trio of colors including a bright pink, medium toned pink/coral, and a coral/orange color. I bet if you swirl them it makes just the most perfect color ever. I cannot wait to try this out.

This palette is going to be a favorite for people I'm almost certain. It is the No Makeup Makeup Palette. It has a bronzer, a darker pink cream blush and a bright pink powder blush (which looks a little like Nars' Orgasm, no?). Then it has a concealer, brightening concealer, and an illuminator. This is going to be fun to play with I'm sure. As usual it has darling packaging and cards to help learn how to wear it.

Finally, the product I am most excited for is the new Air-Buffed BB Creme Complete Coverage Makeup. OMG. It is a full coverage BB Creme and I cannot wait for this! I think the best part is it comes with their famous Teddy Bear Hair brush which is cruelty free. It will come in 5 shades and it has 5 claimed benefits: mattifies, perfects, primes, moisturizes, and protects with SPF 20.

 

 

Of course this BB Creme is in addition to the Tinted Beauty Balms that have been out for a while now. They come in 6 shades but are of a lighter coverage. In my looking around, the Tinted Beauty Balms are a higher coverage than most BB creams we see in the drugstore or even in Sephora.

The last product in the collection is the Boudoir Eyes Palette. This is a beautiful combination of colors, nine in total. There are five new shades in the collection. I noticed that Fluffy Handcuffs and Lap Dance are both in this palette, and I have a tiny palette with them both. They are fantastic so this is a must have for sure.

 

The Lip Cremes sell for $21. The Sweethearts Blush is $29. The No Makeup Makeup Palette is an $80 value for $39. The Air Buffed BB Creme is $39, while the Tinted Beauty Balms go for $34. Finally, the Boudoir Eyes Palette is a $121 value for $36. All available at TooFace.com and Sephora.

L'Occitane Almond Body Review

In my last post I mentioned that my recent trip to Sephora was to try out the Almond Cleansing and Soothing Shower Oil and the Almond Supple Skin Oil both by L'Occitane. My skin was not agreeing with the winter air and I needed to try something.

They are pretty expensive as far as a body wash and moisturizer go, but that is to be expected when buying anything from Sephora. My first impression of both was the smell of both, it is a distinct smell. It takes a little getting used to but it is sort of pleasant, it comes off a bit rich to me.

The shower oil doesn't lather very much but it does feel very much like an oil on the skin. It doesn't take too much to cover the body though which is nice. Also, after you rinse it off there is no residue  - probably the nicest surprise of all. Sadly, though I didn't really feel clean after using it.

As for the skin oil, the slickness of the oil is there but it does absorb into the skin pretty quickly. I could pretty much get dressed right away after I was done applying it. However, I had to use a ton of it to cover my body. I had used a good tenth of the bottle in 3 days, and for the price, it was so upsetting.

The worst part about it? The lack of hydration I actually got from using them! I've used other body oils in the past but they ended up being too greasy, but the moisture payoff was great. This was just disappointing. My skin was soft but not hydrated.

At $24 for the body wash and $38 for the body oil it was a no-brainer to take it back for something else. I fell back on my trusty Bliss Body Butter and the Fabulous Foaming Body Cleanser also by Bliss. Still a little more expensive but a lot more hydrating. I'd say save your money on these products. L'Occitane's other body lotions are fantastic so I'd say give those a try.

Sephora Haul 1.25.13

I decided to go to Sephora not too long ago and pick up a few things I needed. In particular I was in search of a new body wash and moisturizer. My skin just hasn't felt great and I needed some extra moisture. However, because I am me, I did pick up some extra stuff as well. I also made a quick stop in today to do an exchange.

So let's jump in.

Starting with the first full size item on the left, that is the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores. It looks a little scary at first because it is a dark black/grey mask but it was actually really nice to use. You use a hot cloth on your face to open your pores and then put it on and let it dry. Then after you rinse it off, your skin feels really clean but not stripped. It retails for $23.

Next is the Bliss Body Butter in Lemon Sage. I had gotten a sample of this last summer in NYC and I loved it. So I decided to grab this in the full size. I had the full size in Vanilla Bergamot which is amazing as well. This is one of the best moisturizers ever. The only bad thing is the price, which at $29 it hurts the wallet, but it is amazing and you do get 6.7 fl oz.

Then to real reason I went to Sephora was the next two items: the Cleansing and Soothing Shower Oil with Almond Oil by L'Occitane and then the Almond Supple Skin Oil by L'Occitane as well. I read the reviews and everyone seemed to love these two products. So I said what the hell and bought them. They are crazy expensive at $38 for the body oil and $24 for the shower oil. I am going to do a review on them individually but I did return them for the Bliss Fabulous Foaming Body Wash ($20).

Finally, I got a few samples and my birthday gift! I love the birthday gift, it is so great. It is a set by Benefit of a mini Watts Up highlighter and a mini They're Real Mascara. The mascara is incredible! It is a huge pain in the ass to get off but such a great thing to wear. The highlighter surprised me too, it is a beautiful shade of gold with almost a tinge of pink to it.

I then got a sample of the AmorePacific Rejuvenating Serum, I believe that was what it was. It was a nice serum and it smelled amazing but wasn't hydrating enough for my likes. Lastly, I got a sample of the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream which I had actually got to try through Birchbox before. It is a great moisturizer that you can use anywhere. I use it mostly on my lips and I will warn you it tastes weird but it is a nice product.

 

What does Hello Hipster mean?

I imagine that some of you are wondering what the reason was behind the name change and what it actually means. The switch came because my old name, Some Blissful Chaos, while nice and still significant didn't feel right. It sounded a little sad to me these days and it was representative of my life years ago.

I didn't want to hold onto the stuff that the name reminded me of. So that is my thinking behind the name change. Simple enough, I just needed to think about who I was and what direction I wanted to go in.

So what is with "Hello Hipster"? I was thinking about how people identify themselves, and I thought about hipsters in particular. Urban Dictionary defines a hipster as, "a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter."

When you read that sentence, it really isn't all that bad. I think anyone can be a hipster if they want. You don't need to be a snobby person who thinks everything is lame or "mainstream". To be a hipster is to appreciate the different, to value knowledge in whatever topic you want, and to see an ever changing future. So sure, I guess I'm a hipster.

I use the term hipster because I think it could be a positive all-encompassing thing and people shouldn't see it as a bad thing. Our generations are changing and our politics are changing. We need to adapt and I think hipsters may be the beginning of that.

So "Hello Hipster" welcomes those changes and welcomes anyone who wants to be included.

Plus it lets me draw cute mustaches for the site ;)

Hello Hipster Blog is Born!

This is so incredibly exciting! I have begun my journey to get serious about blogging and really making a name for myself. I will be putting a lot of work into this and I really hope it turns out for the best. It isn't about getting followers or being "internet famous", but just doing something I love and putting the best work I can into it. I have always loved writing and sharing thoughts and I couldn't think of a better way to do it.

All of my posts from Some Blissful Chaos are here, and I will continue to do Birchbox posts, book reviews, and hauls. I just plan on making a lot of new content along the way.

So get excited because I know I am :)

Sick and Immobile

I have been sick for the last two to three weeks now. I know the flu is going around like crazy but unfortunately I have been dealing with my own monsters. I have a terrible chest cough and I literally have no energy at all. I've been out of a bed a total of maybe 25 minutes to shower since last night around 11:30 pm.

Hope everyone else is doing okay! My poor mom is sick now too, which was probably my fault so hopefully it'll go away soon.

I thought in the spirit of lots of people being sick, I'd share my top favorite things to do to try to make myself feel better!

1. Drink juice. I don't normally drink much except water on a daily basis but when I'm sick I crave juice. It is as if my body knows I need the nutrients. My favorites are Cranberry-Raspberry, Orange, and White Grape Juice. I also have re-found my appreciation for apple juice :)

2. Cuddle. This is usually in the form of my dog, since what healthy human wants to cuddle with a sick person?

3. Soup. I could go months without ever having a bowl of soup, and the second I'm sick I need to have as much as possible. Strange. Personal favorites include the mushroom soup from my local hibachi place, tomato soup with rice, and french onion.

4. Sleep. I try sleep as much as I can on a normal day but sleep is my best friend when I'm sick. It helps me avoid feeling how sick I am for a little while. Sucks though, when you can't actually sleep or can't do it comfortably, because more often than not you end up feeling worse.

5. Throat drops. I hate the ones that make you all tingly, I can't think of the word. So I opt for the ones that just taste like candy, but they do help! Hall's Breezers in cool berry are my favorite.

If all else fails, just cry. That's what I did last night and it helped get rid of some of the tension. Beware though if you have a stuffy nose ;)

Until next time!

January Birchbox!

It is January Birchbox time!

First up, is the Put A Lid On It eye primer from the Balm Cosmetics. I have so many eye primer samples it is stupid, but I am interested to compare this to the rest. On the skin it just felt like it provided moisture and not much else. A full size is $18. 

I love the brand Fresh. I love that they use good ingredients and their lip balm is to die for. I adore the Soy Face Wash but usually their face moisturizers are crazy expensive. This is no different, full size is $42 but I am excited to try this either way. This is the Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream. It is described as a moisturizer with "antioxidant-rich lotus flower extracts, this lush moisturizer protects skin from the free radicals and hydrates for a full 24 hours". I have a feeling this might make me fall in love. We will see!

I was pretty pleased when I saw this little guy. It is a nail polish by alessandro, which is exclusively partnered with Birchbox. This is a color called blue lagoon. I don't have a blue like this it is more of a slate/grey blue. I cannot wait to try this color out! A full size is $12.

 I have a love-hate relationship with Ojon. Most of their stuff smells so horrible to me that I just cannot use it. I have their texturizing spray and I love it. So I was iffy when I got this. This is the Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum which is said to have ojon and macadamia oils to smooth and hydrate. I have only tried it once but I think it may be too much for my shorter hair. I find with my short hair I can't really use oils because it makes my hair greasy. With my long hair, it is no problem. A full size is $25. 

Finally, is the Harvey Prince fragrance Skinny Chic. This is not the first Harvey Prince fragrance I've gotten from Birchbox and if my memory serves me right I am not a big fan. I find them to be too overwhelming and just a strange mix of fruit and flowers. This is a "blend of juicy Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, and pink plumeria". A full size is $21-$55. Not a favorite. 

They included a cute poster full of favorite products and on the other side 25 tips for the new year. Pretty nice but I don't know if I'll hang it up :-P

Guess What I Did!

I went indoor rock climbing! 

I did it once before when I was in middle-school and we had this wall in the gym that was converted to a rock climbing wall. Other than that my experience was zilch. I was lucky enough to be going with someone who actually teaches climbing and he's so good in fact he was ice climbing just the weekend before! 

We went to a place in Fairfield called Carabiner's. It is the coolest place I have ever been. It is just huge open space with so many trails to climb. It is insane! You can get certified to belay with them, but I didn't need to do that. 

We started bouldering first, which is climbing on walls about 15 feet with no ropes. There are different levels to choose from and the floor is padded and there are mats to catch you if you fall. I really loved bouldering, it is seriously like a puzzle that you need to work through in order to make it to the top. I'm not a very strong or tall person so it was a little hard for me to reach the next holds sometimes but I did actually get to the top on a few routes! 

Picture from Carabiner's Facebook Page

The short walls in the middle of this picture are some of the bouldering walls. There is even a second room that has more bouldering and regular climbing as well. I did go up on a regular wall with a rope, but I only made it half way. I think at that point I was tired and I just couldn't reach the next holds! I learned a lot about climbing in general and it is a great sport to do if you want a work out, because two days later and I am still sore! 

I can't wait to go again, the atmosphere was just so laid back and it is such a rush when you climb because you have to think quickly and maneuver yourself. If you get the opportunity I definitely recommend it!

Book Review: "The Summer of Skinny Dipping"

I've decided that for 2013 I am going to keep track of every book I read this year. My tastes in books can be pretty all over sometimes, it just depends on what I feel like reading at the time. It should be very interesting to watch.

The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells is my first official read of the year. I am not really into young adult novels anymore. I find it incredibly cliche most of time and very idyllic in the plot lines. However, I had this sitting around and I was intrigued.

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I loved this book and I read it in less than 24 hours. It might have just been the right timing but I really connected with the story and the main character. Essentially, the story is of a 16-year old named Mia who goes with her family to stay at her Aunt's and Uncle's summer house in the Hamptons. Her family life is anything than stellar and she doesn't feel as though she can ever win her mother's approval.

She is looking forward to reuniting with her beloved cousin, and yet she is in for a reality check. Her cousin and her friends are beach beauties with an admiration for smoking and drinking. Mia feels like a black sheep amongst everyone.

She eventually meets someone who changes her world and that story will stay with her forever.

It is such a strong story but I don't want to give too much away, but it does end up being a growing-up and love story. I think I identified with this book so much, because I know how it feels to be lonely even when you're surrounded by people. It is easy to feel like everyone is putting on a facade around you, and that you don't belong. I think everyone will be able to relate to the main character's plight whether it is in their past or what they feel now.

If you have a lazy afternoon to kill, I definitely recommend this book.

Starting 2013

Well, I have to say I don't think I started 2013 exactly how I thought I would. I didn't do anything for New Years Eve which made me feel a little lame but c'est la vie. I got to watch The Dark Knight Rises again so it is still a win.

I was still getting over a concussion I got before winter break from work. I got hit in the head twice in one day with a kickball. Not fun.

One of the worst parts about this week is my older dog Murphy is sick, and I am super worried about him. He has a lot of kidney stones. Apparently he has huge masses of them in his bladder and two small ones that have moved to his ureter. He almost needed surgery but we're avoiding it right now. He's supposed to be eating a certain food to help get rid of the stones but he won't eat all. He barely drinks too, which isn't good.

Murphy is the only dog we've had since he was a puppy for this long. He is certainly one of the family just like Charlie is but it is scary. Those who have never experienced having a dog may not understand but it is painful to see my pup in pain and sick. Charlie has been so good with him too. He barked at him a lot at first because I think he knew something was wrong. But he doesn't jump on him or bug him and just lets him sleep.

Today's shift at work was awful and I won't say any more than that. Just plain awful.

However, I went out on a date tonight and I had an amazing time :)

I guess 2013 isn't all bad so far.

New Years

Happy New Years everyone! I hope you spent it with good people and you had fun. There has always been something that bothers me about New Years. I think it is the empty promises we make to ourselves and the fact that we never take the time in other parts of our years to re-evaluate.

I do however, have a couple thing I want to work on. I'm not calling them resolutions but goals. I want to strive to achieve them and I want to have to work hard to make it happen.

1. My health- this isn't so much the lose weight goal as it is taking care of myself. I need to be more active and that will help with my fibro. I need to eat better which will also help. Finally, with that I want to try and get off one of the meds I've been taking for a while. I don't want to be on it anymore and I did without it once, I can do it again.

2. Staying honest with myself- this is probably the most important. I feel like through this last year I lost myself a little bit and I loosened up my beliefs more than I should have. There are things I tried to be okay with or tolerate that I simply could not. I need to stand firm in what I believe and make sure I don't change that for any reason unless I feel the need to.

3. Forgiving myself - I have and probably always will be too hard on myself. I set high standards and sometimes I don't meet them. Something I have struggled with is being a normal person. Normal in the sense of in my early 20s. I've struggled with that because I'm not average. I don't like certain things that are deemed appropriate for my age. Example, those who drink every weekend, those who enjoy hooking up with people. I don't do that. It isn't a knock to those who do, but that isn't me. I am very uncomfortable with those things and when my judgement slips it is hard to forgive myself. It is hard for me to realize mistakes are bound to happen. I just need to move on and grow from them, and not do them again.

4. Yoga, yoga, yoga - Plain and simple :)