July Beauty Faves

As July comes to a close I wanted to share with you some beauty products I've been loving this month. These are things I've been reaching for everyday and feel like you guys would also enjoy them!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel : 

I'm always on the lookout for a great moisturizer and I've finally found it! This water gel is hands down the best face moisturizer I've ever used. I love it because it soaks into your skin very fast so you don't have to sit there and wait for it to absorb, which is great because I use it under my makeup. I also love it because it doesn't leave my skin feeling oily which is a feeling I hate. This moisturizer is very comparable to the Clinique water gel moisturizer but at a better price point. One jar of this generally lasts me about a month.

Batiste Dry Shampoo Dark & Deep Brown : 

I usually only wash my hair every 2 days because my hair doesn't seem to produce much oil. So you're probably wondering well why do you need dry shampoo if your hair doesn't get oily?? Dry shampoo is GREAT for texturing hair. My hair is pin straight and very shiny and silky which I don't like, so to give my hair some volume and texture I like to spray dry shampoo in it. I use the deep dark brown colored dry shampoo because normal dry shampoos spray out white and can look pretty crazy on darker hair. If you have blonde hair I would suggest using the normal dry shampoo.

Bath & Body Works Shower Cream :

Sometimes I'm so lazy it's ridiculous and for some reason I find applying body cream to be an obnoxious task, so low and behold bath& body works has solved my problem: shower cream. This product is genius, you take your shower, wash your hair shave your legs and what have you and then before you get out you applying the shower cream just like you would apply a body wash, then you rinse, exit the shower, and boom you don't need to stand there for 5 mins trying to rub in lotion. Needless to say if you're lazy like me and hate applying lotion I highly suggest you pick this up! 

Garnier Deconstructed Beach Spray :

As I mentioned before my hair has zero texture & zero volume. I love to use this beach spray on my hair when it's damp, right after I get out of the shower I spray this through my hair and then let my hair air dry as normal. This spray gives me hair some great effortless looking texture without the dry feel of typical sea salt sprays.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue :

I'm really picky about fragrances so when I found this I was SO happy. This fragrance is perfect for summer as it's light and airy. The best way I can describe the scent is a very fresh smell, not floral, not musty, just light and fresh, which is what I love. After spraying this fragrance on in the morning you will be able to smell it all day, so it doesn't wear off, which is great because you won't have to spray it 9 times a day.


I hope you've enjoyed this post! All subheadings are direct links to products I mentioned!

XOXO

Niki

Bikinis: What top is right for you

Bathing suit shopping can be a little bit intimidating at times especially if you're unsure what style top will be most flattering on you. In this post I go through the most common bathing suit styles and what will work for your figure to hopefully make your shopping & summer a little more carefree.

Bandeau style: This bikini top looks the most flattering on smaller chest sizes between a A-C cup. The issue with bandeau tops is that they don't stay up very well, so if you have a larger chest the chances of you having to hold the top up the entire time are pretty high, and no one has time for that. If you have a flatter chest I would suggest a bandeau that has some shape to it, if you were to wear a bandeau that was just a rectangle shape it would accentuate what isn't on your chest and make you appear somewhat shapeless. Go with a sweetheart neckline , this will create the illusion of a "curvier" bust. If you have a larger chest and still want to wear a bandeau I would suggest getting one that isn't all "fluffy" aka no ruffles or sequins and has a supportive build to it, so look for something that has underwire. If you wear something that's too flashy/unsupportive it will make you appear disproportional since all the attention will be focused on your top half.

Bandeau Style Bikinis:
The Knockout Bandeau
Strap Braided Bandeau
Flirt Bandeau

Push-Up Style: Contrary to popular belief this style only works if you HAVE boobs. I know buying a Victoria Secret bombshell bikini top is tempting but do not do it if you have a flat chest, the top will not look flattering and will create a large gap between your chest and the padding in the top. This style works best if you have a decent chest size (B & up). This top can create great cleavage as well as great support. The key with these tops is to make sure you purchase the correct size , if it's too small you will be falling out and if it's too big you will be swimming in it , literally.

Push-Up Bikinis:
Knotted Push Up Bikini
Push Up Midi Bikini
The Angel Convertible

Halter Style: This style is perfect for girls with a larger chest, it's extremely supportive yet still cute. I've found with Halter style tops it's important to make sure the bottom band on the top is at least an inch thick, this will help to provide support and keep the bikini from looking flimsy. Halter tops also look great on girls with B-C cups. I would advise anyone below that cup size to stray away from this style as it can easily make you look boxy.

Halter Style Bikini:
Reversible Lace Up Halter
High Tie Halter
Hottie Halter

Like with anything, do what works for YOU & your body. As long as you're happy with it that's all that matters, I just wanted to provide you with some of my thoughts & advice around bikinis :)

Hope you've enjoyed! 

XOXO

Niki 

Easy Summer Hairstyles

Summer is finally in full swing here in Vermont, and with summer weather comes a distaste for having to do anything with your hair in the morning. Below are three very simple , user friendly hair styles that are heat free. So there will be no need to stand in your bathroom with a curling iron & feel like you are baking in an over. All three of these cute summer hairstyles will take under 5 minutes! 

Hairstyle One- Bubble Pony Tail 

I love this hairstyle for summer because it's super easy & keeps your hair off of you. This bubble pony tail just kicks a normal pony up a few notches & looks like you put effort into your hair, when really it only took a few minutes. To achieve this look first spray your hair with a thickening/ texturizing spray, after that gather your hair into a pony and secure it, next go down about 2 inches and secure another elastic, at this point pull apart the distance between the two elastics to create a bubble effect, if your hair is thinner you can tease the hair before securing the second elastic to help bulk the hair up & have it look fuller. Continue this process until you have reached the bottom of your hair. Using elastics that are thin & close to your hair color will help to keep this look fresh and clean, using a bulky hair-tie could distract from the look of the 'bubbles'.

Hairstyle Two- Lolipop Twist 

This hairstyle reminds me of those long rainbow lollipops I used to beg my mom for as a kid. To achieve this look just section of the top half of your hair, starting at the crown down to the top of your ear. After you've section this off secure it in an elastic. Next split the section of hair in the elastic into two sections and 'twist' them together, make sure to twist them as tight as possible as it will loosen once you tie it off. Twist the hair until you reach the bottom and tie it off with an elastic. This style looks best when the hair is shiny & tamed so I suggest using a serum on your hair first and finishing it off with some hairspray. 

Hairstyle Three- Upside down Braid to Bun 

This hairstyle takes a top knot to a whole other level. To achieve this look just flip your head upside down and french braid your hair from the nape of your neck to the top of your head. When you've finished the braid tie it off with a small elastic and flip your head back over. To finish this look off just tie your hair up into a bun. This look isn't meant to be perfect so don't worry if your braid or bun aren't 100%, this is supposed to look a little messy.

Hair Products I Recommend:
Batiste Dry Shampoo
Macadamia Hair Spray
Revlon Teasing Brush
Goody Hair Elastics

P.S. No my hair didn't grow 10 inches overnight & turn blonde! Thanks to my friend for letting me borrow her head for this post!

Hope you've enjoyed!

Xoxo 

Niki