Summer 2015 Fashion/Beauty Haul

Hello again! Today's blog post is going to be something I've never done before, and I'm not sure how it will work out in this format because, usually, hauls are done in video format. I'm hoping this won't be too boring for you all, but I've been doing some shopping over the past month or so, and I wanted to share with you everything I've been stocking up on for this summer. It is all either fashion or beauty-related, and, as I don't have access to my university's filming equipment while I'm at home, I thought I would take some pictures and put them all in a post.

There's the collective haul! Some of this I ordered online, and other things I bought in-store. The places I shopped from include Forever 21, Torrid, The Limited, Swimsuits For All, Ulta, Sephora, and Lush. Let's get started!

Treating Your Under Eyes Right

Hello! I have to start off this post by apologizing for how long it has been since I last wrote anything for you all. It's been almost three weeks, and I really am so sorry! The minute I got home from school for the summer, I started a new job, and today is actually my first day off, so I had some time to write this review. You can go ahead and scroll to the bottom of this post if you want to see an amazing video of the store I work at.

Today, I'm going to talking about a few under eye-related products that I have been loving and that leave my under eyes crease-free every time.

Empties/Products I've Used Up

Hi all! Today I am going to be doing some quick reviews on my empties, or the products I've used up, and letting you know if I've repurchased them or what I've bought to replace them.

Drugstore Skincare Ingredients Pale in Comparison to High End

Skincare is the most important part of any beauty routine. A quality regimen can make a huge difference in a person’s complexion. The question is, why do high end products cost so much more than the ones from the drugstore?

           

The answer comes down to ingredients. That $5 face wash from CVS is so cheap because it contains many basic – and even some harmful – ingredients.

“I don’t bother with beauty products from the drugstore anymore. They just don’t cut it, and a lot of them have really harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and alcohol that strip the skin of all its nutrients,” said Jessica Arnold, an esthetician from the Esteé Lauder counter at Younkers in the Coral Ridge Mall.

The most common paraben found in low-budget skincare is methylparaben. According to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, it is a preservative that can disrupt the body’s hormones and natural cellular levels.

The products below all have benefits, but the First Aid Beauty cleansers and the Clinique moisturizers have had the biggest impact on my skin.

The Products from Origins that are Saving my Skin

Hello everyone! I hope your week has been going well - fear not, Friday is almost here. Since my last blog post (All About Makeup Brushes) was so ungodly long, this one is going to be a much quicker read.

I haven't been using either of these products for very long, so this isn't going to be an in-depth review, but I just wanted to let you guys know what products I've been loving lately that are really helping out my skin.

So here they are.

Cleansing without the Clarisonic

Today, I want to talk to you guys about a few cleansing products I invested in recently. The first is a cleanser that most of you have probably already heard of, which is the Purity Made Simple by Philosophy.

I bought this little sample size from Ulta a few weeks ago for $10. It comes in two larger sizes (8 oz. and 16 oz) that cost $23 and $35. It's a lot of money for a face wash, and I've only been using it for a short time, but I think it's worth every penny. Even on its own, my face feels so clean after every use, without being stripped dry.

About Magpie Beauty

My name is Maggie, and this is my first attempt at a beauty blog. I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, and my beauty obsession has been developing since high school. I don't have much content yet, but this is all new to me, and this blog is definitely a work in progress. 

I hope you all will enjoy what I have to offer - makeup, skin care, and hair product reviews, maybe a few tutorials along the way, swatches of new products I buy, different things like that. I'm not looking for anything other than a way to share my passion for beauty with anyone who cares to listen.

I'm open to comments and suggestions, so don't be afraid to speak your mind here. I'll be getting started with my first product reviews as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!