Lit from Within: April 2016
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Saturday, April 30, 2016

From The Vault - Glitter and Gradients


Hello, Fireflies!

Happy Saturday!  I've dug into the vault to bring you some glitter and some glittery gradients that I created way back when, but haven't been seen - until now!

Friday, April 29, 2016

Hyko, hyko un-de! #HYKOBauanaNaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

In this serum from Bauana Naturals, Hyaluronic and Kojic Acid gets shortened to Hyko!(TM) and it makes me think of that great Mardi Gras song, Iko Iko.


Was my skin as lifted as my spirits after listening to this catchy song? Maybe!

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Prom Nails with the Beauty Blog Coalition! #BBCChallenge


Hello, Fireflies!

It may have been awhile since I saw my senior prom.  I may have worn a very fashionable side ponytail with giant claw bangs and frosted champagne nails.  But I owned it, baby.  And, whatever you wear to your prom, you should, too.  But if you're still looking for ideas, I've teamed up with a bunch of creative ladies from the Beauty Blog Coalition to bring you some ideas.  I put together 5 different nail art looks, from subtle to smashing, all with a touch of glitter for that special day.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Chocolate Holo Swirls


Hello, Fireflies!

It's nearly the end of the month, and I've just time to squeak in the last nail art for this month's NCC challenge of Candy and Sweets.  My favorite treat is probably chocolate, and I tried a new kind this month that I thought was lovely enough to eat - and paint!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Melt My Makeup! Battle of the Balms


Hello, Fireflies!

Taking off makeup is the worst part about wearing makeup, isn't it? I've used wipes, water-only eraser towels, cleansing oils, micellar water, oily removers... you name it.  So, when these new melting balms came on the market, I picked up the ELF one, and then picked up the IT Cosmetics one, so I decided to do a side-by-side removal to see which worked better for me!

Monday, April 25, 2016

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Purple, Sparkly and Swirled


Hello, Fireflies!

Still no official theme for today's Sunday Stamping challenge.  So, I'm doing my own thing.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Pink Camo Nails

Shoutout to Midnight and Lucky, my parents' cats, for being in my new banner!
Hello, Fireflies!

I envy those who are so creative, and can come up with lots of different ideas for nail art.  I usually take my inspiration from the world around me - product packaging, pictures, and other nail artists!  Today, I want to show you my interpretation of a fun design by littlef218.  She did it as part of a challenge we were both in, and I just loved it so much, I wanted to try and make something like it!

Friday, April 22, 2016

Serum Ceuticals Skincare Regimen #Vitamincfacial #Antioxidantfacialserum


Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

I am a serum-aholic.  I love trying new ones, and new combinations, finding out what my skin responds best to.  I've had skincare regimens that were pick-a-mix from lots of different brands, and had great results - but there is something synergistic about a set that is designed to work together.  I have three serums from Serum Ceuticals to tell you about that I think do just that!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

A Rose Sprayed On The Face Makes Skincare Work Better #lotusknotrosewater


Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Getting a skincare routine down that you love can be difficult.  There are so many lotions and potions out there - serums and moisturizers, masks, cleansers.. do you really need a toner?

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Sparkly Cupcakes


Hello, Fireflies!

Time for the 3rd installment of this month's NCC challenge of Candy & Sweets.  I'm back with another stamping decal that looks good enough to eat to wear on your nails?

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

From Bare-faced to Bare Minerals


Hello, Fireflies!

I have a small addiction to makeup freebies and GWP.  Bare Minerals is always putting together cute kits, having sales, and freebies, and I've amassed a small army of of their products.  I've tried a few things, and have fallen in love with others, but I hadn't tried a full face of their products yet.  So when I was putting together another blog post on some hair products, I decided to play with some Bare Minerals stuff and see how I liked it!

Monday, April 18, 2016

The Elixir for Oily, Aging Skin #LaDeessaBeauty


Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Over the past year, there's one skincare product that I've been able to get my husband to use consistently, and it's Retinol.  His oily face and bald pate have really improved in texture, tone, reduction of blemishes, and in the vitality of his skin.  He's really inspired me to up my skincare game and be more diligent in my application of Retinol, too. 

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Bold Abstract Stamp


Hello, Fireflies!

I don't know what's going on with the AIS group these days - seems there are fewer official Sunday Stamping challenges going on.  I still love having Sunday Stamping, though, so for now I'll just keep sharing with you what I've done on my own.  This week, I've gone simple and bold with a black-on-nude bold pattern.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Tranquility in a bottle #PhytopiaUSA


Press Sample  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Some days, I feel like looking for tranquility in the bottom of a bottle... well, I think I finally found the right bottle!

Friday, April 15, 2016

Soothing My Sore Eyes #Swissvita #eyegel


Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

My eyes aren't the window to my soul.  All they show is how tired I am!  Curse you, Interwebs, for your plethora of funny cat videos that keep me entertained all night.  Time for some SwissVita Micrite 3D All Use Eye Cream to fake bright and dewy eyes!

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Shimmer, Shimmer, Cocoa Brown #cocoabrowntan

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

When I was young, I really wanted a tan, but I would always burn and then peel.  I would occasionally try a self-tanner, but would be disappointed with the orange glow, and hated that fake tan scent.  Resolved then to stay pasty forever, I had totally accepted and began to love my translucent self.  When I first started getting offers to try tanning products for the blog, I was reluctant to try them, being Pale and Proud.  I'm glad I relented, though, because I've found some really great, natural-looking, nice-smelling products to let me change up my look anytime I feel like having a little shimmer or glow!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

So Nerdy


Hello, Fireflies!

It's time for the next installment of this month's NCC challenge - Candy & Sweets.  I went a little literal with this one.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

MAKE Yourself Into Whatever You Want To


Press Sample. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

MAKE.  It's a great word, powerful.  Create something out of nothing.  It's also the name of a makeup company I received a couple of samples from to share with you.

Monday, April 11, 2016

One Serum To Fight All The Wrinkles #AzureNaturals


Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Wrinkles - who wants 'em? Not me.  I'm fighting them with several ingredients, and I'm always happy when I find a serum that combines several of these wrinkle-fighters in one!

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Fields of Sparkly Flowers


Hello, Fireflies!

There's no official challenge for today's Sunday Stamping, so I just picked one that I did recently that I liked!  Can't go wrong with glitter and flowers, in my book.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

DIY Day #GotGlamour #activatedcharcoal #GoTriNova


Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Have you ever spent time on Pinterest, looking at the life hacks and thinking that maybe, you, too, could DIY?  I wish that wrapping a bandana around my head made me a crafty superhero, but I really struggle with the whole MacGyver-esque world of Do-It-Yourself.  I recently got to try a few products, though, that have made a few things easier for me, and I wanted to share them with you!

Friday, April 8, 2016

Chocolate-Dipped! #NaturalBeautyGoddess

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Yesterday, I rubbed coffee all over my body.  Today, I'm doing it with chocolate.  Well, cocoa butter.  Smells like chocolate, though.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Use that Cuppa For A Good Scrubba #CoffeeScrub


Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

I suppose I'm a bit of a caffeine addict.  Perks me up, makes me more focused, gives me a little energy.. and now, it works on my skin, too!

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Melts On My Nails...


Hello, Fireflies!

It's a new month, and this month's theme is Candy & Sweets! My first nailart is dedicated to my husband's favorite chocolate candy -

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

#Iwokeuplikethis

Cuepido and Bulletproof Brows are Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

If I'm not leaving the house, I often don't wear makeup.  So, when I do go out, I usually like to play with lots of different kinds of makeup! Today's look is the opposite - a minimal look with a wash of color and tousled hair, and a great nail look that looks fancy, but takes just one more step than a plain mani.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Embattle Free Radicals with Emblica! #RevivaLabs

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

I have such an affection for Reviva Labs as a company, and for their products.  I really identify with their no-nonsense approach to providing the best products at a reasonable price.  Unique from their beginnings, they started in 1973 by sourcing the specialties of 12 labs in six European countries and bringing them all to the United States.  Since then, they've become experts in blending unique skincare for various targeted concerns - and this new Ultra-Potency Vitamin C + Antioxidant Serum is a product of that research and blending.  It not only combines many of my favorite skincare ingredients, it introduces a new one - Emblica!

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Florida Weather


Hello, Fireflies!

Today's AIS challenge is, "Whatever The Weather" and if that's not appropriate for our Florida weather, I don't know what is!

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Pure Mud #MarkandJos


Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!

Time for another DIY day, and today, I'm making masks - my favorite, with Pure Mud!  If you've never slathered some clay all over your face, then you are missing out.  I have a few tips and tricks, and some of my favorite things to add to a mask to tell you about today, too!

Friday, April 1, 2016

I'm naked!


Hello, Fireflies!

April Fools! Except, I didn't fool you - I am naked - well, I'm wearing a Zoya Naked Manicure today!

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