My current beauty faves: winter 2019

Hi, babes!

Now that I am prioritizing Sparkle and Shine the way that I used to back in college (I mean, remember when Sparkle and Shine even took on YouTube?!), I decided to write one of my favorite blog posts to read – current beauty faves! With the winter in full swing now and a full arsenal of beauty products under my belt over the past few months, I’m specifically breaking out my current winter beauty faves. Check them out below!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel // With the weather changing at the drop of a hat here in New Jersey, my skin gets so crazy dry in this cold weather! To ensure my skin looks and feels healthy in the winter, I am super anal about making sure to moisturize every morning and night. A lot of moisturizers always make my skin look super greasy after I apply it, but this Clinique Gel never does. Instead of a looking like I haven’t washed my face in days, my skin looks super soft and hydrated — so much so, I have barely been wearing face makeup recently. My skin is glowing!

EWC Renew Me Restoring Serum // While my above moisturizer helps combat my dry skin, I also need to combat the redness of my very pale, Irish skin in the winter. Whenever I get my eyebrows waxed at European Wax Center, they always put their Renew Me Restoring Serum on the area after they are done to remove redness. After reading the bottle and talking to my amazing wax specialist, Vanessa, I learned that this product can be used everyday all over the face to help fight redness from irritation and stressed, thanks to its powerful antioxidant formula. Whenever I am feeling like my skin is a bit blotchy, I apply this before my moisturizer. Not only does it take away the redness, but it’s helping fight various aging factors. Major win!

Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer // While I’ve already talked about the importance of moisturizing the face, it’s just as important to moisturize your whole body! Dry, flaky skin is so not cute. Plus, who doesn’t love the feeling of applying moisturizer all over after a warm hot shower? So relaxing! Recently, I’ve been using the Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer. The product contains, you guessed it, 100% pure organic hemp seed oil, one of nature’s richest sources of essential fatty acids and key amino acids. My skin feels so healthy after I apply this all over. Plus, for the gals who spray tan like me, this moisturizer helps your spray tan last longer!

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Moisturizing Mousse // Speaking of spray tans, let’s be real, one of the worst parts of the winter is not being tan. I just feel much more confident and happier with a tan! Knowing the harmful effects of tanning beds, I always spray tan. Sometimes it’s so hard to find the time to go frequently to get spray tanned while commuting in and out of the city (and pricey). I’ve tried tons of self tanners over the years, but this Jergens mousse is by far my fave! I’m never streaky, it’s very easy to evenly apply, and it feels so light on my skin when I am applying it. As an added bonus, this is available at major drugstores — I grab this right at CVS!

What are some of your favorite beauty products right now for the winter? Comment them down below or tweet them to me at @sparkleshinesam!

20Jan2017

Let my gal pal Casey teach you how to properly put on your makeup on her YouTube channel

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Friday, babes!

SO one of my bucket list items for 2017 (since I don’t believe in a “new year, new you” mindset) is learning more about how to properly do my makeup. I watch tons of YouTubers and buy so many different products, but I just don’t know how to always put it on. To be honest, I’m pretty sure the brush I put my eye shadow on with this morning was a concealer brush. WHOOPS!

I always fake it til I make it when it comes to makeup- pretending I know how to properly blend and contour, knowing what my 20 brushes are for, and that I can do a great smokey eye.

But I don’t. Let’s be honest, the closest I get to a smokey eye is on Sunday morning brunch when I didn’t take my makeup off the night before.

For all you girls like me out there, let me introduce you to my friend and sorority sister, Casey!

casey_edited

Casey and I had gotten really close during my senior year and is someone I still talk to now that I have graduated and am doing the whole adulting thing.When I saw that she started her own YouTube channel of makeup tutorials and lifestyle content, I KNEW I had to find out more and share about it on Sparkle and Shine.

Check out what Casey had to say about starting her own YouTube channel:

I am extremely passionate about film, makeup, and laughing – so I thought creating a lifestyle & beauty YouTube would be the perfect combination of the three!! If I can make videos all the time, show the world how to do some kickass makeup, or put a smile on someone’s face, I’m ecstatic.

LOVE IT! I love supporting my friends when they start new projects, like when Lianna started blogging.

Now enough about Casey and more about her makeup tutorial! I’m starting to adapt techniques from her “Makeup for Dummies” video so I know what I’m doing – like starting with light eye shadows and building up to the darks.

But enough of me explaining – why don’t you just watch for yourself?!

Check it out:

Have any good makeup tutorials and tricks for a girl like me? Comment below and share them…then go watch more of Casey’s videos and subscribe!!

19Mar2016

MY GUY BFF DOES MY MAKEUP {NEWEST VIDEO BLOG}

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Saturday, readers!

If you don’t subscribe to my YouTube channel (which you totally should do like, right now), you may not know that I recently released my newest YouTube video blog.

Check it out:

My guy friends always complain that I am always late whenever we go somewhere.

The reason? I am doing my makeup!

Give me ten minutes or two hours and either way I’ll be 15 minutes late cause I am doing my makeup. They never understand why it takes so long or what goes into a makeup routine (like helllllo…that ‘no makeup look’ took about 20 minutes), so I decided it was time for them to see what it takes. And then share it with the Internet…

Watch the hilarious new video of Brandon doing my makeup, then comment on the video and let me know what you think!

11Feb2016

Thank you, Seventeen!

by sparkleandshinesami

After two years of working with my dream company, I am now passing on my Seventeen Social Club torch to other social media mavens and bloggers. My contract with the company has wrapped up, there is now an end-date listed next to Seventeen Magazine on my LinkedIn, and the chapter in my life has ended.

My favorite memory was during my first year with the company. My little and I got to attend the 2014 New York City Makeup Show. We skipped a day of studying for finals to go gallivanting around the beautiful Big Apple. It was the first time I got to introduce myself as press at a big event, leaving me with butterflies that I could certainly get used to. Once inside the Metropolitan Pavilion, Amber I got to talk to different vendors, sit through tutorials, test our new beauty products, and of course, make some purchases! To find out more about that incredible experience, make sure to check out the post from May of 2014.

Besides being able to attend the New York City Makeup Show, I was exposed to a lot of different companies that I may not have gotten the opportunity to contact otherwise. Maybelline and Milani cosmetics became staples in my makeup bag after receiving so many awesome products from them. I also got hooked on ABC Family’s one-season show “Chasing Life” after ABC Family and Seventeen helped me host a season premiere party for “Chasing Life” and “Pretty Little Liars.”

While working for Seventeen over the past two years, I have gotten to experience so much and realize how much I truly love the media industry. Here’s to hoping I continue to reach more goals, continue to fall in love with this industry, and more as graduation (eeeeek!) keeps creeping up on me.

26May2015

Fresh faced lazy days, thanks to Seventeen Magazine and L’Oreal

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a post on behalf of my contractual membership with “Seventeen Magazine” for the Seventeen Magazine Social Club.

Some days are just lazy days- am I right readers, or am I right?

I don’t want to put on my full face of makeup, do my hair, and every other task it takes to get ready. Some days I want to just throw on a baseball cap, like my favorite from Vineyard Vines, throw on some foundation, and call it a day. Thanks to L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation I can do just that while looking and feeling fresh faced!

The foundation went on so smoothly and gave me an airbrushed finish. It gave me the appearance of having flawless skin, without even being able to tell that I had makeup on.

This drug store foundation worked just as well as some of the much more expensive department store foundations I have used in the past. All the expensive foundations promise this same airbrush finish that you can now get for half the price at any local drug store.

Now I just can’t wait to wear it for a night out and feel as glamorous as as a Kardashian.

Thanks, Seventeen!

23Jun2014

My Monday Musts: The Secrets to Style Summer Pack from Seventeen Magazine!

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

This week’s Monday Musts are going to be all about one of my awesome perks from Seventeen Magazine, as a contractual member of the Seventeen Social Club!

As always, it is important to look and feel your best. Thanks to Seventeen Magazine’s Secrets to Style Summer Pack, I absolutely will!

Thanks to Milani Cosmetics, I recieved a bunch of cosmetics to help look my best! These cosmetics included a Brow & Eye Highlighter in vanilla/natural taupe, a Clear Gel Brow Shaping wand, Runaway Lashes instant volume mascara in black, Lip Intense Liquid Color in Fiery Coral, Eye Tech Extreme liquid eyeliner in blackest black, Liquid Eye eyeliner in black, Anti-feathering Lip Liner in transparent, Power Up lasting and moisturizing gloss stain in mango, Baked Blush in Delizioso Pink, Runaway Eyes eye shadow in beach sand, lipstick in best red, Brilliant Shine lip gloss in red my lips, and Color Statement Lip Liner in true red.

With all of these fabulous new makeup pieces, I decided to scour Pinterest for some looks I just can’t wait to try out with all of my new cosmetics!

Here’s some of the looks I can’t wait to try out:

This piece combines not only the red lipstick, but the liquid eye liner and voluminous mascara. To get the sleek brows – and to keep them in place all day – I would highlight my eyebrows and then use the clear gel shaping wand. To get the perfect liquid eyeliner look, I always look at my idol, Lauren Conrad, for inspiration! Find this look on Pinterest HERE.

To achieve this hot look, I would use the Lip Intense Liquid Color in coral. Based on the look above, I would then pair it with the liquid eyeliner and voluminous mascara once again. The eye shadow in beach sand would also look phenomenal for the easy going vibe to accent my baby blue eyes! To pin this look, check it out HERE.

When using the pink blush, I would go for a smokey eye. Though Milani did not send me any dark shadows, the Naked palette is perfect for achieving the best smokey eye. Another key concept of achieving a smokey eye is to make sure that your eyebrows are equally as fierce. I’ll be keeping them in check by using the liquid brow shaper! As for lips, I would want to keep it simply – so probably just throw on some chapstick. Eos is my favorite – especially in fruit punch! To check out this look on Pinterest, head over HERE.

P.S. For all of you looking to also attempt a red lip, I also found this awesome red lips cheat sheet for when I attempt to rock bold red lips.

Seventeen Magazine also sent me the biggest key to all summer makeup – sunscreen! Looking like a lobster – and then peeling – won’t make for any successful makeup looks this summer. Make sure to spray on your sunscreen and reapply it to get a nice tan this summer. I’m currently loving the Australian Gold Continuous Spray Sunscreen that I was sent from Seventeen Mag. It’s SPF 30 so it protects me from those harmful UV rays, while still helping me achieve my perfect tan.

It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is perfect for beach days, lounging by the pool, or when I’m swimming laps. Julia and I would have been completely burnt on our day off if we didn’t use sunscreen when we were lounging poolside!

After you head out to your favorite drug store to pick up these products to try out your own new makeup routine, I wanted to remind you of a bunch of special events going on right now for “Sparkle and Shine” as I continue to celebrate my one year blogiversary! First, head on over to The Collegiate Standard to get 10% off by using coupon code SAMI10. Then, check out my giveaway with the Comeback Momma HERE.

Enjoy your week readers. Keep sparkling!

1Jun2014

Top 3 Instagrams of the Month: May 2014

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy June, readers!

Those April showers brought more than just May flowers, it brought you my monthly edition of Top 3 Instagrams of the month!

May wasn’t as busy for me – once I finished tackling finals, I came home for the summer and immediately started working 40 hour work weeks. Though I haven’t been having much time as I would have wanted to spend blogging so far, don’t worry, readers! Now that I have a handle on how my schedule is going to be, I’ve already been filling my Lilly planner with post ideas and publishing dates.

Now, enough about the blog, check out my May Instagrams with the top likes!

On May 15, 1851 Alpha Delta Pi became the first sorority on the scene! I celebrated my love for the first and finest sorority by posting a picture of my chapter by posting a picture of my beautiful Theta Theta sisters and I on May 15! The photo was taken outside on our lovely quad during our Diamond Dash philanthropy event. The greatest decision I have made while being in college has been joining a sorority. I couldn’t be more thankful for our founders who created ADPi 163 years ado and I couldn’t be more blessed to live out the ritual those women created as an Alpha Delta Pi sister.

The most exciting event that occurred during May was my trip to the New York City Makeup Show with my little diamond, Amber, courtesty of press for Seventeen Magazine! In the post, which you can read HERE, Amber and I traveled to New York City to learn about makeup from some of the best in the business! Going to the makeup show, and getting to experience it with my little diamond, is just one of the many perks having a contract with Seventeen Magazine has given me!

The Instagram with the third most likes for May was a collage of some of the highlights from my second semester of sophomore year at Quinnipiac. Second semester of sophomore year held many great achievements – I was appointed the Director of Social Enrichment for my sorority, became my school’s weather girl for our news station, gained a contract with Seventeen Magazine, officially became an adult by turning 20, completed my second ever Relay for Life in honor of my father, made Dean’s List for the fourth time in a row, and just so much more. The laughs, the memories, and the friendships made during this semester will live long in my heart. It was quite a semester for the books!!

I can’t wait to see what the month of June will have for me – and what Instagram pictures I will be flooding your feed with. You can check out my top Instagrams from January, February, March, and April or follow me on Instagram to stay up to date on my life.

Enjoy June!

5May2014

The Makeup Show NYC thanks to Seventeen Magazine!

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers! My Monday Musts are going to go on hold this week because I have something much more exciting to share with you all!

As you know, I am a member of Seventeen Magazine’s “Seventeen” social club.

Well, thanks to having that fabulous contract with Seventeen, my little diamond, Amber, and I got to to go as press to The Makeup Show in New York City yesterday!

It started as a very early morning for us! Since we go to school in Connecticut, we had to take a 7:30 train from New Haven to arrive in Grand Central at 9:30. A lot of the show began at 10 a.m., we wanted to make sure we were there in time. That 5:45 a.m. alarm was a rough one- but we were able to stay awake on the train – not just because of each other’s company, but thanks to Dunkin!

Once we got into the city, we took a taxi over to the Metropolitan Pavilion to start our day at The Makeup Show NYC!

First, we got to check in. One of the coolest moments of my life had to be telling people I was there “as press” and getting to surpass the line and head over to the press check in. Then, I got to tell people I was there for Seventeen Magazine. It was such an amazing feeling. As an aspiring journalist, I was really seeing my dreams unfolding before my eyes.

There was so much to see and do – we really didn’t know where to begin! There were plenty of vendors, such as Sephora and Mac Cosmetics, there. There were also some makeup brands we haven’t really hard of, but we made sure to check out each vendor that was both upstairs and downstairs.

While going from station to station at each vendor, we were able to get some free samples, purchase some products, and even test out the different colors to see which ones we liked.

Besides displaying products, a lot of vendors and local makeup schools were doing different types of movie makeup designs to show off their talents. They were super cool to look at and completely breathtaking knowing people were doing it completely with makeup!

The Makeup Show NYC also offered plenty of different workshops on different makeup techniques. Amber, an occupational therapy major, and I, a journalism major, decided to take the time while at this once in a lifetime opportunity to check out makeup techniques we probably would never get to know.

With that being said, we learned how to do drag queen makeup…

…and special effects movie makeup!

It was so completely crazy. While we waited in the MAC line, we were looking around and couldn’t believe how many people there were. Check it out for yourselves –

After about 4 hours at the Makeup Show NYC, we decided to travel around the city!

I mean, who needs finals when you can go on a big diamond/little diamond date in the beautiful NYC!

We walked over to Times Square were we decided to adventure around!

We ended our day by eating lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.

Also, since it’s finals week and calories don’t count – we decided to splurge and get dessert.

After hours of makeup, sisterly bonding, and causing a little havoc in the city, in true sorority girl fashion, we had to end our adventure by doing one thing – SELFIES.

Then, it was back on the train to Connecticut. After spending almost 10 hours gallivanting around The Makeup Show, Times Square and Bryant Park, we were super exhausted. We had to head back home and back to the library for finals. Though we were exhausted, we had plenty of goodies from the day!

Though it was a very, very long day – I am so blessed to have spent the day with my little diamond who I love so much! Thanks for coming with me, Amb!

And if it wasn’t for being a member of the Seventeen Social Club, Amber and I never would have gotten the chance to receive these goodies!

Thank you so much for this opportunity, Seventeen Magazine! Remember readers, keep reaching for your dreams. You never know, one day you just may end up at The Makeup Show in New York City as press!

21Apr2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

For those of you who celebrated Easter, hope you had an amazing holiday. I also hope the Easter Bunny was as good to you as he was to me – he clearly knows me very well, seeing as my basket was filled with Victoria’s Secret, Clinique, peanut butter cups, and a new pair of sneakers. Can’t wait to break them in later at the gym!

Being home for a few days for Easter allowed me to de-stress and prepare myself for the long-haul of the next three weeks of classes, tests, and ultimately – finals week.

My biggest recommendation is make your phone’s lock screen an inspirational quote that you really love to help you power through. I scoured my Pinterest‘s “Words to Live By” board until I found the perfect one. Here it is:

To help you stay calm through your possible stressful week, take a quick break, and check out this week’s Monday Musts –

1. Cookie Dough Iced Coffee from Dunkin Donuts

I spent my Friday home in New Jersey from school getting my nails done and shopping. No day of manicures and shopping would be complete without either a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks run. So, after hearing rave reviews about Dunkin’s newest iced coffee – Cookie Dough flavored, Julia and I decided to get it. It was DELICIOUS! I’m a recent iced coffee addict and this new flavor from Dunkin was so good. The Baskin Robins inspired flavored coffee is a MUST TRY for any iced coffee addict – so head on over to Dunkin immediately. You won’t regret it!

2. Modern Family

Besides iced coffee, manicures, and shopping, my few days at home for Easter also included vegging out on the couch catching up on some of my favorite television shows, such as “Criminal Minds” and “The Millers.” I’ve heard a lot of positive reviews about the ABC show, especially how funny it is. I decided to watch it – and became HOOKED. Before I knew it, I was watching every episode that was on demand and am now quickly looking into other ways to catch up on all the seasons (if anyone knows – let me know – since it’s not on Netflix). I love all the characters, the family dynamic, how the show is set up, and just everything about it. I hope my future daughter is as sassy as Lilly.

3. The Makeup Show NYC

Being a member of the Seventeen Social Club as brought so many incredible opportunities (stay tuned for a post from one of the products they sent me this week!). One of the most recent opportunities that I am super excited about is attending The Makeup Show in NYC with my little diamond, Amber, as press. On May 4, Amber and I will be traveling into the City to hear from some of the best in the industry regarding different makeup tips and tricks for all occasions. I’ll be sharing about it on Twitter and Instagram, then doing a blog post all about it. Words can’t express my excitement or how thankful I am for all the opportunities “Sparkle and Shine” has given me.

Also, remember I can help YOU get famous – just go HERE.

If you change your lock screen to an inspirational quote, comment below and tell me what one it is – or even link it to the photo on your Pinterest board. I LOVE finding new quotes to pin.

Have a great week, readers! Keep sparkling!

12Mar2014

Seventeen Social Club: Girl Power Pack

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers!

Remember how I told you all about how I am now a member of the Seventeen Social Club and can rock that awesome badge on the side of my blog? Well, I just got my first ever package from Seventeen, entitled the Girl Power Pack!

The Girl Power Pack included:

COVERGIRL Clump Crusher by Lashblast Mascara
Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix

Murad Acne Clearing Solution

Both products have made me feeling like the best me possible! The Girl Power Pack, along with what “Seventeen” is all about is empowering females and feeling like the best them possible. With clear skin and perfect eyelashes, how can I not feel like the best me possible and ready to take on the world?!

While wearing just mascara to chapter, you can clearly see how defined my eyelashes are and how they’re clump free. I love really prominent eye lashes, especially when I don’t do any other makeup. Without color in this photo, you can see each and every eye lash super defined. The Murad was also working towards creating clearer skin for me. I had a pimple Thursday night, put the Acne Spot Fast Fix on that night, a little Friday morning – and here I am on Sunday with not a pimple in sight!

Here’s another picture of me with one of my sisters (who celebrated her birthday this week….so Happy Birthday Justine!). Unlike the chapter picture above, I had done all my makeup for a QU hockey game! In color, you can still see how dark and prominent each eye lash is, with no clumps! COVERGIRL’s Clump Crusher promises 200% more volume – and boy, did I notice it! I also had clear skin for the game thanks to the Murad products.

Thanks Seventeen for showing me girl power and making me super confident with flawless skin and eye lashes to take on my challenging college days! I can’t wait for my next gift as a proud member of the Seventeen Social Club!