Makeup Monday: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Review

Dear Diary,

I took a little trip up to the Pittsburgh Waterfront last week. I (of course) decided to do a little shopping at Ulta. If you know me, you know I basically live in Ulta. My poor boyfriend had to wait while I shopped...

Anyway, I spent a long time in the NYX section. Y'all know how much NYX products mean to me! I decided to try the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream because I just love the matte lipstick that NYX makes.

Here's how it went:

The lipsticks are named after cities. So, my favorite city in the world is London, and that is the first one I checked out. I totally loved the color, but it was super similar to the color of Abu Dhabi- which is the color I ultimately picked. It is that brownish-mauve color that I love. But once I got home and tried them on my lips, I wish I would have gone ahead and bought London as well because the color was more mauve than brown, which Abu Dhabi ended up being (that brown color).


Here is Abu Dhabi:

The color is great, and I do love it, but I regret buying London (I will definitely buy this soon).

I love how smooth and almost silky the product is. It has a great long-lasting color and I would say it lasts pretty much all day (6-8 hours without reapplying).


I also bought Cannes, which is a more pink color and looks like this:

(top color)

Overall, I really like this product. I think it is a great buy, for just about $5! Perfect!

Top Ten on my Bucket List

Dear Diary,

I get to travel to the UK this summer, and I have never been so excited or blessed to do anything in my life. My mom and I are going to fly out to see my sister, who has been studying abroad in Ireland this semester. We will be there for fifteen days-just enough time to see all I want to!

Since I get to go to my dream country, I have been thinking about a lot of the other things on my bucket list. 

Here are the top ten things I want to accomplish/do before I die. 

10.) Run a full and/or half marathon || Back in high school, my best friend ran the Buffalo Marathon at 17 years old. My friends and I went up there to support her, and ever since then I have wanted to try to run one. Just imagine how accomplished you would feel-like you could do anything!

9.) Learn how to surf || I can't swim very well, so I'd have to practice my water-treading skills before this...Surfing looks like so much fun and such a good workout. I also love all the little fishies as well!

8.) Go on a hot air balloon ride || Unfortunately, my boyfriend is afraid of heights, so this might be something I do with a friend or my sister. I've actually always wanted to be proposed to in a hot air balloon. I'd love that view.

7.) Study abroad || My sister has now studied abroad twice. I've always wanted to travel, and I'm so excited to study in a whole other country! Maybe London, maybe Amsterdam, maybe Athens!

6.) Swim with dolphins || Dolphins are so cute! Again, I really should learn to swim, but I've got time!

5.) Go on an African safari || How amazing would that be?! Giraffes are my favorite animal, and I would love to be able to see them up close and personal. That would be beautiful, and such an amazing experience.

4.) Go on a mission trip to Africa || In high school, I was apart of the Interact Club and we were lucky enough to donate three water wells to a community in Niger. Ever since then, I have wanted to volunteer in that area. I feel like it is a life-changing opportunity, and I feel bad that I have everything I need and more, but the people who live in third-world countries have close to nothing. That is not fair.

3.) Live in a tiny home || I did a whole post on tiny homes here, check it out!

2.) Have my own talk show || This is a lifelong dream of mine. Jimmy Fallon, Johnny Carson, Ellen DeGeneres. I have always wanted to be a talk show host. (Eliza Grace at 8!)

1.) Have a family || I've dreamt about my wedding since I was 11 years old, and even walked around with a water ballon baby for a year (his name was Horatio). I've always wanted a family!


What are some items on YOUR bucket list?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Tiny Homes

Dear Diary,

Lately I have been addicted to watching tiny house tour videos on YouTube. I can't help myself! They are so amazing, and economically such great ideas. I have always been interested in interior design and architecture, and designing and even building, my own home sounds like the perfect experience.

I want to build my own tiny home after college...or at least that's what I am hoping for. The homes are usually around 200 square feet. That may sound small, but there are so many storage opportunities and space-saving tricks to use that makes the place seem so much bigger.

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The smaller houses can be built on a foundation (like above) or on a trailer for transportation (like below). Building on a trailer gives you the excuse to travel. This can make paying for rent on land such an easier process. 

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You can even do an "off-grid" tiny home, that makes you completely independent from plumbing, electric, and water. Plumbing can be solved with a composting toilet which uses saw dust to cover excrement and can be used in your garden. Electric can be supplied by solar panels, and water can be caught and filtered through a rain water collection process.

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Tiny homes are a great way to save money, especially if you decide to go off-grid. 

I love the sleeping lofts, as well. If you want more head room, people make their tiny homes in a "shack-like" way-with a slanted roof on one side, instead of both.

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All in all, I love the tiny home movement. I think it is such a great idea for singles, couples or small families. I would not try to raise an entire family in it...the close proximity might become a bit claustrophobic for  me! I just love this idea so, so much!

What do you think about the tiny house?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Makeup Monday: 5 Products I Need in my Life

Dear Diary,

I am a makeup fanatic. I am a bit embarrassed of all the makeup I own, but don't always use. Nonetheless, I can't help my addiction, and I cannot stop myself for craving more and more. 


Here is a little list of the makeup products I've been dying to get my hands on:

1.) Too Faced: Bronzer in Milk Chocolate Soleil || This bronzer is a little darker than the Chocolate Soleil color that Too Faced has, and it is perfect for my ivory skin tone. Since it's winter, I've been pretty in to all kinds of bronzer. I've been looking for some matte color, and this looks perfect. Unfortunately, it is pretty expensive for my taste- $30!- and that is why I haven't bought it just yet. Maybe if I'm feeling splurgy one day I will get it! 

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2.) Makeup Forever: HD Blush in Rosy Plum || This. Color. I haven't used it on my face yet, but I tried it on my hand, and I could not believe how creamy it looked for a powder blush. It also has an almost highlight to it, and you probably wouldn't have to apply a highlight with this blush at all. It's flawless. This one is also a little more expensive at $26 in Sephora stores. 

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3.) Maybelline: Long Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Blackest Black || I've really been getting in to gel liners lately. They are perfect for every day upper lash liners. I usually use a liquid liner for my weekend-y activities, and a gel liner is fantastic for a smudge-proof alternative for daily treks to and from class! Also it is only about $10!

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4.) NYX: Eye Shadow Base in Skin Tone || I love primers! I tested this one out from a friend, and I fell in love! I applied it when I did my makeup in the morning, and my eyeshadow hadn't budged until I took it off before bed! I was amazed at how great of quality it was for a drugstore brand...then again I love NYX products. Bonus: It is only $7-can you say bargain?

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5.) Wet n Wild: MegaLast Lip Color in Rose-bud || I always have to have a lippie! This color is fantastic! It is the perfect shade of purple and red and I love it. I'm obsessed with this darker mauve lipstick color that I've seen a ton of people wearing lately. And, as always, this drugstore product is at an inexpensive $2.29-you really can't beat that!

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I hope you enjoyed looking at my list of products I've been dying to try! If any of you guys try these, please leave a comment telling me how you liked it! I'll be sure to leave a review of the ones I end up getting!

What products are you guys wanting to try out?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Hollywood Gush: My Favorite Famous Women

Dear Diary,

Recently, I made a post about my celebrity crushes. I love all the hunky, handsome men in Hollywood, but we all know women make a bigger impact.

From charities to campaigns, there are a few women in the spotlight that make me want to be a better person.

Here are just a few that I admire:

1.) Jessica Alba || Besides being one of the most beautiful women on Earth, she is also incredibly intelligent. She began her acting career when she was only thirteen years old. You may recognize her from the Fantastic Four movies.


2.) Emma Watson || I think this is pretty obvious. Not only is she Hermione from the Harry Potter movies, she is also a great activist in the feminism movement. She is so beautiful, and genuine. Emma even graduated from Brown University! 


3.) Lauren Conrad || She is one of my biggest role models. She is absolutely stunning. She is creative, and has a hard-working mentality. She started her own blog and designs after her acting career, and I aspire to be anything like her.


4.) Ellen DeGeneres || One of my favorite things about Ellen is her ability to make people laugh without being mean. She is an advocate for anti-bullying and animal rights. "Be kind to one another," is her motto. She is just an amazing woman who set a fantastic life for herself.

5.) Melissa McCarthy || If Melissa McCarthy had a role in a movie or a TV show, I've probably already seen it. Not only is she an amazing actress (I'm talking Sookie from Gilmore Girls),  she is brilliant and fearless and one of the funniest women in Hollywood. She reminds people that you do not have to be a size 00 to become a famous actress. She just does what she loves, and she is successful at being different. 


Who are your Favorite Famous Women?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

How To Get Through A Breakup: With Help From The Gilmore Girls

Dear Diary,

I have been going through some tough stuff these past few years. I have had a breakup or two...some things have made me really sit back and think about who I am. 

Maybe some of my readers may have gone or going through a breakup right now. This may relate to a boyfriend or girlfriend, or even a best friend. 

Here are a few tips to get through this hard time:

1.) Wallow. || Forget what everyone says about trying to "forget" your significant other right off the bad. I'm not sure of your specific situation, but I know it is hard each time. Eat ice cream, watch The Notebook three times in a row, order pizza for four and eat all by yourself. Spend that first day/night pitying yourself, use an entire box of tissues for your tears. It is O.K. Just don't wallow for too long. A day or two is as much as you need. Please, don't prolong this part. 

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2.) Get rid of their stuff. || A gift they gave you, their seater, scarf, etc., needs to go. Maybe give it all back to them, or even keep all the items in a box and keep it in the back of your closet for a rainy day. You don't need their stuff in your life anymore. This is an extremely hard part. I'm sorry that I can't make it easier, but I can promise you that you will get through this. Be strong.

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3.) Delete their texts/voicemails/photos. || I have to admit that this was probably one of the worst things I went through with my breakup. I loved reading through our old cute texts, and listening to his voice any chance I got. But the photos are where it hits you. Try saving the photos are computer in a file that is password locked. Or maybe print them out and put them in your box of their things. Just keep them somewhere that you can't easily access. You can't keep remembering the good times, and blocking the bad.

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4.) Think it all through. || You broke up for a reason. Maybe you were the one to break it off...it that case, don't second guess yourself. Really think through the reasons of the breakup and remind yourself to keep strong. There is a reason for everything, even if that is not clear at this time. If you were the one broken up with, I feel for you. It's hard. It may be a bit more difficult to realize the reasons you broke up. Try talking to your ex if you can. Remember the good AND don't leave out the bad.

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5.) Don't go crazy. || Please, please, please do NOT, under any circumstances, call your significant other eight times in a row, leaving messages reminding them of how much you love them-only to turn in to angry cries (i.e. "Why did you break up with me?!"). You're used to talking on the daily, texting, FaceTime, voice calls, Skype, whatever. I know. It is the hardest thing to go from talking 24/7 to zip, zero, nothing at all. But give it time. Wait at least three days after the breakup to reach out. Ask them how they are, but do NOT cry and beg for them to change their minds and take you back. Be strong, you have got this.

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6.) Move on. || Go out with your friends. Meet new people. I'm not saying find another person to replace them. Rebounds are almost never the best idea. Just get out of your room. Live your life. Smile, laugh, dance. You'll feel so much better. 

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I hope this helps those of you who need it. This can apply to both friends and significant others, so please take these to heart. 

What do you do when you're going through a tough time?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Makeup Monday: My Favorite Lipsticks

Dear Diary,

I started wearing makeup when I was 13, which meant I had no idea what I was doing. The only thing I wore on my lips was cherry chapstick and maybe a light pink lipgloss at times. Now that I am older, I have been getting into tons of lipsticks. Lately it's become some sort of an obsession!

I don't know what it is about lip color that gives me a boost of confidence, but I love it.

Here are some lipsticks I have been really digging lately:

1.) Revlon Colorburst Matte Lip Balm in Sultry || I love this color! It is a perfect mix of mauve and pink that I can wear every day. It literally lasts for hours and also, it smells like peppermint!

2.) Pixel Lip Butter in Appreciative || This is my go-to lipstick. My only complaint is that it doesn't stay on as long as Id like it to.

3.) Covergirl Lipstick in A Different Grape || This is a bit darker color for me, but I kinda dig it. It makes me look older and more professional. It's definitely a fancier color! As far as it's longevity, it stays on pretty well throughout the day.

4.) Rimmel London Kate Lipstick in Rossetto || I love this nude color! It is definitely the perfect natural lipstick for my fair complexion. It doesn't stay on for too long, but it lasts longer than the Pixel lipstick, for sure!

5.) NYX Matte Lipstick in Siren || This is much, much darker than I would normally wear for a lip color, but it looks really good on me! I was surprised at how much I have come to love it. The color is a deep red that looks great for Fall and Winter, and the color lasts all day.

Every one of these lip colors are absolutely amazing. They are definitely my top five favorite lipsticks that I have been wearing recently. 


What are your favorite lipsticks?

Until next time,


Eliza Grace