A Glimpse of Glam

Hey everyone!

Summer has come to an end already, which is quite unbelievable. After those months of partying with friends, late nights out, and lots and lots of negligence towards our beauty routines, it’s about time to buckle down on it once again. While it’s totally understandable to slack off a bit during the summer, we gotta get back into our routines and show our skin some love. Replenish and refuel it for the coming winter. Where better to start than your nighttime routine? After all, as the summer winds down you will be getting back more time to get ready for bed.

So I’ve never really been big on eye creams before. I do have an extensive and lengthy nighttime skincare routine, but I haven’t found THE eye cream yet. Coincidentally, I recently got the chance to try out an eye cream, and surprisingly I quite like it. Granted, it’s also difficult to tell if a product is truly working, or if it’s just the placebo effect. But, I think it’s actually doing something. This isn’t just a nighttime eye cream, but can be used during the daytime as well. But I mean we all tend to have more time for pampering at night, so it is easier to use eye creams at night. Even though your eyes do need some love during the day too.



This product I’m talking about is the VIIcode the 2nd Oxygen Eye Cream O3. VIIcode is a brand that specializes in luxury skincare for the eyes. They offer a variety of eye masks and eye creams to choose from to help with anti-aging, dark circles, and moisturizing. VIIcode is currently a US based skincare company that originated in Austria.

Before I get into the details about this eye cream, let me give you the rundown on what you need to know about my skin. It doesn’t all apply to my use of the eye cream, but it does explain how my skin reacts to products, and my whole thought process when choosing skincare products.

I have combination sensitive skin. Meaning some areas of my skin are dry, while other parts are oily. Usually the outer edges of my forehead like closer to the hairline will be dry or feel drier, while the center will be a bit shiny. The areas on my cheeks around my nose and near my smile lines will get shiny too. Usually the area that really stands out with shine and oiliness are the areas of my cheeks by my nose. Like it’s a sharp highlight on camera when taking selfies… and not the good kind of highlight that you want either. The areas around my eyes do get a bit dry too throughout the day. Usually right under or near the inner corners. The hard part about wanting to moisturize mid-day is when you got on a full face of makeup that you don’t want to ruin. So I like to spritz on a facial spray to refresh my face when I need it. Truthfully, I used to think those kinds of facial sprays were just a scam and a waste of money (like 8 bucks for a bottle of mostly water? I can grab a spray bottle and fill it with water at home for free). While you can just spritz on some water to freshen up your face, something about facial sprays makes it actually work better than just feeling like you walked too close to the sprinklers in your yard.

I also got sensitive skin, which I’ve had to deal with pretty much all my life. It’s not sensitive to the point where it will break out in hives if I go near something. But, my skin will react to a product. And if there’s no reaction (like nearly no difference if used), then typically it means that it’s working. Basically if it does something it’s usually a negative reaction, and if it doesn’t do anything it’s probably because my skin is okay with it and the benefits are so subtle I can’t tell because angry red allergic reactions are louder than subtle and slow healing. Usually I will know within a day or so if a product isn’t working with my sensitive skin. I have been dealing with eczema my whole life too, so coupled with sensitive skin makes me really wary about trying out new products.

That being said, I was a bit skeptical to try out this product at first. But, after reading the ingredient list, and seeing that it was marketed for all skin types I decided to try it out. My skin isn’t super sensitive to the point where “for all skin types” won’t work; the sensitivity usually has to do with products that have harsher ingredients like acids and such. Also, because it claimed to be moisturizing and to help in repairing skin cells, I figured it would work well with the dry areas around my eyes.

This product in particular claims to:
Instantly feel moisturized and youthful
Minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Absorbs well with no residue

As indicated by their website, it offers key ingredients such as elderberries which provide antioxidants to maintain skin cells, jojoba oil to firm and hydrate the skin which will reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles, and evening primrose to boost blood circulation and remove wrinkles.




I received the eye cream quite fast. As it is US based, it only had to be shipped within the country, and was thus faster. That’s something to keep in mind depending on where you live. The eye cream came in a small black drawstring bag, and had an activation strip with it. The black bag the cream was stored in wasn’t of a cheap, disposable material. Rather, it is a convenient yet chic way to travel with and store the cream. To be honest, I might even end up using the bag for other purposes too.

On the packaging itself there is a downside. What I don’t like about the container is how the words barely show up. It was a bit difficult to read the jar itself due to the way the jar was made. Because I was able to find the information online, that wasn’t too much of a burden to me to not be able to read it.




The activation strip is what set it apart for me. I didn’t expect it to come with an activation strip, and I didn’t really know what to make of it at first. It came in a small plastic bag, and I wasn’t sure how to use it. I was confused if it was a single use thing, or what. To save you guys the trouble of figuring it out, it’s something you use prior to applying the eye cream in order to help with activating your skin cells and massage the area. I honestly had no idea what it was at first. I thought it was one of those anti-moisture packets that come in bags sometimes, or that it was some kind of wipe or whatnot. Thank god I didn’t just toss it.

According to the instructions, you take the activation strip and run it along the curvature of your eyes to basically massage that area and activate it. As the description details, it will help your eyes to be better prepped for the eye cream.

I haven’t gotten to use the eye cream during the day yet, mostly because in the morning I don’t have a ton of time. I’m usually scrambling to get ready and out the door on time. However, I’ve really enjoyed using it at night. I like to pamper myself a bit when I get ready for the night, and really take the time to allow products to absorb. A couple times I also tried putting it on in the afternoon because I wasn’t wearing makeup that day, but my face really need a pick-me-up. I liked how that helped to perk up my skin once more.






When you first apply it, it feels very cool and creamy to the touch. It’s lightweight, and not super watery. With it being a creamier consistency, I was worried about it being too heavy. But, just a small little dab was enough. Like barely even a dab, as once you smooth it in one little dab proves to be enough. A little goes a long way. I’m not sure if it was just me, but when I first put it on it almost tingled just the slightest bit. Barely even noticeable. It went away once I massaged it in.

So far I don’t know if it’s really anti-aging or not because lucky me I’m barely in my 20’s so that’s not super evident for me yet. But, I have really noticed it helping with the dryness under my eyes. Perhaps it could be due to the placebo effect as well, but when I applied it at night the following morning my skin still felt quite hydrated.

Overall, I think that this eye cream was pretty good. I do plan on continuing to use up the rest of the container. Will I buy it again? Maybe not. It is on the pricier side. Perhaps in the future once I am settled with a good job, and not just a part-time job, I might consider it. For the time being I don’t see myself repurchasing it. Mostly because of the cost, and as a university student that is not in my budget! However, that is not to say I didn’t think it was was good. I definitely recommend giving it a try yourself, perhaps it could turn into one of your holy grail skincare items.

~~~

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!! 

Haha did I sound like some kind of late-night commercial? If that caught your eye and made you stay, then I did my job.

Before you scroll and click away from this page after reading an intensive review about a product you may or may not purchase, I wanted to let you guys know I have a giveaway to share!

Sunglasses and magazine not included in giveaway (I just added them to make the photo more interesting haha)

I wanted to clarify that the winner will be chosen based on how detailed and well thought out the answer is. Not whether the tip is truly the best effective tip. Just wanted to clarify that part. 

If you want another chance to enter the giveaway, head on over to my Instagram and comment on THIS post! Same rules apply! What is your favorite beauty tip for eye skin care? 

This giveaway will end on September 18th! 

Have you ever tried out this eye cream before? What is your favorite kind of eye cream! Lemme know what you think in the comments below! 

Thank you for reading! I hope you are all having a great start in September so far!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

It’s no secret that when the sun is shining in the sky, a slight summer breeze is drifting in the air, and you are out lounging with your friends, having a drink and snacks within reach would be the perfect way to round out the day. I know that for me personally I always love to have some food and beverages nearby for any and all hangouts. Chilling with my squad just isn’t the same when we don’t have something to nosh on.

And usually that something for me is preferably popcorn. It’s one of my favorite snacks that are on the “healthier” side. I love a good kettle corn, a chocolate drizzled popcorn, or even just a plain ol’ buttery movie theater style popcorn. There are so many popcorn flavors to choose from it can be overwhelming.

With every snack and every popcorn flavor there is always an ideal beverage pairing to sip on while snacking. While you can go the boring route of just choosing water, a soda, juice, or just a beer, it’s fun to mix things up every once in awhile and really kick things up a notch. The perfect popcorn and drink combo in my opinion should be so great that it creates flavor explosions, like that one scene from Ratatouille when Remy paired random food together into a flavorful combination. That is the one scene from the movie that I reference to literally All. The. Time. Comment down below if you remember that scene!

Of course, to really make a snack and drink pairing good, spiking it with some alcohol couldn’t hurt. I mean, Olivia Pope has her wine and popcorn and she’s has a super successful career. So we can’t go wrong following in her footsteps, am I right? 

While you can just scroll through Pinterest to see which drinks would work well with which flavor of snack you are going for, it can be tough to narrow down the choices. Today, I have with you all a helpful little guide for some easy popcorn and drink pairings to try out, thanks to SkinnyPop Popcorn. 


I have to confess something to you guys. I am not the best at making drinks. I don’t even have a shaker. I just pour a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Take a sip. Add a little more of this and a little more of that until it tastes BOMB. There’s no real method to my madness. Just a ton of madness. Trial and error, if you will. I’m a barista, not a bartender. Lemme know in the comments below if you guys are the same way!

But, because I am a Starbucks barista, I do like to create some wacky drink combos based on Starbucks drinks. You know those customers ahead of you in line who rattles off a long, complicated order that ends up taking ten years to recite? Yeah.. I'm kinda guilty of doing that too. But in my defense, it's because I am trying out new flavor combinations beyond the boring basics you can get off of Buzzfeed or all those trendy Instagram ones. My weekend go-to after my shift at work is to create a different drink combination that I can later spike with some alcohol. Who needs to go to a bar when you can just make your own "drinks"? I'm certainly no professional, but the combinations are tasty and endless!

Much like in the SkinnyPop popcorn and drink pairing guide, I love to have a tasty fruity beverage with cheese-flavored popcorn. I am addicted to popcorn, and white cheddar has got to be one of my all time favorites. White cheddar popcorn is such a classic salty cheesy flavor that works so well with any light, tangy fruity drink.



One drink I highly recommend trying with a white cheddar flavored popcorn is a strawberry açai refresher with lemonade instead of water, a couple pumps of mango syrup, and both blackberries and strawberries from Starbucks. I posted this drink on my Instagram Story a couple months ago. It is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. When I got home, I added in a couple shots of rum to give it that extra kick. The rum doesn't take away from the overall taste as much, but does kick it up a notch. All you need after that is to add a pretty little umbrella, and pretend you are relaxing by the beach.

Another drink concoction from Starbucks I've started ordering a lot is a cool lime refresher with coconut milk instead of water and a few pumps of mango. Then I add in some Malibu coconut rum to it, and it literally tastes like a piña colada. I kid you not. Something bout the combination of the minty lime and the sweet tropical mango with the coconut flavor I guess. It's so bomb I've gotten my friends into it as well. We all call it the Starbucks piña colada drink. This drink would go VERY well with a sea salt popcorn. The drink itself is creamy and sweet, and the saltiness of the popcorn won't be too overwhelming for your tastebuds. It's a win-win for salty and sweet.

I swear those were not just Starbucks ads. I'm not sponsored by them, unless you count getting my paychecks from them because I work there. I just like not having to buy a bunch of cocktail ingredients from the store to make drinks at home. It's easier to get a base drink, and add in alcohol later on at home. I'm a lazy girl. We all know that by now.

Now, we've all established the fact that I am not professional. I just like having weird drink combinations. And trying out new things. I may not be the most classy, sophisticated go-to-wine-tastings kind of person out there, but at least I can say I am adventurous and experimental with my drinks. That disclaimer has already been said and done. So don't go complaining that I'm ruining drinks when I tell you bout this next drink.



Recently, my sister bought a bottle of rosé that was really tasty, but a bit on the dry side. I like my drinks to be a more balanced sweet. To combat that issue, I decided to add in a bit of Mountain Dew to my rosé. That literally made the drink SO good. All it took was two parts rosé and one part Mountain Dew, and that made the drink perfect. A drink like that would go so nicely with a pepper flavored popcorn.



I definitely recommend trying out some of these drink and snack combinations from the SkinnyPop guide, and the ones I suggested too! Lemme know what you think! 

Sometimes it's easy to fall into a rut, and simply eat what tastes good. But when you got a great drink and food pairing, it can really enhance and bring out the flavors even more. There's less of a need to wash and cleanse your palate with water when you got a good pairing going on. Although, there is nothing wrong with drinking water. That ain't what I'm saying. Do remember to drink water and stay hydrated. That's very important if you wanna stay healthy. You can't just live off of vodka. I mean, it looks almost like water... but it ain't haha

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you find this helpful! Please comment down below if you try out any of these pairings! Or if you have some suggestions of your own! I would love to have more ideas to try out!

I wish you all a lovely week!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

I’ve mentioned this many times before, but I love food. Food is literally life. What makes this relationship between me and food imperfect is my food intolerances. Dairy and gluten. This can be a hassle at times when eating on the go. While it is easy to find things that are gluten and dairy free, they may not be the best choice in terms of price or food option. Sure you can bring an apple or banana with you, but fruit can get bruised easily. Plus, you need protein to really keep full. Protein bars are a good option for most, but aren’t always made with good ingredients. Do you really want to eat something that is chock full of chemicals and artificial ingredients you don’t even know of?

I have been trying to fit in more workouts into my daily life, as the summer is quickly approaching us. I definitely slacked off a bit on my workouts during this past winter because of school, work, and an overall busy schedule. While I haven’t neglected my diet, I do want to get back into better shape.

One thing I like to do to maintain a healthy diet easily is to meal prep. It’s the easiest, most convenient thing that saves you so much time. People say it over and over again, and you probably have read or heard about this tip many times before. But, if you aren’t doing it already, clearly you haven’t heard it enough times yet.

One of my favorite breakfasts to make when I got a more relaxed schedule. Poached eggs with mashed avocado on toast. So filling and delicious! It's super easy to make too. I am still learning how to cook (as I really know more about baking), and this isn't too difficult to put together. Yet still tastes AMAZING

I personally like to wake up with enough time in the mornings to eat breakfast before heading off to wherever I have to go, whether that be school or work. One, it saves money to eat at home instead of heading out with a growling stomach. Two, you can guarantee you are eating something that will be good for you, rather than some random breakfast sandwich you bought at a fast-food place. Three, it feels so damn good to start your morning this way because then you feel more accomplished. It’s definitely a great way to make you feel like you started your morning on the right foot. (Or the left if you are left dominant. Dumb joke? My apologies)

I love these single serving size packets of Justin's nut butters because they make it way easier to add into oatmeal or as a dip with apples or something. The chocolate one is my favorite!

Every Sunday, I find the time to cook a huge batch of oatmeal that would last me throughout the entire week. I generally like to have oatmeal for breakfasts on weekdays because it is really comforting and filling. It’s so easy to jazz up with fruit, nuts, nut butters, seeds, whatever you so please. I like to top mine with sliced bananas, mixed berries, walnuts, and a splash of almond milk. When I’m feeling fancy I use chocolate almond milk because it adds a touch of sweetness and flavor without being overly so.

I generally cook my oatmeal with water, then add in a dash of almond milk when I heat it up again to make creamier. I find that overnight oats is not my thing because I like my oats when cooked. The texture is way better. Plus, it really absorbs the liquids way better, which means they can actually fill you up without you having to eat a huge portion. Adding in chia seeds is another way to really make oatmeal filling, and fiber and omega-3 fatty acid rich, which all helps you overall. As I’ve mentioned in the past, soaking chia seeds beforehand to allow it to absorb the liquids help to make them ten times more filling with a better texture than just eating them sprinkled on top.

As mentioned previously, I have been trying to workout more often in order to get back in shape. I used to workout every other day, with the days between spent doing stretches and core strengthening. Due to my busy schedule these last several months (as you all probably are aware of because of my decreased frequency of posts), I have only managed to squeeze in one workout a week or at most two. I like to workout in the afternoons because it helps wake me up a bit more to continue on at night doing homework or studying or working on projects or all of the above. Some people like to workout in the mornings, but for me I need that energy boost more in the afternoon. Or else I probably will collapse on the couch and nap instead.

Working out can definitely leave you incredibly energetic, glowing, and high… and also HUNGRY AF. After chugging water like I just crawled through the Sahara Desert, I like to think about what foods I want to eat. It’s not just important to have a good post-workout meal, but to also keep in mind to fuel your body with good foods as a pre-workout meal too. All of that taken into consideration along with wanting to fill your body up with nutritious, organic, whole foods can be a lot to remember.

Veggies is always a great option for snacks. Plus the complementary colors are so gorgeous.

Trail mix is something I always like to have on hand to snack on when I need to. But I try to have something with it as well because they are good for a quick pick-me-up but don't necessarily last long.

Prior to workouts, I like to eat a light snack to make sure I actually have energy. I like to have a cup of coffee and some kind of fruit to get me going. The coffee gives me a kick of caffeine, which I definitely need because I also workout in the afternoons as that’s the only time I got free. Fruit has the carbs needed to give me a boost of energy as well. I like to add in some protein too because just straight up carbs would not keep me full for long!

Lately been OBSESSED with poke bowls! They are like a deconstructed sushi Hawaiian style. Sooo good and soooo filling. I love raw fish, aside from the whole potential parasite fear.

After I workout, it’s usually around dinner time by then. My pre and post workout meals are not that exciting. They just help to get the job done. Dinner can vary from night to night, but they always are centered around a type of protein, veggies, and a side of rice or other carbs. I try to keep my carb intake lighter at night, and to up my intake of veggies and proteins. Carbs are generally best eaten earlier in the day, hence why I focus more on proteins and veggies. Protein helps to build muscle, which I’m sure you guys already know. Muscle equals protein.

When people say things like “Oh I’m so full”, and all they have eaten was like a handful of trail mix, I want to punch them. It’s such an obvious lie! I mean, sure trail mix can be filling, but not THAT filling! You gotta pair it with something! I’m more of someone who needs food that adds volume to bulks things up. Something like a huge pile of carrots and hummus is better than a small little packet of trail mix. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some trail mix. That’s one of my go-tos that I always got in my purse or backpack for emergencies. But, I need foods that actually take up space in my stomach to fill me up. Foods of real substance. Which is why, unlike most people’s post-workout meals, I don’t reach for a protein shake. I don’t like to drink my calories because they never really do much for me. I like to chew and eat real food. Like a baby who is teething, I gotta have something to gnaw on. Okay maybe not that extreme.

One thing that has caught my attention as of late are GoMacro protein bars. They are gluten free, organic, and vegan. It’s hard to find foods like that these days. Foods that are fair trade, organic, and good for you. For people who have dietary issues like me, gluten and dairy if you got short-term memory loss and forgot what it was in the span of reading this post, these bars would be a great choice for you. Not a lot of companies actually have gluten-free, vegan, and organic protein bars. They usually have some sort of dairy or gluten product in them that makes them not a great match for those who avoid ingredients as such. Protein bars, such as the GoMacro ones, are such a convenient option to throw in your bag before you head out the door. They work as an easy snack to have before your hangry self strikes. Plus, they won’t throw you off track in attaining your beach bod.

I generally like to eat three real meals a day, with a couple snacks when needed. As my mornings start pretty early and my days end quite late, eating every 3-4 hours helps me function and keeps me going. I’m one of those people who likes to eat at specific routine times every day. Having that kind of routine down helps me to remember to eat, and not go past the point of hunger where you just become hangry and want to eat everything in site without considering what you are actually eating.

I've recently been getting into drinking kombucha. I'm still trying out different brands, but I really like the light, fizzy flavor of these fermented teas.

Comment down below if you like drinking kombucha! It's so tasty, and a great way to get in some probiotics.

This summer one of my goals is to try to go on a sugar detox for a month. I read about that before, how the effects left people feeling way more energized and more aware of the ingredients in their foods. Obviously I won’t be cutting out natural sugars like apples and oranges, but added sugars even honey would be cut. I am really curious how that would help me. Not just to get in shape, but to feel better in general. I have a MAJOR sweet tooth, so let’s see how this will go. Have you ever tried going on a sugar detox? 

I cannot wait for summer! The weather has warmed up considerably, and I’ve already gotten to wear shorts and sandals several times these past couple weeks. I love when the sun is shining, and the skies above are blue. Granted, I will still be taking summer quarter classes, there is still a completely different feel in the air when it is summer.

Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed my recount of how I eat. It almost ended up being more like a What I Eat in A Day post, except less specific. Lemme know in the comments below some of your tricks to getting in shape for the summer, and to eat healthier! What is your go-to healthy food hack?

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

We all know that Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Literally this coming weekend. I don’t know about you, but I tend to procrastinate when it comes to buying gifts. Occasionally, I would have preplanned out what I want to buy for gifts, whether they be for birthdays or holidays or situations as this upcoming weekend. But let’s be honest. It’s not possible to always plan out everything in advance. Don’t fret my friends. I’ve got some last minute Mother’s Day gift ideas that won’t hurt your wallet too much, and will still do the deed of showing your mother how much you love and appreciate her presence in your life. (Stick around til the end because I've also got something special for you guys that I think you will like)

Something I always like to do when I can’t think of a gift idea is to bake some goodies. Making some sweet treats (or savory if she prefers salt over sweet) shows that you are willing to put in the effort. It takes time and patience to make something edible that also tastes good. One could easily go out to the store and buy a box of cupcakes or assorted cookies (which isn’t a bad idea if you truly lack cooking skills), but the fact that you went out of your way to make something yourself is what makes it a gift. Homemade goodies definitely helps to elevate a basic dish into a gift. 

Homemade four ingredient gluten free peanut butter cookies Recipe HERE

I personally would make cookies because I love baking sweets. It’s a good gift for my mother, plus there will be so many I can have some for myself too. Win win, am I right? Last year my sister and I cooked up an entire brunch for our mother. We made French toast with a berry sauce, a side of bacon and scrambled eggs, and coffee. Everything was homemade and from scratch. Who can resist food? People say food is the way to win over a man’s heart, but frankly I find that food is the way to win over ANYONE’S heart. Food is life. Literally.

Or perhaps going out is more up your alley? Spend the day with your mother doing something fun. Maybe watch a movie you’ve been wanting to watch for awhile. Going to the movie theater and buying the largest size popcorn and watching a movie is always really fun. If there’s nothing interesting currently playing, you could rent a movie or just stick to Netflix. And hey! That food I mentioned earlier that you should make? Yeah, that can come in real handy here as a movie snack. There you go. You’re welcome.

The ferris wheel down by the waterfront in Seattle is always a great choice for a fun activity.

In all honesty, just simply spending the day with the woman who raised you and shaped you into who you are is what’s best. I suggest doing anything that is a favorite activity for the both of you. Don’t feel the pressure to abide to the Hallmark standards of what Mother’s Day has to be. If you guys don’t like getting dressed up and going out of the house to do something, then don’t. Stay at home in your pajamas all day and chill on the couch if that’s what you guys prefer. Or maybe you guys like to sit in cafes and people-watch. And judging all the people walking by. Oh is that last part just me? Oops. My bad. Point is, don’t feel the need to do something to make that day special. It will be special in itself just because you took the time to show her that you appreciate all that she does. All those other cliche cheesy acts can just be shoved out the door.

Wait, now that I think about it… There IS something out there that isn’t too cliche, that I feel your mothers will definitely like. I mean, definitely go and spend the day with your mom. But, there is definitely a gift out there that I guarantee she would appreciate.

We all love to smile big toothy grins for selfies, am I right? But, don’t you ever scroll through your option after the photoshoot and find that all looks good aside from one minor detail? Your smile. More specifically, your teeth. Your hair could be shiny and on point, and your outfit might be the snazziest you’ve ever worn. But your smile is what’s the focal point. If your teeth have taken on a slight yellow-ish hue, that will definitely ruin the effect you are going for. Do you want to look like you have a mouthful of corn?

Yeah… no.

Several months ago, I got the chance to test out Smile Brilliant products. Or rather, I had one of my friends try it out. Smile Brilliant is a brand that offers at home teeth whitening kits with custom-fitted teeth whitening trays. They are made to be personalized for each customer. As in you get to make custom impressions of your teeth for custom fit molds. This at home teeth-whitening kit works well even for those with sensitive teeth, like my friend. If you haven’t read my review before, definitely check that out! 

Before Treatments

After Treatments

Lucky for you guys, I’ve got a $25 off coupon code for you to use to purchase some Smile Brilliant products. Whether they be for your mom, or just for yourself. Who knows. Either way, it is the perfect gift for anyone who is having some trouble maintaining a gleaming white grin.

I get that the kit might not come in time for this coming weekend, but if you end up buying it for your mother there are other ways of presenting it to her. Perhaps getting a box and slipping in a note that says “Your gift is currently being processed and will arrive soon”. She will hate that you are building up the anticipation, but she definitely will appreciate that you bought something that would actually benefit her. Even if it isn’t actually ready for the using on Mother’s Day.

I mean, how useful is a vase of flowers? Or another mug to add to your already growing collection of mugs? Pair this kit with a detoxifying/hydrating/brightening face mask and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy at-home spa day. Done and done.

Here is the $25 off coupon code for the Smile Brilliant at home teeth whitening kit that I’m sure your mothers will love:

aglimpseofglam25

Y’all can thank me later.

A rare selfie with my mother

What do you have planned for Mother’s Day? How are you planning on spending this weekend? Have you ever tried out Smile Brilliant teeth whitening treatments? Lemme know in the comments below!! 

I hope you enjoyed reading! Thank you all for stopping by! I wish you have a wonderful Mother’s Day, and weekend.


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

One thing that always will ring true is that beauty starts from within. That being said, no matter how much makeup you pile on your face, you will look your best if you start instead by taking care of your skin. One product that has fascinated me immensely, and has become quite trendy lately, is activated charcoal as a beauty product.

Today I've got a guest post to share with you all by Zara, a writer who I've featured here on my blog in the past with a guest post other skincare tips. Keep on reading to gain more tips on how to integrate activated charcoal into your beauty routine!

Is Activated Charcoal the New Black in Beauty?

Chances are you’ve heard of or even used activated charcoal in some form or another. Famous for its detoxifying properties, it has been prescribed for ages as a go-to dietary supplement to “trap” and prevent toxins from entering your bloodstream. It has also been used for cleansing in everything from water filters, soaps and gas masks to toothpaste and exfoliating facial scrubs.

This strange, all-around substance definitely has its perks as a beauty-enhancing tool, but has it earned the reputation of being the latest trend to take over the beauty world, much like the coconut oil craze before it? Let’s take a look at some of the useful applications of activated charcoal as a beauty ingredient, and why it might soon become the new black in beauty trends!

Youthful radiance

What country first comes to mind when you think of sun-kissed women of untamed beauty and their absolute devotion to a holistic, healthy lifestyle? Australia, of course! Absolute goddesses of DIY, all-natural beauty tricks, these ladies know a healthy ingredient when they see one. No matter if you opt for a pure home-made solution such as a facemask of nothing but water and activated charcoal, or a store-bought product such as Buddy Scrub, you’ll reap the rewards in no time.

As Australian women know well, caring for your skin requires nothing more than a simple touch of nature to nourish your complexion. So for best results, introduce a facemask or a scrub with activated charcoal, and you will be able to simplify your routine while increasing its impact. It will cleanse your pores, keep away that pesky acne, pimples, and other imperfections, while at the same time detoxing it from daily exposure to harmful elements.

A dashing smile

Charcoal as a teeth-whitening tool? As contradictory as it may sound, activated charcoal can do wonders for your dental hygiene, and not just from a cleansing point of view, but also in terms of beautifying your smile. Add a pinch of powdered activated charcoal to your regular toothpaste and voila! You have a healthy, whitening paste to cleanse your teeth and protect your wonderful inner flora.

However, since some people have exceptionally sensitive gums and enamel, we once again turn to the experts from Down Under for health advice. According to some eminent dental specialists, a safe, effective alternative to this is a technique called internal bleaching, which takes about two weeks to show results and keeps your teeth healthy. This is why lots of Aussies turn to Australian Dental Specialists and some other clinics to get the best possible results. Also, it would be wise to consult your dentist if it is okay to use an activated charcoal toothpaste after the treatment, to maintain the desired results.

Lush hair

Instead of shampoos with harmful chemicals or heavy oils that supposedly nourish your hair and scalp, you can actually find hair products that are based on this wonder-substance, combined with other natural minerals and ingredients that will give you a deep cleanse, detox your hair, rid you of dandruff and restore your skin’s natural pH value.

When used regularly, activated charcoal can help your hair regain its volume and lush look, without excessive use of styling products. As opposed to other all-natural DIY shampoos and masks that tend to be time-consuming and easy to spend quickly, you can browse through a selection of shampoo bars and soaps that are designed to thoroughly cleanse your hair and scalp without depriving it of natural oils.

Eliminate toxins

Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

Selfies are all the rage these days. When you pose for a picture, do you smile with your teeth showing or with your mouth closed? I personally use Snapchat so much that it really depends on the filter I’m using. But, for most pictures I generally like to go for a toothy grin, as a closed-mouth smile can sometimes come off looking a bit forced and constipated. Which is your go-to way of smiling?

Do you like showing your teeth when you smile in photos, or in general? Because...

It’s getting to be that time of year again when we relax a bit on our healthy diet rules, and indulge more on rich, warm foods. Coffee, hot chocolate, chai lattes, apple pie, maple pecan bars, pumpkin pie... I don’t know, I’m starting to ramble on food now. Point is, all this food will scare your dentist the next time you go in for a cleaning. Because, to be honest, how often do you guys actually brush your teeth, or even just drink some clear water after eating these teeth-staining goodies?

(Okay, I do, but it’s because I can get pretty anal about preventing cavities and tooth decay and yellowing. But anyways…)

Would you guys like to know how to get whiter teeth? I hope the answer is yes, otherwise I will assume you like a set resembling candy corn rather than pearly whites.

Today, I wanted to share with you all a way to rid your teeth of those disgusting stains and discolorations through a home teeth whitening kit by Smile Brilliant. This will help remove stains from your teeth using a professional teeth whitening kit! But you don’t have to actually get dressed and go to the dentist. You can do it at home in your pajamas with Netflix running in the background. Such a great option for lazy hermits like me.

Smile Brilliant kindly offered to send me a kit to try out and review! I actually had one of my good friends try it out because she can be pretty brutally honest when it comes to her likes and dislikes. It was quite fun doing this little project with my friend because it gave her a second opinion on whether or not this product actually made a difference. It can be hard to tell if your teeth actually got whiter if you are staring at your teeth every day. Unlike other at home teeth-whitening products, you can get these custom-fit trays for your teeth with the Smile Brilliant teeth whitening kit. My friend has complained in the past about her crooked teeth, as she still hasn’t gotten braces yet. So having her try out this product definitely gave me a better idea of how this product was.

Okay, as all beauty gurus on YouTube say “Let’s get into it!”

Ugh that was so cringe-worthy. Forget I said that.

Photo of all the stuff the kit includes

When she first received the kit, she had to create a dental impression of her teeth. It was really easy to do. There’s really no way for you to mess it up. Unless you remove it from your mouth and then crush it with your foot, but why would you?

Anyways, after making the dental impressions, she sent it back to the company. They then made teeth whitening trays that fit her mouth perfectly, using the dental impressions to make them custom-fit. As I said before, her teeth aren’t perfectly positioned and straight, BUT with the whole dental impressions thing, this ensured that her teeth whitening trays actually fit her teeth!

The teeth whitening kit we got had four syringes each of whitening and desensitizing gel. What’s great about this kit is that it also works for people with sensitive teeth. The desensitizing gel actually came in really handy for most of the teeth whitening process. With every new product you try, there’s a chance that you will experience sensitivity. Different products use different ingredients, so it’s really great that Smile Brilliant took into account that a lot of people have sensitive teeth.

To use this kit, all she had to do was apply the desensitizing gel before using the whitening stuff. This helps prep her teeth for the whole thing. The directions that came with the kit were very clear and easy to follow. It wasn’t too difficult for her to do the whole process.

When it comes to using the whitening product, you apply it on the tray, and you keep it in for 1-3 hours. 3 hours. It sounds crazy but that’s actually how long you can leave it in for. Then you follow that up with the desensitizing gel for about a half hour.

The kit came with enough for about 18-24 treatments. It comes with that much so that you can do it consistently for a couple weeks. With 6 syringes it has enough for 18-24 because each syringe is good for about 3-4 sessions of whitening. It’s totally fine to skip a few days here and there, but the results will take a bit longer! With this teeth whitening kit, the treatments create a gradual whitening so that you don't go blinding people with your unnaturally white teeth. It ends up with a more subtle transition to whiter teeth, that ends up looking more natural and flattering too.

That’s pretty much it! It’s super easy and there are actual noticeable results.

Before Photo

Because I had my friend do the treatments, I didn’t see her every single day after every treatment. I saw her for the first several and then the last ones. But there were a couple days here and there that I didn’t see. Despite the desensitizing gel, my friend did experience some sensitivity. Because of that, she ended up skipping a few days, and spreading out her sessions a bit to recover first. HOWEVER, that was easily fixed! She ended up using more desensitizing gel per session, and did not floss prior to the sessions. Flossing can sometimes cut your gums and cause open wounds, which makes your gums and teeth more sensitive to the whitening stuff. But, without flossing before it really helped cut down on the sensitivity. Another tip to reduce teeth sensitivity is to line your gums with Vaseline prior to the treatment, but make sure to not get it on your teeth or else those teeth would be covered and not whitened.

My friend did the treatments for an hour at a time because it can be a bit time consuming. Up to three hours of your mouth being occupied. But even with only one hour sessions, her teeth looked really different from before!

Results after 1/3 of the treatments (this was when she was consistently doing the treatments every couple days)

Results after 2/3 of treatments (she started taking longer pauses between treatments because of the slight sensitivity experienced. But later on with a few adjustments they went away)

Here’s some feedback from my friend on the overall teeth whitening kit:



I didn’t change anything that she said, only a few grammar bits here and there because I was literally typing it up as she talked. So if there are run-on sentences ignore them. You aren’t an English teacher, and this isn’t a term paper.

Check out the photos to compare the results! She even asked her mom if she saw a difference, and her mom agreed that her teeth did look whiter.

Final results! Ignore the awkward and weird face here. My friend thought this would help get a better view of her teeth. Like at the dentist.

After ALL treatments!!

After reading the title, this is probably the part you are all waiting for. I HAVE A GIVEAWAY FOR YOU GUYS!! (cue the applause to fill the awkward silence and accompany those jazz hands)

The winner of this Smile Brilliant giveaway will receive $139.95 in credit. This equates to 1 tray creation kit + 6 gel syringes of your choice (meaning like 3 whitening and 3 desensitizing OR 6 whitening)

If you want to enter the giveaway to win this awesome deal so that you can try it out yourself, click on the link below and enter your name and email!


I’ve ALSO got for you a 5% discount coupon code using the code:

Check out the Smile Brilliant website for more information on the teeth whitening trays, or their products in general! Here’s also more information on sensitive teeth, if that’s the one thing holding you back. I have a tendency to experience sensitivity to new products too, so I get that fear. But they’ve actually found some ways to prevent sensitivity; so don’t let that hold you back! Check out more info on teeth sensitivity here!

Here’s a YouTube video as well about someone else’s experience with Smile Brilliant. It might provide more info on how to use the kit, if what I said was a bit confusing. Check it out here!

This is great timing because I bet you will all be or have already been feasting on a bunch of delectable yet teeth staining goodies. So here’s a chance for you all to get your teeth whitened! Now you can go to holiday parties and not worry about your nosy relative asking if you’ve got leftover Halloween makeup on your teeth or if that’s just your teeth looking stained and yellow.

Please do lemme know in the comments below what you thought!! Have you tried out Smile Brilliant before? How do you prevent your teeth from getting stained and yellow?

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! It closes after TWO WEEKS!!

By the way... I recently made a Twitter so go follow me! You can find me here, or scroll up to the top bar and click on the link too. Just letting you guys know because I'm finally joining in on this social media thing. So yeah...

Thank you very much for reading! I wish you all a fantastic week!!


Til next time,
~A

Professional Teeth Whitening

Hey everyone!


I hope you all had a happy Halloween! Did you guys go out and party, or stay in and just dress up for a good Instagram photo? I did none of the above. I had to work, and study, so none of that fun for me. Though, at work we did dress up. We had an ocean theme, and if you follow me on Instagram you will know I went as Mr. Smee from Peter Pan. It was kind of an impromptu costume. So kind of a semblance of a costume but not really a costume... What did you dress up as?

It’s been a long time since I was actually nominated for this Blogger Recognition award. (Random thought but when I started with that phrase it instantly brought to mind Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s song "See You Again", anyone else?) I was nominated back in August and September, so a good couple months ago (cue awkward chuckle and shrug). Huge apologies because I’ve been meaning to do this post for awhile. I’ve just been planning it out and all. I felt like November was a good month to do so. 


Side note: Can you believe it’s November already? I swear it was just summer yesterday. I feel like all the back to school craze barely even happened this year because everything went by so fast, and now it’s almost time for holidays! 

I have prolonged this post for awhile because one year ago at around this time is when my blog really started taking on its identity. November is also the month to give thanks, a month of reflection if you will. I was nominated by TWO lovely fellow bloggers, the blogging duo of Aleeha and Lucy from halesaw.com as well as Barbara from barbiegirl06.wordpress.com. I definitely recommend hopping over to their blogs to see what kinds of things they post. They always got up interesting posts to read, and I always enjoy getting a taste of their character and personality from their posts. 

So, what are the rules to this award?

1) Write a post to show your award
2) Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you
3) Give a brief story about why you started blogging
4) Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
5) Nominate 15 other bloggers/blogs for the award

I guess I can cross off the first two. Check and done.




Why did I start blogging? Good question. I’m glad you asked. And if you didn’t, just go along with it and pretend you did. 

I initially started blogging back in February 2014. I launched this blog when I was a senior in high school. This was around the time when the air was filled with thick angst from the pressure of our unknown futures ahead. People in my generation already grow up in a world filled with social media that showcases all the successes of others. To the point where it can almost feel suffocating, like a huge weight. I’m not someone who doesn’t know where they want to go. I know where I want to be. But I am someone who doesn’t know how to get there. 

Many of the little known YouTubers whom I had watched for years were finally gaining more and more recognition around 2014. More people were starting their own channels in hopes of attaining success like them. I chose a different path. It’s not just fame or success I want. I created this blog for a space where I can be completely myself. What I wanted to do was to put myself out there, to do something outside of my comfort zone. I wanted an outlet where I can voice my thoughts, and to share these opinions with other likeminded people. Or at the least have a way to reach out to and meet others. That’s what I feel many people intentionally wanted when they started their own YouTube channels or blogs. 

By creating this blog, I did something for my own future. I took control and made sure there was something there for me that made me happy, something that can be a constant, something that could at the least help me find a way to be where I want to be. As cliche as that sounds… 

I did stop blogging for pretty much a year and half. I relaunched this blog last fall in 2015. Finishing high school, starting university, and basically taking a step in what resembles the real world was a stressful, emotional time. Hence the year and half hiatus. There were lots of changes in my life, and it took awhile for me to get back to blogging. 

But I’m extremely glad I did. I really love blogging. I’m not just saying that in a cliche way that you have to say. I truly view my blog as my baby. 

Here are two pieces of advice to new bloggers.

First off, welcome to the blogging world! One thing I definitely recommend when you start your blog is to really figure out what it is you are trying to do for your blog. I guess, find a direction you are going. You don’t need to have a full understanding of what your blog has to be like, and you don’t need to follow a particular standard. You can always change it up whenever you want because it is your blog after all. But at the least, know what it is you want to do with your blog. With that, you build more of an emotional connection to your blog. At least it did for me. Blogging can get stressful; it is like a job in itself sometimes. But by always keeping in mind what I wanted to do with my blog, this helped motivate me. Keep going, and don’t give up. You know what it is you want to do, and just keep doing it. 

Second piece of advice is to just be yourself. Don’t be afraid to really let your true voice out. Don’t do what you don’t want to do, and don’t feel like you need to do what others are doing. Honestly, the types of bloggers I follow religiously are the ones who write in a way where you can really get a sense of who they are. Yeah, they might be posting the usual OOTD or Beauty Favorites or Haul or whatnot. But, it’s the way they go about it, the format of their posts and their blog, that makes it more than just reading some random webpage you stumbled across. Ignore the pressures of society, and just do you.

(I know it’s only two pieces of advice, but I also really wanted to say that making sure you are a part of the blogging community is very important. Very important. After all, it’s a community and you can’t just sit there like a loner and expect others to approach you.)

The 15 fellow bloggers I nominate for this award are as follows in no particular order:

Roberta milleunrossetto.blogspot.com
Kay shoesandglitter.com
Jasmine thesixthdisneyprincess.blogspot.com
Sora viasora.blogspot.com
Jenn thepinklemonadegirl.com
Julia Kaylee jkdawn.blogspot.com
Kayla kaylasvibrations.com
Samantha mybeautycloud.com
Aly alyinwanderland.com
April beybiapril.wordpress.com
Lovingrose lovingrosestyle.blogspot.com
Marianne myhappybubblexx.blogspot.com
Vildana living-like-v.blogspot.com
Farah vatkinary.com
Pallavi wildfirecharm.com

**if you've already been nominate before or already did this, sorry it's been awhile since I've seen this award going around so I lost track of who has been already nominated and all**


If you were not nominated, I still highly encourage you to comment down below why you started blogging! I always love finding out more about you guys! Lemme know in the comments below the best advice you've got to bloggers, new or old! Also, comment down below what you did for Halloween!

Thank you all for reading this super long post! I think I took a lot of steps with this blogger recognition award post. But oh well. Unapologetically, I thank you all for reading! I wish you are all having a wonderful week so far! Happy November! 


Till next time,
~A