Stumped for the holidays?

"Happy Holidays everyone!" "I can't believe that it is almost Christmas!"
      Yes, I know these are common phrases you are hearing everyday right about now...
I know most of our spirits may be down currently, but that does not mean that we can't come together and enjoy the best time of the year. I don't know about you, but this time of year use to be one of my favorites... but when "Adulting" started happening it became more stressful than positive. With that being said I know I am not the only one feeling this way, so this year I decided to turn over a new leaf and to create a plan of action. In hopes that this can help some of you feel more at ease. As well as truly help those last minute shoppers get some creative brownie points this year. By nature I am naturally a planner and enjoy being ahead of the game, which also means my gifts are always the best because I truly think them out. Also by doing this, it allows you to really lock down and budget your money correctly. The goal is to NOT shop till you drop.

First things first, you must determine who you are shopping for. By making a list on who you attend to buy for, will make things much easier... next to the name jot down a few characteristics about that person or ideas of items that you think they may like. Set your price range for each person (Rough estimate), this will allow you to be able to calculate and see how much you are actually spending.

Next, be on the hunt for unique items! Nothing is better than a unique gift, much more thoughtful than that last minute gift card. Be on the look out for sales! Yes this means you may be having to deal with Black Friday or Cyber Monday. But not all great deals are going on then. Just do your research.

Check out cool sites like Etsy, and support your small businesses! On there you can find just about anything.
Check out catalogs such as lake Side Collections, which now has an online site to shop as well.
I figured most of us are visual right? So thank you so much for reading through all of this, now here are some pictures of gift ideas.

1. For that handyman you may know, here is an item from (Lakeside Collection: Rolling Work Seat with Built in tool box $85.98)

2. For the kiddos, (Lakeside Collection: Step-to-play Piano Mat $19.98)

3. For her, (Lake Side Collection: Metal Monogram Wine Cork Holder $6.98)

(Now a couple items from the shop Etsy)

One of my Favorite beauty retailers is SEPHORA, so yes some of my xmas gifts come from here. Here are a couple ideas. Another secret is to buy sets and break them up to make your own mini makeup bags.

The coolest part about the Fragrance sampler is that they get to try out the samples, and which ever one if there favorite they can bring in the Voucher and redeem a full size fragrance. They make them for men and women so it makes your life easier and less guessing weather or not they like the fragrance you bought them. 

Alrighty loves, so I know this was a super long post... But I owe it to you for my absence. Please comment down below if you found this helpful, also comment your holiday gift ideas as well! 

XOXO Sedona 

The Rebel Eye!

5 Primers to make your foundation last ALL DAY!

Hello my BEAUTIFUL people! For starters, taking care of your skin is a must! If you expect your skin to look amazing and your foundation to lay smooth then you will need to make sure you have a good skin care routine.( Stay tuned I will be writing a blog post next week on my current skin care routine.) Picture this, if you were to lay paint over a pile of shingles... what would you see? You would see raised and uneven texture and that is NOT how your foundation should look! Now that we got that out of the way I want to share with you my favorite foundation primers. My skin type is oily, so if you are combo-oily these will work great for you.

1. HourGlass Mineral Veil Primer 

This primer is water-resistant, reduces shine and helps smooth the skin as well as appearance of pores.This primer is also oil and fragrance free. (This product also contains SPF)

2. Too Faced Hangover RX

This coconut water primer delivers smoothness, hydration and brightens the skin. Can you say all in one? This replenishes the skin leaving it with the best healthy glow!

3. Dior Forever & Ever Wear Primer

This Primer enhances the long wear of any foundation, this is great for people that struggle with oily skin and will help keep your face looking matte and in place throughout the day! 

4. Pores No More Primer

Dr. Brandt did it again creating another amazing product. Pores no more not only conceals what we hate to see but also smooths out the skin. This will help mattifies shine, absorb excess oils and also blur out imperfections such as; pores, fine lines and wrinkles.

5. Korres Pomegranate Primer

This is a water based primer; mattifying, pore minimizing as well as a natural skin balancing agent. Improves skin texture and is a long wear primer.

I have nothing but good things to say about these foundation primers, if you are in the market for a new one.. give them a try(: Comment down below on your  favorite primers.

XOXO Sedona 

Review time! Amuse Bouche

Anyone in the market for a new lipstick? Have you been so obsessed with liquid lipsticks lately that your poor lips are screaming for a hydration break? Well I am pleased to introduce Amuse Bouche from bite beauty. I was sent 3 products to try out for testing purposes. To begin, I was in love with the citrus scent! When I wore the lipstick all day my lips felt hydrated and don't let me forget the creamy texture and color pigmentation was perfect. All in all I would recommend these lipsticks to try out. I Received 3 courtesy of Influenster and Bite. The colors I have been playing around with are; pepper, gazpacho, and beetroot.  

This new line has over 34 shades, which means you are bound to find the perfect shade for you. Ranging from bold to everyday where they are made for everyone. 

Thank you all so much for reading and stopping by. 

XOXO, Sedona 

Tip Tip Hooray! A Guide to Tipping

      A common issue that I have came across ever since I started in the work force is tipping. Yes, I know you are probably thinking "Why do I have to tip, I am already paying enough?" Or "My service sucked so why should I leave a good tip." Well the answer is, no you do not have to tip. BUT it is preferred, especially anytime someone does a service for you. So instead of constantly hearing complaining about this I thought, why not write out the golden rules and get the word spread going. Don't worry I wont make this super long for those of you who hate to read(:

     For any Hair stylist, Nail tech, Aesthetician, Massage therapist, or any other service provider IT IS ALWAYS encouraged to tip. How much shall you ask? 15-20% of the service before taxes is a proper tip. Not too bad huh? Get a $25 set of nails and somewhat like them? Tip 15% which comes out to 3.75, but I always like to round up. Typically if I have been going to the same person for quite some time I tend to always tip way more than what is preferred. I like to think of it as, you take care of me and I will take care of you. So yes my nail lady always receives at least $10 on a set of nails.

    Now that we got the services out of the way, let's talk about the food industry. Ever since I was 16 I have been working in the food industry and boy have I heard and seen it all. I have seen parties of 20 leaving an entire mess and a $3 tip after taking up the servers section for 2 hours as well as running that poor girl to death (Which in fact she was one of the best servers in the restaurant). Seeing that crappy $3 left behind makes you want to march right up to the table and hand it back to them. It's almost like a slap in the face of disrespect. I have also experienced large masses of to-go orders which, little do you know takes a lot of preparation. I always double check my work, put all the supplies they would possibly need and even showed them everything just to ensure the food was to their liking before they left. I don't have to do any of that, I could just throw it all in a bag and say "Here you go, have a nice night." But I don't, it is against what I believe is right and my excellent customer service. So, now that I gave you this true story... I will tell you what you need to know so you can get on your way. Breakfast/Lunch it is preferred to tip 15%, and dinner is 20%. See two easy numbers that you have seen before, again I always like to tip more just because I have been in the industry and I know how challenging making ends meat is. This is a hard job, yes everyone can be a server. But not everyone can be a great server, it takes excellent customer service skills and knowing how to assist each and every guest properly. If you have a crappy server and it is clear that they are (Takes 10 minutes to greet you, wont refill any drinks, wont check on you) this is the only time to tip 10-15%. Never not leave them something, leave them a tip and let them know on the receipt what they could do better and that you would have left more. This will give them something to work on, so moral of the story regardless if you are getting your hair/nails done or out to eat. ALWAYS tip, you never know if they are relying on that tip to pay a bill. How would you like it if you were stiffed?


Thanks guys, let's get our generation and our world better at tipping.

XOXO Sedona

My Current Go-To Palette's!

Who doesn't love a good eye shadow palette, better yet one that you could use with just about any look? Ever since I came across the Makeup Forever Pro Artist Palette #1 and the Buxom Dolly's Wild Side I have been in love. Both palette's are very pigmented and very universal. Since I have hazel eyes and I typically like to wear my everyday makeup more on the natural side I tend to grab the MUFE palette first. Depending on what I am wearing or if I am just simply bored I will add in a pop of purple from the Buxom palette as well. So please take a look at these beautiful colors and comment down below your favorite color as well as your favorite palette you have been loving and think I should try out. 

Makeup Forever Pro Artist #1

Check these beauties out! I will list the color swatches left to right as seen in top photo(:

I-528

I-514

ME-512

S-556

D-562

ME-644

S-102

I-544

D-652

Dolly's Wild Side

If you love purple like me then this palette is definitely for you! Colors will be listed left to right as seen in top photo(:

Silk Sheets

Champagne Buzz

Lingerie Lover

Mink Magnet 

Spoiled Sexy

Wild Nights

Hope you all enjoyed this post! Again please comment down below on your favorite palette that you use, I would love to check out some new ones! Hope you all have a wonderful night, XOXO Sedona

Ipsy Glam bag: October 2015 Unboxing

Hello beauties! So because of my lack of patience I wanted to rip my packaging open and try out my new goodies I have been waiting all month for. I enjoy getting monthly subscriptions, its like Christmas for only $10! If you have not subscribed yet, I highly encourage you to do so(: Let's get on to the reveal shall we?

Peter Lamas- Exfoliating Pumpkin Facial Scrub

It says that it is made for all skin types, deep cleanses, exfoliates and brightens skin.

Yummmm! Excited to try this out, I LOVE anything Pumpkin related.

It Cosmetics- Hello Lash Mascara

Claims that it is a 5-in-1 Clinically Proven mascara that increases Length and Volume.

My lashes are needing a little love and I honestly hope this works out for me. I will let you all know what I think about it.

Eva.Nye- Therapy Session Hair Mask

Made with Keravis protein, Argan oil, this claims to deeply condition the hair and strengthen. 

Interested in giving this a try, I am always up for trying new hair masks. I am a hair junkie, I guess the given industry I am in has made me that way.

Emite Make Up- Tweezers

I have never heard of this brand before, how did Ipsy know I was in need of new Tweezers?

Plus they are pink and look just like tweezerman.. hmmm we might have a possible dupe on our hands.

The Balm- Meet Matt(e) Hughes long lasting liquid lipstick

I had to swatch this and give it a try because I have been obsessed with liquid lipsticks lately. This looks like a cross between Lolita and love sick by Kat Von D. Super excited to wear this to work and put this to the ultimate test. Smells like peppermint which I LOVE, hopefully I wont be able to lick it off lol.

Well everyone that concludes the unboxing of my October 2015 Ipsy Glam bag, I hope you all enjoyed. If you receive Ipsy bags as well I would love to know what you got in yours, leave a comment down below. Have a wonderful day everyone! XOXO Sedona