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As a big Urban Decay fan, I was really excited to test out their Matte Revolution Lipsticks.

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[Left to Right: Tilt, Stark Naked, Bittersweet]

I had the opportunity to swatch and test out 3 of the matte shades – Tilt, bright orangey red / Stark Naked, nude / Bittersweet, bright purple.

The Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipsticks are unlike other mattes. They are SUPER creamy and do not dry like a traditional matte lipstick. The formula, while applies buttery, drys with almost a velvet texture and is very long lasting. The three shades I tried were also very pigmented and did not feather when applied.

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[Left to Right: (with flash) Bittersweet, Tilt & Starknaked]

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What do you think about these shades? Which one is your favorite?

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While this is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Kohl’s and Latina Bloggers Connect, all opinions expressed are my own. 

With the crazy weather we’ve been having here lately in New Jersey, it’s been a little hard to think about warmer days. Either way, my Spring wardrobe needed some sprucing up so I headed to my local Kohl’s. Kohl’s is one of my favorite stores to shop at since you literally can find everything you need there from clothing, to beauty products to home decor.

I naturally gravitated to the Jennifer Lopez and LC Lauren Conrad Collections. They were filled with bright colors, bold prints and really cute styles. As you’ve seen from previous Fashion posts, I tend to lean towards darker clothing and this shopping trip was no different.

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I fell in love with this romper from the Jennifer Lopez Collection. It featured a mandarin collar which is super flattering to the neck line and came with a gold accent belt. I loved that it has adjustable sleeves which is perfect for the Spring temperatures. I paired this romper with these super cute Ivory Floral pumps from LC Lauren Conrad. I see myself wearing them a lot the next few months as they are a great neutral staple piece. The floral cut outs are a unique touch and make them so different than your normal everyday shoe.

I was also determined to find a really great outerwear piece for the Spring. I was looking for something that stood out and that would work with various outfits. When my eyes locked onto this dusty rose colored trench from the Jennifer Lopez Collection, I knew it was the one. The color was absolutely gorgeous and it was light weight which was perfect. It’s made from really soft material and the way it flowed while walking made me feel like I was on the runway.

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I plan to make another trip to Kohl’s soon as they had some really cute bags and accessories I was eyeing up.

Have you started your Spring shopping? If so, what are some of your must items to have for this season?

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kohl’s and Latina Bloggers Connect. The opinions and text are all mine.

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I have always been an over packer.

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The problem with over packers is it’s hard for us to admit it. If anyone made a comment about how many shoes or jeans I was bringing, I always had an excuse on why I absolutely needed every single item in my suitcase. There were numerous times my suitcase went over the 50b limit but I always just blamed it on certain items being heavy. It wasn’t until I was on my 2nd European vacation that I accepted this title and was pretty embarrassed by it. My husband and I were on a train going from Prague to Berlin. We ended up sitting with a business man from Germany and he took one look at the size of my suit case and goes… American? He then proceeded to talk to us about how he’s noticed a lot of American travelers over pack, and well, he’s right! That trip I didn’t use 50% of what I packed. Since then I have really tried to pack ‘Smart’ regardless of my final destination. Here are some of my top tips when packaging for vacation.

1. Use the proper luggage size – Don’t pack a 30″ suitcase if you’re going away for a short weekend or only for a few days. When you pull out a bag that is oversized, you will always find a way to fill it.

2. Roll, don’t fold – There’s always an exception to the rule but for the most part, rolling vs folding your clothes will give you more space when packing. I even go the extra mile and will use large ziplock bags to compress the clothing which makes everything even more organized.

3. Make a list & stick to it – Make a list of everything you need down to your toothbrush, check it twice. Sticking to the list will make sure you don’t bring additional items as well as making sure that you aren’t forgetting anything important.

4. Pack clothing that is versatile – This is a big one! You don’t need 5 pairs of jeans, 2 sneakers, 3 heels and an endless amount of leggings. Pack clothing that can go from day to night easily and can be reused more than once. Pack only the essentials when it comes to footwear. Try to stick to neutral colors and think about comfort.

5. Leave behind basic toiletries  – Unless you’re traveling to space, your final destination will more than likely have a place that you can purchase all your toiletries and all those other items that not only take up room but add extra weight. Also, your hotel may provide many of these things, including a blow dryer and iron! If you must pack it – think travel sized instead of full-sized.

6. Make use of those extra spaces – Filling your shoes can free up some extra space. It’s the perfect spot for your rolled underwear, socks and even chargers.

Do you have any additional tips that help you pack smart? Leave a comment letting me know what they are!

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derma e is one of the largest natural facial brands in the US. I love discovering brands that are truly all natural since I feel like everything we use now a days is filled with chemicals and harmful ingredients. I have heard how great charcoal masks in general were so I was really excited to try out derma e’s Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask.

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First, I love that this is a mask and scrub in 1. I have sensitive skin so I try to limit the amount of products I put on my face so this is perfect. This is one of those products that a little goes a long way. After applying it dried rather quickly and I left it on for a few minutes before wetting my face, massaging the product in for 30 seconds and wiping off.

The formula is suppose to purge pores of deeply rooted toxins and exfoliate away micro pollutants to make your skin glow. Natural clays infused with Kimarine Wakame, Bladerwrack and Activated Charcoal lift out dirt, oil and bacteria to decongest pores as the mask dries. Apricot Seed Powder exfoliates away dead skin cells and captured debris upon removal. Kaolin and Bentonite Clays absorb excess oils and impurities, relieving skin congestion. Kimarine Wakame is a potassium-rich, magnesium-rich seaweed that is clinically proven to protect skin against environmental pollutants (exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, heavy metals). Bladderwrack is an antioxidant-rich, mineral-rich seaweed known for its water-binding properties, supporting healthy skin hydration and nourishment. Activated Charcoal, known for absorbing 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities, purges pores of deeply rooted toxins, then Apricot Seed Powder gently exfoliates away micropollutants.

Overall I love the results of this Charcoal Mask. My skin felt instantly cleaner and super soft. While drying you could literally see the pores being purified. I’ve been using this mask for a few months now and everytime I use it I feel as I wake up with my skin smoother, brighter and visibly clearer.

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Philosophy has launched their newest product line – Take A Deep Breath Collection.

This collection creates an oxygen reservoir on the skin, allowing the oxygen to help absorb the key essentials in the product being applied. Philosophy’s new oxygen line leaves the skin to breathe freely, combatting signs of aging from a busy lifestyle. With barley leaf extract there is also a patented 8 aox blend which protects from 99% free radicals.

Philosophy’s Take a Deep Breath Collection includes:

1aoil-free oxygenating gel cream

2broad spectrum spf 30 oil-free moisturizer

3oxygenating eye gel cream

4cushion foundation / available in 8 shades

5cushion color for cheeks / available in 4 shades

6sheer liquid sunshine

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Philosophy has also teamed up with Under Armour!

To mark the launch of Philosophy’s Take a Deep Breath oxygenating gel cream and the Under Armour Breathe Bra, the two wellbeing brands join forces to inspire a movement reminding women that breathing can change everything, so #dontforgettobreathe.

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