First off, let me apologize for being an absolute shit blogger these last two weeks. My life is insanity, so it happens. And I'm sorry that I've failed at my New Year's Resolution for this blog but hey, new week and we're back on track. Now on to the real post....

When you're as pale as a ghost (I've only mentioned it about 500 times, right?), fake tanning is really your only option to catch up with those who actually have pigment in their skin. I know last summer I raved about the Banana Boat spray tan option, but I recently picked up a new choice and we'll see how it goes. In the meantime while we wait on my evaluation of that, I'll give you the rundown on my full fake tanning routine.

PREP
    Well let's just start with the obvious here: I always shower before applying a fresh tan. I know some people like to wait, but I'm a morning shower person, thus this gives my tan ample time to develop before I wash it off the next day. I also like to exfoliate for a couple days leading up to tanning, and usually shave my legs the day of because (1) I'm super lazy when it comes to shaving my legs, (2) your tan will fade the next time you shave and (3) it's an extra step of exfoliation to ensure that my skin is fully prepared to take on a spray tan. My current go-to exfoliator is Soap & Glory's Scrub of Your Life - it's foaming so it's not too harsh, but still delivers great results. Not to mention it smells really good. I've also been a fan of Tree Hut's offerings in the past. [Soap & Glory Scrub of Your Life not pictured, because I am a terrible blogger].

SPRAY
     I don't know how much detail I need to go into here. It's pretty self evident I think. My all-time holy grail spray tan is Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Mist. My only complaint about this product is the smell, it says citrus but it's not great and it also lingers around for a while. Other than that it delivers great color and I've never had a single problem with streaking. However, a new one caught my eye when I went to pick up a new bottle for the upcoming season (because I'm realizing that my skin is as white as my Vans and it's not a cute look). I mostly bought it because it said it compares to St. Tropez, which I've somehow held off trying thus far. Anyway, it's Equate's (Walmart) version of their spray tan, but they also offer a mousse and a lotion, which may be tested later depending on how well I like this stuff.

MAINTAIN
     Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I can't say it enough. If you want your tan to last, the best way to maintain it is to moisturize, and not exfoliate but I think that goes without saying. I'm the laziest person when it comes to moisturizing, so it takes a lot for me to actually follow through with this step on a daily basis. Some of my favorite in my line up are Soap & Glory's The Righteous Body Butter, Jergen's Original Formula in the cherry almond scent, and pretty much anything from Bath & Body Works.

If you have any recommendations, I'm definitely open to them. Do you have a tanning routine? What's in your line up?

xx

Tessa

If you're anything like me there are some things you just can't be without (my watch, my phone). This is no different when I venture on to campus (ugh). And in full spirit of getting back into routine, I thought I'd share my campus essentials.

BEAUTY

• Lotion (Nivea Extended Moisture): Since Kansas has decided to be an absolute gem this winter, my hands have been ridiculously dehydrated and I'm always feeling the need to apply lotion. I got a sample size of this a while back and threw it into my bag. It's not my favorite, but it'll work until I get my hands (haha, I'm not Rachel I promise) on another Soap & Glory Hand Food travel size.
• Body Spray (Bath & Body Works, Be Enchanted): I don't use this all that often, but it's nice to have. I really should update the scent, since this one has been in my bag since August, but it's almost spring again — okay, maybe not but close enough? — so it'll probably stay.
• Hand Sanitizer (Bath & Body Works, Island Margarita): I wish they had this scent year round because it's my favorite ever, and yes, I fully plan on stocking up on the candle. Anyway, if you don't carry hand sanitizer on campus, you're crazy. It's pretty self explanatory.
• Chapstick (Maybelline Baby Lips in Melon): Another self explanatory product. Do I ever leave the house without a Baby Lips and/or EOS? The answer is no.

Hola, everyone! I missed last week due to a personal crisis (yes, it was actually a crisis, I'm still dealing with it) but I'm back again this week to show what I've purchased recently at Bath and Body works, it's all candles. I couldn't resist.

They were having a sale as per usual, for the larger candles ringing up at $22. I knew I wanted Leaves but grabbed Harvest Gathering at the last minute. I love the how the White Barn Candles look because I'm a sucker for script.

Leaves definitely has that autumn apples and berries smell to it that I love around this time of year. Harvest Gathering is somewhat similar to Leaves in the sense that it has a hint of apple to it but it definitely has more of a warm feel to it since Leaves has that cider punch and Harvest Gathering is more of a Nutmeg/ spice scent.

I have no idea what my obsession with Bergamot is, but I almost cried when they told me they only had these in the small size. I believe I have talked about Bergamot Woods before in a favorites video but it seriously is my favorite candle ever. I didn't want to risk it so I bought a couple of the Bergamot Woods and Black Pepper Bergamot. The Black Pepper Bergamot is basically just a calmer scent than Bergamot Woods. They both have lavender in them so that probably just adds to why I love them.

I know this is a short little post, but hey, it's Christmas Eve for Christ's sake. Go be with your families...or finish shopping, whatever you need to do. I need to wrap presents still, so no judgement here.

Until next week!
xx Tori

Every time I get paid, I swear I'm not going to go crazy spending money. I failed. Enjoy my outrageous spending habits in this haul. (ps - this was in a couple trips over probably the last month.. and by trips I mean binges).


xx
Tessa

I've returned to YouTube! Still as awkward as ever. I filmed a little ramble on some beauty favorites as well as two nonbeauty favorites. My goal this month is to better about filming. If I don't film a video at least every other week, Rachel has permission to punch me until I do. I know she'll be stoked. She punches hard. Watch the video here!

  Hello! So today is going to be a mix of a video haul and a text post haul! For your viewing "pleasure" the video is here♡

Cat earrings from Forever 21. I have this problem where I feel the need to always buy something just because they have cats on them. $2.80

Enchanted Orchid Lotion- $3.00 Cherry Blossom- $3.50 Wild Peach Poppies- $2.75 Bath & Body Works Fourth of July Sale

Peach High Low Tank from Forever 21 $15.80.  PINK baby blue tye-dye Crop Legging Yogas $39.50

Olay Fresh Effects Shine, Shine Go Away! Target, $11.69