As any traveler knows, whether you're embarking on a road trip through the deserts of California (like I am above!), are on a painfully long flight to Australia, or are even commuting on NYC's Metro North train, there are a few must-haves that keep you looking fresh and feeling glam (without taking up too much real estate in your purse). Here are the things I currently take with me everywhere I go in my faux-leather Honest Beauty Jetsetter Travel Makeup Bag.

In honor of my trip to Australia (and simply because I'm obsessed with all things Australian as of late), I decided to finally give Aussie-born and bred KORA Organics a try. Here are my first impressions and review on Miranda Kerr's collection after using her products for the entire 2 weeks I spent on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia...

When I turned 24, my skin went through quite a bit of change. While I have always had pretty clear skin, I have noticed that I need to do a bit more in my skincare routine for that baby-soft, youthful glow that once came so easily. I have tried about a million and one products, but here is the current routine that is really working for me.

​As someone who is typically not too savvy or creative with my hair, I am always down for those criminally effortless, yet polished looks. After taking a little inspo from my fellow blogger, Marianna Hewitt's, Instagram post, I put my own little spin on the minimal look...

c i t r i n e
creativity | mental clarity
prosperity stone | lifts negativity

From fragrance to all-natural deodorant, here are the products I can't get enough of this Fall...

​As a total coffee addict, skincare junkie, and Australia enthusiast, I truly can't believe it took me this long to try Frank Body products... But I'm seriously so glad I stumbled upon this all-natural, cruelty-free brand once again and finally made my first order. Here are my first impressions and review on these gorgeous products.

The moment I heard Kylie Cosmetics was creating a collection with Kim K (now available on KKW Beauty), I knew I had to have it - and as a nude lipstick lover (who happens to not be the biggest fan of drying matte formulas), this collection seemed to be simply made for me. Although I ordered these lippies as soon as they dropped, I never seemed to get around to reviewing them, so I figured it's better late than never to add my two cents...

On most days (especially with summer getting dangerously close), I turn to a no-fuss, au naturale makeup routine with products I can easily take with me on-the-go, enhancing my features with minimal effort.

​Not all bedheads are created equal... some of us (*cough* Rosie Huntington-Whitely *cough*) seem to wake up with sultry, dissheveled hair, while others (like myself) wake up with their hair looking like a complete and utter mess.
Here's my go-to 'rock n roll' hair look that completely revives day 2 (or even day 3) bedhead tresses.

​As someone with incredibly fair skin (I'm probably the palest Cuban/Italian you'll ever meet), I have an unbelievably difficult time finding the perfect sunless self-tanner. It is either too orange, too streaky, too smelly, too gradual, not gradual enough... the list goes on and on... But Josie Maran Cosmetics' Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Face and Body Oils are an absolute godsend.

While I love looking luminous and radiant all year long, New York in bloom makes me in the mood to amp up my highlighter game. From a natural sheen to an all-out glam, here are the highlighters I swear by.

You may love Kylie, or you may not be a fan - but either way, you know who the powerful, business-savvy youngest Jenner is. Her rebellious spirit has always intrigued me, and I would be lying if I didn't admit I most definitely keep up with the Kardashians (and Jenners). And yes, I am totally hooked on her impressive cosmetics range...

It's my 24th birthday!
As a little girl, I had always been a dancer, and still to this day, it's a dream of mine to learn how to dance ballet en pointe. This year for my birthday, I wanted desperately to see the ballet, and lucky for me, The Sleeping Beauty (one of my most favorite fairytales) was being performed at the NYC Ballet.

Although I have yet to visit France, I have always been intrigued by the way in which French women express their beauty. It is about being uniquely you - remaining natural and highlighting your most favorite features (whether that means choosing to let curly hair be beautifully free, or rocking unkempt brows).

When I stumbled across French Girl Organics on Etsy, I knew I had to try their collection and embrace an effortless take on beauty that is oh-so-Parisian...

As a complete and utter Honest Beauty loyalist, I was so happy to see a facial oil added to their range (especially since I have a serious addiction to oils).
​
Here are my thoughts on the new Everything Organic Facial Oil...

After reviewing DedCool for the first time in a blog post this past Summer, the indie brand out of LA has since become a personal favorite. Their fragrance oils are sexy, gender-neutral, and so "of-the-earth," truly igniting my senses and inciting the poet in me. I absolutely adored their first 2 scents, and couldn't wait to get my hands on their 3 latest blends...

​One of my New Years' resolutions is to spend more time caring for my skin. That means cleaner eating, drinking more water, allowing my skin to breathe with more makeup-free days, and spending more time each morning and night pampering and caring for my personal skin concerns.

​Here is the routine that has been helping me stay ultra-hydrated and blemish-free this winter...

Kate Moss is a legend and muse whose influence will never die, and Rimmel London has always been one of my most trusted drugstore brands with quality formulas and perfect pricepoints.
​Match made in heaven...

When I discovered one of my fave nude lipsticks by MAC Cosmetics inspired a fragrance,
I nearly cried tears of joy.

My sweet Velvet Teddy, meet your new partner in crime, Velvet Teddy...