Happy HAULidays!

Hello, lovelies! I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but Thanksgiving is over. But hey, the rest of the holiday season is still ahead of us. The holiday season is great: the food is always amazing, family time is alright, but my favorite part is the shopping! 

I am one of those people who starts a countdown to Black Friday after the last piece of pumpkin pie has been devoured. I have window-shopped, price-checked, sized, ordered, and re-ordered just within the last few days.

It may sound crazy, but I found some great gifts for myself, too. Below are some things I have found within the past few weeks that I can't wait to use during the HAULidays!

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Benefit Eye Set

Benefit Cosmetics always comes in handy when needing a great eye look. This set includes They're Real! Lengthening Mascara {Beyond Black}, They're Real! Push-Up Liner {Beyond Black}, and They're Real! Remover. The trio helps to achieve the biggest, sexiest eyes with long lashes. 

This is a sampler set, so the products do not contain as much as the original products, but if you are looking around for a new eye look, this might be the products for you!

Nail Polish

I definitely am in need of a fresh mani/pedi for the holiday season. I found the Essie Ravishing Red Festive Mini Set, which I now adore. I've always loved Essie nail polishes mainly because there is a wide range of hues and the lacquer stays for at least a couple weeks, and the packaging is just really freaking adorable. The set contains four beautiful colors, including Toggle to the Top, Beyond Cozy Double Breasted Jacket, and Blanc. 

Toggle to the Top is a sparkly maroonish-purple polish that will look great for a New Years mani! Beyond Cozy is a sparkly silver lacquer that also screams, "NEW YEARS!" Double Breasted Jacket is a cherry red color, perfect for Christmas. Blanc is white and could accompany any of the other colors to create a festive mani/pedi.

Left to right: Toggle to the Top, Double Breasted Jacket, Blanc, Beyond Cozy.

Advent Calendars

I saved the best items for last! I have always loved Advent calendars, but I've only had chocolate or toys inside them, not beauty products. When December 1st comes, this will be 24 days of heaven for me!

First, I got the Benefit Cosmetics Party Poppers 12 Days of Gorgeous Set. I'm not typically one for surprises (trust me), but I have forced myself to not look at what is included inside each calendar. I can say that the packaging is glamorous and edgy, and it sings the Benefit version of "12 Days of Christmas."

I then had to complete my 24 Days of Christmas with another 12-day Advent calendar. I purchased the Tanya Burr Cosmetics Deck The Hauls 12 Days of Christmas Beauty Calendar. This was available at Superdrug and Feel Unique, but it's sold out! Tanya Burr is one of my favorite makeup artists, so I am thankful to have snagged one of these calendars. Once again, I didn't check to see the contents of the set, but I will see when the time comes to open it!

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I am planning to open these two calendars every other day, and will be posting the contents throughout December. Let's call it... Blogmas! Cool? Yes, it is! The goal is to also incorporate the items into my beauty regimens, but no promises. The holiday season is also the season of finals. Gross.

Let me know what you all are planning to use during the holidays, whether it be health, beauty, food, etc. I love hearing your feedback! Have a great December!

xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Hot Chocolate for the Holidays

Hello, lovelies! It’s that time of year: the air is getting crisper and the nights are getting darker. After a day of long classes or a night before a stressful test, it is always a good idea to have a cup of cocoa by your side. After awhile, though, we can’t always be drinking the same hot chocolate and marshmallows; it’s time to mix things up! After all, isn’t that what college is for? It’s time to try something new. Here are four hot chocolate recipes to add to your brisk evenings!

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

1 cup of milk

½ cup chocolate chips

5 peppermint candies or 2 candy canes

Pumpkin Spice

Ingredients

1 tsp. maple syrup

½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp. unsweetened dark cocoa

Caramel

Ingredients

½ cup milk

5 oz. milk chocolate, chopped

¼ heavy cream

3 Tbsp. caramel sauce

Vegan

Ingredients

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1-1/2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp. coconut palm sugar

For each of these recipes, heat on medium-low heat until chocolate is melted and everything is evenly mixed together. Feel free to top them off with marshmallows, whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, or caramel.

Enjoy something warm as the days get cold. Let me know what you think of these recipes in the comments below! 
xx Amanda

FabFX Facebook Page

Twitter & Instagram:@amanda_wymore

Homemade Pumpkin Face Mask

Hello, lovelies! Happy post-Halloween! As you read in my Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe, Zachary and I carved pumpkins a couple days ago. Keeping the Halloween theme alive just a little bit longer, I decided to make a festive pumpkin face mask.

There are a lot of beneficial qualities in pumpkin...

Pumpkin contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, alpha- and beta-carotenes, and minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iron.

It helps fade sun spots and age spots.

Is a potent antioxidant that fights wrinkle-causing free radicals in your skin.

Contains enzymes that help to dissolve dry skin.

How incredible?! You learn something new every day!

I used to think pumpkins were just great for Halloween and pumpkin pie.

...and honey!

I decided the sidekick in this mask would be something just as beneficial for the skin. 

It's counterpart, honey, is also crazy good for your skin! 

Honey is naturally antibacterial. 

It does miracles for those who are suffering from acne. 

Just like pumpkin, honey contains antioxidants. 

It is moisturizing and a good ingredient to use for those with sensitive skin. 

Honey also does a really good job of opening pores and helps clean out dirt and oil.

Here is the recipe for this delightful concoction!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon cooked pumpkin (I used the pumpkin guts from the pumpkin I carved)

1 teaspoon honey

***If you are prone to excess acne or oiliness, replace the honey with 
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. 

Directions:
Mix and mash all ingredients together and apply to skin.

Leave on skin for 15 minutes.

Rinse with cool water and cleanser.
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That's all there is to it! Not too difficult! 
Don't be intimidated by the orange; it won't dye your skin!

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Love this mask? Make a huge batch and freeze for later use!
15 oz. can of organic pumpkin puree
3/4 cup of honey

Mix and store in an ice cube tray to freeze. Each cube is one application! 
Store in freezer for up to three months!
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Need a good scrubbin'? Make an exfoliator by adding 1 tsp. of cane sugar to apply after washing off the mask.
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So versatile! Bravo, pumpkin!
Enjoy! Happy fall! 

xx Amanda
FabFX Facebook Page
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore