December Beauty Favorites

  Hello, friends! How are you doing today? Did you have a great holiday season? Let me know in the comments below! It is now time to tell you guys what my beauty favorites for the month of December are! 

Revlon Colorstay Foundation: I just bought this this month to try it out. I've heard a ton of great reviews for this product from my friends, and it seems perfect for oily skinned me! This is some heavy duty stuff! This foundation lasts all day and gives really full coverage. Believe me, getting foundation to stay on my skin is no easy task! However, this definitely gets the job done. I don't wear this daily, as it is pretty heavy, but it's great when I know that I'll need full coverage for long periods of time. 

Tip: Apply this with a damp beauty sponge. It can get cakey, otherwise! Also, blend quickly! It dries fast.

Revlon BB Cream: This is another Revlon product that I've been loving this month! It gives light-medium coverage and lasts a decent amount of time. I also really like how light feeling it feels on my skin, while giving sun protection with it's SPF of 30. 

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in New York Scene: This product is awesome! It's really moisturizing and gives great color pay off. I love the color, as well. It's a gorgeous raspberry color that is perfect for this season.

Benefit Coralista: I cannot say enough great things about this product! It's a beautiful shimmery coral color that highlights the face and gives a glowing appearance. Unfortunately, the product shattered in the pan. I still use it, though!

Vanilla Bean Noel: I actually got this product from my sister for Christmas, but I have used it many times before. It smells like a sugar cookie and has this amazing warmth to it! I just love this product, and I've been wearing it pretty much everyday this month.

Avenue Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer: This has been my day and night moisturizing this entire month. It leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated, which is great for the dry winter air! I also love that it gives sun protection.

Garnier Fructis Marvelous Oil: I recently purchased this product, and I really love it. It gives extra hydration to my hair and leaves it silky and shiny. It's great to apply in just washed hair. In the past I used the Organix Coconut Oil, which is really hydrating, but it left my hair feeling greasy. However, this product doesn't leave that heavy greasy feeling at all! I just love it!

CVS Brand Eye Cream: I believe this is the knockoff product for the Loreal eye cream, but it works just as well! My under eye area is really dry, while the rest of my face is oily, which is very strange. Though, this product is very moisturizing and I've noticed a great change in my skin.

Alright guys! This is my last favorites post of the year! 2015 is going to be here in a couple days, which means a fresh new start for all of us! Thank you for being part of this blog and supporting Love Ling! I love you guys! See you next year! 

-Love Ling

(P.S. Here's a sneak peak into future blog posts in 2015! The next post is going to be a big one, so get excited! )

December Non-Beauty Favorites

Hello, friends! December was another month that just flew by! Now that the new year is ringing in, it is time to reflect on what I loved in the last month of the year!

• Christmas music: I listened to so much Christmas music this month! I listen to it in the car, mostly, but I don't mind playing a bit of Michael Bublé when I'm in the shower.
• Take Me to Church by Hozier: I have been listening to this song non-stop this month! I absolutely love the soul/gospel vibe it has. Though, I'm not quite sure if I should peg it as a religious song...Anyways! The link to the song is on the right!

• Fame: Fame rehearsals have been up and running this month! I've been having a ton of fun rehearsing with the cast and discovering my character. 
• Ingrid Nilsen/Vlogmas: Ingrid Nilsen is my absolute favorite YouTuber of all time. She is so adorable and fun to watch, and I especially love her vlogs! Throughout the month of December, she has been vlogging everyday until Christmas, and I looked forward to watching them daily in December. 

Here is a link to Ingrid's channel! Definitely check her out! 

https://www.youtube.com/user/missglamorazzi/featured

• Christmas season: I really love Christmas, and being in the Christmas spirit this month has definitely been a favorite of mine! Christmas really is the season of giving, and it's been very rewarding to be able to give to other this season. 

I hope you enjoyed my non-beauty favorites for the month of December! Expect a bunch of new posts coming your way! 

-Love Ling

Post Holiday Mini Haul

  Hello, friends! I hope you had an incredible Christmas! If you don't celebrate it , that's totally fine! I hope you're having a great week! I had an amazing Christmas filled with family, friends, and a lot of joy. For me, Christmas is more than a day. It's an entire season, and I just love it. 
  It's a tradition in my family to go shopping with our newly received gift cards. Today, we stormed the mall to see if we could get some after holiday deals. I just wanted to show you some of the things I got today and share the deals that are out there! I will say that I had a mini panic attack shopping. The malls are so crowded! With the lights, music, and people surrounding me, it can be very overwhelming, so be careful when you shop! Bring a buddy and eat before you go! 

  Alright! These are the things that I bought today. Bath and Body Works is having their semi-annual sale, so everything there is on a discount! If you go there, definitely take a look at the holiday scents and the discontinued scents. I picked up "Sensual Amber", which is my absolute favorite scent that was discontinued a while ago! I bought the triple moisture body cream, as well as the body wash. I love the scent, because it's very mature, but warm. It's my favorite!

  Here's the link to the Bath and Body Works website: http://bathandbodyworks.com

  I also picked up some dark wash Hollister jeans! The jeans at Hollister are $20 each right now, which is an amazing deal. Usually they're $50! I have fallen in love with Hollister jeans, recently. They're really good quality and are so comfy! I just picked up some dark wash jeans today. 

  Here's the link to the Hollister website: http://www.hollisterco.com/shop/us

  I hope you enjoyed this post! I will talk to you guys in a bit!

-Love Ling

My Day: 12/20

  Hello, friends! How are you guys today? I hope you have had an amazing day full of joy and holiday fun! Today I'm going to give you a run down of what went down today, so let's get started!
  I had a performance this morning in which I sang and played piano at a local nursing home. I performed a couple holiday pieces, and it went really well. I really enjoy going to nursing homes and brightening the days of the residents that live there.
  After the performance, I went to Five Guys for lunch, where I had a delicious burger! That place is so great, so if you haven't tried Five Guys, you definitely need to. For the rest of the afternoon, I ran some errands around town and did some shopping. I also got in some Christmas wrapping! I'm really happy that I was able to wrap all the gifts I'm giving, because that knocks off one thing on my list of things to do! 
  This evening, I had dinner with my family and baked some cookies afterwards. I will give you the recipe of the cookies I baked later, for sure! 
  I hope you enjoyed this blog post of my day, and I will talk to you later! 

-Love Ling

Fame Update

  Hello,friends! I just wanted to give you guys an update on how Fame (the show I'm in) is doing. The past week has been full of rehearsals, which has been so fun! I was actually sick all last week, so I wasn't 100% at every rehearsal, but I think a lot got done. We did a bit of choreography, where I had to do a bit of ballet and hip hop. I realize now that my body isn't meant to do hip hop. Watching me "get down" is pretty hilarious. Anyways! We are making a lot of amazing progress in this show, and I am loving every bit of it. The cast is so awesome and kind, and they all work so hard! I just love them! Rehearsals are going to be taking a break until January, but I just wanted to update you on how the show is going!

-Love Ling

Christmas Season

  Hello, friends! The Christmas season is one of the most wonderful times of the year. However, it is also very stressful. There's this internal list of everything that needs to be done by Christmas. Of course, there's buying presents for everyone in the family which eventually leads to a Starbucks driven, painstaking trip to the mall. Don't even bother with Bath and Body Works. Some of those women in there will fight you for the last Vanilla Bean Noel. Then there's setting up the Christmas decorations and holiday-ifying the house, which is always fun. Don't forget the hours of baking in the kitchen! It's really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but it's important to remember the reason for the season.
  I know that not all of my readers are religious, and that's fine. I happen to be religious, and believe that the core of the Christmas season should be Jesus. Others may believe that the core of the season is to give or to be with family, which is great! Christmas time is really special. There's nothing quite like it. I just ask you to remember the why you're setting up the tree or waiting in long lines at stores. Don't let the stress of the holidays deter you from living out the true meaning of Christmas, whatever this is to you.

-Love Ling

Daily Essentials

Hello, friends! My makeup changes from day to day, but there are some products that I just have to have! These are some of my everyday essentials!

Loreal Butterfly Mascara: You guys know that I just love this mascara. It gives my lashes a ton of volume and makes them thick, without being gloopy. The formula is long lasting, so my lashes will still look amazing at the end of the day!

Loreal Gel Eyeliner: I forget what the shade of this liner is, but it's basically a brown color. Having black liner is really popular, but I like how natural brown liner looks. This liner is so easy to apply and the formula is really nice and lasts forever!

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit: I know I've talked about this product a ton, but I just love it! It's got everything you could possibly need for your eyebrows. It comes with a pearly highlighter, two brow shades, a sponge applicator, an angled applicator, and tweezers. I have been using this for a really long time and I use it everyday.

Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer: I wear this primer almost every single day. It feels really light on my skin and really helps my foundation to adhere to my face throughout the day.

Covergirl 3 in 1 Foundation: I really like this foundation. It has medium to full coverage and blends really nicely. I've noticed that it lasts for a pretty good amount of time, which is nice. This is definitely an essential of mine.

Clinique Blush in Sunset Glow: I would like to say R.I.P. to this blush, as it shattered into a million pieces recently. This blush was a beautiful rosy color with a hint of a golden sheen. It was the perfect fall color, and I wore a ton. 

I hope you enjoyed listening to me ramble on about all of these beauty essentials! I will see you all in my next post!

-Love Ling

My Everyday Makeup Routine

  Hello, friends! I have started wearing a very simple, clean look that gets me out the door while feeling like myself. This is the my everyday, fresh face makeup look!

Step 1: Face
I first apply my Maybelline Dream Fresh BB cream all over my face. This product gives me lightweight coverage, as well as moisturization and sun protection. I love it so much, and it feels so light on my face.

After applying BB cream, I might go in with a stick concealer to cover up any blemishes peeking through. Most of the time, I just ignore them and apply powder. The powder I use is the Loreal True Match Powder. It's super easy to use, mattifies pretty well, and provides a tiny bit of coverage.

Step 2: Eyebrows
I love filling in my eyebrows, because it gives me a more polishes look. I use my Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit to define them. I don't need much, just a bit to fill in the sparse areas.

I like to set my brows with a clear mascara to keep the hairs in place. For this, I use the Maybelline Clear Mascara. I've used this for a long time!

Step 3: Eyes
Like I said, I keep the eyes very simple. I don't have time for eyeshadow, and lately, it's just been too much! I just smudge a bit of my UD 24/7 Liner in Bourbon on my top and bottom lash line for some definition.It's just a nice, shimmery brown color. I love that this liner is über pigmented, glides on easily, and doesn't smudge throughout the day.

After liner, I curl my lashes to prep them for mascara. My mascara switches on a daily basis, but I tend to go for products that will make my lashes full and long. I apply my mascara of the day on my top and bottom lashes.

Step 4: Cheeks
If I feel like it, I'll add a light flush to the cheeks. I usually go for a light pink blush to brighten and freshen my face. My favorite is "Classic Pink" by Covergirl.

If I'm feeling extra snazzy, I'll take a light pink lipstick and blend that on to my cheeks for a more natural look.

Step 5: Lips
I don't tend to wear lip gloss or lipstick. I usually just moisturize my lips with some Rose Bud Lipsalve or a balm. Pretty simple, huh?

I hope you enjoyed my natural, "Tris Prior" inspired look. I like that it lets my natural features shine through and is super quick. I hope you enjoyed this look! Let me know if you would like to see any more Divergent blog posts!

-Love Ling
  

Tropical Smoothie Recipe

Hello, friends! No matter what the weather, I like cold drinks. I love Frappucinos, iced coffee, and smoothies in the winter time. It's honestly the weirdest thing. One of my favorite smoothies to make is inspired by a Blogilates post that I saw on Instagram which is a "Healthy Orange Julian" smoothies recipe. This is very simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. 

Ingredients

1. 1 clementine
2. 1 banana
3. 3/4 C milk
4. 1 C of ice
5. 1 tsp sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Peel one clementine and break it apart slightly. Place it in the blender.
2. Follow up the orange with a banana broken into chunks. Place the banana in the blender as well.
3. Use a measuring cup to measure out 3/4 of milk (any kind is fine) and pour it into the blender.
4. Reuse the measuring cup to trap 1 c of ice and put it in the blender.
5. Blend the mixture together until an icy, smooth consistency is achieved.
6. Add a little sugar if you like a sweeter smoothie. If not, go au natural and drink it as is.

This is a really refreshing and delicious drink! I hope you try it! If you do, let me know in the comments below! See you all later! 

-Love Ling

Day 1 Of Rehearsals!

Hello, friends! Today was our first rehearsal for Fame, and I think it went really well! The cast and crew is comprised of 65 people, which is awesome, but it's definitely going to take a lot of teamwork to pull off this show! On our first day of rehearsal, we went over theatre etiquette to make sure that everyone knew what was up. Afterwards, we go into the script! For me, this is one of the most exciting moments, because I get to dive into what the show is about. The cast did a read through of the script, and I think it went really well. The show is really funny, and we have a ton of really talented actors! I'm so excited to get to be a part of this show! I will report back to you guys later with another updated about Fame. Have a great day!

-Love Ling

Big News!

  Hello, friends! I'm sure many of you guys know that I have a passion for theatre and I do shows quite frequently. I just auditioned for "Fame The Musical" last week, going for the lead role of Carmen Diaz. 
  Well, the cast list was posted today and...I got the role! Thank you so much to everyone who was thinking of me and keeping me in your prayers. I'm really excited to be in this show and go on this four month journey with the rest of the cast and crew! I will definitely keep you updated on all that's going on with "Fame" on this blog,as well as giving you a bit of insight into the theatre world. This is going to be so exciting! I can't wait to share this experience with you! Thanks for your support!

-Love Ling

Every Day Makeup Routine

Hello, friends! Today I'm going to be showing you my everyday makeup routine for a look that I would wear on a typical day. It only takes ten to fifteen minutes to do, which I love! I don't wear this look every day, but this is a solid look that covers all the bases of makeup. I hope you enjoy!

Before applying makeup, I clean my face and moisturize with the Aveeno Daily Moisturizer. I usually wait about five to ten minutes before apply face makeup so that it stays on longer.

• Primer: I first apply a primer to my face  so that the makeup I apply will last longer. The face primer I use is the Smashbox Photo Finish Light. It provides a really nice base for the foundation, makes it last longer, and creates a flawless look. I just apply this to my T-zone.
  
• Eye Primer: I then apply the NYX HD Primer to my lids so that it can have time to settle in before using eyeshadow. This is my favorite primer and keeps my eyeshadow in place on my super oily eyelids. This is very comparable to the Urban Decay Primer Potion. It's amazing.
  
• Foundation: The foundation I use changes day to day, but the foundation I've been using lately is Revlon Color Stay. This foundation provides really full coverage and lasts all day long! I apply this with my Real Techniques Beauty Sponge to create an even complexion. This foundation can be a bit heavy, but using a sponge helps lighten it.  
  
• Powder: After foundation, I apply the Revlon Color Stay Translucent Powder to keep my foundation in place. I don't like this powder very much, because it's really chalky and makes my skin look weird. I'm almost done with it, though.
  
• Eyebrows: I always use my Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit to fill in my brows. The dark brow shade is perfect my brow color. I use an angled eyeliner brush to fill them in so that my face can look more put together. Filling in your eyebrows really make a world of a difference.
  
• Eyeshadow: It's shadow time! I don't have much time to get ready, so I'll usually just do an all over the lid shade or a matte look. For this look, I chose the Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush. This is a beautiful shimmery rose gold color, and it's super pigmented! I love this eyeshadow for an every day look.
  

• Eyeliner: After eyeshadow, I apply eyeliner to my top tight line. I use the Maybelline Master Drama Liner in black. I only apply this to the top, because as soon as I blink, it transfers to my water line. I really love how black and pigmented this liner is, but it tends to smudge on me.
  
• Mascara: Now it's time for lashes! I love my Loreal Butterfly Mascara, which is just amazing. It creates really big, long lashes that look amazing throughout the day. I love this product!
  
• Blush: Lastly is blush! I love my Benefit Coralista Blush, which gives my cheeks a tint of a pink/coral color and adds some life. It's also very bright and helps highlight my face. I love it!

Well, folks! This is my everyday makeup routine! I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know what products I should try! Place your suggestions in the comments below!

-Love Ling

My Day!

  Hello, friends! This post is basically going to be a ramble post, where I shall recount my day for you. Hopefully I can make it seem like you were right there going through the day with me, but we'll just see how this goes. 
  The day started at 5:30 in the A.M., which was quite terrible. I actually wake up at that time everyday and am out of the house by 6:45. Terrible, isn't it? Anyways! I went for a simple look today, so I conquered Friday in jeans and a white tee shirt. 
  For breakfast, I had a cup of coffee with peppermint mocha creamer and oatmeal with banana. I love starting my morning off with a cup of coffee and some sort of breakfast with a ton of protein. It gives me energy for the rest of the day.
  After breakfast, I left to carry on with the duties of the day. The majority of the day went by really quickly, and was good overall. At 2 o'clock, I actually had a callback for a show that I auditioned for yesterday. I had a lot of fun at callbacks, where I got to do a bit of flamenco dancing, acting, and singing. For those of you that don't know, I'm what you would consider an "actress" on the side. You'll frequently hear about shows that I'm working on, and right now I'm working on "Fame, The Musical". I just auditioned for the role of Carmen Diaz, and I will find out how everything went on Monday! Exciting! 
  When I got back home, I hung out quite a bit. I love YouTube, so I caught up on some videos and chilled until dinner time. For dinner, I made myself a hearty pasta dish. It had some sautéed onions, steamed broccoli, chicken, pasta, and seasonings. I must say that it ended up being quite delicious. After dinner, I had another cup of coffee, which is quite strange, but I needed it. 
  I finished up the night by watching more YouTube and "The Nightmare Before Christmas", which I find to be a perfectly appropriate Christmas movie. I watched it for the first time this Halloween, and I really like it! It's a cute, yet dark movie. Way to go, Tim Burton. I also worked on a ton of new blog posts for you guys, so expect those in the next couple of days! I promise I will not skimp out on you! 
  Well folks! That was my day today. I hope you enjoyed hearing all about it and have a great week!

-Love Ling

Winter Skin Care Routine

Hello, friends! Winter time brings cold air and dryness, which makes my skin freak out a bit. I change up my skin care routine during the winter so that it doesn't flake off and fall in puddle around me. That's just wrong. Anyways! Here is my current skin care routine.

Background Information: Where I live, the air can be pretty cold and dry, so dry skin is expected. I have combination skin, with dry cheeks and a really oily T-Zone. 

Cleanser: For cleanser, I use Noxyma. I love this product so much, and always pull it out in the winter! Though my skin can be greasy, I shy away from using my typical gel-acne cleansers in the winter. This is a solid cleanser that you scoop out of the tub and combine with water to get a milky consistency on the face. It washes off all the oil and dirt from your face, while lea



ving it nice and soft. It's very moisturizing and can be used day or night.

Eco Tools Konjac Sponge: I use this every morning and night with my cleanser. It adds some extra exfoliation and smooths out my skin. Though it exfoliates, it's gentle enough to use daily.

Moisterizer: To bring some hydration back into my skin, I slather the Aveeno Daily Moisterizer onto my face morning and night. This has SPF 15 in it, which helps protect the skin and fade dark spots. It can be a bit greasy, but it does a great job of moisturizing my skin.

Eye Cream: I just recently got into eye cream, which I use morning and night. My under-eye area is very dry, so I want to make sure that it gets moisturized. I use the CVS brand eye cream, which is comparable to the one that Loreal makes. It's thick and buttery, which has really helped in moisturizing my under-eye area. I've definitely noticed a significant difference in my skin because of this product.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Expect more winter beauty posts in the future!

-Love Ling

November Beauty Favorites

Hey, friends! These were the beauty products that I loved during the month of November.

Real Techniques Beauty Blender: This sponge is absolutely amazing! It's super plushy and blends my foundation like a dream. I also love that it has a special edge for larger parts of the face and a pointed side for smaller areas. This is extremely comparable to the Beauty Blender that costs $20. This is only $6!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner: In the winter, my hair gets really dry, and this conditioner has been great in helping my hair stay moisturized. I leave this in  for a couple minutes in the shower and rinse to reveal really soft hair. I love this product!

Calvin Klein One Mascara: I got this mascara at the beginning of the month from Ulta for free! It was the birthday gift at the time, and I'm so happy that it was. The cap twists so that the shape of the wand changes, which is super awesome. It's also long wearing and makes my lashes really thick and full.

Freeman's Cucumber Peel-Off Mask: I use this mask a couple times a week to revitalize my skin. It has a really nice, gently formula and leaves my skin feeling refreshed. The best part is that after applying it and letting it dry, you can peel it off! 

Eco Tools Konjac Sponge: This is a new discovery for me, and it's starting to get a lot of hype in the beauty community. I got this sponge from Target, and it's made out of the Konjac Root. I use it with my cleanser to exfoliate my face in the morning and at night. It's really helped my complexion by making it really smooth and clearing up my breakouts. I highly recommend it! 

Make Up Forever Lipstick in "Rouge Artist Natural": This is my every day lipstick. It's a gorgeous rosy shade that matches my skin tone perfectly. I think it would match anyone's skin tone, quite honestly. It's super moisturizing and adds a beautiful sheen.

I hope you enjoyed my November favorites! I made a lot of new beauty discoveries this month, and I hope this post gave you some inspiration on products to try! I'll see you in my next post! Have a great day!

-Love Ling

November Non-Beauty Favorites

  Hello, friends! How are you guys today! I feel like it's been forever since I've blogged, but it's actually been like 4 days. I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving. I definitely did. It was so great to be able to see my family and hang out with them. Today I have my November Non-Beauty Favorites to share with you! Expect my November Beauty Favorites in the next couple of days. 
  I would also like to let you guys know that I am going to blogging a whole lot more this month as my gift to you! I won't be blogging every single day, but expect to see a lot more blog posts. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you can be notified whenever I post a new blog! Enjoy!

Music

• Shakey Graves: I have been obsessed with the artist, Shakey Graves. I discovered him in October, but I've been listening to his album, "And The War Came" a lot lately. The music is a nice blend of blues, rock, indie, and folk. I absolutely love it, and his voice and acoustics are amazing. I love the songs "Dearly Departed", "Hard Wired", "Pansy Waltz", and "The Perfect Parts".
• Taylor Swfit 1989: I have been listening to this album constantly this month! I have been a fan of Taylor's for a long time, and I totally support her in her transition from country to pop. I love every single song on the album. She really hit the nail on the head with these new songs. I love "I Know Places", "Welcome To New York", and "Blank Space". You have to check out the album!
• Hairspray: I've also been listening to a lot of the Broadway Hairspray album with Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schue from Glee!) this month. The vocals are so much better than in the movie version, and I love how upbeat the songs are!

TV

• New Girl: Of course I've been watching New Girl! This show is my absolute favorite and makes me laugh so hard.

Movies

• Gone Girl: I saw this movie earlier this month, and I loved it. It's definitely racy and inappropriate at times, but the plot is so suspenseful. The movie makes you want to keep on watching and watching.
• Jersey Boys: I finally got Jersey Boys on DVD, and I'm so excited! This is one of my favorite movies, and I love the music in it. I definitely recommend you watching this movie. Even if you don't like musicals, you will like this. 

Food

• Tea: I've really been into tea lately! I used to hate it, but I really like it now. It soothes my throat and makes me feel all warm and cozy. I've especially been loving "Throat Coat", which tastes like licorice and helps my voice heal after I sing for hours. I also love Chai Tea, which adds the perfect amount of spice for the cold weather.

Inspo

• I start my morning off with a bible verse from this daily verse app on my phone. It's really helped in getting me through each day and has given me something to think about everyday. I really enjoy using this app, and I highly recommend it!
  

These are my November Non-Beauty Favorites! I hope you enjoyed it! I shall talk to you guys later!

-Love Ling