This week has been a whirlwind of emotions, but the one feeling that has really stood out to me is one that I got at the beginning of this week. Just let me say I'm glad this one popped up then, because excitement is definitely something you want to feel on a Monday! The reason why I was so excited? The Baking & Strobing Brush Set by Sigma Beauty was dropped into my lap (and now my beauty routine) on the day that it launched! This is HUGE, so unexpected and I haven't had this much giddiness over new beauty products in quite awhile. Obviously I then I HAD to try it out and after watching the Facebook Live video that Sigma did + the Snapchat stories various beauty bloggers did with this set, I finally felt confident to give it a try myself.
If you haven't heard about the Baking & Strobing Brush Set, make sure to watch that awesome Facebook video and you'll have this technique down solid. I, for one, had never even heard of these two techniques before but I can't believe how easy they are to add into what I do on a daily basis already. I then set out on finding out what these terms meant, and actually found a decent amount of information on them. According to StyleCaster + makeup artist, Jamie Greenberg, baking is commonly used with:

"...concealer and a translucent loose powder to highlight an area of your face. Greenberg says that you’re applying concealer and then a lot of powder over top, letting it sit for about 10 to 20 minutes. She says you can apply the powder by taking a regular sponge, ripping it in half, and pressing it onto the concealer. “You want it to be very visible. The more powder the better,” says Greenberg."

While Laura Keller of StyleCaster says strobing's most important step is:

"...highlighting all the right places. It’s all about brightening up your face, so think of where the light naturally would hit you. Dab a highlighter onto the apples of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose and your cupid’s bow to highlight the main areas of your face."

Here is how I used this set for the first time!
1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: Apply primer all over face to set the skin.
2. NYX Cosmetics Stay Matte Not Flat Foundation: Apply like you normally would with your beauty blender, covering your entire face/neck.
3. tarte cosmetics Maracuja Creaseless Concealer: This is where it gets fun, and the new brush kit comes into play. First though, apply concealer with your finger to the upper part of your cheeks and under the eyes.
4. F79 Concealer Blend Kabuki: Blend concealer with this brush under the eyes, and upper cheek. Gives a full-coverage finish to the skin.
5. Stay Matte Not Flat Powder Foundation: This powder is so nice because it matches the foundation I already used, so it's basically a set and you don't have to worry about different colors happening. 
6. F89 Bake Kabuki: Exclusively from Sigma, this angled kabuki brush has a flat edge designed to apply powder foundation right up to the lower lash line. Press powder as firmly as you can into the skin.
7. P89 Bake Precision: This is a smaller version of the F89, but has the same angled head and flat side to apply concealer and powder right under the eye.
BAKE FOR 5-10 MINUTES
8. F06 Powder Sweep: Take this small powder bush and sweep the excess powder from under the eyes for a clean finish.
9. F42 Strobing Fan: I absolutely love this brush, and I'm so excited to finally have it in my collection. It's a fan-shaped highlighting brush, designed to flawlessly apply and diffuse powder and cream products. I decided to have a little fun with the color of my highlight and used the Loose Shimmer Powder from Sigma in 'Felicity.' 
What do you think of the final look?! This entire process, including my eye makeup and other touch-ups, took about 25-35 minutes! It's super easy to incorporate into your routine, it's also a LOT of fun to play with all of the brushes since they're so unique and can actually be used in multiple ways! That being said, you can purchase the brushes by themselves, in pairs or get the best deal and buy the entire set together. I'd highly recommend the last one. 

Thank you so much to Sigma Beauty for this absolutely beautiful Brush Set, and for creating such unique and multi-functional tools for people who are still getting used to applying makeup and using it everyday. 

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Always,
Mostly Lisa
1. 2016 to 2017 Agenda - Girl Crush: This is by far one of my favorite agendas I've ever owned, and it has been so much getting ready for the upcoming year by decorating each page the way I want to. The best part of this agenda? You can personalize it with your initials or whatever pops into your head with three characters. Since I feature ban.do in pretty much every post I do on here, I had to include this for August since this is the first month you can start using it!

2. Skinnydip Cosmo Iridescent Shoulder Bag: I am ALL about iridescent right now and finding ways to incorporate it into my wardrobe. This shoulder bag is adorable and will definitely bring out my inner 90's girl, which makes it perfect for this last summer month. The trend of iridescent has definitely been of my favorites for this past spring/summer, and I hope it comes back next year as well. It's a blast from the past, but modern and edgy at the same time. What's not to love?

3. QUEEN ANNE (EBONY) Wallpaper: I've talked about this before, but I'm obsessed with the wallpaper that Rifle Paper Co. has come up with. The print quality is so gorgeous, and I absolutely love the idea of having it splattered everywhere in one of your spaces. My goal is to get a little area in my bedroom with this wallpaper, preferably covering the wall by one of my windows. It'd be such a fun contrast to an all white space.

4. ACTIVE CHARCOAL MASK TO CLEAR PORES: I've never once used a facial mask that actually had charcoal in it. To be honest, it kind-of freaked me out to have it slathered over your face for a good thirty minutes. I decided to risk it, since my blackheads have been bad lately, and stop into my local Sephora to get a sample. I didn't go in with just this mask in mind, but the beauty expert in the store highly recommended it. Let's just say, this is a new favorite and will definitely be adding it into my skincare routine. It got deep into my pores, leaving my skin feel soft and rejuvenated. 

5. English Pear & Freesia Bath Oil: Listen to the description of this bath oil, 'The essence of autumn. The sensuous freshness of just-ripe pears is wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias, and mellowed by amber, patchouli and woods.' How amazing does that sound? I am so excited to use this bath oil this month and during fall, it's so lightweight and is easy to apply as perfume is. A little bit definitely goes a long way. 

6. PLUS DAHLIA SATIN REVERSIBLE BOMBER: I do not know how I lucked out on this, but the jacket I was going to post for this number is no longer available. It looks pretty much exactly like this bomber, but has beautiful embroidered flowers on it and is so perfect. I've gotten so many compliments on it, that I'm so glad I went ahead and spoiled myself. Luckier even, because it's no longer available. If this jacket is anything like the one I have, you have to get it! It's so comfortable.

7. Rosy Eyed 5x7 Print: If only I had my own place, I'd have new artwork EVERYWHERE. I will have to settle for my small amount of wall space, and definitely make room for this lovely piece of art. This is so simple, but so effective in how pretty it is. It'll be perfect as a transition piece into the next season.

8. Pizza Patch: Need I say more?

9. Lisa Frank Adult Coloring Book: Because this is an actual thing, and my 6-year-old heart is bursting with joy. Why must it only be at the Dollar General? Why?!

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Always,
Mostly Lisa
Ashley Graham is in one word, inspiring. Wait, she's obviously more than one word, right? So let's say; inspiring, sexy, stunning, superstar, confident, and yes, stylish. The list could go on and on, but all those descriptors are what I always think of when I think of her.

Ashley has BLOWN UP the 'plus-size' community with her confidence, attitude and fierceness when it comes to showcasing who she is as a person with an added bonus (yes, bonus) of having curves. It has been so refreshing to see someone be so bold and unapologetic when it comes to being 'plus-size', and I am absolutely in love. If I had only had someone like her to look up to when I was younger, to understand that I only have one body and that I should love it no matter what, I'd have to say that life would have been a little bit easier. Easier in the sense that I would not have been afraid to wear what I wanted to wear, brush off negative comments better and really just love who I was as a human being. While I didn't have that then, it's awesome to have it now as an adult.

Ashley has taken the fashion world head on and has launched her own lingerie collection with Addition Elle, her own swimsuit collection with swimsuitsforall and even a dress collection for DressBar! Those three things aren't even the tipping point of her success, because she was also named the FIRST 'plus-size' woman to be featured on a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover! To imagine what she must have felt like when she sound out, I can think it was like fireworks going off in her head. Not only has she graced that cover, but she's been in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour and now even has her own column in InStyle! She also just wrote an amazing article on body shaming and the critiques she gets everyday on being too big (WHEN SHE'S A SIZE 14) or that she looks too thin now that she's in the spotlight. It's heartfelt, honest and gives a hard look at the harshness of being in Hollywood and having everyone notice you.

With all of this being said, that is why Ashley is my style inspiration for the month of August! She has crossed boundaries and I cannot wait to see what she'll leap over next. For a snippet of what her style is like, make sure to watch this video she did of everything curvier women have been told not to wear. She takes every style and crushes it! Check out below how I would style an outfit inspired by Ashley.


(PHOTOS VIA: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5)
P.S. I put quotation marks over the term 'plus-size' in regards to Ashley, because she does not see herself in that category, which I respect. She is a size 14! That is a totally average size for a woman in the United States, and I only want to use this term because I myself am definitely plus-size, and it's nice to have something to relate to when it comes to fashion.
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Always,
Mostly Lisa
It's hard to believe we're in the last month of summer, but we're going strong and it'll be over before you know it. August so far, yes I know it's only been three days, has been extremely humid and I haven't really ventured outside for long periods of time. For beauty, I've thoroughly decided to keep it a little more natural and not as heavy as I would during winter. I've been scoping out products that are going to keep my skin looking refreshed, but not oily. tarte cosmetics has a great range of foundation and concealer that is water resistant, so if you're sweating a little bit more, it's going to last and not fade throughout the day. But anyways, get ready to shop six beauty products that I would highly recommend to keep you cool all month long.
1. pack your bags 911 undereye rescue patches ($22): My sleep schedule has been a little out of whack lately this summer, and I've noticed that bags have been forming underneath my eyes. They're really pronounced too, since I wear glasses, and I've been on the hunt for a great formula to help out in this area. After seeing several Snapchat stories with the ladies at tarte trying this product out, these rescue eye patches are at the TOP of my list to try before August ends.
2. Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser ($34): I don't know if any of you follow Clever Style on YouTube, but they've been doing some fun Beauty Break challenges all summer long. They recently just got sent to Kate Somerville in L.A. where they got the celebrity facial treatment. Not only did it look absolutely luxurious, but it instantly made me want to venture out and try one of the products that I could actually afford. A daily cleanser? Maybe, just maybe, I'll get that celebrity treatment in the comfort of my own home.
3. Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette ($49): Glitter eyeshadow? You need not say any more, because I'm already sold. They're so dreamy, literally, and this would be such a great palette to transition into fall. This is definitely on the more expensive side, but a little goes a long way with all of these hues.

4. Mini Lip Color ($12): From the description I've read, this lipstick is supposed to leave your lips hydrated and smooth all day long. For only $12, I'm definitely down to give this matte lip color a try.
5. Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 ($7.50): I've used this lip balm several times in the past, and it is one of the best ones I've ever purchased. It keeps your lips nourished all day long, even after one application. Plus, it has SPF 25 in it. A+!
6. Photo Finish Foundation Primer Travel Size ($16): I picked up this travel size version in Sephora, and it's been the best primer I've ever used. It applies evenly and keeps foundation, concealer and highlighter on all day long. It's oil-free, so it doesn't feel greasy after application and clog your pores.

What beauty products are you looking to buy this month? 
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Always,
Mostly Lisa
As I'm sure most of you know, I'm a HUGE fan of the paper goods/stationery/accessories/cute gifts company ban.do! They are so much fun, make amazing content on every social media platform, they're super friendly and just an all around fantastic company. I only just found out about them a year or so ago, but I've been hooked ever since. I feature them in a LOT of Mostly Lisa posts (too many to share) and they're so great at responding to it. For all of these reasons and more, I thought I would talk about their super special big day today! It's the National ban.do Agenda Day! Wondering what that means? Well, I'll tell you! Today, August 1st, is now an official holiday for them because their 2017 planners can officially start being used!

Their new planners for the upcoming year are extra swanky, have even more stickers to deck out each month, fun illustrations + artwork from several different artists and even a special card with a secret language! With all of those things in just one planner, when they first previewed each one, it was SO hard to choose and narrow it down to one to purchase. I ended up picking up the 'Girl Crush' version and was even able to get it personalized with my initials! Best decision ever. I've already decked out August, not forgetting my previous 2016 planner, and I can't wait to see what each month with hold. In honor of their big day, they'll be hosting giveaways on their Snapchat, so make sure to keep a look out. I know I will! If you still can't decide which agenda to get, here is a look at their '16-2017 line, with some of my other favorites!
1. ice blue - i am very busy
2. magic hour
3. medium agenda - one day at a time
4. abstract
5. memphis
6. marble, blonde
Let me know, are you going to pick up a ban.do agenda?!
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Always,
Mostly Lisa