Valentine’s Day Makeup Look

Hey guys! It’s been a while but I couldn’t let Valentine’s Day pass without having some makeup fun! I love any excuse to be super girly and February 14th is the perfect day to do that.

Here’s a look that will hopefully give you some inspiration for your date night, Galentine’s party, or any other plans you may have ❤️

Products Used:

• Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation in shade 330
• Too Faced Peach Palette- Crease “Caramelized” , Lid “Just Peachy”
• Hard Candy Glitteratzi glitter gel palette Pink glitter accent
• Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in “Precious Petals”
• Colour Pop Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in “1st Base”
• Crvstal Lashes in “Heaven” use code JOI for 20% off!

Hope this inspires you! Have a sweet Valentine’s Day! 💕

XOXO,

Brianna Joi

2017 Favorites

The year 2017 is almost over and oh what a year it has been! There were good times and not so good times but overall, the year 2017 was a blessing for me. I learned so much and definitely grew as a person. In this blog I will highlight my favorite beauty product, trips, and memories of 2017.

Beauty Favorite of 2017

• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

When this foundation came out, it was all anybody was talking about. The shade range, coverage and finish is what drew me in. All of my favorite beauty influencers were talking about it and it made it’s what to #1 on my list of makeup to purchase. Ever since I got it, it has become my go to foundation. Everytime I wear it, I get compliments and questions about it. It keeps ,y oily skin under control and feels so lightweight. The coverage is perfect and keeps me matte all day. Can’t rave enough about this foundation. I’m definitely looking forward to what Fenty Beauty brings us in 2018!

Favorite Trips of 2017

• Disney World -New Year’s Eve

I was able to go to Walt Disney World for New Years Eve and it was a trip to remember. I went with my pageant director, Natalee, her family and friends, and my sister crown Morgan and we had an amazing time. These people know how to do Disney. We got to eat with characters, see amazing shows and attractions, and of course ride super fun rides. The firework show was amazing and Epcot on New Years Eve is a party! There’s raves and music and food everywhere! I will never forget this New Years Eve!

• Disney World-Fourth of July

Yes, I got to go to Disney TWICE this year. This trip was during the summer so yes it was hot but it was also one of my favorite holidays, Fourth of July. I love fireworks and honestly, fireworks in Disney for the fourth was a dream. I got to be with my family and we had a blast.

• Kansas City, Missouri

I had the opportunity to visit Kansas City for business and had the opportunity to explore the area a little bit. This city is super cool with fantastic food. If you go to Kansas City and don’t have barbecue, you are missing out. The Negro League Baseball museum was informative and fun and the Union Station was filled with history. I’m a huge history buff so I have to visit a historical landmark everywhere I go. I loved this little trip.

Favorite Memories of 2017

• College Graduation

May 2017 I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville! After four years of hard week, I was proud to walk across that stage as a Vol for life!

• Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant 2017

In June 2017 I competed for the title of Miss Tennessee. I had the best interview of my life, felt amazing physically, mentally, and emotionally and accomplished so many goals. I was blessed to be a runner up to the quality of life award for my work with my platform, Advocates for Autism. I went on to place 3rd Runner Up to Miss Tennessee. Going from unplaced the year before to the top 5 exceeded all of my expectations.

*photos by Darren Lykes Photography

2017 was a great year! I am blessed and eagerly waiting to see what 2018 has in store for me! I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year’s Eve.

Happy New Year!

XOXO,

Brianna Joi

Hush.com Aphrodite Eyeshadow Review

I recently stumbled up a website/app called Hush where there’s a HUGE selection of makeup products for amazing prices. It is also a super easy app. They have drugstore products and a selection of high end products as well.

As I was browsing I came across an eyeshadow palette that was calling my name! The Aphrodite Eyeshadow palette was on sale for $10 and the shades looked extremely similar to the Huda Beauty Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette. The only difference was the price! Huda Beauty Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette is on the Sephora website for $65.

I am IN LOVE with this palette! The swatches were smooth and so pigmented. The palette consists of 18 shadows: 10 mattes, 2 shimmers, and 6 glitter shades. The mattes were extremely buttery and the shimmers and glitters were smooth and pigmented. The shade range has everything you may need to complete a full eye look. It has the mattes you need for crease and transition shades and the glitters and shimmers are perfect lid shades.

Shades from Left to Right: Sparks, Tease, Admire, Flirt, Lust, Romance, Admire, Crush, Passion, Blushing, Seduction, Jealousy, Infatuation, Beauty, Euphoria, Love, Coy, Heartbreak

After swatching I had to put the eyeshadows to the test!

For my eye look, I used the shade Admire for my transition shade, Jealousy in my crease and Love on my lid. I popped Tease on my browbone and inner tear duct for a little highlight.

The eyeshadows blended well and the glitter shades were best applied with my finger. It was super easy and quick to pull this eye look together!

The look was not complete without  “Ace” by Crv$tal Lashes. These lashes are amazing, affordable and can be worn several times. You can use code JOI at checkout for 20% off.

Overall, I am please with my Hush.com experience and will definitely be purchasing again. The shipping was fast and you just can’t resist those prices!

Have you ever ordered off of Hush.com? What should I get next?

XOXO,

Brianna Joi

Christmas Spots in Knoxville (Where to take that insta pic)

Knoxville, TN is a super cool city during football season (Go Vols!) but even cooler during the Christmas season. Christmas is my favorite time of year because sweaters, hot chocolate, and of course adorable pictures with Christmas decor.

Knoxville is crawling with destinations that will get you those likes on Instagram! Here’s a little list of places in Knoxville that are perfect for Christmas pictures, or if you just want to spread some holiday cheer:

1. Regal Celebration of Lights- Krutch Park in Market Square

This parked tucked right beside Market Square is filled with beautiful trees, waterfalls, and sculptures. There are over 100,000 lights in the park and in surrounding areas. Perfect scenery for a holiday picture!

2. Knoxville’s Holiday on Ice

If you’ve ever wanted to go ice skating in the heart of Downtown Knoxville in Market Square, now is your chance! Located in front of the Knoxville Chamber at 17 Market Square, the ice skating rink is a fun backdrop and photo moment. Tickets and hours: Adult: $11, Children Age 12 & Under: $8. Regular Hours Nov. 24, 2017 – Dec. 17, 2017 Monday thru Thursday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday December 16: 1:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

3. Gay Street Christmas Tree

http://instagram.com/alinamsaez

What better Instagram photo could you take besides one in front of a 42 foot tall tree?Honestly, do I need to say more?

4. Christmas at Chilhowee Park

(Photo: Cathy Clarke/News Sentinel)

Christmas at Chilhowee Park has 98 lighted trees and 440-foot-long lighted tunnel. Knoxville’s oldest park on 3301 E. Magnolia Ave. has 20 lighted trees floating on the park’s lake. Motorists touring the park through Jan. 1 can drive through the lighted tunnel. This is the perfect place to go if you love a good lights display.

Photo from the WIVK Christmas Parade. Look at that tree!!

These are just a few destinations in Knoxville to go take bomb insta pic for the holidays. What’s your favorite Christmas spot? Tag me at @briannamason in your photos if you go!

Keep spreading holiday cheer,

XOXO,

Brianna Joi

Christmas Parade Makeup Look

As Miss Knoxville, I had the pleasure of being in the WIVK Knoxville Christmas Parade. It’s basically the kickoff for the Christmas season in Knoxville. I’m a Christmas fanatic so I look forward to this parade every year! This year, I wanted to rock a glam, classic look.

My makeup collection is a mix between a couple of high-end products and drug store products. Here are the products I used to create this look.

FENTY BEAUTY Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in shade 380 Cool

$34 at Sephora

Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette

$49 at Ulta

Shades used from left to right: Puree for transition , Caramelized for lid, Bless Her Heart for outer corner and crease, Wet n Wild Glitter in Brass for lid topper

Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals

$10 on Amazon

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Rebel Red

$6.59 on Amazon

Kiss Lash Couture Faux Mink in Midnight

$19.99 for a 3 Pack on Amazon

Wet n Wild Glitter in Brass

$0.89 on Amazon

I am pretty happy with how this look came out. The eyes and lips were definitely the focus, perfect for the holiday season. So classy and glamorous!

The lipstick was my favorite part of this look! I’ve been loving a red lip for the holidays lately. What’s your signature holiday makeup look?

XOXO,

Brianna Joi

Giving Tuesday: $5,000 for the Kids

For Giving Tuesday, I’m excited to launch my fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network, $5,000 for the Kids. As Miss Knoxville 2018 and a local titleholder within the Miss America Organization, I have set a goal this year to raise $5,000 for CMN Hospitals here in Tennessee!

Take a look at this short video to learn more about my campaign.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been a passion of mine for the past 3 years of me being a titleholder. It means the absolute world to me to be able to go into the hospitals and put smiles on the faces of kids. It brings me so much joy to be able to raise funds that help these kids.

Loving on some sweet girls who were once in the NICU when they were first born.

Kiddos I’ve had the privilege of meeting have received life saving equipment and procedures because of these funds that are being raised by the Miss America Organization. I had the honor of being present at Miracle Ambassador, A.J. Cucksey’s, ambassador ceremony and it truly touches me to see him raising such awareness about CMN Hospitals.

One of the sweetest kids with a wonderful family.

What a cutie! You can learn more about his amazing story here.

Just last year, my sweet baby cousin Ella was born with spinabifida and if it weren’t for the skilled professionals and generous donations at Monroe Carell Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, she may not be starting to walk at a year old (what an absolute miracle!)

Sweet Ella shortly after she had major spine surgery.

Ella at one of her checkups rockin a Children’s Hospital gown. Look at those cheeks!

Ella at one. She is now walking and full of life. Truly a testimony of the miracles CMN makes happen every single day.

These are just a few of the countless examples of how donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals can make a giant impact. I’m pretty confident that together we can not only reach this goal, but exceed this goal. This goes far beyond Giving Tuesday. Please consider making a donation today.

You can donate here. Share this with your family and your friends!

Together, we can make miracles happen.

XOXO,

Brianna Joi

How I Decorated my Apartment for Christmas (Dollar Tree and A.C. Moore) !!

Christmas time is absolutely one of my favorite times of year. I love the music and the smells and of course the cute decor I get to do. After Thanksgiving, I was itching to get to shopping for Christmas decor.

I’m all about being boujee on a budget so I headed straight for my local Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree always has amazing little Christmas decorations. They have ornaments, lights, fake flowers, wrapping paper and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Literally just one little section of what Dollar Tree has to offer

 

Conveniently right next door is my local A.C. Moore. A.C. Moore is like your typical Michael’s, Hobby Lobby craft store in Knoxville. They always have amazing prices and I’m a member of their loyalty program so I always get great deals. You know when you go into a craft store and you end up with things you definitely don’t need but are so stinkin cute? Yeah, that’s me every time I go here.

Here I got my mini Christmas tree and wreath along with other cute little details. I was going for a rustic Christmas look this year (think burlap, pinecones, and plaid).

I ended up with a nice sized haul of adorable Christmas stuff!

Look how cute this little Dollar Tree owl is!

Bought these without knowing exactly how I would use them but had to have ’em

After laying out everything, I got to work! Scroll below for pictures of the finished project!

The cutest rustic mini Tree I ever did see

” Be merry and stay that way” – wise words from a $4 A.C. Moore find

The cutest chalkboard countdown from A.C. Moore for TWO DOLLARS! Can’t beat that

One sneaky way to throw in some Christmas cheer is to switch out your normal kitchen towels for festive ones

 

I had tons of funs decorating my small space for the holidays. I will definitely be spending a lot more time in the living room with my tiny tree that makes me feel so happy just by looking at it. Hope this post provided some great tips for the holiday season.

Be merry and stay that way!

XOXO,

Brianna Joi