Book Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

"Music is a total constant. That's why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know? Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in your or the world, that one song says the same, just like that moment.”

Hello Readers!

This is a book review for Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

I have owned this book for nearly ten years and never picked it up, and I am so glad I picked it up now, as I relate to the main character so much, and I understand much of the different conflicts the character goes through now that I'm an adult.

First off, I am terrible at giving synopises for books without spoiling it, so here is the synopis from goodreads: 

Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything" — at least that the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's  Department Store.

This year, she's the girl who has noghitng: no best friend because mean but exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic and no one to sit with at lucnh. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. 

Tall and dark, and music obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a committed to truth telling. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happen the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Firstly, the writing is great; it is simple and easy to read and I didn't have any problems with it. At first, I was having trouble understanding what time it was; there are many flashbacks, but as I contiuned on reading, not only does it get easier in determining what is past and what is present, I also found the flashbacks helpful in understanding Annabel's character and her character devolpment. 

Secondly, I related to Annabel so much, I was rooting for her from the start. She's a very introverted character who has a problem with confrontation and holding things in to spare others' feelings. Owen is very different but he is not your stereotypical bad boy. He is very honest, but realistic. He comes from a normal family and has problems that many authors I dont think touch on when it comes to the 'bad-boy' trope. 

In conclusion, this is a fantastic book about growing up, family, friendship, and the simple act of just listening. 

**Trigger warning for depictions of rape/sexual assualt**

I gave Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, 5/5 stars 

 

Eye Makeup #4: Soft Blue Smokey Eye

Hello Readers!

This is a quick eye makeup look with some products that I've been testing out.

The first product I used is an eyeshadow palette by Lorac that I got for Christmas last year I believe so I don't believe it is available anymore, BUT have no fear,  I only used one of the eyeshadows, so you can very easily find a dupe. The shade I used is a medium blue that can be used very lightly for a soft look, or much heavier for a makeup look that can be worn at night. And because it is a simple matte blue shade, you can easily find a good dupe from Mac or ever a drugstore brand like Covergirl, since the look is not complicated.

I apply the blue eyeshadow to the outer part of my eyes just to add more depth and make my eyes pop from behind my glasses. And then I apply Jordana's Fabu Liner in black which is not the blackest eyeliner, and the applicator is not as flexible but it does allow you to create a very nice, sharp flick. The mascara I used was Rimmel Scandalous Mascara. I've had this for a while and I got to say, my final opinon is that it is not that great. I think because I'm used to  the amazingness and have complete love for Mac's Zoom lash mascara, any other is just not as great.

So, this was a very quick blog post, I hope you enjoyed, and next week, I'll have my second blog post about books! : )

Thank you for reading : )

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August Favorites

Hello Readers!

I only have four makeup items to share with you, so this is going to be a very quick blog post.

My first favorite is Rimmel London's Match Perfection foundation. I usually use Revlon's Colorstay foundation, but I've been finding that a bit too heavy for summer and so I decided to re-try this one and I love it! It feels slippery a bit more than the Revlon one, but is much easier to blend, and does not look cakey. It matches me perfectly and can give light to medium coverage. And on top of that, I've been loving an old fave and that is Rimmel London's Stay Matte powder. I vary between using the translucent shade and the next shade after that, but this powder is perfect and I like to dust that everwhere on my face and then spritz a makeup setting spray (I've been using E.L.F's setting spray recently).

I ran out of my NYX eyebrow powder, so I tested the Wet 'n' Wild Brow Kit, which comes with two brown shades: a warm medium brown and a darker, more cool-toned brown and a wax (which I have not tried). I mix the brow powders on my brush and then use the lighter one to fill in the front of my brows and the darker one to define them more near the arch, and then comb through them with a spoolie. I love this product and I think it's much better than the NYX one because it comes with two distinct shades that can be used very well together.

Lastly, I've been loving Urban Decay's Naked Cheek palette, particularly the highlight shade. Its a beautiful pink-toned with gold shimmer and is the perfect everyday highlight. The blush and the bronzer are great too, but this past month, I've been using the highlighter much more often.

As for Non-Beauty favorites, I made a post all about the books I read in the summer which you can read here. I don't have a favorite book this month as I finished The Martian on the first of August and the book I read after that, I gave 3/5 stars; it wasn't my favorite but I liked it. I am currently reading a very good book and so that will probably be in my September favorites.

As for TV and movies, since its summer not much as been on but I did catch up with Pretty Little Liars and I enjoyed the finale very much; I think it was very well tied up and resolved and I did like the ending but I just wish they didn't continue with the show. I think if they just ended the show with the girls going off to college, that would've been a nice ending for the entire show.


So, that is it for my August favorites! Thank you for reading : )

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