Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
+ NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE!
+ 3 NEW FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS
3 new (to me) beauty products I've got to share!
1. My sister introduced me to It Cosmetics CC cream and I'm pretty obsessed. It gives you incredible coverage (although still love this product it just doesn't give you as much coverage as the below). It's paraben free and cruelty free. Link is here. I use the "light" color.
1. My sister introduced me to It Cosmetics CC cream and I'm pretty obsessed. It gives you incredible coverage (although still love this product it just doesn't give you as much coverage as the below). It's paraben free and cruelty free. Link is here. I use the "light" color.
2. I received a sample of this product with the purchase of the above. I should honestly take a picture of the before and after using this primer. It gives you an amazing base on the lid to allow the color to stick and STAY all day. It's almost as if I got new eyeshadows because they look so different with a coat of this on my eyelid before I apply them. As someone who doesn't want to fuss with too many products during my a.m. beauty routine, I find the extra 10 seconds to apply this stuff! Talk about marketing done well. I was sold off of a small sample! By the way, I hear that people in the beauty blogging world are obsessed with Urban Decay's palettes. I would love to try this one.
3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer is also a recco from my sister. It is awesome! Add under the eyes, tip of the nose, center of the chin, brow bone and a little on the forehead for some highlighting. You could follow the face map here. It is very moisturizing and does not dry out the skin. Another product that is very quick to apply! I use the "fair" color.
Any new favorite beauty products you've been using lately?
+ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: BEAUTY
Back with my second gift guide! Above are some of my all-time favorite beauty picks that would make awesome gifts- as well as a few items on my wish list. That brush is expensive but I hear that people swear by it! Also, the SK II product is another pricey one...but, I met someone recently who had gorgeous skin and attributed it to products by this brand (I hear the same thing about La Mer but I haven't been able to stomach the price tag yet!). The lip treatment, all natural deodorant (that actually works), dry shampoo, tweezers and eyelash curler would make lovely stocking stuffers. Lastly, a subscription to either Birchbox or ipsy would be the perfect gift that keeps on giving for a beauty junkie ;)
+ 3 NATURAL PRODUCTS TO TRY
Found some new natural products that I had to share...
1. Everyday Shea Butter Bubble Bath: Picked this stuff up recently and fell in love. The scent is very natural and not overpowering, and it truly produces a ton of bubbles! Looks like you can get it on Amazon Prime.
2. Alba Botanica- Good & Clean Mini Peel: Found this mini peel at Whole Foods for under $8 and it actually works wonders in 3 minutes! Highly recommend.
3. Shikai Shower Gel - Gardenia: This shower gel seriously smells like fresh gardenias (the link is for 3 bottles). I can't get enough of it. I think it was also at Whole Foods and on sale ;)
*Find 8 other natural products, here.
+ 7 FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS
I have found out about some of my favorite beauty products from other bloggers, so I've decided to continue to post my favorites (as I have in the past)! Here are 7 of my most recent favorites:
1. Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo: I randomly picked this stuff up 2 months ago and now I'm obsessed with it. I know this is ridiculous to say, but it changed my hair. It smells sooo good, makes your hair shiny, and soft. Plus, it's under $7 at the drugstore. Highly recommend on hair types like mine (frizzy, wavy, curly, and colored).
2. Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve: I use coconut oil on my face, but, it can be really heavy to use every night. I switch off with this moisturizer. It's lightweight, but still very moisturizing. I've had my bottle for months, so the price makes it worth it.
3. OPI San Francisco Collection In the Cable Car-Pool Lane: Excited OPI made a special collection for my city. OK, old city. I'm now in the burbs...but, I'm close enough ;) Anyway, really into this color for fall. It's the perfect deep plum/wine.
4. MAC lipstick in Desire: LOVE this plum. I actually wore a light coat of it on my wedding day. I've really been enjoying wearing it this fall.
5. Benefit Gimme Brow: I use this pencil , but recently I found out about this product and have been using it during the work week. It's easy to use, and it's FAST. Every extra second I can get in the morning is a huge win.
6. Stila Eyeshadow Palette: Over the summer, I purchased this palette after getting a sample of it in my ipsy bag or somewhere else...at any rate, the sample had me hooked. This palette has everything I need to do an everyday eye or a going out eye. Plus, it comes with a handy booklet on how to obtain different looks. It's foolproof! You literally follow each step they give you and you will end up with a close resemblance of the image they provide. It's also awesome to travel with. I don't have to gather multiple eyeshadows.
7. Loreal Masque: Erin talked about this product a few months back and I ended up picking it up at the drugstore. It's amazing! It seriously works wonders...
1. Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo: I randomly picked this stuff up 2 months ago and now I'm obsessed with it. I know this is ridiculous to say, but it changed my hair. It smells sooo good, makes your hair shiny, and soft. Plus, it's under $7 at the drugstore. Highly recommend on hair types like mine (frizzy, wavy, curly, and colored).
2. Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve: I use coconut oil on my face, but, it can be really heavy to use every night. I switch off with this moisturizer. It's lightweight, but still very moisturizing. I've had my bottle for months, so the price makes it worth it.
3. OPI San Francisco Collection In the Cable Car-Pool Lane: Excited OPI made a special collection for my city. OK, old city. I'm now in the burbs...but, I'm close enough ;) Anyway, really into this color for fall. It's the perfect deep plum/wine.
4. MAC lipstick in Desire: LOVE this plum. I actually wore a light coat of it on my wedding day. I've really been enjoying wearing it this fall.
5. Benefit Gimme Brow: I use this pencil , but recently I found out about this product and have been using it during the work week. It's easy to use, and it's FAST. Every extra second I can get in the morning is a huge win.
6. Stila Eyeshadow Palette: Over the summer, I purchased this palette after getting a sample of it in my ipsy bag or somewhere else...at any rate, the sample had me hooked. This palette has everything I need to do an everyday eye or a going out eye. Plus, it comes with a handy booklet on how to obtain different looks. It's foolproof! You literally follow each step they give you and you will end up with a close resemblance of the image they provide. It's also awesome to travel with. I don't have to gather multiple eyeshadows.
7. Loreal Masque: Erin talked about this product a few months back and I ended up picking it up at the drugstore. It's amazing! It seriously works wonders...
+ DIY: MORNING & EVENING SCRUBS
I recently ran out of my homemade scrubs and was in desperate need for a fresh one. I've made several scrubs in the past (you can find them here, here, here and here) but my all-time favorite homemade scrub has got to be the coffee scrub. I know it wasn't as popular around here as some of the others, but I am obsessed with it. If you like the smell of coffee you will love this one. Bonus: If you have a bag of whole beans that have expired, you don't have to throw them out- make a scrub.
Scrubs are such a lovely way to exfoliate the skin and create a nice glow. Opening up a jar during a rushed shower can give you a tiny escape from your busy day ahead, or relax you in the evening before you get into bed. They are also wonderful for dry skin, before you shave, and before you apply a self tanner.
Here is how you can create a morning and evening scrub for yourself, or as a gift. None of the items below truly need to be organic, but it's always nice to treat yourself to organic goods if you can.
Morning Vanilla-Coffee Scrub:
1 cup of whole organic coffee beans pulsed in a grinder (a little more than coarse will do the trick)
1 cup of organic raw sugar (you can pick this up at any natural food store or even trader joes)
1/4 cup of organic bragg olive oil (or whatever olive oil you have on hand)
1/3 cup of organic raw coconut oil (doesn't have to be raw)
1/2 teaspoon of organic vanilla
Evening Lavender-Rose Scrub:
1/2 cup of kosher salt
1 1/2 cups of organic raw sugar
2 cups of organic raw coconut oil
1 tablespoon of organic bragg olive oil
30 drops of lavender oil
30 drops of rose oil
For both scrubs I've used 1 pint jars. You can find them here. Add your ingredients into a jar, stir them up with a knife, seal the jar with the lid, shake it really hard, and then you're done. If you find it's too dry, add more oil. Too oily, add more sugar. Here's the catch though: Every single jar will come out differently based on your ingredients and your climate. I have received a lot of questions around scrubs, but here are the top two I get:
Will the coconut oil solidify? Yes, it can if you have a cold bathroom. The solution? Scoop the scrub out of the jar & add a bit of water to it- then mix it up in your hands. It will warm it up and work fine. The scrubs above though use some olive oil which will help prevent it from solidifying.
What is the shelf life? I have used them up to 3 months with no issues, but again, everybody uses different ingredients and has different climates.
I really do suggest messing around with scrub recipes. Typically you can use just about anything in your cabinet to whip one up. The idea is it's cost effective and free of any harmful chemicals :)
Enjoy a spa day/night soon!
+ ORGANIZE YOUR MAKEUP IN AN ACRYLIC TOTE:
Look at that beautifully organized tote. I like to organize each section by use. One section has eye products, brushes, and so on.
And, since I'm showing you my makeup...might as well talk about it!
As a preface, I don't spend too much time on my makeup. First of all, I don't have the time. But secondly, I'm not patient enough...
At any rate- almost all beauty products/tips I snag up are either word of mouth from a girlfriend, my sister (she is incredible at applying makeup & knows her products), beauty blogs, makeup counters (since I was 14 I've loved to get my makeup done and have asked makeup artists 500 questions while they are applying my makeup- sure they love me), and most recently samples from companies like BirchBox, ipsy, etc. - ipsy is my favorite.
Here's what's in my tote in case you're interested (*almost all of these items have been purchased over a very long period of time and have lasted me forever):
Face:
Laura Mercier SPF 20 oil free tinted moisturizer in bisque (this brand happens to not make my super sensitive skin break out), for a bit more coverage for events, etc. I like to use my sisters latest recommendation which is: Loreal True Match Lumi in Warm W6 with the beautyblender sponge, for powder (which I use more in the winter) I love Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15 in Real Sand, for bronzer: Tarte Park Ave Princess, for blush: in the summer the Nars The Multiple Stick in Orgasm and sometimes I set it with some Nars Blush in Orgasm , or use that in the winter alone.
Eyes:
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in # 2 for under eye, as a primer, for blemishes, etc. it's the best. Then for day to day I use MAC Vanilla, MAC All that glitters, MAC Kid (for the crease), and for an eyeliner or smokey eye, MAC Carbon. For mascara, love They're Real by Benefit & Loreal's Telescopic . For brows I really need the following items: Anastasia tweezers (I like to buy the gel and tweezers together- it's a steal), Anastasia Brow Gel, and Benefit Instant Brow in Medium. For eyeliner: If I have the time/it's a special event- I like to use the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, but day to day I use the MAC Carbon with an angled brush, or use the L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner.
Lips:
MAC Syrup is my favorite neutral & Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is my all time favorite now for some color (I put a little of this on before using it).
+ 8 NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR THE SKIN
Summer is the time when we have more skin exposed than any other time of the year. Which means, it's time to prep our skin for the warmer months ahead. Since I'm doing the cleanse this week (if you follow me on instagram you've seen some updates on this) my mind is on all of my favorite natural products. Not only that, but during a cleanse is the perfect time to really take care of your skin. You release a ton of toxins through the skin, might as well cleanse it as well! Above are my favorites and below are my notes on each.
1. Coconut Oil. I can't even put into words how important coconut oil has become to me. I've always used it for scrubs, cooked with it, added the butter to my smoothies, drank the milk-but lately, I find myself using it every. single. day. on my skin. After I've been out in the sun I coat my entire body in it, or apply a little on dry lips, use it to shave, use it on my face, take off my eye makeup, and use it on fresh scars. It has incredible healing properties. I even take it with me when I travel now.
2. Dr. Bronner's. Doesn't get more natural than this body wash. Lavender is my favorite. You can even use it when you're camping in the lake/creek, it's that natural.
3. Scrubs. I use my own scrubs to exfoliate before shaving, applying self tanner, etc. You can find the recipes here.
4. Aloe Vera Gel. The brand above in particular! I use it around my eyes now, and any place on my body where I think I've even got a tad bit of sun. It's also wonderful for cuts/scrapes. Years ago I only used it for burns, but now I realize there are so many other uses for it.
5. Jason Body gel. No parabens, very natural. I love the apricot. I use it when I need a switch from the Bronners. Lathers well, has a pump- which makes it so easy to use.
6. Skin Brush. Brushing your skin before a shower/bath works wonders. Always brush towards your heart. Some of the many benefits: reduces cellulite, removes dead skin, increases blood flow to the skin, stimulates the nervous system, improves the lymphatic system, unclogs pores...the list goes on. It's the best.
7. Thayer Cucumber Witch Hazel. Love the cucumber one. Best toner ever. Also can be used for: bags under the eyes, blemishes, bruises, bites...
8. Colostrum. Some people are going to be super weirded out by this one. If you've never heard of it, it is the first milk that a cow produces after she gives birth. Very potent stuff. I know it seems strange, but it works wonders. I had surgery a few months ago (went great) and I was worried about the scar. My best natural healing girl told me to use this on the incision. You break up a capsule and mix it with aloe vera gel, water, or even some raw honey. Apply the mixture to the incision and it truly helps the scarring. You can also use the mixture on blemishes, and as a mask on the face. Smells a little funky, but it's worth it...really worked well for me. Thankful my friend shared the information with me, which is why I wanted to share it with you all. I also used raw coconut oil with the colostrum treatment. Coconut oil in the a.m. and colostrum in the p.m.
Lastly, I know we all know this (I always need a reminder) but drinking a boat load of water, eating clean, taking a multivitamin, getting a wild workout on, and of course getting beauty sleep...all help our skin as well. If you have any favorite products/tips to share, please do :)
+ NEW BEAUTY FAVORITES
I don't know about you, but I had a hard time getting back into the swing of things this week. Very excited it's Friday! At any rate, I had a chance to try some new beauty products over the Christmas break and felt like sharing as they are all becoming new favorites.
1. This mascara is the cheapest, yet most effective mascara I've used now that there is a new brush. One side of the wand is thin, and one thick. Almost replicating my favorite Benefit mascara.
2. Obsessed with this stick. Stains the lip but also moisturizes. My favorite color is Crush.
3. I can't remember where I read this, but Jennifer Connelly in some magazine talks about how she uses mousse even though you'd think it's a product of the 80's. Let me tell you, mousse has changed since the 80's. It has increased the volume of my hair and reduced the frizz! I don't use it to curl- which is kind of crazy since that's what it's for. Anyway, I put it on my hair while it's wet then blow dry. And again- gives me volume without the frizz and extends my washes.
4. I've been a huge fan of Fresh for years and years and used most of the sugar lips...but I'm very into the smaller ones. It lets you try multiple colors and are so easy to slip in your pocket for a quick moisturizing + colorful lip.
5. Meet Burt's Bees new line of products! This shampoo is insane. Not only does it smell so delicious, priced well, but also works! A ton of lather...a little goes a long way.
Any new beauty favorites you'd like to share? I'm always looking for the next best thing ;) and love hearing your picks.
Have a great weekend!
+ COLOR ME HAPPY & A QUESTION
And, yes. Nothing like nail polish to transition this conversation over to Thanksgiving. I was thinking the other day about what really makes Thanksgiving feel like Thanksgiving to me. Besides having family there- green bean casserole and sparkling apple cider always make me feel like dinner is complete.
I'm curious, what makes you feel like Thanksgiving is complete?
+ FRIDAY FAVES IN THE CITY: SPA NORDSTROM
Not everyone knows this, but at the top of Nordstrom (5th Floor) of the San Francisco Centre mall, there is a spa. It's one of my absolute favorite spas in the entire city because they give you the spa experience, without having to pay $200 for a facial. When you walk in, you're given fresh cucumber water or tea, handed a lock to your locker, given a dressing room where you will find your robe, slippers, etc. and then taken to a small room where they place a warm blanket/wrap around you and then give you a foot bath in rose water.
During your facial you're given a head/shoulder/neck massage, then hand massage, and lastly your tootsies get rubbed and then your hands/feet are placed in warm, cozy mittens. At this point you are pretty much in heaven and asking yourself what could possibly be better than this moment and promise yourself you'll relax more, take better care of yourself and find a way to make it back to this place ASAP.
They're not pushy about product (whether you get a massage, facial, manicure, etc.) but will always give you suggestions on what you could be using to enhance your skin. A year or so ago they recommended the Clarisonic for me and I splurged and bought it. It was worth the price (I had purchased a cheap version at the drugstore that never worked for me) and has definitely changed my skin. I typically don't use it every single day and only use it with a soft cleanser like The Wonder Bar (which is the BEST cleanser I've ever used- if you haven't tried it and are curious- you break out the first week or so when using it {they say years of build up under your skin is coming up} and then your skin clears up, stays soft, helps with acne and I could say many more reasons why I love it. But I digress....).
I use it every other night- switching off with the clarisonic. It gets your skin squeaky clean. Other faves from the kit...
Again, got a great deal on all these wonderful products- the only thing I keep going back for is that exfoliating cleanser.
Wow, didn't mean for this friday fave to go into a full beauty post!
the wrap is worth talking about alone...
I'm one of those people that already loves my neck wrap & use it several times a week, so this blanket of deliciousness makes me very, very happy. It's soft, smells divine, can be heated in the microwave, and puts you at ease immediately.
It's on my Christmas list this year:
During your facial you're given a head/shoulder/neck massage, then hand massage, and lastly your tootsies get rubbed and then your hands/feet are placed in warm, cozy mittens. At this point you are pretty much in heaven and asking yourself what could possibly be better than this moment and promise yourself you'll relax more, take better care of yourself and find a way to make it back to this place ASAP.
They're not pushy about product (whether you get a massage, facial, manicure, etc.) but will always give you suggestions on what you could be using to enhance your skin. A year or so ago they recommended the Clarisonic for me and I splurged and bought it. It was worth the price (I had purchased a cheap version at the drugstore that never worked for me) and has definitely changed my skin. I typically don't use it every single day and only use it with a soft cleanser like The Wonder Bar (which is the BEST cleanser I've ever used- if you haven't tried it and are curious- you break out the first week or so when using it {they say years of build up under your skin is coming up} and then your skin clears up, stays soft, helps with acne and I could say many more reasons why I love it. But I digress....).
find the entire set up here
Before my wedding I wanted to use the Obagi skincare line, but heard it was really expensive and you needed a prescription for it. I mentioned it to the lady doing my facial and she recommended an Obagi peel which helps brighten the skin, reduce fine lines, etc. I highly recommend it if you want to look fresh for an event (the facialist literally wipes pigment off of your skin, it's wild). I'm sure it's not great for your skin but...hey, you only get married once. That same visit they were having a really awesome offer on the ZO Skin Health line (by Dr. Obagi, you just don't need a script for it, not as intense) and I picked up a few products (seen above). Out of all the items, this is the one I've needed to replace:
I use it every other night- switching off with the clarisonic. It gets your skin squeaky clean. Other faves from the kit...
and not shown in the kit, this stuff is intense:
Again, got a great deal on all these wonderful products- the only thing I keep going back for is that exfoliating cleanser.
Wow, didn't mean for this friday fave to go into a full beauty post!
If you're looking for a spa in the city, I highly recommend Spa Nordstrom.
+ ALL OVER THE PLACE
Working on a few (tiny) projects around the house that I'll share soon, but how about a random post for your Thursday?
Currently my hair has been long and un-dyed for over 2-3 years and I'm ready for a change. I'm either leaning towards chopping it off and doing a long bob like miss Palmero, or this lovely lady:
I
had bangs all growing up. Thin, ugly bangs. Not blunt and cute
bangs. But the one thing I always go back to is how much work they
are. They have to be styled every. single. day and trimmed regularly.
I'm not sure I'm ready for that type of commitment. Although they can
be so darn gorgeous with a cat eye and red lip.
and last beauty talk:
First up, this:
B.B. Cream is new to me. My sister told me to try it and I'm hooked. This one cream does it all- per their website: helps diminish the appearance of pores, fine lines and uneven skin tone while providing long-wearing, natural coverage that conceals imperfections. Really liking it. It's a self-adjusting tint, moisturizer, and spf all in one.
Staying on the topic of skin- I always knew ACV was good stuff for the body and used to take it when I did cleanses (helps with acid reflux & heartburn if you suffer from that), but I heard recently it's great for skin so I started drinking one teaspoon a day with my water and have noticed a big difference in my skins appearance.
pinterest makes me want to change my hair weekly. you ever feel that way when you're on it?
Currently my hair has been long and un-dyed for over 2-3 years and I'm ready for a change. I'm either leaning towards chopping it off and doing a long bob like miss Palmero, or this lovely lady:
but then I get torn when pinterest starts throwing images like this at me:
and of course with a top bun:
how cute are they?
And then there's always the keep it long, cut some side swept bangs and add some color like the above.
Although if I think that haircut is going to make me look as cool as
this girl, I've got to be out of my mind. And that outfit is
perfection- Michael Kors does it again. The guy holding the little dog behind her cracks me up.
and last beauty talk:
This color is my new favorite for fall. Don't get me wrong, I'll be all over my other dark favorites, but this color had me at, "Don't Sweater it". It's a really pretty greyish-purple.
read this book over a few nights:
I mentioned I wanted to read it last week and actually followed through to do so. Wish I could have read this as my 18 year old self. I highly suggest- Kate White writes in such a way that I feel like I'm sitting with her, as if she's my own personal mentor giving me career advice.
switching gears:
Lonny Magazine Nov/Dec 2011 | Photography by Patrick Cline; Interior Design by Robert and Michael Leleux
Lastly, our bedroom is going through a bit of an identity crisis. It's not sure if it wants to go bold and really modern (like the above) or go more traditional + soft & romantic:
and a room can always be both:
but I made a few changes that are making it more bold than romantic that I'm not sure I love.
how's that for all over the place? happy thursday.
how's that for all over the place? happy thursday.
+ TAME FLYAWAYS WITH A TOOTHBRUSH
Also, a new product (to me) that has been very helpful in taming frizzies (other than my favorite oil spray) is this spray. Right before I go to blow dry, straighten, or curl my hair I use it and it doesn't make my hair oily in 8 hours like some of the other non-frizz products do. I even have a small bottle for traveling. Love the stuff.
this fall: is plum the new red?
Will you go plum this fall? And if so, do you already have a favorite?
gilt city: beauty & wellness week + benefit cosmetics
Gilt City SF is kicking off a week of beauty and wellness and I had the pleasure of attending their first stop of the week at the Benefit store on Fillmore Street on Monday night:
Lastly, this mascara was introduced to me last night:
I recently had stopped buying pricey mascara because I found that several drugstore brands did the trick until I tried this mascara. It's insane. The stuff makes your eyelashes look full, long and CURLED! I know, say what? Without an eyelash curler. The wand was made to work horizontally & vertically which makes a huge difference. I promise, you will not be disappointed with this mascara. Buy it here. Or maybe you're already using it? I could be the last to know...
*this is not a sponsored post
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