Favorite Discoveries of 2017 Part 1

I love discovering really good new products.  I further love when I find myself continuously reaching for them over and over again.  Today I thought I'd share the first of a 4 part series that I'll be posting over the course of the next couple weeks.  I'll be highlighting some of my favorite, and most used new discoveries from last year that I'll continue to use and repurchase throughout 2018.  I'll be breaking down the series by category; household, beauty, personal, and baby/toddler with today's post being dedicated to beauty related products.





Beauty



Korres Rose Brightening Oil  - I love this oil! I normally apply it at night, unless my face feels extra dry in which case I'll use it during the day before applying my moisturizer.  It's also great for when you're traveling and your skin is feeling a little parched - instant glowing, luminous skin.  The little rose petals that float in the bottle are an added luxurious touch.


Korres Rose Night Cream - I loved the brightening oil so much that I gave the "sleeping facial" a try. It's equally as great as the oil.  Read all the positive reviews on it here.


Kiehl's Calendula Face Wash - I first tried a sample of this when we were on vacation in Mexico last year.  Upon returning, I instantly purchased the full size version and haven't looked back.  I'm typically pretty picky with my face washes.  I like a good cleanser to be foaming, non drying but still able to remove waterproof mascara, and not sting my eyes.  This one checks all the boxes and is the hands down the best cleanser on the market.  I own the mega 17oz bottle and it has lasted forever!


Living Proof Shampoo, Conditioner, and Dry Shampoo -  I've been using this hair care line since last summer and it's so good!  I've noticed a dramatic difference in the appearance of my hair since I started using it.  I've tried sooooo many professional products on the market, and this is the best in my opinion.  The dry shampoo from the line is basically a mama's bff!


Travel sets of eye shadow - I used to weigh down my travel sized  cosmetics bags with multiple small eye shadow palettes, or I would pack full size versions that simply took up too much room.  At some point last year I discovered the two best travel sized palettes.  This one by Smashbox features 8 universally flattering matte shades, and this one from Urban Decay is equally as great.  They're both matte palettes only (no shimmer), but are so great for basics and they take up zero room in your makeup bag since they're so compact.


Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Gloss - This extremely flattering shade (in tawny pink) is the prettiest nude pink lip gloss.  I find myself consistently reaching for this over all my other lip glosses as I'm walking out the door, and I constantly get asked what I'm wearing when I have it on.   


The Seaweed Bath Co. Firming Detox Cream - I'm not really a believer in "firming creams" being a total fix for cellulite (only a clean diet and strength training has been a fix all for me), but this cream is extremely moisturizing, and I do feel a slight tingling when I apply it, so I know that the ingredients are doing their job.  The cream is thick, applies nicely, smells great (I prefer the awaken scent), is non greasy, and absorbs really quickly.  I love that the combo of pure essential ingredients are all natural and detoxifying.  I've also heard great things about the body scrub from this line, and I want to try that next!

Shop These Products

Have you tried any of these products?  Feel free to leave any feedback + comments below.  Thanks for reading! xx

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April Beauty Buys

Yayyy for Friday!  This week has been a busy one over here.  My mom & brother flew in earlier this week for sort of an early Mothers Day celebration {this was the only weekend we could all get together} so I've been entertaining all week, which if you read here regularly you know that I LOVE entertaining guests!  We have a little getaway down to the FL Keys planned for the weekend, and I can't wait to show them how different the Keys are compared to Miami.  Everything is just much more relaxed, and on chill island time down there.  Should be a great weekend for us :)  Hoping you have something fun planned for the next couple of days as well!

Today I wanted to chat about some new beauty buys that I've scooped up over the last month.  I've recently been putting a little more effort into my makeup routine than I normally do {trying to feel pretty in my ever growing body} and I bought a little more than the average month.  Some of the products I'm really digging, and others.....ehhhhhh not so much.  I'll share all the deets below so let's get started!

What I Bought:

•    Nail Strengthener:  I swear I have the weakest nails in existence.  Everyone keeps telling me that my hair & nails will get so long & strong during this pregnancy and I'm still waiting for that day to happen.  Until then, I thought I'd give this natural strengthener a go and so far I really like it.  It's doing a really good job at keeping my nails from splitting {which is my biggest problem}, and seems to last for a long time.

•    Waterproof Mascara:  I've praised Bobbi Brown's waterproof mascara on here so many times in the past that I don't even know if it's really worth talking about again, but I will say that this is by far the best waterproof, no smudge, stay put all day mascara I've ever come across.  It's perfect for our hot + humid Miami summers, perfect for swimming in pools or the ocean, and great for exercising.  If you're not using this you definitely should be.  The end.

•    Concealer:  So no joke I started getting the dreaded "mask of pregnancy".  And where does it crop up?  Right above my upper lip with a small blotch on the side of my nose basically making it look like I have a big ol' mustache.  Insert crying emoji here.  Adam's been teasing me calling me Tom {for Tom Selleck lol!}.  Luckily, I have a really good sense of humor about my new upper lip shadowing but that didn't change the fact that I still needed a really good concealer to lessen the 'stache look that I've recently been rocking.  Enter this concealer from MAC.  It does exactly what it needs to; covers any imperfections & dark spots, blends really nicely while moisturizing, and doesn't look heavy whatsoever.  I've even been using it under my eyes, and it really brightens up that area.  Lalalove this product and I'll definitely be repurchasing.

•    Shea Butter:   I really don't like the smells of any of my stretch mark creams so I bought this shea butter that is infused with coconut & papaya.  It smells heavenly, and makes my skin extra soft + hydrated! 

•    Blush:  Possibly the prettiest blush from Bobbi Brown {color Antigua}.  It's actually labeled as an "Illuminating Bronzing Powder", but it's 100% a blush in my eyes.  It's a lovely light pink shade with a small amount of shimmer.  Perfect for the barely there no makeup look.

•    Lip Gloss:  I bought 2 new colors of lip gloss this month, one from MAC and the other from Bobbi Brown.  The MAC Cremesheen Glass in On The Scene is a really pretty everyday peachy nude with a slight shimmer and semi-opaque coverage {perfect for summer}, while the Bobbi Brown Almost Nude Lip Gloss is a pale almost milky pink and looks great on its own or layered over any lipstick.  I'm really happy with both of these so far!

•   Tinted Moisturizer:  While I was purchasing the concealer for my above mentioned problem, the sales girl convinced me into buying the new MAC Lightful Tinted Cream {I'm using color medium plus}, promising me that it completely illuminates your face giving you a nice healthy glow.  Save your money girls, this just seemed like a basic tinted moisturizer to me and I like the other ones I have on rotation so much better.  The only plus side to this tinted cream is that it does contain SPF 30, but that doesn't make up for how basic this is.  Will not repurchase.

•    Nail Polish:  A beautiful, clean, limited edition nude polish from Bobbi Brown {first time that I've tried this brand for nail polish} that looks subtle, polished, and great with a tan.  I have a feeling this is going to be on repeat all summer!

•    Deodorant:  My slow transition to more all natural products continues with this Long Lasting Deodorant from Tom's brand.  I picked this up from Whole Foods last week on a whim after I ran out of my usual brand and really like it!  I've been a 'Secret' deodorant gal for years, but this switch has been great.  This contains no artificial fragrance, preservatives, or aluminium.  I'll definitely continue to purchase this.

To shop any of these products, click on the image below or click on the descriptive links above... 

What new products have you tried out recently?  Any recommendations for me?  Leave a comment below and fill me in.


I hope that you all have a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by! xx

Product Review: Acure Organics + A Giveaway

After learning that our body absorbs about 65% of what we put onto our skin, I decided that I slowly wanted to make the switch to more natural/plant based skincare products.  I'll admit that I could never give up the makeup that I use {I have yet to find an all natural makeup line that really wows me}, but sometimes you just got to do what you can and make little changes here and there.  

I started browsing the beauty aisles at Whole Foods and was immediately drawn to Acure Organics packaging {I am such a sucker for cute packaging + clever product wording!}, and had heard great things about the brand so I decided to first try out the Argan Cleansing Towelettes, the Day Cream, the Cream Cleanser, the Cell Stimulating Face Mask, and the Radical Resurfacing Treatment.

After testing out Acure for the past few weeks, here's my thoughts on the above mentioned products:

• I love, love, love, the fact that all of Acure products are 100% certified organic.

• They all smell lovely, similar to essential oils!

• All products feature plant based stem cell technology - pretty cool!

• All of the products that I've tried absorb really well!  No greasy mess left over afterwards.

• The Argan Cleansing Towelettes do a very effective job cleaning off all of my makeup {minus waterproof mascara} and leave my face feeling fresh + tingling afterwards.

• I've been actually reaching for the Day Cream over any of my other lotions & creams that are sitting on my vanity {including pricey La Mer!}.  I just wish that it contained sunscreen!

• The cream cleanser is probably my least favorite.  It stings my eyes when I wash off my eye makeup :(

•  The Radical Resurfacing Treatment immediately removes any redness from my skin, and sinks in really fast.  It's still too early to tell if it will even out my skin tone, but I'll keep you guys posted!

• I've only used the face mask twice, but both times afterwards, my skin feels super soft and is glowing.  I love that it doesn't get really tight like most mud/clay masks do.

All in all, I'm really happy with most of the products that I've tried {with the exception of the cream cleanser}, and will most definitely be repurchasing!  I also can't wait to try their line of hair care products :)

To learn more about Acure Organics and the products that they offer, you can click here to be directed to their website, or pay a visit to your local Whole Foods.


So, like what you see?  Want to try out Acure Organics for yourself?  I'm gifting EVERYTHING pictured in the above pictures to one lucky reader.  I haven't done a giveaway in a while, and wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate your readership!


To enter all you have to do is leave your name + email address below in the comment section.  This giveaway is open to everyone, and the winner will be chosen on Friday @ 12pm EST.

**GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED**

Good luck & thanks so much for reading! xx 

Spring Beauty Refresh

Hi, friends!  Admitted beauty junkie over here, and this time of year makes me itch to start trying out all the new spring/summer beauty products that are hitting the shelves right about now.  I love to update & refresh my makeup just as I would update my closet, adding new pieces to compliment what I already own.

What's currently caught my eye?  Lots of soft, blush pink + anything that gives you that fresh, luminous, au naturel glow.

Full deets are below.

Shop These Products (from top left):

The absolute prettiest silky matte sheer pink shimmer blush {found here} //  Dior Rouge Dior Brilliant lipshine {in color bonheur available here} //  Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum {provides SPF 40 coverage! here} //  A luxuriously lightweight highlighting fluid from Chantecaille highlights skin & delivers anti-aging properties {get it here} //  Tata Harper Volumizing Lip & Cheek Tint {100% all natural + non toxic available here} //  Moroccanoil Body Buff Fleur de Rose {exfoliates dead skin & sounds heavenly! here} //  YSL Volume Mascara {I've been dying to try this!! found here} // Philosophy 'Iced Mint Lemonade' Lip Polishing Sugar Scrub {a limited edition here} //  Bobbi Brown Electric Nude Cheek Palette offers 2 gorgeous coral-pink shades and one shimmering highlighter {looks sooooo pretty! available here} //  I've been dying to try Million Dollar Tan Sunless Tanning Lotion {need to pull the trigger on this asap. here}

So. Much. Goodness.  Anything catch your eye? xx

5 Minute Makeup Routine

Most days you can find me loungin' around my house with the fresh faced "no makeup" look.  Unless we're going out to dinner or have an event to go attend, I really put minimal effort into my every day makeup routine.  I've always put a heavy emphasis on a proper skincare regimen thus eliminating the need for heavy daytime makeup.  In reality, if you have healthy glowing skin, natural barely there makeup that enhances your natural features is really all you need!  

Below is my minimal makeup routine that I wear every day & can be applied in under 5 minutes.  I swear by all of these products, having reviewed the majority of them on here in the past, and would whole heartedly recommend them to any of my girlfriends.

After applying my daily moisturizer, I apply Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream under my eyes and let that set in while I move on to my tinted moisturizer.  I've been using Estée Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint for years and love it for a really light amount of coverage.  It automatically color corrects to your unique skin tone, provides SPF 15 coverage and is perfect for a barely there look.  If I need a bit more coverage for days when I have any blemishes, or just want a more "finished look" I'll reach for my Jouer Matte Moisture Tint.  I reviewed this tinted moisturizer last year and still love it!  You can read my full review on it here.

After applying my tinted moisturizer, I sweep a light bronzer on my cheekbones and around the temples of my forehead using my Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush.  I usually go back and forth between a few different bronzers, depending on how tan I am {right now it's non existent lol!} but more often than not, I use Jouer Mineral Powder Bronzer - lalalove this bronzer!

Next, I brighten up the dark circles under my eyes that I've been genetically gifted with using YSL Touche Éclat' and gently pat that in using my ring finger.  This is a miracle product, and I've been hooked on it for around 7 years so I highly, highly recommend this to anyone!  The color that I use is #2.5 Luminous Vanilla.

After brightening up my under eye area, I use Bobbi Brown No Smudge mascara.  I absolutely love it this mascara!  It's a long lasting, water proof mascara {perfect for the humid Miami weather}, and lengthens + thickens my lashes to no end!  This mascara can also be used in combination with any of your other favie mascaras, just layer No Smudge on at the end and it instantly makes it waterproof!  

Filling in my brows really seems to frame my face, and this is one step that I can't leave the house without doing.  As silly as that sounds, I don't feel like my face looks the same without doing this.  Anastasia makes a great brow filler powder {I use the color medium brown}, and this product has lasted me for almost 2 years!  If you're looking for a great brow product, I definitely would suggest checking this one out!

Lastly, I finish my look by lightly applying blush to the apples of my cheeks.  I use several different blushes and it just basically depends on my mood + what I'm wearing that day that determines which one I'll apply.  Some of my all time favorites are:

Mac Blushbaby {pictured} - this is a great matte beige pink blush.  Very natural looking.

Mac Warm Soul -  golden beige mineralized blush with a pearlized shimmer.  Looks great with everything!

Nars The Multiple in South Beach - pearlized, shimmering apricot.  Perfect with a tan!

Mac Melba - soft matte coral peach.  

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar - gives a nice glow to your face.

Fill me in, chicas!  What are your favorite makeup products that you can't live without?

Weekend Wish List

Hi babes!  Can you believe today is Friday already?  This week really flew by in the blink of any eye.  I've been working on some content for Typical Domestic Babe, and I'll have a great recipe & tablescape to share with you starting next week.  In the meantime, here's a few items that made my weekend wish list.....

Shop These Items:

Ummm hi gorgeous oxblood leather jacket.  Are you really from The Gap?  {here} //  The most perfect dark red lipstick.  I actually stopped a girl to ask her what brand & color she was wearing...she probably thought I was a weirdo but whatevs... {found here / color 'olivia'} //  I'm such a sucker for cute & cozy socks and these festive snowflake socks are calling my name {available here} //  A 100% cashmere knit hat for under $30?? Yes please! {here} //  I'm on the hunt for a great pair of coated denim pants and {this pair} has caught my eye {affordable option here}. //  T by Alexander Wang are some of my favorite tee shirts - SO comfy!  I found this one on sale for 50% off! {found here} //  These leather gloves look so similar to Valentino. {Under $20 here} //  A perfect sparkly gold top coat for the holidays. {get it here}

Lots of burgundy, black, and leather in my wish list.  We're getting ready to head over to Europe in the next couple of weeks and I'm sensing that this will be my color palette that gets packed :)  Which item is your favorite?

Happy weekend! xx

Whats Inside My Shower

Happy Friday!  Hope you all had a great week!  My brother & his girlfriend are visiting, so we've been playing host + city tour guide all week!  This brother {I have 2 younger brothers} has only visited me 1 time since I moved to Miami, so it's really nice to have him here with us :)

I always love to read about what products other gals are using & loving, so today I thought I'd fill you in on what essentials I'm using everyday in my shower.  Let's get started...

Shampoo & Conditioner

I've been using Pureology products for years, and the Nano Works shampoo & conditioner seem to really work best for my hair.  When I was really trying to grow my hair out, using a non sulfate shampoo was essential for me, and I accredit the Nano Works line for helping me get my hair to where it is today.  I now purchase the bulk sizes from Ulta because it really is a better value than purchasing the smaller bottles.

I've also been using It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask regularly for the past couple of years as a once weekly deep conditioner and love it!  The smaller blue bottle, Pureology Strength Cure Fabulous Lengths is a newer purchase {about 2 months ago} and I'm almost finished with this bottle.  This is a new line from Pureology, and is formulated for long hair, helping to treat & prevent breakage.  I really like this conditioner, and will definitely repurchase.

Cleansers & Treatments

Back in this post I talked about the Ahava Time To Clear Purifying Mud Mask, and also the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser a little more in depth.  Well, I'm still not loving the Neutrogena, it tends to be a little drying, so it has since been moved to the shower where I generally don't really use it {I typically wash my face more at nighttime, not really in the shower}.  The Ahava mud mask on the other hand,  I LOVE!  I use it about once a week, and it leaves my face glowing and feeling completely refreshed.  I have also recently purchased Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, and it's just alright.  It does the job, but irritates my eyes, and doesn't really wow me.  Not sure if I will repurchase this.

Body Products

Without getting too in depth about my "hoohaw", I use Summers Eve cleansing wash because I get those dreaded infections that no girl ever wants to get really easily if I use regular soap down there {I'm apparently a sensitive kinda gal}, so I switched a few years back to this wash that is PH balanced, and I've never had an issue since. Problem solved!  I've even gotten some of my girlfriends to switch {the things us girls talk about!}, and they are now converts as well :)  Ok, moving on.....

I found this pure coconut oil soap from Whole Foods and I really like it!  It's really refreshing because it has peppermint oil in it.  Would definitely recommend. 

Lately, I've also been using Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Body Exfoliator.  I received a sample of it when we were in Israel earlier this year and liked it so much that I purchased the full size bottle from Nordies.  I use this about once per week, generally before I apply self tanner or bronzer.  I really, really like this exfoliator and intend on repurchasing once I run out.  All of the Ahava products that I've tested out have been great - definitely recommend you girls checking out that line.

Lastly, my razor.  I use a mens razor because I think they do the best job.  My hubby converted me to his razor, a Gillette Fusion, years ago and I've never used a girly razor ever since.  I just think they get a much closer shave....personal opinion.

Boy Stuff

The hubs is a pretty simple guy.  We share shampoo {Pureology Nano Works}, and for everyday use he's used Dial Magnetic for as long as I can remember.  For special occasions & date nights, he uses Tom Ford Oud Wood Shower Gel.  Oud Wood is his favorite Tom Ford scent, so I purchased this shower gel for him as one of his small birthday presents this year and he LOVES it!  This makes for a great little luxury present for your guy for birthdays, Christmas, stocking stuffer, etc.  Highly recommend it.  

Hope you enjoyed this little peek into my shower products that I'm currently using, and please, fill me in, chicas.  Any products that you're loving & want to share?  Leave a comment below, and tell us about it :)

Have a great weekend!

Product Review: Jouer Cosmetics

Nothing ruins my weekend faster than one simple word: humidity.  Any of my Southern state babes can likely vouch that there is nothing worse than leaving your house looking all hot, only to arrive at your destination lookin' like a hot mess!  

I love wearing tinted moisturizer for an everyday all natural look, but during the summer months most tinted moisturizers combined with the Miami humidity {which is basically the equivalent of living in a steam room} makes my face look like a big ol' oil slick.  That's why I was beyond thrilled to hear about Jouer Cosmetics tinted moisturizer, which is a matte moisturizer.  Dreams do come true, ladies!  

Read below for my full review.

I first heard about Jouer on Instagram.  I can't remember exactly whose page I was stalking browsing, but it was some celebrity makeup artist who was displaying various products that she used for a photoshoot.  I had never heard of Jouer before and was curious as to what type of products they offered.  A quick google search turned up an endless list of YouTube + blog reviews, all of which were actually pretty good.  I saw that Jouer is sold online at Nordstrom, and since I basically buy all of my makeup/beauty products from there {it's all about those Nordy notes!} and given Nordstroms great return policy, I decided to give it a try.

 The matte moisture tint is amaaaaaazing!  It's like velvet blending into your skin, and you need to only apply a small amount as a little goes a long way.  It is lightweight, but provides the perfect amount of coverage and completely covers any imperfections on my face.  I LOVE the matte formula because I don't need to apply a finishing powder afterwards and can not imagine ever going back to a regular tinted moisturizer that leaves that glowing, greasy looking sheen.  The moisture tint is oil free, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and is infused with vitamins A, C & E.  Additionally, it offers SPF 15 to protect from UVA & UVB rays.  I also lovelovelove the fact that Jouer 100% does not test on animals!  

I also purchased Mineral Bronzing Powder {in Suntan} and love it as well!  It blends seamlessly on top of the moisture tint and makes my face have an allover healthy golden sun tan glow.  The bronzer is also oil free, and is infused with Japanese green tea {which is a powerful antioxidant}, as well as vitamins C & E.  It's labeled as "perfect for all skin tones".

Jouer {zhew-ey} means 'to play' in French, and what girl doesn't like to play with makeup?!  The containers for all the bronzers, blushes, eye shadows, etc. that Jouer manufacturers are all made to clip into place with one another, essentially creating your own custom palette.  What an ingenious idea!

I am so happy that I discovered Jouer, and can't wait to try out more of their products.  I've read that the blushes are supposed to be amazing!

Right now, Nordstrom is having a Jouer promotion.  If you spend $50 in Jouer products, you receive a full sized Jouer liquid eyeliner, a mini Jouer lip gloss, and a cute leopard print Jouer cosmetics bag {as pictured above} for free.  The promo is online only, and you can click here to be directed.

Shop This Post

Have any of you tried out Jouer yet?  What are your thoughts?

My Beauty Regimen And Skin Care Must Haves

Happy Monday, babes!  How was your weekend?  Hopefully you guys got a chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine!  On Saturday Adam took me out for a mystery date and scheduled lunch at my favorite spot {Michael's Genuine Food & Drink} and a couples massage afterwards at the Mandarin Oriental.  It was such a nice surprise!  He's a keeper for sure ;)

It's been a while since I posted about my skin care routine, and since a couple of you have sent me questions about what products I use, I figured that it was time that I posted about my loves & must haves.

Read on for more deets.

What I'm Currently Using:

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream -  I've posted many, many times about my love for this eye cream.  I've been using it for years, and hope she never changes the formulation or discontinues it because this is hands down the very best eye cream.  This cream is extremely hydrating, and lasts all day.  I also swear that it has significantly decreased the fine lines around my eye area.  I put this on before I apply under eye concealer, and it makes the application so much smoother; no concealer settling in ultra fine lines, etc. 

SK-II Facial Treatment Mask -   I was skeptical about trying out this mask due to it's high cost, but I've read for years how literally every celeb uses it before big events so I cashed in some Nordstrom notes and gave it a try.  Oh.em.gee girls, this mask is amazing.  After using this mask, I see noticeable results.  My skin glows, it's softer, and primary lines on my face are minimized from the extreme hydrating properties of this mask.  It evens out my skin tone, and helps with my acne scarring.  There is quite a bit of serum that is left over in the package, so I put a paperclip on it to keep it sealed and use it throughout the week. 

Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector -  I've been using this product for a few months now and really like it.  I purchased it mainly because I needed something to help with my acne scarring {I have a few deep set scars on my forehead} because I wasn't quite ready to resort to laser treatments yet.  I've been using it every morning and can see a major difference in my scars.  It's also very hydrating, and makes my makeup application go on much smoother.  I highly, highly recommend this serum.
  

Crème De La Mer Moisturizing Cream -  Ok, so this was another extremely pricey purchase, but I truly believe that investing in your skin care is worth it.  

The story behind La Mer is pretty interesting: the doctor who invented the formulation was an aerospace physicist who was part of a lab procedure gone awry, leaving him scarred with chemical burns.  At the time, doctors had no way to heal the appearance of his skin—so he set out to invent one. 

Looking to the sea, Dr. Huber discovered a type of sea kelp off the Pacific coast with an incredible ability to regenerate itself, growing up to 2 feet a day.  After combining the nutrient-rich plant with vitamins, minerals, essential oils and other natural ingredients, he biofermented the concoction using light and sound to help boost its powers.

It took twelve years and 6,000 experiments, but the outcome—La Mer’s "Miracle Broth"—was transformational and now lies at the heart of the La Mer skincare line.  Over time, as Huber discovered, firmness and radiance are restored to his own skin, wrinkles and irritation look dramatically reduced.  

I use this every morning and night, and have had less breakouts since I started using it.  I layer this on over the Lancome serum in the a.m and my face instantly has an all over glow.  I also need to add that yes, La Mer is extremely pricey, but a little bit goes a long way and it lasts forever. 

Atralin Gel -  I've also posted about this Retin-A gel before, and I still love it!  I initially received this prescription grade gel from my dermatologist because when I first moved down to Miami, my skin started breaking out really bad.  This has definitely helped with that, and with wrinkle reduction as well.  

I think by the time women reach their late twenties, using a retin-a product is an absolute must have.  Retin-A helps your skin in so many ways; it significantly aids in boosting collagen production, it improves skin texture, it fades dark spots & freckles, it shrinks pores and helps with cell turnover so your pores are less likely to get clogged.  Retin-A is basically a miracle in a tube and you need to be using it.  End of story.  I use it every 2-3 nights so that it doesn't dry out my skin.  I always apply it at night because retin-a is like a vampire and works better in the dark, and I always apply a tiny drop to the backs of my hands as well.  You can search online and get major coupon discounts for this product.

Ahava Time To Clear Purifying Mud Mask -  I actually purchased this mud mask when we were in Israel a few months ago but it can be found at Nordstrom!  I love mud masks because they are amazing for drawing impurities & toxins out of your skin.  I was so intrigued by the fact that the mud in this mask is made with mud from the Dead Sea {which has extreme healing properties}.  I've only tried this mask 1 time so far, but afterwards my husband commented that my face was glowing like I had a spotlight on it!  I'll definitely continue to use this :)

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser -  I only started using this cleanser because Dr. Brandt discontinued my all time favorite foaming cleanser and I wasn't sure what else to use.  This does it's job and removes all my makeup + waterproof mascara with ease, but it always leaves my face feeling really dry.  To me, this is just an "ehhh" kind of product - nothing to rave about, and I probably will not repurchase.  I need reco's for a good face wash...what are you girls using & loving?  

Do you have any products that you love & want to share?  Fill me in by leaving a comment below.  xx

Frank Coffee Scrub Giveaway!

Got cellulite? Yeah, me too {insert crying emoji here}.  Adam always looks at me like I'm a crazy woman when I point it out to him and claims that he doesn't see it......isn't that what husbands are supposed to say?!  I see it though, and I know it's there.  Luckily with a good diet + exercise mine is pretty minimal.  I'm always on the lookout for new products that aid in bump reduction and after seeing Frank Coffee Scrub blowing up everywhere on Instagram, I decided to do a bit of investigating.

First off, I absolutely LOVE the marketing behind Frank.  The first thing you see when visiting the Frank website is, "Hey babe, I'm Frank coffee scrub."  I also love the Frank slogan: 'get naked. get dirty. get rough. get clean.' {I'm such a sucker for clever wording!}  

Frank promises that:
 "i’ll target cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, varicose veins, eczema and acne with roasted and ground arabica coffee beans.
then i’ll moisturise and tone your skin with grapeseed oil, and use coconut oil to hydrate your skin and tend to any imperfections. i’ll take coconut flakes, brown sugar, jojoba beads & sea salt and gently smooth your lumps and bumps, and use vitamins & minerals to work wonders from the outside in."

Given that I like anything all natural, and since I love body scrubs + use them weekly {always before I apply self tanner}, I decided to give Frank a whirl.  I purchased both the original scrub {coffee w/ sweet almond oil}, and the coconut / grapeseed coffee scrub as well.  

 Applying Frank is pretty easy.  You get wet in the shower, apply a large handful of Frank all over your bod concentrating on problem areas, let it dry for 5-10 minutes {I multitasked & applied a hair mask at the same time}, then rinse off.  Waiting for it to dry was a little weird, I just stood awkwardly in my shower the whole time.  I will say that Frank is super, super messy.  All I could think of while I was applying it was how much of a bitch this was going to be to completely clean up.  Also, if you're not a big fan of the coffee smell, this may not be for you as my bathroom smelt like a coffeehouse for a good full day.

As for the results, that remains to be seen.  The instructions on Frank instruct to use the scrub 1-2 times per week, and since I've only used him once, it's too early to tell.  I will say, however, that my skin was the softest I've ever felt it after using one time.  :)

 Coconut & Grapeseed

 Original

To read more info on Frank, check out their website by clicking here.

Now, onto that giveaway!  I purchased a couple extra packages of Frank when I placed my own order, and I'll be gifting both the original & coconut scrub to one lucky reader!  All you have to do is leave your name + email address in the comment section of this post and you'll be automatically entered into the drawing.  This giveaway will run until noon on Sunday, May 11th.  The winner will be chosen at random, and announced on Monday morning.

Good luck, ladies!! Thanks so so much for reading my blog! xx


** Giveaway is closed **

Beauty Buys - March 2014

Hello, babes!  I really hope everyone had a nice weekend!  How bizarre is this time change business?  It really is the weirdest concept ever, but I'm not complaining this time around because our pups are finally allowing us to sleep in until 7:30 now - yeah!!  I swear since last fall when we switched the clocks backwards it has been like the movie 'Groundhogs Day' over here and every.single.morning. they would wake us up at 6:24 am.  Spring ahead means seven thirty sleep ins, and I'm all for that :)

I know I've told you guys in the past that I am a 100% admitted beauty junkie.  Even if I have a current skincare/makeup/haircare regime that I absolutely love, I'm still always wanting to try out new serums, creams, hair tonics, and makeup.  Today, I wanted to share with you some of my latest beauty buys that I'm testing out.

Read on for more deets.

Shampoo:  Currently, I've got a couple different shampoos on rotation in my shower, and I've recently added the Alterna Caviar shampoo into the mix.  This moisture replenishing, and color protecting shampoo is formulated without any damaging sulfates, parabens, and a host of other nastiness found in most other common shampoos.  I've used it in the past,  and I really like how my hair feels healthier after using.  My dry ends visibly appear to not be as dry and brittle after using.

Hydra Pearls:  This is my first time trying out the NEVO Hydra Pearls capsules {which I picked up at Ulta} and so far I really like them!  Inside the tiny capsules is a blend of natural Amazon replenishing oils which is perfect for dry, color treated hair.  You can apply to either wet or dry hair, although I've only tried when my hair is damp.  The bottle is 100% biodegradable, and no animal testing with this product.  Purchase at Ulta or online at Amazon.

Face Serum:  I've seen Lancomes Visionnaire everywhere; magazine ads, billboards, online, etc and figured since it has great reviews that I'd give it a try.  I've been using this for about 3 weeks and I love what I'm seeing so far!  This product really seems to be helping with evening out my skin tone, and reducing the acne scars that I have.  I even went in for my monthly brow appointment last week at Anastasia, and my usual waxer commented on how this is the best that she's ever seen my skin looking...."glowing" was her exact words!  I'll take it! :)  So far, so good, and I'll definitely keep using this.

Root Amplifier:  Girls, look no further!  This is hands down the best root amplifier/ volumizer that I have ever used.  I'm talking mega volume!  Two small pumps of this velvety primer applied to damp hair is all it takes, and it smells amazing!

Nail Polish:  I am absolutely in love with this soft pretty pink polish from Chanel.  "Ballerina" is my new fave, and is the perfect neutral pink shade.  Very similar in color to Essie "Ballet Slippers", except that I find the Chanel polish to last longer; I got around 5 days out of the Chanel polish before it started chipping.

Mascara:  I swear I can't get over how much I love Bobbi Browns No Smudge Mascara.  This mascara somehow manages to lift & separate every individual lash and it does so without ever clumping, smudging, or flaking.  This may be the best waterproof mascara I have ever tried out {and I've tried the majority of them out there!}.  The best part about this mascara is that it can be layered over any regular ol' mascara and it instantly makes the formulation waterproof!  I highly, highly recommend this product!

Nail Polish Drying Accelerator:  I am notorious for smudging my nails.  It's just inevitable that if I do them at home, it's gonna happen.  On my last Ulta run, I picked up this QTICA Half Time drying accelerator which claims that, "Never again smudge, dent, or streak your manicures.  Qtica Half Time dries all layers of polish from top to bottom rock hard in 5-7 minutes."  First off, let me say that it really does dry your polish very quickly.  I still somehow managed to make a small smudge in my thumbnail {always the thumbs!} so I'm not quite sure about their claims, but I'll continue to use this for now.

Tinted Moisturizer:  I had tried this product years ago, and had completely forgotten about it until I was browsing around online on the Nordstrom website and came across it due to the great ratings it has.  This sheer,  SPF 15 moisturizer, comes out a blueish color and automatically color corrects to your unique skin tone for a healthy, even-toned glow.  I have fallen in love with this all over again!  I love how light weight & natural looking the product is, and that it has many anti-aging properties.  I definitely would recommend this tinted moisturizer. 

Shop These Products:

Two Ways To Extend Your Salon Colored Hair

Happy Friday babes!  I hope that you all had a great week!  So today I wanted to chat about salon color.  Lets face the facts: we all know that gettin' your hurrr did is mega expensive, and that fresh color unfortunately fades pretty fast.  When my hair has reached that point where my color has faded, and it's time to get back into the salon there are two products that I turn to that help with reviving my color, ultimately giving me a couple extra weeks until I have to go back in the salon and fork our some more cash.  Read on for more deets.

When I first moved to Miami, I was shocked at the high prices that salons charge to get my normal hair coloring done.  This lead to me search for other options to extend the life of my salon color.  I came across two great products that I had never heard of, and after extensive online research I decided to give them a try.

The first is a line of conditioners formulated by Aveda.  Their "Pure Plant" conditioners are all natural {made with plant extracts} and are developed to neutralize & enrich your existing color.  

You simply apply to your hair after shampooing, and leave on for around 5 minutes.  The more you use the conditioner, the deeper your color will get.  If you don't like the color, it will generally fade after a couple washes.  Pretty simple, right?!  

A word of warning: The darker shampoos look like chocolate pudding, and will leave a tint to your hands.  Don't stress!  The tint comes off easy.  Since I apply this when I'm in the shower, I just use a body scrub or my loofah and it comes right off my hands :)

Also, save yourself the money, and don't try the shampoos in this line.  They don't deposit color the way the conditioners do and are a big waste.

When I notice my color starting to really fade, I typically use my Aveda conditioner twice per week until my next hair appointment.  I love the color that it gives me.

For my brunette sistas, there are two options: Black Malva or Clove {which is what I use}.  

Blonde haired babes can try out Chamomile, and red headed vixens are best with Madder Root.

The second product that I completely recommend for extending your salon hair color is Sebastian Cellophanes.  This is an ammonia free color depositing gloss that adds mega shine to your strands.  You know when you go to the salon and get a glossing treatment done to your hair?  This is the same stuff + color.

They come in 10 different colors, so that you can perfectly match up to your current color.  I personally use the "Golden Brunette", "Deep Brunette" and also the "Clear" glaze.  The clear glaze is great for just doing a simple at home glossing treatment.  The results typically last for 2-3 weeks depending on how often I'm washing my hair.

Make sure you wear gloves when applying - cellophanes will stain your hands, and are a little more difficult to remove than the Aveda conditioners.  If it does get on your skin, windex will remove it {I know from experience that the organic window cleaners won't remove it, the real deal windex will}.

I purchase mine from a local beauty supply chain called 'GBS The Beauty Store'  but you can also buy the cellophanes online on amazon.

 I hope that this information was helpful for you!  If you have any questions about these products or want to share any products that you love for extending your color, feel free to drop me a line or leave a comment below.

Have a great weekend & GO SEAHAWKS!!! xx