Tag: beauty products

Winter Moisturizers

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Wow, it’s been raining so much here lately and it still shows no signs of stopping. I’ve been struggling  a bit with all this rain. I’ve kind of given up trying to put together cute outfits because by the time I get into the office I’m soaked.

My family is thinking about heading up to Tahoe in two weeks and I am so excited because as they say – if it rains here it’s snowing up there! I love going to Tahoe, I love being in the snow weather it’s being in the slopes, playing outside with family and friends, or inside the cabin sitting next to the fire place! However, the dry winter weather does sometimes affect my skin. Today as I was going through my morning routine, I realized I should share some of my favorite moisturizers for my entire body.

Starting with water. The first step to beating the dryness is generally staying hydrated. I’m pretty good about this, I always carry a water bottle with me no matter where I go. I keep a pack of water bottles in the trunk of my car and I keep another water bottle at work and I’ll typically have one on me too.

HANDS // The one place that I feel the worst is my hands. At work, especially during the winter, I’m always washing my hands throughout the day. Winter seems to be the time when everyone at work is either dealing with a cold or just getting over one. I  use hand lotion all the time. I try to apply a ton right before I go to bed so it can sink in overnight (no idea the legitimacy of this, but mentally it works?). This is my absolute favorite hand cream. It’s thick, dries nicely (not greasy!!!!), and has a lovely light scent. I have a big tube on my nightstand that I use before bed and then smaller tubes in my car, in pockets, by the sinks, in my purses, etc. I can never have enough!

HAIR // After my hands, the next place where I notice the dryness the most is my hair. Static. Electricity. It’s my worst nightmare in the winter months. (I keep a ponytail holder nearby all the time in case my hair starts standing on end.) I don’t have a perfect solution, but using a mask on my hair every week does make a difference. I use this one while I’m in the shower. The key is to really let it set in; I normally take a bath before rinsing it out.

LEGS // Bahhhh! Is there anything worse than shaving legs that are extra dry? I cringe just typing that out. I find that regular shaving cream tends to dry out my skin, but in the winter I can’t shave without something. I cannot recommend this product enough. It will change your life if you don’t already use it. Unlike a shaving cream, it’s oil… but when you lather it up, it turns into a thin foam. Sometimes I skip it throughout the year, but I absolutely can’t go without in the wintertime.

BODY // As far as body lotions go, I don’t think you can go wrong. I have a lot of favorites: Nivea Moisture Lotion, Nubian Body Lotion, and Dove Body Lotion.

LIPS // Burts Bees is my everyday go to lip balm. In the winter, though, I apply extra stuff to my lips to keep them from getting chapped. Vaseline is my favorite. It’s a classic. I don’t particularly love the way it feels on my lips (so thick), but they always feel the best when morning comes along. Kiehl’s has a great option too, and this eucalyptus treatment is amazing if you already have crossed into chapped lips territory!

FACE // I saved the best for last. I’ve been using this facial moisturizer for years. It is the best product that I have ever purchased. I’m obsessed and can’t go a day without using it. I actually discovered it when my face was literally raw from dry wind while in NY eight years ago. I’ve never looked back. 

Do you have a favorite moisturizer?

 

10 Beauty Products I Can’t Live Without

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In my quest to experiment more with makeup, I’ve been enlisting the help of friends and experts. Now I’m not the kind of girl who buys the latest and greatest beauty products, but when I find something I like, I stick with it. Now, here I have a few “favorites” that I’ve been loving…

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1) NEST Perfume // I’m not a perfume girl. I’m a bit picky when it comes to smells I like wearing, but this Nest Fragrance rollerball is literally the best. A super mild, but absolutely delicious smell. I keep it tucked in my handbag and just do a dot on my wrists (a little bit goes a long way!).

2) Moroccan Oil Treatment Original // The Maroccan oil works like heaven on my hair. It not only makes it smooth and shiny, but it has also helped transformed my hair leaving it nourished and manageable. I’ve used this product for nearly five years and absolutely love it.

3) Bobby Brown Radiance Boost Mask // This is my favorite face scrub (it smells like orange peel).  A little drop of this on your face and you’re good to go!  About twice a week, I’ll rub it in and then wipe it off…my face feels so nice and smooth after this!

4) Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion // This is probably the most life changing, absolute favorite product of mine. Your eye makeup will not move if you put this on your  eye lids beforehand.  I lived in Florida for four years where the heat and humidity can literally slide your eye makeup right off, but with this stuff, it stays on ALL.DAY.LONG.

5) Urban Decay Naked2 // This is a perfect eye pallet for those who love the neutral looks, the smoky dramatic looks, or anything in between. I love the Naked2 and personally think it works really well on those who have hazel or brown eyes…like mine (wink, wink).

6) Stila Liquid Eyeliner // I had the worst time trying to put on eyeliner on when I was in High School and still had trouble putting in on while in college…until one of my roommates let me try  using her eyeliner. I tried it and it was so much easier than the pencils I was using. It definitely took me some time to get used to it, but it rocks. And totally stays on all day long with no smudging.

7) Bobby Brown BB Cream SPF 15 // I’ve had the hardest time looking for the perfect foundation, but after using Bobby’s Brown BB Cream I can officially say I’ve found the one. My skin tends to get dry, especially during the winter, but this BB cream hydrates my skin while also protecting it. A two in one product…what more can you ask for?

8) Julep Quick Dry Drops // When I paint my own nails I also have no patience when it comes to waiting for them to dry. These drops are amazing and seriously work. You paint your nails like normal, wait two minutes, use two drops for each nail, and then wait another minute. Good to go. Literally.

9) Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel // I starting using this just about a year ago. I love the Fiber Gel because it creates lush-looking eyebrows where before there was none! I apply once in the morning and it stays on all day long.

10) Bobby Brown “University” Lip Palette // I bought this lip palette last year right before returning to my alma matter for my first homecoming as an alumni. I took this, and only used this palette on my lips. IT. IS. AMAZING. The color stays on for hours, take as many sips as you want from your cup and it’s still on. I love lipstick that does it’s job right.

Do you use any of these products? What are your must-haves?

Hair Favorites

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My hair has always and continues to be a source of stress for me. Every girl I know struggles with their hair. I only know one girl, who has beautiful hair without touching it. Frizz-free, gorgeous waves. I’m so jealous!

But that’s not what I have to work with. My hair is super curly in spots, wavy everywhere else, and super frizzy. I will say, although my hair is a pain to work with, I have finally figured it out. There are various milestones throughout the years of me grasping how to work with my hair. My aunt showed me how to use her Chi flatiron in seventh grade and in college, I discovered the power of a wand.

I still have bad hair days, but when I want my hair to look good, I can do it. At home.  In under 30 minutes. Now that my hair has grown out from my haircut a little bit, it’s long enough to curl again, here are the tools and products I like to use:

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Ultimate Remedy Extremem Restoration Duo-Serum: I love this duo serum, I’ll put it on as soon as I get out of the shower and then I’ll blow dry my heir. The duo-serum prevents split ends and makes my hair super soft and shine. I  have bought this multiple times and love how it works on my hair.

T3 Hair Dryer: I love this hairdryer because it’s easy to hold and not very heavy (key when you’re blow drying your own hair). It also does a great job creating frizz-free smooth hair, even without straightening.

Moroccan Oil Treatment: I’ll typically use this on days I let my hair dry naturally or when I only blow dry it. My hair is so incredibly soft after I use this and just feels overall healthier.

BaByliss Straighter: When I’m doing a full straightening of my hair, I can’t go wrong with this BaByliss! There aren’t a lot of bells, and whistles and the plates heat evenly without snagging hair along the way.

BaByliss Mini: This mini straighter is great for traveling and for little touch ups! It’s so tiny, but it gets the job done! It’s especially great for getting close to my hairline and it straightens those wispy hairs around my face.

Conair Infiniti Pro Curling Wand: I use a curling wand when I want to have a little more control over my curls. You can play around with the hair, so it doesn’t look so uniform. For me, the waves I get with the wand are unparalleled. The wand also took some getting used to, and I definitely had a couple of burned fingers along the way, but I’d still say it’s worth it!

Dry Shampoo: I try not to use the dry shampoo too much. If I don’t have time to wash and straighten my hair, I’ll use a few sprints and run the dryer over my hair, to fluff it up again.