MY FAVE SPRING BEAUTY MUST HAVES

When I'm not battling my allergies, I'm gettin' my glow on.  Maybe it's the fact that summer is just around the corner, but my beauty game has been on point lately! I'm all about keeping my skin super hydrated and working on maintaining my youthful appearance, as long as humanly possible. Oh, and I'm completely addicted to shimmer and all things coconut.

BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT: OLAY DUO BODY CLEANSER

One of my anti-stress rituals is indulging in a hot, bubble bath.  It's a time to sneak away from the world, do some thinking and much needed relaxation.  I don't usually need an excuse to treat myself to a long, soak but this new Olay Dual-Sided Body Cleanser is about to change up my morning routine. 

GIFT GUIDE: BEAUTY FINDS

Hello beautiful! Too many people to buy for and not enough time? I've got you covered. From great-smelling hair fragrance to the motherload of eyeshadow palettes, there is a beauty gift for every gal pal on your list!

NEUTROGENA ANTI-RESIDUE SHAMPOO TO THE RESCUE

I think I might of been a mermaid in my former life.  Maybe not the kind that sings and uses a fork to comb her hair, but simply the kind that thrives in water. My swimming addiction is a healthy one but the after effects aren't so pretty. Fall has officially arrived and my relaxing pool days are over, which means it's time for some damage control and a detox.

PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE

It's that time. My favorite time of year when I can indulge in all things pumpkin and my house smells like a bakery!  I've missed you over the past month, as I've been doing a bit of transformation around here. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to come out of hiding. Well, maybe not hiding, but sometimes we need to just step back and regroup. It's a new season and for me, change is a good great thing and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT: JOHN FRIEDA® BRILLIANT BRUNETTE™

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of John Frieda® Hair Care. The experts at John Frieda® Hair Care challenge you to rethink everything you know about hair colour with their latest innovative products that allow you to change your hair colour right in the shower.

As a brunette, I have to believe we have more fun, (cue debate) and since it’s summer, it’s the perfect excuse to have even more fun with my hair color.  If you are looking for a subtle change for the season, the John Frieda® Brilliant Brunette® Visibly Brighter™ and Visibly Deeper™ collections, available at Walmart, make it simple and easy!

BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT: BACKSTAGE AT RODARTE AW16

“The makeup look is beautifully romantic, with a contrast of deep color.” 

—James Kaliardos for NARS Cosmetics

L’OREAL REVITALIFT™ ROUTINE + REVIEW

My skin and I have been through the good times, the bad times, stress, sun damage and all the hormone ups and downs you could possibly imagine.  There are several things about myself I'm working on changing, and the most important one is my overall health.  I have no regrets in life, because I look at each experience as a lesson, but it definitely shows on my face.

GLOSSIER: MY LATEST OBSESSION

Great packaging is my weakness.  If I'm being honest, you could scrape the mud off your shoe, wrap it in the most beautiful packaging and I would still be excited to open it up. It's the little things in life that tickle my fancy...

I didn't really know what to expect of Glossier.  I've followed the founder, Emily Weiss of Into the Gloss for years and was thrilled to witness another beauty/fashion blogger starting their own brand!  I was quite hopeful that it would be a great line of products, but I was wrong.

10 MUST-HAVE PRODUCTS FROM THE BEST CULT-LIKE BEAUTY BRANDS

Check out 10 must-have products from the best cult-like beauty brands

by Stylist Diva at Mode

...follow me over on Mode this week! 

8 MUST-HAVE BEAUTY BUYS

One might say, I'm a beauty product hoarder, I would say they were right. 

EARTH DAY GIVEAWAY ALERT FROM DERMA E!

We are celebrating Earth Day a little early this year!  I've teamed up with derma e® to giveaway one lucky winner this Earth Day Spring Beauty Package! 

ESTEE LAUDER: DOUBLE WEAR

You would think that by the time you were in your late 30’s you would have perfectly glowing skin with not one hint of dark spots or acne. Guess again. Hormones are not my friend and they've left some not-so-pretty reminders, and finding the perfect coverage has been a challenge for me.

I was invited to try out the Estée Lauder Double Wear Makeup Collection, so I stopped by Nordstrom last week and received a mini makeover! The Estée Lauder beauty advisor matched me with the shade, Fresco 2C3, which is perfect for light to medium beige skin with cool neutral undertones. She used the Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup and the Double Wear Stay-In-Place Powder Makeup and I was ah-mazed at the transformation.

NERIUM AD: READY. SET. GLOW!

I was recently introduced to NeriumAD® from a friend and was pleasantly surprised with the product and results so far!  I've just started my nightly routine and As I get older and deal with the everyday stress I'm not too happy with what it does to my skin, so I'm excited to see how it can help me and hopefully gain back a little more confidence.

STAYCATION MUST HAVES

Summer is over, (ugh.) but now we look forward to the hustle and bustle of the holiday prep, shopping and a house full of guests.  So before it's too late, take some time out and treat yourself to a little staycation.  I know many of you are workaholics, business owners or stay at home moms, just like I am (dogs only for me), and that is exactly why I'm writing this post. For you. 

3.1 PHILLIP LIM SS/15: NYFW BEAUTY RECAP

 

“There is a lot of see-through transparency and airiness to the collection – I wanted that to come through in the makeup.  My inspiration is sensuality; the way the morning light hits you as you wake up in your bedroom, with sensual skin beaming with rays of light. I highlighted the cheek bones, high planes of the face and the bridge of the nose to accentuate and bring out that glow in each girl.”  

Francelle Daly

SHADES OF SUMMER

a few of my must-have makeup picks for summer...

1. Deborah Lippmann 80's Rewind  $18

wearing whip it (pink) for my mani and walking on sunshine (yellow) for toes

2. Nars Lipstick $26

heatwave and schiap are my fave shades, pucker up with a pop of color!

3. Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic $21

waterproof lid perfection for staying pretty poolside!

4. Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette $49

high pigmented, bold colors that pair perfect with the aqua matic 

5.  Zoya Tickled Collection Sampler $54

my new fave... toxin free and dries fast for diy manis on the go!

6. Nars Blush $30

my fave go-to blush in super orgasm, the name speaks for itself...

ENTER TO WIN

a few of my fave selected items for summer here!

(image credit)

5 Easy Steps: Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine!

Finally winter is over and it's time to start thinking about skirts, shorts and swimsuit season.  Which also means, taking control of your beauty routine.  The winter months leave my skin dry so I wanted to find a new body wash that would really moisturize my skin.  

After trying Olay Sensitive Body Wash, I've officially taken the seasonal switch.  My old body wash smelled good, but had no real benefits to my skin. After using Olay, it left my skin more soft, moisturized and renewed for spring. When transitioning my beauty routine each season, I like to start from the inside out so here are 5 easy, at-home steps that can help spring clean your beauty routine! 

                        

* Start your body detox by drinking water with mint and cucumber, it's hydrating refreshing and delicious! 

* Soak in an epsom salt bath, to help eliminate toxins, reduce inflammation and improving circulatory health.

* Make a homemade moisturizing facial with 1/4 c. uncooked oatmeal, 2 tbsp. raw honey and 1 avocado. Mix, then exfoliate for 10-15 minutes and watch that dry, dull skin disappear! 

* Follow with a DIY mask: 1/2 lemon and 1 tbsp. honey.  Mix lemon juice and honey in a small bowl and apply all over face, avoiding eye area, let sit for 15-30 minutes. Wash away and pat dry.

* Grab a loofah and lather up with Olay Sensitive Body Wash. Perfect for all skin types, it's gentle yet effective and I promise your skin will thank you.  

         

“Now there's a new body wash that gently cleanses sensitive skin and provides long-lasting moisture. Olay introduces Sensitive Body Wash, a soap-free, dye-free, and unscented formula that is as gentle to skin as water. Olay Sensitive Body Wash contains one jar of Olay moisturizers,and the creamy formula penetrates deeply to visibly relieve dry skin after five days.”

“Compensation was provided by Olay via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Olay.”

Be Delicious for Spring!

It's the best feeling to blissfully sit here in my office with the windows open, listening to the birds singing while admiring the clear blue sky.  Spring is here and it's the perfect excuse to do a little "happy" shopping, as I like to call it.

When the season changes, like my wardrobe, I also like to change up my beauty products and perfumes.
I usually tend to go for something more refreshing, feminine with a hint of sweetness for spring. The
Be Delicious collection from DKNY is exactly what I was looking for and I need them all.

I've never really understood the differences between the types of perfume, but learned a little something today.  Check out the video below for some little tips when picking out what parfum is right for you!

{be delicious,  fresh blossom and golden delicious are available at sephora}

a little more inspiration for spring from DKNY...

/compensation for this post was provided by viralgains/

COVERGIRL Bombshell Collection

Just the name alone makes you feel sexy, bombshell.  Over the past year or so, I've really started to become a beauty junkie. I like to say that "makeup is your accessory, for your accessories".  In honor of NYFW, as you put on your sexiest outfit, slip on your stellar pumps, grab your oversized clutch (hint: stuff your flats inside!), let's talk a little beauty.  Here is a few simple steps how to top off your look using the Covergirl Bombshell Collection. 

Step 1: COVERGIRL Bombshell Volume by LashBlast™ Mascara (very black) $9.59

My eyelashes aren't the greatest, so I really need a good mascara to pump em' up.  I applied two coats and was impressed with the volume it gave me. Long, full lashes, for days...

Step 2: COVERGIRL Bombshell Intensity Liner (pitch black) $7.19

Mastering the cat eye is no easy feat, but this felt tip liquid liner, makes it sooo easy! I used to spend hours in front of the mirror trying to draw that perfect curved line but with this I just tilted my chin up a bit, gently pulled my lid and drew the line up towards the end of my brow and used a q-tip to perfect the line. So simple, glides on smooth and it lasted the whole day. Day to night, in minutes.

Step 3: COVERGIRL Bombshell Shine Shadow by LashBlast™ (copper fling) $7.19

I always wear a primer with my shadow, to avoid creasing and to help keep my eyes looking fresh all day. This shine shadow is the perfect combo.  It's creamy with just the right amount of shimmer and lasts 12 hours.  

Overall, I'm impressed with the quality and prices of the bombshell collection and I didn't need a ton of products to achieve the perfect eye. I remember buying my first compact, probably in junior high and of course, it was COVERGIRL.  It's nice to know I can count on the same brand that helped introduce makeup to me as a teen and keeps me looking like a bombshell (many) years later. ;)

    

Introducing COVERGIRL's NEW BOMBSHELL collection – Featuring a revolutionary dual-system mascara 

that delivers big, sexy Bombshell lashes. Take your look from ordinary to extraordinary!

Compensation was provided by COVERGIRL via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those 

of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of COVERGIRL.