Category: Skincare

Hourglass

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Can I just take a moment to express my admiration for this brand? While I love high performing cosmetics, I love a high performing cosmetic that is cruelty free the most. While I strive to be 100% cruelty free, sometimes I fail due to my very sensitive skin.

While Hourglass isn’t the newest rage (at least not at the moment), I feel like the brand has made their stamp in the cosmetic world by being a tried and true brand with age defying formulas that work for all skin types no matter what your age is.

With that said, here are four GREAT starters into the Hourglass world.

Hourglass Cosmetics Veil Mineral Primer

Im not usually one for primers, to be honest, they don’t always perform well on my skin and usually do a great job of clogging my pores. The Veil Mineral Primer is fantastic! A lightweight, oil and fragrance free formula that really just feels like very lightweight moisturizer and works amazingly on my super oily skin at keeping my make up in place.

Buy the Veil Mineral Primer

Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free

With oily skin, oil free foundation and other face products are a MUST. This foundation offers a light to medium coverage and worth the higher price point. Now unlike other Hourglass foundations, this formula will leave a dewy more natural finish.

Buy The Veil Fluid Makeup – Oil Free

Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Looking for a powder that wont make you feel like a frosted cake? This might be the one for you, too! Lightweight feeling and silky texture. Another product in their lineup that is so worth the price point!

Buy the Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Ambient Lighting Powder

I feel like the Ambient Lighting Powders are the holy grail products for SOOO many people, and I am late to jump on this train. Why do these three shades cause such a stir? Honestly, I feel like it is their natural shades without being too flashy. While I like to sparkle like a twilight vampire at night, during the day I am after something more settle, and this product delivers!

Buy the Ambient Lighting Powder Trio 

Simplistic Luxury Skin Care with Mario Badescu

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I feel Mario Badescu is very much an under rated skincare line. With todays market of ultra rich ingredients and multi product systems, sometimes you just need a detox and bring it back a notch or two. That is where I feel Mario Badescu has made a strong impact.

Mario Badescu is a seasoned line of products with a spa location in New York and products sold all over the Us. The plus side, they are cruelty free and affordable!

Just like any other skin care products, you need to identify your target issues, this is where I really love this brands easy of use. Even if you are walking into your local beauty supply or ordering online, Mario Badescu makes it easy to choose which products to pick out to fit your skin needs with out having to consult anyone at all. This makes it easy to try new products with confidence and not collect a grave yard of regretful purchases.

To jump start your journey with Mario Badescu, here are some of my favorites.

Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater

Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater $12

Dry, dehydrated skin is seriously uncomfortable. Now when you have dry, dehydrated sensitive skin, it can be pure torture. With soothing and nourishing aloe and rosewater, this spray is fantastic for day or night.

Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater $12

Kiwi Face Scrub

Kiwi Face Scrub $15

It is no secret that I love a good scrub and this scrub is a tried and true friend. Exfoliating away those dead skin cell, leaving your face feel smooth and fresh. What I really love, real kiwi seeds are used!

Kiwi Face Scrub $15

Hydro Moisturizer with Vitamin C

Hydro Moisturizer with Vitamin C $18

Vitamin C is the cup of coffee for your skin, leaving it feel awake and evenly hydrated making this moisturizer a perfect selection for any type of skin.

Hydro Moisturizer with Vitamin C

Ceramide Eye Gel

Ceramide Eye Gel $18

I know what you are thinking, an eye….gel? Yep. Now while I do favor a thick, rich eye cream, especially at night, under make up it doesn’t always work out. That is when I reach for this baby. This light weigh gel leaves your tender under eye area hydrated and supple.

Ceramide Eye Gel

Acne Starter Kit

Acne Starter Kit $30

If you have acne prone skin, you really do need a system. Some systems are really very harsh on your skin, leaving your skin tight and dry or a irritating rash to go along with your acne. This system helps dry out the pesky pimples without turning your face into the Sahara Desert.

Acne Starter Kit $30

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser $16

If you suffer from dull skin, this is an excellent pair for the kiwi scrub. This cleanser helps with skin texture and brightness, leaving you with a nice clean slate you’ll be happy with.

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

Indie Beauty Product Finds on Amazon

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I love finding indie brands for just about everything, but where I don’t usually expect to find indie beauty brands is Amazon! While a little snooping around for something new, something I haven’t seen spammed all over instagram, I surprisingly landed on Amazon. Not only did I land on Amazon, the first image to grab my attention was a banner saying “Indie Beauty”. and of course I clicked and clicked quickly.

Oh the goodies I found, so let me chat about my favorites.

BEE SCRUBBED: VOLCANIC PUMICE EXFOLIATING SCRUB

With my desire to lessen my environmental impact and my love for all scrubs of every kind, I was disappointed to out most scrubs contain micro plastics. Thus a search for plastic free scrubs ensued. How happy I was to discover this little hidden gem! Bee Scrubbed Volcanic Micro-Polish Pumice replaces micro bead plastics with volcanic ash and pumice stone, which makes so much sense! This scrub also delivers a powerful punch of omegas, pineapple enzymes, argon oil and tea tree oil (to name a few). Perfect for scrubbing away dry skin and preventing acne and ingrown hairs. A+++++!

Bee Scrubbed Volcanic Micro-Polish Pumice $60

Eve Hansen French Rose Clay Face Mask 

If you have sensitive skin like myself, inflammation can be a real pest. I am always on the look out for products to help reduce irritation and redness. This pink clay is fantastic at balancing and calming your angry skin. My favorite routine is to use this the night before a day where I don’t have to leave the house or apply make up, giving my skin a chance to really soak up the benefits. Also available in Activated Charcoal and Turmeric & Cranberry Seed.

Eve Hansen French Rose Pink Clay Mask $24.95

Tree to Tub Soapberry Foaming Facewash

Until this year, I had never heard of soapberries! Also known as soapnuts, these little guys foam up and lather exactly like soap while gentle on ALL skin types. One of the truest forms of hypoallergenic products. AND IT FOAMS!!! This face wash is not only amazing, it is fair trade, organic and Ph balanced. Do yourself a favor and try this asap!

Tree to Tub Foaming Soapberry Face Wash $19

InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin E

Step up your natural skincare game with this serum! Hyaluronic Acid helps with fine lines and paired together with ferulic acid, add a hefty defense against the elements while helping the skin rejuvenate. Vitamin C is the skins wake up call, boosting your skins collagen cells. If you are looking for a serum to try and not looking to shell out the big bucks for it, this is the product for you! Huge bang for your dollars spent! Another A++++!

Insta Natural Vitamin C Serum $18

ORO 24K Moisturizing Day Cream

In your beauty care routine, one item you should never skimp on is your moisturizer. If you don’t use a serum, eye cream, you name it, make sure you are always using a moisturizer. What is so special about this day cream? THE GOLD I TELL YA! After the first few uses you will notice your skin is more radiant, firm and smooth. I love, love, love it! Amazon key ingredients and a luxury day cream that wont break the bank.

ORO 24K Moisturizing Day Cream

My Mary Kay Favorites

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How long have you heard the words, Mary Kay? Joked about the pink Cadillacs top consultants poke around into their next pamper party?   These days everyone is striving to discover the next new brand with the hottest new product, but sometimes, going back to the roots is a good path to take and rediscover tried and true products.

Recently a friend of mine because an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay and yeah, I chuckled a little at first and ran with it just to support her new endeavor.  This is where the back to basics saying comes in.  Mary Kay might be stereotyped as “old” makeup and beauty care, but they have come a long way from your mothers’ blue eyeshadow from the ’80s. 

It wasn’t until I volunteered as practice tribute did I find out how much Mary Kay has really changed.  So, let me share five of my favorites with you.

1. TimeWise® Matte-Wear® Liquid Foundation

If you love a matte finish and a good 12 hour wear-time in 23 shades to choose from, you’ll love the timewise foundation. And it is sensitive skin friendly too!

Timewise Foundation $22

2. TimeWise® Microdermabrasion Refine

If you have sensitive skin that flakes (even though your skin type is oily) then do your face a favor and invest in the timewise two step microdermabrasion set. It wont irritate your skin and leave your skin clam, clean and baby soft.

Timewise Microdermabrasion Set $32

3. Mint Bliss™ Energizing Lotion for Feet & Legs

After a long day, your legs and dogs can howl. Specially if your job involves being on your feet all day. That is why I love this energizing lotion. Rub this mint bliss on tired feet and legs and you’ll find your second wind.

Mint Bliss™ Energizing Lotion for Feet & Legs $11

4. Mary Kay® Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Make up wipes are all the rage, wasteful too. In a resolution to limit my waste and impact on the environment, I have been looking for a few good make up removers. This eye makeup remover does not disappoint. Grab your favorite super soft cloth this bad boy and you’ll say goodbye to the says mascara in just a few swipes.

Mary Kay® Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover $15

5. Mary Kay® Precision Brow Liner

I’m usually a brow shadow type of gal, but I have to say I love this brow pencil. Smooth formula and precision tip, this pencil is a everyday must have.

Mary Kay® Precision Brow Liner $14