My Beauty Routine

A few people have asked me what products I use everyday. This is a great question because I am someone who samples a lot of beauty products, I read a lot of reviews and I too ask people what they use. I am also someone who used to have very bad acne and so I have experimented with many products to help. My skin is combination skin, by the end of the day I feel like a grease ball if I've used the wrong products but I can also dry out my skin with the wrong products. I have also found that I am allergic to many beauty products. And most importantly, if I can avoid using products tested on animals, I will. Some of these products are expensive but some are cheaper. I like to save money where I can and splurge when I know it's a product my skin needs. I hope this all makes sense I am going to go into detail about what I use every day or most days. 

Cleaning my face every night

Up until about age 22, I would fall asleep with makeup on or on better nights I would use a neutrogena wipe to clean my face. No wonder my acne was so bad! After countless trials of neutrogena, proactiv, and many other acne products, I finally found something that works for me.

The Clarisonic Mia 1 for $99 on Clarisonic.com.

Every night I use this brush to take my makeup off. It's the only thing that cleans deep enough and once you use it you will feel the difference with your skin. After my face makeup is completely removed I use a hot face towel to wipe off the excess and steam my face to really open my pores. I realize this product is expensive, but I have had the same device for seven years. You don't need all the bells and whistles just get the cheapest device, a Mia 1. But please don't buy a copycat brand, I can't stand behind how long they will last or if they work as well. There are many different brush heads, I replace mine every 6 months, even though it says three. But it depends which brush head you use. When my acne was really bad I was using the acne brush head, now that my skin has been clear for a couple years, I use the regular brush. These devices never go on sale so you just need to splurge. I suggest buying it somewhere you will get points. For example, if you have a Nordstrom card or if you get points at Ulta. I promise you, this will be the best beauty investment you ever make!

Clarisonic acne daily clarifying cleanser for $27 at Clarisonic.com

When my acne was really bad this is what I used on my Clarisonic brush. I tried many other acne products and this truly worked. I put just a little dab on the middle of the brush head and it goes a long way. I used this for about six years because every time I tried something new my acne would come back. Just now, my acne finally seems like it's gone for good and I have started to experiment with other face washes, just to see what's out there. I swear by this product and so will your dermatologist! Again you can buy this anywhere Clarisonic is sold.

Arbonne Easy on the Eyes makeup remover $25 on Arbonne.com

I have come to find out that my eyes are ultra sensitive when it comes to what beauty products I use. As a result, this is one of the only eye makeup removers that works on my eyes. I have used neutrogena and off brands before and they have taken my makeup off fine, just experiment to see what works for you. Always start with a cheaper product and see if it works for your skin. It's important to use an eye makeup remover so you don't let the dark pigments work into your under eyes.

Arbonne night repair creme $85 at Arbonne.com

This is another product that I have learned I can't live without. This is the only face lotion I use on a regular basis. I have found that if I put lotion on right before my makeup, that my makeup doesn't apply right and I feel greasy. This lotion has been amazing for my skin, it has balanced out my skin tones, it helps make my skin even while I was fighting acne and it is preventing wrinkles. If the Clarisonic brush is my favorite, this product is definitely #2. It is definitely a splurge but you just use a sliver every night and it should last you about three months. Lately I experimented with others and nothing else really compares. I put this on after my face is completely clean, right before I go to bed.

Arbonne corrective eye creme $55 at Arbonne.com

This is another one of my favorite products. I was not told until a couple years ago, by a makeup lady at a department store that I really needed to start using eye cream. I honestly thought that only grandmas and celebrities with nothing better to do used it. My how it has changed my life. For a long time I thought concealer was to blame for always falling into the cracks in my under eye. Once I started to use under eye cream every night, I started to see those wrinkles or cracks disappear. I still have bad dark under eyes but I definetly think under eye creams help. I use this one from Arbonne because if I'm going to use it I might as well use one to prevent wrinkles. I have used others and they still work at the hydration part. Again, start at a lower price point with something organic and work your way up. Please don't start at too low of a price point, your under eyes are super sensitive and you don't want them to get inflamed. 

Arbonne extra moisture restorative day creme $50 at Arbonne.com

Now, on days that I am not putting on makeup right away, if I'm going to the beach or for whatever reason, I use this day cream. I feel like I still need to put something on my face to protect it. This has spf 20 which is great for all day and I feel like it hydrates my skin enough that I don't have to wear makeup. This is a product that lasts me six months because I only use one pump each time and I don't use it every day.

My everyday makeup routine

Arbonne makeup primer $40 at Arbonne.com

I don't know how I put my makeup on for years without a primer, I'm sure it didn't last as long or go as evenly. This is the best primer that I have tried so far but a couple others have come close. I like that this primer is light, not greasy, and holds onto my makeup. Others I have tried that came close but didn't last quite as long or matte my face enough were Tarte and benefit.

It cosmetics bye bye under eye $25 at it cosmetics.com. 

As I mentioned earlier, I have really bad under eye dark circles. This is one of the concealers that have worked for me. As long as I use my under eye cream this doesn't go into my creases. I have still yet to find anything that completely covers up my under eye dark circles but this is one of the better products. I also liked Smashbox which lasts FOREVER! And the tarte 24/7 stick and the Arbonne concealer is good too. They are all about even.

Pur Minerals 4 in 1 pressed mineral powder foundation $28 at purminerals.com

I have been on the hunt for the best foundation for a long time now. This is by far the best. I was initially attracted because pur minerals claims that this product helps clear up your acne. I did start using it around the time that my acne cleared up, I'm just not sure if this was the reason. What I love about this foundation is that it doesn't dry out my skin and it still keeps my skin very matte throughout the entire work day. It also looks great in pictures and does not make my skin look greasy at all. It also has great coverage for being a powder. This is a pressed powder so it isn't messy.  But you do need to buy a special brush that works with this foundation. They have many colors to choose from and I have only found it at Ulta to buy.

Too Faced absolutely invisible candlelight $30 at toofaced.com

This is a very minimal brightener that I use over my under eye concealer to brighten my eyes up. I also use it as an every day minimal contour brightener. When I am doing going out or more formal makeup I use this over my contour cream. It's very minimal and has lasted me a long time so I haven't gotten to try many other products to brighten. But, I have noticed that when I put over creams it mattes it out for me, which is great!

Arbonne bronzer $36 at arbonne.com

I love this bronzer because it lasts forever I only use a little bit because it's so concentrated. I also love it because there is no shimmer in in and it keeps my face matte. A lot of bronzers have glitter or shimmer so watch out, it makes you face glisten in pictures and it looks very teen.

Arbonne blush in taffeta for $29 at Arbonne.com

This is the only blush I have found is bright enough for my olive skin. Again this product lasts me forever because it is so concentrated. I make sure that I sweep this up my cheek so it again brightens up my under eyes. This also has no shimmer or glitter which is great for photos and long lasting. People are often afraid of this color but beware of using too much brown because it can look like dirt on your cheeks.

Burt's Bees Chapstick $3.29 at Ulta

This is the only Chapstick I have ever found that works for me. My lips get really dry and I need something that won't make my lips chap. I also don't regularly wear lipstick because it dries out my lips. I like my work makeup to look natural. When I go out I will have fun with lipstick but for everyday this is all I use on my lips.

Eyeshadow- one of my favorite things to play with every day is eyeshadow. I usually just pick an all over color and a crease color. Again, when I go out I will play with more colors for fun. I usually buy eye shadow palletes from companies I like and colors that I love. My favorite eye shadow companies are Too Faced and Urban Decay. They always have new palletes out so look for fun ones that you could wear every day. Also look for what makes your eyes pop, for example, I know that coral and gold make my blue eyes stand out so I tend to buy more in that color. I also like to use a silver in my inside crease to make my eyes look bigger.

Another thing you won't see on my every day list is eye liner. I like to use creasing and eyeshadow to shape my eyes. I will play with eye liner when I do my going out looks, but it's too heavy for my everyday look.

Lastly, my most important finish for my every day look is mascara. I can't stand clumpy old mascara, it gets in my eyes and runs, ew so gross! The following are some of my favorite mascara  and how long I will use them.

Boots no7 lash impact mascara $10.99 at Target

I have been on the lookout for a drugstore mascara that doesn't hurt my eyes. If Maybeline doesn't hurt your eyes then don't look any further my friend, Maybeline does a great job with mascara but they have a lot of chemicals and they are known for testing on animals, but they are cheap and make a good mascara. I like Boots because it's much more gental on my skin, it doesn't run, clump, and it's cheap! I have actually been impressed by all the Boots mascara  there are some cheaper ones that work great. I can use this mascara for 2-3 weeks before it gets old, but it's cheaper so it's all good.

Arbonne it's a long story mascara $36.00 at Arbonne.com

This is another one of my favorites, it lasts so long and makes my eyelashes look so long and full. The only reason I don't use it all the time is because of the price and because of my obsession with mascara I couldn't imagine ordering it as often as I would need it. This lasts me 3-4 weeks.

Tarte lights camera action 4 in 1 mascara for $21 at tarte.com

This used to be my favorite mascara it has a fine brush to get all of my lashes but I started to notice that it just doesn't last as long as others. It only lasts me 1-2 weeks. Tarte is a great company though, I love their stuff!

Diorshow mascara for $27.50 at Nordstrom

This is another great mascara that doesn't run and fills out your lashes. Again, I just don't buy as often because of the price. It definetly doesn't elongate my lashes like the Arbonne does but it's good and it doesn't bleed. It lasts about 2-3 weeks.

One thing to remember about all of these amazing mascaras is that the time they last is determined by a lot of different factors, like if you keep your makeup in your steamy bathroom it may not last as long, if you travel with it it may dry out. A good rule of thumb is that once your mascara starts to run, clumps, or itches your eye (yes that's your mascara not an eyelash) you need new mascara.

There are a lot of other makeup products that I try and play around with but these are my staples. 

Fashion Inspired By Inside Out

Joy

Bandage Bodycon Dress in Pepper Green at Forever 21 for $21.99

Classic Bucket Hat in Royal at Forever 21for $9.90

Triple Caspian Flower Sash Belt at White House Black Market for $19.00

Sadness

Martie Pant in Tidewater at J.Crew for $59.99

Merino Wool Turltleneck Sweater in Hthr Dusk at J.Crew for $49.99

Suede D'Orsay Flats in Island Reef at J.Crew for $138.00

Prada PR 13RV in Blue at Frames Direct for $223.76

Disgust 

 Eliza J Open Back Tie Waist Stretch Cotton Fit & Flare Dress in Green at Nordstrom for $108.00

Halogen Cashmere Blend Scarf in Purple Gust at Nordstrom for $38.98

Hush Puppies Zella Chase Ballet Flat in Plum Suede at Nordstrom for $78.95

Hue Pique Skimmer Leggings in Classic Green at Nordstrom for $29.48

Fear

Eileen Fisher Cotton Blend Tab Cuff Capri Pants in Midnight at Nordstrom for $83.98

Eileen Fisher V-Neck Organic Linen Vest in Black at Nordstrom for $158.00

Boy Shirt in End-on-end Cotton in French Blue at J.Crew for $78.00

Shoes of Prey Cutout Leather Oxford in black at Nordstrom for $138.95

Ted Baker London Cotton Bow Tie in Plum at Nordstrom for $59.50

Anger

Vince Camuto Side Zip Sateen Skinny Pants in Chocolate at Norstrom for $79.00

Boy Shirtin Classic White at J.Crew for $69.50

Munro Ascot Lace-up in Dark Brown at Nordstrom for $129.90

J.Z. Richards Paisley Woven Silk Tie in Red at Nordstrom for $79.50

21 Days of Beauty

Have you seen this? What great deals!

Some of my favorites:

March 19- I've been interested to try the butter London polish. For $9 it's worth a try!

March 21- Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. I love this product and its a classic!

March 22- My all time favorite foundation is by pur minerals. It's the only foundation that doesn't make my skin look greasy at the end of the day but still has great coverage. 

Fashion Inspired by 50 Shades of Grey

School Look

Kimchi Blue Pleated Floral Shirt Dress at Urban Outfitters for $69. In maroon. 

Birdseye One Button Jacket at Ann Taylor for $198. 

Sheer Black Seam Tights at Ann Taylor for $20.

Kelly & Katie Larsen Oxford at DSW for $49.95.

Interview Look

Collared Floral Print Shirt at Forever 21 for $22.80.

Halogen Three Quarter Sleeve Cardigan at Nordstrom for $46. In blue mazzarine.

Kenneth Cole New York Inset Waist Stand Collar Walking Coat at Nordstrom for $128.98. In dusty shale. 

Textured A Line Skirt at Forever 21 for $12.99.

Cabled Knit Tights at Forever 21 for $9.80 in brown.

Bed Stu Affair Boot at DSW for $79.95.

The Agreement Look

5th and Mercer Long Sleeve Dress at ShopBop for $250 in red or white.

London Fog Belted Double Lapel Rain Coat at Burlington Coat Factory for $69.99.

Yves Saint Laurent Patent Leather Pointed Toe Pump at DSW for $499.95.

And most importantly.....

Chantelle Intimates Illusion Medium Rise Bikini at Nordstrom fror $34.

What to Wear- Cold Winter Date Night

Beauty Review- Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes

I already have mascara that I love and before this product I honestly thought my lashes couldn't look any better than they already looked. But a friend gave me the fibers as a gift so I tried it out. The result? AMAZING! 

To use, I first curl my lashes. Then I apply a thin layer of my favorite mascara. The directions say to work on one eye at a time so I first apply the transplanting gel, which is like a more liquid base mascara. Then, quickly, before the gel dries you are supposed to apply the fibers. The fibers are almost like black cotton that fills your lashes and if you apply it on the ends of your lashes it will lengthen as well. Last, you are to apply the gel one more time to lock the fibers in. The result, really, is great. They definitely look fake and make an impression.

The only things to be aware of is that it is very dramatic so I would not recommend for everyday use. It is more for a nighttime look. The other thing is that it takes a lot of eye makeup remover to clean off. It does come right off with water and makeup remover but just know that you have more makeup on so it will take more makeup remover to remove.

 You can buy Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes at youniqueproducts.com for $29.

I would give the Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes a 9 out of 10 because it really does transform my lashes, it is dramatic, and it isn't horrible to clean off.

Beauty Review-Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream

I am hooked! 

My mother always kept a tub of rich hand cream on her nightstand. As I child I remember thinking, how lavish, for a woman to put on thick hand cream and gently give her hands a massage before she goes to bed. As a teenager, I thought it was so old lady for my mother to still do that every night. Now, as a 28, year old I sometimes find myself wishing I too had a night cream waiting for me to massage into my hands that did laundry or cleaned all day.

This is it, my late-twenty-something friends! I officially have Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream on my nightstand and I'm hooked! It is heavy enough that you feel like you are getting the nighttime massage treatment that you deserve but light enough that if you are like me and afraid to break out, you don't (I haven't yet and I break out very easily.) 

The scent is so light and almost like a night time citrus. 

 You can purchase Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream for $15.00 at Sephora.

I would give it an 8 out of 10!

Beauty Review-Beauty Protector-Protect and Detangle

I try out so many beauty products that I decided to add this section to my blog.

I have always been a HUGE fan of It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner. I have very thick and unmanageable hair. It's a 10 gave my hair more shine, less frizz and just more overall smoothness. I loved it! But my scalp started to break out and after testing out all my hair products, I came to the realization that it was my favorite product, the It's a 10 spray! I am still in the process of trying to figure out what ingredient it is that I am allergic but since I have stopped using it my scalp has been 100% clear.  I know that this is a very uncommon problem as I have tried to find stories similar to mine and haven't found any.

However, I recently just tried a new product by Beauty Protector called "Protect and Detangle." I used it once and my scalp broke out again. 

I didn't notice any hair transformation like I did with the It's a 10. But I only used it once and used the It's a 10 many times.

 It's a 10 can be found for about $19.99 at Ulta, Walmart, Target, and many other places.  Beauty Protector can be bought for $22 at Birchbox.com.

I have to give the Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle a 0 out of 10 only because it was not sensitive enough for my scalp.