what's in my cosmetic bag

what comes with harsh winter weather? inevitable beauty 

challenges! there's nothing worse than trying to apply

your foundation (after layers of moisturizer) only to have your skin

peel and flake off. or maybe that's just me...?

dry skin, chapped lips, and static-prone hair are a

few beauty dilemmas i've encountered as of late. i thought it would 

be helpful to share the products i'm currently using to tackle

these seasonal beauty challenges. 

for soft, clean skin before bedtime

lancome creme mousse cleanser

while i enjoy a good, gritty-feeling face scrub, they sometimes

leave my skin feeling stripped of all natural oils and moisture

(which leads to dry patches and flakes).

this cream-mousse cleanser by lancome is rich and nourishing.

it has rosehip oil, and while gentle, it is powerful enough to remove

the dirt and makeup from my skin at the end of the day.

for a smooth skin on your arms and legs

herbivore coco rose coconut oil body polish

this body scrub, available at your local sephora, is a sugar-based scrub.

not only will it remove any dry patches and flakiness, but 

the virgin coconut oil and rose hydrate the skin. i love using this in 

the bath or shower - it smells delicious and leaves my skin feeling

incredibly smooth!

for dry to combination skin - the perfect tinted moisturizer

bare escentuals complexion rescue hydrating gel cream

i've worn bare escentuals for years! with combination skin 

(that is both sensitive and prone to breakouts) i am weary 

of trying new products on my skin. however, i have never had 

any issues with bare escentuals.  in the winter, i love wearing the

complexion rescue gel cream underneath my makeup.

it's lightly tinted, goes on easily, and provides just the right amount of

coverage. i apply mine with a fluffy brush, but you can also use

a makeup sponge or your hands.

for chapped lips

chapstick total hydration lipcare in sweet peach

this chapstick smells delicious (i love the smell of peaches!) -

it goes on smoothly, and i make sure to keep one in my purse

and another in my desk drawer at work for easy application.

for dry skin

the sacred truth fresh face mask from lush is the perfect

pre-bedtime routine! i love sitting and reading in bed with a mask

after a long day. the sacred truth mask, with honey, papaya, coconut

oil, and fresh wheatgrass, helps my skin feel hydrated and look more plump

and vibrant.

for dry, color-treated hair

moroccanoil treatment is perfect for color-treated hair, but 

also beneficial to brittle, damaged hair from heat styling tools.

i apply my moroccanoil after towel-drying my hair. 

it smells incredible and leaves my hair smooth throughout the day.

i also use a small amount when curling my hair (after brushing

out the curls spraying with hairspray) to separate the curls, 

making them look more natural and 'beach-like.'

what are some of your favorite products right now?
i am always looking for new things to try - especially beauty tricks!
xoxo.

photo by elizabeth kathryn photography

the five minute face

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

you pushed the 'snooze' button one too many times and barely have a moment

to make yourself a cup of coffee (let alone complete your normal 

beauty and makeup routine) before you need to be out the door for work.

sound familiar? this is me most every morning(s).

to save time, and justify how many times i push that 'snooze' button each morning,

i've compiled a few of my favorite drugstore makeup products, purchased

at my local bartell drugs, that can be applied on the go! 

^^^ elf tone adjusting face primer, l'oreal true match lumi healthy luminous makeup, 

l'oreal studio secrets magic lumi highlighter ^^^

first, prep your face by applying your daily toner and/or face moisturizer. 

i have combination skin, so i rely on toner, moisturizer, and primer before

applying my foundation. blend your foundation. then, apply concealer as needed. 

to brighten your face, apply highlighter on the tops of your cheek bones 

(just above where your blush will go). 

^^^ maybelline great lash mascara, neutrogena healthy skin blush, 

maybelline eye studio brow define and fill duo ^^^

thick, full-looking eyelashes are crucial, even for my everyday look. 

if i only have time for one makeup product, i will always choose mascara;

it helps me look and feel more awake, and i curl my lashes before applying.

for a fresh look, select a bright (but not neon) blush color. i love bright pinks

and coral shades for spring. apply blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend out 

towards the temples. 

next, think eyebrows! they're very important. i prefer

bold brows, but don't want them to look overdone (that marker-like look? 

no, thank you). this maybelline brow pencil is a quick and easy way to define and fill in 

the sparser areas of my eyebrows. simply line your brows with the wax 

pencil and blend with the filling powder. 

^^^ nyx matte finish makeup setting spray, neutrogena moisture smooth color stick ^^^

the finishing touch? apply color to your lips. this neutrogena lip crayon goes on smooth,

is buildable (apply liberally to achieve a more colorful lip), and is

hydrating. i am wearing 'sweet watermelon' - the color is soft and natural looking, 

but neutrogena has many color options, depending on your preference! 

to finish off this five minute

look, apply your matte finish makeup setting spray. 

the setting spray helps your makeup stay in place throughout the day, while

reducing face oils and shine that often appear several hours after application. 

five minutes later, and you're ready to start your day with a gorgeous, 

natural makeup look. 

a special thank you to my local bartell drugs for sponsoring this post!

i loved attending their recent spring #beautybybartell makeup event.

be sure to check back for a night look tutorial on my blog next week.

have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

xoxo. 

**this is a sponsored post. bartell drugs graciously

provided me with a gift certificate to purchase the products in this post.

all opinions are my own!

clarins and feed 10

^^^ one-step facial cleanser, moisture rich body lotion, multi-active jour, 

sun wrinkle control cream, total eye concentrate ^^^

happy sunday, everyone, and a very happy mother's day to all you moms!

i hope you're enjoying your weekend! it was near 80 degrees in seattle yesterday, 

so i spent the entire afternoon outside. today, i am headed to brunch 

with my mom and dad to celebrate mother's day. i am fortunate to only live about 

twenty minutes from my parents, so i see them often!

any excuse to enjoy delicious breakfast food (and relax on their couch)

makes for a great way to end the weekend. 

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

today, i am excited to share a collaboration between clarins and feed!

i recently blogged about two of my favorite clarins skincare products here.  

feed was founded in 2007 by lauren blush lauren with the mission to

'create good products to help feed the world.'

source

to celebrate the launch of this year's national million meal mission, 

clarins and feed have partnered in the fight to end global hunger. together, they hope to 

provide 1,200,000 meals to children around the world. the campaign began april 22nd 

and ends today, may 8th. nine different retailers throughout the united states are offering this

adorable feed cosmetic bag, filled with clarins' goodies! 

each bag provides ten meals to children in need. fighting global hunger

and sampling some of my favorite clarins' products? yes, please!

i cannot wait to learn more about the success of this campaign! 

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. all opinions are my own!

let's talk skincare with clarins

if you know me well, you know i'm a bit of a skincare junkie. 

i wash my face morning and night, and i have a diligent skincare regimen:

cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, (spot creams when applicable) and a mask or 

exfoliating wash often thrown into the mix. i love going to bed with my skin feeling

soft, clean and well hydrated. it can be difficult to achieve that 'oh so clean' feeling, however -

i've tried countless washes, lotions and other products claiming to perfect your skin.

for the past three weeks, i've had the pleasure of using the newly formulated

clarins multi-active day and nighttime duo. these moisturizers target fine lines 

and boost skin's radiance. plant extracts, specifically myrothamnus and organic

 california poppy, help negate the effects daily stress has on the skin.

there's nothing worse than dull, dry skin! #amiright

^^^ clarins multi-active nuit and clarins multi-active jour -

the night cream is available for normal to combination skin,

or normal to dry skin (combination skin for this girl) ^^^

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

i love the subtle, refreshing scent of both the day and night cream.

my skin feels soft, hydrated, and ready for spring - dramatic changes

in weather often cause my skin to dry out (and subsequently to break out!). 

however, it feels smooth, evenly toned, and refreshed. this was my first experience

with clarins, other than the occasional sample in an event goodie bag. 

although both the day and night cream are higher end, in terms of pricing,

i thoroughly enjoyed both products. i plan to purchase the night cream

soon, as my jar is just about empty! 

have you tried clarins before? which products are your favorite?

let me know in the comments below! 

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. i was graciously gifted the clarins

day and nighttime creams. all opinions are my own!

holiday makeup

with the holidays just around the corner, i thought 

it would be fun to play around with my makeup and create

a 'holiday-inspired' look.

i must preface this by saying: i am not an expert beauty blogger. 

in fact, i think my makeup application skills are mediocre;

i can apply false eye lashes like a pro, but other than that, i'm clueless!

my overall makeup routine is fairly consistent. i almost never wear eye shadow, 

so it was fun to try out the sample palette and a few of my other shadows. 

what i'm wearing:

eyes
lashes: ardell self-adhesive lashes (similar here)
lash glue: duo lash adhesive dark
brush: bare minerals (similar here)
liner: maybelline eye studio lasting drama gel eyeliner
palette: lancome color design sample in 'blush sweetness'
shadow pot: mini bare minerals eye color in 'creme de menthe' (similar here)

lips
lipstick: nars semi matte lipstick in 'heat wave'

skin
unfortunately, i have very sensitive (and breakout prone) skin. for this shoot, i followed my typical face makeup and skincare regimen. i use bare minerals complexion rescue tinted hydrating gel and bare minerals matte foundation. i also apply bare minerals blush (in 'golden gate') followed by my all-time favorite, bare minerals hydrating mineral veil. this combination provides me with build-able coverage, while treating my various skin problems. i've been using bare minerals for years and can't imagine changing to anything else!

^^^ asa, from lace and pearls, and i got ready together! i applied 

ardell double-up lashes for her holiday makeup tutorial. she looked gorgeous!!! ^^^

i completed my look with a bright red lip.

applying red lipstick can be somewhat intimidating (and tricky 

to remove), but i follow these three steps:

1) prep 2) prime 3) apply color

i prep my lips by applying chapstick. if the chapstick is sticky, 

i may dab it off a bit with a tissue or napkin. i then prime my lips with 

nyx cosmetics lip primer, as i find it helps my lipstick last

throughout the day, when eating and drinking. finally, i apply my color.

do you change up your makeup routine for the holidays?

have you tried any new products? 

xoxo.

new makeup and beauty products

younique makeup and skincare products are designed to 

'uplift, empower, validate and ultimately build self-esteem in 

women around the world through high quality products.'

source

younique products use high quality ingredients to nourish, enrich, 

and care for your skin!

^^^ the beachfront bronzer in 'sunset' ^^^

^^^ lucrative moodstruck minerals lipgloss in 'luscious' ^^^

^^^ refreshed rose water botanical boost ^^^

i began using the above three younique products two weeks ago.

i have to say - i'm hooked! 

the rose water mist has complimented 

my diligent skincare regimen. with the hot summer we have 

had here in seattle, my skin has felt especially dry and flaky. 

the mist has left my skin feeling more hydrated!

the beachfront bronzer is a medium shade, not too dark. 

it gives me a bit of glow (with a slight shimmer) 

for these last few weeks of summer.

normally i am not a lipgloss girl;

i much prefer lipstick as i don't like my lips to feel sticky.

however, the lucrative lip goes on as a gloss, but dries like a lipstick.

it is perfectly pigmented and doesn't leave my lips

feeling like sticky magnets for hair and food :)

overall, i could not be more satisfied with my younique products.

they are affordable, yet of good quality.

oh, and i forgot to tell you! i love the packaging! 

i am a sucker for cute packaging.

to start your own younique collection, or to learn more about their line,

visit the younique website here.

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. i was provided with these products

in return for a review. however, all opinions and photos are my own! 

exposed skin care!

^^^ products pictured above: clear pore serum, acne treatment serum, 

moisture complex, clearing tonic, facial cleanser and clarifying mask ^^^

exposed skincare is "a revolutionary skin care that treats acne, prevents

new breakouts, and helps return your skin to its natural, healthy balance."

source

founded in seattle, washington in 2002, 

exposed skin care is a product line designed to treat acne

and improve skin's clarity in just 30 days!

exposed products uniquely target acne by combining benzoyl peroxide and 

salicylic acid with green tea, licorice root and passion flower.

i began using my exposed skin care regimen over the weekend

and cannot wait to see the results! 

i have combination skin (dry + oily) that is prone

to breakouts, even as an adult.

i am incredibly embarrassed to suffer from adult acne, 

and am constantly looking for new products to 'cure'

and improve my skin.

when offered a trial kit by exposed skin care, 

i immediately responded with, 'yes, yes!' i am eager

to see how the line works and will share my experience here with you.

to sign up for your own exposed skin care kit (plus $25 off!),

visit their website, here.

xoxo.

let's talk makeup!

^^^ a short break from my vintage series (i have a few

 pieces left to share with you)! ^^^

a few weeks ago, i had the pleasure of visiting 'house of style salon'

for a hair and makeup lesson.

my stylist, sharell, taught me how to apply my makeup

using products and brushes i already own! 

this was wonderful as it is not currently within my budget

to purchase copious new products (though i wish i could!). 

i have broken down the different products

that were our favorites and shared them below!

prep:

i prep my skin by applying bareMinerals 'prime time' foundation primer (original)

this helps my makeup go on smoothly and last throughout the day!

the nyx 'wonder pencil' in medium is something i recently purchased -

it can be used to line the eyes, making them 'pop,'

as a spot concealer, or to line your lips;

instead of using a colored lip liner, this reverse lip liner will keep 

your lipstick from smudging

(it works, seriously!)

face:

favorite liquid foundation?

bareMinerals complexion rescue 'tinted hydrating gel cream' in suede 04

(contains spf 30 and no chemicals, oils, parabens, or fragrance!)

favorite under eye concealer? 

maybelline 'instant age rewind eraser' in sandy beige

favorite brushes? 

ecotools kabuki and concealing brush

to cleanse the face, my favorite makeup wipes are

simple 'cleansing facial wipes'

(i wash my face after using these to be sure

all makeup, dirt and grime have been removed)

eyes:

favorite liquid eye liner? covergirl 'bombshell intensity liner' in pitch black

i asked sharell for a lesson on the cat eye, 

as mine often comes out looking as though i have two black eyes

it's no secret that i'm addicted to false lashes

above are the ardell 'natural wispies' in black -

i cut a lash or two off the inner (shorter) corner in order

to have the strip better fit my eye;

this may not be necessary for everyone

lips:

(left to right; swatches below)

mineral fusion 'sheer moisture lip tint' in smolder

nyx 'matte lipstick' in sweet pink

revlon 'super lustrous lipstick' in wild orchid

revlon 'ultra hd lipstick' in poppy

it's all about that bold lip!

you know you have too many lipsticks when you 

buy two almost identical shades within the same week (swatches 2 and 3;

2 is slightly more pink in person, while 3 is more of a purple/pink)

overall, i am relatively satisfied with my current makeup collection.

while my brushes could use a good washing, 

and i may need to update my mascara, 

i am happy with the brands and products i use - 

a combination of drug and department store products.

however, i would like to purchase a pallet or tool to help 

with contouring. this is something i had not previously tried,

but sharell provided me with a few tips and tricks

for simple, everyday face contouring. 

in addition, i would like a brush and black eyeshadow 

to better practice the 'cat eye.' 

black eyeshadow can be used as a liner to create a messier look.

sharell, thank you for this lesson! 

i cannot tell you how much i learned and what a wonderful

experience it was to talk skincare, hair and makeup 

for a few hours :) 

xoxo.

**this is not a sponsored post.

as per usual, all pictures and opinions are my own! 

my (secret) beauty weapons

^^^ introducing the secret beauty weapons ^^^

SEVEN salon seal lotion

with the motto 'the definition of style is you' in bold writing on the side of the container, 

who wouldn't want to try every hair product made by SEVEN? i recently began using the seal lotion to prep my hair for anything. simply spray on towel-dried hair, and my hair is clean, prepped and ready for hot tools, additional products, and whatever else my day has to offer (which often includes dirty toddler hands and hair brushes all over my head).

LANAKIN

an all natural formula for longer, fuller lashes is now available. i was recently offered a free trial of LANAKIN; it has only been seven days since i began taking LANAKIN, and you guys, i promise i have already noticed a difference! my lashes are seemingly fuller than when i started. simply take two capsules each day, and within two weeks, improved lashes can be yours! i cannot wait to update you when my trial is complete. 

LANAKIN is one of the first all-natural supplements with no side effects! in addition, LANAKIN will not only provide you with fuller lashes, but improved hair, skin and nails. an all-natural, all-enhancing beauty product? sign me up! 

bare minerals BARESKIN pure brightening foundation

i am a loyal bare minerals user. my face makeup collection consists entirely of bare minerals products. from my primer to the foundation and finishing products, i love bare minerals. the BARESKIN brightening foundation goes on easily and feels incredibly light. i cannot recommend it enough. 

origins drink up mask

i recently purchased this ten minute mask by origins, and although i have only used it a handful of times, my skin is already loving it. it lacks paragons, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic color or fragrance, and animal ingredients. 

aquaphor healing ointment

this is my new favorite lip balm. it is no secret that i love to wear lipstick, but some can be incredibly drying. lipstick + seattle's cold, dry weather cause my lips to crave moisture. i coat them with aquaphor at night and wake up with my lips feeling incredibly hydrated (i also apply aquaphor to my especially dry patches on my face). 

ARDELL false lashes

i know, i know, i am a false lashes addict. ardell is my favorite brand of falsies; they are affordable, easy to find, easy to apply, and stay on all day. with a bit of practice, and adhesive that dries clear, ardell lashes are the perfect way to instantly add glam to your eyes. 

what are some of your favorite products as of late?

let me know in the comments below! 

xoxo.

** portions of this post were sponsored. however, all opinions 

are my own, and i am sharing about these products

because i truly like and use them! 

revised: skin care routine

^^^ my newly revised skin care routine ^^^

morning:

step one: wash face with cerave hydrating cleanser, found here

step two: apply make a difference plus+ rejuvenating cream, available here

step three: apply makeup

previously, i would also use toner, the occasional face mask,

spot treatment, etc.

evening:

step one: remove makeup with simple cleansing wipes, found here

step two: wash face with cerave hydrating cleanser, found here

step three: apply cerave pm facial lotion, available here

i am a skin care addict. 

i love to wash and care for my skin, 

and strive to use products that are healthy, natural,

and will enhance my complexion. 

for the past few weeks, my skin has been horrible - 

itchy, red, inflamed, dry and painful.

i had to eliminate my toner, masks and other 

treatments i previously enjoyed using on my skin.

my doctor said "only the basics" when it comes to caring 

for my skin right now - at least until the inflammation subsides. 

do you have any products, treatments, or overall tricks

that are good for particularly sensitive skin?

if so, i am all ears!

xoxo.

bella fiore fall soiree

source

source

seattle bloggers and friends:

tonight, wednesday, october 15th,

you should attend the bella fiore fall soiree, 

featuring kari gran skin care!

the event will be held at 1629 queen anne avenue north,

suite number 103,

seattle, 98109.

join us for treats, wine, and to learn about elegant, natural, and organic skin care 

this evening from 5:30-8:30pm.

street parking is available, but space for the event is limited.

rsvp here at your earliest convenience.

hope to see you there!

xoxo.

alaffia sustainable beauty products

i was recently offered the chance to sample the above alaffia sustainable beauty products.

did you know that i am a beauty and bath product fiend?

whether face creams, chapsticks, or any sort of wash, i want to try it.

it is rather appalling how many products currently reside in my bathroom.

however, upon opening my package from alaffia,

i know i had discovered something different. 

alaffia is a fair trade company that supports and promotes organic products,

community involvement, and gender equality. 

in addition, alaffia provides economic sustainability to 

families in africa of varying socioeconomic statuses. 

i particularly liked this statement, describing the importance of gender equality:

"it is time to honor their [women's] contributions by working

towards gender equality in our communities."

this statement could not be more true. 

source

located in central togo, women in the community gather and prepare shea nuts

and sell shea butter at local markets.

the african shea butter industry is 99% women.

alaffia beauty and bath products can be found here.

in my package from alaffia, i received:

- authentic african black soap in tangerine citrus

- moisturizing everyday shea bubble bath in lavender 

- africa's secret multi-purpose skin cream

- purely coconut lip balm in coconut

- purely coconut lip balm in coconut mint

i have tried africa's secret multi-purpose skin cream

and both the purely coconut lip balm in coconut and coconut mint;

these products are incredible! 

while the face cream is unscented, the bubble bath, lotion, and lip balms 

each smell incredible.

as a girl with sensitive skin, i need products that are gentle. 

the shea butter within these beauty products

is soothing and kind to my skin.

i cannot wait to continue using them.

alaffia, thank you for letting me try each of these!

xoxo.