A Slice of Summer Glow with These 6 Korean Beauty Products

May 21, 2019

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY GLOW RECIPE BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

With our first official hot day here in New York City yesterday, I got inspired to write up a post on how to achieve that radiant summer glow when it comes to our skin. But sans makeup. Makeup can help achieve the ultimate sun-kissed bronzy luminosity - but for some makeup is a no-no during the warmer seasons. Especially heavier coverage such as foundation. I love to have my skin breathe during this time of year to keep it healthy and fresh, so in today’s post I’m sharing 6 amazing Korean skincare products, all from the same brand, that will definitely give you a slice of that summer glow we all want.

WATERMELON GLOW ULTRA-FINE MIST

This ultra-fine, hydrating, fog-like mist is designed for ultimate skin radiance and makeup enhancement. It’s uniquely formulated with hibiscus flower which naturally contains AHAs to smooth the look of skin, apple cider vinegar (ACV) which naturally helps balance oil production, and rice germ oil which helps protect against free radicals. I have used it before applying makeup and it’s great, but I literally spray this on my face all day long even without makeup on. It smells like watermelon, so good in fact, my husband secretly loves it too! Refreshing, travel-friendly with very cute packaging, it’s my new favorite mist spray for summertime.

BLUEBERRY BOUNCE GENTLE CLEANSER

This hydrating, bouncy cleanser delivers all the antioxidant-rich benefits of blueberries while refining pores with hyaluronic acid and AHAs. The ultra-gentle formula is packed with nourishing oils to remove makeup with minimal rubbing. Skin is clear, radiant, and glowing without feeling stripped. During the warmer months, I prefer a gentle cleanser as I don’t want to use something too harsh for my sensitive skin. This cleanser is really my jam, and I love using it while traveling too when skin can wreck havoc even during the simplest of trips.

PINEAPPLE-C BRIGHT SERUM

Brighten up with pure pineapple juice, a potent, natural source of vitamin C, AHA, and bromelain enzymes. Blended with soothing chamomile, the serum retexturizes skin and evens tone. Glass Skin is the ideal skin look inspired by K-Beauty—so smooth and reflective that it looks like glass. Or that dewy glow effect. It’s the ultimate summer brightening serum - your face will literally look like a mannequin! But in a good way, ha ha! I also love how to chamomile is a red reducer - especially when it comes to breaking out. And how adorable is that bottle?!

WATERMELON GLOW PINK JUICE MOISTURIZER

This oil-free moisturizer calms, brightens, and perfectly preps skin for makeup, while antioxidants protect against environmental stressors to ward off fine lines and dark spots. Use day and night as a moisturizer for oily/combo skin or as a serum for dry skin. Its bouncy, gel-emulsion texture feels cool on contact and absorbs instantly. Perfect for the summer heat. It works best with the pineapple serum for that ultra glowing skin. Plus, the smell is intoxicating. It’s like your face guzzled down a glass of fresh watermelon juice!

AVOCADO MELT SLEEPING MASK

Intensely moisturize, firm, and brighten overnight. Oleic acid and linoleic acid-rich avocado helps to restore moisture and collagen in the skin, while the antioxidants and antibacterial properties of manuka honey refresh stressed out skin. PHAs provide a gentle exfoliation while you sleep. This avocado sleeping mask contains Kaolin Clay: This clay pulls impurities from the skin without causing redness or irritation; and absorbs excess oils, decongests pores, and diminishes shine. Skin is extremely smooth. Would recommend using only a little bit per use - in this case, less is more.

WATERMELON GLOW SLEEPING MASK

My favorite product out of the 6: It’s the first product I ever tried by Glow Recipe and I use it all-year round. This luxuriously bouncy, breathable sleeping mask refreshingly hydrates, smooths, and perfects skin overnight with a revolutionary pillow-proof, transfer-proof formula. The oil-free, lightweight, glow-boosting hybrid is formulated with ultra-soothing watermelon extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs that work while you sleep to tone and clarify roughened, dull complexions. AHAs smooth the surface of the skin by banishing dead, rough surface cells, clearing the path for ultra-effective, lasting hydration, while hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin for an incredibly nourished complexion. Skin is baby-soft and bright in the morning, effortlessly.

LOVE & XX’S,

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Charlotte Tilbury Review - Waking Up Your Complexion

May 8, 2019

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHARLOTTE TILBURY BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Even though Charlotte Tilbury’s skincare and beauty brand has been around since 2013, it wasn’t until this year that I finally got the chance to review the very well known British (now global) brand. I first took notice of the products a couple of years ago while on my very first trip to London. I was impressed with the packaging and quality of each product, but just never got the opportunity to try any of the well-known makeup artist’s brand. Charlotte Tilbury is an award-winning MUA and a British Vogue Contributing Beauty Editor and has collaborated with such designers as Tom Ford and Burberry. A definite game-changer in the beauty industry. So without further ado, let’s get started on some of my favorites from Charlotte Tilbury Beauty!

LIP CHEAT LIP LINER IN PILLOW TALK

When it comes to lips, I always trust a good lip liner to start. That is, after exfoliating and hydrating them puckers. Lip Cheat Lip Liner smooths over lips to create a seamless line, resize, and reshape for a fuller pout. It lasts up to six hours thanks to a no-smudge, waterproof formula that won't feather or transfer. The texture is rich and velvety to layer comfortably on your lips. With a range of 15 shades that can be matched—nudes, reds, berries, and pop colors—to perfect any lip. Wear alone or with a gloss for a lighter finish. I love the ‘Pillow Talk’ shade: a pink nude, which is just perfect for anytime.

MATTE REVOLUTION LIPSTICK IN PILLOW TALK

The lipstick features 3D glow pigments that help lips appear wider and fuller. The matte formula is enriched with Charlotte's secret ingredient and orchid extract to protect and soothe lips for a cashmere finish. The unique, square-angled tip mimics the shape of a lip brush for a precise application. This lipstick comes in a range of 12 shades, including the bestselling Pillow Talk, giving every woman the choice of a perfect nude or pop of color. I love the matte finish and its long-lasting, buildable, and hydrating combination. My new favorite nude lipstick, for sure!

FILMSTAR BRONZE & GLOW DUO PALETTE

Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is a firm believer that shading and highlighting can re-sculpt and re-define your face. This iconic bronzer and highlighter duo has the perfect blend of pearl and golden pigments to sculpt and highlight your features. These universal shades are created from a refined golden base that flatters all skin tones. The sculpt bronzer adds buildable definition along the lower cheek, jawline, and sides of the nose while highlight illuminates the top of cheekbones, bridge of the nose, eye orbital area, and cupid’s bow. Visibly slim, sculpt, shorten, trim, and highlight your features for fabulous, red carpet-ready facial framework—this highlight bronzer duo is perfect for buildable and subtle coverage. This all-in-one pressed powder, bronzer, and highlighter creates killer cheekbones and candlelit skin, with the best control in terms of buildable coverage with a price tag at $68.

INSTANT MAGIC FACIAL DRY SHEET MASK

This sheet mask has a clinically proven five-skin solution IQ that reduces wrinkles, smoothes, brightens, lifts and hydrates exactly where your skin uniquely needs it the most for dramatic facial results now and in the future. It features a bio-mimetic vector delivery system, which allows for a prolonged release of actives, and powers them into the epidermis. The dry textile mask is imprinted with active ingredients, unlike most traditional sheet masks that are water and glycerin. The burst effects of this mask last for up to eight hours, and its technology allows skin to get exactly what it needs with ingredients that fill the intercellular gaps to reconstruct skin. Vitamin B3 brightens tone and revives the skin's glow; a plant stem cell matrix lifts the skin and helps to decrease wrinkles; and crocus bulb extract redensifies the skin to support reconstruction and encourage collagen and elastin production. Peptides work together to reduce wrinkles, and magic oils and butters help strengthen the lipidic barrier for a natural, nourished glow. A revolutionary mask that will have all your magic skin wishes come true.

WONDERGLOW FACE PRIMER

Give your complexion an instant pick me up and create an effortlessly dewy look. Wonderglow is formulated with breakthrough light-reflecting microspheres, collagen-supporting peptides, and patented anti-wrinkle ingredients to turn the look of dull, dehydrated skin around in a flash. Its translucent formula blends seamlessly into any skin tone, while light diffusers blur away lines and add luminosity for a flawless, poreless, complexion. Use under foundation or on its own for a sheer coverage, luminous glow. I love to use it both ways, but it will definitely give you that dewy skin look. Like a sun-kissed shimmer of a glow.

MAGIC CREAM

It certainly is not called ‘Magic Cream’ for nothing. This moisturizer fights visible signs of aging on all fronts, supporting natural collagen production and cell energy while fighting free radicals to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It supports natural hydration and elasticity, smoothing the surface and promoting healthy skin renewal. The youth-boosting ingredients lift and transform tired-looking skin. Give that perfect kind of ‘bounce’ you want before applying makeup. It’s a cool $100 bucks but really worth the price for the quality of this moisturizer.

FULL FAT LASHES MASCARA

Featuring ingredients for the ultimate false lash effect, Full Fat Lashes will give you curl, separation, volume, length, and drama.. The five-grooved brush deposits the optimal line of mascara along the lash line, pushing your lashes up and out. It features fine-tipped bristles that catch every lash—no matter how short or fine—coating them from root to tip in the glossy black formula. The buildable formula creates voluptuous lashes that don’t dry up and fall onto your cheeks and a three-dimensional flutter that is ideal for finely separated, naturally-defined eyelashes.

LOVE & XX’S,

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April Beauty Favorites

April 26, 2019

Hi, everyone! I am posting my beauty favorites this month a little bit earlier than normal. MaQ has not been feeling well the past few days and took him to the vet yesterday where they run numerous tests. He is in good spirits but his skin has been horrible. We’ve got him under antibiotics and has been resting comfortably, but am just really hoping it isn’t anything serious. I’ll know more in the next few days, but will definitely not be working as much this weekend to spend some time with my baby. But kick back and relax while you dive into my April beauty favorites featuring the latest in my skincare and makeup routine, such as an amazing rose-scented sleeping mask, foundation, the ultimate luxe lipstick, and tons more, you’ll definitely want to check out some of the latest trends in the beauty world. Continue reading to see and learn more! Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

FRESH ROSE DEEP HYDRATION SLEEPING MASK

This next-level sleeping mask is proven to give you the appearance of plumper, smoother skin after as little as one night of use. Start by replenishing moisture with a cooling gel essence powered by rosewater, damask rose extract, and hyaluronic acid. Then lock it in with a silky water-cream mask that uses time-release technology. What I love most about this mask is that it is long-lasting and super refreshing. Perfect for anyone who loves that dewy, glowing skin.

bAREMINERALS ENDLESS GLOW HIGHLIGHTER

The Endless Glow Highlighter from bareMinerals is a mineral-based powder highlighter that gives a naturally luminous, dew-kissed glow. Clean, mineral highlighting powder provides long-lasting, lit-from-within luminosity while blurring the appearance of pores and imperfections. Talc-free formula gives you a smooth, photo-ready finish that won't crease, cake or crack.

CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER FOUNDATION IN MERINGUE

Clinique’s Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is a dermatologist-developed foundation that instantly perfects and actively improves with every wear. Hydrates and smoothes (hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid). The creamy formula gives skin a natural finish. Getting matched took less than 3 minutes (I'm the shade Meringue) and it's only $29! Comes in 60 shades!

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN LOUBIGRAFFITI NAIL POLISH IN JAZZY DOLL

Christian Louboutin Beauty presents LoubiGraffiti, the color-drenched limited-edition collection that celebrates spring in the city. Inspired by the extravagant graffiti looks of Maison Christian Louboutin's LoubiGraf collection, LoubiGraffiti will spice up your lips and nails with its audacious street style.
Graffiti spirit is about boundless creative freedom something which Christian Louboutin has always infused into his creations. LoubiGraffiti's four Velvet Matte lip colors and six nail colors are an open invitation to explore, create and express yourself through bold color-clashing.
Because above all else, LoubiGraffiti is about powerful colors: hues that clash and contrast with clever abandon. You can never have too much. The collection's lip and nail colors are ultra-pigmented, giving a vivid, high-impact effect playing with dramatic matte lips and ultra-glossy nails. This season is yours, live it how you want! Dare to paint your pout the luscious pink of Bengali Velvet Matte, then add a vibrant pop of blue to your nails with Baraboum. The nail color's finish is as glossy as the iconic Christian Louboutin red sole patent leather stiletto and the perfect contrast to your matte lips.
LoubiGraffiti's cheeky clashes and contrasts evoke the eclectic Maison's style. Because who else but Christian Louboutin would dare to bring together a devastatingly chic stiletto and a street style-inspired graffiti design? LoubiGraffiti's limited edition packaging is splashed with bright graffiti prints and presented in craft paper bags sealed with graffiti-inspired street art stickers. Playful and bright, chic and street, LoubiGraffiti is just the thing to spark your inspiration this spring.

DR. JART + FOCUSPOT DARK CIRCLE MICRO TIP PATCHES

The advanced Dr. Jart+ Focuspot™ Micro Tip Patches inspired by microneedling has micro tips that penetrate and melt deeply into the skin’s surface to deliver active ingredients such as 72% Hyaluronic Acid and nourishing Vitamin A that target & treat blemishes, dark spots, dark circle, and fine lines and wrinkles. Safe for sensitive skin - my fav is the dark circle patches. Available now at Sephora!

DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C. FRAMBOOS™ GLYCOLIC NIGHT SERUM

This high-tech gel resurfaces dull skin, lifting dead skin cells away by gently dissolving the glue that holds them to the surface. The results are greater clarity and a smoother, more even-looking complexion. Formulated with a dream-team AHA/BHA blend including glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, and salicylic acids, and blended with raspberry extract, T.L.C. Framboos™ sinks in easily and delivers an effective level of chemical exfoliation without the harsh side effects like dryness or sensitization. Fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, along with excess oiliness and the appearance of pores, appear dramatically diminished over time. Horse chestnut, bearberry, and white tea help to calm and soothe, while improving the appearance of broken capillaries. Go from a drab complexion to an absolutely luminous one—practically overnight.

PAT MCGRATH LABS MATTETRANCE™ LIPSTICK IN OBSESSED!

MatteTrance™ is a richly pigmented lipstick with a sensually creamy, powerful pigment that evokes screen siren glamour with every application. Each shade is presented like a jewel in a black-lacquered couture case fashioned with a sensually surrealist golden lip that’s destined to be a cult-status collectable.
Get entrancing color that satisfies with supreme hydration and opulent matte opacity. Flaunt this richly pigmented formulation, cloaking lips in a lightweight veil of rich color. It’s infused with optical diffusers that blur the appearance of imperfections, combined with a blend of polymers to provide flexibility and adherence. An advanced formulation of spherical particles ensure a creamy soft texture for the smoothest film of color. Each shade is enmeshed in a powder film combined with saturated pigment for lightweight opaque coverage. This lipstick lays down a high impact with a strong finish. My favorite shade is ‘Obsessed!’ 211, the perfect orange-red shade.

COLOURPOP COSMETICS ENTENDRE EYESHADOW PALETTE

ColourPop's Double Entendre Pressed Powder Shadow Palette is the perfect palette for everyone! Your new go-to, your ride or die, your partner in crime - this palette holds the ultimate everyday, nude neutrals. With 12 shades, ranging from cool to warm, matte to metallic, you and this palette will be inseparable. You can never have too many nudes...

Shades:

Locked & Loaded (matte pale yellow)
Uninhibited (metallic deep gold)
Hot Bod (matte chocolate brown with gold flecks)
Flasher (satin soft ivory)
Nekkid (matte pastel orange)
Extra Curricular (matte burnt orange)
Hard (matte deep terracotta)
Draft (metallic rich rose gold)
Keep it PG (metallic champagne gold)
Nip Slip (matte warm saddle brown)
Send Noodles (matte soft tan)
Teddy Bare (matte deep chocolate brown)

LOVE & XX’S,

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March Beauty Favorites

April 3, 2019

Happy Wednesday and the beginning of April, everyone! Today’s post is my monthly beauty favorites from the month of March! I’ve got the latest eyeshadow palette that literally looks like a tequila sunrise, a vegan gummy-supplement for glowing skin, enzyme peels, and a new collection that recently launched from one of my favorite K-Beauty brands. There’s also a new favorite fragrance, mascara, ultimate setting powder (trust me, you’ll never use anything else again) and more. Continue reading to learn more about my latest favorite beauty products!

COLOURPOP COSMETICS SWEET TALK PALETTE

This is my latest favorite eyeshadow palette for spring/summer. I wanted to create a sunset look but subtle for soft, everyday eyes. This Colourpop palette has 4 different shadow formulas: The star of the show is the brand new PRESSED GLITTERS! Self-adhering, insanely sparkly, these babies will bring on the glam. There are also pressed powder shadows in matte and metallic finishes. Here are the names/shades of each color. For this look I used ICYMI, Catch Me, Work It, Melody, Feel Free & Garden Date.

Catch Me: matte pastel peach
Side2Side: warm champagne with silver and pink glitter
Garden Date: metallic coral with a gold sheen
Work It: soft matte yellow orange
Prima Drama: pale rose gold glitter with a copper and gold duochrome shift
Meadow: matte true coral
Early Mornin’: marigold glitter
Dream Maker: matte soft coral
ICYMI: matte dirty terracotta
Melody: metallic rose with a gold flip
West Side: matte camel
Feel Free: rich matte bordeaux

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT SETTING POWDER

This bestselling translucent powder sets your makeup for longer wear. Created in two shades for all skin tones, the soft-focus effect subtly blurs the look of fine lines and imperfections, and it doesn't settle into lines or pores. The result is natural-looking, never powdery or cakey. I’ve literally have tried probably over a hundred different setting powders and nothing compares to this one. Hands down, the best ever.

GIVENCHY LIVE IRRESISTIBLE ROSY CRUSH

Live Irrésistible Rosy Crush is a confident explosion of pink freshness and bold vitality. A vibrant floral fragrance, bursting with rose and vivacious pink peppercorn. Goji berries, chypre and patchouli blend youthful vivacity with elegant sophistication. A bouquet of pink roses in many shades. A fragrance for women who live irresistibly in the moment and embrace the power of pink. Pink is more than a color; it's a positive state of mind.

LANCOME MONSIEUR BIG MASCARA

Meet Monsieur Big, volumizing mascara that delivers up to 12x more volume and 24 hour wear for your biggest, blackest, boldest lashes yet. It’s the only mascara I’ve been using for several months and have already gone through three of them!

SULWHASOO BLOOMSTAY VITALIZING WATER

Harmonizes the anti-oxidant energy of plum blossom with Yuzu components to rejuvenate skin, leaving your skin hydrated and smooth. The light and watery texture helps deliver moisture quickly into skin. With a subtle plum blossom scent.

SULWHASOO BLOOMSTAY VITALIZING SERUM

Harmonizes the anti-oxidant energy of plum blossom with five germinated fruits and seeds to rejuvenate skin, leaving your skin with a bright glow. This serum spreads evenly to give your skin a soft and smooth finish.

SULWHASOO BLOOMSTAY VITALIZING CREAM

Harmonizes the anti-oxidant energy of plum blossom with five germinated fruits and seeds to improve skin firmness, and the Yuzu and hardy orange components to leave your skin hydrated and resilient. The soft and elastic texture adheres well to your skin and leave a smooth finish. The best cream to prep with before applying makeup! You’ll look radiant every time!

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL CLEANSING POWDER

Reformulated for daily use, this deep-cleansing exfoliator uses papaya- and green tea-derived enzymes to remove dulling residue without irritating healthy skin for a brighter glow. The water-activated, powder-to-foam formula leaves skin moisturized and primed to best receive ingredients to follow.

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEELING MASQUE

This gel-to-cream mask dual exfoliates on the surface with papaya and green tea-derived enzymes. AHA and AHA salt help remove dead skin cells caused by aging. This transformative formula is made up of 60 percent green tea water to moisturize and soothe, immediately revealing brighter, smoother skin with a dewy glow.

HUM NUTRITION GLOW SWEET GLOW

A delicious orange-flavored vegan gummy supplement with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to help hydrate skin. Glow Sweet Glow features an easily absorbable, low-molecular hyaluronic acid that helps lock moisture into the skin to keep it plump, hydrated and glowing. As we age, we naturally lose vitamin C in both the epidermis and dermis. This contains vitamin E and C to give you an ultimate glow. I personally have been loving them, and I’ve never taken gummy supplements for skin before. Now I do every day!

LOVE & XX’S,

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The Best Revlon Hair Tools for Every Day Hair

March 18, 2019

This post was sponsored by Revlon Hair Tools as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Many of you have asked me about my go-to hairstyles. In partnership with Revlon, I'll be sharing my two most common go to's - straight and slightly curly. Both are great for everyday styles, along with day-to-night. I like my hair to be easy-going with my busy schedule, as I don't have that much time to style my hair every day. I'm only using Revlon hair tools in this post - continue reading to learn more along with seeing the final looks!

The first hair look is the straight-style one, using the Salon Copper Smooth 1.5” Flat Iron. Featuring advanced copper ceramic plate technology for ultra-fast results with less damage, it will leave your hair with silky smooth and shiny results. You can also adjust the heating temperature, which is perfect for different hair types! I love using the Revlon XL paddle brush before styling my hair with any heated tools. With IONIC TECHNOLOGY® infused bristles this hairbrush helps dry hair faster while still retaining moisture and reducing frizz. This brush is great for longer hair. I also normally put in some sort of heat-protected serum before styling my hair as well.

The second look for tousled curls, I used the Revlon Salon Advanced Copper Ceramic 1” Curling Iron. Featuring professional high heat, this fast heat-up curling iron reaches salon temperatures for fast styling and glamorous curls that last. Perfect for all hair types as this too has temperature adjustments. 5 settings to be exact! It literally took me less than twenty minutes to go from straight to this! Do you guys see the difference in texture and movement, while still maintaining that glossy shine?

So if you're looking to update your hairstyle routine, Revlon Hair tools has what you need! All products are available at Ulta. I've linked them within the post for you to check out. Which style do you prefer more on me, guys? Straight? Or more wavy/curly? Thanks for stopping by! Got a hair-related question? Drop them down in the comment section below! xx