Winter Skin Wonders

Ok, it’s the middle of winter and parts of the South and East Coast were just hit by Winter Storm Jonas. I know this has flooded every bit of your media, and you are all well aware.  While some of you are still digging out of the feet (or in Nashville’s case, inches) of snow, your skin may be feeling the wrath of Ol’ Father Winter. Even if you haven’t been in the snow, I bet your heat has been on and your skin feels a bit like a sandpaper. My skin gets so very dry in the winter, and these are my skin saviors. Not only do they help keep your skin moisturized and feeling great, but they are also predominately safe products, so that’s an added bonus.

  

1. Weleda Skin Food – At some point in the past several years I was told Kate Middelton used this. Naturally, I bought it (with no real knowledge of whether the princess uses or it not) and have been obsessed ever since. It feels and smells amazing. I use it on my hands constantly and have even lathered this stuff on my face before.
2. Beautycounter Countertime Nourishing Cleansing Balm – This balm melts into your skin to hydrate while it cleanses, removing makeup and other impurities but does not strip away moisture. It contains Vtamin C to brighten your skin and raspberry and cranberry seed oils for moisture. If you have dry skin or want to prevent aging you can also use this balm as an intensely nourishing face mask and wake up feeling amazing. Then if you have any left on your hands go ahead and rub it into your elbows or cuticles–you will not regret it. Talk about multi-tasking!
3. Beautycounter Enrich Body Butter – This stuff is the best thick body lotion ever. I love it all times of year but am especially thankful for it now. A little bit goes a long way, and it smells divine.
4. Vick’s VapoRub – This is one of those old wive’s tales that I use again and again, making me a true believer. Rub Vick’s VapoRub on the bottoms of your feet and on your chest if you have a cough or congestion. Put white socks on your feet and you will wake up remembering what it feels like to breathe–and with such soft feet! This is my go-to every time I feel my sinuses acting up or a cold coming on.
5. Beautycounter Every Night – I use this moisturizer every night and every day. Yes, they have daytime version, but I have always leaned towards the dry side and love this product. It goes on easily, has little to no smell, is great for sensitive skin, and is moisturizing without being greasy. It contains aloe, organic coconut oil, and green tea so you know this stuff has got to be good for your face!
6. Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 – I have adored this product since 8th grade. It is a nightstand staple that has truly stood the test of time. I have tried the scented and colored kinds as well as the same balm in a tube, but I go back to this little tub every time.

Please let us know if you have any questions about these products or tell us your favorites winter skin saviors!

 

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Summer’s Best Sunscreen

Last week I was fortunate to spend eight days on the beach. It was a blast! Each day I had a sunscreen routine, and I left the sun every evening without a single sunburn. In my little world that is quite the victory.

All of the sunscreens that I used are clean, safe and water resistant for up to at least 50 minutes. At first when I heard “clean and safe” about a sunscreen I thought well of course it’s safe because it’s keeping me from getting sunburned! I had NO idea how bad many name brand/main stream sunscreens can be until a friend of mine shared a scary article with me, http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/06/neutrogena-sunscreen-toxic-avoid/

Eeeek! Luckily I already had two of these products. Since I’m not pregnant and do not have children I didn’t feel too awful about finishing one of the toxic labeled sunscreens I already had in my beach bag on myself (I mean any sunscreen is surely better than none at all?), but now onto bigger and better things, and these three fit the bill perfectly… Just trying to get a little less cancer one step at a time, amIright?

My daily beach combination of clean, safe and successful sunscreen is as follows:

1. I started each day with an application of Beautycounter Protect, Broad Spectrum SPF 30, http://www.beautycounter.com/carolineclark. I like starting the morning with a lotion sunscreen then following up on the beach or at the pool with a spray. Some people suggest lotion for every application, but that is not realistic for me. This is a great one because it can go everywhere (body, face, etc.) and a little goes a long way.

2. La Roche Posay Tinted Face Sunscreen, SPF 50, http://m.target.com/p/la-roche-posay-anthelios-tinted-mineral-1-7-oz/-/A-14225598 This is everything my face needs in the summer – a little bit of makeup coverage and a lot of sunscreen. Done and done. I usually reapply this once during a day in the sun. I am also a huge fan of hats – wide brim, panama, baseball caps, doesn’t matter to me. I love them all.

3. SunBum SPF 30, http://shop.trustthebum.com/spf-30-original-spray-sunscreen/ SunBum has a nice, summery smell and goes on without a greasy feel.  Plus that packaging! (I’m a sucker for good packaging, it’s fine).

Here’s to lots of time spent outdoors with no sunburns to prove it!

Summer Beauty Favorites

NEWS FLASH: It is HOT in Nashville and Atlanta right now. So very hot. Ok, I know that’s not a news flash and I know it is hot in many other places besides Nashville and Atlanta… it’s even in the 90s in the Pacific Northwest. Between the heat and humidity makeup feels like it’s melting right off of my face and lotion off of my legs. Lovely. Here are our favorite picks for makeup that will stay put throughout the heat of the summer.

Favorites going Clockwise from the Bottom:

Beautycounter, Lip Sheer in Coral – This lipstick is fantasic. It feels great, stays on for hours and comes in several great colors. My favorites are Twig, Coral and Scarlett all of which would be perfect for summer! I have been wearing this pinky-orange shade non-stop and it seems to be the perfect combination of sheer and color, that on top of staying power makes it an instant summer favorite, $28 http://www.beautycounter.com/catalog/product/view/id/13/s/multi-color-lipstick/category/37/child/7 

Urban Decay – All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. This is a product I have sworn by for years and during the Summer heat is perfect to set your makeup with before the start of your day. The travel size is the way to go plus you can take it in your carry-on, $14 http://www.urbandecay.com/travel-size-all-nighter-long-lasting-makeup-setting-spray-by-urban-decay/374.html#q=all+nighter&start=2

Falsies Mascara – My favorite, inexpensive mascara for the past several years. For an easy way to get waterproof lashes start applying your regular mascara as you usually would then while regular mascara is still damp, apply one coat of waterproof. This holds your mascara in place, throughout humidity and water, but it is also much easier to remove then full blown waterproof mascara.

I use both Falsies regular and waterproof mascaras. Each tube only last for 3-4 weeks but at $5 a piece that is just fine by me! http://www.target.com/p/maybelline-volum-express-the-falsies-mascara/-/A-12404422?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=12404422&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=12404422&LID=17pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=12404422&kpid=12404422&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7_mrBRDH4Y2UjLHEmfcBEiQA8OTHf3jDc-NmSpl3kDl-JtxOaZCmElH7CiPEDyJAHkSMfgAaAn518P8HAQ

Waxelene is a new-ish favorite of mine. I am convinced it is one of the very best, basic lip balms out there. It feels fantastic, has little to no smell, is all natural and is perfect by itself or on top of lipstick. Not to mention it is only $5! https://whitesmercantile.com/product/waxelene-lip-balm/

Beautycounter – Matte Bronzer 01. I am always on the lookout for the best matte bronzer and I have finally found it! “Why matte?”, you might ask, matte because in the summer I need to use bronzer all over my face not just on my T zone. I just don’t need the extra shimmer going across my forehead… especially if it is already “glistening” from the 90+ degree days, $36  http://www.beautycounter.com/catalog/product/view/id/96/s/color-contour-matte-bronzer/category/60/child/97

La Roche-Posay Anthelios, Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50 – I love this product! It is very light, great sunscreen for your face plus just enough tinted coverage for summer days. Running errands, days spent on the water, you name it. May not be enough for nighttime but it has been great for me during the days and espeically perfect for the beach and lake. I can now be the girl who doesn’t feel the need to apply pre-beach makeup because this is does the trick, $33. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4350455&skuId=2246041&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&cagpspn=pla&CAWELAID=1311179591&catargetid=330000200000246418&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7_mrBRDH4Y2UjLHEmfcBEiQA8OTHf834KiIA5zuiXAQrgZ6kK35YEBgqnzybw1pydxeRWyQaAr258P8HAQ

If you are looking for more coverage look into topping off your tinted sunscreen or any moisturizier with spf with these other favorites:

Ultra Flesh Tinted Moisturizer, http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Flesh-Tinted-Moisturizer-Luminous/dp/B006OA00NM

Beautycounter, Tint Skin – a favorite of Lauren Conrad’s, http://www.beautycounter.com/cosmetics/face/tint-skin-complexion-coverage.html

Don’t forget to top off any of your makeup with Urban Decay’s setting spray or at least some setting powder!

What are your favorite summer beauty items? We are always looking for our new favorites!

April Beauty Favorites

Some of my current favorites..

 

1. & 2. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue… And brush. This hydrating gel is great! Like a combination of tinted moisturizer, foundation, and BB cream. This only takes a little bit and is the perfect amount of cover. During last month’s beauty post one of our readers recommended it, and I am so thankful! Love it and the brush that comes with it. Goes on quickly and smoothly. 

Do I love this as much as Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer? I’m not sure. I haven’t used that in ages, but it has always been one of my favorites… But. This is less expensive and easier to get your hands on. I would and will use this brush with any future tinted moisturizer/foundation products that I get because it feels great and makes the product go on so evenly.

http://m.sephora.com/product/P393356

http://m.sephora.com/product/P393357?preferedSku=1688530

3. Fake Up Concealer by Benefit in Light. Favorite, favorite!! Maybe best under eye concealer ever! If I’m wanting this to last all day and night, I dust a little translucent powder on top, but this step is probably not necessary. I use ELF translucent powder that’s like $2 from any drugstore. This concealer covers and brightens and is amazing. I bought this for the first time at one of those Benefit vending machines in an airport because I was completely out of concealer on the way to Charleston back in the Fall. I have never been so thankful for running out of concealer and forgetting to stock up pre-airport. This stuff is great!

http://www.amazon.com/Benefit-Cosmetics-Fake-Light-0-12/dp/B00BETYXV8

4. Highbeam Highlighter by Benefit. I’ve had this for ages, and it’s the perfect highlighter for Spring and Summer! A little goes a long way, but I use it on my cheekbones, then up and around to edge of eyebrows, then a bit in the inner corners of my eyes to make them pop, and lastly I basically dab a bit in a broken line down the center of my face… Forehead, nose, the dip between my nose and top lip… Basically my T Spot, so if you tend to have oily skin maybe skip this area. Regardless great highlighter, a classic – remember, the teeniest bit will work for your whole face. I apply with my fingers and lightly dab it onto my skin.

https://m.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/high-beam

Please let us know what you think and tell us some of your favorites!

March Beauty Favorites

Hooray for March! Although it is still freezing, it’s getting closer and closer to Spring, and for that I am thankful. Here are several of my favorite beauty products to get my skin through the cold temps while looking ahead towards temperatures in the 60s and 70s.

Moisturizer – Embryolisse, Lait Creme Concentre. My very favorite face lotion. Luckily it’s at a great price point, because I use this every morning and night. I have only been able to find this online but many websites have it.

http://embryolisseusa.com/lait-cr%C3%A8me-concentr%C3%A8

Body Lotion – Nivea Extended Moisture. I am always on the lookout for a good body lotion that smells nice but is not too smelly, feels very moisturizing but is not too greasy, etc. This is the current winner and can be found anywhere.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=501772&catid=182918&aid=338666&aparam=501772&kpid=501772&CAWELAID=120142990000039052&CAGPSPN=pla&kpid=501772

Hand Lotion – (obviously I am big on lotions right now – such dry skin, damn the cold!) Aveda Hand Relief lives in my purse at all times. It is great and smells like you’ve just left the salon.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/aveda-hand-relief-hand-cream-1-4-oz/3649331?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=223

Now onto things to help me feel like I can at least look a little “springy”

Jergens Natural Glow for Faces – does not have the same staying smell that it used to. I use this a couple of times a week for a little bit of much needed “natural” color.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=214175&catid=182955&aid=338666&aparam=214175&kpid=214175&CAWELAID=120142990000025081&CAGPSPN=pla&kpid=214175

Lip Gloss – Buxom Full On Lip Cream by Bare Minerals. The shade I have and adore is called Mai Tai, but do not be scared of the “vivid coral ” description, one coat goes on perfectly shear with a pop of peach. I have a small size and will be going back sooner rather than later for the full size.

http://www.sephora.com/buxom-full-on-lip-cream-P305132?skuId=1488675&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=pcbWG4uD&pcrid=49113171159&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en&gclid=Cj0KEQiA99qnBRDnrYCkt4ClzZABEiQAvqPaLK4EW7f0je785uCwk3gu-rcUfQtNSCNE8LBvHAgVt-saAtzs8P8HAQ

Lip Balm – Sugar, Rose Extreme by Fresh. This balm feels great, has SPF, and the slightest hit of pink. It smells like spring, and the packaging is spot on.

http://www.fresh.com/US/lip-treatment/sugar-ros%C3%A9-extreme-tinted-lip-treatment-sunscreen-spf-15/H00003647.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiA99qnBRDnrYCkt4ClzZABEiQAvqPaLG618pk5A1MEnjIWWA6P0D3Q0C_1dKCWB-W5RoEIR0saAlTb8P8HAQ

Last but certainly not least, Bronzer. NYX Cosmetics Matte Bronzer in Medium. This is a great matte bronzer. I have Nars Laguna as well as others with shimmer, but for everyday, I need to wear matte. This one is a fantastic price point and seems to stay on most of the day.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4141595#

Please let us know what you think about our first real beauty post! Would love to hear some of your favorites so I can get new ideas of things to try. I would love to be a cool girl, minimalist but really I am a product junkie.