Many of us have medicine cabinets, purse pockets, bathroom drawers, and vanity tables full of products we bought who knows when. I think sometimes we form an attachment to something and decide it’s so beautiful that we just want to stare at it, rather than actually use it. I’ve sadly done this with a few gorgeous lipsticks and watched them to the point of souring!

Most skincare and makeup products have a tiny box on the bottom of the packaging which states a PAO (period after opening) number, for example 6M, for the number of months it is good for use. That day starts on the day you begin using the product and it hits the air, so to speak. Ideally, we should use our products within the given time stated for optimal performance. Bacteria and even mold may start to grow in products that are simply past their usage date, and that can cause skin breakouts, rashes, and other unnecessary reactions.

Some products may not have a PAO number, but some tell-tale signs that the product expired are if the color looks different, scent has changed and smells sour or rancid, or if the formula looks like it has separated or changed texture in some way. Pencils can go dry, body lotion can look oily rather than whipped, and mascara will start to flake or itch.

One way to prevent over-buying beauty products is to pay attention to how many things you actually finish in a given amount of time. I have friends and family who have kept sentimental beauty products, like a lipstick from their wedding day, but my advice would be to just re-purchase it if possible, rather than risk a reaction. Once you begin to toss the old products, your beauty collection will be edited to what you actually use. Building a signature makeup and skincare routine that you love always begins with less, not more. I always keep a note in my phone of favorite products I want to re-purchase when the budget allows.

Here is a little guide you can use to go through your beauty products.

MAKEUP

• Powder products like blush, bronzer, and eyeshadow: 2 years

• Mascara or brow gel: 3-6 months

• Lipstick and cream cheek products: 2 years

• Lip glosses and balms: 1 year

• Liquid foundation or concealer: 1 year

• Cream foundation or concealer: 2 years

• Pencils for eyes or brows: 1 year

SKINCARE

Skincare products we usually consume much faster than makeup, however, it is a best practice to use a permanent marker to write on the bottom when you started a product, especially one that you don’t use every day like a mask or exfoliation treatment. For the most part, skincare products usually have a PAO number that is hard and fast, so I would stick to those as much as you can! Cleansers and moisturizers are usually used up in a few months time, so there is less chance of spoiling. You’'ll need to keep an eye on those treatment type products and you should be in the clear!

Late summer days are typically hazy, humid, and sun-drenched. Our skin is our largest organ, and learning that fact is what drew me in to do research about how my long-loved products from the drugstore and Sephora could be impacting my health.

A few friends recommended the EWG Skin Deep Database to learn more about how certain questionable ingredients could cause potential damage to my fertility and hormones, while also increasing allergic reactions and even causing neurotoxicity. After a battle with autoimmunity, my reasoning knew it was time to switch, but I had significant attachment and straight-up brand loyalty to my favorite products.

Lucky for us, the beauty industry has come a long way in the last 10 years, and now there are safer versions of my old favorite products (that I like even better). I even tried a new category in summer skincare this year simply because the brand is known for it’s effective, gentle, and safer formulas. Enter, Beauty by Earth self-tanner.

I’ve always wanted to try self-tanner as a way to create an even base on my limbs, much like I do with foundation for my complexion, but I was never a fan of the smell, questionable ingredients, or super-fake-bake look of it. After hearing from a few trusted friends that this brand was legit, I bought a tube on Amazon before heading to Miami with my husband for a quick weekend getaway.

My first impressions were not what I expected. I followed the instructions I’ve been reading in beauty columns for decades: exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate, shave, and then hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. So I dry brushed before getting into the shower, exfoliated with the Necessaire scrub, shaved, and then exfoliated with the Lemongrass body scrub, which leaves behind a gorgeous, dry oil sheen. Next, I applied the Necessaire body serum (overkill, but I didn’t want streaks!!), and then finally, the self-tanner.

It smells like coconut—not shelf-stable cookies, didn’t leave streaks, and didn’t make my skin tone so deep that I didn’t look like myself. It basically made my legs, which never tan, look like I had been at the beach for a few days. I was hooked! And not to mention, my limbs were the softest they have ever been because I was much more intentionally caring for my body.

Flash forward to a few weeks ago, and I had an email from Beauty by Earth in my inbox. I thought it was a customer service email, but upon closer examination, it was an email requesting a partnership. I was so excited! I had already shared this self-tanner with friends and family, spilled the beans on a podcast with Cecilia Pappas and Megan Wells, and produced the photos you see in this post with Marquel Patton well before this was a thing. Now, I am a happy affiliate with the brand, which is truly a win-win for me. There is nothing better than endorsing products you love with brands that wish to offer a small compensation for your creative work. I’m happy to share that if you use code NMCARUSO12 can get 12% off your purchase!

Onto my list of favorite clean body products. Here is the lineup of my summer skin must-haves:

1. Dry brush: Reform Wellness. Dry brushing is not only amazing for exfoliating dead skin, but it also increases circulation and promotes gentle detoxification. This one from Reform Wellness has the best wooden handle to make it easier to reach the back too.

2. Lemongrass body scrub: Beautycounter. This body scrub is one I always have extra stock of because its citrusy smell. It leaves behind a glowy sheen because it’s a sugar scrub (sugar is a humectant) and is packed with gorgeous oils. (On sale right now for 15% off — sale ends 8/16/2021)

3. Lava rock: Amazon. Rather than a crumbly fake pumice stone, this lava rock actually removes dead skin from heels, and doesn’t tear up the skin. It also lasts forever!

4. Razor: Billie. My sensitive skin can’t handle excessive shaving, but these Billie razors have been a dream for getting a close shave without razor burn.

5. Deodorant: Corpus Naturals in Third Rose. Clean deodorants are notoriously irritating for sensitive skin, but this deodorant is different. It feels like a serum under the arms, prevents odor, and lasts a long time. One travel size deodorant lasted me almost 5 months! Neroli and Santalum also smell amazing, not overpowering. The larger size is going on 6+ months right now!

6. SPF: Beautycounter. After the TSA took my large Countersun SPF 30 (I packed it in the wrong bag), I had to look elsewhere for clean SPF for my family’s vacation. Unforuntaely, those brands left a white cast and were so hard to rub in. This SPF rubs in clear, hydrates the skin, and doesn’t cause my sensitive skin to break out. This has been a daily go-to for our backyard adventures and beach days alike. It’s also part of the end-of-summer sale for 15% off until 8/16/2021.

8. Self-tanner: Beauty by Earth. The most gentle, barely-there hint of sun on the skin. Use code NMCARUSO12 for 12% off!

9. Body serum with hyaluronic acid: Necessaire. This lightweight serum sinks right in, and allows the next step of moisturizing to actually do its job. Just like a serum penetrates the skin more deeply on the face, this serum quenches dry skin on the body.

10. Melting Body Balm: Beautycounter. I’ve lost count on how many tubes of this I have used! It’s a solid balm that you warm up in your hands, and melt (literally) into the skin. The Monoi flower scent is unbeatable and feels like vacation never ends! It’s an Allure Best of Beauty winner too.

11. Body scrub: Necessaire. This scrub is a bit different than the Beautycounter in that it’s less oily, does a lighter scrub, and is gentle enough for use nearly every day. I also use it on my limbs after using the Beauty by Earth self tanner, to keep the product from building up.

If you end up giving these a try, be sure to let me know! I love hearing when my favorites become your favorites too.

Ever since my first dance class at age 3, I have been a fan of the ever so chic ballerina bun. Since I am much more devoted to my craft of makeup, my skills in hairstyles are few, but this bun is an exception.

If you’re looking for a simple way to throw up mid-length to long hair, all you need is a french pin and a little muscle memory. I found these acrylic tortoise shell pins here on Amazon, and love how they don’t tug at my fine hair, yet keep things in place.

Start with your hair in your preferred parting; mine is the center. Next, decide how high on the head you want the bun to be, and begin gathering the hair into a ponytail at that spot.

Tightly twist the hair clockwise and begin to wrap it around itself like a coil, slowly.

Finally, insert the prong edge of the French pin downward into the edge of one end of the bun, dip it under the bun so it secures close to the scalp, and then push upward into the edge of the other side of the bun to keep it in place.

It may take a few tries to practice securing the pin, but once you get the hang of it, it will feel (and look) completely effortless.

PRODUCTS USED:

Hair pins

Heart earrings by Brinker & Eliza

T-shirt

Since having my third baby, my scalp and hair have been in disarray. My scalp was oily, itchy, and dry, and my hair was dry, tough to brush, and super frizzy. I switched to haircare with safer ingredients a few years back, but had a lot of issues in the shampoo department. My natural texture is thick, with superfine hairs, and a slight wave on the lengths depending on the humidity. I’ve never colored it, and don’t plan to, but I do deal with breakage and dryness from hormonal changes and post-birth depletion.

I was loyal for decades to Dove shampoo and conditioner, and the scent just smelled like me. So, I was used to a super sudsy lather, and an intensely moisturizing conditioner that made my hair super sleek and straight, even without a blow dry. Once I learned about the problematic ingredients in Dove, such as synthetic fragrance, dyes, and ingredients that trigger immunotoxicity and allergies, I made the switch. However, it has been so difficult to find a shampoo and conditioner that actually leaves my hair feeling clean, voluminous, soft, and easy to brush. I’ve tried so many brands, in turn wasting a lot of money on experiments, and settled on a brand called Giovanni that I found at Whole Foods that seemed like a clean option, but really had a very similar ingredient profile to my old Dove. Brands nowadays have been guilty of “green washing” which is marketing a product to be natural, dermatologist-tested, or botanical because there is no industry standard to uphold (yet). Luckily, the Environmental Working Group has a great database where you can check your products’ ingredient profiles and be a more informed consumer.

My friend Jackie told me about Prose, and I knew she wouldn’t give her approval unless it was really, really good. A little reluctant on price, I waited for a few months to purchase until they had a promotion. Prose has a super smart quiz to make a custom formula that works with your hair concerns, texture, and even zip code, to assess pollution and humidity in your area. I also customized the ingredients to not contain silicones or fragrance, which I really like.

After the first few tries, I loved how much smoother my hair felt. It was easier to brush, and felt cleaner after washing. But after 3 months of dedicated use, my scalp is the healthiest it’s ever been, and my hair is much more manageable. Budget tip: the bottles have lasted me 2 months before going empty, and I wash almost every day! It ends up costing almost exactly what I was paying for an inferior formulation from a different brand.

To clarify further, I’m a wash-and-go type of girl, so I don’t spend much time with a blow dryer or hot tool unless it’s a special occasion. That’s precisely why I need my hair products to make a visible change without much styling effort on my part. And it did! The pre-shampoo mask was part of my first order, and I loved how soft my hair felt after using it, however I already have a deep conditioning treatment I prefer, so I did not re-purchase that, but I will continue to purchase Prose shampoo and conditioner over and over. My hair has never felt or looked this good!

If you’re looking to try it out for yourself, get $10 off your first order with this link.

It has always been my greatest joy to have a woman sit in my makeup chair. The moment is intimate, even with a stranger, because we are eye to eye, and she is often bare-faced when we begin. Much more than just talking about the makeup, we connect on deeper topics such as insecurities, aging, lifestyle choices, health challenges, and hopes or dreams. Makeup is a tool we can use to enhance our natural beauty, and it starts with first and foremost recognizing our God-given beauty. Rather than using makeup to alter our face or even re-create it, we can use it to highlight our natural features and add a little polish to our day to day. It is my hope that in teaching makeup techniques and sharing products that perform well, without potentially harmful ingredients, I can empower women to find something that makes them feel refreshed and confident in who God made her to be.

When I planned the photo shoots for the Worthy of Wearing book, I knew I wanted to have both raw and real street style photography, and studio shots that looked more polished. For the studio shoot, I was able to do the makeup for each of our models. It was such a treat!

Every model had different skin types and tones, but there were products I used on every single woman because they are so versatile, and truly enhance, rather than alter a woman’s natural beauty. I chose safer products that are made with less questionable ingredients that also photograph well— how lucky we are that products like these exist in the market today!

Any of the products I used at our shoot would be perfect to use for wedding or event makeup because they look as good in person as they do on camera! They are tried and tested from the humidity of Washington DC on dry skin, aging skin, oily skin, and acne-prone skin.

Here are a few of the favorites from that day:

1. Saie Glowy Super Gel in Starglow — this is a water-based glowy primer that hydrates the skin without silicones or fragrance. After it dries, you can apply foundation on top for a smooth base with a bit of light reflecting super fine mica. It never looks or feels oily, but does add freshness to the skin without balling up under concealer or foundation.

2. Beautycounter Skin Twin Foundation — this is my favorite liquid foundation because it has hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant that draws moisture from the air. It hydrates the skin without added oils that clog pores, and never looks dry or patchy. I loved having the entire color range to match the models skin tones, so it disappeared into their complexion as I blended in.

3. Beautycounter eyeshadow palettes (since discontinued) — these eyeshadows were one of the reasons I switched to clean beauty products. They had incredible pigment, blended in effortlessly without any fallout on the face, and came in the most gorgeous, wearable colors. They have been discontinued for talc-free reformulation, but I loved mixing and matching shades to give each model a distinct look. Some brands I would now recommend for eyeshadow in safer formulas are: PYT Day to Night palette, Ilia Necessary Eyeshadow Palette, Johnny Concert Sundance Amplified palette, or W3ll People Nudist eyeshadow palette.

4. Beautycounter Mattifying Powder — with any kind of event or photography session, a little mattifying powder goes a long way. This silky formula tones down shine without making the skin look dull or flat. It feels lightweight, and can be layered or lightly dusted.

5. Saie Mascara 101 — we wanted the lashes to look defined and thick, so this was the perfect formula. This mascara is jet black, slightly glossy, and doesn’t flake. I could layer it on for a more dramatic look, or lightly brush it through the lashes for a more fluttery effect.

6. Bdellium Tools brushes — these brushes are super affordable, and artist quality. Good tools make all the difference in how makeup applies and lasts throughout the day, and these are incredible! I especially love the 948 concealer brush, 945 setting powder brush, 957 foundation brush, and 785 eyeshadow blending brush.

What a joy it is to see this photoshoot forever captivated in print in my book Worthy of Wearing. Thank you again to our gorgeous models who livened up the message of my book with tangible, magnetic joy.

All of us are missing our regular appointments to the salon for cuts and color during this crazy quarantine for COVID-19, and definitely rocking the “quarantine bun” that magically whisks unruly hair into something more polished. While we are trying to “flatten the curve” of Coronavirus during this scary time, I reached out to my stylist Bethany Marzullo, who has been cutting my hair for 8+ years. She is a hair genius, and though I don’t color my hair, her hand-painted balayage color is truly an artform. You can see her work on instagram here.

I interviewed Bethany for her expert opinion on how we should care for our cuts and color while we are waiting (not so patiently) for salons to re-open.

1. What treatments do you recommend to help with breakage and split ends?

“My favorite treatment is actually a leave in spray called 7 Seconds by UNITE. You spray it onto towel dried hair and not only does it detangle, but it also provides UV and heat protection. It can be used on all hair types without weighing the hair down. While products can help reduce split ends…nothing replaces a good trim. Aim for at least a “dusting” every 8 weeks for color treated and 12 weeks for non-color treated hair.”

2. How often do you recommend washing colored hair?

“If you can at all help it, try only washing it every other day, and anything less frequent is great! The more you wash, the more you stimulate the oil glands on the scalp and strip the natural oils from the mid length and ends of the hair. Another tip is to not equate lather with clean.  The more it lathers, the better chances it is fading your hair color. In the day of dry shampoos, skipping a wash is rather easy!”

3. What are the best ways to cover roots that need a touchup while at home? 

“I suggest using a colored root spray. You spray it on dry hair after styled directly onto the gray areas and it's a temporary fix until you wash it again. They usually come in a range of colors so its very easy to match. It buys you at least a couple weeks between hair color appointments.”

4. Is using box color in the meantime “worth it”?

“Sure, in the short term it may seem worth it, but once you do it enough, you will start to see bands of color from overlapping dye, and it will appear darker over time. It is a short term fix that causes a long term problem that a stylist will have to take care of. Your hair is the accessory that you do not take off. It is best to invest in a good colorist.”

5. What are some tips for hiding or embracing grays? 

“Changing your part is an easy way to disguise them. Try a middle or deep side part opposite of where most of your gray is. If you want to embrace them, then do! Rocking your gray strands is becoming quite the statement of confidence!”

6. Which hot tools do you recommend for a beginner looking to make their hair look more polished? 

“Investing in a good blow dryer can make the biggest difference. My go to is Babyliss Pro Portofino. Don’t forget to leave the nozzle on!  This attachment on the blow dryer helps smooth strands by concentrating the air flow down.  Also, a flat iron is a must to create a multitude of styles such as waves, curls, or straight. GHD (stands for Good Hair Day) is my absolute favorite flat iron. You can splurge on their new Platinum Plus GHD or they have a more cost effective model, their classic GHD.”

7. Who are some of your favorite accounts (YouTube or instagram) to follow for hair care or styling tips?

“Celebrity stylist Jen Atkin @jenatkinhair, Kristin Ess @kristin_ess, and Jenny Strebe @confessionsofahairstylist.”

8. any Favorite products you love? 

“It all depends on the texture of the hair, not so much length. For hair that needs a boost, I love R + Co Dallas Shampoo and Conditioner, and Dallas Thickening Spray which thickens strands and adds texture.

For all hair types, I love R + Co High Dive which is a moisture and shine cream that can be used wet or dry to give deep hydration and reflective shine.

My two favorite drugstore products are Batiste which is a great, cheap dry shampoo. They even have them with hints of color to camouflage gray.  The other is a Wet Brush which allows you to brush your hair wet while easily detangling. It is a game changer to blow dry with as well.

Also for putting your hair up, using an Invisabobble decreases chance of breakage and they stay in your hair without much slippage.”

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Live in the DC metro area? Book an appointment with Bethany at her private studio at Salon Lofts in Tysons, VA. With the current restrictions, her next available appointment is June 11, 2020.

this unforeseen hardship on business is so difficult, and we can help support our stylists plan for the future by booking in advance — even if it seems far out from now.

Clean beauty, green beauty, non-toxic beauty, chemical-free beauty, natural beauty, safer beauty, better beauty. These are all the buzzwords we hear surrounding the charge some brands are leading through a very unregulated Wild Wild West, which is the American beauty industry.

My makeup expertise is steeped in technique from being a makeup artist for over a decade, and the products I used were my holy-grail items because of how they performed. I never considered the implications of their ingredient lists, mostly because I was as brand-loyal as they come. If a product could last for an entire day, could create the texture I was going for, and worked for a wide range of skin tones, then it got a rave review from me. I’ve always been picky about how makeup performed in real life, but never considered what effects it had on my health, hormones, fertility, or unborn children during pregnancy. Now, thanks to emerging research, we know that ingredients like lead, phthalates, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrance, and retinol can cause birth defects, skin irritations, hormonal imbalances, and worse, cancer.

Do you know what our largest organ is? It’s our skin. Our pores absorb everything that surrounds us: chemicals we clean with, pollution, fragrance, and so much more. I cannot explain how important it is to swap safer products in your home and on your body, without first sharing with you where it all began for me.

When I first got sick with autoimmune disease in 2014, with myriad health issues compounding before that, I found out through extensive tests that my body’s detoxification process shut down. My immune system could not remove toxins, and as the toxins built up, the inflammation increased. Products I used to clean with for years began to give me bloody noses, I sneezed uncontrollably in the laundry detergent aisle in the supermarket, and my skin was so itchy that I began to scratch uncontrollably. It was time to change everything.

Together my husband and I switched out household cleaners, detergents, hand soap, body products, and even began to use essential oils and homeopathic herbs for acute issues instead of NSAIDS (which have legitimate risks of miscarriage, stroke, gastrointestinal complications, cardiovascular problems, and even hearing loss) . I stopped wearing makeup, nail polish, perfume, and all of my luxury beauty products so my body could lessen the toxic load it was carrying. Every morning I would stare at my unused products (Jo Malone Rose body oil, Tom Ford perfume, Charlotte Tilbury lipstick) and hang my head in defeat. I hadn’t seen my nails without polish in what seemed like decades.

Over the months and years that followed, my lifestyle and diet changes made massive improvements in my overall health. The most noticeable differences were that my eyesight improved, migraines went away, eczema cleared up, and the cracks on my fingers healed. Additionally, my seasonal allergies became almost non-existent, and my digestion was on the mend. All of the systems of my body that were experiencing intense inflammation took a deep breath, and so did I.

There were so many concerned friends and family members asking if I had tried “clean” beauty products, so I dabbled. Most of the skincare and makeup I tried either made my skin break out, or wore off after a few hours of wear. It was frustrating because I don’t like wasting money or walking around with an allergic reaction on my face. I decided wearing no makeup was much more “me” than wearing a “clean” foundation that felt like wiping mayonnaise on my face. Trying clean beauty was too costly all around. Some of the clean swaps I made for body products were game-changers, which I detail here, but makeup like eyeshadow, foundation, and mascara was just not as high-performing as what I was used to.

As my health progressed, I began wearing my old makeup again— favorite brands like Make Up For Ever, Laura Mercier, NARS, Urban Decay, Dior, Marc Jacobs, and others. Colors, textures, and finishes are fun to play with, and make me feel polished. Makeup is an accessory that I love to wear. As a stay-at-home mom, doing my daily beauty routine is one way I take time for myself everyday, so getting back into the ritual was edifying and fun.

And then as this little company called Beautycounter kept coming up again and again in conversation, I finally gave it a try at the encouragement of a friend. My expectations were low, at best, because I was convinced it was a marketing ploy to get people to sign up against their will to buy a year’s worth of products that don’t work. Haven’t we all heard those heart wrenching stories of work-from-home businesses gone wrong? To me, this business was too good to be true, so I convinced myself that it was. I had even been asked by a well-known cookbook author to join her team, but her firm backlash when I said it wasn’t the right time for me, was off-putting to say the least.

Almost a year later, I gave Beautycounter makeup a try. If I could try it, and honestly see how it performed, then I would know if it was just fancy marketing and greenwashing, or if it was the real deal.

I’m a packaging freak, so opening the thick navy paper boxes with foil lettering immediately sparked my interest. Once I opened the Classic eyeshadow palette, made up of the most incredible warm bronze tones in both mattes and shimmers, I freaked out. The pigment was so strong, the colors looked like dupes from some of my luxury makeup, and let’s be real— I love a magnetic, removable mirror in a compact. Product after product was opened and tested, and it was pretty shocking. I felt like a real dummy for almost talking myself out of it before giving it a try. After 2 weeks of using Beautycounter, I switched all of my other high-end makeup to a box under the sink, and started a new chapter in my life (literally).

The brand’s story, the commitment to product safety and screening, and the mission of advocating for regulation in the beauty industry lit my fire. I couldn’t believe that the last law passed to protect Americans from unsafe, questionable chemicals was in 1938— way before my grandmother was even born. I also couldn’t believe that the European Union has banned over 1400 ingredients from personal care products, and the US is wildly behind with only 30! With the rise of fertility issues, birth defects, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, and other serious health concerns, I knew the research was speaking for itself. There was no more time to waste for me to jump into the mission to get safer products into as many hands as possible.

What’s more? I had a longing in my heart to work again, but knew it had to be from home, doing something I am naturally gifted at. Something that was scalable, so I could take care of my family, and still earn extra income. This business, and these products, were an immense gift, packaged beautifully in front of me. So I took the leap. Now I am SO PROUD to work for a company that ignites change, educates the consumer, and knows that at the end of the day, wearing lipstick and concealer shouldn’t compromise our health.

We deserve better.

And that brings me to my final point, which is that it is always a good time to swap an old faithful product for a safer one, especially once it runs out. Just like doctors in the 1930s-1950s did not know the impact of carcinogens in cigarette smoke as we do now, there are a wide range of questionable chemicals in everything from baby diaper rash cream, to dry shampoo, and everything in between sitting right on shelves of our local stores, at decent prices, that perform pretty well. Now that companies like Beautycounter, and e-commerce sites like Follain and Credo, are committed to curating beautiful products that actually work, and contain safer ingredients, there is a lot of hope for those of us who are skeptical.

My hope in sharing this story is that if you are reading this and you were like me, happy with your products, suffering some health setbacks, and skeptical of spending on mysterious “clean” products, I know how you feel. I want to encourage you to take a baby step. Check out the EWG database called Skin Deep, and educate yourself on what the toxic load of your makeup bag and medicine cabinet is. Empower yourself with information, and make buying decisions based on treating yourself as a temple worthy of care.

What would it be like to feel better than you do today, just from some simple swaps? Have you tried clean beauty before? Let me know how I can help you on your journey. And be sure to check out my IGTV videos for tutorials with my favorite clean products.

Because I have always been fascinated by makeup, hair is an afterthought for me. There were a few moments in my life when I had hair regrets -- that bob in second grade, the side swept bangs in eighth grade, and the super long hair that conveniently covered some of my acne of tenth grade -- but now I have a go-to cut, amazing hair stylist (let me know if you want her info DC people!), and products that make it look like I tried a lot harder than I did. 

The thing is, I'm all about balance. I would rather have a full face of makeup and sub-par hair, than the other way around, which is why I am so loyal to products that do the work for me. Just for reference, my hair is pretty fine but there is a lot of it. My roots are usually oily and the ends are dry (but I'm still trying to wash every other day, instead of every day). It's mostly straight and doesn't hold a curl longer than a few hours, so I don't waste time with styling wands. I've also found that if I shower at night and fall asleep with it damp in a bun, it has a slight wave when I wake up in the morning (i.e. not flat). Some may call that low-maintenance, but I do get bored and wish I could do a Blake Lively 'do once in a while (she always has great hair). 

Here are some of my favorite products I've grown to love and repurchase over the years.

1. Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Hairspray. This does exactly what it says on the bottle. It's a very wet hairspray (not like the fine mist of aerosol cans) so I spray it directly to the layers my hair stylist cut to define them and bring out the piecey-rocker look. I start by tilting my head to the side and spraying diagonally up onto the ends of the hair, then scrunching with my fingers. I'll finish by spraying the back pieces and possibly around the hairline to tame any flyaways.

I would say the hold is medium because it can be brushed out easily, and fingers don't get caught in it, but it also holds up for a full day if needed. This hairspray can be used wet or dry, and as a protector before heat styling. Bumble products are also not heavily fragranced, which I love, so this doesn't compete with other scents. I go through about 2 bottles of this a year, and that's if I'm using it every day. This is the only hairspray I use because of its versatility, and it works on almost every hair type, so you may need to give it a try! 

2. Verb Ghost Oil. Many hair serums and oils have come in and out of my life as I've tried to find something to tame my frizz and help hydrate dry ends. I've finally settled on this moringa-based oil from Verb. It's super lightweight, and doesn't make my hair look greasy, even if I apply it on dry hair.

What I usually do is apply one pump to my palm, warm it up in my hands, and work it on the ends (ears down) of damp hair after my shower. Then I tie it up in a bun overnight, and my morning hair looks much sleeker and less frizzy. On second-day hair, I brush it out the bed head with a boar-bristle brush I found at Ulta, then work half a pump of the oil onto the bottom 2 inches of my hair to give it some hydration and shine. Then I spritz it with the Bumble spray and it's like new (and sometimes even better than the day before). 

3. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Protector. When my hair is straw-like, limp, and desperately needs a fresh cut, I use this a few nights a week to bring it back to life. It is an overnight treatment that is technically supposed to get washed out the next day, but what I've found is that for dry/ damaged hair, this little product actually works best if you leave it in. I apply a quarter size it to damp hair, comb it through, and let it do its thing overnight. When I wake up in the morning, my ends are hydrated and so soft I end up twirling it through my fingers like a lovesick pre-teen. The tube pictured above is a sample that I am still working on finishing. I can't imagine how long a full size would last me, since this tube has been around for nearly a year. Last but not least, it smells divine-- like super clean salon hair. I'm into it. 

4. Ouai Wave Spray. With how straight my hair is, I'll take all the wave I can get. The founder of Ouai (pronounced WAY) Jen Atkin is a celebrity stylist whose hair aesthetic I love and her product line is so dreamy. I heard so many rave reviews of the Wave Spray, and purchased the trial size to test it out. My little bottle is almost gone, and I've loved every drop of product in there. It is similar to the Bumble spray in that it adds a thickening texture to the hair, but the Ouai spray is much more airy (and it smells like roses).

I love using this product on dry hair because it adds volume and structure to hair that's fallen flat. It's the perfect spray to use before going out in the evening, because it livens up a style that's been going all day, and scents the hair lightly to freshen it up. Every time I've worn this out to meet friends, they all die over the scent and ask which perfume I'm wearing. Got to love a product that makes your hair look like you made an effort, and takes the place of a fragrance (I wish it was one). You can also apply the spray and scrunch it with your fingers or a diffuser to get a beachy-wave effect. It's a great little product to pack in a beach/pool bag to polish off the wet hair look so it looks a bit more styled when it dries.

5. Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo. I don't always use dry shampoo, but when I do, it's this one. I've struggled to find a dry shampoo that isn't too chalky, too greasy, or too stiff for the better part of the last decade. Some days my roots are just too greasy or flat to style, and just a few spritzes absorbs the excess oil and adds a little lift. Dry shampoos can dehydrate the scalp, causing Head-and-Shoulders-ad style flaking, but I haven't had that issue with this product. I can spray it, brush it through, and not feel like I have glue in my hair; it moves and looks just like I washed it. One word to the wise about using any dry shampoo, is to make sure you spray it at least four to six inches from your head so the formula doesn't concentrate in one spot. I like to spray and move the can quickly down my part like I'm spraypainting the thin stripe of exposed scalp for a lighter application that gives me more control of the finish. I also lift the sections on either side of my middle part to give them a bit of lift as well. Going through product after product to find the right finish can be frustrating (and costly), so I'm thrilled that my search is over. 

SHOP MY FAVORITES

You may have noticed a bunch of my favorites are trial size. I tend to buy minis because they can get tucked into a purse or carry-on, they are moderately priced, and they usually last a decent amount of time. If you're looking to try a few new things, see if you can get them in a smaller size to test them out without the heavier price tag. Sephora has a wide selection of travel size products, which is fantastic if you travel a ton, or just don't feel the need to purchase the standard sizes like me.

These five products maintain my signature look, and work in unison to protect and hydrate my hair between cuts. Have you tried any of these? What did you think? If not, I highly recommend you give one a try the next time you run out of whatever you're currently using. 

Believe it or not, I can't go to Target without getting beauty questions from strangers, and I love helping a sister out. The questions I get asked the most always revolve around eyeliner. Since eyeliner is a technique that takes a lot of practice, women are usually afraid to try it, or discouraged after a bad experience. I simplified 4 ways to wear eyeliner, with the product recommendations that I find work the best, so you can feel confident the next time you do your eyes.

And if you're still wondering "why eyeliner?" it is one of the quickest ways to bring out the eyes; the very part of our face where we connect with others. Why not frame our eyes with an liner and a coat of mascara to create contrast with the whites of our eyes?

TIGHTLINER

The most minimal way to line the eyes and darken the lash line is to tightline. It adds dimension and thickness to the lashline, without adding any darkness to the lid. I always recommend this technique to women working in corporate environments, busy moms, and teens. It's a universal, simple way to make the eyes stand out.

Look for a pencil that is longwearing or made especially for tightlining. I used an Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in black. You can also try a cake liner from Laura Mercier (applied with a damp brush), a pot of Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Gel Liner, or the waterproof kohl kajal pencil from Rimmel. 

The fastest way to tightline is to lift the brow and tilt your head back slightly as you look into a mirror. With the kohl of your choice, darken the water line, or the membrane right under the top lash line.

Tightlining takes practice, and it can cause the eyes to water. Be patient, and take a break if your eyes start to tear. Have a few Q-tips close by to clean up transfers to the lower lash line or blobs that fill up the tear duct.

THIN LINER

For a thin definition of the upper lash line, I love to use a felt tip liner pen, like the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. In this look I used the dark brown shade for a softer daytime look. 

Start by putting the point of the felt tip pen almost flat against the lid to get a precise line. Short strokes are much easier to connect, rather than lining the entire eye in one swipe, so press the pen against the lid to get 4 or 5 lines that connect. This technique also prevents the liner from going on too thick. After each line, ensure that the color is as close on the lashes as possible. I line the very inner corner to the very outer corner, and slowly sweeping the liner to the outer edge of my eye and stopping there. This technique also works with a sharpened pencil. Keep in mind that a twist-up liner may look more smudged than this, so those pencils may not be the best option. 

SMOKED LINER

For a smoky look, use the thin liner look technique first, then using a smudging brush, apply eyeshadow in a similar shade over the liner. I always start on the outer edge of the eye with the eyeshadow smudging, and work my way to the inner corner so the brush has less and less product as it goes further in towards the nose. Layer the eyeshadow over the eyeliner until it looks smoky.

You can do this technique with any shade of eyeshadow, so it's a great technique to learn for a multitude of color combinations. Try dark brown, grey tones, bronze, deep purples, and shades of navy depending on your look for the day. An eyeshadow palette is very handy, especially one that has eyeliner-toned shades. The most practical palettes contain a few nude shades, a few medium shades, and a few darker shades that can be used as liner. 

CAT EYE LINER

Cat eye liner is one of my favorites for a more glamorous look. I always feel super feminine and a little Old Hollywood when I wear a cat eye, so it is definitely a technique I have practiced many times. 

I created a video tutorial for a cat eye liner back when I worked for Verily Magazine with step by step application of the technique which you should definitely watch if you need some motivation to try it out. 

I prefer felt tip eyeliner pens for this because I find they look the most polished and tend not to flake off after hours of wear. A stylo pen is much easier to hold than a wet liner brush. I rounded up a few of my favorite felt tip liner stylos, from drugstore to department store, right up above!

Keep in mind that my eyes are hooded, meaning you cannot see the mobile part of the lid when my eyes are open, so these looks may not look exactly the same on you. More of the liner may be visible, where on my lids, it is slightly hidden by my brow bone. 

SHOP THE TOOLS FOR THE LOOK

Disclaimer: These photos have not been photoshopped or edited for smoothing. Only the lighting has been adjusted. I do not edit my photos with blurring tools because I believe that natural skin, fine lines, and pores happen. Let's celebrate how we look in real life! 

One of my favorite natural beauty products I've discovered is the Aztec Secret Healing Clay. I wrote about it in another article, where I shared my favorite natural beauty items from the drugstore, but now I want to show you exactly how I use it. The big jar of jade green powder can seem a little intimidating, but once you have a few simple techniques, it will be your new favorite.

On the back of the jar, it warns against mixing the mask up with anything metal, and that is for good reason because clay pulls positively charged ions (toxins and heavy metals) to the surface. That is precisely why it makes a fantastic detox mask for the skin. Clay removes impurities, increases circulation, and lightly resurfaces the skin in the process. Here are my favorite ways to mix up a mask when my skin is inflamed or dull. 

CLAY HONEY MASK

Raw honey is a skin softener, and it naturally contains enzymes and good bacteria that balance skin. When mixed with detoxifying clay, honey nourishes the skin for a gentle glow and the clay removes impurities with a magnetic force. After washing it away, your skin will feel bouncy, clean, and hydrated.

Mix 1 tablespoon of raw honey with 1 tablespoon of the clay powder in a small ceramic bowl until completely combined. Apply the mixture to dry, clean skin and let it sit for about 20 minutes. 

CLAY MUD MASK 

The classic "pulsating" clay mask is perfect for days when the skin is extra oily, inflamed, or starting to break out.

Mix equal parts clay and water to form a thick paste will form. Apply all over the skin, keeping it away from the sensitive skin around the eye area.

As time passes the clay will dry and the skin will tighten (try not to talk at this point). You may start to feel the pulsing sensation which means your circulation is increasing. More blood flow to the skin means more skin cell renewal and natural cleansing of toxins. After about 15-25 minutes, or whenever the mask is completely dry, use a washcloth to gently rinse the mask with warm water. Redness is a natural side effect of the circulation rush, but it will subside after about 30 minutes. Your skin will be smooth, visibly brighter, and you may notice a few shrunken pimples or blackheads. 

SHOP THE LOOK

SHOP THE LOOK

In my recent Q&A video, one of you asked how to budget for beauty items (see my answer here). I thought I would share the specifics of how to spend and save on skincare, makeup, body, and hair products. 

SKINCARE

DEPARTMENT STORE

• Enzyme Exfoliators -- a hi-tech blend that melts away dead skin. 
• Serum -- designed to sink deeply into the skin to renew and repair.
• Night Cream -- hydrates the skin overnight and keeps it from inflammation.
• Eye cream -- firming, moisturizing, and not too heavy for the delicate skin around the eyes.

DRUGSTORE

• Clay -- for DIY face masks. Mix a teaspoon with raw honey or jojoba oil for a quick detox mask.
• Witch Hazel -- a gentle toner that removes dead skin and excess oils that is also safe for all skin types. 
• Jojoba Oil -- nature's luxurious oil that soothes, plumps, and instantly hydrates (use it on the tips of hair too!). 
• Gritty scrub -- a good old fashioned gritty scrub for those times when nothing else works.
• Epsom salts -- for a relaxing, detox bath. 
• Remover wipes -- look for a brand with little to no fragrance or alcohol for quick, gentle makeup removal. 

MAKEUP

DEPARTMENT STORE

• Base colors -- concealer and foundation are hard to find in skin-like finishes with wide color ranges just anywhere. Get pro help at places like Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks, or Bergdorf Goodman to personalize your look. 
• Powders -- eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, and setting powders that are finely milled and made with incredible pigments make for easy application and long-lasting finishes. 
• Brow products -- gels, shadows, and pencils have better staying power, true-to-life shades, and don't go flaky. 

DRUGSTORE

• Brushes -- find high quality synthetic brushes from my favorite brand Real Techniques.
• Mascara -- since it needs frequent replacement and dries out quickly. 
• Lip products -- because they are usually very similar formulas and finishes to most high-end lines. 
• Gel eyeshadow pots -- to wear under eyeshadow as a base, or alone for a sheer wash of color, and they tend to dry out quickly so it's not worth paying too much. 

BODY

DEPARTMENT STORE

• Self tanning -- trust the sunless tanners flying off shelves of the high-end stores for the most subtle, even tan. 
• Fragrance -- for higher oil content and richer scents, which makes the smell linger longer. 

DRUGSTORE

• Dry brush -- to slough off dead skin and increase circulation, which detoxifies the body and smoothes skin at the same time. 
• Tools -- nail clippers, tweezers, cotton pads, etc.

HAIR

DEPARTMENT STORE

• Setting sprays -- for that supermodel hair, stick to the brands that actually do hair backstage at the runway shows. 
• Hair treatments -- leave in conditioners, masks, scalp treatments, and serums are worth paying the extra buck. 
• Dry shampoo -- for sheer, volumized, touseled hair that doesn't have white roots stick to the department store brands. 

DRUGSTORE

• Shampoo and conditioner -- because our hair can "get used to" certain formulas, it's good to change it up on a dime. 
• Gel -- for sleek looks, drugstore gel is where it's at.
• Accessories -- elastics, bobby pins, clips are so easy to lose and cheap to replace. 

Makeup is transformative, which is why I love it so much. I have been a makeup artist and beauty consultant for nearly the last 10 years. The reason I find makeup artistry so inspiring, is for the look of muted pride in a woman's face when I've created a look that makes her know her beauty. For a few clients, that pride was felt for the very first time, and our sessions would end with hugs and sometimes tears.

When a new client sat in my chair, she was vulnerable, but not just because of our proximity. As I would start each session by removing their existing makeup to create a clean base, every swipe of the cotton pad was coupled with a reason for the visit-- a special event, new job, new romance, or, more often than not, an emotional rut. There is nothing like a new lipstick to soften the blow of bad news, right? 

But these women, all beautiful in their own rite, lamented similar insecurities over their appearance. I began to wonder how so many women, of all ages, shapes, statuses, and ethnicities, could possibly all feel the same way. What they shared with me was valuable, though disheartening. There is a formula women learn about "beauty" and it is being passed down through generations. I hope by bringing attention to these themes, we can use our awareness to reverse them. 

WE LEARN ABOUT MAKEUP FROM OUR MATERNAL GUARDIANS

The women we spent the most time with as children, whether our moms, grandmothers, aunts, or other influential females have the biggest impact on what we view as beautiful, right down to our makeup routines. Whether drugstore blue eyeliner or glossy Chanel mascara, their approach to makeup frames our paradigm. I learned how to apply makeup from my gorgeous mama, who was also a makeup artist in her early 20s. She worked for Clinique in the late 80s and 90s (dream job!) and her approach to makeup was always to highlight, never to cover. I've taken that approach too, and it has never failed me. 

In the worst case scenario, what is familiar to us can keep us from finding the makeup and skincare ritual that works best for us personally, and with the mass availability to great products, this is unjust (dramatic, but true). Countless women I counseled were told they couldn't wear brown eyeliner, or that a bar of soap is the best cleanser to wash off the day, but these "tips" they received were limiting, and gave them fear about breaking their routines. Sometimes, if it's good enough for our beauty mentors, it's good enough for us, right? Not always. 

WE GAIN INSECURITIES [MOSTLY] FROM OTHER WOMEN

Whether we have experienced direct bullying, become discouraged by unhealthy representations of "beauty" in our culture, or if we lack affirmation from our families and communities, we gradually form insecurities-- no surprise there. Cattiness, jealousy, crass comments, and so-called alpha females we see in media can weave deep wounds that can be hard to shake, even as an adult. But, we shouldn't let the "norm" we see represented as beautiful lower our self-worth and shy us away from enhancing our personal best features with natural makeup, quality skincare, and stylish clothing we feel beautiful in. 

WE ALL HAVE BEAUTIFUL FEATURES THAT SET US APART

I truly believe you can put almost any woman in front of me and I will find her beauty, not solely based on her appearance, but by her state of being. Whether we boast a contagious smile, serene eyes, warmth, intelligence, and on and on, we are all beauties. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what makes us beautiful is our confidence that comes from embracing our uniqueness, and from cultivating our belief in our innate feminine genius. Using makeup to enhance our best features is like shining a light them. 

MAKEUP IS AN ENHANCER, NOT A MASK

Though I deeply appreciate the art of makeup, there has been a surge in the beauty community promoting what is normally considered as theatrical or editorial makeup, which includes techniques that appear to alter the dimensions and features of our faces, or those that are made for flash photography. My beauty philosophy, in part, is that no one should ever say to you, "your makeup looks amazing" before they say, "you look amazing." Rather than spending precious time contouring, spend time hunting down products that will enhance your best features and diffuse the imperfections. 

WE DON'T NEED PERMISSION

So many women feel they need permission to wear a certain shade of lipstick, switch their signature cheek color, or to step outside of their comfort zones, with cosmetics or otherwise. Much of what I did as a makeup artist was to give women a safe space to try a new shade of lipstick, or a new trio of eyeshadows, and decide for themselves if it suited them. Frequently I heard from clients that they feared they couldn't pull off a certain color of makeup, mostly from what they had been told by magazines or even close friends. If you want to be the lady with signature violet eyeliner, be that lady, I say. 

WE ARE QUICK TO CRITICIZE 

If you hear anything from this post, hear this. We all have flaws and that is a fact. My clients regularly complained of scars, pigmentation, acne, small lips, big lips, bold brows, thin brows, fair skin, dark skin, drooping eyelids, large pores, etc. Sometimes it can be cathartic to join a conversation of what we dislike about ourselves with other women, but it is damaging. So much of our character stems from what we do with adversity, suffering, and personal flaws. If we learn to embrace our whole self, flaws included, we are unstoppable. 

Have you ever had a positive experience with a makeup artist? A negative one? How did it impact you?

SHOP THE LOOK

Have more questions? Write them in the comments below and I will answer them in my next Q&A! 

SHOP THE VIDEO

The products I used are all incredible, but you don't have to use these exact ones to get the same effect. That being said, I wanted to give a mini-review of each one, because they are all my current favorite products.

Weleda Skin Food is one of the most deeply hydrating moisturizers I have tried, and it doesn't make me break out. For a long time I was all oil-free everything, worried about adding oils to my face to continue the breakout cycle, but what I learned was that my skin was so dehydrated that it was breaking out from dryness, and overproducing oil to make up for it. Crazy! Now, I use this every morning to prep my skin for the day. It's conveniently sold almost everywhere -- Wegman's, Target, Walgreens, Whole Foods, and a lot of other places. See more my favorite natural beauty buys from the drugstore by clicking here. 

The Josie Maran Vibrancy Fluid foundation is one of the best liquid foundations I have used in a long time. Since it contains argan oil, it has the slightest dewy sheen, and my skin feels so nourished, as opposed to the tight-patchy-breakout-prone skin I usually deal with this time of year. The texture is mousse-like and full coverage, so a little goes a long way and it lasts throughout the day. If you're in need of a new foundation, look no further. 

Chantecaille makes velvety eyeshadows that are easy to blend and mineral-based. I love that you buy the compact once, and refill the shadow every time after that. It cuts down on packaging waste, and saves money in the long run. Sel, Quartz, Patchouli, Coriander, and Driftwood are some of my favorite neutral shades. 

The Cle de Peau concealer has been one of my favorites for a long time, and I just repurchased it a few weeks back. The formula is incredible for dark circles and smoothing away redness just about anywhere on the face. It's a drier formula, but it blends beautifully into the skin because it contains a moisture complex. I love that I can throw it in my bag for days when I know I'll need a touch up. 

Lancome's Hypnose Drama mascara in Excessive Black is my current favorite. After trying a sample of this formula from my Sephora Play box, I was hooked. I reached for it every day until the sample was bone dry because its curved brush hugs the lashes to lift them, but also deposits enough glossy black that I also get the volume I love. 

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick in Bond Girl is my new daily lip. I love matte lips, but as I said in the video, this formula is a game changer. Some matte lipsticks can feel drying on the lips the minute of application, but this lipstick glides on effortlessly. It feels incredibly lightweight, not tacky or heavy, and just lasts and lasts. When I rub my lips together, it feels smooth like a lip balm and my lips feel hydrated. Bond Girl is a muted reddish brown, but not too grey or too plum. I'm currently trying to figure out how I can afford to buy every color. 

SHOP THE LOOK 

A few months ago I tried a new skincare product; a cult favorite, made by a brand I have been dying to try because I love their aesthetic, mission, and their founder's story. So after staring at the sample for what seemed like months, I grabbed it and went to town. It's a treatment, so I left it on for about 20 minutes and rinsed it off, then went to bed. 

The next morning I got up, started my coffee, and went into the bathroom only to catch a blurry glimpse of myself in the mirror. My skin felt tingly, so I looked into the mirror and I gasped. Holy. Moly. Every pore was clogged. My entire face was dotted with rounded pink bumps. Immediately, I was emotionally triggered to High School Me. I panicked, I started rummaging through my medicine cabinet frantically looking for some sort of miracle to make it go away, fast. 

In high school I had terrible acne. It was painful, red, bumpy, and really changed the entire look and shape of my face. Having acne affected my confidence, and I started to act more shy and unsure of myself. Most times my voice would crack if I had the courage to raise my hand in class-- so embarrassing. I always wore my long hair down so it would cover the sides of my face; I never wore lipstick so it didn't draw attention to my skin; and I was a loyal Proactiv customer, with bleached pillow cases to prove it. Acne affected my confidence in ways I truly could not understand until now, since my skin has cleared after making some serious dietary changes. 

The day of the crazy allergic reaction, I tried to cover my hot, bumpy skin with my usual go to: Make Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation Stick. It's full coverage and can be built up for areas that need more coverage or thinned out for a more sheer look. As I striped it over my skin, as I usually do, I felt that uncomfortable dull pressure as it grazed every little blemish. It hurt to apply makeup. Seriously, I felt like an awkward teenager again; questioning myself as I applied it, like, "am I even doing this right?". Then, I tried rubbing it in with my fingers because my skin was so inflamed and oily, but the makeup wasn't sinking in like it usually does. I had to keep applying more, and it left me feeling like I was wearing too much. I skipped bronzer and blush, kept my eyeshadow and lips matte, and powdered my skin to take away all of the shine. It was a process; one I know too well, but had completely forgotten about. 

I wanted to write about this because I know so many people deal with acne. Whether you get the once-a-month hormonal explosion or have ongoing issues with it, acne dampens self-confidence, makes getting ready a chore, and can be costly to keep up with all of the products. I know how you feel. And I know how paralyzing it can be when you feel sad, unattractive, or like you don't want to leave the house or go through the somewhat process of applying makeup to cover everything. 

Though I could have lived without it, this little incident was a good reminder. Not everyone has a smooth canvas for makeup, and that can be a bit discouraging. Very soon, I plan to create a video tutorial showing my exact technique for covering blemishes without looking overdone. There are a few tricks I would love to share with you.

If you follow my instagram stories, you may have seen me mixing up a mask during this fiasco and hoping for the best. Well, it worked! It seriously calmed my skin and soothed the bumps, after about 5 days of using the mask. I mixed 1 tsp raw honey with 1 tsp Aztec Healing Clay, and applying that to my face twice a day. Within about 5 days, my skin was back to normal. Though I know not everyone can get rid of acne in 5 days, I highly recommend trying the mask to calm the inflammation, and a few other products to keep the acne at bay. 

SHOP MY FAVORITES FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN

This time of year is so festive and full of wonder as we await the celebration of the birth of baby Jesus. The feeling of waiting and all of the preparations make us like little busy bees. With all of the events going on in anticipation of the holidays, I created a go-to party look that will match any outfit and make you feel glamorous almost instantly. Plus, when you add a gold leaf headband over a messy mane, it looks all the more Dolce Vita. All of the details are listed below. Press play! 

SHOP THE MAKEUP LOOK

SHOP GOLD SHADOW & SPARKLE 

SHOP BLACK LACE TOPS

SHOP CLASSIC RED LIPS 

SHOP BLACK TASSEL EARRINGS 

Most women spend their entire lifetime looking for the right shade of a nude lipstick. In this video, I will review and share some of my favorite nudes, in hopes that it will help you find your new everyday lip. 

SHOP MY FAVORITE NUDE LIPS