Popular Beauty Items Review

Lately I've tried a few different popular beauty items and I wanted to share the products I loved and the ones I'm not so sure about.

Biossance Eye Cream
This is my favorite product that I've tried lately! I have crows feet (wrinkles around my eyes) and so I've been focused on a good eye care routine. I feel like after using this product for over a month, I can already see a difference in the softening lines around my eyes (no cream will ever take them completely away, don't be fooled!) Left picture was January and the right was July. No filters here so you can see the difference!

Biossance Retinol Serum
I was excited about this product, however, it is much too powerful for my sensitive skin. I used it once a day for a few days and ended up with a rash that then dried out my face. Retinol is powerful so I'm not surprised, I don't think this one is as strong as other products but if I use it again I will use it sparingly and probably with my moisturizer. It recommends twice daily use and I know my skin could not handle that!

Vitamin E Oil
I was very hesitant to try this because it's an oil (oil=breakouts). But vitamin E oil is so good for your skin! It reduces inflammation and can also help to anti age. I use this when my skin is feeling dry (once or twice a week) and I LOVE it. I usually put just a small dot in my palm and it will cover my whole face. Then I use my jade roller to rub it in. It makes my skin look and feel great and it doesn't break me out. I don't think I could use it daily but once or twice per week has really helped. The best priced vitamin E oil is at Target and that is the one I use.

Jade Roller
I wasn't sure about this hype either but I love my roller. I use it on my eyes or a breakout to reduce inflammation and it helps within hours. It really helps with a swollen pimple (gross but true). It's also relaxing, haha.

System Professional Hydrate Shampoo
This smells so good! At first I was concerned about this product because most shampoos with fragrance break me out but it didn't bother me and kept my hair smelling great and feeling super clean.

System Professional Color Care Conditioner
This was very moisturizing and I love that but I also think that when conditioners are too good, they make your hair greasier faster. Still would recommend, you'll just need to make sure to keep up with washes.

System Professional Volumize Mask
This leaves my hair feeling and smelling amazing and it doesn't hold it down. Most masks are too heavy for my fine hair but this one isn't. You only need it maybe once per week because it will also leave your hair greasy if used too frequently.

System Professional Dry Conditioner
This is the product that I never knew I needed. I use it daily on the base of my hair for a little extra shine. I wouldn't use it at the roots because it'll make your hair appear shiny (aka dirty). I will say that this whole system improved the look of my hair!

Tula Face Cleanser
I liked this and it's ingredients but I will stick to my Cetaphil. I think what throws me off is the price point and having to order a face wash. It worked just as well as my Cetaphil does. However, I do have a friend with sensitive skin that loves this cleanser!

Tula Gel Cream
I would order this product! It's a lightweight gel that gives you the exact amount of moisture you need. It didn't break me out and it rubs in right away. It's also a good moisturizer for men because it's not girlie smelling or a thick, oily moisturizer. (Ian used it once and liked it haha).

I was gifted the hair products and the Biossance products but the others I purchased on my own! All items are linked.

Getting Back on Track Post Vacation

I believe vacation is a time to enjoy yourself but not an excuse to fall off the wagon. I just went on two back to back trips, enjoyed food I loved, worked out a bit, but mostly, had a great time. I used to panic about vacation because I would either restrict too much or fall off the wagon completely. Not anymore, but it took some time learning good vacation habits. Here's how I make it easier on myself-

• I packed my favorite Kombucha (linked here) on both trips and they come in cans now!! Kombucha is good for gut health and that’s important after eating foods that you may not eat on a regular basis. I also drank some Aloe juice when I got home.
• I enjoyed myself on vacation but still watched portion control so I didn't feel crappy.
• I drank as much water as possible! A lot of post vacation weight is water weight which comes off when you're home and regularly hydrated. Pack a water bottle so you don’t have an excuse. This trip- I also packed Nuun hydration tablets with vitamin C for a health boost, hydration boost, all the things.
• I tried to sleep as much as possible and get organized quickly when I got home so I didn't feel so disheveled. The sleep thing may not happen until you're home. Usually, if I don't get some type of decent sleep as soon as I get home- I get sick.
• Pack your regular vitamins. I always forget to take them on vacation but even if I get a few days in, that's better than none.
• I always plan a workout for the day after I get home whether I want to work out or not because it kick starts me back into my routine.
• Pack your own small snacks or breakfast bars. This depends on your trip plans but you don't have to eat out every single meal when on vacation. Saves money too.
• Don't get on the scale post vacation! That will really give you the vacation blues because, like I said before, a lot of the weight is water weight. Give yourself a week or two before you get on the scale. I currently don't have one so that works, haha!
• Enjoy yourself! I'm just not the person who works out daily on vacation and eats healthy, that will kick me off the wagon faster than if I enjoy myself. When I actually relax and enjoy myself on vacation then I'm usually ready to get home, eat healthier, and work out. I would say majority of people are the same way!

Sharing the two beautiful places I just visited below.

Cape Fair, Missouri

Vallecito Lake by Durango, Colorado

Quick Daily Makeup

I shared my 15 minute make up routine on Instagram stories and I just wanted to link everything here.

Tinted moisturizer below, no brush or sponge needed. I LOVE this and will never go back to foundation. The color adapts to your skin color.

Nars (light 2) or NYX concealer (CW01) for under my eyes, down my nose, any spots I have- just apply with your ring finger. Then I put the Elf powder (light color) under my eyes to set it- again using my ring finger.

NYX powder in Nude for anywhere I feel shiny. I also love the Laura Mercier translucent powder but it is pricey so I use it sparingly. I use a large brush with the loose powder.

Makeup Forever bronzer (I use the one without shimmer) for contouring- I use these three brushes, (large one is for neck and chest).

MAC blush in Melba for my cheeks with the brush I use.

Highlighter palette for the cheek bones and corner of my eyes- it's the Rose Glow color. I use the angled brush for cheeks with the middle color and other brush for eyes with the light color.

I comb my eyebrows then apply my eye brown pencil (in taupe).

I then use a white eye liner on my water line and the highlighter pencil under my eyebrows to wake my eyes up. I also add this to the corners of my eyes.

I use either of these setting sprays below. I use the NYX for everyday and the Urban Decay if I need my makeup to last longer.

Lastly, I use the MAC eyelash curler (which is the best, I've tried a million) and the most wonderful mascara ever in blackest black!

Sephora is having a sale-15% off for VIB and 20% off for Rouge just use code SUMMERSAVE. Also, at Target if you spend $40 on beauty, you can use the code FREEBOX for a beauty box. If you order through Elf and spend $25 you get free shipping and a free gift! Lastly, Ulta has a $3.50 off $15 coupon or if you spend $70 they have a HUGE gift bag. I guess this is the weekend for online beauty shopping!!

My Latest Diet Additions

I've tried a whole lot of supplements over the years and I have a select few that I use daily- fish oil, probiotic, vitamin c, b complex, multivitamin, and calcium. But over the past few months I decided to add two other items to my routine that I wanted to share with y'all because they're so good! I also try to always eat a good amount of protein and I found two different meals that are protein packed, taste good, quick, and don't bother my stomach!

1- Collagen Powder. I had read a little bit about this and I was intrigued but I had to try it for myself first! Collagen powder is supposed to help with wrinkles, dryness, and joint pain. I've used this for over a month and I LOVE IT. I can't attest to the joint pain because we just got a new bed, I'm running more, too many factors here. But I can attest to it improving my dry skin! My hands are the worst when it comes to dry skin and the week between orders where I wasn't using this, I immediately watched my hands become dry again. I haven't changed my lotion routine, just added this. Also, when my skin is more hydrated I notice any wrinkles I have, do improve. I'm linking the one I use below. It's cheapest on Amazon but I've also seen it at Walgreens and Vitamin Shoppe. I add it to my coffee daily and I can't taste it at all. I did a lot of research before I found the best one for the best price.

2- Apple Cider Vinegar. I've used this on and off through the years but I finally decided to consistently incorporate it into my diet for a few months and now I can't live without it. It has a ton of benefits but the one I can attest to is the gut health benefit. I just dilute a shot size amount of it with water every other night and it has completely changed my stomach. You do have to be careful with this stuff because it can give you a stomach ache but if used correctly, it helps all stomach ailments. I've linked one below but you can use any Apple Cider Vinegar. It's also good for a lot of home remedies like catching gnats, household cleaners, you can find a fun article with many uses here. It's like the holy grail of household items.

As for the two protein packed meals, I am loving the Kodiak Cakes Waffles and the Quest Nutrition Pizza. They are both so yummy and the macros are awesome. Serving sizes are two slices of pizza or two waffles. I also like that they're easy meals to make if you're in a hurry. Most of the time quick meals lack protein and are high in carbs, but not these two meals!

I hope you enjoy this health fueled #motivationmonday and these items help you. As always, I wouldn't share anything I didn't try out first! Enjoy.

Nordstrom Sale and Dupes

The Nordstrom sale is here and it's the perfect time to save on your fall outfits. I'm reviewing some items from the sale and also sharing dupes for all of these items in case they are sold out or still pricey. I'm working on my fall capsule wardrobe so that I can share the same pieces of clothing with different ways to style them. This is a good time to start fall shopping since it's still so darn hot and there are plenty of sales. All of these pieces that I keep will be used for my fall capsule post (coming closer to fall). Fall has become my favorite season and my favorite style time of year! The sale ends August 4th.

First up is this off the shoulder sweater, leggings, and boots. All items are true to size. The sweater is really light weight (good for end of summer transition) and the boots don't slouch or fall down your legs. Also, these leggings are the Spanx leggings and I could never decide if they were worth it, but they TOTALLY are. I'm very picky with leggings and wouldn't go for a dupe on these. They are high waisted and not see through.

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Next up is this Henley which I LOVE. It can be dressed up or down and fits so well. TTS.

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So this quilted Patagonia is actually not in the Nordstrom sale but I used my first order discount at Back Country and it took the price down 20%. I LOVE this sweater and had wanted one so bad but never wanted to pay full price. It fits TTS.

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I love a good cardigan for fall and I didn't have a cream colored one. This one is just the right thickness (and cozy) and long enough for leggings. Fits TTS. Old Navy has a cardigan that is almost the exact same. The lace tank and jeans are Abercrombie.

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This is my favorite top, by far! You can dress it up or down and it's a great work shirt too. I love a good, basic black shirt. TTS. I love the snakeskin boot trend so I ordered a few to try them out. These are the highest heel and considerably more dressy. TTS.

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More snakeskin boots and me trying to navigate this try on around a toddler (LOL). These are a little bit lower of a heel and have the cute cut outs on the sides. I would say these are a little less dressy than the first pair. This sweater is another lightweight option that's good for the transition from summer to fall. It fits SO well and is very flattering and soft. Both TTS.

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This Patagonia is part of the Nordstrom sale but I actually don't love the fit. The bottom part of the sweater doesn't sit well. It is for sure TTS and a little warmer than the quilted one. Back Country has many more colors available. However, THESE BOOTS are my most favorite purchase ever. I really wanted the snakeskin pair as well but they sold out right away. However, Steve Madden dropped the perfect dupe for pre-order. They are great with jeans and shorts. Best purchase and great quality. TTS.

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Lastly, are these sunglasses, my second favorite item. They remind me of my favorite movie, Casino. I also linked a really cute bangle that is on great sale. And can't forget miss Mia checking herself out in the mirror.

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Happy Shopping!