Favorite Things 2018

It's been WAY too long since I posted a favorites thing post - so I've been working hard for the past two days to get this new one up, just in time for you to forward it to all of the people who will be showering you with gifts this Christmas😜
Enjoy!!

1. Shine Makeup Removing Cloths (Use code "HOFS10" for 10% off! Plus free shipping the entire month of December!)

These are magical, and they've saved me from using twice as much cleanser! (that's money in the BANK!) I used to wash my face 2 times every night. Once to get the makeup off, and then another time to REALLY get the makeup off and to actually let all the good skincare properties that my cleanser offered, work into my skin. Now?... I just wet one of these reusable makeup cloths in warm water, wipe it across my face, and the makeup literally melts away!!! I was shocked. It got off my super long-wear lipsticks, waterproof bottom lash mascara, and ALL my full coverage makeup. This is my new, absolute favorite, sensitive skin, non-chemical, eco-friendly skincare find of the year. And you better believe I have my tweens using them too. Because even if they're too lazy to wash, tone and lotion up... at least they can wipe all their makeup off at the end of the day to help alleviate breakouts! 

2. Shine Fiber Brow (Use code "HOFS10" for 10% off + free shipping!)- I've talked about this product a LOT on Instagram, because it's my must-have brow finishing gel. I use it alone when I'm going for a tamed, yet natural brow look. And on top of any other brow pencils or powders when I'm wanting everything to look a tad more dramatic or defined. Either way, this product leaves you with beautiful filled brows that STAY in place all day. 

3. Shine Long Wear Eyeliner (Use code "HOFS10" for 10% off + free shipping!)- My go-to, buttery soft eyeliner that actually stays put in my waterline.

4. Tightline Waterproof Black Mascara Primer - An everyday makeup essential that works wonders on my thin, (basically non-existent) bottom lashes. The formula is waterproof, and the applicator is teeny-tiny, so you can really get to those individual bottom lashes, without making a mess on your skin with those other bulky mascara wands. 

5. MAC Fix+ Spray - The perfect skin refresher and powdery makeup melter. I use this spray after all of my powders are on my face, to help "melt" everything beautifully together so that I have a more skin-like finish, instead of a cakey, powdery mess! It works WONDERS and smells AWESOME.

6. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - My holy grail makeup setting spray. If you wear makeup, you NEED a makeup setting spray. A spray of this on your face after ALL of your makeup is on, seals EVERYTHING into place and helps your look you worked so hard on, last ALL DAY.  

7. MaryKay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover (free shipping on orders over $25) - I have THEE most sensitive eyes, and I could honestly squirt this stuff directly into my eye, and it wouldn't irritate it. (I don't recommend that... I'm just sayin'). If you have itchy, dry or sensitive skin around your eyes - THIS is the makeup remover for you. It's contact wearer friendly, it doesn't leave a gross oily residue behind, and it gets EVERYTHING off! Just soak a cotton pad with a little solution, hold it over your closed eye for a few seconds, and you can swipe away any kind of pesky makeup. I especially love this product for my waterline eyeliner. Because I can get all up in my eye with this solution, and never have a problem with stinging.

8. MaryKay Satin Hands Set - This makes an awesome gift, and it works perfectly on dry hands. The trio includes a super hydrating emollient cream, a gentle scrub and a rich finishing lotion. 

9. MaryKay Satin Lips Duo - It's like the Satin Hands, but for you LIPS! I searched high and low a few months ago for the perfect lip scrub, that didn't feel like sandpaper. THIS is it. It's super fine and gentle on my lips, but totally does the job of scrubbing off any dry skin. Then the thick, creamy lip balm after?... SO GOOD. I use the scrub once a week and keep the lip balm in my purse. 

10. Dose of Color Matte Lipstick - No crumbly, dry lips here. Just really beautiful, soft matte lip color that does a pretty great job in the long-wear department too. They have really great muted, neutral tones as well. 

11. BoxyCharm Beauty Subscription Box - My one and only beauty subscription box (so far) that I think is worth the money; and I'm LOVING it. Full sized items with a complete rundown of what they are and how they work best.

12. Ulta Gift Card - Always a good gift to ask for, or give!!! Satisfaction guaranteed! 

Self-Care, Microneedling + Before & Afters

This past year I've been focusing a lot on self-care. I made a list of things that I could do for myself that would help me feel better emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. Some are really small and simple, and others are bigger things that will take........ maybe a lifetime to achieve and master. 

I liked this definition of self-care the best:

"Self-care is any activity or act that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others. Self-care is something that refuels us, rather than takes from us."

I've noticed that when I allow myself specific time to focus on JUST me, and improving something about myself... it's easier to then concentrate on other things and/or people afterward. Think about your insecurities. Just the word alone... "IN-securities" promotes a secluded, alone type feeling to me. Think about how long and often you dwell on your insecurities during a given day, and obsess over them. 

When we're only focused INward, we don't take the time to serve/help others, or even enjoy the little things in life... that lead to the big things.

Insecurities = Selfishness

Selfishness = Seclusion

Now think about if you were to actually allot time for yourself to hyper focus in on one of those insecurities - with the intent to improve and repair. THAT'S where for ME, self-care starts. 

When I allow myself specific time to hone in on improving the parts of me that I feel insecure about, for the sole purpose to eventually NOT have to stress or worry about it as much anymore. 

Self-Care = Healing/Recharging

Healing = Happiness

Story Time:

I worshiped the sun as a teenager and 20-something year old. I would literally sunbathe for hours, and paid little to no attention to whether or not I had the right type of skincare or sun protection in my routine and arsenal. I've been overweight my entire life, and frankly... I just knew that tan chub looked better than white, pasty chub😝... so I always wanted to have nice, golden-brown skin!  

(let's go ahead and mention that GOOD self-tanning lotions weren't really a "thing" back then).

Fast forward 10-15 years later, and boy, am I regretting not properly protecting my skin... especially my face - because an army of age and sun spots were now the outcome at age 36. Couple that with a sudden divorce, now being alone and the stress of single motherhood?... and well... looking haggard and tired beyond my years was an understatement (in my opinion). 

That all being said... I LOATHED going out in public without makeup, and it made me incredibly self conscious - but nobody wants to wear makeup to the gym or pool!

Around age 32 I really started looking into good creams, brightening serums and treatments that could help me improve my skins tone and texture. After a couple of years, I noticed small differences, but not the kind of result I was hoping for - and last year I decided that I'd probably need to ask Heather from Aqua Spa (my esthetician for the past 6+ years) what kind of more extensive, professional procedure-type-options were available for me.

She suggested I do a series of microneedling treatments and chemical peels to help with not only evening out my skins tone, but texture as well - because I have scarring from cystic acne and am also needing to boost the collagen in my skin to help with the beginning signs of wrinkles. 

I knew this commitment wasn't a one-time quick fix... SPOILER ALERT: most of my bigger "self-care" undertakings aren't. But I was hopeful, so I decided to dedicate myself to 6 microneedling procedures to really get the best results.

As of this week, I just finished session #5... and I have to honestly tell you, I've been so happy with the results!!! 

Below is a before and after of my skin after 3 microneedling treatments.

Hydrating Concealers with Awesome Coverage!

As a dry skin sufferer, I think I've realized that mostly anything in the makeup world that states that it's "illuminating" or "hydrating" tends to really mean... "I'm gonna look and feel awesome when you initially put me on, but then after a little while I'll probably crease, wear off or break up in weird patches wherever you applied me." uggggh.

So, I've decided that you can't trust what the bottle or tube says and to just give almost everything a go! And out of all of my concealer testing, (most claiming to be matte) that these are my current favorite, more hydrating formulas for my super dry, sensitive, acne prone skin - #1 being my favorite for it's formula and cost.

That being said, I think a few of these would work amazingly on all skin types! I'd LOVE to hear your favorite concealer suggestions for dry, oily OR combination skin, in the comments below. That way everyone can get an idea of what works for others - since I'm only one of many different skin tones, textures and finishes.😊

Chafing Cream on Yo' Face!? - YUP!

I promise you I haven't gone crazy, and if you're like my friend Liz then I also need to say... no, this isn't a joke. lol.

You read it right. I am 100% recommending that you put crotch cream on yo' face.

Okay, it's not REALLY crotch cream, but it's from Monistat, and you know when you hear that brand the first thing you think of is anything that has to do with issues going on down in your lady town.

So even though this chafing relief powder gel can really go anywhere on your body to prevent rashes or irritation from daily skin friction... it still screams "crotch cream" to me😬 

Okay, good, we're on the same page - so let me blow your mind by telling you that this Monistat Chafing Powder Gel is now here to replace my favorite (expensive) Smashbox face primer, FOREVER.

Here's why...

Long Lasting Drugstore Lipstick I Love!

In a sea of LipSense (which is so great, but doesn't really work well with my skin), I'm just a makeup-lovin' girl trying to find a really awesome, non-drying, non-crumbly, long-lasting lipstick! There are TONS of options, and I've tried lots, so I'll keep you posted on which ones I find along the way that I love (and ones I don't).

Recently I've had lots of questions specifically about the Super Stay Matte Ink from Maybelline that I tested out and chatted about a few weeks ago on my Insta stories. So I wanted to share my thoughts and some color swatches with you!

First off, there are 10 colors in this line, so not a huge range...

But the 4 below that I've purchased and tried are all REALLY pretty!

Pro's:

- I LOVE how saturated the colors are. You don't need a ton of coats for great coverage. 

- The applicator tip is nice and pointed, so it's a lot easier to get a crisp outer edge on your lip line.

- It's not SO matte that it dries out your lips.

- There is no dry crumbly mess as the color wears throughout the day.

- It lasts a LONG time!

Everything Colourpop! - because affordable, good quality makeup...duh!

It's done! I did it! A complete guild to Colourpop Cosmetics! What you guys on insta-stories have been asking for over and over again - see!? I deliver!

Okay, before we get into the "nitty-gritty" (name that movie), I want to chat super quick about a couple of things. Especially for those of you who are wondering what the heck Colourpop even is. lol

1. The TOP reason I love Colourpop so much, is because it's crazy affordable, and the quality of the makeup is actually really good! I LOVE makeup, but I hate that it can cost you an arm and a leg to try something new. This is NOT the case here. 

2. There is always FREE SHIPPING on orders over $30.

3. Colourpop is constantly launching new products, and they almost ALWAYS have deals or fun, limited time products being introduced. PLUS, you can sign up for their newsletters and get a $5 off coupon code.

4. Colourpop has always only been online, until recently when they announced they were coming to Sephora. I still feel like they'll have a better selection online, so I'd say that's your best bet.

5. If you're not already, follow Colourpop on Instagram. They always have live swatches of their products so you can get a better idea of what everything looks like, and you'll be one of the first to know when new things hit the shop.

5. This has nothing to do with Colourpop... but you guys... PLEASE go out of your comfort zone and try new makeup. I stuck with the same blush, mascara, mauve lipstick and brown shadow for over 6 years, and trying new colors and trends has totally boosted my confidence and makes getting ready FUN! I realize this won't be the case for everyone, but you DESERVE $30 worth of makeup you want to try... JUST because! 

I had (and still have) no idea what the crap I'm doing with half of my makeup, but it's been fun to figure it out and see what looks good and what doesn't. So take the leap ladies!

Ooookay, here we go!

The coulourpop concealer is definitely a competitor in the "awesome coverage" realm. It does what it says. Crease proof, full coverage and blendable. For $6, it's definitely worth the try!

One thing to note with these... they oxidize on the skin after a few seconds. Meaning, they go darker than what you see in the tube and apply. Once the warmth of your skin reacts with the concealer, it darkens. So I advise you go a shade lighter than you think!

Colourpop Concealers I bought:

Light 20 (probably could of stood to do the 15)

Medium 30 - for when I was tanner.

Smooth Summer Legs Favorites!

Hey... it may seem simple and silly, but soft legs are are a MUST in the summer, so I wanted to share my favorites for getting silky smooth skin. 

The Razor:

I've tried 'em all, trust me. The Costco specials, the disposable cheap-o's, the "gonna make you the softest woman in all the land" razor, with an inch thick weird clump of lotion stuff around the edges. blehhh. And I keep coming back to this BiC Flex 5 Hybrid. I think I like more than anything how it feels in my hand, and the razor seems to last me quite a bit longer than some others.  

The Shaving Cream:

I'm OBSESSED with this Cremo Coconut Mango shave cream. It smells AMAZING, and makes my skin feel like butter! It's a bit different than you'd think. It doesn't lather, and it's not sudsy. Hmm... it's hard to compare it to anything else... so... just try it, I'm thinking you'll love it just as much as I do!! lol!

My Flawless Face Foundation Must Haves!

I've been talking a TON about beauty products I LOVE on Instagram stories, and so like I promised to all of you there who wanted and needed more permanent links to reference, I'm sharing my flawless-face foundation faves here!
They are basically my go-to products that have helped me disguise my active adult acne, previous acne scars and even those stupid age spots😁. Who knew being in your 30's would be soooo glamorous! ugh lol

So here we go! I've listed each product, why I use it and an amazon link to purchase it (amazon prime users UNITE! lol) OR you can get all of these at Ulta, if you'd rather just walk in and buy them!

The BEST Liquid Eyeliner!

Straight across, winged, top, bottom or both... the perfect, waterproof, long-lasting liquid eyeliner is a MUST! And yet, the words "liquid" and "eyeliner" in one sentence, used to leave me more like...

😳 No, but for real. 

I was using a foam tipped applicator, with this little pot that you dip it in.... ugh, it was a mess. I totally gave up. BUT then I came across THIS miracle product a few years ago, and it's the BEST!