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! 

I Found It for You - the Best Pest Control Company!

Spiders, mice, snails... and pretty much any other creepy, crawly or furry critter - is a big NO NO in my book. ESPECIALLY when they're IN my house.

I legitimately have anxiety about seeing a mouse in my house, and LOATH killing spiders.
Even though I'm trying SO HARD to be brave about it now as a single-parent (aka: the only resident critter killer in this house, because my girls won't do it)... I still, may or may not have made the neighbor boy come over a handful of times to kill the bugs for me that are bigger than a pencil eraser.
😬
That being said, I've only hired out pest control once before, and let's just say I wasn't impressed -  BUT, as a newly single parent, solo critter killer and homeowner... I decided that I needed to ACTUALLY have someone come preemptively take care of things for me (mostly so I didn't have to bug the poor neighbor kid so often).
Enter Moxie Pest Control!!
(pssst... mention just seeing this, and they'll give you $100 off) 🙌

I met the cute husband and wife duo who run Moxie here in Utah at an event I was attending, and LOVED them immediately. They were so nice, honest about what they could help me with, and promised me the best customer service and pest control treatments EVER.
(plus I found out, they have more 5 star reviews than any other pest control company in Utah)
🙋- sign me up!

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.