Yearly Archives

2022

Home / Interiors

Beauty Organization Solutions + Favorites

January 19, 2022

Amazon Beauty Organizer Review Beauty Lookbook

Continuing my home features with a roundup of some of my organization and storage favorites! As a beauty blogger I go through a lot of product testing and keeping everything organized is quite the challenge! I keep the vast majority of products in a beauty closet in Ikea Alex drawers and shelves with clear storage bins. I also have storage in my bathroom.

There are staples and things I use frequently that I like to have quick and easy access to. Being able to see things displayed also helps me find things faster when I’m pulling things for a makeup look, tutorial or comparisons (versus having things stored in a drawer). If you’re looking for some ideas on how to display or store your products, I’m rounding up storage solutions I love.

Rotating Beauty Tower

Amazon Beauty Organizer Review Beauty Lookbook

I ordered one of the Rotating Makeup Organizers on Amazon. There are tons of options from a wide range of brands and I picked up this one. It comes flat packed and is super easy to assemble. Quality is decent for the price, but it’s not the most sturdy or thick compared to the pricey acrylic organizers. This one has adjustable insert shelves for each side and also comes with small locking rings to hold the shelves in place. It holds a lot of product although I wouldn’t put super heavy things on the shelves. I like it! It’s functional, very affordable and lightweight.

Spinning Acrylic Lipstick Tower

Lipstick Makeup Storage Ideas

I have a ton of lipsticks stored in these 24-Lipstick Acrylic Organizers in drawers but I found Impressions Vanity Lipstick and Powder Spinner with Drawers more functional. Sold out at Impressions Vanity but still available at Wayfair ($89.99). It’s more expensive than what you’ll find at Amazon but the quality is really good and I think all their acrylic organizers are well made and worth it. This one has holders on the side for pencils or brushes. It also has horizontal slots for compacts (which I use for more lipsticks) and also drawers.

Ikea Godmorgon Box

Best Makeup to Splurge on during the Sephora Sale

I purchased the Ikea Godmorgon Box with Compartments a few years ago and love it. Mine is the clear version which is no longer available but they still carry it in a clear smoked color. I love the quality – it has held up a lot better than I anticipated! I like that the compartments are removable. I like their other products in the Godmorgon lineup too.

Ikea Godmorgon Storage Box

Ikea Godmorgon Storage Box

Snapware Snap and Stack

Snapware Snap 'N Stack Portable Organizer

My little Olive and June box for storing hand and nail essentials has been a tried and true for a long time but I’ve found I needed something bigger. I saw this Snapware box on @overglowedit’s highlights and ordered it immediately! The box comes in a few size options. Mine is the 2 tier Snapware Snap and Stack Portable Organizer (14.1 x 10.5 inches size) and I absolutely love it. I put in a few iDesign Shallow Organizers inside to separate products (I also use these in my bathroom drawers and Ikea drawers).

I keep my hand and nail essentials and tools here like my clippers, cuticle pusher, cuticle trimmers, nail oils, favorite base and top coats etc. All of my nail polishes are stored in my beauty closet but I keep the basics in these snap boxes for easy access since I switch my polish a lot with testing etc.

Snapware Snap 'N Stack Portable Organizer

Snapware Snap 'N Stack Portable Organizer

Plastic Hinged Lid Containers

mDesign Plastic Storage Boxes

I ordered a few mDesign Plastic Storage Boxes (they come in a few size options and in different colors). I like storing my lash curlers, perfume samples, beauty sponges and small things inside to keep them dust-free. These come in a set of 2 and I like that they’re stackable too. I ordered some of the larger ones for Andrew’s grooming products to store under his bathroom sink.

Acrylic Tiered Stand

This riser display stand is another Amazon find I’ve featured before. I like this functional tiered stand which helps me see product like perfume (or foundations) easier on my shelf. I have the smaller version.

Perfume Storage Ideas

Tiered Acrylic Stand Amazon

Marble Acrylic Storage

Still loving this Marble + Acrylic Storage Unit from CB2! Including it in the roundup in case you missed it! Several of you have messaged me you purchased this too and love it! I’m thrilled!

Jewelry Storage

Kendra Scott T Bar Jewelry Stand and Mejuri Jewelry Box

Last mention is a couple of jewelry storage solutions I have. I get so many questions about these brass T-Bar stands. These are from Kendra Scott in the Large and Small size. They’re perfect for hanging necklaces so they don’t get tangled. Also available in silver and rose gold colors. I’m really happy with the quality.

I’ve received a few questions about how I travel with jewelry and store it at home. I bought the Mejuri Travel Case about a year ago and had my initials embossed on the surface. It’s a delicate kind of leather they describe as grained but it has a smooth touch/feel to me. I’ve only traveled with it once and it worked well for my earrings and rings but necklaces became a tangled mess. It’s still functional and I like the quality. Since the leather is on the softer side I do see it getting scratched if it’s thrown into a luggage bag or suitcase.

I also ordered the Jewelry Box to organize my jewelry and just received it in the mail. I’m still in the process of organizing my earrings and other pieces of jewelry. I think it’s a beautiful case! You can also have this monogrammed/embossed with up to 3 letters. I have the larger size (also available in black leather).

One last note is that I still really love the heavy duty acrylic organizers I’ve purchased in the past from Muji, Original Beauty Box and Glamboxes. It seems like several of the acrylic storage makers and brands are no longer around though. I had a feature of some units in our Home Loft Tour from several years ago when we lived in San Diego in case you’re curious.

Beauty Organization Solutions + Favorites

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten

So many of you seem to love these organization posts. I plan on doing more in the future! What are your favorite ways to organize your beauty products?

Shop the Post

 

 

Hauls Sephora

New Year Makeup Refresh

January 14, 2022

New Year Makeup Haul Sephora

New spring beauty launches have started to trickle in and I am always so excited to see what the new year brings us! I hauled quite a few of the new launches to try out and have a Sephora makeup haul to share with you today. If you’re a Beauty Insider you have early access to a lot of the beauty launches. I also love the rewards and perks they offer for events and savings! If you’re not a Sephora Beauty Insider yet I highly recommend signing up.

I hauled a little bit of everything for eyes, lips, cheeks and complexion. Here is what I’ve been testing out the past few weeks!

Sephora Haul Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Rare Beauty, Natasha Denona

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation 6 Neutral

Charlotte Tilbury just launched her new Beautiful Skin Foundation ($44) and it is beautiful! It’s a medium coverage liquid base with a natural glow. It has a smooth semi-dewy finish that looks like my skin but better. It evens out my skin and lasts all day (truly impressive). My match is 6 Neutral right now and I love it.

NARS Afterglow

NARS Afterglow Cheek Palette and Afterglow Lip Shine

NARS launched their Afterglow Collection for spring with a new cheek palette and glosses. The Afterglow Blush Palette ($59) has gorgeous colors to bring life to the complexion. There is one pale pink highlighter and five blushes. Pigment is excellent and buildable. I’m always a little timid when it comes to super bold bright shades for the cheeks but their Exhibit A blush makes for a really stunning flush.

NARS Afterglow Blush Palette Makeup Look

Above wearing the Afterglow Cheek Palette with a mix of Breathless (highlighter), Savage and Exhibit A blended together and the new Lover to Lover Afterglow Lip Shine. Swatches below:

NARS Afterglow Blush Palette swatches

They also added new shades to their Afterglow Lip Shine Lip Gloss lineup ($26 each). These are some of the smoothest glosses I’ve tried with a comfortable finish and mirror-like shine. I love the hydrating formula and the colors are stunning. Swatches of all the new shades below and another look wearing the Afterglow Lipshine in Orgasm which is a pretty pink gold peach shimmer.

NARS Afterglow Lip Shine Lip Gloss swatches

Afterglow Lip Shine in Orgasm below

NARS Afterglow Cheek Palette + Lip Shine in Orgasm makeup look

New Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona Mini Biba Eyeshadow Palette and Mini Rose Cheek Duo review

Natasha Denona always brings us the prettiest palettes and highlighters! I hauled her Mini Biba Palette ($25) which has the perfect mix of colors for a complete eye look. She also launched a Mini Rose Cheek Duo ($19) with a cream rose blush and soft highlighter. I love the texture and colors. Everything is perfect for an elevated everyday kind of look.

Natasha Denona Mini Biba Eyeshadow Palette and Mini Rose Cheek Duo swatches

Below wearing the Natasha Denona Mini Biba Eyeshadow Palette, Rose Cheek Duo and Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick in Brielle.

Natasha Denona Mini Biba Eyeshadow Palette and Mini Rose Cheek Duo Makeup Look

Makeup By Mario

Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick and Sculpting Lip Pencil Haul Picks

I hauled a few Makeup by Mario lip products over the holiday and think there are some winners! The Ultra Suede Lipstick ($24) in Brielle is one of my favorites for a pretty mauve pink shade. These have a nice a velvety matte finish and long lasting power. Coverage is smooth with a diffused kind of look.

Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick in Brielle

The Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencils ($22) are also really good! They’re smooth, pigmented and come in a wide range of shades. I picked three in Daniel (spiced brown), Hugh (nude pink) and Johnny (rose pink) and think they are super wearable alone or with a coordinating lipstick.

Rare Beauty

I’ve been impressed with everything I’ve tried from Rare Beauty and have fallen in love with the Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes ($20). I like that they have both dewy and matte finishes. I love Happy for a bright healthy pink. Hope is a pretty everyday kind of neutral. Encourage is a pretty deeper rose mauve. They are super pigmented so a little goes a long way. They’re easy to blend and have pretty good lasting power.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes Happy, Hope and Embrace

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes Happy, Hope and Embrace swatches

New Kosas

Kosas launched their new 10-Second Eye Gel Watercolor Eyeshadow ($15) which replaced their liquid formula. I think the new one is a huge improvement in wear and ease of application. I ordered all the shades sight unseen and think every single one is wearable for an all over wash as a one-and-done kind of eyeshadow. I love them layered/mixed especially Heat and Blaze. Lasting power is really good with these. Once they set they don’t budge.

Kosas NEW 10-Second Eye Gel Watercolor Eyeshadow

Kosas NEW 10-Second Eye Gel Watercolor Eyeshadow swatches

New at Sephora

YSL Lash Clash, Dior Lip Maximizer Serum and Chloe Naturelle Mini

Last three things I wanted to share from my haul are from YSL, Dior and Chloe. I think the new YSL Lash Clash Extreme Mascara ($29) is the best one they’ve launched to date. It’s volumizing, ultra dark in pigment, doesn’t flake and doesn’t smudge. It’s a winner for me!

Dior launched a new Lip Maximizer Serum Intense and I love it. It has a completely different texture and finish compared to their Lip Maximizers. The new Lip Maximizer Serum has a serum feel, like a face serum, but for the lips! It has a vanilla mint kind of scent, no tingle on me, and coats the lips with a veil of moisture.

It might be a little early for spring fragrances but I spritzed the new Chloe Naturelle Eau de Parfum and fell in love with it. I decided to buy the mini size to try it out. It’s fresh and green, similar to the original Chloe perfume, but with a fresh clean vibe.

Sephora Spring Makeup Haul NARS, Natasha Denona, YSL, Charlotte Tilbury

That wraps up my spring beauty haul from Sephora! Hope you found the swatches helpful! Have you hauled any new items yet? Let me know what you’ve been testing out!

Shop the Post

 

 

Sponsored by Sephora.

Beauty Favorites Nordstrom Skincare

Self-Care Beauty Favorites to Relax and Unwind

January 12, 2022

Self Care Beauty Favorites from Nordstrom

Sharing a few of my self-care favorites in my weekly routine to help me relax and unwind! For me the best kind of relaxing self-care treat is to take a nice long bath with a good candle, bath soak or scrub and a luxury face mask. I also love a good body cream or oil to hydrate the skin. I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share some of my go-to’s along with some new discoveries that launched recently for the new year!

Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Shower Gel and Bubble Bath Candle

I love fresh clean scents for the bath and if you’re a fan of clean powder linen scents then I recommend checking out the Replica Lazy Sunday Morning scent which now comes in a Shower Gel format. The Replica Bubble Bath Candle is another new favorite. It has a soft powdery floral kind of vibe that’s super relaxing for the bath.

Diptyque Chamomille Candle

You girls know I’m the biggest fan of Diptyque and their candles are my favorites. Some new scents for spring launched with a beautiful pattern design on the outside. Chamomille is one I picked up recently and thought it would be perfect for an evening relaxing scent. It has a green floral kind of vibe and I love it. Other new ones with the limited-edition design include Roses and Litchi – all of which I think are stunning!

Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Soak + Ouai Scrub

For the bath I love a good bath soak and scrub. The Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Soak is one of my favorites for a skin-softening soothing treat. It’s pricey but one I have repurchased many times and love.

Another tried and true is the Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub. It has sugar crystals and is scented in in a sweet kind of scent. You can use this on the scalp and body, but I mainly use it on the body for a luxurious body exfoliator.

Best Self Care Body Treatments Necessaire, La Mer, Sisley

For body treatments the best of the best I’ve tried is the Sisley Velvet Nourishing Body Cream with Saffron Flowers. It has the best texture and feel for my skin and doesn’t have a sticky feel so I can wear it to bed comfortably without sticking to the sheets!

Sisley Velvet Nourishing Body Cream

I’ve loved La Mer and have been rationing my Body Creme samples and minis that I have. It’s one of the most luxurious body creams I’ve tried and I noticed they recently launched it in a Body Creme Tube (6.7 oz) so I splurged and couldn’t be happier. It has an ultra rich smooth texture and I think it’s 100% worth the splurge. It’s also available in the Body Creme Jar 10 oz size and Reparative Lotion 5.4 oz format.

Self-Care Body Treatments Necessaire, Sisley, La Mer, Kopari

A few other more affordable body treatments I really like include the Necessaire Body Oil (super thick and emollient, unscented), Necessaire Body Lotion (also unscented and lightweight) and the Kopari Ultra Restore Body Butter (sweet coconut scented but thick and lush).

Hand Creams Replica, L'Occitane, Diptyque

I’ve tried a few newer hand creams recently. I love the purse-size Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Hand Cream which is heavily scented in the powdery clean scent.

For those with dry hands I think L’Occitane makes the best formula to make a huge difference in skin texture and hydration. I am never without one of the smaller tubes (love these in their Hand Cream Trio). I bought the newest Youth Hand Cream Serum-in-Cream with their Immortelle Flower blend. It’s a really beautiful formula with a silky smooth texture. Smells just like their Immortelle skincare line.

If you love Diptyque perfumes they have a number of hand creams in their best selling scents. I love the Do Son Hand Cream for a unique mix of tuberose, orange blossom and jasmine.

Best Rose Face Masks Fresh and Sisley

Last but not least I love a good hydrating face mask to calm the skin and finish off my self care routine at night. I love rose face masks for their soothing properties and my two go-to’s for glowing skin are the Fresh Rose Face Mask (nice for a weekly pick me up) and Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask (splurge).

New Year Self Care Favorites from Nordstrom

That wraps up my self care favorites from Nordstrom! Would love to hear about your favorites right now. Do you have any self-care rituals to help you relax and unwind?

Shop the Post

 

 

Sponsored by Nordstrom. As always all opinions are my own. All products featured purchased by me.

Beauty Favorites Skincare

New Year Skincare Refresh Favorites from Kiehl’s

January 7, 2022

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Review

I’m excited to share some of my skincare favorites from Kiehl’s today! I have used and loved so many things from Kiehl’s over the years. They have a lot of great everyday staples for a wide range of skin types and needs. (Andrew also uses a lot from the men’s line!) I’ve partnered with them to highlight some of my favorites. If you’re looking for some things to refresh your winter skincare routine, I hope you find this roundup helpful!

Ultra Facial Cream

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Review

The Ultra Facial Cream has been a go-to staple for a great everyday lightweight moisturizer. It’s one of their best sellers suitable for all skin types. It has a lightweight feel, absorbs nicely into the skin, and has a mix of Squalane and Glycerin to restore and retain moisture to the skin. I love that it’s smooth and balancing. A little goes a long way.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Review

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Review

Cleanser

I have quite a few other things from Kiehl’s in my skincare routine. I tend to rotate skincare as the seasons change but I have several staples I use regularly. Their Ultra Facial Cleanser is a favorite of mine for it’s thick texture. It’s great to remove excess oil, dirt, makeup and even sunscreen. I love that it’s effective at cleansing but doesn’t strip the skin.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

Toner

Kiehl’s has a lot of great toners too! One I’ve been loving lately is the Milk-Peel Gentle Exfoliating Toner. I like this one because it has salicylic acid and a mixture of other ingredients to gently resurface, soften and brighten skin.

Kiehl's Milk-Peel Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Night Time

For night time treatments I love the Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum. It’s one of the few retinol products my skin can handle. It works well to keep my skin smooth and helps reduce wrinkles over time. The Micro-Dose technology allows for positive anti-aging results without harsh side effects.

Kiehl's Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum

Detox Mask

One last favorite I want to highlight is the Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Cleansing Clay Mask. I love this to give the skin a detox cleanse once a week and this is one of my favorite masks to do just that. It helps reduce clogged pores and blackheads. I’ll use it as a spot treatment on trouble areas. Leave it on for around 10 minutes and rinse. Skin feels a lot smoother, tighter and pore size is reduced.

Kiehl's Skincare Favorites

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Review

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Review

That wraps up my Top 5 Kiehl’s favorites in my routine right now! You can find all the items available online at Kiehl’s.

Shop the Post

 

 

Sponsored by Kiehl’s.

Chanel

Chanel Spring-Summer 2022 Makeup Collection

January 3, 2022

Chanel Spring-Summer 2022 Makeup Collection Review

Chanel Spring-Summer 2022 has arrived and I’m thrilled to share a look at the entire collection with you! The color palette is beautiful and fresh with wearable colors. I really love all the pieces and you can find the collection available now online at Chanel.com. Items and new colors are available on each product page.

Blush Lumiere + Baume Essentiel

There are new colors for cheeks called Blush Lumiere ($70 each) in two shades Peche Rosee and Brun Roussi. These are soft powder blushes with a unique texture. It’s a soft smooth texture. I initially thought they were bouncy, but after some thought, I don’t think “bouncy” is the right word. They’re soft powders with a buildable texture. Shimmer is very subtle in these for a subtle glow. Each powder is embossed with a pattern that mimics rays of light.

Chanel Spring Summer 2022 Blush Lumiere and Baume Essentiel

Peche Rosee is a coral with gold shimmer and Brun Roussi is a darker brownish shade. Both are medium in pigment level but easy to sheer out or layer. For skintone reference I’m in the Chanel B40 / MAC NC35 range but I’m on the lighter side as I’ve lost my tan right now.

Left: Peche Rosee / Right: Brun Roussi

Chanel Blush Lumiere Peche Rosee and Brun Roussi

Spring brings a new Baume Essentiel ($45) in Ensoleille. I know a lot of you love these dewy like balm sticks for a glow on the cheeks or lips. Ensoleille is a sheer peachy pink glow. The effect is similar to that of the other Baume Essentiels – sheer, dewy, adds just a hint of color, but overall more on the transparent side.

Chanel Baume Essentiel Ensoleille

Chanel Spring Summer 2022 Blush Swatches

Les 4 Ombres + Ombre Premiere Laque

Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Mediterraneen

The eye colors this season are right up my alley! The overall tone is neutral, luminous, bright and golden. The Les 4 Ombres ($65) in Mediterraneen 747 has four shimmers in champagne, soft gold, sandy bronze and soft taupe. Colors are all sparkly and work on my skin tone as a soft all over ombre wash of color. I initially thought this was going to look like Tom Ford Nude Dip but a side by side swatch shows that Chanel Mediterraneen is warmer with a more luminous quality while Tom Ford’s pulls a bit more frosty/metallic.

Ombre Premiere Laque ($36) in Lumiere 46 is a pretty gold shimmer. On the lids blended it gives a soft pale gold sparkle veil. You can layer for more pigment/color. Once it sets it stays put.

Chanel Ombre Premiere Laque in Lumiere

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Mediterraneen and Ombre Premier Laque Lumiere

New Lip Balms

Chanel launched a new lip balm called the Rouge Coco Baume ($42). These are called the Hydrating Beautifying Tinted Lip Balm Buildable Color. They are hydrating with an almost waxy feel (but it’s comfortable). It’s not as emollient as the Rouge Coco Flash and not quite as creamy as the Rouge Coco Blooms. It has a smooth feel without the slip.

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Spring-Summer 2022

Colors are sheer but buildable with pretty good coverage (except the white one which is clear). All of the tinted ones showed up on my lips with a few swipes. Lasting power is about what you would expect for a tinted balm. Not super long lasting but they don’t disappear quickly. I swatched all of them except 912 Dreamy White because it appears clear on my lips.

914 Natural Charm is a brown nude, 916 Flirty Coral is a sheer coral, 918 My Rose is a medium bright pink, 920 In Love is a reddish pink, 922 Passion Pink blue-based bright pink, 924 Fall for Me is a plum. There’s no detectable fragrance or scent on these lip balms.

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume swatches Spring-Summer 2022

Below 914, 916, 918 and 920 lip balms are worn with the Peche Rosee Blush. 922 and 924 are worn with Brun Roussi. Also wearing the Mediterraneen Les-4-Ombres on the eyes in all the photos.

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume 914 Natural Charm

 

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume 916 Flirty Coral

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume 918 My Rose

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume 920 In Love

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume 922 Passion Pink

Chanel Rouge Coco Baume 924 Fall For Me

Spring Nail Colors

Chanel Spring-Summer 2022 Le Vernis Riviera and Terra Rossa

Last we have a look at two new Le Vernis ($30) colors in Terra Rossa 917 (neutral warm brown pink) and Riviera 915 (fun pale yellow). Both are creams with smooth opaque coverage. I applied 2 coats for each one. Terra Rossa appears warm and more true to bottle with one coat. With the second coat the color darkens on my complexion. I think Riviera is a really fun color for spring-to-summer.

Chanel Spring-Summer 2022 Le Vernis Riviera and Terra Rossa swatches

Overall lots to love with this collection. I love every single piece and all the colors. If you have any of the other pink-toned Baume Essentiels I think you can skip the one in this collection as it will have a similar effect.

Are you checking out anything from this collection? What do you have your eye on?

Available now at Chanel.com and Chanel counters.

Spring-Summer 2022 collection provided for review.