Happy Wednesday! Sharing an updated self-care roundup today with some favorites to unwind and relax at the end of the day. I’m still in that new year reset and refresh mindset. It’s super dry this time of year and my lips and hands definitely feel it! Here are some things I’ve been loving lately from Nordstrom for my nightly beauty ritual.
I just restocked one of my favorite body washes which is the Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser. It’s been a staple for as long as I can remember. It’s a citrus mix of mandarin rind, bergamot and geranium leaf – all of my favorites. Definitely unisex (Andrew loves it too).
The Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub is also great but right now I’m loving the Kate Somerville Exfolikate Body Scrub. It’s a great one to smooth and brighten the skin. Helps get rid of dead skin and even though it has a mix of physical and chemical exfoliants it doesn’t dry out the skin. I use it 1-2x per week.
For the ultimate relaxing scent I think the Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Candle is one of the best to create an at-home spa like vibe. It’s one of the most potent candle scents I’ve ever burned. I also love the Lime Basil & Mandarin Room Spray which is really nice to layer with the candle.
For lip balms I have three go-to’s right now for clear lip treatments. I keep these in my nightstand and apply right before I go to sleep. The Too Faced Hangover Pillow Balm comes in a clear version and tinted options. It really does feel like a pillow cushion for the lips.
If you are willing to splurge the La Mer Lip Volumizer or U Beauty Lip Plasma are also excellent. The La Mer is formulated to be a lip plumper but I use it as a regular balm. Both are smooth and non-sticky.
For the skin I did a skincare roundup last week if you want some more details on my routine. I really love the La Mer Cleansing Foam for a cleanser that leaves the skin squeaky clean but still well hydrated. A number of you asked for recommendations on the best face scrub and the best gentle option I’ve tried is the Fresh Sugar Face Polish. It has a hydrating finish and the scrub particles melt into the skin as you massage it.
The best lightweight face mist I’ve tried is the Sisley Floral Spray Mist. Quite the splurge but there’s really nothing like it that has that superfine mist dispenser and lightweigh refreshing feel. I also love the La Mer Facial Mist Spray and everything from Omorovicza too.
Last but not least I have to give another shout out for the Jo Malone Vitamin E Hand Lotion and Necessaire Body Oil. This dry season has taken its toll on my skin. Both of these have been in heavy rotation and I would call these must-haves for dry skin savers.
You can find all of these at Nordstrom. Let me know what your favorite self-care items are! I’m currently looking for a new face oil to try – let me know if you have a favorite!
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
I’m back with a beauty organization roundup! Keeping all my beauty products organized has definitely been an ongoing challenge over the years. So many of you have asked for a beauty organization post wondering how I store all my beauty products and the short answer is I’m still figuring it all out.
I’ve loved and used the Ikea Alex Drawers, Billy Bookcases, a number of larger acrylic beauty boxes, Muji acrylic organizers, things from The Container Store and Amazon – you name it! I still store things in the Ikea Alex Drawers (tall and wide ones). The best large acrylic beauty containers I’ve found unfortunately are from brands that are no longer around (like the Original Beauty Box and Glamboxes). I also love repurposing the Diptyque candle jars to hold pencils, mascaras, brushes, pens etc.
The main problem I’ve found with the large storage units whether it’s an acrylic box or large drawer unit is that if anything is stacked or put in a drawer out of sight it gets neglected. While I couldn’t possibly use up everything in my stash I still like to rotate things. Having a nice display or smaller organizers helps me edit my current rotation to keep certain things top of mind.
A lot of these are organizers are great to store my daily must-haves or go-to’s like foundations, concealers etc. and keeps them within easy reach too! If you’re looking for organizers that won’t break the bank and that will keep things somewhat edited this post is for you!
Umbra Organizers
Umbra Glam Cosmetic Organizer ($25) is a really nice affordable option. By this time I’ve tried a few of the Umbra organizers and think they’re well made. This Glam organizer comes in a white option and they also have it in a different configuration for Hair Tools. You can find it at a number of places like Umbra, Nordstrom, West Elm, Amazon.
Umbra Cascada Cosmetic Organizer ($25, available at Umbra, Amazon, West Elm)* is another style with a spinning base. It can also double as an organizer for office supplies on your desk. The compartments are on the narrower side so it won’t fit larger bottles of perfume or skin care, but it’s great to store and display other beauty items.
Bellwood Organizer ($45)* is another one from Umbra. This is super easy to assemble and is great for small spaces. Looks clean and streamlined. They also make a matching Caddy ($25).
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Target
I recently made a Target run and found quite a few organizing options. They have a great storage system with different size bins in their Brightroom Collection. I bought quite a few to organize products. The only downside is that it can get a bit expensive to design the exact configuration you want.
Target Project 62 Acrylic Round Desktop Organizer ($15 each) is a spinning organizer designed for the office but also works for beauty products! It’s a small-medium size which means it won’t take up a huge amount of space on your vanity, counter or desk. Measures about 7.98 inches wide and 7.26 inches tall.
Target Brightroom Bathroom Spinning Turntable ($25) is another one I picked up. I haven’t used this one yet as it’s on the larger side and takes up quite a bit of room. It measures 10.9 inches wide 5 inches deep and it’s pretty good quality. You can probably find similar options on Amazon for less. They also carry a 2-tier spinner with dividers.
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Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Teen both have a great selection of organizers for the desk and bathroom. They have a lot of gorgeous solid lacquered wood organizers and towers. They are on the expensive side but one that caught my eye is the Pottery Barn Acrylic Home Office Lazy Susan (on sale for $47.99 and with code EXTRA for 20% off clearance). This is an even smaller organizer measuring 7 inches in diameter and 7.5 inches tall. It’s pricey for what it is but well-constructed and good quality.
Pottery Barn, West Elm and PB Teen Solutions
Amazon Finds
There are so many options Amazon! I ordered a Rotating Makeup Organizer ($28.98) a while ago and really like it. The quality could be better as it’s a really lightweight plastic but I like the size and it works. There are moveable shelves that are easy to adjust. Makes it convenient to customize! The downside with having that much surface area is that it does tend to collect dust and debris, but that is the case with pretty much everything.
I really like the mDesign boxes with a hinged lid. They come in a clear and cream version. Love that they’re stackable but since I want to be able to see things I try not to go crazy with the stacking. I keep my lash curlers, cotton and mini perfumes in these but the options are endless! They also have these in wider or taller configurations.
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I also picked up a couple of the Spice Racks which make for a nice display. They are very lightweight but it’s functional and I like they way they look. There are a few configurations including a Corner Rack you can put together side by side if you want a wider display.
I’ve featured the Ikea Godmorgan Box ($22.99) a few times in the past and mine has still held up after 5+ years. Mine is a clear version which they don’t make anymore. The current one has a slightly smoky tint but the design is still the same. This is a nice larger style box and is compatible with a lot of their bathroom drawers. Some of the inserts are removable too.
Last but not least a quick shout out for Muji. They make some of the best acrylic storage. I own lots from them and the acrylic is very well made. I’ve owned some for 10+ years and they still look as good as the day I got them. There are some light scratches but considering the amount of use they’ve gone through it’s very durable.
The above photo is from my older home office when we lived in San Diego. I still have 5 Drawer Units (I stacked them 2 high) these but they’re in a beauty closet. Also available in other configurations and depths like the 3 Drawer Unit.
This mini 3 Tiered Stand is also from Muji. It holds a small amount of things but makes for a cute mini display!
Yamakazi Home
Also thanks to one of my readers who commented below Yamakazi Home makes great storage solutions. Especially for small spaces. Andrew has a few of their stands (one in his bathroom). I also love their Bath Caddy (small and large) and just ordered a Rolling Bathroom Cart.
What are your favorite beauty organizers? Do you have smaller organizers? A large one? Several large ones? Would love to hear about your favorite finds!
Happy New Year! Starting the year out with a skincare roundup. I’ve gone through a skincare refresh and reset the past few weeks and today I’m sharing what I’ve restocked and love from Nordstrom. They carry most of the brands I use on a regular basis and I’ve added a few new things to my routine this month.
Cleanser
I always love trying different cleansers and just finished using quite a few in the last few weeks. I restocked my three favorites. The Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash is one of best for sensitive skin but still very effective at cleaning the skin. If I had to use one brand of cleanser the rest of my life I think Kate Somerville would cover all my needs. The ExfoliKate Cleanser is a great one with a gentle clinical strength exfoliating ingredients. The Goat Milk Cleanser is great for dry skin and I love the EradiKate Daily Cleanser for acne prone skin.
La Mer’s Cleansing Foam is another favorite I love for a silky creamy foam. It has a gentle spa like scent but doesn’t irritate my skin. Leaves it squeaky clean and soft.
Dior’s La Mousse Off/On Foaming Face cleanser is another great one if you have normal/combination skin. A little goes a long way and skin feels fresh with this one. This is my third tube!
I love a good acid exfoliator to help resurface skin and get rid of dead skin cells but sometimes having a gentle exfoliant is nice to have on hand. I’ve had my eye on the Sisley Exfoliating Enzyme Mask for some time and decided to splurge. It’s a powder exfoliant that’s activated with water. It turns into a creamy mask you apply and massage to the skin. Leave it on for 1 minute then rinse. It far exceeded my expectations! Skin is left smooth and clean but not stripped. 100% love. It’s called a mask but to me it’s a cleanser + mask in one.
I also highly recommend trying the Eve Lom Muslin Cleansing Cloths. They’re designed for the Eve Lom Cleansing Balm, but I use the cloths for any cleanser. Helps to gently exfoliate the skin, ensure all your cleanser is removed and improve blood circulation. I notice my complexion is a lot clearer and smoother when I use cloths consistently.
Toner
For toners I restocked my tried and true La Mer The Tonic. This is one of the best ones I’ve tried for any time of year to rebalance, refresh and tone my skin. Doesn’t leave a film and one of the few that doesn’t irritate my skin. 100% worth the splurge!
Moisturizer
For moisturizers I’m rotating a few right now including the La Mer Moisturizing Soft Lotion and Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel. Both are good for sensitive skin. La Mer has a wide range of moisturizers and creams for different skin types, my favorite has been the Moisturizing Soft Lotion because it’s light weight but still very hydrating.
The Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel is one of my favorite sensitive skin creams. It has 10 ingredients selected for sensitive skin. I like that it’s unscented and has a cream formula but comes with a pump dispenser.
For sheet masks my two favorites are the 111Skin Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Face Mask and La Mer Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask. I restocked the 111Skin this month. It’s a bio cellulose mask and helps hydrate and reduce fine lines. This has been one of my go-to’s for years (even loved the original formula) and one I keep splurging on.
NuFace revamped their Trinity+ and Mini+ devices. I received the Mini+ Starter Kit over the holiday and can’t wait to see the longer term results with it. I have several areas on my face that could benefit from the lifting effects of microcurrents. If you’ve tried any of the new devices let me know what you think!
Hand/Body
I picked up Jo Malone Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment which is an ultra rich creamy hand cream. I used it in the past and don’t remember why I never restocked. It’s super luxurious and I highly recommend checking it out. For body I really love the Necessaire Body Oil. It’s unscented, thick, absorbs nicely, hydrates – love that it doesn’t have any added fragrance so it won’t interfere with my perfume. I have a mini from a holiday bundle but just ordered the full size to keep on my nightstand.
That wraps up my skincare refresh for the new year! What are you using right now? Any new skin care loves or rediscoveries?
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
Happy New Year! Rounding up the best of 2022 with my Top 5 picks in every beauty category! There are a couple of categories I went a bit over but here were my absolute favorites this year. Thank you for following along this year! Wishing you all an even better 2023!
Foundation/Concealer
I love a natural looking base that can hold up to the Florida heat and humidity. I had so many favorites I tried this year but here were my top five:
This year my #1 favorite though was Ollie. It’s been a full year now since we lost Lucy and my heart was so broken I thought it would never be whole again. The pain of losing a loved one was so intense I didn’t think I could ever get another dog but as soon as Andrew said, “I think we should get another one,” I instantly said yes. We found Ollie and picked him up in March. Our lives and hearts have been filled with joy. It makes me so happy that Kitty finally warmed up to the new pup in the house and even happier that they actually play together.
Thank you for following along on here and on social! Looking forward to a brand new year!
Happy Friday! Christmas is just around the corner and we’ve nearly made it through the entire year! If you’re in search of some makeup looks for the holiday season I have three to share with you today with favorites from Nordstrom. These are all super easy to recreate in under 15 minutes!
First a quick look at my base staples. Long-time reader will already be able to guess what’s on my go-to list! While the weather is mild here in Florida things still feel dry and my skin is feeling it! I like mixing the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick and Vital Skin Care Complexion Foundation for a well hydrated base. I use Shade VI in both formulas.
I’ll start with the look I feel the most comfortable in, neutrals! Bobbi Brown revamped the Luxe Lipstick and added new shades. These are super creamy and opaque with a natural sheen. The formula is a satin finish and I love the shade Almost Bare which is a beige peach. I topped it with a little bit of the Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Bare Sparkle.
For this look I tried to recreate the cold girl makeup trend with the flushed pink cheeks and lips and frosted eyes. Getting that perfect flushed pink look depends on your skin tone so I pulled a few different shades of pink to try it out.
For pink cheeks I layered the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks in Petal and Poppet, applying the lighter pink first and then adding a pop of the bright shade on top. To add a bit of glow the Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Quartz Glow adds a soft candlelit glow.
That wraps up my holiday look roundup! Would love to hear what you’ve been wearing this holiday season! You can find all of my picks available at Nordstrom. Don’t forget to check their Gift With Purchase page too!
If you are shopping online Nordstrom has a little note next to each item to show if it will arrive before Christmas. Many items will still arrive with expedited shipping.
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post.
Sharing one last holiday gift guide with a look at the ultimate luxury beauty gifts from Dior Beauty! I shared a video reel on Instagram featuring four of their gifts and they are so good I wanted to share them here on the blog too.
If you’re looking for last minute gifts Dior is offering complimentary express shipping on all orders $125+. Order before December 20th to receive by the 25th. They have beautiful packaging, deluxe samples with every order and they’ve given me a code BEAUTYLOOKBOOK for extra deluxe samples on orders $150+.
Dior has so many exquisite gift options. If you’re looking to splurge for yourself or a loved one here is a look at four of their holiday sets this year. More on Dior.com for fragrance, makeup and skincare.
Dior Addict Pouch
There are a few makeup gift sets this year. The Dior Addict Pouch ($80) has two full-sized lip products in a midnight blue pouch including the Addict Lipstick in 100 Nude Look (one of my favorites) and their Lip Oil in 012 Rosewood.
The Dior Natural Glow Essentials Set ($82) has a Lip Glow and Lip Maximizer in Pink along with a few minis. This one unfortunately already sold out but they still have a slightly different variation of the Dior Gift Set ($110) available that has the Pink Lip Glow and two Miss Dior scented products.
Scented Candle Discovery Set
For the candle lover the Dior La Collection Privee Scented Candle Discovery Set ($175) is stunning! It has three miniature candles with Ambre Nuit, 30 Montaigne and Jardin d’Orangers (all 85 g) in holiday packaging inspired by the constellations.
La Collection Privee Fragrance Discovery Set
Last but not least the La Collection Privee Fragrance Discovery Set ($250) with 20 minis (0.25 oz) including Gris Dior, Oud Ispahan, Ambre Nuit, Sakura, Jasmin des Anges, Lucky, La Colle Noire, Eden-Roc, Vanilla Diorama and Rouge Trafalgar. This is cased in their holiday packaging and has a tiered stand inside making it the perfect display case!
They have a couple other variations of the La Collection Privee minis including the Discovery Set ($235) in the standard white packaging or the Art of Living Discovery Set ($275) with 7 miniatures, 1 body cream, 1 hand body soap and a mini candle (also in their classic white packaging).
They offer samples on all orders and options for deluxe samples on orders over $100. Sample options vary and change frequently but you will alway be able to see what they’re offering at checkout.
Lots to explore if you’re looking for last minute gifts! I love that everything comes wrapped and packaged beautifully. Every time I’ve ordered from Dior everything arrives in perfect condition beautifully boxed and carefully wrapped.
Happy Tuesday! I’ve been on a plum lip kick this holiday season and shared a video swatch roundup of some favorites on Instagram. For those who still prefer blog posts and still images this one is for you! I’ve been loving gloss and sheer plum lipsticks so the color is more forgiving when it fades throughout the day. Here are the ones I’ve tried and loved.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss in Aperitivo is probably my favorite soft plum. It’s a smooth gloss that you can build easily. Feels comfortable on the lips, not sticky, lovely shine.
Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss
Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Kir Sugar is another one I love. It’s a semi-thick gloss so it adheres really well to the lips. Has some sticky feeling but still very comfortable to wear. Since it’s a thicker formula this one lasts long on my lips. Has a bit of gold shimmer inside. I remember wearing the original formula in this color in my 20s!
Fenty Gloss Bomb
Fenty Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit is a sheer plum brown with a tiny bit of gold shimmer. In the tube it looks more brownish but on my lips it pulls more plum. I think this is my second favorite out of all the plums. Love layering this on top of Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk for a slightly more pinkish look.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Brown Sugar is another love. It’s a very sheer tinted balm and I love this formula. Also great when layered over a lip pencil or alone. I didn’t get a new photo of this one but you can see it on the lips here.
Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm
The Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm formula is another one I’ve really loved this year. Lure is a pretty cool-toned plum. They also have a pretty limited-edition Rouse, a reddish plum, which is part of the Holiday Duo (sold out online but still available in stores).
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has made a comeback and I love it. I wore this one in the 90s and early 2000s in my high school days so I’m thrilled to see it again! They launched the Black Honey color in the Pop Plush Creamy Gloss formula but it keeps selling out (still available at Kohls and Belk).
Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick
For lipsticks I bought the Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Gifted (also available in a matching Lip Liner). This is a pretty dusty plum color that doesn’t pull too cool or too warm. Color has rich opaque coverage, smooth finish and decent lasting power. Other shades in this formula reviewed here.
Dior Burgundy
Last but not least is a look at the Dior Lip Glow and Lip Maximizer in Burgundy. The Lip Maximizer seems to have sold out nearly everywhere but you can still find the Lip Glow on Dior.com. Love this for a soft plum berry stain on the lips.
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What shades are you wearing this holiday season? I’m still into the neutrals and soft pinks but think plum is a fun way to switch things up even for the neutral lip lover.
