Just wanted to do a quick check in post to say hi and see how you are all holding up. The world feels like everything has been turned upside down and life feels like one long extended nightmare. In Florida we are now on a state-wide stay-at-home-order although it started earlier in our county with lots of businesses closing except for the essentials. Grocery stores, pharmacies, take-out food and pet stores etc are still open, but our beaches have been closed as well as some parks. A lot of our favorite bakeries and cafes have closed. The panic buying continues here (it started a lot later here than other places). It’s still nearly impossible to find toilet paper in stores. The paper towel aisle and cleaning sections always seem to be cleared out.
We are holding up just fine – we are social distancing but continuing outdoor walks to stay active and trying to support local businesses with take out as much as we can. We took our bikes for a ride last weekend at some parks and nearby trails – although with many parks being closed we aren’t sure how long we can do this. At home we are enjoying time in our backyard, doing more home work outs, cleaning and organizing. We just started watching the new season of Ozarks and Westworld. Better Call Saul is also on my list. I’m trying to stay distracted to stay sane and positive. Really looking forward to the days when things can and will go back to normal.
So how are you holding up? What have you been doing to stay busy at home? I wanted to answer some FAQs on new beauty launches – so many of you have been asking about things since everything now is literally online only. On my more immediate to-do list I will be reviewing the new Armani concealer, Chanel Les Beiges, By Terry summer and new Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks.
From recent posts, several of you have asked where this round mirror is from. I found it at Target and think it’s super cute. My other favorite makeup mirrors here.
I haven’t been getting good sleep lately. Unfortunately I’m sure this is the case for many of you. I’ve woken up with puffy eyes more and these 111Skin Eye Masks have been life savers for me. I really love the Sub Zero De-Puffing Eye Masks (blue ones) are my favorites. I also really like the Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Masks as well (pink package). They’re a really nice treat in the mornings and I think they’re 100% worth the splurge. Some retailers carry them in 1 sheet packs too. I haven’t had much luck with melatonin sleep aids in the past but I’ve ordered the HUM Beauty zzZz to try as I really like their other supplements. If you have any favorites let me know.
My favorite at-home comfy things to wear are the APL Techloom Slides. I own them in so many colors and bought some for Andrew too. They have nice support and are so much better than flats or sandals that have no cushion. We wear ours everywhere. The lighter colors are easy to clean up – I just throw them in the washing machine but air dry them. Below is the color Parchment (toes is an older nail polish color in Chanel Resplendissant).
My sweet girl Lucy and me in our backyard, she’s 15 this year! We really miss Jake who passed away over the summer. (Wearing Dior Addict Stellar Halo Shine in Peace Star.)
For those asking about DIY manicure tips, I’ve done several hand nail care routine posts in the past. I’ve been doing my own since we moved to Florida (for over 3 years now) since I’ve never quite found a salon that I really liked. In case you want to do your nails at home and want some tips you can find my most recent Hand and Nail Care Routine article here. Quick note that I think some of my holy grails from Deborah Lippmann have been reformulated. I ordered replacements and they don’t perform the same! I’m trying out some other cuticle softeners/removers from Sally Hansen and CND hoping they’ll work better.
Will have the Chanel Les Beiges 2020 collection review soon! (Ordered everything except the 2 nail colors, still undecided about those.) I will also review the new Armani Luminous Silk Concealer (ordered 6.5 which is a good match for the 6.5 foundation).
How are you all holding up? What are some things that have helped you remain calm or sane? Any good new TV shows to binge watch? Good movies you love to re-watch? How are you staying active at home or are you able to go outdoors?
Hoping you are all well and safe. Sending lots of love. I’m doing a lot of stress eating at home to cope!
It’s our third winter in Florida and I cannot believe how the time has flown! It feels like it was just a short while ago that we were driving across the country to start a new chapter of our lives. Most of the year we find Florida to be sunny and warm but we’ve had a cold winter (it’s been colder than I remember it being in past years) and everything is significantly more dry. My skin has definitely felt it and so I’ve changed up my routine. Here are some things I’ve been loving recently for lips, hands and body to combat the dry weather.
Hydrating Lip Favorites
I’m still recovering from shock that Bite Beauty discontinued my holy grail lip mask and I know many of you are too. They’ve done some sneak peeks of their brand revamp on social and they’re launching their new Agave+ Intensive Vegan Lip Mask on January 10th at Sephora. I will be ordering it to try out. In the meantime, what I have in rotation now:
NARS Afterglow Lip Balms* are my most reached for balms these days. I always keep one in my purse! The original Orgasm shade swatched here. New spring shades swatched here. I’m constantly asked for an alternative to the Dior Addict Lip Glow because they often shift to an unflattering color. The ones from NARS have a more subtle color change and are nicely hydrating. I can wear it to the gym, use it for touch ups or on low-key makeup days.
By Terry Baume de Rose (mini size shown which was limited-edition) is the thickest most lush hydrating pot lip balm I’ve tried. It’s also one of the most expensive lip splurges I’ve made and repurchased several times over because I do think it’s 100% worth it. I will need to repurchase the full size very soon as I’ve nearly finished all the minis I’ve kept on hand.
EM Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour* is more of a color product rather than skincare, but it’s the most hydrating lipstick I’ve ever tried! It feels lush and hydrating and smooth on the lips and is very comforting. I feel like it is a truly universally flattering color (as described) and it comes in the prettiest peachy pink nude with a lush shine. I hope they will launch this in more colors! Full review + swatches soon.
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil in any of the tinted shades are the best lip oils I’ve tried. There are a number of “oil-infused” launches this spring and I will be doing an updated lip roundup soon. Many of them just don’t hold up to my expectations for hydration. A lot of them will add a nice shine to the lips like a gloss but don’t have the same hydrating properties like a true oil. As expensive as the Hourglass ones are I think they’re among the best. You can see the tinted versions swatched in my last year’s balm hits and misses here.
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment is a balm I always find myself gifting away. I accumulate a lot from GWPs, press samples and various sets so I’m always splitting them up and sending them off to friends, family and readers. I finally decided to keep one and try it for myself and WOW! This is significantly more hydrating than the regular Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments (ones with tint) and I absolutely love it. It’s hydrating, smooth, smells delicious and prevents peeling. Also available in mini size in various sets like this 6-piece Travel Size Set, Travel Duo, On-The-Go Set to name a few.
Body + Hand Care
For the body I’ve been loving a few unscented body creams or super light oils. As much as I love a good fragranced body lotion or cream, sometimes I just want something that won’t interfere with my perfume or one I can sleep in easily. Sometimes heavily perfumed face products or body creams prevent me from falling asleep.
Two body creams I’ve been loving are the Necessaire Body Lotion in the Fragrance Free version. I ordered it over the holiday as I’ve seen it everywhere on Instagram and I was influenced to buy it. I really like that it’s hydrating, smooth and has a soft velvety dry down. It absorbs into the skin nicely and doesn’t feel too heavy. I think it’s reasonably priced. (On the nails is the new Chanel Le Vernis in Daydream, review soon.)
I’ve also loved the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Nude Cream which I reviewed last November when it launched (it made my favorites list). It’s now also available at Sephora. I still use it almost every day and love how it’s hydrating, soothing and smooths out the skin. I’m not the biggest fan of the packaging because I find it a little bulky but it’s not a deal breaker and I actually do like the pump. It has a soft velvety dry down so it’s not greasy feeling. I feel like this is like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream in body cream form (many of my friends have told me they’ve used the face cream as body cream).
I also wanted to mention that the Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver is another great unscented body cream that works for my skin. Both Andrew and I really like it.
For body oils the Chanel Gentle Oil for Body and Hair* has been at the top of my list for body oils. It’s lightweight, absorbs beautifully, makes the skin ultra soft and has the most beautiful lightweight fresh scent. If you’re familiar with the Fresh Body Cream version, the oil smells the same.
For skincare my favorite moisturizer is still the Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream* for it’s lightweight texture and beautiful finish. On days I need extra moisture I’ve found myself loving the SkinRX Lab MadeCera Cream* that I got from Soko Glam for an ultra calming and affordable hydrating cream. (Full review here.)
I’ve also really been loving the Augustinus Bader Cream and Rich Cream. I ordered a limited-edition set from their site but they now have the 15 ml available at Sephora and they still have the Duo Set 2 x 30 ml available at Nordstrom. I’ve been testing the Augustinus Bader Cream, Rich Cream and Victoria Beckham Cell Rejuvinating Moisturizing Primer for several weeks now. The Rich Cream is the best for winter or very dry skin. The Cream is my favorite for year round for my skin type. Both of these made my skin look significantly smoother and healthier. I think the Victoria Beckham version is nice for summer but it is the lightest out of the three and didn’t add a significant amount of moisture for my skin.
I will most likely be purchasing the regular Cream in the larger size once I’ve used up the mini.
For a more affordable option that works I’ve also been loving the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream. The rose scent is subtle and isn’t overpowering once it absorbs into the skin. I like that it really is super hydrating without feeling heavy or greasy. It calms my skin on the days it has flare ups from allergic reactions. It soothes when it’s super dry and itchy. I think it’s a nice one to try!
For night time I usually let my skin breathe naturally without product except lip balm or eye cream, but I have started using the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Oil again and love it. It helps balance out the skin overnight and is a great moisturizer that absorbs into the skin. You can also find it in a mini size in their Nourishing Essentials Set that comes with their Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.
For eyes I’ve been rotating between the Tatcha Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream* and the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. Both are super hydrating and have helped smooth out those tiny little lines that creep up when my skin is dry. I alternate between the two for day or night. They are on the rich/heavy side so when the hot humid weather returns to Florida these will most likely only be used at night for me.
For face-mists I’ve been loving the Chanel Sublimage La Brume for extra moisture but with a super fine mist. I feel like a broken record raving about it but I truly love it. I never want to be without it.
For sheet masks my I feel like my favorites will forever be the 111Skin ones. I have tried a few other ones recently (roundup soon) and really love the Joanna Vargas Forever Glow Anti-Aging Face Mask for a hydrating calming one and the Twilight Face Mask for deeper moisture and softening. The Forever Glow feels fresh and hydrating while the Twilight is heavier and makes the skin feel like baby’s skin. She has a Glow to Go Mask Set that has one of every sheet mask formula if you want to try them out before buying a full set.
That wraps up my winter skincare favorites! Would love to hear what yours are right now. I know Florida has a mild winter compared to other places, but it’s still dry and I hope this roundup gives you some ideas on what to try in case you’re looking for extra moisture for your skin.
Rounding up the Best Cyber Monday Beauty Deals for 2019! I already bought a few things over the weekend from 111Skin, Byredo, Sol de Janeiro and Diptyque which I’m pretty excited about. Also eyeing some sale picks from Reformation and Fresh Beauty as well.
Beauty Sales and Deals
111Skin – any order $250+ will receive a travel kit of choice
Anastasia Beverly Hills – Cyber Monday savings 10% off orders $75+, 20% off orders $150+, 25% off orders $250+ and bundles marked down for palettes, lipsticks and more
Bare Minerals – 30% off + free standard shipping with code CYBERSALE, through 12/2
Beautyblender – Mystery bag 7-piece set save $88 off kit with code SURPRISE19, limit 5 per customer
Benefit Cosmetics – Take 25% off everything and free shipping with code FUNDAY, valid through 12/3
Bite Beauty – 75% off sitewide, on 12/2 only choose between 2 gift sets with any $40+ order, while supplies last, use code WARM or SOFT, while supplies last
Bloomingdale’s – Cyber Savings on regular and sale price items 12/1 to 12/3:
Take 25% off regular and sale price items labeled CYBER TAKE 25% OFF, and take 50% off clearance items labeled CYBER TAKE 50% OFF
Take 15% off when you spend $100+ on almost all beauty, qualifying items marked, discount applied in bag
Briogeo – 20% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY, ends 12/2
Bumble and Bumble – Receive a free 6-piece set with bag when you spend $60+
Byredo – receive a free 70 g candle with any order above $75 (selection available at checkout, one per order, while stock lasts through 12/2)
By Terry – Up to 70% off select products including Nude-Expert Foundation, Glow-Expert and more
Chanel – Special Cyber Monday launch bringing back the Les Tissages de Chanel in Tweed Pink! Plus a special promo for Beauty Look Book readers – starting 12/2/2019 any Fragrance & Beauty order on Chanel.com will receive a complimentary deluxe sample of Sublimage Crème (5 g/0.17 oz) by entering code REVITALIZE at checkout (while supplies last)
Charlotte Tilbury – Cyber Monday sale with 40% off select bundles, blush sets, palettes
Diptyque – Limited-edition Black Friday launch in their iconic Baies candle with special design and black wax, limited run while supplies last from 11/29 to 12/2, also receive a mini candle duo (35g) and Lucky Charms ornament set on order $150+ with code CHARMS while supplies last (closer look at the candle here)
Elemis – Top 5 at 35% off plus 30% off sitewide with code CYBER19
EM Cosmetics – 20% off most items (some exclusions apply including Merch, Magic Hour Collection, Serum Blush), no promo code needed
Farmacy Beauty – 20% off all orders or 30% off orders $120+ with code CYBER, runs through end of 12/2
First Aid Beauty – 30% Off orders with code HOLIYAY, valid through 12/2, offer excludes all Skincare Kits, Limited Edition Holiday Kits, New Arrivals and Sale Items
Foreo – Cyber Week Deals up to 50% off UFO, Luna Mini 2, Sheet Masks and more
Fresh Beauty – Take 20% off entire purchase through 12/2, automatically applied at checkout
Giorgio Armani Beauty – 20% off with code CYBER20, step up gift with purchase offers available as well
Glamglow – 30% off sitewide plus free sheet mask, no code needed, step up gift included with order $49+
Glossier – 20% off everything and save up to 35% off sets, ends midnight 12/2
Hourglass Cosmetics – Holiday event savings 11/29 through 12/2, no code needed
Kerastase – Cyber Savings 20% off plus an Extensioniste Thermique Mini and free shipping with any order with code CYBM19 at checkout, valid through 12/4
Kiehl’s – Give more save more event with code JINGLE, valid through 12/2, excludes gift sets
$10 off purchases $50+
$20 off purchases $80+
$35 off purchases $115+
Also receive a free travel size Ultra Facial Cream + holiday pouch with code CYBER, valid 12/2 only
Omorovicza – Save 30% on skincare, receive a 4-piece gift with any purchase $200 or more, no code needed, runs through 12/4 (exclusions apply on their T&C page)
Oribe – 20% off Liter Sized bottles with code LITERS, ends 12/2
Shu Uemura Art of Hair – Take 20% off all orders, free shipping and an Essence Absolue Scented Candle with code CYMON19 at checkout, valid through 12/4
Saks Fifth Avenue – $50 off every $200 you spend (up to $500 in savings) with code CYBER19SF, ends 12/2, also take 15% off beauty purchases with code CYBER, ends 12/2
Shopbop – Buy More Save More event, up to 25% off full-price items and up to 75% off sale items, runs through 12/2
15% off orders $200+ with code MORE19
20% off orders $500+ with code MORE19
25% off orders $800+ with code MORE19
Simplehuman – Top 10 Sale, save up to 25% off their top ten best sellers through 12/2
Splendid – 40% off everything, no exclusions with code THANKS40, runs through 12/4
May flew by so quickly! I feel like I blinked and the weeks literally passed by in minutes. I’m rounding up this month’s hits and misses in beauty. I have a little bit of everything from skincare, hair care, complexion products and other makeup items.
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Chanel Favorites
I’ve loved a lot of new launches from Chanel this month. They’ve been on a roll with new releases in makeup, skincare and fragrance. My favorites:
CC Cream with SPF 50 * is my favorite CC cream with medium coverage, I wear either shade 30 or 40 (application and review here)
Le Vernis in Afterglow, Open Air and Purple Ray* from cruise are the prettiest ones I think I’ve seen in a while from Chanel, I’m really loving the purples! (swatches here)
Rouge Coco Flash (my picks here, cruise colors swatched here) are among my most-worn for an effortless swipe and go kind of lip color
Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream* is probably my favorite moisturizer of the month, it has a lightweight texture and adds hydration and leaves the skin feeling softly refreshed and glowing, it works well with their foundations and after using this regularly skin feels more radiant and plump
L’Eau Micellar Water* is a new launch from Chanel, it’s a cleansing water that has a soft refreshing feel to it, it’s alcohol-free and gentle, it is scented similar to their Hydra Beauty line but isn’t irritating or overpowering, I use this as a first step for cleansing
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Hair Care Hits and Misses
I’m on my third round of highlights and for some reason this time my hair has been so high maintenance. I feel the strong sun, salty ocean water, hard water plus beach time has been giving my hair so much grief. I’ve tried a number of shampoos and conditioners for color treated hair, most have been mediocre at best for color maintenance. I finally found something I love:
Hits include:
Kerastase Blond Absolu line has been overall one of the best for me to maintain highlights for me. I’ve tried three things from the line so far including the Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo (I use this 1x per week and leave on for a few minutes), I use the Hydrating Illuminating Shampoo almost daily to cleanse and I’ve been loving the Strengthening Ciccaflash Conditioner. All three lather well and rinse even in Florida water.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream* has been a life saver for dry hair, I can’t rave about this enough! It hydrates, conditions and reduces frizz.
P.S. I’m still loving Olaplex (review here) – it’s great but for me it’s more for strengthening versus for color-maintenance.
Misses
Kerastase Reflection Sulfate Free Shampoo and Reflection Conditioner were recommended to me by a friend, she swore by it! I kept using both until they were finished, but these were among the worst for me. I suspect it just does not work with Florida water. They would not lather well or rinse easily and they did nothing to maintain or protect color.
Oribe also came highly recommended. I really love their styling products so I am so sad to report that their Bright Blonde Shampoo and Shampoo for Beautiful Color did not work for me. I also used their corresponding conditioners when testing. The blonde one left my hair on the stringy side and the beautiful color option did not rinse well. I feel like their Gold Lust formula is far superior and I still love the Cleansing Cream. The color shampoos + conditioners (and mask) were an expensive miss for my hair.
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Most-Worn Nail Polishes
(also the ones asked about the most!)
I rotate nail polishes quite frequently but these are my most-worn polishes. Anytime I have my hand showing on Instagram, stories, blog posts I get tons of questions about what I’m wearing. I try to list and label them as much as possible, these are the ones that get the most questions:
I feel like right now everything is still focused on getting that healthy glow. This month was filled with so many hits! I will have a full bronzer/glow post coming up soon, for now the best ones I tried this month:
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Bronzer in Shady Biz is the best matte bronze for my skin tone right now, I also tried the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Afternoon Snack/Mo’ Hunny and am so impressed by how smooth and beautiful the shimmer is (review soon)
Also wanted to mention that a new favorite base combo is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Primer + Soft Matte Foundation, the trick to getting this look smooth is using the primer with the foundation, my match is 235, it stays on all day, doesn’t oxidize too much (warms up just a little after it dries) and looks flawless!
Dior Addict Stellar Shine in D-Galaxy – hauled this during the Sephora sale and it swatched so pretty on my hand, on my lips it’s a very slippery oily feeling glittery mess, perhaps the other colors are better, this one did not work for me!
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Skincare Hits and Misses
I’ve had so many issues with sunscreens this year on the face and body. I am testing one more formula and then I’m done and will most likely stick with my go-to’s. I can’t deal with the recovery time for allergic reactions. Right now my arms and legs are covered with bumps from my last test. It’s been a painful week for me. I just discovered that some sunscreens will cause a reaction when exposed to sunlight. I’ve also had ones that I’ve had an allergy to just from testing indoors. Full sunscreen post as soon as I’m done testing this one last formula (for those curious I’m testing out a couple from EltaMD).
The biggest misses:
Kopari Sundaze Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 30 – some people say that mineral is better than chemical for those with sensitive skin. I’ve tried both types and for me there’s really no guarantee because there are other ingredients to take into account. I’m not entirely sure what caused a reaction in this one, but it left a white cast on my face and within a couple hours tiny red bumps started to appear. Even after washing off it left my skin bumpy everywhere and it took a solid week for my face to go back to normal.
Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel Lotion with SPF 50 worked amazingly on my face when I tested it so I thought I found a winner. The day I tested it I was indoors the entire day and had no issues. Our next beach trip I applied it on my arms and legs (rest of my face/body I had something else on to test/compare). By the time we got back home my arms and legs started to develop swelling spots. They turned into red bumps everywhere. It does contain oxybenzone which I suspect could be the culprit for my allergy when exposed to direct sun, but I’ve tried Neutrogena formulas before and never had issues. As I’m writing this post my arms and legs are still recovering.
The hits:
Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen is one of my favorites that won’t irritate my face. It also lasts long on my skin and doesn’t leave a white cast. Since it does adhere well to the face I recommend you be extra thorough with cleansing to fully remove it.
Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream* has been really nice as my skin has felt dry for months with the air conditioning I’m in constantly. It has a nice rich texture that is surprisingly not too heavy for my skin type.
Farmacy Beauty Better Daze Ahead* is the first CBD cream I’ve been able to tolerate the scent of. It still has an earthy kind of scent but it’s not overpowering like other CBD infused creams. It has a lightweight feel and was one of the few creams I could use post-sunscreen allergic reaction without having my face feel like it was on fire. It really did work to help moisturize and calm down my skin.
Rodin Luxury Face Cream* is a new launch that is an oil-infused cream for dry skin. I’ve found it pleasantly soothing and hydrating. It does have scent to it but it’s not irritating and smells like licorice and flowers mixed together. It has a lot of different oils mixed in so if you’re sensitive to oils you may want to try or patch test first. I’ve had no irritation issues and will keep on using this!
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That wraps up this month’s hits and misses! Would love to hear what you loved or didn’t like in the beauty world recently. Let me know in the comments!
Press samples have a * next to them. Other items purchased by me.
Happy Friday! I have an Instagram roundup on some outfits and accessories I’ve been loving lately. A few of you have asked for more info on sizing/scale of the mini bags I’ve posted in a few flatlays so I’m sharing all the details today!
Quick note that a few retailers are having sales going on right now that you might want to take advantage of. Many of my accessories are on sale!
Shopbop’s sale ends April 13th (extended by one day) with code EVENT19 you can save 20% off orders under $500 and 25% off orders over $500
Nordstrom is price matching a lot of the items from the Shopbop Sale (you’ll have to search by brand or product name)
Tory Burch is having a sale event through April 15th, 20% off $200, 25% off $350 and 30% off $500 (there are quite a few exclusions), use code SPRING
J.Crew is having a sale with 50% off sale styles and 40% off everything else, online only with code SALEUPGRADE, ends April 15th (update)
I did a quick series on Instagram Stories about one of my Ark Bags. This one shown above was a gifted dupe and it’s a very well made one. The differences between the real Cult Gaia and this one are slight, I wish I knew where it was from but it was a gift and I’m a little embarrassed to ask! A few of you mentioned you think it’s this one from Amazon or possibly this one from Tuckernuck. Based on what I’ve seen for the bamboo/wood ones the dupes are very well constructed. If I knew where my exact dupe was from I would 100% buy it.
My favorite sandals this season are from Sam Edelman. I bought a couple pairs and these Gala Sandals are on sale at Shopbop. They run true to size and are very comfortable.
I recently rediscovered J.Crew denim, I always thought their jeans were pricey but with the sales it makes them 100% worth it. The 9 inch high rise has a good fit where it doesn’t feel like they are falling off like lowrise ones. No belt needed for this style and at the same time they aren’t too high it makes me feel like I’m wearing pants up to my chest. They’re a little stretchy but still sturdy enough to hold everything up and in! My favorites however are still from Paige in the Verdugo Ankle style (any color). Out of all the brands/styles I’ve tried I think Paige has the most flattering cuts and fit.
My curiosity got the best of me and I felt like I just had to know what the original was like. I bought the real Cult Gaia Ark Bag in the Mini Size Natural Color from Nordstrom (also available at Shopbop) and think it’s SO cute. The real ones have the Cult Gaia branding inside the handle and in between the strips are tiny round beads while the dupes usually have a gap with the clear plastic showing. I’m 5’3″ and find minis fit my frame better in general but they aren’t always practical because of how little they hold. The mini measures 6.25 inches tall, 9 inches long, 2.5 inches deep. (Scroll down for a photo of me wearing the mini.) I think it’s the cutest thing ever and it is big enough to hold my wallet, phone, keys, a compact, sunglasses and a couple lipsticks. I do think the bigger sizes, even the small is more practical to hold more things without overwhelming your frame. I’m keeping the mini I bought and my gifted dupe – think both are the perfect summer bag, even years after it originally launched. If you want something more unique opt for the Tortoise or pretty Acrylic Colors, I love the blue and melon colors!
Quick note on my sunglasses from Rayban, the style code I have is RB2185 and I have the polarized options which are slightly more expensive than the non-polarized versions. I did not realize this until after I bought mine. I know people say polarized sunglasses have better protection for the eyes, but sometimes I don’t like the way they shift colors. I still really love mine and I own quite a few polarized sunglasses. Just wanted to tell you in case you wanted to know or wanted something around $50 cheaper opt for the regular versions.
I’ve had the Staud Mini Shirley bag for a little over a year now and love it! As with the minis vs small, I do like my mini, but the bigger options are going to be a lot more practical. I wish I bought the small size but since I use this for days I only carry essentials. It’s perfect for date nights or quick trips out. It doesn’t have a shoulder strap or long handle to throw over the arm which is the only downside to this style for me. They did just launch another clear option called the Clear Bissett Bag which seems more practical if you need a longer handle to hold over the shoulder or want something a little bigger around.
These style Tory Burch Emmy Sandals run a little small, I’d recommend going a 1/2 size up. I normally wear 6.5 in their millers, with these I opted for a 7. The classic Millers are still the most comfortable as the sole of these are stiffer, but they’re still easy to wear for me.
I bought the AGolde Parker Shorts the last time Shopbop had a sale and this was the first time I tried high rise shorts. They’re on the high side as described but it’s a nice change from the shorter lower waist options I’ve tried. Color shown is Swapmeet which is a lighter blue and they have some fun distressing giving them a more casual vibe. I also love the color Rock Steady which is a more traditional classic blue jean color.
To this day Tory Burch Millers are still my favorite sandals. The sand patent has lasted the longest for me. I’ve worn my others TO DEATH and they are starting to wear, but they have lasted probably 5 years and I’ve worn them EVERYWHERE so I think they were well worth the splurge. My brown leather ones have seen better days – but they have lived through a lot of travel, rain, humidity and moving. I’m planning to repurchase and replace them soon.
Another sale splurge last month was the Clare V Petite Sandy and I did not realize how small it was going to be even after checking the dimensions online. I still love it and think it’s the perfect size for me! (See one photo down to see how small it is.) The larger Sandy is more of what I envisioned this being like though because it’s bigger and has a longer strap to hold over the shoulder. You can buy a separate shoulder strap from Clare V for a lot of their bags which is something I’m considering for my petite option.
Another pair of Sam Edelman shoes I’ve been loving are the Beckie Style in Natural Raffia (runs true to size for me). They have a similar style called Bay Cutout which has solid/smooth leather but I have not tried those yet. The Beckie options are the woven material and it’s very sturdy and comfortable with a slight cushion like the Gala.
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By request, a few mirror selfies to show scale of the bags. I’m 5’3″ and 118 pounds (I’ve gained weight with our indulgent Miami vacation eating and have also gained muscle weight with our weight training). The struggle to stay fit is real when there are so many tempting good food places to try when you travel. I’ve been fluctuating like a yoyo.
Left photo:
AG Robyn Denim Jacket is the softest denim jacket I’ve bought, I sized up a little wearing a Small
Re/done Ribbed Tank runs super small, I bought a Medium and think I could have sized up even more, but it works
One last post from Instagram! I mentioned the Anthropologie Cloudfleece top a while back and a lot of you wanted to know what it looked like on. I posted a photo sharing the Mint color. It’s super soft and lightweight and hangs nicely for a relaxed fit. I’m wearing the XS here.
You also wanted to know how big/small the Tory Burch Marsden Crossbody is on me. It measures 9.25 by 5.5 and 1.25 deep. Here it is on me over the shoulder and worn as a crossbody. I wish it had an adjustable strap to make it a tad bit shorter but it’s easy to wear and most of you are taller than me so it’s probably going to be the perfect length! I wear it all the time and it has some slots inside to put cards so you don’t need a wallet. I’ve owned it since last July and it’s held up very well even in Florida humidity and rain.
I hope you found this roundup helpful to answer all your questions! Let me know if you have any other ones. If you’re shopping the Shopbop sale it ends today April 13th so make sure to check it out!
What a year it has been! I cannot believe that 2018 is nearly over, it flew by so quickly. Today I’m rounding up my Best of 2018 Beauty Favorites with a mix of new discoveries alongside a few staples from previous years. I went through this entire year of blog posts to make sure I didn’t miss anything! Also a number of you have asked for my absolute favorite tried and true staples so I’m going to put together a separate post of beauty things I cannot live without. For this roundup I focused mainly on new products I really loved that I tried this year.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Glow Powder * once I figured out how to use this on top of cheeks as a highlighter (not really as a setting powder) was the best natural glow powder I tried this year
NARS Eyeshadow Quad in Singapore *, it was one of the first two quads launched and sold out almost everywhere but you can still find it now online at NARS Cosmetics, review here
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette ended up being one of the best eyeshadow palettes I tried this year (tied with Pat McGrath), I didn’t review or swatch it but it lives up to the hype 100%
Pat McGrath pretty much won on all counts this year for me, her 6-pan MTHRSHP palettes* were among my favorite (loved ALL of them), the ones I liked the most were Platinum Bronze and Dark Star, spring colors review here and holiday launches review here
L’Oreal Color Riche Shine were the best affordable shine lipsticks I tried, just as good as luxury brands in my opinion (better than Chanel and YSL to me), swatches here
NARS Velvet Lip Glides in Swing and Roseland were two of my most-used neutrals (alongside CT Pillow Talk)
Skin Care Loves
I really found myself gravitating to a lot more skincare tries this year compared to makeup. I wasn’t able to review everything as testing often takes so long to truly see results. I’ll do an updated skincare routine post in the new year so if you have any questions please leave them in the comments! My absolute favorites:
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream wins for best moisturizer of the year for me, Andrew also loves it, and I saw while in Los Angeles my brother bought this too! I think it’s suitable for any skin type, normal or dry, it’s not irritating, isn’t too heavy and moisturizes perfectly. We are on our second jar, I am going to have to order a third very soon.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Juice Moisturizer was the best lightweight moisturizer I tried, it’s great for those humid months here in Florida but really nice year round too
Aquis Hair Towels were a great find based on recommendations and reviews I read online, this is another product I never want to be without, after testing the Long Lisse Luxe and Waffle Luxe version I found they both performed well, I prefer the waffle version as I like texture in my towels, I also prefer the longer options
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask With Temporary Coloring in Warm Chestnut was a great find for me after getting highlights earlier this year, it leaves my hair so shiny and soft!
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask * was my favorite try of the year, I finished 2 jars already, I want to buy another but am testing a few other brands out right now (Oribe and Kerastase) – my friends say Kerastase is the best and on a recent Instagram poll many of you said Oribe is better, I’ll keep you posted!
That wraps up my favorites for the year! I hope you found some new loves too. Let me know in the comments what your favorites were! Also I’ve been a little behind on giveaways with my recent travels so I’m doubling up and giving away 2 sets of beauty goodies. Two readers will be selected to win all these items listed below:
1 Away Mini Travel Case (winner can select 1 choice of Pink or the Halo color)
All 3 Fenty Gloss Bombs in Fenty Glow, Diamond Milk and Fussy
Fenty Holiday Duo with lip minis of Spanked and Griselda
1 Beautyblender Original
1 Mini Drunk Elephant Serum
1 Mini Tatcha Watercream
1 Mini Living Proof Dry Shampoo
Open internationally to anyone 18 years or older. Runs through 1/5/2018. Simply enter by completing at least one of the steps in the widget below. Two winners will be selected at random within 72 hour of giveaway end time and will be winner names will be displayed / announced on the widget. I’ll contact winners directly via e-mail. Prizes typically ship within 1 week. Not sponsored or affiliated.
Happy Black Friday! I’m rounding up the best beauty deals and steals I’ve found for this year’s sale season. There are a few really neat limited-edition exclusive launches I think are worth checking out. If you have any more to add let me know in the comments!
Anastasia Beverly Hills – value sets marked down, individual items and palettes up to 50% off
Bare Minerals – 20% off $100 purchases with code SHINE, Black Friday Exclusive: Solar Spectrum 10-piece full-size face collection for only $49. A $183 value, while supplies last, valid 11/22-11/23
Beautylish – Jeffree Star special launches, Bioderma beauty bundles, Charlotte Tilbury 30ml Scent of a Dream with $100 Charlotte Tilbury purchase, 30% off select Jouer favorites
Becca Cosmetics – select palettes, brushes and blushes are marked at 50% off
Benefit – Get 25% off everything, plus free shipping with code BENEBINGE – valid 11/20-11/24
Black Friday Special, 20% off sitewide + free standard shipping on all orders, no code needed, 11/23 only
Black Friday GWP: Bag + Mirror, Mini Lip Pencil #34, Mini MCLC Leche, Mini AB Gazpacho with $35 purchase (code: FRIDAY5, can be used with 20% off and free ship, valid 11/22 to 11/24
Blissworld – 25% off sitewide with code THANKS, valid through 11/26
Bluemercury – Receive 12 FREE deluxe beauty samples with your $100 or more purchase, no code needed, valid through 11/24
Bobbi Brown – 25% off everything + free shipping on any order, plus a free full size Black Friday gift with any $75 order, use code BFGIFT
Buxom Cosmetics – 25% off site wide with code BFW25, valid through 11/25
Byredo – receive a free 70g candle with any order above $75 and enjoy free shipping, choose between six options at checkout, while supplies last through 11/26
Caudalie – 50% off select merchandise plus bonus gift with any purchase of $50 or more, use code FRIYAY, ends 11/28
Dermalogica – get up to 5 free travel sizes when you spend a certain amount, valid through 11/25 while supplies last, spend tiers are from $50 to $200+
Dermstore – save 30% off select brands with code FRIDAY at checkout, valid 11/23
Diptyque – Limited-edition Black Friday launch in their iconic Baies candle with special design and black wax, limited run while supplies last, they’re also running some GWP promos throughout the weekend, check on their Exclusive Offers Promo page, current one is with a $100 purchase using code CHEER (while supplies last)
dp Hue – 25% off everything with code HOLIDAY plus free shipping
Elemis – 25% off purchase with code BF25 at checkout
Farmacy Beauty – 20% off site wide or 30% off purchases $120+ with code CYBER, valid 11/23
First Aid Beauty – 4 free minis on all orders$35+ with code FABFRI
Foreo – Black Friday sale with select items marked off, valid 11/22 through 11/27
30% off Luna 2, Issa 2 and Issa Mini 2
25% off Luna Mini 2, FOFO, UFO and UFO mini
Fresh Beauty – gift with purchase deluxe sample options with a $75 purchase receive 4 deluxe samples, or $125 and receive 6 deluxe samples, valid through 11/24
Giorgio Armani Beauty – 20% off with code ARMANI20 plus a complimentary lipstick with orders $125 or more, add a palette with orders $200 or more, valid through 11/29
Glamglow – 30% off everything plus get a free full-size powermud with orders $79+, no code needed
Glamcor/Riki – 25 to 55% off sitewide plus holiday bundles, or use code BOGO50 for 50% off second Riki
Glow Recipe – 25% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY25, exclusions apply
Hourglass Cosmetics – holiday savings event with $20 off orders $125+, $30 off orders $150+, $50 off orders $200+, valid 11/23 through 11/26
IT Cosmetics – 20% off sitewide with code ITFRIDAY
Kate Somerville – 25% off sidewide with code CYBER25 plus free full-size Dermalquench with purchases $150+
Kerastase – 20% off orders of $100, plus free shipping & Hairstyling Comb Gift, use code THXFF18, valid 11/22-11/23 (7AM EST)
Kiehl’s – Your choice of 4 deluxe samples and free ground shipping on orders of $25, PLUS a Limited Edition canvas pouch on orders of $45+ with code BFRIDAY, valid 11/23-11/25
L’Occitane USA – doorbuster deals 50% off and various GWPs with $100 or $165 purchase, use code THANKFUL at checkout
La Mer -Personalize a 4-piece set in your choice of cosmetic pouch with a complimentary set of embroidered patches. Make it yours with any $150 purchase.
La Roche Posay – 30% off all orders with code BLACKFRIDAY2018, valid 11/23 only
Lancome – 20% off + free shipping on any order, use code FRIENDS, valid 11/19-11/27
Laneige – 30% off best sellers + free shipping on orders $35+, open for 6 hours 12 PM through 6 PM est, 11/23
Laura Mercier – limited-edition Smokey Eye Set + free shipping with any $75+ order using code SMOKEY
MAC Cosmetics – 25% off for MAC Select members, sets are excluded, valid through 11/26
Shu Uemura – 20% off $50+ orders, 25% off $100+ orders, plus bonus gift on orders $120 or more, use code SHUBF
Shu Uemura Art of Hair – 25% off orders of $100, plus free shipping & designer travel case ($98 value), use code THX18, valid 11/22-11/23 (7 AM EST)
Simplehuman – Top 10 Best Sellers marked down up to 25% off including their Sensor Mirror with Touch-Control Brightness for $150 (marked down from $200) and Sensor Mirror Mini $97 (marked down from $130), plus other home accessories marked down
Sisley-Paris USA – exclusive Black Friday duo set, for a limited time get the Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream plus free full size Black Rose Cream Mask
Smashbox – 30% off $30+ orders for Smashcash Members, 25% off $30+ Orders for non-members, no code needed
Space NK USA – Buy one, get one half off, exclusions apply, valid through 11/26
Supergoop! – 25% off with code HOLIDAY, ends 11/26
T3 – 25% off with code FRIDAY18, ends Sunday 11/25
Tarte – 30% off with code FRIDAY30, valid on 11/23
Tatcha – Play to win Black Friday Mystery Offers including special offers, complimentary treasures, and more. New offers available every day! Valid through 11/25
Too Faced – 30% off site wide plus free shipping with code PINK30
Anthropologie – 30% off everything (some exclusions apply)
Banana Republic – 50% off regular priced items, no code needed, card members receive extra 10% off when you use your Gap Inc. Credit card, use code BRCARD, valid through 11/24
Barneys New York – limited time designer sale up to 60% off savings
Bloomingdale’s – Buy More Save More Event on items labeled “Buy More, Save More”, discount applied in cart, valid through 11/25
