Carry-On Beauty Essentials

Today, I am up up up in the air heading to Italy. Probably munching on snacks and watching a bunch of free movies! While, I'm stuffing my face and wifi-less. I've decided to do a quick photoshoot and write a lil' some some before I head to the airport (I'm probably going to be late...). Here are some of the beauty products I'm putting into my carry-on or stuffing into my purse (my huge Mary Poppins like purse). I'm also bringing a portable charger just in case my phone or iPad needs a recharge, a journal to jot things down, magazines for boredom, a book by John Green, a converter, and my Bose headphones since my ears gets extremely painful when I wear Apple's headphones for too long.

The 10 Beauty Commandments

1. Thou shalt love thy skin and self

2.  Thou shalt let thy skin breathe

3. Thou shalt invest and commit to thy skin

4. Thou shalt always wash hands before touch thy face

5. Honor the seasons (and change your products accordingly)

6. Thou shalt wear sunscreen

7. Thou shalt always have "bitchin' brows"

8. Thou shalt listen to thy skin

9. Thou shalt never (ever) go to bed with make-up

10. Thou shalt treat thy self

Something New and Something Old

Somethings are new and somethings are a little old. The new-new is of course NARS Vitual Domination Cheek Palette and Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade! I'm sure everyone has heard of these products or own them, I mean who hasn't?! It seems like every beauty bloggers and make-up collectors has gotten their hands on this palette! So, although this may be a bandwagon effect or an impulse purchase--I'm okay with it. More than okay with it, because I reasoned that I need a compact cheek palette for my trip to Europe next week! Yes, I may have gotten it for the sole propose of not having to carry three products: blush, highlighter, and bronzer. Ain't nobody got time or room for that! Especially if I'm planning on making a stop at City Pharma when I'm in Paris. Now, for my brows, I knew I wanted Anastasia's Dipbrow! With Europe's unpredictable weather, my worst fear is my eyebrows going missing. That just ain't cute, boo. Not only that, but for some reason my left eyebrow is always on point and then my right one is always either faded, smudged, or half gone. Humm...does this just happen to me?

The oldies are seriously oldies! I think I've had these products since I was in high school. I know, that's cray cray. But it's the truth! However I think I've brought about four Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo since high school. Seriously, it's magic and I don't go anywhere without my brows! Nowhere, no how, no way! For my cheeks I use MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty. I like to lightly apply this during the day for a nice subtle and glowy look. However if I going out at night, I do add a few layers for more color. It's not too pigmented so I've never had a problem with looking like a Elsa Mars. It's also shimmery, which I don't mind because it gives me a luminous glow! While MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle helps give me a dewy and glowy skin. I like to add it to my cheek bones, bridge of my nose, cupid's bow, and brow bones. I do this in exactly this order so that it doesn't look like I applied too much shimmer! Also...blend, blend, blend! It doesn't have to be prefect, just make sure you don't have a distinctive shimmer line. For my brows and blush, I use Laura Mercier's travel collection brushes, I received as a gift about four years ago. But you can purchase the new Laura Mercier's travel brushes at Nordstorm! I love love love Laura Mercier's brushes and the double-end brushes are so convenient for daily to travel uses.

Dry & Flaky Skin 101

Ahh, winter. The season to be jolly and...a little flaky? Winter brings more than pumpkin lattes, gifts, and family gatherings--it also brings the discomfort of dry and flaky skin. Even if you're normally oily, winter can cause your skin to dry out. This generally happens when the seasons changes and harsh dry air steals away the thin oil on our skin that normally protects and maintains moisture in the skin. Resulting to dry, tight, rough, flaky, and sometimes inflamed skin.

Dry Skin 101: 

1) Tell-tale signs of dry skin

• Your skin feels dry or tight right after a shower or through out the day
• You have small pores (it's an indication that you have dry skin)
• Flakiness or itchiness

2) Lack of oil

The natural oil that occurs on the skin protects itself from environmental damage and aging. However dry skin does not produce enough lipids (oil), which makes the skin vulnerable and sensitive. If you have dry skin, just know that you skin needs extra protection and care--so stay hydrate and moisture up!

2) Dry VS. Dehydrated skin

• Dry skin = lacks oil. 

Dry skin is a skin type, which you've probably had since you were a baby. Dry skin may feel a little rough, tight, and itchy. Find rich creamy products without any fragrance to help hold in moisture, combat dryness, and minimize irritation/inflammation!

• Dehydrated skin = lacks water.

Dehydrated skin is a skin condition, which can be experienced by anyone and any skin type...yes even oily skin! Signs of dehydration is flakiness, thin, and dull looking skin. You can reverse the signs of dehydrated skin by looking at what you put in your mouth and on your skin. Avoiding or limiting caffeine, alcohol, over exfoliation, and the sun can make a difference. Hydrate your skin with ultra-hydrating moisturizers with serums like hyluoronic acid is also great for the skin, since it binds 1000x its weight in water. Also stay hydrated by making sure you drink plenty of water!

3) Genetics 

Dry skin is often genetics. However your skin type can change with age.

4) Internal and external factors

• Medications
• Improper skin care regimen/habits
• Poor diet
• Allergies
• Products
• Change in climates 

5) Moisturize, moisturize! 

Winter changes, and your skin changes along. Find a moisturizer that is oil-based, as the oil will help your skin stay soft and smooth by retaining or increasing its H2O content; it also create a protective layer on the skin to help keep you skin moisturized, protected, and combat the dryness. 

Tip: Moisturizing while your skin is still damp is key! Your skin shouldn't feel tight after cleansing or exfoliation, if it feels tight, you've taken too long to moisturize.

6) Be generous

I'm not just talking about your face, but your entire body! Cleaners, serums, moisturizers, and humectants can help combat dryness and dehydration. 

7) Exfoliate

Not exfoliating and applying moisturizer and your skin will still look dry and dull. While exfoliating help your skin appear smooth and hydrated, by sloughing off the dead skin cells. Exfoliation also helps get rid of flakiness and help products penetrate better. 

8) Shower

Hot or too long of a shower isn't good for any skin type, especially dry skin. I know this might seem like a joke! I know the crazy temptation of hot showers in winter (or after a terrible day), but hot or long showers actually robs the skin of it's naturally oil and moisture. For dry skin, this is a big no-no! Dry skin needs as much moisture as possible and hot showers is stripping away the little moisture it has. Keep your showers short and lukewarm can improve your dry skin tremendously. 

9) Hyaluronic Acid 

I love love love hyaluronic acid. It's made a huge difference to my skin, so much so that I use it every season and every day (sometimes night). 

Don't like the work "acid" scare you, hyaluronic acid is want occurs naturally in the body to provide moisture, plumpness, and firmness to the skin. However, as we age, we our natural hyaluronic acid deteriorates. Adding a hyaluronic acid serum, filler, or moisturizer can help improve and hydrate your skin. 

10) Switch up products

Products that you were using in the summer can stripe away your skin of its much needed oil during the winter, making your skin drier I tend to trade my foamy cleanser for a cream-based cleanser and add hydrating serums and moisturizer. 

Happy Thanksgiving! XX

Stocking Stuffers Under $25

Growing up, my family never really had stockings hanging over the fire place and when we did (about four years ago), it was only for decoration. So although my stockings were never stuffed with goodies (or coal), that doesn't mean I never made a stocking stuffer wish list. This year wasn't any different! Here are my current stocking stuffer favorites and it's all under $25!

1. Fresh Sugar Ruby Romance // $18

2. L'Occitane Shea Butter Travel Treats // $20

3. Essie Winter 2014 Minis // $17

4. Kate Spade Little Gold Book // $18

5. EOS A Ray of Holiday Sunshine Rachel Roy 3Pk // $8

6. Ale and Ani Birthstone Expandable Wire Bangle // $24

7. Limited Edition Golden Monogram Mug // $10

8. Yes Please by Amy Poehler // $15

9. Pinch Provisions Icebreaker Minimergency Kit // $18

10. Ole Henrikson Glow On-The-Go Trio // $18

What would you like in your stocking this year? 

XX

Winter Favorites 2014

I don't know about you, but (I'm feeling 22...sorry...I can't help myself) every winter I change my nail polish weekly to a different shade of red. Maybe to distract from my dry knuckles or because I am guilty of posting I-am-drinking-from-a-cup pictures and I do not do nude nails pics! This week I am currently wearing OPI Got The Blues For Red. I happen to wear this a lot and I don't think it's going to stop any time soon.
OPI Nail Polish in order :: I Sing In Color, Got The Blues For Red, & Big Apple Red

As I mentioned above, my hands get awfully dry during the winter. It also doesn't help that I'm always washing my hands, in between treatments (honestly, I'm a germaphobe)--my hands gets extremely dry and sometimes my knuckles gets so dry that it starts to crack...not cute. So I'm always on a took out for a good moisturizer. I've tried Josie Maran Intensive Creamy Oil before, because of it's multipurpose, ultra-hydration, and other great benefits. However, my hands would break out in hives. But Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter does not do this to my skin (thank goodness). Instead, it gives my hands the moisture it seeks for without feeling heavy. It also gives my hand a slight glow without being too greasy, which I love. Although I use it just for my hands, it's meant for the body too!

My hands aren't the only part of my body that gets dry. My face too! So, to combat the dryness, I drink a lot of water (like a lot a lot) and I lather on at least four products onto my face. Which helps make my skin look hydrated and healthy. However, on occasion, when I do decide to wear foundation, I find my skin looking dull, dry, and flaky. One of the many reasons why I don't like to wear foundation, but when I do, I do not use it without Hourglass Primer Serum. This product is amazing! I only use a little of this primer, but it makes my foundation and skin look smooth, hydrated, and glowy.

On to the lips! Aveda Lip Saver is a life saver! I barely put any pressure when applying this onto my lips, because a little goes a long way. My lips gets super hydrated and smooth after one use. It does have a light smell like an odd mixture of cinnamon and the forest. But not a bad smell, I don't think so. The price isn't too bad either.

Last but not least, my all-time favorite red lipstick is MAC Matte Russian Red. I honestly think this is the prefect red and matte lipstick. I've tried a few red lipsticks and sometimes it's either not red enough or has a shine. But this isn't like that at all! Plus it makes my teeth look super white. This with MAC Brick Lip Pencil equals perfection.

XX