REPEAT OFFENDERS // EMPTIES WINTER 2014

Howdy lovlies! Today I am stopping by my fav Studio5 TV to dish on the bottles that always find themselves to be empty in my collection way too quickly! Some of these things you may recognize if you've been a reader of mine for a while- I just can't give up on a good thang that ain't broke. But, there are some new loves in the collection as well, that I have been buying and re-buying because they are simply good to the last drop!

Check out the video (available after 2pm MST) and the list of my repeat offenders below:

NYX Brow Cake Powder

- Super affordable brow powder that stay put all day and adds great volume to the brow hairs. Available in 4 collections too, so every gal is covered.

Philosophy Hope in Jar Foundation

- Light weight velvet finish that mimics skins texture so perfectly and is very hydrating. Works like a charm with my

Beauty Blender

and is my latest obsession in foundation! 

Wearing:

Texture Flare Dress

  |  

Tie Front Blouse

St Tropez Bronzing Mousse

- I use this year round and swear by it! It's the easiest to apply without streaks or spots, and it's green base color ensures no orangey tone to the skin. Use with the

application mitt

for best results.

Shiseido Ultimune

- Skin care concentrate that is designed to build the immunity of the skin and build its' defense to environmental stressors. It hydrates, soothes and retextures the skin on contact. See my full review

here

.

Alterna 48 Hour Sustainable Volume Spray

- GAME CHANGER for hair... my favorite volume discovery to date! 

Carol's Daughter Monoi Split End Sealer

- Seals split ends back together and leaves hair smooth instantly, and smells like heaven. Mmm, so yummy

Thanks so much for stopping by,  I have the best readers- and I am so grateful for you all! Truth.

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SECRETS FROM MY GARBAGE CAN // THE PRODUCTS I USE TO THE BITTER END

You know that ONE product that you have been a relationship with longer than your husband? The one that you use on repeat, and always need a spare bottle of? Yup, those are the best kind of beauty products- the ones that you use to the bitter last drop!

I call these my EMPTIES because they always seem to be empty, and I am always looking for a refill on them

.

Check out my

Fall 2014 edition of empties

, and see what goodies I have used up recently. Maybe there will be a new discovery here, that will soon become one of your empty-loves too!

Wearing:

Scarlet Ali Dress

c/o Shabby Apple

Products mentioned in video:

Batiste Hint of Color Dry Shampoo

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Foundation

Swim Spray

Josie Maran Creamy Concealer Crayon

ESQIDO mink eyelashes

Guerlain Mascara

Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Lotion

Urban Decay De-Slick Powder

Past videos mentioned:

Best Under Eye Concealers

Contour with Fake Tanner

Thanks so much for reading, I genuinely appreciate it so much, to be a part of your lives! xo

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BLUE RIBBON WINNERS: DERMALOGICA SKINCARE

A long time ago, in a far away place called Salt Lake City... a little girl named Megan went to beauty school. Megan didn't even know what the word 'esthetics' meant, let alone that someone could have a career in it... but thanks to Dermalogica, she fell in love with the study of skincare and the rest is history!

***

Yes, it's true! When I went to beauty school- I had never even heard the word '

esthetics

' before, and I had no idea that I would be learning about skincare as part of my cosmetology training. I was 17 after all, so I hadn't paid much attention to my skin just yet. But, my education in the spa world opened my eyes to the wonder of that part of the beauty industry, and luckily for me-

Dermalogica

was a big part of that experience.

I've continued to use and love many of the Dermalogica products that I used during my school days. After all it's one of the top skincare lines in the world, and its' products are loved by millions. I wanted to share with you my top picks from the line, maybe there is one just right for you as well!

Dynamic Skin Recovery

- This little bottle of goodness has freakin 50 SPF in it, yet it isn't thick or greasy like traditional sunscreen. It is a lightweight daily moisturizer that is geared for anti-aging and is seriously so good. Don't mess around when it comes to sunscreen. Just use it everyday and be glad you did later. It isn't cheap, but a little goes a long way- and you'll be much more likely to use a sunscreen if it is high quality and good for your skin like this one is.

Ultra Soothing Eye Serum

- I have crazy sensitive eyes! The actual eyeballs them selves (I can't walk outside without sunglasses on), plus the skin around my eyes stings with almost every product that touches it. This eye serum has never irritated my eyes, and is so lovely. I always go back to it.

Overnight Clearing Gel

- The name says it all. Put this stuff of your blemishes at night, and they'll be reduced in size by at least half in the morning. I use it religiously for my troubled skin.

Environmental Control Deodorant

- I don't know why I love this stuff SO MUCH... deodorant is not something I usually splurge on. But this has a mens cologne scent that I just can't get enough of! It's a clear gel/solid formula, and I think it is divine. [I'm a weirdo, I guess]

Multi Vitamin Power Recovery Masque

- Heaven in a Tube! I wear this Vitamin C masque for hours on end. The creamy orange masque leaves skin feeling totally refreshed and glowing, and it is so good for post peel or microdermabrasion treatments. Must have.

Cheers to great skin! Let me know if you have any Dermalogica favorites, and be sure you vote on

instagram

, to tell me which #LOOKSTHATROCK you want me to recreate from the VMA's.

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*Dynamic Recovery sample provided by Dermalogica via iFabbo

MAKEUP SPLURGE OR SAVE

Hello loves! Today is a great day on the blog- I am so happy you are here, so thank you!

I stopped by Studio5 TV today to dish on my makeup must haves, and the best part is I included two budget options in each category so you can SAVE or SPLURGE! Check out the video and then shop your picks using the links below. PLUS, one lucky reader will be scooping up a care package full of my must-haves, so be sure you enter to win using the rafflecopter entry below. There's also a BONUS VIDEO today, where I answer the question, 'Can a women over 30 wear a headband without looking like a wanna-be teenager?' Check out my answer below.

SPLURGE:

• Nude Toned Eye Palette- Urban Decay Naked Palette

• Highlighting Cheek Stick- Nars The Multiple Stick

• Peach Toned Under Eye Concealer- Bobbi Brown Corrector

• Automatic Brow Pencil-Anastasia Brow Wiz

• Translucent Finishing Powder- Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder

SAVE:

• Nude Toned Eye Palette-Maybelline The Nudes Palette

• Highlighting Cheek Stick- Sonia Kashuk Luminosity Stick

• Peach Toned Under Eye Concealer- NYX Dark Circle Concealer

• Automatic Brow Pencil- NYX Automatic Brow Pencil

• Translucent Finishing Powder- Neutrogena Shine Control Powder

Hope some of these goodies solve an issue for you! Thanks again for stopping by, don't forget the giveaway below- the first two entry options are required, the rest are optional but each one you complete adds your name into the drawing an additional time. Good luck!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE FRENCH-GIRL SCENTS YOU'LL LOVE FOR FALL

Illustration by

Melissa Bailey

My fascination with France started young. My favorite book of all time was Madeline, and a read it religiously as a child. I can still quote many of the brilliantly worded rhymes from the stories. And those illustrations! Don't get me started on the beautiful images found in those books, I still treasure them to this day.

When junior high came around, I chose to take French as my foreign language- much to my parents' dismay. (They thought Spanish would be much more useful in life... and they were right- I don't get much practice speaking french, but who cares!?!) I took six years of French class to be exact, but I only remember the basics, sadly. But that six years of hard work, was enough to warrant a trip to France when I was 17, and I'll never forget it! The magic of France is still with me, and I can't wait to go back.

That long tangent there, was really just to tell you about two of my newest perfume collection additions. I feel like Fall is the perfect season to change your scent, and nothing changes a mood more than fragrance. I know it's still warm outside and you are hanging on to Summer just as much as I am, but cooler weather will be here soon, plus I had to speed up my process when my 2-year-old kindly shattered my Summer perfume bottle on my bathroom floor recently. I went searching for a new fragrance and wound up with two- both French. No complaints here. 

The first, Dune by Dior

is full of warm citrus and vanilla notes and just a hint of the ocean mist. I have been wearing this in the day time, and the staying power is legendary. It's perfect for early fall when you are just starting to add layers and the nights are cooling down.

The second scent I'll be wearing this season is Lys Soleia by Guerlain. Guerlain is the ultimate beauty label in my mind, and I love everything I have ever tried from the French design house. If you haven't shopped their makeup counter before, put that on your list of must-dos. This scent from their Aqua Allegoria collection is very robust and sensual, with a spicy musk note, and a Lilly kicker. This scent lends itself beautifully to night time wear, and is quite strong so stick with only 1-2 sprays.

If you are looking for a new parfume in your life- I hope you'll check out these two! We can be smell-twins... yes, that's a real thing. I just made it up. xo

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*samples for were requested by the beauty snoop and fulfilled by fragrencenet.com 

SUMMER 2014 FAVORITES | DRUG STORE

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today- I'm so glad you are here!

Today's episode for

Summer Essentials

is all about great bargains- and who doesn't love that? The

video below

is a collection of

drugstore beauty favorites

that I am loving for Summer 2014. There is a little something for everyone and I hope you'll find a new love too. Check it out and don't forget there are shopping links to all the products down below.

Wearing: 

Navy Striped Dress

 c/o Oasap

Products mention in video:

Not Your Mother's Way To Grow Leave-In Conditioner

Maybelline Color Tattoo Shadow [Barely Branded]

Pixi Brightening Peach Correction Concentrate

Revlon Skinlights [Pink Light]

Revlon Gel Envy [Top Coat

&

Multi Colors]

Scunci No Slip Grip Elastics

Past posts mentioned in video:

Summer 2014 Favorites  |  High End

Loreal Gel Lacque Review

Best Under Eye Concealers

Do you have any amazing Summer trips or plans coming up? I am dreaming of a vacation but sadly, I don't see it happening any time soon. Tell me where you are headed though, so I can dream vicariously through you! See you back here later this week for a look at what's in my beach bag. (even though it won't be going much farther than the local pool this year...) xo

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SUMMER 2014 FAVORITES! | HIGH END

Hello beautiful SNOOPETTES! (I'm going to start calling you that ok!?! Just decided that right this very moment, ha!) Today for your

SUMMER ESSENTIALS

viewing pleasure, I am rounding out my

favorite products for Summer 2014 

in the

video

below. I kept it short and sweet, with just 5 products- but I could have easily added 10 more. It's just so hard... too many amazing things out there, I tell ya!

These are my

high end favorites

, if you are looking for a good splurge. But, be sure to tune back in later this month for my drug store favorites video too. And don't forget shopping links for all the products mentioned are listed down below.

Products mentioned in video:

It Cosmetics Tightline Waterproof Primer

It Cosmetics CC+ Ombre Bronzer

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Gelee

Cover FX Protection Primer

Alterna Bamboo Ocean Mist

Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget to sign up to follow along via

bloglovin

, or via email in the left top sidebar. Let me know if you try any of my favorites too. Peace out

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THE PRIME OF YOUR LIFE: BEAUTY PRIMER WINNERS

I'll be the first to admit that some products out there (and in my drawers) are just 'fluff' products. They are kinda nice to have, but they aren't by any means necessary to own or use. When I de-clutter my makeup stash, it's the fluff products that always find the bottom of the garbage can first, because they take up valuable storage room, and don't give me any real payoff.

But one thing that I have learned in my beauty career is that primers can make all of the difference when it comes to the performance and longevity of your other products. A good primer is essential in my eyes and can easily replace 2-3 fluff products while getting you better results.

Why go through all the work of applying makeup, or styling your hair... or the time consumer of them all... painting your nails- just to have all that work go to waste!?! Seriously, stop doing that to yourself and invest in some top notch primers, you won't regret it! Remember that

the purpose of any primer is to prepare the surface to receive the subsequent products better

, with longer lasting results.

Best Nail Primer:

Essie Protein Base Coat

Nail care is not my strongest suit, mostly because I work with water, shampoo, and color every day so my nail polish has a slim chance in Hell of surviving more than 24 hours. But, when I do take the time to paint my nails, I want to be sure the color lasts as long as possible. I love this nail primer because it also strengthens the nails with its' protein ingredients. One coat of this dries quickly and provides a smooth surface to paint over. Your polish will last longer and the added layer gives a nice rigid protection to the nail itself so your less likely to break a nail when your popping open that morning can of Diet Coke. No? Just me? Ok.

Best Hair Primer:

Alterna Caviar Style Prep

Style Prep is my go-to detangling spray that is lightweight and smells amazing, BUT what it really does is even out the porosity of the hair so that all of your styling products absorb evenly and spread more easily. It also helps to repel water out of the hair so that your drying time is cut down significantly. This is the first product you would apply to your hair right out of the shower, then comb it through with your wetbrush or wide tooth comb- followed by any mousses, gels, creams, or oils that you use to style.

Best Skin Primer:

Benefit POREfessional

Makeup priming may be the most important of them all, and anyone who struggles with uneven pigment or oily/acne prone skin knows this first hand. I love the POREfessional primer because it is fairly lightweight and absorbs quickly, but it does a great job a filling in fine lines and large pores. Think of it as prepping the canvas prior to painting. Makeup primers typically help absorb some of the natural oils in the skin too, which helps makeup stay put with less slipping throughout the day.

Best Eye Primer:

NS Minerals Eye Primer

I am a big fan of NS Mineral makeup, but my favorite product from the line is their Eye Primer. It's unassuming on the outside, but this little tub packs a punch! It's a cream-to-powder finish formula that's not too liquidy- so it never creases or runs. And it has major staying power which is essential if you are wearing loose powder shadows. A swipe of this stuff across the lid will give your shadows the boost they need to be brighter in color and stay put the whole day. It's great for any work with photo shoots or bright lighting because it really holds up under heat well.

So there ya have it- the prime of your life is just around the corner! Do you have a favorite primer I need to try? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!