Leah Tackles

MISS SPA Purify Facial Sheet Mask

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend! I spent the weekend in Chicago with my mom and daughter. We had a FANTASTIC time (I am finishing up this post on the train home) but the weather? Snow, at the end of April, and rain! We made the best of it, but my skin gets pretty irritated when the weather changes drastically, so masking is a step in my skincare that use to try to baby it through the crazy Midwest weather.

About Miss Spa Purify Facial Sheet Masks

This mask contains activated charcoal which calms the skin to take away redness, help with age spots, and combat oil.

My Thoughts

I was first drawn to the packaging because I think they’ve done a wonderful job hitting that right mix of cute yet modern package style that makes these trendy and giftable. This is my first Miss Spa face mask, but I enjoyed it. It stayed on my skin well, and not only did my skin look great immediately after using it, but it continued to look bright and smooth even 24 hours later. I like that the Miss Spa brand has a ton of mask choices (age defying, hydrating, detox, and deep clean to name a few) and will definitely use them again.

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What is your favorite sheet mask? Do you like single-use masks or do you buy a tube or tub product that holds your favorite mask you reach for again and again? Let me know in a comment : )

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NADINE WEST UNBOXING |AFFORDABLE STYLE SUBSCRIPTION

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

If you celebrate, I hope that you had a wonderful Easter with your loved ones!  I have shared my outfits from Nadine West for well over a year now on my blog (read the posts here). Nadine West sent me this box for my consideration for review but I was not paid to write this post and as always all opinions are my own.

What is Nadine West?

NadineWest.com is a company that sends you an outfit to try on and you keep only what you love. The outfit is a surprise, but you take a style quiz and the stylists get to know your style more each month. The outfits are affordable with pieces costing about $10-$30 each, which is very affordable compared to other similar services.

How Does It Work?

On the Nadine West website, you take the style quiz so that the stylist can get to know what you are looking for in an outfit. You will receive a pink package in the mail with your personalized outfit. Try on the outfit and keep what you love and send back what you don’t.

My Thoughts

The style quiz was super easy to do, which was great because I wanted something that didn’t take too much time but I was still able to make notes to make sure the stylist knew my preferences. I really loved the surprise aspect of this, and it was like opening up a girly gift from a really stylish friend. I cannot stand having to return things, it is such a bummer, but I LOVE the way this company does it because your outfit comes with return shipping.

Discount Code

Use the referral code “Nadine” on NadineWest.com (not an affiliate code for me, just sharing the one they currently have on their website) to waive your shipping fee which means you’ll get your outfit in the mail without paying anything!

What Did I Get?

I got a few floral pieces, sunglasses, and shorts that I will not be keeping. I got a gorgeous bright blue, super fitted midi dress that I think will be fun in the summer with a cute denim jacket on the top. I also got a pair of muted coral color pants and a long necklace. 

What Did I Like? What Missed the Mark?

I sent back the louder floral prints because I prefer more neutrals, and for prints, I prefer stripes or polka dots. The sunglasses felt cheap, and too light, which is unfortunate because I’ve found sunglasses that I love at Walmart, so it isn’t because I am a sunglasses snob. I also got a pair of shorts that are cute but not a color that flatters my skin. I love the bright blue dress and think it’ll be fun to dress up and down in the summer. The pants are a style I love for smart casual work or networking events, and while they are a fabric that wrinkles too easily for my liking, they were able to be steamed in just a couple of minutes. I love the necklace, and it’s a great way to dress up a basic tee.

Final Thoughts

I love getting my Nadine West box each month! Most months I get a few things that I love, but I do wish that there was a simple form to update style preferences or check-in each month to see what I’d like to find in my box. I hope that I will continue to get neutral pieces that fit my style and delicate jewelry that works with my sense of style. I would love to see some simple maxi dresses for spring, too. I would rather receive two or three nicer items than a lot of pieces that aren’t as nice of quality.

Have you tried any fashion boxes like this? Have you tried Nadine West? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your week! I’ve missed posting on Wednesdays, but I am so glad to be here with you once each week. Thank you for reading! xx

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THE ORDINARY AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! Today I am going to be reviewing a product by The Ordinary by Deciem The Abnormal Beauty Company. I have been using several products by The Ordinary for over a year now, but one product that is newer to me is the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.

About The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

It is an exfoliating solution to help fight visible blemishes and improve the look of skin texture and radiance. This mask is great for those who struggle with blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness and uneven texture. This 10-minute, exfoliating facial uses a combined 30-percent AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and two-percent BHA (beta hydroxy acid) to diminish the look of blemishes. It smooths the look of skin texture for a more radiant look.

Main Ingredients
– Glycolic Acid: Exfoliates the outer layers of the skin.
– Lactic Acid: Exfoliates the outer layers of the skin.
– Salicylic Acid: Exfoliates inside the pores to reduce congestion.I

My Thoughts

I was a little nervous to use such a strong acid, but after doing my research I decided to give it a try. I don’t mind the blood red color because I can see exactly where I’ve applied it. The consistency is a liquid that has just an ever so slight gel-like feel that reminds me of the slime my kids play with. The first time I used this mask I wore it for about 8 minutes, a couple of minutes shy of the recommended 10 minutes, but I didn’t have any irritation. My skin looked incredible after using this, and felt BABY soft. I do have a bit of uneven skin tone, clogged pores on my nose, the occasional breakout, and some light acne scarring, and my skin is looking SO MUCH BETTER after using this a couple of times a week for the past month. I didn’t notice any peeling after using this, which I wish I would just a bit to really feel like I was getting a strong facial-worthy acid treatment, but I cannot deny the way my skin looks since I began using this. I always wear sunscreen, but I make sure to really slather it on while using this. If you have very sensitive skin, scabbed breakouts, or aren’t versed in skincare, don’t use it! I have been using oils, serums, masks…all sorts of potions ; ) for years. You can read the Sephora Reviews Here to see if you think it would work well for you.

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Have you tried any peeling solutions? Another popular one is Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari BabyFacial. I have tried many other products by The Ordinary, do you want to hear my thoughts? Would you like them all in one post or individually? Let me know! Have a wonderful day! xx

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NADINE WEST UNBOXING |AFFORDABLE STYLE SUBSCRIPTION

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you’re feeling excited and ready for a fresh, new week! I went to a concert over the weekend with one of my dearest friends and it has me feeling so positive as I start a new week.  I have shared my outfits from Nadine West before on my blog (read the posts here). Nadine West sent me this box for my consideration for review but I was not paid to write this post and as always all opinions are my own.

 

 

What is Nadine West?

NadineWest.com is a company that sends you an outfit to try on and you keep only what you love. The outfit is a surprise, but you take a style quiz and the stylists get to know your style more each month. The outfits are affordable with pieces costing about $10-$30 each, which is very affordable compared to other similar services.

How Does It Work?

On the Nadine West website, you take the style quiz so that the stylist can get to know what you are looking for in an outfit. You will receive a pink package in the mail with your personalized outfit. Try on the outfit and keep what you love and send back what you don’t.

My Thoughts

The style quiz was super easy to do, which was great because I wanted something that didn’t take too much time but I was still able to make notes to make sure the stylist knew my preferences. I really loved the surprise aspect of this, and it was like opening up a girly gift from a really stylish friend. I cannot stand having to return things, it is such a bummer, but I LOVE the way this company does it because your outfit comes with return shipping.

Discount Code

Use the referral code “Nadine” on NadineWest.com (not an affiliate code for me, just sharing the one they currently have on their website) to waive your shipping fee which means you’ll get your outfit in the mail without paying anything!

What Did I Get?

I received a pink short sleeve shirt with shoulder cutouts, a creme floral top with puffy sleeve details, a red and white striped blazer with red roses, a red floral teeshirt, a blue floral strapless dress, a gray pencil skirt, black and white plaid pants, a navy and gold necklace, and gold dangly earrings.

 

What Did I Like? What Missed the Mark?

This month I got one piece that I am OVER THE MOON IN LOVE WITH! I could have gotten just this piece and I would have been happy! It’s a lightweight drape open-front black and white striped blazer with red roses on it. If you read this blog often, you know that I wear mostly neutral colors and the patterns I prefer are the standbys like stripes, dots, and leopard, but the pop of red from the roses is just enough on the neutral colored blazer! It’s super cute for work, date night, or a cocktail with the girls! I also like the pink short sleeve but wish it didn’t have the shoulder cutouts. The creme floral top is so stunning! I am not crazy about the floral pattern, but the fit of the shirt and the puffy sleeve detail is so perfect. I do not care for the red floral top on my skin tone. I also don’t like the plaid pants because while plaid pants are so in this year, I wish they were a more traditional trouser style instead of a legging/pant mix. The dress is very cute, but floral isn’t my thing. The skirt is a great basic.

Final Thoughts

I love getting my Nadine West box each month! Most months I get a few things that I love, but I do wish that there was a simple form to update style preferences or check-in each month to see what I’d like to find in my box. I hope that I will continue to get neutral pieces that fit my style and delicate jewelry that works with my sense of style. I would love to see some simple maxi dresses for spring, too.

Have you tried any fashion boxes like this? Have you tried Nadine West? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your week! I’ve missed posting on Wednesdays, but I am so glad to be here with you once each week. Thank you for reading! xx

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SOAP & GLORY |The Fab Pore Mask Skin-Refining Mask Review

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

How are you? I hope that you had a fabulous weekend and are feeling refreshed and ready for a new week. I know I keep sharing masks, and I promise I have something different up my sleeve for next week, but today I want to share a mask from the brand Soap & Glory.

About Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Skin-Smoothing Pore-Refining Mask

This Soap & Glory sheet mask has “BLOT-A-LOT” technology with white willowbark, lemon balm, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and mint. This mask claims instant mattification with Soap & Glory Poreshrink-R2 technology and Coolcapsule-Smooth technology.

My Thoughts

First of all, Soap & Glory continues to have some of the cutest packaging I’ve ever seen! I adore the vintage look and cute details like “Pore-Hibited” text and symbol which I think is just precious. I also appreciate that the mask says, “chill, relax, or just carry on with your regular routine” because while I would love to just chill while I mask, I am usually running around doing nighttime routines with my kids when I mask, so it’s much more realistic ; ) This mask fits well, and I appreciate that is doesn’t fall off while I am doing the chores mentioned above. I LOVED this mask, it really helped keep my skin matte, and I used it right before a trip or humid central Florida. I was so impressed that it made a difference in my combo/oily skin that I added a few more to my Ulta cart. It also smelled great and was very cooling. Do you know how your skin still has some of the mask product left after sheet masks? With this mask, I had a ton and it felt so good to rub into my face, neck, and decolletage. You can also snag this mask at Target and Amazon.

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Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Pore-Refining Mask

 

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SOOÁE HYDRATION ALERT SENSOR MASK REVIEW

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! I was traveling for work for a social media client and when I travel my skin demands extra pampering. I love taking sheet masks that I can use quickly in a hotel room, car, or even a mile up in the sky on a plane. Last week I shared the SOOÁE Unicorn Glow Hologram Mask and today I have another SOOÁE mask. This trip I took the SOOÁE Hydration Alert Sensor Mask and today I want to share my thoughts. 

About the SOOÁE Hydration Alert Sensor Mask

This smart mask is supposed to alert you when your skin is at optimal hydration levels by color changing. This mask offers hydration for bouncy, radiant skin.

My Thoughts

I did notice the stars changing, and while I’m not sure if it truly was when my skin was at an optimal hydration level, and it was a little gimmicky, it was also really fun. Regardless of the sensor being accurate or just for show, my skin felt wonderful after using this and it was perfect after being on a drying airplane. I will use this mask again, and it’s one of my favorite SOOÁE sheet masks.

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SOOÁE Hydration Alert Sensor Mask

What is your favorite sheet mask? Let us know in the comments so we can all find some new favorites : ) What do you want to see me review or share? Let me know! Have a wonderful week! xx

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SOOÁE UNICORN GLOW HOLOGRAM MASK | REVIEW

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! I’ve learned over the years that my skin tends to become a little high maintenance as the weather changes from season to season. It is still very much winter here, but in anticipation of a quick trip I have coming up, I have been upping my skin pampering to that it (hopefully) behaves itself while I’m in a warmer, humid climate.

Today I want to share a fun mask that loved so much that I replaced it right away so I would have more on hand. I have used Sooáe Face Masks before, but this one is my favorite.

ABOUT SOOÁE UNICORN HOLOGRAM MASK

The Unicorn Glow Hologram Mask is soaked in black charcoal to help detoxify and purify your skin. A plant extract nourishes the skin.

MY THOUGHTS

I love the fun silver holographic appearance of the mask, but what made me repurchase this mask is the black charcoal side of the mask that goes on the skin. The mask stayed on even when I was walking around and in the tub with it on, and it stayed wet the entire time, and had enough remaining to rub into my skin when I was done with the mask. I felt that my skin appeared even and brighter after using it, and it felt like it had been calmed down and soothed which I love. I like this mask because it isn’t a hassle to use or apply, and it’s a quick way to pamper my skin when it starts acting up or gets “angry”.

MY ROUTINE

I apply this mask to freshly cleansed skin and rub the remaining moisture into my skin on my face, neck, and hands when I am done with the mask.

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What is your go-to face mask brand? Do you prefer sheet masks, peel-off masks, cream masks, or mud masks? Please let us know in the comments! Thank you for reading! xx

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LeahTackles Turns 5! What’s Next?

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you’re having a wonderful start to your week, and enjoying a little extra sunshine with daylight savings time. Today I want to share my thoughts on celebrating FIVE YEARS of LeahTackles.com and share what my plans are for the future of this blog.

In 2012 I began watching YouTube videos and became obsessed with the beauty community on YouTube. I had watched YouTube for a few years before, but in 2012 I was going through the hardest season of my life when we found out that our second child, who I was 27 weeks pregnant with, would likely be stillborn or be born shortly after birth. Connor is now six years old, and while much about is future is still unknown, with the help of intensive programs and therapies, is a kindergarten in a mainstream classroom. I began watching beauty YouTube videos during a time when I didn’t wear makeup, didn’t leave the house, and if it wasn’t for my toddler I wouldn’t have gotten out of bed. It may seem odd, but watching this videos was the perfect mini escape from reality, and for someone who had written “zines” in middle school on AOL (dating myself, much? I do turn 32 tomorrow) and always loved beauty products, it was a form of comfort.

I loved watching YouTube videos but knew my strength as a writer, so I decided when Connor was about one-year-old that I wanted to start a blog. My YouTube came about a year later. If you know my personality at all, I research everything, so naturally, I researched a lot and had my blog ready to go before the launch. It was close to my birthday, so I thought that my 27th birthday would be the perfect time to post my first post and share it with the world (or a handful of friends and my mama, but you get me). I was about 11 weeks pregnant with our third child, but miscarried days before my birthday. I knew driving to the emergency room with my husband deep down in my gut that we had lost our baby. I hadn’t had morning sickness for a few days, and I just felt it. Sadly, I was right, and on March 11th, 2014 I had a D&C. I’ll never forget the nurse asking my birthday and then her looking at me and saying, “Oh Honey” because it was the day before my birthday. I remember sitting in bed on my birthday eating an appalling number of Twix bars and deciding that I was still going to post my blog post. I clicked “Post Publish” with the “public” checkbox marked, shared on Facebook, and anxiously waited. Thankfully, people were incredibly supportive and a few even subscribed.

For the first bit of the blog I posted three times each week, and then cut back to two posts a week. I am extremely proud to say that in five years, no matter what we had going on surgery with babies, surgeries, career changes, and vacations I NEVER MISSED A BLOG POST! So, today I celebrate 550 posts! Woot Woot!

What’s next? So much has changed in five years, and I have gone through seasons where I can’t wait to share a blog post or beauty video on my LeahTacklesBeauty Instagram, and seasons where it feels like a chore. However, I don’t regret for a second having half a decade of writing samples, dedication, and love poured out in my keyboard. I now am working full time with my husband running our custom screen printing company The Mitten Print Shop, as a social media manager for small businesses and as a coach passionate about helping entrepreneurs with self-care and mental health. I am trying to make choices with how I spend my time based on what energizes me, and while sometimes the blog certainly hasn’t, whenever the idea of stopping the blog ran across my mind I was so sad instead of relieved. So, I have decided to cut back to one post each week so that I can give you my very best writing, time, and energy. I do not take lightly that some of you take precious time out of your life to read and engage with my content. I am SO THANKFUL and appreciate you. My gratitude for the continued support is huge. Thank you! I want to continue to give you my best work. I will be using the “extra time” to work with clients and also submit my writing for publication (read my latest published World of Walt article here), and continuing to push my career forward.

So, I’ll be back here, but instead of Wednesday it will be next Monday. Keep tackling each day. Thank you again for being here! xx

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Morning Anti-Aging Skincare Routine For Combo Skin

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Today I want to share my morning skincare routine for my combo/oily skin. This morning skincare is an anti-aging skincare routine that works for my combo/oily skin. If you have any questions about the products or how I use them, please ask! If you’d like me to film a morning skincare routine video, let me know in the comments : ) I have similar videos on my LeahTacklesBeauty Instagram.

I also like to use the First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel on days when I want to stay very matte (typically for me this is long days or days when I’ll not be able to touch-up).

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What is your favorite skincare product from the drugstore? Do you use more high-end or drugstore skincare? Let us know in the comments!

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AFFORDABLE CLOTHING SUBSCRIPTION | NADINE WEST REVIEW

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you’re feeling energized and ready for a fresh, new week!  I have shared my outfits from Nadine West before on my blog (read the posts here). Nadine West sent me this box for my consideration for review but I was not paid to write this post and as always all opinions are my own.

What is Nadine West?

NadineWest.com is a company that sends you an outfit to try on and you keep only what you love. The outfit is a surprise, but you take a style quiz and the stylists get to know your style more each month. The outfits are affordable with pieces costing about $10-$30 each, which is very affordable compared to other similar services.

How Does It Work?

On the Nadine West website, you take the style quiz so that the stylist can get to know what you are looking for in an outfit. You will receive a pink package in the mail with your personalized outfit. Try on the outfit and keep what you love and send back what you don’t.

My Thoughts

The style quiz was super easy to do, which was great because I wanted something that didn’t take too much time but I was still able to make notes to make sure the stylist knew my preferences. I really loved the surprise aspect of this, and it was like opening up a girly gift from a really stylish friend. I cannot stand having to return things, it is such a bummer, but I LOVE the way this company does it because your outfit comes with return shipping.

Discount Code

Use the referral code “Nadine” on NadineWest.com (not an affiliate code for me, just sharing the one they currently have on their website) to waive your shipping fee which means you’ll get your outfit in the mail without paying anything!

What Did I Get?

This month I received a purple cold-shoulder sweater, an olive and white striped cold-shoulder top, a white top with beautiful lace detail, a pair of shiny purple leggings, a pair of plaid pants, a sky blue floral dress, a black pendant necklace, a pair of gold and silver hoops, and a gold bracelet. 

 

Did I Keep It?

This month I only kept a couple of items. I love the material of the purple sweater, and it’s actually the same material and color as a sweater that I received in a Nadine West Box a few months back, but I am not into the cold-shoulder trend much anymore, so I’m not sure how often I’ll wear this. I love olive green and I love stripes, so I wish that it was a plain top and not cold-shoulder, because again I don’t think I’ll reach for it in my closet. The purple leggings are not workout leggings, but I think they’ll be nice to wear hanging around the house. I LOVE the dress so much, it is perfect for brunch or attending my daughters dance recital, but let me be real, real I was too cold to try it on! I love it though! So cute. I love plaid, and I think a neutral plaid pant would be super cute, but the plaid pants that came aren’t in my color palette and I don’t like the way they fit. I don’t care for the earrings or the bracelet this month, but the necklace is very cute and something I’ll wear often. Overall, this wasn’t a great month for me for Nadine West.

Final Thoughts

I love getting my Nadine West box each month! Most months I get a few things that I love, but I do wish that there was a simple form to update style preferences or check-in each month to see what I’d like to find in my box. I hope that I will continue to get neutral pieces that fit my style and delicate jewelry that works with my sense of style. I would love to see some simple maxi dresses for spring, too.

Have you tried any fashion boxes like this? Have you tried Nadine West? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your week! I’ll be back here Wednesday, as always : )

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