Leah Tackles

SOOÁE UNICORN GLOW HOLOGRAM MASK | REVIEW

March 18, 2019 & Leave a Comment

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?

March 11, 2019 & Leave a Comment

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

March 6, 2019 & Leave a Comment

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

March 4, 2019 & Leave a Comment

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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Freeman Beauty Neon Vibes Clay Mask | Oil Absorbing

February 25, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you are feeling ready to tackle a new day! We are under a blizzard warning (yep, BLIZZARD) where I live, so I am feeling very grateful for a warm home. What are you grateful for today? Let me know in the comments : )

A couple of weeks ago I shared a review of the new Freeman Beauty Holographic Mask and today I want to share a quick review of one of the new Freeman Beauty Neon Vibes Clay Mask. I love masking and you can read my posts on mask here.

About the Freeman Beauty Neon Vibes Clay Mask No Stress Oil-Absorbing

This is a very bright neon clay mask. This mask has blue lotus which claims to help with stress and restore balance and absorb oil for a better complexion. After 10 minutes you rinse this mask off with warm water.

My Thoughts

I tend to prefer sheet, peel-off, or gel masks because sometimes removing clay or mud masks seems like a chore, but I think I will continue to use this mask in my masking rotation because I loved how fun it looks and how nice it smells. My skin looked brighter after applying it, which most masks do for me and I love it! I also noticed that my skin seemed very taught after using it, and I think that is thanks to the oil-absorbing properties and the tightness from a clay mask.

My Routine

I like to do masks in the evening before I do my evening skincare routine. I start by removing my makeup with Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water Waterproof and Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes. I then apply my Freeman Beauty Neon Vibes No Stress Oil Absorbing Clay Mask with a cheap foundation brush (like this one). After about 10-20 minutes I use warm water on a washcloth and gently remove the mask by doing upwards swipes and circular motions. I then continue with my nighttime routine.

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I could not find this mask ANYWHERE online, so I linked a few of my favorite Freeman Beauty Clay Masks below. I found my Freeman Beauty Neon Vibes Mask at Walmart for $1.37 for a single-use mask.

What is your favorite mask? Do you prefer mud masks, sheet masks, gel masks, peel-off masks, or clay masks? Share in the comments so we can all help each other! Have a wonderful rest of your day! xx

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LOOK EXPENSIVE ON A BUDGET |WALMART TIME AND TRU CLOTHING HAUL

February 20, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fantastic day! Last fall I shared a post called The Best Affordable Open Front Cardigan Less Than $20 and it was so well received that I knew I wanted to continue to share when I find ways to look expensive on a budget.

Walmart released a line about a year ago called Time and Tru and it has really elevated their clothing game in the women’s department. They also have new lines in the children’s department called Wonder Nation that looks much higher-end.

My Finds

I was attending a networking event for my social media management career (curious? my website is here) and wanted to wear a pair of leather leggings but didn’t have a top that I liked to pair with it that would cover my bum. My sweet hubster was running to Walmart and so I asked if he would look to see if they had a long cardigan similar to the one I shared here. My husband got major props for texting pictures and FaceTiming me while at Walmart and he found a gorgeous black open-front drape front blazer that is just long enough for me to wear with leggings. I am SO excited by this piece because it looks amazing dressed up or casually with jeans and a graphic tee. It’s a beautiful unstructured blazer that could have been in a department store for double or even triple the price. It was originally $24, marked down to $19. Fast-forward to a week later and I had to run into Walmart and I just happened to walk past the women’s section and found the same blazer in both black and in navy on clearance for $5! $5! It still appears to be full price online, but check in store! I would definitely pay $25 though, it is an amazing piece! I think it will be a staple in my capsule wardrobe that can mix and match with anything.

I also snagged a long belted sweater vest in black for $5. I love it worn open or tied and loved wearing it with major Diane Keaton vibes. They had some adorable camouflage zip-front hoodies, cowl neck hoodies, and velvet leggings for $5.

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Time and Tru Drape Front Blazer

Time and Tru Belted Sweater Vest

I keep forgetting to check Walmart clothing on a regular basis, but the gems that I have found have become staples in my wardrobe and pieces that people are SHOCKED came from Walmart. Have you checked out the Time and Tru line from Walmart?

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Lip Smacker Disney Emoji Lip Balm Review

February 18, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

If you’re familiar with my YouTube channel you know that I am obsessed with all things Disney and when Disney beauty items come out, I am pretty excited. Today I want to share a product that’s always in my purse.

About Disney Emoji Lip Balm by Lip Smacker

These lip balms have Disney character inspired characters, give the lips a little shine and are moisturizing. Lip Smacker® Disney Emoji Flip Balms feature a different emoji expression on each side—that’s one cute character with two different expressions! Flip open to find a deliciously flavored lip balm inside.

My Thoughts

I have several of the Disney Tsum Tsum Lip Smackers and while they’re adorable and have the yummy scents and flavors that Lip Smacker is known for, I rarely use them because 1) They’re clunky and 2) The caps and hard to twist on and off. But these Disney Emoji Lip Smackers? Obsessed! The flavors give me all of the 6th-grade-nostalgia-feels and they offer the perfect moisture for natural makeup days or to wear under lipstick. And the flip open is both functional and fun. I will definitely be buying more and my three little loves are hoping the Easter Bunny gives them some in their baskets.

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Have you tried these? What is your favorite Lip Smacker flavor? Any Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker fans?

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Holographic Face Mask | Freeman Beauty Cosmic Holographic Peel-Off Mask

February 12, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

One of my favorite ways to treat myself to a little self-care a few times a week is masking. If you read this blog regularly, you know that I love masks (read my posts on single-use masks here) and I notice a difference in my skin on weeks when I am skipping this part of my regimen.

About the Freeman Cosmic Holographic Peel-Off Mask

This is a “crystal-inspired” holographic peel-off mask. It is an iridescent mask that is infused with rose quartz and removes impurities. This mask claims to illuminate your skin for a brighter complexion.

My Thoughts

I love trying affordable single-use masks like the 7th Heaven Montagne Jeunesse and Freeman Beauty masks because I can grab them at the drugstore or grocery store for less than $2 each. I was so excited to see several new options by Freeman and a holographic mask sounded so fun. The mask color is a very pale pink, so it wasn’t as in-your-face holographic as I had hoped on my fair skin, but my little loved and hubster still thought it was really fun. It was easy to apply with a foundation brush like this. I enjoy the peel-off masks because they peel-off (imagine that!) quickly and some days I just don’t have the patience to remove a mud mask. My skin felt super soft after using this and I noticed my complexion looked brighter as well.

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I can’t find this ANYWHERE online! Is it not 2019?! What’s happening?! I purchased this at Walmart for $1.37. I would LOVE to link it and will as soon as it is available online. However, I will link some of my other favorite Freeman Beauty masks.

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DRUGSTORE POWDER FOUNDATION | Maybelline Super Stay Powder Foundation Review

February 11, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope you had a great weekend and are ready to rock a new week! I mentioned in my last post (read it here) that I have been relying on quick makeup looks a lot lately. I love products that work hard for me when I am only spending a few minutes on my makeup, and powder foundation is a way I like to look pulled together in a hurry.

Would you like a video demo or tutorial showing my Five Minute Makeup look? Leave me a comment to let me know!

One of my favorite drugstore foundations (truly, it may be the G.O.A.T) is the Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Foundation and you can read my post on it here. I was so excited to see a powder foundation come out from this line, because powder foundations, especially those that claim to be full coverage, are rare.

Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Powder Foundation Claims

Super Stay® Full Coverage Powder Foundation Makeup Matte Finish features a high-pigment formula that achieves a full-coverage finish that lasts all day. This powder foundation is packed with color-matching pigments, this long-lasting formula delivers full coverage foundation coverage ever in a powder! This full-coverage powder makeup claims to have a creamy texture that is easily blendable and glides onto the skin for a matte finish. Apply with brush or face sponge all over the face, and neck.

My Thoughts

I was happy to see that this powder comes in 12 shades to offer options for most skin tones. I ended up going a shade darker than I wear in the liquid version of this foundation, and I am glad that I did because it definitely is lighter in powder form. I was very impressed with how much coverage this powder foundation gave! I have combo/oily skin and noticed it clinging to my uneven texture and showing my pores when I went too heavy with my application and didn’t use a primer. I think it the summer I won’t have this issue, but if you have dry skin you may want to avoid this powder. I like wearing the Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Powder Foundation in 110 Natural Ivory (I am 110 Porecelain in the liquid foundation in the winter) with a hydrating primer such as the Maybelline Face Studio Prime Hydrate + Smooth Primer. I prefer applying this with a brush like the Real Techniques Powder Brush, but did notice I got slightly more coverage using the sponge that comes with the powder foundation. Does this give me the coverage of my go-to full coverage liquid foundations? No, but when I am grabbing powder foundation I just want quick to apply and an even skin tone and this gives me that.

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