Leah Tackles

HOT STEAM HAIR MASK | HIP CHIC SOFT LAMB STEAM HAIR MASK

March 28, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Thank you, as always, for reading : ) I hope that you are having a great week!

This steam hair mask claims to be a fun way to improve the look and feel of split ends, stressed out and unruly frizzy hair. Lamb steam masks are popular in Korean beauty and work by heating up on application to help mend split ends and frizzy hair.

My Thoughts

I LOVED the idea of this mask because it is all contained and a fun thing to try for a night in. I shampooed my hair and then got out of the shower squeezed out excess water out of my hair before gathering my hair on the top of my head. I put the shower cap style mask on my head and used the tape tab to tighten it so none of the mask got out. I used my fingers to work the mask into my hair and then waited about 10 minutes before rinsing it out and following with my regular conditioner in the shower. My hair didn’t have any buildup issues after using this, and my ends felt very smooth! Just like my face feels smooth immediately after a facemask, my hair always feels soft after a conditioner, so it’s hard to tell what the longterm results with this will, but I would definitely use this mask again.

Watch Me Use It

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You can shop online here or I found it at Walmart : )

What do you think? Have you tried a steam hair mask before?

Have a wonderful weekend! xx

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CLEAN & CLEAR NIGHT RELAXING JELLY EYE SHEET MASK | COOLING EYE MASK FOR TIRED EYES

March 26, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that your week is off to a wonderful start! My two oldest Little Loves are on spring break, so we are planning lots of staycation fun like playdates and activities right in our own town. If you’re on spring break, let me know what you are doing for fun in the comments : )

As you know, I adore face masks and anything that can help me look like I got more sleep than I actually did? I am all for it!

Clean & Clear Night Relaxing Jelly Eye Sheet Mask

This Jelly Eye Sheet Face Mask soothes and replenishes skin, targeting the eye area where stress and sleepiness from the day can show. The cooling jelly sheet mask with Hydrogel formula is designed to contour to the skin to help restore and lock in essential nourishing ingredients and moisture leaving the skin feeling fresh and replenished. Gentle on skin and easy to put on and remove, this ready-to-use eye mask contains seaweed extract. Use this dermatologist tested, alcohol-free, and non-comedogenic face mask for just 15 minutes to replenish skin after a long day.

My Thoughts

I really loved how cooling this mask felt, and I’ve shown the trick I use on my LeahTacklesBeauty Instagram where I put my mask in the fridge or freezer but the Clean & Clear Night Relaxing Jelly Eye Sheet Mask was very cold without doing that step. My skin felt incredibly hydrated after using this mask, and the cooling feeling gave me the same sensation as splashing cool water on my face to wake up–very refreshing!

Watch Me Use It Here

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If you try this out, let me know your thoughts! It is available online or I found mine at Walmart for just a couple of dollars : )

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*Note: It’s a LIVE video! My first ever live video and this is the replay!

HOW TO REFRESH YOUR WARDROBE ON A BUDGET | REPLACE BUTTONS TO ADD STYLE

March 21, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fabulous week! Cheers to making it to hump day : )

I have recently been doing some major spring cleaning in my closet. I began by going through every piece of clothing that was hanging in my closet and deciding whether or not it was something I loved or wore enough to justify it getting to stay in the closet.

CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET

I got strict with myself and if things had stains or looked ratty I tossed them. I had so many cami shirts, tanks, and tees that while I still consider closet staples, needed to be replaced. I threw away cheap shoes that weren’t comfortable or were very beat up. I donated clothing that was in good shape but that I didn’t wear or that didn’t fit me. Anything that I couldn’t part with because it was extremely sentimental, great quality but not currently being worn, or things that I did use but very rarely I moved out of my closet and into storage.

ORGANIZING MY CLOSET

I put all of my clothing in color order and by type so that when I am looking for something, it is easy to find. I already had been doing this, but I perfected it to make it as easy as possible to find and use my clothing pieces. I use these black velvet hangers to keep a clean and organized look while maximizing my small closet space.

REFRESHING CLOTHING ITEMS WITH BUTTONS

I made a pile of clothing that needed to be dry cleaned, and then another pile of things that I loved but wasn’t wearing because they needed small inexpensive repairs. I took a trip to Hobby Lobby and ended up spending $13 to fix three items and am so thrilled with my results that I had to share them with you. I am no seamstress, but I have a small sewing box that is pretty much exclusively the spare buttons that come with clothes and a few basics. If I can do these quick fixes, so can you! ; )

E3000 RHINESTONE FIX

I found a button down shirt that I have had for years from Express that love because it has the timeless style of a white shirt but fun rhinestone buttons to give it a little something, but I hadn’t worn it in YEARS because one button on the shirt was missing a rhinestone. I was able to find a rhinestone that fit into the button and glue it in using E3000 and now I have my shirt back. Similar shirts at Express cost about $60 and I fixed it for $3!

REPLACING A BUTTON ON A SILK BLOUSE

I had a beautiful silk shirt that my mother purchased for me for sorority events back in college (yes, it’s more than a couple of years old!) that I hadn’t worn in years and years because it was missing a button and the puffy sleeve had gone out of style. Fast-forward to 2018? The romantic sleeve is back in style, and a silk shirt really always looks good, so I decided to try to find a replacement button. I found a button that was a bit larger than the buttons on the shirt, but I decided to move the top collar button onto the shirt to where the button was missing and then added the larger rhinestone button to the top collar spot to that the size difference looked like it was meant to be that way. *TIP: If you can’t find the exact button or the exact size you need, put the replacement in a spot that isn’t obvious and move that button to the more obvious spot if needed. I spent $3 to replace a button on a shirt that would retail about $100.

REPLACING BUTTONS ON A BLAZER TO TAKE IT FROM CHEAP TO CHIC

A one-button gray blazer from Maurcies was sitting in my closet but I wasn’t ever reaching for it because I felt that it looked a bit cheap, even though it fits me well. I spent $7 to replace the plastic gray buttons that the blazer came with one large gold button and the smaller gold buttons on the sleeves. A Maurice’s blazer costs about $40-50 and I was able to make it look like a blazer from a more expensive brand by simply replacing the buttons.

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So, what do you think? Can you think of any jackets, blazers, or shirts where a simple button replacement could make them wearable, more luxe, or more current? If this post inspires you to update any of your pieces, please share with me on my social media which is always linked at the bottom of every post : ) I plan to do more style DIYs and budget tips, so please let me know if you have any requests! xx

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HOW-TO CLEAN YOU MAKEUP BRUSHES AFFORDABLY

March 19, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you are having a great start to your week : ) I try to clean my makeup brushes once a week, and while I have a few favorite cleansers made specifically for makeup brushes (like the Beauty Blender Cleanser Solid), sometimes I like to keep in low-maintenance and budget friendly. I was sent a tool called the Bump It Off Silicone Cleaning Tool for consideration for review, but this post is not sponsored and as always I would never accept money in exchange for a positive review.

How I Clean My Brushes Easily and Affordably

I use foaming antibacterial soap and gently rub the brush onto the silicone nubs until it is clean and the water runs clear. I use the large nubs for my bigger brushes and the fine nubs for my eyeshadow brushes. I use a brush tree to dry my makeup brushes upside down which makes them dry a lot faster, but if you don’t have one you can simply roll a hand towel so that the brush head can still dry tiled down.

Bump It Off Silicone Cleaning Tool

I have used other small silicone brush cleaners, but I did like the size of this one especially for larger powder brushes. I did find the fit of it a bit odd to get used to, but I still enjoyed having it fit on my hand so I had more freedom to adjust the water, pump the soap, and use my other hand for holding the brush. This tool has awesome views for washing pups on Amazon, but we don’t have a pup in our house so I haven’t been able to test it out. The packaging also brags that it can be used to scrub laundry and pots or pans.

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Sometimes keeping it simple makes it actually get done, you know? ; ) What are your affordable or low-maintenance favorites? Let us know in the comments! xx

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COLOR CORRECTING WITH L’OREAL TRUE MATCH SUPER-BLENDABLE CORRECTING CONCEALER | DRUGSTORE PEACH CONCEALER

March 14, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far!

If there is any week above others when I’m feeling like I need to correct my dark circles even more than normal, it is the week of Daylight Savings Time! I have talked about my battle with dark under eye circles (I credit the combo of genetics & three Little Loves under the age of seven!) and I have found what is my new favorite for quick color correcting under my eyes. Be sure to follow my LeahTacklesBeauty Instagram to see makeup tutorials on lots of products I’m testing out!

L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Correcting Concealer in 402 Peach

My Thoughts

I love that this is a chubby crayon style corrector because on mornings when I am in a hurry and don’t want to deal with a thicker cream concealer (no shade to my Benefit Boi-ing Brightening Concealer, it’s still an all-time favorite for me but it is more time consuming to apply). I love that this is a twist-up style crayon because I don’t have to worry about sharpening. I was AMAZED at how this completely counteracted my very apparent darkness, especially on the inner corners of my eye against the side of my nose and on the under eye area. I enjoy that this application style allows me to make sure the product goes right where I want it to, and it’s soft so I didn’t feel that it was tugging the delicate skin by the eye. This is now one of my absolute favorite peach concealers, and I will 100% repurchase it. *Note: L’Oreal does sell these in other color correcting shades, including a Bisque which would work well for medium skin tones and Orange which would be great for deep skin tones.

My Routine

After applying my foundation (if wearing foundation that day) I apply the product on the inner corner area of my eye and gently apply some under my eye, stopping about at my halfway and then using my finger or a Beauty Blender lightly press and blend the product into my skin. I then like to use a light skin-toned concealer (I am loving the Tarte Shape Tape in Fair) before setting with a loose power like the Coty Airspun Loose Powder.

Watch Me Use It

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Do you have a favorite peach or orange toned concealer? Do you do color correcting? Be sure to leave a comment to let us know! Have a fantastic weekend! xx

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HOW-TO UP YOUR HAIR GAME | HAIR ACCESSORY STYLING TIPS FEATURING ULTA BEAUTY

March 12, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

Today is my birthday, and it is also the fourth birthday of this blog, LeahTackles.com. I have worked hard and proud that I haven’t missed a post in four years. I have consistently posted every Monday and Wednesday (and for a while, I posted on Friday’s, too). I have worked hard to constantly improve my content. If you have been here from day one, or just joined today, thank you for reading! I appreciate you! If you’d like to do something for me for my birthday, please consider subscribing ; )

Ulta Hair Accessories

I’ve been very impressed with hair accessories section lately at Ulta Beauty. I typically spend my money and time looking at skincare or makeup while at Ulta, and if you’re that way too you definitely should pop over to the hair accessory aisles because they have so many chic options for great prices. I’ve grabbed combs that can make my 1-minute ponytail or messy bun look purposeful and stylish, elastics that feel weightless and keep my hair out of my face, and clips or claws that can dress up the half-down look.

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Kitch Marble Round Claw Clips

Hair Comb (*Similar)

Hair Comb (Not pictured)

Invisible Hair Elastics

Do you have any hair accessory secret weapons in your arsenal? I would love it if you’d let us know in the comments! Thank you so much for reading! xx

STYLE SUBSCRIPTION BOX | NADINE WEST CLOTHING SUBSCRIPTION REVIEW

March 7, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a great start to your week : ) I have shared my outfits from Nadine West before on my blog (read the posts here, here, here, here, and here), and I have been wearing some items from my last several boxes a lot lately, so I was so excited to receive a new box in the mail from them. 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!

My Outfit

This month I received a beautiful black floral tunic, fleece lined burgundy leggings, a gray and white striped sweater with elbow patches, a pair of statement earrings, a gold and silver necklace, and a navy leather bracelet with floral beads.

Did I Keep It?

Yes! One of my very best friends had a surprise birthday party, and I completely changed the outfit I had picked out in order to wear the black floral tunic! The floral tunic is almost a dress, but the tie waist opens a bit so I prefer to wear it as a tunic with leggings. I was thrilled that the fleece lined leggings paired perfectly with the flowers on the tunic. I love that the leggings are lined with fleece, and they’re great because I have already been able to dress them up and then again down with a cozy crewneck sweatshirt. I love classic pieces and neutral colors, so the striped sweater with the cute elbow patch detail has already been worn several times, although I do wish it was a bit longer. I am not a fan of the necklace, even though I do think it looks pretty on, but I think that it is something that I can pass on to someone who likes that style. The bracelet also isn’t something I would have picked, but I think it will be super cute in the summer, especially layered with other pieces. I wouldn’t have picked the earrings, I am such a stud earring girl, but I ended up LOVING what a statement these make. My favorite piece is by far the tunic along with the leggings. I think that Nadine West does a good job paying attention to your opinions, so my boxes have been improving and evolving with my feedback.

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

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KEY PIECES TO BUILD A STYLISH WARDROBE (AFFORDABLE) | MY BIRTHDAY WISHLIST

March 5, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! It is my birthday month, and today I wanted to share a few of the things on my wishlist because I think they are fantastic options for anyone who is working to build a stylish wardrobe.

My Style

In the past couple of years I have been working to only purchase things that bring me happiness, and while I am in no way a minimalist or attempting to be, I think that having a few basic items can ensure that you’re always looking fantastic. I love neutrals because I think that even if a shirt is a more budget-friendly brand, such as Target, H&M, or even Forever 21, you can dress it up with a great necklace, or a nicer handbag. I usually keep my blog beauty-based, but if you’d like to see more of my style picks for shirts, jeans, bras, and shoes please comment to let me know.

My Wishlist

Kate Spade Cameron Street Lacey Wallet

I love this wallet for its timeless style and functionality. I think this looks fantastic with lots of handbags, and I love that it zips around to keep your cards and cash safe.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette

If you’re a regular reader of my blog then you know that I have plenty of neutral eyeshadow palettes, but this one speaks to me because it combines the incredible quality of Anastasia Beverly Hills (same formula as the Modern Renaissance Palette!) with shades that can go from very natural to full glam.

Steve Madden Daisie Pump

I recently went through my closet and narrowed down my shoes to ones that I love and classic pieces that I know will always be a wardrobe staple. I have a pair of nude heels with a rounded toe, but I’ve realized that I really need a pair of pointy toe nude heels because they would work with so many looks. I love this pair of Steve Madden Daisie Pumps because they’re affordable but have fantastic reviews, plus I have always historically had luck with Steve Madden shoes.

The Ordinary 100% Cold Pressed Virgin Marula Oil

A friend shared her collection of The Ordinary skincare a few months ago and I have picked up a few items since. I love The Ordinary because they offer a ton of different acids, oils, and vitamin products that you can pick and choose based on your needs. The price point is affordable, the brand integrity is backed by fantastic reviews, and the packaging is modern and clean. One of my items on my must-try list is the Cold Pressed Virgin Marula Oil. I also want to try the Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. If you are interested in hearing more of my thoughts on The Ordinary, please let me know!

Kendra Scott Gold Stud Earrings

I love Kendra Scott jewelry and I am a stud earring girl, so I am completely swooning over these Gold Studs! I love all of the color options, but right now the slate is really speaking to me! What color do you like the best?

Miranda Frye Stephanie Threader

I have become OBSESSED with Miranda Frye lately and a pair of her amazing threader earrings is up high on my current lust-list wish-list! The earrings are said to be very light and you actually thread the string like metal through your ear and they hang so beautifully. Miranda Frye also has gorgeous necklaces that can be layered, as well as incredible rings that are also swoon-worthy.

What is on your wishlist? What are your closet and style staples? I would love it if you commented to let everyone know in the comments! xx

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ANTI-AGING FIRMING MASK | GLAMGLOW GRAVITYMUD FIRMING TREATMENT

February 28, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fantastic week! I get so many questions about masking, probably because I talk about masks a lot (here, here, and here for example) and can often be seen on my InstaStory or Snapchat wearing a mask, so today I wanted to share my thoughts on an anti-aging mask.

Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment

The Gravitymud Firming Treatment is a mud-based mask that is a white-silver color in the jar that peels off. This mask is designed to firm up the skin and is meant for firming and elasticity. As the mask dries it changes from a white-silver color to a metallic silver color. This mask is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

My Thoughts

I had a generous sample size, so I did not have the brush that the standard size comes with, but I did use an inexpensive foundation brush to apply it that I use for a lot of my masks. I wear masks around the house all the time, but my kids and even my husband commented on this mask because of the chrome appearance of the mask. I felt that my skin looked great and felt great after using this, as it usually does after masking, but the biggest difference I saw was the fine lines on my forehead seemed less pronounced. Will this give you the same effects as injections or a facelift? No, but I do think it helps make the skin feel youthful and firm. I think this mask would be a great one to use before a big night out or a special occasion. The price of this mask is high, but if you can get a sample with points from Sephora I definitely suggest trying it out. I also found a sample size on Amazon (linked below!) that I will definitely grab in the future.

My Routine

I removed my makeup and then applied the Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment with a foundation brush. I let the mask dry and wore it for about 20 minutes before peeling it off. I used a warm washcloth to remove any mask that was still remaining on the skin before continuing my nighttime routine.

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Have you tried any anti-aging masks? Have you tried this mask? Let me know! xx

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HOW TO USE CONTOUR AND HIGHLIGHT STICKS | FENTY BEAUTY MATCH STIX TRIO REVIEW AND DEMO

February 26, 2018 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you are ready to tackle this week!

Contouring has been huge for several years now, and while most days I don’t do a full contour I usually at least do a bit under my cheeks or around my nose with a matte bronzing powder. I was intrigued when I saw the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio and wanted to share my thoughts with you.

About the Fenty Match Stix Trio

This trio features magnetized packaging and claims of long-wear, light-as-air makeup sticks to conceal, contour, and highlight the skin. Each set comes with two Match Stix matte “Skinsticks” and one Match Stix shimmer Skinstick which are said to be weightless, easy to blend, and will stay put. The cream-to-powder leaves skin that looks extremely natural. There are four different shade combinations available.

My Thoughts

I have some cream contour products that I love, but often only reach for when I want a really “full glam” look because they can feel heavy on my skin or aren’t practical for every day. I was nervous about the Fenty Match Stixs because I thought it might tug my skin or move my makeup, but they didn’t! I did find that they dry down quickly, so I worked in sections and blended as I went with a Beauty Blender Blusher sponge. I did opt to apply the highlight to an E.L.F Small Stipple brush instead of directly to my skin because I felt the shimmer formula might tug or move my other makeup. I am OBSESSED with the fact that these truly look like my skin, not makeup, and once they’re on I forget that I’ve carved out my whole face because they really do feel weightless! The color, Amber, is an amazing contour for my fair complexion and doesn’t look muddy like many contour shades and bronzers can. I think I could have passed on the concealer, it’s good but not the best I’ve ever used by any means, but because I love the contour and highlight so much, and the magnetic packaging, the $4 more in price to buy the bundled set was worth it to me.

My Routine

I love using the contour, Amber, to carve out my skin and use the concealer shade, Linen, to highlight the tip of my nose but also have used the concealer to cover up imperfections. After I apply a little bronzer and/or blush I will apply the highlight shade, Starstruck, to highlight my cheekbones and cupids bow above my lip.

See My Instagram Tutorial Featuring the Fenty Match Stix Trio