Leah Tackles

NATURAL EFFORTLESS FOUNDATION FOR EVERY DAY! MAYBELLINE DREAM MATTE MOUSSE

December 21, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

The winter months include lots of social functions with friends and family starting with Christmas and holiday celebrations continuing on with things like Super Bowl parties, where I find myself wanting to look put together but not in a full-on multi step makeup routine. I have been “shopping my own stash” of makeup lately (which is how I found my current favorite Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer which I blogged about here). I recently rediscovered Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation and had to share it with you today!

Why I Love It:

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This foundation is one that I used years ago and had honestly forgotten about until I saw one of my most trusted beauty YouTubers, Emily Noel, mention it recently and I decided to give it another shot. This foundation gives me a great medium coverage without much work at all and I don’t mind the need to touch up much during the day. I will say that this isn’t as full coverage as some of my favorite foundations, but that is why I’ve been loving it lately…it’s EASY, no-fuss and looks very natural. I do like using a primer with this as I do all foundations, but I don’t find this to sink into my pores horribly if I do skip a primer. I do set this with a loose setting powder (my current favorite is the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder). I like applying this was an ever-so-slightly damp Beauty Blender, but it does also applying nicely with your fingers which is AWESOME when you’re in a rush or feeling a little lazy which is completely acceptable in these cold, dark months ; )

Please let me know your favorite easy, no-fuss foundation(s) in the comments! I LOVE trying new foundations, especially at awesome drugstore prices!! I hope that you have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS if you celebrate! Thank you so much for your support and love, it truly means the world to me! xx

ADD VOLUME TO YOUR HAIR WITHOUT TEASING! USE THESE PRODUCTS

December 19, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I have a lot of hair and I tend to get a lot of questions (on my YouTube channel especially) about how I style my hair. I have long, color treated, hair. I have a lot of hair, but my hair is very fine and naturally straight. A lot of days I will curl my hair with either a 1 1/2 inch Hot Tools Curling Iron or a Nume Wand which adds a lot of volume. I also do the regular tricks like blow drying my hair upside down or spraying my hair with a hairspray like L’Oreal Elnett which I’ve blogged about before here. However, I have a confession, I *hate* teasing my hair! I am really bad at backcombing, and almost never do it. I remember my sorority sister teasing my hair before going out to a party when “the bump” was in (circa 2007) because I couldn’t do it myself. Today I want to share two of my favorite products that I use to add lift and volume to my fine hair and help me avoid backcombing.

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Bed Head SuperStar Blowdry Lotion for Thick Massive Hair:

I let my hair air dry as long as possible and then put a nickel to quarter sized amount of this thin watery liquid into into my palms and with my head upside down and then blow dry my hair as I normally would. I love the way this smells, and definitely notice a dramatic difference! I love that my hair looks very voluminous and full.

Batiste Dry Styling XXL Plumping Powder:

This product isn’t something that I use daily, but when I really want to add lift to my roots without teasing I reach for this. This is a white powder that feels like corn starch and you can feel it grip to your hair. It is a product that you have to be very careful with and add a little bit at a time. I part my hair and add a bit to the roots in several sections around my crown to increase the volume of my hair. It works REALLY well and once I get the volume I gentle brush it out or use my fingers to get it how I want it before *lightly* setting it with a hair spray.

Thank you for reading! I hope that you’re having a wonderful start to your week! If you haven’t yet, please don’t forget to subscribe! xx

TOO FACED SNOW BUNNY BRONZER REVIEW

December 14, 2016 & 1 Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you have been having a fantastic week so far! Today is my middle little loves birthday! Happy 4th Birthday Connor David! I love you so! Today I want to talk about a bronzer that I used years ago and loved but somewhere along that way got lost in my drawers of makeup. A few weeks ago while decluttering my makeup collection, I pulled out a few products I wanted to try using again and the Too Faced Snow Bunny Perfecting Bronzing Powder has become a rediscovered favorite that I want to share with you today.

Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer

First of all this packaging is absolutely beautiful! I actually have the older packaging, but both the new and older packaging is beautiful with simple details. This one of those products that makes me happy just looking inside the compact because the beautiful shimmery shades are stunning. The bronzer is made up of four strips of color in a white highlight, a bronze, a very pale pink, and a light tan. I think that I avoided this because these days I usually use a matte bronzer or at least tend to avoid a lot of shimmer, but this is stunning! You can use this as a blush, a bronzer, or a highlight which is also great. I like that you can use the four colors separately, but I tend to twirl my brush in all four colors and then lightly dust onto my cheeks. Although this has shimmer it is a very subtle highlight and I think it’s perfect in the winter months for a very natural glow. This looks wonderful in the sunlight, especially that snowy sun reflecting light, and lasts on me all day.

Have you tried this bronzer? What bronzers do you like to wear in the winter? Leave a comment to let me know! Have a great day and please subscribe! xx

GO LONGER BETWEEN HAIRCUTS? LIVING PROOF SPLIT END MENDER REVIEW

December 12, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend! If you’re like a lot of us, you probably don’t get your haircut the recommended every 6-8 weeks, and sometimes the ends of your hair can start looking a little rough between trims. Today I am going to be sharing my thoughts on the Living Proof Perfect Hair Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender.

Living Proof Split End Mender

What It Is

The Living Proof Split End Mender can be used on wet or dry hair to seal individual split ends so that the ends of your hair looks smooth and aligned. It also contains a conditioning layer that keeps ends sealed and soft for polished looking ends. You can start using this right after a haircut to help prevent split ends, or to treat split ends.

How I Use It

I like to apply this to the bottom few inches of my hair while it is still damp after showering. I also have used it after straightening and curling my hair when the ends look a little bit raggedy and it definitely works to smooth out my ends.

My Thoughts

I love that a little bit of this goes a long way and helps my split ends look smooth! I really feel like this helps get that “just left the salon” look. I really like this to treat my split ends when my hair is damp. This does work to smooth my ends after curling or straightening for a sleek look, but I can get the same effect using other serums as well. I already have added this to my “loves” list at Sephora and will continue using this to prevent and treat split ends.

Have you ever tried this or other Living Proof products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Have a wonderful day and don’t forget to subscribe : )

THE BEST NUDE LIP GLOSS EVER!

December 7, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far, and as always, thank you for taking time to read my blog! Today I am going to be sharing my absolute favorite nude lip gloss that works beautifully on any skin tone.

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in White Russian

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This is called a lip cream, but feels and wears just like a lip gloss. The shade White Russian is a beautiful pink-y nude color that looks beautiful on its own or worn over lipstick. These Buxom glosses smell really good too, it isn’t too strong but it’s definitely a sweet scent when you apply it. These are formulated to give a gentle plumping effect to your lips, and also keep your lips supple with vitamins A and E. This is a great shade to add to your own collection whether you have a lot of makeup or are just starting out. I also think this is a great gift for teens all the way up to more mature women because this gloss truly flatters anyone, and doesn’t have glitter or sparkle but just a beautiful glossy look.

You can purchase Buxom White Russian here and Sephora also has an adorable limited edition packaging for the Full-On Buxom Lip Cream in White Russian Holiday Kiss Collection available but it’s currently sold out online! However, Sephora seems to re-stock these holiday stocking stuffers quite often, so if you enter your email they will email you if it comes back in-stock.

What is your favorite go-to lip gloss? This has become mine! Buxom glosses are really wonderful, and this one is far and away my favorite. Have a great day and please don’t forget to subscribe!

JAMBERRY NAIL WRAPS: TIPS AND REVIEW!

December 5, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! My family made a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT on our Vlog Channel KwapisFamilyTackles which was very emotional for us, but we feel good about our decision. Today I want to share a product with you that many of you have probably heard of, which are Jamberry Nail Wraps, and a product that I was very hesitant to even try. Stephanie, an independent consultant for Jamberry, reached out to me about trying some of the wraps for consideration for review and I flat out told her I didn’t think they’d work for me because I haven’t had luck with other similar wraps in the past. Stephanie was very understanding, but said she didn’t mind that I was hesitant and sent me some to try anyway.

JAMBERRY NAIL WRAPS

What Are They?

Jamberry Nail Wraps are a solid film covering that you apply directly to your natural nail. The wraps are made with a special material that works with both pressure and heat activation to create a water tight bond. The wraps are art on your nails and you don’t have any drying time! They are also made in the U.S.A and contain no latex or harsh chemicals.

How Did They Work For Me?

I was NERVOUS to try these! I do my own nails, and I hate waiting for them to dry, but I wasn’t sure if I was up for learning a new nail process but I was very happy that Stephanie sent along great directions that were very easy to follow. I will say that don’t imagine that you are going to slap these on your nails and be out the door in a minute, because I did have to trim each decal to fit my nail, heat each decal quickly with a hair dryer, and then apply it to my nails BUT this was well worth the no drying time in my book! I also love the fun rose gold decals that I tried, but realistically I generally prefer more solid colors, so I was happy to see all sorts of different options available on both Stephanie’s Jamberry Facebook Page and Stephanie’s Jamberry Website. Once I got used to the “learning curve” of applying them, I will say that the process was pretty easy to do and the decals have so far lasted very well on my nails! Also, they have *adorable* styles for kids and I think these would make such precious stocking stuffers for kids, teens, and adults! Also, it’s nice to shop small with a mom trying to provide for her family.

Have you used these wraps? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! And please don’t forget to subscribe!

TOO FACED MELTED MATTE LIPSTICK IN CANDY CANE REVIEW

November 30, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Christmas is fast approaching and there are plenty of beautiful holiday makeup kits, but today I wanted to focus on a small but equally as adorably packaged item that would be perfect as a stocking stuffer or as a nice finishing touch to go with a larger gift.

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Limited Edition Candy Cane

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Why I Love It:

This color is the perfect color for holiday season! And the Peppermint Mocha sent is amazing but not overpowering and I only notice it while I’m applying it and before it dries. This lipstick has a no-sting plumping filler and I find that it helps my lips look full and while matte they never look cracked or dry. I love the Too Faced Melted Matte Lipsticks because they are super pigmented, and while dry like most matte lipsticks, they aren’t so dry that they are uncomfortable to wear.

How I Wear It:

I find that these wear a very long time, and what works the best for me is to apply a lip liner and then apply a very thin layer of the lipstick and allow to dry for a minute before putting my lips together. I then re-apply the lipstick around lunch time, especially if I’ve eaten salad dressing or anything with oil in it that breaks down lipstick. I like to wear the Too Faced Borderline Anti-Feathering but any close color matched red liner will work.

Me Wearing It AFTER Eating and 5 Hours of Wear:

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I hope that you enjoyed this post! If you did please share and subscribe to really make my day : ) xx

BEAUTYCOUNTER SAFER SKINCARE and MAKEUP | A REVIEW

November 28, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And Happy Cyber Monday to all of you shoppers out there! ; )

I hope that you had a wonderful (and hopefully long!) weekend! Today I am going to be sharing a review of BeautyCounter which is a skincare and cosmetics company that doesn’t use harmful chemicals and sources safer ingredients for all of their products. My good friend, Nicole, is a senior consultant for BeautyCounter and sent me several samples that I used for review purposes. As always all opinions are completely my own and this is not a sponsored post. BeautyCounter also has incredibly gorgeous packaging and amazing kits available for the holiday season!! If you haven’t heard of BeautyCounter, you can check out Nicole’s BeautyCounter website here. You can also see lots of fun BeautyCounter news and enter contests on Nicole’s Beauty Counter Facebook Page.

Nourishing Cream Cleanser

I was excited to try this, because I prefer very gentle cleansers and thought this sounded like a great one. It reminded me a little bit of my Philosophy Purity which is my “holy grail” cleanser. I will say that this doesn’t lather much, which is common for more natural cleansers, but it does leave my face feeling clean. I really enjoyed this cleanser, and would definitely consider purchasing it.

Nourishing Day Cream

This day cream felt great on the skin and didn’t take too long to absorb into the skin which is always a biggie to me when I’m rushing to get ready in the morning. Having “nourishing” in the name did make me nervous, but I really enjoyed this cream. It didn’t find it to be greasy on my oily/combo skin but I can’t speak about how it would work in the warmer summer months.

Nourishing Night Cream

Of all the things that I was sent by Nicole to try, THIS is far and away may favorite! A little goes a long way, and this feels like such a luxurious cream. Also, if you purchase the 1.65 Fl. OZ. costs $47 which compared to other night creams, such as Advanced Time Zone Night Age Revising Creme by Esteé Lauder, that retails for $75 for 1.70 Fl. OZ this is a good value. I only had a small sample, so I can’t speak to how it effected my skin over time, but I did love the feeling of it.

Purifying Charcoal Mask

If you watch our Daily Vlogs you *probably* have seen me in a face mask, because I use them several times a week, so I was very excited to try this mask! I absolutely loved it! This mask is nice because you only need to wear it for 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. You can also use this as an overnight treatment. I love this because it helps to absorb excess oil

Tint Skin Foundation

I tried a sample of this foundation in porcelain and I have high expectations when it comes to foundation so I was interested to see how this stacked up. I wore this a couple of times and I didn’t like it without primer underneath, but that said there are foundations that are some my absolute favorites that I don’t wear without primer because I don’t like the way they settle into my pores. However, when I used my Benefit Porefessional Primer and then applied this I loved it! It was light coverage, but I was able to build it up to a medium coverage in areas where I needed it.I found this to be easy to blend it, and it didn’t oxidize on my skin. I think this would make an awesome every day foundation, and also a great pick for those who prefer BB Cream, CC Cream, or just a lighter look.

Nice Do Kids Shampoo

I really liked this shampoo for my three kids! My husband, who is usually in charge of the kids bath time, said that this worked well and rinsed out easily. I love the way that it smells. I really appreciate knowing that this is a safe product without harmful chemicals for my kids, especially because one of my sons has extremely sensitive skin.

Kids Not a Knot Conditioner

This stuff smells so awesome!! I love it for both my daughters long hair that is constantly in tangles, and for my son who has very dry hair. I would definitely keep repurchasing this!

Have you tried any goodies from BeautyCounter? Do you try to shop for less harsh skincare and beauty products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Also, you can now find BeautyCounter displays at select Target stores! I saw one recently and was very excited! Thank you for reading and have a beautiful day! xx

DESIGNER WOOD WATCH FROM JORD! WITH $25 DISCOUNT CODE!

November 23, 2016 & 2 Comments

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Today I am excited to be bringing you a review on designer wood watches from JORD. I thought that today would be the perfect time to share these amazing watches because after tomorrow (Thanksgiving here in America) the holiday shopping will be in full force and a watch like this would be a unique gift for someone that you can order right from your computer ; ) JORD provided me with a watch for review, but as always all opinions are my own and I do not accept money in exchange for a positive review.

JORD Wood Watches

JORD Watches caught my eye on Instagram because they are incredibly stylish, but also very unique. I was curious about the name and found out that Jord actually means soil, earth, dirt, and ground in Swedish. I know that my husband can be very hard to shop for, and something like a wood watch is great because it is something that I have never gotten him before, because goodness knows I’ve gifted him with enough wallets, tie clips, and traditional watches over the years. JORD makes luxury wood watches for both men and women.

My husband, Stephan, loved the look of the “Frankie” style in Dark Sandalwood & Smoke. Using the JORD Measuring Instructions we were able to easily measure Stephan’s wrist to ensure a proper fit. This watch retails for $189.

You can find the “Frankie” Watch that is pictured Here

Packaging:

The watch comes in a beautiful wood box that my husband loves because it is great for a decor piece on our dresser and he uses the drawer in the front to store cuff links and tie clips and that makes me happy because it’s opened up space in my jewelry storage ; )

The Watch:

The watch is so stunning in person! I was thrilled that it fit my husband perfectly. He loves that it is super light weight and gives him a no-fuss style that can go from a casual weekend look to a dressier look. I already am looking at some of the women’s styles because I’m a tad jealous. JORD offers a lot of styles with different wood and face colors.

Shop:

Men’s Watches

Women’s Watches

Code:

You can get an instant $25 code to use at JORD!

The e-code link will close 12/18/2016 at 11:59p.m The $25 e-code will expire 2/28/2017.

JORD was so kind and easy to communicate with which is huge to me because I love good customer service. JORD also has a Watch Care Page which is very helpful especially for a unique product like this. You can also see a lot of fun styling inspiration on the JORD social media sites! I love following JORD and I think I “heart” every Instagram pic they post.

JORD Social Media:

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

SnapChat:

jordwatches

Wooden Wristwatch

STILA STAY ALL DAY SPARKLE ALL NIGHT LIQUID LIPSTICK SET HOLIDAY YAY OR NAY

November 21, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend! With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holiday sales approaching, I thought that it would be a great time to mention one of my favorite holiday sets of 2016 which is the Stila Stay All Day Sparkle All Night liquid lipstick set. If you have any holiday sets that you would like to see reviewed here on my blog or on my LeahTackles YouTube channel let me know in the comments : )

Stila Stay All Day Sparkle All Night

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If you also watch my YouTube channel you know that I also uploaded a video (which I will link at the bottom of this post) but wanted to include a blog post to show more detailed product shots with you.

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“Baci” is a beautiful pinky mauve nude. This shade is available in full size.

“Rubino” is a beautiful limited edition shade of rich red that is perfect for the holiday season!

“Fresco” is a more brown-y nude color that is also limited edition.

“Patina” is an absolutely stunning shade! It is similar to the often-sold-out Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick in “Lolita”.

“Bacca” is a deep raspberry shade that I think is a great one to have in a liquid lipstick.

“Transcend” is the Glitterati Lip Top Coat and it is so much fun! I am loving it in the center of my lip for a fun full pout that is perfect for a holiday event!

Overall I really love these liquid lipsticks! These are deluxe sample size at .05 fl. oz. which is about half the size of a full size Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick. The Glitterati Lip Top Coat is such a fun addition & perfect for a little extra sparkle! I do worry that it will run out quickly, but we will see! It is .04 fl. oz. but seems to be running out far faster than a liquid lipstick or lipgloss would. That said, this “lip top coat” is so unique and unlike anything I’ve tried before. You can see more details in the video below.

I hope that you have a wonderful week! Talk to you on Wednesday : ) xx

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