beauty blog – Page 5

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

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!

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

BEAUTY STOCKING STUFFERS $5 AND UNDER!

November 16, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a great week! I am in full on holiday mode now in terms of making my lists and adding to them twice ; ) I absolutely love doing stockings because who doesn’t like little goodies that are personally picked for them?! They are so much fun to make, and I like that it’s a little bit of a puzzle to make it all fit together. You will see aisles dedicated to stocking stuffer goodness in most stores, and while they’re fun they can get really expensive! I decided it would be fun to share a few beauty items that you can find at most drugstores or big box stores for $5 and under each. If you have ideas for affordable beauty stocking stuffers, let me know in the comments : )

Conair Head Wrap

Nivea Creme Travel Size

Sally Hansen Cuticle Rebab

(*Note: less expensive in store!)

Montagne Jeunesse Masks

Bonnie Bell Lip Smacker Tsum Tsum

I also wanted to share my Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Ideas video because this week November 14-21st is collection week! You still have time to put together a gift for a child in need : ) Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read my blog! xx

WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS HAIRSPRAY!

November 7, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that all of you had a fantastic weekend! As a beauty blogger, I try a lot of different products so that I can review them and always be learning more about makeup, skincare, and hair care items. Although I love trying new things, I have certain items that I consider “Holy Grail” or that I always repurchase. There is one hairspray that I buy and insist on using EVERY. SINGLE.DAY and today I want to share that with you : )

L’OREAL ELNETT HAIRSPRAY

I love this because it is a strong hold hairspray but it doesn’t make my hair feel stiff. This gives great hold without the heavy, hard feeling that other strong hold hair sprays have. It is expensive for a drugstore hairspray, but it’s cheaper than a lot of higher end brands. The nozzle is great because the mist is very fine and doesn’t get gunked up easily. I like to use this on my curls and then after they’ve set for a few minutes I finger comb them. This is a fantastic hairspray for big pretty curls, because it combs out beautifully. I also use this to tame flyaway hairs or for any of my other hairstyles (*Note: that’s basically a top knot on dirty hair days, let’s be real!).I love this spray so much that I repurchase it ALWAYS and when I left it at a friends last month I noticed immediately and cringed when I used some other random hairspray sitting in my bathroom until I could grab another can of this. Bottom line? Go get some! It’s truly awesome.

Did you find this post helpful? Let me know in the comments! And, use one of the share buttons on the bottom of this post to really make my day ; ) xx

BABY MAGIC SKINCARE SECRET AND BIG GIVEAWAY!

November 2, 2016 & 5 Comments

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far! I am so excited to be sharing a product that I’ve been using for myself and my children for years and was happily reintroduced to when I was asked to do this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I only share products that I believe are quality items that you, my friends and readers, would like to see! I know a baby bath product company may seem like a stretch for a beauty blog, but hang in there because I will explain ; ) I was sent product for review purposes, and this is a sponsored post.

Baby Magic is celebrating 65 years of bringing families hypoallergenic, tear-free, and paragon-free Hair & Body Wash, Lotion, and other baby items. Baby Magic created a campaign called “For Every Lady In Waiting” in the 1950’s, which was incredibly forward thinking for it’s time, featuring real pregnant women in designer clothes. To celebrate 65 years, Baby Magic has decided to do something progressive for OUR time by including expectant fathers in re-creating the vintage ads which you can see on the “Dads In The Making” page. You can see the Baby Magic History to see more about this family owned business.

How I Use It

I put on lotion every day when I get out of the shower unless I am applying a sunless tanner. I don’t always use baby lotion, but I have used Baby Magic in the past because it’s gentle and doesn’t have a strong smell. I’ve been enjoying reaching for this again, and the price point is so affordable I definitely would purchase it again for myself to have on hand. Another great “skincare secret” is to use the shampoo as a shaving cream! It is affordable and makes my legs very soft. I love lathering my kids up in lotion after a bath QUICKLY, and Baby Magic does seem to soak in fast which I love! I asked my mom about her own Baby Magic memories, and she said she remembers the smell and using it as well : )

My Recreation of a Vintage Ad

Giveaway

Baby Magic is giving one of my subscribers a 1 Baby Magic Original Hair & Body Wash, 1 Baby Magic Original Baby Lotion, and a $25 Visa Gift Card!

This giveaway will end on November 16th at 11:59p.m Eastern Standard Time.

Giveaway Rules

1. Must be 18 Years Old!

2. Must be a resident of the United States

3. Must be subscribed to this blog

4. “Like” LeahTackles on Facebook

5. “Like” Baby Magic on Facebook

6. Leave a comment telling me a skincare secret that you have or any memory you have with Baby Magic!

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you have a great weekend : )

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT LOOSE SETTING POWDER REVIEW

October 24, 2016 & 3 Comments

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! Today I want to share a review on a popular, but pricy, translucent loose setting powder. If you have any questions, don’t be shy!! Ask me in the comments : ) Also, let me know you’re favorite setting powder in the comments!

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT LOOSE SETTING POWDER:

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Cost: $38

This powder contains French cashmere talc, and claims to leave you with a natural finish that also blurs imperfections and fine lines while it also gives a soft focus to your skin.

Why I Love It

I have combo/oily skin, but get very oily on my nose and this powder keeps my skin looking matte but without looking cakey or flat. This is super fine and feels weightless on the skin.

How To Use It

You can purchase the Laura Mercier Velour Puff or use another cosmetics puff to lightly roll and press the powder into your skin. I also like using a medium sized powder brush to tap this into my skin. I like to apply this after applying my foundation and concealer to set my entire face and then apply lightly to my T-zone once all of my makeup is done.

Can You “Bake” Your Foundation or Concealer With This?

Yes! You can bake your foundation or concealer using this powder! However, keep in mind that this powder has a fairly high price point, so you may want to use a lower cost loose powder since a lot of that product does get wasted!

*Note: Baking your foundation or concealer means letting a translucent powder sit on your face for several minutes to allow the heat from you skin to set your foundation and/or concealer and then you dust off the powder with a brush to unveil a creaseless and flawless look. If you are confused about baking or would like to see a blog post dedicated to it, please let me know in the comments!

I hope that you found this helpful! If you did PLEASE share! It truly makes my entire day! And don’t forget to subscribe!! : ) Thank you so much for reading! xx

TOO FACED LIP INSURANCE GLOSSY REVIEW

October 19, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

We have been talking a lot about lipsticks and lip products lately, but that is because to me the cooler months and lipsticks go hand-in-hand! Does anyone else feel that way? But one thing I have been using lately is the Too Faced Lip Insurance Glossy, so today I wanted to share it with you!

TOO FACED LIP INSURANCE GLOSSY:

I love this because it makes my lipstick last noticeably longer without making my lips feel crazy dry like other lip primers I have tried. At first when I tried this I had to get used to the way it changed the feeling of some of the lipsticks on my lips, but the lipstick looking better and lasting longer makes it worth it. The feeling on the lips isn’t bad, it’s so thin that you almost feel like you haven’t done anything, but it really works. I like that this also helps so that my lip color doesn’t feather out. If you lips are super chapped or flaked it won’t make your lipstick appear completely smooth on the lips, but it does help to make the lipstick appear smoother. This will not change your lipsticks glossy, but it will have a sheen so keep that in mind if you’re applying a matte color over this primer. I love using this especially with nude lipsticks that can really look bad if they feather out. Overall? I love it!

What do you think? A lot of days I stick to my favorite Bonnie Bell Lip Smacker Tsum Tsum Balms, but this is becoming a g0-to for lipsticks. Have a wonderful weekend and please share to make my whole day : )

GARNIER SKINACTIVE MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER REVIEW

October 17, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that all of you had a wonderful weekend! We had a ton of fun at the pumpkin patch this weekend which you can see in our Daily Vlog. I have been having fun with darker eye looks now that the weather is changing, and I thought that since a lot of you probably are as well, it would be the perfect time to share one of my favorite ways to remove my makeup.

GARNIER SKINACTIVE MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER:

*Note: I have been using the one with the blue lid, which is meant for even waterproof eye makeup, but have heard rave reviews about the pink lid as well. If you would like me to compare the two, let me know in the comments and I would be happy to do so!

WHY I LOVE IT:

You can use this to remove face, lip, and eye makeup. It removes makeup without harsh rubbing. You do not have to rinse your face after using this, but I choose to remove my makeup and then continue with the rest of my nighttime skincare routine which includes cleansing.

HOW I USE IT:

I try to be sure to shake well before use. I saturate a cotton ball and then gently wipe off my face makeup. I put a small amount on a cotton ball if I need to remove lipstick. I saturate a cotton round and then hold it on my eye for a couple of seconds and *lightly* wipe without rubbing or tugging the delicate eye area.

COST:

This Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is such an affordable product at about $7.00, and it is a dupe for the more expensive Bioderma, which retails for about $17.00.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful! If you’d like to know the other products I use to remove my makeup, be sure to let me know! Please don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already and have a wonderful day! xx

HOLIDAY MAKEUP SETS AND GIFT IDEAS!

October 10, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that all of your are having a fantastic start to your week! I know that it isn’t even Halloween yet, but the holiday makeup sets are out so I want to mention a few that I think are a great value because they do tend to sell out early.

HOLIDAY 2016 MAKEUP SETS:

I love so many of the holiday makeup sets that have come out, but these I think are fantastic because you can give the set as a whole to one person, or you can split the sets up to have smaller gifts, stocking stuffers, or even make your own gift sets! I think it would be so cute to split these up and put a few goodies from each set into a stocking for a unique and personal gift.