Leah Tackles

The Better Skin Co. Product Reviews

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fantastic week so far : ) I had an AMAZING time at the Justin Timberlake Man of the Woods concert and got home just in time for a huge snow (yes, snow in April!) storm. How is the weather where you are? Let us know in the comments!

I love trying out new skincare, and when The Better Skin Co. sent me a few products to try out I was excited to see what the brand co-founded by Natalya Rachkova, an aesthetician who has been making her “magic” cream for years and beauty industry alum Murphy D. Bishop, II, had to offer.

Mirakle Cream

This claims to be “genius in a jar” and a one-stop, skin-loving, problem-solving, all-purpose cream. The recipe is imported from the Republic of Uzbekistan, and is handcrafted in the USA. Some of the ingredients are coconut oil, sea buckthorn, shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe, and algae to help moisturize the skin. Peptides and hyaluronic acid help skin appear smoother and youthful.

My Thoughts

I really have enjoyed this, but because I have been working hard to find the perfect balance for myself, I have been using this in my rotation but not as the standalone moisturizer in my skincare lineup. I have LOVED this for my neck, decolletage, and the tops of my hands. This does absorb quickly into the skin, which I really appreciate.

Lava Magik

 

 

A daily cleanser, exfoliating scrub and revitalizing mask. Skin cleansing volcanic lava from France enriched with ingredients including calendula, sweet orange and grapeseed oils, cucumber, parsley, and chamomile which claim to give healthy and more youthful skin.

My Thoughts

If you follow my social media such as my LeahTacklesBeauty Instagram you have probably seen me in many face masks, and I tend to mask at least two or three times each week. As soon as I opened this I tried it out as a mask, and love that I can scrub for some extra exfoliation after wearing the mask for about 10 minutes. I did notice my face looked as if it was stained red after using it, but as soon as I washed it off with a cleanser that went away. I love this and will continue to use it.

Zit No More

This product contains salicylic acid wrapped in three soothing essential oils.  The formula is boosted with PhytoVie® pollution defense to assist the skin with its battle against pollutants.

My Thoughts

The verdict is still out for me on this one. I really love the idea of it because it’s perfect to toss into your bag and the roller ball makes it a breeze to use with no mess, but it also smells very strongly of tea tree oil and I’m not sure if it works for me. To be fair, I haven’t used it very much yet, but when I did use it on blemishes though I felt that initial slight sting as if it would work, I don’t know if it made my blemishes any smaller after use. I don’t think this made anything worse, but I am still not sure if it made it better, either.

Have you tried any of The Better Skin Co. range? I am excited that they are now being stocked nationwide at Ulta Beauty stores and look forward to trying out more of the line. Thank you, as always, for reading! xx

 

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HOW-TO FILL IN YOUR BROWS WITH A BROW PENCIL | BENEFIT COSMETICS PRECISELY MY BROW PENCIL

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday! And, HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

I hope that you are having a wonderful Valentine’s Day! I truly believe that Valentine’s Day is for everyone, parents, kids, romantic partners, and friends. I hope that you are spending this day with people that you love : )

I absolutely love filling in my brows, and do so nearly every day even when I am not wearing other makeup. I use all different brow products, pomades, gels, waxes, powders, and of course pencils. Today I want to share my current go-to pencil from Benefit Cosmetics.

 

 

About the Precisely, My Brow Pencil

This ulta-fine pencil pencil claims 12 hour wear, waterproof, smudge-proof color, custom control grip, a twist-up tip that doesn’t need to be sharpened, and a spoolie brush for blending.

 

My Thoughts

I am a huge fan of the Brow Wiz from Anastasia Beverly Hills, and I decided to give this Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil a try because it has a very fine point similar to the Brow Wiz. I love Benefit Cosmetics brow products, and this is now my new favorite! I was amazed and how easily I could get hair like strokes and how well the pencil blended with the spoolie brush when I combed through them.

My Routine

My favorite trick with brows is to hold the pencil straight up and down against my nose to see where to start my brows, then against the tip of my nose at an angle to see where my arch should be, and then at the tip of my nose to the edge of my eye to see where the tail of my brow should end. I show this on my Leah Tackles Beauty Instagram, so check that out if that was confusing ; ) I start making strokes upwards on the inner part of my brow, mimicking real brow hairs. I then fill in the rest of my brow following the natural shape of my brows. I like doing my brows darker in the middle and tail of my brow, but lighter on the inside. Once my brows are filled in, I use the spoolie brush to brush my brow hairs up on the inner part of my brows, and then comb any stray hairs in place and blending any harsh lines.

Watch Me Use It

 

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DISNEY PRINCESS TAG | THE BEAUTY FAVORITES EDITION

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fantastic day!

If you were a Disney princess, what beauty or makeup items would you have in your arsenal? I filmed a video sharing mine, and would love to hear you let me know your favorite “fit for a princess” products in the comments!

 

 

Shop This Look

 

What is your favorite makeup that you think is fit for a Disney princess? When you think about of a Disney princess what beauty products do you imagine them using?

Thank you so much for supporting my blog! Have a fabulous weekend! xx

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HOW-TO PREVENT BLISTERS IN HEELS

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I love wearing a gorgeous pair of heels, but I have definitely been that girl hobbling by the end of the night because my feet her so much because of blisters. I also never found the band-aid “fix” to do much of anything to help, so I have tested out a lot of products and wanted to share my go-to with you.

 

 

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick

This provides lubrication which when applied to blister “hot spots” can reduce the friction, a.k.a stop the blisters from forming. If you don’t have the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick you can also use anti-chaffing products like BodyGlide or even a stick antiperspirant. This stuff lasts forever, I’ve had one stick for well over a year and it has a lot left to use.  I love the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick because it is so tiny (it fits in the palm of my hand!) and I can always have it in my bag for heel-mergencies.

My Routine

I always do my best to buy shoes that fit, seriously don’t try to squeeze into shoes that don’t fit because you’ll regret it an hour into wearing them. I also try to break in my heels for a bit at home before wearing them out. I apply the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick to dry feet a few minutes before slipping on my heels (or any shoes I feel that are prone to rubbing).

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Have you tried this? What is your trick for wearing heels? Do you have a favorite store for buying shoes? Have you tried JustFab? Are you a heels or a flats girl? Let me know! xx

 

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HOW-TO COVER ZITS and DARK CIRCLES | CONCEALER THAT STAYS ALL DAY

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my blog : )

In the heat of the summer I often find that I don’t want to wear a liquid foundation, but some days I still want to cover blemishes, imperfections, and other dark circles with concealer but then skip foundation and just set my concealer with a powder. One of my rediscovered favorites this summer has been the HardCandy Glamoflauge concealer.

Packaging

This concealer comes in a squeeze tube, which I love because it is easy to get every last bit out and is also hygienic. It also comes with a shade matched pencil, which can be used to outline a tattoo (*Note: though I haven’t tried covering a tattoo with this, I have seem impressive pictures online) or zit before using the creamy concealer.

Shade Range and Cost

This concealer boasts an impressive 15 color shade range and costs about $6 at Walmart stores, but can also be purchased on amazon for about $12.

Why I love It

A little goes a VERY long way! This works well to cover my dark circles as well as any blemishes or redness.

My Routine

I always squeeze the tube before opening it to mis the concealer a bit before each use because the concealer can come out a bit oily and watery if you skip doing this. I use my fingers to dot a bit onto areas I want to conceal and then use a cheap makeup sponge or a damp beauty sponge (like the Micro Mini Beauty Blender) to blend it into the skin. Be careful, you only need a *tiny* bit! If you do apply too much, you can use a stippling brush like this one to blend it into the skin if it is too much for your sponge to handle.

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Have you tried this concealer? What is your favorite heavy duty concealer? Do you apply concealer with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush? Let’s chat in the comments! xx

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ARE YOU USING DRY SHAMPOO THE WRONG WAY?

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Thank you for spending some time to read my blog! If you’re ever watched My YouTube Product Empties, you know I am a dry shampoo addict! I use dry shampoo nearly every day, but to be more specific, I  more often use it at *night*…if you want to know why, keep reading!

 

 

When To Use Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo must be used only when your hair is completely dry. Dry shampoo absorbs the oil produced by your scalp, and it cannot do that if your hair is wet.  The best time to use dry shampoo is before bedtime because it will absorb the oil in your hair while you are sleeping. Using your hair in the morning is fine, but not as effective. You can also use dry shampoo to add texture and volume to your scalp! I like to add a little dry shampoo when my hair is very clean and slippery when drying to curl it to give it a little extra body.

My Routine

I shower every night but only wash my hair every other day, or every couple of days, so on days when I do not wash it I wear a shower cap (this one works great for long hair) and then apply this dry shampoo to the roots. If it has been a couple of days since my last shampoo, I go really heavy to the point where my hair looks like it is gray at the roots, because I do tend to get oily on my scalp. I will touch up with dry shampoo in the morning, but typically use it at night before bed.  Be sure to not miss the nape of you neck!

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Are you a dry shampoo addict like me? Were you using dry shampoo the right way? Will you start using it at night now? Let me know! xx

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HOW-TO DO A CUTE MESSY BUN FOR LONG HAIR

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you guys had a fun-filled weekend! I have been wearing my hair up in a messy bun a lot lately because it is perfect on hot days, and it also has been working well for when I go to yoga.

 

The Look

My Routine

I put my hair in a very high ponytail using a hair elastic that matches my hair color. I like to lay on my bed on my back with my head hanging off the edge so I can get my hair smooth and in a high pony easily.

I then hold the end of my ponytail and twist in a couple of times before wrapping it around the base of it as if I was making a bun.

I hold then bun with one hand and use another elastic with my other hand, often a more fun one because this one will show, to secure the messy bun.

I try to make it so it isn’t too perfect, and then if needed loosen the bun and mess it up a little to get a cute look.

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Do you like this look? Let me know if you try it! Tag me on social media (linked at the bottom of this post) if you try it : ) Thank you, as always, for reading my beauty blog.

xx

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Esteé Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Powder Foundation Review

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I mentioned in Monday (read that post here) that my usual summer makeup is more minimal, and a lot of days I just wear concealer or a mineral foundation. I had purchased the Esteé Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Powder Foundation (see the video where I haul it here) to use as a setting powder, but decided to try it for a light coverage on summer days, and it turns out I LOVE IT!

 

 

Packaging

This is typical powder compact packing with a button to open the compact and a mirror inside. The powder and mirrior are are what you see when opening the compact, but the powder flips up to reveal a cosmetic sponge which can be handy in a pinch, but to me is mostly wasted space because I do not use the sponge and would rather a slimmer compact. The plastic is navy blue the signature Esteé Lauder “EL” cursive logo in gold on the top. I like the navy and gold packing, it isn’t as sleek as some other brands, but it is classic and somehow comforting (I think it reminds me of walking the makeup counters with my mother as a kid).

Shade Range and Cost

$42 for .45 oz

There are 26 colors in the range and I have been using the shade 1N2 Light Ivory Beige with Neutral Undertones (I am typically 1C1 Cool Bone in their liquid foundations).

Why I Love It

Some days I go without a foundation, but I do tend to get oily in my t-zone, so I like a bit of powder to stop the shine.  I love that I can apply this as quickly as I would any other powder to both combat the oil and also give me a little extra coverage.

Wear

 

 

This is a very natural looking light to medium coverage powder foundation that helps me even my skin and combat shine. This is super fast when I just want a touch of makeup to give me that “no-makeup makeup” summer look that I love.

Shop

You can purchase this from Sephora, Ulta, and department stores.

 

Have you tried this? What is your go-to “no-makeup makeup” item? I would love to hear about it in the comments! xx

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URBAN DECAY ALL-NIGHTER WATERPROOF LONGWEAR FOUNDATION

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that your week is off to an amazing start!

I like to go lighter with my makeup in the summer months, opting for concealer and maybe a powder foundation most days, but when I do want a full coverage look I need something that won’t melt off my face in the heat ; ) If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that I like to make it a point to “shop my own stash” (read about that here) and that is what I did when I pulled this foundation back out.

 

 

All Nighter Liquid Foundation by Urban Decay provides full coverage with a matte finish. This foundation is also oil-free. Urban Decay loaded this formula with an higher amount of pigment so a little goes a long way, using too much is easy to do and doesn’t look good! This waterproof formula claims to diffuse light to blur flaws and also mattifies and absorbs oil to reduce shine.

Packaging

The gun metal packaging is very sleek, and I like that you can see the packaging through the window like cut-outs. The bottle has an airless pump, so you can get every bit of foundation out (though I have yet to finish a bottle to test this out).

Shade Range and Cost

$40 for 1 oz.

There are 24 shades in the range, which is wonderful, but because this foundation is so pigmented, finding your perfect match can be very tricky. I suggest going to Ulta or Sephora and asking for a sample, if possible, and keeping in mind that this does oxidize on most people. I purchased a shade that looked too light (which is tricky for me, I am often the lightest shade of foundation ranges) but ended up working perfectly on my fair skin with pink undertones.

Why I Love It

I like that I can get a full coverage look that lasts! I haven’t completely tested it out to see if it is truly waterproof, but I have splashed water on my face, cried, and been very sweaty while wearing this foundation and it doesn’t budge! I think this foundation works beautifully on my oily/combo skin, so long as I use only the tiniest pump.

Wear

 

 

This lasts ALL day! It is remarkable.

My Routine

I make sure to moisturize my face well because a matte foundation like this would cling to dry patches. I use a makeup primer (this one is my favorite). I put one small pump onto my hand and then dab dots of the foundation onto one area at a time (forehead, chin, nose, etc) before stippling it in with a stippling brush (I like the Sigma F50).

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You can find this foundation at Ulta, Sephora, UrbanDecay.com, or department store Urban Decay makeup counters.

Thank you for reading! Please subscribe! xx

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MY MAKEUP SECRET TO CONCEAL TIRED EYES!

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Do you get eight hours of sleep every night? I don’t! In fact, I had to change my sleep goal on my fitness tracker to seven hours, just to be more “realistic” with goals. Of course, the best fix to tired eyes is getting more beauty sleep, but on days when you need a little extra help, this trick will help you!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in 005 Nude

 

 

If you have red, tired eyes using this nude eyeliner on the waterline is the perfect way to neutralize the redness and look more awake. I also love using this when I want a more natural, soft look on the waterline. Also, this is less than $5 which is amazing!

 

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Have you tried this eyeliner? Let me know! : )

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