Hi there! Happy Monday, but more importantly, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I hope that if you celebrate Christmas that you have a wonderful day with those you hold dear.
Shirt: Dottie Couture Boutique * Similar
Pants: J Crew Factory
Hair: Nume Wand
Lip: Too Faced Matte in Bend & Snap
As always, thank you for reading! I appreciate you very much! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Wednesday!
I hope that you are having a fabulous week! Over the past few years I have gotten more and more serious about my skincare routine, and I have been finding myself more willing to invest in quality skincare than a new eye shadow palette (what?! Is this 30?). However, I have found a gem that is super affordable which is fantastic because then it can be used regularly by nearly anyone who is interested in upping their skincare game. I am a member of Influenster and I recieved this L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream complimentary for review purposes, but as always all opinions are my own.
What It Claims
L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream helps repair the skin barrier which strengthens your skin and helps resist aging of the skin. This cream is fragrance freee, paraben free, colorant/dye free, allergy testing, and contains no alcohols that can strip the skin. Centella Asiatica is known as tiger grass, and is said to be something “new” to fight wrinkles. See visible results immediately as skin feels healthier, softer, smoother and more supple. Skin feels noticeably more hydrated. In two weeks fine lines appear visibly reduced. Firmness and elasticity look noticeably improved. In four weeks wrinkles appear less visible. Clarity and tone improves, skin is more luminous.
My Thoughts
The tube packaging is very sanitary which I like, and the fine tip makes it easy to only use a little bit out so that you don’t waste the product. The cream is white and thick, which makes it seem like a luxurious cream which I really enjoy. The L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream goes on smoothly and it absorbs into my skin quickly. It does have an almost primer like feel once it is applied, but I like that because I think it helps minimize my pores (*Note: I still use a separate makeup primer before applying my makeup). It also has amazing reviews on Amazon, so check those out to see what others have thought as well!
Why I Love It
I noticed an immediate difference with my under eye area and that blew me away! My fine lines and crepe like skin looked so much smoother, and I think it helped my under eye concealer to not settled into those areas. This doesn’t irritate my skin, and while my skin isn’t particularly sensitive my normal/oily combo skin that fights both blemishes and wrinkles can be hard pressed to find a product that works without irritating something. I LOVE that this is a price point that I know I can afford to purchase and keep purchasing so that I can continue to treat my skin with care and help combat the signs of aging.
My Routine
I apply this in the evenings after cleansing my skin. I am still using my Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil so I like to alternate between that and my L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream which I am enjoying because it helps stretch my more expensive skincare longer. I use this occasionally in the mornings, focusing on my under eye and forehead.
Shop
Have you tried this? Have you tried anything from the Revitalift Line from L’Oreal? What is your favorite anti-aging skincare product? Let me know! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Monday!
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 and here), and I have been wearing the outfit from my last box a ton later, 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 an infinity scarf, a top, a necklace, and a pair of earrings with a total value of $70.
Did I Keep It?
YES! I was so excited when I opened up my package this month and saw the infinity scarf that I put it on immediately and have worn it nearly every day (zero exaggeration) since then. The shirt is so beautiful on, and I don’t have very much red in my closest, but this shade is perfect for the Christmas season! The shirt has a mock turtle neck and a nice stretchy fabric that looks a bit dressy, but is easy and comfortable to wear. The jeans I styled with this shirt are a mid-rise jean and works well with the v slit styling of the top. The earrings are not earrings I would typically wear, but I styled them with a side braid (think Elsa from Frozen) and loved the way they completed the look. The necklace is right up my alley, but I prefer it with a shirt that isn’t that turtle neck or high neck style.
Have you tried any fashion boxes like this? Have you tried Nadine West? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Wednesday!
Tomorrow my middle Little Love turns FIVE! I can’t believe it! I have been busy preparing for his special day, so I still have some shopping to do, but I am starting to finish up the last of my Christmas shopping.
I have been doing a lot of gift guides lately, and that is because during the months leading up to Christmas most of my Googling and Pinterest-ing is me searching for gift ideas for myself. If you have any last requests for ideas for the holiday shopping season, be sure to comment so I can try to do that for your while we are still in the “ships in time for Christmas” timeframe. *Note: Please check shipping times, but I tried to include items that should arrive before Christmas.
Today I want to share gifts that I like to have on hand for people such as teachers or hostesses who I want to thank for their hard-work and kindness, but I maybe do not know as well or have a big budget for. Most of these gifts are beauty related (of course!), but I threw in a few other options as well.
TonyMoly I’m Real Single Use Mask Set of 11
I love these masks, and if you added a bottle of nail polish small gift card it would be the perfect pampering gift for any lady one your list!
The Body Shop Mango Soft Hands Warm Kisses Set
Philosophy Holiday Hand Cream Set
Lush The Night Before Christmas Set
Christmas Spa Gift Set
Disney Brushed Stainless Steel Waffle Iron
I think this would be such a fun gift for a family with young kids (or honestly, a Disney lover of ANY age!) who hosts a holiday party.
Wine Glass Markers
Lenox 2017 Snowflake Candle
Thymes Fragrant Frasier Fir Votive Candle
I have included this candle in my Leah Tackles Amazon Favorites Store because it is SO GOOD! A new holiday must-have for me!
The Magnolia Journal 4 Issue Subscription
If you love the show Fixer Upper and/or Joanna Gains, you will absolutely adore this magazine! I look forward to getting mine in the mail, and devour it when it arrives!
Have you finished your holiday shopping? Have you been shopping only for others, or for yourself too? Let me know : ) I hope you have a wonderful weekend! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Wednesday!
If you’ve already gotten the man in your life a tie, headphones, or a watch (I love the JORD watches right now!) then you may be starting to run out of ideas. I think that skincare and grooming products for men make great gifts because they are often things that a guy wouldn’t think of or know about to get for themselves.
Philips Norelco MultiGroom 5000
I love this because it has so much bang for your buck including blades that sharpen as they work, a three-hour battery life, 13 trimming guards, a hair trimmer, and nose and ear trimmer. The reviews on Amazon truly speak for themselves, and I think it is a fantastic price point.
Honest Amish Beard Balm Leave-In Conditioner
Have you ever seen a guy with a fantastic beard that looks controlled, soft, and maybe has even a hint of shine? I bet he uses this, or something similar, and again the Amazon reviews speak for themselves.
Burt’s Bees Men’s Gift Set
My husband LOVES Burt’s Bees lip balm, and their aftershave and these little sets are great because they make those basics very giftable. This is also a great affordable option if you have siblings or brother-in-laws who need a little stocking stuffer sized gift.
Manicure Grooming Set
This is a great basic that every man should own, and is especially handy for business trips or vacations. I like this set because it is affordable, has a sleek looking case, and a variety of tools to keep nails neat and tidy.
Luxury Cologne
Whenever I get my husband cologne, it is really a gift for me because I absolutely love the smell of a fantastic cologne. One of my all-time favorite colognes is Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani because it lasts all day, isn’t overpowering for the workplace, and smells incredible!
Poo-Pourri
This stuff cracks me up, and I got it as a “gag” gift for my husband one year…this stuff actually works! Plus, they have a special holiday version that makes it all the more hilarious & festive ; )
American Crew Fiber
This is hands-down my favorite item of 2017 for men’s haircare! You can read my post on American Crew Fiber here.
What are your favorites men’s grooming or skincare items? Let me know in the comments : ) Have a great weekend! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Wednesday!
I did a video on my YouTube Channel nearly a year ago sharing how I whitened my teeth professionally at home with Smile Brilliant. I have used the touch-up kits every few months to maintain my results, and I am just as in love with it now, if not more so, all these months later. I was sent new whitening and desensitizing gel and was compensated for this post, but as always all opinions are my own. I will never accept money in exchange for a positive review. I think that giving someone the gift of a beautiful smile is a fantastic gift idea or a great way to spoil yourself before all the holiday selfies you’ll be taking ; )
My Original Results and Review of Smile Brilliant
How I Use It Now
I like to use Smile Brilliant every three or four months to keep my teeth as white as when I did the kit for the first time.
Why I Love It
I have sensitive teeth, other at-home whitening products have hurt my teeth so badly that I couldn’t use them close enough together to get as significant results as I wanted. I also appreciate how affordable this kit is because while I’d looked into professional whitening at the dentist office, it was never something that fit into my families budget. I think that the custom trays you get with Smile Brilliant are really a game changer because they fit your teeth perfectly, so the gel is getting direct contact with each part of your smile. I like that I can keep up my white smile without a trip to the dentist office or a big hassle.
My Routine
I always wipe my teeth off with a small piece of paper towel or a washcloth to make sure that they are dry before putting a thin strip of the whitening gel into the custom trays and putting the trays in. If any whitening gel presses up onto my gums, I wipe it off with a Q-Tip. I typically use the trays in for 1.5 hours, but as long as 3 hours if I want a really good touch-up. After I remove the trays I rinse my mouth with water and then brush my teeth with Sensodyne toothpaste. I rinse out the and fill them with the de-sensitizing gel, which is my favorite Smile Brilliant product because it makes it virtually painless for me to whiten my sensitive teeth. I try to do my whitening in the evenings, and if I am going to eat after whitening I try to wait at least an hour before doing so.
Why I think It Is a Great Gift
I think Smile Brilliant is a fantastic gift because it works for any age, man or woman, and it is such a confidence boost to have a whiter smile. My husband, who has never whitened his teeth because he also has a lot of sensitivity, wants to try Smile Brilliant because he has been so amazed by how effective it has been for me.
Coupon Code
Use the code LEAHTACKLES20 to save $20 off ANY Smile Brilliant Kit!
Shop
Find the right customized Smile Brilliant Kit!
Have you whitened your teeth? Have you tried Smile Brilliant? Let me know in the comments! Have a wonderful day! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Monday!
I hope that you had a great weekend!
The cold weather months are here and for many of us, that means dry lips. I am a huge fan of EOS lip balms, so when I saw the EOS Crystal Lip Balm I was excited to try it out.
What It Claims
EOS Crystal Lip Balm is described to feel like weightless hydration. EOS Crystal is formulated with a blend of five nourishing natural oils to hydrate lips without a waxy feel. This balm contains shea, coconut, avocado, and other natural oils. EOS Crystal Lip Balm is 100% wax free, vegan, and hypoallergenic. EOS Crystal Lip Balm is also paraben and petrolatum-free and not tested on animals.
My Thoughts
Right off the bat, I LOVE the packaging! It is a rounded triangle shape, but the same general ball shape as the original EOS Balms. The EOS Crystal balm is completely see-through and really cute! I happened to purchase this lip balm when my lips were very dry and dehydrated, so it was the perfect time to give it a true effectiveness test. At first, because my lips felt so quenched I didn’t like that the EOS Crystal didn’t have that waxy, thick feeling that I connected with moisture, and I didn’t like this. After using it for several days I decided that sure, it worked, but I didn’t like it nearly as much as the original EOS Lip Balm. The feel is pretty oily, the look on the lips is pretty like a clear oil or gloss. I do think that these smell very nice and don’t taste bad. I often use EOS Balm as a thin layer before applying lipsticks, but this one has so much oil which is great for moisturizing the lips but not great for keeping lipstick on the lips. I will continue to use this for moisture but will stick with purchasing regular good ole EOS Balms in the future.
My Routine
I have been using this in the evenings, or on days when I don’t want anything on my lips but a lip balm product.
Shop
Shop My Pick
Have you tried this? Do you love it? Hate it? If you haven’t tried it, will you skip it? Try it? Let me know in the comments : ) xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Wednesday!
I hope that you are having a wonderful week!
I love having a few different shampoos on hand at any given time so that depending on my hair needs I can have a selection to choose from. I love anything coconut scented, so I was drawn to this shampoo from Garnier.
What It Claims
This shampoo gives moisture to dry or damaged hair without being heavy or weighing your hair down. The Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Shampoo is paraben-free and gentle enough for regular use.
My Thoughts
I LOVE the way this smells, it is a subtle coconut and vanilla smell, but I found it very pleasant. My husband also loves coconut and likes using this shampoo as well. I like that this shampoo is inexpensive and I didn’t have to use too much to get a nice lather. I will definitely keep this on hand because it is affordable and effective. I haven’t used it long enough to see if it makes a big impact on my color-treated hair that has some damage, but my hair feels very soft and clean after using this.
My Routine
I use this shampoo a couple of times a week and I have been following up with the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner, which is another fantastic and great smelling drugstore hair product.
Shop
What is your favorite shampoo? What is your favorite drugstore shampoo?
Have a wonderful weekend! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Monday!
I hope that you’re having a wonderful Monday so far : ) I am feeling WIDE AWAKE thanks to the time change and loving it.
Covergirl Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara is my always repurchase, “first layer” mascara that I use nearly every day. I am also a huge fan of Covergirl Super Sizer as a second layer mascara for amazing volume. I was interested in trying out the newish Covergirl Total Tease.
What It Claims
Total Tease mascara claims teased, long, refined, and full lashes. Use the lash teasing mascara comb to tease the hard to reach corners.
Polymer-enriched thickening complex claims to boosts volume and defines your lashes. Get perfect separation with the small comb. 500% more volume (do these claims make anyone else think hmmmm, really!?).
My Thoughts
I like my mascara to be on the wetter side because I feel like it is easier to glide it onto your lash, but wet mascara can equal smudging so I really like the concept of the small nub-like end of the brush so I can get those hard to reach corners. Because I like wetter mascara, I prefer to use waterproof to help control smudging. At first, I wasn’t crazy about the more “regular” side of the wand because the bristles aren’t very long, but the mascara is very buildable, so I don’t mind as much. The final look is beautiful and I love the way my eyes look with it on, even without any other eye makeup on. Is it the best mascara I’ve ever used? I don’t think so, but I definitely am enjoying it.
My Routine
I have used this mascara with curling my lashes with my favorite lash curler and L’Oreal Voluminous Primer and also with just the mascara straight on the lashes with no extra fluff. I start by using the “normal” or what I consider to be a typical looking mascara brush side to coat my lashes. I like doing two or three coats of this mascara, and I love how buildable it is. I then use the “nub” side and use it to get the inner corner lashes and fluff out the outer lashes to make them very sexy and dramatic.
Shop
Have you tried this mascara? What is your favorite mascara? Do you like waterproof mascara?
Thank you, as always, for reading! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
Hi there! Happy Wednesday! And Happy NOVEMBER?! I am not quite sure how that is possible, but we took the Little Loves Trick-or-Treating last night, so I know it’s true ; )
Sometimes when picking items to share with you or review I am looking at newly released items, hyped items, or “shiny” items that seem special or fun. Yes To Tomatoes is part of the Yes To line and an item that I always have on hand, use regularly, and yet somehow haven’t dedicated a post to is the Yes To Tomatoes Facial Hydrating Lotion.
What It Claims
This facial moisturizer in antioxidants and powerful sebum (oil that causes Monday, check out Monday’s post for more on that) absorbers. The Yes To Tomatoes Facial Hydrating Lotion moisturizes and balances your skin.
Why I Love It
I have oily/combo skin and get occasional breakouts, but I also deal with some dryness and fine lines, so having a lotion that isn’t specifically targeted as an acne product but helps combat that AND help my dryness is amazing! I have been using this product for at least four years and will continue to do so. I also love that this is about $10 at the drugstore, so it is a product I can repurchase when I need to without waiting for a sale or having anxiety. My only complaint is that it does not have SPF, so do keep that in mind.
My Routine
I use this on my face and neck after cleansing and toning my face. I sometimes follow up with the First Aid Beauty Oil-Free Mattifying Gel
Shop
Do you have a favorite moisturizer? Let me know in the comments! Have a great day! xx
Watch My Latest YouTube Video
