Michigan Social Media Manager

Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara Review

August 5, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

In the summer one of my go-to looks is “no-makeup makeup” with bare eyelids but big lashes. I got a deluxe size sample of the new Too Faced Damn Girl and want to share my thoughts with you today.

About the Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara

This mascara is being compared to the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced which is an OG in the beauty community and is still extremely popular. Jared Blandino, the cofounder of Too Faced Cosmetics, said that the Damn Girl mascara is made with two unique pigments (one an opaque, creamy black, the other a sheer, glossy texture) that combine to create a super dark result and the melting waxes that fuse together to make it easier to layer.

My Thoughts

I do like Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced, but it isn’t my favorite mascara. I also think that the L’Oreal Lash Paradise is a good enough dupe for the Better Than Sex that I buy it instead. I heard that a lot of people think, “Damn Girl this wand is TOO big” when they look at the Damn Girl wand, but because I have large eyes and long lashes, I don’t personally have this issue. I LOVE that this doesn’t clump and holds a curl for me all day. The Damn Girl mascara gave me great length, so much so that my lashes touched my skin and I had a little smudge, so I am anxious for when they release the waterproof version. All in all, yes I like this mascara but it isn’t changing my world. My “holy grail” mascara for when I want intense lashes is still the Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2.

Have you tried the Too Faced Damn Girl mascara? What is your favorite high-end mascara? What is your favorite drugstore mascara? Are you into waterproof or regular? Let us know in a comment!

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Disney Small Shop

Self-Care and Mental Wellness Resource Guide

Need Shirts? Wholesale Custom Screen Printing and Art Design

AFFORDABLE OUTFIT STYLE BOX | NADINE WEST REVIEW

June 10, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I have shared my outfits from Nadine West for well over a year now on my blog (read the posts here). 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 Nadine West 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 On Nadine West

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.

Nadine West Coupon 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!

Nadine West Unboxing

This month my Nadine West box was awesome! I received a pair of pull-on trousers that are ankle length and a midrise that have a tweed-like fabric. These pants are awesome for work and I love that they can easily transition to a night out with a silky cami or blouse. The white tee with a lace-up detail is a great neutral that can also be dressed up or down. An off-white teeshirt with a few details like cuffed sleeves is a great neutral that I will get a lot of use. I love the look of the blush pair of shorts with a crochet lace detail, but they’re too short for me to feel comfortable wearing out and about. I got a pair of incredibly soft black, white, and pink floral shorts that I’ve already worn twice bumming around the house. This month for jewelry I received a black and gold necklace that I liked much better on than when I first opened it. I also got a stunning pair of druzy dangling earrings that I can’t wait to find an excuse to wear!

Nadine West Final Thoughts

I love getting my Nadine West box each month! Most months I get a few things that I love, but I do wish that there was a simple form to update style preferences or check-in each month to see what I’d like to find in my box. I hope that I will continue to get neutral pieces that fit my style and delicate jewelry that works with my sense of style. I would love to see some simple, neutral colored maxi dresses for spring, too. I would rather receive two or three nicer items than a lot of pieces that aren’t as nice of quality.

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

Have a wonderful rest of your week! Thank you for reading! xx

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Self-Care and Mental Wellness Resource Guide

Need Shirts? Wholesale Custom Screen Printing and Art Design

IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream: Transforming Moisturizing Super Cream Review

May 20, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

One of my favorite things to do during my birthday month is to cash in on all of the fun freebies I can get, and I do so shamelessly! It’s fun to get things for free, at any age. At Ulta Beauty I received IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream as my Ultamate Rewards Platinum Member Birthday Gift.

<\h2> About IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream </h2>

Clinically tested results from a panel survey reported that 100% of participants said their skin was smooth, 97% said skin looked and felt rejuvenated, 94% said skin felt younger and healthier, and 81% said pores appeared minimized and fine lines and wrinkles appeared less noticeable. IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream claims to be gentle, even on the most sensitive skin, and the Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate is activated on contract to immerse your skin in moisture, restoring visible radiance, reducing the appearance of pores, lines, and discoloration, and you’ll see results immediately and dramatic results over time.

<\h2> My Thoughts </h2>

I get nervous when using moisturizers because my skin can break out and get oily, and finding the right moisturizer for my combo/oily skin that is battling both breakouts and fine lines, can be tricky. I noticed that this moisturizer was thick but didn’t feel heavy on my skin, and my skin looked radiant, but not beautiful, after applying. I have been using this mostly at night because during the day I like a moisturizer with S.P.F. I initially wasn’t that excited about this, but it’s definitely become a great every day moisturizer in my rotation. I like reaching for this when I don’t want any acne creams or anti-aging serums, but just a good all around cream. I would consider purchasing this full size and will be sad when it’s gone!

<\h2> Shop </h2>

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Self-Care and Mental Wellness For Entrepreneurs: Resource Guide (free pdf)

Need Custom Screen Printing?

Holographic Face Mask | Freeman Beauty Cosmic Holographic Hydrating Amethyst Peel-Off Mask

May 13, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a fantastic Mother’s Day celebrating yourself and/or your own mama or impactful women in your life. I believe one of the best things we can do for ourselves is taking care of our mental health, in little ways that add up, like treating myself to a fun face mask for some “me time” a few evenings each week. If you read this blog regularly, you know that I love masks (read my posts on single-use masks here) and I notice a difference in my skin on weeks when I am skipping this part of my regimen.

About the Freeman Cosmic Holographic Peel-Off Mask

This mask claims to help you get glowing with this crystal-inspired holographic mask. This iridescent mask is infused with amethyst which will hydrate and calm the skin’s complexion. This mask is perfect for dry skin.

My Thoughts

I love trying affordable single-use masks like the 7th Heaven Montagne Jeunesse and Freeman Beauty masks because I can grab them at the drugstore or grocery store for less than $2 each. I was so excited to see several new options by Freeman and a holographic mask sounded so fun. The mask color is a really fun pinky purple color, and it showed up much better on my skin than the Rose Quartz Holographic Freeman Mask I shared in a previous post (read that post here). It was easy to apply with a foundation brush like this. I enjoy the peel-off masks because they peel-off (imagine that!) quickly and some days I just don’t have the patience to remove a mud mask. My skin felt so good after using this and because I used this after using my P.M.D my skin felt extra baby-smooth.

Shop

Once again, I had a hard time finding this exact mask online! I did find a set on Amazon if you’d really like to try them, but they are much more expensive than what I paid. I purchased this at Walmart for $1.37. However, I will link the set and some of my other favorite Freeman Beauty masks.

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Self-Care and Mental Wellness For Entrepreneurs: Resource Guide (free pdf)

Need Custom Screen Printing?

MISS SPA Purify Facial Sheet Mask

April 29, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend! I spent the weekend in Chicago with my mom and daughter. We had a FANTASTIC time (I am finishing up this post on the train home) but the weather? Snow, at the end of April, and rain! We made the best of it, but my skin gets pretty irritated when the weather changes drastically, so masking is a step in my skincare that use to try to baby it through the crazy Midwest weather.

About Miss Spa Purify Facial Sheet Masks

This mask contains activated charcoal which calms the skin to take away redness, help with age spots, and combat oil.

My Thoughts

I was first drawn to the packaging because I think they’ve done a wonderful job hitting that right mix of cute yet modern package style that makes these trendy and giftable. This is my first Miss Spa face mask, but I enjoyed it. It stayed on my skin well, and not only did my skin look great immediately after using it, but it continued to look bright and smooth even 24 hours later. I like that the Miss Spa brand has a ton of mask choices (age defying, hydrating, detox, and deep clean to name a few) and will definitely use them again.

Shop

<br />

What is your favorite sheet mask? Do you like single-use masks or do you buy a tube or tub product that holds your favorite mask you reach for again and again? Let me know in a comment : )

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

5 Ways To Improve Your Social Media Today! Free pdf

Need Shirts? Wholesale Custom Screen Printing and Art Design

SOAP & GLORY |The Fab Pore Mask Skin-Refining Mask Review

April 1, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

How are you? I hope that you had a fabulous weekend and are feeling refreshed and ready for a new week. I know I keep sharing masks, and I promise I have something different up my sleeve for next week, but today I want to share a mask from the brand Soap & Glory.

About Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Skin-Smoothing Pore-Refining Mask

This Soap & Glory sheet mask has “BLOT-A-LOT” technology with white willowbark, lemon balm, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and mint. This mask claims instant mattification with Soap & Glory Poreshrink-R2 technology and Coolcapsule-Smooth technology.

My Thoughts

First of all, Soap & Glory continues to have some of the cutest packaging I’ve ever seen! I adore the vintage look and cute details like “Pore-Hibited” text and symbol which I think is just precious. I also appreciate that the mask says, “chill, relax, or just carry on with your regular routine” because while I would love to just chill while I mask, I am usually running around doing nighttime routines with my kids when I mask, so it’s much more realistic ; ) This mask fits well, and I appreciate that is doesn’t fall off while I am doing the chores mentioned above. I LOVED this mask, it really helped keep my skin matte, and I used it right before a trip or humid central Florida. I was so impressed that it made a difference in my combo/oily skin that I added a few more to my Ulta cart. It also smelled great and was very cooling. Do you know how your skin still has some of the mask product left after sheet masks? With this mask, I had a ton and it felt so good to rub into my face, neck, and decolletage. You can also snag this mask at Target and Amazon.

Shop

Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Pore-Refining Mask

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

5 Ways To Improve Your Social Media Today! Free pdf

5 Reasons Why Going To Walt Disney World Alone Is Good Self-Care

Custom Screen Printing and Art Design

LeahTackles Turns 5! What’s Next?

March 11, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you’re having a wonderful start to your week, and enjoying a little extra sunshine with daylight savings time. Today I want to share my thoughts on celebrating FIVE YEARS of LeahTackles.com and share what my plans are for the future of this blog.

In 2012 I began watching YouTube videos and became obsessed with the beauty community on YouTube. I had watched YouTube for a few years before, but in 2012 I was going through the hardest season of my life when we found out that our second child, who I was 27 weeks pregnant with, would likely be stillborn or be born shortly after birth. Connor is now six years old, and while much about is future is still unknown, with the help of intensive programs and therapies, is a kindergarten in a mainstream classroom. I began watching beauty YouTube videos during a time when I didn’t wear makeup, didn’t leave the house, and if it wasn’t for my toddler I wouldn’t have gotten out of bed. It may seem odd, but watching this videos was the perfect mini escape from reality, and for someone who had written “zines” in middle school on AOL (dating myself, much? I do turn 32 tomorrow) and always loved beauty products, it was a form of comfort.

I loved watching YouTube videos but knew my strength as a writer, so I decided when Connor was about one-year-old that I wanted to start a blog. My YouTube came about a year later. If you know my personality at all, I research everything, so naturally, I researched a lot and had my blog ready to go before the launch. It was close to my birthday, so I thought that my 27th birthday would be the perfect time to post my first post and share it with the world (or a handful of friends and my mama, but you get me). I was about 11 weeks pregnant with our third child, but miscarried days before my birthday. I knew driving to the emergency room with my husband deep down in my gut that we had lost our baby. I hadn’t had morning sickness for a few days, and I just felt it. Sadly, I was right, and on March 11th, 2014 I had a D&C. I’ll never forget the nurse asking my birthday and then her looking at me and saying, “Oh Honey” because it was the day before my birthday. I remember sitting in bed on my birthday eating an appalling number of Twix bars and deciding that I was still going to post my blog post. I clicked “Post Publish” with the “public” checkbox marked, shared on Facebook, and anxiously waited. Thankfully, people were incredibly supportive and a few even subscribed.

For the first bit of the blog I posted three times each week, and then cut back to two posts a week. I am extremely proud to say that in five years, no matter what we had going on surgery with babies, surgeries, career changes, and vacations I NEVER MISSED A BLOG POST! So, today I celebrate 550 posts! Woot Woot!

What’s next? So much has changed in five years, and I have gone through seasons where I can’t wait to share a blog post or beauty video on my LeahTacklesBeauty Instagram, and seasons where it feels like a chore. However, I don’t regret for a second having half a decade of writing samples, dedication, and love poured out in my keyboard. I now am working full time with my husband running our custom screen printing company The Mitten Print Shop, as a social media manager for small businesses and as a coach passionate about helping entrepreneurs with self-care and mental health. I am trying to make choices with how I spend my time based on what energizes me, and while sometimes the blog certainly hasn’t, whenever the idea of stopping the blog ran across my mind I was so sad instead of relieved. So, I have decided to cut back to one post each week so that I can give you my very best writing, time, and energy. I do not take lightly that some of you take precious time out of your life to read and engage with my content. I am SO THANKFUL and appreciate you. My gratitude for the continued support is huge. Thank you! I want to continue to give you my best work. I will be using the “extra time” to work with clients and also submit my writing for publication (read my latest published World of Walt article here), and continuing to push my career forward.

So, I’ll be back here, but instead of Wednesday it will be next Monday. Keep tackling each day. Thank you again for being here! xx

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

5 Ways To Improve Your Social Media Today! FREE pdf

Custom Screen Printing and Art Design

LOOK EXPENSIVE ON A BUDGET |WALMART TIME AND TRU CLOTHING HAUL

February 20, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fantastic day! Last fall I shared a post called The Best Affordable Open Front Cardigan Less Than $20 and it was so well received that I knew I wanted to continue to share when I find ways to look expensive on a budget.

Walmart released a line about a year ago called Time and Tru and it has really elevated their clothing game in the women’s department. They also have new lines in the children’s department called Wonder Nation that looks much higher-end.

My Finds

I was attending a networking event for my social media management career (curious? my website is here) and wanted to wear a pair of leather leggings but didn’t have a top that I liked to pair with it that would cover my bum. My sweet hubster was running to Walmart and so I asked if he would look to see if they had a long cardigan similar to the one I shared here. My husband got major props for texting pictures and FaceTiming me while at Walmart and he found a gorgeous black open-front drape front blazer that is just long enough for me to wear with leggings. I am SO excited by this piece because it looks amazing dressed up or casually with jeans and a graphic tee. It’s a beautiful unstructured blazer that could have been in a department store for double or even triple the price. It was originally $24, marked down to $19. Fast-forward to a week later and I had to run into Walmart and I just happened to walk past the women’s section and found the same blazer in both black and in navy on clearance for $5! $5! It still appears to be full price online, but check in store! I would definitely pay $25 though, it is an amazing piece! I think it will be a staple in my capsule wardrobe that can mix and match with anything.

I also snagged a long belted sweater vest in black for $5. I love it worn open or tied and loved wearing it with major Diane Keaton vibes. They had some adorable camouflage zip-front hoodies, cowl neck hoodies, and velvet leggings for $5.

Shop

Time and Tru Drape Front Blazer

Time and Tru Belted Sweater Vest

I keep forgetting to check Walmart clothing on a regular basis, but the gems that I have found have become staples in my wardrobe and pieces that people are SHOCKED came from Walmart. Have you checked out the Time and Tru line from Walmart?

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

5 Ways To Improve Your Social Media Today!

Custom Wholesale Screen Printing

WET BRUSH PADDLE HAIR BRUSH VS. ORIGINAL WET BRUSH | WHICH IS BETTER?

January 2, 2019 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Happy New Year! I hope that 2019 feels fresh and full of possibilities! I would like to challenge you to do something that scares and excites your this year every month. I stated by signing up for a course that I’m not sure I’m ready for but I’m deciding to tell myself that my nerves are actually just excitement. Coffee clinks and champagne cheers to 2019!

I have long hair, and I have been a Wet Brush user for years! I have purchased several, on average about one each year (which works out to less than 0.20 cents a week or in my case about a penny every time I use it) because the brushes are still in great shape, but literally dusty with dry shampoo gunk since I am self-proclaimed dry shampoo crazy. I needed a new Wet Brush, and I saw the Wet Brush Paddle Hair Brush on Amazon for about $1 more than the Original Wet Brush Oval Brush and decided that because it has more surface area it might be helpful for my very long hair.

My Thoughts

It doesn’t look like that much of a difference in surface area when you compare the Wet Brush Paddle Hair Brush vs. the Wet Brush Oval Brush but I was blown away by the difference. I like both brushes for combing through my hair (something I do several times a day when my hair is down), but when my hair is wet out of the shower and I’m trying to comb product though (almost always my go-to favorite is the It’s a 10 Leave-In Treatment) I noticed that the Wet Brush Paddle Hair Brush combed through my long, fine but thick hair in record time! I think both Wet Brushes are fantastic, and I will continue to use both, and will never ever ever go back to the days of my gigantic wide-tooth comb incredibly time consuming old way of combing out my wet hair.

My Routine

I do not use the Wet Brush in the shower, but you totally could depending on your preferences, but after I shampoo and condition my hair, I squeeze in out with my hands and wrap it in a hair towel (I like this one and this one) but do not rub my hair with the towel because that can damage you hair. I like my hair dry in the hair towel while I apply lotion or sunless tanner, do my nighttime skincare routine, and brush my teeth. Once I am in my pajamas (these are my current favorites) I take my hair out of the towel, squeezing to absorb as much as I can into the towel, and then spray it with any product I am using before combing it out with my Wet Brush Paddle Hair Brush. I start at the root of my hair and gently work my way down to my ends.

Which Is Better?

I don’t think you will miss with either brush, but for me the paddle brush has the edge because it makes it even faster for me to brush out my wet hair. I think if your hair is shoulder length of longer the paddle brush is the winner.

Shop

Have you tried the Wet Brush? What is your favorite detangling brush? What is your go-to hair product? Please share in the comments so we can learn from each other : ) As always, thank you reading, and have a wonderful weekend! xx

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Hire Me (Social Media Management)

Need Shirts? I can help with that, too!

« Previous Page