MY TOP 15 PRODUCTS OF 2015!

Yay- we've made it through another year! Can you believe it?

Today I am bringing you one final post and

video

 for the year... it's my

TOP 15 PRODUCTS OF 2015

. These are the creme de la creme, if you will. The products I loved, used and recommended most this year.

Take a look at the

video

below, and shop any of the products mentioned in the links following the video.

Products Mentioned:

• Voloom Iron [First Impression Post]

• Bamboo 48 Hour Volume Spray

• Batiste Hint of Tint Dry Shampoo

• Simple Micellar Water

• Philosophy Hope in a Jar Foundation

• Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Eye Cream

• Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

• Physicians Formula Rose Blush

• The Balm Mary Loumanizer

• Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Parfum [Review Post]

• Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser

• Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lip

• Mario Badescu Rose Water

• Boscia Konjac Sponge [Review Post]

• Bold Metals Oval Shadow Brush [Review Post]

Here is to a wonderful New Year, I'll see you all back here in 2016. Let me know what type of posts or videos you'd like to see this coming year in the comments below. THANK YOU for reading, xo

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THE STOCKING STUFFER I CAN'T STOP LOVING

This year I got a stocking stuffer that I have been loving so much I wanted to quickly share with you what it is. I've talked about my chronic underarm sweating in the

past on this blog

[sexy, I know] but I've never tried a

Dry Spray Antiperspirant

before, until now.

Santa gave me a bottle of the

Dove Dry Spray

- and I am so happy with it. It's an aerosol spray that goes on clear and dries super quickly. I have the Cool Cucumber scent which is light and fresh, but there are a few other scents I am excited to try as well.

It's a 48 hour antiperspirant, but I still apply it everyday in the AM since I need a little more help. My favorite part of this dry spray is that it is super conditioning and moisturizing, and feels really nice on the skin after shaving. And because it is clear if doesn't leave any markings on your clothes! Can I get a 'hallelujah' for that please!? I feel like this is a must have when wearing your dry-clean only clothes, because removing white marks is never easy on nicer fabrics. It keeps me just as dry as my regular cream deodorants, but without the waiting time after application, and without those weird clumps of product left on my skin... you know what I'm talking about.

After doing a little research I noticed that many brands are now creating Dry Spray options- so I am thinking that this will be the new wave of under arm care that will become super popular. So far I've seen Axe, Degree, and Dove all offer a Dry Spray option, and you can pick those all up at any

Kroger

store for around $6.

Let me know in the comments below if you've tried a Dry Spray yet- and what are your thoughts?

*post sponsored by Lunchbox. opinions are always 100% my own

THE REAL GIRLS GUIDE TO THE KYLIE LIP KIT

So if you haven't heard about the highly anticipated

Kylie Lip Kit

... you may be living under a rock. But just in case you missed it here is the skinny: Kylie Jenners' famously plumped lips gained lots of attention over the last year. And like any Kardashian would, Kylie decided to cash in on said fame and create her own line of lipstick.

After months of waiting and anticipating the arrival of the Lip Kit, finally the day came when it was to be released. Chaos surely ensued.

Kylie's hundreds of thousands of fans crashed her website and the Lip Kits sold out in under 1 minute. It was madness- I should know, because I was just one of the zillion people trying to buy the kits. But lucky for me, I was quick on the trigger and was able to buy ALL three of the first run colors.

I am the first to admit that I am not a 'Kylie-type' beauty with pouty lips, perfectly contoured cheekbones, and lashes for days. I am just a regular gal, mother or two, and wearer of natural makeup. So my experience with the Lip Kit may be slightly different than others out there... and I am guessing you can relate, and that's why you're reading this.

So here is the scoop from one REAL girl to the next:

The pigments are unreal

, and give amazing coverage in one swipe. I tend to think that matte liquid lipsticks are too dry- but surprisingly

these are moister then most

. They are a true matte however and dry to a powdery finish. The scent is a strong Vanilla type flavor, and I find it to be better than other liquid scents on the market. They wear very well and will hold up through mild eating and drinking. I like to add a gloss over the top midday and freshen up the color without having to add more lipstick.

The true star for me however is actually the lip liner

that is included in the kit. The liners are smooth

as butter but don't smudge and give amazing color as well! I have a hard time finding liners that I love, and I LOVE these. I wish they were twist-up and didn't require sharpening, but that is my only complaint.

The real draw back for me are the colors themselves

. With only three options, you are pretty limited at this point in the production. I bought all three- but really only wear Candy K on a regular basis, and will probably never wear True Brown K, seeing as it looks almost black on my coloring. I tend to think these muted colors look better on darker skin tones, so I am hopeful that more colors will be available soon.

So is it worth it?

I am going to say that buying your favorite color, is all I would recommend. At $29 each, you definitely don't need all three. You can get the same look with the

Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lip

for only $6 and they are equally as awesome!

Thanks for reading! xo

MAKE YOUR PEEPERS POP WITH DOLL LIKE LASHES

I typically just wear my own lashes on a daily basis. I just don't have the extra time to put on falsies, as I know a lot of you don't have the time either. But that being said, there is nothing that makes a look come to life, and go from 'pretty' to 'WOW' like a set of false lashes!

They have the ability to wake up the face, brighten the eyes, and of course give the appearance that your were blessed with Bambi-like genetics. 

This Holiday season I have many parties to attend, as I am sure you do too. I always try and give myself plenty of time to get ready for them, so that I can really enjoy the process and the excitement of the season. And that means I bust out my falsies!

Lately, the trend of

Doll-Like lashes

has been big, it's such a fun trend especially for a party. I've teamed up with 

Ulta Beauty

 to bring you a round up my three favorite types of lashes to wear that all give your peepers a dollish effect. These lash brands all make high quality products, that are comfortable to wear, as well as look amazing. 

wearing: Eylur Vegas Nay Classic Charm

Recommended lashes, pictured above;

• Eylure Vegas Nay Classic Charm Lashes // full max curl

• Kardashian Beauty Gaze Lashes // with center accent

• Ardell Glamour Lashes // pointed cutouts

The trick to fake lash application

you ask? Well, heres a couple of them:

1-

Trim them slightly

smaller than the width of your eye. Nothing is worse than the edge of the lashes stabbing into the corner of your eye. Cutting them just a tad shorter will ensure more comfort.

2- Make sure the

two outer edges of the lash have a nice dollop of glue

 on them. This is where the lashes really need to bond the most.

3- WAIT to apply the lashes until the

glue is tacky, not wet

. This is crucial for a good bond!

4-

Place the lash in the center of the eye first

, then push the corners into place and attach the tacky glue to the base of your lashes [never on the skin itself].

5- Give a quick fanning motion to the eyes with your hand to help the

glue dry quickly before blinking

.

That's it! Thanks for reading today- I hope your party prep includes some fun lashes too! xo

brought to you by Style Hunters for Ulta Beauty

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THE ONE PRODUCT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD BE USING

Retinol.

If you haven't added a retinol to your regimen by now, you're missing out on the single best ant-aging ingredient ever. That's a bold statement, but it's true.

Retinol should be your first line of defense, when it comes to anti-aging

. It's a product that has been proven to actually do what it says, and is both available in prescription strengths and over the counter varieties.

So what does it do? Simply put,

Retinols aid the skin in cell turn-over

, keeping it looking new and fresh. They also

thin-out the skin slightly

which makes fine lines and wrinkles appear more shallow. Retinols also

help to keep pores tighter and smaller in size

- which goes along way in making skin appear youthful.

One such product that I have been using and loving these days is the

StriVectin Advanced Retinol Pore Refiner

. It is a lightweight daily anti-aging moisturizer, with powerful pore refining properties.

This stuff goes to town on your face, and instantly smooths and shrinks pores. But over time the results are that much better, because that Retinol has a chance to do it's best work on your face long term. The scent is pleasant, and the consistency is really lightweight, non greasy and smooth. It works great under makeup during the day, and can also be used at night during your skincare routine for better results. I like to focus it in the center of my face, where the pores are largest, then blend outward and upward.

Now remember that anything with Retinol in it will be pricey. Effective ingredients always are. But when it comes to your face, using high quality products is an investment that will pay off in the long run. I hope you'll give it a try!

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ADD SOME SPARKLE TO YOUR HOLIDAY LOOK

I have 12 Holiday parties to attend this December! Can you believe that? It's a little overwhelming to be honest- but I am super excited to celebrate the season in style.

This is the time of year I love to add a little bit of sparkle into my makeup routine. It's just too fun not to! I stopped by Studio5 TV to discuss 3

easy sparkly touches you can add to your everyday makeup

, that will bump up the glam factor, and add just a hint of glimmer.

Check out the

segment

below.

Products Used:

• NS Minerals 'Pixi' Pigment // Using the I-Shadow Everything Brush Remember to use a warm tone and keep it subtle to avoid looking like an icy blast from the 90's.

• Mary Lou Manizer by theBalm // Using It Cosmetics Fan Brush Again use a warm color, and concentrate the color on the tops of the cheekbones and around to the temples.

• Buxom Lip Polish in Dominique Try adding your gloss just to the center of the lips (imagine creating a dime sized circle of the gloss that would lay over both the lips) for a look of fuller lips.

I hope you'll try at least one of these sparkly touches for you Holiday get togethers this year, xo

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HOLIDAY FUN-BUN HAIR STYLE HOW TO

Hello my loves- I hope your December is off to a great start! It's hard to believe we are already at this point in the year, but I am happy to report that I am 80% done with my Christmas shopping! That has never happened this early in the game... winning!

Today I am excited to team up with Nexxus and Target to bring you a fun

Holiday Hair Tutorial.

When brainstorming the look I wanted to create, I decided that I wanted to wear a more casual and playful style, versus something elegant for the Holidays.

I don't have too many chances to wear a sleek updo, but I can rock a

fun-bun

at pretty much any event I have this season. The other great part about this style, is that

it works for almost all hair lengths

. And you'll see in the video that adding a clip-in extension to the look helps if you're lacking thickness or length for creating the perfect messy topknot.

Take a look at the

video

below, and let me know if you are going to try this style for your Holiday parties!

Products Used: (all available at Target // Save 10% with code: SHINE thru 12/5)

• Nexxus Therappe Shampoo

• Nexxus Humectress Conditioner

• Nexxus Encapsulate Serum

• Nexxus Maxximum Hairspray

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and it inspired you to try something fun and new for your Holiday party. 

Be sure you tag me in your pics if you try it out, I'd love to see! And I am now snapping away on Snap Chat, so please come follow along with me: TheBeautySnoop is my handle. xo

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*post sponsored by Lunchbox. all opinions are 100% my own. 

HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME // YOUR NEW FAVORITE PRODUCTS ARE CALLING

Oo-wee today's video is full of amazing

FAVORITES

! I haven't done one of these in way too long- so today's round up is bursting at the seams with all of the things I have been loving thru Fall.

Take a look at the

video

below, and enjoy some of my crazy rantings while you're at it!

Products mentioned in video:

• Ban.do 'Rebel' Bobbi Pin

• Ban.do 'Girl Talk' Bobbi Set

• Ban.do 'Love' Bobbi Pin

• Breathing Black, by Piper Payne [GIVEAWAY for signed copy below!]

• Avon True Color Purple Eyeshadow Duo in Crushed Orchid

• Michael Kors Rose Gold Parfum

• Up & Up Luminous White Teeth Wraps

• Sephora Ultra Shine Lip Gel

• ELF Smoothing Serum

• Stowaway Creaseless Concealer

• MaskCara Duel Sided I-Shadow Brush

• Jord Zebrawood Watch

• Cricket Jeweled Eyelash Curler

• Cynthia Rowley Violet Eye Liner

• My Pillow [code: 'google' for the 2-for-1 pricing]

Have you tried any of these favorites? Let me know what I need to try next, and don't forget to enter the giveaway below! xo

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

CRACK THE COLOR CODE: PICKING YOUR BEST HAIR COLOR

Last month I put the call out for ladies who were seeking help determining their best hair color. It is often a really confusing topic, and one that many women ask me about when they are sitting in my chair at the salon.

After some great submissions on instagram, I picked three ladies to help me explain the steps to great hair color. We had so much fun at the salon with these makeovers, and today you'll get to see the 'after' looks as well! But first, here are the guidelines for picking the right hair color for your skin tone:

• Keep the hair color within two levels lighter or two levels darker than your naturally occurring hair at this given time. This may mean a harsh reality check for some women who claim to be blonde, because they were blonde as a child- but are no longer ACTUALLY blonde.

Remember that these levels range from 1-10. 1 being black and 10 being pale blonde. You fall somewhere along that spectrum, and should stay within two levels in either direction of where you fall.

Keeping within these two levels ensures that you won't have an exorbitant amount of maintenance time at the salon, and that you aren't messing with 'nature' too much. Nature is usually right, amirite?

• Next, take into account your underlying skin pigments for the most flattering tone within your level. Here is a handy chart to help you determine your underlying pigments. This helps when buying foundation too!

By looking at your veins on your wrist, you can get a good idea of what tone you skin carries. Using these tones to determine which hair colors will look best on you will help ensure beautiful results. Here are my

suggestions for hair colors based on your skin tone.

COOL // PINK UNDERTONES

• Beige Blondes

• Neutral Browns

• Mahogany Reds

NEUTRAL // YELLOW UNDERTONES

• Honey Blondes

• Warm Browns

• Orangey Reds

WARM // OLIVE UNDERTONES

• Cool Blondes

• Ashy Browns

• Violet Reds

Here are my beautiful new friends before we dived into color makeovers. They all had good hair to start with, but just need slight tweaks to make their locks really POP. To see their after looks, watch the video below. 

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you learned something new.

SUPERSTART YOUR MORNING SKINCARE

One thing that many women overlook in their skin care routine, is products designed for daytime care. We all know the importance of cleansing, toning, and treating at night - but often we skimp when it comes to morning care.

And although evening rituals are still uber important, lately I have been singing the praises of

products that are designed to jump-start the skin in the AM

as well

.

One such product that I have been using and LOVING is

SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster

by Elizabeth Arden. I was totally intrigued by this product

when I saw it in the Best of Beauty issue of Allure magazine recently

, so when they offered to send me a bottle to try - I was super excited!

When the skin’s surface layer is damaged your skin may not be able to retain moisture, it can lose its natural protective defenses and, ultimately, lose the ability to renew itself. This is where SUPERSTART comes into play.

Designed to go on the skin in the morning prior to your moisturizer and/or serum, it will

even out skin tone and texture

- plus it make the other skincare products you put on afterward absorb more evenly and work better.

The scent is wonderful - it’s light and fresh, and beyond that, 

the formula 

gives such a nice glow to the skin.

It is made up of a probiotic complex that optimizes skin’s microflora to strengthen its natural defense.

It contains flaxseed extract and grasswort which both help to keep the skin's surface layer smooth and hydrated.

And while the science is wonderful - what we all really care about are the results! And you’ll love the results on this one… it’s

instant gratification with noticeable results

from the first use. My favorite kind of product to use and recommend!

Learn more about

SUPERSTART in this video:

Have you added a morning booster to your routine yet? Let me know in the comments below, xo

*

This post was sponsored by Elizabeth Arden through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster, all opinions are my own.

SNEAKY WAYS I USE MY FAVORITE LOTION

Well peeps, I realized that I had not one, but three different varieties of the Cocoa Radiant Vaseline in my medicine cabinet. Obviously I am a believer! I use them in their normal functions to hydrate the skin, but I also use them for other unique ways too.

Now that it's colder, I always amp up my moisturizing routine- the Cocoa formula is always the one I reach for because I LOVE THE SCENT. It's warm and rich, with a hint of yummy. And it has prescriptions strength ingredients, without the prescription. Here's how I use them:

Intensive Care Lotion

: This guy is a staple for my kids' skin. It is always what we use post-bath, because the scent is wonderful- but it is also rich and hydrating on their sensitive skin.

• SNEAKY TECHNIQUE: I use this lotion as a Barrier Cream when applying my faux tanner as well. I works so great to protect your palms and the bottom of your feet from getting tanner on them, and then leaves them silky afterward.

Spray & Go

: I have talked about my obsession with the Spray & Go Moisturizers on this blog a few times [here & here if you want to see me gush] I use it daily for quick application of moisture on my legs and arms.

• SNEAKY TECHNIQUE: Use it to hydrate knees, elbows, and feet prior to applying your tanning lotion or mousse. It is light weight so it won't interfere with the saturation of your tan, but it will also help to protect over-saturation and dark spots on these drier thicker areas of skin. [here are my rules for the perfect faux tan]

Petroleum Jelly

: This stuff is crucial in my household during the cold and flu season. When my kids have a runny nose, they always get sore, raw skin on their upper lip from blowing. I apply the Vaseline to the area to calm and protect the skin. The Cocoa scent is ideal because it smells nice when applied right under your nose.

• SNEAKY TECHNIQUE: I use Vaseline as eye makeup remover, and have for years! A tub lasts forever and it works so good removing stubborn mascara and liner. Plus it leaves the skin around your eye plump and hydrated, just avoid direct contact with the eyes of course.

What ways do you use your Vaseline? Be sure you scoop up some of this goodness next time you are at Target, talk to you soon, xo

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*post sponsored by Lunchbox, all opinions are my own

3 MINUTE BOLD & NATURAL BROWS

If you have been living under a rock the last year, you may have missed the memo; but BOLD brows have taken over the world once

instagram

photo at a time! It really has been a big shift in the world of beauty, and I for one hope the trend never leaves.

Bold brows make you look younger

and they single handedly take your look from 'eh' to 'POW' in less than 3 minutes. [If you are looking for speed stick with powder... pencil requires more time]

I have softened my brows up over the last few months however, and am not drawing them as heavy as I did when this trend first emerged. I feel like that is often the case for trends... we go BIG at first, then start to see the light and pull it back slightly over time. [contouring... I am talking to you! Can I get an Amen!?]

So here is a really quick and

easy tutorial

on achieving

natural bold brows

with Ulta Beauty

.

Products used [all available at Ulta Beauty]:

• Anastasia Highlighting Duo Pencil

• Anastasia Brow Powder Duo

• Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil

• Anastasia Clear Brow Gel - If you are going to buy one thing... make it this one!

• Bold Metals Angled Brush

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*this post was created in collaboration with StyleHunters and Ulta Beauty

EASY HALF UP HAIR STYLES

The

half-up hairstyle is making a big comeback these days

. We are seeing the look both on red carpets and in real life in a major way. But not everyone is embracing the trend yet... so here is my recommendation: TRY IT ANYWAY!!

You may feel awkward at first wearing these looks if you haven't tried them before, but once you embrace half-up styles as a mainstream look, you'll find that you have so many options and your creativity can really play a big part. The options are endless... Just ask

Pinterest

.

Take a look at the

video

below, and see a few of my favorite ways to style half-up hair, with Studio5 TV.

What half-up styles are you loving these days? xo

NEW HAIR FOR FALL // COOL BLUNT LOB

Well another season has come and gone, and that means it is time for new hair!

While my Summer blonde was fun, I was excited to go back darker for the cold months, and to shorten up my locks.

Lately I have been loving the BLUNT LOB cut, it just spoke to me this season- and I knew that was the look I was going to try for. I also wanted to bring my hair into an ashy tone, instead of the golden hue I had been wearing through the Summer.

Take a look at the video below, to get a behind the scenes look at the process I took to create this look. Let me know in the comments if you like it, and if you have any fun changes planned for your Autumn hair. 

Products and Tools Used:

Bombay Tape-in Extensions

 (code MM30 to save 15% on Styling Tools)

Nume MegaStar Flat Iron

(only $68 with code: MEGACLEAN thru 10/31)

Olaplex

(use salon locater, under menu to find salons that use Olaplex)

Toni & Guy Volume Whip

FALL'S MUST TRY MAKEUP TRENDS

Ok ladies it's time to get excited and a little bit brave! Why brave?

Well, this latest round of beauty trends is one that may push you outside of your comfort zone ever so slightly, but also one that I am so excited about and I think you should be excited about as well.

Fall 2015 is all about embracing change, and giving your beauty routine a swift kick in the pants

. But that being said, none of these trends are so 'out-there' that they aren't wearable for the everyday woman. 

Today I am stopping by Studio5 TV to give you a run down of the beauty trends you should try this season. They are fun and flirty- so let's

take a look.

Wearing: Watch- Jord Watche |  Shirt- Mindy Mae's Market

Warm Metallic Eyeshadow 

Embrace your golden goddess with a warm bronze, gold, or rose gold shadow this season. These colors are universally flattering (unlike cooler silvers and blues, which can be hard to wear) and they add a beautiful light to your eyes.

• Forever21 Shadow Palette in 'nude' Only $7... wha!?!

• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 'Yogurt' & 'Iced Mocha' Easy on-the-go application

• Stila Magnificent Metal Eyes in 'Kitten' & 'Gilded Gold' Major 'WOW' factor

Graphic Eye Liner

Amp up your liner with a dramatic cat eye, or half lined eye like those worn on so many runways this Fall. It's bold and flirty, and wears perfect with a sleek pony tail and nude lip.

• Pixi Cat Eye Ink in 'Intense Black' A great 'beginners' option with an easy to control tip

• Kat Von D Ink Liner in 'Baudelaire' Try blue or charcoal for a slightly softer look

• Maybelline Master Precise Liner in 'Black' Precise and super black for major impact

90's Berry Lipstick

Bring back your inner grunge-mama with this 90's beauty trend. Opt for a deep berry tone that has a brown or purple base color for a major moment that is right on trend.

• Revlon Moisture Stain in Parisian This liquid lip stain stays put all day

• Pixi Mattlustre Lipstick in 'Plum Berry' Opaque and buildable color that is perfectly plum

• Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in 'Motorhead' The ultimate rockstar black cherry matte

Let me know which [if any?] of these trends you are excited to try in the comments below, and thanks so much for reading and watching! xo

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INSIDER STYLIST TIPS: THE PERFECT AT-HOME BLOWDRY

Today I am excited to share some of my favorite

insider stylists secrets

for that perfect blowdry at home. I get asked about this a lot at the salon, and truly everyone loves a wonderful blowout that lasts a few days. Watch the

video

below for the principles of a great blowdry, my secret weapon tools for the job, and a few techniques that will improve your skills in a snap! 

Tips for the perfect at-home blowout:

1- Less is more 

when it comes to styling products- keep it simple and your blowout will last longer! Apply a conditioning agent to the ends, and a volumizing agent to the roots... that's it! (remember you can always add more products later if needed.) Got frizzy or course thick hair? Then substitute the volume spray for a

smoothing balm

. 

• Knotty to Nice Leave In Conditioner

• Alterna 48 Hour Volume Spray

2- Hair has memory

, so work quickly to avoid hair reverting back to its wet-state-characteristics such as curl, frizz, or flatness. Allowing hair to air dry too long will start to lock in those unwanted characteristics, so begin drying within 20 minutes of showering and use your brush to both combat and refine. This way you'll create memory for the positive characteristics! 

• Fromm Square Thermal Brushes

3- The cooling is just as important is the heating. 

The time after the blow dryer turns off is also crucial to creating the perfect blowout! Continue to lock in the style for at least 20 minutes after the styling, by avoiding these like tucking hair behind your ears which cause dents to be created. For added volume allow the top sections to cool on large velcro rollers or using clips to hold curls in place while they cool

• Hot Tools Velcro Rollers

• Duck Bill Clips

• Sam Villa Blow Dryer [code: '20FORUT' for 20% off]

Thanks for watching and reading as always, and please be sure you are following along with me on

instagram

for some added behind the scenes looks into my life and my latest Snoop Stories. xo

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PORES BE GONE WITH THIS SECRET WEAPON

Whenever the cool weather season begins to descend upon us, I always make some major skincare changes. Much the same way I do in the Spring- I notice a big shift in the way my skin looks and wears makeup, and I am betting that you do too.?

Our skin cell turnover rapidly decreases in the cooler months

, meaning our hair and nail growth slows, and the sloughing off of dead cells on our faces also comes to a near halt.

The result is a duller complexion that is often plagued with more blackheads and larger looking pores

. Ugh!

I am always on the hunt for new and innovative exfoliants that will help to minimize the appearance of large pores, as well as slough off dull skin to reveal fresh, toned skin that will wear makeup more evenly. Today I wanted to share with you this new favorite of mine that does just that; Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion

.

This scrub is unique because it serves a dual purpose... it is both a chemical and a physical exfoliant

. First you massage tiny micro-scrubbers into the skin that go to work removing buildup and dead skin cells. I love these type of exfoliators because they are tiny round particles that won't tear or aggravate the skin.

Next, the chemical ingredients in the scrub like fruit enzymes and salicylic acid go to work further breaking down the outer layers of skin that are dull and lackluster. You'll let the cream sit for 1-2 minutes while this step of the process happens, then simply rinse all of that gunk down the drain.

You are left with visibly smoother skin after the very first use, and after several weeks of use your face will have a new texture entirely! I absolutely love this scrub, and anyone who struggles with enlarged pores or dull skin will love it too.

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NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SNAPS

Hello lovely friends! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading today- I have missed you this week while I have been away. I wanted to have a couple posts ready for my absence, but alas life won the battle and that did not happen. This last week has been a whirlwind of adventure in NYC, one of my favorite cities to visit! I hope you were following along on instagram [shameless plug]

I am a lucky gal because my older sister has lived in NY for over a decade, so I have been able to stay with her more times than I can count, and every time I visit I find new things to love. While Fashion Week hasn't wrapped up yet, I wanted to at least give you a little snippet of my trip- and then later this week I'll bring you

all the best hair and makeup from the shows. Ready?!

• Strolling through the brownstones wearing: Dress- Target // Booties // Sunglasses

• The 9/11 Memorial shining beams of light into the sky on the eve of Sept 11th. (We toured the new museum, and it was so amazing and heartbreaking at the same time, but highly recommended if you get the chance)

• A visit to the US Open early in the week to see the Williams sisters battle it out! Which was a dream come true for my husband and I who are both avid tennis players and fans. It was the matchup of a lifetime, and an experience we will never forget.

• The view from my sisters down-town office, looking up at the Freedom Tower.

• Stained glass art installation 'house' down under the Manhattan Bridge, looking out to the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River.

• The 9/11 Memorial Fountains that stand in the foot prints of the fallen towers. I have seen these before, but they still take my breath away. I feel as though it was inspired to keep this space open, as it gives a beautiful poignant dedication to the lives lost.

• On Top of the Rock, looking out over Central Park on a windy afternoon, wearing: Dress // Sunglasses

• Walking home to Brooklyn over the Brooklyn Bridge... My sister does this every day after work. It's quite the workout, but lots of fun and offers so many amazing views in every direction.

• A day trip to the Natural History Museum wearing: Dress // Bag // Sunglasses // Flats

• Live butterfly exhibit at the museum had me a little freaked out as they fluttered by my head, but I managed not to scream or swat one out of the air, as I am sure that would be frowned upon!

• Running around the city in between fashion shows wearing: Dress- Target // Bag

• A view from the top on a moody day (which had me feelin like Batman in Gotham).

Come back on Thursday for a full recap of

the best beauty from New York Fashion Week

, and I'll see you all soon! xo

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH A KONJAC SPONGE

My battle with my own skin started when I was about 19. It's been a rough road filled with lots of tears, treatments, expensive products, and a whole lot of frustration. 

I have made some great progress in the last couple years with my adult/hormonal acne (you can see some my latest products and updates in this video) and part of that progress has been the discovery of the Konjac Sponge in recent months. I have been so excited about this little gizmo, that I finally decided to dedicate an entire post to it, because I'm 99% sure that you'll love it too.

A Konjac Sponge is a sponge made from the root of the Konjac plant.

A plant that is in the Bamboo family, and that has been used in Asia for centuries as an ingredient in medicine, food, and of course to create sponges.

The consistency of a Konjac sponge is like nothing I've ever used before because of its unique consistency. The sponge starts out rock hard and feels almost like a pumice stone... which makes you think; 'Why in the world would I scrape this rock across my face?!'

But after soaking the sponge in water an amazing transformation happens; 

the sponge softens and grows in size, taking on the most unique squishy & cellular texture.

Use the sponge to clean and exfoliate the face with or without the use of a liquid cleanser.

It will replace your face wipes, washcloths and sonic brushes for a gentle exfoliation that leaves the skin glowing. 

The thing that I love most about the Konjac sponge is that it can be used daily without the risk of over exfoliation. And honestly, it is so fun to use... although I said that already, didn't I?

There are many varieties out there too; the white versions are pure Konjac root for all skin types, while colored versions (pink, green, black, and brown) have been infused with clays and charcoal to add additional skincare goodness, for things like detoxifying and tightening the skin.

Here are a few favorites I recommend:

• Boscia Mini Konjac Sponge Trio- A great way to try a few varieties; charcoal, clay, & pure

• Boscia Cleansing Sponge- Pure and simple, works for all skin types (and what I am currently using, pictured above)

• Your Konjac Sponge Turmeric- Infused with turmeric for hydration

• One Love Organics Clay Heart Konjac- Infused with rose clay for rosacea and sensitive skin

Have you tried a Konjac Sponge yet? Let me know in the comments below, xo

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THE LATEST BEAUTY INNOVATIONS YOU NEED TO TRY

In life there are some things that are just so cool you want to shout about them from the roof top! Thank goodness there are genius minds out there creating and innovating- so that our lives are all made better.

Lately I've come across some really

unique beauty innovations

that are changing the face of the industry and stretching the limits when it comes to performance and convenience. I wanted to share with you a few of them and hopefully let you in on some cool beauty inventions that just might make your life easier, and more fun too! Check out the

video

below for the

newest in beauty technology that is worth trying

.

Products Mentioned:

• The Brush Cleaner

• Girl Powder

• Root Concealer // Root Concealer Salon Finder to guarantee authentic product

• Brow Maker

• Defense Refresh SPF 50

Let me know if you have tried any new beauty innovations that I should give a go! xo

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