My Favorite Skin Products

I can't tell you if my skin is normal, dry, or oily. I feel like it can be any of the three at any given time. I often try different facial products to review and possibly include in my daily regimen, but I found the below three to work perfectly on my skin, no matter what condition it is in.

Garnier Clean + Balancing Daily Exfoliator for Combination Skin, $5.99, Target.com
I do not use this scrub every day, only 2-3 times a day when my skin is lacking luster and can use a pick me up. I get dry skin patches around my nose, and this scrub is perfect for helping with that. I was scared to use it originally because the acid from grapefruit has broken me out in the past, but the grapefruit, in combination with the pomegranate, doesn't break me out in the product. It smells amazing and gives my skin a bit of an afterglow.

All Things Pure Cleanser, $35, Pure.Bioelements.com
I use this cleanser daily as a facial wash. It is very mild, and lightly scented. It is made with plant extracts to calm the skin, and I find that this helps me with the redness that I sometimes get around the corners of my nose (I guess my nose is a problem area, lol).

St. Ives Oatmeal Facial Scrub, $3.89, Target.com
The St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub is great for all skin types. It is gentle on the skin, and I use it as a facial mask- applying it to my skin and leaving it on for 10-15 minutes. I use it only once or twice a month to hydrate my skin if it is beginning to look blah. It is my favorite product in the winter and leaves my skin smooth and refreshed.

Introducing the Chic at Heart Collection

As women continue to embrace their curves, more quality, plus-size lines are beginning to hit the scene. Chic At Heart, created by designer Nkem Olanrewaju, provides plus-size women with clean, classic pieces to highlight their wardrobes. Below are my favorites from the collection.

(from left to right)

Quinn Dress, $375
Cindy Peplum Top, $279
Madeleine Crop Top, $185
Rosie Pencil Skirt, $150
The Chic At Heart Collection is available at chicatheart.com with free shipping on all orders.

Nicole Richie Collabs with Birchbox

Birchbox, a leading beauty and grooming retailer, has partnered with vH1 and Nicole Richie, Creative Director of House of Harlow 1960 and star of Candidly Nicole, to celebrate the show’s second season, which premiered July 29. The Bohemian-chic fashion designer, author, actress and television personality has added “Birchbox’s August guest editor” to her multi-hyphenate bio, creating an exclusive box filled with beauty samples that reflect the show’s theme, a “fresh take on funny.” 

The Nicole-Inspired Birchbox includes:

● Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion

● LAQA Cheeky Lip Tints in Humble Brag

● OPI Venice Collection (one of four possible shades)

● Rene Furterer Lissea Leave-In Smoothing Fluid

● St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion



Birchbox subscribers can now select to receive this limited-edition assortment as their August box. New subscribers can sign up by August 25th to receive this Candidly Nicole collection as ($10/month or $110/year). This box is also available for purchase as a standalone item on Birchbox.com for $15.

Join Kiehl's in Raising Money for amfAR!

This August marks the 6^TH Annual Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR! Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR is a multi-day (in this case, 12!), multi-state (this year, from CO to CA), motorcycle ride to raise funds and awareness for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. The ride lasts from Aug. 4 through Aug. 15, from Denver, CO to San Diego, CA.

 

You can donate to amfAR via CrowdRise.com/LifeRide2015. A coffee-table book, celebrating the first 5 years, and a Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, are both launching to benefit amfAR. Learn more and donate at www.crowdrise.com/LifeRide2015.

 

Review: The Lila Nikole Collection

The Lila Nikole Collection show during Miami Swim Fashion Week displayed an array of bright colors and chic, face-covering visors. Swim suits and coverups alike displayed floral and geometric prints as well as bottoms and tops in hues of blue reminiscent of the summer sky and cool, beach waters.

My favorite parts of the show were the swinging ponytails, cute summer sneakers and, of course, the pleather of swimwear made for those that are not afraid to show a little skin and cause heads to turn.

Want to see more pieces from Lila Nikole? Click here.

Not So Dirty 30: Beating Bitter

I think that over exposure on social media and the old and improved art of comparing yourself to others is causing some of the women in my circle to go bitter at rapid rates. It seems like yesterday, all my friends were young and fun and able to show love and excitement for the accomplishments of others. Now, at 30, one wedding photo on Facebook can send one of my lady besties into an emotional downward spiral that ends in them spewing a gush of negativity, hatred and nastiness.
"What? _____ is getting married? To who? He must not have known she was a hoe in college! How is she married now when she was just living with _____? I mean, that was her right?" This is usually the gist of the kinder of the remarks.
Ah bitterness. It has the ability to swallow a friend whole in one big gulp with out them even knowing it. They honestly don't hear themselves as they go on and on about how ______ must have slept her way to a promotion or how they hope _______ relationship is over as soon as it begins because _____ is a bitch and her new hairdo is too young for her.
I have to admit, I am not innocent of this. I have found myself laughing at people's bridal gowns and clicking out of Facebook before the bad me takes over and begins leaving witty, rude comments under people's pictures. Writing, "Man, I wish Facebook had a dislike button," under a pic of someone's newborn may sound funny in my head but doesn't come across that way on screen.
How do you beat bitter? I am guessing seeing that I am consistently trying to outrun it myself. The positive nice people in my circle say that you have to work on being genuinely happy for others while diligently working towards your goals. Something else about positive energy coming to you when you put it out. Treat people how you want to be treated. Pretty hurts. Love is a battlefield. Blah, blah, blah.
Beating bitter is a constant battle for me, but I think I am winning. However, I have to admit, laughing at a friend's big-headed baby does brighten up my day sometimes.

Review: NYC New York Color HD Automatic Eyeliner

I am loving these eyeliners from NYC New York Color. The Color HD Automatic Eyeliners come in five shades: Black, Navy Blue, Deep Brown, Turquoise, and Deep Purple. They are smooth and soft, and make it very easy to do traditional eyelining as well as cat and smoky eyes. The liners include a built-in smudger, which is great for blending out eye looks, as well as an auto-sharpener, which helps to create the most precise look possible.
I have allergies in the summer that make my eyes tear horribly, so, luckily, these liners are also waterproof. Sadly, the career world doesn't allow me to play with the Navy Blue, Turquoise, or Deep Purple colors. However, the Black liner is my everyday liner, and the Deep Brown liner makes my tiny eyes pop, which is a tall order.
The best part about these liners is that they are super affordable at $1.99. Click here for more info.