Category Archives: Beauty

New Skincare Routine & Review // Clarisonic, First Aid Beauty, Origins

I have extraordinarily problematic skin, and I’ve tried just about everything under the sun to keep it clean and healthy — with very mixed results. But for the past six weeks or so, I’ve been using a new routine that has been working for me.

Why I Don’t Wear Makeup, At Least Not Everyday

This is what I look like most days. Hair barely brushed, eyebrows not even smoothed into place, either at work with a million event files behind me or at home being a bonehead, with nothing on my face except moisturizer. Timeout: Why did I just put these pictures on the Internets?!

I absolutely think makeup is great. I used to apply it for a living — okay, more like a side job, but still ;) And I do think I look my best when I’ve done a lil sumn-sumn to my face. But, for someone who loves makeup as much as I do, I certainly don’t wear it all that often. Here are a few of the reasons why:

• I don’t leave myself enough time in the morning to do my face. Of course, if I didn’t snooze the alarm twelve times…
• And I work at 730am most days. The thought of waking up earlier to have time for makeup isn’t even realistic.
• Even if I do have time, I’d rather spend it doing something else — Like reading, stretching/yoga/meditating, making an acai smoothie or spinach omelette, or just going through my regular routine of getting ready for the day without being rushed and pressed for time.
• I love that halfway through the work day, when I’m hot, sweaty, tired, or feel that oily shine coming on, I can run to the bathroom and splash water on my face for a quick rinse or pick-me-up.
• At least once or twice a week, I’m working more than 8 hours/day. That’s not exactly my favorite situation in which to wear makeup.
• It’s hot at my office. And we don’t have AC, yet.
• And I don’t want to have to worry about touching up.
• Or watching where/how I touch or scratch my face or rub my eyes.
• A couple of days a week, I only work a little more than a half day. I’m trying to get in the habit of working out before heading into the office on those days and I’d rather not have to carry around a bunch of different products or do my face at the Y.
• My last two work environments (event planning office and sports newsroom) allowed for no one but my coworkers to see me. No walk-ins, no appointments at the office, etc. I’m not out and about (aside from a few errands) or even on site at events without advance notice, so I know when I need to dress it up.
• I do like to get dolled up for special occasions. It seems a little less special if I’m doing it everyday. (Yes, I know, I can dress it down during the day and do it up at night, but you get what I’m trying to say).
• If I’m going out after work, I like to have a fresh face. So I prefer to wash my face at the end of the work day and go from there.
• It’s a little difficult for me to stop, once I’ve started doing my face. Meaning, I can start out with the intention of a little concealer and face powder and some mascara — But twenty minutes later I’m standing there, looking in the mirror at a face with liquid foundation, setting powder, bronzer, contour, blush, highlight, eyeshadow, gel liner, mascara, false lashes, lip liner, lipstick, lip gloss, and a setting spray.
• I don’t want to have to clean my brushes daily,
• Or to have to spend the extra five minutes to put all my makeup and brushes back in the proper compartment in the proper drawer. I get anal like that.

I wanna know, do you wear makeup everyday? What’s your daily face routine?

Cheers!
Tiera

Drugstore Haul: ELF, Boots, Revlon, L’Oreal // Bargain Bombshell

Last week I added a few items to my Bargain Bombshell arsenal. The girly girl in me is quite excited to get dolled up and play with everything! Here’s what I got:

ELF Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder
I’ve been wanting to try this blush/bronzer duo compact (with a mirror) for a while now, but I was hesitant to buy it online because I like to see/touch/try things, especially cosmetics, if I can before I buy them. NARS has a couple of popular duos, but their pricey, and I don’t really like the shimmer finish of a lot of their powders, so I’m stoked that I got this at Target. For less than $4. Yeah.

Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream
I was actually looking at something in the No. 7 section when a Boots makeup artist and skins specialist recommended this to me instead — Since, you know, I don’t have bags under my eyes. Needless to say, she won me over. And she didn’t have to, this one was half the price. And, hello, how excited was I when I saw they had a whole sensitive skin line?!

Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer
Filling in eyebrows is something that can totally transform a face, even when wearing little-no makeup, so I’m always looking for tools and tricks to do this quickly and easily. This product is a tinted wax and highlighter duo, and I got mine in #002 (Light Brown/Champagne). I think I might be a shade darker, but I didn’t want anything too harsh, and I prefer the champagne highlighter to soft pink.

ELF Studio Contour Brush
I’ve had good luck with most of the brushes I purchased from the regular ELF line (Except the blush/bronze/blend brush. Seriously, don’t get it) — And am hoping for even better luck with their studio brushes. I love the shape of this contour brush, perfect for contouring and defining the eye. And the texture is so soft and smooth.

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
I pretty much love my L’Oreal Lineur Intense felt tip liquid liner, but I’ve heard really great things about this Revlon pen so I thought I’d give it a try. I used Revlon’s ColorStay liquid liner for a while, and liked the formula, but I’m hoping the pen will have easier application like the felt tip. My last eyeliner pen (NYX felt tip liner marker), though, wasn’t great, so I hope this one’s better.

L’Oreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner
I’ve been on the hunt for a cheaper alternative to my beloved Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil for a while now. I wanted to try Milani’s Liquif’Eye after Marlena the Makeup Geek featured it in a video, but I haven’t seen it around. This L’Oreal one looked like another great option, and it won a Marie Claire award, so I decided to chance it.

I wanna know // What drugstore cosmetics have you tried lately? What’s your favorite budget beauty product?

Xoxo,
Tiera

Bargain Bombshell: Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Gel-Cream Review

Hola! This post is part of a new column I’m working on, Bargain Bombshell! I used to accept work as a makeup artist, but now that I’m not pursuing that anymore (or working two jobs like I was), I don’t have an excuse (or the funds, really) to go blowing money on high-end and professional-grade cosmetics and beauty tools. But I am still absolutely obsessed with cosmetics, so I wanted to write about beauty on a budget. Hope you like!

A couple of months ago I headed to the drug store to pick up a new moisturizer, and I tried something new on a whim — Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream. Turns out it was a good call :)

The Rundown

• Product: Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream is an oil-free moisturizer with a unique gel-cream formula
• Price: $7-10
• Availability: Available at most drug stores

Mine cost me $7.99 at Walgreens

Report Card
Product: 9/10
Packaging: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Ease of Use: 8/10
Overall: A

They Say

Garnier Moisture Rescue locks-in moisture and blocks-out dryness using a formula with a unique combination of pure antioxidant fruit water extract and skin conditioning vitamin E. It helps replenish skin’s moisture reserves and fight off dryness. It’s ultraweight, oil free, refreshing gel-cream formula instantly penetrates for long-lasting moisture and boosts skins natural defenses so that it can hold moisture for 24 hours.

I Say

As I’m getting older, I’m transitioning from oily skin to dry skin (and yes, it’s still sensitive under all that). When I began noticing dry patches and some flakiness, I wanted a moisturizer that really added and locked in moisture. The product has a very unique texture, but one that feels soothing on the skin and blends very well.

I’m always hesitant to try new things on my skin because I’m so sensitive, especially on my face — And this has grapefruit extract in it (my skin really gets set off by citrus), so I was especially reluctant, but so far no signs of irritation.

Pros: It really does keep my skin moisturized, and very soft and smooth as a bonus. A little goes a long way.

Cons: I would’ve loved SPF protection and some sort of pump so that I don’t have to stick my fingers into the pot. No major long-term improvement.

Overall: I’ve been using it regularly for a little over a month now, and love it. My skin stays moisturized and I love how soft and smooth my skin feels just about all day.

I wanna know, what kind of moisturizer do you use? What’s your favorite budget beauty product?

Xoxo,
Tiera

Oh, the (Hair) Possibilities

So if you follow me on Twitter or know my in any way, surely you’ve heard me groan about the worst haircut I’ve ever had :(

Thanksgiving is one of my least favorite holidays, and is always a tough one for me. So I thought I’d soothe some of my own anxiety by pampering myself with a fabulous haircut. Obviously, this was not the case.

The experience was awful. They stylist didn’t wash my hair, say anything the entire time, blow out/straighten or style my hair at all, or ask my opinion or let me check out the final product. She just took of the cape and sent me on my merry way (to the cash register, of course). And while the cut isn’t fugly, it’s not at all what I asked for.

While I was recovering from my traumatic experience, the bestie recommended me to her stylist, and I set myself an appointment. I’m absolutely certain this will go better!

So now I’m just trying to decide what it is I want to do! I’ve spent pretty much my whole life with the same boring hair (I blame it on being a hula dancer and not having much freedom with my hair, and my parents who both never wanted me to cut it!), and I’m ready for a change. I really want to go shorter than I ever have before, and since I’m sure I’ll grow it out again from here, I really want to go for it, and get something beyond a few layers :) I’ve been Google-ing styles during every spare moment I can manage, and here the styles I’m falling for so far:

• Model: This is gorgeous, and I like to think I’m willing to be this dramatic and take a risk this big… But ultimately I’m not sure if I have the balls for a style like this, or the desire to deal with the upkeep/maintenance.
• Brittany Daniel: I’ve been coming back to this photo again and again ever since I wanted to chop my hair last year. I think I love the simplicity.
• Nicole Richie: This is just lovely, plain and simple. And I love that it doesn’t require stick-straight locks.
• Jennifer Hudson: Love it. I’m just not sure I have the balls to go quite this short. But I like how this proves that a style like this works with a fuller face.
• Jenny McCarthy: Another style/person I keep coming back to. Her bob is so modern, especially with the long pieces up front.
• Lauren Conrad: This is the photo I showed the stylist the last time around. The above photo is me the day after my last haircut. #fail. But I like how the style is shorter in the back and longer in the front. But maybe this is a cursed style for me? Lol!

I’m also thinking of getting highlights for the first time ever! I’m trying to decide between the usual blonde/lighter brown or something a little more bold, like red or blue!

I wanna know, what do you think of these hair possibilities? What hairstyle are you going for?

Xoxo,
Tiera

Imagery via: Model, Brittany, Nicole, Jennifer, Jenny, LC