DAILY BEAUTY GUIDE Shoptini

Today I am switching it up a bit and talking beauty! It is one of the most popular questions you all ask me. So now, after three plus years of blogging I am finally sharing my beauty regimen with this Daily Beauty Guide. It’s not that its super-secret or difficult to recreate. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! I think you will be pretty surprised by some of the items I use.

A Few Things Before I Get Started

(one) When it comes to beauty products I am a creature of habit. I have used the same products for years and years! These products work great for me but what works for me may, or may not, work for you. (two) I am passionate about many things, but surprisingly makeup and beauty products are not one of them. I splurge where needed and save whenever I can! If given the option to invest in beauty products or my wardrobe, the wardrobe wins every time! (three) Over the past year I have ventured out a bit and tried a few new products. Thanks to some dear friends who convinced me to do so, I now can’t live without them!

SKINCARE

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! Applying lotion to your skin daily is highly recommended by most beauty experts. You could spend hundreds of dollars on all the high-end brand name lotions or you could be like me and save! The way I apply lotion I definitely need to save here. My daily application consists of head-to-toe after my morning shower, and face, hands, arms, legs before slipping into my evening jammies. And my all-time favorite is Queene Helene Cocoa Butter Lotion which can be purchased for $1.96 at Walmart or $3.00 at Target. My second go-to moisturizer is Cetaphil.

FACIAL CARE

If there is one thing I am 100% adamant about, it is washing makeup off my face every night! It has become instinctual for me… whether I’m sick, completely exhausted, or even after a few evening drinks, my makeup is coming off! Each morning I shower and wash my face with Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Scrub. I’ll also use my Clarisonic Mia to wash my face with the Neutrogena scrub. After my shower I apply a generous amount of Cetaphil to my face. Once the lotion has been absorbed I’ll use a rose quartz roller for about 5 minutes. If I notice bags under my eyes or have an event/photoshoot, I’ll apply the Arbonne Eye Gels while I dry my hair or do something else. (side note: I LOVE these eye gels and you should definitely try them or some version of them. Tip: keep them in your refrigerator! They feel much better when cold.)

When those pesky pimples arise, I dry them out with good ole Witch Hazel or even Peroxide. Applying generous amounts with a cotton pad /cotton ball in both the morning before moisturizer & makeup and in the evening after taking makeup off. Generic Witch Hazel can be purchased for $3 in Target and Walmart near the alcohol and peroxide.

When it comes to makeup removal, I use Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads and Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes in original or grapefruit. A few months ago a local spa, About Faces, introduced me to the Dermalogica Charcoal Masque and I have been loving it! I am not a regular masquer… usually once about every two weeks for me.

HAIR CARE

You might want to be sitting down for this one… this is rare I know, but I promise it’s true… I have virgin hair! My locks are free of any color, highlights or perms (if that is even still a thing?). Since my hair is all natural, I find that I can really save here. Years ago, I spent SO much money on expensive shampoos and conditioners and found that I really didn’t need to. So now I don’t! I do, however, switch up the brands I use… A LOT! I find by switching it up my hair doesn’t get used to one particular type and seems to react better the next time I use that brand again. I prefer to cycle a shampoo/conditioner each time I need a replenishment. My go-to’s are Garnier Fructis Grow Strong, OGX Brazillian Keratin Therapy, TRESemme and Aussie. Styling products are where I do tend to spend a little more. Regularly I use CHI Pliable Polish, CHI Iron Guard Thermal Protection, Big Sexy Hair Spray, and Sebastian Shaper Plus Hair Spray. I’ll share my beauty tools below too but here is a link to the curling iron and flat iron I use.

MAKEUP

MAC, Young Blood and Clarins are staples in my everyday makeup. I’ll share about them and some of my other fav products in the order of application. As mentioned above, I always start with a moisturizer. I then add a primer and use the MAC xxx to cover any blemishes. Next, I apply Clarins 112 Skin Illusions liquid foundation. After blending lightly, I cover my entire face with Young Blood Neutral Mineral Powder. Then I’ll shimmer my cheek bones with Blush and Bronzer. For my eyes I set my eyelid with Mac Paint Pot in Painterly, add eyeshadow, Mac fluidline liner, mascara and fill my eyebrows in with Mac Eyebrow Styler. Daily lipstick is chapstick! I am completely obsessed with chapstick! When I wear lipstick I prefer to wear a nude light shimmery lip. Some of my favorite lipsticks are L’Oréal, Clarins and Youngblood.

BEAUTY TOOLS

With thousands of products available to use in the beauty market, I find it overwhelming to decide which items will be the best. And unfortunately, I believe it is a lot of individual triall & error. The below items are what I have found to work great for me and hopefully you too! If you have any questions about any of these or the above products, please send me a comment or email. I am happy to share more information with you!!!