(Almost) Barely There Makeup

There have been but a handful of days in my entire life when, mostly in early summer, I've woken up, rolled out of bed, and miraculously looked adequately presentable. Something about that sun-kissed glow, the perfectly-tussled bedhead-- so effortless. However, I can't be so lucky every day and more often than not, I need a bit of help. Recently, instead of putting on my whole "face," I've been doing the bare minimum for some barely there vibes. Since I had so much fun putting together a post about my nighttime skincare routine, I decided to do one for my morning ritual. All you really need is some lotion, a dab of foundation, highlighter, some strategically-placed bronzer, and mascara. Ready? Let's go! 

My Nighttime Skin-Care Routine

The older I get, the more I realize just how important a nightly skincare routine truly is. For one, it makes my morning makeup regimen so much simpler when my skin is fresh and clear and there's not much that needs covering up. (Read: I'm able to sleep in a little more.) I've also found that it's healthy to have some sort of ritual before climbing into bed.

Thanks to this blog, I've received many, many skincare products so I've gotten to try out a plethora of different lotions, serums, cleansers, toners, etc. Some made my skin feel greasy. Others worked but didn't play along too well with other products I was trying out. Some made me break out for a week straight. (That was not a great time.) After trying out what feels like a hundred combinations, I found one that not only works for me, but works really, really well.

Daily Skincare with Kneipp

Thanks Kneipp for sponsoring this post! 

Ever since I turned 25, my skin has been a bit... different. Just like clockwork it went from "pretty good" to "what the heck is happening?" I've been looking for a new routine so I was absolutely thrilled when Kneipp (pronounced ken-IPE) invited me to their new store in King of Prussia-- the first in the US-- to try out some products. When I heard that everything in the store was made of plant-based ingredients, I was sold.

Muse: Jane Birkin

By now, you know that I'm very inspired by free-spirited European ladies who traipsed around France creating beautiful works of art in the 60's and 70's. (If you're a new reader, check out my posts about Anna Karina and Françoise Hardy.) Having said that, Jane Birkin is an obvious addition to my list of muses.

Beauty for Fall

I know we're still about a week away from actually fall but that doesn't mean we can't start getting our autumn faces ready. For me, this season is all about rich color and layering textures. I barely fuss with my makeup in the summer because I know I'm going to sweat it all off anyway but come September, I go all in. Here are some of my favorites!

Take Care of Your Skin

Wanna hear a secret? I'm really, really bad at taking my makeup off before I go to bed. I always forget about it until I get out of the shower the next morning and my face looks like Chris Crocker's in that classic "LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE." video. I was always extremely blessed with nice, resilient skin-- that is, until recently. Call it "old age" or the endless torment of wildly-whipping bone-chilling winter winds; whatever the reason, my skin has been terrible lately. I never really had a "nighttime routine" but I figured that at this point, I had no choice. To Sephora! After about a month of experimenting, I figured out what works for me, hopefully some parts of it will work for you as well! (Oh, and I know that every other blogger includes awkwardly staged "hey I'm not wearing makeup but I actually am" photos illustrating how they apply products to their skin. My readers are smarter than that so I'll save you that little part. Like I need any more face time on here anyway...)

Everyday Lip Color: My Favorites

When you get to a certain age, you acquire the common sense to realize that you just can't rock a red lip at work. (If you haven't gotten there yet, consider that a cautionary word of advice.) Fret not though my dears because it turns out that there a lot of very lovely neutral or earth tone lip colors that will still bring out your inner bold, sassy self. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

MAC - Honey Love

This is perfect for daily wear. It's a warm beige, with rose tones. I particularly love this one because it's completely matte, which means that it'll stay on FOREVER. If you're looking to pull off the Kylie Jenner look, this color is probably the best one for that. (I know, I know, but c'mon, her lips are always looking fab.) It's especially great when paired with MAC's Et Cetera liner. See it in action here. 

Alternatives: L'Oreal Fairest Nude, Rimmel Nude Delight, Neutrogena Just Whisper

Too Faced - Honey Bear

Lots of honey, right? This one is smooth and has a little more shimmer than Honey Love. It's more mauve-toned but still very warm. The little bit of creaminess will immediately give you a sexy pout. This is B's favorite lipstick. (For me to wear, not him...) Because of the shine, it would transition well from daytime to a night out for drinks or a dinner date. OH, this one also scores some major points because it's Lemon Cake scented. Yum. See it in action here. (Paired with the same Et Cetera lip liner mentioned above!)

Alternatives: Revlon Super Lustrous, Maybelline Warm Me Up

NARS - Anna

This is probably my all-time favorite lip color. It's a smoky rose and it looks good with everything. (Literally, everything.) I love it paired with Sephora's Native Nude or Queen Quartz liner. It's See it in action here. Warning, this one sells out quickly so snatch one up while you can. 

Alternatives: Colour Pop Lumière

What are some of your favorite lip colors? 

xo,

e.m.

Healthy Hair

At this point in my life, I've probably had more bad hair days than I've had good. Growing up with thick, frizzy hair was always difficult for me. The texture has always been extremely coarse and until recently, completely unmanageable. It takes a lot of love to tame my mane but I know that I'm not alone. I've been getting a lot of questions lately about how I take care of my long hair and keep it looking healthy between trims. The short answer would be "trial and error-- a lot of it." but I love my readers so I compiled a handy list of the products that I use in my hair.

1. I color my hair with Henna. It's all-natural, safe, and WON'T fry your hair. It'll work with your hair's natural oils to condition your hair and leave it soft, smooth, and frizz-free. Since my knowledge of henna is fairly limited, check out this article. It has some great Q&A's as well as some resources. As far as which brand I use, it's called Rainbow Henna (in black) and I buy it from a local health food store.

2. Scrunchies are not only totally coming back (hello Kimmy Gibbler) but they work wonders for tossing your hair up in a bun before bed. If I must fall asleep with my hair wet, I'll tie it up in a scrunchy because a scrunchy doesn't get tangled in wet hair the way that a regular hair tie would. 

3. You can't be an adult without a decent hair dryer and you can't have a decent hair dryer without a diffuser attachment. Trust me, I rarely use mine without it anymore. It's ideal for curly hair because it evenly distributes air flow so that the hair's natural wave isn't moved around too much while drying. One thing to keep in mind when using a diffuser attachment is to keep the heat on low. 

4. Carrot oil is a miracle worker for skin and hair. It helps to strengthen and protect hair follicles against things like chlorine and other harmful chemicals. It also happens to be great for combatting dandruff, especially when combined with Tea Tree Oil. 

5. Boar bristle brushes are a lot better for your hair than plastic because they're less harsh and the small fibers help to evenly spread your hair's natural oils. 

6. Whether you get something fancy like Goldie's or just stick with good 'ole Apple Cider Vinegar, it's a good idea to do a vinegar rinse every few weeks. Vinegar is a gentle natural shampoo and will help to restore your hair's pH levels to normal while also getting rid of the residue that other shampoos may leave behind. 

7. I rarely visit the hair stylist but when I do, he yells at me for using an iron on my hair. I know that it's not good for it but sheesh, I love the way that the styling wand makes my hair look! (It's what I used in the photo above.) As long as I don't use it too often, I can't see what's so bad about it. Just make sure that if you're using any kind of heat on your hair, you keep it on the lowest (but most effective) temperature possible. 

8. Here's the most valuable piece of advice that I will give you in this blog post: dry shampoo. Embrace it. It will become your best friend. Find one that you like, this one is my favorite. Washing and styling your hair is actually not too great for it. I only wash mine once a week or so and have no shame whatsoever-- just healthy hair. As long as you have something to take care of any potential oiliness, it's not gross. Trust me. 

9. Coconut oil treatments are a monthly thing that can become sort of a nuisance but work wonders. I buy solid coconut oil, spread it all over my head before bed, wrap it in a silk scarf and a shower cap, and then rinse it out in the morning. It's the only deep-conditioner you'll ever need.

10. LUSH Sea Spray is an absolutely wonderful invention. It adds texture and smells fantastic. It's particularly helpful if, ya know, you're not washing your hair too often. (If you skipped it, go back to #8.)

11. Lastly, never underestimate the power of some good old school hair curlers. They'll give you mega volume and you'll feel like a Hollywood starlet while you're getting ready. If you don't know where to begin, this video is very helpful.

As far as shampoo and conditioner go, I use Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Castile Soap as shampoo and LUSH's Veganese Conditioner. How about you guys? I'm always interested in finding new products and you guys always give me great advice. 

xo,

e.m.

My Favorite Spring Scents

Who doesn't like perfume? I wear it even just around the house, especially if I'm having a bad day. It's nice to get a whiff of it every so often. It makes me feel pretty even if I'm just wearing jeans and a tee. Sometimes you need a little something, am I right? Spring is a good time to invest in some scents if you're not usually a perfume person. The weather is nice enough for happy hours on the patio to be a weekly occurrence once more, you're showing a little more skin than you would with all of your winter layers, you're coming out of hibernation to start dating again... ah, Spring. If you're lost and not sure where to begin, here are a few of my favorites:* 

Chanel Chance: This is actually my favorite scent of all time but is especially fitting for spring. It's earthy, citrusy, and a little musky. It's light enough for daytime wear but could also be good for a night out. I always, always get complimented when I'm wearing this. It's a classy scent. Not too overwhelming but definitely noticeable.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh: How could I be writing about Spring fragrances and not include this one? It's fruity, sweet, and a little bit earthy. For as light as it is, it still has a lot of depth. To me, it's the Joan Holloway of perfumes. Lovely at first, until you discover how complex it is, and then you fall in love with it even more.

Jimmy Choo: This one is heavier than the rest and therefore perfect for a date or a night out with the girls. It's sweet but spicy, feminine but strong-- and dare I say a little seductive? This is another that I'm always getting complimented on.

West Third Brand Campo Il Fiore: A recent discovery of mine, this scent has the perfect balance of floral and musk. It's light and not overwhelming. It's the fragrance equivalent of wearing a breezy sundress and walking through a field of white and yellow flowers. 

How about you? Do you have a favorite fragrance for Spring? Let me know because I'm all about trying new things!

xo,

e.m.

*Opinions are my own.

Okay, okay, okay. If you follow me over on the twitter than you know that I'm a big fan of Game of Thrones. I didn't choose this life, it chose me. Thanks to my Star Wars fanboy father, I'm sort of predisposed to be into "nerdy" things. (For the record, I don't think that there is anything nerdy abut Game of Thrones but still all of my friends make fun of me for being so into it. Sigh.) This particular 'do is inspired by Daenerys. This is by no means the first time anyone has ever worn her hair like this but who cares? I thought it was cute. (And also very easy.)

Because this 'do involves twisting the hair, it's best done on second or third day hair. If not though, no need to fret. Just run some texture pomade through it and you should be set. I curled the bottoms of my hair because I think it adds a nice touch but you can do this style with straight or curly hair also.

Begin by taking and twisting a section of hair at the temple. I'm still trying to grow my bangs out so I just twisted them into the section of hair but you can leave your bangs out as well! The section should be about the size of a dime at the top and it'll probably get thinner as you twist it down. Clip it aside and grab another section, same size. Repeat the twist. Once you have two sections twisted separately, begin to twist them together, keeping the individual strands tight as you go. It should look like a rope. Repeat on the other side and fasten in the back with a medium claw clip.

There ya go! Simple yet elegant. I'll be rockin' this look a LOT this summer.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Between normal Philly shenanigans and a trip to New York, I should have a ton of pictures for you all on Monday! MWAH!

xo,

e.m.

how to style a hair bow and a sock bun:

It's 8:05 in the morning and you realize that you slept through your alarm and you're going to be late for class or work. You hop out of bed and grab the clothes nearest to your bed, still getting dressed as you make your way to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Let's face it, you look like a hot mess. There is good news though: you can still look semi-put-together! Now, instead of simply pulling your hair into a ponytail or a messy bun, my lovely cousin Sam showed me how to style two super fast up-do's that look like they require lots of time and talent. I figured I couldn't keep this information from you all so here are her two super simple hair tutorials:

1. A Slightly Modified Sock Bun: Here is a new take on an old classic. Begin with an old sock. Cut off the foot part and fold it into itself so it makes a donut. Place the sock donut aside and pull your hair into a simple ponytail. It can be high or low, whatever your preference is. Pull your hair through the hole in the sock donut until it rests against your head. Depending on how gently you do this, you may need to brush out your ponytail to make it smooth. Pull your hair around the sock and fasten it with another hair tie. Adjust your hair so that covers the sock completely. Tuck the spare pieces of hair around the bun into the hair tie so that it creates a "nest." (This is the only word I can think to describe it.) Spray with some hairspray if necessary and you're all set to be on your way!

2. Hair Bow: Start by making a regular high ponytail but on the last tie, don't pull your hair all the way through. Leave a pretty long tail with the extra hair. Part the bun in half and pull the tail through. If it's long enough, you can loop it through to the other side and fasten with a bobby pin. If not, you can fasten it to the top of your head using a bobby pin, just be sure to blend it into the rest of your hair. Fluff out the sides of the bow if needed and take care of any flyaways with bobby pins. I'm not a fan of Ms. Gaga but I am a fan of this hairstyle, so I guess I gotta thank her for making it popular! Side note: This style works best with straight hair so if you're planning on wearing it, you may want to straighten your hair the night before!

Thanks Sam for sharing with us! (Sam will be attending beauty school in the fall so she'll be sharing more tips and tricks with us soon!)

xo, e.m. 

my favorite products:

I get a lot of questions about the products that I use for my skin, hair, etc. I'm constantly finding and trying out new things, discovering new favorites and learning which ones aren't worth my time and money. In the mean time of learning how to make my own products at home (forever trying to rid all of the unnecessary chemicals from my daily routine!) I try to find the most natural products that I can. A lot of people would think that "natural" means "expensive and impossible to find" but everything here is easy-to-find and not too expensive!

Hair: I primarily wash my hair with Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Castile Soap. Instead of regular conditioner, I use Apple Cider Vinegar. (More about that here!) Tea Tree oil is a natural remedy for dandruff (and so much nicer for your hair and scalp than Head & Shoulders) but it can also be a little tough on colored hair so if you're concerned about your color fading, you may want to try another variety. The best part about the soap is that you can use it as body wash also so it's excellent for traveling! In addition to the Castile Soap, every once in a while I wash and condition my hair with Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner. There's also an oil treatment that works beautifully! As far as styling products go, the only thing I use is Envia pomade from Melaleuca.

Skin: I believe I've talked about it on here before but I absolutely love Desert Essence Organics' hand and body lotion. It's the only lotion that doesn't dry my skin out. Weird, right? The Tropical Coconut scent is my favorite, it smells delicious. Yes to Cucumber face wipes are my favorite for taking off my makeup in the evening. They're refreshing and they remove my eye makeup with no effort at all. J.R. Watkins' Body Oil Mist is something I don't know how I lived without. Spray it on your skin and it'll be the softest its ever been! I love the Grapefruit scent, it's almost good enough to eat. I'm upset that I didn't discover the gloriousness of Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion until almost the end of summer but I guess nice feet don't have to end in the fall? 

Everyday Necessities: I love Tom's of Maine products. Although because of my active lifestyle I often have to re-apply this deodorant a couple times a day, it has no aluminum in it, which is terrible for you. I wear contacts and Bausch + Lomb's BioTrue is my favorite saline solution yet. It's engineered to mimic the chemistry of your eyes and it saves my eyes on a daily basis! Before I found it, my itchy eyes would mean that my eye makeup would be either extremely smudged on non-existent by the end of the day. I love Melaleuca's Whitening Tooth Polish. It's a natural toothpaste that actually does give you minty fresh breath. I've found that a lot of them don't! I love a good bar of soap by my sink, Dr. Bronner's Lavender Castile Soap smells delicious and makes your hands feel ACTUALLY clean.

Not too bad, right? Try them out, let me know how they work for you!
xo, e.m.

the softest hair you've ever had

You may be wondering what this bottle of liquid on my head is. If you guessed pee, you're wrong. If you guessed Apple Juice, you're wrong too but it's still a better guess than pee. It's Apple Cider Vinegar and it's the greatest hair conditioner that you will ever try! As you may know, I'm slowly purging my daily routine of all of those unnecessary chemicals. I started using henna to color my hair, I traded my overpriced shampoo for Castile Soap and now I finally found my conditioner! Does anybody else agree with me that it's ridiculous how much money women are willing to spend on their hair to get it smooth and silky? I once saw a bottle of conditioner for $63. Sick! Do you know how many Chipotle burritos you could eat for that? Apple Cider vinegar is inexpensive and you probably have a bottle of it in your pantry right now!

Before you jump in the shower, pour some of the vinegar into the bottom of a cup. It doesn't matter how much you use, as long as there is room to add twice that amount of water. I've heard that warm tap water works best but I like to use cold water on my hair because I find that it helps me with the frizz and adds a little bit of shine. After shampooing and rinsing your hair, pour the vinegar and water over your head. I use about half of it and then I soak my ends in the rest of it. Also, don't worry, because as soon as your hair dries, the vinegar smell will go away completely! (Although I find that it goes away as soon as I rinse it out.) Leave it for a few minutes before rinsing. Your hair will instantly feel smoother and softer. Who could have thought that smooth and silky hair was only a couple of tablespoons of vinegar away?

xo, e.m.