beauty trends

Nature In A Jar – Philosophy

Happy New Year! Since my last post, I have gotten engaged, received my MBA, planned my wedding, and a million other things in between! A whirlwind to say the least 🙂 With my wedding less than a year away (OMG lol) I have been trying to start my skincare routine as far in advance as possible. Last month I got a facial for the first time in a LOOOONG time. It was recommended that I go monthly, so I have about ten other tabs open trying to figure out which one I should do next!

I do know that there are so many other variables that go into skincare though – diet, stress, exercise, water consumption, and of course products! I have been transitioning my products to all natural, or as natural as I can get for all of them. It’s definitely been a lot of trial and error hahah. I was lucky enough to test out some product’s from philosophy – one of the highest rated skincare lines out there. Their new collection, nature in a jar is full of amazing products that help restore, rejuvenate, and recover skin. These formulas are natural, clean, and vegan! So triple the YES factor.

I tried the cica complex recovery moisturizer and the nourishing in-shower oil and just wow!

The moisturizer is nice and thick yet goes on very lightweight and is absorbed quickly. It feels sooo velvety and smooth and in turn, makes your skin velvety and smooth! Most times I don’t even wear primer. I put this on every PM and usually in the AM, especially on colder days. My skin looks so much more hydrated and dewy. The key ingredients are: cica, prickly pear fruit extract, shea butter, and agave. It retails for $49.00 – totally worth it.

Next is the in-shower oil, a must have for your shower routine!

The oil is so luxurious. It seals in moisture without the whole greasy feel and residue that most other oils leave. I saw some reviews that mentioned the smell, but honestly I couldn’t really smell anything strong or strange about it, I thought it had a very subtle smell to it. What we all can agree on though, is that our skin definitely felt more nourished and moisturized! The main ingredients in the oil are hemp-derived cannabis sativa seed oil, soybean oil, and olive fruit oil. It retails for $32.

Check it out and let me know what you think of this new collection!

XO,

Lu

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OH MY GAL – CANARY CLOTHING

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First things first, there is a sweet discount code somewhere in this post ;). Secondly, if you follow me on social media, then you know I’ve recently worked with Canary Clothing on their latest and greatest collection, Oh My Gal. I’ve worked with them before on their other stunning collections, like the Lolita collection where I got to channel my inner Jenny from the block ;). Honestly, every piece in their various collections are so unique yet classic, it is hard to refrain from buying them all. On top of the pieces being chic, the quality is phenomenal. While the pieces are in line with the latest fashion trends, Canary has a unique touch and flair to their pieces that make them stand out. I love that they aren’t the cookie cutter version of the same old styles that I can found just by walking past five stores in the mall. They keep the in-style look but enhance it just right.

The Oh My Gal collection is 1950s inspired – if you know me, then you know I LOVE the 50s, so you can imagine my excitement. Aside from the details put into the looks and pieces, the detail put in behind the scenes is honestly unmatched. The devil is in the details and Canary Clothing slays all of them every single time. From photo shoots to packaging, they have all their bases covered and then some.

Here are some of my favorite pieces I got to model from the Oh My Gal collection. Check out their pieces and the rest of their collections! Oh and for a sweet 15% discount, use CDLauren15 at checkout!


Cherry Pie Gingham Dress: $63.95


Mary Joe Gingham Ruffle Top: $43.95

Going Steady Heart Shaped Cateye Sunglasses: $18.00


My Gal Cayete Sunglasses: $12.00

Peggy Sue Gingham Floral Top: $38.95

SEPHORA PLAY! REVIEW

Happy Thursday! After a huuuge snowstorm yesterday, I was able to work from home. I thought what a great day to relax, I can even get a blog post up. That was not the case. I was basically glued to my computer all day, only to get up to get myself more pizza haha! ;). I have been meaning to do a review on the Sephora Play! monthly subscription box since February (my first month!). As you know, I have tried Birchbox before as well as Ricky’s, both which I loved. Since I spend a majority of my time (and paycheck) at Sephora, and their box is only $10/month, I decided to give it a go. I was certainly not let down!

What I love most about it is how personal it is compared to other ones. You answer a few questions to create your own personal profile. From the products they are going to include in the boxes, from makeup to hair care to skincare to fragrances, they use your answers to curate your own personalized box.


Each box includes:

  • Five samples AND a bonus! The samples range from makeup, skincare, and hair care.
  • A collectible makeup bag
  • PLAY! Book that gives you tips and tricks and how-tos for each sample
  • PLAY! Pass to redeem in store when you buy something full-size – worth 50 beauty insider points! ❤
  • Access to video tutorials for the items in the box
  • PLAY! Date – subscriber only even that allows you and a friend to come in the store and sample products and meet with beauty experts

Here is what the February box looked like! I am SO excited for March! Stay tuned 🙂

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LOVE this little makeup bag. Adorable!

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50 Bonus Points! #swoon

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I have sensitive skin so this is right in line with my profile that I filled out 🙂

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I put a lot of skincare in my profile so I am so glad they sent me top notch sample products!

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LOVE this gloss. It reminds me of a NARS one I had way back when!

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I have *no* idea how to apply eyeliner, so I am hoping this can help me a bit.

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The BONUS! It smelled like summer in a bottle. Nice and light 🙂

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Dope postcard that came with the perfume.

15/10 would recommend the PLAY! boxes. For only $10 you’re getting some top notch samples, and nice sizes. Plus extra bonus points at one of my favorite stores makes it all the more worth it. Go get yours!

ZARA HAUL

Sooo I went to the mall to return a pair of pants….and left with an entirely new wardrobe from Zara. It is so crazy how life pans out right? Hahah seriously though it was been a hot minute since I went shopping at Zara, and I happened to go at the right time! They were having a MAJOR sale – still seems to be going on as of today 😉 , and it made me question why I stopped going here so frequently. From some of the coziest sweaters I’ve ever owned, to some of the most unique and trendy pieces I have ever owned, this latest haul had it all! Similar to H&M, they have great fast fashion pieces but also classic pieces. I like Zara bit more though because their pieces are more simple and classic, and easier to mix and match – and that is just more of my personal style. I also find their “statement” pieces to be more subtle and more doable for everyday, and severely less commercialized. Honestly, I have never seen some of these types of styles before.

I can’t seem to find any of this online, so I am not sure if it is just all in stores, but hey how different can each store be? If you find yourself in a near proximity of a Zara, then stop reading and go grab some pieces, your closet AND wallet will thank you!


Jeans: $12.99 + Sweater: $15.99

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Shirt: $20 + Jacket $29.99

Sweater: $29.99

Shirt: $9.99

Sweater: $29.99

Button down w/ pearl accents: $17.99

Cross silk top: $17.99

Bodycon dresses: $12.99 (each)

Black/white colorblock dress: $19.99

Sweater dress: $29.99

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Floral dress: $15.99

Jumpsuit: $17.99

Pearl top: $15.99 and various pants for $17.99

 

A Mask A Day + NEW Fall Skincare Routine

Fall is coming and I could not be happier! There is just nothing like sweater weather, crunchy leaves, apple picking, football season, and of course pumpkin spice everything. With the leaves changing and the weather getting colder, as we change our closets from tanks to over-sized sweaters, did you know you should also be changing your skincare routine?!

While skincare routines should always include the staples (face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, etc.), it isn’t necessarily bad or detrimental to switch up the regimen quite often, especially when seasons change or hormonal changes occur. For example, with the colder months, my face tends to become dry very easily, but in the warmer months, my face is much more oily and I am sweating so much more, so certainly using the same routine won’t be effective for both instances. Multiple dermatologists agree that changing products way too often won’t give you the chance to see results you may be looking for since average cell turnover is 28 days. If only clear skin appeared overnight!

So, as mentioned before, with Fall approaching, colder weather is approaching, and therefore my face is going to be drier than a desert :(. I decided to pick up seven different masks from Creme Shop and do a mask a day and see how my skin felt after each one. Basically, it felt as though I was going to the spa everyday, but the spa was my makeup room.

Before we get into the masks though, let’s compare our faces to a painting. The paint will go on smoother and the overall results of the painting will look so much better if you’re working on a clean, smooth canvas right? That is why it is so important to not rely on just makeup removers and masks. After reading this totally amazing review on some of the best facial cleansers out there, I picked up this CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and I can honestly say I am obsessed. I have used it as my sole cleanser for this week’s experiment and I think it played a key role in my face feeling so soft and moisturized. I was wearing max coverage foundation and a full face of makeup, and this cleanser took it right off, without me going through an entire bottle of it. Can you say yes please?!

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Unlike harsher cleaners that exfoliate and really remove the skin’s protective barrier (this is why you should only exfoliate 1-2 times a week!), this cleanser actually helps to restore that protective barrier as well as keeps the skin’s natural moisture. My face feels so soft and looks nice and dewy immediately after washing. Since my skin is nourished and moisturized all day long, I’ve even noticed that my foundation stays on better throughout the day, and that’s without me using primer (when I go to work, I don’t wear much makeup, so I nix primer from my routine – I try to let my skin breathe during the week). I love love love this product and can’t wait to continue using it and keep you updated!

If you want to try it, here’s a $2.00 off coupon! You’re welcome! 😉

Dry skin and red spots be gone!

Now back to our painting…I mean mask experiment! All of these masks are from the Creme Shop. Aside from masks, they also have beauty products from beauty blenders to eyelashes, something I never knew before. I guess I will have to save that for another post though! If you’ve read my previous post on Korean skincare, you know I am a huge fan and avid lover of those products, a Creme shop mask being one of them. All of these masks are made in Korea and deliver just as well as the other ones in that post! I tried seven masks, check out my thoughts on each of them below.

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  • Drink Up, Skin

This one is infused with hyaluronic acid (a main ingredient in the CeraVe facial wash by the way!). This is what keeps the skin’s thirst quenched, keeping it smooth and dewy! I also love that it is non-irritating, so for those of you with sensitive skin, definitely give this one a try. The design was adorable, and after I took it off after a half hour or so, my face felt so soft and looked so moisturized. Bye bye flaky dry skin!

  • Slow Down, Skin

Another adorable “animated” mask! Who doesn’t love pandas, and who doesn’t love to fight aging skin early?! This one is infused with restorative bamboo extract and is rich in silica – which means it boosts structure and elasticity. I actually felt my face tingle slightly while using this one. My face did feel quite refreshed after using it.

  • Charcoal & Lemonade Mask

Alright so anything charcoal seems to be all of the rage in skincare, due to its ability to completely wipe away the impurities and dirt/oil on our faces. First off, I LOVED the smell of it as soon as I opened it up, definitely smelled like delicious lemonade (as I am literally drinking lemonade as we speak haha!). So this dual mask is designed to obviously be like a 2-for-1. As we know, charcoal lifts up toxins and dirt from  the pores on our faces. Lemons have antibacterial properties that can help heal, brighten the skin, and combat blackheads. This mask is also filled with hyarulonic acid, making it full of moisture. I loved how this mask made my face feel, my face felt so clean and soft and looked so dewy. When I woke up the next morning, my mother (who is on me about skin ALL. THE. TIME), complimented how great my skin looked! Oh ,you can also refrigerate this mask for a cooling effect and feeling.

  • The Kale Face Mask

Kale yasss! I can say I know a ton of ways to EAT kale, I didn’t know I could use it to help my face though! As we all know, kale is full of Vitamins, A, C, and K. It is a super food that helps our body, but it can also help with skin imbalances. It helps reduce bloat and puffiness, corrects redness, and can even help with dry patches/flakiness. This certainly helps with keeping skin toned and revitalized!

  • Pineapple Enzyme Infused Mask

I loooove pineapples, and now I love putting them on my face! I had no idea it had an enzyme (bromelain) that acts as an all natural exfoliator, breaking down the keratin protein in dead skin cells. This reveals a new layer of skin and helps get rid of discoloration, leaving you with bright and renewed skin. My face felt so soft after this one!

  • Witch Hazel Infused Mask

This one had some serious powers like a witch haha! I wanted to try this one because it said it combats acne and blackheads and helps minimize excess oil production. It also said it helps against sun damage – a must have since summer is over. Apparently, witch  hazel has a ton of healing properties such as reducing skin damage, inflammation, and swelling. the all-natural ingredient soothes troubled skin and balances the skin for an unblemished complexion. After I took this mask off, I felt like it wiped my blackheads away too, my face felt so smooth and looked so supple.

  • Coconut Oil Infused Mask

So we all know coconut oil is the cure for everything – did you know it even whitens teeth? That will have to be my next post ;). Sometimes after washing my face I will put coconut oil on my face because it makes it feel and look great. Coconut oil is also a great makeup remover if you didn’t know! So, since I already love coconut oil, I was super excited to try this one out – and I was not disappointed! It really felt the same as when I put coconut oil on my face, super moisturized, super smooth, and younger looking 😉

PS – for a cooling effect you can refrigerate their masks 🙂 I haven’t tried, but if you have, comment below!

If you’ve tried any, I’d love to hear which ones and what you thought of them!

Could not be happier with my skin ❤ !

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Apple of My Eye Apple Pie

So it feels like ages since I went apple picking, and I promised I would share just what I did with all of those apples. A few days after apple picking, I whipped up this recipe for everyone to enjoy – however, I’m just posting about it weeks later. It has been so hectic on my end – starting a new job, helping with my sister’s wedding & bachelorette party, it never ends!

This is a perfect dessert for Thanksgiving, especially if you’re having a more intimate, smaller gathering. A great alternative to apple pie – and you don’t have to worry about how big of a piece you take 😉


Ingredients:

  • 10 apples (this is only because I had sooo many)
  • 4 Tbsp. of butter
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup

Crumb Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers (this is optional)
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 6 Tbsp. butter (melted)
  • 1 roll of pre-made pie crust (optional if you don’t want to wrap the apple in dough)
  • Ice cream! Caramel sauce, whatever you’d like!

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Wash apples and set aside.
  3. Prepare the crumble topping by combining flour, graham crackers (if used), oats, brown sugar, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and then melted butter until mixture is combined and crumbly. Set aside.
  4. Peel and chop 4 of the apples.
  5. Add these chopped apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and maple syrup to a large frying pan and cook over medium heat for about ten minutes (until the apples are softened and tender!). Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.
  6. With the remaining 6 apples, cut the tops off and use a spoon to scoop out the insides. Be careful to not go all the way down/pierce the skin of the apple! Leave a perimeter within the apple as shown below. It should resemble an “apple bowl”.
  7. Fill your “apple bowl” with the filling from the sauce pan you just made. Fill about 3/4 of the way, or halfway if you’d like to be generous with the topping.
  8. Cut the rolled dough into strips and “mummify” or wrap the apples! It can be a bit tricky to have them stick to the apple so definitely press the dough strips into one another so they don’t unravel.
  9. Place the apples into a pie pan (I had to use two) because just in case of drippings, it doesn’t overflow as it potentially could on a flat baking sheet.
  10. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
  11. Serve warm and with your favorite ice cream! I recommend Ben & Jerry’s cinnamon one.

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Lashes So Long You Can Fly Away With Them

Happy Tuesday lovelies!

So one of the perks of my job is that I get to work with a lot of brands and PR firms in a variety of verticals – so cosmetics, hair, fashion, fitness, electronics, etc. And sometimes I’m lucky enough to score some product! It’s always a good day in the office when new product arrives.

I don’t know if you’ve heard of IT Cosmetics, but if you haven’t, then I seriously recommend you check them out immediately. Like stop reading this for a second and go click on the link right above this. They constantly receive a ton of social success with top beauty influencers and makeup artists from all over the world using their products in their daily beauty/skin regiments. And you’re about to see why.

superhero mascara

First things first, IT stands for Innovative Technology since it is developed by plastics surgeons and dermatologists…so you know the product is going to be top notch. All of their products are 100% cruelty free, filled with skin-loving, high performance ingredients. So basically their products are cutting edge, clinically proven, safe, highly effective, and most importantly – work phenomenally! If this were a beauty class poll, they would certainly win best all-around.

I digress. Ok, so I was first introduced to this cosmetic line a few months back, after one of my coworkers attended a beauty conference and brought back a ton of product. Since I’ve been using them ever since, I am pretty well-versed in their makeup and skincare lines. I’ll save the review of all of those products for another week 😉

Since I am always open to trying new products (especially makeup!), when I received their new Superhero mascara, I couldn’t wait to try it out. Now I normally have very long lashes and people often ask me what falsies I wear (none!), so I was definitely interested in seeing if this would accentuate them even more. Spoiler alert: it did.

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Here are my three very basic steps for mascara application. I am in NO way, shape, or form a beauty know-it-all or MUA. I practically just got contouring down.

  1. Curl eyelashes (about 5 seconds on each lash – and don’t clench the curler too tight! Love your lashes hahah!)
  2. Use primer! I use the Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus and have been using it for over a year now. It is dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested.
  3. Mascara time! I usually just do one application, but two would not do any harm (just try to avoid many applications because you definitely get that clumpy look – I like a more wispy, fuller look).

So when I first put this first application I was like WOAH. Do you know how hard it is to find a mascara that thickens, lengthens, and still get mega volume all at once?! Some people use multiple mascaras to achieve this, and for those of you who do – look no further! This will be your saving grace.

This is just one application:

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