Have Your Best Winter Skin with These Products

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Glowing skin this time of year doesn’t have to be as absurd an idea as the bikinis that are now on sale at Target. (REALLY GUYS?!)

With some extra care, some hacks and the right products, you can enjoy the winter months without itching or flaking your way through it.

I’ve got some great products in addition to a lip hack that has saved me chapped lips ALL WINTER…

Cleansers:

Every single night I take off my makeup, and while it sounds silly that a makeup remover can save your skin moisture – it really does make a difference! The wrong kind can strip your skin leaving it feeling tight and dry, but not this…

This rag is amazing. It takes off everything, everything. In fact you can dry your face with a white towel afterwards and not see any makeup on it. Not many makeup removers can accomplish that. Its also nice to know you’re not using any crazy chemicals on your face. Not to mention you can use it several times, wash then use it again so you never run out of “product.” Just be sure to rinse then hang dry.

Bonus Day Cream:

I call this bonus because I assume you’re applying a moisturizer every day with an SPF in it. If not, you need to go in time out. For ten minutes – I’ll wait.

I love a good tinted moisturizer which I’ll use by itself (sometimes mixed with a highlighter for extra spiff) or if I’m feeling dry I’ll use it as a primer. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Gel Cream has all the words you want going on your face but also delivers MAJOR amounts of moisture. I used to have a dry forehead problem in the winter, but not any more!

It delivers the perfect amount of light coverage AND it’s only $30 for a tube that lasts me about 6 months even when I use it just about every day. I really believe this stuff will have me looking 30 well into my 80’s. Okay, maybe 60’s.

Pick yours up (they have a myriad of shades) from Anna or Sarah at Bare Minerals in West Town Mall – they’re super nice and helpful!

Night Cream:

Moisturizing as much as possible is so important for the life of your skin. Not that I claim to be a skin care expert, but I can imagine, as can you, that there’s no such thing as “too much moisture” when it comes to staving off signs of aging.

I LOVE the Silk cream made (in-house by the way) by Fresh Kale Bath Company at West Town Mall. It’s super luxurious feeling cream that soaks in quickly and leaves my skin soft well into the next morning. Plus the added benefit of being able to read and recognize every ingredient is HUGE.

Lip balm:

I love a bold lip but those matte lipsticks can dry your lips out, not to mention really highlight some dry lips. I abhor it when I go to put on a lipstick and all it does is draw attention to my dry-flaky lips. Which is why I’ve started a thing that has really saved me this winter…

I leave lip balm out on my dresser so that every time I stop – whether it’s to put away some socks, put up my hair, apply makeup or right before bed I’m slathering my lips with lip balm. Otherwise I wait till it’s an emergency and by then it’s so uncomfortable.

This habit has really saved me from having chapped lips this winter, so I would recommend you do the same. Just leave some good stuff out in a place you pass often and every time you see it – apply it!

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Gift Inspiration (and Sales!)

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Let it sale, let it sale, let it sale!

Last week was all about help with your Christmas party outfits, so let’s move on to gifting!

This week on Ten News This Morning I’ll be bringing you gift ideas from West Town Mall. I thought I’d continue on that theme and bring you the sales from around the mall as well!

Sometimes you don’t even know the deals going on until you walk around the mall, which is exactly what I did.

The wonderful thing about shopping in an indoor space, is you find one parking spot, you can shop coat-less and two words: CHEESECAKE FACTORY. Boom.

So here are some good deals and gift ideas for your inspiration!

First off, if you haven’t seen the new Altar’d State, prepare your soul. You’re going to want to relocate your life. Or linger WAY too long in the doorway.

Not only do they have a Hallmark worthy entrance, glittery shirts (I WANT THEM ALL) but they also have some really great sales going on.

For all the women on your list – no matter their age or size…

These cozy socks are 2 for $25! (That’s two pairs not one sock, then the other sock).

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Jewelry is buy one get one 50% off! (One for you…one for me).

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And the dresses right now are buy one get one FREEEEEEEE (I want the sparkly one SO BAD).

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For the foodie on your list…

(Definitely make them share the final results).

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For the kid on your list (or Disney lover no matter their age)…

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And finally, what to get the shoe lover on your list…

Not only is this display super cute, but this really is a great deal on some cool Vans!

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I’ll have more gift ideas later this week, so stay tuned!

 

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Tips on How to Plan All Your Christmas Outfits

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Tis the season to be gorgeous, fa la la la la la la la la.

This past Saturday, I carved out some time to try on clothes. While there were several moments when I wondered if I was truly being productive, the fact that I’m now into December and not having to give a second thought to what I’m going to wear to the three big events I have this week says a resounding YES. Yes I WAS being productive.

Your calendar may not be jammed packed with fancy parties, but it may have a friendly get together or two, and to avoid any and all stress it’s really good to pre-plan what you’re going to wear.

I have a small rotation of sequined items that I go through this time of year, but my goal every year is to wear them in a fresh way. Which is also why taking time to play around with what’s in your closet is a good thing – it gives you time to be creative.

Another bonus? It will save you money. I’m trying my darndest not to spend a lot of money on clothes (especially with a baby bump) and the more I can creatively use what’s in my closet the better.

Pull out and play with what you’ve got! And when you get stuck, hop on Pinterest and search for the piece you’re struggling with. Say it’s a sequin pencil skirt you don’t know how to look fresh – then search “Sequin pencil skirt outfit” and look at the results! Keep in mind, you don’t have to directly copy anything you see if you don’t want. But take a look instead at the silhouette that’s going on in the picture. Is the skirt mostly paired with tight tops or big voluminous sweaters? If it is a big sweater, what do you have in your closet that mimics the shape?

This is my thought process as I go through and test each outfit idea. It’s so fun to see and use what you’ve already got. And if you find that you are missing something, no worries! Now you know exactly what you need, or at least have a clearer picture of what holes you need to fill for a fabulous holiday season of outfits!

Oh and if you need any ideas on where to spend your clothing cash, here are some fabulous outfit ideas from White House Black Market and Banana Republic in West Town Mall. Also, be sure to listen as I go through each piece and give alternate styling ideas…

More tips on getting dressed this Christmas season!

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The Perfect Handbag for the Season

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You’re going to want an extra shoulder.

So you read my last blog about the importance of carrying a good bag and you’re in! But now what?

You know I’m not a big proponent of following trends just because they’re trendy, so in this week’s segment on 10 News This Morning, I talked about how you can incorporate the trends while still keeping within the “classic” lines.

I mean some of the purses that came down fashion show runways were a little ridiculous (saw one that was a can of tomato soup. No soup for me, thanks). Let’s go for looking fresh yet maintaining a classic style – all the while incorporating details that fit both you and your lifestyle.

And if you need to, look at your current bag and think what you’d want to change/keep about it and go from there.

Personally? I’m going to need all these bags from Coach and Vera Bradley at West Town Mall soooo I’m gonna need to add another side hustle. No big deal, just a small non-time consuming side project that makes me millions.

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Fun Makeup Looks for an Easy Costume

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Dress up your face.

It’s ironic that every year I provide these ideas, but I rarely dress up myself. Once I ran out of brunette TV characters I enjoyed watching, EO out!

But that doesn’t mean I won’t still provide YOU with some fun easy costume ideas.

I love these makeup looks because they’re easy and cost effective – in fact you can spend as much as you want on them! So here’s the deal..

Go to Dillard’s at West Town Mall and find The Edge, which is the beauty counter next to Clinique where they have a bunch of different brands. Ask for Marissa and schedule an appointment with her. When she does your makeup all you have to do is buy 2 or 3 products. And the great thing is they have a wide range of price options AND a wide range of things you need. I mean come on, what woman has a hard time finding something to buy at a makeup/skincare counter? Not this one I can tell you that.

I think having your face done up for a costume is a great way to go because you can keep the rest of your look pretty simple. You already look elaborate, so why stress over your clothes?

Here are the looks she gave me…

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And these are one’s I showed her from pictures on the internet so your options are endless!

She is so talented and super nice, not to mention knows how to do regular makeup as well – so schedule an appointment with her today!

What are you waiting for?!

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