Holiday Gifts: Beauty Edition

{All this week I will be compiling my favorite gifts for the upcoming holiday season! Click on the name of the product to be taken to my blog post about why I love each product!}

Today on the holiday gift round-up, gifts for the beautiful ladies in your life! Not to be left out, guys can also use these products for glowing skin and hair. You deserve to be pampered too, you know?

Clarisonic Face Brush

 

Skinceuticals Clarifying Cleanser

 

Elta MD UV Clear Face Lotion

 

Oribe Dry Texturing Spray

 

Denman Paddle Brush

You can't go wrong with these beauty products! I love getting face wash, lotion, etc. for Christmas gifts because it throws in a few practical gifts with the fun, non-practical ones!

 

You've got to try that Oribe spray...

Laura



They're Real!

Obviously, I am talking about my eyelashes.

I am one of those people that if I knew I was headed to a deserted island, I would seriously contemplate bringing mascara. I think it makes such a big difference in your look, no matter how casual or formal the day.

Although, I am very certain that a toothbrush and toothpaste would win out. That's just nasty.

I have worn LashBlast Luxe by CoverGirl for the last few years and really like the price ($8!), how convenient it is to pick up at the grocery store, and the shade (Black Cabernet) that has a hint of purple in it to balance out my brown eyes.

But, move over CoverGirl. There's a new (to me) mascara in town. And it might be sent straight from heaven.

 

Enter Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara.

 





A month ago, it seems like I was hearing about this mascara daily on twitter, TV, etc. It must have been a sign.

 

When I finally got around to going to the mall, Sephora was on my list to see this miracle worker for myself. It is pricier than the CoverGirl ($23) but I am addicted.

 

It makes my lashes look completely different than I've ever seen- longer and thicker but doesn't look over the top fake. I don't think this will be a daily mascara for me because I'm cheap but I love it to have for date nights, sleep-less nights, etc.

 

Look at the difference between my ordinary lashes...



 

...and my lashes when I use They're Real! Mascara.

 



 

It's a little hard to tell in the pictures but there is such a noticeable difference in real life!

 

They're Real! Mascara is available at Sephora, Ulta and other beauty retailers. Perfect for upcoming holiday parties and making this soon-to-be mommy look like she's had a full night's rest when she hasn't slept a wink. Sold.

 

Those eye pictures are super creepy...sorry...

Laura

Face Saving Smoothie

I feel as though my job is to inform you of things that will happen to you during your pregnancy that nobody else will.

Such as your face reverting to it's 13 year old, pimply self. No beating around the bush. It's bad. It's not fun. At least I know how to apply make up better now than I did then, I suppose.

It explains why your face breaks out when you hit puberty. It's payback for when you were just a little fetus and you ruined your dear ol' mom's complexion. It really is karma at it's finest.

Anyways, for the past few weeks I've been drinking carrot juice to try and help calm down the ol' face. Sounds nasty, I know, but mixed into a smoothie (what else did you expect around here?) it is quite delicious!

Face Saving Carrot Smoothie

Yield: 1 large smoothie or 2 small

Ingredients:

-1 frozen banana

-5 whole strawberries

-1/4 c. greek yogurt

-1/2-3/4 c. carrot juice (I like Odwalla- look for the large jugs on sale at the grocery store or Sam's/Costco)

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy!

Charlotte might come out looking a little orange...

Laura

The Best Bag Award

If I could give an award for the best purse ever, it would definitely go to Fossil's Modern Cargo Small Foldover.

My bestie and her mom both have this bag and when I was in the market for a new purse a few months ago, I decided to give this one a try after their raving reviews.

And they weren't lying. This purse is where it's at.

The inside pocket is large enough for my hobo wallet (coming soon on I really love my...), day planner (yes, I still carry a pen and paper calendar), check book, way too many lip products and more. There is a zippered inside pocket and two open pockets that fit my cell phone perfectly.

The outside has two snap closure pockets great for headphones and granola bars...which is exactly what I used mine for.

I love that it has a detachable cross body strap or small arm straps to switch it up for how you need to use it!

Did I  mention the great colors in comes in, too? More are available in Dillard's or Fossil stores.

  

all pictures via

Good purses are hard to find!
Laura

I really love my...{Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray}

(see here for all previous posts in the I really love my... series!)

I really love my Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray! I am a huge fan of dirty hair, let's not beat around the bush here, and this spray really helps my hair last longer throughout the week between washes. I've tried more dry shampoos and spray than I can count but when my hairstylist recommended this one to me- I've been hooked ever since.



via

It is a little more pricey than I was typically spending but it is worth every penny! There are few hair products that I religiously buy over and over again and this is #1 on that list. It's invisible when sprayed on, removes grease and oil and is also great for adding texture and body when teasing.

Check with your hairstylist or you can buy it on the Oribe site here, Amazon.com, or multiple other online sites. The cost I've found consistently across the board is about $39. But who can put a price on dirty to clean hair?

Don't judge my lack of hair-washing,
Laura

Vanity Affair

I love the idea of a beautiful, romantic and girly vanity and here are some that have been inspiring me lately...

1/2/3/4/5

On the hunt for some antique trophies...

Laura

Vegas Recap {Part 5}

Last day of the Vegas Recap!

Now the answer to the question you've all been wondering: what did you wear?!

I'm new at this whole blogging thing and am pretty horrible at taking pictures plus I just feel awkward taking solo shots in the mirror or whatnot. But, I do have some fashionable friends so here are a few snippets of what we wore...

Kelsey rocked this navy sequin skirt from Forever 21 with a black tank. Love the mix of sparkles and casual.

 

Sara put together this black scalloped skirt with a loose, sheer, orange top. All from Charlotte Russe. 

I paired this zippered skirt in pink with a black, cropped short sleeve top. All from H&M. 

 

I love how fashionable yet affordable all these looks are!

Thanks for reliving my Vegas trip with me all week! Hope you enjoyed it!

What happens in Vegas, goes on the blog,
Laura

Beach Wishes

The hubster and I are headed to the beach today for Spring Break (pro of being a teacher!) and all I can think about is...

Sun Dresses  

 

Cute Suits

 

Messy Braids

 

Great Shades

 

And a good book

 

Come to me, hammock, 

Laura

I really love my...{face lotion}

Another post in the I really love my... series!

I really love my Eltamd UV Clear lotion!

Just like my face wash, this was recommended to me by a dermatologist a few years ago and I haven't looked back! It is gentle enough on my sensitive skin yet is strong enough to keep away breakouts without drying out my skin. I use it once daily, in the mornings after washing my face. I also love that it has SPF 46 so I don't have to worry about putting on sunscreen throughout the day while I am out hiking, running and just being so Colorado-ish.

I order mine a few at a time through either Amazon.com or Derm Store.

Still keeping that skin smooth,

Laura

Heels vs. Flats

Some days (especially those spent mindlessly wandering DSW), I wish my job was the kind where it made sense to wear shoes like this...

or this...

or even this...

But then I remember how much I love my job and my students and that my feet would kill me if I wore heels all the time. Instead, I can wear shoes like this...

or this...

and especially this...

I'll take them all,

Laura

Vegas Attire

My first trip (besides just driving through) to Vegas is in a few week's for my bestie's bachelorette party! I cannot wait to be with my best girlfriends, get dressed up and celebrate our friend's upcoming wedding!

Here are some outfit options I've been perusing for our trip...opinions?

Sequin Mini Dress

Tulle & Bustier

Sweetheart Dress

Bandage Dress

Great Combo

Still browsing around! It's a big decision, you know.

Viva Las Vegas,

Laura

I really love my...{face wash}

Another post in the I really love my... series!

I really love my Skinceuticals Clarifying Cleanser!

This was recommended to me by a dermatologist about two years ago and I haven't looked back since. It's gentle enough on my sensitive skin yet the salicylic acid is powerful enough to keep away breakouts! I love the tiny micro beads that are great to keep my skin exfoliated especially in the dry, Colorado winter.

I use it once a day with my Clarisonic and it lasts quite a while! Although it was recommended by a dermatologist, I order mine online, either from Amazon.com or Dermstore.

Keeping that skin smooth,

Laura

I really love my...{denman paddle brush}

Another post in the I really love my...  series!

Spoiler Alert: This post is pretty girly, boys. (If any boys are even reading this...)

I really love my Denman Paddle Brush!

This brush is perfect for my long, thick hair but I'm told it will work on any hair type and any length! I love how gently it de-tangles wet or dry hair and how light and smooth it leaves my hair. The bristles have an air-cushioned rubber pad underneath which helps leave hair static-free!

Check it out!

Is it weird to love a hairbrush?

Laura