5 Best Beauty Buys in 2018

Okay so I know this year isn't close to being over yet but I was looking through my makeup bag the other day and thought, dang, I really love all of the products I have been using. I am not a huge makeup junkie and I definitely do not collect it. I'm the type of gal that throws makeup I don't use away because it grosses me out. I pretty much just keep to my same daily makeup routine (on the days I actually wear makeup) haha. 

But when I was going through my makeup the other day I realized that I really have stumbled on some goldmine products this year and so I wanted to share them with you all!!

If you follow me on Insta stories then you know that most days my hair is in a top knot, I'm wearing workout clothes, and I am NOT wearing makeup. Thats actually something I am trying to get better at because I love the idea of waking up and "getting ready" each morning even though I just work from home. Maybe someday I'll be at the point but as for now, I probably wear makeup twice a week! I have a super simple routine and basically only use these five products I am going to be talking about! 

1. Tarte Amazonian Clay BB cream & Tinted Moisturizer

Okay, I gotta say WOW when it comes to this product. I am not a face makeup type of gal and I usually just use my mineral peptides powder as face makeup but I decided to try this out for those days that I wanted to be just a little more fancy and I am soooo glad I did! I absolutely love this stuff. I put it on just like lotion after I finish my morning skincare routine and it is not thick or goopy and it blends in so well. A problem that I have with so many tinted moisturizers is that they normally make my skin itch a couple hours after I apply it. This one does not do that and it really does stay on all day long! I can't say enough good things about this stuff. It's a winner. I am currently using the shade 'medium-tan' because its Summer but I will be going down a shade in about a month or so!

2. Rodan + Fields Mineral Peptide Powder

If you have been following me for awhile then you have probably heard me talk about this powder a gazillion times. It's pretty much the best mineral powder that is out there! It's lightweight but has amazing coverage, SPF 25, and contains amino acid peptides which help strengthen the skin and protect it from environmental factors and aging! I use the medium shade all over my face and the bronze shade as my bronzer. This mineral powder is also very reasonably priced for what you get. If you are interested in trying this out, connect when my on instagram or shoot me and e-mail and let me know you heard about this powder through this post and I'll give you $5 off! <3 

3. Sigma Eyeshadow Primer Base

I heard about this product about 6 months ago and I am so impressed! I have tried so many eyeshadow primers that have promised to not crease or fade and they have all been disappointing. This one really does hold! I use the 'bubbly' shade which is a pretty champagne color and it just adds a little brightness to my eyes. I don't even put eyeshadow over it! I just apply this base and then mascara and I'm good to go! It's my new every day go-to and its also reasonably priced!

4. Glossier Boy Brow

I feel like this product isn't really a secret and everyone is already using it but I still thought I would talk about it since it really is a favorite of mine! If you couldn't tell already, I am a no fuss type of gal when it comes to makeup and this product is the easiest to apply brow product I have ever tried! It adds a little color and definition to my brows but it isn't noticeable and looks totally natural. I swear whenever I'm feeling a little down, a little brow definition always puts a pep in my step! haha. I have tried a few of Glossier's products but this one is by far my favorite! 

5. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

I discovered this mascara right before the Rodan + Fields annual convention last year and I have not tried anything else since! Mascara is probably my most loved beauty product and this is the best I have ever found. Its a little pricy for mascara but it's my splurge makeup item that I don't mind spending more on because it is just THAT GOOD. it gives volume and length, never smears, and lasts all day! If you have not tried this yet, I would highly recommend it!

I hope you love these picks and that they become some of your favorites as well! Now I want to know what YOUR best beauty buys of this year have been?! What is your current must-have?! 

Fall Playlist & Current Favorites

Okay so I know it's not Fall quite yet but I have been loving all things Fall lately and wanted to share! This Summer has been amazing in so many ways but I'm really excited about the changing of seasons. Even though the weather doesn't change much in Hawaii, there is just an excitement about Fall that I love. I love that people are getting back into routine and we are also gearing up for holiday season!

There's a lot coming up for me in this upcoming season! I will be traveling to the mainland, island hopping, launching a full-length e-book, and my skincare business will be launching a new product! 

I created a Fall playlist that encompasses all of those emotions. It's moody and intentional but there are also some up-beat songs reflected in there too. My Spotify Playlists are always changing too as I find more songs I love and so feel free to follow me on Spotify if we have similar tastes in music! 

Things I'm currently loving:

What I'm currently reading...

I read this beginning of this book at Barnes & Noble the other day and couldn't put it down! If you are into modern day novels with real-life issues, you will love this! 

What I'm currently eating...

This pizza crust is my favorite, ever! It's made with almond flour and so it is much healthier than most other gluten-free pizza crusts and it still tastes sooo good.

What I'm currently wanting:

I saw this on Amazon the other day and just thought it was so stinken cute! A pineapple essential oil diffuser?! um yes, please. 

My new pillows for my couch and I am LOVING...

I just got these a couple weeks ago and have already gotten so many compliments on them! I also think that the price is so reasonable and the quality is amazing! 

What I'm currently smelling...

I'm starting the Fall candles early this year. This is my favorite Fall scent of all time! 

I know this post is so so random but I thought I would just do a little update and share some of my favorite things! Do you like these types of posts?? Let me know!!
 

Have an amazing week!

xo,

Lo

Intentional Living

Something that I have really tried to focus on recently is living intentionally in all areas of life.  The past six months have been a busy whirlwind of travels, events, business growth, and new projects but lately have been feeling the urge to step back and really think about what my values are, what is most important, and how I can spend my time not just crossing things off my to-do list but actually focusing intentionally on the few things that matter most. 

It's funny that I picked today to write this post because I am actually in the process of preparing for a hurricane to hit the Hawaiian Islands later this week! There's nothing like preparing for a natural disaster to make yourself focus on the things that truly matter the most. 

Intentional living can truly have so many different meanings. For some people it has to do with finances and possessions and for others it relates to goals and ideals. For me, its a little bit of both. 

This month I spent some time going through my closet and getting rid of a ton of clothing items that I wasn't in love with. There have been so many times where I have purchased something just for a specific event or just because it was "trendy" and everyone was wearing it only to realize that I don't actually love it. This month I have really been trying to hone in on what my personal style truly is and so I can avoid those types of purchases and only get things I really love and will wear over and over again. 

I also have been keeping track on how I spend my time and I've been trying to be really intentional about what I say yes to and what I say no to. I really been trying to distinguish the difference between my strongest desires with my deepest desires. 

Your strongest desires are the things on your to-do list, the stuff you feel pressure to get done and the responsibilities on your plate. My strongest desires are cleaning, cooking, housework, social media, managing my skincare team, etc.

Your deepest desires are the things that truly light you up inside but oftentimes get put on the back burner. My deepest desires are writing, empowering female entrepreneurs, working one on one to help people find solutions for their skin, reading, etc. 

Most days it is so hard for me to distinguish between my desires. Oftentimes, my to-do list wins over my deepest desires. I'm trying to be really intentional about this, though, and focusing on how I can incorporate my deepest desires In every day life. 

Lastly, I want to live intentionally with how present I am. I am scatter-brained about 99% of the time and there's always a million ideas swirling through my head. I really want to focus on being more in the moment and present with the people I am with. I have been focussing on putting my phone down more and really being present. here. right now. 

I would love to know your thoughts on intentional living and how you try to live intentionally in your daily life! What is an area that you are aiming to be more intentional in? 

xo,

Lo

5 ways to get out of a personal or professional funk

If you are anything like me, its hard to stay motivated ALL of the time. Lets face it, we are human and sometimes we may find ourselves in a funk or a rut that is hard to shake. Because I work from home, it's super easy to get into seasons where I don't feel as motivated or the passion for my career is hard to find. There are definitely times when I don't FEEL like working or going after my dreams. There are also times when I get down on myself for personal issues. We aren't perfect and things will come up! Life happens. We all have those days where it seems like everything is going wrong and we aren't happy with where we are at.

I want you to know something...

If you are in a lull season or even just having a tough week, let me tell you a secret, YOU WILL BE OKAY. We all get into a rut sometimes and its very normal to have a rough day every once in awhile. It's important though that whenever you are facing a personal or professional rut, that you work to grow yourself so you don't stay in that rut forever!!

*I feel like it is important to say that being in a personal funk or professional rut is different than suffering from anxiety or depression-if you feel like you are facing something more than occasional mood swings, you should seek professional help. If you want to read about my journey through debilitating anxiety, you can read that here.* 

When I am in a funk, there are a few things I do that help get me back on track! 

1. Process how you are feeling:

Oftentimes when I am feeling down and out, its really because I am feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes there can be so many ideas, to-do's, or projects swimming around in my mind that it can be hard to feel grounded. The very first thing I do when I am in a funk is journal out all of my feelings! I write out EXACTLY how I feel and I do my best to try to figure out WHY I'm feeling that way. I've found that oftentimes, the things we perceive as insurmountable in our heads are actually pretty trivial when you put them down on paper. I like to do a "brain dump" and literally list out every single possible thing that I need to do or accomplish. This helps me to clear my mind and refocus on the present.

2. Give yourself a mental vacation & do something creative:

After a good brain dump, give yourself a mental vacation! Remove yourself from your normal day-too-day and do something to give yourself a reset. For example, if you work from home, go on a spontaneous adventure to somewhere outside of your norm for an hour! If you work full-time, ditch the gym after work and go on a hike or bike ride. If you are a student, step on the brakes with studying and instead spend an hour painting or doing something creative. 

When you can remove yourself from your normal day-to-day routine, you allow your brain to reset and process. Oftentimes when I do something to intentionally go on a mental vacation, I come back feeling so refreshed and rejuvenated that I WANT to start working towards my goals again. 

3. Tune into personal development:

If you are still not feeling inspired after step two, it's time to dive into personal development! There's nothing that fires me up like a personal development book or an inspiring podcast! I will link my all-time favorite personal development books down below but some of my favorite podcasts to listen to are: The Goal Diggers Podcast, Rise Podcast, or Second Life Podcast! There's few things I love more than going on a long walk and listening to a podcast! 

4. Write out possible solutions to the problem you are facing:

After completing steps 1-3, you should be feeling pretty good! Now is the time to problem solve any potential triggers or issues that could be causing your stress or "funk". Is there a toxic relationship in your life? Are you always finding yourself overwhelmed because you don't know how to manage your time? Is there a personal insecurity that is keeping you from the next level? Asking yourself these types of questions and then creating an action plan to find a solution is one of the best ways that you can move on from the rut you are in and begin chasing your dreams again! 

5. Set daily small & achievable goals to get you back on track:

At this point, you should be feeling pretty good about yourself! You have reflected, rested, re-gained clarity, & problem solved! Now is the time to put your reflections to ACTION! What is one thing that you can do TODAY to make your life better? Maybe it will be to call an old friend to reconcile a broken relationship. Maybe it's choosing healthier eating habits. Maybe it's completing specific tasks that is going to move the needle in your business. Whatever small goals you have, create new habits to help you achieve those goals to improve your life and just DO them! It doesn't have to be anything drastic or life-changing but I'm a believer that developing small habits each and every day have the power to create massive change in your life. 

I really hope that these tips help you problem solve and gain clarity so that you can truly live the life & calling you were meant to! I believe that we are ALL called to do great things with our lives and so don't let a funk get in the way of you being your BEST self!!

All my love,

Lo

My Favorite Personal Development books: 

August Bucket List & Intentions

Happy August! I can't believe the last month of the Summer is already here! Summer has gone by way too fast for me but I'd be lying to say that I wasn't excited for a new season. Fall is my absolute favorite season of the year! There's something about Fall that reminds me of new beginnings & possibilities. Okay, now I'm getting carried away... lets talk about August! 

I've decided to start a new series on the blog and share my "bucket list" and intentions each month! I wanted to call it a bucket list because I want to add things that make me go outside of my comfort zone and be intentional! I added some things to my list that I have wanted to do since I moved to Hawaii and so this month I am being intentional about making them happen! 

A big theme in August for me is intentional. I want to be intentional about my work, my possessions, my friends, my money, etc. This month I want to step back from the hustle, bustle, clutter, and noise to gain clarity and stay focused on my priorities. 

1. Log off all social media every Friday night to Saturday night

This is probably the most important intention I have this month. I LOVE social media but recently it has cluttered my mind and brought too much excess "noise" into my life. I have found that I am most creative when I have time to let my mind wander and so I am committing to a social media free 24 hours every week to give myself time to reflect! It may seem like nothing to you but for someone who works completely online, 24 hours away is HUGE! 

2. Read 30 minutes a day

One thing that I have slacked on in July is reading! I feel the most inspired when I am constantly reading and so I am committing to taking a work break and reading 30 minutes a day even if I have a million things on my to-do list! 

3. Snorkel at Sharks Cove

One thing that has been on my Hawaii list since I moved here is to snorkel at a popular free diving spot outside of Sharks Cove in North Shore Oahu! I'm determined to make it happen this month though because there are no waves this time of year so the water is perfect for snorkeling! 

4. Invest time into new friendships

I have made some amazing friends in our new home but there are still so many people I have met here that I would love to get to know better! This month I want to intentionally plan coffee dates and beach days to deepen friendships and get to know new friends better.

5. Buy Nothing

I would be lying to say that this won't be a hard one for me. If you know me, you know I love to shop! Since I am working on being more intentional with my possessions, I want to spend the month de-cluttering and minimizing things that don't bring me joy and so I am going to make it a goal to buy nothing as it comes to clothes, shoes, etc! The only exception to that will be when I host a Noonday trunk show for a friend later this month! ;)

6. Surf on the South side 

One of the things that my husband has been trying to get me to do since forever is to surf the South shore of Oahu. I have only surfed at one spot on North Shore and I am super timid to go surfing anywhere else! I know that I need to get out of my comfort zone and just DO IT, though, so I'm aiming to cross it off my list this month!

7. Eat greens in every meal

Eating leafy greens is SO important for your health and it's sometimes easy to go an entire day without those amazing nutrients! This month I am aiming to eat some type of leafy greens for each meal, every day. I plan to put spinach into my smoothies every morning and then add greens into salads at lunch and steamed for dinner. 

8. Create a Capsule Wardrobe

I have been watching and observing the capsule wardrobe life for years and have never tried it out myself! Since I am aiming to be more intentional in every area, I want to try out a capsule wardrobe and see what I think of it! Would you want me to write a blog post on my experience? Let me know in the comments! 

Thats it! Those are my intentions, goals, and bucket list experiences I want to accomplish in August! I want to encourage you to make your own bucket list & intentions! Share one of them in the comments below- I would love to know what you are aiming to focus on next month! 

xo,

Lo