Spring Sephora Beauty Faves

Hello Hello!

I don’t know about you but I am feeling all of the Spring vibes recently. I have lots of ‘Spring’ themed posts planned and so I hope you are ready for them! Today I want to chat about Spring beauty buys because the Sephora sale is going on this week! I’m not a huge beauty splurger because I would rather spend my money on quality skincare but I wanted to share some of my fave beauty items from Sephora in case you were taking advantage of their Spring sale going on right now! Use the code: SPRINGSAVE on your order to get 10% off!

PRO TIP: Buy the mini’s! I’m not sure about you but I love to try new brands all of the time for things like mascara, brow items, and eyeliner! i’m always on a continuous hunt for the perfect one. I love that Sephora has so many ‘mini’ options so you pay half the price and you never have to worry about the product expiring before you finish it! This is especially true for mascara’s since you want to replace mascara every 2 months or so.

Lets get to all my faves…

mini’s

hair

makeup/skincare

Let me know if you have any questions about any of these!! xx

What type of face mask should you use? & My three current favorites!

Recently, I have been loving face masks to give my skin a little extra love to combat all of the sun I've been getting this Summer! Once a week I aim to give myself an at-home facial which helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and keep my skin hydrated! I've been trying a ton of different face masks recently because, lets be honest, thats my favorite part about an at-home facial! 

It has been hard for me to find good face masks because oftentimes they either leave my skin red and irritated or they completely dry it out and strip it of it's natural oils! There are many really harsh face masks on the market and I would encourage you to really do your research and not just go for the  "popular" ones (if it hurts to take off, it's NOT a mask you should be using) When looking for a good mask, look for one that that cleanses the skin, minimizes pores, and adds moisture instead of stripping moisture! 

I use three different types of face masks and I keep them all on rotation...

1. Detox Mask:

When you think of a face mask, you probably think of this type! Many masks are meant to only be used once a week (or even less) and they are a bit stronger and harsher on the skin. I love using a Bentonite Clay Mask for my back & arms & arm pits (gotta detox those lymph nodes!) and then I use a charcoal mask for my face once a week! Since I have sensitive skin, I have had to try a bunch of different charcoal masks to find one I really love! My current favorite is  Origins Clear Improvement Mask which helps to get all the gunk out of my pores without totally irritating my skin! 

This is the mask I use for my back & body (in my opinion, way too harsh for your face!) and its only $8! 

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing, 1 Poundp>

2. Cleansing & anti-aging mask:

This is the mask that I use every single day to cleanse my skin, give my skin an anti-aging boost, and still preserve all the natural oils that my skin needs to stay hydrated! I use the Redefine Cleansing Mask in the morning as a face scrub and then I use it at night as a two-minute mask! It gently cleanses & exfoliates the skin using kaolin clay which is the best ingredient for purifying the skin but also preserving your skins natural oils. If you are new to the face mask world, I would definitely suggest starting with this one! It is so versatile and you really can't go wrong with it! I have been using this for four years straight and I can't go a day without it! 

3. Hydrating Mask:

This is a newer mask that I've added to my weekly skincare routine. Since I've gone to the beach more often this Summer, my skin needs all the hydration it can get! I call this my "beach mask" because I always use this hydrating mask after a beach day! The Jet Lag mask by Summer Fridays isn't your normal face mask and that actually took me by surprise! This isn't the type of mask that you have to wash off. Its an ultra-hydrating mask with a thick cream-like consistency. Not going to lie, I was a huge skeptic at first! I use it about once a week, though, and absolutely LOVE the glow that it gives my skin! 

Sooo... what type of mask should you be using?!?! Well, I would say that using all three of these is such a great way to address multiple skin concerns (when it comes to face masks at least). But if you can only pick one...

-If you have oily & acne prone skin I would recommend a Charcoal Mask! 

-If you have normal or combination skin and want something for anti-aging I would recommend a Kaolin Clay mask! 

-If you are looking for a hydrating mask then I would recommend Summer Friday's Jet Lag mask! 

I hope that this was helpful for you! Let me know if you have tried any of these masks & your thoughts on them! Oh and If you want help ordering the Redefine Kaolin Clay Mask (save 10% and free shipping) then shoot me and e-mail and I will give you info on how to order! lauren@livewellwithlo.com

xo,

Lo

My Free Skincare Guide is Out Now!!

You may or may not know this but I run a skincare business and I get questions about skincare and how to take care of your skin almost on the daily! I am SO passionate about skin health and taking care of your skin! Did you know that 80% of your skin health is up to you and your daily habits? Only 20% is up to your genetics! This means that if you take good care of your skin, you will be setting yourself up for beautiful skin for years and years to come!

I truly believe that skincare is a part of self-care. Whether its using a body brush, exfoliating, giving yourself a weekly detox mask, or sticking to a skincare regimen, taking care of your skin will make you glow from the inside out! You are worth it, girl!

Since I get so many questions about skincare, I decided to create a free skincare PDF guide with my five top tips for glowing skin and a radiant complexion! I hope that this guide leads you on the right path to find the best skincare routine that works for YOU and brings you confidence in your skin from the inside out! 

Xo,

Lo

The Importance of Self-Care

One of the rituals that has completely changed my life in the past few months is practicing self-care. It sounds so silly and trivial but the effects of it have been profound. Self-care looks different to everyone and to me it also looks different every day. Somedays, it looks like making a cup of tea and reading a good book. Other days it looks like giving myself a spa day, taking care of my skin, and using my body brush and body oil. Yesterday, it looked like putting responsibilities aside and having a "paint day" with one of my best friends. Heather came over yesterday morning and I made us an antioxidant boosting smoothie and we sat outside in my front yard and just painted. It was so relaxing and calming. I could've sat on that concrete floor in my lanai all day painting with my watercolors. It made me realize that the simple things can truly be the most important things. We can heal ourselves by loving ourselves. How crazy is that. 

I want to encourage you that wherever you are in your self-care journey, spend 10 minutes today doing something for YOU! Take that drive out of the way to go sit at a park, sip your favorite coffee, listen to inspiring music, do ANYTHING that makes your soul come alive. 

If you need help developing your self-care routine, here are a few of my favorite products that I use regularly to show myself a little extra love! 

Aztec Healing Clay- I use this stuff to soak my feet in. (many people use this on your face but it can be too strong for it so be careful! If you need a great face mask, use this one) Bentonite clay is great for detoxing the body from radiation (which we get from our phones & computers every day) and for just giving your feet a little extra love! 

Body Brush- If you add only ONE thing to your self-care routine, it should be a body brush!! Use this to gently dry-brush your body before you shower to stimulate circulation & to shed dead skin! After I body brush, I exfoliate in the shower with this amaaaazzing microdermabrasion scrub and my skin feel so amazing and smooth afterwards! 

Rooibos tea- I have a cup of Rooibos tea every evening. No exception. This tea is a part of my night time routine every night and I absolutely love it. Not only is it warm & the most comforting caffeine-free tea your can drink but it has proven to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that will boost your immune system! Its heavenly. Try it. 

Sesame Oil- On days when I need to give my skin some EXTRA love I will use put this oil all over my body after I use my dry brush. Sesame oil is great because its a warming oil but won't clog your pores. I put this all over my body and then hop in the shower and so when I get out of the shower my skin will be hydrated and soft but not oily! 

I would love to know, what is apart of YOUR self-care routine? Let me know in the comments! 

xo

Lauren

Minimalistic Makeup

I don't know about you but I used to be a makeup hoarder. I collected eye shadows, lipsticks, eye shadow brushes... you name it, I had twenty. I was always on the search for the PERFECT foundation or the perfect mascara, or my "signature" lip color. I spent so much money and was never content in my findings. I wore makeup because I wasn't confident in my natural skin. I had blemishes to cover up and rosacea that left my cheeks red at all times. Once I found Rodan + Fields Skincare  my rosacea healed and my acne went away. It was AMAZING to be able to walk out of the house makeup free. Over the past two years my idea of "makeup" has changed dramatically. When we were packing our things to move to Hawaii, I found drawers and drawers of old makeup, barely used, that I didn't need anymore. I decided to cut my losses and throw it ALL away. It was so freeing. 

Most days I don't wear any makeup at all. When I do wear makeup, I have a few products that I like to use. I have a little more makeup than this, but honestly, I don't use much. Embarking on a minimalistic life and freeing myself from the possessions I don't need has been such an amazing journey! I highly recommend it. :) 

PS. you should go through your makeup every 6 months anyways because products can expire fast and nothing is more gross than 10 year old lipstick! (been there, threw away that).  

MY MUST-HAVES:

1. Mineral Peptide Power in Medium and Bronze :

I cannot say enough good things about this powder. It is lightweight and gives an even coverage that looks NATURAL! My favorite part about it is that it contains amino acid peptides which protect your skin from the sun and other environmental factors! I use the Medium for all over my face and then the Bronze as a bronzer. It has SPF 20 in it and so this is a must-have in my beach bag and way easier to apply then face sunscreen. 

2. Mac Painterly Paint Pot : 

I have been loyal to this product since highschool. This paint pot is just a nude cream shadow that I put on my eyes instead of eye shadow. I put it on my eyelids before putting on eyeliner or mascara and it gives my eyelids just a little bit of brightness!

3. Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner :

Not gonna lie, I found out about this gem from Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper! I don't wear eyeliner often but when i'm going out on a date night, I will line only my upper lash line with this. Its inexpensive, doesn't smear, and stays all day! I use the brown/black shade. :) 

4. L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara:

This is another favorite of mine that I have been using since highschool! I love how it lengthens but also thickens your eyelashes. My favorite part about this mascara is the WAND! Its so unique and works super effectively. :) I remember in highschool I would go through so much of this mascara and would have to buy a new one each month! Since I've been using Lash Boost though, my lashes are already so long and thick that I just put one quick coat of this on and i'm good to go! 

Thats it- My makeup routine is very simply these days but thats how I like it! I hope this was helpful for you and that you can try some of these products out! I would also encourage you to go through and minimize your own makeup collections. If you need help with your skin and want to be foundation free, just send me a quick e-mail and I can help you find something that works for you! 

Have a great day everyone!!! 

Hugs + Kissees

Lauren