My Empties

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The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid | Mario Badescu Facial Mist | The Ordinary Caffeine Solution | Peace Out Dullness Pads | Clinique cleansing balm

Happy Tuesday, friends! Over the weekend I finished up a few products so I thought I'd share them with you before I recycle the containers. Speaking of recycling, have you heard about Nordstrom's Beautycycle program? Nordstrom now accepts a variety of empty beauty containers that are often difficult or impossible to recycle through your local municipal recycling program. Look for containers in Nordstrom stores, and simply drop your empties in the boxes. Nordstrom works with a third-party vendor who cleans and recycles the containers, turning them into park benches, watering cans, and more.

So, now let's see what I used and loved recently.

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Tarte Sale - Buy One, Get One 50% Off!

A few months ago I bought several Tarte Cosmetics items during a Black Friday sale at Ulta. It was my first time using Tarte, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I had heard lots of great things about Shape Tape, but I took a chance on a few of the other items I bought and hoped for the best.

When my items arrived and I tried them a few times, I was absolutely thrilled with them. I couldn't believe that I had never tried Tarte before, but I knew that I would be a repeat customer. The prices aren't outrageous, but they aren't drugstore prices either. Luckily, Tarte has great sales several times a year, and it's the perfect opportunity to stock up and save.

Today and tomorrow, March 2nd and 3rd, Tarte is having a BOGO sale. Buy one item, get the second for 50% off with code BOGO.

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My Empties

There are products that I buy to try and never use again. And then there are those products that I buy over and over again and squeeze every ounce of product out of the container. I admit to feeling a tinge of sadness when the product is completely empty, but then there's the high you feel when you replenish it. This month, I'm starting a new monthly series called "My Empties" where I'll share the products that I buy and use time and time again and are perennial favorites.

Here are this month's "empties":

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5 Tips For Making Your Hair Healthy Again

Are you spending too much on the shampoos and still not getting the best results for your hair? Don’t worry; you are not the only one who is struggling with this issue. Millions of people complain about not getting the perfect results, even when they purchase high end shampoos and conditioners. However, fear not because we will sift you through some easy ways to maintain healthy hair again.

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10 Great Beauty Buys Under $10

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

One area where I've really scaled back during this quarantine is beauty. I'm wearing less makeup and spending less money on beauty-related items. I am still taking diligent care of my skin (cleansing and moisturizing morning and night), but I'm not doing my normal daily makeup routine, and my focus on beauty products is leaning a little more towards those of the inexpensive-but-effective variety.

Since I like to think that we are all paying a little more attention to our bank accounts right now (whether you are currently employed or not), I wanted to share ten of the beauty products I am currently using and loving, all under $10.

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4 Areas Of Fashion and Style Where You Shouldn't Follow The Trends

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You might think that to be fashionable, you need to follow the latest trends. For instance, a lot of people think staying in fashion simply means looking at what influencers or celebrities are wearing. However, this isn’t quite true. The reality is that their fashion choices may not suit you. You may not share their body type or lifestyle. When it comes to fashion trends, it’s best to follow your own direction. Decide what you like and what looks best on your body with your face and hair and how it will fit into your overall lifestyle.

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20 Great Buys Under $25

After three full weeks of isolation, I've learned a thing or two (or maybe 10, but who's counting?). I've learned that it's no time for splurges and frivolous purchases. I'm all about the practical and the reasonable right now. I'm also all about comfort while I am at home or even running out to do a curbside pickup. I've scoured the web for some fun and functional items under $25 that are available online for quick delivery.

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Loving Lately: Multicolored Manis

Right now, the trendiest nail color is "all of them". The more colors you have on your nails, the more chic your mani will be. If you're anything like me and find it's an exhausting decision deciding which nail color to choose, you'll be happy to know that it's perfectly acceptable (and incredibly stylish) to  choose 5 colors.

The two manis that are incredibly popular at the moment are the rainbow mani and the gradient mani. The rainbow mani is each nail is painted a wildly different color. The gradient mani is each nail is painted a different shade within the same color family.

Here are a few of my favorite manis:

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Augmenting Your Looks: 4 Most Popular Types of Plastic Surgery

Most of us want to look our best at all times and often turn to plastic surgery to achieve that goal. This is true for men and women alike, as more men are now opting to undergo procedures to change their appearance for the better. Yesterday I wrote about the reasons cosmetic surgery could have a positive impact on your life. Today, we are taking a look at commonly requested procedures and what each involves.

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4 Reasons Cosmetic Surgery Could Positively Change Your Life

As I am nearing my 52nd birthday (it's less than 4 months away), cosmetic surgery has been on my mind. Having cosmetic surgery is never a decision to take lightly. Whether you are considering a non-invasive procedure such as injectables or something more in depth such as breast augmentation, the outcome of your surgery can change your life forever for the good or for bad. Right now, I'm merely considering a few injectables to combat fine lines and wrinkles. I've been talking to friends who have had similar procedures, and everyone has only awesome things to say about what cosmetic surgery can do for you in addition to improving your physical appearance.

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The Only Optimal Skincare Guide You'll Ever Need To Read

Did you know your skin is the largest organ on your body? It requires a lot of specialized attention. It covers our entire body from head to toe and is covered in hairs, except for our eyelids, palms and soles of our hands and feet and our lips. These hairs can alert us to how close we are to something or how close something is to us, and it helps to protect our skin.

There are many times where our skin needs a little more protection than our body hair can provide. For instance, sun protection. Our body hair is not enough to block out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from our sun. And although our body hair can alert us to the presence of a bug, it does not keep us safe from getting bitten by mosquitoes, ticks and other biting bugs.

When you are looking for ways to care for the skin that protects your body, there is a lot to think about. That’s why we’re breaking down your skin so that you will have the only optimal skincare guide you will ever need. There’s some science involved, but once you embrace your uniqueness and make a few tweaks, you will be good to go.

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My Favorite Natural Deodorants

Natural deodorants have come a long way since they hit the market years ago. I recall being sent one of the very first ones on the market by a PR company and thinking it was awful. It didn't smell good, it felt grainy when it was applied, and it was barely effective. But over the years, they've improved dramatically, and the selection has grown considerably. While I haven't tried every single natural deodorant available, I have tried my fair share of them.

First off, let's chat about what natural deodorants are and aren't. One of my most questionable ingredients in conventional antiperspirants is aluminum. Aluminum salts are used to clog the pores of your underarms to prevent you from sweating. Deodorants do not contain aluminum - only antiperspirants do. In many studies, aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease and there has been concern with its link to breast cancer. This article from Well+Good is a good resource and worth checking out if you have concerns or are thinking of making the switch.

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My Favorite Beauty Products For Rosacea

Lately, I've been getting a lot of compliments on my skin...which makes me very happy. I have struggled with controlling my rosacea which I've had for a little over 15 years. My dermatologist told me that I likely developed the condition during my pregnancy and while rosacea isn't curable, it is treatable. Since that time, I've been hyperaware of my skin condition and have diligently worked to keep it under control. I've tried both oral and topical prescription and over-the-counter medications and many different beauty products.

50% of the way my skin looks is about what I eat. The other 50% is about how I take care of my skin. In the end, I have found that altering my diet and using a combination of beauty products that help mask redness have been a successful combination.

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3 Ways To Prepare For Fall

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The end of the summer is stretching on, but there’s a distinct chill in the air now. Fall is most definitely on the way, and within a few short weeks, we will get to see nature’s stunning transformation as the leaves change color and the nights draw in. It means an end to the barbeques, the evening meals out on the deck on a warm evening. Instead, it’s all about cozy blankets, snuggly pajamas and pumpkin spice lattes! The change of season is likely to inspire a change in your makeup bag, wardrobe and home too. It can be fun to update things for fall and enjoy the changing weather. Here’s how I go about it.

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How To Do Your Makeup Like a Pro

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Professional makeup artists know how to put on makeup so that their clients look beautiful, flawless and stunning. Even better, they know how to do this fast. So, if you want to do your makeup to a higher standard, check out these makeup artist approved tips:

Don’t Neglect Your Skin

Every good makeup artist knows that, before you apply makeup, you need to have a clean, clear and smooth face, which is why they will always advise clients to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize regularly. This should be your starting point too.

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Friday Fresh Picks: My 5-Minute Face

Over the years, I have steadily streamlined my morning beauty routine, specifically my daily makeup routine. Before I had kids, I seemed to have limitless time to do my makeup, but once I had my daughters. wearing makeup was truly a luxury. On the rare occasions that I did wear it, I still seemed to spend at least 20 minutes on my routine.

These days, I want to look good, but I just don't have the patience or desire to spend even a quarter of an hour on my makeup each day. And honestly, you can look just as good with a 5-minute face as you can with a 30-minute face.

In today's Friday Fresh Picks, I'm sharing the products I use for my 5-minute face. From start to finish, here are the tools you need to look like 5 million bucks in 5 minutes.

1. Obiqo Radiant Day Cream
I don't start the day by cleansing my face. My dermatologist recommends that I rinse with lukewarm water and apply moisturizer prior to any makeup. I started using Obiqo products a few years ago after I reviewed a few body products. I loved the collection so much that I started using the skincare line. Obiqo uses sea kelp and natural antioxidants to enrich skin and boost elasticity. But what I love most about the day cream is that it contains extracts from New Zealand's coastal flora to soothe and calm my skin, which helps tremendously with my rosacea.

2. BareMinerals BARESKIN® Concealer Serum
This is my go-to concealer. It covers flawlessly. I find many concealers to be cakey, but since this one is also a serum, it has moisturizing qualities that keep it from being heavy. I dot this on red spots and blotches.

3. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Concealing Cream
This has replaced my everyday foundation. It goes on evenly and covers my redness like a charm...and lasts all day! Many foundations tend to crease and crack as the day wears on, but this products says smooth all day.

4. BeautyBlender®
I use the BeautyBlender to blend the concealer and the concealing cream. If you aren't using a blending sponge, you should be. They are amazing. I use the Original BeautyBlender®, and it really is worth the $20. I like the get the pointed end slightly damp and then start blending. The ever so slight addition of water really aids in the blending and smoothing process.

5. e.l.f. Tone Correcting Powder
This powder not only sets my makeup but it also neutralizes redness and adds a matte finish. The four colors in the palette can be blended together or used on their own.

6. e.l.f. Kabuki Face Brush
This has got to be the best Kabuki brush at this price point (only $6). It sets powder perfectly and can be used with both dry and wet products.

7. Sephora Eye Brow Brush/Comb
I use this brush to comb my brows into place before using a light filler. Once the filler is on, I use the brush to blend the filler.

8. Maybelline® Eye Studio® Brow Define + Fill Duo
This pencil has become my go-to for defining and filling in my brows. It comes in several shades. I use the light brown one since my brows are a bit darker than my hair color.

9. NARS Eyeshadow (Shade: Abyssinia)
I have very veiny eyelids, and as a result, I always wear eyeshadow. I like a shade that closely resembles my natural skin tone, and Abyssinia is it! It is a little pricey, but the coverage is awesome and lasts all day.

10. Benefit They're Real! Lash Primer and MAC False Lashes Mascara
This is currently my favorite primer and mascara combo. I am always finding new mascaras that I love, but right now, MAC False Lashes is my favorite. I received a sample from Sephora and ended up buying a full size tube.

11. Trish McEvoy Lip Perfector Conditioning Balm
No look is complete without the finishing touch: lipstick. Trish McEvoy's Lip Perfector Conditioning Balm is like magic. It adds the perfect amount of color to the lips. If a natural look is what you are after, this is the product for you. It matches the natural pigment in your lips to give you a natural and flattering tint without being too dark or too light.

*Occasionally, I use a luminizer to brighten my cheeks and eye area. When I do, I use Trish McEvoy Luminizer.

SHOP MY 5-MINUTE FACE:

Thanks for checking out this week's Friday Fresh Picks. Swing by the rest of the FFP gals to see what they are loving this week.

Friday Fresh Picks are hand-picked favorite items, reviews and highlights from the amazing women you see above.

Visit their websites to learn about other amazing picks from this week!

Sarah from Finnegan & The Hughes

Hilary from A Fancy Girl Must
Jessica from A Southern Mother

Tina from Life Without Pink

To view all of my Friday Fresh Picks posts, click here.

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Trend To Try: Charcoal Beauty Products

Activated charcoal has become the beauty product of the moment. It's popularity is quickly increasing, and it's popping up in cleansers, face masks, soaps, and even toothbrushes and toothpastes. Beauty editors are raving about its ability to absorb toxins and pollutants to leave your skin flawless.

When I recently had a rash of menopausal breakouts, I decided to add a few charcoal-based beauty products to my arsenal and put them to the test.

Here is a roundup of the products I tested and how each worked for me.

Yes To Tomatoes Activated Charcoal Bar Soap $5
This bar soap is formulated for both the face and the body. It's purpose is to rid the skin of its impurities and toxins. Activated charcoal helps to balance and detoxify for clearer, brighter skin.

My thoughts: I've been using this soap on my face only, and so far, I am loving it. It has a light scent of tomato vines, and has been effective at helping to clear peri menopausal breakouts on my chin and forehead.

Garnier Clean+ Cleansing Towelettes $6
These convenient towelettes instantly draw out oil, excess moisture, and pore-clogging dirt from the skin leaving you with a matte complexion.

My thoughts: I've been using these towelettes nightly for about a week. Although the product claims that results will be seen after 4 weeks, my skin is less oily and more matte, with a lot less shine.

Biore Deep Cleaning Charcoal Pore Strips $7
These strips work like a magnet to instantly draw out deep down dirt and oil that can cause blackheads and acne.

My thoughts: I loved the way these strips worked. I could feel tingling as soon as I applied it. However, they are limited to your nose only, and I need something for my entire face or T-zone at the least. This product would be more idea for the entire face.

Shop these products:

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April Beauty Buys

This winter really kicked my skin's butt. In last month's Beauty Buys post, I shared a moisturizer that has helped alleviate a lot of the scaly, dry skin I experienced. I'm excited for warmer weather to be on its way. I tend to pare down my makeup regime significantly during those months, often wearing only a tinted moisturizer, bronzer, mascara, and lip gloss.

Cleanser | Hairspray | Toothpaste | Body Lotion

These are the products I am loving this month.

St. Ives Green Tea Scrub - I initially wanted to try this cleanser because it promised to soothe redness. But I ended up loving it for a few other reasons. It has a great scent, and has small micro beads for scrubbing that don't irritate my skin. Green tea is a natural remedy for rosacea and redness, and so far, I am loving the results I am getting from this cleanser.

L'Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray - I've never paid more than $6 for a bottle of hairspray, but when I found this one for color-treated hair, the price ($14) wasn't an issue. In addition to the UV filter, this hair spray offers exceptional hold without stiffness.

Colgate Enamel Health Mineral Repair Toothpaste - I start most days with a mug of hot lemon water. All the acid from the lemons can quickly break down tooth enamel. As a preventative measure, I've started using this toothpaste. It has a nice minty flavor and isn't overly chalky. It provides whitening benefits as well.

Bath & Body Works French Lavender & Honey Body Lotion - I had a coupon for a free trial size lotion, so I picked this one up while Harper was stocking up on hand sanitizer. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the scent. I find Bath & Body Works scents to be overwhelming but the French Lavender & Honey is actually nice.

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March Beauty Buys

It's been a few months since I've done a best beauty buys post. My facial skin has been very angry lately. I've been breaking out and experiencing rosacea flare ups. I decided to do a 48-hour skin cleanse (more about that next week). But needless to say, I haven't been investing in any products for my face except for a great concealer (see below). :D

But...I have been trying a few other beauty products, and here's what I am currently loving.

Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer $7
My sister Holly turned me on to this moisturizer which is applied to wet skin directly after your shower or bath. Since skin is most receptive to moisture when it's wet, this oil-infused moisturizer goes directly on wet skin and is instantly locked in for maximum hydration. I bought the Monoi Oil, and it smells divine and keeps my skin soft and smooth for up to 12 hours.

BareMinerals bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer $20
I've tried a slew of concealers in my time, and I can never seem to find one that covers effectively and mirrors my own skin tone. But this one by BareMinerals offers remarkable coverage and is a perfect match for my skin tone. I'm telling you...from dark under eye circles to blotches to pimples, this covers it all and lasts all day long. It's a keeper in my makeup bag.

Colgate Optic White Platinum High Impact White Toothpaste $4
Not only does this toothpaste whiten your teeth, it also helps to prevents stains. It's a must for me as I love my iced coffee and iced tea on a daily basis. It promised to whiten my teeth up to 4 shades. I've noticed that my teeth are whiter even though I haven't quite used it for the recommended twice daily for six weeks. But I did notice a difference within 3 days. Combined with other products in the Colgate Optic White family, you can see a difference sooner.

Wet n Wild 1 Step Gel Nail Polish (assorted colors) $5
I love the look and lasting power of gel nail polish, but I don't like the exposure to UV rays. I also don't like how impossibly difficult it is to remove. This polish gives you great coverage just like salon gel polishes without all the other hassles.

Model Cosmetics Bronze Powder $24
I don't use a bronzer often but with the warmer weather months approaching I wanted to add one to my makeup arsenal to give me the sought after fake glow. I like the hint of color this bronzer adds without being too heavy or too dark. Plus, it doubles as an eyebrow powder to fill in sparse spots.

See more beauty buys.

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Splurge vs. Save

Applying a primer is part of my everyday beauty routine. Because I have rosacea, primer is a must for helping to conceal redness as well as other imperfections such as blotchiness and fine lines. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is one of my favorites, but it can get costly due to the amount that I use and how often I use it. When I found a very suitable alternative for 1/6th of the price, I was beyond thrilled.

In the mood to throw caution to the wind? Buy the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer for $36.

In the mood to pinch your pennies? Buy Monistat Chafing Gel for $6.25.

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