LAURA MERCIER REVIEW + SUMMER ROUTINE | beauty

WARNING: Little bit of grossness ahead... skip the first paragraph if you don't want to read about it!

    

 So it's kinda funny how Instagram can portray a pretty good image and for me, that day was yesterday... and the day before. For the last two days, we've pretty much been dealing with a projectile vomiting gremlin aka, Merrick. We recently switched him to whole milk and at first, he took the transition really well. He liked it, drank it and there were no side-effects... until a few days in. This is when he started throwing up everywheeeeeere and it was always after he drank his milk... So anyway, long story short, yesterday, right as were pulling into my grandmothers neighborhood to watch fireworks, Merrick makes that notorious SOUND (parents and pet-parents, you know exactly what I'm referring to), devon whips off his seatbelt, jumps in the back and that's when puke goes all over merrick, his carseat, devon and our brand new car🤗 I think I took flight while flying through the neighborhood to get to our destination where we quickly parked, pulled him out and hosed down e v e r y t h i n g, and then he got his second bath of the day and my car got it's THIRD detail job and we haven't even owned it for a whole week yet lol. Some serious thanks to my husband for being the best human on the face of the earth and only cashew milk for Merrick Wade from here on out. 

    

      So how was y'alls Fourth!? Hopefully it started a little better than ours! Haha

     Anyway... a few days ago I received a PR box from Laura Mercier (what a post to mix the two topics, right??) so I could test out a few products; Namely the Primer, Tinted Moisturizer and Highlighter. First off, I love LM. This Translucent Powder is a MUST-HAVE of mine and has been for the last couple of years. I cannot live without out. I've also used this LM primer for as long as I can remember and it's definitely remained one of my Top 3 primers to date! 

So after yesterday, where I was in total mom-mode (which is why I couldn't have cared less about a IG pic yesterday) to today where I get to be in business owner mode, get dressed up, do my hair and apply makeup so I can meet with two clients -- I'm already way too excited about it all and wanted to share my routine with products used since this is a rarity these days....

TO THE ROUTINE::::

     First off, this LM Hydrating primer is one of my classic picks because it doesn't leave that overly smooth-finish-feeling like a lot of primers have. It feels slightly more moisturizing, which is why I love it. I also have pretty oily skin and I think the extra moisture helps keep the oil away and when you have heat mixed with humidity like we've had in Virginia these past few weeks, it takes a good product to hold your look together and this one does a good job of that!

     Second, I applied this LM tinted moisturizer in shade Natural with a beauty blender. Y'all know I can't stand heavy, full-coverage products so this Tinted Moisturizer does an amazing job keeping it light and keeping you fresh-faced while also covering redness and imperfections.

     Third, I always use this concealer under my eyes and blend in with a beauty blender. After that, I apply this LM translucent powder to my face to pretty much seal everything in.

     After that, I used this brand new bronzer + blush palette that I bought a few weeks ago! It's seriously so beautiful, I didn't even want to use it haha but once you dig in, it's so worth it! And perfect for summer because it gives the perfect color payoff while keeping you looking fresh and not caked. After that, I dusted on a little bit of this LM highlighter and then finished the look by filling in my brows with this ABH pencil and then applying this gel and then I add a few layers of this YSL mascara and my makeup look is done! It's so easy and such a light routine for summer by keeping everything minimal, bronzy and dewy but still clean and promises not to melt off!

I also have been loooooving this lipgloss for summer in the color Opal and this lipliner paired with it! I use it everyday!

I'm still working on my favorite Amazon finds and will post that soon -- please let me know if there are any other posts you want me to do in the future - xo

xx, tbp

SPF SKINCARE FAVORITES | beauty

   

Today's post is all about my favorite SPF skincare finds! Everything but the self tanner has SPF but they all protect you from the sun, in one way or another because prevention over treatment is key and that's why I always love sharing posts like this when summertime hits!

      Now don't get my protection from the sun confused with getting sun. I still enjoy being outside and having a natural summer glow but and honestly, I have the skin that tans no matter how much SPF or inside time I have (thanks to the Greek genes, I guess!) but I always use SPF and I get a spray tan every single week (usually on Fridays but this week, it'll be a Monday, go figure!) to keep up with my tan. I do yard work in normal clothes, hang by the pool and still lounge by the lake when we're there so sunshine and me aren't strangers but when I do plan on being outdoors, I take even the simplest precautions like wearing a hat and remembering to reapply sunscreen about every hour or so. It takes awhile to get into the habit of doing this but I think having kids helps because I always make sure they're lathered up 24/7 so when they get sunscreen, so do I.

     So now on to my spray tan regimen because I always get asked what I use and what I do to keep up with my tans if I don't actually go tanning or lay out, so here it is!

I go to my local tanning place that has Mystic Tanning. If you aren't sure what this is, it's basically a spray tan machine and a lot of salons have them, so call around to find one if you're interested in doing the same steps! Anyway, I usually go every Friday or Sunday but before I go, I take a shower that morning (or the night before) to exfoliate all of the old spray tan off. Sometimes it doesn't all come off but that's okay, because the next few steps will explain why this isn't really that important, even though I try to remove as much as I can. Anyway, I really love these two sugar scrubs because they're gentle and smell amazing! This one is the more expensive one and runs about $38 but it makes my skin feel so moisturized after I rinse it off that I can't stop buying it! This one is great too, smells amazing and is currently on sale for only $8!

     Once I get to the tanning place, I use the Mystic Spray with Dark tan, accelerator (which basically balances your skins pH levels which creates a more even tan when applied and a more even fade), then I get the Triple Boost which is an instant dark color that I feel gives me more of a color the following day as well and then I get the Vanilla Scent added to it - That one is my favorite!

     A spray tan will last pretty much all week, with showering everyday but if for some reason it doesn't I love using this line of self-tanners, the Dark Express being my absolute favorite.

Now on to my skincare! These are my favorite product at the moment, and they all have SPF included:

My daily moisturizer is SPF 47 and I don't find it to be greasy or oily at all. It pairs well with my other products and absorbs well into my skin before I apply anything else. My favorite primer is this one and ever since I bought it, I don't think I'll be able to live without it. It glides on like butter and leaves my skin feeling SO smooth! Definitely worth the price, although I don't think this would be a product I'd add to my beach bag for fear of it melting away but it's still a regimen item I can't live without! This is my favorite foundation and has been for over a year. I love the way it covers, even though it's so lightweight and that it comes with a pump for easy application! And last but not least, this is the best all-over body oil! It smells nice and will leave your skin feeling silky and looking so glowy, plus it covers all the bases for the rest of your body by being SPF 30!

I hope y'all are having the best summer and enjoying all of the sunshine and warm weather! I know me and my crew are! Please let me know if you have any of SPF favorites that I should try or add to this list because I'm all about skincare and how I can be better protected when it comes being in the sun!

xx, tbp

SEPHORA'S ANNUAL SALE | beauty

disclaimer: this is currently for early access ONLY. VIB Rouge members will get first access until Nov. 6th. Starting Nov. 7th, Insiders and VIB's will be able to shop the sale. If you're not a rouge member but still want to shop the Early Access, head to a Sephora Store with a Rouge member and they will grant 20% off of your purchase too!

Currently: 20% off for VIB Rouge members using code 20FORROUGE

It's the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeaaar! Seriously. Sephora's annual sale has started and I'm sharing everything you HAVE TO BUY. These are my staple items so when you can get a discount, want changes to need reeeeal quick.

SPRING MAKEUP REVIEW | beauty

    A few weeks ago, I was asked to do the makeup of a family friends daughter for Ring Dance and long-story-short, I have a whole new appreciation for makeup artists. I went in with my entiiiiiire makeup collection because I really wasn't sure what we would end up using, even down to the lashes. Thank GOD that it turned out amazing and she loved it lol *pats back*
 but since I've only done a few of my friends makeup and my sisters before, I won't lie - the nerves were reeeeeal. I definitely not a pro or anyone with a background in makeup, I just think it's a fun and a way to express yourself; Black eyeliner and brown eyeliner are used on different days, just like a false lash or a quick sweep of mascara on my real lashes would be. It all depends on my mood and truthfully, how much effort I'm wiling to put into it and to be honest, I'm sure I'll be using far less in the coming weeks because well - mom life - so for now, I'm getting dolled up any chance I can because it may be a little while before I have the time or energy. But hey, who knowsssssss. You surprise yourself sometimes!

Anyway, I have been using these products for a little while now and I wanted to give a review on em'.  Plus, the packaging on some of these are total 😍. 

IT Cosmetics CC Cream

BB and CC creams can claim 2012 like highlighters can claim 2016. I totally get it. But this particular one is waaaay more than a beauty balm. It covers like a foundation and is as weightless as a BB cream, if that makes any sense. It's perfect for days when you need the coverage to run errands and you don't want a full face on BUT AT THE SAME TIME... when you want to go full glam, this totally lets you do that too. It's pretty much a miracle in a tube.
I use color "Light" and even with a spray tan, it works really well with my skin. I think the colors are a tad off because I believe the color "Fair" would be more of a "Light" color in most other brands.... just fyi!

Dior Nude Air Luminizer
This highlighter is amazzzzingggg. I use 003 with or without a tan and it WORKS. It's more of a golden hue and highlights WITHOUT using sparkles - which soo many brands seem to veer off with these days. It's definitely a bit pricey and honestly, you could find an alternative for cheaper but I feel that the quality of this product is unmatched. It goes on smooth without settling into pores and fine lines like other ones I've tried - so if that's a huge plus for you, then this compact will be totally worth it! But if you can't see yourself spending that amount on a highlighter, then try this palette - you get 6 highlighters for only $28!

Becca Blurring Powder 
THIS IS THE HOLY GRAIL.
I saw this product for awhile before purchasing and when I finally made my way into Sephora to test it myself, I'm not gonna lie... I was hesitant. I was in a faithful relationship with Laura Mercier translucent powder for fooooorevveeerr and honestly, how many translucent powders do ya really need?? Plus, the color of the Becca powder is more of a peachy-tone and I was worried it would only be good for summer months - or not even a match at all. But, I walked around with the last box on the shelf and figured "Why not?" just buy it - if I hated it, I'd return it. No big deal. So anyway, super long story short - my makeup has never been the same since and although I haven't replaced my LM translucent powered completely, it has started taking a backseat to this powder! There are a few things I wanna address with the Becca Blurring Powder for those of y'all that are in the same boat I was:
The color:
It may look like it's only good for warmer skin tones but it magically buffs on the skin into the most translucent powder imaginable. I'm not sure if the color has anything to do with the blurring effect, but it definitely doesn't show any color payoff once applied - which is really nice!
The "Blur" effect:
IT WORKS. I have oily ski... yada yada... and my pores tend to be bigger in my oilier areas, especially on the apples of my cheeks. I use this brush, sweep it on the problem areas, such as my forehead, nose and cheeks and BAM. Smooth, airbrushed skin in a matter of 2.5 seconds. The tiniest bit goes a long way and creates the most flattering "blur" - it's magic.
The Price:
Although I bought mine from Sephora, there's currently a really good sale here! For only $34 you get the full compact and a really nice brush to use with it. The reviews for the brush are great so it's definitely a better buy. The original price at Sephora for just the compact alone is $38!

ABH Eyebrow + Eyeliner brush #12
I've been using this eyebrow pomade recently for my brows in the color chocolate and really needed a good brush to apply the product with precision and ease. I bought this brush because it's the smallest brush I could find that still seemed like good quality - so far, so good! I love the spooley end it comes with too - Totally necessary to tame wild brows!

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance
This primer is a great mix between a really light moisturizer and primer in one. For the price, the tiniest bit goes a long way. Although I'd describe it as a moisturizer, it goes on a bit differently. I like to apply it by putting a little bigger than pea size amount on my hands, rubbing the product on the tips of my fingers and patting it on my face and then slowly rub the product outwards. I'll pat the remaining amount on my eyes just to make sure I get those too.

MAC Fix+
I don't care if you call this water-in-a-bottle -whatever. I looove this stuff. For having such oily skin, I tend to use a lot of powder products, which can inevitably look cakey or heavy, if used excessively. That's where this comes into play. It might be overkill, but for each powder product I use, I like to apply a few sprays of the Fix+ to my face... then I go in with the next product after the spray has dried and then I use it as a "setting" spray when I'm finished.
I've also been able to spray my eyeliner brush with this in order to use an eyeshadow as an instant eyeliner! I've found that the darkest shade from this palette is my go-to for brown eyeliner lately... it creates a soft line and adds depth to my eyes plus, it's the perfect color for blue eyes. It totally makes them pop.

Becca Blush in Camellia
This is a perfect spring and summertime blush. It's described as a "ballerina pink" and to me, that's totally fitting. I don't really like to use this when I'm more pale because the color payoff is so intense but when I get a fresh spray or a nice base tan mid summer, it's the perfect color to use! Again, I have a pretty neutral skin tone so I feel that this would work on a variety of faces. But if you're more pale year-round, then try this Becca blush in the color "Foxglove"

Foot Mask

And for the foot mask that I talked about on instagram that works so well, I almost ate it in my bathroom this morning - you can get that here! Sounds good, right? Feet so soft that you're gliding on silk? So good until you try to slide out 9 months pregnant. And the worst part? No one was there to laugh when it happened. So bummed. but the good news? Whenever our little guy decides it's time to come on out, I'm definitely bringing some of these socks to the hospital cause #hospitalbagessentials will be up on the blog here soon!

Plus, if you grab these little packets online right now, they're only like $2 each - Originally $5 in-store!

xx, 

tbp

A CASUAL VALENTINE | fashion + beauty

I'm gonna kinda ramble on this post, so bare with me. It's 11 o'clock and mama is tiiiiired. Zzz

Anyway..

Devon and I don't usually do dinner on Valentines because, well, we'd honestly rather eat-in and watch a movie (him) or crime show (me) but this year, we are headed out to dinner! So of course, the natural question occurred to me - to red lip, or not to red lip. I was feeling pretty in love with the thought of a bold lip for the holiday, so I put one of my favorites on for these pics and I'm sharing my other top picks with y'all too!

I also HAD TO SHARE these boots which turned out to the the MOST COMFORTABLE things I have ever put on my feet and they look amazing on. They're only $40 and they are complete Stuart Weitzman dupes! I've been all about the dupes lately, as y'all can tell but when you have a baby coming and $600 better be going towards a nursery and baby gear, there isn't a question that finding a dupe is a MUST. I'm serious... I wasn't sure if I'd ever jump on the bandwagon with the OTK boots but after ordering these and seeing just how comfy they really are, I seriously just ordered them in black too lol.

Top // Cardi // Boots // Scarf: different color, same scarf, on sale for $15 // Maternity Jeans (on sale!) // Sunglasses // Lipstick in Dance with me

These boots run true-to-size and still leave room to comfortably wear thin knee socks, which is a plus! I also like that it comes with a tie at the top so you an tighten or loosen the strings to keep the boot snug, right where they're supposed to be. 

I'm wearing the color khaki, but they come in 5 other colors as well; Grey, black, navy, burgundy and brown. Perfect for cooler weather over a pair of jeans or even better, when the weather heats up, pair them with a pair of cutoffs for a perfect date night look.

So like I mentioned before - here's a quick peek at my favorite bold lips of all time! All of these are definitely more on the blue-red side, so they really compliment most skin tones and make your smile look bright and white!

Regarding the liquid lipsticks, I usually don't wear a lot of them because they can be drying and I think they can easily go from looking well-lined to harsh in the matter of one-too-many coats and personally, I don't think that looks good BUT these 3 don't seem to have the harsh effect because you really only need one or two (at MOST) coats to get great coverage. They aren't too streaky either, which helps when applying!

The one out of all of these that gets the most play is this one by MAC. It's the perfect pop of pink, without being too "out there" or overwhelming - at least to me ha. 

My second favorite is this one because the color is very daytime but can easily transition to your nighttime look and fortunately, it has the staying power for a date night meal.... and whatever happens after... Like eating popcorn at that movie y'all bought tickets for😜

My third favorite would definitely have to be this one - it's the perfect deep-red that we all want, without being too dark to where it looks purple. It has great staying power and would look perfect paired with a white tee or a bold, black top.  It's also the one I'm wearing in the pictures above, so you can get a better idea of how it looks on.

All of the other lipsticks just fit into the mix and I swear I actually have different moods for each one - anyone else with me!?

Last but not least, if your tradition is heading out, I hope you beat the crowds, get a good table, drink some fun drinks and have the best night! There's nothing like celebrating love, y'all. So besides the gifts and glamor, go out, enjoy the company of one another and don't forget rule no.1 - it's allllllll about the love. 

And if you're going into Valentine's day without someone to celebrate it with - don't count yourself out, babe. After being with Devon for almost 11 years, I only expect chocolate covered strawberries every year lol not all valentines involve over-the-top gifts or reaching over-the-top expectations.

So get a group of your friends together, grab some dinner, take-out, whatever and enjoy the night like you would any other. And if you're not the "group" kinda person, Netflix is always there. Curl up on the couch and binge watch your favorite shows, because after all, when you don't have a guy there commenting about your obsession with Joanna Gaines after the 100th episode of Fixer Upper, it might make it easier to find the good in the holiday after all😜

💋HAPPY EARLY VALENTINE'S DAY!💋 

WEEKEND HAPPENINGS | Lifestyle + Beauty

We've been inside of the house more often lately since Devon's knee still isn't 100% after his surgery from a month ago and his gettin' around isn't what it used to be haha definitely getting better, slowly but surely but it wasn't really an easy operation to begin with so it's just gonna take some down time to get back on his feet - literally. So for now, we've been enjoying dinners at home (with the help of HelloFresh - read that post here) and having nightly binge sessions watching ID channel, which is mainly my thing but Devon's a good sport and watches along, although he would totally rather be watching golf.

So this past weekend, Penelope stayed with Devon's aunt for the night so we could have a much-needed date night and be home by 9PM. Haha, no seriously. We had the besssst dinner and went straight home and totally enjoyed being in bed by 9:30pm and "sleeping in" until 8 - totally what daydreams are made of.

 Saturday, we had half of the day to ourselves to do whatever and as we're trying to figure out what to do with alllllll of our free time (parents, you understand the struggle), Devon suggested that we hit Sephora (I love that man) so I could use a random gift card that I had found from Christmas - day. made. My husband seriously suggested SEPHORA as a date. Lucky... blessed... whatever. I hit the jackpot.
So after shopping around, I bought a few things that I had been eyeing for a couple of weeks and just wanted to share them with y'all!

I love trying new things and testing new products so finding a gift card in my wallet behind a few other junk cards I had hanging out in there was the perfect treat before we went back to pick up our sweet gal :)

Also, if you haven't noticed, I've been using a new platform called LikeToKnow.it on instagram. It will send you ALL of the info on my pics - from what I'm wearing to beauty and everything else in between, even with kids stuff! So make sure you sign up HERE so you'll start receiving emails within 10 minutes on posts you've liked that have LTKI installed. Sooo easy😊

Anyway - HAPPY SUNDAY. The weekends are going by faster and faster and I sincerely hope that the warmer weather comes as quick as Mondays do.

xx,
tbp

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SEPHORA HAUL PLUS ALL-TIME FAVORITES | BEAUTY

*Click the picture to be taken directly to the site for purchase!

I'll just say this; I'm not a VIB Rouge for nothin. It's pretty extensive how often I shop at Sephora haha.

 My entire family knows that they can never got wrong with a Sephora gift card so because I got a few for Christmas, (and if you follow my blog, you probably did too) so I wanted to share my most-purchased products from there, which happened to be a recent haul!

1 | Origins Checks and Balances $22:

Pregnancy has my skin alllllll kinds of messed up and my other favorite cleanser of 3 whole years just wasn't working for my skin anymore. I knew that I was going to steer-clear of salicylic acid because, pregnancy but also because my oily skin DOES NOT work with anything other than a straight cleanser, so I actually went to Sephora and asked one of the girls that worked there what they thought would work and she suggested this! I've been using it for about 4 months now and I looove it. It takes off all of my makeup, works well with my Clarisonic and it foams like. a. DREAM. The TINIEST BIT goes suuuuch a long way too!

2 | Beauty Blender $20:

I have retired my foundation/concealer brushes because I use this thing religiously. I wet it, wring out the excess water and apply my foundation and concealer on it and then blend! I swear I've never had makeup go on so smooth and even in my life. This thing is a MUST.

3 | Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil in Vanilla Apricot $36:

I love the smell, the way it feels on my skin and how moisturized i feel after I apply it! It can be a little oily when you first put it on so that's why I suggest to use it at night, after a shower or something but If you like showers in the AM, then just apply this body butter before you do your makeup and hair and by the time you're ready to get dressed, it should be thoroughly absorbed. I've gone through two jars in just a year - it's one of the best body butters I've ever used!

4 | Lacome CILS XL Eyelash Booster $26:

I admit that I have pretty long eyelashes naturally but when you're born with long eyelashes, believe it or not, you still try to find ways to enhance them so this stuff is one of my favorite products to use in order to do that! I do a thin coat of regular mascara, then I apply the CILS Booster and then I keep applying my regular mascara until I'm happy with the volume and length. Super easy and totally one of my favorites!

5 | JOSIE MARAN ARGAN OIL $48:

Y'all KNOW this is my favorite moisturizer on the face of the Earth. I have SUPER oily skin and I've ALWAYS had to carry around a translucent powder of some sort because my skin would melt off if I didn't - until I started using this Argan oil. It has totally helped my skin balance out and not over-produce oil like other moisturizers would. It doesn't clog pores or make my face look dull and tired. It has changed my skin COMPLETELY and one little bottle lasts almost an entire year! I usually buy one bottle every November when Sephora offers their annual 20% off and I swear I don't have to buy another one until the following year, lol totally worth every penny!

6 | MARC JACOBS BRONZER in TANTRIC $49:

This has quickly become the best bronzer I've found for the winter months when I'm pale but still looking to add a little color to my face. The compact is HUGE and you really get a ton of product, plus I love how big the mirror is, which is ends up being great for travel!

7 | Stila Stay All Day Lipliner in Pink Moscato $20:

This lipliner looks good by itself, all over the lips or with the majority of the lipsticks I own. It's the perfect neutral shade - one of my faves!

8 | Anastasia of Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil in Med. Brown $23:

I think I've tried every other brow pencil out there and still prefer this particular one over all of them. These pencils last a while too, which is a huge plus.

9 | Clinique Take the Day Off $29:

I recently purchased this and it quickly became a favorite! You apply the tiniest amount on your hands and then wipe it around your face and you instantly can see your makeup melt away - even waterproof mascara melts right off. I apply this before my cleanser in order to break down everything and then I apply the Origins cleanser right on top. SO good!

10 | Laura Mercier Translucent Powder $38:

Oily-skinned girls, I can't even begin to describe my love for this setting powder. This has saved my face on multiple occasions due to either rain, heat or just a plain weird time when my skin wants to get pretty oily. I can't live without this powder!

I hope y'all had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed the holiday!

Since the last of my family left today to head back home, we're going to start planning our little dudes nursery and start crackin' down on his room - I can't even believe we're only 3 months out on meeting him.. time is FLYING, y'all!

xo,

tbp

SEPHORA TRIP | BEAUTY

Lol, I don't know if I should be embarrassed by my VIP Rouge status or excited? I spend entirely too much money on makeup, regardless but I swear, Sephora just sucks you in. I also love to browse the website for newly listed products and to see what's trending soooo I'm never really out of the store, if you get what I'm saying... If there's a will, there's a way and there's certainly always access to the place soooo.... there's that.

 I swear that I'm not talking about this haul in vain because if you're a fellow Rouge-er (like muah) then starting April 7th-April 13th, you get 15% OFF OF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE. Y'all know Sephora rarely does sales so this is a big deal.

I also just received an email to get 10% now, so if you can't wait, or need something asap, be sure to use that little bonus! 

So speaking of new things... When I was at the mall yesterday, I noticed that they had a new setup, showing products based around color correcting and let's be real honest... I could use a miracle product to remove my permanent under-eye circles and the annoying redness I have around my nose, so this new setup (as usual) pulled me in and before I gained any self-control, I had an item for every correction possible. HEL-LO flawless skin. 

So here's the things I got and so far, I'm lovin' every single one!

These little bottles are filled with liquid gold. A super-pigmented serum, that when only using the tiniest bit, covers. it. all. I use the apricot shade under my eyes in order to cancel out the dark circles and I also purchased the pink shade to combat dullness. I apply with my finger tips and blend with my damp beauty blender to get the most even coverage. I feel that a lot of people were gravitated to the Becca under-eye pigments but after reading reviews and seeing the product in-person, they completely missed the mark. They are entirely too dark for light/medium skin, whereas the Algenist shades really suit every skin tone across the board. These also come in two other colors, a green and blue shade. The green will target redness and the blue will target sallowness, so if you have more of a yellow undertone or pale complexion, then the blue one would work wonders for you!

I also purchased a few lipsticks and a lipliner (shocking, I know). 

I can always find a new lipstick that I "don't already have" so these are my three picks from my trip:

The tarte lipliner is actually a shade that I don't own (I double checked when I got home, believe) and it really matches my natural lip color and a goes with a ton of lipsticks I already have. I liked it so much that it made its way to the makeup pile that I keep on top of my vanity, rather than in the dungeon drawer.

The second two that I purchased are both really pretty shades of pink. One has pink undertones and the other (the tarte one) has more of an orange-y hue to it. They both glide on and are super build-able shades that can be either transparent or opaque, depending on how much you want to apply. Oh and they also both go really well the new liner ;)

If you saw my snapchat (taylorpilk) the other day, you're probably wondering about the MAC purchase - I decided to make a separate blog post about those products since a few are (sort of) things that I've talked about before... I had empties and needed to replace!

Algenist Color Correcting Drops (apricot + pink)

Sephora's Bright Future Color Correct Wand (green)

Tarte 'Nude' Lipliner

Tarte 'Park Ave Princess' Butter Lipstick

Smashbox 'Pretty Social' Lipstick 

Oh, and welcome to my first blog post from my new site!!! I am soooo excited about this blog makeover and finally deciding on a domain name. Sounds kinda crazy that I'd be excited about a blog name being named after.. well, myself but I just felt that nothing else really described who I was. I'm a ton of different things (wife, mom, beauty lover, cook with a dash of sarcasm - to name a few) and I like a ton of different things. So, naming it after myself just fit. So, welcome to Meet Taylor Pilk. Pretty excited for this "new" chapter!

xx, tbp

ST. TROPEZ Review | BEAUTY

Since I steer clear of tanning beds, and can't ever seem to find 30 minutes to spare to go get a spray tan, I had to get creative on tanning without UVs and time limits, so what's the remedy? Self tanner! Particularly this St. Tropez sunless one!

 I'm obsessed with how easy it is to apply (I use a hand mitt) and the deep tan I get after application.

 I generally apply it before bed and sleep in it throughout the night but you can get a full-body tan in just a little over an hour if you're running short on time! (I have only done that once by the way but was really impressed with the color payout in such a short amount of time!)

So after application, my tan will typically last about 5-7 days.

 Before I bought this big bottle, I bought the travel size version to test and I got 3 full body applications out of that tiny little thing! So with this mousse being triple the size, I should be able to expect about 8-10 full-body tans. I'll keep ya posted!

I should mention that this particular sunless tanner isn't one that you would want to apply right before going somewhere, at least without showering first or waiting a few because of the green tint it initially leaves on your skin. However, once it starts to dry, that's when the deep, natural tan starts to develop, so don't worry about looking like Shrek after applying this - You'll get a natural, streak-free tan, you'll just need to give it a little time :)

St. Tropez Sunless Tanner // $45

Hand Mitt // $7

Hope y'all are ready for the weekend and the warm weather! Happy Friday XO

xx, tbp

Splurge vs Save....

Splurge Products:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Save Products:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 

 I think my favorite drugstore brand would have to be NYX. Mainly because of the quality and of course, the price but they're also cruelty-free, which is huge.

Although I prefer stores like Sephora and Nordstrom to shop for makeup, I don't have anything against drugstore brands because more than likely, the inexpensive brands are a branch off of a higher-end brand, just at a lower price point. For instance,  Estee Lauder is a parent company to MAC and Bobbi Brown among many other top-selling, high-end brands. So would you be totally surprised if I said that both Urban Decay and NYX were owned by LO'real? It's true! And that would probably explain why I found an exact dupe for a product that costs 4x as much!  

So here are a few other dupes I found while searching around Ulta:

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara is a complete dupe of the 

MAC Pro Longer Brow Gel. The wand is just slightly bigger on the NYX gel

 but they wear almost identical and the color is a perfect match.

| $7 vs $17 |

NYX HD Concealer is a really close match to

 Urban Decays Naked Skin Concealer. Even the color range

is almost identical.

| $5 vs $28 |

NYX Dark Circle Concealer is a spot-on dupe of the

Becca Concealing Creme. It has the exact same texture and covering power

and of course, it's over half the cost.

| $6 vs $32 |

NYX Matte Bronzer is even packaged like Bobbi Brown's

matte bronzers that are currently $42! The one from NYX at Ulta - only $9.

If you have any good dupes that are your favorite, I'd love to hear about them!

xx, tbp

Skin Care Routine | Night & Day

I've been asked A LOT about my skin care routine.. Mainly because a lot of people, like me, have super oily skin and it's a pain to deal with. All extreme skin-types are difficult tho, whether it be super dry or the opposite. I have been to A LOT of estheticians and have had a lot of appointments with my dermatologist and through many medications to help acne, nothing has really been as important as diet and skin care, as cliche and crazy as that may sound. I can't drink excessive caffeine, so things like energy drinks are a no-go, although I will have my morning coffee and maybe another cup from time to time, I really watch my caffeine intake and can totally tell a difference if I go a little crazy for a few days. Don't get me wrong, I do have occasional breakouts regardless but nothing like I used to! My skin is not perfect by any means, but I have learned some tricks to help accompany me along the way - even though it may be a little maintenance from time to time ;)

I've mentioned, probably a million times, that my skin is REALLY sensitive so when I find products or brands that work, I stick to them. I don't tend to venture into a million skin care products because I could wash my face with a new product just once and it's all over. I think that also helps.. Stay with what you KNOW works. Don't listen to me if you're happy with your skin! That's super important to remember BUT if you're desperate to try and tone down the oil or breakouts, then maybe my routine will become yours :)

So here's what I use:

Acure Brightening facial scrub from Target and Acure Sensitive facial cleanser from Whole Foods or Amazon. These two are amazing! I can't live without them. I use the exfoliator when I don't want to use my Clarisonic Mia 2. No real reason other than I don't want to take the time but need to exfoliate. I use the Mia 2 every single night, sometimes in the morning as well! It has changed my skin completely. Totally worth the price!! 

I love argan oil - I prefer Josie Maran but have tried others and have loved them all! 

Acure eye cream from Target is amazing. 

Mario Badescue Repair Collagen cream is the perfect mask! A little bit goes a long way and doesn't dry my skin out AND it helps clear acne, so sometimes I use it as a spot-treatment. 

And for a toner, I've always loved using plain Witch Hazel. This one is Lavender scented, but I also use the original and both work so well. Just apply a little to a cotton pad and I'm good to go.

Here's a time for a small secret: I actually use Target brand eye makeup remover with the oil but I pour it in this MAC bottle because I really love the non-leaking top it comes with!! Plus, you have to push down, like a medicine bottle, to get the top off - HUGE plus while traveling and with having a little one that's getting into everything. One less thing I have to worry about ending up all over my floor ;) I used the original formula from MAC but didn't feel that it was any better than what I get at the drug store, again, the only plus is the bottle itself!

I also use the Josie Maran illuminating argan cream or Josie Maran MILK before I apply my makeup... I use the dark bottle of argan oil at night or during the day when my face is unusually dry during the winter months.



Here's the thing with oily skin that I learned that has worked so well: I CANNOT use ANYTHING that has Salicylic Acid in it. I ONLY use cleansers. This is because with my skin, I am naturally oily so therefore anything that strips that, makes my face go CRAZY. I use products that are gentle and I firmly believe that pairing natural oil, such as argan oil, actually helps my skin produce less oil. This is because my skin NEEDS oil. Some people don't need as much oil, hence why their face may breakout with the use of argan oil or why salicylic acid may work really well for them. Only time will tell, of course, so if you're wondering if this method will work for you but don't want to waste the money on an expensive oil, buy from amazon. You'll get the same effect. I recommend one with a dark bottle, to protect the pure oil and of course, all natural/organic, like this one HERE. Take 4-6 weeks for your skin to adjust, especially if you've been using a product that has striped the oil from your skin.

PLEASE email or post below with any/all questions you may have, I can only hope that this post helps some of y'all out with your skin if you've come across the same troubles as I have! XO


instagram @taylorpilk

| Classic Perfume Favorites |

I love. love. love. perfume. I absolutely adore anything that's considered an accessory and perfume is definitely one of my faves! I really love strong scents and scents that will last throughout the day and don't wear off and so that's why these 2 have been my go-to perfume picks as of late!

Amazing Grace $54

A light, floral scent that smells sooo clean and fresh! I wear this all year long but I would say that it's probably more of a "spring time" perfume because it is lighter than most that I love. Definitely worth the buy - you can get this at ULTA!

Dolce & Gabbana $29

ALL credit goes to Britney Chisholm for my discovery of this amazing perfume!!! This is exactlyyyyy my kind of fragrance! I absolutely love versatile scents that go well in either winter or summer and this one fits perfectly! It's floral, clean, delicate and bold all at the same time. I find that the small spray bottle works perfectly for travel and every day toting around because it fits so easily in your purse (or diaper bag!) and it would take up next to no space when we fly which is a huge plus because I haaate carrying a heavy perfume with me in my purse all day long - especially through the airport! You can find this at Sephora as well and don't forget to watch Britney's YouTube vlog here where she gives you her take on this perfume and other amazing things in her July Favorites - and don't forget to subscribe. subscribe. SUBSCRIBE! xox

taylorpilk xo

| BB Cream and Tinted Moisturizer Picks |

I've tried every BB Cream and tinted moisturizer under the sun - literally - and this moisturizer & BB Cream combo are my absolute favorites.. and they are perfect for the summer months because their staying power is amazing and they don't have the typical melt-on-your-face problem, which clearly no one would be a fan of. These two products are light, creamy and actually cover and  easily blend imperfections away without feeling super heavy and cake-like AND they offer SPF sooooo these are basically perfect in every aspect. You can be sure to get the lil beauties at Nordstrom ;)

• Bobbi Brown BB Cream $44
• MAC Studio Moisture Tint $33