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

ASK ME ANYTHING Q+A | LIFESTYLE

So after doing this blogging thing for a couple of years now, I've realized that it's a lot harder to show people what they want to know. Simply put: figuring out what people want to know about me or my life is almost impossible because for me, my life is well - my life. I do this every single day so what's "fascinating" or "interesting" to someone else, may seem pretty regular and day-to-day for me, so that's really why I forget to share that information or even document it here.
So for that reason, I've come up with a solution - a Q+A!

For starters: no question is a stupid question.... Honestly. I want to be transparent and even asking a simple question such as inquiring about my marital status or "if I have kids" is good enough for me lol some people may not know, ya know....
 I'll answer (mostly) anything and I'm really an open book (hence having a blog in the first place) so I'm excited to see what others may want to know about me (or my life).

So, if you want to have a question featured on here, then there's a few ways to do it...

You can:

A: Leave a comment down below (it can be anonymous)
B: Send me an email at hello@taylorpilk.com

C: Use the 'Contact Me' form

at the bottom right, on the HOME page (it can be anonymous too!) 

D:  Instagram DM @taylorpilk

E: Snapchat @taylorpilk

Ekkkk - sorta nervous, sorta excited.. So ask me those questions, y'all!

xx, tbp

VITAMIN SEA

 It's FALL! I loooove summer but there's something about the fall that I'm reeeeeally in love with. Maybe because the weather is perfect most days? Or maybe it's because you can still do things outside and not end up in a puddle? Orrrrrrrrr probably because I'M BASIC, OKAY.

But with great weather come germs so I figured I would let y'all know some of my favorite vitamins that I take - and not just for the fall or winter, but all year 'round.

So here they are -

from left to right ---->

• RAW Iron: If you have rough periods like I do, then this may be what you're looking for. I generally take these due to slight fatigue that I get before and after my period. Personally, I feel that this helps out a ton by keeping my energy up and allowing me to feel somewhat "normal" during that week.
• Womens Once Daily Multi: I take this one for general health. The pill is a little bit on the large side but it's one of the few that doesn't make me sick if I take it on an empty stomach. Although I don't do that often, it's just a good bonus if I do forget. 
• RAW Vitamin D: I need all the vitamin D I can get in the fall/winter since I don't do the tanning thing and I'm covered from head to toe for about 5 to 6 months of the year. #vampirestatus.
• RAW Calcium: Calcium is believed to naturally help with PMS and PMDD symptoms so during my period and for about a week after, I take one pill, 4x's a day. Since I can actually tell a difference when I take these, it makes it easier to remember (for the most part.) 
• RAW B-12: B-12 is good for keeping a healthy metabolism, giving energy, and having good digestion. All good things, y'all!

 So in case you're wondering what does RAW and MyKind mean: The RAW stamp means that they don't use any chemical isolates or synthetic ingredients in their products and are guaranteed not to have binders or fillers in their vitamins. All ingredients are uncooked, untreated and unaltered; Just how vitamins should be. 

As for their MyKind line? They are all USDA certified organic and Non-GMO :)

I hope this helps!! Stay well this season! XO

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Next blog: Sippy cup favorite - I KNOW that I just did one but I promise, this is better - muuuuch better!!! I'll have that posted tomorrow @ 10AM, so stay tuned ;)

All about the Eyeliner.

Happy Monday, y'all! Coffee in hand and listing my absolute favorite eyeliners that have never failed me. I have tried them a.l.l. but always fall back on these babies! And I have to say that I'm a little impressed that I actually love one of each: A liquid, a gel and a pencil. 

So in honor of keeping things short & sweet for y'all today, I'm just going to dive right in, so here ya go XO

#1: Sephora's Waterproof Colored Eyeliner in BLACK LACE $12

the perfect liquid eyeliner that's super easy to apply and actually dries MATTE!

#2 Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in BLACK INK $24

#3 Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush #107 $6

This brush has lasted me for years, even through tons of washes. bought mine at the one and only Target ;) 

#4 Sephora's Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in MATTE CHARCOAL $13

This is my every day eyeliner that I use when I want a basic, neutral look. It glides on so smooth and stays put through the entire day. Definitely one of my favorites and I LOVE the subtle color of grey.

Mama lifesavers | 9 Months

I haven't done one of these posts in a while so I figured I'm due for an update of things we're currently loving at 9 months -

Bath time is a whole new experience now that we've ditched the infant bath. The 4Moms tub was so worth it while we used it but now the big tub is how we do bath time these days and these little bubble bath packs by Aura Cacia with essentials oils are THE. BEST!!! They smell amazing and I looove essential oils as-is and truly believe that they have calming and healing properties so these are a win-win for us.

      I let P bathe in the Eucalyptus when she was sick and it made her breath so much easier and cleared her out so she could sleep soundly during the night. We also love using the Lavender packet, which I would have taken a picture of if I hadn't thrown it away two nights ago but nonetheless, those two are definitely our favorite scents! There's also a citrus one that I'll try but that would be used for energy etc and usually we do bath time at night so I prefer the Eucalyptus and Lavender in order to help Penelope wind down for the night.

 For starters, Penelope has only been sick ONCE so far - woooo! I am so happy about that!! I got sick first and shortly after, P caught the little flu thing that was going around but thankfully, I had bought some Zarbees cough + cold medicine way beforehand just for this moment, and trust me, I am seriously beyond happy that I did because she went to bed fine and of course woke up with a terrible cough and was completely miserable. This stuff works miracles because she bounced back so fast after I gave her just one dose of the medicine - thank goodness for miracle products!!

Who knew anyone could fall in love with wipes?! I guess babies will make you notice the little things HA.

   I get these wipes from Whole Foods by the case. Literally. I buy them for $16 for a box of 6! They're probably the best wipes I've used and of course they're safe and natural so it's win-win. I also have to be completely honest and say that I actually have fallen in love with them mainly because they double as the perfect face wipe for removing my makeup.... I don't even really bother with traditional face wipes anymore. I'll probably be the person that's still buying wipes even after my kid is out of diapers because I've become accustomed to needing one for every single thing - #momlife.

So, I was in Whole Foods, checking out the baby stuff, P was hungry and I saw these bad boys and thought why not..... Turns out, these are the greatest things ON. THE. ENTIRE. EARTH. I just want to start off by saying that before I had Penelope, I had an entire list of stuff I wasn't going to give my child. These pouches made the list. But after realizing that I need more than 2 arms and hands and sometimes you have to appreciate the convenience of someone else's EXTREMELY smart idea, you learn really fast to NOT knock it before you try it. I always spoon-feed Penelope these pouches, check the expiration date and I ALWAYS taste-test these before I give them to her. I would do that for myself so obviously it doesn't take any extra time to do it for her. These pouches are the best thing OUT! And of course they're organic.... I'm still a psycho about that - somethings never change. Now, don't get me wrong, we BLW and she eats mainly soild foods - basically whatever we eat, she eats - but these are super convenient for when we're out and the picture shows her faves!

      I had mentioned on another blog that we were thinking about switching to a convertible car seat.... She's 9 months and can sit in a highchair and in a cart with absolutely no help from me so we ended up ordering the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 from Nordstrom right before Christmas. If a car seat could be a dream come true, THIS IS IT. Installation was the EASIEST thing ever and every part can easily be taken off in order to be washed without un-installing the car seat - hallelujah! Taking apart her Maxi Cosi Mico infant seat was a nightmare so this new car seat was almost the best thing we've bought - too bad she doesn't spit up any more because I actually wouldn't mind it with this one ;)

I ALWAYS have people ask where I get Penelope's bows from and the ones she's been wearing lately are from Ruby Blue Inc. Check out their instagram [HERE] to get a feel for what they offer. They're the BEST quality and unlike other bows I've bought, these stretch enough to last more than a month. I bought the cream lace one when she was like 5 months and she can still wear it and trust me, her little head has grown. We love em'.

And speaking of fashion, H&M has the cutest baby clothes. Like, ever. If you have a little babe, go check out their stuff. Adult clothes made for small people. Dying at the cuteness!

Products Mentioned:

| 4Moms Infant Bath Tub $50 | 

| Aura Cacia Bubble Bath: Purchased at Whole Foods |

| 365 Baby Wipes: Purchased at Whole Foods |

| Ella's Kitchen Wakey Wakey Baby Cereal &

Organic Food Pouches: Purchased at Whole Foods but

Target carries them as well along with a ton of other grocery stores |

| Maxi Cosi Pria 85 in Black $299 @ Nordstrom |

| RubyBlueInc Bows from Etsy |

ig: @taylorpilk

YSL's #13 LIPLINER DUPE!

 I was at Whole Foods shopping for groceries and I ended up browsing the makeup aisle, as per usual, and came across the Gabriel Cosmetics lipliners and started swatching them and noticed that Nutmeg was IDENTICAL match to YSL's #13 lipliner! If you're familiar with any YSL makeup, it wouldn't surprise you that their #13 lipliner is $30 but the Gabriel Cosmetics lipliner is only $12! They wear the exact same and the color is flawless - This is definitely my go-to color and it pretty much matches any lipstick I want to wear... it's versatile and more than half of the price of the YSL one - eeek!

     I had been searching high and low for a lipliner that was, at the very least, similar to YSL's most popular lipliner and although there are a few, I am SO excited that I found the identical match and even more excited that I can share it with y'all through here! This lipliner is definitely one that everyone should have in their collection - I hope y'all LOVE it (and the price too ;))! XO

Products Mentioned:

| Nutmeg LipLiner by Gabriel Cosmetics $12 | YSL LipLiner #13 $30 |

ig: @taylorpilk

EYE BRIGHTENER | AFTER NYE ESSENTIAL

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y'ALL!!!

I know that all of us probably stayed up way beyond what we had anticipated to do, as per usual but after reading this blog, you'll be able to fake a good nights sleep from here on out ;)   

BareMinerals STROKE OF LIGHT = The best under-eye and all-over concealer, hands down. This covers up anything and everything.. along with those annoying dark circles that seem to accumulate for absolutely no reason, even without lack of sleep - grrr. I am currently wearing #2, which has more of a yellow undertone than #1 but don't be fooled by the description as I'm normally more of a neutral shade with my other products (pinks & yellows combined) so if you are too, then #2 would probably fit you well and be your best bet as I think it's the most universal.

     Another thing that's great about this stuff: It doesn't cake up underneath nor does it crease - this is huge for anything that goes on underneath the eye because if you've ever had anything that does crease or cake up, you'd know how useless a product like that can be, especially when you NEED it to do its job. ;)

The applicator of this is really my favorite thing because a lot of the other ones come with a pump that you end up getting all over your hands, something I can't staaaand. With this, you unscrew the applicator and dab the tip underneath the eye and use a beauty blender to blend it in and you're done - the 2 easiest steps to faking a good nights sleep! Really, if I could only have two makeup products, it would probably be this and mascara. I can't live without it.

I hope every one is able to rest up today and enjoy the first day of 2015! Page 1 of 365 - make it a good one! XOX

PRODUCTS:

Stroke of Light by BareMinerals $22

New Wave by MARC JACOBS nail polish $18

ig link: @taylorpilk

Christmas Vacation | Sanibel Island

    If you follow me on basically any social network, you would be well-aware that we just took our annual family vacay and this year we traveled to Sanibel Island, right near the Gulf and it is definitely the cutest place I have ever seen!! Here are a few pictures of our trip from - I shared a lot on my personal Facebook Page and Instagram but I had so many that I wanted to post but most of them were landscape photos and I didn't want to overload pics on everyone so I've waited to share them on my blog, I hope y'all enjoy! And if you ever get a chance to go to Sanibel, some of our fav spots were: George and Wendy's & Taquita's for the chicken tacos - AMAZING,  Zebra Frozen Yogurt to get the frozen hot chocolate!!, Pinnochios for the seriously amazing ice cream and Over Easy for the BEST pancakes and breakfast! If you're in need of a good coffee-fix, make sure you get a coffee from The Sanibel Bean and try their the White Mocha latte - SO GOOD!  Also make sure you go shelling on the beach and to rent bikes to be able to ride along the bike paths to explore the island :) Really thankful that sunny Florida was so good to us ;)

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| The cure for dry hair during the winter |

Recently, I have seen SO many posts by girls needing a remedy for dry hair so I decided that it would be worth another blog! Almost 2 years ago I posted a DIY Hot Oil Hair Treatment [HERE] and it was so popular and had a lot of good feedback and reviews! Since then, I've updated a few things but of course,  if you've used the previous one beforehand and loved that, it never hurts to stick with what you know ;) But for those of you wanting something a little bit different, here's one for you XO

Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Ingredients:

2-4tbs Organic Coconut Oil

1tbs Organic Almond Oil (optional)

1tbs Organic Honey
*Amount depending on hair needs
*The best coconut oil to use is the one sold at Trader Joes Organic Coconut Oil - it smells the beach, coconuts and summer all in one jar - LOOVE!

Add all ingredients into a glass mixing bowl,

place the bowl in the microwave and heat until the coconut oil is semi-melted, about 30-45seconds

(You can also heat over a stove but this can get extremely hot so make sure you use this method with EXTREME caution. NEVER apply oil that has been bubbling or heated for a very long time.)

Once the coconut oil is semi-melted, mix all of the ingredients together to create an almost watery paste. Once mixed, apply coconut oil mixture all over your head/hair, being sure to start at the ends,  and finish up by massaging product into the roots. Make sure your entire scalp and hair are covered by the coconut mixture and then put your hair in a bun (try to use a clip rather than using an elastic) and then place a shower cap over you hair and let it sit for 1hr-1.5hrs. You can also sleep in this mask for the absolute best results.
After the wait time is over, jump in the shower and wash/condition (depending on personal preference) and dry and style as usual.

This is how I did mine with the length and thickness of my hair:
I used 3 1/2tbs coconut oil, and 1 1/2tbs honey. Heated it in the microwave for 30 seconds, mixed up the product, let it cool for just a minute while stirring and then I placed the bowl into my sink and I dipped my hair in the bowl and slowly worked my way to my roots, adding a little more hair with each dip and massaged the remaining oil into my roots and scalp. I then kept my coconut oil mask on for 1hr and then jumped into the shower. I did my normal shower routine and left the shampoo job for last to let the humidity from the shower sort of make sure I let this thing work its magic 100%. I also had to wash my hair with shampoo twice to make sure the oil was completely rinsed out.
Since I typically do a deep conditioning treatment once a week (which I'll go into shortly), I didn't feel that I needed to sleep in the coconut oil and I only left it on for 1hr, which I felt was plenty for the current needs of my hair.
I have to finish it with the fact that my hair is SOO shiny, smells amazing and is beyond soft. This is saying A LOT since for the last few months I have slowly started adding blonde back into my hair that was originally colored dark brown. You can imagine the damage it caused and I recently cut about 3 inches off as well because my ends had completely had it. I haven't done a hot oil treatment in FOREVER so this was a good jump-start for the holidays ;)

The second thing that I do rather often and have a huge obsession with are deep conditioning hair masks. I cut and color my hair regularly so this helps ensure that my hair lays somewhat flat throughout the day - it's DEFINITELY something I do regularly in the summer because I have super curly hair so I NEED that extra bit of moisture or my hair is a frizzy mess the entire day.

Moroccan Oil Weightless Mask with the travel-size mask.

My absolute favorite products are ANYTHING by Moroccan Oil. You will probably have to get them from a salon but this stuff is SO worth it. Pricey, but it lasts a LONG time! I love both the Weightless and Intense Hydrating Masks, depending on my hair needs. If you have thin hair or hair that doesn't particularly take well to lots of oil, I'd suggest the weightless mask. You'll still get the same results, I promise!

I hope this has been helpful - let me know if you try either of these methods and let me know how it worked out for you :) Xox

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JOSIE MARAN | ARGAN OIL

Just a quick picture of my favorite Josie Maran Argan Oil products! These will last you MONTHS and are so amazing for your skin. I have oily skin and even though it seems quite opposite of what you would think you would need for oily skin, it actually really helps maintain oil production and helps keep skin clear because breakouts sometimes happen because of a lack of oil rather than having too much. 

| 100% ARGAN OIL |

I use this at night after I wash my face. I even use this as an under-eye moisturizer.

| PURE ARGAN MILK |

I absolutely LOVE this one. I use Milk after I wash my face in the morning and before I put on my makeup. It's definitely a lighter version of the regular 100% Argan Oil and it has just the right amount of shimmer to make your skin glowy, but not highlighted or over done - definitely something you can use all over your face, any time.

| ILLUMINIZER |

This illuminizer is so functional and has a variety of uses. I particularly like to mix a small amount with either my primer, foundation, tinted moisturizer or BB cream - it all depends on the look I'm going for. This looks so bronzy and shimmery in the bottle but it really can be toned down to add a smooth, dewy look to your face/body. I think this is the most versatile of the three because it can be added with your regular moisturizer, body lotion etc - it really is perfect for everything and made with no limits for use!

Most importantly, I love that all of JM products don't contain any of the chemicals that a lot of high-end products have and are currently formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan 

XO!

Alternate of Red Lips for the holidays | Current NYX Favorite

During the summer months, I seem to drift more towards nude lips but once the cold weather hits, I'm reeeeeally ready to add some color! For that reason, I thought I'd share my most recent NYX lipstick find that I think would look absolutely AMAZING on anyone! If a red lip isn't a favorite look for you but you're still really wanting to try a different lip than the norm then I think this color is something you should try!  NYX is such an inexpensive brand but in my opinion, comparable to MAC or any other high-end brand. The formula is amazing and super buttery along with the wear which is NEVER chalky or sticky, even the matte colors!

 I have to say tho, that this particular lipstick does have a slight scent but nothing too strong and it only seems to be THIS particular lipstick from the NYX line, I haven't noticed it with any of their other lipsticks/lip glosses.

 (By the way, I am SUPER sensitive to cosmetics in general and perfume in them and this didn't bother me at all, it was just noticed when I first applied it.)

The second thing is the NYX Pump it Up Lip Plumper and this stuff is perfect! It feels more minty rather than having the typical tingle-y feeling that other plumpers have. I personally bought this for the color rather than the plump and only noticed what it was once I took pictures, ha! I personally wouldn't buy it for the plumping action alone but the color itself was what sold me and even more so after I applied it because the application was so smooth and pigmented - it can definitely be worn alone or with a lipstick for extra color & shine.

I know this is a NYX current-fav but I paired it with my YSL #13 lipliner and they went SO WELL together. I need to try to find a dupe because I completely get that not everyone wants to spend that sort of money on a lipliner ;) I'll post a blog as soon as I find one that is close, if not identical so y'all can get the same look! 

List of products used along with the links:

| NYX Lipstick | $4

Color THALIA

Purchased at ULTA

| NYX Lip Plumper | $6

Color in ELIZABETH

Purchased at ULTA

| YSL Lip Liner #13 | $30

Color in NUDE BEIGE #13

Purchased at Sephora

Let me know how you love it!

XO - taylor

Tis' the season for RED LIPS!

      It's amazing how a good red lip can be the easiest accessory for any event or holiday party and I currently can't get over how gorgeous [MAC All Fired Up] is. It's the perfect matte lip that can EASILY be applied as a bold color or a sheer color for the perfect daytime look! 

(Of course it'll depend on how you apply it - swipe for bold, dab for light ;))

      It didn't make my lips dry in the slightest and it was still moisturizing after I had worn it for awhile - SO GOOD! I totally get that not everyone wants to pay $16 for a lipstick they might wear a handful of times so I hunted down a drugstore brand and a mid-price range brand so everyone can experience this look this upcoming holiday season!

Here are the two lipsticks that I'd suggest if you're wanting to try this color out:

|NYX's|

In [Bloody Mary] $6

Which can probably be found in any store that sells NYX, 

the link I'm giving you is to ULTA

&

|SEPHORA BRAND|

In [Valentine] $13

I actually have this one and didn't even realize they were the same color until I was wanting to wear a red lip and started comparing the two and that's when realized they were identical, lol

& of course here's the link again for the actual 

lipstick that I'm wearing in the pic above:

|MAC|

[All Fired Up] $16

Don't forget to follow my blog and follow me on 

instagram/twitter [@taylorpilk] XO

CASUAL BLUSH PICKS | NARS

     Blush is one of my absolute FAVORITE things to wear, even when I'm not really wearing any makeup at all. Blush is always the one thing I don't leave the house without because you can go from "I just rolled outta bed" to looking like you've already had 3 cups of coffee in just 2 quick brush strokes and that's why these two shades are the perfect, neutral colors that can easily be worn day or night, keeping you vibrant ;) The colors are [Deep Throat] and [Luster]. DT is a really gorgeous goldeny-pink color that's described as a pink-peach on the Sephora's website and LUSTER is a golden-apricot color that I actually used OVER the DT blush and as a highlighter and it looked so good applied that way -such a warm hue for a fall day. 

So if you're wanting something a little bit different than the norm and don't want anything too drastic, then these two blushes are the ones for you!

If you purchase them or already have them, PLEASE let me know how much you love them! XO

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BareMinerals | Illuminating Mineral Veil; TRAVEL EDITION

I've mentioned how I've recently become a little bit obsessed with BareMinerals ANYTHING so I figured I'd post about one of my other favorites; their illuminating mineral veil compact! 

This stuff works a miracle for anyone with oily/combination skin! And this is a limited-edition set that comes with the cutest compact and travel brush, along with a small blotting pad (for quick application) that fits nicely inside the compact for when you can't or don't want to bring along the brush! This is a SMALL and truly a travel-size makeup set so don't expect anything huge - it's definitely for storing in your purse for quick touch-ups if you start looking a little shiny throughout the day. Also, it does have a SLIGHT shimmer as it is an illuminizer, but it's definitely not a highlighter so it can safely be used all over without having your face look glittery. I also haven't noticed it making my face look white or powdery after using it and it hasn't made me look washed out either - so far, it's been a really good product and helped to maintain my oily skin. Another plus? The packaging. It's so holiday-ish with the gold, red, black and white. They hit a home run with that because anything gold gets me every time ;)

So basically, if you're in Sephora using your 20% off VIB coupon this weekend, add this to your list - you'll fall in love! Xo

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DISNEY VIDEO!

I have put together a seriously SHORT video of our trip to Disney, along with some pictures! It was P's first time going and since we all know she won't remember the trip anyways, I figured I would record EVERYTHING - and I definitely did! But only a few of my favorite clips made it to the video so here it is! Pretty proud of my first video debut - HA! I plan on doing more in the future so subscribe [HERE] if you have a YouTube channel yourself :) I'm also thinking an 'About Me' video will be popping up sooner or later, along with an official house tour when we're FINALLY done building ;) But in the meantime, here's our Disney trip from last month xo ENJOY!

Get Ready For Summer - Bronzed Edition x

While my peaceful babygirl naps, I'm finally able to finish this blog post for y'all!

I stopped using tanning beds almost 2 years ago... I used to get spray tans at the tanning place all of the time but when I became pregnant, spray tans weren't really recommended but my obsession with having a healthy glow still remained so that's when I started searching for a REALLY good self-tanner to use that A) Wouldn't streak B) Was easy to apply and C) DIDN'T leave you looking that oh-so-NOT-fabulous color of orange that everyone dreads - That's when I came across this per the sales associate at ULTA and I haven't used anything else since! I've tried all of the high-end brands along with cheap drugstore ones and nothing has compared to this stuff (and honestly, it works just as well as St.Tropez, in my opinion - plus cheaper!) I LOOOVE that this is a foam and not a spray, which makes application sooo easy and I also love that I can get perfect control of how much product is applied to my hands and feet so I don't end up with the horrible splotching that I noticed I would get when I paid for a spray tan. It also has color that is applied immediately and it continues to darken over a few hours, which is why I choose to apply mine at night and take a shower in the AM. The best part???! It HARDLY has an after-smell - and by hardly, I mean basically non-exsistant!!!! One bottle seems to last for forever.. I apply once, maybe twice a week, depending on what's going on and it would seriously last probably close to 2 weeks before it fades. This stuff is ammmmazing! Go to ULTA and buy yourself this Bronze Glow or buy from their website here - for $12.99 you cannot go wrong!!!  Don't forget to buy the mitt as well to help with even applicaton ;)

Xoxo

twitter: @taylorpilk

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xo taylor 

Moroccan Oil Hair-Care Dupe!

     Here's a had-to-share moment! I adore Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner along with a lot of their other products, but as you know, if you've purchased Moroccan Products before, they aren't the cheapest shampoo/conditioner ever made so that's what made this beauty find one of the best finds yet! I was in ULTA and came across these babies:

ULTA find! "One 'N Only"

      They smell almost IDENTICAL to MO products and they work just the same! Not only do they work well and smell good but One 'N Only brand is also sulfate, phosphate, paraben FREE and made in the USA :) They are also price-friendly as well at just $11.99 per 12oz bottle. That beats out MO's 8.5oz shampoo and conditioner at around $20 a bottle (as seen on their website). FYI: If you're finding it cheaper than that, be aware of a fake as they DO make faux "designer" shampoo/conditioner as well. In any case, I will be back to get this product over MO's! Definitely worth it!

Buy One 'N Only from ULTA HERE!


Taylor Pilkington xo

All Things HAIR!

These are all of the products that I absolutely A-D-O-R-E!  

     

L'oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray with UV Shield in Strong Hold - this hairspray has been my favorite for a couple of years and I honestly haven't used anything else! I don't know how we'll the UV shield works considering I have nothing to compare it to, but the hold is definitely strong and it doesn't leave a lot of build up after you use it. You can purchase this at Target.

Paul Mitchell SUN Collection Color Shield Protecting Spray - I use this everyday, without fail! Especially useful when you're at the beach or pool. It smooths your hair while protecting your strands! Love the way this spray smells - and don't be fooled by the bottle as it may be small but a little bit goes a long way! (You can purchase at ULTA)

L'Oreal EverStyles Energizing Shampoo - This is a 5star product, to me!! It's super cheap and works better than other expensive brands I've tried in the past, plus, it smells amazing! It can also be used as an instant volumizer on clean hair that needs a little lift. (Purchased at Target for around $4)

Salon Grafix Spray Powder Shampoo - This particular dry shampoo has brunette coloring in it which can help with fading and outgrown roots while adding a ton of volume, plus it lasts a long time, even with day-to-day use - love it!  (Purchased at ULTA for $8)

Straight Sexy Hair: Smooth & Protect Flat Iron Spray/Darn Straight Straightening and Polishing Lotion - I use these two together anytime I use them. I have MASSIVELY curly hair and I tend to straighten/blow dry my hair daily, so any sort of protection/smoothing system I can use, I DO! These products are very "light" feeling, but extremely effective! I personally believe that when I use both products, that they help tame my frizz with the humidity my hair has to deal with living on the East Coast.

Moroccan Oil Frizz Control - L-O-V-E this spray! A little bit goes a LONG way! I don't use this with the Sexy Straight Hair Darn Straight Lotion as I use the other Moroccan oil in its place as I really only use this spray if it's raining, THAT'S how good it works! As curly as my hair gets, I only need about 2-3 sprays on the bottom half of my hair and I can feel a HUGE difference after I blow dry. **Don't purchase this is you want a conditioning spray, as this is NOT. It gives more of a stiff feeling over anything else but it works WONDERS if you hate humidity as much as I do.

Moroccan Oil Treatment LIGHT - If you're looking for a type of smoothing system - BUY THIS! Your hair will smell amazing for forever and this stuff creates so much smoothness and shine, it's unbelievable! I use this almost daily on my ends.. Wonderful product! It's not the cheapest of products, but again, the TINIEST bit goes a long, LONG way! I buy the LIGHT version of the original but I personally think it works just as well as the original.

Please let me know what you think of these products by tweeting (twitter)/instagraming (blog instagram) me! I'd love to know which products you've picked up and how they worked out for you xo

-Taylor Pilkington xo