LEO WITH CANCER

Going on Vacation

I'll be back with fresh content on Monday, June 2. In the meantime, why not check out some fun backstories? Try the search tabs conveniently located right about here ----------------------------->
You can also follow along with my road tripping adventures on my instagram story. Love you!

Labels: SUNCARE VIDEO

VIDEO: The Truly Invisible Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35

A lot has been said about the wonder that is Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35 but sometimes a picture, or in this case, the video is worth a thousand words. The glory of the Invisible Shield is the sheer (pun intended) wearability. It is in fact, perfectly clear. Also, and this is probably where it wins my never ending devotion, it doesn't pill or ball, or turn weird colors or textures, even on top of all my serums and treatments, and especially under makeup. Even after several layers, lots of blush smudging, oil-based highlighter, even more smudging. In fact, I think it makes my concealer go on even smoother and more natural looking. Which just makes it so easy to wear, as they recommend, Every. Single. Day.

That's the thing - we all know we need sunscreen. We also have a million reasons not to use it consistently, and it's truly a waste. We do so much for our skin, and the sun is the single worst cause of aging, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and probably evil curses. A light as air, smoothing, yummy smelling, adorably packaged, the sun and free radical protector just make it easier not to skip. this crucial step.

Enjoy the video, and let me know if you've tried it (or want to try it! Don't forget 20% off with my link!)

Most of the other products I use are also Glossier, including the Super Pure serum, blush in beam, highlighter in moonstone, brow gel, lipstick in like, stretch concealer, and priming moisturizer rich.

Labels: BEAUTY

TJ's Coffee Scrub is totally worth $5

There was a time, not so long ago, when you couldn't thumb through instagram without seeing a half-naked internet celebrity covered in coffee grounds. It was brilliant marketing, giving a sexy, sarcastic voice to a humble coffee ground scrub. With the cute pouch, cuter photos, and some fairly decent results from the awesome combo of caffeine to tighten, salt to heal and scrub, and coconut oil to moisturize anti-bacterially. It worked. But it was not worth the $18 a bag, plus shipping internationally what is essentially the contents of my garbage can right now, and slowly it faded from the cultural gestalt. I'll make my own, we all said, then promptly forgot about it and went on with our lives. Turns out mixing coffee grounds and oil is kind of a messy pain in the ass - as much or more than cleaning the scrub off your tub or shower.

Lo and behold, the marketing geniuses at Trader Joe's saw an opportunity. At $5 a bottle it's hard to resist the allure of not destroying your own kitchen, but I'm sure the margins on the product are still ridiculous. I don't care - it's totally worth it. It leaves my skin butter soft, I rarely have to moisturize afterward, and after I scrub down whatever water source I used I end up with a cleaner bathroom also. Totes worth it.

Keep your eye out at your local store, you're welcome.

Labels: FOUNDATION & CONCEALER FRECKLES GLOSSIER K BEAUTY

Glossier's Most Popular Cloud Paint is Back in Stock

When something sold out on Glossier in the olden days, it was because they were unprepared for the overwhelming demand. Now that they've raised multiple rounds of funding and have a healthy dose of capital (and better able to anticipate demand!) the new product launches aren't selling out anymore. SO when something sells out now, it basically means it's freaking epic. Behold - Beam - the cloud paint so natural and glowing it kind of snuck up on me. I wasn't expecting it. It was the last one I opened. Peach, meh. I thought. Then I finally gave it a chance (on my now faux sun-kissed face) and was literally blown away by how many compliments I got.

Paired here with boy brow in brown, haloscope in moonstone, priming mist, priming moisturizer rich, daily sunscreen shieldglossier lip gloss, and a whole lot of spring swagger.

PS Teva's are the new birkenstocks (see Prada) you heard it here third....

Labels: HAIRCARE VIDEO

Review: New Hair Things

I try really hard not to just by things because they have adorable packing. But it's a constant struggle. There are just some brilliant freaking packaging designers out there worth their weight in millenial pink gold. So obviously when I saw the whole R+Co I was like, Dena, be strong. You don't know anything about these products beyond having an awesome packaging designer. I asked around but couldn't really find anyone who had moved, like me, beyond the "this packaging is rad" stage of consumerism.

So, when I saw the pre-shampoo foaming mousse, I asked my very talented hairdresser friend and he was like "Yes, this brand is awesome. And yes, in Denver you need a mask because this climate is dry and brutal on hair. But don't buy anything new until you finish what you have." Such sage advice could not be ignored.

That night I opened my last packet on hand of my beloved Ouai Hair Mask and squeezed the tiniest droplet onto my ends. I love the stuff, I really do, but the truth was in this dry climate it was just too heavy for my hair. I knew I needed something lighter.

Therein lies the appeal of this pre-shampoo foam. It's light as air. It didn't weigh my hair down like truly effective conditioners are wont to do. I don't have to choose between crunch but full, or flat but soft and shiny.

After applying the foam and letting it soak in (it corresponds perfectly with a good face mask) I just wash and condition like normal afterwards. For me right now that's Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Salt Scrub, which is kind of obsession worthy in and of itself. It comes out as this decadent creamy paste with satisfying salt crunch, and then turns into an incredibly satisfying lather (my fear with anything interesting cleansing wise, psychologically I just need that foam. Then it's Ouai Volume Conditioner, but only from "the ponytail down" which was a brilliant piece of advice I wish I could remember where I read.

I finished with my beloved, special hair towel, and a few drops of my favorite oil. My hair air-dried to this gorgeous wave, silky soft, and incredibly shiny. It was so clean but still had texture, and was light enough to grip the little moisture in the air to provide soft, shiny hair.

Horrifyingly bad midday lighting in Denver, basically blows out every photo but look how shiny!!!

who's shinier - me or the other bear?

Labels: BEAUTY FRECKLES VIDEO

VIDEO: How to Use a Beauty Blender - The Tapping Method

The other day I was doing my friend's makeup (yes, that's something that happens in real life) and she mentioned that she had a beauty blender. When I mentioned I like to use a toner instead of just water she looked at me funny. She didn't even know that YOU HAVE TO GET THEM WET FIRST. With that in mind, and with that point made, I decided to do a little flashback to a post that addresses these very issues. Enjoy!

Here's the thing - I have freckles. So if I try to go for that poreless, airbrushed look I end up looking freakish. The freckles do not want to be hidden. They do not like it. They revolt. So I have had to learn how to get all the things I want from my complexion without the aid of full coverage. You guys don't know how lucky you have it.

Half of it is just in finding the right formula and color. But the other half is definitely in the application and the tools. The beauty blender has basically changed my life because it allows me to get what I can from product, namely evening out my color, eliminating redness and spots, and imparting a healthy, dewy glow. It also lets me use less product, and helps it last for longer.

How it does it do all these magical things? Well, like all things in the beauty world it breaks down to science (which is why the knockoffs don't work as well!) The porous, synthetic, patented material has a unique surface that grabs onto product, leaving just the right amount behind. So the trick might actually be thinking about using your blender to remove your makeup, not put it on.

The tapping method is really about using the blender to blot the product away, leaving behind the thinnest possible layer so it looks the most like natural skin. The addition of water (or in my case, mist) melts the product into your skin and helps the blender to leave a little bit less behind for a fuller coverage effect. The mist is actually what helps the product to stay on longer (got to love that melting!)

Watch the video to see exactly how I do it, and remember these rules:

1. Never Never Smear - smearing with the blender is basically useless. It just spreads the product around. In order to take advantage of the blender's magic texture you need to blot on the face. Use the broad side for big areas and the tip for precision and for blending things like concealer. Smearing not only wastes product, it looks unnatural.

2. Tap Tap Tap - imagine you're blotting out a stain on a delicate fabric. In fact, always treat your skin like delicate fabric. When you blot with the blender apply a light but deliberate force to lift to product up - like you would if you were trying to rub out a stain. Then repeat all over your face.

3. You can always add more, but it's soooo hard to take it off - I like to start with a very small amount and tap it all over. If I need more, I will apply just to those areas, this let's my skin shine through.

4. Clean your blender often - I don't feel like I need to explain this one but just don't let it get gross. It will last longer with regular cleaning and it wont make you break out!

5. Practice makes perfect - Once you finally unlock the magic it is so so worth it!