How I Save Money on Skincare & Beauty

Having skincare and beauty products as a hobby can be, well, expensive. And if you guys know me, you know I'm not one of those people who can just buy, buy, buy without a second thought. I worry a lot about overconsumption, especially of products as long lasting as makeup, and it can be very easy to get into a "collector" mindset about things (like palettes) without thinking of how you'll actually use them. 

That being said, like all people, I love trying new things. Even though I try not to buy very often (maybe once a month, if that), I do have some tips for saving money and getting the most bang from your buck. 

1. Shop at TJ Maxx & Marshalls. 

Hands down, this is the best tip I can give you. If you're in the mood to buy makeup or skincare, TJ Maxx and Marshalls are the two best stores to do it. I buy almost all my face masks here--in fact, some of my favorites are from Marshalls! As well, if I need a new moisturizer or face wash, I check TJ Maxx and Marshalls first. They often have high end brand lipsticks and palettes. You have to be fast though! I've found the best times to shop are Tuesday mornings and Saturday mornings, both right at opening. However, your stores might be different! 

2. Use Influenster.

If you don't know what Influenster is, it's a website where you review products, answer surveys, and quality for VoxBoxes, aka PR boxes. I write a lot of Influenster sponsored posts with products I receive; if you want to start a beauty blog or a beauty Instagram, it's a great place to start getting products sent to you without cost! I've often used these posts to leverage other brand sponsorships. If you link your social media networks, you're more likely to qualify for VoxBoxes. 

3. Save the leftover serum from face masks. 

I save all my old jojoba oil bottles, rinse them out, and use them to save serum from masks. I then use this as my night serum; it often contains all the good stuff I want to buy a fancy serum for. But I've already used the mask! I usually squeeze the face mask a little bit into the package, then squeeze the package out into the jar or container I'm saving it in. You can also buy packs of dry face masks on Amazon and reuse the serum this way. Either way, that $2.50 mask you bought at Target becomes a serum you can use at least 5 more times. Score! 

4. Get samples. 

If you go to Sephora or Ulta to purchase a basic (like your foundation or powder), don't be afraid to ask if they have any samples. Often, I'll get a whole bonus pack of skincare and beauty samples thrown into my bag. Asking nicely goes a long way and gives me the opportunity to try a lot of new things at once. As well, at Sephora, you can ask for a sample of just about everything; I knew a girl once who designed an entire facial for the evening, then bought one mask at Sephora and got samples of everything else she wanted to use! 

Skincare for Men: Creating a Basic Routine

A few weeks ago, a piece from MEL Magazine hit the internet like a brick. Entitled "All the Insane Ways Men Do Skincare," it had started as a fairly basic set of interviews about how men perform skincare rituals. The overwhelming end result was one of shock and disbelief: most men don't perform skincare and when they do, it's... well, it's a little frightening. 

Some of the responses include things like: 

• Washing their faces with as hot of water as possible, with the belief that the hot water sanitize
• Vigorously brushing their beards
• Using bar soap, but only on the sides of their noses
• Using body wash on their face or, if they feel greasy, using antibacterial hand soap at best or dish soap at worst

Skincare has become a big business in the last year. Some women have taken to using spreadsheets to track their skincare routines, their reactions to skincare, and the items they like best. All in the pursuit of perfect skin, we've fallen head over heels for Drunk Elephant, despite the steep cost of nearly all their items, and the Ordinary, despite the fact that we know their CEO (and other leaders) are maybe not the best humans on the planet. 

This trend is just starting to bleed over to men. As we become increasingly aware of the desire of men to wear makeup, we should also be aware that many men probably want to start a skincare routine. Men have skincare concerns too, from dry skin to acne. Who doesn't want to improve their skin? And besides, skincare is ultimately just daily pampering; if it makes me feel good to put on my oils and serums and moisturizers at night, why can't it feel good for my husband? 

So, if you're a man (or just identify as one, or you're a woman who is new to skincare too,) and you're looking to start a very basic skincare routine, here's everything you need to know to start.

1. Start with Face Wash

Skincare starts with the most basic of all basics: washing your face. Most men, it seems, do this, even if it just means splashing their face in the shower or (worse) scrubbing with dish soap. Please, please do not wash your face with dish soap!

Men have thicker skin than women, in general, as well as more collagen (lucky), but men's skin is still thin on their faces, just like women (just not as thin). That means it is delicate. And that means that you can damage the pH balance of your skin really badly by using inappropriate cleansers. 

• For oily, acne-prone skin, try the Body Shop's Tea Tree Face Wash. 
• For dry skin, try Ren Evercalm Cleansing Milk. 
• For combination skin, try Philosophy's Purity Made Simple Face Wash.

2. Moisturize & Use SPF

Moisturizers are usually divided into day moisturizers (which include SPF) and night moisturizers (which don't). For those just starting a skincare routine, it's easy to get overwhelmed--so for now, let's stick with one moisturizer and SPF for both day and night. 

Men need to wear SPF every day, just like women. Sun damage can occur pretty much any time you're outside--it doesn't have to be sunny. I've been nagging my husband to wear SPF for two years now and he is finally taking me seriously! Here are some suggestions: 

• For skin with redness, try Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C with SPF 30
• For dry skin, try No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Moisture Day Cream with SPF 30
• For acne-prone skin, try Mario Badescu's Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 30

3. Pick a Mask 

My favorite part of skincare is masks. I think every skincare routine should have at least a weekly mask that you enjoy using and helps improve your skin. There is really nothing more relaxing than reading in the bathtub while wearing a face mask! Here are some suggestions. 

• For dry skin, try the Cosrx One Step Moisture Up Kit
• For acne-prone skin, try the Body Shop's Tea Tree Mask
• For combination skin, try Tony Moly's I'm Real Peach sheet mask

4. Get a Beard Care Kit

One of the best gifts I've ever gotten my husband was a beard care kit. He loves that kit! It came with a jojoba and almond oil mix that he started using not just on his beard, but on his face to help moisturize. If you have a beard, taking care of your beard is part of your skincare routine. Here are some suggestions. 

• The Beard Envy Kit, which includes beard wash, a brush, and styling product
• The Jack Black Beard Grooming Kit, which includes beard wash, beard oil, and beard conditioner
• The Percy Nobleman Travel Kit, which includes a folding comb, a styling stick, and beard oil

Beauty Review: Maybelline Shine Compulsion*

There are few things as exciting as a new lipstick. I suspect that if you're reading this blog post, you can absolutely relate. New lipsticks are full of possibilities. Even if you, like me, tend to buy the same color over and over (shout out to dusty rose shades), there is always a question of whether it's going to look as good as you hope it will. 

When I received this Mabelline Shine Compulsion lipstick (and ColorSational Lip Liner) in the mail from Influenster, I was so excited to try it. I love lipstick. It's probably the thing I most look forward to picking out in terms of my makeup (especially as I've been rocking neutral eyes & winged liner lately). I received the color Undressed Pink, as well as the lip liner Pink Wink. Here's what Maybelline has to say about these new lipsticks: 

“Shine Compulsion Lipstick is Maybelline’s most brilliant lip color - get loads of hydration, vibrant color, and an ultra-shiny finish.”

Well, color me intrigued!

Recently, the trend has been shifting from matte lips to a more glossy finish. Having lived through the gloss-soaked 2000s, I can't say I'm exactly excited. There was nothing worse than getting your hair stuck in your super glossy lips--then having both ruined your lip gloss and coated part of your hair in it too! Plus, gloss requires more application and honestly, I'm pretty lazy when it comes to lipsticks. 

Let's dive in to my thoughts about this lipstick though, shall we? 

I'll be completely honest: the moment I opened this lipstick and looked at the shade I'd received, I was pretty disappointed. I quite like pink lipsticks, but this one struck me as a bit too... baby pink. The first time I applied it, I stood in the mirror and grimaced. My husband walked in and asked me if everything was ok. 

"Do you like this lipstick?" I asked. 

He paused, tilted his head, and then said, "It looks a bit like the one your grandma wears." 

Yes, that's it exactly: I swear it's the exact shade my grandmother has been wearing for 40+ years. It is frosted and extremely shiny. The formula is lovely, very smooth and hydrating. I don't know if it is just this color, but there is a slightly frosty, almost metallic tint. I vowed to try to make it work, though. 

I will say, if your lips are chapped, just like with liquid lips, this lipstick won't look great on the first application. It can be a bit streaky and uneven from the amount of oil in the lipstick, so moisturizing and exfoliating beforehand is important. 

In this photo: Shine Compulsion Lipstick in Undressed Pink over Colorsational Liner in Pink Wink.

In this photo, Colorsational Lip Liner in Pink Wink topped with Wet'n'Wild Liquid Catsuit in Coral Corruption. 

The lip liner I received is actually darker than the lipstick itself. Pink Wink is an almost mauve-pink liner. I decided to line my lips with this and fill in about 2/3 of my lips, then applied the lipstick just directly in the center. I have to say: I much prefer the lipliner to the lipstick! It's creamy and smooth, applies like a dream, and has major staying power. I'll probably wear it on its own, to be honest! I preferred this look to just the lipstick; it toned down the frosted nature of the lipstick and gave me the most staying power (though I still had to reapply after eating or drinking anything). You can see this look on the left. 

I decided to experiment with the liner and see if it would tone down some of my brighter lipsticks. I lined my lips and filled in the outer 1/3 with Pink Wink, then applied Wet'n'Wild Liquid Catsuit in Coral Corruption, one of my favorite liquid lips, but this shade is a bit too orange-toned for me. However, the lip liner gave it a bit more pink and I loved the result! I'd wear this look again in a heartbeat. This look is on the right. (And I promise, I do wear more things than a gray sweatshirt. I just happened to be wearing the same sweatshirt on both days!) 

Is this my absolute favorite lipstick? No. But are there ways to make it work? Absolutely! I'm a bigger fan of the lip liner I was sent than the lipstick itself, but I'm going to experiment with blending it into some darker lip liners to see if that can allow me some different looks. As well, I'm very excited to keep experimenting with the lip liner to even out some of my more difficult lipsticks.

Disclaimer: As mentioned, I received this product in exchange for an honest review from Influenster. However, all opinions remain my own. Taking sponsored posts and complimentary products like these help me keep Writing Between Pauses going! To learn more about my disclosure policy, click here. 

How I'm Getting Ready for Summer

Summer is rapidly approaching. Are you excited? Are you ready? 

I've written pretty extensively about how summer isn't my favorite season--but in my attempt to be the best mom for Forrest, I'm really trying to embrace summer. Spending time outside, doing all the things that he's never gotten to do before, and more. And to make those fun for me, I know I need to prepare myself for summer so I can feel happy & confident, even when I wish I was inside with the air conditioning! 

1. Getting my scalp healthy (finally). 

As you probably remember, I switched to sulfate-free shampoo back in April. (You can read my post about sulfate-free shampoo here.) It minutely helped my scalp, but I don't think the Kristen Ess shampoo was exactly right for my hair. I recently started using OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner and I have found it has helped my scalp much more, while also being sulfate-free.

I visited another dermatologist a few weeks ago and got the official stamp that my scalp is just dry--no dandruff, no seborrheic dermatitis, nothing wrong other than somehow my face is super oily and my scalp is super dry. A lot of it has to do with having longer hair, according to my dermatologist. So for now, the routine of oiling my scalp with a mix of my hated coconut oil & my favorite jojoba oil, plus washing with the OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo and following with a heavy hand of conditioner keeps my scalp good for about 2-3 days. 

While it would be nice to have a better idea of why my scalp is so dry, it's at least nice to find a routine that is working for longer than a week! 

2. Finding the perfect SPF. 

Wearing SPF on your face is important for throughout the year, because sun protection doesn't start at summer and end when the leaves change. I've written about protecting your skin from the sun before, but to reiterate, here are my tips. 

• Wear at least SPF 30 on your face every single day, even if you don't plan to be in the sun. 
• Wear at least SPF 30 on your body if you plan to be outside, even if it is not particularly sunny. (Remember, sun damage can happen year round!) You can mix your favorite SPF into your daily body lotion. 
• SPF needs to be reapplied every 45-60 minutes if you are outside and especially if you are in intense sunlight. If you aren't outside very much, you don't necessarily need to reapply sunscreen this much. Remember: a full day in the sun means you should use at least an entire bottle of sunscreen. You read that right: an entire bottle. 
• Use physical barriers to protect your skin. Wear a hat, wear long sleeves, or sit underneath an umbrella if you are particularly sensitive to the sun. 
• Remember to stay hydrated & don't fall asleep in the sun. 

3. Getting a subtle summer glow. 

If you're used to getting a summer tan, don't worry. You can still get a summer glow without sun damage. I recently shared my tips for getting a good tan using sunless tanners. (And remember, base tans are a myth and just increase your chances of developing skin cancer! Tanning is not safer or less damaging than a sunburn.) 

4. ...And adjusting my foundation accordingly. 

The first day after I did a full body sunless tan, I was applying my foundation and realizing... my foundation does not match my neck and chest anymore. Oops! This video has some great tips for matching your foundation. I've also been having good lucky by doing a little extra bronzing to help match up a bit better. 

5. Adding moisture to my routine. 

Dry summer weather, plus spending time in lakes or pools, in air conditioned houses, and other dry conditions, can lead to parched, dehydrated skin. I've bumped up my routine to including a hyaluronic acid mask to help my skin better absorb moisturizer. I've also reduced my exfoliating to once a week (instead of 2-3 times) to help my skin better hold on to moisture. 

Here's Everything I Finished In May

When I decided to add an empties post, at least every other month, I figured I should ask if people even, well, read them. I love reading empties posts when I run across them. In general, the idea of them is good. 

So often, blogging can be only about buying new and consumerism. About collecting and collecting and collecting. It can be really overwhelming. Sometimes I find myself wanting to buy something simply to buy it, because someone else has it and gosh, it looks lovely in photos, doesn't it? But I have so much stuff, especially in the way of beauty products. 

I ran a poll on both Twitter and Instagram. I posted the results on Twitter. It was a pretty close split, honestly, of those who read posts about empties and those who don't. Even though technically "no, I don't read them" won... I decided to still write this post. Because I want you to know that I'm not always buying new beauty products. In fact, the last beauty product I bought was a new foundation (to replace the one I used up featured in this post) and a new lipstick that was at Marshall's. 

Without further ado, let's dive in and talk about everything I finished up in May. 

I set myself the task of finishing up a bunch of small samples I had lying around. Those include: 

1. KORRES Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer 

I got this moisturizer sample about a year ago? If I am remembering correctly. I got it in a Sephora order where I got a whole bundle of around 30 samples, which was exciting but took me forever to work through. This was the last sample I had and I finally set to using it up. It's a pretty decent moisturizer, but it is very heavy... so I only used it at night. I found it made my skin feel quite greasy; plus, it is very, very scented (which I know doesn't work for some people). I'm glad to be done with it! 

2. KORRES Pomegranate AHA Mask

I received this in my Chic VoxBox. You can read my whole review here; my impression there still stands. 

3. Purlisse Blue Lotus Seed Mask

I received this mask in my January Ipsy bag and it's been one of my favorite masks, because it's such a good exfoliator. Like the KORRES mask, I find it is less a mask and more just a face wash--so I mixed it with a more traditional clay mask so that it would actually dry down. 

4. FEEL Restore Warming Clay Mask

I received this in my April Ipsy bag. My review still stands: I love this mask, I love how warm it gets upon application, and I love how it made my skin look. I'll definitely be repurchasing soon! 

5. Pacifica Dreamy Youth Day & Night Cream 

I bought this sample at Target when I needed more moisturizer, but didn't really have the money to buy a full size tube. (Hi, welcome to my thrifty life.) I really love this moisturizer though and even though I recently bought Pacifica's Crystal Youth moisturizer with watermelon & tumeric, I'll probably repurchase in the future. It's a great moisturizer for those who like something a little more moisturizing at night. 

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I also finished up a few sheet face masks and one foot mask: 

1. Get Glowing Face Mask from Bath & Body Works

I can't find this exact mask on their website (I received it in a gift set that I received from my mother-in-law). However, this one looks like it has similar ingredients. This was a lovely, soothing face mask and it smelled fantastic! 

2. Revive Repairing Activated Charcoal Mask

I can't find a link to these masks anywhere. Admittedly, I bought them at Marshall's, so there are most likely a generic Korean brand and/or a repackage. They're some of my favorite sheet masks though. They are $7.99 for 6 at Marshall's, so if you're curious, they're a totally affordable splurge. 

3. Oh K! 3-Step Charcoal Face Mask

I bought this face mask on a whim after working out. I love masks that include cleanser and serum as well as a mask. This mask left my skin feeling quite smooth, moisturized, and rejuvenated. The serum was absolutely lovely and I wish I could buy a bottle of it. 

4. Oh K! Peeling Foot Mask

So, when I did this foot mask, I thought, initially, it didn't work. The way it works is that you have two packets of the "mask" and two booties. I found the booties quite difficult to keep on, so I only wore them for 30 minutes. (I've since seen that if you put socks on over them, it helps a lot. I know for the future.) When my feet didn't start peeling 3-4 days like the package said, I was sure I hadn't worn them long enough... but a week after, I was in the bathtub and I kept feeling something touch my foot. I thought it was a bug... but no, it was just my own foot skin. These foot masks are gross, but a solid 10/10 if you're getting your feet summer weather ready! 

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I also finished up the following. 

1. A La Maison Rosemary Mint Shower Gel 

I love herb-scented body products. I got this shower gel at Marshall's in Idaho at Christmas. It was around $7-8, I think. I used it as both body wash and bubble bath and loved the scent! I am not particularly picky about body washes, so this is pretty basic. But it's the first body wash I've legitimately finished in months. Time to start on the others! 

2. Wet'n'Wild Cushion Foundation with SPF 15 (in the shade Light Ivory)

I love this foundation. I started using it about 2 months ago and I use it probably 2 times a week; it's perfect for days when I still need some coverage, but don't want to go all out. It is hard to get it out of the sponge (I hate the applicator it comes with), so I just use my usual beauty sponge to get product out. At $8.99 a pop, it's not as cheap as the Photo Focus foundation and has less product, but it is an infinitely superior foundation in every single way. No weird smell. Great coverage. Great tone. I have repurchased and will absolutely continue to wear! 

3. LevenRose Jojoba Oil 

I'm a jojoba oil freak. A bottle usually lasts me 2-4 months, depending on how much I use it. I use it to take off my make up at night. I used to use it as a moisturizer, but recently stopped as I noticed it was giving me a bit of texture on my forehead. I now use it to take off my make up and then, once a week, apply over my moisturizer for a bit of a sealant so I can more adequately moisturize if I need it. This is my fourth bottle of jojoba oil and this is my absolute favorite brand. 

Beauty Review: My May Ipsy Bag

You may notice something a little different about this Ipsy bag: I have 6 items here. Well, this month, I redeemed some of my points for a bonus item: a tube of Cake Beauty's Delectable Body Lotion. I've been needing a new hand lotion to keep at my desk and this was a perfect opportunity. 

The theme of this month's bag is travel--and surprisingly, the makeup bag is much roomier than past Ipsy bags! I'm excited to cover everything I received this month, so let's jump in. 

You can read my past Ipsy bag reviews here. And as always, you can sign up for Ipsy using my referral link here. 

1. Elizabeth Mott Shimmer Eyeshadow Single in Mermaid Teal, $13

You know what's funny? I received a half-size Elizabeth Mott eyeshadow in my very first Ipsy bag; I received the shade Toasted then and while I quite liked it, I'll be honest when I say I haven't used it since probably October. However, unlike the past eyeshadows I've received, this is not a bronze, warm brown, or copper. It's teal! I was really excited I got this color. 

I am not a blue eyeshadow person, but I know I need to challenge myself when it comes to my eye makeup! This is a really beautiful teal-blue; it's super buttery and blendable. I've been experimenting with ways to use it and I quite like it blended into a more wearable, everyday color like gray. 

2. TonyMoly Painting Therapy Pack, $6.50 for 30ml ($2.17 value)

You all know I love a mask and I love TonyMoly products. This mask "contains bamboo charcoal which helps to extract impurities and break down dead skin cells so skin is cleansed from the inside out. Perfect for controlling sebum and oil." Oh, girl! That sounds awesome! I tried this mask out the first time I got it. I saw some reviews that said this sample tube only gave them two uses. It has 10 ml (and a full size is 30 ml); I would say I could get probably 4-5 uses out of this tube! That's pretty good value. It made my skin feel quite soft, but not tight and dry like some clay masks can. 

3. SLMISSGLAM Sparkle Everyday Glam Beauty Sponge, $17.50

I love a sponge and I was excited to receive this one... but it's so small! It's retail price is $17.50, which actually made me gasp. I even checked, several times, that I'd searched for the right sponge. $17.50 for this little thing? But the thing I hate the most is that I absolutely love it. I love this expensive sponge! It's way better than my Real Techniques sponge! I'm spoiled now. I'm spoiled by this $17.50 sponge. 

4. Taste Cosmetics Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder, $33 for 8.5g (~$8.25 value) 

I only recently purchased the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores powder when I found out I was getting this finishing powder in my ipsy bag. I definitely grumbled--how did they know I'd just committed to a pretty big purchase!? I was excited to try a different style of powder though because you never know when you might need to buy something different. Is this powder as good as my It Cosmetics? It's a lot finer and definitely less dry, if that makes sense; it's a softer powder in general. I do find that it doesn't control my oil and set my makeup as well, but I think for those with dry skin, it's an absolutely great option. 

5. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Cairo, $6.50

You all know I love NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams... but I just received one in my Ipsy bag! What gives!? The color I received this month is Cairo, which is described as a "pure, pale nude." Pale is absolutely correct; this is very nearly my skin tone! It's not the most flattering color, but as usual I love the formula. I just wish I had gotten one of the other colors. Or better yet, one of the 10 new shades that NYX has introduced recently. This was my one big disappointment of my bag. 

BONUS: Cake Beauty Delectable Lotion, $6 value

Did I need another lotion? Not really! But enough people had signed up with my ipsy referral code that I had so many points, I just needed to redeem something! I got this lotion for 250 points if I remember right. It's vegan and cruelty free and smells super coconut-y. I don't like eating coconut, but it's one of my favorite smells ever; I love that nostalgic sunscreen smell. It dries really fast, so I keep it by my computer for quickly applying, as my hands are very often quite dry.  

Final Thoughts

The value of my bag this month was $47.42. If you add in my bonus item I received with redeemed points, it's $53.47. It's not the highest valued bag, but I only really didn't like one thing in this bag (the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream), so I don't mind. The sponge is my favorite item and being $17.50 (seriously), it makes the bag absolutely worth it! I also love the Delectable lotion, as it smells so good and makes me feel like summer time personified. As always, you can sign up for Ipsy using my link here.. 

How to Get the Perfect Sun Free Summer Tan

The last time I used self tanner, I was 13 years old. 

Needless to say, I didn't do a masterful job applying it. But I dedicated myself to having bronzed legs for a solid 6 months, to the detriment of all my school uniform khaki pants. I distinctly remember one of my legs being darker than the other and applying a "thin" layer to my other leg, only to end up with it being roughly the color of balsamic vinegar. It was a mess. At the time, I used the Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Foam, which was a new product at the time; my mom had been a Jergens sunless tanner user for years. 

All tanners back then smelled absolutely terrible. And honestly, they all looked so orange. But if you couldn't afford a spray tan and wanted to avoid sun damage, it was the only way to go. 

Thankfully, things have come a long way and there are a ton of great sunless tanners on the market now. 

Why Sun Free Tanning is the Way to Go

While I truly think most of us know better by now, the truth is a lot of people still aren't educated on the effects of sun damage--or what really constitutes sun damage. 

I'm in a beauty group and every few days lately, someone asks about base tanning. Base tanning is the idea that you lie in a tanning booth, get a small tan, and therefore are protected from burning on vacations. This is incredibly irresponsible and has been disproven by multiple sources. 

If your skin changes color in any way, you are damaging your skin, whether it is a burn or a tan. And starting with a tan won't stop you from burning or from getting sun damage. In fact, your skin doesn't even have to react to have sun damage. I've never been sunburned or tanned on my face, but according to my dermatologist, I have sun damage on my face. 

There is no safe tanning when it comes to laying out or lying in tanning booths. 

Sun damage can cause a multitude of skin cancers--all of which are preventable by using sun protection. As well, sun damage causes accelerated aging, wrinkles, melasma, and more. Protect your skin & go sun less when it comes to tanning. And always, always wear SPF and physical protection when spending lots of time in the sun! (I'll cover SPF later in this post as well.) 

1. Invest in your tanner. 

You can purchase a tube of sunless tanner at Target for less than $8, universally. But I highly encourage you to take this opportunity to go a bit more high end. 

On Mother's Day, I popped in to Ulta to treat myself to a gift and got the NKD SKN Tinted Tan Mousse in Medium*. It's $19.99 for a tube, more than I would really ever spend on something like this, but I'd heard good things about the brand. There are many high end sunless tanners these days though; St. Tropez is a tried-and-true brand as well. 

I was very nervous to try this tanner--my experience in middle school had left some scars, clearly--but from the get go, it was so nice. It doesn't smell at all and goes on so smooth and evenly. I put on one layer to start and it dried instantly. No stained sweatpants or sheets. The next morning, I took a shower and while the top layer did rinse off, I was left with a really great, light tan look. Not super dark, not super orange. It's very natural! 

So while $20 felt like an absolute luxury, I wouldn't ever pay anything less now. 

NKD SKN also has a Gradual Tan Daily Moisturizer that i am very interested in. 

*As a note, NKD SKN is a vegan and cruelty-free brand! 

2. Use a mitt. 

The best way to apply a perfect tan? A mitt! How did I never know about mitts before!? I'm convinced these are a new invention. I bought the Double-Sided Sunless Tan Mitt from Ulta Beauty for $9.99 (they were buy one, get one 50% off) and quite like it. Funny enough, St. Tropez sells a cheaper mitt for $5.99--and it actually looks nicer! There are also some great sunless tanner kits that include mitts, like this one from Fake Bake for $30 and this one from Tarte Cosmetics Braziliance for $39.  

A mitt helps you keep your application from streaking. It also keeps your palms and fingernails from getting stained orange! If you're planning to do a full body tan as well, a mitt helps you reach all those tricky spots--especially if you have to ask for help from your partner! 

3. Exfoliate & moisturize. 

It goes without saying that the smoother and more moisturized the surface of your skin, the better self tan goes on. The instructions on NKD SKN say not to moisturize immediately before. I had exfoliated and moisturized my legs earlier that day, so I just applied some moisturizer to my knees and ankles (to prefer going too dark in those dry spots) and it worked a charm. My ankle did end up a bit blotchy that first time, but a bit more moisturizer next time will do the trick. I did the same thing with my elbows and wrists when I did a full body application. 

4. Wear SPF. 

Keep your skin safe! When you've got the perfect summer tan, you know that taking care of your skin is important. Look for a high SPF to wear all over your body, as well as a separate facial SPF. I've used Sun Bum's SPF 30 for years and love it. If you spend a significant portion of the day in the sunshine, you need to reapply sunscreen every 45-60 minutes, covering your entire body and face; you should realistically use 1/2 to an entire bottle of sunscreen every 8 hours you spend in the sun. 

For facial SPFs, my favorite of all time is Coola's Mineral Face SPF 30. (And don't forget to put sunscreen on the part of your hair!) Coola also makes an amazing SPF 30 lip balm that's perfect for sunny days; your lips are particularly vulnerable to sun damage! 

Now, what about wearing make up? Good thing for us, there are now SPF setting sprays we can carry outside with us to keep our makeup flawless and our skin protected. Using a foundation with SPF, like Wet'n'Wild's Cushion Foundation with SPF 15, can give you good base coverage alongside using an SPF moisturizer like Coola's. I really like Ulta Beauty's SPF 50 Rose Water Setting Spray and Coola's Classic SPF 30 Setting Spray with Green Tea and Aloe. 

Look flawlessly tanned and protect your skin! 

Beauty Review: Lottie London Eyeliner Stamp

Winged eyeliner stamps have been floating around the internet for the last two or three years--ever since winged eyeliner became back in style and we all realized that to get the perfect wing every single day took a massive effort!

For years, winged eyeliner was my look. I was an extremely dedicated fan of Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner; for a long time, it was the only liquid eyeliner pen with a brush tip. I'm not a fan of felt tips; I've tried to make them work for ages and it is just... never going to happen. It's a lost cause! However, I suspect Kat Von D reformulated the Tattoo Liner within the last year or two; the last two I bought dried out really fast and went on more dark gray than black. It was super disappointing. Plus, they went up in price to $20 a pop--which was a lot for me, especially after having Forrest.

I tried other liquid eyeliners, but found it was hard to find a formula as good as Kat Von D's. Plus, with a baby, I didn't really have 15 minutes to dedicate to my eye makeup everyday. Doing eyeshadow was quicker and I could do it with Forrest playing beside me and bumping into me. 

However, I recently stumbled upon a Lottie London Wing Woman Eyeliner Stamp at Ulta. I can't find it on Ulta's website, but you can see the U.K. website of it here. It appears that Lottie London is a brand carried by Ulta primarily online here in the U.S., as well as in some Forever 21 stores (and online at Forever21.com). Here is everything that Ulta sells online of Lottie London. 

I paid around $8 for the one I bought at Ulta; if you have an Ulta near you and want to check this out, it's pretty affordable and it might be in stores. (it also appears some third party sites, like Dolls Kill, sell Lottie London in the U.S. as well; just please check the security credentials before ordering!) 

I had seen other stamps that were quite expensive, which always stopped me from using them. But for $8, I was willing to try it out, especially because I miss the look of winged eyeliner! It's a much more simple, classic look. 

For this eyeliner stamp, one side is the stamp and one side is a (felt tipped) eyeliner pen. I wasn't a huge fan of the eyeliner pen right off the bat; the formula is quite thin and seeps into my extremely fine lines, even on my hand (not even mentioning what it does on my eyes!) I knew I would needed to use an eyeliner alongside it.

I have had the NYX Epic Ink Liner for a long time; it's $8 and I remember not liking it way back when I bought it, about a year ago. But after reusing it with this stamp, I've changed my mind. I really love it. 

I have round, deep set eyes that are partially hooded. (I've gone back and forth on whether my eyes are "really" hooded or not; some people say yes, some people say no. All I know is sometimes my eyeliner can disappear into the crease.) Winged eyeliner can take a lot of patience, because I usually have to draw my lines looking straight ahead into a mirror, without closing or touching my eyes; that way I can make sure my wing won't get folded up into my crease! 

The stamp comes in handy here, because it's a lot easier to use than an eyeliner pen to do that. I actually found myself not using the stamp full size (it's quite a dramatic size!), but rather using about 2/3 of it (and getting eyeliner on my eyeball in the process) to get the size of wing I prefer. Once I stamped, I then used the NYX Epic Ink eyeliner pen to fully draw the wing and then line my eyes. 

Sometimes, it worked better than others; this was mostly user error on my part. However, I found that it took my winged eyeliner routine from about 15-20 minutes to closer to 5-10 minutes. In the morning, that's pretty significant! I also felt like my eyeliner was much more even. 

If you're looking for an affordable stamp for winged eyeliner, this is definitely one to try. I have thought about what I'll do once it dries out (and I'll update this post when that happens to give a time of how long it lasts), but I think you could also coat it with your eyeliner of choice and make it work that way!