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Top Beauty Brands to be Thankful for

November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving is all about recognizing some of the things that matter most to you. This year, take a moment to give thanks to your family and your friends.

As a beauty addict, I will also be giving thanks to some of my favorite beauty brands! Many of these brands are well-known, but there might be a few you haven’t heard of – and I encourage you to check them out!

Tarte Cosmetics

When it comes to makeup, Tarte’s products are about as all-natural as you can get. Everything they sell is made without parabens, sulfate, mineral oil, and other harsh ingredients that aren’t too kind to sensitive skin. Best of all, their products are vegan and cruelty-free. Many of their products contain all-natural, special ingredients such as Amazonian Clay and Maracuja Oil that are nourishing and beneficial to enhancing the overall health of your skin.

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I am a huge fan of Tarte’s eyeshadow palettes, particularly the Tarteist Pro Palette. Their shades are buttery smooth, super pigmented, and have a light vanilla scent to all of them.

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Filed in: beauty • by lisa • 1 Comment

The Guide to Picture-Perfect Lashes

November 22, 2017

This blog post is one that I feel like is long overdue – because when it comes to makeup, eyelashes are one of my favorite things to enhance. Longer, fuller lashes really add a finishing touch to any day to night makeup look.

Whether you are trying to find ways to naturally promote longer lash growth, picking out the right pair of falsies, or the most effective mascara – this is your go-to guide! Here are some easy-to-follow tips.

Prime Your Lashes

Just like your skin, your eyelashes also need some primer!

Before applying your mascara, it really does help to use a lash primer. A lash primer will instantly boost the impact of your mascara – and ensuring that your mascara doesn’t flake off throughout the day.

A primer also helps to condition your lashes and help them grow longer, healthier, and fuller over time! So you may not notice a difference with one application, but if you continue to apply lash primer every day, you will notice a visible difference! My go-to lash primer is Subversion by Urban Decay. I swear by it.

Choose the right eyelash curler.

The next step before applying your mascara is to curl your eyelashes. I was shocked to find that so many of my own friends have NEVER used an eyelash curler. It really does boost, plump, and add shape to your lashes – and choosing the right one seriously makes all the difference – you do NOT want to pinch your lashes. I recommend the Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler and use it daily.

Get a mascara with all-natural ingredients.

My go-to mascara is the Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara. It’s formulated without parabens and other chemicals that can irritate sensitive eyes. While boosting and adding volume to your lashes, it also helps condition them!

Last year, I learned the hard way that some mascaras just aren’t right for me. I really loved the popular Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara for its ability to add some serious volume to my lashes, but pieces of the mascara would flake off into my eyes – and made my eyes unbearably itchy and red.

Reading the ingredients of your products may help you make a better informed decision. If you notice some sensitivity to your eyes, it may very well be caused by a makeup product you are using. When in doubt, opt for a product with all-natural ingredients – don’t go based off of what everyone else is using!

Wear false lashes for the ultimate boost.

False lashes are fun – and once you get the hang of it, they are super easy to apply! Check out beauty brand Private Label Extensions blog post on How 3D Mink Eyelashes Changed My Life. 

Mink eyelashes look the most like natural hair – and the 3-D affect makes your lashes look AMAZING from every angle! This blog post will give you a better idea of just how easy these lashes are to apply – and why they may need to be a staple in your beauty bag.

Private Label Extensions sells a wide variety of high-quality mink lashes. They look and feel luxurious. Unlike many other eyelashes, they fit the shape of my eyes perfectly – and you won’t need to worry about applying eyeliner to fill the gaps.

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In this photo, I am wearing the Eyelure London Lengthening N. 155 – another favorite of mine. I like how lightweight they feel! I apply my lashes using the Ardell Duo Lash glue with a pair of clean tweezers.

While I don’t wear eyelashes every single day, I love wearing them to enhance my makeup look every now and then. I always take them off at the end of the day and take extra care in doing so and removing the rest of my makeup.

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DIY: Boost Your Lash Growth 

There are many natural ingredients that you can utilize to make your lashes grow faster. And many of these ingredients you can find at home.

Using the E.L.F. Eyelash and Brow Wand, I apply Vaseline petroleum jelly lightly to my lashes every night before bed. Target sells miniature versions of the full-size product that you can stick in your beauty bag!

Find what works best for you! Castor oil and coconut oil also are also said to boost lash growth.  Just be super careful when applying these products to your eyelashes so that you don’t get any of the oils in your eyes – ouch! Always use this stuff in moderation. Less is more.

What are some of your go-to beauty hacks?

Filed in: beauty • by lisa • 5 Comments

Outfit of the Day : Casual & Chic

November 10, 2017

 

“I’ve always thought of accessories as the exclamation point of a women’s outfit.” – Michael Kors

Couldn’t of said it better myself. Seriously, I think ANY outfit can be dressed up with a cute statement necklace, layered bracelets, or the perfect handbag.

I’m also a firm believer that putting a little extra effort into your outfit each and every day can help you to have a better, and more enjoyable day! This is why I have decided to begin sharing my #OOTD, or Outfit of the Day.

The weather outside has begun to get colder and I’ve been looking for different ways to layer up without necessarily wearing a jacket.IMG_3048

On days like yesterday, when it was about 55 degrees outside and slightly sunny, I was able to wear a turtleneck shirt and a poncho. Both of these layers are lightweight but offered me just the right amount of warmth.

To accessorize, I chose a simple adjustable chain gold necklace. I think the gold in the necklace really compliments the gold on my bag, and is simple enough so that it doesn’t clash with the pattern of the poncho.

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Outfit details

Poncho : H&M

Turtleneck tee: H&M

Jeans: Super Hi-Rise Denim ,American Eagle Outfitters

Bag: Michael Kors

Necklace: Loft

This was the perfect outfit for a day spent walking around Providence and getting lunch with my boyfriend. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and reading inside of the Athenaeum – a breathtakingly beautiful little library perfect for book nerds like me!

 

 

 

 

Filed in: fashion • by lisa • 4 Comments

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Photo of me, Lisa Allard, a beauty and book blogger.

​​Hello, beautiful!
And welcome to my blog. I'm Lisa and I don't go anywhere without a book — or my favorite lipstick. I love wellness, fitness — and most of all, expressing myself through my writing.

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Simple Steps for Achieving Everyday Glamour

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