Beauty, skincare

Quarantine Skincare Routine | May 2020

by Nicole Renee
Quarantine Skincare Routine | May 2020

While in quarantine, I have been diving in to all things skincare. I’ve worn makeup a hand-full of times and honestly, my skin has been doing really well. Of course, it has had it’s moments but for the most part, it’s seems to be loving the little extra TLC I am giving it. So I wanted to share with y’all what my “quarantine skincare routine” is. I say this is my “quarantine skincare routine” because I am not wearing any makeup so I go overboard with the moisturizer and oil. If you have super dry skin, this could totally still work for you but normally I like to go a bit lighter with my steps. Anyways, let’s dive into this!

Step 1 – Cleanser

This Dermalogica Special Cleanser has been my holy grail cleanser for a few years now. I do test other cleansers but nothing has worked as well for my skin as this one has. I’ve raved about it 1000x already but if you have sensitive skin, I would highly recommend it. I use this morning and night and I love how my skin feels after using it. It cleans my skin without making it feel dry or stripped. I love it.

Step 2 – Toner

Another cult favorite of mine, the Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic Toner. I have used some high-end toners and they don’t even begin to compare with this product. This toner has completely changed my skin over the years and I have noticed a massive difference with the tone and brightness of my complexion. I suffered from acne as a teenager and obsessively picked at it and because of that, it left my skin with some pretty gnarly scars. With that being said, this has significantly reduced, if not, completely removed the scars. I use it morning and night with a cotton pad. It is a must have for me!

Step 3 – Eye Cream

Recently I have been using the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream. I am not 100% sold on this product quiet yet. I am still testing it out. I feel like it is a nice daily eye cream but I have a hunch that there is probably something similar to this on the market at a cheaper price. It is nice and makes my under eye look bright and feel hydrated, but not sure if it is worth the price tag.

Step 4 – Serum

This is the Dermalogica Age Smart Phyto-Nature Firming Serum. I started using this at the beginning of April and I am very impressed. It significantly reduces my redness and makes my skin look brand new. I feel like this somewhat transforms my skin overnight, it is hard to explain. I didn’t notice any changes within my skin until after about 2 weeks using it so if you try it, stick with it. It claims to help with fine lines and wrinkles and is recommended for mature skin. I use this both morning and night and would recommend it if you are looking for a new serum to try out.

Step 4 – Moisturizer

My current favorite moisturizer is this Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer. I love this! I haven’t had the best luck with Milk’s skincare over the years so I was hesitant to try this but I was pleasantly surprised. I love the formula of this moisturizer. It is amazing for day time and feels so luxurious on the skin. For the nighttime, I like to mix it with a facial oil to make it more like a sleeping mask but I would highly recommend it if you are in the market for a new one.

Step 5 – Facial Oil

Lastly, this $8 facial oil has quickly become a must have, forever re-purchase for me. I recently included this in a 5 Used and 5 Abused Blog Post and was so excited to test it out. The price did scare me at first because I wasn’t sure how great the quality would be but this is incredible! I will wear it alone or mix it in with my moisturizer. The formula is very lightweight and is not super sticky on the skin. The biggest thing I notice with this oil is how hydrated and glossy it makes my skin. This sinks in and really makes a difference with how plump, hydrated and glowy my skin is. I just love it.

That is my current routine and I will definitely update you if it changes! xoxo

Beauty, Makeup

Tower 28 | New Beauty Brand

by Nicole Renee1 Comment on Tower 28 | New Beauty Brand
Tower 28 | New Beauty Brand

If you pay attention to press or social media, I’m sure you have heard of the brand Tower 28. I feel like it popped up out of nowhere and took over the internet! I have been eyeing this brand for months and was sent some of their products to test out. This brand is out of Santa Monica, CA, is sold in Sephora, and creates non-toxic makeup that is designed for sensitive skin. Their marketing, packaging, product selection and claims reeled me in and I am so excited to see what this brand does in the future. As of right now, they carry everything from cream blushes(HELLO), cream highlighters & bronzers, lip glosses(DOUBLE HELLO) and a setting spray!

Beach Please Tinted Balm for Lips + Cheeks

These blushes are a cream formula and they have this beautiful luminous finish to them. They have a few shades available but featured here are the shades Magic Hour and Happy Hour. These retail for $20.

ShineOn Lip Jelly

Next up is the ShineOn Lip Jelly. Something about this lipgloss in shade Magic caught my attention months ago and I have been wanting to try it ever since. It comes in multiple colors and is available for $14.

SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

I love a good facial spray and this one is the perfect size for travel or my daily makeup bag. This product has “received the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance™ and is safe for all skin types.” It claims to sooth, purify, and repair angry, stressed out skin. I am excited to see what this does and how it works. It retails for $12.

SuperDrew Highlight Balm

I have to be honest, over the past few months I have completely stepped away from highlighters. I know that is so not “beauty guru” of me, but I truly don’t use them anymore. I don’t even have them at my makeup vanity. I feel like I come to the conclusion that for everyday, it’s just too much and I am very much into the “skin-like” trend. However with that being said, cream highlights seem to still do the trick. They give a glow without looking powdery or un-natural on the skin so we will see how this works. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this product and hope it works for me. It retails for $18.

Have you guys tried this brand? If so, what products, and what do you think about them? Let me know your review down below. I would love to hear from you. Overall, I am very intrigued with what this brand has to offer at the moment. I can’t wait to test out these products(stay tuned!) and I am excited to see what they come up with in the future.

Beauty, skincare

New Skincare Releases | May 2020

by Nicole Renee1 Comment on New Skincare Releases | May 2020
New Skincare Releases | May 2020

It’s no surprise by now that I am obsessed with all things skincare and we have some new releases! While in quarantine, I have barely been wearing any makeup and instead, I’ve been testing some new skincare products and expanding my skincare collection. I am super excited about some of these releases and products I’ve recently picked up so I wanted to share. Of course, stay tuned for upcoming reviews on these products. As I test them out, I will make sure to update you all.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

So I currently do not use a vitamin C serum, which I know is a no-no. Vitamin C has so many incredible benefits for your skin so when I saw that Ole Henriksen released a Vitamin C Serum within their C-Rush Line, I was excited. This line of skincare works really well for my skin and for the most part, I like a lot of the products so I have high hopes for this serum. I have seen some pretty amazing before and after photos on social media and it claims that it “instantly brightens, visibly firms, plumps skin with hydration, and reduces the appearance of dark spots, pores, and wrinkles. ” So, those are some big claims and once I am done with my current serum, I will be testing this baby out!

Kate Somerville Delikate Line

This new line from Kate Somerville is probably what I am most excited about. I have purchased quiet a few skincare products from Kate Somerville and it is one of those brands my skin loves. I swear by the Anti-Bacterial Lotion (highly recommend if you have acne) the cult favorite, Exfolikate Treatment, and for my night time eye cream I am currently using the Retinol+ Eye Cream . So I guess what I am trying to say here is that, I have very high hopes that this collection will work well for my skin.

This collection is focused on sensitive skin and claims to calm irritation, reduce visible redness and restore the skins barrier. The 3 part collection comes with a cleanser, serum and moisturizer. Also during the month of May, KateSomerville.com is donating 15% of every DeliKate purchase to the World Central Kitchen to help frontline healthcare workers and communities in need.

“To help feed communities in need and frontline health care workers, Kate Somerville will donate 15% of every DeliKate® purchase in May to World Central Kitchen. “

Good Molecules Hylaronic Acid Serum

So my obsession with Good Molecules began with their Squalane Oil which I use day and night. It has become my go-to favorite facial oil at the moment. It is one of their best-selling products but so is this Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Again, another serum. Six months ago I wasn’t even using a serum within my routine and now I am all about them. I don’t know what changed, maybe just watching an insane amount of Caroline Hirons on YouTube. Nonetheless, ontop of a good Vitamin C Serum, Caroline recommends a great hyaluronic acid serum to put in the mix. So here we are.

Good Molecules is extremely affordable and so far I have been very impressed. Not to say that I am someone who judges beauty products based off of the price tag because I do use a ton of drugstore makeup, however I notice that when it comes to skincare, I tend to be more cautious with the super affordable lines. Anyone else like this?

This product claims that “this water-light serum draws moisture to the skin for long-lasting hydration. With just one use, skin appears smooth, supple, and well-hydrated.” With that being said, I plan on mixing this into my routine. Hopefully my skin reacts well to it. If anyone has tried it, let me know your thoughts.

Pixi by Petra Retinal Collection

My obsession with Pixi continues to grow. Like I said above, I tend to be more cautious with “affordable” or “cheap” skincare brands however, Pixi is one of those brands that offers high quality skincare at a very affordable price. I LOVE their stuff. I have so many favorites from the brand and only a few duds. If you haven’t tried Pixi skincare out yet, you should!

Anyways, they released a new collection centered around Retinol. If you aren’t aware of what Retinol or Vitamin A is, I would strongly suggest doing some research before you look into buying products that contain retinol. This collection is jam packed with so many products, I hope to be able to get to them all soon but it is going to take some time. There is everything from a cleanser, toner, oil, eye cream and lotion. Everything is under $30 and you can find Pixi at Pixi.com, Target, and now Ulta!

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Toner

Last but not least, the new Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Toner. Glow Recipe is a brand I have a love-hate relationship. I love some of their products, their packaging is so fun and I love how approachable their products are but, their products are very scented which I have mixed feelings about. I prefer skincare that is not scented and their products are very strong. But I use the Ole C-Rush Line which is scented and love that and truth is, as long as my skin isn’t freaking out, I am fine with a little added fragrance.

This product specifically caught my attention because I am obsessed with their Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask. I have shared that in countless videos and on my IG stories. It is great for redness and I do notice a difference in my skin when using it so I hope that this works just as well for me. This product claims to hydrate the skin and tighten the pores. “Inspired by the Korean Aqua Peel Facial which focuses on the duality of exfoliating and hydrating, this pore-perfecting toner helps achieve instantly glowing, pillow-soft skin.” We will see how well it works. I am a die-hard fan of the Pixi Glow Tonic wand very rarely stray away from that, but I will give this a go and see what I think!

Anyways, these are just a few skincare releases I have recently been excited about and wanted to share some info on! I will be sure to update you guys as I test them out. Stay tuned. Listed below, I have my current skincare routine and another video where I talk about some of my favorite face masks which both contain more information on what I am currently using and enjoying.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. xoxo

Lifestyle

My Favorite Podcasts – April 2020

by Nicole Renee
My Favorite Podcasts – April 2020

I’ve shared some of my favorite podcasts on my blog before, as well as my YouTube channel, but I figured since most of us are probably in quarantine right now, I would share my current favorites. I find that podcasts are a great way to pass time, they can be used for education, background noise or even a way to entertain yourself while working from home. I did film this YouTube video just a few months ago about my favorites but of course, I have discovered new ones since then, so for all of you who are also podcasts obsessed like I am, let’s get into it!

On Purpose by Jay Shetty | I always mention this one anytime I am talking about my favorites because in a weird way, I feel like this podcast changed my life. I was struggling a lot in 2019 and discovered this in Summer of 2019. I found that when I was constantly listening to this podcast, my mental state was healthier, I was more focused on my work, I was happier and overall, living a better lifestyle. This podcast is an interview style podcast and all about digging deeper to find your purpose in life. I think given the current state of our world, this would be a great one to listen to if you are needing a boost or some positivity in your life.

Approachable by Alyssa and Samantha | I have been a loyal fan of Samantha Ravndahl for years. I think I began watching her the first year she started her YouTube channel and I have not missed one video. I love her personality and relate to her in many ways so once I found out she was coming out with a podcast, I was sold. This podcast is hosted by Sam and her best friend, Alyssa. Each episode they cover a different topic and they range from light-hearted, fun topics to very serious conversations. I tune in every Wednesday for this podcast and can’t wait for season 4 to start!

Oprahs Super Soul Conversations | I love Oprah. I mean who doesn’t? I love listening to this podcast because it is an interview style podcast, which is my favorite but this one is even better because it is with Oprah! I love how she interviews so many different people from Lady Gaga, Ellen Degeneres, Michelle Obama and the conversations are real and DEEP. This is a great one!

NPR Hidden Brain | Wow. This podcast is unlike anything else I’ve ever listened to. It is a mix of psychology, storytelling and science so this won’t be for everyone but the host, Shankar Vedantam, talks about topics that are so random but SO thought-provoking. As a starter, I would recommend “You Can’t Hit Unsend” or “Our Animal Instincts.” Once you listen to theses episodes, I think you will be hooked.

Girlboss Radio by Sophia Amoruso | If you are inspired by female entrepreneurs like I am, you will love this. Sophia interviews so many different inspiring women from Rebecca Minkoff, Wendy Zomnir, Huda Kattan, Anine Bing, and Anastasia Soare, just to name a few. It’s incredible and very empowering!

Absolutely Not by Heather McMahan | WOW. Let me tell you about this podcast. I was recommended this from a friend of mine, started it in the beginning of February and finished it in about 2-3 weeks. I had my headphones in my ear 24/7 because I could not stop listening to Heather. She is a comedian from Atlanta, GA and is absolutely HILARIOUS. She is so funny and I love her energy! Even my boyfriend lovers her and we are going to see her live in SF in August! If you need a good laugh or an escape during this crazy time, this is it! She is also hilarious on Instagram – I’ve been watching her stories religiously to follow her quarantine adventures! Little Rigatoni is adorable!

Breaking in Beauty by Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins | A podcast started by long-time beauty editors, this gives you all the insight you need about upcoming trends, product reviews, insights into the industry, interviews with CEO’s and more. This is all about the business of the beauty industry and is very entertaining to listen too. If you are a beauty lover like myself, I think you will love this!

Must be Nice by Katy & John | Another YouTuber I love to watch is Katy. Her and her husband, John, recently started a podcast and it is so much fun. They only have a few episodes so far, but it kinda just about whatever. They talk about random life situations that they experience and just talk about random stuff! It is very conversational and just fun to listen to.

The BOF Podcasts | This is one of my favorite podcasts because it is all about the fashion industry, which I love learning about. This is more of an educational, interview style podcast and it dives deep into the logistics and realities of the fashion industry. Recently, they have been covering how COVID-19 is changing the fashion industry and it is quite fascinating to learn about. I don’t think this will be for everyone but if you like learning about the fashion industry or have a passion for business, I would recommend it.

If you are a podcast lover, let me know your favorites! xoxo

Fashion, spring fashion

Outfits I Wore in March 2020

by Nicole Renee
Outfits I Wore in March 2020

At the beginning of March I had the idea that I was going to do a blog post at the end of the month, recapping all of the outfits I wore for work, weekends, errands, etc. Well… who knew just a week later, we would all be in quarantine due to the Coronavirus! I must say, I have really been feeling the gravity of this situation we are all currently in and it has been hard for me to focus on anything else. However, with that being said, I am trying to get my mind off of everything and so here we are. I decided to do this post anyways even though I only had a few days out of the house in March. Once life gets back to normal, I will continue with this as a monthly series but for now, I am living in my pajamas! I hope y’all are staying safe, healthy and finding ways to cope with this situation. xoxo

Blouse | Belt | Jeans | Purse | Boots

Shop the LTK here

Sweater | Necklace | Jeans | Purse | Sneakers

Shop the LTK here

Cardigan | T-Shirt | Belt | Jeans | Purse | Sneakers

Shop the LTK here

Jacket | T-Shirt | Jeans | Sneakers | Purse

Shop the LTK here

Sweatshirt | Jeans | Sneakers

Shop the LTK here

Cardigan | T-Shirt(mine is Dierks Bentley, linked similar)| Jeans | Mules

Shop the LTK here

Blouse | Pants | Mules | Purse

Shop the LTK here

T-Shirt | Jeans | Sneakers | Purse

Shop the LTK here

T-Shirt | Purse | Jeans | Sneakers

Shop the LTK here

Sweater | Pants | Boots | Purse

Shop the LTK here

– OTHER DETAILS –

Apple Watch & Band| Glasses | Picture Frames | Rug | Mirror | Phone Case

Uncategorized, Lifestyle

My New Piercing | Forward Helix

by Nicole Renee
My New Piercing | Forward Helix

I shared with y’all on IG stories that I recently got my forward helix pierced and I had so many questions about it so I figured I would share all the details on here. I have been wanting a new piercing for a while and was trying to decide between getting my rook or my forward helix. Obviously I went with the forward helix because I felt like it was less noticeable, very delicate and a unique piercing that would complete my right ear. I’m really happy I went with the forward helix instead of the rook, I love it so much!

Where I Got it Pierced?

I got mine pierced at the Rose Gold Tattoo Parlor in Haight Ashbury in San Francisco. This is my go-to place for all things tattoos and piercings. I would highly recommend them if you live in the area or if you are visiting San Francisco. The facility is so clean, provides incredible service and they have a beautiful selection of BVLA jewelry. You can check out their reviews here and Instagram.

The Process & Pain Level

So for the piercing itself, it was super quick and very easy! My piercer Allana, was so quick with the actual piercing of the ear to putting in the piece of jewelry. The entire process was over in less than 30 seconds! I did feel a slight pinch to the ear but I wouldn’t say it hurt. Honestly, I would give it a 1 out of 10 in terms of pain. I’ve stubbed my toe and that’s hurts more than getting this piercing lol but really, it didn’t hurt. If you have your earlobes or cartilage pierced, this didn’t feel any different. However with that being said, I do believe I have a high pain tolerance and I have been told that many times before. Pain level is such a personal experience so what could be a 1 for me, could be a 10 for you. This is also my 12th piercing so your girl has some experience lol

Jewelry Info

The piece of jewelry I picked is from BVLA. One of my favorite things about Rose Gold is that you can get pierced with high quality jewelry that you actually love instead of an ugly silver barbell post. Mine is 14k gold with a small diamond in the center of it. I love how dainty it is and it matches perfectly with my other earrings.

Forward Helix | Rings | First Earlobe | Second Earlobe | Third Earlobe | Cartilage

Healing Process

I’ve had this piercing for almost a full month now so I can only speak on what it has been like so far. The first 36 hours I did have a horrible headache on the right side of my head which I do believe was a side effect to the piercing because I am not prone to headaches. This was super annoying and was more painful than the piercing itself. I have been very cautious about sleeping on it since Allana recommended to stay off of it for a couple weeks. This is probably the hardest because I am a side sleeper. I do notice if sleep on it, sometimes I wake up and it is a little bit swollen and red. The third week, I did notice a little bit of white puss coming out of it but after a few sea salt soaks, that went away within 24 hours. So far the healing has been really easy considering this is a cartilage piercing and my ears are incredibly sensitive.

I will update this post once the piercing is fully healed but that can take anywhere from 4-6 months so stay tuned. If you are interested in what cleaning solution I am using, it’s this one. The studio recommends this, it’s available on Amazon for re-purchase and so far it has been working really well for me. I love how big the bottle is so it lasts quite a while. All in all, I love this piercing and would totally recommend it! xoxo

Beauty, skincare

5 Used and 5 New – Skincare Products

by Nicole Renee1 Comment on 5 Used and 5 New – Skincare Products
5 Used and 5 New – Skincare Products

I often get a lot of questions about my skincare routine and what products I would recommend. Over the past 2 years, I have put a lot of focus and energy into really nailing down a skincare routine that works for me and I have finally found that but I love testing skincare products and finding new hidden gems. So today I am sharing with y’all 5 products I have used up (aka #empties YAY!) and 5 new products I plan on testing out over the next month or so. Personally, I like to take about one month before sharing my review on a new skincare item because I think that is a reasonable amount of time to see how it blends in with my current routine, if any changes happen with my skin or possible irritations so stay tuned for my final thoughts on those. For now, lets get into the empties!

Tatcha Dewy Skin Moisturizer – WOW. Honestly, this has become a staple within my skincare routine. I’ve been using it since the beginning of Fall 2019 and I truly think it is one of the best moisturizers I have ever tried. If you have dry skin I would really recommend this and if you have oily skin, I’ve heard this one is great. I use this cream morning and night and it gives the most beautiful glow to my skin. I also love to use this as a primer before my foundation because it smooths out the skin a bit and provides a beautiful canvas for the face products to glide onto. This product lasted me about 6 months and I will definitely be repurchasing it.

Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse Oil – I have been using this product for about 2 years now and can not live without it. I actually have 2 backups of this because I’m that obsessed with it. For someone like myself who wears makeup everyday and sometimes wears a lot of makeup, this is a must. I double-cleanse with this oil as my first step, gently applied to dry skin with a full face of makeup on, followed up by the Dermalogica Cleanser. These products are pricey but I swear by them. For travel, I use the balm so it is TSA friendly.

Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic Cleanser – Speaking of cleansers, this is my favorite drugstore cleanser. I will be honest, it does not beat my Dermalogica cleanser however this is a nice drugstore option. I like this one because it cleans my skin well, brightens my skin tone and does not leave my skin feeling drying or stripped of essential oils. I find it to be hydrating and would recommend it to anyone who has dry skin and is price conscious.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue – Another WOW. This product has changed my under eye situation. I always notice when I forget to use it because my makeup does not look the same. It is incredible! This hydrates and plumps the under eye area like no other. It lasted me about 8 months and I will definitely repurchase this. I’m currently using this eye cream but can’t live without my CT one!

Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Cream – I can’t believe how quickly I have gone through this product and how little I have left. It’s shocking because I didn’t have high hopes for it but boy did this product pleasantly surprise me. I am slowly but surely becoming more of a Ole Henriksen skincare fan and this is one of the products that has really made me want to try more from the skincare line. I like it because it is refreshing. I use this in the morning after washing my skin and it just feels amazing. The scent is incredible(kinda smells like oranges) and I love the way this cream moisturizes my skin but doesn’t make me look oily. My boyfriend who has extremely oily skin also loves this product and is always stealing it from me! I think this will work for anyone and I will be repurchasing it in the future.

Those are all of the skincare products I have recently used up. Now let’s move onto 5 new products I am excited to test out!

Pixi by Petra Hydrating Milky Lotion – I have not used this yet but I have heard multiple people rave about the Milky Collection from Pixi. I have never tried anything from the line but I’m excited to see what this is like.

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask – I saw Tati use this in a video she had filmed with Charlotte and it has been on my mind ever since so yet again, here I am with another Tati recommendation!

Dermalogica Biolumin – C Eye Serum – Ever since I tried the CT Magic Eye Rescue Eye Cream I have been obsessed with testing all eye creams so I can’t wait to see what this is like. My skin seems to love Dermalogica products and with this hefty price tag, I expect nothing but amazingness.

Good Molecules Squalane Oil – Recently through one of my favorite podcasts, Breaking in Beauty, I learned about the benefits of Squalane Oil and how this is going to be the next big ingredient in the beauty industry. I love facial oils so this is very intriguing to me. I’ve been using the same one for over 4 years now but I am going to give this a try! Some of the benefits of Squalane Oil is it provides moisture to the skin, helps keep the skin clear and has anti-inflammatory benefits that can help with eczema and acne.

Naturally Serious Cold Pressed Peel Pads – These peel pads naturally exfoliate the skin and brighten the skin tone. I have already used a few and so far so good. I haven’t noticed any changes or improvements yet but they don’t break me out so that’s a good sign. I will report back!

That is it for my 5 used and 5 new skincare products. If you are interested in my follow ups for these new skincare products, stay tuned. I will update you guys via a speed reviews video on my YouTube channel or a future blog post. Give me about a month to test out the new products and I will be sure to let y’all know. Until then, I hope you have a great start to your week!

If you are interested in my full skincare routine check out this blog post or the video listed below.

This is not sponsored. Any codes mentioned above are affiliate codes and some of these links are affiliate links. Thank you for your support. xoxo.