top.(comes in 3 colors.) jeans. (also similar here.)

Okay guys.  Today is the last day of the Sephora VIB sale so I thought it would be fun to put together a little video with my 4 beauty must-haves from Sephora.  It’s so hard during a big sale because I just want to buy all the things but these 4 are really my favorite items that I would/do buy whether or not they are on sale.  And good news, they’re all amazing while still being around/under $30.  Watch below!

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara. This is the best mascara ever.  As I said in the video, I love the way it goes on, makes my eyelashes look full and I love that it doesn’t smudge easily or ever irritate my allergy prone eyes.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  Want to look like you’ve got a snapchat filter on at all times?  Me too.  This is the product for you. Helps your makeup go on smoother and last longer too.  Plus it minimizes wrinkles.

Drybar Dry Conditioner.  This stuff smells amazing, and I talk about what it does in the video, but it basically rehydrates the ends of your hair that get dried out from all the dry shampoo you’re using to soak up excess oil in your roots, which is there because let’s face it, we’re all just trying to figure out how to squeeze one more day out of not washing our hair.

Sephora Dual Bristle Brush. This brush was life-changing.  I used to dread brushing my hair (especially on wash days) because my hair is so prone to tangles, but this brush totally changed that.  It’s great if you’ve got thick frizzy hair like me, but it would really be great for any hair type.  The nylon pins gently detangle and the boar bristles evenly distribute the hairs natural oils which basically just makes everything smooth and shiny.  I’ve not really been able to uses boar bristle brushes in the past because they make my hair too static-y but this combination brush works perfectly for me, and it’s really cut down on all the breakage (and all my hair around the bathroom- my husband is glad about that.)

If you have any questions about these products (or any other products I use) go ahead and and leave them in the comments and I’ll make sure and answer them!  And let me know if you have any favorites that I need to try.  I love getting beauty recs from friends!

Happy Monday!

(ps. here are a few close runners-up to the big 4:)

t3 micro dryer, IT Cosmetics CC Cream, IT Cosmetics bye-bye under eye, MoroccanOil Shampoo/Conditioner.

I have a confession.  I’ve never been the best at skincare.  I have naturally dry skin which means I didn’t really get acne as a teenager, and therefore never really understood the point of all the fancy skin stuff.  At some point I realized I should probably wash my makeup off at the end of the day (duh), and so I took a little pump from the hand soap on the counter every night and scrubbed the day off.

I know, cringe-worthy.

In my twenties I realized I should probably upgrade from hand soap and so I bought grocery store face cleanser and that was pretty much the extent of my skincare regiment.

Wash my face at night, put some lotion on it.  Voila.

Then I turned 30 and I realized that my pathetic excuse for a skincare routine wasn’t going to cut it forever.  Because skin looks aged when you don’t take care of it.  So I started looking around and I’ve finally found a skincare routine that works for me, and products I love that work with my dry skin, minimize spots and dark circles, have virtually eliminated all acne, and give me a nice dewy glow.

I thought it would be fun today to share all my favorites with you, how I use them and why, by sharing my skincare routine.

Cleanse:

Every evening before bed I wash my face.  It takes off all the makeup and dirt and oil from the day and I feel like it’s maybe the most important part of my skin routine.

I started using Colleen Rothschild’s Radiant Cleansing Balm (get 20% off with code CORI20)after meeting with the brand last April.  I was a little skeptical when they first described the process (you apply it to dry skin), and to be honest when I first felt the product, because it’s so different from any other cleanser I have ever used (you use a muslin cloth at the end).  But the first time I tried it I was hooked.  It literally melts face and eye makeup off so gently and it cleared my pores and left my face looking visually brighter the first time I used it.   Here’s how it works:

1- Take a small amount of balm in clean, dry hands then rub them together to warm the product. Apply to your dry skin and massage all over face.

2-Wet muslin cloth with hand-hot water and wring damp. Place over skin for a minute (this is my favorite part, it’s like a mini-facial)  then use to wipe off balm.  This muslin cloth is amazing guys.

3- Finish with a splash of cool water.  This will leave you fresh and glowing.

I love this cleaner because it’s so gentle, I love that I don’t have to scrub my eye makeup off, and it doesn’t dry my skin out.

Exfoliate.

I am not much of a bath taker, to be honest.  I try to love them but I’ve never been able to sit in a bath for more than a few minutes before I’m just ready to get out.  What I do love to do is facial masks!  It’s one of my favorite ways to relax.  When I need to unwind I love to put on a facial mask and just reading a book or closing my eyes for a few minutes while it dries.  So every week on Thursday night I do a mask and get my skin extra glowy before the weekend.

I’m a big believer in exfoliating.  Especially if you are like me and you have dry skin, because it’s easy for it to look dull.  Exfoliating really scrubs all the dryness off and leave my skin so dewy.  I love it.

 I’ve been using Tula’s Probiotic Exfoliating treatment mask (get 20% off using code: CORI20)
once a week for the last few months and I love it.  I’ve never really gotten oil based acne, but hormonal acne, I do deal with occasionally and even that has basically gone away since I started using this mask once a week.  And my skin is so much brighter and more even.  I can always tell on weeks when I skip this because my skin just looks so blah.

It’s super easy to use: apply a thin layer to clean dry skin, leave on for 5-10 minutes and then wet your hands and massage the product into your skin.  Rinse off with cool water.

Brighten.

This is probably my favorite product that I use, and it’s the one I saw the most immediate difference with.  Tula’s Illuminating Serum.  This stuff is literal magic.  It’s a bit spendy, but you use a very small amount every day and the bottle lasts forever.  This stuff has brightened and evened my skin so much, I notice a difference every time I use it, and I feel like it’s even minimized the appearance of wrinkles. (I’m looking at you, over-expressive eyebrow.)

Tula has offered a 20% discount for my readers if you are interested in try this magic product use code:

CORI20 at checkout.  (good through 9/23- The code works for any Tula product.)

To apply: you pump a dime sized amount into your hands and massage into your skin.  Let it absorb for a few minutes before applying moisturizer or SPF.  This is my day time Illuminator and I use it every morning after my shower.

At night after cleansing and before moisturizing I apply Colleen Rothschild’s Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum.  This stuff promotes cell-turnover which basically addresses photo-aging, fine lines, acne, dark spots and overall skin texture.  Colleen calls it a game-changer and I have to agree.  I like that it can be used every day, and it packs a huge punch.

Moisturize:

I used Colleen Rothschild’s Extreme Recovery cream morning and night after I use my serums.  A little goes a long way and this stuff makes my skin amazingly soft.

Eye cream:

At night I apply CR’s complete eye cream.  It’s helped me deal with the constant eye circles and puffiness that come with being a mom, who works from home, and is also a night-owl.  I little goes a long way is an understatement.  I’ve been using this for 5 months and my jar is still mostly full.

And there you have it!  My facial skin routine.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section and I’ll answer them asap.

My products:

Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm.(get 20% off with code CORI20) Muslin cleaning cloths. tula exfoliating mask. (get 20% off using code: CORI20)  tula illuminting serum.(get 20% off using code: CORI20) Colleen Rothschild complete eye cream. CR’s Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum. CR’s Extreme Recovery Cream. (20% off with code CORI20)

As a little p.s. I thought I would share my forever favorite body lotion because it is the best lotion that has ever been invented in the history of man.  I started using this Aveeno lotion (it has to be the blue bottle) years ago when I lived in Arizona and the extreme dry made my skin breakout in eczema.  After trying a bunch of really expensive prescription steroid creams (that didn’t work at all) my friend told me that this lotion worked magic on her daughter.  I tried it and within a few days my eczema was completely gone and it has NEVER come back.  I love it because it’s not a greasy lotion at all, but it’s not chalky either.  There’s no irritating fragrance and it’s such a great lotion I’ve even frequently used it on my face when it’s feeling extra dry and it works great.

similar robe. art. (c/o minted.) vanity tray.

Okay this tutorial is a looooong time coming.  I get asked how I do my big loose curls almost every day and to be honest I’ve been putting off doing a video because they kind of intimidate me.  So, fair warning I’m a little awkward on here.  Why is it so easy to ramble on a video? Also, don’t mind the sniffing, I have a little summer cold. (and, not sure why my walls look yellow?  they’re not, they’re like a super light tan.)

I’ve linked to all the products I’m using below.  Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll make sure and answer them in the comments section!

curling iron. chi. moroccan oil. mousse. dry shampoo: favorites here, here and here. hair spray. paddle brush. boar bristle round brush.

Dress. Sweater.

face: Tula Illuminating face serum. ItCosmetics CC Cream.  Eyes: MAC Shadow. “Shroom.” Covergirl Perfect Point plus. “Espresso.”  Cheeks: BareMinerals Blush. “Vintage Peach ”  Lips: MAC lipstick. “Snob”

I love doing my makeup in the summer because everything is lighter and brighter and has that glowy sun-kissed feel.  Don’t get me wrong, I love moody fall/winter makeup too.  I am an autumn toned girl after all, but those summer hues have just got my heart right now.

I posted this picture on instagram the other day and got a ton of questions about my summer make-up so I thought I’d share what I’m loving and wearing daily with you.

Skin:

Tula Illuminating Face Serum.  Okay, I know this isn’t technically make-up but you guys.  This stuff is amazing.  It has made such a difference in my skin, as soon as I started using it, my skin got brighter and softer and just overall glowy and better.   I use it morning and night and one little pump does the trick.  After I put it on I let it soak in for about 5 minutes before putting on my moisturizer.

ItCosmetics CC Cream.  Another game changer.  Totally replaced my foundation.  The lady who told me to try it, told me I would see visible skin improvement in a few days and I was skeptical, but you guys.  It totally works.  I can’t say enough good things.  And I love how light and creamy it is.  Again, one pump does the trick and I use this brush to buff it on.

Eyes:

MAC eyeshadow “Shroom“: Just a great soft off white with a little bit of shimmer, but not too much shimmer, if you know what I mean.  I apply a little pro-longwear paint pot in Painterly (a nice nude color) to my eyelids first.  It helps my eye shadow and liner stay put all day.  I also use the Shroom to dust a little on the corners of my eyes, the tops of my cheeks and the tip of my nose to give my skin that kind of fresh glowy look.  (But do this super sparingly.)

Covergirl Perfect Point Plus “Espresso”:  I’ve been using this liner for YEARS.  Every time I try a different one, I always come back to it.  It’s not waterproof, but it does stay on really well.  If you’re going out again in the evening you’re going to need to touch it up a bit, but it will last pretty well through most of the day.  I’ve found when I’m using eyeliner, if its a pencil and it’s waterproof it doesn’t go on as well.  I like this one because it’s easy to apply, and stays pretty well.

Cheeks:

Bare Minerals Blush “Vintage Peach.” Just a pretty peachy pink for the top of the cheek bones and a soft summer pink glow.

Lips:

MAC Lipstick “Snob”:  Since my skin tones are decidedly autumn, finding a good pink that works for me in the summer is tricky, but I love love love this one.  It’s got a nice blue undertone, it goes on so well, nice and creamy, comfortable to wear (I hate sticky lipstick) and it lasts forever.  I use this liner in au naturale (just a tiny bit) before.

There you have it!  My summer makeup faves!  If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments and I’ll answer them!

XO,

Cori