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TRAVELING IN ITALY

Spring Beauty Update


After returning home to Florida from a year abroad in Italy, my skin was a hot mess! My skin had grown accustomed to a new climate and did not take well to returning to the humidity of Florida. I have never had flawless skin, but I have also never had really bad skin. My forehead was dry while my chin and neck broke out continuously.

Finally after trying a bunch of products, a friend of mine who is a make up artist and moonlights at Bare Minerals suggested I try some of their new skincare products. I am always inclined to go for oil-reducing cleansers and moisturizes for my oily skin, but she suggested trying their oil-based cleanser. Contrary to what you might think, it doesn't make your skin more oily. I was amazed at how balanced my skin was after just a couple of uses. It takes off all of my makeup but doesn't leave my face feeling stripped.

She also suggested I try their new Skin Longevity to help repair my skin and brighten any scaring or dark spots caused by my recent and relentless breakouts. No lie, using these two products together turned my skin around in less than two weeks.

Lastly, I wanted to try this Glam Glow mask that I feel like I have seen everywhere. I have only used it a couple of times, but it definitely feels like it is pulling out all of my skin's impurities.


In addition to my skin freaking out, I was running low on most of my makeup when I returned home. With spring approaching, I thought it was the perfect excuse to update my beauty routine for spring. Dior's Airflash is another product that I have heard tons of people rave about. I was curious to try an aerosol foundation. I mean it seems so convenient and efficient. And it is! I was skeptical, but this stuff really does glide on, giving you naturally flawless looking skin. It doesn't have a lot of coverage with one coat, but it is build-able. I was worried that with my oily skin this would make me look overly dewy or a sweaty mess by the end of the day, but it held up really well and I was no more oily than usual.

I don't know about you, but I am always searching for the perfect pink blush that gives a girly flush to your cheeks. This Dior blush is the closest I have found. It gives you a great natural rosy glow.

I also picked up this really subtle but gorgeous highlighter and this setting spray. This setting spray makes all of the difference when it comes to my eye make up and foundation. I can go all day without having to touch up or re-apply.


Lastly, I picked up a new black eye-liner (I am determined to master the cat-eye for spring), the prettiest pink lip gloss (#765), and this Korean eye brow tint (in grey-brown). I am always searching for a way to enhance my poor brows. I love the Anastasia system, but I also want something that will last and that I don't have to reapply every single day. So I took a chance and tried this tint. I actually love the results. My brows look fuller without any makeup. It doesn't last more than a week, but it is great for the days you don't want to do your makeup but still want better brows.


What is it about updating your beauty routine and cleaning out your make up bag that makes you feel so rejuvenated? What new products are you loving for spring?


SHOP THE POST

Best Beauty Products for Travel


Needless to say, I have been traveling a lot this year! Santorini, Ischia, Munich, Venice, and Cappadocia, and that’s just since mid-September. Traveling can take its toll on your skin and hair, not to mention the difficulties of liquid and weight restrictions when packing. Fortunately, I have pretty much mastered my travel beauty routine and I thought I would share some of my favorite products and secrets.

Facial Cleansing Cloths - I don’t necessarily use a particular brand (I really like Rodan and Fields back home, but I can’t get it abroad). I find that they all work basically the same. For travel, these are so handy, because they are your cleanser, eye makeup remover, and toner in one (and as an emergency airport shower when layovers get long).

Moisturizer with SPF - When we travel, we don’t realize just how much more we are out doors and exposing our skin to the sun. I love Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. It’s lightweight (so no breakouts) while still providing ample moisture for my skin when traveling.

Blow Pro Hair Powder - If my trip is shorter than 4 days, I won’t even bother bringing shampoo and conditioner, because this stuff is a life saver! Thanks to this miraculous powder I can go four days in between washes, which makes doing your hair while traveling so much easier and less time consuming (bye, bye blow dryer). Plus it is a powder so you don’t have to worry about liquid restrictions. The Blow Pro shower cap is also amazing. It keeps your hair perfectly dry and frizz free while you shower.

Amika Dual Voltage Curling Wand - This curling wand is magic. I don’t know how it does it, but it creates curls that last for 3 days! Now everyone’s hair is different, but for me this wand has been my travel must-have all year. I take the time to curl my hair prior to departure, that way I have tighter curls for the first day of travel, looser curls the second day, and a soft wave the third day. All without having to re-style my hair!

A Good Eye Cream - Your eyes are the first to start looking tired and haggard with travel. For this reason, I always invest in a good eye cream. I am currently loving Dr. Dennis Gross’s Ferulic + Retinol eye cream. The retinol stimulates the skin to regenerate more quickly, giving you a fresher and more youthful appearance.

Chanel Les Beiges - This multi-action, all-in-one BB cream by Chanel is amazing. It keeps your skin looking hydrated and fresh with just enough coverage.

Makeup Forever HD Powder - Since I take a ton of pictures (and my skin is super oily), I like to top my BB cream with this HD powder. I swear it makes my skin look super smooth and pore-free. And since it doesn’t have any pigments, you can reapply throughout the day.

A Great Red Lip - I believe in the power of a red lip. Paired with over-sized sunnies, a great red lip will keep you looking chic and put together, even if you’re running on zero sleep thanks to a intense travel schedule or layovers. My current favorite is Nars’s Heatwave.


What are your favorite beauty products for travel?