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Looking Alive with Pacifica Fluffy Blushy

Today is the last day of winter, and I hope you’ll all join me in a chorus of “Hooray!” as we begin to look forward to warmer temperatures and sunnier days. I, for one, am ready to put winter – and the corpse-like hue of my complexion – behind me.

If you think I’m exaggerating, please allow me to share this story with you. While setting up for a photo shoot at work several weeks ago, my colleague snapped a few photos of me to test the lighting. He looked puzzled at his camera as he flipped through the pictures. “I think there might be something wrong with the flash – you don’t look well in these pictures.” So I took some test shots of him to compare. Turns out, our setup was fine. I simply have the skin tone of a vampire.

Enter Pacifica Fluffy Blushy, which I purchased not long after the photo shoot incident in hopes that it would help me look more… alive. It comes in five shades. I opted for Bloom, a peachy pink. And let me tell you, I’m in LOVE. It has a light, bouncy texture that applies like a cream and is very subtle – you can build for as much or as little color as you like. As a person who sees herself on video meetings every day, I can tell you that even the lightest application of this little blush makes a huge difference. Amazing what a slightly rosy cheek can do for a person!

If you, too, are suffering from a winter pallor that is downright concerning, I can’t recommend this blush highly enough.

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Beauty Quickie: Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight Lip Balm

Who: Philosophy

What: Kiss Me Tonight Lip Balm

When: Every night, and sometimes in the morning

Where: My bedroom

Why: This rich but non-sticky lip balm is extremely hydrating and leaves lips instantly looking and feeling healthier. This balm kept my lips from cracking and peeling through bitterly cold winter weather conditions and through Covid. Plus, I like its cheeky name and tagline. Highly recommend.

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Winter Frizz Fighter

Staticky winter hair got you down? Me too.

For the last few weeks I’ve been battling frizzy flyaways mixed with strands annoyingly plastered to my face. And if I dare to touch my hair with a glove on? Forget it. Static season is here and I’m sick of it.

Or at least I was, until a few days ago when I opened my bathroom cabinet and spotted the word “HYDRATION” printed across a bottle of Moroccanoil All In One Leave-in Conditioner. Ah yes! The secret to less static: moisture. So I squirted a couple pumps of the conditioning spray into my palm, rubbed it between my hands and gently distributed through my hair, careful not to weigh down my roots. Then I brushed it through my hair and styled as I normally would.

I immediately noticed a difference. My hair was far less affected by static, and actually looked healthy. And it didn’t get greasy or flat as the day went on. I’ve used it the last few mornings and I love it – it’s officially my new winter go-to.

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Instantly Smoother Skin With This TULA Toner

I received TULA Secret Solutions Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner free from Influenster in exchange for my honest review.

After one use my skin was noticeably softer and smoother. After a week of daily use my skin was even and looked better than it has in months! It didn’t do anything to help the redness that I struggle with, but also didn’t exacerbate it. But the dull and flaky winter skin that I usually deal with this time of year is gone!

I use it in the morning before moisturizer and makeup and everything goes on smoothly. It’s effective and easy to incorporate into my daily routine. I would definitely recommend this product.

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Start Fresh with ALO Glow Mega-C Body Wash

I tend to prefer bar soap to body wash, but lately I’ve been sudsing up with a body wash that’s so pleasant to use, I have to tell you about it. ALO Glow System Mega-C Body Wash is formulated to cleanse skin without stripping away moisture, which is much appreciated now that dry winter air has come to stay for the foreseeable future. It lathers up beautifully, and has a mild, sweet citrus scent that reminds me of orange blossom. It leaves my skin clean and soft (even if I forget body lotion). Whether you typically use body washes or are a bar soap girl like me, I highly recommend.

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Triple Threat: Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm

A few months back I found myself wishing I could find a lip balm that was both moisturizing and lip plumping, which seemed unlikely at best. But then I discovered Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm. This deeply hydrating lip plumper also comes in a variety of pretty shades, making it a major 3-in-1 must have. It has become my go-to daily lip color (I have it in Dolly Fever), and I get complimented on it frequently.

Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm in Dolly Fever

This lip balm plumps lips in a subtle – and non-painful – way, helping to fill in fine lines without creating an over-the-top bee stung look. It’s very moisturizing and has surprising staying power.

The balm comes in four shades (sheer pink, mauve, nude and coral) and provides a nice wash of color as it plumps and softens. If you’re looking for a product that will provide a little extra oomph without much extra effort, I can’t recommend this one highly enough.

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Holiday Preview: Essie Wrapped in Luxury

I know it’s a little early, but the holiday season will soon be upon us. If you’re looking for the perfect nail color for the season, look no further. Essie Wrapped in Luxury is a lovely deep red from the 2022 holiday collection that will have you looking festive and put together from Thanksgiving straight through to New Year’s Eve.

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Beauty Quickie: Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1

Who: Too Faced

What: Hangover Rx 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray

When: Whenever you didn’t get enough sleep, and/or had one too many cocktails the night before

Where: Spritz all over your face (and neck)

Why: This coconut-water infused mist contains skin revivers that helps refresh your skin and keep it hydrated. You can mist it on before makeup to use as a primer, after application to set your makeup, or throughout the day as a refresher. I primarily spritz it onto clean skin before makeup on days when I’m feeling run down and could use a little extra glow (and moisture). Also, it smells like coconut and feels really nice on the skin. I always have time for that!

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Pumpkin Fresh Peepers for the Win

Now that it’s October and pumpkin season is officially upon us, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about these seasonally appropriate hydrogel eye masks. Yes, they are a fun shade of orange, but BLAQ Pumpkin Fresh Peepers also contain pumpkin extract fruit enzymes, red algae and konjac, which all work together to create an extremely soothing, pleasant and effective hydrogel patch.

I recently put these bad boys to the ultimate test after a particularly rough day. Let’s just say I did a fair amount of crying, my dark circles had dark circles, and I had to attend an event where I’d rather not look like the dictionary definition of haggard. I slapped these on, used some eye drops (shout out to Lumify), and 15 minutes later looked like a normal human again. It was incredible. My sister witnessed the whole thing – she’ll back me up, I’m sure.

Is there anything I love more than a whimsical beauty product that actually works? I doubt it. I never want to be without a supply of these eye masks again, but especially not during PSL season.

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Review: Tom Ford F***ing Fabulous Eau De Parfum

I received a bottle of Tom Ford Fucking Fabulous eau de parfum from Influenster and Tom Ford in exchange for my honest review. Right away I loved the sleek black and white packaging, and the description that called it a “spicy, warm and decadent” fragrance – just the kind of scent I’m looking for. I really liked it when I first spritzed it on – it has sexy, spicy top notes that feel rich and unique. But as the day wore on, the spiciness dissipated and I was left with a more generic perfume. It didn’t smell bad, but the best parts of this perfume didn’t last. I won’t be using this as a day to day fragrance, but it would be a great choice for a date night out – the sexy scent would linger through dinner.