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Beauty by Kelsey

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beauty, lifestyle, and
a little bit of everything

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Featured posts:

Featured
Oct 29, 2024
Things I’m Loving 10.29.24
Oct 29, 2024
Oct 29, 2024
Oct 22, 2024
What Was a Harder Transition: 0-1 or 1-2 Kids?
Oct 22, 2024
Oct 22, 2024
Oct 15, 2024
Things I'm Loving 10.15.24
Oct 15, 2024
Oct 15, 2024

INSTAGRAM: @DADMUNK

My handsome boys! Today’s post on the blog is my experience with the transition from 1-2 kids vs the transition from 0-1 - link is in my bio šŸ’™
Do you have 2+ children? What transition was the hardest for you?
Current go-to’s šŸ¤Ž
I have a new post up on the blog today and have been putting them up every Tuesday if you haven’t caught it in my stories! I’m hoping blogs will make a comeback because I really love writing about all my favorites
Medication and therapy changed my life and helped me be the kind of mom my boys deserve. Check in on your friends and loved ones, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are not a burden. Signed, a confident second-time mom who struggled with
What’s the feeling called when you’re exhausted but your heart is so full it could burst? šŸ¤ #weekenddump

Spring Skin Prep

March 24, 2016

Now that we're nearing the end of March (seriously HOW?), I'm hoping that spring is finally upon us - although we did just get a few inches of snow the other day. I've already begun slightly tweaking my skincare routine to prep for the warmer weather, as my skin isn't as unbelievably dry as it is in the winter. I like to use radiance-boosting/brightening products year-round, but they really become my focus in the spring. After all, the whole makeup look I'll be going for is minimal and dewy - a good base is essential.

Exfoliation is the key to radiant and clear skin. I've got two favorites I've been using, depending on what kind of product I want to use. When I want a physical scrub, I've been reaching for the Trufora Triple Action Exfoliator.* This actually has both chemical and physical exfoliation, so it's really quite the workhorse. It uses glycolic and salicylic acids for its AHAs and BHAs, bamboo for the physical scrub, and Kaolin clay to draw out impurities. It's one of the most effective products in my skincare arsenal and it's the one I've been reaching for at the first sign of dull or congested skin. If I don't feel like using a scrub, I like popping on a bit of the Pixi Overnight Glow Serum before I go to bed. Think of this as the Glow Tonic's big sister - it's got more concentrated glycolic acid in it, so it really gets to work on your skin while you sleep. I wake up with beautifully bright and radiant skin after using this. Speaking of exfoliation, you can't forget your lips. I've currently been loving the Bite Beauty Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub - I've seen some complaints that it's not scrubby enough, but I like that it's not super abrasive as it allows me to use it every night without completely ripping off my lips. 

I always like using a face mist, and lately I've been going for something glowy once more with the Pixi Glow Mist - it really does brighten up the skin, so it's perfect to use in the morning to perk things up. To help plump things up and provide a base for my moisturizer, I've been using the Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum* (review). To be honest, I picked this over my other serums because of the rose component (say it with me: Florals for spring? Groundbreaking). It's such a lovely hydrating serum, so my skin's been absolutely loving it.

I've been obsessed with a couple other hydrating products that I use more as "treatments." When I want to use an oil, I look no further than the Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil.* This has been absolutely amazing for healing dehydrated skin. It instantly plumps up my skin and makes it feel perfectly nourished. When I'm going for a mask, it has to be the Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask. This is still one of my favorite products by Glossier - it really perks and plumps up your skin with instant results. It's always one I slap on if my skin's feeling a bit lackluster and tired.

The one moisturizer I've been using nonstop is the Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream*. As you can tell by the name, this is my perfect spring product. It works to brighten and smooth the skin, targeting dark spots, dryness, and pores. I've been using this just about every night and am already seeing results - my dark spots from old breakouts are finally starting to lighten up. Despite being a more lightweight cream, it's still nourishing and hydrating enough for my skin, which usually sucks up moisturizers like these. It's not greasy in the slightest though, so even oily skins should be able to use this. It's just the cherry on top for my spring skincare routine. Keep an eye out for a more complete review as I test it out more in the coming weeks.

What skincare products have you been switching into your routine for spring?

*Some of the products included have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. See my disclaimer for more information.


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Jouer Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipsticks

March 22, 2016

You probably saw me tweeting wildly about the new Jouer Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipsticks a couple weeks ago when they were released. Having heard nothing but great things about them, I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on some. After a minor mishap where I put in my billing address incorrectly and my credit card got frozen by my bank, I had four shades on their way to me. It was also great to find that Jouer had a promotion where you could get 25% off your first order by simply signing up for their newsletter. Having never bought anything from the brand, I took the opportunity - four lipsticks for the price of three, why not?

The shades I came away with were all pretty neutral - Lychee, Petale de Rose, Cassis, and Noisette. I love that Jouer seems to have focused more on the neutrals, rather than the crazy bright and bold colors that other brands have come out with. It seems very on-brand for them. They do have a few bold and punchy pinks and reds, and some really fascinating metallic shades, but the neutrals are where it's at for me.

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Lychee (top left) is described as a cool-toned nude. It's quite a pinky nude, and on me, the owner of the world's pinkest skin, it actually appears to have a bit of a peachy tone to it. I wasn't completely sure how I'd like this one, being a little paler than the colors I usually go for, but it's just beautiful. In fact, it's my new favorite everyday shade.

Petale de Rose (top right) is quite similar to Lychee, but it's deeper. It's described as a cool-toned dusty rose, which is pretty spot-on. It doesn't have any mauve to it though, as you'd expect from the "cool-toned" in the description. On me it's a little brighter than my normal neutrals, but it's a welcome addition for spring.

Cassis (bottom left) is the most "out there" pick for me - a muted violet shade. This has about the same brightness as Petale de Rose, but of course is more purple. It's such a lovely shade, and it's quite a unique take on an everyday wearable color. This was the last one I picked out, when I realized I could get four for the price of three, and I could kick myself for almost not getting it.

Noisette (bottom right) is the one I wanted the most - described as a warm chocolate brown. I've been all over the brown lip trend since the fall, so of course I felt like I needed this one. I think my skin is a little too cool-toned for this to be ultra-flattering on me, but I love it all the same. It's probably my favorite of all the brown lipsticks I have. There's not one hint of pink to it like most others, so it really makes a statement.

L to R: Lychee, Petale de Rose, Cassis, Noisette

L to R: Lychee, Petale de Rose, Cassis, Noisette

As for the formula, it's ridiculously amazing. Think of your favorite liquid lipstick and then multiply it by 100, and you'd have these. They apply evenly and easily, and they have lovely pigmentation - you don't need to add layer upon layer to get the true color. They set to a true matte finish that's completely transfer-proof, but they're still the most comfortable liquid lipsticks I've ever tried. They don't make my lips look crinkly throughout the day, even the paler Lychee, and I don't have to spend the day after wearing one babying my lips. They last such a long time as well - pretty much a whole workday for me. They don't wear off when I'm eating, except of course if I eat something oily/greasy. Even then, it wears off evenly and doesn't even really need touching up.

I'm more than impressed with these, and of course I've now got my eye on pretty much the rest of the collection (especially the metallics!). Have you tried these yet? What are your favorite liquid lipsticks?


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I certainly have a type.

I certainly have a type.

The Blush Tag

March 19, 2016

A couple weeks ago Brooke tagged me to do the Blush Tag, and I'm just now finally getting around to doing it. I absolutely love blush, although I don't wear it all too often - my cheeks have been getting so red lately, so I haven't been wearing any blush so I don't make it look worse. I still do love blush though.

What color blush suits you the most?

I think it would be nude pinks. Since my skin is so pale and rosy to begin with, anything too red or too pink just makes me look like I have a fever. I love those dusty pinky-brown shades that do a little bit of sculpting and adding a little bit of warmth - my favorites are Tarte Exposed and Too Faced Baby Love.

Pressed, cream, or loose blush?

Cream all the way. I own more powder blushes than cream ones, but I just love how creams look and perform on my skin. My most-worn blush is probably the Stila Convertible Color in Lilium because it just looks so fresh and healthy on the skin.

Favorite shimmery blush?

This would definitely go to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes. They really give the skin that "lit from within" look, and Mood Exposure is the prettiest mauve-y blush ever.

Favorite matte blush?

Without a doubt Tarte Exposed. This is probably my most-worn powder blush. It goes with absolutely anything, and it's just the perfect everyday shade. Since it's matte, it never looks too showy or overboard either.

Favorite drugstore blush?

I really like the Milani Rose Blush - the shade Romantic Rose is such a pretty neutral pink, and the formula is perfectly buttery and pigmented. I need to try more of Milani's blushes, because I've heard they're all great.

Favorite high end blush?

It would either be the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes for powders or the Stila Converible Colors for creams. Am I sounding like a broken record yet?

Favorite bright blush?

I'm going to copy Brooke here and go for Hourglass Diffused Heat. I don't know what possessed me to buy this shade, but I'm sure glad I did. It's a gorgeous coral-y pink that makes you look like you just came inside from frolicking in the snow.

Biggest blush disappointment/regret?

I tried Milani Luminoso after hearing everyone go crazy about it and say it was a dupe for NARS Orgasm, but it was just straight up yellow-orange on me. I don't know if I got a dud or if it's my skintone, but I've seen it look stunning on so many people and it just looks off on me. Luckily it was a drugstore blush so I didn't waste too much money, but it was still a let-down.

Best blush packaging?

Definitely the Charlotte Tilbury Colour of Youth cream blush from the Norman Parkinson Collection. It's the nicest-feeling little compact, and it's rose gold, and it's got a beautiful photo on the lid. And it was limited edition. Need I say more?

What's on your blush wishlist?

I really want a couple more shades of the Stila Convertible Colors (the brown-y pink ones, of course), and I'd also love to try a Kevyn Aucoin cream blush - I have the cream contour/highlight duo and it's got the loveliest formula. 

Number one holy grail blush?

It would be between Tarte Exposed and Stila Lilium - it's not cheating if one's powder and one's cream, right? If pushed to only pick one, I think I'd have to go with Stila Lilium.

I tag everyone that wants to do this! Make sure to tweet me (@dadmunk) if you do so I can read it!


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