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Beauty by Kelsey

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October 29, 2024
Things I’m Loving 10.29.24
October 29, 2024
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October 29, 2024
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October 22, 2024
What Was a Harder Transition: 0-1 or 1-2 Kids?
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October 15, 2024
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October 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 💙
Do you have 2+ children? What transition was the hardest for you?
Current go-to’s 🤎
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? 🤍 #weekenddump

Glossier 101 | The Makeup

April 20, 2017 in Makeup

If you've visited my blog for even just a second, you'll probably know what a Glossier fangirl I am. Even before I was a rep for the brand, I needed to order every new release the second it came out and I fell head over heels for everything. Since their range is just growing and growing, I thought I'd take a couple posts to go over the current products in the lineup - what I like, what I dislike, and what you need right now.

The Perfecting Skin Tint was one of Glossier's original core products, and it now has a new home on the website's makeup section. It's just like the name sounds - a sheer tint for the skin that evens out skintone but won't cover blemishes. I love light coverage bases, so this is one of my favorites I always go back to. It seems to gently lift and firm the skin as well. It leaves the skin looking super dewy and fresh, so much so that I treat it as an extension of my skincare. I pretty much use it no matter what.

Glossier's first foray into legitimate, makeup-makeup was with the cult-favorite Boy Brow. This has become my holy grail brow product, sometimes being the only thing I need to put in my brows. It's basically an all-in-one product: it thickens, fills in, and holds your brows in place. Rather than crunchy gels, it's a creamy wax formula that stays soft and pliable instead of crispy. Your brows look like your own brows, just super well-behaved. Brown is my go-to for day to day, but I've been loving Clear* on no-makeup days to keep my brows in check and looking groomed.

After brows came the Stretch Concealer. Like the Skin Tint, this focuses on keeping a skin-like look and finish. It's not a super high coverage concealer, but it gets the job done for me. It doesn't cake up or dry out my skin. In fact, it keeps a bit of a dewy finish on the skin so everything looks natural and glowy. It's formulated with elastic micro waxes that move with the skin, hence the "stretch" in the name. This is my holy grail for undereye circles.

Completing the Phase Two Set with the Boy Brow and Stretch Concealer are the Generation G Sheer Matte Lipsticks. These are the first of their kind that I had ever used - they apply like a lip balm, but are somehow sheer and matte at the same time. They give the lips a subtle, popsicle-stained effect. They've updated the formula, which I'm really happy about - the original was a bit drying. The new formula actually feels balmy on the lips while still having a matte finish - I'm tempted to pick up Like, my favorite soft pink shade, in the new formula. There are six shades with something for everyone, from a peachy nude to a deep berry. They're quite adaptable as well because they're so sheer - you can apply a subtle wash to let more of your natural lip shade show through, or build them up to a more intense stain.

If I had to choose one favorite makeup product from Glossier, I think it would have to be Haloscope. I'm a highlighter fiend as it is, and Glossier has made the most perfect one. These contain real crystal extracts around a solid oil core to give the dewiest glazed-donut sheen. Quartz is my absolute favorite, although I love Topaz for a bronze look and Moonstone for an opalescent, other-worldly glow. They're super smooth on the skin and don't feel tacky, although if your skin is oily you may want to apply with caution (just tap it on with your fingers!). I apply it most heavily on my cheekbones and blend upward to my browbones.

My favorite blush formula is now from Glossier - the Cloud Paints have quickly become a favorite since their launch at the beginning of March. I thought I would only use two shades, Puff and Dusk, but I've found all four shades incredibly flattering and wearable. They seem super pigmented at first glance, but the gel-cream formula sheers out easily and applies like a second skin. Collagen and blurring powders help to plump up the skin and apply seamlessly. These have really made me embrace blush - before I was afraid my cheeks were already too rosy for it, but now I just own it and like a healthy flush.

The last makeup bit in the lineup for now is the Lip Gloss. This was released as part of a limited edition holiday collection last year, but it's recently made a comeback. It's just a beautiful clear gloss that's a must-have in everyone's collection. It's a thick, balmy gloss that contains Vitamin E to keep the lips hydrated. It never feels goopy or too sticky. There is a little tackiness, but it's the good kind that lets you know your gloss isn't going anywhere. Before I tried this last fall, I was all about a matte lip, but thanks to the Glossier gloss my mind has been changed - I'm so into a glossy lip.

If you want to try Glossier, you can get 10% off on your first order through my rep page. I do make a small commission on orders through my page, so even if it's not your first order, you can still use my page to support me! Or if that makes you uncomfortable, no worries - you can just shop directly through their website! I love Glossier and would never partner up with a brand I didn't truly use and stand behind.

Edit 9/27/17: Since publishing this post, Glossier has come out with another makeup product: Wowder. It's a lightweight, practically invisible setting powder that lets you control just how dewy you want to be. I love the glossy skin look I get from Glossier products, but I also really like that now I can take down the shine on my T-Zone. It's so finely milled and really blurs out pores. I haven't noticed any issue with flashback, either. I wasn't much of a powder-user before, but now I can't go a day without slapping a little bit of Wowder on.

Have you tried anything from Glossier?


Tags: glossier, boy brow, cloud paint, haloscope, perfecting skin tint, stretch concealer, generation g, lip gloss

Intro to The Ordinary

April 19, 2017 in Skincare

The Ordinary, a relatively new brand under the Deciem umbrella, has been making lots of waves in the beauty industry lately. Their motto is "clinical formulations with integrity" - they skip all the marketing, fancy packaging, and filler ingredients to present highly effective formulas at crazy affordable prices. I had never before seen such low prices for serums and oils of this quality. The formulas are simple, with only one or two major ingredients in most of them, so it's easy to pick and choose and build a regimen that works for your skin - it's pretty much as close to customized skincare as you can get, without spending an arm and a leg. I've now tried five products from the line, which I figured was a good enough intro to get a good feel for the brand.

The first thing I tried was the Advanced 2% Retinoid. I had heard all about how pretty much everyone could benefit from adding a retinoid to their routine - they're powerful anti-aging ingredients because of their ability to stimulate collagen production and increase cell-turnover. They can help clear up acne, reduce wrinkles, and fade hyperpigmentation. I had previously used the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, but I found the results of the Advanced 2% Retinoid to be quite similar. It did dry my skin out at first, which wasn't a reaction I had to the Sunday Riley oil, but my skin has now gotten used to it. I use this a few times per week at night and wake up to smoother, clearer skin.

The other product I tried in my first order was the Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%. I love using chemical exfoliators rather than physical ones, so I was thinking this potent AHA formula would be perfect. It's a thicker, syrup-y texture that I apply as my serum step a few nights per week (when I'm not using the retinoid). AHAs like lactic acid gently exfoliate the skin by breaking down the bonds between skin cells, allowing you to more easily shed your dead skin cells. This formula also contains Tasmanian Pepperberry to reduce irritation that can sometimes be caused by using acids. It's also formulated to have a pH and pKa of 3.8 - an ideal balance between salt and acidity, maximizing effectiveness and minimizing possible irritation. My skin responds really well to this, and after using it just a few times I really noticed a change in how smooth my skin was. It doesn't feel strong/intense at all to me, but if you're concerned about the high percentage they also sell a 5% version.

Speaking of acids, I've also really been loving the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. I ordered this after noticing how similar the ingredients were to the Pixi Glow Tonic, but with a higher percentage of glycolic acid. This has been the runaway favorite of the range for me. I use it every night after cleansing, swept over my face with a cotton pad. Glycolic acid is an AHA like lactic acid, but it has smaller molecules, allowing it to get a bit deeper into the skin. Like the Lactic Acid serum, this toner also contains Tasmanian Pepperberry to reduce irritation. I still love the Pixi Glow Tonic, but I think I've found a much more affordable alternative here. My skin has been so clear since starting to use this consistently. If you're new to acid toners I'd still recommend starting with the Glow Tonic as it has a lower percentage of the glycolic acid and is more gentle, but once you've built up a tolerance this is a perfect next step.

The other two products I've tried from The Ordinary are facial oils. Rosehip oil is one of my favorites to use, morning and night, so I had to try the 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. It's comparable to other rosehip oils I've used in the past, so it's one I'll definitely keep repurchasing. My skin drinks this stuff up, giving me a super nourished glow without being too greasy. Rosehip oil contains pro-Vitamin A as well as linoleic and linolenic acids, so it can help with hyperpigmentation over time as well. I also have loved using Marula oil on my skin when I'm feeling really dry, so I wanted to give their 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil a try. It's totally comparable to the much more expensive option from Drunk Elephant - I'd say there's a small difference in how quickly it sinks into the skin (The Ordinary's version takes a bit longer). Marula Oil is rich in antioxidants, so it restores radiance and helps prevent signs of aging. It's a bit more dense than Rosehip oil, so it's one I typically use at night in the colder months or in conjunction with the retinoid. If you have dry skin, it's a must-try for sure.

What have you tried from The Ordinary? I'm dying to try the AHA/BHA Peeling Solution next to see how it compares to the Drunk Elephant Babyfacial!


Tags: deciem, the ordinary, lactic acid, glycolic acid, rosehip oil, marula oil, retinoid, retinol

The Glossy Eye

April 18, 2017 in Makeup

As I said at the end of last week with my Metallic Lips post, I'm not normally one to hop on trends. But the new glossy eye trend is really speaking to me. It often creates such a grungy, lived-in look that I'm all about. It also helps that my favorite makeup artist to follow on Instagram, Katie Jane Hughes, has been doing a lot of glossy eye looks lately, so I just had to hop on board. Of course I can't just try using one product, I had to go all in on the trend and try out a bunch.

Before getting into dedicated eye glosses, I began experimenting with products I already had, just in case the trend actually wasn't for me. My first foray into a glossy eye was using the Glossier Balm Dotcom (the unscented original version). It's just a simple, do-it-all skin salve, so it doesn't irritate my eyes. I just blend the tiniest amount onto my lids to leave them looking seriously dewy. Another Glossier product I've been loving on the eyes is Haloscope - I have Quartz pictured here, but all three shades are stunning on the eyelids. Like the Balm Dotcom, these give the eyes such a dewy sheen with an added touch of shimmer and color. You can get 20% off your first Glossier order here.

When I'm wanting something dewy like the Haloscopes without the color/shimmer, the Ciate Dewy Stix is my go-to. It's a little thinner in texture than the Balm Dotcom, so it's more comfortable on the eyelids. This one is stunning and smooth, and it's perfect all over the face.

As for the dedicated eye glosses, the Milk Makeup Eye Vinyl was my first one. I heard it mentioned on Fat Mascara, so I knew I needed to try it. I got the shade Bridge, which is a sheer nude that pretty much looks clear on the lids. This one is super shiny and a little tacky, but just enough so it doesn't slide around. It's not uncomfortable on the eyelids. I love that it comes in a click stick too, so you don't need your fingers to apply. If I'm doing my makeup at work, I make sure I throw this in my bag.

The cream of the crop for me is the Kevyn Aucoin Exotique Diamond Eye Gloss. I had been adding and removing this from my Sephora cart for months, and I finally bit the bullet for my birthday. This is absolutely stunning. It's full of tiny shimmers, but you can't even see them on the eyes. It's just a super shiny look that layers well over other shadows. This one can be a little messy to apply, but the effort is 100% worth it. This is another one that feels slightly tacky on the eyelids, but it really doesn't budge despite being so dewy. I even put it over a powder eyeshadow with no primer and didn't notice any creasing. If you're into the glossy eye look, this is a must for sure.

Have you tried any eye glosses? What are your favorites?


Tags: glossier, milk makeup, ciate, kevyn aucoin, glossy eye
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