All Natural Summer Skin Care!

As the seasons change, your skin care routine also needs a little adjustment! Your skin endures a lot during the summertime, so you need to take extra good care of it in order to keep it healthy and beautiful!  Practice these 5 simple things in order to keep your skin glowing, soft and sexy all summer long! 

1)  Hydrate - This is not only important for your physical health, but for your skin’s health too! Keeping your body hydrated will flush out toxins and keep your skin clear, supple and beautiful! If you find it difficult to consistently drink water throughout the day, add some fresh fruit. This is a great way to get some extra vitamins in your diet, and make the routine of hydrating a little easier. Some of my favorite things to add to my water during the summer are sliced strawberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice or slices of cucumbers! 

2) Nourish - Your diet has an enormous impact on your skin’s appearance and health. It’s important to make sure you’re eating enough foods that will help to protect and nourish your skin, especially during the summer months. Sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to skin damage and aging. Make sure you’re getting plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats and oils in your daily diet. Eat foods such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, carrots, spinach, avocados, salmon, nuts and olive oil… these types of foods have high nutritional value and can repair damaged skin cells, protect against free radicals and UV damage, and give your skin a natural glow from the inside out! 

3) Protect - Everyone loves to have sexy sun-kissed skin, but the long-term health of your skin is so much more important. Not to mention, sunburns are the worst! So no matter how long you’re planning on playing in the sun, always protect your skin! Find a good all-natural, chemical-free sunscreen that you love, and get in the habit of applying it. One of my favorite natural sunscreens to use is by True Natural. Their products are made with certified organic ingredients, and contain zero chemicals. 

4) Exfoliate - This is something that is super easy, and super affordable! Try making your own all-natural body scrub to keep your skin soft, even, and glowing all summer long. You can make your own using things like sugar or sea salt, then adding things such as natural oils, honey, or lemon juice! Here is a great DIY body scrub recipe from Aura Cacia you can try! Or, if you don’t have time to mix your own, I highly recommend “The Body Scrub” by Indie Lee. Indie’s products are 100% all natural, and super luxurious! Your skin will thank you! 

Grapefruit Lavender Sugar Scrub

24 drops lavender oil

24 drops grapefruit oil 

¾ cup avocado oil 

1 cup fine grain natural sugar

Mix essential oils with avocado oil, pour over sugar and stir. Apply to damp skin after using a gentle cleanser. Buff gently. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

5) Moisturize - Keeping your skin moisturized is important, but what’s more important is what you’re moisturizing with. If you’re using a chemically-based lotion or even a super processed oil (baby oil), you’re not doing much good for your skin’s long-term health. Use pure, minimally-refined natural oils to keep our skin supple and radiant. My favorite natural oils to use in the summertime are avocado oil, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil! If you’re not sure where to find high-quality natural skincare oils check out Aura Cacia. They offer an excellent selection of natural skincare products! You can also check out The Moisturizing Oils by Indie Lee! They’re also all-natural, and smell amazing! 

I hope you enjoyed these 5 simple tips! Get in the habit of practicing them, and you will have beautiful, healthy skin all summer long! 

Product Review: Aura Cacia’s Natural Skin Care Oils, Organic Skin Care Oils, Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Mists!

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it absorbs literally everything you put on it. If you’re using a moisturizer that contains synthetic ingredients and chemicals, you’re not only damaging your skin, but those chemicals are being absorbed and stored in your body’s tissues and organs. In this post, I’m going to give you the breakdown of how natural and essential oils can be used to nourish your skin, and calm your mind. Some oils can be directly applied, blended with others, added to baths or homemade scrubs, and much more! 

Skin Care Oils: These 100% natural skin care oils are minimally refined to ensure that all of the key nutrients and vitamins remain. You can use them individually, or mix them together! 

Sweet Almond Oil - Rich in nutrients and antioxidants, this is the perfect moisturizer to use by itself, or to mix with other skin care oils!

Apricot Kernel Oil - Contains essential fatty acids Oleic and Linoleic Acid that are amazing for your skin. It is also high in vitamins A and E, ideal to sooth irritated skin while also moisturizing!

Jojoba Oil - This super light weight oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which make it an ideal ingredient to use for treating acne-related skin problems. It balances your skin’s production of oil, by keeping it moisturizes without clogging pores. I love mixing Jojoba Oil with Apricot Kernel Oil and/or Sweet Almond Oil. 

Grapeseed Oil - Super rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and powerful antioxidants such as procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s) and Polyphenols, which help to slow the process of aging and have anti-inflammatory properties. Grapeseed Oil is very nourishing for your skin, hair and diet too!

Avocado Oil - This deeply penetrating, rich oil acts as an emollient, and promotes soft and supple tissue, which makes it ideal for dry or irritaed skin. This super oil also aids in the production of skin collagen, and reduces the appearance of age spots. 

Sesame Oil - Contains high levels of vitamins A and E, which are essential for healthy skin. It acts as a detox agent by absorbing toxic substances, protects against UV damage, known to prevent acne breakouts. 

Argan Oil - Amazing for the health of your skin, hair and nails! This nourishing and healing oil has been known to treat eczema, psoriasis, acne, wrinkles, dry skin, calluses, dandruff, and hair loss. 

Rosehip Oil - This nutritious oil consists of 80 percent essential fatty acids, and is known for it’s skin healing benefits. It is especially helpful to reducing/healing scars and acne marks. It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles, repairs damaged skin cells, and re-hydrates and tones your complexion. 

Tamanu Oil - With its silky texture and refreshing smell, Tamanu Oil has been used in countries all over the world for healing cuts, bites, eczema, sunburn and dry skin. It leaves your skin soft and smooth. 

Baobab Oil -  Contains high amounts of vitamins A, D, E, and F which are all important for healthy skin. These nutrients also contribute to the rich moisturizing properties for both skin and hair. It absorbs quickly, improves elasticity and promotes the regeneration of new cells.

Essential Oils: Pure essential oils can be used for many things such as aromatherapy and skin care. Not all essential oils can be used on your skin though, so I picked out my favorite oils that can be used in skincare! These oils are much more concentrated, so you only need a few drops. Some may need to be diluted, while others can be directly applied. You can do so many different things with these… add them to your bath to moisturize and relax, add them to a homemade body scrub to nourish and refresh skin, dilute them to make moisturizing body mists or skin rejuvenating toners, or mix them with other essential or natural skincare oils! 

Carrot Seed - This skin-nourishing oil balances both oily and dry complexions, and can heal and prevent acne. It heals damaged skin and replenished aged skin. It blends well with other essential oils such as geranium, citrus oils, clove bud and cinnamon leaf. It tones and balances, and contains a high level of antioxidants to help protect your skin from damaging free radicals. 

Roman Chamomile - This sweet, apple-like smelling oil, soothes skin flare ups and body soreness. When blended with Lavender, it’s great for a relaxing bath, or diluted with water it makes a calming mist. 

Tea Tree - This essential oil has many amazing skincare benefits, it is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial and fungicide. It is very effective in healing and preventing acne. With it’s germicide and antibacterial properties, Tea Tree Oil is a staple for every all-natural first aid kit. It’s fungicidal properties make it ideal for healing certain skin conditions such as dandruff and athlete’s foot by reducing the particular fungus to grow. 

Lavender - This essential oil is ideal for skincare and aromatherapy. It blends well with other floral and herbaceous essential oils. In aromatherapy it calms and relaxes the mind. Some essential oils need to be diluted when they are used in skincare, but not Lavender. You can use it for a spot treatment for acne and blemishes, apply it to burns to help heal and prevent scarring, add a few drops to cold water and use in a spray bottle as a body mist to heal and sooth sunburns, and much more! 

Vetiver - This is earthy and sweet oil balances and centers when used in aromatherapy as well as skincare. In aromatherapy it promotes stress relief, eases tension and alleviates anxiety. It moisturizes skin and provides anti-inflammatory and anti-septic benefits. It is the perfect essential oil to add to your bath, or to mix with other oils to use in massage or body care. 

Geranium - This uplifting essential oil provides balance to both oily and dry complexions. It can also be used as an effective astringent. It blends well with other oils such as Lavender and Clary Sage. 

Patchouli - A soothing and sensual oil that is ideal for skincare, hair care and , aromatherapy. It soothes and softens dry and irritated skin, and balances oily hair. Its stability makes it an excellent fixative, prolonging the life of other essential oil blends containing Geranium, Lavender, Clary Sage, Clove Bud and Cinnamon. 

Clary Sage - With a sweet and intriguing aroma, Clary Sage has harmonizing and relaxing effects on the mind. It has effective skin-toning properties, and it ideal for balancing oily skin. It blends well with other essential oils such as geranium and citrus oils. 

Aromatherapy Mists: Aura Cacia’s line of mists can be used for both your home and body! They are great for traveling, and they have a mist for every mood! They even provide the recipe on the bottle for refills. You can always creative your own aromatherapy mist, but I love the ones Aura Cacia offers! 

Green Your Routine: 6 steps to beginning a more natural routine/lifestyle…

When I first began researching natural skin and hair care about a year ago, I remember feeling so overwhelmed with all of the information out there. I would find a “green” or “natural” brand that was free of certain harmful chemicals, and later learn about some other toxic ingredient that it contained.  After a little more extensive research, I realized that I needed to stop reading labels, and start analyzing ingredients. You should be able to pronounce every ingredient in the products you use… If you can’t pronounce it, it’s most likely not good for you.

If you take the time to read the next few paragraphs, and incorporate these things into your lifestyle, I can guarantee you will be able to transform your skin, hair, and the way you feel from the inside, out. Many of the chemicals in cosmetic and personal care products have some pretty toxic effects on our bodies… Understanding these ingredients, and how to avoid them is absolutely key to a embracing a more natural and non-toxic lifestyle. 

Green Your Routine: The Ugly Truth…

The FDA not only allows companies to disseminate products that contain harmful ingredients, but they also allow these companies to “greenwash” their products… which means a company can call their products natural, if there are a few naturally-derived ingredients in the formula. When I explain this to people, they look at me like I’m crazy… which is fine because I understand their initial logic… “How can a company put products on the shelves if they contain toxic or harmful chemicals?” …It’s simple, these companies are using such small amounts of each chemical, that the FDA doesn’t consider them to be at a harmful toxicity level… but what they do not take into consideration when analyzing the toxic effect of an ingredient, is that we are not just using that one singular on occasion. We all use multiple personal care and/or cosmetic products on a daily basis. So the more products you use, the more you increase your exposure to these toxic chemicals. Everything from your toothpaste, to your deodorant, shampoo, lotions, makeup and etc. all have toxic chemicals… many of these ingredients are considered carcinogens (meaning they can cause cancers) while other ingredients are respiratory, immune, neurological and reproductive toxins, just to name a few.

Formaldehyde (the stuff they use to embalm dead bodies) is a common ingredient in soaps, laundry detergents, lotions, shampoos, toothpastes and even BABY WIPES. Companies will use different names for chemicals so that it’s not so apparent that you’re washing your hair with Formaldehyde… Formalin, Methanal, Oxymethyline, Urea, 1,3-Dioxetane, Quaternium 15, Methylaldehyde, Methylene Oxide, Formic Aldehyde, Oxomethane Formalin, Phenol Formaldehyde are all different names used for Formaldehyde on ingredient labels. 

Green Your Routine: Making the Change…

(1) Do your research… Understand what certain ingredients and chemicals are, what kind of products they are used in, and why… Then pay attention to ingredient labels. Click here for my favorite list of “Ingredients to Avoid” on IndieLee.com…

(2) Find brands that you love and trust. You want your products to be all-natural, not just partially natural. My favorite skin and hair care brands are Indie Lee, Dr. Bronner’s, and Aura Cacia. There are a lot of companies who “greenwash” their products, by advertising natural ingredients in their products, but still use still synthetic chemicals. I know brands such as Indie Lee, Dr. Bronner’s, and Aura Cacia are dedicated to non-greenwashed, 100% natural, safe and absolutely amazing products! 

(3) Start by replacing the items you use the most… shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, toothpaste, face wash, astringent, etc… 

(4) Explore at home, all natural remedies and DIY recepies. Things like honey, lemon juice, witch hazel, cinnamon, various teas, apple, egg whites, raw potatoes, oatmeal, avocado, banana, and many more, work very well to balance many different skin types.

(5) Research and follow green beauty bloggers for recipes and tips on which items are best for your specific skin type! Some of my favorite sources to find information on natural and green living is the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and also Charmaine Leah, blogger and owner of Glamology.com, MintandBerry.com, and PeppermintSpa.com!

(6) Be mindful of all of the products you expose yourself to. Whether it’s laundry detergent, air freshener, hand sanitizers, cleaning products and etc. There are natural alternatives to everything, you just have to take action and commit to a non-toxic, green lifestyle. Some other great green companies and sites to look into are… ECOS, Seventh Generation and Aura Cacia also makes products for your home!

If you want to know more information about toxic ingredients, here is an amazing 7 minute video called, “The Story of Cosmetics,” with Annie Leonard. 

Product Review: Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush + Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder

Product Review: The Eye Balm from Indie Lee

I absolutely love this stuff, it’s amazing! This 100% all natural balm helps to protect, perfect, nourish and moisturize the sensitive skin around your eyes. It’s formulated with calendula oil to reduce puffiness as well as dark circles, and mango seed butter to help smooth wrinkles and hydrate. It is great for all skin types. I use it in the mornings to wake up my tired eyes, and in the evenings to add extra moisture. For $18 you get a 1oz. container of Indie’s Eye Balm… It will literally last you months! You only need a teeny bit to get the job done, so it is well worth the money! For more from Indie Lee, check out IndieLee.com, there are so many amazing, 100% natural beauty products! Also make sure you “like” Indie Lee’s Facebook page, and follow her on Twitter! 

(Source: kelleyfarlow.com)

Beauty Foods: How to transform the way you look and feel from the inside out…

Maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle is not only necessary for feeling your best, but also looking your best! Incorporate these things into your daily lifestyle for a more gorgeous you, naturally!

• Antioxidants - not only necessary for strengthening your immune system, but for important for keeping skin looking young. They help block the effects of free radicals, as well as help to repair damaged tissue. Green Tea, Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries and Plums all contain high levels of antioxidants.

• Healthy Oils & Fats - Omega 3 and fatty acids such as DHA, EPA & ALA are essential for glowing, healthy skin, hair and nails… They help to repair dry, dull skin and hair, decreases hair shedding, and strengthen brittle nails. Flaxseed, Olive Oil, Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds, Walnuts, Canola Oil, Seaweed and Salmon are some of the best places to get your intake.

• Vitamins A - This is absolutely essential for beautiful skin… fruits and veggies that contain a high amount of Vitamin A are apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, watermelon, tomatoes, grapefruit and mango.

• Vitamin C - Another essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fruits and veggies that have high levels of Vitamin C are pineapple, broccoli, guava, lemon, bell peppers, and blackberries.

• Vitamin E - Essential for healthy skin, and for protecting skin from harmful sun exposure and damage from sun exposure. It also helps in the formation of red blood cells. Foods such as avocados, kiwis and grape leaves are all good sources of Vitamin E.

• Hydrate - Drink plenty of water. Your body needs water for optimum physiological functioning. Drinking enough water will help to flush out toxins, and clear your complexion. I like to add freshly squeezed lemon juice to a glass of room temperature water at least twice a day. It helps your body to detox, while improving digestion, and hydrating skin.

* In addition to incorporating these things into your diet, you should also be mindful of the amount of refined sugars and carbs (pasta, white bread, etc) that you eat… They can cause pre-mature aging and breakouts, make your skin look dull, and increase fluid retention. You don’t have to stop eating these things completely, but moderation is key. Using organic honey is a great replacement for refined sweeteners!

(Source: kelleyfarlow.com)

Product Review: The Cleanser by Indie Lee 

This super gentle and effective facial cleanser is the perfect way to purify and balance your complexion, naturally. It is ideal for even the most sensitive skin and can also be used as a makeup remover. It’s formulated with skin nourishing ingredients such as Strawberry Oil and Lycopene; both known to keep your skin looking and feeling younger. The Strawberry Oil also gives this cleanser a sweet, subtle scent that is absolutely blissful, and perfect for beginning or ending your day! I have really dry, sensitive skin and was very happy with how clean it left my face feeling, without over-drying or over-moisturizing. Overall I have to say this is another perfect product/ skin must-have from Indie Lee & Co… 

For more from Indie Lee… visit IndieLee.com to check out all of their amazing all-natural skin and hair care products! Don’t forget to follow Indie Lee on Twitter, and “like” the Facebook page! 

Product Review: The Moisturizing Oils from Indie Lee

A few months ago, I tried The Moisturizing Oil from Indie Lee. I loved it so much that I ordering a new bottle a few weeks ago! This 100% natural, luxurious, skin-pampering oil comes in three different kinds: Original, Lavender, and Vanilla Citrus. I’ve tried all three, and they are all amazing. An absolute must for dry skin!  

• The Moisturizing Oil in Original - This all natural combination of jojoba oil, apricot oil, essential patchouli oil, sandalwood, and ylang ylang, leave your skin feeling supple, smooth and moisturized. The earthy subtle scent is the perfect way to begin or end your day. I love how the undertones of sandalwood and ylang ylang are so relaxing yet refreshing! 

• The Moisturizing Oil in Lavender - This 100% natural combination of jojoba oil, apricot oil, essential lavender oil and chamomile come together to calm, soften, hydrate and balance skin. The light scent of lavender relaxes your senses, while you’re renewing your skin. I love using it at night after a hot bath or shower… It is ideal for bedtime! 

• The Moisturizing Oil in Vanilla Citrus - This all natural combination of jojoba oil, apricot oil, essential oils of vanilla, and sweet orange leave your skin feeling perfectly balanced and moisturized, while the light, sweet scent lifts your spirits! 

I definitely recommend trying any, (or all!) of these luxurious oils… Your skin will be happy, hydrated, and beautiful! If you want more from Indie Lee, visit www.IndieLee.com and check out the entire line of products! Be sure to “like” the Facebook page and follow her on Twitter too! 

A lot of my friends have either had a baby this year, or are expecting right now… so I decided to do a little research and find the very best natural, safe products for babies and expecting mommies! 

The Baby Massage Oil from Indie Lee - If you follow my blog, then I’m sure you already know how much I love the products Indie Lee offers… This 100% natural massage oil is formulated with Organic Apricot Kernel Oil, Lavender Oil and Chamomile Oil…  It calms, moisturizes, improves circulation, and is gentle and safe for even the most sensitive skin… and it is of coarse free from synthetic ingredients and nut oils that can potentially cause allergic reactions. You order this directly from IndieLee.com for $18!

My Angel Cleansing Bar from Indie Lee - This gentle, 100% natural, fragrance-free bar is perfect for your baby’s sensitive face, body and hair… It is formulated with Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil and Olive Oils to soften and moisturize without irritating! Also great for new mommies who can be sensitive to scents. Find it on IndieLee.com for only $6.

The Baby Balm from Indie Lee - Gently relieves diaper rash and discomfort all day long… This also works great on dry skin such as baby’s chin and cheeks. 100% natural and free from fragrances and preservatives! You can get this on IndieLee.com for $15.

The Belly Balm from Indie Lee - Reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and find soothing, moisturizing relief from itchiness and tightness that can occur from your growing belly. You can get this belly balm for $18 from IndieLee.com.

The Baby Powder from Indie Lee - This all natural, talc-free powder leaves your baby’s skin soft and fresh. It comes in two different options… Unscented and a calming Lavender scent. You can get this for $10 on IndieLee.com!

Natursutten All-Natural Orthodontic Rubber Binkies - Natursutten pacifiers are made from 100% natural rubber from the tree Hevea brasiliensi. The are made without any artificial colors, chemical softeners, parabens, PVC, phtalates or BPA. You can visit Natursutten.com to learn more, find an online store, or your nearest retailer! These go for around $9 each. 

Green To Grow BPA-Free Baby Bottles - These adorable and BPA-Free baby bottles come in a variety different sizes and shapes. The one in the picture above is about $11… You can learn more or find a retailer near you by visiting GreenToGrow.com!

5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Skin Clear & Avoid Breakouts!

Everyone hates breakouts and sometimes it seems like you can’t do anything to avoid them, especially when you take care of your skin… Well here are 5 super easy things that can help you to keep your skin beautiful! 

1) Washing Your Sheets, Pillowcases & Towels…

• It’s not only important to wash these things often, but to make sure you’re using a skin-safe detergent… Most laundry detergents contain tons of skin-irritating ingredients such as synthetic dyes, fragrances, and dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde (EW!)… All of these ingredients can make skin itchy, cause allergic reactions as well as breakouts. I recommend using an all-natural detergent such as ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergent. This detergent cleans extremely well, and it is mild and gentle on every skin type. You can find it at most grocery stores and stores such as Target. It’s also very reasonably priced (about $13 for a 100oz. bottle)… Also, washing your linens in super hot water will help to get your laundry extra clean! Wash your sheets at least every other week, and your pillow cases every week! 

2) Keep Your Cell Phone Clean! 

• This is so important! Your phone is one of the dirties things ever, and carries tons of germs and bacteria… Simply wiping the screen off with your shirt sleeve, isn’t going to cut it. I suggest using either rubbing alcohol, or an all-natural sanitizing spray such as Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray. You can find it on their website for about $4! I’ve noticed getting breakouts in the exact place where my phone touches my cheek when I talk on it… and once I started getting in the habit of spraying and wiping it down, I didn’t get those breakouts anymore. 

3) Watch Your Refined Sugar Intake…

• This can be hard, especially if you’re a cupcake lover like I am! But… as much as I love my sugary treats, I don’t love what it can do to my skin. Refined sugars can cause breakouts and premature aging, yuck! Try to take in less than 45-50grams of sugar a day! 

4) Keep Your Skin Hydrated! 

• Hydration is absolutely key when it comes to clear, healthy skin… Women should drink at least 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) a day, and men should drink about 3 liters (13 cups) a day. This will help to keep your skin supple, while flushing out toxins that can cause breakouts. 

5) The Makeup Rule…

• Never, never, never, NEVER sleep with your makeup on! This is so unbelievably bad for your skin. Even those makeup companies that claim their makeup is so mild you can “sleep with it on…” don’t! That is gross. I always wash my face twice at night, first to take off the makeup, and second to make sure my skin is totally clean. 
• Also, keep your makeup brushes clean! Your liquid foundation and concealer brushes should be washed after every use. Your powder, blush and bronzer brushes should be washed about 2-3 times a week depending on how often you use them. My favorite brush shampoo is Dr. Bronner’s Magic Liquid Soap. I usually use the Tea Tree kind, but really any of their liquid soaps will work just fine. 

Product Review: Carrot French Clay Cleansing Bar from Indie Lee

This is one of seven amazing cleansing bars from Indie Lee. I have not yet tried the other bars, but I was very happy with this one! This 100% natural soap gently cleanses your skin, while revitalizing and toning your complexion. It has a light, sweet scent, and it leaves your skin feeling fresh and soft. This bar is so mild that it can be used on both your body and face. It is ideal for all skin types, and at only $6, it is the perfect stocking-stuffer for anyone! 

(Source: kelleyfarlow.com)

Holiday Beauty Trends: How to Get This Look

Turn heads at your holiday parties this season with these trendy hair and makeup tips! This look that my gorgeous model, Mariah is wearing in the picture above, is super simple and perfect for every holiday event!

Makeup: Red lipstick is a favorite among fashion icons and celebrities alike… but this season, it’s all about “that shade” of red lipstick… Try an energetic, vibrant hue of red! Pair it with a soft application of a shimmery, copper eye shadow, some black waterproof mascara, and a clean flawless complexion. 

Hair: Try something unique with your hair, like braiding a small section near your temple, and bringing it across your forehead, then tucking and pinning it under another section. If you prefer to wear your hair up, try a ballerina bun on top of your head, or a messy, lower side bun with whimsical loose curls! 

For more hair and makeup tips, follow me on twitter and “like” my facebook page! 

(Image Credit: Photographer Marcus Hyde, Model Mariah with Kim Alley Models, Hair & Makeup Kelley Farlow) 

Best Beauty Finds Under $50!

If you’re having trouble getting those last few “hard to shop for” people crossed off your list, then take a peak at my list of beauty must-haves… No matter your budget, you’ll be sure to find something that that they will love! 

$1 - $10 

• E.L.F Single Brushes - Choose from any of their four lines of brushes… Starting with their “Essential” line where each brush is $1… Their “Studio” line, where each brush is $3… Their “Gem” line, where each brush is $4, and maxed out in hot pink and faux gems, or my most favorite, the “Mineral” line, where each brush is $5. These brushes are a great for all ages, super soft, and make perfect stocking-stuffers! 

• Indie Lee Cleansing Bars - These all natural face and body bars are the perfect gift for anyone. With seven different kinds to choose from, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find the perfect one for the person you’re shopping for. You can order these for $6 each!

• Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm - This 100% natural lip balm, nourishes and softens your lips, while providing a subtle hint of color. It comes in six lovely hues to choose from… My personal favorite is Tiger Lily, a peachy, sheer orange! You can pick these up for $7 each.

$10 - $20

• Dr. Bronner’s Magic Liquid Soap - One of the most amazing liquid soaps ever created! This 100% natural/ chemical-free liquid soap, is not only certified organic, & certified fair trade, but it’s a multi-purpose concoction that is perfect for anyone. There are eight different scents to choose from, and six different sizes. I think the best size to gift to someone either the 16oz ($10.49), or the 32oz ($16.99).

• Hopscotch Kids Water-Based/ Non-Toxic Nail Polish - The perfect gift for little girls, or grown ups! Hopscotch Kids polishes come in a ton of bright fun colors, and are a much safer alternative than traditional nail polishes… You can buy these for around $12 each!

$20 - $30

• Mini Cheek Stain Set from Tarte Cosmetics - This adorable trio will put a smile on anyone’s face, and a natural looking glow on their cheeks! You not only get three different color stains (luster, vivid, & flawless), but you also get a fashionable, faux gold ring. Tarte is my favorite cosmetics brand because they formulate all of their products without harmful ingredients like parabens, SLS, phthalates, mineral oil & etc…  You can order this from Tarte’s website for $25!

• “The Moisturizing Oil” from Indie Lee - One of my absolute favorite products from Indie Lee. This luxurious, 100% natural moisturizing oil, gives dry winter skin a healthy, nourished, illuminating appearance. It leaves your skin feeling soft and fresh, without feeling oily or causing breakouts… You can choose from three different relaxing scents; each bottle is $28.

$30 - $40

• “The Body Scrub” from Indie Lee - Another incredible, all-natural miracle product from the Indie Lee line… This Coconut & Citrus combination not only exfoliates your skin, leaving it soft and glowy, but it moisturizes it to give your complexion a supple, nourished look and feel. You can get this luxurious scrub for $38.

$40 - $50

• Tarte Cosmetics “Day to Night” Eyeshadow Palette - Tarte’s eyeshadow palettes are amazing. This particular palette is a great choice for anyone… For $44, you get an adorable container that allows you to refill individual swatches… 10 gorgeous shades, a dual-sided liner, and a dual-sided shadow brush.