I am a firm believer that you need two different foundations in your vanity at all times. A light/medium and full coverage foundation. This is a staple in every make up collection. I mix up these foundations with the different seasons and events. As the weather changes so can your skin.

I have dry skin in the winter and oily skin in the summer. Foundation is my favorite type of make up to purchase and I have tried a ton over the years. These are my top picks so far.

Light/Medium Coverage

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer – $33.00 – this was my go to foundation this summer. Although it says tinted moisturizer, it has pretty good coverage to equate to a light coverage foundation. I would wear this with shape tape concealer and be good to go for the entire day. My skin looked amazing and I got a ton of compliments when I wore this.

IT Cosmetics CC Cream – $39.50 – This is also one of my favorites. This has a little more coverage then the bare minerals but I’d consider this to be light/medium coverage because its buildable. I found I could wear this in the summer and fall months and it kept my skin moisturized but not oily.

I only have two favorite foundations in this category at the moment. I have tried so many light coverage foundations but found that they either did nothing for my skin or they separated and did not last long throughout the day.

Full Coverage

Nars Natural Radiant Longwear – $49 – This is what I currently wear everyday for the winter time. This is full coverage, not drying and does not crease. It lasts me 12+ hours and looks fresh all day. This is my Holy Grail Foundation at the moment. It is perfect for dry, oily or combination skin types.

Kat Von D Lock It Foundation – $37 – I wore this foundations for years. It is one of the most full coverage foundations that I’ve found on the market. It could last you days of wearing power. The only issue I started to have, is my skin became more dry as I got older and this foundation if I do not moisturize properly tends to look a little cakey on my dry areas. If you have oily skin, this foundation is amazing. If you have dry skin stay away.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear – $47 – This is another fan favorite foundation. This foundation is super full coverage but can dry your skin out a little bit if you don’t properly moisturize. However, it looks great in photographs. This in my opinion, trumps the Estee lauder Double Wear foundation because it doesn’t leave your skin cakey.

Dior Airflash – $62 – I am so beyond in LOVE with this foundation. I used this on my rehearsal dinner and wedding day. The pictures came out amazing, my skin looked flawless and photoshopped. If this is in your budget I HIGHLY recommend this. Perfect for all skin types, just the best foundation I have EVER used.

All items can be found at Sephora.

It’s that time of year again for my fellow procrastinators rushing to get affordable and fast valentines day gifts.

Gifts for her

Pink Jogger Set – because its winter and who doesn’t love to be cozy and cute. This Jogger set is available on Amazon prime for under $40.00. Click Here to purchase.

Pink Fuzzy Slippers – Have you ever seen a mushier slipper then these?! This would be perfect to put in a valentines day themed basket for your loved one. Click Here for the amazon prime link!

Dr. Teals Lotion – If you have never tried this brands lotion or bath items you haven’t lived. I use EVERYTHING Dr. Teals even their Epsom salt for baths. This is the best lotion EVER. You can make your loved one a spa basket because who doesn’t like to pamper themselves? Click Here for the lotion. Two for $16

Mario Badescu Facial Sprays – This would be great to go with a spa basket. These facial sprays are so refreshing and feels amazing on the skin. I have used both of these and I love them for every season. You can also purchase them at Ulta, but if your last minute like me Amazon has them on Prime. You can purchase this set HERE for $14.

Candles – These are a great gifts for Valentines Day. You can get real fancy and buy your loved one a Jo Malone Candle; my favorite scent being Peony & Blush. Its probably one of the best scents in a perfume and candle I have ever smelt in my life, or you can buy any rose or peony scented candle. I don’t know about you, but it always just puts me in the best mood. Jo Malone candles run about $70, they aren’t cheap but they are worth it. You can smell it for yourself at Bloomingdales or Saks.

Gifts for Him

Now this is where it gets tricky, because shopping for men on Valentines Day is probably one of the most difficult things women can do. I don’t know about you, but getting creative on a day that men don’t really care about is exhausting, so your welcome.

Wireless phone charger – This may sound random, but now you can tell your loved one you don’t have to fight over the phone charger. Because lets face it, if your anything like my Husband and I, we constantly lose chargers, so it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

$20 on Amazon – Click Here

Sweatpants – If you like a good theme, you can never go wrong with a pair of sweats. You can buy them in any color make a comfy basket for your man or you can get obnoxious like me and buy them a red pair of puma sweats for $36. Click Here

Kenneth Cole Black Eau De Toilette – Lets get basic for a second, who doesn’t like a new cologne and this one is definitely an under-rated gem. $70 on Amazon, but if you don’t trust me go smell it at Macy’s. Click Here if you want your man to smell good.

Slippers – Let me tell you a little something about men and slippers. They will tell you it’s girly, they will never wear them, don’t ever get them, what guy wears slippers, none of my friends wear them etc.

We have a dog and every time he has to go outside and it is early in the morning, late at night or cold out, I saw my husband put on his sneakers and struggle squeezing his feet in every time and rushing because my dog was crying. I bought him these slippers and he was so grossed out. Well, he now leaves them by the door to get the mail, take my dog out to the bathroom, put them on when my wood floors are cold etc. He literally wears them all the time. So ladies, they will tell you its ugly and they won’t wear them, but when you buy them they are secretly in love.

If your still nervous and don’t want to spend the money for the nice pairs I will link HERE a cheap version that I bought my husband also. They were $22 and I honestly, couldn’t tell the difference in quality.

Adventure gift – This is probably the best gift you can get. Get your love tickets to a concert or comedy show, or a night out at a local destination. The gifts that make memories are better then any material item you can give and the most personalized.

And last but not least – we can forget our pups! Show them some love

Chewy has some great dog toys for cheap right now. Also, at your local Pet Smart. These are $14 HERE

These ingredients have been linked to some cancers and other harmful diseases. They are found in many of the foods we purchase everyday. I know, scary right?

I have been doing a lot of research on ways to eat clean and shopping in the healthy organic isles of the market or at Trader Joes. Lately, I started to read the back of the ingredient labels on the foods that I put in my cart. To my surprise, I noticed even on some of my healthy choices there were ingredients I have never heard before that sounded like chemicals. I started to look up those ingredients and was horrified to find what I was eating and the damage that it may cause.

Sodium nitrate – added to processed meats, such as bacon to stop bacterial growth. They maintain the pinkish meat color and without this the meat could appear grey. When cooked or broken down in the stomach, nitrites form nitrosamines which can cause cancer. Luckily, you can now find nitrate free bacon and other meats.

Potassium bromate – added to many packaged breads. Bromate has been banned worldwide except in Japan and the United States. 
In California they require a cancer warning on the label.

Propyl gallat – found in meats, popcorn, soup, frozen dinners shown to cause cancer in rats. Some side effects are said to be stomach and skin irritability, as well as allergic reactions that impact breathing. It may also cause kidney and liver problems.

BHA/BHT – A fat preservative used in foods to extend shelf life. Long-term exposure to high doses in mice, causing liver, thyroid and kidney problems and affecting lung function and blood coagulation. Also banned in many countries such as Japan and Canada.

Enriched flour – used in many and breads, pizzas, donuts and other snack foods. It raises raises blood sugar that has to be metabolized by the liver, and if there’s an excess of sugar, that typically gets stored in the body as fat. Purchasing whole wheat flour or whole grain flour is the healthier way to go. Those contain the nutrients and vitamins that your body likes.

Polysorbate 60 – a thickening agent that is used in baked goods which have shown in some cases to hinder fertility.

Paraben – used to stop mold and yeast forming in foods, such as jelly, beers, and syrup. In 2004, researchers found parabens in breast cancer tumours. Although there isn’t a proven link between parabens and breast cancer, the research certainly made it seem that way. Parabens are also commonly found in sunscreens along with other skincare items so make sure you read those labels!

Read more: http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/are-you-eating-parabens/#ixzz6D8WNyDkl

High Fructose Corn Syrup – Basically a toxic sugar that we put into our bodies. Research as shown it causes diabetes, cancers and digestive issues. It is in pretty much every sugary snack food and drink that I have come across.  

Next time you go shopping remember to read the back of the food labels because you never know what you’ll find in your everyday items.