20 favorite new products for 2020

It’s been quite a while since I’ve shared my favorite beauty products and now that I am breaking out the blog again in 2020 I figured this is a great place to start! I love trying new products and am constantly looking for what I truly believe works and actually enoy using.

Here are my 20 favorite new products for 2020 to add in to your beauty routine this year!

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Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

I”ve had my eye on this hairdryer for probably the last two years. so many times I sat on the couch and was tempted to say yolo and purchase off qvc lol. I just never could get past the price… i mean it’s a good chunk of change. But after my hair stylist recommended it to me to help my hair grow for my wedding + a beautiful thing called AFTERpay usa was invented… i did it. I bought it.

let me tell you it was worth it! I ABSOLUTELY love my dyson supersonic and recommend to everyone. since using my hair feels healthier, looks shiner, and it gives me an amazing blowout. highly recommend for anyone looking to invest in a high quality hairdryer.

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Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum

Wedding prep has really made me start to take big steps for my skin health. i’ve recently started getting a facial done once a month at luna spa here in richmond, va. highly recommend! Acne is something i’ve always struggled with and still do UNFORTUNATELY. since being on accutane my acne has definitely improved but i still get frequent breakouts, especially around my time of the month.

this product was RECOMMENDED to me by my facialist erica and omg it works. I will put a dab of this serum on any blemishes i have before going to bed and in the morning they look so. much. better. definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a quick solution for blemishes!

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Tula Hydrating Day + Night Cream

my new favorite moisturizer. my skin feels so hydrated and ready to go when I put it on! I have combination skin and wake up with dry patches often. I love how this MOISTURIZER really sinks into my skin and does not get in the way of my makeup application!

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BEAUTYCOUNTER Charcoal Facial Mask

so going back to wedding prep. my facialist also RECOMMENDED I do a charcoal mask once or twice a week to help unclog my pores + erase blackheads. (holy nose blackheads!)

a friend of mine sells beautycounter so i figured i’d support her and test out their charcoal face mask! i absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels after this and it really helps reduce any imperfections.

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Hair Hearts Vitamins

i’ve been on the hunt for any and every way to get my hair to grow back. fall of 2018 i decided i wanted to chop it all off and while i loved my chic bob.. i’m ready to get my long locks back.

i found these hair hearts vitamins through hair by chrissy on instagram. you’ve probably heard of her, but if you haven’t she pretty much does the hair of every influencer out there. i was hesitant to try any type of vitamin fearing they would be a waste of money but i’ve definitely noticed growth in my hair since starting these and am excited to continue!

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Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse

i had a very bad habit of hitting the tanning beds all throughout HIGH SCHOOL and college. now that i am older and UNDERSTAND how bad they are for you, finding a good self tanner has really become a priority for me. this one by loving tan is a winner in my eyes.

self tanning can be challenging… the first time i ever tried to self tan… i got to work the next day and realized the front of my leg was a COMPLETELY different color than the back. lol. not good. luckily with time your application will improve.

i love this formula by loving tan and think overall my tan comes out streak free and blended beautifully. i highly recommend getting the tanning glove by this brand as well.

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Micellar Cleansing Water

say goodbye to makeup remover wipes and hello to micellar cleansing water. i love this product so much and it works amazing at getting all your makeup off, including stubborn mascara. i put a small amount on a cotton pad and wipe everything off in just a few minutes. plus one bottle really lasts a while!

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Bumble and Bumble Glow Thermal Protection Mist

i love when i go home from the salon with a new product to try and actually end up really enjoying it. i’ve never really used a thermal protection spray in the past but again back to wedding prep… i want my hair as healthy as can be. not only does this smell amazing, it makes your hair super smooth and protects from heat damage. win, win, win.

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Flawless Finishing Touch

alright so lets get real. we’ve all got peach fuzz around our upper lip. i love this product for when i am in between threading sessions and need to get rid of a few hairs around my lip. i will also use this to smooth my entire face for a flawless makeup application.

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Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3

Olaplex no 3 is a great leave in product to help repair and strengthen your hair. you leave on for 10-15 minutes, rinse out, and you’re left with the smoothest hair i’ve ever felt. i recommend to everyone!

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TATCHA The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

primers have always been one of those products that just confuse me. is this actually working or am i just paying $35 for another product? i’ve DEFINITELY used primers in the past i’ve felt have done ABSOLUTELY nothing but this tatcha silk primer is a game changer. I ABSOLUTELY love the way it feels on my skin and how pore perfecting it finishes. it is on the PRICiEr side but i highly recommend for any special events!

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Sonic Makeup Brush Cleaner

When i saw this advertised a few months ago i knew i needed to try it. i am notorious for leaving my makeup brushes unclean for way too long. cleaning each one INDIVIDUALLY is so just too much work for once a week. this brush cleaner is a game changer and can clean multiple brushes at once. definitely worth the investment for any other lazy brush cleaners out there!

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Wet Brush Original Detangler

i really can’t remember life before being introduced to the wet brush. this thing is magical. any knots, tangles, snags in your hair come out so quickly/easily. oh and 'i’m sure you picked it up by the name but you can use this brush with wet hair!!! no more 20 minutes of painful de-tangling with a comb.

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ACTIVE HYDRATION BODY REPLENISH

i love everything about this product. the amount of hydration this lotion gives your body is amazing. it has become my go to all over body lotion and i use daily. leaves your skin glowing and hydrated all day.

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Morphe

35O Nature Glow Eyeshadow Palette

i’m a big fan of neutral EYE SHADOW palettes. i’ve never been one to use crazy bright colors (well except my blue EYE SHADOW phase) this palette provides the perfect combination of neutrals to create so many beautiful eye makeup looks. it’s super affordable and great quality!

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Urban Decay

De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray

setting spray for me is super important in my makeup routine. i have combination skin so while in the morning i wake up dry.. by the end of the day my face is pretty oily. i love setting my makeup with this setting spray from urban decay. helps control oil and keeps my face i just spent 30 minutes crafting (lol) from moving around too much during the day!

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Redken

Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Conditioner

i am always on the hunt for a good purple shampoo. being a brunette trying to have blonde hair is truly a challenge. it can turn brassy in the blink of an eye. this purple shampoo by redken really does the trick and helps keep away any brassy from popping out. i will use this every other wash to help hold my color.

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Kristen Ess Satin Pillowcase

i was gifted this pillow case last year and i’ve got to say i am SURPRISED how much i love it. not only is it super comfy to sleep on but it helps your hair keep its natural oils and prevent damage!

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Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

i love every product from skin ceuticals but their hydrating b5 gel is definitely a favorite. on days where i’m feeling extra dry, i’ll put a few drops of this serum on top of my tula moisturizer and it really helps give me just that little extra hydration i need. oh and it leaves you with a gorgeous glow.

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Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray

last but not least, thickening texture spray. yes please. i love this product because not only can you use it at your roots for volume but also as a “hairspray” for a super beachy TEXTURED hairstyle. i love how light it feels and does not leave your hair crunchy like some products do.

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hello beautiful:my everyday makeup routine

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Hey Y'all! Hope you are having a great week so far. It's been quite a while since I first shared my everyday makeup routine so I wanted to go ahead and update it on the blog today! I am constantly trying out new products and finding things I love as well as using my favorites over and over. I really enjoy doing my makeup each day and find it very relaxing/just a part of my day to day routine. Currently, it takes me around 20 minutes to do my makeup using each of these products below! I enjoy playing around with new products but for the day to day look enjoy a very "natural" makeup look. 

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The sweater I'm wearing is from Vici Dolls (vicicollection.com) Unfortunately they are currently sold out, but I will be sure to share with y'all when it restocks!

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My Makeup Routine

Click the links to shop each of the products I use daily! 

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Step 1. it Cosmetics "Confidence in a Cream Moisturizer" 

 

The very first thing I do after washing my face is apply moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated! 

Step 2. Yves Saint Laurent Primer 

I just recently started using this primer and am loving it! In the past, I have gone without primer because I honestly did not see any difference to my makeup. With this I barely notice any pores and my makeup stays on throughout the day! 

Step 3. Too Faced "Born This Way" Foundation 

I LOVE this foundation! It is the same foundation I had posted in my previous everyday makeup routine and I am still using it. I love how build-able the coverage is and how great my skin looks after I apply this foundation! 

Step 4. it Cosmetics "Bye Bye Under Eye" Concealer

This concealer is AMAZING! I constantly have dark under eyes and this is the best concealer I have found to brighten them up. It is much thicker than previous concealers I have used in the past so I recommend going light with it at first and building the product up! 

Makeup Tool: Beauty Blender 

I use this beauty blender to apply my foundation and blend my concealer! A must have! 

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Step 5. Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder 

I have oily skin so I like to set my foundation with a powder after I do my concealer. I recently started using this Charlotte Tilbury powder and have fallen in love! My pores disappear when I apply this and it lasts all day! I also love that it does not look cakey... I hate when I notice how much powder someone has on. This looks very natural!

Step 6. Kat Von D Shade + Light Face Contour Palette

I use this contour palette to highlight my undereyes after face powder. A great way to set your concealer so it does not crease during the day. 

Step 7. Anastasia Beverly Hills "Modern Renaissance" Eye Shadow Palette

I love the soft, romantic colors in this eye shadow palette! I typically will use the nudes during the day and add some of the berry colors if I have plans for the night! Perfect combination of matte and shimmery shadows. 

If I'm going for a much bolder eyeshadow look I will do my eyeshadow BEFORE my foundation to prevent shadow from getting on to my face! But for my day to day routine I don't wear too much eyeshadow so it comes after my foundation :) 

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Step 8. Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner

I am still using the same eyeliner from my previous makeup routine post! I just love it! Very easy to apply and lasts throughout the day. 

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Step 9. It Cosmetics "Superhero" Mascara

I just recently started using this mascara from It Cosmetics after hearing all of the great reviews! It really is what they say. My lashes get so long I feel like I'm wearing falsies! Highly recommend trying.

Step 10. Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer 

I love how this bronzer is very natural without any shimmer. Definitely great for natural day to day looks!

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Step 11. Tarte Blush in "Paaarty" 

I just recently started using this blush from Tarte and love it! The pink color is super feminine and pretty and gives the perfect amount of color. 

Step 12. Anastasia Beverly Hills- Glow Kit 

I use this glow kit mostly for highlighting! I will utilize the bronzers when I am looking to add some shimmer to my contour! 

Step 13. Anastasia Bevery Hills-Brow Wiz

I am a huge fan of the brow wiz from this brand! It is super easy to use and definitely gives my eyebrows a natural look! I already have thick eyebrows so this product is perfect to fill in any missing areas but also very buildable if you do have thinner brows.  

 

Thank you for reading and I hope you find a new product to try! 

P.S. Happy Halloween!! 

xoxo

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My Experience on Accutane!

I have had many of my friends reaching out to me recently asking about my experience and results on Accutane and decided I wanted to share my story on my blog. It feels very vulnerable and scary to talk about something like this but if it helps someone understand the medicine better that's all that matters. This post is not to persuade anyone to do Accutane or act like I know everything about it! I just want to share my experience and why I am happy I made the choice to do it! Everyone has their own opinions on medicine and what you should do. To each their own!

Acne is something I struggled with for many years. I first started getting acne in middle school and it continued on through college. I did years and years of different ointments, medicine, face washes and nothing seemed to ever make it go away. I hated taking my makeup off every night and seeing a face full of scares, red marks, pimples, and to me just terrible skin. People would always tell me "You can't even tell you have acne" but to me I knew it was there under all of the makeup, and I had mastered the art of covering it up. There were times when my acne would clear up for a week or two and I would be so thrilled! But every time it would slowly creep back in. Nothing I did I was helping. 

Acne for me really played a part in my self confidence. I NEVER went without makeup and never wanted anyone to see me without makeup. I know to some people it may sound silly but to me when I took the makeup off I didn't want anyone to notice all of my blemishes. I went everywhere with makeup on..even to the gym.

I had heard of other people trying and doing Accutane and saw the results they had and knew I was going to ask my Dermatologist about it. I went into the Dermatologist and asked him if Accutane was an option for me, and I was in fact a candidate. If you don't know what Accutane or "Isotretinoin" is, it is a type of acne medication meant to cure severe acne. It is for people who have not found success with other treatments. Accutane is a strong and powerful medicine and comes with responsibility. It is not easy or a medicine for just anyone. There is a process you have to complete before they will give you the medicine and tests you have to pass. It was no joke!

I started Accutane in the Winter of 2015. After I received my prescription for Accutane, I began the process of getting my first month of pills. Before they will allow you to begin treatment, you are required to be on two forms of birth control, pass a pregnancy test, a blood test and take a comprehensive exam to ensure you understand the side affects of the medicine. Once you are cleared with those you are able to pick up your first month of Accutane. They only give you one month of the medicine at a time to ensure you go to your doctors each month for another pregnancy test, blood test as well as take a comprehensive exam each month. Getting pregnant on this medicine is a huge NO. The doctors are sure to remind you of this before you begin the medicine due to serious affects it can have on a child. 

During my first three months on Accutane I saw no improvement with my acne. If anything it seemed to be getting worse! I remember my Dermatologist telling me it was going to be like this but I couldn't help getting frustrated. I was ready for the acne to be gone. I did start seeing side affects during these months though, mostly dry skin and lips as well as a very dry nose. As I entered into my fourth month of the medicine, the side affects really began to hit. If you've ever done research on Accutane or heard about it, than you know many of the side affects are not pretty. During my final two months on Accutane, my lips were extremely dry. Aquaphor became my best friend. My lips were so dry to the point they would crack and bleed. I know... gross. It was honestly very painful and not fun. Trying to have conversation with people during this time was hard, I didn't want them staring at my lips. If I would open my mouth to talk they would start to bleed. It was embarrassing and hard.  I'm only sharing this because I want people to really know the affects that come with this medicine. 

I consider myself very lucky when it came to the side affects though. Dry skin, lips and nose were the only things I experienced personally but while doing my research I had seen there can be quite scary side affects as well. 

Some side affects to be aware of while taking Accutane: 

1. Dry skin and lips 

2. Dry Nose

3. Hair loss

4. Sensitivity to sun 

A little funny story to go along with this one.... I was in my Junior year of college during my time on Accutane. I went on a spring break trip with two of my bestfriends to Cancun, Mexico! I remember my doctor warning me about how my skin would be extra sensitive to sun due to the medicine. I thought to myself "nooo, I always tan, I never burn". So of course the first day in Cancun I put minimal sunscreen on, if any honestly (terrible, I know) By the end of the day I was so burnt on my legs and feet to the point they were swollen!! It was not a fun few days walking around with swollen and burnt feet! Lesson learned... Definitely reapply that sunscreen while on this medicine! 

my burn in cancun! it hurt! 

my burn in cancun! it hurt! 

 

5. Mood Swings 

6. Headaches 

7. Depression, Thoughts of Suicide 

 

These are all very serious and need to be discussed with your doctor before beginning treatment!

I really started to see my acne go away during the final month of Accutane. Not only were my pimples going away but my scars from years and years of acne were also fading. I was SO happy and feeling like those five months of having gross lips were worth it! (There were alot of happy tears) My skin had never looked like this! At my five month Dermatologist appointment, my doctor decided it was time for me to get off the medicine. I was so nervous!! After everything I went through the past five months, I did not want my acne to come flooding back when I stopped the medicine. 

I am happy to share that it is now the Summer of 2017 and I am still acne free! Yes, I still get the occasional stress/hormonal pimple but my scars are gone and acne is no where to be seen! My confidence without makeup has increased and going to the gym without any on feels like the easiest thing! I get complimented on how great my skin looks and it feels great! I am very happy with my decision to go on Accutane and am thankful I had a somewhat smooth and easy experience with it. For those of you wondering about it, I hope this blog post gives you a little more clarity and understanding! I 100% would do it again. But again, this is my experience with it and they can vary!  

My First Post-Accutane selfie! (April 2016)

In the past I would have to edit out a large blemish from a photo but not anymore! I was so happy! 

 

July 2017 and my skin is still Acne Free! 

 

My advice if you're considering doing Accutane: 

1. Talk to your Dermatologist, they are there to help see if taking it is right for YOU! 

2. Be mentally prepared to be on Accutane. It is challenging! 

3. Be committed to getting your tests done each month 

4. Do not plan on getting pregnant within the next year 

5. Know that side affects are different for everyone, do your research! 

6. Stay positive! You are beautiful with or without Acne but if you feel it is what you want to do that is your choice! 

 

Products I use to keep my skin clear! 

 

Click on Picture to shop these products! 

 

Learn more about accutane with the link below: 

http://www.aocd.org/page/Accutane

xoxo