Brighter, Darling

3 Reasons Why I Wear SPF Every Day Always

May 14, 2018

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine. #mySPFmatch #feeltheWhip
I started wearing SPF on my face by accident. It was during college when I started wearing mineral powder foundation (because who didn’t?) and I needed to use an affordable moisturizer suited for sensitive skin to help the foundation apply nicer. I turned to Olay back then for their Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer Sensitive Skin SPF15. Being in my 30s now, my skin care requirements are multi-faceted: I want long-lasting hydration, nothing heavy or greasy, must provide anti-aging benefits and protects my skin from the sun…exactly what you get from the new Olay Whips with SPF. If you want to know three key reasons why I wear SPF every day and why I think it’s a HUGE key to younger-looking, brighter skin then keep reading.

Tutorial: $12 Shop Hush Athena Eyeshadow Palette Dupe [YouTube]

May 14, 2018

It’s been a bit since I shared a YouTube video, but I’m happy to be back at it and sharing this makeup tutorial featuring (mostly) affordable makeup! Mainly, I’ll be testing this $12 Shop Hush Athena Eyeshadow Palette dupe for a high-end palette that costs $60+. If you’re interested in seeing how I got this look and if the $12 palette is worth it, then continue reading…

Pregnancy Files: My 8 First Trimester Beauty Essentials

May 10, 2018

*Affiliate links and PR samples used. Full disclaimer details here.
Kicking off this pregnancy series, I figured it would be apt to begin with my first trimester beauty essentials. After all, this is a beauty blog. You’ll also find a correlating first trimester “bumpdate” on my YouTube channel (later in the day on 5/10/18) if you’re interested in other pregnancy details. But back to beauty. Let’s just say it’s been a very interesting introduction into the world of hormones, as my insanely oily skin has taken a turn for the dry side, and after 11 years of Retin A, I’ve had to bench my go-to anti-aging/anti-acne treatment. How are things holding up and what am I using it its place? Let’s see…

Thrive Causemetics Review and Makeup Look

May 4, 2018

*Affiliate links used. Full disclaimer details here.
In my early pregnancy when I was keeled over dying of nausea and forgot what my makeup even looked like, I spent a lot of time stalking everyone on social media. This means I was bombarded with seeing ads from Thrive Causemetics. If you’ve seen these ads, they’re quite enticing and after seeing maybe, 50,000, I decided to place an order of my own and test out a few products for ‘blogging purposes’ (it’s always for blogging purposes… at least that’s what I tell my husband when he sees my Sephora and Ulta transactions…). Now that I’m feeling way better, I’ve been testing the products out and I’m ready to share my Thrive Causemetics review and makeup look.

Spring Sephora and Ulta Haul 2018

April 30, 2018

*Affiliate links and PR samples used. Full disclaimer details here.
It’s been quite awhile since my last haul post! I usually don’t share every time I pick up new beauty products (because that’d be disgustingly frequent), but with the recent Sephora 15% off and Ulta 20% off sales, I definitely collected a decent amount of new goodies to share. Since I’ve had a couple of weeks to try most of it out by now, I will be sharing some initial first impressions, too. Interested in seeing what I picked up in my spring Sephora and Ulta haul? Continue reading to find out all the details…

Thoughts On The Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector…

April 24, 2018

*Affiliate links and/or PR Samples used. Full disclaimer details here.
10 years ago, I never would have thought putting acids on my face every day would be the standard in my life for clearer, smoother skin. But I do, and I’m always trying new ones. Recently, Glossier released their version of a chemical exfoliator and, in the name of blogging, HAD to try it myself. Chemical exfoliation is using an Alpha Hydroxy or Beta Hydroxy Acid to remove the dead skin cells instead of using a physical exfoliating method – such as a scrub. Here are my thoughts on the Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector and if I think it’s worth it…

It Just Takes One: Our IVF Pregnancy Story

April 19, 2018

SURPRISE – I’m pregnant! Although you may have known already if you follow my Instagram or Facebook page. Besides sharing my braces journey, which was kind of beauty-related, I don’t typically share personal details on the blog because I like to keep it about beauty and style. However, in order to understand a bit more about me and my blogging journey (and blogging future), it’s imperative that I share this pregnancy story. It’s also for the millions of other women AND MEN who are too embarrassed, ashamed, scared, angry and/or in too much pain to know how to formulate the words around this disease. #BrighterDarlingBaby is an IVF baby. I am one in four women who struggle(d?) with infertility and this is our IVF pregnancy story.

*Warning: this is a VERY long post.

Shopping the Sephora Spring Bonus Sale Recommendations

April 9, 2018

*Affiliate links and/or PR Samples used. Full disclaimer details here.
It’s that time of the year where Sephora holds their 10-15% off everything sale in April! Starting this weekend, April 13, VIB Rouge will get 15% off their purchases and then the following weekend, VIB and BI’s will get 15% and 10% off, respectively. You can shop the sale as often as you want – it’s not a one-time use code – so shop early to ensure you get your must-haves first… then shop later for some treat-yourself moments. If you’re shopping the Sephora Spring Bonus Sale this week, here are my top picks and recommendations for your list…

NEW BareMinerals BarePro Concealer + Foundation Chit Chat GRWM [YouTube]

March 29, 2018

Recently, I got to attend the launch party for the new BareMinerals BarePro concealer, Gen Nude Blushes and Gen Nude Lip Lacquers in New York. Lucky for us, they sent us home with our perfect shade to test on our own. I figured since many of us started dabbling in higher-end makeup using the OG BareMinerals, it would be fun to see how the brand has grown up and test a bunch of their new releases on camera.

A Moisturizer That Saves Time In The Morning: Olay Whips

March 22, 2018

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine. #feelthewhip #ad
I know there are still friends and family of mine out there who don’t apply moisturizer daily. It’s a travesty all skin care junkies like myself hear regularly. But I get it. With everyone trying to get out the door in the mornings ASAP or dealing with crying babies (or both), applying a moisturizer (forget about using a primer!) is just a hassle. I’ve been using Olay Whips for the last week or so, and this moisturizer hydrates deeply, dries instantly, and perfectly primes for makeup… all while treating my skin to amazing antiaging ingredients in a flash. Let’s get into the technology behind this new release and why I’m loving this moisturizer that saves time in the morning…