The deets: Clarins Tonic Body Oil Treatment.

The way this all started is Jacques Courtin-Clarins, whose wife was suffering from rheumatoid polyarthritis, founded the Association for Polyarthritis Research in 1989. Today, as a tribute to their beloved mother and grand-mother, the Courtin-Clarins family supports the Fondation Arthritis (a French non-profit with the mission to advance early diagnosis, new therapeutic pathways, and restore hope for millions of patients).

1 Tonic Body Treatment Oil* sold = 1 donation to fund research

And let me tell you about the actual product because like their other skin treatments (just included one in my last beauty round up here), it's pretty great. It's made with 100% pure plant extracts, smells like bitter orange, geranium, basil and chamomile essential oils which remind me of being in a spa - soothes the senses and relaxes. It also is wonderful for the dry skin on my legs!

Always know when there is a new post up by following CC!

I have blogged before (here) about the amount of new beauty products that I dabble with via sweet brand reps/PR professionals sending out product, beauty junkie gifts, and my own purchases that are born out of FOMO or curiosity. However they come to me, the point is I try it all. Like, ALL THE THINGS. If I don't truly love it, you never hear about it and believe me it has NOTHING to do with the price of things (sorry but I tested out this $350 moisturizing duo and couldn't make it through one day - the scent made me feel nauseous). Those unfortunate items just get passed off to a relative to try (everyone is different) or thrown into my bathroom closet never to be touched again until I do a clean out and realize I should have tossed it to begin with. It's really hard to know how you feel about a product until you've used it for a few weeks which is why all the products photographed are clearly used (I really really do test them for a while before giving my opinion). These are my top new to me favorite products! Sorry this is so long but I like to really explain why they made the list.

1. Tea Tree Oil Shampoo/Conditioner by Maple Holistics - Okay. I honestly had never heard of this shampoo brand or given much thought to organic shampoo and conditioner before in my life, however, I try anything once and figured it can't hurt to have more natural products in my life. The packaging isn't my favorite but the product itself is AMAZING and chemical, paraban, and cruelty free! It lathers well and makes your scalp tingle just a little (in a good way - almost minty?) and the conditioner makes your hair smooth, shiney, light, yet clean. I love it! Side note - you can get FREE product samples by signing up here.

2. L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD - This product is UNDER THREE DOLLARS. Yes, it's cheaper than your morning coffee and it works like a CHARM for covering imperfections. They have all these great colors (I always get really excited for pink undertoned products because usually I am left out) and it works really nicely with my tried and true Make Up For Ever HD foundation (I use Classic Ivory which matches my R300 in MUFE HD).

3. Clarins Double Serum (25% off through 10/15) - This product should honestly get a post all to itself. It has become my favorite thing in my skin care arsenal. It moisturizes without leaving your skin feeling greasy, it smells SO good (not overpowering), and most importantly - I noticed a real difference right away. I immediately found my dry U-zone (opposite of T zone) looking brighter and more supple. I use it every single day now - a small amount in the morning (the dispenser is adjustable) and a full amount at night after I cleanse.

4. Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer - I am normally VERY "2 in 1" averse. Never jumped on the BB or CC cream trains because of it - I think things should just do one thing and shine at that one thing, however, I gave this foundation a shot and it was really, really good. I wouldn't say you need to throw out your concealer completely but this product layers very nicely and smoothly so it's awesome for doing your base foundation and then spot treating places you'd normally use your concealer on but it isn't for the under eye area, the skin is too delicate there.

5. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm - This weird substance is balmy and firm when you wipe it all on - but immediately breaks down into an oil on your skin and seriously demolishes any makeup you have on your face in record time. Once you add water to the situation it just washes right off and leaves your skin feeling like it did before you even started your day (realizing that is where the name came from as I type this). Clean and soft to the touch - not just got out of the shower dry or lived in greasy - right in the middle. 

Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Twitter | RSS

I have pretty terrible hair, naturally. I am not trying to gain sympathy here, but I have to use heat on it every-darn-day to get it to pick a side (straight or curly). Good products are KEY to doing this to your hair without going bald in the process. My new favorite hot tool is the GHD Marine Allure Professional 1" Styler. Full disclosure, I was gifted the product and extremely skeptical as I have a pretty stacked hair arsenal already, but I truly like it way more than the one I had been using because it just glides over my strands smoother and seems to be less damaging. It also is a less stiff movement about it which makes doing straightener curls easier. 

1. Straight with a little volume. Sometimes you just want something easy that will combat the heat and not go super flat in 10 minutes. To get this look separate your hair in to sections, then run your hot GHD over those sections until nice and glossy and straight. Then take the hair at your crown, spritz with hairspray, then using a fine tooth comb, tease it (some people call this "back-combing"). I also use an anti-humidity spray for this straight look. To keep things even simpler, I just swiped on some mascara to complete!

2. Curls. Use your GHD as a curler. I love wild curls in the summer, especially on vacation because you feel dressed up, but they are really easy to maintain when it's humid. I just let them do their thing and get crazier as the day goes on, scrunching and tossing them this way and that. Section off your hair as you would to straighten, but instead of running the pieces between the iron, wrap it around once so that it makes a loop and pull it down. When you are done use a hair spray to set. Since this is a little fancier, I put on mascara, primer, bronzer, concealer and a little highlighter to pretty myself up.

3. Polished waves. For a fancy night out to dinner or just for any date really, I like something a little more polished but still fun. Follow all of the above steps for curling your hair but tease the crown (like in the first look) and brush out the curls so they fall out a bit, then hit it with the hairspray to set.

See my unmakeuped, au-natural hair below and what this amazing little device can do to transform it!

The deets: St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion; Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse.

I am a naturally fair person, which is a shame because I really think I look my best with just a little bit of a tan. My eyes seem sparklier, teeth whiter, somehow I feel skinnier. Basically it's the best thing ever. Hitting the tanning bed is a habbit I thankfully kicked years ago (does anyone actually still use them?) and I now like to lather on sun screen like it's going out of style at the beach (wrinkles and cancer can skip right over me, please & thank you) so it leaves me with one option - spray tanning.

Now I LOVE a good spray tan session, you wont find me on a vacation without one, but at $59 a pop, it just is not a once a week beauty regimen I can afford to keep up with all summer so for those non-vacation, plain old summer days where I just want to be able to have my bare legs out without blinding people, I just DIY it!

These two products are basically fool proof. I will say that I use the Vita Liberata with a mitt that gives me a flawless, streak free, natural tan (gives me this natural glow). I just scrub/shave in the shower, towel dry, and then rub a layer on with the mitt. I blow dry it a little, get dressed and go about my day. It says on for a few days and when I feel like it's time for another layer, I put one on over it the same way. Easy! I don't put any on my face (you totally can, I just get nervous putting anything non specifically "face" on mine), for that I use the St. Tropez lotion. I just wash my face/scrub off any dead skin with my Clarisonic and normal face soap, then moisturize with it before bed. I let it dry for fifteen minutes before going to sleep. 

The deets: Irresistible Me Hair Extensions

I am going to get very honest right now. When I was tapped to do a review of these hair extensions, I initially was apprehensive. I hadn't ever tried any version of them before and my feelings on extensions weren't great due to a particularly bad experience my little sister had with the kind that is bonded to your hair in really small pieces (I tried to google the right term but apparently there are way more varieties of extensions than I even thought, sorry - just don't do that kind). When she had them taken out she lost 75% of her hair from breakage and ripping, HORRIFYING! She is still trying to regrow her hair evenly. I also feel like I can always tell when someone is using fake hair bc it either looks unnatural or the shorter hair mixed in isn't as seamlessly hidden as I would want if they were on me, or both. I am also really picky and I don't like upkeep so just never thought they'd jive with me. 

As averse the the idea as I was, I'm still a true beauty junkie at heart and I was obviously intrigued.  I asked some friends what they'd think of me giving them a try and it seemed to spark their interest as well so I said said yes to the opportunity!

First of all, the Irresistible Me hair extensions are beautiful and soft and feel nicer than my own natural hair. I was actually so surprised with the quality! They send 200 grams in the pack but I only had to use the one main strip which is about half the weight, the rest come in shorter strips you can place all over. Because my hair is already pretty long, it was so great to be able to control how much product went in my head. I love that you can adjust how much you want to use. I have ombre hair so I matched to the color on the bottom which was #10 Ash Blonde in the 20 inch length. I also curled the strip so it would blend in better with my waved hair, they come straight.

I honestly loved it! It was SO easy to put in as you can see below I did it without a mirror at all.  It looked so natural and normal, and it doesn't require any commitment or hair damage. Basically, in my mind, they are like makeup for your hair. I can apply them when I want to look extra glam but don't have to wear them to the office. You can bet your bottom dollar that these will be coming with me on my trip to Vegas in June so I can be the most glam kitten version of myself. HECK YES. I took them for a spin around the apartment and then across the street to get coffee and I swear my boyfriend was looking at me like I looked just the tiniest bit tastier. I felt like a real land mermaid strutting across that crosswalk to the cafe. Who doesn't want to be a land mermaid? No one.

The deets: Luminess Air at home airbrushing system.

So let me explain the slightly bizarre glamour shots below. No, I am not having head shots done for some newly discovered desire to go into show business, I tried out an at home makeup airbrushing system, Luminess Air! Full disclosure, I was sent the product c/o and asked to review it honestly. I actually kept putting off trying it out because I didn't have a ton of faith that I would be able to execute as the word "airbrush" alone is intimidating and makes me think, "expert," which I am definitely not! Last Sunday seemed to be a perfect time to try it out, I didn't have plans to go anywhere so if it ended badly, no harm done. 

I was SO very wrong. It was surprisingly simple and easy! You literally just follow the steps in the manual or there is even a free app that helps you here. I just dropped in about eight drops of primer first and began lightly spraying it all over to get a feel for it before using any actual color. After that I basically already had a handle on the tool and used the matte formula in color "2" all over my face to even out skin tone. I then used "4" as a bronzer (although I'm sure some folks would just be "4" all over their face, depends on your tone). I finished up by adding some of the illuminator to my cheekbones. The whole process took about FIVE MINUTES! Seriously. And I don't think I have ever had a more pleasant foundation experience in my life. No working the brushes into the product and then skin, just spritz over your face, no work required, your delicate face skin is unbothered.  I feel like the photos don't even do it justice, the end result was so flawless I kept staring at myself in the mirror in disbelief.  I used no other face makeup at all, just eyes and lips to finish off the look. I wish I ended up wishing I did have somewhere to be!

If YOU would like to give this magic a try for yourself, Luminess Air was kind enough to send me a coupon code for 20% off, just use 595732926 at checkout.

I know this one post a week thing is basically like I've stopped blogging altogether. I will try to pick up the pace to my normal three a week by the end of the month. Wedding planning is a giant beast of a time eater, I'm sorry. Anyway - I gave you my favorite luxury products last week so it's only fair that I share the less pricey ones that are just as great.

1. It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Product. This stuff is wonderful. You can get it at the salon but most drug stores and grocery stores stock it now. It's definitely one of those products that when I'm out, I immediately go get a new one as if it were deodorant. I have slightly curly hair right out of the shower so it is my adult de-tangler.

2. Organix Penetrating Argan Oil of Morocco. I love this stuff for when my hair just feels at it's worst. When it's just too dry, beaten, and tangly. I don't use this every day but when I need it I rub a little in my ends and it really helps.

3. Suave Professionals Luxe Plump Hold Hair Spray. Okay in full disclosure Suave sent me a big box of products so I did get this for free but of the 10 plus products in there this one is AMAZING. I literally have to yell at my fiance to not use it because he likes it too and I don't want it to run out on me unexpectedly. It's so great for waves or curls that you want to hold but also be move-able and voluminous. 

4. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Renewing SA Cream, and Healing Ointment. The words "Non-comedogenic" were introduced to me last year when I finally went to a dermatologist for my crazy late twenties skin change. All the sudden I was breaking out every week with cystic acne and wasn't properly dealing with it because I had no experience with it. I was afraid to use moisturizer because it would make it worse, but my skin was then so dry that it would over produce oil and the cycle continued. After three months of medication and only using these CeraVe products it worked like a CHARM. I now haven't had a breakout like that since that trip to the Dr. These products moisturize but don't get oily or clog your pores, hence the "Non-comedogenic."

5. E.L.F. Studio Blush Brush. I don't actually use this for blush. When I need to powder (which is only when I need to set full foundation for events, etc) this is a awesome powdering brush. I like one that can get in all the nooks and crannies but also be light and sort of "dance" all around your face. This one is SO cheap and works great for those needs.

Flowers from the fiance via The Bouqs.

1. Oribe Dry Spray. I mean it takes my hair from flat to this. Need I say more?

2. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. Okay, it's confusing because it's not a cream at all, it's an oil. In full honesty I did receive this as a gift from Red Door Spas but it truly is fabulous. At first I hated the idea of oil but it doesn't dry sticky at all and it's for your face and hair too! So it wasn't a problem to put it on my dry winter legs after a shower, then go straight to doing my hair. I am a product control freak and wash my hands after applying one product and then another for fear of a bad mixture or reaction. Who wants hand lotion remnants in their hair? No one. This makes it so easy and it smells nice and really moisturizes the driest parts of my body. 

3. Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede perfume. It's just so good and for some reason all other perfumes don't last long on me but this one has staying power. I also don't love knowing exactly what fragrance someone is wearing because so many people use it, this one leaves a little mystery!

4. MAC "Brave" lipstick. Okay this one isn't truly "luxe" but you can't get it at your local drug store so it falls into my list. I just LOVE this color! It goes with everything and looks good on every skin tone. Kylie Jenner made it famous but it's star quality speaks for it's self.

5. Bobbi Brown long wear gel eyeliner and fine liner brush. I have tried so many other gel liners, high end and drug store and this one is just THE best. I also love the brush because it has some strength behind it. Other fine liner brushes get bogged down by the product and don't deliver the same precision.

6. Le Volume de Chanel mascara. I lived and died by They're Real before this (see this post and this post) but received a sample of this one somewhere along the line and can't believe how good it is. Lashes for dayyyys and no clumps. I immediately went and bought the full size tube.

7. Lancome Cils Booster. This is the best base for ANY mascara. It just gives your lashes something extra and improves on any mascara formula. I like to apply it and then do other parts of my routine to let it set a little before putting on my mascara coat.

Last month I was lucky enough to be selected as a judge for AOL’s Beauty Awards, the nail polish category specifically, and I got to test out like a million awesome products for the following categories: red polishes, top coats, nude polishes, and nail treatments. It was super fun to go a little crazy pampering my fingers for a couple weeks. Below are my favorite pick from each group.

Top Coat: Seche Vite. I have been using this top coat for years ever since I discovered it while working at ULTA when I was 16 (my love for beauty products runs deep).  Its just the best. Drys fast and finishes super glossy.

Red: China Glaze "Salsa." It's the perfect true red that has just the right amount of brightness and pop. I also love the formula it paints on really easy.

Nail Treatment: CND Rescuerxx Daily Keratin Treatment. It was like the oil treatment I put in my damp hair, only for my nail beds. I didn't know I needed it until I tried it. Bye icky cracked cuticles!

Nude: Mischo Beauty "The Tents." Great grippy polish top for easy application and the peachy pink color ended up being the perfect nude for my personal skin tone. This was a "new to me" brand and I was very impressed with it.