fave products // olio e osso tinted lip, cheek & lid balms

As a busy mom and general wearer of multiple hats, I love a multi-use product. Anything that saves time and can be used for multiple things is a winner in my book. Bonus points if that product is non-toxic, super nourishing, and actually works! Enter Olio E Osso Tinted Lip, Cheek & Lid Balms. I’ve been testing out these multi-purpose sticks over the last several months, and love the convenience, portability, and colors! They offer everything from a bright peachy pink to a moody dark brown, so you really can use these in so many ways- think a pop of pink on the lips or even a bronzey contour on the cheeks! The balm itself has an all natural base made of olive, shea and grapefruit essential oils, and is super nourishing on the skin. I love how it glides on soft and smooth, and gives me a sheer but noticeable glow wherever its applied. Not to mention how hydrated it makes my skin feel. Plus, the compact stick formula makes it easy to toss in your purse, diaper bag, car, wherever! They are great for on-the-go, with no brushes or tools required. Olio E Osso is a female-founded brand that literally pours love into each balm, producing them all by hand in small batches! All the more reason to add them to your makeup bag in my opinion… Which shade should I try next?

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // merit beauty makeup

Y’all know I’m a huge fan of clean beauty brands. I’ve sung their praises many a time on this ol’ blog. No surprise I was super pumped to learn about new clean makeup brand from Katherine Power, Merit Beauty, which has created formulas that are not only safe for our skin and bodies, but for the planet is well! Merit is all about minimalist beauty, and they take a “less is more” approach, which I’m all about these days. 2020 was a reset of sorts for most everyone, and I think it made us realize that we don’t need too much, especially when it comes to makeup products. As a mom of a toddler, finding ways to simplify my morning rituals is super important. Cheers to brands that bring us more, for less!

I’ve been trying out some products, and I love that I can achieve my ideal “no-makeup, makeup” look with just a few of Merit’s goodies, and usually only need one hand to do it! Plus, that cute, but sophisticated packaging is pretty easy on the eyes! If your complexion needs a bit of smoothing or evening out, The Minimalist is going to be your new BFF. It’s not technically a concealer or a foundation, but essentially does the job of both, in one compact, elegant stick. Only apply it where you need it, and blend it with their Brush No. 1 (omg so soft!) for that perfectly smooth finish. Flush Balm is a cream tint that melts into your skin, depositing a translucent veil of color without hiding your skin’s texture. It lasts all day, and gives you that subtle, but beautiful, natural flush. When you want a dewy glow without the overkill of sparkle, Day Glow is the highlighting balm for you. It’s also super moisturizing thanks to its vitamin-rich base.

Defined brows and lashes are an essential part of any well-put-together look in my opinion, and Merit’s Brow 1980 gives you volume and fluffiness in a nod to the classic brows of the ‘80s. Love that! It’s also flexible and doesn’t flake, because no one wants crusty brows… Clean Lash is my new go-to daily mascara, because it does everything from lifting to tinting to lengthening your lashes. It helps give you that wide-awake look (so necessary sometimes!) and doesn’t smudge or clump in the least. If you want to finish with a pop of color on your lips, definitely try out any of the fun hues of Shade Slick. It goes on sheer, and is basically a hybrid of an oil and a lip stain. Plus, it’s infused with rosehip oil and shea butter, so your lips will feel nourished all day! Merit is totally clean, vegan, and cruelty-free, but all these products are also EU-Compliant, meaning they are free from 1400 potentially unsafe ingredients. Woot woot!

Don’t miss snagging the super chic Merit bag (comes free with all first orders on meritbeauty.com!). I’m sort of obsessed- it’s the perfect makeup bag, but can also be used as a cute lil tote! Plus, it’s washable, so don’t worry if you have a makeup spillage ;) As if all this isn’t enough, Merit volunteers, donates and supports Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization that provides children in poverty across the United States with diapers, clothing and other basic necessities. At checkout, you can directly donate to Baby2Baby alongside your order. Amazing!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // lano 101 ointment multipurpose superbalm

 
 

I'm all about a good lip ointment, and when I find one that really does its job, I get super excited (nerd, I know)! Lano Lips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm is thick, hydrating, and long-lasting. Since it's made from lanolin, it closely resembles and mimics our own skin oils, allowing it to penetrate deep under the skin to seal in moisture. I use it regularly on my lips, but it works equally as well on dry cuticles, minor burns, and even eczema and psoriasis! I also have friends who have raved about its healing abilities for nursing moms and babies too! Lano recently released exclusive 101 Ointment Fruities (in strawberry & peach), and they are great for whenever you want the same nourishing qualities of the original, but with an extra pop of flavor from natural fruit extract. One of Lano's best qualities in my opinion is that its products are free of parabens, sulfates, and fragrance, making them great for sensitive skin like mine.

fave products // sunday riley blue moon cleansing balm

 

I'm all about a multipurpose product. A gentle yet effective cleansing balm that doubles as a mask? Sign me up! The Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm from Sunday Riley is a balm-to-milk cleanser with highly moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter and mimosa flower wax. Its sugar-based cleansers work to remove makeup and other impurities, while soothing essential oils like blue tansy and German chamomile calm irritation. This product comes in extra handy during the fall and winter, when my skin feels extra dry and can really benefit from a heavier cleansing balm. Alternatively, I've found Blue Moon functions just as well as a calming and moisturizing face mask! I apply a thin layer of balm over clean skin, and allow it to set for about 20 minutes. The vanilla and sweet orange essential oils help to create a zen spa-like experience as an added bonus while you wait. After rinsing with a warm washcloth, my skin literally feels soft as a baby's bottom and oh, so hydrated! As with all of Sunday Riley's products, this balm is free of parabens and sulfates, is fragrance-free, and would make a great addition to your daily or weekly skincare regimen.

 

skincare // in the air

Taking care of your skin during air travel is super important. All that dry, recycled air can wreak havoc on your skin, not to mention all the germs floating around, so it's a good idea to take some preventative and healing measures along the way. I wanted to share a few of my go-to products and tips (all TSA approved!) to ensure fresh and hydrated skin upon landing. First and foremost, drink tons of water. I always bring a refillable water bottle, and fill it up before boarding (post-security), and then have the flight attendants refill it multiple times throughout the flight. This is key for staying hydrated from the inside, out. In terms of skin, I always try to fly makeup-free, with freshly cleansed and moisturized skin. This will help get you started on the right foot. I always keep some type of face mist in my carry-on, whether it's Caudalie Beauty Elixir or Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray. A spritz or two is always a nice, refreshing pick-me-up when my skin starts to feel stale or parched. If you really want to take your face spritz to the next level, I suggest investing in The Pocket Spa by Kelley Quan. This compact, refillable personal humidifier hydrates and moisturizes your skin using only water, leaving you with youthful and dewy-fresh skin! It also prepares the skin for and increases the efficacy of all your other products to follow. Once the skin is prepped, I apply moisturizer: I'll either bring an oil like Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, or a moisturizer like Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream, both of which are great at locking in moisture. I also make sure to have a thick ointment, like Glossier balm dotcom or Lano Lips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, which can be used on your face & lips, hands & cuticles, or any other dry spots you may have. For longer flights, and maybe if I have a bit of privacy in business class, I'll bring a sheet mask like Hada Labo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask or SK-II Facial Treatment Mask. These may look silly while they're working their magic, but I promise your skin will thank you upon arriving. Maybe you're not willing to go this far in public, and that's alright- just apply one once you've reached your final destination. Lastly, I love this Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy. It's said to give an invigorating sensory lift when applied to your pulse points during times of stress or nausea. If nothing else, it leaves you smelling lovely with the aroma of lavender, macadamia nut, sweet almond, and ginger oils. By incorporating these tips and products into your travel routine on a regular basis, I hope you'll notice an improvement in your skin's overall look and feel just as I have.