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 // w3ll people nudist lip butter

{GIVEAWAY ALERT- READ ON!} On a day to day basis, I tend to wear pretty neutral lip colors. Of course, every once in a while or for a fun night out, I love a bright red lip, but for the most part, I keep it pretty simple. The most important factor for me when choosing a lipstick, gloss, or balm, is that it’s hydrating and nourishing. Something that keeps my lips from becoming dry and crackly is key in my book, and bonus points if it comes in pretty shades as well. W3ll People Nudist Lip Butter checks off all these boxes, and goes on super smooth. I love that they call it “the vegan love child of a lip stick and lip balm”, because honestly that description could not be more accurate. The organic omega oils and aloe help calm stressed lips, and leave them feeling soothed and supple! It’s my go-to lip choice when I mainly want some nourishing hydration, but wouldn’t mind a subtle pop of color as well. The nude shade is great for everyday, but I also love the cherry shade for something a little brighter. I find the lip butters to be a bit buildable, so adding a few extra coats can give you a more dramatic look. If you prefer no color at all, I suggest the natural shade for a simple, buttery finish. For added brilliance or to create a bit more of a statement look, top your lip butter with a swipe or two of the W3ll People Bio Extreme Lipgloss, and you’ll be set for a night out! As always with W3ll People products, everything is formulated without the potentially harmful artificial chemicals that are found in most conventional makeup products, so you can feel good about supporting this brand!

{ GIVEAWAY DETAILS }

For all my readers, as a thank you for your support this year, I’m hosting a giveaway with W3ll People! Comment on my latest Instagram post for a chance to win a $150 W3ll People gift card! Perfect for stocking up on all your fave products, or some last minute holiday gifts! All you have to do is:

1) follow @b_maren on Instagram

2) follow @w3llpeople on Instagram

3) comment on my post with the product you most want to try!

Winner announced December 17th!

* 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 // lilah b. multipurpose makeup palettes

Y'all know I'm a sucker for clean beauty. Meaning skincare and makeup brands that are made from natural ingredients, with no crazy chemicals or fragrances. Lilah b. is just that, and their goal is to make beauty simple by offering a minimalistic collection of multi-purpose products that give you a finished look with less. I mean, couldn't practically everyone benefit from a movement to declutter, minimalize, and simplify? I know I could! You'll find ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and agar in their products, which work to soothe and hydrate the skin while adding any coverage or color you may want. Their palettes come in beautiful, sleek and modern stone compacts, and are an ideal addition for those looking to streamline their morning routine!

Lilah b.'s All You Need Discovery Set really is all you need to give you a simple, but beautiful look thanks to their three multi-tasking best-sellers. I'm not typically one to wear foundation, but The Flawless Finish Foundation is more of a silky, weightless powder that doesn't feel heavy or leave you with that caked-on makeup look. Although it's buildable for those seeking more coverage, it still gives my skin that naturally luminous glow I crave. It also comes in a variety of shades, so there's something for every skin tone. The Palette Perfection Eye Quad in b.stunning is the perfect combination of neutral shades, giving you multiple options for eye looks whether you're looking for something more natural or more dramatic. I even like using it as a bronzer or contour if I want a little more golden glow! The Divine Duo Lip & Cheek palette in b.lovely is great for adding a little pop of color to your look. It's creamy, but with a matte finish, so it won't leave you looking too shiny. I found the blendable color to also be super long-lasting, which is key. Thanks to lilah b., you really can be more, with less!


brand love // bioderma

 
 

I was first introduced to Bioderma years ago by several makeup artists on set. Seemingly everyone uses their makeup remover, Bioderma Sensibio H2O, and for good reason. It removes almost any and every product used on your skin, easily and without causing irritation. I love that it simply feels like water on your skin, but it cleans the makeup off your face with no problems, and leaves no oily residue behind! I figured it was time I tried a few more of their products, and am happy to report the positive results! First off and most similar were the Sensibio H2O wipes. These are great for on-the-go, and so easy to travel with, which is perfect for my busy schedule! So many makeup-removing wipes are harsh and leave my skin red and blotchy post-use, but these are gentle and made of the same micellar solution as the liquid remover. Also from the Sensibio collection is the eye contour gel. This one contains hyaluronic acid and helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes and aids in hydration. I love that the Sensibio products are geared towards sensitive skin like mine, and do not cause any breakouts or irritation with unnecessary, weird ingredients.

If you're looking for a light but intensely hydrating moisturizer for every day use, I suggest the Hydrabio gel cream. It'll leave you with a beautifully radiant glow, but without making your skin look greasy! I like to toss the Atoderm lip stick and hand cream in my purse for whenever my lips or hands feel dry. These help nourish and soothe damaged skin, and a little goes a long way! Now, if you've ever struggled with the appearance of pores, the Sebium pore refiner could be helpful for you. This corrective care product helps tighten pores and improves your skin's texture, making it a great base for underneath your makeup! What's super impressive to me about this crazy popular French brand is that their products are not only effective, but they're actually affordable too! No wonder all my friends stock up at the local French pharmacies whenever they go to Paris!


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.