A BEAUTYCOUNTER GIVEAWAY

I've never claimed to be a beauty blogger, but when I do stumble upon something I like, I'm often compelled to share it with my readers. Over the past year I've read a lot of feedback regarding the game-changing beauty and skincare brand Beautycounter whose mission is to "get safer products into the hands of everyone." Who doesn't want that?? At the beginning of the summer I finally took the plunge and tried the line's Tint Skin. It wasn't long before I quickly became obsessed with the foundation's flawless finish and lightweight texture. Yaaaaaaaaas! But since it takes me awhile before I can really commit to a new foundation, I was hesitant to share a review on the blog because changes like this take time and personal opinions regarding products can vary depending on one's climate, complexion, etc. I mean, how many of you have ordered beauty products online that you immediately regretted? In this case, I was more than ready to try more of Beautycounter's products, but I didn't know where to start.

So imagine my surprise when out of the blue I got an email two weeks ago from Beautycounter consultant and blog reader, Erin Tomlinson, who offered to send some samples and graciously host a giveaway?? You guys, opportunities like this NEVER happen to me, so I was beyond giddy to experiment with samples from both the skincare and beauty lines. Here are a few of my favorites...

• Rejuvenating Radiance Serum — I'm a sucker for serums and I LOVED how this felt when it was applied. With hopes of brightening, firming, and hydrating your skin, this has some of the best reviews out of all of the line's products.

• Color Sweep Blush Duo in Tawny/Whisper — The perfect pop of color. It effortlessly emulates flushed cheeks!

• Lip Sheer in Petal — An everyday lipstick that's moisturizing and lightweight with buildable color. It's a great option for a mom on the go who doesn't have time to look in a mirror for application. Oh, and this stuff smells divine too!

• Tint Skin — As I mentioned before, this lightweight formula delivers a flawless finish and covers imperfections.

• Charcoal Cleansing Bar — This bar boasts to detoxify and absorb the skin's impurities without drying the skin. Upon trying it for the first time, it was clear Beautycounter was not messing around with this one. Immediately after using it, my skin looked brighter and felt smoother. I will definitely be purchasing again along with this Purifying Charcoal Mask.

Now, here's where it gets even better. Are you ready?? TWO lucky readers will have the chance to be pampered too as one Facebook follower will win a Travel Set ($50 value) and one Instagram follower will receive a $50 Beautycounter gift card. The winners will be announced in this Friday's Love List on August 19. Woo Hoo! Good luck and GO get em!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interested in Beautycounter's mission and products? Learn more about the movement here or email Erin.

SHOP SPOTLIGHT

FRENCH GIRL ORGANICS

In the event you're looking to treat yourself or someone you adore, I felt it was my official blogging duty to share this amazing Etsy shop with you all. How fabulous is this French-inspired skincare line?! The packaging alone has me feeling weak in the knees, but the product itself gets rave reviews. Score! After perusing the shop's goodies, I was tempted to add one of everything to my Favorites (AKA my pretend shopping cart), but I managed to pare my selection down to these four favorites. Now let's see how long it takes before I pull the trigger and purchase at least one of these pamper-iffic pretties...

French Girl Favorites:

Rose Body Oil $36

Aphrodesie Lip Tint $16

Menthe Sea Soak $18

Rose Floral Toner $18

Happy Wednesday, m' dears! Consider this permission to TREAT YO SELF!

TAKE FIVE TUESDAY

I mentioned it briefly awhile back, but this past Spring my skin was in a tizzy. I could chock it up to stress, hormones, or the dry Swell Rio climate—I just knew I wanted to fix it, but I wasn't sure how. After testing a bunch of preggo-safe beauty products, nothing seemed to work. I felt like I was being kicked when I was down. That "glow" that everyone talks about felt like a ginormous load of malarkey, because my skin certainly wasn't getting any better. I scrolled through countless product reviews and spent hours reading blog posts with advice from the pregnant pros. Finally, I switched up my regimen and incorporated these Mario Badescu products into my daily routine. After using these five products for the past few months, I thought they were worthy of a little bloggie praise.

1. Enzyme Cleansing Gel $7 // In addition to properly moisturizing my skin, I attribute most of my recent success to this cleanser. I use it once a day with my Clarisonic, and it removes the day's makeup without drying my complexion. Hallelujah!
2. Haluronic Eye Cream $18 // Lightweight and doesn't agitate my sensitive skin. I can't say that I've noticed any immediate results, but I love the way it hydrates my skin—prepping and priming the under-eye area for my trusty NARS concealer.
3. Vitamin C Serum $45 // I've tried a handful of various serums (all price points), but I never found one that I really loved. Like most people, I want to see some results and FAST—I guess patience has never really been m' thing! I typically apply 3-4 drops to my face each evening before I apply my night cream. Paired together, these two allow my sensitive skin to retain moisture. I'm pleased with the way the serum has brightened my overall complexion and has smoothed the texture of my skin.
4. Oil-Free Moisturizer $22 // I knew I needed a moisturizer with SPF; however, my skin is easily irritated, so I never really found one that I loved. This one is gentle, moisturizing, and doesn't leave me feeling greasy. Pesky breakouts be gone. Woo Hoo!
5. Seaweed Night Cream $20 // It's moisturizing, but doesn't feel heavy—hydrating without feeling oily. I've found that it's perfect for my combination skin and soothes any redness in my complexion. I wake up and my skin feels smooth, not greasy. A little goes a long way, so you can't beat the price, especially with all of the spendy night creams available. 

I realize this post is heavy on the Mario Badescu end. While it's not a sponsored post, I've had a lot of success with their line since I started dabbling with their products (off and on) about three years ago. I'm really pleased with the results, and I noticed my overall outlook on pregnancy turned around once I stopped battling with icky breakouts and dryness. Thank goodness! I should note that some women don't experience any of this nonsense while they're expecting. In the name of keeping things real around here, I felt it was important to share my side of the story. When your hormones are whack and your body is changing, it's nice to have a win.

Are there any skincare products that you swear by?! The product junkie inside me is just dying to know.

REPEAT OFFENDER

As I cleaned out my makeup bag this past weekend, I was reminded that I tend to waste a lot of money "testing" various beauty products. VIB Rouge, anyone?! Sure it's fun to play with makeup, but I start to get all red in the face when I think about the dollars invested in the next BEST thing. As I sorted through items to keep and toss, I thought about how many times I've actually bought multiples of a product. It's not often that this happens. I mean, it's got to be REALLY amazing or there's a good chance that I'm going to move on to something that gets better reviews. When I thought long and hard about my favorite products, I realized that it comes down to five products. While I don't consider myself an expert, I do know that I've done a lot of "research" on the topic. 

• BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL! MASCARA // There's a reason this stuff gets rave reviews. I bought it when it first came out, and I haven't gone without a tube since. It lengthens, lifts, and separates your lashes like a boss.
• ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAY-IN-PLACE MAKEUP // I have combination skin that tends to be pretty sensitive. I also have some acne scars on my cheeks that make me incredibly insecure. This foundation does a great job of hiding any imperfections and doesn't irritate my skin. The long-wearing formula is an added bonus! I've worn this while hiking (and sweating) in Hawaii. Even after an evening spin session, my makeup stays in place. In the Spring and Summer months, I like to mist my mug with Urban Decay's All-Nighter Spray to give the matte makeup a dewy finish. 
• NARS LIPSTICK IN CATFIGHT // I should probably confess that I walked by Sephora every day on my way to work in Hawaii. I became a junkie, and I honestly kind of loved it. In search of an everyday lipstick shade, one of the beauty gurus turned me on to this pink and nude color. I was instantly smitten! The semi-matte formula is actually quite creamy (non-drying) and long-lasting. I love that it added subtle color to my lips, without the need to reapply.
• ESSIE NAIL POLISH IN CLAMBAKE // If this was the movie "Steel Magnolias," I'd proclaim Clambake my signature color. The creamy red-orange is nothing short of perfection. Even when I don other colors, I usually wish I would've stuck with it instead. It's not the easiest color to find in stores, but it's available online via Target. Funny enough, I found my latest bottle during a layover at the Atlanta airport. I have a rule where I must stop at all Essie displays, no matter the location—you know, just in case they've got m' shade. Much to my delight, they had it! I guess all those hours spent watching Real Housewives of Atlanta paid off. I feel like Nene was looking out for me. Thanks, Mrs. Leakes! Bloop.
• NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER // I've never loved a concealer before, but I literally gush whenever I talk about this stuff. It's full coverage, doesn't crease, and works wonders when concealing blemishes. I dare someone to try and sway me on this one. It's worth every penny. While I stand by all five products listed, this is my top pick.

I realize most of these products range from $20-$30, so they aren't necessarily cheap. To me, they're worth the investment. For every dollar I've spent testing drugstore beauty brands, I've wasted an equal amount of money dabbling with high-end products. It all comes down to whatever works for YOU. I think we all want something that suits our needs and makes us feel more confident. 

What are your Holy Grail products? Do tell.

TUESDAY TRENDS

I used to think I only liked silver. Boo, hiss! Then three years ago, I embraced my inner Liberace and became obsessed with all sorts of gilded and glittery goodness. Squee! Lately I've been eyeing copper accents, which brought me to the realization that I must be part Magpie—not only can I talk ALOT, but I have a penchant for all sorts of SHINY objects. Now, on with the copper accoutrements...

THE GOODS:

Dumont Pendant Lamp via Crate & Barrel

Boyfriend Watch via ASOS

Enamel-Coated Hair Pins via Madewell

Copper Eyeshadow via Stila

Maddie Ballet Flats via J.Crew

Copper Patina Planter via LEIF

Copper Dot Painted Canvas Bucket via Lumiere Art & Co.

Penny Talk Nail Polish via Essie

Antique Copper House Number via Target

Orb Copper Shaker via Crate & Barrel

Copper Real Good Chair via Blu Dot

I'm guessing you're also part Magpie. Oh, but of course!