Skincare 101: Introduction

Hey guys, welcome back!  This is the first part of my Skincare 101 series!!

This series is meant to give all of you basic information about skincare.  This information will help all of you pick the best products for your budget and skin!

So why is skincare so important?  A good skincare regimen is important for a few reasons.  First of all, your skin is your body's largest organ and problems with your skin can indicate other problems inside of your body.  When you are taking care of your skin you can spot abnormal issues that you might not have noticed otherwise.  Another huge reason you should have a good skincare regimen is to prevent premature aging.  About 80% of premature aging comes from external factors such as, sun exposure, alcohol consumption, and smoking.  Prevention is always easier than reversal.

There are four main components that you should include in your skincare routine.  They are: cleansing, toning, treatments, and moisturizing.

1. Cleansers/Makeup Removing wipes

Cleansers remove makeup, dead skin cells, dirt, and oil from the skin.  It is important to note that not all cleansers remove make up.  I recommend using makeup removing wipes before cleansing. 

2. Toner

I get the question all the time: Why do I need a toner?  Well, during the cleansing process you break down the protective layer of the skin, changing the pH.  When you tone, you restore the skin back to its natural pH.

3. Treatments

I will get into treatments alot more in a later post.  The four main categories are: masks, exfoliants, and serums.

4. Moisturizer

I would like to start by saying that ALL SKIN TYPES need to moisturize!! You just need to find the moisturizer that is right for your skin. So you should have two moisturizers, one for day and one for night.  Your day moisturizer should contain an SPF of at least 15 but not over 30.  Night creams are usually a little heavier and do not contain an SPF.

I know that was a very brief overview of each category, but there will a dedicated post for each in the coming weeks.  I love you guys and thank you for all of your support! I hope you are ready for Skincare 101: Cleansers!!!

XOXO 

22 Weeks

How big is baby?

About the size of a spaghetti squash.  Or about 8 in. She also weighs about a pound! 

We only have about 17 weeks until my due date!!!!

She can also hear sounds more clearly outside the womb.  We have also found that she loves the drums!!

Oh! We also saw her kick for the first time!! Like from the outside!!! It was seriously the most amazing thing I have ever seen!!! I think I got a little teary-eyed (not that it takes much these days). 

And it's official! I can't see my feet!! Anyone want to give me a pedicure?? LOL.

I also got my first prenatal massage this week.  I have been having a lot of pain in my hips lately and the massage really seemed to help so I will definitely be going back!

My sweet husband has been so sweet and helped me indulge my cravings this week.  He took me on an impromptu dinner date to Red Robin! Yum!

 The New Cupcake Milkshake!! Sooo Good!!!!

 Excuse my face, but I just can't get over these socks!!

Lately, I have been finding myself going through all Charlotte's clothes more and more often!!

I just can't wait to hold her!!!

I know I've posted this picture before, but I can't help it!! I'm obsessed with her!!!

Today has been pretty rough.  I think I slept wrong and my lower belly has been really sore all day.  I was told it was a combination of my ligaments stretching and some Braxton Hicks contractions.  So its is plenty of rest and fluids for me today. :(

Next week we have our 24 week appointment and get to hear our little girl's heartbeat!!! I can't wait!!!

Talk to you guys soon!

XOXO

Obsessions for July

So I did a lot more shopping over the last six weeks than I normally do.  Oops.  I have a lot of products to share with you guys and I'm super excited!

1. Champagne Pop

This is actually a product I owned for about a year, but I have been obsessed with it this summer!  It just gives the most gorgeous glow!  I think that this highlight would honestly work for all skin types :) To purchase click here

2. Blueberry Twist 3-Wick candle

This candle is from Bath and Body Works and I truly believe that they have the best candles on earth.  This one smells like blueberries (obviously), vanilla, and coconut.  I personally can't smell the coconut, but I'll take their word for it. Don't ever buy them full price though! Always wait until they go on sale!!! Alot of times you can get them for buy one get one free.  If you are interested in purchasing click here

3. Soap and Glory The Righteous Body Butter Lotion

I know I already mentioned this on my instagram, but I cannot shut up about it!  It smells like Ms. Dior! It's super moisturizing without being greasy at all!! You know how after you apply some body butters your hands are completely useless?? That does not happen with this one! here

4. Maybelline FitMe Dewy and Smooth Foundation

This is not a new purchase for me.  I think this is the third bottle I've gotten.  Since I have been wearing it, I have gotten so many compliments on my skin.  It just makes my skin look so hydrated and healthy.  here

5. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

Confession time: I literally bought this two days ago.  But it was love at first sight.  I can't even describe how or why it's so good.  It's just magic.  Just go buy it! here

6. ColourPop Lippie Stick Lumiere

I have probably owned this for a good 5 months before I tried it.  I think I was a little scared it? But once I put it on I was in love.  But I actually loved mixing it with the next product I'm going to take about. here

7. Morphe Brush Creme Lip Polish Individualitiy

This looks so beautiful with Lumiere.  The actual color of this is a nude/coral.  I have a confession though: this is a love/hate relationship.  The color is so beautiful but the formula needs some work.  It's so pigmented that it just slides off the lips. You really have to be careful about how much you apply. here

I hope you guys enjoyed seeing what I have been loving this month!! Leave me your comments of what you have been loving!!!

Until next time!!

XOXOX

Why St. Ives Apricot Scrub is Damaging your Skin

I have had so many clients in the past month tell me that they use this product and internally I cringe.  Now don't get me wrong, there are alot of good skincare products at the drugstore.  This product is NOT one of them.  Don't worry I am not here to just bash this product. I promise I will tell you why and I will give you alternatives.

The number one problem I find with using this product is that my clients are exfoliating too often.  Many of my clients are using this product twice a day.  When you exfoliate you are taking off the topmost layer of skin, this is the layer that protects your skin from external damage.  If you are doing this everyday, your skin never has the chance to heal.  With your skin constantly wounded, it is vulnerable to even more damage from the environment.

The next problem is that all the ingredients in this product either clog your pores or irritate your skin.  I will be pointing out specific ingredients and I apologize if this gets a little technical, but I think it's important that you know exactly what is in your products.

1. Walnut shell powder

This powder creates microscopic tears in the skin and this can push acne bacteria into the deeper layers of the skin.  Another problem is that "the act of scrubbing also causes inflammation, especially in this type of client who believes the more you scrub the better your skin will be"(etherealauraspa.com).

2. Glyceryl Stearate SE

This ingredient is highly comedogenic, which means that it will definitely clog your pores.  Because your pores are clogged, they are not getting any oxygen.  An environment without oxygen is one where bacteria growth flourishes.  This makes acne worse.

3. Sodium Laureth Sulfate

This is a foaming agent that is found very frequently in drugstore skin care.  It clogs pores and is very irritating.

4. Cocomidopropyl Betane

This is the last one, I promise! This badboy strips the oil from the skin and in high concentrations it can be very irritating.

These are only four of the many ingredients that irritate and clog pores.  Keep in mind that this is marketed as an acne product. But this product clogs pores.  For those of you who are oily, l recommend that you buy the Transforming powder Dual-Action Cleanser and Exfoliator (here's where you can purchase https://www.murad.com/product/acne-cleansing-powder). You can use this product instead of your cleanser 1-2x a week.

If you are on a lower budget, I recommend that you use a coconut oil/sugar exfoliant.

 With either of these products you will only use them TWICE a week at the most!!!

I apologize for this post being so long and I hope that this helped all of you learn a little something!!!

I love you all!!!

XOXO

Whaaatt???!!!

I cannot believe that I am halfway through my pregnancy!!!!! It feels like just yesterday that we were looking at a positive pregnancy test. :). 

According to the What to Expect While You're Expecting App, our little girl is the size of a mango.  And she weighs about 10oz.  She is actually a little bigger (She was 10 ounces at our 18 week ultrasound! Eek!)

Charlotte is kicking like crazy.  I love that I can get to know her in this way. :). She goes crazy when I eat spicy food, by caffeine chills her out.  Is that weird or what?

At my last appointment I had gained about 10 pounds total.  I am so grateful that my husband has kept me motivated to keep moving!! Pokemon Go helps too LOL.

I haven't really had any cravings, but I still can't have pizza.  If I try to brave it, I'll wake up in the middle of the night with terrible heartburn.  As much as your girl LOVES pizza the pain just isn't worth it.  And it makes me sad everyday. :(

I have been having some crazy dreams lately.  The one that I remember the most is that Charlotte was born and I was trying to breastfeed her but she would only latch on one side so the nurses had me supplement with formula which I was not happy about lol.  This has led me to obsessively research breastfeeding and how to get baby to have a good latch.  Knowledge is power??? Lol.

This was at 19.3. Weeks but trust me the bump is even bigger now :)

Well, I think that's all for now!!! 

I love you all!!!

XOXO

Lately.

We normally have a family cookout for 4th of July, but our schedules just didn't line up. :( So we spent the weekend hanging at the beach with some of Jon's friends.

 As you can tell it was COLD!!!

 Obviously, Jon had a different opinion. :)

 The Belly at 18 weeks 2 days. <3

 Boys will be boys :)

 After the beach, we headed to Chicago to visit Jon's brother and his fiance. Honestly, I love family time.  It just recharges  my batteries like nothing else can. :D

 I then had the great pleasure of spending some quality time with my brother's son. 

Most exciting of all, we found out that we are having a little girl!!!

We're a little obsessed with her. :D She measuring big and I was not surprised in the least!!!

At the end of the ultrasound, she started yawning and sucking her thumb!! I think my heart stopped for a minute.  She is just so precious and I can wait to hold her.

7 Ways to Look and Feel Beautiful while Pregnant

** Before I get into the main subject of this post I want to ask for prayers for my nephew who was flown to Riley's Children's Hospital this afternoon.

I feel like self-esteem while you are pregnant is a taboo subject.  I have always viewed as the most beautiful thing to happen to a woman.  And then I got pregnant.  My body changed so fast that I didn't even recognize myself in the mirror.  I was sick all the time and my belly was (and is) expanding by the day.  It's really hard to feel beautiful when you're getting huge. LOL.

So I have compiled some tips that have helped me to feel somewhat like myself during this amazing process.

1.  Surround yourself with loving and supportive family and friends.

I cannot express how important this is.  My husband is wonderful at telling me how beautiful I look.  And reminding me that no, I don't look fat, I definitely look pregnant.  (I need this reminder more often than I would care to admit).  Other family members that are supportive are equally important.  I was at a family gathering a few weeks ago and one of my aunts told me that my bump looked small! 

17.4 weeks

2. Try to do something productive. 

I know that this can be easier said than done.  I get it.  I was sick for all of my first trimester and it can be close to impossible to get anything around the house done.  Try folding a basket of laundry, take your dirty dishes to the sink.  If your in the throws of morning sickness aim low.  Even that will make you feel better. :)

3. Don't forget about hobbies and activities that you love.

It is SO easy to get completely wrapped up in your pregnancy.  Don't forget about your love of baseball or your love of reading.  At this point don't forget about you.  Life will become all about the baby soon enough.

4. Do something active.

Ladies, this is the time to have a fitness routine if you don't currently have one.  I am SO bad at this but whenever I take a walk, I just feel better and feel refreshed.  My doctor recommends walking but make sure to check with yours before you start a new fitness routine.

5. Take care of your skin!

For me this is the most important.  If I don't wash my face in the morning, I feel like my day hasn't started.  When you take care of your skin, you look more radiant and helps your makeup apply more smoothly.  You should also use an SPF every day to prevent hyperpigmentation and melasma.  

6. Get creative with your wardrobe.

This is a fairly new one for me.  For weeks I've been wearing yoga pants and baggy t-shirts.  I feel so much better when I actually plan an outfit.  Don't forget that you can utilize your pre-pregnancy wardrobe as well!!!!

7.  Don't be afraid to talk about your insecurities.

This is a big one.  Keeping your feelings to yourself can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.  Find a girlfriend who can relate.  Join a pregnancy community board.  Do something!!!

Talk to you soon!!

XOXO