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

Update/Random musings

The last week or two has been absolutely insane.  I started my new job and I managed to keep my pregnancy quiet for like an hour.  I guess I was showing more than I thought I was???

This was from Saturday and I was 16.2 weeks :)

I also had my 16 week Doctor appointment today.  I had to get blood drawn which is honestly the worst. :(. It's all for a good cause so I guess I'll suck it up.

By my favorite part of the appointment is hearing Baby's heartbeat. <3

He/she sounds so healthy and strong.  The doctor gave me the go-ahead to schedule our 20 weeks ultrasound!! We just wait to find out what this little one is!!!!

On a sad note, sickness hit our house and Jon has been down with the flu for two days. :((((

I feel so helpless when he's sick.  But luckily his fever broke today and he's starting to feel a little better.  It's weird, my husband almost always gets sick in the summer. Weird???

I'm still struggling with a little bit of morning sickness, but I have a lot more energy (most days).  So I want to do things but the baby is definitely running the show these days!!

My makeup and skincare routine has been cut down to the bare minimum lately so I'm sorry if I see any of you, I look like a hot mess almost all the time.  At least in a few months I will have a newborn to excuse my appearance LO.

I decided to pamper my skin tonight and I tried out this Lancôme melting face mask tonight,  To be honest, I'm not crazy about the smell but I'll put a review in my Instagram if you guys are interested. :)

XOXO

13 Weeks

Looking back on the last week of my first trimester, I have to admit that it was very eventful. :)

I graduated from beauty school and it feels really nice to deal with what is hopefully the last of my morning sickness at home rather than at school. Haha.

I also landed a job as an esthetician and will start in about a week and a half!!!!

More baby related stuff though.  Baby is about the size of a lemon and weighs about 1.5 oz.  I can't believe how big little one is already!!!!! When all the pregnancy apps give food comparisons to show how big the baby is, I always think of that fruit floating around in my belly. Hello, Lemon baby!!!

I have started to feel some quickening at night and Jon is a little jealous that he can't feel it yet!!!  The morning sickness is still going strong but hopefully it will start to wane soon.  I am not showing quite yet although I suspect that I will have a little bump in a week or two :)

Talk to you guys soon!!

Xoxo

May Favorites 2016

This is my first favorites post on the blog and I'm really excited to do this every month!

I only had three favorites this month but I didn't have the chance to do a lot of shopping last month.

1. The first product that I'm going to talk about is the Nivea Men Post Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin. 

I know this is a men's product but I watched Nikki Tutorial and Kathleen Light's reviews on the product and I knew I  had to try it out.  Both women say that it makes an excellent primer but I can't really attest to that because my makeup doesn't fade throughout the day.  I do like to put under my makeup because it is very moisturizing.
Here's where you can buy it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0014E2Q8K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0014E2Q8K&linkCode=am2&tag=momestielife2-20&linkId=60c4fb4a6cc3dc52f84a961772b38832

2. The next product is the Mario Badescu Chamomille Night Cream.  This is not my first time purchasing this product and I love it just as much as I did the first time I purchased it.  The Chamomille helps reduce the irritation on my cheeks and my skin feels incredibly moisturized the next morning.
Here's where you can buy it: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6200705

3. The last product is by far my favorite and it is the Tarte BB treatment.  This is the best BB cream I have ever used! It has medium to full coverage without feeling heavy.  It leaves my skin looking so dewy and healthy that I get compliments on my skin whenever I wear it.  The best part is that it also has an SPF of 30.
Here's where you can buy it: http://www.sephora.com/bb-tinted-treatment-12-hour-primer-broad-spectrum-spf-30-sunscreen-P377542

*Sorry guys I had pictures of the products, but for some reason Blogger won't let me input them :(
**Some affiliate links are used

Talk to you guys soon!!!

Xoxo       

Baby King Coming soon!!!!

So as many of you know, Jon and I are expecting our first baby in December!!!

We are beyond thrilled and still a little in shock to be honest.

It all started about 8 weeks ago.  I was feeling a little off and it was coming close to "that time of the month" and so I didn't think anything of it.  One morning, Jon was leaving to go to the gym and I just was like, "Hey babe can you pick up a dollar store pregnancy test just to rule it out?" And said he sure.  

He came back later in the afternoon and I didn't take it until like 3 hours later.  I honestly didn't want to be disappointed again.  So I finally got up the nerve to take it and within 30 seconds it turned up positive.  I immediately started crying!  Jon was tentatively excited and said we needed to go get a "real" test. Haha. Lo and behold those came up positive too!

About three weeks later we had our first ultrasound and it was the most magical thing ever!! I could look at the baby all day, everyday if I could!

After that we felt safe to tell our families and they were beyond thrilled!

I am at the tailend of my first trimester and the nausea and exhaustion are finally starting fade.  Lately I've been craving chips and salsa like crazy!!!!

I think that's it for now!!!

XOXO

A little update

It has been almost a year since I have posted at this point.  I have really missed being away.  Now that school is almost over I finally am getting some extra time.  Since you heard from me last I enrolled in an esthetics program at a local beauty school and I graduate in a few weeks.  Jon is still at the same job but is getting ready to get certified as a personal trainer.  We didn't end up getting a new apartment, we are now living at my mother-in-law's house.  We are currently saving to buy our own home. :)

So here is the last year in pictures :)

 The best thing that happened in 2015 was the birth of both of my nephews!!!!

I am continuing to hone my makeup skills

Lots of cuddling with my favorite girl :)

One of my favorite things that I learned from school was special effects makeup

This past year has been crazy exciting and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store!!

By the way, I will be posting much more often in the future!!!