Get Pedi Ready for Spring

Hi Loves,

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to say goodbye boots and hello sandals! But before you show off your toes, you probably need to get them ready for their debut. We all know the cost of professional pedicures can add up quickly which is why I am going to give you a few essential pedicure tips so you can give yourself a salon-perfect pedi at home.

Here is my 1 through 9 step-by-step guide that will get your feet ready for all the open-toe shoes spring and summer has to offer:

Step 1: Soak

Fill your bathtub with warm water and add a bath salt that will help you relax while you soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes or until your feet have softened for easy removal of dry skin. I recommend Heel to Toe Peppermint Pedicure Salt which can be purchased at Sally Beauty for $3.99 which helps to soothe and relax tired feet and it’s infused with peppermint for aromatherapy which will help you relax.

Step 2: Clip

After soaking your feet, you can start clipping your toenails. When clipping your toenails make sure you cut them evenly and equally, angling your clippers in the same direction. For clipping your toenails, I recommend Heel to Toe Sure Grip Toenail Clipper which can be purchased from Sally Beauty as well for $3.29.

Step 3: File and Buff

Before you start to file, dry off your toenails. Position the file under your nail and file gently with even strokes, never going back and worth as this can damage your nails. I recommend Les Mirages Antibacterial Nail File which helps provide protection against germs.

Don’t forget to buff! Lightly buff nails in a back and forth motion with a finishing block. This will help prep your nails for nail polish. I recommend the All Season Fine Grit Finishing Block because it has a light abrasive for natural nails.

Step 4: Exfoliate

Wear exfoliating gloves and apply a polishing foot scrub to your feet and massage in a circular motion to get rid of any flaky or dry skin. Any exfoliating gloves and polishing scrub will work just fine. I recommend Bath Secrets Exfoliating Gloves and Heel to Toe Exfoliating Polishing Foot Scrub.

Step 5: Apply Callus Remover

Even if you don’t have callused feet, you want to apply a callus remover to the areas of your feet that are still a little rough before using a pumice tool. I like to apply the remover just before I start nipping my cuticles so the remover stays on my feet a minute. I highly recommend Be Natural Callus Eliminator by American International. This product is amazing and will make your feet baby smooth with little work involved. The directions say to leave it on for 3-5 minutes, but I leave it on for no more than one minute because my feet are not callused, just a little dry in some areas. If you have callused feet, then I would follow the 3-5 minute rule on the directions depending on the severity of your callus.

Step 6: Cuticles

Massage cuticle remover into your nail beds to loosen your cuticles. I recommend Be Natural Cuticle Eliminator.

After letting the cuticle remover sit for a few seconds, it is now time to push them back before nipping. I recommend the Cricket Cuticle Pusher. Make sure to hold the pusher at a slight angle and gently push toward the nail base.

Now it is time to start nipping away! I recommend All Season Cuticle Nipper to safely trim away your cuticles.

Lastly with your cuticles, apply cuticle oil. I recommend Orly Argan Oil Cuticle Drops which helps nourish and hydrate cuticles and nails.

Step 7: Pumice Away

Wipe off the callus remover and start massaging your feet with a pumice stone to make them silky-smooth. I highly recommend the Tweezerman Pedro Callus Stone or the Mr. Pumice Extra-Coarse Purple Pumi Bar. Both products are amazing and give you the outcome of a professional pedicure. LOVE them!

Step 8: Moisturize

Apply a generous amount of moisturizer in a circular motion. I recommend Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Creme.

Step 9: Color

Before you add color to your freshly pedicured toenails, be sure to remove the oil and moisturizer on your nails really well with nail polish remover.

Position a toe separator on each foot to make it easier to paint your toenails.

Now you’re ready to apply your favorite nail polish. Apply a clear base coat, two even coats of colored polish (make sure the first is completely dry before applying the second coat), and lastly apply a quick dry top coat. For a clear base coat I recommend Orly Bonder and for a quick dry top coat I highly recommend Orly Sec ‘N Dry.

And that is how you give yourself a salon-perfect pedicure at home.

All the products mentioned in the blog post can be purchased at Sally Beauty and will last you at least a year, if not longer.

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XO

Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask Review

Hello Gorgeous!

The new beauty product that is the latest ‘must have’ to hit the beauty market is sleeping facial masks. I love face masks so of course I had to try a sleeping mask and I chose Boscia’s Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask to try out first. Tsubaki is from Boscia’s new line and it currently has three products which include the Tsubaki Beauty Oil, Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask, and Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel. I have not tried the Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel, but I have tried the Tsubaki Beauty Oil which I really like.

 Now, if you don’t live in Asia, you’re probably thinking, “what is Tsubaki oil?” Tsubaki oil is the oil from the camellia flower called Tsubaki in Japanese. Traditionally, tsubaki oil has been used in Asia (particularly in Japan) for hair care. It contains several very good emollients and antioxidant-rich non-fragrant plant oils, an excellent source of fatty and omega 3 acids for your skin, which help dry skin look and feel softer and smoother and it provides serious protection against free radical damage, thus preventing premature signs of aging.

Okay, now that the mini history lesson is over, back to my review on the Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask from Boscia. 🙂

Even though Boscia claims this has no artificial fragrance added, it still has quite a strong smell of lavender (after all, it does contain camellia oil). The scent does mostly fade away after time and it didn’t irritate my skin/face at all (keep in mind I do not have sensitive skin and my skin is normal to oily). I don’t like or dislike the scent of lavender in this mask, but if you’re really sensitive to smells, you may not like this product. The texture of this mask is almost like a thick, but runny cream (if that makes any sense) and it soaks right into my skin. Once applied, it has a little bit of a sticky feeling, but it is not bad at all (just make sure you do not apply too much product so that it will all soak into your skin and extra product isn’t sitting on top of the skin, wasting away, and feeling sticky). And that is it; you just go to bed and let the magic happen while you’re sleeping!

In the morning, I was really surprised by this product. My face felt really clean and moisturized. Usually I sleep with beauty oil on my skin and when I wake up, my face is still a bit greasy and I can’t wait to wash it, but this sleeping mask had the opposite effect. My face felt so smooth and hydrated without feeling greasy or tight (some facial masks make your face feel really tight). My complexion was clear and glowing; I couldn’t stop looking at it in the mirror… AMAZING! This mask delivers such an intense amount of hydration, and the effects are immediate and rescued my dull winter skin. Overall, I am extremely happy with this sleeping mask and I highly recommend it. Love it!

Boscia’s Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask comes in a 2.8 oz tube:

This is how the product looks directly out of the tube, lightly blended, and then fully blended/absorbed into the skin:

Where to Buy: Sephora

Price: $34

What it is: A deeply-hydrating overnight sleeping mask that intensely moisturizes and protects to deliver long-term anti-aging benefits and smoother, baby-soft skin.

What it is formulated to do:
This signature, lightweight botanical blend of tsubaki oil (camellia oil), wakame (Japanese sea kelp), and rice bran oil hydrates, smooths, and protects for the appearance of firm, youthful skin. Serine, an amino acid, locks in moisture, ensuring maximum hydration as you sleep. It acts as an anti-aging moisturizer and preps skin for better absorption of products.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Phthalates

Suggested Usage:
– Massage onto cleansed, dry face and throat with gentle circular motions.
– Leave on overnight and rinse with water in the morning.
– For best results, cleanse with Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel and follow with Tsubaki Beauty Oil.

Happy Friday my loves. Have a lovely weekend!

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XO

September Beauty Favorites!!!

Hello Gorgeous!

It has been a long time since I have found new beauty products I absolutely adore which is why I am so excited to tell you my September beauty favorites!

– The first beauty product that takes the cake over all the others is BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector SPF 25+ in Opal (golden opal pearl). You can use this product in many different ways such as a highlighter, makeup base/primer or highlighting the body. I use this for an all-over inner glow and mix a pump of Shimmering Skin Perfector with my favorite foundation and apply it to my entire face (You can also mix this into your moisturizer if you don’t wear foundation). The results are amazing! I never would have thought this product is something I would love, let alone use, but thanks to Sephora, I received a free deluxe sample to try and so can you! How? Just purchase $25 or more from Sephora.com and enter coupon code: OPAL at checkout to receive your free sample (while supplies last). After one week of using this amazing freebie, I ordered the full-size from Sephora.com for $41. A little bit goes a long way, so this will definitely last a long time. I highly recommend this product!

Sephora Description:

What it is:
A sheer crème-liquid that perfects skin with light-reflecting pearls for a soft, natural glow.What it does:
Achieve a subtle luminosity. This formula features ultrafine light-reflecting pearls that melt into your skin for polished, natural-looking radiance. Water-light and sheer, it has a prismatic effect that allows it to adjust in any light, so your refined glow is never lost.What else you need to know:
This product has been dermatologically tested.

Suggested Usage:
-This product may be used on the face and body.
-To highlight the face, dab a small amount over foundation using your fingertips or brush to cheekbones, brow bones, temples, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow.
-When highlighting the body, apply to dècolletage, shoulders, and legs.
-Spotlighting: after applying makeup, dab a small amount, onto cheek and brow bones.
-For a luminescent base: before applying primer, use Shimmering Skin Perfector™ as a base over the entire face using fingertips or a brush. Follow with Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation and add a touch of Radiant Skin Creamy Concealer where needed.
-For an all-over inner glow: mix half a pump of Shimmering Skin Perfector with Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation or your favorite moisturizer and apply to the entire face.
-For a head-to-toe glow: mix two to three pumps with your favorite body moisturizer.

– The second product in my September beauty favorites is TARTE Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light. A few weeks ago I was given a free TARTE makeover at Ulta and the makeup artist used this concealer on me and I have been hooked ever since. It really made my eyes pop without any eyeshadow and I now use it daily. It stays in place all day and doesn’t crease of settle in fine lines. It has become my holy grail makeup product. It is $24, but a little bit goes a long way and you get .28oz in the tube which is a pretty good amount. I LOVE it!

Sephora Description:

What it is:
A full-coverage concealer that won’t crease, flake, or leave you needing more.

What it does:
Tarte’s Maracuja Creaseless Concealer offers long-lasting, full coverage in a rich, creamy, and velvety texture with pure, skin-soothing ingredients. The high-performance natural formula is infused with Tarte’s pure maracuja oil, which helps to improve skin’s texture, tone, and moisture content while imparting a brightening, dewy, luminous finish. In addition to promoting healthy skin, this velvety concealer is also ideal for masking discoloration and imperfections such as acne, blemishes, redness, scars, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles. This nutrient-rich, blendable, liquid concealer brightens and restores skin’s natural luster, leaving you with a flawless complexion.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Synthetic Fragrances
– Petrochemicals
– Phthalates
– GMOs
– Triclosan

– The third product in my September beauty favorites is MAC Sheertone Blush in Gingerly. Mac describes the color as a “Capri bronze (Sheertone)” and it costs $21 for .21oz. The color is just gorgeous and it lasts all day!

– My fourth September beauty favorite is L’Oreal Telescopic mascara in Carbon Black. If you want false looking lashes without actually wearing falsies, pick this mascara up… It is amazing! You can purchase it almost anywhere and it is a beauty steal with a price tag under $10. I usually purchase mine from Ulta.

– My fifth September Favorite is Redken Diamond Oil Conditioner. My hair is so shiny, soft, and healthy while using this conditioner. There is no product buildup and you can get a great deal from Ulta when they run their liter sale (usually costs $34, but when on sale, it’s only $19.99). Must buy! My hair has never looked better.

– And last but not least, my sixth September beauty favorite is BITE Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in Raisin (pale creamy pink). You can get this highly pigmented lip gloss from Sephora for $22. As a lip gloss fanatic, this is one of my new favorite glosses… Perfect in every way!

Sephora Description:

What it is:
A highly pigmented lip gloss featuring healthy fruit ingredients that are delicious enough to eat.What it does:
Like instant nutrition for lips, BITE’s Lush Fruit Lip Gloss contains the same healthy ingredients you’d find in a pure fruit smoothie: real coconut, mango, and strawberry infused with seven nourishing fruit oils. Rich, vibrant, and juicy, this modern formula is highly pigmented. What you see in the container is exactly the color you’ll see on your lips.What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Phthalates

– Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XOXO

Flawless Skincare Routine – Simple Steps to a Flawless Face

Hello Gorgeous!

Great skin is smooth, even toned, and dewy. To get those results, you need an effective daily skincare routine in place.

My journey to flawless skin is an evolving process. People ask me often what products I use so I thought I would share my current routine and products with you.

Everyone’s skin type and concerns are different and I know that I probably put a lot of products on my skin (I am a total product junkie), but I am really loving my current results from my nightly routine and I hope you will too.

Nightly Skincare Routine – Simple Steps to a Flawless Face:

• To remove all my makeup and surface debris from the day, I use Neutrogena make-up remover cleansing towelettes (love these)

• To deep clean and improve skin texture and prepare for product absorption, I use Ulta’s Dual Action Cleansing System (I bought this instead of the Clarisonic cleansing system to save some money and I LOVE it–highly recommend it). This little gadget really minimizes pores and helps to improve so many other skin concerns.
  

• You want to use a gentle face wash/cleanser with the cleansing system. You can use any product you like as long as it is gentle (you do not want to use an exfoliating face product with the cleansing system because it will be too harsh when paired together). I am currently using Soap & Glory’s Peaches and Clean 4-in-1 wash off deep cleansing milk.

• I wash off the extra product from my face by using an extra gentle cleansing sponge (the cleansing system tends to get messy and the face sponge really comes in handy).

Now it’s time for the fun stuff… Skincare products! My new favorite line for face care is Kiehl’s!

• Once my face is squeaky clean, I apply two products together.

First I add Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate to my face

Second, directly after I apply the above concentrate, I apply Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

When I pair these two products together, I achieve amazing results! It feels great on my skin and the next morning my face always looks flawless!

• Lastly, don’t forget eye cream! I use Travel Size StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles

And there you have it, my flawless skincare routine. Just stick with it and the results will be well worth the extra five minutes each day.

XOXO

Your beauty addict,

Trisha