So I got some new shoes:
My black pumps wore out at the toes, so I upgraded to these Trina pumps from Gwen Stepanie’s L.A.M.B. line. Yaaass. They’re just as gorgeous in person – super tall and chic. I also ordered the Adelia pumps in blush from Banana Republic, but I’ll be sending them back. They aren’t as pretty in person as on the site and I just didn’t love them compared to the Trina version.
I discovered a cute little lingerie store in Carytown, Fiamor, when shopping for a bridal shower gift. They have the prettiest sets and several lines I’d never heard of before. When I checked some of them out online, I came across Journelle and Blush, two sites with tons of options. Journelle has several brands ranging from super high end to affordable. When I ordered the purple set below at Christmastime, I joked that I had bought a present for my self because the packaging it came in was so beautiful. The Blush brand is carried in a lot of stores, including Fiamor and Nordstrom, but you can catch a lot of good sales if you shop from their website directly. Here are a few of my favorites Fiamor, Blush and Journelle:
1. Montelle Lace Coquette Demi Bra | Matching Underwear
2. Montelle Keyhole Balconnet Bra | Matching Underwear
3. Blush English Rose | Matching Underwear
Sheer Desire Demi Bra (black one from the first photo)
Read MoreElements, the store in Carytown I’ve been partnering with for the past few months, is having a beauty/skincare event on Thursday, May 7th. Jenna, a sales rep from Peter Thomas Roth, is coming down from DC to talk about new things and give skincare recommendations. I’m especially excited that one of my favorite restaurants, Amour Wine Bistro, is providing the drinks and snacks. I stopped by Elements on Saturday to shoot this promo video of co-owner, Jeanie Rule, and got a sneak peek of the awesome, deluxe samples they’ll be giving away. You all are going to love them. I’ve tried a lot of the products that will be featured at the event and am excited to learn about some new ones. Here are my top picks for the event!
1. Talika Bio Enzymes Mask: I can’t wait to try this. Sheet masks really let product sink into your skin. This one’s formulated with cinnamon, argon oil and alpine and promises to reduce redness, blemishes and oily skin.
2. BeautyBlender: I bought this set so I could keep one and give one to my friend, Kerry. We’re both loving it. When you use this, make sure to wet the sponge and ring it out well before you use it to apply your foundation
3. Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask: This is probably my all time favorite acne product. I talk about it more in this post.
4. Coola Mattifying Makeup Setting Spray with SPF 30: Eee! I’m so excited about this. I picked it up on Saturday and used it today. I always here that you’re supposed to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, but wonder how you’re supposed to do it without messing up your makeup. This seems like it’ll be the perfect solution and I think I’ll love it for summer.
5. Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel Exfoliant: I love this for when my skin is feeling a little bit dry but also super sensitive, so I need to be really careful and not use a rough scrub to exfoliate.
6. Gloss Moderne Shampoo and Conditioner: I could go on and on about this stuff. It smells like cake and makes your hair SO soft. They also make a hair mask, which they’ll have samples of at the event.
7. Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Mask: I LOVE this mask. It’s perfect for wearing on top of moisturizer overnight for extra hydration when you sleep.
I love these new mules so much, I decided to pick up a similar pair. Two summers ago I bought these heels from Nordstrom rack. I got a lot of wear out of them but the faux wood chipped off and I probably wouldn’t recommend them. I found these nude mules at Kohl’s online. They were just as awesome in person.
I love skincare and beauty, but dealing with acne is not fun. The best thing for it in my experience is a consistent skincare routine. I’ve been using the Erno Laszlo ritual I described in this post, and it balances out my skin by cleaning it really well and then putting the moisture back in with the lotion. When my skin feels congested, I use my Clarisonic or one of my favorite exfoliating masks. When spots do come up, here are the products I use:
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask: This is a super thick, strong mask. I like it best as a spot treatment. The paste texture stays put and really dries out spots. I have to be careful with this one because if I use it too many days in a row, it can be too drying. I also have their rose stem cell mask, and I’ve heard about mixing the two to moisturizer and take care of spots at the same time.
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment: This is packed with good stuff. It’s stronger and smells like sulfur, so I usually use this at night and I don’t put it all over. Reading up on this I was surprised how many acne fighting ingredients it has. 5% Sulfur absorbs excess oil and controls existing breakouts & the formation of future acne. 4% Glycolic Acid Complex helps to exfoliate dead surface skin cells and helps stimulate cellular turnover. 1% Trikenol™ * (Manuka Concentrate & Willow Extract) helps reduce redness, detoxify pores and helps fight acne-causing bacteria. Aloe Vera helps to soothe and hydrate the skin. Allantoin soothes and calms the skin. Vitamins C & E – anti-oxidants help to fight free radical attack and pro Vitamin B5 helps to moisturize, nourish and clarify.
Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel: 2% Salicylic Acid and 10% Glycolic Acid. This is one of my favorite new products. This, the spot treatment and mask all came in this kit with some other minis. At $35, this is a great way to try a bunch of products at once. I put this gel all over the areas of my skin that tend to breakout and I can really tell it’s clearing things up. It doesn’t try out the skin at all like a lot of acne creams do.
Erno Laszlo Anti-Blemish Beta Purifying Mask: This one has some of the same effects as the sulfur mask, but it’s a lot more gentle. I like to use this one over a whole area (I typically break out on my chin). I’ll sometimes use this in the morning for a few minutes and wash it off before I put on my makeup. It has a thin, green texture and smells herbal.
Lather Advanced Blemish Control Serum: I love this spot treatment for during the day. Peppermint, geranium and tea tree oils make it smell wonderful, and it’s very gentle. It’s also clear, so I can put it on before my makeup and I carry it in my makeup bag in case I want to reapply later in the day.
Malin + Goetz Nighttime Acne Treatment: 10% active sulfur dries out your pimple and zinc oxide heals the spot where you have the blemish.The product is separated in the container. Dip a cotton swab into the jar and dot on your face. If you’re familiar with Kate Somerville’s EradiKate or the Mario Badescu drying lotion, this is similar.
One of the worst things about acne is the marks that spots leave on the skin for a long time after they’ve cleared up. When I got a facial back in February, I told the aesthetician I was looking for a product that would help fade scars/discoloration leftover from acne spots. She told me to look out for products with a high concentration of Vitamin C. I knew I had a sample of this at home, so I started trying it out morning and night and have been really liking it.
The Somme Institute Serum: It’s softening the skin on my whole face, and I’m noticing it even out my skin tone. The advanced technology in Somme Institute®’s Serum combines Vitamin C along with a high concentration of Molecular Dispersion Technology 5 (MDT5™), a patented technology of highly engineered vitamins A C E B3 B5 designed to help improve skin tone, texture and clarity. Serum helps reduce the visible signs of premature aging, smoothes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and evens skin tone.
Coola Classic Face SPF 30 in Cucumber: A lot of people feel like bring out in the sun helps dry out spots and clear up skin, but the sun makes pigmentation even worse. My regular moisturizer has an SPF of 15, so I double up with this before I apply my foundation. This one’s organic and the cucumber relieves puffiness and moisturizes.
Don’t forget to use the code TIRAMISU to get 10% off these and any other products at Elementsbeautyshop.com or in their Carytown boutique.
*This post is a sponsored collaboration with Elements Beauty Shop. All opinions are my own.
Since working with Elements Beauty Shop, I’ve switched up my skincare to include several Erno Laszlo products. I’m so excited to be trying out their newest, the White Marble Treatment Bar. It’s described as a gentle, daily corrective cleansing bar that deeply hydrates as it counteracts discoloration. It promises brighter, fairer and more even-toned skin by lifting away impurities and gently clarifying and refining skin texture and tone.
I have had it about a week, and I’ve been loving it so far. Skip the Pre-Cleansing Oil, because the White Marble Treatment Bar has a nano- encapsulated brightening agent, and the oil will block the penetration. (I still love my my sea mud treatment bar and Pre-Cleaning Oil too.) Follow with the light controlling lotion (the toner) and Oil-Control Day Lotion from this kit. It smells wonderful and feels super smooth on the skin. I’m looking forward to see how it lightens the discoloration I have from acne scarring.
There are a few other products I can’t wait to talk to you about, so stay tuned for a full skincare routine post.
Don’t forget to use the code TIRAMISU to get 10% off these and any other products you like at Elementsbeautyshop.com or in their Carytown boutique.
*This post is a sponsored collaboration with Elements Beauty Shop. All opinions are my own.
Read MoreSince working with Elements Beauty Shop, I’ve switched up my skincare to include several Erno Laszlo products. I’m so excited to be trying out their newest, the White Marble Treatment Bar. It’s described as a gentle, daily corrective cleansing bar that deeply hydrates as it counteracts discoloration. It promises brighter, fairer and more even-toned skin by lifting away impurities and gently clarifying and refining skin texture and tone.
I have had it about a week, and I’ve been loving it so far. Skip the Pre-Cleansing Oil, because the White Marble Treatment Bar has a nano- encapsulated brightening agent, and the oil will block the penetration. (I still love my my sea mud treatment bar and Pre-Cleaning Oil too.) Follow with the light controlling lotion (the toner) and Oil-Control Day Lotion from this kit. It smells wonderful and feels super smooth on the skin. I’m looking forward to see how it lightens the discoloration I have from acne scarring.
There are a few other products I can’t wait to talk to you about, so stay tuned for a full skincare routine post.
Don’t forget to use the code TIRAMISU to get 10% off these and any other products you like at Elementsbeautyshop.com or in their Carytown boutique.
*This post is a sponsored collaboration with Elements Beauty Shop. All opinions are my own.
Read MoreHere are my favorite beauty-related things for the month of March!
Hot Tools Curling Iron (I think mine is 1 1/2 inches)
Gloss Moderne Shampoo/Conditioner
*I have a partnership with Elements Beauty Shop, and receive their products at a 10% discount. you can too with the code TIRAMISU at Elementsbeautyshop.com! All opinions are my own.
PS: My actual favorite thing of the whole month was this photo of my cat. I can’t stop looking at it.
Meet Hannah, a senior artist at Sephora, aerial silks performer, animal lover and contouring pro. She’s letting us take a peek inside her makeup bag.
Photo by Dave Parrish Photography.
She posts great tutorials and eye looks on her Instagram.
Tiramisu for Breakfast: What’s your favorite beauty brand?
Hannah: How can you choose?! I love having the best products from each brand, it’s all about creating your personalized beauty wardrobe!
TfB: What product have you been using the longest – your tried and true?
H: Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation, if they ever discontinue it I’ll die.
TfB: Who’s your beauty inspiration?
H: Carole Lombard. She had such strong features and perfect hair and a glamorous tomboy sort of duality.
TfB: What’s in your makeup bag right now?
H: Sephora mattifying compact foundation, Smashbox bb undereye concealer, Diorshow Maximizer lash primer, Marc Jacobs Omega Lash mascara, Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner, Lancôme powder pencil for the brows.
TfB: Skincare routine?
H: I’m obsessed with natural skincare brands, especially Ole Henriksen and Boscia. My skin is really prone to breakout so when I find something I can rely on I am very loyal!
TfB: What are your travel essentials?
H: Sephora collection Waterproof eye make up remover, a baby size of the Vita Liberata sunless tanning mousse (in case I need to touch up my tan), a bb cream to give me light coverage and SPF and I buy a new fragrance for every vacation so that whenever I smell it I’m transported back to that time.
Who else’s makeup bag would you like to peek inside? Post requests in the comments!
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