My Favorite Products for a Radiant Glow.

I'm constantly trying out and reading up on new beauty products. I could spend hours in Ulta, or even in the grocery hair/makeup section of the grocery store, and I love reading about products/beauty regimens that other people use. 

I'm obsessed with that kind of J Lo/Lauren Conrad glow, and I pretty much base my entire makeup searches and routine on achieving that look.

Here are a few products that I consistently use because I l.o.v.e. them for that dewy glow that they can give you.

1. Burt’s Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser: I know there are really expensive face washes out there but let’s be honest, it’s on your face for like 20 seconds and then you’re done. I used to just buy whatever looked good at the time (typically all drug store brands). Then one day I came across this stuff on sale at Ulta for $4 and I absolutely love it. It is all natural… well 99.2% natural according to the bottle. Whatever that means. I have used this cleanser for about a year now and I love it because it moisturizes your face just the perfect amount.

2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer: As you can see, I use a lot of drug store products because these happen to really work well for me. However, this moisturizer is the one thing I do splurge on a little because my girl Clinique doesn’t call this "dramatically different moisturizer" for nothing. I doubt Clinique is actually a person but she should be. But I would pronounce it “Cluh-Nee-Kwa” Like Shaniqua with a C. Just a thought for all you expectant mothers without a name for your next born. 

3. Maybelline BB Cream: By now you have probably heard of this miracle product. I think almost every brand has come out with a BB cream. I chose the Maybelline kind because I am a big fan of Maybelline, and it also had great reviews (the color I use is the light/medium tint). If you haven’t heard of BB cream then you’ve been living under a rock you definitely need to look it up because there are multiple benefits to using it, and it really does add such a great dewy glow to your look. I use mine as a morning moisturizer, underneath my Bare Minerals.

[If you have tried another brand of BB cream that you like, I’d love to hear what it is. I’m all about trying new products!]

4. No7 Radiant Glow Beauty Lotion: As you can probably tell, I am drawn to any bottle that says the word “radiant.” [I am the world’s biggest sucker for marketing.] This stuff is great for when your skin is looking dull and you need a little extra “pick me up” (I actually think I may have got that phrase from the bottle without realizing it until I re-read the sentence. See? Marketing. It’ll getcha). When I use this product, I typically use this as a replacement to my morning moisturizer. It has an iridescent glimmer to it which gives you a nice glow. Sometimes I will only use this on my cheekbones if I don’t want to use it as an all -over moisturizer.

I bought this and #7 (the night cream) both from Target! I love this brand because I feel like it's high quality for a good price. 

5. Bare Minerals: I just adore this stuff right down to my heart. It's a powder so it's not heavy, but it doesn't look powdery on your face at all. I bought the start up kit from Ulta which is the way to go. I use both the "original" foundation (as opposed to the matte, which is pictured but I'm too lazy to change it) in color C30 "Medium Tan", as well as the bronzer in "Warmth."

6. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Fresh Pink: I feel like this blush is what really pulls together that radiant look. Bare Minerals also carries blush, but I'm a big fan of cream blush for a glow, so I prefer this. The one I'm using right now is actually in the shade "pink plum" but I feel like it's a little bit too light for me because I typically have to layer it on. I just bought the "fresh pink" shade and am waiting to use it once my current one runs out, so hopefully the color is right! 

One other thing that I didn't put on here because I don't necessarily use a certain brand- I always take an ivory colored shimmery eyeshadow, and just sweep it in a C shape from the top of my cheek bones to my temples (if that makes sense). This is key to the look. The eyeshadow I have been using recently for this is the ivory color from Ulta's "Good Girl" eyeshadow palette. I like it because it's the perfect amount of shimmer. 

7. No 7. Beautiful Skin Night Cream: Like I said- this brand has great prices and I love the way their products work. I believe this cost me about $14. The reason this made the list is because I think moisturized skin is a huge (and probably the major) key to getting that radiant glow. So that means a lot of water-drinking too.

8. Jergen's Natural Glow Healthy Complexion (I use the "Medium to Tan Skintones"): I only use this about 3-4 times a week and that gives the perfect amount of color for my poor winterized pale face, and the color is gradual. The Jergen's Natural Glow body lotion is great too.

A few other tips: 

Coconut Oil once a week for moisture (don't leave it on overnight, use your fingertips to mix coconut oil and your regular facewash, and then rinse off). 

Exfoliator to get rid of the dull, dead skin cells

Biotin: I take 5 pills a day and they are a major boost for your hair, skin, and nails. 

The blog maskcara.com is amaaaaaaazing for makeup tips by the way. I can't even explain it. Just go there. 

PS... I was really excited about my new digital drawing pad, and fully recognize the overkill on scribbles. It took all my strength not to draw a mustache on LC. 

If you have any suggestions for products you love, please please please share :)

xoxo
Natasha

Oh and for those who asked on instagram- a tutorial on braiding your hair into a headband will be up on the blog later this week. (Unfortunately, the this picture is a lot bigger than the one on insta, so just pretend you don't see the bobby pins. squint your eyes a little.)

Just a Quick Mid-Weeker.

I am doing a quick post on a weekday which is rare for me nowadays. Now that I am working a lot, I just feel bad coming home and neglecting chores that need done, or not spending time with my husband- so that's why I've been so absent. 

Whenever I go a while without writing, I absolutely hate it and I get excited to whenever I get to actually sit down and write, whether it's on here, or in a journal. I love it all.

I saw this picture the other day and I couldn’t help but smile.

I am so incredibly comfortable and in love with what may seem in comparison to other’s lives- my calm life. 

We sometimes go out with friends, go play tennis, grocery shop together (that is if I’m lucky enough to convince him to go with me), take day trips to San Antonio, do a little exploring around Texas;

But most days it is just Clint and I, doing nothing but our day-to-day routines. 

Gym, work, home, dinner, bed time.

But in the midst of all of that, we find time to laugh and enjoy these seemingly repetitive routines of life. 

To some, a calm life may seem to be a boring life. But for me- my love of familiarity, and comfort, and home, and family, and small moments all add up to a perfectly happy, blissful, and fulfilling life.

xo

Natasha.

I aint sayin she's a gold digger

Since everyone back at home in Utah is in celeb stalking mode at the Sundance Film Festival, I eased the heartbreak of not being able to go there and participate by writing this blog post...

I think if I were to choose one celeb to stalk at Sundance it would probably be Blake Lively because I would want to gawk at her beauty and her clothes.

Here's one I just can't quite wrap my mind around...Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. All I'm saying is if I had a group of guys and girls lined up, I definitely wouldn't guess that these two are a couple. [Plus why did she shave her head?] She seems a little crazy to me and Liam seems normal.
And by normal, I mean angelic.

Kim Kardashdash and Kanye West (whom the title of this post is dedicated to)... I was pretty excited to hear the news of this little bundle of money making joy. Granted, it doesn't even come close to Kate Middleton's pregnancy, but I'm going to go ahead and say that celeb news in 2013 is most definitely not letting me down.










Also...is anyone else obsessed with the Kardashian family Christmas photos they do every year? (google that, son).

I'll admit- liking the Kardashians is sort of like showing people your 7th grade picture... you aren't proud, but it's just part of who you are.

When I see pictures of celebrities hanging out together, I often wonder what their conversations are like and then I think to myself "I could totally be their friend, and they would laugh at my jokes and we would share clothes." Does this not look like a picture you want to be in? ya, me too. Apparently this was the first event for the girl on the right... looking a little too giddy to be a veteran. Should have invited me instead, Selana.

On a related note, I'm kind of obsessed with Vanessa Hudgens. Even though her acting is subpar. or subsubsubpar. I don't know, watch the trailer for "Beastly" and you be the judge.

Lance Armstrong. I'm going to have to go ahead and say that I'm still a fan and I feel bad that Oprah tore the poor guy apart. And please, watch this video below because Jimmy Kimmel is the funniest man alive.

Tay Swift and Harry Styles... I don't even want to go there because she's just a maneater right now and it's really messing with my emotional well-being. 

I decided I'm a big fan of Jennifer Lopez. I don't like her music one bit, but did you see her at the Grammy's? Granted, it's scandy but she looks stunning. Now my concern is, why does she keep dating younger little hood rat men? Mid life crisis is what I call that. Stop it J Lo.

Another look I loved at the Grammy's was Lea Michele's. Her dress was pretty, but what I really loved was how natural and gorgeous her hair and make up looked.

Anyway... did anyone have any celeb encounters at Sundance? I know my dear wild friend Vanessa has pictures of James Franco using the restroom. There's no such thing as boundaries when it comes to celebrities. That's my motto.

Writer's Block...

I am... always happy on Sundays. Mostly because I enjoy going to church, but I would be lying if I said that I don't look forward to picking out my Sunday outfit.

I keep... notes, ticket stubs, airline tickets, old pictures... way too many things because I'm weirdly sentimental.

I wish I could... speak Vietnamese, grow a couple more inches, own all the clothes I pin on Pinterest, travel more, go to school for the rest of my life, have my own talk show and be best friends with Ellen.

I love... my little collection of antique tea cups, my new digital drawing tablet that Clint bought for my birthday, baby clothes, the fact that there was a power outage at work last week so we played the game MASH (you know, the 4th grade game where you figure out your future?), watching friends grow up and do great things with their lives, grocery shopping (eh, it's a love-hate kind of thing), and BB face cream. Liquid gold, I tell you.

I dance... my very best moves when I'm with my sisters. And Taylor Swift.

I think... I need to read more books, all states should have mountains, Macaroni and Cheese should be a vegetable so I could eat it as much as I want, tulle skirts are the cutest ever, going to the movies is boring, and everything with the name "Kate Spade" is a million times cuter (I'm not a brand snob by any means, but there's just something about it),

I really... love hearts and Valentines day decorations.

I need to... write in my journal regularly, plan meals for the week, set aside more time for creativity and learning, avoid gossip, and get some dang abs. Oh and to try the Maybelline Baby Lips chapstick.

I should...  probably shave my legs, but seeing as I already wore a skirt to church today with no tights, I might as well wait another week. yolo.

I can... never keep my house clean for more than a day. and I don't even have kids.

I like... Costco, comfy sweats, planners, warm showers, jean jackets, fresh flowers, and swimming.

I make...  things more complicated than they should be.

I always...  fall in love with everything.

I love... this wild and beautiful little thing

Mostly Just Words.

Last Sunday was my 23rd birthday. Clint was able to get work off and we spent a fun and relaxing weekend in Houston where we visited Galveston Island and Kemah. His work schedule has been wearing on us a bit lately so this little get away was just what we needed, and a perfect way to end the year. While we were there, we were also able to go to the Houston Temple which was absolutely beautiful. It has been fun to travel and live in so many places because in addition to temples in Utah, we have been to the Dallas, San Antonio, Washington D.C., Hawaii, & Lubbock Temples together. 

I know I have slowed down quite a bit on blogging. I think the holidays put me in a little bit of a funk, and I'm just now getting out of it.  I also started a new job that keeps me busy- especially with a one hour commute there and back, but I absolutely love the job and the people I work with.

I've come to realize that I, or anyone for that matter, will never be completely done figuring life out. I think when I was younger I thought that once I graduated high school and college, and then got married, I was pretty much set and wouldn't really have to make any major decisions any more. but that's definitely not the case.

I find myself getting impatient, trying to figure out where I should be in my life. Thoughts of graduate school and careers and a family constantly fill my mind. I always feel like I should be and can be doing more. Most of the time that's a good thing, but other times I lose patience with myself and with timing. I like to know all the answers right now. Sometimes I just want someone to tell me exactly what my life's path is so that I can go in that direction without making any mistakes or having any setbacks, or choosing a path that ends up leading to nowhere. But that's not how life works.

Clint is the complete opposite in that way, and he keeps me calm. He is constantly reminding me to relax and be patient. Answers will come, opportunities will present themselves if and when they're meant to be, and Heavenly Father will allow doors to open and others to close when the timing is right. How grateful I am to know that although I don't know the exact plan and path of my life, there is someone else who does. 

2012: A Year in Review

I planned on putting our card up on my blog before Christmas, but things got busy around here so I figured New Year's would work just as well. Due to privacy, I decided to take out some personal information (thus the "Small Town, Texas"). Clint's section, especially, had a lot more personal information about his job and our location than mine does, so that is why "The Mr." section seems so vague.

2012 was probably our craziest year yet.  We were apart for 5 of the 12 months, but managed to become closer and continue to strengthen our marriage. We moved away from family and friends, and the place we had called home to a town we had never even heard of. When struggling to find a good home that we wanted to live in here, we came extremely close to moving to San Antonio, until some new friends who we hardly even knew, reached out and let us stay in their second house until we were finally able to find a place 2 months later. They have become out closest friends, and our family in Texas and we love them for it. I travelled to a third world country with one of my closest friends, where we helped skin a pig (When in Rome), survived the unreal humidity and never-ending bug bites, and grew to love the absolute most beautiful little kids in the world. They brought some of my life's most cherished memories. Clint moved into a career path that he loves and that brought us so many opportunities. And of course, we realized (and continue to realize) what a blessing it is to have each other, and the support of our families back home. ♥

2012 you were wild and we loved it. Here's to more memories in 2013.

xoxo
Natasha