Cassie DeNisco

Beauty lover Gift Guide 2023!

December 4, 2023

Here is my beauty lover gift guide for 2023! Whether you have a makeup lover or a skincare lover this post is perfect for you! I love gift guides because they really help get your ideas going for the perfect gift!

This post contains affiliate links and I make a small commission if you decide to purchase from me! Everything is directly linked below!

Gift Sets from Sephora- Laniege Duo

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Like I mentioned in my Sephora sale post, I got the fragrance sampler set. I feel like any Sephora sets are the perfect gift especially if you know someone has never tried the product. I think this Lanegie duo is honestly perfect for everyone because who doesn’t love luxury chapstick.

Microcurrent Facial Device

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I’ve had my eye on something like this for awhile! I feel like it’s truly a great gift because this is not something I would readily go purchase for myself. I think devices like this are just so fun to rotate into your beauty routine and this one from Amazon is pretty inexpensive.

Nail Tool Set

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This is something so random but I feel like a lot of people don’t actually have a good set of nail tools! I feel like this would make the perfect gift with a set of nail polish. I personally love Essie polish and would love this as a gift. If you want to bump it up even more maybe throw in a gift card to their favorite local nail salon.

The Ordinary Facial Set

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This little set is everything for the beauty lover. You have all the serums you would want for an at home facial and I feel like gifting this with maybe a tool from Vanity Planet is perfect for the beauty lover. This is a great gift set from Amazon and I love that it has a little of everything they would want!

I hope you get some inspo from this beauty lover gift guide in your life! If you are still in need of shopping, my pet and foodie gift guides are already out! I have one more gift guide coming out after this for him so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a post!

My Sephora Sale Picks!

November 6, 2023

It’s the best time of year where I share my Sephora sale picks with you! Whether you’re looking to stock up on your favs or get your Christmas shopping done, you don’t want to miss this sale. You get a different percentage off based on your insider rewards so essentially the more you spend in the year, the more you save during the sale.

I personally am doing a major stock up. I’ve pretty much been waiting for the sale because I’ve run out of a lot of my go to products but wanted to wait to stock up until they were on sale. As always, these are affiliate links so I do make a small commission if you purchase from them!

Glow Recipe- Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum

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This is my favorite makeup primer! I swear by this product because it leaves such a beautiful glow under your makeup! It’s also a little tacky so I believe it really helps to make the makeup last longer.

Nécessaire- The Body Essentials Trial + Travel Set

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I am so excited for this that I’m buying one for me and one for someone on my Christmas list!! I love Nécessaire so much and I swear by the body serum. It’s truly my all time favorite moisturizer because it just glides right on!

K18- Mini Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

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I actually don’t have this product already but I have heard such great reviews. I’ve been dying to try it so what better time then now!

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

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It’s been a minute since I’ve head this Summer Fridays mask in my rotation. I love it because as the weather is getting colder in New York, I’m really reaching for hydrating products to lock in moisture. This is so great and I will just put it on in the morning and let it soak in throughout the day as I work.

Inky List Brighten-i Eye Cream

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This is a repurchase for me and I actually was pleasantly surprised with how much I love this product. I just needed an eye cream and grabbed this. It’s at such a great price point and I’ve really noticed a big difference in my eyes!

Peace Out AHA Pore and Blackhead Exfoliator

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I am on the hunt for a blackhead mask that actually works and I’ve read good reviews on this. I’m excited to give it a try especially because I really like the shape of the packaging.

Sephora Perfume Sampler

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I saved this for last because this is like the number one thing on my Christmas list this year lol. I am on the hunt for a signature perfume/scent for myself and I feel like this is a really good place to start. You get all of these mini sizes and then can trade it in for a full size when you pick the one you love!

Be sure to check out the Sephora sale picks which runs until tody 11/6!! Use code “Timetosave” at checkout if you are a member of their loyalty program! Let me know if you liked this blog post and be sure to check out more like this here!

My Sensitive Skin Care Routine!

September 25, 2023

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that my skin has really become sensitive. I try to combat that with using gentle but still effective products. I’ve been using these for about a year and I’ve definitely seen a difference with my sensitive skin care routine!

As always these are affiliate links so I make a small commission if you decide to purchase from me! These have become my go to products I can’t live without so I hope they help you too!

Vanity Planet Face Brush

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This has been a constant in my routine for years. I love that this gently exfoliates my face and leaves me with that really deep clean feeling. I use this at least once a day every other day because sometimes I do find it to be a little too abrasive. This paired with my cleanser has really kept my skin clear and glowing.

Cetaphil Sensitive Skin Cleanser

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This has been game changer for me. I’ve been really trying to find a cleanser that is effective but not overly drying. I’ve even tried other similar products but I just keep coming back to this one. I love this Cetaphil cleanser with my whole heart. It truly cleanses but doesn’t strip my skin.

The only downside is that it’s hard to find but I often can order it on Amazon. I just make sure it doesn’t get too low!

Kiehl’s Moisturizer

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This is pricy but so worth it. I’ve found that this Kiehl’s moisturizer is probably the best on the market right now. It reduces my redness and really gives me a nice glow. I’ve found it’s really not that heavy on the skin either which I appreciate. It’s been a few months with it and I haven’t found it to break me out which is also another plus.

Inkey List Eye Cream

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My last step in my routine is this Inkey List eye cream. I really love how well it works and just leaves me looking awake. I actually use this night and day because I do really enjoy looking awake all the time. This one is really affordable with good ingredients so I am happy with it!

As you can see, I’ve really cut down on the quantity of products I’m using. I really wanted to clear my skin and stop going overboard. Once in awhile I’ll do a mask or use a different serum but for now this is what keeps my skin clear and glowing!

If you liked this skin care post, you can check out more here!

Current Sephora Favorites for Skin!

April 20, 2023

I love a good skincare haul so I’m happy to share with you my current Sephora favorites! After ditching the masks last year, I found I had the worst skin. It was dull, dry, and I had frequent breakouts. I searched for products that would help but I honestly made it worse.

I started to really simplify my skincare routine and it’s done wonders for my skin. A Sephora recently opened up near me so I’ve been getting all my products from there. I’ve been loving what I’m using and wanted to share! These are affiliate links so I do make a small commission if you do decide to purchase but there’s no pressure!

Inky List Retinol

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Retinol seems to be all the craze these days and I was in the market for an inexpensive one to try. This was around $24 and so far I like it. I use it one to two times per week just to make sure my skin doesn’t freak out. Retinol is good for fine lines and wrinkles so I’m really just using it now as a preventative instead of to actually treat anything.

Youth to the People Adaptogen Moisturizer

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I am always switching up my moisturizers depending on the time of year but I just had to talk about this one. I love this moisturizer for winter because it’s thick and really does it’s job. I definitely will be switching this out because it’s so moisturizing but I will be switching back come next winter!

Glow Recipe Glow Drops

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I’ve definitely talked about these glow drops before! They have become my go to primer before makeup for extra glowy skin. I also just love this on it’s own as a way to just enhance my natural skin and make it glow. I have repurchased this twice now because it’s just that great! You can read my makeup routine here!

Tan Luxe Face Oil

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I also recently talked about these tan luxe drops but I just repurchased them and had to shout them out. I seriously love these for my face because I get to use my own face moisturizer which ensures that my face won’t break out. You can definitely use this for your whole body too but I don’t trust myself enough to do that yet without it looking streaky!

These are in my skincare routine and I seriously love these Sephora favorites. As we’re approaching summer time, I love to wear no makeup so these products are helping my skin to stay clear and hydrated! For more beauty posts, click here!

My Current Favorite Hair Products

March 27, 2023

Similar to last week’s post, I wanted to give an updated favorite hair products post! These current favorites are some of my go to products in really transforming my hair. When I started my blog almost 4 years ago now, I had bright blonde hair. Because of the pandemic, I went back to my roots, literally, and started the journey of getting my hair healthy again.

This past year I’ve truly seen the most growth with my hair and owe it to these products that are so great at maintaining my hair health. Not to mention, also getting a trim every few weeks has done wonders for my hair. As always these are affiliate links and I make a small commission if you choose to purchase these products!

Drybar Liquid Glass Shampoo & Conditioner

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I was so excited when I saw this set because you need to try it! All of the products mentioned are literally a crucial step in my hair care routine. This shampoo and conditioner actually smoothes your hair and gives it the nicest shine. It totally lives up to the name and was a better alternative to Olaplex for me. I love the Drybar and this line became an instant staple in my routine. Not to mention, I think it’s been hydrating my hair so well that it’s helping ti grow long and strong.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Spray

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I do still love my It’s a 10 but I have to say I love this more! I spray this on my wet hair and it detangles and leaves it feeling so soft. Not to mention, it has a built in heat protectant so I feel like it’s really taking care of my hair. The lightness of the product works so well for my very thin and fine hair. I never feel like it’s weighed down because it’s just super light.

Drybar 100 Proof Oil

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This is my OG tried and true. I cannot say enough great things about this oil and I’m getting concerned it’s being discontinued because I can’t always find it. This is truly the only oil that my hair can handle that doesn’t make it feel super oily or heavy. I love the shine this gives and it truly helps smooth the fly aways.

As you can see, these favorite hair products are really focusing on smoothing and shinning my hair. Now that I’m not blonde, I really just want to make sure my hair is healthy. I also want it to have a nice shine to really give it some dimension! If you liked this post, you can read more hair care posts here!

My Viral Chrome Nail Tutorial!

October 31, 2022

It has been a hot minute since I’ve done a nail tutorial! I am obsessed with this viral chrome nail tutorial that is a take on the Hailey Bieber nails! Mine are done differently because I prefer the powder gel to the uv so I’m going to share my version!

If you are looking to set up your at home nail kit, read this post here so you can get all the goods to get started! I am by no means a professional nail artist but I took up this hobby during the pandemic and honestly just stuck with it!

Products:

Chrome Powder- Shop Here
Translucent Dip Powder- Shop Here
Gel Top Coat- Shop Here
Gel Base- Shop Here

Directions:

I have an electric nail file that I use to prep my nails but you can just take a file to file and buff them out.
Take your gel base and apply a thin layer then dip your finger into the translucent powder at a 45 degree angle.
Continue this process about 2-3 times depending on your desired opacity.
Coat nails in activator then file them down to smooth and even out.
Apply one coat of the gel top and let it get about 95% dry.
Take the chrome powder and dust it on top of your nail until you have your desired effect.
Apply another coat of gel top and let it sit!

I seriously just love the look of these glazed donut nails! They are gorgeous and not as difficult as they look! The key is just applying the chrome at the right time so it stays nicely in place!

If you loved this chrome nail tutorial be sure to subscribe to the blog and follow me on Pinterest for more exclusive video content!

Makeup Essentials I’m Loving!

September 22, 2022

This months bonus post is dedicated to the makeup essentials I’m loving! As we transition into the colder months, I still want to be as glowy as possible and these products are seriously going to help! I love a light makeup look but always need a little coverage to hide some blemishes.

These are some great products that will do just that! This was my go to makeup routine this summer and I’m going to stick with it as we head into the fall too! As always these are affiliate links but there’s no pressure to purchase!

Niacinamide Drops by Glow Recipe- Shop Here

These glow drops are seriously a must have to prep your skin. I use these after I moisturize and let this get a little tacky. This works as like a primer and locks in my tinted moisturizer but adds so much glow. This seriously is such a great product on its own but is that much more amazing to pair before you put on your foundation.

Rare Beauty Tinted Moisturizer- Shop Here

I fell in love with this tinted moisturizer over the summer and this is going to be a re-purchase for me. It’s super light coverage because it’s a tinted moisturizer but buildable. I swear this paired with the glow drops above is seriously the best combo.

Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand- Shop Here

I finally got my hands on this contour wand and I am so glad I did. This is like the easiest contour to use because you can just dot it on. It’s so blend-able that I can just go in with my beauty blender and it seriously does the job. If you see this in stock, don’t hesitate to get it because it’s seriously as good as everyone says it is!

Charlotte Tilbury Blush Wand- Shop Here

This is just as good as the contour. I have the blush coral color and I seriously love it. The formula is just as blend-able as the contour so it looks so natural on the skin. The color also complimented me so well when I had a tan but it’s still as pretty as I get paler.

These makeup essentials have instantly become my go to must haves! I can’t live without them because the combo on my skin that they create is unreal. A light, natural and glowy finish is always my goal and these products seriously do just that!

If you loved this bonus post, you can check out more skin care posts here! In addition, follow me on Pinterest because I’ve been posting a ton there lately, even more than instagram!

Makeup Products I Can’t Live Without for Glowy Skin!

April 11, 2022

It has been quite awhile since I last shared a makeup products review! I wanted to share now because I’ve really switched up what I’m using lately. As we head into the warmer months, I like light makeup. Something not too heavy but natural and glowy.

For awhile now I haven’t been wearing much makeup. I feel like that was partly because of the pandemic but I really have come back to it. I wanted to get and try out some new products as I get back into makeup. I love watching videos and reading posts on makeup product recommendations so I hope you do too!

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation- Shop Here

I actually purchased this new foundation on a whim when it came out. I was hoping it was similar to the It Cosmetics CC cream but it’s actually so much better. Because it has they hyaluronic acid in it already, it keeps your skin hydrated and glowy. I really love this stuff, I just wish I had gotten a slightly darker shade so I can wear it all summer!

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer- Shop Here

I’ve had my eye on this concealer for awhile now and I finally went for it. I absolutely love it under my eyes and to cover blemishes. It seriously is great and long lasting. Lately, I’ve just been wearing a little concealer and calling it a day. I know as it gets warmer I’ll definitely be skipping foundation all together so this will be perfect.

Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Stick- Shop Here

I love this blush!! It is so creamy and easy to use. It’s easy to blend and sits so nicely on the skin. This is actually my first Milk product and I am super interested in getting their bronzer version. I think the key to glowy skin is cream products that will really melt into your skin.

Beauty Counter Think Big Mascara- Shop Here

I was gifted this Beauty Counter mascara for Christmas but it easily has become a staple product for me. First of all, it’s a clean makeup product but it actually works well. It doesn’t clump but helps make my eyelashes super long and big. If you get anything from these products, this is what I would say you have to get!

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder- Shop Here

I know I’m late to the game on this powder but I love it. The Laura Mercier translucent powder is perfect to put in the areas that you don’t want to get super oily. I love a glowy look that’s not too greasy so this helps to counteract my oily skin throughout the day and keep my makeup in place.

As you can tell from my last glowy makeup routine post here, I really have switched it up! I honestly like wearing just a little concealer and some color on my cheeks. I’ve been patiently waiting to see if I can get my hands on the contour wand by Charlotte Tilbury but it’s so hard, let me know if you’ve tried it out!

I hope you get some inspiration from these makeup products! If you’re interested in trying them check out my affiliate links! Also be sure to subscribe here to the blog so you never miss a post!

Self Tanning Tips for Winter

February 7, 2022

I always find myself reaching for my self tanner right about now in the winter. My summer glow has faded and I’m seriously reaching for anything that will get me glowing. I’ve made previous posts about self tanning tips like this one here but I’ve actually switched up my products.

I noticed with the previous brand I was using, the ingredients weren’t very clean and one of my resolutions was to make sure my beauty products are. Another thing I noticed was that they changed their formula. This brand I had been using for years and the last time I purchased, then tan had a weird tint and didn’t go on smooth.

No need to fear, I found this brand at Ulta and I seriously fell in love. The Tanologist brand is pretty affordable and it seriously works wonder. I decided to try out the tan water instead of the mouse and honestly, I don’t think I have a preference. The water is harder to use because it goes on clear to not rub off on anything but that makes it hard to know where you put it.

In addition to the water, I also purchased the drops which I soon realized I didn’t actually need. I never used to use self tanner mouse on my face because it would break me out but the water actually doesn’t. The drops are useful though because all you have to do is mix them with your favorite moisturizer. I might try them in the spring when I’m starting to lay out again but want to be tan. Here are some of my self tanning tips for Winter!

Exfoliate

I feel like people will tell you to exfoliate and literally never elaborate on what it actually means. You need to prep your skin to be able to soak in the tan, just like getting your nails done or hair. I like to shave about a day before I tan and then I like to exfoliate in the show right before I tan. This way my skin won’t be super irritated but I’ll get a smooth application.

To exfoliate, I like to use a mild and gentle body wash with a loofa or some sort of exfoliating brush and just gently work it over my skin. Do not go crazy because you don’t want to over exfoliate and throw your skin off.

To take off the tan, you can try this same process about a week later. I always like to tan on Sundays so then I’ll do it again on the next Sunday.

Moisturize

This is one I used to always over look but not anymore. Moisturizing before you tan is so essential to making sure you don’t have any pooling of the tan in places your skin is try. I used to always mess up my knees and elbows because they’d be super dry. Now that I moisturize, the tan glides on and is even.

It’s also super important to continue to moisturize your skin even as the week goes on. The moisturizer will help preserve your tan and keep your skin glowing. I like to use a lighter moisturizer that won’t be too heavy on my skin but still gets the job done. My personal favorite is actually just the mositurizer from CeraVe.

Find What Works

Not gonna lie, this one took awhile. You can try out the products I mentioned and they might not work for your skin type. It takes a bit of testing out to find a product that is affordable for you and that works well. I really like the Tan water because it’s not super sticky and so far hasn’t transferred to any of my clothing.

I do recommend trying out a mouse if you are just starting out because I can see how you might get an uneven tan the first few times you use it. My biggest tip is to find something that you are comfortable and confident using.

I hope these self tanning tips were helpful. I love being a bit tanner in the winter because it seriously just lifts my mood. The weather in New York is often cold and gloomy mid winter so I’ll do anything to make it feel like summer.

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Products Mentioned:

Tanologist Express Tan Water $16.99- Shop Here

Tanologist Face + Body Drops $19.99- Shop Here

Ulta Sunless Mitt $5.99- Shop Here

Ulta Tan Mitt for Face $5.99- Shop Here

Daily Body Moisturizer $12.99- Shop Here