Cassie DeNisco

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Current Sephora Favorites for Skin!

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

shop here

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

Shop here

sephora favorites

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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sephora favorites

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

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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favorite hair products

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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favorite hair products

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

Shop Here

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!

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!

chrome nail tutorial

Products:

  1. Chrome Powder- Shop Here
  2. Translucent Dip Powder- Shop Here
  3. Gel Top Coat- Shop Here
  4. Gel Base- Shop Here

Directions:

  1. 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.
  2. Take your gel base and apply a thin layer then dip your finger into the translucent powder at a 45 degree angle.
  3. Continue this process about 2-3 times depending on your desired opacity.
  4. Coat nails in activator then file them down to smooth and even out.
  5. Apply one coat of the gel top and let it get about 95% dry.
  6. Take the chrome powder and dust it on top of your nail until you have your desired effect.
  7. 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!

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

makeup products

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

makeup products

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!

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

makeup products

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

makeup products

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

makeup products

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

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

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