Cassie DeNisco

My 2023 New Year’s Resolution!!

December 26, 2022

I can hardly believe another year has passed and I’m writing out new year’s resolution! It’s crazy how quickly the years go by and how fast we get to the next one. This year I wanted to share my new year’s resolution in a different way.

Instead of picking multiple things, I just wanted to choose a word that everything falls under. I started this last year with the word wellness and I truly think I got to live that word out. This year I’m doing the same because I feel like sometimes resolutions can be too limiting and put too much pressure on yourselves.

Patience

Now people always say patience is a virtue but I feel like a lot of my anxiety comes from jumping to the next thing or next worry. I want to really slow down in 2023 and try to get everything back in check.

In the times we live in we can really just feel out of control a lot. Life flies by us and if we’re not moving as fast as everyone we feel like we’re missing out or not doing something right. For me, I want to try to break this habit next year.

A slower lifestyle and mindset doesn’t put me behind others, if anything it’ll set me up for success because I’ll be able to make decisions based on thinking things through. I want to be so intentional with my time so I think having patience will help with that.

One other aspect of patience is with purchases. We live in a world where it’s so easy to order exactly what we want and have it delivered right away. Financially, you can only do that for so long so I just know being patient and thinking through purchases on clothes and other non-necessities will boost my finances as well.

As you can see, choosing one word that encompasses your mood instead of a resolution changes your mindset. I never followed through on resolutions because they always felt like too many unattainable goals. With choosing a word to live by, you can find it in all areas of your life and mold it to how you’re feeling.

If you have a word for 2023, share it down below! I love hearing how other people approach the new year with their mindsets. You can read more resolutions posts here! And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest here!

My Favorite SkinCare Masks

June 11, 2021

If you’ve read my updated skincare routine, you know I love using a mask at least once a week. Face masks are great to use to target a certain problem with your skin but also just elevate your skincare experience. I think masks are just so fun and great to use especially after your steam your face. Keep reading on to see the skincare masks I love and why I love them!

I make a small commission off of the links here, no pressure to purchase through these links but I do thank you for the support!

Glamglow Supermud

This face mask was my holy grail for so many years. It’s a great clay mask that helps to really clear out your pores and target acne. This mask did wonders for my skin but it’s actually quite pricy. The standard size is $60 so I started to not love it as much when I kept having to repurchase it.

Sephora Purifying Mud Mask

Finding this face mask was revolutionary for me. I wouldn’t say that this is a dupe for the glamglow but it does a lot of the same things and it’s only $16. I love clay masks that purify and cleanse the skin. At the end of the week, I feel like my face just needs a good pore clean out and this does the trick. I absolutely love this mask and it really has made me not need to by the Glamglow one since I found it.

Drunk Elephant Baby Facial

I love to use this mask about once a month. This little one is powerful and perfect for resurfacing your skin. The mask leaves my skin feeling like I was just getting a professional facial but I got it in my home. I notice a difference in the texture of my skin the next morning when I wake up. I will warn, this one does tingle a bit so if you don’t like that feeling, I wouldn’t get it!

Bliss Mighty Marshmallow Whipped Mask

This mask is a newer favorite of mine and is one that I think is best suited for drier skin. The first few times I tried this out I definitely broke out. It is so nice to put on and is so fluffy. Definitely hydrating and it’s pink so I mean, come on!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost

Obsessed is an under statement with the Neutrogena sheet mask. This is one of my favorite skincare masks after a long day. I pop it in the fridge for a few minutes and when I put it on my face, it is so cool and relaxing. This is basically a shot of hyaluronic acid for your face so your skin is left glowy and hydrated.

Diamond Eye Mask

I definitely saved the best for last with these eye masks. These are best in the fridge but I use them a lot throughout the week. They are perfect in the morning to help wake up my eyes or even at night when jade rolling my skin. I think you might be only able to get these at target but I seriously love these and are by far the best that I have tried yet.

I hope this blog post leaves you with a few new skincare masks recomendations! Skincare is so much fun and find it so interesting to see what works for other people. Skin is so funny because what might work for you, might be terrible for me but it’s always great to try!

Let me know your favorite skincare masks that I should try out!

My Updated Simple SkinCare Routine

May 7, 2021

One new year’s resolution I had was to step up my skincare routine. I have been watching and looking at different skincare content and decided it was time to start making changes. I wanted to not only minimize my routine but also start using quality products. All of these products I have been using since January so five months later, I do think there has been an amazing improvement in my skin.

As with any skincare routine, everyone’s skin is different so these products may or may not work for you. I love posts like these because it helps me become familiar with brands and introduces me to new products. As always, I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links but there is no pressure to purchase here!

Step 1 Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

If you’ve read any of my previous routines like this one, I used to swear by Cetaphil. I recently made the switch to CeraVe because for the same price, you’re just getting much better ingredients. This has hyaluronic acid and is formulated to not leave skin feeling too tight after washing. This is equally as gentle as Cetaphil but I just think is more worth it because of the ingredients.

I never wash my face without my Vanity Planet Facial Brush. This is a serious must in my routine because I swear that using it keeps my skin clear. Maybe it has something to do with not touching it with my hands but I will never not use it to wash my face!

Step 2 Daytime Treatment: First Aid Beauty White Clay Acne Treatment

Before you kill me on how wasteful these pads are, this First Aid Beauty White Clay Treatment has done wonders for my skin. I totally get how wasteful it is but this has transformed my skin even with wearing masks. I was struggling with acne under the mask line and using this everyday prior to wearing my mask has helped to keep my skin clear and glowing.

Step 2 Nightime Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Serum

This T.L.C. serum is definitely pricy but I can’t live without it. I use this at night right after cleansing and I wake up with soft and even skin. This is the only product that has changed the texture of my skin and I’ve tried a lot. I know there are cheaper alternatives but I am just so happy with my results I can’t imagine adding in something else.

Step 3 Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

Out of all my products, this is the only one I’m iffy on. I have been using this Clinique Moisturizer for years and do love it, but I think I can find something a little cheaper. I am actually interested in trying the CeraVe lotion because I’ve heard great things about it. This moisturizer was one I tried when I was in high school and found this was the only one that wouldn’t break me out. I don’t think I’ll ever fully part ways with it but I wanted to be transparent and say I don’t love love it.

Step 4 Sunscreen: Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen

This Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen I am okay with. I say that because usually sunscreen breaks me out and this one doesn’t but it is so expensive and I don’t love the Goop brand. (If you know, you know) I do think I will rebuy this only because it goes on so lightly and doesn’t feel like anything on the skin. If you can’t add anything else into your routine, add a sunscreen. It is so important to keep your skin not only healthy but preventing premature aging. I wish I had started adding in sunscreen prior to this year but I know starting now can only help.

I hope this simple skincare routine introduced you to some new products! My favorite part of skin care is learning about the different ingredients and how they can affect your skin. It’s so important to start caring for your skin now so even small changes in your routine can help.

P.S. don’t forget your sunscreen!

My Tips to Unwind Before Bed

January 6, 2021

There’s nothing I love more than getting into bed early and with a good book. It’s so therapeutic for me to snuggle up with a comfy blanket and seriously just helps set the mood to fall asleep. I know for many falling asleep isn’t easy, so I’ve put together my tips to unwind before bed!

1. Find a Good Book

Reading before bed is seriously so calming. There is no better feeling to me then a fuzzy through blanket and a good book. I do make sure though that I am ready something that won’t stress me out or scare me so that it is not going to keep me up. I love reading easy reads before bed not only as good stories but reading the words on paper is so relaxing.

2. Aromatherapy

Essential Oils are something that I actually just started using but can already see the benefits off. I love using a little lavender on wrists and inhaling deeply. The smell of it is so soothing and really helps me to relax. I also notice an immediate shift to sleepiness when I smell it and highly recommend trying it if you’re looking for something to help you calm down and get relaxed.

3. Lighting

Lighting is something I feel like we often don’t consider but is crucial to relaxing. I love turning off my overhead lights as I’m getting ready for bed and putting on my cozy twinkle lights. This seriously helps me set the mood and immediately switches my brain from night to day. I think dimming your lights is an absolute must when setting the scene to relax and unwind for bed.

4. All Natural Sleep Aids

I will admit, these Olly sleep gummies might be slightly addicting only because of how great they work. Often, I am up all night with anxiety or nerves but taking these pills helps me to relax and just let go. I do wake up groggy and know that it is proven that too much melatonin can mess with you. I make sure to not take these every night but do utilize them on the nights I really can’t get to sleep naturally.

5. Turn off the Screen

This might be one of my hardest tips but most effective. It is so hard to turn the screen off at night but so important. I like to put my phone on charge and then immediately open up my book so that I’m not tempted to scroll. The blue light from our devices can cause us to not sleep well and keep us up all night. Turning off the screen an hour before bed will help you relax and unwind in no time.

I hope these tips on how to unwind before bed help you in getting the best sleep ever. When you sleep well, you feel well which is just so important. Now more than ever, sleep is also helping us keep our immunity up with COVID too.

Let me know in the comments below your tips to unwind before bed!

Check out my last blog post here! And be sure to follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco.

Sephora Skincare Haul

July 20, 2020

After a long 3 months of no Sephora, I went all out the second I could get back into a store on a Sephora skincare haul. Some of these products I just needed to repurchase and others were brand new for me to try. Quarantine opened my eyes to the importance of taking care of your skin so that was what drew me to this major Sephora Skincare Haul for summer.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion $27

This product was a repurchase for me. I love using this as a toner because I feel like it helps to really leave my skin clean and exfoliated. I used to use the Clinique three step line but I found that this product is the real winner for me and my skin.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C Serum $90

I went through all of quarantine without this Drunk Elephant product and I realized how much I miss it. This T.L.C serum seriously changed my skin. I put this on at night before bed and I wake up with the smoothest skin. The price tag is pretty high but for the fact that this helps me reset my skin in one night, I will continue to rebuy.

Sephora Brightening Eye Cream $17

I have tried the Sephora skin line before and you can see my review of it here but I didn’t get around to trying this product. I noticed that I don’t really need help with fine lines so I wanted to make sure I was using a brightening product. The reviews seem really great and I love how affordable this product is.

Sephora Collection Nourishing Moisturizer $17

Similar to the product above, I haven’t tried the moisturize by Sephora yet. I used to use their All Day Hydrator but I was looking for something less sticky. This product is so affordable and the reviews online were awesome. I’m hoping it’s not heavy or too tacky, which was something I didn’t like about the hydrator.

Ouai Treatment Masque $32

This isn’t a skincare product but I used the Olaplex hair mask but found it was too expensive for no real results. I heard really great things about this masque and was hoping to replace the Olaplex one with this in my hair care routine.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen $34

Wear your sunscreen kids!! Whether it’s summer or not, sunscreen is so important and something I wasn’t taking seriously. I found all sunscreens to be way too heavy or leaving a weird feeling on my skin. The reviews for this product were amazing and seemed to state this does the opposite of everything I hate about normal sunscreens so I’m excited to give this a try.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Mini $20

Shout out to Sephora for honoring Quarantine birthdays! I did not purchase this, it was my birthday reward but I am so pumped to try it. I honestly have heard nothing but great things about this product. It helps to firm your skin so I was happy to choose it as my birthday gift.

I hope my Sephora skincare haul for summer inspires you to try a new product. I have spoken in the past on my blog about how important skin care is when you’re young so it’s never too late to start. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products or if you have any Sephora recommendations!

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My Updated Skincare Routine

July 6, 2020

Last summer at the start of my blog, I shared my 2019 skincare routine, which you can find here. This summer I’m back with some of the same products and new ones that I am absolutely obsessed with for an updated skincare routine. Keeping your skin healthy from an early age is so important and having a good skincare routine early on will set you up for success.

Face Wash

Finding a good face wash for your skin type is hard, so I stopped trying. I went back to my tried and true product, Cetaphil and it really just does the job. It cleanses my skin, doesn’t break me out, and is super gentle. I highly recommend this is you have sensitive skin like me because I kept finding that other face washes would leave my skin either way too dry or break me out.

Toner

I am still using my Clinique toner. This just really does the job and helps to exfoliate my skin. I did attempt to make the change to witch hazel but after some research, I realized it wasn’t going to help my skin in the long run. I use the cotton rounds and apply this after I wash my face and my skin is left soft and clean.

Moisturizer

I switch up my moisturizer depending on the time of day. In the morning, I love to use the Clinique Dramatically Different Gel moisturizer. I love this one because its light and for the summer, does the job but isn’t too thick. At night, or after being in the sun for too long, I use the Drunk Elephant whipped cream. This is thick so I use it at night to reset my skin for the next day.

Eye Cream

I actually got this eye cream for free to try and I fell in love with it. The name might sound weird but this algae eye cream by Biossance is literally so good. It’s thick and feels amazing on the skin. I am absolutely obsessed with it. I love a thicker eye cream because it just feels like its working better than one thats thinner.

Other Face Products

Other products that I love but aren’t a part of my daily skincare routine are my jade roller, face brush, and face steamer. I love using these products once or a few times a week to help reset my skin. Facial steam once a week helps to open my pores and get out impurities. I like to jade roll in the mornings to help with puffiness and I try to use electric face brush a few times a week to exfoliate. One other products that I have been loving is an eyelash serum. I got this one from Amazon, and it absolutely has helped my lashes grow!

Skincare is so important and is something that you should start early. Creating good habits while you’re young will help to alleviate some problems as you age. What is something that’s a part of your skincare routine that you can’t live without?

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Best Sun Tan Products

June 22, 2020

how to get and preserve a tan!

It’s finally feeling like summer and I couldn’t be happier! I seriously have found some of the best sun tan products and I am so excited to share with you. One thing this quarantine has given me is a great tan and I would argue might be the best tan of my life. I read in the sun, answer emails and take phone calls so its not like I’m not being productive. One of the beauties of being home is that you can really work from any area of your home. With that being said, I’ve put together my top 5 best sun tan products to help you get a tan and then keep it all summer long!

Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil

This has been my all time favorite product for tanning since I can remember. I have tried plenty of tanning oils but this one is so nourishing for my skin that even if I burn, it helps to moisturize me. I usually buy the one with the least amount of SPF and start out with this on. Once I notice myself getting red, I switch over to the next product below.

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen

This product seriously changed the game for me. I often would only wear just tanning oil until I realized how terrible it could be for your skin. I LOVE this sunscreen because I swear it has some tanning oil in it because it really helps me tan. Most sunscreens do what they’re supposed to by blocking the sun but I always use this and have the nicest tan after. I rarely even get red with this product. Even family members who have different skin types love this product because it seriously works.

Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Lotion

If I had to tell you the secret to a good tan or even a sunburn, I would tell you it’s this lotion. Moisturizing your skin is so important after spending time in the sun and I swear it helps to keep your tan beautiful and dark all summer long. I am obsessed with making sure I moisturize after I lay out and shower so this product is everything to me.

Drunk Elephant Sheer Defense

I’ve very conscious of making sure my face never burns. I want to stay as wrinkle free as possible and using something like this Drunk Elephant product really protects my skin. I must warn you that it is pretty much pure zinc so it is heavy on my skin but I know it’s protecting me and I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Chapstick is so important after a long day in the sun but I really like to make sure that I help to recharge and refresh my lips post tan. This mask is so hydrating and I absolutely love it. It seriously leaves my lips feeling great post tan. It is a a little pricy but totally worth it.

Whether you’re headed to the beach, or just your back yard this summer I hope the best sun tan products seriously help you tan. Don’t forget, the sun can be dangerous so do take precautions to protect your skin and always use SPF! You seriously will thank yourself later on down the road. Let me know in the comments below what the best sun tan products are for you!

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Check out my last blog post here!

Summer Glow in Winter

January 12, 2020

It’s finally that time of year where most of our summer tans have disappeared. Have no fear because a good self- tanner will help to have you glowy and bronze in no time. I love making sure I have a summer glow in winter. One of my absolute favorite self- tanners is by Loving Tan. Not only do they have natural products, but they also have a built in anti-orange so that your tan will never look like an umpa loompa.

I love all their products but my top two are the Ultra Dark Tanning Mouse and their Gradual Tan Lotion in medium/dark. They seriously help to keep my tan looking natural all year round. I also highly recommend trying out their own tanning mitt because it absolutely will make a difference in the look and duration of your tan. Using these products literally gives me such a natural, healthy glow in the winter when the sun is definitely not as strong. Now that you know my products, here’s my routine!

My Routine:

About 1-2 days ahead of when you plan to tan, take a shower and shave your legs. I like to do this a day or two before I tan bc sometimes the tan gives me little hives with fresh legs.
Right before you tan, take a shower and exfoliate your skin. I use an exfoliate glove in order to really get the dead skin off. Exfoliating is key to an even and long lasting tan.
As soon as you get out of the shower, put whatever tan product you plan to use on a mitt and start working it into your skin in circular motions. Make sure you really blend the product in to make sure you don’t have streaks. I like to start at the bottom of my body with legs and work my way up.
As soon as you’re done tanning, put on loose fitting close and plan to do a rinse in about 6-8 hours. (Sometimes I skip this step and just rinse at my next shower)
For the week with your tan, don’t exfoliate in the shower and pat dry when you get out. This will help to preserve your tan.

With following this routine, I usually will be tan for a solid 5 days. On the 6th and 7th days my tan does start to fade so thats generally why I tan at least once a week and make sure that I follow all of these steps.

Now of course being tan all year round might not be everyone’s cup of tea. There is just something about being tan that makes me the happiest. Not only am I more confident in my own skin but I just have that summer vibe in the cold and dreary months of winter. Having the summer glow in winter really helps to keep me happy and motivated for summer. Recently, I just found a really great face oil that tans but I’ve only used it once. I’ll let you know if it works well in my January Favorites post!!

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco! And don’t forget to check out my latest blog post here!

Face Masks for Glowing Skin

July 14, 2019

My favorite part of a Sunday night is easily a face mask. I love resetting my skin with a face mask because they help to purify your skin and reveal your healthy, glowing skin. With so many face masks on the market these days, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you walk into Sephora or Ulta to try to pick one out. I have tried so many types of face masks and products and these are my top 3 face mask brands for healthy, glowing skin.

GlamGlow:

I think the name says it all. I love these face masks because they are some of the best products I have ever tried. I love their Supermud mask because it really helps to clear up your skin. I like to leave it on for like 30 minutes and when you’re ready to take it off, you can start to see how it sinks into your pores and really helps to clean them out. Sometimes I’ll use the Supermud as a spot treatment as well because its really great at clearing up acne. GlamGlow masks are super expensive so I highly suggest you get the small sample kit, Glow Essentials Masks, so that you can try them out and see which mask you love the most.

Drunk Elephant:

I may sound like a broken record but Drunk Elephant products are AMAZING. This baby facial mask really helps to perfect my skin and help even it out. It does tingle a bit when I apply it but I kind of like it because it feels like its working. I put this mask on for like 20 minutes and any little bumps or imperfections on my skin will disappear by the morning. This face mask is pricy, I’m not going to lie to you but I think its worth it for you to give it a shot.

Sephora Collection :

I am obsessed with this mud mask! For the price, it really is a steal because it leaves my skin so bright and glowing. This mask reminds me a bit of the Supermud by GlamGlow so you might want to check this one out before you make the commitment to the Supermud. I do caution though that this one is definitely not as powerful at skin clearing as the Glam Glow mask but I literally love this mask because it does exactly what I want a mask to do. After using it my skin is left so soft and looking amazing.

Neutrogena:

Now I know that a lot of us are college kids on a budget who prefer to not break the bank on a face mask which is why I tried out this clay/cleanser mask from Neutrogena. I was seriously impressed with this mask. It does exactly what it says it will do on the package. I also love that its super affordable and you get a lot of product for the price. I also thought it was super cool that you can use this as a cleanser too because when wet it turns into a milky, creamy soap to wash off.

I am so obsessed with all of these face mask! They seriously are the best in helping to reset my skin and give it that glow that I’m looking for. Let me know if you’ve tried out any of these products in the comments below!

My Collagen Smoothie

June 17, 2019

Whenever I finish a workout, I love making some type of smoothie or protein shake. Lately I have been making collagen smoothies to support my hair, skin, and nails as well as get my daily protein intake in. Adding collagen to your diet will seriously help keep your skin younger and healthier for longer. Collagen also helps to keep your nails strong and can help to grow out your hair. Aside from the beauty benefits of this smoothie, there’s plenty of protein in it that it could even replace a meal.

Here’s the recipe!

1 Banana
3/4 c Mixed Berries
Handful of Spinach
1/2 c Milk (I usually do either cow’s and almond)
2 scoops Collagen Powder
1 scoop Protein Powder (I use vanilla)

I first like to put all my fruit in. I like to use frozen berries and bananas because it helps to make the smoothie cold and wake me up. Then I put my powders in and milk. I finish off with the spinach because I usually like to fill my Nutribullet up to the top with spinach. This makes it so easy to get your veggies in for the day!

This smoothie has almost 50 grams of protein just from the powders and milk alone. This smoothie is my go to post workout or even in the morning for breakfast. Just as a reminder, it is best to have fruit first thing in the morning or earlier in the day because of how quickly it digests.

Collagen is so so so important for your skin and I highly recommend that you start incorporating it into your every day routine!