Just like my obsession with cosmetics, I’ve been captured by cute cosmetic bags for as long as I can remember. Nothing feels more perfect than have a well-edited makeup collection all wrapped up in a cute pouch. Considering this, I thought it was a little crazy when I realized I have never actually purchased a pouch for the purposes of holding my cosmetic essentials. I have had about a million (not even an exagerration) free with purchase bags over the years that I have used. And I did purchase a Vera Bradley travel pouch for toiletries awhile back. But nothing specifically for makeup. When I saw the collaboration between LeSportSac (known for it’s graphic, yet utilitarian, luggage, purses, and accessories) and Rifle Paper Co. (the beautiful stationary and gift brand that just so happens to be headquarted in my birthplace), I knew it was time to invest in some cute cosmetic pouches.
Author Archives: Lauren Hooper
August Favorites
1. Beautycounter Hydrate Body Lotion – First off, the citrus mimosa scent is everything. When I purchased this product, I knew it was scented, but I wasn’t overly concerned with the smell because everything from Beautycounter smells pleasant to me. But this scent is so completely on point. It’s like Sunday Brunch in a bottle minus the dehydration (and eventual headache) that comes with daydrinking. There aren’t many body lotions in my life that I have repurchased. I normally move from brand to brand because nothing sticks out to me. But I was really blown away by how quickly this sinks in. Summer months normally call for lighter moisturizers so I’m not sure yet how well this will do with very dry skin, but I can tell you this soothes irritation really well. I recently used a new bath soak sample that was fragranced with eucalyptus and lavender. After I got out of the tub, my skin felt super dry and itchy. I slathered this from head to toe and my skin immediately felt better. I can imagine this is a great after sun lotion as well. This now has a permanent spot in my shower.
30 Step Minimalism Challenge Week 4 Update
This is it! The final update and end to my 30 Step Minimalism Challenge – my personalized take on the Into Mind challenge. I learned something really surprising by going through this challenge. Here’s my last week with the steps, and what I have learned from the whole experience:
What I Learned From My Summer Capsule Wardrobe
The summer is coming to a close and that means it’s time to move on from this season’s capsule wardrobe. I started the season with 23 clothing items, 4 pairs of shoes, and 11 accessories. I ended up only wearing about 22 of those 38Â pieces on a regular basis. Everything else was either traded out (3 items), worn once (9 items), or not worn at all (4 items). I spent a lot of time looking over these pieces and here’s what I learned from a full three months with a capsule:
14 Back to School Beauty Essentials
When you have lived and worked with college students for a decade, you know a thing or two about “back to school”. There’s a lot of preparation for your new digs – bedding, cookware, and Pinterest-inspired DIY decor galore. And prepping for your actual classes by purchasing textbooks and major-related supplies. Shout out to all my design majors spending quadruple digits on supplies every semester. Y’all are the real MVPs. But, of course, there are the other situations you want to be prepared for. Nothing hurts your confidence more than feeling like a hot mess while you’re navigating campus life. So I have decided to bestow upon you my wisdom 😉 Here are my recommendations for can’t-live-without beauty products to get you through all that college life throws at you!
30-Step Minimalism Challenge Week 3 Update
Week 3 of my 30-Step Minimalism Challenge is complete! Here’s what I accomplished over the past week.
Beach in a Bottle: Lani Tropical Hair & Body Treatments Review
I don’t recall the first place I noticed Lani products. Or even the second or third. I just remember that I kept seeing this gorgeous turquoise bottle in Instagram and Pinterest photos, meticulously placed in a beach setting or next to some bright hibiscus flowers. Some products just portray a certain lifestyle, and this bottle was telling me “if you buy me, you will feel like a bronze goddess with a flowy mane of perfect beach waves”. How can you resist a promise like that! So I hopped onto the Lani website and ordered their Tropical Hair Treatment and Tropical Body Treatment. The products arrived about 11 business day later, about average for a product from overseas.
30-Step Minimalism Challenge Week 2 Update
I’m halfway through my August Minimalism Challenge! Here’s what steps I have taken in the past week: Continue reading
Creating an Energizing Morning Routine
One of the tasks in my 30 Step Minimal Challenge is creating an energizing morning routine. I fully believe that if you don’t start your morning right, you’re not going to have a successful day. Since moving up to Alabama, I have crafted the perfect routine for helping me make the most of my mornings. My mornings normally go like this:
While You Were Sleeping: Nighttime Beauty Products
Getting your beauty rest takes on a whole new meaning when you add the right products to your nighttime routine. We spend a third of our day sleeping so why not do a little bit of multitasking while you’re catching some shut eye. These products are some of my favorites for getting the most out of my bedtime.
Lauren, Etc. 