Category: Health & Beauty

Health & Beauty, Skin Care

To Botox or Not – the Ageless Debate.

by fashionablepetiteLeave a Comment on To Botox or Not – the Ageless Debate.
It’s National Botox Day!
We’ve likely all had the inner debate. To Botox or not? It’s still amazing to me to see the stigmas that comes with injections. Botox came onto the scene nearly two decades ago and I’m here to tell you that injections today are not your mother’s Botox. The world of cosmetic procedures has come along ways since then. While it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before any cosmetic procedure, if you are in the hands of a knowledgeable professional, there really isn’t much to worry about. DO YOUR RESEARCH and don’t take the decision lightly if getting any sort of injection is something you want to pursue.

As with anything, there’s a balance. There’s irony in wanting to stay youthful and coming out the other side looking even older than when you started. Think about the phrase, “less is more.” A lot of women fear the frozen brows (some genuinely love it), or they are fearful of what people will think of them for getting “work done.” It’s 100% ok to ask for help if we need it; all an injection is, is asking for help to age a little more gracefully. What’s wrong with that?

Some women like more obvious work and our differences are what make us unique. If you want a more unnatural look, GO FOR IT! At the end of the day, if you’re happy in who you are, then there isn’t a darn thing wrong with it!

Let me tell you a little about me personally.

I spent a lot of days in a tanning bed through my high school years and despite that I’ve been pretty lucky with lines and wrinkles. My problem area that does show the most age is my forehead. I have a pretty wide forehead and with a blonde/medium skin tone, my forehead takes on more sun over anywhere else. It wasn’t till I was 27 that I decided to start looking into small cosmetic upgrades. I’m here to tell you that I’ve loved exploring what a “med spa” offers and I go to people who are highly skilled and knowledgeable. An injection might leave a little bruising and any needle prick isn’t pleasant, but if you like the results, then it’s worth it. If you don’t like the end result, it is completely false that you can’t undo it. Most results from injections like Botox last about 3 months.

It’s important to note that cosmetic procedures on the outside won’t necessarily be a fixer if you’re struggling on the inside. While they can be a great confidence booster, you still need to love yourself, flaws and all. Cosmetics work can only highlight the best parts of who you are already!

To Botox or not – the ageless debate will continue on, but I do hope you make the right decision for yourself so you can look and feel your best!

-xo

Darcy

Health & Beauty

The BEST Instant Tanner for Summer

by fashionablepetiteLeave a Comment on The BEST Instant Tanner for Summer

What is the best instant tanner for summer? I have been using Bondi Sands for years now and it is hands down the best instant tanner around! No need for a salon or a expensive spray. It’s made by Australians (beach people know a good tan) and I love how much color I get by using it. I use the foam version and squirt some on the mit for application (I use the light/medium, but I’m including the darker tone as well). It goes on smooth and most importantly it’s a natural tan! NO ORANGE glow. It also smells great and the coloring lasts 4-5 days before I reapply. I’m also including the back sponge for those of you that don’t have an extra set of hands to get those tough to reach areas. You will seriously have an amazing summer glow after you use it. I’m also not doing this as an ad, it’s just that good.

Give me your feedback or thoughts on the best instant tanner for summer 2020!

-xo

Darcy

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Health & Beauty, Skin Care

Travel Must Haves

by fashionablepetiteLeave a Comment on Travel Must Haves
Travel Must Haves

My husband and I travel pretty frequently and I’m proud to say that I’ve gotten pretty close to perfecting the airport travel experience. It’s not always easy and travel can be stressful, but if you do it right, traveling doesn’t have to be an anxiety ridden experience. Here are my top three tips for making travel easy and my top three beauty products that I can’t live without whenever I travel.

Beauty product #1. Summer Friday’s Jet Lag Mask – This Mask is heaven in a tube. I absolutely cannot go without it when I travel. It refreshes your tired eyes when you get off a plane and it gives your skin a boost after enduring recirculated cabin air. I will also use it the morning after a long night out a concert, wedding, or bachelorette party.

Beauty product #2 Glamglow Glowstarter. I try to go light on makeup when I have travel days. I don’t want to fall asleep on a plane wearing anything too heavy and less is more when I’m traveling. That’s not to say that I’ll go sans makeup entirely. That’s why I love Glowstarter. It’s a moisturizing cream that gives you that ultra dewy glow. I dab a little along my cheekbones and alongside the inner portion of my eyes and I look polished and refreshed. I use the nude glow, but it also comes in pearl and sun.

Beauty product #3 Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream. If you’re giving extra love to your skin when you travel, why not give the same treatment to your hair? I purchased a travel size of the Supershine from my hair salon, but you can purchase the full size version Here for $52.00 and squirt some in a travel bottle if you are planning to travel with only a carry on. A little goes a long ways (just a pea sized amount will do) and it smells so good. Rub it through your strands with a focus on the ends and your hair will look glossy and hydrated.

Now for my travel tips!

Tip # 1. Use a empty contact case and squirt in some empty liquid concealer or foundation so you don’t have to carry the full size bottle. You can also use a contact case to carry your eye cream or liquid bronzer. Old pill bottles or mint tins can be used to carry bobby pins/hair ties, or to carry small chain necklaces/earrings. Be creative in re-purposing!

Tip #2. Travel with a cute ball cap to cover your travel hair and always pack a small brush with you in your carry on. I also always carry chapstick and a mini mascara. If you shop at Sephora, you know they give you samples of various products. I always hang on to the samples and use them when I travel (especially the travel sized mascaras because they usually will last an entire trip depending on my destination). I currently have samples from Too Faced, Milk Makeup, and Laura Mercier.

Tip #3. I’m all about carrying a cute backpack onto a plane and not a purse. Not dealing with a tired shoulder and a bag that keeps on sliding down my arm is optimal, especially if you need to keep your hands clear while navigating through the airport. Dagne and Dover makes terrific bags that are designed for travel. Investing in a good bag or backpack makes a lot of difference when you’re searching for your boarding pass or phone and you can’t seem to find the right pocket. Target also sells a wide variety of cute fashion backpacks that are durable and perfect if you are headed somewhere and don’t want to carry a pricey bag. I have a similar one to Target’s Dome Backpack that retails for $27.99.

I also always travel with a portable battery to charge my phone or tablet. No one wants to be the person hunting for an outlet in an airport. Even if the flight is short, it pays to have a battery. I personally like the one that can power two devices at once. If I’m traveling with my husband, we can both plug in at the same time. I purchased the Insignia Portable Charger and it will give you about six full charges before it needs recharging.

I’m also including two of my go to airport & travel outfits. These are for domestic travel (you’ll want to avoid jeans at all costs for long haul flights), but I would love to dedicate a post to international travel and what to wear when you’re headed to a far away destination. I tend to get cold on planes and a tunic is a great way to stay warm, chic, and if you do get hot, you can take it off and wear your t-shirt underneath. I got this poncho in an oatmeal color last year and paired it with Topshop’s Petite High Waist Raw Hem Jeans in bleach. Ugg has the Joanna Funnel Neck Poncho at Nordstrom in white that is similar to my oatmeal colored poncho. I also always size down in ponchos because they are oversized. In the second photo, I’m wearing a reversible fur vest by Ann Taylor paired with an oatmeal turtleneck and black skinny jean in velvet. PAIGE has a similar pair of skinny jeans in their Verdugo Ultra Skinny Velvet pant that is full priced at $200.00. Since we are currently heading into summer, retailers are not stocked on cool weather clothing. Once the fall comes, I would be happy to dedicate more posts to more winter weather fashion in a variety of price ranges!

Happy travels!

-xo

Fitness, Health & Beauty

Challenges To Staying Fit

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Challenges To Staying Fit

Staying fit right now is challenging to say the least. The routines that we built have evaporated and creativity has been crucial to coming up with new ways to workout. I personally don’t have a dedicated gym, but I’ve been fortunate to have enough space to create a makeshift space that gets the job done.

Because it has been difficult to locate dumbbells (I’m lucky I had a small set before quarantine), I’m sharing three products that I’m using that are not sold out everywhere and they are just as useful as a set of weights. These products can also be used most anywhere and they take up very little space, which is important if you have tight quarters.

*Here’s a piece of advice for the engaged ladies out there! If you’re struggling with what to put on your registry, I would suggest including some workout equipment. Even if you don’t use it daily, it’s really nice to have in a pinch (if you live in an area that sees winter weather, it’s nice to not bundle up and bear the elements to get to the gym). You don’t need to register for treadmills or a full weight rack, but workout gear is rarely something you that you buy for yourself. I found that our friends & family enjoyed gifting us medicine balls for our wedding vs. traditional gifts.*

#1. Resistance bands are insanely versatile. You can use them on your arms, legs, or glutes. They are great for targeting specific muscle groups and you always feel the burn, no matter what the exercise is. Bands are also low impact, meaning that they are not putting a lot of strain on your joints. Resistance bands come in different levels of tension and I recommend getting a set of three (least resistance to the most) because you will find yourself wanting different tension levels with various exercises. Target has This Set from Lifeline for $19.99.

#2. Gliding core disks. Disks were a game changer for me once I started incorporating them into my workouts. They are small gliding frisbees that you put under your feet (or hands) to complete different exercises. Core disks work to increase your strength and give you a great full body workout. You can use them to do lunges, knee tucks, pikes, sliding push-ups, or arm crawls. There are SO many options and if you need some guidance on how to get started, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! These Gliders by FILA are on sale on Amazon for $15.97. Make sure to purchase a set that is reversible (meaning they have a fabric side and a plastic side). A reversible glider means that you aren’t limited to whatever hardwood or tile flooring is in your house, you can get busy working out in whatever room you want!

#3 BOSU ball. A BOSU is not cheap, but it is incredibly useful and worth the price tag. You can use it for burpees and push-ups, or flip it over for static lunges, crunches, or glute bridges. It’s another workout tool that can be used in a ton of different ways. The Bosu Pro Balance Trainer retails for $169.99 and they take up minimal space in a closet or under a bed.

Comment or email me with any workout related questions. Go get your sweat on!

-xo

Darcy

Health & Beauty, Skin Care

Skin Care & SkinMedica Must Haves

by fashionablepetiteLeave a Comment on Skin Care & SkinMedica Must Haves
Skin Care & SkinMedica Must Haves

I have been using SkinMedica® for years now. I have pretty average skin for a late twenty-something, but Colorado can be extra tough on skin because it is such an arid climate. It’s SO hard to get hydration and lock it in, but SkinMedica has been a game changer for me.

I was introduced to it after a HydraFacial at my local med-spa. Despite the high price tag, I keep coming back to their product line year after year. They do carry a basic Facial Cleanser starting at $38.00 through Dermstore. Garnier’s Micellar is also a great substitute without the price tag and can be found at most drug stores and supermarkets. I also have found that Dermstore has a great free reward points system and you can often get a free bonus gift when you make a purchase. Every once in awhile, I will get an email from Dermstore offering a SkinMedica gift if I make a SkinMedica purchase. These gifts are often worth a significant amount in products and can last you a good amount of time if you ration how much you use. Be diligent and you can get score some deals that justify the cost!

When I wake up in the morning, I immediately start by washing my face. It really starts my day off on the right note and I’m a firm believer that every woman (and man) should have a consistent skin care routine. I use SkinMedica’s Sensitive Skin Cleanser in the morning with my Sephora Cleansing Pad. This $7.00 pad works so much better than a traditional washcloth and is a fraction of the cost of a Foreo Luna or a high end facial cleanser. The cleanser is not super sudsy, but it does a solid job of washing off any grime and helps to prevent breakouts. After a good scrub, I follow with a spritz and a pat of Murad’s Hydrating Toner and SkinMedica’s Dermal Repair Cream. In the evening I complete the same process again and finish off with SkinMedica’s retinol cream on my forehead and around my eyes (fight those crow’s feet)!

It’s no secret that I’m pretty obsessed with having good skin and I’m constantly trying out new products. I’m linking a few other products that I’m currently using. Eminence is an organic skincare line that has packs their products with fruits and other natural ingredients. All of their lotions and serums smell SO good and I am a huge fan of their Strawberry Rhubarb Exfoliating Scrub. It leaves your skin clean and baby soft. I also use Sanitas and love that are cruelty and paraben-free. For any Colorado girls, they are manufactured in Boulder, CO. Support local business when and where you can! Their Pumpkin Enzyme Mask smells amazing and I use it as a weekly facial refresher.

I also hate clutter, especially in my bathroom. I found a cute faux marble storage holder for next to my sink from iDesign at Bed Bath & Beyond. It Retails for $17.99 and holds a surprisingly large amount of things.

A little self care goes a long ways, so don’t be afraid to treat yourself. At the end of the day, you deserve it!

-xo

Darcy