Category: Beauty

LTK Fall Sale 2024

It’s time for the LTK Fall Sale! I won’t be doing a lot of shopping during this sale, but I still wanted to share my favorite picks – which are only from two brands: Abercrombie & Fitch and Pura.

What is the LTK Fall Sale?

The LTK Fall Sale is a four-day exclusive LIKEtoKNOWit app sale running from September 26 – 29. This sale, like all LTK sales, includes several different brands with each one offering discounts ranging from 20% – 30% off. Make sure you’re following me on the LTK app though, as the discount will automatically be applied to your cart!

Here is a list of participating brands:

Sales with an asterisk have exclusions.

My favorites

-Shop this Collage-

-Shop this Collage-

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2024

It’s finally here! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is my favorite sale to shop, and the one I look forward to every year.

So, what is the NSale? It’s Nordstrom’s biggest sale of the year, covering all categories from clothing, beauty, home, accessories, shoes, and more. It’s also a great time to try new beauty items, and even start shopping early for the holidays.

Each year, I go into the sale with a game plan: What do I want to focus on? Sometimes it’s loungewear, sometimes it’s jewelry, other times it’s a complete mix of items! BUT the most important thing to keep in mind is to stick to a budget! Which is why I recommend going in with a plan of a category you’d like to focus on – it helps you stay on track! It’s why I’ve made these guides for you – to keep things simple.

I actually didn’t have anything I was dying to get, but as I was making my guides, I realized I actually need new boots! Tall boots to be exact. I try to buy a pair every year, and they never work out (mostly because I’m ordering online from a brand I haven’t purchased from in the past, so I’m unfamiliar with the fit). Otherwise, everything else I order, I keep! I’ve linked my top personal picks down below.

Access to the sale is broken down into tiers, with early access given to Nordstrom Card members. The more you spend each year on your card, the earlier access you get to the sale. I’ve always been in the Influencer category.

*Things sell out quick! I recommend previewing the sale before you have access, and adding everything you’d like to get into your “wish list.” Once you do have access, move everything to your cart and check out! It’s a huge timesaver and this will ensure you get the items you really want. I usually have a few pieces I want that are already out of stock by the time I have access, but I’m hoping the items in my guide will still be in stock by the time non-card members have access.

Here is the sale access breakdown:

I’ve broken my guides down into different categories, and have also included top sellers from years past, like the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings and Barefoot Dreams blankets. I hope you find my guides helpful!

Happy Anniversary sale! <3

– Women’s –

Shop Women’s

– Beauty –

Shop Beauty

– Accessories/Bags –

Shop Accessories/Bags

– Men’s –

Shop Men’s

– Splurge –

Shop Splurge

-Shop Women’s Shoes –

Shop Women’s Shoes

– My Picks –

Shop my Picks

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My Summer Essentials

Does it feel like summer where you are? It started to here in Montana, but quickly turned rainy, and a bit cold – but the sun will shine again!

I recently posted a video on my “summer must-haves for the girly-girl,” but I wanted to create a blog post that can hold a list of ALL my summer essentials that includes everything from home, fashion, and more!

Summer is my favorite season, I love being warm and sunkissed. But it’s more than that of course – like adventures, summer activities, and just creating new memories with your friends and loved ones.

Here are my summer essentials!

  • For the Home
    • Outdoor sectional with pillows – I like how you can rearrange this one into any layout you want.
    • Hanging chair – This was my best pandemic purchase. I still use it a to to this day! I’m linking my Walmart Storefront with some options.
    • Smokeless fire pit – We have the Solo Stove in the largest size and it’s nice to be able to roas marshmallows to make smores and keep warm during the summer nights.
    • A grill! My husband really wants a Traeger, but I’m linking a few different options here. We love grilling out during the summer. The one we have now is broken though, so that will have to wait.
    • Fly fans – I hate bugs, so these fly flans from Amazon have been helpful and keeping ALL flies away! Comes in a set of two!
  • Good Water Bottles
    • I love my Hydrojug and TAL bottles – both serve different purposes and both are just cute for summer!
  • For Your Skin
    • Sunscreen – I recommend always having both tinted and regular sunscreen on hand, in addition to your body sunscreen. If facial sunscreen isn’t a habit for you already, make it one! For body sunscreen, this one from Vacation has my new favorite! It smells good!
    • Sunshield – this one protects you from ALL UV rays. It was constantly on my head when I was in Palm Springs in 100-degree weather. Use my code for 15% off: CHRISTINA15
  • For your OOTD/OOTN
    • Breathable outfits – I love linen clothing during the summer season. Check out my LTK for all my outfit links!
    • Summer sandals – There’s always good options at Target and Nordstrom, and I’m sure DSW as well!
    • I’m also going to link my Amazon Storefront, since I have a few outfits linked in my fashion folder. You’ll also see my Travel and Cruise Essentials folders, which will be helpful for any trips you may have planned this summer.

I hope my list helps and hope you all have the best summer! <3

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you). As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My 2024 Double-Cleansing Routine

If you’re one of my YouTube subscribers, you may have already seen my video on my new double-cleansing routine. However, I thought it may be helpful to have a blog post about it, with some written details – for all my blog lovers out there!

My last blog post about this was four years ago, so you’re definitely due for an updated look at my new routine! Good news: it’s been simplified!

So, what is double-cleansing?

Double-cleansing is a two-step process where you first wash your face with an oil-based cleanser, then again with a water-based cleanser.

Who should double-cleanse?

From how I understand it, double-cleansing is beneficial for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin, and anyone who wears heavy makeup. I myself, have oily skin and used to wear heavy makeup, but have greatly simplified my makeup routine recently. Today, I still continue to double-cleanse – I don’t think I can stop! But here’s why: I wear a ton of sunscreen (hello, melasma) and will even reapply it throughout the day using powder sunscreen. I’ll also usually wear some makeup over my sunscreen. Combine all that with my oily skin – double-cleansing is a must for me.

How I double-cleanse

What used to be a routine containing 2-3 products, is now down to one product: One cleanser! I also take it one step further and have started incorporating my Nu Skin Lumispa (check out my blog post all about it here).

My first step is using this Soft Wash from Dr. Idriss on my dry face. What I like about the Soft Wash is that it feels like a mix of my Clinique Take the Day Off cleansing balm and a water-based cleanser, all in one. After massaging the cleanser all over my face, you can see your makeup start to melt off. After that, I rinse my face with water and continue to massage the cleanser all over my face.

My face feels pretty clean afterward and doesn’t feel stripped of my natural moisture. This cleanser is also great if you wear contacts or glasses, as it won’t sting your eyes when you open them (to check if you’ve covered your whole face!). Afterward, I dry my face with a dedicated face towel. I like this 12-pack of face towels from Amazon.

My second step is using the same cleanser, but washing my face with my Nu Skin LumiSpa. I’ll squeeze some cleanser on my LumiSpa, and dab it on the four quadrants of my face. I’ll then get a little bit of water on my LumiSpa, and then begin working it around my face – a total of two minutes! What comes off, is insane! Even if all I wore that day is tinted sunscreen, my “dirt swipe” from my LumiSpa is very brown. That reason alone, is why I can’t stop using my Lumi. I’ve got some before and afters of using my Lumi on that blog post linked above.

After being disgusted with my face, I rinse my face again and dry it off with a face towel. It is then, when I begin my nighttime skincare routine. Yes, I only double-cleanse at night!

While double-cleansing can be a process, sticking to only one cleanser that is gentle, yet powerful, can be life-changing for your skin! I absolutely recommend you give it a try if you have a similar skin type to mine.

Let me know how you double-cleanse and what your favorite products are!

*If you’re interested in getting a LumiSpa, send me a DM on Instagram. I’ll try to help you get a deal (like a discount or a free cleanser!)!

– Shop this Post –

Extra Voluminous Hair | How I get Voluminous Waves

If you follow me on any of my social channels, you’ve probably seen some of my hair tutorials. I recently tried a different technique over the weekend, and I’m truly impressed with the end result!

This new (at least new to me) technique gave me extra volume and lift, and gave my hair such a cute look. I used two different hair tools: a deep waver and a 1.25-inch curling iron (I used a Beachwaver.. use my code: CHRISTINADWAVE). I section my hair off and alternate between the two different hair tools with each section. When I move to the outter layer of my hair, I try to make sure that I have a different style going over the bottom layer of my hair.

After curling my hair, I use my hands to finger-comb my hair – I think this works better than a wide-tooth comb for this look, because you’ll see in my video below, that the sections I used the deep waver on got a little bit frizzy.

To finish, I used a bit of hairspray and shine spray. If you’ve used a three-barrel deep waver before, you’ll definitely see a difference in this look versus using the deep waver all over your hair. To me, this look is a bit more relaxed and more natural looking. This is definitely a look I want to try again, and this time use both a texture spray and hairspray to help give my hair that extra hold it needs.

Don’t forget, you can shop all of my hair tools on my Amazon Storefront!

Follow me on Instagram and YouTube to check out all my other hair tutorials! <3

*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you).

How I get my curls to last | Long-lasting curls

Since I started sharing hair tutorials, the question I get asked the most is how I get my curls to last. It was only a few days ago when I realized I never posted about my must-have hair products on my blog – so here it is!

These are the styling products I use from the moment before I start styling my hair, in order through the very end.

*Also one quick note: During my time in working with the Beachwaver, I’ve grown to genuinely love their products. I find they work well and smell great! Use code: CHRISTINADWAVE to save on any Beachwaver product!

My steps for long-lasting curls

  • Heat protectant spray: Always use this before using any type of hot tool on your hair. My favorite is the Chi Iron Guard. I’ve seen it on sale plenty of times at Ross, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack.
  • Volumizing mousse: If I’m looking for big and exaggerated waves, I use the Beachwaver Volumizing Mousse on damp hair. I have a look at how my hair looks after styling with it on my “Hair” highlight on my Instagram!
  • Braid balm: This is an absolute must, especially when I’m using the Dyson Airwrap. The braid balm from the Beachwaver really helps enhance my curls, making them last much longer. You can use this after using the volumizing mousse, but just make sure your hair is close to, if not completely dry.
  • Texture spray: I find myself using texture spray more than hairspray these days, and my favorite texture spray is from the Beachwaver. I use this on my underlayers close to my roots, and all over my hair. Apart from texture, it gives me the lift and body my hair needs. I also like that it doesn’t make my hair crunchy.
  • Hairspray: A lot of times, I’ll finish my styling with the texture spray above, but if I’m looking for extra hold, I’ll finish my style with one of these hairsprays: Beachwaver Heat and Hairspray, TRESemmé TRES Two, or the Sexy Hair So Touchable Hairspray– none of these blow my mind, but I’ve been using the TRESemmé one for years.
  • Curling mousse: Curling mousse is something I’ve always wanted to use, but have never have been able to since my hair is pin-straight. But I recently started using curling mousse after styling full curls on myself. And I don’t mean wavy or soft curls, I’m talking spiral curls. I’ll use this mousse from the Beachwaver after curling each section of hair. Afterward, I’ll use a texture spray and a little bit of hairspray all over.
  • Smoothing cream: I use smoothing cream if I’m looking to create a sleek bun look. I’ve only used two different brands, but my favorite is the Keep it Calm smoothing cream from the Beachwaver. I will also put a little bit all over my hair to help refresh my second-day or overnight curls, and to keep it from looking frizzy.

Must-have hair products?

When it comes to my must-have hair products, the majority of those listed above are definitely on the list. I actually have a video dedicated to some of what I think are great hair products. Watch it below:

Follow me on TikTok for all my hair tutorials! Got a request? Just send me a DM!

Want to shop my hair tools? I’ve got my favorite affordable ones saved on my Amazon Storefront!

I love sharing all things hair with you all – Let me know if there’s a hair tool or styling product you’d like for me to test out and review! <3

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*Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be used, which I may earn a small commission from (at no cost to you).

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