Beach Essentials

Summer is still going strong! 

While packing my beach bag recently I thought I'd share what I take with me for those hot sandy days! 

It's pretty basic, I don't do much when it comes to the beach or laying pool side. I usually skip any makeup because... well... obviously. 

So here is my Summer Beach Bag Breakdown...

1. You need a cute bag. 

You do. 

Everlane: The Beach Tote

$35

photo c/o Everlane.com

This tote is clean and classic-- large enough to pack all your staples! 100% canvas so it's durable and lightweight. 

2. Water. 

Duh. 

I never leave the house without a liter of water! I try to drink 3 liters a day. 

I just purchased this water bottle and I love it! 

Amazon

$24.99

photo c/o amazon.com 

This bottle is thick glass with a silicone cover to prevent shattering! It holds a liter of water and comes with two lids- one with the handle and one without. It also comes in range of fun colors! I went with pink so it's easy for me to spot :) 

3. Books/Magazines. 

What better activity when lying on a beach?? 

Last read.. 

$17

photo c/o amazon.com 

Hilarious and beautifully written short essays. Easy read and light hearted for the beach/poolside. 

I LOVE magazines... here are 3 easy to find favorites...

W

Vogue

Elle

4. Sunscreen. 

You saw this coming, I know you did! 

I obviously pack two kinds of sunscreen, one for the face and one for the body. 

For the Face: Vichy 

$25.99

photo c/o target.com 

Love this stuff- very lightweight, full protection and gentle on the skin. 

For the Body: Neutrogena

$9.49

photo c/o target.com 

There are a million types of sunscreen, but I can't seem to get away from the sprays! So easy to apply and this Neutrogena one is super light and sheer. 

I'm always on the hunt for a more natural option-- so if you know of any great spray organic sunscreens, please share in the comments! 

Don't forget about your lips! 

I also pack a Lip Balm with SPF to protect my pout! There are so many lovely tinted versions, so you can have a little pop of color. 

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15

$24

photo c/o nordstrom.com 

Beautiful tints that come in a wide variety of colors. 

5. Hat. 

Let's keep this sun exposure to a minimum! I always try to bring a hat. Makes reading easier and helps to protect that skin. 

photo c/o asos.com 

This beautiful straw hat is a great option. The wide brim protects your skin and looks chic. 

There you have it, my beach bag essentials! 

What are your must haves?

Sine Qua Non

Hi beautiful people :) 

The other night I had the pleasure of attending a special preview night at Sine Qua Non Salon of a new program they are trying to start called “Sine Style Bar.”

With all the new blow dry and syle bars coming out, Sine saw this as an opportunity to show clients that even a full salon is capable and happy to provide styling services for your night out! 

The event was for industry professionals, bloggers, and writers. It was an example of the new weekly events they plan to host. 

So let's get down to it, here's my experience of the Sine Style Bar. 

Upon arriving I was greeted with smiling faces. Everyone was buzzing and super friendly. I was also greeted with a glass of cava- which I love! 

From there, I had my appointment set with Jac- a super cool chick and incredible stylist on their team for the past 2 years. 

I got to choose from any of the following styles... 

Of course I love the loose, beachy wave look, so I went with "The Hillary."

I told the receptionist that my hair was going on day 3 of no washing and was styled from the previous night before, so I wasn't sure if they'd be able to do anything with it! Of course he suggested a braided style, but then he also offered a wash and blow dry! 

So of course, I opted for the blow dry :) 

Jac, my stylist, was super sweet. She took the time to sit me down and figure out what I liked. She shampooed me and gave me the BEST head massage. EVER. 

From there, she gave me a blow out and followed in with an iron to get those beachy waves. 

Jac introduced me to a new hair product line that only Sine Qua Non is carrying in the city right now! It's a line called R&Co and from what I could tell- it's pretty amazing. It smelled great, it felt great and I am definitely going to buy some the next time I go in!

Aside from R&Co?  

There was this incredible new dry shampoo from Bumble and Bumble that blew my mind. It's called Dryspun Finish. 

Photo c/o Bumble and Bumble

You can put this invisible spray all over the hair, not just at the root. Point being?! 

It can give your hair that texture it needs to hold curl. Which my limp, straight hair, desperately needs!

The End Result... 

Obviously very happy. My hair felt and smelled amazing :) 

It didn't feel product-y, or stiff, I could run my fingers through it, and it lasted for 2 days :)

On my way out the door I was given a little gift bag full of product goodies. 

In the bag... 

A bunch of new hair products for me to try and a Sine Points card-- Works just the same as getting points at Sephora! You can earn points with new referrals, purchases and even check ins! From there you can earn some cash for your next appointment :) 

All in All, it was a super fun event and with lots of very cool people. Everyone was so welcoming, and easy going, and all the ladies leaving the event that night looked pretty amazing. 

Please go check out Sine Qua Non Salons (several locations in Chicago) the next time you're looking for a place to go! And keep an eye out on their website and blog for updated information on the next Style Night

www.sinequanonsalons.com

Vacation Makeup

Hi everyone! 

I've had a hectic April and May, so I am finally back (now that June has arrived) in full swing! 

I was away in Mexico for a solid 10 days. It was SO necessary! 

I had just finished a feature that we'd shot in 10 days in Galena, IL. 

(I'll post about that as soon as I'm allowed!)

Film is a lot of work, a lot of time, and little sleep. So I was definitely ready for a vacation!

I don't take much in the way of makeup, because for the entire 10 days I was away, I think put makeup on ONCE! We went out to a nice restaurant and I wanted to look decent : )

So here is my quick before and after as well as what I used. 

Tools and products I packed for my trip (in it's entirety) !

Products Used: 

Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler

Maybelline Full 'N' Soft Mascara (waterproof of course)

Three Custom Color Cream to powder blush in Pink

Three Custom Color Invisible pressed powder

Three Custom Color Concealer/foundations in Light and Medium

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in Medium 

MAC eyeshadows in Shroom, Cork, and Espresso

Smashbox Lipstain in Guava

*All conveniently packed in my little Z Palette*

Brushes/Tools

What Needed to be Done:

Something I always struggle with is dark circles. I've had them since I was a kid! 

You also can't tell from the photo- but I did have a little too much sun that hit my nose!

I needed to even out my skin a little better. 

Enhance my eyes, and add a little more color!

What was done: 

I took a little concealer/foundation and placed it where ever it was needed to even out redness-- Around the nose, on the chin, forehead and eyes. 

I used Eve Pearl's salmon concealer around the eyes to neutralize any blue cast from the dark circles. 

I added my cream blush to my cheeks and lips with my fingers. 

I set it all with a light dusting of translucent powder.

I added some iridescent shadow (MAC shroom), to the inner corner of my eyes to brighten them. 

I placed a soft brown (MAC cork) in my natural eye crease to add a subtle definition. 

I finished the eyes by curling my lashes and adding a coat of mascara. 

And to polish off the look, I took a little brown eyeshadow (MAC espresso) with an angle hair brush to my brows! 

That's it folks! 

And then I pulled down my beach hair and pinned half up. yay! 

Honestly, this does not fall far from my day to day makeup routine! I'm always sure to carry a few different lipsticks in my purse to change it up :) 

xoxo Jen

Blue...

With the weather being so summer-like, I've been feeling a little playful with my makeup. Of course I immediately want to start doing colorful, beachy looks. 

I'm headed out the door for a test shoot today and most of it will be outdoors (YAY!).

That all being said, I was feeling blue today :)

Product list and links to follow

My favorite Big hat! 

Face: I honestly didn't feel like putting a full face of foundation on today, so I just spot concealed where I needed using my favorite Eve Pearl salmon concealer and my Temptu concealer wheel. I even took the darkest shade of concealer from the Temptu wheel and used it to add some contours in my cheeks and nose  :) 

I added my favorite cream blush on the apples of my cheeks from 3 Custom Color Specialists, and finished it all with Makeup Forever's HD invisible powder. 

Eyes: I put my NARS duo eyeshadow in South Pacific to use! I used that gorgeous icy blue turquoise all across my lid and put the darker aquamarine along the outside corner and crease. I then followed with a blue liquid liner which I went over with Eve Pearl's dark blue shadow from her Emerald Eyes Palette, using an angle haired brush. 

I polished off the look with mascara and a coral gloss. 

I love it! It feels like summer to me :) 

Go play with something colorful today! You can make no mistakes! Take some risks and have fun with it!

  xoxo Jen