My Beauty Favorites

Hello again, everyone!

Today I thought I'd share just a few of my absolute favorite beauty products. I am NOT sponsored or paid to mention any of the following items. It is strictly my own personal opinion. I wanted to make a post like this earlier, but it often takes me awhile to find the right products. I guess I am pretty picky and a bit high-maintence, but here they are! ;)



Face Mask- Quick Fix Facials Mega Moisture Mask Dry and Thirsty Skin (X10 Facials)
I'd say my biggest skin problem is it often too rough and dry. While moisturizers work well for the most part, this mask gives my skin an extra pick-me-up. I feel like there are so many great masks for oily and acne-prone skin, but there's barely any for people who suffer from dry skin like me. This mask is wonderful because it is super quick (unlike most maps that take at least 20 minutes to use). It takes less than 10 minutes, but the results are amazing.




Lotion- Everyone Lotion (Lavender + Aloe)
This lotion is really great. It really soothes and moisturizes my dry skin and it smells wonderful. I believe this brand comes in a few different scents and I chose the lavender + aloe scent because I shower at night, and the fragrance helps me unwind and relax before bedtime. This lotion is made from plant-based ingredients and is also made with essential oils (As you may already know, I am a huge fan of essential oils.) All of Everyone's products are 100% cruelty-free and is sustainable produced and packaged, which is a big bonus. It can be used on your face, hands, and body and is a very nice high-quality product for a fraction of the cost.

Dry Shampoo- Batiste Instant Hair Refresh (Coconut & Exotic Tropical) I'll admit it: I don't always love washing my hair. It is time consuming and sometimes am too lazy to out effort into styling it. This is where dry shampoo comes in handy. BUT this particular dry shampoo is so much better than any other brand I've tried. Other brands leave a gross white residue on my hair and it definitely does not make me feel refreshed. Ugh, dark hair struggles! But I've been using Batiste for quite some time now, and I haven't had that issue. Maybe this can help my fellow dark haired ladies. This scent smells so good and it also gives my hair a nice texture to work with. Definitely a 10 for me! I purchased a value size at Marshall's/TJ Maxx, which really helped make my wallet happy. =)


Hair Styling Cream (no blowdryer necessary)- Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It Thick Hair Styler
During the summer, I like to let my hair air dry whenever possible just to give it a much needed break from heat. After I towel dry my hair, I run a little of this product throughout my hair, focusing on my roots, and then I'm done. It also has a nice scent to it, not too strong but enough to add something extra nice to my clean hair. It's an awesome way to get that care-free look without risking your hair getting frizzy and out of control. I'm so happy my hair dresser recommended this product to me, and it has been a great life saver this summer.



That's all for now, ladies! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you find these products as awesome as I do. Have a wonderful week filled with peace, joy, and laughter.

XOXO

Chloe

Help Hurricane Harvey Victims/My Poshmark Closet

Hello everyone!

I hope your Labor Day weekend was wonderful and fun. I certainly enjoyed mine, but my heart still hurts for all those affected by Hurricane Harvey. I can't help but to think about how blessed I am to have a place to live with my family safe and sound. My heart breaks for all those who have lost family, friends, homes, and the possessions they've worked so hard to get. I send all my love and prayers to those whose lives are turned upside down.

In order to do my best to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey, I am selling some things on Poshmark and donating 100% of my earnings to sending relief. My Poshmark closet name is cmpark95. Please feel free to check it out! All my prices are negotiable and I'm always more than happy to answer any questions you have.

Poshmark is great because you get 2-day shipping and you will not pay until you receive your order. It is very safe and easy to use.

I'm just doing whatever I can to help send hope and relief. I just want people to know we cannot give up on taking care of each other and being sources of light and encouragement. Texas, you are not alone! You are very loved and cared about and I hope my donations from Poshmark help you realize that you are supported.

Come on and spend some time in my closet. We can all help send relief!

Poshmark username/closet: cmpark95

XOXO

Chloe

All-Natural Deodorant Info

Hello everyone! My apologies for being so absent lately. Ah, I'm finishing my last semester of college and have been working hard on studying and finishing all my schoolwork (as well as my on-campus actives/duties/volunteer work)! Today I'm writing about a topic that in my opinion, needs to be discussed more...All-Natural deodorant!

For a long time, I believed the lie that it is totally safe to use conventional, name-brand deodorants sold in stores. WRONG! Any deodorant that is sold in stores and labeled as "anti-perspirant" is actually very harmful to your health. Antiperspirants contain aluminum. This can lead to breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Another ingredient called propylene glycol is linked to damage to the central nervous system, liver, and heart. Phthalates increase the risk of birth defects and disrupt hormone receptors and increase the likelihood of cell mutation. Triclosan is classified by the FDA as a pesticide and a probable carcinogen. If it's meant to kill an organism, then it should not be anywhere near or on you! These ingredients are classified as parabens. Basically they increase the risk of cancer, birth defects, hormone disruptions, and all contribute to organ toxicity. They're all really bad and dangerous things!

To combat this, there are so many companies that are creating all-natural deodorants. I say try several and see what works best for you. Everyone's bodies react differently so what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Personally, my favorite is a company called Native, and they're the one company that really works for me. There are so many great companies out there!

I've gotten a few questions or concerns and I'm going to answer/address some of them:

Q: Are all-natural deodorant antiperspirants?

A: No. Aluminum and toxic parabens are what gives traditional deodorants their anti-perspirant quality. Those things as stated above are very dangerous. Our bodies need to sweat and release trapped waste and toxins, so if we force our bodies to stop sweating, then we cause a lot of damage to ourselves. Many all-natural deodorants have being soda which helps us feel and stay dry and fresh, but it will not block our glands/pores. Sweat is good.

Q: What if I'm allergic or sensitive to baking soda?

A: There's a lot of companies that make all-natural deodorants for sensitive skin. They don't contain any baking soda and will still make you feel dry, fresh, and amazing.

Q: Do all-natural deodorants cause clothing to stain?

A: No! One of my favorite things about all-natural deodorant is it isn't really capable of staining clothes. I've tested it on black shirts and other dark colors. Aluminum and other ingredients found in big name-brand deodorant are what causes clothing stains. They are chemical that react with your skin and the fabric of your clothing and are responsible for those ugly marks/stains.

Q: Do you need to reapply deodorant/Do you still feel fresh and dry?

A: Again, it's all about finding a company that works for you when using all-natural deodorant. With some companies, I've had to reapply throughout the day, but once I found my company, I only have to apply once a day and use about 1-2 swipes of deodorant. (Really, less can be more!) When you find the right company for you, you will most likely only need to apply a very small amount of product once a day. And you will feel dry and fresh and there's many great scents to choose from!

I cannot stress how important it is to research what you put on/in your body. Just because something is name-brand and sold everywhere, it doesn't mean it is safe to use. Be smart and careful with your selections. I hope this was helpful information and it's sad that armpits do not get enough attention and love.

XOXO
Chloe

Last "Homestretch" Thoughts

Hello again, everyone!

I cannot believe just how fast this school year has gone by. (let alone the past four years) In a  lot of ways it feels like I just arrived at college. I suppose that's a good thing because as some say, "Time flies when you're having fun." The past four years have been amazing. I've had so many new opportunities to make new friends, get involved with extracurriculars, and learn how to be an independent woman. I've learned so much from professors and many of them have been wise mentors. I realized they care about me more than just academics. Sure, getting good grades is important, but it's even more important to be a person of integrity, resilience, kindness, and humility.

To be honest, this past semester has been a time of anxiety and a bit of fear. It's hard to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life when you're only 22 years old. Yes, I'm aware careers can always change and there's always time to learn a new trade, but I firmly believe in being committed to what I say I'm going to do. If you say you're going to do something, it's best to follow through all the way. At the same time, I'm excited to see how the next phase of life pans out for me. I'm sure there's many more adventures ahead and I'm ready to contribute to the real working world and be able to fully support myself.

I'm determined to do my very best to enjoy the little bit of time left in college. It's time to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point and support me along my journey. I know there's a lot to look forward to and get ready for. I'm ready to embrace whatever gets presented to me.

XOXO
Chloe

Sea Salt Spray For Hair

Hello again, everyone!

Today I wanted to discuss my absolute favorite product for my hair...sea salt spray! I love how my hair looks after I go swimming in the ocean. Sadly, I don't live next to a beach, so the next best thing is sea salt spay.

It's only been somewhat recently that I discovered the beauty of this product but I am so glad I finally started using it. Sea salt spray is amazing for almost all hair types. I have thick and curly hair, and my scalp tends to get a bit oily. I find that spraying my hair with sea salt gives my curls some texture and definition while controlling my scalp.

You can use any brand (there a a bunch to choose from!), but I especially love the Not-Your-Mother's Beach Babe. It's very affordable and you can get it at stores like Target. I just spray in into damp hair, and then use my fingers to add definition to my hair.

If you have fine hair, sea salt spray can give you a more volume and fluff. It'll fill in any bald or patchy spots. It'll also give you additional lift, which is always nice to have.

Just spray it into damp hair and then use your fingers to give texture and volume to your hair. You'll look and feel like a beach goddess. Hello, gorgeous!

Have a great week!

XOXO
Chloe

The Best Fashion/Style Trend

Hello, everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you all had a great week. This past week was New York Fashion Week. I loved seeing all the posts and photos of celebrities, designers, and models rock their looks. It's always fun to see what's new in the world of fashion. I get so inspired by each designer and each fashionista in New York. While there are so many amazing ideas (especially for Spring), I have to say the very best thing you can do for your look is to be unapologetically confident in who you are. We all have our own insecurities and we all wish we could change something about ourselves. That's normal, but you also have to remember to be proud of the things you do like about yourself. If you love your hair, don't be ashamed to flaunt it. If you love your eyes, then play it up! I think it's tragic that so many women are taught to be ashamed of feeling pretty. We live in a world that is very hypocritical. We're taught to admire models and celebrities, but we're not allowed to appreciate ourselves. Please, love who you are! We're all so gorgeous and we need to remind ourselves and others around us that simple truth.

The very best trend in style and fashion is being unapologetically confident. Don't let anyone else tell you differently. The world can be cruel, but you can be responsible for bringing kindness and light everywhere you go. The more positivity you infuse into the world, the more beautiful everything else becomes.

Have an amazing rest of the day and celebrate making it to the weekend!

XOXO
Chloe

DIY Face Mask/Treatment

Hi everyone! I hope your week has been fabulous so far. Today I am writing about a homemade do-it-yourself face treatment/mask that will help with any problem areas. I really enjoy this mask because it is so simple to make and very cost efficient as well. (It only requires three common kitchen ingredients.) It only takes a few minutes, so it's a nice way to care for your skin even if you're a bit short on time. All you need is lemon juice, (I prefer using fresh lemons, but if you have already prepared lemon juice, that will work too.) baking soda, and honey. You can make as little or as much as you want.

Lemon juice is great for brightening the skin and cleaning. The fresh citrus scent is also very energizing and uplifting. The baking soda works to zap away any blemishes such as blackheads, whiteheads, pores, etc. while the honey is amazing for antibacterial purposes. Honey protects and nourishes your skin. Here's how I do this mask.

*I typically use this mask as a spot treatment as a opposed to a full face mask. (That's why my measurements are so small.) However, if you feel that you need a full mask, you can use bigger measurements as long as you keep the same ratio.

**Also, if you have sensitive skin, I recommend testing this on a small section of your skin (maybe inside your wrist or top of your hand... those areas tend to be just as tender and sensitive as your face) before applying this to your face.

-1 teaspoon of honey
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix all three ingredients together until smooth and frothy.
Rinse your face with warm water. (Warm water opens pores.)
Use a cotton swab to apply the mask to problem areas (or apply to full face if desired)
Let the mask sit for about 5-7 minutes.
Rinse with cool/cold water. (Cold water tightens and closes pores.)
Use facial moisturizers and sunscreen.

Done! Super simple and easy! Enjoy your face treatments and watch your face feel and look smooth, bright, and happy.

XOXO
Chloe