Never in a million years did I think a day would come where I would be tired of wearing pajamas all day. I used to yearn for a life of pajamas from sun up to sun down and countless hours on the couch. Be careful what you wish for. As life has taken a major shift, and I am working from home 4 out of 5 days a week, I felt myself starting to slip into a rut as my days started to feel very monotonous. Have you ever seen that episode of Spongebob where Squidward moves to that area with the other squids and all his days are the same and it drives him nuts? Yeah, that's me right now.
After trying to figure out different things I could do to lift my spirits I realized that getting dressed was a routine that I often took for granted, and the process of daily preparation helped me create some separation within my day. So I decided to create a routine for myself throughout the day, and the major part of it is that I change twice daily. Yes, although I am home the entire day I wake up, eat breakfast, workout, shower, and change into an outfit for the day. Once work is over and it's time to transition to personal time I hop into my nightgown and lay in my bed or on the couch in that outfit.
It may seem small to some but just that simple change has been a HUGE mood booster for me. For these reasons I have started to invest more money into loungewear, so that I have different options of what I can wear throughout my work week. Personally, when I look good I feel good and I am FAR more productive. Sometimes I even throw on a red lip, some boy brow, and a little highlighter. You have to do whatever makes YOU feel better. It doesn't matter if that feels like a lot to someone else. As long as it makes you feel good then keep doing it sis.
So if this sounds like it could be a mood elevator for you I've linked a few of the loungewear sets that I have my eye on below. Let's all be cute in the house together for our own self-care.
There is a very short list of things that are good about the winter. Like short short, like you can write it all out on a post it note. But on that short list, one of the items that brings a little joy to winter is Jackets and Coats and all the beauty they bring to a look. Over here on the east coast it's already getting pretty cold, and once the temperatures drop to a certain level our outfits just become outerwear. You probably won't even see what we have on underneath very often. It's just a lot of hats, scarves, and coats shuffling around.
If you follow me on Instagram ( which you absolutely should be) then you saw that I posted a link to one of my favorite winter coats recently and a lot of you bought it. That's when I realized you might be in the market for some winter coat options and with so many places to look I figured I would do the leg work and round up a few good ones for you.
So check out some of the options below. If you click any of the items it will take you straight to the website to check out the prices and details.
I've been a cheap friend, I've been the girl with the sale tea, and I've been called " the plug". The thing all these nicknames all have in common is they mean your girl knows how to save money and stretch a buck. I don't believe in paying full price, and when I absolutely have to I make sure it's as cost-effective as possible. Most of us are living on a fixed income, I know that I am, but shopping also brings me joy so I always find a way to have balance. We have to pay the bills, obviously, but we also deserve to have the things in this life we enjoy.
Finding the balance between buying the things I want and taking care of my responsibilities has been an ongoing struggle for me, especially as a blogger. Sharing the latest trends and styling new outfits is literally part of my job, so I had to find a way to be able to do that and still make sure I wasn't digging myself in a hole. A lot of you have asked how I always find a coupon code, or when you see me buy a higher ticket item you've asked how I've been able to do it because you know I typically lean towards a discount. Where there's a will there's a way, but beyond that, there are also a few little tricks I've found along the way that have helped me be able to responsibly shop.
Buy Now Pay Later
Buy now pay later is a service that's not news to any of us. I'm sure you have either seen or used one of these options at checkout when you're online shopping. This has been one of my most utilized shopping tools and I'm not afraid to say it. In fall and winter, there are a lot of bigger ticket items that are necessary for the weather and may seem like too large of an investment, but these services make them far more attainable. If you're on the east coast you have to have a jacket, coat, and pair of boots and if you're anything like me you have to have several different variations and styles because in this weather that's literally the entire outfit. Since we are currently in the season it's a little less often than you will find these items on sale, but with these buy now pay later services it makes things a little more affordable.
The top three that I swear by are Afterpay, Quadpay, and Klarna. I've written an article about Quadapay before that goes a little more in-depth, but these companies take the total of your item and splits it into 4 equal payments ( with $1 added to each payment) every two weeks over a course of 6 weeks. So for example, if your Jacket costs $200 instead of you paying that upfront you will instead pay $51 upfront the day you are making your purchase and then $51 every two weeks, for three more times. You have no IDEA how many things I've purchased through these companies. They typically have a list of retailers that they work with and you will notice when you are online shopping and go to checkout they will be listed under the payment options. You would simply select them as your form of payment and it will redirect you to their site to log in and complete your transaction.
Although all of them are a god send I would have to pick Afterpay and Quadpay as my favorite two. Some of the benefits that Afterpay has that Quadpay does not is that they usually run sales with their retailers and you can get special deals when shopping if you use Afterpay at checkout ( Klarna does this as well if you shop at H&M). They even have an " Afterpay Day" when there are insane deals, at places like Forever21, Oak and Fort, MAC to name a few, and you use their specific discount code and use afterpay at checkout and BOOM money saved. It's awesome. I never miss an Afterpay Day, and sometimes I will even wait until Afterpay day to make purchases on items I don't believe will go out of stock.
Quadpay on the other hand does not usually run these kinds of discounts, but where they may lack in that area they make up for in the fact that you can use Quadpay anywhere. Not only is the list of places you can checkout with Quadpay endless you can also physically use it in-store as your form of payment. YES!! I mean at the register of your favorite store. My favorite place to use it is when I'm in Sephora buying up all the makeup. The total can get a bit intimidating and having the ability to just pay 25% of the cost upfront is a godsend. Now let's circle back to the " you can use it anywhere" because I really want to make sure I'm clear here. If you can google the store you can use Quadpay there. Outside of clothing, I have even used Quadpay to pay for airfare, Airbnb, Vacation packages, a heating bill that was far more than I could have imagined one month, and on amazon for props for a shoot. Quadpay definitely is the queen when it comes to accessibility. No other service tops it in that area. The only con for me is all the online shopping has to be initiated in their app in order to use it. Sometimes this is annoying when I'm already on a site ready to checkout. With the other services like Afterpay and Klarna you usually see the option of payment built in at checkout in the retailers that they work with.
So if you have a shopping list that you would love to hit checkout on but you wish there was some kind of layaway option. There is in fact, there's three so you don't have to wait anymore. I almost forgot the best part. Once you make that first payment the items are yours. It's not like back in the day when you would put something on layaway and you couldn't have it until you paid it off. You are literally buying it now and paying later. Your items will ship to you in their regular timeframe as if you paid the total amount upfront. And if you change your mind and want to make a return you will still get back whatever you paid for them. Returns function just the same. These services will refund you the initial payment or however many payments you made on the items.
Amazing! I know.
Shoptagr
I get so many texts and DM's asking me for coupon codes because it is a well-known fact that I usually find a coupon code for everything. I recently found out that many of you think I have some kind of secret inside insight into these companies marketing plans ( I wish I did) but that's not it at all. I use an app and website called Shoptagr that literally scours the internet for me and pulls every coupon code it can find and applies it at checkout and makes sure I get the best value. THIS HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR ME. I used to stop what I was doing and go google forever trying to find a coupon code while I would shop to make sure I wasn't missing sales. I swear to god this app was made just for me. How it works is you have to go to their webpage sign up and install the chrome plugin into the toolbar, and every time that you go to checkout while you are shopping Shoptagr will stop you and ask you if you would like to check for any discounts. It will then run all the discount codes it can find through the website until one sticks, and if several stick it will only apply the one with the highest discount. The other day I posted a denim H&M dress that people have asked me about for years that they recently restocked, when I went to checkout to check for a discount it pulled a $10 off coupon code.
Another amazing feature it has is while you're shopping you can save items that you're interested within list you create in Shoptagr. You put a notification on those items and when the price drops Shoptagr will notify you so that you can get it at the best price. I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW MANY THINGS I'VE GOTTEN ON SALE THAT I WOULD HAVE PAID FULL PRICE FOR BECAUSE OF THIS SITE!!! So when I tell you I genuinely love Shoptagr I mean it wholeheartedly. Y'all know how near and dear getting a deal is to my heart and pockets, and it's like this app was made just for me and I love it. So if you do not have the app or are not signed up DO IT ASAP ROCKY.
Hopper
This one does not relate to clothing but it does save you hella money so I decided to throw it into the mix. We all know that traveling right now is a touchy subject and if you are able to travel flights are pretty cheap. Although that may be the case currently there are still times during the year, certain days of the week, different moments the wind blow when different airlines lower their flight prices. Unless you are someone that travels regularly it's not likely that you would know offhand when those times would be. Many people follow different cheap flight company twitter accounts and stalk them to find out when flights will drop. Although, this may also work you could also sign up for Hopper and put the dates and specifications of the flight you're looking for and hopper will actually notify you when the flight price has dropped. They even now have an option where you can freeze the price for a specified amount of days if you don't have the money at that exact moment so you don't miss out on the lower price. I have used this app for every flight I've taken in the past couple of years and it has found me the cheapest every single time. Another amazing coin saving hack. So when the world opens back up and we feel a little more comfortable shopping I'll be right on the next cheap flight out to lay on an island with somebody's son (my boyfriend to be exact lol).
Well now that I've shared my top tricks and treats I really hope you give them a try. All of these sites are free to sign up. If you end up trying any of them out definitely let me know, and if you have any other cost-saving hacks I'm not aware of please spill the tea and let me know. Each one teach one right?
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Although, not for the weather. This is solely for the fashions. As an east coast native, born and bred, I know fall is only a tease that leads to the cold brutal winter. But as we dreadfully await below freezing temperatures and hibernating in the house we do have a few weeks filled with the year's best fashion. They say fall is for the fashion girls and that is 100% fact. There's nothing I love more than cozy knits, beautiful boots, and statement making coats. So let's get into this!
I will include a picture of all my favorite picks from each section at the end of this post.
Blazers
If you don't already have a blazer in your wardrobe do yourself a favor and get one.... or 10 fast! As someone that works a 9-5 that requires a more business casual dress code, but also enjoys a happy hour after work, having blazers is an easy way for me to take a more casual look to the office. Those padded Tshirts that I STAN for on instagram ( if you're not following me already you can do that here) I wear those all the time to the office and throw a blazer over them so I can get away with it in the office. Now if you are working from home and maybe going out here and there on the weekends the possibility with blazers are endless. Their definetly one of those pieces you use to wear an outfit several ways.
Shacket
I feel like this trend just got more popularized but I've been true to this one for awhile. I have a denim dress that I'm obsessed with that I have been wearing as a shacket for a few years now ( there's actually an almost identical one here). While the weather hasn't yet reached frigid temperatures it's a great time to jump into this trend. I would suggest wearing this with any fitted top whether it be a regular cotton top or knit turtleneck and a pair of jeans or slim leg pants.
Knits
A fall and winter staple. Whether it be sweaters, dresses, cardigans, all of them are a must in your wardrobe transition. I tend to lean towards the chunkier and softer knits. For me fall and winter clothes need to be as cozy and warm as possible
Pants
Of course, we all have a few pairs of denim that we love, and yes those are very important this season but you also want to secure a few pairs of pants. And since you are trying something new please don't just get a plain pair of solid colored dress pants. Mix it up add some print, texture, color. The right pair of pants can take your outfit from boring to attention-grabbing
Boots
It honestly doesn't matter if we are talking about booties, knee highs, or thigh highs. You need them all of them and there's nothing else to say here. Also if someone tells you you have enough boots they're wrong and tell them you don't need that kind of negativity in your life. PERIODT!
Jackets/ Coats
Baby it's cold outside and obviously, you have to stay warm so a coat or jacket is probably the most important item you need. I grew up always being told I just needed one " solid" jacket that would also through the season, one I could wear for years to come. I would have that one jacket until the wheels fell off or rather it had holes in it. I do still believe you should have a good solid coat that you invest in, BUT I absolutely don't believe you should have one jacket. Once it's cold outside your coat is going to be the focal point of your outfit. Nobodies going to see what's underneath until you reach your destination, so in my world, my coat needs to make a statement too. To help spark your search you'll find a few show stoppers that I found below.
Loungewear
This one is for the time we spend in the house. Just because your home does not mean you don't have to look good. I personally am more productive when I look good. It might be all in my head, but I have to get up, get showered, do my skincare, and change into something other than my pajamas on the days I work from home. It honestly helps with my productivity and helps me to shift into a different mindset for work. So in true Camille fashion of course I had to have a list of adorable comfy co-ord sets for you to wear while your working from home.
Dresses
Those boots we discussed in the previous section, this is where they should get the most play. A knee-length dress or maxi dress paired with some knee-high boots is the perfect combination for fall. It's also a great way to transition some of your favorite summer dresses into the next season. You can throw a sweater over the top and add some boots for warmth.
Honorable Mentions
This is the area where we see how indecisive I am and that I cannot be confined to categories. The last scrolling list is all of the items that don't fit into any of the other categories but we all need them and I couldn't possibly make a fall post without providing them the attention they deserve.
I hope you all enjoyed this list of what I consider to be all the items you should be putting your dollars into this fall. Below is all the scrolling list of items in order of how they were discussed in the post. Happy Shopping!! If you end up getting anything comment below or tag me on my Instagram @Guiltyofglitz_ or use #GOGmademedoit when you post it! I love seeing how you guys style things I suggest.
A beauty guru I am not. I have never worn eyeshadow except for that one time at my senior prom when I tried to get adventurous and put glitter all over my lids ( you can rest assured there are no pictures from that event). I don't try winged liner or get too wild when it comes to my makeup. Learning how to do my everyday face is a skill I've mastered and I'm always scared to try to add too many more steps to it. Now, even though I may not add a smokey eye and huge voluminous lashes, when I do want to add a little Sazon seasoning to the look I always play around with my lip colors.
It's pretty ironic because growing up I walked around sucking in my bottom lip because I was so embarrassed by how big they were. Oh to be young and foolish. When I first started wearing lipsticks I had a VERY hard time finding colors that complimented my skin tone. After years of nudes that looked like I literally just rubbed ash onto my lips, and bright colors that washed me out, I'm here to help us brown girls with shades that really accentuate our glow, because WE HAVE SO MUCH GLOW SIS!!!
So those lips I once used to hide? I flaunt them every single chance I get. Unfortunately, right now masks don't really allow us to show off our lipsticks, BUT in preparation for better days, I wanted to give you guys a list of my favorite lipsticks for black girls.
Check out the links below ladies. Let me know if you give any of these a try I would love to see how it worked out for you. Tag me on Instagram @guiltyofglitz_ so I can see!!!
RED
Because if we are being all the way real Red lipstick is my color. I wear a variety of different colors, but red is always my safe place. I know if I throw on a red lip it will elevate a disheveled face or a basic outfit. Please don't say it's too bright for you. Listen, I wouldn't steer your wrong. If you are a brown girl I promise you that a red lip will accentuate your black girl magic. I wouldn't steer you wrong sis. My Fave Reds are:
PINK WAS MADE FOR BLACK GIRLS, and this was truly hard concept for me to become comfortable with. I always felt like pink was a little too bright for my complexion and the ones I had previously experimented with really washed out my skin tone. Not all pinks are created equal. You may just need to find a pink or plum with a deeper tone. This will help it to better compliment your complexion. Here are a few of my faves.
In the fall I typically love deeper tones. Don't get me wrong, I still sneak a red in regardless of the season, but I do tend to reach for a darker color more often in the colder months.
We are currently week, who even knows anymore because we have all lost count, and instead of leaning into focusing in on all the things I can't do anymore, I'm choosing to find joy in the little practices that have become acts of self-love. When we had the option to run the streets and take in all outside had to offer, some of the items on my list weren't as important to me as they now are. Everything around us is uncertain, and the world is filled with so much pain and hurt right now. There were weeks where I just went dark and really needed to hold on to some joy in the midst of chaos. I hope that if you haven't already, that some of these things that have brought me joy can bring you a little bit of happiness as well.
Reading
I have always been a huge reader. Now, I haven't read as much as I typically would in the past year, but I have always been a bookworm. It probably started when I was a child and my mom would pay me $2 for every book I would read to keep me from sitting in front of the TV all day. Those Barbie clothes weren't going to buy themselves so if I had to read 3 books a week so Barbie could get the newest tweed blazer then I had to do what I had to do. Although the clothes were my motivation to initially read, it did in turn create a love of reading. I usually only read fiction, because I like the ability to escape when necessary, but the current book I'm reading is a biography and I LOVE IT. My best friend and her family were reading " More Than Enough" by Elaine Welteroth, and at first, I wasn't interested because biographies read as boring to me, but after their rave reviews, I decided to give it a try. Best decision ever because it is truly remarkable. So much of Elaine's story resonates with me and inspires me, it is really a page-turner. A couple nights a week I light some candles, pour a glass of wine, and open up my book. When outside was open I realize this was one of the things that I neglected. Reading wasn't as fundamental when barhopping was an option, but now that I have the opportunity to lean into this new form of escapism I have fallen back in love with it.
Skincare
Within the last year I have spent a lot more time and money on my skincare routine, but with life constantly moving around me I sometimes have a hard time trying to keep up with it. You know, those nights you went out with friends and ended up nosediving into the bed with a full face of makeup on. Yeah, prior to quarantine I had quite a few of those. Since having so much open time added to my days I've had the opportunity to really dedicate myself to my skincare routines. That has meant a full washing, serums, eye creams, toners, moisturizers, facial oils, sunscreen, and masks. Instead of looking at it as a task like I did previously I now view it as a time that I get to really focus on my self-care. Besides the relaxation, seeing the benefits of my dedication has been so rewarding. I have extremely dry skin and a lot of discoloration so watching it disappear has been such a blessing. I hear a lot of people say their skincare journey is hard because when they aren't seeing results their no longer inclined to continue. If that's the case your approaching it incorrectly. Shift your focus from results to creating a spa experience for yourself. Put more energy into enjoying how each step feels and view this entire routine as self-care. Don't rush it, take your time and I promise you will no longer be worried about the results as much as you are enjoying the experience. Soon you will be laying on the couch masking for hours without a care in the world sis. You can find all the products I use and a detailed description of how they work in my most recent skincare post. I also usually share a ton about my skincare journey on my Instagram ( which if you're not following already go ahead and hit that follow button).
Shower Spa Experience
Now this one my girlfriend put me on to. With everything that has transpired in the last few months, I found myself slipping into a really dark place. Feeling isolated from the people and things I love as well as watching countless black people be murdered, victimized, and disrespected constantly had left me completely emotionally drained. No matter where I went to escape I couldn't find the space or peace I needed to process my emotions, and it was really getting harder and harder to show up each day for myself or anyone else. My girlfriend told me that every night she would light candles, play whatever music made her feel good, and would take a long hot shower and allow herself to feel whatever it was she was feeling and take a break from people, places, and things. I'm not going lie, at first this just seemed pointless to me, but one day when I felt like I was going to literally bubble over, I decided to give it a try. YA'LL!! it was glorious, and it has become a nightly routine for me (well for the most part). Sometimes it's lots of upbeat Beyonce, Meghan, and City Girls to shower twerk to while other nights it's a slow emotional playlist I can cry my heart out to. Whatever your preference, use this time to create a vibe and disconnect from anyone. This is YOUR TIME to literally shut the world out and allow your mind and body to relax. Now note: this could add a few bucks to the heat and electric bill, but if your going to cut expenses somewhere don't let it be your self-care sis.
Netflix, Hulu, and all The Shows
This is literally self-explanatory. Sometimes just zoning out to a TV show is the simplest form of self-care available. Now of course you need to be able to disconnect when necessary to get important things done, but there's nothing wrong with giving yourself a set amount of time to watch a show and mentally escape for a bit. Greys Anatomy got me through an entire break up, so I will ALWAYS suggest a little TV therapy sometime. If you don't know what to watch I have an entire list of all the TV shows worth binging during this break.
Creating Content/ Social Media Engagement
Although Social Media can be mentally stressful it can also be a bit of relief. One of the reasons I have continued influencing and blogging is that I enjoy the relationships and conversations I get to have with you all. You guys have kept me laughing when I really needed it most, and have been a place to vent when I needed an ear to listen, and for that, I will always appreciate social media. In a time when we are supposed to be keeping our distance, having these channels to stay connected can really be chicken soup for the soul ( if you don't know what that reference is I need to know how old you are lol).
Creating Content has also been a huge stress reliever. I have literally had nothing but time to create mood boards and make content that I am very proud of. Although some pieces of the process are work, and not always the most enjoyable, breathing life into the ideas that circle in my head is in itself therapeutic. If content creation is not your jam, this may be a great time to tap into that idea that you have been too scared to try. Pouring yourself into something your passionate about can be a great form of self care. It has been truly wonderful for me.
Working Out
Exercise and I have a love-hate relationship, but during this time it has been a great stress reliever. Allowing myself to put my energy into exercise, and to sweat it all out has been a huge form of self-care for me. The angrier I am the harder I go, the more anxious I am the harder I push, and often times I feel significantly better after. After years of denying it I have to say that endorphins do seem to be a real thing. Some may say endorphins are even better than wine ( just so we are clear " some" is not me, but endorphins are pretty great though lol).
I hope that at least one of the ideas on this list can help you to find a mental escape or some peace during this chaos. What are some ways you all practice self-care? Now that I have shared with you I would love to hear your ideas as well?
Disconnecting
Sometimes it is just this simple. With so many ways to receive news right now, it can be overwhelming to say the leas.t. We all have so many emotions and trying to navigate them while consistently being bombarded with graphic images and videos is honestly more than anyone can bear. When you find it necessary please don ot feel any guilt about taking all the time you need to yourself. This can look like not getting on social media, not answering phone calls or texts, and just spending time with yourself. It's not selfish sis. Self Care is never selfish. There is no way you can be of service to anyone else if you are not servicing yourself. PERIOD!
I hope that you find this list helpful and that something on this list will provide you relief during this difficult time. I would love to hear the ways you are self-caring right now? Leave it below in the comments.
Memorial Day is upon us, and even though we may not be able to take part in our normal shenanigans, we can still indulge in all these sales. And ladies, the sales are good and plentiful this year. It can be a bit overwhelming navigating all the options so I wanted to compile a quick list of some of my favorite sales and my top selections that they have to offer. I've covered clothing, shoes, and skincare to help fulfill whatever area you enjoy the most. So sit back click and enjoy!
Let me know in the comments below if you decided to get anything.
It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's the Sephora spring sale and your girl has been SHOPPING. Not just pick up a few things here or there I mean just throw it in the bag shopping. My justification is that I've been really responsible with my money since this lockdown and I deserve one little splurge in the interest of self-care. So I decided to really invest in upholding my current skincare regimen as well as trying out a few new products that will help address some of my skincare concerns.
The sale is 20% for Rouge members until 5/1, 15% off for VIB members until 4/29, and 10% off for Insiders until 4/27 ( welp today so you better get on the good foot if you want to get something).
Treating my skin has really been an uphill battle for years. I suffer from Seborrheic Dermatitis which causes inflammation and flaking of the skin. It can be very frustrating at times, as flare-ups cause very painful visible dry patches on my face, scalp, and ears. I have seen a dermatologist who helped me to really get it under control during one of my worse flare-ups, but since then I have done a lot of research to find ways to treat the skin, specifically on my face, with products that were less harsh and nonsteroid based. I have been asked why I would spend so much on skincare, but I would far rather invest in healing my skin issues then investing in makeup to just hide the problem and make it worse.
Now that I've spilled all of my tea, I wanted to give you all a more in-depth look at some of the products that I have been using and have really worked for me as well as some new products I decided to give a try. As you go through this list please keep in mind that my skin concerns may be different than yours so it's important to identify what products will address your personal concerns. My skin is extremely dry. DRY AS THE SAHARA DESERT DRY so after much research and trial and error I curated a regimen that focused on providing moisture and evening skin tone ( as I have some hyperpigmentation and discoloration from picking at the dry patches I would get during flare-ups). So without further ado let's get into this.
Cleansers
So my two favorite cleansers right now are the Clinque's Take the day off and Farmacy's Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser. I use the Clinique cleansing balm to remove my makeup prior to cleansing. It is a creamy balm that kinda suds up once you add water to your face and rub it in. It truly does get EVERYTHING off. Ever since using it, I have stopped using makeup wipes completely. This product absolutely does a better job of removing makeup than a makeup wipe has ever done for me, and it doesn't strip my skin of moisture either. Once I complete that step I use the Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial cleanserto gently remove any remaining dirt. I absolutely love this cleanser because it gets my skin very clean and doesn't leave any residue or strip my skin of moisture. A lot of gel cleansers I used in the past would only exacerbate my skin issues but this one has really been a winner.
Toner
Fresh's Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toneris the GOAT when you have dry skin. I was recommended this product by one of the lovely Sephora sales associates. Toners are important in your skin regimen because they help to remove the dirt and oil in your pores that your cleanser did not get off when cleaning the surface. Clogged pores lead to breakouts so you really want to make sure you're incorporating them into your regimen. This one is very soothing and gentle, and most importantly not drying.
Serum
I have been alternating between two different serums and I love them both. I've been using the Fresh Vitamin Nectar Glow Juice and the Claudalie Vinoperfect Anti Dark Spot Serum.Fresh's Vitamin Nectar Glow Juice is packed with vitamin C, E and B5. The Vitamin C is great for skin brightening so if your struggling with dullness and uneven skintone this is the serum for you. It's also very light weight so it works well for any skin type. The Claudalie Vinoperfect Anti Dark Spot Serumhas been the most effective serum for dark marks. If you are struggling with uneven skin tone, blotchiness, or hyperpigmentation this is absolutely the serum for you. You won't see an immediate difference but you will absolutely see difference overtime. That truly goes with any skincare product or regimen. It takes time for products to actually make a difference in your skin. Think of it this way, it takes about 30 days for new skin cells to generate so that is how long it will take for you to truly see the results of a new skincare product.
Moisturizer
The Tatcha dewy skin cream is the best moisturizer that I've ever used. It's very rich and moisturizing and is one of the only creams that I've used that has been able to keep my skin hydrated all day. The best part, is that it leaves a very dewy finish after it's applied. So if you're looking for hydrated plumped skin, natural glow, and you struggle with dryness this is absolutely the product for you. I will say, that if you have oily skin I would not recommend this for you. It will likely be way to heavy on your skin.
Oil
I have not tried any other facial oils and likely won't because the Farmacy Honey Grail Oil has been so beneficial to my skin. It is a very lightweight oil that absorbs into the skin beautifully and adds to the glow. The oil really helps to lock in the moisture of the products that I used prior to this step and creates a very strong protective barrier over my skin. A little goes a VERY long way with this product. I typically only use 1-2 drops whenever I use it, so one bottle lasts me for MONTHS. If you are oily I would still suggest you incorporate this step into your routine. Keeping your skin hydrated when you have oily skin is even more important, as your skin actually produces more oil when it's dry to attempt to combat its dehydration.
Sunscreen
Forget all the rumors and lies we were told growing up as black woman. I remember believing that I didn't need sunscreen because I had a higher level of melanin in my skin than white people. I'm here to tell you that is a lie, black girls need sunscreen. I'm gonna say that one more time so it really sinks in here. BLACK GIRLS NEED SUNSCREEN. Not just at the beach or on vacation either. You need sunscreen every single day that you are going outside. Furthermore, there are certain ingredients in your skincare that make your skin more sensitive to sun damage, and when you use those products and go out into the sun you are leaving your skin open to far greater damage than you even began with. So let's make sure we are protecting those beautiful faces ladies. Do yourself a favor and incorporate sunscreen into the end of your AM facial routine. My personal suggestion would be Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen. It is extremely smooth and light and does not leave a white cast on your skin or have any flashback. In my opinion, it's the best.
Tinted Moisturizer
As I get older I get a little lazier when it comes to glam, and I notice when I do have to put makeup on I HATE the feeling of foundation. It oftentimes feels heavy and like my skin is suffocating. It also doesn't help that a day or two after wearing it I notice a breakout somewhere on my face. To try to negate this issue I started using tinted moisturizers because they were .... well moisturizing, and much lighter than a traditional foundation. I also prefer more of a sheer coverage when it comes to my makeup. So when doing my research for this sale I came across a skincare blogger, Chanel Tyler, who raved about the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. I'm a creature of habit so I was really hesitant to give something new a try, but I decided to be brave this time and do it. GIIRRRRRLLLLL I'm so happy I did because out of everything I purchased during this sale this is hands down the one I can't stop talking about. This product not only provides BEAUTIFUL dewy natural coverage it also is PACKED with skincare benefits. This is makeup that actually treats your skincare concerns while you wear it. No more dry, irritated, suffocated skin after a day of wearing makeup. Now you can have that natural coverage while actually treating your skin at the same time. It's genius and I am never going to put foundation on my skin again, not after this gem of a product.
Well ladies, I hope this post helps you all make your final decisions before you hit checkout on that purchase. Are there any products that have been holy grails for you that you plan on restocking on during this sale? If so let me know in the comments below. I would love to give something new a try. I appreciate your recommendations just as much as you appreciate mine.
The past few weeks have been like something out of a movie, to say the least. We are all quite unsure about what the state of our economy, our health, and any other plans we had are going to be going forward. Many of us are working from home, completely out of work, or still working and trying to find a way to deal with the glaring anxiety of what is happening. I know personally, this has been quite the emotional roller coaster for me. I'm blessed to have a job that allows me to work from home and a secondary job that closed down to protect us. But the uncertainty of everything has left me with a need to disconnect. My main source of mental relief has and always will be binging a show. Yes, I know to some this may seem ridiculous but it has always been a great escape for me. Whenever I've been overwhelmed, upset, or stressed I carve out some time to allow myself to get lost in someone else's world.
So as we all try to keep from going stir crazy while banding together to protect one another I wanted to share some of the shows that I've been watching to keep me entertained. I'm still not stir crazy yet and for that, I can thank this list.
Good Girls - Netflix/ Hulu
( watch it from the beginning on Netflix and the new seasons on Hulu)
This show is actually currently on NBC but if you have never seen it you will definitely want to go back to season 1 on Netflix and watch it. If you like shows with a solid and captivating storyline that will also keep you doubled over laughing this one is right up your alley. When I first saw it on Netflix I thought it was a movie so I ignored it for at least a year until I randomly discovered it was a show. You would be surprised how many people thought the same thing, and I know some of you are reading this and I just rocked your world with this new information.
The plot centers around 3 suburban moms with their own individual financial struggles who decide the best way to fix their issues is to rob a grocery store. This one act leads them down a road full of HOT mess that will keep you on the edge of your seat for all 3 seasons.
My boyfriend is not one to take any of my show recommendations because he is quite stubborn ( I'm still trying to get him to tune into the genius that is Game of Thrones) but he secretly watched this one behind my back and was instantly hooked. If you don't take my word for it take his, it's an absolute winner.
Desperate Housewives- Hulu
Now this one is a super oldie. Like extremely old so you may be wondering why I'm including this. You may even have already watched it back in 2008 when it was on TV, I absolutely did. The great thing is if you have a memory like mine you won't remember a single thing that happened. I was OBSESSED with this show. So much so that back in 2008 I even had The Sims desperate housewives edition, yea it was that serious. Which is why I was surprised I didn't remember a single plotline from the entire show. It was truly like watching a brand new show and the only thing that I do remember is how addictive it was, and that feeling still remains. The best part is it has about 8 seasons so there's plenty of content to get you through the however many weeks we will be on lock down.
Stranger Things- Netflix
I am absolutely not a SciFi girl so this one is even surprising for me, but I can't deny this is a great show. One of my old managers at H&M used to beg me to give it a try and I would always tell him not a chance in hell. Welp, I can admit when I'm wrong and I was very very very wrong my friends. This show is funny, exciting, and will have you on the edge of your seat every single episode. It focuses on a group of kids who singlehandedly save the world while keeping you laughing and nervous the entire time. It's a great watch and will definitely take your mind off of what's going on right now.
Greys Anatomy- Netflix/ Hulu
Now this one right HERE!!!! This one is hands down my favorite show of all time. I'm just going to assume 90% of the free world has already consumed this amazing piece of art, but in the slight chance that you haven't stop whatever your doing now ( which in this time I'm going to imagine isn't much) and go start season one. You can find it on Netflix and you need to get into it as soon as humanly possible. If you're familiar with my good good sis Shonda Rhimes then you should already know that this is an amazing piece of programming. This is Shonda's breakthrough show, and it's got so many seasons at this point I can't even tell you where they are at. I have personally gone through all of Grey's anatomy at least 4 times and will likely watch it again during this break.
No TV romance has every compared to Der and Mer so do yourself a favor and add this to your list.
Working Moms- Netflix
A great plot and non stop laughs. I'm not a mom, but I felt every bit of this show. This show surrounds a group of mothers trying to navigate life while balancing being successful working women, wives, and mothers. Needless to say they damn sure don't succeed at all of those things. They fall hilariously short in at least one area in every episode. This is a pretty quick watch so you could probably knock it out in a few days.
Grace and Frankie- Netflix
If you follow me on Instagram ( which you should be doing so go ahead and click and follow @guiltyofglitz_) then you already know that I love Grace and Frankie. If you loved Golden Girls back in the day, then you will love this show. It follows two older women who are recently divorced and end up deciding to live together and become best friends. Grace is a very uppity rich woman and Frankie is pretty much a hippie so as you can imagine they clash constantly. So watching them try to navigate their own lives and survive under one roof is pretty hilarious. I won't even get started on their kids and ex-husbands. I cannot say ENOUGH good things about this show. In my personal opinion, it's one of Netflix's best original series and I hope it doesn't go anywhere anytime soon.
The Morning Show- Apple Tv +
Now, this one completely caught me by surprise. I found this show a few months ago when my godson was playing with the Apple Tv remote, and I thought it was an actual morning show. When I saw Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon I was even more confused. Since I've run through every single show like a damn marathon I decided I might as well circle back and give this one a try. Needless to say, it was fantastic. It has a lot of big hitters in Hollywood, and the plot grabs you from the very beginning. It's very obvious that this story centers on the Matt Lauer scandal with ABC. It is only available on Apple TV+ but you can get a free week's subscription to watch this show. I watched it in 2 days so one week is more than enough time, its only 10 episodes, and let's be serious what you got to do instead lol.
Little Fires Everywhere- HULU
Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington wrapped up in massive lies and deceit. Do I really need to expound any further! This show is based on the best selling novel and although I have not read the book ( which I wish I did because I am a stickler for reading a book prior to watching the TV or film adaptation) it has my full attention. The only complaint that I have is why are we releasing the episodes every Wednesday. HULU stop playing with us! We are locked in the house for the unforeseeable future can we just get all the episodes PLEASE!
Honorable Mentions
And now for a list of shows that deserve very much to be on this list but my fingers grew tired of typing and the Dnice Quarantine concert featuring Issa Ray was starting up soon. So let's Go:
Insecure (HBO)- Speaking of Issa, literally the most relatable comedy I've ever seen about a young black woman trying to navigate dating in your 30's. Honestly one of my favorite shows, and I've never related to a character more.
Euphoria (HBO)- I'll just say Zendaya DID THAT!!!
YOU (Netflix)- Insanely creepy, yet captivating show about a hot Pierce Badgley being a weird creepy stalker
Love is Blind( Netflix)- A reality show that tests the theory that people can fall in love without ever seeing one another. Also, get ready to want to punch Jessica in her face every episode.
This is Us (Hulu/ NBC)- Do not watch this without a pack of tissues readily available. It pretty much gets a tear from me every episode. But if you want your heart to melt all over the place give it a watch and get into Randall and Beth.
90 Day Fiance- BAAABBBYYYY this will take you through the whole damn quarantine. I don't think I've ever laughed this much at a reality show or been in such shock in how naive people can be. But if you want something a little less serious that is FUNTY!!!! BABY this is 110% for you. If you really want to test it out I would say start with " 90 day fiance: Before the 90 days" Season 4. I promise after that you will swan dive into the rabbit hole.
So since we all have PLENTY of time why not use whatever time you're not working and unwind with one of the shows on this list. If you watch any of them it drop me a comment or comment on Instagram and let me know, or leave any suggestions of shows you have below so I can have something new to watch during this quarantine as well.
