When I stepped into Provenance Soapworks, it felt like I was being whisked away to a French patisserie. But in this shop, handcrafted soap was the treat. Originally turned on to fancy bath soap after staying in a friend’s home, I could not get enough. I realized that handcrafted soap was a little luxury that I could afford. It was a simple way to make life a bit sweeter. Everything from the beautiful packaging, to the infinite scents, and how the soap softened my skin long after my shower made me a fan of handcrafted soap. So naturally I became giddy as soon as I stepped in to browse the soap selection at Provenance.
Inside Provenance Soapworks
The bright and charming space was a treat for the eyes. You could tell that shop owner Carolyn Holden had a way with décor. Peach accents and vases of lavender adorned the cream colored boutique. Bath bombs stored in glass trifle dishes were offered up like fluffy little marshmallow truffles. Clever little mason jars lined up under cute little awnings created a clean and soothing atmosphere. And a most calming scent enveloped the air, immediately putting me at ease. The best part — the store was an unexpected find. It’s always a treat when you shop and find a place you know you’ll love coming back to.
Travel Inspired Handcrafted Soap
The bath and beauty items at Provenance are filled with simple and nourishing ingredients, inspired by owner Carolyn’s travels. After backpacking through Europe, many of the places she visited ended up influencing the bath and beauty products she went on to create. She hoped that each product would whisk the user away to a new world.
For example, the Santorini Sunset soap was inspired by the beautiful sunsets atop Oia, the Lavender & Cream blend by dried lavender found on the cobblestone streets of Paris, and the Limoncello Bath Bomb by the famous Italian drink often sipped on its piazzas.
Soap Details
Provenance Soapworks bath and beauty items, made with simple recipes of nourishing ingredients, are great for sensitive skin. No animal testing is used in devising these soap recipes. Many gluten free and vegan options are available as is biodegradable wrapping paper.
Visit Provenance Soapworks in person at 311 South Main Street, St. Charles, MO 63301 or online at https://www.provenancesoaps.com.
A quick and flawless makeup routine sounds nice in theory. But with issues like my inability to get the perfect cat eye in one smooth stroke, it’s often a request that God chooses to ignore haha. Clarins steps in to address this beauty void with a new line of Instant Beauty Perfectors. These tools promise to give you the perfect finish and minimize the time it takes to get ready in the morning. I’ve added Clarins Instant Beauty Perfectors to my routine. After trying them around for a bit, here’s what I learned.
WHAT IT DOES: Evens out your skin tone and minimizes the appearance of lines, pores, and wrinkles. Add it to those pesky creases around your eyes to help prevent makeup from settling into any grooves.
WHAT I LEARNED & LOVE: It makes your skin feel silky soft. The pleasant cream provides a smooth canvas for your makeup to glide onto. That means less time spent later on touching up.
WHAT IT DOES: Covers dark under eye circles, blemishes, and pigmented spots for a more flawless finish. Oat sugars in the formula help tighten and smooth problem areas.
WHAT I LEARNED & LOVE: Currently, I use three products to cover blemishes, dark spots, and under eye circles. This cuts it down to one tool. I wish they had a more diverse range of shades, though.
WHAT IT DOES: Highlighter, contour, and blush all in one glam palette. Plus there’s a helpful mini-guide to show you what goes where.
WHAT I LEARNED & LOVE: The brush is fantastic! The bristles curve and mold to the edges of your face, making application super easy. However, I’d use a separate, larger brush to blend with. Currently, I use Bare Minerals for contouring, which involves multiple jars, two brushes, and loose powder (which gets everywhere). The all-in-one Clarins palette minimizes the time I spend opening and closing jars and wiping down the table. Plus it’s easily transportable. This simple palette may be my favorite of the Clarins Instant Beauty Perfectors line.
WHAT IT DOES: Three eyeliner colors and a lip liner are contained in one nifty pen, which fits easily into a small purse.
WHAT I LEARNED & LOVE: The cool multi-push pen takes me back to grade school and my love for colorful pens. Nostalgia aside, the pen is ultra convenient for on-the-go touch ups. Plus, the blue liner adds the perfect pop of color. For a smaller pop, try adding it to the inner corners of your eyes.
WHAT IT DOES: Natural ingredients like Shea butter and mango conditioner combine to plump and shine your pout.
WHAT I LEARNED & LOVE: I could feel the plumping effects taking place. Plus it looks fabulous layered on top of your favorite lipstick and/or the liner in Clarins’ 4-Colour All-In-One Pen.
As I’ve revealed, many of these tools minimize time spent in front of the mirror perfecting your makeup. Together they can provide a flawless finish in no time. Or insert a couple of Clarins Instant Beauty Perfectors into your daily routine to reduce multiple steps. I for one have fallen in love with the primer and cannot imagine starting my routine without it. It also doesn’t hurt that the golden cases are super glamorous and Instagram worthy.
What’s your secret to a quick morning makeup routine? Shop these beauty products in the blog shop!
Disclosure: Clarins sponsored this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
My lashes are probably one of my best features. I always get complimented on how long they are. However, they have a tendency to stick straight out. With no shape, I’ve got to curl those suckers and whip on a couple of coats of mascara before I’m out the door. I thought about getting lash extensions before, but never really knew much about the process. Trang Le, a licensed esthetician and owner of Glow Studio St. Louis, reached out to me about getting lash extensions or even a lash lift. She shared her pro tips about the process. Here are some things I learned about eyelash extensions. And keep reading for my before and after reveal (plus a special discount offer*)!
Trang Le, Owner and Esthetician at Glow Studio St. Louis
All About Eyelash Extensions with Trang Le
One: Here are the differences between extensions and lash lifts.
Eyelash extensions are for those who want longer, fuller and darker lashes. Individual lashes are applied directly on top of your own lashes with a medical grade adhesive. The process can take two to three hours, depending on the number of lashes applied. The average shedding cycle is 4 – 6 weeks so refills are recommended every 2 – 3 weeks for a fuller look.
Lash lifts are great for clients who already have long lashes, but want a long-lasting alternative to help enhance their natural lashes. Rather than adding a synthetic eyelash to your natural lash, a lash lift alters the shape of your existing eyelashes. I call it a push-up bra for your lashes. The service takes about an hour. To maintain the look, a monthly appointment is recommended.
Two: Choose between three sets of lashes: demi, full or glam.
Glow Studio St. Louis offers Xtreme Lashes Semi-Permanent Eyelash Extensions.
Demi Set: Extensions are applied to about half of your natural eyelashes. This is for those who want a boost, but still want a very natural look.
Full Set: Extensions are applied to all of your natural eyelashes strong enough to hold an extension. The most popular set, many see it as a replacement for mascara and eyeliner.
Glam Set: Provides maximum fullness using the volume technique. This is a popular service for brides, guests of special events, and girls that love super voluminous lashes.
Glow Studio St. Louis Consultation Area
Three: For extensions, you have many options to tailor your look.
Based on the look desired, you can choose from the following lash types, curls, lengths, and widths.
Types: Classic cylindrical, flat, ellipse, silk, and mink
Curls: J / B / C / CC / D / DD / L / L+
Lengths: From 16mm all the way down to 6mm
Widths: From 25mm all the way down to 3mm
Four: While the initial application can be pricey, maintenance costs are less.
At Glow Studio, a Demi Set costs $150, a Full Set costs $250, and a Glam Set costs $350. ReLash eyelash refills start at $75 and are recommended every 2 – 3 weeks to maintain a full look. (Read on for discounts at Glow Studio through this blog.)*
A Lash Lift is priced at only $85.
The application area at Glow Studio
Five: With extensions, many people forgo everyday makeup.
Because lash extensions and lash lifts create a dramatic effect, many people skip their everyday eye makeup. The base of the extension creates the illusion of eyeliner. Mascara is discouraged for use on extensions, as it may break down the eyelash extension adhesive. However, it’s perfectly fine to keep wearing mascara with a lash lift, as those are your natural lashes.
Six: Wait 24 hours after application before getting your eyes wet or applying eye makeup. And stay away from oil-based eye makeup or remover.
A lash lift only affects your natural lashes. Therefore, you can resume all normal activities after the designated 24 hours.
Oil and friction are the two worst things for your eyelash extensions. With eyelash extensions, skip the waterproof eyeliner and use oil-free eyeliner. Or use a wet eyeliner brush to apply eye shadow as eyeliner.
I also recommend an oil-free eye makeup remover such as the Xtreme Eye Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser or Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water & Makeup Remover. To remove proteins and oil from the eyelids and lash line, I recommend an ophthalmologic lid scrub such as Ocusoft or Thera Tears.
After showering or washing your face you should brush your extensions with a clean mascara wand and gently pat your lashes dry.
Tools and supplies for a lash lift
Seven: Don’t rub your eyes!
If you have a tendency to rub your eyes, lash extensions may not be for you. The friction from rubbing will cause the extensions to come off your natural eyelashes. By rubbing your lashes you are also transferring oils from your fingers/hands onto your eyelashes.
A lash lift is applied to your natural eyelashes so rubbing is not an issue. I do advise against constantly rubbing your eyes due to the thin skin around the eyes (only as thick as a Post-It note).
Eight: If you are a chronic strip lash wearer, proper eyelash extensions application can actually improve the condition of your lashes.
Poor isolation, lack of proper home care, and cheap products can lead to lash damage. You are with your lash stylist for a limited amount of time and then you go home. Make sure you understand how to care for your lashes, as proper home care will be vital in the condition of your lash extensions.
Lash Lift Before & After
With my long lashes, I chose to go with the lash lift as opposed to the extensions. It wasn’t until I had this done that I realized how long my lashes really were. My first reaction was that I looked refreshed. The dark circles under my eyes became an afterthought. My next reaction was that I looked like a Disney princess with my long fluttery lashes, definitely in a good way. Who doesn’t want their eyes to look wider and more doe like?
It has been over a week since I had my lashes lifted and I have had no adverse reactions. My lashes are still as perky as when Trang permed them 10 days ago. I can apply and remove eye makeup easily. But on most days I don’t apply any eye makeup, as my lashes create enough glamorous drama on their own.
Make an Appointment
Trang is a board licensed esthetician in Missouri and has been applying lash extensions for two years. She has a certification with Xtreme Lashes, a well established lash extension company in Texas.
She takes proper precautions to ensure procedures are clean and safe. All of the products she uses to cleanse, prep, and apply lashes are disposable single-use items. She throws away the sponges, applicators, gauze, tape, and eye pads after each client. The only items that are reusable are her tweezers, which she cleans between clients with Barbicide.
Mention Bangles & Bungalows to receive $50 off a Full Set of extensions (originally $250) or $15 off a Lash Lift (originally $85) if you are a new client.
Disclosure: I was provided a free lash lift in exchange for a review of my experience. All opinions are my own.
The first thing I could not deny when trying the Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Collection was how freaking creamy the lipsticks were. Like a spoonful of chocolate mousse, the lipstick’s smooth appeal could not be denied. The first time I tried the Artist Rouge Collection was for a wedding where you always want to bring your lipstick A game. From meet and greets to dinner and dancing through the night, you gotta make sure your pout stays pretty. I chose the Rose Wood shade and with a little lip liner, it lasted well after my meal. When I headed to the bathroom, I didn’t even need to touch up. My lips were still colorful, my lipstick still creamy.
I received three colors: Taupe Violet (C502), Rose Wood (C211), and Passion Red (C404). Taupe Violet reminded me of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai’s bold purple lip at Cannes this year – definitely something I need to ease into, but I could see myself wearing for fun. And I’m always looking for a bold red. This one just looks fierce in the tube. And it certainly packs a punch on the lips.
A great lip color can be hard to find. Once I find a lipstick I love, I pretty much wear it nonstop. Rose Wood is going to be on repeat. And then maybe I’ll try mixing the other two for fun. We’ll see how long they last!
Disclosure: Influenster provided me these lipsticks complimentary in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Have you been to the Plaza in Kansas City? While it’s full of popular brand names, there are a few local gems you can’t miss. I stumbled across SKIN KC, a Kansas City-based natural skincare company while exploring the area with fellow blogger Diana of Mother Soul. Created by Stephanie Simkins, SKIN uses only high quality ingredients that nourish the body, mind and soul, but are free from harmful chemicals. SKIN is also environmentally conscious when it comes to the safety of its ingredients, its suppliers and packaging. If you’re an organic beauty enthusiast, you’ll want to read more. ***Plus enter to win a free full size version of her best selling Daily Greens Nourishing and Hydrating Repair Cream for Face and Neck.
UPDATE: Giveaway winners announced! See Giveaway section.
Diana and I were lucky enough to walk in when Stephanie was there. As a professional herbalist (she formulates her products by hand!), Stephanie sold us on why knowing what’s in your beauty products is so important for the long-term health of your skin and body. Her wise words definitely made me pause when thinking about just what exactly I put on my skin every day. There are so many chemicals on the back of beauty products that I have no clue about or can even pronounce! But I take it for granted because if it’s sold in stores, it must be safe, right? Stephanie urges you to take a closer look and really think about it. Below she shares some of her thoughts on the beauty industry, why citrus oils are better and common household items that are great for personal skincare.
Getting to Know Stephanie & SKIN
Why did you start SKIN?
While I was working as an alternative practitioner, I used nutrition to help people with their health needs. I realized many people were consuming incredibly toxic body products. As a master herbalist, I formulated products specifically for the needs of individual clients. My work caught on in the industry and it progressively turned into a full-time job. Thus, SKIN was born.
What is the most revealing thing you learned about the beauty industry?
It surprises me how trusting people are to skin and body products simply because large resourceful companies produce them.
I have always been aware of ingredients. The average beauty product consumer trusts that her products are safe, instead of questioning and understanding how toxic some chemicals can be to the skin. It is more surprising that these companies may say their products are safe. It has been difficult to get people to understand the difference.
Why the interest in citrus fruits while developing your line?
Citrus fruits have healing ingredients. The average consumer is able to tolerate fruit oils much better than herbal essential oils. Actually I am allergic to several herbal oils that many others use. I found that no one was using citrus oils when I began formulating. This was surprising because they are some of the most pleasant and effective oils.
I wanted to have the most pleasant and non-allergenic organic essential oils to fragrance my body care products, which are also active and effective. To get a true organic essential oil, citrus was the best choice.
What are some common household items that are good for your skin?
Honey and coconut oil are great for face and body scrubs. Olive oil can be used as a base for many scrubs by adding sugar, oatmeal or ground coffee.
What special effects does the Daily Greens Nourishing & Hydrating cream provide?
The Daily Greens hydrating moisturizer is our top selling item, and it has been ever since I formulated it. It is packed full of healing and hydrating ingredients. It’s light enough to wear every day and all day, but effective enough to work like as a heavier moisturizer. It has anti-inflammatory green tea, hydrating algae, healing aloe, anti-aging argon, and moisturizing Shea butter. It is an absolute must have for daily wear!
What is your best advice for youthful, glowing skin?
Wash with a moisturizing, non-irritating face wash every morning. Take off your makeup every evening, exfoliate, and moisturize. Drink plenty of water, and use a natural sunscreen every day.
It’s pretty simple, but definitely routine like brushing your teeth. If skin is taken care of on a regular basis, it will remain glowing and beautiful.
Disclosure: I was provided two 2oz. jars of Daily Greens for a giveaway. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Giveaway
If you loved learning about SKIN KC, you’ll want to try the products. Visit SKIN online at https://skinkc.com to shop and/or enter this giveaway. Two lucky winners will receive one 2 oz jar (retail value $38 each) of Daily Greens Nourishing & Hydrating Repair Cream for Face and Neck. It’s a perfect everyday cream for intense hydration, repair of sun damaged skin and anti-aging.
Rules: Contest ends Tuesday, August 9 at 11:59 pm. Promotion is offered to US residents only. You must use the Rafflecopter to enter. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. After that time, the winner will be disqualified and another winner will be drawn. Good luck!
The contest is now over. Congrats to Meredith M. and Hilary E. for winning the prizes!
Have you ever wanted to try hair extensions, but have no idea what to expect? I tried fusion hair extensions at Christina White Salon in St. Louis and am here to share what I’ve learned. My hair is already pretty long, but I lacked the fullness that I desired. Fuller hair to me means greater styling options, heavier braids and more voluminous curls. But most of all, it means having va va voom hair that always looks amazing.
I had already learned quite a bit about hair extensions from Chrissy herewhen I wrote about how she expertly applied hair extensions on a friend. But this time around, I wanted to try them for myself to get a stronger sense of what extensions are like. I went for volume over length. Chrissy added 80 wefts of 22-in hair extensions, which she ultimately trimmed to match my existing length. As you can see in the before and after picture below, my hair is much fuller and, in my opinion, appears healthier.
Hair Extensions Before & After c/o Christina White Salon
7 Things to Know About Hair Extensions
To apply fusion hair extensions, it can take about two to three hours.
You can dry your hair much more quickly with extensions. The ones I chose are conditioned to stay straight. By blending in with the straight extensions, my natural hair seems to dry straight more quickly. The appearance of frizz is also reduced.
You don’t have to wash your hair as frequently because your hair doesn’t get greasy as quickly.
Use a wet brush or a brush without balls at the end of its bristles. It will help detangle your hair after you shower and keeps your hair smooth when styling it dry.
Want to highlight your hair without using any harsh chemicals? You can easily blend in extensions a few shades lighter than your natural hair to provide dimension to your natural color. Chrissy mostly used pieces that matched my current color, but added a few lighter pieces to provide extra depth to my color.
For the first two days or so, you may experience tightness or soreness around your scalp from the extensions. You may also feel the bonds against your head while sleeping. Both these feelings will subside within a few days.
You can feel the extensions if you run your fingers under your hair. It may feel unnatural at first, but you get used to it. Think of it like when you first wear your wedding ring. You play with it for a little while and then you get used to it.
How to Apply Hair Extensions
If you want to know how Chrissy went about applying the hair extensions, here’s a quick how-to guide:
Contact Christina White Salon
If you’d like to try hair extensions, visit the Christina White Salon for a free consultation at http://www.christinawhitesalon.com. Or call 314-380-4508. And check out her Instagram @christinawhitesalon for more before and after pictures.
Looking for more temporary hair extension solutions? The salon offers tape in, micro link and clip in extensions. The salon also provides keratin treatments (read more here), hair color & highlights, event hair & make-up, haircuts and more. *Don’t forget to mention my blog for 10% off any service.
Have you tried hair extensions? I’d love to know about your experience.
Disclosure: I was provided hair extensions c/o Christina White Salon. All opinions are my own.
If you’re going to get a Keratin treatment, go with Coppola Keratin Complex. I have had multiple types of keratin treatments over the last eight years and this treatment has been the best of all. I had mine done at St. Louis’s brand new Christina White Salon, located in Brentwood. Owner Chrissy White swears by this treatment. As long as you use the right products to sustain the keratin treatment (sulfate free), your hair will stay smooth until it grows out. Other treatments may fade away, but not this one. Yes, this is the longest lasting Keratin treatment I’ve ever had. I know because this is the second time I’ve gotten it.
How the Keratin Treatment Is Applied
Chrissy starts by using a clarifying shampoo and dries your hair.
She then generously applies the Coppola Keratin Complex product to smooth hair cuticles. This eliminates that dreaded frizz, especially those pesky baby hairs around the forehead and neckline.
Once the product has been applied and combed through the hair, it is left to set for 20 minutes.
Hair is then blowdried and flat ironed with enough passes to seal the keratin complex treatment in.
The entire process may take two to three hours. You are left with silky, touchable hair that is completely frizz free. It’s like walking around with a curtain of silk attached to your head (not an exaggeration). If you plan to color your hair as well, make sure do get the Keratin treatment first. Then wait two weeks before coloring your hair.
Costs of a Keratin Treatment
Typically Keratin treatments at Christina White Salon range from about $250 – $450, depending on how much product is required. The curlier your hair, the more product you may have to use, which is why the cost may differ. While other Keratin treatments may cost less, it is important to question whether your treatment will last as long as this one. Typically the cheaper treatments promise you six weeks of frizz free hair, whereas this one is permanent until new hair starts to grow in. If you think about it, you are actually saving money in the long term.
While some of my friends have told me horror stories of their hair falling out from getting a Keratin treatment at other salons, I have never experienced negative side effects from Chrissy’s work. Having tried three other types of Keratin treatments, I can say with certainty that hers has lasted the longest.
About the Christina White Salon
I visited her brand new location last week and was pleasantly surprised by the glamorous decor. Gold, white and black tones are complemented by a wall of mirrors. Everywhere you look, there’s shimmer, especially on the all gold glitter floor. One of her clients is a designer and helped her make this gilded vision come to life.
The Christina White Salon is also known for offering gorgeous hair extensions and color treatments. I’ll be returning soon to tell you more about what to expect with her hair extensions. It will be my first experience trying semi-permanent hair extensions and I am super excited. Stay tuned!
Some of you have asked how I get my makeup to look so great in pictures. Recently I started using color correcting makeup. Sure it seems like a few extra steps. But this entire routine takes me about five minutes, which is way less time than it takes to do my eye makeup. Hello cat eye troubles! With these camera ready cosmetics, I’ve found a way to easily blend my makeup, minimize redness and reduce the appearance of dark circles for a seemingly flawless finish.
If you want a more comprehensive tutorial on how to color correct redness like blemishes and diminish dark circles, watch this video by Heidi Hamoud. I am dying to try the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder she uses to finish her under eyes — anything to make those dark circles look brighter. Otherwise people like to ask if I’m tired, you know what I mean?
Shop all these products by clicking on their images above in the collage.
When I saw an article on LiquidPalisade, painter’s tape for nails,I thought this product was made for me. I am by no means a nail artist. As much as I try to avoid my cuticles, I am happily surprised if my left hand comes out clean. And my right hand is pretty much a crapshoot. That’s why I don’t mind paying someone else to do it for me. But Liquid Palisade (available here) gave me hope that I could do it myself and save some money in the process.
Step 1: Paint a thick coat on and around your cuticles.
Step 2: Wait until the paint turns dark purple.
Step 3: Paint your nails with two coats (or more) of the color of your choice.
Step 4: Before your nails are completely dry, use a pair of tweezers to peel away Liquid Palisade.
Step 5: Clean away any excess paint around your nails with acetone and a brush.
The results were a bit of a disappointment. Yes, peeling away the latex was fun. But my nails were not nearly as clean as I thought they would be. Like I said, I am not an expert at applying polish and I certainly do not have a steady hand. But I thought that was the point of Liquid Palisade. I had a lot more cleaning up to do afterwards than I thought I would. I feel like I could do just as good a job without the latex border. Plus as I applied the latex around my cuticle, it kept clumping together. I think it just hardens that quickly.
If you want to create cool nail art like stripes or ombre designs that require a messy sponge, this may work for you. It would also be a good buy for those who already have a steady hand and are pros at painting their nails. But for the less coordinated, I say skip it.
For more great beauty ideas, check out this 60-second smoky eye look:
What’s your best seller and why?
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