beauty

My Favorite Beauty Buys for Amazon Prime Deal Days

| kristencastillo

My beauty faves are on sale for Amazon Prime Deal Days. Here’s a look at the products I love and why you should consider buying them. 

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Body and Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin, Body Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides

Forget chapped hands! This cream is thick, non-greasy, and long-lasting. 

Wet Brush Speed Dry Hair Brush with Vented Design

I own three of these vented brushes: one for each bathroom and one for my car. They’re easy to use, are tangle-free, and work well on wet OR dry hair. Plus, they come in a lot of patterns and colors.

Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Wand

This Conair 1-inch curling wand is a consistent part of my hair routine. It heats quickly, provides great heat control, and yields consistent results time after time.

This cooling gel eye mask

I always have gel eye masks in my refrigerator. They’re very soothing for tired eyes, to cool your forehead when it’s hot, and to help calm headaches. Available in many colors, I love this pink.

Naked Sundays BeautyScreen™ SPF 50 Mineral Peptide Foundation Tint – Skin Tint & Mineral Sunscreen

Naked Sundays sent me a sample and I’ve been using this foundation ever since. It’s light, non-greasy, provides even coverage, and it’s available in 15 shades. Plus it has sunscreen built-in.

Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Oil Free Face Moisturizer

This is my go-to face moisturizer, especially in colder months or when my skin feels dry. It’s cooling on your face, your skin drinks it up, and the skin always feels well-moisturized. 

This post contains an affiliate link and I may receive a commission from Amazon and Clinique if you make purchases through the link.

Safe, effective, highly-rated, and affordable sunscreens you need for summer

Bottle of sunscreen on the beach
| kristencastillo

Summertime is here, and the summer sun can be intense. Choosing a sunscreen can be overwhelming. So let the experts do the work for you.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a list of top-rated sunscreens that meet strict criteria, so you know you’re getting a good product. In their annual guide to sunscreens, they feature seven EWG-verified sunscreens. Look for the EWG verified mark on the products. When you see the EWG seal, you’ll know the sunscreen meets strict transparency and efficacy guidelines, doesn’t contain toxic or unacceptable ingredients, and has been reviewed by scientists. 

Also, note that EWG verified sunscreens can’t include aerosol or powder sunscreens because they’re an inhalation risk. Plus, verified sunscreens will always be between SPF 15 and SPF 50 because sunscreens higher than SPF 50 can give you a false sense of SPF security.

The top seven EWG verified sunscreens are below, and not only are they great sun protectors, they’re affordable too. At the time of this writing, they’re under $20. Many are available at retail stores, and all are online at Amazon.

ATTITUDE Sunly Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Unscented, SPF 30

Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

Happy Ocean Water Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

Mustela Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Face and Body, SPF 50

Solara Suncare Go! Mineral Defense Sport Superfruit Body Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50

Stream2Sea EcoStick Sport Sunscreen Stick, SPF 35+

Thinksport Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50

Wear sunscreen daily and reapply often. While sunscreen is a great first step, the EWG also advises wearing protective hats, clothing, and sunglasses with UV protection. Stay out of the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and stay in the shade whenever possible.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you need to know about hair transplant surgery

| kristencastillo

Model Chrissy Teigen shared she recently had eyebrow transplant surgery. In an Instagram post, she explained she’s tired of wearing makeup to fill in her eyebrows. For her eyebrow transplant surgery, her surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond transplanted hairs from the back of her head to her brow area.


Want to know what’s involved in hair restoration?


I interviewed International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) president Dr. Paul McAndrews for this Mediaplanet article. He explains how the procedure works and questions patients should ask.

According to a 2019 practice census survey, ISHRS members treated more men than women – 84.2% men, compared to 15.8% women – for surgical hair restoration procedures.  Over half of all surgical patients worldwide were ages 30 to 49 years old.

Hair transplant surgery helps restore naturally growing hair by surgically taking hair from the sides or back of the scalp and moving it to areas that are thinning or bald. Surgical hair transplants are permanent and can be used on the scalp, as well as eyelashes, eyebrows, and other facial or body hair.

Read the full article here.

Celebrating Summer with Thrive Causemetics Summer Collection

| kristencastillo

Thrive sent me three limited edition shades of their brilliant eye brightener: Tara, a rose mauve shimmer, Racquel, a soft silver shimmer and Betty, a sky blue shimmer. These colors are inspired by a tropical beach filled with bright skies and a great sunset.

I tried all three colors including blending the Betty and Racquel. I really like how these shades make your eyes pop with color and how long last!

Did you know? Thrive Causemetics products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and consciously formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates and fragrance. #gifted

On Trend: 2018 Fall Fashion

| kristencastillo

Ready for animal prints, power tailoring and sequins? Sounds like you’re ready for fall fashion 2018!

Autumn is here and I’m excited to show you the hot looks for this cool time of year. Neiman Marcus invited me to their fall fashion preview so here’s what you can expect when you’re shopping this season.

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This season, women are going to be wearing a lot of what Alex Yáñez, stylist for Neiman Marcus at San Diego’s Fashion Valley, calls “peacock colors.” That means saturated blues and greens for a bold, eye-catching pallet.

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The power pantsuit is back too. Tailored suiting, including double-breasted jackets and strong shoulders, is very in vogue.

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Leather is making a big statement this season as well. Whether you choose matte or patent leather, you can rock this look head-to-toe.

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Get ready to roar! Autumn is all about animal prints including zebra, tiger, and leopard, as well as other amazing prints. Feel free to mix, match and layer this wild and sexy style.

Who says sequins or just for parties and night time? Yáñez and his team at Neiman Marcus say you can wear sequins day or night – shine any time you want.

When it comes to accessories, expect to see western wear like cowboy boots a lot this year, as well as lace up boots. It’s a 90’s throwback but a definite must this season.

Top flap handbags both slouchy and structured are going to be the it bag.

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And when it comes to jewelry, look out for crystals and jet black jewelry – very dramatic! Finish your ensemble with a glow. Luminous skin is going to be all the rage this fall.

For men, autumn is all about tech tailoring. Thank innovative suits that blend both performance and function.

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Guys will be rocking turtlenecks, velvet and velour too. Men will bundle up during cold weather with a performance parka – both cozy and cool.

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For accessories, men will be wearing chunky runner shoes with an exaggerated sole. That’s definitely fun and functional footwear.

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Men’s styling is going to include a lot of utilitarian details including cargo pockets camouflage this time of year. Expect accent colors in shades of wine, burgundy and blue.

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What fall fashion pieces and trends are your “must-have” looks this season?

Nailed It! Spring Manicure Time

| kristencastillo

I love a pretty manicure! I almost always wear nail polish and in a variety of colors. I like everything from soft pinks and sexy reds to bold blues and vibrant oranges, and everything in between.

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This spring I’m loving pastels. That’s why I was eager to try the “Bridal Bliss” collection from Zoya. They sent me the complimentary set of polishes, which are available in so many sweet and subtle shades, ranging from creams like “Chantal” to a classic pink named “Bella.”

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I couldn’t decide which polish to use first so I tried something new – I created a mix and match manicure. I used five different shades, one for each finger and repeated the look on both hands.

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For my thumb, I used “McKenna,” a taupe shade; for the index finder, “Rue” a mauve shade; “Abby,” a lavender for my middle finger; a pastel “Blu” for my ring finger; and “Leia,” an opal-toned white/pink for my pinky.

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I love the colors and I’m really happy with this look! Plus, the mani has staying power.  I’ve been typing, doing dishes and running errands and the polish has held up well.

Must-Have Accessory: Fashionable & Functional Hairtie Bracelets

| kristencastillo

If you have long hair, you know the importance of having a ponytail holder at the ready. Often times that means keeping hair elastics in your pocket, your purse or on your wrist.

Wearing a ponytail holder on your wrist can pinch and that hurts, which is why I’m intrigued about an inventive product: hairband bracelets from Maria Shireen.

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The concept is simple and stylish – wear a bracelet that has a “channel” to hold the hair tie in place. The silver or gold bracelet is fashionable and functional. They even have plastic ones for kids and teens!

I was excited to try one out. Since I frequently write about weddings, Maria Shireen’s team sent me a bracelet from their wedding collection. It’s silver and comes with a baby blue hair tie. I can picture brides and bridesmaids wearing these bracelets throughout wedding planning and all the celebrations, including the reception and after parties.

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I’ve been enjoying wearing the bracelet which is cute and comfortable. Best of all, finding my hair tie to pull my hair back onto a ponytail is easier than ever!

Think about it: you’ll always have your ponytail holder nearby. No more searching the house, office or your bag for a hairtie because you’ll have one ready-to-go on your bracelet.

The bracelet looks pretty on its own and can be worn separate from the hairtie. When worn together, it’s hard to tell you’re rocking a ponytail with your bracelet.

Feeling Glam in Fall

| kristencastillo

Fall is such a great season. Even in San Diego, the temps are cool(er) this time of year and it’s fun to wear cozy clothes and accessories in rich, autumn colors. I’ve been layering more and wearing knits and velvet.

Wearing Jane Iredale Fall Glam collection. Love this lipstick!

My accessories and makeup have taken on fall tones as well. I love burgundy, crimson and deep shades of brown.

Jane Iredale Fall Glam

Jane Iredale sent me their Naturally Glam beauty collection to try out and I’m loving it.

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There’s a five-color eye shadow palette featuring shimmery neutrals, as well as a bubblegum pink blush which has delicate gold shimmer.

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They also sent this soft makeup mitt, which is so useful to wipe off the day’s makeup.

 

My favorite items? The gorgeous, seasonal lip colors: PureMoist lipstick in Gwen, an apple red and Just Kissed lip plumper in Paris, a sheer light port wine.

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These lipsticks have been the star of my fall. I’ll continue to wear them during the holidays.

 

 

#MotivationMonday, Halloween edition

| kristencastillo

Check out my this #MondayMotivation message featured on my son’s #pumpkin. He wrote: “Be…fun, silly, wacky, creative, YOU!!”IMG_0935

We were decorating pumpkins last weekend – doing the usual thing of making eyes, mouth, nose, etc.

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Then my son got inspired to write a personal note. I love his sentiment and it’s perfect for Halloween, when everyone wants to dress up to be “someone else.” So go ahead, this Halloween and every day, Be Yourself!