The Art of The #Selfie

I'm super excited to share a brand new video my friend Rad and I collaborated on.

Compared to the last video we did featuring Warby Parker, we definitely wanted to do a fun video that speaks to popular culture. It's definitely my favorite video to date so check it out and give it a thumbs up if you loved it!

Being the millennials we are, we wanted to play around with the art of the selfie and how much of an emphasis we put on them as a whole. Hope you enjoy the cheeky video we collaborated on! 

For more up to the minute releases make sure to subscribe to my channel. Don't forget to like and share this for karma points :).

And if you'd like to learn more about Rad check out his reel here.

Skin Care 101: Best Cleansers to Use Everyday

Want to hear a funny story? Although I was unable to thoroughly clean my face with both hands (sad right?) my advice was still sought when friends needed guidance on upgrading their vanities.

Not only did I feel needed when I felt useless, I was inspired to dive deeper into the pillars of skincare. Think of it as my version of Cliff Notes. It might not come as a surprise that I am very into the act of layering so for the sake of simplicity let’s start with the first step, a cleanser that can take off the day without leaving your skin feeling tight and dry. Over the past year, I’ve collected lots of face washes and tried even more – here are five that I find myself going back to over and over again.

Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil
Exactly a year ago, I walked into a Target, picked up this cleansing oil and never looked back. Well, I did try other cleansers, but this has been my ride or die since then. The oil-based cleanser has never stripped my skin of moisture but has removed the most stubborn of liquid lipsticks and waterproof mascaras. The fact that it’s 99% natural is a bonus. Insider tip: Because of its relaxing scent, it’s best to use this at night so you’ll easily be lulled to sleep.

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Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser
For the days my acne flares up (normally around my lady time) I reach for this gentle clay cleanser. It purifies pores, exfoliates with Glycolic Acid, and doesn’t leave skin feeling tight. For times I need a little extra help to get rid of stubborn spots I simply leave the cleanser on for a few extra minutes – kind of like a mask.

via nyan-dany.blogspot.com

Benton Honest Cleansing Foam
Sometimes my skin just needs a breather from it all. On those days my skin goes bare (sans the SPF) and I reach for this gentle cleansing foam at night. A little bit goes a long way and does a great job at getting all the gunk off. I do recommend getting a sample of this cleanser first before diving headfirst since it's not great for those with dry skin. (Insider tip: skip the morning cleanse when you’re on a skin break and rinse your face with cool water instead).

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Osea Ocean Cleanser
After discovering this brand through Pearlesque, I’ve become more than obsessed with the line. The all-natural line doesn’t strip my skin of moisture and instead replenishes my skin with minerals, algae, and vitamins. The end result is hydrated and dewy skin. Highly recommend this line for those looking into vegan skincare.

via covetandacquire.com

Nuxe Micellar Foam Cleanser
Alrighty, unlike Osea this Nuxe cleanser is definitely not for those with sensitive skin. It’s very fragrant so it might cause more damage than good. But, that’s really what I love about it. It gives me the sensation of rinsing my face in rose water. And I love anything with rose because – why not? The foam cleanser does use micellar cleansing water so it’s amazing at taking the day off yet still maintaining your skin’s PH balance (i.e. very soft and hydrated).

Now that we’re on this magical skincare journey together, let me know if you decide to give any of these a go and how you loved it. AND, if there are any cleansers you think I need to try, drop me a comment down below.

The Beauty Round-Up:

Sorry about the radio silence guys! For those that didn't see the drama unfold via Instagram or Snapchat (find me at thestyleboro), I've been in fracture hell ever since April.

So two bone-setting sessions, one surgery, and a full week of extreme pain later... I'M BACK!

I'm still in recovery mode and life has been difficult (and slow) without my dominant hand, but staying in all weekend gave me the itch to talk beauty finds. Let's get started, shall we? :)

HAIR
A few weeks back I received a StriVectinHAIR's Ultimate Restore kit which includes a shampoo, conditioner, deep repair mask and densifying foaming treatment. I was a little unsure how it would react with my curls since I don't have any issues with dryness or breaking (if anything it's the opposite) but gave it a go since it claims to restore and revitalize hair from root to tip.

AND, you GUYS, my hair feels so healthy and my curls look more defined and healthy after a month's use.

First and foremost, there are no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. The entire line is made with their NIA-114 Technology which reinvigorates the skin's surface and loads of other amazing things. The shampoo is rather gentle and doesn't lather, which is the norm in the no-poo world. The conditioner and deep repair mask work hand-in-hand to restore damage caused by heat styling, coloring, and environmental stressors as well as restore hydration. The scent isn't overpowering at all -which I prefer. I have mixed feelings on the densifying foaming treatment, but the other three are a must-have. Sephora currently offers a sample kit at a great price, so pick that up and let me know what you think.

FACE
There are a few stand-out brands in this category, the first one, Farmaesthetics, was introduced to me by Pearlesque Box. I reviewed their last impressive box here and loved everything. I can only imagine being blown away by what's inside this box. 

For the start of summer, Pearlesque teamed up with Farmaesthetics to create a box devoted to sustainable skincare. All of the gems inside the box are 100% natural with ingredients that are certified organic. The woman behind the brand has also been touted as an entrepreneur at the forefont of the natural beauty revolution. Amazing, right?

Let's dive into the contents - three out of four being full-size products :). The first up, is the Nourishing Lavender Milk which I've been using for my face, body, and wrecked right hand - it just smells and feels so good. When used on my face the light formula doesn't cause that too-dewy look on my forehead which is much appreciated. Tansynella Organic Bugscreen was tested out next, and although there are no signs of mosquitos (yet) the moisturizing oil was perfect for my knees and elbows. The scent was also way better than any other bug spray I've ever tried - so that was a win.

As we all know, I'm a mist-head so I was super excited to try The Cool Aloe Mist. Its cute travel size is perfect for tossing in your gym bag or toting along to the beach to soothe sun-kissed skin. After cleansing my face, I love misting this on before locking in hydration with the Lavender Milk. They're basically partners in crime. But, my entire favorite out of the box has to be the Herbal Hydration Complex - Remedy Reserve Mask. For some reason, my forehead has been super greasy and my skin (probably from stress) has been breaking out. No bueno. This mask sort of sops up excess oil (to prevent future breakouts) and hydrates my skin so it's dewy and plump in the right places. The 5-minute mask is a definite game-changer and one that has been immediately included into my routine bi-weekly. You must try the mask for reals!

What I really love about Pearlesque Subscription boxes is the value. This entire box is valued at $119 but if you get it through Pearlesque it's only $39.95. What's even better is that they threw in a bonus code AILEEN15 for an additional 15% off your first box. So, if you like what you read make sure you scoop up this box before June 3rd (last date to order).

All these beauty finds and no panel to speak on... Until AOL Lifestyle asked me to be one of their judges! They sent over contenders for their Summer Beauty Awards, and you guys, I found some real stars! You can see all the winners on their site here and check out my top moisturizing picks down below.

Face Moisturizer
When I was a wee blogger, I used to be obsessed with all things bliss. I loved their packaging, their brand voice, and how luxurious everything felt. To be completely honest, they did fall off my radar but after receiving their fabulous drench 'n' quench moisturizer all of the memories with this brand came rushing back. I found the cream to be incredibly hydrating, refreshing to touch after being out in the sun, and incredibly light. The moisturizer definitely felt more gel-like than cream-like, but I didn't mind that at all.

Sleeping Mask // Sleeping Pack
Saved the best for last! I absolutely love a good sleeping pack and have stocked my cabinets with some of the best out of Asia. Then... I had my mind blown by Lumene. The brand comes from Finland and their ingredient list boasts some of the Artic's natural resources. Their Bright Now Vitamin C Sleeping Cream is incredibly hydrating and works to brighten and vitalize fatigued skin. Within a week I noticed how smooth and nourished my skin look. Mind you - I started testing this product right at the start of my accident when I could barely sleep. Highly recommend adding this to your skincare regime.

Check out the rest of the beauty winners on AOL Lifestyle here.

P.s. Hope your Memorial Day Weekend was amazing!