What's In My Make-up Bag Now

Over the past year, I’ve been testing lots of different cosmetic brands to freshen up my make-up bag! With so many product choices available these days, I’ve narrowed it down and selected the best ones based on quality, texture, feel, wearability and color choices.
Full disclosure…I don’t use all EWG verified products but I’m doing my best to incorporate clean beauty* into my everyday makeup routine. I love products that give me that effortless natural make-up look, so read on to see the list.

I always prep my face with a great moisturizer Dr Barbara Sturm Face Cream and face oil Olie x Melissa Meyers RoseGlow Drops Daily Radiance Face Oil.

FACE

• Coola Rōsilliance™ Organic BB+ Cream SPF 30- SPF .*

• Lune + Aster - Sunrise Bronze & Blush Palette

• Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight*

• Au Naturale - The All-Glowing Creme Highlighter Stick *

• Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 20 and
  Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation

• Nars Soft Velvet Pressed Powder

EYES

• Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer

• Saint Cosmetics Skin Perfecting On-The-Go Concealer *

• YSL Touche Eclat All-Over Brightening Pen

• Saint Cosmetics Perfect in Peach Eyeshadow Palette-*

• PYT Beauty No BS Eyeshadow Palette*

• Jane Iredale eye shadow palettes*

• Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara, Black

• Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara

• Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner Pencil- Deep Aubergine

• Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil (thicker brow),
  Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow 11. Pencil 

LIPS

• Nude Envie Lipstick

• Nude Envie Lip Liner “Perfect”

• Saint Cosmetics lipstick in Angel Kiss*

• Au Natural Lipgloss *

• Sara Happ The Lip Slip One Luxe Gloss

• Lune + Aster Vitamin C+E Lip Gloss*

• City Beauty City Lips

NEW BEAUTY LAUNCHES

Dior Backstage is a brand NEW make up line that is made for all skin tones, all ages, and all occasions. You don’t have to be a professional makeup artist to get a professional makeup look with these universally flattering products. I attended the opening pop up held next to the Rodeo Drive Dior store and had chance to test out some of the beautiful products there.

With Jen Beerman at Dior Backstage Pop up

Click on images in the carousel to order!

Givenchy Beauty also launched the Solar Pulse Summer 2019 collection that I cannot wait to road test. Solar Pulse is warm and cool “orange-blue” tones that complement each other similarly to a landscape with contrasting colors. Perfect for the summer to add a pop of color in a fun yet sophisticated way. We celebrated the new covetable Volume Disturbia Mascara and other new products from the collection at the Givenchy Beauty launch event in West Hollywood.

Click on images below to order!

With beauty gang and Jen Beerman at the Givenchy Beauty Launch party co-hosted by Dawn McCoy!

I hope this list was helpful and gave you some ideas of what to try for yourself! If you know of any “hero” clean beauty products or brands that are not on this list, please share in the comments below as I am always trying to incorporate more clean beauty into my everyday routine!

xxMelissa

GLOW GIRL FAVES

Marie Kondo Wardrobe Edit: What to Ditch and What to Add

It’s a great feeling to konmari your home and to surround yourself with only the things that spark joy (Marie Kondo)! Lately, I’ve been purging so much of my “stuff”—especially items in my wardrobe that have been sitting there unworn for years! This experience of decluttering truly is life-changing and inspired me to create a list of what to add and what to ditch from your wardrobe! There are so many great pieces to shop from this post including several from the Shopbop sale with items up to 40% off!

5 Things to Add:

1. High Waisted Jeans: Nod to the 90's--think mom jeans. This style elongates the legs and hides the tummy!

2. Puffed Shoulder Sweaters and Blouses: This style has made a comeback this season. I love the way a white puffy blouse looks with denim for any casual summer outfit.

3. Costume Jewelry: My favorite pieces are by Dior and vintage Chanel. Costume jewelry adds a bold statement to your look and can be worn dressed up or down.

4. Flowery Long Dresses: These never go out of style and are super comfortable to wear as the weather gets warmer. I love long flowery dresses from Ulla Johnson, Misa, and Natalie Martin.

5. Anything Vintage: It's less expensive and resellable if you go designer. Plus you will be original!

Click directly on the image to shop my favorite pieces!

5 Things to Ditch:

1. Cold Shoulder Sweaters: I liked the trend a few years ago but they just look dated now! I still really like the off the shoulder or one shoulder look though.

2. Low-Rise Pants: They may be super comfy and flattering (I had a closet full of them) but a higher rise pant is king now. I think you can keep any style jean as long as they are flattering and they zip up to nothing lower than right below the belly button.

3. Platform Sneakers: These shoes are great for teens but not really my favorite look for anyone over 21.

4. Biker Shorts: These are being shown everywhere now but I am not a fan as these cut the body off in a place that is never flattering and shorten the legs.

5. Micro Glasses: These are super cute and retro but offer little eye protection and are way too trendy. Plus, they are only flattering on smaller faces.

Shop my favorite ‘what to add’ picks from Shopbop’s 40% off sale below!

I hope you get inspired to do some major spring cleaning and updating for spring!

xx Melissa

Meet "The Body Whisperer" Lauren Roxburgh

As part of my guest blog series following the International Women’s Day post, I am thrilled to start my conversation series with Lauren Roxburgh, an incredibly knowledgable and inspiring expert on all things fascia, the mind-body connection and movement medicine. Lauren’s effective body foam rolling techniques have made her a leader in the latest trends in health and fitness. She regularly works with A list celebrities and was coined The Body Whisperer by goop! An oracle of information, I encourage you to read on to learn about some of Lauren’s wellness tips and tricks, and why the foam roller is her ‘secret weapon’.

A foam roller is a light, cylinder style foam tube that is used to slowly roll over various parts of the body, essentially giving the body a full, deep massage. Foam rolling can be used to increase flexibility, reduce soreness, break up scar tissue, and speed up the body’s workout recovery process. It also improves circulation, boosts lymphatic drainage and reduces inflammation. I personally use a foam roller daily - it’s a great thing to do before a workout or massaging tired sore muscles in the evening. Head to Lauren’s blog “A First Timer’s Guide To Foam Rolling” to read more.

“Find a roller that works for you, breathe, and be present in your body” - Lauren Roxburgh

Lauren is also the founder of the Aligned Tribe Community, a virtual health and wellness studio where you can stream her workouts online! If you purchase Lauren’s new book - The Power Source now, you will also receive one month free to Lauren's online Aligned Life studio subscription.

If you are interested in exploring the body benefits of foam rolling, check out Lauren’s products
and some of my favorite fitness products in the carousel below.

Lauren Roxburgh is certified in the fields of structural integration, Pilates, yoga, massage, meditation, and nutrition. Her first book, Taller, Slimmer, Younger: 21 Days to a Foam Roller Physique shows you how a simple daily foam roller routine can help you to sculpt longer, leaner muscles, and to renew your body and mind. Also check out Lauren’s newly launched second book, The Power Source - The Hidden Key to Ignite Your Core, Empower Your Body, Release Stress, and Realign Your Life and her new body tools that include the Lo Rox Body Sphere and Infinity Roll (shown above).

Lauren can teach you how to thrive in your body and restore joy in your daily life. I hope you enjoyed learning about her methods and tools that are revolutionizing health and fitness today!

xxMelissa