Gift Guide for the Beauty Guru

ipsy beauty box gift card | Drybar gift card | chocolate soap bars ($28) | gingerbread house set ($42) | cleaning brush glove ($39) | flawless base set ($20) | makeup travel bag ($25) | beauty blender duo ($25) |  BYREDO hand cream ($36) | mask sampler kit ($25) | light up cosmetic mirror ($22) | Fresh sugar lip collection ($38) | beauty blender holder ($6)

spinning lipstick organizer ($40) | dead sea mud mask ($15) | Naked heat palette ($54) | diamond sponge ($10) | Nars gift set ($24) | makeup spinning organizer ($27) | makeup pouch ($18) | wow brush ($23) | Too Faced "under the kissletoe" set ($25) | NYX lip set ($39) | IKEA makeup drawer organizer ($129) | rollerball gift set ($28) | Kiehl's dry relief duo ($16)

Happy Thanksgiving week friends!!!

I don't know about you but I absolutely love experimenting with makeup products...basically, I'm a wannabe beauty guru hence the iconic IKEA drawers I included that every Youtuber and their mother has!!!

Beauty is such a great gift during the holidays — from makeup brushes to fragrances, eyeshadows to lipsticks — you can find affordable gifts or go for something luxe that your loved one wouldn’t typically buy for themselves. It's a great time for you to not only gift fun beauty products but you also have total freedom to ask for items that are out of your comfort zone so you can test out new products. 

What beauty/skincare product are you absolutely dying to try???

Advent Calendar Roundup

1. 24 Days of Tea | 2. NYX Lippie Countdown | 3. QVC 24 Piece Kit | 4. Mrs. Prindable Sweet Treats | 5. Nail Polish | 6. L'Occitane | 7. No7 Beauty | 8. Ritual Advent | 9. Atelier Cologne | 10. Clinique Holiday Swag Box | 11. OLE Glow Skincare

The Advent season officially begins on December 3rd, so whether you countdown from the official start of Advent or start your countdown on December 1st, you'll find the perfect Advent Calendar in today's roundup. The typical Advent Calendar has boxes of chocolate that you open every day of Advent but how fun would it be to open a new beauty or skincare product for 12-24 days!!? Yes, please! These are also some fun ideas to give as gifts to the Thanksgiving or holiday hostess!

Do you use an Advent Calendar? Do you like a chocolate one or a beauty theme?

My Current Skincare Routine

Skincare is something that I've always tried to incorporate into my daily routine ever since my tween years. But It hasn't been till recently that I've come to fully understand the importance of creating a clean canvas (skincare) before you can create your masterpiece (makeup).

My Teeth Whitening Routine with Smile Brilliant + Giveaway

Between my coffee obsession and occasional tea, my teeth sure get their fair share of stains! I have been wanting to look into teeth whitening treatments for a while, but number one, I don't want to put just anything on my teeth, and two I don't want to spend $500 on a treatment.

How To Avoid Breakouts

I know I've mentioned Lauren Conrad's beauty & fashion books before, so today I though I would share some insights that she gives in her beauty book. I thought Face Mapping was an interesting concept when I read about it. Basically by Face Mapping you can know what causes certain areas of your face to break out. Cool, right!?

Here are what your breakouts are telling you in 5 different areas of your face:

1. Forehead. Breakouts across your forehead are most often triggered by little sleep or stress. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep will help clear this up.

2. Above the brow. The immune system affects the above the brow area so if you are breaking out in this area it may be because a recent cold or flu.

3. Between the brows. Breakouts may be caused here from too much unhealthy food intake. By cutting back on sugar, dairy and rich food it will help clear up the brow area.

4. Cheeks. Cheeks are linked to your respiratory system. Breathing polluted air or smoking can cause breakouts here. LC said when she was in India she experienced breakouts because of the poor air quality.

5. Side of chin. Interestingly enough the sides of your chin are affected by hormones, so breakouts tend to happen in this are during your period. Depending on which ovary is ovulating that month, one side of your chin may be broken out than the other.

Do you have any tips to help with clear skin?

DIY Beauty // Lip Scrub

Those chilly months are soon going to be in full swing, and that means those annoying dry, chapped lips. So, to show those lips who's the boss I want to share with you a lip scrub that you can make with items that you probably already have on hand. Happy first of October and remember to keep those lips hydrated!

• 1 Tablespoon of white/brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon Vaseline (this is optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon flavoring (I used Coconut extract)
• Small container 
• Toothbrush (preferably not one that you're already using, just thought I'd put that :)

Combine honey and sugar in a bowl. If your lips are sensitive I would recommend using white sugar as it is more gentle. If you are using Vaseline mix it in with honey and sugar now. Mix it until a paste is formed.

Using your toothbrush, rinse in a few drops of warm water. Dip the toothbrush in the paste and scrub your lips for about two to three minutes. Wash off using warm water afterwards.

If you have any leftover paste, scrape it from the bowl into a small container. This scrub can be used whenever you have chapped pealing lips. I use the scrub every three days for best results.

Blessings on your day! 

If you want to see any other beauty related DIY or anything just let me know in the com box below!