Monday, February 29, 2016

Smile Brilliant + Giveaway

For 2016 my sister & I decided that we would do a little self improvement and whiten our teeth.  My sister is a serious coffee/tea drinker and I have some minor staining on my teeth from medication so we figured that whitening our teeth and brightening our smiles was the perfect way to refresh our look for the the new year.

I was really excited when the nice people from Smile Brilliant offered to send us custom fitted trays and whitening gels to help us with our New Year's Plan.  Prior to Smile Brilliant custom fitted trays for whitening would have cost over $500 and required multiple trips to the dentist, but with Smile Brilliant you can get custom fitted trays starting at just $119.95 and you don't even have to leave your house!

I'm sure by now you're wondering exactly how all of this works!  Well, Smile Brilliant sends you a super easy kit in the mail to make your dental impressions; I'm not going to lie my sister and I had some good laughs during this process.  After you're done making your impressions and you let them dry, you send them into Smile Brilliant and in a few short weeks they mail you your custom fitted trays to use with the whitening gel sent in the original kit.  For a more indepth look at the process check out this video!

Once it's time to really start, the whitening the process is fairly easy; basically you just put the whitening gel in the trays (top and bottom), wipe off saliva from your teeth (which is very important!), and insert the trays leaving them on anywhere from fifteen minutes to three hours.  I have sensitive teeth so I could only leave the gel on for a max of fifteen minutes, but my sister was able to leave hers on for two to three hours at a time.  My favorite part of the kit though was the desensitizing gel that you use after you finish with the whitening gel, it not only helps with sensitivity (a lot!), but it helps to rehydrate your enamel.

We used the whitening system for about a month and were both very happy with our results.  Our teeth are whiter, brighter, and stain free!  In the past I've used Crest whitening products, but my teeth always end up becoming incredibly sensitive from them, which did not happen with Smile Brilliant.  Not to mention the results from Smile Brilliant are definitely much better then the results I got from using the Crest strips.  Next to the awesome whitening job, the fact that my teeth did not become sensitive and painful was the best part about this whitening system!

Check out below to see our before and after whitening pictures.

B E F O R E

A F T E R

B E F O R E

A F T E R
I hadn't see my sister in a few weeks while she was using the whitening kit and when she came over I noticed how good her teeth looked right away!  If you need more proof about how great Smile Brilliant is, check out more testimonials here.

Want a Smile Brilliant kit of your own?!  Click here to enter to win a store credit worth $139.95, which equals Teeth Whitening Trays + 3 whitening gel syringes and 3 desensitizing gel syringes or the Teeth Whitening Trays + 6 whitening gel syringes.  {The giveaway is opened internationally, but if the winner is outside of the US, they will have to pay the shipping cost for sending their impressions back to Smile Brilliant.}  Good luck!

*I recieved two whitening kits as a part of a partnership with Smile Brilliant.  All words and opinions are my own.

 
                
Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with #HowIFallHello MondayLet It ShineWeekending, and MIMM.

Teeth Stains

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Holy Grail Blogger Beauty Part III

After sharing ten of my most beauty-savvy blogger friends' holy grail beauty products yesterday and Monday, today I am sharing mine with you.  I know I talk a lot about products I love on here, but I filled out the same questionnaire as the girls from Part I and Part II to share my absolute must haves.  I'm also going a little more in depth and telling why these are my holy grail beauty products that you need to try!

K R I S T I N
Age: 24  |  Blog: The Blush Blonde  |  Instagram: @theblushblonde
SKINCARE
Nude Skincare Progenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil- I have talked about this a lot on here since I started using it a few months ago and to say I'm obsessed is an understatement.  This oil absorbs very quickly and really does it all, it refines texture, clarifies, moisturizes, protects against free radicals, and more.  It has seriously transformed my cranky winter skin and I use it every day.

Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy- I have the driest lips ever and no matter how much lip balm I put on during the day if I do not use this every night my lips get the deepest splits in them.  This is the only thing that I've found that helps to heal and protect my lips and I can't live without it.

Clarisonic Mia 3- I got this a year ago and it's amazing how it has changed my skin!  Since I started using it 2-4 times a week my pores have shrunk, I no longer have flaky patches, and my skin is the clearest it's ever been.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser- This is a holy grail product in my house that my Mom & I cannot get enough of.  I turn to this if my skin is dry or irritated and it never fails to gently clean my skin.  I also use it as a body wash if the skin on my body needs a little extra TLC.

Raw Honey- If you try one thing on this list, you must try this!  Raw honey helps to clear up breakouts and moisturize skin.  This is my "secret weapon" for flawless skin.  Learn a few ways to use this on your skin here.

MAKEUP
Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Concealer- This industrial strength concealer covers everything from dark circles to redness to blemishes.

Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don't Stray- I have dark circles under my eyes and I apply this under my concealer to make it last longer.

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder- This brightens my under eye area and sets my concealer so it stays in place.  I also sometimes lightly dust this over my entire face to set my makeup.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion- I have been using this for as long as I can remember and it is hands down the best eyeshadow primer on the market.  This will prevent creases and keep your eyeshadow in place until you take it off with an oil based makeup remover.

Diorshow Mascara- This mascara makes your lashes super dark, full, and long, and never flakes.

HAIR
Tresemmé Platinum Strength Heat Protection Spray- I've been using this forever to protect my hair from heat styling; I spray it on once before I dry my hair and once before I straighten or curl it.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender- This helps to extend your style so you can go longer between shampoos.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Tropical Coconut- I like to go a few days between shampoos and use this for touch ups, it soaks up any oil and makes my hair smell amazing.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5 in 1 Styling Treatment- This silicone free styler provides smoothness, volume, strength, conditioning, and polish to your hair.

BODY
Pink Sugar Eau de Toilette- This is my favorite perfume and I always get a million compliments whenever I wear it.

Secret Clinical Strength Smooth Solid- I have a little sweating problem and this is the only thing that keeps me fresh.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion- This lotion is my go to to soothe and hydrate seriously dry skin.

Lush Cosmetics Dreamwash Shower Smoothie- This in shower body treatment contains calamine, aloe, lavender, rose, tea tree oil, and chamomile to cleanse and soothe the driest of skin.

MISCELLANEOUS
Humidifier- Using a humidifier is like drinking water for your skin while you sleep and a must have for the drying winter heat.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment- This is my go to for any skin issues, especially when I have a cold and my nose gets super dry.

Gel Manicures- I have the worst luck with regular manicures so now I stick to only gel manicures.  They usually last me two weeks and help me to look put together and polished.

NEW FAVORITES
Jojoba Oil- I've recently started using this and I love how moisturizing it is without clogging my pores.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray- This is amazing to give skin a hydration boost throughout the day.

GlamGlow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment- I tried a sample of this from Sephora and am hooked!  It smells amazing and helped to really hydrate my skin.

BEAUTY TIP
Drink lots of water - it will definitely show up on your face if you're not staying hydrated.

*Bonus The best beauty advice I've ever received...
Wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun!  My parents were always adamant about sun protection for my sister and me; I'm so thankful for that and that it rubbed off on me.

What are your holy grail beauty products and beauty tips?

  
                
Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with WIWWWIWWYour Whims WednesdayOh Hey Girl!, and Trendy Wednesday.  

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Holy Grail Blogger Beauty Part II

Today's post is the second part in the Holy Grail Blogger Beauty Collaborative Post; you can find Part I here.  Like I said in yesterday's post bloggers definitely know what they're talking about when it comes to holy grail beauty products - I don't know one that doesn't have products she can't live without!  Here I have five more of my beautiful blogger friends sharing their holy grail products and best beauty advice with all of you.  I hope that you can find some new products to try and pick up some new tips - I know I have!  I would also love to hear about your holy grail beauty products so make sure to share them in the comments below!

A L L I S O N
Age: 24  |  Blog: Because I Said So  |  Instagram: @allison_ellzey
SKINCARE
Biore is by far my favorite brand. The Deep Pore Cleansing Strips, Blemish Treating Astringent, and Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser are still my favorites today!
MAKEUP
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (in the pink and green tube) I've been using it since 3rd grade!  I also I love a bright lip and lip stains (because who has the time to keep reapplying!).
HAIR
I love love love Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner. The original kind in the pink bottle with the flowers in the background (you know the one, right?) It makes my thick, coarse hair so soft and BONUS: it makes it smell so good!
BODY
Lotion. Doesn't matter the brand, but just use lotion ladies!
NEW FAVORITE
I've recently discovered the beautyblender sponge thing (I know, I'm so behind). I used to use my hands and OMG it makes such a difference and doesn't make a huge mess!
*Bonus The best beauty advice you've ever received...
Stay hydrated! Your face tells you when you need water and certain nutrients by breaking out, and/or being dry or oily!

D A N A
Age: 25  |  Blog: Seersucker Sass  |  Instagram: @seersuckersass
SKINCARE
MAKEUP
HAIR
BODY
MISCELLANEOUS
Crest White Strips (Original)
NEW FAVORITES
BEAUTY TIP
Never wear a bold lip without lip liner.

K A T I  A N N E
Age: 24  |  Blog: The Raindrops on Roses  |  Instagram: @katianne1519
SKINCARE
My Clarisonic Mia2 is essential to my skincare routine. I use that with the Deep Pore Brush about 5 times a week at night (I give my skin a break one night and do a heavier exfoliant on another night). When I don't use the brush to clean my face I notice. Also, Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion is my go-to breakout fighter. I just posted my full skincare favorites here last week.
MAKEUP
If I am leaving the house you best believe my eyebrows will be done and I will have mascara on. If I have nothing else on, I will at least have those done. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade is my go to for brows (it took some time to master though) and I have yet to find a mascara that works better for me than Benefit Cosmetics They're Real!. You can find a full list of my makeup favorites here.
HAIR
I love big hair, which sucks because I have fine/flat hair naturally. To help myself out I use L'Oreal Boost It High Lift Creation Spray to hold my tease and Eufora's Full Effect Dry Texture Spray to help create fullness throughout my hair. 
BODY
I die for Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black for a perfume. Honestly anything that smells like sandalwood will win for me.
MISCELLANEOUS
When I find the time to do my nails, I always top them with American Classic Gelous. It makes them look perfect and keeps them chip free longer.
BEAUTY TIP
Always fill in your eyebrows before doing the rest of your eye makeup. Filling in your eyebrows first gives you a more structured base to work with. Also, wait to tweeze your eyebrows until your brows are filled in. Again, the structure helps.
*Bonus The best beauty advice you've ever received...
My Oma once told me to always check how my hair looks from the back. Nothing is worse than looking completely put together in the front and looking like a mess in the back.

L E A H
Age: 30  |  Blog: Eat, Pray, Wear, Love  |  Instagram: @eatpraywearlove
SKINCARE
CT Organics, and I also can't live with Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes and Blistex!
MAKEUP
HAIR
BODY
BEAUTY TIP
Never leave home without filling in your brows!

L E I G H A
Age: 24  |  Blog: The Lilac Press  |  Instagram: @thelilacpress
SKINCARE
MAKEUP
HAIR
BODY
NEW FAVORITES
BEAUTY TIP
Get enough sleep and drink lots of water!
*Bonus The best beauty advice you've ever received...
Use a lotion with SPF everyday, like Ole Henriksen's Vitamin C Super Crème because the sun is more powerful than you think!

Come back tomorrow to see my answers to questionnaire that I sent to all of these lovely ladies!

  
                
Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!
Today I'm linking up with Tutu Tuesdays, Confident Twosday, and Style Sessions.

Welcome to Tutu Tuesdays a linkup with The Blush Blonde and The Fairy Princess Diaries!  Linkup whatever you'd like and make sure to do a little mingling - our goal here is to create a community of bloggers where we can all connect, find new blogs, and support one another.  We love new friends, supporting other blogs, and meeting fellow girl bosses!

There are just a few rules we ask you follow to join in on Tutu Tuesdays:

1. Please follow both Jordyn and me, your lovely hosts, on Instagram and/or Bloglovin.
Kristin: The Blush Blonde  |  Bloglovin'  |  Instagram
2. Link to your specific post, not your blog's main page.
3. Grab our super cute button or share a link to Tutu Tuesdays in the post you are linking up so everyone can know about the party!
4. Have fun and mingle with other bloggers that have linked up!  Like I said we want everyone to make new friends!
“The




Monday, February 22, 2016

Holy Grail Blogger Beauty Part I

Lately I've been thinking a lot about "holy grail" beauty products because we all know that everyone has those certain products they just cannot live without!  I would have to say that no one knows more about holy grail beauty products then bloggers; from blog posts to entire pages dedicated to their favorite products bloggers really know what they're talking about when it comes to holy grail items.  I thought it would be really fun to see what products some of my favorite bloggers absolutely have to have so I reached reached out to some of my blogger friends to share their holy grail products and best beauty advice with all of you.  I had such an amazing response that I am actually breaking this into two posts one for today and one for tomorrow, so make sure to come back tomorrow to see more!

K A L L I E
Age: 27  |  Blog: But First, Coffee  |  Instagram: @kallie_elizabeth
SKINCARE
MAKEUP
MAC Lipstick, and Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
HAIR
BODY
MISCELLANEOUS
Coffee. lol
NEW FAVORITE
BEAUTY TIP
Take care of your skin!
*Bonus The best beauty advice you've ever received...
You don't need to be pretty like her, you can be pretty like you. 

S T E P H A N I E
Age: 27  |  Blog: Diary of Debutante  |  Instagram: @stephanieziajka
SKINCARE
Clarisonic and Paula’s Choice
MAKEUP
It! Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, and Bye Bye Pores Finishing Powder— also any of the Urban Decay Naked palettes (1, 2, and 3)!
HAIR
Drybar 3-Day Bender Curling Iron and Nexxus Humectress and Therappe Shampoo and Conditioner
BODY
Jo Malone London Perfumes
MISCELLANEOUS
My holy grail beauty supplements are Evening Primrose Oil and Biotin!
NEW FAVORITES
The Wet Brush and Black Magic Makeup Removing Cloths (you can reuse them for MONTHS without compromising their efficiency)
BEAUTY TIP:
Swig whitening mouthwash before a photoshoot or big event— just beware that it will wash away once you have something to eat or drink. This immediately gives your smile a fresh pop of sparkle!
*Bonus The best beauty advice you've ever received...
Fill in your eyebrows!

R U Y A
Age: 21  |  Blog: Sweet, Short, & Stylish  |  Instagram: @ruyakiraccc
MAKEUP

For longer lasting lipstick, after applying it, take a tissue and place it on your lips and with a brush gently place translucent powder on the tissue. This sets the color without depositing a layer of powder directly on your lips.
*Bonus The best beauty advice you've ever received...
Blow dry your hair straight and only use a flat iron at the end if you really need it in order to minimize damage. After doing this for a couple months, even my hairstylist asked why my hair looked so healthy! 

K R I S T E N
Age: 31  |  Blog: Love, Lipstick, and Pearls  |  Instagram: @kristen_lawler
SKINCARE
Anything from Image Skincare
MAKEUP
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara, MAC Studio Fix Powder, MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul, and MAC Eyeshadow in All That Glitters, Naked Lunch, and Satin Taupe
HAIR
BODY
Issey Miyake
NEW FAVORITE
BEAUTY TIP
Heat your eyelash curler to keep your lashes curled all day!

C A I T L I N
Age: 30  |  Blog: Confessions of a Northern Belle  |  Instagram: @catalynbear
SKINCARE
MAKEUP
HAIR
BODY
NEW FAVORITE
BEAUTY TIP
Dirty hair is the ONLY hair one should style using a curling iron.
*Bonus The best beauty advice you've ever received...
Don’t shampoo your hair every day!

  
                
Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with #HowIFallHello MondayLet It ShineWeekending, and MIMM.
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