Norah Loves Makeup

Beauty Musings From A Makeup Artist

6 Effective Productivity Tips For Your Office

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##This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com##

Whether you work from home or go to work at an office, everyone needs a good roundup of effective productivity tips. Productivity can be challenging living in a digital world. We get distracted and sometimes very unorganized in the process, I know I do occasionally. Having a home office is a blessing for me as a mother and wife, I get to spend more time with my kids. However, this also means I have to multi-task in all my roles, being a mother, wife, blogging and working a makeup artist. Paper still plays a huge role in my productivity and I am going to show you how I do it and remain effective.

1. Write Things Down In Paper
I am a firm believer that writing things down in paper is the best way to keep accountable and effective in every capacity. Everyday I scribble ideas and my To-Do’s in a notepad. Having a fun, colorful and motivational notepad is a bonus and my Knock Knock Goals notepad keeps me accountable. I also love using General Pencil company pencils, you can erase and make your life much easier this way too (plus they are pre-sharpened with eraser).

2. File Your Documents Colorfully
Let’s face it, we all have tedious papers, bills, documents, contracts and such. As a blogger and makeup artist, I do my own accounting/ filing. Keeping a paper trail of everything is a good practice for freelance people like myself. Filing and keeping papers organized is a must and I love using Carson Dellosa file folders, they are colorful and and reversible.

3. Be Thankful
Practicing gratitude is something I do daily. Part of my gratitude ritual includes handwriting Thank You cards. A handwritten note goes a long way. Each time my son has a birthday party, he has the habit of sending his friends Thank You notes, my son is 10 years old. Erin Condren makes beautiful blank Thank You notes. Did you know that writing Thank You notes and being grateful is good for your brain?

4. Use A Planner
Keeping a planner and writing your daily/ weekly goals will keep you productive. Guess what? A handwritten planner like Panda Planner has endless benefits, is easy to carry and needs no batteries. I also love that Panda Planner incorporates gratitude, goals, affirmations and priorities. Writing things down in your planner will help you remember your tasks.

5. Take Advantage of Self Help Books
Being self employed, I am perpetually interested in learning and gaining insights from more seasoned pros. “Rework” by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson is a super fun read, chockfull of wisdom and tips on how to be more productive and think about the bigger picture.

6. Put Your Phone Away
I am way more productive when I ignore my phone. When I am working on a makeup job, my clients don’t want me on the phone, this is 100% a fact. Unless I am at an event where social media is required, I do best when I am less distracted and more present. Whenever I have a blogging deadline, I put my phone away too. Most times, I will hand write my outline and this is the best way to get my work done.

Do you have any productivity tips? Tell me in the comments section.

Getting Into Spring Mode With Babbleboxx

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##This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com##

I am so ready to get into spring mode! As I write this, I am counting down the days for my spring vacation in Mexico this April. We’ve had an extra long winter here in the northeast so a warm week in the coast of Playa del Carmen will be a nice break from the cold. Today, I’d love to share with you all the goods from Babbleboxx style and beauty this spring and how each item will be front and center during my vacation and beyond.

My trip to Mexico is a destination wedding. I’ll be a guest as well as the main makeup artist for the bride and bridal party. When I go on an overseas trip, I always make sure my skin and fashion are all taken care and well ahead of my departure. I’ve got my skincare, shoes, eyewear, makeup and under garments sorted out with my Babbleboxx.

First things, to get spring ready, your skin needs to be in tip top shape weeks in advance. Babbleboxx has introduced me to Colleen Rothschild beauty. This line boasts over 20 years of expertise in skincare and for this reason, every product is carefully made to suit every skin need.

Rothschild Skincare Radiant Cleansing Balm and Retinol Supreme Night Oil
I started using Rothschild skincare products to keep my face/ neck more radiant and supple. I love the Rothschild Skincare Radiant Cleansing Balm, it is perfect for my dry skin as it is loaded with Moringa oil, Black Seed oil and Lixepel, ingredients that leave my face hydrated and not depleted of moisture after removing makeup and daily debris. As for the oil, I began using it in small increments in my driest areas and neck. This oil is an ideal addition to any regimen, it is reparative and deeply hydrating. If you want to try Rothschild skincare, use code NORAH20 and you will receive 20% at the checkout.

Zenni Eyewear
Nothing says spring like a cute pair of sunglasses to go with your regular eyewear. I plan on being super active during my trip in Mexico and will need sunglasses to compliment mostly light colored outfits. Enter my round pair of beige Zenni sunglasses, they are super stylish. Also, by Zenni online is regular pair of eyeglasses. Zenni starts selling at $6.95 and there are thousands of frames to choose from.

Badgley Mischka Sandals
A pair of sandals is a must for spring. I chose my Torrence by Badgley Mischka sandals in gold and they are comfortable, glamorous, open toe gladiator style. I’ll be working with my bride and will need to look very elegant while being comfortable. These sandals will go well with a max dress or a pair of jeans. I love the bling detailed tassel in these sandals. Badgley Mischka is a brand with an impeccable reputation since 1988.

Bali One Smooth U Strapless Multiway Underwire Bra
Let’s face it, our undergarments are supremely important for every occasion. A strapless bra needs to be multi-functional, lightweight and breathable. Having a strapless bra is a must in every woman’s wardrobe. Bali One Smooth U strapless offers 8 different ways to wear a bra and feel confident. This bra will go with all my spring dresses and tops and I love how it fits me, you hardly notice it underneath.

Erin’s Faces Magic Dust
Erin’s Faces is a local NYC makeup artist, I actually happen to know her as we live close in the same area. Every bride loves to glow and I am super excited to add Erin’s Faces Magic Dust highlighter to my kit, as it is golden and very easy to build into any makeup look (eyes, face, lips). I love that this is a product made by a makeup artist with lots of thought put into it (vegan, PETA Certified Cruelty Free and clean). Use code MAGICDUST at checkout through the end of April to receive a special 10% discount.

Skin Health With Dove Beauty Bar

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##This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dove Beauty Bar##

Skin health is a big topic on my blog and a source of worry as a mother of two young children with sensitive skin. Hygiene, dry sensitive skin, sun care and using the right products is something I often discuss at home with my children, age four and ten. Skincare and skin health for me is like a second language due to my profession as a makeup artist. Caring for our skin’s health is a priority and cleansing is perhaps the single most important step in our every day routine. Enter the Dove Beauty Bar, the newest addition to bath time in our household. I am thrilled I partnered with Dove to let all my readers know more about this revolutionary cleanser.

Almost everyone at home, except my husband, has dry skin. For that very reason, we choose our body care products carefully. Since using Dove Beauty Bar, we notice that it cleans beautifully and won’t strip away skin’s moisture like soap can. Nowadays, our go-to is the Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar which is fragrance free and hypoallergenic.

Did you know that Dove gently but effectively cleanses and is cleaner rinsing than soap, providing women with soft, smooth skin? For those who don’t know, Dove Beauty Bar is sold at mass, food and drug retailers nationwide. The packs come in 2-Bar pack, 3-Bar pack, 4-Bar pack, 6-Bar pack and as large as 8-Bar pack.

What are some of the key benefits of keeping up with our skin health? For one, say goodbye to scaly, dry and dehydrated skin. Hydrated skin ages better and hydration levels and moisture barrier is paramount for keeping our largest organ healthy and glowing all year. Dove Beauty Bar is the #1 Dermatologist recommended Bar and #1 Pediatrician recommended Bar, hence the reason why it makes a great addition to our overall family skin health. Now that winter is fading away and the sun is coming out more often, our gazes are set on radiant skin that looks supple and healthy.

A recent Dove survey found that 86% of dermatologists report that the “squeaky clean” feeling means your skin might be stripped of the moisture and nutrients it needs. This is precisely why using a moisturizing cleanser like Dove Beauty Bar is a must-have for our skin health. Dove doesn’t leave behind that dry, tight feeling that ordinary soaps can. Dove Beauty Bar contains DEFI (Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate) – a unique blend of mild cleansers with a formula that leaves skin soft and smooth.

Have you tried the Dove Beauty Bar? Tell me in the comments section. My personal favorite is the Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar.

##This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dove Beauty Bar##