Norah Loves Makeup

Beauty Musings From A Makeup Artist

Three Cleansing Products You Need This Summer

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##Disclosure: Post sponsored by Mirum but all opinions are my own##

As we enter the warmer months, I want to share with you three cleansing products you will definitely need this coming summer. In order to feel fresh faced before and after makeup, it is good practice to have a regimen. I wear makeup regularly and even on the days I don’t wear full face makeup, I still have my cleansing regimen in place. My cleansing products must haves are Simple Micellar Cleansing Water followed by Simple Moisturizing Wash and St Ives Cleansing Stick Cactus Water and Hibiscus. All of these can be found at your local Walgreens.

I want to note that currently all these fabulous products AND Pond’s Cream Cleanser are on offer at Walgreens. You can Buy 1, Get 1 50% OFF WITH CARD Select Simple products. This offer is valid from May 13th until May 19th. I stocked up on Simple Moisturizing Wash, St Ives Cleansing Stick Cactus Water and Hibiscus for my specific dry areas of the face and Simple Micellar Cleansing Water for all makeup removal prior to washing my face.

Without further ado, below find how I do cleansing and keep up with my skin.

USE MICELLAR WATER

Always remove all traces of makeup and or sunscreen with Simple Micellar Cleansing Water first. I do this as the initial step of my regimen. Even if I don’t do a full face of makeup, I wear mascara and do my brows. Simple Micellar Water gets rid of all pigments and traces of powder and hard to remove liquid makeup. You want to start your cleansing by first removing as much if not all your makeup. Simple Micellar Cleansing Water instantly boots hydration by 90% and is very gentle.

CLEANSE WITH A GENTLE CLEANSER

I use a gentle cleanser for dry skin like Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash. I have very dry/ sensitive skin so I have to cleanse my skin using a product that will remove oil, dirt, makeup without over drying my face. Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash is infused with Bisabolol – an ingredient that keeps the skin calm and non irritated.

USE A CLEANSING STICK

Spot clean dry areas with St Ives Cleansing Stick Cactus Water and Hibiscus. This St Ives product is new and a very popular Korean beauty trend. I have areas of my face that are more dry than others so I use this stick in Cactus Water & Hibiscus to hydrate as I cleanse. This St Ives Cleansing stick has natural coconut oil and is paraben free.

I highly recommend taking advantage of this Walgreens BOGO offer! It is going to help you kickstart a good skin regimen with high quality products that won’t break your bank. In the comments section tell me which of these products you’d like to try the most?

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.