The Must-Haves in My Summer Makeup Bag.

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I love keeping a minimal beauty routine in the summer, especially since I'm usually slicked in sweat and carting a toddler around from pool to picnic to park. Most week days I don't wear makeup, but if I'm going somewhere or have a meeting, I will take a few extra minutes to pull myself together. Today I'm sharing a few of the supplies in my makeup bag that I love and use all the time on those makeup days, especially in these summer months.

Skin:
Concealer
Hello, I'm a mom, and I am chronically under slept. I am actually trying to do a better job with my sleep schedule, but I still have those dark undereye circles that just won't quit. I love the Bare Minerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener in the shade Luminous 2. It takes away those eye bags and dark circles with a sweep of the wand. Literal magic.

Powder
To save time, (and also because I like to minimize the amount of face makeup I wear in the summer) and I just use this Bare Minerals Tinted Mineral Veil over my concealer.

Bronzer + Blush
Bronzer can be really intimidating (always so orange, ah!), but I like to use Bare Minerals Warmth to add a little cheekbone definition and color. I almost use this as a contour, just focusing in a diagonal from my ear to my lips. Sometimes, if I want to add some pink to the apples of my cheeks, I'll brush on a tiny bit of Bare Minerals READY Blush in the color The Aphrodisiac.

Eyes:
Brows
I have dark brows, but they tend to be a bit patchy. I have started using Maybelline Brow Drama Palette in Deep Brown and I love the effect. You first apply a dark wax to define, then fill in the gaps with a powder. It's perfect for anyone wanting to define their brows but not actually needing to pencil them in.

Mascara
I have been using Clinique High Impact Mascara in the color Black for 10+ years. I have tried other mascaras but I always come back, because this mascara is the bomb. It lengthens and thickens without making my lashes clumpy. A tried-and-true winner in my book.

Shadow
I don't routinely wear eye shadow in the summer, because I like my skin to breathe as much as possible. But if I'm going on a date and want to amp things up a bit, I've been reaching for this Bare Minerals Shadow in the shade Queen Tiffany because it strikes the right balance of sophisticated and youthful without getting too vampy. P.S. - I apply it with this contour shadow brush. P.P.S. - I am wearing this shade here, so you can get a feel for what it looks like. I think it works well on my olive skin tone.

Lips:
Lip Liner
I have been getting into lip liner lately, because I like defining my lips and then filling them in with the color, treating it almost like a stain. It stays put longer than a gloss and it just makes me feel put together, especially because I usually have pool hair and I'm wearing gym shorts. Lip liner somehow makes me feel like a lady in those moments. I have been wearing this Sonia Kashuk Lip Definer in Nude, and I just ordered a few more shades/brands from Sephora and I'm excited to try some with a bit more color :)

Balm
I am a big fan of the Eos Lip Balms (you can usually get a big pack of them at Costco, score!), and I especially love the passionfruit and summerfruit flavors.

And there you have it! All the tricks in my summertime makeup bag. I tend to wear more makeup in the fall and winter months, because I like to play with colors and, honestly, my skin usually needs a little oomph once I lose that sun-kissed glow. But I especially love how minimal my summertime makeup + beauty routine is, because that leaves more time for fun at the pool!

For those of you who have been reading this blog for a while, I'd love to hear from you about this kind of content. I've started to incorporate more fashion & beauty posts, and I would love to get some feedback about what you like to read and would like to see more of here in this space! Leave a comment below and tell me what you think! Thanks friends!
 

Jewels that Empower + Giveaway with Liberti Jewelry. (*CLOSED*)

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Every day I wear my wedding ring. Usually I will add on a few other simple pieces - the citrine necklace that reminds me to pray for my goddaughter and the pearl earrings that Stevie gave me on our wedding day. These pieces are dear to my heart and are emblazoned with my story.

Today I want to share with you about some jewelry that has a story of its own.

Liberti USA is a mission-inspired jeweler with the aim to create meaningful social impact. Fixated on empowering American refugees, Liberti prides itself on employing refugees and integrating them into all aspects of the jewelry business - job training, mentoring and career building. All the jewelry is made here in the USA with ethically sourced materials to create the unique pieces.

When Liberti reached out to share about the Less Than 1%  jewelry collection, I was surprised to learn that there was a jewelry line out there with such a specific goal of starting a conversation about refugee life. The Less Than 1% campaign seeks to raise awareness about the hardships that refugees face - even those living here in the States. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, less than 1% of the 14.4 million refugees around the world are fortunate enough to resettle and assimilate, meaning that more than 99% live out their days in refugee camps without the promise of resettlement. Imagine camping - for the rest of your life. This collection was designed with the unique <1% logo to pique interest and start the conversation.

I chose to stack the Coordinate and Freedom rings because I liked the way they looked together. The Love Lariat can be worn high on the collarbone or hang lower and longer. These pieces are made of 18K gold-infused silver.

I'm partnering with Liberti to give away one of the pieces from the collection - the Coordinate Ring in gold. This piece is etched with coordinates of a real refugee camp, formerly home to some of Liberti's employees. It's a reminder that whoever you are reading this, you are definitely living the good life, and there are many others out there seeking the same. Enter below for a chance to win this ring.

You can learn more about the Liberti USA story here and check out the Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter feeds. Feel free to share this giveaway with your friends!

Thank you to Liberti USA for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Playing it Safe in the Sun.

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I am reeeeeeeeally excited to head to the beach for our annual family trip in a few weeks. I've been a little bit fixated on getting in the sun, stretching out in a canvas-backed chair and facing that glorious Gulf of Mexico. Letting all my cares wash into the the waves and breathing in that purifying sea salt air. If you ask me, THAT'S the American dream :)

I've started stocking up on all the necessary gear and sun products to keep my family protected in the sun this summer. These aren't only beach-related products, they will work when you're exercising, gardening, playing sports or playing outside at the park. These are just the essentials that I keep in a gallon-sized ziplock and throw into my beach bag or purse whenever we are going to be outside in the sun. When things heat up in Georgia, there's no time for messing around. Summers here can be brutal without the right gear.

These are my tried-and-true products for fun in the sun. Some are new to me this year, and some have been family staples for years.

For Skin:

  • As for sunscreen, I have loved using The Honest Company sunscreen (the Mineral Sunscreen, the Continuous Spray and the Sunscreen Stick) for babies and kids especially. And after doing a lot of research about chemical versus mineral ingredients, this year I'll be using Garden Goddess. More about sunscreen ingredients here.
     
  • Don't forget about bug spray! Again, I'm a sucker for The Honest Company Bug Spray. I've been coating it on since I've been gardening lately, and it smells like essential oils. Which is better than smelling like plain old deet.
     
  • As a daily moisturizer, I've been using Juice Beauty Tinted CC Cream for a few months now, and I am loving it. It provides just the right amount of coverage so that you can totally get away without wearing makeup for those mom-clothes, mom-hair kind of days. Which I have a LOT.
     
  • For a little extra boost, I've been using The Honest Company Elevated Hydration Mist. They sent it to me in one of my bundles as a little Mother's Day gift (thank you!) and it's actually a really nice pick-me-up to spritz on when I hit that 3pm slump. Think of it like a green smoothie for your skin.

For Hair:

For Lips:

  • I like to keep it simple with an Eos balm most days (this mega pack is my weakness), but when I get in the sun I really like to coat on Kiss My Face Sport Balm. It seems to withstand the elements a little better than your average balm.

And there you have it! All the products that I keep up my sleeve (or actually, in my beach bag) for goofing off in the sun. I want to mention that, obviously, the best protection from the sun's harmful rays is clothing, and I make sure to keep myself and my family in a hat and sun-protective clothing when we are outside.

I hope you are gearing up for at least one getaway in the sunshine this summer! If you have plans, where are you heading off to this season? Any products that you love to add to this list? I'd love to hear from you!

Shop My Stella and Dot Trunk Show for Mother's Day!

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Last week I hosted a little trunk show at my house, showcasing the spring line of Stella and Dot jewelry and accessories! I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces with you and invite you to shop my party, because S+D is offering my friends some specials right now (be sure to scroll below to shop my links and use my special code). With Mother's Day coming up, I wanted to extend the invite to you, all of my online/out of town peeps, to treat your mama (and perhaps yourself) to something special.

Here is the direct link to my online soiree :)

Nolita Small Crossbody Bag with Raffia Fringe - $69

Nolita Small Crossbody Bag with Raffia Fringe - $69

City Slim Clutch - $49

City Slim Clutch - $49

To be completely honest, I was surprised when my friend (and Stella and Dot stylist) Jordan began setting out the jewelry in my dining room for display. Everything was so much prettier in person - so much more delicate, expensive-looking and more quality than I had expected. I'm used to seeing the Stella and Dot gear online, but seeing (and wearing!) it in person really sold me on the quality of the products. And the other element that surprised me was the way that the jewelry is designed. Almost every single necklace is made so that it can be worn in 2 or three different ways, where you can add or remove layers to change the look of the necklace, or wrap around your wrist and wear as a bracelet, etc. Several of the necklaces are multi-sided, so they are gold on one side and silver on the other. I wasn't really expecting everything to be so versatile - even many of the bags contained a matching clutch! A lot of bang for the buck, in my opinion.

Zoe Lariat Necklace in Gold - $98

Zoe Lariat Necklace in Gold - $98

Stella and Dot Party Alila Lace Cuff.jpg
Alila Gold Lace Cuff - $98

Alila Gold Lace Cuff - $98

Unique Signature Engravable Momento Locket - $89

Unique Signature Engravable Momento Locket - $89

Freya Fringe Necklace - $118

Freya Fringe Necklace - $118

Alright, drum roll please... Stella and Dot is offering my friends 50% off the items below when you spend $50 or more shopping my party! This is a great deal that is only available to party-goers, but since you practically joined the party via this post (!!! virtual party for the win!), the deal applies to you! To take advantage of this special, make sure to type my name "Kristen Hale" as the hostess when you get to the check out page. Happy shopping, friends! I hope you find something great for that special mama in your life :)

P.S. - Since apparently I'm oozing with deals today, I wanted to remind you that Le Tote is offering my friends 20% off the first month's subscription box to rent/buy/wear garments and accessories using code OYKRISTEN. You can read more about my wondrous, laundry-free experience with Le Tote here.

How to Wear Milkmaid Braids.

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When you have a lot of hair, you have to get creative on the in-between-washing days. I try not to wash my hair everyday because it can get dried out and honestly, it can be a lot of work to fix it every single day. So I've started adopting my childhood method of braided hair, and I must admit, I am loving the throwback. It makes me feel childlike and girly, with a touch of Scandinavian :) It's easy to sweep my hair up into a bun, topknot or ponytail, but on some days, it's really fun to break out my old braiding skills (I learned how to braid practicing on my American Girl doll), and do something fun like these milkmaid braids. If you have a lot of hair and know how to do a basic dutch braid, then this is going to be the perfect style for you!

1. I start with at least day-old hair. I use 12 Benefits on my wavy hair days (when I don't blow dry), and by the second day it is usually settled into the hair nicely and doesn't need any other gel/pomade/mousse, etc. You want some dirtied-up hair for this style to work.

2. Part your hair down the middle and divide into two sections. I like to tie back one side with a hair tie or clip, just to keep it out of the way while I work on the first section.

3. Pull one section of the hair into a ponytail at about your ear. Begin braiding, doing a simple dutch braid.

4. Once you're finished, tie off the braid with a clear tie or one that is close to your hair color. Then braid the other section, using the same technique.

5. Once you have two braids (and you get finished pretending you're Pippi Longstocking) wrap one braid around the front of your head. I like to leave a little bit of the part showing in the front. Pin the braid using bobby pins, pushing them diagonally in.

5. Wrap the second braid in front of the first one. Tuck the ends under the first braid and pin it as well.

6. Next I like to loosen the individual plaits of the braid, to make it seem fuller and messier. If the braids are too tight and perfect, this look can come across a little dorky. So I make sure to mess it up a bit. It's more fun to be imperfect.

There you have it! This is a whimsical way to dress up your hair, even on days when you didn't take time to style it. But be aware - you might have some people call you Princess Leia. Some people really don't know their science fiction hair - hers was BUNS. Happy braiding, friends :)