My Date Night (GREEN) Makeup Routine.

Date Makeup10.jpg

Valentines week is upon us! I'm by NO MEANS any kind of makeup expert, but since I've been experimenting with so many new natural beauty products, I thought I would share my little date night makeup routine! As you know, I've been on a mission to swap all my conventional makeup with cleaner, greener products. I have loved discovering so many GOOD for you brands of makeup - especially since I don't feel like I'm sacrificing performance for better ingredients.

Okay, let's get into this date night makeup deal.

Date Makeup1.jpg

I start with a clean face. I've been toying around with different moisturizers and face oils, but mostly, I just make sure my skin is hydrated and not too flaky/dry before applying foundation.

Date Makeup2.jpg

Skin.
First up, I apply Beautycounter Tint Skin in "Sand". This is a good option for those of you who like to use BB or CC creams in lieu of thicker foundation. I love using this every day, but on date night, I put on 2 layers for a bit more coverage. I love that this formula is buildable - WIN.

Then I apply W3LL People Bio-Correct Multi-Action Concealer in "Light" under my eyes, around my nose, on my dark spots and on my eye lids. It helps conceal and brighten my skin. And believe me, these eyes could use some brightening magic.

Date Makeup4.jpg
Date Makeup5.jpg

Eyes.
Next up, I focus on my eyes. First I fill in my brows with Plume Brow Pomade in "Chesnut Decadence". I LOVE this pomade because it fills in my sparse brow spots, helps define and also stimulates growth in the areas that I apply it - such a multi-tasking product!

I don't usually wear eye shadow, but on date night I usually get really wild and throw some color on my lids. SO CRAZY. My sister got me this beautiful Lily Lolo Laid Bare eye palette and the shade I'm wearing in these photos is "Shy Away" - also, I just put it on my lids and blend it a little bit into the crease of my eye. But not too much. Because too much shadow makes me look like I have the plague.

Then I line my eyes with W3LL People Hypnotist liner in "Black" - thicker along the top lash line and smudged underneath my lashes. With the tiniest hint of a wing. P.S. - I'm really pretty terrible at liquid liner and it's one of the things I want to attempt to get good at in 2018. Recommendations are welcome!!

The latest mascara I've been testing is Hynt Beauty Nocturne Mascara in "Black", which is what I applied here. (More of my mascara reviews here).

Date Makeup6.jpg
Date Makeup7.jpg

Cheeks.
Cheek color is very important for yellow skinned humans like myself. I have found so much love in the ILIA multisticks, and I'm wearing the shade "A Fine Romance" here. I apply it just under my cheekbones, where you would normally contour. Hahahah I thought I could get away with saying "where you normally contour" as if that's a normal thing. I NEVER CONTOUR. But I aspire to. But I aspire to sleep in later more than I aspire to learn how to contour. So yeah.

Then I dust on just a tiny bit of The Honest Company Luminizing Powder in the shade "Dusk Reflection" around the edges of my face - in a sweeping motion from my forehead down to my chin. Suddenly it looks like the sun came out in my bathroom ;)

Then I like to add a bit of RMS Beauty Living Luminizer highlighter, because it makes me feel like some kind of moonlit mermaid. I put it ever so slightly on the tops of my cheekbones, on the ridge of my nose and on the cupid's bow of my upper lip. It just adds a hint of magical-ness.

Date Makeup8.jpg
makeup bag1.jpg

Lips.
Lastly, I apply the ILIA multistick in "A Fine Romance" again, this time to my lips! This is such a rosy delicious color and I love the pop of watermelon-y pink, especially in the winter when I feel kind of drab. This color makes me feel confident!

Then I finish by dusting my face with the W3LL People Realist Invisible Setting Powder to set everything and keep my makeup from sliding around.

Date Makeup11.jpg
Date Makeup9.jpg
Date Makeup12.jpg

There you have it! This is my date night go-to look and the products that I've been playing around with lately.

Why Date Nights MATTER.
One of our New Years resolutions for the year is to be really consistent with weekly date nights. That doesn't always look like getting dressed up and going out - often times it just means setting aside our to-do lists and settling in for an evening of spending time together. We forgo checking our phones and getting on our laptops and instead spend time eating dinner, watching a movie and TALKING.

Truthfully, lately we have been in a really busy stage of life - he's traveling and commuting with his job and I have taken on this new venture with DoTERRA along with my freelance writing and this blog! (!), so doing anything outside of raising our kids takes some serious intention. Planning. And commitment. Taking time to date is SO special and necessary to remaining connected, and I'm grateful that Stevie is as committed to our date nights as I am. Just tonight he came to me about our upcoming Valentines date (which I planned this year!), to confirm our plans. It means so much that he cares to make us a priority, even after 10 years of marriage and two kids! Whew. Our life is busy but I seriously wouldn't trade this life of mine for anything or anyone else's life.

I hope this little makeup chat is helpful to you as you investigate natural beauty options and plan ahead for a romantic date night! I hope everyone has the happiest Valentines Day, whether you're spending it with your significant other or your girls or your mom!! P.S. - My mom and I have some wicked good V-Day plans. Just sayin. xx

Date Makeup13.jpg

Those Summer Neutrals.

Summer, where have you gone? It's like I blinked twice, swam three times and suddenly August is here. Does anyone else feel this way? Our little family has kept busy in this Georgia heat, swimming and golf carting and playing at the park. I've been growing this little tummy of mine and have been busily preparing for our trip to London :) I guess it's no wonder the summer has flown by.

I assembled this airy outfit of denim, white and cream for our date night last week. I love this combination of neutral shades and textured accents - adding this Banana Republic small stud-suede zip pouch and Delise Woven-Strap D'Orsay Pumps were the perfect sassy "pop" for this otherwise simple look. The zip-pouch is great because it's not too fancy but it's really sleek with those studs. And it smells like that yummy Italian leather - you know that scent that makes you want to eat a bag or shoes? Yep, this has that going on. And of course, need I say anything about those shoes? I mean seriously. Banana, I wish you would make cuter clothes. #kidding #iwantmore #clothesnotcandy


Outfit Details:
Motherhood Maternity Top, Gap Maternity Jeggings, Knox Rose Cardigan (sold out but similar here and here), Banana Republic Clutch (c/o), Banana Republic Pumps (c/o), Michael Kors Watch


Is it lame to admit that even though I was feeling all fancy because I had just gotten my hair done that day (shout out to Susan at Shane Buffkin Salon!) and I was wearing my super fly shoes - we totally ditched our date night. I mean, we tried. We went to the restaurant, sat down to look at the menu, moved tables twice, and I just wasn't feeling it. The menu looked gross (its a great place, but I was just repulsed for some reason), and the air conditioning was too cold, and then they sat us at one of those tables where you're supposed to sit next to each other. I don't understand why those tables even exist. So yes, I guess I was having a temperamental, high-maintenance pregnant lady moment. We apologized to the hostess, grabbed our favorite Thai takeout, and went home to eat and watch reruns of The Office. I know - we are so cool. I'm really lucky that I found my soulmate early in life. I would suck at the single-and-dating game.

Even though we bailed on last week's date night, summer is seriously the perfect time to get out and about with the one you love. And wear reeeeeeally cute shoes while doing so :) What are some of your favorite summertime date ideas?

Many thanks to Banana Republic for sponsoring this post and sending me products. All opinions expressed are my own.

What to Wear on Valentines Day? 3 Looks to Inspire with Fab'rik!

Got plans for Valentines Day? Then you need something special to wear! Whether you have a date with Netflix, a date with your sweetheart, or a date with your girlfriends, these options are sure to encourage your day-of-love plans. I'm excited to bring you three Valentines looks today, in partnership with Fab'rik!

Let me just give you the tiniest bit of background on this remarkable boutique, and you will understand why I reached out to them to collaborate on this post. Since relocating back to the Atlanta area, Fab'rik has become my go-to shop whenever I need to find something gorgeous and affordable. When I was looking for a dress to wear to a dear friend's wedding in Rome, I collapsed through the front doors of Fab'rik and begged for the stylists' help. I might have waited a bit too long to actually look for something, and suddenly the trip was upon us and you don't just want to wear any old thing to a wedding in ITALY, right?! Not only did they find me the perfect dress in under ten minutes, but they had a little play area set up in the store for my little 10-month-old (at the time) son Everett to gallivant in, stocked with toys and a baby gate, so that I could do my shopping with some peace of mind. The customer service was through the roof - they brought me all the sizes I could need, along with bottled water and an honest opinion when I tried on those 6 dresses really fast. I came back to the first one I tried on, and the deal was done. It was such an easy experience, and I felt like everyone in that store was on my side, wanting to help me in my miniature moment of need. Any mom of a toddler can sympathize - if you find a place to shop where you child doesn't absolutely lose their mind, then it's going on the list of "will visit again". But to find a place where my son is semi-comfortable and I get a little attention, encouragement and, let's just be honest, help? It's going on the "miraculous" list.

Fab'rik has been my go-to spot since moving back to my hometown. Today I'm excited to share three looks to inspire your upcoming Valentines Day plans - whether you will be flirting over cocktails or weeping to your 40th viewing session of Pride and Prejudice, we styled these looks with every scenario in mind!

Wearing:
Dress: Fab'rik Ruffle Hem Sweater Dress in Red / Boots: Qupid Nixon in Grey Oil / Bag: Fab'rik / Bracelets: Fabulina

Wearing:
Boots: Anne Michelle Steppup in Chestnut Black / Clutch: GS Snakeskin in Charcoal / Top: Fab'rik Off The Shoulder Top in Black / Jeans: Paige Verdugo Skinny in Blackshadow / Necklace: Fabulina


Wearing:
Booties: Joia Perforated in Grey / Jeans: Flying Monkey Distressed Skinny in Rivercreek / Sweater: Dakota Chenille Boyfriend Sweater in White / Necklace: Fabulina

I hope your Valentines Day is stylish, comfortable and brimming with love! If you're interested in snagging a few of these pieces, stop in to your local Fab'rik (you can find your nearest location here). Many thanks to Jamie, Rewa and Sydney at Fab'rik PTC for partnering with Oy! on this post :)

*All photos by Sydney Frost.