i stayed on a private island in the british virgin islands!! and it was everything and so much more.
i was fortunate enough to spend 5 days soaking up the sunshine and more importantly, growing at the aerial bvi. the aerial is not your typical beach holiday vacay spot. it’s a wellness resort, that focuses on growth, healing, focus, vision and everything that’s good in life.
it’s that time of the year to shop the sephora sale! use code SAVENOW to save big! i like to stock up on all of my makeup, skincare and hair care favorites, because they are alllll on sale!
i’ve broken down the best of the sale with my tried and true products. i’ve been using most of these beauty products for yearss. basically ever since i learned how to do my own make up! plus i have added a few new favorites that have quickly worked their way up the ranks. i’m looking at you, rare beauty! i’m breaking down all my favorite make up products and sharing my must have hair care and skincare products below.
makeup
the charlotte tilbury flawless filter
this product is a cult favorite and for a reason. i can rarely find it in stock, but it is fully in stock and on sale! if you want that glowly look, especially with summer coming up, put this product on underneath your foundation. i like to start with it immediately after using a primer as my make up base.
rare beauty (everything)
these rare beauty products are so good. i started with the blush, which i used as a blush, a lipstick and an occasional eyeshadow then expanded to the eyeliner, highlighter, bronzer and lip oils. they’re all such amazing products and can be used in multiple ways. i’ll do an entire video on the many uses on tiktok soon, so be sure to follow along over there.
lancome mascara
i’ve been using this mascara for 10+ years and still carry it my makeup bag anywhere i go. i start with the cils booster primer, then apply the hypnose drama for a dark and voluptuous mascara coat. it really gives your lashes that va-va-voom look. this YSL one is another favorite.
bobbi brown under eye corrector
another tried and true product that i’ve been using for 10+ years. i think this is one of the most underrated products. whenever i’m with friends, i make them try it and they all rave about it! it’s the perfect, creamy color corrector that gives you that wide awake, just got a full night’s rest look. i used this after foundation and before concealer, as a concealer base.
anastasia brow gel
if you want that laminated brow look without having to actually have your brows laminated, this is what you need! i recommend getting the applicator want and cleaning it after every use for best results!
bobbi brown setting powder
trust me on this one. it’s such a lightweight powder that finalizes your make up look and helps it stay put and perfect all day long.
charlotte tilbury magic cream
this is technically skincare, but every good make up routine should start with a good moisturizer!
bobbi brown face base
this primer is hands down my favorite. its the perfect amount of creamy, hyrdrating and tacky all in one. if you want your make up to last and to go on smoothly- get this!!
shop all my makeup favorites
skincare
as i’ve gotten older, hi 30’s, i’ve really started to pay more attention and take my skincare more seriously. these products below are allllll my favorites. i like to switch between 2 different sets every 2-3 nights for my evening routine and do the same with my morning routine.
i typically start the week covering my face in a face oil and letting my skin soak it all in. i then use drunk elephant’s line for 3 days and swap to loccitane’s line for 2 days, then repeat. by doing this, i have found that my skin gets all the nutrients, all the hydration and all the love it needs.
each set can stand alone if you prefer to just start with one, that’s what i did! but i think my skin has seen great benefits by incorporating the two.
haircare is something i take very seriously. i had my hair destroyed by a nightmare salon visit, so have been in hair rehab mode every since. one thing i did invest in was good quality heat tools. because i have naturally curly hair, i tend to put quite a lot of heat on my hair throughout my styling process. i want to protect the hair i do have so i invested in the dyson airwrap system first, which i use to style my hair as well as touch up my hair in between washes.
i later invested in the dyson hair dryer because i feel like it helped dry my hair in record time and i know it’s a quality product that i can count on.
products
as someone who puts a lot of heat on her hair, the one product you should get from this sale is a good heat protectant. never put heat on your hair without it!! because i have curly hair, i typically don’t need extra volume, but by day 3 or 4, it’s definitely helpful. this living proof texture spray and this amika dry shampoo are my two favorites to get the job done.
shampoos and conditioners are another thing i like to switch up. i’ll go more in depth on this in an individual blog post, but i think it’s really important to switch it up! so try a new formula while everything is on sale and alternate it with the set you currently have!
the cherry blossoms in central park have started to bloom!! if you have been wanting to get a peek at one of the most beautiful seasons in manhattan, then plan accordingly! these beautiful white and pink flowers are only around for a very short and very magical time. each area blooms for only a few days, or a week if we’re lucky this year from mid march to end april. use this as your new york city travel guide to all things cherry blossoms and spring! you can also keep up to date with all my cherry blossom content by following me on instagram here
the best places to view the blooms are below:
you can plug each of these names in pink into google maps for exact directions
cherry hill
cherry hill is one of my favorite locations for every season. it’s the perfect spot for a cherry blossom covered picnic in the spring. you’ll find a gorgeous cherry blossom lined path leading to some of new york city’s most iconic locations that you’ll be sure to recognize in your favorite movies and tv shows. near the W 72nd entrance into central park.
shop my look here
pilgrim hill
some of the most full and baby pink hued cherry blossoms can be found at pilgrim hill. to view these blooms enter central park near E 73rd.
the best curated list of black friday and cyber weekend sales! get all your holiday shopping done, now! while everything is on sale, so you can cruise through and enjoy the rest of your holiday season.
to shop each sale, just click on the store’s name! it will take you directly there!
i always say there are two kinds of travel experience. those that are centered around people who want to travel and explore, and those who want to vacation. vacationers like to relax, stay in one place, sleep in and truly unwind. the traveler likes to go out and explore, get lost in a city, wake up at sunrise, and see as much as possible.
one is not better than the other. they are simply preferences. most travelers end up needing a vacation from their travels, and most vacationers go back home feeling refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated. your experience all depends on what you are wanting to get out of your trip. i’ve always very much been a traveler with a sprinkle of vacation here and there.
what i quickly realized while on my first ever cruise with seabourn, was that sailing with them was somehow the best combination of both. i was truly able to unwind and relax while simultaneously hit the ground running and explore a new island every single day.