A CLEAN BEAUTY LIFESTYLE

Using natural and organic products has always been important to me. Ok, wait, let me take a step back. Eating natural and organic products has always been important to me. It was probably something that started early on during my summers in Belgium. Everything was from the farm, baked fresh, and required a short shelf life. I would return back home to the states and didn't understand how/why we ate bread that lasted a week plus. I also loved the system they used for glass bottles. At the beginning of the week water and other beverages would be dropped off in crates. When you finished a bottle you would return the empty glass bottle to the crate. At the end of the week the delivery company would pick up your empty bottles. Always recycling and always glass. I digress. 

When you're getting ready for the arrival of your first baby you want everything to be perfect. I did tons of research on the best baby skin care products, formula, cleaning products for our home, etc. After Luke was born something changed. Maybe it was the time we spent together nursing but I kept thinking, is this stuff I'm wearing on my face ok for him to have on his? The same went for my body lotion. And so it began...the hunt for as many natural and organic products as I could find! If you want to see more on my summer beauty routine click here!

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SUMMER BEAUTY HACKS

+ Bright eyes without the cake! Add a drop of your favorite face oil into the palm of your hand. Mix with concealer and dab over dark circles. My absolute favorite organic concealer plus this oil 

+ For the low back, the slinky silk summer tops and dresses Nippie Covers 

+ Traveling? No problem! Favorite Travel Steamer  

+ Not exactly a beauty hack but wanted to share this mascara. I use it everyday unless I'm shooting for the blog or going to a formal event. On those occasions I still wear my pharmacy brand stuff (which I hate doing but its always darker and lasts!). Still haven't found an organic one that I can wear 24/7. 

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MY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

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5 MINUTE MAKEUP

Hi friends! If you told me last year that I would be posting about makeup I would have laughed! Up until a few months ago my routine consisted of a motley collection of samples I received at the Saks beauty counter, in event gift bags, CVS mascara, and a Laura Mercier foundation stick that I swear by. Even for photoshoots I would throw on a little extra blush and bronzer and be on my way! I don't have a ton of time in the morning (who really does?) so I always kept it really simple. It wasn't until I met Siobhan from Organachs that I starting thinking about refining my products and more importantly switching to natural and organic products. After she introduced me to the Kjaer Weiss line it seemed so obvious. "I would never use a product containing any of these chemicals on Luke or Harrison, so why would I use them on myself?...EVERYDAY!". After a super simple makeup application I was hooked! I'm definetly a makeup rookie but here are a couple tips that I've learned so far:

• Be cautious when trying new products. I made the mistake of trying multiple things at once and after I developed a rash it was hard to figure out which product it was from
• Beauty Hack: Apply face oil before applying foundation especially if you use foundation all over (which I wouldn't recommend) It will prevent your skin from looking cake-like or dry and will give you an overall dewy glow!

5 minute makeup

step 1: apply face oil

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step 2: foundation 

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step 3: apply cream blush

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step 4: apply bronzer

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step 5: fill in brow

step 6: mascara

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favorite makeup pouch

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WHAT TO PACK

It has been REALLY cold out this week! Luke's birthday is January 2nd and last year a full blown blizzard hit the east coast on the day of his party...everyone cancelled only a few hours before (sad face). I think I was more scarred than he was to be honest! After this week I'm seriously considering a lovely half birthday celebration in July:) Now they're saying we're supposed to be getting a bomb cyclone tomorrow, WHAT?! Fingers crossed for this year's party on Sunday!

Honestly my first what to pack post of the year should have been for the beach (hint, hint - I'm desperately trying to convince Frank of a weekend Florida getaway) but naturally my heart loves a good ski trip. We always go to the Berkshires but lately we've been talking about heading out west. Kid friendly suggestions welcome! I put a similar packing list together for a client of mine traveling to Europe for an annual family gathering in Switzerland. She wanted casual chic and to always feel "dressed" on and off the slopes. Another essential I had her buy was this face oil. It has been saving me the last few weeks! All these pieces can easily work on a trip to any cold climate! 

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MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

Lately I've been getting a ton of emails and messages on social media asking about my skincare routine. The most important thing for me has been understanding the type of skin that I have. Growing up (especially in my teens) I suffered from acne and breakouts. In college I actually tried products like Proactive and I found myself managing blackheads and clogged pores on a daily basis. On the flip side my sister's skin? You could not find a pore on her face! She's always suffered from eczema and dry skin though. Genetics! 

In the last couple of years I feel like I finally have a good handle on my skin. I credit most of my success to consistency and using natural or organic products. I started a very basic nightly routine about ten years ago and have been diligent over the years. I first posted about this topic here after I had Harrison. I loved the products I was using but still felt like something was missing. Then I discovered Organachs Farm to Skin in Westport, CT. I've finally found the place I was always looking for - a natural and organic destination for skincare and makeup. Immediately I connected with owner and curator Siobhan McKinley over her passion and love for natural products. She believes, as I do, that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Here are the products I love from Organachs and some of my skincare tips:

• Voya Even Pure Moisturizer - The thing I like most about this moisturizer is you can wear it day and night. I like to keep my routine simple and with this you don't have to have a night cream. In the mornings I use it solo (unless my skin is very dry) and at night after my face oil.  
• May Lindstrom Honey Mud - I've been using this for about a month now and I'm HOOKED! I use it as a cleanser during the week as well as a mask once a week. It is purifying, smells amazing, and consistency is something you would want to eat!
• Ursa Major Deodorant - I'm constantly on the hunt for a natural deodorant and this one works! No aluminum or harsh metals and it smells really fresh.

Be Diligent at Night: Remove your Makeup! You're exhausted, its been a long day at work or with the kids and the last thing you want to spend time on is washing, toning, and applying a face oil or night cream. But I PROMISE! You will thank yourself in the morning!

Get Oily: I'm an oil addict. Applying oil to your oily t-zone may seem counterintuitive but actually if you are cleansing and exfoliating your skin properly, oils can clarify and offer your skin many nutrients its needs. I LOVE this one. My favorite part about using natural oils? They smell AMAZING and many have the added benefit of aromatherapy. 

Find the Right Moisturizer: Not all moisturizers are created equal. Most brands make a light and a heavier formula depending on the time of year and skin type. Listen to your skin - you may need to go a little lighter in the summer. During the winter, even with an oily t zone, I layer an oil and a moisturizer.

Facials: For me facials are a luxury. Of course it would be great to have one weekly but for most thats not realistic. BUT, I do think there are real benefits to a monthly one. If you're local and interested in a natural and organic experience, Organachs is the ultimate destination. Last month I had the VOYA anti aging restorative facial. During it, hand harvested seaweed from Ireland was placed on my face over a seaweed mask. The leaves detoxify, hydrate, and firm the skin while also helping to stimulate collagen production. I left feeling rehydrated and my skin looked amazing! This facial is definitely on my wish list this Christmas!

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MY BEAUTY ROUTINE

Hi there! Welcome to my first beauty post! Since starting The Girl Guide I've received so many questions about my skincare routine. I'm a big fan of the "less is more" approach and I have to admit, it's pretty basic. BUT the key has always been natural ingredients.  I've been using Tata Harper skincare for almost 8 years! She is sort of a pioneer in the organic skincare space. When I met her I was instantly inspired by her story - her step dad was diagnosed with Cancer and when she started to help him "detox" the products he was using, she realized there was nothing 100% natural/organic on the market. I love everything about her line especially the scents of her products, so natural and clean. 

About two years ago a discovered JuiceBeauty at Whole Foods. I was looking for an affordable moisturizer to switch things up a bit and I fell in love! You can't beat the prices (my antioxidant moisturizer is $39) and I find it to be really effective during the dry winter months. SO when I heard that one of my favorite websites/brands GOOP was teaming up with Juice Beauty I was super psyched. I bought this discovery set and I'm only about three weeks in but I LOVE it! Especially the face oil! 

• I first tried this face wash when I purchased a Theory x Lola box for International Women's day. It was filled with goodies and one of my favorites was this product. I use it every night (in the morning's I just splash water on my face and re-apply moisturizer). The smell is very clean!
• I have a thing for face oils....I used to think it was weird - how does applying oil to your face not make you break out? Now that I've been using them for years I'm addicted. I highly recommend this one and this one is my new favorite. 
• The first skincare product I ever switched from mainstream to holistic was my deodorant. I once read an article linking aluminum containing antiperspirants to breast cancer and I immediately switched to an all natural deodorant. Disclaimer: The natural ones are NEVER going to work as well as the chemical ridden ones, BUT thats a trade I'm willing to make! This is my current favorite. 

Check out this article, Clean Beauty - And Why It's Important and you'll be hooked just like I am!

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SKINCARE

FACE OIL

FACE WASH

FACE MASKS

DEODORANT