Facial mists

January 30, 2015January 29, 2015 by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A facial mist is a bit of a luxury item. Spritzing your face with scented mists cant feel a little first-world, but actually is as beneficial as enjoyable. The Evian Facial Spray and Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray are both useful for this winter season that leaves your skin dry and often crusty (gross but true) at the end of the work day. If you’re traveling on a red eye or long flight, these products are also great to refresh yourself with every few hours or so.

The Evian mist is a bit more fine, and covers your face in a more equal area. Use this guy for more serious skin issues. Bonus point: they also are sold in travel size at Sephora. The Mario Badescu option smells so delicious and rose gardenesque with a point and shoot nozzle … I’ve been using at the end of a long day, or first thing in the morning on my way out the door.

For overnight flights, I do the following:

1. Remove any heavy makeup, tone, and heavily moisturize before settling in for a little transatlantic snooze

2. Mist a few times during the flight (think bathroom breaks or after your in-flight movie)

3. If you’re feeling overly moisturized or oily after landing, start fresh with moisturizing cloth

Would you all try these mists? As a little incentive, Mario Badescu is offering up to 20% off online through today!

#SISTakesATrip (Miami!)

January 26, 2015January 21, 2016 by gemilbourne ♥ 1 Comment

Outfit details: Dress: Gap Factory; Espadrilles: Splendid.

Oh the irony. As I’m pulling together this post, the greater NYC are is preparing for a 2-day, 3-foot snow storm. Just looking at these photos makes me want to escape again to the warm sand and sun that is Miami, Florida. I found that one of the best ways to deal with the misery-inducing bland month of January is to plan a trip. Somewhere new, where the temperature is higher than 60, and some sort of body of water is nearby. Perfection.

On this 3-day trip, we spent the majority of our time on the beaches (South Beach, and Key Biscayne) and dining al fresco.

Some highlights include dining in Coconut Grove (here & here), experiencing Cuban pastries, and the crystal blue water. You can’t deny how refreshing it is to jet away and displace yourself a bit. Check back on Steeped in Style this week for one of my new Beauty Counter Spotlights that got me through these and future flights.

Do you have any weekend trips planned? Hello, Presidents weekend is soon approaching!

Steeped in thought//Shopping cleanse

January 22, 2015January 21, 2015 by gemilbourne ♥ 1 Comment

Cleanse: To free from dirt, defilement, or guilt; purge or clean.

I’m going to get a bit more personal in this post, which I hope is okay with you all. I want this space to be more than pleats, instagrams, and #ootds after all. I am admittedly a lover of style, and with that shopping. I like browsing stores or scrolling through my favorite online spots. Above all, I love when a great deal and some dreamy new item coincide into some physical form in my closet. There is nothing wrong with shopping in itself. I’ve just become more aware of how I use shopping as a distraction from a true emotion, rather than addressing it. Plus, I’m owning up to making more financially minded decisions.

To start off 2015, a friend and I decided to agree to a shopping cleanse. No shopping until March 1st, which evened out to about 2 months without any new clothing, shoes, or accessories. This does not sound like a long time, but I have to be honest and say that it has already been a true challenge! The personal gain is based on practice and discipline. I want to focus on developing traits and habits that I can be proud of, and responsible choices that are beneficial in the end.

If you’re thinking about doing a similar challenge, here are a few of my guidelines:

Stop yourself before a credit card comes out. I’m still guilty of browsing websites when I have down time, but to help myself, I unsubscribed from the majority of retailers daily emails which removes the temptation from my mind, and has really slimmed down my inbox! Having a friend to do the challenge with can also help when you need a like-minded companion, or someone to talk you off a ledge.

Ask yourself why. If you’re dreaming about a new bag or shoes, get to the root reason. So often the truth is distorted and our perception of the solution doesn’t reflect the actual cause. For me, the majority of times I’m tempted to shop do not come from a place of need. I do not need another pair of jeans, I have 10 already. Could it be anxiety or stress? Are you lonely, or feeling insecure? Prob deeper and solve your problem without tapping your finances.

Don’t wear all your money. I sometimes abide by the mindset of “liking my money to be wearable,” but I’m also discovering the value of saving. For each time I’m tempted to buy a new item, I plan to save that money for other goals I have. Maybe you want to invest in stocks, put money aside for a trip, or build up a emergency fund. Remember that spreading your funds will provide a fuller life than a closet full of clothes.

I’m excited to complete this challenge and look for other areas in my life to cleanse! Would anyone else want to join in this journey?

Just a note that Steeped in Style will still cover style inspiration, beauty products, and outfit posts in the meantime; creative solutions aren’t based on the amount on money you can spend, but on the intuition you listen to! Thanks for your continued support. xo

Natural Beauty Look

January 15, 2015January 15, 2015 by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

[Image via Pinterest]

I am a girl who loves to play with makeup. Red lip, fake eyelashes, or the smoky eye, all have their special place in my heart. A dramatic nighttime look is secretly sometimes the one thing that gets me most pumped to go out in the winter.

Sometimes though, the no makeup, natural look is all you need. I prefer this on the weekend (who has time to primp?) or during the week days when I hit snooze one to many times. Here’s what I use to get the look.

For skin – Start with tinted moisturizer or BB cream (I’ve been a big fan of this one for over a year) over the whole face, with a spot concealer and under eye treatment. I just got this YSL Touche Eclat and it works WONDERS.

For brows – I like to take a little time off the routine and just use a tinted brow gel, or Vaseline to lengthen and set.

For eyes – If you’re really feeling ambitious you could use a touch of a nude shadow, and finish it off with curled lashes and natural mascara. I like Clinique Lash power mascara.

For cheeks – Use a little bit of blush to contour and brighten.

That’s it! How do you all feel about the natural beauty look? Any other product to add to the lineup?

Marsala Color Story//Hello 2015!

January 9, 2015January 9, 2015 by gemilbourne ♥ 1 Comment

[All Images via Pinterest]

I’m an avid Indian cusine lover. The food is intentional, fragrant, and decadent. The traditional Tikka Marsala can be summed up in one word: rich. The 2015 Pantone color of the year, Marsala, is one of the more wearable choices compared to years past as it is closely tied to ethic roots. I already have a soft spot for this hue in the winter months, but am curious about how to incorporate it throughout the whole year with softer colors.

Marsala pairs well with equally strong navys, or more subdued shades of blue (think Oxford), and gray. I also recognize that the last photo is more of a red tint, but I’m so in love with the whole look that I had to share it.

How will you all incorporate this new color in your wardrobe? Or are you convinced that Marsala is just a fancier name for Burgundy …. I guess it’s all in the marketing!

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Beauty Counter Spotlight//Home Spa

January 5, 2015January 4, 2015 by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Mario Badescu Skin Care body moisturizer / Drying Mask / Healing Soothing Mask

Hello Steeped in Style readers! Happy New Year to all. I imagine most of you have resolved in some way to take better care of yourself in 2015. I for one, have been trying to get a skin care routine down that is manageable and gives the results I want.

I’ve gone to the Mario Badescu spa in New York City a few times for their famously “matter-of-fact” and reasonable facials. Seriously guys, they start at $65 which is the best offering I’ve found at a service level I can trust. Little by little I’ve tried more of their products and a few have risen to the top for today’s Beauty Counter Spotlight. These products focus on cleansing, spot treating, and soothing.

1. Drying Mask – If I’m dealing with congested pores, or any cystic or hormonal breakouts, this product is great for deep-surface duty. Use this mask twice weekly, for skin that feels (in the best way) purged.

2. Drying Lotion – This was my gateway product, and one of the most well-know and loved MB treatments. Leave this spot treatment on over night if you have any white-heads or erupted surface breakouts. In the morning the situation will be much improved.

3. Healing and Soothing Mask – This is a perfect companion to the Drying Mask (#1) or great on it’s own in the colder weather months. If you’re using the Drying Mask, this mask 1-2 times weekly on alternating days will help replenish and soothe the skin. My skin feels and looks more hydrated after 20 minutes with this treatment on.

If any one suffers from cystic breakouts, the Buffering Lotion is a great product that can also be used with the Drying Mask. These products are really making a difference for me, I’d love to talk with you readers about your experience with these products or any other success stories you’d like to share!

Steeped in style

Month: January 2015