5 Hacks For Busy Mornings

The end of summer is always a busy time, whether it's getting ready for back to school or having to leave the house earlier to beat that back to school traffic, I'm sure we've all had a couple of those mornings where you just can't seem to get it together. Here are five ways you can help your morning routine run a little bit smoother - even in a rush.

1. Put your dry shampoo in the night before.  We all know dry shampoo is my bff, but not just for using on greasy haired mornings! If you don't think you'll want to/have time to shower in the morning, apply dry shampoo liberally to your roots and let it work it's magic overnight to soak up all the excess oils. In the morning just run a brush or your fingers through to work in any left behind, and you're out the door!

 

2. Do you skincare routine first. Washing/moisturizing your face as soon as you get out of bed not only helps wake you up instantly, it also gives your products a bit of time to sink before you go to apply your makeup.

3. We've all heard it before, but pick out your outfit the night before and try it on. This has made the biggest difference in my mornings, because it helps you both streamline the process of getting dressed AND stop leaving your closet looking like it's been hit by a tornado. Make sure you try on your outfit and know how it looks so you don't need to change pieces out while you're in a rush!

4. Invest in a couple of multitasking products that will not only get you more bang for your buck, but also in less time!

 

5.  Lastly, cut down on clutter and have an organization system for your products. The last thing you want to do on a busy morning is waste time hunting through your bathroom or vanity for your favourite products. Get rid of things you don't use and set up a system so you know where everything is when you start your routine. That could mean separating your products by category or keeping a little bag with the bare-minimum essentials - whatever works for you! 

Do you have any tips for mornings you're running late?

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Metallic Midnight | Summer Makeup

I thought I'd switch things up a bit and start the week out with a makeup look I fell in love with while playing around with some products for my my next Colour Story post - any guesses which colour is coming down the pipeline? The combination of the foiled rose gold and midnight blue were a match made in heaven, perfect for the last of the summer nights. Linking up the The Makeup Mix-Up!

EYES | After laying down a primer, I patted L'Oreal Amber Rush all over the lid for a foiled effect. To deepen up the outer corner I feathered a little bit of MAC Bronze in towards the outer third of the eye. To blend I used my trusty UD Naked.

For liner, I used an angled brush and the L'Oreal Silkisimme liner in Plum to create a sharp wing and line the upper waterline, then blended NYX Morocco (no longer sold, but this colour is almost identical) over top to bring out more dimension of the blue-purple tones. Top it off with curled lashes and tons of Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara and you're done!

FACE | The rest of my makeup includes:
Loreal Infalliable Foundation mixed with Garnier BB Cream for Combo Skin
Maybelline Age Rewind Brightener
Revlon Nearly Naked Powder
NYX Micro Brow in Taupe
NARS Laguna Bronzer
Tarte Exposed Blush

LIPS | NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick

The overall effect is subtle enough to not look overdone, but definitely catches the light and draws attention to the eyes. I think deep blue liner might be my new favourite thing! Have you ever tried an indigo liner? I'm on the lookout for a liquid version next!

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Trash Talk - August Empties

The empty products are starting to pile up again, so I thought it was about time to do some Trash Talk and decide whether these products were worth the repurchase.

A couple of staples I've gone through: another can of Batiste, and my second bottle of the Marcelle Micellar water. Both are holy grail products I've talked a ton about so you if you haven't already heard me rave about them you can read up on them here and here!

ELF Lip Exfoliator | This is a product I loved and raved about when I first bought it (it even made an appearance in my 2014 favourites), but now have been super disappointed by. I've had this for less than a year now and the product has completely dried up, and smells like plastic. When it did work it was a great easy way to quickly exfoliate the lips, mess free, but it's a bummer the amount of product that was wasted because it went off so quickly.

Recommendation? It's only $3 but I'm not sure I'd repurchase because there was just so much waste! Did I just get a bad one? Has this happened to anyone else? Are there any other stick exfoliators on the market I should try?

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Brightener | I am head over heels in love with this stuff and I've been trying to use up every last drop before I have a chance to go out an repurchase. This has become a staple in my daily routine, and if I forget to use it I can instantly tell the difference in the finished look.

Recommendation? If you deal with any sort of blue undereye circles you should definitely give it a go!

Origins GinZing Eye Cream | I loved this when I first got it because it was brightening and absorbed quickly into the skin, but after a while the formula seemed to really thicken up and started looking a bit strange under the eyes. From now on I think I'll be sticking to eye creams in tubes because I'm pretty sure the air exposure is what altered the product.  

Recommendation? If you're looking for something to help counteract dark circles or brighten up the eyes, I've been using the F.A.B Triple Remedy (which comes in a tube) and it's been working amazingly well.

Stila Stay All Day Liner in Dark Brown | This is another product that was a love/hate for me. I've already raved many times about the Stay All Day liner in black - I love the flexible felt tip, and the product lasts seriously all day - but this formula seemed to be different. The colour was a perfect cool toned dark brown, but it seemed a bit more watery and dried up way faster than any of my black versions.

Recommendation? I'm not sure if I got a bad batch but I've moved on to another brown liner that I'm currently testing out. If you're looking for black though - definitely a must buy!

What products have you finished up lately? Were they grails or fails?

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Heat Wave

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that my weekend didn't start out on a high note, but I'm glad to say that the rest played out beautifully. Friday night we headed into a glorious late summer heat wave, and to keep cool on date night I opted for this cut out dress I can't believe I haven't worn more this summer. Excuse the poofy hair, the humidity was making it grow larger and curlier by the second.

Dress: Garage {similar - on sale} | Sunglasses: H&M {similar} | Necklace: H&M {similar}

The heat and humidity not only made the denim jacket I had originally thought to pair with this dress impossible, but also made the thought of layering on accessories far from appealing. Instead I went for a simple statement piece that wasn't to heavy around the neck, and a bold lip to add some interest. You might remember this lipstick from my Colour Story post at the beginning of the summer. I've got to say - I love this shade! Such a fun and different twist on the classic bright pinks and corals. 

How do you accessorize to beat the heat?

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TeaToxes - Do They Really Work? {Purgo Tea Review}

You may have heard me say it a few times before, but tea is almost always my drink of choice. Over the past few years I've heard of quite a few detox teas, but I had never tried one myself, so when Purgo Tea reached out to me to see if I was interested in reviewing their TeaTox I jumped at the chance to see if it actually produced results.

The Purgo Teatox is a 14-day program that suggests drinking a cup of their Morning Detox tea before breakfast every morning, and a cup of the Evening Cleanse every other night before bed. The claims are as follows:

"The Purgo Teatox System works with your body, not against it. There's no harsh laxatives or fasting. Just two all-natural and gluten-free blends that leverage nature's most powerful herbal ingredients. It's an enjoyable and delicious way to cleanse, boost metabolism and reduce bloating."

  

If you are not typically a herbal tea drinker, or prefer sweet tasting teas then these might take a bit of getting used to. I actually prefer my teas unsweetened, but the Morning Detox might have benefitted from a little bit of honey or agave to balance out the more bitter taste. The Evening Cleanse, however, I really loved the taste of as is. I think it might be the hint of Key Lime that did it for me, since that is one of my favourite flavours.

In terms of results, the biggest difference I noticed was reduced bloating- especially after drinking the evening tea. Bloating is something I deal with on a regular basis, especially during that time of the month, and the Evening Cleanse immediately soothed my stomach and made me feel more comfortable. That was pretty huge to me! In terms of energy levels, I didn't really notice too much of a difference. If you are a regular coffee or black tea drinker, I might not expect the same results as you might get with caffeine.

As someone who typically waits until I'm at the office for my first cup of tea, and also wakes up super hungry (and usually running late, let's be honest) it was a bit difficult for me to remember to wait to eat before finishing my morning tea. However, if you are already in the regular routine of drinking tea or coffee in the morning, this system would easily fit into your lifestyle.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience of the Purgo Teatox and almost wish I could buy the Evening Cleanse separately to keep on hand because of the amazing immediate results. You can use the code "beautifulteatox" for 5% off your order if you would like to try it out for yourself!

Have you ever tried a detox teas? What were your results?

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Swim Suit Confidence

Today I've got something a bit different than my typical style post - but I thought it might be something many people can relate to, especially this time of the year. I have been on a journey to body confidence pretty much my whole life, and even though it's still something I struggle with I thought I'd share some of my tips for feeling confident during swimsuit season.

Bikini: Victoria's Secret {exact} | Top: Garage {similar} | Skirt: H&M {similar}

What's your favourite feature?

When it comes to buying swimsuits, it's easy to get caught up in some of the things you might not like about your body. Instead, focus on the things you love and let those guide you on picking your beach/poolwear.

I think the decollete is such a beautiful feminine feature, so I like wearing halter and bandeau-style tops that highlight that particular part of my body. Since I have more of an hourglass figure, when choosing cover ups I prefer pieces that highlight my waist since that is the smallest part of my body.

Modesty is OK!

While some people may feel great in a string bikini, if that's not your thing that is completely OK! There are plenty of styles that are ultra flattering for any level of coverage. Confidence is all about how you feel, and being comfortable should always be #1 no matter what the trends are. I personally think it's worth it to invest a little bit more money in a suit that makes you feel fabulous, since it's not a purchase you typically have to make every year as long as you take care of it!

Dark coloured one pieces always make me feel comfortable because they help smooth out and emphasize my shape while giving me coverage through my hips and back. Ruching is amazing for flattering the tummy area!

Find a cover up you LOVE

Cover ups are the perfect way to add a bit more of your personal style to a swimsuit. Don't limit yourself to things sold specifically as cover ups - get creative! This skirt & lace shirt combo is one of my favourites as it helps cover some of the areas that make me feel more self conscious while highlighting my favourite features. Neither of these pieces were sold as beach wear, but together they are light and comfortable and make me feel great.

You are altogether beautiful

It may sound cheesy, but it is 100% true: you are loved and wonderfully made, and your body in no way shapes your self-worth. I think we all go through periods where our self-esteem may not be at it's highest, but in surrounding yourself with people you love and trust, you can lower that wall of insecurity and focus on the positives. I am grateful I have a body that is healthy and strong!

Tell me - what feature do you love about your body?

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Loving Lately - July Favourites

Can anyone else believe we're already halfway through the summer? Already it's time to get into the monthly favourites, and I have quite a few things to talk about so let's get cracking!

Naked 2 Basics Palette | My Mum got me this for my birthday in June, and I've been using it every single time I've worn eyeshadow since. It is the perfect combination of cooler toned neutrals and one of the only pre-made palettes that I seem to get use out of all the colours. Even the darkest shade is very wearable!

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil | Back in June I received a little trio of travel sized products from L'Occitane, and I fell in love with this product the first time I used it. It's an oil that turns into a milky cleanser once it interacts with the water in your shower. This stuff is probably the best shaving product I've ever used. It allows for a super close shave and leaves my legs feeling incredibly soft and smooth. I bought the full size product before finishing my travel size because I loved it so much!

NYX Micro Brow Pencil & NYX Tinted Brow Mascara | I've already done a full post on these products, but I couldn't leave them out of my favourites! These two fit exactly what I was looking for for my brows, and I used one or the other every time I wore makeup in July depending on what kind of look I had going on for the day. Check out my 4 Products for Better Brows post to read all about why I love them!

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen | If you follow me on social media you'll know I spent 10 blissful days up at my cottage in July. Even though it was hot and sunny, I'm very fair, and I spent most of the days outside, I never got a burn because of this product. It really does feel more like a lotion than sunscreen so I didn't dread applying because it never leaves me feeling tacky and gross. In fact, even though my legs are usually prone to dryness in the summer, it kept them feeling and looking moisturized all week long! For my face, I'm still just as obsessed with my IT Cosmetics CC+ as I have been for months because of the SPF 50!

Snapchat (username tvibblog) | For the longest time I thought Snapchat was a waste of time, but I did a complete 180 in July and think it was one of my most used apps during the month! I love how it's not about likes or comments, it's just simply about sharing scenes from life - unedited and unstyled. I think of it as a almost a mini vlog channel where I can get to know bloggers I follow a little bit more! Do you have a snapchat? Let me know your username!

What was your standout favourite in July?

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Tea Time

Whoever said darker colours had to be saved for fall? This outfit was one of my favourites in July because it managed to work in so many different environments - an afternoon tea bridal shower,  a day at the office, and a date this past weekend. Changing up the shoes or accessories, and adding or subtracting a cardigan was all it needed to adapt.

Top: F21 {similar} | Skirt: Mercer & Madison {similar} | Earrings: Heirloom {similar}
Shoes: Tory Burch {exact}

I was looking for more pattern to work into my office wardrobe, and this skirt fit the bill perfectly. The length, the fit, the pattern, the colours, they all work together to create a great wardrobe staple that I can see getting a ton of use of spring, summer or fall!

What are your favourite pattern pieces?

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