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A Galentine’s Day with Priv

Valentine’s Day is full of red, pink, chocolate and overrated expectations. I always feel like you have to stress out making plans and restaurants are usually over priced and crowded. So this got me thinking, what if you could celebrate it from the comfort of your own home??

That’s where Priv comes in, it is the uber of beauty services bringing beauty and wellness to your door. They offer a plethora of services such as blowouts, facials, massages, make up, nails, spray tans and even workouts! You pick the date and time, and a stylist shows up to your house. Simple and easy.

Now being married to an actor sometimes means celebrating holidays at a later date due to crazy work schedules. So I thought this year I would plan an amazing Galentine’s Day with some of my closest girlfriends. I honestly do not get to see them enough, and I need all the girl time I can get before these boys make their arrival.

My Galentine’s Day had a pajama theme of course (I mean I’m 32 weeks pregnant, so pajamas all day is completely acceptable at this point). I found beautiful pajama sets and robes for the girls to wear while being pampered by Priv. I also made them gift baskets of beauty products as a Galentine’s Day treat.

Shop The Gifts:

 

We had three stylists from Priv come and provide facials, manicures, and blowouts. It was beyond amazing and relaxing. When planning your next girls night, make some Priv appointments for you and your girlfriends! Use code “thechicmamas10” at checkout for a discount on your first services!! Happy Galentine’s Day!!

Beauty Tips While Pregnant

There are so many do’s and don’ts once you find out you are pregnant. No more alcohol, sushi, deli meat and you have to limit your caffeine intake. Obvisouly these sudden exclusions deal with what we eat and drink, but did you know your skin care routine may need some adjusting as well. Your OB is your main resource for what you can and can’t use while pregnant. I had a long discussion with mine about what was safe to use while pregnant.

  • You know that amazing ingredient called Retinol, that is the anti-aging fountain of youth in most skin care products? Well, once with child you can no longer use this beauty product. However you can try Kojic or Glycolic acid and Vitamin C to brighten skin and cause cellular turnover.
  • Ask your doctor about salicylic acid during your pregnancy. Although the medication has been clinically found to be unsafe in the oral form for pregnant women, there isn’t much evidence to show how much the topical form would affect an unborn baby. None the less, many doctors advise women to steer clear of products containing salicylic acid.
  • Bye Bye Botox. I know some of my followers may not even use botox, but for those that do, it is now out of the question during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • Skin care treatments like lasers are also prohibited. Mostly due to the fact that there is no clinical data to prove what lasers would do to an unborn baby during pregnancy. Lasers use heat and energy to help break up the molecular bonds of targeted skin cells. So these are best to do after your baby has been born.

Now for the fun part, finding actual skin care products that you can use during your pregnancy! I found that with this pregnancy I really started to get bad acne, pregnancy plaques and melasma. Here are some products that I am currently using that have are very gentle, natural and help with all of my skin problems.

Tea Tree & Willow Clear Cleanser

Tea Tree & Willow Acne Clear Astringent 

Why I love 100% Pure products… they are made with 100% natural derivatives. They also make a great line of makeup as well, find it HERE. 

How To Create Beachy Waves With A Straightener

As a Mother we don’t always have the time to spend fussing over our hair. I mean I rock a top knot courtesy of a little dry shampoo way more often than I should! I am always on the look out for new and versatile tools that can simplify the process of getting ready since I usually have a 3 year old hanging off me for most of the day. Now before Willow, I used to use a curling wand and a straightener to achieve a wavy look and these days…ain’t nobody got time for that! I recently found a styling iron that can straighten, curl, and create waves. Who doesn’t love a hair tool that serves dual purposes and looks as sleek as the T3 SinglePass LUXE?

I must admit I was a little intimidated by using just a flat iron to create waves, but the T3 has flexible beveled plates and a contoured body to glide smoothly through hair. See my steps below on how to create carefree waves using the T3 Singlepass LUXE.

1. Allow your T3 SinglePass LUXE a minute to heat up.

2. Take a one-inch section of your hair and bring the straightener up to your roots at a 45 degree angle.

3. Wrap the section around the front of the straightener, when you get to the back pull hair through the plates and clip them together.

4. Slide straightener smoothly down hair and release to reveal the perfect wave.

5. Run your fingers through your hair to separate the waves. Set it with your favorite hair spray or texturizing spray ( I love this one from Oribe).

6. Now pat yourself on the back for creating waves with a straightener and you should probably take a picture!

You can find the T3 SinglePass LUXE at T3, Nordstrom, Sephora, and ULTA

Shop more T3 products here:

Photo Credit: Kate Hauschka Photography 

How I Steal My Child’s Skin Products + A Giveaway!!

Modern day moms are always on the go. I know for me time is of the essence and I am always looking for easy, life hacks. I mean let’s be honest, I have used things like baby wipes to clean my refrigerator, and even to take off my make up at night. If it’s convenient, you had me at Hello. I can see why many moms may end up stealing baby’s skincare products, and then falling in love with them. What’s not to like? These products are made to be super gentle and soothing for babies, and they do just that for adults as well. I recently tried Skinfix products on Willow and found that I’m just as obsessed with them for me!

See below for a few of my favorite tricks I use with my Skinfix products:

 

  1. Gentle Hair & Body Wash doubles as Makeup Brush Cleanser: Throw a bit of this wash into a cup of water to give your makeup brushes a little cleaning. Gentle enough to keep bristles soft, while effectively removing dirt, leaving them feeling good as new.

 

  1. Diaper Rash Balm doubles as Miracle Balm: Cure unwanted redness and aid in the healing of cuts, burns and bug bites. This luxe hydrating formula will soothe your skin with the addition of jojoba oil, sunflower oil and beeswax.

 

  1. Gentle Moisturizing Lotion doubles as Go-To Cream: With added aloe and coconut oil, it is the perfect after sun or shower lotion for you, too! The lightweight formula that Baby loves is great for everyday use, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergy-prone.

I have teamed up with Skinfix to give one lucky reader of mine a bundle of their amazing products including their wash, lotion and two balms! Rules to enter are easy:

  1. Follow @skinfixinc and @thechicmamas on Instagram
  2. Tag a friend you know would love these products under the Instagram giveaway image!

Giveaway ends Monday, May 30th at 1200 (noon-PST). Winner must live in the contiguous US states and be at least 18 years of age to participate. Not redeemable for cash. No purchase necessary.  The winner will be announced on 5/30/16 at 5pm (PT). We thank you in advance for your patience while we verify all the entries. Prizes must be claimed within 48 hours or they will be forfeited. Fake or Giveaway-Only accounts will be disqualified. We truly appreciate your support! Good luck!

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Photo Credit: Kate Hauschka Photography 

 

How I master the “No-Makeup” Make Up Look!

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(Bag: Wet Seal and similar options HERE)

As a Mom, you know that time is precious, and morning routines can be hectic. Yet I feel that leaving the house looking refreshed helps me start my day on a good note. I routinely love to use this “No-Makeup” look for a fresh faced glow that helps highlight your natural beauty. These easy steps and simple products are quick to apply before you spend the next 45 minutes getting the kiddos in the car for one errand!

Shop This Look Below:

  1. Apply primer to clean moisturized skin to help this look stay in place. I recently tried this Lauren Mercier Radiant Primer and love it. Tip: For quick coverage apply with clean fingertips. 
  2. Apply a sheer foundation, like this Ethereal Natural Finish Foundation by Sephora. I like this foundation as it is not too heavy, and appears natural while giving you great coverage. 
  3. Conceal the under eye area and cover any blemishes. Again you can tap under your eye with your ring finger, or use a beauty blender to help blend your concealer. I’m obsessed with NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard.
  4. Create a natural flush on cheeks. I like this Dinoplatz Cushy Blusher
  5. Highlight cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and brow bone with Radiant Aluminizing Drops. I have a serious love for highlighters! I feel like this just gives you the best dewey glow.
  6. Curl those lashes and add mascara. I use Better than Sex Mascara which adds great volume that lasts throughout the day.
  7. Finish with a natural lip color, such as Make Up Forever Natural Lipstick in shade Powdery Pink.

Now toss your hair up in a Mom bun and you are good to go!!

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Photo Credit: Kate Hauschka Photography