Lex What Wear

Style, Beauty, and Life

Favorite Beauty Products

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On Instagram I often get asked what my favorite beauty products are. So today, I thought I’d share what I’m loving for the start of 2019. Of course these items change throughout the year, almost seasonally, but I will make it a point to share what I’m loving each quarter with you guys. Today I’m showing you all a mix of products from foundation to powder, and at all price points. Not everything is worth splurging on. And keep in mind, filters make everyone flawless. Don’t get caught up in thinking you should looked airbrushed on the daily.

CLICK TO SHOP MY FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

XO, Alex

My “IT” Makeup

WARNING: LONG PERSONAL POST AHEAD!

I feel like I need to admit that I’ve tried just about every product ever offered at ULTA before finding my “IT” makeup. My wallet would tend to agree. Sometimes finding the right mix of products is not as easy as the beauty bloggers make it look. I’ve had my fair share of bad foundations, horrible concealers and crappy mascaras. It’s about time I landed on a product and brand I can trust to get the job done.

Another thing I must admit is that I have melasma.

A lot of you have asked for videos over the years, and due to this skin condition, I shy away from sharing. If you don’t know what melasma is, generally speaking, it’s a skin condition mostly found in women due to hormonal changes or sun exposure. It predominantly shows up as dark spotting on the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin and upper lip. Once I first started getting melasma, I was asked if my face was dirty, or what was wrong with my face. That’s how bad it can get. To say my confidence quickly diminished when not wearing make up, would be a major understatement. Coming from someone who has generally always had a clear face, I feel fortunate to just now be experiencing this. However, the confidence struggle can definitely be real, just ask my husband. Our bodies do change, we are women after all. This year I’ve decided I am fully embracing the change and making the necessary changes to love myself confidently.

I am not a dermatologist, or an expert on skin so I will not pretend to be one. However, for anyone struggling with melasma, I have found a few things that work and I intend to share them. If you have questions about melasma, I am happy to help answer them. Shoot me an email: alex@lexwhatwear.com

MY “IT” MAKE UP

 – I’m not being paid for this post. I simply want to share in hopes of helping others. –

 I joined the IT Cosmetics fan club and I am not looking back. The coverage and long-lasting products get the job done for this girl. I of course add in a few extras from different lines, but the core of my makeup routine consists of IT Cosmetics and their reliable line. My favorite products are the Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer and the Airbrush Perfecting Powder. The concealer literally does incredible things for my melasma spots. As you will see below (no shame), these spots are dark and in clusters. I have NEVER seen a concealer work like this one. I simply apply a tiny amount to my ring finger and dab it on slowly. The coverage lasts all day. The airbrush powder gives me that airbrushed look you all see on all my photos. It is MAGIC y’all! You only need a small amount on your powder brush to get the look you want to achieve.

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TREATMENT

I recently was able to get a laser treatment called PICOsure at Skin Physiques in Nashville. They specialize in aesthetics and lasers, and they have AMAZING products HERE. I 150 percent recommend Skin Physiques and their practice. If you are local here in Nashville, please call my girls at Skin Physiques 615-567-3864. They will treat you as one of their own. If lasers aren’t your preferred treatment method, I know a thing or two about brightening pads. These also work, but make sure you see a dermatologist or skin specialist first. Here’s a few shots of my first laser treatment with Skin Physiques. The results are incredible. My after photos are below. It’s been a little over a month since I had this done, and it was only my first treatment.

PROTECTION

If I could go back and tell my teenage self anything, it would be, SUNSCREEN! SUNSCREEN! SUNSCREEN! Below are my FAVORITE sunscreens. I cannot be in the sun without a hat, sunglasses and 100 SPF anymore. My melasma goes bonkers if I attempt it. Again I am no expert, but if I can preach anything it’s sunscreen and no tanning beds ladies. The Jersey Shore look is NO MORE!

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XO, Alex

Fall Beauty Trends 2016

From the Fall ’16 runways to today, I’m sharing a look at four of the top Fall beauty trends of 2016. I’m a clear fan of a few of these trends, and plan to incorporate them into my every day beauty routine. Semi-gothic lips is one thing that has be oh-so-EXCITED! There’s nothing I love more than a bold lip.

1. SEMI-GOTHIC LIPS

Lips

2. BOLD IN BLACK

Eyes

3. GLITTER FOR GROWN UPS

Glitter

4. NAIL COLOR SCALE

PicMonkey Collage

ALL IMAGES FROM PINTEREST

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WIN $100 to SheIn by following these rules:

1. SHARE THIS LINK ON SOCIAL MEDIA: http://goo.gl/ZwYYcO

2. REGISTER ON THE WEBSITE: https://goo.gl/zrCMEv

The giveaway will be open for 2 weeks. Please comment and let me know you have completed steps 1 and 2. Plus all of you will get a 40% discount until the end of August, using code: Aug40 at checkout. Good luck!

XO, Alex

Beauty Counter Review + Giveaway

IMG_3061I first heard about Beauty Counter through my sister-in-law Kate, who is now a Senior Consultant with the company. The brand’s empowering message spoke to Kate for several reasons, and once I heard her personal connection and commitment to Beauty Counter, I decided I need to learn more.

Beauty Counter is working to make the world healthier, along with safer products you can trust. Because we all deserve better. Their vision is bold— and I like bold. I thought I would give a few products a try and essentially help put the truth back in beauty with Beauty Counter. By giving my input on how I liked each product I’ve tried thus far, I hope you are able to find something you like or want to try differently in your skin care routine. We all have so much to learn about the products we use, and spreading the message that we need to educate ourselves before trying products is a huge key to success in this market. Using my platform to speak out is the sole purpose of blogging to me.

I was not paid or sponsored to write this post. All opinions are my own. I am not attempting to sell the products or help anyone else sell the products, but because I genuinely wanted to see what all the HYPE was about!

1. LUSTRO FACE OIL 3

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The Lustro Face Oil 3 was the first product I tried from Beauty Counter and I fell in love with it. Not at first I will admit, but eventually when I saw for myself results on my forehead and neck from using the oil to moisturize and smooth fine lines in the evening. I originally didn’t like feeling all oily, but I woke up feeling refreshed, as if my skin had seen a new and brighter light than the day before. This product is simple and easy to incorporate into your existing night time routine. All you need to do is press 3-4 drops of the oil into your moisturizer before applying to your face and neck. It’s a silky formula that absorbs easily for ultimate hydration. I fully recommend this one!

2. LUSTRO SUGAR SCRUB

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Say hello to your new favorite spa. This product is like bringing the spa to your house, it’s that good. The Lustro Sugar Scrub smells absolutely delicious, as it’s made with brown sugar to rid away any dull skin, and evening primrose, sweet almond, apricot kernel, and sunflower oils, to leave skin looking supple and smooth. I was using this product ALL the time prior to surgery to get my skin healthy and glowing. Once I get out of my cast, you better believe I will take a whole bath in this scrub. Not literally, but I will use it all up and quick. What I like most about this product is that it allows me to relax and feel like I am being pampered. Instead of not knowing what is being put on my body at a spa or salon, I know exactly what this scrub is made of and what it’s impact will be. I’ve found that educating myself on chemicals in the products I use, is vital to the long term result. Not to mention, it’s vital to my health.

3. HYDRATE EVERYDAY BODY LOTION

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This is one product that has taken me a little time to adjust to. The Hydrate Everyday Body Lotion is a lightweight product, that is far less heavy than any product I have ever used. It doesn’t leave me feeling cakey or like I’ve unevenly applied. Simply because of how lightweight it is, I feared I was not using enough each time. Now that I know my body is adjusted to the product, I see the impact and the power of the moisturizer and I like it a lot. Not every product you try is going to suit you, but I think your body needs to be given the appropriate amount of time to adjust to something before you toss it out.  Lastly, my favorite part of this product is the refreshing citrus scent it has. It’s not too bold or too dramatic. It’s just the right note of citrus to enlighten your skin and your senses.

4. ROUTINE CLEAN CLEANSER

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Another bit of honesty here, I have never used a cleanser before. I have always had the skin type that needs a bar of unscented soap and a washcloth to get the job done, and done without a breakout. Recently I decided to give a few different daily cleansers a try, and this Routine Clean Cleanser was one of them. I must admit that I was shocked by how much more make up this cleaner washes away than anything else I have tried. It really digs deep (scary but good) and cleanses the skin. While it’s working away, taking off the day’s make up, it’s also soothing and conditioning the skin naturally. That’s a BONUS in my book. It has organic coconut oil in it which helps to remove buildup while softening the skin. Ding Ding Ding… This is a winner!

FINAL NOTES:

All in all I would say this is a POSITIVE review. Again, not because I am trying to sell the product or help anyone else sell the product, but because I genuinely wanted to see what all the HYPE was. After a few weeks of trial and error, I feel like each item is something I will continue to use in my skin care routine. I think I have found a few favorites in the bunch, but all-in-all, Beauty Counter is changing the game and they are packing some major heat. Their all natural approach is winning over so many health conscious folks, that it just may stick around for the long haul. I sure hope so anyways!

XO, Alex

GIVEAWAY

Head on over to @LexWhatWear on Instagram to find out how to enter to WIN a FREE Beauty Counter Rose Water Uplifting Spray. This little bottle of joy wakes up your complexion with a few spritz of it’s organic rose essence, purified water, and moisturizing sodium hyaluronate. This product softens your skin and set your make up for a long day of wear! Be sure to comment on my Instagram photo and tag a friend to be eligible to WIN.

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