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Labor Day Outfits for Women
Dress / Sandals / Bag / Sunglasses Labor Day is less than a week away and today I’m sharing labor day outfits for women. Whether it will be hot or starting to feel like fall, I’ve collected plenty of inspiration for you. It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year – savoring the last bits of summer and marking the change in seasons to get ready for fall. I put together a variety of Labor Day styles to get you ready for the long weekend ahead. You can mix and match these pieces to make lots of Labor Day outfits for women!
Shop all of my daily looks here!
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Longer Lashes with Bimataprost and RedBox Rx
Before the pandemic I was a huge proponent of lash extensions. Every three weeks I got my lashes filled and I loved being able to wake up and feel like I was ready to go. Once the pandemic hit and it was no longer safe to be up close to someone else, I let my extensions grow out. Over the last two years I have tried various eyelash growth serums with varying success. I finally had the chance to try prescription eyelash growth serum and I’m never going back! Here’s how to get longer lashes with Bimataprost and RedBox Rx.
What is Bimataprost?
Bimataprost is the generic for Latisse and is an FDA approved treatment to grow thin, sparse eyelashes. The serum is prescribed by a U.S. licensed physician and the applicators are single-use.
How Does Bimataprost Work?
Just like the hair follicles on our heads, the hair follicles on our eyelids go through cycles of growth. Bimataprost lengthens the duration of the growth phase which allows your lashes to grow longer, stronger, and thicker.
How Do You Apply Bimataprost?
The application is super easy! At the end of my nighttime skincare routine I use an applicator wand to apply the Bimataprost serum to the base of my lashes.
When Will Bimataprost Show Results?
It takes sixteen weeks to see full results. I’m excited to see how it goes!
How To Get A Bimatprost Prescription?
Bimataprost requires a subscription but through RedBox Rx you can connect with a U.S. licensed physician and, if prescribed, get Bimataprost delivered straight to your front door!
With RedBox Rx you start with a free online consultation. After a quick, easy online assessment you start messaging with a licensed medical provider. You can choose how often you want your prescription to be filled, but the best deal is a 3 month package for $67 a month. Once your prescription is filled you will get your order quickly with free 1-3 day shipping.
With everything being done at home on your computer or phone, it’s super easy and efficient! Plus, you have access to a medical professional for any questions.
And the best for last – if you go through my link and use my code LAUREN20 you can get 20% off your first prescription! So, tell me. Are you going to try getting longer lashes with Bimataprost and RedBox Rx?
Get my 5 Steps to Flawless Skin plan free here!
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My Winter Skincare Routine
This time of year seems to wreak havoc on my skin. The cold, dry air outside coupled with the warm heat inside makes my skin so dry and and my skin texture rougher than normal. The key to taking care of my skin in winter is through a combination of gently exfoliation and thin, hydrating layers. Below is my winter skincare routine!
Wash face with cleansing balm
I love starting my evening skincare routine with an oil based cleansing balm. Currently I am using the Banila Clean It Zero balm – an old favorite. It takes off all of my makeup and leaves my skin so soft.
Double cleanse
After the cleansing balm I will do a low pH cleanser. My favorite of all time is Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. It feels so soft and hydrating and cleans my skin without leaving my face feeling stripped.
Toner
I like to use an acid toner after every cleanse. I just started using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid toner. It contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid to gently exfoliate and prep my skin for the actives in my routine.
BHA
My pores tend to get congested with dry skin in the winter. Beta Hydroxy Acid is a gentle acid based exfoliant that clears out the pores. I’ve been using the Paula’s Choice BHA liquid for years.
Retinol
I wait about 20 minutes and then apply a Retinol serum for anti-aging. I’ve worked up to using it every night and am currently using Ultraceuticals Mild Vitamin A. I also use a Retinol eye stick to help with the lines around my eyes.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic Acid holds 100X it’s weight in water. I especially make sure to do this step in the winter!
Eye Cream
I top my Retinol eye balm with a hydrating eye cream to keep my eye area from getting dry overnight. I find that the lines around my eyes stand out more when my skin is dry so this is an important step!
Moisturizer
I like a thick, hydrating moisturizer in the winter – the more I look like a glazed doughnut the better. I’ve been using the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream and loving the results.
Facial Oil
To keep my products from evaporating into the dry air overnight I top everything off with a few drops of facial oil. I love the BeautyBio Rose Hip Seed Oil. It smells so good!
Hand cream and lip balm
Finally, I slather on hand cream and lip balm. I love this La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream for repairing dry hands and cuticles. And the BEST lip balm of all time – Sara Happ. I’ll never be without it.
I hope that helps! Check out my other beauty posts for more skincare. Let me know what you think about my winter skincare routine!
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Chic Winter Coats for Women
Image via The Wild Authentic At this point in my life as a Wisconsin resident I would say that I have a collection of coats. Living in this type of climate means you need a range of coats. I love deciding which coat fits my current mood or vibe and building a look around it. And let’s face it – when it’s freezing out the coat becomes the outfit. I own everything from lightweight puffers to heavy sherpa styles to get through the season. One thing that I always make sure of no matter what – each coat needs to be stylish as well as functional. Some of my favorite trends this season include wrap coats, military details, and colorful wool toppers. Below I’m rounding up my favorite chic winter coats for women.
Even though I have a coat obsession, I will say that my coats remain in my closet for a long time. While I have my share of every day jackets, I have found that it can be worth the investment to get a coat that you will keep in your closet for years. I have some coats in my closet that I’ve held onto since college! For the most part I have a really hard time getting rid of coats because I wear them! I rotate through all of my coats each winter but anything I haven’t worn that year gets donated to someone in need. Now I have to know – how many coats do you have? Do you have a hard time finding chic winter coats for women?
Shop all of my Daily Looks here!
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The Dubbel Dutch Hotel in Milwaukee
I was SO excited to try out The Dubbel Dutch Hotel in Milwaukee. There are so many amazing hotels downtown but The Dubbel Dutch is a serious gem. The boutique hotel is incredibly stylish and located in a restored 1898 English Renaissance Revival mansion. The hotel is in a great location close Lake Michigan and the rooms are beautifully designed.
The Dubbel Dutch Hotel Milwaukee Review
Like many of us in the midst of the pandemic, I was dying for a night away. When a few of my girlfriends decided to get together for the first time in two years, I immediately reached out to The Dubbel Dutch. Speaking of the pandemic – The Dubbel Dutch is taking Covid seriously (a breath of fresh air!) and has safeguards in place so guests can enjoy their stay without too much worry. Guests are required to wear masks when not in their rooms (unless seated at the tavern). There is no physical front desk – I received the entry code for the building and my room before my arrival. I also received an arrival email with all of the information I needed to get checked in, and how to contact the house manager should I need anything during my stay.
The location of the hotel could not be more convenient. The Dubbel Dutch is just a few blocks west of Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee. After I checked in and dropped off my bags, I donned my mask and went exploring. The owners of the building did a meticulous job of restoring the beautiful woodwork around the hotel and the rooms are decorated beautifully. I loved the mix of dark wood and art deco wallpaper! After my exploration, I came back to my room to get ready for dinner. The bathroom had timeless style with white subway tile and black fixtures. Before heading out, I met the girls in the tavern for a cocktail from the delicious cocktail menu. At the end of the night I fell into the ultra cozy and soft bed. My girlfriend and I shared the king bed and I don’t think either of us moved all night. In fact, she reached out to the hotel to find out what type of mattress they use!
I stayed in a Classic King room which was perfect for this particular visit, but I would love to see more of the guest rooms in the hotel! Some of the rooms have beautifully restored fireplaces and the larger suites would be perfect for a bridal party or wedding night. I would also love to go back to the tavern for a pre-dinner cocktail with Matt before a date night. If you get a chance to visit, you must check out The Dubbel Dutch Hotel in Milwaukee!
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Sephora VIB Sale Picks for Fall 2021
The time has come! Sephora typically has two big sales each year. It’s a great time to stock up on high end beauty products at a discount. I put together my picks for skincare, makeup, masks, tools, and new things I want to try. Keep reading for my Sephora VIB Sale Picks for Fall 2021!
Skincare Picks Favorite Vitamin C Serum / Brightening under eye cream / Favorite daytime moisturizer / Exfoliating BHA serum / Baby botox serum / Nightly retinol serum / Nighttime eye cream / Retinol boost / Favorite night cream
Makeup Picks Under eye brightener / Brightening concealer / Favorite liquid foundation / Favorite stick foundation / Airbrush setting powder / Favorite bronzer / Favorite blush / Favorite highlighter / Neutral eyeshadow palette / Brow gel / Lipstick in Very Victoria
Masks, tools, new things to try Weekly exfoliating peel / Gentle peeling gel / Pore shrinking mask / Depuffing mask / Dyson air wrap hair dryer / Nuface toning and lifting device / GloPro micro needling tool / Instant facial / Retinol eye stick / Rare Beauty set / Mini candle set
Stay tuned for what I bought from the sale and my reviews! I’m also planning to do an update makeup tutorial with the items pictured here. Are you shopping my Sephora VIB Sale Picks for Fall 2021?
You can always shop all of picks here!
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The Correct Order for Your Nighttime Skincare Routine
I get asked a lot about my skincare routine and how to put one together. I like to take my time and use my evening skincare routine to unwind and get ready for bed. My goals with my evening routine are to treat any skin troubles I am having and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I love waking up with clear, glowing skin! Today I’m sharing the correct order for your nighttime skincare routine.
STEP 1: OIL OR BALM CLEANSER
This is the first step of my double cleanse. The purpose of this step is to remove makeup and sunscreen before cleansing my face. My favorite cleanser for this step is the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm. It has clean ingredients, it’s affordable, and it’s readily available at Target.
STEP 2: GENTLE, LOW PH CLEANSER
A cleanser with a PH over 6 can strip your moisture barrier and invite breakouts so I always go for a gentle, low PH cleanser. My favorite of the moment is Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. It feels so soft and gentle on my face and leaves my skin feeling supple!
STEP 3: ACID TONER
After rinsing I use an acid toner applied with a cotton round. This helps to prep my face for acids and PH dependent products. I am currently using COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner.
STEP 4: ACIDS AND PH DEPENDENT PRODUCTS
I use a BHA serum nightly, which performs best at a PH under 3.5, so this is when I apply it. This smooths away the top layer of dead skin cells and clears out my pores for soft, glowing skin. I’ve been using the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA for almost a decade. Even when I’ve tried other BHA products I always come back to this one! I wait 20 minutes after I apply so it doesn’t interfere with other products.
STEP 7: GloPro
Before I move onto my next step, I use the BeautyBio GloPro microneedling device. This step helps your skin absorb your products better, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces the look of pores. I swear by it!
STEP 6: RETINOL
Retinol or a Retinoid is the number one product you need for anti aging. Retinol helps firm the skin, reduce the look of pores and fine lines, and keep breakouts at bay. Twice a year I use the BeautyBio R45 boost and in between I use the BeautyBio Nightly Serum to maintain. I wait 20 minutes after using before applying my next step so I get the full benefits.
STEP 7: SERUM
This is where I add in a nightly serum. I like to use a more concentrated anti-aging product at night. Recently I’ve been using The Ordinary Agireline Serum to help further reduce the fine lines around my eyes, mouth, and forehead. It’s been described as “baby botox!”
STEP 8: EYE CREAM
I started using the LaRoche Posay Toleriane eye cream a few months ago when I received the product in a PR box. I love that the texture isn’t too thick so it sinks in well, but is still super hydrating. My skin even showed no dehydration on a skin camera from using this product! (Get 25% off at Skinstore with code LAURENH25.)
STEP 10: MOISTURIZING CREAM
Lastly I seal it all in with a moisturizing cream. I’ve been using the Strivectin SD Advanced Intensive Moisturizer for Wrinkles and Stretch Marks. It’s a thick and hydrating moisturizer and does a great job of fighting physical signs of aging. My skin feels plump and moisturized when I wake up!
And now it’s time fore bed! I hope this post helps you put together the correct order for your nighttime skincare routine. Let me know if you have any questions or try any of these products. I’d love to hear!
You can always find links to my products here!
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Five Fall Outfits I’m Loving
Fall is my favorite time of year for fashion, but September can be tricky! That summer to fall transition is so dramatic. We’re ready for fall outfits, but it’s still unseasonably warm outside. Below are five fall outfits I’m loving right now!
Top and jeans (use code LTKAF2021 for 25% off), sunglasses, sandals, bag (use code LAURENHANSEN for $50 off) The perfect casual date night look! This outfit could easily be paired with booties and a jacket when it gets a little chillier.
Jacket and dress (use code LTKAF2021 for 25% off), sunglasses, sandals, bag (use code LAURENHANSEN for $50 off) If you have a fall wedding coming up – easily transition a summer dress by adding a moto jacket!
Top and jeans (use code LTKAF2021 for 25% off), sunglasses, mules, bag (use code LAURENHANSEN for $50 off) You’ll be the coolest mom at school drop off while staying comfy in this look. This sweater silhouette is hot for fall as well as these sherpa mules.
Dress and cardigan (use code LTKAF2021 for 25% off), sunglasses, clogs, bag I love this look for fall family photos! The colors in this dress give you lots of options for what to pair with the rest of the family.
Bodysuit, shacket, and jeans (use code LTKAF2021 for 25% off), sunglasses, loafers, bag (use code LAURENHANSEN for $50 off) This look is perfect for brunch on a patio and will carry you all through fall.
I had so much fun making this post! Let me know what you think about the five fall outfits I’m loving. If you like these types of outfit roundup posts let me know in the comments and I’ll do more. Thank you so much for reading and sharing!
You can shop all of my daily looks here!
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Labor Day Weekend Style
Outfit details: Top, jeans, sandals, sunglasses Labor Day Weekend is almost here! It’s hard to believe how fast this summer flew by. I am definitely ready for fall, but I’m going to do my best to soak up the last weekend of summer. Today I’m sharing the pieces I am loving for the perfect Labor Day weekend style.
This top would look great with shorts for now and jeans in the fall!
I’ve been wearing this peplum top all summer long. It also looks super cute with a denim button up over it!
Athletic dresses are the easiest piece to throw on and bounce around town in. This one has shorts underneath with hidden side pockets!
This big tote will take you from the beach to the school pick up line! It’s made of woven neoprene but still looks so chic.
I got these jean shorts a few weeks ago and have been living in them. Love the longer length!
These sherpa lined sandals will keep your toes toasty when it gets chilly in the evenings.
This dress is so chic and will look great with a moto jacket for fall!
The perfect basic white sneaks to wear with dresses now and denim come fall.
What are your Labor Day plans? Let me know what you think of my Labor Day weekend style!
You can shop all of my daily looks here!
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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Picks
The 2021 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is open for early access TODAY! I’m so excited to share my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 picks with you. I look forward to this sale all year. Every year, Nordstrom releases brand new fall merchandise at a discounted price. This means you get to stock up on trends and basics for fall early, and the prices go back up after the sale is over. It’s one of the only times of year that I buy now to wear later. This year the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale dates are July 28th through August 8th. However, if you are a Nordstrom card holder you may be able to start shopping today based on your status. Below is a breakdown of the dates.
Now onto the good stuff. I’ve broken down my picks by clothing category as well as shoes, accessories, beauty, and home items. Starting off with sweaters, this year’s trends are all about chunky, interesting knits. We’re also still seeing cute feminine details like little collars and puff sleeves.
Sweater Picks
Dress Picks
When it comes to dress for fall 2021 think long and lean styles, feminine prints, and matching sets. All of these can be worn with a boot or a booty and a leather jacket or cardigan.
Shoe Picks
The shoes we want this fall are a sleek, pointed toe boot or bootie and anything with a lug sole. Love the loafers as an easy shoe to throw on with everything. Everyone needs an updated white sneaker so this is a great time to grab a pair if you don’t already have one. And a few slip on styles to make a casual outfit look put together.
Tops Picks
Cardigan trends this fall consist of cropped with buttons, or a longer “coatigan” style. There’s no in between! I love the length on the cozy style here – you’re guaranteed to wear this style all fall, winter, and spring. Large collars on blouses and dresses are still trending and this off the shoulder top would look great with jeans for a night out.
Bottoms Picks
This fall we are wearing anything but skinny jeans! I will allow the faux leather legging but that’s where I draw the line. This midi skirt is also really cute and can be dressed up or down!
Coats & Jackets Picks
A tweed blazer or moto jacket can be thrown over almost anything and make the look put together. Coat trends for fall are sophisticated wool styles and longer styles with interesting quilting patterns. I love the hooded plaid coat ( a Maje knockoff). Still seeing a little bit of faux fur. Also LOVING anything tweed!
Lounge & Intimates Picks
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is the perfect time to stock up on basics like tees and undies – I linked my favorites from past years. I love the Nordstrom take on the nap dress (pockets!) and the Barefoot Dreams matching set!
Accessories Picks
I kicked myself last year for not getting that Clare V bag when I had the chance. Loving all of the jewelry in the sale – especially the natural pearl earrings! And I might need to get myself a pair of Barefoot Dreams socks for some pampering.
Beauty Picks
I got some intel from the beauty guru at my local Nordstrom that Neulash is what you want for longer, thicker lashes so I’m going to try it. I already use and love the gloPro and Nuface. The Clarins Double Serum and Chantecaille Bio Lifting mask are new to me so I’m excited to try. The beauty deals are always one of my favorite parts of the sale!
Home Picks
The biggest item in the home section is of course the Barefoot Dreams blanket. They sell out every year! I’m excited to try the Nordstrom towels, I’ve heard they’re the best! I also had a chance to smell all of the candles in the sale and they’re all amazing!
Are you shopping the sale? Let me know what you think of my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 picks!
You can always shop all of my picks here!
Style, Beauty, Mom Life
