I have read a few Taylor Jenkins Reid books (Malibu Rising is my favorite of hers that I have read so far. Go comment on my instagram if there is another one of hers that I need to read!). “Daisy Jones and the Six” was really good and in interview format almost like reading a movie script. I will say I liked but didn’t love. What saved it for me was this really gorgeous monologue from Karen about being a mother (trying to be vague to avoid spoilers!) and I hope they put that monologue in the show! It was so pertinent and beautifully said. The series comes out in March and this would make a perfect pick for book club & do a viewing party together!

Homegoing is absolutely without a doubt one of the best written novels I have read in a long time. The writing is absolutely poetic and stunning to read and the storytelling and weaving is mesmerizing. I will say, because I read on my kindle I missed the family tree in the front so I would get lost sometimes reading through it so just note that! It would have helped me a lot. Homegoing gives beautiful insight to African / African American / Black experiences through history in a way that was compelling and in a lot of ways heartbreaking. It gave me such incredible perspective into history in a way that was emotional and lovely to read. Would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a quality novel and to broaden their understanding of the Black experience through history. A must read in my opinion!

This is probably my favorite book of the year so far. I literally couldnt put it down. I was reading it until the wee hours of the morning after everyone went to bed on a girl’s trip. It is a perfect amount of drama, romance, and fantasy. The pace of the book is also amazing – you never feel like you’re dragging along to get to the meat of the story. Don’t tell anyone BUT I actually think I might like this better than I like A Court of Thorns and Roses! I added the novella sequel, Of the Dark Moon, to my TBR for February! If you are looking to start fantasy romances or you are already a fan of fantasy romance this is for you! It is also currently free on Kindle Unlimited and you know my Kindle changed my life!

Meghan Quinn is my go to romance author. I fell in love with her writing with Not So Meet Cute (the first book in this series) and I loved her play on Princess Diaries with spice, Royally Not Ready. Having read the first two books in this series I was so excited for this best friends to lovers romance from MQ. Highly recommend this series if you are looking to spice up your life! You don’t have to start at Not So Meet Cute but it will definitely set the scene for the rest of the series. It is also free on Kindle Unlimited – and you guys know that I LOVE my kindle!

I picked this book to be our first Big Sis Book Club pick of the year. It is a great book to start off your year reflecting on ways you may self sabotage and get real life examples of how to fix it. I actually pulled some of my favorite quotes and made them into journal prompts for you as well to work through. This book is a great place to start your self love and healing journey. It is written so beautifully and there are so many compelling quotes in the book as well.

Okay let me start by saying I hate giving anything a bad review because I know how much love and energy went into something especially a book. This is another fantasy romance that came suggested to me from Booktok. For me this one dove into the plot too quickly and didn’t give me enough of an emotional investment up front to care deeply once we got into the action. I knew I was supposed to feel more invested in the character than I did when the drama started. I had read this earlier in the month and when I went to do this round up I couldn’t remember a thing about it which isn’t a good sign. I want to try another one of her books because people really seem to love them but this one wasn’t it for me personally.

I was full a teen romance girlie growing up. I loveddddd a beach read teen romance (without the spice of course at that time!). This really reminded me of that but with spice. I enjoyed this one, I thought it was well written and the plot was good. For me I just couldnt get past the fact that they were both like 18 years old (in the book they are second semester seniors in high school) and it just made me feel weird. Like i said, not a bad book just couldnt get past the age thing!

Go comment on my latest Instagram or TikTok post what books you think I should add to my list next!

The post What I Read in January: Romance, Fantasy, and Sometimes Both appeared first on Alex Schin.

Here are some of the quotes and journal prompts I worked through while reading through this book!

The post 5 Journal Prompts from The Mountain Is You appeared first on Alex Schin.

Lets kick off Big Sis Book Club in January!

Our first Big Sis Book Club Pick of the Year is The Mountain is You. I have been seeing this book every where on the internet and decided to pick it up. And I think this is a perfect book to start the year with. I personally have been reading it on my Kindle in the infrared sauna and after meditating or journaling in the morning.

The Mountain is You is really a book about self sabotage and beginning to heal the inner self. It gives a lot of practical advice and examples of how to adjust your habits and thought processes around self sabotaging behaviors. 

There are SO many good quotes from the book (check my favorites out here!) but check out my review and the journal prompts I worked through while reading.

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Anyone else dream of eating baguettes and strolling the streets of Paris? Without the consequences for your skin? SAME. Of course I was influenced by TikTok to try out a few skincare products from frenchpharmacy.com to make sure I was getting the exact right products. Want to see what I picked? Keep scrolling!

Biafine Emulsion

I snagged the Biafine for a few reasons! Biafine is a thick cream for dry skin, superficial wounds like burns & cuts to help them heal well, and stretch marks! It is a gret cream for any topical irritation you might have or want to heal. Right now I am using it on my stretch marks, areas like my elbows that get really dry, and on any fussy spots on my skin that are irritated & need more moisture. I actually use it as a moisturizer over top of the next product A313 to make sure my skin is getting enough moisture with the strength of the vitamin A! I got this specific formula from frenchpharmacy.com you can order their SPF from Amazon! They also have the body lotion!

A313 Vitamin A Cream

If you are like me and retinol bothered your skin but you want to keep your skin tight and right – this is the answer. This is a high concentration vitamin A cream that treats hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne similarly to a retinol. I put a pea size on my finger and distribute across my face (1/3 on my cheeks & forehead each and then rub it in). So far (after 3 uses) no irritation on my sensitive skin! This one you want ot make sure you are getting from a certified vendor so I got mine from frenchpharmacy.com

La Roche Posay Vitamin C serum

I have been a HUGE fan of La Roche Posay for years. Their products are super gentle and you are able to find them in American distributors as well. Some Vitamin C serums really bothered my skin but because LRP’s products have historically reacted well with my skin I knew this would be no exception. It is a really reasonable price and I am loving it! You can pick it up at your local Target!

Please note I am not a doctor nor a dermatologist. The above are what I have noticed as a result of utilizing these products & some online research on the effects of the product. Please consult a doctor for any formal skincare advice.

The post French Girl Chic: Trying French Skincare Products for Effortless Beauty appeared first on Alex Schin.

Previously I had used apple cider vinegar to get rid of build up on my scalp but I hated just dumping it on my hair. The ACV scent really stuck to my hair and as a very scent-sensitive person I avoided it. But I needed something to help fast so I ordered this continuous spray bottle online and filled it with 50% water and 50% apple cider vinegar. I keep it in my shower and use it when my hair is feeling oily.

I spray the apple cider vinegar directly on the root and scalp either in the shower or a few minutes before I shower to let it work its magic!

The post The One Step, One Ingredient Solution for a Greasy Scalp appeared first on Alex Schin.

When our friends asked if we wanted to do a trip this summer we were so excited to show them around and take them to some of our favorites and try a few new ones. Here was our agenda for the week & our recommendations!

Lodging

As far as where to stay, I would say AirBnBs are absolutely the way to go. We stayed at the Thornsberry House this time. It is an 8 minute drive to the Sonoma Square & can host up to 6 people – 2 in the main house and 4 in the guest house studio. It was the first time we had a pool when we stayed there and during the warm months its a game changer! We spent so much time in the pool and it was so nice. We took a walk every morning to Sonoma’s Best market which was a great way to get the day started with a little bit of movement and some great lattes or food to go if we were going to be vineyard hopping that day (get the Golden Bear latte – it tastes like teddy grahams!).

Must Visit Wineries

The amazing thing about Sonoma is that you could spend an entire day exploring just 1 square mile. Every time you go back can be a different trip which is why you can go back again and again. My parents have shared a few with us over time that we return to & we have bookmarked a few favorites of our own to share but we love going to new ones as well!

• Hess Collection – Hess is one of the stops passed onto us from my parents. The first time we went there I thought it looked like High Garden from GOT. They now have a few types of tours ranging from a standard tasting to an art tour (their collections are STUNNING) but this time we did an ATV tour with Frankie (she’s the absolute best – request her!). This is on Mount Veeder near Sonoma so a quick drive! They have incredible wines with great price points. Scott and I belong to their wine club and cannot recommend them enough and will always go back!

• Reverie II – this is the other club that we belong to and Scott’s favorite stop. They have a super laid back attitude and make incredible wines. They are north of Sonoma towards the Healdsburg area but we always make time to go! Highly recommend

• Bartholomew Estate – Not only is Bart Park a beautiful public park full of hiking trails & picnic areas (one of the few in Sonoma you can bring your dogs to!) but they also make amazing organic wines. I think that their 2018 Garden Block Zinfandel was one of my top 3 wines I taste all week so I may or may not have ordered 6 bottles (the plan is to make this recipe from HBH and drink it while watching Sunday night football – I know I have a vision for everything but this wine requires such planning to drink). Also definitely do your tasting in the Oak Knoll outside – it is so beautiful and relaxing. A totally different tasting experience than I have ever done. A new must stop for us! Plus it was only a few minute drive from our AirBnB.

• J Winery – If you are a sucker for sparkling wines, this is the best stop! North of Sonoma in Healdsburg They have full tastings of bubbles or varietal tastings for those of us who don’t love champagnes & sparklings. They also make the most incredible cheese tastings that are unique and perfectly suited for the wine. Highly recommend!

• Gundlach Bundschu – or GunBun as their friends call them is the perfect place for a laid back tasting in Sonoma. Their wines are in a great price point and they have all different kinds of tasting experiences for you and your group. They also have a massive property with beautiful views. Highly recommend!

Where to eat

• Glen Ellen Star – run do not walk. Make 2 reservations because you will want to go back. The duck pasta is to die for and we have the best cooked steak I may have ever had. We cannot wait to go back every time we go to Sonoma forever.
• Cafe Citti – red wine and Italian go hand in hand and this is one of our favorites. So great for takeaway or have it there. It is one of my parents favorites and we go almost every time we are there! It is perfect for a casual dinner. This is in the Dry Creek area just north of Sonoma square – another one of our favorite areas!

Did I miss any of your favorite stops in Sonoma? Where should we go next?

The post A Perfect Trip to Wine Country: Sonoma Travel Guide appeared first on Alex Schin.

Here were the rules: mostly that there were no rules. I just picked mascaras I had heard good things about or from reputable brands. I would wear one on one eye of lashes and one on the other and the public would vote on my Instagram. I did however realize that my lashes on my right eye were better than the lashes on my left eye so a few days into the competition comparison photos were all of the mascaras on my right eye.

Evaluation of each below!

Longest Overall Win Streak (14 days) / Overall Winner: Maybelline Sky High mascara

Price: $11

Where to buy: Drugstores, Target, Ulta

Strengths: Length, volume, minimal clumping, no flaking, comb brush. This one went viral on TikTok for a reason. I had several of you purchase this and message me immediately telling me how incredible it is!

Runner Up: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara

Price: $23, but can be found in multipacks and often on sale

Where to buy: Ulta, Sephora, QVC (Mutlipack), Tarte.com

Highlights: Did beat Sky High in a one on one match up. Great lengthening & volume, can buy multipacks to lower the cost to drugstore level, best of the overall premiere brands. Minimal flaking.

Runner Up: Urban Decay Perversion mascara

Price: $25

Where to buy: Ulta, Sephora

Highlights: If you like a classic spoolie brush this is a great one. Spoolies give you a softer mascara look (combs give you really defined lengthen lashes). This was my go to for years! Beat Lights, Camera, Lashes in a head to head.

Best of the Clean Beauty Mascaras: Tarte Surfer Curl mascara

To be fair we didnt try that many clean mascaras BUT I really do love this formula!

Price: $23, but can often be found in multipacks or on sale

Where to buy: Sephora, QVC (multipack), Tarte.com

Highlights: lifts & curls lashes, organic / clean beauty product, often can be found in multipacks lowering the cost significantly.

Best Drugstore Clean Mascara: Honest Beauty Mascara

Price: $17

Where to buy: Target, Honest Beauty, Ulta, Amazon

Highlights: It is a little toughh to apply as the bristles on the applicator are realllllly short but the payoff is good. It also comes with a built in primer! It is a little on the high price end of drugstore mascaras, if you are really committed to Jessica Alba (this is her brand) it is worth a shot!

One Mascara I Really Liked but didn’t win: Benefit BadGal Bang! mascara

Price: $26

Where to Buy: Sephora, Ulta

Highlights: I saw another girl doing a similar mascara comparison but just by what her favorites were (no public voting) and this was her overall favorite. A little on the higher side than I like to pay for mascara especially when the other ones are so good and you can get them in such cost effective ways BUT the payoff with this one is quick and long lasting. Pigment is super black and bold.

My least favorite mascara: NYX Worth the Hype mascara

Price: $8

Where to buy: Ulta, Drugstores

Highlights: Truly there were none…. I know this is an $8 mascara but I really think this is a wild misnomer. This product did absolutely NOTHING for your lashes until like the 3rd coat. Even then it was flakey. All in all while I do think that NYX has some great products this one is not worth the hype.

Biggest Loser: Tarte Lash Paint mascara

Pice: $23

Where to buy: Ulta, Sephora

Highlights: Honestly, this one didnt get a single vote from anyone against a drugstore mascara. This honestly might be the least effective mascara I have ever tried. I was honestly shocked because generally I LOVE all of Tarte’s mascara but this one aint it! Save your money!

The post Mascara 2021 Recap: The good, the bad, and the flaky appeared first on Alex Schin.

I have divided my favorites up into different categories. You might see some repeat of my favorite Sephora Sale purchases across a few of the collages I made but they can be used for a lot of different things so I wanted you to see them in all of the contexts so keep that in mind!

What is the Sephora Holiday Sale?

Earn up to 20% off based on your loyalty program status at Sephora. Each tier’s sale starts on a different day so the higher your tier, the longer you have to shop!

What’s worth stocking up on?

While it is nice to get all of your more expensive make up up to 20% off I think some things are worth stocking up on while some you can get for better prices elsewhere.

So whats worth it?

• Perfumes – they rarely go on sale so this is the time! Pro-tip? Check the holiday sets (Like this one I got for Scott last year! or the women’s best sellers) & see if one of your favorites is in there. A lot of those sets come with a coupon to redeem a free full-size bottle of any of the samples. Another great way to save money!
• Holiday kits – for example, the Laura Mercier Caviar stick holiday set has 4 of their most popular colors for $35. One caviar stick usually costs $29 alone! You might have to do a little cost comparison BUT worth it for the savings. I personally am snagging one of the Nest Candle sets – these are two of my all time favorite candles!
• Gifts – some of the holiday kits (like to LM Caviar sticks or the set of 3 Tarte eye shadow palettes) can be broken up into multiple gifts. Think teachers, nieces, sister, etc.
• Skincare – another thing that rarely goes on sale. Even though I have recently switch to the Inkey List products (I cannot get enough of their Vitamin C serum!! It is the best one I have ever tried) & they are less expensive products – it is still nice to get them 20% off.
• Makeup – it depends! For clean beauty buys or designer products that you love, this is the time to stock up on them! Brands like Tarte always go on sale on their direct website so I would avoid those & just wait til their next sale.

What I Am Buying & Trying?

• The Inkey List Vitamin C – DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS just because it’s on $15. According to my research, for the best results you want your serum to have 10% or more potency with its Vitamin C. This serum has 15% and honestly my skin has never been more even since using this consistently. Definitely ordering more! And it is also a clean beauty product!
• The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm – this is great for people with dry skin who are looking for a solution that removes makeup & cleanses the skin. It is so moisturizing and also breaks through the makeup & grime. Plus its literally $10. You cant argue with that.
• The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream – another inexpensive clean beauty product. I havent tried this yet but it has 4+ stars and over 1000 reviews. I will keep you updated. And another great price – $10!
• The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum – All of the women with skin I envy on the internet all incorporate retinol into their routine. With how much I love their other products I thought the Inkey List line would be a great place to start. Trying this one and I will keep you updated. Even after the sale it is only $10!
• Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray – I have really fine hair but I am my mother’s daughter and I love BIG hair. To help offset the fine-ness of my hair I have incorporated this thickening spray into my blowout routine (with the Revlon blowdry brush!) and it works SO well! I started with a sample size but I am snagging the full size at the sale this time!
• Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray – this setting spray quickly grew notoriety on the internet after a TikTok showing how effective it was blew up. I snagged (again) a sample size to try it and it works SO well, doesnt dry you out (there is no alcohol) and leaves your skin looking fresh & dewy. Other setting sprays have left me dry & flakey which turned me off of them but this setting spray has me ADDICTED – especially to protect me from mask rub off!
• Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil Supreme – my beauty guru Kathleen Jennings loves this oil for her fine hair. I have been wanting to try it & now is the perfect time!
• Nest Candle Holiday Set – every holiday season I buy one of the nest holiday candles. It is divine, has such good throw, and feels like a little treat yo-self for me. These are two of my favorite scents so between the set price and the 20% off I get for being a Rouge VIB member I cant pass this up!

My Favorite Products by Category

Perfumes (Worth it!)

• Tocca Maya – got a sample of this last year and loved it!
• Si by Giorgio Armani – one of my 2 go to fragrances. This one is sweet, floral, and sexy! Smelled it on my friend once and immediately purchased it.
• Juliette Has A Gun – my signature. I swear I cannot go anywhere without someone asking what I am wearing. This one is so unique and doesnt have dupes because it is reacts differently with every body. I am obsessed!
• Alien by Mugler – this is one of my all time favorite perfumes. Every time I smell it on someone I absolutely LOVE it. For some reason I dont love the way it reacts on me but if you are looking for a safe bet for a super sexy scent this is it!
• Amazing Grace – we were at a winery in a cave in Napa a few years ago and it smelled amazing inside. I asked if it was the candles they were burning and the girl said it must be her perfume and this was it. It smells clean, soft like baby powder, and a little sweet. It is really stunning. I just found out they make it in a candle and I am running to snag it once it is in stock again!

Foundations (depends!)

Okay a quick intro on foundations. I love all of these foundations and if you were looking for a cleaner beauty products (all of the CT foundations are free of parabens and the like even though they arent “clean clean”) or you have a foundation you swear by go ahead and snag it. Usually I would be buying my Charlotte Tilbury foundations at this sale. Since I discovered the Catrice foundation I am not sure I will ever buy another foundation ever again. Truly it is that good. BUT I wanted to provide my Sephora foundation recommendations for you as well, just in case!

• Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder – this is the perfect foundation for those who dont like to wear a lot of makeup but want great glow & coverage. The CT products rarely go on sale so I would definitely get it. I personally use this the most in the summer. Light to medium coverage. Lightweight. Perfect glow. Love this one!
• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation – this is my favorite medium to full coverage foundation. Still gives you a great glow, as all Charlotte Tilbury products do, but feels good on the skin. For me, nothing compares to Charlotte Tilbury foundation finishes. They literally make you look like you are a red carpet goddess.
• Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray – this setting spray quickly grew notoriety on the internet after a TikTok showing how effective it was blew up. I snagged (again) a sample size to try it and it works SO well, doesnt dry you out (there is no alcohol) and leaves your skin looking fresh & dewy. Other setting sprays have left me dry & flakey which turned me off of them but this setting spray has me ADDICTED – especially to protect me from mask rub off!
• Fenty Foundation – this is a great matte, full coverage foundation that comes in SO many shades. If you prefer a matte finish, this is the way to go!
• Nars Soft Matte Foundation – I have yet to try this foundation but it has been getting rave reviews from beauty bloggers all over. More of a lightweight foundation with a medium buildable coverage. If you try it, let me know!

Eyes (a few good buys!)

For eyes, I think there are great products to stock up on. Some come in sets that are a better value, some are just all around good products. Do I think their are drugstore eyeliners that might be just as good? Yes. I think that the caviar sticks & some eye palettes blendability cant be compared to a drugstore product & are worth the investment.

• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick & Holiday Set– I use the shade amethyst stick every day for an easy eye makeup look and I love it. The holiday set of 4 caviar sticks pictured below is an incredible savings & comes in 4 of their most popular colors. You cant go wrong with either – just depends on what you are looking for! You could also break the set of 4 up into teacher gifts or stocking stuffers- just add a little gift card or sometime fun!
• Tarte Tartelette Palette – this is my absolute favorite palette of all time. I feel the way about this palette that every teen to 20 year old girl felt about the naked palette in 2011 (RIP). Tarte eye shadows are SO blendable and soft. I dont personally love lot of shimmer so this palette’s matte shadows are perfect for me.
• Tarte Surfer Curl Mascara – this is my favorite clean beauty mascara. However, I dont think that this is the best price you can get. In fact, I found a better deal for you. You can get 2 for $30 on QVC. Or if you want to try a few Tarte mascaras I actually just ordered this set of 3 to try after hearing great things from friends about the others included in this set! I actually used to love the Lights Camera Lashes!
• Urban Decay Perversion Mascara – this is another favorite mascara & one of my go to’s! This is a great mascara if you like dark, dramatic, full lashes. The primer is great too!
• Monsiuer Big Holiday Set – another old favorite mascara! Perfect for full long lashes! This set of 2 is a great price too!
• Kaja Beauty Bento Bouncy Eye Shadow Trio – if you dont need a huge palette and are just looking for a few good coordinating shades, this would be the buy for you. I haven’t personally tried them but they are one of the top rated & best selling eye shadow palettes at Sephora! I liked the pictured shades personally but they have lots of colors to choose from!
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil – this pencil is so soft and smooth. I own it in two colors – bourbon & rockstar. Honestly it really does speak to its name because it really just glides on. I know thats cheesy but its true!!

Lips (yassss)

Lots of good lip sets & colors that I swear by (for gifts or for yourself!).

• Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment (shade Save the Queen) – heard about this one from Katey Macfarlan a few years ago. It is a gorgeous rich pinky brown color for fall. SO pigmented & long lasting!
• Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lip Wardrobe – love CT lipsticks but not willing to pay for them? I feel that. And truly, who uses a tube of lipstick down to the end without either losing it or within a reasonable amount of time. These mini lipsticks are a perfect solution for that! Three of the most popular shades (including Pillow Talk!) in one set for the price of one regular lipstick. Y’all. Run DONT WALK. This is also a PERFECT gift for a gift exchange.
• Nars Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil – if you find lip pencils to be a waste of time and resources (which I feel you there) these lipstick pencils are the perfect option for you. Try two great colors with this mini set!
• Urban Decay Vice Lipstick (shade Backtalk) – another gorgeous nude color in a more classic lipstick formula that I love. One of my all time favorite lipstick colors. So flattering on so many people and a great alternative to Pillowtalk.
• Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm – this is my I need to look alive, ant a little color, but dont want to put in the effort of a full on lipstick so let me wear this lip balm. It permanently lives in my every day bag and is SO good. If you follow @thingsiboughtandliked she raves about this too!
• Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme – a few months ago I tried the Dr Devgan lip plumper and felt meh about it. Especially meh about it because its $50 for a lip plumper. Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme is supposed to be similar but at a lower price point. If you debate filler but dont want to commit – this is it for ya.
• Bite Beauty Yaysayer Plumping Lip Gloss in Guava Puff – Looking for a clean beauty plumper? Try this! Plus – pink-hued lips are my favorite. Especially something as bright & fun as this!
• Tarte Salt Lyf Duo – literally every blogger you follow owns either one or both of these products. I promise you. I own the lip gloss – its a little sticky but the color is so good. Such a good mauve color that literally everyone swears by!

Clean Beauty

• Tarte Salt Lyf Duo – literally every blogger you follow owns either one or both of these products. I promise you. I own the lip gloss – its a little sticky but the color is so good. Such a good mauve color that literally everyone swears by!
• The Inkey List Vitamin C – DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS just because it’s on $15. According to my research, for the best results you want your serum to have 10% or more potency with its Vitamin C. This serum has 15% and honestly my skin has never been more even since using this consistently. Definitely ordering more! And it is also a clean beauty product!
• Farmacy Green Clean – another favorite makeup remover cleanser combo. Really gets you squeaky clean! Plus it smells INCREDIBLE – like key lime.
• RMS Beauty Products – Living Luminizer, Lip2Cheek, Eye Polish. Thi product line is a celebrity favorite. Almost all of their products are coconut oil based & super clean! Plus its amazing to support a female owned business & Rosemary is a total sweetheart!
• The Inkey List Holiday Heroes Kit – while there isnt a major savings here (the products are already so well priced) this is a great kit to try a couple of their products & see if you like OR if youre a genius like me, get for your man to trick him into starting a skincare routine.
• Tarte Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer – bought the sample size of this and wore it all summer! Great color payout & nice and blendable!
• Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm – a great vegan lip product. I wear it at night to keep my lips nice and moisturized through the winter months.
• The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm – this is great for people with dry skin who are looking for a solution that removes makeup & cleanses the skin. It is so moisturizing and also breaks through the makeup & grime. Plus its literally $10. You cant argue with that.
• Tarte Surfer Curl Mascara – this is my favorite clean beauty mascara. However, I dont think that this is the best price you can get. In fact, I found a better deal for you. You can get 2 for $30 on QVC. Or if you want to try a few Tarte mascaras I actually just ordered this set of 3 to try after hearing great things from friends about the others included in this set! I actually used to love the Lights Camera Lashes!

Hair Products

For hair products I think there are some splurge worthy items that are much higher quality than a drugstore product that you should buy. Do I think most shampoos & conditioners would be worth the investment? No. Are there some great styling products & treatments that I really like? Yes. One thing I love but refuse to spend money on anymore because there are great drugstore options is dry shampoo. Those are my thoughts. So what would I pick?

• Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil Supreme – my beauty guru Kathleen Jennings loves this oil for her fine hair. I have been wanting to try it & now is the perfect time!
• Briogeo Dont Despair, Repair! Hair Mask – This a clean hair product that repairs damaged hair. People LOVE this brand and I think buying this would be totally worth it!
• Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers Oil – I used to use this heat protectant and I loved its affects. I have a lot of protectants so I personally wont be grabbing this but if I was in need of one, this is one I would reach for!
• Kerastase Nutrive Blow-dry Primer – Use this every time I blowdry my hair to protect it! Really works great to keep a blowout smooth!
• Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray – I have really fine hair but I am my mother’s daughter and I love BIG hair. To help offset the fine-ness of my hair I have incorporated this thickening spray into my blowout routine (with the Revlon blowdry brush!) and it works SO well! I started with a sample size but I am snagging the full size at the sale this time!

Holiday Sets Picks (Yes yes yes!)

There are so many great holiday set picks so I have broken them down a little further into sets I think are great values (these!) and sets that I think make great gifts!

• Deborah Lippman Nail Essentials Manicure & Pedicure Set – With the way 2020 is going we never know when nail salons will be shutting down next! Or many during 2020 you have a friend that replaced her monthly manicure by doing it at home! This set is such a good value. Deborah Lippman polishes and products are clean and really high quality! This would be a great gift for yourself or a friend!
• Best of Rare Beauty Mini Set – ICYMI Selena Gomez dropped her Rare Beauty Line a few months ago. Since then, people cannot shut up about how great the creme blush is. Snag this mini set for $15. Perfect for a stocking stuffer, if you want to try before you buy, or as a great little gift!
• Tarte Give, Gift, Get Eyeshadow Palette Trio – seriously this is SUCH A GOOD DEAL! You saw me rave about Tarte Eyeshadow Palettes earlier in this post. The name of this set says it all. Give one, gift one, and keep one for yourself. This is perfect if you have sisters or cousins or for literally anyone in your life.
• Nest Holiday Classic Diffuser & Candle – this is truly the best holiday candle. It is the perfect amount of spice, pine, and holiday smells that you dream of. This is the perfect gift for someone who loves to host or your mom for hosting Thanksgiving (so she can use it all December long and remember how much more she loves you than your siblings while she shops for Christmas).
• Nest Candle Holiday Set – every holiday season I buy one of the nest holiday candles. It is divine, has such good throw, and feels like a little treat yo-self for me. These are two of my favorite scents so between the set price and the 20% off I get for being a Rouge VIB member I cant pass this up!
• Monsiuer Big Holiday Set – another old favorite mascara! Perfect for full long lashes! This set of 2 is a great price too!
• Mens Cologne Sampler – got this for Scott last year and he loved it. He dropped his old bottle of cologne in the bathroom and shattered it and wanted to try out some new ones. It also comes in a great faux leather travel bag (that TBH I stole and use for travel now because it fits so much!). As I mentioned earlier in the post – you get a coupon to redeem for a full size bottle in the kit so its a great way to save on cologne for your mans!
• The Inkey List Holiday Heroes Kit – while there isnt a major savings here (the products are already so well priced) this is a great kit to try a couple of their products & see if you like OR if youre a genius like me, get for your man to trick him into starting a skincare routine.

Gifts (Definitely! & tell your husband to shop for you too!)

• Nest Candle Holiday Set – every holiday season I buy one of the nest holiday candles. It is divine, has such good throw, and feels like a little treat yo-self for me. These are two of my favorite scents so between the set price and the 20% off I get for being a Rouge VIB member I cant pass this up!
• Peter Thomas Roth Eye Patch Party – i wear eye patches pretty much daily now as part of my morning routine working from home. I love PTR masks & I am sure the eye masks are no exception. These would be great for a grab bag or white elephant or for those teachers and moms out there who need a little pep in their undereye step!
• Deborah Lippman Nail Essentials Manicure & Pedicure Set – With the way 2020 is going we never know when nail salons will be shutting down next! Or many during 2020 you have a friend that replaced her monthly manicure by doing it at home! This set is such a good value. Deborah Lippman polishes and products are clean and really high quality! This would be a great gift for yourself or a friend!
• Monsiuer Big Holiday Set – another old favorite mascara! Perfect for full long lashes! This set of 2 is a great price too!
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick & Holiday Set– I use the shade amethyst stick every day for an easy eye makeup look and I love it. The holiday set of 4 caviar sticks pictured below is an incredible savings & comes in 4 of their most popular colors. You cant go wrong with either – just depends on what you are looking for! You could also break the set of 4 up into teacher gifts or stocking stuffers- just add a little gift card or sometime fun!
• Pura x Nest Holiday Set – if you’re anything like me you’ve seen the Pura plug in everywhere lately. Pura has partnered with your favorite candle companies to create scents that are long lasting throughout your home. I’ve been wanting to try this myself & this Nest holiday set has my favorite winter scents to make my house smell like Christmas starting ASAP.
• Mens Cologne Sampler – got this for Scott last year and he loved it. He dropped his old bottle of cologne in the bathroom and shattered it and wanted to try out some new ones. It also comes in a great faux leather travel bag (that TBH I stole and use for travel now because it fits so much!). As I mentioned earlier in the post – you get a coupon to redeem for a full size bottle in the kit so its a great way to save on cologne for your mans!

The post Sephora Sale: What I’m Trying, Buying & Love appeared first on Alex Schin.

Below are my favorite binge watches & the loungewear sets to go with them. From Bravo to The Great British Baking Show – I’ve got you covered head to toe.

If you’re watching Bravo / Real Housewives….

It’s expensive to be youuuu but unfortunately money cant buy you class. Any repectable housewife has a pearl button front cardigan – so if you are trying to play housewife – this is the set for you.

You could also help Mrs Harry Hamlin to an early retirement off that QVC money as you strut around in your Lisa Rinna duster.

Or if you are fully recognizing your residency on Scary Island lean in to the world of Bravo merch with this tie die “Bravo is my love language” sweatshirt because let’s be honest – it is. OF COURSE I’M WATCHING LUANN!

If you’re watching Love Island…

From the moment Love Island graces your eyes it is neon everywhere. So of course we had to have a cute neon set. My blogger gf Sally started a boutique called Love, Sal where she donates a portion of the proceeds to survivors of domestic abuse (for her story, check her IGTV. I am SO blown away and inspired by her!) This neon set is from there (and that’s her modelling it!)

If you are going for more of a Hideaway vibe – try a lace teddy. To cover up a bit but still keep that sexy vibe – try these joggers from Molly Mae!

If you’re watching The Challenge…

I attribute The Challenge as the best thing that Scott brought into our marriage (besides himself and all of his wisdom) and it was our guilty pleasure when we wanted to check out during quarantine. You’ll see Under Armour spon-con throughout the seasons so of course I picked this cute UA sports bra & joggers.

If you’re watching Selling Sunset…

There are lots of personalities and styles on this reality tv meets house hunting phenomenon. So let’s style with the loungewear look of a few of the girls/groups.

If you’re Team Chrishelle / Mary / Amanza this cropped knit lounge look comes in so many colors and I would bet you money that they would buy matching sets in different colors for a sleepover – dont you think?

If you are team Christine / Davina – we have a loungewear set in black to match Christine’s wedding dress. With the trendy tie front & ribbing it is California casual with a touch of goth glam.

If you are team Heather (& Tarek!)… here is a sweatshirt as an ode to her Playboy days – just for fun!

If you’re watching Schitt’s Creek…

There is a lot of people to unpack so lets go character by character…

If you’re a Moira – please bébé – put on your illustrious pearl lougewear and stay a while before you drift of to the land of restfulness (that was my best attempt at writing a line for Moira, I’m sorry).

If you’re a little bit Alexis (even when you’re not) try this cute knit tank & short loungewear set and throw this kimono.

If you are more of a David, support local businesses with a Rose Apothecary sweatshirt paired with lightning bolt sweats!

If you are more of a Johnny – you probably have a more classic sense of style. Your lounge set wouldn’t be complete without a crisp button down.

If you’re watching Tiger King…

You like to live on the wild side. This matching loungewear set from Offline by Aerie.

If you’re watching a Michael Schurr comedy (The Office, Good Place, Brooklyn 99, Parks & Rec)…

If you are watching the Office – a cardigan is probably your style (i.e. Angela and Pam). This knit set with big tortoise-shell buttons could be found in an office & on the couch.

If you are watching Parks & Rec – support America’s candidate, Leslie Knope for president with this sweatshirt.

Or maybe its treat yoself 2020 & you want a little cashy-cash (Tommy’s word for cashmere). Try this Cashmere pullover from Everlane paired with their perform legging. We think Captain Holt would appreciate this in his off-time as well.

If you’re watching sports docu-series like The Last Dance or Drive to Survive…

Try this bodysuit with a racing stripe down the side for a sleek sporty look that could get an F1 driver to slide into your DMs (if it works, please let me know…).

If basketball is more your style, snag an oversized sweatshirt as an homage to all of the oversized suits you saw in the Last Dance documentaries.

If you are watching Stranger Things…

Step out of the upside down & into the 80’s with this classic striped tee shirt dress.

If you’re watching Great British Baking Show…

You’re probably enjoying a great bake with a cuppa tea (and pretending like Paul, Prue, & Mary are sharing it with you. Just me? Okay fine.) Try this awesome sweatshirt from Aerie in an early grey inspired color paired with a fun floral bike short!

Did I miss anything you are watching? Comment below!

The post Loungewear Sets Inpired by Your Favorite Quarantine Binge Watch appeared first on Alex Schin.

As I always aim to do, I am here to uncomplicate things for you! I put together a list of fun & beautiful gifts that I love and will work for a variety of moms!

• Love You More Necklace – my mom always says “love you more” when I say “I love you!”. Its become a bit of a staple for us so I was so excited when I found this necklace! $187 on Shopbop
• Luminara Flameless Candles – I actually found these candles through my mother in law. I fell in love and she always gets me a different set for birthdays & holidays. They are perfect for those of us who are maybe forgetful about blowing out candles or love a little bit of ambiance al the time (aka me). $99 on QVC
• Emmy Sneakers by FashionABLE – This brand does an incredible job creating beautiful products while taking care of & empowering their employees. This brand gives fair wages to their employees & publishes them on their site. I love that purchasing something from this site also gives back to the world – it’s like a double gift. Plus – how chic are these sneakers?! Maybe you should snag a pair for you too – your mom would love twinning on Mothers Day! $158 from Fashionable
• Stella Studs by Melissa Lovy – These are my favorite every day earring! They are super glam but not too overstated. If you are looking for a fabulous pair of earrings, Melissa Lovy is your girl! Plus – Lovy is a mother herself so what better way to celebrate mothers day than supporting another Mama! $128 on MelissaLovy.com
• Alem Utility Bag from FashionABLE – another great buy from Fashionable. Everyone knows moms always need a tote bag and this leather one will last them forever (and with natural wear, get more beautiful with time!). $238 on FashionABLE.
• Ribbed Ceramic Vase from Threshold x McGee & Co – I think we have all spent time scrolling through the super gorgeous homes designed & styled by McGee & Co and I am so psyched that they did a collab with Threshold! You can snag this vase at your local Target & fill it with flowers for your mama on Mother’s Day for a beautiful, simple, & special mothers day gift! $30 at Target
• Portable Phone Charger – my mom is a big golfer and often her phone dies while she is on the course with her friends (where she also uses that bracelet flask shown below that I got her last year for mothers day!). This little charger has a keychain on it for her which will be great for her to attach to her golf bag! $20 at Nordstrom.
• Menu Winebreather Carafe – Okay so this is probably my most favorite gift to get anyone. I have bought it for hostess gifts, my brother, my mom – its for anyone who drinks wine! This carafe aerates your wine quickly & then you can leave it in the bottle or in the carafe. It is beautiful on a shelf or bar cart (thats where ours lives!) or on the table for mother’s day with that special bottle you’ve been saving! $50 on Amazon
• Flask Bracelet – TRUST ME when I say your mom and her friends will think that this is the funniest thing they have ever seen. I got this for my mom on Mother’s Day last year and it is still a hit. Great little gift to tack onto a bottle of liquor of her choice! $30 on Amazon

What are you getting your momma for Mothers Day?

The post Mother’s Day Gift Guide appeared first on Alex Schin.