If you asked my husband to assess the product situation happening on my vanity he’d tell you I’m borderline a hoarder LOL Between makeup and beauty products, I’m not ashamed to admit that my life’s become a Netflix series episode. Honestly, I think we all have, I mean there’s just SO many options out there!
I started this blog 4 years ago to share with you any tips, tricks, and advice that I myself would love to hear about. So today I’m sharing with you a brand I’ve been using for the past month, Beauty By Design, what makes them unique, and how their service will help you to slash the stash!
The way their service works is you send them a selfie and skin survey, then they connect you to a Licensed Esthetician (!) via text. She diagnoses your skin and sends you a ‘skinscription’ where listed is all of the ‘game-changer’ products that she suggests just for YOU- and you can choose what to purchase.
I purchased four products that I’ve implemented into my daily skincare routine and have genuinely noticed a difference in my skin’s texture and hydration level. The best part… I can now text her anytime for advice… pssst hey Hilary, I promise not to call you at 3am and heavy breathe lol
Enjoy this Get Ready With Me video featuring the 4 Beauty By Design products that I purchased <3
Try their service for yourself, I’d love to get your feedback, and PS they offer free shipping on all orders! Click HERE to shop the site and use my code JESSICALIZAMA20 to receive 20% off your order because friends don’t let friends product hoard. #slashthestash <—- I’m coining this term lol
What’s your skincare routine look like? Wouldn’t you love to just eliminate the guestimating of it all and have a professional help you out? Do ittttt <3
Going for that doe-eyed, bat worthy, voluminous kind of look? Well if you’ve ever debated whether to enhance your lashes with eye lash extensions or elevate them in a more natural way, this article is for you!
I’ve personally been getting eye lash extensions since my wedding last year and I can’t imagine not ‘waking up looking like this’ with bright eyes and curly lashes. It all begins with your lash technician… trusting they have the experience to choose your lash integrity over the trends. I trust my babes over at Iris + West and had the honor of having Corrine introduced to the world of luscious lashes through their lash lift service!
I chose eye lash extensions even though my natural lashes are long and straight because I was tired of always having to curl them throughout the day and wear 18 coats of mascara just to make them visible. Corrine’s lash profile is much like mine, however the upkeep for extensions would be too much for her to invest in. To say she was so excited to learn that Iris + West now offer a lash lift and tint treatment is an understatement! Here you’ll see the step by step process that goes into this kind of service. This is perfect for those of you who have awesome natural lashes but need just a little bit of oomph to make them pop, without having to curl them and apply mascara. For my fellow lash extension babes, who are addicted to volume and curl, have no fear- this could be a wonderful transition for you when you decide to go back to your natural lashes.
Lets go over what the process looks like. The entire treatment takes around 90 minutes and then you’re left with low maintenance beautiful NATURAL lashes. Lash lifts will curl and darken your natural lashes and this effect will last around 8 weeks.
1) An under-eye pad is placed over the bottom lashes to hold them out of the way
2) Using a water based adhesive, curling rods are attached to each eye (the sizes vary depending on what type of curl is is desired)
3) Lashes are attached to the curling rod with a water based adhesive – lashes are then distributed evenly on the rod so that when the treatment is complete, the natural lashes are uniform
4) A curling solution is applied to the base of the lashes
5) A tint is applied to the lashes to darken them and make even the babiest of baby lashes really pop!
6) The curling solution is then removed and finally a setting solution is placed at the base of the lashes to create the perfectly curled lashes!
Wala! Just like that you’re lashes are just how you remembered them, but better! This service costs a fraction of the price in terms of up-keep and in the long run will save you time and energy, on both makeup application and maintenance.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to do your research when it comes to choosing the right lash technician whether that be for eye lash extensions or a lash lift. If you’re in the LA area check out my tried and trusted team of awesome ladies over at Iris + West! Tell them I sent you and you’ll receive $10 off your lash lift! It’s just so nice to know there are options available for every schedule and budget.
Have you heard of a lash lift and tint before? Have you ever considered having it done? How do you feel about transitioning over from lash extensions to a lash lift on your natural lashes?
I hope all my mamas out there had a beautiful mother’s day weekend! So did you take a day to sit in silence? Enjoy breakfast in bed? Squeeze in some well deserved pampering? How about a CAKE?! haha I live for the cake! I think as mothers … as women, often times we’re doing so much for other people that it can be difficult to schedule in our own time. ‘Me’ time is so important and something I’m working on more this year, to practice self-care and take time off from wearing all the hats. I love it because it makes me a better person, a better mother, a better wife- just better.
I had the pleasure of celebrating this Mother’s Day with Joe and Corrine on Catalina Island sponsored by one of my all time favorite brands, OSEA Malibu in partnership with Island Spa Catalina. We were so excited because it’d been a year since our last trip to Catalina with my mother-in-law and came at the perfect time, my birthday AND Mother’s Day!
Our itinerary included a day of island explorations and for Corrine and I to receive special mother/daughter facials featuring the OSEA line. You know you’re officially on vacation when you’re handed a beverage and snack when you board the Catalina Express!
We took the trip out of Long Beach and sat on the upper deck to enjoy the beautiful view and our complimentary refreshments in the Commodore Lounge. After a quick 45 minute boat ride we docked at Avalon and made the scenic walk up to The Pavilion Hotel to check in and grabbed lunch on the patio. The Pavilion Hotel is right on the beach, holds a daily wine and cheese hour (ummm yes please), and comes complimentary with a delicious breakfast to start your day. This isn’t your run of the mill ‘muffins and cereal’ kind of breakfast either, it’s a ‘build your own omelet, frothy latte, fancy feast’ kind of breakfast.
After our first night in Catalina we enjoyed breakfast in bed and headed over to Island Spa Catalina for our day of pampering and relaxation. Who was practically sprinting to the spa, hair flying in the wind? THIS MAMA! The spa itself is just breathtaking with its historic architecture and spanning island views, and the experience it offers is unparalleled. From the moment you walk through the entrance you’re surrounded by soothing music, beautiful landscaping, and the most welcoming staff.
We arrived at 9am when all you could hear were waves crashing and birds chirping. You know who was stoked to nap outside, birds chirping and all, before our treatment? THIS MAMA! We got into our robes, enjoyed the complementary fruit infused water and snacks, and bronzed a bit from the spa’s ocean view balcony. While we were soaking up the sun, Joe took the opportunity to dip into the pool and jacuzzi before I put him to work with his photography skills!
Our esthetician Amber guided me into the treatment bungalow where I made myself comfortable and placed all of my jewelry onto this turquoise ceramic starfish. After an hour of soothing music, warmed OSEA products (warm products on your skin during a facial is a GAME CHANGER! So relaxing!), and some information on how to best treat my skin, I wasn’t ready to leave!
Once my customized facial was complete I had so many questions for Amber like, is my skin really dry? What was that miracle mask used? How can I combat the texture I was feeling on my face and the recent bout of breakouts? Even with my 101 questions, she was so patient and explanatory. I learned that I in fact DO NOT have dry skin, I just need to properly cleanse and exfoliate it. I became obsessed with the White Algae Mask that she’d used during the treatment, and she told me that deep hydration would cure me of the texture and annoying breakouts.
I’ve always loved OSEA but this experience ignited a new found love for each of the products, I know that sounds dramatic! Trust me though, just enter the giveaway we’re doing and you’ll see for yourself, promise. How it happened was, I reached out to them after we got home and asked them to send over the White Algae Mask to share with you, that’s how excited I was over it. They generously sent my top 3 favorites just to gift you with! This giveaway includes the White Algae Mask, Ocean Cleanser, and Atmosphere Protection Cream!
I’ll pick a winner at random on Saturday and announce them on my stories so stay tuned!
Good luck and thank you for entering! And a big huge thank you to my handsome partner in crime, my stud-muffin-puffin-husband Joe! He took all of these beautiful photos and followed Corriney and I around taking our pictures and not complaining once! Here he is in his element…an Instagram model LOL! For more JoeNation IG Model poses follow him!
I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day celebrating that special mama in your life and celebrating yourselves. You’re all queens!
How did you spend your weekend and what’s the one thing you do to pamper yourself?
Please enjoy this PSA on my current skincare routine, what I thought my skin was, and what it actually is now 😉
I don’t usually do much before a workout besides skincare, prep for the day, and pack my meals. I also know though that ‘sweaty selfie or it didn’t happen’ is a thing so this is for you out there that wants a 2 minute skincare routine (that actually works) and a lil juj-ing so you don’t look like Shrek. Hey no judgements here, I’ve been known to fluff the hair if I know a photo is involved, no shame! This is fast, fun, and effective haha *que 80’s aerobics music and the Flashdance final scene … umm the only scene that matters imo*
It’s just a little something extra, emphasis on LITTLE … we don’t want to melt our faces off at the gym and come out looking like a raccoon 😀
FRE is a skincare system that was especially formulated for skin that sweats! Ummm yassss helloooo thank youuu this is for meeee! And you!
Enjoy this video (excuse me if it’s out of focus… this is what happens when you’re a one woman team lols sad face lols) where I cleanse, serum, hydrate and protect, and then add that LITTLE bit of juj-ing we talked about earlier 😉
My friends at FRE were so kind to give my readers 30% off your first set, just use the code JESSLIZAMA at checkout baby! Let me know what you think of it when you try it for a few weeks, I stand behind the fact that your skin will glow and not burn when you sweat into your eyeballs.
Lastly, since we’re on the topic, I’d love to share with you one of my favorite fitness blogs because of their “Top 5” articles! You can find it all- from workouts and fueling your body properly, to vitamins and supplements to fuel you from the inside out! Check them out and let me know which post you love best! …. psst I really love supplement talk so!
Have you heard of FRE before? Are you a simple morning lady or an eff it give me a full face of makeup kinda gal?
Dermarolling! You’ve probably heard of dermarolling like you’ve heard of bullet proof coffee- which was met with the same sentiment …. “say what?”. Yes, I am telling you that I roll tiny needles all over my face all in the name of YOUTHFUL SKIN! 😉 (and also that I put BUTTER in my coffee!)
I’m usually pretty chill, pretty simple- I live for comfort, top knots, and cozy clothes … but when it comes to my skin care routine I go all out! 19 steps, 23 hours later, and 37 peculiar treatments tried – I’m all about it! I mean, if you told me that manure would keep my skin glowy and dewy, I’d dip my entire body in it HAHA Jokes aside, we’re all going to age and I’m cool with that because Asian don’t raisin y’all, but one day I too will be all Freddy Krueger-ed out 😉 But until then, I’m doing all the preventative crazy ass measures I can so that my skin looks as young and vibrant on the outside as I feel on the inside <3
Disclosure, I’m no skin professional so do your own research before including any new treatment into your routine, but I really love sharing with you what I do and what works for me. Enjoy this lil video of me rolling my face 😀
So dermarolling, lets talk about it! It’s the act of rolling hundreds of tiny needles across your face- personally microneedling your way into the future. Okay not really but you feel me. It signals to your skin that there’s been a minor injury which triggers your cells to send collagen and elastin production into hyperdrive! Both of which we lose as we get older. Hallelu tiny dancer needles. Think of collagen like grapes and as we get older they shrivel up to raisins. Ya, what a fun visual right? So plump em up why dontcha! After I dermaroll my skin is always dewy, glowy, and soft … and a teeny bit red tbh.
Method:
Disinfect your dermaroller before and after use, cleanse your skin, apply a serum, dermaroll horizontally and vertically (be gentle, avoid your eye area, don’t go nuts on your nose, and roll don’t press), apply another layer of serum, I seal with a moisturizer, and then go to sleep to wake up looking like a damn queen.
I started with a 0.5mm dermaroller once a week (my skin can tolerate that) and then I moved up to 1.0. I personally think that anything larger than that needs to be performed by an esthetician. I’m just not trying to put my face through a meat tenderizing session ja feel! So check out dermarolling, and tell me what other treatments I should try, I’m an open book!
Have you heard of dermarolling? Do you do it at home? Have you seen a difference in your skin since doing it or having it performed on your face?
Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s 2018? By July I’ll just be getting used to writing 2018 instead of 2017 – just in time for a new year to roll around 😉 With each first day of the new year comes just that, the newness of it all and you’ve got to admit, there’s something magical about starting anew and setting resolutions.
It just feels like you’re really adulting when you set a goal and accomplish it! This year I’ve created new practices and synchronized myself and my family on a morning routine that’s the foundation of our BIG goal for this year. If you followed along in 2017 than you know I participated in monthly bootcamps and daily workouts. For 2018 my goal is to maintain that activity level, get stronger, and be healthier overall.
I’m not one to get sick often but when Joe and I got back from our Honeymoon I got severely ill, unlike anything I’ve experienced. What concerned me was that I was so weak due to my inability to keep down any food or water and that I had to ramp up to travel for Thanksgiving AND a bootcamp I had scheduled in December. With the shingles, the flu, and a terrible reaction to the antibiotics prescribed to me, I was knocked down and laid out for a few weeks. Not fun! I was resting a ton and following doctors orders with little results and I couldn’t understand why.
After increasing my water intake, discontinuing antibiotics, and implementing a probiotic into my daily routine I could feel myself feel more like … myself! Water is the elixir of life and Florastor Probiotics brought me back to life. I’m so dramatic I know, but it’s exactly what my immune and digestive systems needed to function efficiently again. I was prescribed an antibiotic and as you know antibiotics kill both the bad and the GOOD bacteria in your stomach, which was a contributing factor to all my gut problems.
Florastor however is resistant to all antibiotics so it not only supported my immune and digestive systems, but it’s also the only probiotic brand with Saccharomyces boulardii lyo CNCM I-745 which helps restore your natural flora – win win for someone with major tummy issues.
I was able to eat again and not experience raging stomach pains, my bloating subsided, and I was no longer perpetually dehydrated. But it’s no wonder I was feeling better, Florastor helps to break down undigested carbs and sugar and aids in water and nutrient absorption- like my gut was back to doing what it was supposed to do. It all comes back to gut health I tell ya, it even comes down to the water you drink! Hydration promotes healthy digestion, faster recovery, and for me personally, less headaches and more glowy skin.
So staying active, staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy gut, and making sure I’m getting enough rest and family time this year – those are my big goals for 2018. It makes me so happy to know that my family is on board too, you know what they say … the family that routines together stays together <3 Stay biotic and bionic babes- you’ve got this!
I believe that beauty begins from within, what do you do daily to take time out for yourself? What vitamins do you take and do you take a daily probiotic? What are your personal goals for 2018? Share with me all the things! Happy New Year babes!
Florastor Probiotics were sent to us for review, however all opinions expressed are my own. I love sharing companies and products with you that I love and use myself. This will never change nor be affected by my partnerships. Thank you for always supporting us! xo
This post was sponsored by Britney Spears Fragrances as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Can you believe the holiday season has gone by so quickly! In only SEVEN more sleeps it’ll be Christmas morning, and believe it or not, a lot of people (myself included) have not begun gift shopping yet! I mean, it kind of just crept up on us this year am I right?!
Since I don’t want any of us to end up on YouTube as one of those crazy-last-minute-cart-pushing-bahhumbuggy holiday shoppers, I want to share with you what I’m gifting my Corriney, my bestie from college, and my niece who’s 16!
For starters, hands in the air if you were like me in the 90’s and lived all things Britney Spears! I mean, I made my mom crochet me that infamous crop top she wore in “Don’t Let Me Be The Last To Know“, you know the one! The beach scene! Ugh I swooned for love stories and her songs were LOVE STORIES! And then she came out with her own fragrances and I knew what all my girlfriends were wearing because I was wearing it too! Can I get a hayyyoooo from everyone who wore Fantasy?! It’s sultry and sweet, you knew instantly when someone walked by with it on … it’s sexy!
So of course I’m gifting my Corriney (and fellow Britney obsessed babe) with the Britney Spears holiday fragrance gift set <3 Since she loves options, I’m gifting her the Fantasy + VIP Private Show scents. Girl loves her options! It’ll also be nostalgic for her to smell it since I wore it when it released in 2014 haha ohhh for my daughter to consider anything I do nostalgic! They’re both so different that if when I steal them from her, I’ll wear the Fantasy during the day and VIP Private Show at night. Just a personal preference on occasion, but to me Fantasy is unexpected and charming and VIP Private Show says glamourous and sexy!
Am I the only one who wears a different scent for different occasions, seasons, moods?! I love sharing products I’m excited about with the people I love, gets them excited with me! I hope this inspires you to take something you’ve enjoyed and regift the fun because, tis the season! But wait there’s more! To one-up the last minute madness, I’m gifting THREE readers this holiday set each including a set of two (2) Britney Spears fragrances and a $50 Kohl’s gift card! The dates to enter are December 8th through December 22nd, 2017! I-C will randomly select 3 winners from all qualifying program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes. Good luck!
If you feel so inspired to gift someone this holiday season with this beautiful gift set, you can find the Britney Spears Fragrances here at Kohls.com!
If you would have told me that today I’d have my friends over to try vape mods and e-juices I would’ve given you an eye roll because, moms who vape?! Seriously though we had the BEST time laughing over what we thought we knew about vaping and trying the different flavors!
I’ve vaped essential oils before but never an e-juice and I found the same went for a lot of my friends. So when I got the opportunity to try out different mods from Mt Baker Vapor and the e-juices they offer, I called my friends over and here we are!
It’s incredible the amount of negativity that surrounds vaping and I believe it’s largely due to misinformation and lack of individual education. I’m not a nicotine smoker and as a mother I’d never promote something that I believed was a ‘gate way’ to anything- this was something that also came up as a hot topic. However, I will promote something that I myself have tried and tested and I will absolutely promote something that I think can help people when used with proper intention.
My mom has been a cigarette smoker since she was a teenager, I grew up with it my whole life. So I know 1) the effects of smoking 2) the effects of peer pressure and 3) the effects vaping can have on someone transitioning away from smoking cigarettes and finally weening off of nicotine all together with the help of vaping. So it really bothered me that I got flack for wanting to try vaping and be more educated about it and less curious about all the hype.
I understand the concern but again, you have to inform yourself on the issues that concern you. I was hugely concerned about this “popcorn lung” that kept coming up any time I talked about or searched vaping. It was a lung disease in the 90’s that became headline news because of a chemical used in artificial butter popcorn factories. Lung disease … now that scared me. But I did my research and Mt Baker Vapor DOES NOT use that chemical in any of their products! Relief!
I’ve never vaped with my friends before, so Mt Baker Vapor to sent us different mods to try and a selection of e-juices. They were even so kind to send me more of their 0-Nic juices to try knowing that I’m not a nicotine smoker. We got to try the Joyetech All In One, Vaporesso Swag Kit, and Smoant Charon TS 218. Buzz words haha! I had no idea what we were looking at or that they’re called mods! Luckily though they’re much easier to figure out and operate than they look.
Essentially, we received the beginner, intermediate, and advanced mods and we tried them all! We went through the different flavors and some of our favorites were Hawk Sauce (berry fruitiness), Green Apple (sweet and sour yumminess), and Cinnatoast Munch (I mean! It tastes like your favorite cereal)! Fan favorite of the mods was the Joyetech AIO vape pen because the ladies thought it was dainty enough to toss into your handbag and they loved the design! Joe really loved the Smoant Charon with the sapphire blue Uwell Valyrian sub ohm tank <— more buzz words, sub ohm tank! He loved how sturdy it felt and that it was a glossy glass mod with a rad touch screen. I loved the Vaporesso Swag Kit box mod! I liked that it’s palm sized, so medium in comparison to the vape pen and bigger box mod. It has a spin push top (twist open) design which if you’re tactile like me you’ll find that fun too, and an OLED screen on the side.
I really enjoyed trying out vaping with my friends, debunking some rumors, and having a genuinely good time with my people who are like-minded. I hope you enjoyed the video and please enter my giveaway! Mt Baker Vapor was so generous to gift 3 of you with one of these: Joyetech AIO, Vaporesso Swag Kit, and an Innokin MVP4 vaporizer. All you have to do to enter is go to my YouTube video, LIKE the video, and leave me a comment! I’ll choose 3 of you next week and Mt Baker Vapor will send you the e-juice of your choice.
Even if you don’t win the giveaway, tis the season and I have a treat for you! Head over to Mt Baker Vapor and enter the code ICHOOSEFLAVOR for 50% off your first purchase of Mt Baker Vapor juice! Check them out they have other really awesome products on their site, be sure to enter the giveaway, and have a wonderful holiday season! Vlogmas, it’s a thing and I’m doing it!
Have you tried vaping before? Do you know someone that used vaping to stop smoking cigarettes? Which mod would you like to try?
I say hacks because with these products you won’t have to do much to look done up. So here we are, midway through our nearly 24 hour travel day to get to Bali and I’m happy to report that all things considered, my skin is looking refreshed and pretty normal … can’t say the same for my sleep schedule though! Here’s to hoping jet lag doesn’t kick my butt when we settle in. I had all the time in the world to draft this post for you where I share my top body care and hair care products for your next vacation! I’m all about convenience and versatility, the less I have to do with my appearance, the better. Oh and the smell, you know I’m all about how products smell 😉
Nelson’s Beverly Hills surf spray– free of parabens and alcohol, this beach spray smells fresh and gives your locks some body and texture. The less I have to do with my hair on vacation the better, and this spray gives you that undone tousled beachy look without having to curl, set, toss, spray.
Oribe dry texturing spray– for those days that I don’t feel like washing my hair (most days) but want it to feel and smell clean I use this spray. The surf spray I use as almost a spray on mousse after I’ve washed my hair, replacing styling. This Oribe is more for in between washes to refresh and give your hair tons of volume and tons of vavavoom smell goodness!
Coola SPF 50 sport– light and silky smooth, this spf is my go-to! It’s absorbed quickly but still gives you that dewy youthful glow. And like everything else I listed here, smells so good! I don’t like fragrant skincare and this Coola is light and clean smelling like fresh cucumber water.
Brazillian Crush body mist– I 100% care about how I smell 100% of the time and this body mist is so sultry and sexy- it’s vanilla but not too vanilla-y if you know what I’m saying. It smells like hot Havana nights I swear! I love this scent so much and it’s light enough to wear daily. And how do I pack it you may ask? In this awesome and super cute Scentbird atomizer! It’s sleek and just the right size to slip into your clutch and in this case, your carry on.
Coola Body SPF 50– it’s all about the mango guava baby! My all time favorite scent, this spf is light and never gives your skin that heavy, greasy feeling a lot of SPFs do. Trust me, you’ll love this!
Native all natural deodorant– my favorite scents are coconut vanilla and lavender rose! I never thought I’d be the person to say that going all natural with a deodorant was the way to go, but it is and here I am telling you to switch! It’s free of all the icky things you don’t want going into your body and won’t stop your body from doing the natural thing- which is to sweat and rid your body of toxins. You’ll sweat with this deodorant but you won’t smell. If you perspire heavily, you may want to apply a few times throughout the day but I stand behind this product and all it’s naturalness.
Proplenish collagen powder– call me crazy but if I’m gonna age I’m gonna age at the slowest rate possibly and graceful as hell haha. So this is me ingesting collagen, straight up putting collagen powder in my tea every morning. I’ve been doing this on and off for the past few years- when I remember to purchase the to go sachets (I like the lemon flavored ones and I mix it into an early grey and chai tea) and I they make my skin look all plump and rejuvenated!
Bliss hand cream: for all the times you’ll wash your hands at the airport and during flight (because germy) your hands will be thank you for the quench of hydration. It also smells citrusy which is refreshing for any long haul and isn’t thick and greasy. Do you see the trend here? lol
I love all things that smell like an island vacation, that’s hydrating without the heaviness, and all mostly natural.
I hope this list helps you pack for your next vacation or trip and up next I’ll be sharing how I packed 2 weeks into a carry-on and backpack, AND how you can travel comfortably and still be cute!
What are your go-to body care/ hair styling tricks for travel?
