sephora

My Favorite Beauty Products for TV and Special Events

beauty

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and think you will, too. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

Hi beauties! I just wrapped another lifestyle TV segment on KTLA Morning News and I’m feeling great! I love getting dolled up when I do TV appearances! One of my mottos is, “when you look good, you feel good,” and it’s so true! Sometimes, I’ll be feeling blue, then take a look in the mirror and realize, oh, that’s why I feel like crap… My hair isn’t brushed, my eyes look tired, I’ve been wearing athleisure for too many days straight… Does this ever happen to you?

Currently, 75% percent of my life is being a stay-at-home mom, and the other 25% is as freelance TV host and journalist. Sometimes, I find myself spending waayyy too much time wearing sweats with a ponytail and ball cap when I’m mom-ing about town. Then, when I get dressed up for a TV segment or special event, I suddenly feel so much better! It’s like I’m my old pre-kid working-girl self again!

I know this could be an unpopular opinion, since there’s such a movement toward being “natural” and accepting yourself as you are. But, that’s not necessarily what I’m talking about here… Of course, I want women to love themselves with or without makeup! But, I also believe in respecting yourself, and for me, that means taking care of my appearance. It doesn’t even have to be full hair and makeup. I honestly feel better with only a simple swipe of mascara and concealer under my eyes!

There’s really something remarkable about the confidence boost you can get when you put yourself together… So, ladies, if it’s been a while since you’ve felt good in your own skin, take an extra couple minutes to respect yourself and feel beautiful today. Just do one thing! It could be adding a layer of lip gloss or forgoing the same pair of lulus you’ve worn for the last 2 days for a pair of real pants. Try it, I promise you’ll feel better! Let’s make a girls’ pact that we’ll do this at least half of the week… good? Deal!

Now, getting ready for the other 25% percent of my life that’s dedicated to TV appearances takes more than just a couple minutes. I always do my own hair and makeup (maybe one day I’ll be “big” enough to hire pro hair and makeup artists), and my get-ready routine takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. I actually love the process of getting ready for TV or a special event. I put on some hype music and enjoy taking my time being creative with makeup products and making myself feel good. It’s like a self-care ritual!

Hair and makeup ready for my KTLA Morning News appearance!

Here are my tried-and-true products that I think you’ll love, too!

FACE MAKEUP:

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating

I always use Laura Mercier’s Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating before applying foundation to keep my skin hydrated and extend the wear of my makeup.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation with SPF 50+

I’ve been using IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation with SPF 50+ in Fair Light for about 3 years now, and it’s the best. I feel like it offers full coverage, but is so light on my skin. It doesn’t crease or dry me out like some foundations. They have so many shades available to match your skin tone.

tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer

I got introduced to tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (my shade is 10N Fair) from a couple beauty influencers, and I’m obsessed. It doesn’t dry out my eye area, doesn’t clump in fine wrinkles and generously covers dark circles. A little goes a long way, so it lasts forever.

NARS Bronzer Powder

I love adding NARS Bronzer Powder in Laguna for a healthy, sun-kissed look. I swipe at my hairline, then make a sweeping C motion down to my cheekbones. I also add to the tip of my nose and chin – basically anywhere where sun would naturally hit my face.

NARS Blush

Ladies (including me) have been obsessed with NARS Blush‘s Orgasm shade for years, and it’s easy to see why. The shade’s peachy glow looks fabulous on all skin colors. I also put a small amount on my eyelids to make my blue eyes POP!

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

The final step of my makeup routine is brushing Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder over areas that I tend to get oily, like my forehead and chin. It helps my makeup stay in place longer, too.

Hair and makeup for TV appearance

EYE MAKEUP:

Too Faced Natural Eyes Eye Shadow Palette

This Too Faced Natural Eyes Eye Shadow Palette is the only eye shadow palette I’ve ever owned where I truly use every single shade depending on the day and the look I’m going for. For an easy daytime look, I’ll swipe the Heaven color across my entire lid and brow bone and use the Erotica color for my eyeshadow. If I’m doing a look for TV, I’ll use 6 shades: Heaven, Silk Teddy, Strip Poker, Chocolate Martini, Honey Pot and Push-Up. Let me know if I should do a tutorial? The Silk Teddy color is perfect for highlighting my face, too! I’ll add it to the tip of my nose, cheek bones and above my eyebrows.

KVD Beauty Tattoo Liquid Eyeliner

I’ve been using KVD Beauty Tattoo Liquid Eyeliner in Trooper Black for 8 years now, and I love how easy it is to apply. It’s my favorite to use to create a cat eye look. My only issue is that I feel like it sometimes dries out too fast, so I have to buy it often. Once it starts to dry, it’s challenging to apply.

ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara

I discovered ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara in 2021 when I took a poll on social media asking my followers their favorite mascara and so many people recommended it! I have been using it almost every day since, because it goes on so smooth, truly lengthens my lashes without clumping and doesn’t easily smudge to the top of my eyelids (I have deep set eyes, so this is a frequent problem with other mascaras). Bonus – it’s clean beauty!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz® Ultra-Slim Precision Brow Pencil 

I love Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz® Ultra-Slim Precision Brow Pencil  (my shade is Taupe) because it goes on so smooth and it’s the perfect amount of application. Before finding this brow pencil, I could never find a brow pencil that easily gave me the right amount of color. I was either pressing too hard to see color or trying to remove bold color. Anastasia is the BEST!

LIP MAKEUP:

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

Several years ago, I read about Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk being one of the best, most universal shades, so I ordered it online immediately. To be honest, I didn’t think it worked for me then. I was so used to having very light pink lips (it was the the look of early to mid-2010s), and I thought it was too dark for me. Fast forward to now, and I’m obsessed!!!! I always over-line my lips to make them look fuller. I often fill in my lips with a bit of this liner, too, before adding lipstick and gloss. I do agree the Pillow Talk shade could work on all skin tones – give it a try!

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick

This Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick has a bit of a matte finish, but it’s so very soft and hydrating. Sephora’s website describes it as a “cashmere” finish… dreamy! Charlotte Tilbury is a genius! I have this lipstick in shade Nude Kate. You can wear this lipstick alone, but it looks SO GOOD with my favorite lip gloss, below.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Gloss

This Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Gloss in shade Fenty Glow looks amazing on everyone and over every shade of lipstick or alone. My go-to makeup artist who I trust with my makeup life recommended this to me, and I’m eternally grateful. I also have this lip gloss in shade Fu$$y for when I want a bit of a pinker lip.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick – Jennifer’s Nude

This L’Oreal lipstick is the only drugstore brand makeup item on my list, but I haven’t been able to find it in drugstores the last couple of years, so I get it on Amazon. I hope they never stop making it, because the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in shade Jennifer’s Nude (inspired by Jennifer Lopez, yes, J-Lo!) is the perfect nude shade!! It’s perfect for every day but also looks dressed up under Fenty Gloss Bomb Lip Gloss mentioned above.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Nude Kate and Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Gloss in Fenty Glow

HAIR PRODUCTS AND TOOLS:

Olaplex Bond No. 7 Bonding Oil

I started using Olaplex Bond No. 7 Bonding Oil as a recommendation from my hairstylist. I had some major damage done to my hair, and this bonding oil has helped repair it. I’ll add about a dime size amount to wet hair and then add another pea size amount to dry hair before adding styling tools to it.

Ouai Wave Spray

I have stick straight hair naturally and need all the help I can get to keep a curl. I spray this Ouai Wave Spray on my hair before adding hot tools and it helps keep my waves from falling as fast. I also love the smell!

R+Co Sun Catcher Leave-In Conditioner

Living in Southern California, my hair is so dry, so I add a few pumps of R+Co Sun Catcher Leave-In Conditioner to my hair when I get out of the shower then brush through. It helps soften, seal and detangle my hair.

Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Wand

This Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Wand gives my hair soft beachy waves. What differentiates it from other curling irons is its tapered shape and it’s snag-free ceramic barrel for smooth curls. I love this wand because it heats up quickly. My hair will typically keep a curl for two days after using this product!

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray

I finish my hair with TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray. I’ve been using this trusty hairspray since high school!

Do you use any of these products? Let me know your favorites in the comments section below! Or, if you have any questions about how I use these hair and makeup products, I’d love to answer them! Be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more! And, see my hair and makeup looks on TV!

XO Maggie

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A Few of My Favorite Things – Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

beauty, fashion, Health & Wellness, Holidays, Lifestyle, Mom & Baby

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens… These holiday gift ideas have me feeling so smitten!

Okay, okay… I’ll drop the cheesiness…

But, seriously, below is a list of a few of my favorite things divided in two categories: things in my vanity and things in my closet. I use many of these items daily! I wanted to share a list of my favorite things as an easy gift guide resource for those of you struggling to find a holiday present for a deserving lady in your life. I’ve tried, tested and approved all these items, so I know any smart, chic lady like myself (LOL) would love these!

When all your shopping is done, come back to this list and choose something for yourself, too! I’ve rounded up a wide range of affordable and luxe items that I feel are truly spectacular! After a long almost two years of pandemic craziness, we can all use a little holiday pick-me-up 🙂

One of my FAVORITE things: Coola Sunless Tan Firming Lotion

A Few of My Favorite Things:

In My Vanity:

Supergoop Glow Screen – A 40 SPF sunscreen that doubles as a primer while leaving your skin with a dewy and glowy finish… YES, PLEASE! I seriously think I look more awake, fresh, and youthful after putting this on! And, its so easy to apply makeup on top, too! *virtual high five*

Drunk Elephant The Littles Gift Set – I love ALL of Drunk Elephant’s products and these are my most favorite go-to’s! If you’re interested in trying Drunk Elephant but don’t know which product to start with, or if you love Drunk Elephant and need some travel size products, this gift set is PERFECT!

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara – I love this mascara because not only does it make my lashes look long and full, it’s a nourishing product made with clean ingredients that doesn’t flake off — all while still being easy to remove at the end of the day! I have deep set eyes, so I always struggle with my mascara smudging, and this is one of the best mascaras I’ve found!

Aquis Hair Turban – This towel is amazing at absorbing water while limiting damage to your wet hair. I love how easy it is to tie up and wear around while I do my makeup and get dressed.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – Worth the hype – and the price tag! Less noise, less damage to my hair, and dries my hair faster!

Coola Sunless Tan Firming Lotion – I’ve tried so many sunless tanners in my lifetime and this has been my favorite so far! It’s so easy to apply, and I never get fake looking streaks. The color is very natural. There is a slight hint of a smell that comes with most self tanning lotions, but I find it not as strong compared to others I’ve used. I love that it’s made with clean ingredients, too… Used it during my pregnancies!

Bond No. 9 Madison Avenue Perfume – I found this sexy scent when I was shopping in Vegas, and I love it, because I don’t have a single girlfriend who wears it… Bond No. 9 Madison Avenue is MY SCENT, ok?! But, now I’m sharing with you, because I know you’ll love it! It’s sexy, but not too skanky… It’s high energy but not too annoyingly happy… ya get me? It’s my favorite perfume to wear for special occasions.

Versace Bright Crystal Perfume – This perfume is so versatile, so I like to wear it daily. It’s fresh, floral and bright… the way I want to feel going throughout my day. Any lady will like Versace!

In My Closet:

Veja Sneakers – These are the best sneakers to go with EVERYTHING! I’ve worn them with dresses, jeans, shorts and joggers. They’re classic and felt like a good upgrade to my everyday casual mama wardrobe. I like the Veja Campo style in white leather and natural suede, but Veja has lots of styles and colors to choose from to fit your personality!

Schutz Ariella Mules – The heels that go with (almost) everything! They’re like Cinderella’s glass slipper emulating a “barely there” look. The plastic is flexible, so they’re really quite comfortable! I’ve worn these for hours at a time and can dance in them, too!

Levi Wedgie Straight Ankle Jeans – Since skinny jeans have been fading on the fashion circuit, I scoured the internet for a pair of new non-skinny jeans that didn’t make me look like I was a Gen Z-er (sorry Gen Z). I wanted jeans that were still a bit fitted but made me feel like a cool mom, ya know? Enter these Levi Wedgie Straight Ankle Jeans! They def give off some 90s vibes but with a much better fit. They don’t have a lot of stretch, so consider that when choosing sizes!

Madewell Cropped Sweatshirts – I am really digging copped sweatshirts lately to wear around the house, to mommy-and-baby play dates, running errands, etc. I love these from Madewell. They’re perfect for layering and look great with the Levi jeans and Veja sneakers listed above.

Reformation Dresses – Reformation knows how to make a flattering dress. I love all their dresses! I have a couple that are staples for winter and summer festivities. I absolutely love this cherry red one for the holidays!

Cleobella Taylor Mama Bag – My friend Taylor designed this diaper bag, and it’s been the perfect bag for Lucy and me. I love that it’s so chic and doesn’t look like a diaper bag! The leather is soft, and the braided detailing is beautiful! I can even fit my laptop in it when I need to balance work and mom-ing. It comes in three different colors, too!

Salvatore Ferragamo Chain Wallet – After carrying around a big diaper bag during the day, the last thing I want to do is carry a large purse with me for a night out. This little chain wallet is so chic and perfect for date night or mommy’s night out.

Lunya Pajamas Washable Silk Set – Never knew I could get this excited about PJs, but I need to share that these are the ULTIMATE pajamas! The silk is soft, cool, and machine washable (bonus!). Plus, they make me feel luxurious! I’ve never found a set of PJs where I felt both comfortable and sexy in front of my husband. These are it! They come in a few colors and styles, so pick your fave!

Beechwood Crew Pajamas – I’m a sucker for matching with my mini, and Beechwood Crew has launched several fun holiday prints for the whole family to coordinate! A former colleague of mine launched Beechwood Crew with her longtime BFF earlier this year. They wanted an alternative to cheap, fast fashion for their families with high-quality, small-batch pieces they will wear forever… And they did it! The quality is amazing, and the PJs are so soft, warm and comfy – perfect for the holidays! Make sure you order before December 15 to get your made-to-order PJs in time for Christmas! And don’t forget to use my code MAGGIE15 to get 15% off your order! YAY!

Stackers Jewelry Box Set – I love this convenient and space-saving way to store and organize jewelry. It also looks really sophisticated and modern in our home.

David Yurman Cable Classic Collection Bracelet – A timeless heirloom bracelet that you can make personal – how fabulous is that?! My husband gifted me this bracelet with the green gemstone to represent our first baby who was born in August (the August birthstone is green Peridot). I love that you can get different versions of the David Yurman Cable bracelets and create a beautiful stacking look that’s classy enough to wear to church, chic to wear to brunch, or fancy for a night out. This would definitely be a special gift!

Ladies, tell me which of these gifts you’d like to receive in the comments below! Be sure to follow me on Instagram and LTK for more fun shopping and gift guides like this one!

XO Maggie

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

My Daily Skincare Routine

Health & Wellness, Lifestyle
A couple of my favorite Drunk Elephant products

I’ve told y’all before how much I love Drunk Elephant, but that’s not all I use for my skincare routine. I have a few other products that have helped transform my skin from ongoing breakouts to a smooth, clear, bright complexion.

But, first, some background…

Throughout my adolescence, I took my good skin for granted. Thanks to my genetics, I had practically flawless skin and didn’t have to do much for it. I slept in makeup and didn’t put on sunscreen without much thought.

That all changed in my mid-20s when I moved to California… I started breaking out ALL. THE. TIME. I thought it was the dry weather or exposure to a new type of water here in California, but looking back, I think it a lot of it was hormones and stress. To this day, I’ve never been able to pinpoint exactly what caused the breakouts.

I was constantly embarrassed by my breakouts, always adding extra makeup to cover my blemishes and popped pimple scars, which often made them worse. I went to a dermatologist who only dried out my skin without stopping the breakouts. I went to an esthetician whose treatments were very costly and needed to be kept up every other week. I tried a wide range of pricey products that were recommended to me by friends and gorgeous Instagram influencers, and nothing worked.

Then, a couple years ago when I was in Sephora, one of the saleswomen recommended I try Drunk Elephant sunscreen. I did, and I loved it. I liked it so much that I went on a deep dive researching all the brand’s clean products and basically bought all of them to try. I started noticing results just after a couple weeks and stuck with it. I’m so delighted to share that I haven’t had one of my old breakouts in over 2 years! I knew it was working when someone asked me what I used on my skin to make it so smooth! After years of battling with my skin, it was the best feeling to have someone ask me that!

Today, I have a bit of melasma and sun damage, but I’m working to treat those, too. My skin is definitely not perfect, but this is the best I’ve felt in a very long time!

Below, I outlined my exact daily skincare routine for you to get an idea of how I use Drunk Elephant products, along with a few other brands. I need to add this disclaimer: The products I use in my routine may not work for you, just like all the MANY products I tried that others recommended to me… BUT, Drunk Elephant only uses clean ingredients (which means pregnancy and breastfeeding safe!) and they have cheaper trial sizes (called the “littles”), so I think it’s very worth trying!

Morning Skincare Routine:

  1. Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser and Bamboo Booster


I always wash my face before going to bed, so I rarely wash my face in the morning. If I do wash my face in the morning, I use a scoop of this butter cleanser. I use a couple other exfoliating products, so I rarely ever use the Bamboo Booster, because I don’t want to over-exfoliate. I feel like this cleanser melts away any leftover makeup or grime from the day before. It’s very gentle on my skin.

2. REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic


I put two pumps of this toner on a cotton pad and swipe all over my face (minus the eye area) first thing in the morning. This toner gently brightens and exfoliates. REN uses only clean ingredients, so there is no irritation. Once I added this product into my skincare routine, I noticed a significant difference in my skin being smoother and brighter!

3. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream


I love this Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream. I truly feel like it makes my eyes brighter – much needed for my lack of sleep with a baby and toddler! It also works as a great primer for my makeup.

4. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum


I learned several years ago the benefits of using a vitamin C serum to help heal blemishes and boost skin glow, but I couldn’t find one that I liked. Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma is very potent – “packed with powerful antioxidants, essential nutrients, fruit enzymes and a chronopeptide that all work together to firm and brighten the appearance of skin while improving the signs of photoaging.” It’s the only vitamin C serum I’ve tried where I’ve actually seen results.

5. Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum


Prior to using this hydrating serum, I was consistently in search for the right daytime moisturizer. I could never find one that I liked to wear under makeup. I always felt greasy and like my makeup would fall off. This B-Hydra Serum is so light but also offers the perfect punch of moisture. I discovered that I need to add two pumps of this serum to properly hydrate my face while also using a couple of exfoliating products.

6. Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Sunscreen


This is the product that introduced me to Drunk Elephant and spawned my DE obsession. It was important to me to have a sunscreen with Zinc but not make my complexion white. I’ve tried a couple other tinted zinc sunscreens, but what I like about this one is how it makes you GLOW and how easy it is to wear under makeup (or glow WITHOUT makeup!). I mix it with the product below for when I need even more glow if I’m applying self tanner to my body or want a sun-kissed look.

7. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Antipollution Sunshine Serum


I mix the D-Bronzi with my sunscreen when I want an additional boost of bronze without the sun exposure. I don’t like to add my self-tanner to my face, so this is the perfect product to put on my to look like I’ve been on vacation. Bonus: It’s comprised of a mix of protective antioxidants to boosts skin’s defenses against pollution and environmental stressors. It’s like Vitamin D without the damaging exposure!

Nighttime Skincare Routine

  1. Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser


This cleanser is one of my top products from Drunk Elephant. It wasn’t until I started having breakouts that I realized my cleanser could be my biggest culprit for irritated skin. I had been using harsh cleansers that promised to solve breakouts, but then it dawned on me that most of them are designed for adolescent, hormonal skin! I’m in my 30’s, not 15 years old. This cleanser is so gentle and removes ALL my makeup from the day to prepare my skin for the next products I put on to create skin magic overnight.

2. Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum


Okay, I need to keep it real with y’all… This is my least fave DE product on this list. I think it does the job of hydrating my eyes, but that’s about it. I haven’t seen dramatic results of eliminating wrinkles, like it’s supposed to do, but maybe my wrinkles would be worse without using this… I’m honestly not sure. With that said, if you have an overnight eye serum that you recommend that helps with fine lines while hydrating, please tell me!!! In the meantime, use this to keep your eye area hydrated overnight.

3. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

This retinol cream is potent – you know because of its yellow tint. Unfortunately, you can’t use while pregnant or breastfeeding, but I saw great results using it when I was able to use it. This retinol is wayyyy better than any I’ve tried and think it’s 100% worth its price tag!

4. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum


This is another one of my top products from Drunk Elephant, because it WORKS! The morning after my first use, I immediately noticed a smoother complexion – seriously! I’m going to be bold enough to say that I think it provides similar results to retinol! The glycolic acid exfoliates and helps resurface skin and for a clearer, smoother looking complexion. The best part is that I experienced no harsh side effects, like dryness or irritation, when mixed with the moisturizer below. I use this nightly now, because I’m breastfeeding and don’t want to use retinol. When I’m using the retinol, I do not use this product, because I think that’s too much exfoliation.

5. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream Replenishing Moisturizer


Drunk Elephant has two moisturizers: Lala Retro (this one) and Protini Polypeptide Cream. I’ve seen so many influencers recommend the Protini, but after trying both, Lala Retro is the moisturizer that works for me. It feels thicker and more moisturizing to me, which is needed in the dry California climate where I live and while using exfoliating products. I use this every single night, and I never wake up with dry, tight skin.

So, that wraps my current morning and night skincare routine. I’d love to know what products I may be missing that I could add to my routine… Please hit me up with your current faves! Comment below or connect with me on Instagram!

XO Maggie

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AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.