I often find it satisfying when I finally use up products or can switch out my peachy summer blushes for my winter berry ones. As much as I miss being tan and having that sun-kissed glow, it's refreshing to have a bit of a beauty switcheroo and pull out the products I wouldn't be using as much. With that said, I've been on a rollercoaster with my skin lately—I've been suffering from a bad case of mask-ne. So, with all of the holiday festivities, I've been reluctant to put on a full face, so here are the products I gravitate towards when I'm trying my best to keep it simple and clean.
Neutrogena Clean Full Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream- When covering up blemishes and my uneven skin, I was always using products that would just sit on top of my face and I knew that the moment I took it off, another zit would form because it would just clog all of my pores. Until recently, I knew I had to use makeup that was safe and clean for my acne prone skin, so I went back to the tried and true—Neutrogena. Not only does this CC cream cover blemishes and even out redness, it's formulated with niacinamides which won't clog pores or make acne worse. It's not cakey and doesn't leave a flakey looking texture either! Would highly recommend for acne prone skin.
Bare Minerals barePRO Performance Wear Powder- Oil or shine is no match for this powder. I can usually even wear it without any other foundation. It blurs the appearance of pores and is very long lasting. I bring this compact with me for quick touch-ups, but I usually never have to because its staying power is so good!
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow- Don't get me wrong, I love my Nars Laguna, but in the winter time, I'm usually looking for a bronzer that has a little less gold to it. I've only heard great things about Charlotte Tilbury's bronzer and I'm pleased that it has a creamy and soft consistency. I've been using highlighters a lot more recently for an added touch of sparkle.
Glossier Boy Brow- Taming my brows seems like a constant, I can't leave the house without fixing them. So, the boy brow is the perfect brow filler and gel all in one without leaving my brows feeling sticky.
Diorshow Mascara- I don't think I will go back to using any other mascara because the Diorshow is the perfect curling and lengthening mascara I've used in a long time. No clumps, no spider eyes, just complete butterfly wings and the perfect amount of volume. I can't ask for more!
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fu$$y- RiRi knew what she was doing when she created this. I haven't ever been a fan of lipgloss until I tried this out from a sample kit and was hooked. The butteriest and creamiest, long lasting lip gloss. The perfect shade of blush pink and it won't have you smacking your lips.
A nice setlist of products going into the holidays, sensitive skin-friendly and the perfect touch of shimmer for any outing. Do you switch up your products for the seasons?
Hello December...
And just like that, our house has been transformed into a cozy Christmas wonderland the day after Thanksgiving. I know a lot of people who've already had their Santa blow ups out in their front lawns since Halloween and casino lights already strung and ready to go. The Rohman's, on the other hand, put everything up after Turkey day and then we are allowed to blast Nat King Cole all month long.
A festive reset for me, I've got a few fun things planned, but honestly I'm just ready for all of the cozy nights in with friends and family. The holidays always make me appreciate being home, even though I've been home for over a year. Christmastime in Chicago just can't be beat.
01. My mom usually has a specific theme for Christmas decor around the house: red trucks, red gnomes, red poinsettias, red nutcrackers—the whole lot! She's been cutting back on decorating each year though, but I've still decided to make my room festive with some new additions like glass Christmas trees, pink and gold ornaments, and an orange slice garland I made last year, but amped it up with miniature disco balls. You can't forget the never-ending Christmas throw pillows, of course.
02. I've been going into the city a lot, not just for work, but for all of the holiday festivities like the Christmas tree lighting in Millennium Park and stopping at the Christkindlmarket for a cup of cocoa and a peruse of the German potato pancakes and homemade nutcrackers.
Additionally, my good friend and I are actually going to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this week and I can't express how excited I am to actually listen and experience live music again. I have a soft spot for classical music since I grew up listening to my grandpa, dad, and sister play the piano so much. I've also just never heard the CSO play since I've lived here.
03. Speaking of live music in Chicago, I'm also going to go see The Killers play their holiday debut "The Night We Stole Christmas" at the Aragon Ballroom (my favorite concert venue in the city). It's an intimate venue with a lot of charm and the last time I saw the Killers was at the Allstate Arena, so I'm curious to see how they perform in such a smaller setting.
04. My family and I didn't really create travel plans for the holidays just to be cautious, but a couple months ago I planned a trip to go skiing with my cousins out west in McCall, Idaho next month. This quaint ski town is known to have a huge ice festival every year. I've never been skiing before, or have really even travelled during the winter months, so first time for everything amirite? They also go snow shoeing in the mountains and rent a house up there, so I can only imagine the cozy fires and all the wintery forest views.
05. Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly considered "fun" but I am excited for much needed rest. These past few months have been go-go-go with lots of big changes and I'm ready to let this month fill up my soul with good food, good laughs, and good sleeps.
With the mixture of working out, travel, socializing and staying on top of my writing, the days surely have flown by. Especially working from home, I've found it harder to stay motivated if I am not giving myself much needed rest. For awhile I started taking melatonin, which also helped me wake up refreshed, so maybe I should get on that again. I'm not really a fan of naps, since they do make my day much slower and I feel unproductive if I do decide to rest my eyes, but listening to what my body needs is going to keep me healthy because rest is essential.
What are you looking forward to this month?
In the bliss of letting go and the leaves falling in what seemed to be one night, I am harnessing gratefulness for all that is good and have been taking the month of November to reflect on where I started and where I am now. I've been a bit of an introspect lately, taking in the warm moments after the weight of this year and I feel like the majority feels the same.
Turning Over a New Leaf
This month I landed my first full-time job. I am overjoyed, but I will be honest, it came with a bit of bittersweet overwhelm when the moment hit me that my schooling days are behind me. I will be kicking off my career with the same PR agency, Golin, that I interned for over the summer as an Associate Analyst for these timeless brands: Walmart, General Mills, and Ferrara.
Surrounded with support and a passionately driven strategist team, I am looking forward to the opportunities ahead for me at a company whose mission is to challenge the status quo, lead with informed and data-backed insight, and build on the collaborative minds around us to create transformative work. Based in the John Hancock Center, I've been lucky enough to make my way into the office a couple times a week and am still somewhat in shock that I get to work in one of the most iconic buildings in Chicago. I actually start in my new position today and am grateful to be working at a company I love that is going to nurture the start and growth of my career.
Okay so I may or may not be watching Adele's One Night Only on CBS as I'm writing this next section, but it resonates so well with what I'm about to talk about. Patience has been a godsend for everything this year has brought me. When there were moments when I was dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, the best of what I was going through was when I either waited or sat with what was right in front of me. My vagueness comes with protecting those around me, but the true lessons I've learned come with time and sitting in the discomfort of time.
With this new chapter, new career, and new excitement for how the next year could go, I am leaning into the essence and trust in time. Time will work things out and with time, I will find my way.
I should write songs with Adele, I feel like we'd vibe.
So, now that the Adele show is over...the Natalie show continues. I can't leave on a sappy note, so the last couple months of this year has been revealing to me what I really want—people who choose me, doing things that I love, and leaning into the discomfort with deep appreciation and gratitude for having every day, every laugh, every chat, every person who makes this life—my life—a special one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons