Perfectly Thoughtful Presents for the Essentials on Your List

Gratitude goes a long way. Expressing your appreciation not only helps you reflect on the goodness in your life, but nurtures happiness and builds resilience. We know that it takes a village to live a successful life, so we put together a gift guide for those treasures who’s sometime thankless work helps us live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

For your nanny:

What can you get the girl who tireless cares for your kiddo? She is a superhero, so how about a 7-piece cosmetics set that is designed for all skin types. With the IT’s Your Confidence Superpowers! Skincare & Mascara Gift Set, you don’t have to worry about sizes or shades, this skincare and mascara set is sure to fit. It includes full sizes of Superhero Mascara, Confidence in a Cream Rosy Tone Moisturizer and Confidence in a Gel Lotion Moisturizer, plus travel sizes of Confidence in a Cleanser, Confidence in an Eye Cream, Confidence in a Neck Cream Moisturizer and Confidence in a Cream Hydrating Moisturizer. Also, from 11/29-12/1 use the promo code THANKFUL for an extra  20% off everything, including select sale items.

For your dog walker:

She keeps your tail covered, you should get a little something to spark joy during the holidays. We recommend Michelle Obama's Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice. This this gorgeous journal features an intimate and inspiring introduction by the former First Lady and more than 150 inspiring questions and quotes to help you discover—and rediscover—your story.

For your kid’s teacher:

Teachers never get paid enough, so give them a luxe gift without breaking the bank. We adore a Peppermint Bark Layer Cake from MilkBar store. They can serve it at their own celebration, or enjoy it by themselves. Either way, it is a delicious spin on a holiday classic. The symphony of riche chocolate malt, fudge sauce, birthday frosting and peppermint bark with leave them howling with joy.

Upgrade Your Pencil Case

School is around the corner, so as your kiddos pick up new backpacks and pens, you too can upgrade your pencil supply. Tuck these tidy products into your pencil case and start the school year off right. 

It Cosmetics Brow Power™ Universal Eyebrow Pencil

Play up your brow game with this universal shade that adjusts to your brow color based on pressure. Apply softer strokes for lighter eyebrow hair colors including blonde and silver. Press harder for darker hair including brown and black. To finish, lightly brush through brows with the spooley brush for a natural, polished look. See enclosed brow how-to-guide.

Price: at ItCosmetics.com

L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen

1st ever Magic Precision Brush targets pesky, scattered grays to touch up roots in a flash. The unique Magic Precision Brush allows easy, smooth application to cover even the most pesky on any hair type or texture. 3,2,1…Grays gone! The formula is lightweight, ammonia-free, peroxide free, no synthetic dyes and washes off with shampoo. Available in black, dark brown, medium brown.

Price: $10.99, Available at food and drug retailers nationwide and lorealparisusa.com

Urban Decay 24/7 Sparkle Out Loud Glide-On Eye Pencils

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil is the stuff of beauty legend. Turn up the volume with four new metallic shades that feature a glittery finish. If these pencils don’t satiate your color lust, nothing will. Stand out in a crowded room with Roxy, a metallic bright blue with glitter, or show your Wildside with a metallic copper-pink shift.

Price: $22, Available at UrbanDecay.com, Sephora/.com, Ulta/.com, Macys.com and select Macy’s stores.

Summer Beach-Kissed Makeup

Bright eyes, fierce brows and bronze-boosting lips can transform a summer style from basic to glam. We are always asked about the products that are worth the spend, so we complied a few of our most-flattering faves to help you look your beachy best.

Sun-Kissed Lids
This summer don't shy away from shimmery shades. Achieve a dewy glow without the sweltering heat. STILA Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow is a long-wearing liquid glitter eyeshadow that is free of parabens and phthalates. We love that it combines the perfect mix of pearl and glitter to lavish eyes with incredible luster.

Makeup Artists' Best Brow Friend
Beautiful brows should look powerful and natural. That's why we're loving It Cosmetics Brow PowerFull pencil. The triangular tip delivers bold definition and volume in a single swipe. Fill in any holes or sparse spots for a game-changing wear.

Perk up your Pucker
The most livening lip product is FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15. It offers vibrant color that will protect your lips from the sun's harmful rays. It's not sticky or staining, so you can wear it to the beach or out at night. Plus with over 14 shades, you can easily find a color that works with your complexion.

Spring Beauty Essentials that won't Break the Bank

Gradually emerging from winter hibernation, means it's time to pack away sweaters and boots to make room for Spring. Since our skin spent the last six months hiding behind scarves and jackets, we need to delicately awaken a healthy complexion. Revealing radiance requires careful conditioning, so we are sharing some of our favorite springtime skin-savers for a total skin win. As a bonus, these sunny day essentials won't break the bank.

1. Build a Solid Foundation

Foundation can be intimidating - if not done flawlessly you can expose creases and wrinkles that can prematurely age you. This is why we love It Cosmetics Confidence in a Foundation. It is formulated for sensitive skin, and provides even coverage that won't wear off. Plus you can wear it with a lip gloss and not look back. Plus, with over 48 shades, no one is excluded. 

2. Powerful Pucker

We love FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15, not only for what it does, but what it doesn't: it's not sticky, chalky, or tacky. This collection nourishes dry lips while layering on light pigment that lasts through coffee and kisses. After it fully absorbs into your lips, you'll feel a smooth finish that lasts. Added bonus, the SPF will keep you protected all day long.

3. Make Your Peepers Pop

Mascara is an easy way to transform into an entrantress. Our tried-and-true favorite is
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara because it glides on smoothly to build great-looking lashes. Seriously, people always ask if we're wearing falsies. At $6 a pop, you won't mind replacing it every 3 months. 

4. Rose all day

Get an instant glow while cleansing your cells. It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream (Rosy Tone) revitalizes and hydrates your skin while delicately layering on a hint of pigment. It is a mighty multi-tasker that keeps you moisturized and healthy-looking.

Cool for the Summer

Every heart beats true for the red, white and blue, so we rounded up our patriotic skin savers just in time for Independence Day.  

 

Stars and Stripes

Between tan lines and sweat-glistening skin, you must keep a pore-minimizing powder in your beach tote. ItCosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed finishing powder is designed to blur the appearance of pores and imperfections with Bye Bye Pores Optical Blurring Technology. The universal translucent shade imparts all skin tones with a silky, skin-perfecting finish, while the anti-aging blend of peptides, silk, hydrolyzed collagen and antioxidants pampers skin for a more youthful, airbrushed complexion.

Seeing Fireworks

Bold, bright lips are an easy way to transform your appearance as the beach day, fades into the sunset. YVES SAINT LAURENT Vinyl Cream Lip Stain is our summer go-to because you don’t have to worry about it smudging or smearing. It’ll give you a greater pop than a firecracker and looks flawless in the pics.

America the Beautiful

We are always on the hunt for the perfect SPF, but this summer our prayers have been answered. We are smitten with SuperGoop Everyday Sunscreen. This water-resistant formula is perfect for everyday use on face and body. It's fast-absorbing and lightweight, but with ultra-moisturizing results. And, it's made with natural extracts of citrus, basil, and bois de rose, so you'll leave that typical sunscreen smell behind.

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Sun Daze

It felt like winter would never end, but now that days of golden sun are upon us, it’s time to shed our winter skin care and embrace a warmer glow. We have the summer essentials to keep you looking radiant with minimal effort.

Block Party

You need to be gentle with your skin as you transition outside from the great indoors. We recommend protecting your delicate facial skin from the sun’s harsh rays with KORRES Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil Face Sunscreen SPF 30 (Sephora.com). This ultra-sheer, soothing suncare solution is made with Yoghurt, which is rich in skin-repairing proteins, helping to keep the skin nourished. While providing daily broad spectrum UV coverage, the silky texture and weightless finish allow for the sunscreen to wear beautifully under makeup.

FaceTime

When you first come out of your winter hibernation, your facial skin is most vulnerable to environmental pollutants and toxins. We cannot resist ItCosmetics Secret Sauce Clinically Advanced Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer (ItCosmetics.com) brighten our summer complexion. It instantly hydrates and transforms our skin through a powerful cocktail of penetration-enhancing fermented ingredients for anti-aging results.

Skinny Dipping

When you have the option to jump into a pool take it. Don’t waste the opportunity because your mascara is going to run. Instead, stock up on Cargo Swimmables Waterproof Mascara Top Coat (Cargocosmetics.com). It will transform any mascara to be tear-proof, sweat-proof and waterproof. This invisible formula will coat lashes with a lightweight waterproof seal while maintaining the performance of your favorite non-waterproof mascara.

In the Buff

Buff away dry, dead skin to awaken healthy radiant cells. We slough off with the first body scrub from Dove. Their Exfoliating Body Polish (Dove.com) scrubs and nourishes skin to help streamline your skincare routine. Formulated with the brand’s signature ¼ moisturizing cream, Dove Exfoliating Body Polish works to remove dull, dry skin while providing the nourishment skin needs.

Feel Cozy this Fall

Kick back in your black booties and plush turtleneck sweaters, fall is here. As you cozy up to the crisp weather, don’t forget to transition your skincare routine with the season’s comfiest skincare products.

Skip the Pumpkin Spice Latte

If you need an energizing boost, then check out It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. This multitasking must-have combines SPF 50+, anti-aging serum and color correcting ingredients for an instantons makeover. It’s simple to apply, just dab a dot on your forehead, cheekbones and chin, then blend together to resolve uneven skintone. You’ll love the lightweight finish and just because the sun isn’t blazing, doesn’t mean you can neglect your sunscreen, but don’t worry, we got you covered.

Feed Your Body

Packing more of a sweet treat than an old-school candy shop, why not have your cake and bathe in it too? We are sweet on Being Salted Caramel & Macadamia Shower Burst

because it smells delicious without getting cloying.  Drizzle it over your skin and get set for some deliciously laid-back vibes. It’s so caramelicious bae will wanna eat you up.

Magnificent Mane in Minutes

From the moment you wakeup, you are on the go, so stock up on a hair essential that works as hard and fast as you do. We adore OUAI Texturizing Hair Spray because you spritz it on your wet hair, use your fingers to detangle your locks, then let the advanced styling formula take care of the rest. It even lasts if you pull your hair into a tight ponytail – after you release your strands, you’ll find soft, tussled waves. Just because you don’t have time to blow-dry doesn’t mean you can’t look great.

Got some favorite Fall beauty tips? Send us a message

Self-Care for the Mommy Sect

As a new mom you learn to prioritize your day around your baby. Unfortunately, this often means sacrificing self-care activates in favor of scraping ketchup out of your kiddo’s hair. Before you go too far down this path, consider that if you get too exhausted and wear yourself down to the point that you can no longer helm the ship, your family may be headed for a wreck. So, what to do? The answer is make the most of each moment, which means multi-tasking skincare products are now your best friend. We have a three-step routine to wash away stress and grime, leaving you feeling physically and emotionally refreshed.

Don’t give up schlepping your stroller to the park because the sweat makes your makeup run and t-zone breakout. Instead, remove dirt and cleanse your complexion with It Cosmetics Miracle Water. It is a 3-in-1 anti-aging tonic that purifies, brightens and moisturizes without stripping skin of essential nutrients. There is no better feeling than tucking your little one into bed, then retiring to the bathroom for a 5-minute pampering session. Simply pour several drops onto a cotton round to nourish your skin without rinsing. For a fun bonus, toss it in your diaper bag and share a swipe with your mom friends – you’ll become the most popular mommy on the playground.

Tackling tough skincare issues means relying on your rich, luxurious knight in shining armor. No, we aren’t talking about your hubby, we’re talking about night cream. It’s no mystery why some people awake with flawless skin, the solution is in the SecretSauce (from It Cosmetics). This moisturizer instantly hydrates skin while deeply absorbing powerful anti-aging and restorative ingredients into your parched cells. You may not have time for facials or peels, but this results-driven brand reports that 94% of participants in a clinical study, said their skin looked radiant, healthy, soft and smooth.  

One of the most annoying pieces of advice that I received before my baby was born, was to “get as much sleep as you can NOW, because after the baby comes you won’t be sleeping soundly for the next 18-years...” As a mom and psychotherapist, this is not a funny situation to normalize. Among the many benefits your kids will get from sleep training – like structure, consistency and well, sleep – you are demonstrating a valuable lesson in self-worth. I’m not here to debate the merits of sleep-training, but it is of critical importance to prioritize sleep. When it comes to the hierarchy of needs, until your basic needs get met (i.e. sleep, food, water, etc), you cannot begin to address your needs for safety, psychological security, and becoming a self-actualized person. Translate this information into any action that ensures a restorative sleep on a regular basis.

Make the most of your day (and night!) so you can be the best mommy possible (spoiler alert: perfection does not exist!)