As we are gearing up for the holidays, I am already braced for the inevitably driest time of year. It’s so bad in Utah that you have to put lotion on your hands multiple times a day just to keep them from cracking. Hands are one thing, but I’m even more conscious of my facial skincare routine so I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned recently (that we pretty much all do) around the holidays that is 100% drying out your skin, and some of my favorite products to help hydrate and hold in that moisture!

Traveling.

The busiest travel season of the year is just about to kick off and it also happens to coincide with the driest time of year, so I think it’s safe to say we’re all on high skincare alert. In-flight skincare routines are all the rage, but I actually read a story recently that it might be drying out your skin even more. When you apply sheet masks in-flight, it can bring the remaining moisture in your skin to the surface and then the dry plane air will basically absorb it all. I know there are so many different theories out there, but to play it safe, apply your skincare routine before you get on the plane so your products have a chance to absorb and start working for you instead of against you. My travel skincare must-haves are a good hyaluronic acid serum (been using Mineral 89 by Vichy for months and love!), a good eye serum (just started using Mineral 89 Eyes) and cream, and a moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is capable of holding over 1000x its weight in water, so it really helps keep your moisture locked it! I also always pack a good face mask to give my skin an extra boost to combat some of the side effects of travel.

Washing your face with hot water.

Am I the last person to learn this one?! I always thought that the hotter the water, the better but it’s actually doing more harm than good. When you wash with hot water, you strip your skin of the natural oils and as a result your face feels dry/parched. Nobody wants to use cold water, especially in the winter, but instead, use lukewarm water whenever you wash your face. Then apply your moisturizing products immediately after –  there will still be some moisture on your skin, and your products will help seal it in. Vichy’s Mineral 89 plumps, hydrates and fortifies your skin, so definitely one to add to your skincare regimen as an everyday staple.

Cranking the heat.

There’s nothing cozier than turning up the heat in the fall and winter. (Does anyone else love the smell of the heater when it kicks on for the first time of the season?) It dries out the air, but an easy fix is adding a humidifier. If you haven’t, it makes a huge difference! A tip for any of you building a home right now – you can actually have them build a humidifier system into the house! It’s not as expensive as I would have thought, so it was a no-brainer considering how much we had our humidifiers going.

I know we can’t live day-to-day avoiding 100% of the things that might be drying out your skin, but one thing you can control is what you are putting on your skin to add that moisture back in! It’s such an easy step to add to your routine, but even easier to skip so I wanted to share some of the moisturizing products in my current line-up. You’ve seen me post about my Vichy Mineral 89 before – it has 89% Vichy Mineralizing Water and also has hyaluronic acid so it leaves your skin plump and hydrated. They also just launched their Mineral 89 Eyes Hyaluronic Acid Eye Gel, which has the Mineralizing water, hyaluronic acid, and… drum roll… pure caffeine. I love eye serums with a little caffeine to help tighten and brighten your under-eye area!

(All of Vichy’s products are super clean too! No parabens, silicone, etc.) Right now you can get 20% off at VichyUsa.com so you can try out the Mineral 89 Eyes (just apply code: CHRISTINE19 at check out 🙂

You can also see more of my favorite Vichy products in this post and my guide to great skin here.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Vichy.

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*Sponsored by Conair and ShopStyle

I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I shared a hair tutorial or even more how long it’s been since I’ve actually curled my hair! After sharing these curls last week I wanted to put together a step by step so you can recreate my look. Conair just launched their UNBOUND Cordless Auto Curler and it makes it really easy to get your favorite curls on the go. Keep reading to learn how to get this look:

(My hair before)

Hands down the best part about the UNBOUND Auto curler is that you can curl your hair anytime, anywhere. You just charge it and throw it in your purse, suitcase, car, ANYWHERE, and you can pull it out and do a full look, or touch up your curls out and about.

How many times have you burned yourself with your curling iron? Since there’s a curl chamber, this one makes it next to impossible to burn yourself and it made me think it would be perfect for Mara to start learning to curl her hair. Such a great gift idea for the holidays too!

Settings: 400° for 12 seconds

The UNBOUND Cordless Auto Curler has multiple heat and timer settings that you can adjust to get your go-to curls or to switch it up if you want to try something new. Between my extensions and coloring, my hair is pretty dry right now, so I set mine to 400° for 12 seconds. If your hair isn’t as dry, I would try 1-2 temperature settings lower for 10 seconds to get these curls. (For tighter curls, set the temperature high and timer longer, or for looser waves, keep the temperature low and select a shorter timer setting.) When in doubt, take a few strands of your hair and test different temperature and timer settings until you figure out what you’re in the mood for that day.

Curl Direction: Left, Right, or MIX

There’s also an option to curl right, left, or mix, which allows you to control if you you want to curl away from or towards your face. For this look I curled away from my face, so when I’m curling on the right side of my face, I select L (left) direction and when curling on the left side of my face, I select the R (right) curl direction. There’s also a ‘MIX’ option which automatically alternates between the two for a messy, undone look.

Final Touches

I love the volume and beachy look of messy waves, so after I’m done curling I always brush the curls through with a wide tooth comb. Then just add your favorite hair products (I used an anti frizz spray after I finished curling, before I brushed out my curls) and voila you’re ready to go! Head to my IGTV to see a time-lapse of me doing the whole thing 🙂

The curler is under $100! It’s such a good tool, I’ve already used it so much, I love it! Send me pics when you try it – I would love to see your hair!

Let me know if there are any other hair tutorials you guys want me to share!

XX, Christine

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DETAILS: PANTENE ADVANCED CARE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

OUTFIT: SWEATER | LEOPARD PRINT DRESS | BOOTS

*In collaboration with Pantene.

Now that I am balancing life with a newborn again, I am reminded how easy it is to take for granted even the most basic things, like showering or washing my hair. My morning routine these days is basically a bare-minimum skin care regimen, quick shower – I’ll be honest this is more of an every other day type of thing right now haha don’t judge me, and *hopefully* a few extra minutes to wash my hair a couple times a week.

With simplifying, comes relying on those heavy hitting products that do double-duty. They are the best life/time savers! I always rotate my shampoo and conditioners because your hair can become immune to always using the same thing. One of my go to’s always in the mix is  the Pantene Advanced Care. The shampoo and conditioner hit 5 different musts all in 1 system – moisture, antioxidants for strength, smoothness, protection from sun/UV damage, and shine. The new formula is free of parabens, mineral oil, dyes, gluten and phthalates.

I also just recently learned a hair hack that makes perfect sense, but I never thought of it! To really get the most out of your conditioner, make sure you don’t over-rinse or it won’t be as effective! Try to stick to a 30 second rinse (I brush the conditioner through my hair with a wet brush before I rinse so it gets all my ends and doesn’t take as long to rinse).

The Pantene Advanced Care Shampoo and Conditioner are at such a good price point that I keep it stocked for the kids and guest bathrooms, too. Right now you can get $2 off the Pantene Advanced Care Collection at Costco (through November 24th) so it’s a great time to stock up, especially with guests and family visiting during the holidays.

XX, Christine

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Obsessed with these loafers! The prettiest fall statement shoe!

DETAILS: BLACK PILE COAT (UNDER $100) | BLACK SWEATER | DENIM | EMBELLISHED LOAFERS (ALSO LOVE THESE) | READER GLASSES | LEATHER BUCKET BAG

Fall fashion is THE BEST! I did a big fall order after I had Ollie. I was so excited to be in regular clothes again! These shoes are the real MVP of my fall haul. No matter how sweaters or neutrals (or neutral sweaters – you can never have too many! 🙂  are in your fall lineup, your shoes can completely transform you look. I love the extra embellishment coupled with the snakeskin on these loafers – they are a statement shoe but also neutral enough that you can dress them up or down, and they carry way more than their weight in the style ring. They are also a surprising price point! I honestly expected them to be over $500 when I first laid eyes on them, so I feel like I got them for a steal!

XX, Christine

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1. WOODEN CANDLESTICKS | 2. FAUX MINI TREE | 3. POM POM STOCKING (UNDER $20) | 4. PLAID MUG SET | 5. TARTAN PILLOW | 6. TIN EVERGREEN BUCKET | 7. MARBLIZED ORNAMENTS | 8. GREEN NAPKIN SET (UNDER $10 – ALSO LOVE THE PLACEMAT VERSION) | 9. BUFFALO CHECK MAT (UNDER $20) | 10. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MAT | 11. MINI CABLE KNIT STOCKINGS SET (UNDER $20) | 12. STRIPED STOCKING (UNDER $20) | 13. GLASS DOME | 14. GLASS CHRISTMAS TREE (UNDER $20) | 15. FAUX CEDAR WREATH (UNDER $20) | 16. GREEN SHEEPSKIN PILLOW (ON SALE UNDER $20 – LUMBAR VERSION HERE) | 17. CANDLE SET (UNDER $20) | 18. MERRY CHRISTMAS DINNER PLATE (UNDER $5) | 19. VELVET ORNAMENTS (UNDER $10 – COMES IN 3 COLORS) | 20. WHITE QUILTED VELVET PILLOW (ON SALE UNDER $20) | 21. TARTAN THROW | 22. MERRY CHRISTMAS STOCKING HOLDER

Help! I am in full Christmas mode already haha!  Typically I wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate but this year I am EXTRA excited about Christmas. It’s our first Christmas in our new home and our first Christmas with Baby Ollie!! If I’m totally honest I have been looking at Christmas stuff and holiday home decor since mid October lol.

This year we are doing our upstairs more formal and classic and downstairs super cozy with plaids and chunky knits.  I found the best tartan pattern in this throw pillow and blanket – I love how bright and cheery the red is and they are both really soft. I also ordered a set of plaid mugs (doesn’t everything taste better in a cute mug??) to go on our open shelves. Not plaid, but I also picked up these sheepskin pillows in green. They are on sale right now for $15 and come in 5 different colors. We also have a buffalo check mat to layer under our front door mat for the fall and I love this one to add something festive to the doorstep during the holidays. I also just ordered these stockings for our living room (they aren’t on the Inspo board above) but they are AMAZING! I am so obsessed!

I always love fresh eucalyptus and greens around the house during the holidays, but those die so quickly that I’m all about the faux wreaths and greenery when I’m decorating so far ahead of schedule. How gorgeous is this faux cedar wreath? The bells and ribbon are 😍. I also love this cute little faux tree.

Below are some more of my favorite Christmas finds so far this season:

XX, Christine

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