LUST-HAVE LIST: November 2020

Lust-Have List: November 2020

LUST-HAVE LIST: November 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

After 2 long years, it looks like 2020 is finally wrapping up. There have been more than a few occasions when I mention something happened last year. However, it had only happened a few months ago, which means I don’t know if something happened this year or last year. Hopefully, this year will end on a good and optimistic note – it can’t get any worse. *shrugs*

Now that Halloween is over, it’s officially – according to social media – Christmas season. Although I don’t really decorate for Christmas, I  love to see house decorated and littered with Christmas cheer. I have a feeling that a lot more people are going to get in the holiday spirit this year and I don’t mind.

Every year I do holiday gift guides, but I’m not sure if I’m going to this year. It doesn’t feel right with the current climate. If I do, they will affordable and all under a certain price. Still playing it by ear. In the meantime, here are few items I want/need for this month.

LUST-HAVE LIST: November 2020

  • Dispora Face Masks – Initially, I vowed to only stick with all black face masks. However, now I want them in various prints and colors. I love these dispora printed mask – all of them.
  • Grape Water Spray – The temps are dipping, which means my skin needs extra hydration. Face sprays are really good at doing this. I’m fancying this fancy grape water spray from Caudalie.
  • Oversize Plus Size Tie Dyed Sweatshirt – Tie dye was huger during the lock down – I attempted to tie-dye some tees. I’m not ready to let the trend of dye die. An oversize tie dye sweatshirt? All the yeses.
  • Fluffy Faux Fur Slippers – Another trend during the lock down was everyone ordering fluffy slippers from Amazon. I didn’t bite it, but I’m ready for them now. Loving the extra fluffiness of these.
  • Cast Iron Skillet – I need a cast iron skillet. Initially, I was going to ask for one for Christmas, but think I’ll just go ahead and get it myself. This is just the right size and quite affordable.

 

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LINK-END ROUND-UP: October 23, 2020

Link-End Round-Up: October 23, 2020

LINK-END ROUND-UP: October 23, 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Happy Friday, friends! I really wish I was ecstatic for it being Friday, but life has been slapping me around all week. Work has been it’s usual mix of calm and chaotic, which I’m used to by now. Actually, it’s a normalcy, at this point.

However, what’s really been grinding my gears is all the election coverage. Actually, I’ve been over it for the last month, because it was just too much. Last weekend, I was one of the millions of people who did early voting, which is what I usually do. Therefore, since I already cast my vote, I decided that I am done. I’m done trying to read up the latest election news and I definitely didn’t watch last night’s last (thank GOD) presidential debate.

All the back and forth news – true and false – was just too much. So, I’ve decided to put my extra time into strengthen my mental peace. Oh, and binging horror movies and series, which is what I’m doing this weekend. I’m kicking the weekend in off by going to a local Halloween that’s held at the zoo with my sister and nephew. It’s my first time going and it’s supposed to rain, but I’m still down.

Please check out this week’s Link-End Round-Up reads – love them.

Link-End Round-Up: October 23, 2020

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Combat Boots for Fall 2020

For the past couple of weeks, it has been consistently feeling like Fall. So, now that it feels like Fall, I can actually dress for Fall. When the temperatures drop, most people initially start shopping for sweaters and jackets. However, I like to work from the ground up and start with the shoes. The first shoe that I need to find are a new pair of combat boots. For the past few days, I’ve been scrolling various sight looking for my next pair of combat boots for fall. I saw a Facebook ad for a pair that I was ready to click and order immediately. Unfortunately, they were sold out and I was beyond annoyed. “Why is that ad still up if they’re sold out?!”

Combat Boots for Fall 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Needless to say, I had to go back to the digital aisles online and scope out a new pair. I’m still on the fence about which pair I want, but they are all good.

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EMPTIES: September 2020

EMPTIES: September 2020

EMPTIES: September 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

Last month, after months of dodging it, I finally caught maskne. So, most of the products I used up were skincare products. The first product on the list is Acne Free Oil-Free Acne Cleanser, which is a gentle face wash for acne skin. It contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, which helps fight and prevent acne. This face wash is not drying at all and it contains ceramides that creates a barrier to helps retain the skin’s moisture. I would and probably will buy this again, because I have to keep an acne wash in my skincare arsenal.

The next product I used up is an OG product for acne, but finally using it up is bittersweet. More on that later. The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is the first product that I heard could get rid of cystic acne. The Drying Lotion is a spot treatment to help dry up blemishes overnight. Although they don’t say it, I would only recommend you use this on cystic acne – NOT minor pimples and blemishes. The reason being is because this contains ingredients that are very drying – Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, and Zinc Oxide. So I would stick to other spot treatments for acne that’s not inflamed nor cystic. I no longer suffer from cystic acne and hopefully will never need to buy this again.

Speaking of harsh ingredients, for the sake of my skin, I’ve been trying them in certain products. One of these products is toners. Toners are supposed to prep and keep your skin hydrated for serums. So, I made the switch to hydrating toners and the first one up was Mamonde Rose Water toner. Rose water is known to hydrate the skin and this toner does just that and then some. My skin instantly felt hydrated, nourished, and soft. Eventually, I would like to learn how to make my own rose water toner, but I will buy this again until that happens.

Let’s stick with roses and talk about Hard Candy’s Rose Drench Face Spray. This rose water spray can be used as a toner, setting spray, and makeup refresher. Surprisingly, I really loved this spray, because it was hydrating (has hyaluronic acid!) and affordable at less that $6. I plan to buy this again, because I refuse to spend more than that on some rose water anything ever again. However, it’s part of their Marilyn Monroe collection, which I hope isn’t limited.

Every now and then you are introduced to a product that sneaks up on you and blows your mind. The product that recently did that for me is Smouve Skin’s Beauty Sealant. I used this sealant every night to help seal my skin at night and wake up to smooth, glowy skin. When I tell you that I used every drop that I could – I did. When my skin experience some breakouts from breakouts, this is the only product I used after cleanser and toner to moisturize my face. I’m currently waiting for it to be back in stock, as should you. I’m getting 2 bottles next time. Yep, it’s that good!

I’m always down for trying a dry shampoo, even if they are do the same thing but smell different. This dry shampoo from Not Your Mother’s a typical dry shampoo that I used to absorb excess oil and drag me and my hair to wash day. Did the job and it smells like coconut. I would buy it again, if needed.

When it comes to at-home manicures, a professional top coat can make it look salon quality. So, I never have a problem spending a little extra money on base coats and top coats. One of my new favorite top coats is CND Weekly Long Wear Top Coat. It has made $3 nail polish look like a $50 gel manicure and without the need for a LED lamp. Initially, I got this bottle in the clearance aisle of a Walgreens for $2. However, it was so good that I just bought a new bottle from Ulta for full price. It was the only thing I went for that day, too.

I love a good CBD beauty or skincare product and this CBD balm from HempFusion was amazing! I mostly used this at night on my hands and feet, because it helps to soothe and relax. Since it also acted as a pretty good skin barrier, I need to get another jar for the cold months coming.

Occasionally, I share a skincare product or type of skincare product that I think everyone needs. One product that I think everyone needs is skin repair cream, especially if your skin get irritated frequently. For the past few years, my go-to has been Aquaphor, but it can feel heavy. So, I decided to try BIODERMA Repair cream as a lighter alternative. The great thing about this cream is that it’s formulated to help heal dry, irritated skin. Plus, it contains a number of active ingredients to protect the skin and Antalgicine to help reduce discomfort and the urge to scratch. Since it is a cream, it absorbs into the skin, which I appreciated. Yes, I will be buying this again.

The final product I “used” up is bittersweet – it’s Urban Decay’s Brow Blade in Cafe Kitty. You might remember me sharing this eyebrow pen and pencil a few months ago as an Item of the Week. Well, the sparks quickly fade, because the top wouldn’t stay on after 3 weeks. Therefore, the ink dried and I was left disappointed. I will not buy this again. I was mainly into it due to the ink tip end and I hear that Anastatia of Beverly Hills has a ink brow pencil now, too. So, I might give that a try next.

Have you tried any of the products in my September Empties post? Share below!

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LINK-END ROUND-UP: October 2, 2020

Link-End Round-Up: October 2, 2020

LINK-END ROUND-UP: October 02, 2020

Happy Friday, friends! Well, this has been quite the week, huh? I’ll just sum it all up by reminding you to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and vote.

My first week as a grown a** 39 year old has been lovely. Fall is finally here and brought her perfect weather of sun-filled chilly days. I can feel my boots slowly creeping to the front of my closet. Also, that reminds me that I need to drop off my denim jackets at the cleaners, because this is there time.

Coronavirus has caused a lot of the fall festivities to be postponed or cancelled all together this year. The big fair that comes into town, Mid-South Fair, has been cancelled after initially being postponed for a couple of months. Not mad, because the recluse introvert in me hasn’t wanted to go to the fair since junior high.

However, the pumpkin patches are starting to open, which I love going. There’s one, in particular, at a local church that my sister and I got o everywhere. Although we do go to get a pumpkin, we also go to get some pumpkin bread samples that one of the members make and it’s so good. I hope samples are available this year. If not, they give the recipe out, too. Just one of the things that I’m looking forward to doing this month. It’s Fall, y’all!

Let the weekends full of layered lounge wear while strolling through Target for fall home decor begin. Have a good weekend and check out these interesting reads from around the internet.

LINK-END ROUND-UP: October 2, 2020

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