Currently Burning | A Candle Collection

If there’s one “frivolous” thing I will always spend money on it’s candles. I once watched a Sali Hughes video about her perfume collection and in which she touched on her candle collection. One of the points she made that resonated with me was that while candles can be extortionately expensive, the difference in quality and burn time is significantly better if you go slightly higher end. I can attest to this because I have had higher end candles that have lasted me months and months, while some cheaper candles burn through in the blink of an eye. Candles certainly aren’t a necessity but every once and a while can be a nice treat to yourself and your home.

If there’s one candle that encapsulates fall and winter, it’s Diptyque’s Feu De Bois. I am a total sucker for woodsy scents (as you will find out once you finish reading this post), and, to me, this is the cream of the crop for woodsy scented candles. Part of what I love so much about this candle is how subtle it is. There’s nothing about it that is too smokey or heady, but it literally smells like the most quintessential wood-burning fire. So often woodsy scents are too heavy or cloying, but this one somehow strikes a perfect balance.

I spoke about this candle in a previous post, but one of the best more “affordable” candles on the market is the Maison Louis Marie No. 4 candle. It smells almost identical to Le Labo Santal 33, but comes in at about a third of the cost of the Le Labo version. This candle smells incredibly luxe and is one of my favorite year-round candles and luckily it’s not too expensive to buy back-ups of somewhat frequently!

I bought the Byredo Bibliothèque candle almost a year ago and it is still going strong! This is the perfect example of a candle that was pricey, but doesn’t need to be burned very often or long to get the scent. This candle is definitely on the sweeter side of the type of scents that I like. It has a pretty strong vanilla and plum note, but it is balanced out by some leathery and light patchouli notes. This candle really does stand by its name, because it evokes the feeling of being in an old library.

Now this one was a Christmas candle but, the Space NK Shimmering Spice Candle is still going strong in my candle collection. SpaceNK release this candle every year around Christmastime and it has been a long-time favorite of mine for more festive candles. Even though it’s a holiday candle, it’s not over the top or very sweet smelling, which a lot of Christmas candles are. The candle literally smells like orange, clove, and cinnamon, which actually translates really nicely beyond the Christmas holidays and into cozy winter nights.

The most recent addition to my candle stash is Byredo Tree House. Going into spring, I wanted a candle that was a little bit lighter than all of my winter candles, but still something that had woody notes to it. Tree House is definitely less smokey than Feu De Bois, but it still has strong cedar and guaiac wood notes. There’s also a slightly sweeter, more leathery notes that cuts the woodiness and makes the scent profile more complex.

What are your favorite candles at the moment?

Skincare Routine | The Treatments

I love a good night-in pamper evening filled with a nice hot bath, a beefy skincare routine, and an at-home manicure. More and more I’m finding that I just don’t have the time to do a full pamper evening anymore. However, I do still prioritize giving my skin an extra boost when I’m feeling especially drained and stressed, which is when my skin is at its worst anyways. Given that I shared my daily skincare routine not too long ago, I figured I’d share my favorite treatment-based skincare products that get pulled out for special skincare needs.

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask ~ I’m not a big PSL fan (in fact I think they are pretty vile), but I do love pumpkin pie and that is exactly what this mask smells like! Besides the fact that it smells incredible, the PTR Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is also very effective and really helps to turn around my skin when it’s in crisis. Because it’s an exfoliating mask (it has both a light physical exfoliator and chemical exfoliators in it), I tend to use it most when my skin either looks dull or is in desperate need of a more intense exfoliation. Not only does this mask help with the texture of my skin, but it also clears up congested skin and little spots much better than any other mask I’ve tried.

Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask ~ Especially in the wintertime my skin gets dry. I don’t know if it’s the dry air, central heating, or just the likelihood of feeling ill during that time of the year, but whatever the cause my skin always needs a constant stream of moisture during the colder months. The Glossier Moisturizing Moon mask does exactly what it claims to do: moisturize. The texture is a very thick cream, that has an almost retro feel (think Pond’s Cold Cream), you leave it on the skin for a minimum of 20 minutes and then rinse it off. Because this mask contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, the mask hydrates deeply without leaving a residue or feeling clogging on the skin.

Aesop Parsley Seed Mask ~ I don’t know if I could talk about masks without talking about the Aesop Parsley Seed Mask. I’ve had this mask in my rotation for a solid five years and it has never let me down. It’s my go-to when my skin is breaking out or feeling congested because it’s a clay-based clarifying mask. There are a load of clarifying clay masks (try saying that five times fast), however a lot of them can feel very drying and stripping, which the Aesop version does not. There’s also just something about the scent that is so spa-like and calming, which is usually a welcome relief given that my breakouts tend to coincide most with me being stressed out.

Summer Favorites

Summer is just about coming to a close, although we are due for our usual delayed summer in San Francisco, and I'm honestly pretty excited about the upcoming change of seasons. I've never been that into summer and considering it's been a very busy summer in terms of work and moving, there wasn't much time left to do traditionally summery things like going on vacation, leaving me with some serious FOMO watching everyone galavanting around Europe and elsewhere on Instagram. Complaining aside, I am also ready for autumn because I feel so much more in my element during the colder seasons as they fit my personality and interests so much more than summer. However, I have discovered a lot of things this summer that were seasonally inspired that I will absolutely be using in the seasons to come. 

J. Hannah Agnes ~ I absolutely love all of the J. Hannah polished I have acquired over the past year or so since they launched. The colors are just so different than anything else that is out there on the market, but they are colors that are neutral and just look effortless with whatever you wear clothing-wise. One of my favorite shades she's come out with is Agnes, which is a pale nude-pink that I have yet to find a dupe for in more popular brands like Essie and OPI. Nude polishes are the hardest for me to love because them looking good it is so dependent on your exact skin tone. Agnes definitely leans more on the warmer side, whereas so many nail polishes lean cool and therefore make my hands look sickly. I also really like the fact that I can apply one coat of this for a sheerer look without it looking streaky or patchy like so many other nude polishes do. 

Epokhe Dylan Sunglasses ~ These aren't a new addition, as I purchased these sunglasses last winter, however being summer I've gotten a lot of use out of my Dylan sunglasses by Epokhe. I first saw these sunglasses on Camille Rowe, who is just my absolute girl crush, in the wellness series she did with British Vogue last year. I've always wanted a pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers but they just don't look all that great on me since the nose bridge just looks too flat on my face. However, these glasses are the perfect Wayfarer-like frames that look a tad more interesting and unique than the iconic Ray-Ban style. I love how pitch black the frames against my very pale skin and they have a slight cat-eye shape that make them look a tad vintage and insanely cool. Without fail, every time I wear these glasses I get complimented on them!

Otherland Kindling Candle ~ Otherland is one of those brands I found during one of my endless scrolling sessions on Instagram. The ads kept popping up on my feed that at one point I just gave in and googled what this new candle company was all about. As a little housewarming present to myself and Brad, I bought ourselves one of their trios of candles and we've been super happy with all three that we purchased. The winner, overall, has to be Kindling, which, as you can imagine, smells like a rich woody fire burning in the background. Now there are some wood fire candles I have smelled before that smell like straight up smoke, and this definitely is not that, it has a warmth and sweetness to it that takes the edge off of what could be a very smokey scent.  Being San Francisco, we've had a lot of fog this summer and this candle is definitely nice for creating that cozy feeling that I crave during those cloudy days. We will definitely continue to burn this all through autumn and winter. 

Apple Airpods ~ Ok, I'm going to preface this with saying, I totally was the person that scoffed at people that wore Airpods, because let's be real they're kind of douche-y. However, that being said, my sister bought a pair a few months back, I tried them and loved them. They're definitely an extravagance and not a necessity in the slightest, however if you like to walk a lot or take public transportation and listen to music or podcasts during, it's really nice to not have to fuss with your headphone cord constantly. I never thought a pair of headphones could bring me so much joy during simple acts like cleaning the apartment or going for a mid-day walk, but these have. 

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow ~ Every few months I try to rifle through my beauty stash and put products in my everyday makeup bag that have gone a bit unloved for awhile to try to get use out of them again. I loved Pale Barley for so long, but as seasons pass, I hadn't reached for this eyeshadow in quite awhile. I rediscovered it in my stash about two months ago and I'm so glad it's back in my regular rotation again. It really is the perfect neutral, not-too-matte yet not-too-shimmery eyeshadow that is just so darn flattering. I find myself reaching for this most often when I have no clue what to do with my makeup, but still want to make an effort. 

The Minimal Hair Care Routine

I am, admittedly, not all that into hair in general. I've never been very adventurous with my hair, whether it be in terms of coloring or styling. Part of this has to do with two things, 1. I have natural red hair and would never dye it (my mom would most likely disown me if I ever did) and 2. I have curly hair, which limits the kinds of hair cuts that I can get (although I'm somewhat grateful for that now). As a kid, I hated my curls, I wanted nothing more than to have straight, easy-to-manage hair. However, as an adult, I have learned how to manage and take care of my curly locks and, therefore, have been able to embrace them more than I ever did before. I've learned over my twenty-three years of life that when it comes to my hair, simplicity is best.  

My haircare routine is incredibly pared back. I use max five products at any given time, including shampoo and conditioner, and I don't see myself changing my routine anytime soon. It's also worth mentioning that I am in the process of growing my hair out at the moment, so keeping my hair in good condition and well-nourished is my top priority. First off: shampoo and conditioner, I only wash my hair about 2-3 times per week, because I have dry, curly hair I can get away with very few washings and it keeps my hair in better condition anyways. I use the Davines Love Curl Shampoo and Conditioner, even though I haven't been using these for too long, I am absolutely in love. They definitely help the condition of my hair feel considerably better and they don't weigh my curls down, like so many nourishing shampoo and conditioners do. When my hair is still pretty wet I use the Hairstory Hair Balm, which is the best hair styling cream I've come across (and, believe me, I've tried a fair few). If I want a more textured look, or I am not going to be heat styling my hair (which I do most days, but am trying to move away from), I will spray some of the Hairstory Déshabillé, which is a texture spray that mimics a sea salt spray without the crunchiness. Because I don't wash my hair too often throughout the week, I do need to use dry shampoo to keep things fresh in between washes. I don't think I've found a dry shampoo that I'm totally in love with. Most recently I've been using the original Batiste Dry Shampoo, which is a classic for a reason, however I don't feel like I need something that intense since my hair doesn't get very greasy. Last but not least is the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. It took me ages to finally give into the hype and buy this product, but I have to say, I'm glad I gave in eventually. I don't use this stuff on a very regular basis, but it is perfect for carrying around in your handbag to give your hair a little lift if you're going out after work. 

Skincare Routine | Summer 2018

Even though we don't have much in the way of seasons in Northern California, I feel the need to switch up my skincare every few months to address the fact that my skin somehow reacts to the changing of the seasons even when those changes aren't all that drastic. Because I'm such a product junkie, switching up my routine every once and awhile just gets me excited and feels like a small act of self-care. I'm always pretty stream-lined about my skincare routine, but during the summer months it generally becomes even more streamlined, mainly because my skin doesn't need as much during the warmer months. 

When it comes to cleansing I generally stick to the same Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser for both morning and night, it's just so easy and basic that I don't see myself needing or wanting to try another cleanser any time soon. For my morning routine, post-cleansing I will do a light spritz of the Heritage Store Rosewater, which feels amazing especially on hotter summer days. I just started using the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluide Emulsion, which is a super lightweight but hydrating moisturizer, as I wanted something a tad lighter weight than my usual daily moisturizer: Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich. I like this moisturizer a lot because it's light enough to use under SPF and not end up feeling like your skin is being weighed down by a lot of heavy product. Speaking of SPF, I've been using the Glossier Invisible Shield on a daily basis, mainly because it is so lightweight and comfortable to wear. If I'm having a day where I find myself more in the sun, I use the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid SPF 70, because it's a bit more heavy-duty and the SPF is higher (although I still make sure to reapply constantly!). Last but not least is the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream, which is lightweight enough to be used under makeup. I'm not too sure how well this has been working in terms of brightening my under eye area (mainly because my dark circles are genetic), but it is a nice eye cream in terms of the texture and its ability to moisturize. 

My nighttime routine is still pretty simple, but I add in a couple of extra steps just to make it feel a bit more relaxing. Because I wear SPF on a daily basis, double cleansing is super important in making sure that my skin is clean of any and all product I used during the day. I use the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm and then follow up with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser as my second, more lightweight cleanse. Depending on how my skin is feeling I will use an array of different products for specific skin concerns I need to address. If I have any active breakouts, my go-to is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, I've used this solidly for the last four years or so and it works like a charm at clearing most kinds of breakouts. About every other night I will use the Glossier Solution, which is an acid exfoliant. I do like Solution, however I'm not sure if I will repurchase in the future, mainly because it didn't wow me (P50 here I come!). If my skin is feeling at all fragile, or I have residual spots that towards the end of the healing process, I use the Pai Rosehip Regenerate Oil, which is one of the best face oils if you have sensitive skin or are just new to the world of face oils in general. Finally, every night I use the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Eye Treatment under my eyes and the Drunk Elephant La La Retro Whip Face Cream as my evening moisturizer.