7 Hair tricks and tips + what new products I’m using from Pantene!

Beauty Hair Care Hair Tips

This post is sponsored by Pantene, all thoughts, text and opinions are mine.

Growing up in an atmosphere where my grandmother and mother both not only ran, but owned a beauty shop, I was able to experience the pleasure of trying many different hairstyle trends and fads. This also meant learning how to truly take care of my hair and learning some tricks of the trade when in a bind! I’m excited to partner with Pantene to discuss their new Nutrient Blends Collection and share some of my tricks and tips on the importance of hair care including some that I learned from my mom and grandma!

  1. Out of Dry Shampoo – Can’t make it to the store? Well, if you have baby powder laying around, simply put some in your hands, rub together and put onto the roots of your hair! This has been a go-to secret of mine for years. Rely on dry shampoo to get you through the days you don’t wash your hair.
  2. Don’t wash your hair everyday! Washing your hair every day will strip your hair of the oils it needs for nutrition and growth. I personally wash my hair every 3-4 days!
  3. Static in your hair? Go into your laundry room and grab a fabric softener sheet! Rub it all over your head from root to the ends. This will instantly remove any static you have. *It will also make your hair smell amazing.
  4. Is your hair feeling dry and damaged? Not curling or straightening correctly? Use a deep conditioning mask! I highly recommend applying before bed, letting it dry, go to sleep then rinse in the morning. A deep conditioning mask is like water to your skin! It’s a must!
  5. Eat Healthier foods for healthier hair! Foods like almond butter, tangerines, Alma berries and spinach are nutrient-rich foods that are sure to help your hair.
  6. Know your hair and which brands work for YOU during EACH season of the year!  We often change our skincare and makeup for each season, let’s not forget about our haircare. When you travel, you should also be paying attention to the weather in that area. The atmosphere and weather will have a drastic effect on how your hair reacts.
  7. Apply conditioner correctly.  I used to always use it from my roots to my tips. Big no no. That would cause my hair to get super greasy. Apply your conditioner starting from the halfway point of your hair to the ends!

Being surrounded by that hair dresser atmosphere was always fun. I will admit, I was their guinea pig for a while, haha, when trying new things, but they always taught me to take care of, nurture and condition my hair. I was taught the right way to avoid damage to my hair.

Just like skin, your hair needs TLC too. That’s why it’s important to know what type of shampoo and conditioner work for YOU. As I mentioned above, take the time to check the weather where you currently live or if you’re on the go, the weather at your destination. Each season you will see that your hair will react differently. Whether it’s frizzy, dry or oily! We often forget how much the atmosphere will affect our hair.

Pantene just released their new Nutrient Blends Collection!

I personally love the Miracle Moisture Boost Collection with Rose Water because of how much I’m constantly styling my hair. I gave the shampoo and conditioner a try for the last 3 weeks and I love how it makes my hair feel and smell! These collections are free of sulfates, parabens, dyes and mineral oil.

About this collection:

The Miracle Moisture Boost Collection with Rose Water was made to soothe and hydrate dry and brittle hair. This collection currently features two products:


• Rose Water Shampoo – provides gentle cleansing to leave dry hair feeling soft and not stripped. When to use: for a regular, gentle cleanse on your wash days


• Rose Water Conditioner – hydrates hair to tame frizz and provide a nourished, silky finish. When to use: for regular moisture boosts with every wash day

BENEFITS OF ROSE WATER
• Used to care for skin in extreme climate conditions
• Relives skin irritation and redness
• Contains antioxidants

Which best defines your hair?

Soothe and hydrate dry hair? (Use MIRACLE MOISTURE BOOST WITH ROSE WATER)

Protect and repair damaged hair? (Use FORTIFYING DAMAGE REPAIR WITH CASTOR OIL)

Add fullness to fine, thin hair? (Use HAIR VOLUME MULTIPLIER WITH BAMBOO)

There is a hair product for whatever your need might be! You might want to add more than one to your shower collection. We all have a shower collection of products that we use, sometimes combining them will get you the best results! Click here to get yours! 

Hope you enjoyed me sharing some of my hair tricks and tips, thanks for letting me share another product that I love with you guys!

xx, Tonya Michelle

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Sephora Beauty Gift Guide

Beauty Gift Guide Holiday Gift Guide Sephora

For my Sephora lovers – I’ve listed my favorite beauty items in categories below in different price points for all! $25 and under, $50 and under and $100 and under! By shopping my links, I do receive a commission at no extra cost to you but it helps support my blog and my job! I appreciate y’all shopping my links and I hope you find the perfect beauty gifts below!

$25 and Under



$50 and Under



$100 and Under

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12 Amazon finds you didn’t know you needed

Amazon Beauty Cozy Gift Ideas Fall Gift Guide Under $40

Who doesn’t love Amazon? Especially if you’re a Prime member, you can purchase virtually anything on Amazon and it will show up to your door within two days, sometimes even the next day!

As an avid lover of Amazon, I’ve found some items online that I simply cannot live without. These are some of my favorite Amazon finds that I know you all will love!

Necklace and accessories holder, $20

I have so many jewelry organizers but this one is by far my favorite. It looks super expensive and is very sleek, holding all of my favorite necklaces. If you’re looking to up your accessories game, this organizer is the way to do it!

Makeup organizing travel case, $18.98

You may have seen this makeup case already on a lot of influencer’s pages. If you haven’t it is literally the BEST travel makeup case and I am so glad I got suckered into buying it. It comes with adjustable dividers so you can be sure your makeup won’t slide around while you’re traveling. If you need a new makeup case, this one is the best one I’ve found! It comes in a bunch of different colors, but I have the classic black.

High waisted leggings, $10.99

These are THE best leggings EVER! Leggings are all I wear during the fall and winter and I get frustrated with see-through leggings and don’t want to pay a bunch of money for one good pair. I found these leggings after Cosmopolitan recommended them, bought one pair, and then immediately ordered three more. They are so soft, so comfortable and NOT SEE THROUGH! For only $10.99 order as many pairs as you can. 

Back tanning wand, $11.99

The worst part about self-tanning is missing your back entirely. You could always ask someone to help you out, but if you’re alone, it’s the worst. This back tanning wand solves ALL of your self-tanning problems! All you do is attach the mitt to the wand and voila! Your back is tan!

Weighted blanket, $62.90

A weighted blanket is absolutely one of those things where you didn’t know you needed it until you have it. If you have trouble sleeping or have anxiety, a weighted blanket alleviates so much stress and helps you to fall and stay asleep. Caroline has this one from Amazon and absolutely loves it. She says it’s not too hot as the weight in the blanket are from glass beads, so they’re actually very cooling. It feels like a hug and you feel so relaxed after sleeping! If you’re interested in learning more about some of the benefits from a weighted blanket, click here. 

Makeup brush cleaning mat, $6.99

This brush cleaning mat is the real deal. I used to clean my makeup brushes by hand, but once I discovered this mat, I never looked back! The grooves in the mat help to get all of the makeup off the brushes and I just use some Dawn dish soap and give them a good scrub!

The first six of the Amazon finds here:

Facial steamer, $36.95

This is one of those Amazon finds that you didn’t know you needed until you purchased it. I purchased this facial steamer after seeing many bloggers recommend a more expensive one, so I headed to Amazon to find a more affordable one with great reviews. If you are looking for a spa-like facial treatment OR suffer from seasonal allergies or cold symptoms during these fall and winter months, you absolutely need this! The steamer opens up your pores so your skincare products work better and it also works to open up your sinuses from congestion relief. Trust me, you need this!

Travel makeup mirror, $19.97

After doing so much traveling, I decided I needed a lighted travel makeup mirror. This mirror is exactly what I was looking for. It is the perfect size where it’s not too big to not be able to stash in my purse and not too small where I can’t see my entire face while doing my makeup and hair. I also love that it has the option to be battery powered (which I utilize) for on-the-go makeup!

Oversized sunglasses, $9.95

These sunglasses are SO cute and trendy and perfect for any season. These sunglasses look like an expensive Chanel pair and are under $10! How can you beat that? I have the black pair but definitely want to order some of the other colors, especially the white ones!

Flyby hangover pills, $17.99

This is a recommendation by Caroline that she swears by. She says they really work and she wakes up practically hangover free after a night out. For $17, it doesn’t hurt to try out!

Travel faux leather backpack, $36.99

If you’re looking for a stylish backpack for traveling, look no further. This backpack is SO cute and comes in so many different colors. It’s only $36.99 and is a steal for the quality, it honestly looks and feels so much more expensive. Caroline has this bag in black and took it on a recent trip with her. She said it held her 13-inch MacBook perfectly along with all of her other travel essentials!

Dermaplane razor, 12 pack, $7.37

If you’re not familiar with dermaplaning, it removes the top layer of your skin where hair and dead skin reside to leave your complexion feeling soft and smooth. I use eyebrow razors as they function the same way. These are perfect and come in a pack of twelve for only $7.37! I had no idea how much peach fuzz and dead skin I had on my face until I started dermaplaning my face once a week. It’s honestly so satisfying and I don’t know why it took me this long to try!

The last six of the Amazon finds here:

Which Amazon find do you now think you must have?! I would love to know in the comments below!

Xx, Tonya Michelle

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Fall lip colors you need this season!

Beauty Fall Makeup Sephora Ulta

I can’t believe fall is practically here! It’s my favorite season, so I’m super excited. Even if you’re not a big fall person, you can get excited about fall trends such as comfy sweaters, knee-high boots, your favorite pair of jeans and of course, fall lip colors!

Caroline and I picked out our favorite fall lip colors to get you excited for the best season!

Caroline’s Picks: Matte lips you’ll love

Unlike Tonya, I prefer a matte lip! I love a good bold mauve or deep brownish red, so fall lip colors are my favorite. These are some of my tried and true favorites, and most I like to wear year-round!

Colourpop

You can’t go wrong with Colourpop! Their formulas are amazing and they’re so inexpensive. Most lips are under $7 and even cheaper when you sign up for their newsletter. Below are my favorite lip colors I wear all of the time. These are almost identical dupes to Kylie lip kits.

Ulta

Some of my favorite lip colors from Ulta come from NYX, E.L.F. and Buxom, you can also purchase Colourpop at Ulta! Below are my favorite colors.

Sephora

At Sephora, I love to shop NARS and Huda Beauty lips! Huda Beauty matte and demi lips and NARS velvet lip glide are my go-to’s. NARS lips are definitely less matte than my other picks, so if you’re not sure matte is the right finish for you, definitely check out NARS velvet lip glide! Right now, I’ve been wearing Tarte “Salt Lyfe” every single day. It’s an easy day to night pinky-nude color that can be worn year-round!

Tonya’s Picks: Gloss lips you’ll love

Unlike Caroline, I definitely prefer more of a light and glossy lip look! For fall, I definitely try and mix it up a bit more with some deeper reds. In the photo I’m wearing Buxom’s “bitten” which is more of a deep wine color and Buxom’s “influencer!”

Ulta

At Ulta, I like to shop for Covergirl, Buxom and Bare Minerals! Below are some of my favorite colors.


Sephora

At Sephora, I like to shop for NARS and Laura Mercier! Added at the end is an AVON lip I am currently loving, sold on their website.


Which lip colors are your favorite? I’d love to know in the comments below!

Xx, Tonyamichelle

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11 must-have items for Summer!

Amazon Beauty Bikinis Fashion skincare Summer Fashion Swimwear

Summer is finally here! Whether you’re staying home or traveling this summer, these are my must-have items for whatever you do!

A great BB/CC cream

Taking care of your skin in the sun is SO important, but you want to look good doing so, right? These are my favorite BB/CC creams right now that protect your skin with SPF while providing a little coverage while you’re in the sun!

Another BB Cream that Tonya is loving: DERMAE – click HERE.

Headbands/Headwraps

I have been SO into headbands and headwraps lately, I can’t get enough! Favorites that I’ve found have been from Target, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. These are the best!

Earrings

I’m a sucker for a good statement earring, especially in Summer. Below I’ve linked TONS of affordable options:



Self-tanner

Summertime is all about tan skin! Get that glow (safely) with a good self-tanner. These are the best self-tanners I’ve tried that range from a mousse-like St. Tropez, to a gradual tan lotion like Tanceuticals and Jergen’s.

A good book!

There’s nothing better than laying out by the pool, the beach, or even on your back patio or deck with a great book while enjoying the beautiful weather. These are some great summertime reads Caroline and I have picked up and enjoyed lately.

SPF!

Don’t forget the sunscreen! These are some of my favorites ranging from lotions, gels, sprays, face sunscreen and lip sunscreen! These are my tried and true favorites that seriously protect your skin!

A cute beach/pool bag

Straw bags are seriously in for the summer. These are a few of my favorites I’ve found that are great for the beach, pool or just a cute summer purse!

Sunglasses!

Who can forget a fabulous pair of shades? These have been some favorites of mine lately!

Other beach/pool bag must-haves:

I keep the rest of these products in my beach bag, pool bag, car, purse, everywhere during the summer time! (Except for the Sun In, that’s a favorite of Caroline’s!)

What’s your summer must-have item? I’d love to know in the comments below!

Xx, Tonya & Caroline

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The best beauty products we’ve found in April!

Beauty Bronzer Concealer Foundation Hair Care Hair Care Makeup Sephora Skin Care Ulta

There’s nothing better than trying out a beauty product you’ve had your eyes on for a while and absolutely loving it! There’s also nothing worse than spending your hard-earned money on a product for it to totally flop.

Caroline and I have done all of that research for you and these are our absolute favorite products we’ve found in the month of April!

It Cosmetics, “Confidence in a Foundation”

Shop HERE

This foundation is Caroline and I’s new favorite! The coverage is amazing and you barely need any for full coverage. It works best with a damp beauty blender and blends flawlessly. This is the best foundation out there right now! I wear shade “medium” and Caroline is “medium nude.”

Physician’s Formula, Butter Bronzer

Shop HERE

This bronzer is so affordable and so stunning. The creamy texture makes it great for a brush or even for a beauty blender. I wear shade “sunkissed” and there’s a shade for every skin tone!

L’Oreal Infallible Fullwear Waterproof Concealer

Shop HERE

If you’re a fan of shape tape concealer, you will absolutely love Loreal’s new concealer. The buildable, full coverage is amazing and the price point is way more affordable! You barely need any product as well; just a dot goes a long way!

NARS NEW Summer Lights Face Palette

Shop HERE

This brand new NARS summer collection is incredible. This palette is Caroline’s favorite. It’s perfect for bronzer and the shades can be worn as eyeshadows, bronzers and highlighters! This is a great travel palette due to its 3-in-1 capabilities. The colors have a creamy texture to them and they go on so smoothly. The price point is a little expensive but it is worth every penny!

doTERRA Petal Diffuser

Shop HERE

I have been so into diffusing essential oils lately. They help me to relax and make the room smell amazing! This diffuser by doTERRA is my favorite. It works so well and not to mention is so pretty!

Huda Beauty “Demi Matte” Lips

Shop HERE

Huda Beauty lips have been Caroline and I’s favorite lately. They truly stay on an entire night and the shades are so pigmented and bold I always get so many compliments when I wear them! I have a bunch of shades but my favorite at the moment is “Day Slayer.” It’s a “versatile day to night nude!”

Tatcha Beauty “The Silk Canvas” Primer

Shop HERE

This primer is Caroline’s favorite right now. After seeing Jeffree Star use it, she knew she had to have it. It’s definitely expensive, so try the trial/travel size first to see if you like it! It lasts forever because you only need a finger nail’s worth of primer for your entire face, yes, that’s correct! Designed to fill your pores and give you that airbrushed finish, this primer feels amazing on your skin and helps with creasing!

Glam Squad “In Between” Dry Shampoo

Shop HERE

According to Caroline, this dry shampoo is by far the best she has ever tried! She’s tried so many brands that just don’t work for her hair. Finally, Glam Squad comes through with an amazing formula. The translucent spray doesn’t leave your hair white and immediately gets rid of greasy roots! Even better, it’s so affordable and the packaging is adorable!

Visha Skincare “Bump 2 Baby”

Shop HERE

I’ve been using this cream since the first trimester and let me tell you it is amazing! It feels so good and helps to prevent stretch marks. I apply this twice a day so I don’t get any stretch marks. Carl has also been using this for his super dry skin so it’s an extremely versatile product! It’s thick and goes on really smooth so that you barely need any to cover your bump.

Vivanaturals Beauty Charcoal Sheet Mask

Shop HERE

This charcoal sheet mask is truly the best I have ever used! Not only does it help to detoxify your skin, but it’s hydrating as well and leaves my skin glowing every time I use it! Use code ‘TONYAGLOW20’ for 20% off your purchase!

Dew Edit Scrunchies

Shop HERE

I love a good scrunchie and love that they’re back in style! Kaitlyn Bristowe’s Dew Edit scrunchies are my newfound fave. I have the “minis” which are regular scrunchies with a little less “floof.” They come in packs of three and are such amazing quality and don’t snap like other drug store scrunchies I’ve owned. I have the “glow uppers” and the “shade throwers” both of which are in stock!

Which beauty product are you adding to your cart? I’d love to know in the comments below!

Xx, Tonyamichelle

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New releases at Sephora inside JCPenney!

Beauty JCPenney Sephora

I recently took a trip to Sephora inside JCPenney to check out some of their new releases and I was not disappointed! Most of these new and exclusive items JUST hit stores two weeks ago, so I’ve been DYING to see, purchase and try them!

When searching for new products in-store, Sephora inside JCPenney makes it easy for you because all of the new releases are on display so that they’re easy to find and you can try them all!

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, Gloss Bomb “Fu$$y”, $18

I’m a sucker for a good lip gloss and Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty always hits the mark! I purchased the Gloss Bomb in shade “Fu$$y.” It’s a universally flattering, true pink and the packaging is gorgeous. Even better, shea butter is an added ingredient for smooth and luscious lips! I’m always a sucker for a good pink or nude!

Marc Jacobs Beauty

Accomplice Concealer & Touch-Up Stick, Shade “light 23,” $32

This concealer comes in 17 different shades, and is available in select doors. I’m hoping they come out with more later on! I purchased shade “light 23.” This is the perfect to-go concealer and would be great for travel as well. It’s meant to be a good touch-up concealer, perfect to stash in your purse to fix your makeup throughout the day! I personally keep mine in my bag.

Too Faced

Peach Puff Long-Wearing Diffused Matte Lip Color

Shade “Peachin’ to the Choir,” $19

Another lip I’ve been wanting to try is Too Faced’s new Peach Puff Long-Wearing Diffused Matte Lip Color. I purchased shade “Peachin’ to the Choir,” another true pink lip! This one is meant for long-wear as it’s a stain and not a gloss. It’s available exclusively at Sephora and Sephora inside JCPenney in 12 shades! The texture is soft and creamy, the application tip is AMAZING. I’m a fan.

Natasha Denona, Mini Nude Palette, $25

I have been dying to try some of Natasha Denona’s eyeshadow palettes, so I was really excited to try this mini nude one! The brown tones in this palette are gorgeous, and this is great for travel since it’s so small but has five shades for you to create a look with! This is also a good one to try if you’re not sure you want to spend the money on an entire palette!

Sephora Collection, Metallic Pigment Palette, $28

I have been loving metals lately, so I was super excited to try out Sephora’s new, limited edition Metallic Pigment Palette for the eyes and face. The price point of $28 can’t be beat and the colors work for any skin tone! These are great to use as highlighters to make your makeup pop and give you a little extra shimmer.

Sephora Collection, Sheer Liquid Shadows, Shade “Quartz,” $10

Liquid shadows are something I’m trying to get better at using in my makeup routine to change up my look a bit. I thought this color in shade “quartz” with the nude metallic undertones would be a great place to start!

Which product do you want to try most?

Let me know in the comments below!

Find your local Sephora inside JCPenney here.

Xx, Tonya Michelle

This post is written in collaboration with Sephora inside JCPenney. #SephoraInJCP

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    Give your skin a much-needed boost with Clarins Double Serum!

    Beauty Skin Care

    This post is sponsored by Clarins USA, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

    When it comes to brand loyalty, I try to remain as transparent as possible. I am loyal to brands that I use consistently and brands that I love! Clarins is one of those brands.

    I first started using Clarins’ Double Serum one year and six months ago. I wrote a first impressions style post followed up by my results one year later. Now, I’ve been using Clarins’ double serum for an additional six months and cannot wait to share some more results with you all!

    If you do not know, Clarins Double Serum is a plant-based serum that improves your skin’s texture, boosts radiance, firms, tightens pores and even skin tone while fighting wrinkles for younger looking skin. The Serum promises results in just 7 days! I know, I was skeptical at first too but I can attest to how well this product works.

    I have always been honest with you all when it comes to problems I have with my skin. Just like most, it’s not perfect! However, some have more insecurities than others when it comes to skin care and that’s me, which is why I take skincare so much more seriously. 

    Since I believe so strongly in skincare, I make sure I am not using any product that includes harsh chemicals. Clarins Double Serum includes 21 different skin nourishing plant extracts that are great for your body inside and out so you never have to worry about the ingredients inside!

    Using Clarins Double Serum the past year and a half I have noticed an improvement in my skin’s natural skin tone. I have naturally red skin and Clarins Double Serum helped me tone down my redness and bring it back to its natural color! 

    With the redness toned down, I have also noticed how much more radiant my skin is. Restoring my skin’s natural oils, the Serum works with my skin and not against it.

    Additionally, Clarins Double Serum is a seamless addition to any skin care routine and fit for any age and skin type! Just put it on right after cleansing and before moisturizing day and night!

    If you have yet to try Clarins Double Serum, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for! I love my skin now and attribute it to Clarins Double Serum.

    xx, Tonya Michelle

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    Creating a Fun Bold Look with Lancome’s 3-in-1 eyes, cheek and lips!

    Beauty Makeup Makeup Look

    This post is sponsored by #Lancome, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

    Creating a Fun Bold Look with Lancome’s 3-in-1 eyes, cheek and lips! This post is sponsored by #Lancome, however all thoughts and opinions are my own. Lancôme has always been one of my favorite makeup brands. Their quality products seem to last all day and I always get compliments on my makeup whenever I’m wearing Lancôme!

    I previously wrote about an easy day-to-day makeup look I created with Lancome’s 3-in-1 product and got so much positive feedback I decided to another fun look! The 3-in-1 cream-to-powder tint can be applied all over your face from eyes, cheeks and lips to give you a coveted afterglow effect with an oil-free color. This cushiony, soft texture glides seamlessly onto your skin providing a subtle flush of color or a buildable rush of color.

    Before using the products, I first primed my skin with Lancôme’s prep and matte primer as I prefer my makeup looks to be mattified and this primer is perfect for that. One thing I love about the 3-in-1 cream-to-powder product is how “fool-proof” it is that you can use your fingers or your favorite shadow, blush or lip brush!

    I first used the product on my eyes with shades Á La Mode and Éclat. Both of these colors were absolutely gorgeous on my eyes. The brown with pink-gold pearl notes in the Á La Mode mixed with the Éclat champagne with gold pearls made my eyes pop and accentuated the brown in my eyes. Forget anyone who says brown eyes don’t pop because these two colors proved them wrong!

    For my cheeks, I used the shade Petit Bisou that is a light pink with purple pearls. I usually don’t wear blush but this is now my go to color as it matched perfectly with my olive skin tone. I used a blush brush for this look but you can also use your fingers to smooth the product onto the apples of your cheeks.

    As for lips, I blended the Petit Bisou that I used on my cheeks with the Haute Couture shade that is a burgundy with blue undertones. The two colors blended seamlessly giving my lips a red-pinky glow that is perfect for fall! I again used a brush but you can use your fingers too! To finish off my look, I used Lancôme’s Fix it Forget it makeup setting spray and let me tell you it is my new favorite! It helped my makeup stay on all day long in the summer heat while I ran around finishing up errands before my wedding!

    For just $22, you get a 3-in-1 product that helps you create a gorgeous look that you can blend together and experiment with their 10 different buildable shades with three matte, three sparkle and four metallic shades. I would 10/10 recommend Lancôme’s new 3-in-1 all over color eyes, lips and cheek exclusively on Lancome’s website! I linked everything above for you to shop.

    Xx, Tonya Michelle

    Le Monochromatique

    Eyes Prep & Matte Primer

    Fix it Forget It

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    48 hours in Chicago!

    Beauty Chicago Travel

    When my bestie Victoria asked me to go to Chi-town with her for a quick trip, I jumped on it. If you haven’t noticed I try to travel once or twice a month. Not only to experience and make new memories but because I love sharing my favorites places and recommendations! It was a fast turn around but we had a blast, ate some amazing food and took some great photos. So, let’s dive in.

    We checked into Loew’s hotel Chicago (the one located 455 N Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60611 ) – it’s affordable and beyond stunning. Between the decor and atmosphere it reminded me a lot of one of my favorite NYC hotels. A place where you can work in the lobby – also grab a bite to eat and a drink.

    Soon as we arrived we headed straight into ETA Restaurant + Bar – ordered breakfast, a smoothie and felt recharged. I had my usual, the American breakfast (I ate it all, it was beyond amazing!) V had the avocado toast and chicken sausage! Highly recommend – service was also great. Even being busy they didn’t make you feel like it was a hassle. Much appreciated.

    Checked into our room & the view was priceless. V was super excited cause she’s never had a room with a crazy view before. I think since she’s been to NYC afterward that’s now a thing…. a room with a view is a must!!

    We got changed, fixed our selves up to be presentable and then headed out to explore. We did a little shopping at Moon Voyage, it’s a local boutique (2010 W Pierce St East) – I got a cute sweater and skirt, V purchased a gold ring with her initials on it “VIE” You can see it here. We explored and found some cool graffiti art – of course had a photoshoot LOL.

    We decided to head to the Sky Deck — first off, if you guys don’t know I’m going to tell you: I’m afraid of heights. But I’m so glad I went and did it, def won’t be doing it again but I’m glad, HAHA. I think the scariest part was the elevator ride (60 seconds takes you up 103 stories) YIKES.

    We then looked for the best pizza in town!! We landed at Gino’s East. We walked in there around 5:30pm right before the rush. I ordered everything basically, I was starving. We ordered: Pizza Breadsticks, Fries, Chicago Fire Pizza (Hot and spicy patty-style sausage, fire roasted red peppers, red onions) and Spinach Margherita Pizza (Spinach cheese blend, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil) & some beers!

    Headed back to the hotel for some drinks at the hotel bar, watched the Steelers lose, got some computer work done and then crashed!

    Day 2

    Well after not having the best life choices and drinking each a bottle of wine the night before we were so sick we couldn’t eat the breakfast we ordered. LOL Wish I was kidding. We were pretty mad at ourselves.

    V headed to her hair class for Bombshell Extensions (the ones I wear and love!) So I ventured out for a little on my own.

    I got myself together and headed to meet my friend Roxanne for lunch! Roxanne is known as @glassofglam on Instagram and she moved to Chi-town from D.C. recently.

    I was super excited she had time to meet up while I was in town! She recommend Summer House Santa Monica – Honestly she killed it. This place was stunning and the food was delicious to say the least. I just discovered as I’m typing this they have one in Northern Bethesda! Ok, I’m pumped and def diving to Maryland for this.

    After, headed back to the hotel and decided to have myself a spa day. I went to the Spa on level 3 — booked myself a 50 minute massage and a 50 minute body wrap. Both were incredible. I fell asleep and twitched like 4 times, haha. Highly recommend their spa if you’re local or staying there.

    We met back up after and decided to head to dinner! We used the hotels concierge service (which again, highly recommend). Ended up at Katana, only locations being West Hollywood, Chicago and Dubai! It’s tapas style eating which was perfect for us, we got to try so many different items. Our favorites:

    1. Sunomono – spicy marinated cucumbers
    2. Premium edamame
    3. ishi ebi no tempura (popcorn rock shrimp tempura, miso glaze)
    4. Shishito Japanese peppers (soy garlic sauce, bonito)
    5. SKEWERS wagyu kosho (american wagyu new york, black pepper sauce), Suzuki (chilean seabass) and Ebi bekon (jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon, chili garlic sauce)

    We also got sushi but it wasn’t anything mind blowing. We would of gotten more skewers instead! I honestly forgot to take photos of most so bare with me but I would 100% recommend you trying this restaurant. I wish we had one in the D.C. area.

    After we walked a few blocks to the Chicago theatre for some photos and shopping. Stopped at a bakery and wasn’t a fan, I sadly didn’t even eat my cupcake and the place smelled weird when we walked in. LOL.

    Chicago is so beautiful during christmas – all the lights, decor that the buildings put up is stunning. Even the display windows at Macys.

    It was a quick and fun 48 hours – honestly much needed! Hope y’all found some new places to go while in Chi-town or if you’re local to the area. We headed back to D.C. and I’m already ready to go back for more.

    A few of my travels favorites and must haves!

    The luggage that I’ve been using for over a year now: Gabbiano Luggage 

    Comes in a 3 piece set! It’s held up from ALL my travel. No cracks, no broken wheels and etc. I highly recommend them. I also just got their new set is beautiful and made from Aluminum – Linked HERE.

    xx, Tonya Michelle


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