Best Beauty Discoveries of 2018

I wanted to share a recap of my favorite products that I discovered in 2018 so that’s what I’m bringing you today. I’m overall pretty happy with what I tried last year. Nothing stood out as being terrible and wasted money so that’s always a plus. Be sure to let me know after reading, what you discovered and loved last year! (I am only including items that were new to me in 2018 that I hadn’t previously tried)

Makeup:

Lash Paradise Mascara: I was skeptical to try this mascara out because it’s supposed to be a dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and I do not like that one. However, this is now tied with my longtime favorite Loreal Voluminous mascara. It does a great job thickening and voluminizing without getting clumpy. I also really like the wand.

Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter: I’ve said this a few times over the course of the year, but I would call this liquid highlighter a pretty close dupe for the Becca Shimmering Skin Protector in Opal. Most days I mix it right in with my foundation and it gives me a great all over glow. If you’re worried about being covered in chunky glitter when you do this, do not fear! This one definitely is subtle but beautiful.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in ‘Amber’: This is my absolute favorite way to contour. The shade is perfectly cool-toned and blends effortlessly. If I had to pick my favorite makeup find from all of 2018 this would be it!

Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizer in ‘Anthelion’: I fell in love with these luminizers on a videoshoot I did at the beginning of last year and have loved them all year long. I love how easy and blendable this one is for everyday makeup, but still great for a full glam.

Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palettes: I didn’t discover these palettes until November but boy am I glad that I did! After buying one (The Warrior Palette) I immediately bought three more and am continuously impressed with the quality and pigmentation of these shadows. Highly recommend you checking them out if you are looking for a new palette.

Glossier Generation G Lipsticks: I picked up the shades ‘Cake’ and ‘Zip’ after Glossier relaunched with new packaging and I am obsessed. Both are staple shades every woman should have. They apply as a lip stain would and are perfect for beginners who are new to lipstick. I will forever keep these two shades in my purse. If you haven’t ordered from Glossier before a.) good luck not getting addicted and b.) click the link below for 10% off your first order!

***For 10% OFF your first Glossier purchase click here

Glossier Boy Brow: Enter one of the best products I’ve ever tried in my life. I used to think that Benefit was the only company who could make a great brow gel but boy was I wrong. I use the shade black and I cannot express to you how badly you need Boy Brow in your life. It gives me just the write amount of tint on my brows and still looks like hair. If you learn anything from reading this post, let it be that you need to try this product. Your BROWS need you to.

Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in ‘Mars’: I bought this product last spring because I was drawn to the color. It’s a rosy gold highlighting stick and I use it now when I want one product to make my cheeks look glowier and a little rosier. It’s a great no-makeup, makeup product and just makes your skin look healthier!

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara: The other best mascara I tried this year was this one. It’s the first mascara I’ve ever tried that cannot make your lashes look clumpy and lasts the ENTIRE day without budging at all. It’s not what I’d wear with a dramatic eyeshadow look because it’s not really that voluminous. It makes you look like you have naturally dark, long, and beautiful lashes! I’d say it’s great if you’re looking for a simple and natural every day mascara that will last all day!

Skincare:

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment: This would probably be my favorite skincare discovery of 2018. I wear it almost every day when I’m not wearing makeup. It gives me color correction (reduces my redness), moisturizes me a little more (I still wear moisturizer under it), and is my physical SPF. I cannot recommend this product enough if you need a product to do all or some of those things. I know it looks expensive but it lasts forever and you can try out a smaller size first if you want!

Weleda Skin Food: I freaking love Skin Food. It’s not a new one, but it was the first time I bought it after hearing about how great it was for years. The smell alone is amazing. If you need a good natural moisturizer to really lock in moisture, even if you have sensitive skin, this one is for you! I personally think everyone should own a tube of it regardless of your skin type.

Acure Brightening Cleansing Gel: On my quest to only buy toxin-free skincare this year, I discovered this Acure cleanser and I’m obsessed. The fresh lemon scent is great and I love how clean my skin feels without being stripped of every oil. I also love how inexpensive it is for being so clean and good for your skin.

French Girl Organics Rose Facial Polish: I normally am very anti-physical exfoliators, but when I worked on that video shoot early last year I discovered this product and I’m obsessed. It’s a little messy, so I like to keep it in my shower and use it about 2-3 times per week. It uses brown rice starch to exfoliate and I especially love that it has clay in it, so after gently massaging it into my skin, I can let it sit for the remainder of my shower and it helps clean some of the impurities as well.

Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask: I just freaking love this mask and believe everyone needs it. It’s extremely clean and is amazing for those who suffer from acne. I love how blue tansy is calming for the inflammation associated with breakouts. I especially love that it tells you to use it a few days in a row after a breakout to really help clear it up and then it tells you to taper it off for upkeep.

There you have it! Those are the products I loved trying in 2018. What did you try and how did you feel about it? Comment below and let me know, especially if you made some great discoveries! I’m excited to see what I discover this year.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Refreshed for 2019

I wasn’t going to write anything about the new year because I’m sure by now you’re inundated with information on how to start the new year off on the right foot. However, I’ve taken a little time off this holiday season and it doesn’t seem quite right to jump into 2019 without a little post on what the new year looks like to me.

I only want to give one piece of advice this January as you set your goals and decide what you’d like 2019 to look like for you:

Goals are nothing and completely pointless if you do not know what works best for you.

So do yourself a favor before you start mapping things out. Make a list of the ways you learn best and work the hardest.

For me, I’m extremely visual. I need a hard copy of a planner and separate areas for work, personal goals, financial goals, etc. I need to create goals monthly and look at them every single day. I wholeheartedly believe that I have been successful in my debt journey because every week I update my current debt in my planner and look at it every. single. day.

We all do things differently and that’s ok! While all of these lists and ideas that people are writing for you are helpful, nothing will work if you do not know yourself. So I encourage you this January, to listen to yourself and be realistic. Ease yourself gently into the new year.

Developing the relationship you have with yourself and being honest is the best thing you can do!

I hope you have the best start to 2019. I’ll probably be back at the end of the month with personal updates on how I started the year off, so look for that and remember not to put too much pressure on yourself!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

An Afternoon in Chicago

I love Chicago and this past weekend I visited it for some fun with friends who live in the city. I wanted to share my Saturday afternoon activities with you in a post because I highly recommend recreating it yourself! It was the perfect amount of fun, food and relaxation.

I headed into the city from Lansing on the Amtrak. If you’ve never traveled by train and this is an option in your area, I highly recommend it. Mainly because I love having the entire 3.5 to 4 hours to read, watch Netflix, listen to music etc. I love it because you arrive right downtown. It would take me about the same amount of time to drive it but Michigan winters are too unpredictable for me to trust that the roads will be safe and clean to drive on. Plus I hate having to deal with a car in the city. While I arrive Friday, I want to highlight Saturday afternoon because my good friend Nick killed it when it came to planning a run day.

First off, we headed to Bar Pastoral in Lakeview for brunch. It was a cozy space decorated for Christmas and we got to sit in a little bench nook in one of the front windows which is my absolute favorite. When the grapefruit mimosas arrived, I knew we were off to a great start to our day.

We split this beautiful charcuterie board of meats, cheese, spreads, and bread and boy was it delicious! Next door to the restaurant is Pastoral, where you can buy wine, meats, cheeses, spreads and more which was fun to visit after our meal. For my meal I chose the Biscuit BLTA which was divine! It was a turkey, bacon, avocado crema, & tomato sandwich on a biscuit with amazing potatoes on the side. The sriracha mayo that the potatoes came in was unreal too. I was in heaven. (In case you’re wondering “Wait a minute Andrea. I thought you couldn’t eat Gluten…?”, you are not wrong! Haha! I have medicine I can take to be able to tolerate gluten and not get sick, but I only use it in situations like this when I’m not at home and want to enjoy a meal out). Highly suggest having brunch at Bar Pastoral, and I’d even gamble and say their dinners are amazing too! Everything that came to our table was so delicious!

After brunch, we walked down to the grocery store Mariano’s where I got an espresso shot to negate my after-brunch coma I was starting to sink into. The espresso was awesome and my friend Nick mentioned that he prefers their coffee to Starbucks. Once I was refueled we headed over to the wine bar for a glass of wine. They offer a wine of the month and you can get a glass of the special for $3! It was a really delicious Pinot Noir. I wish I had remembered to get the name of the wine, but I completely forgot. Blame the brunch.

Next, we hopped in an Uber and went to a location I had been DREAMING of. Nick just knows me so well and planned for us to head into the amazing Restoration Hardware location in the Gold Coast neighborhood. I cannot even tell you how long I have wanted to go here, so I basically screamed when I found out that’s what we were doing. Walking through the beautifully renovated old building with a glass of wine in hand is a complete experience. There are 5 floors of stunning rooms and it doesn’t feel like a store. I can’t wait to go back in the summer and go out on the rooftop too! I especially loved the atrium in the center that has extremely high ceilings, a beautiful fountain and so much greenery. Next, I think I’l definitely eat a meal at the cafe.

I left Restoration Hardware feeling an immense sense of motivation and inspiration. While I currently can’t afford anything from the showroom, you can’t but help to dream of what the future could look like with hard work and perseverance. I cannot wait to buy something from there some day. I highly recommend visiting a place of inspiration like this because I think it’s important to see goals right before your eyes. It makes anything feel possible and I’m so grateful we went.

Lastly, we walked over to The Goddess and the Grocer where I had a yummy little Italian Sandwich that was super tasty. If you need a quick bite, this is a great little stop on State St.

While this was only a slice of the fun I had in Chicago, I highly recommend checking these places out! The best part was that I honestly didn’t really spend that much money either. What are some of your favorite spots in Chicago? I am always adding to my list for future visits. Comment below and let me know!

Have a wonderful day,

Andrea

Alert the press! I'm actually talking about hair! (...plus a Formulate + Co. Giveaway)

You read that right. I, Andrea Fontana, am talking about hair today. Why is this weird? I don’t know much about hair. I know I work in the beauty industry, but I’m an esthetician which means I am NOT licensed in hair, and honestly don’t know much about hair because it really doesn’t interest me.

I’m excited to be collaborating with a haircare company that is changing the game and making shopping for shampoo and conditioner easy for even the hair incompetent like ME! I personally have very straight and easy to manage hair. I can take a shower, let it air dry, and not have to straighten, de-frizz, curl, or any of the other things so many women do. I know how lucky I am, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have areas I want my hair to improve. My hair can be dry in the winter, have dandruff issues, get staticky (is that a word? haha), get greasy at the roots, lie super flat, and more.

I was so excited when Formulate + Co, emailed me and wanted to do a collaboration, mainly because I never know what I’m looking for when I’m shopping for new shampoo and conditioner. I love how the process was completely custom yet super easy…there’s even an app for it!

Either download the app, or visit their website and you can begin the process. I told them where I live (genius if you ask me, since weather can be so determining in hair health), the current status of my hair, whether I colored it (I have never), and what improvements I’d like to see. I even got to pick my scent and decided how strong I wanted it to be (yes! it’s THAT custom).

So here’s what I chose for my hair goals:

• Prevent thinning (I mean doesn’t hurt right? haha)

• Lengthen

• Oil Control

• Volumize

• Hydration

Then, I chose to the scent Freshly Squeezed (a sweet orange delicious citrus scent) and chose to have it strongly scented because I looooove citrus smells!

Overall, I’m obsessed with my shampoo and conditioner. I try to only wash my hair every few days and ever since I started using these custom products I’ve been able to wash about every 3-4 days which is great! I do use dry shampoo sometimes if I’ve worked out and want to ‘clean’ my hair, but I really feel like I’ve noticed help with my oil control, yet my hair has felt hydrated. I honestly haven’t noticed much static in my hair which could be that it hasn’t been extremely cold yet this winter, but who knows!

Here are some other details that I love about this process:

• All shampoos/conditioners are always sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, & cruelty-free. They are technically not vegan because they source their keratin from wool, but if you want it formulated vegan you can get it that way!

• If you want to make changes to your next bottle, it’s really easy to control your settings in the app or on the website.

• If you want to omit certain ingredients because you’re vegan, allergic, etc, you can ask them to not add them! (Super cool)

• The packing is beautiful in your shower and I love that they have pumps! This made transferring to my travel bottles really easy for showers at my gym.

Now for the exciting part… Formulate + Co is giving away a free custom Shampoo & Conditioner set to one of my readers! All you have to do is click the link below to enter! (The giveaway closes on December 26th at midnight so hurry up and enter ASAP!) Even if you don’t win, you will receive a $5 off coupon for entering, so I highly encourage entering!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

I purposely wanted to end this giveaway around Christmas to be able to gift one of you an extra gift this year! Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and supports Andrea Fontana Beauty all year long. You guys are the best and I am so grateful!

Have a beautiful day and GOOD LUCK!

Andrea

Stressed vs. Busy

This is a topic that I find myself thinking and talking about often. I’m sharing it today in hopes that you will digest it and see if you need to make any changes in your life. Your life can look very different from the outside than it actually is, so I think it will be helpful to read the whole post through and ask yourself if there are any changes you want to make. I find that this is especially important to discuss as the holidays draw closer and the new year will be upon us shortly.

I am personally a very busy person. If you go all the way back to when I was in high school, it is a part of my personality. I played a sport almost every season, was a good student and just overall did better being busy. I don’t enjoy having too much free time on my hands to sit around. I’ve never been much of a TV watcher so Netflix binge-watching has never been my thing either. I like to keep my schedule FULL of things to do, places to visit, work to do, books to read, etc.

Someone once asked me how I do it? They wondered about how stressed I must be because my plate is always full and I’m always doing things. My answer is simply this:

There is a big difference between being stressed and being busy.

Which do you fall under? You do not have to busy to be stressed, but you can be busy and not be stressed.

Are you stressed up to your ears? So much so that you are anxious, don’t sleep well, always feel like you cannot get enough done or finish your TO-DO list? Or are you just doing a lot, but enjoying it and simply are busy?

I LOVE what I do. I spend about 36ish hours nannying a week (BECAUSE I LOVE IT), and I spend about 15 to 20 hours on my business (seeing clients, emailing clients, creating content for my blog and instagram, etc), and during bridal season I’m gone most Saturdays doing bridal makeup. I love what I do and I highly encourage you to look at how you are spending your time. Is it bringing you a sense of accomplishment and are you feeling passionate about how you spend your time? Or are you stressed and hating every minute of it? Sometimes we have to deal with temporary stress on our journeys to being able to focus on our passions, but I want you to think about the next question.

If you find yourself stressed and on the way to burnout, are there any changes you can make to lessen your stress?

We all have stressful seasons of life, but what I’m talking about is the pattern of life you are creating. If there is no end in sight, if you aren’t loving your career, if you CAN make a change, dig deep and do some soul searching.

I didn’t write this post to give you answers. I simply want you to question the route you are headed and know that it is never too late to make a change for yourself. Think about how you truly spend your time and if it’s causing stress, love yourself enough to make the change to bring about happiness, if it is within your means…and guess what? It usually is!

I hope to always continue on the path of keeping myself busy with passion projects that exhilarate me and help others. After working so hard in a stressful environment in previous years, I promise myself that I will always evaluate where I’m headed to keep me busy but less stressed. Will you make that same promise for yourself? I hope so.

Comment below your thoughts on this post and weigh in on the conversation!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Under $20 Gift Guide

It’s the fourth and final day of Gift Guide Week and tonight I’m bring you a gift guide of gifts under $20! It’s a combination of all kinds of random gifts and hopefully it can bring you some ideas if you need a budget-friendly last minute gift. In case you missed the previous three gift guides from earlier in the week you can click below to visit each one!

• The Skincare Nerd’s Gift Guide

• The Makeup Lover’s Gift Guide

• The Cookbook Gift Guide

1. 5 Lbs of Gummy Bears:

   Hear me out. These are the BEST gummy bears I’ve ever had and I can never stop eating these. If you need a funny gift for White Elephant that someone would laugh at but actually enjoy, this would be great! Or if someone you know just loves candy…like me…

2. Scratch Off Bucket Lists:

   You may have seen these with world maps, but they also have ones for Top Movies, Books, etc. If someone you know is a really into something specific like books, this is a great gift that they will be able to use for a long time, and even display if they want!

3. Handheld Milk Frother:

   If the person you are gifting to loves coffee, matcha lattes, chai lattes, etc, a handheld milk frother to allow them to make yummy coffeehouse drinks at home is a great option. I love mine and use it all the time.

4. Expensive Coffee/Tea:

   It’s really nice as coffee and tea drinkers to receive quality coffee or tea that you might not always have the budget for. I’ve linked my friend’s coffee company because it’s the coffee I drink every morning and it’s so delicious! I highly recommend it. My favorite tea (besides organic green) is the Tazo Wild Sweet Orange Tea.

5. Christmas Ornaments:

   I think it’s fun to get really funny ornaments for people. Paper Source has some really great ones this year, like this avocado one. World Market also has a lot of great inexpensive ones in store!

6. Card Wallet:

   Card wallets are a gift that are always nice to get because it’s nice to have a small wallet to carry to the gym, running errands, or when you simply can’t carry a normal sized wallet. Target has many great options including the one I’ve linked above.

7. Camping Hammock:

   I think this gift would be great for someone who likes to spend time outside, even if it’s just in their backyard! This hammock can support a lot of weight and hold two people which is nice! I already know who I’m gifting this to this year!

8. Papermate Inkjoy Gel Pens:

   These are my favorite pens and if the person you are gifting to loves stationary, planners, or just having a great pen to write with in many colors, this gift set is great!

9. Subscription Service:

   Subscription services are nothing new, but I love gifting them because it allows people to see if they like it and continue on if they so choose. My personal favorite is the Book of the Month, subscription which is great for readers! It’s just $14.99 and you get a beautiful hardcover book every month and can choose between a few different options!

10. Plants:

    Plants make a great gift for the holidays, especially if you live in a colder climate. It’s nice to receive a little bit of greenery for inside your house when outside it’s looking a little dull and gray. I haven’t personally ordered from Costa Farms before (the plants I linked above), but I’ve heard great things about them!

11. Silk Eyemask:

    Having a nice silk eyemask is something that would be a great gift, but not everyone would necessarily buy for themselves. I love sleeping with an eyemask because it really feels good to have slight pressure over my eyes and the darkness helps me fall asleep faster. Silk is great and won’t tug on your skin, so this is a classic black mask that anyone would love.

12. High Quality Candle:

    Everyone loves getting a nice, high quality candle, especially women. There’s just something about always having a candle burning that is so cozy. I’ve linked my favorite scent from my favorite candle company (from my home town of Kalamazoo!) above, Kalamazoo Candle Company! I love their scents and supporting small companies!

13. Amazon Gift Card:

    When in doubt, get the gift card to Amazon. I promise no one will ever be sad that they have free money to Amazon.

What did you think of the above gifts?! Do you have any recommendations that are under $20? Comment below if you have some.

I hope you enjoyed Gift Guide Week on Andrea Fontana Beauty! If you liked it be sure to let me know so I can do something similar next year!!

Have a wonderful time picking out the perfect gifts for your loved ones,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

A Cookbook Gift Guide

Welcome back to gift guide week here at Andrea Fontana Beauty! Just in case you missed my two previous posts here are the links for them; The Skincare Nerd’s Gift Guide & The Makeup Lover’s Gift Guide.

Today we are talking…COOKBOOKS! One of my favorite kinds of books.

If you’ve been following me for awhile you probably know how obsessed I am with them. My collection is past 50 at this point so I thought I’d offer a few suggestions and describe who I think they would be best for.

The Traditional or Brand New Cook

If you have someone on your list who is new to cooking I highly recommend either ‘The Joy of Cooking’ cookbook or ‘The Fannie Farmer Cookbook’. I have both and refer to them often for classics. They would be a great staple for any college student, newlywed or even someone who has found a new love for cooking, because they are filled with basic recipes that everyone needs.

If your gift is for a cook who is unfamiliar in the kitchen, I highly recommend ‘Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking’ because it teaches you so much about what it takes to make a great meal. The Netflix series is also AMAZING and not to go off on a tangent but you should watch it ASAP.

The Gluten Free Cook

I’ve talked a lot about ‘True Roots: A Mindful Kitchen’ a lot, especially on my Instagram. I have made so many of the recipes and they are so amazing. If someone has dietary restrictions like gluten, dairy, or refined sugars, this would make a great gift.

The Fit Cook

I received ‘Bobby Flay Fit’ for Christmas last year and I’ve used it so much, there’s a burn mark on the cover from the coils of my stove. If the person you’re shopping for is into fitness and healthy eating, but doesn’t like sacrificing flavor, this is a great option! The recipes are easy and rely on using a lot of great spices to create clean and delicious meals.

The Pasta-Obsessed Cook

If the person you are shopping for likes pasta or noodles (I mean who doesn’t though…) these are two of my favorite cookbooks that I have actually used quite a bit in the last few years. ‘The Ultimate Pasta and Noodle Cookbook’ has recipes from all types of cuisines, not just Italian. It’s again a great reference book. My other recommendation would be for someone who LOVES Italian pasta and I’ve talked about it before on here. ‘250 True Italian Pasta Dishes’ is great for those who want to learn which types of pastas go with which sauces and how to choose veggies to add in. It has many great combinations and even a section with fast weeknight recipes.

The Beauty Loving Cook

I know I just mentioned this cookbook in my Skincare Gift Guide, but I have to mention it again in case you missed that post. If you are gifting to a lover of makeup, skincare or nutrition, ‘Eat Beautiful’ is an amazing collection of in season recipes to promote healthy skin and beauty.

The Italian Food Cook

Did you really think I wouldn’t include an Italian section. My pick for this year goes to a cookbook my boyfriend got me for my birthday one year because he wanted me to cook from it. ‘The Sopranos Family Cookbook’ is not only full of delicious traditional recipes, but it’s also really fun to look through.

The Cook Who Loves to Give Back

If you have a friend to gift this season that loves to give back, this would be a great option for them. The ‘America The Great Cookbook’ is a collection of signature dishes and family recipes from chefs all over the country. So not only is it a great collection of different types of cuisines, but the proceeds go towards helping ‘No Kid Hungry’ fight childhood hunger.

Now if you have a cookbook addiction like me or you’re shopping on a budget this holiday season, don’t forget that thrifted/used books are a great way to reuse and recycle books! I don’t know what I was doing before I started using Thriftbooks.com to order all of my books from. I have been buying from them from almost a year and have always had great luck with them. The customer service is also great if you have a question. I have found some of my favorite cookbooks for under $5 before! If you click this link, you can save 15% off your first purchase on Thriftbooks.com!

Do you have any favorite cookbooks? Be sure to comment below and let me know which ones you are obsessed with that I need to add to my collection.

Don’t forget to come back here tomorrow for Day 4 and my last day of Gift Guides on Andrea Fontana Beauty,

Have a great day,

Andrea

The Makeup Lover's Gift Guide

Similarly to the previous Skincare Nerd’s Gift Guide, I wanted to share some makeup products that any makeup lover would be happy to receive. I can tell you that I would be happy to get anything on this list, so whether you have a sister, girlfriend, daughter, or maybe even you need ideas for what you want to ask for, READ ON!

1. Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palettes:

   I’m putting these palettes first on the list for a few reasons. First, the price is unreal. Most of their palettes are around $20 and the quality of the shadows I’ve tried is crazy! They made the list because they are newer to the scene, and I don’t think most makeup lovers will have collected them yet. The pigmentation is amazing and I think any makeup lover would be so excited to unwrap one this year and add it to their collection. My favorite is the Warrior Palette that I got at Ulta for $20.

2. Brush Cleaning Matte and Brush Cleanser:

   Cleaning your brushes is the least fun part of doing your makeup, but it simply has to be done for healthy skin. Getting a makeup lover a tool to make the process quicker and easier would be amazing! I love this one from Real Techniques because it has a strap that my fingers slide through so it fits right onto the palm of my hand and stays put. It’s really inexpensive and works well! To make it a complete gift, add on a brush cleaner and you’re good to go. My favorite deep cleaning brush cleaner is this bar soap from Dr. Bronner’s. It cleanses my brushes and conditions them to feel so soft!

3. Makeup Lesson:

   If you know someone who is new to makeup or recently has been getting into it, I highly recommend booking them a makeup lesson with a professional makeup artist. It’s a great way for them to learn new techniques and can be extremely individualized depending on the person! If you are local to the Central Michigan area and would like to gift a makeup lesson with me to someone you love, feel free to email me and we can talk details! I also sell gift cards at the bottom of every page of my website (so scroll down)! 1 hour makeup lessons are $65 with me and I would love to spend time teaching you or someone you love.

4. Makeup Mirror or Vanity:

   A new mirror to look into while doing their makeup is a great makeup lover gift idea! I personally have one really similar to this one from Conair that was given to me as a gift YEARS ago. I love it because I can take it around my house and do my makeup in any location near a plug, because you guessed it…it also has a light! It’s double sided, one side being more magnified than the other and has lights on both sides.

5. Beauty Blender:

   It’s no secret that beauty blenders are awesome, but they can be a little pricey. Getting one as a stocking stuffer or an add-on to a gift would make any makeup junkie happy. It’s kind of like getting them the really expensive nice socks that they don’t like buying themselves; but we all need socks right?

6. Generation G Lipstick:

   I’m obsessed with these. My newest favorite everyday lip product is one of these Glossier Generation G Lipsticks in the shade ‘Cake’. If you have a light to medium skin tone, you can wear it with no makeup and look instantly more put together, or it will compliment whatever makeup look you have on. They give you the perfect lip stain look that I talk about loving all the time! I guarantee that whoever you buy it for, it will live in their purse as a go to product. If you have never shopped with Glossier before, you can click this link to get 10% off your first order!

7. Makeup Brushes:

   Can a makeup lover ever really have too many brushes? The answer is no, but I think you already knew that. I personally love the Real Techniques brushes and I’ve given them as gifts many times. I especially love their sets for gift giving because you can give more while keeping it budget friendly. The Sculpting set, Enhanced Eyes set, and the Flawless Face set would all be great options. I also really love this Setting brush and have three just in my makeup kit because it can be used in so many ways!

8. Ulta/Sephora/Target GC:

   Similar to yesterday’s Skincare Nerd’s Gift Guide, I guarantee that if you are giving a gift card to a makeup lover, they have a list of products they are dying to try but don’t want to spend the money on yet. Your money will be very gratefully received so they can try something new! You can always give gift cards with the intention of purchasing a particular type of product (like a new palette or foundation) but allowing them the ability to go in and see products and decide for themselves. I find that this takes away a little of the impersonal-ness that some people fear when gifting someone a gift card. If you tell them the intentions, the thought will not go unnoticed.

I hope this gift guide brought you some ideas for this holiday season. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see my Cookbook Gift Guide and to see how I purchase my cookbooks used and on a budget!

As always, have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

The Skincare Nerd's Gift Guide

This week we are talking Gift Guides. That’s right, I’m bringing you four Gift Guides this week. Last year I did one big Gift Guide, but this year I’m breaking it up into four different ones and I hope come back each day and check them out!

Up first is going to be for the skincare loving guy or gal! Whether your budget is big or small, these items are great if you are looking for a gift for someone who truly enjoys taking care of their skin.

1. Expensive Mask:

   The holidays are the perfect time to get someone the expensive mask you know they will not buy for themselves. Here I’ve linked a few that I absolutely love that are worth the larger price tag.

   1. Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy (Great for oily/acne prone skin types)

   2. Farmacy Honey Potion Mask (Great for dry/aging skin)

   3. Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Sleeping Facial (Great for brightening)

2. Mask Brush/ Mask Bowl:

   Sometimes certain face masks require mixing in a small dish and a gift like this is really nice to receive. Make sure that the brush has synthetic fibers though because they won’t be porous and soak in moisture. This set is a great option!

3. Gift Certificate for a facial or other skincare treatment:

   Facials can be a treat that we don’t often buy for ourselves, so receiving one as a gift can be really nice! Make sure you do your research and ask around your area to get specific details and recommendations on who is the best in your area. The last thing you want to do is gift a bad experience!

4. Skincare Tools:

   If someone is into skincare products but hasn’t experimented with tools, try getting an ice or jade roller for their face. It’s a fun way to step up your skincare game and use something that you might not have bought yourself.

5. Satin Pillowcases:

   These are great for both your hair or your skin. The satin allows you to glide smoothly over the pillow when you’re sleeping, and reduce the tugging on your face.

6. Headbands for Doing Skincare Routine:

   This one would be a great add on or stocking stuffer. If the skincare junkie you’re shopping for loves to do a lot of face masks, a headband like this one would be perfect to keep their hair away from their face when doing treatments.

7. ‘Eat Beautiful’ Cookbook:

   I absolutely adore this cookbook because of all of the information on specific foods and how they benefit the skin. If your skincare nerd loves to cook, this would be a great gift to incorporate beauty into their diet.

8. Aveda Shammy:

   This cloth by Aveda is great for removing masks, products, etc from the face without scratching the surface of your skin. I used these in school and love them so much! I use mine at home all the time. Plus you can throw them in the washing machine to clean them!

9. Sheet Masks:

   I usually buy a big set of face masks every year and give a few to everyone I’m giving gifts to. No one can ever have enough sheet masks because they are one time use. They are a must have for stocking stuffers.

10. Gift Cards to Ulta/ Sephora/ Target/ Amazon/ Dermastore:

    When in doubt, buy your favorite skincare nerd a gift card to go buy more skincare. I know that gift cards can sometimes seem impersonal, but if you buy one and say ‘this is for you to pick out a new face mask or cleanser’ specifically, it can make the gift feel more personalized. I promise you that no skincare junkie will be sad about money they have to spend on more facial products.

As you can probably tell, I didn’t want to just focus on skincare product recommendations. I wanted to try to recommend more detailed gifts besides the obvious ones. Of course when in doubt shower everyone you love in Rosehip Oil. hahaha (Did you really think I could get through a skincare gift guide without mentioning it? haha)

Coming soon also, I’ll have a Makeup Lover’s G.G., my Top Cookbooks to Gift, and stocking stuffers!

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

9 Ways to Practice Gratitude

This post is going to be short but sweet. Gratitude is usually the word of the month when it comes to November and I’m all about practicing it. However, I wanted to give you some non-conventional ways to show others gratitude and encourage you to not forget about them after the holidays are over. Be sure to practice gratitude daily and I promise you will find more happiness in your life.

1. Random Act of Kindness: There are so many ways that you can do this. The classic pay for the person behind you in line’s drink and so much more. But the reason I’m listing it is to remind you that practicing gratitude can also mean helping people you don’t know.

2. Send Virtual Goodies through Venmo: This is one I do all the time to friends. I send money for drinks, coffees, donuts, etc. It’s my favorite way to surprise friends that don’t live close by. Tell them that you love them and that it’s specifically for a donut.

3. Write a special person a long hand written note: When was the last time you wrote a hand written letter to someone just because? We don’t do it enough, but it’s so special to get one of these randomly.

4. In difficult situations where somebody wrongs you, remain grateful that you know not to treat people that way: This is a tactic I use more than I wish I had to, but it’s my way of changing my perspective in situations when people treat me unfairly. You CANNOT control other people’s actions. But you can control your gratitude for yourself and being able to be the bigger person. You’d be surprised how quickly you feel better when you are grateful that you are the person being wronged and not doing the wronging.

5. Look in the mirror and spend 5 minutes thanking yourself: You have so many qualities that make you, YOU! All of your talents, quirks, skills, passions, beauty and more should be appreciated by you. Take the time to be grateful for the strength of your body or your ability to empathize with others, etc.

6. Cook someone dinner/drop a meal off at someone’s house: This one is really important for those people in your lives who have a lot on their plates. Whether they are sick, have a new baby, just moved, or simply have a lot going on and feel overwhelmed, you never know how a meal could change their attitude that day. Be sure to throw in a note about how grateful you are for them. If they live out of town, send the money through Venmo like I mentioned earlier. Seriously, Venmo is a great tool that is for more than just splitting the drink bill at brunch.

7. Leave a present on the doorstep of a family member/friend: Play some adult ding dong ditch and leave people presents! This is so easy and it doesn’t have to be a something huge. Just surprise friends at random times.

8. Gratitude Journal/5 Min Journal App: This one is really important to try if you’re trying to incorporate gratitude on a daily basis. The 5 Min Journal is great for spending a few moments each morning and night in self reflection. They also have an app if you prefer it on your phone. You don’t need a fancy notebook though if you don’t want to spend money. Simply find an old notebook and start jotting down what you’re grateful for every day and you’d be surprised how much it can change you.

9. Compliment random strangers more: This is one I try to do as much as I can. When I see something I like, I tell a stranger. It cost $0 to compliment someone you don’t know, but it could mean the world to them that someone noticed it and interacted with them. You never know what someone is going through and you could be just the smile they need to be propelled in a positive direction.

Spread kindness. Practice Gratitude. Be a decent human being. It costs no money, but can be the difference between someone having a great day or a bad one. The choice is yours!

Have a wonderful day and don’t forget…

I am grateful for you.

-Andrea

3 Delicious Veggie Sides For Your Back Pocket

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? Even thought I put my Christmas Tree up yesterday, it doesn’t feel like the holidays are as close as they really are. Just in case the holidays sneak up on you like I know they will for me, I decided to share three recipes that you can whip up in no time and bring to your holiday dinners in a pinch.

This first one is one that I bring to every holiday dinner in my family. My nieces always ask my sister if I’m going to bring “my really good potatoes”. While they do take a little bit to bake in the oven, they are super easy. If you are in a pinch, slice your potatoes thinner so they cook quicker!

Tyler Florence’s Scalloped Potato Au Gratin

Next up we have a mushroom side that is great if you’re bringing a dish to make at someone’s house, but don’t want anything that has to go in the oven. We all know how vital that oven space is. These are super quick as well which is nice when you are in a pinch!

Laura Vitale’s Parmesan Sauteed Mushrooms

Lastly, I want to share how I make my yummy sweet potato fries/wedges because what’s thanksgiving without a little sweet potato! I guarantee these will be a hit. You can mix up the seasonings and do whatever herbs you want, but I personally love basil. Rosemary is great too!

Sweet Potato Wedges

• 3 Sweet Potatoes

• 2 TB of minced garlic, to taste

• 3 TB Avocado Oil, or oil of your choice

• 1 TB Dried Basil

• Kosher or Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Peel your sweet potatoes and cut each potato lengthwise into wedges. Toss wedges in a bowl with Avocado Oil, basil, garlic, salt & pepper. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and spread wedges onto parchment, making sure they are not touching. Bake for 25 minutes, making sure they are starting to brown and crisp. Flip over and bake for another 20 minutes or until crispy and brown all over. Exact time varies per oven.

I hope you try these recipes out! If you do, let me know what you think and be sure to comment below any of your favorite holiday recipes!

Remember to take a moment every day and practice gratitude,

Andrea

Recent Favorites

I haven’t shared my favorites in a couple months, so I thought I’d write today about what I’ve been loving recently. I feel like I’ve found some pretty great stuff in the last few months.

1. Acure Brightening Cleanser:

   I was shopping one day in target and ended up taking this guy home with me and I have to say I’m obsessed with it. The fresh lemon scent is awesome and I feel like it does a great job of gently chemically exfoliating every time I cleanse. Acure is one of my favorite clean brands that isn’t crazy expensive. So I love trying more and more out from them.

2. Native Deodorant:

   I picked up this deodorant on that same Target trip and I have to say, I am shocked at how much I love it. I got the lavender & rose scent and it’s heaven. Only con is that the actual deodorant is white so it can sometimes get on clothes if you’re not careful, but for an aluminum-free natural deodorant, it’s awesome! I have heard the other scents are just as amazing, so I can’t wait to try more. My previous natural deodorant gave me a rash over time, so I’ll keep you updated as I use this one longer. So far so good.

3. Acure Rosehip Oil:

   I just had to add this one for those of you who are new and don’t know my love affair for rosehip oil. Its probably tied for my favorite ingredient of all time with Glycolic Acid (probably not another shocker). I added it to this post, because I’ve been back in the habit of slathering my face with it every day as my moisturizer because I was recently experiencing more breakouts. Rosehip oil is my secret to fading the post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation from acne scars.

4. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Treatment Cream:

   This guy has also been getting some serious use lately, because of those pesky breakouts I just mentioned in the previous product. I try to apply this every night on my chin and jaw where I’m prone to breakouts, but have really been vigilant about it recently because my skin has been more broken out than usual. It contains Benzoyl Peroxide, but I don’t find that it dries me out ever.

5. Maybelline Soda Pop and Lemonade Craze Palettes:

   I purchased the ‘Soda Pop’ palette on a whim and fell in love with it. I say that because I NEVER buy drugstore eyeshadow. I just don’t find it to be worth the money usually. However, the ‘Soda Pop’ palette was so great that I bought it’s older sister ‘Lemonade Craze’ and I really love them both. I have been reaching for them every time I do my makeup. Click here to watch the Makeup Tutorial I did with the ‘Soda Pop’ Palette, and comment below if you want me to make one with the ‘Lemonade Craze’ one too.

6. L’Oreal Infallible Galaxy Holographic Lumiere Lip Gloss in Ethereal Gold:

   I picked this gloss up after seeing a friend who had it and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. I keep it in my jacket and it has quickly become my favorite gloss for when I need something nude or my lips feel dry. It’s not sticky and gives off the coolest slight holographic look; it’s not too crazy, I promise.

7. Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizer in Anthelion:

   I always prefer a cream highlighter over a powder. There’s something about the dewyness that a cream product gives, that is hard to replicate with a powder and boy does this one deliver. I love it on my eyelids, inner corners of my eyes, above my cupid’s bow and obviously on my cheekbones.

8. Sherlock Mini Series

   Here’s a random favorite for you guys. If you haven’t watched the BBC mini-series Sherlock, GET ON IT. Don’t worry, I was also really, really late to the game on this one. Benedict Cumberbatch is SO freaking good in it. If you love mysteries and thrillers it’s a must see. Thank you to my boyfriend Mikey who is always making me watch the BEST tv shows and movies.

What have you been loving recently? Comment below and let me know what you’ve discovered! I love discovering new products because of you guys!

Have a great day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.