**Be sure to scroll to the end of the post for a giveaway link and promo code***

Self-care is so important. As many can relate however, our lives get busy, and instead of treating ourselves, we spend our money and time on other obligations.

Makeup Monday #4- Sephora Cosmetics

Ironically, Makeup Monday this month comes to you on the last day to shop the Sephora Spring Bonus sale! While I have stocked up on alllll my favorites, I thought I would share some of my favorites from the Sephora Collection itself.

I have so many good things to say about the products I have tried from the collection, and with the price point and quality, I will be sure to try more in the future. Below I am listing 3 of my favorites from the collection, and filling you in on why I love them so much.

1. Matte Perfection Powder Foundation ($20) - I have been using this foundation for years. I love how smooth it feels when you apply it, which I would guess why the description reads "creamy powder foundation." It gives a great coverage, and a matte finish as promised.

2. Nourishing Moisturizer-Hydrate And Repair- Up until a few months ago, there was a different lotion in the collection. They switched it up on me and honestly, I'm not upset about the change. This lotion smells so soo good, but most importantly it keeps my face feeling fresh and hydrated. Before I even used this or the previous lotion in the collection, I was using a much pricier one. After using this one, I couldn't tell you the difference. The lotion is comparable to a high end brand, but for much less.

3. Glide Liner Eyeliner  ($14)- This eyeliner is a newer pick, but so far so good. I only use eyeliner on my tear duct, and for the longest time I was using one from Lorac (still love that one as well, there unfortunately aren't any stores close enough to me that sells it). This eyeliner is a great alternative, if not just as good. Fun fact/tip- I have very dark eyes, to lighten them up, I use a nude liner to make them pop.

Makeup Monday #3- Shaper Plus HairSpray

I should start off by saying I have very veryyy thin hair, but I've found ways to give it volume and make it appear to look pretty thick which I would like to give me utmost thanks to Sebastian Shaper Plus hairspray for that.

I have sworn by this hairspray for years. It's a little on the pricey side if you are to compare it to your everyday drugstore hairspray, but I'm telling you guys, its worth it. Shaper Plus doesn't weight your hair down or leave a ton of buildup. I love it so much because it also doesn't leave your hair with that crunchy feeling like so many other hairsprays often do, and that alone is a reason I'm obsessed with this stuff.

You can buy Shaper Plus at pretty much any drugstore. They also sell it at Ulta, Amazon, and my personal favorite place to get it- Bed Bath and Beyond (they do a 2 pack special)

Makeup Monday #2- Tarte Maracuja Oil

So in true Lauren Fashion, I am late for my second Makeup Monday. while I originally said I would post on the first Monday of each month, last week was crazy. I got back from another weekend away, was sick, and to be even more honest, I completely forgot (in my defense though, I know I'm not the only one who is beyond confused how it's March already). Anyway, rather then just post on any day of the week, I figured I'd postpone and wait until the following Monday, so here we are.

On today's Makeup Monday, I'm going to give my review  share my love of Tarte's Maracuja Oil. I discovered this stuff a few years ago, and honestly, I've been hooked ever since. When I first received this product as a sample, I had no idea what to do with it, and was just going to toss it. Last minute I went on Sephora's website and saw it had great reviews, so I figured I'd give it a go, who not, right?

According to the product description, There are several ways you can use this product, on your face, cuticles, split ends, you name it. While I have stuck to just using it on my face, it is defiantly a winner, so I'm sure it will top the charts in all other uses as well.

So to the good stuff then, how do I use this product and why I've been raving about it. As a suggestion on the product review, I mix the Maracuja oil in with my foundation before I apply it to my face. I feel like when I do this it makes my liquid foundation easier to apply.  I feel like this oil helps to keep my face from getting to dry all day, and that in my book is something to write about.

At sephora you can buy it I'm a trial size for $16 or the full size for $48. I've linked it below.

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Makeup Monday #1-IT Cosmetics Brush Bath

I am often asked questions about the beauty products I use. Before I even begin this post, along with the rest of them, I will start by saying, I am no expert, most days I feel like I just throw some product on my face and hope for the best! I guess I must be doing something right though, so I thought having a make up Monday the first Monday of every month to answer some of your questions, and allow me to share some of my favorite finds and tips! It won't always be make up I share, it could be hair, skin, or nail products, how I apply something, or maybe even a great sale going on (Makeup Monday just had the catchiest name if we are being honest).

This week I thought I'd share something that I've grown to love over the past few months.I discovered It brush bath through my mom actually. A store associate had recommended it to her, so she gave it a try. When I went for a trip home, she had me try it, and I was hooked!

If we are being truthful with ourselves, most of us don't wash our makeup brushes nearly as much as we should, I know I'm guilty of it. That is where this amazing product comes in. I like to think of IT brush bath as a dry shampoo for your makeup brushes. Just like dry shampoo is used in between normal hair washes, this is essentially the same thing. I use it on my brushes daily to every other day, before I do a serious deep clean on them every few weeks.

A major plus to IT brush bath, which I could imagine most people would question, is that it doesn't make me break out. There is a smell to it, but I don't mind it at all. Brush bath is so simple to use too, with very minimal mess. I spray my brushes and then wipe it off with a tissue. I let the brush sit for a few minutes before using it to apply my makeup, and that is the entire process, so simple right? IT brush bath can only be found at Ulta. I've linked it below so you can shop it ASAP. Trust me you guys, you and your brushes will thank me later!

IT Brush Bath

Sephora Beauty Insider Appreciation-My Makeup Musts

If you spend far to much money at Sephora like me, then you are most likely a Sephora Rouge member, and you also have probably already started shopping the beauty insider appreciation event going on. Other Beauty Insiders can begin shopping with their discount this week, so it's an exciting time for us all! I may (will absolutely) be doing some more shopping while I still have a discount, but below I am sharing some of my favorite products right now that I purchased over the weekend.

Flowerbomb-Had to get the OG scent if I was getting a discount, so pretty self explanatory here.

Juliette has a gun-not a perfume-My favorite scent right now. I love how clean and fresh it smells.

Benefit Pore professional- I have been using Pore Professional for years. This stuff is like Spackle for your face. At the same time it is still light and doesn't cake up. I apply Pore Professional before my foundation in the morning. I have also dabbed it on top of my makeup mid-day if I start to notice my pores peaking through. It really does the job it's supposed to.

IT cosmetics CC cream-This has been a favorite of mine on days I don’t want to wear a full face of makeup. I have also become to love the CC cream in the summer because it has 50 SPF, so I have used it as a sunscreen on days I know I'm going to be in the sun.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder - I know there are tons of finishing powders out there, but I have found the Laura Mercier translucent loose setting powder to be my favorite. This powder goes on smooth, and really makes my makeup stay in place. I have also applied it mid-day when my skin was looking oily, and it fixed the problem right up! It feels light and makes my face look matte for hours.

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial- This is the real MVP for me right now, and honestly my most exciting purchase. I never was a firm believer of night cream making a difference in your skin until I tried this little gem. I got it in a sample a few months ago, and I'm seriously obsessed. After putting it on at night, I wake up every morning and my skin looks so bright and refreshed. I honestly believe my skin in general looks healthier and toned since I started using it. I started to notice the difference after a few nights, and I'm hooked!