I'm a lucky girl to live in South Florida- the near constant humidity keeps my skin dewy all times of the year and I am not mad about it. However, my skin still tends to be on the dry side, especially after spending time at the beach. I've spent years trying to find the perfect moisturizer, which can be difficult when you are surrounded by trendy, Instagram-pushed products and a fear of breakouts. It is important to find what you really need and what works for you - don't worry so much about what other people are doing. As long as you are taking care of yourself and feel good in your own skin, that's all that matters. This past year, I've found 6 moisturizers that I've enjoyed and will probably repurchase. These can work for many different skin types, but my type is combination / dry and they've worked great for me.



1. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV
This was a great find at my local drugstore. French Pharmacy products seem to be a theme in my skincare routine this year, likely because they usually have great ingredients and are reasonably priced. I also find that the packaging is usually very simplistic and looks great on my shelf, because you know, aesthetics. This moisturizer not only has SPF 30, but also their prebiotic thermal water and niacinamide. Each of these ingredients protects and restores the skin barrier for healthy looking skin, while the latter helps minimize and calm redness/irritation. And don't forget ceramides for extra plumping. This is the perfect moisturizer to use in the morning as it eliminates the extra step of SPF and provides all day hydration.

2. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
This is a great evening moisturizer that provides 24 hours hydration. It also contains plant-derived squalene, which is known to strengthen and restore skin's moisture barrier, as well as Glacial Glycoprotein, which helps prevent water loss even in extreme climates. This would also make a great daytime moisturizer for someone who lives in a colder climate. PS they also make a version with SPF 30 - hooray!

3. Avène Tolerance Extreme Cream
This is probably one of my favorite moisturizers of all time. It sinks so beautifully into the skin and leaves me feeling hydrated all day long. This is a great super hydrating moisturizer for someone who has sensitive skin. I personally do not but I just love how it makes my skin feel. I wish that it wasn't marked up online to purchase but honestly, totally worth the price. The French people seem to know what they are doing when it comes to skincare.

4. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This is a multi-purpose face cream that acts as a primer, moisturizer, and makeup remover with super hydrating natural ingredients, including shea butter and aloe vera. This is an excellent, non greasy daytime moisturizer for those with dry skin. It looks amazing under makeup!

5. Caudalie Brightening Glycolic Overnight Cream
This moisturizer is a holy grail night cream for me. I got a small size of it in a kit with their Essence and Serum, and I've been rationing it ever since. It is just the right texture for the evening and also contains glycolic acid, which helps increase cell turnover leaving my skin hyrdated and glowing in the morning. It shrinks pores and improves texture literally overnight. Once I run out of my baby size I will be purchasing the full size product.

6. First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer
This is a perfect, lightweight moisturizer for all skin types. It hydrates, primes for makeup, reduces redness, and smells good enough to eat. This is my second tube of it and I'm almost finished. I will likely repurchase for the summertime. I wish they would make a version with SPF!

I can honestly say I have only had 2 professional facials done in my entire life. Each of them was wonderful - especially when it came to the extractions. I was more than willing to deal with the slight discomfort knowing that all the gunk that was trapped in my pore was being removed. So incredibly satisfying! Since professional facials can be expensive and time consuming, I'd been searching for other methods of really clearing my pores. I am prescribed Tretinoin, a prescription Retinol cream that helps increase cell turnover so there are less clogged pores. While this has helped immensely, I was still finding that I had congestion on and around my nose - little blackheads that were impossible to remove. I did not want to buy extraction tools and try to do them myself, for fear of scarring or other accidents. The charcoal masks in my collection, while great at stopping active breakouts, weren't really the solution to clearing pores. I did some research online and kept finding amazing reviews on this mask: The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.



First of all, this tub is HUGE - 15.5oz! You get all of it for only $8-$10 depending on the retailer, which is a huge plus for me as a budget-conscious millennial. It is 100% natural calcium bentonite clay, which is a type of absorbent clay that forms from aged volcanic ash. It absorbs negatively charged toxins, and has been used for centuries to detoxify the body and skin. I honestly love anything all-natural rather than harsh chemicals, so that box is ticked. I ordered my tub from Amazon, but you can also get it at select Target and CVS stores. The description on the back of the tub is as followed : "Removes impurities and dirt from the pores. Deep pore cleansing. Feel your face pulsate. WORLDS MOST POWERFUL FACIAL." So how does this almost 5 star rated mask on every website measure up?


This mask is very easy to prepare. You can mix it with water or raw apple cider vinegar. I personally love apple cider vinegar as it is an astringent that helps detoxify the skin in addition to the clay itself. It also makes the mask mix more smoothly while it fizzes and bubbles when combined - it is quite fun! I use a plastic bowl and this little face mask spatula to mix the mask. Once it has been mixed to a smooth texture, I apply to my face. It feels very good on the skin during application - it does not burn or sting at all. I then let the mask sit for 20 minutes. Those who are more sensitive may need less time.



As the mask dries, you really can feel a pulling sensation. This is the mask doing it's job - it is literally pulling all of the impurities to the surface, which leaves me feeling so satisfied. After the 20 minutes is up, I wet my face with warm water and wash off the mask. Since this is natural clay it is safe to wash down the sink. My face is a little red in the areas where the mask was, but this is totally normal - as long as you are not itchy or irritated, this redness will go away shortly after the mask is done.

My skin after removing the mask

The results? My pores appear much smaller after the mask, and I did find in the initial applications of this mask some purging - little blemishes did appear a day or so after I used the mask. This, however, is normal, as the mask is literally bringing the impurities trapped under the skin to the surface. This small blemishes were much easier to eliminate than if they had been a full-blown breakout. Now that I have been using the mask once a week for over a month, I rarely find that I get breakouts at all - only clear, glowing skin! My favorite time to use this mask is right after traveling. All of the excess sebum and dirt from recycled airplane air is a challenge for me and this mask nips that in the bud. I rarely get bad breakouts anymore since using this mask.



So if you are looking for an economical way to eliminate breakouts, clear pores, and detox your skin, I highly recommend this mask. You can even use anything extra that doesn't go on your face on your body, for extra pampering or relaxation. Just be sure that you have enough room on your top shelf - like I said, this tub is huge. The size also makes it great to have a masking party with friends - and trust me, everyone will love it!

Last weekend, my husband and I were bored on a Saturday night and decided to watch the latest cause for internet butthurt - Lords of Chaos. Inspired by a string of some of the most infamous stories in the metal underground, Lords of Chaos is considered to be based off "truth, lies, and what actually happened." While I do agree with there usually being 3 sides to every story, Lords of Chaos has really been rubbing people the wrong way- but metal enthusiasts never really take well to anything of theirs being sensationalized by the mainstream, especially Black Metal. As a metal fan, I went into it knowing that it was not going to be very accurate nor Oscar-worthy. The movie was not 100% terrible - in my opinion, it was at least watchable. So what was a decent, and what was so bad? First, let's recap (spoilers):


In Norway during the late 1980's, Øystein Aarseth, otherwise known as Euronymous, forms infamous black metal band Mayhem. The lineup that is focused on consists of Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, and Swedish frontman Dead - a troubled sort that has an obsession with death and self-harm. Mayhem is known for their raw, dark sound and for their extreme shows featuring dead animal heads, self-mutilation, and generally evil sh*t. Dead eventually ends up committing suicide by blowing his brains out with a shotgun. His body is discovered by Euronymous, who rather than calling the police immediately, decides to take photos of the grisly scene and makes necklaces out of the pieces of the skull (this actually happened for those of you who don't know the story). The photo is used on a live bootleg of Mayhem's 'Dawn of the Black Hearts'. Some time later, Euronymous opens Helvete, a record store, and creates his own label, Deathlike Silence. By this time, regular patrons of Helvete that are involved in other black metal bands and with Euronymous become known as the 'Black Circle'. In this timeframe, Euronymous meets Varg Vikerenes, the one man powerhouse behind Burzum, another black metal band that ends up signed to Deathlike Silence. Euronymous makes Varg the new bassist of Mayhem. A supposed power struggle begins to ensue between Euronymous and Varg - the latter of whom actually exhibits the extreme behavior that Euronymous fronts by burning down churches. The film also touches on the murder of a gay man in Lillehammer at the hands of one of the members of the black circle, Faust of the band Emperor. Varg decides to tell these stories to a local newspaper. He ends up getting arrested, but is released because there is no evidence that he was responsible for the murder or for the burning of the churches. Euronymous gets too big for his britches and tells members of the black circle that he wants to take Varg out to the woods, torture him, and kill him. Varg obviously doesn't take too kindly to this and decides to finish things first. He drives to Euronymous's apartment in Oslo and stabs him many, many times, killing him. Varg ends up receiving Norway's maximum sentence, 21 years in prison, for the murder of Euronymous and for the burning of several churches.

Mayhem 1988

Øystein Aarseth aka 'Euronymous' 1987

Things I Liked:

The Sets- The movie was filmed in Oslo, Norway and really goes out of it's way to depict the actually not bad life these guys had. After all, people seem to forget that they were teenagers still dependent on their parents in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and the film wants you to recognize that. From the party house in the woods, to the black metal cavern underneath Helvete, to the icy white pristine of Varg's home, each set is quite realistic and serves a purpose to set a mood or show how a character is feeling.


The Costumes / Styling - Realistic and not overly edgy, which Hollywood tends to do with the underground types. Band shirts were carefully selected from the era the movie was filmed in, and wardrobe was combined with heavy metal attire and Nordic culture - several scenes depict characters in wool sweaters, which really shows how the characters fit in their environment while they toggle between their fantasy and reality. I also like the fact that Euronymous, played by Rory Culkin, doesn't have perfect hair all the time. His dusty ass roots were showing for a lot of the movie and it made the visual personification of Euronymous easier to believe.


Rory Culkin as Euronymous - Albiet the cheesy TRUE NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL and MAYHEM growls, I enjoyed Rory's characterization of Euronymous. Obviously I never knew him personally, as I am 1) American and 2) Was born only 2 weeks before he was killed in 1993 and 3) Why would I? However, the character, while not very developed, is believable. He is displayed as a calculating, manipulative sort who wants people to see him as, ironically, almost god-like, even though he probably isn't that intelligent or confident. My friend Karly described it perfectly - "he seems like the type of guy you'd meet at a show and be interested in from afar, only to lose interest as soon as he starts talking." His big mouth gets him into and out of many risky situations until the very end - unfortunately he couldn't talk his way out of that one. Sadly, Rory's placid blue eyed personification isn't totally realistic of Euronymous in the real world. If you check out some of the later photos of Euronymous, you'll see what I mean.

As a wise man once said before he wiped out half the universe: Reality is often...disappointing.


Dead - I thought the character of Dead was well done. Considering that the actual folks this movie was depicted on wanted no part in this and/or are deceased, I thought his development came together nicely. You really get a sense of just how messed up and in anguish this guy is, so much that he tries to inflict as much pain on himself as possible before he dies. The impact of his death on Euronymous is an interesting twist as they (attempt) to delve into the psyche of a young man who has lost one of his closest companions.


Music - You can find the soundtrack here. Despite not being able to use the music from bands of the era/genre like Burzum and Darkthrone, the soundtrack still featured some really awesome music that fit the scenes and situations. If you're a metal fan, you'll enjoy this.



Things I Disliked / Hated:

Emory Cohen as Varg Vikernes - The character of Varg in this movie is a total pleb. Not trying to insult the actor, but he was just not at all the right person to be playing Varg. They portray him as a complete mouth-breather who fanboys over Euronymous and then ends up trying to be hard af as a member of the black circle. After a member of the black circle kills the man in Lillehammer, this characterization of Varg says that to celebrate, wE ShUd BuRN A ChUrCH huhuhuhuh. This is so lame and dumb and contrived that I just prayed he would remain through the rest of the movie without speaking. As the antagonist, they could have written a MUCH better script for him and developed his character to such that he isn't so cringy and one-dimensional.


Cheesy, Unnecessary Romance - Sky Ferreira is cast as the groupie girlfriend of Euronymous, Ann Marit. She did not exist in real life and was created just for this film. Not only is this character so incredibly dull, I just don't find that this arc of the story contributes anything to the film. I get that maybe she was added to "humanize" Euronymous, but I would have rather just had them focus on his trauma from Dead's suicide and spiral into madness rather than this dumpster fire of a relationship. She also gives Euronymous a bad and fictitious haircut at some point which I'm still mad about.


Oh yeah, and then there's this :


Boy if you don't get some Neutrogena wipes in there ... As a skincare enthusiast, this scene triggered acne PTSD.

The Script - Overall just lazy and at times hard to bare with the cringe factor. The director also didn't seem to care that the actors didn't even attempt to seem European or Norwegian which made it seem inauthentic.


The Story - Granted, metalheads are the main target audience for this movie and most of us already know the story. We did not really ask or care for this movie to be created but we will take it with a grain of salt and know that this is a Hollywood embellishment. However, people who are not into metal or are just becoming interested in it might be mislead by how the story is told and the characters are portrayed. This is why it is important to have the right cast and a compelling script without any extra fluff. Or just don't make the movie at all...


So is Lord of Chaos that bad? Although it was entertaining and I could stay awake through a late night watch, it's not worth the money. If you are really interested in seeing it, the movie is available to rent on Vudu and Amazon Prime. If you are looking for an informative, reliable source about Black Metal, let me tell you - this ain't it. Until the Light Takes Us is a documentary about these events with interviews of the actual people in these bands - I would recommend that over this any day. Either way, just please, for the love of all that is (un)holy, take off your corpse paint before you play tonsil hockey with anyone.

2019 is going to be the year of effortless styling. I am working on building a wardrobe with key pieces can be mixed and matched, and always are chic. The focus will be on comfortable, soft fabrics, quality vintage, and mixing feminine silhouettes with edgier pieces and activewear. I work for an activewear company so it only makes sense, right? I am also looking to mix high end and thrift store finds - nothing is off limits. I put together a little collage of some of the key pieces I will be sporting this year. I'm not just isolating my style inspiration to one season - all of these pieces can be mixed, matched, layered, and bundled for any time of the year. PS I used Shop Look to make this board - not the same as Polyvore (RIP) but pretty close. Good times!


TOPS

Vintage T-Shirts - Harley Davidson, Music and band tees, cool novelty designs all in buttery soft fabrics and always better with tiny imperfections.


Sweatshirts - As someone who is always cold, even in Florida, I'm glad the sweatshirts are finally getting the love they deserve. Vintage bootleg designer sweatshirts are having a moment right now and I'm not mad about it.


Minimal Layering Tees - I think having a basic black, white, grey, and striped tee can complete any wardrobe. Made to be worn on their own, or layered with dresses and tanks, they will never go out of style and can be worn in any season.



BOTTOMS

Midi Skirts - Soft, feminine, and always fun to wear. These skirts can be paired with a blouse, sweatshirt, tee, etc and a wide variety of footwear depending on your mood. Especially chic when bias cut.


The Perfect Pair of Jeans - My mother gave me a pair of vintage Levi's for Christmas and I have been living in them since. These can be worn in winter or summer, with boots, sandals, heels, sneakers, etc and are always my go-to piece on a day where I want to look effortless and feel comfortable.


Slip Dresses - Not a bottom, but can be worn under sweatshirts, over t-shirts, or on their own. Range from designer to super inexpensive, and a great way to keep your look minimal but sophisticated.



OUTERWEAR

Oversize Cardigan - Perfect for when your office cranks the air conditioning in the summer or when Midwesterners experience a snowstorm in the middle of March. Minimal and cozy-chic.


Leather Jacket - The perfect transitional piece for Fall and Spring, and mild winter or summer weather. Adds the perfect edge to softer pieces and dresses up t-shirts and jeans.



SHOES & ACCESSORIES

Doc Martens - Docs had a moment around 2010/2011 and now they are back again - I have had mine for about 10 years and they are perfect for cooler weather and rainy days. They add an edgy twist to a dress and are perfecting paired with your favorite tees and sweatshirts.


Athletic Shoes - When you want something lighter than boots but heavier than sandals, a good white sneaker is the perfect option. Adds sporty-chic vibes to any outfit and always looks minimal and effortless.


Pointed Toe Black Boots - Essential for dressing up any outfit. Multi-seasonal and definitely TSA friendly, these are always in my bag when I travel to Chicago to visit family. Recently I've seen people pair them with colored or Athletic socks for added athleisure vibes.


Designer Bag & Sunglasses - If you have one good handbag and pair of sunglasses then you are set with accessories. I always make items like these investment pieces since they live with me every day.


Tinted Lip Balm - I always complete any outfit with a tinted lip balm. Less pigmented than a lipstick but still gives me a 'your lips but better' look. My current favorite is the Glossier Generation G in Crush.