Telogen Effluvium & Hormonal Hair Loss Update/Recommendations

Well hello blog world, it has been...a minute. Or maybe 15 months. My bad. I definitely need to do a life update post,  but that is for another day. I will just say this: work and health have been super time consuming for me in the past two years, so I have not given my blog or social media the time and attention that I would love to give. That is life-so I can not be too hard on myself.

Over the past year, I have been receiving tons of messages via Instagram and email, asking for an update on my hair loss. In short, it has gotten worse, better, worse, okay, etc etc. This "issue" with my hair is ongoing, and I have a feeling it will be for a long time, or maybe even the rest of my life. If you are new to this blog, or just stumbled upon this post randomly, I encourage you to read the original post (find it here) I made and the follow up post (here) to that one. However, I can say with confidence that I have found a couple products that have really helped with my hair growth and/or decreasing hair fall. With that being said, I am going to share my product recommendations that worked for me. I can not promise you that you will have the same results, but for me, they are tried and true products. I also still believe the main reasons for my hair loss/thinning was stress/traumatic experience (which in turn led to telogen effluvium) as well as hormonal imbalances (likely caused by my birth control, which has been stable the past year because I switched my pill a few times). For all products mentioned, I encourage you to do your own research and consult with a doctor before you start to implement any new vitamins or supplements. If you do not have a deficiency in a certain mineral or nutrient, taking the supplement may do nothing for you-in fact, it is possible that too much of a mineral/vitamin can actually lead to more hair loss or even acne (based on information I have combed through on the internet over the past few years-Biotin is a great example!)

I also am not going to add personal photos of every angle of my current hair state at this time, because I am about where I was with hair loss/growth when I did my last update. More pictures just makes the post longer, and I honestly am not happy with my Iphone 7 camera quality-I have one recent photo, right after I had my hair dyed darker (which can also make the hair feel thicker). You can see that I have a slightly widened part line, but it has improved from about 1.5 years ago. What you can not see is the thinning hair on the sides, which I can luckily hide by keeping my hair down, but I can not hide when my hair is up. To me, it just reminds me that while it sucks, and it can make you feel down, not everyone will notice your struggle, or even understand why you are "so upset about losing a little hair" (I've heard that one before). It's personal, it is hair to grasp, but I hope to give you some useful recommendations.

Supplements/Vitamins 

1. Zinc: According to the interwebs, zinc plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails, as well as keeping the immune system strong. I take zinc once a day (not sharing dosages because again, I encourage you to do your own research/speak with your doctor/have your labs checked).

2. Selenium: Selenium is a mineral that helps with reproduction, DNA, protects body from free radicals, helps with thyroid function and more. Free radicals basically can contribute to aging and illness. Lots of science stuff going on here, but basically, I notice a little bit of a difference in how much hair I am losing if I do not take selenium, so I am going to keep it up.

3. Astaxanthin: This is a new one for me (I started taking this about 6-8 months ago), but I will probably take it for my whole life. It is an antioxidant that comes from microalgae, yeast, bacteria and fungi. Again, this can play a major role in reducing free radicals in the body. It has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, plays a role in eye health, skin/sun protection and has been said to have an impact in helping with hair loss. This post is already going to be so long, so I prefer to not get into the science stuff about how it can contribute to reducing hair loss. I take it, I love it.

4. Hair, Skin and Nails: Since I take the other 3 supplements, I stopped taking this because I felt like I was over doing it, but when I did take it I was actually using "It Works" brand (HSN for short) and I felt like it definitely made my hair shiny, but I am not positive it did a lot for growth).

5. Evening Primrose: Some people use this for hair loss because it is supposed to be effective in counteracting certain subtypes of alopecia, telogen effluvium and hormonal imbalances; I used it for a few months about a year ago and ran out-honestly, I just found my note with the products I recommend (for this post) and stumbled upon this one...so I definitely need to go buy more of this ASAP! I ingested this in capsule form.

I usually will buy my supplements from Vitacost. I try to do my research to find the most reputable and "best" versions of each supplement/vitamin/mineral. I take probiotics every day as well, and try to eat a clean diet. I am not vegan or vegetarian, and I do indulge in drinking alcoholic beverages and eating pizza/ice cream, etc occasionally/on weekends. No one is perfect, but with my GI issues (will have to do an update) I prefer to try to eat clean about 80% of the time.

Hormones/Birth Control

Not much to be said here, but over the past few years I have had to switch my birth control probably 3-4 times. When I had blood work done about 2 years ago, we discovered my Sex Binding Globulin Hormone was sky high. This hormone binds to estrogens and androgens. Basically, since it was high, I had less free testosterone available to use. More science stuff, and it caused hormonal hair loss. The treatment for this was to switch to a progesterone only birth control pill. After about 6 months on this, I noticed a lot of hair regrowth and less hair fall-a dream come true, right? Wrong. Since I switched my pill, I no longer had the other hormones managing my ovarian cysts, so I ended up developing a grapefruit sized ovarian cyst requiring surgical removal! I had to choose between accepting hair loss or managing my cysts. So, now I am on a pill that is sort of in between. It kind of manages my cysts and it slightly keeps my hormones that contribute to hair loss in check.


Topicals/Shampoo & Conditioner/Treatments

1. Lipogaine Big 3 Shampoo: Find it here. This shampoo has mostly natural ingredients and helps to prevent premature hair loss/breakage and encourages natural hair growth. This shampoo also has Ketoconazole in it, which is an antifungal. I really loved this! I think I purchased it from Amazon originally, but can no longer find it, but I tracked it down on the Lipogaine site. Also, if you have colored treated hair, it is safe to use. I did find that Amazon has their Big 5 Shampoo, which does not have Ketoconazole, and has added caffeine, saw palmetto, and a few other ingredients. Find it here.

2. Phyto Paris Phytolium 4 Energizing Botanical Concentrate: This? This stuff works. I felt like it helped with regrowth, prolonged the life of each hair (before it would decide to fall out, which in turn decreased the amount of shedding I experienced), improved my scalp health, and was super easy to use. It also helps increase the density and fullness of your hair. I didn't dread applying this (like I use to with the Rogaine Foam, ugh, I hated how it felt like buildup was on my scalp). It is pricey ($65 usually) but the 12 vials can last for awhile! I asked for this for Christmas and was gifted the wrong one, but I will 100% buy more (probably tonight), because I truly feel a difference now that I am not using it. I am having a harder time tracking it down, so I hope it is not being discontinued. If that is the case, I am about to buy 20 boxes! Find it on Amazon or Dermstore.

3. Rodan & Fields Lash Boost: Okay, so this one is a little out there, but I had Lash Boost for my lashes, so I was curious if I would see a difference if I applied it to my scalp in the areas that I would like to see more rapid results. While it is not meant to be used this way, I chose to apply it to my hair line (mainly) (as well as my brows) and noticed that the hairs that were there appeared to be fuller and healthier. Since I was using it that way, I decided to go ahead and sell Rodan & Fields products, because I was amazed with the results I was getting. If you are interested in Lash Boost (or other R&F products for that matter) email me or message me on social media, and I will fill you in on any specials/promos/discounts I may be offering. You can find my site here.  

Miscellaneous Recommendations 

This post is getting very wordy, but I want it to be helpful. I am going to try to just list my last few few recommendations! If you want more information regarding a recommendation, email me, comment, or google "hair loss and (my recommendation you want more information on0". Most of these are recommendations to decrease further damage to hair.

1. Minimizing hair washing. I try to limit to 2-3 washes a week.
2. Minimal heat. I try not to blow dry my hair if I do not have to. I limit the flat iron/curling iron to probably once a week. Lots of heat-free hair styles!
3. Switch the side of your hair part occasionally if possible
4. Mostly healthy diet
5. Do not comb/brush wet hair!
6. Sleep on a silk pillowcase
7. Use a scalp exfoliating product/scrub 2-3 times a month
8. Remember that while it is hard, you are more than just "your hair"

That is all! I feel that I have established a good "hair health" routine for myself in the hopes that I will continue to conquer hair loss. It is tough. I have been there, I feel for you, and I know how helpless it makes you feel to look in the mirror and see thinning hair or areas of complete hair loss. I remember crying, being frustrated, embarrassed, and sad. Know that you are not alone, and that there is a community of others (men and women) that know exactly how you feel. Feel free to message me on Twitter, Instagram, or via email (kelseylenay@hotmail.com). You can always comment on my posts as well, but if you do not have your settings applied correctly, I will not be able to reply.

Thanks for reading,
XO, Kelsey

Basic Go-To Makeup Look // Makeup Talk

Hi all! Today I am sharing a run down on the most basic makeup look ever! Sometimes I wear this to work, other times I use it as a base to build on for something more dramatic. While the products I use day-to-day (okay lets be honest here, I don't wear makeup every single day anymore...if I don't have to leave the house or do anything major, sometimes I am just too lazy) may change, the general idea is the same.

Cold Shoulder // What I Wore + Update

Hi loves! It's Monday again... I just *love* how the weekend rushes by and the week sneaks up on you again (eye roll). As of the past two weeks, I have been taking it easy (no work), resting, and healing. About 10 days ago, I had a large cyst removed from one of my ovaries (laparoscopic).

Healthy Peanut Butter Carrot Cake Muffins // Recipe

Hi all! Today I am sharing a recipe I threw together after realizing I had nearly a whole bag of shredded carrots just sitting in the fridge. Not only that, but when am I not craving a little treat? (the answer is that I am always craving a treat!) Luckily, these muffins come in at only 91 calories (sans frosting), and just 108 calories with the frosting!

Currently Trying & First Impressions

Hi there! Today I have a little post sharing my newest beauty/skincare finds! I am seriously always on the lookout for new items when it comes to my skin, hair, makeup and health. It is very rare that I find a product and just stick to it-aside from a small group of products that I use daily and have used for quite some time. I think I will share in a future post my holy grail items; the ones that always are on the repurchase list (because that list is very very small!). I am forever on a journey to find healthier (less chemicals or completely natural) product alternatives, but unfortunately for much of my beauty routine, I haven't found those alternatives that I am completely happy with and willing to stray from the "bad" products. Granted, this post has items that are the "better alternatives", so we will see how the products end up working for me in the long run! The picture belong looks a little warm/orange toned to me-so I am not sure what happened in between my editing process and the upload, but keep in mind that the items look a little "off" below. (Sorry, I am the worst!)

Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in "Delish" : So this lip paint is one that I am very on the fence about. Overall, I like it, it wears okay (maybe 2 hours if I am drinking/30 minutes if I am eating), the shade is pretty (rosy mauve tone) and the price point was fantastic at the time of purchase ($12 at Sephora as one of their weekly deals). What I am not loving is how drying it is. I feel like I have to moisturize my lips like crazy for hours after I am done wearing it. The longevity isn't amazing, so that is a bit of a downer to me when you look at the original price ($20.00 at Sephora). To me, I feel like I could get something very similar in quality (or better) at a cheaper price (drugstore brand/Sephora brand). The positive is that it is a paraben free product. If I had to assign it stars (who am I right now, ugh), I would probably give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in "Concept" : Short and sweet-I will always repurchase this line of blush from Tarte. They are long-wearing, better for your skin, and have the prettiest finish (natural sheen/perfect glow (aka satin finish)). This shade is a warm coral. Adore it and wish I would have gotten my hands on it early summer!  This blush came in my VIB 500 point gift, so I can't link the exact color, but I did link the blush line! 9 out of 10 stars for this baby.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better SPF 50 CC Cream (Anti-Aging) : This CC cream promises to give a full, flawless and perfect coverage with some awesome added skincare ingredients. When this product first started to get hyped up, I bought a travel size and decided I didn't like it AT ALL because it seemed to get cakey looking on my oily skin after a few hours of wear. I figured that once again, my oily skin would ruin every product for me that everyone else seems to adore. Fast forward a few months, and I get this package from IT Cosmetics. I decided to try it again because hello, I had nothing to lose, and I figured out how to make this product work for me. It is all in the application and setting process! I use a sponge or a stipple brush to apply (which gives a gorgeous coverage) and then bake my face to lock everything in. For those that don't know, baking is a setting process where you apply and crazy amount of powder with a damp sponge/beauty blender to your under eye area (and any other area on your face that you want to keep everything in place, all day) and let it sit, or "bake", for a few minutes (or 10-15 if you are working on your eye makeup or hair). You then dust off the excess powder, and you are left with an extra flawless, well set face. For you early gals and guys, baking can significantly increase the wear time and flawlessness of your foundation. I can now use some foundations that I previously thought would never work for me! Overall, this has become one of my favorite products for day to day wear, as well as for nights out (because the coverage is definitely buildable!) If I set it correctly, I can wear it throughout my 8-12 hour work day. If I keep up with this star thing, I would give this one 7.5 out of 10 stars (if I had normal/dry skin, it would be a solid 10/10 because I wouldn't have to work with it so much!)

Josie Maran Argan Lip Sting Plumping Butter in "Honey" : I am a sucker for plumping glosses and balms, so when Josie Maran came out with one, I jumped on it! First, I love that it does have "better" ingredients in the formula. Any lip product will be ingested-even in small amounts-if you are putting it on your lips like it is made for. Now, I don't know about you, but at the end of the day, I care about all the chemicals that we put into our bodies, whether it be knowingly or unknowingly. The less chemicals, the betta! So any way, this has things like argan oil, manuka honey and moringa butter. It feels pretty moisturizing when first applied, but like any plumping product, I do tend to feel like my lips feel a bit dry after wear. It's a trade off, that is for sure. So does it plump? Yes, I think so. A teensy tiny bit-but what it really does is smooth the lines in your lips and just make them feel supple (oh lala). I would definitely repurchase, plus this nude "honey" shade is perfect for everyday wear.7 out of 10 stars!

Piper Wai Activated Charcoal Deodorant : I came across this gem at my local GNC, and decided to give it a go. I have been searching high and low for a deodorant sans things like parabens and aluminum, but haven't found anything I love. This product was a big hit on Shark Tank and seems to be doing pretty well as a brand so far. The main ingredient is charcoal, which can apparently absorb 1000x it's weight, which is helpful for a sweaty people. It also promises to create a balanced pH environment, so you aren't stinky. Sweet, what more can you ask for? It's a gender neutral scent, which smells sort of minty/essential oil-y, and it's free of all the bad stuff. To apply, you just rub a pea size amount into your underarms until it's clear. I have worked out with it on, had 8-12 hour workdays, and wore it during my day-to-day life. It works for about 6 or so hours (or through a rough workout) and then needs to be reapplied to control sweat and odor. Overall, I am perfectly fine with reapplying because it's natural and can only do so much-plus the product recommends to reapply as needed. 9/10 stars, would recommend to anyone wanting to venture out into the natural deo world.

Rahua Color Full Shampoo & Conditioner : This line of S&C is one with "better for you" ingredients (definitely a theme here) that is supposed to preserve hair color for those with color treated or highlighted hair. Since I can not commit to $38 for 9.3 oz of Shampoo and $40 for 9.3 oz of conditioner, I bought travel size versions from Integrity Botanicals. I have only used the products once, but found them to smell great and do a decent job. I felt like I had to use a lot of shampoo to clean my hair, but that is likely because I am not 100% use to a shampoo that doesn't lather a lot. The conditioner felt moisturizing and left my hair feeling shiny and soft. I think I need to try these out a few more times to get a real verdict, but for now, I would say that it seems like a high quality natural brand that would be great to purchase if you have extra cash and would like to try something new out. 7 out of 10 stars!

Sorry for rambling and making this first impressions post more detailed than it probably needed to be. I should really work on getting to the point, but hey, that is one of the reasons I don't do Youtube videos. Please share some of your natural or less toxic favorites below! Also, remember to make sure you are not a "no reply" commenter. If you look above where you can leave me comments, it tells you how to set up your account so that when you leave me a comment, and I reply, you get the response. If you do not have this set up correctly, I can not reply to you!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

Telogen Effluvium & Hormonal Hair Loss/Thinning Update: What Has Worked

Hi all! I have recently received a few emails and Instagram messages about my previous TE post. Since I have had so many questions asking for an update, I figured it was time to do a post about how my hair is now, what is working and what isn't, and my tips for those out there that are going through something similar.

I originally posted about TE in October of 2016 (see post here). At that point, I had been dealing with the thinning of my hair for about 8 months-and here we are now. Generally speaking, my hair has sort of had some regrowth. Not a lot, but I am happier with how it looks now that what I had going on at the time of the post. First, I will show the pictures from recently (aka today). Mind you, I could have brought out my nice camera to take these, but honestly, it's such a drag pointing out the thinning hair so I would rather just keep it simple and use my iPhone-sooo professional right?!

 I figured this would be an easy way to show you that most of my thinning is still consistently on my right side (the left side in the picture). I split my hair perfectly down the middle. You can tell how much more hair I have on the left pigtail by looking at the volume in the elastic. No idea why, but that is just how it was, and still is. I know it is not from sleeping on one side, because I switch it up all the time, and sometimes sleep on my back.

 This is a side by side of the diffuse thinning. Again, the picture on the left is actually my right side, and vice versa. The thinning also seems to have spread toward the back of my head on my right side. You can't see it in the picture, but it has!

Another shot of the diffuse thinning. Left picture is right side of the head, and vice versa.

Now that you have an idea of the state that my hair is in now, I'll show pictures from the original post compared to now. If you think the quality of the above pictures are bad, just wait until I share the old ones. Next time, I will bite the bullet and use a nice quality camera.

The picture to the left is my right side last year-the picture to the right is my right side this year. You can see that I have had some regrowth since the last post.

Both of these pictures are my left side-again, the picture to the left is from the previous post. You can see some improvement with regrowth, but nothing too impressive.

The left picture is from my previous post, while the picture on the right is today. As you can see, there was and still some diffuse thinning to my part line.

So-how did I get to where I am? Well, if you remember from my previous post, the cause for the hair loss and thinning was sort of unknown. The dermatologist said it was likely telogen effluvium, which in short, is when your hair goes into a resting phase in the growth cycle due to stress, an illness, a trauma, or just a general "shock" to your body if you will. In this resting phase, the hair will eventually fall out and not grow back, because it is resting. When the stressor goes away, or when your body deems itself ready, then it goes back to the growth phase.

At the time, I thought TE was a logical explanation-I still do. However, I do think that some of the hair loss was due to hormones. I only recently (in the past 6 months) found out that a hormone called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin was extremely (and I mean extremely) elevated. This hormone binds to androgen and estrogen. Even though I am in the health field, I am still pretty confused as to how this hormone works and influences the body-but it is involved in SO many other hormones. The treatment for me was to change my birth control to one that was progesterone only based. Since changing my birth control, the hormone level has dropped dramatically.

I think that this change (along with time), combined with supplements and topical treatments, has contributed to some new hair growth. For the sake of not rattling on and on, I am going to list and link the products that I believe have been helpful in regrowth and worth buying.

Shampoo: Lipogaine Big 3-a natural shampoo with caffeine, biotin and oils. I have noticed far less hair loss when using this. On Amazon you can purchase it for $25.

Topical: Rogaine Foam For Women. You apply this once daily to your scalp. To me, it is a pain to apply and I feel like it makes my oily scalp even oiler, faster. However, it does absorb well and I can say that it absolutely works! I buy mine on Amazon-$25.20 for a two month supply.

Supplements: Biotin, Zinc, and Selenium. I buy all mine from Vitacost-I have purchased many different brands, so I don't feel the need to link a certain one in particular. Selenium works as an antioxidant and enhances your immune system, which can help with functions if the body, such as hair growth (ding ding!). Zinc does the same thing, as well as strengthening hair follicles and preventing hair loss.

Aside from the above things, I try to keep my scalp healthy, shampoo less frequently (and use dry shampoo when needed), minimize the amount of products I use on my hair, use heat products sparingly, dye my hair less frequently, rarely brush/comb my hair when wet (it's more susceptible to damage when wet), and to decrease the amount of tension I put on my hair (tight ponytails/braids/buns). I have been keeping my hair short recently, which make it feel a little more voluminous. I also sleep on a silk pillowcase and eat a balanced diet (most of the time!)

I feel that overall, my hair is at a better place than it was 1.5 years ago. I hope that eventually it all grows back, but I can only be optimistic. If you are experiencing something similar, feel free to email me, comment, or message me on Instagram to talk if you want to chat. Hang in there! It can be sad, confusing, and frustrating to lose hair and not know exactly WHY. I hope you can use some of my insight to help your situation!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey


Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

Back in Black // A Night Out Look

Hi all! I'm back again with an outfit of the night! Something I haven't done in forever! I love this little black getup from Tobi... totally wishing I had this when I was in Vegas-it would have been perfect for a night out! Lately, I have been adoring jumpsuits, bodysuits, and the occasional romper. Seriously, it's so hard to find a romper that fits perfectly. I feel like I have way better luck with bodysuits. The good thing about bodysuits is that you can wear them summer through fall (in Ohio at least). It would be so easy to find a light jacket or blazer to cover up a bit in the cooler months! I did get a small in this jumpsuit for anyone wondering-it fits very true to size (I usually wear a size 2-3 in jeans/shorts and a 0-2 in dresses). The fabric has a nice stretch to it which makes for a very comfortable fit! Also, lets not talk about my hair in these pictures because your girl over here can not figure out how to style it since I cut it short again! On to the pictures!

Mandy Knitted V-Neck Jumpsuit (Tobi) // Cuff (Last Season-Cute Alternative) (Express) // Nude Heals (Mossimo from Target) //

What do you think about bodysuits and jumpsuits? Are you loving or hating the trend?
Let me know below!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

**Tobi items listed in this post gifted for consideration by Tobi. 

Seeing Paisley // What I Wore

Hi lovelies! Today I am sharing one of my favorite summer outfits! I don't know about you, but when I find the perfect flow-y dress or skirt, that outfit is on repeat! This Paisley Skirt/Crop Top Duo are recent finds from Tobi, and the shoes are Kelly & Katie from DSW. I love the cut out back and the wrap detail of the skirt...perfect for a fun summer look or a flirty little date night! I have done a lot of travel this summer already, but I am hoping I can get on a beach again soon so I can bring this outfit with! I got both the top and skirt in a size small, which fits pretty true to size (usually I wear a size 0-2 in dresses, 2-3 in shorts/jeans). I didn't know if I would be in on the paisley trend, but clearly I have committed to it! I really want to find a paisley print with a red or wine color scheme as we get closer to fall...ugh, fall and winter, I am no where near ready for those seasons! Let's just enjoy summer for now, shall we?

Audrey Paisley Print Crop Top (Tobi) // Audrey Paisley Print Wrap Skirt (Tobi) // Kelly & Katie "Frilisa" Shoes // Necklace (unknown) (similar here) //

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey


Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

**Tobi items listed in this post gifted for consideration by Tobi. 

Beauty Staples // Recent Faves

Happy Saturday friends! I am currently on my way to Nags Head, NC for a little vacay so I thought now would be the perfect time to share my current beauty & life favorites. For me, packing for trips is so stressful because I am horrible at narrowing down "the necessities"-at least when it comes to clothing and shoes. Within the past two years, I have gotten a lot better at narrowing down the beauty and skincare items I take with me on trips. I used to want to buy all the new products that brands would come out with, which meant I was always bringing stuff with me out of town to "test out". Now I am more a creature of habit when it comes to makeup... If I find something I love, I stick with it. How did I not realize it would make life so much easier?! Long story short, here is the current beauty and lifestyle round up!

Batiste Dry Shampoo: The one I have in particular right now is the Cherry scent. The formulation of this stuff is probably one of my favorites when it comes to dry shampoos. This is my first time buying the cherry scent (because that is what was available in the travel size) and I can't say I noticed a huge difference in how the product performs from scent to scent. I literally despise washing my hair because A) it's annoying and I feel like it is just so time consuming (maybe I am being a diva) and B) I am still having issues with hair loss so it's like an emotional rollercoaster to wash my hair and see hair fall out (see hair loss story here). Basically, your girl loves dry shampoo and is known to have 2 or 3 on rotation but I always come back to this brand. I have tried the one for brunette hair too and I was a fan! Find it here. Luckily, someone from Reviews.com reached out to me with a guide (yes. a guide with reviews and all!) of the best dry shampoos. Where was this when I needed it? Find the guide here!

Dr. Jart + Dermaclear Micro Milk Peel: This is a daily "peel" that lightly exfoliates and moisturizes your skin. It comes with cotton pads that are double sides-one side for sensitive skin and the other with a little more texture to provide more exfoliation. It contains lactic acid and salicylic acid for keeping the skin soft, coconut milk, panthenol, and squalene to hydrate and calm the skin and glutathione to tone and brighten (per Sephora's website-I can't take credit for knowing all this). You shake the bottle to mix the acids together, apply to cotton pad, apply to face, wait 1 minute (or more, I do about 2-3, such a risk taker) and then wash it off. When I use it daily, I do notice my skin seems softer, more supple, and just overall "better". Find it here.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs Perfume: Since I elaborate too much on everything, I am just going to say this scent is amazing and I find myself reaching for it all the time. Perfect for summer! Find it here.

Mario Badescu Skincare Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater: This is a perfect product for summer... I use it to prep my skin before lotion, as a setting spray, and as a pick me up if it is super hot and I feel like my face is melting off. If you aren't a fan of rose scents, you might not love the way this smells, but the scent does not linger for long. Find it here.

MyChelle Sun Protection Sun Shield Liquid Tint SPF 50: This one deserves its own post... I will definitely be doing a review on it. I stumbled across this at Whole Foods when I was perusing the beauty aisle for all the things I don't need, bought it on a whim, and then fell in love. The best love is unexpected love, amiright? Anyway, this is a tinted sunscreen that gives a sheer coverage. You could probably build up the coverage on this a bit, but for work or just laying out by the pool, it is fantastic. The best part is that it doesn't become a hot mess on my t zone like every other sunscreen, foundation, and powder. My skin loves this stuff. So much in fact that I have mixed my Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer to create more coverage and wear it on nights out. Holy grail status! Find it here.

Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler: Yes, this is THE eyelash curler. $21 for an eyelash curler? Sure, if it performs like this bad boy. It creates the best curl and it seems to make the curl last longer than any other eyelash curler I have used. Also, how many times can I say curler? Find it here.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush: I received this blush along with a few other products from It Cosmetics, and it has easily became my most reached for blush for summer. The shade I received is "Je Ne Sais Quoi" and is perfect for a little pink flush. The shade is matte, which I usually prefer for blushes. It has good staying power and can be built up in intensity if necessary. Find it here.

Faux plants: Like any faux plant, because then I can forget about it and it wont die. Currently loving succulents.

Hemp Seeds: On everything, in everything. No, you will not get high. Yes they are legal. No they do not taste weird. The literally taste like heaven and are perfect for adding texture to yogurt, salad, cottage cheese, etc. They kind of taste like a creamy sunflower seed which sounds weird but is delicious. Trust me on this, you should buy them! I buy them without the shell (which means they are actually hemp hearts) but eating them shell in all provides protein and essential nutrients. These are the ones I buy.

The Republic of Tea HiCaf Cinnamon Toast Black Tea: This tea has 116 mg of caffeine which is about 16 mg more than coffee so that's a yes in my book. It smells amazing and tastes like it is supposed to. Sometimes I drink it without anything in it, and other times I add almond milk or cream with sugar. The besssttt. Find it here.

Ebates: For those who are unfamiliar with Ebates, it is a cash back site that allows you to earn a percentage back on what you spend at your favorites stores. It's that easy. You just choose the store you want from the Ebates site, click on it, and it takes you through their site to the store you chose. Then all you have to do is shop! It is not a scam-you earn money back and are sent a check or credited to your Paypal account. If you are already buying stuff anyway, why not earn $$ back? I used Ebates for my holiday shopping last year and earned sooo much money back. The best part is they are beginning to offer cash back in-store for a couple different stores, if you link your credit card to you account. If you're interested, sign up via my link and you will be credited $10 to your account as well (I also receive a $5 credit if you sign up and use Ebates at least once). You can also book hotels through booking sites, which I did for my current vacation, so it's great for those that travel often! My link is here!

Please leave any suggestions for peels, dry shampoo, and teas- I would love to hear what you're loving!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey



Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

What to get for the Superwoman in your life // Mother's Day Gift Ideas

It's that time again-the time we take to truly honor those women in our life that have given us so much; whether it be a mom, stepmom, grandmother, or aunt, I am sure all of us know at least one superwoman that showed us love, guidance and support throughout life. Like Father's Day and Valentine's day, we can all agree that we should honor and love those close to us every day of the year, but why not set aside a day to celebrate that special person?

When thinking of ways to make Mother's Day special for the amazing women in my life, the first thing that comes to mind for me is actually doing something special for them. Cooking or cleaning for them,  going on a day or weekend trip, going out to lunch/dinner, or just simply creating a memory together by crafting, watching a movie, or coming up with a yearly tradition. My stepmom's family makes a craft together every year-this year we are making wreaths for our doors! Everyone gets together for a potluck lunch and makes the craft. They started this tradition a few years ago and it has stuck ever since!

Second, I think of actually telling those women in my life just how much I appreciate, look up to them, and love that I have them in my life. For some, this type of dialogue may be hard; for others, easy. I wouldn't say I am shy with my feelings, but sometimes it is hard to truly tell those that you appreciate most how much you admire and love them. A card is a great way to spill your heart. Again, this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me I take advantage of this special day to open up that dialogue.

Third, you can always gift something to those that you love most. I live about 2.5 hours away from my mom, grandmother, and sister (she has three children of her own). These ladies mean so much to me, and I unfortunately can't be with them on Mother's Day. I put together a gift for each of them (with a sappy card of course) and sent it their way. While it doesn't make up for me not being there, I did have a huge smile on my face when they told me how they appreciated what I had sent. It's always better to give a gift than receive (for me at least-you should see my Christmas shopping list #mywallethatesme). Mom's are so giving;in whatever context you want to take that, I feel like it's nice to finally give back! Below, I am sharing some ideas for last minute Mother's Day gifts!

1: Spa day! I don't know about you, but feeling pampered and rejuvenated never gets old!
2: A photo album of your favorite memories
3: Fruit, food, wine, candy or flower baskets
4: A new book from her favorite author or genre
5: A gift certificate to something/somewhere she loves
6: Concert tickets
7: Beauty/health/hair products

For my mom, anytime there is a gift to be given, I usually include at least one beauty product. I know she likes receiving them, so I feel like I can't go wrong there. For my stepmom, I tend to gift skincare and hair products (for her birthday, I bought her a gift card to her hair salon). I try to be very thoughtful, but also gift something that is useful as well. One of my favorite "small" items to include is usually a face mask or eye mask. Again, it feels sooooo good to feel pampered! Occasionally, I may gift a lotion or perfume if I know exactly what they want, but otherwise, I tend to purchase items like mascaras, blushes, or eyeshadows.

This year, IT Cosmetics had a list of "it girl essentials" to help narrow down your search for a Mother's Day gift. In it, they included a blush, lip treatment, 5 piece getting started airbrush brush set and 5 piece mini face and eye brush set.

Bye Bye Pores Blush in shade "Je Ne Sais Quoi"

Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment in "Rose"

Your Beautiful Basics Airbrush 101 5 Piece Face & Eye Getting Started Brush Set

Your Face & Eye Essentials Mini 5 Piece Face & Eye Travel Brush Set

All of these items (in my opinion) are a safe bet for the beauty lover in your life. I love that IT Cosmetics put together these suggestions-while I try to be thoughtful with gift giving, I definitely have had those moments where I am frantically googling gift ideas! I'm hoping that my post will give you a few good suggestions for your last minute shopping!

Keep your eyes out for a full review of a few IT Cosmetics listed in this post, as well as a couple other fun items that IT Cosmetics kindly sent!

Sneak peek!

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey

Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

Makeup Talk // Beauty Counter Review

Hi friends! Happy 2017! I am not sure how weather in your state has been, but in Ohio, we've had 68 degree weather one day and 20 degree the next (literally). If I didn't have a job to venture out to I would probably just stay inside and hibernate for the rest of the "winter". Choosing clothes daily has definitely been a back and forth unwanted guessing game. Anyway, at least my makeup isn't changing drastically like the weather each day! Today I wanted to show you my "everyday" makeup look (I do tend to switch one product for another some days, but the basic look is the same). I also will be reviewing three products from the Beauty Counter line and showing how I include them in my daily routine. Side note-since I work as an RN, sometimes even this amount of makeup is just too much (especially if I am running late). On those days, I stick to moisturizer, a primer, concealer under my eyes, a translucent powder and mascara.

Beauty Counter has a goal to make safer beauty products accessible to whoever may be interested. Why does this matter? According to BC's website,

"Over the past two decades, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the product formulas of personal care products and restricted the levels of over 250 more in such products. The United States has only partially banned 30 to date".

In order to provide a product that does not include many of these chemicals that are not banned, BC made the decision to ban over 1,500 of the questionable and/or harmful ingredients in the use of their products. To me, that is a step in the right direction. I hope that more companies transition to this mindset so more products that the public has more access and more choices when it comes to "safer" products. Another great thing about BC is that their website does have an ingredient glossary, as well as the "Never List" which are some of the ingredients that you won't see in their products.

Products pictured (clockwise): Flower Beauty Glow Baby Glow Blush/Bronzer Duo // Flower Beauty Daily Brightening Under Eye Cream (shade DB2) // Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner, shade "brown" // Beauty Counter Lengthening Mascara "soft black" // Tint Skin Foundation (2 shades shown; swatches and shades listed later in post) // Lip Sheer "Rose" //

Tint Skin Foundation 
This product claims to be "lightweight and creamy", with sodium hyaluronate, which helps to retain moisture, promote smoother looking skin and reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The coverage can be sheer to medium per the website, depending on how you apply it.
For me, I tend to use it on the days that I want a "no makeup" look.  I would say the coverage is definitely buildable. I honestly wear it to run errands or when I am going to work-I have not tried to get more coverage than in between sheer/medium. I did find that it wears well, about 6 hours before I start to notice the coverage is fading. I think this product would be amazing for someone with normal to combination skin. A primer or a great moisturizer is necessary (from my experience) to get a smooth application. I do have combination oily skin, and found that the foundation flaked up around my smile lines and nose. From the four shades I received to test out, I could easily go between two of the shades (linen and sand) depending on if I self tan or not. Since this product is pretty sheer, the shades are very forgiving. While testing this out, I did have a breakout; after switching a few products around, I realized it was actually a moisturizer I was using and not this foundation, so it has not caused any breakouts (win!) As you can see in the following pictures, it gives a satin/natural finish, but I always end up setting with a translucent powder due to my skin type.

Retail price: $41 USD

Shades from top to bottom: Porcelain, Linen, Sand, and Honey.

I used Linen without a self tan, and Sand with a tan.

No makeup. My camera for blogging is currently out of commission. The iphone 7 puts a slight filter on the skin with pictures (I haven't figured out how to turn it off). My skin isn't bad-just slightly red, with noticeable pores. 

 Coverage with the Tint Skin Foundation, shade linen. Even though the picture has the slight filter (sorry), you can see the coverage and finish it provides. 
Dry patches around mouth.

Lengthening Mascara  
This mascara was made to create a daytime or dramatic look, while also hydrating the lashes and defining the eyes. The product states that the brush provides "clean application without smudging, clumping, or flaking. My take? I would agree with most of this! It has not smudged or flaked-nor has it clumped. I found that the brush really does help to define and separate the lashes. I have slightly long lashes naturally, so this mascara is perfect for helping to really make them stand out. I did find that my mascara was dry; I spoke with the consultant and she confirmed what I had noticed from most of the reviews: the product is usually really creamy and completely opposite of dry! Since I couldn't just give up on this new (to me!) product, I decided to put some contact solution into the container/barrel? I think I may have received a dud, because with a little extra moisture, the mascara was performing as it said it would. I will say, if you are looking for volume, I didn't really find it in this product. The name states it is lengthening, which is what you will get! I received the color black; I think this is the only shade. 

Retail price: $29 USD 

Finished look (mainly showing the mascara here!)

Again, finished look (including the Lip Sheer). Pre-gym and errand running!

Lip Sheer

This product is meant to be a lightweight, moisturizing and safe formula to give a sheer wash of color. There are no synthetic fragrances-just pure vanilla planifolia. It promises to condition lips without feeling oily or waxy. It is gluten free, vegan, nut free, and soy free. This product states that it could also double as a cream blush (have not tried that yet!) To cut to the chase, I will just say I absolutely love this product. The packaging of the full size product is beautiful, and I really adore how the product applies and wears. It's one of those items that you want to keep using but you also don't want it to run out. I have a few more shades on my list to purchase full size. It is listed as a Best Seller on the site, and I totally know why. If I could just shell out all the cash for the whole collection I would! 

Retail Price: $30 USD

If you have any questions regarding these products, or are interested, I highly recommend reaching out to the consultant that I worked with, Jenny Pittman. Her Beauty Counter link directly is www.beautycounter.com/jennypittman; her instagram page can be found by searching "jennypittman, her Facebook page is located at www.facebook.com/groups/BeautycounterwithJenny. She also has an email, beautycounterbyjenny@gmail.com. She has been super helpful with these products and I am so glad I got to work with her for this post!

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey

Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

*I was not paid for this review. I did however receive the Beauty Counter Samples for review.
**Primer used under Tint Skin Foundation was Pacifica Jasmine Iris Oil Control Primer (a primer that deserves its own review!)

Dealing with Hair Loss: Telogen Effluvium, Stress, & Products I've Tried

Seven months. That is the last time I've tried to write any sort of post on this blog. No drive, no time, nothing to write about-until now. I figured I would share my experience with my hair loss and what I am trying to do to reverse or slow it, all the while trying to stay positive. This post got lengthy, really fast, so I will try to make it easier to navigate.

Background

First off, if anyone tells you "it's just hair" when you start losing it, they do not get it-at first.

When I noticed my hair thinning, I freaked out. I was sad. Mad. Confused. I mean I barely put heat on my hair. Occasionally dye it, but no bleach. My diet is extremely clean, except for one  or 2 cheat days here or there. I worked out. I felt fine. Stressed, tired, but overall healthy. I frantically researched what could be wrong, bought supplements and products, and booked an appointment with my doctor that later led to a dermatology appointment. Family and friends said, "it's not that bad. It looks a little thin, when you show me, but it is not that noticeable. Fast forward about a month. I compare pictures of the thinning (at that point) to the prior month to my boyfriend, family, and friends. No hidden reactions-pretty much everyone either made a face or said, "Oh wow!" K guys, thanks, I appreciate the support. Kidding, but really, it did kind of hit me harder at that point. I was waiting on my derm appointment, and just trying to ignore the hairs that were piling up in the shower, on my pillows, and on my clothes.

Eventually, I got to see a dermatologist. Diagnosis: unknown. Probably a number of factors, like stress, a recent illness (hand, foot & mouth that I picked up from a kiddo at work-side note, I am a pediatric RN), the new job (I had been working as an RN for about 3-4 months at this point)and maybe a traumatizing event that had recently happened (horrible and realistic episode of sleep paralysis that occurred to my boyfriend and I at the same time, and has since affected my ability to sleep). Overall, most likely Telogen Effluvium.

The What

If you're not sure what TE is, aocd.org says it is: "when some sort of stress causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state. Telogen effluvium can be acute or chronic. If there is some sort of shock to the system, as many as 70% of the scalp hairs are shed in large numbers about 2 months after the "shock". This sudden increase in hair loss, usually described as hair coming out in handfuls, is acute telogen effluvium. "

My dermatologist said the stress could be mental/emotional (work, family or social life, etc), physical (new diet, workout routine, or recent illness), or any other stress factor.  Since I had so many possibilities for a cause, I think she just rolled with that diagnosis. Treatment? Sit it out, just wait. Be good to your hair. Eat a healthy diet. Take Biotin, hair skin & nails, or prenatal vitamins. Limit damage to hair. Don't have tension on the hairline (such as a tight ponytail or bun). 

What I did is all of the above. I also started doing a ton of research, bought a few more products, and came to terms with this whole TE thing. I would do my hair but try to ignore the areas of thinning. Don't ask me how you ignore parts of your head that are there when you are physically touching them and styling them, but I guess I just mentally blocked it out-I didn't want extra stress about hair loss to increase the hair loss even more! 

Losing it
With everything I did to try to decrease the hair loss, and promote new, I would say I lost maybe 35% of my hair. Is that horrible, compared to those that lose 50-70%? No. Is it still hard. Hell yes! I am a female. I like my hair. I like to have my hair, to style it, to show off my personality. So when it starts thinning out, and I have areas where my scalp is showing through streaks of my hair, I am going to be bummed. I am at the point where I still try to ignore the loss, and I realllllly try to promote new growth, but I am also just waiting. Waiting for my body to say "HEY! Grow hair, grow!" TE takes time. Your body has to be ready for the hair follicle to come out of this "resting phase". The fortunate thing about TE (if that is what this is) is that most cases do not result in complete baldness. I do not even want to think about that! 

Mostly, for me, it has just caused an extra insecurity. It also is scary to think, "hey, hopefully this is TE and not something else". I did have a full blood work up, and everything was fine-no anemia, no hyperthyroidism, etc. I do not like the what ifs. What if its something else? What if this is permanent? What if it never grows back. If I have a baby one day, will I lose even more hair after birth? So many questions. I do my research, I try my best, and then I just ignore it. 

Side notes:I do switch the side that I sleep on. Some nights I sleep left, some right, and some on my back. I try to be gentle with my hair, but I've been told multiple times that if your hair wants to fall out, its going to no matter how gentle you are (hmmm?) I do rotate where I part my hair, and have done so for years (prior to all of this).I still eat a balanced diet. I would like to get a silk pillowcase, because I have read they are much more gentle on your hair. I still take my vitamins, and try to stay positive.

The research for the next best thing is always on-going. I hope to wake up one day and be like, "woah, that part line is looking mighty thick girllll". Or not. Maybe just my old normal. I've never had thick hair. My hairdresser always said, "you have such fine hair, but a lot of it". Note to self-cherish "fine but plentiful" hair if it all comes back. This could be my new normal... but I am hoping for the best! Hopefully by sharing this, someone can share something with me, that worked for them. Maybe I can help you with something I have tried. I'm no doctor, (just an RN guys), just someone looking for answers. Right now, I feel like I am still loosing hair at the same pace as when I first noticed the hair loss. I have been taking vitamins and doing this and that for about 6 months. About 2 months ago, I thought maybe I was seeing some improvement. Not necessarily new growth, but a slowing of the hair loss. Maybe I got lazy with routine, was not gentle enough, or stress took over, but I feel like I am back to where I started some days. Others I do see some progress. So.SO. Confusing.

Fun facts (because we have to joke about this or I will just be eternally sad):
1. Counting individual hairs in the shower that pile up is tedious work. Have you ever tried to separate 10 fine hairs from 10 other fine hairs?!
2. When you condition your hair, you can be certain that a lot more hair is about to end up on your shower floor. Thanks conditioner, 'ppreciate ya.
3. Said showers = wet hair. Wet hair and thinning areas do not go together. Everything looks wayyy worse when hair is wet. Avert eyes from mirror. Or just take all your snapchats then so you can joke with friends about it (again, I try to get through this with humor, lol).
4. Personally, curling my hair (and then washing it a few days later) results in a lot more hair loss. Look real cute with some beachy waves and take one for the team or just walk around with boring stringy hair. Oh, the struggle.
5. "I don't want to put heat on my hair, I can't go out"-statement to avoid being social and instead Netflix & chill alone with popcorn and Halo Top Ice Cream (possible perk? Eh?)
6. "I don't want to damage my hair"-statement for why hair always looks a hot mess.
7. Accept the fact that your bathroom may or may not look like it was featured on a hoarders show. I'm a sucker for anything with "for thinning hair" or "promotes a healthy scalp". Okay advertising, ya got me.
8. "It's just hair" is a statement that is said over and over. Yes, it's just hair. But I am someone that likes my hair. I am probably vain for that, right? I like to look nice. For me, personally, having hair that I can style to accentuate my "personality and other great attributes that realllly matter" is kind of important. I can't change that. Honestly, my personality and general attitude when I am down about my hair is probably not that fantastic. So let me wallow in my sadness for a minute. Then, I will snapchat you the worse possible angle and lighting of a thin area and we will both laugh. 

First, let me take a selfie
I will include a few pictures below for reference. Pretty recent, definitely horrible quality and angles. I can promise you that taking pictures of your thin areas does not qualify for a good time. 

 Dry hair. The top picture shows the diffuse thinning. Bottom picture is the 

ever-expanding part line. 

Hair right after washing. 

Styled hair. Apart from just looking like I have fine hair, you can not really see the results of TE when my hair is style and not pulled back/tucked behind my ears (fortunately). You can see the widened part line and thinning hair right at the scalp if you are close enough in person. 

Things I have tried 

First, let me say that I do not know if one specific product helped me. I will continue to use these products that I am listing, in the hopes that they are doing me some good. I did however choose these products based off of research, other testimonials, and general reviews of the products. I would love to do a separate post on a specific product if requested, but due to the fact that this post is already a mile long, I will spare the details for now. (Most products purchased from Vitacost.com!) 

1. B'iota Botanicals Herbal Care Experts Daily Care for Normal/Dry Thinning Hair Shampoo & Conditioner  (buy at must drugstores like CVS or Walgreens, or Amazon. This is one I would like to review-highly recommend!)

2. Vitamins/Supplements: Zinc, Biotin, and Evening Primrose (deserves a post-supposed to be great for hair loss!) all can be found pretty much anywhere, but I go through Vitacost & Ebates (to get cashback for all this money I am throwing down on this stuff!) 

3. Emu Gold Emu Oil (deserves a review post). Supposed to do wonders for your skin, scalp and hair (or wherever you choose to apply it!)

 4. Andalou Naturals Age Defying Scalp Intensive with Argan Stem Cells For Thinning Hair Serum & Shampoo. I will say that I used all of the serum. I don't know if it necessarily helped, and it was kind of annoying applying it in-between hair washes to dry hair, but I would probably purchase again. The shampoo was not my fave. I didn't really like the formula or smell, and couldn't find a reason to continue using it. 

If you made it this far, thank you for sticking around! I hope to learn more about hair loss, hear your stories, and share product recommendations if you have any. Sorry for such a lengthy post, but as you can tell, I am sort of passionate about this subject! Hang in there if you are dealing with hair loss-it will get better/easier with time! 

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey

Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

**All products listed in this post were purchased by me.