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A few things I’m wearing, reading, eating and working on this week. See you back here next week. 🤍

The biggest thing I realized was that I wasn’t getting nearly enough protein. I was also eating fewer calories than I thought.

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Let me start with this: my smile was never bad. I want to be really clear about that, because I know how these posts can sound.

I didn’t hate my smile. I didn’t avoid photos. But I am on camera constantly — Reels, Stories, sit-down videos — and there’s a difference between how your smile looks in the mirror and how it looks under a ring light, frozen mid…

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Here’s the thing about this sale. It’s a lot. Hundreds of items, every category, all at once, and it is so easy to open the app and immediately feel overwhelmed. I get it every single year.

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✺ My Hair Formula …

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The goal isn’t to pack more, it’s to pack smarter.

Travel Day

This is what I’d wear on the plane.

My Ruti pants have become one of my f…

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Why I Went

I was at a point where I needed to get away, not for work, just for me. I wanted someth…

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Paisley Denim Midi Dress

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I’m walking you through every single product I have in my makeup bag right now. Not the things I’ve tried and moved on from. The actual everyday essentials I reach for whether I’m getting ready at home, traveling, or doing a quick touch-up on the go. These are my real-life, daily-use, would-repurchase-in-a-heartbeat products.

And they’re all at Sephora. So let’s talk savings first, then I’ll get into everything.

Here’s how the savings break down for Beauty Insider members:

Tier Discount Dates

Rouge | 20% off | 4/10 – 4/20

VIB | 15% off | 4/14 – 4/20

Insider | 10% off | 4/14 – 4/20

Use code SPRINGSALE at checkout. And here’s the thing: it’s multi-use. So if you forget something the first time, go back and order again. You can shop the sale as many times as you want through 4/20. Stock up, come back, stock up some more.

VIBs and Insiders — your window opens 4/14, so mark it now. Rouge members, you’re already in as of 4/10. Don’t wait on the things you know you love. They will sell out.

What’s in My Bag

Everything I’m sharing here is something I use constantly. I’m going to walk you through it the same way I would if we were getting ready side by side.

The Base

Ilia Skin Tint

If I only do one thing to my face, it’s this. Light coverage that still evens everything out and gives me that healthy, glowy finish where people ask if you’re just having a really good skin day. You are. It’s this. SPF 40 is built in, which on low-effort days is genuinely everything.

Haus Labs Concealer

Do not sleep on this concealer. It covers exactly where I need it to without creasing or sitting into any lines, and it blends so easily. I use it under my eyes and anywhere I need a little extra coverage. I am absolutely obsessed.

NARS — Bronzer, shade: Laguna 1

Laguna is a classic for a reason. The warmth it adds looks natural and real, never muddy or orange. I sweep it across my cheekbones, temples, and a little on the tip of my nose. Simple. So, so good.

Tower 28 Slushy Blush

This one has been such a great addition. It’s a cream-to-powder formula that melts right into the skin. The color payoff is perfect because you can keep it sheer or build it up depending on the day. I layer it right on top of my bronzer and it blends seamlessly every time.

The Eyes

Patrick Ta Eyeshadow in Light

I keep my eye look simple. A little dimension, a little warmth, done in five minutes. The Light palette gives me exactly that. Warm neutrals that work with my coloring, and the formula is buttery and so easy to blend. A game changer for anyone who wants a polished eye without a lot of effort.

Tarte Tubing Mascara

If you’ve never tried a tubing mascara, I need you to hear me on this. This formula wraps each individual lash instead of just coating them. The result is incredible length and definition with zero smudging or flaking throughout the day. And it removes with just warm water. No eye makeup remover needed. I swear by this one.

Sephora Collection Waterproof Liner Pencil

Easy, reliable, and it does not move. I do a thin line on my upper lid, sometimes a little on the lower waterline, and it stays put all day. The Sephora Collection liner is one of the most underrated things in the store. And since Sephora Collection is 30% off for everyone from 4/10 through 4/20, this is an absolute no-brainer to stock up on.

The Lips

Wonderskin Lip Stain in Whimsical + Tarte Gloss in Primrose

This combo. The Wonderskin lip stain goes on first and gives you a beautiful base color that genuinely lasts. Then I layer the Tarte gloss right on top in Whimsical or Primrose depending on the day. The result is so, so good. Plump and glossy, and the color holds underneath even after the gloss wears off.

Whimsical is rosier. Primrose is warmer and peachy. I reach for both depending on what I’m wearing. Grab both while you can.

The Tools

Makeup By Mario Brushes

Good brushes make everything easier. I’ve tried a lot of them and these are the ones I keep coming back to. The quality is genuinely there, the shapes are practical, and they make application so much more seamless. If your brushes are overdue for an upgrade, the Savings Event is the time to do it.

Don’t Wait on This One

These are not products I’m telling you about because they’re trending. These are the things I actually use every single day because they work for my real life.

If you’ve been meaning to restock your makeup bag, this is the time to do it. The Sephora Savings Event ends 4/20. Use code SPRINGSALE — it’s multi-use, so shop as many times as you want. Everything I’ve shared is linked through my Sephora Storefront.

Go shop. Come back if you forgot something. Come back again. That’s what the multi-use code is for.

Let me know what you end up grabbing! I love hearing what’s working for you.

These are the kinds of finds I end up texting to friends, sending in group chats, or bringing up in conversation without even thinking about it.

Not just good in theory. Actually good in real life. The things I reach fo…

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This is the routine I do almost every morning. Five minutes, a handful of products, and my skin gets that healthy, glowy “I slept well even if I didn’t” look. Nothing heavy. Nothing fussy. Just a few smal…

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Two are repeats from last week because they’re that good.

Nothing groundbreaking. Just things that made my week easier, cuter, or more pulled together — which at this stage, I’ll take.

1. The Blush That Make…

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That means you’ve been here a long time. And I don’t take that lightly.

I used Lash Fridays for years. I loved it. I shared it. And then at some point they stopped shipping to the U.S., an…

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My Personal Item

The bag…

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Turns out, that assumption was wrong.

This post isn’t about our boat or a detailed recap of every day (I’ll share that separately). This is more of the groundwork, the things I wish I had understood before we booked. What Charter Smarter is, the process, and why the cost comparison genuinely surprised me.

What Charter Smarter Is

The simplest way I can explain Charter Smarter is that it functions a lot like Airbnb or VRBO… but for boats.

You start by entering:

• Your travel dates

• How many people you’re traveling with

• A general budget range

From there, Charter Smarter helps match you with boats that make sense for your group and your timeline. You’re browsing options that fit your group & where you’d like to travel.

Just like with homes, the size and age of the boat matter. Newer and larger boats tend to cost more, older or smaller boats can be more budget friendly. What surprised me was how wide the range really was.

One thing I found especially interesting: the crew usually stays with the same boat for the entire charter season. These aren’t random hires rotating in and out. They know the boat, the routes, and the rhythm of these trips.

What’s Included (This Part Matters)

When you book a charter, you’re not just paying to get from point A to point B.

Included in the cost:

• A full crew (typically a captain and a chef)

• All meals onboard

• Drinks and snacks

• A trip that’s tailored to your group

Before the trip, you talk with the captain and the chef. You go over food preferences, allergies, and what your group actually enjoys doing.

Do you want to sail most days? Snorkel? Fish? Hike? Lounge? Keep things slow? Pack the days full?

The itinerary isn’t fixed. It’s built around the people on the boat.

The Cruise Comparison (Because I’ve Done Both)

This is where my perspective really shifted.

When you break it down per person, the cost of a private charter starts to look a lot closer to a larger cruise than most people expect. Especially once you factor in what’s included.

On a big cruise ship:

• The schedule is set

• Excursions cost extra

• Snorkeling trips cost extra

• Boats and activities cost extra

And you’re doing all of it with a lot of people.

On our charter, most of what we did was already included. Food and drinks were planned ahead of time. The days revolved around what we wanted to do.

We ate out once or twice on shore, and scuba diving was an add-on. But the majority of the experience didn’t involve pulling out a wallet every time we stepped off the boat.

When you compare that to paying separately for excursions every time a cruise docks, the difference becomes much smaller than I ever would’ve guessed.

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In the next post, I’ll share what our actual trip looked like from arriving in St. Thomas to how our days unfolded once we were on the water. This post is just the foundation, because understanding how this works completely changes how you look at this type of trip.

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Most never make it past my bedroom mirror. Some are fine. A few are good. Very few actually earn a spot here.

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January…

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