Gift Guide: Skincare + Self-care

November 16, 2020

This is the first of my 2020 Holiday Gift Guides! If you prefer you can shop this image directly through my LIKEtoKNOW.it but I will link the products here as well. Some of the links are affiliate links where I earn a small commission.

Origins Super Spot Remover: this is absolutely amazing at making mask acne vanish. I apply a thin layer on my chin at night and it dries pimples up. Purchase from Sephora or Ulta
Lush Buffy Body Butter: a rich body butter bar that contains scrubby bits of nuts and beans to exfoliate skin and hydrate all at once. I use this on my legs in the showers for a super smooth and soft feel between shaves. Purchase from Lush
Pixi DetoxifEye Depuffing Eye Patches: eye patches are all the rage now, and it’s no wonder why. They help sooth tired, puffy under-eye circles and feel so calming. I’ve tried several different brands, but these are my favorite and the best price if you plan on using them frequently. Purchase from Target or Ulta
Earth Therapeutics Soft and Smooth Gentle Peeling Foot Mask: if you want baby soft feet, this is the product for you. (Pro tip—do this mask a solid week before a date, wedding, etc because your skin will peel for days). Purchase at Ulta
Flamingo Daily Moisturizing Lotion: by far the most moisturizing and best smelling lotion for the price. I truly obsessed with the smell and if they made it into a perfume, I’d buy it! Their website says: “get hydrated skin without lingering stickiness. Squalane nourishes for long lasting moisture, while white willow bark and papaya extract exfoliate the skin's surface, encouraging natural cell turnover to reveal even more radiant skin over time.” Purchase at Target
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch: another life-saving product for acne, these tiny patches stick to your face wherever you need them and absorb pimples without damaging skin. I wear them overnight or under my mask during the day. Purchase at Ulta

Sustainable Fashion Brands I Love

September 21, 2020

I’ve written before about how the majority of my shopping lately is thrifting. For me it’s the most inexpensive and most fun way to shop sustainably. But when I need a new staple piece in my wardrobe that I can’t find in the thrift store, these are a few of my favorite trusted brands to shop from.

I included this helpful chart above because “sustainable” is often used interchangeably with “ethical” or “slow” fashion. These brands might focus on different aspects of “sustainable style.” Overall these are brands I feel good supporting when I need to buy new clothes. Please leave me a comment and let me know your favorite brands! I’m always looking for more.

Harper Sage

HarperSage is a brand I have been lucky enough to work with. They are closely involved in every step of making their clothes and their factory in India is owned and run by women. Their brand mission is to create pieces that are soft and strong, feminine and cool, foe you to mix-and-match. Plus they have a passionate fire for helping victims of human trafficking. I can’t recommend them enough.

Everlane

Everyone’s favorite sustainable style brand. The OG. My very first intentional “ethical” fashion purchase was from Everlane, and their Market Tote still carries my entire life in it on the daily, three years after I got it.

tentree

Tentree, like the name implies, plants ten trees for every item sold, and so far has planted over 45 million trees! Their clothes are cute, cozy, and exactly what you’d want to wear hiking in the woods that you’re helping to plant.

pact

Pact has a wide array of fair-trade, organic cotton basics for the entire family, including this tunic that is soon to be part of my fall wardrobe.

Parade

Parade is another company that I regularly partner with, and I am obsessed with their body positive and brightly-colored brand. They have every color, style, and size you need and they’re all $9.

levi’s

This one surprised me when I first started researching sustainable brands, but get this—it takes 2,000 gallons of water to make one pair of jeans. Levi’s has making jeans down to a science, and they use 96% less water with their WaterLess collection.

Athleta

Athleta uses recycled materials in 60% of its clothing items, with a goal to make that 80% in 2020. It is also B Corp certified, meaning it “meet [s] the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.” Source

Reformation

Like Everlane, Reformation has established itself as a go-to brand for sustainable style. This is where you look first when you need a dress for an upcoming wedding, graduation, to look cute on Insta, or to “accidentally” run into your ex.

Shop the classic silk scarf in “Champagne”

liya Collective

Liya Collective is a new brand that makes minimalist and versatile sustainable accessories. They just launched their first collection of the most beautiful silk scarves. They gifted me one back in the summer and there are endless ways to wear it!

mejuri

Mejuri has taken over social media, and I’ll admit I was drooling over their Croissant ring before I got it as a birthday present. They’re committed to producing fine jewelry without the mark-up. From their website: “we vet and partner with top jewelers who commit to exceptional craftsmanship, ethical practices and the finest materials.”

gldn

Another sustainable jewelry brand I love, Gldn jewelry is hand-made with 90% recycled metals. The brand originally caught my eye with their “Hannah Necklace,” which has become one of my favorite and most-worn items.

Brow Lamination — what is it, and why do you need it?

July 31, 2020

One thing I picked up from beauty blogging and podcasting queen Lauren aka The Skinny Confidential is investing in services and products that save you time. Because time is money, as they say.

My eyebrows are the one thing I spend time on every single day. If I’m leaving the house, I’m putting something on my brows, whether it’s a brow gel, pencil, marker, powder—you name it, I’ve used it—and that takes time.

I got my brows laminated and dyed last week at Bronzed Bunny in Camp Hill. They also do spray tanning and sugar waxing, and I’ll definitely be back to try both!

The space is clean, professional, and, as you can see, adorable. — The space is clean, professional, and, as you can see, *adorable.*

What is brow laminating, you may ask? It’s basically a perm for your eyebrows. They get brushed up and laminated in that position so they look fuller and thicker. Honestly, I was cautiously optimistic. I’ve done some research into both microblading (getting your brows tattooed on) and brow laminating, and I didn’t know if the latter would work for me because of how sparse my natural brows are. But Valery did an incredible job waxing, laminating, and dying my brows to the perfect shape and color.

The cost of this service is $125 (add a tip!) and is worth every penny. My brows look great as-is every morning, no plucking, drawing, brushing, or shaping required. It lasts 4-6 weeks before it starts to fade.

Before, during, and after the process

Easy whipped coffee recipe

April 13, 2020

Dalgona coffee, or whipped coffee, is taking the internet by storm. Tiktok made it viral, but the drink has been around much longer than the app, and has origins in India, Pakistan, and Korea (the name “dalgona” came from the drink’s resemblance to a popular Korean candy). In this post I’ll be sharing the easiest recipe to make this delicious drink hot or iced, as well as some tips I have for getting the texture you want.

Dalgona Coffee

2 tbsp instant coffee

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp water

1 cup milk of choice

Combine the first three ingredients and blend with an electric mixer 5-10 minutes or until you achieve your desired texture. Spoon blended coffee over iced or hot milk of choice. Enjoy!

Tips:

Some recipes recommend using hot water to dissolve the coffee and sugar, but I found that using room temperature water works much better to get a whipped consistency. If you want your coffee more foamy rather than thick and creamy, you can add more water. See pictures below for coffee I made with 2 tablespoons of water vs coffee my sister made with 1/4 cup water. You can see the texture of my coffee is more dense, and mixed with the milk (I used oat milk) creates a thick and decadent coffee drink that tastes like a milkshake. If you’re just going for maximum height and frothiness and use extra water, the taste isn’t as rich.

My Skincare Routine

March 7, 2020

Skincare is something I’ve started to take a lot more seriously as I age. I’m only in my mid-20s so I’m focused more on preventing skincare problems now rather than waiting and correcting them later. My skin is sensitive and very dry during the winter. Some of these products won’t work for everyone, but if you have similar skin I hope this will be a helpful guide.

Day:

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer

I’m a big fan of First Aid Beauty as a whole, and this moisturizer is my favorite lately because it’s gentle on my sensitive skin and not too thick or greasy to wear under makeup.

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream

This eye cream has an orange tint and highlighting glow to combat dark under eye circles and caffeine to reduce puffiness.

Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35

I wear sunscreen every day and Glossier makes the only one I have tried that doesn’t break me out. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue or white cast and I love that it comes with a pump. You can get 10% off Glossier by using this link.

night:

Bliss Makeup Melt

A slightly less expensive and more easily accessible dupe for Glossier Milky Jelly. I love the gel texture and gentle formula.

Korres Foaming Cream Moisturizer with Dew Puff

Once I’ve removed my makeup I hop in the shower and wash my face with this foamy cleanser on my little Dew Puff sponge. I am obsessed with the Dew Puff. It’s gently exfoliating and feels so nice on my skin. I was introduced to it by Nadine when I got my first facial with her and she told me I was over-exfoliating. She said she had the perfect solution for me and handed me this unassuming puff. My initial thought was “it’s just a sponge,” but it has become my skincare holy grail product.

Korres Spotless Serum

This serum is 15% Vitamin C and is definitely helping to improve the appearance of dark spots on my skin.

Korres Night-Brightening Sleeping Facial

This is a game-changer for those of us with dry skin. It’s a thick cream, similar to a moisturizer, and it works its magic overnight, protecting skin from the dry air. I wash it off in the morning before I start my daytime skincare routine and it leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed.

body:

Flamingo Body Lotion

I’ll be honest—I hate putting on body lotion. I don’t love the feeling of it and I hate waiting for it to dry before getting dressed. But. This body lotion smells so incredible that I want to smell like it all the time and that’s enough to convince me to slather it on my poor, dry, neglected legs.

Lips:

Glossier Balm Dotcom

I slather a thick layer of this on at night to protect my new lips. It comes in so many different scents and I own too many of them, but I like to use the rose one at night to go along with the sent of my Korres products.

Treatments:

Facials with Nadine at The Skincare Coach

Nadine recently gave me her new facial, the Frosted Raspberry Microdermabrasion facial, and I feel like a new woman. It was very relaxing, the raspberry smelled amazing, and it left my skin feeling so smooth. She was kind enough to provide a Dew Puff for me to give away, so head to my Instagram to enter!

left: before lip filler / right: one hour after the procedure

My Experience Getting Lip Injections

March 2, 2020

Recently I had my first experience with cosmetic enhancements when I had my lips filled by Dr. Rachel Day, board-certified dermatologist and founder of OneSkin Dermatology in Chambersburg, PA. Dr. Day was so informative and made the entire experience interesting and enjoyable, removing any nerves I had about the process. I received so many questions and positive feedback through Instagram and I wanted to write a post dedicated to the experience as a resource for you to refer to.

OneSkin Dermatology is located at 211 Grant St in Chambersburg, PA. For those of us living in Harrisburg I can tell you it’s definitely worth the drive!

Q+A

What made you decide to get your lips filled?

The women on my mom’s side of the family have very thin lips, so it’s something I’ve always been aware of. I never disliked my lips—I think I have a pretty cute cupid’s bow—but my bottom lip has always been much fuller than my top lip and they are visibly uneven. That was accentuated when I applied lipstick, and I would overline one half of my lips in an attempt to even it out. My resting face was also naturally downturned so if I was listening intently or just zoned out I looked mad (Resting B Face problems). For about 9 months I have been looking into getting my lips done and doing my research.

What did you get your lips filled with?
Restylane, with Jeaveau in the muscles that draw the corners of the mouth down for a “lip flip” to cure my RFB.

Do they still feel like natural lips or can you feel the filler?

Dr. Day let me know that I might be able to feel the filler, but my lips feel totally natural. I did talk to someone through Instagram who had an experience with lip filler and said her lips felt firm, almost hard, and she never got used to the feeling. In my experience my lips feel like they always did. If anything I feel the Jeaveau around my mouth muscles and the feeling takes some getting used to but isn’t painful or bothersome, just different.

Can you still move your mouth naturally?

Yup!

How long does it last?

Six to nine months

Is it reversible?

Yes, if you don’t like the way it looks it is reversible

Does getting the injections hurt?

Dr. Day used numbing cream before injecting my lips, so while I could still feel a slight pinch and it wasn’t pleasant, it also wasn’t painful. I joked with her that I wouldn’t do it for fun, but I would definitely do it again.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary depending on factors like your location. OneSkin charges $700 per syringe, which is what most people will need to get their desired results.

Did you experience any bruising or swelling?

Yes, swelling that went down after 2 days and mild bruising that went away after 4 days and could easily be covered with makeup.

Are you happy with the result?
YES! I love how they look.

If you’re considering lip fillers (or any other area) I highly recommend a consultation with Dr. Day. Mention that I sent you to receive a complimentary area of Jeaveau (“lip flip”, 11’s or crow’s feet) when you get lip filler.

Final thoughts

I can’t stress enough how crucial it was to me to build a relationship with the person who would be injecting my face. I’ve had people reach out to me before about getting my lips filled and ultimately decided not to do it for a few reasons.

First, I felt like they were preying off of insecurity—what do you dislike about yourself, and what can we change? Dr. Day, on the other hand, comes at it from an entirely different angle—how can you be your best self? What would make you feel like you, but better? She originally reached out to me about skincare and maybe receiving a facial, but after meeting with her and talking about her entire beauty and wellness philosophy, I jumped at the chance to finally get my lips done by someone I trusted.

Second, I knew from seeing her work on her social media and website that she is a pro at what I was looking for, which is a very natural enhancement. I didn’t want the Kylie Jenner look, and if that’s what you’re going for, no judgment here! I was just sure that I didn’t want my lips to overwhelm my face. I wanted them to be a little more even and plump and that’s it. And Dr. Day delivered. My dad couldn’t even tell the difference until I showed him the before and after pictures, and then he said “huh, I didn’t realize your lips were that thin before.” That’s exactly what I wanted—for my lips to suit my face so people assumed I always had a nice, pillowy pout.

Where to eat in Harrisburg

February 18, 2020

Harrisburg Food Guide

I’ll spare you a long intro. I love to eat and Harrisburg has an incredible food scene. And that’s coming from a snobby former New Yorker.

This is by no means an exhaustive guide; it doesn’t include so many great breweries that also serve food, and there are a few local favorites that just didn’t make the cut in my personal opinion. I added a section of places I have yet to try but are on my must-visit list—please leave a comment and let me know what I missed!

I also included my favorite spots in surrounding cities in case you’re driving through PA or a local who likes to explore our state through food (same).

Restaurants:

Millworks—340 Verbeke St

If you live in Harrisburg you know this place has become a neighborhood staple, featuring food with ingredients from local farmers, a full bar, and, my personal favorite, art galleries to browse and shop. Everything is good—I feel qualified to say that, having tasted almost the entire menu by this point—but definitely get the mac and cheese.

Cork & Fork—200 State St

The homemade pasta is truly delicious. The veal and beef meatballs are drenched in a decadent red sauce that you’ll dream about later. But the real star here is the pistachio pizza. It’s okay if you don’t think you need pistachio pizza in your life—I wasn’t convinced, either. But if the sound of pistachio pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, arugula and pistachio dust even slightly piques your interest, give it a try and thank me later.

Harvest Seasonal Grill—2625 Brindle Drive

Harvest features an ever-changing seasonal menu with plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. I haven’t been here as frequently as the other restaurants featured on this list because it’s located outside of downtown, where I live, work, and frequent, but also because it has a bit more of a special-occasion, date-night feel to it.

Home 231–231 North St

As the name suggests, it has a very cozy, homey ambiance, friendly staff, and satisfying, hearty meals. If you go for brunch you have to get the house donuts with your coffee. The perfect start to the day.

Casual/take-out:

2nd St Shawarma—316 N 2nd St

The falafel has become my go-to late-night craving after a night bar hopping on 2nd Street, and the hummus is some of the absolute best.

Knead—937 N 3rd St

Dangerously good pizza. The baby badger is drizzled in hot honey that settles into pools inside perfectly crispy pepperoni. The grandma pizza has greasy, bubbly, insanely tasty crust. It rivals New York pizza. There, I said it.

Burger Yum—400 N 2nd St

Great burgers, hot dogs, fries, and milkshakes, with vegetarian portobello burger options and super friendly staff. You’ll find the Lyter family here often because our matriarch is obsessed.

Lil’s Pretzels—Broad St Market 1233 N 3rd St

The bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast pretzel roll is greasy, salty, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Better than your family secret hangover cure. It really is that good.

Coffee:

Capital Joe—416 Forster St

I grew very fond of the Mechanicsburg location when I lived across the river, so imagine my delight when I first discovered the Harrisburg Capital Joe is even more spacious, with plenty of cozy nooks to curl up in with your coffee.

Little Amps—133 State St and 1836 Green St

Great coffee with a hip, eccentric vibe that reminds me a bit of Brooklyn.

Elementary Coffee Co—256 N St

I frequent the Broad St Market location and pair my Elementary coffee with all the delicious donuts and breakfast sandwiches the market has to offer, but the 256 N St shop is also just about the only local place to get a matcha latte and I love a matcha latte on a cold day.

Outside of Harrisburg:

Evergrain (Mechanisburg)
Tikka Shack (Mechanicsburg)
Denim Coffee (Carlisle)
Cornerstone Coffeehouse (Camp Hill)
One Good Woman (Camp Hill)
Rice and Noodles (Lancaster)
Passenger Coffee (Lancaster)

Need to try:

The Red Boat
Cafe 1500
Bricco
Pastorante
Ad Lib Restaurant

What is Sustainable Style?

December 5, 2019

what is sustainable style?

A few years ago, I started thinking seriously about how my clothes are made. Capsule wardrobes were very trendy and I loved the idea of a curated closet. I was also starting to gain a little more social awareness of how negatively the fast fashion industry affects the environment and the people making the clothing. If I’m buying a t-shirt for $2, how little is the person making that t-shirt getting paid?

But I quickly discovered that a rigid, minimalist wardrobe wasn’t for me. I fell into the rut of wearing the same black jeans, sweater, and boots combo all winter. It felt more like having a uniform and I quickly became bored of the clothes I owned.

I started to do a little more research into the impact of the fashion industry and learned that:

Consumers bought 60% more garments in 2014 than in 2000, BUT only kept the clothes for half as long.
85% of all textiles end up in a landfill each year.
Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions.
It’s estimated that 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from washing synthetic textiles such as polyester.

Source

What does that mean for me as a consumer?

I started looking into ways to reduce my environmental impact through my fashion choices. I didn’t want to squash my self-expression in the way that I felt having a capsule wardrobe was forcing me to, but I didn’t want shopping to be such a guilt-ridden activity as it was quickly becoming. I realized I have a lot of options and they’re a lot more varied and fun than just owning 5 shirts and 5 pairs of pants and wearing them on an endless rotation.

Thrifting

My grandma has always been notorious in my family for being able to find designer items and brand new clothing with tags at Goodwill. I always admired that skill from afar but didn’t think I had it in me. With a little bit of practice thrifting has become my favorite way to find one-of-a-kind items. And by purchasing used items I’m not contributing to the waste produced by creating new clothes, and preventing used clothes from ending up in a landfill.

Shopping sustainable brands

Sustainable brands used to scare me. As a broke college student the idea of spending $60 on a sweater from Everlane when I could buy a $15 sweater from Forever 21 stressed me out. However, I realized that long-term I was actually saving myself money, which brings me to my next point...

Quality over quantity

By buying high-quality clothing made from fabrics that are build to last, I reduced the total amount of clothing I bought overall and curbed my impulse-buying habit. I started investing in my wardrobe and saving myself money long-term. Think about it: $40 for a new pair of boots every winter vs. $200 for a well-made pair of boots that lasts 10 years.

Repair instead of replacing

And what happens when you get a tear in your favorite jacket that is supposed to last through the next five winters? If it was cheap from a fast fashion chain, it’s very tempting to just buy a new one. With investment pieces it makes more sense and is more sustainable to get it fixed. And if you don’t want to spend the money on having someone else do it, it’s easy enough to learn simple sewing to fix rips or replace a button.

I hope this post was helpful! Let me know your favorite sustainable and ethical brands by leaving a comment below.

— Hannah

Holiday Gift Guide

November 28, 2019

Christmas is just around the corner and Black Friday sales are here! This time of year can definitely get overwhelming, and my goal when I’m gift shopping this year is to shop small and sustainable with a less-is-more mindset. I’ve compiled a list of gifts from companies I love and support and tried to keep different love languages in mind: some people get really excited about an actual present wrapped up with a bow, but many of us are going the Marie Kondo route and trying to minimize how much stuff we own. If you know someone like this and aren’t sure what to get them, there are plenty of gifts that don’t take up space and still spark joy.

Disclosure: a few of these links are affiliate links where I earn commission if you shop with me.

Clothing:

Everlane is one of my all-time favorite brands to shop from. They’re committed to running ethical factories, they’re one of the best brands for basics, and I’m always impressed with the quality of their clothes. The Day Market Tote is the perfect present for moms, students, or women who like to fill their purse with snacks (it’s me). It’s so roomy and the stitching has lasted years on mine. And if that’s not enough to convince you, Her Royal Highness Meghan Markle also owns this bag.

Jewelry:

Mejuri is currently hosting their only sale of the year, with 10% off one item, 15% off two items, and 20% off three items. ✨

Mejuri is handcrafted jewelry without the traditional mark-up. It’s delicate and unique, timeless but also trendy. Don’t wait for Santa to get your new favorite ring—buying gold for yourself is encouraged.

Makeup:

Glossier Boy Brow // Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm // L’Oreal Telescropic Mascara

These beauty basics are perfect for your little sister or any makeup beginner. They’re foolproof favorites that have been in my makeup bag for years—the absolute best for brows, lips, and eyes.

Massage:

The new owners of Elements Massage in Mechanicsburg invited me to try a massage at their revamped location and I am hooked. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who needs more calm instead of more clutter, I recommend a massage. Maybe throw a manicure in there too and make it a whole self-care day because the holiday season is stressful.

Cooking Class:

Chilean Seabass from Cornerstone Culinary Kitchen

Earlier this year I took a cooking class with Chef Chuck LaPorta at Cornerstone Culinary Kitchen in Camp Hill. If you know me you know how much I love to eat, but I also had the best time learning new techniques from the Chef (and I felt like I was on the Food Network).

Lip Injections Update

July 11, 2020

I’ve been receiving more questions about my lip injection experience lately. I know everyone is preparing for their post-quarantine glow-up (😉) so I decided to create a follow-up post about getting lip injections, answering more questions and letting you know what I would have done differently.

left: before lip injections // right: immediately after lip injections

left: one week after lip injections // right: four months after lip injections

How much does it cost?

I got my lips filled by Dr. Day of OneSkin Dermatology and the cost is $700/syringe, due at the time of your appointment. I have heard from friends in New York that in the city the going rate is closer to $2000/syringe. In that case I say take a weekend trip to PA, stay in a cute AirBNB, and get your lips done all for less than the price than you’d pay in NY haha.

Is it worth it?

I absolutely think so! I was a bit insecure about my smile before and my confidence really soared. I don’t think you need any cosmetic surgery to build your confidence, but I also think if you want a plump smile (or to smooth crow’s feet or tighten up your jaw-line) you should go for it! No shame in doing what makes you feel pretty and confident.

Can you feel the filler in your lips?

They originally felt just a bit lumpy. Dr. Day assured me that this is normal and should go away, and it did. My lips feel perfectly normal and I can move them naturally.

Would you have done anything differently?

I didn’t get a full syringe injected and I wish I would have! I was very nervous about looking ridiculous and over-done so I didn’t get the rest of the filler added at my follow-up appointment. Now that all the swelling has subsided I realize I loved how my lips looked in the first 1-2 weeks while they were still a bit swollen. When I get my lips filled next time I might get a bit more done.

How long does it last?

I got my lips filled with Restylane and Dr. Day said it will last 6-9 months. Lasting time depends on factors like on how much filler is used and your metabolism. I have had friends ask if my filler has all dissolved because my lips don’t look as big any more. First of all, the swelling as decreased, so they are not as swollen and plump but still full. Second, I think they’re forgetting how thin my lips were before any filler. Look at that before picture of those thin little lips! Haha. The size that my lips look also changes depending on whether I add lipstick and lipgloss, which I do not do lately because I’ve been wearing a mask every time I leave the home. My lips are not very pigmented, so adding color and gloss accentuates the size.