Smell ya later, 2020. (This is an old photo from Smell ya later, 2020. 

(This is an old photo from this summer when I did my Harley Quinn makeup, but the energy felt right.)

I’ll be honest, I think the first half of 2021 is gonna be brutal but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, babes. We are almost there so stay safe and stay diligent.
I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I have to balance it by posting a hot one here 😂 Also wow I haven’t posted since HALLOWEEN. I’ve been spending most of my IG time on my candle account, @brennancandleco, but I truly MISS Y’ALL. I formed so many great relationships over the years and I want to get back to that. So you’ll be seeing more of me, probably in a less curated way than you used to. I might lose some of y’all but I hope the ones I call friends will stick around because I really do miss you. 

And lastly, if you ARE into more business-y content from me, follow @brennancandleco, there are some pretty awesome things happening over there if I do say so myself.

Photo by @narirophoto
I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out o I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out on transforming into Furiosa. 

2020 has been a heck of a year, and I think we're all feeling a bit like we're stuck in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Ready to turn things around and kick our own Immortan Joe to the curb.

Happy Halloween. Stay home.
My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤 My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤
Welp I think this negative space mani is my new si Welp I think this negative space mani is my new signature look so prepare to get sick of seeing it in different colors. 💅🏻
Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and thennnnn there was snow in the forecast 🙃 Tomorrow we are supposed to get quite a lot and I’m very cranky about it. Hoping our plants survive but more importantly, I hope the snow puts out the wildfires that seem to be never ending. It’s been a brutal summer for many reasons, but it’s still pretty cool to look at this bowl and know we grew these tomatoes from seeds. Also there’s currently zucchini bread in the oven from our garden ☺️
I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designin I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designing this and putting it on my body, y’all 😍 They are SUCH a talented artist and all around great person. I felt super comfortable and they executed my vision perfectly. 👽 I’ve been a diehard X Files fan since I was a kid (swipe for evidence and a photo of me and Gillian Anderson where I have never felt uglier lmao), so this means a ton.

Re: COVID-19. Truthfully I felt super nervous to get my tattoo and super nervous to post it here. I’ve still been doing my best to stay home but am also (like many of you, I think) struggling mentally. So where is the balance? Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t had a haircut (besides doing it myself), had my nails done, or sat down to eat except for once (and it was a place with no servers). I barely see anyone except my husband. Some days it’s fine and others it’s “how much more of this can I take?” So anyway. I took a risk, but @blackbirdinktattoo was taking everything very seriously. All were masked and sanitized (duh it’s a tattoo place) and I specifically chose a leg tattoo so Christa and I wouldn’t be breathing on each other. I long for the day when things are normal again. I long for the day when I can see my family again. But for now, I’ll try to safely find small pockets of joy and normalcy and ride those little waves until the next pocket of joy.
Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Sunday scaries 🐾 In case you missed it in my stories, these are our newest fosters! (We just decided on names today - I think having to name two slowed us down 🤣) Usually we only have pups for three nights but we had to keep these little pals for an extra week before they’re ready to be adopted. 

Also I PROMISE I am going to record a video/write a post about fostering this week so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

Annnnd last but not least if you’re in the Denver area and looking for a puppy, message me if you want more info on either of these little ones! 🥰
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my f Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my favorite movies from the past five years, please don’t judge me 😂🙈 “Hey! You’re Rick f*cking Dalton. Don’t you forget it.” (that line was improvised btw - it was based on something someone told Brad Pitt once when he was struggling 💕 I just love that.)

Print by @rbrunoill
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Beauty, Fashion · June 19, 2017

Mail Monday + I’m in Denver, now!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and/or make a purchase, I may earn a few cents at no additional cost to you. Any products gifted by a brand will be marked "c/o." Thanks for helping make this blog possible! <3

Well friends, I’m officially a Denver resident now! My husband and I are all moved in (well, lots of boxes but ya know) and so far we’re loving it! Of course I miss my Dallas friends and family so bad, but other than that life is pretty much perfect here. So if y’all could all move to Denver that would be greaaaaat.

Since I’m officially a homeowner, get excited for some home decor posts in the near future! For now, you can follow along with some of my mini projects in my Instagram Stories. Spoiler alert: right now, I’m repainting a HOT pink room and I still have a turquoise one left!

You may or may not have noticed that I haven’t done Mail Monday in quite a while so most of these packages are a few weeks old (sorry!) It’s been really crazy moving but things are falling back into place and I’m so happy to have some great content lined up for you guys. Get ready for more fashion and beauty, comin’ atcha! For now….let’s celebrate Mail Monday!

The Ordinary products

Y’all. Y’ALL. I first tried out Deciem/The Ordinary/The Abnormal Beauty Company last year shortly after their launch. I even threw together a Saturday post to tell you all about their amazing Hyaluronic Acid + B5 serum. Last month, I FINALLY placed another order after doing lots and lots of research to see what would best suit my needs. The main skin issues I deal with are acne, rosacea, uneven skin tone, sensitive skin and (now) wrinkles!

I chose the Advanced Retinoid 2% ($10.50) to help deal with wrinkles but (apparently) it also helps with acne! Holla. The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6.50) is to help treat acne, and is similar to my Curology prescription. The formula is more of a lightweight serum, whereas Curology was a cream, so I definitely prefer this one. I actually haven’t tried the Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA ($9) yet, but I got it to help treat hyper pigmentation. The only reason I haven’t tried it is I didn’t want to overdo it with new products on my skin since it’s so sensitive. I also ordered the Serum Foundation (literally two days before they released their full coverage. Sigh.) The foundation is okay – I am hoping for better luck from the full coverage, it just doesn’t do enough for me. If you’re looking for something VERY light, give it a try.

All in all, I LOVE the products I’ve tried and they’re doing great things for my skin – I’ve especially noticed a difference in texture and tone. I plan on adding in the Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA soon! In case you’re wondering, in the morning I just use face wash + moisturizer, then at night I use face wash, then the Retinoid, Niaminicide + Zinc, and (finally) a few drops of Hyaluronic Acid + B5 in my moisturizer – making sure to let each product dry between layers.

Pixi Peel & Polish

Courtesy of Pixi Beauty

I wish I could say I’ve tried this but honestly, I just haven’t had the time. I’m REALLY excited to give this a spin though – I’ve never had a salon peel and this is supposed to be a great alternative. Bonus: it says it’s gentle so…fingers crossed it works for sensitive skin!

Shoe Dazzle – Vivica Sandals

Some of you guys gave me feedback on Insta and Facebook when I was deciding on what shoes to get this month. Sadly, this pair was WAY too big (like they ran a full size too big), so I had to return them. I did order a new pair to replace them so be on the lookout for those – hopefully they’ll be here for next week’s Mail Monday post! Click here to shop, but make sure to size down!

elf Cosmetics goodies

Courtesy of elf Cosmetics

elf nailed it once again with the box I got this month! These shadows are really beautiful and a perfect duo for people who want a quick eye look without much fuss. My only complaint about these shadow duos is they don’t contain a matte crease shade so if you have hooded eyes, this won’t be a good option for you. Their eyeshadow primer is one of my old favorites, plus it’s CRAZY affordable!

Tanwise products + Heel to Toe moisturizer

Courtesy of Sally Beauty

I cannot WAIT to try out these Tanwise products but (alas) I haven’t had time yet. Y’all know I’m VERY fair so if I can get a little more color on these legs for summer I would be soooo happy. This Heel to Toe Coconut Heel Moisturizer is a MUST HAVE product! For real. After using it a few nights in a row, I could tell a huge difference in how soft my feet were! It’s especially great if you’re (like me) and you rarely make it to the salon for a pedicure.

Thanks for sticking around, y’all! See you tomorrow for a new fashion post!

xoxo
Valery

In: Beauty, Fashion

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Comments

  1. Melody Taylor says

    June 20, 2017 at 9:34 AM

    I first heard about the Ordinary skincare from you and when I clicked a link in a post and saw the price I was like WAT. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE. They’re so affordable! I am so into my Curology subscription (also thanks to you) but I’ll have to try out this brand. I have super sensitive skin and also deal with acne and some uneven texture (are we twins?) so these products would probably work well for me too.

    Good luck! Also CONGRATS ON MOVING AND NOT DYING!

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Smell ya later, 2020. (This is an old photo from Smell ya later, 2020. 

(This is an old photo from this summer when I did my Harley Quinn makeup, but the energy felt right.)

I’ll be honest, I think the first half of 2021 is gonna be brutal but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, babes. We are almost there so stay safe and stay diligent.
I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I have to balance it by posting a hot one here 😂 Also wow I haven’t posted since HALLOWEEN. I’ve been spending most of my IG time on my candle account, @brennancandleco, but I truly MISS Y’ALL. I formed so many great relationships over the years and I want to get back to that. So you’ll be seeing more of me, probably in a less curated way than you used to. I might lose some of y’all but I hope the ones I call friends will stick around because I really do miss you. 

And lastly, if you ARE into more business-y content from me, follow @brennancandleco, there are some pretty awesome things happening over there if I do say so myself.

Photo by @narirophoto
I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out o I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out on transforming into Furiosa. 

2020 has been a heck of a year, and I think we're all feeling a bit like we're stuck in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Ready to turn things around and kick our own Immortan Joe to the curb.

Happy Halloween. Stay home.
My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤 My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤
Welp I think this negative space mani is my new si Welp I think this negative space mani is my new signature look so prepare to get sick of seeing it in different colors. 💅🏻
Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and thennnnn there was snow in the forecast 🙃 Tomorrow we are supposed to get quite a lot and I’m very cranky about it. Hoping our plants survive but more importantly, I hope the snow puts out the wildfires that seem to be never ending. It’s been a brutal summer for many reasons, but it’s still pretty cool to look at this bowl and know we grew these tomatoes from seeds. Also there’s currently zucchini bread in the oven from our garden ☺️
I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designin I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designing this and putting it on my body, y’all 😍 They are SUCH a talented artist and all around great person. I felt super comfortable and they executed my vision perfectly. 👽 I’ve been a diehard X Files fan since I was a kid (swipe for evidence and a photo of me and Gillian Anderson where I have never felt uglier lmao), so this means a ton.

Re: COVID-19. Truthfully I felt super nervous to get my tattoo and super nervous to post it here. I’ve still been doing my best to stay home but am also (like many of you, I think) struggling mentally. So where is the balance? Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t had a haircut (besides doing it myself), had my nails done, or sat down to eat except for once (and it was a place with no servers). I barely see anyone except my husband. Some days it’s fine and others it’s “how much more of this can I take?” So anyway. I took a risk, but @blackbirdinktattoo was taking everything very seriously. All were masked and sanitized (duh it’s a tattoo place) and I specifically chose a leg tattoo so Christa and I wouldn’t be breathing on each other. I long for the day when things are normal again. I long for the day when I can see my family again. But for now, I’ll try to safely find small pockets of joy and normalcy and ride those little waves until the next pocket of joy.
Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Sunday scaries 🐾 In case you missed it in my stories, these are our newest fosters! (We just decided on names today - I think having to name two slowed us down 🤣) Usually we only have pups for three nights but we had to keep these little pals for an extra week before they’re ready to be adopted. 

Also I PROMISE I am going to record a video/write a post about fostering this week so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

Annnnd last but not least if you’re in the Denver area and looking for a puppy, message me if you want more info on either of these little ones! 🥰
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my f Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my favorite movies from the past five years, please don’t judge me 😂🙈 “Hey! You’re Rick f*cking Dalton. Don’t you forget it.” (that line was improvised btw - it was based on something someone told Brad Pitt once when he was struggling 💕 I just love that.)

Print by @rbrunoill
Complementary 🧡💙 If you have hooded lids and Complementary 🧡💙 If you have hooded lids and/or you’re scared about mixing colors, this is such an easy way to do it, y’all! Monochromatic on top (I incorporated an orange shimmer but you could keep it super simple and just blend out one shadow), and then a different color on bottom. I was worried the blue would look too heavy on me since my eyes are a bit downturned but I think it turned out just fine! 

I’m using a @shopaltergo palette again here, this one is a dupe for the Natasha Denona Metropolis palette ($129). The Alter Ego palette is a whopping $22….and so far it’s a GEM. I don’t have ND so I can’t compare them directly but I didn’t have any issues with these shadows at all.

Lips are @lagirlcosmetics liner in Keep It Spicy + @flowerbeauty lipstick in Spiced Petal
Brows are eyeshadow and a bar of soap

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