n i c o l e & n i c o l e

Three weeks ago we brought you the Twist&Tuck tutorial and this week we've decided to bring you our favorite skin care products, followed by our skin care routine! You can check back each month for a review on our favorite products from the beauty department. These are the skin care routines that have proven to work best for us as of late. 

a.m. routine // In the morning I use a dime size shake of Dermalogica Exfoliant in the shower [it's a dry powder, turned creamy face wash once mixed with water] it feels great on my skin and makes my skin super soft. Once I get out of the shower I squeeze a tiny amount of Aveeno lotion and rub gently into my facial pores. I don't have particularly oily skin, so I've never used any specialized face lotions. 

p.m routine // Coconut oil has recently become a favorite product of mine and it has SO many uses. Right now it's biggest use has been to remove my makeup at night. Simply scoop out a quarter sized amount and spread over your face...the makeup literally melts off.  Another fun use for coco oil is a substitute shaving cream. A little bit goes a long way in this case, my legs felt incredibly smooth and moisturized after my shower which was another bonus. I then use coconut butter all over my arms, legs and face! After the coco butter is all rubbed in, I finish off my nightly routine with rose salve on my lips and some coconut oil on my eyebrows to stimulate hair growth. My brows suffered from a serious case of pluckage, so we're working our way back to a place of fullness ;) I can honestly say I've noticed a huge difference since I've started the coconut eyebrow treatment!

am routine // My morning routine is pretty simple. First, I wash my face with Cetaphil. I just started using this face wash and I LOVE it. I've honestly seen a noticeable difference in my skin since using it, it's potent but doesn't dry you out. Then I exfoliate. I can't stress how important exfoliating is. Your skin  cells renew every month and the older you get, the slower and less frequently this happens. Exfoliating takes the top dead layer of skin off which allows your new cells that lay deep inside your skin to get to the surface. This process keeps your skin looking younger and fresh. Exfoliating also helps work dirt and oil out of the pores which controls breakouts. If you're new to exfoliating, start once a week so as not to overwork your skin then add a day as your skin becomes more used to exfoliating. Then I use my Olay complete moisturizer on my face and neck.

pm routine // My night routine is a little more complicated......(notice the novel below) haha. First I start with removing my make up with coconut oil. As nicole mentioned before we are both obsessed with this stuff! I use it as a make up remover, a moisturizer, I even use it to make body scrubs...this stuff is my go-to product. After I remove my make up I wash my face with Cetaphil. Then I use Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner. You wanna use one part apple cider vinegar for every two parts water because this stuff is strong. I use a small dish to mix it in and then use a cotton ball to apply. Now I know what you're thinking..EW. But hear me out. Not only is this stuff waaay cheaper and lasts longer, but it's great for your skin. Because your skin is naturally acidic, apple cider vinegar helps restore your skins natural pH balance. It reduces redness, blemishes, and increases your skins overall softness. If I have a zit I'll get a small amount of full strength ACV and dab it right on top. ACV is my other go to product. Like coconut oil its a multi use, cheap, and natural. Then, I put some coconut oil on my brows and eyelashes to promote hair growth and then finish the process off with my olay anti-wrinkle night cream.  It's a deep moisturizer and helps prevents the signs of aging that begin in your 20's. So naturally, Im sold.


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Do you have a particular skin product you can't live with out? Share below...we'd love to try new products!

life lately and other things

These past couple of weeks have been nothing short of crazy! I can't complain though, I'd much rather have the constant flow of busy than the boring dullness of lazy. So here's a few random updates in the life of Nicole, if you care to know :)

For starters, I've become part of this huge network of uh-maze-ing photographer friends. For the last 2 months or so, I've had weekly coffee or lunch dates with multiple ladies, I've been connected with and met up with 3 different local groups, and I've had a Skype date with a photog friend from out of state. I felt so alone in this industry just a year ago. But today, some of my absolutely favorite people have become industry colleagues. What an awesome feeling. To say I'm beyond thankful for these different groups of friends is a huge understatement. I feel incredibly blessed and just so humbled that I have been accepted among these creatives. It has only increased my desire to pursue this journey of owning a business even further. And not only that, I want so badly to help others along in the industry with the little bit knowledge I have recently acquired! This industry is about helping each other and encouraging each other and I've come to know that more fully as of late. It's really awesome to be part of.

....and how about I say "industry" one more time? :)


industry.

[latte art from a sweet friend]

I've grown so much in the Lord over this past year as well. Our church is one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. I want to know more, feel more, be part of more, help more...I just can't get enough of all things Jesus these days. So forgive my Jesus thumping heart for always wanting to discuss theology and other religions, but I'm really not sorry :) The Easter service at my church was phenomenal this year. There's a video recording of it floating around vimeo and I've probably watched it 15x. The Holy Spirit was IN that room transforming lives with all of his angels, no doubt :)

Not only have I been busy meeting up with photographer friends and working many hours at the good ol' Bux, but [jumping back to photo mode] I've been going through a restart of my personal business. With that restart is coming some huge changes that I announced on facebook last week...the main one being, a NAME CHANGE! I am SO excited for this name change, as I feel it will represent me as a whole instead of just my photography... droppin' hints ;)

Also, look out for another installment from the Nicole's coming this week! We're putting together some fun things for your beauty routine so check back on Thursday for that!

Turbo has taken to our new place quite well if you couldn't tell ;) Could he BE any cuter?

Since Father's Day is on the horizon, you might want to start considering what you'll be doing for your big guy! Mom's are easy to get for, so that's why I suggest thinking ahead for dad/husband.. I know my dad is always THE hardest to buy for, so that's why I was so excited when I found this mustache decal on etsy. I found the jar at Ikea and meshed the two together. Voila, present for el daddio! I made this for his birthday, but it would make the perfect Father's Day gift as well. He's already filled it up with change and sent me a picture of it in use :)

If you haven't seen it yet, please watch this video put out by Dove. It is incredible and spoke volumes to me. Us women, we are SO hard on ourselves and it hurts my heart every day. So many of my friends are consumed with their looks, bodies, what men think of them etc, and all that really does is hurt you even more. Please know, you are far more beautiful than you think you are <3 nbsp="">

to watch more on this go here

Feel beautiful in your own skin today, because you are so very precious!

Happy Birthday to my Jeffrey

This morning my sweet little noodle turned the big two-four. Yep, we're just babies...but I'm actually older than him so technically he's the baby ;)

This morning he opened his present from me which was a badmitten/volleyball combo pack from Target that we can't wait to use this summer at all of our BBQ's and trips to Lake Tahoe!

We enjoyed a yummy lunch at Chipotle followed by an afternoon visit from my parents. My pop went out and found Jeff his first drill bit set to go with his new drill so he was pretty thrilled for that...already drilling things that don't necessarily need to be drilled.

Next we'll be hitting up the golf range with Jeff's buddy, followed by dinner with his momma and some friends. We'll be ending the night with everyone at our place. So I'd say we've pieced together a pretty perfect day to celebrate the coolest dude and sweetest man around :)

Happy Birthday Jeffrey!

Gallery Wall Pt. 1

It's no secret to my friends and insta followers that I'm slightly obsessed with decorating and redecorating and creating an enjoyable space to look at. I've had this idea of a gallery wall brewing in my mind for about 8 months now but I've never had a space for said gallery wall.  Well, Jeff and I moved last month and our new home has the absolute perfect spot right above our couch! I'm still putting together the whole look of the wall and gathering prints and creative personal touches to make it just right. So here's a little sneak peek at what I've mustered up so far!

I've been scouring Etsy and my home for meaningful art to put on our walls. I've tried to get creative with the elements of the wall, including things that both Jeff and I love. I'm a big reader so I've incorporated torn book pages, post cards and letters, and a book cover that I'm kind of obsessed with [pictured above :)]. Jeff loves to go fishing so I'm working on including some fishing elements, so that the wall represents BOTh of us :) I'm still working on putting it all together and finding just the right images so you'll have to check back and see the final product in the coming days!

Any suggestions for more unique prints I can put up? Do you have a gallery wall? I'd love to see it!