what's in my bag?

I always think it's interesting to know what other girls just can't leave the house without, so I thought I'd share some of my "must-haves" with you today!

1. Favorite phone case - I'm obsessed with all Sonix cases. I love this one because you can still see my gold phone through the case, but it's still protective!
2. Little wallet - I recently downsized my wallet and it was the best decision of my life. I typically carry small crossbody bags and having a big wallet just wasn't working for me. (This wallet also just got marked down!). It's small but still holds everything I need it to, and forces me to stay organized!
3. Fresh nude lip color - I literally cannot live without this stuff. It feels so good on your lips, it's hydrating, and gives you that perfect summer nude lip color. I wear it everywhere from the grocery store, to work meetings to lunch with the girls. (I also wear it to the pool because it has SPF in it!)
4. Dior Addict gloss - another favorite lip color. I have it in the "angelique" color which is also pretty nude, but it has just the remind amount of gloss to it. It looks natural, but still feminine.
5. Obviously sunnies (not pictured). I'm currently obsessed with Ditto.com which is an endless eyewear subscription. Unlimited sunglasses that you can swap out for $19/month. Use the code "laurenkaysims" to get your first month free!

What are some items you can't leave the house without?!

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make-up routine

I've gotten a few questions recently regarding what foundation/skin make-up I use, so I decided to give you a little step-by-step of my foundation routine! The products I'm sharing with you today have been my go-to foundation products for quite some time now, because I'm obsessed with them and don't even want to try anything else!

1. Japonesque primer: It wasn't until a year or two ago when I started using primer. I'd tried out several and couldn't really tell a difference. I love this one from Japonesque because I can tell a huge difference when I wear it. It makes my skin feel so much smoother and really helps my foundation stay on longer!
2. Laura Mercier concealer (not pictured): if you've been following me for a while, you know, if there was one make-up product I could not live without, it's concealer. I'm somewhat cursed with dark circles under my eyes (like, always), so this concealer for me is a must. The coverage is amazing and it stays on forever.
3. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer: if there was one make-up that I'd say changed my life, it would be this one. I first tried this moisturizer out when I started working at Neiman's in 2013 because I'd heard such great things, and it's been my go-to foundation ever since. The coverage is surprisingly amazing, but it's still lightweight enough to just put on if you're going to the beach or pool (and it has SPF in it!). It lasts pretty much all day on me, and doesn't make your face shiny like a lot of moisturizers do.
4. Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Bronzer: Bronzer is a must for me, and if I ever accidentally leave the house without it, I feel naked. I love this bronzer because I like my bronzer to actually show up, but not look too fake. This one looks natural, yet still gives you a really nice sunkissed look.
5. Bare Minerals blush balm: this blush is a more recent addition to my make-up routine. I put just a touch on the very apple of my cheek bones for a nice little pop of color (yet, still subtle).
6. Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc: I finish all of this off with my favorite blush in the world. I sweep this shimmer bloc across my cheekbones, really highlighting the top of my cheeks. This shimmer bloc is the perfect color pink and has just enough shimmer to give you a glowing effect, without being too over the top.

I hope you get to try some of these products out and love them as much as I do! I'd also love to know what some of your must-have make-up products are :). xoxo

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Putting your face on

Every girl has a different morning routine of "putting her face on". For  those of you that aren't set on your current routine, or are looking to change it up, or don't have one at all...today Lo & I are sharing with you the items in our routine that we swear by.Here are the 3 items I cannot go a day without:[show_shopthepost_widget id="340396"]1. Clarisonic - My combination skin has always been my "thorn in my side", if you will. My mom got me a Clarisonic for Christmas 2 years ago, and it has totally changed my skin. I noticed a difference in my complexion literally within days. It gives your pores a good deep clean, and really just makes washing your face more fun!2. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer - This is my go to foundation whether I'm getting dressed up for a date night, or have 5 minutes to get ready in the mornings. The coverage is amazing but still looks so natural. It also has SPF 20 in it, so I put this on before heading to the beach on vacation as well!3. Laura Mercier high coverage concealer for under eye - I attribute my dark circle problem to the fact that I have dark skin and dark hair. But, regardless, no matter how much sleep I get, I still tend to have little dark shadows under my eyes. This concealer has been my favorite for a while now because it lasts all day long + makes my eyes so much brighter.Here's a glimpse into how Lo "puts her face on" daily:[show_shopthepost_widget id="340424"]1. Lo uses Chantecaille's face wash - This is a rice & geranium foaming cleanser that gently exfoliates and softens the skin.2. Chantecaille eye cream - another staple in Lo's daily routine, this eye cream uses advanced technology to smooth, firm, and rebuild delicate skin around the eyes. Let's be real, we're not getting any younger & now is the time to start taking care of our skin!3. Kiehl's face mask - Truly the best face mask out there. Plus this one is currently $20 at Nordstrom! I promise it will be a $20 well spent; your skin will thank you both now and later!Let us know what items in your routine are your staples, or how you "put your face on" everyday!

Mascara: A Girl's Best Friend

MAC Cosmetics has introduced a new mascara to their line, Zoom Fast Black Lash. The formula is similar to the Zoom Lash product with the addition of a carbon black pigment to saturate your lashes with a rich, black color. The mascara even feels light, which is a huge bonus! Be prepared to make a statement with your lashes day or night with this highly recommended purchase.MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash, $15. 

Eyeshadow Craze: The Color to Buy for Fall

To be glamorous and earthy at the same time is the name of the game this fall season, and one specific color makes that quest gorgeously possible. It's hard to pick and choose when a million and one hues fight for your attention at the make-up counter, so which color is the perfect purchase for an approaching autumn? The answer: metallic green. When I say metallic, I don't mean bright and obnoxious. I am talking about that warm forrest green that has a touch of sheen.Scroll through these options to find what best suits you.[galleryview id= 29]Chanel Illusion d' Ombre in Epatant, $36 at nordstrom.com; Dior 5 Couleurs in Green Design, $58 at dior.com; bareMinerals Eyeshadow in Envy, $13 at bareescentuals.com; MAC Eyeshadow in Swimming or Humid, $15 at maccosmetics.com

Big Mineral Fusion Giveaway: Refer a Friend to Win!!

Sign up for the Daily LOdown to be entered to win over $100 worth of Mineral Fusion make-up and products! Rack up your chances to win by referring a friend. Go here to enter! Bonus: Your name will be added an additional time for each pal suggested. So refer on!

What you will win: The Beautiful Basics Kit which includes the Graphite Mascara, Creation Blush, Polished Lipgloss, Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner ($20), Waterstone Lotion ($10), and the Ultimate Moisture Cleanser ($15).

Mineral Fusion: Make-up that Feeds Your Skin

It’s official. I am enthralled by organic skin care, and this includes the fun stuff: makeup.It was a few months ago that I became my own guinea pig to try toxin free products, and I have to admit I had high hopes but average expectations. I am the kind of girl that switches from product to product after months of experimentation, only to find that I am dissatisfied with the results. Well, I have good news! As I am now an avid user of Skin Organics (for life!), it seemed that using chemical-infused makeup would defeat the purpose of all this goodness. All or nothing only made sense.That is when I learned of a line called Mineral Fusion. Newsflash: it feeds your skin. It works together with your antioxidant-filled cleanser and your healing moisturizer. Instead of clogging pores, it actually metabolizes your skin, protects against sun damage, strengthens your surface structure, and balances hydration. Go figure. The crazy thing is that I haven’t even cracked the surface. Engage yourself in this groundbreaking beauty bliss here.Where to start? The concealer and foundation are ridiculously amazing. Fun little extras: the highlighting powder creates a stunning glow and the mascara will make batting your eyelashes a whole lot cuter (strategy for more products?).Why use this mineral makeup brand? It has credibility. It is the top selling makeup line in all Whole Foods stores across the country, not to mention it has numerous mentions in America’s most popular magazines and blogs. Plus, they are created with natural preservatives that are affective for every skin type, and unlike most mineral makeup lines, the products are compact rather than loose.