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Must-Have Hair Products + Tools
Today's post is all about hair! I love all things hair-related, so I thought it would be fun to share my must-have hair products + tools. As many of you know, my bestie & I developed a loose powder dry shampoo for blondes, brunettes, and redheads...Meet, Stranded. It goes without saying that Stranded is a staple in my hair routine and I use it daily. We are very passionate about clean beauty products, so it brings me great joy and peace of mind knowing that the ingredients in our dry shampoo powders are pure and free of harsh chemicals.
Thanks to Stranded, I can go a few days between hair washes. Doing this allows natural oils to develop which is a good thing for our strands! Over-washing the hair strips the strands of natural oils, causing hair to appear more dry than normal. However, when I do wash my hair and need to head out the door in a timely manner, an effective, powerful yet gentle, and high-quality hair dryer is so necessary.
When Dyson reached out about sending me their Supersonic Hair Dryer, my excitement was seriously on another level. I had heard about how lightweight, effective, and cutting-edge it was from a technology standpoint, so I couldn't wait to give it a try.
Not only does it try my hair so quickly, but the design is seriously gorgeous. I love the look of it on my bathroom counter! In all seriousness though, I knew I was going to love this hair dryer when I read that it protects the hair from heat damage and promotes shine and overall hair health. After using it many times now, I can confirm that this is totally accurate.
When used with a round brush, the results are amazing. I am a fan of the natural, slightly undone hair look and this hair dryer achieves that easily and effortlessly. The lightweight feature + unique shape of the dryer enables styling as you dry your hair.
As for shampoo and conditioner, it is again really important to me to use products that are created with clean, pure ingredients. I was so happy to discover Rahua and have been using their products for a while. My hair is always left feeling clean, light, and fresh, after a washing and I am able to go a few days (with Stranded!) until it is time to wash it again.
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2825933"] images by Felicia Lasala
The Beauty Of Smiling
Have you ever seen someone in a public place (maybe in a restaurant, in a coffee shop, at the grocery store, or anywhere else) and thought to yourself, wow, "she is such a happy person" or "oh my gosh, how much joy she must have!"? This has happened to me several times and it always sparks something inside me. This normally happens when that person is smiling. Whenever I notice someone's smile, I feel joy inside, for them, and it also causes me to intentionally smile more.
The beauty of smiling is like no other; it is genuine, it is real, and it is who we are. We are made to rejoice and share joy, even when circumstances aren't perfect. Actually, especially when circumstances aren't perfect! It is a fun challenge to smile past the hurt, feel happy despite the storm you might be in, and carry joy in our hearts.
About a year and a half ago now, I listened to a sermon by Graham Cooke and this quote really stuck with me: "You need to have a lightness about you, where the joy in you is greater than anything else." I think about these words often and whenever I do and take them to heart, something inside me changes. Worry, fear, and doubt can really burden us and cause us to get stuck. If we have a mindset that is rooted in joy, we will feel light, happy, and hopeful.
Smile on, friend! You never know who might need to see the light of your smile, so share it with the world, no matter what. xo
THE OUTFIT: sunnies (c/o) | choker | top | skirt ($100!) | bag | shoes
SHOP:
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2799824"]images by felicia lasala
9 Clean Self-Care Items That We Love
As you guys know, we love clean skincare and beauty products that are made with pure, safe ingredients. Using products made with safe ingredients not only results in happy skin, but it makes for happy hearts and peaceful minds! Below is a collage of 9 clean self-care items that we love + links to shop. P.S. Follain is a great online shop for high-quality skincare and beauty items. xo
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine
Beauty Buys from the Nordstrom Sale
There are some really great deals right now for makeup, hair, and skincare items at Nordstrom. Below are a few favorites including Supergoop hand cream and Elizabeth and James fragrance. Enjoy and let us know what you have your eye on from the Nordstrom sale in the comments section! xo 
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine
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Beautiful Skin with True Botanicals
Finding skincare products that are made with organic, safe ingredients is something that we are so passionate about at LSK. We love taking the time to build a skincare routine that we look forward to each morning and night; one that is simple, enjoyable, and nourishing. True Botanicals was so kind to send us products to test and we are so grateful for the opportunity! Achieving beautiful skin with True Botanicals is more than possible, but better than that, your skin will be healthy, pure, and well-nourished from deep within. Their mission is to create a line of luxury skincare products crafted with a high quantity of high quality ingredients; completely free of ingredients that are harmful to our health. We are so inspired by the founders of True Botanicals and their passionate commitment to creating products made of botanicals that help heal. We are blown away by the products that we tested and cannot wait to share the details- see below!Hydrating Cleanser: A refreshing cleanser that is effective in removing dirt and leaving your skin feeling cleansed, refreshed, and hydrated.Resurfacing Mask: Intended to be used once or twice a week in the evening; deeply exfoliating and encouraging of luminosity of the skin.Pure Radiance Oil: For use during the day or at night before bed; during the day it can be used pre-sunscreen to help sunscreen apply flawlessly. Pre bedtime, it will help encourage a healthy glow that develops over time.Nutrient Mist: A refreshing spritz for a daily-pick-me-up for your face. Made with nutrients and anti-oxidants that leave your face feeling hydrated and healthy.Pre Cleanse Oil: Created to be used before your cleanser, the pre cleanse oil removes gunk from your pores and prepares the skin for cleansing, promoting beautiful dewy skin.
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Clean, Minimal, Summer Makeup
We're all about that summer glow! Wearing minimal makeup in the summer is such a refreshing thing and keeps us feeling light, bright, and fresh. Below you will find Lo's favorite clean, minimal, summer makeup items to achieve that effortless look. We would love to hear your favorites in the comments section! xo
it can be used as a lip balm, dark circle corrector, and a facial highlighter
a creamy cover-up to hide blemishes in a light, natural "un covered up" way
beautiful lip colors that are lightweight and lasting
a natural looking foundation made with skin-healing ingredients
a bronzer stick that adds color and a healthy glow to your skin
gorgeous, creamy colors that can be used on the cheeks or lips
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Safe Fun In The Sun
Summer is such a fun season- full of travel, relaxation, and sunshine. There is no doubt though that the sun is super strong, so it is so important to stay safe while under the rays. We recently discovered the clean sunscreen brand, Coola, and love that it protects our skin from the sun while being free of toxins. Along with clean sunscreen, below are tips for having safe fun in the sun as we prepare to spend more time outside in the upcoming months. Enjoy! xx
*Big floppy hat: Not only will it help keep the sun off of your face, neck, and shoulders, but it is also a total style statement. Win-win!
*Safe sunscreen: Coola is a great brand for sunscreen that is free of harsh and dangerous chemicals. It is so important to use a clean sunscreen since you are literally rubbing it all over your skin!
*Re-apply: I am extremely guilty of not doing this. Putting on sunscreen in the morning isn't enough! Be sure to re-apply every few hours. That means if you are out for the day, throw it in your tote bag and don't forget about it.
*Quality sunnies: Investing in a quality pair of sunnies that protect against UV rays is so important. I have learned lately that investing in 1-2 pairs of quality sunnies is better than having more low-quality pairs.
*Rock a one-piece: Bikinis are so fun of course, but for a long day at the beach a one piece might not be a bad idea! Protect the tummy skin from the sun while also being totally cute and on-trend.
*Light layers: A cute tunic, or a light top + shorts, or flowy pants + a tank, are all great options to cover up when you are still outside, but have had enough sun.
the shoes (c/o) + the bag (c/o)
images by felicia lasala[show_shopthepost_widget id="2613696"]
Must-Have Hair Tools
Today we are sharing our must-have hair tools for healthy, easy to manage, and simple-to-style hair. These are accessories that we reach for daily when it comes time to "do our hair"- everything from my favorite comb for wet hair, to Lo's favorite curling iron. We are fans of wearing our hair down (except for throwing it up to workout) so we are pretty low-maintenance when it comes to styling tools. However, quality is very important and good-functioning tools are well worth the investment. Not only will high-quality styling tools protect your hair and help keep it healthy, but they will also limit the time it takes to get ready. Read on for Lo's favorite hair tools + mine. xo
Lo:
Melissa:
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Loving the Skin You're In
I have always been an all-natural kind of girl, with palm trees, ocean waves, and sandy toes on my mind. I feel more myself with little to no makeup, a blow out or beach waves that look effortless, and high-waisted Levi's for that all-American, undone look. Like most girls, I cared about what I looked like growing up, but I didn't spend too much time getting ready or analyzing my appearance. I truly believe my parents' love and encouragement was a vessel in protecting me from low self value, and believing that I was a daughter of Jesus aided in focusing on developing lasting memories and friendships, rather than becoming consumed with the physical. Yet, I was very challenged on this mindset and perspective when my life took an unexpected turn. 
My calendar paused, my career path changed, and my platform increased after a night of injury in 2011. I was hit by a plane propeller; the blade cut into my brain and the left side of my body, resulting in the loss of my left eye, left hand, and half my head of hair post brain surgery. In retrospect, I clearly see how I easily submerged in destructive comparison after this life-altering experience. I felt depleted of beauty, but my foundation remained the same. My mom and dad's love and encouragement became stronger. My faith and trust in believing Jesus loved me grew substantially. Somehow my perspective of beauty shifted, though, and I believe one of the gifts of this tragedy was revealing to me the meaningless things that I apparently held so dear. What "bothered" me most about the outcome of this accident revealed what I held as very valuable. Did I let outward beauty define me? Yes. Did I cherish attention more than I realized? Definitely. I truly had to sit back and be still. I had to reassess my foundation. I had to refocus on what was important. I quickly came to realize that comparison is equivalent to worry; it only severely hinders and limits fruition. Plus, if we really think about it, wouldn’t life be boring if we were all the same?
The Lord has brought such healing these last five years. He has restored in me a new kind of inner confidence that is rooted in where my identity truly stands, and I have realized the following to be true: physical beauty fades; attention is temporary and unfulfilling. Yes, my insecurities are a daily struggle. I often catch myself comparing not only to other people but to my "old" self. Grief is intertwined in it all as I miss my hand and my eye daily, but a lot of the hesitation in loving the skin I am in comes from wanting to hide what has changed. I have learned to be open about this struggle to my sweet husband, family, and friends, and I am slowly realizing that freedom comes from vulnerability . I am also seeing that beauty truly is in accepting the scars, in character, in the humility of freely being you, and in loving others well. I am learning to fully accept and value the path the Lord has put in front of me, and I am learning to view that path as beautiful.
This series is in collaboration with some stellar ladies. Be sure and check out their posts on Self Care too: Kat Harris, Tutti del Monte, Danielle Bennett, Kate Labat, Joanne Encarnacion, Nikia Phoenix, and Chelsey Korus.
images: felicia lasala
OUTFIT DETAILS
jacket (similar + similar) | denim | shirt | sunnies