The Cake by Hannah

A small town girl spreading kindness like buttercream frosting

Finding the Perfect Face Primer

Hi loves, Carleigh here! If you’re new around here, I work with Hannah and make all things The Cake happen behind the scenes and am lead Media Manager for our Social Media Management Company. First, I want to give the disclaimer that I am by no means a beauty expert. But, I am self taught on things as I have been on a journey to find the best face primers for my skin type, and I wanted to share for those of you that may be searching as well. Here at The Cake HQ, we are all about sharing life hacks and finds to make your life easier (and sweeter!). AND, we always hope to save you $$$ when it comes to the trial and error of trying new products. I hope my finds can help you out!

For reference, I (Carleigh) have combination skin and my biggest skin issues are large pores, acne, and scarring. It’s important to keep these factors in mind when searching for primers, foundations, etc. that will work best for you. These are the products I have tried so far- I hope some of this information helps you find the perfect face primer for you!

Bare Minerals- Prime Time BB Tinted Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

  • This has been my favorite primer for years. I love that it’s tinted, has SPF 30 in it, and lasts a good amount of time so you aren’t having to rebuy it too often.
  • I give this primer 4.5 stars. I really only stopped using it because I wanted to try something new! It evened out my skin tone well, worked well with my foundation, and had SPF 30 to protect my skin.

Tatcha- The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

  • It’s very smooth and silky like it says, but it didn’t last as long as I hoped it would. I definitely had to use more than the recommended amount to cover my face. I didn’t think it did a great job at minimizing my large pores.
  • I give this primer 2.5 stars. It’s a fine product that may work better if you don’t have the same issue of large pores, but it does claim to help with that and I didn’t think it did. I just expected it to do more and don’t think it’s worth the price tag.

Too Faced- Hangover Replenishing Face Primer

  • Let me start by saying that this primer does exactly what it claims. It’s hydrating, replenishing, and keeps your makeup in place! I think it works for all skin types (oily skin, dry skin, combination skin) and lasts a decent amount of time.
  • I personally didn’t love this primer just because I need more help in covering up/blurring imperfections in my skin and less help in keeping it hydrated. This primer simply does different things than what I need. If you need a primer that is more hydrating then I would recommend trying this one!
  • I give this primer 4 stars because it does exactly what it says and is great for those who need more hydration in their skin. If that was my issue I think I would have loved this primer!

Benefit- The POREfessional Face Primer

  • I LOVE this primer. It’s tinted, lasts a long time, and does everything it’s supposed to. It definitely helped reduce the look of my large pores, blurred imperfections, and evened my skin tone. It turns almost powdery when you rub it in- the feel of it is so soft and smooth.
  • I give this primer 5 stars. This primer did everything I hoped the over-rated Tatcha primer would do. It made my skin look more even, covered imperfections, and lasted a long time. (And it’s way cheaper!!)

Tula- Face Filter Blurring & Moisturizing Primer

***This one is Hannah’s favorite, too! She gives it 5 stars and tested it out for Tula before it launched. 

  • I just started using this primer and I LOVE it!! After hearing everyone rave about it after it came out I knew I needed to try it, and it lives up to the hype. It changes color as you rub it in to give you a little bit of color while still matching your skin tone. I definitely feel like it evens out my skin tone and it’s really moisturizing!
  • I give this primer 5 stars. It does everything it says it does and gives your skin a really pretty, natural look! It works great as a primer under your foundation, but also looks good on its own! (Hannah wore it by itself more often than not!)

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, y’all! If you’re looking for an encouragement to hear YOU GOT THIS- take this as sign. Whatever you’re facing, hear me say: “You’re loved. You’re capable.” I don’t know about you, but I have had… a hellofuh week. It’s been frustrating, hurtful at times, and just kinda crappy. I had a situation where I literally just left telling myself “You need only be silent (calm/still depending on the translation), the Lord will fight for you.” So, that’s my encouragement to you today. The Lord fights your battles, my friends.

Keep pursuing the Lord. Keep giving everything you’ve got in whatever you do. Keep looking to the Creator of all things. You can do this, because He’s got you. You don’t GOT you. He does. You just need to be faithful.

Okay, so, that said. Do something for you this weekend. I can pretty much guarantee I am going to get my nails done after this week and am having some friend time. 😉 I hope you do the same!

Love you guys! Enjoy these every day go-to items of our team’s here at The Cake by Hannah.

xoxoxo,

Han

 

 

Ready in 15!

Since becoming a mom, getting ready as quickly as possible has become… a necessity. There are days I get just 20 minutes to do hair, make-up, and get dressed while Knox runs around my room. If you asked my parents if they thought this could ever be possible, they would actually probably laugh in your face. And then say, “Oh you were serious?” When I was a kid/teenager, I literally could take 2+ hours to get ready and pick out an outfit. Every day was a catastrophe of nothing to wear and a mountain of clothes on my floor that I would have to then come home to put away… just to have the same ordeal the next day. In middle school, I actually had a bulletin board I took pictures of my outfits for the week and would plan out. O_o It’s my wing 1 coming out…. #enneagram humor.

Anyways, all this to say, getting ready in 15 is such an accomplishment for me that I wanted to share my secret. 😉 I have THREE TIPS that have 100% made getting ready so easy!

  1. A closet that has ONLY items I love. I have mentioned this before, but seriously y’all. Do it. Pitch anything that doesn’t make you feel awesome. Don’t have a ton of pieces hanging in your closet that you’re frustrated to “have” to wear because you need to do laundry. I love every single piece of clothing currently in my closet, and I am confident that if I had to throw something on I could (even if my TOP favorite items were dirty).
  2. Good skincare. So, first, I have learned how to do my make-up far better (and just way less!!!) than middle and high school. 😉 Praise God for glowing up and social media helping all us ladies learn how to ACTUALLY do our make-up rather than wearing foundation way too dark, eye shadow too high, and mascara too thick… Just me? But, for real, good skincare and quality make-up products have made getting ready so easy. There are days I literally put barely a layer of foundation and perhaps a layer of mascara, and it’s because I feel so confident in my skin! That goes WAY deeper than my physical skin, that is FOR SURE. However, having clear and beautiful skin has helped me feel less need to wear make-up. It’s made my routine a lot faster! I can do my make-up in a solid two minutes or less. Not kidding.
  3. T3 MICRO HAIR DRYER!!!!! This is my #1 practical reason I can get ready so quickly now. This hair dryer is worth every single penny. It blow dries my hair in 4 minutes, minimal to no frizz. If I use the blow out brush with it, I literally don’t have to touch my hair with a hot tool of any kind. I throw in some texturing spray and some serum… and I am good to leave. The first few times I tested this drier, I was sure it was going to be an overrated item. It’s not. I am a believer! Just like I believe in quality, more expensive make-up that lasts longer and needs less… I am now a believer in quality hair tools. It really does make a difference! The awesome news is that this drier is part of the NSALE!!!
    #NSALE Items 
    Other

    Bedroom Rugs

#NSALE PUBLIC ACCESS: WHAT’S IN STOCK

Today is the day! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is NOW LIVE TO THE PUBLIC Y’ALL. I have spent my whole morning rounding up items still currently in stock for you (but be on the lookout for restocks, too!!!) Do not miss these items or wait at all, because things will fly. Below you will see items I tried on for you, took home with me, or pieces I had in my closet that were just like items in the sale that I wanted but didn’t buy because I already basically had it.

  1. A little city and a little chic. I am obsessed with this denim, and when I say it will fit everybody… I mean it. Carleigh, Hannah H. and I went to Nordstrom together and all brought these home. We are all entirely different heights and shapes, and we all felt 10000000 in these. All the satin tanks like this one are currently out of stock, but I am certain will be back. I will keep ya posted!
    Shop in the LiketoKnow.it App, here, or below!

    The best denim and fun sneakers!

  2. I love this sweater so much! The pink is a cross between bubble gum and coral. I have it paired with my favorite jeans and these yellow mules are 100% in my shopping bag. My Nordstrom didn’t have my size left in store, but online is fully stocked! I love this fun pop of mustard, and you can use that as a “neutral” all through fall! There is also a gorgeous blush shade that might have to happen for me, too. They’re that good AND under $50!!! As soon as this sale goes live, it’s going down and these are coming to my mailbox! Shop this whole look in the Liketoknow.it app, here, or below.

  3. Arguably my favorite items from the sale in one photo. I brought home this $12 tee and my favorite jeans. These booties and jacket are in my wish list waiting for the sale to go live! These booties are a basic every girl needs. Wear them dressed up or down, this taupe shade is perfect. A moto jacket may seem scary… But y’all, I love them. I wear them as much as a basic denim jacket. Since I am in need of a new one, I had to get this one! Shop this whole look in the LiketoKnow.it app, here, or below.

  4. This is so funny to me, but this oversized mock neck sweatshirt is my most sold item thus far in the sale! You guys are LOVING IT. It’s so cute, and I think I need the ivory one in my life. I recreated this whole look based on an item I actually already had in my closet (see below). I paired it with my fave sneaks! **Note: I am 5’1 in the small. It fits way oversized as is. BUT, if you want to truly wear as a dress, size up one to avoid any slip-ups. 😉 Shop this look in the LiketoKnow.it app, here, or below.

  5. My go-to cozy fall outfit. Without a doubt. I am SO into faux leather… ALL THE THINGS. These high-waisted faux leather leggings paired with my $12 tee and the perfect longline cardi makes for some fall staples you just cannot go wrong with. I have it paired with my fave sneaks, but you could also pair this outfit with a bootie of any kind or a knee high! Shop this look in the LiketoKnow.it app, here, or below.

    Bootie Options in Stock:

  6. This rust dress was one of my dresses of the month, and I LOVE IT. This color is so beautiful.I wore it from early fall all the way through Christmas! The #NSALE has one just like it that I really think all of you need. The price is great and it’s SO BEAUTIFUL. I paired it with some booties that would work great with it!

  7. These corduroy pants were a top asked about item last season, and Nordstrom has some similar pairs. They’re not corduroy, which actually is beneficial because you can wear them year round. I love the camel color- it’s so classy and chic. You can get them either in a longer version or a shorter one that is basically an exact replica of the ones I own.

  8. T3 Micro Blowdryer (THE BEST THING EVER!) Legit thought this was just an overrated, unnecessarily pricey item… Well, it isn’t T3 sent me this drier a few months ago, and I was blown away by it. Literally. 😉 As a mom and business owner, getting ready as quickly as possible is a must… And this thing blow dries my hair in 4 minutes.

  9. Fluffy Jackets are the BEST y’all. I went all in last year, and I am never going back. 😉 See below a few different looks with my favorite teddy bear and sherpa jackets. I linked a few just like them from the sale to recreate your own looks! There are multiple colors available in each one shown.


    OTHER ITEMS I HAVE IN MY CART
  10. Cozies
  11. Beauty and Bags

Sunday Riley “Power Couple” Review

Happy Wednesday AND happy ALMOST 4th of July!

I am so excited for today, because I am all about sharing knowledge- good, bad, better, BEST. As a fellow budget following gal, I love sharing products with you that I believe are worth the money (and, likewise, ones that you just shouldn’t give the time of day). Let me tell you, Sunday Riley is WORTH THE MONEY.

I bought the Sunday Riley Luna Oil back in November when my skin was a postpartum nightmare. (Read everything I used here!) I used it every night with other great products, and it brought my broken out skin back from the dead. Now that my acne cleared up, I wanted to try the Good Genes + Luna combo, and it didn’t disappoint. I used the “Power Couple” regimen about 3 times after washing my face a week for a month with other skincare regimens in-between to keep my breakouts gone. My skin was glowing by end of week 1, and I noticed a very apparent difference in my forehead lines and the space between my eye brows over the course of a few weeks.

If investing in good skincare is scary to you, I get it. But friends I have been using “good” skin products for less than a year and I have seen SUCH A DIFFERENCE. I feel so confident to go out without make-up! Drunk Elephant and Sunday Riley are 10000% my favorite brands I have tried.

 

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