Review: Murad Pore Reform Skin Smoothing Polish

Murad's Pore Reform Skin Smoothing Polish ($30 for 3.5 oz.) is a creamy polishing scrub ideal for reviving dull skin. Made with witch hazel + cinnamon extract to tighten pores and balance oil production, and starflower extract to leave skin soft, this rich scrub works to relieve congestion without stripping the skin.

I picked up this scrub per Hallie of Coral + Cognacs recommendation and I am so glad I did. I've seen major improvement with the size of my pores around my nose and my skin is always left with a healthy and noticeable glow after using this, especially in the morning.

If you're craving a little skin pick-me-up, I'd definitely give this a try!

Four Under $40: Lovely Lingerie

Topshop Racerback Bralette // Fleur't Failling in Love Lace Camisole & Shorts // Honeydew Intimates Mia Lace Bralette // Free People Boy Shorts Set

One of the biggest trends of lately has been exposed bralettes and other lacy numbers. These are just a few picks to be worn in and out of the bedroom.

Beauty Sales Week of December 27th

Gilt:

• Luxe Hair Tools feat. GHD (Sale begins Noon ET 12/28)

HauteLook:

• Pixi Beauty, Tangle Angel Detangling Brush (Sales begin 8am PT 12/27)
• Royale USA Hair Tools Up to 90% Off (Sale begins 4pm PT 12/27)
• #ManiMonday: Deborah Lippmann, Designer Fragrances for Men & Women, TAO Clean: The World's Cleanest Toothbrush (Sales begin 8am PT 12/28)
• Professional Beauty Cases, ProSonic Cleaning Brush System, Terre Mere Organic Vegan Beauty (Sales begin 8am PT 12/29)
• Flirty Eyes Mink Lashes, Mirenesse Australia, Patchology: Targeted Patch Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 12/30)
• Billion Dollar Brows, CROC Hair Tools, LORAC Exclusives (Sales begin 8am PT 12/31)
• Manic Panic, Morphe Brushes, Simply Spoiled Supplements, Swissco Beauty Tools (Sales begin 8am PT 1/1)
• Korean Cosmetics: Peripera, ORA Dermal Roller System (Sales begin 8am PT 1/2)

MYHABIT:

• Scent Appeal: Fragrance for Her & Him (Sale begins 9am PT 12/27)
• More is Better: Makeup Sets feat. Mally (Sale begins 9am PT 12/28)
• Clarins (Sale begins 9am PT 1/1)
• Infinite & Botanifique Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 1/2)

Rue La La:

• Save Face: Skincare by StriVectin & More (Sale begins 11am ET 12/28)
• Pamper Yourself: Panier Des Sens & More (Sale begins 11am ET 12/31)

Link Love: December 20-26

Etiquette and Fashion Events [Huff Post Style]

Hot Chocolate Peppermint Gingerbread Cookies With Dunkin' Donuts [Aww, Sam]

How To Have An Adult Apartment (& Life!) In 2016 [Refinery 29]

Meet Josilin Torrano- Facebook [Career Contessa]

Science Says Eating With Your Coworkers Will Improve Performance [My Domaine]

Skin-Care Rules to Always Follow When You Travel [Allure Daily Beauty Reporter]

The Working Girl's Guide to Holiday Entertaining [Levo League]

Review: December 2015 Birchbox

(MALIN + GOETZ) Clarifying Clay Mask: This exfoliating clay mask treats oiliness and pesky blemishes - all in less than 10 minutes a week.

amika Nourishing Mask: Paraben-free treatment that conditions and repairs with super fruit sea buckthorn berry.

Christian Siriano Silhouette Eau de Parfum: Inspired by a dress from his Spring 2013 collection, this scent has the same light, glamorous, and feminine feeling.

Coastal Scents styleEYES Eyeshadow Palette 'formalEYES': A bold, beautiful eye shadow palette in always-fashionable pinks and mauves.

stila Stay All Day 'Venezia' Liquid Lipstick: This creamy formula glides on like a gloss yet lasts and (and lasts and lasts) like a stain.

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers Under $50

kate spade new york 'One in a Million' Business Card Holder // Tory Burch Holiday Cracker // Madewell Cara Metal Necklace // Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong (3-Pack) // MASON SHAKER Pineapple Tumbler // diptyque 'Tubereuse' Scented Candle // Starbucks Peace Demi Mug // Fresh Sugar Fig Lip Treatment

Need a couple of last minute stocking stuffers or little gifts to give to someone unexpected? All of these gifts are under $50 and will make the perfect surprise this season.

Beauty Sales Week of December 20th

Gilt:

• Beauty Best Sellers (Sale begins 9pm ET 12/20)
• Baby Quasar (Sale begins Noon ET 12/21)
• Up to 80% Off: Beauty Essentials (Sale begins Noon ET 12/23)
• Gilt City Presents: Blissworld.com (Sale begins Noon ET 12/24)

HauteLook:

• Deep Sea Cosmetics, White with Style Teeth Whitening (Sales begin 8am PT 12/20)
• Beauty Blowout, Brilliance New York Hair Tools Up to 90% Off (Sales begin 4pm PT 12/20)
• Korean Cosmetics: IPKN New York, KORRES (Sales begin 8am PT 12/22)
• Lord & Berry Cosmetics, Sibu Beauty, Tanda Light Therapy (Sales begin 8am PT 12/23)
• Arya Essentials All-Natural Luxury Skincare, Edward Bess Cosmetics, Martinni Skin Care Masks, Sprig Bath & Body (Sales begin 8am PT 12/24)
• Aesthetica Cosmetics, Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories, Fragrances $25 & Under, NEST Candles (Sales begin 8am PT 12/25)
• Blend Mineral Cosmetics, D'OR 24K Luxury Skincare, Pinook Massagers & Heat Pads (Sales begin 8am PT 12/26)

MYHABIT:

• Luxury Beauty: Lancôme, Kèrastase & More, Vivo Per Lei Diamond Skincare (Sales begin 9am PT 12/22)
• Skincare by Deep Sea Cosmetics, Up to 70%: Beauty and Grooming (Sales begin 9am PT 12/23)
• $99 & Under: Fragrance for Him & Her, Royale (Sales begin 9am PT 12/24)
• Up to 70% Off: Beauty & Grooming (Sale begins 9am PT 12/25)
• $9 & Up: Makeup, Skincare & More, Jolie Femme Cosmetics (Sales begin 9am PT 12/26)

Rue La La:

• The Beauty Bar: Essentials for Prettifying at Home (Sale begins 11am ET 12/23)

Link Love: December 13-19

13 Cities That Should Be On Everyone's Radar in 2016 [House Beautiful]

Everything Christmas Films Lied to Us About [Refinery 29]

Glitter Party Details [Subtle Revelry]

How to Social Network Your Way to a Job Offer [Levo League]

Let's Talk About Advertising [Cupcakes & Cashmere]

The Six Food Apps Every Career Woman Must Download [Career Contessa]

Vegan Butternut Squash 'Carbonara' with Coconut Bacon + Crispy Sage [Top With Cinnamon]

Winter Hair Repair

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector // Drybar Mudslide Nourishing Hair Mask // Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Conditioner // Peter Thomas Roth Hair To Die For Treatment // Agave Vapor Infusion // Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Brilliance Mask

The holidays are over, so it's officially recovery mode for me. I'm ready to get back into my normal routine for both mind and body, so it's time to end this year with pampering before getting into 2016. These are a few of the masks, conditioners, and treatments on the top of my wish list [hello holiday gift cards!] that are sure to kick your hair back into high gear.

Gift Guide: For Your Bay Stater

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Travel Kit // McCrea's Classic Vanilla Caramel Tube // Jojo's Silver Shade Bling Earrings // Apotheker's Kitchen Cashew & Sea Salt Chocolate // Fresh Beauty Skincare Affair Gift Set // Bonnie's Jams Three Jar Honey Collection // Sophie Hughes Jewelry Verge Ring 

I've fallen in love with the city of Boston more and more each day over the past several months and absolutely love that I can call this place my home. With each time I visit a new little boutique, artisanal coffee shop or unique restaurant, my smile grows more and more.

Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas from Boston born and bred companies that are perfect if you want to give a little piece of the city to someone this season.

Beauty Sales Week of December 13th

Gilt:

• NuFace (Sale begins Noon ET 12/15)
• Beauty Best Sellers (Sale begins Noon ET 12/18)

HauteLook:

• #ManiMonday: MAVALA, DERMAdoctor Skincare, Koh Gen Do (Sales begin 8am PT 12/14)
• ActivaDerm DEP Patch, Brilliance New York Cosmetics, Infinique Organic Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 12/15)
• AVIVA Hair Revitalizer, NUXE Skincare, PMD Personal Microderm, Stila (Sales begin 8am PT 12/16)
• Gorgeous Cosmetics, NuMe Style Hair Tools, Skin Chemists (Sales begin 8am PT 12/17)
• Fromm Beauty Must-Haves, Kurious Natural Lip Gloss Tattoos, MEDIHEAL Korean Skincare, Nature's Shea Butter (Sales begin 8am PT 12/18)
• Donna Bella 24K & Caviar Skincare, JUARA Skincare, Sugar Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 12/19)

MYHABIT:

• D'Or 24k Gold Luxury Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 12/14)
• Clarins (Sale begins 9am PT 12/15)
• Get Great Hair: Deva, Davines & Mizani (Sale begins 9am PT 12/16)
• Great Gifts: Beauty Gadgets & More (Sale begins 9am PT 12/18)

Rue La La:

• Crabtree & Evelyn (Sale begins 11am ET 12/17)
• The Scents of Winter: Penhaligon's & More, Treat Your Skin with bliss & More (Sales begin 11am ET 12/18)
• Pretty Talk: Makeup Featuring Isaac Mizrahi (Sale begins 11am ET 12/19)

Link Love: December 6-12

15 Tips for Surviving a Long Airplane Flight [A Cup of Jo]

A Celebrity Personal Assistant's Top Time-Management Tips [My Domaine]

End Blackheads With These Genius Tricks [Refinery 29]

NY's First Micro-Apartments Actually Look Kinda Comfortable [Wired]

Peppermint Mochi [Two Red Bowls]

Stay Focused on Your Goals Not Your Critics [Both Sides of the Table]

Why You Need a Digital Detox and How to Start One [The Every Girl]

Products I've Used Up #13

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder: This is my all time favorite setting powder, and I recently purchased it in pressed form and am enjoying it even more. 

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara: This is what I use to finish off my brows every day and they always stay in place!

Wet n Wild Max Volume Mascara: This is a pretty good mascara but I wouldn't purchase it. 

Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer: I used this for years but the yellow color was often discoloring my BB cream. 

L'Oreal Fair Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream: This is my every day face product and something I can't go without. 

ChapStick Candy Cane: I've had this since around this time last year so it was definitely time for it to go. 

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer: I did like this for a while but it took way too long to set to apply BB cream on top of. 

Maybelline Baby Skin Primer: This is an awesome primer that creates a clean and pore less base for your BB cream or foundation of choice. 

L'Anza Keratin Healing Oil: I used this for far too long and came to the realization that I don't love using oils in my hair but prefer a cream product. 

Degree Motion Sense Fresh Energy Deodorant: This is an awesome deodorant and really gets the job done, I love it!

Bath & Body Works Sensual Black Currant & Vanilla Body Wash: I don't love heavily scented body washes so this was a little heavy for every day but was nice every once in a while. 

Tree Hut Tropical Mango Shea Moisturizing Body Lotion: This is an awesome body lotion, it's super hydrating without feeling heavy. 

CVS Strengthening Nail Polish Remover: This is a great polish remover, it doesn't leave my nails feeling weak or brittle and easily removes my polish.

C.O. Bigelow Lavender & Peppermint Conditioner: This wasn't my favorite, it just wasn't thick enough to handle my hair although the scent was nice!

Bath & Body Works Vanilla Cupcake Candle: This is a few years old and was one of the last candles I had in my parents house that I finished up last time I was there. 

Actifirm Renovation Serum: I am seriously obsessed with this serum. It's light and sinks in nicely and does a great job of balancing out my skin.

DDF Brightening Cleanser: I've been using this for years but I think it's time for a change, I definitely need something more clinical.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Cleanser: This was a great sample and is definitely in the running for being a new cleanser for me.

bliss Micro Magic Exfoliant: I really liked this exfoliator for a while but have recently found a new one I love even more! Stay tuned soon for a review.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes: These definitely aren't as good as the Kirkland ones below, but they always get the job done.

Kirkland Facial Towelettes: I love these makeup remover wipes, they are thick and remove almost all of my makeup.

Gift Guide: For Your Mother

Jo Malone 'Peony & Blush Suede' Scented Candle // Kennebunk Home Camelot Throw // Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Stacy Wallet // Living Proof Happy Hair Days Kit // Salad Love // White + Warren Cashmere Rib Trim Glove // DKNY Parsons Watch // diptyque 'Eau Rose' Eau de Toilette // Jonathan Adler 'Marseilles' Porcelain Coasters

Especially during the holidays and on special occasions, I love pampering my mom. I'm so lucky to be so close to her and while gifts don't make up for the teenage years I put her through, hopefully, these gifts make her smile just a little bit bigger.

Beauty Sales Week of December 6th

Gilt:

• Beauty Gifts: Sets & Fragrances (Sale begins 9pm ET 12/9)

HauteLook:

• Arade Organics: Argan & Prickly Pear Seed Cosmetics, Baby Quasar, POP Beauty (Sales begin 8am PT 12/8)
• DKNY Fragrances, Pulsaderm Beauty Tools, The Body Shop (Sales begin 8am PT 12/9)
• L'Reve Luxury Skincare, Penhaligon's London & L'Artisan Parfumeur, Posh Brushes & Beauty Tools (Sales begin 8am PT 12/10)

MYHABIT:

• A Relaxing Bath: Panier des Sens & More (Sale begins 9am PT 12/8)
• Holiday-Ready Hair feat. Living Proof, New & Notable: Le' Royal 24K Gold Collection (Sales begin 9am PT 12/9)

Rue La La:

• Men's Grooming Musts: Clean Up Nice (Sale begins 11am ET 12/11)

Link Love: November 29-December 5

8 Investments You Should Make in Yourself Before You're 30 [Career Contessa]

9 Easy Ways to Declutter Your Schedule [Refinery 29]

Hiding in Plain Sight: Camouflage Your Storage [Apartment Therapy]

MR Round Table: That Elusive Work/Life Balance [Man Repeller]

Pomegranate & Thyme Baked Camembert [The Merrythought]

Reality Stars have Ruined the Birkin [NY Post]

The Everygirl 30 Day Challenge: Ditch the Bad Habits [The Everygirl]

Instagram Roundup: November 2015

Enjoying the view of 200 Clarendon from the South End // Shopping at Kit & Ace on Newbury Street // Rocking my favorite fall skirt from Primark // Spending the afternoon at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with my best friend Savannah

Loving my new computer case // Gracenote Coffee is an amazing new spot in the city // Spent the day in Hyannis with my best friend Liza // Beech Tree Cantina in Hyannis was so good

Tatte is seriously my favorite coffee shop in Boston // Making donut puns // Visiting the JFK Memorial on the anniversary of his assassination // Being a hair model for the day at the Living Proof HQ

Celebrating Thanksgiving with my sister by my side // Enjoying my favorite new pastime // Can't believe this is the view from my sister's dorm // Breakfast at Buvette in NYC

Gift Guide: For Your Best Friend

Kate Spade New York Eat Cake For Breakfast Journal // Victoria's Secret The Dreamer Henley Pajama Set // Too Faced Melted Kisses & Sweet Cheeks Set // Tory Burch Logo Flower Resin Stud Earring // Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong 5 Pack // Le Specs Jealous Games Cat-Eye Acetate Sunglasses // Design Darling Pineapple Jars // Voluspa 'Branche Vermeil' Corta Maison Candle // TOCCA 'Eau de Parfum Viaggio' Travel Fragrance Set

It's that time of year again, holiday shopping time. I love picking out the perfect gift for each and every person in my life, so I'm kicking off this years gift guide collection with my selection of gifts for your best friend.