My skin care routine
 

NEW CATEGORY: BEAUTY

I must admit, I've always been super lazy and not really an expert when it comes to beauty stuff.
I've never worn a lot of makeup, barely got a proper haircut, never taken supplements regularly etc. I had a period in my teenage years where my skin would break out every now and then, but overall I've been very privileged and never had issues. This means my skin care routine has been limited to random eye makeup remover, facial moisturizer and lip balm. And the products keept getting too old before I've finished them.

Lately I've experienced a change in my skin having more blemishes and breakouts than before. I think it is primarily caused by emotional stress, hormone change and probably slaggy eating habits these past months. Anyway I hoped my skin would go back to normal when life got a bit calmer, but it's still not there yet (7-8 months in). So I figured that it's about time to give the beauty related stuff a bit more attention and find out what my skin need in order to feel the best. 

Therefore I've lately consulted a cosmetologist, changed up my skin care and make-up routine and such, but still wanting to keep especially the skin care simple and with 'clean' products. I've digged deep into blogs written by beauty specialists and I found alot of valuable knowledge. Since I'm a photographer, I felt inspired to shoot my way through this journey as well and therefore I've created a category named 'beauty' where I will share stuff related to this subject!

 

 
skin care routine and favorites
 

SKIN CARE ROUTINE SUMMER 2017

In December I booked my first appointment with cosmetologist Jeanine to have her analyze my irritated skin. I'll get into the professional treatments and why I chose Jeanine in a later post. 

Fundamentally I've always believed in natural beauty products and treatments and in general seeing beauty as an inside-out process. Our skin is the biggest organ and what we apply to it penetrates our blood, and if the products are full of chemical shit, you know what you are full of too. But I have also experienced a direction loss and all those ingredients on the labels - it's a jungle where you easily get lost. 

 

MARIA ÅKERBERG DEEPSKIN ORGANICS

Jeanine advised me to use products from Maria Åkerberg - an organic and natural Swedish skincare line. Right now I use a foam wash, serum, and an eye- and day cream, and a couple of different balms. So far I'm loving the simplicity of the design, the list of ingredients and the effects. 

Alona Vibe Beauty routine Maria aakerberg
 

Step 1. 
PRODUCTS: Foaming Wash Clearing4D Motion Facial Brush (#AD #gift - not paid to review) 
HOW: I apply the foaming wash to the brush and use it all over my face in circle movements. The foam is gentle but effective and has a fresh smell of citrus. Apparently the facial cleanser brush is HOT in korean beauty due to the 4D technology = 4 directions (right & left rotation + up & down vibration). After researching and using it for some months now I completely understand the hype. My favorite features of it are the 4D tech, the insanely soft fibers (much softer than the brush from Clinique) and the fact that it's waterproof and can be used while showering. 

Step 2. 
PRODUCTS: AHA & Jojoba Peeling + Serum Clearing 
HOW: I use the mechanical and chemical peeling twice a week. It has a nice thick texture and peppermint scent. This peeling leaves my skin really smooth and even hydrated. After the foam wash or the occasionally peeling I apply the serum in my t-zone. It is quite thin and a bit hard to control when applying, but is quickly absorbed. The effect is rather subtle, probably due to the fact that I only use it a couple times a week wheares suggested use is twice a day.

Step 3.
PRODUCTS:  Eye Cream Face Dream
HOW: I apply the eye cream everyday around my eyes by gently tapping it into my skin. Its texture is light and suitable for the thin skin in this area. From Jeanine I've learned the importance of eye cream and researching for this post I found out that this eye cream has actually won an award in 2017 for best product. Win!
When the eye cream is absorbed I apply a good amount of the face cream to my face and neck. My skin in my face is dry and sensitive and always in need of hydration. It's insane. This cream is thick and feels "natural" and gentle. I often feel that thick creams stay on top of my skin and sometimes clock the pores. Which might be what I love the most about this cream: despite it being very rich it absorbs really well. My skin is literally drinking it up and it is hydrating and not just "coating" my skin. 

Alona Vibe Beauty routine Maria aakerberg
 

 

BEAUTY FAVORITES

The rest of my favorite beauty products atm. 

The rest of my favorite beauty products atm. 

Face

Korean Blueberry Mud Face Mask - when I feel like boosting the radiance and glow of my skin. Find it here. 

Mario Badescu Healing & Soothing Mask - when my skin is irritated or breaking out a bit. 

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater - when I feel in need of a refresh during the day and to set my make-up. A favorite!

TONYMOLY Panda eye Patch - I haven't tried these ones yet, but I love korean/asian beauty things and is binge buy things these days haha. Find it here.

 

Make up

Smashbox 'Warm Neutrals' eyeshadow palette - the palette Mie used on me for this shoot and I'm absolutely in love with the earthy tones. 

MAC mineralize concealer - this concealer is still quite new, but so far I like it. I only use it under my eyes to cover up signs of lack of sleep. 

Diorshow Iconic mascara - A long time favorite. I've been using this for 6 years at least. It gives long, separated and natural lashes. Just how I like it.

Tromborg blush - a creamy powder blush when I want my cheeks to get a bit of life. I've been using it for the past 4 years.

Benefit ka-brow - it's like a pomade cream applied with a small brush - I use this when I want my brows to be a bit more defined/sculpted. 

Kelley Baker tinted brow gel - this tinted gel is amazing. It's really easy to use and looks really natural but gives a bit of definition. My to-go for my brows and for a nutural look. 

Alona Vibe Beauty favorites Mario badescu maria aakerberg smashbox
 
make up by Mie Heinel Fredriksen using many of my favorite products.

make up by Mie Heinel Fredriksen using many of my favorite products.

 

 

tied the knot

Last saturday my wonderful brother and sister-in-law was married in my parents garden in front of family and friends from Denmark and California. Here's a small selection of photos from a very big day. 

 
Alona Vibe Wedding
 

preparation week

As the celebration took place in my parents home, it took awhile to get everything ready for such an event. We spent the week up until the wedding with a large part of Britt's American family to clean, prep, decorate and of course have fun and look forward to the celebration.

Our mom and Britts mom, Susan collected flowers in nearby nature for the tables and for the bridal bouquet.  

Alona Vibe Wedding
 

the ceremony

The ceremony was held in the garden with a view to the small valley and the hilltop where our parents were married a little more than 25 years ago. Britt and Mathias were married while standing at a round podium Mathias' two fathers had built (biological and bonus), and our mom painted as a beautiful mandala.

 
Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

 
 
Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

 
Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

It had rained all night and all morning. The ceremony was a 14pm and the sun broke through the clouds just in time to shower them in sunlight. A lot of emotions were present and obviously it was very moving for both the couple and all us witnesses.

I felt a complete happiness, but also an underlying pain. The tears were happy but they were most certainly also due to a seriousness and a closure of the past years tragic events. 

 
Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

 
Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

 
 
Alona Vibe wedding

the two

Many of you have read this post from last year, or the year in review knowing that Mathias and Britt all of a sudden lost their unborn son in the 8th month of the pregnancy. After a long birth of this perfect little human being, he was named Bowie. He was later burried at the children's graveyard at Assistens Kirkegården - it was beautiful and extremely heartbreaking to experience. 

In the realm of the loss and the emotional stress my brother got very ill in early December. A compulsive and life threatening decease that have changed his and our lifes in many ways. Leaving only little room to process the loss of Bowie and for Britt to heal. The months since October last year have been thick with pain, sadness and intense fear. In ways that can not be explained or even imagined. 

I am in awe of how these two have conquered the bad. Fought it everyday. We all know by fact that couples experiencing tragic events are at high risk of loosing the strength and power to also fight for a relationship meanwhile fighting depression and everything that follows. 

Britt both managing a loss of a child she was so connected to but never got to know, while managing Mathias illness and the fear of loosing him. I can't even..

 
Alona Vibe Wedding
 
Alona Vibe Wedding

new light

Why I have been dying to share that these two are expecting a child in December. So many of you have sent messages, prayers, and thoughts to my family and I can not thank you enough. Of course this pregnancy  is not without fear, it will never be, but we have all chosen to channel the best energy and thoughts to this new life. And we can't wait to meet the little one in Dec/Jan. 

All this together the wedding felt like it reached a whole another dimension of celebration. It was a statement. An explosion of feelings, love and light. And a big fuck finger to decease, pain and hardness. It pulled so many tears and sparked so much hope. 

Alona Vibe Wedding Bryllup
 
Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe 

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe 

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen. Edit: Alona Vibe

The wedding continued till the break of dawn.
I love you eternally and wish you all the happiness, health and love in this world. 

Thanks to my boo Kenneth Nguyen for the pictures you took while I was crying my eyes out. 

Creative vibes

It's been a while since the last check in here - I've been focusing on finishing my 2nd semester at my master degree. Last wednesday I finally handed in the last exam. Aaah. This means it's time to dig into pictures and material I've collected and produced during this past month or so. I've got a few things up the sleeve that I haven't even looked at yet!

 
Alona Vibe Photography Nanna Fjord Jewelry
 

Behind.

Two weeks ago I visited one of my main girls. Mie. Amazing, loving Mie.
Last year she moved 300km away from Copenhagen and naturally the possibilities of seeing each other have decreased drastically. We decided to reunite and spent some heartwarm days at her family's summer house at a small danish island, Fanø. Something I will get further into in a later post. This is relevant because, during these 4 days a lot of creativity was released, both by baking cakes but also in terms of creating pictures and Mie is a big part of this fact!

 

These pictures.

Mie is a make up artist (educated at Sine Ginsborg Make Up School) and a genious.
We decided to join forces for a shoot for Nanna Fjord Jewlery - and these are some of the pictures!


 

Alona Vibe Nanna Fjord Jewlery
Alona Vibe Photography Nanna Fjord Jewelry
Alona Vibe Photography Nanna Fjord Jewelry
Alona Vibe Photography Nanna Fjord Jewelry
 
 
Alona Vibe Photography Nanna Fjord Jewelry
Alona Vibe Photography Nanna Fjord Jewelry

PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION | Alona Vibe
MUA & STYLING | Mie Heinel Frederiksen

All jewelry is from Nanna Fjord Jewelry
Shirt from Norse Projects