Category Archives: Beauty

Apr25

Bath & Body Works April Freebie

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Bath & Body Works April Freebie

Hi! When my sister and I went to New Orleans, I was genuinely shocked that I didn’t have a travel size shower gel from Bath & Body Works to bring with me. I thought my bath and body care hoard was much better stocked than that and it sucked having to use the products provided by the hotel. It was impossible to feel clean with the awkward combo of bar soap and shampoo I had to use! Because my family is going to Italy this year, I made damn sure that I got a travel size body wash for my March freebie from B&BW. I also went ahead and got another one this month in case my mom needed to share. Like my selection in March, I went for a classic B&BW scent that I never bothered trying before. Check it out:

Once again, the travel size options I had to pick from were slim to none at B&BW and In The Stars was literally all they had for shower gels. Since my choice was made for me, I didn’t even smell it so let’s give it a whiff in real time lol. Here we go… And it is pretty good! Actually, upon another sniff it is actually really nice. In The Stars features fragrance notes of (get ready for it because it’s a doozy) “Starflower, sandalwood musk, sugared tangelo, white agarwood, and radiant amber”. Whatever any of that means! Does anyone know what a tangelo is?!

The little scent story on Bath & Body Works’ website says that In The Stars is a warm fragrance that feels like you’re in the middle of the forest. However, I feel like I’m in the middle of the ocean with this scent! In The Stars smells crisp and clean to the point that I would classify it as an aquatic scent and I am SO not mad about that. I absolutely love an aquatic fragrance and it definitely doesn’t translate to the fragrance notes or scent story whatsoever. Isn’t it weird how scents smell different to every single person? I can’t stand a musky fragrance and would have despised In The Stars if it smelled true to its notes to me. Thankfully that wasn’t the case and I would happily get it again. 🙂

What will In The Stars smell like to you? Who’s to say? Lol but I’m incredibly curious to find out!

What is a scent that you love that other people hate? What is your go to B&BW fragrance? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr17

New Strawberry And Purple Nails

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New Strawberry And Purple Nails

Hi! This past week couldn’t have gone fast enough because I was in desperate need of a full set STAT. My appointment the week prior had to be rescheduled and my nails were an absolute wreck. They were lifting like the dickens and I had to do everything in my power to not take them off my damn self. Blessedly, I saw the week through because lifted nails are better than no nails at all, amiright?! Thanks to my amazing nail tech, my claws are back in working order and I love how they turned out. Take a looksee:

When I approached the nail polish book, I wasn’t sure which colors to choose. I knew I was over pastels from the month before but didn’t want to transition to zippy and bright summer colors just yet. So, I decided to go for something in between and opted for a sweet strawberry red and purple. These shades pop, for sure, but they still manage to feel spring so it was a perfect compromise. These candy colored hues are darling, fun, and look good enough to eat in a strictly metaphorical sense!

Once my colors were selected, I almost ran towards my nail tech’s station so she could begin working her magic. I had been loosening up my nails to pop off literally all day and was able to get three off before my appointment. I felt so naked! When I am getting a full set, I always get a soak off because I’m a huge baby. However, my acrylics were so loosey goosey that I knew I could handle a pop off and it was as easy as one, two, three. They came off like it was nothing and put me one step closer to having my talons back.

Normally, I schedule my nail appointments during a break in my work day. For full sets I like to go after work on Friday and it is just SO nice. To sit back in my tech’s chair, be pampered, and not worry about a time crunch is a gift. I always enjoy my appointments but it just hits different when you have nowhere else to be but at the salon! In a little over an hour, my nails were back baby and they felt wonderful. So sturdy, pointed to perfection, and ready to wow all April long. GREAT SUCCESS. 😀

I am very much looking forward to my next fill because my mom is coming with to get a mani. Girls day!!

What are your favorite colors for spring? How often do you get your nails done? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr10

Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Gel Moisturizer Review

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Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Gel Moisturizer Review

Hello! It took me a solid two plus months to finish the moisturizer I was using and I am finally onto something new. For the past week and change, I have started using the Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Moisturizer and it has been a revelation. I have literally never used a moisturizer like this one before and I just had to share it with all of you. If you are looking for baby soft skin and the most radiant glow, then you have got to try this Glow Hub one out. The moisturizer definitely lives up to the brand name! Let’s discuss further:

There are so many things that I love about this moisturizer but let’s start with the texture. Can you see the bubbles in it? SO satisfying! Gel moisturizers are my absolute favorite and I can’t get enough of the hydrating burst I feel when I use them. The Glow Hub moisturizer is, hands down, the best gel texture I have ever used. It is the bounciest, lightest formula and it sounds weird but it almost feels like rubbing jelly on your face? Lol as soon as I start applying it, I can slightly feel the moisturizer crackling on my skin in fizzy delight and it is so invigorating. It’s a bubbly blast of cool, hydrating magic!

Not only does the texture of this moisturizer amaze me, but the scent does too. It is infused with peach and coconut but all I can smell is the peach. I am so not mad about this because anything peach scented is my favorite! The Glow Hub moisturizer smells exactly like a fresh bit peach and it’s honestly an experience to use it between its fragrance and the fizz. After just one use of this product, it was like a transformation. My skin looked fresh, bright, and clean and felt soft as can be. I genuinely can’t recall ever using a moisturizer with such immediate and apparent results. If I ever see this bad boy again at TJMaxx, I am buying Every. Single. Jar. Available. It is that good.

Gel moisturizers are perfect for spring and summer and the Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Moisturizer is perfect in general. Highly recommend!

What is your favorite skin care brand? How about your favorite moisturizer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr9

Makeup Fun At MAC

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Makeup Fun At MAC

Howdy! A few weeks ago an old friend who works at MAC reached out to me to ask if she could do my makeup. I was so surprised to hear from her as we just kind of fell out of our friendship when I was in college. Surprised, yes, but really happy too! It was so nice to be thought of and I never pass up the opportunity to see old friends. Johnny and I made the trip to Southpark Mall in Strongsville for my girl to do her thing and it was magical. The only time I have ever got my makeup done was for my wedding so it was a huge treat. What was even better was that my makeup artist and I were able to pick up like no time had passed at all! Take a look at her handiwork and peep the OOTD with the special MOTD soon!

Makeup is, honestly, very unknown territory for me. I like the brands I like, the products I like, and the colors I like and never stray far from it. Part of it is out of habit but I guess the other part is that I would rather spend my money on new clothes over new makeup! As I sat in my makeup artist’s chair, I was dumbfounded by all of the products that she compiled to beat my face with. It confirmed that I really do know nothing about makeup lol but I couldn’t wait to see the end results. Each step was fascinating and it was wild to see so many techniques used because all I’m familiar with is my lack thereof!

Prior to my appointment, I asked my pal if she wanted me to wear anything specific and she said to wear whatever and she’d make it work. I decided on a 70s chic outfit and was so curious to see her takeaway from my look. What she landed on was a phoenix inspired MOTD and it absolutely blew my mind. I’m not going to lie, I was initially a little worried as the eye makeup was SO different than anything that I could manage on my own. Then, I saw the full effect and ate those worries right up. This MOTD was giving David Bowie a la Thin White Duke and I was feeling myself SO hard.

This makeup session was a blast from start to finish but it was, first and foremost, so impressive. As soon as I walked to the MAC counter in Macy’s, a vision came to my artist and she expertly saw it through. Every step was so precise, each color used was a perfect match, and she applied it like it was nothing. Not to mention she was applying it while we were chattering away too! I have a feeling that there will be many more collaborations in store for us and be sure to peep my TikTok at lilred6794 for more from this experience!!

I am in love with the look that we created together and can’t wait to see what we dream up next!! ❤

Where do you like to shop for makeup? Do you get your makeup done often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr4

Bath & Body Works March Freebie

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Bath & Body Works March Freebie

Hello! I have a stockpile of skin and bath and body care that runneth over – especially in the smell goods department as I love stocking up during the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sales. There is also no shortage of travel size B&BW products since they send a freebie coupon for one at least every other month. Or so I thought there was no shortage! As I packed my toiletries for New Orleans, I couldn’t believe that there was not a single travel size shower gel in my hoard! I ended up having to use a combination of the hotel soap and shampoos during my travels and it was so hard to feel clean without the sudsy, fragrant B&BW shower gels. I was so happy to have been able to rectify this with a March freebie coupon as my need for travel size shower gels isn’t over yet. My family will be going to Italy later this year and I already have one thing out of the way to pack:

Every time I visit B&BW for a free product, I feel like their travel size options have dwindled down exponentially. What used to be a sprawling tower of mini shower gels and lotions was pretty much bare so I just had to take what I could get this time around. I landed on A Thousand Wishes, which is an incredibly popular B&BW scent that I have never bothered trying lol. A Thousand Wishes offers notes of “pink prosecco, crystal peonies, and amaretto creme” and it is actually really nice! It reminds me a lot of their Sweet Pea scent. It’s floral, yes, but not in an overpowering way because there’s more to it than just the peonies. Perhaps it’s the amaretto creme? 😀

Also, can we just talk briefly about showering in hotels because I’m still not over it lol. Showering in a hotel is like being on an episode of Naked and Afraid. You are in unfamiliar territory, you might not have your favorite products (In my case!), and why is the water either scalding hot or freezing cold?! I know it doesn’t seem like much, but just having this shower gel for Italy is a little peace of mind. I am not a traveler in the slightest and it is comforting to have familiar and favorite things when away from home. At the bare minimum, at least I know that I will not have to combine bar soap with shampoo during vacation and that is a blessing in itself!

In conclusion, if you like Sweet Pea then you are going to be a fan of A Thousand Wishes. And remember to always check your travel size stash before a trip! Smh!

What toiletries do you pack when traveling? Are you going on a vacation this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr3

March 2026 Finishes

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March 2026 Finishes

Hello everyone and happy April!! March was a big month full of travel, new hair, and a whole lot of fun! It took a while to get myself back in the work flow after my mini New Orleans vacation but I am in full swing now and it feels great to be back. I even started another new social media job so stay tuned for more on that later. 😀 Before we dive into April showers in the hope of May flowers, let’s back peddle a bit to discuss my beauty finishes for March. There were several new favorite items in there so let’s get to it:

Would I Use Again?

Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon Shower Gel: YES

Aroma Naturals Vitamin E Moisturizer: YES

Trader Joe’s Watermelon Lip Mask: YES

Dr. Wellness Vitamin C Moisturizer: YES!!

Trader Joe’s Ultra Rich Body Butter: YES

Why/Why Not?

Aroma Naturals Moisturizer: I purchased this travel size Vitamin E moisturizer by Aroma Naturals for my trip to New Orleans and I liked it a lot! This moisturizer was nice and light which was perfect for the warm days and all of the walking in NOLA. It absorbed very quickly and I like to think it made me look slightly less tired after a trip to the bars on Bourbon Street lol! It took me a little over two weeks of twice daily use to finish the jar and I would happily use it again. In fact, I plan on it when my family goes to Italy this year!

Trader Joe’s Lip Mask: I started using the Trader Joe’s Watermelon Lip Mask in August and just finished it during the first week of March. Talk about a long lasting product and an excellent value! I used this lip mask every night before bed and really enjoyed it. The scent was delightfully reminiscent of Lip Smackers, a small swipe across the lips went a long way, and I woke up every morning with lips that were kissable and soft. It was especially helpful during the cold months of winter when my chapped lips get out of control. Definitely grab one if you are at Trader Joe’s – you are in for a treat. 😀

Dr. Wellness Moisturizer: Speaking of a long lasting product and an excellent value, we have the Vitamin C Moisturizer by Dr. Wellness. I began using this moisturizer during the first week of January and finished it up in the middle of March. I was SO sad when it was all gone because this moisturizer was phenomenal and I would be thrilled to find it again at TJMaxx. This product was literal radiance in a jar and my skin looked bright and alert after each use. The texture of the Dr. Wellness moisturizer was light and bouncy while still feeling incredibly nourishing. Even Johnny liked using this one so it is a double winner!

Trader Joe’s Body Butter: I was raised on the body butter from The Body Shop and miss having it in my routine so very much. The Ultra Rich Body Butter from Trader Joe’s is the next best thing. Although nothing will be better than The Body Shop, this is a close second. The vanilla orchid scent was so soft and pretty and, yes, this body butter was ultra rich. The Shea Butter formula made for a much denser body butter that did require a fair dose of rubbing in. Once it was on, you could feel it working immediately and my skin was so happy and hydrated. Both Johnny and I used this body butter and loved how it took away all of the redness from our dry hands in one night! It took me a month and a half of a few quarter sized dollops per night to finish the jar.

This was a GREAT SUCCESS for my March empties with all of them being potential repeat purchase products. I highly recommend all of them so be sure to add it to the cart if you see them while out and about!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar27

New Hair, Who Dis?

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New Hair, Who Dis?

Hello! After a long weekend of travel, I had a blessedly easy week as I was due at The Shear Shop on Friday to get my hair done. I had been chomping at the bit to transform my hair for spring! Prior to my appointment, Anna and I were thinking of a blue and orange palette using Pulp Riot’s Blue Tux and Shag Rug. Then, that plan turned on its head as soon as I was in her chair! Anna showed me an array of colors that she picked just for me and we were definitely on a similar wave length. We both came to the same conclusion that instead of blue, why not do purple? Anna said her inspiration was a spring sunset and that perfectly describes the color palette we ended up using. Check it out:

^^^ Lol idk what I’m doing here but you can see the colors really well!

Pulp Riot Colors Used:

Top Left: Satire

Top Right: Shag Rug mixed with Lava

Bottom Left: Jam mixed with Lilac

Bottom Right: Pyro mixed with Fireball

Prior to this appointment, my hair featured a peacock palette with red, blue, and teal and I washed my hair every day to try and lighten the colors as much as possible. Pulp Riot’s formula has changed to increase the dye’s longevity and after multiple hair washes, the colors were still quite vivid. We were genuinely worried that the bleach wouldn’t lift all of it to achieve the spring sunset palette but we just had to give it a try. We let the bleach sit with no heat for about fifteen minutes and then turned on the heat for ten more. And you know what? It worked! There were a couple random spots that Anna needed to bleach again but by the time we were done, my hair was pale blonde and ready to rock.

Once the bleach was washed out and we could breathe easier, it was onto painting the hair. Anna and I were most excited because Pulp Riot brought back one of our favorite colors – the gorgeous marigold Satire and it was just what we needed for a sunset inspired look. We always mix Pyro and Fireball for my red and Satire is fantastic as is. However, both Jam and Shag Rug needed an extra dose of vividness. So, Anna created custom colors to brighten them up by mixing Lilac into Jam and Lava into Shag Rug. That was much more like it!

Rather than do our usual horizontal application of the dyes, Anna and I wanted to switch things up by going vertical. To frame my face, we used our red concoction and I love having that Lil Red right at the forefront. She painted underneath my hair and on top with strips of Satire and the Shag Rug + Lava combo. Then she painted the back half with the Jam + Lilac. She also applied Satire to the ends of my hair so we could get that pop of yellow the whole way through. All that was left to do was sit and wait for an hour as we eagerly anticipated the grand finale…

And this finale definitely deserved a standing twenty-four hour ovation because holy WOW! We were both amazed that my hair went from peacock to sunset in an afternoon because getting it all out with bleach was so up in the air. Everyone at the salon was oohing and ahhing and for good reason – this new do is everything! My hair feels strong and healthy and I will never be over the custom colors that Anna created. I am the only client of hers that she does funky colors for and she nails it every time. I am SO lucky to have her as my stylist and friend for over two decades!! ❤

Shout out to my wonderful stylist for creating this spring sunset magic. I am totally and completely obsessed!

How often do you dye your hair? Are you changing your hair color up for spring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar10

Understanding Hair Loss & What To Do About It

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Understanding Hair Loss & What To Do About It

Hair loss is a really common issue faced by men, and one that can cause them a lot of stress and negative feelings about their appearance. But you know what? People really do not have to live with thinning or balding hair these days. Advances in modern medicine and hair restoration technology have made it easier than ever to address hair loss and regain confidence. Understanding the causes of hair loss and the solutions available today can help to make informed decisions about their options:

Understanding why hair loss happens:

The most common cause of hair loss in men is something called androgenetic alopecia, but you might know it better as male-pattern baldness. It is caused mainly by genetics and hormones, which means it can be difficult to treat in a lot of men. Over time, hair follicles gradually shrink, producing thinner and shorter strands until growth eventually stops. Other factors that can play a role in male hair loss are stress, nutritional deficiencies, certain medical conditions as well as lifestyle habits. These are all things that can speed up the process of hair loss, but the underlying genetic pattern is still often the primary cause here. Recognizing the cause of hair loss is important because it helps determine the most effective treatment approach.

Early solutions that may help:

Men who notice that their hair is starting to thin early may have access to a number of non-surgical options that could help to slow down hair thinning or even stabilize the process. Medications designed to reduce hair loss or stimulate new growth are commonly used as a first line of treatment. Sometimes, lifestyle changes can also help. Things like eating a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding stress, avoiding harsh hair treatments, and taking a multivitamin can all be useful in the early stages. However, these solutions often work best when hair loss is caught early. Once hair follicles stop producing hair entirely, other treatments may be required to restore growth.

Modern hair transplant technology:

Hair transplant procedures have advanced significantly over the past two decades. Modern techniques are designed to produce natural-looking results while minimizing discomfort and recovery time. Today’s procedures involve relocating healthy hair follicles from areas where hair is still growing, typically the back or sides of the scalp, to areas affected by thinning or baldness. Because these transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to hair loss, they can continue growing naturally in their new location. Clinics with experienced professionals, such as Silicon Valley Hair Institute hair transplant specialists, focus on advanced techniques that create natural hairlines and carefully distribute transplanted follicles for realistic density. These modern procedures have helped many men restore their hair in ways that were not possible in the past.

Confidence and self-image:

Hair loss can have a significant impact on self-confidence because, for many men, hair is closely tied to how they feel about their personal identity and appearance. Naturally, experiencing thinning or balding can affect how someone feels about themselves in professional and social settings. To tackle the loss, doing some work on self-confidence and self-worth can be just as important as treatments and style choices.

Losing your hair? You have more options now than ever before!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar7

New Pastel Pink & Peach Nails

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New Pastel Pink & Peach Nails

Howdy! This past Tuesday was the freaking best. In between shifts I got to have ALL of the girl time with my adorable mom. We started our day at Elysian Nails for a fill for me and a mani for her. Then, we enjoyed a spot of shopping at TJMaxx. I got the cutest new top and I can’t wait to show you all! My mom doesn’t get her nails done often but when she does, I always have to joke that she gets the same shade of pale pink or beige every single time. I mean, if it’s not broken don’t fix it lol. The joke is on me, though, because pale pink is where it’s at and I just had to take a note from my mom’s book to welcome pastel shades for spring. Check it out:

Although I typically live in All Black Everything, I loves me a pastel color. However, they wash me out badly so I have zero pastel hued clothing in my wardrobe. That’s okay, though, because I can rock them on my nails! As I consulted the trusty nail polish book, I immediately locked in on the pastel peach and knew I was going with that for sure. The next order of business was finding a color to compliment it. I wasn’t feeling any of the lavender shades which is too bad because that would be pretty too. So, pink it was, and I landed on the softest pastel ballet slipper pink. This combo was giving all things spring flowers, Easter candy, and Jordan almonds and they almost look good enough to eat! 😀

It was SO nice to get pampered with my mom beside me at my happy place. Elysian Nails is one of my beauty sanctuaries and I live for when I can share in it with friends and family. As I gabbed with my nail tech, I couldn’t stop looking over at my mom’s station. She was getting primped with oils, lotion, and a hot towel and was loving every minute of it. Her tech did such an amazing job with the cuticles and shaping the nails that it almost looked like she got a fresh set. We both walked away completely thrilled with the results and our matching pale pink nails. I can’t wait for another trip to Elysian together and who knows – maybe I’ll get her to pick hot pink polish next. ❤

My Tuesday was the pick me up I needed after a super long but fun weekend. There’s nothing like some pampering and shopping with my favorite gal to put the pep back in my step!

What is your favorite form of self care? How often do you get your nails done? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar1

Bath & Body Works February 2026 Freebie

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Bath & Body Works February 2026 Freebie

Hello! This past Tuesday I had to make a quick stop at Bath & Body Works to cash in a freebie coupon and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I am a huge fan of their wallflower plugins and the Halloween bulb I had in my bedroom decided to stop working over the weekend. I was missing my sugar cookie scent desperately after mere days of being apart and it needed rectifying immediately! With an additional twenty-five percent off coupon, I was able to snag a new bulb on the cheap and scored a free travel size body cream too. That was also perfect timing because I have some travel coming up in March (More on that soon!)! Check it out:

Not only do the wallflowers provide divine fragrance throughout my apartment but they are so practical too. Their light up options make for an excellent nightlight and my nieces really appreciate that when we have slumber parties. Bath & Body Works had plenty of ultra cute bulbs to pick from and I was enamored with what one of the salespeople showed me after she said I was giving “snake vibes” lol. It was the prettiest emerald green snake with gemstones all over it! I absolutely loved it but I knew my nieces would say otherwise so I opted for the pink butterfly or should I say bowterfly instead. This ballet slipper pink butterfly is just so darling and a friendly reminder that spring is almost here! It looks great on its own but the light up function adds a touch of fairy magic. I knew my nieces would be all about my selection but after seeing it in its glory at home, I think I might be about it more. 😀

For my freebie, I went with a travel size body cream in Waikiki Beach Coconut. When I score a free item, I like to throw caution to the wind and pick out scents that are not my usual go tos. Sometimes it works out, other times not so much. But, even if I don’t like the fragrance it’s not like I will be using it for forever! The past few times I had a freebie coupon I was unimpressed with the travel size selection and my sentiments were the same this time around. I had tried everything available already! Out of the handful of options displayed, Waikiki Beach Coconut was my fave. In my opinion, no coconut scent will ever be better than that of The Body Shop’s. While Waikiki Beach Coconut is nice, it also has some floral mixed into a very pure coconut fragrance which I could definitely do without. However, you can’t beat free!

I am so happy to have another wallflower back in its rightful place with an extra treat for good measure. Great success!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? Do you use a plugin at your house? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah