Category Archives: Beauty

A Little Touch Up Here And There

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A Little Touch Up Here And There

Sometimes our bodies just aren’t the way we want them to be. We think to ourselves, I’d love to change this or I wish I looked like that. But can we always have what we want? No, we can’t. What we can do, however, is figure out ways that we can have a couple of touch ups here and there. Something to give us a little confidence boost when we need it! So, what little touch ups are we talking about you ask? We’ll list them below just for you. Even if some of them don’t suit you, it should actively get you thinking about the things that you actually can change!

I Can See Clearly Now!

Let’s face it, you can’t, can you? If there’s one thing that affects a majority of you reading this, it is going to be your eyesight. Some people are born with poor eyesight, some start to lose it during their teenage years, or even due to injury. When your vision becomes bad and you do have to rely on glasses, it can be one of the most annoying things! One option would be to consider looking at the types of lasik treatment to see if your sight can be corrected. Most of the time, there’s nothing that a good laser can’t fix, you just need to make sure that you’ve got the funds to be able to do something like this. The correction is usually permanent, however, so you could finally see clearly and live a life without glasses! You might also find that you only need one eye corrected, so it might not cost you as much as you think.

If you are experiencing an issue with your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor ASAP. Even if you think the problem is minor, your doctor will be able to give you a solution whether it be a  treatment for myopia or simply eye drops for dry, scratchy eyes. You will leave your appointment feeling and seeing much better!

I Want A Washboard Stomach!

Ugh, don’t we all. When you see those girls with the completely flat and toned stomach, the nice rounded bum, and legs for days, you just can’t help but be jealous of them. But they’re not born with it, so don’t think it’s in the genes. It’s all about the hard effort they put into it, both inside and out of the gym. And you could easily do the same, if you put your mind to it. If you want that washboard look and you want it quickly, you should try and get yourself a personal trainer. They’ll whip you into shape, give you something to commit to, and give you all of the diet tips that you could ever need for a rockin’ bod.

Basic Beauty Hacks

Sometimes we just have to go back to basics if we want to be a better version of ourselves, and that starts with basic beauty tips. From making sure that you have a great skincare routine, to ensuring that you don’t eat a fatty diet that could bring out impurities. As for makeup, you should definitely start watching a few YouTube tips to know what makeup looks good, and where to put it. You can completely change your look with the power of make up!

Get Some Work Done:

There are so many options for getting cosmetic work done in order to enhance the way you look and feel. From little touch ups to more drastic changes, the medical world has come a long way in recent times. More and more women are coming around to the idea of getting a bit of work done, and there is nowhere near the stigma there once was surrounding this sort of procedure.

This is why it is such a great idea to visit a med spa, where you can combine some touch ups with a relaxing and tranquil spa experience. Being able to relax and destress is a big part of feeling good about yourself, and having strong body confidence can positively affect this. For this reason, getting some work done to boost the way you look can be a good option if it’s something you’re considering. This work can encompass several different services, including botox, special facial treatments and ultherapy. If you’re interested in this or are thinking of learning more, you can browse the websites of different med spas like Original Skin to see which treatments you might be interested in.

There’s bound to be a med spa near you but please be sure to do your research. The services you receive there are meant to enhance your appearance and you will want the best results. Simply enter a search for “Med Spa Colorado Springs” (or your local area) and pay close attention to the credentials of the practitioners as well as customer testimonials and reviews. If you are feeling uncertain, continue shopping around until you find a location you are fully comfortable with. If you want to get a little touch up here and there to make sure you look and feel your best, then more power to you!

Everyone has something that they wish they could change about themselves. And, with many great options out there, swapping out your desired change for a confidence boost is easier than you think!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Azure Lux Rose Gold Sparkling Oil Serum

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Azure Lux Rose Gold Sparkling Oil Serum

Hiiii everyone! For all of my skin care needs, I frequent the beauty aisles at TJMaxx, which shouldn’t be that surprising! I enjoy trying out new products and will always add a new serum, moisturizer, or face mask to my stock pile if it looks good and the price is right. I use a serum every day before applying my eye cream and moisturizer, and I really feel that no skin care routine is complete without it. So, when I’m scouring the beauty section at TJ’s, my eyes are always peeled for a new serum to try.

During one of my last shopping trips to Heaven On Earth, AKA TJMaxx, I ended up purchasing the serum seen below. How do you say no to rose gold?! Check it out:

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Delightfully reminiscent of the Too Faced Better Than Birthday Sex’s glitter pink packaging and advertising all of the right things for skin care, it was impossible to say no to this Azure Lux serum. Rose gold is perfectly on trend along with all of the necessities that this serum offers: toning, hydrating, and wrinkle reducing. Along with the oh so snazzy flecks of twenty-four karat gold and rose hip (Which is so hot in skin care right now!), six dollars for an entire bottle of serum felt like I was getting away with robbery.

Because I refuse to start a new product while I’m finishing up an old one, I haven’t tried this serum out yet. But, I was so curious about it, that I sampled the serum on my hands and it was AWESOME. It was fun to see the gold flecks on my skin, but it was even better to feel like my hands were one hundred and fifty percent hydrated. This serum absorbed quickly and my skin instantly got a burst of moisture that I feel like I couldn’t get from an actual hand lotion. So, just imagine using it on your face! I can’t wait! 😀

What kind of serum do you use? Which products are essential to your skin care routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

October 2018 Finishes

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October 2018 Finishes

Helloooo! With October drawing to a close quicker than anticipated, it’s time to discuss which beauty products I finished up this month. What was nice about this month’s empties is that half of them were totally free, which saved me at least twenty dollars. The Clean & Clear cleanser came from a Walgreen’s goodie bag, the Bath & Body Works body wash was free, and the body wash from The Body Shop was a gift. Sweet!

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Would I Use Again?

  • Lubriderm lotion: YES
  • The Body Shop Satsuma body butter: YES
  • The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey shower cream: NO
  • Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar shower gel: YES
  • Clean & Clear Acne Triple Clear cleanser: MAYBE
  • ArganiCare moisturizer: YES!!

Why/Why Not?

Lubriderm Lotion: Good ol’ Lubriderm is my go to brand to use upon getting a new tattoo and, as I get new ones fairly frequently, I always keep a bottle of lotion handy. I’ve had this bottle for about six months, which is pretty good considering I use it multiple times a day for a handful of weeks when a new tattoo is healing. I will definitely continue using this lotion and, at six dollars a bottle, a dollar per month cost per use is something that I can totally get behind!

TBS Body Butter: This jumbo sized body butter is compliments of TJMaxx for ten bucks, which sure beats the in store price of thirty! Satsuma is easily one of my favorite scents from TBS and I would have hundreds of these body butters in my arsenal if I could. I got at least ten full body uses out of the jumbo sized butter and hope that I can find more at TJ’s to help with dry winter skin in the approaching months.

TBS Shower Cream: Although I love, love, love the Almond Milk & Honey scent from TBS, this shower cream was a major whomp whomp. It didn’t lather at all, making it really hard to feel clean while taking a shower. Because it didn’t lather, I tried to compensate by using more of it per use, which resulted in me finishing the bottle in three weeks. I would recommend a gel over a shower cream any day, because the gel from TBS lasts me at least five weeks, which is a money saver.

B&BW Shower Gel: On the opposite end of the body wash spectrum is the Warm Vanilla Sugar shower gel from Bath & Body Works. I had this travel sized bottle for over three weeks, which should tell you everything you need to know about the one from TBS. It lathered well, smelled amazing, and I would definitely use it again.

Clean & Clear Cleanser: It took me about three weeks to finish this mini cleanser and, if given the opportunity, I would use it again. But, with a normal skin type, acne is something that I don’t really worry about so I would prefer something that is designed for normal skin. However, this cleanser made my skin feel squeaky clean and that is always a plus!

ArganiCare Moisturizer: I LOVED this moisturizer and it was absolutely the MVP of this month’s finishes. I got my ArganiCare moisturizer from TJMaxx for six dollars and it lasted me for over a month and a half. A little bit of this product sure went a long way and, although a small amount was used, my skin was always left feeling supple and hydrated. I would love to use this moisturizer again and would definitely recommend it.

Overall, it was a really successful month for finishes and I would recommend almost all of the products discussed above. And when fifty percent of them were free, it makes this month’s empties even sweeter!

Have you used any of the products above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Vacation Shopping… At TJMaxx ;)

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Vacation Shopping… At TJMaxx ;)

Lol, I know. I’m eyerolling at myself for this post, too. BUT, there was a TJMaxx sitting pretty on our way into town from our cabin in North Carolina and I couldn’t not stop in! But don’t worry, I only got two beauty products and one was a total steal so I just couldn’t help myself! Take a look:

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  • The Body Shop Satsuma scrub: $6
  • Garnier Micellar Water + face wash: $4

For ten bucks, I got two of my necessities that would have originally costed me around twenty-five dollars had I bought them in store. How could I possibly pass that up?! At Target, my micellar water comes close to eight dollars with tax for just the bottle. But, this find at TJ’s included a mini face wash, too. Granted, I’ve used it before and it wasn’t the best, but a face wash is a face wash and using the freebie saves me money and prolongs my preferred cleansers. I will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled at my local TJMaxx for more of the Garnier micellar water, because that was close to four dollars in savings, which is about one and a half gallons of gas in my tank.

I was also happy to find a Satsuma scrub from The Body Shop because, sadly, the TJMaxx that I live by has not had a lot of TBS goodies as of late. The scrubs are my favorite to use before shaving and it worked just right while tackling the Woolly Mammoth legs this week! 😉

Besides for my beauty steals, I was pretty unimpressed with the TJMaxx that I shopped at in Hendersonville. It was cramped, the aisle ways were small (Which made browsing through the racks difficult.), and the selection there was average at best. Of course, TJ’s giveth and TJ’s taketh away, so I could have just been there on an off week. It was fun to be at a TJMaxx in a different state, but I’ll be happy to shop at my local one again really soon!

What is your favorite thing to do on vacation? Where did you go on your last trip? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Adventures In Microblading

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Lil Red’s Adventures In Microblading

Hello! During a recent trip to Pittsburgh, I got to spend time with my super cool cousin, Laura, exploring the city, eating hella food, and having her microblade me! Laura is one of the pioneers in bringing microblading to Pittsburgh and owns her own studio, La Marie Brow Club, where she works her magic. Admittedly nervous, although I had absolutely no reason to be after the fact, I am now a walking testament to Laura’s work and am a firm believer in the power of microblading!

My nervousness definitely stemmed from the fact that I am a low key girl when it comes to my brows. I fill them in with an eighty-nine cent pencil annnnd that’s about it. Whenever I pluck them, I always end up overdoing it so, now, I just let them do their own thang. Have I wanted better brows? Sure. But, I’ve never been keen on constant waxing and maintenance and, at first, microblading sounded lightweight terrifying! But, now that I officially have amazing brows, I can’t believe that I didn’t do this sooner. Take a look at my before and after shots and, then, we’ll discuss everything further:

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As soon as we got to the salon, Laura immediately got to work preparing the space and explaining the first steps in the microblading process to me. First, we took some before pictures, which you can see above. And, then, Laura began to map out my brows according to my preferred side, which happens to be ol’ rightie. She used an eyebrow pencil to take measurements and used her makeup artist’s eye to create an outline that enhanced my right brow and made my left brow closely mimic its partner.

After a game plan was made special for my MUG, Laura applied a topical numbing agent to my brow area and we let it sit for twenty minutes before the microblading began. For those of you who aren’t hip, microblading is the manual process of implanting pigment into the upper region of our skin’s dermis in a way to mimic the appearance of natural hair. The blade that is used is dipped in pigment and each hair stroke is manually placed into the skin.

Once my brows were comfortably numb, Laura began the microblading festivities. The best way that I can describe the feeling of being microbladed is like getting papercuts on your eyebrows. Papercuts are a pain in the butt. But they are not unbearable and, although I could definitely feel some strokes more than others, the overall level of pain was extremely tolerable.

During a brief break after Laura’s first pass with my brows, a second numbing agent was applied to help ease any discomfort after wiping them down. Then, a second go was made for Laura to add the final touches and hair strokes to complete my beautiful new brows!

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^^^ Peep those results!

Spending time with Laura in her salon has been the highlight of my last few months and I cannot wait to come back to Pittsburgh in two months for her to touch my brows up. La Marie Brow Club provided a sterile and safe environment for me to get eyebrows perfectly customized for my face. Laura made me feel so comfortable and secure with all of the choices that we made together and she walked me through every step of the way with ease.

Watching my cousin display her amazing talents and doing a damn good job of it was so inspiring to me. Laura’s artistry involves immense skill and she was able to complete a task that looks dauntingly difficult with a smile on her face and well thought out answers to all of my questions. Saying I recommend Laura highly is an understatement, because she instilled a newfound confidence in me with her craft, and nothing can ever top that.

Take an inside look at Laura’s salon, located behind Lantern Rose tattoo shop!

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More about Laura:

Laura opened her business, La Marie Brow Club, in April of 2017 and received her certification in January of 2016. Not only does she offer microblading, but she also does upper lash line enhancement, freckles, beauty marks, and tooth gems (Which are so cute!). Laura has spent over ten years in the field as a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician, but enjoys doing eyebrows the most. When she is not booked at the salon, she loves spending time with her boyfriend, Victor, and beloved pets: Randy the cat and Lucille and Igor the Boston Terriers (And they are all so cute, too!).

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Interested in getting microbladed? You can reach Laura with the following:

Social Media Platforms

Thank you so much again to my beautiful and talented cousin for finessing my brows! Laura has the Lil Red Guarantee for fantastic results and service so, if you were at all on the fence about being microbladed like I was, trust in that and schedule an appointment today!

Do you have microbladed brows? How were your results? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Black & Orange Nails

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New Black & Orange Nails

Hiii! One thing that I am particularly proud of, is that I went from getting my nails done every three weeks like clockwork to every month or, sometimes, a little over a month. Cutting back over one week between fills saves me money and makes getting pampered all the more sweet. With Halloween right around the corner, I had to get a fun, slightly glittery orange as the accent nail on this most recent fill. Check it out:

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Spooky chic is the name of the game for all of October… and year round. But, especially October! So incorporating some jackolantern orange amidst the black nails and red crosses was an absolute must. This fill makes me feel so witchy and cool and my nails will be perfect for diving into a cauldron full of candy for the Halloween trick or treaters!

And, did I mention that at the new salon that I go to, LT Nails, I am saving about twenty-five dollars per fill?! Although I might not be getting the most extreme pampering experience there, that’s a gas tank and Starbucks coffee’s worth of extra cash in my pocket. Not bad at all!

How do you save money when it comes to your pampering routines? Do you do themed nails for particular holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath & Body Works October Freebie

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Bath & Body Works October Freebie

Hi there! Just when I think that Bath & Body Works has finally caught onto my tricks of only coming in to cash in my freebie coupons, they send me another freebie coupon. Lol, it has been a while, but I stopped in earlier this week to pick up my free item, which happened to be really nice. Normally, they only offer a free travel sized shower gel or lotion but, this time, they offered a free hand cream with lots of scents to pick from. Check it out:

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During past trips to B&BW, I have been less than impressed with their packaging. What used to be vibrant and sweet turned minimal and blah, so it was nice to see that they went back to their roots with the imagery on this cream bottle. Perfectly purse sized, this cream is amazing for the on the go gal, especially since cold weather and cracked hands is fast approaching. The scent is delicious, too! Fizzy champagne with the bite of tart apples makes for a delightful autumn scent and also makes me thirsty for a glass of bubbly ASAFP!

What is your favorite fall scent? Which store offers the best freebies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Blush, Baby – Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Swatch In Candy Coral

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Blush, Baby – Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Swatch In Candy Coral

HELLOOOOOOO! Having a sister is awesome because, other than having a built in BFF, you basically get to double your collection of makeup and clothing. Am I the best at sharing said makeup and clothing? Not always, but that’s neither here nor there. Whenever I’m not really using a product anymore, I always send it Kristen’s way and she does the same for me. Take the blush that you see below, for example. I gave it to Kristen and, probably one year later, she gave it back to me. So, now that it’s back in my possession, you can check out the swatch:

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My favorite non powder blush is definitely the Dream Bouncy collection by Maybelline. It’s creamy, goes on easily, and the pigments are always lovely. Shade 30, Candy Coral, is an underrated member of the Dream Bouncy crew, because it’s not the typical pink or brown blush. But, there’s nothing wrong with trying something a little different, especially when it’s so darn pretty!

Candy Coral is a good layering blush to make whatever shade you put over top of it really pop. It also is the perfect option for a no makeup makeup look if you rock it solo. It has just enough shine and oomph to it that it still takes a natural MOTD to next level fierce. Is this color absolutely necessary in your makeup arsenal? Perhaps not, but it is fun to have and it certainly brightens things up on a no makeup or full face day.

Do you use a cream or powder blush? What is your preferred blush color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

September 2018 Finishes

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September 2018 Finishes

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! With September nearing an end, it is time to discuss all of my empties from the past month. There are actually quite a few of them this time around, so let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water: YES
  • Kind Natured Shea & Macadamia scrub: NO
  • St. Ives Coconut & Coffee scrub: YES
  • The Body Shop Strawberry shower gel: YES
  • Garnier Micellar Foaming Gel Cleanser: NO
  • Aveeno Ultra Calming Gel Cleanser: NO
  • Vital C Vitamin C serum: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin E mask: YES

Why/Why Not?

Garnier Micellar Water: Although I am not the biggest fan of micellar water, I will say that it is much cheaper than eye makeup remover and, for that, I will continue to use it. At six dollars a bottle and about a month and a half of use per purchase, I feel like I am getting an excellent value for my money. The micellar water also makes a great toner and I like to clean my piercings with it, so I will definitely keep this product around.

Kind Natured Scrub: It’s funny, because I have never gotten a smoother shave than with this scrub. It also left my legs feeling amazingly soft without using any lotion. BUT, this product was so hard to squeeze out of the bottle. In fact, a lot of product is still in there, but I can’t get it out. So, it is not a good value, even though it worked well and I will not be using it again.

St. Ives Scrub: I loved using the St. Ives Coconut & Coffee scrub every morning! It smelled delicious, it was tough on blackheads, and it was totally invigorating. I got a little over a month’s use out of one four dollar bottle and I enjoyed using it daily.

TBS Shower Gel: I always like using shower gels from The Body Shop, because they lather so well. The insane amount of bubbles makes me feel extra clean and the strawberry scent is so sweet and yummy. I got a month and a half’s use out of this bottle and it was a Christmas gift, so I’m happy I finally got around to using it!

Garnier Gel Cleanser: This mini cleanser came for free with a purchase of a bottle of micellar water, and I was so not impressed. It didn’t remove my makeup whatsoever, it didn’t lather well, and my face felt tight after each use. I wouldn’t recommend this product and would never consider buying it in full size, no matter how good of a sale there is! 😡

Aveeno Gel Cleanser: I got this mini cleanser from a Walgreen’s freebie bag and enjoyed using it more than the Garnier cleanser. This cleanser removed my makeup well and it lathered nicely. But, a lot of cleansers do that and I can get one for a lot cheaper than Aveeno’s prices. So, it’s a no from me, dawg.

Vital C Serum: I love, love, love my Vitamin C serum! I put this on every morning before my eye cream and moisturizer and it feels divine. It absorbs quickly and sits well under my makeup, and I love knowing that I’m using a product that will keep my skin glowing. One bottle of serum costs me eight dollars and it takes me over two months to finish it. Much better than the double digit prices I was paying at The Body Shop for a similar product!

TBS Mask: I always enjoy using The Body Shop’s Vitamin E mask at night time, and was lucky enough to score it at TJMaxx for about five bucks. I get over twenty uses out of one jar and it always leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated, and peaches and cream perfection in the morning. Here’s to hoping that I can find another one on the cheap at TJs soon! 😀

Although there were some no go’s for me in this month’s empties, I am happy that I got to finish them up. It always feels good to use up a freebie or a gift to maximize savings in the beauty department. A worthwhile product or no, you can’t beat that!

Have you used any of the products listed above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Five Winter Skin Care Hacks For 30-Somethings

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Five Winter Skin Care Hacks For 30-Somethings

If you would like to look just as good and radiant as you did in your 20s and during the summer, there are some changes to be made to your skin care routine when the cold weather strikes. Your body will need all the support it needs in the wind and rain, and you might need to add some healthy Vitamin D to your diet. Below, you will find a few tips on how to change your skin care for the winter if you are in your 30s:

1. Facial Scrubs

If you would like to keep your skin radiant in the winter, you can’t rely on the sunshine and the Vitamin D absorbed by your skin cells any more. To get rid of all of the dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin, you might want to try different natural facial scrubs that will gently exfoliate your skin and increase the circulation in your face, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

2. Steaming

We tend to spend more time indoors or in our car when the weather turns colder. And, just like being trapped in the house against the cold, your pores can get clogged with yucky bacteria. Visible pores can age you. Be sure to get a professional face steamer that will flush out bacteria and irritating residue from your skin. Don’t forget to close the pores using a natural toner.

3. Heavier Moisturizers

In the winter, you don’t need to worry about excessive sweating, therefore, you can use a heavier moisturizer. Make sure that you are choosing a brand that only contains natural ingredients, and you use a different cream for the day and night. You might want to try various brands before you decide which one works the best for you. You might also try to shop at Clarins Singapore with special offers today or get free samples until you find the right formula.

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4. Vitamin Masks

You are prepared for the cold by dressing according to the weather in style, but you also have to protect the skin that is not covered by clothes. Your hands and your face will show the signs of aging more if you don’t look after them during the winter. Make sure that you use vitamin masks and restore the healthy balance if your skin to keep it nice and supple.

5. Eye Serums

The sensitive skin around your eyes can suffer a lot during the winter. Be sure that you are treating that area to a heavy duty serum or cream to keep it hydrated. Essential oils and vitamin creams that you put on at night can transform your looks by the morning.

It is important to change your skin care routine and products when the cold weather strikes. Make sure that you consider your age, lifestyle, and the most important ingredients your body needs to stay healthy and radiant until the sun comes back and you can spend more time in the fresh air.

Featured Image By: PxHere