Tag Archives: products

Sep1

August 2026 Finishes

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August 2026 Finishes

Howdy y’all and happy September!! Even though it’s ninety degrees here (Yuck!) it is officially fall in my head because every day that passes is another day closer to Halloween. I am SO beyond excited to start shopping for mine and Johnny’s Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett costumes and can’t wait to share them with all of you. This is a couples costume that I have always wanted to do and I am thrilled that it’s finally coming to fruition! Before I get too ahead of myself with spooky season plans, let’s take a step back to yesterday and discuss my beauty finishes for August. There were only two but they are definitely worth chatting about! Take a look:

Would I Use Again?

ValJean Labs Radiant Glow Face Scrub: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why/Why Not?

ValJean Labs Scrub: I am an avid fan of ValJean Labs products and have yet to find one that I haven’t enjoyed. My favorite, however, has to be the Radiant Glow Scrub! This is easily the most gentle but effective scrub I have ever used and even Johnny uses it from time to time and loves it. The Radiant Glow scrub is cream based and hydrates deeply while the grit removes dry skin and imperfections like blackheads. Some scrubs leave your skin feeling scraped bare after using it and that is so not the case with the Radiant Glow. I used it every day for about two and a half months and exited the shower with skin that looked bright and felt soft as can be. Highly recommend and I will always purchase it if it’s available at TJMaxx!

Supergoop! Moisturizer: I bought the Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer for a TJMaxx price and am so glad for it because it is in the forty to fifty dollar range at Ulta or Sephora. I couldn’t imagine how mad I would be if I spent the full fifty bucks on the most lackluster moisturizer ever! The only thing the Supergoop! had going for it is that it was incredibly long lasting and it took me two months of twice daily use to finish the jar.

In that two months, there was nothing about this moisturizer that I liked and I was so happy to be done with it. The Triple Prep Moisturizer did not sit well on my skin whatsoever and it basically peeled off. It was miserable to be actually sweating and sweating moisturizer all at once during the hot summer months and it drove me insane. Of course, I had to see it through but I would NEVER get this product again even at a marked down price. This is one that can totally be skipped on!

My August Empties were 50/50 with one dud and one star and all I have to say is – it is SO nice to be using a moisturizer I actually like now! 😀

Which products did you use up in August? 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

Aug11

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hi! This past Tuesday I went to TJMaxx on my break as I needed a skin care restock and wanted to browse for upcoming birthday gifts for a couple of my bestie girls. I had great success on both counts and actually ran into one of my bestie girls! While I was perusing the skin care, I sensed a presence beside me who seemed to follow me in step. I felt like I was blocking whomever from their shopping and felt SO awkward and it kept happening. Finally, I turned to the person to apologize and it ended up being my BFF of eighteen years, Lea!! Omg did we have a laugh and after we parted ways I texted her with “you scare me :(” lol because she really did! It made my TJs trip even more magical and I walked away with the following skin care goodies:

For my skin care I was on the market for a new moisturizer, serums, an eye cream, and a scrub. And, of course, I never say no to my go to micellar water if it is available! Selecting a moisturizer was an incredibly easy choice because I actually purchased the same Goodness moisturizer a few months ago, am using it now, and am absolutely LOVING it. The Goodness Every Morning Moisturizer is really rich despite its thinner texture and feels like clouds when I apply it. It is ultra hydrating and leaves my skin feeling soft as can be and looking refreshed. The last moisturizer I used was a total dud and the Goodness brand was a total breath of fresh air the first time I used it. I will happily continue buying it as long as it’s available!

As far as my preferred serums go, TJMaxx always seems to have Glow Elixir and Precision Beauty in stock and I am a fan of them both. Like the Goodness moisturizer, it was a no brainer decision to pick up a few in my tried and true Collagen + Vitamin C formula for a dose of radiance in my beauty routine. A scrub was also needed as I had just finished up one of my favorites by ValJean Labs. In fact, I used it up this very morning. I really enjoy their products and was hoping to find the same scrub to use again. The shelves were bare in that regard but I did find a ValJean Labs eye serum that I am looking forward to trying! I opted for a Vitamin C & Turmeric scrub by Skin 2.0 which is a brand I have never used before. I’ll get my introduction tomorrow so stay tuned for a review coming soon. 😀

Prezzies, skin care, and a bestie sighting – oh my! This TJMaxx trip had it all and I can’t wait to use the new to me products and gift my beloveds with what I found for them! ❤

Do you like to shop alone or with someone? What are your go to skin care brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug1

July 2026 Finishes

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July 2026 Finishes

Hello everyone and happy August! Also wait what? It’s August?! This summer is going by fast and I am not mad about it whatsoever. This summer has been hellacious and I am so ready to be wrapped up in the chilly comfort of fall. Before we dive into a new month, let’s time travel to one day ago because we must discuss my beauty finishes! I dropped the ball when I forgot about my June empties and took note of the mental note to not do that again lol. There are several good products in the mix for July so let’s take a look:

Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: ALWAYS

Precision Beauty Glow Up Vitamin C Serum: YES

Gold Bond Healing Lotion: MAYBE

Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Shower Gel: YES

Why/Why Not?

Precision Beauty Serum: I am a big fan of the Precision Beauty serums and have yet to find one that I didn’t like. The Glow Up Vitamin C serum, however, is my favorite. It takes me about five weeks of twice daily use to finish the bottle and I am impressed by it every day. This serum is rather thick and a little of it goes a very long way as just a smidgen packs a huge punch. The Glow Up formula leaves my skin bright and radiant even when I am feeling neither bright nor radiant lol. I am always amazed at how well rested and alert I look even when the hot days of summer screws up my sleeping schedule. Highly recommend if you are on the market for a new serum!

Gold Bond Lotion: Johnny purchased this bottle of lotion for applying on our tattoos that we got in April. It was the most fun day where myself, Johnny, and his aunt all got some ink! Truthfully, I don’t feel one way or another about this lotion but would use it again if it ended up at chez moi. I am extremely partial to my beloved Bath & Body Works lotion and rarely stray from it. BUT I used up the Gold Bond for one reason only: It has been hot AF and while I love the B&BW scents it was just too much in the heat. Sweating profusely to the aroma of a fruity or sweet fragrance is not my idea of a good time and it overwhelms me which is why I appreciated the scent free Gold Bond formula. Don’t get me wrong, it worked very well and left my skin feeling hydrated and nourished. But I am excited to get back to my favorite scents as summer draws to a close!

A Little Note: You all already know my love for Champagne Toast and my Evoluderm micellar water. I just wanted to mention that the mega bottle of Evoluderm lasts almost three months with twice daily use and it is such an awesome value. Definitely a steal if you find it at TJs. 🙂

Out with the old and in with the new! Keep tuning in on lifewithlilred as we tackle this new month together. Yay for it being almost fall!

What cools you off in extreme heat? Do you do well in really hot weather? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul21

Bath & Body Works July Freebie

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Bath & Body Works July Freebie

Hi! My family will soon be vacationing in Italy and I am SO beyond excited!! It is going to be a once in a life time trip and every day that passes is another day closer to hitting the airport and going off on an adventure. I decided to be the one in charge of assembling travel size products for everyone’s toiletry kit and there is no better place to do so than at Bath & Body Works. Thanks to their monthly freebie coupons, I have been able to snag travel size shower gels and lotions without paying one cent. The last shower gel I needed to get was for my brother and, unfortunately for him, there were no travel size men’s shower gels in stock. Fortunately for me, I was able to get a freebie for myself lol check it out:

B&BW does a preview of their Halloween collection every July and I just love it. I live for spooky season so the earlier Halloween themed goods arrive in store, the better. While my next freebie coupon will be reserved for my brother, I chose a travel size fragrance spray in Vampire Blood for my goodie. It’s actually perfect because I don’t have any travel size perfume and I’d rather not lug my full size bottle of B&BW spray across the world lol. It’s also double perfect because I am currently using one of their Halloween perfumes right now so I can keep with the theme in Italy. 😀

I Scream Float is my all time favorite Halloween scent by B&BW because it smells exactly like Diet Coke. And, as a DC fiend, that really speaks to me. However, Vampire Blood was my all time favorite before I Scream Float debuted last year. Vampire Blood is a dark mix of deep blackberries and raspberries and it is a delight to the senses… Usually. As I typed this, I attempted to spray the tiniest amount of this scent for a refresher sniff and ended up getting a huge spray straight to my nose smh. Consider myself refreshed! On the bright side, there are a whole lot worse things than Vampire Blood to be smelling all day now!

Another travel size product for Italy is checked off of my list which means more room in my bag for clothes and shoes to create OOTD magic!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

What is your favorite B&BW scent collection? Do you have any packing pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul8

June 2026 Finishes

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June 2026 Finishes

Hello everyone and WHOOPS! I totally forgot to make a post for my June beauty finishes smh so let’s throw it back to a handful of days ago and discuss now lol. In my defense, June was a crazy busy month, the craziness continued into July, and my June finishes were nothing to write home about. However, I will write about it on my blog so you know what to go for and what can be skipped on! Let’s take a ride in a time machine together and take a looksee:

Would I Use Again?

Bath & Body Works Bubblegum Pop Shower Gel: NO

Glow Elixir Collagen & Peptides Serum: MAYBE

Lanoline Manuka Honey Moisturizer: NO

Bath & Body Works Country Apple Fragrance Spray: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Shower Gel: I absolutely adored the Bubblegum Pop shower gel when I first started using it because what’s not to like? Sudsy, foamy bubbles that smell exactly like a big piece of bubblegum – sign me up! Then, this scent started to get really old, really fast. After continued use, I couldn’t stop thinking about Pepto Bismol every time I reached for the bottle and the Bubblegum Pop fragrance became almost sickeningly sweet. It takes me a month and change of daily use to finish a B&BW shower gel and I was ecstatic once I was officially done with it. I love the idea of this shower gel and that is about it lol.

Glow Elixir Serum: I have used Glow Elixir serums before but have never tried the Collagen & Peptides formula. This is one that I would get at TJMaxx if it was my only option as it fell under my “good but not great” category. The Glow Elixir serums are thin and runny but I always felt like my skin was nourished when I used their Hyaluronic Acid formulas. The Collagen & Peptides one just felt like a whole lot of nothing. My skin did feel hydrated when using this serum but that was all it had going for it and I noticed no real difference to my skin one way or the other. It took me one month of twice daily use to finish the bottle and it’s fine in a pinch but certainly not a go to.

Lanoline Moisturizer: Applying moisturizer is my favorite part of my skin care routine. I enjoy the ritual so much and it either starts my day or wraps it up. Because of this, I hold my moisturizers to a high standard and the Manuka Honey moisturizer by Lanoline simply wasn’t it. I liked the light, airy texture which was nice during the hot weather and it had a rich creamy fragrance but that was about it. Like the Glow Elixir serum, this was a product that was just there and offered no real results. After a month of twice daily use, I was SO ready to move onto another moisturizer in my stockpile!

B&BW Fragrance Spray: At last, we arrive at the only winner of the batch – the B&BW Country Apple Fragrance Spray. As you all know, I live for apple fragrances. I just can’t get enough of that sweet, juicy scent with a tart bite and Country Apple is one of my favorites. If you know what a freshly bitten apple smells like, then you know that this scent is an amplified version of that. I enjoyed doing my spritz and walk into the Country Apple goodness for a solid five months before walking out the door to work and it always put an extra pep in my step. I will always, always buy this one again!

This was lackluster group of beauty empties, indeed, but that’s okay. Now we all know what not to get for next time and also this is my mental note to not forget a beauty post at the end of July! 😀

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

Jun29

Bath & Body Works Foaming Hand Soap Haul

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Bath & Body Works Foaming Hand Soap Haul

Hi! You recently saw my Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale haul and it was a mighty fine one, indeed. I don’t know how much better it gets than nineteen products for sixty something bucks! Score! B&BW products are a staple at chez moi and it was so nice to restock all of our smell good supplies for a song by simply clicking “confirm order”. While I love my shower gels, lotions, and wall plugins, my favorite product of all time from B&BW are their foaming hand soaps. My bathroom simply wouldn’t be the same without them lol. I did purchase more of my must have soap in May but I couldn’t resist adding a few more to my cart during my Semi Annual Sale shopping. Check it out and let’s discuss these scents further:

Cotton Candy Grape: Grape scents can be hit or miss but I decided to go for Cotton Candy Grape anyways because the cotton candy aspect intrigued me. This scent was either going to be good or bad and, unfortunately, it is a no from me. Cotton Candy Grape features notes of “juicy grapes, fluffy cotton candy, and sugared citrus”. Individually, this all sounds great. Together, however, created a fragrance that smells straight up medicinal. In fact, I think it smells just like children’s cough medicine. This is definitely a fragrance line that you can skip on!

Gingham Gorgeous: I am a Gingham girl through and through and my haul included a body cream of the OG Gingham and a shower gel of Gingham Love. I snagged Gingham Gorgeous as a foaming hand soap just because and I wish I didn’t because this is, without a doubt, my least favorite from the Gingham line. Gingham Gorgeous offers notes of “pink strawberries, peach nectar, and peony blooms”. I can vaguely smell a hint of peach but, make no mistake, this is a floral scent through and through and I am so not a floral fan. So far we are striking out with these sniff tests but that’s the hazard of online shopping for fragrances so what can ya do lol.

Cucumber Melon: Thank goodness for Cucumber Melon because I knew I was going to like this one! The B&BW classic Cucumber Melon is just the best with notes of “crisp cucumber, watery honeydew, and juicy cantaloupe”. I actually hate honeydew and cantaloupe but I can’t get enough of this nostalgic scent! Cucumber Melon is summery, fresh, and brings me back to my early teens when I had a fragrance spray of this scent. It smells exactly as I remember it which is a true testament to if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!

Churro Cinnamon Bun: Mmmmmmm! “Fresh baked churros, cinnamon sugar, and a drizzle of icing”, this scent smells just as delicious as the scent description promises. Churro Cinnamon Bun is exactly what you think it is – a whiff of fresh baked, piping hot cinnamon rolls and it really smells good enough to eat. It is early morning as I write this and it seriously made me hungry when I did the sniff test lol. I would happily buy this one again and happily take a break to eat some breakfast soon. 😀

This haul was half duds and half winners but at least I know what not to get next time and so do you!

Did you shop the B&BW Semi Annual Sale? How many products did you get? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun27

Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale Haul

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Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale Haul

Hi! In early June I am always on the lookout for mail from Bath & Body Works to alert me to the Semi Annual Sale start date. I mark the date on the calendar as soon as it arrives and count down the days until I can shop till I drop! The B&BW Semi Annual Sale is just the best and I love stocking up on products for myself and Johnny for a fraction of the price. You simply can’t beat getting an eighteen dollar shower gel for three bucks and it’s so fun to spoil myself with old favorites and new to me scents. I scored nineteen products in this haul for about sixty-five dollars and I think we will be pretty well set on smell goods for a while! Check it out:

Did I go a little product crazy? Maybe! But, honestly, no I didn’t lol. This is me fully and completely justifying this purchase because it’s just too good of a deal to pass up. And it’s not like these products are sitting on a shelf to never be used – B&BW smell goods are used daily and constantly at my apartment. Why not get them for dirt cheap?! And, before anyone asks, the answer is: YES. I am, in fact, already looking forward to the winter Semi Annual Sale. Lol, what can I say? It’s my time to shine!

Stay tuned for a review on the hand soaps as they are all new to me scents. Today, let’s take a closer look at the shower gels so we can talk about my favorite discontinued scent of all…PEARBERRY!!!! 😀

After Dark: A little something for the fellas! After Dark features fragrance notes of “spiced bergamot, amber, and smooth tonka”.
All of this is a fancy way to say that it smells like Old Spice! This scent basically smells like every scent ever made in men’s products and I’m not saying it’s not nice. After Dark actually smells really good! However, if you don’t want to pay sixteen dollars for a bottle of this shower gel, Old Spice is definitely the way to go. I wouldn’t buy this shower gel at full price which is why I got it for three bucks instead. 🙂

Gingham Love: The OG Gingham is one of my all time favorite B&BW scents and I always have the fragrance in some form at chez moi. Gingham Love comes in a very close second, though! This scent provides the breezy, freshly laundered crispness of Gingham that I love with a very berry twist. Gingham Love offers notes of “sugared red berries, blushing freesia, and rose meringue” and it is heavenly. With one whiff I am in raspberry heaven and I was so happy to score this shower gel on the cheap!

Pearberry: It wouldn’t be a Semi Annual Sale without Pearberry and I wish that B&BW would come to their senses and just bring it back for good. Until then, I have to stock up when I get the chance! This blast of throwback nostalgia has a ton of different notes like “anjou pear, wild berries, apple blossom, golden freesia, and blonde woods”. All of this is meaningless lol. Have you ever smelled a pear? Have you ever smelled berries? That is Pearberry in a nutshell! Juicy and soft pear, tart raspberries, and a hint of strawberry, this is a fruit salad scent to the T and it is absolutely delicious. I love it SO. Damn. Much!!!!! ❤

Stick around for the last of the reviews from this haul and a concert OOTD coming soon!

Which stores offer the best deals? Did you shop the B&BW Semi Annual Sale? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun26

Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer Review

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Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer Review

Howdy! I finished up one of the best moisturizers I have ever used in May and was sad to see it go but eager to try something new. As I browsed through my skin care stash, I decided to go for the jar of Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer as it has SPF 40 to help protect my skin from the summer sun. The Supergoop! brand is brand new to me and, honestly, I think I got it from TJMaxx more for the name than anything else lol. While the brand name is an absolute hoot, the moisturizer leaves a lot to be desired. So much so, that I even considered not using it altogether. However, you all know that I refuse to not finish a product I started so here I am venting in this lackluster review:

In theory, the Triple Prep moisturizer should be exactly what I like: A light product for normal skin types with the added bonus of SPF. In practice, this moisturizer is just not it and I’m not sure if the problem is the product itself or the combination of skin care that I’m using. My skin care routine is tried and true: Cleanse, tone with micellar water, serum, eye cream, moisturizer. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. Every morning and night, the last step of the routine with moisturizer comes to a grinding halt because when I apply and blend with the Supergoop! it turns gritty. Like I can literally feel it flaking off as I rub it in and that can’t be normal! Interestingly, this moisturizer has gotten stellar reviews but there are a handful of people who share the same sentiment as me so we must be part of the unlucky few.

Not only does this moisturizer not apply or blend well but it also clogged my pores like a mother and that never happens. For the first five or so days of use, my skin had a lot of unsightly bumps that almost looked like whiteheads and I just had to let it run its course. Now, I use barely a dime size amount which seems to have solved the clogged pores problem but it still peels during application. I just can’t win with this moisturizer! The Supergoop! Triple Prep is going for close to fifty dollars on Ulta and I am SO glad I got it for a TJMaxx price because I would be livid if I spent that much on a dud. Use at your own discretion!

For all of the excellent reviews of the Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer, I am one of the naysayers. Just be warned that you really don’t know what you’re going to get if you give this product a try!

Have you used the Supergoop! brand before? Did you enjoy their products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun20

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hi! When I went on my TJMaxx birthday gift card shopping spree with my mom I had two goals: 1) Find a new pair of sneakers. And 2) Restock my skin care. Everything else that was purchased was just the cherry on top! For my birthday and Christmas, I am often blessed with beaucoup bucks to TJs and like doing my semi annual skin care restock with those funds. It’s so nice to get everything I need for my skin care routine without paying a dime and I always enjoy trying out new to me brands and revisiting old favorites. I think this gift card haul will definitely tide me over for a while! Check it out:

My skin care routine goes a little something like this. Step 1) Wash my face with a scrub and then use a foaming cleanser. Step 2) Apply micellar water. Step 3: Serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. This is the setup that best works for me and I have never strayed from it. All I need are the products to make it happen! When it comes to shopping for skin care, I don’t really care what brand I’m using as long as it’s cruelty free. I have a very normal skin type so I can get away with dabbling in different formulas and product outcomes. It makes visiting the skin care department in TJMaxx exciting because I truly never know what I am going to end up with!

In this haul, I walked away with more of my beloved Evoluderm micellar water which I always need as well as a few new serums, moisturizers, a cleanser, and eye cream. I am particularly looking forward to trying the ValJean Labs serum because I have never seen them at TJs before and am crazy about their cleansers. If this serum is half as nice as the foaming cleanser that I use every morning then I know I am in for a treat. I also can’t wait to try the new to me Goodness brand for the moisturizer and eye cream. Part of it is for the experience, of course, but a bigger part of it is making a review for all of you. I will be finishing up my current moisturizer in the next few days so be on the lookout for a brand new product review coming soon!

I came, I saw, I shopped and had the best afternoon on the town with my mom. There is nothing better than being in our happy place together! ❤

How often do you restock your skin care? Does your skin care routine change in the summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser Review

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ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser Review

Howdy!! I am an avid fan of the skin care brand, ValJean Labs, and have really enjoyed their Radiant Glow Scrub and Hydrate Foaming Cleanser. Their products are so gentle but effective, super long lasting, and cruelty free. During my last skin care haul at TJMaxx, I purchased the Deep Cleansing foaming cleanser with salicylic acid and tea tree and have been using it for the past two weeks or so. It is such a refreshing pick me up every morning and I have been loving the results! Let’s discuss:

The Deep Cleansing foaming cleanser by ValJean Labs is fabulousness in a bottle. I seriously can’t even begin to describe to you how invigorating it is! It’s like an icy cool blast but not in a harsh way – more like in a “Hey! Wake up!” kind of way lol. This bubbly, sudsy cleanser leaves my skin tingling and I can still feel that little buzz hours after my morning shower. Although the key ingredients of salicylic acid and tea tree are known to dry skin out, it has not had that effect on me in the slightest. My skin still feels so well nourished and it has beat my blackheads to boot!

This cleanser also features a scrub brush which is an especially nice touch. I have never seen that offered on a face wash before whether it be high end products at Sephora or bargain shopping at TJMaxx. I got this cleanser for six dollars and it feels like such a steal! After washing my face with my hands, I like to take the time to use the scrub brush and it’s just like getting a mini facial. The bristles are quite soft and I love knowing that it’s getting to all of the nooks and crannies that you won’t get from a regular hand wash. I’ll definitely be keeping the scrub brush even after this cleanser is complete for further use. 😀

If you are on the hunt for a new cleanser, I highly recommend anything by ValJean Labs! This Deep Cleansing face wash will be perfect for washing away the grime and sweat from summer days!

What is your favorite skin care brand? Are you loyal to one brand or do you use anything? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah