Tag Archives: products

Dec23

Bath & Body Works Holiday Scents

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Bath & Body Works Holiday Scents

Hellooooo darlings! It has been a FAT minute since I received any coupons from Bath & Body Works in the mail. Honestly, I get it though because I literally never buy anything lol. I cash in my freebie coupons, I do my foaming hand soap hauls, and that is about it. Hopefully this most recent purchase of holiday scented soap will put me back in B&BW’s good graces because your girl is running desperately low on shower gel and lotion!! Fingers crossed! As I eagerly await some mail from B&BW, let’s chit chat more about their holiday scents. We’ll start with three today and do the remainder tomorrow:

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^^^ Very aware that Peach Bellini isn’t a holiday scent, but it’s my fave so I always have to buy it! 😀

Pink Sparkling Spritz: This might just be one of the best ones from the Bath & Body Works holiday/winter line. It is bright, poppy, and oh so delightful with notes of “bubbly ginger ale, pink sugar, and raspberry fizz”. It kind of reminds me of another B&BW scent called Champagne Toast (or as Johnny would say, Champagne AND Toast). Imagine that Champagne Toast is a dry champagne. Pink Sparkling Spritz, on the other hand, is sweet as can be and always goes down smooth! 10/10 would recommend!

Vanilla Bean Noel: I have always been fond of Vanilla Bean Noel and am thrilled that B&BW brings it back time and time again. I am a huge vanilla fan and this scent is simply scrumptious with hints of “fresh vanilla bean, warm caramel, and sugar cookies”. Freaking YUM! Also, major shout out to one of the employees who looked all around the store to find my Vanilla Bean Noel for me. I would have been SO disappointed if they were completely out of stock because it has become one of my holiday scent staples.

Golden Berry Mistletoe: I feel very in the middle about Golden Berry Mistletoe. It’s nice, yes, but it isn’t my favorite. Why did I buy it, then? Because I was freaking sick of smelling everything lol! I was starting to go nose blind so I just went for it. This scent features notes of “sparkling berries, sugared spruce, and frosted air”. Whatever frosted air means. If you are looking for a softer holiday fragrance, Golden Berry Mistletoe is a safe bet. If you want something that packs more of a punch, however, you should skip on this one.

So far so good with this holiday hand soap haul! Stay tuned tomorrow because we will be talking Twisted Peppermint, Frosted Cranberry, and Snowy Peachberry. I bet you can already guess which one is my favorite! 😉

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works holiday scent? What is your least favorite holiday scent (I HATE cinnamon and pine!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec18

5 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Laundry

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5 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Laundry

You might think that there isn’t anything that could go too wrong with your laundry. However, if you want to keep the quality, color, and reliability of your clothes, then you had better be ready to offer them the care that they need. Here, we’re going to look at all-too-common mistakes people make when doing laundry, and what you can do to prevent them:

Not sorting them by color:

Yes, you still need to sort your clothes by color. Dark clothes should be washed with dark clothes, light with light, and white with white. We have heard a lot of people saying that many modern t-shirts don’t really require this as much because production doesn’t use dye that can come off in the wash. Unless you know precisely how each piece of clothing is going to act when swirling in hot water together, don’t chance it.

Not following the instructions on the tag:

You might think that the instructions on the tag are just a suggestion and that nothing bad is likely to happen if you don’t follow them. Or, you might be like many people who never check the tag at all when washing clothes. If that happens, then you should expect tearing, shrinking, or stretching as a matter of course. If you want to keep your clothes like new, you have to follow their instructions.

Neglecting to check for optical brighteners:

This is a tip that a lot of people don’t know about. There are laundry detergents out there, sold with the express intent of washing clothes, that don’t really wash them too well. Optical brighteners are a somewhat common ingredient. Rather than focusing on washing them, getting out stains, and keeping them fresh, these detergents act as a sort of dye, brightening the laundry instead. Needless to say, most people want their clothes washed, not just having the appearance of being washed.

Keeping the temperature too high:

Another common mistake is thinking that “hotter is better.” Yes, in higher temperatures, dirt and stains might be able to dissolve more easily. However, this is also worse for your clothes, making them more likely to stretch and lose their consistency, as the high temperatures also add wear and tear to the mix. A cold wash can do your clothes a lot of good and uses less energy than usual.

Not cleaning your washing machine:

You have to take care of your washing machine for it to take care of you. Mold, mildew, detergent residue, and hard water buildups can begin to affect the effectiveness of your clean, as well as the health of the machine. A self-clean cycle with a good washing machine cleaner is all you need.

Many of the mistakes above can be a force of habit, so you might not realize exactly what the problem is until you stop it, and find the alternative a lot better. These tips will help you end up with cleaner, fresher clothes, that don’t suffer any unexpected changes in the process of washing them!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov17

Embrace Green Beauty With Washable Skincare Essentials

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Embrace Green Beauty With Washable Skincare Essentials

Imagine a world where your beauty routine aligns perfectly with your values of protecting the planet. This world isn’t a distant dream; it’s a reality you can start living now. As you explore sustainable beauty, you’ll discover an array of washable skincare essentials that care for your skin and cherish our planet. This guide will unveil the secrets of transitioning to a sustainable beauty regimen, focusing on a critical element revolutionizing skincare: washable skincare essentials:

Understanding Sustainable Skincare:

As you delve into the world of sustainable beauty, you might wonder what exactly makes a beauty routine ‘sustainable.’ At its core, sustainable skincare is about choices that respect the earth and its resources. It’s a commitment to products and practices that minimize environmental impact and support ethical, responsible sourcing.

What is Sustainable Beauty?

Sustainable beauty, for you, means embracing products and practices that have a lesser environmental footprint. It’s about saying ‘no’ to single-use plastics and unnecessary waste and ‘yes’ to reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable options. When you choose a sustainable beauty path, you’re not just deciding for yourself; you’re making a statement about the kind of world you want to live in.

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Skincare Products:

Recognizing the impact traditional skincare products have on our environment is crucial. Countless disposable wipes, cotton pads, and plastic-packaged products end up in landfills and oceans, contributing to pollution and harming wildlife. You might feel that your choices are just a drop in the bucket, but remember, every drop counts. By shifting your focus to sustainable options, you’re part of a growing wave of conscious consumers driving a positive change for our planet.

Benefits of Switching to Washable Products:

Switching to washable skincare products comes with many benefits beyond just being kind to the planet. These reusable items can be more cost-effective in the long run. Think about how often you buy disposable wipes or cotton pads. With washable alternatives, you invest once and reuse many times, saving money and reducing waste. Additionally, many of these washable options are made with gentler, more natural materials, which can be kinder to your skin.

Washable Makeup Remover Pads: A Game Changer:

Among the various washable skincare products, one stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness: washable makeup remover pads. These pads are a game changer in your skincare routine. They work just like the disposable ones but without the guilt of adding to landfill waste. Soft, gentle, and practical, these pads can be used with your favorite cleanser or micellar water to remove makeup and be easily washed and reused. By incorporating washable makeup remover pads into your routine, you’re taking care of your skin and doing your part in reducing environmental waste.

Incorporating Washable Essentials into Your Routine:

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Choosing the Right Products:

First, pick washable products that suit your skin. If you have sensitive skin, look for soft materials like organic cotton. There are also options with a bit of texture for gentle exfoliation. The goal is to find eco-friendly products that meet your skincare needs.

Caring for Your Washable Skincare Products:

To keep your washable products in good shape, rinse them after use and wash them with your regular laundry. Put them in a mesh bag to keep them together. Avoid fabric softeners to maintain their absorbency. Air-drying is best to keep them soft and effective for a long time.

Embracing sustainable beauty routines is more than just a trend; it’s a commitment to a healthier planet and a more conscious lifestyle. By incorporating washable skincare essentials into your routine, you’re taking a significant step towards reducing your environmental impact. These simple changes in your daily beauty regimen can have a profound effect not only on the environment but also on your well-being and finances!

Oct30

October 2023 Finishes

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October 2023 Finishes

Hello!! October is drawing to a close which means it’s time to discuss my beauty product finishes for the month. Although I wish it could be Halloween season all year round, I am pretty excited about November lol. Am I the only one who has been craving Thanksgiving food something fierce?! 😀 In October, I used up a lot of products that I have been working on for a while and most of them were A-okay in my book. Take a look and let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

Bath & Body Works Gingham Gorgeous Lotion: MAYBE

Bath & Body Works Poppy Shower Gel: YES!!!!!

Pearlessence Dewy Glow Serum: YES

Clean Beauty Deep Hydration Moisturizer: MAYBE

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES

The Body Shop Shea Butter Hand Cream: MAYBE

Renew Intensive Skin Therapy Hand Cream: MAYBE

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Lotion: I love the lotions by Bath & Body Works and think that they work marvelously. However, I just could not get behind the Gingham Gorgeous scent. This lotion smelled like a flower shop on steroids and it was a bit much. While I normally never really care about a lotion’s scent because I only use it at nighttime, I was SO ready for this one to be over! Of course, I’d use it if I got it as a gift but I wouldn’t select Gingham Gorgeous for myself again. It took over one month of daily use to finish the bottle.

B&BW Shower Gel: Now, Poppy was a scent that I would definitely use again! It was fantastic and Johnny loved it too lol. Poppy was fruity and sweet but not overly so and it was so nice to use every morning. I really enjoyed the notes of pear and I was sad when I ran out. This is a scent that I think anyone would like and I would happily use it again. It took over one month of daily use to finish the bottle.

Pearlessence Serum: The Dewy Glow Serum by Pearlessence is one that I use frequently from TJMaxx and it hits just right every time. This serum is a bit thicker in texture, but absorbs really quickly and sits well under makeup. I think it definitely helps to revitalize my skin in the morning – especially when I am feeling super tired. I love how fresh my face looks with each use and will always get myself a bottle of it when it’s available at TJs. It took me about a month of twice daily use to finish the bottle.

Clean Beauty Moisturizer: I am kind of torn about the Clean Beauty Deep Hydration Moisturizer. On one hand, I am a huge fan of its value. It took me at least five and a half weeks of twice daily use to finish the jar. On the other hand, I have never noticed mind blowing results from this moisturizer. This is not the first time I have used it and I had similar sentiments every time. If there is nothing else available at TJs, I’d buy it again but otherwise I would skip on it.

Hand Creams: I have been steadily dwindling down the random hand creams I own and both The Body Shop and Renew creams were fine. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to get them again. Neither of them exceeded my expectations in any way, but they would be nice to have handy on the go during the wintertime.

I am really pleased with my October empties overall. Although there were several “maybes” none of them were completely awful and I consider that a GREAT SUCCESS!!

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

 

 

Oct22

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hello!! During my last shopping trip to TJMaxx, I went with the intention of finishing up my in store Christmas shopping and I am pleased to say that I did. The last thing that I want is to be in a crowded store, browsing through a picked over selection as the holiday season gets closer! Of course, I couldn’t say no to a few treats for myself either and I’m amazed I made it this long into my early shopping without purchasing a gift for myself too lol! While I was at TJs, I decided to restock the skin care items I needed to get me through the rest of the year. Now, I really don’t need to be in a store until 2024. 😀 Check it out:

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^^^ All of these products are cruelty free!

Thanks to previous Skin Care Hauls from TJs, my beauty care hoard was still fairly well stocked. However, it wasn’t good enough to bring me into the new year and that was the goal. The first order of business was more of my beloved micellar water by Evoluderm. I am halfway through my last bottle in the stock pile and that simply won’t do! There have been several products that I have gotten from TJs that I have loved and never seen in stock again. Thankfully, that is never the case with my micellar water and there was still plenty to spare on the shelves after picking up three bottles!

As a rule, I like to have three of each item in my beauty routine readily available. I was all set for eye cream but definitely needed to achieve my perfect balance for moisturizer and serum. For a new moisturizer, I found a Palmer’s cocoa butter night cream that I think will be fantastic. I am a fan of anything cocoa butter and I’m sure this cream will be lovely once it starts getting really cold out. I also went with a collagen serum by Provence Beauty. I wasn’t particularly thrilled with the skin care options during this shopping trip as a majority of the products weren’t cruelty free. I probably would have selected a different serum if more choices were available, but maybe this one will surprise me.

The last item on my restock list was a new face wash and I am excited to try the Hydrate Foaming Cleanser by ValJean Labs. I have never heard of this brand before, but foaming cleansers are my absolute favorite. A foaming formula always makes my skin feel squeaky clean without drying it out and I was glad to find one for the winter months. The brand name also reminds me of my niece’s name, Valerie Jane, so it was like a sign that I had to get it! 😀

With my beauty hoard fully intact again and my in store holiday shopping complete, I am thrilled to be done. Now, all that’s left to do is online shop till I drop for the remainder of my gifts and it will be smooth sailing all the way till Christmas Day! 🙂

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? What are your winter skin care staples? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct3

Bath & Body Works October Freebie

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Bath & Body Works October Freebie

Hello! After having COVID, I felt like I had a billion things to do! Disinfecting our COVID lair, getting caught up with work, and tons of errands. Even though it has been busy, busy – it feels good to be well enough to be doing anything! No errand day would be complete without a trip to Bath & Body Works and I was excited to cash in my October freebie coupon. This month, it was a free hand cream and although I am not a huge fan of this product by B&BW, free is free! I chose the Find Serenity hand cream from their Aromatherapy line in Mimosa & Spearmint:

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This trip to B&BW was an interesting one because my sense of smell is lacking thanks to COVID. So, I simply went in, grabbed a tube of hand cream at my whimsy, checked out, and left. I chose the Mimosa & Spearmint scent because I was intrigued. I genuinely thought that it was going to smell like an actual mimosa and, sadly, that wasn’t the case. In fact, I still have no idea what this “mimosa” is that they speak of! Hold on… Let’s give it a Google…

OH – It’s a flower! Okay, that makes much more sense than a hand cream smelling like an alcoholic beverage haha. Now that that mystery has been solved, let’s talk about this scent! From what I can smell of it – it doesn’t really smell like anything. It’s not really floral, it’s not really minty, it’s just neutral. I read the reviews for Mimosa & Spearmint to see if it was my COVID nose playing tricks on me and I am pleased to report that that wasn’t the case! This scent seemed to be a headscratcher for those who purchased it because it wasn’t true to its description. That is fine by me, though, because good or bad, I don’t care about the scent of lotion since I only wear it before bed. I’m just happy my sense of smell was accurate! 😀

Is this a must buy from B&BW? Who’s to say? If you are looking for a fresh, neutral scent then go for it. If you are looking for something that packs more of a punch, then you can definitely skip on Mimosa (It’s a flower!) & Spearmint.

When did your sense of smell fully return after having COVID? Who is excited for the Bath & Body Works Christmas line? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep26

September 2023 Finishes

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September 2023 Finishes

Hellooooo darlings! September is drawing to a close and that means it’s time to discuss my beauty finishes for the month. August empties left me less than impressed and this month was only slightly better. As always, it’s no harm no foul because trying new products is fun and I like to let my readers know which ones aren’t worth their money. Not everything can be a winner, amiright?! Let’s take a look at my September Finishes and chat some more about the oh yeahs and the oh nos: 

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^^^ Totally forgot to add the Bath & Body Works lotion to my empties shot lol WHOOPS

Would I Use Again:

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES

Purifect Bright Vibes Only Serum: NO

Hope Soap Vanilla & Fig Body Nectar: MAYBE

goodhabit Rescue Me Water Jelly Dew Cream: YES!!

Bath & Body Works Everlasting Magic Body Cream: YES

Why/Why Not?

Purifect Serum: I was SO excited to try the Bright Vibes Only Vitamin C Serum by Purifect. The packaging was adorable, first and foremost, and I love the bonus boost of radiance from Vitamin C products. Sadly, this one massively missed the mark. This serum was really thin in texture and it almost felt like I was splashing water onto my face when I was applying it. The bottle was quite small and a lot of serum was needed to fully cover my face and neck. Within three weeks, the bottle was empty and I never noticed any positive changes in my skin’s appearance. Even if I did, I wouldn’t buy it again because it simply wasn’t a long lasting product and a poor value for my money.

Hope Soap Lotion: I received this product as a gift and it is from a local boutique in my neck of the woods. While I always support shopping local, I am less than impressed with the Body Nectar by Hope Soap. The Vanilla & Fig scent is delightful and I love the whipped texture of the lotion. However, I never felt like my skin benefited from using it. It just didn’t seem as effective as a lotion from Bath & Body Works, for example, and I wouldn’t use it again unless it were gifted to me. A+ in scent and texture, F in effectiveness.

goodhabit Moisturizer: Now, this is a product that I LOVED. You can read more about it in the review linked above. What I will say, is that this is one of the best moisturizers that I have ever used. Yes, the Smurf blue color is slightly off putting lol, but that doesn’t take away from the excellence of this moisturizer. It was long lasting, my skin felt baby soft after each use, and I would be ecstatic if I found it again at TJMaxx – I would buy every single one available!

B&BW Body Cream: I am a huge fan of the body creams by Bath & Body Works and the Everlasting Magic scent was an absolute delight. To me, it smelled like rich plum, ripe blackberries, and the softest notes of floral. I loved being able to use it every night and it makes it even better that it was completely free! I am very impressed by the effectiveness of the B&BW body creams and my skin felt hydrated and nourished throughout the entire day from it. Highly recommend!

There were some winners and some big losers in my September Finishes and that’s A-okay. In fact, I’m thrilled to even be writing this post because October is right around the corner and that means Halloween!! Bring on the spookiest month of the year, baby! 😀

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above 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

Sep12

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hello!! On Labor Day, I had the potential to go into work but as luck would have it, I had the day off. Johnny and I made the most of our free day by visiting his parents, going grocery shopping at Aldi, and shopping at TJMaxx. I was fresh out of moisturizer and needed to do a restock of my beauty hoard. And, of course, I never say no to early holiday shopping and treats like a gorgeous new sweater you will see tomorrow! The skin care department was severely lacking during this trip, but I managed to walk away with the following:

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Normally, it doesn’t take me long to pick out skin care when I’m at TJs. I know which brands I like and are cruelty free so it’s just a matter of locating them and filling up my cart. This time around, I couldn’t find any of my go to brands! I was really hoping to find another jar of the Rescue Me moisturizer by goodhabit, but it was nowhere to be found. To add salt to the wound, the majority of the selection was from brands that weren’t cruelty free. I spent SO long going through all of the moisturizers and serums and coming up empty handed. Not that I mind the thrill of the hunt for skin care, but even I was getting annoyed!

For moisturizers, I ended up with three jars that I probably wouldn’t have bought if the pickings weren’t so slim. I’m sure they will be fine and maybe I’ll end up liking them, but I am always partial to a gel based moisturizer! These were the literal only cruelty free ones I could find and were relatively cheap at six bucks a pop so what can you do? I also found a serum that I am kind of interested in trying out with all of that shimmer. I love a touch of glitter and I’m hoping it will bring a pop of brightness during the grey months of fall and winter.

One final thing that caught my eye was some floss picks, which I also happened to be running low on. Rather than making a separate trip to Giant Eagle for them, I thought I’d give these plant based picks a go. You never know what you’ll find at TJMaxx! I have taken my oral health very seriously since my raging success at my last periodontist appointment. Floss picks have become a must have staple for me and it makes me feel good to be taking much better care of my teeth. I’m just hoping these plant based picks will be as durable as the ones that I usually use!

Am I thrilled with this TJMaxx Skin Care Haul? Not particularly and it was a very lackluster showing on TJ’s part. On the bright side, these are all new to me products and it’s always fun to test out new brands. We’ll see what happens!

What are your must have beauty products? What is your favorite cruelty free brand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug31

August 2023 Finishes

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August 2023 Finishes

Hello everyone! I blinked and we are already at the last day of August! The end of the month means that it’s time to discuss my finished beauty and skin care products. This post will be short and sweet because I only used up two – in July I had seven empties to discuss! Let’s take a look at my August Finishes and chat some more because they were both duds lol:

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Would I Use Again?

Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum: NO

Goop Glow Vita-C Brightening Eye Cream: NO

Why/Why Not?

Honest Serum: This is the second product by Honest Beauty that I have used and I was expecting a bit more from the Vitamin C Radiance Serum. I was most impressed by Honest’s Calm & Heal Melting Balm and was hoping for another rave review. I wanted to like the Vitamin C serum, but it just didn’t do anything for me. I loved its shimmery orange hue and that’s about it. I needed a decent amount of serum to fully cover my face and neck. Despite the bigger bottle, it was finished in under a month. In that time, I noticed no positive changes in my complexion. I suppose my skin looked a tad brighter, but literally any serum can do that. This is one you can definitely skip on.

Goop Glow Eye Cream: I received this product as a freebie during my Sephora Birthday Haul and it was pretty good. This was actually a nice free item to receive because the tiny jar lasted me over two weeks of morning and night use. I did notice the skin around my eyes to be brighter and a lightening in my under eye circles. However, I simply refuse to pay fifty-eight dollars for a full size jar of it. That’s ridiculous and even if it were at TJMaxx it would still be too expensive. It’s another no from me, dawg.

My empties for August were not anything to write home about. That’s okay, though, because they can’t all be winners and whether I like the products or not, it’s always fun to try something new. See you in September!

What products did you finish this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above 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

 

Aug30

goodhabit Rescue Me Water Jelly Dew Cream Review

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goodhabit Rescue Me Water Jelly Dew Cream Review

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new skin care review on lifewithlilred! Today, we are going to be talking about the Rescue Me Water Jelly Dew Cream by goodhabit. I have been using it for the past month and still have a little ways to go and I have been loving it. Johnny really likes it too and it has treated his forever dry forehead well lol. The only thing we still can’t quite wrap our mind around is the color of this moisturizer! Take a look:

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I will never forget when I opened this moisturizer for the first time and my first impression was simply “Smurf blue”. I always open a new moisturizer expecting a white or off white color so you could color me surprised when the Water Jelly Dew Cream just wasn’t haha. After the initial shock of all blue everything, I was able to appreciate the delightful aquatic scent this moisturizer has. It is so crisp and refreshing! This product also fully lives up to the name of a Jelly Dew Cream because it feels exactly like jelly and jiggles like it too. 😀

Applying the goodhabit moisturizer is like giving your skin an instant hydration boost. You barely need any of it to fully cover your face and neck – a little goes a very long way, but just a little packs a huge punch. This moisturizer absorbs really fast, sits well under makeup, and my skin has never looked or felt better. My face feels SO insanely soft and it looks fresh and bright… almost as if I am well rested for once in my life! I am going to be so sad once it is all gone and I think Johnny will be too!

If you are on the market for a new moisturizer, I can’t recommend goodhabit’s Rescue Me Water Jelly Dew Cream (that’s a mouthful!) enough. I am hoping that I find more during my next TJMaxx shopping trip because I could imagine it being most helpful for dry skin during the fall and winter!

What is your favorite skin care brand? Have you used any goodhabit products before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah