Tag Archives: scrub

Jan10

Lush Vampire Kisses Lip Scrub Review

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Lush Vampire Kisses Lip Scrub Review

Hello!!! This winter, my skin hasn’t been too bad in terms of dryness but my lips are a completely different story. It feels like they have been chapped constantly and in the eternal words of Napoleon Dynamite, my lips hurt real bad. I am in a never ending battle of applying and reapplying chapstick and I have yet to come out victorious. However, I think I found my new secret weapon that was gifted to me by my bestie this Christmas – a lip scrub from Lush! Check it out and let’s discuss:

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My sweet Kate of Live In The Nautical hooked it up this Christmas with a care package of Halloween themed Lush goodies including the Vampire Kisses scrub. I am convinced that all Lush products have magic in them because they always seem to leave a noticeable difference after just one use, which was certainly the case with the scrub. In fact, I used it for the first time about a half hour before writing this post and it is the most soothed that my lips have felt all winter.

To start with, the Sour Grape scent smelled amazing and tasted just as good! I love the smell of artificial grape because it smells purple if that makes sense? Even if it doesn’t, just know that it was a delight and there was nothing sour about it. As I was applying it, I definitely consumed some and at first I was like “oh shit” and then I remembered it was a sugar scrub lol yum! 😀

I left the scrub on as I showered and washed it off during my cleanser routine and I could feel right away how effective it was. The Vampire Kisses scrub helped to remove all of the dead skin that was halting the healing process. It left my lips feeling so completely smooth and well hydrated thanks to shea butter being one of its ingredients. I also felt like the chapstick I applied afterwards was able to actually work because it wasn’t just sitting on top of flaky skin.

I am so eager to use the Vampire Kisses scrub by Lush again now that I know how well it works. I highly recommend it if you’re suffering from chapped lips and my only regret is that I don’t have one of their lip balms to use afterwards. I think I see an online Lush order in my future!

What is your remedy for chapped lips? What is your favorite Lush product? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov9

SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar Scrub Review

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SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar Scrub Review

Hello! I have been sitting on some new skin care from TJMaxx and have finally had the chance to use a Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar scrub by SpaScriptions that I bought in September. I have been using it every morning for about a month now and it is, easily, one of the best scrubs that I have ever used. My only regret is that there was only one of them at TJs because I would have happily bought ten of them! If you are looking for a gentle scrub to help ease dry skin this winter, then this is the one for you. Let’s discuss:

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^^^ This product is Leaping Bunny certified.

I had two first impressions when it came to the SpaScriptions scrub (Try saying that five times fast!): 1) The color was so pretty – like lavender pixie dust and 2) It smelled just like candy. These are small things but it enhances the experience every time I use it and the sugary scent is a nice perk me up in the morning! A little of this product also goes such a long way because it lathers up like crazy into a foam, making it so easy to work into your skin. The amount that you can see squeezed onto my hand is all you need for your face and neck, making for a great value. After one month of daily use, I have barely finished half of the bottle.

What I like the most about this scrub, other than out well it works, is the texture of it. It’s more like a cream cleanser with a bit of extra grit from the sugar rather than a full on scrub. With cold winter days drawing ever closer, it is the perfect option for removing dead or dry skin without drying your face out even more. Every time I use this scrub, my skin feels so soft and looks simply radiant. Saying these past few months have been tiring for me is a severe understatement but my skin never looks it!

The SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar scrub is one that I would most definitely use again. It checks all of my boxes of being cruelty free, an excellent value at just five bucks, and fully effective. I think that you will like it, too, if you give it a shot!

How often do you restock your skin care? Where is your favorite place to shop skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun28

June 2022 Finishes

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June 2022 Finishes

Hello everyone!! My birth month is drawing to a close and it has been a whirlwind time indeed. Between birthday celebrations and working with new clients, I have been busy but in the best way! No matter how jam packed of a schedule I have, I always have time for my daily beauty routines and am so happy to have finished up products this past month that felt never ending. Let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: This micellar water is a TJMaxx find and I was thrilled to be able to buy more of it during a haul this past February. I loved it as soon as I tried it at least a year ago and *pun intended* it blows the Garnier micellar water out of the water! The Evoluderm micellar water removes makeup effortlessly and feels so nourishing to the skin. It leaves my face feeling refreshed, hydrated, and clean. It took me about a month and a half to finish one bottle.

B&BW Shower Gel: Pearberry is a retired scent from Bath & Body Works and I always have to snag more of it during their Semi-Annual Sale. I love fruity fragrances and Pearberry’s crisp scent of juicy pears mixed with tart berries was so invigorating every morning. I was very sad to finish this bottle because it was my last one and it took me close to two months to use it up.

St. Ives Scrub: I used to love me a St. Ives scrub until I learned that they are not the best for your skin lol. Unfortunately, you all know that I simply refuse to not use up a product so I finished the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub out of spite. Although I wouldn’t use a St. Ives scrub again once I’m done with the one I’m currently using, I will say that they would be the bomb if it didn’t use crushed walnut shell as the exfoliant. It took me about a month and a half to finish this scrub.

Provence Beauty Serum: I have been having some fun testing out new serums after I felt like I reached the limit of effectiveness with my normal Tree Of Life serums. I found the Provence Beauty Vitamin C serum to be pretty good and I would probably buy it again if I didn’t have any other options at TJMaxx. My main qualm with this product is how liquidy it is. It had the tendency to fall right out of your hand after using the dropper and it didn’t feel as nourishing as I would like. However, I did notice a difference in the brightness of my skin. It took me five weeks of twice daily use to finish it.

Hope Soap Lotion: I received this lotion from a local shop in my neck of the woods as a Christmas gift. The Gingerbread Caramel scent was divine and it smelled good enough to eat. It also did make my hands feel nice and smooth, without a doubt. Although, similarly to the Provence Beauty serum, its texture was very runny. I prefer a thicker lotion at nighttime so this was definitely a negative factor for me. It also took for freaking ever to use up and took over four months (And accidentally dropping it!) of once a day use to finish it. If I were gifted with it again, of course I would use it but I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase it for myself.

There is nothing better than using up products that took a long time to finish and, despite some wishy washy reviews, I am still pleased with my empties this month. I can’t wait to try lots of new products out in their place this July! 😀

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

 

Mar15

Updating Your Skin Care Routine For Summer

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Updating Your Skin Care Routine For Summer

Hello! Just like your wardrobe needs updated come the warm weather, your skin care routine will need a few changes too to keep you looking your best. Heavy products for dry skin in the winter can cause oiliness and breakouts when it’s really hot out so light but effective products are the name of the game when it comes to summer skin care. Today, we are going to look at a few simple changes you can make to your routine for radiant skin all summer long:

Products With SPF:

Skin care products with SPF in it should be used all year round but it is especially important in the summer time – of course! There are plenty of moisturizers, serums, lotions, and chapsticks with SPF that will help protect your skin in the sunshine. Incorporating SPF into your skin care routine is also a great hack if, like me, you hate putting on sunscreen. While we all are excited to soak up the sun after a long winter, we must do so safely and using SPF products will better protect you from harmful UV rays that can cause burns and cancer.

Lighter Moisturizer:

As mentioned above, you will want to switch to a lighter moisturizer during the warm weather to prevent oiliness and clogged pores. We all know how uncomfortable it is when a product just feels greasy in the summer so opt for a gel moisturizer, instead. A gel moisturizer absorbs quickly while still being super hydrating which will keep your skin from feeling weighed down by heavy products.

Don’t forget to switch out any cream based cleansers too! Rather, go for a gel base again. I, personally, love the Clean & Clear Hydrating Facial Cleanser. It’s invigorating, smells amazing, oil free, and leaves my skin feeling so clean without the dried out sensation.

Facial Scrub:

I am sure we all plan on being outside as often as we can to enjoy the warm weather and while it will be wonderful, there is so much that can clog up your pores in the summer. Dirt, grime, and sweat can all lead to clogged pores which, in turn, can cause breakouts. During the summer, I highly recommend incorporating a facial scrub into your skin care routine to use a few times throughout the week. Not only will it help rid yourself of any remaining dry winter skin but it will also clear up the gunk that gathers in your pores.

Making the above changes in your skin care routine will keep your skin clear and healthy all summer long. You can’t go wrong with lighter products that offer SPF!

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

 

May28

May 2020 Finishes

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May 2020 Finishes

Hello! May is just about over, which means that it’s time for my monthly beauty finishes. Despite being stuck at home pretty much all of May, it went by surprisingly quick and before I know it, my birthday of June 7th will be here in which I am turning the big 2-6. YIKES! I am not particularly thrilled about this increase in age so I’d like to stay in May for a bit longer please and thank you.

Unfortunately, we all know that this isn’t possible so I guess I will just have to really savor these last few posts in May! *Deep breath* The savoring has officially commenced so let’s get to discussing these empties:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Wonder Therapy Scrub: I got acquainted with the Wonder Therapy brand through TJMaxx and I am obsessed with their coffee scrubs! The Vanilla Coconut scent is delicious and the creamy texture is so rich that I don’t even have to put lotion on after shaving. And, speaking of shaving, I get the closest shave when I use this scrub first to prep my skin… We’re talking crazy smooth and it doesn’t get better than that. Plus, I got at least fifteen uses from one bottle, which is a great value too.

B&BW Shower Gel: Love the Bath & Body Works shower gels, love the apple scent, and love that I got it for about three bucks during their semi-annual sale. One bottle takes me over one month to finish and my skin definitely feels a lot softer and healthier from their moisturizing formula. And, did we mention the apple scent? Yum!

Evoluderm Micellar Water: I also got acquainted with the Evoluderm brand from TJMaxx and their micellar water is literally the best. It beats the Garnier micellar water by a long shot and I always have to snag a few bottles if I find it in the TJ’s beauty aisle. Not only does this micellar water take off my makeup perfectly but it also feels so good to use as a toner before I put my creams on. It took me over one month to finish the travel sized bottle.

ValJean Serum: This day serum by ValJean was a massive disappointment and one of the few times that the TJMaxx beauty aisle did me dirty. It was so strange because the consistency of the serum was thicker, which I like, but it felt like it did nothing every time I applied it. It was just kind of there and I noticed no difference in the feeling or appearance of my skin one way or the other. It took me one month to finish one bottle.

Clinique Face Spray: I received the Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray as a freebie gift from one of my Sephora online orders. For a while, it just sat there unused in my bathroom cabinet. But, then, I used a super powerful cream that my mom gave me which was definitely intended for more mature skin. It dried my face out completely and, throughout the day, I could feel it becoming more and more parched.

Then, I decided to start taking the Clinique spray with me while I was out and about and couldn’t get cream on immediately. It was such a refreshing… Moisture surge, lol. Seriously, it was like getting a drink of water for my skin every time I used it and I can see myself buying it again this winter when my sensitive skin suffers. It took me two weeks of use to finish the travel sized bottle.

Overall, May was a great month for empties. I finished a lot of the products that I was working on for a while and that is always exciting because it means I can start something new. So, who knows what I’ll have used up next month… Keep it posted! 🙂

Which products did you finish up in May? What are some of your favorite beauty brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec18

Amazon Haul

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Amazon Haul

Helloooo everyone! Thanks to my hella holiday shopping on Amazon, I racked up big points on my credit card so I could do MORE shopping on Amazon. I figured that I would stock up on some of my favorite skin care products that I essentially got all of for half off thanks to my extra shopping money from the Amazon rewards program. I think I should be all set for a long time! Check it out:

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The Haul:

My skin care routine is fairly simple: Give me a good face wash, micellar water, serum, moisturizer, and eye cream and I am all set. I am not picky when it comes to my products but, once I find a brand that I like, I usually stick with it. So, grabbing some extra bottles of the Garnier micellar water for my toner and makeup remover was a must. I also just had to snag some Destiny Boutique goodies because they are hands down the best charcoal products I have ever used.

I was a bit disappointed that Amazon didn’t carry the Wonder Therapy coffee cream scrub that I love to use when I’m shaving, so I had to try something new. The Tree Hut scrub received high marks in its Amazon reviews and the scent sounded delicious so into the cart it went. I was excited to receive this product in the mail because I was eager to take a whiff of the Lemon Blueberry Tart and it smells divine! It’s sweet without being too sweet and the lemon adds that zingy freshness which will be a perfect pick me up. I can’t wait to try it!

What are some of your go to skin care products? What is your favorite scent for bath and body care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct31

October 2019 Finishes

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October 2019 Finishes

Hey there! Welcome to the last day of October here on lifewithlilred and thanks for stopping by. Today, we will be discussing my monthly finishes of skin and bath and body care products. I am pretty happy about this month’s empties, mainly due to the fact that I finally finished the jar of eye cream that I have been working on using up for the past half a year! There is something so satisfying on finishing a product that you have been using for forever and needing new skin care means a shopping trip to TJMaxx for me, so it truly is a win/win all around. Lol, take a look at my empties for this month and let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Coffee Scrub: For those of you who don’t know, I take shaving very seriously. I have perfected my shaving routine to a science and the Wonder Therapy coffee cream scrub will always be a part of it from now on. First of all, the coffee/lavender/coconut scent was absolutely divine. It was rich without being overpowering and the coffee aroma was invigorating.

And, most importantly, it gave me the best, closest shave of my life. The exfoliating coffee grounds mixed with the moisturizing cream provided the perfect combo for prepping my skin for a shave while protecting it from drying out. My skin has never felt smoother and my shave lasts for at least four days without prickles. Does your favorite scrub do that? One bottle of this miracle product lasted me about two months with weekly, full body use.

Rose Gold Serum: I love me my Azure Lux serum and will always purchase a bottle when it is available at TJMaxx. With pieces of twenty-four karat gold and rose hip mixed in the formula, this serum leaves my skin feeling blinged out and super hydrated with just a thin application. My only qualm with the product is that the consistency of the serum is quite thick, which makes the bottle go quickly as I finished it in under a month. It leaves my skin positively radiant, though, so I’ll deal with it!

Manuka Honey Face Cream: I quite liked this moisturizer by Lanocreme! It was so rich and creamy without feeling greasy and it sat well under my makeup. The light honey scent was delicious and I loved using it in the morning after my shower. I like a thicker moisturizer during the cooler months and I would definitely use it again. It took me a little over one month to finish this product.

Mokita Eye Cream: My mom bestowed this eye cream onto me at the beginning of May and it took me until the end of October to use up. The large jar was completely filled to the brim with product and even daily application didn’t put a dent in it. I’ve never really worried about eye wrinkles because I legit have been using an eye cream since I was fifteen and this Mokita cream helped keep them at bay for a while longer. Although I liked the product, I was very happy to use it up because I love trying new skin care goodies. But, if given the opportunity, I would for sure use it again.

As you can see, October was a very successful month for empties and I would highly recommend all of the reviewed items above. So, hit up TJMaxx and get you some, STAT!

Which products have you used up this month? What are your thoughts on any of my empties 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

Aug27

TJMaxx Fall Haul: All Of The Skin Care Edition

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TJMaxx Fall Haul: All Of The Skin Care Edition

Howdy! In case you haven’t noticed, skin care is something that is very important to me. I take my beauty routines seriously – everything from shaving to showering is well thought out by yours truly to accommodate my skin type. And, when it comes to my face, AKA: The money maker (lol!), I don’t mess around. Face masks, serums, eye creams, exfoliaters – I use it all and my skin thanks me for it by maintaining a smooth and creamy complexion.

My skin type is extremely normal, which is nice, because that means I don’t necessarily have to stick to one brand of skin care for forever. Rather, I play around and always end up purchasing a new skin care treat when I hit up TJMaxx. And, with colder weather coming in hot, it’s important to have a fully stocked supply of moisturizers and creams to keep your skin hydrated. During my TJMaxx Fall Haul, I took home the following:

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The Haul:

Each product that I purchased above are actually ones that I have used before, minus the SkinLab eye cream. I was so pleased with the performance of the moisturizers and coffee scrub that, instead of trying something new, I stuck with some old favorites. I absolutely loved using the SkinLab moisturizers – especially the gel one, which was nice during the summertime. And, I know that the cream based moisturizer will come in handy once the cold weather strikes.

Both of the moisturizers left my skin feeling hydrated without leaving any type of residue or making me feel greasy – which is really hard to do during the summer. I was happy to buy both of them again and am looking forward to trying out the eye cream. I am always on the hunt for a good one of those ever since The Body Shop discontinued my beloved Nutriganics!

The Wonder Therapy coffee scrub was also a major must because I am obsessed with it. I always exfoliate my skin before shaving and, until recently, I would use a gel scrub. I thought I was getting a close shave with the Satsuma and Strawberry scrubs from The Body Shop but, boy, was I mistaken.

The shave that I get with the cream based coffee scrub is unlike any other. It leaves my skin so smooth and hydrated that I don’t even need to apply lotion afterwards. But, of course I do anyways! The shave is so close that my skin remains smooth for at least three to four days before any stubble appears. Can your shaving cream or scrub do that?

I’m glad that TJMaxx had the products that I was eager to use again when I went shopping because sometimes it’s hit or miss. I’m definitely looking forward to using all of them in the future!

What is your skin care routine? How do you achieve a super close shave? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun27

Shaving Secrets

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Shaving Secrets

Hi! During my late birthday outing to a winery with my BFF, she commented on how smooth my legs are. Through BFF telepathy, we both shaved the night before our hang out and my legs were definitely a lot smoother in comparison to hers. She asked for my secrets and also looked through my bathroom once we went to my apartment to see my shaving supplies, lol!

After bequeathing my knowledge onto her, I realized that this would make a great blog post. So, here I am to share my tips for the closest shave ever with you!

Use a men’s razor:

You have not experienced a close shave until you’re using a men’s razor. I swear by the razors by Gilette and refuse to use anything different. Men’s razors are designed to give as close of a shave humanly possible for their face as well as to move around gently on the contours. So, it just makes sense that it would work amazingly for the rest of the body, too!

I feel like women’s razors are made to just go in straight lines on the legs but the human body is not perfectly straight. There’s curves and bumps and muscles and a terrain on the body that doesn’t make it that simple. Men’s razors have a lot more movement to them to get all of those difficult areas effectively. Ditch your women’s razor and see an immediate difference just from that.

Take a soak:

I only will shave after I have had a nice soak in the tub. The warm water relaxes the skin and makes your hair stand up, which makes for an easier shaving experience. I enjoy a weekly bath every Friday night with a glass of wine and my music to help unwind after a long work week. There is just too much room for error if you shave in the shower and a bath time shave lets me know that I haven’t missed any spots. No one likes random hairy patches!

Use an exfoliater:

Instead of using a shaving cream, I treat my legs and any other areas of my body that I shave to an exfoliater. It helps loosen up the hair follicles, removes any dead or dry skin, and really helps prep your body for a shave. I used to love the more gel-like scrubs from The Body Shop but, after using a cream based one, I don’t plan on using anything different. Gels and shaving creams dry the skin out but a rich, creamy scrub moisturizes the skin as you go along and provides a much closer shave.

Lotion up:

And, finally, using lotion after you shave is a must. I will cover my whole body in lotion (I like Jergen’s!) after my bath, put on a long sleeved pajama top and bottoms, and then sleep in it for all night moisturizing. When I wake up, my skin is so silky smooth and I don’t feel any type of prickles growing back. And, on the subject of moisturizing – make sure you use a cream based body wash to avoid your skin from drying out, which doesn’t help the cause of smoothness, either.

With my shaving routine, I don’t see any type of noticeable hair growth on my body until at least day four. And, at that point, my bath night is close enough that I can handle a little prickle until then!

What are your shaving secrets? How do you stay smooth in between shaves? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Rebel Circus

May25

May 2019 Finishes

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May 2019 Finishes

Hellooo! May is drawing to a close and June is coming in hot, which means that very soon I’ll be turning twenty-five. UGH! So with another month and another year in my book coming to an end, it’s about that time to discuss our finishes for May. This month, I actually completed a lot of products so we have much to discuss. Let’s get to it!

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Would I Use Again?

  • Solmo Shea Butter & Oatmeal body wash: MAYBE
  • The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit shower gel: YES
  • Garnier Micellar Water: YES
  • The Body Shop Satsuma scrub: YES
  • The Body Shop Cocoa Butter lotion: NO
  • SkinLab Detox Cloud moisturizer: YES
  • The Body Shop Oils Of Life serum: YES

Why/Why Not?

Solmo Body Wash: I believe that my mom ordered this product off of Amazon and it was fine. It wasn’t the best body wash I’ve ever used but it wasn’t the worst. I have one more bottle left to use but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t looking forward to trying something else with a more invigorating scent. However, this Solmo wash leaves my skin feeling really moisturized and it lathers well. It took me one month to finish one bottle.

TBS Shower Gel: I love, love, loved the Pink Grapefruit shower gel by The Body Shop and it took me over two months to finish the bottle. The scent was citrusy and rejuvenating, it lathered well, and it didn’t dry my skin out even though it was a gel. I’m normally not the biggest fan of the Pink Grapefruit scent from TBS for lotion but it worked great for a shower gel and I would definitely use it again.

Garnier Micellar Water: You know the drill. I will continue using this product until I find something else. And, as per ushe, it takes me one month to finish one bottle.

TBS Scrub: And, also as per ushe, I would use the Satsuma scrub from The Body Shop again too! This is one of my favorite products from TBS. It smells amazing, gives me a close shave, and leaves my skin feeling bright and clean. And, as always, I get at least seven full body uses from one bottle.

TBS Lotion: Although the Cocoa Butter from The Body Shop is easily one of my favorite scents, I have a bone to pick with this lotion. The bottle was absolutely impossible to squeeze, making it so hard to get any product out. I had to leave the bottle upside down and then unscrew the cap to use it. But, then, the lotion would come pouring out giving me way too much and getting on everything. So, I definitely won’t be using this one again even though I liked the lotion. I got about six full body uses from one bottle.

SkinLab Moisturizer: I LOVED this moisturizer that I found at TJMaxx. It sat well under makeup, was inexpensive, lightweight, and it left my skin feeling so hydrated. A little bit of the cream went a long way and it took me over a month to finish the jar. Hoping that I can find another one on my next shopping trip!

TBS Serum: Like all of The Body Shop products on here, I got the Oils Of Life serum from TJMaxx, too. It takes me over two months to finish one bottle and I can really tell a difference on my skin when I’m using it. It looks and feels so much more supple and radiant and that’s cool, because I normally never notice any differences on my skin when using a product. Despite the oil being rich, it sits really well under makeup and I am so happy I bought two bottles so I can continue using it.

Overall, May was a great month for finishes. I got to use a lot of products from The Body Shop which was a treat and I would gladly use almost all of them again. Great success!

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