Tag Archives: skin care

Dec31

December 2022 Finishes

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December 2022 Finishes

Hello everyone!! It is the end of the month and year here on lifewithlilred so let’s close out 2022 by discussing my beauty empties for December. This year seriously flew by and thank you so much to everyone who has spent time on my page! This month, I went through lots of products and was forever on the hunt to soothe my dry winter skin. Some worked well, some not so much so let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

EOS Body Cream: This was a Christmas gift from my bestie and it has helped my dry skin so much this past month. I would apply this cream every night and would see and feel a noticeable difference every morning. When my hands get dry, they get really red. The EOS Heal + Repair cream stopped the redness in its tracks every time it came cropping up and that was a huge plus. The pomegranate and raspberry scent was also nice and light, which is always preferred by me.

Vital Beauty Eye Gel: This is my second jar of the Vital Beauty Cooling Eye Gel that I have used and it has impressed me yet again. It took me over three months to finish it, which I thought was an excellent value. I love the gel texture, the super fast absorbancy, and the improvements it has made to the delicate skin around my eyes. There has definitely been a reduction in fine lines and designer bags and I would happily buy it again.

Clean Beauty Moisturizer: It took me close to five weeks to finish this moisturizer and it was just so so for me. The gel texture was calming and cooling and it absorbed really well. My skin also felt well hydrated after each use. However, I didn’t notice any mind blowing differences to my skin once the jar was complete. It was a good moisturizer but not great and I would use it again if it was one of my only options at TJMaxx.

B&BW Lotion: I received this lotion as a freebie during one of my Bath & Body Works trips and the Happy Birthday scent smells exactly like what you would think: A delicious cake with vanilla icing. Although the scent was pretty pungent, I still liked it because I’m a fan of anything vanilla! It took me about two weeks to finish the travel size lotion and it left my hands feeling nourished and smooth with every use.

TBS Drops Of Youth: My mom picked me up the Drops Of Youth by The Body Shop during one of her TJMaxx trips. I was excited because I had never used the serum before and expected it to be a miracle worker because I have heard nothing but good things about it. It took about one month to finish the bottle and, unfortunately, I was less than impressed with the results. For such a small bottle, the texture of the Drops Of Youth was relatively thick and you needed a decent amount to cover your face and neck. For value’s sake, this is never a good thing. I also didn’t see any major differences to my skin so I’m glad I know that I can skip on it if I ever see it at TJs!

Several successes in my December Finishes seems like the perfect way to wrap up 2022 here on lifewithlilred. See you tomorrow in 2023!! ❤

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

Dec18

Face Mask Festivities: Elf Dope Dreams Sleeping Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Elf Dope Dreams Sleeping Mask Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Face Mask Festivities! Today, we will be discussing the Elf Dope Dreams Sleeping Mask. I purchased this product during my last skin care haul at TJMaxx and was excited to test it out. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me and I am happy that I only paid four bucks for it rather than its original ten dollar price tag. While it was an okay mask, it wasn’t great and Lil Red won’t settle for anything less! Let’s get into the details:

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I love me an overnight mask and that is the main reason why I purchased the Elf Dope Dreams one in the first place. It is a no muss no fuss solution to better skin and it doesn’t get much better than that. Before coming to my conclusions about the product, I used it twice as a sleeping mask and once as a wash off mask before my morning shower. What I liked about this mask was that it’s unscented. Not that I was expecting it to smell like straight up weed but I always prefer little to no scent when it comes to skin care. And, of course, the jojoba beads were a nice touch for a bit of exfoliation to help remove dead skin.

After my first use, I woke up in the morning and didn’t really feel one way or the other about how it worked. Before and after rinsing it off, my skin felt the same as if I had completed my normal skin care routine without anything special to it. I decided to use it again the following night and, once again, didn’t notice any mind blowing results. Since the overnight use was shaping up to be a bust, I figured I would change things up by using it as a wash off mask a few days later. I left it on for about fifteen minutes and was still unimpressed with the condition of my skin.

The purpose of the Dope Dreams mask is strictly hydration and I thought that it would make a good addition to my skin care routine during the winter. However, my skin felt better when I was just using my every day products and that essentially eliminated the need for the mask. For skin care, I like products that serve multiple purposes and if it only focuses on one thing like moisturizing or radiance, then it better be the best! The Dope Dreams mask was a far cry from ultra hydration for my skin and once I finish the bottle, I will not be purchasing it again.

Even though the Elf Dope Dreams Sleeping Mask wasn’t my favorite, it was still a treat to try something new. I will say that this mask received pretty good reviews overall so use your discretion if you are thinking of making the purchase. We are all different and what didn’t work for me could be amazing for you!

Have you ever used this sleeping mask before? What are your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec13

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hello! After reorganizing my work bag, I realized that I had a ten dollar rewards certificate from TJMaxx due to my expert spending this year lol. I couldn’t have stumbled upon this at a better time because I was running low on lots of my skin care staples and decided to take a TJs trip during a free afternoon. As always, I told myself that I was only going to look at beauty products but that was just a lie to make myself feel better because you all know I got some clothes too! Take a look at what should have been my only purchases during my shopping and keep it posted for what I treated myself with:

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Prior to the pandemic, I would say that I was going to TJMaxx at least bimonthly and would restock my beauty products as needed. This worked for me at the time but my shopping process has certainly changed since 2020. Now, when I make it to my beloved TJMaxx (It has been over three months since my last visit!), I stock up on what I need so that I don’t have to keep returning back. An all around restock was definitely what I needed this time around and all of the products seen above will last me close to four months. I consider this a blessing because it will keep me away from all of the temptations of winter clearance! 😀

My skin care routine is a fairly simple one that includes a scrub, cleanser, micellar water, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. I use most of these products twice daily and it is easy to see why I would go to TJs in shorter intervals because some of the items can get used up rather quickly. I am used to finishing a product like a serum or moisturizer every month but I had a revelation while writing my November 2022 Finishes post: Sometimes, bigger is better. This past month, I finished up a gigantic tub of moisturizer that lasted me close to a month and a half. It really blew my mind and I thought that I would incorporate my discovery into this skin care restock, as you can see by the huge bottles of serum! I was disappointed that I couldn’t find any similar sizes of moisturizer to the Pearlessence one that I used and loved but what can ya do?

There are lots of new to me products in my skin care haul that I am excited to try out like the eye cream and Neutrogena cleanser. I actually just used the SpaLife serum with the beads in it and it was pretty good. Yes, I mainly bought it because it looked cool! But I digress. I am most looking forward to trying the Dope Dreams sleeping mask by ELF. I have used a CBD moisturizer before that I wasn’t too impressed with but this mask intrigued me. Keep checking back for a new Face Mask Festivities about it soon!

I am obsessed with skin care all year round but it just hits different in the winter. When I saw my go to products running low, it was off to TJs I went and I think I should be pretty well stocked until spring! 😀

What is your winter skin care routine like? 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

 

Nov30

How To Treat Yourself To The Ultimate Makeover

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How To Treat Yourself To The Ultimate Makeover

We all deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while, and what better way to do that than with a makeover? Whether you’re looking for a new hairstyle, wardrobe, or skin care routine, there are endless ways to pamper yourself and feel like a new person. Let’s check out some tips on how you can treat yourself to the ultimate makeover:

Pick a Style Icon:

The first step to any makeover is finding some inspiration. Research your favorite celebrities or style bloggers and find someone whose look you’d like to emulate. Once you have your style icon in mind, you’ll have a better idea of the changes you want to make. Are you still trying to figure out where to start? Pinterest is always a great place to look for fashion inspo.

Update Your Hairstyle:

One of the easiest ways to change your look is by updating your hairstyle. If you’re feeling bold, why not try a brand new color? On the other hand, if you’re not ready for such a drastic change, ask your stylist for a cut that will complement your face shape. You’d be surprised by how much of a difference the right hair cut can make.

Invest in Some New Clothes:

Next up on our list is clothes. If your style needs an update, it’s time to hit the stores (or the internet) and find new pieces that speak to you. But beware – one of the pitfalls of shopping for a new wardrobe is spending too much money on clothes you’ll never wear. To avoid this trap, stick to buying items that can be mixed and matched with pieces you already own. This way, you’ll get the most bang for your buck and your closet will thank you for it!

Treat Your Skin Right:

Remember your skin! After all, what’s the point of having a killer outfit if your skin doesn’t look its best? If you need help figuring out where to start when it comes to skin care, try using products with natural ingredients or consulting with a dermatologist. And remember – just like with clothes, it’s crucial not to overspend on skin care products that might not work for you. Instead, start small and gradually add new products as needed.

Invest In Your Smile:

Finally, don’t forget to invest in your smile. A great way to instantly boost your confidence is by visiting a cosmetic dentist and having them whiten, straighten, or even reshape your teeth. With the right Cosmetic Dentist, you can have a brand new smile in no time and you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make in your confidence.

Go ahead and permit yourself to splurge – it’s close enough to the new year to invest in yourself for a new you. And just in time for the holidays to wow your friends and family!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov30

November 2022 Finishes

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November 2022 Finishes

Howdy!! It is the end of another month that simply flew by and you all know what that means – it’s time to discuss my monthly beauty finishes! November brought me lots of new products to try out and that was so fun for me because I was feeling pretty blah with my skin care routine. Things definitely got shaken up with two new moisturizers and two new serums, one of which was a hit and the others… Not so much. Let’s get into more detail:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Clean Beauty Serum: This serum took me about four weeks of twice daily use to complete and it was pretty good. It lived up to its name of Deep Hydration because my skin definitely felt more hydrated and soothed after using it. However, there are a lot of serums out there that can do that and more so I can’t say that I was blown away by it. I would use it again if it was available at TJMaxx and nothing else spoke to me but other than that, this is a product that can be skipped on.

Clinique Serum: My aunt gave me a goodie bag of Clinique skin care samples and it took me four days of twice daily use to finish the Clinical Repair serum. While that isn’t enough time to see a product fully work its magic, it was enough for me to know that I couldn’t justify a price tag on a full size bottle. This serum was kind of weird in texture. It was thick but also runny if that makes sense? You also needed a quarter size or bigger dollop to fully cover your face and neck and even then, it still didn’t feel like enough. Who knows? Maybe this product is liquid gold but I just wasn’t seeing it.

Clinique Moisturizer: This moisturizer took me six days of twice daily use to finish the sample size jar and it was alright. I really liked that it had SPF 15 in it because that’s so important – even in the winter months! My skin also felt well hydrated after using it. Having said that, the Clinique Smart moisturizer features one of my biggest product pet peeves: It did a lousy job fully absorbing and I’m talking well over an hour. That is something that really bothers me because I hate feeling any type of residue on my skin, making it an instant no go for me.

Pearlessence Moisturizer: While the Clinique moisturizer I sampled was a dud, I cannot say enough good things about the Pearlessence Big Sky Cloud Cream. I paid six dollars for this huge jar and it took me over five weeks of twice daily use to complete, which is such an amazing value. My only regret is that it didn’t last longer! This moisturizer was the perfect happy medium between a cream and a gel and it made my skin feel so good after every use. I loved how soft it made my skin as well as making it look completely radiant. I would happily buy this product again and want ten of them to have on back stock! 😀

Although there were a few no gos in my November Finishes, it was still a nice treat to try out so many new to me products. If you are looking for a good moisturizer this winter, I can’t recommend the Pearlessence one enough… Buy me a couple of jars too lol! ❤

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

Nov19

3 Top Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips

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3 Top Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips

A beauty regimen before a wedding will help you look your best on your big day. You’ll want to look back on this day fondly, so it’s only natural that you want everything to be perfect. While there are plenty of beauty preparations you’ll want to do so you’re picture-perfect for the wedding, you need to realize that there will be some things you’ll need to do far in advance. So, what are these? Keep reading on to learn all about them:

Go easy on the skincare:

It’s odd to say, as most brides will improve their skin care regimen and may even get a facial from the local spa. While it’s great and even aspiring to have that perfect skin for the wedding, you’ll have to be cautious. Getting a skin care regimen in place for your big day is crucial to looking your best. The last thing you want is a breakout or dry skin. Make sure to avoid new skincare products in the month before the wedding.

Considering a tan?

Some brides enjoy tanning, whether it’s a spray tan or visiting the local tanning bed. However, if you want to get your glow on before the wedding, you must be careful. Spray tans are a great way to add a natural glow to your skin. They can also help to camouflage any imperfections in your skin. These tans can contour and define your muscles too. Getting a spray tan before your dress fitting when starting a wedding beauty regimen is a great way to ensure you get the shade you want. You can schedule a trial tan a month before the wedding.

Give up teeth-staining drinks:

Who doesn’t love their coffee, teas, red wines, and maybe even munching on berries? While these are all nice indulgences, you shouldn’t consume too much each day as you risk staining your teeth. Whether you’re looking to get white teeth for your wedding or just want to keep them bright, there are several things you can do to keep your teeth white. A dentist can also remove stains from your teeth if necessary. One of the easiest ways to prevent stains from wine is to rinse your mouth with water after you drink.This helps to loosen up the acidity that’s causing the stains.

You can also brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste. This type of toothpaste uses mild abrasives to remove stains from your teeth. However, it can take several months to see results so it’s important to do this far in advance. Another way you can kick up your teeth a notch would be through Invisalign. If your teeth aren’t straight, you can count on this to give you the smile you’ve always wanted for your wedding!

Be your most radiant, picture perfect self on your big day with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

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

Oct31

October 2022 Finishes

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October 2022 Finishes

Hello everyone!! October is drawing to a close, which means that it’s time to discuss my monthly beauty finishes! And by finishes, I mean “finish” because there is only one product that I used up this month. The current products in my bath and body and skin care routine are all bigger in size and have been taking forever to use up. I’m not complaining, though, because all that does is continue to lower my CPU or “cost per use”! Now, let’s discuss the lone body cream in one of my favorite scents that I managed to finish:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Bath & Body Works Body Cream in Gingham: YES!!!!

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Lotion: As you all know, Gingham is one of my all time favorite scents by Bath & Body Works. One of my sweet neighbors also knows it because this was a gift – an incredibly thoughtful one! I would apply this to my hands, arms, and trunk (lol) every night and it took me a little over a month to complete the bottle. This cream was thicker in texture but it applied easily and absorbed quickly without any greasy residue. That, in itself, is a huge selling point for me because I can’t stand when a lotion doesn’t absorb fully. Every morning, I would wake up to ultra smooth skin that both looked and felt healthy. And, oh yeah, it smells great too! I would definitely recommend this product.

Talk about a short and sweet post amiright?! Thanks for checking in at lifewithlilred and have a fabulous day. See you in November! 😉 ❤

Which beauty products did you use up this month? What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct11

Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Rejuvenating Cucumber & Pink Salt Clay Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Rejuvenating Cucumber & Pink Salt Clay Mask Edition

Hello!! Friday is usually Johnny’s big night out and my big night in. During my evening with the apartment to myself, I love to play Paper Mario and Animal Crossing and watch all of the shows that Johnny refuses to watch with me (IE: Hoarders!). As I was getting settled, I realized that it had been a long while since I used a face mask so I decided to do a little pampering:

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For my spa night, I used the Freeman Rejuvenating Cucumber & Pink Salt Clay Mask and it was pretty good. My first impression was how nice it smelled – just like freshly cut cucumbers, which was really refreshing. The pale blue color was also very pleasing too! The directions for this mask said to remove after seven to ten minutes so I applied the mask and waited…

When I’m using a face mask, I try to leave it on for as long as I can. However, that was so not the case with this mask. It dried very quickly and by the five minute mark it was already hardened considerably but not unpleasantly. Fast forward to minute seven and my skin was begging me to take it off. I experienced a mild burning sensation and it was like heaven when I began removing it.

Although it wasn’t the most pampered I’ve ever felt during my face mask time, I was still impressed with the results. The exfoliating pink salt worked well and my skin felt smooth and looked nourished. It was super drying, though, and I actually had to apply my nighttime skin care routine twice because of how thirsty my skin was. It was all good after that extra moisturizing boost!

I liked this mask well enough but I don’t think that I would use it again. If I were to try it one more time, I would definitely remove it at five minutes, which I would recommend if you try it too!

How do you like to spend a night in? What is your favorite face mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep30

September 2022 Finishes

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September 2022 Finishes

Hello everyone!! It’s the end of the month and you all know what that means… It’s time to discuss all of the beauty products that I finished up! September was a wildly successful month for empties and I used up lots of products that I would happily use again. One serum in particular really blew my mind and I NEED more. Today, we’ll be talking about the new to me finishes so you can peep previous reviews in other posts. Now, let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Pearlessence Serum: I decided to take a break from Vitamin C serums for a spell and moved onto my current obsession of hyaluronic acid. When I saw the Dewy Glow serum at TJMaxx during a previous haul, I couldn’t not try it and I was in love with the very pleasing color of the bottle lol. I am SO glad that I did because this serum is AMAZING! It promised a “dewy glow” and it delivered a thousandfold. After just one use, I was blown away by how fresh my skin looked and felt and it stayed that way all day. After the month it took me to finish it, my skin looked brighter and felt softer. It also paired so well with the Pearlessence moisturizer that I tried. Highly recommend!

Vital Beauty Eye Gel: The Vital Beauty Cooling Eye Gel was another TJs purchase and it was a great value. It costed about six dollars and it took me roughly four months to finish it with morning and night use. I’m happy that I bought two of them because this product was another winner. A little of it went such a long way and I was so impressed by how untired it made me look. I have been perpetually exhausted for the past month and a half but it definitely didn’t show! The delicate skin around my eyes felt healthy and strong and always looked like I got excellent beauty sleep even though that was far from the case. Loved it!

Pearlessence Gel Moisturizer: As you all know, I freaking love me a gel moisturizer. I think that they are so refreshing and love how quickly it absorbs as well as the non-greasy feeling. The Pearlessence moisturizer was really nice and Johnny liked it too for his chronically dry forehead lol. This product was so light but effective and the double dose of hyaluronic acid from the serum made a noticeable difference. I feel like my skin has never looked better or more perfectly moisturized thanks to this pairing. It took me a month of twice daily use to finish one jar.

As you can see, September was a wonderful month for finishes. I found a new favorite skin care brand and used up products that I have been working on for a while. You can’t beat that and do check out Pearlessence next time you need to restock your skin care… I think you’ll like it!

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